The Vampire Next Door (20 page)

“Not to mention the communication devices,” Sly added.

Mikhail chuckled. “So little to say, so many ways to say it. I think I was content as soon as we had the telephone.”

“Seriously?”

“All right, maybe the cell phones, email, and ATMs weren’t bad, but don’t talk to me about half the crap on TV and the Internet.”

Morgaine nodded her head emphatically, then mumbled around her bite of roll. “’At’s right.” After gulping down the mouthful, she continued. “There’s so much misinformation about magick, it makes me nuts. If you don’t have proper training, you’re asking for trouble.”

Mikhail leaned closer. “Speaking of which, do you know what to do about my little problem?”

“I want to see the space and I still need to write the spell, but I’ll do that after you fill me in on the specifics. I brought the ingredients I’ll need. It sounded as if you knew the identity of the evil magician.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Good. That will help. You don’t happen to know what kind of hex he used, do you?”

“I’m sorry, no. But I know he brought in some kind of paper and left without it. We caught him on security cameras.”

“He may have burned it. That’s what witches usually do with spells.”

“Could he have planted it somewhere?”

Morgaine thought briefly. “He could have left it. Or he could have tucked it in his pocket before he left. What did it look like?”

“It looked like a small scroll. Unfortunately, our cameras only cover certain areas. There were places he could have left it without our knowing it.”

“Okay. I can make the wording pretty general and still break almost any curse. However, if he left an object behind, we should try to find it. Then we’ll bury it in the earth and neutralize it.”

Sly couldn’t help being impressed. She was so knowledgeable and didn’t hesitate to share that knowledge with others. It was a shame her friend didn’t feel he could return the favor. Or, maybe he could. Perhaps he just needed a bit of convincing.

Sly cleared his throat. “Mikhail. My lady here is being very generous with her skills, knowledge, and information. I wonder if you could share with us a little something about the special product you make. At least tell us
why
it works. It seems only fair.”

Mikhail sighed. “It is, but even if I tell you what’s in it, you’d never find it again in a million years.”

“I’m awfully curious, Mikhail,” Morgaine said.

Mikhail straightened as if gearing up for a long lecture. “You’ve heard of the stigmata, right?”

They nodded. Sly couldn’t help wondering where this conversation was going.

Mikhail continued. “Well, Joan of Arc, while in prison, received the mysterious wounds on her hands and feet where Christ was nailed to the cross. The rags used to bandage the wounds and stanch the flow of blood were saved by one of the guards who believed in her sainthood long before she was canonized. He sold them as souvenirs after she was burned at the stake.”

“That seems crass,” Sly said. “But enterprising.”

“Whether it was or not, if I hadn’t obtained a small sample of her blood, you and I wouldn’t be drinking this now.” He raised his glass of wine and swirled the red liquid.

Morgaine snapped her fingers. “Of course. Joan of Arc, burned at the stake. Two things vampires are deathly afraid of. Fire and wooden stakes. I see the connection. So, is she the patron saint of vampires or something?”

“Or something,” Mikhail confirmed.

“I see.” Sly was still hoping that some secret would slip out. “So how do you add her blood to the wine?”

Mikhail shifted uncomfortably, then checked his watch. “I’m awfully sorry. I just remembered a previous engagement.” He reached into his pocket and produced a card. “Here’s the address of my warehouse. I live in the penthouse in the same building. Stop by tomorrow sometime in the afternoon.”

Sly gaped at his glass of wine. “One glass will protect me all day tomorrow?”

Mikhail tipped his head. “Hmm… maybe. Finish my glass as well as your own just to be sure.”

“Won’t he be tired if he’s up all night and all day too?” Morgaine asked.

“Tonight, you’ll sleep like you used to. You may even dream.”

“Wow. And tomorrow you’ll give me more of this fantastic stuff?”

Mikhail laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll have a glass ready and a bottle open. If Morgaine keeps her promise, I’ll have a case waiting for you to take home.”

Morgaine straightened and looked slightly offended. “I always keep my promises.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean to infer you wouldn’t. Forgive me.”

Sly shook his head in wonder. “I can’t get over the power of this wonderful product of yours. It seems like I’m dreaming already.”

“Morgaine, Sly, enjoy my fair city, and bring your magick mojo with you tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, I’ll try to search the places not covered by cameras and see if there’s anything hidden.” He stood and bowed slightly to Morgaine. “It was wonderful to see you again. Sylvestro, nice meeting you.”

Sly rose and shook his hand. “Likewise.”

“I’ll see you both tomorrow.” With that, Mikhail strode toward the coat room.

Morgaine watched as he left. “That was odd.”

“I know. I think he was changing the subject and leaving before we could change it back and find out too much about making his special vintage.”

She nodded slowly. “That’s exactly what he was doing. Which makes me think we might be able to duplicate it.”

“Would he refuse to help a friend?”

“He hasn’t seen me for eight years, and he just met you. Why would he hand over his trade secrets?”

“Good point.”

*   *   *   *

Morgaine and Sly took in some of the famous New York sights after dinner. After a horse-and-buggy ride through Central Park all snuggled together, they walked hand in hand and window-shopped down Fifth Avenue, which was well lit, thank the Goddess. They even took a short bus ride to Greenwich Village. The whole time Sly kept Morgaine safe and anchored. More importantly, he didn’t make her feel like a freak.

She was so happy that she didn’t want to think about their private time together ending. But eventually they’d have to return to their lives in Boston, darn it.

“You should probably go to sleep at a reasonable hour so you’re not exhausted tomorrow,” Sly said. “I wonder if maybe I should too?”

Morgaine grinned. “Is that your sneaky way of getting me into bed with you?”

“Do I need to be sneaky?”

