Her phone rang and she checked to see who it was before she answered it, not surprised in the least to discover it was her eldest brother. She thought about not answering, but he’d only call back. She thumbed the talk button. “Good morning, Stefano.” She wandered to the window and peered out over the city, wishing she had a cup of coffee.
“Mama is worried about you.” His voice was smooth, but there was no disguising his impatience.
“Mama has no need to worry,” she countered. Beneath her, traffic flowed up and down the street in an unending ribbon of vehicles. “I’m an adult and I’m here to do research. This is not my first time away from home.” The last was said with a wry tone. She’d been traveling her entire life and had been to the far corners of the earth with her family and by herself.
“Mama is worried,” he repeated. They all knew when their mother was worried they needed to pay attention. Her intuition for such things was unmatched.
“I’m being careful, Stefano.” She softened her tone, knowing her brother called because he was worried about her too. “I promise I’m fine. I’m staying at a reputable hotel and keeping to busy places. This is a city like any other, with its crime and problems. I understand that and will take every precaution.”
Stefano sighed and she could almost see him running his hand through his thick black hair, making it stand on end. “I can be there in a matter of hours.”
Her heart squeezed and she knew he would do just that, drop everything and come to her side if she needed him. That was what family did. “You’re busy with your law practice and, as much as I love you, I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful. And call Mama tonight. She won’t sleep until she knows you’re safe in your hotel.”
“I’ll call her when I get in for the night. I promise.” Sonia turned away from the window. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he gruffly replied. “You’re the only sister I have and it’s my job to take care of you.”
“Love you too,” she cooed.
“Brat,” he retorted. “Be safe.” He hung up and she ended the call, tucking her phone into her purse. She slung the large leather bag over her shoulder, snagged her keycard from the bedside table and shoved it into her back pocket.
The first order of business was to get a cup of coffee and grab a bite to eat. After that, she was heading to the library to do some more research before trying to corner Damek at his club. Since club owners worked late, he most likely wouldn’t be there until late afternoon, or after dark, if he really was a vampire.
She shivered again as she shut her room door and hurried down the hallway. Was Damek a vampire, or was her trip here nothing more than a wild-goose chase? She stepped inside the elevator when it opened and pressed the button for the lobby.
All members of The Keepers knew that vampires were the most dangerous of the paranormal creatures, especially when they were young. Most of them ended up dead, executed by modern-day vampire hunters, and Sonia found it hard to condemn the hunters for all their actions. Many young vampires killed indiscriminately, leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake, which also made them easier to track.
But not all vampires were killers. And that’s where The Keepers and the vampire hunters differed in their philosophies. The hunters tended to slaughter every vampire they found and even many humans who were pretending to be vampires. They even murdered humans who helped vampires in any way, making them an enemy of The Keepers. They were worse than the creatures they hunted, and Sonia knew if they ever discovered her helping a paranormal creature of any kind they would kill her without hesitation.
If there was an ancient vampire living in this city, one who’d survived without slaying humans for all these years, then he deserved whatever help they could give him.
Of course, it was presumptuous of her even to think he would need or welcome their help. Her father and especially her grandfather would not approve of what she was doing, which was why they didn’t know the real reason for her trip. They believed an ancient vampire would know of their secret society and approach it if help was required. Otherwise, they were to be left alone.
She’d read accounts of several unnamed vampires living across Europe and Asia, as well as one in Alaska. Their identities were carefully guarded, but Sonia had always longed to speak with one of them. They’d seen so much in their long years on this earth, done so much. The information they possessed about the world was enormous. Plus, she simply wanted to meet one, had been obsessed with the idea since she was a child.
The elevator door opened and she stepped out, walked briskly through the lobby and out the front door of the hotel. The air was crisp, but the sun was out, making it the perfect spring day. She turned left, her strides long and determined. Food, research and then it would be time to try to corner the elusive Damek. Her plan solidly in place, Sonia picked up her pace.
Damek stared at the computer screen in front of him, seeing nothing but a blur of numbers. He’d been working nonstop since early this morning and had managed only a meager three-hour nap in his desk chair earlier in the afternoon.
He might be an immortal, but even he needed to recharge, and working all through the day had drained him. He’d felt the sun reach its peak and start its descent hours ago. Without even looking at a clock, Damek knew it was half past five. The bar wouldn’t open for a while yet, but the staff was already in and working hard to get ready for what would be another busy night.
He was also hungry. Again. Usually he had no problem going for a day or more after he fed well, but he’d been on edge lately, needing sustenance more and more often to keep the hunger at bay.
He swiveled around and found a secret lever in the wall with his fingers. He pressed it and the wood panel swung open, revealing a small refrigerator. Damek plucked the last remaining bag of blood from the cooler and dug his teeth straight into the bag. It was cold and lifeless as it rolled down his throat and he wanted to spit it out and go in search of the real thing—thick, hot and pulsing with life. Instead, he forced himself to drain the bag and folded it carefully, sticking it in his jacket pocket for disposal later.
The blood coursed through his veins, reviving him enough to work through the night if need be. It would have to do.
He carefully closed the panel, disguising the refrigerator, even though he wanted to slam the door. Dangerous, volatile emotions were pushing at him. Not good. He needed to remain on an even keel to keep himself and those around him safe.
A knock came on the door. His staff knew better than to interrupt him when he informed them he wanted to be alone, and he knew Bryon had a good reason for disturbing him.
“Come.”
Byron opened the door and stuck his head inside the office. “She’s back, boss. The woman from last night. What do you want me to do?”
Fate. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath even though he didn’t need oxygen to survive. The blood he’d just consumed raced through his veins and anticipation thrummed through his body. She’d come.
“Boss?” He could hear the concern in Byron’s voice and took a moment to steady himself. It seems fate had made her choice.
He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “I’ll see her.” He glided out from behind his rather large, antique desk, already anticipating seeing Sonia again.
Byron rubbed a hand over his bald head. “Uh, boss, do you think that’s a good idea.”
Damek smiled at his friend. “Probably not, but I’m going to do it anyway.”
“You’re the boss.”
“Yes, I am,” he said softly as he walked down the short hallway and into the heart of the club.