Authors: Amanda Ashley
Rhys Costain’s primary lair was located in a high-rise building that he owned in West Hollywood. The first floor housed a bank, the next five floors housed a variety of small businesses. Rhys used floors six to ten to store the furniture and memorabilia he had collected in the last 512 years. His residence occupied the eleventh-floor penthouse. A private elevator that required a key and a password known only to Rhys ran from the tenth floor to the eleventh, where a solid steel door assured his privacy and his security.
Erik thought it odd that Rhys was such a fanatic about protecting this lair and so lax when it came to protecting the house he used for his meetings with the other vampires in the city. It had been a mere fluke that Alex and Daisy had found Costain resting in the meeting house.
It took only moments to transport himself to Costain’s penthouse lair. Erik stood on the sidewalk, looking up, his senses probing the interior of the building. There was no one inside save for one security guard. And one vampire.
A thought took Erik to the penthouse balcony. His feet had barely touched the floor when the French doors flew open.
“Well, well,” Rhys drawled, “look who’s here.”
“We need to talk.” Erik stepped across the threshold and as he did so, he felt the full weight of Costain’s anger slam into him with the force of a blow. Erik immediately summoned his protection spell, praying that it would block the other vampire’s preternatural power.
“Yeah, let’s talk.” Rhys lifted his head, his nostrils flaring. “You’ve been with her, haven’t you? That tasty little mortal who tried to destroy me.” He sniffed the air again. “And her brother, too.”
“Listen to me…”
“No! You listen.” Costain slammed the French doors with a wave of his hand. He glared at Erik, his eyes burning red. “You’re going down this time.”
Fury sheathed in ancient power rolled toward Erik in an angry wave, met his protective spell, and dissipated.
Rhys bared his fangs as he summoned his power and unleashed it a second time with the same impotent result.
“We need to talk,” Erik said again.
Uttering a low growl, Rhys took a step forward, fangs and claws extended, only to come to an abrupt halt. “What the hell…?”
“I don’t want to fight you.”
Rhys spat out a string of oaths as he tried, without success, to penetrate the invisible barrier that held him immobile. “What kind of stunt is this?”
“Just a little old-fashioned witchcraft.”
Rhys swore again. “Witchcraft?”
Erik nodded, immensely relieved that the ancient spell had worked. “Just listen to me for a minute. I’m not the one who put the price on your head, but I know how to find out who’s behind it.”
The red faded from Costain’s eyes. “Go on, I’m listening.”
As briefly as possible, Erik told Rhys about Alex and how he had found the offer of a reward for Rhys’s head online.
“So, you want me to play dead so this Alex can meet with the hunter and collect the reward?”
Erik nodded. “You got it.”
“What are you gonna use for my remains?”
“Fireplace ashes. By the time the hunter discovers it’s not you, it’ll be too late for him to get away.”
“Whoever the hell it is, he’s mine,” Rhys said. “And after I dispatch him, I’m going after, what was his name? Alex? And his sister, too.”
“No! You can’t touch them.”
“Like hell!”
“Come on, Rhys. They’re hunters. They were only doing what hunters do, the same as you.”
“Except
these two
were hunting
me
.”
Erik sighed impatiently. “It’s my way or no way.”
Costain regarded him a moment, his eyes narrowed. And then he grunted softly. “She means that much to you?”
“And more. I won’t let you hurt her.”
“Fine, I’ll spare the girl, but the boy dies.”
Erik shook his head. “No.”
“Dammit! They tried to destroy me!”
“I know, but if you lay a hand on either one of them, I’ll come after you with everything I’ve got.”
Rhys hadn’t survived as long as he had by being stupid. “So, when do we start?”
“Your word, Rhys. I want your word of honor that you won’t touch Alex or his sister.”
“Fine, you’ve got it. Now turn me loose!”
“You believe me, then?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“How do I know you won’t take my head off when I release you?”
“’Cause I’m telling you I won’t. Now turn me loose, dammit!”
Hoping he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his existence, Erik released Costain.
The vampire took a tentative step forward. And then, before Erik realized what he was about, Rhys was on him, his hands locked around Erik’s throat, his eyes blazing, his fangs bared.
