Page 103 of The Silver Fox Vampire

She hesitated. “Are we meeting the Master again?” She frowned.

“Maybe.” Emmaline grabbed her arm and tugged her through the doors.

And there was Matteus, waiting for them with a smirk on his face.

The doors clanged shut behind them.

“Ah, Anna, or should I call you Senior Detective Doyle?” Matteus purred.

Clare froze. She hadn’t expected to be outed this soon.

Emmaline let out a snort of laughter, and with a quick twist of her arm, yanked off Clare’s wig. “You really think you fooled us,Clare? I got a sample of your blood the first time I met you, when I scratched you with my earring. Master was most impressed, were you not?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Matteus waved a gloved hand dismissively, his eyes fixed on Clare.

“So happy to be of service, dearest Master,” Emmaline simpered.

Clare tried to conceal her spiking anxiety.

“And you are Matteus Kominsky,” she said, forcing her lips to curl with derision.

He raised his brows with amusement. “Ah, so you knew me too, all along. What a silly little game we ‘ve been playing.” He strolled over, close, way too close, and Clare stepped back. His nostrils quivered, as if scenting her, and a fang appeared at the corner of his mouth. “I can smell that bastard Hale on you. Has he partaken of you?”

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

“Ah I think you do. I can tell you, he sure wants to. Because you smell like heaven.” Matteus let out a theatrical sigh. “And you will taste even better. And to think poor old Hale will never partake. What a fucking shame. You are destined for higher things, and though I am not supposed to, maybe I could just have a little tiny taste?” His lips pursed and his fang gleamed, and Clare tried to back away further, when suddenly Emmaline yanked on his arm.

“Stop that! I am your beloved, remember?”

Matteus looked annoyed. “Of course you are, my little sweetling.”

Emmaline stood with her hands on her hips, jaw jutting. “Then prove it and take me with you.”

“You know the score. I have to deliver the necromancer to the boss and then I will return for you.”

Clare stepped further back into the shadows, wondering if she could escape while they argued.

“You always say that, every time I deliver a human.” Emmaline whined. “And you never do it. I didn’t do all this work for you to leave me behind. You promised to turn me. I’ve got her for you. Take me with you, NOW.”

Matteus chuckled nastily. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but your blood is just bog-standard human. Unlike this exquisite creature here.” He advanced toward Clare menacingly. “Why would I waste my time with you anymore, Emmaline? Your job is done. You had some fun. I have what I want. Now get lost.”

Emmaline’s face went red enough to match her hair. “Fun! This stupid job hasn’t been fun. I did it so you’d turn me into your beloved.” She flew at him, her hands clawing and hitting at him in a rage. “I want to live forever,” she screamed.

“Oh, for the devil’s sake. Stop whinging, will you?”

Sparks emanated from his ring, zapping Emmaline with some kind of dark energy. She catapulted off the dais and crumpled to the floor, moaning. Matteus laughed, then turned to Clare. His arm shot out and she found herself caught in his gloved grip, like a fly held by a hideously awful spider.

She tried to struggle, tried to close her eyes to ward him off, but it was like his gaze was sucking her into a vortex of darkness.

Clare gasped as Matteus leered close to her face. His beauty could never disguise his evil soul. She winced, twisted in his grip, but to no avail.

And worst of all, he could scent her fear. And her blood.

She’d thought she could do this, but now it was upon her, she realized Oliver had been right all along. She’d been naïve tothink that with her magick blood, she could handle whatever was thrown at her. Truth was, she was way out of her depth.

She must have whimpered, because the vampire murmured, “Ah, don’t be scared my lovely.” His nostrils flared, his head came down and she shuddered as his lips traveled along her neck, hovering at the hollow at the base of her throat. “What a shame I can’t partake of this luscious blood—yet. But at least I know Oliver Hale won’t be able to either. That is one consolation. Now, hold on for the ride.”

As Clare tried fruitlessly to free herself, she heard Emmaline screaming, “You bastard, I hate you, I HATE YOU.”