Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael 3)

Then I look forward to meeting you.

I give no guarantees to be there. Better to let the fiend think he was far from eager for this meeting. Of course. But if you do show up, ask for Farmer.

At least they now had a name. He released the net and let the other vampire slither from his grasp. The two people in the car blinked, dreamers just waking from a dream. He touched their minds, swiftly searching their memories. They'd just left a restaurant in Hyde Street when the other vampire had taken control. Hyde Street wasn't far from the hotel. The other vampire couldn't have been, either, simply because he wasn't strong enough to hold these two captive over any great distance. Keeping them mind-blind, Michael punched a hole into the windshield to give them a plausible excuse for stopping, and rebuilt their memories around that excuse. Then he wrapped the shadows around himself, grabbed the gun and walked away. Within a minute, their curses filled the night, then the car started up and they drove away.

Nikki appeared in the window. What little light there was seemed to caress the pale skin of her bare legs, and he found himself wishing he could do the same.

Are you really intending to meet him?

So she had been listening in. Obviously the link between them worked on a far different, far deeper, level than telepathy because he certainly hadn't felt her presence when he'd been questioning the other vampire.

Or had it simply gotten so strong over the last few months that either of them could read the other's thoughts without really trying? That perhaps from now on, it would take a conscious effort to keep the other out?

Yes. You want to throw me some clothes, then get dressed yourself and come down here?

She pulled off his sweater, giving him a tantalizing but all too brief glimpse of her firm, high breasts. She tossed the sweater down to him before disappearing inside. Why?

Because I want to go for a walk and see if I can sense the presence of the other vamp, and I have no intention of leaving you in the hotel alone.

He's nowhere near. I'd feel him if he was.

I'd still like to check, just in case.

He caught the sweater and pulled it on. It smelled faintly of cinnamon and vanilla. He smiled and hoped she was right. Hoped they didn't find the scent, just so he could walk hand in hand with her. They'd spent too little time simply being lovers of late.

More clothes tumbled down to the pavement. Be there in five . Wait. Catch this rifle and tuck it safely under our mattress. She appeared in the window again. He checked to ensure the safety was on then tossed the rifle up to her. She caught it deftly, if a little gingerly, and disappeared. He quickly dressed then walked down to the hotel entrance to wait for her.

She bounced out four minutes later, wearing a short black skirt that showcased her wonderful legs, and a dark red sweater that clung to her breasts and highlighted the fact she wasn't wearing a bra.

"You look entirely too energetic for someone who has had so little sleep,” he commented, wrapping his hand around her waist and pulling her close. “Are you going to be warm enough in those clothes?"

"The look in your eyes will keep me hot enough, believe me.” Her grin was pure cheek. “And we can always find a secluded foggy spot in which to warm each other up." That definitely sounded more enticing that hunting a vampire. He kissed her, long and tender. Her pulse was doing a double-time dance, and with the heat of her body pressed against him so wantonly, he really didn't want to go anywhere but back to the hotel room. Which was obviously the effect she'd been after when she'd donned these clothes. “You're incorrigible,” he said eventually. Her eyes twinkled with amusement and desire. “I try hard. Are we walking, or do you have something else in mind?"

"Walking."

Her sigh was dramatic. “Such a spoil sport."

He smiled and led her down the street. The fog was a blanket of white dampness that swirled sluggishly around them, muffling the noise of passing traffic and the late night laughter of partygoers. Street lights twinkled like forlorn stars in the distance, and from the direction of the bay came the haunting cry of fog horns. The night was peaceful, untainted by the touch of evil. It was doubtful he'd find any hint of the other vampire, but he kept walking anyway. He was enjoying the night. Enjoying doing something semi-normal with Nikki.

"Why do you think this vamp wants to meet you?” she said. He shrugged. “Loneliness. The night can be a desolate place after a few years." Her expression was curious. “Was it for you?"

He nodded. “You asked why I stayed so long with Elizabeth. Perhaps there lies your answer."

"Yet you survived it. And her."

He smiled at the slight emphasis she placed on her . “Thanks in part to the friendships I formed. But the lifestyle of many vampires does not allow them to form true friendships."

"Because they drink human blood?"

"Yes."

"Can two vampires ever become truly good friends?"

He hesitated. “There are a number of vampires in the Circle, and I would call them friends. But not close. It is never truly comfortable for us."

She raised her eyebrows. “Why?"

"It's the nature of the beast.” He shrugged. “Vampires are hunters. Hunters tend to be territorial."