Three Days of Night (7 page)

“I would like to speak more of this.” He turned then so that Morgan and D could hear him also. “There has been a grave misunderstanding. Your crew member has been mistreated and all of you have been inconvenienced.” Hud released my hand for the first time and stretched his arms wide. “Please, let me make it up to you.”

“I’m listening,” Morgan said.

At this Hud smiled and continued his proposition. “Tarnak is a vacation planet. Why don’t you stay with me for a few days, just until your ship makes port and has a chance to gather supplies?”

Morgan looked to me and I shrugged. I didn’t know what to say.

“Will that take a few days?” Morgan asked.

The way Hud looked at me said clearly it would take a few days if he wanted it to.

“It will take three days,” the djinn answered.

“You can see the future?” Morgan asked.

“Sometimes.” Hud had not looked away from me for the past several heartbeats. I wondered what he saw as his eyes roamed over me.

“I have nothing to wear,” I said.

“That won’t be necessary.”

I’m not sure if he meant it wasn’t necessary that I had a change of clothes or that it wasn’t necessary if I wore any at all. My hand tightened around the hood I still held and I realized my translator was inside it.

“How can I understand you?” I asked Hud. “Or anyone else? You don’t all speak my language and my translator is in this hood.” I reached to take the other translator from my pocket, but he stopped me. His touch was gentle and again I welcomed it.

“You do not need that with me.”

“You can make me understand everyone without a translator?”

“I can do many things.”

Chapter Six

“It is settled then. You will stay with me in my palace for the next three days.” Hud stretched out his arms and ushered us all off the stage. “Someone take care of him.” He pointed to Kik. “And get a new announcer up here. Now.” He smiled at the audience and said, “The auction will now proceed.”

There were murmurs throughout the crowd, but no one argued with his decision. Something told me they never did.

“You can be sure you’ll get your money back from Kik. Don’t be concerned with that. I’m sure you are all in need of rest. My palace is just beyond the market here.”

“You built your palace outside the underground market?” D asked.

Hud’s laughter was soft, yet it vibrated down my spine. “My palace is where and what I wish it to be.”

We had just stepped beyond the boundaries of the market and as he spoke his palace came into view. It looked like pictures I’d seen of the Taj Mahal, before it was destroyed. Only this place was obviously not a mausoleum.

“It’s beautiful.”

Hud put his arm around me again. It was alarming how much I wanted him to touch me. What was happening here?

“I’m glad you like it. It is my favorite design.” He leaned in close as we moved and I could feel his breath against my face. “As long as you are here, it will remain night.”

I stopped and the djinn stopped with me. Morgan and D continued to walk ahead. They seemed transfixed by the palace.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “Why do I feel so …?”

“Drawn to me?”

His words, his nearness, and Morgan’s absence were starting to make me very nervous. It wasn’t Hud I was afraid of, it was what he made me feel, and the things I wanted to do to him.

“Yes.”

“Immortals are always drawn to one another. Didn’t you know?”

I placed a hand over my heart, unable to believe how fast it was beating. Especially, since it wasn’t necessary. Some vampires, like the one who turned me, never had a heartbeat at all.

“It’s more than that.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “You chose to keep my secret. Allow me to repay you. It is within my power to make your wish my command. Tell me, what is it that you desire?”

I was actually panting!

“Oh, Hud. Don’t ask me that. Please don’t ask me that.”

His expression was sympathetic. “You are conflicted.”

“You could say that.”

Without warning he took me in his arms. I didn’t have the power nor the desire to resist. “Then let me give you clarity. For three days your life will be on pause. The sun will not rise and your ship will not make port. Everything will appear to continue, only it will not. Enjoy these moments.” He looked toward Morgan. “Get to know him better.” He looked back down at me. “Get to know me too if you like. These three days are my gift to you. Should you desire more, all you have to do is ask.”

“You shouldn’t,” I said, still breathless.

“I already have.”

I’m not sure where I got the willpower to pull back from him, but I did.

“I need a few minutes. This is just too much. It’s too unreal. Please tell them that I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t ask where I was going, or want to know why I did the things I did. He simply said, “As you wish.”

