Bloodsong: Midnight Playground, Book 2

Aleron stood, looking at her. She was stunning, this woman. This mortal woman who had somehow managed to get inside his head without him inviting her. Who had managed, in all her mortal simplicity, to make his blood sing.

It shouldn't be possible. The Bloodsong that was the vampiric response to pain play only ever happened between vampires. Never in his three hundred years had this happened to him. Not with a human. And he knew it was her, not Calam, who had caused it. It was her response, the intensity of their mental connection, made the instant he'd seen her, that had his blood humming in his veins.

He looked over his shoulder, making certain the two young slave girls were caring for Calam properly. They were pretty enough. They would never be here if they weren't. But he only had eyes for her.

She watched him, her lovely face wary now. He liked that, that she was a bit off balance, this strong woman. He liked the scent of her nerves skittering over her sweet skin.

He didn't like that she made him feel the same way. Yet it intrigued him. He hadn't felt like this over a woman, over anyone, in a long, long time.

Not since...but no, he wouldn't think of that now.

Emeline.

No.

He focused on her once more, on those shining eyes that were a glowing, metallic bronze, the luster of her golden skin, the high, rounded curve of her cheekbones. Her blood beating at her temples, at that tender spot at the base of her long throat. He drew in her scent. Flowers again. Desire. Female come between her hot thighs.

Yes...

He stepped closer, held out his hand. "I am Aleron."

She took it in hers, her mortal warmth seeping into his hard, cool flesh.

"Meeraj."

"A beautiful name."

She simply nodded her head, as if his compliment were her due. So calm in the face of all that had happened already. On the outside, anyway. He knew better.

"Your first time at Midnight Playground?" he asked.

"Yes. I only received my invitation a few nights ago."

"And who is your sponsor?"

"Her name is Nissa."

"Ah, I know her well. Quite well. I'm surprised she didn't mention you to me."

"Why would she have?" Meeraj asked, again, coolly. As if being in the presence of a vampire didn't intimidate her at all.

"Nissa would know you would appeal to me."

"And?"

"And you do."

She smiled then, her teeth a row of flawless white. He could see in his head those teeth bared in ecstasy, her head thrown back, her eyes closed. He could see his own teeth bared to drink from her...offering her The Seeking Kiss...

She waited, watching him. A small ripple of nerves ran up his spine.

Unusual.

Yes, but he wouldn't allow that to throw him. Perhaps it had simply been too long since he'd had a woman. It had been months since he had given Hex over to Nissa, and she was the last woman he had taken. Men were always easier, in every way. Easier to obtain. Easier to dispose of when he was finished with them, without any drama on either part. Women were emotional creatures and he was...not. It had been a very long time since he had allowed himself to be anything more than fond of his female partners.

A hundred years.

Why was he thinking of this now? With this superb creature before him.

He reached out, stroked one finger down her bare arm. Skin as silky smooth as it looked, and a small, lovely shiver from her.

Perfect.

"Meeraj, would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you. I don't drink."

"Tell me what you are here for."

"I am here for the unique experience of sex with a vampire. Isn't that what we're all looking for, we humans who come here?"

"Yes, of course. What else?"

He had to know if there was more to it for her. Other than her scent, she was difficult to read. She was strong, so strong he had no idea of the extent of her submissive tendencies. And submission was something he would never force or trick anyone into.

"I am here to see if any of your kind finds me fit for The Seeking Kiss. I want that, to experience that bliss. To experience all that I can. To become closer to your kind."

"And the Turning Kiss?" He was challenging her. The Turning Kiss, that long, long drink which would transform a human into one of his kind, was not a requirement of those who came to Midnight Playground, and was rarely offered. He was testing her, perhaps.

"I understand that for many it's the ultimate desire. But it's not as important for me. Maybe I don't know what I might be missing."

"You don't seem at all afraid, of any of it."

Meeraj lowered her long, black lashes. They brushed against the faint pink flush on her cheeks, the first outward sign that she was truly affected by being there.

"I've been accused before of being...contained."

He laughed. "So have I."

She raised her eyes to his once more, the gold burning through him.

"Which is one reason why I hoped to be invited to play in the dungeons here. It helps me to let go." He saw her jaw tighten, her fingers unconsciously clench. "It's the only time I can."

He watched her closely, saw the pulse beating in her throat. Yes, she was more worked up than he'd originally thought. Why hadn't he noticed? He was too distracted by her beauty. Her rigid strength.

If this woman were a vampire, she would be one to rival my own power...

But he was getting ahead of himself.

And she was talking about the dungeons, about his favorite sexual arena--BDSM. That exchange of power, of pain, soaring sensation that opened the doorway into a person's soul. Intense when played between humans and vampires. An almost dangerous force when played between vampire and vampire. The Bloodsong overwhelming...and why had it happened with this woman watching? He had to find out. He had to find out how much more intense it would be when he played her. And he intended to.