"Ugh, Dante." She rolled her eyes. "So Raphael couldn't find a better position for you."

She turned her attention to me and quickly perked up. "But who is your handsome friend?"

Should I bow? Should I get on my knees and grovel at her feet?

I straightened my spine and my neck followed suit. "I'm Malachi. I guess I'm your new recruit."

"Indeed, you are." She smiled a blood-red grin. "Quite a stunning young vampire. I'm simply shocked you would even give a loser like this your precious time." She kicked at Dante's ankle and held out her hand. When I took it, she spun me around to examine my physique. "Yes, you will make a splendid addition to my team."

"We are a package deal, Aurora," Dante huffed. "Where he goes, I go."

Her brow creased. "We'll just see about that, Dante. Come." She hesitated. "Both of you."

I walked beside her, with Dante dragging his heels close behind. All I wanted was to feel his pa.s.sion again. This may be our ticket out of here.

"This organisation must be huge," I said.

Aurora laughed. "Yes, Malachi, it is." She paused for a moment, her smile wavering.

"But I should have been in charge of military operations. Instead, that job was given to Xavier..."

Oh, do I smell some drama within the clan?

We pa.s.sed by the large dining room where the crowd was still gathered, watching as we made our way by. Raphael was in the bunch, noticeable by his commanding baby blues, and it was as if we were in the bar all over again.*

38.

"Tell me more about a seekers position." I asked, trying to make friendly conversation.

"It's quite simple, really." Aurora gave a sly chuckle. "You wouldn't believe how many people out there want to be a vampire's donor. It's your job to find those individuals, weed them out through tests and deliver them to other houses within a hundred mile radius."

"h.e.l.l," Dante whispered.

"So that's it, huh? Sounds pretty easy, if you ask me." I tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

Aurora nodded as we reached the outside door. "You can't touch the merchandise.

That's the only rule."

"It's a blood bath," Dante added.

I froze and stared into the darkness of night. Our job piqued my curiosity. Despite Dante's aversion, I was happy he'd decided to stay and do this with me. I'd been a drifter for eight years and had never once thought there was something more to being a vampire. I could use my strength. Maybe I could wield my skills. Learn them. Hone them. I wasn't sure how this position would enable me to do that, but I was ready to find out.

"Dante has always been such a spoilsport." Aurora reached for his cheek and grabbed more than a pinch of skin between her fingers. He cowered at the pressure. "Don't let him change your mind, sweetie. We'll have your abilities developed in no time at all."

A limo coasted along the driveway, black paint shining in the moonlight. It stopped and the driver stepped out, then walked around to the back pa.s.senger side door to hold it open.

"Gracias, Pablo." Aurora ducked her head and slid inside the limo.

I followed without a word, but Dante stopped in front of the driver. He shook his head and sighed. Was he hesitating?

Come on Dante...please.

I reached for him. More hesitation. Finally, he took my hand, sliding into the limo. He settled close to the door with his head propped on his fist, staring out of the window.

"How did you know about my lack of abilities?" I asked when I felt the rumble of the engine.

Aurora shifted and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "That's one of my skills, young Malachi. I can read your thoughts. I can read Dante's thoughts, too."

Dante didn't move.

"Really? What is he thinking?"*

39.

"I think it's best that Dante tell you himself. Dante?"

He sighed. "Another time, maybe."

d.a.m.n it, Dante. Tell me now!

"I said not now!" Dante said and growled.

My eyes widened. Could he read my thoughts, too?

Dante. Please. I moved closer and snuggled into his collar. I heard his heart beat slowly in his chest. It skipped a beat when I pressed tighter into him.

He wrapped his arm around my torso.

"There's too much going on right now." He looked into my eyes. "Wait until we get to our destination, and I'll tell you everything."

"Have you always been able to read my thoughts?"

He nodded. "When you're close."

d.a.m.n, I wished I could read minds. That would be one awesome ability.

