FrostBite (The Hunter Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “I see he’s already paying for that sweet little arse of yours.” Jealousy laced his every word. She could tell he had wanted his chance with her. Jasmine was grateful he never had. Never would.

  She gave him a slightly bored expression. “That’s really none of your business.”

  Claude was looking uncomfortable. He seemed even paler now and was avoiding her eyes.

  The big man shifted closer. His arm brushed against her shoulder and Jasmine tensed. She did not like having him this close. Her skin crawled in disgust.

  “Don’t expect his interest to last too long, sweetheart. Once he’s done with you, then you're mine.” Pierre said the words inches from her ear. His hot breath slid across her skin.

  Tilting her head up sharply, she met his eyes. A promise of pain shone in them. He really believed Eric was going to hand her over to him. She was thankful that was not about to happen. Ever.

  She couldn’t let him know that though.

  The wary dread in her eyes was real enough. She took a step back. No matter what the vampire had said, she wasn’t hanging about for more threats.

  “If you'll excuse me.” Jasmine made her way through the crowd. The feel of Pierre’s angry eyes practically burned between her shoulder blades. Head held high, she somehow managed to keep it together.

  Chapter 16

  After mingling for a while, she had made sure to lose Pierre’s watchful gaze. He made her uncomfortable. At least now she knew he was waiting for his opportunity to have her. Not that it was ever going to happen.

  Curiosity was starting to get the better of her now. Where had Eric gone? After discarding her empty champagne flute, she collected another from a passing tray. She knew she couldn’t drink much. On an empty stomach that would be asking for trouble. Already the alcohol had melted away her nervousness. Any more and she would on the way to being drunk. That would be dangerous.

  Jasmine moved to the back of the boat. It was the same direction she had observed the men take. She knew Eric had told her to stay in the main area, but she did not want to give up an opportunity to snoop. Looking around a little couldn’t hurt. Not in her mind anyway.

  “Twitch you there?” Jasmine murmured softly.

  “Of course I am, Jazzy,” the techno mage responded.

  Relief swept through her at the sound of his voice. She had been starting to wonder if the range on the earpiece had gone again. It was obvious it wasn’t working as it should.

  She was now at the end of the main room, from where all the smartly dressed waiters seemed to be coming. A steady flow of trays were still being carried out for the guests to enjoy. This had to lead towards the kitchen.

  She waited until one of the servers had passed to talk again.

  “I’ve left the party area to have a look around.”

  Twitch took a moment to respond. “Marcel will probably have guards. Try not to run into any of them.”

  She couldn’t miss the concern in his voice. A smile curved her lips. It was nice having someone worry about her.

  Eric had seemed happy to leave her to fend for herself. Not that it bothered her of course, she assured herself swiftly. The vampire was busy with business. She had no reason to feel a little hurt.

  “I will try,” she replied softly. “By the way your earwig almost deafened me earlier.”

  He sighed. “I told you it was a crude version.”

  Jasmine pulled a face. “You didn’t say it was going to hurt.”

  If he had told her that, she might not have bothered putting it in.

  A corridor that seemed to stretch along the length of the boat was before her now.

  “Where’s the vampire?”

  Jasmine glanced into an open door. A gym. She carried on.

  “He went to speak with Marcel and some other men.”

  She sipped her champagne. The arms dealer certainly had a fancy boat. Everything was opulent and luxurious. He obviously liked to show off his wealth.

  “Didn’t he tell you to stay put petal?” Twitch asked. “Are you sure we can really trust him?”

  “Yes. He got hold of Mark and I have been told to follow Eric’s orders. I’m just having a quick look around. It’s not like he’s ever going to know,” she murmured back, trying to justify her actions.

  Twitch was silent for a moment. She was not sure if he was happy or upset by the news. He had trust issues. After everything that had happened, she couldn’t blame him.

  “So what are you wearing?”

  Jasmine blinked in surprised confusion at his random question. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Twitch audibly sighed dramatically. “Jazzy, I’m stuck in a damn basement. I can’t get electronic eyes on the boat. A mad man has me working on a diabolical weapon. Give a guy a break.”

