Suddenly, the doorbell rang, taking me by surprise; I didn't know why. I guess a part of me expected him to come in through the window. I chuckled to myself at the thought, grabbed a black, silk wrap and flung it over my arm, then headed down the stairs. I flung the door open wide and Lance was standing in the doorway, in all his perfection. His dark hair waved just to his collar, pushed back away from his gorgeous green eyes. He wore a tight black leather jacket, unzipped with a white collared shirt beneath and matching black leather pants. He looked good enough to eat. "Well, don't you look stunning," he said with a low whistle, leaning against the doorframe. "Thank you. So do you," I replied with a smile. "Won't you come in?" "Thank you, but no," he said in his smooth, sexy voice. He slid his fingers around my waist and slowly pulled me to him, then looked down at me, directly into my eyes. "If I come inside now, I might not want to leave."My heart beat erratically, standing
I looked out the window and Caprice Casino was on the right, toward the end of the strip. It was huge, extending three city blocks, which included the hotel and casino, and it was a castle. It wasn't a cheap knock off, but a real, genuine brick-and-mortar castle. Lights illuminated it, changing between purple, orange, green, gold, red, and blue-just about every color imaginable-and it was just as spectacular in every color. The other buildings of the hotel matched the castle perfectly, appearing to be a magnificent eleventh century village."It's amazing," I said in a low voice, awed. I looked over and a smile lit his lips as he took in my expression. "Who designed it?" I asked, still amazed as Lance turned the Maserati into the long drive, leading to the front of the hotel where young valets waited. "King Arthur," he replied, waiting for my reaction.I paused for a moment then laughed out loud. "The real King Arthur? No way!"Lance smiled. "Actually, it's an exact replica of
The upstairs level was circular and rooms jettisoned off in every direction. Lance and I passed by one door and a man walked out as moans of pleasure came from inside the room. The door quickly closed as a bouncer stepped in front of it, blocking everyone's way. Another room we passed contained diners seated within, talking casually, enjoying each other's company. Ballroom music emanated from yet another room, where patrons swayed, looking like professional dancers.Lance led me to another room where two bouncers stood guard. "Good evening, Mr. Steel," both of them said in unison, each opening a door. We walked into the darkened room and Lance led me to a private table. I looked around and we were the only ones in this room. The room was impeccably decorated with a few small tables, designed for private parties. Soft music played from hidden speakers, a large sectional couch stretched around the full perimeter of the room, and large pillows were placed carefully about. "Where is eve
Lance laughed and the irony was not lost on him. "Come on, let me show you around my club," he said, holding my chair for me as I rose from my seat. He slid his hand down my arm and took my hand, then led me from the room. The bouncers outside the door nodded as we walked past. We headed down the hallway and walked passed another room just as a door opened, and I could hear heavy moaning and a scream coming from inside. I ran to the door, but a bouncer stood in my way. I turned to Lance, alarmed. "You must keep an open mind; no one is killing anyone in there. Here in this club, killing is not allowed. If that were the case, then word would get out and we'd be out of business. No, we feed from humans, then heal them and erase their memories. Then, they are free to go." We turned a corner and walked down a long corridor. "Most of us feed from blood bags, while others prefer their meals at 98.6 degrees.""So, people are brought in against their will?" I asked, trying not to judge.
A moment later, he bit his wrist and held it to my lips. "Here, drink this. It'll make you feel better."I obeyed, holding his wrist to my lips. This time, it tasted different, delicious. In fact, the more I drank, the more I craved."Leila, that's enough," Lance said after a few minutes. I looked into his eyes and he was surprised that I drank so willingly, literally craving his blood. I quickly came to my senses and forced myself to stop."I'm sorry," I said, sitting up on the edge of his bed as I wiped my lips. "I don't know what came over me." I was surprised, too, for it actually tasted delicious and I wanted more. "What's wrong with me?""I'm not sure," Lance said as he scooted behind me, placing one leg on either side of my body, his erection hitting my ass. He wrapped his arms tightly around my body, covering my arms, and pulled me close. "How do you feel now?" he asked as my breathing slowed."Like I want more," I said with a smirk, running a finger lazily over my lips.
