Chandler

Chandler: Book 4 The Witch and the Vampire Series

By

Fawn Lowery

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Chandler: Book 4 The Witch and the Vampire Copyrightã2008 Fawn Lowery ISBN:978-1-55487-071-4 Cover art byMartineJardin

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Dedication

ToTina, my friend and mentor. Thank you for having confidence in me!

Chandler

Chandler Sutherland leapt from the roof of the building, and glided silently to the ground. Shapeshifting into his vampire self, he stood in the shadow of the dark alley and waited. Two young men were approaching. He could hear their voices. Arriving only an hour earlier from centuries past, his first task in his new era was to learn the language and style of dress of those he would be mingling with. He slid one hand down the front of his rough tunic,

feeling the texture in comparison to the leather jackets he saw the two men wearing.Chandlerobserved their denim jeans and the leather boots on their feet. Adjustments would be necessary, and the sooner the better if he hoped to establish himself in the city and not draw undue attention from those he encountered. A vampire can never be too careful. Hunger gnawed at his senses as the bloodlust that dictated his very existence stirred. He combed one hand through his hair, pushing the long blond mass over his shoulder.Chandlerwouldn’t have to change his hairstyle. One of the young men he observed wore long hair clasped at his nape. He slipped quietly from the cover of night and followed the pair along the sidewalk. Their conversation centered on a woman dancer in a local nightclub.Chandlersmiled and shook his head. “She has tits this big!” One man held his hands out in front of his body. “They are probably fake.” “I don’t think so. They jiggle a lot and fake boobs don’t shake like jelly.” They laughed. Chandlerdrew nearer, pushed between the pair and clasped each on the shoulder. “Obey me.” They were immediately under his power, turning their steps into the next dark alleyway and standing before him as though they had no will of their own. Chandlercurled his hand around one of the men’s throats, tipping his head so he could find his vein. His fangs bared, he sank them deep into the young man’s neck, starved for the hot blood that suddenly gushed into his mouth. He fed. When he had drunk a good portion from one of the men, he released him and took hold of the other one. Swift and silent, he pierced his vein and drank his fill before releasing him to lie alongside his friend.Chandlerswiped one forearm across his mouth, wiping away the traces of blood that clung to his lips. The curse of being a vampire continued to annoy him. Every time he was forced to take blood from a mortal, he hated the vile act more than the last time. But there was little he could do to change things. A master vampire, a horrid creature as old as time, had tricked him and taken his mortality. Once he had been a carefree man of twenty-four years and, on the morn, had been changed into a blood-sucking leech, forced to attack mortals to further his existence. Then he had met Drucella, a witch whose coven tormented Morganford, the medieval village of his birth. He foolishly fell for her lies and, once they were in bed, his lust aroused, she cast a spell of enormous proportions over him.Chandlerwas cursed to sleep for ten thousand years, locked away in a grotesque statue secreted away in a hidden room of her castle. With a sigh, he cringed as the memory flooded his mind. Had it not been for his older brother,Marcus, andMarcus’s soul mate Ronna, a witch from the present time, he would still be under the curse, his life in limbo for all eternity. The beautiful witch, a descendant of the coven, had released him from the spell, shattered the statue that imprisoned him and set him free. He could still remember the moment he saw her face and pressed his hard cock between her legs. Chandlercombed one hand through his hair and grimaced in an attempt to dash those thoughts from his mind. The sweet witch belonged to his brother and he was never to lay a hand on her. He stifled a shiver.

She was most delectable. Indeed. His cock had hardened immediately and his lust rose to fever pitch. Chandlerturned from the bodies of the young men in the alley. They were rousing, trying to get to their feet. He tried to remember what they had said about the dancer in the nightspot they frequented. Perhaps he would find the place and have a look at the woman. Now that his blood thirst had been sated, his curiosity was aroused. And his male lust was rising. With a turn, he strode through the mouth of the alley, turning his steps in the direction the pair had been walking when he overpowered them. There were businesses on either side of the wide avenue with bright lights of various colors, some flashing in assorted patterns. Music and the underlying tones of deep male voices reached his ears. Curiosity increased as he tried to decide which doorway to enter. He heard laughter and glanced across the street. Two women were coming directly toward him, their arms entwined, their heads pressed close together as they giggled in shrill voices. He paused and smiled at the pair as they passed in front of him and went into the nearest business. The scent of the females drifted to his nose and he drew the fragrance into his lungs, held it for a moment, savoring the newness of the aroma, then released a long breath.I think I’m going to like this era. He followed the women through the door, stepping to the side, as others appeared to be leaving the nightspot. The noise was intense. Loud drumbeats sent reverberating echoes throughout the long narrow space. He quickly took in the assortment of males and females, the long bar spanning one side of the room and the clusters of tables and chairs gathered about. As he took note of the interior and the patrons, his gaze was drawn to the stage at the back of the room. A long narrow platform spanned a backdrop of black curtains. Three separate platforms stemmed off the main one with silver metal poles at either end. Puzzled, he had but a moment to wonder before his curiosity was appeased. The tune of the band changed abruptly and from an opening in the curtains, three women appeared. They were scantily dressed, their tits and crotches barely covered. They pranced down the narrow platforms to the metal poles. Chandlerstood transfixed as the women began to dance, swinging their bodies around the pole to the thumping beat of the music. He watched the woman nearest him, a tall blonde with waist length hair and tits so big he quickly recalled the conversation of the two men he had fed from then chuckled as he eyed the woman’s chest.Huge tits! He chided himself. He had always been a tit man, the bigger, the more he enjoyed fondling and sucking on them. His cock began to rise forcing him to shift his stance in an effort to hide the bulge quickly forming in his pants. He had gone without sex too long. He needed to find a woman and enjoy himself for a time, let his lust run rampant, quench his manly desires for the female body.Chandlerturned his eyes to the other two dancers on the stage, but found his gaze mysteriously drawn back to the blonde with the enormous tits. He wanted her.I love women. Even the curse of vampirism hadn’t eliminated his love for the opposite sex. He pinned his gaze on the woman as she gyrated and swayed, her hand on the pole, her body bending temptingly toward the audience, a teasing leer on her face.She has a face? He laughed out loud. “Buy me a drink?”

He jerked his head around at the voice so near his ear. For all his keen senses of perception, the woman had slipped up on him unaware. She stepped back suddenly, her eyes growing wide. “Wow! Where did you come from?” Chandlersmiled at her, thinking that perhaps he might sate his lust with her. “Have you been to a Halloween party or something? Where did you get those clothes?” Realization suddenly shot through him. He still wore his rough cotton tunic and britches of his time. Quickly, he laid one hand on the woman’s arm and pulled her closer. “You will obey me.” “Yes, master.” Her eyes glazed suddenly andChandlerescorted her through the doorway of the club. Once on the street, he took her elbow and steered her toward the alleyway. His cock grew so hard he could barely walk by the time he pushed her into the darkness. He quickly stripped away the little short skirt she wore and released his cock from his britches. As he shoved his cock inside her, he reminded himself that he needed to find a change of clothing before he attempted to enter society. The woman made no motion to move her body as he thrust into her core.Chandlersavored the warmth of her body as his cold shaft pierced her silken tissues. He pushed her against the side of the building and drove into her with a savagery born of need. In a matter of seconds, he was on the brink of climax. He lunged in further, thrusting so fiercely that he lifted the woman’s body off the ground and held her against the unyielding brick wall. The sensations began in his belly, knotted his balls and made him cry out as they crashed through his body.Chandlershuddered, the onslaught of electrifying vibrations so intense. He closed his eyes, savoring the orgasm. It had been too long. He was too much in need. He had sought to sate his lust and lost sight of the innumerable pleasures making love to a woman’s body held for him.Chandlermilked his cock and promised himself that the next time he would take it easy, fondle tits and sink his fingers into hot cunt before he splayed her open and drove his cock home. Chandlerwithdrew his cock when the sensations began to wane. His chest heaved with the exertion. He had a lot of catching up to do. He grasped the woman he had just fucked around the waist and lowered her feet to the ground. Her head lolled forward as though he had taken her blood. He stared at her through the inky darkness, sensing her display of pretense. “I didn’t hurt you.” Pressing her upper body against the wall and stepping back, he pulled his hands away. “Most men pay me for what you just took.” Her voice sounded monotone, as though she were sleepy. He knew she was still under his command, even though she spoke as though she knew her mind. “In my time, the wenches were glad to provide their masters with free cunt.” He turned and strode further into the alley, concealing himself completely in the darkness. Once he was out of sight of the woman, he shapeshifted into a bat and took to the air. Now that he had had his first fuck in the new era, he needed a place to sleep once the daylight arrived.And new clothing.

Chapter Two

Stepping from the clothing store,Chandleradjusted the cuff of his shirt and squared his broad shoulders. He had chosen jeans and a denim shirt off one of the racks in the store, then managed to locate the shoe department and found a pair of leather boots that fit. A black leather jacket completed his new outfit. Smoothing one hand across his hair, he touched the elastic band he had found to secure the mass at his nape. Turning his steps toward the nightclub where he had seen the woman dancing, he felt confident now that he wouldn’t stand out from the other patrons because of his foreign dress. He heard the music and stepped through the door just in time to see the woman coming down the runway. Her hips swayed provocatively. She smiled teasingly at the men in the audience.Chandlermade his way through the crowd, toward the stage. Men lined the narrow platform, calling out lewd things to the woman. “Take your top off, Jada!” “Show us your tits!” “Drop your drawers, honey!” “Show us your cunt!” Chandlerdismissed the drunkards for they were clearly reeling on their feet. He pushed his way to the stage and waited for the show to begin. The music started and the dancer began to swivel her hips. She grasped the metal pole and slid slowly down it until seated on the floor. She bent one knee teasingly and skimmed one hand along her bare thigh, squirming on the floor, her hips slowly rising upward and then lunging toward the audience. The male audience cheered and surged forward, some men tried to crawl up on the stage. A burly man in a white shirt and black slacks was suddenly in their midst, dragging the drunkards away. The woman raised herself up slowly, the pole at her back, her legs splayed. She began to twirl the tassels on her nipples. The crowd cheered. She smiled, raised one hand to her red lips and poked a forefinger inside her mouth, sliding it slowly past her lips, then slowly extracting it. The crowd cheered

and clapped. Chandlerstood and watched the woman. He sensed her arousal from the crowds’ reaction to her performance. And he sensed her disgust at the leering eyes devouring her body. Puzzlement filtered through his insides. And arousal began to grow. He wafted his gaze along her body, taking into account her large breasts and the curve of her hips. Her legs were long and shapely. She wore tall red strap shoes that made her calves appear very sensuous. Chandlerreleased a shiver of lust as he raised his gaze upward along her side. Her waist nipped in, curving seductively just above a flat belly. His gaze rose upward to her tits. They were magnificent. He slid his hands into his pockets, his fingers knotting with want to fondle her fleshy mounds. The music ended suddenly with the woman turning abruptly and waving at her admires.Chandlerstared at her as she disappeared through the slit in the black curtain. Desire for her flooded his body. He pushed his way along the stage to the end of the runway where she disappeared. Suddenly a bulky male body appeared in front of him.Chandlerpulled up short, his eyes locking with the guard’s eyes. “Where in hell do you think you’re going?” Chandlersmelled the liquor on his breath. He stretched a wide smile across his mouth and shrugged his shoulders. “I thought I’d meet the lady.” “Well think again.” The guard grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him around, then pushed him from behind, sending him lurching forward. Chandlerchuckled and whirled around. His anger surged to the fore, but he cautioned himself about being too abrupt with the man. After all, his vampire powers were no match for a mortal. One blow leveled in anger could render the man dead. “Get out of here.” “You will obey my command.”Chandlerwaved one hand. The burly man paused, blinked his eyes as though trying to clear his vision, then dropped his arms to his sides and stared atChandler. With the man under his power,Chandlerstepped around the zombie-like body and entered a long hallway leading to the back of the building. He spied a series of closed doors and called up on his keen powers of perception to determine which one the woman was concealed behind. Chandlerpressed a hand to one of the doors, releasing its lock. The hinge squeaked as he pushed it into the room. A faint yellow glow lit the interior. He glanced around, seeing no one then stepped inside and closed the door behind him. His sense of perception told him that the woman was in the area. He heard water running suddenly and spied a small door leading off the main room. He decided to wait, dashing the notion that he might join her as she perhaps bathed her body. He smoothed one hand along his chin, contemplating the notion. His cock was hard. And his new jeans had grown tighter in the crotch area. Glancing down, he was decidedly proud of his large endowment. In his time, he had satisfied many wenches, made them yelp and claw his back when he brought them to climax. He sighed. The memories were fond. But alas, no more.

The sound of water running ceased all at once.Chandlerwondered whether he should let the woman see him when she emerged from the other room, or whether he should take cover in the upper corner of the room and observe her for a spell. He considered how he might introduce himself should he decide to spy on her for a time. “Who are you?” Her voice quivered with fright.Chandlerjerked his head round as she suddenly appeared before him, a white robe encasing her body, one fist clutching it at her throat. He bowed from the waist, sweeping one hand in front of him as though he were meeting royalty. “ChandlerSutherland.” “Well, get the hell out!” He smiled at her. She bolted toward the door, butChandlerwas there before her, blocking the way. She pulled up short, glanced around the small room, then made a dash for the dressing table. He caught her hands before she could pull open the center drawer on the cabinet. She yanked her hands free and clutched the front of her robe as it fell open. She backed across the room from him, her eyes filled with fright. “What do you want?” “You.” The woman swallowed and stared at him. The fist at her throat gripped the robe with white-knuckled urgency. She darted her gaze toward the door, seeking escape. Chandlerrealized he was scaring her and that wasn’t his intention. He ran one hand over his hair and onto the pigtail at his nape. The present time was so different than his time. He was finding it both amusing and puzzling. Before Drucella cast him into a spell of darkness, he had only to look upon a wench with a bit of lust in his eyes and she was his for the taking. There was no scurrying about, trying to avoid his hands, or frightened eyes glaring at him. He held both hands out. “I mean you no harm.” “You’re here to rape me—and you mean me no harm?” She sneered. He waved one hand at her, silently commanding her will to be his. She stared at him, the sneer leaving her face. Pale blue eyes, almost gray with tiny flecks of umber boasted lashes that were long and thick, brown like her arched brows. Tempting lips were now void of the red stain he had seen on them earlier while she performed for the audience in the club. Skin like fine alabaster was rivaled only by the sculptures of the old masters. Pale blonde hair, almost white, was gathered in a tight knot on top of her head. Wispy tendrils that had escaped the clasp and gotten wet while she bathed curled slightly and framed her face. His gaze traveled down her robe-clad body. Her feet were bare, her toenails painted a vivid red. He stared at her ankles, desiring to caress them with his mouth. “I find you very desirable.” His voice was a husky rumble. He stepped closer. She pressed her back against the wall.

He smiled and reached one hand toward her, watching her reaction as he touched her hair. A silken tendril lay against her cheek. He lifted it, gazed at it as it lay across his open hand, then felt its texture as it slid through his fingers. He could smell her womanly fragrance, a female musk that teased his nose with a flowery perfume. He drew the scent into his lungs and lowered his fingers to the front of her robe. She cringed and tried to draw away, pressing her back tightly against the wall. “I adore beautiful women.” He hoped she found his words reassuring. She appeared under his command, yet he sensed rebellion, strong and gaining momentum as he continued to toy with her. He gazed at her eyes, seeking to read the expression contained within the pale depths.The lady hides her feelings very well. Chandlertook note of her ability, remembering the note of disgust he had sensed from her as she performed for the predominately-male audience. Her face had been a perfect mask, concealing her true feelings from the crowd as she twisted and gyrated her body. Puzzlement flooded his mind suddenly. He paused, his fingers on the front of her robe. “Why do you dance in front of men when you find them so despicable?” Her eyes widened slightly, letting him know he had touched a nerve with his question. He brushed the front of her robe in prelude to forcing her to release the tight grip she held on the fabric clutched at her throat. His cock strained against the front of his jeans and his balls ached. Chandlerlowered his gaze to the place where his fingers grasped her robe, momentarily losing sight of the reason he came into her dressing room. He wanted to take her and claim her for his own. She was the perfect female, beautiful body and gorgeous face. Returning his thoughts to fucking, to ramming his hard cock between her long legs, he gripped the fabric of her robe and tugged the front open. His eyes widened as he laid sight on her large breasts tipped with rosy pink nipples. He sucked in a quick breath as his thoughts raced about touching them. The woman moved suddenly, catching him unaware. She lunged at his chest with open palms, causing him to step back abruptly. She whirled around and headed for the door of the room. He leapt toward the door, placing himself between her and the escape route. She gritted her teeth and brought one knee up, jabbing his crotch. Chandlerreleased a huff of air, surprised at the strength of her attack in his most private place. The woman took advantage of his moment of surprise and grasped his left wrist, spinning his body around. She pushed him against the solid wood door. “You’re under arrest!”

Chapter Three

Chandlerallowed the woman to press against his back, briefly enjoying the feel of her shoulder and the hot length of her body as she pinned him against the door. He felt a bracelet go about his wrists, then realized his hands were immovable behind his back. “My sweet, you desire to play?” He chuckled and spun around, pulling his hands apart. The metal handcuffs broke and flew across the room. Jada gulped in a quick breath and backed up, raising her hands to clutch her robe. “Who the hell are you?” “I’ve already introduced myself.” He leaned one shoulder against the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “Who the hell are you?” The woman licked her lips and lowered her gaze, running it over his body. “I’ve never seen anyone who could break metal handcuffs? How did you do that?” Chandlershrugged one broad shoulder and smiled at her. “You didn’t answer my question. Who are you?” She swallowed nervously. Chandlersensed her sudden renewal of fright. “I didn’t come here to hurt you.” She locked gazes with him. He drew in a long breath and took a step toward her. The woman whirled around and jerked the drawer of the dressing table open. Chandlercaught her hand as she twined her fingers around the butt of a small revolver. He took it from her, smiled down at her and twisted the barrel off, then he pinned her body between the table and his chest. “Who are you? Why do you have a gun?” “I…I’m a cop. I have the gun…for protection…from thugs like you.” She raised her chin defiantly and stared at him. He smiled slowly. Her eyes had darkened with her show of bravery. They were murky blue, like the ocean at night. For a moment he felt mesmerized, then he reminded himself she had sought to shoot him. “Cop?” Her brows furrowed. “Policewoman.”

Chandlersupposed she was some sort of law professional, much like the magistrate in his time, or a powerful lord who owned much land and had many servants. He nodded his head, trying not to appear ignorant. “My name isJadaHarris.” She swallowed nervously. “Now get out.” Chandlerchuckled. “Not until I’ve fucked you.” He raised one hand to her robe and she suddenly kicked his shin, making him grimace. She struggled against his chest, trying to get loose. “I’ll scream!” “And then what?” “Then…thenMikewill break down the door and come to my defense.” “Mikewouldn’t be that strapping guy standing guard at the hallway, would he?” She cocked a brow at him. “What did you do toMike?” Chandlershook his head.She’ll think I’m lying if I tell her I put him under my command. He thought for a moment.But then she isn't believing anything I say anyway. “I gaveMikethe rest of the night off.” “You’re lying. Who are you? Are you someone from out of town? Did the Captain send you down here to check on me? Are you some undercover nark?” What? “Well you can just go back to the Captain and tell himMikeand I have everything under control and we don’t need any out-of-town cop messing everything up.” She suddenly clamped her lips shut as though she had said too much. She stared at him, daring him to deny her accusation. Should I tell her I have no idea what she’s talking about? Or play along? She might be nicer to me if she thinks I’m a cop like she is.He grabbed her by the neck suddenly, his fingers curling around the back of her head and pulled her close, her face mere inches from his. He gazed down at her. Surprise lit her features, fear riveted her gaze on his face. Her lower lip trembled as though she was on the verge of crying. Chandlerassessed her skin, the silken texture of her cheeks, the rosy glow of her lips. He raised his other hand and lightly caressed the angle of her jaw.I could drink your blood and enjoy it so much.Stifling the urge, he drew in a long breath. “You are beautiful.” His voice was a low rumbling whisper. She raised one hand and grasped his then pulled her lower lip between her teeth and bit it. Her large breasts heaved and pressed against his chest. Chandlerlowered his head and brushed his lips across her mouth, making her draw in a quick breath of surprise. He raised his head, gazed down at her for a moment, then lowered his head again, pressing his lips atop hers for a second kiss. She didn’t respond, aside from showing fear of him in her eyes. The hand she clasped atop his tightened as though she might be thinking about fighting him again. “Stop kissing me.”

Chandlersmiled. “You are in no position to dictate to me.” He lowered his head and kissed her again. She tried to twist her head to one side. “Rapists don’t usually kiss their victims before they assault them.” “I’m not a rapist,” he whispered the words against her lips. Returning his lips to hers, he forced his tongue inside her mouth. She struggled against his tight grasp, wrenching her body from side to side in an effort to get loose. Her squirming only served to excite him, arousing his lust to a higher degree. He circled her waist with one arm and pulled her body against his length. His cock pressed against her belly as he slid his hand down to clasp her buttock. The urge to take her grew in his mind. It would be so easy to strip away her robe and ravish her body. Chandlerfought the desire. In the back of his mind, he reminded himself how he had watched her dance on stage and the intense desires her actions had kindled inside him. He had hoped to fuel her lust when he came to her, hoping she would be of a like mind about making love. His brows drew together. He was guilty of confusing his era with the one he had been transported to.Things are different in this time. Chandlersilently chided himself. He had been over that part of his new existence already and concluded he would have to learn the customs of the people and the vicinity. Reluctantly, he pulled back, releasing the tight hold he had around her waist. At once she appeared suspicious and made a hasty grab for her robe. She clutched the wad of fabric gathered at her throat and stared at him as though awaiting his next move. He sensed her puzzlement and smiled slowly, trying to lend reassurance to his erratic movements. “I hadn’t planned it this way.” She pulled in a shaky breath. “You can leave now and I’ll never say a word.” His brows drew together. Although he had taken command of her will, she appeared to still show resistance. He silently commanded her to obey him again, staring down into her face. She held his gaze for only a moment, then turned her eyes away. What did I see in her eyes? Did I arouse her lust?He reached one fingertip to place beneath her chin. Gently, he tipped her head so that he could look down into her features. She lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. Her cheeks flushed as her breathing quickened.Chandlersmiled slowly, satisfied with his ability to arouse the woman. “You are aroused. I sense it. I see it on your face. You are afraid to meet my gaze for fear I will discover your secret.” He chuckled softly. She raised one hand and slapped at his fingers, wrenching her chin free of his grasp. “Get out before I scream my head off!” “No one will hear.” A surprised look encompassed her face. The noise of the club was all too prevalent seeping through the walls of the small room.

