Tariq’s eyes snapped open. Instantly, he knew two things. His Heart’s Blood was gone and someone was in his quarters. He leapt to his feet and landed in a crouch, snarling, “Where is she?”
His second in command, Enrique, faced him warily. “Who, the woman you were with last night? She was already gone when I arrived.”
“Not simply a woman, she’s my Heart’s Blood, and that’s impossible. The door was locked. There’s no way she could have escaped.” Eyes narrowed in warning, his fangs dropped into place as his muscles tensed, ready to attack.
“I’m telling you she wasn’t here. I only arrived a few seconds ago. We became concerned when you didn’t show for the staff meeting.” Enrique stood, head lowered, arms dangling loosely at his sides, but Tariq had no doubt that if he should attack, his Second was ready for him.
“She’s human. She couldn’t have just left.” It came out a low growl.
Enrique scented the air and frowned. “Are you sure she’s human?”
No, he wasn’t. He hadn’t been paying attention last night. The only thing Tariq knew for sure is she was the most important woman in the world to him—the very beat of his heart. However, she had managed to brush off his compulsion as easily as swatting a fly. Eyes narrowed in thought, he straightened into a more relaxed stance. “No, I’m not sure. I was too caught up in her scent and emotions to notice, but now that I think about it, there was something different about her.”
Enrique ran an experienced gaze over Tariq’s body, head slightly tilted to the left. “From the look of those claw marks, I’m thinking shifter.”
Tariq considered briefly and then shook his head, rejecting the thought. “Shifters don’t have the ability to teleport. That’s the only way she could have gotten out of here without setting off any alarms. But in case I’m wrong, check with security to see if anyone saw her leave.” Turning, he headed for his bedroom, knowing Enrique would ensure his order was carried out.
In the bathroom’s mirror, he saw his body was a mass of claw and bite marks. The tooth marks looked too jagged and sharp to be human, more like an animal’s. He noticed a few puncture wounds as well, the kind fangs left. Whatever his blood mate was she definitely wasn’t human, and she’d been a virgin. The blood smeared on his penis and thighs testified to her innocence.
He showered and threw on a pair of jeans, arousal flowing heavy through his veins. The venom still rode his system hard. He needed her like she would need him. Craved her, like the very air he breathed. His cock was a steel pole in his pants.
As soon as he entered the living room, Enrique reported, “There’s no record of anyone matching the description of the woman you were with leaving. Can’t you track her? I’m assuming from the condition of the room you gave her the Kiss of Life.”
Tariq looked around and noticed the wreckage for the first time. Lamps were broken, tables over turned, pictures fallen from the wall. The trail never reached the bedroom. He wished like hell he could remember what happened. “Get someone in here to clean this up, will you?”
He sighed and scrubbed his face. It was hard to think, hard to function when all his body wanted to do was sink into his blood mate’s warm, wet sheath. Bits and pieces of the night before came to him and his cock pulsed. The taste of her blood in his mouth. The feel of her skin beneath his hands. The way she took him, all of him, over and over, deep into her silky heat. How tight and wet she was, as though made just for him. His fangs throbbed with the need to lock into her again.
“TARIQ!”
Annoyed, he snapped, “What!”
“Man, you got it bad.” Enrique shook his head. “Aren’t you going to track her?”
Shit, how could he have forgotten? The venom. It also allowed him to locate her. He grinned wickedly. Two seconds after he found her, he’d have her right back under him where she belonged. “Yeah, thanks. Hold off on the cleanup detail. I don’t want to be disturbed for any reason.”
Grinning, his second nodded. “I’ll go make sure everything’s ready for tonight. You handle your biz.” Enrique punched in the code and left by the elevator.
As soon as he was gone, Tariq went into the bedroom and prepared it for his lover. This time they’d do it right and hopefully make it onto the bed. Once everything was as romantic and welcoming as he could make it, he sat down to focus. Ten minutes later, he let out a roar that was heard all the way down to the lowest levels.
His Heart’s Blood was gone. He couldn’t locate her anywhere.