The Elixir Maidens 1: Ruby

by Kate Hill

  “Get those people off,” Hagen murmured. “I don’t know how long I can hold it.”

  Ruby realized that Hagen’s telekinesis was the only thing keeping the overpass from collapsing and sending anyone above and below to their deaths.

  Without a moment’s hesitation, Ruby bellowed for the guy in the next car to call 911, then shucked off his high heels and raced under the bridge to stop the traffic. Moments later a truck driver and a plainclothes police officer joined him.

  Ruby knew he needed to clear the overpass and time was of the essence. Using his vampiric speed and strength, he scaled the side of the structure, feeling it tremble beneath his hands. He had no time to glance over his shoulder at Hagen, but knew his lover, already psychically drained from the night’s performance, couldn’t support the overpass’s weight much longer.

  “Get off the fucking bridge!” Ruby bellowed, again waving his hands and rushing into the traffic. It seemed like forever before people understood what was happening, and that was mostly because the overpass was now trembling like a vibrator on high speed.

  Finally the overpass was just about cleared when two cars crashed in an attempt to escape the collapsing structure.

  The driver of one vehicle staggered out of his car, with Ruby’s help. The driver of the second was unconscious, her doors locked. Other than ripping off the door, Ruby could see no other way of saving the woman, so he did just that. Slinging the woman over his shoulder, he ran to safety just before the entire overpass collapsed with a tremendous boom, dust and debris flying everywhere.

  A small crowd formed around him and the woman. Someone had already begun CPR on her while others started questioning Ruby.

  “You’re a hero, miss,” said a guy.

  “How the hell did you climb that bridge so fast?” asked a woman.

  Ruby loved attention, but not the kind that could expose his vampiric nature. Besides, the last thing he wanted to do was stand around when he needed to know if the real hero was all right. No one had any idea how many lives Hagen had just saved.

  He raced toward Hagen’s car, shocked to find his lover sprawled on the road, two women crouched near him.

  Resisting the urge to panic, Ruby knelt beside Hagen and checked for a pulse. It was rapid, yet strong and Ruby sighed with relief. He removed the dagger pin from Hagen’s collar and undid the top two buttons of his shirt.

  “The bridge went down and he just passed out,” explained the older of the women.

  “He seems to be breathing,” said the younger of the two. “He looks like that magician Sir Fagen or Regan or something.”

  “Thanks for looking out for him, ladies,” Ruby said quickly, slipping the dagger pin into his coat pocket before carrying Hagen to the passenger side of the car. He gently placed him in the seat.

  “My goodness, you’re a strong girl,” said the older woman.

  Ruby fastened Hagen’s seatbelt, then jumped behind the wheel, anxious to get him to a hospital. Though he was fairly certain Hagen had simply blacked out from overstressing his psychic powers, he needed to be sure.

  After some skillful maneuvering through the traffic that had built up during the disaster, Ruby sped along the streets toward the nearest hospital. Alarms blared from fire engines and ambulances heading for what was left of the overpass.

  * * *

  A few hours later, Ruby sat beside Hagen in the ER. He’d awakened shortly after arriving, and the doctor had just given him a clean bill of health.

  “You’re sure he’s all right?” Ruby said, the stress of the night quickly catching up with him. At the moment, he felt near tears.

  “I’m fine,” Hagen said, reaching for Ruby’s hand and squeezing it gently.

  “Do you have the medical degree?” Ruby snapped. “I’m asking the doctor.”

  “He’s absolutely fine. Just a case of extreme overexertion. I suggest some rest, relaxation, and no more overdoing it at the gym.”

  Ruby bit his lip to keep from telling the doctor what had really happened. Once he’d regained consciousness, Hagen had been adamant about keeping his part in the disaster a secret. Not only didn’t he want it to appear like a feeble attempt at self-promotion, but no one would really believe him anyway. Though Ruby understood his reasoning, it still irritated him that such a courageous act would go unnoticed.

  “After tomorrow night’s show, I’ll take some time off,” Hagen said.

  “You’re not doing any show tomorrow night,” Ruby snapped.

  “This is the final performance on the tour and I am going to do it.”

  “Doctor?” Ruby turned to the physician for help.

