Vampire Thirst (19 page)

Tardieh’s lips curved into a flitting smile. He knew exactly where her mind was, and he was relishing the moment. Bastard.

Snapping out it, Zoricah found her composure – and her pride – and focused on the mission ahead. “Tell me how to get there, Joel.”

“You go down Las Ramblas…,” Joel started explaining.

Tardieh shifted and perched sideways on the heavy desk. His biceps look much bigger. Has he been working out? Most definitely. He usually hits the gym every time he needs to wind down. His pecs are definitely broader. Wow, he should wear that shirt more often.

“Turn right and you’re there,” Joel concluded.

Zoricah paused. What? Is he done with the directions?

Despite having no idea where she needed to go, she lifted her chin up and bid them farewell. “Ok, I’ll meet you all there, then.”

“I’ll take you there,” Tardieh offered, a bit too smug for Zoricah’s liking.

Damn it.
He had obviously noticed her checking him out, and that had been a boost his larger-than-life ego did not need.

She glared at him through her long lashes. “No need, I’ll fly. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“If I teleport you, we’ll be there in two seconds.”

“Thank you, but no, thank you. I’ll fly.”

He opened his mouth to argue back but stopped. Instead, he polished off the rest of his drink, mumbled something that sounded like “suit yourself,” and walked out.  

Zoricah exhaled a long breath. She had won their little battle of wills, but somehow, she didn’t feel like celebrating.

“It may take us a while to get in the bar,” Dyam informed her, closing his jacket up. “We can’t materialize inside the building.”

He was referring to the fact that vampires couldn’t actually teleport anywhere they wanted. Not because they needed to be invited in, like popular folklore suggested, but because of two simple rules. First, one should never materialize onto a place one has never been to. It was like driving blindfolded. Not good. And second, for some obscure reason, vampires could not transfer their cells through calcium carbonate particles. The same very compound found in limestone, which gave birth to cement. The material humans suddenly decided to build all their homes with since the first witch-hunt era. Wonder why.

“Don’t worry,” Joel added, with a wink. “We’ll save you a seat.”

She flashed the blond vampire a small smile in reply, but deep inside, she had nothing to be glee about. She took her leather jacket off and laid it over the couch, then followed the vampires out the door.

Chapter 7

After just twenty minutes. Zoricah landed on the roof of a building across the street from the bar. The thick clouds in the sky had been the perfect shield for her large wings, so she didn’t have to worry about being caught. She crouched onto her knees and peeked down. A huge line full of bored-looking vampires took up most of the block.

She flew down to a dark alleyway and, with her wings safely tucked in, she adjusted her strapless top. The bare-back was a must for a draco – one could never predict when their wings would be needed – but nothing beat naked skin in a room full of horny vamps. She reached down and pulled her breasts up. Then she tucked her tight pants inside her knee-high boots. The silver seven-inch heels sparkled brightly – they could always become lethal pins if needed. Just one last touch left. She pulled at the elastic band keeping her pony tail up, then threw her head down and ran her fingers through her long hair. Then she jerked her head back up, in a perfect slow-mo Hollywood moment and let her midnight-black tresses cascade down her shoulders.

Now she was ready.

She crossed the street and went straight to the front of the line. There were probably fifty vamps in the queue. A few females gave her the look, but no one dared to complain. Zoricah paused just long enough to give the bouncer time to look into her amber eyes.

Bingo. Eyes lowered to her bosom, jaw dropped, nostrils flared. His hand unclipped the railing to let her in. Zoricah didn’t even bother hiding her smile. Men were all the same, no matter the DNA sequence.

“Welcome to Calle de la Sangre,” the doorman mumbled as she crossed the threshold.

Street of Blood
. How fitting.

Once inside, Zoricah paused to assess her odds. The place was...not what she’d expected. Soft techno music played in the background. Lounges, bean bags and a few tall tables divided the huge room into intimate milieus. Zoricah recognized several high-class vamps. Their usual alabaster skin and perfect features matched the stunning Armani suits and Givenchy couture dresses. The crème de la vampire crème was in this place.

