Dancing Dragon (40 page)

I couldn't fight it. I think I groaned and said, “fuck” at the same time and he just pushed my face and mouth over the cut. Blood welled into my mouth, filling it up in a second. His pounding into me had raised his heartbeat and blood pressure to such a point that his blood was spurting out of him with force. I would have choked on the mouthful I already had if I hadn't have swallowed. And that one swallow led to another and another and another until I was so far gone I didn't even register the orgasm until it crashed into me and I heard Michel's cry of release as he rocked me one final time into the wall.

It was several minutes later that I realised he had both of us in the shower and was washing all of the blood and other evidence of our frantic love making off. I kept losing time, because the next thing I knew I was under the covers, Michel's hot body curled into mine and the smell of an enticing aroma of food wafting from beside the bed. My stomach rumbled and then my head spun as I tried to sit up to see what smelt so divine.

Michel helped me get upright, propping pillows behind me and then settling the tray with Nataliya's
Ukha
on it on my lap. I nibbled on some flat bread she had placed to the side and let the room slowly stop revolving.

“How long was out for?” I asked, trying to focus on the bowl of soup before me.

“Just a few minutes,
ma douce
. I am afraid you may have a hangover this time.” He didn't seem too upset by that fact, if anything, he sounded smug.

He lifted a spoonful of soup towards my mouth and instructed me to eat. After a dozen of those and several more bites of bread, I felt marginally better. Definitely drunk still, but no longer about to keel over in an alcoholic, or should that be vampire-blood, induced stupor.

The soup, though, was divine. Fish and root vegetables and I could also taste saffron and nutmeg and something else. I was surprised I could taste anything at all. Usually when I get drunk, all senses are dulled and I did feel a little shell shocked right now, but the flavours were intense. Fennel. That was it, the mystery herb in amongst the fishy broth.

“Some of your senses will be heightened by drinking my blood, but the main effect will always be a slight intoxication. A feeling of euphoria. Maybe an increased libido. The whole idea of sharing blood between two mated vampyre is for enjoyment purposes. It is simply a harmless indulgence. A moment to gain something only for ourselves.”

I wasn't so sure about the harmless part. If a vampire tried to attack me right now, I wouldn't really know what end of the stake was sharp. Michel laughed and added, “That is why I won't leave you until you are more yourself.” He settled himself on top of the covers on his side and watched me continue to eat.

“Your blood intoxicates me too,
ma douce
. I have just had longer to be able to control the effects. A new vampyre would indeed be drunk drinking from your vein. You are a rich wine; powerful, luxurious, divine.”

“Will I get used to yours and control the effects too?” I couldn't believe I was asking such a question. Hell, drinking from a vampire was just not right.

“I intend to give you ample opportunity to learn control,
ma douce
and then fuck your brains out afterwards.” Michel wasn't usually so crude, but I was guessing right now, he was horny and maybe a little drunk on
me
drinking
his
blood too.

“Will it only be your blood I am attracted to?” I had horrible images of eyeing up every vampire's neck that I passed. Homing in on their beating pulse underneath their flesh.

Michel smiled indulgently at me. “It will only be my blood you crave.”

“But you crave more than just my blood,” I said, a little miffed at that fact.

“I require blood to survive. I desire only yours for pleasure. Feeding to a vampyre can be sexual at any time, but craving it, like I crave yours, can only be achieved with a vampyre mate.” He paused, thinking something through, then added, “I have always been attracted to your blood,
ma douce,
even before we were joined. And as my kindred, I would chose your blood over all others. But now, it is a deep seated desire. I crave it. I long for it. I would do anything to continue to taste it. To taste you.”

OK. So, that was actually a little creepy. Just what would he do to ensure he continued to
taste
only
my
blood?

“Well,” he said running a finger down the length of my body provocatively, “I will do my level best to keep you close to me. I will use every power I possess to ensure you are attracted to me and only me. I will shower you with everything I think you would desire. I will tempt you with anything I think may intrigue you. I will make you as addicted to me as I am to you, if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”

Too late, I thought numbly, unable to take my eyes off his. He laughed, that delightfully manly chuckle of his and lay back down on the bed on his back, looking up at the ceiling with an obvious curve to his lips.

