[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Cleaners would come rushing to her aid. Diana made it to her feet, but before she could take a
step she was grabbed and pulled against a barrel chest. Remembering something from a book, she
let her head fall forward then threw it back, wincing at the pain even while smiling at the crunch
of a bone breaking.
Diana had hoped that like most, Farmer Boy would have dropped her but the hand pushing
her head to the side assured her vampires were made of sterner stuff. She felt his breath on her neck
and cringed as fangs raked her skin. There was no way she was going to be his dinner. She twisted
and kicked backward, her heels hitting air, but she didn’t stop fighting. She couldn’t.
Pain exploded in her neck as Farmer Boy sank his fangs in. The loud sound of his sucking
filled her ears and silver streaks of light danced before her eyes.
Delilah K. Stephans
Chapter 18
Clack. Scrape. Clack. Scrape. Clack.
The noise rang in Diana’s ears as she fought her way back to consciousness—again. She
seemed to be doing a lot of that in the last day or so. The only question she had, well, the only
two questions were simple. What was it with her passing out every time a vampire bit her? She’d
never fainted before.
Clack. Scrape. Clack. Scrape.
And the second question: what the hell was that noise? She moaned, and the annoying sound
ceased.
“Oh good, you’re awake. Francisco will be relieved.” The voice of an elderly woman was
unbearably loud and Diana cringed. “Oh,” the woman said softer. “I’m sorry, dear. Let me go get
Francisco.”
She heard another clack more muffled than the previous ones as something was placed on
the table and then the shifting of fabric as the woman rose. As the door banged closed she cracked
her eyes open and shut them quickly against the blinding light.
God, what was wrong with her? Every sound seemed amplified, every scent overpowering.
She opened her eyes to slits and realized the blinding light was a single lamp on a round table next
to a chair. So why was a sixty watt bulb blinding her?
Even her skin was sensitive. The soft silk of her panties, the harsher fabric of her wool slacks,
and then the scratchy yet soft feel of the blanket thrown over her, she could feel each different but
completely distinct fabric.
Diana sat up and turned away from the lamp, then opened her eyes. She was no longer in the
freezer of a closed restaurant, now she was in an office. Through the window in front of her she
could see the Mobile skyline. Surprisingly, above the sky shine multiple stars twinkled, not just
the few bright ones but little ones that she’d never seen before.
She rose from the couch and walked to the window, enjoying the way the carpet sank under
her feet, the threads tickling the arch of her foot and between her toes. She placed her hands on the
cool smooth glass and looked up, a smile curving her lips. Whatever happened to her, she liked
it. She liked it a lot.
The sound of someone running down the hall rang in her ears, and she cocked her head
to listen close. Not just one person was running down the hall. No, there were three people. She
chuckled when she realized the difference in their steps. One was wearing boots; that person wasn’t
too heavy, but when she focused she could hear the keys and change jangling in his pockets,
72
73
definitely male. Another one was also male, heavier than the first man but keeping up with whoever
was in the lead. The third was female; she could hear the distinctive tap of high heels. The door
flew open and she saw Francisco, Mike and an older man she didn’t know reflected in the window.
“What’s happened to me?” She didn’t turn to face them, just kept watching their reflections.
They exchanged looks, then Mike stepped forward. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
“I was in a freezer in a closed restaurant, and I was angry about something.” Why couldn’t
she remember? It was right there teasing her, but there were no details to the memory. “I think
someone was fighting?” She rubbed at her neck, something tickling her memory. “Pain?” She
turned and looked at Mike.
The white-haired vampiress nodded and stepped toward her. “Very good, that’s more
than most of us remembered—at first.” She motioned to the couch. “Sit down and I’ll explain
everything.”
Completely confused, Diana looked over at Francisco, who nodded. With a sigh, she returned
to the couch and sat down heavily.
“Frank, why don’t you get Diana something to drink before I start?” Francisco nodded and
left the room. “Diana, this is Jonathon Howe. He’s the director of the US division of D.C. and H.”
The man stepped forward, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Matthews.”
Diana was certain she detected more in his voice than pleasure at meeting her, but what she
wasn’t sure. She took his hand. “Mr. Howe.” Something clicked. “You are the H of D.C. and H.?”
He nodded. “Would the C stand for Lord William Cheetham?” Another nod. “And the D?”
He gave her a tight-lipped smile, but answered. “Cassandra Dewey.”
She couldn’t stop the smile that sprang to her lips, but she did catch her lower lip between
her teeth to stop the chuckle. She swallowed and whispered, “Dewey, Cheetham and Howe?”
Mr. Howe gave a sharp nod and laughter bubbled out of her. Mike looked at her like she’d
lost her mind, but Diana couldn’t stop laughing. The white-haired woman looked at Jonathon,
concern etching her features.
“Am I missing something?”
“Do. We. Cheat. Em. And. How.” Diana managed to sputter. She fell over, clutching her
stomach that had started to cramp. The looks of shock and concern from the two vampires didn’t
help her regain control. It only made her laugh harder. “Who knew vampires had a wicked sense
of humor?” She swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks and fought for composure.
Mike waited until she had control of herself before speaking. “As funny as that is, I need to
explain what you’re going through.”
She sobered instantly. “There’s a reason all my senses are so amplified? Farmer Boy bit me!”
“Farmer Boy?”
“She means Lucas,” Francisco explained as he reentered the room. “Perhaps I should explain
the situation—alone.”
Delilah K. Stephans
The Envoy
Mike nodded, but Jonathan shook his head. “I’m sorry, Frank. But I can’t allow that,
circumstances being what they are.”
Diana frowned at the conversation going on around her. On an average day she didn’t like
feeling someone was talking about something concerning her and this wasn’t a normal day. She
let out a piercing whistle—instantly wishing she hadn’t. All conversation in the room ceased, and
everyone focused on her. She smiled.
“Okay, boys and girls, now that I have your attention…” Her tone was filled with derision.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]