tonight, excitement filled the room like the scent of frying bacon.
André silenced the group with a look. His age alone would have commanded respect—Jake estimated him to be about fifteen hundred years old—but the ancient vampire also possessed wisdom nearly everyone appreciated. He’d held the top position for over a hundred years.
“My brothers and sisters,” André said, his voice just above a whisper, “I’m happy to see so many here. We’ve suffered several recent losses, and I will sorely miss Shadow and William Sears.”
Jake glanced around the room, lit by a half dozen oil lamps. He hadn’t yet noticed the absence of the two mentioned, perhaps because he was having a difficult time taking his eyes off Katie. Her invitation had left him way beyond horny. His hands shook with anticipation, so he tucked them into the pockets of his pants.
André had his attention now.
“Society changes. The reason we are here, when so many before us have perished, is that we have learned to change with it. Many times, I’ve seen scourges that have threatened to wipe us out—periods in history where belief has made us visible to our mortal prey. One such scourge is upon us again.”
Whispers rose as vampires discussed this news.
André raised one hand, and the cabin fell silent again.
“This threat has come,” he continued, “in the form of vampire hunters, produced by the recent popularity of Van Helsing.”
Ah, the old moving pictures. Jake had realized they’d be a hit the first time he’d seen one, and he certainly hadn’t been wrong.
“When the myth of vampires—”
Chuckles filled the cabin.
“—was rekindled in recent times, we were endangered by those who wished to emulate us. They were able to see us for what we were. But this is much worse. The vampire hunters know our weaknesses. They are effectively armed and determined to wipe us from the face of the earth.”
A fair fight. Jake grinned. How long had it been since he’d stared a worthy opponent in the eye, when he’d stood an equal chance of living or dying? The thought caused his heart to quickly beat several times in a row.
One thing he’d missed since coming into the Night was standing on even ground, testing his nerve against that of another man, feeling the weight of his revolver on his hip. He’d nearly given up early on when he’d realized there was no challenge.
And then he’d spent several decades playing with fire, running the risk of exposure just to test his courage. Skidmore had actually saved him once when he’d decided to see how long he could face the sun. He’d purposely driven to a spot in the high New Mexico desert where he had no shelter, then waited. The sun had not just burned his skin as he’d expected, but had sucked out his strength so that he collapsed, unable to move. As he cried out in excruciating pain, he’d suddenly been whisked into darkness, and discovered caves he hadn’t known existed. Skidmore had laughed at his folly, then nursed him back to health.
That was when he’d met Katie.
“I think we should round them all up and drain them,” Katie said. “We’ll show them who they’re messing with.”
Cheers of support rose, but André raised both hands. “One moment, please.”
Katie folded her arms across her chest and frowned.
The ancient vampire spoke again. “We cannot simply have a portion of the population disappear without lending credence to their claims of dangerous monsters. I propose that we first study the group—find out exactly who they are.”
“Know your enemy,” Jake muttered.
“Once we understand them, we will find a way to discredit them.”
“I prefer Katie’s method,” Skidmore said. Several others in the room agreed with him.
“I understand the desire for action,” André said. “That desire is in our makeup. And it is what will be our undoing if we are not careful. We don’t want to create more vampire hunters than already exist, do we?”
Jake sighed, impressed once again with the ancient’s wisdom.
“I suggest we allow our enforcement committee to do its duty, and perhaps reconvene in two weeks. During that time, we can all keep our ears open for information. Sound reasonable?”
Nearly everyone nodded.
“Fine. Is there other business?”
Any minor squabbles that had existed prior to the meeting had vanished.
André nodded dismissal, then turned to talk to his enforcers.
Jake greeted several vampires he knew as he made his way toward Katie.
She watched him approach, her eyes glowing and a smile threatening at the corners of her luscious lips.
André gripped Jake’s shoulder in a friendly greeting. “Perhaps we can persuade you to assist us, dear friend.”
“Perhaps,” Jake said, focused on the object of his intense and growing desire.
“You have contacts in Santa Fe, do you not?”
Jake nodded.
“Good. Let me know what you learn.”
“Will do.” Jake held out his hand to Katie. “It’s getting late.”
“Very,” she answered, flashing a quick smile at André as she entwined her fingers with Jake’s.
Ignoring the attempt by others to engage them in conversation, the two left the cabin and hurried into the woods where they could find some privacy.
If Skidmore didn’t hurry, Jake would leave for Katie’s place without him. The old vampire would have to fend for himself.
Katie’s body vibrated. The energy of desire flowed from her fingers like waves of electricity as she ran her hands over her own skin.
Jake watched, his eyes glowing, his erection large enough to make her drool. His body was long and lean, but his limbs were powerful, and his stomach and chest rippled with muscles. She’d always loved his physique. And she loved to make him tremble with wanting her.
Flickering candlelight sent shadows dancing around Jake as Katie moved in time with the music playing on her Victrola. Blues. She loved blues. She loved to dance naked to blues.
“Damn, woman,” Jake muttered, “you’re driving me nuts.”
“Good.” She moved closer, her arms folded behind her head. “Anticipation raises the heat.”
“Gets much higher, I’ll burst into flames.” He stroked his cock with one hand as he watched her and gripped the seat of the chair with the other. His fangs dented his bottom lip, and his blue eyes sparkled with golden streaks.
Katie danced around to the back
