Pretty When They Collide (10 page)

“
No, no
…
” Cassandra shook her head adamantly, despite the fact she was actually starting to believe the woman across from her.

“
My name really is Aimee
, and
I
really
am a witch. A real wit
ch. Full-blooded. I saw you at T
he Stratosphere when Frank, my bastard vampire master, and I were on our way to get a relic you stole.”

“
My brain could easily fill that into my dream,” Cassandra protested. “I had a rough moment, felt a little lonely, so I
’
m dreaming about the beautiful woman I saw in Vegas.”

Tilting her head to one side, Aimee grinned. “You think I
’
m beautiful?”

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Duh. You
’
re totally my type.”

“
So you definitely like women,” Aimee said, nodding to herself. With a keen look in her eyes, she said, “That makes sense.”

“
This dream isn
’
t making any sense.”

Aimee spooned some ice cream into her mouth and continued to thoughtfully scrutinize Cassandra.

Pushing her
dish
aside, Cassandra leaned over the table, staring into the mesmerizing blue eyes. “If you
’
re not part of my dream, prove it.”

Aimee licked her spoon.

The mere sight sent shivers through Cassandra. “Are you sure this isn
’
t a sex dream?”

Lightly touching Cassandra
’
s hand, Aimee shook her head.

Cassandra felt the same tantalizing energy flow between them.

“
I
’
m a witch. You
’
re a dhamphir,” Aimee said in a soft, yet urgent voice. “You stole something from F
rank, my vampire master, and
now he wants you. He
’
s already dealing with a broker to bring you to where we live. He
’
s setting a trap. I
’
m fairly sure that you
’
re going to be commissioned to acquire something from Frank to lure you here. Frank has instructed me to create spells that will trap you. He wants to make you his minion.”

“
Frank? A vampire named Frank?
” Cassandra snorted.
“
Kinda lame.”

“
His original name is Francois. He
’
s French.”

Cassandra stared at their touching hands, a knot slowly forming in her gut. “This can
’
t be real.”

“
It is.”

“
So, when this job comes down, I
’
m not supposed to go, huh?”

“
No, I want you to come here.” Tears shimmered in the other woman
’
s eyes. “I want to be free. I want to escape here. I want to be free of Frank. If you come here, you can help me escape him.”

Cassandra swallowed the lump in her throat. “Okay, so let
’
s say this is real. Why would you trust me to rescue you? You don
’
t even know my name.”

“
Because of this.” Aimee lifted their hands. “When I touched you I felt safe. Instantly. Maybe it makes no sense, but I somehow knew you were important. Didn
’
t you feel something?”

With a nod, Cassandra admitted it to herself and Aimee. She had felt something she didn
’
t understand. “Maybe that
’
s why I
’
m dreaming all this.”

“
No, this dream is because of the spell. Please, believe me.” Aimee
’
s fingers were trembling.

“
Fine, Aimee, it
’
s real. What am I supposed to do? Come in with guns blazing?” Cassandra laid her other hand over their entwined
fingers
. “I
’
m a thief, not Rambo.”

Biting her lower lip, Aimee hesitated, then said, “Just come. I
’
ll have spells ready to help us escape.”

“
Why don
’
t you do it on your own?”

“
I can
’
t,” Aimee whispered. “I
’
m bonded to Frank.”

“
So what will me being there change?”

Lowering her eyes, the witch appeared to struggle with what to say next. Finally, she gazed at Cassandra through her lashes and whispered, “Your blood. It can break the bond. I
’
ve been studying up on your kind and that
’
s one of the effects of your blood. It destroys the vampire bond.”

“
Oh.” Cassandra wasn
’
t too sure what to think of that development, but it was difficult for her to see the other woman in so much distress. It was obvious from the pained expression on Aimee
’
s face and her trembling hands that she was incredibly unhappy and afraid.

“
Please, come,” Aimee whispered.

Withdrawing her hands, Cassandra stared at the chocolate ice cream melting in the bowl. “My name is Cassandra, Aimee.”

Tears flecking her lashes, Aimee smiled. “Cassandra. I like it.”

“
I can
’
t promise you anything,” Cassandra said at last. “I
’
m not even sure any of this is real. And...
I may be good in a fight, but taking on a vampire in his own haven is not something I
’
ve done before.”

“
I understand.” Aimee pressed her lips together, nodding.

“
Aimee,” Cassandra whispered, reaching out to grip her hand.

Tucking her hands out of sight on her lap, Aimee stared out the window. “Frank always says that I live in my own bubble. That he can never quite touch me. I
’
ve never reached out to anyone for help before.” With a soft sob, Aimee shook her head. “And I shouldn
’
t have now.” She slid out of the booth, her long skirt whispering over the vinyl.

