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Equipment in hand, they entered the cemetery to put poor Mr. Harold Sampson to rest. A rush of energy hit Adrian all of a sudden, staggering him. “What the—” He broke off, his head dizzy with it.

  Multiple ghosts rose up from their graves with a clamor of mental voices. Most were angry at being disturbed. It all filtered through his mind like a wave. Adrian stood stock still, just staring at them as they clustered around him and Sylvia. Damn, he knew he would feel obligated to lay every one of them to rest, if they wanted it, and Adrian could feel they did. But why hadn't somebody done that long ago?

  Sylvia staggered backward from the effect. She reached out, grabbing at the gate for support. Open-mouthed, she stared at the ghosts around them.

  "One at time, please.” Adrian held up his hand for silence and the din in his head lessened. He could only do five ghosts at a time in one circle, and there seemed like a couple of hundred populating the cemetery.

  One of the men, wearing an outfit Adrian identified as being from the previous century, spoke up. “Why have you called us from our graves?"

  "I didn't. If there are any wraiths that want to be laid to rest, they will come to me because I'm in their territory. Not something I can control.” It had happened to him before, but never with this staggering a result.

  All at once, the clamor started again. There were too many voices, questioning and pleading with him, to be sorted out into any coherent words. Adrian finally had to hold up his hand again. “If you will please be quiet, I can work with this."

  At least, he hoped he could, after he got the crowd calmed down enough. When everybody settled, some disappeared into their graves to await his call; the others moved back to give him some working room, including poor Mr. Sampson. Adrian began spilling salt to lay the circle.

  "My cell phone is in my bag, Sylvia. You can call a cab to take you back to the office.” He really didn't expect her to hang around for a massive scale operation like this.

  She shook her head, a bemused expression on her face. “No, I'll help out, Adrian."

  "One hell of a way to end your first day of work, Sylvia.” He chuckled as she moved to join him. The young, petite brunette impressed him a great deal, and he was more than happy to have her work with him.

  They both lost track of the time somewhere. At one point, Adrian went back to the car, getting a bottle of water and a couple of half-melted candy bars. The breaks they took consisted of nibbling a few pieces of chocolate and sipping water between rituals. Daylight came and went, with darkness descending slowly before it once again became dawn.

  How much time had gone by? Adrian wasn't sure; he had stopped looking at his watch a while back. He spared a second to thank God his supplies had been full when they'd started. Otherwise, his arm would look even more of a bloody mess than it was. Adrian had had to start cutting himself some time after dawn when the vials ran out. The circle of salt had become almost solid red with blood. They only took the time to break the circle, wiping away a few inches of the salt, before starting the next ritual.

  At some point, Sylvia ended up curling up on the grass, passing out from exhaustion. She'd gamely tried her best to help him as she could, and Adrian was grateful for that. All he wanted to do was collapse, but he pushed himself now. He could feel how badly the remaining ghosts around him wanted final peace. Most of them had waited a very long time for it.

  Close to nine, he finally laid the last ones to rest. Adrian just stood there, numbly waiting, but no more calls reached him. He had been there since seven the previous morning; twenty-six hours just wouldn't register in his mind. Somehow, he managed to clear the circle, grinding the salt and blood down into the grass with his foot. Crouching down, he put his badly depleted gear back in the pack. As he tried to stand to wake up Sylvia, dizziness washed over him, sending him collapsing to the ground.

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  Chapter 10

  Silk and velvet hangings greeted his blurry eyes when he finally came to. This wasn't his bedroom. The fact registered about the same time Gabriel came into view. The vampire sat in a chair next to the bed, close enough to hold Adrian's hand in his lap. All Adrian got out was, “Where?"

  "You are in my private quarters. I wondered when you would awaken again, Adrian. You have been asleep a very long time."

  The last thing Adrian remembered he'd been in the cemetery. Damn, he must have passed out. “How did I get here?” It took him another second to remember Sylvia had been with him. “Where's Sylvia?"

  "When you collapsed; the connection between us snapped. I realized something was wrong, and it didn't take my servants long to find you. You've been asleep for nearly two days. I also brought Sylvia here. She woke up last night, and Wolf drove her back to your office."

