book (8 page)

He spoke quietly to himself in the corner of the the train, as if his words could no longer be confined to his mind. “At the risk of sounding sprung, I may have met the woman of my dreams. The woman that I just might like to share my life with.” He sighed.

“
And what do I have to offer her? A small, dumpy house out in the woods, endless protection of the city she loves, and really good sex.” He trembled at the thought of their first encounter. “Make that really, really good sex.”

So good, in fact, that he was tempted to get off at the next stop. One located in convenient proximity to the Clearview Police Department.

In an effort to fight temptation he crossed and locked his knees, forcing his attention to the task at hand. The task of discovering the rogue vampire, who under the service of Scarlet, might be endangering his clan.

He realized that it might be a mistake to trust those who’d loved and served him for years, but what choice did he have? They were his family members and trusted friends. The members of his den lived to serve and protect him, and none of them had ever given him reason to doubt them.

So tha
t leaves Sebastian. He stroked his chin, frowning in thought. Granted my trusted Alida sent him to me so he could learn the ways of the vampire. Even she admits though that she doesn’t know him fully. And I hate to tell her, but he’s not taking instruction all that well.

All the same, the young firebrand had a good heart and strong leadership skills. He doesn't seem like the type that could be easily seduced and manipulated, even by a stunner like Scarlet.

Unlike some people.

Hathen felt uneasy as he deepened himself further into the cushioned seat. What if the rogue vampire was one of his own after all? A family member who’d fallen victim to Scarlet’s evil brand of mind control?

Before he considered that troubling possibility further, Hathen decided to investigate Sebastian, the one newcomer to the group. With that in mind, he now stood from his subway seat as his carriage came to a halt.

“
Now stopping at Glendale Apartments, fourth street entrance.”

With the subway conductor announcing his destination, Hathen hopped off the subway and climbed a set of stairs to the busy city street in front of Glendale Apartments. This is where Sebastian had just rented an expansive townhouse.

The dude seems to have a lot of money at his disposal
, Hathen thought. He ducked his head low, gritting his teeth as the battering rays of the Florida sunshine burned the surface of his cloak.

Was it really the best idea in the world to start a vampire den in the dead center of the state known as sunny Florida?
He made a move, quickening his pace as he headed for the building that housed Sebastian’s townhouse.
I must speak to Alida sometime about that decision
.

Sighing relief as he made it to the entrance of a darkened apartment hall, he soon found himself standing straight in front of Unit 2A; the apartment Sebastian had identified as his own.

Not wishing to frighten or agitate a sleeping vampire, his first knock was light and unobtrusive. It was also completely unanswered.

I guess I should have known better
. He tapped his feet. Trying to wake a vamp really is like trying to wake the dead.

Again he knocked, more forcefully this time. Once again, his summons was met only with an irritating round of cool, dead silence.

OK, I’m seriously hoping he gave me the right address
. Hathen shook his head, delivering a final forceful knock that rattled the doorway.
If not, then this does not bode well for any suspicions I might have about him. Not to mention his intentions toward my den
.

His troubled meditation was disrupted by the rough, abrupt opening of the door before him; a move that revealed a full-figured woman with a plain, unassuming face.

“
Can I help you?” she greeted Hathen, gathering the folds of her terrycloth robe tight around her body.

“
I’m so sorry to disturb you Madame.” he said with an embarrassed smile. “I must have the wrong place.”

“
No, you’ve got the right place.”

These words came not from the woman before him, but from a familiar looking man who appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

In direct contrast to the woman who seemed to be his lover, this tall, strapping man radiated with the force of masculine beauty. While he shared the same strong features as many a vampire male, his look was distinguished by a waist-length fall of red auburn hair.

“
Good morning Sebastian.” Hathen greeted the newcomer with a short nod and a sincere, friendly smile.

Sebastian said nothing, only peering at Hathen as his fingers soothed the wavy strands of his long fiery hair.

“
I’m sorry to disturb you,” Hathen apologized as he realized that the muscular Sebastian stood nude behind his lover. Her generous form failed to obscure his bare shoulders and chest.

“
Is there some sort of an emergency, Hathen?” he asked finally, his eyes struggling to focus on his sheepish visitor as he cocked his tired head. “Because as you can see, I’m pretty busy here.”

Hathen’s gaze flew to the face of Sebastian’s silent lover. She showed no surprise at his words, expressing only pleasure as he nestled her neck and tightened his hold on her waist.

