Read Night's Cold Kiss for Free Online Page A

personal debt.” Sergei’s voice took on a harsh yet controlled tone. “Christian saved your lives when he brought you and Nici to us. And…” Sergei leaned forward on his cane, his face grim. “Let’s not forget what else occurred when The Troubles plagued us last time—you lost both your parents.”
     
    It didn’t really matter what hotel Christian was in, they were all the same. He headed straight for the bar and ordered a double scotch straight up. He downed it in one mouthful and signaled for another.
    “Went that well, did it?” a familiar voice asked.
    “Join me for a drink, Viktor?” Christian turned to catch the amused glint in his friend’s amber eyes.
    “Sure, if you’re buying.” The handsome blond man’s laughter attracted the attention of a nearby stunner who fluffed her bleached blond hair and smiled in their direction. Viktor chuckled again, slapping Christian’s shoulder. “But let’s go somewhere more…private.”
    They walked to an alley a few blocks away and arrived just in time to see the large, bald doorman turning away a curious human couple.
    “Evening, Keith,” Christian said to the giant ursian bouncer who resembled an African god carved from polished obsidian. “More curious tourists I see.”
    “Mr. Laroque, Mr. Dushic.” Keith greeted each of them with a nod of his large scarred head and turned to watch the drunken couple stumble back the way they’d come. “The Princess has stopped all unescorted humans from entering.”
    Christian had seen it before, dozens of times. Human males try to impress their girlfriends by taking them to an exotically dangerous club and end up with more than they bargained for when some horny or thirsty Aeternus starts fanging on their date.
    “Is your mistress in tonight?” Christian asked.
    “Yes, sir.” Keith’s voice rumbled as he reached out a colossal arm to hold the door for them. “The Princess is within.”
    Before entering, Viktor stopped. “Is there anything special on the menu?”
    “I’m sure she has something to your taste, Mr. Dushic,” Keith replied.
    The club’s gloom was welcome after the bright streetlights and they walked down a hall lined with gauzy curtained privacy cubicles. Sighs and moans emanated as they passed. This club was different from the one Christian usually frequented in New York, but he enjoyed the change of scene.
    Christian and Viktor stopped at the entrance to the club’s inner sanctum where a DJ played for an undulating crowd on the dance floor.
    The Princess stood on the other side of the room talking to a group of people but immediately turned in their direction as if sensing their presence.
    The tall dark-skinned woman smiled as she came towardthem. Her white lace dress left very little to the imagination: high rounded breasts nearly spilled out of the thin strips of cloth that passed for a top, and the high splits of her skirt left her long, shapely legs bare to the hip. She moved like the royalty she was, and the crowded dance floor parted before her.
    Christian placed her outstretched hand to his lips. “Akentia—you’re looking as lovely as ever.”
    The regal Aeternus Elder accepted his compliment with a graceful tilt of her head. “And you, Christian, are as charming as ever.” Then she turned her smile on his companion. “Viktor, it’s been a long time. I was sorry to hear I’d missed you last night.”
    “I only came with Christian on this trip to bask in your beauty, highness.” Viktor flashed his extended fangs and kissed her offered hand.
    The lushness of her full lips meant she’d recently fed and her white teeth glowed in stark contrast to her ebony skin as she returned his smile. “Liar! I am sure my presence is not what brings two of the Department’s finest to my little club. You’ll need a private room, yes?” She turned and clicked her fingers. “And I’ll have my children attend you.”
    Immediately two of Akentia’s “children,” as she referred to