Once Burned Page 6

  “Once again, we have a deal.”

  A brief smile curved his lips. “You dislike that I can read your mind, but that pales next to your abilities. I don’t need to tell you never to reveal to anyone what you saw, do I?”

  You just did, I thought pointedly.

  “So I did.” Another quicksilver smile. “You’ll learn far more once you’re in my home. Many of my furnishings are centuries old and must hold numerous memories. I trust you’ll treat any new information you glean with the same discretion.”

  “Yes, but believe me, I’ll try to touch as little as possible.” Antiques. Oh, how I hated those essence-heavy things!

  He continued to study me, his expression a mixture of pitiless calculation and curiosity. “You said you’ve had this ability for a dozen years, which must be half your life judging from how young you look. I was already old when I developed the power to read humans’ thoughts, yet the depravities I uncovered still managed to disturb me. Your gift reaches much deeper than that. I’m amazed you haven’t snapped under the strain of it.”

  I shrugged as if I hadn’t been driven to a suicide attempt over the countless atrocities I’d relived. “Sometimes it’s helped. I know who to avoid. People can perfect whatever façade they want, but everyone holds their sins close to their skin.”

  His laugh held a hint of grimness. “How true that is.”

  The limo bounced over a rut, jostling me. I looked out the window. Trees laden with snow and ice were most of what I saw, but if I craned, I could see the terrain was starting to get steep. After a minute, my ears began to pop. I forced a yawn to relieve the pressure, missing Florida’s sea-level altitude.

  “Is it very far to your house?”

  I hadn’t eaten in almost two days since I’d skipped breakfast the morning I was kidnapped. Then again, this was a vampire house. I remembered what Marty used to stock in the refrigerator, and it hadn’t been anything I wanted to sample. I regarded the wooded landscape bleakly. Probably wasn’t a grocery store or restaurant within fifty miles of here, either.

  An amused grunt directed my attention back to Vlad. “I have ample food, Leila, and this is Romania. Not the northern wilds of Siberia. We’ll be at my house shortly, and on the way, we’ll pass through a town that has both grocers and restaurants.”

  I flushed at his mocking tone, once again reminding myself to watch my thoughts—if I could figure out a way to do that.

  “You eat regular food? Marty was never into that. Said it all tasted like clay to him.”

  “It does, and I don’t, but I have an abundance of food for the humans who live with me. If they were undernourished, then they wouldn’t be able to feed me or my staff.”

  His tone was completely casual, but I was starting to realize that Vlad never said anything by accident. I met his gaze, noting the hint of challenge. He was almost daring me to be offended by his flesh version of a pantry.

  “Marty always drank from tightfisted tourists,” I said, arching a brow in answering challenge. “Said it served them right for not tipping after our performance. He never tried to drink from me, of course, because he said that business and food should be kept separate.”

  Vlad’s lips curled. “Subtle you’re not. If you’re wondering whether I’m intending to drink from you, don’t play games. Ask.”

  “Are you?” I responded at once, adding, “I don’t want you to. I know it won’t kill me or turn me into a vampire, but I’m already an ‘instrument.’ I don’t want to be dinner, too.”

  “No, I’m not,” he replied calmly. “Nor will any other vampire while you’re under my protection. Your friend Marty and I agree about keeping food and business alliances separate.”

  That was a relief. Maybe staying with Vlad wouldn’t be too different than living with Marty, though hopefully it would be much shorter than the four years Marty and I toured together.

  “What did the two of you do?” Vlad asked, lacing his free hand behind his head.

  “Traveling circus performers,” I answered, braced for the scorn most people showed upon hearing that.

  Nothing changed in his expression. “Clever, with your condition. If anyone noticed your tendency to electrocute people, they would assume it to be a circus trick, and you wouldn’t remain long enough in one place for more serious questions to arise.”

  “That’s exactly it,” I said with surprise. If only my dad and my sister could grasp that logic so easily. My job was an embarrassment to them. The last I heard, they told people I was a stage actress.

