The Shadow Zone 2: Winning Madeline Read online

  She was anything but soothed. She wanted an answer to her question. “Of course I remember being in the marketplace. Why is that your concern and how do you know Vincent?”

  Maddox held up his hands as if to say there was no reason for her upset, he meant no harm. His hands were long and sleek like the rest of him, and for the first time she noticed his nice clothing, his pressed slacks and a deep blue pullover sweater. She’d only ever seen clothing like that in old photos.

  “Vincent told you that Ivy was there in the village lost and that her father was taken away. He lied.”

  Shocking to have someone state the facts as she knew them and then refute them with such certainty. She stared at him with a million more questions in her mind.

  He didn’t give her a chance to ask one. “Ivy is fine and so is her father.”

  “How do you know?” Madeline fought against the anxiety that grew more with each second. “How do you know any of this?”

  “Everything is fine, Madeline.” He didn’t move but he seemed to be willing her with his eyes to listen to him. Something strange about his eyes…”I’ve been watching Vincent for a while now. You know he’s a Lycan, of course.”

  Yes, she knew that. She nodded.

  “He’s very dangerous, Madeline. I’m sure you realize that too.”

  “Are you?” The words came out before she could stop them. If he’d been watching Vincent and he was dangerous, what did that make Maddox?

  Maddox appeared to take a deep breath. Then he answered her. “Yes.”

  Anxiety bled on fear. Her heart pounded in her chest. What did all of it mean?

  “You’re safe. Nothing will hurt you now,” he promised. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Why should I believe that?” she demanded.

  “What reason have I given you to doubt it?” His tone didn’t change, still calm. “Vincent was using you as bait to catch a man. A man who was also dangerous on many levels. He made you believe Ivy was lost in town to get you there and then he tried to use you as bait to catch that man.”

  So Maddox was trying to say he’d protected her? Well, she wasn’t there anymore and she was perfectly fine. Yet…”If all of this is true, why did you save me?”

  Maddox stared at her silently for the longest time. His gaze on her was so intense it was uncomfortable. He exhaled loudly, the quiet whisper of a sound filling the room around them.

  “Because you were… innocent. None of what was happening was your fault.”

  Something about his words didn’t ring true and he was still staring at her in such an unnerving way. She didn’t feel threatened. She felt…

  Well, she didn’t know exactly what she felt at the moment. “You said Ivy and her father were fine. How do you know?”

  “They are here too, for their protection.”

  “And that’s why I’m here?”

  “Yes.” He answered that just a little too quickly.

  “Where is here?”

  “It’s actually not my home but the home of an old and trusted friend. You’re all safe here.”

  Safe, maybe. But…”Thank you, for saving me and bringing me here… I guess. But…”

  Concern clouded his expression. “But?”

  “It’s your friend’s home but people like us… Ivy’s father and myself, well… you mean to say that he’s inviting us here as his guests?”

  “Ah.” Maddox nodded as if he’d anticipated her question. If one could call it that. “Gerald had been looking for work anyway and Rick needs quite a bit of help in maintaining a manor like this. It all worked out, you see. He has a very good job now and he’ll be able to provide for his daughter. And they are out of that village where Ivy could fall prey to monsters… like Vincent. Or worse.”

  Madeline felt some of the tension in her body ease at his words. Well, that was a relief if what he said was true. Ivy safe and fed? Her father with a job? That was a blessing for them.

  But what about her?

  “You have nothing to worry about, Madeline. Please don’t worry.”

  Was it that obvious on her face?

  And then something occurred to her…

  “Gerald is working for your friend who owns this house?”

  Maddox nodded.

  “Do you think maybe he has work for me?” It was worth a try. “I am good at growing things. If he has need of someone to tend his gardens…”

  His gorgeous face was smooth, his expression closed now.

  “Are you a gardener by trade?”

  Okay, so he hadn’t been watching her. If he had, he’d know she wasn’t a gardener. And there was no point in lying. “No, that’s not how I made my living,” she admitted.

  “What was your trade?”

  There shouldn’t be a reason that she felt so uncomfortable in stating what she did for a living. It had been a long time since she’d felt real shame at what she’d become. Still, here, in the presence of this oddly beautiful man, the words seemed to stick in her throat. “I’m a prostitute,” she told him. Would he throw her out now? How would he react?

  His expression didn’t change. “I see.” His gaze lowered finally at that and her heart sank as she waited. “There’s no need for more help with the gardens, I’m pretty sure on that point.” When he looked at her again, his gaze was sympathetic. “But if you’re looking for a safe haven, for work like your friends…”

  Madeline had to concentrate to keep the eager Yes? from escaping her lips the moment after he said that. But the small pebble of pride she had left, it wasn’t much, kept her from it.

  “You could work for me.”

  Work for him? “You mean what I normally…”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Her mind spun, trying to work that all out.

  “I would be your exclusive client, of course.”

  Madeline swallowed hard, heat pooling in her stomach. Sleeping with someone who looked like him would certainly not be a hardship. Depending on what he liked, how he liked to do things…

  “I would pay you well, provide for your needs.”

