“You really like your job, don’t you, baby?” he queried softly.
Sable chewed her bottom lip for a moment before answering. “I don’t like finding out that someone we all trust, someone we believe is working toward the good of the 62
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Council, is actually harming us. I hate that part of my job. But when I solve a case, when I know that someone who violated the oath I believe so strongly in has been removed from the force, I love it.”
Derek kissed her, long and deep, then swatted her on the butt. “Get dressed. And call for me if you need any help.”
He headed toward the door. He seemed so happy and relieved that she’d told him the truth about herself, she wished she’d trusted him sooner. She shuddered to think of how different the outcome would have been had he not been persistent and stowed away on her ship. She might have lost him.
“I don’t know how to use my calling yet,” she called after him.
“You’re stronger than you realize. Just think about me and I’ll hear you. I promise.”
With a rakish wink, Derek left.
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Chapter Five
Derek lay on his back and stared up at the tracking device in confused anger. He recognized the design and it was Council, not Federation. Sable was being tracked by their own people. But why?
With a curse, he removed the offending piece of technology, ripped off the serial number for future use and easily crushed the rest of the tracker in his hand. What the hell was going on?
He dissipated into mist and remerged in the captain’s chair. There was no way in hell he was going to wait another two years to court Sable like he wanted. He’d lived several hundred years and he knew a lot of things could happen in just two. He wasn’t willing to risk losing her or the wonderful feelings she inspired in him. He sure as hell wasn’t going to sneak around, trying to find the time to squeeze in a little lovemaking.
He’d never get enough of her that way.
Resting his head against the headrest, Derek closed his eyes and relished the fullness in his belly. It’d been as easy as usual to find a meal. In the past, he’d enjoyed the triple impalement of his cock and fangs in an eager woman who he then gifted with a mind-blowing orgasm for her donation.
Tonight though he’d only fed. He’d given his meal her orgasm with his calling and nothing more. Sable had completely drained him with her wicked mouth earlier, but even if he hadn’t been sated, he still wouldn’t have had the heart to fuck another woman. He’d asked Sable to remain faithful to him and for the first time in his life, he had every intention of being faithful in return.
She was his perfect counterpart, his equal. They were so alike in so many ways—
their jobs, their vampirism, their sexual appetite. Whoever said opposites attract was an idiot. He much preferred a woman who could understand him without asking and 64
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know what he needed before he did.
Now he just had to keep her safe and get her through her assignment in one piece.
As his eyes remained closed, he felt a brush of feeling across his mind. He concentrated on it and tried to amplify it. Suddenly, he sat upright in the chair. It was Sable. Her thoughts were in a jumble, her pulse was racing and her breathing was erratic. He could sense something dark, insidious and possessive curling through her mind.
Moving too fast to be seen by human eyes, Derek flew out of the Starwing and was on his way to the RetroBall.
* * * * *
Sable stood motionless, her mind urging her to flee while her body refused to heed its dictates. She watched in stunned horror as Marius Drake approached her, his lips curved in a predatory grin of anticipation. Why the hell did he keep popping up in her life at the most inopportune times?
The expansive hotel ballroom was well lit, as befitted the RetroBall and Sable fought off the headache brought on by the unaccustomed bright lights. Multicolored streamers draped across the ceiling, and guests wore odd hats and blew on bizarre-sounding horns, all of which had her gritting her teeth.
She’d been searching the sea of guests for a glimpse of Jeffrey Leroy, when an insistent prodding in her thoughts had drawn her attention to Marius. He remained as arrogantly proud of bearing as always, his presence wordlessly conveying his power—a power it had taken her years to learn to resist. Still, Sable felt a deep fear and foreboding. She remained so untutored in the ways of vampires. She knew nothing about what rights Marius held over her.
Sable, my love, he drawled in her thoughts. What an unexpected pleasure to see you again.
She eyed the handsome blond man who came to a halt in front her. Her pulse 65
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kicked into overdrive, and her skin grew cold and clammy. “Marius,” she returned in an icy tone, as she ruthlessly shoved him from her mind. “What are you doing here?”
He laughed and the bitterness in the sound was harsh on her nerves. “You’ve gotten stronger. It took you no time at all to evict me from your thoughts. Have you missed me, my sweet novice? Are you tired yet of chasing the sewage of the universe? I am more than ready to have you come home.”
“Never going to happen,” she assured him. “I much prefer having my own thoughts and feelings. I enjoy living my own life.”
Deep green eyes caressed her face with emotionless possession. “Your life was my gift to you. You would have been dead years ago had I not infected you with the virus.”
“Your gift came with too many restrictions,” she snapped, looking away as she searched the crowd for Leroy. She’d felt beholden to him for so long. Even now, she felt guilty for leaving him. “Go away, Marius. I’m not here for you.”
“You live for me!” he hissed furiously. He gripped her elbow in what would have been a bone-snapping vise to a human. “You knew what I asked of you. I never deceived you. And you agreed to the terms.”
