I Kissed a Dog (23 page)

As good as can be expected. Better than we’d have treated them, or you.

I didn’t have time now to contemplate the implications of
that
statement. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

That’s good. I want you to be comfortable. What’s your friend’s name?

I heard him grumble under his breath.
Tom.

Tom? Geeze, how exotic?
Tom
,
the matted mutant.

Like you, we don’t choose our names.

I laughed.
I think you’ve got a sense of humor under all that fur and those sharp teeth.

Come look at me now. I’m all man.

Oh, boy! I wasn’t walking down that conversation path.
Speaking of man, is Tom’s hair as tangled as his fur?

It’s in dreadlocks.

That makes sense. I guess.

Not my style, but it suits him. You know, you don’t need to waste your time on small
talk. I know what you want.

You do?
I guessed he did. I wasn’t the best at casual chit chat, and now I’d proven counseling
wasn’t my next best career option.

It doesn’t take a PHD to figure out what you’re up to. You want to be the welcome
committee so I’ll join your little team of supernatural misfits.

Misfits! That wasn’t very nice. What are you? Wait. I know. You’re the misfits’ prisoner.

I didn’t think he was going to answer, but I refused to apologize for my barb.

You win. I’m more of a misfit than most. I don’t follow the rules very well, especially
when I don’t agree with them. You were also right earlier when you mentioned a crazy
woman in charge. None of us lower level scouts have met her. But I can tell you she’s
a hot redhead, with an appetite for destruction.

You’re not kidding about that.
I’d seen the kind of destruction she hungered for. It involved severed body parts
and lots of blood.

What were you doing in the trailer?
I decided to be direct. The worst that could happen — he wouldn’t answer.

The same thing you were, looking for some antique coins. Don’t bother asking what
they’re for. I don’t know. None of us did. There’s not a whole lot of trust on our
side of the fence.

What about the ugly man wearing a robe. Did you see him?
I needed to find out more about the creature.

I’ve never seen one, but they’re out there. We’ve been warned by our superiors to
stay away from them. You should do the same.

Not sure how to respond to his warning, I plopped on the bed. I’d been pacing like
a caged panther for the duration of our conversation. His assumption about the cloaked
creature, or as he said, creatures, didn’t add up. The one I’d met had been helpful,
even timid. I decided to keep that information to myself.

Chloe?

I’m here.

Your friends are on their way for another fun round of questioning.

Play nice,
I reminded, before falling back on my pile of pillows, arms stretched over my head.

I always do,
he said, his voice like silk and honey.

Men! Mutants. Werewolves. They all had one thing in common. They were big flirts.

Goodbye, Stryder.
It was almost as if I was ending a casual phone call.

The good news: I’d accomplished some positive team building. Maybe I’d close my eyes
for a few minutes. A quick powernap wouldn’t hurt.

After all, tomorrow would be a long, long day.

Chapter
28
17

I felt his presence well before I opened my eyes and saw him silhouetted by the window.

Several perplexing thoughts wound through the sleep-clouded maze in my mind. First:
I was alone in the bedroom with a mystery intruder. Second and third: Darkness had
replaced daylight,
and
there was no evidence indicating Zane was close enough to rescue me. But in spite
of such glaring danger, I wasn’t afraid, although I should’ve been trembling in terror.

My visitor stood unmoving like a statue, hinting at his supernatural status. I didn’t
know any human that could remain so still for what felt like so long.

Before I could ponder further, the shadow moved closer, so fluidly it was difficult
to register until he was standing over the bed, gazing down at me with pale blue eyes.

Rather than speak, he dropped into a crouch, his face now level with mine. I found
myself drawn into the pools of blue, lost in their depths. Even Zane’s eyes didn’t
have this effect on me. My little inner voice, the one I tried heed whenever it spoke
up, told me to look away, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from his.

His icy hand brushed my hair away from my neck. He twisted his fingers through my
curls and leaned closer. When his lips brushed mine, I sighed. He rose suddenly and
pulled me up, clutching me close. I swallowed hard, anticipating his next move.

“You smell so delicious, Chloe. I have been unable to keep you from my thoughts. Never
can I recall such an exquisite woman.” He leaned in to nuzzle my neck, pulling my
hair back and sending jolts of anticipation through every nerve in my body.

