Aden (Vampires in America) Read online

  She sucked in a breath and started across the room. She took a roundabout path, moving from cluster to cluster of gala goers, both human and vampire, stopping for a few minutes and pretending to join in the conversation, then moving on. And all the while she kept an eye on her target, studying him.

  As she’d told Trav, there were a lot of big guys in the room. And not just big, but unusually good-looking. Professor Dresner had offered the theory that what she called the vampire symbiote—the thing that turned an ordinary human into a vampire—worked a lot of physiological changes on its host for its own survival. The most obvious changes were the new vampire’s need for blood and an aversion to sunlight. But there were additional, more subtle, changes that happened over time, things that made vampires better hunters, made them more attractive to their human prey. The professor had suggested that vamps eventually became better looking, because the longer they were a vampire, the more time the symbiote had to work on them.

  Sid didn’t know if that was true or not, but she did know that there were a hell of a lot of gorgeous men here. Far too many for it to be random.

  But even in a room filled with handsome men, Aden stood out. He was beautiful and wild, an untamed beast who’d donned a tuxedo for the night. It was a thin veneer of civility, and one that barely managed to contain his savagery as he scanned the gathering with a predator’s gaze, a single breath away from ripping out someone’s throat.

  She glanced away, then back, and caught him watching her. She shifted her gaze quickly, but not before she saw that he hadn’t bothered to do the same. He stared at her unabashedly, his eyes so dark that at first she’d thought they were black. But then the light caught them just right, and she realized they were the deepest dark blue, with thick, black lashes that flirted with his sharp cheekbones on every lazy blink. His wavy hair was as black as his lashes, a little too long and curling above the stiff white collar of his formal shirt. He had a sexy mouth, full and soft-looking, but saved from pure sensuality by a touch of cruelty that tilted his lips into a small smile as he eyed her approach.

  Sid closed the final few steps between them and stopped, shocked, now that she was closer to him, at how big he really was. Not just tall, though he was well over six feet, but with broad shoulders and a deep chest that hinted at plenty of muscle mass underneath the designer tux.

  She drew a breath and plunged ahead. “Lord Aden,” she greeted him, going with a friendly but respectful approach.

  He raised a single eyebrow in response. She waited for him to do more, to say something, anything. To ask how she knew his name, if nothing else. But the eyebrow was the only reaction she got.

  Sid gave a careless shrug. “I do my homework like any other reporter,” she said, pretending he’d actually asked the question. “I asked my sources which vampire was the most likely to win this . . . whatever you call it,” she said, gesturing at the gathering of vampires. “And your name was the only one that came up.”

  He regarded her a moment longer before his gaze dropped in a typical male response and did a quick toe to chest scan, starting with her Louboutin peep-toe pumps—far too cold for a Chicago winter—raking up silk-clad legs, taking in her short, form-fitting silk sheath, with its bare shoulders and arms, and ending with a sneering glance at the mandarin neckline, which was so high that it nearly met her chin.

  “What can I do for you, Ms. Reid?” he asked, his voice a deep growl of sound that had her heart kicking into high gear even before she’d processed what he’d said.

  Her eyes flashed to his face. “How do you know—”

  He laughed, and it wasn’t a happy sound. “You played Travis for three weeks to get into this party. I created him three decades before you were born. Do you really think he’d bring a human around without my permission? I do my homework, too, sweetheart.”

  “I didn’t know he was—”

  “That much is obvious. So, why are you here? Not for the party, I’m guessing,” he added, eyeing her unsubtle choice of neckwear.

  “No,” she said quickly. “I don’t—” She was going to tell him she didn’t play in vampire circles, that she was no one’s food, but something in his eyes made her stop. She froze beneath that gaze, abruptly aware of every breath moving in and out of her lungs, of her heart pounding within her chest until she was sure he could see it thumping beneath the second skin of her tight dress. She bit her lip nervously, and Aden’s hooded gaze grew heavier. God, he was beautiful. She wondered just for a moment what it would be like to bed someone like him. A powerful vampire. Sexy, savage, uncontrollable. An image flashed across her brain of a naked Aden lying beneath her, muscles flexing, strong hands locked on her hips, slamming deep between her thighs with every upward thrust as she thrashed helplessly above him.

