The Vampire's Executioner

Chapter 19

It was probably dawn and Lizzie wanted nothing more than to go to bed. However, instead of snuggling into the warm comforter and going to sleep, she was half-awake, running her long fingers through her hair, and staring at the laptop screen. She was wearing a tank top and skirt, her hair in a messy ponytail, and hands cupped around her face. She was waiting for her best friend Rachel to get on Skype so that they could run down this potential lead, Dimitri Coran.

Rachel Simmons had been Lizzie's best friend since before her mother died. She had grown up with her after Rachel's mother, Kathleen, took Lizzie in, and they have been inseparable ever since. They both applied for and received top jobs at the Nocturnal Defense Society, but while Lizzie had decided to be an assassin, Rachel was a researcher. Rachel was probably the smartest person she knew, but nobody seemed to realize it because they were blinded by her obvious beauty. Rachel didn't mind actually; she was comfortable with her sexuality and had needs just as much as the next woman. It wasn't like she was looking for any kind of relationship, at least not for now. Lizzie was just glad she got to talk to Rachel; it had been days since the last time they had spoken.

In a manner of moments, Rachel popped up on the computer screen, looking just as tired as Lizzie felt.

"Okay sweetie," she said in a weary voice, looking at Lizzie with her almond shaped eyes. "Seriously? Five thirty in the morning should be banned. I am so exhausted."

"I know," Lizzie said; a tiny smile on her face. " I'm drained too, and I really want to thank you for all your help. It really means a lot."

"No problem," Rachel said, flashing Lizzie her usual disarming smile. She was five foot-ten, taller than Lizzie by four inches, with enviable long legs. Her fashion sense was also to die for, and Rachel wore the latest fashions all the time, always looking like one of those beautiful models from the fashion magazines. Currently, she was wearing Calvin Cline pajamas; blue pajama pants with red apples and a white tank top with a red apple on her chest, emphasizing her long and lean body. Her hair, like Lizzie's, was pulled into a ponytail, and currently, she was rubbing sleep out of her eyes as she tried – and failed – to stifle a yawn.

"So, sweetie," Rachel finally said as she began to type furiously away. "How's Prince Hottie? Is he as good looking as his picture makes him out to be?"

"I should have expected such a question out of you," Lizzie murmured, looking into the Webcam and feeling her heart clench with how much she missed Rachel. "But, I won't lie because you'd be able to tell. Prince Nikolai is definitely a looker. Too bad he has that mouth of his."

"I hate it when pretty boys talk," Rachel agreed, shaking her head in disapproval. "There's really no point. I like to look at you, not listen to you, you know?" The two shared a smile, and Rachel's dark eyes suddenly sparkled with mischievousness. "So? How far have the two of you gone, exactly?"

Lizzie's face crimsoned at the thought of going all the way with Nikolai, but she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thought. "Please, Rachel," she said with a roll of her eyes. "There's no way I would ever sleep with Nikolai Dragulia. He's arrogant and thinks he can get any woman he wants. If I give into him, it would just prove him right. Plus, I am very professional when it comes to my job. I don't intend to sleep with my clients, thank you very much."

"I bet he'd be a good lay," Rachel said, staring off into her own world. "He has, like, five hundred years of experience, you know." She looked over into the Webcam and flashed her grin. "But come on, Lizzie. You can't honestly say that you don't want to."

Lizzie rolled her eyes again, the corners of her lips curled up. She refused to answer that question, which, knowing Rachel, was nothing more than a confirmation. "Anyway," she said with a firm emphasis, though she was still amused with her friend. "I wanted to look up a contact because Jackson called last night to give me a suspect name."

"Of course," Rachel said with a smile and began to type away at her computer. After a moment, she looked back up. "Ready when you are."

"Okay, his name is Dimitri Coran," Lizzie said before spelling out the name for her friend. "Jackson says he runs some kind of bar in the nearby town of Apusul Soarelui. He faxed over the guy's picture so I know what he looks like, I just need the address and name of the bar so I can go pay this guy a visit tonight."

"Okay, got it," Rachel said, seconds later. This was why Rachel was so damn good at her job; she was fast. "Dimitri Coran, a Virgo, runs the Angel's Den. My contact says there's usually some gambling done there Wednesday nights, so if you do go, prepare for that." After giving Lizzie the address of the bar, she quickly looked up dress code. "And for what to wear..." Her fingers tapped furiously away on the keys until Rachel let out a yelp of triumph. "Wear something sexy but not slutty. If you show off your boobs, make sure your ass and legs are covered." Her eyes widened. "I have the perfect idea. Why don't you take Prince Hottie shopping with you? I'm sure he has excellent taste."

"I'm going to sleep now, Rachel," Lizzie said, her voice flat. "I'll talk to you later, okay? Thank you for all your help."

"Take pictures, okay?" Rachel said, and then in a flash, the Webcam turned off and Lizzie threw a look at her bed.

God, she loved beds at moments like these.

* * *

Elizabeth normally didn't dress sexy. There were times when she wore clothing tighter than normal for the club atmosphere, but even then she had more clothes on compared to the other women who hung out in places like Nocturnal. When she woke up later that day, she quickly changed into her jogging attire and began her run, deciding to stop into town, grab an outfit, and check out the location of the bar Dimitri Coran owned.

When it was seven at night, she ate a light meal and took a shower before preparing to get ready for her night out. She was surprised that such an old-fashioned town had modern style dresses, but the woman who ran the shop said she had to keep up with the fashions and made every piece in the shop herself. The first thing Lizzie did was slip on the tight dress; it was a deep forest green color which only enhanced her eyes. The dress itself was halter-style with a plunging neckline, so plunging in fact that it went down the center of the dress, requiring her to tape them down. The skirt clung to her legs, reaching midway down her thighs, before it flared out just past her knees. On her feet was a pair of matching heels. Lizzie took a half an hour to apply her makeup because she wanted it to look good. She left her hair down in rich waves, deciding that it was more comfortable and gave the formal dress a less-formal feel. Now all she needed was her purse and then she was ready to go.

What Elizabeth hadn't expected, however, was running into Nikolai on the way out. For a moment, he simply stared at her, not bothering to hide the fact that he was. Instead of feeling annoyed or even ashamed at his abundant gaze, she found that she liked it, but refused to allow herself to dwell on such thoughts.

"You know," Nikolai said; when his eyes finally interlocked with hers. "You didn't have to get this dressed up for me, but it means so much that you did." His voice, as usual, was enriched with sarcasm.

"Actually, I won't be dining with you today," Lizzie said,. She started to head to the door, her heels clacking the whole way.

"What?" Nikolai asked sharply, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm going out to the Angel's Den," she explained. For some strange reason, she found herself enjoying his reaction. "You know, to do my job? I have an informant that said the owner of the bar, a Mister Dimitri Coran, would be a good lead."

"You're going out like that?" Nikolai asked, gesturing at the outfit.

"Well, I thought it only right that I dress appropriately," she said, glancing down.

"Maybe I should go with you," Nikolai suggested.

"Actually, that's a bad idea," she told him. "You shouldn't be away from your home, especially if Dimitri is the person we're looking for. Plus, I know how to handle myself and I don't want to waste any time worrying about whether or not you're okay."

Before Nikolai could argue, she was already on her way out the door.