The Elixir Maidens 1: Ruby Read online

  Sir Hagen called several members of the audience onto the stage where he asked them to participate in a variety of mind reading tricks.

  My God, Ruby thought to himself, unable to control his smile. He’s telepathic and telekinetic. The energy is coming from him.

  For the first time Ruby experienced genuine interest in the performance. As an illusionist, he would have been good, but as a psychic he was amazing, especially for a mortal. Many vampires -- ancient ones -- had far less control over their psychic powers than this man.

  Sir Hagen then approached Ruby and their gazes locked. The magician was about to ask him to participate in a trick. A strange, vindictive urge overtook him and before Sir Hagen spoke, Ruby used his own formidable telepathic powers to say, You might want to select another victim. I don’t think you want to share a stage with me, love.

  Other than a slight widening of his eyes, Sir Hagen gave no visual indication that anything was amiss. For a long moment they stared at one another until Ruby felt as if he was melting into those beautiful brown depths. The hold this mortal had over him was breathtaking -- and slightly annoying.

  Perhaps you’re right. Such beauty would clearly overshadow me. Sir Hagen’s psychic voice, as rich and smooth as his verbal one, caressed Ruby’s mind. It was as if he belonged there, a part of Ruby and he a part of the magician. The sensation almost made him dizzy and by the hazy look that passed through Sir Hagen’s eyes, he must have felt the same.

  They sensed the audience’s restlessness and Sir Hagen blinked, as if awakening from a dream. He stepped away from Ruby to continue his performance.

  The show ended with everyone retrieving a black silk rose attached to the bottom of their chair. At the count of three, all members of the audience tossed their roses in the air. Rather than falling back to earth, they remained suspended, under Sir Hagen’s power. The strength and coordination required to perform such an advanced telekinetic display sent Ruby’s pulse racing. Damn, this man impressed him. He’d arrived expecting a fraud. Now he longed to know Sir Hagen on a more personal level.

  For close to twenty seconds the roses floated, turning and hovering, before settling back onto the laps of their respective owners who were asked to take them home as souvenirs.

  Once Sir Hagen left the stage, the audience began exiting the hall. Ruby had just stepped into the crisp winter air outside when a dark-haired woman approached.

  “Excuse me, miss,” the woman said.

  “Yes?” Ruby asked. Even after so many centuries of dressing in drag it still pleased him that no one could discern his true gender.

  “I’m Olivia, Sir Hagen’s personal assistant. Would you accompany me backstage, please? He would like to see you.”

  Ruby quickly probed the mortal woman’s thoughts. Seeing that she spoke the truth, he agreed to follow her.

  “I was under the impression Sir Hagen didn’t have visitors directly after a performance,” Ruby said, quoting an article he’d read in the newspaper. Sir Hagen usually disappeared immediately following his shows, which was why he often took some time before his performances to meet fans and sign autographs.

  “He doesn’t,” the woman replied.

  “Then I’m an exception. Aren’t I lucky.” Ruby couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his voice any more than he could stop the butterflies from flapping inside his stomach. He seriously had to get over this Sir Hagen obsession. Hell, two weeks ago he scarcely knew what the man looked like. Now all he wanted to do was rip the clothes off that tall, sleek body and make love while he and the magician explored each other’s minds.

  The woman glanced at him sharply before leading him down a stairway and several corridors until they came to a private garage below the hall where two cars were parked.

  Ruby knew before the woman told him which car belonged to Sir Hagen. Still he waited until she gave him the okay to approach. The passenger side window rolled down and Ruby bent to look inside, his gaze meeting the magician’s.

  “Do you have some time to talk?” Sir Hagen asked.

  “You bet.”

  “Do you want to ride with me or meet me somewhere?”

  Ruby opened the door and slid inside, crossing one long, sleek leg over the other so that his skirt hiked up his shapely thigh. He clicked on his seatbelt before Sir Hagen began driving out of the garage.

  Between the darkness of the night and the understated car, they drew no attention from anyone lingering after the show.

  “Do you usually drive off with guys you don’t know?” Sir Hagen asked.