  And she realized her body was already responding to the vision. Heat was pooling between her thighs, right where she’d imagined him pounding into her, and she was afraid to look down for fear she’d find her nipples visibly swollen and demanding attention.

  She shot a nervous glance at Aden and saw one corner of his sensuous mouth curve slowly upward, as if he knew what she was thinking, knew what her body was feeling. She pushed such thoughts forcibly out of her head. She had no intention of falling under any vampire’s spell, much less one as dangerous as Aden.

  “You were saying?” he prodded her smugly.

  Sid wished viciously for a nice sharp stake.

  “If you’re the next vampire lord,” she said intentionally, “then I’d like to meet with you. There are things going on in this city, crimes against humanity that you may not be aware of.”

  He frowned. “Such as?”

  “This is not the place, Lord Aden. But know this: they enslaved and killed a friend of mine, and I intend to expose every—”

  His gaze hardened, every bit of seduction vanishing in an instant. “You will come to my office tomorrow night.” He reached into an inner pocket and produced a thick white business card, flipping it through his fingers as he held it out to her.

  Sid didn’t take well to orders, especially not from rude, but sexy, vampires. Her gut reaction was to tell him to shove it, but that would have been stupid. And stupidity was not one of her many faults. This was what she’d wanted—a private meeting with the next Midwestern Vampire Lord—and he was offering it to her. Okay, so he’d pretty much ordered her to show up, but she wasn’t going to argue semantics when the inside track she needed was being offered up on a platter. Or, in this case, a business card.

  She took the card. It held an address and phone number, nothing else.

  “There’s no name on this. How do I know whose office it is?”

  He gave her the raised eyebrow again. “Because I just handed you the card,” he said slowly, as if speaking to a nitwit. “Be there two hours after sunset tomorrow evening.”

  “What if I don’t know when sunset is?” she asked, just to be obnoxious. She knew exactly when sunset was. She’d been checking it daily for the last several months, ever since she’d decided to try and get inside vampire society.

  “Then check your father’s newspaper,” he said impatiently, proving that he knew far more about her than she did about him.

  She was trying to think of an appropriate comeback when he abruptly shifted his gaze over her head and gave someone a curt nod. Sid spun, but whoever he’d been signaling was too far away for her to identify. She started to turn back and nearly crashed into Aden. He reached out to steady her, curving the fingers of one big hand over her hip.

  Taking advantage, he leaned in and put his lips right next to her ear. “Do wear something more suitable tomorrow night, Ms. Reid. I’m rather fond of redheads.”

  Sid gasped at his temerity, but he was already gone, walking easily through the crowded room, a path clearing before him like magic. She watched him go, his height and size making him easy to follow until he joined a small group of men and women who stood apart from the rest. She stared until Travis sidled up next to he
r once again.

  “Was I right?” he asked.

  “Right about what?” she asked absently.

  “About Aden. He’s going to be the one, don’t you think?”

  She opened her mouth to tell him she had no idea, no basis to judge something like that. But then she frowned. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But I think you might be right.”

  Travis grinned proudly. “You see those guys over there?” he asked, nodding toward the small group which now included Aden. “The one in the back, looks like a rich Wall Street exec? That’s Raphael, probably the most powerful vampire on the planet. The two closest to him are Lucas and Duncan, but all of them up there are vampire lords, Sidonie. The real deal.”

  “And the women?” she asked, noting in particular the tall, black-haired one who looked like a model in a long-sleeved Stella McCartney that covered everything, but still managed to look provocative as hell. She was greeting Aden with a big smile, and Sid experienced an unwelcome jolt of pure envy. She scowled at her own reaction. What did she care if Aden hustled some other woman? Hadn’t she just persuaded herself that she wasn’t interested in him or any other vampire?

