Nightlord Lover (10 page)

“I need to go. Good night, Kashia.” Without waiting for a
response, Larissa walked back into her store. A brief scan over her tables and
shelves didn’t indicate any missing items during that woman’s brief visit.
Larissa had a good handle on her merchandise, on what she had in stock and
sold. Still, she had an uneasy feeling about the woman and didn’t know why.

Jordan rushed in with a large bag of hot sandwiches from the
deli. “Sorry I’m late, I had to pick up a gift for someone and the line was so
long.”

“That’s okay. It’s been quiet. Except for Kashia’s visit.”

“What? You let her in?” Jordan looked horrified.

“No, I talked to her outside. She doesn’t think much of
Garrick or Ramon.” She didn’t want to go into details.

“It’s a long-time feud. Ignore anything she says.” She took
a bite of her Philly cheesesteak sandwich. “Maybe you should text Garrick about
it.”

“No, I don’t want to bother him. Ramon’s spells must be
working on the doors because Kashia didn’t try coming in this time.”

“That’s a relief. Do you need me to find anything else for
your dinner on Christmas Eve?”

“I think I have everything. I just need to finish decorating
tonight.”

“Can I help? Please?”

“Don’t you have friends, a boyfriend or your family to hang
out with?”

Jordan’s lowered her head and didn’t say anything.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Larissa quickly amended.
“I’d love to have your help and company. I consider you a friend, not just an employee.
I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”

Jordan smiled. “I’m not seeing anyone at the moment. I’ll
tell you who I’ve had an impossible crush on for years over a glass of wine
later. And my family is great, but my parents travel a lot. I will be seeing
them on Christmas though.”

“Good. We can finish up in another couple hours.”

At the end of the night, Jordan turned down the lights. “I’ll
lock up,” Jordan said, heading for the front of the store. While Larissa cashed
out the register, she heard loud voices. When she looked up, Anja, the vampire
from the Beaumont house, stood in the doorway snapping arguments at Jordan.

“Hello, Anja, may I help you?” Larissa said as she
approached the two young women.

“I have one more item to get tonight, but she says you’re
closed.” Anja glared her dark eyes rimmed in black liner at Jordan.

“It’s okay, Jordan. I have a few minutes.”

Anja sauntered in, giving Jordan an up-and-down look, then
strode over to the nightgowns. Larissa tried to think what a Goth-chick vampire
would choose in a lingerie shop. Something black and lacy, no doubt. The young
woman hardly looked around, she selected the French designer chocolate
nightgown, one of the most expensive pieces in her store and the one Larissa
would love to own herself. “This one,” Anja said. She dropped it onto the
counter like a pair of cheap jeans. Larissa cringed.

“Of course, it’s a lovely piece. But I do think you might
take a smaller size,” Larissa said. “Maybe you’d like to try it—”

“I know my size. Do you want to sell it to me or not?”

“Of course.” Larissa wrapped it in tissue paper and placed
it in a bag. Anja paid in cash. “You can return it within thirty days if the
tag is still attached.” She didn’t want to say if she found the size too large.
The girl was so slight, Larissa figured the gown would be swimming on her.

“See you.” Anja grabbed the bag and left.

“A little too much drama for me,” Jordan said. “Can I lock
up now?”

“Yes, turn out the lights and come upstairs.”

When Jordan entered Larissa’s apartment, she looked around
and gasped. “Wow, this is beautiful. I love it. The guys will love this. And it
smells so festive—pine, cinnamon and bayberry.” Jordan studied the garland of
holly and pine boughs hung around the doorways and windows with sprigs of
mistletoe. The Christmas tree was fully decorated with old-fashioned ornaments
and lights that looked like candles. A side table was set up with a crystal
bowl for a rum punch.

“I’ve been up late baking apple pie and pastries and talked
to a cook in town on how to roast a goose, and got ingredients for one more
entree.” She poured them red wine and handed a glass to Jordan.

“This is perfect,” Jordan said. “Any word from Garrick or
Ramon?”

She checked her phone. Two texts, one from each of them.
“Garrick says he won’t be back until tomorrow. He’s looking forward to dinner.
Ramon says about the same.” She didn’t mention the naughty stuff that hinted to
another threesome. Her body was on fire again. She smiled to herself at the
sexual adventure that lay ahead then a sinking feeling left a gaping hole in
her chest, thinking about Kashia’s words. Was Garrick using her for a sexual
plaything, to further his business and position in the Guild? Or did he really
care?

“You okay, Larissa?”

“Sure, fine.”