Cassandra scrambled after her, but the witch moved so swiftly the door to the cafe slammed shut before she could reach her.

The strains of a PJ Harvey song woke Cassandra. Gasping, groggy, and disoriented, she flailed about until she found the cellphone.

“Hello,” she grunted.

“
Cassandra, how is my favorite girl?” Scott
’
s voice asked.

“
Okay. What
’
s up?” Rubbing her face, she slid up into a sitting position.

“
I have a new job for you. A very lucrative one.”

A chill slid down Cassandra
’
s spine.

“
Oh?”

“
Yes, it
’
s in West Texas outside of Marfa. Not that far from home for you.”

“
Scott, you
’
ve obviously never been to Texas. I
’
m in East Texas. That
’
s over a day drive for me.”

“
Oh. Well, anyway. It
’
s the procurement of a Chinese artifact. Our client would like it returned to his home country.”

“
Is this a norm or a super?”

“
Supernatural. The person possessing the relic is a vampire named Frank.”

Cassandra swallowed. “Frank?”

“
Yes. Frank.”

“
Kind of a stupid name for a vampire,” she said, the
déjà vu
hitting her hard.

“
His name is really Francois,” Scott answered. “He
’
s French.”

“
French, huh?” Wincing, she ran her fingers through her hair. The dream had been real.
Shit
.

“
Yes, originally. What does it matter?”

“
What
’
s the danger level on this?”

“
Minor. He
’
s a low level vampire with no supernatural guards. You
’
ll be able to get in and out of his place relatively easily. He
’
s going to be out of town this weekend.”

Closing her eyes, Cassandra pondered Aimee
’
s plea. “That
’
s really short notice.”

“
Make it work, Cassandra,” Scott said, his voice even, but full of steel. “You won
’
t regret taking this job. You
’
ll be exceedingly well paid.”

“
So the client is Chinese, huh? Did you talk to him?”

“
I talked to his people. You know how it is. No direct contact.”

Pressing her tingling hand to her cheek, Cassandra took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. So Frank was using a dummy contact to set the trap. That made sense. She didn
’
t want to think of Aimee
’
s desperate plea, but it echoed in her soul. “Okay. Email me the deets.”

“
Excellent.” Scott hung up.

Holding the cellphone against
her
breasts, Cassandra sighed. “Shit. Why do pretty women always get me in trouble?”

Chapter 10
:

Hope

The darkness greeted Aimee when she awakened. The heaviness of the gloom felt smothering, and threatening. Unnerved, she quickly turned on the lamp next to her bed. Light flooded the room and filled her with relief. She was alone.

It had been risky casting the spell while Frank was awake, but she had been desperate. A lie about having a headache had excused her from Frank
’
s planning session. He
’
d been so engrossed in plotting the capture of the dhamphir--Cassandra--that he had barely acknowledged Aimee
’
s departure.

It had most likely all been for naught. Aimee realized that truth now. She was trapped in Frank
’
s power and no one was going to save her. Why would a complete stranger come to rescue her? Even if that stranger was obviously attracted to her?

Despite her disappointment, Aimee felt her face flush at the memory of Cassandra
’
s attention. It had been both flattering and unsettling. Though she was used to men being attracted to her, Aimee never felt any sort of reciprocal feelings. Her bond to Frank kept her from being drawn to anyone else but him. Or at least that is what she had believed until now.

“
Great,” she mumbled, wiping a tear from her cheek.

Not only was she disappointed that Cassandra would most likely not risk herself to come save her, Aimee felt a surprisingly sharp stab of regret that she would not see
her
again. The truth could not be denied. Aimee was very attracted to Cassandra in a way she had never been drawn to anyone else. That revelation was shocking, yet freeing. For years she had thought there was something wrong with her because she could never quite connect with Frank even though he had been her first and only lover. She had definitely been infatuated with him, but it had never felt like she expected love to feel. It was only in the last year or so that she had admitted to herself she had never loved Frank at all. The touch of Cassandra
’
s hand had electrified her in a way that Frank
’
s never had.

Pressing her fingers to her lips, she could still feel the tingling sensation of their mingled powers. More tears slid from her eyes and Aimee brushed them away. So not only was she a member of a nearly
-
extinct race and enslaved by a vampire, she was also most likely a lesbian who was falling for a woman she would never see again.

The bedroom door slammed open without any warning. Frank stood in the doorway dressed immaculately in black trousers, a wine-colored silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and matching tinted glasses.

“
Get up. I need you. Now.”

Rolling into a sitting position, Aimee shoved her feet into her flip-flops and sat perched on the end of the bed. “What now?”

“
I just got confirmation that the dhamphir is coming. I need you to get your ass out here, look over our plans, and tell me what spells you can cast to help capture her.”