Zoricah squared her shoulders and went to the bar. She leaned casually on the counter, put on a bored face and perused the area. The entire back wall was filled with dusty bottles of vintage wine, but no one seemed to care for them. Apparently, humans were on the top of the menu in this place. Several glazed-eyed men and women, dressed only in tiny flimsy shawls, entertained the illustrious guests. Some were served like a banquette; others walked from couch to couch offering far more than just their necks.

“Can we buy you a drink, love?” a husky voice with a thick British accent whispered in Zoricah’s ear.

She turned around and found a couple standing right next to her. They both had platinum blond hair, long faces, thin eyebrows and large red eyes.
Brother and sister.
The male’s eyes were eating Zoricah from head to toe, while the female’s eyes were locked on her neck. Correction – brother and sister looking to share a snack.

“No, thank you,” Zoricah said, and walked away.

Freaks.

She found another spot to lean against, one a little less conspicuous. If only she could order herself a real wine. Suddenly, Zoricah felt her cheeks burn and the hairs at the back of her neck lifted.
Tardieh.
Her eyes travelled across the room and landed on a pair of dark emerald ones.

Tardieh was sitting on one of the couches at the far left of the room, watching her. His elbows rested on his knees, his chin was low and his gaze was that of a predator who had found its prey.

Holy. Apa. Dobrý.

Zoricah’s breath got caught in her mouth. His brow lifted slightly. She was sure he could hear her heart drumming like a Fourth of July parade in her chest.

Come here.
He mouthed. Or was it her wishful thinking?

Whatever it was, Zoricah straightened off the wall and crossed the room to sit by his side.

He passed her a glass of red wine.
Yes!
She took a long sip. The delicious spicy liquid slid down her throat like silk.

“I see you’ve gotten new fans already.”

“Oh, yeah, my club is growing by the second,” she replied with a straight face.

Tardieh chuckled low, then he lifted his finger and brushed a strand of hair off her face.

Zoricah paused mid-sip. Goosebumps raced along her skin, butterflies danced in her stomach.
How could she have survived two weeks away from him?
 

His eyes dropped to her lips. On impulse, she bit on the lower one. His thumb left her hair and traced a line where her teeth were, freeing her lip. She tried to remember how to breathe when he leaned forward.

But then the heat in his eyes turned into sadness. His hand dropped to his side and he leaned back on the couch, away from her.

Damn the Soartas! “Tardieh...”

“My Lord,” Joel said from across the small table in front of their sofa. “Alejandro awaits us.”

Talk about great timing.

Tardieh nodded, then stood up and followed Joel. Zoricah exhaled a long breath, lifted her chin up and walked after them.

Dyam was waiting by the side door, which led to an elevator. They all went in. A few floors up, the high-pitched
ping
announced their arrival. The doors opened and a vast living room was displayed ahead.

A fairly short male with a salon-manufactured, multi-shade mane stood in the middle of the room, which had been decorated with every single animal hide on the planet – cow hide couch, leopard skin love seat, rabbit fur rug, and much more.

He greeted Tardieh with a low bow. “My lord, it’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Tardieh gave a short nod in reply.

Alejandro then turned to Zoricah. At the sight of her, his eyes widened for a split second.

Did he know who she was?

“So the rumors are true,” he said, while motioning them to take a seat on one of the several couches in the room.

Yes, he did.

Tardieh sat on the armchair facing the exit, Dyam and Joel leaned on the couch, beside their king. Zoricah decided to take the love seat closest to the elevator. Lesson one in the book of survival techniques: when in the enemy’s den, always have an escape plan.

“Rumors?” Tardieh said, playing the game.

“That our king has taken a dragon as his mate.”

“I wouldn’t believe everything you hear,” Tardieh said with a stillness that charged the air. Then he pinned Alejandro with his glare. “And I would certainly be careful when repeating those rumors.”

“Oh, of course, my lord. I detest low-level gossipers.” The vamp ran a shaky hand over his perfectly layered hair. His Latin sleekness vanished.

Zoricah knew Tardieh was just being cautious, but hearing him deny their affair so bluntly was like a spear to her heart.  

