Blood Lines: Conduit

by Mechele Armstrong

  “Crimson, you will get a handle on this. On being a vampire.”

  Pope grabbed Crimson’s chain, pulling her away from Copper. “Stop it. Right now.” Crimson fell back onto the floor with a clang. Pope guided her with the chain back to the chair. “You sit there. Have a visit with your sister.”

  “Or your sister will have to leave.” Tad had moved closer, his eyes darting to Crimson and Copper.

  “Guys, wait a minute, she wasn’t hurting me. We were talking.”

  “I could kill you.” Crimson’s voice dipped low and sweet. “I could. Take all that fresh blood.”

  Tad pointed to Crimson, waggling a finger. “See. See how not hurting you she is. Or thinking about it, at least.”

  “She said it. But she wasn’t doing anything.” Copper’s knees had gone weak at Crimson’s words. But she hadn’t shown it. Her own sister had talked about her death like she was a chicken.

  “She was too close.” Pope leaned back on his boots. “Bastian told us not to let you within three feet of her.”

  “She had Bastian. I see the tiny love bites he left. Roughened skin from his rasping tongue.” Crimson’s reclined on the floor with a sing-songy voice.

  Copper looked down. Nothing visible to the naked eye on the small area of skin she had exposed. But he had nibbled her neck enthusiastically. She’d checked it for hickeys this morning after pulling on her shirt. How could ... vampire senses. Damn, they were good. “Bastian said not to let me within three feet of Crimson?”

  They both nodded.

  “You two listen here. Bastian isn’t my ruler and Master. He doesn’t tell me what to do. He might have you all, and he might have Lucy and Crimson. But not me. No one tells me what to do. No one rules me. Not Bastian De Luca. Not anyone.”

  “Bastian told us ...”

  “I realize what he told you. But I’m telling you, I will not be dictated to. Now back off, and let me see my sister.” Her worst fear. Bastian was taking over her life already, and they’d only had sex once.

  They looked at each other. “No.” The tone on both was firm. No hesitation.

  “Guys.”

  “No.”

  “I swear I will take responsibility for this. I’ll take the heat.”

  Tad snorted. “Do you think I’m scared of Bastian, and that’s why I do what he says ... or at least, most of the time I do?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “Hell, no. I do what Bastian De Luca says because he’s the first one to ever give a damn about me. To ever want to help me and demand nothing in return.”

  “He fucks you, doesn’t he? Takes blood?”

  Crimson nodded. “He does. I want your blood. No fucking involved.”

  Copper frowned at her sister. Not helping, Sis.

  Sorry.

  Pope’s voice came quietly. “He never takes anyone sexually who doesn’t want to. Or takes blood from an unwilling donor. I’ve never done either.” He pointed to Crimson, still laying on the floor. “He was with Crim here when I got here, and I never felt it was my place to screw ‘im no matter what kind of relationship they had going on.”

  “Pope’s right, Cop.”

  “So you won’t let me be near or alone with my sister?”

  “Nope.” Again with double agreement.

  “That’s bullshit.”

  Tad shrugged.

  “I’m going to go find Bastian.” Copper stamped her foot. “And tell him exactly what I think of his high-handed dictating ways.”

  “You do that.”

  “Oooooh.” Copper stomped out of the room.

  Bye, sis.

  Bye.

  Copper was almost to Bastian’s room when it occurred to her Crimson hadn’t spoken aloud. Neither had she. What the hell did that mean? But she’d arrived at Bastian’s door so she’d confront Mr. High and Mighty first, then worry about her sister and her talking in their minds. No man was going to dictate her life.

  Squaring her shoulders, she tossed open the door. No one was there.

  * * * * *

  Evangeline straightened up. “You do have a lot of blood. But too much alcohol in it. Yech.” She wiped her mouth with a newly manicured hand. “Is that a chipped nail?” She stared down at it. Wiped at it. No, only a little blood.

  Barb clenched his fists in the handcuffs he sported. “Choke on it, bitch.”

  “Don’t think so.” She leaned down to swipe tongue against the wound on his upper chest one last time. “Drat, it already closed. Maybe I should make a new one.”

  “Come closer. I’ll wrap this chain around your neck.” His eyes glared, muscles tensing. He jangled the handcuffs together.

