by Kym Grosso
“Are you going soft?” Viktor rolled his eyes and glanced again to the stove, the butter browned in the skillet, releasing a burnt odor into the air. “You gonna get that?”
“You’d better not have fucking touched her.” Quintus shot him a glare and began to crack the eggs into the pan.
“So what if I talked to her? You staked no claim on her.”
“I’m serious. This is no matter to quibble over. She’s a friend of the Alpha’s. She was nice. And no offense asshole, but you don’t do nice.”
“Jesus, you have gone soft.” Viktor slid over a chair and sat down, his elbow resting on the kitchen table.
“Did you touch her?” Quintus asked.
“No, okay? Calm down. You’re burning the eggs.” Viktor rolled his eyes and then looked to the stove. “What ya makin’ anyway?”
“What’s it look like? Eggs. Nothing fancy. I forgot to call my butler.”
“I can’t believe you’re still cooking human food after all these years. You know it doesn’t do anything for you.”
“I don’t care.”
“You don’t need it.”
“I enjoy it. That’s all that matters. Seriously, are we having this argument again?”
“Who’s the chick upstairs?” Viktor gave a sly smile.
Quintus turned off the gas and flattened his palm onto the cool granite. He had known Viktor would sense Gabriella but didn’t want him to know anything about her until he had more information.
“None of your business. And before you get ready to do something extraordinarily stupid, you’re not to speak to her.”
“Ah…she’s special. Okay, I’ll bite. What is she? Hmm…she’s a virgin? No, no, wait. She’s a warrior of some sort. A challenge. Wild in bed, I bet.” Viktor laughed, his eyes drifting up toward the ceiling. “She must be something if you brought her here.”
“She’s special, that much is true. It’s all business I’m afraid. A witch.”
“A witch? That’s unusual. Didn’t you have some sort of rule…?”
“I’m not fucking her. I’m feeding her.”
“Yeah okay.” He laughed.
“Her blood.” Quintus paused, reminding himself that he could trust Viktor. “All I can say is that it’s special. I don’t want you touching her. Not even thinking of touching her.”
Viktor laughed in response, a broad smile on his face.
“No joke. You’re in for a world of hurt if you touch her.”
“I thought you just said you aren’t fucking her. What is this possessiveness? We share everything.”
“Correction. We share most things. She is not one of them.” Quintus struggled with the jealousy that boiled within him. Aside from drinking her blood, he had no other ties to the girl.
“She’s something special, huh? Should I be worried?” Viktor leaned back into his chair and put his hands behind his head.
“No need to worry, my friend. She’s mine. As long as you don’t touch her, you’ll be fine. Am I clear?” Quintus slammed the spatula onto the countertop in frustration and shook his head. What the hell am I saying? He couldn’t believe he just told Viktor the witch belonged to him.
“Tell me brother, what’s so special about the blood of a witch? If anything it would be less potent than a human’s.”
“There was a vampire. I had a run in with her in California. I’ve only been attacked a few times in my life by one, but this didn’t go so well. Poisoned talons.”
“Got it. But you should be able to bounce back.”
“I managed to jump from San Diego to New Orleans carrying Cassandra. But when I flashed I wasn’t even sure where the hell I was taking her. Thank fuck I landed close to St. Mary’s. I didn’t have the energy to go anywhere else, so I ended up in that shit underground club around the corner.” Quintus released a sigh. “You want some breakfast. Coffee? I got the pods in here somewhere.”
“I just ate. You know I don’t eat that human crap.”
“I was poisoned a fair amount,” he continued, ignoring Viktor. “I couldn’t feed. Whenever I drank human blood, I got sick. Couldn’t keep it down.”
“Maybe you got a few junkies in the mix. You know they sell in there for drug money.”
“No way would I drink that shit. I’d scent that out before they ever got within ten feet of me. These donors were top shelf. None of it mattered. Whatever I ate came right back up. I thought…this is it. I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t want some fucker thinking they could kill me while I was weak, so I retreated, holed up in a crypt. I thought…it was the end.”
