by T. A. White
I didn't want to admit my attempt at homicide by lamp hadn't been entirely voluntary. I'd snapped, and the poor lamp paid the price.
He bent a censorious look on me. "Had Thomas been a different vampire you would be dead right now. We don't typically suffer such insults from our yearlings. You're lucky that your circumstances are rather unique, and that Thomas has need of you."
I sighed. He was right. Attacking a master vampire—the master of this region—was a quick way to commit suicide. My existence might shore up his power base and legitimize his claim to the region, but we all knew he was powerful enough without me that it would be easy to decide he was better off with me dead.
He reached out and undid the straps, remaining close as I massaged feeling back into my legs before sitting up.
"What did you find out from the companion who was attacked?" I asked.
There was a long pause as Liam examined me. I avoided his eyes. I didn't want to talk anymore about what happened or why. I didn't want to talk about the fact that I might not be human, that I might never have been human. I wanted to focus on a problem I could solve.
He let me have that. "The companions were largely uninjured. There was no sign of a bite or claw marks on them. They were mainly shaken up by the experience."
"What did they say happened?"
"A large, wolf-like animal rushed them when they were out doing the grocery shopping for the household. They said they were able to lock themselves in their car before the animal rammed it a few times and then jumped on the roof."
Hmm.
"Did you find evidence of a werewolf?"
Liam shook his head. "Not conclusive evidence. There were dents in the side where I assume it attacked the car and the roof had huge indents too, but that was it."
And I bet he hadn’t called in any of the werewolves to see if they could pick up anything the vampires missed. Sometimes, the arrogance and superiority complex on both sides of the divide was enough to choke on.
"How fast is a werewolf? Is it normal for a human to be able to outrun one?" I asked.
The werewolves I'd seen were all insanely fast. I'd be hard-pressed to outrun one, and I was a vampire.
"Companions are faster and stronger than a regular human, courtesy of the bite and the blood their benefactor shares with them, but a werewolf would still be faster."
That's what I thought.
"You have nothing to suggest it was Caroline." I felt a little relief at that. It meant I still had time to figure something out.
"Caroline would be the reasonable choice. Brax's wolves know better than to attack us. None of them want to start a war," Liam pointed out.
"This wouldn't be the first time one of his wolves acted against him. That's not even considering that there is no evidence to even suggest this was a werewolf. Your companions may have just over-reacted to an aggressive dog."
That would be the simple answer, but even I didn't believe it.
"You can tell yourself whatever lies you need to believe, but we both know your friend is running on borrowed time. The best thing you could do is help me find her."
I kept my mouth sealed shut, not wanting to argue about this. I didn't know what I was going to do about Caroline. On one hand, I didn't want to hand her back to Brax when she'd made her wishes known. Doing so would make me the biggest of hypocrites, considering I fought so hard against joining a clan and refused to acknowledge the sire/yearling relationship. On the other hand, I saw what they were saying and knew the dangers of trying to figure this out by yourself. I'd be lying if I didn't say going it alone was hard—
perhaps one of the most difficult things I've ever done.
I just needed time to talk this out with Caroline. Whatever was decided, she needed to have a say in it. I knew first-hand what it was like to have your choices taken away from you after your very species had been changed without your permission. No way was I going to subject her to that.
A thought occurred to me. "How long was I out?"
Liam frowned. "I don't know. Long enough for me to question the witnesses and get back." He pulled his phone out of the back of his pocket. "It's three a.m. now."
"I'm late." My shift for Hermes was supposed to start at one. "Jerry's going to kill me."
He was still a bit sore about losing Tom.
"I need my phone." I swung my legs off the table and hopped down. I also needed a ride back to my apartment to retrieve my bike.
"Use this." Liam dangled his phone in front of me.
I grabbed it and sent a grateful look in his direction. Pressing the buttons in quick succession, I waited as it rang.
"Hermes Courier Service, we'll come to you. What are we delivering for you today?" Beatrix crisp voice rang out over the line. Unlike when she addressed me, she sounded almost chipper and professional.
"Beatrix, it's me. I need to talk to Jerry."
The cheeriness dropped from her voice. "You're late."
"I know. Just let me talk to Jerry."
"It won't make a difference. I've already had Ruth fill in for you."
I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together. "I understand, and I apologize for my tardiness."
There was a beat of silence over the phone, and I imagined Beatrix looking at it and wondering if I'd been taken over by some outside force. It was probably the first time she'd heard me apologize.
"I'll ask Jerry if he wants to speak to you." Beatrix's words were grudging.
"Thank you."
The line started playing music, one of the generic songs you hear in an elevator.
"Aileen." Jerry's deep voice rumbled over the telephone.
"Jerry, I know I'm late, and I'm sorry about that. There were unforeseen circumstances. It won't happen again."
"You know, I took a chance on you because the Captain said you wouldn't give me problems, and that you were one of the best soldiers under his command. Events of late are making me question my decision."
There was nothing worse than being so totally in the wrong and knowing there was nothing I could do about it. I prided myself on my professionalism. It might not have been my dream job, but I tried to be the best I could at it. That meant showing up on time and carrying out my commitments. Showing up late—worse not showing up at all, was not the persona I wanted to project.
