Eye of the Beholder Read online

  “What the hell were you thinking?” I said rather loudly. Now that the danger was over, I was pissed. “You don’t just run off into an unknown situation, vampire or not.”

  Cassius raised an eyebrow and the other vampire coughed slightly and turned his gaze away.

  “Vulcan—”

  “There could have been more slayers lying in wait. I don’t care how tough you think you are. Don’t do something like that again.”

  He regarded me for a moment in silence before inclining his head. It might not have been agreement, but at least it was acknowledgment.

  “Well done,” he said after another awkward moment, nodding toward the woman.

  I hissed out a breath. “Yeah, you too.” I finally took a good look at the other vampire and recognized him from the duchess’s coven, though I didn’t know his name.

  “She tricked you?” I asked. “Lured you into an ambush?”

  The vampire appeared chagrined. “Aye, that she did, laddie.” The thick Scottish brogue was strange to hear on a Malibu beach, but pleasant enough.

  Cassius’s nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed. “You’re bleeding.”

  I glanced down at the back of my hand, the thin line of blood black under the moonlight. “Yeah, dammit.” Then I eyed both vampires. “That going to be a problem? I don’t have anything to cover the wound.”

  “There be something in the house,” the Scottish vampire said, jerking his thumb behind himself.

  “Is this city getting more dangerous or are we always at the right place at the wrong time?”

  Cassius smirked. “I find it quite stimulating.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Right, you hate being bored.” I sighed. Would he eventually get bored with me? “Guess we need to interrupt the duchess’s evening.”

  Cassius eyed the slayers. “She will not be pleased.”

  No, she was not. Her gaze could freeze fire as she scanned her vampires. They filled the ballroom. Every single one of her coven had been called. I stood on one end of the room and somehow Cassius ended up on the other side.

  “How did the Ashwoods enter my city without us knowing?” She pinned a few of the vampires with her deadly gaze and they ducked their heads. “How is it that with all our technology and surveillance and informants at airports and car rentals, these three managed to slip under our notice and attack those under my protection?”

  No one had an answer for her.

  “Have we grown complacent, children?”

  I caught Cassius’s eye. He stood like a soldier, his face a mask. But when I kept his gaze and rolled my eyes, his lips twitched. Then, just for the hell of it, I crossed my eyes. He coughed, covering his mouth with his hand, disguising a laugh. Feeling proud of myself for causing him to lose his composure, I turned my attention back to the duchess. Either she didn’t notice or pretended not to.

  Death had come close to claiming me on that beach. Closer than even with the ghouls or the vampire at the club. Cassius had raced off to save a fellow vampire, and I could only be grateful for their supernatural abilities and that there weren’t more slayers. Vampires were only conditionally immortal.

  I didn’t want him to die. He was already too important to me.

  Her Grace gave reprimands and orders and the vampires scurried to comply. Then she gestured for the three of us attacked to come closer. The Scottish vampire, Logan, still seemed chagrined and rubbed the back of his neck.

  She eyed him. “You truly sensed nothing from the woman?”

  He sighed heavily. “Nay, Your Grace. I sensed no deception and a fair amount of arousal. I thought she be only human.”

  She gazed at Cassius. “Why were you and Vulcan there?”

  “I chose the spot to relax,” he said. “I had no knowledge of the slayers.”

  “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” she said with a snarl. “No one had a bloody clue.” Then she let out a spat of French that made Cassius wince. I didn’t understand a bit of it, and I decided I didn’t want to.

  Once she quieted, I asked, “Are they responsible for Dain?”

  She pursed her lips. “No. How relieving it would be if they were.”

  It was a struggle not to let disappointment crush me. “What will happen to them?” I asked.

  Her eyes flashed with fury. “The council will decide. Logan, Cassius, the sun is soon to rise, so you will stay here. Vulcan, Charlie can take you home.”

  “My bike is at his condo.” I jerked a thumb at Cassius.

  “Charlie will take you wherever you wish to go.” She turned and stalked out, anger looking good on her.

  “I’m grateful for the help,” Logan said to Cassius.

  “You’re welcome. Be more careful next time.”

  “Aye. No need to tell me twice, laddie.”

  Cassius raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing. Logan left and the two of us stood in silence for a moment.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked.

  I sighed. “Yes, I’m fine. It was a superficial cut. I can protect myself.”

  “Never said you couldn’t.”

  “That was an interesting end to the night.” I headed out of the ballroom and down the stairs.

  Cassius followed. “Agreed. While I enjoyed it, I’d rather not have more of them like that.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I hear that. Later.”

  “Vulcan.”

  “What?”

  He hugged me.

  I froze.

  He squeezed tightly for a moment before straightening and dropping his hands. “Have a good day.”

  “I—yeah, uh. You too. Wait, no.” Completely flustered, I coughed and turned to the door. “Night.”

  “Take care.”

  The butler closed the door behind me, and I walked quickly to the limo without looking back.

  Chapter Eight

  Halloween snuck up on me. It was the duchess’s favorite holiday and La Rose would be packed, and not just with paranormals, but with college kids enrolled at the university. Fresh blood. She invited me personally and let me know that Cassius would be joining in the festivities. Great. Now I felt obligated to go. But what should I go as? No one would be admitted without a costume.

