Midnight's Master

Chapter 6

Holly was hot for the demon, no denying it. And she hadn’t been hot for a guy since…Zack.

Not that she’d ever actually been hot for Dr. Zachariah Hall, but she’d been interested.

Interested enough to get engaged. Stupid, stupid mistake.

Her gaze darted down to her left hand and to the bare ring finger that stared back at her.

Oh, yeah, stupid.

She’d thrown that ring back at him that last, fateful night. When she’d found him kneeling between the spread legs of one of his female grad students-right in his office.

Prick.

Her teeth ground together. Niol wasn’t like Zack. Not. One. Bit.

Zack had seemed so safe and steady.

When he was really a lying asshole.

There was no way Niol would ever be called safe -and she sure liked that, she-

“Uh, Holly?”

She blinked, and found Mac staring at her, a deep furrow between his now-bushy eyebrows. He’d plucked like a fiend when he was on-air. But no more…

“Hon, you all right? I’ve been calling your name for the last two minutes.”

And she’d been busy with lust and a pity party. Holly straightened behind her desk. “Sorry. Thinking about a story.”

“Ah…” Sounded kinda like a bear’s growl. “Good girl.” His fingers curled around her open door. “That what you wanted to see me about?”

She pushed against her chair, letting the wheels rock back and forth just a bit. “Yeah, yeah, it was.” Holly motioned to the seat across from her. “Mac, I’ve got a lead.”

“Then you’ve got me.” He crossed the room and threw himself into the chair. “Talk.”

“Carl Bronx-”

“The guy who almost made you pass out on camera?”

He would remember that.

“Carl was one of my sources.”

Another bear’s growl.

“And the guy the cops found yesterday-Sam Miters-he was, too.”

No growl this time, just silence.

Holly exhaled. That beady stare he was aiming at her had made governors break.

“What the hell are you involved in?”

She bit her lip. Demon business. Did Mac know? The guy was sharp, the sharpest she’d ever met. Surely he’d realized what was happening around him. She wanted to ask him-

“Are you in trouble?” Quieter.

“I don’t-I was at the station, okay? I wasn’t there when he-” Was carved up. No. “The cops pulled me in to identify Sam’s body.” She would not think about that scene again. It was bad enough that the images kept slipping into her dreams.

“Do they think you’re a suspect?”

Fair question. “Maybe.”

More intense staring.

She would not squirm. “Their deaths are linked, Mac, no getting around it. Someone’s out there, hunting these men-and no matter what the cops think, it’s not me. ” Or Niol. “I want to run this story, see if I can-”

“Scare someone,” he finished, rubbing his chin.

“Yes.”

“You scare the wrong person, you might just find yourself in a killer’s sights.”

I know. “These men deserve justice.”

“That’s for the cops.” Now his fingertips tapped on the arm of the chair. The guy moved a lot when he was in his deep-think mode.

“They’re looking in the wrong place for this guy. The trail’s gonna get cold. I want to go on the air.”

“With what? We’ve already covered the killings-”

But they hadn’t covered the link between the two men. They hadn’t been able to talk about the vicious attacks, the mutilation. “Just let me run with this. Schedule me a slot and let me run.” Her voice wasn’t desperate. Okay, maybe it was.

He exhaled. “The cops haven’t talked to the media yet.”

No, and they weren’t planning to have a chat fest. She knew the PD wanted to bury this story, and it was an easy bury. Not like the high-profile killings that had plagued the city months before.

A shiver slid over her.

The office down the hall waited, empty and silent, because of those killings. The door always stayed shut. Just walking past that locked door gave her the creeps.

“Get ’em to give you a statement, on camera, and you can run any damn place you want with this story.”

A smile broke her lips. “Thanks, Mac!” Sure, getting the interview would be a bitch, but she’d played nice with the cops-now it was their turn to play nice with her. “You won’t regret this-”

“Better not.”

A knock on the door frame.

Her head tilted. “Kim? What is it?”

