CHAPTER EIGHT

Bay

 

I sat at my desk, trying hard to focus on the report in front of me. Luke sat opposite, his normally patient composure slowly fraying, tapping a pencil against his notepad, the noise of which was driving me up the wall. “That's distracting.”

“You've read the same sentence twenty times and counting. You have gone past annoying. Are you ready to talk about it yet?”

“I let her go.”

“Why?”

“I discovered her weakness and used it. If I'd continued despite her willingness, it would have been rape.” I slammed the report closed and slouched back in my chair. Frustrated didn't begin to explain how I felt.

“There is no law in the Nachtwelt regarding rape.” Luke's face was the perfect mask of indifference, but I knew better. Luke was the only other de Sang in my house, because he was the only one I'd met, so far, who managed to retain his moral fortitude after being taken. He wasn't mine, I'd never taken anyone to this life, and neither did Luke.

“You think the law would matter if I raped the woman L'Ordre loves?”

“He would twist the law to state you took her unwilling.”

“Exactly!”

Luke considered me a moment. “Is that the only reason you stopped?”

I sighed. “I have defiled nuns within convent walls, entered their rooms like a messenger of God, seduced and fed from them. None have ever met my eyes and asked me to stop.” I stood up and walked to the window. “She was drowning in lust, and she still kept her head enough to ask me not to do that to her.”

“I'm surprised you were able to.” Luke raised a brow. “You seem pretty intent with her.”

“She was siphoning my desire, which took the edge off. She's a siphon, but she hasn't learned to close herself off to it.”

Luke frowned. “She's young, so that's possible, but siphons are predators, and the ones who feed on desire feed on humans.”

“She feeds on power. That's why she's dating powerful men.”

Luke shook his head. “An Angelis would never date a siphon. A watcher would never protect one. You're wrong about this.” I raised a brow at Luke, and he shrugged. “I've probably never said that before, but you're definitely wrong on this one.”

I sighed. “Then I still don't know what she is, but she can siphon my power.” I watched the sun lowering towards the horizon in the sky.

The door opened, Calin walking in, shrugging out of his jacket before rubbing a hand through his sandy hair. “It's cold enough that my balls may have retracted out there.” He moved to the fireplace and put his back to it, sighing with relief. “The things I do for you, boss. Mind you, that girl must be very pious. She spent the entire morning on her knees in Mary's grotto praying for direction. The stone under her knees left her shivering and turning blue, but she stayed there till the priest and a rather scary nun wrapped her in a blanket and dragged her inside the church.”

“Probably punishing herself for letting the devil crawl into bed with her,” Luke mumbled, shooting me a scathing look.

Calin frowned. “What? What did I miss?”

“Not important,” I glared at Luke. “Where is she now?”

Calin took a step away from the fire as he warmed. “Well, she spent an hour sitting in the church talking to the priest, then he walked her back to the convent. That's where she was about the time I started wondering if I'll ever be able to achieve an erection again. Did I mention it's damn cold out there? I reckon it will snow tonight.”

Luke sighed, looking at his watch. “We might get dinner early tonight if that's the case. We don't want Calin's balls retracting at a vital moment and you not being able to get your dinner.”

I nodded, agreeing. I didn't want to get caught in the city during a snowstorm. Grabbing our jackets, we headed out. I only lived an hour’s drive from the city, so by sunset we were safely ensconced in a high-end townhouse at a smorgasbord. They were the best parties for someone like me. I didn't have to be the one dipping my wick to get my food. For the humans, it was a swinger’s party. Lots of the wealthy citizens, with more money than sense, usually grew bored and ended up in these promiscuous lifestyles, which enabled predators like myself.

Luke went off to find his own food while Calin and I mingled and picked out my dinner. “That one,” Calin pointed to a leggy brunette with pale skin and deep blue eyes. I gave him a suspicious look. “She's the closest to your girl than any other woman here. Maybe if you close your eyes and pretend it's her, you might get a twitch and be able to fix your own meal.”

