"Am I? Just as well. I was figuring to leave soon anyway." Bree shrugged. "Got things to do. People to find."

James.

The thirst for blood rose up strong and hot at the thought of his ex-lover. He knew where James lived, or had lived. He could track the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Find his home. Probably find him in the middle of humping his latest f.u.c.k-toy.

Bree's mouth watered. He licked his lips, tasting smoke, blood, and the last traces of Julian. "Maybe I'll start with you, though," he whispered. His voice was low and rough, but it carried.

The gym bunny shook his head. Scared as a -- a rabbit! Bree laughed out loud at the notion. At the sound, his would-be aggressor backed off a few more, panicky steps. "Don't," he said, voice shaking. "I'll leave you alone. Don't hurt me."

Bree grinned, showing all his teeth. "Sure. No problem."

The man eyed him nervously, clearly not believing a word, but after a moment turned to run.

"For now!" Bree called, just to watch him stop and turn around, face etched with terror, before he took off at a dead run, smashing his way through the dancers.

Bree watched him go, still laughing to himself. Absently, he took out another cigarette and lit up. Poison, his a.s.s. b.a.s.t.a.r.d like that would pump himself full of steroids and never question it, so long as he looked better each day. He inhaled, savoring the harsh burn of the smoke. G.o.d, why had he quit? Tasted so good. Made him tingle all over. Tasted of pure, sweet death ... and blood.

Salty, coppery blood. Blood filling his mouth.

His fingers began to shake.

Oh. Oh, s.h.i.t. What did I just do? I was gonna kill that man. And I was gonna enjoy it. I could've bathed in his blood, danced on his guts, then turned around and f.u.c.ked the first willing body in the ruins left behind. And I wouldn't -- have -- cared.

What's happening to me?

The cigarette fell from his suddenly nerveless fingers. f.u.c.k. Oh, f.u.c.k. I'm a monster.

"No." A hand lightly grasped Bree's forearm. He jerked sharply around to see Liam, of all people, at his side. The small man looked up into Bree's face as if searching for something. Bree stared back, scared s.h.i.tless, letting Liam look his fill.

Finally, Liam seemed satisfied. "I can answer all your questions," he said, as calm as if they were talking about the weather.

"But come. Let us find a more private spot."

Bree couldn't help holding back a little, no matter how much he longed for answers, or for the strange sense of comfort Liam was pumping out like a geyser. "How do you know anything about what's on my mind?" he demanded. "You haven't --"

"Julian," Liam said, gazing calmly at Bree. "You've met Julian." He reached up to touch the forgotten bite mark on Bree's neck. His fingertips came away stained with red. It stung like h.e.l.l, and Bree flinched. Liam glanced at his stained hand with mild curiosity and a certain blase att.i.tude. "Yes, Julian," he said. "I know him of old. Come with me, and I'll tell you all I know."

"You don't know anything," Bree whispered, throat dry.

"Don't I? I know his name. I know it was he who bit you. I know you feel a thirst for blood that frightens you senseless."

Bree stared at Liam.

The small man held out his clean hand. "Will you come?"

Wordless, swallowing around the knot in his throat, Bree grasped Liam's hand tightly and bore down. "I'm scared," he whispered.

Liam's eyes filled with an old, weary sympathy. "I know. Now come. Come, Bree. Follow me."

Liam seemed to know every inch of Amour Magique from the inside out, as intimate with its twists and turns as he might be with a lover. He'd led Bree, never pausing once to consider his choice of direction, straight out a side door Bree would have sworn hadn't been there, and onto a smoking balcony. No one else out there but the two of them and an ashtray full of b.u.t.ts.

Liam had let Bree smoke his way through three cigarettes, waiting until the smoke he took in began to make his stomach turn.

Still silent, he'd offered Bree a gla.s.s of something cold and fizzy, one Bree hadn't seen him carrying -- hadn't both his hands been empty? Confused, but desperate to wash the coppery, bittersweet taste of blood from his mouth, Bree had grabbed the drink and guzzled down half a dozen swallows. Ginger ale. Of all the f.u.c.king things. Ginger ale! What he always drank when he felt sick to his stomach.

He'd put the gla.s.s down, wiped his mouth, and stared at Liam. Liam had stared back, eternally patient He'd put out a small, dry palm to pat Bree's shaking hand. Then, he'd begun to talk. Quiet, quick, and utterly calm. Spinning a tale that had set Bree's head spinning. Halfway through Liam's speech, he'd started shaking his head and hadn't stopped yet.

Liam finished. "Do you mind? I am a bit dry now." He picked up the ginger ale and took a sip. "Delicious, in its way."

"Yeah." Bree managed to still his jerky movements, then reached up to rub at the wound on his neck. Still damp. b.l.o.o.d.y. "I thought Julian was nuts," he said abruptly. "But you? You're a f.u.c.king psycho, Liam."

Liam shrugged. "I've been called worse. Accusations do not alter the fact that what I've told you is only the truth."

"Uh-huh. And I'm supposed to believe every word of it, no questions."

"Do you need further proof? Still?"

