Vampires' Consort: Magical Menages, Book 2 (20 page)

“You called her family? What did you say?”

“I introduced myself as her new employer, said she hadn’t shown up for work and that I was concerned. I probably put them into a panic, but I don’t care. I had to at least check. What have
you
found out?”

Valarian swallowed, embarrassed to admit he hadn’t accomplished nearly as much. “Last night, after I left her apartment, I checked in with some people I know here. There’s talk through the grapevine about Overton’s movement. It’s growing stronger all the time. More freshly turned vamps are joining up. Nobody I knew was clear on where their headquarters are or where or when they meet. By then it was morning, so I had to lay low for the day. Now I’m at the airport.”

An entire day wasted, and he had no idea where he should buy a ticket for. If he lingered here much longer, some overeager Homeland Security type was going to arrest him for looking suspicious.

“Hop a plane to Atlantic City. Overton has a speaking engagement here tomorrow at two o’clock. I’ll send directions to your phone.”

“Okay.” What had happened to the arrogant warrior who never took directions from an underling? Valarian was glad and grateful that Jacob had a plan—any kind of plan. He always could rely on Jacob in a crisis. His sense of impending doom lifted. “I’ll see you soon, and Jacob…”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for keeping cool. I guess I don’t say it enough, but I’d be fucked without you.”

There was a joke somewhere in there about being fucked with him too, but Jacob didn’t bother to dig it up. “Yeah, okay.” Jacob cut the call short and Valarian knew he was still extremely angry at him for letting this happen to Akila. He had every right to be. It was a monumental screw-up that was all his fault. But he’d set this right one way or another. A good place to start was by doing exactly what Akila had wanted him to do, go public and expose Dale Overton as a blood-sucking monster in front of live TV cameras.

Or threaten to and use that as leverage to free Akila.

Valarian wasn’t certain what angle he needed to play quite yet, but he had a long flight from Chicago to Atlantic City during which to figure it out.

Akila was sick of feeling like goddamn Rapunzel locked in a gilded cage. After a sleepless night, she’d explored every inch of her room and not found any possible way out. She had, however, discovered a spy-cam and disabled it so Overton’s flunkies couldn’t watch her every move. Then she proceeded to tear apart the small stool in the bathroom, loosening a rung and trying to figure out how she might whittle it into a stake.

She didn’t imagine it would be as easy as the movies made it look to drive a little hunk of wood through a body into someone’s heart. It wasn’t as if the vampires would hold still while she did it. But she had to do something other than sit around feeling sorry for herself. Crafting a weapon was a good beginning.

Her first full day had been measured by the clock and the television, since there was no sun to mark the passage of time. Day was followed by another restless night. And now here she was in her second day of captivity and it felt like a long, slow, frustrating month had passed.

Once again, Akila browsed the titles on the bookshelf. Many genres were represented, including some wonderfully helpful books and magazines on childbirth and parenting. The irony of Overton, mankind’s mortal enemy, doing a one-eighty and deciding to “father” her unborn child was too much. She started laughing and couldn’t stop until tears rolled down her face and she was gasping for breath.

Akila collapsed on the couch and lay there wheezing and wishing like hell she’d taken the pregnancy test in the pharmacy restroom so she’d have a clue what to expect next. If her period arrived on schedule in a few days’ time, the jig was up and her life was over. If it didn’t, then she carried the fate of the world in her womb and the rest of her life was still forfeit as long as Overton saw fit to hold her captive. Either way, she was fucked, and not the good kind of fucked she’d been with Jacob and Valarian.

Oh God, she couldn’t even let her mind go there. If she thought of the two men she was more than half in love with, she’d break down into tears. What she wouldn’t give now to be held safe in Jacob’s arms, to hear the rumble of Valarian’s deep voice, to share intimate moments lying between them in bed, or to laugh together at some stupid show on TV. If only she hadn’t been so impulsive, fleeing the island in anger before considering her future. Sure, she’d had good cause to be pissed at Valarian, but she could’ve given herself a little time to get over it. If she had, she’d be there with them right now, instead of here. Alone. Scared out of her wits.

