Kade's Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) Read online

  She glanced over at him as he conversed with Tony. Kade’s sexy frame towered over her. He was well over six-five with loose, dark blonde hair that reached his collar. The strikingly handsome, hard planes of his face accentuated his piercing, ice blue eyes. Sydney could tell he was athletic and muscular, and wished she could see what was hidden beneath his navy, linen sport jacket. He defied her notions of how she imagined most supernaturals dressed, expecting him to be clad in black leather and chains. Instead, he struck her as classic, masterly, sensual. Sydney smiled to herself thinking that Kade looked like he just stepped out of a freaking Ralph Lauren ad. His cream, linen pants hung loosely on his tapered hips revealing just a glimpse of what supernatural 'assets' he had under them. Shit, Sydney, are you really looking at the man’s crotch at a crime scene? You so need to get laid.

  As she looked up, he caught her eyes and smiled. Oh, God...please don’t let him have seen me looking there. She quickly glanced at Tony who chuckled, “Hey, Syd, whatcha lookin’ at? There really is a lot to observe at the scene, huh?”

  Damn, she was so busted. “Shut it, Tony! Need I remind you that I was supposed to be off tonight?” she retorted.

  “Off or getting off?” he quipped.

  Her face flushed red in embarrassment. “Ha, ha. Tony. You boys keep talking. I’m actually going to work. I’ll be with Ada and find out what she’s got,” Sydney huffed. She was eager to put some space between herself and Kade. She needed to get her hormones under control and think. Why cover the body with tattoos? Why all the presentation? Obviously, the perp must get off on some kind of ritual during the actual killing. Some killers like to take their time, play with the victim, such sick bastards.

  Ada Billings, the coroner, stomped down the hill toward the body. Dr. Adalee Billings had been on the job as long as Sydney could remember. With not many women on the force, Ada was the closest female friend Sydney had. Ada was a beautiful, African American woman with dark, cocoa skin. At five-eight, she could have easily been mistaken for a model. Her ebony, shoulder length hair was usually pulled back in a scrub hat. But because she was supposed to be out with Sydney tonight, having dinner, her hair was fashionably coiffed into a French twist with a royal blue barrette. Quick-witted and insanely intelligent, Ada could go toe-to-toe with any person in the department, so the men just didn’t mess with her. Sydney loved having a smart girlfriend on the force, given she usually worked in a sea of men.

  As Ada leaned in to examine the body and set down her evidence kit, Sydney sidled up next to her, anxious to get Ada’s first impressions. The smell was overwhelming at this point. Death, animal or human, it was a smell that permeated the lining of your nostrils and could get into your clothing. Damn, if she didn’t just dry clean this blouse.

  “So, what ya got, Ada?” Sydney inquired.

  Ada stared narrowly at the girl’s face and hands. “Hard to tell without being in the lab, but the tattooing is interesting. Maybe some kind of ritual? Magical protection?”

  “Yeah, I was thinking ritual. The perp took his time on the girl: the dress, the makeup, sick fuck. What makes you think magical protection?” Sydney asked.

  “Early tattooing was thought to have mystical protection, a talisman of sorts worn on the skin. We’ll take pictures of the tats and get them to research. Damn, if this city isn’t getting freaky tonight. Is P-CAP down here? Honestly, Syd, my take is that this might be their case, but if you want us to run the body, I’m on it.”

  “Yes and yes. P-CAP is here just waiting to take my case, but all the same, I’d like you to run the body first. So if you could put a rush on it, I would appreciate it. This could be a human-on-human crime. It could be a human copycat playing with magic trying to make it look paranormal, or it could be something that needs to go over to the wild side.” She glanced toward Kade. “And if that happens, they can have it. Personally, I wouldn't mind turning it over to what’s his name...Kade over there...so I can get him out of my hair,” Sydney huffed.

  Ada looked over to Kade and smiled. “You mean that whole lot of sexy goodness over there talking to Tony? Yummy. I would love to work with him, or just work him, period. Whatever, you send him down to the lab, and I’ll be happy to review the results in detail with that sexy man right there. Mama needs some sugar tonight.”