I nodded, understanding. "So, you seduced me." It wasn't an accusation, just a confirmation. "Yes." He waited for my reaction. I guessed that he was wondering if I was going to run out the door next. When I didn't, he relaxed a bit. "Are you angry?""No," I said honestly. "If I hadn't wanted this, I wouldn't be here now."He nodded, but said nothing. He gently stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, a gentle caress. "Your skin is so lovely-pink, blushing, warm " his voice trailed off as he crushed his lips down onto mine, but I pulled back and concern filled his eyes. "Just one more question " I asked."Woman, you'll be the death of me," he said, plopping back onto the bed. He covered his face with a pillow. I guessed that men have been exasperated by women since the beginning of time.I laughed, taking the pillow from his face. "I'm sorry, but this still doesn't explain why I was craving your blood just now."He sighed, shaking his head, clearly amused. "One more question
I slept all day in Lance's arms until I finally forced myself to get up. I reached for my cell phone and there were no new messages. I took a deep breath and fell back onto the pillows, exhausted, wondering why I was so tired. After all, Lance and I had slept the whole day. It was seven o'clock at night when I crawled out of bed, craving coffee, knowing that I was quickly getting my days and nights turned around. I left Lance sleeping on the bed and padded across the floor to the bathroom. The bathroom was as big as a small bedroom. There was an open shower with multiple heads and a rack filled with towels beside it. I turned the shower on full force until steam rose from the hot water, and stepped in. The water felt great as it pounded against my sore muscles. I took my time shampooing and conditioning my hair, then washed the rest of my body, running body wash over my breasts, then down my torso and between my legs and down to my feet. The water felt heavenly. After I finished, I
"Angela, where shall I set up?" a young man asked her. "Jeremy, must I do everything?" she asked, heading through the penthouse to a back room, expecting everyone to follow. We walked past the bathroom where Lance was showering, past the bedroom, and into a series of rooms. We stopped in another small room, resembling a beauty salon. On the left wall was a hairdresser's station, and on the right was a shampoo bowl. It was amazing and to think that Lance had this right here in his suite. It made me wonder how many women frequented his apartment."Jeremy, set up here," Angela said, then she took my hand. "My dear, please, sit down." She smiled as she motioned toward the chair. "Let us take care of you, ma chérie." A motherly smile lit her lips, despite her young appearance. I couldn't help but do as she asked. "My dear," Jeremy began, gathering my hair into his hands as he started running a brush through it. "This just won't do, but your hair color is lovely! Who does it for you?
Leila reached over and took her from me. "Well, Amy and Angela went through a lot of trouble to organize a surprise anniversary party for us, so you'd better not disappoint them and look surprised."In the last several months since The Outsiders attacked and Leila was turned into a vampire, the cure had been perfected and several vampires were turned successfully back into humans. We had to set up a secret relocation program for them, as well, as they would no longer be able to protect themselves from supernatural creatures. Many of the innocent Outsiders were also turned into humans again, successfully. Once they had the cure, their bodies reverted back to their human form, to our relief. Also, Drake had built a private facility just for vampires going through The Change, headed by Amy and Elias. They both would be busy for a long time.I raised my eyebrows and opened my mouth, over exaggerating mock shock. "How's this?""Silly Daddy!" Sirena said as she laid her head on her mothe
"Something tells me that you won't need to bite your wrist for me anymore," she joked, suddenly sounding more like herself."Leila!" I said, crying openly as I pulled her to my chest. I pulled back and crushed my lips to hers, and she responded with all of the pent up passion that we both felt. "Leila, love. I'm so sorry ""Shush," she cooed, looking into my eyes. "It wasn't your fault.""Yes, it was!" I said, as tears ran down my cheeks. "I should have protected you. I should have been there for you!""Shush," she said, then smiled. "You were." I looked at her, puzzled. "You were with me in my heart. Before I died, you were the last thing I thought of; your face was the last thing I saw in my mind. I love you, Lance.""I love you, too," I cooed, "always and forever."Suddenly, the noise behind us began to die down. I helped Leila to her feet. Drake and Amy were behind us, still protecting us, having never left our sides. Amy was holding her scythe, and Drake held my sword. "Than
"Leila?!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as the screams of dying vampires resonated within the cave behind me. I closed my eyes for a moment and then silently prayed. "Please, help me to find them."I opened my eyes. As I looked at the caves, the one in the center of the humongous cavern stood out. I ran down the narrow path, throwing vampires over my head behind me as I ran, letting my coven tear them apart, and killed several at once, taking their heads off easily with my sword. I threw several against the wall with a wave of my hand, who were ripped apart by shifters. Then, I shoved my hand into the chest of another vampire with milky white eyes when he got too close and listened to his screams as he burst into flames. I jumped over his flaming body when I saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel, running my sword through another vampire that was coming at me. As he lay on the ground, I stomped on his throat and ripped his head from his body. As I rushed down the tunnel toward t
