Caressed by Night (19 page)

Kerstyn brushed the stray strands of hair from his brow as he slowly opened his eyes. Her touch was warm, caring, and he savored it.

Allowing her goodness to wash over him and calm his raging emotions.

Taking her small wrist in his hand, he placed a light kiss above her pulse.

“You can tell me what’s bothering you.”

His lips slowly turned up into that heart-stopping smile that touched his eyes.

“I am forever grateful for you. Please, do not doubt for a moment that I want you.”

His words warmed her troubled heart. Had he peeked into her thoughts or could he feel her knotted, confused emotions as she felt his?

Dimitri stood, taking her up with him. “Come, it is getting late.”

Kerstyn nodded. She understood. She had memories that she would rather leave buried. They would discuss his secrets some other time.

Lacing her fingers with his, she led the way to his room. She had yet to spend one night in her own bed and she was not about to break that streak tonight.

Dimitri paused in the doorway of his room, causing Kerstyn to stumble back. He managed to catch her even as his eyes dilated and shrank.

Clearing his throat, he said, “A friend of mine will be flying in tomorrow and I will need to meet with him. He and his wife are coming to celebrate their anniversary. Would you like to attend their party Tuesday night?”

Kerstyn’s sigh of relief did not escape Dimitri’s notice. She was glad that he had snapped out of his sullen mood and, he had to admit, so was he.

“I’d love to go. How many years are they celebrating?”

“One hundred and ninety-seven.”

Kerstyn’s gasp lodged in her throat.

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“Maybe one day, we will know how it feels to be together for so long,” he whispered with hope, his breath tickling the tiny hairs beside her ear.

Kerstyn closed her eyes and reached her arms back, encircling Dimitri’s neck.

“It would be amazing,” she breathed.

Dimitri gripped her hips and spun her about to face him.

“If God and Fate are kind,” he murmured before capturing her lips with a soul-binding kiss.

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Kerstyn smoothed her pencil skirt. Her fingers trembled as she straightened the hem.

She sighed and mentally restrained herself from glancing at the large clock that hung on the wall above the receptionist’s head. The woman flashed her a reassuring smile before returning her attention to her large, flat-paneled computer screen.

Despite the woman’s smile, Kerstyn still felt as if her heart were in her throat. Though this was better than fainting, which is what she had almost done early that morning when she got a call from Mr.

Erhard’s assistant. She was shocked to the bone, never once did she allow herself to think she would be called in for an interview for the Vail Museum. Now, she sat outside Mr. Erhard’s office.

I hope Dimitri didn’t pull any strings for this interview
.

Kerstyn flinched when the loud, piercing ring of a phone cut through the cloud of silence that filled the office.

The receptionist smiled at her again and answered the call.

“I’m terribly sorry, Your Majesty, but Mr. Erhard is still in his meeting,” she paused and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I will be sure to let him know you’re waiting.” The woman mumbled her irritation as she disconnected the call and began dialing. “Mr. Erhard, Volkov has called again. Yes, sir. Yes, I told him. Okay, what should I say when he calls again? Okay, but he is getting extremely irritable.”
Volkov? She must have spoken to Ven.
Kerstyn’s heart stuttered.

“Yes, sir, she has been waiting,” the receptionist said into the phone before swiveling around in her chair. “Miss Ingmar, Mr. Erhard will see you now.”

Kerstyn nodded and slowly stood, straightened her skirt again, and combed her hair with her fingers. She needed to make a great first impression.

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“There’s no reason to be so nervous,” the receptionist reassured her, “Mr. Erhard is very nice, a perfect gentleman.” Kerstyn gave the receptionist her best fake smile as she paused before the black double doors. Her hand hovered over the knob as she filled her lungs with cool air and willed herself to relax.

This is just like any other job interview
, she told herself for the hundredth time.
Be calm and cool. He’s a vampire. You don’t want to
show fear to a vampire.

She swallowed hard as she thought of the possibility of Mr.

Erhard working with Ven. If they were working together, this could turn out to be a very dangerous situation. She had to keep her wits about her. Her nerves would just have to take a back seat.

Squaring her shoulders, she opened the door. A wall of windows was directly in front of her with a view of the city that was captivating. She slowly turned to find a large, glass desk with a vacant, throne-like chair proudly standing behind it.

To her right, she noticed a bookcase sliding to the side.

Turning, she peered into the black opening as a tall, large figure came forward. Kerstyn’s pulse skyrocketed.

“I apologize for the wait. My previous meeting took longer than expected.”

Kerstyn felt her jaw go slack as Gabriel emerged from the darkness of his secret passage. The bookcase glided back into place, appearing as if it had never moved.

“Please, have a seat, Miss Ingmar.”

Kerstyn snapped her mouth shut and fell into one of the four chairs situated about the desk.

“I know it’s late in the day for an interview. I hope you don’t mind.”

“N-No. Not at all.”

She had thought an interview at seven-thirty for a museum was odd, but the owner was a vampire.
Wonder how he conducts business
during normal hours since he can’t go outside.

“Are you feeling well?”

“Yes. I’m very well.”

He shrugged as he claimed his seat. “You seem a little pale.”
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“That’s because I wasn’t expecting anyone to come out from behind a bookcase.”

“It will be our secret, ” he said as he smiled, pulling a manila folder from the stack resting on his desk. “You may have heard that I am opening a new exhibit, Nordic.” When she nodded, he continued, “I need someone to design and manage it for me. Normally, I don’t hire from the outside.”

“What do you mean?"

“I prefer appointing vampires to such important and delicate positions,” he stated clearly and harshly. Kerstyn had the odd sense that she was being insulted for being human. “However, I am looking for someone new who can bring a fresh perspective to the museum. I need someone…young. Out of all the applicants, including some of your previous professors, you have the strongest background for my upcoming exhibit.”

