Kade's Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) (4 page)

Kade reached out to grasp Sydney’s hand at the same time Tristan released her waist. Kade gazed intensely into her eyes and spoke firmly, “Yes, my dearest Sydney, when we meet again, and we will meet again, it will be a pleasure. I promise.”

Sydney stared at him for a moment almost unable to break their gaze. Unsettled by her reaction to him, she thought it some must be some strange kind of a paranormal, chemical reaction gone wrong. Why was she so attracted to him? She just met him. And his smooth voice...it wrapped around her like silk. She had to get out of there before she jumped his bones. Taking a deep breath, Sydney turned on her heels and walked away, not looking back at either one of them.

Sydney practically ran to the ladies' room. She could not figure out how to get control of her emotions. She was just about to have sex with Tristan only to find herself wanting to sleep with Kade by the time she left the bar. Questions spun in her head.
How exactly does Tristan know Kade? And what the hell is happening to me? I know that this guy Kade is lying, but he is freaking hot. Down, girl, get a grip.
Short on answers, she decided to get back to the lab as soon as possible. Changing into her work clothes, she stomped out the door. Since sex was out, work was officially back on the schedule.

Tristan laughed out loud, shaking his head. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with Sydney, but he loved watching her dress down another guy, even it was a friend. Sydney was a great girl, but she did get her feathers easily ruffled when her 'needs' weren’t met.

As much as he hated being interrupted, he knew exactly why Kade was here, and he didn’t want to wait to get the details. He also wasn’t ready to share information with Sydney. That’s why he told her to go upstairs; stubborn woman didn’t ever listen. He expected nothing less from Sydney though; she was a detective after all. But, he still didn’t want her involved in the paranormal business that he needed to discuss with Kade. Sure, Sydney was a tough as nails cop, but she was still human, and he was determined to protect her from whatever evilness had just set up shop in his city.

“So, what’s the deal my friend?” Tristan inquired. “I’m glad I called you. I knew that shit was going to go down soon. Just glad you were here and could go to the scene.”

“Definitely black magic, but it was a vampire...the girl was drained. I'm not sure of the ritual, but if I had to guess, someone is trying to build power. I will be engaging P-CAP to recommend full takeover of the case in the morning once the coroner has run an autopsy,” Kade disclosed.

Tristan’s face hardened. “I want you to know that I'm very appreciative of your offer to come and help. My pack is very concerned about a rogue vamp targeting women, and I need to assure them that P-CAP and the vampire community is taking care of it. Even though the vamp went after a human this time, it could be a werewolf next time. I can’t have it.”

“Tris, I will take care of this asshole. I'm sure it is a vampire, but there may be more than one person involved. Whoever is responsible will be dealt with. You can trust me on that.”

Sensing his friend was clearly on top of the case, Tristan relaxed a little, looking to change the subject. “So, what else is up? Seems you have been a busy boy since you’ve been in town. Getting in trouble already, huh?” he joked.

“Who me? I can’t possibly know what you're talking about,” Kade said, denying any wrongdoing.

“Yes, you. What the hell was up with you and my lovely detective Sydney? You know, the one I was about to have sex with until you arrived and so kindly interrupted us. My girl was really pissed at you. You haven’t even been in town twenty-four hours. What did you do to her?”

“First of all, I did nothing to her. I simply informed her that she was not leading the case, and I think you’d agree with me on that point. She may be a cop, but she’s human. I might let her consult after the coroner is finished, but she will not lead this case. And secondly, from what I can tell, my friend, Miss Willows, is not
yours
. You may have thought you were getting sex, but it didn’t take much to interrupt you. She flew off like a little bird. So, she must be just a friend, and I have been around long enough to know that she certainly does not belong to you.” Kade was dead serious as he challenged Tristan. The tension was palpable, thanks to the words that just left his lips.
What the fuck was getting into him that he would challenge a friend, let alone an Alpha, for a human woman on foreign territory?

