Vampire King of New York (12 page)

Max moved in his sleep. Scooping her up with one arm, he pulled her closer until his face was against her neck. He growled, and the hairs on her neck stood on end. She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she liked everything about him, even the weird stuff like this. Evelyn felt safe with him, protected and loved. There was the word she’d been avoiding.
Love
. Did she love him? Enough to spend forever with him? What about the lifemate stuff? Maybe it was all a myth after all. Maybe most people never found their lifemate. Or what if they really were lifemates, only dysfunctional in being able to hear each other? She giggled. Most human couples didn’t hear each other after many years together. She didn’t know what to think about lifemates, but she did know that inch by inch, she was getting used to the idea that making love with Max was an experience she didn’t want to miss.

Accepting the close cuddle, she fell asleep. Hours later, kisses woke her. Kisses on her neck. Kisses on her lips.

“What’s happening?” She yawned and rubbed one eye.

“I have to go to the office. I didn’t want to just leave and have you worry.” He dressed quickly.

She sat up in bed. “Max, will you do me a favor?”

“Certainly, my Evelyn.”

“No matter what happens in our relationship, don’t ever lay out in the sun.”

A smile warmed Max’s face, and more. “I promise not to lie out in the sun.” Of course, he wouldn’t. If he returned to Iceland without his lifemate, he’d be encased in ice. A furry feeling tickled his heart, and he sat next to her. “Are you beginning to care for me?”

“Maybe a little.”

“A little, huh?” He chuckled and brushed his lips against hers. “I was thinking that we might try going on a date again tonight. What do you think?”

“I’d like that, but do you think it’s wise considering the attack last night?”

He swept up her hand and kissed it. “Actually I do think it’s best that I get you off this island for a little while.”

“Sounds like fun and also mysterious. Where are we going?”

“I love surprises, don’t you? I’ll pick you up at work.”

Evelyn only smiled. She had no answer to that. Going back to sleep after Max left was impossible. In her robe, she went out into the kitchen and made coffee. David and Laura were already there sipping blood in champagne flutes.

“Why do you use champagne glasses?”

“Because it’s festive.” Laura smirked. “Why are you up so early?”

“Max had to go into the office. He really messes with my mind.”

David got up. “Excuse me, ladies. I’m getting ready for bed.” He winked at Laura and she giggled in response.

Evelyn sighed. “Today is my last day at work. I thought you guys were going to escort me, since there’s still some question about where those savages came from. Max said they didn’t have a brain between them. He felt someone else controlled them.”

David stood in the doorway holding his glass. “Like a master vampire? Damn, this is bad.”

“How bad?” Evelyn chewed on her knuckle.

Laura put her hand over her sister’s. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you safely to work.”

Evelyn shook every time she heard a footstep behind her, but she kept moving, shelving book after book. Time became mud, and the day dragged on. She checked her watch over and over, wishing that the next row she pushed her cart into would surprise her with Max. But he didn’t come. Hatcher came in and took his usual place reading a history book on World War II. That gave her some relief, but five o’clock still seemed too far away.

She reached for a book on the cart. When her fingertips touched it, the pages fell open revealing a woodcarving of a black bird. The words beneath it read:
Seeing a dead black bird represents death coming.
Trembling, Evelyn picked up the voodoo book and shelved it. Yes, she was afraid of that.

“Mrs. Beaumont!”

Evelyn jumped and turned. Mrs. Jepsen stood there with her usual clipboard in her hand. “May I have a word with you in private?”

“Sure.” She followed the older woman down the long rows and private staff offices. They walked into the staff lunchroom.

“Surprise!” Everyone shouted when they came into the room.

Mrs. Jepsen smiled. “Evelyn, you’ve done such a great job working for us, we want to thank you for your dedication and wish you all the best going home to Connecticut.”

The applause of her colleagues overwhelmed her. “Thank you.”

“Well, cut the cake.”

Holding the knife with a trembling hand, Evelyn sliced through the large rectangular, white cream frosted, chocolate cake. She cut right through the words that read: Good Luck, Evelyn! She would need all the luck she could get. Sitting and chatting with her co-workers for several minutes, she was able to pretend the world was a normal place. Savage vampires did not exist except in books, and once the book was shelved they were all safely locked away. But Evelyn Cordelais knew better. After almost a year of hearing her name Evelyn Beaumont every day at work, Evelyn was ready to return to her roots. Whether she had powers or not, she was from the original Cordelais family of New Orleans, the most powerful Telkhines in the country.

