Secrets of the Jaguar (Crimson Romance) (12 page)

And Michelle was left to realize that she was standing in a pool of blood.

Duncan had reappeared then, and she wanted nothing more but to collapse and forget everything. Forget her parents never loved her. Forget she was responsible for the death of three men. If she were to continue to be in Duncan’s company, would this trail of death follow them?

Now she let herself dispel the emotions surging through her body. Although he was a vampire, Duncan’s embrace was warm and comfortable. He had trusted her and protected her even when her own flesh and blood had not. And even though it frightened her, he had killed for her. The same hands that had taken life were cradling her with a gentleness that was unrivaled.

“Thank you, Duncan.” The violent sobs left her tired, and finally, she let herself fall asleep from the security of his embrace.

• • •

The five-hour flight went by quickly, especially since Duncan had bought first class non-stop tickets. Flying over Mexico City, he made sure to point out the city boundary lines. The stretching metropolis was endless and dotted by large patches of green parks. All she had ever heard about the capital was its wicked pollution, but instead, the abundant greenness dotting the gray city was a beautiful surprise. “So are those like the Golden Gate Parks of Mexico City?” She pointed out the stretches of green.

He squeezed her hand. “As you can see from our bird’s eye view, Mexico City is quite larger than San Francisco, and so their parks greatly outnumber those of our fair city. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how clean the city is in contrast with reports that you might have heard. Our hotel is actually right on one of the smaller parks, what they call the Alameda.”

“Alameda?”

“I thought you’d like that.” He chuckled. “Yes, actually the city park near the historic Zocalo is called the Alameda. The park dates all the way back to the Aztecs who lived in the city of Tenochtitlan — the location of the park was an Aztec market back in fifteen hundred and ninety-two. The park has witnessed many colorful moments of history. From the Aztec market exchanges to the genocide of the Aztecs by the Spanish, to the witch burnings in the late seventeen hundreds to the twenty-first century, where now tourists buy from eager vendors.”

She was quiet with admiration for the wealth of history that awaited her. Below the plane, the city became larger and larger until she finally turned her gaze to Duncan. “I’m so excited!” She leaned over the armrest and softly kissed Duncan on the lips. When she pulled away, he grinned mischievously.

“I thought you said you were excited?”

Before she could contest, Duncan reached his hand behind her head, pulled her to his lips, and kissed her with dizzying passion until she became lost in the time of the kiss. At first his tongue stroked her with the lightness of a feather’s caress. It teased her, warming a fire in her belly that spread lower. The kiss deepened and she explored his mouth, eliciting a ground that made his lips vibrate against hers. His hands moved down her shoulders and she had no choice but to imagine them elsewhere. Ever the gentleman in a public place, he kept his hands there, but damn if she didn’t want them elsewhere.

As if reading her mind, Duncan broke the kiss, moving his lips to suckle her neck. Heat spread across her cheeks. He stopped to whisper in her ear. “I want to put my hands all over your body, Michelle.”

He faced her once more, his eyes promising that had they been alone, he would fulfill his promise. Then his lips took her once more. His tongue swept inside her mouth once more, stroking a fire that left Michelle feeling extremely uncomfortable in the aircraft cabin. Oh to be in a bed with Duncan …

The seats lurched forward, the kiss interrupted as the plane rapidly slowed on the runway. Mexico City awaited the lovers patiently.

“Here we are, Michelle.

• • •

It was obvious to Michelle that Duncan had been in the city hundreds of times as he expertly navigated the airport, efficiently retrieved their bags, and then procured them a “safe” cab. Never before had she taken a taxi, and she cringed as the cab barreled around the corner and weaved in and out of traffic. Duncan wrapped his arms tightly around her and tickled, as if he knew that the driver’s quality of navigation was making her nervous. A fit of giggles escaped her.

“This is definitely quite the adventure. I’ll never doubt your skills as a tour guide.”

“Better not.” He winked at her and continued to hold her tight.

She leaned forward and spoke to the driver. “So how do you like living in Mexico City?”

The driver never looked back at her but replied enthusiastically in English, “I hate it!” Michelle tried not to laugh at the unexpectedness of his answer.

