Shades of Darkness Read online

  Or at least, that’s what it felt like.

  “Go away,” he snapped as a large male approached from behind.

  Basq ignored his command, halting next to Chiron.

  The younger male was taller with a thicker build than Chiron. His features were carved with bold strokes, giving him an impressive nose and wide brow. His jaw was square, and his full lips were pressed into a stern line. His brown hair was long enough to brush his shoulders and the top layer was pulled back and tied with a leather strip. It was his eyes, however, that captured the most attention. They were rimmed with a deep brown and progressively lightened to a pure white in the center.

  The male had been a member of Tarak’s clan until Tarak had joined with the previous Anasso. Chiron wasn’t entirely certain where Basq had gone or what he’d been doing for the past centuries, but a few years ago he’d shown up at Dreamscape Resort and asked for a job.

  Chiron had taken him in without question.

  The male would always be his brother.

  “For a vampire who just mated the love of your life and rescued your master from the bastard that held him captive for over five hundred years, you’re in a crappy mood,” Basq said.

  Chiron searched the male’s face for any hint of mockery. There was nothing. Basq had a special talent for hiding his emotions. Or maybe he didn’t have any. Hard to say for sure.

  “I seriously underestimated how much I depended on Ulric. I can’t leave my office without a dozen employees harassing me about their tedious problems,” Chiron groused. “So far tonight the kitchen staff has threatened revolt because the chef changed the menu without telling them, a janitor fell and broke his leg, and two customers got into a drunken brawl and destroyed one of the roulette tables. It’s not even midnight.”

  The elevator doors slid open and both males stepped inside. “It was Ulric’s job to make sure you weren’t bothered with the staff,” Basq reminded him.

  Chiron scowled. Ulric was a pureblooded Were who’d been Chiron’s most trusted companion for centuries. Together they’d created the chain of resorts that catered to humans around the world. But six weeks ago, the male had left Vegas.

  “Plus, he mated my most valuable employee and now she’s gone with him.” Chiron continued his complaint, stabbing the top button on the electronic panel.

  Rainn had only been with Dreamscape for twenty years or so, but she’d earned a spot as a trusted manager. She was also a rare zephyr spite who wanted to return to her family, taking Ulric with her to some super-secret, on-a-need-to-know-basis spot deep beneath the desert.

  “I thought you were pleased for him?” Basq reminded him.

  “I was until I realized his happiness was going to be a pain in the ass,” Chiron told his companion. “Do you know, until the past month I would have sworn that Dreamscape Resorts runs like a well-oiled machine? Now I’m wondering if it’ll survive the night.”

  “It would be easier if you shared Ulric’s duties.”

  Chiron glanced at his clansman. “Are you offering?”

  The male arched a brow. “Do you really want me dealing with the humans?”

  A shudder raced through Chiron. Basq wasn’t much of a people person. Not unless they were on the menu. He was, however, an extraordinary warrior. And utterly loyal. Perfect for the head of Dreamscape security.

  “No, thanks,” he said in dry tones. “Ulric can be…”

  “Surly? Rabid?” Basq suggested as Chiron struggled for the proper word.

  “Both,” Chiron agreed. “But he has a surprising skill in dealing with the staff and customers.”

  “The same skill Lilah possesses.”

  The doors slid open with a small hiss. Chiron stepped out of the elevator, his expression tightening.

  Lilah…

  It’d been several months since he’d mated the gloriously delectable witch, but it still felt like a miracle every time he thought of her. He couldn’t believe that she was truly bound to him for the rest of eternity.

  Which might explain why he wanted to treat her like a princess. She was too precious for him to risk.

  “I want to pamper her, not bury her in work,” he said, crossing the outer reception room.

  Basq followed behind him, pausing to glance out the bank of windows that looked over the Mojave Desert on one side and the Vegas Strip on the other.

