Ripper (Hunter #1)(85)

She led me down an elegant hallway. I could hear the sound of music playing. It was getting louder and I decided the lounge area must be hopping.

A vampire smiled as he strode out of the lounge ahead of us. He stopped in his tracks.

“Stacy, is this a new girl?” he asked as he looked me over assessingly. “Because if she is then I’ll take her. She’s so different. She’s….”

“Marcus’s new mistress,” Stacy finished for him.

“Damn,” he cursed. “Don’t guess you have a sister?”

Stacy ignored him as she pulled me along. “Get used to that. When it happens, tell them who you are and they should back off. Use Marcus’s name like a blunt instrument. Trust me. No one here wants to cross him.”

The lounge was lit with low lights, giving the place a private, intimate feel. My eyes adjusted quickly to the dimness and I could see couples swaying on the dance floor to the strong, seductive beat of the music. I recognized one of the girls, a wolf, from the school Liv taught at. She had been in the graduating class the first year Liv had joined the high school group. Though I’d promised not to judge anyone, I wanted to walk over, snatch her out of that vampire’s arms, and escort her straight home. I understood the need and it didn’t bother me on an intellectual level but seeing someone I knew…

“There he is.” Stacy stopped and pointed to the man sitting in an elegant armchair watching the dancers with a blank expression on his face.

He seemed to be waiting, sitting utterly motionless, as though he could trick someone into thinking he was harmless, but I saw through him. He was a predator and a savage one at that. He was the first man I’d seen walk into the club the night I staked it out. I remembered that night well. It was the first time I’d laid eyes on Marcus and I’d thought he reminded me of a hawk. This man was something different. He was a spider, moving slowly, all his limbs a testament to delicate, graceful death. He would weave a gossamer web and then catch his prey and gleefully devour it. He would take his time, enjoying each bite. I swallowed as I watched Alexander Sharpe because I had no trouble seeing him as a serial killer.

“Mr. Sharpe,” Stacy greeted the vampire.

He didn’t get out of his chair, merely inclined his head and his dark eyes took us in. “Miss Sears. I take it this is Miss Atwood.” His accent was perfectly British. Upper crust, without a hint of cockney to tarnish it.

“I am. I have a few questions for you concerning a series of murders.”

His lips quirked up. “Doesn’t everyone, dear?” He held his hand out. It was long and graceful, like the hand of a surgeon. “Please join me. I’ve been properly threatened into answering your questions.”

I sank into the seat opposite him. The chairs were close. Our knees almost touched and I wished it wouldn’t be so terribly rude to shove the chair back because I didn’t want to accidentally have any contact with this man. I merely slid my knees to the side in a lady-like fashion.

“If you’re all right here, I’ll go see what’s holding up the Councilman,” Stacy said. “Remember what I said about the club. Stay here until I or Marcus returns for you.”

Stacy turned and strode out of the room. I was alone with the vampire.

“So, dear, Marcus Vorenus has finally set aside his unrequited love for the luscious Zoey,” the Brit drawled. His eyes slid across me as he appraised everything about me. I could feel it like a rabbit must sense a cougar. “Or has he? You’ll forgive me, but you don’t look like the mistress of one of the most powerful vampires in the world.”

“Really?” I asked, trying for jauntily unconcerned. “I suppose I should be more beautiful.”

His lips curled up and I feared I’d fallen into a trap. “I was referring to the fact that I happen to know the good councilman prefers to eat early in the evening rather than late and your neck is smooth. It’s quite lovely and perfectly untouched. He likes it from the neck. I believe he thinks it’s more romantic. You see, I make it a point to know the habits of those around me.”

And there went our cover. “My relationship with the councilman is no concern of yours.”

“So it is a ruse,” he deduced with great satisfaction. “You’re law enforcement?”

Vampire politics seemed to be a veritable minefield, so I chose to leave Dev Quinn out of my explanation. Quinn seemed to have made a place for himself in this world, but he had also pissed a bunch of people off. It was easier to go with a simple explanation. “No. I’m a private investigator. I was hired to find Joanne Taylor by her mother.”

He sighed and there was pleasure in it. His hands caressed the plush velvet of the armchair as though he was touching a lover. “Yes, the lovely doe. Her eyes were wide and brown. It isn’t often that graceful creatures allow us such delightful access to their charms.”

I was a little nauseous at the thought of Joanne at this man’s mercy. “The werewolves don’t do it for you?”

He wasn’t put off by the question at all. If anything, he leaned forward as though sharing an intimate secret with a friend. “The wolves are fine, but somewhat rough. It’s difficult to shock a wolf, if you know what I mean. I like to see the surprise in their eyes.”

Yep, he made my skin crawl. “You mean fear. You like to scare your lovers.”