Allyn and Ransom – 36

 

 

Allyn waited, listening. There was a small cracking sound, as if Grigore had stepped on a twig and broken it. That told him, even before Ransom did, that the vampire was just outside the thicket. Allyn inched away, being careful not to make a sound. When he was on the other side from Grigore, he crawled behind the nearest tree and stood. Inhaling deeply, he took off, zigzagging his way farther into the forest.

 

He was heartily glad the moon was rising, giving him at least a vague idea of what was ahead of him.

 

"You are doing well," Allyn heard Grigore say from several yards behind him. "Not as well as I had hoped, but better than some of my other prey."

 

I'll show you well. Allyn glanced up, seeing a tree limb that he knew would hold his weight. Leaping, he grabbed it and seconds later he was looking down at the ground below him. ::This is when I wish I was a panther, not a wolf,:: he grumbled to Ransom.

 

::You're doing fine. He doesn't seem to know what you did—yet.::

 

Taking Ransom at his word, Allyn searched for the closest large tree, focused on one of its branches and jumped. He let out a soft "Oof," when he landed. Too soft to be heard if Grigore had been human.

 

::That caught his attention,:: Ransom said.

 

Allyn chuckled dryly. ::Good. I wouldn't want him to lose me.::

 

For the next few minutes Allyn moved from tree to tree, high above the ground. Then he was at the edge of a clearing. He leapt, landing silently on all fours on the small patch of thick, soggy grass. ::How close are we to the bayou?:: he grumbled.

 

::Best I can figure, it's across the river, which is pretty close. I could check to be sure but for some reason, I haven't figured out how to carry my phone when I'm a wolf.::

 

::Smart ass,:: Allyn muttered as he got to his knees, scanning the forest surrounding him. He heard a rustling—very brief but definitely not made by a small animal. ::He's herding me somewhere.::

 

::That would be my guess. Might as well find out why.::

 

Allyn remained as he was for a few moments. If I really was terrified and on the run from him, what would I do now? Camouflage. If it's as damp under the trees over there... He moved swiftly from the clearing. Glancing back, he saw he'd left a line of crushed grass, marking his path, and smiled. Then, he took to the trees again, long enough to avoid leaving more of a trail before dropping down to the forest floor. Like the grass, it was damp. He crept to the base of a tree, scooped up dirt from between the roots and slathered it over his body.

 

::You missed the middle of your back,:: Ransom cautioned.

 

::On purpose. I want him to think I'm not exactly thinking things through as much as I should. That I'm too scared.::

 

Ransom snorted. ::I think you proved that already. The trail in the grass is like a blazing arrow saying 'Lookie here'.::

 

::Where are you, by the way?::

 

::Off to your right, at the moment. I'm going to go find him again. We don't want him right on top of you when you end up wherever he wants you.::

 

::True.:: Allyn went on the move again, running carefully, avoiding making any noise, which wasn't hard on the damp layer of ground cover. Twice, he went back to swinging between the trees, stopping long enough to listen for any sound from Grigore. Once, he did—a dull crack when the vampire again stepped on a fallen branch. By now, I'd be scared shitless if I was human. If this is what he did when he was hunting Liam… Allyn felt his anger grow and tamped it down. He had to stay calm if he was going to beat Grigore at his own game.

 

Allyn wasn't certain how much time had passed, other than to note the moon was now beginning to disappear. He inched his way through a tight stand of trees, knowing from what Ransom had told him that Grigore was barely twenty yards behind him.

 

Minutes later Allyn came to the edge of the forest. "Bastard," he barely whispered.

 

::I'm with you on that,:: Ransom said.

Allyn and Ransom – 35

 

"Mr. Warwick, or I suppose I should call you Allyn now. I see you figured out how to escape."

 

Allyn spun around to look at Gregory. The vampire was standing at the foot of the steps leading up to a veranda.

 

"It's wasn't that hard. Now what? You shoot me?" Allyn asked, seeing a gun in Gregory's hand.

 

"Only if you give me trouble. Then I'll tranquilize you again, go get that pretty sister of yours, and the two of you can play my game. If you manage to escape the grounds, you'll be free to go. I might not be so lenient with your sister. She's quite a pretty morsel."

 

"You touch one hair on her head…" Allyn growled.

