A Blood Seduction (Vamp City #1)(71)

He stared into the room, neither acknowledging her question nor answering it.

She leaned forward, turning until she was in his face, her voice low. "Are you afraid that if you tell me how to escape, I will, leaving you behind? I wasn't the one who ditched in that stable, was I? I'm not you, Jeff. I'm not only looking out for myself. If you want my help, you're going to have to start working with me. You're going to have to trust me and start giving me a reason to trust you."

She sat back and waited for him to reply. Because she had little doubt he knew another way out. And if the vamps attacked, he'd escape, leaving the rest of them to fend for themselves.

Finally, he leaned close, his mouth nearly against her ear. "There's an escape hatch at my back, which is why we're sitting here instead of where Barbara tried to seat us."

"Where does it go?"

"To a hallway that leads to the back alley. The spring latch is at the base, where it connects with the floor. You can't see it, but you'll feel it with your fingers. If the vamps raid the place, run for it. It's one of three such escape routes, but the Slavas in this group know them all. The vamps will see us disappearing quickly enough. Most won't escape. Be one of the first to reach the door, and you will. Probably."

When Jeff pulled back, Quinn met his gaze with a brief nod. Then she rose and returned to Marcus's side.

"Did you learn what you wanted to?" he asked quietly.

"I think so. If I tell you to stay close, don't argue."

He smiled at her. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Several minutes later, a man strode across the room toward them, and Jeff rose to meet him. "Richard."

The man was perhaps the oldest she'd seen in Vamp City, over fifty, his phosphorescent hair graying at his temples. "What's this about news of a sorcerer?"

Several of those in her group tensed, but Quinn kept her face impassive as she watched Jeff. He wouldn't give her away, not unless there was something in it for him. And best she could tell, he still wanted to escape.

"There's news that Cristoff has found the sorcerer to save Vamp City."

"Tell me."

"They say he's old, older than you."

Richard's expression tightened at the dig, but he remained silent, encouraging Jeff to continue. Quinn relaxed back against the stone, settling in for the tall tale.

"They say he's a descendant of Blackstone and far more powerful than either of Blackstone's sons, but that he's making demands and refusing to cooperate until they're met."

"What kind of demands?"

"I'm not sure. As soon as I know more, I'll send word."

"Cristoff will kill him the moment he renews the magic."

Jeff nodded. "No doubt about it."

Richard's gaze narrowed as he looked over the group. "What do you mean to do with this lot?"

"There's a rumor that several new slaves managed to escape V.C. through sunbeams. We're going to try."

The older Slava rolled his eyes. "I've heard this rumor. It's false. And you're fools." He shrugged. "But be my guests and try. You don't have much to lose, do you?" With that, he left them.

Jeff met her gaze with what might have been a smile but was probably a smirk. A short while later, two women brought a couple of large baskets over to them, baskets filled with dried apples and drier rolls, along with a large jug of water. They ate in silence.

With the edge off her hunger, Quinn tipped her head back against the wall to attempt to get some sleep.

"Use my shoulder for a pillow, if you want, Quinn," Marcus said quietly. "Or my thigh. I did two tours of duty in Iraq a few years ago. I can sleep standing up, sitting down, even standing on my head, if I need to."

Quinn smiled. "Thank you. I'm going to take you up on that." She tried getting comfortable against his shoulder and finally gave up, curled up on the floor beside him, and laid her head on his thigh. His warm hand curled around her shoulder, and the last of her tension dissipated. She was safe. For now.

"No! Richard, don't let them hurt him. He's one of the good ones!"

Quinn woke, sitting up as commotion erupted in the hideout. Half a dozen Slava males dragged a seventh, struggling, male into the room.

"He's a monster, Delilah," Richard said coldly. "They're all monsters."

"That's not true!" The woman, an attractive redhead, was growing frantic, and Quinn could see in her face that she had feelings for the captured male.

She glanced at Marcus, watching tensely beside her. "Is he a vampire?"

"I think so."

"I would have thought a vampire could throw them all off. Or dart away."

"They've cuffed him."

Quinn stared in consternation at the vampire, whose hands were clearly unbound. "What do you mean?"

"See the silver chain around his throat?"

She did. Its large links made it look like a choke chain.

"Silver doesn't burn them, but it acts as a powerful damper for their powers if it encircles their heads or necks. You'll never see a vampire wearing a silver necklace. As long as we humans can get our hands on silver, we have a weapon, though a minor one. It's damn hard to collar something that can move faster than the eye can see."