Akila grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, anything to distract her from her rising fear. A panic attack would not be helpful right now. She drifted through the channels—sports, soaps, game shows, movies, sitcoms—not soothed even by the antics of Gilligan and company on a retro channel. Then the passing flash of a familiar face on a local news channel caught her attention. She turned up the volume.

Dale Overton was speaking to a small crowd in the ballroom of an Atlantic City casino. She’d only met the man yesterday, but his face was already seared into her brain and the sight of him made her skin crawl. His audience appeared to be made up of supporters, or perhaps they were all mesmerized by the soothing, late-night DJ quality of his voice. They applauded and cheered as he talked about lower taxes, more government accountability, refreshed job markets and hopes for a solid economic future—all the usual tropes that politicians of either stripe promised at election time.

It didn’t matter what he said. She hardly listened. Instead, Akila watched the predatory gleam in his eyes as he gazed at the room full of unsuspecting humans as if they were a pool of bass and he a fisherman. Not even bass, but those Asian carp that leaped out of the water and right into the boat. At election time, they would serve themselves up to a killer and they didn’t even know it.

After his speech, the media continued to film Overton as he left the podium to mingle with the crowd. A reporter’s voice-over let viewers know he was a wildly popular candidate in case they couldn’t tell from the images of smiling constituents shaking his hand. Sickened, Akila was about to change channels when another face riveted her attention.

Among the people waiting to meet Dale Overton was Valarian. And not far away, lurking behind the politician’s bodyguards, was Jacob.

Chapter Fifteen

Overton waved a final goodbye to the crowd and was ushered away by his bodyguards. Jacob stuck close and blended in with a small flock of reporters who were following Overton, trying to get in a few more questions. They walked through a glass-enclosed corridor, apparently UV protective, which led from the casino to a parking garage.

“We’ve heard a lot about your domestic agenda but little about your thoughts on foreign policy,” a woman called out. “As a city commissioner, do you think you have sufficient experience to fill a congressional seat?”

Overton stopped walking and turned to face the reporters, flashing his gleaming teeth. “Most of those serving our country on Capitol Hill were once local public servants. Yes, there will be a learning curve, but I’m a quick study and prepared to tackle all the issues concerning our country.”

Overton’s eyes widened as he noticed Valarian among the reporters. Jacob’s heart sank, but he wasn’t too surprised. Both men were important figures in the vampire community and both had lived a very long time. It would have been surprising if Overton didn’t recognize Valarian. Jacob had tried to convince his master to keep a low profile, but making Valarian listen was like trying to talk to a stubborn teenager at times.

Jacob wasn’t certain what his master was planning, but he could tell from the look on Valarian’s face that in a few moments, the proverbial shit would hit the fan.

“Councilman Overton,” Valarian spoke up. “Don’t you think your acute photosensitivity will be a problem in your new position? Many functions you’ll need to attend take place during the day. You’ll have to risk some exposure to sunlight.”

Overton managed a weak smile. “I have UV-safe windows on my vehicle, and while I may have to miss some events, most meetings are indoors. I’ve lived my life with this condition and learned to manage navigating the sunlight quite well.”

“That’s very admirable.” Valarian moved closer. The reporters parted before him as if he sent out an invisible force field clearing his way. Overton’s two bodyguards tensed and their gazes narrowed as they watched the approaching predator. One was a beefy man who looked like a former linebacker. The other was leaner, but Jacob guessed even more deadly, probably a vampire. It made sense that Overton would travel with a thrall to perform daylight tasks and another vampire in case he needed the extra strength.

Jacob circled around the back of the cluster of reporters and camera crew, working his way closer. He cursed Valarian’s rash nature that made him throw caution to the wind, but he would back him up as always.

Valarian stopped a couple of yards away from Overton, facing off like some Old West gunslinger. The air around him crackled as if he was a Tesla coil. The people near him edged farther away, not understanding exactly what was happening but feeling the charge in the air. They were sheep recognizing a wolf among them.

“I have the same condition. It’s made me a bit of a recluse up until now.” Valarian bared his teeth at the other vampire—no fangs showing yet, merely a smile of warning. “Your example has given me the courage to face my own fears and be willing to admit what I am to the world.”