The woman released a long sigh. “Look, maybe we can work out some sort of a deal.” She raised her eyes and stared at him. “If you leave now, perhaps we could meet somewhere…maybe grab a cup of coffee.” Chandlerfound her statement keenly amusing. He laughed out loud. “I don’t want anything to drink,Jada Harris. I want to sink between your long legs and make passionate love to you.” He watched as a surprised expression lit her eyes. “I’m a very good lover.” She swallowed nervously. Her gaze wafted along his body. “I bet you are.” Chandlercocked one brow at her comment. “I won’t disappoint you.” He raised his hand and trailed his forefinger down her cheek. “I promise you many orgasms.” She surprised him suddenly, stepping out of his grasp so quickly he wondered if he had become too mesmerized by her beauty. He whirled around and grabbed her by the shoulders, drawing her against his chest. “You are quite the vixen.” She smiled, though the action didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve never been called a vixen.” She frowned. “And I abhor your attempt at conversation. I have no intention of having sex with you willingly, or otherwise.” She raised her hands and propped them on her hips. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m going to charge you with assault and breaking and entering. You could spend a long time in jail. Is that what you want?” Chandlerpulled her tighter against his chest. Her rebellion to his command intrigued him. “Your words only serve to arouse my lust to a fever pitch.” He smiled. “Should I tell you that you don’t frighten me? Or have you figured that out already?” A slight smile pulled at her lips. He felt her increasing arousal. Her robe had parted slightly just above her breasts as he pulled her against his chest. His gaze traveled down the supple arch of her throat and onto the rise of her collarbone. He saw the rapid pulse in her neck. He could hear her heart beating rapidly against her ribs, the heightened rush of blood as it surged through her veins. The urge to sink his fangs into her throat gripped him.Perhaps I should turn her. She would be mine forever, without further argument.

Chapter Four

He dashed the idea. He had only just met her.Chandlerhadn’t fallen in love with her…yet. The thought jarred his insides.A vampire should never fall in love.He gazed down at her. She wasn’t willing to comply with his command. Indeed, she seemed almost immune to his powers of suggestion. But he felt her uncertainty at his actions and a bit of fear. Aside from her initial surprise at finding him in her room, she hadn’t completely given in to the rash of fright he usually instilled in a female. By this time he would have fucked any other wench and taken his leave, sated sexually and feeling overwhelmingly powerful. Chandlersaw little recourse but to bite her neck, take her blood and be done with her. A twinge of regret surged through his insides at the thought. He combed one hand through his hair suddenly, drawing her gaze. “I promise. I won’t say a word.” He realized she had interpreted his action as hesitation. It amused him.Chandlersmiled slowly down into her face. “Another woman lied to me once.” Vivid memories of Drucella surfaced to rip at his gut.I can hardly compare Drucella to an average woman. She was an evil witch and I was a naïve young man.He chuckled despite his thoughts.I’m still a naïve young man, robbed of further life as a mortal and the privilege of growing old.Remorse settled inside him. “I don’t tell lies.” Her brows drew together. She tipped her chin in the air. “I’m an honest woman, and cop!” “Honesty is a thing to be proven.” “I suppose you’re going to tell me you’re an honest cop, too.” Perhaps I should play along, pretend to be the authority figure she thinks I might be.He considered going with his gut feeling that she might be nicer to him, give in to his wishes to have sex.Chandlerhad sidestepped the truth in the past—being a vampire wasn’t the easiest thing he had ever been faced with. “I’m an honest man.” An arched brow lifted. “I think you’re a sly, secretive undercover cop.” His curiosity grew. “Why do you think I’m a cop?” She smiled slightly. “Because you came into my dressing room without being invited, you manhandled me, threatened to rape me—” “I made no such threat.” “You flaunt your authority.” He threw back his head and laughed loudly. “So I’m to believe that cops are authority figures?”

“Don’t mock me!” She hurled one hand at his cheek, clipping his chin with her knuckles. He bristled, his ire immediately surging to the fore as he caught her fist before she landed another blow. “Or perhaps you’re a rogue cop—one of those smart-ass cops who thinks he can take matters into his own hands.” “Believe what you will.”Chandlerfought the urge to bare his fangs and show her what he really was. He admitted then that he had grown tired of playing her little verbal game. It had only succeeded in delaying the reason he had come to her. He reached a hand to her robe and grasped the front lapel. With one quick jerk, he pulled it from her body and tossed it across the room. Jada stood naked before him, a look of shock on her face. She tried to cover her breasts with one hand and her crotch with the other. Amusement flooded his body disbursing with the anger she had aroused. His cock hardened with new arousal. He reached for her, dragging her into his embrace. “Enough talking!” She tried to fight him, scuffling with him as he tried to subdue her hands. “I’ll see you behind bars for this.” “Silence!” She drew in a quick breath as he grabbed both wrists in one hand and pushed her against the small dressing table, turning her face to the mirror above it. “I’m supposed to watch myself being raped?” Chandlerbent her over, pushing her face almost against the mirror as he pulled her hips against his abdomen. The feel of her skin beneath his palms sent his senses spinning. She was soft and smooth, smelling of a delicate fragrance. He skimmed one palm across her back, lowering it to one rounded hip. “Your skin rivals the finest silk.” Did I speak aloud?He realized he was more aroused than he had initially thought. Suddenly all the waiting he had done to have her accumulated into one big sensation of overwhelming desire.Chandler stifled the urge to speak openly about his want for her. Resuming his play, he trailed his hand across her waist and onto the rise of one breast. He closed his eyes for a second, reveling in the feel of her rounded flesh as he took the heavy tit in his palm.Chandlerstroked the bulbous mound with his fingertips, inching upward around her breast to find her nipple. He tweaked the nub, rolling it gently between his forefinger and thumb. It peaked, responding to his fondling. Chandlergazed along her back, visually caressing her flesh. She was a sight to behold. The tiny bones of her spine rippled softly beneath the satin cover of skin, trailing perfectly upward to her arching nape. Long silky hair spilled around her shoulders, concealing her face from his view. He bent his head and placed a tiny kiss on her back. Her warmth engulfed his cold body, fed his arousal, brought want surging to the fore like a mighty storm gathering in the sky. He groaned and brought his hand to her crotch. Her silken bush was dense. Delving his fingers into her moist tissues, he parted the hair-roughened lips of her pussy and poked two fingers inside her cave, finding her silken passage wet and inviting.

“You are aroused.” His voice was a soft whisper as he placed more kisses along her spine, working his way up to her nape. He nipped playfully at her earlobe with his teeth. Finding it harder and harder to hold off his taking her, he reached the snap on his jeans and released it, drawing down his zipper. His cock sprang through the opening, hard and long, its bulbous head moist. He pressed one knee between her legs, parting them. “Stop it!” Her words filtered into his brain, but he had gone too far to call a halt to his lust. He pulled her hips back and fitted his long cock against her slit, then lunged inside her body. She gasped. Chandlermoaned with the first warming sensations that assailed his body. He grasped her hips, pressing her against the table as he released her hands and began to move, thrusting inside her with quick jabs. The dressing table shook, the sounds of glass bottles clattering together reached his ears. A box of tissues fell to the floor. Chandlerheld her hips and drove into her body, pinning her tightly against the table, her head pressed against the mirror. He thought about the way her breasts had felt as he held them in his palm, the way her mouth curved when she smiled, the way she had looked on the stage as she opened her legs and teased the audience. His lust mounted and his climax grew near. He increased his thrusting, slamming roughly into her core. His fingers dug into the supple flesh of her hips as he held her tightly against his crotch.Chandlerrolled his head back on his shoulders and savored the onset of orgasm. Thrust, thrust, thrust! Her body was his for the commanding—her womanly core his to penetrate. Jada moved against him suddenly, arching her back and pressing her hips into his crotch.Chandlerjerked his head up and opened his eyes, wondering if he had imagined her response. He caught her gaze in the mirror, fleeting, as she wrenched her head to one side. A wave of indescribable lust surged through his insides.She can’t help but respond. Chandlergave himself over to the orgasm then, allowing the rash of sensations to fill his body. His balls knotted and his muscles tensed. His buttocks flexed and his heart hammered against his ribs. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the thrilling vibrations as they shook his big body. Chandlerslowed his thrusting as the climax began to wane and loosened his grasp on Jada’s hips, though he still held her against his crotch. He regretted having to let her loose since he had enjoyed her body so much. He sighed and pulled his cock out of her slit. Reaching one hand around her waist, he pulled her upward and turned her around. She gave her head a shake, tossing her hair off her face. He saw her face, the sheen of sweat that blanketed her features. And he saw the flush of her cheeks and the quick way she breathed. “You climaxed.” She pulled in a shaky breath. “Yes! You pig.”

Chapter Five

Chandlerwatched Jada pull on her robe and cinch the tie belt at the waist. Her cheeks were still rosy from their sex bout and her large breasts heaved yet. He replaced his cock inside his pants and zipped up, though he could have fucked some more. The mere sight of the woman aroused his lust. He released a long breath. He couldn’t ever remember meeting a woman that intrigued him as much asJadaHarrisdid. He could lay with her for eternity and never tire of her body. Chandlerstifled the urges rising inside him. He had no right to her. She was mortal and he was a vampire. I’m an undead thing. He gritted his teeth, trying to caution himself about thinking of his futile existence. A noise pulled his gaze to the dressing table in the room. Jada was replacing the items that had fallen to the floor or turned over in their sex play. He watched her bend and retrieve a box of tissues, her robe gaping open at her knees. Her legs were exquisite. A lusty shiver shook his body as his gaze traveled upward, encompassing a sleek thigh before she stood and adjusted her robe. She turned toward him, folding her arms across her chest. “I suppose you’ll go back and tellCaptain Martinthat you fucked his Detective.” He shook his head, a little surprised at her words. “That’s between you and I.” She released a long sigh. “Did he send you to check up on me?” “No.” He was reluctant to tell her the truth, afraid she would send him away and tell him never to return. If playing along with her notion that he was a cop got him into her bed, then so be it. He had nothing but time on his hands anyway. Jada crossed the room to a clothes rack. “I requested another undercover Detective to be assigned to the investigation.JohnCollins’s operation is bigger than we initially thought.Mikeand I have our hands full—what with surveillance and my having to pretend to be a dancer.” She shook her head and

grimaced. “Damn! I can’t tell you how hard it is to wear that tiny little costume and pretend to enjoy all those drunken bastards ogling my body.” He stared at her, sensing her disgust. “Wait for me outside. I’ll get dressed, then we’ll go grab a cup of coffee and I’ll fill you in on the investigation.” She smiled suddenly. “I’m glad you’re here. What did you say your name was?” “ChandlerSutherland.” He bowed slightly, then caught himself. He doubted that the men of this time would show any such courtesy—given Jada’s description of the men watching her dance. Seeing Jada’s anger had vanished altogether,Chandlernodded in agreement and stepped outside the door of her dressing room. The hallway was dark except for one single bulb at the far end. He strode toward it, hearing the noises coming from the bar and spyingMike, the burly guard he had placed under his command earlier leaning one shoulder against the doorframe leading to the hallway. Chandlerclasped the man on one shoulder as he passed, releasing him from the suggestive command. He looked quickly around the bar, taking in the waning crowd and the few men sitting at the long bar. The music had stopped and the band was packing up. A few stragglers occupied the tables in the back of the establishment. The stench of alcohol and cigarette smoke clung to the laden air in the room. Chandlerhad led Jada to believe he would be waiting for her when she dressed, but he had other things that needed his attention. He headed toward the main entrance of the building. He had to find a place to sleep once the night was gone. He was in a strange city and, despite his keen powers of observation, he didn’t know where he would find safety once the sun pierced the sky. He glanced over his shoulder at the hallway he had just left. What would Jada think when she realized he had gone? He shrugged his shoulders. The feeling of sexual satisfaction wafted through his insides. A slight smile touched his lips.Weren’t most men guilty of fucking and running? Perhaps the male sect was not too different ten thousand years ago than they were in the present time. And perhaps most women were the same regardless of the times. He shook his head. Perhaps he would return to see Jada again since he had certainly been entertained by her dancing. And sated by her body. He walked out into the dark night. The street was deserted. A streetlight down the block illuminated an intersection. Sounds of distance traffic filtered through the air. Uncommon smells came to his nose and he drew the fragrance in, deciphering the different aromas that mingled together. Long ago he had journeyed toEuropewith his older brother. The scents reminded him of the smells he had encountered there, the stench of wood fires and cooking odors as they passed by the houses lining the roadway. Chandlerpushed the thoughts away. Though pleasant, they served little else. He had been a vampire only a short time then, learning to hunt and command a victim’s will were new experiences for him. His brother had been a great help, aiding him as he tried to learn to control his blood lust. It had been hell, pure torture, in the sense that his body, though dead in every way known to man, had a craving for the blood of the living. He had gnashed his teeth in total misery as he strived to understand his new existence. Stepping into the shadow of a building, he shapeshifted into a bat, and took to the air. He had seen a tall steeple on the edge of the city and he set his path toward it. The sky was growing light on the horizon and, since he had spent too much time withJadaHarris, he had little choice but to seek the most mundane of resting places for the coming daylight hours.

****

“DetectiveSutherland.”JadaHarrisopened her front door and stared at him. “How did you know where I live?” Chandlerstepped past her into the living room of the house.Should I tell her that I saw her leave the nightclub last night and followed her? Or should I tell her that I hovered outside her bedroom window while she prepared for bed?“I’m just a smart Detective.” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her. She laughed and closed the door behind him. “Why didn’t you wait for me last night?” “I had other business to tend to.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Admit it. You were just there to take advantage of me, weren’t you?” He feigned surprise. “I recall you having an orgasm.” She blushed and strode across the room. “Would you like a drink?” Chandlerconsidered only a moment. He had no desire for any substance except blood. In his mortal state, he had been adventurous enough to try anything, sometimes with dire consequences. Old ways still clung to his memory. “Sure. Whatever you’re having.” He took a seat on a flowered couch and watched her walk into the adjoining room. She wore red short shorts and a skimpy white top. Curvy feminine hips swung invitingly. Her long hair was caught up in a single clip on the back of her head. Her feet were bare and the tank top she wore showed a good amount of cleavage.Chandlerfelt sexual arousal surge through his insides. “I want to catch you up to date on the investigation.” Jada returned to the room with two drinks and sat down beside him on the couch. “The bar owner has three bodyguards that are with him twenty-four-seven. It’s been hard to get close to him or sneak into his private office. About six months ago, he sold a very valuable painting. We traced the painting to a robbery. We think he is the mastermind of a band of art thieves.” She offered him a drink. Chandlertook the squat glass and eyed the amber liquid. It didn’t smell too terrible. Memories of indulging in strong wine of his era came to mind. He had liked the taste on his tongue then, before the vampire thirst came upon him. He watched Jada and copied her movements. When she swirled the ice in the drink, he did the same. Then came the moment when she raised the glass to her lips and took a sip. He didn’t hesitate, still somewhat the adventurer he had been in his mortal state. The liquor burned his throat as he thought perhaps it might. He stifled a cough and took another sip.I wonder if vampires are immune to the effects of liquor. Jada set her glass on the small table facing the couch. Chandlerquickly did the same, grateful he didn’t have to swallow any more of the foreign stuff. He turned his attention to her then, his gaze settling on her lips.

“The nightclub is a front. We need to catch Collins in the act of selling more stolen art. We also need to get hold of his records. We need names of his co-conspirators,Chandler.” He had little idea of what she was relating to him. But he was mesmerized by the way her lips moved when she spoke. Her teeth were snow white and even and her bottom lip was slightly fuller than her top. He suddenly had the urgent desire to kiss her. Chandlergroaned and hauled her against his chest, driving his mouth down hard atop hers. It wasn’t in his nature to postpone his urges. Nor to call a halt to his sexual desires before they managed to get beyond the point of turning back. He pulled Jada onto his lap and tangled one hand in her long hair. Her mouth tasted of liquor…and thirst-quenching honey. He pressed her breasts against his chest, savoring the warmth emanating from her body and lowered one hand to grasp her hips, pulling her against his crotch. His cock was nestled beneath her warm butt, growing harder by the second, spurred on by her willingness to kiss him back and the way her body melded to his hard contours. He slid one hand up her back, delving beneath her top and feeling her skin. His cool state heightened his senses to her warmth and he felt her growing arousal as his mouth fed on hers. When she tightened her arms around his neck, he released a low groan of urgency. His hand traversed across her back, feeling the tiny bones of her spine, and inched around to caress the swell of her breast. Chandlerwas too aroused to continue the foreplay for much longer. Her hot butt nestled atop his hard cock was driving him wild. He brought one hand around and slid it between her legs, parting her knees and opening her crotch for him. Jada groaned and straddled his lap, placing a knee on either side of his hips.Chandlergrabbed her buttocks with both hands and pushed her crotch atop his cock, holding her against his body as he deepened the force of his kiss. Jada slid her hands into the ponytail clasped at his nape and released the tie. Tangling her fingers in the long tresses, she took command of the kiss they shared. Damn!Chandlerhadn’t expected such willingness on her part, but then she thought he was a fellow cop. He supposed he could play the game for a little while since the benefits were appearing so nicely. He grasped the hem of her top and lifted it, then, giving a quick pull, rid her of it altogether. He paused and ran his gaze over her naked breasts. Her chest heaved with arousal as her nipples peaked. “Take me to bed.” Her eyes pleaded with him. “And fuck me senseless.”

Chapter Six

Jada was more willing than he ever imagined. A slight smile pulled at his mouth as he reached his hands to her breasts.Chandlerrolled her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs, then slid his hands to her waist. He lifted her, turning her body so her breasts pressed into his chest. He slid one arm beneath her knees and rose from the couch. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled his head down so she could kiss his mouth. He groaned at the show of arousal. His cock was so hard it strained against the front of his pants, needing release. He saw the bed through the open door and headed toward it, his mouth devouring Jada’s lips. He entered the room and crossed to the wide bed, then lay her down. Jada scooted to the middle of the mattress, shedding her shorts in one quick action. She rolled to her side and pulled open a drawer on a small nightstand. “I have a rubber.” He heard her but was too busy hurrying to get his jeans off to pay much attention. The small packet landed on the bed near his knee as he pushed his pants down. In the next second, he was joining her on the bed, sliding her body beneath his and wrapping his arms around her waist. He resumed their kissing, delving his tongue between her lips and slicking along her gum. He closed his eyes and, for a fleeting moment, found his senses reeling as though he were mortal. Her arms were warm wrapped around his shoulders. She snarled her fingers in his hair and nipped playfully at his lower lip. Honey, if you want to bite… “Fuck me,Chandler. I want you.” Jada’s voice was a husky whisper as she tangled a fist at his nape.Chandlerreveled in the forcefulness of her sex play. One second she was yanking his hair and the next, she was raking her nails along his sides. She splayed her legs open, urging him to obey her orders. He fitted the smooth round head of his cock against her hot body. She sucked in an audible breath and grasped his buttocks in either hand. “Now, dammit! Fuck me now!” Chandlerlunged into her body, paused, savored the intense heat and lunged deeper. Jada bucked her hips and raised her legs to wrap around his hips. He braced his knees on the bed and began to thrust. “That feels…good. You’re big. I like…big men.” Her speaking served to arouse him even more. Usually a woman didn’t talk when he fucked her, just lay there and let him hammer away at her body until he reached orgasm. He tried to push thoughts of the

others he had laid with from his mind.JadaHarrisput them all to shame. She had the body of a goddess, strangely alluring to look upon and intensely arousing to his male senses. Her body heat warmed his cold body and, the further along the sex act progressed, the hotter she felt. A fine sheen of sweat blanketed her face and throat. He gazed at her long lashes as they lay against her cheek when she closed her eyes, savoring the rapid bout of thrusting. Jada arched her back suddenly, digging her nails into his buttocks and biting her bottom lip. “It feels so…good.” Chandlerleaned down and kissed her mouth, finding her lips moist and inviting. He settled his chest against her breasts, flattening the mounds against his muscled body. She clung to his back, increasing her bucking. He knew she was nearing a climax and lunged deeper into her body, listening to her rapid breathing as he brought her to the apex of enjoyment. He gazed down into her face, wanting to see her pleasure when she crashed over the edge. The orgasm began in his belly. The first tingling sensations quickly spiraled throughout his balls and knotted the muscles in his buttocks. The pressure of her hands on his ass increased, pressing his body tighter against her crotch. Jada came suddenly, lunging upward and releasing a loud breath, then arched her back and rolled her head on the pillow. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” The sensations came full force against his senses, filling his insides with untold waves of tingling feelings that overrode his thinking and lessened his actions to the mere act of thrusting as hard and fast as he could. He drove her body against the bed, pinning her beneath his big body as he sought to prolong the feelings racing through him. She bucked beneath him, clawing at his back and buttocks with her nails as she raised her legs and wrapped them around his hips, further opening herself up so his long cock could reach deeper inside her body. A soft little mew slipped from her lips. It was minutes before the orgasm began to wane.Chandlermilked his cock inside Jada’s body, reluctant to withdraw and lose the final delicious sensations. He lowered his head and kissed her mouth, poking his tongue between her lips. Surprise shot through him when she sucked on his tongue, drawing it deeper into her mouth. He looked down at her as she opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. Sensuality shown in the pale depths. This woman is after my heart.The thought ricocheted through his insides. For a fleeting second he reminded himself he could never fall in love. His vampire state was a disadvantage for any future romance. A shard of remorse settled in his gut. Curses to the master who forever changed my life!He fought the sudden rise of anger that sprang forth inside him. He couldn’t go back—couldn’t undo—anything in his existence. He thought about the woman lying beneath his body. Her warmth seeped into his cold flesh, gave him a moment of pleasure that he wouldn’t ordinarily have. He moved against her again, then slid his arms around her waist and rolled to one side, dragging her body atop his as he stretched out on his back. Her long hair spilled across his face and shoulder as she raised her head and stared down at him. Her

eyes were half-closed, a slight smile on her lush lips. Jada raised one hand and drew a red tipped nail down the crest of his cheek, sliding it over to his lips. She traced his upper lip, then slid her fingertip down to his chin. She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his, kissing him lightly. She raised her body suddenly, splaying her legs and bending her knees on either side of his hips. Her hair covered her face until she swung her head and sent the blonde mass tumbling around her shoulders. “You’re still hard.” She smiled. “Let’s not waste a good firm cock.” Jada began to move, slowly, working her hips up and down as she sat on his cock.Chandlergrasped her hips, held them in his big hands and watched her face as his cock pushed upward into her warm body. He lowered his gaze to her breasts. They bounced playfully. He reached for them, drawing in a deep breath as the notion of fondling them appeared in his mind. Her breasts were firm and her nipples taut little buds. WhenChandlercovered them with his palms, Jada heaved a sigh and thrust them into his grasp. She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip as she rode his body, hunching her hips to move herself up and down on his cock. She raised her hands and lifted her hair from her shoulders, wadding the mass on top of her head. The blonde tresses cascaded down around her shoulders and face, framing her features in a shimmer of gold. Chandlerdrew in a long breath as he watched the play of fading light glimmer off her hair and satiny skin. She was utter perfection. Her body was exquisite to behold. Arousal increased inside him. The onset of climax bore down on him. He grasped her hips and lunged his cock up inside her body, bringing the orgasm to the fore. Jada moaned suddenly and clutched his grasping hands as she climaxed along with him. “What are the…odds…that we would…climax at the…same time?”