  Vlad shrugged. “Vampires have experience hiding what we are. Ah, here is the town. Beyond it is my home.”

  I glanced out the window to see us whizzing by a small town that did indeed look like it had shops and restaurants. With all the snow and the quaint, picturesque architecture, it also could’ve doubled as a snapshot of the mythical Santa’s Village.

  “Pretty,” I said, “but I hope your driver doesn’t get pulled over. I doubt the speed limit here is eighty.”

  It sounded like Vlad stifled a laugh. “No need to worry.”

  I kept looking out the window, seeing large rocks peek up amidst the trees. A shift in balance leaned me farther back into my seat, confirming that the road was getting steeper. Still, the driver didn’t slow down, whipping around the bends and turns with what seemed to be total disregard for life and limb. I glanced at Vlad, but he appeared unconcerned. Of course. He could survive the car careening off a cliff or hitting a tree.

  “No need to worry,” Vlad said again with more amusement.

  “Oh, I’m glorious,” I replied through gritted teeth. Closing my eyes was probably the best way to get through this.

  It might have only been ten minutes before the car came to a stop. To me, it felt like a solid hour. I’d probably sent enough nervous currents into Vlad to power a small locomotive, but he hadn’t let go of my hand. Now, however, he entangled himself from my grasp.

  “We’ve arrived.”

  I opened my eyes. His body briefly blocked my line of vision, but once he was out of the vehicle, I saw the house we’d stopped at. And stared, my mouth falling open.

  Chapter 9

  The word house didn’t begin to do justice to the white and gray structure in front of me. I actually had to tilt my head back to see all the way up to the roof. It was at least four towering stories high, with additional floors on the triangular turrets that rose dramatically on each corner. A myriad of carvings decorated the exterior, from intricate balconies in front of soaring windows to stone gargoyles that glared down from their perches. They weren’t the only sentinels of this gothic-looking palace; at least a dozen people were stationed in various spots around the house, some standing so still that at first glance, I’d thought they were statues, too.

  The only thing more startling than the mansion’s height was its length. I couldn’t tell where the right side ended because a line of lofty evergreens blocked my view, but everything to the left of me went on for the length of a football field. A high stone wall with manned lookout towers encircled the property. Beyond that and the surrounding forest, dark gray mountains acted as a natural barrier, adding to the imposing feel of the place. No wonder Jackal didn’t want to try anything until Vlad was away from here, I thought, awed. This wasn’t a house; it truly was a fortress.

  “Leila.”

  Vlad’s voice jerked my attention back to him. He didn’t bother to hide his grin as he glanced down at my feet.

  “Don’t you want to come inside before you catch a chill?”

  I followed his gaze as if I needed proof that I was standing barefoot on the icy ground. I’d forgotten about the cold, being so caught up in the splendor around me, but now sharp needles of pain pricked my feet.

  “Coming,” I said at once.

  Two huge double doors opened and Vlad entered through them, nodding at the men who bowed to him as he passed. This time, the obsequious gesture didn’t seem out of place. Anyone who lived in a palace like this wou
ld expect to be bowed to. Hell, it was bigger than some royal castles I’d seen on TV.

  I followed after him, unable to keep from looking around like a kid. We were inside an enormous hall with ceilings that were decorated with artful beams, frescos, and shields. Off to the right, the ceiling lowered and became domed glass. Below it, an indoor garden with plants and flowers arranged around chairs, couches, and a marble fountain.

  Vlad strode by the garden and I followed, catching glimpses of more magnificent rooms as we continued down the main hall. Finally he stopped in front of a staircase that was wider than the trailer Marty and I had lived in.

  “Maximus will show you to your room,” Vlad stated.

  I hadn’t noticed the blond driver behind me, but he appeared before my next blink, so he couldn’t have been far.

  “Wait. Is Marty here? I want to see him.” Vlad had promised not to kill him, but what if something happened with the other vampire on their way?

  “I’ll send him up after you’ve showered and eaten,” Vlad said without hesitation.

