Primal Desires (4 page)

Wolf Clan Citadel, La Jolla, California, Present Day

H
ow long do you think we'll have to stay?” Eden asked as they approached the Moroccan-style mansion Lady Juanita called home.

Sidonie Wolf knew that her sister-in-law wasn't comfortable around large numbers of vampires, and she certainly didn't blame her, considering Eden's family history. Normally she might tell Eden to just suck it up and live with the shame of being born into an ancient line of vampire hunters. It wasn't like anyone was going to bite her or anything. Tonight, however, Eden's attitude was tinted more with impatience than paranoia, and Sid was in complete agreement. She was even more anxious to get this duty over with than her mortal friend.

“Let's try to get in, smile at everybody, and get out.”

“Roger that,” Eden answered.

At least Eden carried her and Laurent's daughter, which assured her welcome. Sid hoped that little Toni would be the center of attention and darling of everyone's eye for the evening. Toni was going to grow up mortal, which meant that she wasn't going to help the vampire population problem, but she was an adorable toddler, all blond curls and pink cheeks and dimples. She got the dimples from her dad, Sid's brother, Laurent. Who didn't have to be here tonight because, after all,
he
was Prime.

“Putz,” Sid muttered.

She deeply resented the fact that even at the dawn of the twenty-first century, thems with penises still got to have all the fun. She didn't blame Laurent, who was out on the streets searching for Cathy, but she seethed with fury at Lady Juanita for not allowing the female members of Bleythin Investigations to join the hunt.

“What?” Eden asked as they went up the wide steps leading to the carved double doors.

“Just pouting because I have to go in and be nice to everyone. Do you want to take a turn?”

“Yes, please,” Eden said. “I could be hacking into the old laptop we found in Cathy's closet right now if not for this command performance. It's not that I don't love your Clan, but—”

“You don't.”

“I love your mother.”

“As well you shou—Hello, Matri,” Sid said as Lady Juanita opened the door.

The Matri nodded regally. “Welcome, Wolf daughters. You will always have a place in my citadel.”

Whether we want it or not,
Sid thought, using many layers of mental shielding to keep her opinions to herself.

Besides, the Matri had spoken to them aloud instead of issuing a telepathic greeting. That set the ground rule for this evening. Sid understood why when another female appeared beside Juanita at the door.

“Hi, Mom,” Sid greeted Lady Antonia, head of her house of the Wolf Clan.

Antonia had lost her ability to use telepathy, and it would be rude and cruel to use this sense when she couldn't. Besides, Eden didn't have a lick of psychic ability.

Antonia held out her arms, and Eden dutifully handed Antonia's namesake over to her grandmother. Then Lady Juanita ushered them into her home with an elegant, imperative gesture.

“I hear your sire was in town,” Antonia said as Sid walked beside her down the long entrance hall.

“He stopped by to pay his respects this morning before he returned to Los Angeles,” Juanita said before Sid could answer.

She hoped he hadn't said anything about the conversation they'd had to the Matri, since he'd been livid about her suggestion of using modern medicine to assist their population problem. He had calmed down enough to say he'd talk to the people at the Los Angeles clinic, if and only
if
she could come up with a Prime who'd agree to the procedure.

She knew this was because he didn't think she had a snowball's chance in hell of finding a suitable candidate, since Clan Primes were so stupidly old-fashioned and macho.

And speaking of macho…

Sid was aware of the males waiting for them before they reached the garden courtyard. The energy that hit her senses was hot and spicy, filled with dark undertones of challenge and rivalry. The males of her own species always reminded her of cinnamon and pepper, black coffee and dark chocolate. They made her hungry. She couldn't stop the primal thrill of excitement that shivered through her.

But the call of male to female was normal and natural, and Sid was able to acknowledge it without letting a rush of lust go to her head. She smiled at her sister-in-law when they reached the waiting males in the courtyard, and Eden grinned back.

“I might be bonding with my own gorgeous vampire,” Eden whispered to her, “but I can enjoy the window shopping.”

“It's too bad Laurent isn't here to defend his mating rights when the boys start hitting on you.”

Eden's grin widened. “I'm not sure what's more fun: watching Laurent get jealous, or the way he stands back and smiles and lets me defend my own honor when the Clan boys gather. I'm not sure if that's because he accepts me as an equal, or because he's as lazy as he claims to be,” she added.

“I think it's a bit of both,” Antonia said. “Eden, come with me, there's someone I want you to meet. Sidonie, mingle.”

“Aw, Mom,” Sid complained at being left alone.

Eden gave her a sympathetic look, but dutifully accompanied the woman holding her baby.

“Motherhood makes us weak,” Sid grumbled as she faced the crowd. Oh, well, it was best to get the social obligations over with so she could get back to hunting for their missing associate.

As she stepped onto the tiled courtyard, she glanced at the sky. Instead of seeing the beauty of the moon, she was gratefully aware that it was several nights away from being full. They had some time before Cathy was helplessly trapped in her lycanthropic form, but not much. They had to find her before then, because if she killed or bit a human as a werewolf, according to werefolk law she'd have to be executed.

