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C h a p t e r   2

I turned around to face Thierry and my breath caught. Sometimes when I'm out of his company for a while I forget how easily he takes my breath away.

He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man I'd ever seen in real life. Dark, almost black hair framed his face. His skin was pale-he tended to avoid the sun as much as possible even though I knew it didn't hurt him-but glowed with an inner power. His intense eyes were grey with thick dark lashes-grey eyes that sometimes seemed silver. And it wasn't just his looks: tall, dark, and handsome; a man who moved with grace and presence. It was his very essence. Without even trying, he became the focus of any room he was in. All eyes, female and male, were immediately drawn to him.

"Thierry," I said, my voice sounding awkward all of a sudden. "I...I've been trying to find you."

"I know." His forehead furrowed and he stepped closer to me, close enough that I could breathe in his cologne-spicy and masculine. "I'm glad you're here. Are you alright?"

I let out a long, shuddery sigh. I didn't like to appear too shaken by anything that happens. I guess I thought it made me seem too weak and needy. Therefore I ended up coming off a little flip to some people. Covering my fears with a sarcastic comment. It usually worked. But the events of the day so far were tough to shake off that easily. "I've been better."

He closed the remaining distance between us and brought a hand under my chin, prompting me to meet his silver-eyed gaze. "Tell me."

So I did. I told him all about Chad the hunter. About my new "Slayer of Slayers" nickname. About the taxi driver who'd dropped me off around the corner from the club tonight who'd freaked out when he looked in the rear view mirror and noticed it didn't reflect anyone in the back seat. Really had to remember to only use the vampire-owned cab companies. It was such a hassle waiting for them, but definitely worth it for the lack of screaming.

I told Thierry everything except for the doubts Veronique had managed to wedge into my brain about him and me. He listened to my tirade right through to the end without saying a word to interrupt me.

Then he nodded. "I feared this."

"You did?"

"Yes. Sarah, I would like to tell you not to be concerned, but this is very serious. I have been on the telephone for the last two hours dealing with this very situation." A shadow crossed his expression. "I was worried that what happened at Midnight Eclipse would not go unnoticed-that the hunters would see you as more of a threat to their safety than you truly are."

I didn't like how serious he looked.

"So I've got a reputation." I tried to make my voice sound way lighter than I felt. "Just like back in high school. By the way, that one was a big lie too."

He frowned at me and held my gaze, then ran his fingers through my shoulder-length hair. I caught his hand in mine.

"Look," I said. "It'll be okay. I got away from Chad. It was no big deal. I'll just avoid going anywhere hunters may be hanging out. It'll blow over, right?'

"I sometimes forget how young you are."

"Veronique seems to think I'm in my mid-thirties. Is it wrong for me to say I'm glad she's gone?"

A small smiled played at the edge of his lips. "You have only been a vampire for a short time. There are still many things you need to learn."

"That's why I have you."

"Then I have failed you. For hunters are not the only things in this world to be wary of. There are so many things that would do you harm now. Even those of your own kind."

"My own kind?" I blinked with confusion. "Other vampires?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"But vampires are just like regular people. They aren't evil. I just told Chad we're like pointy-toothed bunnies. Cute and harmless."

His eyebrow raised. "You actually said that to him?"

I shrugged. "I was grasping at straws. I admit it."

"I have spoken with several of my informants who tell me that the rumors quickly spreading about your skills as a vampire have caught the attention of both hunter and vampire alike. There are those of both factions who would see that as a threat. Also, those who would like to use your skills and reputation for other purposes."

I nodded slowly. "In other words, I'm screwed."

His gaze flicked to mine. "In a word, yes."

I felt a line of perspiration slide down my spine. "So we just spread the word that it's all a big fat lie. No harm done."

He shook his head. "It's too late for that, I'm afraid. Too many hunters know. And..." he paused, "There are other vampires...elder vampires who will be interested in learning more about you as well. One of which I am told is en route to Toronto as we speak. If they find out it's a lie, they'll..." He trailed off.

"They'll what?"

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It is likely that they will kill you before the truth gets out...so you will become a martyr to vampires worldwide."

"You are shitting me." I blinked hard. "Why didn't you tell me this?"

"Because I only learned of the depth of this problem today."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

He glanced around the club. We were completely alone for the moment. "You have told me you were an actress once, correct?"

"Aspiring. Then I realized I needed to eat daily, so I had to get a real job."

"You must not tell anyone that the rumors are not true. You must act as if you are a dangerous vampire that no one should mess with. If we hold up this fa�ade for a few days, I feel that all will pass without harm. The elders will be satisfied, and most hunters will fear you enough to leave you alone."

I let this sink in. "This is your plan?"

He nodded gravely.

"Your plan sucks. No offense."

"I am well aware of that. But it is the best I have at the moment."

