“New spells will still work but it'll clean away any existing spells, curses and anything mystical that the rain falls on.”
“But it won't harm you, will it? With your gift?”
“No because I'll be inside. If it did fall on me, it probably wouldn't affect me because skin is waterproof. If I drank some of the rain though... yeah, maybe. I don't know. I don't know where my gift comes from, so anything's possible.”
She frowned as she remembered that silver rain could hurt Dante.
“Will, can you give me a second, I have to make a call.”
He looked surprised but acquiesced. “Sure. I'll be next door.”
Frankie checked her watch. Sunset was just before 7pm so Dante could go outside in just over two hours. She took her phone out and called him.
He answered the call saying, “Did you miss me?”
“Like a hole in the head,” she said, deadpan.
“So what can I do for you this fine evening?”
“Stay indoors, or at least stay out of the rain.”
“Whatever for?”
“There's a siren in the area, so we're seeding rain clouds to dump a whole lot of silver dust over the region. If you do go out, take an umbrella and avoid getting the rain on your skin.”
“Wait a second, back up there little lady. A siren? Are you talking about a woman who lures-”
“Sailors to their death on the rocks,” she finished for him. “Yes and no. Real phenomenon, fake cause.”
“Oh. Well. I guess you learn something new every day.”
“Then you must be very knowledgeable by now.”
“Well, I try.” Frankie could picture his almost trademark smirk. “So this seeded rain will hurt me? What is seeded rain, anyway?”
“I'll explain some other time and I don't know if it'll be enough to burn you, but there's silver iodine and silver dust in it, so it's best to stay inside if you can. Better safe than sorry.”
“Then I'll be careful.”
“Actually, you might be able to help me with something else given your... proclivities. I don't suppose you know of any uses for animal blood, do you?”
“Some, why?”
“Will Campbell showed me some pictures today of slaughtered animals. It looks like they were bled out in some sort of ritual.”
“Oh yes, I saw that in the paper. Bring the pictures by and I'll take a look.”
Just then the door opened and Will popped his head in. “Frankie, looks like we are good to go next door.”
“Okay, I'll be right there,” she told Will. “Look, I've got to go. I'll drop by later.”
“I'll be here. I heard that the weather's going to be awful tonight anyway.”
Frankie smiled. “What's your address?”
“I'll text it to you.”
“Thanks. See you later,” she said as she hung up.
“Who was that?” Will asked, holding the door for her.
“A friend. He might have some suggestions on your case.”
“Great,” he said, though his vice was tight. Seeing that no one else was in the corridor, he grabbed her arm before they went into the next office and turned her to him. “You told me this stuff was safe,” he accused, keeping his voice low.
Chapter Three
“It is safe,” Frankie assured him.
“Then why are you warning your friends to stay indoors?” Will crossed his arms, clearly sensing that she was lying to him about something.
“You were listening?” she hissed.
“Not intentionally. I came to tell you that they were ready in here.”
“Will” she wanted to scream at him for being so stupid. If he ever found out about vampires... She didn't want to think about that. She paused for a moment to get her emotions under control. “Trust me when I say that eavesdropping on me could get me killed.”
She stepped around him and went into the office. She was mad at herself more than him; she should be more careful. Thankfully she hadn't said anything incriminating this time but... she shook those thoughts away.
“What's our status?” she asked Adams.
“The squadron is taking off now. Cloud cover looks good, wind is dropping steadily, we should be able to deploy the payload in a few minutes.”
Frankie turned her attention to the computer screens. The operators were giving verbal updates as the status changed, and she alternated her focus between the weather and the flight information.
The squadron was already in the air when the weather technician announced that the wind had dropped enough to begin. She watched the display as the planes began flying over the Lothian region. Each plane was represented by a red dot. Their trails turned silver as they began dispersing the dust.
Six planes flew from north to south. Another six flew east to west. Each plane passed over the region four times to adequately cover the area.
“We have rainfall,” the weather operator announced.
Frankie turned her attention to the third computer screen that was tracking the small tracers in the powder that activated when they hit the ground.
Small pink dots began to appear, gradually growing and darkening over the next thirty minutes. After an hour the Lothian region was completely coloured red.
“Well, gentlemen, I think we can officially call this a success,” Frankie sighed.
“The Air Commodore will be pleased.” Adams said. “At least we'll be ready to roll as soon as the scientists are.”
The dispersal data would come in useful, even if this hadn't been an actual test.
Frankie quickly said her goodbyes, then she and Will headed back to Edinburgh. Will offered to drive and Frankie accepted his offer. Neither spoke very much on the return journey; they were each lost in their own thoughts, so Frankie turned the radio on to cover their silence. As they got closer to Edinburgh they hit the very rain that they had just been seeding.
“Where does your friend live?” Will asked as they approached the outskirts of the city.
“What?”
“You said you were going to see a friend about my case. If he's an expert, I'd like to be there too.”
“I really don't think that's a good idea.”
“Why not?”
