She took the card. It held an address and phone number, nothing else.

“There’s no name on this. How do I know whose office it is?”

He gave her the raised eyebrow again. “Because I just handed you the card,” he said slowly, as if speaking to a nitwit. “Be there two hours after sunset tomorrow evening.”

“What if I don’t know when sunset is?” she asked, just to be obnoxious. She knew exactly when sunset was. She’d been checking it daily for the last several months, ever since she’d decided to try and get inside vampire society.

“Then check your father’s newspaper,” he said impatiently, proving that he knew far more about her than she did about him.

She was trying to think of an appropriate comeback when he abruptly shifted his gaze over her head and gave someone a curt nod. Sid spun, but whoever he’d been signaling was too far away for her to identify. She started to turn back and nearly crashed into Aden. He reached out to steady her, curving the fingers of one big hand over her hip.

Taking advantage, he leaned in and put his lips right next to her ear. “Do wear something more suitable tomorrow night, Ms. Reid. I’m rather fond of redheads.”

Sid gasped at his temerity, but he was already gone, walking easily through the crowded room, a path clearing before him like magic. She watched him go, his height and size making him easy to follow until he joined a small group of men and women who stood apart from the rest. She stared until Travis sidled up next to her once again.

“Was I right?” he asked.

“Right about what?” she asked absently.

“About Aden. He’s going to be the one, don’t you think?”

She opened her mouth to tell him she had no idea, no basis to judge something like that. But then she frowned. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But I think you might be right.”

Travis grinned proudly. “You see those guys over there?” he asked, nodding toward the small group which now included Aden. “The one in the back, looks like a rich Wall Street exec? That’s Raphael, probably the most powerful vampire on the planet. The two closest to him are Lucas and Duncan, but all of them up there are vampire lords, Sidonie. The real deal.”

“And the women?” she asked, noting in particular the tall, black-haired one who looked like a model in a long-sleeved Stella McCartney that covered everything, but still managed to look provocative as hell. She was greeting Aden with a big smile, and Sid experienced an unwelcome jolt of pure envy. She scowled at her own reaction. What did she care if Aden hustled some other woman? Hadn’t she just persuaded herself that she wasn’t interested in him or any other vampire?

“The short and curvy dark-haired one is actually Sophia. She’s Lord of the Canadian Territories and the only female on the Council. The rest of the women are human. The one talking to Aden right now is Cynthia Leighton, Raphael’s mate. Don’t know the others’ names, but they’re all mated to the lords. So don’t worry, they’re way off limits to Aden.”

Sid shot him a surprised look. “I don’t care about that,” she said, turning back to watch as Aden spoke to the Leighton woman. “This is simply business for me.”

“Uh huh. Well, how about you and I do a little business of our own then?”

She glanced over and did a double take when she saw his fangs on full display.

“That’s not my thing, Trav. I told you.”

“Hey, don’t knock it until—”

“Look, I appreciate you bringing me here and all, but it’s not going to happen.”

“Okay,” he said agreeably. So agreeably that she suspected he’d been acting under Aden’s orders all along, that he’d never really expected her to put out. The thought made her frown.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” Trav was saying. “But I’m going to mingle now. Plenty of willing flesh here tonight. See you around, babe.”

She gave him a little wave, glad he was making it easy, even as she suspected she’d been manipulated. She took a final look across the ballroom, but Aden and the others were gone. She sighed and glanced down at the business card in her hand. She’d have to be careful with this one. Aden wasn’t Travis, and she had a feeling he wouldn’t be making anything easy for her.

ADEN GAVE Raphael a respectful bow, then turned and deliberately disappeared into the crowd. There’d been nothing untoward about his interaction with Raphael tonight, nothing to indicate that he or any of the lords favored Aden over the other candidates. But then, nothing was ever what it seemed with vampires, and he knew the rumor mill would already be rife with rumors about secret meetings with powerful vampire lords. He knew, because he’d been the one to make sure the rumors got started. Aden had no doubt he could defeat his opponents handily on his own, but it never hurt to pad the odds in his favor by making his enemies worry about powerful friends.

