Silken Rapture (Princes of the Underground 2)

“Deo…”

“Shh, love. Don’t be frightened,” he assured her. “I’m right here. We’ll be fine, I’ll make sure of it.” But she felt in his touch that his heart was beating with the same racing doubt as hers.

Would they be punished? Separated? She couldn’t stand to think of that. Being left alone again, as she had been those first days after being Turned. After Gaius had abandoned her.

Ramsey turned to her then, his accent a soft rumble of Spanish and a touch of Southern French from his life in New Orleans centuries earlier. “Mercy, you will never have to be alone again. That is our purpose here. One of them, anyway. They will not take you from your companion. I can promise you that.”

He smiled, his teeth a stunning flash of white. He really was beautiful, his green eyes brilliant, his dusky skin so sleek. She wanted to touch him, just his cheek, to feel that gorgeous skin. Or maybe more…

His smile widened and she knew he felt her desire for him. She couldn’t help it. Lust was barely within her grasp, something she could control only with great effort since her Turning. She nodded, but she couldn’t seem to calm down—desire or nerves—as Ramsey opened the door and led them through.

She felt the grandeur of the room more than she saw it. She had a vague impression of the same black-and-white marble-paneled walls she’d seen in the rest of the building. The same ornately gilded mirrors everywhere that caught the misty morning light coming in through high, arched windows. But what really caught her attention was the two vampires.

Both of them unbelievably pale, as milk-white as Ramsey was dark, with skin like softly gleaming porcelain. They were tall, one with short, spiky platinum hair, while the other had his smooth, blond locks tied back from a face so exquisite she could barely look at it. The flawless features and eyes that were black as night and just as deep, just as mysterious. She could read the centuries there. He’d seen more than she could even begin to imagine.

Her body surged with a hot, hammering desire so fierce she felt her lips begin to draw back, baring her fangs. She clamped a hand over her mouth, and Deo’s grasp on her hand tightened.

“I feel it too,” he whispered.

The ancient vampire was watching them, those black eyes taking in every motion, Deo’s whispered words. His nostrils flared the tiniest bit, and she knew he could smell her. Her fear. The damp heat between her thighs.

When he smiled, her body wanted to melt, wanted to just sink into the floor. But Deo held on tightly.

“I am Ever, the owner of this club,” the ancient one said.

Oh yes, he was old. Years and years, more than she could possibly guess. She could feel it. And she could feel the desire rising in him, mirroring hers.

Next to her, Deo’s skin was growing warmer by the moment, but whether with his own need or his sense of hers, she couldn’t tell. Her mind was spinning.

“Don’t be afraid,” Ever said, stepping from behind an enormous desk to approach them. He stopped and laid a hand on the other vampire’s shoulder. She’d forgotten he was there. Forgotten about Ramsey, who stood on her other side. Forgotten everything but Ever for the moment, and Deo’s hand in hers.

“I am Aleron,” the other vampire introduced himself.

He was handsome too. Spectacular, really. She’d been too blinded, too stunned by Ever to see him at first.

She nodded, ducking her head, her cheeks flaming. What a foolish girl these two amazing beings must think her!

“Come,” Ever said. “Sit down. We will talk with you.”

She looked at Deo and he gave a small nod of his head. She felt his nerves, like a small electric current running just beneath his skin. She was grateful for his solid presence beside her as they sat on a couch upholstered in creamy damask. Ramsey and Aleron seated themselves in a pair of velvet chairs, and to her surprise, Ever came to sit next to her.

He brushed her shoulder with his fingertips, and she shivered.

Need him…

She swallowed, wondering if Deo could feel the intensity of her desire for this vampire. She didn’t want him to be hurt by it, but she couldn’t control it.

“Beauties, both of them, do you not think so, Aleron?” Ever asked.

“Yes. Absolutely. Such beautiful long hair she has…golden and red. The English call it strawberry blonde, I think.”

“Yes,” Ever agreed. “And eyes like the sky…the palest blue. The sweetest face.” He paused, brushed her jawline with one fingertip, making her shiver once more. “And Deo, you would have been irresistible as a mortal. Now you are glorious.” He touched Deo’s shoulder briefly, let his hand trail down over his arm. “But I know the two of you appreciate each other’s beauty. And we have important matters to discuss. The other elders of the Council will be here soon. We must decide what is to be done about you.”