Caressed by Night (40 page)

“Have you been underground this entire time recuperating?

That witch did a number on your ass. If memory serves, the last time I saw you, you had a dagger buried in your chest. I would love to know how you survived.” When Dimitri said nothing, Ven continued, “You are pathetically weak for one of your age.”

“I think it is time I share a few secretes with you,” Dimitri said, his voice deep and rough. He rolled his head, stretching his neck trying to ease the excited tension that was bringing his blood to a boil. The vampire wanted out. He wanted blood and he wanted Ven’s head.

“First, I knew all about your trap that night centuries ago. I have the power of foresight. I took advantage of your greed and thirst for power so that I could carry out my own plans. Second, to believably fake my death, I would need to make the fight between the Red Order witch and myself as dramatic as possible. Therefore, I enlisted the aid of a Shaw to bind my powers and lower my abilities to match that of my opponent. As I have done now.”

Ven’s eyes narrowed as anger sparked a deadly flame within his dark eyes. His lips peeled back over his fangs. Rage filled his body.

“I have been looking forward to this battle,” Dimitri continued,

“and it will be fair.”

“You have always been disgustingly honorable,” Ven sneered.

“Tell me, Dimitri, do you ever lie? How can I be sure you are telling the truth and not just trying to come up with a clever story? You could be trying to trick me into letting my guard down and going easy on you. No, old man, I think you are a weak bastard who belongs in the grave.” Swinging his sword, it whistled through the air. “And, that is
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where I am going to put you,” he charged, his weapon raised, “in the ground!”

Metal kissed metal, the sound vibrating the night, shaking the clouds above and the earth below.

“Kerstyn? Kerstyn, are you still there?” Denise asked, worry creeping into her voice.

“Yeah, yeah, Denise. I'm here.”

“Will you come get me?”

Kerstyn shook her head as if Denise would know. This could not have happened at a worse time.

“I don’t know if that is the best idea.”

“I know, Kerstyn, but I thought…well, I was hoping we could work this out.”

“I would like to talk this all out, but tonight isn’t the night.”

“Why?” Denise’s voice caught.

“I’m kind of…stuck.”

She could hear Denise’s defeated sigh through the phone.

“Kerstyn, I know I’ve let things get out of control and our friendship isn’t what it used to be and I seriously regret that.” Kerstyn held her breath as she waited for the ‘but’. She knew Denise had one coming.

“I miss talking to you. I can’t believe I let Bobby come between us. But, I really would like my best friend back” There it was. Kerstyn pinched her brow. A headache was quickly forming.

Gannon snapped his fingers and Kerstyn turned to find him furiously shaking his head.

“Denise, I…” Kerstyn paused, hoping her brain would kick back into gear. As thrilled as she was to hear Denise had finally dropped Bobby like the sack of trash that he is, she could not help her.

“My car,” Kerstyn blurted. Denise knew her car had died.

“I don’t have enough money for a cab and I don’t want to go back to the apartment. Bobby might be there.”

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Damn, how could she refuse Denise? Turning pleading eyes to Gannon, he continued to shake his head, this time mouthing "no" over and over.

“Denise, I’m not trying to be mean.”

The sniffle she heard coming from the other line was like a dagger to her heart. She could not do it. Despite what had happened between them, she and Denise had too much history. They had been inseparable since middle school. Bobby was just an idiot who had gotten in the way. But she could not leave. She had promised Dimitri she would stay safe.

“Can you tell her to hang on,” Gannon asked.

Kerstyn quickly spoke to Denise, then covered the speaker of her cell with her palm.

“Your face is telling me you have an idea,” Kerstyn said, hope raising the tone of her voice.

“I can go get her.”

Kerstyn bit her lip to stop the laughter that rose up in her throat. “Gannon, the last thing Denise needs is some strange, but good looking guy, rolling up in a blacked-out Cadillac offering her a ride, claiming her friend had sent you. That is not only creepy, but it is on the first page of the Women’s Guide to Avoid Rapists and Murders.”

“How did you know I drive an all black Cadillac?” Gannon demanded.

Kerstyn rolled her eyes. “Lucky guess.” With a curse, she considered his offer. “You are a nice guy, but I think―”

“No, don’t even think about it. You are not leaving. Gabriel and I both gave Dimitri our word.
You
promised him.” Kerstyn began to pace. God, she did not know what to do.

Should she go rescue her friend, the friend who before this phone call had been her ex-best friend or should she stay here, locked in the suite?

“I can get her. You can send me with a message or I can give her cash for a taxi that can bring her ass here. Or, and this is my favorite, I'll work my charm and―”

“I can go with you.”

“Wait, what?” Gannon demanded, rounding the bar. “You can’t leave.”

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“Don’t tell me I can’t do something. I know I shouldn’t leave, but Denise needs her best girlfriend and that's me or was. I don’t know, I’m confused.”

“Hold up―”

“I know Gabriel must have a bulletproof car. We can take that and as many other guards you think is necessary,” Kerstyn explained, the idea forming and unfolding as she continued to speak. “This could work perfectly.”

Gannon shook his head again. “No, Gabriel would never go for that.”

Kerstyn was about to suggest they not tell the intimidating blond vampire when Gannon cursed and said, “Just stop thinking what you are thinking.”