We ran over the rough terrain as the wind blew past us. The sun was high overhead, but the heat didn't affect vampires the way it affected humans. None of the elements did. We ran over mountains and even jumped over a gorge, not losing one vampire. Within minutes, the sound of running water rushing by filled my ears and I knew we were getting close. Soon, the black and red mountain peaks rose up before us. Within minutes, we were on the edge of Promontory Point, on the west side of the Hoover Dam.I looked down at the blue lake and at all of the surrounding igneous rock formations that created mountains, just as Xander came up on my right side. "She could be anywhere."Xander clasped a hand on my shoulder. "We'll find her." Then, he turned to his wolf pack, who had joined us. "Split up! Look for any sign of Leila and the baby!" Xander then began ordering his pack to go in every direction. Immediately, they leapt and turned into werewolves in midair, digging into the sand and pushing
I pulled the phone out of my pocket and dialed Javier's number."Mr. Steel," he answered on the first ring. "Who was standing guard?""Gregory and Cal," he said in clipped tones, knowing that I meant the penthouse"The Outsiders took Leila," I said, headed down the stairwell. "Round up some men. We're going after her. Meet me in the lobby in five.""Yes, sir," he said as I hung up the phone and dialed Ferdinand's number. "Mr. Steel?""How the hell did The Outsiders get into the castle?!" I demanded."The fire alarm sounded and there was smoke," he said, his heels clicking against the hard, tiled floor of the lobby. He was in the casino. "We were busy evacuating the guests ""While they came after my family?!""They must have come in the back way," Ferdinand said. "There was chaos ""Tell me about it later. We're going after Leila." I hung up the phone just as I reached the bottom of the stairwell, flung open the door, and looked around, spotting him walking toward me. The
I pulled out my cell phone and quickly dialed Adeline's number, but there was no answer. I shook my head, realizing how close I had come to becoming human. Just a few minutes later and I wouldn't have been able to save my family. I just hoped that I wasn't too late. I quickly dialed Javier's number as I headed out the front door of Kalyssa's cottage."Lance?" he said, answering on the first ring. Chaos erupted in the background as my heart sank."What happened?""Oh, thank God it's you," he said. "Leila has been ""I know. Xander just told me," I replied. "Where is she?" I was already starting to run, not waiting for Amy, Xander, and Elias."I don't know, but someone had to have taken her." Sirens sounded loudly in the distance.Anger filled my body. "Tell me about it when I get there. I'm on my way."I clicked off my phone and ran at super speed across the desert, faster than a car could travel. My vampire seethed for vengeance, pushing me harder, faster, as memories of the y
I woke in a cold sweat. Moonlight was streaming in through the window, piercing the darkness. Hunger rose within me; a hunger like I'd never known before. I needed blood and I needed it now. I rose from the bed and stalked toward the door.I could smell blood and it smelled luscious.My fangs extended immediately as I skulked down the hallway, closer to the delicious scent, closer to what I wanted, closer to what I craved. The scent grew stronger, more delicious, more tempting as I drew near and it was clearly, fully human. I placed my hands on the wall, beyond all reason, beyond sanity, as I inched closer to my target. I turned the corner, ready, as saliva rushed into my mouth in anticipation of the meal in which I was about to indulge. My heart pounded against my ribcage, as if it wanted this kill just as much as I. My vampire seethed within my chest, inching me closer, but when I turned the next corner it was Leila."My God, Lance! You scared me!" she said as she reached for t
"Have you thought of becoming human for her?" I asked in a low voice.Kellen let out a deep breath and sat back down on the couch. "Yes, I have.""And?" I knew that I was prying, but he had been a vampire for a very long time, and becoming human again was a big step.Kellen bit his lower lip, thinking, and then looked directly into my eyes. "Yes. I would do it. If I could grow old with her, I would do it in a heartbeat," he said without hesitation. "That's why I get it, Lance, between you and Leila. I get why you're doing this. I would do the same thing, if I were in your shoes."I reached out and clasped his hand, giving him a man shake. "What does Crissy say about it?"He shrugged. "She wants to become a vampire for me."I nodded. "And how do you feel about that?"He shook his head. "Man, I love her with all of my heart, but I don't want that for her." He pushed up from the couch, walked across the room, and then turned around abruptly. "I want her to go to college. To have
She smiled. "Well, after tomorrow, it won't be a problem.""Well, after tomorrow, you won't be able to find me.""Not until after the baby's born," Amy corrected. "After Leila's fully recovered, then you can go anywhere you wish.""Sounds good to me." For a moment, I wondered if we had another child and we were both human, would the child be human, too? But I brushed the thought aside. After this baby was born, we would have two children, which was more than I had ever hoped for."Well, I'm off," Elias said as he headed toward the door. "Amy, I hate to leave you alone with him in this state."She smiled. "I'll be fine. Go! Your patients await. I, on the other hand, am off from work for the next few weeks."Elias laughed. "Yeah, yeah! Don't rub it in.""You really need to take some time off, too, though."Elias laughed. "Well, with my staff taking time off ""Okay, don't you have to go?""Why? Trying to get rid of me already?""Yes! How'd you guess?"We all laughed when ther