"So I'm just supposed to walk around like nothing's wrong. And when a hunter moseys by and stakes me, I'm just supposed to ignore the big piece of wood sticking out of my chest?" My voice shook with every word. The line of perspiration along my spine had turned into a small waterfall.

"I have just now arranged for bodyguards to follow you for the next couple of days. They come highly recommended. They arrive tomorrow and will ensure your safety."

"Bodyguards." I repeated. "Great. Just great. I think I'm going to be sick."

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

"Of course I do. But what should I do tonight?"

He glanced at the bar. "I do need a bartender to fill-in. The new bartender I hired seems to feel that it would be too dangerous to work here, so he resigned early this afternoon."

"You want me to make drinks all night?"

"It will keep you close. And safe. And yes, I want you to make drinks."

I glanced over at the long, shiny bar-an exact replica of the one that had been in the Midnight Eclipse. "Okay, fine. If you say it will be okay, then I believe you. I'll go along with this plan. I'll let your bodyguards guard my body." I paused and let it all sink in. "But I want something in return for being all agreeable."

"What's that?"

"Tomorrow night we spend some time together. Just you and me."

A trace of amusement slid behind his silver eyes. "You are asking me out on a date?"

"I need something normal in all of this craziness. And you've been so busy that I haven't spent any quality time with you in weeks. So what do you say? A little wine, a little music, a little...privacy?" I gave him a shaky, yet hopefully flirtatious smile.

It would be the perfect way for me to find out if Veronique was right. And, truth be told, I really didn't know a great deal about the man in front of me. He was a master at avoiding questions. When I asked him something about himself, about his past, he'd turn it back around on me and I'd end up telling him about my life instead. Everything I knew about him, other than what was plain to the eye, I'd been told by other people. And I wanted a chance to change that. I wanted to know everything I could about him.

I actually expected him to say no. That things were too serious to have some fun. That would be so him.

He studied me for a moment, and then nodded with the smallest motion of his head. "Tomorrow, then."

"Really? I mean, great. That's great. Tomorrow." I tried to refrain from smiling too widely at the thought of having Thierry all to myself without any other distractions. "Okay, so I'll make drinks. You win. And if anyone wants to know more about the Slayer of Slayers, I'll lie my ass off."

"Just make the drinks and try not to draw too much attention to yourself."

"But, you said-"

"The bodyguards do not arrive till tomorrow."

I nodded. "Good point. Fine. I'll be as quiet as a little booze-serving mouse. With pointy teeth."

He smiled. "Very good. I'll be in my office."

I smiled back and closed my eyes waiting for a kiss. But no kiss came. I opened my eyes.

Thierry was gone, as if he'd never been there in the first place, leaving me standing there in the middle of the floor all alone.

* * *

"He's completely wrong for you, you know."

I blinked and tried to focus my wandering thoughts. "What did you just say?"

George gave me a look of annoyance over the bar. "These drinks. They're completely wrong."

I frowned and glanced down at the drink tray. "They are?"

"Yeah. Sarah, honey, pull it together, would you?"

I gave him a dirty look. I'd been on my feet making drinks for nearly three hours by then. A quick check of the little clock that sat between the Margarita blender and the keg of O-Negative told me it was almost midnight. I was starting to feel a strange sense of gratitude toward my comfy shoes.

"Okay, give me a break. I'm new at this. What was the order again?"

He looked at the pad of paper in his hand. "Well, let's see. Three vodka shots, five A-positives on the rocks, and a bowl of tortilla chips."

I looked down at the tray which held two Margaritas and a Coors Light. "I was close."

Another waitress came up to the bar and I filled her order while George waited. He didn't seem to be in that much of a rush to get back on the floor. Thankfully, it was a slow night. Only a few tables were filled with bloodthirsty vampires. The sound system played a mix of easy-listening music. I could hear Michael Bubl? crooning Kissing a Fool.

When we were alone again, I fixed his drinks, then as he was about to turn away, I grabbed his arm. "George, about that Slayer of Slayers thing I was telling you about?"

"Personally I like it. It sounds super sexy."

"Um. Thanks, I guess. Listen, don't tell anyone it's not true, okay?"

He looked at me quizzically. "Why would I do that? If the hunters are all scared of you, they'll leave you alone. It's all good."

"Right. Yeah. It's all good."

He left and I absently ran a wet towel along the top of the bar. He did have a point. Chad the vampire hunter had wanted to shishkabob me in the park until he'd found out who I was. Then he ran off with his tail between his legs without my even lifting a finger. Maybe Thierry was overreacting. Maybe my new little nickname was going to be more of a blessing than a curse.

Hey, it was possible.

