Kindling Flames: Smoke Rising (The Ancient Fire Series Book 3) (13 page)

Vicky took a tentative sip and found it was Vanessa’s normal party punch, but it was still heavy with alcohol.

Beth held the other glass out for Darien.

He arched an eyebrow and accepted the glass. “Thank you.” Taking a sip of the dark red liquid, he smiled at the sharp tang of tomato juice. “Bloody Mary?”

Beth grinned mischievously. “What else are vampires supposed to drink?”

Darien chuckled as he took another pull from his glass.

“Oh!” Vanessa said excitedly. “You have got to see what we did in the backyard.” She pulled on Vicky’s arm and led her to the open patio door.

Darien followed in their wake.

“Wow!” Vicky gasped as soon as she stepped out on the wooden deck. The backyard looked as if it came straight out of a horror movie. Vanessa had strung sheets up along the privacy fence and painted them. The ones closest to the house were simply splattered with red paint. They looked like a slasher had been hard at work. It also helped that Vanessa had arranged several realistic-looking bodies there. As the material went back, it took on a dirtier look that faded into an amazingly creepy forest. Vanessa had furthered the illusion by placing what looked to be dead trees just in front of the fence line. A fog machine wrapped tendrils of smoke around the gnarled roots of the trees. It didn’t take much imagination for Vicky to feel as if she were staring into a haunted forest. She could just imagine Zak being at home in those creepy woods.

“Isn’t it great?” Vanessa bounced excitedly.

Vicky stepped forwards in awe. “How?” A fire burned low in a metal pit in the center of the yard, and people mingled around, talking.

“Jerry helped,” Vanessa said.

Vicky’s eyes widened at the name. “Jerry?” she asked, shocked. “The same Jerry that thought it was funny to put a human skeleton in my bed at college?”

Jerry stepped out of the shadows where he had been watching them. “That would be me.”

“Jerry!” Vicky squealed excitedly as she gave her old friend a hug.

Jerry hugged Vicky back, lifting her from her feet and knocking his fez to the ground.

“My drink!” Vicky squeaked as the liquid sloshed over the side of the cup and onto her opera glove.

Jerry put her down. “Sorry.” He took the cup from her. Pulling some napkins from the inside pocket of his tweed jacket, he dabbed at the wet spot on her glove. “It’s so good to see you.” Jerry looked at Vicky’s outfit. “You look fantastic.”

She blushed lightly at the compliment. “Where have you been?” Vicky asked as she pulled her gloved hand back from her friend to look at the stain.

“I got a job with a theatrical company,” Jerry said proudly as he retrieved his fez. “I’ve been building sets for cruise ships.” He popped the hat back on his wavy, brown hair.

“But I thought you wanted to work in movies?” Vicky said, concerned.

“Everybody’s got to start somewhere.” He shrugged. “How about you? Still selling plasma for rent?”

“No,” Vicky scoffed at him. “I’m working as a business assistant.”

“Like I said, everybody’s got to start somewhere.” Jerry smiled and shrugged again.

“Jerry!” Vicky smacked the guy in the arm. “I like my job.”

Vanessa giggled at her. “She’s only saying that because her boss is standing behind her,” she teased.

Jerry’s eyes found the vampire stopped in the doorway.

Darien stepped forwards to stand with the group.

“Jerry, this is Darien Ritter.” Vicky introduced them. “Darien, this is Jerry McNeal. He used to hang out with us at college before he disappeared.”

Darien shook the man’s hand firmly.

“I didn’t really have a choice.” Jerry turned his attention back to Vicky. “Mom needed me at home.”

“I know.” Vicky sighed. “How are your parents?”

“Dad’s mostly recovered, but Mom fusses over him constantly.”

“Jerry’s dad was in a bad accident during our sophomore year, and he had to go home,” Vicky explained to Darien.

“You have my condolences,” Darien said.

“Thanks.” Jerry shrugged again. “We’re working it out.”

“You have real talent.” Darien’s eyes scanned the yard, taking in the decorations.

“Thanks,” Jerry said proudly. “I’ve always loved Halloween.” He looked out at his forest. “It’s the one time of year that I can really let myself go and have fun.”

Darien smiled. “I know what you mean.” He took a sip of his drink.

“Excuse us for a minute,” Vanessa interrupted. “I need to take Vicky to wash this out before it stains.” Turning a pointed look on Jerry, “Play nice,” she warned him.

He gave her a fake offended look.

“I’ll be right back,” Vicky said as Vanessa pulled her back inside.