To Sid this was brutally unfair. What was even worse was that the person who had to carry out the sentence was someone who cared for Cathy very much. Sid knew that if she lived the circumscribed life of a proper vampire female, this wouldn't be any of her business.

But she couldn't live like that, all cosseted and safe. It wasn't that the Clan women didn't have incredible power—personal, spiritual, sexual, financial—a Matri's word was law among her Clan, and only the Matri could override the decisions of the Mother of a House. But these powerful women weren't
involved
in the greater world outside their own domains.

Boring.

But this wasn't the time or place to proclaim her feelings. She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and walked through the crowd of males in the courtyard to stand next to the bubbling fountain in the center. There she turned and waited to be adored.

A pair of handsome Primes showed up before she finished moving.

“Mortals think they invented speed dating, but they're wrong,” a richly amused male voice said behind her. “You boys move along,” he went on. “The lady is here to meet me.”

When the Primes smiled sheepishly and moved away, Sid knew the Prime behind her could be no one but the legendary David Berus.

T
he civilized rules of vampire society required that he be here, and Jason was scrupulous about obeying the rules since his youthful run-in with the law. He approached the mansion carrying a bottle of wine and two dozen bloodred roses, George and Gracie pacing at his side. He buried his own impatience and mentally soothed the wolves, even though he shared their restlessness. It was important to get the formalities over with, even if he was anxious to be somewhere else, with someone else.

As he expected, the door opened before he could ring the bell. He hadn't expected it to be opened by Lady Juanita herself, who wore the necklace of the Wolf Clan Matri.

She smiled, her eyes glinting in amusement. “Who might you be, night child?”

“A stranger in your territory, but a friend.” Jason introduced himself, his family, and his house and bowed formally.

“I've heard of you,” she answered.

“My bad reputation tends to precede me.” He smiled and held out the wine and roses. “But I bring nice presents.”

“Did I say I'd heard bad things?” She took his gifts and stepped back to let him enter. “You are welcome in my home.” She glanced at George and Gracie. “The wolf may be our Clan's symbol, but some of my guests tonight are mortal and might find your companions disturbing. Will they be all right if you leave them in the library?”

“Perfectly all right,” he replied smoothly. “I didn't mean to crash your party, Lady Juanita. I came to pay my respects.”

“But you must stay. Let me introduce you to my guests.”

• • •

What did one say to the most famous Prime of them all? Sid felt like an idiot, but all she could manage was, “Hi.”

She had not planned on being impressed with David Berus, but some things simply couldn't be helped. He had an aura of sadness and hard-won wisdom that was instantly intriguing. Besides, he smiled at her in that appreciative, flirtatious way Primes had, yet she didn't sense any of the usual desperation that accompanied Primes meeting females. He didn't instantly want her simply because she was a girl. She couldn't help but like that.

“You are a perverse creature,” he said.

“Tell me about it.”

“Oh, I know all about you. Lady Juanita has been singing your praises since I arrived.”

She had no intention of letting any other vampire know all about her, but she smiled as if she were flattered by the comment.

“Are you in search of rescue?” he asked when she glanced around.

“Not at all. I'm looking for—” She waved as her mother came into the courtyard. “Mom, over here.”

She realized that she'd practically shouted while all other conversation among the hypersensitive guests was being conducted in murmurs and whispers. This brought stares and frowns, which were answered by a fierce smile from Berus.

“I only lost my telepathy, darling,” Antonia said, coming up to her. “I'm not deaf.”

It always amazed others that Antonia accepted a devastating disability with such matter-of-fact aplomb. But as she had once said to Sid,
“You can be alive or dead, and anything but dead can be dealt with.”

“Unless they're zombies,”
Sid had reminded her. “
But zombies aren't our problem.”

Werewolves weren't supposed to be, either, but Sid's worry for Cathy reasserted itself, and she was suddenly very anxious to leave.

Cover for me, please!

She sent the thought into her mother's mind, hating the necessity as she saw Antonia wince in pain.

But Antonia rallied, smiled at her, and came forward. “Hello, it's so good to see you again, David,” she said, holding out her hands.

David Berus took them, and Sid moved away as Antonia imperiously demanded his complete attention.

Only to have another Wolf Clan Prime instantly step up to her. A second male put a hand heavily on the first male's shoulder. The first one's fangs came out. A scuffle began.

Sidonie sighed.

These meet-and-mate evenings were always the same; it was an ancient ritual overseen by the Matri and Mothers. Available females were trotted out for available Primes to vie for their favors in secure surroundings, away from any mortal eyes. A little blood might be shed for the sake of impressing the ladies and cooling the Primes' more violent urges. By the end of the evening, the females would choose one or two Primes as sexual partners. It was not unusual for the Matri to orchestrate which Primes the younger females mated with. Perhaps a child would be conceived, or the spark of a bond might ignite. Since there were far fewer females than there were Primes, it was always hoped that a female would produce several offspring with different fathers before she found a bondmate to settle down with. This was how it had always been done. For the continuation of the species, this was how it had to be.

