Chapter Two
Lyzander peered across the dark room as the electronic beat pumped and the strobe lights crisscrossed, bringing the heaving dance floor to life.
The scent of alcohol, perfume, sweat and lust filled the air. Normally, that cocktail of scents pointed towards a packed club, which meant more money in his bank account, and this usually eased whatever bad mood he was in.
But not tonight.
Although he was dressed simply in jeans and a dark collarless shirt and should have blended in, his unusual looks caught the eye of more than a few patrons as he strode across the dance floor. To most, he looked to be in his mid to late thirties with an intimidating demeanor of a General about to go to war.
Though Lyzander was a good-looking man, he was scary looking too. Being over six feet four, he naturally stood out. But it was his fair skin paired with his white blonde hair that hung halfway down his back that made him even more noticeable. Thankfully the club lighting only made him look pale, and not the colour that his skin actually was.
Not that anyone would remember how he looked when they left.
Every house, business and pretty much everything he owned had heavy protections placed on them by a powerful caster friend of his.
No human would ever remember seeing him.
Lyzander’s head snapped to the side when he caught the scent of blood. His eyes locked onto a table where a group of women were doing shots and slamming the shot glasses back down onto the table. One of the women had obviously slammed hers too hard as the glass broke, cutting her palm and causing her blood to pour from the wound.
He found this worrying. Not because he found the sight disturbing, but because he didn’t long to grab hold of the woman and drink her dry.
It had been too long for him, and his kind needed sustenance on a regular basis just as humans did. He should be ravenous, unable to keep himself from feasting on the dancing bags of plasma. But for some reason, the rich aroma of her blood wasn’t doing a thing for him. It only made him angry and more anxious than he already was. With everything that was happening, he couldn’t afford to show weakness of any kind.
He turned away and brushed past desperate men pouring over scantily clad sweaty women as he made his way towards the back of the club where his office was. Tonight, he didn’t care about how busy they were or how much money he made. He didn’t care if the place burned to the ground either.
Tonight, he only had one thing on his mind.
“Find me someone to kill,” he demanded as he slammed the door shut behind him and began to pace.
“You know we don’t do that anymore,” Roman replied from across the room.
Dressed in a grey three-piece suit, Roman was perched elegantly on the edge of a black leather recliner, watching the on-goings in the club via several monitors.
“I want to rip somebody's head off,” Lyzander stated in the detached manner of one who had done it many times before. “I need to tear into quivering flesh.”
Roman turned to face Lyzander and could see pain and rage coming off him in waves. Lyzander was awoken when Graven had cried out to him. They had attacked there first but had seriously underestimated his strength. They’d both tried calling Isaac’s phone but it kept ringing with no answer. Graven contacted Bjorn the dragon shifter as backup since neither of them could get to him. As Lyzander was about to call out to Isaac they heard their brother’s broken voice in their mind.
Avenge me Brothers!
Those were the last words he heard Isaac say.
“You will. We’ll find out who did this to Isaac, and then you can rip and tear away at them. Slowly. But I can’t have you killing an innocent and having that on your conscience.”
“I have no conscience, Roman,” Lyzander stated blandly.
“Which is why I’ve been acting as yours all these years. I’m also your friend, and friends don’t let friends kill when they're in a bad mood.”
“You are also my employee and paid to do what I say. So go get me someone to kill.”
“No.”
“Yes. I’m not paying you to argue with me.”
“Maybe you should pay me more.”
“Maybe I should sack you again!” Lyzander huffed.
“Maybe if you stopped sacking me every time you get pissed off, I’d take that threat more seriously.”
Lyzander stopped in front of the monitors and watched the club for a few minutes before he made his way over to his desk and sat down.
Roman frowned as he watched him rest his forehead against the table. Something wasn’t right with Lyzander. They’d known each other for centuries, and Lyzander was always calm and calculated, amongst other things. This was new. It was the first time Roman has seen him anxious and restless.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“What do you think is wrong? In the last twenty-four hours, someone tried to kill Graven and Isaac, and my home has been burned to the ground. This is why I don’t trust people. Thank god only you knew I was coming here. How the hell did they even find out about that place?”
“Someone is trying to take down the council,” Roman remarked.
“Someone with inside information.”
“If only Graven hadn’t lost his cool and taken all the assassins out, we’d have a lead now. Not that I blame him. I’d probably have done the same.”
“Isaac had to go straight into a healing sleep. It could be weeks before he’s able to tell us anything. Though some of his attackers were stupid enough to carry ID on them, so at least that’s somewhere to start.
“Thank goodness Bjorn showed up when he did. He’s taken care of the bodies in LA and will look after the business until Isaac has recovered. Calvin is doing the same in Melbourne, though Graven wasn’t too happy at being told to go to ground.”
