Dying to Date (17 page)

Chapter Seventeen

The city lights flashed by the window as they sped downtown.

“You’re sure about this?” Tarian asked again.

“Yes.”

“Because we can come up with an alternative plan.”

“We really can’t,” she said. “I’ll be fine.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“We could—”

“My God, I think I’ve changed my mind.” She put her hand to her forehead. “I can’t possibly take on this responsibility. Let me out so I can swoon on the street.”

His lips twitched. “All right. I won’t ask again.”

Melissa reached out for his hand. “This will work. You and Lucian have been over every scenario. We’ve got Dominic’s location, and my father’s vampires are ready and waiting. All we have to do is talk until the lights go out, and if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s charming, meaningless chatter. I tell you, my past as a socialite has prepared me for just this moment.”

Tarian raised her hand to his lips. “I still don’t like the idea of putting you in danger.”

“We need this,” she replied. “Besides, you’ll be right beside me.”

“Always.”

Silence fell between them. Melissa tried to tell herself this was no big deal, but if she had a heartbeat, it’d be racing. Walking into Dominic’s trap was like a rabbit skipping happily into a wolf’s den.

But at least she had backup.

She studied Tarian’s profile, bathed in the neon lights from beyond their window. He’d been rigid, his jaw clenched, since he’d made the call to his grandfather. Though she trusted him to do what was best for his people, she couldn’t imagine the pain of betraying a family member. One who had been in his life for the better part of a millennium.

“You’ll make an excellent elder.” The words slipped out of her.

Tarian turned to her with shuttered eyes. “What?”

“I was just… When this is all over, you should take up Abbey’s suggestion.”

“It isn’t a position I ever wanted to fill.”

“I know but it’s one you deserve. Everything you’ve done since we’ve met has been for the greater good. Your community needs a leader like that.”

“For the greater good, or for a woman I found intoxicating?” he asked, turning back to the window.

She shook her head, even knowing he couldn’t see her. “If the choice really came down to me or your people, I know what you’d pick,” she whispered.

“Do you?” he replied. “That makes one of us.”

Pleasure suffused her, but it didn’t completely silence the nagging voice in the back of her mind.

“Will things change?” she asked.

“Change?”

“When you’re an elder. I know it won’t be the same as when we first met. You’ll have to make decisions for thousands of people instead of just yourself. A vampire girlfriend might not be in your best interests.”

For a moment he didn’t move. When his head finally swung her way, Melissa found herself captured by the intensity of his gaze. He didn’t twitch, didn’t make any attempt to move closer, but still she felt the power of his presence pulse through the car. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until you ask me to leave,” he said.

“Then you’ll be here forever.”

A ghost of a smile passed over his lips. “Good.”

The car turned before she could say more. They drove into an underground parking complex, and tension filled her body.

“We’re here,” she said unnecessarily.

“Call your father.”

She nodded, her phone already dialing.

“Here,” Lucian said when he answered.

“We’re arriving. How much time do you need?”

“We’re surrounding the building, and my computer specialists are hacking the system, but it’s more complicated than we suspected. We need at least fifteen minutes if not more.”

She chewed her lip. Stall for fifteen minutes with an evil genius who will want to throw a hood over her head and hustle her out immediately. Easy peasy.

“We’ll do our best,” she replied, and disconnected.

“Fifteen minutes,” she said to Tarian.

“Damn,” he said, no doubt echoing her concerns.

The car hit the lowest level of the structure and stopped.

“Remember to act scared,” Tarian whispered as he reached for her.

“Not going to be hard.”

He caught her chin and tilted her face up for a brief moment. “I’ll never let anything hurt you.”

“Back at you,” she replied, closing the distance between them.

Their lips met and clung as if neither of them wanted to face the reality waiting beyond their doors.

Mine,
she thought as she parted her mouth and flicked her tongue along his. They had to survive this night, because she was never letting Tarian go. Not to his grandfather and not to his position as elder. He was hers, whatever that meant. And she protected what was hers.

