Blood and Fire (8 page)

“Andreas, Arianna, please join us.” Daron rose from his seat. The Toronto Prince, once the prince of Riverdale and Andreas’s former boss, flashed a genuine smile across his rugged face. Daron wasn’t a handsome man, but he had presence, a commodity that couldn’t be taught or bought. It wasn’t until he advanced toward them that Ari saw the warning in his expression.

While they exchanged greetings and made their selection of wine, the vampiress’s gaze constantly returned to Ari. She didn’t like the feeling. Not even a little. She had hoped to stay low on Ursula’s radar, at least for a while.

“Perhaps your delectable little friend would like to sit next to me?” the vampiress purred at Andreas and patted the chair next to her.

Ari swallowed. Delectable? She didn’t think the term was intended as a social compliment. How
varied
were Ursula’s tastes?

“You would deprive me of the privilege of renewing our acquaintance?” Andreas said smoothly. “Not on your life.” He took Ari’s arm, escorting her to the far side of the semicircle of chairs. He returned to Ursula with a neutral smile. “You are just as lovely as I remember you.”

“Always the silver tongue. Too bad I know you do not mean it. Unless a couple of centuries have changed your mind?”

“I believe that is a prerogative reserved to women, not men.”

“That is unfortunate.” She licked her lips and leaned toward him to run a long fingernail over his chin. “I had
so
much fun when we last met. How is my darling Gabriel?” Ursula licked her lips a second time. “You were such a pair. Young, tasty and virile—”

Andreas grabbed her wrist and moved her hand away from his face. They locked eyes in a silent struggle. When she jerked her arm, he released it. “We should not dwell too much on the past. Our memories, good or bad, can be of no interest to the others. I am more curious to hear why you are visiting our continent.”

Ari let out a silent breath she’d held throughout this exchange and unclenched her fists. Andreas had walked a fine line. So much innuendo. Veiled threats, double-sided barbs. Didn’t vampires ever come out and just say it?

“Business so soon?” Ursula stuck out her lower lip in a girlish pout. “I haven’t even had a chance to talk with your companion.”

Daron cleared his throat and broke into the private dialogue Ursula had established with Andreas. “Perhaps a bit later. I also have a great interest in what might have brought an enforcer on such a long journey. You are far from home.”

The vampiress turned a glittering look on the Toronto prince. “Being separated by an ocean does not mean we have forgotten you. On the contrary, you are a frequent topic of conversation.”

Daron laughed easily. “I do not doubt that is true, my dear Ursula. I also keep myself informed of the elders’ latest activities.”

Ursula’s smile was glacial. “Then perhaps you know why I am here. The council is most,” she paused deliberately, “eager to hear the details of Sebastian’s demise.”

“You will forgive my ignorance on the subject,” Daron said. “I was not present. I heard it was a matter of dishonoring a guest.”

“A breech of manners that warranted his death?” Ursula’s voice sharpened. “But why should you and I bandy words? We all know who struck the fatal blow. Andreas and his witch can explain exactly what happened.”

Ari’s witch blood surged, mirroring the sudden spike of tension in the room. Andreas didn’t react, not even looking at the vampiress. He seemed more concerned with the receding level of wine in his glass. A waiter hurried forward to refill it. Finally, Andreas spoke.

“A matter of his bad luck, really. Sebastian broke his oath of hospitality by attacking me. I defended myself. There was little more to it. You could say his death was almost an accident.”

“Details, Andreas.” Ursula hissed. “I want the bloody details.”

He stared at her, his brows raised so high in exaggerated indignation that Ari choked down a nervous laugh. “I think not. You cannot ask me to be so uncouth,” he drawled in the bored tones of the Italian aristocrat of his youth. He swirled the wine in his glass. “Surely there are better things for us to discuss. Like this excellent wine. Where did you find it, Daron? I do not recall Sebastian having this in his cellars. If he had, I would have taken it.”

Daron picked up immediately, and the two men began a discussion on the merits of the wine while Ursula sulked. Ari relaxed her grip that threatened to break the delicate stem of her wineglass. That last exchange had veered close to a showdown. She wasn’t familiar with all the spooky things Ursula could do, but two thousand years of vampirism or thereabouts had to give her awesome power. Not to discount the bodyguards—four European vampires and an equal number of beady-eyed wereraptors—standing behind the enforcer’s chair.