When the prick came, my knees buckled. My head swam. I knew on some level he was taking
my blood, and not for the first time. I should have been furious, but instead I was
enraptured. My body was alive, on fire. An unexpected series of spasms tore through
me and I rocked my pelvis against him, riding wave after wave of near excruciating
pleasure. My body continued to shudder as he drank what felt like every last drop
of my essence.

When I thought I might pass out, he pulled away, but leaned in again to lick my neck.
“More,” I heard myself beg, still pressing myself against him.

A low chuckle vibrated deep in his chest. “Believe me, I want so much more.”

“How long have you been watching me?” I purred, still enthralled by whatever spell
he’d cast over me.

“Always, Chloe. You are my destiny. Leave the wolf and come with me. He cannot protect
you from the dangers ahead. Neither can he provide you such pleasures.” His finger
traced my jaw line and trailed down my neck.

Despite his silky caress, my head was clearing. I took a step back, and then another,
allowing myself the luxury of visually devouring my vampire suitor.

As in Vegas, he was clad in black. Leather pants, boots, a black T-shirt, a stylish
leather jacket, and the same necklace and emblem resting over his chest. His spiky
black hair left his angled face in full view.

Seeing my appraisal, his half smile stretched into a full grin. Just the sight of
his fangs sent another shiver of excitement down my inner thighs. It took every ounce
of self-control I had left, which wasn’t much, not to slip back into his arms.

“You want me as much as I do you,” he stated with simple sincerity. “Will you join
me?”

Fighting that part of me that wanted to do exactly as he requested, I took another
careful step away. “I’m mated to Zane now.” I didn’t say married because I suspected
that particular term wouldn’t have quite the same impact as its supernatural translation.

“Have you accepted the dog’s mark?” His eyes flashed dangerously.

I’d forgotten all about that part of the ritual. I had to officially accept Zane as
my mate. I wasn’t even sure how to do that. Did I have to lift my leg and mark him
as mine?

“I can see you haven’t. That is good. You are too wise a woman to do such a despicable
thing. You deserve a great deal more than he can give you. I can give you
forever
.”

Forever …? I wasn’t even sure I could deal with tomorrow. Instead of its desired
effect, the forever idea only served to sever any remaining doubt. “I think you better
go. The guys will be back soon.” I hoped I was right, because the look in his eyes
was no longer one of passion. I hated to imagine the pain his fangs could inflict.
I had a feeling that pleasure and pain were closely aligned in the mind of a vampire.

Valamir reached inside his coat and pulled out a shiny, round object. “I believe your
friend was looking for this?” He extended what had to be the fourth coin.

Hoping I appeared calmer than I felt, I reached out my hand.

Instead of stepping toward me, he flashed. I didn’t know what else to call it. One
second he was standing a few feet away and the next his face was an inch from mine.
He lifted my chin with his finger, his eyes boring into mine. He twirled and twisted
the coin between his fingers.

“I am willing to play along for awhile longer.
You
have something I want.” He dipped his mouth to mine and kissed me. Without meaning
to, I found myself kissing him back. He smelled like leather, spices, and something
utterly foreign but absolutely delicious.

I realized in that moment that everything about this vampire was designed to tempt
and torture me — his smell, his taste, his kisses, his amazing looks, all of it. He
was like a drug. And if I wasn’t careful, I’d become hopelessly addicted to him, mated
to Zane or not.

He pulled away, leaving my chest heaving. A part of me wanted to tell him off, but
the words wouldn’t come. He’d literally kissed me quiet. How could I claim to love
Zane when I was so easily diverted by the vampire?

“I will have you. You will be mine. To show you how much you already mean to me, here
is what you were looking for, I believe.” He took my hand in his and pressed the coin
in. “Your vampire friend arrived too late. A mutant had already retrieved it. I disposed
of the beast and kept your trinket safe.”

“Uh, thank you,” I whispered. “Do you know what these coins mean? And who the cloaked
creatures are?”

“I know many things. Things that I would be willing to reveal should you choose me.”
He shrugged. “Until then …” He leaned over and kissed my cheek, then vanished in his
trademark glittery swirl.