Bree shivered. Unable to stand in one spot any longer, he started to pace. "You're giving me a load of fairy-tale s.h.i.t, and you expect me to open up and swallow? G.o.d. How dumb do you think I am?"

"I begin to wonder," Liam said dryly.

Bree ignored him. He waved his hands, pale as dying moths in the moonlight. "You're telling me you're not human. You're an incubus, whatever the h.e.l.l that is. Got the s.e.x magic working for you. That's just you being deluded about yourself. But you tell me that you've known Julian for years, hundreds of years? Known him back when he killed for fun and f.u.c.ked his way through half the men who stood in his way? While he butchered the other half just to watch them die?" "He has changed," Liam said mildly. "Changed a very great deal. I had heard rumors, but had no confirmation until I laid eyes upon him tonight. He has pa.s.sed through the need for wholesale slaughter. It is natural, if one of his kind lives long enough."

Bree let out a bark of laughter. "One of his kind. Yeah. You're telling me Julian is a G.o.d-d.a.m.ned vampire, and you expect me to just believe that?"

Liam raised his shoulders. "My words are all but irrelevant," he said. "Julian has tasted your blood. He used his power to show you the pleasures of drinking from a wellspring of pure life."

"Cut the poetry s.h.i.t," Bree snapped. "Vampires aren't real. Neither are incubuses, or whatever the h.e.l.l you think you are."

"'Incubi' is the proper plural."

"What the f.u.c.k ever. Like it matters. What the h.e.l.l did you drag us into, Liam? We thought we were coming to party. Is this where all the crazy people come? Jesus, man, no one even blinked when Julian bit me. No one cared!"

"They wouldn't. Anyone who saw Julian knew what he is, was, and has been for centuries. You danced your way into a cl.u.s.ter of his kindred without even knowing. Of course, they wouldn't help you. I don't doubt they were jealous, but no one would dare to cross Julian." Liam paused thoughtfully. "I expect they admire you for your courage now."

Bree laughed again, the sound harsh. "Yeah. That just shines my ego up nice and pretty. Thanks a ton. Vampires. You're crazy, Liam."

"Not crazy," Liam said patiently. "You know that. Why do you blind yourself to the truth? By Lilith, I dearly love humanity, but your stupidity appalls me at times." He touched Bree's neck. "Julian's marked you for his own. He picked you out very deliberately. Perhaps he even knew you would be here tonight. It would be like him."

Bree shook his head. "Bulls.h.i.t."

"No. Truth."

"Why should I believe you?"

"That much is your choice. Only know this, the last bit of knowledge I can share: Julian no longer exists for the kill. He has grown old and seeks both peace and a partner to spend the rest of eternity with him. He seeks a mate, Bree, and I believe he has chosen you."

Bree stared. He opened his mouth, shut it, then opened it again. "Me? Why the h.e.l.l would he choose me, even if he is what you say?"

Liam chuckled. "I wouldn't dare try to a.n.a.lyze what goes on in Julian's head. I do not fear him, but I respect him and prefer to leave him alone. But I think ... yes, I think ... he sees a darkness in you that matches his own. Like calls to like, Bree. With his bite, Julian unlocked or shut doors in your mind you never knew were there, despite this tough-man mask you wear. He's laid his mark on you, and this is why you feel the thirst for blood and violence."

"s.h.i.t." A chilly wind swept over the smoking balcony. Bree rubbed his arms. "Say I believe you, even though I don't. What do I do about it? How do I stop this?"

"Stop it?" Liam blinked. "There is no stopping it, Bree. Julian has chosen you. Laid his mark on you, as I said. No one can turn back once their changeover has begun, and no one can make it stop, not even Julian himself."

"Changeover?"

"Becoming like Julian," Liam said simply. "There has always been an emptiness inside you, Bree. A yearning for something more. An anger that burns to be set free. I think you were made for the fate Julian has laid upon you. I think he knew that the moment he saw you." He patted Bree's arm again. "It's none so bad. Julian can teach you many things. How to control the hunger, how to hunt and feed without making a kill. He has had centuries to learn, and he will teach you."

"Teach me?" Bree whispered.

"Oh, yes. Back inside with you. Go to him. Seek him out. I feel, somehow, that he will come when he knows you want to see him again. Do as he says. Obey, and be free. Die to live forever."

"Die?"

"Only for a few minutes. Perhaps less. From what I am told, there is no pain, only pleasure and o.r.g.a.s.m beyond your wildest dreams. I --" Liam stopped midsentence and put a hand up to silence Bree's shocked sputtering. "Quiet! Someone is coming."

Great. Hopefully someone sane. Maybe if I promise them anything they want, from a b.l.o.w.j.o.b to letting them f.u.c.k me blind, they'll help me get out of here. Maybe they'll protect me.

Chattering and laughing to his companion, the new arrival stepped out onto the smoking porch. He paused, letting his eyes adjust to the light. Bree had already gained his night vision, and recognized the newcomer long before he himself was spotted.

"James," he said, voice low and ugly. "James." "Your ex?" Liam questioned quietly.

"One and the same." Red heat flooded Bree's vision. His heart began to pound in a fast, frantic tattoo. "I'll kill him. I'll f.u.c.king kill him."