One of the interns stood in the doorway, a manila envelope in her hand. Pretty, tall, slim, and only twenty-two, Kim was one that Holly knew had an eye out for her future.

“This was dropped off at the front desk for you.” She stepped forward, the envelope outstretched. “I don’t even remember when it was delivered-sorry, Holly. I think it might have gotten misplaced. It was under some papers…”

Holly took the envelope. “It’s all right.” Why was her stomach knotting? Her fingers trembling just the faintest bit?

Because there wasn’t a return address on the envelope. Just her name, scrawled across the front in big, loopy letters-a script she’d seen before.

Her index finger slid under the top flap and jerked back. She felt the sting of a paper cut, saw the well of blood, but kept ripping anyway.

Then the picture fell into her hands.

Niol, sitting in his SUV, watching her walk in front of the headlights.

A piece of paper fluttered onto her desk.

The impure will die.

“Holly?” Mac jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong?”

She was supposed to go live in less than an hour.

Can’t.

Holly grabbed the photo and slip of paper-and shoved them back into the envelope. Her index finger pulsed. “I’ve got to leave, Mac.”

Kim was in the doorway now, shifting from her left foot to her right. Her black hair fluttered around her shoulders. “Everything okay, Ms. Storm?” Her blue eyes were wide.

No. “Get me the security tapes from today. Have them waiting on me when I get back. I want to know exactly who left this envelope.” If the bastard’s face was on the tape, she’d have him.

The impure will die.

Whoever the sick freak was, he knew just what Niol was.

“Holly?” Mac demanded again.

But she was already grabbing her bag and brushing past him. “Mac, I swear, I wouldn’t do this if-” It wasn’t a matter of life and death. “Run the footage from yesterday’s interview-okay? It’ll cover my time.”

“What the hell?”

“I-I have to go.” She fumbled for her cell phone. Dialed the number Niol had given her. Listened to the relentless ring.

Die.

“I have to go…” She repeated even as the voice mail picked up. Then she was running into the hallway and muttering into the phone, “Niol, when you get this message-watch your ass! You’d better-”

The damn thing disconnected.

Her heels rapped against the tiled floor. She shuddered when she passed the locked door on the left.

And Holly realized she couldn’t get to her demon fast enough.

There was a line leading into the club, a long snaking line full of men and women, some folks dressed up, some in tattered jeans. It was Friday night, and though it was still way early by party standards-not even ten-it looked like folks were ready for a wild ride in Paradise.

Holly passed the line and headed straight for the doors-

And was brought up short by a giant with tattoos swirling over his body.

“And just where do you think you’re goin’, princess?” His hand landed heavily on her shoulder. Behind her, she heard muttering, and caught a woman’s voice loud and sharp, yelling, “That bitch knows there’s a line!”

She ignored the crowd and focused on the bouncer. Really, really big bouncer. The muscles of his arms were so big they looked like they were in danger of bursting. And, Jesus, what was the guy? Like seven foot?

Holly rolled her shoulders, dislodging his hand. The giant raised a brow and pointed toward the end of that long, long line. “At the end, princess.”

No way. “I need to see Niol.”

The lines around the guy’s eyes tightened, just a bit. “You and everyone else.”

She rocked on her heels. “Don’t you guys have a list or something? Check it. Niol gave me a pass in here, anytime I want.” Okay, not really, but he should have. The cover story had been his idea and surely the guy had bothered to tell his muscle that his girlfriend would be dropping by-

“Oh, we’ve got a list.” A smaller man with greasy black hair sidled up to him. His nostrils flared, and he said, “Tell us your name and-”

“Holly Storm-and I don’t have time for this shit. I need to see Niol, and I need to see him now. ” Big and mean and small and greasy weren’t going to intimidate her.

No, someone else had already done the intimidating job, and she wasn’t stopping until she made sure that freak bastard hadn’t gotten to Niol.

The bouncers shared a brief glance, then the giant opened the door. “Sorry, Ms. Storm. I hadn’t seen you here before-didn’t realize you were…you.”

