Zen and the Art of Vampires

'Didn't you?' He frowned, toying with a glass of water. 'I thought you said she was.'

'I think what Pia's trying to ask and is too nice to do so is whether or not you killed her,' Magda said bluntly.

Alec glanced at her in surprise before turning his lovely green eyes on me. 'Is that what you think? That I killed the Zorya?'

'You did leave without saying anything to me,' I pointed out. 'I didn't know what to think when I woke up to find you gone and a dead woman in my bathroom.'

'But I left you a note,' he said, frowning, his eyes sincere. 'I told you I had to leave unexpectedly to handle some business, but that I'd be in contact later in the day. You didn't get that?'

'No,' I answered, shaking my head. 'A note?'

'Yes. I left it in the bathroom so you'd be sure to see… Ah. I begin to see it. Whoever murdered that Zorya must have taken my note. My sweet, sweet love. What you must have thought of me!' he said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me up close to him, his lips whispering along my jaw. 'I'm surprised you didn't run screaming from me.'

'Or at least stick a stake through your heart,' Magda said, watching us with interest.

Alec broke off nibbling on my face to grin at her. 'Beheading is the preferred method of execution for Dark Ones. Staking is difficult unless you know exactly where the heart is.' His gaze returned to me, rueful and contrite.

'Not that I would blame Pia for thinking the worst of me. Forgive me, my love?'

'I… I…' I stammered a little, not knowing what to say. I was relieved at the thought that he hadn't just up and left me without a word, but at the same time, I was incredibly bothered by the idea that either Kristoff had lied to me, or someone else, a stranger, had marched through my room while I was sleeping. 'I didn't think the worst, Alec, so there's nothing to forgive. But it does leave the question of who killed Anniki. And why she was killed in my room.'

'I was thinking about that,' Magda said, absently pulling a strawberry from my plate and eating it. 'You said that you'd run into Anniki earlier in the evening, right? She got the stone from you and told you all about Zorya- ing.'

'More or less, yes. But the Brotherhood people were here. She knew that. So there's no reason why she should try to seek me out over them.'

Alec's gaze narrowed sightlessly on the glass of water. 'Not unless she was afraid of seeking help from them.'

I stared at him in surprise. 'Why would she be afraid of them?'

He shrugged. 'Perhaps she had a change of heart about the reapers. Perhaps she learned something about them that made her hesitate committing herself to them. I think, my love, you've had a very narrow escape, and although I am not pleased with Kristoff's high-handed actions in marrying you himself rather than allowing me to do so, it relieves my mind to know that you are safe from the reapers.'

Magda and I exchanged glances.

She was about to speak when the door opened and Ray entered. 'And there's my cue to make a graceful exit.' She pressed my hand quickly. 'Call me later, OK?'

'I'll try,' I said, giving her a grateful smile. 'You're supposed to go to the glacier today, aren't you? Have fun.'

'Will do. It was nice meeting you, Alec,' she said, standing up.

Alec rose and took her hand, bowing over it. 'It is a pleasure to meet a friend of Pia's. We will be moving on to Vienna shortly, but I hope to see you again soon.'

Magda sent me a curious glance, but murmured only a polite good-bye before hurrying to intercept Ray before he saw me. She hustled him out of the restaurant without a look back.

'Vienna?' I asked, trying to postpone the discussion that I knew had to be had. 'Why are you going to Vienna?'

His eyes were as warm as his smile as he scooted back in, pulling me over so I was smooshed up against him, and brushing a strand of hair back off my forehead. 'That's where the council is based. Kristoff told me of your reticence to meet with them, but I fear it will be required. You truly are a most remarkable woman, Pia. You thought I had left you without a word, and not once did you chastise me, as any other woman might. I can't believe my fortune in finding you.'

His lips were warm on mine, coaxing me, teasing me into opening up for him. I allowed him to kiss me, my mind divided between acknowledgment of his expertise and the awareness of just how different an experience it was compared to the overwhelming, forceful invasion that was Kristoff's method of kissing. Where the latter was constantly dominating and aggressive, Alec's kisses were sweet little sips. He nibbled my lower lip for a moment before moving a line of kisses along my jaw. 'My adorable one. I am so hungry for you. Can you feel it?'

I glanced down at his lap, somewhat startled that he was feeling aroused in such a public place.

His chuckle sounded warm and breathy on my ear, making little shivers of delight ripple down my back. 'Actually, I meant literally hungry for you, although I desire you in that way, as well. Will you yield to me, my love? Will you give me what only you can?'

'People can see us,' I protested, reluctant to do what he wanted. Why, I had no idea… it just seemed wrong.

'No one will notice,' he murmured, pressing a hot kiss to the sensitive spot behind my ear. 'Give to me, my love. Let me taste again the nectar that only you can provide.'

Why not? my inner critic said with a mental shrug. He knows what happened last night and doesn't blame you. Why not let him go for broke?

Because it's wrong, a tiny little voice answered.

There was that word again—'wrong.' It felt wrong, but for the life of me, I couldn't decide why.

'What happens if you're somewhere without people?' I asked, stalling just a little bit. 'Somewhere isolated?'

He made a face. 'We can survive on the blood of animals if we have to. It is not preferred, although sometimes necessary, such as when a Beloved is separated from her Dark One. But that will not happen with us.'

Absently, I fingered my fork, trying to analyze my reluctance.

'Pia, my love, you hesitate. You wound me. Can it be that you prefer Kristoff?' Alec asked, pulling back.

His jade eyes were filled with pain.

'No, of course not.' I felt lower than a snake's belly—here was a perfectly nice man, a man who cared about me, one who I knew was trying his best to help me, and I was spurning him for what? Kristoff? Mentally, I shook my head at that. I didn't want Kristoff. I might not be deathly afraid that he would kill me, but there was a darkness in him that boded ill for everyone. It wasn't for Mattias's sake, either, that I was hesitating. So then why was I not at this moment allowing Alec what he wanted?

'It is me, then,' Alec said, withdrawing both physically and emotionally. 'I have failed to capture your heart as you have mine.'

'The situation with Kristoff,' I said, using a feeble excuse. 'It's—'

'Unimportant. You worry unduly that I blame you, love. I do not. I have known Kristoff for a long time. He has taken many women from me.' Alec's lips curled in a wry smile. 'And I have repaid the compliment, but you he shall not steal. You are mine… if you wish to be.'

'I think that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I'm flattered beyond belief, but after last night… well, I think I need to take things a little slower. I like you, Alec. I like you a lot. And if you really want to'—I waved my hands around vaguely—'for lack of a better word, feed off me, then go ahead.'

His smile was tinged with regret. 'I have rushed you, have I not? For that, I am sorry, and we will, naturally, proceed slower if that is your desire. You must forgive me for being impatient, my love, but when you have lived as long as I have, you have little tolerance for being made to wait.'

I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me with a swift kiss. 'No, you are right. You must have time. And I will be happy to give it to you, but I am very hungry for you, and since you said I may…'

He waited until the waitress, who had been within sight, moved off before returning to the spot behind my ear. 'You do not know how much I anticipate this moment.'