Kym Grosso - Tristan's Lyceum Wolves

Seeing no other choice, Kalli closed her eyes and breathed deeply, searching for the one within who could save her from the torment that would surely seek her out again. Determined to find deliverance from the incubus, she let the power of the beast fill her veins.

Tristan pulled his SUV up to Alexandra’s four-story, Victorian brownstone. While she preferred her ostentatious mansion in the suburbs, he knew for certain she’d be waiting for him in the city. Alexandra’s narcissistic tendencies would drive her to make an appearance at the exclusive opening of his club. Anyone who was anyone was there tonight; she considered herself the one. It probably was killing her to have to wait for him to retrieve ‘the toy’, as Léopold called it.

Tristan conceded that she had her place in the supernatural world. Vampires needed a leader, and she kept hers on a tight leash, preventing them from wreaking havoc in the city or his club. For the past fifty years of her rule, vampire on human crime had been minimal. If someone was killed, it was with her knowledge and approval. Tristan respected her leadership toward shifters; she generally respected their existence. She never questioned Tristan’s punishments on her own vampires if they got out of hand at his club, and they’d been able to amicably work out any disagreements.

But the one thing Alexandra coveted the most, she could not have; Tristan’s blood. He’d refused her his vein many a time. The denial only fueled her desire, convinced she could seduce him given the right circumstances. But he knew that no matter how beautiful or alluring she was, he’d never give in to her wishes. She only wanted his blood to increase her power, and as far as he was concerned, she already had too much, paired with little restraint.

Tristan looked over to Logan who’d been deep in thought on the ride over to Alexandra’s. Since the attack, Logan had had more visions and Tristan was certain that he wasn’t sharing all he’d seen. He didn’t press him, understanding that it was both a gift and burden to sense the future.

“Hey, man. You ready to do this?” Tristan asked, shutting off the car.

“Yeah, sorry. Just thinking,” Logan grumbled.

“You okay, Logan? I know seeing that death wasn’t easy. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but it’s not my first time to the rodeo. Things will be okay,” Tristan assured Logan, hoping he would snap out of it.

Logan knew that whatever was in that house, more like whoever was in that house, would change things forever between him and Tristan. He couldn’t get a feel for whether that change would be good or bad, blanketing him with uncertainty. But now was not the time to tell Tristan what he’d seen. Not only would the Alpha be pissed, he’d fight fate every step of the way. It had the potential to throw Tristan off his equilibrium during this time of battle; he couldn’t risk divulging his speculation without being sure. Logan had decided, with heavy heart, to cautiously watch and wait before telling him.

Blowing out a breath and unbuckling his seatbelt, he placed a hand on his Alpha’s shoulder. “I’m okay. Now let’s do this thing. Not sure about you but I’m ready for a little action, myself.”

“Okay, here’s the game plan. We’re in and out. You know Alexandra. She’s goin’ to want to keep me there, going all Playboy bunny slash Martha Stewart on me. Sex or food, she knows what I like.” Tristan grinned; she knew him well enough to know his favorite things. “A man has his weaknesses.”

Logan shook his head disapprovingly.

“Hey, at the end of the day, I’m a man. Who doesn’t like a little cookie with their milk? Seriously though, we’re in and out. No cups of tea. No bonbons. We get the package and get out. This is too serious to waste time.”

“I’m with you.”

“One more thing. The package may be damaged. Léopold promised it’d be alive, but knowing Alexandra and the fact that he referred to it as her toy, well, let’s just say we may have to carry it out.”

“As long as we can do an interrogation at some point, it’ll be okay,” Logan commented.

“Okay, you ready? Let’s do it,” Tristan ordered, getting out of the car.

Logan followed him up the cobblestone walkway. The extravagant brownstone had been fully restored and probably looked better than it had during the eighteen hundreds. Gas lights illuminated the heavy wooden, intricately carved door. Tristan knocked hard on the stained oak, knowing full well she was aware of his arrival. Survival instincts would alert her to the powerhouse standing outside her home; she’d be waiting for him.

A well-toned young man dressed in a turquoise harlequin vest and black tights opened the door and greeted them with a blithe smile. “The mistress awaits,” he announced, ushering them into a spacious, octagonal foyer. Stained glass windows and dark mahogany moldings set against cream textured wallpaper with red swirls created an antiqued illusion for guests. Dark hardwood floors accentuated the expensive oriental area rugs.

Tristan and Logan watched the odd-looking man walk into a larger parlor where he lounged on a long, velvet sofa. He closed his eyes, ignoring them. Through an archway, they saw Alexandra gracefully navigate her way around a baby grand piano. Dressed in a red satin corset that pushed up her already firm breasts, she smiled coldly, baring her perfectly white teeth. A tight, black leather pencil skirt hugged every inch of her bottom, leaving little room to walk in a typical stride. Her jet black hair had been swept into an intricate updo that drew attention to her creamy pale skin. She looked every bit the enchanting, but dangerous sanguisuge. And while her beautiful looks most certainly drew men like bees to honey, Tristan knew all too well that her sting was deadly.

“Tristan, darling,” she crooned, extending her arms for a hug. “Come now, I won’t bite.”

“Ah chère, but you do,” he teased.

Tristan grabbed her bony hand in his and quickly blew air kisses to each of her cheeks. It was more a gesture of peace as opposed to genuine happiness to see her. He knew she’d appreciate the thought.

“And Logan, so glad you could join us as well,” she smirked, feigning geniality, never taking her gaze off of Tristan. Her irritation with Tristan’s second was hardly a secret, since she wanted to be alone with the Alpha. Logan would only serve as a barrier in her quest for blood.

Logan ignored her comment, scanning the room for others. He didn’t give a shit if she was happy or not. There was no way in hell that he’d let his Alpha walk into that hornet’s nest alone.

“Please, Tristan, come have a drink. Cognac perhaps? And I’d be remiss not to mention how sexy you look in that tuxedo. Sorry I missed your opening. As you know I’d been planning to be there right on time, but…”

“Stop. Alexandra. You know why I’m here, and I don’t have time for nonsense. Give it to me now,” Tristan commanded, not moving from the foyer.

Alexandra ran her palms up and down the lapels of his jacket. “You mean my mouse?” she purred. “Léopold really is no fun. I was having such a good time playing with her.”

“Her?” Tristan raised an eyebrow.

“Please, don’t pretend you didn’t know. Surely Léopold must have told you.”

“No, and frankly I don’t care whether it’s a man or woman. Whoever torched my club knowingly started a pack war. That being said, I’m interested in how you procured her. How do you know she was there?”

Alexandra admired her long nails, preparing to boast about her extraordinary hunting skills. “My strong Alpha, you do know just how important your little club is to me and my vampires. While you may not appreciate my interest in your venture, you know that I’ve always wanted you.”