  Never ask a question unless you really wanted the answer would be Adrian's new motto. He didn't want to hear he was in Gabriel's bedroom and had been there for two nights. Closing his eyes, blocking it all out, seemed to be the best thing to do. At least he could relax slightly knowing Sylvia was safe. Though he wondered if she would stay on the payroll.

  "Would you care to give me a reasonable explanation as to why I found the two of you passed out in a cemetery, Adrian?"

  "I was working,” he mumbled, gesturing to his arm to show Gabriel's the marks. “There were so many of them, I couldn't leave until they were at rest."

  "I have already taken care of those wounds.” The smile and words had Adrian quickly looking down at his arm. No marks showed on his skin, and he couldn't stifle the groan. Great, he's indulging himself with midnight snacks while I snooze.

  "Enjoy yourself, Gabriel?"

  "Immensely.” A satisfied note purred through the one word.

  That smile was about to get him hit; and Adrian started raising his hand. Gabriel stilled the movement by taking hold of it. “I also fed you when you woke up the first time. All you could tell me was that you were hungry. You seriously depleted my blood in your system. Which is why you couldn't fully heal those wounds."

  Adrian didn't remember any of that, but he didn't doubt it. “It must have been the twenty-six hours I worked."

  "You were in that place for that long?” Gabriel's voice tightened, anger rippling through the words, and he let it show in his expression. The tightening of his hand on Adrian's was another signal.

  "I couldn't help it, Gabriel. There were so many of them, and they had waited too long.” For a brief moment, Adrian paused, wondering why he felt the need to explain anything to Gabriel. “I don't owe you any explanations for what I do."

  Gabriel visibly forced his own anger down, obviously not wanting to react to the baiting. “You do not believe you owe me an explanation. There is a difference."

  Adrian wasn't going to argue the point, since Gabriel had chilled out. As Gabriel had obliquely pointed out, common courtesy demanded that as he'd been kind enough to help, Adrian should explain to him. However, he doubted kindness had prompted Gabriel, so common courtesy could go hang itself. But he did owe Gabriel a thank you.

  "Thanks for helping me.” The words came out stiffly. He felt obliged to say it; he just didn't want to.

  "Well said, Adrian.” Gabriel's bland manner was a rebuke unto itself.

  Adrian couldn't stop the shame that crept over him either. Gabriel had gone out of his way, no matter what his reasons were, and Adrian was being an ungracious bastard.

  "Sorry.” Quickly, Adrian looked at Gabriel's hand over his, just for something to fasten on other than Gabriel's face. “I know you went to extra effort to help me out. I do appreciate that. Thank you, Gabriel."

  That time, it came out right. Adrian's eyes followed the movement as Gabriel lifted his hand, brushing a kiss against the back. He could get used to this. His next thought immediately strangled the first.

  Struggling to sit up, Adrian pulled his hand away, and the sheet slipped down to his waist. He immediately wigged out as he realized he wore the bottom half of a pair of silk pajamas. So whose pajamas am I wea
ring, and who put them on me?

  He eyed Gabriel accusingly. “Gabriel."

  Gabriel started laughing, which didn't help Adrian's temper as he fumed at Gabriel. “I am sorry, Adrian, but your look."

  His finger pressed against Adrian's lips to keep him silent, and Adrian almost bit it. “The pajamas are yours. I purchased several pairs for you. And no, I did not change your clothing, Wolf dressed you."

  "Are you planning on setting up housekeeping with me?” His anger faded with the answer. Adrian couldn't accuse Gabriel of getting a cheap thrill while he'd been passed out.

  The twitch of Gabriel's lips showed him to be amused, just trying not to blatantly show it.

  Adrian looked down at himself, examining the material for something to do.

  A low growl from Gabriel grabbed his attention. The smoldering heat within Gabriel's eyes made Adrian realize he hadn't taken any sneak peeks, and more than wanted to now. Something in the pit of Adrian's stomach lurched, and he felt a distinct tingling sensation he fought like hell. He swallowed convulsively, yanking the sheet back to his shoulders as a barrier between himself and that gaze.

  "I enjoy your reactions. And please don't bother denying that I do affect you."