Darien took another sip of his drink.

“She really does look remarkable.” Jerry watched the women leave. “So, Vicky works for you?” He led the conversation off.

“She’s my PA,” Darien answered as he looked over the man from Vicky’s past. He wore black-laced boots, dark slacks with suspenders, a light blue shirt, a tweed jacket, and a plaid bowtie. “Nice tie.”

Jerry smiled as he adjusted the tie and tilted his fez “Bow ties are cool.”

Amusement slipped across Darien’s face as he recognized the catch phrase from the popular science-fiction character the man was mimicking.

“What do you do?” Jerry asked.

“This and that.” Darien shrugged. “I mainly work in the shipping industry.”

“Oh, really?” Jerry sounded excited. “What company do you work for?”

Darien chuckled. “Are you familiar with Aurora Express?” he asked, picking one of the many company names in his organization that was widely recognized.

“Yeah.” Jerry pointed at him as the name rang a bell. “That’s the truck line we use to send the sets to the cruise ships in Florida. You work for them?”

Darien snickered again. “Not exactly.” He smiled. “I’m in their parent company.”

Jerry thought about it hard for a second. “Umm...… they are a subsidiary of Ritter Enterprises.” His face lit up as he put the two together. “No way!” Jerry said, shocked. “You’re—”

“Darien Ritter, CEO and owner of Ritter Enterprises.” Maggie stepped around Darien.

Darien turned his head to look at her.

“And Vicky’s current boyfriend,” Beth cooed from the other side of him.

He looked over at the other woman.

Jerry stared at him with an open mouth. “I was wondering why she brought her boss with her to the party,” He said as soon as his mind was working again. “No offence.”

Darien smirked. “None taken.” He took another drink from his glass.

“Just to let you know,” Jerry raised his hands up between them in a sign of surrender, “I’m not after your girl. Vicky and I are just old friends.”

“I wasn’t worried about that, but thank you.” Darien’s grin spread. “Victoria and I have a… unique relationship.”

Jerry raised an eyebrow at the statement.

“All right,” Beth interrupted any further conversation. “We are at a party.” She took Darien by the arm. “I’ve got Master Darien. Maggie, if you could grab the good doctor, let’s go have some fun.” Beth spun Darien around and pulled him inside to the thumping music.

Maggie took Jerry’s arm and followed them.

“How did Vicky get that job?” Jerry whispered to Maggie.

Letting out one heavy laugh, she watched Darien’s back disappear into the house. “Temp agency,” she said, irritated at her friend’s good fortune.

“No way!” he gasped as they followed Darien and Beth to the dance floor.

Leaning against the wall, Darien sipped on his fourth Bloody Mary as he watched people dancing. He had extracted himself from the clutches of Vicky’s friends a while back and was viewing the action from a safe distance. His eyes followed Vicky as she moved to the music. He loved to watch her dance. Even in the tight corset, Vicky had found a way to melt into the hypnotic beat. The only thing that irritated him were the men touching her as she moved. Darien had told her that it didn’t bother him, but every time someone laid their hands on her, he wanted to go over there and rip them up. Closing his eyes, he took a settling breath, trying to calm the jealousy growing in him.

“Hey there, handsome,” a seductive woman’s voice interrupted Darien’s concentration. “Would you like to dance?”

Darien opened his eyes to see a woman wrapped in a maroon velvet dress. The corseted waist held up her ample chest in an almost indecent fashion. “Thank you, but no.” He turned his eyes back to Vicky and Jerry dancing together. He clenched his jaw, trying to keep calm.

The woman came over and leaned against the wall right next to Darien.

He took a large pull of his drink, trying not to snap at the woman for invading his personal space.

“I’ve been watching you for the better part of the evening, and I think I’ve got you figured out.” The woman shifted so she leaned against Darien’s side.

“Really?” he asked with a sidelong glance, amused to see what she had to say.

“Yes.” The woman nodded. “You look like someone in need of some female company.”

Darien chuckled into his drink.

“I’m Sonya,” the woman introduced herself.

Darien looked back over to his date. “I’m already here with someone.”

Sonya followed his line of sight to the couple dancing on the floor. “She looks mighty happy in his arms.”

Her words irritated the jealousy that Darien was trying to control. He glared intently at Jerry for a moment as Vicky swayed in his arms. Darien reprimanded himself. He was the one that left her on the dance floor alone. “You have a point.” Slamming back the rest of his drink in irritation, Darien set his empty glass on the table next to him. “I think I need to do something about that.” Pushing away from the wall, he headed out to the dance floor.

