Kerrelyn Sparks - Vamps and the City

"The vampires are doing a reality show?" Alyssa asked.

Sean nodded. "Yes. And since they want to audition humans, it gives us the perfect chance to go in undercover."

"And infiltrate DVN," Austin whispered. His heartbeat quickened. He ought to volunteer. He might get to see her again.

"What kind of reality show? Is it like The Bachelor ?" Emma exchanged a look with Alyssa. "With female contestants?"

Alyssa shuddered. "They could call it Bride of Dracula"

"I bet it's more like a vampire Survivor ," Austin suggested. "They strand a group of humans on a deserted island with some hungry vampires, and see which one survives."

Alyssa grimaced. "That's terrible."

Sean rested a hand on the doorknob. "You're all wrong. They want men. Live men." He gave Austin and Garrett each a pointed look. "I need you two on that show."

Garrett turned pale. "Oh, God."

Oh, yes . "How do we get on?" Austin asked.

"It's all arranged. Just a minute. I have someone waiting outside in the hall." Sean left the room.

Silence descended. Alyssa gave the guys sympathetic looks.

"Well, here's your chance to be on the telly." Emma attempted a cheerful smile. "You might be famous."

"They might be dinner," Alyssa muttered.

Garrett sighed. "Why don't we just bomb them all and get it over with?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Because we're not sure an explosion would actually kill them. Besides, there are innocent humans working at Romatech and DVN. And Shanna is with them, too."

Alyssa nodded. "This could be the best way to find her."

Austin remained quiet to disguise the fact that his heart was racing and his breathing more shallow.

His first priority should be finding Shanna, but all he could think about was the possibility of seeing her again. Shit . What was wrong with him? Working undercover could be dangerous, and all he could think about was the mystery woman? There was a name for agents who allowed themselves to get distracted. Deceased .

Sean appeared at the door again, this time with a middle-aged woman in an expensive suit. "This is Ms. Elizabeth Stein."

The woman greeted them with a slight nod and an even slighter smile. Her dark hair was swept up into a bun, her slender frame held stiffly erect.

"Ms. Stein is the owner of the Stars of Tomorrow Casting Agency," Sean explained. "It's one of the most prestigious agencies in the city."

She lifted her chin and looked down her long nose at them. " The most prestigious agency."

"Of course." Sean motioned toward the men. "Will they do?"

She stepped forward and studied Garrett with narrowed eyes. "Striking. I'd love to sign him up."

Garrett smiled, baring his perfect white teeth. "Thank you, ma'am."

Ms. Stein withdrew some papers from her expensive valise. "You understand that I represent only the most promising actors and actresses in the city. I am highly selective."

"So are we," Austin muttered.

She turned and inspected him slowly. With the lift of an eyebrow, she sniffed. "He's not my type, but he'll do."

"What? I'm not striking?" Austin tried to look appalled. "My sensitive side is crushed." Or it would be, if he had one.

"Austin." Sean shot him a warning look. "Fill out the paperwork. And since you two will be working undercover, invent new names for yourselves."

Ms. Stein passed out the papers. "I suggest you select a name that would be appropriate for the stage or television."

Austin skimmed over the contract, then filled it out and signed it. "What kind of reality show is it?"

"I don't know a great deal about it, but it appears to be a competition." Ms. Stein slanted a doubtful look at Austin. "It's called The Sexiest Man on Earth"

Emma let out a surprised laugh, then covered her mouth.

Austin gave her a lopsided smile. "You don't think I can win?"

"Not unless you introduce yourself to a razor and a comb, first." Ms. Stein picked up his contract with a disgusted look on her face. Then she smiled at Garrett as she gathered up his papers. "The auditions will begin at nine o'clock tomorrow evening at the Stars of Tomorrow Agency on Fortyfourth Street, two blocks from the Shubert Theatre. You should arrive early" — her gaze flickered back to Austin—"appropriately groomed and dressed."

"Thank you, Ms. Stein." Sean walked back to the door. "It is imperative that both these men get on the show."

Her eyes widened. "But there could be hundreds of suitable young men auditioning."

Sean glowered at her. "You don't understand, Ms. Stein. These men must get on the show. The security of our nation is at stake. The innocent people of our country are in grave danger."

She blinked. "From a reality show?"

"This is no ordinary reality show. These men will be in constant danger."

"Oh, my." She gave Garrett a worried look. "You— you'll be dealing with terrorists?"

Sean lowered his voice. "I'm sure you'll understand, Ms. Stein, that we're unable to divulge any more information."

Her face turned deathly pale. "I–I understand. I'll make sure your men are chosen."

"Fine, do that." Sean opened the door.

Ms. Stein glanced nervously at the two men and then at her papers. "Which one of you is going to be Garth Manly?"

"That's me." Garrett lifted a hand.

"Excellent. A very macho name. It suits you." She looked at Austin and frowned. "You need a decent haircut, Mr." — she glanced down at her papers— "Little Joe Cartwright?"

Alyssa and Emma snickered.

"Austin." Sean glowered at him.

He shrugged. "She said a name suitable for television."

Ms. Stein's frown deepened. "You must select another name."

"Hoss?"

She chewed on her red power lipstick.

"Adam?"

"Adam will do. And you, young man, should have a better attitude toward the performing arts."

With a sniff, she left the room.

Sean went with her, leaving the teammates alone.

Garrett shook his head. "I can't believe this. A reality show?"

Austin shrugged. "Why should humans be the only ones with bad taste?"

"It sounds dumb to me," Garrett grumbled.

Alyssa smiled. "At least you have a good name."

"Garth Manly." Emma pursed her lips. "Ooh, it's so sexy."

Alyssa giggled, then abruptly stopped when Sean strode back into the room.

"All right." He pinpointed Austin with a stern look. "Ms. Stein is concerned about your… rumpled appearance. So, she's expecting you and Garrett at her agency in an hour. She's calling in an emergency hair stylist and wardrobe consultant."

Austin grimaced. "What about my stake-out?" He had hoped to see her again tonight. And have his 35-mm ready so he could discover the truth about her once and for all.

"Forget it," Sean answered. "Emma can record DVN from here."

Emma made another note on her legal pad. "I'll run those plates for you, too, Austin."

"Is this show really necessary?" Garrett lounged back in his chair. "Why don't we just break inside DVN during the day and gather information while the vampires are sleeping?"

Sean planted his palms on the table and leaned forward. "I want to know where my daughter is. I doubt it's written down on an invoice. You'll have to talk to the damned vampires and gain their trust. Working on this show will give you that opportunity. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir." Austin's reply was echoed by Garrett.

"Good." Sean gave Austin a wry look. "You do need a haircut."

He ran a hand through his shaggy, thick hair. "Sheesh. I thought the poodle place was doing so well."

Emma snorted. "Apparently not."

"Take this seriously," Sean warned him. "My daughter's life is at stake. And you could get killed."

His mouth twisted with a wry smile. "Or worse, you could become a star."