A Hunger for Darkness (6 page)

“Not quite, I want you to enjoy working here. This place is all about pleasure, for our guests and for ourselves. I want you to enjoy working here.” Maks spread his arms in an expansive gesture. “Our time in this life is all too short, we must get as much as we can out of every moment. Do you agree?”

Kenzi allowed herself a coy smile. “I know how to enjoy myself, if that’s what you mean.”

“I can only hope you don’t have to enjoy
yourself
too often. Someone like you should be enjoying others as often as possible.” Maks’ open and obvious enjoyment of his double entendre made it less creepy, and more charming, than Kenzi would have imagined if someone had related it to her instead of her hearing it herself. This was a man who loved pleasure in all forms, and seemed to want everyone else to enjoy themselves as well.

Kenzi laughed. “I agree, pleasure shared is much more fun.”

Maksim came from around his desk and took Kenzi’s hand in his own and pressed it to his lips. “I think I will enjoy getting to know you.”

Kenzi smiled, and the thought that only a Russian could make so cheesy a display seem so, well…
Old World
. Maks seemed so fun and virile, that she could imagine many young women being swept away for at least a night.

“I’m sure we will both enjoy getting to know each other,” Kenzi said. Then, remembering her plan, she made her excuses and slipped back out into the empty night club.

Cha
pter Eleven

The blow sent Kenzi spinning. She caught herself and managed to stay upright until the figure dressed in black struck again, this time knocking her flat then pinning her down with his weight. Kenzi looked up into the face of Joshua, a face contorted in rage. In one hand he held the long ceramic dagger favored by Center. It could be plunged into the heart and then snapped off at skin level, making it nearly impossible to remove thus insuring the death of the vampire providing it was placed correctly. She’d left the Kremlin and begun to make her way back to Connor’s place when she’d been struck without warning.

“Why did you have to leave? We would have made your death merciful!” Joshua raised the knife, preparing for the final blow.

“Joshua, what the hell are you doing? I’m not you’re enemy!” Kenzi sought to capture his, hoping to calm him enough to speak.

“You’re a vampire, of course you’re the enemy!” Joshua said, still holding the blade at the ready. He was sitting squarely on her chest, with her arms trapped at her sides.

“You idiot, I’m still in here. I haven’t gone over to the dark side,” Kenzi said in a tone shifting to gentle mockery. She was still wearing the black dress and hadn’t even changed out of the stiletto heels, although the shoes had flown off on impact. They were on a side street in front of a row of silent and darkened buildings.

“Then what are you doing in the club?” Joshua asked.

His face had relaxed slightly and Kenzi could see tears in his eyes. The sight threatened to break her heart.

“Joshua, would you let me speak to you for a moment?” Kenzi was careful to speak softly and meet his eyes fully.

“I can’t let you up, and I will kill you as soon as you answer my questions. You know that’s the way it is. I just want you to tell me why you left, and what you did to Kat?” Joshua touched the stake to Kenzi’s chest, directly above her heart.

Kenzi surged upwards, her body flipping Joshua headlong over her. She spun and was on her feet facing Joshua before he could even rise. He untangled himself to stand, finding Kenzi waiting for him, arms loosely at her side, legs spread slightly. She was ready for whatever he wanted to try.

“I was kind of surprised how easy it was to throw you. There is a reason you are not supposed to engage a vampire in hand-to-hand unless there is no other option.” Kenzi watched Joshua set his face and shift his body. “Don’t, just don’t, Joshua. You weren’t fast enough to take me even before I turned.”

Kenzi saw Joshua thinking. His eyes scanned her looking for any weakness or advantage he could find. She could see his despair as he came up empty. In turn she was examining him, imagining how she could take him down and feed, the body that had once given her pleasure now giving her power. She shook loose the thought, but it took effort.

“What do you want?” Joshua asked after a moment.

“What did you mean about Kat? What happened to her?”

Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t take her?”

“I haven’t seen her since I left Center.”

“She disappeared the same night you did. Center was on full lock-down for days after that. We just began operations again.” Joshua’s voice was level, but still his gaze was shifting, scanning everything, looking for opportunity.

“I didn’t take her. Do you know anything about where she was going?” Kenzi could see his pulse racing, and could almost see his thoughts as he searched for a way to kill her. He said nothing.

“I’m still on your side! I’m trying to destroy the vampire that did this to me!” Kenzi screamed in frustration.

