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the next, daring any to argue with him, but they all nodded their agreement. Chiara caught his eye, frowned at him, but he knew her well enough to understand she would back down. He would find some distraction for her from among the club’s members—that would soothe her.
    “So, where do we begin?” Laurent asked quietly. Xavier’s partner was soft-spoken, but he was old in his own right. Powerful. Exquisite.
    “I will gather my forces from the Madrid club,” Ramsey answered. “But I would welcome aid from your clubs, as well. The sooner we find this fiend, the better. We don’t even know yet if he is still in Spain.”
    “I agree,” Ever said. He couldn’t stand the idea of this villain going unpunished. What he’d done to Mercy, and in turn, Deo. But if they hadn’t been Turned, they wouldn’t be there, in his club. And he wanted them both so badly. It was as if some wild animal tore at his insides. He truly could hardly wait to be with them.
    Pure torture knowing they waited for him. Eager. Wanting.
    Lovely.
    “And until they know enough to decide for themselves,” he went on, “to go about the world on their own, I will watch over Mercy and Deo here in London.”
    “It is decided, then,” Aleron said. “We join resources to hunt Gaius, and the young ones will remain here for the time being under Ever’s protection.”
    “It is decided,” Chiara agreed grudgingly.
    The others nodded, murmured their accord.
    Ever stood. “I thank you all for coming. Enjoy my club for the night. For as long as you wish.”
    Chiara rubbed up against him, as sleek as a cat. “You are anxious to leave us, Ever,” she purred. “Do you have an appointment elsewhere?”
    “As a matter of fact, I do. Another time, perhaps? I’m certain we can find some entertainment for you downstairs.”
    “Yes, I have no doubt. Or perhaps right here.” She gave him a small smile then slipped away to take Dane’s arm in hers as they walked from the room.
    He was nearly breathless waiting for them all to go. His need was driving him. He didn’t like that he had so little control over it. It had been years since his desires were stronger than he was. But he didn’t want to think of it like that now. He didn’t want to think of anything but Mercy and Deo.
    Another flash of Deo’s hands on her flesh. Hands so strong and beautiful. His golden skin against her paler flesh.
    Yes. Must have them…
    But he couldn’t think of it just yet. No, now he would do what he needed to in order to see that his esteemed guests, these leaders of the vampires from every corner of Europe, were comfortable. See them settled in their rooms. Or in the dungeons. Make sure they had plenty of partners to choose from. Blood. Wine. Whatever they wanted. That would keep him distracted for a little while. Keep his mind off the lovely, sweet Mercy. The equally sweet and stunning Deo. Their air of youth and vigor and innocence that drew him like some sort of magnetic current he could barely comprehend. That he couldn’t resist.
    Yes, today he would play host, do what was expected of him. But tonight he would go to them and taste for himself the succulent fruit of their innocence and youth.

Chapter Four
     
    “Deo. Mercy.”
    Ever moved into the room, drawn to their twined, naked bodies on the big bed. They looked like some exquisite piece of art to him. A Canova sculpture. Just as lovely, with their sleek immortal skin. That divine contrast of light and dark. Except that they were all light, these two. As fresh and sweet as any mortal he’d ever come upon.
    That was their magic. He’d been thinking about it all day. The fact that they were vampires yet had come to it without the hard edge most humans had when they decided to let go of their mortal lives. When they came to the Midnight Playground, yearning for the Turning kiss, willing to do anything to be offered immortality. That innocent magic had awakened his senses—senses that had been deadening bit