Chapter 20
Sean Whelan hesitated on the sidewalk in front of Roman Draganesti's townhouse. He suspected they were holding Emma Wallace prisoner inside.
When Emma hadn't shown up for the Wednesday meeting, he'd been mildly concerned. She could be running late or feeling poorly. But she wasn't answering her home phone or cell phone.
Ground-floor security reported she'd left the building early the night before with a man from MacKay Security and Investigation, the company that provided security for Roman Draganesti and Jean-Luc Echarpe. Since those two were powerful coven masters, Sean figured the company's owner, Angus MacKay, was also a vampire. In fact, he suspected Angus MacKay was the newly arrived Scotsman living at Draganesti's townhouse.
Dammit, Sean had known something was wrong the other night when he thought he'd heard Emma scream. These vampire men were despicable. First they kidnapped and seduced his daughter. Now they were after Emma.
The front door opened. Sean stiffened. The bastards inside had seen him. His revolver was tucked into his belt behind his back, fully loaded with silver bullets.
The vampire named Connor stood in the doorway, wearing his usual red and green plaid kilt. "Did ye have a question, Whelan, or were ye planning to glare at us all night?"
Sean strode to the base of the stairs. "I have a question, scumbag. Are you holding Emma Wallace against her will?"
The Scotsman arched a brow.
"'Cause if you are," Sean continued, "I'll have fifty FBI agents here in ten minutes to tear this place apart."
"We know Emma Wallace is missing." A pained look crossed Connor's face briefly. "One of ours is missing, too."
Sean frowned. "Are you saying they ran off together?"
Connor's eyes glimmered with anger. "Nay, they were kidnapped, and they're in grave danger. We're doing our best to find them." He started to close the door.
"Wait!" Sean climbed a stair. "Do you know who kidnapped them?"
Connor paused, then opened the door wider. "'Twas Katya Miniskaya and some of her Russian Malcontents."
"Why would they want your... friend?"
Connor gave him an irritated look. "If ye had listened to yer daughter, ye would know there are two factions amongst us."
"Yeah, right," Sean interrupted him. "I've heard it before. But why did they take Emma?"
Connor snorted. "It is amazing how little ye know. Emma Wallace is the slayer. She's killed at least four Malcontents since last summer. No doubt Katya is seeking revenge."
"Emma is a slayer?" Sean couldn't believe it. Why would she keep that a secret? Hell, he would have given her a medal.
Connor gritted his teeth. "She's the cause of this trouble. Angus was trying to protect her. Now Katya has them both."
"Angus MacKay?"
"Aye. He's been watching her, trying to keep her safe."
"What can we do?" Sean winced when he realized he'd used the word we.
Connor studied him, then nodded once. "All right. I see no harm in an exchange of information."
"Okay," Sean agreed readily since he didn't have any. "You go first."
Connor gave him a suspicious look, then crossed his arms. "They were taken to Paris. We notified the coven there, and they found the place where Angus and Emma were held prisoner. There were signs of a great struggle. Several dead bodies, both vampire and mortal. A Russian named Uri was captured. He'll be interrogated as soon as he can speak."
"And Emma?"
"Her tote bag was found. So was Angus's sporran and knife. We believe they were teleported some place, perhaps in Russia since Katya comes from there. We're searching for them now." Connor tilted his head. "What information do ye have?"
Sean smiled. "None. But thanks for sharing."
"Pompous arse," Connor muttered. "Have ye no' been conducting a surveillance of the Russian coven? Surely ye heard something. Katya must have been planning this for days."
"Our bugs were discovered a few days ago and destroyed by some nasty guy from Poland. He told Katya that Casimir was angry with her for killing Ivan Petrovsky. He demanded she catch the slayer by Saturday." Sean blinked. "Shit. He meant Emma."
"Ye knew more than ye realized, Whelan. Ye need to plant yer bugs again. Someone in the Russian coven may know where Katya is hiding."
"We can't get in. There are too many mafia thugs watching the place during the day."
Connor tilted his head, thinking. "I know a way in. If we help ye plant the bugs, will ye share any information ye learn?"
Sean hesitated. The idea of allying himself with vampires was sickening.
Connor glowered at him. "We are the best equipped to find Miss Wallace. Would ye sacrifice her because of yer hatred?"
The vampire was right, but it still left a sour taste in Sean's mouth. "We'll cooperate. Just this once."
