The Seeking Kiss (8 page)

A forbidden union forged in love—and tempered in hellfire.

Inferno

© 2009 Bianca D’Arc

A
Tales of the Were
Story

One last task and Megan will be free of the debt of honor owed by her family. Spying on Dante, a powerful vampire with questionable friends, sounds simple enough. But her mission is complicated by the fact she’s got something every vampire wants—tangy, powerful, werewolf blood.

It’s easy to capture his attention. The hard part will be getting out with her heart—and soul—intact. Not to mention her life, thanks to a crazed bomber.

Dante isn’t the kind to forgive or forget easily, especially the grudge he holds against werewolves. Still, he is instantly drawn to the injured lone wolf in his care. When he and his friend Duncan treat her wounds, they discover something that marks her as much more than she seems.

That mark is a neon sign warning to be careful, but Dante can’t help himself. He wants her and nothing will stand in his way. Not her species. Not his. Not the strange woman who keeps trying to kill him.

Not even the magical poison in Megan’s blood…

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Inferno:

Dante paused to sniff the air, satisfied for the moment with the ripe scent of humanity that assailed his sharp senses. He also noticed some other, more subtle scent lacing the air.

It was off to his right.

Dante opened his eyes and looked around, only to meet the gaze of the most alluring woman he’d ever seen in all his long centuries. Lustrous, mink brown hair framed her face and swayed gently with her movements. Snapping hazel eyes fringed with thick, dark lashes batted at him with come-hither motions.

She was sitting on a bar stool, surrounded by mortals, but she shone as if she were the only being in the room. She was not human.

Dante sniffed again.

Were.

And she was looking directly at him, meeting his eyes boldly while she raised a glass of red wine to her lips. He followed the curving line of her luscious throat as it flexed in a swallow, and he went hard. Just like that.

This woman was potent.

And she held knowledge in her eyes.

Silently, she stood and stalked toward him. She moved like a predator, sinuous and sensuous as she held his attention and his gaze, mesmerizing him. He got the feeling he was definitely
her
prey this evening and not the other way around. It was a novel experience for him. Never had a woman enthralled him so quickly or so completely.

And they hadn’t even touched.

That would soon be remedied.

“She’s a fine looking woman, but beware my friend,” Duncan said in a low voice, “she is not what she seems.”

Dante nodded, his gaze glued on the woman as she approached. “I know what she is.”

“But do you know why? Why would such a creature seek you out?”

Dante shrugged. “Probably for no good reason, though I find it hard to resist the puzzle she presents.”

“Just be certain this puzzle doesn’t get you staked out in the desert at dawn.” Duncan laughed as he moved off, two women already in his sights. “I’ll be near if you need backup.”

She didn’t realize he would be so handsome. Of course bloodletters were said to have a Glamour all their own. She didn’t think she was close enough to feel his magical influence, but she didn’t have any personal experience with his kind. Their powers were said to grow with the centuries, and Dante was an old one.

There was something about the tall man at his side too. Something that gave Megan the heebie geebies. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what the deal was with him. He wasn’t a bloodsucker. His scent was different but very, very magical. Not human entirely, yet not anything else she recognized. She would have to tread carefully—very carefully—until she knew exactly what she was dealing with.

Still, the ball was in play now. She’d have to see it through and play the game she’d planned. Just this one last task, and she’d finally be free of the meddlesome
Altor Custodis
. She would do just about anything to clear her family debt of honor, but she had to be careful. This Dante fellow was more than likely the deadliest being she’d ever meet.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to him and shifted her weight to one foot, letting the opposite hip jut out toward him provocatively. Dante was certainly a tall drink of water, almost a foot taller than her own five foot four. Of course, she was petite for a wolf shifter. She was only half
were
by blood.

She didn’t speak, just looked him over and let him look in return. She saw the flare of interest in his eyes before he banked it to something less obvious. She was close enough to scent his magic though well protected—she hoped—against his vampire mojo by her shifter nature. Still, he certainly did have an effect and she had to admit—mojo or not, this man was potent with a capital P.