I rolled my eyes but indicated Calin should make his play. I watched Calin approach the woman, the way she smiled at him, and after a few minutes, her body language was very positive. A few more minutes passed and Calin pointed to me. I gave the woman a nod and took a sip of the champagne. She damn near swooned at whatever Calin whispered in her ear next. He took her hand and led her towards the stairs to the rooms set aside for private gatherings upstairs.

I followed them, and at the top of the stairs, they waited for me to catch up. “Private party for three please,” I tipped the concierge. He led us down the hall and opened the door, giving the woman a wink as we passed inside and shut the door after us. Calin pulled the woman into his arms and started kissing her immediately as he danced her to the bed. I loosened my tie and slipped it free, throwing it to a chair along with my suit jacket and my shirt.

Calin and the woman were tugging each other's clothes off over by the bed as I stepped towards them. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. By the looks of this woman, this was going to be a quick party.

“Do I get to fuck you both?” She smiled as Calin hovered over her.

“Let's see how you go with me first.” He smiled and shoved into her.

I smiled at how in sync Calin and I were. We'd gotten very used to picking the women who would need preparation and persuasion to achieve climax, and those so randy they'd be climbing the curtains as soon as the fucking started. This woman was definitely one of the latter. I knelt at her head, grasping her breasts and squeezing while I kissed her neck. The attention of two men simultaneously was apparently too much, and she screamed her way to her pleasure.

Covering her mouth with my hand, I bit gently into her neck. She moaned anew, and as Calin flooded her with his pleasure, her eyes fluttered, a smile spreading further across her face. I felt her heart rate slow and pulled away, cleaning the bite and sealing it with my saliva.

Calin was already redressing as I stood and pulled the phone from my pocket. Surprised by an email from Spectra.

Eight o’clock. Pick me up from the church. Dinner at Margareta's. You're paying.

Calin raised his eyebrows. “You look surprised.”

“That I am.” I slipped the phone away and started redressing. “You and Luke right to find your way home?”

“You got somewhere else to be?”

“Apparently, I have a date.”

 

* * *

 

She was beautiful without effort. I knew that the night I met her, but with effort... The night the Angelis bought her to Gladys's smorgasbord, I'd been blown away by how stunning she was, and I noted straight away Gladys's jealousy. She walked to the curb where I waited by my car, her long black jacket covering whatever she wore, but by the heels and the minimal makeup, I suspected she'd dressed the part for the high-end restaurant she'd booked.

“You're early?” She looked concerned.

“I was already in the city when I got your email.” I opened the passenger side door for her.

She stepped forward but froze before sitting. “You've eaten already tonight?”

“Yes, but I wouldn't mind something solid.” She gave me a half-hearted smile and sank into the leather seat, tucking herself in like a trained lady.

As we pulled away from the curb, I examined the set of her shoulders, the way her hand continuously flexed and clenched. She was as nervous as they came, almost to the point of terrified. I reached over and took her hand. Her eyes fluttered, and she entwined her fingers with mine, looking out the window.

“It's become cold very quickly,” Spectra sighed.

“Calin suspects it will snow tonight.”

“Calin?” She looked at me curiously.

“He's my bodyguard, of sorts.”

Spectra looked over her shoulder at the empty back seat. “No offense Bay, but unless he's invisible, he sucks at his job.”

I smirked. “I said of sorts. In truth, it's a job title on paper. He takes care of all the training for my company.”

“Which company is that?”

I swallowed. I understood she wanted to put herself at ease and possibly get to know me better, but this was something complicated.

“Oh!” She turned away. “This is something to do with that big government contract.”

My eyes went wide. “How do you... doesn't matter. While I'd like to explain the nature of my business to you, I'm actually bound by one of your boyfriend's contracts to not even mention my company name.”

Spectra nodded, but her jaw was tense. “Bodyguard it is.” She waited for a heartbeat longer. “Alexander isn't my boyfriend. We've never been in a relationship.”

“And the Angelis?”

Spectra became fixated on the passing scenery. “Is my boyfriend.”

“Does he know where you are tonight?”

She shook her head slowly. “We have a very relaxed relationship.”

I pulled up to the front of the restaurant and climbed out while the valet opened Spectra's door. I handed the keys to the valet and walked with Spectra quietly into the restaurant. “The booking is in your name,” Spectra mumbled as we approached the maître d'.