"Wait here." Connor went into the house, then returned with a piece of paper. "This is my number. As soon as ye have yer surveillance van in position, call me."
Forty minutes later, Sean and Garrett were in their white van, parked down the street from the Russian vampires' house in Brooklyn. Sean made the call.
"Keep talking," Connor ordered.
"What? Hello? Are you there?" Sean glanced at Garrett. "He doesn't answer."
Two figures appeared in the van.
"Shit!" Garrett jumped back and fell off his chair.
Connor let go of the one who had traveled with him. He was a young black man in torn jeans and a gray, hooded sweatshirt.
"This is Phineas McKinney," Connor said. "He knows what to do. Right, Phineas?"
"Right." Phineas rubbed his palms nervously on his jeans. "I hope I can help find Miss Wallace and Angus. I feel really bad about goofing up."
"Goofing up?" Sean asked.
"A long story. Do ye have the bugs?" Connor asked.
"Yes." Sean handed them to Phineas and gave him some last-minute directions.
"I got it." Phineas stuffed the bugs in his sweatshirt pocket and glanced at Connor. "I won't let you down, man."
Connor smiled slightly. "I know, lad. Ye'll do fine."
Phineas exited the back of the van and strolled toward the Russians' house. He opened the front door and sauntered inside.
"Jesus Louise," Garrett muttered. "How can he just walk in like that?"
"They transformed him about a week ago," Connor explained. "They think he lives there."
"But he works for you, now?" Sean asked.
"Aye. He's a good lad. He couldna take to their evil ways."
Sean snorted. "You think the Russians are the only evil ones around here?"
Connor glared at him. "In the mortal world, there are good and evil people. Why should it be any different in the vampire world?"
Because you're all evil. Sean swallowed the words. Though for the sake of his daughter, he hoped her husband wasn't abusing her. And it was odd the way Connor and Phineas seemed to care about Angus MacKay's safety. Was there friendship and loyalty in the vampire world?
The van remained quiet while they waited. A few minutes later, the first surveillance screen flickered, then came on.
"We're live," Garrett announced. "Looks like Katya's office."
The second and third screen came on with different views of her office.
"Testing, testing," Phineas murmured, his face in a camera. He suddenly turned toward the office door. "Oh, Stan the man. Hey, bro. What's up?"
A male entered the sites of cameras two and three. "What are you doing here? Where have you been?" he asked with a Russian accent.
Phineas shrugged. "I needed a sabbatical, man. A little rest and relaxation with my old ladies. You know how it is." He adjusted his jeans. "A man has needs that cannot be denied."
The Russian snorted. "You should have brought them here."
"Oh yeah, you're right. Next time I will. I know this sweet little blonde named Tina. Man, is she hot!"
The Russian wandered toward the desk. "What are you doing in Katya's office?"
"I thought since I was gone a few days, I should tell the queen bitch that I'm back, but she's not here. Hell, nobody seems to be here. Where did everybody go?"
The Russian crossed his arms, frowning. "They left the country, but they didn't invite me."
"Well, that sucks." Phineas looked indignant. "They didn't invite me, either."
The Russian sighed. "I think they all went to Galina's place. She left early to prepare it for their visit."
"Who's Galina? Is she hot?"
The Russian smiled. "Very hot. You don't know her? She's the most beautiful - oh, right. She left before you came here."
"Damn. I hope she comes back."
The Russian nodded. "I do, too. I asked if I could go with her, but she took Burien and Miroslav."
"Those two morons? She's got lousy taste. Where do you think she went?"
The Russian shrugged. "Probably to the Ukraine."
Phineas laughed. "Never heard of it. Well, I'm off. Got some hos waiting for me, you understand." He strolled out of view.
"Can you bring me one?" The Russian followed him.
The office was empty. Five minutes later, Phineas left the house and sauntered down the sidewalk. He tapped on the back door of the van and climbed inside.
"Ye did verra well, lad." Connor patted him on the back.
Phineas sat up straighter. "Hell, yeah. Whenever you need an undercover brother, just call me, Dr. Phang."
"Dr. Phang?" Sean asked.
Garrett snickered.
"We'll concentrate our search on the Ukraine." Connor grabbed Phineas's arm. "We must go."
"Wait!" Sean raised a hand. "If you find out anything, you'll let me know?"
