Black Heart: Coeur de Sade (Black Heart Series) (7 page)

            Okay, I panicked a tad bit.  I knew vampires, so I could hunt and stake them.  But this was pure magic.  I knew almost nothing about actual magic.  Like most, I knew that crystals made the best talismans.  After that, I was clueless.  And I knew only a tiny bit more about werewolves.

            "Who is the werewolf with the talisman?  What is his name?  What does he look like?"

            I know.  You'd think I would know what he looked like.  Unfortunately, the talisman captured me before I could get a good look at him.  I just had a faint mental image of a dark-haired young man.

            "If we knew that then we wouldn't need you, now would we?" Angelique sneered.

            "I'm putting you at the top of my 'To Stake List,'" I said, eyes flashing.  I didn't care who I ticked off at the moment.  I was rewarded by a very brief look of fear on the French vampire's face.  "Sleep tight, Angelique."

            "Quite enough, Miss Hart," Tara snapped.  I've finally pushed her too far.  She leaned forward, eyes narrowed.  "You are wasting time.  He is killing almost one vampire a night."

            "If...when I find him, and get this talisman for you, how do I contact you?" I said.

            My mind was spinning.  I was trying to
not
think about the threat to my family.  At the same time, I was trying to figure out who I could ask about werewolves.  Who would know enough to give me names?  I needed the name of an Alpha, just to get started.

            "Mickey," Tara said, and the pretty boy behind her stepped out.  He was tall and muscular.  Weightlifter muscular.  I couldn't help but admire the way he moved with feline grace and power despite that bulk.  He was oozing vampire pheromones when he stepped up to me, getting me all hot and bothered, too.  He handed me a cell phone with a smug smile.  "There are just two numbers programmed into that phone.  Mr. Howell's and mine.  I would prefer you called me when you have secured the talisman, but either of us will do.  Then we can arrange to get it from you."

           
Yeah, I'd like to give it to you, all right
, I thought.  But out loud I said, "Great.  I'll be in touch."

CHAPTER 4

            It was Saturday night.  Ten minutes until midnight, and yet the gym parking lot was full.  I was a member.  Joined yesterday, when I learned that Dane took a job there as their new self defense instructor.

            As a full member of the gym, I was entitled to go to any class given.  I was automatically enrolled, so Dane couldn't deny me access.  Of course, if my ex-boyfriend told them I was a vampire they would probably revoke my membership.  I doubt he'd do that, since if I told them he was a hunter they would fire him.  Mutual assured destruction works to keep the peace, right?

            "It's already been a long night, and only halfway through," I grumbled.

            I called Desiree as soon as I woke up from the second chloroforming of the night, to find myself in the driver's seat of my Mustang.  The vampire council was intent on keeping me in the dark about where their little council chamber was located.  I would find it one day, but that was the least of my concerns.

            Desiree was aghast when she heard what happened, and the task that was forced upon me.  She sounded so worried.  She should be.  Desiree was my number one fang whore.  Okay, she was my only fang whore.  Desiree was the one person I knew without doubt I could rely upon in any situation.

            Slipping out of the Mustang, I grabbed my gym bag from the back seat and headed inside.  I was still wearing the damaged and slightly bloody Cowboy t-shirt, but now it was tied below my breasts.  The hole and blood were hidden inside the knot.

            I garnered no undue attention walking to the dressing rooms.  In no time I was dressed in my workout clothes — white athletic bra under a gray midriff baring tank, matching boxers and a pair of expensive cross-trainers.

            I planned to slip in unnoticed, hiding in the crowd.  Unfortunately, seven people did not make much of a crowd.  I was the only girl, too.  Kinda stood out, you know.

           
I thought these self defense classes were for women?
I thought, scowling at the assembled men.

            The men ran the gamut, from young and gawky twenty year olds, to middle-aged, balding business man.  They were all having a difficult time not looking at me.  I started warming up and stretching to avoid the uncomfortable preliminary conversation attempts.

            "Hello, class," Dane said as he strode in.  "I am the new night instructor for self defense, Eddie Sinclair."