She laughed. “Not at all.” After a short pause, she decided to risk a little more intimate information. “I love making love to you, Sly.”

He smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. “I love making love to you too.”

They continued their walk in companionable silence until they reached their hotel. The young man behind the desk who had checked them in glanced up and then went back to his work as if he didn’t even see them.

Sly let go of her hand, but only to wrap a possessive arm around her waist.

As soon as they were ensconced in the elevator and the doors whooshed closed, Sly pulled her into a firm embrace and kissed her soundly.

They didn’t pull apart until they reached their floor and the doors opened. An older couple stood there. They smiled knowingly as they exchanged places. Morgaine glanced back over her shoulder as she strolled away and caught the other couple moving closer to each other. Affection inspired affection, apparently.

Morgaine just knew Sly loved her. She’d wait patiently for him to say it though. Forcing the words would do no good and might push him away. That was the last thing she wanted. She felt more secure with him than with Gwyneth. Actually, she trusted him more than anyone in recent years—and he was a vamp!
No
, she decided. He was Sly. And Sly just happened to be a vampire.

Once in their room, Sly took her hand and led her to the bed. Morgaine stepped away from him and found the zipper at the nape of her neck. She dragged it down as far as she could, then turned around. Without needing to be asked, he opened her black dress the rest of the way. She rotated back to face him and let it slip off her shoulders and puddle on the floor around her feet.

His breath hitched.

That was the reaction she’d been hoping for when she’d dressed braless and pantyless. He hopped out of his black trousers and peeled off his shirt, tossing both to the floor. His erection jutted out proudly.

“You go commando a lot,” Morgaine noted.

“Does that turn you off?”

“Not hardly! It turns me
on.”

He grinned. Then without warning he tackled her.

She shrieked, then laughed as they bounced on the bed. “Someone’s feeling playful…”

Sly leaned over her. “Sex should be fun. Don’t you agree?”

She nodded, though part of her thought sex should also be passionate and loving.
Never mind. He’ll get there.

As if he’d read her mind, he swooped in for a long kiss. She opened her mouth, and their tongues sought each other immediately. His very shallow breaths grew deeper and more frequent. Soon he undulated on top of her and a fevered heat seemed to take over.

Her mind clouded. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but his drugging kiss. Good Goddess! She’d never been kissed like this.

He flipped both of them over until she lay on top of him. His hands were everywhere. He stroked her back, then squeezed her bottom. She felt his hard shaft prodding her belly.

When she rolled slightly to one side so she could grip his erection, it filled her hand. She squeezed and stroked until he growled into her mouth.

She lifted her head and sat astride his hips. “I want you inside me so badly, I think I’ll lose my mind if you aren’t fucking me soon.”

He smiled. “Whatever the lady wants…”

Morgaine sighed with relief and rose onto her knees. She took his cock in her hand and positioned herself over it. As she impaled her slick channel, they both moaned.

He grasped her hips and began thrusting. She leaned over him and offered his mouth her breast. He took the pebbled nipple between his lips and sucked. At the same time he added a clit rub. She gasped and braced herself on his shoulders to survive the erotic onslaught.

Every nerve ending trembled with electricity. “Oh, Goddess!” Before she could say more, a powerful orgasm ripped through her. Sly had to let her breast pop out of his mouth. She spasmed over and over again. Her clenching inner walls set off Sly’s climax. He went rigid and jerked into her core. They finished together, and she collapsed on top of him.

He wrapped his arms around her. “There now, wasn’t that fun?”

She let out a weak chuckle, but as she caught her breath, her laughter grew. “It certainly was. Was it good for you?”

He shrugged. “Passable, I guess.”

She tried to smack his shoulder, but he caught her wrist. “You know that was the answer you deserved for asking such an inane question, right?”

“I suppose. But I-I’ve never experienced anything like this. And I know you have. Can you blame me for wondering?”

He was quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. “That’s why I thought you might have a hard time with this. Knowing how much I loved my wife, I knew you’d wonder if you measured up.”

She rolled off him and tried to face the other way. He stopped her and pulled her close. Looking into her eyes, he brushed back her hair. “You don’t need to worry. You’re wonderful. Our relationship is different from my marriage, but it’s neither better nor worse.” Taking her chin between his finger and thumb, he held her facing him.

She quickly averted her gaze. “Are you trying to mesmerize me?”

He cocked his head. “No, but it would only be fair.”

“Fair? How?”

“Because you mesmerized me.” He drew her lips to his and gave her a long, tender kiss that told her how special she really was.

Meanwhile, back at home, Gwyneth knocked on the door of the new neighbor who was living in the apartment directly below hers. She had been anxious to welcome the newcomer to the building. Since Merry had been diagnosed with those Braxton-Hicks contractions and sent home, Gwyneth was off the hook for a while.
Whew.

A petite Asian woman opened the door a few inches and peeked around the opening.

“Howdy, I hope I’m not interruptin’ anythin’. I’m Gwyneth—your neighbor from upstairs.”

“Ah, I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Lillian, but you can call me Lily.” She didn’t open the door further or invite Gwyneth in.

Puzzled, Gwyneth asked, “I don’t normally invite myself, but do y’all mind if I come in?”

“I…” Lily glanced over her own shoulder nervously. “The place is a mess. I’m just moving in.”

“Oh, y’all don’t have to make no fuss, bless your heart. I don’t need no impressin’.”

“I—uh, well…”

What a silly woman
. Did she think a few unpacked boxes would matter to a neighbor? Lily looked behind her again. When she let go of the door, Gwyneth pushed it open, ready to reassure her that her place was no more a mess than any—

“I do declare! What in tarnation happened here?”

Lily hung her head in shame. Gwyneth wandered through the apartment, openmouthed and wide eyed. Scorched furniture and rugs were scattered over the blackened hardwood floors.