“Mr. Ryder.” Sophia the maître d' smiled before her eyes turned to Spectra, who was busy scanning the restaurant. Sophia's eyes widened a little in recognition. “Miss Michaels, I haven't seen you in a while.”

Spectra gave a false smile and nodded. Sophia stood a little shocked for a moment until I cleared my throat.

“Sorry, your table is ready, Mr. Ryder.” Sophia led the way to the back of the restaurant where the private dining rooms were located.

A waiter was waiting and took Spectra's coat. She wore a black velvet dress that clung in all the right places, and flowed enough to still be considered conservative. As she turned to take her seat, I felt my body react to the skin the backless dress exposed.

I waited till we were seated and the waiter drew the sheer curtain and left with our drink order before raising a brow at Spectra. “I'm guessing this used to be a regular date place for you and Alexander.” Spectra avoided eye contact, and I understood she didn't want to discuss her relationships with me. “Can I ask how you managed to get a spur of the moment booking here? Even with my name, it's usually booked out well in advance.”

Spectra smirked. “Well, we may want to be gone by nine thirty or the people who did book well in advance are going to have a hissy fit about their booking being moved.” I waited, watching her. She eventually met my eyes, “They run their booking system electronically and allow Wifi access so the hostess can use her tablet to access it.”

I shook my head. “You hacked it.” I smiled at her smile. “What else can you do?” She shrugged. “You've just finished your degree, haven't you?”

“Last week. I graduate in a month.”

“Have you started applying for work?” I knew she planned to get rid of her business.

She started fidgeting. “I have one or two.”

“But?” Cause there was definitely a but coming with her tone.

“But Alexander has pretty much arranged a job for me with the NSIO. The money is good for a junior. I'd be insane not to take it.”

“And the money is important because you want your own place?”

Spectra frowned and shook her head. “No, the convent is home to me. I'll move out one day, possibly when I get married, but until then.”

“Then why is the money important?”

Spectra looked at me. “Isn't money important to you?”

I sighed. “I've gotten used to a way of life.”

She nodded understanding. “I grew up in this way of life. While it's not necessary, I miss it and would like the option to have it again if I wanted it.”

I wanted to ask more about that, but the waiter entered with the wine I'd ordered and poured me some to approve before filling our glasses to the appropriate amount.

“Can I take your order?”

“I'm going to skip straight to dessert please. I'll have the caramel salted brownie with ice cream and the cinnamon apple pie with double caramel sauce and ice cream.”

I smirked at her order, and so did the waiter. “Do you ever eat a decent meal, Spec?” She gave him a wicked grin, and he just laughed. When I raised a brow at how casual he was being with my date, the waiter sobered. “Sorry, we went to college together. What would you like, sir?”

“I've actually never tried dessert here. So I'll think I'll let Miss Michaels pick for me.”

Spectra grinned at the waiter. “Give him the chocolate molten volcano with ice cream and whipped cream. Thanks, Brian.” The waiter smiled and left.

“Just college friends?”

Spectra smiled and nodded with no recognition of the suspicion in my voice. It was like she didn't acknowledge men would be attracted to her. She lifted her drink, took a sip, and the nerves returned.

“There was a reason I asked for dinner.”

“I was hoping so.” I took my own drink.

“I have rules. You nearly broke one of them last night, and I would have let you because I was so...” she hesitated, looking away, ashamed. “Not myself.”

I wanted to apologize, but I doubted we'd be at dinner right now if it hadn't happened, so I was struggling to feel guilty this evening.

“You're asking for one night of sex, and I understand that rules wouldn't probably exist for that sort of thing, but I want to make sure if this was to happen, where the limitations are.” I met her eyes and nodded. “No unprotected sex...”

“I carry no disease.”

“It's not about that for me.” She chewed her lip. “My mother was pregnant with my sister at eighteen. She loved the man, but he decided while he was old enough to enjoy sex, he wasn't old enough to be responsible for the outcomes of sex.”

“He abandoned your mother.”