Chapter Seven

Chandlersat up on the side of the bed. Jada ran a warm hand down his spine. He caught her hand and turned slightly, facing her. She lay on her back, her hair framing her face. Her eyes were limpid pools of blue that beckoned. He leaned toward her, reaching one hand to stroke her breasts. He kissed her

lightly, drawing back to stare into her eyes. “You’re beautiful.” She smiled, then glanced at something on the bed. Surprise congealed on her features as she jerked her gaze back to lock with his. “You didn’t even wear the damn rubber!” His brows drew together as her statement momentarily puzzled him, but then he saw her pick up the small package she had thrown in his direction moments before they had sex. “Are you trying to knock me up?” She threw the package on the bed beside his naked thigh and levered herself up. “I like a good fuck as well as the next bitch, but I expect the man servicing me to glove up!” Chandlershook his head, spilling his hair across his shoulders. A careless lock slid onto his forehead, giving him a devil-may-care appearance. Jada settled her gaze on him, then groaned and stomped across the room to the bathroom. She slammed the door, but he could hear her voice, low and angry, berating herself for having unprotected sex with him. “I don’t need to wear a rubber.” He yelled the words loud enough to make her halt her tirade in the closed room. She jerked the door open and glared at him. “Explain that.” He shrugged. He didn’t fully understand all the words she was using, but assumed she meant for him to open the package she tossed in his direction and put the contents on his cock. He chuckled. The package seemed so small. What could possibly be inside that would cover his enormous hard cock? “Were you deliberately trying to get me pregnant?” She stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips. “There’s no need to worry.” He drew in a long breath and chose his words carefully. “I’m unable to father children.”Vampires are sterile.Regret settled in his gut. He had been deprived of so many things since losing his mortal state to vampirism. “Yeah. I’ve heard that one before.” She turned on one heel and slammed the bathroom door. He rose from the bed and pulled on his clothes. His bloodlust was ravenous. He left without telling Jada goodbye. He needed to feed and she wouldn’t understand that part of him if he bothered to explain. He chuckled slightly and took to the air. For a moment he wished he had not gone to her house or had sex with her, but then he remembered the intense orgasms they shared and realized he was glad he sought her out. Chandlerpassed over the section of the city where the residential area gave way to the business district. With the falling darkness, glowing yellow lights dotted the area making it easy to differentiate the residential streets from those housing businesses. He gazed below at the small neighborhoods, the two and three story dwellings with tiny yards and wooden fences and wondered if he might find a vacant building he could call home, at least for a temporary time. He had spent the daylight period in the bell tower of a church, in the darkest corner, hanging by his talons. The accommodations had been less than desirable, but given the short time period he had to find it, suitable in a pinch. He soared lower, passing closer to the rooftops of the buildings until he saw a particularly tall ornate structure. It sat on the corner of a narrow street, flanked by a winding alleyway. There were no lights

shining from any windows on any of the numerous floors. He lit on the roof peak and surveyed the surrounding area. The building was only one of several structures that stood dark and in somewhat of a ruin state. He observed the broken windows and the overgrown lawns. The absence of streetlights in the vicinity told him that the area received little traffic from the mortals dwelling nearby. I need seclusion.He leapt from the building roof and glided silently to the dark street in front of the building, shapeshifting into his vampire body. He straightened his clothing and surveyed the area, then stepped up on the porch of the tallest building. Darkness obscured the front door. Tattered curtains hung in the two windows facing the street. A broken shutter was suspended by one bolt holding it at a tilt against the brick façade. He grasped the doorknob and twisted it, then questioned himself for taking the conventional way of appeasing his curiosity. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. The interior was inky black. He scanned the front room, spied a staircase leading to the upper floors and crossed the space. Gliding silently up the steps, he made his way to the very top room of the building. Dust stirred with his entry into the attic. His keen night vision made out the slanted ceiling and the dormer window facing the front of the house. Further inspection turned up an assortment of furniture the previous owner left behind. In another corner stood an old trunk and a scattering of wooden chairs draped with dusty sheets as though to protect them. “It’s perfect.” He crossed the floor and lifted one of the covers thrown across a chair. The only means of daylight entering the room was through the single window. He draped the sheet over the glass panes, throwing the area into total darkness, then looked around, pleased. Having secured himself a place to hide from the daylight, he turned his attentions to feeding. He retraced his steps to the lower floor of his new dwelling and paused on the porch, closing the door behind him. As soon as he was settled in his surroundings, found a means of supporting himself financially, he might inquire as to the owner of the real estate and purchase the property. He liked the notion of being close to Jada’s apartment. He chided himself for having such a thought.Do I really think I can establish myself in this place and have a relationship with Jada? Chandlerhated what he was—the blood sucking vampire that preyed on mortals for their blood. He combed one hand through his hair, reminded suddenly of Jada’s fingers tangling at his nape. He pushed his hair over his shoulder, forcing his mind to think about hunting a victim to sate his thirst. Shapeshifting and taking to the air, he winged his way to the nearest section of the city. Sounds of life reached his ears as the bright lights flooded the streets below. He looked for people along the sidewalks, perhaps a single male going about his business, unsuspecting. His need for blood gnawed at his mind. He had put feeding off too long and his appetite was at its apex. He heard voices and glided noiselessly to the ground. Calling upon his vampire powers, he shapeshifted, then concealed himself deeper in the shadows, waiting, listening. The voices drew nearer. He searched the darkness with his keen eyesight, alert for the first passerby to come near the mouth of the alley. The sidewalk lying before the alley was faintly lit by the glow of a tall streetlight down the block. He inched closer to the entrance and peered toward the voices. He saw a man and a woman on the street. They came toward him, then suddenly cut across the avenue to a parked car.Chandlerwatched and considered whether to pursue them.

“Let them go.” Chandlerwhirled round, the voice sounding as though it was right in his ear. His heart hammered against his ribs as he quickly searched the darkness for someone orsomething. His swift reaction to the spoken words was but a second, for his speed could rival the fastest animal on earth. His eyes began to glow as rage grew in his big body.Am I being tricked?He hissed and opened his mouth, baring his fangs and searching the darkness, identifying a metal dumpster against the building at the alley’s end and a single door stemming off the adjacent building. Did someone speak to me from that doorway?He leapt into the air, covering the distance from the mouth of the alley to the darkened doorway at its end in one swift leap. He snarled and grasped the doorknob, jerking it off its hinge. He threw the door aside and peered into the blackened interior of a storeroom belonging to one of the businesses on the street. Noise from the street drew his attention. He jerked his head around, snarling and baring his fangs in warning, searching the darkness with his keen eyesight, but found nothing. A rat scurried from beneath the dumpster and hurried past his feet. He held his rage and allowed the animal to pass unharmed. Aware that someone had spoken to him and that he was unable to turn up a single being, be it mortal or otherwise.Otherwise? Vampire?He jerked his head quickly from side to side, determined to locate something in the darkness. He hadn’t imagined the voice. He had indeed heard someone speak to him. His hearing was unsurpassed. He combed one hand through his hair, frustrated.Chandlertried to calm himself. He leaned his back against the solid brick wall and tried to steady his breathing, ready at a seconds notice to do battle, to fight to the death if need be. Hell! I’m already dead!He shook his head and shapeshifted into a bat, taking quickly to the air. The sooner he got away from that place, the safer he might be.

Chapter Eight

Chandlerswiped a forearm across his lips, wiping away the smears of blood from his latest feeding. His thirst satisfied, he drew in a deep breath. Warm blood surged through his veins, refreshing his flagging

body. At his feet, his victim moved, groaned.Chandlerglanced down at the man. He was a robust fellow, well dressed, clean-shaven. He rolled to one side, his right arm outstretched toward the leather briefcase he had been carrying. Curiosity welled up insideChandler. He stooped and picked up the case, then strode toward the mouth of the alley. Thievery wasn’t a trait that he found attractive in himself or others, but under the circumstances, he had little chance of finding out how the modern day businessman operated short of killing one and assuming his identity. He stepped into the faint light given off by the streetlight down the block and began walking, the briefcase in one hand. In his time he had been privy to wealth, managed to amass quite a considerable fortune for himself in the way of real estate and material goods. Perhaps the contents of the man’s leather case would help him understand how he might go about finding financial gains in the present era. He stepped into the next dark alley and walked to its end. Finding himself concealed in the inky blackness, he laid the case on the ground and proceeded to try and open it. The lock failed to comply with his wishes. As a last resort, he grasped the case and ripped the lid off. A sheath of papers spilled forth on the ground. He collected them into a stack, then began scanning each page. In a manner of moments, he learned his victim was a banker of considerable wealth. And while a lot of the pages held little meaning for him, they did give him hope that he might be able to make inquiries as to his own holdings of long ago. His brows furrowed. He doubted he would be able to learn much without journeying toEuropewhere his holdings had originally been. Sighing, he replaced the papers in the case and retrieved the lid, then tucked the case under one arm. He headed toward the mouth of the alley, intent on returning the case to its rightful owner. The man still lay on the ground whereChandlerleft him. He groaned asChandlerapproached. Taking the man by one arm, he lifted him, forcing him to stand. “Be on your way.” Chandlerpushed the briefcase into his hands. The man gasped and clutched it to his chest, then scurried down the alley toward the street.Chandlerwatched as he disappeared down the sidewalk. He hated that he instilled fear in his victims with his mere presence. He shrugged his shoulders. Thoughts of Jada entered his mind as he headed toward the sidewalk. His body refreshed with new blood, he suddenly had the urge to watch her dance. Dwelling on the past and regretting what he had become only lent itself to thoughts of remorse. He took to the air before the darkness gave way to the light of the streetlamp, revealing his presence to others on the street. Traveling above the city, he found the street where the nightclub was located and sought out a dark spot to shapeshift. He held the picture of Jada in his mind as he started down the sidewalk toward the bar. Already thoughts of making love to her filled his head. Making love to her?His brow furrowed.Love has nothing to do with it.He refused to consider his words further. Love was impossible for him. He took from women, then moved on. He had always been that way. It was too late for him to change now. He would enjoyJadaHarrisfor as long as she would allow him to and, when the time was right, he would take his leave. In his time a man who used women for sexual purposes was known by various names, unless he was well to do financially. Perhaps his fortune had saved him from much embarrassment for he had used women to sate his lust since he was a very young man. He heard the music blaring from the open door of the nightclub and spied the burly policemanMike, Jada had told him about standing guard. It appeared as though he was only allowing certain people to step through the doorway. He approached the man and smiled, giving him a moment to recall who he was.

The husky man stared at him, then tipped his head in his direction and stepped aside, allowing him to enter the building. I suppose Jada told him I’m the backup detective from the main precinct.He chuckled at the notion that the mortals believed him to be one of their own. Sooner or later the truth would come out. But by that time, he would be haunting another city, or perhaps overseas in another country altogether.I’ve got all the time in the world. Yeah. Now if I just enjoyed being a fucking vampire!He forced his mind to let go of the rising anger and enjoy the moment. He spotted Jada on the stage, her hand grasping the metal pole, her shapely body encased in a skimpy red bikini with glittery tassels hanging from the bra. He slid his gaze over her, licking his dry lips as he recalled the way her warm body felt as she lay pinned beneath his heavy weight. She glanced in his direction and smiled slightly, then continued her spin around the metal pole, lowering her body to the floor of the stage and allowing a customer to tuck a bill into the string tie at her hip. The man stroked her ass before she managed to get out of his reach. Chandlerstifled the urge to rush across the room and tear the man’s head off. He slid his hands into his jeans pockets and strode toward the bar at the side of the room. Maybe he’d have a drink just to lend pretense to him being a mortal man in Jada’s presence. The deep sounds of the music pulsed into his body. Loud male voices shouted to Jada urging her to undress.Chandlertried to ignore the caterwauling, telling himself he couldn’t react for fear of divulging his identity. He had to play the part of a moral man, an undercover policeman, for Jada’s sake. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood straight up. Alarm filtered through his insides. He jerked his head from side to side, trying to find the reason behind his sudden fright. He hadn’t felt such terror since— His eyes found him then—lounging at the rear of the room, nonchalantly, as though he were merely a mortal soul like all the other men in the room. His knees grew weak. He sank onto a leather stool and stared, his eyes disbelieving. His senses quivered with warning, yet he found moving to be impossible at the moment. Johannes, the master vampire who had bitten him and turned him into a vampire, occupied a seat at the back of the room. He appeared very much the modern man, dressed in a fashionable black suit, sporting a chic haircut. His dark angular face bore all the markings of a handsome man, giving no clue of the bloodthirsty vampire he really was. Chandlerheld his breath and looked at him. All the others in the room suddenly became inconsequential. Johannes, the master vampire who could destroy him with one flick of his sharp talons, one vicious bite from his razor sharp fangs— He tried to control his fright. How foolish he had been to think he would never see the master again.He lives forever. Chandler’s gut tightened with worry. He wasn’t a cowardly man—in his mortal state he had fought in the Crusades, killed many enemies with his lance, been a force to be reckoned with—but the mere sight of Johannes sent fear careening through his insides.His powers are immeasurable.

He considered the possibility he might be wrong. What were the odds? Running intoJohannesin a nightclub in the present time? He combed one hand through his hair. Chances were, he was imagining things. He narrowed his gaze on the vampire, studying him with every ounce of power he possessed. He tipped his nose into the air and drew in a deep breath, attempting to scent him. The unmistakable stench of rotting flesh filled his nostrils. He shuddered.Johannes! Indeed, it isJohannes! Relying on his vampire powers, he rose from the stool and inched his way to the door. He needed a safe place to consider his next move, to decide if he had any options except to flee the city as fast as he possibly could. He glanced once more at Jada. It might be the last time he laid eyes on her, ever.

Chapter Nine

Chandlerpaced back and forth across the attic floor, his hands clasped behind his back. His body still shook from fear of seeingJohannes. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought he would see the vampire again. He strode to the end of the small attic room and turned on his heel. “I should leave while I still have my head.”That’s a cowardly way of looking at the situation.He shook his head at the thought. He wasn’t a coward. He was fearsome and held great threat to mortal man. ButJohannesis not mortal.The facts of the matter settled in his mind. His own vampire powers were no match for those of a master.Johanneshad spent the past centuries living and learning how to adapt while he had been confined within a small statue, trapped by a witch’s curse. He had lost centuries of his existence. Frustration welled up inside him. He had chosen to consider his options before he rashly took flight, perhaps seeking safety inEurope. Given the force of power, he held little hope of destroying the master. He consideredJohannes’s appearance. He looked mortal, giving little evidence of being different from any of the other mortal males in the room. He glanced down at his clothes, the tight jeans and thin t-shirt he had donned to appear mortal himself. He felt inadequate, lacking in so many ways.Johanneshad appeared debonair in his well-fitted suit with the dark tie and crisp white shirt. His raven hair was just long enough to brush the collar of his shirt, large gold rings adorned fingers on both hands and a gold

bracelet circled one wrist. He had memorized howJohanneslooked, right down to the defiant way he held his head while he conversed with those around him. He remembered him to be a pompous man—despite his vampire powers.Or because of them. Vampires were extraordinary creatures. They were able to endure many hardships, as long as their supply of warm blood was available. They had great powers of perception, able to sense another being from great distances. Their sense of smell was keen, as was their ability to hear even the minutest of things. They had great speed, able to leap for long distances and take to the air. The magical powers of shapeshifting allowed the creatures to become bats or birds and sometimes other creatures. He rubbed his chin with one finger, contemplating his vampire existence. He was capable of vaporizing, of turning his undead body into a thin colorless mist and seeping into crevices too small for the mortal eye to distinguish. “I’m capable of many things. But outsmarting the master is beyond my capability.” He remembered the voice that spoke to him earlier in the alley. A new surge of fright raced through his insides. “It wasJohanneswho spoke to me.” His hands shook. His temples throbbed. “He is toying with me.” He clenched his fists. He increased the speed of his pacing, turning sharply on his heel when he reached the wall of the small room. “He is aware of my presence in the city.” Chandlerconsidered his words for a moment.Johanneshad not laid eyes on him while he was in the nightclub, yet he had somehow come to him while he stood in the darkness of the city alley. He had taunted him, spoken to him only to instill puzzlement in his mind. He pounded one fist into his palm. Anger raged inside him, overriding the shard of frightJohannes’s presence had brought to his insides. He resumed his pacing, his jaw set. If there was only some way he could get the upper hand— He paused mid-step. For a fleeting moment, he had experienced a most odd sensation. He tried to recall how it felt, the intense notion that something had taken place within his mind. He raised one hand to his temple, contemplating, trying to bring back the feeling. Chandler.Chandler. He froze. He heard the mention of his name, the soft voice that seemed to whisper in his brain. Recognition brought a slight smile to his lips. He held very still, waiting, perhaps hoping to hear more. If you can hear me, come to me. He was not mistaken. The voice sounded exactly like Jada’s voice. He concentrated, trying to discern her mood. A mixture of emotions wafted through his insides, rising and falling, ebbing as though they were waves drawing him into an unknown abyss. He raised his hands and massaged his temples, trying to combat the sensations. Arousal suddenly streamed into his brain. He stood transfixed, his eyes closed, his body rigid as a new flood of feelings came to him. Lust, hot and needing, sprang to mind, accompanied by the most intense passion he had ever known.

“She desires me. Jada is thinking about me and reaching out to me.” His brows drew together.Could I be mistaken? Caution suddenly sprang up in his mind. He shook his head and tried to return his thoughts toJohannes and the dire situation facing him. Should he leave the city and find another place to take up residence? The threat to his safety was indeed real. He had seen the master with his own eyes, felt his existence, known his deathly touch. He heaved a long sigh. If only he had not met Jada or become mesmerized by her body. His thoughts were reluctant to release her image. Chandlerresumed his pacing, his hands clasped behind his back. There was little recourse for him. He risked his very existence by remaining in the city so near the master.I have to leave. His mind made up, he left the attic room. All the preparations he had previously made—the notion of sometime buying the old house and becoming a part of the community, of continuing his affair with Jada—was suddenly dashed. A surge of regret settled inside his belly. He had been foolish to think he might actually have a relationship with a mortal woman. A short, disturbed grunt sprang from his throat. In the future, he would be certain to remind himself that such frivolous dreams were futile. He glanced about the old house as he made his way down the staircase to the first floor. Darkness played little part in his assessment of the deteriorating rooms, the wallpaper ragged and peeling from the walls and the floors creaking with his every step. He glanced through the window near the front door and gauged the duration of the night. The sun would be rising in a few hours. He quickened his steps, reaching the door and grasping the glass doorknob. Chandlerpaused suddenly, chiding himself for his mortal characteristics. His every step across the old floor of the building had been completely unnecessary. He could have left the house via the upper window in the attic. There was no purpose, aside from needing to linger for some silly personal reason, which kept him confined within the structure. He shook his head and suddenly shapshifted, changing into a faint swirl of ebony mist that hovered slightly above the floor moments before oozing beneath the old door. Chandler. He heard the voice in his ear, as though someone was beside him. He hesitated, shapshifted, waited. Jada? You bad boy. You’ve heard me, and yet you haven’t replied. He considered the words he heard. The voice sounded like Jada’s voice. Every fiber in his body hoped itwasher voice, but he knew whatJohanneswas capable of. He combed one hand through his hair. Johanneshad spoken to him once that evening. Did he dare believe he wasn’t again? Chandlerfelt torn between wanting to see Jada and fearing thatJohanneswas tricking him. He clenched his fists and rolled his head back on his shoulders. He opened his mouth and released a loud bellow of discord. He gnashed his teeth, desperate to reach a decision. Jada’s lush body and her willingness to have sex with him had completely distracted him. Now he was distressed at the thought of leaving her. He pulled in a quick breath and leapt into the air. There was only one way to rid his mind of torment. He would make one final stop to see her before he left the city

forever. Silently, he cursedJohannes.You vile creature! If only you would perish!