  Chiron wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the stunning view. Instead he marched across the room that was decorated with a silver carpet and sleek chrome with black leather furniture, then he entered his private space that had been specifically created for the needs of a vampire. There were no windows, the lighting was muted, and the furniture was built to endure the weight of an elephant although it maintained a sleek elegance.

  Moving to lean against the silver and glass desk, Chiron folded his arms over his chest as Basq halted directly in front of him.

  “Have you asked Lilah what she wants?” the younger male demanded.

  Chiron flashed his fangs. Everyone knew what Lilah wanted. She was quite…vocal when she thought that Chiron wasn’t giving her enough responsibility.

  If it was up to his ambitious witch, she’d be in charge of the entire Dreamscape empire. Hell, she’d be in charge of the world.

  “Stop being sensible,” Chiron growled. “It’s annoying.”

  Basq grimaced. “I’m about to become even more annoying.”

  “What now?”

  “The human girl.”

  “Chaaya?” Chiron asked, even though there was only one creature who could inspire the frustration that was smoldering in Basq’s eyes.

  Chaaya wasn’t exactly a girl, considering she was older than both Chiron and Basq. And she wasn’t exactly a human, since she’d been sacrificed centuries ago to battle against the evil beast that Ulric had recently encountered.

  The truth was that no one knew exactly what she was.

  Well, they knew she was a cyclone of endless trouble.

  She drank, she cheated his guests at cards, she drove his staff to the brink of homicide and went out of her way to piss him off. Not a night passed that he didn’t want to toss her into some dark, dreary dungeon. Unfortunately, he didn’t happen to have one of those handy here in Vegas. And even if he did, he was fairly confident it wouldn’t hold the girl.

  As if to confirm his dark thoughts, Basq clenched his hands. “She’s gone.”

  “Again?” Chiron made a sound of annoyance. After Chaaya had been caught using her strange, unpredictable powers to screw with the slot machines, Chiron had insisted that she have an escort when she left her private rooms. A vampire escort.

  “I thought you had a guard watching her?”

  Basq managed to look more grim than usual. An astonishing accomplishment.

  “I was watching her.”

  “She got past you?” Chiron didn’t hide his surprise. “I know you’re getting old, but damn. That’s just embarrassing.”

  Basq wasn’t amused. “She went into her rooms. I waited outside the door, but she didn’t come back out. I finally went in to check on her…” He shrugged. “And she was gone.”

  Chiron studied his companion in confusion. “Are you claiming she created a portal?”

  Basq hesitated. Almost as if he didn’t want to share his suspicion. “My guess is that she walked through the wall,” he at last admitted.

  Chiron’s lips parted to argue, then he shook his head. Chaaya was still discovering her powers. And since she was technically a ghost, it was quite plausible that she could walk through walls.

  Just what he needed.

  “That’s it,” he rasped. “I’m done with that damned creature. I don’t care if she saved Ulric’s life or not.”

  Basq snorted. “I wish I believed you.”

  Chiron cursed. Basq was right. He could huff and puff and t
hreaten all he wanted. For now they had no idea what Chaaya was or how she’d been connected to the evil spirit. Someone had to keep an eye on her. And for now, he was stuck with the aggravating task.

  Lucky him.

  “Did you track her down?” he demanded.

  Basq nodded. “She’s at the Viper’s Nest.”

  The Viper’s Nest was an elegant demon club that catered to vampires. It was also an “invitation only” sort of place. And Chiron was willing to bet his last dollar that Chaaya would be the last person on the invitation list.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I followed her there myself.”

  Chiron frowned. “Why the hell would she go there? She usually prefers the filthy bars on the edge of town.”

  Basq shrugged. “Why does she do anything? To piss us off.”

  “True.” The girl made it her life’s ambition to be as aggravating as possible. Chiron eyed his companion. “I don’t suppose you—”

  “No,” Basq interrupted. “You’re her babysitter, not me. Thank the goddess.”

