Blood Thief Box Set(15)

I crossed my arms and scowled at the door. "No shit," I retorted.

"I had to show you the extent of the rot within the circle you joined last night," he insisted.

I whipped my head to him. "If you knew they were so dangerous than why'd you make me join that bullshit party? Why'd you even offer to take me, anyway? Were you always planning on making me into another chew toy like you did those guys back there?"

Simon closed his eyes and shook his head. "You were never a toy. A diversion, perhaps, but never a toy. Now you're something more."

My eyes narrowed. "Yeah, now I'm the play toy."

He leaned back and studied me. "No. Now you're mine, and I keep care of what's mine."

I grasped either side of the seat and leaned towards him. "Let's get this straight. I'm not yours, I'll never be yours, and-" I froze and the words died in my throat. I couldn't get my lips to move. My body wouldn't obey my commands.

In the blink of an eye Simon switched from his seat to the cushion beside me. He leaned down and his whispering voice tickled my ear. "I only appear human to humor you in your transition, my love, but know that even I have a limit to my patience, and it is a great mistake to anger an aged immortal."

My eyes filled with tears created by fear and frustration. A single drop slid down my cheek and Simon brushed his finger against the stray tear. He cupped my wet cheek in one hand and looked softly into my eyes. The familiar hot desire filled my body and warmed me to my soul. My heart beat quickened and my flesh beneath his hand grew red-hot.

His quiet voice softened some of my mental tension. "I only warn you to teach you, not to frighten you, my love," he whispered. His burning eyes scorched me with their lust as I gasped for breath. He leaned closer to me and melted my fear away with his words. "I tell you this not for you to fear me, but because I love you."

He drew off his hat and leaned down to capture my lips in a passionate kiss. My body was freed and I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around his neck. A groan escaped my lips and I leaned further into our kiss.

His warm, muscular body vanished, and with it went my counterweight. I fell forward, but caught myself before I slammed face-first into the floor. I straightened and looked up. Simon once more sat opposite me with his legs crossed and his hands folded into his lap. His eyes were the familiar red hue and he looked at me with a teasing expression.

"I'm glad to see you forgive me," he commented.

I slid back against my seat and caught my breath. The heat faded from my body as I studied the vampire who sat opposite me. "There's one thing I want to know."

He raised an eyebrow and a sly, crooked smile slid onto his lips. "Just one?"

I nodded. "Yeah, just one. Why me? Why'd you go and pick me to be your-" There was a glint of warning in his eyes. I took a deep breath and calmed my frayed nerves. "Why do I get to be yours?"

He leaned back and tilted his head to one side to study me. "Because you have a certain quality I like, and one that's suitable in an immortal?"

My eyes narrowed. "And that's what?"

"You're decisive," he told me. "You are aware of your desires and react quickly to your decisions. That is what made you decide to join me for the party last night, and what made you return to me this morning."

I pursed my lips and turned my face away from him. "Lucky me. . ." A headache struck me and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"A headache?" he asked me.

I dropped my hand and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Probably all this sunlight to creepy darkness and back again. Makes my eyes tired."

"Perhaps," he agreed.

I glanced out the window and watched the shadows speed by. My eyes flickered to Simon. "So where are we going now? The city morgue?"

He shook his head. "No. Now that you're aware of our enemies, we shall see what allies we can dig up."

I felt my heart drop into my stomach and the color drain from my face. "We're not really digging anyone up, are we?"

Simon chuckled. "Perhaps."





CHAPTER 6





The car ride took us along the bumpiest streets in the city to the western outskirts of suburbia. Certus parked the car and opened the door so I had my first good view of the neighborhood. The houses were site-built structures from the eighties with two floors where the bottom one was partially sunk into the ground. Some had below-ground garages, and others were split level. The house we were parked in front of was all of the above with a neat green lawn and a large willow tree out front.

Simon stepped out and turned to offer his hand to me.

"I'd rather stay here," I told him.

He caught my eyes with his gaze and his voice was tense. "And I would rather you come with me."

