Midnight Craving: Midnight Vice, Book 1
When the craving takes hold, the only thing to do is ride it out…
Midnight Vice, Book 1
Patrolling Houston’s gritty supernatural underbelly has its perks. For Isla Alvarez, it’s working
alongside nephilim SWAT Officer Jace Lane. Ruggedly handsome and possessed of mad skills, Jace
embodies everything she’s ever wanted.
Unfortunately, the demonic blood pumping through her veins keeps them separated, since relationships
between human descendants of archangels and demons aren’t actively encouraged. Staying away from him,
though, is impossible after she winds up on the receiving end of a nasty sexual-compulsion curse, courtesy
of a sadistic vampiress. Suddenly Isla is overwhelmed with a life-threatening lust only Jace can sate.
Jace’s principles were once strong enough to resist his longing for the alluring Isla, but in the face of
her desperate craving, his desire breaks free—leaving him wondering if she’s not the only one affected by
the spell. He’d be more than happy to satisfy Isla’s increasing need for sexual release, if they weren’t in a
race against time to reverse the curse before it turns deadly.
For Isla, it’s not just her life she’s worried about losing. It’s her heart.
Warning: Contains wicked hot shower sex, raging-hormone-induced naughty language, driving under
the influence (of overwhelming lust) and smiting of demons and vamps.
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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520
Macon GA 31201
Midnight Craving
Copyright © 2010 by Lolita Lopez
ISBN: 978-1-60504-880-2
Edited by Deborah Nemeth
Cover by Kanaxa
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: January 2010
Midnight Craving
Lolita Lopez
Pumping bass beats vibrated through Isla’s body. With every swish of her hips, the loose waves of her
black hair whipped wildly against her bare shoulders. The hot pink fabric of her slightly slutty mini-dress
clung to her sweat-slicked skin. Curious hands from down below touched her calves, some daring to slide
beneath the hem of her dress to caress her thigh. The dancers on either side moved closer and sandwiched
her between their bodies. A stiff cock pressed up against her ass, another bumped her navel. Two sets of
big warm hands gripped her waist. Lips danced across her shoulder. Fangs tickled her neck. Shivers shook
her belly.
Reveling in the absolute debauchery of the moment, Isla struggled to maintain her concentration. She
wasn’t gyrating atop this bar for her own amusement but to provide recon. A team waited outside to bust
the illegal prostitution and feeding ring being run by the vampire duchess Renata. Isla’s elevated position
provided a perfect view of the pulsing crowd and the movements of various supernatural VIPs. Outside the
club, Cassandra, a psychic member of Houston’s Midnight Vice Squad, channeled Isla’s thoughts, keeping
the team apprized of vital information and Isla of all developments.
And things were about to get hairy.
Cassandra’s voice filtered through Isla’s mind. “
Entry in ten, nine, eight…”
Isla’s eyes snapped to the back of the club where Renata held court, the sexiest of her young male
vamps draped around her shoulders and sitting at her feet. At the first sign of the team’s entry, Renata
would likely flee. Isla needed to keep an eye on her to prevent her escape. Just the thought of a chase made
Isla’s pulse sprint and awakened her night-stalker instincts. An excited smile curved her lips at the thought
of capturing Renata and settling an old family score.
A series of loud explosions rocked the club as the team breached the various entrance points. Mass
chaos ensued. Lights went out and the music squelched over the sound system. Frantic club goers screamed
and knocked into each other as they rushed toward the closest exits. Isla’s dancing companions leapt from
the bar, leaving her high and dry without even so much as a second glance.
So much for chivalry…
The demonic blood coursing through Isla’s veins granted her certain talents including night vision. She
focused on the rear of the club and caught a flash of movement as Renata raced toward a hallway. Not far
away, the SWAT team hurried after them, Jace leading the charge, gun drawn and at the ready. An amber
glint reflected in his righteous eyes, the archangel blood pounding in his veins awakened by the chase. Jace
was separated from his team by Renata’s drones. He cast one look at his embattled teammates and rushed
after Renata alone.
“
Mierda
!” Isla’s heart stuttered. As the senior member of the SWAT team, Jace had mad skills Isla
could only dream of mastering but Renata wasn’t to be trifled with—that Isla knew only too well. Without
hesitation, Isla honed in on Jace’s familiar aural energy and jumped. In the blink of an eye, her body
skipped through time and space. She landed just a few footfalls behind him and tottered on her heels.
Recovering quickly, Isla raced after them. Jace glanced over his shoulder. Their gazes clicked and she
could have sworn she caught a flash of relief and then annoyance. He flicked his focus forward before Isla
could be sure. She frowned but kept moving forward. She’d ask him about
that
later.