  As long as he was here…”For how long?” She had to ask that. Surely he didn’t plan to stay with his friend forever. And when he left, what reason would he have to take her with him?

  A smile slowly formed on his perfect mouth. “Indefinitely.”

  As an answer it was vague.

  “No worries. We won’t be staying at my friend’s residence long term. I’ve already been here a little while. But I have a couple of places that are… comparable.”

  A couple of places? Like the place she stood in now? She’d only seen one room and it was a palace next to what she was accustomed to. How could she refuse? If Ivy and her father were really here, then she had the only friends she really had with her. That concern was gone. She wouldn’t have to live in a pitiful shack, in the heat and the cold. Surely there would be food, water…

  She couldn’t go back home. If Vincent had used her as bait and this man had saved her…”I can’t go back home because of Vincent?”

  Maddox nodded.

  “He used me as bait to catch that other man. Did he get him?”

  He hesitated a moment before mouthing the word, “No.”

  Well, now she understood. If Vincent didn’t catch the man it wouldn’t take a big leap for him to assign her blame. He’d kill her. Not only could she not go home; if it was all true, she’d need this man’s protection.

  “Do we have an agreement?” he asked gently.

  Slowly, she nodded, having no idea what she was getting into really. She knew nothing about this man, Maddox. Of course, she never really knew any of her clients. Normally they came to visit, got what they wanted, and left. It sounded like she’d be living with Maddox, her exclusive client.

  Maddox seemed to release a deep breath he’d been holding. Like he was relieved about something. But she didn’t have time to ponder that as he took a step closer to her.

  Instinctively, she took a smal
l step back. Something about him…

  He nodded, his gaze on the floor now before he turned and walked slowly to the door.

  Madeline felt a small wave of panic. Had she insulted him? It hadn’t been her intention and she hoped it wouldn’t put their arrangement off to a bad start.

  “I’ll have some food sent up. I’m sure you’re hungry.”

  Hunger was her constant companion. She was always hungry. It didn’t keep her from nodding like an eager child.

  “Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

  Now she stared at him in wonder. Why was he asking what she’d like? And how to answer…”Anything…” Her voice came out with all the awkwardness she felt. “Anything is fine.”

  Maddox nodded his perfect blond head. And then he was gone.

  * * *

  It had been a long time since Maddox had felt anything close to the excitement he felt as he waited to go to Madeline. It was almost comical. He’d been around for centuries and there he was, waiting to see one small human woman. He felt like a child about to receive a long anticipated treat. And the wait was the most excruciating thing he could recently remember.

  He’d had Rick’s servants take her some food and given them instructions on seeing that she was able to shower or bathe as she wanted. Allowing her time to do what humans needed to do, he decided to sort through the pitiful few belongings he’d found in her home earlier when he’d gone to bring back the child and her father.

  He would almost swear that the heart that hadn’t beat in his chest for centuries had squeezed in something like pain as he took in all she had. There was a cracked plastic comb with teeth missing and a worn old Bible with various dried flowers pressed into its pages. There was something he supposed could have been a toothbrush and a couple of small elastic bands, probably for her hair.

  Among the small assortment of simple items, an old faded photograph was the most compelling of her belongings. It was a picture of four people; one of them was her and the others resembled her. Parents? A brother? What had happened to them? How had she ended up living on her own, vulnerable and selling her body for survival?

  There’d been only one other dress, aside from what she’d been wearing, the fabric worn paper thin and beyond salvaging. Well, he’d see about her clothing. Yes, he was anxious to take care of that. What would she look like dressed up in rich colors, fine fabrics?

  And then, from the other side of the house, he heard it. A sound he’d not heard before though he knew it came from her. It was a wonderful sound.

  Was she laughing?

  Maddox was on his feet and moving in the direction of that sound before he realized it. How long had he given her? Three? Four hours? Was it enough time?

  And then he realized it didn’t matter. He loved that sound. That happy sound…

  Her voice and that of another girl became more distinct in his head as he grew closer.

  “Please share this with me,” Madeline asked with friendly laughter in her voice. “There is enough food here for ten people.”

  The servant girl’s voice was light too. “I know what you mean, miss. But I’m not allowed. And you look as though you can use it. Please. Eat something.”

  And Madeline was eating. He could hear those gentle sounds too. Good. Still he couldn’t help but laugh that she was trying to offer food to the serving girl, having no idea the girl was a vampire like he was.

  Maddox had just reached the door to the room where he’d been staying -- her room now until she allowed him to share it with her -- when she asked the girl how long she’d worked in the house. He spared the girl from answering by opening the door.

  There Madeline sat on the edge of the enormous bed, her pale blonde hair shining in drying waves around her heart-shaped face. She wore his black robe and it nearly swallowed her because she was so small. Still, the rich black set against the creamy white skin…

  And the fact that she was wearing something of his. His robe…

  “I’ll leave you now,” the girl said, careful to avoid eye contact with Maddox. Most of Rick’s servants were young vampires who had a healthy respect for those older and so much stronger than they were.