This little debacle would cost me—not only in money and possible future routes but in respect. Once that's lost, it’s doubly as hard to regain.
"This won't happen again," I promised.
His sigh was heavy. "You can't promise that, not with the vampires in your life. It's just going to get worse. I hope you recognize that."
"It won't. I won't let it."
Liam's eyes flared, but he didn't interrupt. With his superior hearing, he could probably hear both sides of the conversation.
"I hope, for your sake, you can figure this out. You're at a crossroads, and I won't let you drag us down with you."
There was a long pause where I was afraid to say anything for fear it would end with me out of a job. My cash reserves weren't great and jobs that would allow me to work only nights weren't exactly thick on the ground.
"I'll give you one last chance," Jerry said. I felt my heart clench with relief. "You miss one more drop off. Have one more problem with a client. If a client stubs his or her toe while you're there, you're done. Do you understand?"
"I'll make this work," I promised.
"See that you do." Jerry's voice didn't hold a lot of optimism in it. I couldn't blame him for that. I still had my job, and for now it would have to do. It would take time, but eventually I would prove I was an asset.
CHAPTER SEVEN
IT WAS TOO late to do anything about my job today. Even if I'd wanted to, it would have been an exercise in futility. In a little less than three hours, the sun would be up, and it would be lights out for me. I considered a moment. Maybe not, now that I'd gotten a pretty big dose of Liam's supercharged blood.
I shook my hea
d. No, I needed to proceed under the assumption that I had my normal restrictions. I didn't want something like last night happening again.
"You don't need that job," Liam said, his voice bland.
I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Unlike you, I haven't spent several lifetimes accumulating wealth. That job pays for my rent and all those other pesky little details that come with living."
Once, in addition to providing for my lifestyle, the job also sheltered me from vampire society while giving me exposure to the spook world. That wasn't the case anymore. The bell has been rung on my status as a vampire. There was no going back. However, Hermes still provided an income and allowed me to learn about other spooks.
For all that vampires were at the top of the food chain, they weren't the only dangerous things out there. It paid to know as much about this shadow world as possible—especially since I didn't enjoy the same protections as most vampires. Being a runner for Hermes offered me that. It also meant I had contacts throughout the community that I suspected even Liam didn't have. I could be wrong. He'd surprised me before.
"You could work for us." He met my gaze with a challenging stare of his own, not letting the astonished skepticism faze him.
"That'll never happen."
His lips quirked in a half smile. "You never know. I'm sure you once said you'd never stay in a clan home and yet here you are."
He did have a point there.
"Some things are non-negotiable. Giving you lot that much power over my life is one of them."
He chuckled, the sound warm. "We'll see."
"No, we won't."
I made my way out of the doctor's office, not seeing any sign of Joseph or Thomas. I counted that as a blessing. Even though Liam's blood had helped me heal any wounds they may have inflicted trying to get me strapped to that table, I was still tired—like I’d been up for three days with zero sleep. I didn't want any more run-ins before I recouped some of my energy.
It wasn't long until I found myself totally turned around. With no one to guide me, I'd made a few guesses as to which way would lead back to my room. I could have sworn this was the way Nathan and I had come last night.
I wandered down another long corridor, cursing space-warping magic.
Hearing voices coming from a hallway I had just passed, I about-faced and headed in that direction. If nothing else, they should be able to point me in the right direction. I found myself in a familiar, bright space full of gleaming stainless-steel appliances. It was the kitchen Nathan had shown me last night. Unlike before, several people occupied seats around an island, while a few others busied themselves cooking on the huge stove or chopping ingredients.
All eyes turned to me, curiosity on their faces. Judging by the fact they were in the kitchen, and all the vampires I'd met had expressed distaste for solid food, I assumed they were human.
Theo turned from where he was preparing something on the stove. "Aileen, what are you doing down here?"
A few of the humans shared looks before turning their focus back to me. The curiosity remained, but there was something else on some of their faces. Something a little less friendly.
I didn't want to admit I was lost, but I also needed to think of a good excuse to be down here. "Nathan gave me a tour yesterday and might have mentioned there was ice cream in the freezer." I gave him a sheepish smile.
Theo looked around before grabbing a hand-towel and drying his hands. "Ah, yup, I think there's still some left. Let me get you a bowl."
"I can get it myself if you point me in the right direction," I said, stepping forward.
"No, no. I'll get it for you. Just have a seat, and I'll pull it out." He waved at the island where three people sat.
I hesitated before I headed in their direction, finding a seat on the end and perching on it with a stiff smile. The humans watched but didn't say anything. It was awkward, like I was some kind of zoo animal they were examining for possible signs of aggression.
I didn't know if it was because this was typically their domain and they had rarely seen a vampire breach it, or if my reputation preceded me. It couldn't be because they hated vampires. They were all companions, or at least I assumed they were companions because they were in a mansion stuffed to the brim with vampires.
Theo busied himself in the industrial size freezer, shifting things around as the man and woman by the stove turned back to their work.
