Chapter I
Damn Thea, Blaise thought angrily. Sometimes she really hated her cousin. They were best friends and had been raised practically as sisters, getting shuffled together from relative to relative and school to school. Thea was the only person in the whole world who understood her and she had always been there for Blaise until now. Even though the two of them were as different as night and day, they had been inseparable until three months ago.
It wasn't Thea's fault that she was perfectly nice and ethereally beautiful with her wispy long blonde hair and doe-like brown eyes. It wasn't Thea's fault that her gentleness attracted the love of all the people around her, while Blaise's own dark sultry beauty ignited fear, obsession, and lust. It wasn't Thea's fault that everyone loved her, and of course she would be the one to find her soulmate, even if he was only a human. Now that Thea had gone, Blaise felt alone in the world and betrayed by her cousin. She had tried to convince herself that she was fine. There were some perks to being an only child. The room that she and Thea had shared now belonged to her and she had more freedom without Thea's censure.
Three months ago, Thea had fallen in love with a human named Eric. They had been turned in by a spying snivel of a witch and had been forced to leave for Circle Daybreak. Well at least that bitch Sheena got hers, she thought wickedly. The poor girl wouldn't be able to sleep for years. She smiled absently and examined her blood red nails. There had been rumors that the third witch's circle was being resurrected. Supposedly it was full of human loving Nightworlders who just wanted to be happy with the whole world. That was definitely not her style, so Blaise had chosen not to go with Thea although they had kept in secret contact over the last few months.
I really have to stop moping, she thought. Life should be good. It was summer break, she was in L.A. again, and she was the last female in the Harman line, making her practically royalty amongst the witches and heir to the kingdom. Blaise knew that Grandma Harman probably despaired of her and probably wished anyone but she were in position as the next in line. She didn't care. She loved trouble and her power over people, men especially. She licked her lips and decided to go have some fun. She slipped into the sleek red mini-skirt she had just bought and red spiked heels and studied her reflection in the mirror. Her smoldering gray eyes were luminous against her pale skin, and her long silky black hair hung sensuously about her, witchlike in appearance. She smiled as her reflection stared back at her in mute approval. She quickly added makeup to her face and a ruby drop necklace that nestled at the base of her throat. The fact was simply, she was dressed to kill.
After Thea had left, Grandma Harman had sensed her anguish and had bought her a car so Toby wouldn't have to drive her around. It was a red sports coupe, and she loved it. As she came roaring up to the club in her new car, she watched as people turned in admiration of her. They all pay homage to me, she thought smugly. Thea has nothing on me. It was just like Thea to fall in love with one of those dopey humans. They were so gullible and susceptible to everything...mere playthings in her eyes. She suppressed her bitter thoughts as she approached the club. If L.A. can't cheer me up, then nothing can, she thought. The club was a flashy display, because this was L.A. and controlled by Nightworld. Both sides of the entrance were illuminated in the shape of an iris by black lights, and she could here the pounding of the music from deep within the building. A bouncer at the front door looked her up and down assessing each inch of her. Werewolves were the worst of the shape shifting scum. "Get out of my way, werewolf," she snapped impatiently and swept past him regally leaving him scowling into the darkness. She was angry tonight and was not in the mood to stand under the lascivious stare of some moron. Normally she would have batted her eyelashes at him and welcomed his admiration with amusement, but today she didn't feel like putting up with his impertinence. The new club was huge and nicely decorated. The harsh underworld music beat unmercilessly, wave after wave, against the clubber's ears. It was pure and feral, the music, and it made Blaise want to tear out her hair and scream her frustration at the world. Instead, she walked purposefully toward the dance floor and inserted herself between two sexy looking vampires. She wrapped her slender arms around one vampire's neck and proceeded to dance towards oblivion. --
It felt damn good to be on downtime. I really do need a break, he thought to himself. He had been on assignment for too long, and whoever said an assassin's work was glamorous was dead wrong. Malik Tigris, one of Nightworld's most dangerous and feared assassins, was dead tired and bone weary. So he wasn't famous like the Cat, but that was because he dealt with only very high profile cases. He was selective, and hired out exclusively to only those with the means enough to entice him and his team. He sat at the bar of the new Club Iris that had opened, and carelessly watched the dancers as the primal music throbbed around him. It was so good to just relax for once. Tomorrow he would be back at work and tonight was probably his last night for him to enjoy himself. Now all I need is a woman to warm my bed tonight. He knew what women saw when they looked at