“
Je t'aime, ma douce,
” he said simply and placed his hands behind his head in a relaxed pose.

I didn't say anything for a little while. Just played his words over in my mind and took in the length of his naked, glorious body. But, finally duty called. This moment out of time with my kindred, my vampire mate, was precious and I didn't want it to ever end. But, Alastair was still at large. More humans were going to die if I didn't stop him. Viktor would want retribution for his stolen vampires. And Lutin lurked in the shadows. Not to mention my unease at
Citysider's
absence. I couldn't help feeling that he may have information we needed.

There was still so many unanswered questions and I felt that we were running out of time.

“We need to get downstairs and talk to the others,” I said, not altogether happy about the idea.

“Yes,” Michel answered, not moving. “Avery is champing at the bit to discuss a plan. He has confirmed that the amulet Alastair wears is indeed the
taufr
and more importantly, that Alastair is Amicus.”

My head shot around to look at Michel, still lying there so calm and at ease. “You didn't think this was something you should have mentioned as soon as you walked in this room tonight?” I asked, incredulous that they had all been swapping intel' and none of it had made it my way.

Michel turned his head slowly to look at me and let his gaze travel languidly over the length of my sheet-wrapped naked body.

“It wasn't the first thing on my mind,” he purred.

Vampires. Can't live with them... can't stake 'em all when they make you mad.

I refused to accept Michel's help in getting dressed. I did have my pride. Despite the issue of losing my balance at the drop of a hat and the room still threatening to spin out of orbit. I did concede to him finding me clean and intact clothing. Most of my clothes were still at Samson's, but Michel had at some stage had new clothes purchased for me and installed in his wardrobe. Not my normal short black mini-skirt, black T-Shirt and fitted jacket, but I couldn't really complain. Whoever had gone out shopping on my behalf had taste.

I slipped into the black dress and did allow Michel to do the zip up - he chose to do so slowly - at the back. It fitted me perfectly and the length wasn't too bad. Only a fraction longer than I was used to and made out of stretchy material, maybe something laced with a little spandex. It had elbow length sleeves and a rounded neckline. The material although stretchy, was heavy and gave the feeling of being really well made. I'd managed a brief look at the label before I slipped it on over my head, it wasn't a name I recognised, but I was sure it would be a name of note. I just don't hang around in the right circles to know.

The jacket was a matching material and cut to perfection to fit over top of the dress and actually came all the way down to the hem of the skirt. It had been altered to take my two stakes and silver knife, all of which sat snugly against my body and were completely invisible from the line of the outfit. I left the jacket open, so I had ready access to my weapons, it hung as though it was made to sit that way. I thought the length of the jacket would be cumbersome, but after trying a few stretches and moves, I found it all simply flowed together with the dress as one.

He had also had a selection of underwear - all lacy and slightly racy, but that's men for you - and tights available. Plus new boots. The overall effect was a definite step up from my normal hunter gear, but equally as accommodating. I had no doubts I could fight in this outfit. I just dreaded to think how much it had cost him and I had noted there were several more hanging in his closet just like this.

Michel smiled at me when I turned back to him from the full length mirror in his bathroom.

“You left New Zealand in such a hurry, I knew you would not have had time to pack a lot. Besides, I think I have damaged enough of your clothes in the past to feel obliged to replace your wardrobe.”

He glided towards me, now dressed in a brand new Armani suit and crisp white shirt. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, his hands on either side of my upper arms and then he just inhaled deeply. Taking in my scent and that of the new clothing. Vampires rely on scent a lot. He would be used to my old clothing and the washing powder I use, he needed to file my new mixed scent away for future reference. When he was satisfied with what he had found, he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and walked me out the door.

I hadn't realised how bad those damn narrow, steep English house stairs could be. I think Michel was tempted to lift me in his arms and whisk me to the bottom, but the growl I gave him, as I almost lost my drunken footing for the third time and he rushed to my aid, made him back off. He let me find my own way to the bottom with mild amusement flashing in his eyes as he passed me for the front room, giving up on aiding me at all.

Sure, I try to recover some of my dignity and he just drops me in the deep end. I was nowhere near as smashed as I was before eating, but I still did not feel right. You know, that stage of drunkenness you reach, where you are very much aware your words slightly slur, your balance is shot to hell and nothing makes sense. Keeping up with intelligent conversations when this intoxicated can be embarrassing. I went for silence as I sat on the sofa and just breathed.