“I wish I could see Garrick’s face when you play these for
him,” Jordan said, holding up the CDs that were sitting on the table next to
the punch bowl.

“I’ll let you know what he says.”

“What did you get Ramon?”

“Did you know he’s an artist?”

Jordan nodded.

“He did these paintings.” Larissa pointed out the one of the
man in front of the Beaumont House and the other of the woman with long blonde
hair sitting beneath a maple tree.

“That’s Prudence Hughes,” Jordan said. “Ramon’s lover. She
was a witch and was killed shortly after he finished that painting. He hasn’t
painted since.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I bought him oil paints and artist
brushes. Now I don’t know if he’ll appreciate the gift.”

Jordan placed a hand on Larissa’s shoulder. “I’m sure he
will.”

“I hope so. I’ll wrap them up later. I do have one more
thing to show you.” She walked into her bedroom and came back out with a box.
“This is for you. Nothing special.”

Jordan’s face lit up. She gave her a hug. “Larissa, thank
you. Can I open it now?”

“Of course.”

Ripping the wrapping paper open, Jordan flipped open the box
lid, pulled back the tissue paper and gasped. “Gorgeous.” She lifted up a
short, red lacy chemise. Very sexy. And comfortable pajama pants and camisole
top set. “I love them.”

“One for when you do find that special boyfriend and the
other for lounging at home or college. I noticed you were admiring both a few
times.”

“I do love them, thank you. Don’t know if I’ll be able to
entice the guy I have the crush on.”

“Someone I know?”

“You haven’t met him yet. When you do, he’ll take your
breath away. Bastian.”

“Whoa. The master vamp of the Guild?”

She nodded. “We were together once. Incredible doesn’t begin
to describe it. When my father found out, his payments for my protection
doubled. I’m off limits.” From her jacket pocket she pulled out a small wrapped
box. “I got you something too.”

“Jordan, you’ve been too generous with your gifts already. I
wanted to ask you about that.”

“Open it and I’ll explain in a minute.”

Larissa opened the small box. Inside was a necklace with a
silver pendant and an orange gemstone with gold specks. “It’s beautiful. What
type of stone is this? It’s unusual and practically glows.”

“It’s called a sunstone and is supposed to protect you from
evil and negative energies.”

“I’ll wear it proudly.” Larissa didn’t believe much in the
power of stones, but a few weeks ago she didn’t believe in the existence of
vampires either. She put on the necklace then poured them both more wine. “Can
you explain about all these generous gifts? The TV, couch, Christmas tree, the
CDs? These people you know who owe you favors. Be honest with me. I’m a little
worried.”

Jordan stared into her wine. “The truth is, I have a hard
time making friends.”

“Why? You’re a very nice and kind person.”

“I have an obscene amount of money. At first friends think
it’s cool and don’t mind when I offer to pay for dinner all the time, but then
they expect it, ask me to buy them things and I do, then ask for more things.
It gets out of hand, causes fights among other friends. So I stop and they get
angry. I lose friends.”

“They sound like shallow people. You don’t need to buy me
things to be my friend.”

“I know. When I say I know somebody or somebody owed me a
favor, it’s to avoid problems. I like to buy things for people. But I don’t
like the consequences.” Jordan took a long swallow of wine. “Sometimes I help
the residents when they don’t want to give their offering. I pay for them in
cash.”

“And they pay you in goods,” Larissa said.

Jordan nodded. “Besides too much money, my other problem is
work. My father says I don’t need to work, but I want to. Companies are nervous
about hiring me, like they’re afraid my father will swoop in and buy them out
or something. So I go to college and keep getting degrees, hoping I’ll find
something to do with my life. I know I’m spoiled. I just want to fit in.”

“Well you fit in here,” Larissa said. “I guess I’m trying to
fit in too in a different way. Your friends took advantage of you for your
wealth. I’m hoping my new friends aren’t taking advantage of me for other
reasons.”

“What do you mean? Garrick and Ramon? You think they’re taking
advantage of you?”

Larissa sighed. “I don’t know. It’s something Kashia said
earlier. I’ve been burned before by loved ones. I don’t want to be blind again
and have the rug pulled out from under me.”

“Don’t believe anything Kashia says. She’s manipulative.
Garrick and Ramon are honest and do care about you.”

“I hope you’re right.” Her parents loved her too and had
promised her the pastry shop after they retired. She worked for free or less
than minimum wage for a dozen years only to have the shop handed over to her
brother.

“It’s late. Thanks for understanding. I’m sure you’re wrong
about Garrick and Ramon.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.” Larissa got up to
walk her downstairs. “We’ll close early for Christmas Eve so you can get home
to your family.”

