The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(8)

        

The officers, both frowning, shared another look, obviously wondering if she was telling the truth.

Steadying her nerves, she flipped her cloak back over her shoulders, revealing the black embroidered bodice overlaying her crimson dress, knowing full well the gown accentuated her womanly curves. Leaning forward, she pretended to pull a loose string from the hem, giving both men an eyeful of her cleavage. "I am quite sure Lieutenant Riker would be awfully disappointed if he missed my call."

When she straightened, both of their gazes were centered on her bosom. The leader then snapped a command.

"Garrett. Fetch the lieutenant. Quickly."

His thick speech told her his fangs had extended. She batted her eyelashes and smiled, pretending she wasn't afraid. Officer Garrett disappeared in a blur, moving in super-speed to find the lieutenant. Then she was alone with the dangerous-looking one, except for Nikolai watching from the bushes. That was the only thought that kept her fears from taking over. She knew he would let no harm come to her. Still, if she couldn't manage this small mission without needing him to come to her aid, it could end their mission before it began. If Nikolai blew his cover, the Legionnaires would be on the hunt for them both.

"Might I ask your name, Officer?"

"You may, my lady." He remained in his casual posture, observing her closely. "My name is Sergeant Aleksander Volkov." He clasped his hands at his back, a posture to appear disarming, then strolled forward. "I have never seen you here at the palace before, my lady."

She held her back ramrod straight, refusing to take a step away, which her instincts told her to do. "No, sergeant. As I said, I've only been to the palace once. And as I mentioned, that was with Ser-I mean, Lieutenant Riker. I had not realized he was promoted."

"You are quite lovely." His pale eyes glowed, a sign his vampire senses were at the forefront.

"Thank you, sergeant."

He inched closer, his nostrils flaring. "You smell lovely."

"Thank you," she said, voice falling to a whisper.

"I wonder how you taste. I'll bet you're sweet."

With a defiant lift of her chin, she dared him to touch her with a narrow-eyed glare. If he did, Nikolai would be forced to reveal himself.

"Sergeant, while I am sure you are quite popular with the ladies, I am not one to be tossed from one man to the next. I have been a bleeder for Lieutenant Riker alone. I have no desire to serve another."

For indeed, that was what a bleeder was, a servant to her vampire.

"You should reconsider." Another step closer, his hands falling to his sides. "My bleeders tell me the elixir in my bite is most … erotic." He lifted a strand of her hair and twined it loosely around his forefinger before letting it go. "You know, the other officers speak of a beautiful red-haired woman who was seen with a traitor, a peasant woman, a few months ago. Before I came into the service of the Royal Legionnaires." 

"It was not me," she protested, perhaps too strongly. "As I've said-"

"Yes, as you said." He traced a finger along her jaw. "Interestingly enough, this woman matched your description, right down to this blood-red cloak you wear."

Damn it to hell, why had she not thought of that? Everyone in Sylus knew her by her distinctive red cloak.

"A mere coincidence," she said, hearing the lack of confidence in her own words.

He grinned, pointed canines long and sharp. "This lovely red-haired woman was seen riding atop a white hart wolf from the enchanted wood. They're all calling her the Red Witch of the Wood." He let his finger slide down her neck. "They said she was blindingly beautiful, a temptress in every way."

Prickling heat tingled along her skin, a strange sensation she'd felt before when she was in danger. Though she knew not where it came from.

"You are too close, sir."

"I'd say not close enough."

Sienna stepped back. Lightning-fast, he grabbed her by the arms and pulled her against him.

"Unhand her, Volkov," came a commanding voice behind him.

At once, he let her go and stepped aside, snapping to attention. The other guard named Garrett stood next to a tall, black-haired vampire with blue eyes the same shade as Nikolai's. By his description, she knew him to be Riker.

"You asked for me, my lady."

Before he could blow her cover, for the frown he wore told her he was on the verge, she marched forward with a bright smile.

"Lieutenant, it is so good to see you again," she exclaimed in a gushing voice, offering him her hand. "It has been entirely too long."

He took her hand and bent over it with a gentle brush of lips on her knuckles. "Yes, my lady. It has." He offered his arm. "Would you care for a turn in the palace gardens?"