Dying to Date (18 page)

He struck out in tight, calculated movements. Each attack found a vulnerable target, but no matter how many enemies he dropped, more swarmed in to fill their place.

A blow caught him on the side of the head and knocked him to his knees. With ears ringing he launched himself from the floor to strike out with hard fists. Through the fray of black uniforms he caught sight of Melissa standing perfectly still before Dominic. Looked like his grandfather had finally gotten tired of playing.

Kicking off the nearest guard, Tarian fought his way closer to Melissa. He didn’t miss the triumphant smile Dominic shot his way before he turned to walk away, Melissa keeping pace at his side.

Dammit, where was that backup Lucian had promised? Fifteen minutes be damned, they needed help now.

As an answer to his prayers, vampires flashed from the stairwell. They barreled into the necromancers, working in pairs so if one was controlled the other could still fight.

The swarm around him thinned as Dominic’s men turned to engage the new threat. Tarian saw bodies being thrown through the air and only hoped the vampires would make it until the power could be shut off. Some fought with lightning quick efficiency while others stood immobile before their captors.

Pushing himself from the ground, he looked around for Eilin and Melissa.

His sister was remarkably easy to find. She was fighting her guards, clawing at their faces, while a vampire team moved in to help her.

Knowing they’d get her to safety, he chased after Melissa.

Dominic hurried toward the farthest exit. He didn’t even pause to see what had become of his supporters.

Pain throbbed in one knee as Tarian pushed himself faster. He felt blood trickle from his temple but none of that slowed him. Melissa was still in danger.

“Grandfather,” he shouted, stalking closer.

Dominic glanced behind and arched a brow. “You don’t give up, I’ll give you that.”

“It’s over. Surely you see that.”

“I see no such thing. In fact, I think this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of you, Tarian. And I know exactly how to do it.”

“I’m stronger than you in a fight,” he said.

Dominic shrugged. “Who said anything about me fighting you?”

Melissa stepped up to his side, her eyes blank.

“No,” Tarian breathed.

Dominic wasn’t merely controlling her body, he’d taken over her mind. She stood before him as a puppet. Her vibrant personality had been deleted from existence. It was a defense only the strongest necromancers were capable of. Hell, he’d used this form of attack a time or two himself, but seeing it inflicted on someone he cared about sent rage surging through him.

“Melissa, darling,” Dominic said, triumph shining on his face. “Do me a favor and destroy your lover won’t you?”

Melissa flew at him without hesitation.

Tarian stumbled back. A necromancer’s best defense against vampires was his magic. Without his powers, the odds were greatly tipped in Melissa’s favor.

Claws shot from her fingertips as she hissed at him with glistening fangs.

“Melissa,” he tried, even knowing it was useless. “Don’t do this.”

But there was no one home in her eyes. The influence she was under was deep and consuming. It reduced a captured vampire to little more than an animal. A perfect killing machine.

She leapt at him with raised claws.

Tarian spun around her attack, catching her foot to make her stumble. She righted herself with fluid grace and prowled toward him.

His mind whirled through his options while every instinct demanded he take down the threat. How many vampires had he killed in his lifetime? How many during the wars, who’d looked at him just like this?

A silver knife rested at his hip but he didn’t draw it. No matter the situation, no matter how trapped Melissa was, he couldn’t harm her. There had to be another way.

One clawed hand swiped at his chest and he blocked the blow with an arm. Choices, choices. How did both of them get out of this alive?

Teeth flashed passed his face, inches from his jugular, as he dodged his lover. He’d told her before that she was fierce when she wanted to be, and now he was seeing her abilities first hand.

She stalked around him, looking for a weakness. Every inch of her was a predator waiting to tear apart its prey. Each attack was blindly fast, her strikes razor sharp. Had he been watching her fight someone else he would have been awed at her grace.

As it was, he just wanted to stay a step ahead of her razor sharp nails.

Tarian blocked her strike and forced back the instincts that demanded he return the blow. He couldn’t fight Melissa. Which meant his powers were his only option.

It might not be enough,
he calculated. Dominic was strong and his presence within Melissa would be hard, if not impossible, to dislodge.

Never before had he attempted to free a vampire of a necromancer’s influence. He didn’t know if he could do it now.

But if he couldn’t, one of them was going to end up dead.