  “Just be careful,” the doctor replied. “And some time off afterward, as you said, is a good idea.”

  Once the doctor had gone, Hagen stood and tugged Ruby into his arms.

  “Thank you,” he said against Ruby’s hair.

  “For what?”

  “Worrying about me.”

  “I imagine everyone close to you worries about you.”

  “I’m glad you’re close.” He brushed Ruby’s mouth with a kiss. “You were incredibly brave tonight.”

  “Me? You did all the work.”

  “You’re the one who got all those people away from the overpass. But you scared the piss out of me when you climbed up the side. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold it, but I’d have died before letting it collapse with you there.”

  His words touched Ruby so deeply that again the urge to cry almost overcame him. Instead he held Hagen more tightly and whispered close to his ear, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  “Good.” Hagen pulled back just enough to gaze into Ruby’s eyes. “Because that’s how I feel about you.”

  “This is too fast, you know.”

  “Much too fast.”

  “Do you want to go with it?”

  Hagen smiled. “As far as it will take me.”

  “I’ll take you back to your hotel and you can get some sleep.”

  “No, go to Burgundy Peak. I want to be with you tonight, Ruby.” Hagen’s hands slid down Ruby’s back and clutched his buttocks, squeezing gently.

  “All right, but you’re going to rest.”

  “Uh huh,” Hagen murmured while nibbling Ruby’s earlobe.

  “I mean it,” Ruby purred, his eyes slipping shut as he leaned closer to Hagen. Shaking his head clear, he pulled away. “I do mean it. Come on. Oh! I almost forgot. Here.”

  Ruby reached into his pocket, withdrew the dagger pin, and passed it to Hagen.

  “Thank you.” Hagen turned the pin between his fingers, glancing at the fine details on the stunning piece of jewelry.

  “It’s lovely,” Ruby ventured. “I’ve been meaning to ask about it, since you always have it on.”

  “It’s one of a kind. My father designed it for me during one of the rare times when we were actually getting along.”

  “I can understand why it means so much to you.”

  Hagen continued staring at the pin, his voice just above a whisper as he said, “There are so many things I wish had been different in my life. Things that maybe I could have done -- or shouldn’t have done.”

  “Everyone feels that way sometimes.” Ruby placed a hand between Hagen’s shoulder blades. He rubbed in a comforting gesture while at the same time relishing the sensation of hard muscles and warmth radiating from his lover.

  “I felt it again tonight,” Hagen said.

  “Why?”

  “I almost couldn’t levitate the overpass because I’d depleted my powers for a stupid performance. What if I hadn’t been able to do it? Even worse, what if I’d blacked out while you were still on the bridge?”

  Ruby wrinkled his nose and placed a hand on his hip. “Are you crazy? You did something tonight that is next to impossible. I don’t even know many vampires who are telekinetic, let alone mortals. Besides, what are you supposed to do? Give up your livelihood just in case an overpass caves in at any given moment in your life?”
>
  A slight smile flickered across Hagen’s lips. “I guess I am overreacting.”

  “Or maybe it’s that ego again. Feeling a little like God, are we?” Ruby said, half teasing.

  Hagen raised his eyes to heaven, this time his smile broader and quite genuine. “No, I’m not feeling like God. All right, Ruby. I get the point. Now let’s get out of here. I hate hospitals.”

  * * *

  When they arrived at their room at Burgundy Peak, Ruby tugged Hagen toward the bed, pushed him onto the mattress, and straddled him.

  “I love it when you get aggressive,” Hagen teased, grasping Ruby’s waist.

  “I’m trying to see that you get some rest,” Ruby said, doing his best to control his desire at the sensation of Hagen’s hands roaming over his stomach and ribs. He reached back, slipped off Hagen’s shoes, and tossed them aside. Then he began unbuttoning the magician’s shirt.

  “I’m perfectly fine now.”

  “Are you?” Ruby said with a hint of sarcasm while massaging Hagen’s shoulders and neck.

  The magician’s eyes slipped shut and he seemed to be surrendering completely to Ruby’s soothing caress.

  “Uh huh,” Hagen murmured.

  By the rhythm of his heartbeat and breathing, Ruby knew when Hagen had fallen asleep. Careful not to disturb his lover, he left the bed, covered Hagen with a blanket, then undressed and curled up beside him.