  “About as often as you see audience members after a show.”

  “Speaking of shows I caught yours in Vegas.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I’m wrong. Aren’t you one of the Elixir Maidens?”

  Ruby had to admit he was a bit taken aback, both because Sir Hagen had seen the Maidens perform and also because if he had, then he knew Ruby was a man, yet during their brief psychic encounter he had definitely been flirting.

  “Yes. I’m Ruby.”

  Sir Hagen glanced at him from the corner of his eye and smiled. “I’d ask if you liked the show, but you know my secret.”

  “I loved it,” he replied earnestly. “You’re very talented.”

  “That means a lot coming from another psychic -- a real psychic. Not some fraud.”

  “Where are we going?” Ruby asked, his head spinning a bit just from being with Sir Hagen. His scent, a pleasant combination of powdery cologne and his own natural aroma, filled the car. It smelled as delicious as the man looked.

  When Ruby reached out slightly with his mind, he was rewarded by the caress of Sir Hagen’s thoughts, but also at that moment understood why he preferred to be alone after a performance. The shows were a drain on his powers and he needed some time to recoup. He must have really been interested in Ruby to meet him while in such a psychically vulnerable state.

  “I got the feeling if I didn’t make contact with you now, I might never get another chance,” Sir Hagen said.

  In spite of how he considered himself old and wise, Ruby couldn’t help feeling flattered by the handsome mortal’s attentions. “I’m glad you did.”

  “I’m surprised I didn’t sense your powers when I saw your show in Vegas.”

  “Well, I don’t build my performance around my psychic abilities.”

  He chuckled. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “No.”

  Sir Hagen glanced at Ruby quickly, arching an eyebrow.

  “Well, maybe a little,” Ruby admitted. “But you’re really good at what you do. I honestly came here tonight expecting not to like you.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  Ruby shook his head and pressed his fingers to his temples. “That didn’t sound very nice. All I meant was that I was very impressed. By the way, you haven’t answered me.”

  “What was the question?”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Where do you want to go?” he asked, stopping at a red light.

  I want you to go home with me, Ruby thought.

  I was thinking along the same lines.

  Their gazes locked for such a long, intense moment that Sir Hagen didn’t realize the light had turned to green until the driver behind him blew his horn.

  His stomach fluttering, Ruby leaned back in the seat and drew a deep breath. It had been a long time since he’d been in a relationship, but something told him he and the magician were about to embark on a long, exciting journey together.

  * * *

  A short time later, Ruby and Sir Hagen arrived at Burgundy Peak. Ruby knew the famous magician would not likely be approached there. Not that vampires wouldn’t recognize a modern celebrity, but his kind placed little value on “illusionists” and “magicians.” Most were far too jaded to lose themselves in that particular brand of entertainment.

  As they walked up the steps to the club, Sir Hagen glanced at the sign over the door, a look of recognition passing quickly ov
er his face. Odd that a mortal should have such a reaction to Burgundy Peak. Membership was restricted to vampires and a few select mortals. When Ruby tried searching his thoughts, he found them closed and decided further probing without the magician’s consent would be rude.

  “Good evening,” Onan said when they stepped into the foyer, his stern gaze drifting from Ruby to Sir Hagen and back again.

  “He’s my guest,” Ruby explained, knowing Onan kept careful watch over everyone who entered the club.

  Will he be accompanying you upstairs? the security chief asked telepathically.

  If I’m lucky, Sir Hagen replied.

  Onan narrowed his eyes, clearly disturbed by finding a mortal able to so easily engage in telepathic conversation with vampires.

  “We’ll see how it goes,” Ruby said, slipping his arm through Sir Hagen’s. Turning to Onan, he continued, “If we do decide to leave the club area, I’ll be sure to tell you.”

  “I will know if you don’t,” Onan stated, then moved aside and gestured for them to enter. “Enjoy yourselves.”

  Ruby and Sir Hagen stepped into the dimly lit club. The aroma of incense and scented candles wafted on the air. Soft rock music played at the perfect volume for sensitive vampiric hearing. Though it was scarcely ten o’clock, the club was fairly well packed with vampires on business brunches, meeting friends, or arranging for donors.

