Chapter Twisting the steering
wheel, I guided my blue coupe down into the parking structure. The
smell of gasoline, oil, and car fumes was thick in this concrete
cave. Dug out beneath my apartment building, the garage was
generally well maintained and allowed me to get to my car without
dealing with any pesky sunlight. Pulling into my usual spot, I
kicked the car into park and turned off the ignition. Pulling the
keys free, I leaned back in the plush, dark gray fabric. Staring
out the window, I looked over a row of high-powered sports cars and
expensive sedans that seemed to populate the garage. Sometimes I
wished I could lose myself in the rich leather interiors of those
vehicles, to feel the night wind whip through my hair as I drove
with the top down, or the raw adrenaline of gunning the engine to
one hundred and thirty miles per hour. I looked down at my coupe's
speedometer that terminated just above ninety and smiled. This
wasn't the fastest or prettiest ride, but it was reliable and it
got me where I wanted to go. I guess that would have to be enough.
Running my hand lovingly over the steering wheel, I popped the door
and stepped out. Thumbing the remote, I watched the headlights
flash to signal the car was locked. Turning toward the elevators on
the far side of the garage, I felt the tiny hairs on my neck stand
up. I could feel someone staring holes into my back. There was no
need to panic, but my mind snapped into defensive mode. Moving
across the concrete, I scanned the garage without trying to look
like I was. Could it be one of Vlad's Vampires
seeking retribution?
As I walked, I slid my hand into my jacket and unhooked the safety strap on my holster. Carefully wrapping my fingers around the grip, I pulled the pistol free and laid my finger across the trigger guard. We were instructed during Seeker training to never place our finger on the trigger unless we intended to fire. I slid my finger into the guard and clicked off the safety with my thumb. Stopping in front of the elevator, I spotted a shadow move behind a parked car. He had allowed me to see him. “Might as well come out, Jared." Holding my weapon defensively, I watched a dark figure materialize out of the shadows. Jared was gorgeous, even for a Vampire. His pale skin was offset by the sheen of the hip-length black leather jacket he always wore. Dark slacks, a maroon v-neck sweater, and a pair of black combat boots completed his attire. His short, messy hair was dark brown, but with the gel he used, it looked black. He exuded darkness and power. It eddied, swirled, and seemed to roll off him in waves threatening to pull me under in the riptide. But by far, Jared's most attractive feature was the steel blue eyes that seemed to slice through me like lasers. In the right conditions, they could appear almost white, while at other times were a rich shade of azure.
"Rosy,” Jared greeted me.
I didn't like him calling me that. He never earned that privilege. I kept a safe distance between the two of us. “Stalking me?"
Jared's expression remained unchanged. “Just making sure you got home safely.” His voice was smooth and powerful.
I cocked an eyebrow. “Why?"
As I walked, I slid my hand into my jacket and unhooked the safety strap on my holster. Carefully wrapping my fingers around the grip, I pulled the pistol free and laid my finger across the trigger guard. We were instructed during Seeker training to never place our finger on the trigger unless we intended to fire. I slid my finger into the guard and clicked off the safety with my thumb. Stopping in front of the elevator, I spotted a shadow move behind a parked car. He had allowed me to see him. “Might as well come out, Jared." Holding my weapon defensively, I watched a dark figure materialize out of the shadows. Jared was gorgeous, even for a Vampire. His pale skin was offset by the sheen of the hip-length black leather jacket he always wore. Dark slacks, a maroon v-neck sweater, and a pair of black combat boots completed his attire. His short, messy hair was dark brown, but with the gel he used, it looked black. He exuded darkness and power. It eddied, swirled, and seemed to roll off him in waves threatening to pull me under in the riptide. But by far, Jared's most attractive feature was the steel blue eyes that seemed to slice through me like lasers. In the right conditions, they could appear almost white, while at other times were a rich shade of azure.
"Rosy,” Jared greeted me.
I didn't like him calling me that. He never earned that privilege. I kept a safe distance between the two of us. “Stalking me?"
Jared's expression remained unchanged. “Just making sure you got home safely.” His voice was smooth and powerful.
I cocked an eyebrow. “Why?"