Allyn and Ransom – 19

 

 

Liam was shivering. For a moment he couldn't figure out why, until he realized he was naked. Naked and in a room he didn't recognize.

 

Then it all came back to him.

 

He had left the gala feeling a bit forlorn. Even though he had enjoyed himself, he'd missed being able to share it with Allyn. It had been well after midnight and he'd savored the cool air—relishing it, in fact, as the building had been almost too warm, thanks to all the people there.

 

"Leaving already?" someone had said from behind him.

 

He'd turned to see a tall, dark-haired man standing there. "I figured I'd beat the crowds," Liam had replied.

 

"I can't say that I blame you. I feel the same way." The man had tapped his lip. "I was watching you in there. You seem to be having a great deal of fun."

 

"I'm a film addict," Liam had admitted. "And when Oliver Wilson… You know who he is?"

 

"Yes. The star of the indy film that was such a hit at Sundance."

 

"Have you seen it? Wasn't he absolutely fantastic?"

 

Liam remembered he and the man had started trading stories about the films they liked and didn't like. Somehow, in the process, Liam had ended up in the man's car. That was the last he recalled until the man had led him into this…basement? Why did he…? Liam's eyes widened in horror, his pulse pounding when he touched two fingers to his neck. He pulled them away, puzzled. He bit me! I know he did. He had fangs and he bit me. He thinks he's a vampire. He's crazy. He must have given me something… Liam tried to remember if he'd eaten or drunk anything and couldn't.

 

I have to get out of here. He looked around for his clothes. Nothing. The room was barren except for a door, a window high on one wall—pale light coming through it—and a set of shelves along another one. He staggered to his feet, waited a moment for the dizziness to pass, then went to the door. It was locked. He shook the handle, screaming for help. All he got in return were his words echoing off the walls.

 

Next he tried to reach the window. His fingers barely touched the sill and he was too weak to jump then try to pull himself up. Not that it would do any good. It's probably locked too. Still…

 

He looked at the shelves, wondering if he could move them under the window. Going over to the shelves, he began to tug at them. They moved, and when they did, he saw there was something behind them. A door. Another door. Please, God, let it be unlocked.

 

He turned the handle. The door opened.

 

"Thank you. Thank you."

 

Cautiously he peered past it. There was a long hallway, the only light coming through the window high above the floor, halfway down. At the far end, he saw another door. Heart in hand, he made his way to the three stairs leading to the door. Once again he prayed it would open, and not into the rest of the house—or wherever he was. He pushed the door open.

 

Ahead of him was a short stretch of grass. Above him, the almost full moon gave enough light for him to see the trees surrounding the lawn. For a second he wondered about the wisdom of taking off when he wasn't wearing anything, including shoes. The hell with it. I have to get away from here before that crazy bastard knows I'm missing. Taking a deep breath, he dashed madly across the lawn into the forest.

 

"Going somewhere?"

 

Liam spun around. The man, dressed all in black, was standing on a veranda several yards from where Liam had exited.

 

"I will give you a five minute head start," the man said. "If you can escape, more power to you. If not, I will feed on you, draining the last drop of blood from your carcass, then dispose of you as I have the others."

 

"You're crazy!" Liam shouted. Suddenly it hit him. He wasn't this man's only victim, from what he'd said. Liam remembered the news stories of the guy who had vanished after the masked ball. He started to shake in fear.

 

"Four minutes," the man said, stepping off the veranda to the lawn.

 

Liam turned and ran. There were large trees, smaller ones, and brush. Branches lashed him as he raced by them, but he ignored their stings on his bare flesh and the feel of oozing blood. The ground was covered with leaves and fallen branches. Liam realized almost instantly that he was making noise as he sped pell-mell through the forest, ignoring the pain when he stepped on sharp stones. He came to a stop beside a tall, thick-trunked tree, pressing against it while listening for the sound of pursuit. His feet were in agony now, but he did his best to push the pain to the back of his mind. It would only interfere with his ability to come up with a plan to get away from…from the insanity of his situation.

