The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Guardian 6)

Understanding dawned. Rhoan didn't usually attend the premieres of any of the movies Liander had been involved in, simply because he preferred to remain out of the limelight. But this one was important. This one was the first movie in which Liander's company had been totally responsible for all the movie's effects. Which meant Liander had been on tenterhooks for the last week, hoping and praying that the movie - and his effects - were well received. Which had made dealing with both him and my brother a party.

As the scattered clothes would attest.

I shook my head and walked into Rhoan's bedroom. Like the living room, it looked as if a cyclone had hit it. No doubt my bedroom would be the same - though why he'd think I'd be stealing pink shirts was anyone's guess. Pink and I were not compatible.

Of course, seeing as we were twins, the shirt didn't actually suit Rhoan, either, but at least his skin was a bit more tanned than mine. It helped.

I ignored the open robes and went directly to his armoire, sliding out the bottom drawer. I knew from experience - and my own packing habits - that this was where all the unwanted clothing usually ended up.

Sure enough, there it was, shoved right at the back, under the fluorescent pink and lime-green socks I'd given him for his last birthday. I thought he'd adore them, as he usually loved all things bright. Obviously, I was wrong.

I dragged out the shirt and slammed the drawer shut. "Would this be the shirt you're looking for?" I said, holding it up on one finger as I walked out.

"Yes. Thank God." He walked across the room and grabbed it from me. "Where'd you find it?"

"In the dead clothes drawer."

"Ah." He paused, then added, "I like the socks. Really."

"About as much as I like those shiny yellow snake-skin shoes you gave me." My voice was dry. "What time is Liander getting here?"

"He said he'd pick me up about seven." He glanced at his watch. "Damn, I'd better move it. You sure you don't want to come along?"

I shook my head. "Zombies, trolls, and whatnot running around creating havoc is not my style." And I got enough bloodshed and havoc in my day job. I didn't need to explore it any further on the big screen. "Give me a nice romantic comedy any day."

He gave me a quick hug. "You're just a girly-girl at heart, aren't you?"

"Takes one to know one, bro."

He snorted. "I am the man of my relationships, thank you very much."

I glanced at my watch. "And if the man doesn't hurry, the wife will beat you up for being late."

"Good point."

He rushed back into his bedroom and I headed into the kitchen to make myself coffee and a toasted sandwich. I wasn't the world's greatest cook, but I could usually manage the basics without burning the place down.

But I'd barely even sat down on the sofa to eat it when my cell phone rang.

"Phone," Rhoan called out helpfully.

"Gee, thanks," I said, barely resisting the urge to throw a cushion his way. I picked it up. "Hello?"

"Riley? It's Ben. I need your help again, and quickly. A friend of mine has just called, and he's in trouble. As in, dead-in-a-few-minutes trouble."

"The cops?"

"He said it was a vamp. The cops won't help."

I blew out a breath, and wondered what the odds were of two of his friends being attacked by vamps. "Give me the address." I picked up a pen and scrawled it down on the overdue electricity bill sitting nearby. "Got it. I'll be there in ten."

By which time, if it was a vampire, his friend might well be dead.

"It'll take me longer, but I've told Ivan I'd be calling you for help. He's expecting you."

If he was still alive, that was. I hung up, picked up my ham and cheese sandwich as well as my badge and car keys, then headed out.

I could smell vampire as soon as I got out of the car. The night air had gone from crisp to cold, and the rotten smell of unwashed vamps seemed to cling thickly to the night.