“But here you are. We’re tough stock.”
“I was dying. The Goddess was near. I’m fucking telling you, it wasn’t good. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
“You got some drama going on there,” Viktor mocked.
“Fuck you, V. I’m serious. I could have fucking died down there. I don’t know how she found me…she’s not what she appears to be.”
“Let’s just hope she didn’t put some kind of hex on your ass. She’s a witch.”
“I think she’s in trouble. I’m not sure what it is. I sensed it. She’s a fighter but there’s something I can’t figure out…”
Quintus stilled as he heard the patter of water from the shower taper off into silence. When he’d checked on her, she’d been crying. Her pain filtered through him as if they’d been truly connected. Although he sometimes sensed others’ emotions, hers were clear and unfettered. The unusual sensation took him off guard, but he buried the nagging feeling.
“What does she want?” Viktor asked.
“Ah, that is the million-dollar question.”
“No one goes to you without wanting a favor.”
“She didn’t ask a favor though. Not yet.” Quintus raised an eyebrow and scooped the eggs onto a plate.
“Still, she must have gone to great lengths to do that. It’s not like that club is exactly a beach resort. It’s more of a shithole.” Viktor sniffed the air, his eyes falling to the eggs. “I know there’re tunnels that lead to the cemetery and crypts but she’d have to know how to get there through the club. Did you ever meet her before?”
“Never in my life. But I’m telling you, that poison took me down. When I first came to, I couldn’t really see her. She was feeding me her blood. As soon as I rallied, well then…that’s when she got really nervous. I scared her.”
“I can’t imagine why. Did you bite her?”
“No.” Quintus recalled his body pressed to hers, her delicious scent calling to him. “It’s not like I didn’t want to. But I’m not an animal. Jesus.”
“Tell me, oh, great one. If she was scared, how’d you get her to agree to come to your house?” Viktor picked a fork up off the table and spun it with his fingers.
“I didn’t exactly ask. Let’s just say it was strongly recommended we leave.” Quintus shrugged.
“So let me get this straight. Said witch feeds you her blood, saves you in a crypt. She expresses regret and then you kidnap her?” Viktor laughed. “Okay then. Going old school, I see.”
“I didn’t kidnap her. I prefer to think of it as saving her. Yeah, that sounds about right.” Quintus turned to his friend, a devilish smirk on his face. “Eggs? You sure you don’t want some?”
“You totally kidnapped that chick.”
“She needs help. Besides, once I roused, I could tell there were people coming. We had to get out of there. Eggs?”
“Did you ask her if she wanted to come here? What the hell, Quint? It’s not like we didn’t pull that shit when we first turned, but it’s been centuries. We…no, correct that, you don’t need any trouble with her coven.”
“She doesn’t like witches.”
“Bullshit. All witches have a coven. I’m not sayin’ we don’t bite a witch every now and then, but fuck. You can’t just take them. You ever hear the expression you catch more flies with honey?”
“Eggs? They’re getting cold,” Quintus replied, ignoring
him.
“Okay fine. Give me the damn eggs. Jesus, you have issues.” He waved the plate towards him. “You know I’m not going to eat this shit.”
“That’s a good vampire,” Quintus teased, setting it on the table. “Food is good for the soul. Reminds you of who you once were.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Viktor stabbed at the food with the fork and then set the utensil down on the plate.
“I did not kidnap Gabriella,” Quintus stated.
“Gabriella is it? Ah, the witch has a name.”
“Yes she does.” Quintus placed another plate of eggs on the table and sat. Lifting a forkful of the fluffy goodness to his mouth, he ate it and sighed. “Hmm…it’s good.”
“The scent…it does remind me of being human. You’re always fucking right.”
“You know that I am. I’m older.”
“By three weeks.” He rolled his eyes.
“This witch. There is something…” Quintus hesitated to share his concerns about how he’d read her memories. “We have some sort of a connection. I’m not sure why or what it is. It could be her blood. I don’t know.”