Stomach fluttering, Aimee pivoted around. “She is?”

“
Yes, she is. C
’
mon, my little witch. We have much to do. I don
’
t want to lose this one.” Frank gestured at her impatiently.

Rising slowly, Aimee struggled to contain her emotions. Elation mingled with fear and gave birth to vibrant hope.

“
Were you crying?” Frank asked shortly. He despised tears, considering them a sign of weakness.

“
Migraines hurt, Frank,” Aimee curtly replied.

When she was close enough, he gripped her head between his hands, startling her and making her freeze in place. The fingers that could so easily crush her skull slid through her hair, pressing lightly. It took her a few seconds to realize he was rubbing the pressure points on her scalp, trying to alleviate her pain.

“
Does this feel better?” he asked impatiently, yet his voice was laced with actual concern.

She nodded mutely. Tucking her hands behind her back, she tried to hide their trembling.

Frank drew her close, kissing her forehead, his hands sliding over her back. “God, I love you so much. Do you know that?”

“
I
’
m your favorite possession, I know,” Aimee answered, unnerved. It was as if he sensed her affections might be directed at another and was trying to lay claim to her.

“
I don
’
t want you to worry about the dhamphir. I
’
ve decided to keep her. It will take some time and a lot of work to bond her to me completely, but it
’
ll be worth it. I can ditch brokers and use her to gather all my lovely relics. And you don
’
t have to worry about me fucking her. I got a little more information on her. It seems she would be a lot more interested in fucking
you
.”

Aimee tensed as Frank
’
s hands stilled on her body. There was no way he could know about the dream. Or was there?

Frank
’
s voice was a dangerous purr in her ear. “Maybe, my naughty little witch, she can play with you while I watch.”

“
Spoken like a true perv, Frank,” she snapped.

“
Ah, so you weren
’
t serious about going lesbian?” Laughing, he released her and stepped into the hallway. “Getting my hopes up and then crushing them?”

Rolling her eyes, Aimee brushed past him. “You
’
re an asshole, Frank.”

Snagging her arm, Frank pulled her about. His lips were cold against hers as he lavished a long, passionate kiss upon her mouth. It took all her willpower not to jerk away.

“
You
’
ll always be my special, favorite girl,” he whispered against her lips.

Aimee forced a smile
, tilting her head slightly to one side. Beyond Frank she saw a towering figure with rippling muscles beneath a black t-shirt speaking with I
v
an, the head of security. “Who
’
s that?”

“
That’
s Michael. He
’
s going to help prepare my security for the dhamphir.” Frank lifted an eyebrow at her. “Did he catch your eye?”

“
Only because he
’
s not your regular goon,” Aimee answered, sensing Frank
’
s jealousy.

Michael glanced their way, flashing a grin that was far too charming on his very handsome face. His thick curly black hair, dark eyes, and powerful physique were the stuff of bodice rippers. “I
’
m not a regular goon. I
’
m a special goon.” Sauntering over, he held out his huge hand. “Michael De Luca.”

“
Aimee,” she answered, watching her hand disappear under his fingers. His skin was very warm and it unnerved her for some reason.

Releasing her, Michael stood next to Frank, dwarfing the Frenchman. “I
’
m looking forward to working with you. Frank says you
’
re a kick ass witch with a lot of tricks up your sleeve. Metaphorically speaking, of course.”

Warily, Aimee nodded. “So to speak.”

Placing a hand on Michael
’
s bicep, Frank grinned. “And she
’
s all mine.”

“
Then you
’
re a lucky man,” Michael decided, winking at Aimee.

B
ristling
a bit
, Frank said to Aimee, “Michael is the best. I
’
ve been trying to woo him into my lair for years.”

His grin broadening, a light blush touched Michael
’
s cheeks. “When you say things like that I feel all fluttery.”

“
He
’
s also a wise ass, which I love. It
’
s an attractive trait in men, not smart-mouthed witches.” Frank smirked mirthlessly. “Michael is one of the best hunters out there.”

“
Then shouldn
’
t you be afraid of him?” Aimee asked pointedly.

“
I don
’
t hunt the people who employ me,” Michael assured her with another wink.

Unnerved, Aimee nodded
briefly
. The man was charming, handsome, and incredibly attractive, but something about him made her very nervous.

“
Are you actually worried about me?” Frank asked Aimee, his voice edged dangerously with sarcasm.

“
Of course,” she lied.

Frank stared at her for a long moment, “That was a lie.”

Michael sensed the growing tension and turned to Frank. “So, why don
’
t we go over our plans one more time before we start
implementation?
”

“
Yes! Let
’
s get to it,” Frank said rubbing his hands together, his white teeth gleaming behind his cocky smile. “Time to get to work to catch me a dhamphir.”