 

"I won't, as long as you do as you're told. If you don't, she suffers."

 

Allyn nodded. "What am I supposed to do?"

 

"Play my game. This is a very large estate. Other than the manor house and the lawn, there is nothing but dense forest in all directions. If you can find a way to escape before I capture you again, you will be free to go."

 

"As if I stand a chance against a vampire, Gregory."

 

"Why don't we dispense with my alias? My name is Grigore Nicolescu."

 

Despite the situation, Allyn laughed. "Did you take that from some bad vampire movie? I suppose you're a Count, as well."

 

"You are in no position to mock me." Grigore rested the gun against his shoulder. "I will give you a five minute start, just as I do with all my prey."

 

Allyn nodded, walking slowly backward toward the trees. No way was he going to take his gaze off Grigore until he was safely in the forest. ::Do you see where I am?:: he asked Ransom as soon as he was out of Grigore's sight.

 

::Yes. I'll be with you in a second. You might want to shift.::

 

::No,:: Allyn replied. ::He thinks he's hunting a man. There's no reason to disabuse him of that idea until the end.::

 

::This could be interesting, since I have the feeling he has no idea what you are,:: Ransom commented. ::Now all we have to do is play his game, but our way. Make the hunter the prey.::

 

::That's my forte.:: Allyn moved into the darkness between the trees, crouching while he waited for Grigore to appear.

 

::As soon as he's well into the forest, we'll take him down.::

 

::No. He made the last hours of his victims' lives a living hell, I'm sure. Stalking them. Letting them think they had a chance to escape then killing them at the last moment.:: As they talked, Allyn heard the slight crackle of leaves underfoot and knew Grigore entered the forest.

 

::He did that on purpose,:: Ransom warned.

 

::Yep. Now to let him think he succeeded in frightening me into moving on.::

 

::I'll be,:: Ransom chuckled. ::I'll be your GPS system.:: There was a pause, then he said, ::He's five yards to your left.::

 

Allyn sprinted from his cover, racing from tree to tree, hiding behind them as if he thought they would hide him from Grigore's sight. He was certain the vampire knew exactly where he was and played into it. He continued on, panting as he did. Not because he had to—he was in much better shape than that—but because he knew it was what Grigore would expect.

 

Ahead of him, Allyn spotted a thicket. Dropping to all fours, he wormed his way to the center, ignoring the branches tearing at his bare flesh.

 

::He saw that. He seems amused at your attempt to hide, if his sly smile is any indication.::

 

::Good eyesight or is he closer than I thought?:: Allyn asked.

 

::He's a vampire. He has excellent night vision, just as we do.::

 

::Speak for yourself. I have nearly normal human vision at the moment.::

Out today - 'The Quests Box Set'!

 The Quests Box Set

 

https://www.jms-books.com/edward-kendrick-c-224_229/the-quests-box-set-p-5539.html

 

https://www.amazon.com/Quests-Box-Set-Edward-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B0FSCFDFQ7/

 

GENRE: Gay Fantasy Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 124,823 words
RATING:

In this duology by best-selling MM author Edward Kendrick, Niall, the mercenary Renard, and their companions seek to find a sorcerer to rid their homeland of eternal winter, if possible. If they are successful, they intend to defeat an evil sorcerer and free the people under his thrall, with the help of the sorcerer Symounde, healer Aymer, and Tybout and his wolves. How many will survive if they try?

Contains the stories:

A Quest to Find a Sorcerer: Niall wants to find a sorcerer who can rid his home of eternal winter. It will mean convincing friends and a mercenary to join in the quest. The friends are easy. Renard, the mercenary, is not, but Niall succeeds. On the journey, Niall and Renard form a bond beyond friendship, while the small band contends with storms, wolves, and brigands; praying in the end they find a sorcerer willing to help.

A Quest to Defeat a Sorcerer: Mercenaries and lovers Renard and Niall, along with newly-wed Merek and healer Aymer, join forces with the powerful sorcerer Symounde, his trainee Janot, and Tybout and his wolves to attempt to destroy the evil sorcerer, Huguenin, who holds many in Wildemere in his thrall. Can they succeed in the fight against the battle sorcerer and his dead-eyed minions? If so, how many of them will survive?

EXCERPT FROM "A Quest to Find a Sorcerer"

"I had an idea," Niall said. "It might be a crazy one but hear me out."

