Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael 2)

"You would have thought so. Mind you, all but three have reappeared."

"Unharmed?"

"Apparently. Reports are that they only seem to go out at night, but otherwise, it's life as normal."

"Are they vampires?"

"No."

"Weird."

It was weird all right, and he couldn't help thinking the answers might be in the same league. The ‘seat belts’ light pinged on, and a flight attendant announced they were getting ready to land. Michael clipped his in, then helped Nikki with hers. But in leaning over, their bodies brushed, and her scent ambushed him. For several heartbeats all he could do was stare into the dark amber eyes that had haunted his dreams and wish he was free to touch her, hold her. She cupped her palm against his cheek. Heat splintered through him, sharpened by longing.

"What lies between us will not go away,” she said softly. “You can deny it all you want, push it away and ignore it, but it will still be there. And so will I."

He pulled away from her touch. It was probably the hardest thing he'd ever had to do. “My world is darkness, Nikki. Yours is light. We cannot be."

She raised an eyebrow and didn't reply. He met her gaze steadily, undeterred by her determined expression or the edge of hurt in her eyes. After several seconds, she looked away. Leaving him feeling like a bastard.

The plane taxied to a stop, and the crew cheerfully ushered them from it. He guided Nikki through the crowd, one hand held lightly against her back as they headed to the baggage area. “The limo driver should be waiting near the carousel."

She nodded. Under the harsh light of the terminal, the dark circles shadowing her eyes looked like bruises. “I have to call the hospital when we get to the resort. I want to find out how Jake is."

"He's tough, Nikki. He'll be okay."

"I hope you're right,” she murmured. “Because he's all the family I have left." And I'm not sure what I'll do without him. The thought skimmed through the link, sharp with pain. “I have never met a human with a will to live as strong as Jake's. He'll be okay.” Meaningless words when it wasn't the will but the heart that was apparently the problem.

She smiled slightly. “Thank you for saying that."

He nodded, hoping he was right. He liked Jake. He touched her back again, guiding her to the right, towards the carousel.

Several uniformed men and woman stood close by, each holding up different name cards. Surprisingly, his name wasn't among the cards.

Nikki stopped suddenly, and fear surged like fire through the link.

"What's wrong,” he said, glancing around quickly. He couldn't see or feel any threat, but he'd learned to trust her senses when it came to situations slightly out of kilter.

"See that guy dressed in the blue and red uniform with the resort's gold logo on the pocket? The one holding the sign with the name Rodeman on it?"

He looked, and saw what she saw.

The chauffeur was a vampire.

Chapter Eight

"But not just one of your plain old, garden variety vampires,” Nikki said softly. “He's one of the vamps who attacked us in the warehouse."

And judging from the way he was bent over slightly, as if he had stomach cramps, he was the vamp she'd stabbed with the knife. He looked different under the harsh lights—scrawnier, somehow. Michael took the bags from the carousel and dropped them onto a cart. “It can't be a trap of any kind. The booking's been made under my name, not an alias, and Seline would have contacted me had there been any inquiries."

"But if he sees me, he'll know who I am.” She met Michael's dark gaze. “Is this what Seline meant when she said if I came here alone I would die?"

"I doubt if a lone vampire intent on vengeance would pose much of a threat to you these days.” He touched her shoulder lightly, his fingers burning heat through her soul. “Stay here. I'll just go and have a nice little chat with him."

"Why do men always say ‘stay here'?” Irritation bit through her words, despite her best efforts to remain calm. “Don't you know by now it's only an open invitation to do the exact opposite?" He placed a finger against her lips. “Will you please be quiet and just wait? I'll be right back." His eyes were filled with the promise of death. She shivered and crossed her arms, watching him walk away. The other vampire chose that moment to turn around. Recognition widened his gaze for a second, then he looked from her to Michael. How he knew they were together she wasn't sure, but the sudden fear in his eyes was visible even from where she stood.

He ran for the main entrance and out into the night. Michael ran after him. Nikki cursed under her breath. Damn it, she wasn't going to be left behind like some good little wife ... even if that was exactly what she was supposed to be.

She grabbed the cart with their luggage and ran after them. The night air was cool and the wind held only the faintest memory of the day's heat. She stopped and looked around. People pushed past her, heading for the waiting cabs and buses. Headlights spotlighted the night as other passengers climbed into cars and drove away. She couldn't see Michael or the other vampire, but she didn't really need to. Not when the presence of the younger vampire itched at her skin.