Jaguar (The Madison Wolves Book 12)
Page 36
“If you require me to help, I will,” Kristian replied. “But they are not to my taste for gentler uses, and I would rather not reacquire a taste for less gentle reasons.”
Carissa set a hand on his arm. “That’s quite all right, old friend.” She turned back to Greg. “I would prefer to allow my children to make their own selections. They are younger and should not take more than one or two each. I will do the rest, unless you have other uses for them.”
“No. It’s a tidy solution,” Greg said. “Alpha?”
“I’m happy to be rid of them,” Lara said. “If all of you weren’t here, we’d have had to kill them or call the FBI, and I don’t know how to reach the right people there.”
“That can be tricky,” Greg admitted. “And my other question, Your Majesty?”
“The ones I enthrall will answer fully and honestly,” she said. “For the others, it is unclear. I do not believe they will be able to deceive their new vampire, but they may be able to lie.”
“Unsuccessfully.”
“Well, we might not know, but the controlling vampire probably will.”
“But we can’t fully count on that.”
“Not fully. We should choose carefully perhaps, but I do not believe it will matter.”
“Neither do I. Can we do that? I believe my people can monitor the compound for now. Alpha?”
“Of course.” And we had a plan. Of sorts, anyway.
* * * *
Kristian called in the other vampires. We assembled outside the two sheds. Carissa talked quietly to her people. I didn’t hear what was said, but I saw head nods and a few smiles. Carissa talked longer, and then as a group, they all turned to us, faces sober.
“Kristian and I will help them. But I must be clear. I find it unlikely these men will live long lives.”
“Good,” Michaela said, only half under her breath.
“None of these men represent the type of human any of us would want as a thrall,” Carissa added. “The only purposes they serve are to bleed and suffer.”
Lara leaned to Greg and spoke a moment. He only shook his head, so Lara said, “Carissa, you do not have to do this. We can get what remaining information they will give us and kill them.”
“Frankly, that would be a waste,” Carissa said. “This way is a more reliable means of questioning them, and they can feed us for our stay. As we’re not worried for their health, we can over feed. But I did not want to hide their fate. Unless I decide one or two should suffer longer, it is very likely they will all be dead by the end of the year.”
Lara looked around and said, “I don’t have a problem with that, but if anyone else does, speak up.”
No one did until I spoke. “They may have been set up, but they all came on a mission to kidnap innocent women and children, and they came prepared to kill anyone who tried to stop them. Anyone willing to kidnap women and children for money are sociopaths, and humanity hasn’t found a cure.”
“Exactly,” Elisabeth agreed. “Greg?”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” he replied. “If it weren’t for people like this, I could be a quiet businessman helping to spoil grandchildren.”
“Very well,” Carissa said. She turned to her assembled people. “You may each pick one. Kristian and I will help you. We do not recommend you tell them what we intend. For some of you, this is your first time, and the first time is hardest. Let us do one at a time, but you should all choose first, and we will resolve conflicts fairly.”
“Carissa,” said Electra. “Would you choose for me?”
Carissa reached out and stroked the woman’s cheek. “If you wish.”
“And mine,” Marcella said. “But I do not want him in my household.”
“Then you may drain him or I will keep him for you,” Carissa replied.
“I’d like to pick my own,” Jacqueline said. “But could I take a little taste from one or two? You know I can be particular.”
“Of course,” Carissa said. “But they are unwashed and stink of fear.”
Jacqueline made a face.
“Oh, don’t be such a pantywaist, Jackie,” said Raphael.
“I lived long enough supping from unwashed humans,” Jacqueline said to him.
“We can always hose them down,” Michaela suggested, a glint in her eye. “But the only water on the property is stagnant, so unless we use a tub, dunking them would take effort.”
“I will make do,” Jackie said. “There is no need for extra effort, Kind Fox, but I thank you for the offer.”
Michaela offered a small bow of her head.
“Well, shall we go pick?” Carissa asked. She stepped through her people, and the rest of us crowded around as she led the way to the nearest of the sheds.
The men remained where we’d left them, still naked, sitting on the floor, blindfolded, with their arms suspended over their heads. Greg took a peek into the shed and then stepped aside, his face giving away nothing.
Carissa walked to one, a smaller one, and I thought it might be one of the pilots. She knelt down in front of him, pulled his blindfold away, and looked into a pair of scared eyes. After only a moment, they glazed over as he stared into the eyes of the ancient vampire queen.
“Marcella,” Carissa said.
The vampire moved into the shed and knelt down, looking at the prisoner. She nodded and said something.
At that point, Marcella could have taken her choice from the shed; it wasn’t like anyone was going to ask for the one Carissa had offered to Marcella. But instead, Carissa stood, stepped down three men, and knelt in front of a second. It took only a moment before she called Electra to her. Electra nodded, and Carissa stood.
“Jackie,” Carissa said. “Let’s start in the other shed.
The two of them crossed the short distance, and then Carissa pointed. “See how you feel about that one and that one. I know you like A-negative.”