him. They saw the longish dark auburn of his hair, his chiseled nose and sensuously hard mouth. They saw his perfectly sculpted physique, and his bad boy look. It wasn't their fault, that they were so instinctively drawn to him like moths to a flame. They stared longingly into his magnetic liquid gold and silver eyes and sighed for all the could bes. They studied his lanky elegance and almost feral grace from under their half opened lids with lust. He knew his effect on women. It would be no hard trial to find one tonight, he thought wryly to himself. Malik had already spied more than several women casting him come hither looks. It had become too easy. Lately he had been turned off by the lack of challenge, disappointed in both his womanly pursuits as well as in his work. I'm too jaded. He thought disparagingly to himself. His eyes flicked onto the newest arrival. He watched as she swept regally past the werewolf that guarded the door. She was a sight of lustrous black hair that seemed to have a life of it's own. He watched as she glided expertly across the dance floor and sensuously extricated herself between two vampire thugs. He found himself watching her intently as she started dancing. Something about the way she danced moved him, and ripped at something in the center of his being. It wasn't the skintight red mini-skirt she wore that clung to her curves like a second skin, and oh she did have curves. It wasn't even that gorgeous face of hers that promised so many dark things. It was the way she danced like this was the last dance she would ever dance that shook him. The sense of complete abandon was evident in her every movement. She danced so beautifully he thought his heart would break, if only he had one. Her dance was compelling, elemental, and self-destructive in the most gorgeous way. Malik didn't even notice when he found himself making his way to where she was dancing. Although the individual features of her face were obscured by the darkness in the club, he could tell that she was gorgeous. As he touched the small of her back ever so slightly, luminous gray eyes met his through veil of long smoky lashes and a wicked smile played between her ruby red lips. She snaked her arms around the gorgeous guy in front of her. Something about him told her he was special. He had beautiful dark brown hair that periodically shined with auburn streaks as the lights hit it. His face was all planes, hard, cold, and serious. Time to make him less serious she thought wryly. She wrapped her fingers through his silky hair and stared deeply into his fathomless eyes. Suddenly her world exploded (trite, very trite), and their minds were connected. She could feel his confusion, anger, and finally his awe. The mental contact was unbearably sweet and much too much. She broke it off abruptly shaking with fear. It couldn't be! It was impossible what had just happened, she suddenly panicked at its implications, turned so quickly that she almost tripped in her heels to get away, and ran quickly out of the club into the night. --
He sat morosely at the bar going over mentally again and again what had happened. What had happened? So some witch girl put some spell on him, even though that didn't explain her strange reaction afterwards. No, he had felt her confusion and pain. He pushed that thought into the back of his mind. He took one more swig of the strong concoction in his glass and sauntered into the night. Tomorrow he was going to relax some more and find a beautiful woman to erase the thought of tonight. Malik grinned inwardly, he was going to look forward to that. When he walked into his apartment he felt a trickle of unease. Something was going to happen, the thought. The light was on in the kitchen and he could sense the three bodies in the other room. What was going on? He thought puzzled. He drew out his gun and approached his bedroom with caution. "Get out here where I can see you," was all he said. The three men stood and faced the door warily. Malik noted that two members of his team Yvres Montfleurre and Bryant Silverwood were there accompanied by a man he had never met before. All three looked at him with cool stares, though he did detect a flicker of unease cross Yvres blue eyes. It was Yvres who spoke first in his slightly clipped voice. "Malik, this is Quinn Redfern. He wants us to do a job, a very lucrative job." Malik stared unabashedly at Quinn, taking in the loose blond hair, icy blue eyes, and black clothes that covered a very slight frame. He was not put off by Quinn's looks. Vampires were strong and fast as hell in a fight, and this one held his body in such rigid control, he probably would have died of ulcers if he had been a human. Malik was familiar with the reputation of Quinn Redfern. He was Hunter Redfern's heir apparent as well as a very famous Nightworld operative. Quinn was especially known for his ruthlessness and efficiency. He glanced away from the vampire and looked over to his two friends. "Well, I thought we were on an extended break boys; a very extended break." He said menacingly. "To what pleasure do I owe this visit Redfern?" Quinn looked directly at Malik and let him feel the intensity of his stare. Malik turned his own stare at Quinn, and for a moment the silence was palpable. "This is an important mission that may have very important political implications," Quinn said slowly. "We want you to kidnap Blaise Harman. She's next in line to rule the witches." Malik briefly considered what Quinn said and