  Sydney tsked at the thought. “Yeah sure, if you’d like a bite with your sugar, I’m sure he’d be happy to oblige you. Not sure if he’s got fangs or claws, but something’s going on there.”

  “Girl, you sound like you doth protest a little too much. Why not just look at it as a perk of the job? Lord knows there aren’t many. Or maybe that hot partner of yours could spice up your coffee?” she laughed.

  Hot partner? Yes, that would be Tony. “Yeah, you’re right about that. There's a whole lot of sweetness there, but tasting his candy would not be good for my career. Ada, I just need to get out and satisfy my needs...Can you tell that I’m a little distracted tonight?”

  “Well, girl, you have about five hours to satisfy your needs, and then you need to get your ass down to the lab. I'll bag her up, start the autopsy, snap the pics, and get the trace out. Now, look at this thread.” Ada held up a tiny, brown, thread-like substance in her tweezers. “Maybe something unusual about that too? Could be regular thread, or something else?”

  “Okay, run the thread. We gotta move quickly. This girl was tortured, and I have a feeling she isn’t going to be the perp’s last play toy. It’s like the killer enjoyed this...took his time. He's sharing his work with us. Wanting us to see what he did to this girl. God, it makes me sick.”

  Ada shook her head in disgust. “I know. We’ve got a predator here. Not sure if there's anything to the tats or the thread, but I'll start right away. Now why don’t you get back to your night off? Well, at least for a few hours until I gather some evidence. Kade over there looks awful lonely. He certainly looks like he could take care of all your needs,” she teased.

  “No way, Ada. I'm outta here for now. See ya down at the lab.” She gave Ada a wave and turned to leave. It was supposed to be her night off, and damn if she wasn’t going to get at least a few hours to herself. As Sydney readied herself to leave, she felt eyes on her back. She glanced at Kade to find him staring at her. She nodded her head and turned around quickly so he wouldn't think she was interested in him.

  Something about him bothered her. She felt drawn to him; it was probably the supernatural, hotter-than-hell vibe he had going on. He told her he worked with P-CAP, but his story didn’t jive with her instincts. Sydney read people well, and there was something about him that said he wasn’t a cop. Or even a supernatural cop. He looked like he belonged at a country club. Maybe he was a lawyer, or a businessman? Taking in one last glance, she memorized his clothing and shoes. The suit wasn’t right. So not the inexpensive cop wear she was used to seeing at the station. Boss? Calvali? And the shoes, he was wearing Salvatore Ferragamo. Sydney regularly shopped the shoe sales at Nordstrom’s and knew he was not wearing Clarks.

  Something wasn’t adding up. He looked too perfect to be working a detective beat, even for someone not human. Sydney wondered what kind of supernatural he was. Wolf? No, he didn’t strike her as the rugged, outdoorsy type. No, Kade was refined, sleek, and uber-sexy. Primal and dangerous. Vampire? Yes, she’d bet he was a vampire. Damn curiosity was getting the best of her as she surreptitiously hoped she’d see him again. Kade might be keeping a few secrets, and Sydney was going to find out exactly what he was up to...as soon as she engaged in a few secrets of her own.

  Chapter Two

  Sydney wasn’t looking for love; her current career didn’t afford her that luxury. When she wasn’t working, she was still thinking about work, but that wasn’t the only thing that kept her from getting seriously involved with someone. Sydney was acutely aware of the very real danger she faced every day on the streets. In her profession, the odds were higher than average that she might not go home after a shift. Why bother with a husband and family when
they would need to live with the constant worry that she could be killed on the job? Given that she was only twenty-eight, she didn’t feel the need to have kids at the moment. She loved kids, but she didn’t want them to grow up motherless because something happened to her. Maybe someday, when she moved into management and found someone she loved completely, she’d consider having kids, but not now.

  Tonight, Sydney wasn’t looking for a husband, or love. She didn’t have the time, or energy to even entertain the idea of a relationship. No, what she did need was a quickie, no strings attached. It was an empty existence, but it was enough to calm her nerves and sate her need for release.