“The Viking era is my specialty.” She could not hide the excitement in her voice.

“I’ve decided to dust off some of the swords and helmets in my vault and put them on display. Dimitri has kindly offered to lend me some items from his private collection as well. If your résumé is to be believed, you spent a two years working as an intern for one of your professors traveling to various museums in Northern Europe?”

“Yes. We also worked on excavations, restorations, and research.”

“I was very impressed by your credentials,” he said as he scanned her application again. “Now, some details. You will receive sixty-five thousand a year to start. As you progress and your work improves, we’ll discuss raises. This job comes with full benefits and a dedicated parking space. Would you be able to start tomorrow?” Kerstyn sputtered, shock robbing her voice. Clearing her throat, she said, “Yes, I can start tomorrow.”

“Good. Be here at ten. I’ll give you more information in the morning and I’ll have some paperwork for you to sign before I give you the keys.”

“Mr. Erhard, I would hope that I have earned the job on my own merits and not because I’m with Dimitri. I know you are friends and I don’t need any favors,” she said with a defiant look.

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“The fact that you have Dimitri’s complete trust does place you above all other applicants.”

“I understand that and I’m thrilled about this job. It is my dream, but I don’t want it if the only reason is Dimitri.”

“Do you feel you are unqualified or undeserving?”

“No, of course not. I just don’t want you to hand me this―”

“I admire your desire to earn the job and you are well equipped for the position.”

Kerstyn relaxed in her chair. Gabriel was not giving her the job because of Dimitri.

“I will be straight with you. I don’t like humans. I don’t trust them. Therefore, the only humans who work for me are bartenders, servers, and dancers. You will be the only exception. You’re well-qualified for the job. I believe you will do well. And, like I said, you have Dimitri’s complete trust which makes me more comfortable with this decision.”

Kerstyn was so stunned she did not know how to respond. He hated humans. She knew that various types of racism existed, but she never thought she would come across someone who was racist about mortals.

“I hope my speech won’t scare you away.”

“No, it was just...surprising.”

He nodded, understanding how his confession could be confusing.

“At this point, I would normally ask if you would like a tour of the museum, but I know you’re a frequent visitor. If you would like―” A sharp ring sliced through Gabriel’s sentence. He pressed the red, flashing button on the phone’s number pad.

“Excuse me, Mr. Erhard, but Volkov has called again,” the receptionist said, her voice coming out clear from the speaker.

“I’m still in a meeting and I don’t appreciate the frequent interruptions. He can wait.”

The receptionist groaned and mumbled, “I already told him that, but he is insisting on speaking with you.”

“Like I said, he can wait.”

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“Yes, sir.” The receptionist groaned her frustration.

“I apologize, Miss Ingmar. That annoying bastard has been calling all day.” He cleared his throat. “Back to what I was saying. If you would like to scope out the cleared area for the exhibit, you may go down to the museum. It is currently closed and you will not be disturbed.”

Kerstyn nodded and stood, straightening her skirt.

“Thank you. Mr. Erhard.”

“Please, call me Gabriel. I’m not much into formality,” he said with a grin.

Though his smile was warm and reassuring, she could tell it was practiced. Kerstyn left the office wondering if Gabriel was a man to be trusted. She wondered if Dimitri knew Gabriel was in contact with Ven.

Thinking back to the night they first met at Dimitri’s home, he had not offered his hand in greeting. She hadn’t thought much of it since his hand was badly bleeding, but today he had not extended his hand when he came into the room this time either. After his confession, she was not about to reach out to shake his hand when she left. For all she knew, he would recoil from her.

She cringed, remembering the way his lips curled when he had spoken the word “human”. How deep was his contempt for mortals?

Deep enough to side with Ven? Dimitri had told her about the slaves.

“Did it go well, honey?” the receptionist asked.

“Very well,” she answered, shoving her dark thoughts aside, the reality of what she had just accepted just starting to rise up into her consciousness.

“I didn’t think you had anything to worry about. The boss wouldn’t have called you in if he didn’t think you were right for the job.”

The more she took it in, the more excited she became. She wanted to scream with excitement. Not only was she being hired to work her dream job, she would be working with her favorite time period―Vikings were her forte. She would have to call Silvie when she got home. Tonight they were having a girls’ night out to celebrate, Kerstyn thought as she gave the woman a relieved smile before heading to the elevator. After a few dings, she stepped out to the casino floor.

For a Monday evening, the place was busy. Smoke hung in the air like
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a shroud over the casino floor. The steady hum of voices and the musical sounds of slot machines buzzed in her ears.

An odd tingling feeling began at the base of her spine and slowly skipped its way up to dance along the back of her neck making the tiny hairs on her nape stand on end. Tension coiled in her belly as her eyes darted about the casino.

She was being watched.

With another quick glance about the playing area, she aimed for the museum.

Her steps were quick, but unrushed. She did not want to draw attention to herself. Every few steps, she would peek over her shoulder only to find waitresses serving drinks, people sitting at the machines, and others playing at the tables.

With a relieved sigh, she reached the museum ticket counter.

“Hey, Max,” Kerstyn said to the greeter.

“Miss Ingmar, welcome back.”

“Thank you.”

“I hear you’ve been hired as the director for our upcoming Viking exhibit.”

“I have and I’m excited to get started. Mr. Erhard sent me down here to take a look at the cleared space for the upcoming exhibit.” Max’s smile brought out every wrinkle in his face. “Go down the hall and into the Medieval room. There's a doorway that's roped off with a ‘do not enter’ sign. You can’t miss it.”

“I don’t remember there being a doorway in the Medieval room.”

“It was hidden by one of the tapestries.”

She nodded and thanked the older gentleman.