 

He wasn't certain if he was thankful for the moonlight filtering through the branches—since it meant he could see where he was going—or terrified because his captor could see him when he moved. With no clothes, Liam knew his pale skin probably acted as a beacon to the man pursuing him. He inched down to his knees, all the time listening for any sounds that would say the man was nearby. Then he dug through the leafy ground cover to the damp earth beneath it. Taking a handful, he rubbed it over his chest—the pain barely an issue compared to his safety. Digging again and again, he did his best to cover his whole body with the dirt. Not much camouflage, but better than nothing.

 

His pulse was racing. He forced himself to remain calm while trying to figure out which way to go. I came from that way, I think. If I keep the moon to my left, at least I won't be traveling in circles. Creeping slowly forward to the next tree, he stood, using it as cover while he surveyed his surroundings.

Allyn and Ransom – 18

 

 

Late the next morning, once he was actually awake enough to think, Allyn called Liam. Because they'd talked about it, he knew his friend had planned on going to the film festival party. Liam was a movie addict and never missed the chance to become involved with anything having to do with films—and the possible chance of meeting one the actors or actresses who had appeared in movies he'd seen.

 

It was not Allyn's thing, so he'd opted for the ballet fundraiser, laughing when Liam had pronounced ballet old folks' entertainment. Something Allyn and Ransom had decided on their own at the end of their evening at the party.  

 

Now, Allyn waited impatiently for Liam to answer his call. When it went to voicemail he frowned then left a message. "Call me as soon as you wake up, sleepyhead."

 

Half an hour later, when Liam hadn't responded to his message, Allyn called once more, only to be sent to voicemail—again—and left basically the same message.

 

"This isn't like him," Allyn muttered, hanging up.

 

"Isn't like who?" Miranda asked, wandering into the breakfast nook where Allyn was at the moment.

 

"Liam. It's almost noon and he hasn't replied to either of my voicemails."

 

"Didn't you see him last night?"

 

"No. He went to the film festival thing, while Ransom and I were at the ballet fundraiser."

 

"You and Ransom? Interesting." She smiled wickedly at him.

 

"Purely business. I was helping him out with a case he's working."

 

"The one concerning the kidnappings?"

 

"Yeah." Allyn poured a cup of coffee, then one for her when she asked.

 

"So maybe while you were playing detective, Liam decided to try a new flavor of the month, so to speak."

 

"He wouldn't," Allyn protested. Although he wasn't so certain she wasn't right. After all, he and Liam weren't exclusive, despite the fact they seemed to spend at least one night a week in bed together.

 

"Stop worrying," Miranda said, patting his arm. "He'll call, all apologetic and with some excuse, like he got royally wasted and didn't even get home until morning."

 

"Probably," Allyn agreed, hoping it was the case.

 

Allyn and Ransom – 17

 

 

Half an hour later, Ransom said with a touch of dismay, "Almost everyone here is middle-aged or older."

 

"You're just noticing?"

 

"Yeah. Not too sharp, am I? The problem is…"

 

"They're not the type of people the man we're looking for targets. Have you heard anything from you men at the other venues?"

 

"Venues?" Ransom smiled, before saying, "I have, and so far, nothing." He chuckled softly. "Did you think the calls I've been getting were from a boyfriend?"

 

"Do you have one?" Allyn asked, realizing he hoped the answer would be no.

 

"No more than you do, from what you told me. There are a couple of men I hook up with occasionally, because I don't get off on picking someone up at a bar, but that's it."

 

"I totally understand."

 

Almost as if what they were talking about triggered it, a couple Allyn knew fairly well joined them. The woman, after being introduced to Ransom, whispered to Allyn, "Trading up from Liam?"

 

"No. We're just friends who happen to be interested in ballet," Allyn murmured.

 

"He looks more like the football type."

 

Obviously overhearing them, which wasn't surprising considering what he was, Ransom said, "Are the two mutually exclusive? Ballet dancers and football players have to be in peak condition. They both wear tight pants—or I guess tight tights when it comes to ballet—which makes them easy on the eyes." He waggled his eyebrows, much to the woman's amusement. "At least with ballet, the music is a lot better, which is a plus."

 

They continued chatting for a few minutes, even as Ransom surreptitiously scanned the other partygoers, as he and Allyn had been doing all evening.

 

Finally it was one a.m. and the party began to wind down. Since midnight, Allyn and Ransom had been on high alert because, Ransom had pointed out, the three abductions had happened very late in the evening, "When people were beginning to leave."