I was over thinking everything. That's all this was. Ever since I'd been fired from my last job for sucking a drop of blood off my boss's injured finger-I still shudder at the embarrassing, and rather disgusting, memory-I'd been "in between jobs." aka: Very Unemployed. I'd helped out where I could in getting the club up and running, but other than that I had a lot of time on my hands for worrying, thinking, and letting things fester away in my mind until they grew completely out of proportion. Watching too many soap operas didn't help, either.

My meager savings account was slowing dwindling away. I didn't particularly want to bartend at Haven for the rest of my immortal life. I mean, George recently told me he'd been a waiter for over twenty-five years. Yeesh. I needed to start making some decisions about what I was going to do to make ends meet. I couldn't live on credit forever.

Maybe for a couple more months.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blond-haired male sidle up to the bar.

I didn't look up. "George, can you watch the bar for a sec? I need to go on a bathroom break."

"Who's George?"

My eyes widened and I looked up at the unfamiliar, lightly accented voice. Was that Russian?

A very attractive, well over six-feet, blond, muscular vampire gazed at me from the other side of the bar. He smiled.

"May I have a Jack Daniels on the rocks before you head to the ladies room?"

Feeling embarrassed, I nodded, and reached under the bar to grab the bottle and pour out the drink. I slid the glass across the bar to him.

His eyes were green. Very green. Like little green laser beams that fixed directly on me, making me acutely self-conscious. "This is a nice place. You just opened?"

"Last week."

"I had some trouble finding it."

"That's sort of the point. We don't want just anyone walking in here unannounced."

"No, wouldn't want that."

George appeared next to the man. "Well, hello there, handsome. Welcome to Haven."

"Thank you."

"You should come and sit in my section." He eyed me. "You don't mind, do you Miss Slayer of Slayers?"

I blinked. "Of course not."

The man glanced at George, and then back at me. "Slayer of Slayers?"

"That's right," George confirmed, with a knowing wink at me. "Our little Sarah here's been kicking some hunter butt. She's totally my hero."

Now the man's attention was focused completely on me. "You're Sarah Dearly?"

I tensed. "Maybe. Who are you?"

He stared at me long enough that I felt like I wanted to crawl away and hide. I felt goosebumps form on my arms.

After another moment he flashed his fangs at me and finally spoke. "You are not at all what I expected."

"You were expecting something?"

"Yes, of course. What I have heard led me to believe that you'd be larger, older...and much less attractive."

Hmm. Maybe this guy wasn't so bad after all.

"Well, you know what they say about rumors," I told him.

"Slayer of Slayers. Yes, this is good. Very good." He stood up from the stool and leaned over the bar, his face coming within inches of my own. I froze in place, not knowing if I should move away from him or not.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder, bringing him firmly back down to a seated position on the bar stool.

Thierry stood next to him. "Nicolai." His voice was void of expression.

Nicolai tore his gaze from me and turned to the other vampire, surprise registering on his face for a split second. "Thierry."

I watched them as they stared at each other for a moment, and felt tension rising in the air.

Thierry finally broke the silence. "What are you doing here?"

Nicolai regarded him for a moment, his expression far from pleasant. "Is that any way to greet an old friend? I'm disappointed in you."

"You haven't answered my question."

Nicolai glanced at me. "Thierry, after so many years, you still manage to surprise me. I had no idea this club was yours. And hiding an angel away in a dark place such as this? What an absolute waste."

Thierry's gaze flicked to me. "Sarah is my bartender."

And that's all he said.

I felt the blood drain from my face. His bartender.

"Yes," Nicolai said. "I can see that much. It all begins to make sense to me now. It was at one of your other clubs that the confrontation with the hunters took place in early December?"

"Yes," Thierry crossed his arms. "An event I wish to leave behind us, for the sake of everyone's safety. That is why we moved to another location."

"I have heard all about it." Nicolai turned to me again. "Such power in such a petite form. I am very impressed."

"Thanks," I said. "By the way, that drink was five bucks."

He grinned, and took a wallet from the inner pocket of his jacket. He placed a hundred dollar bill on the bar. "Keep the change."

"I think I like you," I said.

"The feeling in entirely mutual."

"Who are you, anyhow?"

"Nicolai is a vampire elder," Thierry said. "Whom I hope is only passing through town."

That surprised me. I'd expected a vampire elder to have a long white beard and walk with a cane. Not look like that Russian boxer who kicked Stallone's butt in Rocky IV. Live and learn.

"Yes, I will not be here long. I am in town on other business but I wanted to investigate the rumors I've recently heard. Of the Slayer of Slayers." His gaze moved leisurely down my face and neck to my chest. "Is it true that you killed eight hunters that night without sustaining a single injury?"

"It was nine," I lied. "And I did break a nail. See? Rumors can't be trusted."

One hunter named Peter who wanted me dead. One gun. Me or him. Nightmares ever since that woke me nearly every night in tears.

