Blood Thief Box Set(53)

I frowned. "If you two are bothers then why are you doing this to him?"

"Aren't you having fun with my little game?" he wondered.

"If you mean trying to get us all killed the no," I retorted.

He wagged his finger. "There you go with that word again. Simon must have his hands full just scolding you on that."

I lunged for the handle of the closest car door and gave it a hard yank. It was locked and solid. Trica turned a sharp corner. I fell back to the center of the rear seat.

He frowned at me. "Don't try that again. Simon would be disappointed if he doesn't find you at my home."

I glared at his reflection in the mirror. "It's not him I'm trying to disappoint."

Trica chuckled. "I can see why my brother chose you to be his bride. You have a lot of potential."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Skip the flatteries and tell me what you plan to do with me."

He grinned. "You'll see."

Trica slowed the car and turned the wheel. We bumped onto a weed-choked dirt road. The bushes scraped against the sides of the sports car and the low-lying tree branches knocked against the windows. The darkness within the thick, ancient forest was nearly impenetrable to my vampire eyes.

The winding road went on for a few miles before the path opened to a large clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a towering, decrepit mansion that greatly resembled the one close to the cemetery. Storm dormers on either side of the tall, narrow windows hung loose at odd angles. Its white paint was yellowed and peeling. The front door was covered in a thick layer of dead leaves. The filthy windows glared down at us as we curved around the circular driveway and parked in a short parking spot just past the front door.

Trica shut off the car. The doors unlocked. I leapt at mine and flew out the driver's side. My feet hit the ground running, but Trica was faster. He grabbed my wrist and swung me back toward the car. I tripped and he released me so I could fall backward onto the ground.

He stalked toward me and towered over me. His red eyes glared down at me. "Do not try that again."

"Make me," I hissed.

Trica pursed his lips. He leaned down and grabbed my wrist to pull me to my feet. I was dragged to the door where we rejoined with the blank-faced vampiress. She opened the door for us and we stepped into a large, dust-filled entrance hall. On either side of us lay two arches that led into a dining hall on our left and a parlor to our right. The furniture was draped in yellowed sheets. A curved staircase to our left led to the second floor.

Trica shut the door behind us and the vampiress positioned herself behind me. He released me and strode to the center of the entrance hall. "This could take some work, but-" He stretched his arms out on either side of himself and turned to face me. "-welcome to my abode. My current one, that is."

I glanced at the female vampire close behind me. "Your maid missed a spot."

Trica pursed his lips and dropped his arms to his side. His eyes fell on the young woman and his face fell. "Yes, well, she isn't too responsive at this moment, but I'll see what I can do myself." He raised his left hand and snapped his fingers.

A whirlwind burst from beneath his feet and flew outward. I covered my face with my arms and ducked my head as the rough wind hit me. It pulled at my clothes and whipped my hair about like an unruly child. Dust brushed against my skin in an upward direction.

The sudden tornado lasted for five seconds and then blew past me. I peeked open my eyes and watched the devil wind sweep into the adjoining rooms. The wind pulled off the covers and flung open the windows. The dust it carried with it flew out the windows and into the forest. The wind slammed the windows shut and moved out of sight into the deeper depths of the home.

When the wind was finished the rooms were spotless of dust, leaves, and even grime. I lowered my arms and blinked at the clean surfaces around me.

Trica grinned. "Neat trick, isn't it? I bet you didn't know Simon and I could do that. Maybe even Certus."

My eyebrows crashed down. I whipped my head to him. "Where's Certus?"

Trica folded his arms and chuckled. "He's safe, at least for the present." He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. "And Simon should be here within ten minutes. He would be here earlier, but he has several people to pick up."

"More of your playthings?" I snapped.

Trica didn't lift his head, but his eyes flickered up to me. They were cold and hard. "No. This 'guest' I find very un-amusing." He raised his head and smiled. "But why don't we wait in the parlor? It's more comfortable than standing here."

I crossed my arms and planted my feet on the floor. "I'd rather wait here."

"I'd rather wait in the parlor." Trica looked past me at the woman. She grabbed my upper arms and pulled me toward the parlor.