Chapter Ten

Chandlercautioned himself about encounteringJohannesas he stepped across the threshold of the nightclub. Wary of the noise and on guard for the master vampire, he scanned the interior of the club, searching for clues to the presence of the creature. His ears picked up every nuance of sounds from the stage, and the lowest of murmurs from those seated in the booths lining the walls of the room. His gaze darted from one form to the other, leery that at any momentJohannesmight appear in front of him, set to destroy him. A hand clutched his arm suddenly. Quickly, he jerked his body around, tensed, ready to defend himself. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He looked down into Jada’s pale blue eyes. She cocked her head to one side and stared at him. Chandlertried to gather his senses, held her gaze, took her hand and turned her body toward the door of the establishment. “I can’t leave yet. I have to be on stage again in fifteen minutes.” He paused as she turned to face him, then took his hand and tugged him toward her dressing room at the back of the nightclub. Chandlerglanced over his shoulder as he allowed her to tow him along behind her. There was no sign of Johannesand he was relieved, or at least momentarily pleased that he didn’t have to do battle with the vampire. Jada pulled him through the door of her small dressing room. “I want you to go check out the office. Collinsleft about half an hour ago. I suspect he went to meet another cohort, maybe to pull off another robbery—” She pulled in a quick breath and placed one hand against his chest. “Look for a safe

someplace where he might be hiding his business papers.” She smiled suddenly. “I’m sorry. I guess I just took it for granted that I’m the primary on this case and I give the orders.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I don’t have to tell you what to look for once you get inside Collins’s office. After all, you’re an experienced detective.” She cocked an arched brow. “How long have you been working undercover?” He tried to make sense of what she was saying, but the threat ofJohannesbeing in the same building as he, unnerved him to the point he hadn’t been paying attention to anything she had just said. He grasped her upper arms, pulling her body against his large frame. He kissed her, hoping to take her mind off her questioning him. She moaned and raised her arms around his neck. Chandlertightened his arms around Jada’s waist and deepened the kiss, relieved that his little plan was working for the moment. He tried to shut out everything else, the noise of the club beating at his brain, the threat ofJohannesperhaps lurking just outside the closed door, the approaching daylight and his need to leave the city forever. It was impossible. His ears picked up every little sound and his ability to sense danger jumped into express mode. Chandlertried to concentrate on the taste of Jada’s mouth and the feel of her body. She was warm and pliable, yielding to his every touch. He stroked her back and grasped her buttocks in his big hands, pressing her belly into his crotch. He was growing hard, wanting to fuck, as he warned himself that he should leave and forget he ever metJadaHarris. She wrenched her mouth from his suddenly as a knock sounded on the closed door at her back. She pressed her palms againstChandler’s chest and pushed him toward the bathroom off the small room. She raised one hand to her mouth, positioning one finger across her lips in warning. Chandlerfelt the presence beyond the door.Johannes!He bristled, his fists drew into tight knots as Jada pressed him toward the small bathroom to hide. He allowed her to push his body forward, but his thoughts were beyond the closed door, attuned to the vicious master lingering beyond. “Stay in here and be quiet.” He stood still as she pulled the door closed, sealing him inside the small space.Jada, you aren’t fooling Johannes. He knows of my presence.Fright gathered inside his body. In the blink of an eye,Johannes could be at his throat, tearing and rending his flesh, ripping his head from his undead body and leaving him withering on the floor. He clenched his fists. He would not go down without a fight. He may be the loser, but he would fight to the death. He listened to the voices beyond the bathroom. “How’s my girl this evening?” Chandlerheard the rustle of clothing, then a low toned moan. His keen ears picked up the sounds of kissing and his throat tightened. He gnashed his teeth, keeping his anger at bay. “I want to fuck you, Jada. I want to lunge my prick inside your hot body.” “I have to be on stage,John. You have to go now. I have to change my costume.” “I’ll watch. Here, let me get that hook. Oh. I love to look at your tits. They fill my hands.” “You have to go,John.” She giggled. “Really.”

Chandlerlistened to the exchange and grew angrier by the moment. If Jada only knew his ability to hear was so immense, she would not have insisted he hide in the closet. Johannesbates me! He plays with my woman to torment me! He knows I stand just beyond this closed door!His rage nearly drove him to break through the door and challenge the vampire. He fought the strong emotions surging through his insides, telling himself over and over that to act rashly could very well mean his demise…and Jada’s as well. The sound of the dressing room door closing came to his ears. He clawed at the doorknob, yanking the bathroom door open and bolting into the room. “You scared the shit out of me!” Jada clutched her throat with one hand and hurried across the room. “You forgot to mention that you’re fucking the bastard!” She took a step back, a surprised look on her face. Chandlertried to control his rage. He turned his back to Jada, needing a moment to draw his fangs back and let his eyes stop glowing. “Sometimes you have to do unsavory things when you work undercover. But then, I shouldn’t have to tell you that,Chandler. You should know already.” Chandlercombed one hand through his hair and over the back of his neck. He felt weary suddenly, as though his body needed rest. He knew his time to sleep was drawing near. He pulled in a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, and turned to face Jada. Her features bore the remnants of fear and surprise. He reached for her. “I had no idea you…had such possessive feelings for me,Chandler.” She smoothed one hand across his cheek. “That’s sweet.” You can’t begin to understand.“You need to get off this case, Jada.” He halted his words, afraid he would scare her unnecessarily rather than convince her that her efforts to thwartJohannes’s actions were useless. Jada smiled at him. She raised one hand and caressed his cheek. “You’re jealous,Chandler. Admit it.” He stared down at her. She smiled up at him and waited for his reply. “The man you callJohnCollinsis very dangerous. Your life is at risk just because you’re here.” Her brows furrowed. “How do you know so much aboutJohnCollins? I thought you didn’t have time yet to do much investigating on the case.” “Trust me.”You wouldn’t like hearing the truth. And you wouldn’t believe it anyway. Jada shook her head and pushed out of his arms. “I can’t just walk away,Chandler. Hell!Mikeand I have been working this case for six months. We’re just now finding it possible to have Collins trust us.”

“And you’re opening your legs for the bastard, Jada!” He raked one hand angrily through his hair and strode across the room. “Look! I told you, sometimes you have to do what an investigation calls for.” She turned on her heel and took a seat at the dressing table. “Besides, that was the only way I could get close to him,Chandler.” She shook her head. “There isn’t a man alive who can resist pussy when it’s served to him on a silver platter.” His brows furrowed.Platter? What the fuck?“You’re playing a dangerous game.” “The guy steals art, he’s not a mass murderer!” But he is, Jada! He is! “So help us with this case, and maybe we’ll make an arrest soon, then we can all go home,Chandler.” Indecision gripped his insides. He stared at her as she sat at the dressing table, her body clad in the skimpy two-piece red outfit. She had no idea she played such a deadly game with such an unscrupulous adversary.

Chapter Eleven

Chandlerwas torn between wanting to protect Jada and continuing his own existence. If he left,Johannes would surely kill her, rip her body to shreds after he had sated himself sexually and appeased his blood thirst. He could close his eyes and envision her end, the sheer destruction levied by the master vampire was beyond anything he would ever do to a victim. He had seen the works ofJohannes’s hands, the brutal force with which he commanded his victims and the unrelenting joy he exhibited when he took a mortal life. The sight of a body that had been ravaged, the blood drained away, was not something he could readily erase from his mind. He stifled a shudder. For all his vampire brutalism, he failed to measure up toJohannes. Once, shortly after the master had turned him, he had been privy to watchJohannessubdue a mortal. It

was a chilling sight, especially to a newly turned creature. He had been kept byJohannesfor nearly a month, forced to endure immeasurable consequences because of his undead state, when one evening a stranger appeared at the door ofJohannes’s castle. He had lost his way and sought direction from Johanneswhen he answered the door.Chandlerhad listened to their exchange and cringed. Weakened by the attack on his body, he had been unable to help the poor man. He lay onJohannes’s bed and looked on, though every fiber in his body tried to reject the impulse to do so. Sometimes he could close his eyes and still hear the screams of the man asJohannespierced his body with his sharp fangs. Johannesenjoyed being the brutal creature, a vampire with enormous skills, cunning and unpredictable. He was a deadly force to face.Chandlerheaved a laden sigh. He wasn’t a coward by any means, but the notion to flee rose up strong inside him. Though he was dead already, there was still the threat of losing his existence if he continued to stay inJohannes’s territory. The master was very possessive. Jada’s refusal to drop the investigation centering onJohannesdisturbed him almost as much as losing his existence forever. Had she any idea that the man she calledJohnCollinswas actually the worse creature she would ever want to encounter, she would leave the scene and never look back. I can’t tell her he’s a fucking vampire. She won’t believe me. People don’t believe vampires exist, like fairies and goblins or witches.He sighed. The witch Drucella and her evil coven had been very real in his medieval time. They had wrecked havoc on the villagers of Morganford and the surrounding countryside. And he had encountered a few fairies in his time, too. Drucella had a naughty little imp that did her biding— He pushed his thoughts aside as the music came to a halt and Jada pranced off the stage. He glanced around the club, shutting his ears to the loud male voices yelling for Jada to come back and turned his feet toward her dressing room. For the past half hour he had stood in the back of the club and watched her entertain the audience, against his better judgment. Now he intended to get her out of the club as quickly as possible and into the safety of her own house. He stifled a groan. In his heart he knewJohannescould find her wherever she dwelled. She was safe only because the master vampire hadn’t chosen to take her life yet. The fact that the creature was taking advantage of her sexually was just one ofJohannes’s many ways of exploiting the mortal in his midst. Chandlergritted his teeth as anger surged through his insides. If only he had not chosen to remain in the city, but upon his waking and finding himself in another era, had fled and never looked back. Perhaps he would be enjoying himself at this very moment. Perhaps biting a pretty neck, then having sex to celebrate the new rush of warm blood surging through his veins. “Hurry up, Jada. Let’s get out of here.” “What’s your rush?” She unhooked the top of her costume, smiling at him as she bared her breasts. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. “I’d love to fuck you. But not here.” She poked out her lower lip as though he wounded her in some terrible way. She strode toward him, swaying her hips provocatively. “Just one quickie?” Chandlershook his head and grasped her upper arms as she drew near. “Put on your clothes and let’s get out of here.” Jada laughed slightly and allowed him to push her toward the clothes rack in the corner of the room.

“Remember, I offered and you said no.” He feigned a slight smile for her benefit. He leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb and watched her pull on jeans and a t-shirt. “Have you been in Collins’s office yet?” “Nope.” She jerked her head toward him. “If we’re ever going to crack this case,Chandler, we have to take advantage of the timeCollinsis out of that office. I’m reasonably certain that every bit of information we need is right there, in his desk or safe.” “Are you quite sure he’s the thief you’re after?”I can’t seeJohannesneeding to steal paintings and sell them to support himself. Hell! He’s a master vampire! The world is his oyster! “We have evidence that points to him as the boss of the art thieves. He has the connections here and abroad to make the sales.” He held his tongue. Short of him carrying the act of pretending to be a cop to the apex and helping her andMikeapprehendCollins, he saw no way of making her give up the investigation. “Why are you questioning me?” She frowned. “Do you know something I don’t?” Chandlershrugged his shoulders. Short of lying to her, he had nothing to say that she would believe. “I didn’t think so. You’re just jealous of my having sex with the guy.” She smiled and winked at him. “Believe me. It means nothing. Its just sex.” She walked toward him, zipping her jeans. “And, if it’s any consolation, he’s not nearly as good in bed as you are. His cock is puny and he finishes much too fast—” “Enough!” his voice bellowed into the small room, making Jada jump in sudden fright.Damned if I can listen to you describe howJohannesfucks you! “Sorry.” He grasped her elbow and pushed her through the door of the dressing room. Rushing her down the hallway, he didn’t loosen his grip on her arm until they were on the sidewalk out front of the building. “Stop being so fucking rough,Chandler! You don’t own me!” Jada’s words gave him cause to pause. He glanced down into her face. Her eyes were shadowed by a heavy frown. He felt her anger. He pushed his hands into his pockets for fear he would grab her around the waist and take to the air just to show her how much he wanted to protect her. “Maybe we should keep this relationship on a professional basis only.” She rubbed her arm where he had been holding it. “You find a way to get into Collins’s office and go through his personal files.” She stepped off the sidewalk and waved an arm in the air, hailing a cab. Yanking open the back door, she slid across the seat. “I’ll be in touch.” Chandlerwatched Jada slam the door and stared at the cab until it was out of sight.Damn! Women of this era are easily offended.He massaged the back of his neck, contemplating his next move. He could

follow her, or take to the air and be at her house when the cab arrived. Or he could do as she suggested and help with the investigation. He turned around and stared at the upper floor of the nightclub. He would be risking everything if he stumbled acrossJohanneswhile he snooped around for some inconsequential papers that Jada and her cop friendMikethought was evidence. Do I have a choice?He suddenly felt as though he was a man intent on impressing a woman he had fallen in love with. The unfamiliar feeling coursed through him in a flash, leaving him wondering as he stared at the brick building façade.

Chapter Twelve

It was better to be on the safe side than risk his very existence by enteringJohannes’s private office in his vampire body. He stepped into the alley running beside the building and shapeshifted into a bat. He sensedJohanneshad left the building, perhaps to feed. The club was closing up on the lower level. A few late patrons lingered on the sidewalk near the corner of the building waiting to hail cabs. The lock clicked on the massive front door, ending speculation as to the club closing for the night. Two bulky men, whom he recognized as bartenders, got into a waiting car at the curb and soon disappeared down the avenue. Chandlertook to the sky and flew to the window in the rear of the building, hoping to find the office Jada spoke about. He hovered near the pane, his keen eyes discerning the shapes of office furniture inside a large room. A dim light glowed in one corner illuminating the door. He perched on the window ledge, assessing the interior before entering. The consequences of getting caught materialized in his mind again. It would be a fight to the death onceJohannesrealized he had invaded his sanctuary. There would be no deceiving the powerful vampire. He would smell his scent once he set foot beyond the glass windowpane. Jada’s face suddenly flashed before his mind’s eye. He grimaced and started to vaporize, seeping beneath the wooden sash of the window.I’m such a fool! The gray mist swirled and gathered, falling onto the floor beneath the window frame. It mounted, grew, took on shape.Chandlerdrew in a long breath and stepped away from the window, crossing the room to the large desk. Wary of being in the room, he rushed to investigate the contents of the drawers on either side of the desk. Rifling through the contents and deciding there was nothing of value as far as proof of

stolen paintings or their sales, he moved on to the middle drawer of the desk. It was locked. His interest was immediately peaked. In his time, valuables were concealed within strongholds. He took hold of the drawer pull and jerked it open, forcing the lock. Fuck!Cursing himself for being too forceful, he discounted the broken lock and scanned the contents of the drawer. A little black book caught his eye. He lifted it into his hand, rifled through the pages quickly and shoved it into his pocket. Taking further note of the remaining contents—a gold embossed pen set, several sheets of writing paper with the nightclub’s letterhead, The Royal and a calendar with pictures of naked women on it, he closed the drawer and moved on to a metal filing cabinet sitting against the far wall. He found the first drawer locked and quickly forced it open without further thought. It contained neat rows of manila folders. He plucked one from the middle of the group and opened its cover. A series of names and figures covered four pages. Uncertain whether the file had any meaning, he searched through the sheets until he spied the name of the nightclub in one column. Business papers for the club, nothing more.He pushed the first drawer on the cabinet closed and opened the next. It slid easily, drawing his attention to the fact that it was unlocked—unlike the top drawer. Pausing a moment, he considered the upper drawer and its contents.Maybe there’s something valuable in there after all.He returned to the top drawer and rifled through the folders again, choosing one toward the back of the file. Dawson Enterprises, LLD jumped off the page at him. He poked the file under his arm and searched for others with that name among the remaining folders. Finding none, he pushed the drawer closed and checked the remaining drawers in the cabinet. They were all unlocked. He shook his head, dismissing the unlocked drawers. They evidently didn’t hold any papers that were of value to Jada’s investigation else their locks would be secured like the other drawers. He finished with the file cabinet and stood searching the room for other places the vampire might hide papers pertaining to his alleged art thievery. Jada had mentioned a safe in the office. He called up on his powers of perception, quickly finding the safe concealed behind a painting in the room. How ironic, an art thief hiding his safe behind a painting.He chuckled slightly and hurried to remove the picture and investigate the metal stronghold set into the wall. He brushed a palm across the round lock. It was secure, as he had known it would be.Johannescertainly wasn’t a fool. He had been privy to deal with mortal man for centuries—he knew what they were capable of. And should he be the art thief Jada presumes him to be, he is adept at hiding the evidence from prying eyes.Chandlerknew the moment he forced the lock, there would be hell to pay.Johanneswould be all over his staff and anyone else that got in his way. He paused a moment, thinking.DisruptingJohannes’s smooth operation between himself and his staff at the nightclub could be to my advantage. If I can throw suspicion on any one of his cohorts, he might not suspect Jada or her cop friend,Mike. He shook his head. The nose of a vampire was exceptional. A creature of the night could smell another like soul where a mortal thought no scent existed. He was fooling himself if he thought for one minute that Johanneswouldn’t know who had been in his office.He knows of me already. I have little to conceal from the master.He grasped the dial of the lock and yanked it free of the metal holding it in place. The thick door opened, its hinge giving way to his brutal force. He thrust one hand inside the dark space and pulled out a sheath of papers. Deciding to forego taking the time to look through them—he was uncertain of exactly what he was looking for anyway—he poked the pages into his jeans pocket and

turned from the safe. An eerie feeling had suddenly taken root in his gut. He needed to leave the office. Now. He grabbed the file folder he had taken from the cabinet and crossed the room to the window. Quickly vaporizing, he seeped beneath the frame into the night. Taking to the air, he set his course for Jada’s house, the foreboding feeling that began in the office still with him. Seeping quickly beneath her door, he materialized into his vampire body and stood in the light reflected by a single lamp in the spacious living room. He could hear Jada talking to someone in the next room. He listened, heard only her voice and discerned she was talking on the telephone. He clutched the folder and the articles from the safe, then strode toward the sound of her voice. He would give her the papers, allow her time to go over them, then insist she remove herself from the case.Fuck! She won’t go for that. Jada looked up when he stepped inside the bedroom. She was lounging on the big bed, a stack of pillows behind her back. She swung her feet to the floor and quickly hung up the phone. He sensed a torrent of anger building inside her. He cocked his head at her, assessing the scowl across her face. She wasn’t angry because he had come into her home without warning—it was something more. “You’re no fucking cop!” She backed away from him, putting the wide bed between their bodies. “I just calledCaptainMartinand he said he didn’t send an undercover detective to help on the case.” Chandlertossed the manila folder and the contents of the safe on the foot of the bed. He stared at her while he slid one hand into his pocket to retrieve the black book he had taken from the desk drawer. Her eyes widened and she stretched out one hand toward the nightstand, as though reaching for her revolver for protection from him. “You don’t need your gun. You’ve no reason to fear me.” She glared at him for a moment, then lowered her eyes to the things he had laid on the bed. “What’s this?” “Things I found in Collins’s office.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It might be evidence.” She propped her hands on her hips. “Why did you let me think you were a cop? Hell! You don’t even carry a gun!” He smiled slightly. “The notion was harmless and it got me into your bed.” “You son-of-a-bitch!” Chandlercocked an eyebrow. “Your tone is venomous.” “That ain’t the half of it! You deceived me! You led me to believe that you were sent from the department to help with the investigation. Who are you really? Are you one of Collins’s men…or a rival thief?” Chandlershook his head. “I’m not a thief. Or anyone you need to worry about. I merely happened into the club and saw you dancing and thought you’d be a good lay.” She bristled. “And I’m supposed to turn the other cheek? You led me to believe you were a cop and I shared secret information with you about a case I’ve sweated blood over.”

“I brought you some evidence, maybe.” He chuckled slightly. She lowered her gaze to the assortment of rumpled pages he had tossed on the bed. Stepping closer, she picked up the little black book and opened the cover. He watched the expression on her face change and sensed her anger dissipating. He released a relieved sigh.Damn! Women are so fucking hard to please!

