would kill her without hesitation.
If there was an ancient vampire living in this city, one who’d survived without slaying humans for all these years, then he deserved whatever help they could give him.
Of course, it was presumptuous of her even to think he would need or welcome their help. Her father and especially her grandfather would not approve of what she was doing, which was why they didn’t know the real reason for her trip. They believed an ancient vampire would know of their secret society and approach it if help was required. Otherwise, they were to be left alone.
She’d read accounts of several unnamed vampires living across Europe and Asia, as well as one in Alaska. Their identities were carefully guarded, but Sonia had always longed to speak with one of them. They’d seen so much in their long years on this earth, done so much. The information they possessed about the world was enormous. Plus, she simply wanted to meet one, had been obsessed with the idea since she was a child.
The elevator door opened and she stepped out, walked briskly through the lobby and out the front door of the hotel. The air was crisp, but the sun was out, making it the perfect spring day. She turned left, her strides long and determined. Food, research and then it would be time to try to corner the elusive Damek. Her plan solidly in place, Sonia picked up her pace.
Damek stared at the computer screen in front of him, seeing nothing but a blur of numbers. He’d been working nonstop since early this morning and had managed only a meager three-hour nap in his desk chair earlier in the afternoon.
He might be an immortal, but even he needed to recharge, and working all through the day had drained him. He’d felt the sun reach its peak and start its descent hours ago. Without even looking at a clock, Damek knew it was half past five. The bar wouldn’t open for a while yet, but the staff was already in and working hard to get ready for what would be another busy night.
He was also hungry. Again. Usually he had no problem going for a day or more after he fed well, but he’d been on edge lately, needing sustenance more and more often to keep the hunger at bay.
He swiveled around and found a secret lever in the wall with his fingers. He pressed it and the wood panel swung open, revealing a small refrigerator. Damek plucked the last remaining bag of blood from the cooler and dug his teeth straight into the bag. It was cold and lifeless as it rolled down his throat and he wanted to spit it out and go in search of the real thing—thick, hot and pulsing with life. Instead, he forced himself to drain the bag and folded it carefully, sticking it in his jacket pocket for disposal later.
The blood coursed through his veins, reviving him enough to work through the night if need be. It would have to do.
He carefully closed the panel, disguising the refrigerator, even though he wanted to slam the door. Dangerous, volatile emotions were pushing at him. Not good. He needed to remain on an even keel to keep himself and those around him safe.
A knock came on the door. His staff knew better than to interrupt him when he informed them he wanted to be alone, and he knew Bryon had a good reason for disturbing him.
“Come.”
Byron opened the door and stuck his head inside the office. “She’s back, boss. The woman from last night. What do you want me to do?”
Fate. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath even though he didn’t need oxygen to survive. The blood he’d just consumed raced through his veins and anticipation thrummed through his body. She’d come.
“Boss?” He could hear the concern in Byron’s voice and took a moment to steady himself. It seems fate had made her choice.
He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “I’ll see her.” He glided out from behind his rather large, antique desk, already anticipating seeing Sonia again.
Byron rubbed a hand over his bald head. “Uh, boss, do you think that’s a
If there was an ancient vampire living in this city, one who’d survived without slaying humans for all these years, then he deserved whatever help they could give him.
Of course, it was presumptuous of her even to think he would need or welcome their help. Her father and especially her grandfather would not approve of what she was doing, which was why they didn’t know the real reason for her trip. They believed an ancient vampire would know of their secret society and approach it if help was required. Otherwise, they were to be left alone.
She’d read accounts of several unnamed vampires living across Europe and Asia, as well as one in Alaska. Their identities were carefully guarded, but Sonia had always longed to speak with one of them. They’d seen so much in their long years on this earth, done so much. The information they possessed about the world was enormous. Plus, she simply wanted to meet one, had been obsessed with the idea since she was a child.
The elevator door opened and she stepped out, walked briskly through the lobby and out the front door of the hotel. The air was crisp, but the sun was out, making it the perfect spring day. She turned left, her strides long and determined. Food, research and then it would be time to try to corner the elusive Damek. Her plan solidly in place, Sonia picked up her pace.
Damek stared at the computer screen in front of him, seeing nothing but a blur of numbers. He’d been working nonstop since early this morning and had managed only a meager three-hour nap in his desk chair earlier in the afternoon.
He might be an immortal, but even he needed to recharge, and working all through the day had drained him. He’d felt the sun reach its peak and start its descent hours ago. Without even looking at a clock, Damek knew it was half past five. The bar wouldn’t open for a while yet, but the staff was already in and working hard to get ready for what would be another busy night.
He was also hungry. Again. Usually he had no problem going for a day or more after he fed well, but he’d been on edge lately, needing sustenance more and more often to keep the hunger at bay.
He swiveled around and found a secret lever in the wall with his fingers. He pressed it and the wood panel swung open, revealing a small refrigerator. Damek plucked the last remaining bag of blood from the cooler and dug his teeth straight into the bag. It was cold and lifeless as it rolled down his throat and he wanted to spit it out and go in search of the real thing—thick, hot and pulsing with life. Instead, he forced himself to drain the bag and folded it carefully, sticking it in his jacket pocket for disposal later.
The blood coursed through his veins, reviving him enough to work through the night if need be. It would have to do.
He carefully closed the panel, disguising the refrigerator, even though he wanted to slam the door. Dangerous, volatile emotions were pushing at him. Not good. He needed to remain on an even keel to keep himself and those around him safe.
A knock came on the door. His staff knew better than to interrupt him when he informed them he wanted to be alone, and he knew Bryon had a good reason for disturbing him.
“Come.”
Byron opened the door and stuck his head inside the office. “She’s back, boss. The woman from last night. What do you want me to do?”
Fate. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath even though he didn’t need oxygen to survive. The blood he’d just consumed raced through his veins and anticipation thrummed through his body. She’d come.
“Boss?” He could hear the concern in Byron’s voice and took a moment to steady himself. It seems fate had made her choice.
He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “I’ll see her.” He glided out from behind his rather large, antique desk, already anticipating seeing Sonia again.
Byron rubbed a hand over his bald head. “Uh, boss, do you think that’s a
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