I trusted him with my life. Though I wasn’t sure if he knew of the consequences this would bring.
I tossed the key into the water. I watched it float down to the bottom of the pool, and along with it, the tribe’s future…
The vision changed. I found myself hurtling forward through the tunnel again, then coming to a harsh stop.
My hair was in a short bob, and the swish of fringe skimmed across my thighs as my flapper dress clung to my lithe form. The noise of a brass band struck up a jazzy tune as couples twirled on the speakeasy’s dance floor, and a couple of vamps at the bar ordered some illegal booze.
I was thirsty for blood, but that wasn’t anything unusual. Ialwaysthirsted for blood. What I was looking for tonight was a connection.
I skimmed the men in the room, but wasn’t interested in any of them. They were the same old vampires I’d been with a million times before, nobody interesting or new. This town could be a real drag.
“What are you here for, honey? A dame like you shouldn’t be drinking alone.”
I swished my cocktail as I turned to take in the person who’d spoken. His voice was like velvet, warm and inviting. He was a tall, handsome vampire, one with dark hair and even darker eyes.
Instantly, I felt my cold skin begin to warm with desire. My body responded to his without him having to do so much as look at me.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I stated, and took a sip of my drink. “Haven’t seen you around this shindig before.”
“Just got outta the pen, myself. One of my so-called pals ratted me out to the coppers.” He gave a wink. “But between delivering shipments to the speakeasy, I’ve found time to call on sweethearts like you.”
I had to smirk. “Well, aren’t you the cat’s pajamas.”
“Lawrence, ma’am,” he said, and he took off his hat to nod to me.
“Lucille,” I purred. “And how do you know I’m interested?”
Lawrence grinned as he reached out and grasped me around the waist. He pushed me up against his bar, against his body, and I nearly writhed in delight.
“Come on, pidge. What’s a fella gotta do to take you out on a date?” Lawrence smirked, and shivers rippled up my skin.
I didn’t know who he was, because I hadn’t met him before, but I didn’t care. There was something between us that sparked and said this was the guy for me. It was just what I needed.
“Follow me out to the back.” I took his hand, and we walked through a secret door hidden behind the speakeasy’s stairwell.
We’d barely been alone for a few seconds in the alleyway before Lawrence gave me a rough kiss. I responded in kind, tearing at his suit jacket with my long nails and ripping it off.
Lawrence undid his pants, and hitched me up around his waist. He fumbled to push back my dress as he slid inside, and my head rolled back in ecstasy. He thrust into me, and I felt like the kind of connection we had could go on forever…
The vision abruptly shifted.
My hands were on a steering wheel, and a Model-T rocked back and forth as explosions rocked the car from side to side. I pinned the pedal to the floorboard, pushing the car as fast as it would go.
“Keep driving, pidge!” Lawrence held on for dear life as we sped away. Masci Taurus had sent angels after us, and they were hot on our tail, chasing us with several cars. We’d been fleeing them for days, and hadn’t been able to shake them. I didn’t think we’d survive this.
We’d been doing this for a while now, Lawrence and I. Our specialty was smuggling things nobody else wanted to transport, and we’d spent the past few years making good money doing it.
Until we stumbled upon something we shouldn’t have. Something that was too strong for either of us to mess with.
I just wanted to pitch it. Get it away from us, before it killed us both. But Lawrence insisted we had to do the right thing, because this was bigger than us.
One last job, pidge,he’d told me.We get the vampire key to Europe, we dump it in the vault at theBanque Surnaturelle de Paris,then it’s easy street.
Beside him in the backseat, another vampire clutched onto an ivory box. My soul jolted as I recognized him, and in a thick New York accent, the vampire said, “This ain’t looking good!”
“Hold on, Mister Coffrey!” I yelled. “This isn’t over!”
“Sure looks like it!” the vampire responded.