Chapter Thirteen

Jada lowered herself slowly to the bed, her eyes transfixed on the little black bookChandlerhad taken fromJohnCollins’s desk drawer.Chandlerwatched her flip through the pages of the book, her expression growing more animated by the moment. “There’s enough evidence in this little book to putCollinsaway for the rest of his life.” She turned her gaze onChandler. “I assume you broke into his office.” “Is that a question, or a statement?” He smiled and crossed the room toward the bed. He paused very near where she sat, a bit reluctant to approach further. Though he sensed her anger at him had dissipated somewhat, her eyes still harbored distrust when she met his gaze. She scooped the pages he had taken from the safe into her hands and began scanning each rumpled sheet. “This is a list of European buyers for the stolen art.” She shuffled the page to the back of the stack and scanned the next. “And this is a list of art that prospective buyers are willing to pay big bucks for.” She pulled in a quick breath. “I can’t begin to tell you how important this evidence is,Chandler.” Relief flooded his big body. He sat down beside her on the foot of the bed. “So you have the evidence you were wanting and can quit the investigation.” She met his gaze. “There’s going to be hell to pay whenCollinsgets back in town.” Surprise filtered throughChandler’s body.That’s why I couldn’t discern the master’s whereabouts.“He’s

out of town?” She nodded her head. “He told me tonight that he would be gone for a couple of days.” She smiled and placed one hand onChandler’s knee. “You may not be a cop, but you managed to find the right evidence so we can chargeCollinswith art theft and selling stolen property.” She suddenly threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. He released a long sigh and wrapped his arms around Jada’s waist, tugging her body against his. Her breasts flattened against his chest and her warmth immediately seeped through his t-shirt, assaulting his male senses. He closed his eyes for a moment, drawing the perfume of her hair into his lungs. Jada pushed out of his embrace suddenly. “Tell me who you are.” “You know my name.” “But if you aren’t a cop, who are you? And why would you risk your life to steal evidence fromJohn Collins?” He considered lying to her, perhaps telling her he was a successful businessman, or a salesman in town for a short time, then dashed the idea. Still, he couldn’t confess he was a vampire transported to the present time by a witch with a magical amulet. “You told me to get into his office, to take advantage of the time when he wasn’t in, to find evidence that would seal up your case against him.” She laughed suddenly. “You stole for me?” Chandlershrugged his shoulders. He reached out one hand and stroked her cheek, then delved his hand beneath the long blonde tresses at her nape. He curled his fingers around her neck and pulled her face close to his. “Yes.” He lowered his head and claimed her lips, feeling her response the instant his mouth touched hers. She moaned and leaned her breasts into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck. She parted her lips for him when he bid entry with the tip of his tongue. He had silenced her—for now. And with her admission thatCollinswas out of town for a couple of days, he relaxed a bit. His cock began to grow hard, his thoughts turning to sexual fulfillment with Jada. He pressed her back, lowering her onto the mattress. She settled beneath him as he climbed atop her body, parting her thighs with his knee as he deepened the heated kiss they shared. Having found out that the master vampire was out of town for the time being,Chandlerallowed his senses to take control of his body. His cock strained against the front of his jeans. Mental pictures of Jada lying naked and vulnerable beneath his body filled his head. He slid one hand up her blouse and cupped a breast, listening to her moan as he tweaked her nipple. Chandlercould hear Jada’s heart beating, a steady thud that melded with his. When he pushed aside her bra and pressed his hand to her bare breast, her heart rate quickened. He enjoyed her warmth, the silken feel of her skin against his palm as he caressed her breast. Her aroma filled his nose, arousing his senses to the apex. He tore at her clothing, aiming to have her without further delay. She laughed softly and rolled to one side so he could unclasp her bra and slip off her blouse. His fingers melded with hers on the snap of her jeans. She released a sigh and pulled her hands back, giving him consent to slide down her zipper and

pull her pants off. She curled warmly against him as he stripped her body bare. Chandlerwasted little time ridding himself of his own clothing, his cock so hard with want his abdomen ached. When he was totally naked, he covered her body with his, pressing the muscles of his chest against her voluptuous breasts. He paused for a moment, savoring the feel of her body beneath his. She was exquisite and she was the perfect woman for his needs. His thoughts spun out of control as he enjoyed her body, tucked safely beneath his own, his to command. He felt her skin and rejoiced in the sensuous feel. He listened to her breathe and heard her blood rushing through her veins. His senses, so acute and in touch with hers, picked up every little nuance of movement—soft sighs emitted from her lush lips, a hasty drawn-in breath. I could fall in love with this woman.His thought brought his eyes flashing open. So many times during the short time he had known Jada, he had cautioned himself about becoming too attached to her. And since discovering the master in his midst, he had even begun to worry that he had already allowed himself to fall for her. He tried to return his mind to the lovemaking at hand. He arched his body upward and fitted the head of his long cock between her splayed legs. She gasped as he lunged his erection inside her body. She dug her nails into the ropy muscles of his back and clung to him as though he might leave her suddenly. He smiled at the notion. If only he could bring himself to leave her, he would be better off in the long run.Perhaps it is meant for my heart to be empty for all eternity.A knot formed in his gut. A low groan escaped his throat. He had allowed himself to become too attached toJadaHarriswithin the short time he had known her. Leaving was out of the question. Orgasm began in his belly and spiraled throughout his big body. He lunged his cock deep inside her as she raised her legs and clasped them around his thrusting buttocks. Her nails gouged deeper into his flesh. She held him close and panted into his ear. The experience was all too enthralling. The touching. The climax that bore down on him, then came full bloom, ripping through his body with lightning speed. He opened his mouth and released a loud bellow as the sensations overtook his senses.Heaven should be so sweet! “You…are such a…good lover!” She yelled the sentence as she levered her hips upward, opening herself up for his thrusting. “You arouse me as no other woman ever has.” He whispered the words against her ear, then delved his tongue inside the pink shell. He raked his teeth across her earlobe, drawing a shiver from her. “I’m…coming,Chandler! Oh God! I’m coming!” She arched her back and bucked her hips, clawing at his back with her nails. He tightened his arms around her body and took her over the edge.

Chapter Fourteen

He trailed one hand slowly along Jada’s naked side, then slid his palm across her abdomen. Her flesh was moist with perspiration. Her breathing was erratic, having only just climaxed moments earlier. Chandlerkissed her bare shoulder and nestled his head against hers. He closed his eyes and savored the moment. It felt so right to be lying with her, their bodies naked and sated, the bed beneath his back, comfortable and surrounded with quiet peace. His eyes jerked open. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down. Vampires weren’t known for their tender reveries. He heaved a long sigh. He wanted Jada for himself, but short of turning her, of making her a vampire and controlling her for his own selfish purposes, he saw no way of fulfilling his desires. Sooner or later, she would learn what he was—a creature of the night, undead, sharing little human emotions aside from the sex act. “Were you careful when you broke into Collins’s office?” The question caught him off guard. He separated his head from hers and stared at the side of her face. She had a most becoming profile. Her nose was perfectly proportioned for her face, her lips were plump, perfect for kissing, and her lashes were long and brushed her cheek when she closed her eyes. He drew in a long breath. “As careful as any burglar, I suppose.” He caressed her abdomen, trailing his fingers up to her breasts. He cupped one mound, squeezing it gently before he inched his hand up to play with her nipple. Needing to distract her from the conversation she started, he slid one hand beneath her waist and pulled her body atop his. A worried look claimed her features as she raised her head and looked down at him. “Did you destroy the office—I mean is it going to be obvious that there was a break in when Collins returns?” He nodded his head, remembering the broken safe and the splintered desk drawer. She shook her head and grimaced. “You better stay away from the club for a while.” His brows drew together. “You have enough evidence to convictCollins. Arrest him and end the case, Jada.” She bit her bottom lip. “It won’t be that simple.” Chandlergrasped Jada by the upper arms and pushed her to one side, levering himself up on the bed. “Explain that. I broke into that office in order to get you enough evidence to convict the crook so you could be done with your dangerous investigation. Now you tell me there’s more.” His eyes narrowed.

“Collinswill be back in town Monday morning. I’ll have him arrested then and I’ll get a search warrant to look through everything else in his office.” Monday morning?The words lodged in his brain. “As soon as he’s taken into custody, my days as an exotic dancer are over.” She smiled at him. “But until then I have to be up on that stage, strutting my stuff, and pretending I like all the attention, andMike has to play the role of bouncer, tossing out anyone that can’t behave.” She placed one palm against his chest. “And for your own safety, you should not return to the club…under any circumstance.” “Collinswill be back Mondaymorning?” She nodded her head. “He comes in early every day.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose he checks on things before the doors open. Or maybe he sells the stolen art at that time of day. I don’t know why he’s there so early, but a few weeks into the investigation,Mikeand I were trying to figure out when we could sneak into his office and have a look around whenMikesaw one of the waitresses coming out of his office. She was disheveled and we figured she had been servicingCollinsin some capacity.” She rolled her eyes. “Horny son-of-a-bitch. He’s fucked every waitress who works at the club…and all the dancers.” Chandlersnarled and levered himself off the bed. He strode across the room where his clothes lay in a heap. The night was rapidly waning. He had to leave, despite his not wanting to.

Chapter Fifteen

The master has figured out how to live in the daylight!Chandlerturned on his heel and strode across the attic room, his brow furrowed.Johanneshad lived many centuries. He had a wealth of experience and knowledge. He gave full reign to his thoughts. Being fearful of the consequences, he had never dared risk being engulfed by the daylight. He had sought the security of his crypt at the first hint of sunrise. He paused his steps and gazed at the small attic window he had shrouded so carefully.What if I pull away the covering and…The risk was great. Should the light engulf his body for very long, he would surely perish, shrivel up from the hot rays and wither and die, then turn to ashes and smolder until nothing

remained. He had seen the demise of a vampire.Johanneshad cast a poor creature into the sunlight and he had seen the deathly effects it had on him. Therefore he knew the terrible death awaiting those who risked fate beyond their capabilities.But the master has figured out how to survive when the night gives way to daylight. A thought sprang to mind. He would tear away the window curtain and wait for the sun to fully rise. He would stand at the window and face the new day. Ready at a moment’s notice should his body revolt at his plan. He would merely replace the curtain, go to the darkest corner of the room and fall into the sleep of the undead. If the master can do it, perhaps there’s a way that I can, too.The thought of being able to exist during the light of day filled him with wonder.Hopesprang up inside him like a fountain, pouring forth its bounty and giving him great expectation. The sun began rising beyond the city, its golden rays blinding to his eyes. He stood at the window and squinted, keenly aware of the risk to his existence. He raised one hand and shielded his eyes while not daring to look away. He wasn’t cowardly by any means—though to slink beneath the ground for survival was the vampire way— His eyes pained. He was forced to close his eyelids in an effort to halt the assault. Still he stood at the window and braved the new day as it rapidly awakened around him. His limbs felt heavy, fatigued, as though he had walked a great distance or lifted an extraordinary weight. He drew in a long breath, straightened his shoulders and raised his head. He opened his eyes. He had always been a bit of a dare devil, careless at times while in his mortal state. He loved adventure, craved excitement and never ran from danger. Dammit! I’m not mortal any more. Being a vampire changes everything.He stared out the window, feeling the warming rays of the new sun against his face. He held his hands out before his eyes and surveyed their appearance. His skin was cool, as it always was in his undead state, but he saw no signs of deterioration that he had feared. He smiled briefly, leery still of the effects the light might have on his body. He raised one hand and felt his face, scrubbed his palm across his chin. The lingering stubble of whiskers remained, a brief spray of blond hair on his chin and along his jaw. He had been in need of a shave when the master turned him and thus his face retained the slight dusting of beard when he became a vampire. He felt the prickle and dared to think that perhaps he might be able to shave it off as well as live in the daylight—if he didn’t perish at any moment. Stepping closer to the window, he drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs and puffing out his chest. The sun was rapidly ascending into the blue sky. He felt a certain amount of bravery fill his insides. And he had Jada to thank for it. Had she not mentioned that the man she knew asJohnCollinswould be returning to the city on Mondaymorning, he would be concealed within the stuffy darkness of the attic room, sleeping the morbid sleep of the undead. He felt ravenous suddenly, so famished for nourishment that he could hardly stand it. He placed one palm against his chest and tried to steady his hunger telling himself that it might be too dangerous to venture out in the daylight so soon. He had always fed at night, under the cover of darkness. A wave of remorse gripped his insides suddenly. In the back of his mind he saw himself crouched over a victim, his fangs sank deep into a pulsing vein, hot blood squirting into his mouth.I’m a gruesome creature. The intense feeling of fatigue continued, growing stronger by the second. He ran one hand over his hair

onto the back of his neck. His bloodlust rose in mountainous peaks, urging him to reconsider his earlier thought about venturing outside the old house to seek a food source. He grimaced and gnashed his teeth, tormented by the thought of defying his vampire existence. Should he fail, he would surely burn up from the heat of the sun’s rays.If I don’t risk feeding, I will perish from lack of nourishment. Chandlerturned toward the door of the attic room. The single thought of reviving his body clung to his mind. He passed through the doorway and rushed down the stairs to the bottom floor of the old building. He paused when he stood before the door leading to the outside. Once he exited the house, he would be at the mercy of the elements. The sun would touch his cold skin— I have to try. I have to see if I can survive in the light. I have to take the risk.Bolstering his confidence, he opened the door and stepped outside. The light surrounded his body. He threw up one hand to shield his eyes, turning his head against the brilliance of the sun. He stood transfixed on the stoop of the old building, waiting, perhaps for the end to come. His hunger beckoned to him. He craved new blood, its intense warmth rushing through his veins. He forced his feet to move, to traverse down the three steps that led to the crumbling sidewalk. He squinted against the brilliance of the light, looking up and down the deserted area. Ruin stared him in the face. The small cluster of abandoned buildings sat amid overgrown lawns and broken concrete sidewalks. Window frames sagged, spilling their glass panes onto the ground and wisps of curtains dangled helplessly out the broken windows. He turned his head, sickened by the rundown appearance of the area. It was so stark in the daylight. In the darkness, he had accepted the fate of his dwelling and its counterparts, but with the sun’s rays gleaming off the brick exteriors, it made him only pity the place he chose to reside. His blood lust rose, tormenting, turning his mind from the dreary state of the buildings. He had to find food, a victim to take blood from. He tuned his ears to the surroundings, listening for signs of life concealed somewhere within the tenement area. He heard breathing, loud snoring. He chuckled and aimed his feet toward the sound glad that someone was nearby for his needs.Someone sleeps. Chandlerhurried down the sidewalk and across the narrow street to one of the abandoned brick buildings. The sound of snoring grew louder as he approached one house. Quietly, he glided across the sagging porch and through the gaping window into the lower floor. He followed his ears to the sound and discovered a man lying amid a pile of dirty blankets, his head upon a folded overcoat, his legs outstretched and his mouth hanging open as he pulled in great gasping breaths. Chandlerglided silently over to the man. He could see him clearly, make out his every feature, knew of his deep sleep state. He bent over the body, smiling slightly at the array of noises coming from the gaping mouth. He slid his gaze to the man’s neck, spied his jugular vein and licked his lips. His eyes began to glow red in prelude of feeding. His fangs appeared, grazing his lip. He reached for the man’s neck, curled his long fingers around his throat and lowered his head, sinking his fangs into his vein. Hot blood gushed against the back of his throat. He sucked the nourishment, feeling it revive his flagging body instantly as it slid down his neck. He drank and reveled in the newness of the moment. He was awake and in the throes of rejuvenation in the early morning hours. He had broken the taboo of the vampire’s existence.

Chapter Sixteen

Chandlersat on the stoop of the old brick building and stared at the sky. His eyes still felt the sensitivity from the sun, a thing he thought he could possibly remedy merely by observing some of the mortals on the streets of the city. He felt revived with the blood he had taken from the man sleeping in the building across the way. He smiled slightly, satisfied that he had been cunning enough to take the man’s precious blood and not awaken him. He raised his arms above his head and stretched, feeling stronger than he ever imagined he could. It’s all so new and very wonderful.Thoughts of great proportions filled his mind. He saw himself living among the mortals, going about his daily routine as if he were one of them and not the undead thing he had become. He drew in a deep breath. He felt hopeful for the first time in so long. He lowered his head and closed his eyes as hot tears blurred his vision.Who knew vampires could cry?He chided himself for being so emotional. He raised his head and shook away the reverie. The brief show of emotion had been long coming.And I have Jada to thank for it. Chandlerrose from the stoop aware that he felt invincible. Not so different from the way he felt at night when he arose and nourished his body with fresh blood. A wide smile spanned his lips. Happiness bubbled up inside him as he turned his feet toward the busy part of the city. There was much to do now that he had been able to survive well past the rising of the sun. He had to observe the mortals and copy their daytime actions. He strolled along the sidewalk, his hands inside his jeans pockets. Centuries had passed since he had been privileged to walk in the daylight. The newness enthralled him. He smiled as if for the first time. He noticed the buildings along the way, the modern architecture, the various shades of colors chosen to accentuate the large windows and glass doors. He became intrigued with the assortment of merchandise shop owners dragged to the sidewalks in front of their businesses. He paused and inspected the various racks of clothing and trinkets. He exchanged pleasantries with the early morning shoppers along the way, observing their style of dress and the way they conversed. He made mental notes of their actions and the way they intermingled with each other. He passed among them as if he were one of them, a curious shopper looking for bargains amid the many shops, all the while keenly aware of how he felt physically. Emotionally, he was on top of the world, the happiest he had been sinceJohannesturned him into a creature of the night. He found the solution to his eyes hurting from the sun’s rays. Several of the shoppers he encountered wore dark glasses over their eyes. When he found a rack containing numerous pairs for sale, he took careful note of them, only to remind himself that he had no money to purchase the glasses with. For the

first time since realizing he could survive in the daylight, he felt remorse gather in his gut.If I’m going to continue this act, ever how uncertain it might be, I must find a way of supporting myself. Short of stealing, he could think of no way to readily acquire money in his pocket. Getting a job seemed out of the question.Who would hire a vampire?He chuckled in spite of his circumstance.At least I don’t have to worry about purchasing food.He grimaced and stepped away from the display of sunglasses he had been looking at. The retail section of the city proved to be too noisy and too crowded for his vampire senses. His hearing was too keen to tune out the noise of the automobiles on the streets or the voices of those clustered along the sidewalks. He heard every little nuance, from high-pitched voices of women tending their toddlers, to low toned voices of well-dressed men carrying briefcases and discussing financial deals on cell phones. He turned into the first narrow alleyway he spied and didn’t pause his feet until he was at its end. The noise coupled with the bright light of day was making his temples pound. He closed his eyes and leaned his back against the solid wall of a brick building, mentally accessing his next move. “So you’ve figured it out.” Chandlerjerked his eyes open and lunged upward from his leaning position against the building. He clenched his fists and hissed a warning as he blinked his eyes atJohannes, leaning nonchalantly against an adjacent building. “You’ve discovered the secret of living in the daylight.” A ripple of fright coursed throughChandler’s body. He darted his eyes from side to side, aware that there was but one escape route in the alley. ShouldJohannessuddenly attack him, he would have only one choice. He braced his feet apart, readying his body for the onslaught. Johannessmiled at him, a slow, deliberate smile meant to taunt. His face held none of the characteristic pallor of a vampire. He was tanned and healthy looking, his dark eyes were clear and framed with sultry black lashes. His face was youthful, having been in his prime when he was changed into a vampire. Chandlerhad heard the story many centuries ago.Johanneshad been a notable count, a wealthy landowner with considerable political powers. “Aren’t you going to tell me how nice it is to see me again,Chandler? How long has it been?” He raised one hand and stroked his chin, a contemplative look on his dark handsome face. “Centuries,”Chandlerground out. He tried to reason whyJohanneshad suddenly confronted him, since he was rumored to be out of town. Johannesnodded and pushed himself away from the building at his back. Chandlerreadied himself for the attack from the master. His heart rate jumped to a rapid tattoo and his muscles stiffened. One quick movement andJohanneswas mere inches from his body, a non-threatening look across his face.Chandlerlurched back, finding the immovable building behind him. “You have changed little.”Johannesreached out one hand and raked a long nail alongChandler’s jaw.

Chandlerslapped his hand away. “Vampires don’t change once they’ve been turned.” He bit the words out, glaring atJohannes, a snarl on his face. Johannesthrew back his head and laughed loudly. Chandlerwatched the master, his senses alert to any treachery from the old vampire.Johannessilenced and leveled a threatening gaze atChandler. He opened his mouth and bared his fangs. Chandlercautioned himself not to move too hastily, not to instigate the attack. He was too inexperienced to start something he couldn’t finish. He stared at the master, awaiting the message he surely meant to deliver. Johannes’s body began to rise upward, enlarging, growing wider and more powerful asChandlerstared. He soon had to tip his head to look the master in the face. He had transformed into a towering monster, his handsome face contorted into that of a beast, snarling and gnashing his teeth. His eyes glowed bright red and saliva dripped from the points of his sharp fangs. “I have toyed with you long enough. I am weary of your presence. Leave my territory.” Johannes’s warning was ground out in a guttural slur that echoed aroundChandler’s head. He flattened his back against the building and calculated how swiftly he could attack the vicious vampire while he was still transformed into his hideous state. “Or you will die.” Chandler gathered his courage, lunged his big body from the sturdy support of the building and came at Johannes, his fangs bared, only to find he was grasping thin air as Johannes took to the air, rising straight upward from his hovering position in front of Chandler. He left nothing in his wake except a morbid stench of centuries old flesh.

