Dangerous Dance

by Samantha Cayto

  The dealer was frozen in place, having finally realized that he’d gone into business with monsters. The twins’ fangs were down and they loomed over the man, ready to tear him apart. Alex’s, then Val’s, arrival captured their attention. They turned their heads as one and hissed.

  “So like your father,” Alex drawled. “No finesse. Always looking for the easy way out of any problem.”

  That was all the talking that was going to be done. Val had already come abreast of his leader, fangs down, blood up. As the first twin sprang for Alex, Val did the same to the other brother before he could follow suit. The human found his feet, and taking out a gun, backed away from the fight.

  Val paid no attention to him, keeping his focus on the prey. He had height and weight on the murderous boy. Plus, Val was no hybrid. If being half-human caused the guy any weakness, Val wouldn’t hesitate to exploit it. Fighting to the death was the goal. There was no room for mercy, as he knew his opponent had none. Unless Val killed him, Dracul’s son would be a constant threat to the lives of those Val cared about.

  “Drop it!”

  Duncan’s order hit Val’s ears just as he and Dracul’s son clashed. A shot rang out, then another. A human cry barely registered with him. All of Val’s attention was on the living locomotive trying to bring him down. The boy was a worthy opponent, grabbing Val by the arms to swing him against the wall. There was strength in that effort, although not enough. Putting his weight on the balls of his feet, Val stopped the momentum.

  He bent low and crashed his shoulder into the boy’s sternum. Grasping him by the neck, he flipped him up and over. A bellow whipped dust in his eyes. He roared back and lunged to grab the guy by the lapels of his leather coat. Nearby, Alex was waging a similar war. It took effort, but Val had to block concern for his captain from his mind as he’d done many times before. War had been a common event in their lives on this planet. He had to trust that they would both be victorious. If not, he would kill both of Dracul’s sons—and gladly.

  A hundred years had made the hybrid boy bigger but not a better fighter. Val threw him against the nearest wall. The structure shook, raining cement dust on them. A fissure cracked open where the bricks had taken the brunt of the crash. Val used his bigger body to pin the boy into the dent he’d made before he could move away. Fangs flashed and raked Val’s cheek. Blood welled up and dripped down, but that only increased Val’s determination. He grabbed the long tail of the boy’s hair, wrapped it around his fist and pulled.

  This was why Val had long ago adopted a shaved Mohawk. Long strands were a liability in a fight. The boy howled as Val yanked his head to one side, exposing his neck. Val lunged to bite into the jugular. The boy proved slipperier than expected. He went lax in Val’s grasp at the last minute. Val’s fangs pierced the side of the boy’s face.

  There was still the sweet taste of blood, of victory. He sank his fangs through the flesh and pulled a chunk free. It turned to ash in his mouth almost immediately. A vicious kick to his crotch had him grimacing. Then a sudden hard yank left him with a fistful of hair. Dracul’s son scrambled away, head and face bleeding.

  With a snarl, Val started to pounce and finish him off. Someone called out his name. Logan. But when he turned, he saw the woman helping a wounded Duncan. Her warning was for Alex. The other twin had the guy pinned under a large wooden crate that had fallen or been pushed down. Alex was already freeing himself, except that the boy had a knife poised over him.

  Of course, Dracul had never fought honorably, either.

  Val roared and raced over to knock the guy and his weapon away. The boy flew in one direction and the knife in the other. Its blade missed Alex’s chest, yet grazed him. Val forgot about chasing down either of his enemies and instead dropped to his captain’s side. He ripped off the man’s shirt and lapped at the long laceration. He ignored the sound of pounding feet behind him.

  “Fuck!” Alex yelled. “They’re getting away.”

  Val didn’t even bother to look over his shoulder. He needed to make sure that Alex’s wound was tended. His species might be far superior to humans physically, but they were hardly invincible. It wasn’t until he was sure the wound was closed sufficiently that he jumped up and pursued the twins.

  They had taken off through the tunnel on the other side of the room. He couldn’t see them, yet there was only one way for them to go. Sensing it was useless, he still chased them. He came up onto the street at the other end in time to see an SUV speed away. He bit back a roar of disappointment and ducked back into the tunnel before any humans noticed him.

  In the room, Alex crouched in front of Duncan. The cop had a cloth tied around his upper arm. Logan was quietly placing the incendiary devices Harry had provided to destroy the drug cache. The human dealer lay obviously dead on the ground.

  “I’m telling you it’s fine,” the cop was saying. “Logan did a fair job at a field dressing and I’m going to have enough to explain as it is. I can’t have this miraculously healed flesh wound added to the mix.”

  Alex turned angry eyes on Val. “Damn, vicious little pup! He should never have gotten the drop on me with that crate or that knife. I’m getting too old for this shit. I assume they got away.”

  “Yeah, and don’t ask me to apologize for coming to your aid.”

  Alex lowered his blazing eyes. “I won’t. For Quinn’s sake, if nothing else, I thank you.” He sighed and looked around. “I hope this is all of it.”

  To Val’s eyes, it seemed to be too large a quantity to not be all the drugs Dracul’s boys had brought to the city. “I suppose they could have a lab here.”

  Alex stood and helped Duncan to his feet. “We’re going to have to hope Harry has concocted something to counteract it so they won’t bother making more, regardless. Are you about ready, Logan?”

  “Yes, sir.” She toed the nearby body. “Do we bother bringing him with us?”

  “Nah,” Duncan answered. “If my story is going to be that the dealers set this stash on fire before I could stop them, then I can’t have had time to drag a dead perp with me, not with my arm this way.”

  “Well, then…” She flicked a switch, and the packages she’d scattered ignited. Smoke quickly started filling the small space.

  They rushed out, the journey taking mere minutes, due to the urgency and lack of secrecy. Duncan was already calling the fire in by the time they reached the outside. Staggering to a nearby curb, he dropped. “Yeah, I’m clear of it, and yeah an EMT wouldn’t hurt. Thanks. I’ll keep the line open so long as you get someone to call my partner, Detective Karl Anderson.” He glanced at them over his shoulder and mouthed ‘go’ before slumping and putting his head in his hand.

  Val hated leaving the guy. There was nothing they could do and would only raise more questions than they or Duncan wanted to answer. So, he, Alex and Logan made a beeline for the non-descript SUV they’d come in. Val slipped behind the wheel and tried not to fume too much over their partial success. He’d failed, and that was something he never took well. Saving Alex’s life had been paramount, naturally. It didn’t change the fact that this latest battle wasn’t entirely over.

  “We’ll get another chance at them,” Alex said, obviously sensing Val’s anger. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and frowned as it vibrated in his hand. “What is it, Kitty?”

  Val had no trouble hearing the woman’s words. Or, really two words—Mackie and trouble. He floored the gas pedal and flew.

  * * * *

  “This is what it’s like to be a god.” Mackie twirled around the ledge, marveling at how magnificent the cool breeze felt on his overheated skin. “No. Not a god, an alien.” He giggled. “A vampire alien.”

  “Please, Mackie, come over to me.” Quinn’s bright blue eyes were so clear, even though it was dark out. Everything about Mackie’s body was better—sight, hearing, smells—and the way his blood sang through his veins, making him stronger and faster… He was invincible. Everyone should undergo this transformation.

/>   “Oh, Quinn, sweetie, you should come here. Take a look at how wonderful the view is.”

  Swinging around again, he peered down. There was a small crowd gathered, looking up at him. He felt so pretty…and admired. People adored him. Men desired him, all except one. Then again, he didn’t count because he wasn’t really a man.

  He threw his arms up. “Fuck Val! I am fantabulous, aren’t I?”

  “Sure you are.” That was Emil talking.

  He smiled over his shoulder. “I love you, Emil. You’re always so good to me. You cook for me.”

  “That’s right, Mackie. Come down and I’ll make you anything you want.”

  Sticking a finger in his mouth, Mackie thought hard. “I want… I want…to fly.” He spread his arms wide again and closed his eyes. He could do it. If he walked off the ledge, he would take off and go anywhere he wanted. He would finally be free. No one could stop him or make him do anything he didn’t want to.

  “I’ll be free.” He gave voice to his thoughts and felt the surge of power. Opening his eyes again, he shouted down to the crowd. “No one can tell me what to do. I am Mackenzie Andrew Fraser and I don’t have to take shit from anyone.”

  “I didn’t know your middle name was Andrew.”

  The voice was a like a slap. Whirling back to stare at the roof, he saw the man. The alien. The vampire. The one who’d ripped his heart out and stomped it to dust. “What are you doing here?”

  “I want you to come inside now, Mackie.”

  He shook his head hard, making himself dizzy. He staggered for a moment. Someone screamed and a loud grunt expelled past Val’s lips. Mackie grabbed the sides of his head with his moist hands. God he was sweating. Gross. And, it felt as if his bones were moving around under his skin.

  “Go away. You make me sad and I want to be happy. I don’t need you anymore. I’m amazing all on my own.”

  “I know that. You are the strongest person I’ve ever met, Mackie. You’ve survived and thrived when others would have folded in despair.”

  Mackie dropped his hands. “That’s right. And now I’m powerful. More than you, I bet.”

  Val’s nostrils flared as he took a deep breath and let it out. It was amazing how easy it was to see and hear everything. “Mackie, please listen to me. You’re on that drug. You know, the bad one that makes people do dangerous things.”

  “You’re lying.” Mackie put his hands on his hips. “I’m not stupid. I only had a little bourbon.”

  “Warren crushed what he thought was Ecstasy in it to make you more pliable.”

  Mackie frowned. “He wouldn’t do that. Unlike some people, he likes me. He’s going to give me a castle in the sky.” He ran his hand down his front, liking the way his body tingled with the touch. “He thinks I’m pretty.”

  “Because you are pretty. Beautiful, in fact.” Val’s voice was thick with emotion—or was that arousal?

  “You want me.” He blew a kiss.

  “Always.” Val took a step closer.

  “Don’t come near me,” Mackie warned with a jab of his finger in the man’s direction. “You don’t want me. You’re trying to get rid of me.”

  Val took another step before stopping. “Because I’m bad for you. I can’t give you what you want, what you deserve.”

  “Coward!” Mackie screamed the insult out into the whole of the city.

  Val struggled to keep himself under control. Every fiber of his being screamed at him just as loudly as Mackie had done to run to the boy. Grab him before he goes over.

  He kept himself in check with difficulty. He’d never been terrified in his life. Afraid, yes, worried out of his mind. He’d known helplessness during Robbie’s long labor. This feeling, though, that he couldn’t take a deep-enough breath to keep from passing out, was new. The synapses of his brain kept misfiring, making it hard for him to reason. All he could think over and over was, He’s going to fall. He’s going to die.

  Val forced air into his lungs. “You’re right. When it comes to you, I am a fool and a coward.”

  Mackie cocked his hips in a provocative pose. The ridiculous black lace bra and panties should have been a turn-off. They weren’t. He could see easily why so many men coveted the boy when he blurred the already fuzzy human gender line. “What do you care if my middle name is Andrew?”

  The question startled Val. He could have ignored it, considered doing so. Then he decided that Mackie deserved the truth. If Val had given it to the boy from the beginning, they might not be in this terrifying position.

  “Because it is my son’s name.”

  Mackie raised his eyebrows. “You have a son?”

  Even after centuries, the wound was still painful, although not quite so raw anymore. Or, maybe his fear for Mackie overshadowed it. Regardless, it was time for the truth. “I did, although he never had a chance to draw breath.” Val took a noisy one of his own, trying not to be swamped by the memories of the day he’d burned his lover and their son.

  “Oh.” Mackie’s face fell and his bravado drained away. “That’s so sad. Who gave birth?”

  “Robbie.” He hadn’t said that name out loud for centuries. That, too, was painful to do but not as much as he’d feared.

  Mackie’s eyes went wide. “He was like Lucien?”