  She sighed. “He’s losing his entertainment for me.”

  Jake snorted. “I can’t wait until Bastian gets here and does you in.” His words came slurred. He’d been a fighter. Gerald’s fist had gone a little heavy on his mouth.

  “Speaking of the dear vampire boy, where is he? I called him thirty minutes ago. He should be here by now.” She twirled around, red mini-skirt flashing thigh. “He best not keep me waiting too long. I’ve done so long enough.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of keeping you waiting, Evangeline.” Bastian strolled in the front doors. Wearing jeans and a T-shirt, he looked a little too comfortable. Evangeline bit down on her lip.

  “So glad you could make it, Bastian. The party’s just started.” She waved her hand to show Barb, Jake, and Diane all trussed up. Evan and Gerald hulked in the background.

  “Ah, but I’m the one you want to party with. Not them.”

  “Sorry, Bast.” Jake spoke like he had a few marbles in his mouth. “They got Diane taking out the trash and used her to get Barb and me.” His lip had swelled. He looked like it pained him to talk. But he was alive. Sure to make Bastian happy. Until Evangeline got done with him.

  His relieved eyes never left Evangeline’s. “It’s OK, Jake. You did what you could. Now come on, baby. Are we going to party or what?”

  Evangeline tossed him a pair of handcuffs, which he caught. “Put these on.” Her voice rose. Anticipation. Her sex swelled and dripped. Finally, her revenge. Closer than she’d ever been to it before. Marie’s face flashed in front of her eyes. So beautiful. Loving eyes staring at her. It’s for you.

  “Uncuff them first.” Bastian swung the cuffs in his hands like a yo-yo.

  “Bastian. You don’t seem to understand. I have these people. You walked in here. There’s no making demands.” She narrowed her eyes. He wasn’t supposed to look so flippant. So unconcerned. He wouldn’t be by the end. She’d see to that. But her foot wanted to stomp. Her teeth wanted to gnash. She wanted to tell him she was a force he’d better reckon with. Not that it mattered. He’d be dead soon enough.

  “No. Uncuff them. Now. Or I bolt.”

  “You wouldn’t. You came here to save them. Get there first, like you couldn’t as a human.” She smirked, smoothing down the leather.

  “I won’t let them be pawns. Used against me. If they don’t get out now, they’re already dead. And I can run so you and your two little minions can’t find me. It will take you a while to build another vampire and human work force like you had before. By that time I can be so far gone, you’ll never find me.”

  “You wouldn’t.” Her foot did stomp the floor, making a patter sound.

  “I would.”

  “Very well. I had hoped to do more damage to you. But losing two lovers will have to be enough to make up for Marie.” She motioned, and they unsnapped the cuffs on the three mortals. “Now put yours on.”

  “No. They leave first. Then you and I fight.”

  She huffed. “Fine.”

  “With your two inside when they walk out.”

  “Bast--” Jake frowned.

  “Go, Jake. Take Barb and Diane.”

  “I can handle these fanged fucks. If they hadn’t had Diane in the back, I would have earlier.” Barb growled in frustration.

  “I know, big man. Go. Get them to safety. No polic
e, or cavalry either. Get out and go to the house. Hunker down.”

  Rubbing his hands, Barb looked at him. “I don’t like this.”

  “I know.”

  “Neither do I.” Jake stood up.

  “Can we get this going? I do have an Italian to savor and kill.” Evangeline tapped her foot. These people needed therapy. Too many latent sexual urges. She’d been repressed and look how she’d turned out. She snickered, the sound malicious.

  Jake, Barb, and Diane limped out of the bar. The two males watched Evangeline and her helpers until the door shut behind them.

  “Now playtime can begin. Put them on, pet.”

  Bastian slid the handcuffs over one hand, skimmed them back and forth. “I said after they left, we’d settle this. Not that I’d put these on.”

  “You want to do that?”

  He tossed the handcuffs like a Frisbee in the air. Whirling, they headed for Evangeline’s head. She ducked, her senses taking over. “I guess you do.”

  Bastian approached, his steps wide and aggressive.

  Evan stepped forward, the bar between him and Bastian, pulled his pistol out and shot Bastian twice, through the back.

