Dark Seduction (Vampire Royals of New York #2) - Sarah Piper Page 0,8
thoughts. Charlotte D’Amico wasn’t his responsibility anymore. She was a regrettable distraction—an indulgence he could no longer afford.
“This the place?” Cole asked, slowing his ancient pickup truck in front of the turnoff for Luna del Mar.
Dorian nodded and directed him to a spot at the back of the parking lot, out of sight of the main road.
The sun was just peeking up over the horizon, struggling to break through a thick blanket of clouds. The day hadn’t even begun, but Dorian could already tell it was going to be wet and gray.
He should’ve welcomed the relief from the sun’s incessant assault on his eyes, but this morning, the damp, chilly weather only darkened his mood.
Cole killed the engine and retrieved a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket, peering through the windshield at the café’s back entrance. “I don’t like dealin’ with demons, Red. Smokey little fuckers always leave a bad taste in my mouth.”
“I’m surprised you can taste anything at all, what with that unfortunate tobacco habit.” Dorian popped open the glovebox and retrieved Cole’s lighter. “Anyway, you don’t have to deal with them—not today. Wait for me here. If I’m not out in thirty—”
“What, no dogs allowed? I put on my best flannel.”
“Yes, and don’t think I don’t appreciate the effort.” Dorian wrenched open the door and slid out from the cab, gesturing for Cole to stay put.
When it’d become clear that Dorian was heading to the meeting with or without a witch, Cole insisted on accompanying him, leaving his wolves to deal with the two grays they’d trapped in the woods. Dorian was more than glad for the company, but he wouldn’t let the man put himself directly in harm’s way.
If things went south with Chernikov, he didn’t want the wolf anywhere near it.
“The terms of the Accords forbid me from bringing backup without advanced warning,” he explained.
“Thought they prohibited meeting without a witch too, but here you are, charging in like the bloodsucking Lone Ranger.”
“Such is the burden of a vampire king.” With a wry grin, Dorian tossed his phone to Cole. “If I don’t return, someone will need to phone Aiden and my brothers with the news of my untimely demise and make arrangements for my priceless collection of scotch.”
“Well, shit, brother. If I’d known you were putting me in the will, I would’ve come outta hiding months ago.” Cole lit his cigarette and sucked in a deep drag, then exhaled a plume of smoke in Dorian’s direction. “But seriously, asshole. We just got the band back together. Try not to get yourself killed.”
“Dorian Redthorne, my old friend.” Chernikov beamed at him, holding court at the same private-room table they’d shared last time, his usual array of vodka bottles lined up like little soldiers. “My sources tell me you have demon problem.”
“We have a demon problem, Nikolai.” Dorian sat down across from him, taking in the demon’s appearance. Mornings didn’t agree with him; his hair was unkempt, his suit wrinkled. Beneath a thin sheen of sweat, the snake tattoo around his neck looked particularly unpleasant.
“No hocus pocus today?” Chernikov glanced toward the doorway as if he expected Marlys to appear, toting her bag of tricks.
“I’m trusting we can both remain civilized this morning. Do not make me regret that decision.”
“I don’t attack my friends, Dorian Redthorne. Do not make me regret that decision, either. Coffee?” Chernikov snapped his fingers for the waitress.
Still buzzing from the inescapable rush of Charlotte’s blood, Dorian wasn’t interested in a caffeine hit, but he nodded anyway, figuring the mug would give him something to do with his hands. He’d only been in the demon’s presence a few moments, and already the need to choke him was making his fingers twitch.
The waitress returned quickly, delivering two fresh coffees with nothing more than a smile. When she disappeared back into the main area of the café, Chernikov lowered his voice and said, “You are right. Demon problem is mutual.”
Dorian tightened his grip on the mug. “I presume you heard about the attack at my residence last night?”
“They were not my guys.”
“Then how did you learn of it so quickly?”
“Demon and vampire attack the king. More demons follow. Gray vampires run loose upstate.” He glanced at Dorian’s shoulder, where a spot of blood from the earlier wolf attack soaked through his shirt. “Wolves make error in judgment.”
Dorian continued to glare, but Chernikov only shrugged.
“News travels fast in this city, vampire king.” He grabbed a nearly-spent bottle of vodka and dumped a healthy splash