“We’ll help you,” Eclipse offered, unable to sit back knowing the male’s entire race was at risk, those he cared about being slaughtered.
Those celadon-green eyes shifted his way, a grateful smile reaching all the way to his eyes.
“So,” Eclipse said, turning his attention to the windshield. “You going to drive this thing? Or just Miss Daisy it?”
A deep, rumbling laugh escaped the vampire before the car lurched forward on the dark, winding road.
“Better?”
Eclipse chuckled. “It’ll do.”
Ten minutes later, the car slowed as Kaj steered up a paved driveway. “One of the best-kept secrets in Telluride.”
“This is a vampire club?” Eclipse asked. “I figured there’d be more gargoyles. And coffins.”
Another chuckle from the vampire. “Owned and operated by Darko and his mate, Talia. He’s a first lieutenant, keeps track of the clans in this region.”
“Looks like he does more than that,” Eclipse noted as he climbed out of the car and studied the structure before him.
“Vampires like to have a good time, too.” Kaj chuckled. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
As he followed the male up to the front doors, Eclipse let his senses scan the grounds. Though they were hidden relatively well, he was aware of six males guarding the perimeter, two more standing sentry near the house. All vampires, all armed to the teeth.
“We’ve had to ramp up our protection details for our mated females,” Kaj explained as though reading his mind.
Kaj opened the front door, allowed Eclipse to step inside before him. He scanned the horde of bodies gyrating close together throughout the open area. While the outside resembled a residence, the interior lost the illusion. There were no separate rooms, no delineation within. There was a bar lining one entire wall, somewhere between seventy and eighty feet long, highlighted by neon green lights running the length of the shelves of bottles, and manned by three males.
Eclipse caught the scent of both humans and vampires, the coppery stench of human blood combined with the familiar aroma of sex.
“Remember what I told you, angel. The humans are safe here. No need for you to protect them.”
Giving Kaj the benefit of the doubt, Eclipse followed the vampire through the throng, then up a short staircase to a second level. Before the vampire made it across the room, bodies began to rise, eyes lowering respectfully as Kaj led the way toward the back. Eclipse gauged their reactions, noting how those same vampires showing respect to the Alpha were casting looks at one another as well as the male who got to his feet.
Something was definitely off about this whole thing.
A larger male appeared, his wide grin splitting his eerily handsome face, fangs flashing. He moved right up to Kaj and bowed quickly before the two embraced in a brother-like hug. Again, there was something off in the male’s movements. As though someone or something had disrupted his plans for the evening.
“Darko, I’d like to introduce you to Eclipse. Eclipse, meet Darko.”
Unlike humans, vampires and angels didn’t use the customary handshake for greeting. Instead, they both nodded their heads, eyes locked.
“Angel,” Darko acknowledged, his voice deep and rich, eyes assessing—yeah, definitely a vampire thing.
So Eclipse was the disruption. Evidently the male hadn’t anticipated Kaj bringing an angel to their barbecue.
“Vampire.” Eclipse glanced back at Kaj. “Mind if I check out the place?”
When the male nodded, Eclipse made his exit, leaving the vampires to their business while he did a little reconnaissance of his own.
Chapter Seven
It had been years since Kaj hadstopped by this particular establishment. Still looked and smelled the same, as did the male who owned it. The difference was the number of bodies seated around Darko, the males armed with blades and bullets, decked out in leather and looking as though they had some training. Not enough based on the fact the two males at the end were leaning over the rail in their attempt to snag the attention of a female.
“Is something wrong?” Kaj asked Darko, noting something off about the male.
Darko’s smile remained intact. “You didn’t mention you were bringing a plus one.”
“Problem with that?”