“It seems like a very beautiful city, full of history.” Michelle replied optimistically.

The slightly accented English this time was more of a grunt. “Yes, and full of people. You can’t even see your own feet on the sidewalk or the road in front of your own tires.”

She waited a moment, not sure what to say. “Your English is very good. Where did you learn?”

“I used to live in the United States.”

Something told Michelle the cab driver was done chit-chatting, so she relaxed against Duncan’s chest as the sprawling city of Mexico passed by rapidly. Large, colorful houses lay attached to one another almost like the Victorians of San Francisco. In some areas, the tall, crammed apartment complexes were covered completely in vibrant graffiti. Mexico City was a city of contrasts indeed. The scenery became less urban after they exited the freeway and drove down an avenue. Outside a restaurant a band played. All the musicians were old and tanned, and colorfully dressed with their instruments, which ranged from guitars to violins and a harp.

Duncan spoke rapidly in perfect Spanish to the driver before turning to her. “We’re almost to the hotel.”

She leaned over to whisper to Duncan. “What did you say?”

“I told him I am familiar with the city, and not to worry about taking the long way as it seemed he planned to do because I would leave him a fat tip if he took us directly.”

Something fluttered inside Michelle, admiration for a man who knew how to take care of business. The cab arrived in front of a tall, elegant hotel. Before she even got out of the car, the hotel concierge already had their bags out of the trunk, ready to take them to the room.

Duncan gave them the reservation name and then they were off in an effective flash.

• • •

Not long after arriving at the hotel, Michelle dragged Duncan back out the door to explore the city. Almost as soon as she stepped foot onto the main street near the Alameda, Michelle was nearly knocked over. Duncan wrapped his strong arm firmly around her and his body acted as a protective shelter from the mass of people that flooded around them.

It’s true, there are tons of people in Mexico City.

Michelle rose onto her tiptoes to make herself a little taller. The sidewalk continued on through towering old buildings adorned with both modern glass and Spanish tile. Between the surfaces bobbed heads with no space in between, only motion.

“That’s the Palace of Fine Arts, the
Bellas Artes
.” Duncan pointed across the street to the ethereal building where fairytale-esque gray-white walls and columns were topped by a glowing dome of pink, yellow, and orange. The colors were like the rainbow sherbet she used to enjoy as a child. It was a magical palace if she ever saw one.

“Most people don’t think of Italian white marble or art nouveau when they think of Mexico, do they?” Duncan chuckled and Michelle only gazed in awe as people pushed past them in a flurry.

“It’s incredible.”

Duncan pulled her closer to the edge of the traffic filled Avenida Juarez. “It’s even better up close. C’mon, let’s cross the street.”

As the human traffic began to exit the curb, cars blocked the crosswalk this way and that. Michelle surprised Duncan with a passionate kiss. For a moment, all traffic, both human and automobile, faded away save for the soft whispering of their lips meshed against each other.

A loud whistle cracked the air followed by a flurry of Spanish she didn’t understand. Duncan broke the kiss and grabbed her hand, pulling her quickly across the street. “Have I told you lately that I love your kisses?”

“Then why did you interrupt me, silly?” Michelle asked as they stepped on the curb.

“Because I think some of those guys back there also enjoyed the show. I’d hate to have to sever someone’s head from their body.”

She flushed. “Oh.”

Duncan took her hand and walked toward the Palacio de Bellas Artes. “If I remember, this place was built in nineteen hundred and four.”

“It’s beautiful. Can we go in?”

“
Claro.
Sorry, I mean of course.”

She poked him in the stomach, but instead of giving him a hard jab, her finger collided with solid abs. “Show off.”

“Can you blame me for trying to impress a gorgeous, intelligent woman?”

She stood admiring the four winged-horse sculptures. “I always loved horses; I used to dream about riding a Pegasus.” Stepping through the door of the Palacio, Michelle took in the interior of the palace, flooded with light coming through the colorful dome.

“Okay, this is my cue to continue showing off.” Duncan cleared his throat and smiled teasingly before motioning to all the various sculptures. “These are all meant to signify various human feelings such as rage, pain, happiness, and love. And look up there; it’s your first encounter with pre-Hispanic images. Up there on that light panel — recognize that from any of your classes?”

