mews.
Not far from where he walked the light and music spilled from Lady Gilbert’s town house onto the neatly pruned roses. Barely aware of what he did, Gideon slowed and regarded the large house.
He was still adjusting to returning to the world of mortals.
It had not been an easy task.
His body felt heavy and plagued with the desires it had not experienced in two centuries. Hunger, passion, and overall the intoxicating scent of warm blood. Like an aphrodisiac it shrouded Gideon in temptation. So much power there for the taking. Heady, delicious power. He would be invincible, a seductive voice whispered deep in his heart. A vampire of old who walked through the night in mist and shadow, taking pleasure where he chose and drowning himself in the passions of his human flesh.
Gideon discovered himself trembling with the effort to control his suddenly raging emotions. He had underestimated the dark lure of lust. Power, passion and a primitive thirst to conquer warred with the cold command that was his birthright.
Gideon gave a sharp shake of his head. Through the windows of the town house he could make out the slender outline of Simone Gilbert.
Ah, now that was temptation, indeed.
Sweet temptation.
He gave a low snarl of annoyance.
He had not expected to find the maiden a beautiful minx with hair of spun gold and eyes that dared him to taste of her smoldering desire. Nor that he would react with such force to her enticing presence.
He had come to save his world from the traitors who would destroy it, he reminded himself with a stern chastisement. He could not afford to be distracted by the weakness of his flesh.
A hint of a frown marred his noble brow.
Simone had already revealed a stubborn, wary nature that was certain to revolt if he were to command her to obey his orders. And his subtle attempt at a Compulsion spell had been effectively blocked by the Medallion she wore about her neck. A difficulty he had not expected.
He would have to somehow convince her that she must accept his protection without revealing the true reason for her danger.
And at the same time keep a close guard on the renegades who would do whatever necessary to lay their hands upon that Medallion.
His lips twisted in a cold smile. He could only hope that Lucien and Sebastian were having better luck than he was.
Turning back toward the hedge Gideon continued his gliding path toward the back of the gardens.
Upon arriving in London he had first set about acquiring a home in Mayfair and suitable staff to ensure that he was readily accepted as a foreign noble with the sort of fortune that would buy him entrance to the Ton. After that had been the tedious task of meeting with a tailor and boot maker, as well as buying a proper carriage and horses.
Once he was certain that his image was well established he had swiftly made his way to the stews to discover a small army of street urchins who would act as his eyes and ears throughout town.
Foregoing the more brutal Inscrolling spells that would make humans faithful, but mindless, slaves to a vampire and even the lesser Compulsion spells, Gideon had chosen the simplest means of assuring their loyalty.
Bribery.
Now he silently slid behind the ragged youth that was crouched behind a rosebush. With uncanny swiftness the villain turned to confront him with a knife in his hand. Gideon was suitably impressed by the boy’s ability to sense his presence. Such skill would serve him well.
“Hold, it is I,” he said in low tones.
With a saucy grin the youth gave the knife a twirl before it disappeared into the grimy sleeve of his jacket.
“Guv.”
“Have you noted anything unusual?”
The grin spread across the bony face. “A right fair number of those fancy guests have a queer interest in that tiny building.” He jerked his head toward the shadowed gazebo that was obviously a perfect spot for seduction. “Been tramping in and out all evening.”
A brief image of Simone floating down the path toward the gazebo where he would readily join her in rose- scented passion was fiercely thrust away. Sweet Nefri, did the woman have magic of her own? Had she managed to bewitch him?
Cloaking himself in icy control, Gideon regarded his young servant with a glittering gaze.
“A straight answer if you please.”
The lad dropped his false air of bravado and gave a somber nod. “Yes, sir. Seen a bloke slip through the garden and onto the terrace near an hour ago.”
Gideon was on instant alert. “What did he look like?”
A shudder abruptly raced through the boy. “Difficult to say in the dark, but I do know he was tall and thin with a cape like yer own. Hair seemed a funny silver like, but it could be the moonlight.”
“Tristan,” he muttered, easily able to identify one of the renegades. A vampire with considerable power, he