  Relief filled me. He must’ve confirmed that Marty had arrived in one piece for him to sound so sure.

  Vlad turned and began to walk away, but my second “Wait!” stopped him.

  “I, um, can’t shower until I release all my excess electricity,” I said with a shrug. “Don’t suppose you have any lightning rods?”

  “I’ll get some,” he replied, coming closer. “Until then, use me.”

  “I can find something else,” I hedged.

  A brow arched. “I insist.”

  He grasped my hand with those words. His coppery eyes stared into mine, silencing my next protest before I voiced it. He was so close that I imagined I could feel his unusual heat in the scant space between us. The warmth from his hand was certainly real. It seemed to slip inside my skin, teasing me with memories of what it felt like to be enveloped in his embrace, that hot, hard body pressed along every inch of me.

  I cleared my throat to distract myself from the unexpected tightening of certain parts down below. It didn’t help that he stroked my skin as he waited for my response, even that small touch sending more pleasant tingles through me.

  “Are you sure?” I had to drain myself in order for this to be effective, and though he was fireproof, it might still hurt.

  He leaned down, his long hair brushing my face. Those dark strands shouldn’t have felt like teasing caresses, but they did, and again, I cursed my strange reaction to him.

  “I never do anything unless I’m sure.”

  His voice was lower, and his fingers tightened on my hand. A bolt slid into him that I hadn’t meant to send, but he didn’t appear to mind. A slow smile spread across his lips.

  “More.”

  The soft word was filled with challenge, as if he were daring me to hold anything back. Still bewildered over how he affected me, I took in a breath and then released the hold I kept over myself. Those inner currents unleashed in a burst of power that would’ve made the ground shudder from its intensity, but Vlad absorbed it without flinching, emerald sparks in his gaze the only visible indication that he felt anything. I was the one who swayed, feeling slightly dizzy at the expulsion of so much energy, so fast.

  “I—I think that’s enough,” I said, the words uneven from the sudden weakening in my knees. I didn’t usually feel like this after releasing my excess voltage. Maybe it was just because I hadn’t eaten in almost two days.

  Vlad stared down at me, not moving. “Are you able to manage the steps, or do you need assistance?”

  My knees still felt wobbly, and though the idea of being in his hot embrace was dangerously appealing, I was not going to be carried to my room like some sort of war spoils. “I’m fine.”

  He let go of my hand and stepped back, nodding to Maximus. “Prepare her food immediately after you show her to her room.” Then to me he said, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

  I used the banister for balance as I followed Maximus up the curving staircase. Thirty hard-fought steps later we came to a landing. I was relieved that Maximus exited there instead of continuing up the staircase. Maybe I was suffering from jet lag combined with an emotional crash from all the stress of the past couple days.

  Off the landing was a wood-paneled sitting room with views of the forest and mountains from windows that took up most of one wall. A long hallway was at the end of the lovely space, and I fought the urge to touch the walls to see if the material covering them really was velvet.

  Maximus opened the third door in the hallway, standing aside to let me enter. I tried to act nonchalant when I saw that it was just as opulent as the rest of the house. I’d originally hoped it wouldn’t take long to help Vlad find the person who directed Jackal and the others to kidnap me—if he was right and there was a mastermind behind the plot. But now, the idea of the hunt stretching out a few weeks didn’t bother me. I couldn’t get used to this kind of luxury because I was going back to my borderline-poverty life as soon as this was over, but in the meantime . . . life was too short not to enjoy a windfall.

  “This is amazing,” I told Maximus, who seemed to be waiting to see if the room met with my approval.

  “I’m glad you’re pleased,” he replied. His formal manner seemed at odds with his formidable appearance and direct gaze. Maximus was a foot taller than my five-six height, and his thick muscles and rugged features made me think “scary bodyguard” more than “mild-mannered butler,” but who was I to judge?

  “You will find a change of clothes in the wardrobe,” he went on. “Also, the electricity in this room was rewired to be voice activated. Lights on,” he commanded, and sure enough, the bedside lamps and wall sconces flared to life.