Yeah, it was good being the Slayer of Slayers. Big fun.

I glanced over at Thierry. Thierry, my boyfriend, who had referred to me just a minute ago as his bartender. I didn't think I liked that very much. But maybe he figured that our personal lives were none of Nicolai's business. Plus he said some vampires were dangerous, and I knew this dude was one of them. I could feel it. His age, his power, crawling up my arms like dancing ants.

Nicolai nodded. "You are being wasted here. Your talents could be used elsewhere. I would like you to consider joining the Ring."

"Forget it," Thierry said quickly.

"What's the Ring?" I asked. "Does it have anything to do with that scary movie with the creepy little girl in the well? Because that really freaked me out."

He laughed. "The Ring is a group of vampire elders who act as council to the vampire community."

"A useless organization of self-involved, power hungry opportunists who love to hear themselves talk," Thierry growled.

Nicolai's smile grew cold. "We do what we must to survive. And we do what we must to help others of our kind survive. We prefer to do so in the open, not hiding in the safety of the nearest dark corner." He looked around the club. "Interesting that this place is so hard to find, isn't it? Still hiding from the past, my friend?"

George approached with another drink order, but the look Thierry shot him was enough to make him quickly scamper away.

"As you said, we all do what we must for survival," he replied simply, his face and voice regaining a lack of any discernable emotion.

My eyes had widened at their exchange. "Time for another drink?"

"That would be nice."

I poured another shot of Jack Daniels. Nicolai produced another hundred dollar bill that he held out to me. I reached forward to take it but he pulled it out of my reach.

"As I was saying, the Ring is interested in meeting with you to discuss your future with our organization. Your involvement would, with your reputation, help to inject the Ring with new energy in our fight against the hunters. The fact that you also appear to be young, beautiful and charismatic will only help."

Beautiful, huh?

"She will not consider it," Thierry said.

"I believe that is a choice for Sarah, not for you." He turned back to me. "I will be in town for three days. Think about it. I will be in contact again."

"No," Thierry said.

Nicolai frowned at him, then a smile curled up his lips and he glanced at me.. "I think I see what is going on here. The two of you are romantically involved, I take it?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, Thierry did it for me.

"No, we are not. I am simply concerned for Sarah's future safety."

I blinked as my breath caught in my chest. Right. Not involved. There it is, then. Veronique was right.

I tried to meet his eyes, but he wouldn't look directly at me.

Nicolai laughed at that. "I believe Sarah has proven that she needs no one to look after her. The hunters fear her. We can use that fear to our advantage."

"I disagree."

"Of course you do." Nicolai stared at him for a long moment before he spoke. "You owe me this, Thierry. Do not get in the way of this. Unless there is some reason you wish to protect her?"

He owed him? What was that supposed to mean?

I watched Thierry to see his reaction. His face was so tense I thought it might shatter. His throat worked as he swallowed. He broke the staring contest between the two of them first.

"Of course Sarah can do as she likes," he said.

I let all of it wash over me and ended up feeling dizzy. This was all happening too fast for me to properly register what was going on.

Nicolai wanted me to consider joining the vampire elders because he thought the rumors about me were true. I wasn't supposed to reveal that it was all a big misunderstanding, otherwise I would be killed so the reputation would stay intact. Got that. Crappy corner to paint myself into, to say the least, but I was on board with that.

Thierry didn't refer to me in mixed company as his girlfriend or even hint that I was any more to him than an employee.

Not on board with that. But there were more important things to focus on at the moment.

I cleared my throat. "So you want my answer before you leave town."

"That's correct," Nicolai said. "Though it is quite an honor to be asked. To be honest, I expected you to say yes right away."

He thought I'd jump right on the vampire bandwagon of rallying the troupes by joining some organization I'd never heard of? Who did I look like, Bob Hope?

What a mess.

Ever since being turned into a vampire, all I wanted was my normal life back. I even thought there was a cure for vampirism for a short time that I pursued with great gusto. That ended in disappointment and betrayal. I was sick of being disappointed and betrayed.

It seriously caused wrinkles.

I didn't want this reputation. I didn't want to be constantly hunted like a monster in a video game. I didn't ask to be a vampire. So far, not too impressed with the whole deal.

I just wanted a normal immortal life. Was that too much to ask for? And what did I have to do to get one?

There was nothing Nicolai could say to persuade me to consider joining this Ring thing. Nothing at all.

"If you agree," Nicolai said, "we are willing to pay a salary of one hundred thousand dollars a year plus living expenses for your time."

"One-fifty," I said.

"Done." He nodded, smiled, and downed the last of his drink, leaving the hundred dollar bill behind. "I'll be in touch for your final decision."
And then Nicolai, vampire elder and my potential new benefactor, strolled out of Haven as if all he'd come in there for was to have a couple of drinks.

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