Chapter 5: Introductions

Once realization struck, I jumped for the balcony door, pulling it so hard that it crashed into the windows beside it. Luckily, the glass seemed to be unbreakable because, though the windows shook, they didn't even crack.

I raced out onto the balcony, ready to solve the mystery of the elusive eyes, only to find myself alone. I stared around the large area; the wind blowing my dark brown hair every which way. But there was nothing there. Even the odd sensation had disappeared.

I rushed inside to find my team in what I guessed was a sex room from all the harnesses that were hung from the ceiling. An odd wooden contraption was set in the corner that I didn't even want to begin to figure out how it worked or why Amos would have it. From the dried blood that was stuck to it, whatever it was used for couldn't be good.

"I've got blood in the bathroom," I said, smiling slightly as Duncan jumped at the sound of my voice. It wasn't necessarily a gift from my vampire ancestry, but I was able to move quietly enough that they never heard me coming. It was always a fun bonus when Duncan annoyed me.

"Yeah, Em," Andrew said slowly as if blood in the bathroom would be an obvious thing. "We've got blood all over this place."

"No, I mean, I've got a lot of blood. More than someone could lose and still walk away from."

They both gave each other a look before heading to the back of the penthouse.

"I'm going to go have a friendly chat with the doorman. I wonder if he'll have any answers as to when Amos should be back here." Duncan waved me off without looking back. I shrugged and meandered through the penthouse, trying not to look too closely at the crazy décor.

It was as I pushed the front door open that I felt a zing zip down my back, much stronger than it had ever been. I began to look in the hallway when I stopped short at the dark figure standing in front of me. I felt my breath catch in my throat at the sight of him as every thought fled my brain.

He was tall, over six feet, if I had to wager a guess, and he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Though he wasn't pale like most vampires, I could feel the current of energy radiating off of him. He had black hair, longer than most, so that it would hang in his face if he didn't brush it back. His cheekbones were high and his chin masculine, offset by a dark beard. But what was most noticeable were his eyes. They were bright blue and staring at me in amusement.

"Hello, darling," he said in a deep baritone that sent shivers right through me. "I was wondering when you would finally come talk to me." His thick lips quirked up in a smirk as he studied me.

I suddenly took a deep breath as my lungs had begun to protest the lack of oxygen. His smirk deepened to a full-out grin at the sight of me. My brain finally caught up with the situation and I stumbled back from him, not realizing we had been standing much too close.

"Who the hell are you?" I asked, my voice accusatory. I had never been so knocked off balance by a vampire in my life. And I had dealt with hundreds of them in my career.

"Who do you want me to be?" He asked, his voice somehow silky smooth. I fought the growing shudder at the sound of his voice. What in the world had gotten into me?

"I want you to be Amos Carpenter, so I can plug a stake in your heart, but something tells me I'm not going to get that lucky."

"Sorry to disappoint," he said, though he didn't look sorry in the least. "But why would you want anything to do with Amos? He's a bore. I'm much more fun than he is."

I hesitated as his smile turned dangerous. He stepped closer to me, and my heart began to beat faster as he navigated me against the wall. His arms went to either side of my head, trapping me between them. Every thought left my brain as he bent his head closer to mine.

"Would you like me to show you how much more fun I am than Amos, dear Emily?" His voice lowered to a whisper, and I felt his warm breath on my face.

I shuddered as I breathed the smell of him in, the scent so intoxicating that I didn't have a chance against him. He pressed his body into mine and I felt little shocks of electricity shoot through me everywhere he touched.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, breathier than I would like to admit. He smiled at me, obviously enjoying his effect.

"I know a lot about you, Emily," he said, leaning closer to whisper in my ear. Goosebumps made their way down my neck, causing me to shiver against him. He made a noise in the back of his throat and pressed closer to me. "Would you like to know just how much I know?"

"What I want," I breathed into his ear, feeling slightly redeemed when he shivered against my breath as well. "What I want is for you to get the hell off of me." I slid my hands up to his chest and shoved, enjoying the surprised look on his face.

"Now, Emily. That wasn't very nice." He said, brushing the imaginary dust off of his suit jacket. I tried not to notice how well the suit fit his body.

"You say you know a lot about me. Apparently not. If you did, you'd know I'm not a particularly nice person. Especially when a mysterious vampire has been stalking me all day and decides to press himself on me. So, I'll ask you again. Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Ezra," he said, studying me closely like I had taken him by surprise. Good.

"Great. Nice start. Now, what are you doing here?"

"I don't see what business it is of yours," he said with a chuckle. "Really, Emily. I know you're used to being in charge, but we're going to have to work on that when you talk to me."

I snorted and leaned back against the wall, the picture of relaxation. Really, I was mentally cataloguing where my stakes were. Just in case he got any funny ideas.

"I don't know what makes you think we're going to be having many conversations, but sure. We can play it your way." I cleared my throat and tried to arrange my face into a pleading expression. "Please, sir. Will you tell me how you came to share the same space with me? If only so I can make it happen again?"

He quirked an eyebrow as he stared at me, before appearing in front of me in the usual vampire grace and speed. He leaned against me again and I felt the same electricity zinging on my skin as I mentally smacked myself in the head. Whatever was going on with this guy, I didn't need to encourage it. Taunting a vampire always made them react. I was an idiot.

A noise sounded in the penthouse behind us, and his face turned grim before he leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"Our time is about to be cut short, little mouse. But rest assured, this won't be the last we speak." In usual vampire quickness, he kissed my forehead, causing me to jump at the shock that ran through my body. He smiled, enjoying the reaction he caused. "Until we meet again."

And he was gone. The door next to me opened as Duncan and Andrew hurried out.

"There you are," Duncan said, brows furrowed in confusion. "I thought you said that you were going to talk to the doorman. That was nearly 20 minutes ago. Did he have anything to say?"

"I –" I began, brain in absolute shambles. "Uh. No. He didn't have anything for me at all."

"Then let's get out of here. We can turn these blood samples into the lab before we call it a night."

I followed them into the elevator and tried to think about what had just happened in that hallway. Something told me I was in for some major trouble.