            Eddy Sinclair?  He had an alias now?  Figures.  Truth was, I thought he would leave town and not come back.  Our vampire hunting friend Wendy Craine had gone off to bury her cousin, Anson, and never returned.  We never expected her to come back.  Dane, Wendy, and Gabe were known vampire hunters now.

            "Where's Andy?" a very tan, thirty-something man said.  Though a tad weather-beaten, he was the best looking of the group.  I had the impression he was a construction worker, since he was deeply tanned and had the most callused hands I'd ever seen.

            "Andy's working days now," Dane said, but locked eyes onto me.  "What are you doing here?"

            "Uh, taking Krav Maga classes,
Eddie
," I said.  "The self defense class you teach will be Krav Maga, right?"

            His hesitation was almost indiscernible.

            "Your name isn't on the list," he said, gray eyes narrowing.

            "I have a full membership, so can attend any class I want," I said.  Everyone was watching.  I turned to the others and smiled weakly, sadly.  "We have a sordid past together."

            "There was nothing sordid about our past," Dane said.  He frowned at the others, who were listening in with such interest.  "We'll talk.  Later.  Okay, boys and girl, we're all experienced here.  No novices according to the list I've seen.  Anyone new?  Good."

            Dane led us in the warm up and stretching exercises.  Finally, we were ready for some training.  After donning padded helmet/face-shields, body pads, foot pads, and light kick-boxing gloves, Dane arranged us in two facing lines.

            "I want to see each of you in action, so we'll start out with a little light sparing," he said.

            I found myself facing the construction worker.

            "Hi, I'm Sable."

            "Hello.  I'm Kale.  K-Kale Pritchard," he said, suddenly becoming painfully shy.  "I...I've been studying Krav Maga about two years, off and on.  I'm pretty good."

            "Good.  I've been studying it about a year and a half, pretty steadily.  We ought to be well matched," I said.  I gave him a mischievous grin as I picked up a pad and tossed it to him.  "Why don't we start with kicks to the groin?"

            "Ouch," he said, and laughed.  But he did turn bright red.  I kinda felt bad.  Maybe I shouldn't have started with groin kicks.  "Okay, ready.  Go."

            And I went.  I snapped one kick after another, in amazingly fast succession.  Everyone stopped to gawk as I drove Kale back across the room.  I didn't stop until I had him backed up against the wall.  I didn't even break a sweat.

            Kale leaned over close enough to whisper.  "I suggest you pretend to be winded, or they will figure out what you are," he said.

            I froze.  That was foolish of me.  Only a vampire or werewolf would have the stamina to do what I just did without getting winded.  So I took a deep breath, held it, and them blew it out with gusto.

            "Whew!" I said.  I paused to huff and puff, then bent over with hands on knees.  "Wow, sorry, Kale.  I don't know what came over me."

            They bought it.  Everyone returned to their partners.  Except Dane, who frowned disapprovingly at me.

            The class went as normal after that.  No one seemed to suspect I was anything but a young woman eager to learn to protect myself like an Israeli commando.  I kept my speed and strength down to a more normal level, which wasn't easy to judge.  Kale saw to it he was my partner all night, and I noticed a few of the men looked put out by it.  But I wanted Kale, too.  He knew what I was, and was helping me keep it secret.

            Dane kept a professional detachment throughout the night.  Our interactions were the same.  He did seem to be avoiding me, though.  Everyone got lots of personalized help, except me.  And Dane had his gym bag in hand heading for the door when he called the class to an end.

            "Son of...," I grumbled, and hurried to gather up my stuff.  He headed straight into the men's dressing room.  I headed over to the women's room, and quickly changed into my jeans and Cowboy's t-shirt.  When I came out I just caught sight of the back of Dane's head, as he hurried out the front door.  "Bastard."

            Halfway to the door, I spotted him in the parking lot.  He was slipping into the passenger side of a silver BMW SUV.  I saw a whirl of blonde hair in the driver's seat, and the SUV drove off.

            "I've already been replaced?" I said, incredulous as I stepped outside in time to watch the BMW's rear lights vanish around the next intersection.

            "I don't think he's that interested," Kale said from behind.