Evelyn laughed while her co-workers showered her with gifts. One was a set of cooking spoons. Another was an Aloe plant. Each gift built upon the next, usually referencing some hobby or passion of hers she once shared. The last book made her burst out laughing. It was a reference book on Viking artifacts.

“I love the book, Mrs. Jepsen.”

The woman’s face took on a whole new dimension when she smiled. Evelyn imagined when Cora Jepsen was younger she was dazzling. “You’re welcome. I figured it would be well read, since you’re always researching Vikings.”

People said goodbye and returned to their stations. Evelyn packed her few personal items and the presents in a box to have them ready. Dark water. The image of dark water slamming her into the sand snapped her out of her daze.

“Mrs. Jepsen, I have some personal time left. I was wondering if I could just leave now.”

“Certainly, if you feel you need to.”

Holding back tears, Evelyn said, “Yes.”

Mrs. Jepsen patted her on the back. “I understand.”

“Mrs. Jepsen, I know you’ve always admired this scarf, and I’d like you to have it.” She took the scarf off from her jacket’s collar and placed it in the woman’s hands.

“It is such a lovely silk scarf.” Mrs. Jepsen’s eyes misted and she sniffled. “Thank you, Evelyn. I hope everything works out for you in Connecticut. If not, consider coming back,”

Her boss left with the scarf. Taking a last look around, Evelyn put on her jacket, picked up her box and left the lunchroom, stepping into the library.

Hatcher met her at the front doors. “Leaving early?”

“Yes. I feel something bad heading our way.”

His eyes went wide, and he put up the hood to his coat. “Well, then let’s run for a cab. It’s midday. That could buy us some time.” He went out the door and she followed close behind. No side door for her this time. Besides the image of dark water scared her badly, and she hoped if they left at midday, they might escape whatever evil was coming.

She lifted her face into the bright summer sun. Yes, she was safe. She knew it. Rushing for the curb to hail a cab, she nearly tripped. Looking down, her breath caught. A dead blackbird lay at her feet.

“Come on,” Hatcher said, holding open the cab door. He climbed in after her and slammed the door. “Go!” he shouted to the driver.

Sinking into the faded vinyl seat, Evelyn tried to breathe, but she couldn’t forget the voodoo book or the bird and she couldn’t stop trembling.

The car jerked into traffic. “Where to?”

“VMeer Industries.” She gave the address. It wasn’t far. Hatcher didn’t say a word. What possessed her to go to Max’s office rather than home to Laura and David was beyond her. Deep inside, she craved his touch. When Max held her, she felt safe. She didn’t like the idea of using him that way, but …

The sun beat down on the windows, and the sound and presence of humanity filled the streets. It was wonderful. Surely nothing could happen to her in the midst of all this. At the speed the driver traveled, it wasn’t long before he pulled in front of VMeer Industries. Hatcher paid him, and they stepped out into the brilliant light then rushed for the marble foyer. She imagined a demon on their heels and ran through the doors clutching her box.

The guard staring at a computer on the desk looked up. “Evelyn Cordelais and Mr. Hatcher here to see Max Vander Meer.”

The man smiled. “Please, go right up to the twenty-fourth floor.”

She nodded and still holding onto her box for dear life, they went to the elevators and stepped into the first available one. When the doors parted, they got out facing Noblesse’s desk.

“This is where we part, Evelyn.”

“Thank you, Hatcher.”

He bowed and facing Noblesse said, “I give her into your protection now.”

“Hello, Noblesse. You may not remember me …”

“Ms. Cordelais. Of course. Please, this way.” She showed Evelyn into Max’s office. “Mr. V. is tied up in meetings, but you are welcome to wait here.” Noblesse left and returned a few minutes later with a teacart filled with tea, crackers, and various sandwiches. “Mr. V. knows that you are waiting and has requested that I take care of your needs until he arrives.”

“Thank you, Noblesse.”

