Destined for Time (6 page)

“True.” He leaned back on the sofa and explained, “The
council was comprised of leaders from the different supernatural races and was
charged with two things, keeping peace in our world and hiding our existence
from humans. Garrek, who you knew as Senator Mitchell was head of that council
because he was the only one powerful enough to keep the other councilors in
line. When he died the council died with him.

The supernatural world has always been divided between those
who want to protect humans and keep our existence secret and those who believe
humans should be enslaved or hunted like prey animals. Without the council to
intervene tension between the two sides will continue to escalate as disputes
are settled with violence instead of diplomacy.”

“Which side of that line do you fall on?” I asked
cautiously.

Dragon scowled at me and leaned forward. “I believe that
openly preying on humans or trying to subjugate them would lead to a war we
couldn’t possibly win. Humans would eventually wipe us out with their
technology and overwhelming numbers. But even if that weren’t true, I have
always fought for humans because I think they should be allowed to live their
lives in peace. We may be stronger and faster, but in my mind that does not
necessarily make us superior. Unfortunately, not many supernaturals feel the way
I do.”

I met his eyes and told him honestly, “I apologize if I
offended you, that wasn’t my intention.”

He nodded then said, “You’ve had a lot to take in and it’s
understandable that you might have doubts about me and my people. Let me assure
you though, this resort was built as a safe haven for anyone in need of
protection and our doors will always be open to you and your family.

“Thank you, that’s very generous of you.”

“Now, I don’t want to keep you too long but I did want to
inform you that the murders you’re investigating are being committed by Travali
and his vampires.” Red flames flared in Dragon’s eyes for a second and I leaned
back fighting the urge to run from the room screaming.

When he got control of himself again he continued, “I won’t
go into all the details, but this is not the first time we’ve been at war with
Travali and he definitely believes the human race should be enslaved. He’s
based in New Orleans but they’re using portals to dump the bodies here to
create problems for us with the human media and law enforcement.”

“Portals?” I asked curiously.

“Sorcerers like Solomon can create portals or gateways that
open up in other states, countries, or even other worlds. There are many such
portals in this resort now. The portals are the reason we’re having trouble
catching the vampires ourselves. They open one up, dump the body, then jump
back through before we even know they’ve been here. Solomon is working on a way
to either prevent the portals from opening anywhere near the resort, or to detect
when and where the next one will open.”

Now that was a scary thought. After seeing what Travali was
capable of that night on the beach, the thought that he could just materialize
out of thin air was downright frightening.

“So where does that leave me,” I asked, frustrated. “I can’t
go back to the station and say vampires are real and they’re picking off
prostitutes one by one just to make their enemies look bad.”

“No you can’t, but that’s not all they’re doing anyway.
Those girls are being used in Travali’s brothels. He feeds them a demon drug
called Oblivion which for us isn’t any more dangerous than humans drinking
alcohol or smoking weed. But when humans are fed that poison they experience
unquenchable lust. They’re immediately addicted and withdrawal sends them into
cardiac arrest. The drug itself won’t kill them but once they’re addicted there’s
no way to help them. The only thing they will ever think about again is
reaching sexual fulfillment. You could literally cut their arms off and they’d
beg you to fuck them while you did it.”

My stomach turned at the graphic image he painted and I
thought I might be sick. Then I remembered a case I worked last summer. “That’s
what that clear liquid was, that vial we found last summer and had tested. We
never could determine what it was but I witnessed firsthand what it does. That
poor girl died of a heart attack. I always thought that was awful enough but
now I think she might have gotten off lucky.”

His expression grim, he agreed, “She did at that. Some of the
girls who find themselves in Travali’s brothels live for years being used by
every depraved demon, vampire, or even shapeshifter that walks through his
doors. When the addiction becomes bad enough that he can’t get them to eat or
drink enough to stay alive, he gives them to his really sadistic clients until
the girls finally die in truly gruesome ways.”

I shook my head as a shiver ran up my spine. “The more I
learn about your world the more I wish I’d never stumbled into it.”

He shrugged his massive shoulder. “Given your abilities,
someone like Rook would’ve eventually found you anyway.”

“What does that mean?” I asked frustrated again. “I still
don’t understand how I’m able to help him travel through time.”

Dragon chuckled. “As I said earlier, Rook told me how he
left things between you. He’d have my head if I explained that to you now.”

I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you the king? And isn’t he sworn
to protect you?”

Dragon laughed some more then said, “Regardless of my
position, I learned a long time ago not to interfere once the mating frenzy
starts.”

Not knowing how to respond to that I just shook my head and
let it go. We wrapped up the conversation and decided to let Tony believe
Dragon had given us the typical non-answers a public relations expert would
advise a casino owner to give in this situation.

I was thankful for Dragon’s honesty, but I kind of missed
the days when everyone at Myths and Legends avoided my questions or told me
outright lies. At least then I had hope. Now I knew without a doubt that the
killer I was after would never be brought to justice - not human justice
anyway.