            I jumped.  "Eeks!" I cried.  Then I whirled on him, blue eyes blazing.  "Don't ever sneak up on a...on me.  Never.  Ever."

            I could feel the fear erupt deep inside him.  I could smell it on him.  I could also smell his desire, his need.  My mouth began to water as my blood hunger came alive.  His blood filled my vampiric senses, surging hotly through his body.  I so wanted a taste.  I remembered I forgot to drink lunch.

            "My bad," he said, stepping back.  His hands were up in a placating gesture.  But his ardor was rising, too.  It kicked my own libido alive.  "Sorry."

            His shoulder length hair was still damp from the shower.  He wore a very dirty, very faded Motley Crue t-shirt, equally faded jeans and work boots.  Oh yeah, construction worker.

            "No, I'm sorry," I said, embarrassed.  If I wasn't a vampire, I would've blushed profusely.  "I'm not having a good night.  A terrible night."

            "Would you like to talk about it over coffee?"

            My eyes snapped onto his.  For a brief second I mesmerized him.  He was mine, body and soul.  For one second he would do anything I asked.  Absolutely anything.  But I released him as fast as I captured him with my gaze.

            "Sorry again," I whispered.  "Instinct.  I'm so sorry."

            Released, he swayed just an instant.  Then he licked his lips.  My eyes locked onto his lips.  Full.  Kissable.  And I hungered again.  I needed something to eat.  I was too stressed to be out among mortals.

            "I understand," Kale said.  "Coffee?  Interested?"

            He was bright red.  I could smell his fear.  I'd forgotten his shyness.

            "Yes," I said, and smiled at him.  Nothing sexual.  Not really.  I was pleased he knew enough to know that vampires could drink coffee.  Most people thought we were cursed to drink only blood for all eternity.  "But I am not safe to be around right now.  Rain check?"

            Did he look relieved?

            "Deal," he said.

            We shook hands.  Smiling awkwardly, we turned to our vehicles.  I stopped after two steps and turned back.  I guess he sensed it, for he stopped and turned back to me as well.

            "You've been with...someone like me before?"

            "Yes," he said.  He looked embarrassed.  "It was about ten years or more ago, but yes."

            "That long?"

            "Got married.  Two kids," he said.  "Divorce was finalized six months ago."

            Great.  A rebound fang whore.

            I watched as he climbed into a late model Ford F150 pick-up, extended cab.  It was maroon and looked well kept.  The back bed was empty, except for a black tool box, which surprised me.  I was expecting something dirtier and more cluttered.  After he left I returned to my Mustang.

            Dane didn't want to speak with me.  Great.  Why was I not surprised?  I could force the issue, since I had a link to him.  Now, he didn't know for certain I was linked to him, but I think he suspected.  I knew exactly where he was at that moment.  Probably not a good idea to use it to find him.  Not yet.

            Who else might know something about werewolves?  Gabe probably would, but he was still in the hospital.  Gun shot wound from that big battle with the Big Nasty Bad Guys.  We won.  Barely.  At great cost.

            Gabriel Preston was Dallas' most successful vampire hunter, if you only counted the number of successful stakings.  As a normal human being, he was a wash.  A lost cause.  Many might rightly think he wasn't much better than the vampires he hunted and killed.  But he was good.  He knew a lot about the supernatural world.  And, most important, he was my friend.  One of the few I had left.

            And he was a werewolf.

            "Naw, he'd be asleep," I said, loath to wake him at the hospital.  He was shot by a shotgun full of blessed silver.  Poor Gabe was suffering silver poisoning, but would make a full recovery.  "The nurses probably gave him a sleeping pill, too."

            Gabe was a full blown horn dog.  On steroids.  He hit on every woman, and was far more successful that one would believe.  If the nurses wanted any respite from his lusty comments and suggestions, they'd have to drug him.

            Wendy Craine, another vampire hunting friend, was out of town for her cousin Anson's funeral and probably not coming back.  His was the name I put on the exorbitantly high cost of stopping Clive and Yuri earlier in the week.  That only left one person.

            I dialed Bone Daddy's cell.  His voice mail picked up right away.

            "Boney, this is Sable, we need to talk.  Soon.  Call me."