“The plot thickens.”
“I don’t know what’s going on but I do know she’s not just witch. Like maybe she’s a hybrid of some kind. I’ve tasted witch blood on occasion. It’s never done anything particularly special for me.”
“Maybe you just haven’t bitten the right witch. I know I’ve tasted quite a few. Their magick. You often can taste it. It has a distinct flavor.”
“It’s more than that. I was dying. And now…” Quintus set his fork on the table, his gaze meeting Viktor’s. “You know, we often can sense things from blood. But this…I could read her.”
“You can do that. You’re a vampire.”
“This was different. All I know is that she’s in trouble. I owe her my life.”
“Is she hot?” A mischievous smile broke across Viktor’s face.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Hot as fuck. Quintus stabbed hard at the eggs.
“She is hot. All right. Now we’re talkin’. Or your dick is talkin’. Yeah, pretty sure this is all related to your dick. Let me see her and let’s see what my dick says.”
“Fuck off. It doesn’t matter how she looks.” It’s how she feels. “She’s scared of other witches. I know that much. Whatever is going on, my instincts tell me it isn’t going to be good for any of us.”
“Witches, baby. They can be trouble, all right. Have you heard from Ilsbeth?”
“Ilsbeth.” Quintus stretched his neck side to side, releasing the tension. The mere mention of the bitch caused his blood pressure to rise. “Look at what she did to the wolves. You heard she’s playin’ a game now. Saying she’s not a witch. Calls herself Zella. It’s some bullshit.”
“At least the coven down here’s run by Samantha now. They won’t have as many issues. At home though…”
“What’s going on?” Quintus asked, his eyes trained on Viktor. “What aren’t you telling me?”
The creak of the wooden floor above drew his attention and he jumped up from his seat. He read the flicker of mischief in Viktor’s eyes and gave him fair warning. “Leave her be, brother. She belongs to me.”
“Why must you be so selfish? Sharing is caring.”
“There is no sharing. She’s mine.”
“Yours, huh?” He laughed.
Quintus heard footsteps coming down the staircase, and as she approached, his body quickened in awareness of her magick. His eyes flashed to Viktor who gave a smirk.
“No,” told him.
“Yes.”
Quintus cursed as Viktor dematerialized out of the kitchen. “Goddammit.”
The blade sliced across his brother’s abdomen, and Quintus gave a muffled laugh. With his arm wrapped around her waist, his eyes lit in amusement as his little witch vowed her vengeance.
“This is what you brought home?” Viktor chuckled and wiped the blood from his healing skin. “She’s feral.”
“Fuck off, V. She’s special. And you deserved it.” She attempted to jerk from his arms but he held tight. “Sorry bella but you’d best relax. Make nice.”
“Fuck you. I will not make nice. I should have never helped you,” she yelled at him.
“Feisty.” Viktor’s lips curled upward. “Ah my friend. Is it her blood or her spirit you’re after?”
“Neither,” he lied, aware he craved her blood like air.
“Definitely her blood. You don’t normally go for women with spirit. Demure is more your type.”
“Would you shut up?” Quintus demanded, his voice calm but terse.
“Go to hell. Both of you,” she spat. “Let me go.”
“This is going to be fun.” Viktor nodded his head in amusement.
“This is going to be an obligation I fulfill. Nothing more, nothing less. I need to get back to New York before shit goes down.” Quintus maintained a nonchalant tone.
“Shit is already going down.” Viktor shook his head and walked toward the kitchen.
“Let me go,” Gabriella grunted, wrenching out of his arms.
“Easy now.”
“I want my clothes.”
“I’m having some things sent over but if you insist, there are clothes in the closet you can wear.”
“I want my clothes not something that belongs to a girlfriend. And I want the wards lifted too. I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Demanding little thing. You picked a winner,” Viktor’s voice carried from the other room.
“I didn’t pick her. She picked me.” Quintus smiled.