Spectra nodded. “My mother won a scholarship to college and would have gone far in life. Instead, she ended up working like a dog to raise her daughter by herself. Four years later, she met my father and nine months after one night with him, I was born.” She met my eyes. “Despite my mother turning things around for herself and becoming quite successful, I understood from a very young age that females really do get the raw end of the deal with regards to sex. I promised myself I would never have children out of wedlock. I won't have unprotected sex until there is a ring on my finger and a man to call my husband.”

I placed my drink on the table. “I'm unable to give you a child, Spectra. You know that, right? I understand your fear with your boyfriend and especially so with Williams. But you don't need that fear with me.”

Spectra blew out a breath. “Alexander would kill you if he found out I let you come inside of me when I've denied him so long. We have an agreement when it comes to using protection with others.”

I laughed. I couldn't help it. “He's going to kill me just for having dinner with you, let alone what he'll do if he found out we had sex.” I sobered at the acknowledgment on her face. “He doesn't know about the Angelis, does he?”

“We've never discussed Merc.”

“But your boyfriend is very aware of your affair with Williams?”

“I was very heavily involved with Alexander for a number of years. I expected to marry him. Then when he became L'Ordre, he set me aside and started screwing half the Nachtwelt. Merc and I knew each other from church, so he knew my life and recognized I was suddenly around a lot more again.”

I felt my jaw tense. “You said Alexander and you were never in a relationship, but what you just described sounded very much like one.”

She shook her head. “Alexander isn't available to anyone that way. I thought we were more. He explained to me one night, after I mistakenly introduced him as my boyfriend, that he could only marry a specific type of woman.”

“The balance.” I nodded. “Daughters of a Nephilim are very rare to find, but to find one at his power level would be an impossible dream. She'd have to be the daughter of one of Lucifer's half-breed bastards to even stand a chance.”

“Apparently so.” Spectra mourned into her drink. “Which brings us to the next rule. You can't drop your shields with me. It's not fair to do that to me. If I'm going to have sex with you, it should be my choice.”

“Yes, it should.” I agreed. “Which brings me to my question. What are you?”

Spectra tensed. The curtain pulled back, and the waiter came in with three plates of dessert, setting two in front of Spectra and a rather large chocolate indulgence that was spewing up liquid chocolate, like a volcano would lava, in front of me. Spectra picked up her fork and took a bite of her dessert, so I followed suit, the chocolate cake-like product melted in my mouth, the liquid chocolate smothering my tongue in goo.

Spectra waited till she was sure the waiter went. “We need to agree there are topics we can't discuss with each other. You can't discuss your business. I can't discuss what you just asked me. Alexander would...” She stared at her dessert like it left a bad taste in her mouth. “Let's just say I'm a cross breed and leave it at that.”

I watched her eat two more bites of her dessert, pointedly avoiding eye contact. I let what she said soak in as we ate. She was forbidden to discuss it, and it would make Alexander angrier than hell for anyone to find out, but he was sure the watcher knew and no doubt the Angelis did too.

“Have you ever told anyone?” She shook her head. “But Tommy Donald knows what you are, and your boyfriend too?”

Spectra turned glassy eyes to me, her eyes pleading to drop this topic. “The celestials can tell what nearly anyone is, their true age, the weight of someone's soul, even who your heart belongs to. You can't hide from them.”

“That's why you'll marry the Angelis, because he knows it all and doesn't need to ask you.”

Spectra tensed. “I never said I'd marry Merc. We enjoy each other, and I trust him, but there are reasons that wouldn't work.” Spectra met my eyes, “You live with Changeur de Corps's. Can you discuss that?”

I swallowed the last mouthful of my dessert and poured another glass of wine as I sat back, relaxed. “One of my powers is to have an affinity with the beasts. Calin and his wives live in a wing of my residence and guard my property, but I have others in my employ, and that's all I can say on that.”

“There was another de Sang.”

I nodded. “Luke. He's my friend and my personal assistant. He helps me keep my affairs in order and is very resourceful. He's fascinated with you, but not for the same reason I am. He likes to know everything. You puzzle him, and he hates that.”

Spectra smirked then sobered. “So Calin's wives, they are all lions?”