Frankie tried to think of a good reason that would deter him, but she came up empty.
“It's... complicated.”
“Then explain it.”
“Oh, Will,” she shook her head. “There are things I still haven't told you. Things I can't tell you about. Things I can't tell anyone about.”
“And he's part of something you can't talk about?”
“You could say that.”
“I have security clearance now, Frankie.”
“Minimal clearance,” she corrected.
“And I signed the Official Secrets Act.”
“It's not my employers I'm worried about.”
“Then what? What could be so bad that you can't tell me about it? I'm not going to betray you or your secrets, Frankie. Hell, even if I wanted to, who would believe me?”
Frankie could tell from his tone that he wasn't going to give up and she finally relented.
“Fine, you can come. Just keep a low profile and don't ask any questions.”
“I think I can manage that.”
“Then head to the new Quartermile development in the Old Town.”
Once there, they parked underground and made their way up to street level. Frankie checked her text messages for the address and they looked for his building number, getting steadily wetter in the rain. Frankie wished that she'd thought to bring an umbrella. It took a while but they found his building and Dante buzzed them in.
“What floor?” Will asked as they entered the lift.
“Nine,” Frankie answered, checking her reflection in the mirrored walls. The rain didn't seem to have done too much damage to her appearance.
“Penthouse,” Will noted but made no further comment on the apartment. “So what is this guy, a witch? Or
is it a wizard?”
“There are no wizards, but he's neither.”
“So he's just...?”
“He's someone who has some experience of the paranormal, that's all you need to know.” Frankie was still slightly resentful that Will was here at all, and couldn't keep the sharp tone out of her voice. They got out of the lift but before they could knock, the door opened.
“Frankie!” Dante leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Will noticed the physical contact, something Frankie usually avoided, but he didn't comment on it.
“Always a pleasure. And I see you brought dinner,” Dante looked over Will.
Frankie elbowed him in the ribs and introduced them to each other, though she introduced Dante as Dan.
“Well, come on in,” Dante opened the door wide. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
“It's beautiful,” Frankie said, looking around. The walls were floor to ceiling glass, though she was pleased to note that they all had fitted blinds that could be lowered. The floors were wood and Dante had kept the furniture modern, with clean lines to match the apartment.
“Thank you. I think it still needs more art but I'm gradually getting there. Can I get either of you a drink?” Dante asked.
They both refused so Dante gestured for them to sit on the leather sofas.
“Well, I can certainly see why she's been hiding you, Will,” Dante said, clearly flirting with Will.
“Don't even go there,” Frankie said, clearly unimpressed. “He doesn't swing that way.”
Dante smirked. “Jealous?”
“No,” Frankie rolled her eyes. “Besides, you met Will in the salsa club a few months ago,” she said, referring to the time Dante had vamped Will, so that he wouldn't interfere with their investigation.
Will frowned in confusion as Dante shook his head; 'no'. Frankie realised that Dante had made Will forget the whole encounter.
“Oh, sorry. My mistake,” she glared daggers at Dante.
Dante was so used to her dirty looks that he was thoroughly unfazed by it, though he did seem to recall her being exceptionally angry with him at the time for using mind control on her friend. Will was looking perplexed, so Dante moved the conversation on to safer ground.
“You had something to ask me?” he asked.
“Right,” Frankie pulled the pictures from her jacket pocket. “These animals are being killed and it looks to me like they're having their blood drained. I just wondered if you had any idea why?”
“Well any blood increases the strength of magic, though animal blood is hardly ideal. They don't live very long so the blood has less energy, less life-force,” Dante explained as he flicked through the pictures.
“So what's your experience with the occult?” Will asked him.
Frankie glared at him; so much for keeping quiet!
“Oh, I've just been around the block a few times,” Dante answered casually.
“Do you have much experience of this blood magic?”
“Will,” Frankie warned.
“No personal experience,” Dante smiled. “Not of the magic anyway.”
“Dante!” Frankie was regretting her decision to bring Will, more and more. Will was breaking his promise, Dante was being indiscreet and all in all, this was a perfect recipe for disaster.
Will was about to ask a question about his experience of blood, but decided to see how this interaction played out first.
“Oh lighten up, Frankie,” Dante waved her concerns away.
Frankie stood up and took his hand; Dante allowed himself to be dragged into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” she hissed.
“Helping you.”
“No, you're dropping clues and if he figures out-” she looked behind her to check that Will wasn't eavesdropping. “If he figures out what you are, we will both be dead,” she finished.
“Why?” Dante looked confused.
“Because of our agreement with the council. We can't tell anyone about the existence of vampires.”
“Wrong. You can't tell anyone. I can tell whoever I like because if they betray me, I can wipe their memories.”
Realisation dawned on Frankie.
“My crime,” Dante continued, “was sharing documentation with you that could be used to prove our existence, not telling you that we existed.”
“So he can find out from you and neither of us would be in trouble?”
Dante nodded and Frankie suddenly threw her arms around him, grinning.