  Chiron sent his companion a sour frown. “Yet another job that should be on Ulric’s to-do list. I swear, I’m going to hunt down that dog and personally haul his furry ass back to Vegas.”

  An almost smile touched Basq’s lips. “I’ll volunteer for that.”

  “No. I need you here,” Chiron said.

  It was true, he did depend on Basq. Especially now. He might grouse about Ulric’s absence, but he was determined to allow the male time to become acquainted with his new mate and her family. Ulric might be a Were, but he was as much a brother as any of the vampires in Chiron’s clan. Maybe more. He wanted the male to be happy.

  “What about the girl?” Basq demanded.

  “I have two options,” Chiron admitted. “Go and get her, or ignore her and hope she doesn’t cause a mass riot.”

  “Are you a betting man?”

  “Not anymore.” The two males exchanged a rueful gaze. “Shit.” Chiron pushed away from the desk and headed for the door.

  So much for peace and quiet.

  * * * *

  “A hundred bucks you can’t finish it in one drink,” the vampire drawled.

  Chaaya flicked a dismissive glance over the potent demon liquor that burned with a blue fire. It wasn’t the first time she’d been challenged since she’d strolled into the elegant casino.

  It was easy to underestimate her. She looked mortal with her delicate features, her large, dark eyes and soft pink lips. Her skin was bronzed, and her dark hair was buzzed close to her skull to reveal the Celtic tattoos that started behind her ears and ran down the sides of her neck.

  She wore a black leather jacket and matching pants that couldn’t disguise just how tiny she was compared to the other demons in the place. And while she had a copper spear with a short ebony handle belted to her side, she looked like easy prey.

  Which was why she was constantly being tested.

  “Two hundred,” she demanded.

  The vampire grinned, revealing his snowy white fangs. He was a tall, red-haired male with the perfect features that were shared by all vampires. He also had the usual arrogance.

  “Done.”

  Chaaya tapped a slender finger on the table, waiting for the demon to show his money. The vampire hissed, but he reached into the front pocket of his slacks and pulled out a stack of crisp one hundred dollar bills. He peeled off two and dropped them on the table.

  “There.”

  Chaaya reached for the grog, and with one flick of her wrist she tossed the flaming liquid down her throat. She swallowed, bracing herself as the grog hit her stomach with the force of an exploding volcano. Once she was certain she wasn’t going to pass out, she wiped her lips with the back of her hand and reached for the money.

  “Done.”

  The smirk on the vampire’s overly pretty face changed to disbelief. “What are you?”

  She shrugged. “Just a girl who can’t say no,” she murmured, rising to her feet. She tossed a couple dollars on the table. “Here, have a drink on me.”

  She strolled away from the puzzled creature, heading toward the roulette table across the crowded room. She’d borrowed a few thousand dollars from Basq’s private stash he kept hidden in his bedroom. Before the night was over, she intended to double her ill-gotten fortune. Or lose it all.

  Either way, it was all good.

  Basq would be pissed. Chiron would have heartburn. And she would have enjoyed a night of entertainment that was different from her usual drunken escapades at the tawdrier demon clubs.

  Win. Win. Win.

  She was passing by a brightly lit stage where a pair of frost fairies performed a sensual dance that included a lot of fluttering wings and sparkles when a hand reached out to grab her upper arm.

  Chaaya halted, slowly swiveling her head to glare at the male who’d dared to touch her without permission.

  He wasn’t old in vampire terms. Maybe a couple hundred years. Chaaya wasn’t sure how she knew, but she could sense a demon’s age in the lack of power that surrounded them. This one was slender with blue eyes and skin as pale as snow. His dark hair was slicked back to emphasize the arrogance of his finely chiseled features.

  Chaaya deliberately lowered her gaze to the fingers digging into her flesh.

  “Are you tired of that hand being attached to your arm?” she asked in sweet tones.