Not backing down, Tristan raised an eyebrow and reached over to put his hand on Kade’s shoulder. He was asserting his dominance while diffusing a potential argument. “Kade, my brother. You challenge me in my own club? I realize you have had a long day of travel, so I will overlook the way you just expressed yourself. As for Sydney...let’s just say that she is, shall we say, a close friend, a very close friend. A friend who occasionally shares and experiences her most intimate desires with me. However, as you so eloquently just pointed out, she remains uncommitted. And while I would love for her to figure out why she builds emotional walls around herself, I am a businessman not a psychologist. Most days, Sydney is a bad, ass-kicking, ask-questions-later cop, but she does walk on the wild side here in my club. I may join her or even watch her at times. But, make no mistake about it; even though we are not committed, Sydney is under my protection and the protection of my pack.” He sighed heavily, “She will not be hurt if I have anything to say about it. And from where I am sitting as Alpha, I have everything to say about it.” He paused for a second to judge Kade’s reaction and then continued, “Kade, you and I have known each other for a long time, so I can tell by the look in your eyes that something is stirring in you...you want her. I can’t tell you not to pursue her, but I am warning you; do not hurt her, emotionally or otherwise, and if at all possible keep her away from this killer.”

The tension dissipated with the Alpha’s strong words. Kade shouldn’t give a shit what Tris did with the cop, but he did care. He tried to shuck that pang of jealousy. What was he thinking? Frustrated with himself and his feelings toward the human woman, he struggled to focus on why he was even here in Philadelphia. He was supposed to find a killer and then get back to business in New Orleans, nothing more, nothing less. He needed to put Miss Willows out of his mind if he was going to get anything done.

Deciding to change the subject, he browsed the dance floor. “So, are you going to offer a vampire a drink or what?” he laughed and then said, “Look, I can do bottled or donor, but I am not looking for extras tonight.”

Since when did his friend not want extra?...as in extra-sexual activities. Tristan was growing tired of trying to figure out what was going on in Kade’s head. “You just traveled a long way. We have plenty of anonymous donors available tonight. If you want to grab the first private room on the right, I will send up a few donors for you and Luca. Is it just the two of you tonight?”

“Yeah, just Luca and me tonight. Thanks, Tris. I appreciate your hospitality. It has been a long day.” Kade nodded to Luca. “Let’s go, Luca.”

Tristan notified his manager to send two donors upstairs immediately. Now that weres and vampires were out in the open, there were plenty of human donors who were willing to come to the club. Either they were interested in sex and the orgasmic bite of the vampires, or they just enjoyed the bite sans the sex.

Management kept a list of volunteer donors as they entered the club, and they were given a buzzer that was worn around their neck or clipped onto their clothing. If it buzzed, the donor would approach the hostess and be directed to a private room. Everything was consensual and safe. Vampires who wanted a donor were vetted out so Eden could ensure the safety of its guests. Draining until death was strictly forbidden. Tristan could not afford for there to be mistakes, so security monitored the rooms to make sure there were no issues upstairs, and donors could opt out at any time.

While vampires were sexual in nature, not all vampires were looking for sex when they ate. Many who came into the club were committed to another person and were only looking for fresh blood. While bottled blood, both synthetic and real, was available, the taste of fresh, warm blood was preferred by most vamps. And even though a vampire could go hunting, the community was trying to get vampires to conform to more civilized ways of procuring food.

Luckily, vampires did not require feeding every day, nor did they require large amounts of blood to sustain their strength. There were humans who sought excitement, who were looking for the vampire experience any day of the week. Eden capitalized on the synergistic relationship between donors and vampires. Similar clubs had started popping up around the city as well. Instead of going for just a coffee, humans could get a coffee and a bite. Orgasm and coffee to go...what more could one ask for?

As Kade relaxed on the sofa, he let his thoughts drift to Sydney. While he initially felt angry seeing Sydney on the dance floor with another man, he could not deny his arousal watching Tristan touch her breasts, wishing it was he who was touching her. His cock was rock hard when Sydney approached him earlier. He tried to hide his arousal by acting pissed. Maybe Sydney didn’t notice, but he was quite sure that Tristan did.

An attractive, bleached-blonde twenty-something, walked into the room and knelt down on her knees next to Kade. She lifted her eyes. “No extras tonight, sir? I promise to make it good for you,” she purred as she rubbed her hand across his thigh and over his hard bulge.