"This sounds intriguing," Petyr replied.

Niall chuckled. "I hope so. Do you remember what the old man at the tavern said last evening?"

"You mean about finding someone who can control the weather?"

"Yes. A sorcerer to be exact, although that was my idea, not his. Anyway, I thought why not try to."

Petyr cocked his head, looking at his friend. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Very much so. It would mean a long journey through the mountains and there is no guarantee when we reached the other side things would be any better than they are here."

"One could hope they are or the journey would be for naught," Petyr replied, frowning. "Whether there's a sorcerer there who could help us ... Well, it would be a gamble for certain."

"You think it's possible, though, and worth finding out?" Niall asked.

Petyr didn't reply immediately. Niall could tell from the expressions flickering across his face, thoughtfulness, interest, worry, that he was seriously considering the idea.

Finally, Petyr said, "You didn't ask me because you only wanted my opinion, did you?"

"That's part of it."

Petyr chuckled. "I think you're right, it is a crazy idea, but it could be ... an interesting journey and what would we lose by taking it? Well, other than our lives, of course."

"Yes! I mean, there is that but you would be willing to try from the sound of it."

"I am. It will take a great deal of planning and it has to be more than just the two of us, of course."

Niall heaved a sigh of relief. "It will. Master Ilberd already suggested we ask Renard, the mercenary, to be part of it."

"Good luck with that."

"Maybe he will. Master Ilberd said he's a relative and he might be able to persuade him."

"Ah, so you've already talked to him about it. Well, naturally you have. He's like a second father to you."

Niall snorted. "He's the only man I would call father, although yours comes in a close second. You know that."

"I do." Petyr rapped a finger on the table. "Who else should we ask?"

"A good question. Perhaps Janot, Mage Aymer's apprentice, because we should have a healer with us, I think."

"Absolutely," Petyr agreed. "I like him. He's very down-to-earth, if rather shy."

"He is. Then, umm ..."

"Merek," Petyr suggested. "He's big and brawny, which isn't surprising as he's the blacksmith's apprentice. He would be good to have along in case of trouble."

"I hope you mean like moving trees that have fallen across our path or boulders on a mountain trail," Niall said.

"That, and who knows what sort of ruffians we might run into."

"That's why we want Renard with us. I mean, I can wield a dagger, I'm sure you can, too, but they wouldn't do much against highwaymen or brigands."

"As if there are many of those," Petyr replied in derision. "Who would spend time waiting for a rare passing merchant or lord?"

"There must be some, at least here in Dorraine to hear Renard tell it."

"True, I suppose." Petyr leaned back against the wall behind him. "I do hope my father will let me come with you. I also wonder if Janot and Merek's Masters would give them leave to join us."

"First, we have to find out if they're interested."

"We're really going to do this?"

Niall nodded adamantly. "We are, even if it's only you and me and, the gods help us, Renard."

"And maybe not him. He might no want to be the caretaker of some young fools who have never left Misthaven, to say the least Dorraine, to travel through the mountains to who knows where."

"I suppose we'll know soon enough." Niall stood and went to get his cloak and gloves. "We should see if Merek is at the tavern. He does spend some evenings there. We'll probably find Janot at Mage Aymer's home."

"Because he lives there and rarely ventures out." Petyr frowned as he put on his cloak then picked up his gloves from the bed. "It may make it hard for us to speak to him alone."

"I guess we'll find out."

 

 

Allyn and Ransom – 34

 

Allyn slowly regained consciousness. He felt logy and tried to shake off the effects of whatever drug Gregory had given him.

 

Why am I still alive? Given what he is, he could have drained me while I was out. Unless… Yeah, he'd be drugging himself if he did.

 

His first instinct was to teleport out of there, but if he did, the man would still be free to go after someone else. Or a lot of someone elses. And I can't just jump from here to outside the house because I have no clue what's out there. If I don't have a visual, I'm screwed. I can't even send one to… Hell. Ransom.

 

Opening his mind, he tried to contact Ransom.

 

::Thank God. Where the hell are you?:: Ransom said.