  She rolled her eyes. Trust the techno mage to try to guilt trip her.

  Most of the doors she was strolling slowly by were closed. And no one seemed to be around either.

  “A little black dress that comes to just above my knees.” Jasmine made sure to lower her voice to a seductive whisper. “It flares at the hips, scooped neck and backless, sexy as hell.”

  “Heels?” Twitch’s voice had lowered too. It was husky with a faint hint of anticipation.

  She smiled. “Of course. Black. Very high.”

  “Underwear?”

  Jasmine’s eyes widened then she laughed. “You only get the dress details, sorry.”

  “Damn it, woman,” he grumbled crossly. “You’re a tease.”

  “Twitch, you’re a pervert,” she replied back with amusement.

  The guy seriously needed a girlfriend. She knew he also played this game with Gemma, the other woman on their team. Once he had even convinced her to have earpiece sex with him—basically the same as phone sex. Gemma had taken pity on him. Apparently it had been fun.

  This was all before Jasmine had started on the team. It was a miracle their boss Mark had never found out. He seemed to always know everything.

  “But you still love me,” Twitch chuckled in her ear.

  She could not keep the smile out of her voice. “I have no idea where I am going right now. There are so many cabins.”

  The corridor seemed to be endless. Worry had started to swamp her. What if she ran into Marcel and Eric? She had no doubt the vampire would be pissed off. Then again, what would the arms dealer say? Maybe, she realised, she should have thought this through. Getting caught was not an option.

  “I feel useless,” Twitch suddenly complained. “If I had Internet access, I could have a floor plan of the place for you.”

  Knowing the techno mage, he would have had everything in front of him. The boat plans, guest list, a way to track everyone's movements, video footage. The whole shebang. When he was up and running, he was a blessing to have around. Right now she could understand his frustration. It had to suck.

  “You can’t access anything?”

  “I am warded with magical restraints up to my eyeballs. It's a miracle the earwig even works,” he grumped.

  The sudden sharp sound of voices fading in and out of her ear was disorientating. It blotted out anything else her friend was saying. Confused, Jasmine stopped to glance around. The corridor was still empty. Frowning, she looked towards the closed doors. If it was coming from a cabin, why did it sound so loud?

  “What you're hearing is the bug I'm picking up,” Twitch said, answering her unspoken question. “It means you're close to wherever Marcel is.”

  Jasmine stilled. “Why does it sound so weird?”

  “I’m adjusting it now. Move along more. It should get clearer as you get closer.”

  She was not sure she wanted to get any closer. Eric might be able to sense her with his vampiric senses. Jasmine didn’t want him to find her. It was safer if he didn’t know she had ignored his orders.

  She took a deep breath. “How close?”

  Twitch made a little hum. “You won’t be right outside the door, I promise. You will have time to e
scape if it’s needed.”

  Cautiously she stepped further along the passage. If she could work out where they were, she could estimate how close she needed to be. The voices continued to buzz in and out. They were so scrambled that Jasmine couldn’t make out what was being said. Twitch’s creation was definitely faulty. Jasmine knew, though, he would be trying to fix it. The techno mage’s silence confirmed this.

  She suddenly picked out the lower timbre of Eric’s voice. It was distorted, but she would recognize it anywhere. A slither of desire rippled down her spine. Oh yes, it was definitely the vampire. No one else’s voice had such an effect on her.

  Slowly she edged further.

  “The neurotoxin is ready. All Doctor Dasyurus needs is for it to be tested.” Marcel’s voice filled her ear.

  Jasmine’s heartbeat sped up with surprise. Pressing herself back into the wall, she stopped.

  “Has it not been done? I thought all the required testing was completed in the lab?” Eric queried.

  “Of course, and he assures me it works,” the fat man replied smoothly. “He just wants to see the results over a large distance.”