“Oh, you have no idea what a relief that would be, to have a friend to talk to about-”
“Me?” he cut her off.
“About vampires in general.” She released him and looked into his eyes. “Will is my best friend and I've been hiding this huge part of my life from him.”
Dante nodded in sympathy. “I understand. But-”
“No,” Frankie out her finger over his lips. “No buts.”
“However,” he mumbled through the finger.
“That's cheating,” she admonished but she took her finger away, realising that she had to hear him out.
“I have to put barriers in place,” he began to explain, “to prevent him from sharing any information about us with anyone other than you or I.”
“Why?”
“Simply because he isn't my lover and I personally don't trust him to keep my secret.”
“Then we'll give him a choice,” Frankie said.
She went back into the living room and sat down next to Will as Dante resumed his seat.
“Will, you know that thing I've been hiding from you? Well Dante can tell you about it if you agree to certain conditions first.”
“Why can't you tell me?”
“I'm forbidden to, but if you agree, I can then explain some of it.”
“Only some?”
“The less you know the better, but yes, I'll explain what you need to know.”
“So what are the conditions?”
“Dan... Dante will implant some post-hypnotic suggestions that will stop you speaking about what you learn to anyone but me.”
“So he's going to hypnotise me?”
“Not exactly but the result will be the same.”
“Brainwashing?”
“No, more like...” Frankie sighed in frustration. “I can't explain it properly until you agree to the terms.”
Will looked from Frankie to Dante as he considered the vague terms. He didn't believe they could hypnotise him, and he had been curious about Frankie's secret for almost a year now, so finally he nodded.
“I agree.”
Frankie released the breath she'd been holding, then took another deep one.
“Okay, Dante, tell him.”
“Vampires are real,” Dante said, smiling sweetly.
Will looked from Dante to Frankie again. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated for a few moments.
“Vampires?”
“Yes,” Frankie answered.
“O-kay. Um... I don't know what to do with that.”
“Do you believe us?” she asked.
“I'm not sure,” he answered honestly.
“Then allow me to prove it,” Dante said, sitting forward.
Chapter Four
Dante opened his mouth just enough for Will to see his fangs extend.
Will leaned back warily. “How did you do that? They're fake, aren't they, some kind of fancy dress thing?”
“No, Will, they aren't fake. A vampire's fangs extend when he needs them,” Frankie explained.
“How do I know they aren't fake?” Will asked.
Frankie shook her head as she realised there was only one way to prove it. She moved onto the sofa Dante was sitting on and swept her hair over one shoulder, then she opened the top few buttons of her shirt and took her scarf off. She saw Will's eyes widen as he noticed the bruise that was forming on her throat, courtesy of Bloody Mackenzie's ghost. Her back was to Dante and she kept eye contact with Will as she tilted her head to one side, offering
Dante her neck.
“Are you sure?” Dante asked. She had never offered him her blood before.
“Yes,” Frankie assured him.
Never one to turn down a warm meal, Dante didn't need to be told twice. He moved behind her, took hold of her shoulders and repositioned her slightly, then began kissing and licking her neck.
Frankie continued to look at Will as Dante focused his attention on her neck.
“Their saliva turns pain into pleasure,” she explained, trying to keep her voice even as her neck became even more sensitive. “And promotes fast healing.”
Frankie gasped as Dante's teeth grazed her neck and sent shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes as she began to feel embarrassed under Will's gaze.
Suddenly Dante stopped teasing the area, leaned his head back so Will could clearly see his fangs, then bit down hard.
Frankie clenched her fists but couldn't stop the cry of pleasure that escaped her lips. She wanted to see Will's expression, but she was too afraid of seeing revulsion there to open her eyes. Her fingernails began to bite into her palms as she tried not to get too turned on by Dante's actions. Still, it had been six months since she'd done anything intimate with a man, and her body clearly felt that it was overdue.
Thankfully Dante made it quick. He licked the wound only to remove the excess blood, so that when he stopped and she raised her hand to her neck, she could still feel the slight puncture wounds that he had left, though they were healing quickly.
Dante took his hands from her shoulders and kissed her neck saying, “Thank you.”
Finally Frankie had no choice but to open her eyes. Will sat in stunned silence, looking revolted and slightly queasy.
“Will?” she asked softly.
His jaw was clenched in anger and he wouldn't look at her.
“This is crazy,” he said. “Insane.”
“It's real, Will.”
He finally met her gaze, but she felt as though he was looking at a stranger.
“Who are you?” he asked, getting to his feet. He headed for the door but in a blink, Dante blocked his path, standing just inside the door.
“I can't permit you to leave yet,” Dante said.
“Why? You want to feed of me too, leech?” he sounded angry.
Frankie went up them and stood just in front of Will. He pushed her hair back and looked at her neck, to see that the puncture wounds were now just slightly inflamed bumps, no bigger than a bug bite. Will glared at Dante, the muscles in his jaw working overtime.
Past Life Page 3