“Let me guess, you’re a good kind of vampire. You don’t have to give in to the virus,” Joshua said with heavy sarcasm.

Instinctively Kenzi took a step towards Joshua, and watched him step back carefully.

“I am more than this disease, Joshua. I can help you and Center,” Kenzi pleaded.

“So you haven’t fed?” Joshua asked with a hope that seemed to die before he finished the question.

Kenzi looked away, looking forlorn in the darkness with her torn dress and stockings.

“Kenzi, you know what you are. Your soul is dead or dying; don’t allow yourself to become this thing.” Joshua was speaking softly now, just as he had when he had held her a lifetime ago, when he had given her advice in their stolen moments of privacy.

She looked back to him, tears shining in her eyes. “My soul isn’t dead, I’m still good, I don’t have to kill to feed, I can still fight vampires this way!” The words tumbled out of her.

“You can’t justify it, Kenzi. You still have to take the lives of humans to live; you have to drink their essence. Nothing you do can justify that, you can’t control this, no one can.”

“Yes! Yes, I can control it.” She promised, her words coming like choked sobs.

“You want to feed from me now, don’t you?” Joshua asked sadly.

Kenzi refused to answer, only crossing her arms and rocking slightly.

“Come back with me. If you really don’t want to become this thing, come back with me. Let us learn from you and we will set you free.” Joshua took a step towards her, the long, black ceramic blade lower, but still ready.

Kenzi’s chin came up, and her eyes cleared. “No, I have a job to do. I will destroy the monster that made me, and if I can find Katerina, I will. If she came after me, I’ll find her.”

Joshua nodded sadly. “That club is where Gabriel gets his victims. If you’re there when we move on it, we’ll kill you too.”

“I know,” Kenzi said as she began to slowly retreat. “Did Old Lady Ice say anything about me?” Kenzi used the name they used for Director Whitechapel behind her back, still searching for a connection with Joshua.

“She said some really beautiful things at your memorial service. We forget how kind she can be until moments like those,” Joshua said, standing very still and watching her leave.

“Tell her I’m sorry, but I will destroy as many vampires as I can. I’m not going to turn into a monster.” Kenzi was far enough away to begin to run.

“You already have,” Joshua said, and the words stayed with her as she fled.

C
hapter Twelve

There were guests waiting in the apartment when Kenzi arrived. Connor sat in his armchair facing a young couple on the couch; both attractive and still alive. The man had the artfully-messed hair that was in the current style with a compact build that spoke of hours spent at the gym. He had a cheerful expression that seemed artificially open, as though every smile was an effort to seem sincere and interested. The woman was carefully blonde with obvious enhancements. Both were dressed for a night at the clubs.

Connor’s welcoming smile turned to concern when he saw Kenzi’s torn stockings and disheveled appearance.

“Darling, what happened to you?” He asked with bright concern.

Now Kenzi was sure she had suffered some kind of brain injury. Connor reached her quickly and placed his arm around her shoulders.

“This is Darren and Julie, I texted you that they were coming home with me from the bar and dying to meet you. Now what happened on your way home?” Connor’s smile was so artfully done Kenzi wasn’t sure what he was playing at, but she was sure these were not new friends.

“Umm, I tripped on the walk home over a crack in the sidewalk,” she answered.

“Let me get you cleaned up,” he said as Darren and Julie made sounds of concern. “We’ll be right back.”

Connor and Kenzi stepped into the bathroom. As they did, Connor put a finger to his lips and indicated for Kenzi to listen.

“The chick’s pretty hot too, what do you think?” The man named Darren said with a whisper. Even from this distance and through the closed door Kenzi could hear them.

“Yeah, I’m sure you want a shot at that,” the girl answered. “What do you think they’re worth?”

“I’d bet between cash, jewelry and credit cards we can score maybe ten grand. Let’s get them all hot and bothered and slip them the roofies in about half an hour.” Darren said.

“Do we get to play first?” Julie asked, her tone suggesting the answer she wanted.

“You little slut, you’ll have your fun. Just stick to the plan.”

“Like you won’t enjoy playing with the girl,” Julie teased.

Connor leaned close to Kenzi.

“Just do as I do,” he whispered. “We leave them alive.”

“How do we do this?” Kenzi whispered back, her body flaming with hunger.