Ari opened the magical link that she shared with Andreas, but the vampire was guarding his thoughts. She shot him a frown. What good was it to have this damned telepathic connection if he wasn’t going to use it?

Too many ears.

Startled, she glanced at him. Although he appeared to be paying no attention to her, Ari headed his warning and closed down her thoughts. She let her gaze wander over the other occupants of the hall. Was he trying to tell her that Ursula could break into their private link? Or that someone else had the ability? Ari had never considered such an intrusion was possible, and the concept threw her for a second. Could this other person get into her head or only intercept their back-and-forth communications? She increased her psychic shields. Until she had a chance to talk with Andreas privately, she had no intention of testing the limits. Damn Andreas and his fetish for secrets. Why hadn’t he warned her?

“Enough!” Ursula’s loud voice bounced around the vast chambers. The vampiress sprang from her chair, bringing her bodyguards to alert. “I did not come here to listen to this nonsense about wine.” Without warning, she flashed across the room and loomed over Ari. “You will tell me how Sebastian died.”

Responding automatically, Ari shoved her chair away and shot to her feet. She wasn’t going to allow this powerful predator to stand over her. Their standing heights were more than enough to intimidate—Ursula’s six-feet-six versus Ari’s five-feet-five.

Ari scowled at the vampiress. “You didn’t say please.” Andreas had told her to be herself, hadn’t he?

Ursula appeared momentarily confused with the answer, then frowned as she figured out it was a refusal. “Do you realize what I can do to you, little girl?”

“Not really. And I’d rather not find out. I was enjoying the discussion of wine.” Ari didn’t dare look at Andreas or Daron. She felt the waiting stillness in the room as attention was locked on her and the vampiress. Ari’s hand touched the packet of vamp dust in her pocket, and her fingers began to loosen the leather ties.

“You are an ill-mannered wench. We could have fun together, you and I. May I borrow her?” Ursula swung her gaze to Andreas, now standing less than two feet away.

Before he could answer, Ari stepped forward. “You need to ask me. He doesn’t own me. That’s not how things work on this side of the ocean.”

“Indeed? Yes, I have heard of such quaint ideas, a revolutionary way of doing things.” Ursula’s gaze started with Ari but moved to include Andreas and Daron standing together. “The Council of Seven disapproves of all such heretical thoughts.” Ursula drew herself to her full height. “This is your official warning, gentlemen, to renounce such rebellion.” She peered at Ari again. “And, you, child, should learn to respect your elders.”

With the flick of a sharp fingernail, Ursula cut a scratch on Ari’s throat. Ari retaliated with a handful of vamp dust. The green sparkles struck the surprised vampiress with a wallop, knocking her off her feet. Ursula landed on her buttocks with an angry screech, but before she could strike back, Andreas and Daron stepped between them. Mike and his werewolves trained their guns on her bodyguards.

“Do not abuse my hospitality.” Daron rested his stern gaze on Ursula. “I will not tolerate threats toward my guests.”

She rose in a swift movement to face him, pushing through the sparkles of the dissolving spell. “You will regret this, Daron. The O-Seven will not appreciate how you have treated their representative.” She snarled at him with her fangs bared, then almost as quickly, she recovered and composed her features. A smooth mask replaced the angry creases, and only the red edges to the black aura surrounding her revealed her smoldering rage. She craned her neck so she could look past the men at Ari. “I have a long memory, witch. We shall meet again.”

“I look forward to it.” Ari didn’t feel nearly as brave as she sounded, but no way was she going to let the bitch know that.

“Well, Ursula, this has been an interesting evening,” Daron said, interrupting the tension arcing between the two women. “But it is time to put an end to our festivities. So tiring. I hope you enjoy the rest of your
brief
stay in my territory. Since I will not have the honor of seeing you again before your departure, please take my regards to the council. And to my sire.” He paused as the reminder of his ancestry sank in and his gaze narrowed. “I will give your warning due consideration, but I hope the elders understand that new places and times need new rules. That does not mean we fail to respect the old ways.”