 

::Your guess is as good as mine.:: Allyn frowned. ::Use the GPS.::

 

::Can't. Either it died or he found it and destroyed it.::

 

::I'm betting the latter, when he… Oh fuck. Ran, he's a vampire.::

 

::You have to be kidding.::

 

::I wish I was.::

 

::Get the hell out of there. There's still some sunlight. He won't be able to stop you.::

 

::I don't have a visual.::

 

::Just go home,:: Ransom ordered.

 

::No way. We have to stop him tonight. If we don't, he'll go after more people. Damn it.::

 

::He's there?:: Ransom asked, the words fraught dismay.

 

::No. But if we don't deal with him now… He knows who I am and could come after me. Or worse, Miranda.::

 

::Okay. Do you at least know what kind of building you're in?::

 

::A house. A large one from what little I saw of it. I know there's a basement because I'm in a room down here.:: He finally took in his surroundings. ::A very barren room. One window, high on the wall, a set of shelves, and the door we came through. I'm betting it's locked tight now.::

 

::No kidding. Can you get to the window?::

 

::If I didn't feel like ten kinds of hell. Maybe when the last of the drug wears off.::

 

::All right.:: There was a long pause. ::See if you can move the shelves over and use them to get to the window.::

 

::Now why didn't I think of that?::

 

::Because you're dopey, and not the Seven Dwarfs kind.::

 

::Thanks, I think.:: Allyn went to the shelves, gripping one side to see if they'd move. ::Whoa. We may have lift-off. There's a door behind them.::

 

::Sounds like a setup to me, so be careful,:: Ransom cautioned.

 

::Good idea.::

 

Allyn touched the handle quickly, in case it was wired to blow up or shock him—or something. It wasn't, so he turned it and pulled. He wasn't very surprised when the door began to open. If it was a setup, and it was beginning to look like one, Gregory wanted him to escape. The question was, to where?

 

::Give me an image and I'll join you,:: Ransom said.

 

::No. If he really is a vampire, he'd know you're here. Let me see where this hallway goes first.::

 

::Be—::

 

::Careful. Yeah.:: Allyn crept down the hallway, the only light coming from a window high on the wall. He thought it was the last gasp of the sun going down. Reaching the door, up three steps at the far end of the hall, he inched it open. ::I'm outside…or will be in a second. There's a lawn and trees. Like a forest.::

 

::That fits with where I think you are, in a general sense. Show me. Please.::

Allyn and Ransom – 33

 

::Where the hell are you?:: Ransom growled, getting no response from Allyn.

 

Twenty minutes ago, he had seen the car, with the man they were after, driving away just as he reached the exit of the terminal. Allyn wasn't visible in the car, but Ransom was certain the man had him—probably drugged. He'd have been there sooner—had tried his damnedest to be—but with it being midnight and the tail end of the ball, he wasn't the only one trying to leave the building.

 

Ransom managed to find a safe place to shift. Unfortunately, moving from there to the road without being seen had taken more time. Too much time. When he got there, the car had vanished.

 

Shifting back, fully dressed as always when he did so, he raced to the terminal and the room the security people had turned over to him and his men to use. The GPS tracker was on, the red dot heading east along I-10, past Bayou Sauvage then across the bridge leading to the northeast side of the lake.

 

"Where in damnation is he headed?"

 

"Got me," Thornton said, coming up beside Ransom to look at the screen. "One of the bayous over there?"

 

"I'm going after them." Ransom transferred the GPS tracking data to his phone.

 

"Do you want me along as backup?"

 

"Thanks, but no." Without giving Thornton a chance to protest or ask why, Ransom took off. When he got to his car, he checked where the kidnapper's car was. It had just gotten off the bridge and was still on I-10. Slapping the siren on the roof of his car, Ransom took off. He needed to be a close as possible to where Allyn ended up before dumping the car and shifting to his wolf form.

 

He continued trying to mind-speak with Allyn, to no avail. He suspected Allyn was drugged and thus, not able to reply.

 

The blip indicated where the car turned off I-10 onto Highway 59. Ransom sped up, swerving around a slow-moving truck ahead of him that he hadn't seen until the last second. He dropped the phone onto the console, but not before noting the blip moved to Highway 41. Ransom guessed he was about fifteen minutes behind his target and gaining.

 

As soon as he made the turn onto Highway 41, he checked his phone again. "Not possible!" The blip was gone. After he got done swearing, he brought up the map. The bayous were to his right, a good four miles from the road. Several side roads led to them, while the left side of the road was dotted with homes and three small towns.