She wasn’t particularly surprised he hadn’t recognized her from the news-most folks didn’t. Maybe it was the fact that she didn’t have a microphone in her hand that threw ’em off, or maybe the bouncers weren’t the news-watching types.

Holly managed a nod and stepped forward. So Niol had told his goons to give her free rein. Nice.

“Oh, what the hell ?”

Holly ignored the woman’s shriek behind her as she stormed inside. The crowd was just as thick inside the double doors. Bodies packed tight. Music blaring.

Where was Niol?

His office was in the far back. She shoved her way through the men and women, humans and Other. Holly ignored the occasional flash of fang and the scrape of claws, moving as quickly as she could. Her heart seemed to pound in fast rhythm with the band.

Then she was at the door marked PRIVATE . Raising her hand and pounding. “Niol? Niol!”

No answer.

Dammit.

She wrenched the doorknob. Locked.

Holly spun around. Laughter filled her ears. Drunken, desperate, and wickedly amused.

All kinds were in Paradise.

But where was the club’s owner? If that prick had gotten him-

Her back teeth clenched. Holly’s gaze swept the place, but she didn’t see a handsome demon with black eyes staring back at her with a twisted grin.

Holly elbowed her way to the bar. Slammed her hands down on the cold marble countertop. “Niol.”

The bartender glanced up from the drink he’d been mixing. A tall guy, not like the giant, maybe a few inches over six feet. Red hair. Brown eyes. She’d seen him before-he’d glared at her the last time she’d been there. Right before Niol had let his pet guard throw me out.

Nice memory. One she didn’t have time for right then.

“I’m Holly Storm-” She stopped and tried to raise her voice over the roar of noise. “I-”

“I know who you are.” He sent the glass sliding along the bar top and down to the waiting hand of a man in a long back overcoat. A guy with fangs, of course.

The guy winked at her.

Holly shook her head and turned back to the bartender. “I have to find Niol. Now. ” Okay, so she did sound like a demanding bitch right then, but, hell, she was scared. Yeah, Niol was strong, but he wasn’t invincible. And if he wound up like Carl and Sam…

No.

The bartender’s lips thinned.

“I can’t get him on his phone. He’s not here.” She leaned over the bar. “I need to see him.”

His gaze raked her. “Never cared much for reporters.”

Her nails scraped across the marble. “And I don’t care much for asshole bartenders.” Serious understatement con sidering her history. “So I guess that makes us even. But the guys at the front knew about me. Niol had told them to let me in, and I’m betting he told you that I had the all clear in this place, too.”

Silence. The band had stopped playing. The crowd wasn’t talking. Holly glanced over her shoulder. Saw a woman with long blond hair and a tight black dress take the stage.

The succubus. The cop’s girlfriend.

Holly turned away, hunching her shoulders.

“I don’t buy the story.” The bartender picked up a shot glass and started cleaning it with a white cloth. “No way Niol falls for a reporter, not with his secrets.”

“Niol trusts me.”

“Lady, Niol doesn’t trust anyone. That’s why he’s the badass in town and all the other demons are just his minions.” He glanced up at the stage, almost helplessly, as Cara began to sing, her voice husky, bluesy.

Wasting time.

“He’s in danger,” she blurted. “I have to make certain he’s okay.”

“He’s always in danger. That’s the way the game goes.” Not overly concerned. His gaze drifted back to her. “You think you can save him?”

“I can try.” Prick. Five more seconds, just five, and she was going over that bar.

His lips hitched in a half-smile. One that showed a hint of his own fangs.

Great.

He crossed to the register. Picked up a pen and scribbled a note on a stray scrap of paper. Then he came back to her, walking slow, taking his sweet-ass time.

He lifted the paper. “I’m Marc.”

She was about to start snarling.

“If Niol wants to fire someone for giving you this, tell him to fire me.” He’d tucked the paper between his thumb and index finger.

Holly reached for it.

“Ah-ah.” He pulled back his hand. “Got to warn you about the house rules at this place.”

Holly considered smacking him.

“Only go to play…or to be prey.”