Connor nodded. "We'll do our best to save them both." He and Phineas disappeared.
"They're so weird," Garrett mumbled. "I mean, they really seem to care."
Vampires who cared? Sean wondered. Could Shanna be right? And what about her baby? She was supposed to have it soon. What kind of creature would it be?
Emma gave up on eating her oatmeal. She'd lost her appetite. She stood and surveyed the small room, but avoided looking at Angus. "I'll try to find those cameras."
She spotted one high up on the windowsill of the eastern wall. Too high to reach, so she shoved the table underneath.
"Emma."
She ventured a quick look at Angus. "Yes?"
"Ye're perfectly safe for now. I still canna move. And I found the flask ye left me, so I'm full."
Safe for now. How long could he retain his gentlemanly demeanor before primal survival instincts took over? Would he attack her like the ones who had attacked her parents? She hated the thought of being dinner. Still, she didn't blame Angus. He couldn't help it. He was what he was.
"We'll get through this... somehow." She glanced up at the camera. "But I really don't want an audience."
She climbed up on the table and reached between the silver chains to grab the camera. "I bet these chains burned the vampire who put this here."
"Most likely it was mortals who hung all the silver and placed the cameras. The Malcontents have probably taken control of the nearby village, using the mortals for food and labor."
Emma pivoted on the table and examined the sparkling room. "It must have cost a fortune."
"'Tis easy to steal when ye can teleport."
Emma slanted him a wry look. "And you know this how... ?"
He grinned. "My sneaking about is legitimate work for my company."
"Right." She sat and slid to her feet. "With all your powers, you were never tempted to do anything naughty."
His smile faded as his gaze grew more intense. "I have been tempted greatly of late."
Her cheeks grew warm. Time to change the subject. "I know a good place for this camera." She sauntered behind the screen and dropped it into the chamber pot.
She strolled along the northern wall of their cell, searching for another camera. "How old were you when you were transformed?"
"Thirty-three."
She grabbed a silver chain and tugged hard. It held firm. "And you said you were married?"
"Aye. I tried going home after Roman changed me, but my wife couldna accept me. She was afraid of the creature I had become."
Emma glanced at him. "I'm so sorry."
"Are you? I believe ye intend to reject me for the same reason."
Wincing, she turned back to the wall. Time to change the subject again. She spotted a tiny camera over the door. "Were you able to watch your children and grandchildren grow up?" She dragged a chair over to the door.
"I kept an eye on my descendants, trying to protect them, but I could never be there during the day." A pained look haunted his face. "I lost so many at Culloden. And those who survived suffered greatly from the oppression to follow. Many left for America, and I lost track of them."
He closed his eyes briefly. "Nay, the truth is I was weary of watching them suffer. I dinna have the heart to keep up with them any longer."
"I'm so sorry. At least you still have Robby."
"Aye, he'll inherit the company and my castle if I perish."
"Nothing's going to happen to you. We're going to be fine." She stepped up on the chair and ripped the camera off the wall. "You're lucky you still have family."
"Do ye have no one, Emma?"
"A few cousins in Texas, but I hardly know them." She jumped down from the chair and headed toward their primitive bathroom. "My father worked for North Sea Petroleum." She dropped the second camera into the chamber pot. "He was stationed in Houston when he met my mum. My brother and I were born there, so we both had dual citizenship."
She gave him a wry look as she came around the screen. "But I bet you already know all about me from checking out my profile at MI6."
He smiled. "I like hearing it from you. How long did ye live in Texas?"
She scanned the west wall as she talked. "We moved back to England when I was seven. My brother was ten. My dad always liked working abroad, and sometimes he would take Mum with him. My brother and I would stay with Aunt Effie in Scotland."
"And yer aunt had psychic powers, too?"
"Yes. She was my dad's sister. They both had it. She's the one who taught me how to contact Dad over a long distance." No cameras on the west wall. Emma moved to the north wall. "She died four years ago. She left me her cottage by Linlithgow."
"And yer brother?"
Emma sighed. "He died in a motorcycle accident when he was sixteen."
"And then ye saw the deaths of yer parents in yer mind."
She turned to glare at him. "Are you trying to cheer me up? 'Cause you're doing a lousy job of it."
"I'm sorry. I know what it's like to mourn." He extended a hand to her. "Ye're no longer alone."