The rest of us stared at each other in silence until Theo set a bowl filled to the top with purple ice cream stuffed with giant chocolate blocks in front of me.
"Black Raspberry." I couldn't help the excitement in my voice. It was my favorite flavor.
Theo stepped back and leaned against the counter behind him. "Nathan mentioned you asked about it, so I figured it was a safe bet."
I dipped the spoon in the freezing awesomeness and stuck it in my mouth, rejoicing at the tart sweetness that rested on my tongue. It wasn't quite as good as Liam's blood, but it was damned close.
"Never seen a vampire eat ice cream before," a blond-haired man said from two seats down. He was tall, thin, and sported a scraggly beard. Young, but then they were all young. Most of the companions looked no more than their mid-twenties.
I paused in savoring the unexpected treat and looked sideways at him. There were several ways I could take that statement—especially given the smallest tinge of hostility I could hear in his voice. Maybe I was reading into it, letting some of my insecurities frame how I received their responses.
"Then they're missing out, because never tasting Graeter's Black Raspberry ice cream would be a tragedy." I stuck another spoonful in my mouth to illustrate my point.
"That's true," the woman by the stove said with a smirk. Her dark brown hair fell halfway down her back and had a reddish tint to it. "Ice cream is what makes the world go ‘round."
I pointed my spoon at her and nodded. Finally, someone who recognized the absolute need to have it in your life.
The man snorted. "It's weird. My patroness said eating human food could impact her strength. I wouldn't risk it. It's just not worth it."
"Not even for steak?" Theo asked, his expression teasing.
The blond shook his head. "Not for anything. Those who receive the kiss have a responsibility to do all they can to support the clan. Risking their health and development for some fleeting pleasure spits on that duty."
I dragged the spoon over my tongue. Well, I guess that answered that. Definitely hostile. Or at the very least, jealous.
"I don't know. It would be hard to face an eternity without all my favorite foods," a woman with dainty features and a sweet smile said. "Just imagine, never tasting sushi or lasagna again."
"My patroness said the taste of blood more than makes up for the loss of food," the blond said, a trace of haughtiness in his tone.
The woman by the stove rolled her eyes. "Don't mind Pierce. He's a pompous, know-it-all at the best of times."
"Since he heard about you jumping the line, he's been like a bear with a thorn in his paw," the man at the stove said. He had skin the color of dark mahogany and a beautiful smile.
Pierce looked like he'd bitten into something sour. "You all weren't happy to see another take your spot. Don't even try to pretend otherwise." His angry glare moved from one to the other. His eyes settled on the woman at the stove. "Deborah, you were just saying earlier how you didn't think it fair that some random stranger off the street got turned when you've been waiting eight years."
Deborah flushed and turned her eyes back to the pot of simmering red she was stirring. Marinara unless I missed my guess.
Theo stepped in, his brown eyes earnest. He gave me an embarrassed smile. "Pardon my friends, Aileen. They're a little out of sorts after the attack."
Pierce folded his arms and leaned back, looking oddly satisfied.
I looked around, noticing who avoided my eyes. Pierce met my gaze with a stubborn tilt of his head and jutted out his jaw as if he was waiting for me to chasti
se him. I didn't know how the vampires in this place typically interacted with them, whether such talk would be considered an insult or not.
I decided to focus on more important things then what they thought of my presence. "Attack? You mean the one Liam was investigating earlier?"
He nodded, looking somber. "Yeah, that's the one."
"Is the person attacked okay?" I looked around the room, careful to keep my expression sympathetic. "Who was attacked?"
"It was Theo and Catherine," Deborah said, turning to face me, while keeping one eye on her pot. "Thanks to Theo's quick thinking, neither one was hurt."
I made an appropriate sound of appreciation, my gaze flicking back to Theo.
He blushed and ducked his head. "I did what anybody would do."
Pierce rolled his eyes, looking disgusted at the entire exchange.
"That's impressive," I said, ignoring Pierce.
"It was," Deborah agreed. "He saw the wolf in time and got him and Catherine into the car before it could hurt them."
I glanced at the woman with the sweet smile. Catherine, I think that was the woman from last night.
Seeing my look, the woman said, "Catherine found the experience a little traumatic. She's in her room resting right now."
"And you are?" I asked.
"Sheila." She gave me another sweet smile. "My patron is Kato, one of the new master's lieutenants."
I had no idea what that meant, but by the way she said it, I imagined it was supposed to be impressive.
"My patroness is a lieutenant as well," Pierce said with a superior smirk. He slid a look Theo's way. "Unlike those of us who are unclaimed, I hear all of the latest news."
Deborah rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes. It's very impressive that your patron is so high up. We're all companions here; you're no better than the rest of us."
Pierce curled his lip. "At least mine isn't an enforcer."
Deborah slammed down the spoon she'd been using to stir the pot. "Don't you dare talk about Noah like that. He's worth more than some upstart clan member hoping to get selected to the new master of the region’s inner ranks."
I took another bite without taking my eyes off the two of them. This place was like a real-life soap opera, complete with drama and hidden agendas.