He faded back into the shadows to better watch the crowd. He was aware of his effect on people, even vampires. His size and attitude were intimidating even without the aura of power that his vampire nature granted him. It was something he often used to great effect, but there were times when he needed to disappear. And his vampire nature had gifted him with that, too: the power to wrap himself in darkness and hide in the shadows.

He caught the flash of copper-colored hair and watched with hooded eyes as Sidonie Reid wove her way through the crowded room. Her dress was tighter than she was probably used to. It made her stride unconsciously seductive, emphasizing the glide of silken thighs, the sway of her hips above nicely toned legs. More than one head turned to follow her progress, vampire nostrils flaring as she passed, scenting the bouquet of her blood beneath that delicate skin. She had a striking beauty, not classic, but unique, with crystal blue eyes and a curly mass of red hair that tumbled artfully down her back. She’d been raised with money and privilege, and it showed in the arrogant assumption that she was safe in this room full of predators.

The truth was that her blood would have been tasted long ago if he hadn’t ordered otherwise. She was lucky that it had been Travis she’d approached seeking information in that blood bar. Trav could fake stupidity with the best of them, but there was a calculating mind behind that scruffy blond exterior. As soon as Trav had discovered who she was, he’d called Aden, and Sidonie Reid’s fate had been set.

She made her way toward the exit, oblivious to the effect of her passage. Covetous eyes followed her, but turned away when Aden emerged from the shadows to lay claim. Sidonie had come here tonight to seduce him, thinking that would give her power. But she had a lot to learn. He smiled privately, anticipating his meeting with her the next night.

He did love redheads. Their pale skin marked so very prettily under the lash.

Chapter Two

ADEN STRODE swiftly through the halls of the hotel. His business tonight was finished. From here on out, the competition would be mostly guerilla-style ambush and attack, although some might go old-school and issue formal challenges. There was only one real rule, and that was no human audiences or casualties. As long as no bodies were left for the humans to find, there was little chance of accidental discovery, and in the event humans chanced upon a challenge battle, the participants were responsible for wiping the humans’ memories. Anyone who failed in that responsibility would face the combined wrath of the Council, which was a far worse fate than any challenger could pose.

Aden’s lieutenant, Sebastien, emerged from one of the side hallways, matching his pace as they headed for the exit. Bastien was nearly as tall as Aden and just as dark. He was a warrior in his blood and bone, a former officer in the French Foreign Legion who still wore the Legion’s grenade and colors in a tattoo on his left forearm.

Aden had four vampires who called him Sire, but Bastien had been his first, turned before Aden ever left Europe. Aden’s Mistress, the female who’d made him Vampire, had released him from her service decades earlier, but when he’d arrived in America and met Lucas, he’d known that this was a master he could willingly serve. So, Aden had sworn to Lucas, and Lucas had not only permitted Bastien to remain bound to Aden, he’d taken it a step further and encouraged Aden to make more children of his own. It was a gift that Aden would never forget, one that had demonstrated Lucas’s confidence in Aden—that he was loyal and no threat to his master. But it had also been solid proof of Lucas’s belief that Aden was meant for greater things. Because in order to achieve the lofty position of vampire lord, one needed children of one’s own to rely on for both loyalty and raw power. If it came down to a duel between powerful vampires, the strength of one’s children could sometimes make all the difference in the world.

“Any news?” Aden asked Sebastien.

“The usual rumblings, Sire. Lots of gossip floating around about Magda and how she died, even though no one seems to have considered her a serious contender. My favorite rumor is that Lucas took her out to advance your cause.”

“As if she was in my way.”

“Exactly. I estimate half of those spreading that particular fantasy will be gone by morning.”

“By choice?”

“Some. But others will suffer a more permanent departure. The weaker challengers are trying to boost their confidence by killing each other off.”

“Fascinating. Anyone I need to worry about?”

“Not at that level. One moment, Sire.” Bastien strode ahead of him and pushed open the heavy door leading to the loading docks, where their limo should be waiting.

Some of the other contenders went for glitz, arriving and departing under the porte-cochère of the hotel like some sort of rock star. Word had gotten out—or more likely some fool had intentionally pushed it out—that there was a big vampire gathering at the hotel, and there were actual paparazzi waiting out front. Aden shook his head. The last thing he wanted was his picture splashed across a gossip magazine.

“We’re ready, Sire,” Bastien said and held the door open.