His fingers tightened on her jaw as he deepened the kiss. Fire flashed through her with the skilled glide of his lips. Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the moment. Every inch of her wanted to pull him closer and forget about their mission. It’d be so easy to give up responsibility and go home to bed. She could have him naked under her, his head thrown back, his mouth gasping for fulfillment as she drove her fangs into his throat and drank.

With a groan she pushed him back against the tinted black windows. Her fingers curled into the soft material of his jacket as she kissed him with renewed desperation.

Not the last time,
she tried to console herself. In fifteen minutes they’d be free. But the logic did not have the calming effect she’d hoped for.

She wanted to taste every inch of him, imprint his touch in her memory. She could live five centuries and never feel for another what Tarian made her feel with just a few well-placed caresses.

I love you.
The words pressed against her lips but she bit them back.
No,
she scolded herself.
This isn’t the time or place.

“Let’s go,” she said instead, pulling back.

His dark eyes studied her but he made no comment. “Stay behind me,” he said. “And leave the talking to me.”

He opened the door, one hand moving to grip her arm.

It’s acting,
she reminded herself as he jerked her from the car. It was all a show for the man awaiting them in the center of the parking deck.

They left the car and started walking toward Dominic. Melissa gazed at the rows of parked cars and noted dark shapes keeping abreast of them. Looked like all Dominic’s followers had decided to come tonight.

Despite the strong electric lights fighting back the gloom, the garage had a distinct menace to it. She reasoned it must have something to do with the looming threat of being kidnapped. Again.

“Grandfather.” Tarian greeted him when they stopped a good ten feet away. “Where’s Eilin?”

“Safe,” Dominic replied, his eyes on her. “I see you managed to hold up your end of the bargain.”

Melissa tugged at her arm for good measure and Tarian yanked her forward a few steps. “It was surprisingly easy.”

“I would have thought those pesky morals of yours would get in the way.”

“There is very little I won’t do when it comes to my sister,” Tarian replied, his voice cold enough to make her shiver. “Where is she?”

“You’ll see her after our exchange.”

“No,” Tarian said. “I’ll see her now or you will never get Melissa.”

Silence stretched as the two necromancers tried to stare each other down. Melissa risked a glance at her lover and flinched at the icy look on his usually expressive face.

“Fine,” Dominic spat. “You can have a look.” He waved a hand and shadows from the edges of the lot moved.

Two necromancers dragged a struggling blonde into the light, and Melissa got her first look at the woman Tarian was determined to save.

Even knowing the girl was only a few decades younger than her, she still looked young. The regret in her eyes tore at Melissa’s heart. She could only imagine being betrayed by blood.

“There,” Dominic said. “All healthy and whole, just as promised.”

“It was a mistake to take her,” Tarian growled.

“We’ve been over this, dear boy. In a few years, I’m sure she will forgive the indiscretion.”

“And me, Dominic? Do you think I’ll forgive you?”

The older man sighed. “There is too much of your mother in you.”

“My mother was the strongest woman I knew,” Tarian snapped. “She kept me, and then Eilin, alive and out of your clutches.”

“And think of how different your life would have been had she not. You fought for our cause once, Tarian, you could do it again.”

“Never.”

Dominic’s empty eyes shifted to Melissa. “I don’t know about that. With this act you’ll be tarred with the same brush as the rest of us.”

“I’m only doing what I need to in order to protect my family.”

“What do you think about that, vampire?” Dominic said to her. “How do you like knowing your lover is ready to sell you out if the right offer comes along?”

“I think you can both go to hell,” she hissed, hopefully convincingly.

“How ever did you catch her?” Dominic asked with narrowed eyes.

Tarian’s grip on her arm tightened slightly before he opened his mouth. “It wasn’t all that difficult. A little seduction and a few words of praise and she was eating out of my hand. It’s not hard to get the better of a vampire desperate for a little attention.”

This time there was no stopping her flinch and Dominic seemed to take vicious glee in her reaction.