"You can move?" She walked toward him.
"I have feeling back in my arms, but no' my legs." He reached for her hand and tugged. "I have a few things to say."
She sat beside him. "Yes?"
"See if any of the chains can be torn from the wall. If ye can remove enough of them, I may be able to teleport us out."
"Okay." She started to stand, but he tugged her back down.
"I canna send psychic messages through the silver, but ye can. Doona do it at night, though, for the Malcontents will hear ye and find a way to stop you. Ye'll need to send yer messages during the day while they sleep."
"But the good vampires will be sleeping, too. Who will hear me during the day?"
"I'm hoping ye can reach Austin. He's somewhere in Eastern Europe."
"Okay, I'll try." She started once again to get up, but he held tight to her hand.
"One more thing. Austin's wife was a vampire, but Roman was able to change her back."
Emma nodded. "You mentioned that before. But I gathered you weren't interested in having the procedure done on you."
"Nay, it wouldna work on me. Roman can only do it if he has a sample of the mortal's original DNA, and mine is long lost. He would need a blood sample taken before ye were transformed."
She blinked. "You think I might get transformed?"
"I think we should be prepared for the possibility. If Casimir transforms you, wait till ye can escape, then go to Roman so he can change ye back."
"It won't get that bad. We'll escape before Casimir arrives."
Angus squeezed her hand. "Emma, I have pledged to protect ye from harm, but we're outnumbered. Casimir and his followers are vicious, and I'm no' invincible."
"Nothing will happen to you. I won't let it."
He smiled sadly. "I love yer fierce spirit, lass, but we must be prepared. Let me do this, so I'll have the peace of knowing that ye can be made mortal again if the need arises."
She frowned. "What do you want to do?"
"We need a small sample of yer blood, and ye need to keep it hidden on you. Not me. If I'm killed, everything on me will turn to dust." He raised her arm and pushed back her sleeve. "We should do it now, while I'm no' too hungry. That way, I willna lose control."
"You're going to bite me?"
"Would ye prefer using the spoon on the table? We have nothing sharp here."
She took a deep breath. "Okay, what the heck. Bite me." She gritted her teeth and turned her head.
He snorted. "Emma, I have promised to never harm you. I'm a man of my word."
She turned back to him. "Then how... ?"
"Trust me." He brought her arm up to his mouth and licked the soft underside of her forearm.
Her arm tingled. Pleasantly. Very pleasantly. "How?"
"It needna hurt, lass. Only the evil vampires make it painful, for they enjoy inciting terror more than giving pleasure." He licked her again.
The tingling grew and shimmered up her arm. "Wow," she breathed. "Wicked."
Let me in. His mind spoke to hers.
She relaxed her psychic barrier. Why?
To heighten the pleasure. For both of us. He licked her again. Her whole body tingled.
He placed his mouth over her arm and suckled. She felt her blood rushing through her body as it was drawn down her arm to his lips. Gooseflesh prickled her arms and legs. Her toes curled under. Her hands fisted.
Each time he sucked, the pull inside her grew stronger and deeper. It pulled at her chest, then her stomach, then at the core between her legs.
He groaned. Ye feel so good.
Something pricked her arm and entered her. She jolted when it mirrored a probing sensation between her legs.
He lifted his head. Blood welled from two small puncture wounds. He grabbed the sheet off the cot. Two tiny droplets of blood ran down her arm toward her wrist.
He wiped them with a corner of the sheet. There. That should be enough.
"I'm still bleeding." More blood trickled from the wounds. Oddly enough, it didn't hurt at all. Her skin had become so sensitive that the trickle of blood felt like the tickling caress of a lover.
I can stop it. He placed his mouth over the wounds and sucked.
"Ah!" Emma squeezed her thighs together. It felt like he was between her legs. With each suck, she felt the tension rising.
Ye taste so good. I knew ye would. He swirled his tongue around the wounds, and her body jolted with spasms.
She collapsed, her head falling onto his thighs.
He let go of her arm and ripped off the corner of the sheet. "Here." He tucked the bloodstained cloth into her pants pocket.
She struggled to catch her breath. "What the hell was that?" She looked at him and was met with red, glowing eyes.
His mouth quirked. The tip of one his fangs showed. "Was it good for you, too?"
She smiled. "Careful, big guy. We don't have any dry cleaners nearby."