“Daniel will never allow that to happen.” We’d known Marini had plans, but I’d hoped they were years away. Vampires were known for taking their time.
“Ah, but Marini believes he knows the key to forcing the Nex Apparatus to do anything he wishes,” Chad said quietly, looking at me.
I let my shoulders slump forward. I hated the fact that I was Daniel’s only real weakness. “I’ll let him know.”
The vampire nodded. “He has plans for you, Zoey. He has plans that you can’t imagine. Watch your back around him. Marini believes Daniel’s love for you will be his downfall, and what he saw tonight didn’t change his mind about it.”
I felt my face go beet red. “God, Chad, please tell me you were only there for a few minutes.”
He grinned. “That would be a lie. I’m afraid I’m back to envying you your men. When did they get so friendly? When I left, Daniel still growled every time Dev walked in the room.”
“Vegas,” I admitted. “We’ve been living together for about seven months. Just how long were you there watching us?”
“Long enough. Seriously, Zoey, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I would have given just about anything to take your place in the middle of that sandwich. I really did think Marcus was going to lose control. He’s crazy about you. That magic of Dev’s is pretty amazing. It felt like I was feeding, but I didn’t need blood.”
Well, at least now I could participate in Dev’s ceremony knowing I’d already performed in public. I shook my head.
“Now I can get to the real reason I needed to see you.” Chad gestured toward the small door that probably led to the bathroom. “You can come out now, baby.”
The door opened, and Neil walked out looking perfect and healthy and whole. He smiled at me, and I immediately teared up.
“Neil,” I said, my voice catching. He grinned and held his arms open. I ran into them and caught only air as my body passed through the illusion. I searched around and then back at Chad, who was frowning at me. It was just a trick. “That was mean, Chad.”
“That was necessary to find out just how bad the situation is,” Chad replied, his voice hard. “I wanted to know if you’ve turned on him. He isn’t answering his phone. Marcus told me what happened. My master used his power to make Neil a slave.”
“Daniel was trying to protect us all. Neil was beyond upset when he found out you were the spy. Please understand, Chad. We were going onto the Hell plane with only Neil as backup, and he threatened to walk.” He’d been halfway out the door when Daniel turned on that power for the first time. “Daniel was desperate. He would never hurt Neil.”
“I doubt that, Zoey.” Chad sat down on the bed and studied me for a moment. “You don’t see the ruthless streak in Daniel. You never have. How did Neil get away—because I assume he got away. He isn’t dead, is he?” The last question was asked calmly, with Chad’s voice perfectly controlled as though he was only interested in the answer in an academic fashion.
“I let him go. I went behind Daniel’s back and freed him.” I neglected to add the part about Neil’s absence leaving me and Dev vulnerable to Halfer’s attack. “He ran. I tracked him down, but I can’t get him to meet with me, yet. I’ll get him back, Chad.”
“See that you do, Zoey,” Chad said. “I didn’t sacrifice myself to have my lover treated this way. I expect him to be happy and whole when I return.”
“I promise.” I was a little afraid of this Chad. He was colder, infinitely harder. I hugged my arms to my chest because the room seemed chilly. “I love him, too. I want him back.”
Chad shook his head, and suddenly he was himself again. He stood and pulled me into a hug. “I know you do, Zoey. I knew you would be the one looking for him. Tell him I love him when you succeed in finding him. Now let’s get you back down to Dev. Stay close to him. Marini would just love to get you alone. He’s been talking about how sweet you taste ever since the ball.”
I frowned but let Chad open the door. I exited, leaving the vampire behind, my mind filled with doubts and worries.
Chapter Twelve
Marcus and Dev were waiting for me when I returned. Dev looked at me curiously, as though sensing my mood. He helped me down the last two steps, but I knew we wouldn’t be talking about what had happened with Chad until we were alone again. I liked Marcus, but preferred to let the boys decide when and if to tell him anything. I’m not a spy. They tend to know when to talk and when to keep their mouths closed. Those are two lessons I never learned.
Marcus led us into a room that looked nothing like a parlor. It reminded me of the VIP section of a gentlemen’s club complete with half-dressed attendants. The lights were low, creating a decadent atmosphere.
I immediately spotted Louis Marini holding court in the center of the room. He lounged back on a chaise, and when he caught sight of me, he gestured us over with an imperious wave of his hand.
I caught my breath as Marcus led me to the head of the Council. Louis Marini was the oldest vampire who lived in society. There were rumors that older vampires still existed, but they no longer lived among the humans. In vampire society, Louis Marini was practically a king. Unfortunately, he lacked the DNA necessary to crown himself. He would have been a handsome man, but there was a hardness to him that left me cold. His hair was dark brown, his eyes nearly black, and there was something vaguely reptilian about them. He was dressed in slacks and a black T-shirt that hugged his well-formed chest. As we approached, I realized there was a girl huddled next to him.
“Mrs. Donovan, I see Marcus has already sought you out,” he said in a deep voice that sounded amused and annoyed at the same time. “I swear when you’re around he becomes a sad little lapdog begging for your affection. Did he wait by the door so he could catch you as you entered?”
“I can’t help but follow a beautiful woman around. When I no longer wish to I shall stake myself, for there will be no reason to walk the night,” Marcus replied gallantly, pulling me down with him onto the opposite chaise. It was large and plush, and Dev settled himself on the other side of me, his arm going negligently around my waist.
“Prince.” Louis acknowledged Dev with a satisfied nod. He took in every inch of Dev’s well-dressed form. “I was pleased to see you again. I feared after the events of the ball, you would return to your sithein. It’s good to see our Nex Apparatus hasn’t frightened you away from vampire society.”
“Oh, I think you’ll find I don’t scare so easily. It takes more than a couple of stab wounds to the gut to deter me from a lover I’m enjoying. I find Daniel to be a perfectly pleasant reason to stay in your society,” Dev replied smoothly.
“Obviously,” Marini said with an intimate smile, and I wondered which of the numerous sex acts he’d witnessed he was thinking of. It made me want to turn away, but I forced myself to remain calm. “Our Mr. Donovan seems to think he’s your master.”
Dev arched an eyebrow at the thought. “I’m content to play the minion as long as it suits me. I like variety, and this ménage of ours meets my needs. Daniel is very aggressive. He’s everything one could want from a male. Zoey is a heavenly bit of femininity. I enjoy both, and I’m unwilling to deny myself either. Zoey and Daniel are somewhat liberated in their sexual thinking. I don’t have to hide one from the other.”
“I agree with you. I’m of the same persuasion. I admire males and females equally.” Marini took in the low cut of my dress. “You’re right about Mrs. Donovan, though she pretends to be demure and retiring when I’m around. Do I frighten you? I rather think not. I think you’re behaving yourself, Mrs. Donovan, for your husband’s sake. You can keep your mouth shut all you like, but your eyes tell a different tale. Your eyes flash fire, chère. In different times, you would have been a great courtesan holding court with the kings and nobles of the age.”