Page 23 of Lured

“So what about after this mission. If I kill Ludis?”

“That would be as much your choice as anything else. We might decide that we don't get along as well as I hoped. We might want to spend the rest of forever together. Something in between. You wouldn't be promising me anything beyond this mission. Both of our goals align. We can help each other and see where everything else goes in the meantime.”

She nodded as I spoke, seeming to agree with my assessment of the situation enough that she was considering it.

There weren't many women I could have made this sort of proposal to. Certainly not vampire hunters and I knew that this was a rare opportunity for me to have someone in my life who was special. Far more special than most people could ever hope for.

“All right,” she said, looking me straight in the face. “I'll do this with you. Promise to keep me safe and make sure I complete my academy mission and I will pretend to be your enthralled until you find out what Ludis is up to. But that's all I'm promising. And I don't expect to have this strung out. I'll investigate with you. We will complete both missions as swiftly as possible.”

“I can agree to that condition. I need this solved just as swiftly.”

“Then we have a deal.” She got up and put her hand out for me to shake. It was a cute way of agreeing it, but I obliged her.

“Deal.”

Chapter 10

Anais

As Leo shook my hand, a small smirk on his face, I tried to process what I had just agreed to. This was insane. I was going to team up with a true-blood. I was a vampire hunter and I was going to make an ally of the very creature I normally killed. All to complete a mission the academy probably wasn't expecting me to succeed on.

When I returned victorious it would feel oh so sweet, however.

It was still something that I had to get my head around, but I was doing this.

For a few seconds Leo stared at me, his gaze roving over my body again. I let him, not sure where he wanted to begin. I considered asking him where Ludis was after the whole situation, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. As much as I wanted to get on with this mission, I also knew that I needed to get comfortable with this vampire.

“Ludis won't stay in Vegas after this and you will need to look like you are staying with me and mine to do with as I please. We should gather anything you want to bring with you and take it to my suite.”

“Suite?” I replied, already amazed at this.

“Yes,” he said as he looked at me, the corner of his mouth twitching up. “It may be difficult for you to get used to, but I have a lot of money and like to live comfortably. We will fly first class, stay in suites and eat good food.”

“You eat?” I asked, not bothering to address the rest.

“Of course.” he smiled again and reached out to take my hand. “We might not need to eat food, but it tastes good and it does give us some benefits. When coupled with more... delightful fare, it's more than enough.”

He kissed my hand, making it clear I was what would provide the other sustenance as well. I swallowed slowly and barely dared to breathe.

“Come on. Let us gather your belongings.” He didn't let go of my hand, but kept it in his as he led me from the room. I knew I would need to get used to him telling me what to do and to be interested in pleasing him, almost submissive to his every will if I was to be his enthralled. It was going to be a big adjustment.

He led me down the hallway to the elevators, and when we got there I pressed the button to go down and out of the casino and hotel.

“Anais, where do you think we're going?” He asked, sounding surprised by what I thought was a logical decision

“An apartment nearby. I need to pick up some belongings I don't go anywhere without.” I looked at him, wondering what he thought we would have been doing instead.

“We can't do that. I wouldn't normally let you do that. If you are offering yourself up to me as an enthralled, then there is nothing of importance for you to go back for unless I say it is of importance.”

I frowned and pulled my hand out of his. “And you need to understand that this isn't what I wanted exactly. I have a few items that I must go back for. If I don't they won't be here when I get back. No matter how swiftly we make this mission happen.”

“How far would we have to go?” he asked.

“It is about a thirty minute walk from here,” I replied. I knew this deal could be about to crumble and had to hold my breath while I waited for him to let me know what kind of vampire he was.

There wasn't a lot in this world that mattered to me, but I had a few sentimental items that were all I had left of my parents and I wasn't about to let this vampire tell me that I couldn't keep them safe. I would rather throw this job than leave them behind and be worrying about them the entire time.

While there was a chance I would get back and find my belongings still at my friend's house, there was also a chance that she would sell them or ruin them. It wasn't as if this was some trusted best friend. She had been kind enough to give me a bed for a night, but she wasn't someone I knew well.

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