 

Logically, he's not living cheek-by-jowl with anyone else. The roads to the left could lead to the bayous or to isolated homes close to them—or both. He scrubbed a hand over his face. There's nothing to it but to check each road and pray one of them leads to wherever the bastard has Allyn. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be the first one. Or it'll be one of the dozen other ones and checking all of them could take hours.

 

::God damn it, Allyn, answer me.:: Allyn didn't, but then Ransom hadn't expected him to.

Allyn and Ransom – 32

 

Allyn slowly became fully conscious for the second time that evening. The first time had been when the man—Gregory, as he called himself—had dragged him out of the car, pulling Allyn to his feet. He had forced Allyn into what appeared, from the size and décor of the entryway, to be a large manor house. After making him sit on an ornate sofa along one wall, Gregory had knelt down, staring deeply into Allyn's eyes. Allyn had felt the attempt to take over his mind, and though he didn't know how the man was doing that, he made it seem as if Gregory was successful. He was told to undress, which Allyn did. Then, much to his amusement, Gregory had tried to implant the thought that he was a vampire who had fed from Allyn.

 

As if. But he went along with it, wondering what was next. Gregory led him down to a basement room and forced him to kneel. For a brief moment, he thought the man expected him to suck his dick. Instead, Gregory put his hands on either side of Allyn's head, staring down at him. He seemed about to…issue the order for me to blow him?

 

Allyn didn't get an answer to that because suddenly Gregory let out a shout of pain, pulling his hand away from Allyn's head. One fingertip was deeply burned.

 

"Sssilver," Gregory hissed. "Remove the clasp, immediately!"

 

Not quite certain what was happening, Allyn did as he was ordered, holding it out to Gregory. When Gregory stepped out of reach, growling low that Allyn should throw it through the door into the hallway, Allyn realized there was more going on here than just a crazy man taking people captive for some insane reason.

 

Is he…? Could he really be…? A vampire? That was an idea neither he nor Ransom had even considered. Why would we? We were certain we were dealing with an evil human, not some supernatural. And yet…we're supernaturals. Why did it never cross our minds that he could be as well?

 

He was tempted to throw the clasp at Gregory, hoping to hit his face or hand and use the…the vampire's reaction to give himself time to escape. That wasn't an option. Gregory was suddenly behind him, grasping his hair in a painful grip. "Do as you're told," Gregory said angrily.

 

So Allyn did. At the same time, he opened his mind, asking, "Ransom, can you hear me?" There was no answer. "You were supposed to follow us. Where are you?" Again, no reply. Allyn wondered if, when Gregory had first sedated him, Ransom hadn't been near enough to realize what had happened. Or, if there were too many people around for him to shift and follow the car. If so, I'm up shit creek.

 

Gregory tightened his grip on Allyn's hair. Allyn heard a brief rustling then a sharp flare of pain when Gregory thrust the needle of a syringe into his arm. Allyn fought the effects of the sedative—and lost.

Allyn and Ransom – 31

 

From the balcony on the other side of the concourse, Grigore watched the young man he had been seeking and nodded slowly. I knew I would eventually find you again if I was patient. Now, perhaps, I'll find out what makes you so different. What makes you the one who will be, if I'm correct, the ultimate prey for the hunt.

 

Then he glanced down at the people the young man had been with just moments earlier. Unless I miss my guess, the girl is his sister. There is a family resemblance. That could come into play if I need something to convince the lad to come with me.

 

With that thought, Grigore moved swiftly around the balcony to where the young man stood. Coming up beside him, Grigore said, "I've finally found you. I was beginning to think you were a figment of my imagination."

 

The young man turned slightly, apparently puzzled. Then he smiled. "The masked ball."

 

"Indeed. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Gregory. Gregory Nichols."

 

"Allyn Warwick." Allyn held out his hand.

 

"A pleasure to see you again," Grigore said. "I've thought of you several times since the ball and wished I'd had the nerve to introduce myself then."

 

Allyn dipped his head momentarily. A gesture Grigore would have found appealing if he was looking for a sexual partner for the evening.

 

"I'll admit," Allyn replied, "I've thought of you as well."

 

"Pleasurably, I hope."