Vampires could move with blurring speed that human eyes
weren’t able to follow or disappear from sight altogether. Then there was the
whole mind control thing. Tony stood in one place during the entire meeting
with Dragon like a statue made out of human flesh. Add in the shapeshifters and
everything else I had yet to discover and I couldn’t see how humans would
survive if the supernatural races came after us. Dragon believed our numbers
and technology would help us prevail, but I wasn’t sure I believed that after
everything I’d seen so far.

As I pulled away from the resort with Tony cheerfully
chattering away in the passenger seat about bringing his wife to Myths and
Legends next weekend, I had to wonder if this was how Alice felt when she fell
down that rabbit hole.

* * * * *

“I know why you’re here Rook,” Camila murmured as she slowly
circled me in the soft light of the candles spread around the room. Her
fingertips lightly brushed my bare chest making me shiver in response. I was
nude except for a towel wrapped around my hips.

“I saw that human detective a little while ago, the one you’ve
loved in your dreams for so long. Do you want to dream of her again? Is that
why you’ve come to me Rook?” She was behind me now and went up on her toes to
whisper in my ear, “Why do you torture yourself like this? Wouldn’t it be so
much more satisfying to track her down and show her what you really want to do
to her?”

“No games today Camila, just give me what I need,” I replied
tightly.

She laughed lightly, a sultry, seductive sound that had
absolutely no effect on me. “Oh, I’ll give you what you came here for, but only
that human can give you what you need. Now, lie down on my table and let me
give you a taste of what she could do for you.”

I hopped up on her table and tried to relax as she began
massaging my shoulders and neck.

Camila was attractive, tall with long black hair worn in a
loose chignon and a hint of Asian ancestry in her almond shaped eyes. She was
also an empathy demon, which made her the perfect masseuse for the spa here at
the resort. She could enhance the emotions, thoughts and dreams she saw and
felt through contact with bare flesh.

After I met Angela I couldn’t bring myself to be with
another woman. It just felt wrong to even think of touching anyone but her
intimately. Several months later I bumped into Camila on the way to the gym. I
was wound so tight I thought I would explode if I didn’t get inside a female
right that second. But I couldn’t have Angela and no one else would’ve been
acceptable. Camila felt my emotions through my skin and talked me into coming
to the spa with her.

She had me undress and lay down on her table. Then she told
me to think about Angela and all the things I’d ever wanted to do to her. The
images flickered through my mind and a heartbeat later I was in my bed with
Angela beneath me screaming my name and begging me for more. It felt so real,
all my senses came alive. I smelled her arousal, felt the wetness surrounding
my cock as it moved in and out of her tight body. It was enough to make me come
right there. The orgasm shot up my shaft violently and I was left panting while
in my mind I was crushing Angela against my chest.

My visits to Camila were the only thing that kept me sane
all these years. With the help of her magic I’ve touched and tasted every inch
of Angela’s subtle curves in every position and setting imaginable. But now
instead of fantasies I only see memories when I close my eyes, and no matter
how strong Camila’s magic is, I know it will never be enough to satisfy me
again.

As Camila continued working the tension out of my muscles I
let my mind wander to the night of the bombing. I remembered Angela’s fear when
I asked for her help, and the guilt I felt for having to push her further than
she was ready to go. I knew she wanted to help me save Serafina’s life, but I
also knew when she felt overwhelmed. Instead of backing off as I should have,
my blood oaths to Dragon drove me to keep pushing her.

I wanted to slow down for her and to savor every second I
had with her, but there wasn’t enough time. I had to keep her off balance or
she never would have gone through with what needed to be done. So I teased and
tempted, then devoured her with my kisses and the intimate caress of my
fingers. When she finally gave herself to me it was the happiest moment of my
life, even if deep down I knew it wouldn’t last.

Each time Camila helped me relive that night on Dragon’s
terrace I felt every sensation, every quiver of Angela’s tight sheath as I
plunged myself into her warm, wet body over and over again. I remembered every
touch, every kiss, the sight of her in that tiny pink thong, the sweet scent of
her arousal as it filled my senses and the sound she made when I hit just the
right spot. Goddess, I wanted to hear that sound every night for the rest of my
life.

And when I recalled the moment of final release, I gloried
in the rush of energy that swept over me, so empowering, intoxicating, as I
reached out and pulled it into my body and slid through time with an ease I
hadn’t felt for centuries.

The memory finished playing out in my mind and Camila
quietly left the room to allow me time to clean up and get dressed. With her
help my physical needs had been met for the moment, but the guilt and the fear
that Angela would never forgive me always overshadowed the memories of the pleasure
I felt that night in her arms. Inside I felt hollow, empty without her.

When Angela scheduled the appointment with me I thought
maybe she was finally ready to talk about us. Then she showed up with another
detective and I knew she was still denying her feelings for me. Sitting through
a meeting with her and that human male was the last thing I wanted to do, so I
asked Dragon to cover for me and came straight here to see Camila.