“I can imagine but tell Bjorn I want him here. Leo can take care of LA, he is more than capable. I have a feeling I will need Bjorn with me.”
“Of course. Oh good, Michael has arrived.” Roman said with faux enthusiasm as he glanced at one of the screens.
Lyzander shook his head slowly and groaned.
“I still don’t understand why you saved him from those human hunters. He’s a sadistic and vicious dog. If you dislike him so much, why use him?” Roman inquired.
“He may be a dog, but he’s been an extremely loyal, vicious and sadistic dog. He isn't restricted to the night like we are, and I know he’ll get the job done. If there is anything worth knowing, he will find out. We have to find them, Roman. No one has ever gotten this close to us before.” Lyzander raised his head and rubbed his eyes. “I can’t believe we have nothing on them yet.”
“It’s been one day, Lyzander. Give it time. You’re tired and frustrated, and I haven't seen you with a donor in a while. When was the last time you fed?”
Lyzander took a deep breath. He didn’t want Roman fussing. He hadn’t told him anything before and wasn’t keen now but he answered. “Three days ago.”
“What the hell, Ly. Are you trying to kill yourself? You need blood.”
“I haven’t felt the need to feed –”
“You haven’t felt the need?” Roman interrupted, taken aback.
“I know.” He sighed. “Something is very wrong, but I will deal with it later. We have more important things to sort out.”
“More important? Are you insane? Nothing is more important than you, especially not now. We need you to be strong.”
“I am strong, Roman. Never doubt that,” Lyzander stated in an ice-cold tone which would have terrified anyone else.
But Roman knew him well enough.
“I never have, and I never will doubt you, Meus rex. I just want...we all need for you to be well.” A knock at the door interrupted them. “That will be Michael.”
Lyzander watched as Roman stood and walked over to the door, his gait slow and refined. Roman was a combination of grace, power and wisdom. In some ways, he was closer to him than he was his brothers. Roman nagged like an old woman, but he was always there.
Feeling unsettled and unsure for the first time in his long life, he’d never needed Roman more.
“Roman, why did you call me that? Meus rex. It’s been hundreds of years since anyone has used that term.”
“It just...felt right. But you have always been my king.”
Hearing this unsettled Lyzander even more.
“Thank you, my friend. I’ll feed later, Roman, you have my word.”
Roman nodded and opened the door.
Michael was leaning against the door frame and smiled when he caught sight of Roman. “Leech,” he greeted.
“Shifty,” Roman replied.
Michael was a shifter and a dodgy one at that. There was no love lost between them and he hated Roman’s little nickname for him, which is why Roman used it.
Michael had a slight European accent and looked to be in in thirties, though he was probably much older. No one knew his real age or where he was from. Dressed in a navy suit with his black hair cut short, showing off his square jawline, he could have been mistaken for an accountant or a doctor. However, he had an air about him that screamed evil.
Michael straightened up and bumped shoulders with Roman as he entered the office. He may as well have walked into a six-foot brick wall since Roman was just as hard and didn’t move an inch. They squared up to each other and Michael smiled, opening his mouth and licking a fang he’d let drop down.
“Go ahead, fido. You know I’d love an excuse to put you down.”
There were many kinds of shifters and Michael was a dog shifter, if you could call it that. He turned into a giant beast, which looked like the offspring of a Rottweiler who’d mated with a hellhound. He was scary in human form but terrifying as his beast.
“Fido, that’s so old but actually quite funny for you, old man. But do you know what would really make me laugh? Ripping that smug head off your pretentious shoulders.”
“Enough.” Lyzander commanded, his voice barely above a whisper but they both heard him.
Roman closed and then leaned against the door.
Michael turned his back on him and walked over to the desk.
One was either fearless or insane to turn their back on a vampire. Roman guessed he was a little of both.
“Lyzander Pierce. You called and I answered. What can I do for you on this fine evening?” Michael greeted happily.
“I need you to do what you do best.”
“What I do best? Huh, that could be a lot of different things. Kill, maim, torture. You’ll have to be a bit more specific,” he said playfully.
“In the last twenty-four hours, someone has tried to kill my brothers and burnt my house in France to the ground, which I believe was also an attempt on my life.”
Michael’s face dropped at his words. “Are they ok?” He asked with genuine concern.
“Graven is fine.”
“And Isaac?”
“He will be...with time.”
“I see. You want me to do it all then?”
Lyzander was quiet for a moment before he stood and slowly walked around the desk to stand in front of Michael.
“Michael, as you know, I trust very few people and only a handful of those are not vampire.” He locked eyes with Michael meaningfully. “I need you to go to France for me. I want you to take care of my interests there indefinitely. I want you to find out who torched my house, question them and then punish them. Find out what they know, who ordered the hit on me and my brothers, and where I can find them. I need you to get your hands dirty with this one. So, yes. Maim, kill, do whatever is necessary by any means necessary. Specifically, I need you to be the sadistic animal I alone know you are. Will you do this for me?”