immediately, "Why can't you do it yourself? And if we do agree, what's in it for us?" There had quite a bit of tension between the vampires and the witches recently. If they were to take the job, there was the risk that it would turn out to be much more than he was bargaining for, so Malik watched Quinn closely. "We don't want the Council or Nightworld to appear involved. The kidnapping has to be from an impartial party, then demands can be made that do not point back to partisans in the Council. That's why we need you; we can't afford any screw-ups. Of course all expenses will be paid, your identities will remain safe, and you will walk away from all this with six million dollars, half now, half later. You have four weeks." Quinn looked straight at Malik, but there was no change in expression across the other's face. Malik flicked his gaze to his partners and could see the excited light in Yvres and Bryant's eyes. "Done," he said. The two shook hands and Quinn left, promising to send further directions. Malik turned to the two and said wryly, "So I hope you two know that I'm still mad at you for cutting my break short, but let's say that six million may appease me a little when we get it." The other two grinned with satisfaction, and he sent Bryant to gather the others. "Tell them it's time to get off their lazy asses and work. We got a paycheck to earn." Malik had organized his five-person team a few years back, and now they were practically family. Yvres Montfleurre was a vampire with incredible telepathy skills. He had the classical vampire look with his black hair, straight, refined nose, glittering black eyes, and tall lean elegance. Bryant Silverwood on the other hand was a werewolf with the look of an all American football star. He had sandy blond hair, blue eyes, stood at medium- tall height and sported a very muscled body. The other two members of his team were Saiya Xue and Alyssa Talon. Saiya was also a vampire. She had amazing telepathic powers and a body to go with it. She had sleek blue- black hair that cascaded down her body, large almond shaped brown eyes, a small straight nose, succulent red lips, and a small trim body. Alyssa was equally sexy. She was a falcon shape shifter. She, like Malik, had arresting liquid gold eyes. She had golden brown hair, a honeyed complexion, a wide full mouth, and curves in all the right places. To an outsider watching the five of them sitting in his apartment, it would have looked like something off a set of a movie. Each person arrestingly beautiful and seeming sculpted from ice. Each member of his team were more than excellent fighters, and he was confident in all of their skills. This Blaise girl wouldn't stand a chance.
Damn Thea, Blaise thought angrily. Sometimes she really hated her cousin. They were best friends and had been raised practically as sisters, getting shuffled together from relative to relative and school to school. Thea was the only person in the whole world who understood her and she had always been there for Blaise until now. Even though the two of them were as different as night and day, they had been inseparable until three months ago.
It wasn't Thea's fault that she was perfectly nice and ethereally beautiful with her wispy long blonde hair and doe-like brown eyes. It wasn't Thea's fault that her gentleness attracted the love of all the people around her, while Blaise's own dark sultry beauty ignited fear, obsession, and lust. It wasn't Thea's fault that everyone loved her, and of course she would be the one to find her soulmate, even if he was only a human. Now that Thea had gone, Blaise felt alone in the world and betrayed by her cousin. She had tried to convince herself that she was fine. There were some perks to being an only child. The room that she and Thea had shared now belonged to her and she had more freedom without Thea's censure.
Three months ago, Thea had fallen in love with a human named Eric. They had been turned in by a spying snivel of a witch and had been forced to leave for Circle Daybreak. Well at least that bitch Sheena got hers, she thought wickedly. The poor girl wouldn't be able to sleep for years. She smiled absently and examined her blood red nails. There had been rumors that the third witch's circle was being resurrected. Supposedly it was full of human loving Nightworlders who just wanted to be happy with the whole world. That was definitely not her style, so Blaise had chosen not to go with Thea although they had kept in secret contact over the last few months.
I really have to stop moping, she thought. Life should be good. It was summer break, she was in L.A. again, and she was the last female in the Harman line, making her practically royalty amongst the witches and heir to the kingdom. Blaise knew that Grandma Harman probably despaired of her and probably wished anyone but she were in position as the next in line. She didn't care. She loved trouble and her power over people, men especially. She licked her lips and decided to go have some fun. She slipped into the sleek red mini-skirt she had just bought and red spiked heels and studied her reflection in the mirror. Her smoldering gray eyes were luminous against her pale skin, and her long silky black hair hung sensuously about her, witchlike in appearance. She smiled as her reflection stared back at her in mute approval. She quickly added makeup to her face and a ruby drop necklace that nestled at the base of her throat. The fact was simply, she was dressed to kill.