I collapsed back on the bed. How in the world would I explain this one? For someone
who hated secrets, I was sure keeping a list of my own. Visualizing myself telling
Zane the truth about
everything
seemed impossible. I could see it now …

Honey, I was making out with that strange, really ancient vampire, and he gave me
the coin because he wants me to leave you and go with him. He rocked my world without
even making it to third base.

Like that would go over well. I’d have to leave the coin behind somewhere Zane would
find it when I was in Portland. I didn’t want to hold up the search because of my
own issues. I needed to get out of town now. I needed to think.

There were some major decisions that needed deciding.

Remarkably, I was exhausted, probably due to my impromptu blood donation, expelled
sexual energy, and my dazed condition. I slid the coin under the mattress on my side
of the bed. It would be safe there until I figured out what to do with it.

Where are you?
I sent my question to Zane.

Letting my princess sleep. We’re all out in the barn, chatting with our new partners.

Partners? How did that happen?

Go back to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.

Goodnight,
I said, relieved I wouldn’t have to face him tonight. Werewolves could stay up for
days without sleep, yet another of the many major differences between us.

Flipping onto my side, I realized the window was still open. Not such a good idea.
I couldn’t handle anymore late night visitors.

Wishing I could flash myself to the window or shut it with my mind
wasn’t going to get the job done. I’d have to get up and do it with my own two, very
human hands.

“If you’re going to come in through my window, you could at least be polite and shut
it on your way out,” I said to no one in particular as I reached up to pull the framed,
glass pane down.

A familiar, but unexpected, ghostly face appeared. “I think we need to talk,” Alcuin
said, looking none too pleased. “By the way, you reek.”

“Sorry I’m not up to your smelling standards.” I was borderline furious that all the
damn supernatural men, who didn’t need any sleep, kept interrupting mine.

“Come on in. Everyone else does.” I wished right then for a giant eraser that would
erase the last hour in one big swipe.

Alcuin slipped into the room’s one chair. “Vampires are very aware of each other.”

I faced him with my arms crossed, deciding to remain standing in hopes I looked somewhat
authoritative. “No. I didn’t know. I’ve been aware of your world for one week now.
My entire life has been turned upside down, and I’ve got werewolf and vampire suitors
vying for my attention. I got married when I was drunker than a …”

“Slow down, Doll. I am well aware of your supernatural overload. I’ve suggested to
Zane more than once that he take you to Europe or somewhere far away from here for
a month, but he feels too obligated to his pack and their problems.”

I was surprised by Alcuin’s revelation. I also remembered my earlier desire to talk
with him about Valamir. That heart to heart was taking place here and now whether
I was ready for it or not.

I decided to spill every detail of my three encounters with Valamir, well, most of
the details. I didn’t go so far to tell how attracted I was to him or about my erotic
experience. From the way Alcuin was watching me, I assumed he already knew. He was,
after all, a bloodsucker. Well aware of vampire tactics and tastes, and the potential
human responses.

“He brought you the coin?”

Surprised he didn’t have more to say, I nodded and retrieved relic from its hiding
place. “How do I explain this to Zane?”

Ignoring my question, Alcuin flipped the coin over in his palm, examining it. “I wonder
if your vampire admirer could translate these sigils. It’s is not my area of expertise.”

I had a feeling that Valamir was privy to lots of useful information. Getting him
to divulge that information without signing over my soul, and my blood supply, was
the problem.

“Sorry to change the subject, but what’s all this ‘you’re mine’ stuff?” I needed to
know why my scent was so appealing to Valamir and Zane.

Alcuin stopped rolling the coin and studied my face. “You are quite attractive. And
you do smell intoxicating. I detected your unique fragrance that first time we met.

As a rule, vampires can find pleasure feeding from a wide range of donors. On occasion,
a specific human catches our fancy. Kind of like a choice dish at your favorite restaurant.”

“So I’m a good meal?”

He looked at a loss for words. “It’s difficult to explain. We want only to feed from
that one special person. I’ve never experienced it. Not all vampires do. Just like
werewolves, and even humans, not everyone finds their own favorite flavor. When we
do, we want to hang on, permanently, if possible. I guess the question is:
who
is your favorite flavor, Chloe?”

I found, much to my dismay, I couldn’t answer.