It was too easy for him to say that. And much too easy for me to wish for a lot of things. Things I couldn’t believe I was thinking. But I had made a promise to the city guard to let him see me up close after dark. Something told me that Max was up for a bite. Everything would be clearer on a full stomach, or so I hoped.

The ship, that wouldn’t make port for three days, had my supply of synthetic blood onboard. I’m sure there was synthetic blood to be had in the market. But I liked mine straight from the source when at all possible. Synthetic blood was sort of like meal replacement drinks. It could keep you alive, but it wasn’t satisfying.

I placed the small translator in my ear as I re-entered the underground market. Without Hud close by I had a feeling I might need it. I also took a minute to attach the hood to my belt. If I lost it there really wasn’t a point in wearing the rest of the suit. People turned and stared as I made my way across to the exit. I didn’t mind, because they also got out of my way. Through their hushed comments I made out a few things that puzzled and intrigued me.

“He has not shown himself in years,” someone said.

“Did he make himself visible because of
her
?”

“I’ve never seen his true form.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out they were all talking about Hud. What really got me though was the strong effect I apparently had. In a way it was nice to know, seeing as how he’d made me practically foam at the mouth. I was having a pretty hard time with that. I am not the kind of woman who goes around lusting after one man or another. If I want someone, I act on that feeling. I have never been shy about my sexuality. However, I have always guarded my heart very closely and not just to keep from getting staked. Simply being in Hud’s presence made me feel like I needed stronger defenses.

For the past two weeks all I could think about was the night I spent with Morgan. I wasn’t in love with him, but I definitely felt something. There was no use denying that. From the conversation he tried to have earlier, Morgan must be feeling something as well. What I felt for the djinn was confusing to say the least. Why was he suddenly a part of the equation at all?

Morgan was mortal and even though getting involved with him would be a terrible risk, I had pretty much come to the decision that I wanted to date him. Stupid as it was, that was what I wanted. Only now, I wanted something more. Don’t get me wrong, I still wanted Morgan. But I wanted Hud too. Why?!

As I found my way out of the underground market and back into the long dark hallway, I contemplated that question. Okay, so Hud was one of the sexiest things I’d seen in a long time. Besides Morgan, I’d have to say he was
the
sexiest thing. There really was no comparison between them. They were different species after all. To me Morgan was the sexiest man I knew and probably the sexiest I’d ever met. Hud? Well, he was the
only
djinn I’d ever met, so I didn’t have anything to compare him to. Still, I had a feeling there would be no comparison.

I shook my head, but that didn’t make my thoughts any clearer. I had come here to rescue my friend. Mission accomplished. I should be back aboard Harsh Reality, not living in a dream world for the next three days.

I paused only long enough to smile at the troll, showing him my fangs as I’d promised.

“Wow,” he said as he opened the door for me. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Can I tell you something?”

His question caught me off guard. I was already through the door and about to make a quick dash to the guard tower. When I turned back the troll stepped partially into the moonlight. The look in his eyes was kind. It was this that caught my attention.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. “Don’t let a statement like that scare you, coming from someone like me. I don’t plan to eat you or steal you away or any of that other fairy tale stuff. I’ve just never seen anyone like you before. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to tell you that you’re beautiful.”

I walked back to where he stood and kissed him on his little green forehead.

“That’s very kind of you.”

“Grunt,” he supplied. I must have made a face because he laughed and said, “Yes, it’s a terrible name. The good news is I didn’t pick it myself. The bad news is, I have to answer to it.”

I smiled. “How about I call you G for short?”

“Sure. It beats the hell out of Grunt. Do you still have your key?”

I checked my pockets. “Yes.”

“Good. I get the impression that Hud wouldn’t like it if you got locked out. All right then. See you later.”

I put my hand on the door to stop him. “What makes you think I’m coming back?”

He grinned. “You wouldn’t leave your pretty boy behind, now would you?”

The door had closed behind us when we entered the underground market. Besides, it appeared to be his job to guard the entrance that was way down the hall. There was no way he could have overheard anything. Finally, the troll laughed at my confused look.

