Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael 2)

Rachel crossed her arms, her look petulant. “We met him on the Internet." He glanced at Nikki . Didn't Matthew meet his abductor via the Net? He didn't mention Elizabeth, though her name hung in Nikki's thoughts. Elizabeth hadn't exactly admitted to being involved—hadn't denied it, either—and her burned hand was an ominous sign. But he wasn't ready to accuse her when they had no definite proof. He owed her that much, at least.

Yes. Nikki's annoyance was a black cloud that stung his mind. And isn't it odd that the link seems to open every time you have a question that can't be asked out loud. You wouldn't happen to be blocking it, would you?

Now is not the time for this, Nikki. He slammed the link closed again, but nevertheless felt the surge of her anger. Ignoring it and her, he looked back to Rachel. “And you became lovers?"

"We were before he turned me."

Meaning, obviously, they were no longer. Why? Did Cordell lose the taste for them once he had turned them? “He must have told you something about himself in the time you were lovers. Where did he live?"

"He had an apartment in The Heights."

"A plane is coming,” Nikki said. She stopped and craned her head out the window. Michael saw the lights beginning to descend. He glanced back at Rachel. “If he could afford to live in The Heights, why is he kidnapping these millionaires?"

She shrugged. “He hates them. He thinks they owe him."

He frowned. “Why would he think they owe him?"

"We don't really know, do we? Probably something to do with his accident."

"Accident? What type—"

"Michael,” Nikki interjected. She was staring out the rear window, and there was fear in her tone, her face, and her thoughts. “He's here. He's somewhere behind us."

"Where, exactly?” He twisted around, searching the night. Light flared behind them, a jagged blue-white beam that cut through the night, heading straight toward them. Fear tightened his gut. “Get out!” He reached across Rachel and thrust open the door. “Get out now!" He pushed Rachel toward the door, saw Nikki dive out, then flung open his door and rolled out. He'd barely hit the ground when the night, and the car, exploded into flame around him.

Chapter Sixteen

Nikki huddled against the ground, nose first in the dirt, her hands over her head and heat searing her back. Chunks thudded into the soil around her, bits and pieces of red-glowing metal, all that remained of the car. The air sizzled, thick with smoke and burning her lungs with every intake of breath. Michael? She twisted around quickly, scanning the fire-drenched night behind her. Here. I'm okay. You?

Relief swept through her. Fine . Even if her ears were ringing so loudly the roaring flames were little more than a whisper of sound. On hands and knees, she crawled farther away from the car and the heat, then sat down and stuck a finger in her ear. It didn't seem to help . I think I've gone deaf, though. Can you see Rachel?

She looked around again and saw the young vampire sprawled ten feet away. A jagged piece of metal poked out of her back. She staggered across to her and felt for a pulse on Rachel's neck. She's injured but alive.

A warning tingled across her skin. She glanced up. Michael stood opposite her, though the shadows were wrapped tightly around him. He was little more than a slight shimmer in the darkness. Fear surged anew. “What's wrong?"

Nothing. Can you sense Cordell any more?

She studied the night for several seconds. Out on the main road, coming from the right, lights approached—the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. How had they gotten there so fast? The ranch owner had obviously called the fire department.

I can't sense him anywhere near. Why aren't you showing yourself?

We have to get Rachel away from here. She's too dangerous, and we won't be able to keep her restrained once the cops get here. Cordell obviously wants her dead, so we have no choice but to save her.

The man at the gate saw her in the car with us—won't he think it a little suspicious ... She hesitated, suddenly remembering the slight wash of power she'd felt before. You erased his memory, didn't you?

It's safer that way—for him and for us. I'll wrap Rachel in shadows and take her over to Doyle. You wait here.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw the small plane taxiing to a halt at the far end of the runway. Will Seline be able to help her?

His shrug was something she felt rather than saw. Probably not. But it's Rachel's only chance. And killing Cordell might be the flame imps’ only chance. She shivered and rubbed her arms. Don't be long.

I won't. Night crawled across Rachel's form, stealing her from sight. Nikki sat back down on the ground, picking bits of grass from her hair and watching the approach of the emergency vehicles. Five minutes passed. The plane lifted off again as the firemen clambered out of their truck and put the fire out. The police began to make noises about sending someone after Michael—at which point, he reappeared, running towards her, his face a mask of fear. He knelt beside her, frantically touching her, kissing her, as if they were true newlyweds and he was assuring himself she was all right. You should have been a damn actor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. Not for the sake of the watching police, but because she simply wanted to hold him.

"I was.” His breath brushed warmth past her ear as he whispered, “Remind me to show you the posters one day. I was a Broadway sensation for all of, oh, two weeks." She buried her face against his neck to hide her grin. Rachel?

Safe with Doyle. He'll take her back to Seline and see what can be done. One of the police officers cleared his throat, and the questions began again. It was another twenty minutes before they were able to order a cab and leave.

They headed straight back to the hotel. After explaining what had happened to the rental car—and horrifying the concierge in the process—they headed up to their room. She grabbed her cell phone and called Mary. Jake was still in intensive care, but he was stronger. The doctors were hopeful. Relief coursed through her. She hung up, then flopped back onto the bed and closed her eyes.