He waited for her next charge then grabbed her around the waist and tossed her to the floor. Tarian followed, rolling on top of her and pinning her hands above her head. Her jaws gnashed as she tried to reach his throat, mindless in her need to spill blood. He was running out of time. When it came to brute strength she had the edge.

“Look at me,” he said, focusing his power on her.

Her struggles grew slower as he pumped his magic into her body. Never before had it been so hard to take over a vampire, but this time it wasn’t the same as pouring magic into an empty vessel. Dominic’s magic already filled her, fighting off his own.

His grandfather’s laughter echoed over him, but Tarian never looked away from Melissa.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he whispered, focusing on her blank green eyes. “Come back.”

Prying Dominic’s influence away was like trying to dry a flood with a Kleenex. Every time he got a foothold in her mind, Dominic was there to push him back out.

Her body bucked beneath his as he slipped again. With a snarl he dipped deeper into his magic. He fought to control not just Melissa but also the bastard pulling her strings. Deeper he delved, feeling Dominic’s essence and chasing it down. Controlling a necromancer of Dominic’s age and strength would be an impossible feat, but he refused to give up Melissa.

Deeper and deeper he went, calling on a well of magic he’d never touched before. Every fiber of his being was focused on one task. Failure was not an option.

Melissa stopped squirming under him. With every prolonged minute in her mind the process grew easier. Threads of his magic attached inside her body, chasing away Dominic’s malevolence. Soon his power flooded her, seeping into every vein and cell.

With a groan he opened his eyes to gaze down at her.

“Come back,” he whispered again. “Come back to me.”

A heartbeat ticked by then another. On the third a miracle happened.

The woman he loved rushed back into her bright green eyes.

Melissa looked up at him, blinked, and then smiled the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the fact that he’d gotten her back.

“Hello,” he whispered, staring down at her.

“Tarian,” she breathed. “I can feel you in my head.”

“I broke my promise.”

There was no accusation in her expression. “I forgive you. Stay in my mind. He won’t be able to control me like this. I can fight with you.”

His joy froze within him.

Choices, choices. Agree to her plan and she’d forgive him the use of his power, but she’d go back into the thick of things. Into a battle she might not survive.

He’d told her he respected her decisions, that he valued her ability to fight and it was all true. But right now, with screams filling the air and Dominic’s presence still prickling along his skin, he didn’t want to put her skills to the test. He wanted her as far away from this as possible. There was no way he’d survive losing her twice.

And there was no way she’d move past such a betrayal. If he took away her choices, he’d have to watch her walk away from him. Permanently.

Which mattered more, her love or her life?

“Tarian,” she said with a smile. “We’ve got work to do.”

“No,” he whispered, moving off of her. “Stand.”

Melissa rose like a puppet on strings. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

He could feel her try to move her limbs as he held them still.

“Tarian,” she said, panic entering her voice. “I’ll never forgive you for this.”

“I know,” he replied. “Go to your father and do not look back.”

Her eyes widened even as her body turned away from the fighting. “Don’t do this,” she cried as her legs started to carry her away.

Tarian didn’t flinch. He poured enough magic into her body to ensure she followed his orders then turned back to the chaos in the parking lot. His chest throbbed like a physical wound. Even if he came out of this alive, she wouldn’t absolve him for taking away her free will.

But at least she’d be alive to hate him.

He scanned the scene around him, looking for only one man.

There.
Dominic was beating a hasty escape toward the fire exit.

Tarian took off at a sprint just as the lights finally flickered.

Screams echoed off the concrete walls as half the parking lot plunged into blackness. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the vampires swarming in, dragging their victims into the shadows to decrease their chances of being overtaken.

The main lights in his half of the garage flickered and went out, all except the emergency lighting over the exit.

Darkness gave vampires the edge, but there was still enough light for Tarian to track his quarry.

He increased his speed, pushing himself as fast as his injuries would allow. Cars flashed by him as he raced away from the chaos of the battle he’d left behind.

“Dominic,” he shouted.

His grandfather whirled, glancing from him to the exit a short sprint away.

“You’ll never make it,” Tarian said. “Don’t run away like a coward.”

A growl rumbled from Dominic’s lips. “I’ve fought more battles than you can count, boy.”