I smiled, seeing that she was trying to discuss my life within the confines of our limitations. “Yes. He has six wives now.”

“And they are all happy that way?”

I wanted to laugh. “They are a group of women all sharing the same man, and cats at that. They have their own wing, so I don't have to listen to the carry-on. In saying that, Calin has a unique ability with women and manages to keep them all happy most of the time. He treats them well. I think that makes a big difference.”

“Any children?”

“Before I was taken, yes. I had a family, but we are talking centuries ago. My family line is still living. Did you want to meet them? I actually have one of my very great grandsons living close by, and I can introduce you. He and his wife are expecting their first child in a few months.”

Spectra's eyes went wide and she shook her head. “I meant the lions.”

“Oh. There have been a few.” I was really hoping she wouldn't ask the next question.

“And they don't bother you running around the house?”

I picked up my wine and took a long drink. “No. They don't cause me any trouble at all.”

Spectra's eyes brightened, and I had a gut feeling this conversation was going to get bad very quickly. “Can they change at a young age? Are they cubs when they change? Do you play with them? Could I meet one?”

I sighed. “No.”

Spectra's face fell at my tone. “Oh, of course. Sorry, I forgot this wasn't an ongoing...” She bit her lip and turned her face. “Sorry, I just got overexcited, that's all.” There was a quiet beeping sound and Spectra pulled out her phone, silencing it before looking at the screen and standing. “We should get going.”

She walked to the coat rack and retrieved her coat, slipping into it. I rang the bell as I rose to retrieve my coat and the waiter, Brian, stuck his head in. “Bill please, Brian.”

Brian nodded and disappeared. He returned by the time we were ready to leave. I signed the authorization to debit my account here, and, placing my hand on Spectra's lower back, escorted her to the front door. The valet pulled my car up as we walked out and I opened the door for Spectra as a car I recognized turned onto the street at the end of the block.

“Bay...”

“In the car. We can discuss anything else as I drive you home.” I kept my eyes on the car, hoping Alexander Williams’s eyesight wasn't anywhere near as good as mine.

Spectra sank into the car, only slightly startled by the caution in my voice. I slipped into the driver's seat and was pulling out as Williams pulled into the space I was vacating. I pulled up to the lights and watched as Williams exited his car with a very attractive woman.

“Were you expecting Williams to turn up and save you from me again tonight?” I growled.

Spectra startled and looked over her shoulder. She sighed painfully as she turned back to me and let me see the honesty in her eyes. “No. He has a standing booking on Saturday nights but doesn't always use it himself.” Her fingers were flexing and clenching again. “I thought he was out of town this weekend. She must be something special to make him miss his father's birthday.”

We drove for a few more blocks in silence. When we approached an intersection and I started to pull into the left turning lane, Spectra reached over and touched my leg. “You're in the wrong lane.”

I looked at her, weighing the look in her eyes, then pulled off the road into a park. “Are you sure?”

She gave me a shy smile. “That all depends. If it snows tonight, can I still get home from your place tomorrow?”

“Possibly not. Would that be an issue for you?”

Spectra relaxed into the seat and shook her head. “I have nothing to rush back to.”

Her answer saddened me. “Spectra, I want you to be sure. I won't walk away from you a second time. If we get to my place and you change your mind, I won't let you leave.”

Her eyes were guarded as she reached across and touched my cheek. “Do you know why I insisted we go on a date first, Bay?”

“You wanted to get to know me better.”

She smiled kindly. “Partly yes, but the real reason is that a virgin deserves to be wined and dined, to be treated special before they lose their innocence, cause there is no getting that back.”

I must have looked shocked because her smile dimmed and her eyes became more guarded.

“You've not been with a woman in centuries. Your first time should be more than a quick seduction in an attic.” Her smile disappeared. “And it's my first time too, Bay. I've never been with a predator before and don't believe it's likely I ever will again, so for me, it deserves to be special for both of us.”

I caressed her cheek and pulled her mouth to mine, kissing her gently but with enough intensity to let her know this was special. “I won't hurt you, Spectra. Don't fear me.”

Her pale blue eyes met mine, strong and determined. “Take me home with you, Bay.”