Sonya let out a deep sigh. She hadn’t meant to stir the handsome guy into taking back his girlfriend. Watching Darien’s cape swirl behind him as he stalked across the room, she wished he would have stayed and talked with her for a little longer. Sonya had been enthralled by his rich voice, and that Irish brogue sent quivers of pleasure through her body.

“May I?” Darien asked as he approached Vicky and Jerry.

Vicky’s eyes widened as she looked up at him. She could feel the energy crackle off him.

“Of course.” Jerry stepped back, leaving Vicky to Darien’s care.

The riled vampire pulled Vicky into him and stood for a moment as the irritation drained away from him. He had finally reclaimed what was his.

“Are you all right?” Vicky asked as Darien held her close and started to sway to the music. She could actually feel the anger draining from him as the sharp edge of his energy dissipated.

“I am now,” Darien whispered as he closed his eyes and let the music move him. The heavy beat ended and rolled into something more sensual. Pulling Vicky closer so she pressed into the line of his body, he breathed in her scent as he curled around her.

Vicky slid her hand up his back under the silk cape. “I thought you said you didn’t mind if I danced with others.”

“I did.”

“But it bothers you now?” Vicky asked.

“It does.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” She leaned back to look up into Darien’s shimmering, green eyes.

“I have.”

Vicky looked at him, confused. The answers he had given were unlike him, and there was something not right about his voice. “How many of Beth’s Bloody Marys have you had?” Vicky could smell the vodka on him.

“Four.” Darien stared intently down at Vicky. His gaze kept switching from one of her blue eyes to the other.

“Okay…” Vicky pulled from his arms. “I think you need a little fresh air.” She led Darien out of the house to the backyard. Guiding him over to the thick railing of the deck, she let him lean against it. Intense emotions swirled in his eyes, but she didn’t know what they were. She had seen desire there, but this was something else, something almost primal. “Let me get you some water.” Vicky went to step away, but Darien moved to engulf her in his arms, flaring his cloak around them.

“Don’t leave me, cailín,” Darien whispered desperately into her hair.

Vicky rotated in his embrace so she was facing him. “I’m not going anywhere.” She wrapped her arms up around him reassuringly. “Darien, what’s wrong?”

He drew in a shuddering breath and held her tighter. “I can’t stand it anymore,” Darien practically sobbed into her shoulder.

Vicky held him and ran her hand down his back soothingly.

“I’ve watched them all night, touching you, and all I’ve wanted to do was rip them away from you and tear them up. To beat into their little brains that you’re mine. But I can’t do that, cailín. You’re not mine.”

Vicky heard the anguish in his voice as he rambled. She could barely make out what he was saying through his thick Irish accent.

“That little arracht ollphéist got to you first. It kills me that he left his mark on you like that. And you defended the bídeach péist.”

Vicky wasn’t exactly sure what Darien had said, but she thought she understood what was bothering him. “Is that what this is about?” she interrupted him as he rambled on in Gaelic. “You’re upset that Zak marked me?”

Darien stopped talking and looked at Vicky. His green eyes burned with something she had never seen before. “I need you, Victoria.”

Vicky felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew the need he felt was not sexual.

“I would rather walk out in the sun and burn than lose you.” He crushed Vicky against him.

She gasped at the unexpected emotions pouring from Darien.

“I love you.” It was not the first time he had told her this, but, at that moment, those three words held more feeling in them than any sappy movie, romantic card, or bouquet of flowers could ever convey.

“Darien.” Vicky breathed his name.

He relaxed his grip on the woman.

“I’m not going to leave you,” she reassured him. “I love you, too.”

Darien whimpered.

She raised her right hand to the distressed vampire’s face, rubbing his cheek lovingly. “I nearly died saving your life once, and I would gladly do it again.”

Grabbing her hand, he pressed his lips to the glove over the scar on her wrist, ashamed that he had hurt her. “Please let me have you?” Darien begged as he clutched her to him.

Vicky breathed heavily under the pressure of his need. “You already have me,” she said softly.

He released her hand and curled his arm back around her. “No!” Darien said adamantly. “I need to feel you.” His eyes softened as he looked into her eyes. “Let me mark you.”

She gave him a concerned look.

“Please,” he begged.

“I’ll give you anything you want,” Vicky said still concerned. “But I don’t think now is a good time. You’re drunk.”