“Do you like playing with fire, little one?”

His voice wafted over her like dark silk, caressing her pelt in the most sensuous way. She had to suppress a shiver of pleasure at the tone and timbre.

She struggled for nonchalance. “I know what you are.”

“And still you came to me? You’re a brave little shifter. Does your pack know what you’re up to?”

“I have no pack. I’m a loner.” Her chin rose defiantly.

“Ah, a lone wolf out on the prowl.” He made the words mocking. She squared her shoulders and stood her ground. “You are a foolhardy youngster, out to test her limits.”

“No doubt I’m younger than you but by no means a child.” She thrust out her chest and was glad to see his gaze snagged by the motion. “I’m curious, I’ll admit. I’ve heard your kind has certain abilities for pleasure.”

He leaned back, studying her from under hooded eyes. He was a seducer of the senses in every word, every motion. It would be hard not to fall under his spell—magical or not. Everything female in her wanted to be with this male, regardless of his species or his power.

He watched her, seeming to come to some kind of decision. “My name is Dante.”

She laughed. “Playing with fire indeed. I get the literary reference,
Dante
.” She grinned at him. “My name is Megan.”

“Well then, Megan, can I buy you a drink?” He ushered her toward the bar where two chairs opened up for them as if by magic.

She knew darn well he’d used his influence over mortals to make the others move. It was a casual show of power that scared her. Without the protection of her shifter blood, would she be as powerless against him as other mortals? And how could she be certain she was protected? Would she even know if she was being influenced by his vampiric powers?

It was a worrisome thought. This man was more than she’d been led to believe. She could tell from the few minutes she’d been in his presence. And his friend was troublesome too. What
was
he? Megan feared she’d suddenly been thrust into the deep end of the pool with no warning, and she’d have to learn to swim. Fast.

“So what brings you here tonight?” Dante asked, turning back to her after ordering wine for them.

“Just on the prowl.”

“Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “Something your kind enjoys, from what I hear.”

“How do you know what we enjoy?” She tried her best not to sound suspicious but feared some of her wariness showed through.

He leaned back as the bartender returned with their wine. “Contrary to popular thought, I actually do have some friends among the
were
tribes.” He kept his voice low so that only she could hear him. Her hearing was better than any mortal’s and he definitely knew the scope of her abilities in that area at least, proving his shocking words might hold some truth.

“It thought your kind didn’t like
weres
.”

He sipped his wine before answering. “It’s not that we don’t like you. It’s more that we don’t like how resistant you are to our power. Bad blood in the past has made all the various supernaturals distrust each other over the centuries. Yet I have a feeling that will soon come to an end.”

She was shocked. “Why?”

He shrugged. “You’re a loner so you probably haven’t heard. There are certain bad elements returning after many generations. I was around the last time we fought them, and we all worked together. Seems to me we might have to do so again.”

“What are you talking about?”

He shook his head in the negative. “Not here. No matter how good your hearing, there may be others listening as well. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you in private.”

“I want to know.” This was her chance. Even if he was leading her into some kind of weird vamp trap, she needed to get close to him. That was her mission and she wouldn’t shrink from it. She was also curious about his hinted knowledge. She really was a lone wolf. She hadn’t had interaction with her own kind in a long time. If there was something going on in the supernatural world, she didn’t trust her contacts in the
Altor Custodis
to tell her. They were too damned secretive and their policy of non-interference went way too far in her opinion. She’d like to know what Dante thought he knew.

“All right then. Later.” He drained his glass of wine and set it on the bar. “For now, will you dance with me?”

Kidnapping and bondage are no way to win a girl. Well, actually…

Gone with the Monster

© 2009 Lila Dubois

Runako has good reason to distrust humans. His sister’s murder taught him it’s safer to keep his Monster form under wraps. Now comes word that a woman is making a movie that will supposedly “help” his people. He’s not sure about that, but one thing is sure…Margo is too beautiful to be ignored.