"Is mind reading something that every vampire possesses?"

"Not every," Aurora answered. "We all have our specialities. We can read minds. Xavier has physical strength-"

"And Raphael?"

Awkward silence followed before Aurora cleared her throat. "No one is quite sure, Malachi. Not even I can tap into his thoughts."

I felt a tremble run through Dante's arms. I turned towards him, ready for him to speak, but he didn't say anything. He sucked on his lower lip, his eyes focused on the outside world beyond the limo.

Yes, Raphael certainly was interesting. And I had him to thank for all this.*

40.

Chapter Five.

The Faded Memory "Senores." Pablo cleared his throat. "Your quarters."

We'd arrived at Aurora's home just minutes before, then were taken to an upstairs bedroom. I was the first to enter the dark s.p.a.ce. There was a small bed on the far wall barely big enough for two, an old dresser and no windows. A big change from where we had come from.

I looked for a light switch, but there wasn't one. I wondered if there was a pull switch.

Dante scooted past me then lit a candle on top of the dresser, illuminating the room in the dull orange glow. As I'd expected, my eyes hadn't missed a thing.

"Nice," I grumbled. Not really.

"Yes, but now it's home. Again." Dante huffed. He plopped down on the bed and folded his arms.

"If there is nothing else, I will go," Pablo interrupted.

Dante waved him away and I gave a quick thanks before he closed the door leaving us to our own thoughts.

I sat next to Dante. He stilled as I tried to embrace him, but jerked away when I rested my fingers on his hip. I pulled back quickly and folded my hands in my lap. The quiet resumed.

Quiet...it could be good, right? It had been so d.a.m.n noisy these past few days that I hadn't had much time to think. Nor had I had the chance to force anything out of Dante.

d.a.m.n, I wanted to know what he had to say.

"Dante-"

"Malachi," Dante said, cutting in. "You want to thank your creator, but did you once think that maybe your maker didn't want the praise?"

"Huh?"

"Raphael couldn't care less about acknowledgement. It's his right to recreate." He shifted, keeping his eyes on the floor. "But if I told you that Raphael didn't give you this life, would you still want to thank your creator?"*

41.

"What do you mean? You know who's responsible?"

"Unfortunately, I do." Dante raised his head and I got a glimpse into his disconcerting teal-coloured eyes.

My shoulders tensed. A sense of horror surged as I antic.i.p.ated his answer.

"It was you-"

He shook his head, his gaze fixed on the floor. "T'was not, love, but I wish I had.

Another rogue brought you back."

"But...how?"

"Raphael wanted you dead. He didn't give a s.h.i.t about you eight years ago. It was I who saved you before you perished, but I cannot create life from death. You were too weak to even open your eyes. So I took you to someone who I knew could." Dante covered his face with his palms. "And he offered you his blood."

"Who was it?"

Dante shook his head. "He has no name."

I was getting tired of him not providing answers. "It doesn't explain how you knew my grandmother. Or how you even knew my name."

"Are you rejecting the fact, then?"

"What if I am?" The words couldn't break free from my tongue, but I let the thought filter through to him.

"Ask Raphael, if you're so inclined." He lay back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, hands crossed above his head. "But believe me, Malachi, I know much more than you think."

His shirt rode up as he kicked his feet off the edge of the bed. A trickle of need sunk down in my stomach. I wasn't rebuffing his claim, but I was confused by it. There were still so many unanswered questions on the tip of my tongue. But we were alone, finally, and all I wanted was to touch him again.

I scooted closer and splayed my fingers across his cool skin, and I knew he needed to feed. Still, the feel of his nakedness under my palm made me burn.

"Hey." I slowly leaned in. "Let's just forget about it for now."

Dante remained poised. "I'll never forget that day, love."

That word caused a deep ache in my bones. I was hungry for his mouth. My c.o.c.k stirred in tight jeans. Love...did I dare say the same to him?*

42.