  It was obvious to both of them that Gabriel's presence elicited a very interested response from Adrian. Adrian would never try to deny anything that was stupidly evident. He just blinked at Gabriel, keeping the sheet at full mast. He wouldn't admit it, but he couldn't deny it either. For some reason, Charlie popped suddenly into his mind. Now, why think of him? It couldn't be because he desperately needed a change of subject, could it? Adrian dropped the sheet and started scrambling off the bed. “Damn, I have to get to work. Charlie will kill me."

  A firm hand curled around Adrian's arm, stilling the movements. “Everything is fine, Adrian. I spoke to your secretary and told him you wouldn't be back to work for a while."

  Plopping back down on the bed, he stared at Gabriel in consternation. “You called Charlie? You told him who you were, didn't you?"

  "But of course I did."

  Covering his eyes with his hand, Adrian started shaking his head, and his reaction obviously bothered Gabriel.

  "Apparently, he will give you problems. I will take care of it."

  "No, that's not necessary. Charlie won't bother me."

  "Why did you seem so upset?” Gabriel wasn't letting go so easy.

  "Because nobody knows I'm a ghoul, not outside your vampires. I wanted to keep it that way, that's all.” With a bone like that in his lap, Charlie would bug the hell out of Adrian for every detail. He just didn't want to deal with it. Charlie would have Gabriel as another major figure in Adrian's love life. Just like he did with Xander, but Adrian felt no need to tell Gabriel that.

  "The delegation from Colorado will be here shortly. You need to get dressed. There is a suit hung up in the wardrobe for you.” Catching the stubborn set of Adrian's features, Gabriel quickly continued, “My guests will expect to see my ghoul appropriately dressed. You will wear the outfit."

  With the parting shot in a ‘don't argue with me’ tone, Gabriel left the room.

  Adrian found his backpack on the chest at the foot of the bed, and his jeans and T-shirt were neatly folded in it. The motto on his T-shirt was particularly fitting for tonight, proclaiming, “I hear voices. They say they don't like you.” It had been kind of Gabriel to make sure the bag had been placed in the room with him. He laid the clothes out on the bed before heading into the bathroom. Adrian had agreed to attend this meeting as part of the two nights he owed Gabriel, which meant Adrian was stuck with it. Soaking lazily in a tub full of soothing hot water, it took him a while to want to get out.

  Somebody had brought him a tray of food while he took his bath. Adrian snagged a few pieces of fruit in between drying off and getting dressed. He picked up a comb from the dresser, dragging it through the tangled, wet locks of his hair.

  Silently, he sent out a mental signal, hoping there would be a wraith in the area that would answer. When he finished combing out his hair, a ghost slipped through the wall into the room. Without further communication, he slipped inside Adrian's skin. Adrian heard a knock at the door before Gabriel's daughter, Indy entered to tell him he was expected in the bar. The moment she saw him, her lips twitched, trying not to betray a smile. The look in her dark brown eyes was priceless and had him chuckling. After a moment, she joined him in the laughter.

  Getting a good look at her, he had the feeling he would definitely look out of place in his jeans. The neckline of the red silk sheathing her body draped low between her breasts, giving more than a hint of their form. Her chestnut hair had been pinned in an elegant French braid.

  Once his weapons were in place, he moved to follow her out the door. As they walked up the stairs together, she said, “It's a good thing you are equipped tonight."

  The words were cryptic, and any signs of laughter were gone from her face. He got the warning behind her words, but said nothing. His usual safety measures were in force: rider inside him, staker on his hip, and dagger strapped to his thigh. It had gotten to the point he wouldn't leave home without them.

  Entering the bar, Adrian scanned the gathered crowd. Gabriel stood with Xander, Wolf and Skye near the bar, talking to several strangers. One of Gabriel's enforcers, Marcus, stood guard not too far from the others. Now, he was a guy Adrian thought gave a real good impression of a bad ass vampire. An aura of menace hung around him, having something to do with the baseball bat Marcus held loosely in one hand, and mostly to do with the perpetual scowl of contempt on his face. Dark brown eyes and a shaved head set off the ebony skin. The look attracted a bevy of females clustering around him, like a harem. Adrian smirked at Marcus before he noticed Sylvia coming toward him.