“Hud sent me a message, okay?”

“Really? What did he say?”

“He said that you were on your way, to let you in and out and to assist you with whatever else you needed.”

“Hmm. Did he say anything else?” I’m not sure why I asked. Guess I wanted to know what Hud had to say about me.

“He said that you were beautiful and to prepare myself for the sight of you.” I was stunned. That was one of the most romantic things I’d ever heard. When I didn’t immediately respond the troll said, “Are you gonna kiss him on the forehead too?”

I just laughed and this time
I
closed the door. I wanted to kiss Hud all right, but definitely not on his forehead.

Moonlight felt soothing against my face as I made my way past the fountain. All the sounds and smells of the night came alive and I breathed them in. It felt so good to have the hood off, to be exposed to the cool night air. The market was still open. I don’t think it ever closed. Hopefully, the guards hadn’t changed yet either.

Max’s tall silhouette was easy to find against the city gate. Moonlight illuminated his dark hair, making it sparkle as the wind whipped it about his face. One look at him told me everything I needed to know. He was still human enough to respond to my presence. His heart was still his own and not a machine. I could tell this by the way it was beating now, hard and fast against his ribs. He was also starting to sweat even though the night was cool. I made him nervous, but the look in his eyes said he liked it.

“You came.”

“Not yet. But the night is still young.”

He laughed. “After the impression you made on our leader, I didn’t expect to see you any time soon.”

“I made a promise.” I took a few steps closer and the wind caught my hair up in sort of a mini-whirlwind. From the look on Max’s face, the effect was nice. I stretched my hand toward him and Max moved as if by command until my palm was flat against his chest. “Here I am, close up, without the hood.”

His heart fluttered beneath my hand. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I can see your fangs when you smile.”

I could feel the subtle change in my eyes and knew they must have turned. When I’m about to drink and especially when I drink from someone so good-looking, the irises of my eyes will turn red. It’s a very dark, blood red, but still noticeable in the semi-darkness. It doesn’t happen when I drink synthetic blood, or even fresh blood from a glass. It only happens when I bite someone. I think it’s because the act of biting in itself is almost like sex. I temporarily penetrate them and with their permission, take from their bodies that which I crave. Vampires share a connection with their source of nourishment in a way that humans never have.

“Does that frighten you?” I watched as his eyes focused on my lips.

“No,” he said softly. “I read somewhere once that drinking someone’s blood is almost like sex to a vampire. Since Hud has taken an interest in you, I suppose sex is out of the question.”

“What did you have in mind then?”

Max’s smile was wicked. “How about a bite?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Max leaned down slowly, bringing his face closer to mine. I ran my fingers through his hair and brushed the long dark strands away from his neck. Our lips came so close to touching, there was little more than a breath between us when I turned away and pressed my lips against his throat instead. He shivered when I placed a soft kiss over his jugular.

“You’re cold,” he said.

Yes, I was. My body temperature had dropped to that of the dead once more. I would need someone else’s warmth to sustain me.

“Can I borrow your warmth, Max?” I brushed my face against his neck as I spoke. “Just think, your blood will keep me warm tonight. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yes. Take it.”

His voice was hoarse with desire and when I sank my fangs into his neck he moaned. Max pulled me closer, pressing the front of my body against his. Damn, he was sexy. If I didn’t have Morgan and my confusion over Hud to consider, I might have done more than just bite. The warmth of his blood flowed through me like a strong liquor. I didn’t want to take too much, never more than was offered, but he tasted so sweet. Was it because he wasn’t completely human? Perhaps the slight flavor of something more, something besides machine.

I pulled back from him slowly and licked my lips, contemplating the flavor of his blood.

“You’re more than human,” I said.

Max was breathing hard, like he’d been running. He placed a hand over his heart.

“Yes. Somewhere back down the line.” He paused to take a few more deep breaths. “My great-great … hell, I forget how great. Anyway, he was Icarum.”

The Icarum were a race of winged people who lived on Icknar. That’s where we were supposed to have made port, but couldn’t quite make the jump.