“We will be seducing them,” Connor answered. He pressed a necklace with an obsidian arrowhead pendant into her hand. She felt the sharp point at one end. “Use this on him when it is time to drink, but wait for my signal. Now take off your clothes and put on this robe.”

Kenzi washed away the dirt that had smeared on her hands and legs. The skin had already healed from whatever abrasions there may have been. Connor had slipped out to assure their guests that she was fine and would soon join them. As Kenzi donned the black silk robe she considered what she was about to do. Connor had found a pair that obviously pretended to be swingers in order to find targets for theft. They would undoubtedly count on the embarrassment of their victims to protect them from the police. Tonight these predators would find themselves the prey.

As Kenzi exited the bathroom she had a moment to marvel at Connor’s transformation. He was no longer the Stoic with the wry sense of humor. Now he captivated his audience with charm and laughter. He had finished a humorous story as Kenzi joined them. He patted the arm of his chair. Kenzi perched on the spot as Connor slipped an arm around her waist. It felt surreal and comforting at the same time.

“We’re so glad to meet you, your husband has been bragging about you all night. He wasn’t wrong,” Darren said with a leer.

Kenzi was disgusted by him, but the rising hunger crowded everything else from her mind.
This is what addiction must feel like
, she thought.

“Hey, why don’t we get some music playing,” Julie suggested.

“Excellent idea,” Connor said as he found a streaming music channel on the flat screen. A ballad began playing softly.

Connor extended a hand to Kenzi. In her bare feet and silk robe she felt exposed under his gaze, but she allowed herself to mold against him. Darren and Julie danced next to them, exchanging a slow kiss. Kenzi felt herself tremble as she watched them, torn between conflicting desires she couldn’t name.

“Slow down, Kenzi. This will be the real test of your control. Watch what I do, and drink carefully. You must learn to restrain yourself.” Connor murmured in her ear. As he spoke his hands drifted down her body, stroking her from the base of her breasts to her flank. The other couple smiled at the obvious affection. The touch surprised Kenzi, enough that her head began to clear.

“May I cut in?” Darren asked with a smile while Julie waited for Connor.

They switched partners. Kenzi rested her head on Darren’s shoulder as she watched Connor and Julie sway together. Her hands roamed his body from his broad shoulders to the small of his back.

Darren was pressing himself into Kenzi. She felt a stirring against her middle and knew he was getting hard. There was more than a trace of expensive cologne on him, but there was something else; an intoxicating scent that inflamed her hunger and a wild lust. She fought to keep her mind clear despite a growing awareness of the blood rushing through his veins; the blood she craved. Darren’s hands caressed her as he must have seen Connor’s do a moment before. He was more insistent as his fingers traced across her buttocks.

Kenzi struggled for control as she felt the heat of his skin. Visions of her tearing at his clothes to get at him with her teeth blazed through her mind. She focused on Connor and Julie a few feet away. Julie was kissing Connor’s neck, and one hand stroked the front of his pants. Kenzi wondered what Julie could feel when she felt a hand slip inside her robe.

She leaned back as Darren smiled, his soft hands gently stroking her breast. His other hand was now beneath her robe, stroking her bare ass. He moved in for a kiss but she turned away. He kissed behind her ear instead. When she was human this had always aroused her intensely, now it aroused something else. She heard Darren chuckle, mistaking her shudder. Kenzi looked wide-eyed to Connor as she felt control slipping.

Connor was leading Julie to his armchair. He sat and pulled Julie onto his lap with a smile. Her short skirt now rode up, exposing the tops of thighs including a strip of dark red lace between her legs. Kenzi watched, mesmerized as Connor’s hand slid up Julie’s leg, stroking her inner thigh with a thumb, pausing just short of the lace.

“Oh my!” Julie said as her eyes flew open. “I think we could all use another drink!” She jumped up and ran to the kitchen. She stopped at the counter and grinned over her shoulder at Connor. With a giggle she unzipped the back of the skirt and stepped out of it. She stood in a red lace thong and heels as she stripped off her top, exposing a matching bra. She did a little shimmy as she poured more glasses of wine with her back to the room.

“Darren, aren’t you going to serve your dance partner?” Julie asked.

Darren left Kenzi to take two glasses. His heat left her and she nearly grabbed him by the neck to keep him near. She shifted her glance to Connor, who let the warm expression slip for just a moment, flashing a coldly calculated appraisal of their targets. Kenzi remembered the drinks were now drugged. The vampires would not be affected, and the only danger in the room was for the two who had unknowingly found creatures far beyond their ability to handle.