After Thea had left, Grandma Harman had sensed her anguish and had bought her a car so Toby wouldn't have to drive her around. It was a red sports coupe, and she loved it. As she came roaring up to the club in her new car, she watched as people turned in admiration of her. They all pay homage to me, she thought smugly. Thea has nothing on me. It was just like Thea to fall in love with one of those dopey humans. They were so gullible and susceptible to everything...mere playthings in her eyes. She suppressed her bitter thoughts as she approached the club. If L.A. can't cheer me up, then nothing can, she thought. The club was a flashy display, because this was L.A. and controlled by Nightworld. Both sides of the entrance were illuminated in the shape of an iris by black lights, and she could here the pounding of the music from deep within the building. A bouncer at the front door looked her up and down assessing each inch of her. Werewolves were the worst of the shape shifting scum. "Get out of my way, werewolf," she snapped impatiently and swept past him regally leaving him scowling into the darkness. She was angry tonight and was not in the mood to stand under the lascivious stare of some moron. Normally she would have batted her eyelashes at him and welcomed his admiration with amusement, but today she didn't feel like putting up with his impertinence. The new club was huge and nicely decorated. The harsh underworld music beat unmercilessly, wave after wave, against the clubber's ears. It was pure and feral, the music, and it made Blaise want to tear out her hair and scream her frustration at the world. Instead, she walked purposefully toward the dance floor and inserted herself between two sexy looking vampires. She wrapped her slender arms around one vampire's neck and proceeded to dance towards oblivion. --
It felt damn good to be on downtime. I really do need a break, he thought to himself. He had been on assignment for too long, and whoever said an assassin's work was glamorous was dead wrong. Malik Tigris, one of Nightworld's most dangerous and feared assassins, was dead tired and bone weary. So he wasn't famous like the Cat, but that was because he dealt with only very high profile cases. He was selective, and hired out exclusively to only those with the means enough to entice him and his team. He sat at the bar of the new Club Iris that had opened, and carelessly watched the dancers as the primal music throbbed around him. It was so good to just relax for once. Tomorrow he would be back at work and tonight was probably his last night for him to enjoy himself. Now all I need is a woman to warm my bed tonight. He knew what women saw when they looked at him. They saw the longish dark auburn of his hair, his chiseled nose and sensuously hard mouth. They saw his perfectly sculpted physique, and his bad boy look. It wasn't their fault, that they were so instinctively drawn to him like moths to a flame. They stared longingly into his magnetic liquid gold and silver eyes and sighed for all the could bes. They studied his lanky elegance and almost feral grace from under their half opened lids with lust. He knew his effect on women. It would be no hard trial to find one tonight, he thought wryly to himself. Malik had already spied more than several women casting him come hither looks. It had become too easy. Lately he had been turned off by the lack of challenge, disappointed in both his womanly pursuits as well as in his work. I'm too jaded. He thought disparagingly to himself. His eyes flicked onto the newest arrival. He watched as she swept regally past the werewolf that guarded the door. She was a sight of lustrous black hair that seemed to have a life of it's own. He watched as she glided expertly across the dance floor and sensuously extricated herself between two vampire thugs. He found himself watching her intently as she started dancing. Something about the way she danced moved him, and ripped at something in the center of his being. It wasn't the skintight red mini-skirt she wore that clung to her curves like a second skin, and oh she did have curves. It wasn't even that gorgeous face of hers that promised so many dark things. It was the way she danced like this was the last dance she would ever dance that shook him. The sense of complete abandon was evident in her every movement. She danced so beautifully he thought his heart would break, if only he had one. Her dance was compelling, elemental, and self-destructive in the most gorgeous way. Malik didn't even notice when he found himself making his way to where she was dancing. Although the individual features of her face were obscured by the darkness in the club, he could tell that she was gorgeous. As he touched the small of her back ever so slightly, luminous gray eyes met his through veil of long smoky lashes and a wicked smile played between her ruby red lips. She snaked her arms around the gorgeous guy in front of her. Something about him told her he was special. He had beautiful dark brown hair that periodically shined with auburn streaks as the lights hit it. His face was all planes, hard, cold, and serious. Time to make him less serious she thought wryly. She wrapped her fingers through his silky hair and stared deeply into his fathomless eyes. Suddenly her world exploded (trite, very trite), and their minds were connected. She could feel his confusion, anger, and finally his awe. The mental contact was unbearably sweet and much too much. She broke it off abruptly shaking with fear. It couldn't be! It was impossible what had just happened, she suddenly panicked at its implications, turned so quickly that she almost tripped in her heels to get away, and ran quickly out of the club into the night. --