Several of the men in that shed heard what Carissa said, and they began to struggle, but of course, it did them no good. Carissa didn’t even appear to notice.
Jackie stepped past her and leaned over the first of the men Carissa had identified. She gave him a long sniff, then a second one right at his bound wrists. She repeated that with the second then turned to Carissa. “May I taste first?”
“When we get them outside,” Carissa replied.
Then she gestured, and the remaining vampires slipped into the sheds, peeking at the available choices. Rafael wasn’t picky. He stepped in, turned once, and said, “Any of them are fine.” Pearce only took a few more seconds than that. There were no conflicts.
A minute later, we collected back on the grass.
“Jackie, this is your first time.”
“Yes, Carissa.”
“Do you wish to go first, or would you like to watch?”
“Could I watch?”
Carissa nodded. “One of you who has done this, please volunteer.”
“I can,” Rafael and Electra said at the same time. Then Rafael said, “Your choice.”
“Are you going to take two?”
“If Carissa allows.”
“Go ahead.”
Rafael waited for Carissa to nod, and then he and Kristian stepped back into the shed. They began to untie Rafael’s choice. Perhaps the man understood what was going on, to some extent, as he attempted to struggle, moaning into his gag, but soon he was standing outside, supported by Kristian.
“Do you need help?” Carissa asked Rafael.
“I killed the last one,” Rafael said.
“I’ll talk to you, then. You know how to begin. And there is no need to make this pleasant.”
Rafael didn’t wait. His fangs weren’t even extended, but he struck at the man’s neck, and I thought perhaps his fangs grew at the last instant. The man screamed into the gag and struggled feebly with Kristian.
It took Rafael longer than it had taken Carissa earlier. He bore the man to the ground, Kristian still helping to control him, and drank and drank.
Rafael didn’t heal as quickly as Carissa did; Carissa wasn’t obligated to reopen his wrist like Kristian had done for her. It took time, Carissa whispering quietly during most of it. But finally Rafael looked over at her, wiping his mouth. They nodded to each other.
“I don’t know how many times I could do that in one sitting,” he said. “Is it done?”
“When they wake, we have to call them,” Carissa said. “Put this one back. Jackie?”
“Could Electra go next?” Jackie asked.
“Of course.”
* * * *
Elisabeth moved to stand beside me. “This is going to take another couple of hours. Nothing more is going to happen until we can question them. I think you should go get some sleep.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to try to get everyone to shut her eyes for at least a while.”
“I need to speak briefly with Carissa, then I’ll see what Zoe did about a bed for me.”
Carissa heard that, as she turned to look at me and nodded. Five minutes later she rose and stepped to my side, taking my arm and drawing me away from everyone else. I briefly relayed my conversation with Lara to her.
She nodded. “Go get some sleep.”
* * * *
The lodge was crowded. The kids were camped out in the great room, but they were being remarkably quiet. A small table had been moved near the door, and I found Lindsey waiting.
“Anna,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everyone from New Orleans is assigned to the rooms you and Deirdre had. I believe Deirdre is sleeping in one of them.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll join her.”
“You can leave wake up calls with us.”
“Please have someone get me whenever there is a good reason.”
She made a note.
I checked my room. The bed was empty, so I crossed to Deirdre’s room, opening the door as quietly as I could. Deirdre was in bed, so I moved in, stripped to my undies, and carefully eased into bed with her.
“That’s not Carissa,” she whispered.
“It’s Anna,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Please, Anna, will you hold me?”
She was facing away from me, so I moved into place behind her, slipping an arm under her neck, adjusting the covers, and spooning her closely. She was quiet for a moment and then whispered, “Thank you. Did you come to sleep?”
“Yes. Did you need to talk?”
“Only if you do. But please hold me.”
And so I did.
* * * *
I thought it would take time to fall asleep. Apparently I was wrong, as I felt like I barely had my eyes closed before I felt someone else climb onto the bed. “I need to be held.”
“Carissa?”
“Shift one way or the other,” said the vampire. “I’m bloated and drunk, and I need someone I trust to hold me.”
“Anna, shift this way,” Deirdre said, slipping from my arms and out of the bed. “And face the other way.” I got positioned, and then she climbed over me, taking the middle of the bed, and then Carissa past her. I spooned Deirdre, and she spooned Carissa.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“I had to take too many,” she replied. “I’ve never taken more than four at a time, and that was difficult. But it was long ago, and I thought I could do more.”
“Is it done?”
“There are four left, but I can’t do any more for a few days.”
“Kristian-“
“Did what he could.” She squirmed around and settled in, then Deirdre squirmed once more, and we were still. “I’m going to be difficult to wake. Anna, when it’s time, you need to clear the room and wake me. I won’t wake well, but don’t do it with anyone else in the room.”
“We’ll take care of you, Carissa.”
And moments later, I was asleep.
* * * *
I woke some time later to a voice whispering my name into my ear. “Anna. This is your wakeup call.”