She snatched the note from him. “Heard that warning before.” Niol’s rule for Paradise. “Didn’t keep me out of this joint, won’t keep me out of the next place, either.”

Holly pushed away from the bar, her eyes on the address. Montlith Court. That was a pretty ritzy street.

Laughter from Marc. “You’re gonna be in for one hell of a night, lady. One hell of a night.”

The house on Montlith stood, tall and elegant, behind a big stone gate. The home lay nestled between two houses that were each easily bigger than the News Flash Five station.

She hadn’t been sure what address Marc would give her.

Holly certainly hadn’t expected Easy Street.

She parked her car a bit down the road. Then she stalked up to the gate. Guards were stationed there. Uniformed guards with perfectly pressed pants and shirts, gleaming shoes, and wide-brimmed hats.

They waved a car in as she approached. The gates slid open and Holly thought about trying to sneak in-

“Freeze!”

Only to realize that a guy holding a taser had it aimed right at her.

She froze. “I’m here to meet a friend.” Her head tilted just slightly toward the house. She could see it so clearly now, a huge antebellum mansion with white columns, elaborate steps.

Somebody had too much money.

The guy with the taser walked forward-and sniffed her.

“Human.” The whisper was so light she almost didn’t catch it.

One of the other guards, a guy who was at least ten feet away, gave a nod.

The back of her neck began to tingle.

“Why you here?”

Gruff, and dammit, hadn’t she just told the guy why she was trekking up to Scarlett’s house? “I need to meet-”

“ Why?” The intensity in the guy’s eyes and voice was just…creepy.

She remembered Marc’s warning. Oh, hell, what was this, some kind of secret password shit? “Uh, to play?”

The taser dropped. “Then have fun.”

Doubt it.

“Maybe they won’t use you up too much.”

And maybe she wouldn’t come back with a camera crew and broadcast that asshole’s face all over Atlanta.

“The party’s waitin’,” he murmured. “Hope you like blood.”

Not particularly.

Holly.

Niol tensed, his gaze on the gleaming red hair of the woman who strode toward the house.

He’d know that hair- know her -anywhere.

Shit.

What the hell was his reporter doing at the biggest blood party in Atlanta?

A human like her-she’d be a meal before she even made it past the foyer.

Then he’d have to stake a vampire. Or maybe ten.

Dammit. He’d come to the house for information, to see what dark whispers were circulating about the dead demons.

This wasn’t a place for a human.

Not one like her.

His hands fisted as he watched her through the third-floor window. Leave. The word whispered through his mind, but he didn’t use the compulsion.

He could, it would be so easy. She was close enough to control. He could push, and she’d turn around, walk that sexy ass away and-

No.

He wouldn’t do that, not to her.

The woman was making him weak.

Time to fucking get her out of his system.

If the vamps didn’t get to her first.

Niol stalked toward the stairs.

When the front door of the mansion opened, the stench of blood hit her like a slap in the face.

Oh, damn. No denying it now, she was at a freaking blood party.

Holly tried not to gape as she crept over the threshold. She’d heard about blood parties, of course.

Carl had told her about them and said that if she was smart, she’d make absolutely sure she never attended a blood fest.

Because the humans were the dinner at the parties.

A vampire stood just inside the entranceway, his fangs embedded in a woman’s throat. Her eyes were wide open, staring at Holly. The vamp was gulping, sucking, drinking as fast and greedily as he could.

The woman smiled.

Shit.

Holly stumbled past them, only to see a female vampire with two men on the staircase. One guy sat at her feet, kind of like he was worshipping her. Another, with black hair and freakishly pale skin, stood on the step above her. Her red fingernails were on the sitting man’s neck. Her mouth had locked onto the wrist of the too-pale one and Holly could see the lady’s throat working as she swallowed.

Shit, shit, shit.

A big part of her wanted to turn tail and run right then. She’d seen vamps drinking at Paradise before, but this was different. Everywhere she turned, they were feeding.

And fucking.

She could hear them. The cries of passion and pleasure. The moans.

She was in way over her head.