“I didn’t know you could read minds.”

“I can’t, but I can see your mind working,” Gannon answered.

Rubbing his face with his hands he cursed once, twice, and quickly turned it into a string and Kerstyn lost count.

“I am not going behind Gabriel’s back and I am not about to break my word.”

Kerstyn was disappointed, but not shocked. She knew Gannon was right. Tonight was not like any other night. Tonight was the night she was scheduled to die.

Thin rivers of blood ran down Dimitri’s arms, dripping from his wrist and clenched fist. The hilt of the sword grew sticky as the red liquid began to pool in his palm. Ven had delivered a decent blow to his shoulder, lying open the muscle. The pain was exquisite. He had always been a peaceful man, settling things with as little violence as possible, but there was no denying he relished a good fight.

With a piercing battle cry, Dimitri lunged. He thrust, parried, and drove Ven back, giving him no opportunity for a counterattack.

Ven was purely on the defensive as Dimitri furiously swung his sword, slicing it through the air, occasionally connecting with Ven’s flesh, freeing more blood to feed the dry earth. Dimitri continued to strike, waiting for Ven to provide a good opening. It did not take long. Dimitri swung his sword up, the long blade slashing the once pristine white of Ven’s coat, laying open a deep gash that extended the length of his
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torso. Ven’s howl of pain was swiftly cut off as Dimitri landed a solid, left hook. Then, kicking out, the heel of Dimitri’s boot connected with Ven’s unguarded chest and the vampire flew back, meeting the ground with such force, he lost his grip on his weapon. The sword tumbling away.

Fear glimmered in Ven’s eyes for a moment and Dimitri shivered with satisfaction, the demon within him roared with pleasure.

He watched his enemy scramble to his knees. Ven stretched out his arm and extended his fingers to their limits as he reached for his sword.

Dimitri kicked him back, sending him skidding across the desert floor, his head colliding with a boulder. The loud crack of his skull echoed across the landscape. Ven shoved himself to his feet, his vision momentarily blurred, blood trickling down his brow and dripping into his eyes. He desperately searched for his sword and cursed. It was a good thirty yards away. With a shrill shriek, Ven charged forward and, dropping his shoulder, he hit Dimitri in the gut sending the ancient vampire flying back. Dimitri landed on his back, somersaulted, and effortlessly came to his feet, his grip never loosening on his sword.

Ven sprinted to where his sword lay. Wrapping his claws about the hilt, he spun away, barely avoiding Dimitri’s blade. Sparks dusted the dirt as the blades ground into each other. Ven held his weapon with one hand using it to block Dimitri’s strikes as he countered, slashing like mad with his claws. His eyes sparkled with triumph as he split Dimitri’s cheek open. The ancient vampire was unfazed by the pain and whirled around, his elbow connecting with Ven’s temple. Ven stumbled back, stunned, unable to raise his blade in defense. Dimitri’s sword sank deep into his side. Wrenching away, Ven fell back against the huge boulder.

Blood seeped from wounds covering his chest and poured from the hole in his ribs. His lungs burned as he dragged in a breath. His eyes narrowed as he studied Dimitri, who stood, shoulders pumping as he took in deep breaths. He looked like a beast from hell, the ancient’s hair was loose and wild, his eyes eerily flickered between calm, cold blue and enraged, burning white. His fangs had yet to unsheathe, but his claws were long and sparkled from the light of the full moon. Ven stared, his mouth gaping as he sucked in one ragged breath after another. For a moment, doubt crept up his spine. In spite of the twin slashes in Dimitri’s shoulders and the cut that was healing on his face, the pureblood looked fresh for battle. While Ven’s energy quickly waned. He needed to end this fight. Now.

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Dimitri waited for Ven to push himself away from the large rock. He took in a deep breath, savoring the scent of battle. It had been ages since the aroma had settled in his lungs. His brow wrinkled as he detected a faint, misplaced odor. With the cap on his powers, he was unable to locate the cause.

The loud popping sound of gunfire shattered the silence that had fallen over the battlefield. A burning sensation began in his chest as an irritating sting spread throughout his body.

Poison.

Dimitri could not resist the demonic laughter that rose from his throat. He slowly undid the buttons of his crimson-stained overcoat.

Shrugging the tattered cloth from his shoulders, he watched Ven’s face as his abdominal muscles constricted and shoved the pieces of the shattered bullets from his body.

“That is an ingenious weapon. Falcon introduced me to the firearm. I knew you would bring one along. You are the type of coward who would turn to less than honorable means to achieve your goal.” Fragments of the multiple bullets continued to fall to the ground.

“Unfortunately for you, I am immune to poison. It is only a slight irritation.”

As the last of the bullet fragments dropped from Dimitri’s torso, a pleased and twisted smile curled his lips. Dropping his sword, he raised his fists. “Come, Ven, let us go another round.” Ven roared, pitching his sword through the air, aiming at his opponent. Dimitri easily dodged the missile and met Ven’s right hook with an uppercut. Swinging, Ven caught Dimitri across the chest with his claws. Blood trickled down his torso. Refusing to acknowledge the pain, Dimitri lashed out. The sound of tearing flesh and cracking ribs fell on deaf ears as the vampires fought, fueled by rage and blinded by bloodlust as their demons consumed them, driving them mad.