  I was stunned. “How did you—?” Then I stopped. Vlad.

  He’d not only made good on his promise to provide me with clothes, he’d also managed to have his guest room rewired since without my glove, I couldn’t touch a light switch without frying it.

  Maximus waited to see if I would complete my sentence. When I didn’t, he continued on as if I hadn’t spoken. “You can also say ‘dim’ or ‘lights off’ when you want to retire. Dinner is served at nine in the main dining room on the first floor. Will you need me to show you where it is?”

  “No, I think I remember seeing it,” I said, still taken aback by this unexpected kindness from Vlad.

  “Then I will leave you. Your lunch will be delivered shortly, but if you have need of anything in the meantime, pull this cord.”

  He illustrated the statement by pulling on a long tassel that hung near the door. I didn’t hear anything, but I took him at his word that it worked.

  “Thank you,” I said, feeling like I should tip him. Not that I could. My wallet was back in Florida.

  He inclined his head. “My pleasure.”

  I waited until he closed the door behind him before going into the bathroom to check it out. It had a glass shower big enough for two and a sunken garden tub I could almost swim in, plus various other amenities.

  I’d longed for a shower, but the thought of soaking my aches away in that tub changed my mind. “Lights on,” I said, and then used my left hand to turn on the water.

  Chapter 10

  Several covered dishes were on a tray in the sitting area when I came out of the bathroom. Good thing I’d closed the door or I’d have given whoever brought it a free show. I flipped the lids off to find a four-course meal spread before me. I glanced around, almost expecting people to pop out of woodwork and join me. I have ample food, Vlad had said. No shit. If his blood donors ate like this at every meal, they must weigh three hundred pounds each.

  My stomach yowled, a warning to stop staring and start eating. I sat down and dug in without bothering to get dressed.

  By the time I was finished, I was so full that all I wanted to do was nap, but Vlad had said he’d send Marty up after I’d showered and eaten. The antique wardrobe turned out to be filled with clothes that were new or rarely worn from the pristine l
ook of them. They were all my size, too, as were the shoes at the bottom of the solid wood piece. I began opening drawers in the nearby dresser and found more of the same. Even the cup size on the bras was correct. Either Vlad had been staring real hard at me while I slept, or he had a lot of experience guessing women’s sizes—and a lot of chick’s clothes stockpiled at his house.

  The latter was no doubt true, but the thought of him checking out my breasts made things stir in me that I normally kept locked down. Then I reminded myself that Vlad might as well have a “Hazardous to Your Health!” label stamped on him and chose a sweater, slacks, and thick socks. The fireplace was lit, making this room cozily warm, but the rest of the mansion might not be as comfortable. As soon as I was dressed, I tugged on the tassel. Less than a minute later, a knock sounded at the door. I opened it to reveal Maximus in the hallway. I wondered if his speed meant he was a vampire, or just extremely attentive.

  “Do you know where my friend Marty is?”

  “Yes. Shall I bring him up?”

  Relief filled me. Vlad was now four for four on his promises. “I can go to him,” I told Maximus. I still felt a little drained, but I wasn’t nearly as woozy as I’d been before.

  “I will bring him to you,” he stated. “Wait here.”

  Then he was gone in a blur of motion. All right, that answered whether or not Maximus was a vampire. I waited, sitting on the bed after ten minutes standing in front of the empty doorway. Ten minutes into waiting in there, I was starting to get nervous. What was taking so long? Maximus had produced a gourmet meal faster than this!

  After thirty minutes, I raced down the staircase to the first floor, trying to remember which direction Vlad had headed off in. The huge hall with its multiple adjoining rooms that had so impressed me before seemed like a maze designed to confound me now. I didn’t see a single soul, either. What had happened to all the bowing guys? Where the hell was everyone?

  “Maximus!” I shouted, a hard knot forming in my stomach. Something was wrong. I just knew it. “Where’s Marty? I know you’re a vampire, so don’t pretend you can’t hear me!”