Avery's amused gaze stayed fastened to me, despite the fact that he was participating with enthusiasm in the conversation before us. Samson sat on my right and Nataliya on my left. Sergei was participating as though he had been a part of this little group all along. He had much to say and all of it helpful. Michel had told me, when Samson had joined my line that I could trust him. It would be impossible for a vampire of my line to not want to do their very best for their master. But, Erika had made him more cautious now. Still, it's not like anyone could have gotten to Sergei and broken our Light bond from the time we left that roadside scene and now. I was sure Sergei was now firmly on our side.

“He will not feed again tonight, so we should prepare for tomorrow. We now know what we're dealing with, plus we have Lucinda's
Tego Texi Tectum
duo on our sides.” This was Alain and he was talking about Alastair of course. We'd come in half way through the conversation.

“We still need a plan of attack.” Avery, his eyes continuing to devour me.

“That's easy,” Alain answered, but was interrupted by Michel's low growl from the corner by the fireplace.

All eyes turned to him.

“Stop looking at my kindred as though she is your next meal.”

All eyes swept to Avery, who slowly, wickedly smiled. His eyes remained steadfastly on me and seemed to heat up further. I forced myself not to squirm under his intense gaze.

“Michel,” he drawled, “are you feeling threatened?”

Michel's growl deepened and rattled all the glass in the room. He took a menacing step towards Avery and I managed to get out without slurring, “Stop it!” It had only been two words, so it wasn't that difficult to get wrong, the next few were harder. “We don't have time for this.”

Avery started laughing and just ignored what I had said. “If you did not want us to covet your kindred, then why did you bring her before us in this state? She is intoxicated on your blood. We can all smell it.”

And that's when I noticed there
was
an increase in thrumming
Sanguis Vitam
in the air. All the vampires had picked up on my pickled state, regardless of how well - or not - I was hiding it physically. I wasn't sure if they saw it as a weakness and I was now easy prey. Or, if they wanted me to be drunk on their blood instead. Either way, it was a little unsettling. I'd had it with vampire games.

“Enough!” I said forcefully. “We're not doing this.
This
is what's going to happen.” I pulled
Citysider's
safe-house address out of my pocket and tossed it on the coffee table before me. “I'm going to Croydon to find the lost Nosferatins. We have until tomorrow evening to get as much information about Alastair... Amicus,” I corrected myself, “before he feeds again. Tomorrow night we get him. Sergei and Nataliya will deal with Lutin's influence, Antonio and Ricardo will take him out. Avery and I will take care of Amicus. If the Nosferatins tell us anything useful, then great. If not, the plan stands as it is.”

Nobody said anything for a few moments and then Samson, Sergei and Nataliya all announce in unison, “Yes, mistress.” I heard Avery's whispered repetition of those words only a split second after my line had uttered them. His smile said it all.

Michel wouldn't let me go alone, of course, so we left my and his vampires and Avery behind and took a now steam-cleaned Range Rover out to South London. Croydon was well out of the VC, Vampire Central area where they fed. Or more particularly, where Amicus fed. I'm not sure if the distance was on purpose, Lutin's charm making it impossible to come any closer, or if that's the closest they had a safe house to run to. But, it took us over an hour to get there.

The address we had been given was in George Street, basically slap bang in the middle of Croydon. When we parked the Rover some distance away and made it there on foot, we found their
safe-house
to be nothing more than a flat above a Pawn Brokers, right next to an Italian Restaurant and opposite an
Allders
department store. This is the London I had been expecting when I came here. Not the beautiful enclosed private gardens and pristine walkways of Knightsbridge, Kensington and Notting Hill, but the terraced boredom of row upon row of block brick buildings, uninspiring shop fronts, graffiti here and there, and litter spewing out of rubbish bins. Not that I had thought London was ugly, but my limited experience had streets and structures in mind from T.V. programmes such as
East Enders.

