Blood, Sweat and Demon Tears (The Grateful Undead series Book 3)

by Susan Stec

  "We still have hours before daylight," Christopher chirped. "He can make it."

  "I am not waiting in a cage in our yard until you guys get home!" JoAnn said. "God will get you for this, Susan."

  "Me?" I hammered my chest with my thumb and then pointed it at her. "You're the one that warded the damn padlock! Deal with it!" I hiked up my dress and climbed on the motorcycle behind Marcus.

  Marcus nodded a smile at Christopher when Jake flew over the field, wings spread. The dragon banked a low circle, and came to a stop over the cage, wings flapping JoAnn's hair dry. He stretched out his talons and grasped the cage.

  Fanning himself backwards with strong strokes of his wings, he slowly lifted it off the ground. Head raised in triumph, the dragon roared, smoke billowing from his nostrils. We watched him swoop from the field, cage brushing the treetops, JoAnn screaming at the top of her lungs.

  "Well, if they don't see the dragon," Zaire said with amusement, "they're sure as hell are gonna hear your sister."

  "Don't worry," Christopher said, "he'll fly high enough once he gets going, and I told him to take the Gulf most of the way. I'm outta here. Lily's waiting for me in the van. I'll meet you at the hotel." He ran off towards the dirt road, elbows pumping with the beat of his feet.

  Marcus revved the engine, and as we drove off, I heard my mother ask, "Ya think that cage is real gold?"

  * * * *

  "I have a brief meeting with Christopher while the others pack and make ready for check out," Dorius told Betty from the driver's seat of the Suburban. "Sorry, dear, but owing to the situation that is about to arise, there will be no shopping today. I will be gathering the team for a quick debriefing in Chick's hotel room after meeting with Christopher. We will leave for the Miami compound immediately afterwards."

  "What's Christopher want, sugar?" Betty leaned over the center console, placing her hand on Dorius' knee.

  "I haven't met with him yet," Dorius said, gently removing the fingers wandering up his thigh, and placing her hand firmly on the console with a dismissive pat.

  "But ya know, doncha?" Betty pushed, raking her store-bought nails softly across the leather.

  Warren snagged Dorius' eyes in the rearview mirror for a brief moment.

  Dorius stretched his neck, eyes locked on the road ahead, knuckles turning white over the steering wheel as the Suburban accelerated from fifty-five-miles-per-hour to seventy-five. "I have my suspicions, but I frown on discussing the business of my employees' requests, Elizabeth."

  "Oh, I got it," Betty said sarcastically, "business dealin's is confidential. That's probably why ya ain't givin' an inch with Sonny's issues, right, sugar?"

  Warren cleared his throat.

  Dorius shot him a warning glance in the rearview mirror. "That's correct, Elizabeth," he answered.

  "That meetin' better not be 'bout me," Betty said. "Chris and me got some hist…"

  Warren coughed her words back down her throat.

  "It's not, and I'd certainly discuss it with you if it were," Dorius said with a fair share of frustration in his voice.

  "Then why won't you discuss my issue?" Sonny humbly asked from his corner of the back seat. "Is it that you don't believe me?"

  "It's not a matter of me believing you, Sonny," Dorius said, taking in a noisy breath. "It's a matter of whether the council will. Although the crimes you have committed are severe, I can safely say, the council will most likely rule in your favor if I make recommendations. If it's any consolation, I'm going to recommend that they do not administer the death penalty, because you would make a valuable member of my team. Do you understand?"

  "What team?" Sonny wanted to know.

  "Dorius heads the rogue huntin' team at BAMVC," Betty said with a smidgen of pride. "I guess we're gonna be workin' together, sugar."

  "I'm a doctor!" Sonny said.

  "Not anymore," Warren chuckled. "You're a vampire."

  Dorius did his attention-getting throat thing before saying, "Would you rather die for your infractions? Because in our world, killing mortals is unacceptable, no matter the circumstances. There is always retribution. In your case, I can only hope your... skills, as well as being a willing part of my Critter Control team, will justify the outcome. Do I make myself clear?"