Erik stared up at Rhys and knew he was looking death in the face. And even then, his only regret was that he wouldn’t be able to see Daisy one last time.
“Don’t. Ever. Do. That. To. Me. Again.” Rhys bit off each word; then he dropped his hands and took a step backward. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a witch?”
Erik rubbed his throat. “The subject never came up.”
“So, what now?”
“Meet me at my place tomorrow night.”
“I won’t find any hunters waiting for me when I get there, will I?”
“Give it a rest, will ya? My place, tomorrow night. And leave the attitude at home.”
For the tenth time in as many minutes, Daisy glanced at her watch. She hadn’t heard from Erik since last night. Why hadn’t he called? She knew he couldn’t go out until after sundown, but she had expected to hear from him before now. Surely he knew she would be worried about him, curious to know how his meet with Costain had gone. She chewed on her thumbnail. Maybe it had gone horribly wrong.
“Stop fidgeting,” Alex said. “I’m trying to watch the news.”
Daisy shook her head. The news was always the same—a horrible accident on the freeway, fires in the mountains, floods in the South, and a stock market that went up and down like a yo-yo. “Do you think something went wrong last night?”
“How the heck should I know? Damn, look at that pileup on the 101.”
“Alex, I know you don’t like Erik, but he’s trying to help.”
“Yeah, right. He probably made a deal with the devil last night.”
“Alex.”
“All right, all right, I’m sorry. I just don’t trust him.” He held up his hand when she started to speak. “I know, he saved our lives, but…” Alex shook his head. “He’s a vampire. Killing mortals is what they do. We’re mortal, natural enemies, you know? No matter how much you might want to keep a tiger for a pet, it’s never a good idea because you never know when they’ll turn on you.”
“He’s not a tiger.”
“No, he’s worse.” Daisy glared at him and Alex shook his head.
“It’s like talking to the wall,” he muttered sourly. “Have you forgotten a vampire killed Brandon?”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten!”
Daisy glanced at her watch again. She had awakened in her own bed this morning with no recollection of how she had gotten there. But, oh, she remembered everything that had happened before she fell asleep. Just thinking about it now, recalling how she and Erik had made love, brought a rush of heat to her cheeks. She had read books and seen movies depicting love, she had daydreamed about making love, but the reality had been far more than she had ever imagined.
Her cheeks grew hotter under Alex’s suspicious gaze.
“Why are you blushing?” he asked.
“Am I?”
Alex stared at her, his eyes narrowing. “Anything you want to tell me, little sister?”
Daisy shrugged, her gaze sliding away from his. “I can’t think of a thing.”
“I never heard you come in last night. Where’d you go with him?”
“We just…we went for a drive up in the mountains.”
“Is that right?”
“You’re not my father,” Daisy retorted, lifting her chin defiantly. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
Alex grunted softly. “You don’t have to say anything. I’ve got a pretty good idea what you were up to last night.” He shook his head. “How could you? Dammit, Daisy…”
She turned her back to him when her cell phone rang. After a quick glance at the caller ID, she flipped open the phone. “Erik! Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Is Alex home?”
“Yes, why?”
“Rhys is here with me. We’re coming over.”
Daisy glanced over her shoulder at Alex, who was still engrossed in the news. Lowering her voice, she said, “Rhys is coming here?”
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“Not for me, but…”
“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes,” Erik said, and hung up. They could have been there in moments, but Erik wanted to give Daisy time to prepare Alex for their visit.
“Who was that?” Alex asked as she disconnected the call.
“Erik.” She debated whether to tell him Rhys was also coming and decided against it. “He’ll be here in a little while.”
Daisy fought down a rising sense of panic as the minutes ticked past. She told herself there was nothing to be afraid of. Erik wouldn’t bring Rhys to her house if there was any danger.
“Are they coming here?” Rhys asked.
Erik slipped his phone into his pocket. “No, we’re going there.”
Rhys lifted one brow in obvious consternation.
“What’s the matter? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of meeting with Alex and his sister?”
“Don’t be an idiot. But if either of them tries anything, the deal’s off and they’re dead.” Rhys drummed his fingers on the arm of the sofa. “So, who do you think it is? Some stupid mortal, or one of us?”