“Great. Good night.” Her phone chirped. She was getting a
text. “Go ahead, it might be Garrick. I’ll be right down to lock up.”

“I’ll lock the shop door behind me but you’ll have to lock
the deadbolts,” Jordan said.

“Thanks.” Jordan left and Larissa checked her text. It was
Garrick. He said he missed her and was sorry he couldn’t come over again. More
problems in Corydale. He would see her tomorrow.

She texted back an okay and good night.
Trust my gut.
But she couldn’t decide what her gut was telling her. Her emotions were all out
of sync. Sure, Garrick needed her as a crimson swan and he repaid her with
protection and a prosperous business. That prosperous business also was to his
benefit. Groaning inwardly, she decided she’d have to talk to him about it.

Footsteps plodded up her stairs. “Jordan? I thought you
left.”

She opened the door, but it wasn’t Jordan. Before she had a
chance to scream, Lazaro grabbed her throat, cutting off her breath. Backing
her into the room, he lifted her so her feet skimmed the floor then slammed her
against the wall. Moments later darkness swirled around her vision then
completely engulfed her.

Ramon knew Bastian wouldn’t put up with the constant
bickering at the meeting much longer. The voices in the basement of the
Drogheda Pub in Corydale grew louder and less chummy. Vampire Guild members,
town council members, shopkeepers and vampire slayers rehashed the partnership
points across a large round mahogany table for hours. At some point they’d
agreed for an alliance by the vampire society in this community. The
disagreements concerned the extent of the vampires’ influence.

A similar trust to the one arranged in New Hope would
eventually be worked out. These trusts had been active in communities
throughout the world for centuries. Once Corydale joined, the vamps agreed not
to inhibit sales to businesses that hadn’t settled on an alliance. But the
villagers didn’t believe they had the control to police it and the slayers said
they would but for a price. Prosperity comes with sacrifice but no one wanted
to pay the bill.

Bastian shoved away from the table in the middle of a
long-winded discussion and marched out of the room, followed by several Guild
members. Voices rose from the remaining participants as they continued to speak
or argue in small groups.

Considering the volatility of those in the room, the
discussions had remained relatively calm. A few shouting matches occurred as
was expected. Fortunately weapons had been left at the entrance to the pub and
so far no one had been stabbed or beheaded.

“This doesn’t look promising,” Ramon said to Garrick as he
too stood and left the table. He and Garrick moved to the back of the room. “Is
the meeting over for the night or are they taking a break?” Ramon didn’t have a
good vibe about this new association.

“I don’t know,” Garrick said. “The businesses in Corydale
are struggling. They should be desperate enough to accept the offer. Desperate
men make poor decisions.”

“I expected to see her here,” Ramon said.

“Who?”

Ramon laughed. “Darla. She’s one of their elder slayers.
Shouldn’t she be here?”

Garrick shrugged. “I hear she’s still living in
Lambertville. Maybe she retired.”

“So you’ve seen her.” Ramon smiled. “After all this time?
The two of you—”

“No, I haven’t seen her in twenty-five years.”

Ramon stared at him. “No shit? She lives across the river
and the tunnel is under your house. Come on. Why not?”

He shrugged. “Figured it would be easier. She didn’t want
immortality. She’s a slayer and she has her son. I had to respect that.”

“Whatever, man. A slayer as a lover is too kinky for my
taste. Too much drama.” The scent of spice and lavender entered the room and
Ramon said, “Speaking of drama and kinky…”

Kashia sauntered into the room strolled straight to Garrick.
“Have I missed anything?”

“It’s going to take more negotiations,” Garrick said.

“And a lot of alcohol,” Ramon added.

“Such a waste of time,” she said. “We should use our
influence and take what we need.”

Garrick shook his head. “Doing it this way, however slow,
has kept peace, for the most part, among the slayers, mortals and immortals for
the last hundred years.”

Kashia’s mouth slowly twitched in a wicked self-satisfied
smile that could only mean trouble.

“Where’s your cohort?” Garrick asked. “I didn’t think Lazaro
would want to miss his chance to get in on a claim.”

“I think we should step outside.” She turned and ambled up
the stairs. Ramon and Garrick followed. Mortal and immortal fixed their gazes
on her as she strutted out through the main bar and out the front door. She sat
in a wrought iron chair in the middle of an outdoor patio. It was empty of
patrons because of the cold weather. Garrick and Ramon sat at her table.

What were she and Lazaro up to? It could only cause trouble
for the negotiations. “What have you done, Kashia?”