On another night, he would have sucked and fucked blondie high and hard, but not tonight. He was growing tired of meaningless sex with his food. Kade sighed, “No thanks. Just a drink and then I'm out of here.” It had been a long day. Yes, he did want extras, but he wanted them with a certain fiery detective. This donor would quench his thirst for blood, but would do nothing for the erection pressing against his zipper.

Looking disappointed, she laid her bare arm against his chest. He could smell her young, aromatic blood. He put his fingers around the young woman’s wrist and held it to his nose. She moaned in delight when he licked the inside of her arm. His fangs elongated and he bit into her soft, pale flesh. He closed his eyes as he drank the essence of the strange woman. Kade fantasized he was biting Sydney, pretending she was the woman before him writhing in ecstasy on the floor. When he was sated, he licked the wounds so they healed and strained to stand up. Shit. He was harder than ever.
Why was he so attracted to that damn woman?

He glanced over to Luca who had just finished fucking his donor up against the wall. As Luca released the girl, his eyes met Kade’s. Luca raised a questioning eyebrow at his boss wondering what was up with him, but Kade just silently watched. They were out of town, and it was customary for them to blow off some steam. Drinking blood and having sex were acceptable within the vampire community especially when neither of them were committed.

Luca was Kade’s right hand man in charge of security operations in New Orleans. Although raised in Australia, Luca returned to his father’s British homeland as an adult, and subsequently, found himself in New Orleans fighting in the War of 1812. Severely wounded during battle, Kade found Luca dying in a field and offered him the choice to be turned into a vampire. Once Luca agreed, Kade drained him of his blood to the point of death, and then, he fed Luca his own lifeblood. After the transformation, Luca swore allegiance to Kade. He worked for Kade, but they were also best friends, comrades in life. He was loyal and forever grateful to Kade. When they traveled, they often fed and fucked, casually enjoying the women donors. Luca eyed Kade wondering what was going on with him. “Hey, I am almost done here. You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Finish up. I’m eager to get back to the brownstone. I have some calls to make. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Kade had to get the fuck out of there. The club smelled of blood, sex, and sweat; but none of it was Sydney’s. He had to see her soon and find out exactly what the little detective had found out at the autopsy.

After Sydney left the club, she drove directly to the station. She was used to working night shift, so even though it was midnight, she had plenty of time to get organized before she met with Ada to get the initial findings from the autopsy. She was lost in thought when Tony slammed a wrapped cheesesteak on the desk. His partner looked like she could use a pick me up. “Hey, Syd, thought you could use some food.”

Sydney licked her lips. “Oh, Tony, you do know exactly what a girl wants.” She ripped the wrapping away, and bit into it letting the onions fall down her chin. “Thanks so, so much, Tony! Mmmm....messy, but soooo good.”

Tony shook his head laughing. She looked like she was coming, not that he knew about that. He would love to have her just once, but he knew that was a line that he probably should not cross. Ever since he'd met Sydney Willows, he'd fought the urge to kiss her senseless and slam his cock into her, but he was pretty sure she didn’t date guys that often, and he was one hundred percent sure she didn’t date fellow cops. No use thinking about what he couldn’t have. Dragging his thoughts back to the case, he pulled out the file on the girl. “Glad you like the sandwich, Syd, but you gotta eat quickly. Billings called an hour ago. She said she’s ready for us to review her initial findings and is expecting us in thirty minutes. Eat up. I gotta stop in and see the captain, then I’ll wait for you over by the elevator, so we can go down together.”

“Sounds good to me. And, Tony...thanks for the steak sandwich. You're a lifesaver. Not sure what I would do without you.” Sydney was miffed after the incident at the club and couldn’t stop thinking about Kade. She was about to get her freak on with Tristan when that damn vampire came in and interrupted things. If he was a detective, she was the queen of England. There was no way on Earth that guy was a rank-and-file detective. He was lying to her, and he was cocky. And shit, he was hotter than hell.
Fuck. I have to get my shit together, get the vamp off the case, get some sleep, and then solve this murder.
It was turning into the longest night she'd had in weeks.