Her head whipped toward his. “Bullshit. I was young, barely a woman, and foolishly infatuated with a handsome man who promised me the world and an eternity of his love. But you don’t love anyone or anything besides yourself. You don’t want me.
You want a puppet you can control. I was alive before I met you. You didn’t create me.”
“I love you,” he growled as he dragged her toward the crowded dance floor. “I’ve always loved you.”
Sable attempted to shake off his grip, but couldn’t. “See what I mean, Marius? You just do whatever the hell you please without regard to my feelings. If you truly loved me, you would see how miserable you make me and try to change it. Instead, you just want to change me.”
Pulling her into his arms, Marius began to twirl her around to the ancient music he’d often enjoyed while they were together. He’d taught her how to dance, how to eat, 66
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how to have sex. He’d been grooming her to take her place at his side in the highest echelon of universe politics and prestige. But she had never wanted any of it. She’d only wanted him. But he was, and always would be, completely self-absorbed and unavailable. Nothing like Derek, who offered himself so freely and wanted her just the way she was.
Marius dipped her and kept her bent over his arm. His head lowered and he licked along her throat while taking a deep breath of her scent. Suddenly, he faltered, nearly dropping her. He yanked her upright abruptly, his emerald gaze shooting sparks in his fury. “You reek of another man. Another vampire,” he spat. “You swore you didn’t want to be with a vamp.”
“No,” she corrected smoothly as she stepped out of his now lax embrace. “I swore I didn’t want to be with you.” She jumped in surprise as a strong arm encircled her waist.
“Is there a problem here, baby?” Derek asked in a casual tone that didn’t hide the possessiveness.
Sable glanced at him with relief. He had changed his clothes and stood at her side in an antique black-and-white ensemble that she thought was called a “tuxedo”. He had never looked as seductively han
dsome.
She curled into his side. “Not anymore,” she assured him.
“Introduce me to your plaything, Sable,” Marius growled.
“Derek, darling,” she cooed, deliberately goading the bristling blond man. “Meet Marius. Marius, this is Derek.”
Marius extended his hand. “I am Sable’s Master,” he said with a satisfied smirk, watching with glee as his rival stiffened at the news.
But Derek recovered swiftly and smiled a purely male smile. “Well then, I must thank you. Your infection of Sable allowed her to live long enough to become my mate.” He bowed. “I am in your debt.”
“She’s not your mate, so enjoy her while you can,” Marius snapped. His hands 67
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clenched into fists. “She won’t be able to avoid my calling forever.” He looked at Sable.
“Have a care, love. For yourself and your toy.”
Sable took a quick step toward him, the murderous expression on her face causing the Master vampire to take a step back. “Don’t threaten me and don’t threaten Derek.
Trust me, you won’t like the way I handle threats.”
Derek grabbed Sable around the waist and pulled her backward. He bared his fangs in a territorial warning as Marius stepped toward them. The blond man wisely backed down—for the moment. Derek knew he would have deal with Sable’s past eventually, but tonight was not the time and the RetroBall was not the place.
Once they had retreated a safe distance away, he set Sable down and linked his fingers with hers, dragging her from the room. “Have you lost your damn mind?” he muttered.
“You heard him,” she said crossly. “He was threatening us, the slimy bastard! He’s lucky I didn’t rip out his balls.”
Derek looked at her over his shoulder and winced. “Ouch. Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
She grinned. “Don’t get on my bad side.”
“Point taken,” he said dryly, then he turned serious. “You leave Marius Drake to me. You’ve got guts, baby, but you’re a novice and you’re his novice. You don’t have enough control yet to be tangling with a Master.”
“You’re a Master,” she pointed out. “I think I’m pretty good at tangling with you.”
He stopped and pulled her to him, lowering his lips to hers. He kissed her long and hard, with one hand at her waist and the other at her breast. His thumb stroked across her nipple until it peaked, eager for more. Instantly hot for him, she moaned into his mouth, heedless of the crush of partygoers around them.
“You don’t want to tangle with him like you do with me,” he murmured.
Breathless, she stared into his intent face and got lost in the swirling desire she saw 68
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reflected in his eyes. “No, I don’t.”
“No, you don’t.” He straightened and pulled her toward the exit. “I’m far older than Marius Drake. There are very few vamps who are as old as I am, so leave the heavy lifting to me.”
She tugged on his hand, digging in her heels. “Okay. Slow down. I can’t leave yet. I haven’t found Agent Leroy.”
“I saw him leaving on my way in to claim you.”
“What?” Sable’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Shit, we’ll never find him now.”
“Yes, we will,” Derek assured her.
“Have you got a tracking device on him or something?”
Derek snorted. “Listen. I did find a tracking device on your ship. And it’s not a Fed design. It’s Council.”
“What the fuck?” Sable stumbled to a halt, gaping at the back of his head.
“Yeah.” He tugged her along again. “My thoughts exactly. When we get through with Leroy, we’ll see if the serial number is registered somewhere.”
“Wow,” she breathed, her stomach roiling. “I don’t know what to think about that.”
“Don’t think about it now,” he soothed. “I’ll take care of you, Sable. Don’t worry about that.”