Julie handed a glass of wine to Connor, who drained it in a gulp and pulled her back into his lap. She squealed in delight and kissed him lightly on the mouth. His hands grabbed her ass boldly as she smothered her laughter in his neck. Her hands groped at the front of his pants, but her caught the wrist and pushed back until he was able to kiss the top of a breast.

Darren had returned to Kenzi and ushered her to the sofa. They sat as she took a sip of the wine before putting it on the table.

“Drink up,” he urged. “I want you completely relaxed.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Kenzi asked hoarsely.

“I’m trying to get into you panties if you hadn’t noticed,” Darren said with a leer.

Kenzi pulled him close and whispered into his ear. “You know by now I’m not wearing any panties.”

Darren laughed and pushed her back slightly. He eased the robe from Kenzi’s shoulders and she slid her arms from the sleeves. He noticed the necklace with the black dagger hanging between her breasts. He started to reach for it when Kenzi pushed him back and straddled him. He grinned and reached up to cup her breasts, pinching the nipples as he did. Kenzi arched her back, closing her eyes as she tried to hold back the wild urge within her.

“Let me up so I can get out of my clothes too, baby,” Darren asked. “I am so ready to play with that body of yours.”

Kenzi looked over to Connor. He was now leaning over Julie who was splayed on the chair under him. Her legs where spread open as he stroked her thigh and kissed up her neck. She had grabbed the back of his shirt and was trying to pull him on top of her while she moaned. She reached down to try to pull his hand between her legs. Connor looked to Kenzi. His eyes had changed and his lips pulled back to reveal white fangs. Gone was the charming host and laughing swinger; the predator had emerged with naked ferocity. Despite her own hunger, Kenzi felt a shock of fear mixed with something even more primal. Connor nodded at her.

With unbridled joy Kenzi turned back to her victim. He was still stroking one breast while trying to reach between her legs. She grabbed both his hands and pushed them over his head. He made an encouraging sound as she bent to his neck. She shifted her body to rub against his as she let all of her arousal flare from her. Darren jumped underneath her as the effect of her pheromones hit him.

“Oh god, baby, you are so hot, fuck yes!” The words tumbled out of him.

She released his arms as she found the pendant of her necklace and placed it in her teeth. His hands reached around her to squeeze her ass. Shifting closer, her breasts crushed against his chest as he ran his hands up her bare back. She found just the right spot under his jaw, and paused there, trying to find a moment of calm in the raging storm inside her. With a deep breath she plunged down, tearing the arrowhead in her teeth against the skin of his neck. She spat the pendant out and fastened on the thick stream flowing from him, his startled scream a separate thrill. She felt him spasm once beneath her and then settle, he even moaned in something like pleasure. Now her body reacted to the warm glow filling her, hot joy replacing the burning hunger.

All too soon she felt him growing weaker. At every moment she felt the pull to stay just a little longer. Kenzi felt a hand rest on her back. Darren’s hands had long since fallen away. This new touch was a signal, and with a sigh that was nearly a sob, she rose from her victim. She turned to see Connor standing behind her.

His own chest was pumping with excitement. His eyes still had the searing look of the predator. Kenzi felt her own fire blazing from the hunt. They stared at each other, frozen for a moment. The silk robe bunched at her waist now slipped to her feet, leaving her uncovered under his gaze.

Kenzi broke first. With a wild cry she leapt on him, her fingers talons in his dark hair. He caught her easily, supporting her as her legs wrapped around him. Their lips clashed in a hard kiss, their tongues thrashing at each other. Kenzi could taste another’s blood in his mouth and it drove her wild with desire. She found his shirt collar and ripped through the fabric like gauze to find the skin of his chest. Her nails raked down his chest as he moaned into her mouth.

In a few steps he reached the bed and threw her down. He stood panting over her, his fingers reaching for his belt. Kenzi could see his desire pressing outward. Her own body was screaming with a frantic need as she waited for him to join with her. Connor’s eyes searched her body as he growled. And then he stopped.

Kenzi could see the lust fade, and something else creep in, something she recognized as pain.

“No,” she pleaded before she could stop herself. She wanted to beg him not to stop, to take her with the ferocity she had seen in him. She found her own pride and refused to beg. The heat in her began to fade with frustrated reluctance.