I opened my eyes and nodded slightly. I was still pressed tightly against Deirdre, my arms wrapped around her, and I could feel Carissa pressed against her on the other side.
“The alphas asked me to get you and Carissa, but I can’t wake her.”
I untangled myself from Deirdre, waking her. She moaned and rolled over. I turned and saw Iris watching me. “We’ll be out in a minute. Where should I go?”
“Kitchen.”
“Thank you, Iris.”
I was out of bed and pulling clothes on even before the door closed behind the wolf. Deirdre rolled over and sighed. “I guess I should get up, too.”
“You can probably sleep again after I get Carissa up,” I said.
She shook her head. “I’ll see how I’m needed. Anna, this is really a mess, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
She climbed from the bed, collecting clothing and stepping out while still pulling it on. I locked the door behind her and then moved back to the side of the bed. Carissa was out cold and could have been a corpse; she wasn’t breathing, after all.
I knelt down in front of her and steeled myself. I wasn’t sure what she meant when she said she’d wake poorly.
“Carissa.”
Nothing.
I ran a finger across her cheek and said her name again.
Nothing.
I gave her a little shake. “Carissa.”
Nothing.
Well, well. She hadn’t been kidding.
“Carissa,” I said more firmly, giving her a bigger shake.
Nothing.
I pulled the covers from her, collected her hands, and pulled her into a sitting position on the side of the bed. She was utterly limp. I let her collapse back to the bed.
Well, well. Drastic measures.
I slipped from the room and headed for the bathroom. Luckily, it was empty. I grabbed a glass of cold water and returned to the bedroom, locking the door again.
“Carissa,” I said, kneeling down. “This isn’t my fault.”
I tried dribbling some of the water across her face. Nothing. I began bathing her face, dipping my fingers in the water and caressing her. Still she didn’t move.
“Seriously?” I said. I’d never seen her like this, and it actually was beginning to worry me. I was glad her enemies weren’t nearby, and that Kristian was loyal.
“Carissa,” I said. “If you don’t wake up, I’m going to be forced to carry you to the shower.”
Nothing.
I sighed, stood, and crossed back to the door. I unlocked it then headed for the bathroom. It was still empty, but I caught Iris as she was exiting another room. “I need you to guard this door for just a minute. Don’t let anyone else in. When I come back, close me in and stand right here until I call out it’s safe for you to leave. Don’t let anyone in, no matter what.”
“Right,” she said. “Got it.”
I stepped in, turned the shower on, and then went back for Carissa. I shed most of the clothing I had put on, then partially undressed the vampire. Undressing a limp body isn’t as difficult as dressing a limp body, but it wasn’t easy, either.
Then I picked her up, cradled her to my chest, and carried her to the bathroom.
“What’s wrong?” Iris asked.
“She’s blood drunk,” I said. “Not a word to anyone. Don’t start rumors.”
“If the alphas-“
“Right, but don’t start rumors.”
“No rumors.”
I stepped in, and she pulled the door closed.
“Carissa, this isn’t a good idea,” I said. I bounced her a little. “Seriously? You’re going to make me do this with you?”
She didn’t move.
I stepped into the shower with her.
It took, oh
, ten seconds before she woke enough to put her arms around my neck. Then I stood there, letting the water run over us, the vampire still in my arms, her face pressed to my shoulder. Then she shifted a little, only enough to find a more comfortable position.
“I thought you would wake in a bad mood, not be impossible to wake.”
“Did anyone see?”
“Iris. She’s standing guard outside.”
“I feel sick,” she said. “I haven’t felt sick in a thousand years. You can put me down.”
I did, slowly, although she didn’t release her hold from my neck, and I found myself hugging her as we stood under the water. But slowly she pushed away from me, although she looked down, not letting me see her face.
I took a chance. I used a finger to lift her chin. She resisted me at first, but then she shook her head just a little before looking up at me.
Her eyes were red. Not red like they were bloodshot. The whites were white, but the corneas and even the pupils were blood red.
“Your eyes.”
“I know.” She looked down. “If you have to do this again, please remove the rest of my clothing first.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I wasn’t chastising. Help me out of these, please.”
I took care of what she was wearing, and the last of my own clothing, letting them fall into a pile in the corner of the tub.
“I suppose we should hurry,” she said, “but would you wash me?”
“Of course.”
She stood there, letting me see to her. She was making me nervous, but she said, “I’ll appear normal enough by the time we exit, but I don’t know what to do with the other prisoners. I don’t think I can take any more for at least a few days.”
“Then don’t,” I said. “Kill the rest.”
She shook her head. “If we have to, we’ll put them in boxes and bring them to New Orleans with us. I can cage them until I drink them dry.” She paused. “That’s cold, isn’t it?”
“Carissa, honestly, I thought you would be furious.”
“I am so far past furious I’ve had to shut down my emotions,” she replied. “Iris and Lindsey caught up with me before I came to bed.”
“I thought they might.”
“I can’t even think about that right now. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve gorged enough the thought of blood turns my stomach? But they’re very sweet. I hope they understand.”