It wasn't that bad, George Street was a one-way thoroughfare, with widened footpaths making it a quasi pedestrian mall. It's just that everything was a little austere. It was winter, so I don't think that helped. I had grown accustomed, though, to the wrought iron railings of Kensington, the paved and haughty areas of Knightsbridge and the character filled atmosphere of Notting Hill. I really needed to get out more and see the real world.

There was a buzzer on the door next to the Pawn Brokers, that would lead us to the flats upstairs. No names appeared on any of the mail slots, so I just pushed the first and hoped Nut was lending us a hand. No one answered, but Michel whispered in my ear, “There is movement in one of the flats. Three humans. No one else I can detect.”

He could of course, hear them, or smell them, take your pick. Me, I made sure no other vampires were in the vicinity and then thought how stupid I had been to bring Michel. If they were Nosferatins inside, they'd know the man standing with me was not human. I wouldn't open my front door to a strange vampire, that was for sure. I also wondered if the place was warded. My house was. Only Michel and extremely powerful vampires could approach it. Or those Michel chose to let through the ward.

“Are there any wards?” I asked him.

“Yes, but they wouldn't keep me out.”

I gave him a narrow eyed look. He might be my kindred, but even I didn't like the sound of a vampire stepping so easily over wards.

“You'll still need an invitation to go in,” I answered and pushed the next button on the wall before me, not getting any answer in return.

“Not necessarily. I have significant abilities in that area.” He wasn't being vain, some vampires could breach invitation rules. I'd always suspected Michel was one.

“It might be best if you let me sweet talk him first. Don't want a wayward stake to mar that beautiful chest,” I threw over my shoulder, then used a little of my Light to
pick
the lock.

Michel brushed a kiss on the back of my neck and whispered, “Be careful,
ma douce
. If I sense you are in danger, I
will
come in.”

It was the best I was going to get from him. I nodded and crossed the threshold, taking out my silver knife and hiding it behind my wrist. I could use a stake on a human, but knives are more effective. The silver though, would do jack shit, but it wouldn't stop the slice of the blade when the time came either.

I crept up the stairwell, straining to hear any ambushers in the dark. There had been no light switch at the bottom and if there was a light overhead, it didn't work on a sensor. I wasn't surprised, the Nosferatins would have had a way to switch it off from the top. Not that it would stop a vampire who had made it this far, but a human assailant would find it harder in the pitch black that now engulfed me.

I made it to the landing without meeting any monsters and was faced with just two doors. One to the right and one to the left. Michel had indicated the right when he spoke of the humans he had
sensed
, so I strode over to that door. I was part-human, so I was going with the whole no-traps-for-the-Norms things encompassing me. I couldn't see
Citysider
wanting to harm a Nosferatin, he's the go-to guy now that Nero is deceased. So, I just rapped quickly three times on the door and said in a quiet voice, “
Citysider
it's me, Luce”. Then added for good measure, “I come in peace.” Chuckling to myself at the
Star Trek
quote.

Hopefully
Citysider
was a Captain Kirk fan.

The door opened and a muscular man, several inches taller than me and looking about my age, gave me a good stare. He had short thick blonde hair, bright blue eyes and chiselled cheek bones. His nose was a little too wide for his face, but his mouth balanced it out nicely. Currently that was in a thin, wide line.

“You've gotta cheek, bringin' a vamp 'ere, Kiwi.” Ah, the dulcet tones of my London based Nosferatin contact.

“You're a hard man to find. I had to use ghouls. And besides, that's Michel: my kindred. He's well trained.”

“I heard that,” Michel said from the bottom of the stairs.

Citysider
humphed. “Not even our kindred are allowed 'ere, Kiwi. This is a Nosferatin safe-house. That means safe from
all
vampires.”

OK, I could understand that. Before I had a chance to say anything to Michel he whispered in my mind,
I'll wait back in the car, ma douce. I think he is safe, non?

Yeah, he's my man. I'll be fine. See ya soon.

Citysider
was looking at me intently when I met his eyes again. “He's gone. He'll wait for me in the car. Now, are you going to invite me in and give me a coffee? I'm hanging out for cup of Java.”

The door swung open and I walked into the first Nosferatin safe-house I had ever seen. It looked fairly standard, at a quick glance. Clean, relatively unfurnished, just the bare essentials. Couch, table and chairs, T.V. The door clicked closed behind me and
Citysider
came further into the room.