Chapter 4

Micha hated parties. It baffled him why anyone would want to be stuffed in a room with a bunch of demons and humans who yammered about subjects that they either knew nothing about or subjects they knew too much about. And worse, he was expected to pretend he was interested in whatever entertainment was provided, when he really wanted to find a quiet corner a nd read a book.

Or set h imself on fire.

Anything was preferable to standing around, waiting for the opportu nity to escape.

This party was no different. In fact it was worse. It was bad enough to have a horde of demons clamoring for his attention, but he didn't usually have to deal with his fellow vampires. The Cabal was wise enough to realize that the only means of keeping the brotherhood from destroying one another was to separate the most powerful of them into individual Gyres and create brutal consequences for any attem pt at invasion.

Tonight was a reminder of the tense violence that thundered in the air when they were forced to gather in one spot. One misstep and New York would be b athed in blood.

"I can offer to show you my private art collection if you want an opportunity to escape to the rooms I've pre pared for you."

Micha had sensed Valen's approach from behind, but he kept his attention locked on the crowd that swirled through the room. Valen wasn't the threat. At least not an im mediate threat.

"Is that a bribe, Valen?" he asked the male who appear ed at his side.

" Do I need one?"

Micha's gaze moved to take in Peri Sanguis, Valen's mate. "Presumably that's what we're her e to discover."

"I can promise you that Peri i sn't a threat."

"Her magic and the damage it's caused in a short amount of time s ays otherwise."

"She's still learning to control it. In a few months—" Valen cut off his words, as if realizing he was offering a promise he couldn't keep. "Or maybe a few years," he amended. "There won't be any more unfortun ate accidents."

"And her magic will be even m ore dangerous."

"She has no desire to r ule the world."

Both Valen and Peri had traveled through Micha's territory when they'd battled a mysterious evil months ago, but he hadn't invited them to his private lair. It hadn't been personal. He simply valu ed his privacy.

Micha reluctantly turned his head to meet his companion's gaze. There was no missing the concern that simmered in the dept hs of his eyes.

"And you ?" Micha asked.

" What about me?"

"You control a powerful Gyre and now you're mated to a mage who can unleash a torrent of wild magic that is capable of destroying a vampire. Maybe more than one. It tends to make the Cabal twitchy."

"You're never twitchy," V alen protested.

"No."

"So why did you agree to come? I've heard rumors that you hate traveling away from y our territory."

"It's no secret," Micha readily admitted. "I hate people. And demons. And especi ally vampires."

"Fair enough." Valen paused before repeating his question. "Then why are you here?"

"As I said, I don't like vampires, but some are worse than others," Micha conceded, turning his head until Kane came into view. He had a long, painful history with the Cabal leader. "You've been a decent neighbor who minds your own business and rarely intrudes into my territory. It's in my interest to allow you to maintain your position."

The temperature abruptly dropp ed. " Allow me?"

"Don't underestimate the threat," Micha warned, his attention returning t o Valen's mate.

"Trust me. When it comes to protecting Peri, I never underestimate the threat," Valen said between clenched fangs. "O r my response."

About to remind the male that violence was exactly the response Kane was hoping to provoke, Micha forgot how to speak as Peri was joined by a woman with golden curls and the fa ce of an angel.

Micha thought a strangled sound was wrenched from his lips, but he couldn't be sure. He was too busy trying to understand what had just happened. He'd seen beautiful women. Some of the most beautiful women in the world. And he'd been in lust countless times over the past fifteen hundred years. But he'd never felt like he'd just been smashed headfirs t into destiny.

This wasn't attraction or passion or enchantment. No, wait. That was a lie. Attraction and passion and enchantment bubbled through his veins like the finest champagne, but it was more. So much more. In the span of one moment to the next, his life had changed beyo nd recognition.

"Micha?"

Still disoriented, Micha battled to clear his stunned thoughts, reminding himself of the need to act normal. Even demons freaked out when a vampire neglected to blink and breathe as if th ey were normal.

"Who's that?" Micha was surprised his voice sounded the same as usual. Low and steady with a hint of a Creole accent.

"Peri?" Valen aske d in confusion.

"No." It was an effort not to snap as Micha vibrated with a worrying need to discover everything possible about the stranger. "The woma n next to her."

"Oh. S kye Claremont."

"The seer," Micha murmured, feeling a tiny stab of surprise as he recognized the name. "She's one of the mages from the Witch's Brew."

"You've done your research," Valen murmured.

