Battle With Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights)

I paused at the edge of the kitchen. It wasn’t like him not to warn me about that kind of thing. Then again, he might’ve been worried this evening would go horribly wrong with Vlad. It was always hard to tell with him.

“Yeah, sure,” I replied.

Reagan, Vlad thought, and I paused again. They couldn’t have said all of this before I left the table? I know if you’d asked, Lucifer would’ve delivered me to you. I can only assume that would’ve been to kill me, which we both know is in your power.

I nodded, waiting for more.

He gave me a slight bow. There was a time when you might’ve leaned on that power, out of spite. Maybe for a joke. There was a time Darius would’ve demanded it. I am in your debt. Darius will know what to do with that information, if you don’t.

I stared, wide-eyed and mute. I hadn’t expected that admission, even if we both knew it was true. Since when were vampires so forthcoming in putting themselves at someone’s mercy?

When that someone was connected to Lucifer, maybe. This was probably Vlad’s way of sucking up.

I inclined my head instead of bowing, and headed upstairs.

Three dresses awaited me, although I had no idea when they’d been put there or by whom. Then again, I was getting used to that sort of thing.

“Hello—”

I sent a burst of air and slammed Marie to the wall. She grinned mischievously and waited for me to release her.

That explained how the dresses had gotten in here.

“So powerful,” she purred, slinking closer. “Darius is a lucky vampire.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked, turning back to the dresses.

She gave the answer I was expecting. “I will help you get ready. How are these selections? I have others in the car, if you’d prefer.”

She must’ve snuck in the back while we were talking to Vlad. Darius was being very sneaky. This dinner had to have be important.

I shrugged and crossed the room to my chair. “Don’t care.”

She selected a frosty-blue number with sparkly strips across the neck that looked like diamonds. It had a plunging neckline and a swooping back. The bottom would hit the floor but not impede my steps. It would make me look graceful and gorgeous, glamorous and elegant.

It would also put my knockers on display. You’re welcome, Darius.

Marie left the room and returned with a high chair and standing lights. I sat dutifully and let her work her magic on my face and hair. There was no point in resisting. Besides, I’d rather save myself the trouble.

That done, I undressed myself, because she could get handsy, and accepted barely there lingerie. The dress skimmed down my skin like a waterfall and clung to all the right places. She attempted to offer me very pointy shoes, and I pushed for flats instead. She relented because she probably knew my next suggestion would be boots. This wasn’t our first rodeo.

Darius waited in the living room, another book in hand. Action adventure this time. He closed it when I walked in, his eyes taking me in.

“Beautiful,” he said. He stood gracefully and dropped the book to the coffee table. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said, smiling. Vlad had clearly left.

His lips curved up at the corners as he drifted closer, his suit and poise and movements blending together to create an impression of elegance.

“Shall we?” He held out his arm, and I took it.

“Dare I ask where we’re going?”

He opened the door when we reached it, stood aside for me to pass through, and then closed it behind him. Apparently Marie would see herself out.

“You can ask, if you’d like.” He held out his arm again, and I noticed his Lamborghini was gone, replaced with a black sedan with a grumpy driver in the front.

“But you won’t be filling me in.” I waved to Smokey as Darius opened the door. “You are very predictable.”

“I enjoy surprising you.”

“Do I need to be on my best behavior?” I asked as I got in. He closed the door and crossed to the other side.

“No, not for this.”

Moss’s hard gaze appeared in the rearview mirror, trained on me, but his brows lowered when I noticed him. Without a word, he looked back down and we were on our way.

I expected to head downtown or to the airport. That was where Darius usually took me for one of these things. This time, though, Moss drove to the highway heading away from town.

“Why bring Moss if we’re driving?” I asked. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, his surly silence really complements any long and tedious car journey, but usually you take a faster mode of transportation.”

“I met you through one of your bounty hunter contracts,” Darius said, entwining his fingers with mine. “Do you remember? You nearly stole the mark right out from under me.”