Stumbling, she rammed her elbow into a man’s back. He spun around and locked pitch-black eyes on her. Not black like Niol’s, every part of Niol’s eyes were dark.

This was different. Only the guy’s irises were black. Hunting mode. A vamp’s irises flashed dark when he hunted or when he screwed.

“I-I’m looking for Niol.” Coming in alone probably hadn’t been the best idea, but she’d had little choice. The house looked like a freaking photo spread in Southern Times -it shouldn’t have been a cover for a bloodbath.

“Haven’t seen him,” the vampire said, his gaze sliding over her. “Shame on him, for leaving you all alone at such a good party.” Then he smiled.

Uh, oh. She knew that smile. Vamp or human, she recognized a predatory glance.

“Why don’t we go someplace quiet…” He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her palm. “To talk.”

Right. What, was “talk” some kind of euphemism for sucking her blood? “I don’t think I’m up for talking with you.” The whole blood thing was not her style.

She was too much of a fainter and her weak stomach sure wouldn’t let her indulge-that was one of the reasons she’d nearly slammed onto the floor in the ME’s office.

His hold on her wrist tightened and the smile dimmed a bit. “Then let’s just-”

“Take your damn hand off her, Carter.”

Holly didn’t wait for the vampire to free her. She yanked her hand away from him and spun to face Niol.

Alive.

Safe.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so happy to see someone.

So she kissed him.

Holly threw her arms around his neck, yanked his head down, and crushed her mouth against his.

His lips met hers with a voracious hunger. Mouth, tongue. Taking, driving her wild and feeding the desire that burned right below the surface.

Niol’s hands clamped on her hips, dragging her body tightly against his. The bulge of his arousal pushed at her, the length long and hard.

Her sex moistened, the inner muscles clenching as yearning swept through her.

Niol lifted his head. Swiped his tongue across his lips as if he wanted to take every last drop of her taste.

The silence hit her then. Heavy, overwhelming.

Glancing to the right, she saw that the vamps on the stairs were watching them. Two men-demons-walked out of another room, and their eyes narrowed on her and Niol.

No, on her .

“ She’s the reporter, ” one of them snarled.

Oh, finally, someone recognized her. Not recognized at the bar, not at the gate-but now . She’d always had shitty luck.

“She’s mine.” Niol snarled right back, his arms still chaining her against him. “You got a fucking problem with that?”

The demons backed up a step.

Smart guys.

But the female vampire on the stairs gave a hard laugh and sauntered down three steps. “Maybe I do. Depends on just why she’s here.” A smile that should have been beautiful-because the woman’s face was freaking gorgeous with glass-cutting cheekbones, red, red lips, a dainty nose, and a curving jaw-lifted her mouth. But the smile, it was just cruel…and a bit creepy.

Maybe because of the fangs.

Or the blood. The blood staining her teeth-yeah, that could be causing the creepiness.

“Why are you here, News Flash Five reporter? Are we your scoop for the night?”

The air seemed even thicker. Maybe it was. Maybe Niol was using his powers and he was about to send the black-haired bitch flying back up the stairs so she could finish her meals.

And then all hell would break loose because Niol was seriously outnumbered. She didn’t think that even he could take down a whole house full of vampires and demons.

Maybe, but…

She didn’t want to take the chance.

Holly let her gaze drift slowly back to Niol. She had the feeling the vamps were just waiting for the opportunity to pounce.

The demons, too.

His black eyes met hers. Burning with intensity. “Holly…”

She heard the warning in his voice.

Her arms were still around his neck. She stared into his eyes, kept her body nestled against his and said simply, “I want to play.”

His lips parted in surprise.

Hard laughter echoed around her.

But then the vamps started talking again, the demons slunk away, and the blood party kicked back into action.

Niol kissed her. Another one of those deep, toe-curling kisses that made her wish they weren’t surrounded by the stench of blood and monsters that they really, really couldn’t trust.

Because right then, she just wanted to be alone with him.

She was glad he was safe.

And when the hell had Niol started to matter so much to her?

