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Sneak Peek: Inferno (WIP)

I’m working on the first draft of this book right now and thought I’d share a little here for those who might be interested…

(c) 2008 Bianca D’Arc. All Rights Reserved.

It was likely they’d seen the last of Patrick Vabian, though his allies in the Venifucus were still enemies to be reckoned with.

But that battle was for another time. For tonight, there were women to bed and blood to be savored. Dante followed Duncan into the night club, well aware they would find more than a few willing mortal women inside. Dante paused to sniff the air, satisfied for the moment with the ripe scent of humanity that assailed his sharp senses, but just then he noticed some other, more subtle scent lacing the air.

It was off to his right.

Dante opened his eyes and looked around, only to meet the gaze of the most alluring woman he’d ever seen in all his long centuries. Lustrous, mink brown hair framed her face and swayed gently with her movements. Snapping hazel eyes fringed with thick, dark lashes batted at him with come hither motions.

She was sitting on a bar stool, surrounded by mortals, but she shone as if she were the only being in the room. She was not human.

Dante sniffed again.

Were.

And she was looking directly at him, meeting his eyes boldly while she raised a glass of red wine to her lips. He followed the line of it as her luscious throat flexed in a swallow and he got hard. Just like that.

This woman was something else.

And she held knowledge in her eyes.

Silently, she stood from the bar and stalked toward him. She moved like a predator, sinuous and sensuous as she held his attention, and his gaze, mesmerizing him. He got the feeling he was definitely her prey and not the other way around. It was a novel experience for him. Never had a woman enthralled him so completely.

And they hadn’t even touched.

But that would soon be remedied.

“She’s a fine looking woman, but beware my friend,” Duncan said in a low voice, “she is not what she seems.”

Dante nodded, his gaze glued on the woman as she approached. “I know what she is.”

“But do you know why? Why would such a creature seek you out?”

Dante shrugged. “Probably for no good reason, but I find it hard to resist the puzzle she represents.”

“Just be certain this puzzle doesn’t get you staked out in the desert at dawn.” Duncan laughed as he moved off, two women already in his sights. “I’ll be near if you need backup.”

*

She didn’t realize he’d be so handsome, but then bloodletters were said to have a Glamour all their own. She also didn’t think she was close enough to feel his influence, but then she didn’t have any personal experience with his kind. Their powers were said to grow with the centuries, and Dante was downright ancient.

There was something about the tall man at his side too. Something that gave Megan the heebie geebies, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what the deal was with him. He wasn’t a bloodsucker. His scent was different, but very, very magical. Not human entirely, but not anything else she recognized either. She would have to tread carefully—very carefully—until she knew exactly what she was dealing with.

Still, the ball was in play now. She’d have to see it through and play the game she’d planned. Just this one last task, and she’d finally be free of those meddlesome Altor Custodis. She’d do just about anything to clear her family debt of honor, but she had to be careful. This Dante fellow was more than likely the most deadly being she’d ever meet.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked right up to him and shifted her weight to one foot, letting her opposite hip jut out toward him provocatively. Dante was certainly a tall drink of water, almost a foot taller than her own five foot four. Of course, she was petite for a wolf shifter, but then, she was only half-were by blood.

She didn’t speak, just looked him over and let him look in return. She saw the flare of interest in his eyes before he banked it to something less obvious. She was close enough to scent his magic now but was well protected against the vampire mojo. Still, he certainly did have an effect and she had to admit—mojo or not, this man was potent with a capital P.

“Do you like playing with fire, little one?”

His voice wafted over her like dark silk, caressing her pelt in the most sensuous way. She had to suppress a shiver of pleasure at the tone and timbre. And this was just his voice!

She struggled for nonchalance. “I know what you are.”

“And still you come to me? You’re a brave little shifter. Does your pack know what you’re up to?”

“I have no pack. I’m a loner.” Her chin rose defiantly.

“Ah, a lone wolf out on the prowl.” He made the words mocking, but she stood her ground. “You are a foolhardy youngster then, out to test her limits.”

“No doubt I’m younger than you, but by no means a child.” She thrust out her chest and was glad to see his gaze snagged by the motion. “I’m curious, I’ll admit. I’ve heard your kind has certain abilities for pleasure.”

Dante leaned back, studying her from under hooded eyes. He was a seducer of the sense in every word, every motion. It would be hard not to fall under his spell—magical or not. Everything female in her wanted to be with this male, regardless of his species or his power.

He watched her, seeming to come to some kind of decision. “My name is Dante.”

She laughed. “Playing with fire, indeed. I get the literary reference, Dante.” She winked at him. “My name is Megan.”