“Vampire’s don’t get drunk,” he informed her.

She raised an eyebrow. “If you’re not drunk, then there is definitely something else wrong with you.” Vicky leaned back, studying him. “I think it’s better if we wait.”

Darien stamped his foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “No!”

Vicky’s eyes widened in surprise at his unusual action.

“Please, Victoria. I need this
now
,” he begged. “Please!”

She sighed heavily and relaxed in his arms. How could she say no to someone she loved who was in so much distress? “All right,” Vicky nodded, “but then we are going home.”

Darien quickly agreed. He pulled the edges of his cape around them, concealing them from view.

She watched as he sank a fang into his own lip and leaned forwards to kiss her. Vicky was used to the sharp, metallic tang of blood, but there was something else in the taste of his blood—something gooey and warm, like melted marshmallows, but not quite as sweet.

Darien pulled back, licking the wound on his lip to heal it. He laid another soft kiss on Vicky’s lips before leaning to her ear. “I’m going to bite you now.” Having warned her, he slid his mouth to the side of her neck.

Vicky gasped as Darien’s fangs broke her skin. There was always a little pain involved with a vampire’s bite, mostly a pinch, but the pain from this one drove a whimper from Vicky.

Darien held her tight as she stiffened.

She relaxed as the familiar warmth of Darien’s power replaced the sharp pain. It flowed into her through the bite and coiled up somewhere under her sternum. They stood there, connected, for a long time before Darien withdrew his fangs.

He licked the blood he had shed from the side of Vicky’s neck and kissed the wound closed. “Mine,” he said, possessively squeezing her.

Vicky’s eyes fluttered as she recovered from the bite. The ball of power sat in her chest and made it somewhat hard to breathe.

Darien moved to capture her lips. His possessive kiss was filled with passion and need.

Vicky felt it echoed in the power he had left inside her.

Vanessa rolled her eyes at the two, wrapped together in Darien’s cape. “Get a room.”

Vicky and Darien broke apart as Vicky whirled around to face her best friend. “Vanessa!” she squeaked.

Darien dropped the cape down but kept his arms around Vicky possessively. The look he gave Vanessa clearly stated he was protecting what was his.

Vicky was worried that her best friend had seen Darien bite her. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that.” An evil grin cracked across Vanessa’s face.

Vicky swallowed hard. “We came out to get Darien some fresh air,” she said, her voice more pitchy than usual.

Vanessa’s grin grew. “Is that what they’re calling it nowadays?” she teased. “And here I thought you were making out.”

Vicky let out a sigh of relief. If Vanessa hadn’t mentioned the bite already, then she didn’t see it. “Darien had too many of Beth’s Bloody Marys.”

Vanessa looked at the man wrapped around her friend. “How many did he have?” she asked, concerned.

“Four.”

“Wow!” Vanessa was shocked that Darien wasn’t unconscious yet. Beth had a tendency to be very heavy handed with the alcohol in her mixed drinks. “Is he going to be okay?”

“I think so.” Vicky looked up at the vampire leaning on her. “But, I think I need to take him home.” She moved to step forwards, and Darien stumbled.

“I think that’s best,” Vanessa said. “Are you okay to drive?”

“Yes.” Vicky nodded. “I’ve only had one glass of your punch.”

Vanessa nodded back. The punch was not nearly as toxic as Beth’s drinks could be. “All right, but you had better get him some water before he goes to bed,” Vanessa added. “He’s going to wake up with one hell of a hangover tomorrow.” She moved to help Vicky with Darien.

He swayed dangerously as Vicky moved.

“Come on.” Vanessa tried to take his arm.

Darien shifted away from her and held Vicky tightly. “Mine!” he hissed.

Vanessa looked at him, shocked and unsure what to make of the drunken vampire.

“Leave it be,” Vicky warned her friend. “He’s drunk.”

Darien sunk his face into Vicky’s hair. “Not dunk,” he slurred, “Vampers don’t get dunk.”

“Right,” Vanessa rolled her eyes, “and I’m the Queen of Egypt.” She looked at the possessive vampire and her friend being held hostage by him. “Let me go get help.” Vanessa turned to get her other friends.

“Come on, Darien.” Vicky tried to coax her drunken boss. “You have to turn me loose so we can go home.”

Shaking his head, Darien held her tighter against him. “Mine,” he whispered into the back of her head contently.

Vicky let out an exasperated sigh and thought about her predicament. She turned around so she was facing Darien. “Yes,” she said softly, “I’m yours.”