I twisted and squirmed in her grasp. Her hold was tight, but not as tight as those of Simon and Trica. I wrenched one of my arms out of her hand and swung around. The back of my hand connected to the side of her face. She stumbled back and released me.

I made to run for the front door, but Trica let out a roar that echoed over the entrance hall. He appeared in front of me, his eyes ablaze with hellfire. He grabbed my wrist and flung me toward the parlor. The force behind his throw sent me reeling backward into the next room. The back of my knees hit the side of a couch and I fell onto the stiff cushions.

Trica hung over me in an instant. His fangs were bared and his clawed hands flexed on either side of my head. My heart thumped in my chest as he leaned closer to me. "Never touch her again," he hissed.

He paused and cocked his head to one side. His fangs retreated into his mouth. A sly smile slipped onto his lips. "Simon always was punctual." His eyes flickered back to me. His smile disappeared. "If things get rough, remember my warning."

Trica stepped away from me and hurried to the entrance hall. He paused in the arch where the woman stood. She stared in my direction, but her eyes didn't register anything.

Trica lifted his left hand and brushed the back against her bruised cheek. He pursed his lips and hurried onward to the front door.

I sat up and strained my eyes. I should have strained my eyes. Headlights flashed across the front of the house. A long black vehicle stopped at the front door. My pulse quickened. I leapt from the couch and ran to the front windows to press my hands against the cold panes.

It was Simon's limo.





CHAPTER 11





Dolf and Maeve stepped out of the front seats with Specter floating behind Maeve. A smile spread across my face as I watched Simon exit from the rear. My smile changed to an expression more quizzical when he was followed by Basileus. The self-proclaimed vampire lord was blindfolded and held Bentley's small, limp body in his arms.

"Greetings, everyone!" I heard Trica call from the front door. "Enter and be welcomed!"

I raced to the front hall in time to watch my friends enter. Simon held one of Basileus's arms and led him inside.

Maeve's eyes fell on me. "Faith!" She rushed over and we grasped one another's arms. She looked me over. "Are you all right? Did he hurt you?" She swept her eyes over my head and furrowed her brow. "What do you have-"

"If you would all step into my parlor, as the spider said to the fly," Trica spoke up from the shut front doors.

Specter floated to the top of the high ceiling. "I'm pretty comfortable here."

Simon came up behind Maeve. She glanced over her shoulder and slyly smiled at him. Maeve gave me a wink before she stepped aside.

I smiled at him. "What took you?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Basileus. "He was rather uncooperative."

I put my hands on my hips and frowned at him. "So we could escape that island before."

Simon returned his attention to me and gave me his best, evilest crooked smile. "Did you ever doubt me?"

I snorted and crossed my arms. "Lots of times." My shoulders drooped. I dropped my arms and flung myself against my chest to hug him. My heart beat faster when he wrapped his arms around me. I buried my face into his cool chest and tried to keep the tears back. "But not this time."

"A touching scene if I could see it, but I demand to know why I was kidnapped," Basileus spoke up.

Trica strolled around the captive and sneered at him. "Just a little unfinished business, Lord Basileus."

Basileus frowned. "The payment wasn't due until tomorrow night."

Trica grabbed the blindfold and tore the cloth from the lord's eyes. "I changed my mind."

Basileus swept his eyes over my friends and me. "What are you waiting for? Capture him!"

Maeve, Dolf and Specter tensed. Trica stepped backward to the front of our gathering and held up his hand in front of him. "A moment, if you will. We wouldn't want to spill this-" he pulled a vial from inside his suit jacket. A brackish liquid sloshed inside the glass. "Would we?"

"This is monstrous! A woman's life-nay, two women's lives are at stake!" Basileus nodded at me. "Would you risk hers for your insane request?"

Trica's expression darkened. He gripped the vial hard in his hand, but not hard enough to break the glass. His voice was low and dangerous. "You're the only selfish person here, Basileus. You and your self-appointment as lord of the vampires in this city."

Basileus frowned. "I have only done what is right, and that is to protect the vampires from-"