“I will convey your words, Daron. With the same sincerity in which they were uttered.”

Daron sighed. “You wrong me. I can only hope you will reconsider before you reach home.”

“Unlikely.” She smirked and offered her hand. “I fear our next meeting will not be so convivial.”

Daron brought her fingers to his lips but didn’t bow. “Regrettable.”

“And you, Andreas.” Ursula turned to him. “I would once again see you in my bed. Perhaps next time. I foresee many more happy moments in our future.” With a wicked smile at Ari, Ursula turned and swept from the room.

Ari might have considered a swift kick to hurry the vampiress on her way, if her legs weren’t threatening to collapse under her.

“Let me see your injury,” Andreas said as the door banged closed.

“It’s nothing but a scratch.”

He must have heard the slight hitch in her voice, because he took her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the blood away. “Ursula has not changed in the last two centuries. Still the temperamental diva.”

“She’s still beautiful,” Ari muttered. The thought of him in the vampiress’s bed left her cold.

“Only on the surface.”

Daron, who hadn’t said anything since Ursula left, cleared his throat. “I thought that went well.”

Stunned silence. Ari and Andreas turned to stare at the Toronto prince for a long moment. Finally one of the werewolves failed to suppress a snort, and all three leaders burst into laughter.

* * *

On the flight home an hour later, Ari and Andreas lay facing each other on the bed in the small stateroom, newly redecorated from the gaudy black and blood red that Sebastian had favored, to warm autumn tones. The decor and polished wood now reminded Ari of a well-appointed suite in an expensive hotel—understated class. Ari had slipped back into her jeans and had one of the antique-gold throw pillows propped under her chin as they continued discussing the evening’s events.

“Did I make things worse?” She felt guilty about losing her temper. Not guilty enough, however, to deny she’d enjoyed seeing Ursula sprawled on the floor.

“No. You were you. Daron wanted her to see the three of us together, and I wanted her to go home still ignorant of our abilities.” His face held a look of satisfaction. “I think we accomplished both. As long as the elders do not understand what we can and cannot do, I hope they will keep their distance. We could not have said anything to please Ursula or change the minds of the O-Seven. When all is considered, it was the best outcome we could expect, except for the risk to you.” His eyes went to her throat. “She could have done so much worse.”

Ari touched the already healing mark. The vampiress had been so quick.

“Do not dwell on it. Time for sleep.” Andreas grabbed her pillow, tossed it aside, and pulled her toward him, reversing her position so they were spooned. He dropped a kiss on the back of her neck. “It is late, and first thing in the morning, your Lt. Foster will expect you to worry about the murder of this treasure hunter.”

“Hmm.” She snuggled against him and began to drift off. “And two of Bella’s kittens still need homes.”

Chapter Five

Ari woke in the Chantilly Suite very late the next morning, determined this would be the day to find Hawkson and discover Barron’s mysterious treasure. Refusing to let her life be ruled by fear of Ursula and the O-Seven, she concentrated her energy on solving the murder. While she completed a quick workout in the mansion’s exercise room on the garage level, she reviewed alibis, motivations, and the obvious lies told by the crew. Nothing added up to murder. Not yet. Call it a sixth sense, cop instinct, or just plain common sense, but the treasure had to be at the center of the case. Learning what the treasure was should lead her straight to the killer.

After the workout, she was humming a catchy tune in the shower when she heard her phone ring. Grabbing a towel to wrap around her, she snatched her cell before the call went to automation.

“Hi, Ryan,” she said, in response to her caller ID. “Anything happen overnight? How’s the cop shop?”

“Crawling with press, as we expected. I had trouble finding a parking spot. Guess reporters can’t read ‘Reserved’ signs.” He let out an impatient breath. “I can hardly wait until they get a hold of this morning’s call to dispatch. Two kids saw a ghost inside the vampire caves.”

“A ghost?” She gave a half laugh, watching water drip from her hair onto Andreas’s lush carpet. “Andreas told me that kids sometimes play down there, but ghosts? Good imaginations, I think.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought too. But with Jase Barron dying so close to there, I thought we’d better check it out. Presuming you’re up for it. It must have been pretty late when you got home. Did things go OK with the uber vamp from Europe?”