“Oh, it’s Chac!” Michelle smiled and continued to gaze all around. “So we’ve got a lot of pre-Hispanic serpents and Chac rain god depictions. Nice.” Michelle interrupted herself to rummage around in her purse for her camera.

Taking out her digital, Michelle began snapping pictures of the various images in the palace overwhelmed by the excitement of the art. Yet she still took notice of Duncan’s intense gaze. His eyes lingered on her, and heat crept into her cheeks. She would have killed to know what he was thinking, but didn’t dare to ask.

“Are you hungry?” he broke into her thoughts.

Michelle had forgotten in all the excitement that she was indeed starving. And that reminded her of Duncan and how little she knew about his feeding habits. “I am. Are you?”

A silence hung in the air and Michelle realized that her question was answered. She cringed to think of Duncan sneaking away to feed on someone, to put his lips to another woman. Jealousy hung in her gut as she pictured him drinking from one of the many beautiful women in Mexico City.

As if sensing what she was thinking, Duncan palmed her cheek. “I’m not that hungry. We’ll deal with it later. Don’t worry about anything.”

“But — ”

“No, c’mon, let’s go get lunch. I know a great place and it’s not far.”

Taking her hand, Duncan led her across the busy street once more. “Right now we’re headed toward the Zocalo. There’s a smaller plaza just ahead. Less people. You like tacos, right?”

“Do
you
like tacos?” She looked at him quizzically before finding herself distracted with all the incredible sights around her.

“Everyone loves tacos, my dear.”

With that, they arrived in a plaza surrounded by grand colonial buildings that stretched the length of the small square. At the far end of the plaza sat a quaint corner taco bar with outside tables. She delighted in the kitchy quality of the small, colorful restaurant in contrast with the grand statue in the middle of the plaza of historic museums.

After Duncan ordered rapidly in perfect Spanish, the food arrived with the limonadas.

“Mmmm. This is sooooo good. The whole trip, please order me these,” Michelle sipped on her beverage. The bubbly, tangy lime drink was divinely refreshing.

“No problemo. So what’s the game plan? Did you want to do sightseeing for the next couple of days or should we get down to business?”

“Business?” She was slightly taken aback.

“Searching for clues.”

Oh yeah.
After all, this definitely wasn’t a honeymoon. Suddenly a large red double-decker bus drove by.

“Ohhh, can we take one of those? What a great way to see the city!”

He kissed her cheek from across the table. “Whatever your heart desires.”

She couldn’t help the cheesy grin. “Right now, I desire tacos.”

• • •

Hours later, the double decker bus pulled into the Zocalo. The gigantic square towered with a Spanish cathedral, a crumbling, ancient pyramid, and federal buildings and palaces stretching the circumference of the world’s largest square.

“Wow.”

It took her breath away as she gazed into the square where masses of people in brightly colored clothes with goods to sell filled the giant space. Indigenous people meandered about selling homemade goods to support their families, haggling with European tourists in Spanish and regional dialects. Local protestors also took up space in the square with signs depicting presidential caricatures, and banners painted with blood-red mantras challenging political corruption.

“What a city!” she exclaimed as she stepped off the bus.

“Indeed.” Duncan tugged Michelle close, and kissed the skin of her neck.

Chills.

Placing an arm firmly around her waist, Duncan ceased his affections and helped guide her through the masses of people to the front of the cathedral.

A school-girl giddiness came over Michelle as the gorgeous vampire was ever the gentleman, making sure no one stepped on her toes even once. She tried not to look at all the incredible things being pushed into her view by local sellers. Rainbow beaded bracelets, brightly colored scarves, wood carved pipes — you name it, it was being offered up in the bustling square. Duncan stopped, leaving Michelle to gape as she took in an incredible, albeit disturbing view. She took a side-by-side analysis of the Spanish church and the ancient ruins.

She lifted a brow at the subtly sinking cathedral. Although she knew the site had once been a swamp, she figured the church’s repositioning was not due to the marshy underground but karma. After all, just to the right lay the pyramid ruins, Templo Mayor.