Of course he had. Once he'd discovered that Peri had unleashed wild magic during her recent battle, he'd searched through his considerable library to read through the manuscripts and texts devoted to the ancient power, as well as doing a thorough background investigation of Peri and her c losest friends.

"I'm a recluse. What else would I do with my time?" he asked, allowing his gaze to glide over the gauzy white gown that swirled around the woman like an enchanted mist and the ballet slippers encrust ed with pearls.

She looked nothing like the other women in their designer dresses that clung to their curves and the sky-high heels. She was a seraph floating in the clouds.

"Let me think," Valen said in mocking tones. "Perhaps run a multimillion-dollar empire that includes several casinos, hotels, and oil refineries? Collect ancient artifacts? Write essays on the evolution of demons and their decline after the retreat o f the dragons?"

Micha held up a silencing hand as Valen listed off his latest business and schola rly activities.

"I'm obviously not the only one to d o my research."

"Anything to protect Peri." Valen squared his shoulders, as if preparing to face an unpleasant task. "I suppose I should mingle with my guests. Feel free to return to your rooms when you're ready. The lower floors are off-limits to everyone but members of the Cabal. You won't be disturbed." His lips twisted into a wry smile as he stepped past Micha. " Lucky bastard."

Micha briefly considered the offer to escape. Five minutes ago he wouldn't have hesitated. He was all peopled out. But now that he'd seen Skye Claremont, there was nothing on this earth that could drag him away.

Considering the best way to approach her, Micha frowned as the woman consuming his thoughts abruptly turned away from Peri and weaved her way across the room. W as she leaving?

The sight spurred him into motion. He wasn't one of those vampires who assumed every woman was his prey, but the fear she might disappear before he had a chance to speak with her was unacceptable. He had to hear her voice, catch the scent of her skin, feel the warmth of her body brush over him.

Skimming along the edge of the crowd, Micha's tension eased as the woman entered a shallow alcove and disappeared. She wasn't leaving the penthouse. She was escaping the nois e of the party.

Ah. A smile of anticipation curved Micha's lips. Obviously, they had a lot in common.

Pausing as he entered the alcove, Micha leaned forward to peer into the attached room. It was small compared to the main salon, but there was a warmth and comfort that was far more inviting. Best of all, Skye Clare mont was alone.

With a silence only a vampire could achieve, Micha stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Then, crossing the thick carpeting, he circled around the worn leather couch and low coffee table to approach Skye from the side.

He could tell the second she sensed she was no longer alone. Her spine stiffened and her hands curled into tiny fists. But she didn't turn. Instead, she stepped closer to the framed painting hung on th e paneled wall.

Micha didn't blame her fascination. The masterpiece was a museum-grade artwork with exquisite brushstrokes and mesmerizing talent for capturing light and shadow. It was an expensive acquisition, but since it'd been tucked in this private room, he assumed that Valen treasured the beauty of the painting, not the price tag. Otherwise it would be hanging in the main salon where people could ooh a nd aah over it.

Still, he didn't think Skye was admiring the brushstrokes. She was hoping that by ignoring his presence, he would politely go away. Micha smiled. She didn't know him at all. At least not yet.

Moving to stand at her side, Micha's smile abruptly vanished as the scent of laurel leaves wafted through the air, the tendrils wrapping him in a spell of bewitchment.

Laurels. The sc ent of oracles.

Of destiny.

Micha shivered as a voice in the back of his mind whispered for him to flee. He hadn't traveled to New York to be distracted by a woman, no matter how tempting she might be. All he wanted was to ensure that this Gyre wasn't stolen by a treacherous rebel and then return to the welcome priva cy of his lair.

But he didn't flee. In fact, he took a step closer, savoring the heat that radiated around her. Mages were warmer than mortals, intensifying the sensation he was being well and truly beguiled.

"Beautiful," he murmured in soft tones.

She slowly turned her head, revealing her delicate features and a midnight gaze. Shock jolted through Micha. Skye might look as innocent as an angel, but there was an aching, primordial knowledge contained in those eyes.

"It is lovel y," she agreed.

Micha swept his gaze over her upturned face. " And priceless."

She met his gaze without flinching. "I'm not here to steal it, if that's why yo u followed me."

Startled appreciation seared through Micha at her bold courage. Most creatures melted in fear whenever they were in the presence of a vampire. This woman might look fragile, but her spine was made of steel.

"That's not why I followed you," he assured her. "I have no doubt that if you wanted it, Valen would hand it over without any need for an art heist."

"Doubtful," she argued, nodding toward the masterpiece. "Valen is generous, but according to Peri this is one of his favor ite paintings."

