Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang(54)

 

“Do you really want to have sex here in the parking lot, where anyone could see us?” he asked in return, his eyes glittering like a cat’s in the night.

 

I considered, for a few seconds, that very thing. “I don’t suppose you could eat without us going at it like bunnies?”

 

He pursed his lips at me, and before I could stop myself, I leaned into him and licked them. With a low growl he wrapped both arms around me and pulled me onto his lap, claiming my mouth in a way that left me breathless and mindless of everything but him.

 

Does that answer your question? Reluctantly, he released my lower lip and looked down into my eyes, the teal fire in his bathing me in the warmth of his desire.

 

I suppose it does. My skin tingled where I was pressed against him. We sat like that for a moment, unwilling to part, but a slight snore from the backseat had me pushing myself off him. “Later?”

 

“You can count on that,” he said with a look that almost seared my clothes. “I know of a place here you will like. I will feed there.”

 

“Deal.”

 

“You think it’s OK to leave him here?” I asked as we got out of the car. Mattias was snoring away happily, hugging my sweater to his chest.

 

“Unfortunately, yes,” Kristoff said with a sigh.

 

I poked him in the side, and then took his hand when he offered it. Despite the chilly air of the evening, I fanned myself as we walked toward the building on the other side of the government offices, secretly delighted. It was shameless of me, I knew, but dammit, if I had to spend the rest of my life bound to this man, I was going to enjoy every minute.

 

My libido had calmed down enough that I could think coherently by the time we stood at the back of the old stone building. “You’re sure that no one will have contacted the vampires here to warn them we’ll be coming for Kristjana?”

 

“It’s not likely.” Kristoff examined the back of the building, his gaze going from window to window, upward along a permanent fire escape, and he stepped back so he could look at the top of the four-story building. “Andreas will expect that we’ll be taking the sacristan to the nearest group of reapers, and that is in Rome.”

 

“Why would he think we wanted to get rid of Mattias?” I asked softly, scooting a little closer to him. The alley we were in wasn’t even remotely dirty, but the large trash bin next to me loomed up with a menacing shadow. “He’s docile as a lamb so long as I keep him light-bound.”

 

“He knows I will have to feed more frequently than normal for the next few days,” he answered, slipping off his long duster and tucking it behind the garbage bin. “Stay here. I’m going to climb up and see if anyone has alerted them that we’ve escaped with the sacristan.”

 

“Oh, no,” I said, glancing around at the shadows. “If you’re going, I’m going, too.”

 

“No, you’re not. I just want to reconnoiter. Until I know if they’re watching for us, you stay here.”

 

“I could go around front and be a distraction while you snatch Kristjana,” I suggested generously.

 

“Do you seriously believe she will come with me without screaming down the entire town?” he asked.

 

“I suppose not. I’ll have to do the light thingie with her, too, I guess.”

 

“Exactly. Stay here while I see what sort of security the Dark Ones have in place.”

 

I glanced around at the shadows in the alley. “All right, but don’t take too long. I have the feeling we’re not alone here.”

 

“Stay hidden,” he ordered before he jumped and caught hold of the bottom of the metal ladder, hauling himself upward.

 

I have a better idea. I’m going to take a look around this area and see if I can find signs of Ulfur.

 

He didn’t like that idea much, I could tell. Stay in the shadows as much as you can. I don’t know who here will recognize you.

 

I didn’t let him feel me rolling my eyes at such a silly statement, but I did stick to the shadows as much as possible as I made a quick tour of the blocks surrounding the building.

 

Everything OK? I asked after about five minutes of silence from him.

 

Yes. There is an elaborate security system in place. It’s taking time for me to avoid setting it off.

 

No problem. I’ll just keep looking around. So far I haven’t found any spirit to ask about Ulfur. I thought he said Reykjavik was crawling with ghosties.

 

I rounded a corner about two blocks away from Kristoff, pausing as I examined a pedestrian zone. Despite the late hour, a brightly lit neon sign and the faint sounds of jazz were proof that the Icelandic nightlife was alive and kicking. A couple passed me on their way into the club. I gave the small clutch of people standing outside a quick once-over, making sure there was no one I recognized. I was just about to move on when a woman across the square on her way into the club glanced my way, did an obvious double take, then waved as she hurried over.