Chapter 31

By the morning after the visit to the defiled cave, I’d done everything possible. Even sent another message to the Baron. Formalities and such. Cave full of drained humans. Not just our problem. His as well. There’d been only silence; no surprise.

However, the better news was Lisandra had answered my call. While agreeing on a place to continue the ritual, her voice had been dripping with need. In the background, Luka had been yelling. Wanted to know all the details.

To him, my stunningly gorgeous property offered no response.

Rituals.

“Lord Iakovos, I wear your mark,” she’d declared in that sultriest of voices. The hint of a throaty Bulgarian accent had sent tingles along my spine.

“Show me.” I’d smiled over a snifter of brandy.

With a wild-eyed husband reduced to quiet huffing behind her, the view had panned lower to capture the choker and its winking diamond. A little further and all of a fair-skinned, lithe physique was on display. Not a stitch of clothing, as was the rite. A whole lot of air had hissed from me; despite more than half a millennium, my craving for the primal beyond-human had not diminished.

Between her and Mandy floating through my dreams, the night had been filled with tossing and turning. Yet, as promised, I stood in the lobby of a hotel the next morning. Perhaps not bright-eyed while gulping a decent cup of coffee, but when my neighbors walked into view, a fiery surge flooded me like a furnace on an ice-gripped day.

The world continued to brighten as a pair of snowy heels click-clacked closer. As she clung to Charles’ arm, another short sundress swirled around her sleek figure. The floral print was a colorful mix of pale yellow and vibrant orange hues. A large designer bag hung over one bare shoulder.

Her husband wore business attire. After giving me a wide smile, he stepped closer with hand outstretched.

“Mornin’ Charles.” I returned his grin and nodded at her. “Mandy.”

Although she offered no greeting, from behind him, those blue eyes glittered. As we shook hands, she bit deep into a glossy red lower lip.

“Great to see you, Jim,” her husband said. “Um, gotta dash to meet the boss. But, uh, what’re you planning to do today?”

While scratching my chin, I glanced at her. With those twinkling pools locked on me, she made a point of drifting that little pink tongue along her lips. At her quick wink, took everything to restrain a chuckle. While returning to Charles, I cleared my throat.

“Staying in town today. Gotta acclimate to the heat. Some local friends jumped at the chance to show us around. If all goes as planned”—I laughed—”the ladies will end up shopping. And the guys’ll find a place to hang out and swap lies.”

With a quick chortle, he nodded before pecking his wife on the cheek. After turning, he called back over his shoulder, “Okay, well, you two have fun.”

“We will,” Mandy said, flashing a smile at me.

Head down and phone in his hand, he was already speeding away when I tossed a grin after him. My arm slid around a warm, thin waist. At the press of sleek curves and a soft whimper, my pulse roared. With delicate perfume and that flowery shampoo once more flooding my nostrils, I was back in heaven, or as close to it as this scarred hide might ever get.

As I headed for the exit, she hugged me tighter. When slender fingers pushed on my hand, dragging it lower to cup a compact little rear, couldn’t help smiling.

“Slut,” I whispered.

“Mm-hmm, master. Yours,” she replied under her breath.

While guiding her toward the waiting Jeep, I gave her butt a firm squeeze. A louder whimper escaped her. She eased into me and clawed nails roamed my back.

“Good flight?” I asked.

“Mmm, um, y-yes. Charles worked. I napped.”

“Glad you got some rest.”