“With pleasure,” Michael bowed.
“Good. I’ll have you on a flight in two hours. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy the club. Just don't cause any trouble.”
“I can promise you many things, Lyzander, but that isn’t one of them.” Michael gave him a small nod before he turned back towards the door.
Roman stood straight and opened the door but not enough for him to get through.
Michael looked over at Roman and was surprised when he gave him a nod of approval before opening the door wider.
Roman didn’t like the rogue shifter, but he respected his loyalty to Lyzander.
Michael gave him a nod in return and left.
“I saw that,” Lyzander remarked. “So, you two can play nicely.”
His tone hadn’t changed but Roman knew he was teasing him. “Oh, be quiet.” He took a seat back in front of the monitors. “Go find a nice girl and convince her to donate some blood. Hopefully that will rid you of this surliness.”
“I doubt it, but I really do need to get out of here. I’ll be out front.”
◆◆◆
Theodora wasn’t sure how long she had been sitting there for, and even though she was still wobbly, she knew she had to get out of the bathrooms. The pulsing was getting stronger and somehow, she knew something big was coming.
She stood up, grabbed some paper towels from the dispenser and blotted her face. Taking a few deep breaths, she opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. Unfortunately, straight into a large figure.
“I’m so sorry,” She said, thinking she’d been caught coming out of the staff toilets by an employee.
But when she looked up, it was into the face of evil. He was tall with dark hair, dressed in a dark suit. He was actually normal looking, apart from the malevolent look in his eyes.
Instinctively, her body shivered and every cell in her body told her she was in trouble and needed to get away. She took a step to the left to pass him, but he took a step in the same direction and blocked her. Stepping to the other side, he followed her move, blocking her again.
“Where are you going? You might be sorry, but I didn’t say you were forgiven,” He warned in a tone that scared the heck out her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you, it was an accident. Please move out of my way so I can get back to my husband.”
“I don’t think I will.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was hoping to find someone to keep me company for a few hours, and you more than fit my requirements.” He looked her up and down.
He took a step forward and she took a step back, which unfortunately brought her back up against a wall. The man reached out as though he was going to grab her.
“Don’t touch me,” she hissed angrily but he smiled as his hand got closer. “I’m warning you.”
He didn’t listen.
Repulsed when his hand brushed her jaw as he fingered a lock of her hair, Theodora reacted instinctively and punched him in the face. She moved to run as he stumbled but his huge frame blocked her off once again. With one hand, he grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the floor, holding her against the wall. When she looked down, the man had a cruel smile on his bloody lips.
“Now why would you go and do a thing like that. I was only playing with you. But that actually hurt me. How did a little thing like you manage that?”
“Put me down!” She rasped out and his hand faltered.
A brief look of surprise flashed across his face before a smile took its place. “Oh my, you are intriguing. Yes, you will do nicely,” he chuckled darkly as she struggled.
Theodora desperately tried to think of ways to get away but she could barely concentrate. Not because her hand was hurting from the punch she’d thrown, or because she was being attacked by the creepy banker with superhuman strength. But because the pulsing inside her suddenly grew so intense she could hardly focus.
Just as she moved preparing to kick the guy and separate his balls from his body, the pressure of his hand at her throat vanished and she dropped ungracefully to the floor. After coughing and spluttering for a few seconds, she looked across to one end of the corridor and saw the banker dude in a crumpled heap on the ground. He groaned and swore a couple of times before rolling and standing up faster than was humanly possible.
“What the h–” She stopped talking when she felt a presence beside her.
She turned and looked up at the most beautiful yet terrifying sight she had ever seen.
A tall man stood before her, staring in the direction of the banker dude he had just thrown. Only this wasn’t a man at all. He could have been an angel with his handsome face, azure eyes and long, almost white hair flowing around him.
But she knew he wasn’t.
It wasn’t his pale skin or the inhumane snarling that gave it away either. It was the long, sharp pointy fangs in his mouth and the deadly look on his face.
“Never lay your hands on her again.”
Even though he hadn’t raised his voice, it was so cold no one could have missed his deadly intent.
“Do you understand me, Michael?”
“I didn’t realise she was claimed,” he explained but when nothing more was said, he simply nodded and slunk away.
Theodora released the breath she didn’t know she had been holding. She felt light headed, her heart was beating out of her chest, and the strong pulsing hadn’t eased either. If anything, it seemed to grow even more frantic. The tall man, her savior, looked down at her and took a step closer. She thought he was angry with her, but then his head dropped to the side and he seemed puzzled as he studied her.