  “The short and curvy dark-haired one is actually Sophia. She’s Lord of the Canadian Territories and the only female on the Council. The rest of the women are human. The one talking to Aden right now is Cynthia Leighton, Raphael’s mate. Don’t know the others’ names, but they’re all mated to the lords. So don’t worry, they’re way off limits to Aden.”

  Sid shot him a surprised look. “I don’t care about that,” she said, turning back to watch as Aden spoke to the Leighton woman. “This is simply business for me.”

  “Uh huh. Well, how about you and I do a little business of our own then?”

  She glanced over and did a double take when she saw his fangs on full display.

  “That’s not my thing, Trav. I told you.”

  “Hey, don’t knock it until—”

  “Look, I appreciate you bringing me here and all, but it’s not going to happen.”

  “Okay,” he said agreeably. So agreeably that she suspected he’d been acting under Aden’s orders all along, that he’d never really expected her to put out. The thought made her frown.

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying,” Trav was saying. “But I’m going to mingle now. Plenty of willing flesh here tonight. See you around, babe.”

  She gave him a little wave, glad he was making it easy, even as she suspected she’d been manipulated. She took a final look across the ballroom, but Aden and the others were gone. She sighed and glanced down at the business card in her hand. She’d have to be careful with this one. Aden wasn’t Travis, and she had a feeling he wouldn’t be making anything easy for her.

  ADEN GAVE Raphael a respectful bow, then turned and deliberately disappeared into the crowd. There’d been nothing untoward about his interaction with Raphael tonight, nothing to indicate that he or any of the lords favored Aden over the other candidates. But then, nothing was ever what it seemed with vampires, and he knew the rumor mill would already be rife with rumors about secret meetings with powerful vampire lords. He knew, because he’d been the one to make sure the rumors got started. Aden had no doubt he could defeat his opponents handily on his own, but it never hurt to pad the odds in his favor by making his enemies worry about powerful friends.

  He faded back into the shadows to better watch the crowd. He was aware of his effect on people, even vampires. His size and attitude were intimidating even without the aura of power that his vampire nature granted him. It was something he often used to great effect, but there were times when he needed to disappear. And his vampire nature had gifted him with that, too: the power to wrap himself in darkness and hide in the shadows.

  He caught the flash of copper-colored hair and watched with hooded eyes as Sidonie Reid wove her way through the crowded room. Her dress was tighter than she was probably used to. It made her stride unconsciously seductive, emphasizing the glide of silken thighs, the sway of her hips above nicely toned legs. More than one head turned to follow her progress, vampire nostrils flaring as she passed, scenting the bouquet of her blood beneath that delicate skin. She had a striking beauty, not classic, but unique, with crystal blue eyes and a curly mass of red hair that tumbled artfully down her back. She’d been raised with money and privilege, and it showed in the arrogant assumption that she was safe in this room full of predators.

  The truth was that her blood would have been tasted long ago if he hadn’t ordered otherwise. She was lucky that it had been Travis she’d approached seeking information in that blood bar. Trav could fake stupidity with the best of them, but there was a calculating mind behind that scruffy blond exterior. As soon as Trav had discovered who she was, he’d called Aden, and Sidonie Reid’s fate had been set.

  She made her way toward the exit, oblivious to the effect of her passage. Covetous eyes followed her, but turned away when Aden emerged from the shadows to lay claim. Sidonie had come here tonight to seduce him, thinking that would give her power. But she had a lot to learn. He smiled privately, anticipating his meeting with her the next night.

  He did love redheads. Their pale skin marked so very prettily under the lash.