"Bree, no. Don't! Bree!"

Too late. The need for revenge rose up and drowned out any thought of consequences Letting out a howl, he lunged at James, taking the b.a.s.t.a.r.d to ground with one hard thud. James let out a startled yell, but Bree hardly heard him. He was too busy lashing out with the rage he'd bottled up for months, punching with all his strength, and barely registering the urge to bite -- He was vaguely aware of James's boy-toy screaming over and over in a d.a.m.n-fool high-pitched squeal, and Liam tugging at him, trying to pull him off. "No, Bree! No! Stop this at once! Stop!"

A bigger, colder hand landed on his shoulder and easily pulled him off James, now slumped unconscious on the floor. Bree yelped in surprise and anger as he flew through the air and landed hard against a solid body.

Julian stared down at him with those d.a.m.nable eyes, each filled with l.u.s.t, wonder, and appreciation. "You called?" he rasped. "I have come, Bree. Kiss me, and let me drink deep."

He stared into Julian's eyes, and for just a second, felt himself falling, as if down a dark, bottomless well. Suddenly, everything seemed simple and clear. Bree's rage vanished in a swell of euphoria that left him swaying on his feet.

"Kiss me," Julian whispered again.

Bree opened his mouth, no hesitation. Julian plunged into their kiss, devouring his mouth with his sharp teeth, drawing still more blood, lapping it away, and plying an expert tongue against Bree's own. Tasting every nuance of life that he could offer.

Bree's c.o.c.k rose up with a jerk, filling so hard and fast that it hurt. Best hurt ever. A searing ache scorched his belly. Oh, G.o.d. f.u.c.k. He needed to f.u.c.k. He needed it now.

Julian tore his mouth away from Bree's. "Yes," he said. "You begin to understand. You know what I want."

"Me," Bree breathed, rubbing himself against Julian, utterly without shame. He ignored the small, panicked voice still shouting in the back of his mind in favor of the fire in his c.o.c.k. "f.u.c.k me. Right here, right now. Do it."

Julian smiled. A smile that would have sent any man still in his right mind running, screaming. He took Bree's hand and laced their fingers together. "Not here." One finger brushed Bree's lips. "Will you come with me? Follow where I lead?"

"Depends." Bree's eyes blazed. "You going to f.u.c.k me?"

"Within an inch of your life, and then that last inch."

Bree smiled back, feeling dark and cruel. "Promise?"

Chapter Six

Things like this don't happen in real life. Men like Julian don't exist, much less stumble into my path, or, G.o.d help me, "pick me out" and hunt me down for a taste of what I've got to offer. I'm not that special.

So maybe I drank more of that vodka than I thought I did and pa.s.sed out. Probably fast asleep on my tumbledown bed right now, snoring like a buzz saw. Gonna wake up tomorrow with a h.e.l.l of a headache.

See, I just can't wrap my head around really believing this is happening. I must be dreaming. But G.o.d, if I am dreaming, I don't ever want to wake up ...

Bree leaned against Julian's cool chest, strong as an iron lamp post, and laid his head in the crook of the red-haired man's neck. He let out a contented sigh as Julian's arms enfolded him and held him close. Protective.

"I owe you a debt of grat.i.tude, son of Lilith," he heard Julian say gravely. "Without your a.s.sistance, I would have had a much harder time tracking down my quarry."

"I didn't bring Bree here for you," Liam replied, sounding equally serious. Bree burrowed deeper against Julian's skin and hummed, playing idly with a strand of crimson hair. Ah, shut up, Liam, he thought.

Julian rumbled a soft laugh. "Of course not. As mine often does, your reputation precedes you. When you find a man or group of mortals who lack for love, you seek out places for them to find good matches. That was your purpose in bringing this Brotherhood to Amour Magique, was it not? Yes, I can see it in your face. Do not fret yourself, Liam. Regardless of what sort of creature I am, I very much doubt Bree minds the end result."

"So you say ... but unless I mistake my guess, he's enthralled at the moment, yes?"

"Partially. He has quite a temper, I believe?"

"And then some."

Julian's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I a.s.sume you have seen changeovers and know of the new l.u.s.ts that awaken within a man. Combined with his fiery nature, it was becoming too much, too fast for our Bree to cope with and retain his sanity. I did this for his own good. I mean him no harm, none at all. My word to you on that, by the Lilith you worship and adore."

Bree could hear Liam's breathing for a long moment. Huh, he thought drowsily. Julian's chest doesn't move at all, even when he talks. No air flow. Guess he must not need it.

Cool.

At last, Liam sighed. "I will choose to trust you with him," he said. "Bree and I are not especial friends, but he is dear to me in his way. We are tied as part of a group, and I made a vow, when asking them to come here tonight, to protect them in every way. You understand the seriousness of my swearing to their safety?"

"I do."

"Then, once more for the sake of Lilith, do this for me. See to his body's needs, all of them that you can sense. Be gentle, even if he demands blood and pain before his changeover. Bree does not always know what's best for him. Remove the thrall enough to allow him full understanding, and explain what you've chosen to do with his body and soul."

"There is no turning back from it, you realize."

"I do. But still, he should know."