Maybe that wasn’t the best way to handle the situation, but
I was running out of patience when it came to Angela. I’d hoped that given
enough time she would come to me on her own. Since that obviously wasn’t going
to happen I needed a new strategy. The next time Angela came to the resort I
would see her face to face. There would be no more having Dragon or anyone else
run interference. From now on I was going to meet her like I would any other
challenge; head-on with nothing held back.

Angela Ruby wasn’t going to know what hit her the next time
I got my hands on her.

* * * * *

When we returned to the station Lieutenant Lynette Taggert
called Tony and I into her office to report our findings. She was not pleased
to hear we hadn’t learned anything new. Then Tony started talking about how
great Myths and Legends was, and how hospitable Mr. Drake and his staff were
and the shit really hit the fan.

“What do they do over there, brainwash everyone who walks
through the front doors?” Lieutenant Taggert snapped, then shoved her chair
back and got up to pace in front of her window. She was a petite woman who
always made me think of a drill sergeant with the tight bun holding her dark
hair back, her stiffly pressed clothing and her brisk no nonsense personality.

“Every time we get a shred of evidence leading us to that
resort it disappears into thin air then the witnesses suddenly forget what they
saw or they simply go missing altogether.” She shook her head. “Those people
are guilty of something and one day I’d like to nail them for it.”

“Unlike Tony I’ve been around long enough to know you’re
right. There is definitely something strange going on at Myths and Legends,” I
agreed while thinking, just not the kind of strange you’re thinking of. “But I
don’t think they have anything to do with these murders. Having that many
bodies dumped on their property in a two month time period has to be bad for
business, especially when the killer is making the deaths look like vampire
attacks. I think it’s more likely some lone psycho that wants to be a vampire
or it’s one of those religious fanatics that would like to see the resort
closed down for good.”

Tony and I sat in our chairs; backs ramrod straight and
waited while she contemplated my opinion.

After a moment she shook her head and stopped pacing. “No,
my gut tells me someone at that resort is involved.” She leveled her gaze on
me. “We need to find a serious lead and fast. People are starting to panic as
far as three counties away. We should be using every resource available to find
the maniac that’s killing these young girls. Why haven’t you spoken to Mr.
Delaney about this recently? He’s normally very forthcoming when you turn on
the charm.”

Inside I groaned; I’d known it would only be a matter of
time before this came up. “Mr. Delaney has made it very clear that he’s tired
of asking me to go out with him only to be turned down. I’ve tried to speak to
him about these murders, but for the last month he’s been conveniently
unavailable whenever I go to the resort. We actually had an appointment to
speak with him today, but he was supposedly called away on an emergency just
before we arrived.”

She tapped her toe while she mulled that over, then she
looked at me with an almost evil grin that gave me chills. “Then perhaps it’s
time you went on a date with Mr. Delaney.”

It felt like my jaw hit the floor and I clamped my mouth
shut hard. Lieutenant Taggert was looking at me expectantly. “You want me to
date Devin Delaney?” This could not be happening.

“I don’t want you to date him for real, think of it as an
undercover assignment. We’ll be watching your back the entire time.”

And it just kept getting better. “Let me get this straight.
You want me to go out on a date with Devin Delaney to try and get him to talk
about these murders while my fellow police officers watch our every move from a
nearby vantage point.”

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?” Her tone was getting
sharper as her eyes narrowed on me.

I looked her in the eyes and hoped I appeared confident
while inside I was screaming -
Why me?
“No Ma’am. I’m only concerned
that he might notice if I bring backup on a date with him. He’s a very
perceptive individual and security is his field of expertise.”

She relaxed a bit and sat back down in her chair. “Nonsense.
Our people are good at what they do, and he’s too dangerous to send you out
with him alone. Call Mr. Delaney and set this up as soon as possible. If there’s
anything he can tell us that will help break this case then we needed to know
it yesterday.”

The meeting ended on that note and I left to make my call to
Rook. When I reached the front desk of the resort they tried to give me the
runaround but I told them to tell Rook this was a
personal
call. Within
moments he was suddenly available and on the other end of the line. He seemed
genuinely surprised and pleased to hear from me making it that much harder to
go through with the charade. Hearing his voice brought so many memories to the
surface. He’d never been anything but honest with me unless he was protecting
supernatural secrets and now I was going to betray his trust like he meant
nothing at all.

Knowing the backup Lieutenant Taggert sent wouldn’t be able
to hide in the resort I asked him to meet me somewhere away from the casino. He
chose a place called Mike’s that was outside the immediate area but I was
familiar with it. We agreed to meet at nine o’clock and hung up, then I gave
the specifics to my backup crew. I didn’t want to go through with this, but
refusing would raise too many suspicions. With no other choice I headed home to
prepare for my first date with Rook. Too bad it would most likely be our last
since I was sure there wasn’t a human alive who could evade his detection.

* * * * *