The hallway darkened and hooked a sudden left. Isla reached out for Jace’s shoulder, wanting to stop
him, but he moved too fast. He swung around the corner, boots sliding just a bit. Isla heard his sharp intake
of breath and sped into action. She slid around the corner and spotted Renata and Jace engaged in hand-to-
hand combat.
Renata’s normally gorgeous face had melted to reveal the hideous bat-like beast beneath. Fangs bared,
she hissed and snapped as she and Jace traded blows. Blood dribbled from Jace’s nose but he held his own
against the ancient vampiress.
Renata’s clawed hand gripped his neck. Isla launched herself at the vampire’s back and wrapped her
legs around her waist. Jace’s tactically gloved hands slapped at Renata’s wrist as he fought to breathe and
slipped into unconsciousness. Isla slammed her fist into Renata’s temple until the bitch let go. Coughing,
Jace slipped to the ground. Renata flung Isla into the ceiling and snarled as she spun around.
Isla bounced off the ceiling, hit the floor with a painful thud, and scrambled to stand and fight.
Blinking, she cleared the dizziness and tried to focus. Fear seized her belly. She’d just earned Renata’s full
wrath. Without a weapon, Isla pulled energy from the air, funneling the heat into her palm. Fire throwing
was another perk of her demonic background.
Renata’s furious gaze settled on the orange flames licking at her fingers. Recognition flickered on her
face. “I should have known you’d survive. Desideri women are worse than cockroaches.”
Isla’s jaw hardened. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Filthy half-breeds,” Renata spat. “I did the night side a favor when I slaughtered your family.” Her eyes
drifted to the curved scar across Isla’s neck. “Slitting your throat was a mistake. I should have ripped it out
with my fangs.”
Fury bubbled in the pit of Isla’s belly. The fire in her palm turned blue-white and spread up her arm.
Only the sight of Jace’s stirring form kept her from blossoming into a roiling fireball. Stake in hand, Jace
jumped to his feet. Renata caught the movement and turned just enough for the stake hit too far to the right
to do enough damage. Her backhand sent Jace tumbling down the hallway.
Stepping between them, Isla hurled a fireball. Renata swiftly jerked and caught it along the right side of
her face. Her blonde coiffure burst into flames. The eardrum-shattering shriek nearly felled Isla. The flames
and smoke set off the overhead sprinkler system, and rancid water rained down upon them. Isla threw up
an invisible shield, keeping the disgusting water off of Jace and herself. Renata’s head smoldered as the
sprinklers snuffed the flames.
A hand against her bubbling skin, Renata pinned Isla with a livid stare. She lifted her fingers and
pointed them at Isla’s face. Before Isla could react, Renata spoke in an old, twisted language. The impact of
the curse knocked the breath from Isla’s lungs. Her legs collapsed and she hit the floor. Heat exploded in
her belly and spread through her body, leaving a prickly trail of discomfort.
Renata cackled gleefully and rushed away, disappearing in a cloud of darkness. Isla writhed on the
ground, desperate to shake the pain of the curse. Terror gripped her chest.
And then Jace was above her, his hand on her face, his low voice speaking calmly through the haze.
She stared into his eyes, the angelic sheen fading to reveal his slate blue irises. Her fear abated almost
immediately but something else took its place.
Lust.
Isla’s eyes widened as wet heat surged between her legs. “Oh, God,” she whimpered and clenched her
thighs.
What the hell is happening to me?
***
Standing with his team by the bar, Jace tried to pay attention to the quick on-scene debriefing being held
by the chief. Other than Renata’s escape, the operation had gone perfectly. The bitterness of failure soured
his stomach. He had only himself to blame for losing Renata. This hadn’t been their first tango. He’d known
better but the thrill of the chase got to him. The smell of evil ignited the angelic yearning to smite. When
faced with the darkest of soulless creatures such as Renata, he found the urge to pursue and strike nearly
impossible to control.
Never again
, he swore. Next time, it was by the book.
The EMTs left through a side door, their stretcher surprisingly empty. His gaze skipped around the room
in search of Isla. He’d seen the hit she’d taken. She needed to be checked out by the anti-curse squad.
Renata had been around long enough to learn some nasty tricks. No doubt the old bloodsucking hag had
pulled out the very worst for Inigo Alvarez and Solange Desideri’s daughter.
A swatch of pink among the milling black uniforms caught his eye. Isla moved awkwardly through the
crowd of paranormal vice cops and crime scene investigators. She didn’t look injured but she seemed
incredibly uncomfortable. As she angled toward the bathrooms, she stopped suddenly and braced herself
against the wall.
Worry and guilt seized Jace’s chest. If he’d been more careful, she’d never have been exposed to
Renata’s rage. All along, the plan had been to use Isla for recon because her demonic blood allowed her to