  Sleep eluded Ruby. His thoughts churned with the night’s events and the reality of how human and fragile Hagen truly was. He might have tremendous psychic power and be in superb physical condition, yet he was still mortal. One day -- far too soon for Ruby’s taste -- he would die, if not from a natural cause such as old age, then through his own recklessness.

  If only he would take the Change. Yes, there was danger to the mortal during the crossover to vampirism, but for a man like Hagen it would be worth the risk.

  Ever so gently, Ruby caressed Hagen’s slender, long-fingered hand and again thought what a magnificent vampire he would make.

  Chapter Five

  The following night, Ruby was in desperate need to talk to someone he trusted about his budding relationship with Hagen. Unfortunately, Scarlet and Crimson had gone out and Darcie was away for a few days, so he called Mel to see if she could talk.

  Mel readily agreed and asked Ruby to join her for lunch since Zigor was occupied with a business deal for a few hours.

  When Ruby arrived at Mel and Zigor’s chamber lunch was ready and on the table.

  “You still like soup and finger sandwiches I hope?” Mel said.

  “My favorite,” Ruby replied, taking a seat. He glanced around the dark, medieval-looking room. Even in his absence Zigor’s personality seemed to dominate the chamber.

  “Good. You’re about the only person I’d make that kind of girly food for.” Mel grinned, dropping into the chair across the table from Ruby.

  “Even that hunky husband of yours couldn’t drive the tomboy out of you,” Ruby teased.

  “Zigor’s more than man enough to handle it. And speaking of men, what’s up with you and the magician?”

  Ruby’s heart fluttered at the mention of Hagen.

  “Ohh, this is definitely serious,” Mel said, reaching for a sandwich.

  “Officially I’m too old and wise to fall in love with a guy overnight, particularly a mortal magician.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Mel said, “Uh huh.”

  “Mel, I don’t know what’s come over me. I have never felt this way about anyone. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Fun, smart, courageous --”

  “Handsome.”

  “That, too.”

  “And very powerful.”

  Ruby sighed and squeezed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. “I really worry about him sometimes.”

  “In what way?”

  Grateful to discuss the incident at the overpass with someone who could understand, Ruby told Mel what had happened the previous night.

  When he’d finished, they held each other’s gaze for a moment before Mel said, “He sounds like quite a guy. I mean, several of the vamps around here have sensed his power. Not many of our kind, let alone mortals, have his telepathic skill. Even fewer have telekinesis. That’s a rare gift.”

  “And he doesn’t hesitate to use it, even to the point of possibly injuring himself. I would feel much better if he’d take the Change. Someday I’m afraid he’ll do irreparable damage to his mortal body and --”

  “I understand your concern, but let’s face it, Ruby, if a levitated house drops on one of us, we’re just as dead.”

  “I know that. It’s just that with the risks he takes, he’d be much safer as a vampire. Not only that, the thought of him growing old and dying is just -- I don’t want to lose him, that’s all.”

  “Hey.” Mel reached across the table and squeezed Ruby’s hand. “It’s only natural to worry about the guy you love. You think I don’t worry about Zigor, especially with the enemies he’s made over the years?”

  “How would you feel if he was mortal?”

  Sighing, Mel shook her head. “I’d be scared shitless. Why has Hagen resisted the Change?”

  “He said he wasn’t sure he wanted to live such a long life,” Ruby said, limiting his explanation since he had no intention of revealing the innermost secrets regarding family and loneliness Hagen had shared with him.

  “Not all mortals are meant for vampirism.”

  Ruby nodded and forced a smile. “Let’s change the subject for a while.”

  Throughout the remainder of the meal, they discussed trivial matters. Mel had just poured a second cup of coffee for each of them when Zigor entered, a newspaper rolled up in his hand, and joined them at the table.

  “Coffee, love?” Mel asked him.

  Zigor shook his head and turned his attention to Ruby. “I would like to speak to you about Hagen Tang.”

  Something about Zigor shook Ruby to the core, yet when he mentioned Hagen, all sorts of protective instincts rose and he held the ancient’s gaze, unwavering.