His gaze remained tangled with her mesmerizing eyes. "And according to Valen he would do anything to please his new mate. Including giving away his favorite painting to her c losest friend."

Her brows lifted in surprise. "You know who I am?"

Not as well as I inte nd to know you .

"Skye Claremont. A mage, seer, and one of Peri's partners at the Witch's Brew," he said out loud, pressing a hand to the center of his chest as he prepared to offer her an old-fashion ed bow. "I am—"

"Micha. Cabal leader from New Orleans," she cut short hi s introduction.

"Ah. I suppose Peri warned you about the various vampires inva ding her lair?"

She shrugged. "There was no need. Vampires rarely need introductions. Even the ones who prefer to stay out of the spotlight."

Unfortunately, she was right. Even when he preferred to avoid the human press, it was impossible to amass his enormous fortune without attracting a considerable amoun t of attention.

"I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing ," he muttered.

"It's universally accepted that it's good t o be the king."

"I'm not techn ically a king."

"Leader? Chie f. Big kahuna?"

Micha chuckled. He'd never encountered anyone like this woman. "Did you come in here just to admire the Rembrandt?"

She hesitated, as if she was considering whether to answer his question. Then she glanced toward the closed door wit h a small sigh.

"I needed a few minutes away f rom the crowd."

"Wise decision. A horde of demons jammed in one room is enough to give any sane creature a panic attack," he said dryly. "Me included."

"It's not that they're demons. At least not entirely," she clarified. "But I'm tired and my shields are weaker than usual. It makes it more difficult to block out the emotions of the guests."

"Is sensing emotions a byproduct of your gift?"

"Gift." Her jaw tightened, as if she was clenching her teeth. "I suppose you could call it that."

"You don't?" Micha asked, genuinely interested. He had two mages who lived in his territory and provided services when needed, but their relationship was p urely business.

He suddenly realized he knew very little about the rare creatures. And even le ss about seers.

"Sometimes," she conceded. "And yes, my magic allows me to sense the emotions of others, especially when I'm in the Gyre. The power intensifies everything." She turned back to meet his curious gaze. "But usually I don't have any problems in blocking them out. As I sa id, I'm tired."

"Does my presen ce bother you?"

She shook her head. "I can't sense a vampire's emotions." Her lips twisted into a wry smile. "Although your power can be smothering."

"And our arrogance is insuffera ble," he added.

"Those are your wo rds, not mine."

"Maybe I'm th e mind reader."

"You are," she readily agreed. "Bu t not my mind."

"True." A vampire could enter the minds of both humans and demons to manipulate them, although the result was rarely worth the effort. It was easier to intimidate or pay them to do what you wanted. Now, however, he was frustrated by his inability to peer into this woman's thoughts. Ironic, really. He was usually the one considered to be mysteriously elusive, but Skye was a master of hiding her emotions. On the surface she was confidently charming, but he sensed that was a well-rehearsed fa?ade. "It's a shame. I would like to know what's in that mind of yours, Skye Claremont," he admitted with blunt honesty.

"Nothin g of interest."

"Now that I very much doubt." He stepped forward, frowning when she took an abrupt step backward. "Are you afraid of me?"

She wrapped her arms around her waist as if unconsciously trying to protect herself. "I prefer to avoid phy sical contact."

Micha studied her tense expression. He couldn't detect fear, but unease was laced thr ough her scent.

"With men or demons or peop le in general?"

" With everyone."

"Everyone?"

"A touch can set off a vision."

Ah. Relief surged through him. He'd been concerned that she might be repulsed by him. There were mages who considered vamp ires the enemy.

"Have you ever had a vision for a vampire?" he asked, gen uinely curious.

"Vampires live multiple lives in multiple forms," she said, not actually answering the question. "It disrupts a seer's magic."

"Have you ever trie d?" he pressed.

"No." The word was clipped, effectively ending the conversation. "I should return to the salon before Peri sends out a search party."

Micha resisted the urge to halt her determined retreat. This wasn't the time or place to discover more about the fascinating Skye Claremo nt. But soon...

"I'm not a threat," he promised, his low voice echoing through the room. "At lea st not to you."

She halted at the door, glancing over her shoulder. "And Peri? Are you a threat to her?"

"Time will tell," he said, un willing to lie.

Her eyes suddenly burned with a black fire, the scent of laurel leaves th ick in the air.

"Valen isn't the only one who would do anything to keep Peri happy. Or to protect her," she warned. "I might not possess great magic, but if you hurt my family, I make a very da ngerous enemy."

Micha dipped his head in acknowledgment of her threat. "I'll keep that in mind."