The meaning was clear. I ignored his hand and exited the limo. He dropped his hand and walked up the concrete front walk that led up to the stoop. I followed while Certus remained at the car. We reached the door and Simon raised his hand to press the doorbell.

The door flew open and revealed a blond pony-tailed man of six feet with a wide smile and brown eyes. He wore a long white t-shirt and khaki shorts that showed off his white socks. His toes wiggled at us through the holes.

He leaned against the doorway and folded his arms across his chest. "Well well, if it isn't Count Dracula himself come out of his coffin for the day. I thought I could smell trouble coming."

Simon smiled and bowed his head. "Good morning, Ardolf."

The man's smile slipped off his lips and he frowned. "It's Dolf, and you know it." His eyes fell on me. He glanced back at Simon and jerked his head towards me. "A groupie of yours?"

Simon stepped aside and gestured to me. "Miss Faith Luvena, this is Ardolf-"

"Dolf," Dolf corrected him.

"Dolf Fortis, an old friend of mine," Simon finished.

Dolf snorted. "Right, great friends. And that's why you stole that necklace out from under me two months ago, huh?"

Simon reached into his cloak and pulled out the necklace he'd given me. "No, but it is why I intend to give you the very same necklace."

Dolf's eyes flickered between the stunning jewelry and Simon's face. He stood at attention and raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

"I have a proposition for you, but not one that should be made outdoors," Simon told him.

Dolf pursed his lips, but stepped aside and held the door. Simon strode into the house and I followed. The space was simple, but clean, with carpeted flooring and fire-house red walls. A simple couch and chair surrounded a coffee table and were turned towards a large TV. Bright, airy windows looked out on a green backyard. To our left was the kitchen and dining room, and to our right was a hall to the bedroom and bath. A staircase to our immediate right and against the front wall led downstairs.

Dolf closed the door and turned to us. He flashed me a smile and jerked his head towards Simon. "So how'd you fall in with a guy like this?"

"Bad luck," I quipped.

He laughed and turned to Simon who stood close to the hall entrance. "I like her."

"The windows, if you would," Simon requested.

Dolf rolled his eyes. "This would be easier if you just called," he commented as he strolled over to the windows and dropped some thick bamboo shades. The room was enveloped in shadows with a smidgen of light from either side of the blinds.

"This interview is too important to discuss over the phone," Simon argued.

Dolf plopped himself into the chair and swung a leg over one of the arms. "So what's so important that the undead lord himself wants to see me in person?"

Simon stepped closer to the center of the room and smiled. "I wish to form a partnership with you."

Dolf frowned and raised an eyebrow. "If it's to open a blood bank count me out."

Simon closed his eyes and shook his head. "Nothing of that sort, I assure you. I wish to create a group of expert jewel thieves to steal from the wealthy villains of the city."

Dolf sat up and narrowed his eyes. "What do you need my help for? You can just slip into a house and wave your hand, and the jewels practically fall into your pockets."

Simon's eyes flickered to me. "I was given a lesson in the limitations of my abilities, and my increasing carelessness in using them."

"So you want to use mine, is that it?" Dolf guessed.

"Your scouting abilities are second-to-none," Simon pointed out.

Dolf leaned back in his chair. "So what's in it for me?"

Simon strolled across the back of the couch. "A steady salary, or a cut of the profits from the sale of what we steal."

Dolf turned up his nose. "Keep the salary. I want the cut."

Simon stopped at the edge of the couch and turned so he faced both Dolf and me. "Very well. Does that mean you agree to our partnership?"

Dolf stood and shrugged. "It means I'll play along for the first heist and see where we go from there."

Simon bowed his head. "Agreed."

Dolf folded his arms across his chest and leaned to one side. "So what's the job, anyway?"

A mischievous smile slipped onto Simon's lips. "We will steal the Comstock bracelet from Miss Eileen Eres."

Dolf's face drooped and he rolled his eyes. "Very funny. I already know you stole that."

The vampire chuckled. "What isn't known is that the bracelet will be returned some time today."