  “I just want to talk to you,” the male retorted, stupidly maintaining his tight grip. “I haven’t seen you around here before.”

  Chaaya covertly reached for the copper spear. Since her return to this world she’d discovered that she attracted a lot of attention, from both males and females. But she wasn’t at the Viper’s Nest to make friends. Or even enemies, which was a lot more fun.

  She was there to release some pent-up steam. Period.

  “And that gives you the right to maul me?”

  The male leaned forward, a leer curving his lips. “I haven’t started mauling. Yet.” His gaze skimmed down her slender body. “I always negotiate the price first. How much?”

  “More than you could ever afford.”

  “Try me.”

  Chaaya visibly shuddered. “Not for all the money in the world.”

  The male’s expression tightened. “Don’t be that way.” His smile remained, but a cruel edge entered his voice.

  “I’m not telling you again,” Chaaya warned. “Let me go.”

  “All I want is a small taste…argh!”

  The vampire’s words ended on a shriek of pain as Chaaya lifted her spear and swung it down in a smooth motion. It sliced through the male’s wrist with remarkable ease.

  Chaaya watched with satisfaction as the severed hand fell to the expensive carpet with a dull thud.

  “Next time you’ll listen to a woman who tells you no,” she assured him.

  The male held up his bloody stump, his fangs fully extended.

  “You bitch!”

  Chaaya grimaced at his shrill tone, stepping back to avoid the blood that continued to spurt out of his stump.

  “Don’t be such a baby. It’ll grow back.”

  Her words failed to appease the leech. Hell, they seemed to make him even madder.

  “I’m going to kill you,” he screeched.

  Chaaya rolled her eyes. “Been there, done that,” she drawled. “You’re starting to bore me.”

  She turned as if she was about to walk away. She already knew what the vampire would do. Leeches could be so depressingly predictable. On cue, there was a low growl behind her, then the vampire was leaping through the air.

  With a speed and strength that she’d never possessed when she was a mere human, Chaaya crouched low, allowing the male to fly over her head. He landed in an awkward position and she moved before he could regain his balan
ce, kicking him in the center of the back. The blow was enough to send the male stumbling forward, right into the crowd gathered around the roulette table.

  There was a roar of fury from a Were who turned to grab the vampire by the throat and tossed him across the room. A mistake. Instantly the dog was swarmed by a mob of angry leeches.

  Chaaya grinned. She enjoyed gambling, but this was much more fun.

  With a war cry she’d spent centuries perfecting, she held up her spear and dashed straight into the fray.

  Chapter 2

  The Viper’s Nest was several blocks away from the glittering Vegas Strip. At one time it’d been a solidly middle-class neighborhood with picket fences and station wagons parked in the driveways. Now calling it a dump would be a compliment.

  In fact, most of the block was nothing more than empty lots where the houses had been burned to the ground, leaving behind charred foundations. Or at least that’s what was visible to the human eye. Behind the illusion was a five-story brick building with heavily tinted windows to protect the sun-challenged demons who visited.

  Inside, the club was as posh as any Vegas hotel. There was lots of marble, lots of fluted columns that soared toward painted ceilings, and cozy, private rooms that allowed demons to indulge their deepest fantasies.

  Javad strolled across the front lobby. He was a tall, slender vampire with chiseled muscles beneath his black slacks and gold silk tunic that fell to his knees. His curly hair was as dark as a raven’s wing and brushed his shoulders. His face was lean, and his features were hawkish, like a bird of prey. And unlike many vampires, his skin held a rich color. He’d spent too many years in the brutal desert sun before being turned to entirely lose the glorious sheen.

  His eyes were black, and he was told that they smoldered with enough power to make grown trolls run in terror. On the side of his neck was a stylized tattoo that revealed he’d been an assassin during his life as a human.

  He couldn’t remember that time. A vampire awoke without any memories or even a knowledge of who or what he was. Still, he’d maintained his lethal fighting skills. And added several more over the centuries.