 

"More like wondering who you were and why, for a moment, I felt a connection between us."

 

Grigore smiled. "Perhaps because there was one?" He looked around, seeing couples were drifting up to the balcony. Probably, he decided, to be alone with each other, away from the crowds. "If you are willing, maybe we can find somewhere more private to talk. I would like to get to know you. That is, if you're interested in knowing me as well."

 

"I think I am. Where do you suggest?"

 

"It's a lovely evening, and I think I saw grass and a fountain only a brief walk from here."

 

"Sounds delightful. I should say good night to my friends though."

 

Grigore nodded. "If you wish. I'll wait for you outside."

 

They walked down the stairs together, with Allyn going to join his friends. Grigore, rather than leaving as he'd said, followed Allyn, staying out of his sight. He needed to know what the young man was telling his companions.

 

"I'm going out for a breath of fresh air," Allyn said to the trio standing there. "It's too damned hot in here."

 

"Just be careful. Don't let some handsome man pick you up and drag you back to his lair without letting me know first," the woman said. "You know I worry about you."

 

She had the same something Allyn had. A special vibrancy. For a moment Grigore debated taking her as well, until he looked at the man beside her. It was obvious from only a glance that the man would never let her out of his sight. Perhaps another time.

 

"You're just an overly protective sister," Allyn replied to her with a laugh. "I think I'm the one who should be worrying. I'm not certain yet that I really trust John."

 

That brought laughter from everyone. Then, telling them he'd see them later, Allyn made his way to the front door of the terminal. Grigore moved swiftly, wending his way through the people beginning to leave to beat the rush, since it was almost midnight and the ball was winding down. He managed to exit before Allyn. When he saw him come outside, Grigore joined him and they strolled down the drive toward the fountain a few hundred yards away.

 

"I think we could have stayed inside and had more privacy," Allyn said with a laugh, glancing behind them.

 

"I agree," Grigore said, although that wouldn't have fit in with his plans.

 

They were about to step onto the grass when Grigore said, "Do you mind? I'd like to leave my jacket in my car. It's right over there." He pointed. "It's really too pleasant out here to be so overly dressed."

 

"I don't mind in the least. Maybe, if it's okay with you, I can leave mine there as well?"

 

"Of course." Grigore put his hand in his pocket as they walked to the car. Opening the back door with his free hand, he waited for Allyn to lean in and set his folded jacket on the seat. Then, with one swift movement, Grigore plunged the sedative-filled syringe into Allyn's arm. Allyn tried to back out and stand, looking at Grigore in shock. It only took one hard shove to send Allyn sprawling across the seat. Grigore lifted Allyn's legs inside, slammed the car door closed, and got into the driver's seat. As he turned on the car, he heard a low moan. Much to his surprise, when he looked at Allyn, the young man was still conscious, if only barely.

 

You should have passed out the moment the tranquilizer hit your system. You are stronger than you look. I have chosen very wisely indeed.

 

Grigore noted—moments after he drove away from the airport—Allyn was well and truly comatose. He had one stop to make, to return the borrowed car, then he would take his prey back to the estate and the basement room which would be his jail until sunset. Then…the hunt would begin.

Allyn and Ransom – 30

 

Allyn and Ransom left the restaurant and, after they'd shared a few kisses when Ransom dropped Allyn off at his car, headed to their separate homes.

 

On Saturday, Allyn spent most of the day trying to rein in his nerves. It was one thing to plan how to catch the man in black. It was another to actually realize he was the bait in said plans—something that was really hitting home now.

 

Ransom called in the middle of the afternoon to tell Allyn to meet him at the station house at seven so he could set Allyn up with the bug. That did nothing to calm Allyn's unease. Ransom telling him, "By this time tomorrow he'll be in custody" did, because Ransom sounded so positive.

 

Allyn was dressed and ready to leave at six thirty when Miranda came dashing down the stairs to join him.

 

"Turn around," she said. When he asked why, she showed him the silver hair clasp she was holding. "This is for luck. Mama gave it to me after my first shift."

 

When he turned, she removed the one he was wearing, replacing it with hers. "There. Now go forth and slay the beast."

 

Allyn chuckled, giving her a hug. "Not sure there will be any slaying, but we will catch him."