“
Yes, well, I can see that.” Hathen responded, starting to get a little irritated by the situation. “The only problem is, Sebastian, that a good vampire lord always puts the needs of his den before his own. No matter how... pressing those needs might be.” He arched his eyebrows. “And from what I understand, you would indeed like to become a top quality, high ranking vampire lord.”

An unspoken question rang forth in his words, one that hung between them as Sebastian’s lover fixed Hathen with a curious gaze.

“
OK then,” Sebastian stepped back, reaching for a bathrobe hanging from a nearby coat rack as he waved his visitor through his front door. “Though from what I’ve heard, dude, you’re not supposed to invite a vampire into your house.”

“
Oh Sebastian.” Hathen winked at the woman, who met him with a sly smile before retreating into an adjoining room. “You’re a vampire yourself.”

“
Oh yeah.” Sebastian slipped on his robe as he gestured toward a nearby chair, a plush cushioned seat that Hathen claimed with a relieved sigh. “Make yourself comfortable then.”

“
Thanks. Sorry to interrupt your time with the wife.”

His host smiled, displaying a row of flawless white teeth in the process.

“
She is a wife actually, but not mine.” He arched his eyebrows. “She’s one of my neighbors here at Glendale. Her husband works a lot, and I could feel her desire and frustration from five doors down.” He waggled his eyebrows, nudging Hathen with a knowing elbow. “You know we incubi can’t resist a good challenge.”

Hathen said nothing at first, his mind returning to detective mode.

“
Is that what you want from my den, Sebastian?” He leaned forward in his chair. “A good challenge?”

Sebastian’s smile abandoned his face just as quickly as it had arrived. He met Hathen’s gaze full on, and with an evident degree of competitiveness.

“
Look Hathen, I don’t exactly know why Alida sent me to ‘shadow’ your pack.” He took a seat beside his desk, resting his chin on his fist. “She was the woman who turned me, so I do what she says, when she says.” He put his arms up before him in what seemed a strong but protective gesture. “I’m only here to learn and observe, to learn the ropes so to speak. Then when I’m ready, I get my own den.”

Hathen nodded.

“
May I ask why you want to be a den leader?” He attempted a casual tone.

Sebastian shrugged.

“
For one thing, whenever I’m in a situation I pretty much like to control it.” He lifted his chin as if his very words made him stand that bit taller. “For another thing, I want to make sure that the vamps of this country stay on the right track.”

“
Meaning?”

“
Meaning that we ‘children of the night’ have a pretty bad reputation. When I became a vampire, it was because I figured that one lifetime wasn’t long enough to do everything I wanted to do. Plus I savored the idea of having as much sex as humanly possible.”

“
That could indeed be considered a perk.” Hathen chuckled.

“
Totally.” Sebastian winked. “What is not a perk is the fact that we’re portrayed in the media as murderers, bloodsuckers and all around jerks. And all too often, too many of us live up to this rep.”

“
Much like Scarlet,” Hathen watched Sebastian, monitoring his reaction to his next words. “The woman who almost destroyed my den.”

Sebastian nodded.

“
Yeah, I heard about her. I’m sorry Bro. Just know though, that Alida still has great confidence in you.” He graced Hathen with an affirming smile. “She sent me to learn from the best.”

Hathen rose from his seat, engaging Sebastian in a warm handshake.

“
Thanks Bro.” He smiled. “I needed that.”

Sebastian stood with him, walking toward the entryway of his apartment and opening his door for Hathen.

“
Is that everything?” Sebastian asked as Hathen took leave of his residence.

“
I believe so” Hathen nodded, throwing a warm glance over his shoulder as he put up the hood of his cloak and stepped into the hallway that fronted Sebastian’s apartment. “You’re all right Sebastian. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go home and get some sleep before our den meeting tonight.”

“
I’ll be there.” Sebastian cast a wide-eyed gaze over his shoulder in the direction of his bedroom. “Just how well rested I’ll be though, remains to be seen.”

Hathen laughed.

“
Have fun,” he beamed, adding more seriously, “I do suggest, though, that you come well prepared for this meeting. As the humans say, ‘It’s going to be a bumpy night.’”

“
Good.” Sebastian rubbed his hands together, extracting chuckles from his observer. “I quite like bumpy nights.”

Hathen laughed.

“
Later Sebastian.”

“
Later.” Sebastian closed the door behind his guest, turning immediately for his bedroom.

Time for some damage control. He considered the woman who awaited him in his room.

Although their affair initially started in a haze of passion, one spurred by his lover’s intense degree of sexual frustration, Sebastian had really come to care for Rhonda, the neighbor who he’d been seeing for almost a month.