  Jasmine did not fail to note the Frenchman had said ‘He’. The doctor was a male. At a guess, the vampire had to be pleased at this bit of information. It wasn’t much, but a start. They also now knew the weapon was a neurotoxin.

  “When is this test scheduled?” The German Randall sounded impatient.

  “I don’t have all the details. You will know when I do,” Marcel assured him.

  Jasmine peered up and down the corridor. She would look weird just standing there if anyone walked past. She had been lucky up until now. That didn't mean it wouldn’t change. A glance further along revealed a few open doors. Maybe she could hide in one of the rooms.

  “I want to see results before I spend a dime on anything,” Smith the American drawled.

  “I agree with Smith. We do not even know what it does yet.” Eric sounded like he was really pushing for information. Jasmine couldn’t blame him. Not with what was at stake.

  Pushing off the wall, she began to tiptoe towards the open doors.

  “Marcel has always provided the goods and never lets customers down,” the English guy Sir John defended.

  Marcel giggled. “Oh believe me, you won’t be disappointed with what it does. That I can guarantee.”

  Her hand tightened around her champagne flute. Jasmine felt dread engulf her. That could only mean whatever the toxin did, it was nasty.

  “Is the good doctor joining us this evening?” Eric asked.

  “I am afraid he was detained.” Marcel’s reply was apologetic. “But please, do not let that stop you from enjoying the party.”

  A door opened further down. Panic lanced through her. Fuck. She was going to get caught.

  Jasmine scrambled into one of the cabins. Thankfully it was empty. Sliding behind the half-open door, she hid. The sound of footsteps teased her ears. Slowly they drew closer. Through a crack in the door, she watched the men pass by. Randall and Sir John were in front. They seemed eager to get back to the party. Smith the American came along at a more leisurely pace. Eric and Marcel then followed.

  The vampire paused for a moment. His dark head tipped slightly to one side, but he did not stop walking. Jasmine held her breath as she stared at his back. Had he somehow sensed her? Shit. She was in serious trouble if he had.

  Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she worried the flesh. Jasmine knew there was nothing she could do about it now. All she could hope was that he had been focused on something else. Not her.

  “Tell me, has the mage been giving you any trouble?” the vampire asked casually.

  Even though they were moving away, the words were crystal clear through the ear piece. Jasmine felt a twinge of foreboding.

  “He is a little defiant,” the Frenchman confided. “But that is to be expected. I have broken lesser men.”

  She heard Eric’s rumbling chuckle. “You mean to keep hold of him this time?”

  “Oui. He will become accustomed to being in my employ and then perhaps one day in my bed.”

  She heard a sharp inhale of breath in her ear. Twitch had obviously been eavesdropping, too.

  Marcel intended to make Twitch his lover? Jasmine paled. She knew her friend was not that way inclined, but she doubted the arms dealer would care. No wonder Claude aka Kevin had been looking worried this evening. Did he know of Marcel’s plans? What did that mean for him now?

  “What of Claude?” Eric asked, mirroring her thoughts.

  The fat man sighed. “Claude is a pretty thing, but he lacks imagination. Twitch, I think, would keep my interest for quite a while.”

  Jasmine did not even want to think about how. From the amount of swearing she could hear going on, neither did the techno mage. It was then she realised she could no longer hear the other voice.

  The bug had to be out of range now. This was probably a good thing. She was not sure she wanted to continue hearing Eric being chummy with Marcel.

  “It’s OK, Twitchy. I will get you the fuck out before he does that to you,” she whispered quietly.

  “At least now I know what he’s intending,” he replied in a low purr of disgust.

  Jasmine knew she didn’t have a lot of time to rejoin the other guests. Eric would be looking for her. If he hadn’t worked out already that she had gone walkabout, he would soon. Then she would be screwed.

  “Get back to the other guests, Jazzy,” the techno mage suggested.

  “Don’t worry, I’m going.”

  She peeked out. The passageway was empty and there was no one in sight. Slipping out of the room, Jasmine began to make her way back.

