Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower #1)(6)

Kami detested baths. For Kami, baths were akin to stewing in your own filth.

Briar headed toward Kami with a determined set of her jaw. “Stop putting on a brave face and let me heal you. It’s one of my strengths, remember?”

“Oh, I remember,” Kami replied. “I’m still recovering from yesterday’s healing session.”

Winking at Kami, I gave Trio a final pat on all three heads and exited the Circus.



There were dive bars in the city and then there was Hole, which was a pretty apt description. The owner was a portly werewolf named George who stored a cache of weapons under the counter behind a red and white gingham curtain.

Ask me how I know.

George lifted his chin in greeting. He knew better than to call anyone’s name across the room. Nobody came here to be greeted like a member of the family. They came here to drink and stay lost. I came here to meet the clients sent to me by Mack.

I barely made it through the door when I felt the back of my neck tingle. A quick scan of the room told me which one he was. Terrific. George had seated a vampire in the booth where I was supposed to meet my client. I didn’t blame George for letting him sit there. Nobody wanted to make trouble with a vampire. It was too easy to get your pub shut down for some bullshit violation.

All the other high-backed booths were taken and I needed the privacy. I’d have to tread carefully.

I sauntered over to the booth to greet the hooded figure who sat hunched over the table. A half-filled glass of whisky rested close to his hand. Hole was a cheap place and whisky was one of the most expensive offerings on the nonexistent menu.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this booth is taken. There are plenty of stools at the bar and I have it on good authority that George doesn’t bite.”

“All shifters bite. It’s a matter of when, not if,” the hooded figure responded in a deep, surprisingly smooth voice.

I slid into the seat across from him and folded my hands on the table. “That’s a pretty bold assertion—and pretty rude considering you’re sitting in George’s pub.”

My gaze raked over him, trying to get a read on the mysterious stranger. I didn’t want to push too hard and cause a scene. He reeked of danger the way the underground tunnels reeked of stale fear.

“Listen, I’m supposed to meet a client here and if he sees you and I chatting away like old friends, he’s going to find someone else to hire, which would be bad for business.”

“Business? Are you a lady of the night?”

I snorted. “Haven’t you heard? There’s an eternal eclipse. We’re all ladies of the night now.”

“And I’m your client.” He slipped off the hood and two green eyes shone back at me, hard and bright like two emeralds. Dark blond hair covered his head in soft waves. His face had the kind of rugged handsomeness that drew the attention of everyone with functional eyesight. Even now, with his hood lowered, I felt the eyes of every patron on us. On him. They weren’t staring at a vampire in a place he didn’t belong. They were staring at the finest male specimen they’d ever seen. Like me, they were equal parts terrified and awestruck.

I sat perfectly still and tried not to react. I’d never seen a vampire in Hole before, which was one of the reasons I preferred this place, but there was a first time for everything.

I maintained a casual air. “As I said, you’ve got the wrong booth.”

“And as I said, I’m your client.”

There was no way a vampire wanted to hire someone like me. This had to be a mistake.

“Who sent you?”

His mouth quirked, drawing my attention to it. With lips like his, you barely noticed the fangs.

“I assure you, I’m quite certain you’re the one I’m meant to meet.”

I allowed a lazy smile to caress my lips. “When you say it like that, you make it sound like fate.”

He pinned me with those two glittering gems. “Do you believe in fate?”

The lump in my throat grew larger and harder to swallow. “Tell me who arranged this meeting and we can proceed.”

“Mack Quaid, Knight of the First Order.”

Holy hellfire. Mack really did send me a vampire. I was going to throttle him. Better yet, I would introduce him to my new friend Trio. I’d teach her how to fetch a ball first and then let the dog loose on Mack.

“What’s your name?” the vampire asked, smooth and soft, like he was lulling me to sleep after an intense and exhausting session of bedroom activity.

“You first.”

His mouth twitched. “Lincoln.”

“London.”

He grunted. “London? Interesting choice.”

“My mother was a history buff. She liked to say the past is full of warning signs. It’s helpful to read them.”

“Wise woman. And you’re a Knight of Boudica?”

How much had Mack told him about me? “Does it matter?”

“I asked for the best.”

“If you want the best, there are more official channels you could’ve taken.”

Ignoring me, he nodded to George. “Care for a drink before we begin?”

“Water for me, thank you.”

George knew what to serve me. Even if someone ordered me a vodka tonic, I was to be given a glass of water. A woman couldn’t be too careful and I was always careful. Then again, a man like Lincoln could make a girl throw caution to the wind. Too bad he was a vampire.