Presented with the opportunity to use his people’s Captive Caves—a secluded mountain fortress designed to hold hapless, tasty humans prisoner—Runako knows exactly whom he wants to star in his ultimate fantasy.

Margo knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. At least where her career is concerned. Runako is just the kind of bad boy with whom she’d like to heat up her nights. In a land of skinny blondes, though, a hottie like him would never notice her lush, Latin curves.

No one is more surprised when she finds out his version of “wooing” includes kidnapping. Forced to stand before him in chains, her paper-thin confidence is burning up fast in the heat of his desire. And when it turns out she can identify his sister’s murderers, they both must decide where their loyalties lie…

Book Three of the Monsters in Hollywood series.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Gone with the Monster:

Margo woke with an aching head, stuffy nose and sore throat. She scrubbed her hands over her face and groaned. She was coming down with a cold, or was she massively hung over. Last night was a bit fuzzy. She remembered leaving the office late and then…nothing.

She must have gone over to Cali’s and tied one on, making this a hangover. In desperate want of aspirin Margo sat up. Chain clanked.

Wait, what?

Margo cautiously opened one eye. Rather than her tastefully decorated bedroom in the cute little guesthouse she called home, Margo was looking at stone walls.

“This is bad.”

Margo stared down at the heavy metal cuff around her left ankle. It took a minute to process. Margo touched the cuff. Yep, it was there.

“Oh
hell
no.”

Margo looked around. The cave had curving walls, a slightly uneven floor, and huge metal oil-filled bowls from which fire flared.

She looked at the cuff again. The memory of a massive shape, darker than shadows, filled her mind.

“Runako,” she whispered.

“Yes?”

He came around a corner, appearing from the hidden inner depths of the cave. A million sharp comments died on her lips. All she could think was…
yum
.

Runako was dressed in a pair of dark grey slacks and a white button-down shirt. The shirt was open, the tails dangling and the gap showed off his truly incredible pecs and six-pack abs. The shirt looked startlingly white against his dark skin. His short hair was tight to his head, revealing the perfect curve of his skull.

“How do you feel?” he asked, walking across the cave towards her. His stride was unhurried, more of a stalk than a walk.

“You kidnapped me.”

“I did.”

“You can’t do that.”

Runako raised one brow, James Bond style. “I just did.”

“Point taken.” Margo crossed her arms. “I thought you were trying to fit in with the humans? Humans don’t usually kidnap each other.”

“Luke, Michael and Henry want to fit in.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to be safe. I want my people to be safe.” Runako looked away, his fingers curling into fists. Margo’s heart lurched in sympathy. “I’ll deal with the humans. Whatever happens.”

Well that sounded ominous. Margo, who had felt mostly annoyed and not truly afraid, started to worry. Of all the Monsters she knew—a whopping total of four—Runako was the most dangerous.

“And kidnapping me means what?”

“You…you’re just for pleasure.” Runako rested his hip on the stone slab where she sat. He reached for her, and Margo slapped his hand away.

“I’m not some blow-up doll.” Her fear disappeared under a swell of righteous anger. “And you’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going to sleep with you.”

“Who said sleep?”

“I’m not going to have sex with you.”

“Why not? You want me. I can tell.” Runako looked directly at her, all of his attention focused on her. It was as if she were the most intriguing person in the world.

Margo looked away so she wouldn’t fall under the spell of his eyes. She looked down at her ankle and her ire flared. “You’re a…a…”

“Monster?”

Margo narrowed her eyes at him. “No, you’re not a monster. Monsters are delightful, thoughtful creatures. You’re a jerk. A bully.”

“You are truly angry,” he said, leaning back in surprise.

“You think?”

“But you want me, I know it. I can feel it.” He reached for her again, and this time when she tried to knock his hand away he caught her wrist.

“I want lots of things, doesn’t mean I always get them,” Margo said.

“You should, you deserve the things you want.” He lifted her captive hand to his lips and kissed it.

Margo’s heart (traitor!) fluttered. “You…you. I. Um. Oh fuck it.”

Margo grabbed Runako’s head and kissed him.