I was sorry, too. I buttoned the top of my slacks again. “I’ll have Albert send dinner down.”
He nodded shortly and joined Myrddin. “I’ll get him back for us.”
The doors closed and I was alone again. I had no doubt that Myrddin would perform some kind of miracle that would bring Dev back.
It was up to me to do the same for Daniel. I took a deep breath and got ready to do what I did best. Steal.
Chapter Seven
Summer
I had managed to haul myself up onto one of the large branches of an oak by the time the vampire stalked into the clearing. I hadn’t paid much attention to his appearance before except to note that he wasn’t wearing the protective gear that was typical of the vampires. He had nothing to protect his skin from the harsh sun on this plane, but it didn’t seem to bother him. He wasn’t burning at all. In fact, he turned his head up as though enjoying the warmth on his skin.
He was stunning, his face all harsh planes and predatory lines. There was no question in my mind that this vampire was a hunter. Often the vampires I’ve met seem civilized, and it’s easy to forget that they evolved from ancestors who preyed on living beings. Now they’re all about meal pills and pretending there isn’t a savage predator under all that civility. Though I understand that when a vampire takes a consort, they exchange blood in the old ways. Vampires try to distance themselves from their bloody past.
This vampire didn’t even try to hide his nature. The beast inside him was every bit on display as he breathed in the air around him, likely trying to catch my scent.
I will not harm you, bella. This I promise to you. Come out and let us talk. I know you can hear me.
I could. I could hear him in my mind, feel his voice brushing against my brain with an odd sensuality. Like he could stroke my very thoughts with silk.
You have nothing to fear from me.
I had everything to fear from this man. He could speak thoughts into my head. That wasn’t a vampire talent. Vampires are excellent fighters. Some of the royal vampires are stronger than the rest, but I’ve never once heard of a vamp with such powers. These were strange creatures coming after me.
Come out and let me prove myself to you.
The words were meant to coax me, to seduce me. I could feel his intentions. He wanted me. My light drew him in. It made me wonder if he could hear me when I wanted him to.
I know what you want, vampire.
I could feel his satisfaction like a wave against my skin.
You know nothing yet, bella, but I will show you.
I couldn’t give in to that voice. It was meant to trick me. This was not some friendly male who’d happened upon me in the forest and wanted to help. He’d been sent by someone. I should run, but I rather thought he would follow me, and forcibly. Perhaps I should show him what I was capable of.
I needed answers. I was fairly certain at some point Kelsey and the false Devinshea would show up and I would be hopelessly outnumbered. Again. I needed to get a few answers out of the vampire. Then I needed to shove my stake through his heart and make my escape.
The charm at my throat warmed against my skin, reminding me there was another way. If I had my magic, I wouldn’t need to end the vampire. If I had my magic, I could force the male to do my will with a mere thought.
Unfortunately, I could also erase whole planes of existence, so I had to get over my squeamishness when it came to defending myself. I didn’t like to kill. I’d had to do it far too often.
Of course most of the time I wasn’t trying to kill a person who could read thoughts. Erna had taught me how to shield my mind since there were absolutely psychics who moved across the planes. I knew how to shield. I had my mental walls firmly in place as I waited.
He was moving my way but didn’t seem to realize I wasn’t on the ground. He moved with grace, his feet not making a single sound.
Bella, please come out. There’s no need to hide from me. I have a million questions for you, but you should know there are no wrong answers. If you’re in trouble, I will help you. I don’t care what you’re in trouble for. I will help you.
Oh, he was good. He seemed to understand exactly how to talk to me, what words to use. I could feel his will. If I’d done something bad, he would find a way to fix things for me. He could be my protector. All I had to do was present myself to him and he would shelter me. He was strong. He could make the world right for me and only me.
If only I could have believed him.
He stopped beneath my hiding place, his hands on his hips as though he knew I should be there.
I needed him in the right position. Look up, vampire.
The minute he turned, I pounced, my stake coming up. I hit his body and he fell back to the forest floor with a hard thud. I lifted my stake, but I had questions first.
“Who the hell are you?” I asked the question out loud because I wasn’t going to let him into my head again.
The vampire’s lips curled up in the sexiest smile I’d ever seen. If he was scared, he didn’t show it. He seemed perfectly comfortable to have a female on top of him. “My name is Marcus Vorenus and I am entirely at your service. Would you like me to take off my shirt? It might be easier to stake me. I wouldn’t want you to miss my heart, and honestly, if I am about to die then I would like to feel your hands on my skin one time.”
Not the reaction I’d been going for. I straddled him, my knees on either side of his lean waist. He was even more devastating up close, and I did actually want to see him without his shirt on. It had been a long time since I’d had any kind of sexual pleasure, and this male did it for me. I’m reasonably attractive, but it can be hard to find a date when your nickname is the Destroyer. Males discover I’ve destroyed worlds and suddenly they aren’t so hot to take care of my physical needs.
“If I decide to kill you, I won’t need better aim. I assure you, I can do it right now.”
“I’m sure you can. You’re obviously a woman of great physical skills.” His fangs were out. White and dangerous, I found those fangs way too sexy for my own good.
I’ve heard a vampire bite can be immensely pleasurable. I stared at those fangs and couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to have them locked onto my neck, the vampire’s hands moving over my body as he fed his own.
“Who sent you?” I needed to stop thinking about how gorgeous he was and start playing this smart. I didn’t know how much time I would have and how his partners would react to me turning him into a big old pile of ash. Because that’s what I was going to do.
I was. I really meant to.
“I would love to know the answer to that question as well.” His hands came up and found my waist.
I could feel him pressing his will against me. He didn’t want to fight. He wanted to put his hands on me, get his mouth on me. There were much more pleasurable ways for me to question him. He would tell me everything. He would give me everything.
“Stop it.” I wasn’t about to give in to a horny vamp. A weird, horny, sexy-as-hell vamp. Males shouldn’t be so damn pretty. His shirt was open at the neck, giving me a glimpse of smooth, tan skin. Another thing vamps aren’t known for. “I’m in charge here.”
“Absolutely, bella. You can be in charge of everything. Tell me what you wish for me to do.”