  “What about him?” Ruby asked.

  “Your relationship with him is none of my business --”

  “True.”

  “However,” Zigor raised his voice slightly, clearly annoyed by Ruby’s interruption, “he is a very powerful young man. Before you offer to Change him, you had better be quite certain you can trust him. A mortal with such skills can be problematic enough, but a vampire with his mind powers can be devastating, should he decide to use his gifts for the wrong purpose.”

  “What makes you think I have any intention of Changing him, or that he has any interest in taking the Change?” Ruby demanded, his anger kindling at the Master’s uninvited venture into his personal life.

  “Your feelings for each other are obvious, and a person need only glimpse his mind to see it is only a matter of time before he surrenders to his desire to become one of us. I seriously doubt he realizes how much he craves vampirism, but with your influence, I’m sure he will soon.”

  Ruby stood abruptly and nodded to Mel. “Thank you for lunch.” He glanced back at Zigor and continued, “I will have you know, Master Zigor, I am deeply offended by your line of conversation and have no intention of discussing Hagen with you further.”

  “I couldn’t care less about your personal life. What I do care about is keeping my territory safe from anyone, mortal or vampire, who might do harm to those under my protection. This has not been a discussion, but a warning. Be certain you trust him implicitly before increasing his already formidable power.”

  “You needn’t worry about that.” Ruby glared, trying to remain calm in spite of his pounding heart. “Unlike the present company, Hagen has never used his power to harm others, but quite the contrary. Good night.”

  Ruby couldn’t leave the chamber fast enough. In spite of his irritation at Zigor’s arrogance, he knew the ancient Master was right. A vampire with Hagen’s power could become a real monster, but only if he was pred
isposed to that sort of behavior. If Ruby even suspected Hagen was that sort of man, he wouldn’t suggest Changing him. His main concern was not with Hagen’s worthiness to become a vampire, but that he would refuse the opportunity.

  “One last thing. You might be interested in reading this,” Zigor said. Not bothering to turn in Ruby’s direction, he raised his hand and wagged the newspaper he’d been holding.

  Gritting his teeth, Ruby walked back to the table and snatched the paper from Zigor. He noted it was opened to the entertainment page with a horrible snapshot of Hagen and Ruby exiting the emergency room at the hospital. The caption read “Who is the Magician’s New Mystery Lady?”

  “My God,” Ruby breathed. Mel placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Look at my hair from climbing up the overpass.”

  “Ruby!” Mel said, aghast. “Who cares what you look like?”

  “But I’m usually gorgeous and that picture makes me look like a cow who survived a mudslide! Poor Hagen looks exhausted. Shit, can’t the man even go to the ER without cameras in his face, and how could I not have noticed someone snapping our picture!”

  “You probably had other things on your mind,” Mel said. “What does the rest of the article say?”

  Ruby curled his lip. “Oh damn. Get this. According to several sources, the magician’s new mystery maiden is actually an Elixir Maiden, member of a drag queen singing group that has recently performed in Las Vegas.”

  “Good thing you and your beau have had the good sense to keep your connections to Burgundy Peak under wraps,” Zigor said. “Onan does not take kindly to unnecessary work in keeping our haven secure. It can be difficult enough keeping our secrets without parading us around in the newspapers.”

  “Don’t worry, Master Zigor,” Ruby snapped. “Hagen has never let his staff know about the nights he has spent here and the Maidens never announce our vampiric gigs to the mortal world.”

  “Good thing, too,” Mel said. “Because it looks like a member or two of Hagen’s staff leaked your romance to the papers.”

  Ruby knew she was right. Who else were the “sources” the reporter mentioned. The vampires of Burgundy Peak were safe enough. Even if word had gotten out that Ruby was somehow associated with the club, Zigor had worked around mortal publicity before. What worried Ruby most was how this revelation would affect Hagen’s career. Women went absolutely mad over his handsome appearance and mystery man persona. Would the world discovering he was dating a drag queen injure him emotionally and professionally? No harm was really done yet, since it was only one photo. If they stopped seeing each other, the rumors would surely die down. Otherwise he didn’t doubt their relationship would soon be splashed across every rag paper in the country, possibly the world, with the level of popularity Hagen had sustained.