He’s acting,
she reminded herself.
Don’t pay attention to his words. You know you’re more to him than that.

“Yes, I’ve heard about Lucian’s sheltered daughter. I imagine it wouldn’t be very challenging to open her legs with just a bit of flattery and a show of interest.”

Don’t kill him,
she repeated to herself in a running mantra.
Buy time.

“Like I would ever stoop to considering a necromancer as a viable partner,” she said. “A girl can have a good time without envisioning white picket fences and starry futures.”

“You should thank your lucky stars that one of us even deigned to notice you.” Dominic sneered. “Tarian is much in demand.”

She stiffened even as her lover drawled, “I can do better than the walking dead, Grandfather. She was fine for a single night but not an inventive enough lover to keep.” His laugh sent spikes stabbing through her heart. Though she knew every word was an act calculated to buy Lucian the time he needed, she still couldn’t help wondering if any of it was true. He hadn’t fought for her when they came to New York. Not to mention, he was eons older than her. The old ones were notoriously hard to please in every aspect of their lives, especially the bedroom.

Had he been disappointed with her?

“Surely your spies told you I left her as quickly as I was able,” Tarian continued, echoing her own fears. “I had no interest in the girl beyond some momentary pleasure.”

Dominic’s smile remained firmly fixed on his face. “My spies did relay that information. And the pain on the vampire’s face seems to support your claim.” He took a step closer. “But I also know you, Tarian. I find it hard to believe you’d sacrifice one innocent for another, even a disappointing lover.”

Warning bells went off in her head. They weren’t anywhere close to fifteen minutes and there was no denying the suspicion on Dominic’s face.

“We’ve been over this,” Tarian said. “As long as I get my sister back I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“So you say. But centuries of watching you indicates otherwise.” He snapped his fingers and Eilin was pulled back into the shadows. In her place a dozen necromancers appeared, forming an intimidating crowd down both sides of the parking garage.

“What is this?” Tarian demanded, looking around.

“Hand the vampire over,” Dominic said. “If you do without protest, I’ll give you Eilin and we can go our separate ways.”

Melissa glanced around at the necromancers just waiting to take a piece out of her.

“Don’t you trust me, Grandfather?” Tarian asked.

“No.” A cold smile twisted Dominic’s lips. “I don’t.”

She took a careful step away from Tarian in case she needed room to defend herself.

“Melissa, I’m sure you can see how this evening will end, and I’d rather not have to force you to come with me.”

“You’re asking me to meekly follow my kidnapper off to God knows where?” There was no hiding the disbelief in her voice.

“Yes.”

“Go to hell.”

“Such a shame.”

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she sensed Dominic’s rising powers.

They were out of time.

…

She burst past him in a rush of speed. Tarian cursed as her slender hands wrapped around his grandfather’s throat.

Chaos exploded around them. Necromancers rushed in from all sides, and Tarian threw out his hands, unleashing his magic.

One of the guards turned and tripped another before running into one of the cement posts and knocking himself unconscious. Tarian immediate switched targets and took control of one of the men running toward Melissa. This one he ran into a comrade and grinned as they both went down.

But though his abilities gave him an edge, there were too many guards to stop all at one time. He was limited in what he could do, and the window where his powers were useful was quickly closing.

Melissa hissed at his grandfather as Dominic tossed her off him. She skidded a bit on the floor before launching herself back at her enemy, fangs bared.

Tarian waited for the inevitable moment where Dominic would freeze her in her steps, but the old man seemed to be enjoying himself. He twirled around Melissa, dodging her attacks and using his magic to nudge her blows just slightly off course.

He was a cat playing with a mouse, Tarian realized, and still Melissa didn’t give up.

One necromancer reached him and he ducked under the wild punch. Rising behind the man, Tarian delivered a quick chop to the back of his neck before turning to face his next opponent. What he wouldn’t give for his broadsword like in the old days.

Still, he’d never been a slouch when it came to hand-to-hand combat and he was centuries older than most of Dominic’s followers.