  "What are you doing here, Sylvia?"

  "I stopped at the office to see you. Charlie said you were probably still here, as you hadn't checked in. I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

  "I'll take that to mean you're still going to work for me.” After the cemetery bit, Adrian had honestly expected Sylvia to quit. At this point, her tenacity astonished him.

  "Why would I quit, Adrian? I've learned more in one day of work with you than I have in my entire life."

  "We'll discuss your bonus for helping me out at the cemetery later, Sylvia. Right now, you probably shouldn't be here. If you want, take another night off. You can come into the office tomorrow night.” He tried to give her the gentle hint that this wasn't the best place to be.

  Gabriel, who had been watching them, gestured for them to join him. Adrian walked toward the group, and Sylvia followed him. She wasn't going to take his advice and get the hell out while she could.

  "Really, Gabriel, you should dress your pet better. Or has the stock market turned against you?” Droll laughter sounded around them. The woman stared openly at Adrian and clearly didn't like his jeans and T-shirt. Like he cared. Occasionally Adrian could be thick skinned, and nobody could insult him no matter how hard they tried. Now was one of those times. Adrian sent a bored look at the woman who thought she'd been so funny. From the tip of her red hair to her impeccably matched toes, she looked like a designer's dream. Pale green eyes filled with contempt drifted over him.

  Hearing the word ‘pet,’ Sylvia glanced over at Adrian, obviously puzzled. It was clear the woman had referred to him.

  Standing beside Gabriel, Adrian shrugged. Sylvia headed toward the edge of their little group, watching and listening with avid curiosity and interest.

  "He has his own sense of fashion, Claire. I have no wish to change it, as he carries it off so well. Better than some even in the most perfect of clothes."

  He lies better than I do. It didn't look like Claire cared for the hint that Gabriel thought Adrian looked better than the rest of them. He could tell from the sour look pinching her face.

  "Welcome, Adrian.” Outwardly, Gabriel seemed calm as he turned his attention to Adrian, but something was wrong.
/>   What's going on? His answer was a distinctly weird smile from Gabriel. It made Adrian nervous. Gabriel rarely smiled unless it was the seductive variety.

  One of the nearby men stepped closer to them. He had Gabriel beat to flinders in the looks department. Short black hair spiked naturally, the darker olive tone of his skin something unexpected in a vampire. The black eyes had an odd silvering in their depths as they ran appraisingly over Adrian. A dark eeriness surrounded him that gave an unsettling impression. Adrian wasn't impressed. Abhorred, maybe, but not impressed.

  "Nikolai, Sanguinus Reges of the first formula, 1820.” The introduction was for Adrian's sake, as he didn't have the first clue who the man was. An elegant bow followed the little speech.

  A first formula? And that old? Adrian managed not to mutter ‘fuck’ as he politely held out his hand to Nikolai. The faintly cool feeling of Nikolai's fingers made Adrian's skin crawl. Facing an almost two thousand year old vampire gave him some serious qualms, and Nikolai didn't even look a day over thirty-five.

  Pulling his hand back, Adrian inched closer to Gabriel, muttering to Nikolai, “Pleasure, I'm sure.” Adrian didn't even complain when Gabriel's arm casually circled his waist.

  "He's an amazing toy, Gabriel, if a few of the stories I have heard are true.” Nikolai examined Adrian like a bug under a microscope.

  "Indeed, my Favored One is, Nikolai,” Gabriel agreed smoothly. The use of the title was a less than gentle hint of Adrian's exact relationship to him.

  Assuming a casual stance, Adrian folded his arms over his chest. He wanted to look away from Nikolai, but forced himself to stare calmly back at the vampire. The burning sensation he felt, building up all of a sudden, made him narrow his eyes on Nikolai. The son of a bitch was trying to take him over. Adrian had a rider, but his protection had never been tested by a first formula. Ripples of command assaulted Adrian's mind as Nikolai lifted a hand, beckoning Adrian closer. The wash of Nikolai's power felt like a tidal wave, attempting to dominate Adrian.

  "Adrian.” Nikolai's low voice reinforced his will, commanding Adrian to obey him.