Sid wasn't so sure.

Fifty years ago, vampires couldn't go out in the daylight. They couldn't tolerate garlic. The touch of silver brought agonizing pain. Modern medicine changed all that; why shouldn't it be used to change the culture, as well? What Sid needed was a volunteer to prove her point.

“I'll take him,” she said as a stranger approached at Lady Juanita's side.

He had wavy brown hair and very blue eyes. You could probably seat six around the width of those shoulders. Long legs, trim waist. Assured, graceful walk. Beautiful hands.

Sid wouldn't mind having a kid with beautiful hands.

She smiled and stepped around the Primes fighting over her, even though the Matri gave her a disapproving look as she approached.

• • •

The tension level in the place went up when the blond woman smiled at him, and Jason would have preferred not to have the attention. Having a Clan female look favorably upon a Family Prime while surrounded by males of her own kind was not a good way for him to be welcomed into Wolf Clan territory. All he wanted was to get out of here and get back to Sofia.

Lady Juanita stopped and put herself between him and the other woman. She closed her eyes and touched his cheek, and the Matri's mind sliced through his shielding with gentle, determined skill. He could tell that he was the stronger telepath, but he suffered the intrusion politely. She was equally polite, taking only information important to the moment. And at this moment, Lady Juanita's mind was on matchmaking.

She was quite pleased when she said, “Blood sings in you, and calls.”

He couldn't deny he'd tasted a mortal recently, but he wasn't so sure about that other stuff. “There is a woman who needs my help,” he said. “She's the reason I've entered your domain, Matri. I have a duty to her family that goes back several mortal generations, and I must fulfill my obligation.” Clanfolk liked hearing about things like honor and duty and protecting mortals; their old-fashioned ethics came in handy for him.

“Does this mortal know what you are?”

“Not yet,” he admitted.

“Does she know about us?”

“My obligation to her in no way compromises the secrecy and safety of your Clan. I ask permission to dwell in your territory for a time, and to hunt if I must. But I swear that my being here will bring no harm or attention to you and yours.”

Jason spoke so that everyone within earshot could hear. He didn't want any of the Primes having even the faintest suspicion he was a threat. So he really wished the Wolf female would stop peering over the Matri's shoulder with a look like she wanted to eat him up. He wasn't in town to give the Primes competition in any form.

Lady Juanita studied him intently for a time herself, then finally nodded. “I thank you for seeking me out. I value your intention to honor your mortal debt. I grant the permission you ask for.” She spared a moment to give a stern look to the other female, then added, “And I congratulate you on finding the one every Prime is born to seek.” She dropped her formal attitude then and said, “You arrived just in time for dinner. You will stay for dinner, of course?”

She seemed genuinely welcoming, but Jason wasn't tempted to spend the evening among his own kind. “Sofia needs me,” he said, though he certainly hadn't meant to make any sort of desperate declaration about the situation. He was a Prime who usually knew how to keep his business to himself.

“And you need her as well.” Lady Juanita's smile was knowing.

Might as well let the Matri think whatever she wanted. “With your permission?” he asked.

She gave a regal nod. “Go, for now. Know that you are welcome in my citadel. Take my greetings to your own Matri, Prime of Family Caeg.”

“I will.” He hurried out of the courtyard to collect his wolves and get away before the female he could feel still watching him put any moves on him.

• • •

“Imagine that,” Sid murmured as the Family Prime made for the exit. “There's somebody here who doesn't want me. Isn't that interesting?” Since the last thing she wanted was to be wanted, she followed him.

Only to be stopped by her sister-in-law as she reached the hallway that led to the entrance of the house. “Did you get a look at that guy?” Eden demanded.

“I'm trying to get a better look,” Sid answered.

“Talk about melodramatic—he travels with a pair of wolves. I've never known any vampire to call attention to himself like that. Pretentious, no?”

Eden was descended from a long line of mortal vampire hunters. Before she'd become the bondmate of a Clan Prime, she'd been more likely to sneer at vampire behavior than participate in it. She still had bouts of being terribly unimpressed with the culture of the ethnic group she'd married into.

Eden's news about Jason Cage set off alarm bells in Sid's head. “Wolves?” she asked. “Or werewolves?”

“I think I know the difference between wolves and werefolk by now,” Eden answered a bit testily. “He called them George and Gracie—wait a minute. Do you think he knows something about Cathy's disappearance?”

“He said he was in town to help some mortal damsel in distress,” Sid said. “No names were mentioned, but I don't believe in coincidences. I think we need to check this guy out.”

It won't hurt to find out all I can about the sperm donor of my future child.

“Right now, we'd better get back to the party,” Eden said, taking her by the arm and turning her toward the courtyard. “We've got at least an hour more of being dutiful Clan females before they'll let us skip out and get back to work.”