He sat morosely at the bar going over mentally again and again what had happened. What had happened? So some witch girl put some spell on him, even though that didn't explain her strange reaction afterwards. No, he had felt her confusion and pain. He pushed that thought into the back of his mind. He took one more swig of the strong concoction in his glass and sauntered into the night. Tomorrow he was going to relax some more and find a beautiful woman to erase the thought of tonight. Malik grinned inwardly, he was going to look forward to that. When he walked into his apartment he felt a trickle of unease. Something was going to happen, the thought. The light was on in the kitchen and he could sense the three bodies in the other room. What was going on? He thought puzzled. He drew out his gun and approached his bedroom with caution. "Get out here where I can see you," was all he said. The three men stood and faced the door warily. Malik noted that two members of his team Yvres Montfleurre and Bryant Silverwood were there accompanied by a man he had never met before. All three looked at him with cool stares, though he did detect a flicker of unease cross Yvres blue eyes. It was Yvres who spoke first in his slightly clipped voice. "Malik, this is Quinn Redfern. He wants us to do a job, a very lucrative job." Malik stared unabashedly at Quinn, taking in the loose blond hair, icy blue eyes, and black clothes that covered a very slight frame. He was not put off by Quinn's looks. Vampires were strong and fast as hell in a fight, and this one held his body in such rigid control, he probably would have died of ulcers if he had been a human. Malik was familiar with the reputation of Quinn Redfern. He was Hunter Redfern's heir apparent as well as a very famous Nightworld operative. Quinn was especially known for his ruthlessness and efficiency. He glanced away from the vampire and looked over to his two friends. "Well, I thought we were on an extended break boys; a very extended break." He said menacingly. "To what pleasure do I owe this visit Redfern?" Quinn looked directly at Malik and let him feel the intensity of his stare. Malik turned his own stare at Quinn, and for a moment the silence was palpable. "This is an important mission that may have very important political implications," Quinn said slowly. "We want you to kidnap Blaise Harman. She's next in line to rule the witches." Malik briefly considered what Quinn said and immediately, "Why can't you do it yourself? And if we do agree, what's in it for us?" There had quite a bit of tension between the vampires and the witches recently. If they were to take the job, there was the risk that it would turn out to be much more than he was bargaining for, so Malik watched Quinn closely. "We don't want the Council or Nightworld to appear involved. The kidnapping has to be from an impartial party, then demands can be made that do not point back to partisans in the Council. That's why we need you; we can't afford any screw-ups. Of course all expenses will be paid, your identities will remain safe, and you will walk away from all this with six million dollars, half now, half later. You have four weeks." Quinn looked straight at Malik, but there was no change in expression across the other's face. Malik flicked his gaze to his partners and could see the excited light in Yvres and Bryant's eyes. "Done," he said. The two shook hands and Quinn left, promising to send further directions. Malik turned to the two and said wryly, "So I hope you two know that I'm still mad at you for cutting my break short, but let's say that six million may appease me a little when we get it." The other two grinned with satisfaction, and he sent Bryant to gather the others. "Tell them it's time to get off their lazy asses and work. We got a paycheck to earn." Malik had organized his five-person team a few years back, and now they were practically family. Yvres Montfleurre was a vampire with incredible telepathy skills. He had the classical vampire look with his black hair, straight, refined nose, glittering black eyes, and tall lean elegance. Bryant Silverwood on the other hand was a werewolf with the look of an all American football star. He had sandy blond hair, blue eyes, stood at medium- tall height and sported a very muscled body. The other two members of his team were Saiya Xue and Alyssa Talon. Saiya was also a vampire. She had amazing telepathic powers and a body to go with it. She had sleek blue- black hair that cascaded down her body, large almond shaped brown eyes, a small straight nose, succulent red lips, and a small trim body. Alyssa was equally sexy. She was a falcon shape shifter. She, like Malik, had arresting liquid gold eyes. She had golden brown hair, a honeyed complexion, a wide full mouth, and curves in all the right places. To an outsider watching the five of them sitting in his apartment, it would have looked like something off a set of a movie. Each person arrestingly beautiful and seeming sculpted from ice. Each member of his team were more than excellent fighters, and he was confident in all of their skills. This Blaise girl wouldn't stand a chance.