Jacob’s heart hit the pit of his stomach.
Here, Valarian? Now? What makes you think antagonizing our enemy is a good idea?

“That could be harmful.” Overton’s smile failed him completely. “Are you sure you’ve considered the ramifications to those close to you?”

Questioning murmurs broke out among the dozen people present. The men’s oblique comments didn’t mask the extreme tension between them. A storm was brewing here and the media was eager for it.

“Yes, I have, but it’s time for the secrets to end. My name is Valarian Kaspan.” His voice rang out, and any cameras still aimed at Overton now moved to Valarian, accompanied by more mutters and gasps.

“What brings you here today, Mr. Kaspan?” the same reporter asked. She held up a microphone to make certain to catch the mysterious billionaire’s explanation. “Alison Henneger, Action Team 12.”

“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Henneger. I’d like to make a statement that implicates not only myself but Mr. Overton and many others.”

Overton’s guard lunged forward like a striking snake, but just as quickly, Overton restrained him with a hand on his arm. “Let the man speak.”

Jacob was only a yard away from the beefier man, whose dark blue suit strained over the muscles in his shoulders. But Overton’s men were so focused on Valarian they were oblivious to his presence.

Valarian’s black eyes stabbed the other vampire for another moment before he turned his gaze to Henneger and her cameraman. “People have long suspected there are those living among them who are not quite human. Vampires are not a fallacy or a horror story but real. That is my true nature and Dale Overton’s as well.”

A few seconds of utter silence followed his announcement before the press began to clamor with questions. Valarian held up his hands, demanding silence. “You won’t believe without proof, so I’m going to show you. But first I want to assure you all I pose no threat, unlike Dale Overton, who plans a government takeover.”

“Delusional,” Overton barked and began to back away. He’d called Valarian’s bluff only to find he wouldn’t back down. “I have another appointment to keep. I don’t have time for this.”

Overton released his bodyguard and the man leaped toward Valarian like an unleashed pit bull.

Jacob sped toward Overton and tackled him to the ground. The vampire threw him off and jumped to his feet, snarling. Jacob landed on his back with the breath knocked out of him. Before he could rise, the big thrall plucked him off the floor like he was a ninety-pound girl, spun him around and twisted his arm behind his back.

Valarian was in a deadly struggle with the other guard. The crowd was screaming, yelling and filming every second of the altercation. They didn’t miss the moment when Valarian’s fangs unsheathed and he leaped toward his opponent with a roar. Nor did they miss the other vampire’s response, his fangs also flashing as he snapped at Valarian.

Jacob jerked his head back, butting his adversary in the nose, and squirmed out of his grip. He swung out his leg and knocked Beefy off his feet. The big man landed hard. Jacob leaped over him and ran toward Overton, who was rapidly retreating down the hallway. But Valarian was faster. He abandoned his fight with the bodyguard and chased after Overton in a blur of vampiric speed.

Jacob covered Valarian by intercepting the vampire guard as he rushed past. Jacob tackled him, and it was like hitting a stone wall, but the vampire was taken off-guard by a hit from an unexpected source. Jacob knocked him sideways. A growl near his ear was followed by sharp pain as the vamp tore into his neck.

Jacob pulled away from the vampire only to face the heavyset thrall lumbering toward him like a locomotive. Jacob jumped aside and the man barreled headlong into his partner, pile-driving him backward and into the window. The pair crashed through the glass in a shower of shards and fell to the ground three stories below.

Regaining his balance, Jacob looked through the gaping hole in the bank of glass through which humid heat poured. Below on the pavement, one man was completely engulfed in fire. The bigger man scrambled away from his partner while beating out flames on his clothes. Cameras continued to document the bizarre situation unfolding while reporters gave a play-by-play into their recorders.

Jacob raced toward the parking garage to try to catch up with Valarian.

Shit. Shit. Shit and shit. What the fuck had he been thinking, calling out Overton in front of the media as if that would bring him any closer to finding Akila? He should’ve kept his cool and tracked Overton to his lair. But the moment their eyes had met, Valarian had wanted to tear into the other vampire, exposing him publicly and literally ripping him limb from limb. If only Overton hadn’t gotten away, he could’ve forced him to give back Akila—and then killed him.