Sitting back in his chair, Erik stretched his legs out in front of him. “I don’t know, but my money’s on one of us.”
“Why?”
“Why would a mortal offer a reward to have you destroyed? Most mortals don’t even know you exist. A hunter would do it on his own.”
“Yeah, but the government isn’t offering hunters two hundred grand.”
Erik grunted softly. Fifty years ago, the government had offered a thousand-dollar reward for every vampire destroyed. Those had been dangerous times. More than one Goth had been killed by mistake. As more and more innocents were killed, the government’s reward had dropped to five hundred dollars, and then two hundred and fifty. When people decided two-fifty wasn’t worth dying for, the frenzy to hunt vampires had dwindled until only dedicated hunters remained. Now there was more money to be made by selling vampire blood than by destroying them.
“Come on,” he said, rising. “It’s time to go.”
Rhys stood beside Erik on the O’Donnells’ front porch. Thrusting his hands into his pants pockets, he took a deep breath as two familiar scents reached his nostrils. Scents he remembered all too well.
“Behave yourself,” Erik admonished, and knocked on the door. From inside, he heard Daisy telling Alex that Rhys was also coming, and Alex’s stunned silence in reply.
Moments later, Daisy opened the door, a tentative smile on her face. Clad in a pale yellow sweater and a pair of faded jeans, she looked as lovely and fresh as the flower she had been named after.
For a moment, he forgot everything else as the memory of the hours they had spent together at the hotel flashed through his mind. Erik had never been one for wishful thinking, but at the moment, he wished he could sweep Daisy into his arms and carry her back to that suite in the hotel. The flush that rose in Daisy’s cheeks told him she was remembering it, too.
“Come in,” Daisy said, and then she saw Rhys, who was standing slightly behind Erik, his long legs slightly spread, his arms crossed over his chest. Attired all in black, he looked both forbidding and formidable. “Come in,” she said again, and hoped she wasn’t making a horrible mistake.
Erik and Rhys followed her into the living room.
Alex had gained his feet and now stood in front of the sofa, a wooden stake tightly clasped in one hand. He glared at Erik. “What’s
he
doing here?”
“Relax, both of you,” Erik said, glancing from Erik to Daisy. “He’s just here to talk.”
“Yeah, right.” Alex moved up beside Daisy, then took another step forward, putting himself between Daisy and Rhys.
Erik’s gaze met Daisy’s. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” Stepping around Alex, she put her hand in Erik’s.
Erik glanced at Daisy’s brother, who stood there glowering at him. “What about you?”
“Not as far as I can throw you,” Alex retorted.
Costain’s amused laughter washed over them.
Alex glared at him. “What’s so funny, bloodsucker?”
“Take it easy, hunter,” Rhys said. “The fact that you’re still breathing should prove you’re in no danger.”
“He’s right, you know,” Daisy said. “Come on, Alex, let’s all sit down and see what he has to say.”
The tension in the room was palpable as Alex resumed his seat on the sofa. His gaze never strayed from Costain.
Daisy sat beside her brother, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Despite her outward calm, she was trembling inside. The combined power of Erik and Rhys danced over her skin like static electricity.
Erik sat on the arm of the sofa.
In an effort to put Daisy and Alex at ease, Rhys moved to the far side of the room, where he stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
Alex and Rhys eyed each other warily as Erik outlined his plan. “It’s pretty simple, really. Alex, you’ll e-mail your contact and tell them you’ve destroyed Rhys and you want to set up a time to collect the reward…”
“He’s not gonna take my word for it,” Alex said, crossing his arms over his chest. “What are you planning to use for bait?”
“Fireplace ashes,” Erik replied.
“It might work,” Alex said. “But not for long.”
Erik shrugged. “By the time he realizes it’s a trap, we’ll have him.”
Rhys glanced from Erik to Alex. “Just remember, he’s mine.”
Daisy would have objected, but the hard edge in Costain’s voice and the predatory gleam in his hooded gaze brooked no argument, and neither Erik nor Alex offered any.
“So, what do you say, Alex?” Erik asked.
Alex blew out a sigh. “I’m in, but I’m sure gonna miss that two hundred grand,” he said glumly.
Rhys grinned at him. “If this works, I’ll make good on the reward.”