Chapter Seventeen

Well now he could stop trying to second-guessJohannes. The old master knew of his presence and his

newfound ability to walk in the daylight. He combed one hand through his hair. He dragged in a deep breath. The urge to feed suddenly came over him. He glanced about the alley, turning his gaze to the street at its end. There were numerous people milling about the streets, coming and going through the doors of the businesses now open for the day. He was shaken but relieved thatJohanneshad only issued his warning and not attacked him. Having only discovered that he could stay out in the light, he didn’t need a deadly confrontation so soon.Fuck! I don’t need a confrontation withJohannesat all! Chandlerreplayed their encounter over in his mind.Johanneswas still the vicious master he remembered from centuries past and he still held the upper hand over him. Part of his threat cleared up any notion that Jada had tried to communicate with him mentally. It had beenJohannes’s voice he had heard impersonating Jada, teasing, perhaps laying a trap. He released a long breath. His blood hunger gnawed at his insides. Perhaps the sudden encounter withJohanneswas to blame for his needing to feed again so soon. Unable to resist the temptation of fresh blood in his mouth, he strode toward the opening of the alley. A tall dark haired woman with two shopping bags was coming down the street. She made eye contact with him as he observed her. He stared at her, tuning his senses. He could hear her heart beating, heard her breathing quicken as she held his gaze. He sensed her sexual interest in him. He smiled slightly, amused that the woman should be so hasty in determining sexual lust, after all, he was a stranger, having just emerged from an alley in the city. She knew nothing of him or his intentions. The woman slowed her steps as she drew near him. She shifted one of the bags she carried to the other hand and grasped the strap of her shoulder bag with her free hand. She bit her bottom lip and smiled. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Chandlercocked an eyebrow. She stopped in front of him, stared at him for a moment, then looked surprised. “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.” She giggled. “You look exactly likeRichardMallory.” She studied his face. “The resemblance is uncanny.” Chandlerstared at her, then suddenly raised a hand and grasped her by one arm. “You will obey me.” He whispered the words as he pulled her into the alley. She gave a brief gasp and dropped her shopping bags on the sidewalk.Chandlerlifted her off the ground and leapt to the rear of the alley. A second later, he held her pressed tightly against his chest while he bared his fangs and sank their sharp points into her vein. He drank, sating his bloodlust. His thirst was quenched shortly and he retracted his fangs, pushing the young woman away. He swiped the back of one hand across his lips, wiping away the blood drops that had escaped his mouth. He had only taken a taste of blood from the victim, yet she stared at him as though he had drank his fill. He gave her a little shake before sending her scurrying toward the mouth of the alley. He leaned one hand against the brick building and thought about what he had done. He had only sunk his fangs into her vein and momentarily he felt his thirst sated.Perhaps I didn’t need to feed after all. A bit perplexed, he contemplated his decision to take from his victim, then hurried to glance over his shoulder in the direction he had last seen her. She was gathering the contents of her shopping bags on the sidewalk, her butt turned toward him. He leapt in her direction, landing silently behind her on the sidewalk. For all his vampire powers, the power of persuasion was the most unique. He stooped beside

her and shoved the last few items belonging in her bag, into her hands. She glanced at him, a quick smile on her face, as though she was seeing him for the first time. “I’m such a klutz sometimes.” She shook her head, spilling her long hair across one shoulder. “Thank you.” She stood and smiled at him again. “Do I know you? You look so familiar.” He knew instantly why he looked familiar to her. She had seen him in the nightclub. She was one of the exotic dancers at The Royal. She had been on stage most every time Jada had danced. “I’ve been told I look likeRichardMallory.” He shrugged his shoulders and grinned.Tell me who the fuck RichardMalloryis. “Yes! You do! You look exactly like him.” She giggled. “I suppose one banker looks like the other.” He laughed and stepped around her, ending the conversation.So Mallory is a banker.He rubbed his chin contemplatively. A plan began to take shape in his head. It would be within his powers to find the banker and assume his identity. He could live in his house, go about his daily existence as though he were really RichardMallory. He shoved aside the uneasy feeling that suddenly rose up inside his body.Johanneshas to be dealt with first. He pulled in a long breath, raised one hand and rubbed his eyes. He needed sunglasses to shade his eyesight. The brilliance of the sun was giving him a headache. He needed to get in out of the light for a time, to rest his eyes and gather his thoughts. He strode toward the intersection as he saw a large number of people rushing toward him. They were four abreast and he was forced to step to the side while they passed. Chandlerturned his gaze on the group, aware that they exuded an uncanny atmosphere of danger as they passed him. He paused and took into account their dress and their manner of walking. They swaggered, as though they were invincible. The four were males, tall, dressed in dark clothing. They each wore a vest with an emblem on the back. And they all four wore dark glasses shading their eyes. They continued down the sidewalk, four abreast, forcing those coming toward them to either step into the street or into a doorway of a business to let them pass. Chandlersmiled a condescending smile. He had encountered such arrogance before though in his medieval era and the swaggering males had been warriors sporting many battle scars. They deserved to swagger for their bravery, but this small group of young men appeared to be flaunting their power for little more than to call attention to themselves. He had spied no battle scars or craggy features grown from experience on any of their youthful faces. He spun on his heel and followed them, soon catching up to them as they came to another intersection. The four stood at the curb.Chandlerstepped among them, separating their number. “What the fuck are you doing, grandpa?” He caught an elbow moments before it landed against his ribs. He gripped the bony joint, then sent the youth reeling with a well-aimed push. He toppled against the nearest young man. Suddenly the foursome sprang atChandler, pummeling him with their fists and cursing. Chandlergrasped the nearest youth and levered him off the ground, then tossed him aside, slamming him against the pavement. He landed an open hand blow to two others, sending them squealing and grabbing their ears in pain. The fourth quickly backed away, holding up both hands in surrender.

Chandlerstooped and picked up a pair of sunglasses one of the pack had dropped during their little foray. The youth on the ground scrambled to his feet, leaving behind a fat wallet.Chandlerscooped the item up and slipped it into his jacket pocket as he continued across the intersection. He felt no remorse for his treatment of the swaggering four, nor apparently did the others gathered to cross the street. He listened to the low mutterings of the people catching up to him as he stepped onto the adjacent walkway before crossing the street to the next avenue. From the bits of conversation he overheard, the youthful foursome was a force to be reckoned with in the neighborhood and his rebuke of them was greatly appreciated. The dark glasses suited his eyes quite nicely. He smiled as he adjusted the metal frame across his nose. His fingers touched the wallet he tucked into his jacket pocket. Curiosity grew inside him as he thought of the contents of the wallet. He had as yet to devise a way of getting money but then, his only vampire needs was for blood and a safe place to wait out the daylight. He gazed overhead, aware that the sun didn’t hurt his eyes as it had previously. Now that he had been privy to brave the daylight, he would need to change a few things. He smiled, rejoicing at the knowledge that he was walking in the daylight. I can’t forget aboutJohannes! Damn!His joy was suddenly interrupted with the reminder that the master vampire had ordered him out of his territory or face annihilation. He grimaced and clutched the wallet inside his pocket, suddenly distracted by its smooth leather exterior. He looked around for a secure place out of the way of prying eyes. Spying a long canopy on a storefront, he quickened his steps, physically holding his strides in check so as not to call suspicion upon himself. He turned the wallet over in his hand, then opened it. It was empty except for a thick wad of money tucked neatly between its leather sides. Quickly he took note of the bills and their denominations before folding the wallet and returning it to his pocket. Remembering the youth who had dropped the possession, he felt secure in believing that the item had recently been another’s property, perhaps one of the innocent people walking along the street as the gang pushed their way through the crowd. He quickly decided he felt no remorse at relieving a thief of his ill-gotten gains. He felt a surge of confidence at having money in his pocket. He chuckled, wondering if all humans felt such emotion over having money in their possession. He adjusted his new sunglasses across his nose.

Chapter Eighteen

Chandlersat at the small table at the open-air restaurant and studied the people eating sandwiches and drinking steaming cups of black liquid. He lowered his gaze to his own cup, challenging himself to take a taste. He had ordered the drink when he saw how many others was indulging in the fare, and because he didn’t want to call attention to himself while he observed those sitting nearby. He needed to blend in with the people of the city and despite the threatJohanneshad issued him that morning, he continued to try and convince himself that there might be a way he could stay in the city and be close to Jada. He reached for the cup and brought it to his mouth. Anything outside of blood made his stomach churn. He remembered the drink of liquor Jada had given him when he dropped by her house. That seems like a million years ago.Chandlerchuckled at his own words. Only a few days had passed since he had been at Jada’s house and attempted to mock her drinking habits. He adjusted his body in the metal outdoor chair. He preferred to remember the heated sex they had shared rather than the liquor that had burned his throat. He touched the coffee mug to his lips and sloshed the hot black liquid into his mouth. It scalded his tongue, almost causing him to hurl the cup into the street. He hurried to sit it down instead, glancing around to see if anyone nearby had caught a glimpse of his sudden reaction to having his tongue nearly burned out of his head.Damn! That was hot! Chandlerwas finding it rather difficult to pretend to be mortal. He had no taste for their food or drink and had, as yet, found a place for himself within their society. He thought then of the young woman he had taken blood from earlier that morning and her comment that he looked like a banker namedRichard Mallory. He should findRichardMalloryand have a look at him. Confusion blanketed his mind. Or should he leave the city for his own well-being?Johanneshadn’t leveled an idle threat toward him. He would indeed kill him if he chose to defy his command. Suddenly he was overcome with rage atJohannes’s threat. He levered his body out of the chair and marched off down the sidewalk, his hands shoved deep into his jeans pockets and his teeth clenched.Perhaps I’m more of a threat toJohannesthan I realize. His thoughts took a sudden turn toward the secure side. The master wouldn’t levy a threat he had no intention of keeping, but on the other hand, why would he threaten a fellow vampire who he felt was inferior to himself? Should he hold little threat toJohannes, the master would not have bothered to search him out and warn him. Chandlerscratched his head. SinceJohanneshad seen him walking in the light, perhaps he figured he was as powerful as him.Fuck! No one is as powerful as the old master!His inexperience suddenly raised up to haunt him. He walked faster, gritting his teeth. Then abruptly halted his feet as another thought assailed his mind.IfJohannesfelt him to be such a threat, why hadn’t he attacked and killed him that very morning? Why bother with threats and acts of violence? There was something about the situation he didn’t quite understand, but just the notion that perhaps Johanneswas more fearful of him than he should be gave him a sense of renewed security. The idea of finding the banker and having a look at him returned to his brain. He shrugged his shoulders. Even if nothing came of the idea, he would at least get an idea of what a professional businessman looked like.If I don’t go into banking, maybe I’ll go into something else. Scanning the street in both directions, he observed the businesses. There was a bank at the end of the

next block, but he had no way of knowing whetherRichardMallorywas employed there or not. He started walking, an idea springing to mind. Perhaps if he inquired ofMr.Mallory’s presence, someone would know him and where he could be found. Entering the bank, he spied a pretty woman standing behind a low partition and went to her, a smile across his face. In a low kind voice, he asked aboutRichardMallory’s whereabouts. She smiled and politely informed him thatMr.Mallorywasn’t an employee of that bank, but rather the main bank downtown. She scribbled the address on a slip of paper and handed it to him, her eyes assessing his face with immeasurable interest. “You could be his brother. You look so much like him.” He smiled and turned to leave.I’m beginning to think I might take Mallory’s place with little trouble.He exited the bank building and studied the address on the paper she gave him. The main part of the city was a considerable distance to the north. He glanced around, looking for a place to hide while he transformed and took to the air. He had money in his pocket to pay a car to drive him to the bank, but able to traverse at will had its advantages. He walked to the nearest alley and ducked inside. He transformed into a bat and rose above the building, taking to the air in the direction of the downtown bank. Arriving within minutes, he perched atop the building roof and searched out a likely place on the ground to transform. Deciding on the upper floor of a parking garage, he flew to the structure and located the floor without people milling about. He changed into his vampire body, straightened his leather jacket and took the stairs down to the street. A short jaunt and he stood in front of the bank building. He stared at the plate glass windows flanking the street. An uncanny feeling passed through his insides. He raised his nose in the air, scenting.Vampire! Identifying the stench of moist earth and old decay, he pushed through the front door of the bank, his senses alert. The odor grew stronger, pulling him toward the rear of the building. He spied a bank of elevators and walked toward them, the stench engulfing his senses and pulling at his brain. He poked the button for the upper floor and stepped inside the box when the doors slid open. The aroma grew stronger once the doors closed, trapping him inside. He rode the elevator until it stopped and the doors once more opened. A long hallway stemmed out from the elevator. He stepped onto plush amber colored carpet and darted his gaze along the buff colored walls. A single office door lay at the end of the hall. The foul smell of vampire clung to the air and aggravated his nose. Cautiously, he started walking toward the closed door, his senses alert. Pausing mere inches from the door, his keen intuition identified the vampire beyond the door. He felt the creature’s sudden alertness to his presence. Carefully he considered whether to transform and seep beneath the door or burst through the obstruction and make himself known.Hell! He already knows I’m here! A noise sounded just beyond the door and suddenly the wooden structure burst open.Chandlerbarely had time to glimpse the shadowy form hurtling toward him before it landed against his chest, knocking him to the floor. Gnashing teeth lunged at his neck and long nailed fingers tore at his clothing. Chandlerwas suddenly on the defensive as he realized his attacker was a vicious vampire and intent on killing him. His rage rose quickly as he met the force with renewed strength. He pushed at the mighty chest pressing in on his body and lashed out at the long clawing fingers that sought to dig into his flesh. He landed a blow against the vicious fanged mouth that drove against his throat, sending the form sprawling

across the floor. He lunged to his feet and bared his fangs as his eyes glowed fiery red. The vampire slid against the wall as he sought to right himself, then sprang once more towardChandler. His face was contorted into a mask of evil with gaping mouth and deep set red eyes.Chandlermet the force with slashing fists, driving a mighty blow against the vampire’s chest. Caught off guard byChandler ’s powerful punch, the creature doubled over.Chandlertook advantage of the vampire's pause and lunged his body against him with all the force he could muster. The force drove the fiend into the wall. They fell to the floor andChandlerlanded a crippling blow to the snarling face, breaking the creature’s jaw and bringing a loud bellow from its gaping mouth. Realizing he had gained the upper hand,Chandlerrolled atop the undead thing and pummeled his head with crashing fists. Rage drove his clawing hands as he ripped at the vampire’s throat, severing his ugly head from his neck. Hurling the dismembered skull down the hallway, he pinned the flagging body with one knee then he drew back one fist and thrust it into the withering chest of the vampire, piercing its heart and bringing forth blood squirting upward like a fountain of red. Chandlerlevered his body off the being and scrambled back to watch, glancing at the severed head as it came to rest at the end of the hallway before turning his gaze back to the dying vampire. The decapitated body withered and jerked, the legs and arms quivered with the final assault of death as the last ounces of blood gushed from the ripped heart muscle. Chandlerstared at the corpse when it finally lay motionless on the yellow carpet. He heaved a relieved sigh, then went quickly to retrieve the head at the end of the hallway. Once a vampire’s head was severed from his body, there remained a few seconds. If the creature could manage to find his head, he could repair the damage and live again. LuckilyChandlerhad managed to toss the skull far enough away from the vampire making it impossible for him to retrieve it and repair his body. He lifted the skull by the hair and carried it back to the vampire body lying near the office door. Already it had started to smolder, the first step to total oblivion of a truly dead vampire. He gazed down at the corpse, then threw the head atop the bloody chest. Damn! I do look a lot like him!He smirked, dragging in a long breath. He gazed at the blood stained hair, long and blond, secured at the nape with a black band. From what he could make out of the features, his nose and chin resembled Mallory’s. His height and weight appeared very similar as well. He watched the corpse smolder and change into a pile of ash. When the vampire vanished,Chandlerstraightened his clothing and went into the office at the end of the hall. He hadn’t come looking for a fight, but he hadn’t run either. He squared his shoulders. Victory felt good. He kicked the door closed with one foot. The fact thatRichardMallorywas—had been—a vampire made his plan just a little bit sweeter. He threw back his head and laughed out loud.

Chapter Nineteen

A wide mahogany desk sat before a bank of tall windows overlooking the city.Chandlerstood in the center of the floor and looked around. The room was large with a sitting area to one side. Dark leather sofas and chairs were positioned near a fireplace on the wall. An adjoining room boasted a long polished table flanked by a dozen chairs. He poked his head inside a bathroom with an adjoining dressing room. He noted the three suits hanging on a rack and the accompanying shoes and overcoats. Raising his bloody hands, he stepped inside the small room and went to the sink to wash up. The desk held an assortment of things, gold embossed pens. A leather backed appointment book caught his attention. He rolled the leather desk chair out and slid into it, sliding his palms across the smooth leather with an appraising sigh. He opened the appointment book and found a marker at one page. Assuming the notations were meant for that day, he was relieved to see that Mallory had already finished with the day’s appointments. Aware that assumingRichardMallory’s identity would require a bit of study on his part, he set his mind to learning from the articles he found in the office. Car keys were in the center drawer of the desk as well as personalized notepapers. There were no portraits of kin anywhere in the large office or adjoining rooms though there were numerous photos of Mallory posing with other businessmen at such events as groundbreaking ceremonies and business openings.Chandlertook note of the smiling faces in the photos, noticing that there were no females in any of the pictures. He rifled through two file cabinets in a small alcove off the main office and found that Mallory owned several downtown properties as well as two houses in the better part of the city. Once he discovered his present residence, he mentally noted the address and moved on to a third file cabinet. He was quickly finding out bits and pieces of interesting details about his predecessor when the ringing of the phone suddenly interrupted him. He turned his gaze toward the desk, staring at the phone sitting on its corner. Shrugging one shoulder, he chuckled and lifted the receiver. “RichardMallory.” He listened to the way the name rolled off his tongue, satisfied he could play the part of the vampire banker, with a little practice. “This isJerome, from The Royal.Mr.Collinssaid that if there was ever any trouble I should give you a call.” Surprise filtered throughChandler’s body. He turned his ears to the voice and tried to sense the caller’s emotional state. “Well, there’s been a little trouble,Mr.Mallory.” “Do tell.” “The cops raided the club this morning. They found a couple of paintings and they arrestedLesterandJoe. Luckily,Mr.Collinswas out when they arrived. Can you fix things? Can you post bail?”

Fear laced the man’s words. His voice trembled. “You sayMr.Collinsdidn’t get arrested?” “No sir.” The caller sighed into the phone. “I know I’m not supposed to be talking about this over the phone, but I knew the boss was taking a chance keeping those paintings around.” “I’ll see what I can do.”Chandlerhung up the phone and leaned back in the plush desk chair.Richard Malloryhas ties toJohannes.He cocked an eyebrow.One vampire helping out another vampire.He thought of Jada suddenly and bounded out of the chair.Time to assume my new identity.Crossing the room to the dressing area beyond the bathroom, he tore at his clothes in an effort to remove them. He had no intention of going to the jail to post bail forJohannes’s cohorts, but he did have intentions of checking on Jada. He stripped out of his jeans and t-shirt and donned a dark navy suit from the dressing area. Sliding on a pair of shiny black leather shoes, he was surprised to find that they fit. He zipped his fly and took a moment to glance at his appearance in the floor to ceiling mirror at the back of the small dressing room. He looked quite debonair. The suit fit as though it had been made for him, and though he had no idea how to tie a necktie, he was dashing with the neck of his white shirt open. He found a comb in the bathroom and combed his hair, then retied it at his nape. Returning to the office area, he started toward the door, then remembered he had seen car keys in the desk drawer. Curiosity dictated his movements as he yanked the drawer open and lifted the keys into his palm.There might be a few things I’ll need help with.He closed his fingers around the keys and then slipped them into his pants pocket. Sooner or later he would make good use of them. He left the office and rode the elevator down to street level. Crossing the polished tile floor to the entrance, he walked like a man with a purpose, turning heads as he passed those standing in line awaiting tellers. A man wearing a red coat with gold buttons rushed to open the door for him. “Good afternoon,Mr.Mallory.” Chandlernodded at the doorman and stepped through the entrance onto the sidewalk. Glancing in either direction, he realized he should have gone to the roof of the building and transformed where no prying eyes could have seen him. “Should I hail a cab for you,Mr.Mallory?” Turning at the sound of the doorman’s voice, he quickly nodded his head. Maybe Mallory took cabs and the doorman wouldn’t find it unusual to hail one for him. As he slid across the back seat of the rented car and gave the address of The Royal Nightclub to the driver, he realized he could make changes in Mallory’s life as he saw fit.Mallory is dead. I’m the new improved version.He chuckled as he leaned back in the seat and turned his gaze out the side window. The cab arrived at the nightclub in a matter of minutes.Chandlergave the driver a bill and tried not to look surprised when he received bills in return. He hurried from the car and crossed the avenue to the front of the club. Three police cars were lined up at the curb and, as soon as he set foot on the sidewalk, a burly policeman stepped in front of him, blocking his way. “The club is closed for now.” Chandlerswallowed down his immediate anger at the man blocking his way. He forced a smile and met the policeman’s gaze.Act like a nice mortal.“I’m looking for Detective Harris.”

The cop’s eyes widened. “And who are you?” “RichardMallory.” He offered his hand to the policeman. “The banker? Oh yeah. Sure. I thought you looked familiar.” He stepped to one side. “Jada is inside. You can go in,Mr.Mallory.” Damn! Mallory must be a force to be reckoned with.Chandlerglanced over his shoulder at the policeman as he took hold of the doorknob.Surely it wasn’t known to everyone that Mallory was a vampire.He pushed the thought aside and entered the club in search of Jada. The interior was brightly lit and dozens of policemen were busy combing every inch. He paused just inside the door and blinked his eyes against the blaze of lights. Scanning the wide room, he searched for Jada orMike. Voices came to his ears, drawing his attention to the upper floor of the building. He crossed to the stairs and hurried up them, careful to set foot on each stair as a mortal would do. He found Jada inside Collins’s office, seated at his desk, a scattering of files before her. She glanced up when he entered the room. “How in hell did you get in here?” Chandlerwinked one dark eye at her. “It’s nice to see you too, Jada.” He wafted his gaze over her face and lowered it to the tantalizing cleavage at the neck of her blouse. He wanted her instantly, his cock aroused just by the sight of her beautiful face. “I thought I told you to stay clear of this place.” She rose from the desk and came toward him. Halting a few feet from him, she placed both hands on her hips. “You clean up nicely.” She reached out one hand and fingered the lapel of his suit coat. “Nice duds. Where did you steal them?” Where did I steal them? This female needs taught a lesson.He closed the gap between them and pulled her against his chest. “I’d like to throw you down on that desk and fuck you until you beg me to stop.” She smiled slightly and pushed out of his arms. He pulled in a deep breath, savoring the musk of her arousal. “I’ve got work to do.” She returned to the desk and sat down in the chair. Staring across the expanse at him, she locked gazes with him. “We didn’t arrestCollins. He was gone when we instituted the raid.” She sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I bet the bastard is out of the country by now.” Chandlerstared at her and tried to think of something truthful to say, something she would believe. Odds were, she would never apprehend the man she knew asJohnCollins.Johanneswas too slick to be caught, and besides, there wasn’t a jail made that could hold him. He could vaporize and disappear quicker than a cop could draw his gun. He raised one hand and scrubbed it along his jaw. IfJohanneswas smart, he would leave the city and start a new venture elsewhere.

