The long nights present ample opportunities for trouble as Faith Luvena is about to find out. A heavy cargo of priceless jewels is about to slip from Simon’s grasp, but the ancient vampire isn’t about to lose the chance to capture such magnificent beauty. He drags Faith to the far sides of the city in pursuit of all the necessary tools, including a magnificent machine and its unreliable driver. The hunt is on as they race against time and an armored truck to snatch their prey from their foes.
I screamed as the car tumbled end-over-end. My hands clasped the sides and my seat belt cut into my gut as the world around me spun in a dizzying circle of colors.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. That wasn’t how my night started, but it made for one hell of a finish. My night started in the evening. I shuffled out of my bedroom that was situated in the penthouse of one Simon Cruor. Whether or not that was his real name, I don’t know. That was the name he used, and when an ancient vampire used a name most people didn’t argue the point.
Except me. I could argue with him. He was after all my lover and creator. What was he going to do? Ground me to his bedroom?
I found my aforementioned lover seated on the couch with his crossed feet on the coffee table. I reached the back of the couch and leaned forward. His eyes were closed and he held very still. He appeared dead. Well, deader than usual.
“Was there something you wanted?”
I yelped and jumped back. Simon hadn’t opened his eyes, and the only movement from him came from his delicious lips.
I clutched my chest over my thumping heart and glared at him. “Don’t you ever get tired of scaring me?”
A smile slipped onto his lips and he chuckled. “No.” His eyes flickered open to reveal their brilliant red color. “Though I must admit I am tired now.” He stood and glanced around the richly-furnished penthouse. His eyes narrowed and his lips pursed together. “What a dull night this is.”
I walked around the couch and plopped myself onto a cushion. A sigh escaped my lips as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “Yeah. Great, isn’t it? No vampires chasing us, no guards chasing us, and no tax collectors chasing us.”
“Perhaps it’s time to deal with some unfinished business I have with our old acquaintances the Gemmarius’s.”
I opened my eyes and frowned at him. “You mean the jewel guy?”
Simon nodded. “Yes. It seems he’s moving many of his valuables out of his store and into a depository on the island of Avalon in the bay.”
I raised an eyebrow. “So?”
A sly half-smile slipped onto his lips. “So our old acquaintances have provided us with quite a challenge.”
I shrugged. “What’s the big deal about an island? That last compound was practically one. You can just get your crazy friends together and do it all over again.”
Simon shook his head. “This island is rather different. The owner is a-” He paused and chuckled. “Well, we shall call him a very old acquaintance. If I were to land on the island, he would know.”
“So what’s your point?” I asked him.
“My point is we would have very little chance to steal any items once they were in the depository of that island,” he summarized. “We must find another way.”
I groaned and ran a hand down my face. “Seriously? After all the trouble we had last time, you want to do this again?” I paused and furrowed my brow. My narrowed eyes flickered to him. “Come to think of it, you didn’t do all that much the last time.”
Simon chuckled and pulled out his phone. “It was rather selfish of you four to have all the fun, wasn’t it?”
I snorted. “Yeah, great fun.” Simon dialed a number and put the phone to his ear. “Who are you-” He held up a finger.
I heard a faint female voice answer the phone. “What’s up, dark and gruesome?”
Simon smiled. “Good evening, Miss Makon. I was interested in seeing your latest selection of fast vehicles.”
The person on the other end laughed. “Too late. I just sold the last one.”
Simon frowned. “I see. And when will a new vehicle be available?”
“Don’t know, but I’ve got an idea. How about you and I go on a date?” she asked him.
My eyebrows involuntarily crashed down. Simon’s eyes flickered to me and his mischievous smile returned. “That sounds very tempting, Miss Makon. What do you say to a three-some?”
“Well, I’m easy just as long as the other person’s a cute guy,” Makon replied.
Simon chuckled. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you. My guest will be a woman.”
“All right, have it your way, but I expect you to buy me a hot dog. We meet at the racing circuit in an hour. Got it?”
Simon gave a small nod. “Agreed. I look forward to seeing you.”
“And I look forward to seeing your wallet. Later.”
Simon hung up the phone and turned to me. His gleaming red eyes studied my face. “You appeared to be a little troubled by my conversation.”
I crossed my arms and glared at him. “I don’t like you shoving me into another suicide attempt, that’s all.”
He pocketed his phone. “You could remain here if you wish, and I will go on this date alone. Miss Makon is a lovely young woman.”
I rolled my eyes. “Like I have a choice? Who else if going to keep you out of trouble.” The door opened and Certus stepped inside. I waved my hand at him. “Certus?”
Simon half-turned to his servant and chauffeur. “Is the car prepared?”
Certus bowed. “It is.”
“Excellent. Then let’s be off.”
I raised my hand. “Off where exactly?”
Simon faced me and offered me his hand. His eyes met mine and his smile softened. “Do you trust me?”
My eyes flickered from his to his hand and back. “I guess.”
“Then trust me when I tell you this will be exciting,” he told me.
I sighed, but took his hand and met his gaze. “All right, but I expect to come out of this alive.”
He clasped his fingers over my hand and chuckled. “I can guarantee no more life than you have, but come. We leave behind boredom and go forward to see what adventure awaits us.”