The powerful beat of his heart drummed against her. The warmth of his body bored into hers. And his mouth…

That tongue…

“Let’s get out of here.” He growled the words as he tore his mouth from hers.

Holly nodded, more than happy to ditch the vamps.

Niol kept a tight grip on her wrist as he led her through the house. She passed gleaming chandeliers, fireplaces that were big enough to walk in, and half-dressed demons.

Then they were outside, stepping onto a stone walkway, one lined with rosebushes. A few party stragglers were outside, but they’d left the noise behind.

He drew her into the shadows, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her against his chest. His head lowered and Niol’s breath stirred the hair near her ear.

“Most of ’em like to stay in the house. It’s safer there, fewer prying eyes.”

His voice was a whisper, one that shouldn’t have been seductive. It was too dark, too sinister, but goose bumps rose on her arms and it sure wasn’t because he scared her.

If anyone glanced their way, she knew they’d look like a couple stealing away into the night. Bodies too close. His wicked mouth at her ear.

For just a second, Holly could have sworn that she felt the warm touch of his tongue sliding over the shell of her ear.

Her knees did a quick tremble. “Niol…”

“Why are you here?” Another dark whisper. “And who the hell sent you to this place?”

She drew in deep breath, caught the scent of the flowers, fresh and clean from the late evening rain.

And the dank stench of blood.

Vampires.

Holly turned more fully against him. Her breasts teased the muscled expanse of his chest. Niol wasn’t dressed in the fancy garb some of the vampires had worn. No silk jacket and pants.

Just his standard black T-shirt. Faded jeans.

A T-shirt that was stretched taut by his defined chest, his wide shoulders, the rippling muscles of his arms.

And those jeans…

Later.

Holly rose onto her tiptoes and let her lips skim his jaw. “Marc told me-I made him, but that doesn’t matter.” Not at all. She swallowed. “The picture at Carl’s…” Her voice was as soft as she could make it, a breath of sound. The vampires weren’t close, but she sure didn’t want to chance them overhearing her. “I got one like it today, delivered to the station.”

She glanced over his shoulder as she spoke, her gaze resting on the plump, bloodred petals of a rose. The roses were twisting beneath an old-fashioned gaslight. Strange to see them blooming, far too early in the season. Magic . She cleared her throat and said, “I got a picture, of you and me…and a note.”

The roses shriveled before her eyes. Darkened to a sickly brown, then fell to the ground, petals raining down. Magic-Niol’s magic.

Holly jerked her head back and stared, wide-eyed, up at Niol. His face was a hard mask, his black eyes glittering. “What did the note say?”

“The impure will die.”

Her hair lifted in a breeze that hadn’t been there a minute ago. “I think you’re next on the bastard’s list, Niol.” The guy had all but drawn a bull’s-eye on Niol’s face. “I had to find you, to make sure-”

She stopped.

One black brow rose. “To make sure-what?”

“That you were safe.”

The brow lowered and a crinkle appeared on his forehead. “Worried about me?”

In too deep . “Yes.” Stark. She caught the surprise that flickered over his face. What? Hadn’t anyone ever worried about the man before? “No matter how strong you are, you can still be hurt…or killed.”

She didn’t want to think about that. Holly’s fingernails dug into his arms. “The bastard’s watching us, Niol. And I’m not going to let you become his next slaughter.”

A ghost of a smile feathered his lips. “Deadly.”

“Right, that freak is, and I’m not-”

“Not him. You.”

She didn’t know what to say. Deadly-not exactly a word many had used to describe her.

“I like that in a woman.”

He would.

“And if our…friend…was watching us before, when he took that picture-”

“It was from last night, in the parking lot of News Flash Five.” He’d been so close to them, too close.

His hold on her hardened. “If that sick fuck was watching us then…” His stare bored into hers. “What makes you think he’s not watching us now?”

Holly’s breath stuttered out as her heart slammed into her chest.

Hell, yes, he could be watching. Could have been watching her the whole time.

And, if so, she’d just led the freak straight to Niol.