  “I bet that hurt.” Evangeline cocked her head to the side, watching.

  Bastian stumbled, falling to the floor. He gurgled.

  “Nice shooting, Evan.” Evangeline tossed Gerald the cuffs. “Get them on good.” Bastian’s body would heal itself quickly. He’d been stunned more than hurt, though the loss of blood would work in her favor. Too bad the wounds would close. She’d love to lick them. She’d make new ones, though. Everything was finally going according to plan.

  Gerald slapped the cuffs on Bastian’s wrists, pulling him up to his knees by the chains. Bastian groaned.

  “Perfect place for you. Your knees. Worship me like a goddess.”

  Gerald held him down, paying homage to Evangeline. Hooked the cuffs to the chain and looped it up around the bottle shelf on the bar. She drew a blade out of her boot, and slowly sliced a line in his shoulder. “One cut. I’ll open you piece by piece. Then take what’s left of your blood. The end of Bastian De Luca.”

  “I don’t know about that. I think he might end you.”

  The sister stood in the doorway.

  * * * * *

  Copper’s heart thumped in her ears. Feet wanted to turn back the way they came. Her fingers clenched into her palms, drawing blood. Fear and anger hung low in her belly, firing it, making it roll explosively.

  “I’m so glad we didn’t lock the doors.” Evangeline purred, her smile scalding hot. “So good to see you. Bastian, I guess maybe we will go for three.”

  “Copper, get out now.” Bastian pulled against the handcuffs, tight around his wrists. “You go.” His voice edged with panic.

  She shook her head. Sauntered in. “No, Bastian, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for the party.”

  She’d found the number for Lucky’s Bar on caller ID and confronted Tad, the only one in the house Bastian would have told where he went. Found out Bastian had headed for a showdown. Alone. To face Evangeline.

  Without visiting her first and taking her blood.

  Blood that would have made him all-powerful. Undefeatable.

  And he’d not partaken of it. He could have. It would have made it easier to defeat the villain. Win the fight. And killed off anything she felt for him.

  He knew her better than anyone else ever had. Knew her from her sister. And he’d had to know what taking her blood would do to their relationship. He’d risked death rather than risk losing her.

  All of her feelings had run together like clay on a potter’s wheel.

  She’d had to come. Save him. The man she loved.

  No matter how hard she tried to deny the emotion, she couldn’t.

  She loved him.

  Evangeline shook her hair back, elation in her face and eyes. “A new toy. How glad I am you came. I will enjoy unwrapping you, pet. You remember how I unwrapped your sister? And Lucy?”

  Copper narrowed her eyes. “Don’t even talk about it. You aren’t fit to be the heel on Crimson’s leather boots.” She took a step further in, closer to Bastian.

  “Copper, don’t. Get out of here.” Bastian continued to struggle, but Gerald had him secured.

  “Don’t go any closer to him. Or I’ll have Gerald snap his neck.”

  Copper stopped. She had no idea how vampires died exactly. She knew they could. Not something she’d had a chance to ask. She’d been too busy at the farmhouse to focus. And tied up. Lots of dust but she didn’t know what killed them. She didn’t want to misstep, and have them kill Bastian.

  Evangeline took two steps her way. Copper took a step closer to Bastian.

  “Ah ah ah.”

  “I want to give Bastian a goodbye kiss. Surely, you’ll grant me that last request? I know you’re not a monster, Evangeline.”

  Her brow furrowed. “A goodbye kiss? I thought you and Bastian weren’t anything to each other? How royal of you, Bastian. Keeping it in the family, are you?”

  “Shut up, Evangeline. You put one finger ...”

  “Bastian, don’t be rude.” Copper sighed loudly. “Sorry, Evangeline. He’s so temperamental. And bossy. Always telling me what to do. We’ve become close since I came to St. Louis. I’d like to give him one final kiss. You won’t deny me that. I know you’re a romantic. And can see why I need to.” She shrugged. “Not like I could do anything by giving him a mere kiss, either.”

  “I am a soft touch. Go, give him a kiss. Then walk to me.” Evangeline leaned back on her heels. “Hurry it up.”

  Copper trotted over to Bastian. “Back off, Lurch.”

  “Who?” The giant’s face wrinkled in puzzlement.