Evelyn was grateful for the tea and sandwiches. She hadn’t eaten anything that day except for cake. Sitting back in the luxurious cushy sofa, she ate the deviled ham sandwich first before eating the tuna. Remembering the feeling of dread shadowing her at the library, Evelyn was relieved to be here. From his office, she looked out over the city while she ate. Definitely a view from the top. The sky grew dark and her fear grew with it.

“You are quite safe here, Ms. Cordelais.”

Evelyn hadn’t realized that Noblesse remained in the room. “You can read my mind.”

“Yes.”

“Then you know I’m scared.”

“From what I saw at the American Museum of Natural History, you have good reason.”

“You’re an Arnhem Knight.”

“Yes, I first saw you at David and Laura’s home, when Mr. V. introduced you. He won’t be much longer. He’s cancelled the rest of his meetings.”

“Oh, I didn’t want him to do that.”

Noblesse smiled, and Evelyn found the effect of a smile on the young vampiress’s face comforting. She had the sharply stylish professional down to a tee, but a smile brought genuine warmth to her face.

“It’s completely understandable when one’s lifemate is in jeopardy.”

Evelyn was astonished by Noblesse referring to her as Max’s lifemate. “About that … Wait a minute. You said I’m in jeopardy?”

“You believe that you’re in danger. Of course, Mr. V. believes it too.”

Max hurried through the door and scooped Evelyn into his arms. Without turning, he said, “Thank you, Noblesse, for guarding Evelyn.”

“My pleasure, sir.” She closed the door, leaving them alone.

“Max, I didn’t mean to interfere with your business.”

He brought her onto his lap and held her close. With her face against his neck, she inadvertently inhaled his aftershave, and hmm, he smelled good. Evelyn could feel her blood heating up and the craving for him burning through her.

“You could never interfere.”

“About that.” She pulled slightly away. “Noblesse and probably everyone else thinks I’m your lifemate.”

“You are.”

“You keep ignoring that I don’t think I am.”

“When you were in danger, instead of going home to your sister, you came to me. I am thankful that Hatcher guarded you on your journey.”

“I had the most terrible feeling of dread in the library.” Then the image of the dead blackbird flashed in her mind. “Then there was the bird.”

Max frowned. He held her two hands against his heart. “Tell me about this bird.”

“It’s an old voodoo thing. I spent most of my childhood in New Orleans. My mother was a member of the La Societe de la Magie. It is a secret society binding all the families of supernatural skills together, their purpose being to protect the city.” Evelyn sighed because she did not want to offend Max. “Vampires are not permitted to become members.”

“No need to explain, my dear. I’m well aware of the Societe’s view on vampires. Continue about the bird.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I keep seeing dead black birds everywhere, usually a couple of hours before something terrible happens. I was at my going away party in the library when I got an image of dark water in my head. A horrible feeling washed over me, and the dread of knowing I could be dead at any second propelled me. I asked to leave. As soon as I got permission, I took my things and fled the library with Hatcher. We were at the curb getting into a cab when I saw the dead black bird. I think it was a raven.”

He held her close. Even relating the story made her tremble. “It’s all right now, my love. And you came to me.” Max kissed her forehead, then her eyes, before possessing her mouth.

She fell into a warm void. He could do whatever he pleased with her, because frankly he pleased her like no one ever had in her life. “Max,” she breathed his name.

“Yes, my Evelyn.” He caressed her, his fingers unbuttoning her blouse. Her hands were on his shirt with the same intention.

A knock at the door jarred them out of their revelry.

“Sir,” said Noblesse from the other side of the door. “Sorry, sir. There’s been a death at the library.”

Chapter 10

The body was cut into bloody ribbons and almost unrecognizable. Almost. Blood soaked and tattered, Evelyn’s scarf around the corpse’s neck identified it. Evelyn shivered, her heart breaking. She pressed her face against Max’s chest, and he kept his arm tightly around her. He had protested her coming with him, but she insisted.

“Do you know this woman, Ms. Cordelais?”

The vampire cop held his notepad open with pen poised.

Evelyn stared at the cop, in her efforts to avoid staring at the body, even if it was half hidden by bushes behind him. “She’s wearing my scarf. I gave that scarf to my boss Cora Jepsen as a goodbye gift.”