  What would Cassius be?

  It’s a surprise, he’d texted me one night when I’d asked him. I think you’ll appreciate it.

  I was dusting the nightstand in Dain’s old room when I got inspired. I picked up the one and only picture we had together. We’d gone to Disneyland, of all places, and there we were, both wearing sunglasses, me with a cocky smile and holding a thick wad of cotton candy. Dain didn’t smile, and he looked brutish and so-serious. Yet he’d been the one to insist on the picture and had taken it himself. Our faces were close together, and I remembered the weight of his arm when he’d wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling me close. In the background was Cinderella’s castle.

  “I miss you,” I whispered. I set the picture down and finished dusting before I left, shutting the door behind me.

  Dain hadn’t been his real name. He’d chosen it from Old Norse mythology. He was always partial to the dwarves. And that’s what I would be. I was going to be a dwarf. I hurried to my phone and rang Nicole.

  “Shields and Steel, this is Nicole, how my I help you?”

  “I need a costume, stat. Can you help me?”

  Silence. Then, “How much you willing to pay?”

  “How much you wanting to charge me?”

  She snorted. “Come on by, you idiot.”

  I grinned and hung up.

  There would be a scavenger hunt, candy galore, special drinks, and dutifully cheesy décor. I was armed and ready. Literally. I brought my biggest forging hammer and everything. I had to remove my beard for the bouncer to confirm my identity before he’d let me in. The place was packed. As expected, most costumes were of the “barely-there” type… sexy nurses and teachers and doctors, of all genders. I hadn’t gone to one of these in a few years, and I’d apparently
forgotten the amount of flesh that would be on display. I might have been considered out of place with my fully-covering costume but I didn’t care.

  I made my way to the bar, keeping an eye out for Cassius and the duchess. I squinted at her VIP alcove that was cordoned off on its own. I noted a few thralls but no duchess.

  “Jesse!” I shouted and held up two fingers.

  He took one look at me and laughed, nodding in approval. I grinned and casually swung my hammer, easily avoiding hitting anyone. I pushed to the bar, past two risqué zombies that looked way too hot to be rotting corpses, and snatched the drinks.

  “You seen Cassius?” I asked.

  Jesse nodded toward the end of the bar.

  “Thanks.”

  I took my drinks and made my way past a dizzying amount of people. The low light didn’t allow me to notice the details of many of the costumes—though everyone I bumped into had certainly put creativity and effort in their appearances. Apparently the bouncers had been told to keep out the lazy folks.

  A shoving match ensued right next to me, and one of the idiots shoved into me. I couldn’t catch myself in time and ended up slamming into someone’s back and spilling both of my drinks. At least I didn’t drop my hammer on anyone’s foot.

  “Fucking idiots.” I pushed away from the person’s back that felt weirdly like armor. I steadied myself. “Sorry, I—”

  I stopped. I stared.

  Even as he turned, I knew who it was, and I recognized his costume. How could I not? Cassius grinned upon seeing me. I swept my gaze from head to foot, admiring not only the replica Centurion armor but the way it fit him. Clearly tailored to fit his frame, he looked every bit the soldier and appeared even taller and broader. Truly an intimidating sight, even off the battlefield. The segmented armored breastplate and shoulder plates gleamed under the colored lights and the red stood out starkly against his pale skin. His firm legs were on full display and he even wore the open leather boots. There was the sword I’d made him at his side, along with a dagger, and his extravagate helmet sat on the bar, the plumage along the top as red as his tunic and cloak.

  I tried not to swallow my tongue.

  He took a step back and put on the helmet, the cheek and neck guards obscuring most of his face, before setting one hand on the hilt of his sword.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  My mouth was dry. I tried to clear my throat and push out sound. “You’re supposed to come as you’re not.”

  He grinned wider. “You disapprove?”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” Thank God my voice was steady. And thank God my costume was a bit bulky to give me fake heft and covered any obvious erection from sight. “You didn’t cut your hair.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not that devoted to the performance.” He took off the helmet and set it back on the bar. “I admire your costume. You’re a dwarf, yes?”

  I forced myself to smile and tried not to ogle. “Yep. I’m Brokkr, the dwarf that made Thor’s Hammer.”

  Cassius smiled. “I thought that was Eitri.”

  “Brokkr did all the work.”

  He chuckled. “I know the tale well. I met a few Vikings in my younger years.”

  I sighed heavily. “I hate it when you say things like that.”

  He laughed. “You love it.”

  I snorted and bent down to grab the empty shot glasses, mourning the waste. And the sticky floor. Well, stickier. I set the glasses on the bar. At least they weren’t broken.

  “Let me get you replacements.”

  “It’s all right.”

  “I insist.” Cassius flagged down Jesse.

  All right then. “How long you been here?”

  “Only a few minutes. I arrived with the duchess and at least half the coven. The rest will arrive later tonight.”

  Just then the volume of the music lowered until the relentless drumbeat faded all together. The confusion of the crowd replaced it. I looked at the stage and smiled. Then frowned.