  “Never mind.” Copper waved a hand. “Television reference beyond you. But I’d like some room here. And a little privacy.”

  “Back off, Gerald. But not too far.” Evangeline folded her arms in front of her chest. “Watch her. Make sure she only gives him a kiss. Nothing else. No hand contact.”

  The man took a few steps back. “Yes, Mistress.”

  Copper took a deep breath. Clamped down on the side of her cheek. Struggled not to cry out, not to swallow. Bit her tongue, too.

  Bastian moved as far back as the chains allowed. She couldn’t let him. Had to bleed for him. “Kiss me, Bastian.” Confusion set in his eyes, but he did what she told him. His tongue sought out the wound. The blood swished with saliva into his mouth. He swallowed, two hungry gulps against her.

  “I hope it was enough,” she whispered.

  Turning, she slowly marched to Evangeline. Please let it be enough.

  She arrived to where Evangeline waited. Evangeline reached out a hand to stroke her hair. “So red. So much like Crimson.”

  Snap.

  Evangeline gasped. Copper swiveled her head around. Bastian’s handcuffs had broken in half.

  Crunch.

  The chains snapped apart from the wood.

  It had been enough. Bastian had broken free. Copper could almost see the power surging in him. Rippling his muscles.

  Evangeline’s eyes went half-dollar size. “That’s impossible.”

  Bastian pulled the chains off the cuffs. Gerald dove for him, trying to pull him back. Bastian grabbed him, tossing the huge man against the wall like a child’s toy. “Don’t get up. I might let you live.”

  Evan clutched the gun tightly in his hands. “Stop now.”

  Bastian laughed. “You can’t hurt me. Only piss me off. You saw what I did with the cuffs. Imagine what I could do to your body. And you can’t kill me with that. Never could. So put it down. Nice and gentle. I’ll let you live, too.”

  Evan lowered the gun, swallowing deeply in his throat.

  “This is impossible.” Evangeline swallowed. “Not possible.” She grabbed for Copper.

  “Not just no, but hell no.” Copper stomped her foot, driving her heel into the vampiress’s foot. She couldn’t kill her like that, but she
sure as hell could hurt her. Copper dashed away. Evangeline cried out, jumping up and down, and then snarled.

  “Get out. Run,” Bastian’s rough voice ordered. His eyes glittered in the light. “I have a party to break up.”

  Copper did what he said. As a mortal against vamps, she was a liability to Bastian. She ran through the front door without looking back, out of the bar and into the night.

  A good distance away, she stopped, leaning against a building, hoping what she’d done would be enough, and that she’d get to tell a man for the first time she loved him.

  * * * * *

  Bastian advanced on Evangeline step by step. The blood rushed in his body, the power rush incredible. He could take on the world like this. Two vampires and a human would be easy. He could bench press them if he wanted. Power flowed through his veins with strength untold fueled by fury that someone would dare try and take his mate away from him. The beast raged with even more strength to back it up.

  Time to hurry, though. He didn’t know how long the effects would last. Or how exactly it would let him down.

  “This is ... I don’t understand,” Evangeline babbled on. Stood her ground, not retreating at Bastian’s approach.

  His lazy smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I guess you didn’t know. Copper’s a Conduit. And mine, by the way, bitch.” Evangeline wouldn’t leave this bar. He’d see to it so the secret would die with her.

  “What? They don’t exist.” Her hands came up in front of her, knife gleaming in them.

  “They do. It’s the same as you and me. We aren’t supposed to exist either.” He sliced with a jab through the air, hearing it cut through it like lightning. Evangeline doubled over, clutching her abdomen. He’d struck so fast she hadn’t seen it coming nor had time to strike back at him.

  She gasped for breath, the wind knocked out of her lungs. “I’ll still kill you. You can bet on that.”

  “Don’t think so.”

  Hands carved through the air. He got her hand in a tight grip. Wrenched the knife away from her. The one she’d intended to use on Copper and him.

  “What do you know? I have a weapon now.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She licked a split to her lip. “Doesn’t matter one bit. That blood rush doesn’t last forever. It’ll wear off. Your advantage will be lost. And then, I’ll kill you. Find the little minx and make her my dining partner for many years to come. She could feed me a long time before I kill her off, if she gives me this much power.”