Alexandra Ivy - Predatory

Valhalla was the stuff of myths.

Named for the home of the Norse gods, the sprawling compound was a safe house for those people too special to be mainstreamed into society (a nice way of saying an orphanage for the children and adults unwanted by their families). Everyone knew that it was a home for freaks.

Witches, psychics, necromancers, Sentinels, and God only knew what else roamed the grounds protected by a layer of powerful spells. It was a source of fear and fascination for the entire world, but most especially for the citizens of the small, Midwest town who could catch the shimmer of blue reflecting off the protective dome that hid the house from view. And even glimpse the rare sight of the freaks entering and leaving the compound, although people were smart enough to spy on them from a distance.

There were, of course, citizens who called for the entire place to be nuked.

The freaks were dangerous, with powers that none of them truly understood. Who knew what the monsters would do if someone pissed them off?

There were others who said they should be locked away and studied like lab rats. Perhaps their mutations could be used to help normal people.

Most, however, preferred to ignore Valhalla and the high-bloodsas they preferred to be calledliving behind the dome.

Until, of course, they needed them.

The nightclub near the University of Missouri wasnt anything to brag about. Hell, it wasnt much more than a leaking roof held up by four walls and a prayer. In the center was a cramped dance floor surrounded by tables and at the back a long bar ran the length of the wall. Up the narrow staircase you could find pool tables and a few old-time pinball machines, while in the back parking lot the dealers strolled from car to car, searching for shoppers interested in less legal means of intoxication.

A typical college hangout.

Seated in a booth nearly obscured by shadows, Angela Locke watched the crowd of college students bump and grind to a heavy beat that was making her eye twitch.

Not that she wasnt enjoying herself, she sternly chided herself. She might be a few years older than most of the kids in the club, but that didnt mean she was a complete party pooper. Right?

On cue she winced as two girls shrieked with laughter at a nearby table, the aggravating sound some sort of homing signal to the guys who eagerly crowded around their table.

Okay, this wasnt really her scene.

Shed spent the majority of her twenty-six years in musty libraries or high-tech labs, which meant she was more comfortable with petri dishes and microscopes than the opposite sex.

Her dark thoughts were interrupted as she belatedly realized she was no longer alone.

Glancing up, she met Megan Wagners exasperated frown. The pretty, pleasantly rounded blonde was one of Angelas few friends at the university. In the process of recovering from a disastrous marriage, the older woman was taking classes to earn her teaching degree.

Oh, for Gods sake, Megan complained. I didnt bring you here to hide in the corner.

Angela wrinkled her nose. Id rather hide in corners than park myself in the spotlight where everyone can see me sitting alone.

Megan folded her arms under her ample bosom, her lush curves displayed in a tight red dress and her blonde curls allowed to fall freely over her shoulders.

You wouldnt be alone if you didnt put out vibes that youre

A geek? A nerd? A first-class egghead? Angela offered wryly.

Unavailable.

Are you kidding? Angela shot a glance down at her jade stretchy top that was scooped low enough to reveal the soft curve of her breasts and the too-tight jeans that threatened her circulation. In this outfit I not only look available, I look like I charge by the hour.

Its not your clothes. Its your attitude.

Angela blinked. Attitude? She didnt know she had an attitude.

What do you want me to do?

Megan placed her hands flat on the table, eying Angela with the same stern expression she used on her students at the local preschool.

Pay attention to the men who are here, not the one who isnt.

Angela tried to squelch the renegade blush that stole beneath her cheeks.

I dont know what you mean.

I mean that its all fine and dandy to moon over Professor Hottie, but whats it gotten you? A blonde brow arched. Unless theres something youre not telling me?

Angela ducked her head, allowing her finger to trace the beads of moisture that trickled down her untouched drink.

Professor Hottie.

Or, better known as Dr. Nikolo Bartrev.

Hed arrived at the university six weeks before. A tall, dark stranger whod been invited by the president to review their science curriculum. Angela didnt know precisely what his work entailed, but she did know that one glance into those pale blue eyes and shed been lost.

Head over heels in lust for the first time in her life.

A damned shame he didnt return her aching need.

Theres nothing to tell, she muttered.

And thats the point, Megan pressed. He stops by your lab once a day

Sometimes its twice.

Megan snorted. He makes a little chitchat and disappears.

Angela hunched a shoulder. It was true enough.

The first time Dr. Bartrev had strolled into her lab shed nearly had a heart attack. Shed just finished teaching a freshman biology class and hed waited for the giggling girls to drag themselves past him before he slowly approached her desk.

She hadnt known what to expect, but after a few minutes of questioning her about her research, hed turned and left.

Just like that.

Since that day, hed made a habit of stopping by when she was in the lab, sometimes discussing her research and other times just randomly discussing her day.

She assumed that he was cleverly extracting information from her to use in his assessment, but she didnt have a clue what he was searching for.

And she didnt care.

His fleeting visits were enough to make her giddy for the rest of the day.

So? she muttered.

Has he ever revealed anything remotely personal about himself?

Angela grimaced. After six weeks she didnt know a damned thing about the man.

Well, she knew the precise scent of his warm male cologne. And the way his cashmere sweaters stretched over a wide chest and how his pants clung to his tight ass.

But anything about the man beneath the gorgeous exterior? Nothing. Nada. Niente.

No.

Has he ever asked you out, even to lunch?

No.

Has he ever brought you anything? Flowers, candy, a bagel from the cafeteria?

No.

Has he tried to get his hand down your shirt?

No.

Megan heaved a sigh. Honey, that man aint interested, no matter how much you might want him to be.

Angela lifted her head to meet her friends sympathetic gaze. I know.

The blonde grabbed the plastic sword that held a candied cherry from Angelas glass.

Then drink your gin fizz and give that nice stud muffin by the door a big smile. She pointed the sword toward the delectable blond Neanderthal standing across the dance floor. And remember

Remember what?

Youre beautiful.

Angela rolled her eyes. She had a mirror. She might not be the Bride of Frankenstein, but she was a long way from beautiful.

Average brown hair she kept in a ponytail. Average height with average curves. Average features that were pale from the hours she spent in the lab.

The only thing remarkable was the wide brown eyes that were heavily framed with dark lashes, but most of the time they were hidden behind her protective lab glasses.

In summation she was . . . average.