  Her champagne glass was still clutched in her hand. The alcohol she had already consumed was buzzing pleasantly through her blood. She was tempted to take a fortifying sip but resisted. No more drinking. It would be foolish to do so.

  Somewhere up ahead a door clicked open. Jasmine’s steps faltered. It looked like her luck had just run out. Anxiety gripped her. She prayed it wasn’t Pierre. God knows what he would do to her if he found her alone. It was something she did not want to find out. Ever.

  A sandy-haired guy stepped out of a cabin in front of her. He was standing with his back to her. He hadn’t seen her yet. Jasmine stilled. Slowly she took a step back. She did not want to be caught back here. Even if he was one of the guests, she wanted to avoid it. If Marcel knew she was wandering around his boat, she doubted he would be happy. She also dreaded to think what Pierre would do.

  Tingles began over her scalp. The signature of werewolf bristled against her senses and raced down her spine, sensual, fierce. Wild and potent. The feeling always took her breath away, as if she were aware of the beast that lived beneath their flesh.

  Werewolf was the one type of shifter she sensed perfectly. One of her team back in London was a wolf. She was well acquainted with the feel of them.

  The sandy-haired guy stopped. Tilting his head to the side, he sniffed the air lightly.

  Jasmine bit her lip. Shit.

  He had her scent. Now there was no escaping a confrontation. If she backtracked he would just follow her smell. She had no choice but to face him.

  He said something in French as he turned. A low stream of words that sounded slightly threatening.

  Jasmine pinned a smile on her face. “Sorry, I don’t speak French.”

  Making sure she swayed slightly, she tottered towards him. Maybe if she played her cards right, she could get away from him quickly. All she had to act was drunk and harmless. Raising her flute she took a long swig. The champagne bubbles fizzed on her tongue. She inspected him over the rim of her glass.

  His sandy-brown hair was slightly shaggy. The features of his face were rugged and sharp. Brown, unsympathetic eyes did a slow dance over her. They lightened with interest.

  “You are not supposed to be back here,” he told her softly. A French accent thickened his words.

  Jasmine sm
iled widely. “I don’t suppose you know where the ladies room is. I seem to have gotten a little lost.” Using one hand, she gestured around exaggeratedly. This caused her to waver on her heels. “Oops.” She giggled, bracing her free arm against the wall.

  The wolf smiled, eyes amused. “Perhaps you have had a little too much to drink, chérie.”

  “But it’s so good, isn’t it? The champagne? It’s just divine.” Jasmine leaned back against the wall.

  She was hoping he would steer her back towards the rest of the guests. If he was part of security that would be his job. She doubted she was the first drunk guest he would have had to deal with. Or the last.

  Folding his arms over his chest, he rested against the opposite wall. “I am not allowed to drink when I am on duty, but maybe I can join you for one after?”

  Jasmine kept the smile fixed on her face. OK, so this was not what she had been expecting. She would have to rethink her way out of this one.

  Eric would probably be wondering where the hell she was. He had to know by now she had wandered off. She really was now seriously screwed. The vampire wasn’t going to be happy with her. She had disobeyed. Jasmine knew this probably meant spending the rest of the time stuck in the hotel room. She very much doubted she would be allowed to help again.

  The smile abruptly slid from wolf’s face. His eyes were on something behind her now.

  An icy breeze rushed over the back of Jasmine’s neck. It was the only warning she got.

  A firm arm slid around her waist. “There you are, darling. I have been searching for you everywhere.”

  Jasmine’s heart skipped a beat.

  Startled, she looked up to find Eric behind her. The blue eyes that stared down at her were glacial and hard. Not a trace of warmth showed on his features. He was pissed. Jasmine swallowed down her dread. Turning, she pressed her front to his. Hard packed muscle greeted the softness of her chest. She hadn’t seen him naked, but she could tell he would be all sinewy and toned. Eric was deliciously well built.

  The arm around her waist allowed her to move but remained in place.

  “Oh hello, darling.” She made sure her voice came out in a breathy, slightly slurred murmur. Her arms wrapped around his waist.