  A few guests and staff members glanced in their direction, though it was difficult to decide whether their attention was focused on Ruby or Sir Hagen. Already the Maidens had acquired a respectable following among Burgundy Peak’s regulars.

  A waitress approached and guided them to a table where she took their orders for drinks and left them with menus.

  “Don’t worry about getting hassled or anything,” Ruby said to Sir Hagen. “This is a nice place.”

  “I know. Very exclusive.”

  Ruby held his gaze, his curiosity getting the better of him. “You’re familiar with Burgundy Peak?”

  “Yes, though I’ve never actually been in here.” Sir Hagen glanced around. “Quite nice, actually. Though I’m not sure how welcome I am. In my experience most vampires don’t care for magicians.”

  For a moment Ruby almost forgot to breathe. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m sure you heard me quite clearly.” A slight smile touched his lips. Reaching across the table, he used a long index finger to gently brush a strand of hair from Ruby’s cheek. “You’re not the only one who knows other people’s secrets, love.”

  “Exactly how much do you know?”

  “I know vampires exist. That most of them are not like the legends say.”

  Just in time the waitress arrived with their drinks. Ruby took a long sip from his glass, his mouth having suddenly gone dry. He couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed by the amused expression on Sir Hagen’s face.

  “How did you come by that information?” Ruby demanded.

  “Who do you think helped me hone my psychic powers?”

  “Methuselah.”

  “You’re familiar with me. I’m flattered.”

  Ruby offered his sweetest smile. “You’re an arrogant young egomaniac.”

  “I don’t intend to come across that way.”

  His calm, honest reply made Ruby feel guilty. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. You’re not all that arrogant.”

  Sir Hagan chuckled, his dark eyes glistening. God, the man was full of surprises and seemed to get sexier by the minute. “Then I guess I’m just a young egomaniac.”

  “Don’t stray from the subject. You’re telling me this Methuselah is a vampire?”

  “Yes. He mentioned Burgundy Peak. It seems he visited here years ago. May I ask you something personal?”

  Ruby shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “Go ahead. I’m just not sure if I’ll answer.”

  “How long have you been a vampire?”

  “What makes you think I am?”

  “Your telepathic skill. The brilliance of your eyes. And you have sexy little fangs.”

  “Have you ever been bitten?”

  “Answer my question first.”

  “Fifteen hundred years.”

  “Yes, I’ve been bitten, but never by someone I wanted to sleep with.” As he spoke, Sir Hagen’s delightful scent grew stronger and Ruby saw the pulse along the side of his neck beat faster. When he concentrated, he could hear his heart racing with desire.

  Ruby’s heartbeat quickened, too. Beneath his feminine costume his cock ached with need. He imagined Sir Hagen’s lips pressed against his, their naked bodies locked in a silken embrace.

  “Why didn’t your mentor offer to make you one of us?” Ruby continued.

  “He did, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to surrender my mortality.”

  “You aren’t really giving it up. We can be destroyed.”

  “I know. What I mean is, life can be very lonely. I’m not sure I want that kind of emptiness for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years.”

  His words, though spoken without a hint of self-pity, touched Ruby profoundly. “Why are you lonely?”

  For the first time Sir Hagen’s charming smile seemed forced. “Let’s not talk about this right now. You don’t want to hear about my issues.”

  “Maybe later?” Ruby said softly, reaching across the table and taking Sir Hagen’s hand in his. Their fingers entwined, Ruby’s smooth and tipped with carefully manicured red nails, the magician’s long, slender, and graceful yet distinctly masculine.

  Their gazes locked for several heartbeats and Ruby knew at that moment he was going to sleep with this man. Sleep with him and probably fall passionately in love.

  The waitress arrived with their food and the couple reluctantly released each other’s hands. During their dinner conversation, Ruby and Sir Hagen talked about more trivial matters such as favorite foods, hobbies, and pets. The magician avoided discussing family, other than to say, as he had in the television interview, his parents were deceased and he had no siblings or relatives.