  As she walked into Eden, the pounding music and glaring lights hit her hard. The smell of cigarette smoke and sweat from the dancers permeated the room. Also, there was a faint hint of bleach, the place was clean even if the activities were down and dirty. Eden was an upscale club that catered to singles and couples who were looking to watch or be watched, serving both humans and supernaturals.

  The multi-colored lights bounced off the mirrored ceilings. The bluish walls appeared to move as the lights danced. A large, wall-sized water fountain ran along the entire length of the club opposite from the bar. If you stood next to it, you could faintly hear the hiss of the water and feel the spray on your face. Behind the bar, a fifteen foot, yellow boa constrictor, named 'Eve' slithered behind the glass. Inside, Eve climbed on a large tree so she had plenty of space to watch the patrons. In the club, a large, winding staircase led upstairs to the private rooms where clients could go to talk, or engage in sexual activities in private or public, depending on what they wanted.

  Sydney knew that she could comfortably lose herself in here for a few hours before going back to death; death always waited for her. It was patient, but never kind. Quickly scanning the room, she darted into the ladies' room. She changed into her tiger-striped, spandex mini dress with matching 'fuck me' heels; she was ready to hunt. Her tanned skin shone beneath the plunging cowl neckline exposing her ample cleavage. A black, lacy thong was all she wore under the dress. She shoved her clothes into her tote bag and locked the custom locker Eden provided its guests. Pulling her hair free of the ponytail holder, she let her blonde curls slide down her back. With a quick spritz of hair spray, she was ready. Sydney had officially transformed from cop to chick, and looked every bit the bait she intended herself to be.

  Walking over to the bar, she waved to the bartender. “Hey, Tristan. Lemon Perrier, please.”

  Tristan shouted over to Sydney, “No champagne? What’s up, mon chaton?” Tristan liked calling her 'my kitty'. Tonight the nickname fit, given she looked every bit the cat on the prowl.

  “No champagne tonight, mon loup,” she teased. She certainly had every intention of making him her wolf for the next few hours. “Sorry, Tris, only here for a while, and then I gotta get back to the grind. No alcohol for me tonight, just a few hours of dancing and fun. Then I’m outta here.”

  Tristan smiled. God, Sydney looked hot. At one time, he would have taken her as a lover and never let her go, but somehow being the owner of Eden had put him into her 'friend with benefits' category, so he would have to be satisfied with sex every now and then, sometimes even dealing with watching her with other men. He could not understand how a beautiful woman like Sydney remained single. She was a smart, all business kind of woman, yet sexy, willing to play hard sexually and refusing to commit herself to one man. Tristan cared about Sydney and would like to see her settle down, maybe with him, but he didn’t own this business to judge. People came here to have fun and do whatever they wanted. Being that he was an Alpha wolf, he knew all too well people’s need for sizzling sex without ties or questions.

  Tristan watched Sydney, noticing that her tight dress was so short that it barely covered her ass, and what a fine ass it was. Tristan knew that she was never going to commit to one man and felt protective. He kept an eagle eye on her as she began to dance in the sea of undulating bodies. The men in the club inspected Sydney as she began to dance alone, wishing they could fuck her. Most women jealously watched her, wishing they could be her.

  Sydney could feel people watching her as she danced, swaying her hips as she felt the music, and she didn’t care. There was a reason she came to Eden: music, sex, all of it for the taking, confidential without judgment. It was everything she needed this very moment, a well-deserved release. As she danced on the floor, she slowly opened her eyes to see Tristan coming straight at her. She yearned to release her sexuality, to relax, to forget, and Tristan could take her there.

  Sydney’s Alpha wolf was sex on a stick. Tristan’s rugged, earthy, dominating presence commanded attention when he walked into the room. He was good-looking but not exactly handsome. With captivating amber eyes and wavy, platinum blonde hair, he looked as if he could have been a California surfer. And even though his tan skin gave off a radiant glow, his hard eyes served as a warning to others that he, indeed, was a predator. Tonight he was dressed in light blue jeans and a white, linen shirt that he wore untucked; casual, but not messy; serious, but cool. He entertained the guests with his adventure stories, and was able to deflect the interest of ladies in a way that made them still feel special. But, tonight, there was only one lady he wanted...Sydney.