  Madeline’s smile lingered about her lips as he walked in and closed the door behind him. It gave him real hope. Something he could enjoy until he broke the ice about what he was…

  “Hello.” Her expression turned wary but she maintained eye contact.

  “Hello.”

  Maddox sank onto the carpet, crossing his legs in front of him. The sight of her sitting there on the bed in his robe with the half-eaten apple in her hands… He’d never seen anything so beautiful. Still, he had to chuckle at the enormous amount of food that waited on the cart next to the bed.

  “What?” she asked nervously.

  “When I asked her to bring up food, I thought I’d specified it was for one person.”

  “Oh.” Her gaze drifted to the cart and slowly back to him. “Thank you.”

  It bothered him that her hand slightly trembled as she placed the apple back on the tray.

  “It’s okay,” he assured her. “Please take your time. Eat.”

  But that wasn’t going to happen. The mask was on. He’d watched her too many times with clients not to recognize the mask her expression became when she was readying herself. He knew she wouldn’t allow herself to relax, to eat, until she fulfilled her part of the bargain.

  Now he was her client. Well, he wanted to be. Hell, he wanted to be so much more than that. But he had to start with client. And to be that, he’d have to clear one very important thing up first.

  “Madeline,” he began. “What do you see when you see me?”

  The question had taken her off guard. She recovered quickly, her little hand still shaking as it moved to provocatively toy with the front of the robe she wore.

  “You’re a strong, handsome man,” she started. “You’re --”

  “Madeline,” he cut her off. “What do you really see? Do you find me different from other men you’ve seen before?”

  Now she stared at him, fear clouding her features. He hated that she felt so vulnerable, so afraid.

  “I promise you, Madeline, that I will never hurt you. Ever. In any way.” He truly meant it. “You’ll never be made to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  He could feel the unease and confusion coming off her.

  “Madeline, I know I’ll have to earn your trust. But first, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Slowly something like understanding crept into her gaze.

  “You said you were dangerous before.”

  “I did,” he encouraged. “What else do you see?”

  “You’re beautiful,” she whispered.

  And he would have enjoyed that except for the fact that she said the words as if she were admitting a poisonous snake were beautiful.

  “What are you?”

  Did he just blurt it out then? Sit quietly as he watched her run screaming from the room? “You don’t have any guesses?”

  “You’re not a Lycan,” Madeline pointed out.

  “How do you know?”

  “They have a smell. A distinct smell. You don’t have that.”

  “What else could I be?” He pressed. “Did you have any dealings with any other non-humans?”

  Her amethyst eyes were wide as her mind worked.

  “Other non-humans?” Panic cracked her voice now. “You’re not human?”

  Why lie? “No. I’m not.”

  “My father…” Madeline slowly moved away from the edge of the bed. “My father used to tell stories about… about these… creatures who… they hunted humans.”

  Here we go. Would he be able to go on when she ran away from him?

  “You mean like… vampires?”

  Chapter Five

  Her eyes flew open wide as she stared at him, cowering further back on the bed. Her fear ate at him. It made the man in him want to comfort her. It made the vampire in hi
m want to chase her. He could have her flat on her back in a second and be buried inside her not long after that. He could feed on her… What would her blood taste like?

  “Is that what you are?” Her voice was higher now. “You’re a vampire?”

  Maddox nodded, holding his breath though it was hardly necessary.

  “You… said you wouldn’t hurt me.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Aren’t you… dead?”

  Well, she was talking to him instead of running in fright. That was a positive thing. “From a certain point of view.” It was the best answer he had to that question.

  “You can… have sex? With people?”

  Maddox had to fight back a smile. “Yes. With care.”

  She stared at him from the center of the bed and her heartbeat was a thundering sound in his ears. She was brave. Scared as she was, she stayed in place. What he wouldn’t give to have Rick’s ability to read thoughts. Her mind had to be going in a million directions.

  One thing he was certain of. She didn’t know what to do in that moment. Normally, the mask held in place and she had sex with her client. When she was done, she could relax and that’s all he wanted for her.

  Rising from the floor, Maddox approached the bed slowly.

  “You… won’t hurt me?”

  The pale perfection of one of her thighs had slid from the black folds of the robe. He reached the edge of the bed, hard for her in a way that was almost painful. “No.”

  She was frozen like a rabbit trapped by a coyote and rooted to the spot in fear, watching him climb on the bed. “Do you mean to… bite me?”

  “No.” He wanted her body. It would alleviate half of his pain anyway, help assuage his lust for her blood. Maddox didn’t touch her. Instead, he stretched out in the middle of the bed, kicking off his shoes.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, clearly surprised.

  “Allowing you to satisfy your curiosity,” he offered, wanting to make her feel less vulnerable. “Do what you want, Madeline.”

  It was hard not to laugh at the wide-eyed way she stared at him. But soon enough understanding chased away the clouds of confusion in her beautiful amethyst eyes. The mask was slowly sliding back into place.