  “Oh wow.” Ruby glanced at his watch. “I hate to leave, but I need to get ready for the show. We go on at twelve.”

  “Would you mind if I stayed and watched?” Sir Hagen asked, his fingertips gently stroking the back of Ruby’s hand.

  Warmth spread through Ruby and he resisted the urge to squirm with pleasure. “I’d love it. Wait for me afterward so we can say good night properly.”

  “I will.”

  Ruby stood and walked several steps, then turned back and bent, kissing the magician’s warm, smooth-shaven cheek that carried the subtle, powdery scent of his cologne.

  Upstairs in his room, Ruby hurried to dress for the show. He’d been so absorbed in Sir Hagen that he’d lost track of time. Sir Hagen. He’d have to find out the man’s real name.

  “Hey, Ru!” Crimson shouted from outside the door. “Get your ass downstairs. We’re on in like five minutes.”

  “I’m coming,” Ruby replied, glancing at himself in the full-length mirror, admiring how the slinky black dress with the fitted, black-beaded jacket showed off his curves to advantage. Though the breasts weren’t real, the narrow waist, shapely backside, and toned legs were all his. He’d paid particular attention to his grooming tonight, wanting to make a good impression on Sir Hagen.

  He opened the door where Crimson stood in a black leather skirt and jacket, his gray eyes flashing with annoyance. Obviously by his rotten disposition the suitcase with his gaffs still hadn’t shown up.

  “You should have been dressed before now,” Crimson said. “But instead you were down there flirting with that freakin’ mortal.”

  “You know about that already?”

  Cocking an eyebrow, Crimson replied, “Yeah. This is Burgundy Peak. Remember Mel said rumors fly around here like shit hitting a fan? She wasn’t kidding.” As they made their way to the club section, he continued, “Prepare yourself for Scarlet’s third degree, by the way. He already wants to know everything about this Sir Hagen guy. Thinks he’s a
stud or something.”

  “He’s right.”

  Crimson laughed, a guttural sound completely at odds with his feminine appearance. “Aren’t you the one who was ranking the guy down to dirt before forcing yourself to go to his show?”

  “He’s not at all what I expected.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. He’s a real psychic.”

  “You know that, too?”

  “Enough talking. We need to get singing,” Crimson said in his sexiest falsetto, shoving Ruby through the door leading to the club where Scarlet already stood near the stage, glaring with annoyance.

  You’re late, Scarlet’s telepathic voice struck Ruby as he approached the stage.

  Sorry.

  You can pay me back by telling me all about him later.

  Before they could communicate further, Crimson pushed both of them toward the stage.

  In spite of their slightly late start, the Maidens gave an especially fantastic performance that night. Throughout the show, Ruby’s gaze drifted toward Sir Hagen and he was pleased to note the magician appeared thoroughly bewitched. When it came time for Ruby’s love song, he kept eye contact with Sir Hagen, letting him know the song was meant for him alone. The expression gleaming in the man’s intense brown eyes aroused Ruby almost too much and he prayed nothing popped out in all the wrong places, especially in that tight black dress.

  After the show, Ruby joined Sir Hagen at the table.

  “You were wonderful,” said the magician. “And very beautiful.”

  Smiling, Ruby cast his gaze down in a demure gesture he hadn’t practiced in several centuries. It had been literally ages since anyone made him feel as young and in lust as he felt with Sir Hagen.

  “I need to take a shower and change.” Ruby stood and Sir Hagen also rose, stepping so close they nearly touched. His brown eyes, aflame with desire, bore into Ruby’s, making his pulse race. The urge to kiss Sir Hagen’s mouth, lick his throat, and sink his fangs into the smooth, pale flesh almost overcame him. He imagined the magician taking him in his arms and covering him with kisses. A ripple of desire darted through Ruby as he fantasized about taking Sir Hagen’s stiff, velvet-skinned cock in his hand and stroking while the magician returned the favor. Then, of course, there were other things they could do with their cocks that Ruby just couldn’t think about without jumping on the man right then and there.