Tarian slowed to a stop ten feet before his grandfather. “Then defeating me should be no problem,” he said before launching himself forward.

Dominic met his attack, blocking each blow with a strength and speed only age could achieve.

Tarian tried to reach for the dagger on his hip only to have his legs kicked out from under him. He hit the ground hard, seeing stars as his skull cracked against the pavement. Dominic was on him before he could even roll over.

Hands latched around his throat and squeezed. A gasp left him as his body struggled for air. His lungs burned as he fought the vicious hold.

Slamming his hands against his grandfather’s elbows caused the older man’s arms to buckle. Tarian gulped in air as he turned the tables. Wedging a leg between them, he kicked off Dominic and grabbed his blade.

He cast a leg astride his grandfather and stared down at one of the last remaining pieces of his family.

“Going to kill me?” Dominic said, looking at him and not the silver blade poised over his heart. “You know it’s the only way you’ll stop me.”

He might be right. This man had caused wars and deaths across multiple continents for more years than Tarian wanted to think about.

But for all his evil, death was not the answer.

“I won’t make you a martyr,” he said. “This destruction ends with you.”

“Our people will never stop fighting to be equal.”

“They no longer have to,” Tarian replied. “Dominic Salvage, as the newest member of the New York State Council of Elders, I am placing you under arrest.”

Surprise shone in Dominic’s eyes right before Tarian slammed the hilt of his blade against his grandfather’s temple.

Dominic’s body went limp beneath him, out cold.

Tarian rolled away from him and took a deep breath. He’d won. After all that, against all the odds, Dominic was finished.

He glanced back toward the other end of the lot. Though some necromancers still fought, the pile of unconscious bodies was growing. It would only be a matter of time before the battle was over.

As he rubbed a hand over his face, several vampires flashed to his side.

Staring up at their angry red eyes, he wondered if he’d be their next target, and tensed for a fight.

“Mr. Redgrave sent us,” their leader said, pointing toward one of the security cameras he’d failed to notice. “He thought you might need a recovery team.”

Tarian glanced at the camera. So Lucian had seen the whole thing and waited till it was over before sending help. Perhaps the elder had hoped Dominic would finish him off in the capture process. Tarian tipped his imaginary hat to the viewer on the other end of the camera before turning back to the vampires awaiting his orders. “Take Dominic into custody,” he said. “Get him locked down before he comes to.”

The vampires inclined their heads and grabbed Dominic’s unconscious body. As they turned to go, the leader glanced back at him. “Mr. Redgrave says you have his thanks for protecting his daughter,” he said. “Though he said to add, it won’t do you much good when you see her.”

“I didn’t think it would,” Tarian replied before waving them off.

The battle was all but won, and his people would soon be free.

He pushed to his feet, wincing as battered muscles stiffened in protest. There was still some cleanup to take care of and an angry vampire to face.

He hoped he’d made the right choice, because he had a feeling he’d be regretting it for eternity.

Chapter Eighteen

Melissa stared up at the bright pink lettering above the glass doors.

Fated Match,
she thought,
find your mate anytime, anywhere.

Except it hadn’t worked that way for her.

She’d ignored the texts and voice messages from this agency for two weeks. Though she was sure Abbey’s heart was in the right place, she hadn’t been up to rehashing the demise of her relationship.

If she closed her eyes, she could still see the regret etched on Tarian’s face when he’d limped his way up to the control room. All her father’s men had been busy securing and transporting the necromancer group. The witches had been standing by, ready to escort the trucks to the supernatural version of a maximum security prison. Last she’d heard, any death race guards employed at the prison had been transferred. There would be no chance of an escape using necromancer powers.

It should give her a sense of satisfaction, knowing Dominic would pay for his crimes, but all she felt was hollow.

Tarian had tried to apologize, tried to explain, but she hadn’t wanted to hear it. Eventually he’d wrapped an arm around his shaken sister and walked out of her life.

Striding forward, she pushed open the glass door and stepped into the pristine waiting room of Fated Match.

“Melissa,” Chloe called, rising from her seat at the reception desk.

She plastered a smile on her face and strode over to the witch. “You win. My voicemail gave up from exhaustion two days ago.”

The other woman just grinned unapologetically. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. Abbey said you had a rough go of it.”

