"It's in the way you talk," Tony interrupted, "the way you sit, even the way you continue to breathe even though you no longer need oxygen in your lungs." His gaze returned to me. I caught my breath and held it. Damn. He was right. I was making myself breathe. That was why there was such an air of calm about him. It wasn't only that he was a cool guy.He wasn't breathing.I was having a tough time staying focused on what was important instead of on how fine Tony was as he paced back and forth in front of me. "I, um, am I in trouble for killing that man last night? I mean, it was kill or be killed.""Johan? No. Had it been an actual kill you would have been given his seat on the Council. We understand it was his recklessness that caused his death."I could see that there was something more, or Tony wasn't exactly pleased about something, but the human part of me didn't want credit for a murder, and the Vampire part wasn't developed enough to understand why I should."Johan." I spo
"We don't need a car to travel."Can I fly? Or did I turn to mist ... Oh no, not a bat! I didn't want to turn into a winged rat! "Tony, I'd rather just take the car." Tonight I simply didn't think that I could take another revelation. Tony shook his head. "Can't. There's no time. We couldn't drive to my house from here before dawn. I don't live in the city." "So … how are we … going to get there?""Don't worry, I'll do all of the work."He took hold of my arm, and I would have pulled back except I didn't want to end up falling through Never-Never Land. "Relax," he said. I shivered at the masculine tone of his voice so close to me. How could I relax when I was going off somewhere with a man, vamp—whatever! -–who had just tried to kill me?I wondered if I was making the worst mistake of my undead life. ~*~We were moving.No, the world around us was moving.I was getting a serious case of vertigo.I felt as if I was on the verge of stumbling except I didn't because Tony
He led me down a corridor whose walls were lined with paintings of beaches and natives with children frolicking in the sunshine.The corridor led to a thick wooden door. The door opened to a long, stone stairwell like the one in the Council house. Thinking about that made me wary. Tony led the way but he kept looking back at me as if he thought I was going to chicken out. Hell, at this late hour I had no choice but to trust him.We got to the bottom of the stairs. The temperature was much cooler, and it was definitely underground. I didn't feel as if I was in a cellar, though. The space was very comfortable.The stairs ended in a spacious room that had the feel of 1001 Arabian Nights. There were satin cushions and settees. Silks hung from the ceiling and walls. Colorful pendant lights provided splashes of brightness. The stone floor was covered in expensive throw rugs that at first glance appeared haphazard but were artful."Wow ..." I said, my mouth hanging open. "This ... is ..
My eyes opened to what at first appeared to be the sunshine. I blinked in confusion until my vision cleared. I knew that I wasn't in my bed though I didn't immediately remember why.My fingers brushed the soft fur of the comforter, and I remembered the events of the previous night. Tony Yates. This was his house. I sat up and allowed my legs to swing over the side of the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in.I dressed and examined myself in one of the many mirrors. My eyes weren't as vibrantly gold as the night before, but nothing else about my look had changed. I puffed my hair. Damn, but I was loving this two-toned gold hair. My skin had even taken a slight golden sheen. I didn't need even a touch of makeup. I rubbed my hands down my toned belly and thighs. I did a little spin to admire the shape of my butt.A woman cleared her throat behind me. How the hell didn't I hear that with my new hearing?It was the Asian Council woman, the one who had called me out for using the wor
I don't like being grabbed, and I felt my teeth extend even further than ever.Tony's brow furrowed and he released his hold. "Kim, tell me what happened." I hurried around him. "Wait a minute, Kim!" He grabbed my arm again.I pushed him off balance and thought of the long corridor that led to this lower level, and was standing there an instant later. I knew Tony was hot on my heels, so I darted into the main room—where something bowled me over and left me sprawling on the floor.Tony pinned me facedown on the cool marble floor. My bag went flying. My first instinct was to struggle, kick, and claw, but facedown I had no power. Instead, I froze."Look," Tony growled in my ear. "I'm going to let you up, but stop running. I can catch you without breaking a sweat. Do you understand?"I didn't move.He gave me a small shake. "Do. You. Understand?!""Yes," I grumbled.He rose off me and offered me his hand. I didn't accept it so my rise wasn't quite as nice as his had been.He
He smiled. "First things first." He offered me his hand. "We're going shopping."I wanted to protest but couldn't. I really wanted to go shopping because I wasn't rolling in spare clothes.He led me outside to a waiting black Mercedes-Benz in the driveway. "You drive?""Of course. I'm not so far gone that I can't appreciate nice things." His eyes appraised me. He was flirting again. Hmmph. I wasn't going to bite. He led me to the car and I saw Mei Wah behind the wheel waiting. When I got in, Mei Wah gave me a look that seemed full of shame. "I'm sorry, Miss Kim. Tony told me about Kaniji sneaking into the house."I noticed he referred to me as Miss, but there was nothing in front of Kaniji's name. "Believe me, if I had known she was in the vicinity," Mei Wah said, "I would have made certain that she would have never entered the lower level.""Thanks, Mei Wah. I appreciate that."Once we were settled in, Mei Wah turned on the CD player and some gentle jazz wafted through the s
I shivered and turned to him, my mouth slightly open.A lady sat behind us taking notes on my reactions. The lights dimmed even further, and the music changed. It was now a sultry, jazzy tune. The next model came out wearing lingerie. I glanced at Tony suspiciously. I hoped he wasn't thinking that he was going to get a private fashion show later with me as the model.The lingerie was tasteful, though. The skinny models wearing the thongs made me remember that my new and improved body gave them a run for their money. Unlike their asses, mine was filled out in all the right places.The lights came up, and I almost applauded. It had been a wonderful show. Tony watched me with a slight smile that made him look so sexy."Did you enjoy that?"I nodded. "I thought we were going to the mall or something.""The mall? Never." He stood and took my hand."What's next?""Home."I looked at the empty catwalk. "When do we pay?""We? You're my guest, in all ways. And I have already taken c
"So, why wasn't I offered his seat on the Council?""Because ... you're a Third. No Third has ever been strong enough to defeat a Council member, so we deemed it an accidental killing, which allowed for Johan's Second to take his place. I'm so sorry."I waved away his apology. "So what am I if not a Council member? I mean, what will be my role in this … Vampire nation?"Tony's eyes hooded. "The lowest ranked on the totem pole."I frowned feeling slightly ill. "Tell me what it means to be the lowest on the totem pole, and please be completely honest.""It would mean that you are the last to be considered and the first to be sacrificed. You have no voice in disputes. A Second will always be above you. You would be watched to make sure you don't mingle too closely with the humans because Thirds with no memories of our history are our biggest threat. Thirds handle all of our dirtiest jobs from killing humans who are undesirable to testing metal to see if it's silver. And being a Thir