“This isn’t a joke. I have commitments.” Her eyes widened at his audacity. “I saved your sorry ass. You need to trust me. I do need your help but I…I…”
“Whatever is after you, we can discuss it. But you must understand…look at me.” Quintus gently placed his hand on hers. She stilled at his touch, her fingers relaxing into his. A defiant fear shone in her eyes as they drifted to his. “I’m going to protect you. I don’t know what you owe.” His anger roused at the thought of anyone hurting her, holding her hostage for debt. “But I’ll repay it. You’ll be free.”
“It’s more than that. I mean…I owe someone something.” A single tear rolled down her face. “And there’s the witches…”
“I want to know what’s exactly going on so I can protect you.”
“I can’t talk to you…”
“You can trust me.”
“I can’t trust him.” Gabriella trembled, craning her neck to peek down the hallway into the kitchen.
Quintus had had enough. He wanted to know exactly what was going on and who was after her. He made a split-second decision, aware that neither Gabriella nor Viktor would like it. Fuck the eggs. “Hold on.”
Transporting her away into his bedroom, Quintus held her tight as she trembled in his arms. It was the only place in his house where even Viktor couldn’t hear them. Gaining her trust was the only way to get her to tell him what in the hell was going on and who was trying to hurt her. He trusted Viktor with his life but his brother and Gabriella hadn’t exactly gotten off on the right foot.
“You’re okay,” he told her. She didn’t move to break free but instead molded into his embrace. “Witches don’t usually get dizzy. Ah, what’s going on with you? Please, bella. You’re safe in here. Viktor won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not safe,” she said through her tears.
“He can’t hear you in here. I promise.” Quintus held her in his arms, gently cradling her head to his chest. What in the hell had happened to his little witch?
“You need to eat.” He was beginning to regret his decision to leave the kitchen. He knew she needed actual food to survive.
“It’s not that…I just can’t stay. The moon is coming soon. And I’m going to…” Her words faltered as he sat onto his bed.
Quintus lay back onto his pillow, bringing her with him, not willing to let her go. “Gabby, I’m the one in your debt. I cou
ld have died if you hadn’t intervened. I don’t know why you did it but you did. So let me help you.”
“I can’t stay here. I swear I’ll be back. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
“Whatever you think you need to do, it’ll wait.” Quintus sighed. “Even if you gave me your blood because you needed a favor, I might have helped you anyway.”
“You’re not known for helping with no reason.”
“It depends on the situation.” While it was true that he’d been merciless in his ways, ruling with an iron fist, he would occasionally help those he deemed worthy. Both supernaturals and humans alike were a disappointing lot. He didn’t have time for insolent idiots calling on favors.
“They’re after me. They’ve always been after me,” she replied, her voice calm. Quintus glanced to her eyes which were glazed over in an icy haze.
“Who’s after you?”
“If you’d let me go, I could have got the product to him.”
Quintus’ fingertips grazed over her silky smooth skin. His anger spiked as his eyes drifted to the needle marks. “And I take it you are the product. You sell yourself.”
“Don’t judge me, vampire. There was no other way. I’m surviving.”
“I’m not judging you.” His stomach clenched at the thought of her sharing any part of herself with others.
“Blood,” she whispered. “Nothing else. I would never do that.”
“I didn’t say that you were selling your body, it’s just…” Quintus’ words faltered as he reconsidered his thoughts. He released a silent breath in relief. Something about her. He didn’t want to know if she’d had sex with anyone, let alone for money. “Why though? You’re a witch. You could work at a variety of places.”
“I can’t practice the craft.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “I’m running. This is my life.”
His stomach twisted at her words. “Do you have a home?”
“Yes. No. Sort of.” She laid her head onto his chest, and relaxed into his arms.
“How long have you been in New Orleans?” Quintus asked.
“Five months. Before that I’d been in Seattle for seven years. Lucky number seven.” A sad smile formed on her lips, her eyes wet from her tears.