“And then some,” she agreed, leaning against the desk. “So they’ve got you manning phones?”

Chloe waved the question away. “I’ve seen four clients today, organized files, updated our systems and even managed a quick lunch. You know this place wouldn’t run without me.”

“Seems like it.” Melissa glanced at the hall that led to the offices. “Is Abbey expecting me?”

“No,” Chloe replied. “It’s Vivian who wants to see you.”

She arched a brow. What did the siren want?

Chloe shrugged. “You’re a big client, and we kinda screwed you. You can’t blame her for wanting to smooth any ruffled feathers.”

“I don’t have any,” Melissa said. “It’s not your fault I fell for the wrong guy.”

“Still, let her grovel a bit. For me. Please?”

Pushing away from the counter, she inclined her head. “How can I refuse?”

Chloe clapped her hands and gestured down the hall. “She’s free. Head on back.”

Melissa turned away as the phone rang. Chloe give the standard Fated Match greeting as she headed down the hall.

Vivian had the largest office, hidden behind the last door in the hallway. She knocked twice before opening the door.

“Melissa,” Vivian said, rising from her desk. “Come in.”

She stepped into the elegant room decorated completely in silver. The white wallpaper was threaded through with silver stripes. Silver edged the colorless armchairs and coffee table.

Vivian’s desk had the shine of metal even though it was designed like wood, and the gorgeous siren herself stood behind it.

“Please, have a seat,” Vivian said, indicating the chair before the desk.

“I heard you wanted to see me,” she said as she dropped into the chair.

“To apologize.” Vivian took her seat and folded her hands over the gleaming desk. “As the head of Fated Match, I wanted to assure you we have taken your situation very seriously and made some changes around here.”

“Oh?”

“It is no longer an option to refuse to disclose your race. We’re looking into security measures for members and are thinking about offering a new service of monitoring first dates. From a safe distance, of course. Nothing obtrusive, but it will add an extra level of safety.”

“For a price, I’m assuming.”

The siren’s smile never faltered. “In order to make reparations to you, I’d like to extend you our platinum level membership for the next decade. Free of charge.”

“No offense, Vivian, but I’m not going to want to use your services for quite some time.”

“I understand. We just wanted you to know how much we value your patronage and assist you in any way we can.” Her smile slipped slightly. “Though the unfortunate events surrounding your abduction occurred outside of a Fated Match event, we still take responsibility for your chance meeting in our office.”

“You also set up the first date.”

“Yes. Our apologies.”

Melissa shook her head. The siren would probably sell her to the necromancers herself if it brought in more business.

“I’d also like to make a personal recommendation of a were-cougar I know. Excellent fellow and no homicidal tendencies to speak of,” Vivian said.

“Exactly what I look for in a man.”

“Whenever you feel like getting back into the business of finding your mate, I’ll be happy to make the introductions.”

“And if I’ve already found my mate? What’s your plan then?”

“I…” The siren’s mouth opened and closed in shock. It would almost be comical if not for the tearing pain in her chest.

“I don’t want another introduction,” she said. “And I don’t want the platinum membership. I’m done with the dating scene.”

She had her charities and her friends. That was enough to fill a few lifetimes at least.

“I understand,” Vivian said, recovering smoothly. “Please let me know if your opinion on the matter changes, and Fated Match will be there to assist you. Otherwise, thank you for your benefaction.”

“Don’t worry, Viv, I’m not going to torch your organization.”

Some of the tension in Vivian’s shoulders eased, though her pleasant expression never changed. “I assure you,” Vivian said. “Our concern is for your well-being, not our reputation.”

“Right.” Melissa rose from her chair. “I trust you will stop flooding my phone with messages now?”

“Cross my heart.”

“If you had one.” The words were a cheap shot, but it didn’t stop the slight tingle of pleasure when the siren’s sharp nails left gouges in her shining desk.

Melissa stepped into the hall, shaking her head. Part of her admired the woman’s entrepreneurial spirit. She was not one to let her business get tarnished without a fight.

“Did Vivian sink her claws into you or the other way around?” Abbey asked, leaning against the open door of her office.

Melissa paused, wondering how she could bypass the other woman without offending her. “Neither,” she replied. “We had a civilized conversation.”

“Better watch out, or she’ll set you up on a date a night, just to bring you back into the fold.”

