The Vampire & the Reporter Read Free

good as it would get . It seemed only seconds after she pulled the corded rope that Ivan was tapping gently on her door. Hell, was this man always lurking about?
     
    Kyra entered the parlor where six other guests sat debating the week’s activities.
     
    “So it seems our final player has arrived,” an older man with an unmistakably British accent stated.
     
    “Indeed,” a woman, close to Kyra’s own twenty-nine years, added. Her bot tle blonde hair, in dire need of a touch up, sat stiffly around her head as if it had been overly moussed. Definitely British as well.
     
    “May I present, Ms. Kyra Littleton?” Ivan introduced.
     
    “You must be the American contingent,” a dark haired woman with a thick Spanish accent stated in a friendly tone.
     
    “I’m not sure about a contingent, but yes, I’m American,” Kyra admitted, quickly perusing the eclectic group assembled. She wasn’t surprised to find herself the only black person represented in the group. In her line of work it had become somewhat expected. Although amongst this European bunch she doubted her race would matter as much as in her country of origin.
     
    Quick introductions were made and she tallied up two Brits, a French man, the Spanish woman she’d taken an instant liking to, a German man who seemed friendly enough and a short Greek fellow who looked like he’d much rather be any place else but in the castle.
     
    “So has our illustrious host made an appearance yet?” Kyra asked, not hesitating to pour herself a cup of tea and take an empty seat on the sofa next to the French man, whose eyes seemed to linger on her breasts.
     
    “Not yet.” Bottle blonde sounded annoyed. “ Which is really quite rude when you think of the distance I…we’ve come to participate in this show? ”
     
    Thunder rumbled loudly outside causing the blonde to jump. Kyra smiled into her mug, taking a sip to mask her amusement.
     
    “You are quite right , Madame Smiley. It appears I have neglected my guests long enough today . I apologize for my absence, there were some pressing matters which required my undivided attention. ” The distinctly Romanian accented voice reverberated against the walls, although the man who suddenly appeared had not raised his voice above the average tone. Several gasps went up around the room, mostly female, accompanied by the clanking of goblets and cups.
     
    Kyra wasn’t sure if the responses were from the unannounced manifestation of the man or from the shock of his overall form. He stood several i nches over six feet; what promised to be a slender but muscular physique was shrouded in Renaissance attire. Normally Kyra didn’t go in for costumes but on him it worked. Straight dark hair hung in disarray but instead of looking unkempt and boy bandish it was distinctly masculine on him. A pronounced but rounded nose jutted out from underneath deep-set eyes that appeared to be green in color, although Kyra couldn’t be certain without a closer look.
     
    Hubba hubba , s he didn’t try to harness the thought that came instantly to mind. The man was a hottie with a capital H.
     
    His gaze fixed on her for several seconds and she paused, wondering if she’d actually communicated her thoughts out loud. It wouldn ’t be the first time. Hell, it was how she’d caught William’s attention. He’d walked passed her at a charity function and there, in front of a room full of do gooders, she’d commented on how nicely he filled out a pair of pants.
     
    Enough!
     
    Kyra stared unblinki ngly at their new arrival. Had he just spoke or was it her imagination?
     
    “I am glad you could all make it for the w eek’s festivities. I am Dumitri Dracul, and I personally welcome you to my home.”
     
    “Mr. Dracul, why exactly have you chosen to open your castle after all this time ?” the Spanish woman began.
     
    “As I have stated in numerous press conferences, I hope to attract tourism to this region of t he world, but please,