“What a horrible host I am. Please, allow me to offer you the best blood in Spain.” Alejandro waved his hand and two massive vampires emerged from the shadows. At the sight of them, Joel slowly straightened himself off the back of the couch and Dyam placed a hand on his hidden knife. Their actions were minimal, but the message was clear.

“Tráeme dos esfinges,” Alejandro commanded.

He wanted two sphinxes?

The massive vamp on the left nodded and walked to the elevator while the other one stayed put near his master.

Zoricah heard the characteristic ping, and turned just as the doors were opened. A tall blond man with grey eyes stared straight at her from inside.

Phillip.

What in Hiad?
Phillip was supposed to be in London meeting with Sam. What was he doing in Barcelona?

His eyes widened in surprise, then he quickly punched a button on the panel and the elevator doors shut again.

Zoricah blinked a few times. No, it couldn’t be Phillip. Why would he be here?

Her eyes darted to the blinking numbers on top of the elevator doors. They paused at the ground floor. Bingo. The green exit sign was right behind her, indicating that if she ran she could catch the S.O.B. before he left the bar.

“I’ll be right back,” she said to Tardieh, who didn’t look very pleased with her sudden change of plans.

When she reached the exit corridor, she realized they were higher than she had expected, but the stairway had a vault in the middle.

Even better. She leapt into the air at the same time her golden wings popped out of her shoulder blades. Two seconds later, she was safely landing on the ground.

The door that led to the bar area was locked.
Damn it.
She didn’t want to make a fuss out of this little chase, but she had no choice. She placed her palm on the deadbolt lock and brought her dragon forth. Heat seeped out of her hand, melting the part of the door that was stopping her from reaching her target.

As casually as possible, Zoricah opened the heavy door and closed it behind her. The bar was even more crowded than before. After a few agonizing seconds, she spotted Phillip talking with another guy, a vampire.
What in Hiad was he plotting?
Phillip was one of the most connected dracos in Europe, but he’d broadcasted to anyone with a pair of ears that he’d never deal with vampires.
Never
had reached its deadline, apparently. The conversation between Phillip and the vampire was not a casual one. His eyes were intense. He exuded urgency with every gesture.

Zoricah crossed the room slowly, not wanting to call any attention to herself. She had to get to him before he saw her.

“Wanna dance, my love?” The brother vamp with sleek platinum hair stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

Zoricah ignored him and kept on going, but the loser obviously didn’t take the hint.

“I can make you very happy,” he said, stalking her.

“Piss off.”

“I can make you reach the stars.”

“I have seen the stars; they aren’t that great.”

He grabbed Zoricah’s arm and flashed his long fangs at her. Charming. He was a head taller than she was, his red gaze disturbing.

By Apa Dobrý, this was the last thing she needed right now. She glanced at Phillip. He’d seen her and was heading toward the main door. Her blood boiled in her veins. The stupid freak vamp was going to ruin her night. Her hands itched to grab those fucking teeth and pull them out one by one, but she couldn’t. She had to keep a low profile. This was a vamp bar. Their territory.

“That sounds very promising,” she said and wrapped her arms around the asshole’s neck. “I feel so hot right now.”

He smiled and his gaze lowered to her exposed neck. Just before he pierced those ugly fangs in her skin, she released a snake of fire into his collar. He jerked up and tried to free himself, but Zoricah held him tight. She felt his limbs convulse, then seize.

“And that’s dragon heat for you,
love
.”

She left the prick slumped on the nearest couch and rushed after Phillip. Outside, the queue was still filled with bored-looking, celebrity-wanna-be vamps. Zoricah dashed down the street, but there was no sign of Phillip.

Damn it! He could be anywhere by now.

This was so not her night, and it was just beginning.

Chapter 8

“I see your friend is quite a free spirit, my lord.”

Alejandro’s squeaky voice was starting to annoy Tardieh. His clever remarks were going to earn him a face lift very soon.

Tardieh took a sip of the bourbon-infused blood Alejandro’s bodyguard had provided him. “I heard you invest in real estate,” Tardieh said, going straight down to business.

“Yes, I do. I own half of England and Spain. And I also enjoy an occasional stock market gamble,” Alejandro added, peacock style. “Humans have invented interesting pastimes, despite their mediocre minds.”