“Nothing yet. It’s up to you. We have a simple request if
you want her back.”

Ramon and Garrick shot up out of their seat, knocking over
the chairs. Ramon knew she had to mean Larissa. “Where is she?” Ramon demanded.

Garrick clamped his hand over her throat. Kashia winced, her
face contorted in pain. “What did you do?”

“She’s safe for now,” Kashia squeaked out. “Let go or Lazaro
will make her his marked slave. Or perhaps kill her.”

Garrick released her.

She rubbed her bruised throat. “All we want is the old
Watson Apothecary building.”

“My place,” Garrick spat out.

“You have until tomorrow. Bring the deed to Larissa’s shop
to sign.” She stood and turned, her chin tilted in defiance. “I wouldn’t waste
time. Lazaro might not be able to resist your lovely crimson swan.” Kashia gave
him a satisfied smirk then left the Drogheda Pub.

“Fuck,” Ramon said. “Now what?”

“We can’t give them the Watson’s building.”

“I won’t sacrifice Larissa either,” Ramon said. They strode
to the parking lot where Garrick had parked his truck. “Why does Lazaro have
such a bug up his ass over that place? He could buy his own place. I know the
Watson building is centrally located, has lots of charm, the convenience of the
tunnels…”

“It’s more than that.” Garrick pulled out his keys and hit
the fob to unlock the truck. “It’s strategically located close to the Edmund
Manor, the Beaumont House and Lambertville, with a number of accesses and
escape routes. The perfect location to start a war against the slayers or the
Guild. But Lazaro must also have an idea on what’s inside the building to make
him want it that bad.”

“Shouldn’t we let Bastian know what’s going on?”

“Not yet. His first concern would be to the Guild, not a
mortal woman. I intend to protect both,” Garrick stated. “Kashia might convince
Bastian that Lazaro had only taken Larissa for his crimson swan or a marked
vassal. Nothing wrong with that.”

Ramon nodded. “Hmm. And I doubt Bastian would believe Lazaro
is capable of waging war on him or the slayers.”

“We don’t inform Bastian until Larissa is safe,” Garrick
said. “It’s time I called in a favor.”

* * * * *

The smell of musty dampness surrounded Larissa as she
struggled to the surface of consciousness. She moaned around her gag then
opened her eyes and tried to focus. Blinking several times, she viewed a
darkened room as her vision started to clear. Flickering lights from several
candles and oil lamps illuminated the space. No electricity? Where was she?
Stone walls looked like the inside of a castle and were covered in tapestries.
The brocade furnishings included a couple chairs, a chaise lounge and a bed.
She was shackled to the bed.

Trying to move, she discovered her wrists were chained above
her head and her ankles bound together by thick ropes. She yanked on her binds
and they didn’t give. The effort only caused her pain.

“Don’t be frightened.” A deep voice brushed by her ear. “You
can scream, but you won’t be heard.” Lazaro’s face came into view.

Larissa tried breathing. Air rushed in and out of her chest
in short gasps.

“Shhh,” he whispered. “You’re safe. Warm enough?” His
fingers glided down her cheek, to her neck and across her collar bone. It was
then she realized she was wearing only her bra and panties. At least she wasn’t
naked. Not yet anyway.

“I’ll take off the gag and release you if you promise not to
scream. I have a few guests staying with me and I’m sure they don’t want to be
disturbed.”

She nodded.

“Promise? If you scream you might draw a number of hungry
vamps in here. You don’t want that, do you?”

She shook her head.

“And it’s about twelve degrees outside, snow’s on the ground
and a several-mile walk back to town. Don’t think you’ll survive the trip, even
if you made it outside.” He removed the gag, released her arms and legs. She
breathed easier. “That’s better.”

“Is this the Grotto of Eros?” she asked as she eyed the
door. If she had the chance would she make a run for it? If she did, would the
vamps attack her?

Lazaro’s eyes widened. “I’m impressed that you’ve heard of
that. No, we’re far from there, in a place Garrick doesn’t know about. Bastian
doesn’t even know of this place.”

“Why am I here?” She was afraid of the answer.

“Relax. You might be here awhile.”

She sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her arms over her
chest. One door and no windows. By the thickness of the door, she didn’t think
she’d have a chance to escape.

“That’s right. No way out except through that door and
you’ll enter the rooms of the others in my clan.”

“All this because you want Garrick’s house?” Garrick said
something about Lazaro wanting to be the ward of the Beaumont House.

Lazaro laughed. “Not exactly. I do want the house your shop
is in. But that’s only the beginning.”