“What are you?” He rumbled, his baritone voice confusing her.
“What am I? What are you?” She frowned slightly.
The man looked taken aback by her sass and was about to speak when another man suddenly appeared outside the office door.
“I can’t leave you alone for a minute,” the man shook his head, a little amused at the situation he’d walked in on. But that quickly changed to annoyed. “Fangs, Lyzander,” he admonished.
“Lyzander? You are Lyzander Pierce?” Theodora asked in amazement.
Lyzander hadn’t taken his eyes off the little thing before him, but he retracted his fangs before he spoke. “How do you know me?”
“I don’t. I mean, I know who you are. As in I’ve heard of you. I mean everyone has heard of you. But I’ve never met you before. We’ve never met. I didn’t know what you looked like until just now. I didn’t even know who you were until he said your name. I thought you were a cat lady or Bruce Wayne,” she babbled away.
Lyzander studied her for another moment before offering her his hand.
Theodora’s head spun, her heart was racing and her body was pulsing. Taking stock of the situation, she realized she’d been attacked by some sort of monster, only to be saved by this thing in front of her. A creature now offering her a helping hand, a man named Lyzander Pierce.
She was terrified, but strangely enough, she also felt compelled. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and placed her hand in his.
The second their hands touched, everything changed.
Their hands locked and neither could let go. Panic flashed across their faces but they were incapable of doing anything.
They both felt it.
Something powerful and fast flowed from her to him, like wild rushing waters cascading over a waterfall. Just as quick, the feeling changed to a static electric shock, but a thousand times stronger.
Theodora felt as though energy was being ripped from her body. Lyzander grunted as though he had been punched in the chest at the same moment she cried out in pain as a burning sensation washed over the right side of her body.
The whole episode only lasted seconds before Lyzander jerked his hand away as though it was on fire. He stumbled backwards, staring accusingly at her, before he stormed down the corridor, past his friend, and into the office.
The pulsing has stopped but she now had something else to worry about.
It now tingled where the burning pain had been. She knew two things without a doubt. Firstly, something was etched into her skin. She just knew it, like the way her body knew just how to breathe. Secondly, she was now unequivocally connected to this man. This creature. Lyzander.
Her body wobbled but strong hands caught her before she fell.
“Are you alright?”
Theodora had long forgotten about the other man. She gasped and went to move away but she had no strength in her legs.
“Easy now. That was quite a jolt you took.”
“Who are you? And what do you want?” She rasped out.
“My name is Roman Montgomery. I’m the manager here. I just want to help you.”
“You saw him. What the hell is he?” She demanded.
“Why don't you come with me and we’ll talk? I’ll explain everything.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so, buddy. You knew he had fangs! I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Yes, you’re right. I did know, and I know you’re in pain too, down your right side. Let me guess, just below your ear down your neck, along your breast, arm and side to your thigh? How am I doing?”
Theodora frowned. “How could you know that? Do you know what just happened to me...to us?”
“I think I do. May I?” Roman reached over to turn her head. He spoke soothingly when she flinched at his movement. “Please don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you, and if I’m right...” He trailed off as she allowed him to turn her head and gently touched behind her ear.
He gasped before whispering, “Regina.”
“What? What is it? What was that? German?”
“Latin. I know what’s happening, and I will happily tell you everything. But not here. Let’s go into my office and –”
“No! He’s in there.” Theodora shook her head feverously.
Roman gave her a reassuring smile. “He won’t hurt you. Trust me on this.”
She eyed him skeptically. “I don’t know you.”
“Look at me. Really look at me, and you will know if you can trust me or not.”
Theodora took a step back and eyed the man before her. Before she had really thought about it, she found herself nodding. But as he started to move, she stopped him.
“My husband is waiting for me by the bar.”
“You’re married?” Roman’s brows furrowed.
“Yes.”
“Shit,” he cursed silently under his breath. “How long have you been together?
“Five years.”
“And married?”
“A year. Why?”
“Do you live here? In London.”
“No.”
“You came here about three days ago, didn’t you?”
“How…” was all she got out before she nodded.
“This just got a lot more complicated. What’s his name and where can I find him?” Roman pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Why? What are you going to do to him?” Theodora asked wearily.
“Nothing at all. He’s as safe as you are, and you’re the safest person in the country right now. But he needs to hear this too.”
Theodora didn’t know what to make of his comment, but she wanted Sam with her. Deep down, she knew Roman wouldn’t hurt them.
“His name is Samuel Matthews. He’s wearing a black shirt and jeans. He’s seated at the table next to the bar, close to the entrance.”
“Good. I’ll have someone bring him to us,” Roman said as he texted.
Noticing her shaking, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Thank you,” Theodora sighed as she pushed her arms into the sleeves and pulling it close.
“Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded.