by Sage, May
Mikar shot her a quick grateful look in the rear-view mirror.
“That makes sense. People suck.”
“You’re wise beyond your years, kid. Hey, what’s your name?”
“Ben. You? Jeez, you saved my life and I didn’t ask for your name. Sorry.”
“No biggie. I’m Avani.” It was actually pretty incredible that the kid had bounced back so fast, without showing any sign of trauma. She would have bet he was more shaken than he let on, but all things considered, he was really doing well. “You seem interested in sups, Ben.”
“I am. I want to work at the Liaison Department,” he said proudly. “My uncle promised he can get me an internship there after high school.”
The Liaison Department was one of the many minor human institutions set up by governments to manage the relationship between regulars and sups. America had the PIA—before it was blown to pieces—but the Paranormal Investigation Agency was known to only react to violence. The European Liaison Department was supposed to be an institution meant to represent both human and sups in all sorts of matters; they organized festivals, financed schools, and mediated conflicts before they blew up enough to become a matter the court had to settle.
It sounded great in theory. The truth of the matter was, it was still entirely run by humans, and therefore, didn’t always have the best interests of sups in mind.
“Good on you, kid.”
She was impressed that last night’s events hadn’t changed his mind about working with her race.
Some people had one bad encounter and judged an entire group for it. Others, like Ben, put it down to the fact that some individuals sucked and moved on.
The rest of the journey was peppered with a bunch of questions she did her best to answer, though some were directed at their vampiric driver. Mikar didn’t seem to mind Ben quite so much now that he was focused on Avani and only had the occasional query for him.
Then he asked, “What does blood taste like?”
Avani disguised her laugh as a cough.
The kid really didn’t have a filter. A regular asking a vampire to speak about blood was like a turkey chatting about stuffing recipes before Thanksgiving.
Mikar shrugged indifferently. “Blood.”
So, the ancient was a smartass, apparently.
Ben grimaced. “But blood is gross.”
“Really?” The vampire rolled his eyes. “Then why do people eat boudin or tartare?”
“Because they’re French,” Ben replied reasonably without missing a beat.
She could only giggle.
They reached the city in a few hours. Mikar parked his car in an underground facility lot in the city center. His entire demeanor changed the moment they got out. He went from a sullen driver who wanted to be anywhere but here with them to a silent and deadly force to be reckoned with. Everything about his stance and intensity said protector. Avani could tell why he’d been the one who’d been sent out to meet the humans; he was a natural bodyguard. Levi would have seemed too intimidating; Luke, not intense enough; Chloe, too young and sweet. Though Avani didn’t know the other vampires well, she could see Mikar would make the humans feel safer than anyone else.
Except perhaps Alexius.
Since he couldn’t leave Oldcrest, the point was moot.
What was up with that, anyway? She had so many questions about the tall blond hottie, she might as well change her name to Ben.
“We’re meeting your parents at Starbucks.”
She wasn’t surprised that Mikar had picked a public place—again, to make them feel safe after their ordeal.
Avani wasn’t too inclined to think about their peace of mind and wellbeing. They’d left the campground without their son, for heaven’s sake. They deserved to worry.
She could have just left Mikar to it—she was just hitching a ride to buy some stuff in town—yet she followed them through the busy, noisy, polluted streets.
Avani loved the idea of a day out in the city when she was in Oldcrest, romanticizing everything about it, but now that she actually was here, she remembered just how stuffy the regular world was. Everyone walked in each other’s personal space, cars honked and stank, people were nosy…
“Coffee?” Mikar asked.
“Oh. Sure.”
Just like that, her mood improved considerably. She ordered something that had a dollop of coffee and plenty of cream and syrup.
At the first sip of the fluffy colorful drink, her shoulders loosened. “We so need a Starbucks in Oldcrest.”
Instead of pointing out that it might not be compatible with the whole “secret territory” thing, Mikar grunted in agreement, eagerly lapping at his cold brew.
Maybe they were going to get along.
The next moment, Ben jumped to his feet, practically knocking over his iced tea, and launched himself into the arms of a petite, pretty lady who cried, kissing the top of his head, his cheeks, and pulling him close.
“I’m so, so sorry,” she repeated over and over again in between kisses.
There was a tall man who bore some resemblance to the teen next to her, and a little girl in pigtails attached to his side. “We thought you were in the car. We wouldn’t have left otherwise.” His voice was thick with regret.
Jaded as she was, Avani still believed him. And people had a tendency to act pretty fast when fear and adrenaline took over. Just like that, she forgave the parents after all.
Perhaps because they really weren’t assholes, or simply because caffeine had hit her system, which considerably lowered her level of annoyance toward the universe.
“It’s all right. You got Tiffani out of there, that’s the main thing. And Avani saved me,” Ben said, pointing right at her.
Avani just had enough time to put her latte on the table when Ben’s surprisingly strong mother leaped at her and engulfed her in a bear hug, too. “You’re an angel sent from heaven,” she declared.
The man nodded. “We’re in your debt. Anything we can do for you, it’s yours.”
Meeting the parents explained why the son was so open, friendly, and void of prejudice. They must have known she was a shifter, but that didn’t matter one bit to them, even though they’d been chased the previous night.
“Don’t mention it,” she said. “And I can’t breathe.” Damn, the woman was strong for a small regular.
“Don’t mention it? You saved my son! We watched the news this morning; they said that some people from the camping ground were missing.”
Missing was another word for eaten. If they’d found any remains, the human authorities probably hadn’t had the time to identify the bones yet.
“He would have been among them if it wasn’t for you. If we have another girl, we’ll name her after you.”
“Yeah, well…glad I could help.” Avani didn’t feel comfortable with the gratitude. She should have gone her own way after all.
She cleared her throat, glancing at Mikar for support. He took the cue. “I’m afraid we’re on a schedule.”
“Of course. Don’t let us keep you. But let’s exchange contact information, all right?”
“Yes. And really. Anything you need, you call us,” the man reiterated, holding her gaze to let her know he meant it.
She acquiesced, rather than pointing out that it was unlikely she’d ever need anything from them.
They exchanged numbers, and after another hug—little Tiffani insisted on being carried and kissed on the cheek, too—they finally parted ways.
“You’re good with people,” Mikar noted.
Avani snorted. “Yeah, right. They were weird.” Too nice compared to anyone she associated with. And she wasn’t used to hearing thank you. In the pack, she’d done her part. It had been expected of her. No one bothered to say anything about it one way or the other.
“Sure, you might not have been comfortable with the gratitude, but you put them at ease, even the young ones. I’m just surprised, because I didn’t think you’d be used to humans. I mean,
you lived in the woods.”
He had a point. “Kids are kids, people are people, whether they change into wolves or not. There were plenty of kids in the pack; I liked them well enough.” It was when they grew up and started to become arrogant alpha wannabes that she didn’t get along with guys. “Basically, if you smile, children generally chill. Unless your smile is creepy. Then, don’t.”
He sighed. “I have fangs. Not sure that’d help.”
She laughed, walking down the vaguely familiar streets. She knew Edinburgh well enough. Her first stop would have been her bank if she hadn’t been completely barefoot and without ID. Unless she managed to catch an advisor who remembered her, she doubted they’d let her get to her account, whatever she said.
“When do you plan on heading back? I don’t want to keep you.”
Mikar shrugged. “I’ve been assigned to you for the day. Do your thing. We’ll head back when you’re finished.”
More favors, more kindness. She wasn’t sure what to do with it.
“All right. Shoes first, then.”
He grunted. “Shopping. Great.”
Ha! Bloodsuckers or not, men were so damn predictable.
Undead
Alexius admitted he might have overdone it with breakfast.
He was boxing the leftovers when someone knocked on his door and walked in without bothering to wait.
His house certainly was busy these days. Just a few short months ago, the number of visitors he got per month was a lot lower—mostly his cleaners and his conquests.
Chloe appeared at the kitchen door, Ruby right behind her, closely following her in a way that suggested she was her bodyguard for the day. As Mikar, her main protector, was driving the teenager and Avani, it wasn’t surprising.
Ruby was an old, crazy vampire Alexius didn’t know well. Old didn’t intimidate him. Crazy was another matter.
She was one of Levi’s slayers—the warriors he trained to serve him. Ghostlike, despite her light brown skin, each of her movements eerie and calculated, she was the image of a gothic vampire. She wore a long white dress that was cleaner than usual. Alexius suspected she might have two or three identical ones, but it could just be the same one that got a fresher look when she swam in the lake. She lived outside and didn’t drink any synthetic blood, hunting small game in the woods instead. Her eyes remained bright red at all times—the same color as her hair. Sometimes, he wondered if she dyed it with blood.
Probably.
In short, she was a hair shy of feral. Alexius knew to be wary of her. Despite everything, Levi trusted her—enough to leave his mate in her care. That counted for something. Protective as he was, there was no way he would have let Ruby anywhere near Chloe if the other ancient was as unstable as she looked.
“Eirikrson. How can I be of service, my lady?”
“I smelled bacon,” she said with a sigh of delight. “Levi likes fancy food. He only orders duck and fillet and makes broccoli velouté. It’s delightful, but sometimes, a girl wants her bacon.”
He laughed. “Well, there’s some extra. Sit down. Ruby, can I get you anything?”
The woman tilted her head. “I do not believe I am familiar with bacon. Pray, what is this invention? The scent around your house was certainly …” She bared her fangs in a grin that was plain terrifying. “Appetizing.”
Jesus, that vamp was scary. Her suave, thick accent only served to accentuate her otherness.
“Cured salted pork,” he explained.
“Ah. I’ve eaten something like that once.”
The way she said “once” suggested she was talking about the Middle Ages.
“Well, take a seat. Let’s see if food has improved in the last few hundred years.”
He restarted his stove, heated a few pans, and warmed up a bit of everything, serving them two full plates.
Alexius, Levi, Mikar, Luke, and the other older vampires didn’t eat much, but as a fledgling, Chloe would still have an almost human appetite. As for Ruby, well, Alexius doubted she knew the definition of moderation.
“Thank you, Lex. You know, the first time we met, I thought you were a bit of a poser.”
“Accurate,” he admitted without shame.
She rolled her eyes. “That’s the thing. You aren’t. You’re nice—when you want to be. And not in a calculated way, either. If anything, it feels like you calculate your attitude to appear like an asshole. Why is that?”
Because he didn’t want anyone to get too close. Instead of replying, he asked, “Anything to drink?”
“Please. Water’s fine.”
“Do you have blood?” Ruby asked. Though he’d given her cutlery, she’d ignored it, eating with her fingers. She’d already demolished all of her bacon and most of her eggs.
“I find myself parched. Your cured pork is a delight.”
Alexius grinned. “Blood and water coming right up. Would you like more bacon?”
Ruby’s eyes widened. “The fledgling is right. You’re a good man. Now, feed me.”
He wisely opted to obey.
Alexius was warming up the rest of the bacon when his phone buzzed. He divided the bacon strips between the two women, served one water and the other human blood—he knew better than to dare offer synthetic to Ruby—before checking his messages.
Greer.
There’s something up with the zombie. He’s banging against the refrigerator door.
Alexius replied immediately.
Get out of there. Don’t open it. I mean it.
He knew his apprentice was too inquisitive for her own good—she was probably dying to analyze the phenomenon. Greer could take care of herself, but they were talking about zombies. The zombie of a highly trained sup hunter at that.
“What’s up? You’ve gone all pale.”
He glanced between Chloe and Ruby. Ordinarily, he would have simply explained the matter, but he knew Chloe would have insisted on coming along—she was as bad as Greer. If he put her in danger, his ass was going to get in serious trouble with Levi.
“Nothing. I have something to take care of at work.”
“I can tell you’re lying. You’re dreadful at it, by the way.”
She was right. Deception had never been his forte. What you saw was what you got with him.
“What’s going on?” Chloe pressed, her voice changing. It became slower, lower, and contained a compulsion that made her impossible to ignore.
Alexius didn’t think she even knew she was using her inner power, the whisper. He sighed. “It appears that the huntsman’s not good at staying deceased.”
As expected, the woman was immediately on her feet. Ruby followed her lead—though she did fist all of her bacon before getting up. “Let’s go.”
He decided to do what he could to avoid a beating later, and messaged Levi with an update.
At vampire speed, the five miles between his house and the Institute took under two minutes. When they reached the heavy wooden doors of the old castle inside which the school had been built, Levi was already waiting for them, Luke in tow.
“So, our dead man isn’t so dead after all?” he asked casually, eyes on his mate. “Come closer, Chloe.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you have to be this protective? We’ve already established I can kick ass.”
“Protective would be keeping you in the house under lock and key. I just want you next to me.”
Alexius did his best not to laugh. A hundred years ago, if someone had told him Leviathan could say anything half as cheesy, he would have recommended they stop funny mushrooms.
Chloe blushed and stepped to his side before they entered the school, heading straight to the tower reserved for the immortals, north of the building. Alexius opened the red door and walked down the spiral staircase to reach his underground laboratory.
Everything was too still and silent, and the lights were off. It didn’t matter. Vampires could see well enough in the dark.
The mortuary fridge was a few rooms away; its doo
r was open.
“Greer?” he called.
There was no answer, not a sound.
What was going on?
He rushed forward, entering the room, noting it had been trashed. The fridge where Easton’s body had been was in bad shape, with a large hole out of which the creature had no doubt been able to crawl.
Dammit. Where was Greer?
He closed his eyes to focus his senses and listened to the silence, smelled the air.
Vampires had heartbeats, but they were weaker than humans’, slower and steadier. He detected one faster than theirs—hectic, in fact.
Greer was scared out of her wits.
Dammit.
He followed his sense of smell through the rows of rooms—his chemistry lab, his alchemy lab, his dungeons, all interspersed with reinforced cells…
To his surprise, that was where his nose directed him. Frowning, he entered a cell in the middle, scanning it.
“Greer?” he asked, confused. “It’s me.”
“Oh, thank God!” The words, muffled, came from above.
She opened a ventilation grill and jumped down. She was in a state, her clothing dirty, messy, and torn. “I promise I listened to you, I didn’t open the fridge, but he got out, and he was chasing me…he’s fast, Lex.”
Smelling blood, Alexius got to his knees and looked at her leg; it had been scratched at the shin. She’d made a quick tourniquet out of her sleeve. Clever girl.
“We need to look at that, make sure it doesn’t get infected.”
“We need to kill the fucking zombie,” she retorted.
That might prove difficult, given the fact that it was already dead.
The other vampires had followed suit.
“I don’t hear him anywhere. I don’t even feel a presence.” Luke was baffled.