“This has been a really trying day, Derek. Look at everything that’s happened.”
“You’ve got me, so it can’t be all bad.” He tossed her a careless smile over his shoulder. “And I overheard Leroy getting directions from the front desk. I know just where he is.”
“Getting you is worth all this shit,” she said softly, profoundly affected by that smile.
He stepped out into the lobby and headed for the elevators. “We’ll go to our rooms and change out of these ridiculous clothes. Then we’ll see what he’s up to.”
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“I happen to think you look very tasty in those clothes.”
His mouth curved with sardonic amusement. “I have to wonder at your taste, Sable.
You liked me in my uniform too.”
“I like you best naked,” she purred.
The elevator doors slid shut and he engulfed her in a warm embrace. “This crap with Leroy better be over quick,” he groaned, his hands caressing the length of her spine. “Yours is the only body I’m interested in chasing right now.”
* * * * *
Derek kept his large form tucked closely against the wall of the small motel on the outskirts of town. Music wafted across the still night air as various room occupants held impromptu parties. Out here, away from the city, the night was darker and the sounds of transports less intrusive. Stars shimmered in the sky above, as did the moon, which hung low and full.
It was a night made for lovers.
Or hunters.
He glanced back at Sable. She moved on silent feet behind him, her hand twitching restlessly by the hilt of her lasersword, which was strapped to the side of her lithe thigh.
She wore tight black trousers and a tighter black tank top, her erect nipples easily delineated through the thin fabric. As a slight breeze blew Sable’s luscious scent to him, his cock swelled with an unwanted erection.
He was going to throttle Jeff.
Glancing forward again, Derek inched his way along the dimly lit outside corridor.
He’d forgotten to mention to Sable what he’d discovered about Marius Drake accessing, and possibly deleting, her records. At the time, he’d been too grateful that the other man hadn’t recognized him to remember to tell her.
In any case, that definitely hadn’t been their last meeting.
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The President was obviously not in agreement with Sable that their relationship was over. Derek intended to do something about that. Somehow, he would convince the other Master that Sable was now off-limits and by her own choice.
As they reached the motel room door that shielded Leroy from their prying eyes, he slowed and placed a finger over his lips. Sable stepped past him and took a position on the other side of the portal. She cocked her head and listened. Her nostrils flared and her eyes widened.
He’s fucking someone! she mouthed.
Derek knew his face had to be as shocked as Sable’s. Jeff was married for Christ’s sake and had always seemed devoted to his wife who even now lay dying. Raising his brows, Derek shrugged sheepishly.
Sable snorted with disgust and walked away.
He followed. “Damn, I’m going to beat Jeff within an inch of life when he gets out of there.”
“For cheating on his wife?”
“No, for doing what we would be doing, if we weren’t out here chasing him down.”
She laughed and Derek softened his posture. Only a few days ago she’d been openly hostile toward him. Now they shared a growing connection that he was beginning to value greatly. “Sable?”
“Yeah?” She turned those stunning blue eyes toward him.
“If I hadn’t trapped you on my ship a couple of days ago, would you have come after me when your mission was over?”
She scratched the back of her head. “Probably not.”
“Why not?” He was surprised that she’d answered without hesitation. “You said you were interested in me from the beginning, that you’re crazy ab
out me.”
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bastard. I had my share of inflated egos with Marius. And your reputation precedes you. You never stick with the same woman for long. My track record with men isn’t very good, as you witnessed tonight. I doubt I would have thought you were worth the risk.”
“I’m not arrogant,” he protested.
Raising a brow, she said nothing. Which said a lot.
“And now?” he prodded. “Do you consider me a good risk now?”
She met his gaze and her ripe lips pursed in thought. Finally, she said, “The jury’s still out on that one. You’ll have to prove it to me, I guess.”
“And how do I do that?”
“Stick around, Derek,” she said quietly. “Just stick around.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she shook her head. “Do me a favor, okay? I’m beginning to suspect your friend Leroy is doing nothing more criminal than adultery.
I’m not blowing my cover for that. Will you question him when he comes out? If my suspicions are correct, it will prevent the waste of two years of work.”
“No problem,” he agreed. “I’ll come up with a good reason for being here.”
“Good, I’ve got something to take care of.” She strode down the hall.
You’re just going to leave me here? he called after her in surprise.
“Sure,” she tossed over her shoulder. “I trust you, Derek.”
* * * * *
Sable crossed the street and entered the nearby telecomm café. She’d checked in with her superior earlier that day, but already so much had happened since then. She needed to know where IAB wanted her to go from here. Slipping into a privacy booth, she closed the door and inserted her identi-card. She was pulling on the headphones and mouthpiece to further safeguard her conversation, when Captain Donnie appeared.
“Good evening, Captain.”
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The jovial Donnie smiled good-naturedly. “It’s barely morning here, Taylor. What have you got?”
“Another all-nighter? How does your wife put up with you?” She smiled at his grimace. “I’m not positive yet, but I’m fairly certain we can rule out Leroy.”