  Val knew there was a crowd below, watching and waiting. The blare of sirens had heralded the arrival of the fire department and the cops. He didn’t care, though, who might be listening or what his words might mean to them. Nothing mattered except Mackie getting off that damn ledge and over to Val’s side where it was safe.

  “Yes.” His breath hitched. “I am responsible for their deaths, you see. I won’t let that happen again.”

  Mackie blew out a breath and put his hands on his hips. “Well, that’s just stupid.” The way he swayed so casually on the ledge caused Val’s stomach to drop. “I mean, if you think the same thing would happen to me… Well, it won’t. Because, first of all, I never agreed to have your baby. And second…I’m invincible.” He whirled around to once more peer down.

  Val’s stomach turned. He took a few tentative steps closer to the boy, mindful that he could be the one to send him over the edge if he acted rashly. “Please, Mackie. You’re not. That’s the drug talking. Please, I’m begging you to step back. Come to me.” He stuttered to a halt when Mackie stared over his shoulder at him.

  “Why should I? You don’t love me.”

  Val would have said anything to save the boy. What came out of his mouth, however, was the hard truth. “Yes, I do.”

  Mackie shook his head. “Not the way I need you to.”

  “Perhaps not, but I’m willing to try. I’m not sure I understand the emotion the way you do. I can learn. A sub can teach his Dom, after all.”

  Mackie slowly nodded his head. “Okay… I like that idea.” The human’s words gave Val a moment of relief. “I’ll start by showing you how strong I am.”

  With that cryptic remark, Mackie spread his arms and stepped off the ledge. Screams bellowed up from the street, but they were muffled sounds to Val’s ears. His inner howl was making far too much noise. Indifferent to his centuries-old habits of holding back his true nature, he flashed forward and followed Mackie off the roof. He caught the boy halfway down, wrapped his body around the flailing frame and twisted.

  By the time they landed, Val’s back had taken the brunt and he’d cocooned Mackie within his embrace. Val had expected to smash against concrete. Instead, he was enveloped in a jump cushion. The sounds of clapping reminded him that he was among humans. It didn’t really matter. Mackie was safe, at least from being killed in the fall.

  Hands reached in, pulling them out. Val held tight to Mackie, who writhed, although weakly. The firefighters struggled to separate them. He heard the well-meaning humans try to get through the fog of his terror for the boy. On some level, he knew they wanted to help but his more primitive self didn’t want to let the boy go—ever.

  “Val! Release him. Let the EMTs do their
job.” It was Kitty shouting to him. Her voice cut through the chaos in his brain. He forced his eyes to open. She loomed over him, shoving the emergency personnel aside. She grabbed Val’s arm. “They need to get him to the hospital, okay?”

  “No.” Val tightened his hold and stood on shaky legs.

  She zoomed in close to his face. “Harry will meet you there. He can help now. Do you understand?”

  The meaning of her words cut through. He nodded and forced his fingers to release Mackie’s twitching body that sagged at the same time. He let the EMTs take Mackie and lay him on a stretcher. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Thanks.” Duncan winced as Karl helped him put on his jacket. “I appreciate your coming with me to the hospital, but I’m good getting myself home.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Pausing briefly as he slid his injured arm through the sleeve, he eyed his partner. “Was it something I said?”

  Karl narrowed his eyes. “It’s something you didn’t say.” He paced away as much as the small emergency department pod would allow. “What the hell, Trey? You’ve been acting weird since this killer drug tied into the Murphy murder, and tonight you sneak off on your own to chase a lead. You could have been killed. Why did you freeze me out of it?”

  Trey shrugged the jacket fully on, relishing the bite of pain because he deserved it and the dressing down Karl was giving him. He so wanted to spill it all about the vampires who are really aliens and their endless war. The only thing holding his tongue back was the fear he might end up on the psych ward, or worse, off the force. If he couldn’t lend a hand with his position, it put his species and his planet at greater risk.

  He blew out a breath and ran his hand over his head. His mind registered the realization that he was still overdue for a trim. “Look… I’m sorry. I was chasing what I thought was a stupid lead from an unreliable source.” He gave his partner a sheepish look. “I knew you had a date and didn’t want to disturb your plans over nothing.”