“I think I can resist her lures.” She started by Abbey only to stop when the human caught her arm.

“Lucian’s worried about you.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m worried about you. Hell, even Chloe’s worried about you, and sometimes that woman is so damn cheerful you want to hold her down and tell her horrible things about the world.”

“Time heals all wounds,” she said. “And I’m immortal. I’ve got plenty of time to give.”

“Have you talked to him?” Abbey asked.

She shook her head.

Her friend chewed her lip, as she often did when she was debating something. Melissa waited patiently for Abbey to speak.

“Lucian says he fit into the council nicely. They worked out a multi-step plan for phasing necromancers into cities around the country. I think their numbers within the city limits will still be capped and monitored, but it’s a step in the right direction. He’s a good choice to lead them.”

“Good,” she said, looking away from Abbey. “I’m glad it all worked out. His people deserve this chance.” Glancing at her watch, she stared blindly at the tiny hands. “Look at the time. I’ve got to run, or I’ll be late for an appointment.”

“Then I won’t keep you. Just…let me know when you want to get together.”

“Drinks soon,” she lied with a smile. “Tell Lucian I said hello.”

“I will.”

Melissa left Fated Match with a wave to Chloe as she passed by, and stepped out onto the street.

The moon was bright overhead as she made her way to her waiting car. Popping on her sunglasses, she ducked into the vehicle and gave instructions to run straight home. It was one of her rare days off and she had no intention of doing anything other than watching horrible TV and drinking a bottle of wine. Or two.

As the city glowed beyond her window, she let her forehead fall against the glass. Abbey had meant well, but she didn’t want to talk about Tarian. The tearing in her chest hurt too much.

Logically, she understood he’d made a decision he thought was in her best interest. Hell, even Lucian had thanked him for sending her out of the fighting. But Melissa didn’t know if she could forgive his choice. Had he always thought she was weak? That she couldn’t defend herself? When had she ever given that impression?

But even if she could get over his lack of faith in her abilities, she couldn’t get over the icy grip of his magic.

His power had run through her veins, robbing her of any free will. Dominic had enspelled her mind, but Tarian had commanded her body. The magic she’d once thought of as familiar had taken her over, proving to be more alien and desolate than she’d ever imagined. That, more than anything, was the reason she couldn’t see him. She was not a woman afraid of much, but when it came to Tarian’s abilities, every hair on her nape stood on end.

And what sort of relationship could she have when she was always on guard, waiting to see if her lover would snap his fingers and take away her free will?

It would never work. It should never have been started in the first place. Their romance had been idealistic and naive right from the beginning. Tarian couldn’t cut off a part of himself, and she wasn’t in the business of trying to change people even if he were willing. His magic was as vital to him as her fangs were to her. With another woman it wouldn’t be a problem, and he deserved the chance to find that happiness. Even if it wasn’t with her.

She opened her eyes to look out at the street.

Was it possible for him to be her mate but her not to be his? She’d dealt with breakups before. Ones that had lasted decades instead of days. And yet never before had she felt so empty inside. Like a part of her was missing.

It wasn’t fair that this city was filled with happy matches and hers had been doomed to failure right from the start.

She had no idea how she’d react when she saw him again. And their paths would cross. The council was a staple on her invite list for all her balls and galas. Tarian would come with the rest to represent his race. She’d have to shake his hand and smile, all the while pretending she didn’t miss him with every fiber of her being.

“We’re here, miss. Would you like me to see you up?”

“No need,” she said to her new driver. “I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t like she was a target any longer.

Melissa exited the car and made her way into her apartment building. The werewolf doorman bowed as she walked by, but she didn’t feel like stopping for a chat, as she would have most nights. Instead, she crossed the marble entranceway and made a beeline for the elevators.

Maybe she should travel, she mused as she pressed the button for her floor. It’d been ages since she’d last been to Europe. She could take a few weeks and wander the streets she’d known in decades past. Looking up old friends might get her mind off of Tarian.

The bell dinged to indicate her floor, and she stepped from the elevator, planning her vacation as she did so.

Melissa was so preoccupied she didn’t notice the figure by her door until she had nearly reached it.

When the man turned to face her, her stomach dropped to her toes.

“Melissa,” Tarian said.