 

"I guess we should call it a night," Ransom said when the final people left and the staff of the Mansion began cleaning up.

 

"Unless you feel like collecting dirty glasses, it might be a good idea," Allyn agreed.

 

They exited as they'd come in, through the lobby. When they were on the street, Ransom said he'd walk Allyn to his car. For a moment Allyn bristled. Doesn't he think I'll be safe on my own?

 

Ransom squeezed Allyn's shoulder. "I'm not being overprotective. I'd just like to. Despite why we're here, it's been nice, being with you. I sort of want to prolong the experience without having to watch everyone else in the process."

 

"Seriously?" Allyn was more than a little surprised by his words.

 

"Yeah, seriously. So where did you park?"

 

"Right over there, by the cemetery."

 

They walked down the block and around the corner. Allyn's car was the only one on the short street—unlike when he'd first parked, and wondered where everyone else coming to the party would find spaces.

 

"Kind of spooky," Ransom said, glancing at the tombstones behind wrought iron fence.

 

Allyn grinned. "Afraid of ghosts?"

 

"Not afraid, but I have healthy respect for the fact they might exist." He turned his attention back to Allyn. "Thanks for coming with me tonight."

 

"You're welcome. I wish we'd been successful."

 

"Me too, but that's the way it goes. None of my people have called to say they found the guy, and it's still too early for any reports of someone missing, so maybe he took the night off."

 

"Or quit altogether, which would be nice."

 

"I wish." Ransom went silent momentarily before saying, "Look, if you're not busy Monday night, I'm off and, umm… We could maybe go to dinner? Really catch up on things?"

 

Despite his astonishment, Allyn replied, "Sure, why not?" He managed a grin. "McDonald's?"

 

"Smartass. You know Brisbi's? I figure it's sort of halfway between your place and mine."

 

"I do. It has a nice view of the marina and the lake. What time?"

 

"Seven? That way we might miss the main dinner crowd."

 

"Sounds good. I'll see you then."

 

"Great." There was a long, pregnant pause, then Ransom turned and walked away.

 

Getting into his car, Allyn wondered if dinner with Ransom was a good idea. Then again, why not? The worst that happens is we'll find out we were right to have separated, way back when. The best, we become friends again, and who knows…? He immediately erased that thought. Friends, he could deal with. More was not going to happen and he knew it. Still, he wasn't certain he liked the idea. He is one sexy man—and a good one too. I've always known that. He pulled out of the parking space and soon was heading back home, still pondering the idea. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could return to the relationship they'd had before things went south, and—given the chance—he might want it to happen.

Allyn and Ransom – 16

 

 

Allyn drew in a startled breath when he saw Ransom enter the lobby of Mystère Mansion. Ransom had always been a man who dressed casually when Allyn had known him all those many years ago. Tonight, in a tux, with his hair styled instead of looking as if he'd just run his hand through it, he was…incredibly handsome and sexy. Stop there, Allyn immediately cautioned himself. This is business. We're here to stop a kidnapping and catch the person doing them.

 

"You're quite impressive," Ransom said, once he joined Allyn. "But then, you always did manage pull off the playboy look very well."

 

"Thanks, I think," Allyn replied. "You look, to coin a phrase, 'to the manor born' as well."

 

Ransom shook his head. "That'll be the day."

 

Even as they were talking, Ransom was scanning the influx of people arriving for the fundraiser. So Allyn did the same, while suggesting they go into the Grand Parlor. "We can find a good vantage point to watch everyone."

 

The parlor was already beginning to fill, even though it was early. Since it was a warm evening, Allyn wasn't surprised to see the doors to the courtyard were open. People were already mingling outside, as well as in the two large interior rooms given over to the party.

 

"This is not going to be easy," Ransom muttered.

 

Allyn laughed. "You expected it would be? This is one of the premier events of the season."

 

"There's going to be dancing?" Ransom asked, glancing at the bandstand set up at one end of the Parlor.

 

"Yep. The theme for the evening is 'Midnight Tango', although I suspect they won't stop anyone from doing other types of dancing." Allyn looked mischievously at Ransom. "You do tango, don't you?"

 

"Yeah, right. I think, if pushed, I can still do the box step. That's the limit of my dance skills."

 

"You don't go to clubs?"

 

"Rarely. They're not my thing."

