Page 8 of Seduction in Blood
I shivered as we were led through another set of tall doors that brought us to a formal living room. The black leather sofas and chairs seemed out of place, as did the squared, smoked-glass coffee table positioned between them. A crackling fire filled the hearth that was large enough to walk in and cast the same orange glow as the sunset.
In front of the fireplace, a man stood with his back to us, his hands clasped behind him. He seemed to be staring into the flames, and if he'd heard us enter, he gave no indication. His finely tailored suit molded to a lean build, but I guessed there was some hard muscle under the dark cloth. His hair, the color indistinguishable in the firelight, was pulled back into a ponytail.One of those guys.Hadn't he heard that fashion style was long dead? I mentally shrugged. Oh yeah. He was also long dead.
The four of us and the six vamp minions that formed a semi-circle around us waited for our host to notice. I glanced at Remus, but he didn't seem bothered by the lack of felicitous greeting. A minute later, our host turned. The low lighting and the glow of the fireplace kept him in the shadows, so I wasn't able to get a good look at his face. But his gaze seemed to track over each of us before resting on me. And though I couldn't see him well, the pressure of his perusal felt like heavy hands on my shoulders, his eyes raking my soul. An instant later, it vanished.
That was weird.
He stepped into the light of the room, and when he glanced at me, he quirked a brow, probably still trying to figure out who or what I was. But I couldn't focus on that. His gaze bored into mine, and while I'd heard of vampires being able to entrance people, I didn't think that was happening. I wouldn't have been able to tear my gaze away, even if he wasn't a vampire. The man to which I was being traded into indentured service was stunning enough to make my panties wet.
ChapterFive
"Welcome, Remus."The vamp swept his arm to the side to encompass his home. "Would you like a drink?"
"That would be most welcome," The Wolf replied.
"Sergi, would you please pour a vodka over ice for our guest?" He took a seat in one of the leather chairs and waved a hand for us to sit.
After the drinks were served, Trelane leaned back, casually holding the glass on his thigh. He studied Remus. "What brings you to this side of town?"
I unclenched my jaw. Trelane hadn't asked who I was, didn't offer me a drink, and hadn't looked my way once after his initial inspection. Most people were polite enough to ask my name or offer me a glass of water. The only thing stopping me from storming out was the six vampires, three wolves, and this rude ancient bloodsucker.
Two could play that game. I ignored the men and began a slow scan of the room. I kept my ears open while I checked out the valuables, but the men weren't saying anything of interest. What I did find fascinating was the antiques. I'd been looking for less than five minutes and found three things worth stealing. There was so much crap in the room, stuffed in bookcases, curio cabinets, and tabletops. Would anyone notice a few missing items? Just souvenirs from my time here.
"Pandora!" Remus shouted.
I turned to him. "Sorry, what?"
I glanced at our host. Although his arm hung lazily over the side of the chair with his whiskey glass gripped by his fingertips, he stared at me with a fierce scowl. Inside, my flight instincts blared until all I heard was buzzing. Outside, after years of being a cat burglar and scaling some incredibly difficult buildings, I'd learned to stay focused. So, I glared back before turning to Remus.
The Wolf had finally lost that casual look, a splotch of red forming on both cheeks. Maybe I would end up someone's dinner after all.
"Mr. Trelane asked about your specialties. He already has two thieves on retainer."
If he had two thieves, he was right in questioning his need for a third. If he didn't need me, maybe The Wolf could use me. But he might trade me off to someone else. What's behind door number two? I didn't want to take the risk.
"After all," the vamp added, "a thief is a thief."
That pissed me off. "Oh, really?" I scooched until I perched on the edge of the couch. "Can your thieves climb any building in this town, get by any sensor, or crack any safe? Can they do all three?" I made sure my scowl was better than his since we seemed to be in a contest for the crown.
When Remus cleared his throat, I broke eye contact with the bloodsucker and sat back, arms crossed. What the hell was I doing? My pride was going to get me killed.
"Have you not heard of Pandora?" The Wolf asked.
"I'm not normally in need of a thief." The vamp drained his glass and set it on the tabletop, which forced him closer to me. Only a few inches, but enough to whiff a wickedly tantalizing and heady aroma—cinnamon and cloves. Was the scent coming from someone adding spices to the fire, or was it from him? Good God.
He pulled out a phone and typed a message. The vamp stared at the phone, and though it appeared he was just waiting for an answer, there was something else going on. Thin lines formed between his eyes, which looked unfocused as if he was thinking—or planning. And I wasn't sure what that meant for me.
I was dying to squirm in my seat—the silence deafening. From somewhere, a grandfather clock ticked with each swing of the pendulum. A floorboard creaked above us. I glanced at The Wolf, but he stared at his own phone. I felt like I should have whipped mine out if I had one. I rarely took my phone on operations, leaving it in my beat-up, multi-colored Jeep or at home if I had a crew. Someone always had one if we needed it. At least mine was currently safe at home. Harlow always carried his, and I'd walked to the local bar to meet his crew. Was that last night? I never asked how long Sorrento had me drugged but assumed no more than a day.
What seemed like hours but couldn't have been more than five agonizing minutes, the vamp's phone chirped, bringing him out of his trance. After reading what must have been a pretty short message, he nodded to Remus.
"A week trial. If, at the end of that time, I have no use for her, she'll be returned, and your debt will be reinstated."
The Wolf considered the proposal while I continued to fume about two supernatural beings trading a human. Like I didn't have rights. Then, I remembered who was in the room—three shifters and seven vampires. Who was I kidding? Being human wasn't exactly an advantage here.
"I accept your proposal." Remus set his glass on the table. "But you must promise she'll be returned unharmed." At least the shifter was in my corner. Then, he shrugged. "Or she would be of no use to me."
Of course, I was only as valuable as the skills I had to offer. How did I get myself into this mess? But I knew the answer. Had known the risks. And now I was on the backside of that decision. I sat straighter. Whatever my actions cost, they'd been worth the price. Nevertheless, I gulped when The Wolf and the vamp stood to shake hands. It was done. I wasn't leaving this horribly depressing mansion, and a deep sense of claustrophobia overtook me. I might never leave it.