Chapter Twenty

Believing Jada was safe from Collins—at least while the vampire thought the cops were searching the city for him—Chandlerleft the club. Returning his thoughts to further researchingRichardMallory, he gave the address of Mallory’s house to the cab driver and settled back for the ride to his new home. Mentally noting the direction the cab was taking, he observed the scenery as the route wound through the city and into the quiet suburbs. The avenues grew broader as lavish homes sprawled across lush lawns and curving driveways led to four car garages. He hid his surprise when the car pulled into one of the impressive drives and came to a halt at a tall white two-story mansion. Chandlertried the door latch before resorting to using one of the keys he had tucked into his pocket. The knob turned and the door swung open, revealing a spacious room with a hardwood floor and pristine white walls. He admired the sight as he stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind him. He paused and listened. He heard a motor humming and then the noise of rushing air. Turning his head, he saw the long drapery at the front window flutter and spied a vent just below the cloth. He sensed his first impression of the residence was accurate. There was no one within the walls, aside from an assortment of electrical appliances necessary to maintain the home. He strode down the foyer to the back of the house, poking his head into each of the rooms stemming off the hallway. The home was furnished beautifully and looked as though a mortal man, instead of a brutal vampire, inhabited it. He turned his gaze on the curving stairs leading up to the second floor. The stench of earth and vampire flesh reached his nose.Mallory’s lair is upstairs. Following the odor, he reached the suite of rooms at the end of the hallway and opened the door. A dark room lay beyond with drapes pulled across wide windows. He scanned the space, identifying Mallory’s crypt sitting near the back of the room. The scent of centuries old vampire flesh filled the room. He crossed the space to the open casket. When Mallory slept, he lay down in the fragrant earth, rejuvenating his body with his homeland soil. He stared at the ebon place, sensing that the vampire didn’t often take refuge in the box.Like the master, Mallory had known the secret of living in the daylight. Returning to the downstairs portion of the house, he sought out the home office Mallory kept and took a seat at the desk in the center of the room. Its top was cluttered with files and stacks of sheets with long columns of numbers. Intrigued by the amount of work the vampire banker had brought home to go over, he seated himself at the desk and started looking through the assortment of pages. The sound of the doorbell interrupted his concentration.Chandlerpaused, raising his head and listening for further evidence that someone was at the door of the house. The bell sounded again, followed by knocking. He rose and went to the front of the house. Halting his feet mere inches from the door, he

sensed Jada’s presence on the front porch. He released a long breath, combed his fingers through his hair and grasped the doorknob.She’s mad as hell! His mind spun as he tried to think of a lie she would believe. Finding him at the Mallory residence left him but one choice. He had to pretend to be the banker he looked so much like. He pulled the door open, prepared to defend himself with a hasty made up story about why he had lied to her in the first place. Jada marched inside, whirled around to face him, propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You’ve some explaining to do.” He closed the door, turning his back to her for a moment, thinking. “First you make me believe you’re a cop sent to help me work a case, then I find out you aren’t, then you show up during a raid I’ve waited to institute for six months and my fellow officer friends tell me you’re a prominent banker named Richard Mallory.” She cocked her head at him. “What in hell is going on? Who are you?” She held up one hand. “Who are you at this very moment?” He chuckled and took her arm. Turning her toward the living room, he guided her through the doorway. Glancing around, he spied a dark green sofa and steered her toward it. He wondered if he should offer her a drink since he saw a liquor cabinet in the corner of the room.And if she drinks enough, maybe she’ll believe anything I say. She jerked her arm free of his grasp. “Stop stalling. Just who in hell are you?” He offered her a seat on the couch, then seated himself on one end and looked up at her.Who do you want me to be?The thought came to mind just as Jada sighed and dropped onto the couch beside him. He caught the airy fragrance of her perfume and, for an instant, wondered if he might make her forget all about questioning him with a mental suggestion that they should have sex. “Are you reallyRichardMallory?” She gazed around the lavish room, then returned her gaze to his face. “Because if you are, you need to explain what your ties are toJohnCollins.” “I have no ties toJohnCollins.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Why did you show up at the club when we instigated the raid?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I was looking for you.” He reached out one hand and took hers, bringing her knuckles to his mouth. He kissed each one. “I wanted to make certain you were safe.” She jerked her hand away. “I can take care of myself.” He grimaced. Had she any idea whom she was dealing with—whoJohnCollinsactually was—she would cringe and thank him for his concern. But then he had that thought the first time he realizedJohanneswas impersonating the club owner. “You seem indifferent to my concern.” She smiled slowly. “I carry a gun and I’m not afraid to use it,Chandler, or should I call youRichard?” “Either.” She drew back, surprised. “Either?” She reached inside her jacket and extracted a set of handcuffs. “I

think I’m going to have to arrest you, just until I find out who you really are?” “Why? What did I do?” Amusement traveled through his insides. “Stand up and put your hands behind your back.” She rose, spread her legs and braced her body. “I’m taking you in.” He chuckled. “Thank you, but I have other plans for this evening.” Her eyes widened. She reached for her gun. Chandlerreached out and grasped her around the waist, hauling her across his lap. She yelped in surprise and tried to break his hold, pushing at his chest with flattened palms. “You’re no match for my strength, Jada.” His voice was low toned, calm. He smiled down into her surprised face, then bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. “Your mouth tastes like honey. I could feed on you all day and night.” He pressed his lips against hers with a force that made her moan and close her eyes. Her body relaxed. She wound her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest. Her breasts flattened against the hard muscles beneath his coat, her warmth penetrated his cool flesh. He took her mouth as though he owned it, poking his tongue between her lips and commanding she open up for his sensual probing. He stroked her back and delved his hand beneath her jacket and blouse, finding her supple skin. A low moan found its way up his throat. Chandlertook away her jacket and blouse, baring her body as he continued kissing her lips, claiming her forever more as he took total control of the situation. She closed her eyes and didn’t complain as he unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. He covered her breasts with his hands and plucked her nipples until they were taut nubs. When she quivered beneath his hands, he released the zipper in her pants and pushed them from her body. She lay across his lap naked, her legs splayed and his hand in her crotch. He stroked her silken tissues while she moaned and clung to his chest, her arms wound tightly around his neck, her mouth pressed seductively to his. He brought her quickly to orgasm with his stroking fingers. Her breathless moans served only to intensify his sexual urges.I wonder if there’s a bed in one of those upstairs rooms?He dashed the thought. He didn’t dare carry her up the stairs only to wander the hallway in search of the right room to fulfill his lusty urges. He slid her off his lap onto the couch and tore at his clothes. Momentarily he parted her legs with one knee and climbed atop her body, plunging his hot cock between her splayed legs. She gasped and levered her body upward, only to clasp his shoulders with both hands and pull him down against her breasts. Chandlerthrust inside her core, ramming his hard cock to the hilt, pausing, savoring, pulling back and ramming inside again, deeper. Her warmth surrounded his cock, held it tightly and slicked along its hot length. He savored the heat of her body, longed to keep his cock inside her forever, thrusting, bringing orgasm to the fore. He nuzzled her neck and nestled his face in the niche formed by her collarbone and shoulder. The urge to drink her blood came upon him suddenly. No! Dammit! No!He tried to push the desire away. He groaned and felt the first sensations of orgasm stream through his body. The urge rose in mountainous peaks, spurring him on. He felt his fangs extending, brushing his lip. He tightened his abdomen as the orgasm crashed through his limbs. He

opened his mouth, touched Jada’s throat with his tongue, wet the spot over her vein, listened to the sweet sound of her blood rushing through her blood vessels. He sank his fangs into her flesh, piercing her vein. Her hot blood filled his mouth. Silently, he cursed himself for being so weak as the orgasm came full bloom, taking his senses over the edge. “Damn! I’ve never…felt anything…like that before!” She clawed his back with her sharp nails and raised her legs to wrap them around his thrusting hips. A shuddering moan slipped from her mouth.

Chapter Twenty-one

“I love you.” The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop himself from speaking.Chandler licked his lips, removing all traces of Jada’s blood. The sweet taste was still on his tongue, the memory fresh in his mind. He had bitten Jada, thrust his fangs into her neck while in the throes of passion. He sighed and closed his eyes as remorse washed over him. Jada stirred beneath his body. He raised his head, glancing down at her. The look on her face nearly broke his heart. She turned her eyes away and pushed against his chest, urging him to let her up. She slid along the couch cushion and got up while he rolled to his back and watched her. She bent and picked up her clothes, dressing quickly and silently. “I’m not sure who you are or what connection you have to Collins and his stolen art ring, but I intend to find out.” She whirled around and stared at him. “In the meantime, stay the hell away from me.” She marched out of the room and, moments later, the front door slammed. “Son-of-a-bitch!”Chandlersat up and braced his elbows on his knees. He held his head in both hands. Agony surged through his insides. The memory of her body was still fresh in his mind, her smell lingered on his hands. He closed his eyes to the assault of sensations.I shouldn’t have told her I love her.He sighed and raised his head. He should have kept his feelings secret, perhaps never to be spoken. He groaned suddenly.And I never should have taken her blood! The exquisite sensations of orgasm seemed that much more intensified as he gulped her hot blood, felt it

coursing through his veins and pressed his naked body against hers. Her response came quickly to mind. She had proclaimed that that feeling was unlike anything she had ever felt. His brow furrowed. Realization dawned.Johanneshad not taken her blood when he fucked her! He rose from the couch and picked up the dark suit he had thrown haphazardly across the room. For whatever reason,Johanneshad resisted the urge to bite Jada, to turn her into a creature of the night. He refused to believe that the old master had other plans for her, though the possibility existed.Perhaps it is only too early inJohannes’s plan to change Jada. What is he up to? He dressed, pulling on the well fitting slacks and shirt, then shrugged into the double-breasted coat. He ran one hand across the soft fabric. It was luxurious, perhaps the finest he had ever known.Richard Malloryhad established quite a life for himself. He thought then of his investigating of the vampire and his ties toJohannes. Perhaps they were only drawn together by circumstance.Vampire befriending vampire? He thought then ofJohannesthreatening him in the alley. HadJohannesthreatenedRichardMalloryin a similar way? Had Mallory refused to leave the city? He scratched his head.What is the connection betweenJohannesand Mallory? He remembered the phone call he received earlier from one ofJohannes’s cohorts. He had thought he wasRichardMallorywhen he answered the phone. He had asked for help, related thatCollinshad instructed he call should there be any trouble.Could Mallory be more powerful thanJohannes? The thought gave him pause.Johanneswas the most powerful vampire in existence. Or so he thought. Centuries had passed andJohanneshad managed to survive. Should there be a more powerful vampire in his midst—would he stand to share his territory with another? Vampires were notorious for guarding their feeding ground. Once he had been released into the world, Johanneshad ordered him to go far from where he existed. He had hurried to comply, fearing the old master’s rage and sharp fangs. He had traveled abroad and existed in a tormented state of blood sucking and concealment until the day he finally gave in to the agonizing truth. He was a vampire and he was destined to exist whether he chose to continue in his sad state or try to adapt. He pondered long and hard on his decision. Then upon discovering his three brothers had suffered the same destructive consequence—from the same vicious vampire—he pulled himself together and began utilizing his vampire powers. He had to find out whoRichardMalloryreally was and what connection he had toJohannes.I have to deal withJohannes. Only then, will I be free to pursue Jada. Feeling perhaps the secret ofRichardMallorymight be within the walls of the house he had taken over, stashed inside his crypt or hidden within a lockbox, he returned to the study of the house. Standing in the doorway of the room, he scanned the interior, his keen eyes searching for anything that might catch his attention. His gaze traveled over the rich furnishings, the art hanging on the walls, the row of file cabinets flanking the desk. There were no personal mementos, like the office he had briefly investigated in the downtown bank building.There are no signs thatRichardMalloryexists beyond the business aspect. He shrugged his shoulders. There was no reason for a vampire to retain mementos of his mortal life. Existence in that dimension was destroyed the second a vampire was turned. He wondered suddenly how longRichardMalloryhad existed as the banker since his appearance would never change. Once a vampire was turned, he didn’t age mentally or physically. He remembered a young boy he had seen once long ago. A rogue vampire had bitten him, nearly drained his body before deciding to force blood from his own body down the boy’s throat. The child had existed for nearly two centuries and was yet the young boy who wanted to climb trees and play with his friends.

Shaking away the mirror image of the child, he turned on his heel and left the room. He would deal with Johannes. After all,Johanneswas the threat.RichardMalloryno longer existed, regardless of how old he was or how long he had been established in the banking industry. He could change his personality and habits at will. But onceJohannesrealized thatRichardMalloryhad been destroyed— His eyes flashed brilliant red. Could he pretend to beRichardMalloryand foolJohannes? The thought had merit. He had led the police to believe he was the banker.But Johannes is a vampire, too,and a cunning one at that. Would he be so easily taken in? Perhaps the result would rely on his performance, his impersonation of Mallory. He walked to the hallway and peered slowly along the expanse. He would need to investigate every inch of the house, to learn everything possible aboutRichardMallorybefore confrontingJohannes. He nodded his head. His keen powers of perception would aid him well in his endeavor. He strode toward the nearest room, his mind set to inspect every object within the space.

Chapter Twenty-two

“You failed to help my men.” Chandlerfroze, his hand on the drawer pull of the desk drawer.Johannes!His first instinct was to hide the uneasy feeling that rose up inside him.Johanneswould sense in a second if he exhibited the slightest fear of him. He pulled in a steadying breath. The showdown was coming quicker than he anticipated.Easy. Easy. Play the role ofRichardMallory. Johanneslounged in the doorway of the study, his black eyes assessingChandleras he sat at the desk. “Your cohorts placed me in a precarious position. I chose to protect myself.” He rose from the desk, his hands braced on its top. “We have no arrangement governing my assistance in your schemes where the local police are involved.” Johannesstraightened and stepped into the room.

Chandlercould sense the master’s uncertainty concerning him. He deliberately stepped around the desk and perched on one corner of it, a warning look on his face. “And I might add as well,Johannes, in the future, should you encounter difficulties, you should deal with them on your own. Instruct your servants that I will refuse any more calls from them.” Johannescocked one eyebrow. He smiled slowly. “Did we not have an agreement,Richard, that I should take the chances, and we both would reap the rewards?” So that was their deal. Mallory was profiting from the stolen artJohannesand his crew were stealing and selling.“I rather fancy my existence,Johannes. I would be most distressed if anything were to disturb it.” He leveled his gaze on the master vampire. “A mere set back. I assure you, the police will find nothing incriminating you or I.” “Then perhaps you should seize the opportunity to move on, leave the area before your cohorts give you up.” Johanneschuckled. “I’ve taken care of my cohorts,Richard.” He raised one hand and swiped it across his mouth. “They are no longer a worry to either of us.” Chandlerfolded his arms across his chest. “Murder is such an easy way out,Johannes.” “I have only one more mortal to dispose of.” He stepped closer toChandlerand narrowed his eyes. “The whore I’ve been fucking is an undercover cop sent to investigate me and my business.” A ripple of anger spiraled throughChandler’s big body.Easy! Don’t allow your emotions to show!“An undercover cop?” Johannesnodded. He stopped mere inches fromChandler, his gaze holding his in a deliberate stare. “She posed as a dancer in the club. She thought I didn’t know who she was.” He laughed out loud. “She brought an accomplice along.Mike, a burly policeman with more muscles than brains. I hired him as a bouncer. His intent was to rifle my office while I was out.” He snarled. “Stupid mortals. They have no sense of perception. They know nothing of cunning and treachery.” Chandlerrose from the desk.Johanneswas growing angrier by the second, relating his assessment of Jada andMike. Leary of showing too much emotion for fear thatJohanneswould be on to him,Chandlerbusied himself by arranging the strewn folders on the top of his desk. “Perhaps you’ve played the part of the banker too long!” ChandlersensedJohannes’s movement at his side. He whirled around suddenly and grasped the long arm Johanneslevered into the air. Rage gripped his insides. He opened his mouth and bared his fangs. He extended his long sharp fingernails and dug them intoJohannes’s wrist. A fearful look wafted acrossJohannes’s face. He jerked his arm, trying to free it fromChandler’s tight grasp. “I meant no disrespect.” Really?Chandlerlocked gazes with the master, refusing to relinquish his arm until he was certain the expression in the old vampire’s eyes was fear and reverence. “It’s time you took leave,Johannes.” He bit out the words, his fangs still clearly in sight, his eyes

beginning to glow red. Slowly, he retracted his long claws and releasedJohannes’s arm. “And I advise you to leaveNew York.” Johannesstraightened his sleeve. “And forfeit my profits to you? Surely you jest,Richard.” ChandlerconsideredJohannes’s words.Were there more paintings to sell? Or was the master merely poking a jab at him for his show of defiance against him?“Perhaps you would be safer if you relocated to another city and ran your scheme there. You could find other mortals willing to risk life and limb.” Johannessmiled. “I need your partnership,Richard. I need your contacts.” He shook his head. “I doubt I would be able to find another fellow vampire who has such far reaching contacts in the business world. No. I shall remain here and continue my art dealings as though nothing has happened. I will take care of the lady cop and her burly companion. And no one will be the wiser.” He strode to the door of the study. Pausing, he glanced over his shoulder atChandler. “I’ll be in touch.” Black acid smoke appeared whereJohannesstood, swirled, rose into the air, then quickly dissipated. Chandlerblinked his eyes at the doorway where the old master had vaporized and disappeared so quickly. Damn!He ran one hand through his hair. The ordeal had caused his temples to pound. He sat on the desk and stared at the spot whereJohanneshad last stood. Had he convinced the master that he was indeed his vampire banker? If he hadn’t,Johanneshad been too cunning to show otherwise. He drew in a long breath. He had almost given up the role when the vampire spoke of killing Jada. Chandlerlevered himself off the desk. Now that he knewJohannes’s plan for Jada andMike, he had to intervene. If anything happened to Jada—he scrubbed one hand along his jaw. Odds were, Jada would never believe him if he told herJohanneswas going to harm her. She was under the belief thatJohnCollins was the leader of the art theft ring and that he was out of town, maybe out of the country by now. I have to risk it.He left the room in a bounding leap that landed him at the front door of the house. In the next moment, he shapeshifted into a bat and lifted into the air. If it was in his power at all, he had to make Jada understand that her life was in danger.And she has little recourse toward the vicious vampire set to destroy her. Flying to the street where Jada’s house stood, he lit on the roof peak and considered his next move. HadJohannestaken his advice about leaving the city, he wouldn’t worry about Jada orMike, at least as far as the vampire was concerned. Johannes’s remark following his suggestion that he go elsewhere to carry out his devious plans had convinced him that there were still pieces of art awaiting sale and money to be collected once the goods were delivered. He sighed. He had, however, gotten the idea that Johanneswas a wee bit scared ofRichardMallory’s powers. The notion gave him a mental boost. Perhaps he could best the old master after all, if he was careful not to tip his hand. He spied a car slowing in front of Jada’s house and watched it pull to the curb. The passenger door opened and Jada exited, her purse slung over one shoulder. She hurried up the front steps and disappeared through the door. The car pulled into the street and he watched it until it was out of sight at the end of the block. He glided silently to the ground beside the house and shapeshifted into his vampire body. Straightening his shirt collar, he stepped from the shadows and walked to the door. He could hear water running from inside the house.Is she taking a bath? Preparing for bed?He mentally calculated the time. It was early evening. The sun had just set in the west. For a moment he relived the sensation of watching the yellow disk sink below the horizon. A multitude of centuries had passed since

he had been privileged to witness such a sight. Shaking off the reverie, he slipped quietly inside the front door. Turning his ear to the sound of the running water, he glided quickly along the hallway to the bathroom. The door was ajar and he could see clearly inside the room. Jada was standing in front of the small mirror staring at her reflection. He drank in her naked form, the curve of her hips and the shapely length of her legs. Her long hair was piled on the top of her head, held in place by a large clip. A few strands had managed to escape and hung in feathery wisps around her face. He smiled. She looked inviting in her naked state, vulnerable, unaware he stood mere feet away and lusted after her. He saw then that she was looking at her neck. She raised one hand and touched the place where he had sank his fangs into her vein. Her brows drew together, as though she was trying to remember what happened. Chandlerberated himself for having bitten her, for giving into his urge for blood and taking the precious necessity in the throes of sexual orgasm.I should have waited.But the climax was so strong and her vein beckoned to me… Jada turned from the mirror suddenly and shut off the water at the tub. She swirled one hand in the frothy white bubbles rising to the rim and then stepped into the basin. Chandlerresisted the urge to make himself known. She was safe. Perhaps he should leave. A wave of guilt for having bitten her washed over him. He turned quietly and vaporized, seeping beneath the front door of the house and taking to the air. Perhaps his powers would be better served if he turned his thoughts to annihilatingJohannes.

Chapter Twenty-three

Reviewing what he learned aboutRichardMalloryand his association withJohannes,Chandlerreturned to the banker’s office in the bank building downtown. He lit on a window ledge and seeped beneath the frame, materializing once he was concealed inside the spacious office.Johanneshad confessed he needed Mallory’s connections to sell the stolen artwork therefore he believed there were still paintings to be gotten rid of. If he could find whereJohannesconcealed the stolen goods, perhaps he could putJohannes out of business and scare him enough to make him leave town. He scratched his head.Johanneswon’t scare easily. He murders those he has difficulties with.He remembered the man who called him for help.Johanneshad merely taken his life and was done with him.

Yet he proceeded to tell me he was going to kill Jada andMike. A terrible thought flashed inside his head.Did I foolJohannesinto believing I was reallyRichardMalloryor was he merely playing along with me? Chandlergnashed his teeth. IfJohannesindeed knew who he was, then that fact put a whole new light on the situation. He should be guarding Jada instead of planning to search the banker’s office again. He turned toward the window, vaporized quickly and slipped beneath the window frame. He took to the air, his sight set on the west side of the city and Jada’s house. She was just stepping from the tub as he shapeshifted before the bathroom door. He watched from the hallway as she wrapped her naked body in a fluffy white towel and crossed the room to remove the clip from her hair. She looked so inviting he could hardly resist the urge to step into the room and pull her towel off. An uncommon feeling gripped him suddenly. He drew in a quick breath, bared his fangs, jerked his head from side to side. The scent of a vampire filled his nostrils. “Take the towel off, my sweet.” The voice reverberated throughChandler. He acted on instinct, bounding through the opening at the bathroom door. His ability to quickly assess the situation identifiedJohannesperched across the room at a small dressing table and Jada standing in the center of the floor completely under his vampire power. Johannesjumped to the middle of the floor upon seeingChandler. He snarled, bared his fangs and raised his clawed hands in prelude to attacking. Chandlerpushed Jada behind his body in order to protect her. In the same instant, he bared his fangs at Johannesand lashed out with one long arm, landing a glancing blow to the master’s chest. The old vampire reeled backward, stumbling into the dressing table and upsetting several bottles of perfume. Chandlerwhirled around and pushed Jada through the open door, then kicked it closed with one foot. An ear-piercing snarl echoed in the tiny room asJohannesbounded to his feet and threw his body at Chandler. He landed atop his foe and gouged his long nails intoChandler’s midsection, pressing his body against the floor. He opened his mouth and bared his fangs as he lunged his head towardChandler’s neck.Chandlerwrenched to one side, attempting to roll out of the old master’s clutching hands and avoid his razor sharp fangs. “I am stronger than you! You cannot escape me!” His voice was raspy and hoarse, rumbling with untold rage. Chandlerraised one knee and levered the vampire’s body back, kicking his chest with his foot. The old master slammed against the wall, caught himself with his hands and bounded back towardChandler. Chandlerscrambled to his feet and met the forceful vampire with clawing fingernails aimed at his face. He shredded his cheek and cut a deep gash in his lip, gaining a few seconds as the old master paused, stunned somewhat by the younger vampire’s ability to act quicker than he. Rage engulfed his snarling features as he examined the stinging cuts and the flow of red blood. He glared atChandlerwith brilliant red eyes. “You dare to strike the master!”

Chandlerglanced about the room. It seemed to grow smaller by the second. There was little room to maneuver and their flailing bodies had destroyed everything but the porcelain features. A flash of light and a shadowy movement spun at his head suddenly. He glanced around just in time to throw up his hands and fend offJohannes’s body as the old vampire propelled himself at him. He pushed at the shadowy form, heaving it across the space. It hit the edge of the sink and fell to the floor, but within a breath, Johannesmaterialized and came after him again. Chandlerbacked up against the edge of the tub. Water remained in the basin, the bubble bath Jada had used still steamed in frothy invitation. His mind spun as he darted his gaze toward the angryJohannes. He barely had time to react before the vampire launched the next assault against him. He was cunning and sadistic with his attacks. One second he was a shadowy vapor launching himself across the room, intent on sinking his fangs into his throat and the next he was hurtling his empowered form against his chest with clawing fingernails. “I know who you are! You’re Chandler Sutherland!” “I’m the vampire who is going to end your existence,Johannes!” His teeth gnashed, his eyes glowed in warning. “So you survived through the centuries.” He threw back his head and laughed jeeringly, his fangs dripping with saliva and his eyes fiery red. His long clawed hands waved in the air, threateningly. “What did you do withRichardMallory? Or should I assume you fed on him?” “He attacked me and I destroyed him.” Johannesglared. “You are given to trickery, like your brothers.” He swiped one hand through the air, narrowly missingChandler’s chest. “Though you are the youngest with the least experience. I will rend your body to the four corners of this room and then I will destroy the whore who stands on the other side of the door.” Chandlerdared not risk tuning his senses to Jada. He had shoved her from the room—she was safe. Johanneswas just trying to get him to let his guard down so he could be successful in one of his attacks. He stared at him, his claws extended, his fangs ready. Johannesleapt atChandlersuddenly. Chandlerlurched to one side and the old vampire collided with the bathtub, landing head first in the hot water.Chandlerdashed to the other side of the room.Johannesroared at the top of his lungs and splashed angrily in the tub. Water flew about the room as the old master tried to right himself. He lunged upward, slinging his head and spraying water from his mouth and nose. His face distorted with further rage as he turned his red gaze onChandler. Barely righting himself, water streaming down his face and chest, he launched another attack. Chandlerhad no place to flee, trapped between the sink and the toilet. He leapt upward, springing into the air with a quick bound. They collided against the ceiling, both powerful vampires with fangs extended and razor sharp claws ripping at each other’s body. They fell to the floor, arms and legs tangled, fangs sinking into cold flesh. The master’s fangs sank intoChandler’s chest, making him bellow with pain and increasing his rage. He

gathered his strength, sank his own fangs intoJohannes’s shoulder and wrenched the old vampire to one side, freeing himself as he bounded to his feet. Johannesleapt atChandler, clawing at his face and head. Chandlerthrew up his hands and caughtJohannes’s wrists. His muscles flexed as he tried to hold the mighty force at bay.Johannesbrought up one foot and kickedChandlerin the groin, bringing a loud bellow of complaint. Growing weary,Chandler’s mind spun as he searched for a way to end the battle and become the victor. Johannesappeared as strong now as he had at the onset of the fight. He was seasoned and experienced, while he was a novice in the art of battling a vampire to the death. He dragged in weary breaths, his strength waning in the face of the tormenting war. Blood trickled down his chest from the piercing bite Johanneshad delivered and his clothing held great long gashes fromJohannes’s long nails. He watched as the old enemy got to his feet near the tub of water.Water has no effect on vampires.He thought suddenly of all he knew about destroying the creatures.Fire. Decapitation. A wooden stake through the heart. “You grow weary.”Johannessnarled the comment. “I grow determined.” Johannesthrew back his head and laughed tauntingly. “Your strength cannot best me. You are mine to destroy.” He leveled his gaze onChandler. “I am the one who created you, I will be the one to annihilate you!” He flung himself atChandler. Chandlerreacted with renewed speed. He grabbed the master by the throat as he fell toward him and thrust his body against the mirror hanging over the sink. The glass splintered, spraying the room in sharp deadly shards. The wind was knocked out ofJohannesas he landed against the mirror and the unyielding wall.Chandlerclenched his fist in the master’s clothing reinforcing his grip as he lunged his sharp fangs toward the bulging vein inJohannes’s neck. He sank his fangs in, tightened his grip on the vampire as he felt the first gush of blood fill his mouth. Johannesbellowed and clawed atChandler’s head and shoulders, seeking to push him away and free his deathly fangs from his throat. He wrenched his body and struggled beneath the pinning weight. Chandlerbraced his strong legs and pressed his prey against the sturdy support of the sink. The master’s blood flowed quickly into his mouth and he gulped it down, feeling a sense of power he had never felt before. He drank and pinned the vampire beneath his muscled chest. His weary body began to take on new strength, he felt rejuvenated, strengthened like he never imagined. His mind cleared. New thoughts began to take form, materialize. He felt his muscles growing stronger, his grip intensifying on the old vampire he drank from. Confidence came to his mind. He sucked the blood and reveled in the newness spreading throughout his body. Johannessagged beneathChandler’s pinning strength. His arms and legs fell limply to his sides. His eyes rolled back in his ugly skull. His fangs receded. The pallor of death tinged his cold skin. His chest ceased to move as the breath left his lungs. Chandlerheld his fangs in the bloody vein. He drank until nothing more came into his mouth. When the blood ceased to flow, he paused, waiting.Have I destroyed the vile master?He sensed death was upon the vampire. Cautiously, he withdrew his fangs. Blood stained his lips and dribbled down the front of his torn shirt. He gazed down at the flaccid body tangled in his long clawed fingernails. It was limp, lifeless,

showing no signs of further attack against him. He straightened and gazed down at his prey. He felt an enormous surge of power physically and mentally.I won!

Chapter Twenty-four

Johanneswas dead. AndChandlerwas relieved that the old vampire who had changed his life forever no longer existed. He stared at his lifeless corpse as the final withering process began. He watched the arms and legs begin to shrink, draw up and grow smaller. The face, white with pallor, lost the handsome countenance of a youthful man. The flesh withered and disappeared, sinking in on the skull and drying to a thin blackish film. He sighed and reached the skull propped atop the sink. It was best if he dislocated the head from the body just to make certainJohannesdidn’t have a final trick up his sleeve. He grasped the bony neck and snapped the skull free, then tossed it on the floor.I can’t be too careful. The body began to smoke, filling the small space with a rancid stench. The black smoke spiraled upward, gathered at the ceiling and fell back to settle on the fixtures and float on the top of the bath water.Chandlerwatched and smiled, enjoying the final signs ofJohannes. At last, the vile creature was destroyed. He could stop worrying. He heard Jada beyond the door. He listened, realizing how acute his hearing was now. He could discern her fear and rage, knew she was having thoughts of him. His smile broadened. He turned his gaze back to the withering remains ofJohannes. Only scraps of clothing remained. The skull had turned to ashes, a small pile on the floor at his feet. The body had disappeared. He picked up the fragments of clothing and held them in one hand.Goodbye, you old bastard!He opened the lid of the toilet and threw the rags in, then flipped the handle on the tank, flushing away the last traces of the old vampire. He stepped to the sink to wash the blood off his hands and face, then adjusted his coat to conceal his torn and bloody shirt. A loud splintering sound brought his gaze to the door of the bathroom. Suddenly the door burst open and Jada bounded into the room. “Get your hands in the air!” Chandlertook in her appearance all at once. Her feet were braced apart, her knees were bent and she clutched a shiny revolver with both hands. He saw fear and surprise in the depths of her blue eyes. She

stared at him for a second, then relaxed her arms. The towel tucked just above her big breasts, sagged teasingly as she released a relieved breath. “What in hell just happened?” Chandlerconsidered his words before speaking.Is she still underJohannes’s spell? Jada looked around the bathroom, wrinkled up her nose when she saw the water puddles on the floor, then reached one arm into the bathtub and pulled the plug. “Did I hear you just flush the john?” He cocked one eyebrow.Honey, you just unknowingly gave me a way out.“Did you want to watch me relieve myself?” She smiled suddenly. She looked around the room as though trying to reason what had taken place, then returned her gaze to him. “I don’t remember taking a bath.” She adjusted the towel. “Why are you here?” He shrugged his shoulders and stepped around her to the door.Should I tell her that I just destroyed the one threat to my existence?He thought better of his statement. He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. Now thatJohanneswas gone forever, he could take his time with Jada, get to know her, decide whether to turn her… “I just wanted to see your beautiful face.” She propped her hands on her hips and stared at him. “Why am I having trouble believing you?” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “Should I have said that I knew you would be taking a bath and I wanted to surprise you, just in the hope you’d invite me to join you?” “No.” She stepped toward the door and grasped the doorknob. “Say goodnight,Richard.” Her words filtered through him.She called meRichard.He stepped through the door and stared at it as she slammed it in his face. He smiled broadly as he turned to leave her house. He would return to the bank building and search for more evidence of Mallory’s involvement withJohannesin the hopes of helping Jada solve the case of the stolen art. Happiness filled his insides as he took to the air and became invisible in the nighttime sky. He felt the absence of uncertainty and remorse as he gazed at the lights of the city he passed over. TakingJohannes’s blood had intensified his own vampire body, made him stronger, smarter, fortified his existence in ways he had yet to learn about. Chandlerfound the bank building and entered the office beneath the window frame, seeping onto the carpet as a wispy mist and then transforming into his vampire body. He stood near the window and surveyed the room, turning his head from side to side and taking in every nuance of the area. His eyes were keener than he had ever known them to be. He recognized little imperfections in the paintings hanging on the walls and the pricey marble statues decorating the fine furnishings. He distinguished fingerprints on the desktop and the file drawers. He saw blond hairs lying on the carpet and spied the lacy panty poked beneath the edge of the leather couch. He laughed out loud, amused by all that his new powers enabled him to see. Mallory must have been fucking his secretaryor another blonde.He rubbed his chin in contemplation.I’m going to like beingRichardMallory.The thought of the new existence lying before him bolstered his courage. For a fleeting second, he had the most wonderful thought.The world is my oyster.

Chandlershook off the thoughtful spell he had brought upon himself and set to inspecting the office and adjoining rooms. If Mallory had indeed hidden any stolen artwork, he was intent on finding it. He set about searching the furnishings as he had previously, finding nothing more than he had at first, until he stepped into the room off the main office. An uncanny feeling gripped his insides as he wafted his inspecting gaze along the perimeter of the space. A void at the side of the room became visible. He walked over to the wall and laid one palm against its paneled surface. His keen sense of perception revealed a hidden room. He drew back his arm, clenched his fist and drove his hand through the paneling. The wood splintered. He withdrew his hand and peered through the hole. A dark space appeared beyond the room. He quickly vaporized, passing through the opening. “Son-of-a-bitch!” Shapeshifting, he stood at the edge of the room and gazed around, identifying several large paintings leaning against a pile of boxes. “This must be the stolen artwork Jada is looking for.” Chandlerfelt relieved for finally having found the objects she was searching for and pleased he had been the one to help, but finding the stolen treasures in the possession of the banker he planned to impersonate brought about another problem. He would have to move the items before he let on to Jada where to look. He took quick assessment of the things and the packing boxes scattered about. He would pack the things up and have them delivered to the club Jada was still intent on searching. His brows drew together. It wouldn’t be an easy matter, deceiving the woman he had fallen in love with, but necessary nonetheless. He set to packing the items, his thoughts turning to ways of secreting them out of the building and getting them into the club without calling attention to himself. Once the paintings were secured within their boxes, he searched for the secret way into the room. He managed to find it quite easily once he relied on his powers of perception. A secret doorway opened into RichardMallory’s office, hidden quite nicely within a bookcase flanking his desk. Mentally pleased with himself,Chandlerproceeded to find the phone number of a moving company and offer them double their salary if they would arrive immediately and move the contents of the room for him. Hanging up the phone, he realized he would have to command the movers to forget they ever came to the building in the middle of the night or moved anything into the Royal Nightclub after hours. Two men with a large white truck arrived within an hour andChandlermet them at the rear entrance of the bank, having moved the crates out the window of Mallory’s office before hand. He enforced his command upon both men, placing them in a trance that would prevent either of them having any memory of what they were about to do, then he stood by and watched as the men handled the boxes. When the cargo was loaded,Chandlergave them the address to the club and informed them he would meet them there. The movers drove off.Chandlerducked into the alley beside the building and shapeshifted into a bat. He took to the air and arrived minutes before the truck pulled to the curb. The building was still cordoned off with yellow police tape, though no officers were posted to guard the site.Chandlerinstructed the movers to enter the building through the back entrance, opening the door before they arrived and deciding where he wanted the crates placed. The interior of the building was strewn with debris from the raid Jada and her police friends had instituted the day before, but the men merely passed through the unsightly mess without uttering a word. When the final crate was inside the building,Chandlersent the men away. With the matter taken care of,Chandlerreturned toRichardMallory’s house and resumed his investigation of his predecessor.

Chapter Twenty-five

The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of someone at the front door of the house.Chandlerput aside his pen and pushed out of the leather desk chair. As he headed toward the main entrance of the house, he sensed Jada’s presence on the front porch. He smiled, pleased she had come to him. “Guess what our search turned up in Collins’s club?” She whisked through the door, a wide smile on her face. His efforts last night had paid off. He hid his delight that the matter was finally coming to an end and led her into the living room. “You seem greatly pleased.” “I am. We found a dozen crates filled with stolen paintings. We have all the evidence we need to convict him and his gang of stealing and trafficking in stolen art.” She sighed and smiled. “I should get a promotion when this case is wrapped up. I sure as hell deserve it.” She stifled a shiver. “I hope to hell I never have to go undercover again.” Chandlerlaughed softly and pulled her into his arms. “You mean you wouldn’t want to go undercover with me?” She giggled and splayed her fingers across the muscles of his chest. “You’re talking about sheets and blankets, right?” He nodded and bent his head to kiss her lips. She returned his kiss, then pulled back. Her brows wrinkled. “I have these foggy memories about last night, at my house. Will you tell me what happened?” He thought for a moment before speaking. He couldn’t tell her he had destroyed the only thing in the world that he feared,Johannes, or that the old vampire had deliberately pursued her just to wind up taking her life or turning her into a creature of the night and commanding his will over her. “You took a bath, I came over, you sent me away.”

She frowned at him. “That doesn’t make any sense,Richard.” A surge of joy sprang up inside his body. She had called himRichardtwice now. Perhaps she had no memory of anything that took place last night. He studied her face, looking for traces of the spellJohannes had placed her under. Her eyes seemed just as bright and assessing as he remembered, her lips appeared just as full and inviting. His gaze traveled along her throat, identified the remnants of where he had bitten her the day before, then lowered to the front of her blouse. Her big tits heaved as she released a somewhat impatient sigh at his overt assessment of her. “Stop looking at my tits.” She combed one hand through her hair, pushing the long mass over one shoulder. “Do all men think with their dicks?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t answer for every man, but—” “Never mind, dammit! Just tell me what happened at my house last night. I found ashes all over the bathroom and every damn bottle of perfume I own was broken to bits. Even the damn towels were destroyed.” “I’ll replace everything you lost. I promise.”Damn!Johannes’s ashes were still in the room? “You can come over and clean the bathroom. I have a feeling you were the one who made the mess.” She smiled slightly. He nodded his head. Apparently she had surprised him a few minutes too soon when she burst through the door with her gun drawn. He had to smile. The memory of her exploding into the room clad only in a towel and brandishing a weapon was one sight he would never forget. Had it not been for the urgency of his task, he would have enjoyed removing her towel and having his way with her. A ripple of lust raced through his insides. He pulled her back into his arms and pressed her against his chest. He nuzzled her neck with his nose, drawing in the sweet fragrance of her hair and skin. He could hear her heart beating, a steady rhythm that echoed into his chest cavity. “Richard? Tell me what happened.” He tightened his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.She keeps calling meRichard. Maybe Johannes’s spell erased her memory altogether.“You had a visitor and I interrupted his plans.” “A visitor?” She pushed out of his arms and clasped one hand over her mouth. “I don’t remember a thing. Was itJohnCollins? Did he come to my house? Is he back in town?” Chandlershook his head. “You’ll never see him again.”And that’s the truth, Jada. “I knew that son-of-a-bitch would find a way to escape before we could arrest him. What happened? Did you just let him leave?” Her brows lifted in question. “Not exactly. But he’s gone. You can stop looking for him. You’ll never find him.”Unless you somehow guess the ashes scattered around your bathroom are his remains.He mentally halted his words before he relented and shared his good news aboutJohannes’s annihilation with her.Maybe someday.

“That’s strange. We arrested two of his accomplices in the raid and they were both found dead in their cells. And then we found another of his associates dead in the back room of the club.” She shook her head. “I guessJohnCollinswas more dangerous than anyone realized.” How true!“You found the stolen art. You have enough evidence to wrap up the case. You can move on now, Jada.” He stared at her and hoped he was putting an end to her questioning. She nodded suddenly. “I don’t have to get on stage and bare my ass anymore. I’m actually looking forward to my next assignment.” She walked back into his arms. “And I’m looking forward to getting to know you.” She sighed. “I have bits and pieces of memories of you, of us in bed, of the great sex.” She tipped her head back, staring up into his face. “I think I’m falling in love with you.” His senses jolted. He splayed his hands across her back and dragged in a long breath.Things might work out after all.He pressed her breasts against his chest and savored her warmth. Glancing out the front window, he saw it was daylight once again. He had managed to stay up all night and, come the morning, felt no inclination to sleep. He closed his eyes and rejoiced in the feel of Jada’s body clasped tightly in his arms, pressing against his cool body. He had destroyedJohannes, and miraculously discovered that the secret of existing in the daylight was to just drink more blood to keep his body rejuvenated. And Jada had just confessed she might be falling in love with him.Would she change her mind when she finds out what I am?There was time remaining to bring her around, convince her that loving a vampire wasn’t too different than loving a mortal man.Bullshit!He had a new identity. And Jada didn’t have any memory of his real name. “Take me to bed.” Her voice was low and sultry. She pressed her breasts into his chest and lowered her hands to grasp his buttocks. His cock began to harden immediately with thoughts of lying with her and thrusting his hardness inside her hot body. He released a quivering sigh as happiness filled his big body.I will have to find my brothers and tell them ofJohannes’s demise so they can stop looking over their shoulders in fear of him. Jada raised her hands and tangled her fingers in the long hair at his nape. She pulled his head down and pressed her mouth firmly against his. The kiss rocked his senses. “Take me to bed,Richard. I want the man I love to fuck me senseless.” Her words echoed in his ears. He gazed down into her upturned face, identifying the look of love in her eyes. He raised one hand and trailed a fingertip softly across her cheek. “Jada, I love you. You’re beautiful and sexy. You’re the woman I want to spend eternity with.”We’ll discuss that little aspect of our relationship a little later. “Do I have to pull my gun and march you to the bedroom?” Bedroom? Damn! Which one of those rooms has a bed in it?“How do you feel about being laid on the couch?” Jada giggled and pushed him toward the living room. “I have a feeling this relationship is going to be filled with surprises.”

About the Author

I began writing freelance almost twenty years ago and eventually my short stories became longer. The characters seemed to take over and draw their stories out. I first submitted a novella length story to Extasy Books in 2003 and it was accepted. That was Captive Heart, the historical romance now on the site. I have thirteen titles with Extasy Books. New ideas come to mind every day and some of them find their way on to the computer screen. When I’m not writing, I enjoy traveling with my husbandDave. Fawn can be reached at this email: [email protected] Fawn’s website is located at: http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/mypage.html