 

Allyn nodded. Now that he thought about it, they hadn't been. Of course fifty years ago, two men going to a club together, other than as pals out for a night of drinking, had been unheard of. When he and Ransom had done that, as part of finding the men targeting shifters, they had been very circumspect, even though they were in the beginning stages of their personal relationship. At least that's no longer necessary. I should drag him to one of the clubs on Bourbon, just for the hell of it. Allyn knew it would never happen. They weren't even friends now—not really. They were just two men on a mission to save another person from vanishing.

 

"Would you gentlemen care for a drink," a young man carrying a tray of champagne asked, bringing Allyn back to the present.

 

Allyn picked up a glass, while Ransom declined, telling Allyn when he looked questioningly at him, "I have to keep a clear head." Allyn almost put the glass back on the tray, then decided if he wasn't carrying one, people who knew him would wonder and comment.

 

Slowly the rooms and the courtyard began to fill with guests. The band appeared and began playing, after the leader invited everyone to "Dance to your heart's content".

 

"How many of these people do you know?" Ransom asked, after being introduced to yet another couple.

 

"Most of them?" Allyn replied with a grin. "After all, I do, as you so unsubtly put it the other day, spend my time living the life of the idle rich."

 

"Yeah. Sorry about that. I didn't know…" Ransom spread his hands.

 

"No problem, since it's what I do when I'm not," he chuckled, "off saving the world."

 

Ransom laughed. "Are you trying to emulate Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne?"

 

With a sudden insight, Allyn realized, No, just you. Not that he would ever say it to Ransom. In spite of everything that had happened between them, he had always admired Ransom's dedication to protecting those who needed it most.

 

"Not hardly," Allyn replied to Ransom's question, just as another couple came over to greet him.

Allyn and Ransom – 15

 

"Did I lose you?" Allyn asked.

 

"What? No. I was just thinking, umm, where we should meet."

 

"At the Mansion?" Ransom could hear the smile in Allyn's voice.

 

"Yeah, wiseass. But where there?"

 

"The lobby."

 

"All right. Can you be there in two hours?"

 

"That's a bit early. Make it at eight."

 

Ransom chuckled. "So that we're fashionably late? Supposedly, it starts at seven."

 

"Meaning the people who aren't anybody will show up then. The rich and famous will wait until there's enough guests to witness their grand entrance."

 

"Jesus," Ransom muttered, although he knew Allyn was right.

 

"Way of the world, Ran. Or at least the world I inhabit."

 

"True, but since we're looking for the abductor, it would make more sense to be there from the get-go."

 

"You have a point. All right, I'll be there at seven, in all my glory."

 

"Do not tell me you're wearing something that will make me feel like a peasant next to you."

 

"Umm. Well. Just your classic midnight blue Brioni with black satin lapels."

 

"Like that tells me anything. I'm wearing a classic After Six, I think."

 

"You think?"

 

"I bought it two years ago for a wedding so, yeah, it was an After Six."

 

"There's nothing wrong with that."

 

Ransom chuckled. "At least it's not from the eighties. All right, we both should get moving if we're going to be there on time."

 

"Yep. See you in a couple of hours."

* * * *

"Which extravaganza will I honor with my presence?" Grigore asked his reflection while he straightened his bow tie.

 

He had several choices. The only question being, which one was most likely to net him a young, healthy man or woman for the hunt. He instantly eliminated the ballet fundraiser. Ballet equates to older people. At least from what I remember, having gone to a few many years ago.

 

The animal shelter charity event might pull in a mix of ages, but there was also the possibility there would actually be dogs and cats there—to remind the partygoers why they should be donating to the cause. Some animals were sensitive to supernatural beings. The last thing I need is a dog howling or a cat screeching, if I get too close to their cage.

 

That left the film festival party. Movies these days cater to youth. Noise and action for the young men, who get off on that sort of thing, or mawkish romances. What do they call them? Chick flicks? Yes, there should be a plethora of the young and agile attending. Surely I'll find the perfect prey there.

 

With that decided, Grigore checked one more time to make certain he was sartorially acceptable for mingling with the rich of the city—not that he had any real doubts—and then left. He had one stop to make before the party. He needed to find an acceptable vehicle, since, as always, using his own for the actual abduction was not an option.