 

"I know you will." She kissed his cheek. "John and I will see you in a couple of hours. Love you."

 

"Love you too."

 

The first thing Ransom said when he came down to get Allyn from the station's waiting area was, "You look so damned handsome. I like the touch of red." He flicked Allyn's bow tie.

 

"There's also the cummerbund." Allyn opened his jacket to show Ransom. "You look pretty handsome too. You wear tuxes well."

 

"Thanks. I've decided it's all in the attitude." He grinned. "If you have it, flaunt it."

 

"And you definitely have it," Allyn replied, relaxing for the first time that day. It only lasted until they got up to Ransom's office and Ransom held up the tiny bug, telling Allyn to turn around. While he affixed it in Allyn's hair, the tension returned—and not all of it was because of the reason for needing the bug. Some of it came from Ransom touching his hair and the sensual feelings that evoked. Allyn did his best to tap them down and regain his composure when Ransom said he was finished.

 

They then tested the bug, both physically—by having Allyn shake his head hard several times to check it was securely attached—and vocally to be certain Ransom could hear anything Allyn said, even when whispering.

 

"This is for everyone else linked to you," Ransom reminded Allyn. "You and I will be mind-speaking."

 

"Thank God," Allyn replied. "If he does take me—if we get that lucky—knowing you're in my head will help keep me from blowing things."

 

"You'll do just fine," Ransom assured him, accenting his words with a firm kiss.

 

Allyn prayed he was correct as he drove to the airport. He arrived there, fifteen minutes before the ball was officially scheduled to start, and found a place to park. Strolling as casually as he could master, he joined the small group of early arrivals at the main entrance to the terminal.

 

The doors opened exactly at eight. After taking a deep breath and handing his ticket to the man at the door, Allyn entered the main concourse. He paused, taking in the elegant art deco design. He knew the airport had been restored after the damage wrought by Katrina. He hadn't realized the extent of the restoration. It was like stepping into a past era—despite the large fabric airplanes, hanging from the ceiling of the two-story atrium, which were part of the ball's decorations.

 

"Impressive, isn't it," Detective Lane said as she and Thornton joined him. Sotto voce she said, "Relax. You look like you've got a stick up your ass."

 

Allyn chuckled, now looking around to see who he knew. He spotted a couple of old friends, going to join them. From there, the evening progressed as expected—hundreds of people dining and dancing to the music of a small orchestra at the far end of the concourse.

 

Miranda and John joined Allyn midway through the evening, as did Ransom, moments later.

 

"You're a hard man to track down," John said. "If it wasn't for your hair…"

 

"I know," Allyn agreed. "A black tux is a black tux. You on the other hand…" He eyed Miranda's dress. "Beautiful and perfectly you."

 

"She does look like a glimmering ruby in a sea of drab emeralds and sapphires," Ransom commented.

 

"How descriptive and poetic," Allyn said, chuckling. He didn't move closer to Ransom. If their predator was here and watching—although Allyn hadn't seen him so far—it wouldn't do for him to think Allyn was with Ransom on a personal level, or at least so Allyn thought. Apparently Ransom agreed since he stayed where he was.

 

::I take it you haven't spotted him,:: Ransom said.

 

::No. I gather you and your people haven't either?::

 

::No. But it isn't midnight quite yet.::

 

Allyn smiled dryly. ::The witching hour.:: He immediately said, aloud, to Miranda, "Have you danced with anyone except John?"

 

"As if." She smiled up at her fiancé. "From now on, he's the only man I'll ever dance with. Well, except maybe you and Ransom, Allyn."

 

"Yeah, you're safe with us," Ransom replied, winking at her.

 

"That reminds me of Liam's…" Allyn swallowed hard. "He said that about the guys you danced with at the masked ball."

 

Miranda patted Allyn's arm. "He's a good man. And yeah, I'm going to keep saying 'is' until we know differently. So there."

 

"He…is." Once again, Allyn scanned the people he could see from where he was standing, hoping to find the man in black. Then he had an idea. Excusing himself, he crossed to the stairs leading to the balcony surrounding the concourse. When he got to the top, he walked halfway down and, leaning on the railing, looked at the party attendees from his vantage point above them.

 

::Anything?:: Ransom asked.

 

::Not so far. But at least I can see everyone. If I spot him, I'll let you know.::