  Chapter Two

  ADEN STRODE swiftly through the halls of the hotel. His business tonight was finished. From here on out, the competition would be mostly guerilla-style ambush and attack, although some might go old-school and issue formal challenges. There was only one real rule, and that was no human audiences or casualties. As long as no bodies were left for the humans to find, there was little chance of accidental discovery, and in the event humans chanced upon a challenge battle, the participants were responsible for wiping the humans’ memories. Anyone who failed in that responsibility would face the combined wrath of the Council, which was a far worse fate than any challenger could pose.

  Aden’s lieutenant, Sebastien, emerged from one of the side hallways, matching his pace as they headed for the exit. Bastien was nearly as tall as Aden and just as dark. He was a warrior in his blood and bone, a former officer in the French Foreign Legion who still wore the Legion’s grenade and colors in a tattoo on his left forearm.

  Aden had four vampires who called him Sire, but Bastien had been his first, turned before Aden ever left Europe. Aden’s Mistress, the female who’d made him Vampire, had released him from her service decades earlier, but when he’d arrived in America and met Lucas, he’d known that this was a master he could willingly serve. So, Aden had sworn to Lucas, and Lucas had not only permitted Bastien to remain bound to Aden, he’d taken it a step further and encouraged Aden to make more children of his own. It was a gift that Aden would never forget, one that had demonstrated Lucas’s confidence in Aden—that he was loyal and no threat to his master. But it had also been solid proof of Lucas’s belief that Aden was meant for greater things. Because in order to achieve the lofty position of vampire lord, one needed children of one’s own to rely on for both loyalty and raw power. If it came down to a duel between powerful vampires, the strength of one’s children could sometimes make all the difference in the world.

  “Any news?” Aden asked Sebastien.

  “The usual rumblings, Sire. Lots of gossip floating around about Magda and how she died, even though no one seems to have considered her a serious contender. My favorite rumor is that Lucas took her out to advance your cause.”

  “As if she was in my way.”

  “Exactly. I estimate half of those spreading that particular fantasy will be gone by morning.”

  “By choice?”

  “Some. But others will suffer a more permanent departure. The weaker challengers are trying to boost their confidence by killing each other off.”

  “Fascinating. Anyone I need to worry about?”

  “Not at that level. One moment, Sire.” Bastien strode ahead of him and pushed open the heavy door leading to the loading docks, where their limo should be waiting.

  Some of the oth
er contenders went for glitz, arriving and departing under the porte-cochère of the hotel like some sort of rock star. Word had gotten out—or more likely some fool had intentionally pushed it out—that there was a big vampire gathering at the hotel, and there were actual paparazzi waiting out front. Aden shook his head. The last thing he wanted was his picture splashed across a gossip magazine.

  “We’re ready, Sire,” Bastien said and held the door open.

  Aden proceeded through to the loading dock without pause, welcoming the blast of cold air after the stuffy heat of the hotel corridors. The dock was empty this time of night, or rather morning. It was nearly 3:00 A.M., midday for vampires, but dead of the night for most humans. In a couple of hours the dock would be bustling, but for now it was quiet and, more importantly, private.

  One of Aden’s other children, Freddy, was driving the limo tonight. He’d just stepped out of the vehicle and opened the rear passenger door when two SUVs came roaring around the corner.

  “Sire?” Bastien said, his voice urgent, but controlled as the SUVs moved to box them in.

  “We fight,” Aden said calmly, already probing the arriving vampires, weighing their strength against his . . . and finding them sorely lacking. “There’s no one who can hurt us.”

  Bastien flashed him a vicious grin, in part because he’d detected the disappointment in his Sire’s voice at what was bound to be an easy victory. But the other part of Bastien’s grin was because he was a bloody-minded warrior who loved a good fight. Or any fight, really.

  Freddy reached into the limo and tossed Bastien a Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun with one hand, even as he came up shooting with the other, his MP5 spitting death and destruction before the attacking vampires had managed to do more than raise their weapons. He rolled over the hood of the limo to reach Aden’s side, taking up a position in front of his Sire as he urged him into the protection of the limo’s armored body.