  As she danced, Sydney felt strong hands clasp her waist. She leaned into the stranger, recognizing the feel of the muscular chest up against her back. She loved the woodsy, clean scent of Tristan, and felt his arousal as they swayed to the music. Tristan pulled her around so he could see her face. “Look at me, Sydney.”

  She looked up from his chest into his intense, golden eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Looking for fun tonight, Syd? Tell me, how do you want it, mon chaton?”

  She shivered at the thought of him taking her quickly. He was dominating and pushing her to tell him her fantasy. “Tris, I don’t have a lot of time.”

  “Okay, no games tonight. How do you want it?”

  “Fast, hard, private,” she teased.

  “Let’s finish our dance. Shall we, mon chaton? Your wolf has everything you need.”

  Sydney smiled and let the arousal overcome her, feeling the warmth grow in her womb. She wanted this...no, she needed this tonight. Both the stress of the grisly murder, and then Kade showing up at her scene trying to run the show, had put her on edge. She wanted to forget, and Tristan could give that to her. He understood her the way no one else did, a friend with benefits who didn’t judge her. She laid her head back on his chest enjoying the warmth of his arms.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The crime scene disturbed Kade. Killing and violence was part of his world, but the torture of an innocent was unacceptable. As the leader of vampires in New Orleans, he suspected who had committed the crime, but he would have to investigate further to be sure. Kade convinced the head of P-CAP to let him on the scene, because he did not trust the local authorities to handle the case. It wasn’t his job to investigate the murders like a detective, but being the leader he was, he planned to find the rogue and mete out justice.

  For now, he would work out of a brownstone graciously loaned to him by Tristan, the local werewolf Alpha. He and Tristan were good friends from times long ago. Tristan was the one who phoned him to tell him there was talk of a possible rogue vampire in his region who was practicing black magic. There were rumors of rituals, but nothing solid to go on. Finally, the evil had shown itself, and Kade jetted out of NOLA on his private plane as he got the go ahead from his inside source at P-CAP. As much as he wanted to leave it up to P-CAP to find the perpetrator, he felt compelled to come to Philadelphia, suspecting the magic was being drawn from his territory.

  What he hadn’t expected was the confrontation with the spirited Miss Willows. What an interesting, sexy distraction she was. She smelled of lilies, and he could practically taste her sweetness in the air. What would it be like to taste her? He had to stifle his arousal in front of her. He wasn’t planning on lying to her, but she was human,
so it was necessary for her own protection. Supernatural problems were on a ‘need to know basis’, and she did not need to know. Besides, human guns were no match for dark magic or vampires.

  But damn, if he didn’t enjoy a little sparring with the blonde detective. She was lean and curvaceous with a mind to match. The scent of her arousal at the scene drove him wild with desire. He craved her. He admonished himself for his lusty thoughts, knowing he wasn’t there to get involved with women. Kade figured he was a little agitated from all the stress of flying up to Philadelphia in such a hurry. He needed blood, maybe sex, not necessarily in that order. What this vampire didn’t need were complications.

  Tristan owned a club in the area where he knew he could get his needs met. He signaled to his second. “Luca, let’s swing by Tristan’s place, Eden. I could use some refreshment. I told Tristan I would fill him in on what I’ve learned.”

  Luca barked out an order to the limo driver and turned to Kade. “We’ll be there in ten minutes. Do you wish for me to find a private room and procure a donor?”

  “Yes. Thanks, Luca,” Kade replied as he stared out the window, his thirst gnawing at him. Growing irritable, he needed blood soon.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  On the dance floor, Tristan grabbed the nape of Sydney’s neck and pushed his long fingers through her hair. She leaned back giving him full access to her throat and chest. The wolf in him howled at her submission, and the man in him was left breathless at the sight of her smooth skin and the rise of her breasts. He continued to pull her head back and kissed her throat near her ear. Looking down, he could see the rosy edge of her hardened nipples. She wasn’t wearing a bra. God, this woman was killing him.