The Warrior Vampire(10)
“Tell him I’ll be over in a couple of hours.” She didn’t have time for Paul’s bullshit right now. She eyed the male chained to her bed, that amused half smile playing on his lips. “Better make that three.”
“Uh-uh. Not gonna happen. Noway, nohow. Sorry, Cuz.” How many more ways could Luz get her point across before Naya throttled her? Naya suspected her cousin was pressing her luck just to find out. “Paul said if you’re not here in fifteen minutes he’s sending Joaquin to pick you up.”
Shit. The last thing she needed was to have Paul’s son out looking for her. Joaquin would head straight for her apartment and there’d be trouble if he didn’t find her there. He’d go out to look for her and wouldn’t stop until he found her. Naya couldn’t leave now, though. Not when she had this unknown element—very male, very muscular, very gorgeous unknown element—strapped to her bed like a sacrificial offering to some sex goddess. Joaquin didn’t know about her house away from the tribal block and Naya wanted it kept that way. Especially since if Joaquin got a glimpse of the male chained to her bed, he’d go ballistic. If she wanted to keep her secrets protected, she had no choice but to leave. “Fine. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“See ya then, chica,” Luz chirped before she hung up.
Great. Now what in the hell was Naya supposed to do? She eyeballed her captive one more time, deciding that the best course of action at this point would be to keep him nice and unconscious until she got back. She sheathed the dagger and went to the dresser at the far side of the room. From the top drawer she retrieved several jars and bottles with the herbs and supplies she’d need. She tossed a pinch here and a dash there into a mortar and ground them with a pestle until the ingredients were a fine powder. Then she sent some of her own power into the mixture, focusing her energy and drawing on her magic. The sweet tinkling of chimes echoed in her mind as the delicate threads, like spiderwebs, pulled with a slight tug as the magic resisted leaving her body. She coaxed it further and the tendrils drifted from her fingertips and into the stone bowl.
“I wish I could be more helpful, but honestly, just because I supposedly knew your name last night it isn’t exactly just cause for chaining me to your bed. I’m not judging or anything; maybe you’re just into some kinky shit.” The vampire’s tone was a little too playful considering the circumstances. A pleasant tingle drizzled from the top of Naya’s head to the soles of her feet as she felt his eyes on her. She ignored his comments and continued with her work. “And since we’re on the topic of kinky shit, you don’t need to slip me a roofie, you know. I’ve never had to be coaxed to cooperate by a beautiful female before.”
Despite his playful tone, she sensed his suspicion. It made the air heavy and thick with tension. Power awakened in him with his anxiety, the sharp twanging tones of the now-off-tune music only she could hear. No time to waste, she’d be cutting it close as it was. Once she’d infused the mixture with her magic, Naya scooped a pinch of the powder into her palm. She swiveled her head, took stock of her captive’s muscular form, and added a second pinch of the powder to the first. Better to give him a little more than he needed than worry about not giving him enough. She clenched the mixture in her fist and brought her hand to her side. Sauntering to the bed with a casual gait, she paused near the headboard.
“Whatever you’re about to do,” the vampire warned darkly, “I’d reconsider.”
Naya worried her bottom lip as she took in the hard line of his jaw, eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. Going against her better judgment, she asked, “What’s your name, vampire?”
That sparkle returned to his eyes. “Ronan.”
“I never reconsider my actions, Ronan.” Naya brought her fist up to her mouth and opened her hand. Ronan scowled, his eyes flashing silver as he fought against his bonds, the sound of his magic lowering from a soft soprano to a deep, urgent bass. She took a deep breath and blew the powder into his face. The music died, his thrashing ceased, and he lost consciousness.
“Have a nice nap, Ronan,” she said as she turned to leave. “Sweet dreams.”
CHAPTER
3
Naya circled the block until she found a parking space in front of the building the tribal elders conducted business in. She got out of the car and leaned against the hood, eyeing the front door. It might as well have been a portal into another land. The structure was one of a dozen old buildings in the area that had been rezoned and converted into office space. On either side were apartment buildings. Each unit housed members of Naya’s pod. Her own apartment was just down the block in another building. An apartment she rarely frequented lately.