“You think Garrick will give you a house in exchange for
me?”

Lazaro nodded. “He will. Then we can begin our plan. It’s
time to progress. We’ve remained stagnant. What my clan intends to do will
protect and strengthen the Guild.”

“Then why don’t the others do it?” she asked. She didn’t
know if talking to her captor would help or not. She hoped she could gain a
little sympathy or trust.

“They’re weak.” He slammed his fist onto a side table and
she swore she expected to see it collapse.

She hesitated then dared to say more. “People resist change.
I can understand your frustration.”

He glared at her. In a flash of movement, he had her pinned
flat on her back, his body pressing on top of her. “Don’t try to manipulate
me.” His words rang through her with a supernatural resonance.

“I didn’t mean—”

“I promised Kashia not to mark you until after the deal is
made.”

His breath was hot against her neck and she felt the sharp
scrape of teeth. Larissa held her breath. Would he keep his promise?

“Either way, soon you’ll be my crimson slave.”

* * * * *

Jordan parked her car about a hundred yards from the house
where she saw Lazaro park his car. She tried calling Garrick but it went to
voicemail. Slipping on boots, hat and gloves she kept in the backseat, she
stepped out and made her way around to the back of the house.

After she left Silk Fantasies, she remembered Garrick and
Ramon’s warning about not letting vamps into the store. Ramon had set a spell
on the doors and windows so they couldn’t enter unless invited inside. Still
she didn’t feel right about leaving until Larissa came down and deadbolted the
door. Not with what had been happening, the vandals, the man on her deck…

At the store, she’d peered through the window. When she saw
a shadow passing through the store, at first she thought it was Larissa.
Instead, Lazaro headed up the stairs to her apartment. Frantically, she called
Larissa’s cell phone but there was no answer. A moment later, Lazaro came back
down carrying Larissa and went out the back door. As she ran down the alley to
stop him, he was fishtailing out of the small parking area in his Porsche.

Jordan ran to her Jeep parked in front of the store and
followed Lazaro at a distance. The Porsche continued to slip and slid on the
snow-packed road. The vamp had no clue how to drive a sports car in snow. She
kicked her car into four-wheel drive. After several miles and a few back roads,
Lazaro turned into a driveway. To play it safe, Jordan drove past until she was
out of sight then turned around and parked in a snowbank far off the road.

Crouching behind a clump of pine trees, she tried peering
into the windows. A few lights were on and a few cars were parked in the driveway,
but she didn’t see or hear anyone. Now what? She couldn’t exactly go knocking
on the door. She had to get closer and see if she could find what room they
were keeping Larissa in. Rubbing her hands together to warm them, Jordan took a
step, but that’s as far as she got.

A force grabbed her from behind and clamped a hand over her
mouth then dragged her back under the cover of the trees.

“Are you crazy?” Anja whispered in her ear. “They have
alarms and cameras.”

“Larissa’s in there. Lazaro will mark her and she’ll be his blood
slave.”

“No, he and Kashia have something else in mind. They need
Garrick’s help and this is their way of blackmailing him.” Her lip and brow
piercings glittered in the spotlight from the house. “But he will eventually
make her his blood slave. He wants Larissa bad.”

“We have to get her out,” Jordan said.

“No, she has to stay right here until Garrick and Ramon
settle this,” Anja said.

“What are you doing here?” Jordan asked. “Why are you mixed
up with Lazaro?”

“Find Garrick and tell the Guild where she is now. It’s up
to them to deal with it.”

“But I’ve been calling Garrick and he’s not answering. You
should come with me.” Jordan looked around. “I didn’t hear a car drive up.
Where did you park?”

“I rode my bike. I parked the Harley in the woods a quarter
mile up the road.”

“A motorcycle? In this weather? Now who’s crazy?”

Anja groaned. “Just get Garrick here. I’ll keep an eye on
Larissa.” Anja rushed back inside.

Jordan crept to her car and drove back onto the main street.
Bastian could help her find Garrick, but if her father knew where she was
going, he would kill her. Her stomach did a back flip at the thought of seeing
Bastian. How would he react to seeing her again?

The last time they were together was over a year ago, and
they’d been together in the hottest way imaginable. Bastian was amazing in bed.
Four hundred years of experience and God knows how many lovers, the vamp knew
how to pleasure women. He had wanted to make her his nightlord. A few mortals
have power comparable to the vampires, and few vampires were equal to Bastian.
Her father was one of those mortals who could stand up to the vampires. He
wouldn’t permit Bastian to claim her. Leaving Bastian devastated her. Now she
had to face him for Larissa.