  “Is… is Her Grace dressed as Marie Antoinette?”

  Cassius stepped beside me and nodded. “Indeed, she is. I have always appreciated her sense of humor. If you get close enough to her, you’ll see fake stitches along her neck.”

  I snorted.

  “I bid you all a good night,” Her Grace said from the stage, her towering hair and overly-frilled dress giving her petite frame a sense of largeness it didn’t have. She looked like a frosted pastry. And she had to be wearing a wig, she was definitely no blonde.

  “To my witches and wizards, zombies and monsters, to the dead and undead among us, be welcome this Samhain night. Feast, revel, and indulge in your delights my children, for this is the night to quench your passions and to embrace the lustful darkness inside your souls.”

  Cheers and applause. I raised an eyebrow as Cassius and I clapped. She was clearly speaking to vampires and any werewolves that were brave enough to enter. Interesting. Was she giving the true creatures of the night free rein until sunrise?

  Cassius must have thought the same thing because he leaned down. “Perhaps it would be wise if you stayed beside me tonight.”

  “Perhaps it would,” I said. I had mixed feelings about Her Grace’s intent. She was a predator and had to be a ruthless yet fair leader to keep her position. But how many vamps would think she’d given them permission to kill? While I knew humans were basically cattle to most night creatures, I didn’t like seeing us treated as such firsthand.

  The duchess disappeared and the music started again.

  “I really think I should skip the booze tonight,” I said.

  “Yes, I agree. I will as well.”

  I glanced at his face. “Her Grace insisted that I come.”

  He frowned and patted my shoulder. Like with his previous touches, I felt it all the way to my toes.

  “Vulcan.”

  I jumped and muttered a curse before turning to Her Grace. She stood right behind us and smiled as she gazed at my costume. I’d probably made it more Gimli from The Lord of the Rings movies with Nicole adding a few flourishes and details that only we’d notice. I also had on a dark wig and fake beard to complete the classic dwarven look. Her eyes twinkled with amusement and the corner of her mouth ticked up.

  “Dance with me,” she said.

  It was then I noticed the current song was slower than usual. I bowed to her.

  “I would be honored.”

  She giggled like a girl and slipped her arm around mine. I looked at my hammer and before I could debate what to do with it, Cassius plucked it from my hand. I glanced at him wordlessly before leading her to the dancefloor. Once again I internally thanked Dain for his insistence on training, this time on dance lessons. I’d never known the point until after he was gone and the duchess started to invite me to social engagements. Engagements he’d attended when I’d still been his apprentice.

  I led her into a waltz and mentally counted the steps as we rotated around the dancefloor. Everyone gave us a wide berth, which relieved me. She pulled me in tighter and pressed her cool cheek to mine, her lips brushing my ear. I swallowed hard. Her teeth were a bit too close to my neck for comfort.

  “Do not worry for yourself or your fellow humans, mon cher. They will be treated like kings and queens this night. I take great pride in having my patrons leave happy.”

  Some of the tension in my neck eased.

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  She kissed my cheek and loosened her hold, putting space between us.

  “You look radiant, by the way,” I said.

  She fluttered her eyelashes. “I knew dear Marie ages ago. She deserved the guillotine.”

  I winced. The duchess rarely gave personal information about her past and all the little tidbits I’d learned over the years were enough to let me know that despite being an aristocrat, she’d been the darling of the common people. Yet only becoming a vampire had saved her from a beheading.

  “Our dear centurion looks quite fetching this nigh
t, does he not?”

  I couldn’t stop the smile. “Can’t deny it. Um, Madame, about the ghouls in La Rose weeks ago… I’ve been hearing some rumblings.”

  “There is internal struggle with the beasts,” she said and wrinkled her nose. Cutely. “It spilled into my club. I haven’t thanked you personally for assisting in subduing the beasts.”

  “Cassius and your bouncers did most of the work.”

  “Do not underestimate your contribution, mon cher.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  The song ended. I bowed and she curtsied, elegantly despite the hair. I was honestly waiting for her to topple over from the weight. She seemed to barely acknowledge it. As I straightened, I suddenly realized why she’d asked me to dance. Despite her reassurances to my safety, she’d visibly put me under her protection, alerting every fiend in the club that I was off limits.

  Something of my realization must have shown on my face because she smirked and winked before sauntering off.

  I was about to leave the dancefloor when a steely arm I knew well slipped around my waist and pulled me against an armored chest. I snorted and slapped a hand to Cassius’s chest even as my heart fluttered and my dick pulsed with interest.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  He grinned. “My turn.”

  Another slow song had followed the first, and Cassius led me smoothly into a slow dance. It wasn’t a waltz but close enough that I followed without too much stumbling.

  What was happening between us? Why was I allowing it?

  “What did you do with my hammer?” I asked.

  “It’s with my helmet behind the bar.”

  “Who made your armor?”

  Cassius chuckled. “I’ll get you her number. She lives in Romania.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded, his expression soft, his smile gentle.

  I couldn’t look at his face anymore. I scanned the dancefloor, heart beating a bit too fast. He was too intimate and open, and I didn’t know how to handle it. Well, I knew how I wanted to handle it but that was out of the question.