Elena was shocked when the drop-dead gorgeous woman that looked like a supermodel said she was a doctor. She was charged to know that this woman would choose a profession that used her brain when she could have struck gold with a career using her perfect body and face. Her long white coat gapped open at the front, revealing a tailored navy blue business suit with a red silk shirt underneath. Both of the detectives seemed completely stunned by her. Their professional airs dissolved into the countenances of nervous high school freshmen.
Knowles awkwardly zipped up the computer bag. “No, doctor. There’s no problem. We were just showing your patient a video of the robbery.”
The doctor nodded. Gonzalez stuffed his notebook back into the pocket of this shirt. “Dr. Williams, the nurse said that the blood was a match for Miss Arcos. With no wounds, how do you explain that?”
The doctor shrugged and gifted them with a perfect, full-lipped smile. “It was a hell of a nose-bleed, I guess. Right now, I need to examine the patient. I will be happy to talk to you in the hallway. There are chairs in the waiting area just past the nurses’ station.” She gestured to the door.
The detectives took the cue and left the exam room, looking over their shoulders as they shuffled out.
The doctor closed the door and drew the curtain across the wall of glass. Her demeanor changed completely when she turned around. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Nikolai? Have you lost your mind?”
The death angel, sword still in hand, crossed to where she stood near the door. Even though the woman was tall, he towered over her, and with the sword, he looked deadly. “No, Aleksandra. I have not lost my mind. There has been a mistake.”
The woman didn’t appear intimidated by the death angel at all. She had the same accent and was matching his aggressive body language exactly. “You bet there’s been a mistake. Otherwise, you would never have called me. Why does she still live?”
“She’s human.”
The woman gave his shoulder a shove. “Like hell she is.” To Elena’s horror, the woman strode to her bed and grabbed her by the hair. “Can you hear me? See me?” She gave Elena’s hair a painful jerk. “Can you feel me, creature?”
Elena cried out, terrified.
Aleksandra released her hair and gave a disgusted snort. “You’re an idiot, Nikolai. She can see me. I lifted the Veil for the idiot cops, but I replaced it when they left. If she’s human, explain that.”
“I can’t,” he conceded.
Elena’s heart thumped so hard she could hear it in her head.
“She sees us, Nikolai. She is not human. She must die. Now.”
Desperation tinged his voice. “No. She isn’t one of them. Look at her. Look at her eyes, Aleksi. She hasn’t embraced the Underveil yet. I’m not permitted to take a human soul.”
Aleksandra pulled a dagger out from under her lab coat. “Not all of us are as pure of purpose as you, Niki. Allow me to help you out here.” She stalked toward the bed where Elena huddled. For some reason, Nikolai with a sword turned Elena on, but this woman with a dagger was terrifying.
Before Aleksandra reached the bed, Nikolai grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her to face him. “No! Her soul calls me. There has been a mistake. She’s…she’s…” The huge man appeared defeated by his own words. “This is a mistake.”
Elena was amazed by Aleksandra’s reaction—she laughed. She threw her head back and laughed. “Aw shit, Niki. That’s impossible. You’re just thinking with your dick. You’ve been too long without, that’s all. One good night in bed with a strong, hungry woman, and this creature’s pitiful call will be as inconsequential as her species…and just as easy to conquer.”
Nikolai shifted his gaze and the tip of the sword to the floor. Aleksandra ran her fingers across his cheek. She pointed at the sword. “Are you going to use that, or are you just showing off?”
He glared at her with his gold eyes. “Fuck you, Aleksandra.”
She laughed again. “You’d like that, but nope, little Niki, it’s not permitted.”
“You’re sick, you know,” he said as he slid the sword into the sheath behind his back.
She stowed the dagger back under the lab coat. “That’s why you love me so much.” She placed her hands on either side of his face. “Niki baby. You had a direct order. The minute she embraces the Underveil, kill her. If you don’t, you know the punishment for disobedience. You have to do this.” She brushed her fingers across his lips. “I couldn’t bear losing you. Don’t fail. Fydor wants you to screw up.”
Elena found herself almost growling at their intimacy. She was…jealous? Aw, for God’s sake. She couldn’t possibly be jealous of some blood-hungry woman who was stroking the face of the man who was going to kill her. Kill her with a sword, no less. What was wrong with her? She’d gone crazy. Yep. Certifiable.