  * * * *

  "Well, I think everything turned out just fine," Jeni said from the driver's seat of the communications van as it motored down the road toward town. "Don't you think so, Lily?"

  "Yes, it did, Cousin Jeni, although Mother is quite angry with the way she is being transported home," Lily answered with a smile. She turned to Christopher in the backseat beside her. "If you have made up your mind to have a blood exchange, I am going to suggest we consummate the act right now, Christopher."

  "Hold on," Christopher said, "We are not going to consummate in the back of this van, or anywhere for that matter."

  "La-la-la-la-la-la," Jeni sang from the front seat, trying to cover her ears. "I'm not hearing this."

  Lily laughed. "I am not speaking of sexual intercourse, Christopher. Copulation is merely a way to procreate in most species, and I am certainly not ready for that undertaking. Although I am fully aware that sensual interaction is often shared by humans, purely for bodily pleasure, it is not a necessary contractual component. It merely satisfies or fulfills humanistic urges, much like alcohol and unnecessary nourishment. I have no desire to make sexual stimuli, for the sole purpose of entertainment, part of our agreement. By consummation, I simply meant exchanging blood to seal our contract, form our bond, and reap the harvest of our combined skills."

  "Sheesh, get a load of Ice Queen over here," Christopher said. "You just turned a harmonious event into a hellish concordat."

  "Christopher, a concordat is formal contract between the Pope, a religious figure in your world, and a national government concerning religious affairs."

  "Yeah, and you don't see the humor there?"

  "Well, I suppose…"

  "Ohmygod! I am so not hearing this conversation," Jeni said. "And don't you think you should ask your mother first?"

  "Mother will not be in a frame of mind to discuss this matter when we return," Lily said, "and she is weak when it comes to betraying Father. This is a decision for Christopher and me to make." She locked eyes with him. "Have you made your decision, Christopher?"

  Tootles barked and jumped on Christopher's lap, licking his face. The dog yelped when he pushed her aside, rubbing his face briskly with the hem of his shirt. He smiled at Lily. "Yep, I've made up my mind. I'll bond with you. But I wanted to ask your mother's permission, or at least, ask Dorius first."

  "I totally agree with asking Aunt JoAnn first, but Dorius?" Jeni interrupted. "Not that I disagree, I think that's a wise idea, but you've never asked his permission before. Why now?"

  Christopher watched Lily cuddle the poodle close to her chest. "Because I don't want to alienate him, or your mother. I want Dorius to think about putting us on the rogue hunting team. If I can convince him of the power we would bring to the team without shoving it in his face, he may be more amenable. I can deal with your mother, but…"

  "I will agree to talk with Dorius," Lily said, "but…"

  "Good; because I've already set up a meeting at the hotel," Christopher said.

  Lily continued. "… But if he will not discuss this matter without consulting mother, or if he finds our joining unacceptable, I believe we should disregard his objections and make the decision to do so before we get home. We will deal with the consequences on both levels, afterward. I do not wish Father to have total control over me, Christopher. I also believe a bond is in your best interest."

  "You're preachin' to the choir, girl," Christopher said. "I want this as much as you."

  "Your mother is going to kill all of us," Jeni said.

  ~~~~

  Chapter Forty-Two

  ~~~~

  Dorius sat alone at the desk in his hotel room, waiting for Christopher. With an acute awareness of his team's sub
tle comments and their body language since arriving in New Orleans, Dorius knew Lily was a possible mate for Christopher. Coupling that with the fact he knew Susan had stopped Marcus from sending some kind of confirmation, via the connection with JoAnn, made him think Raphael was up to something that involved Lily and her ability to stay on Earth. Evidently, Christopher mating with her would thwart Raphael's plans. However, he felt Christopher would bring nothing to the team because of his size and his inability to utilize the shared powers effectively. In fact, being Lily's mate, Christopher would have unworthy control of her, and actually stop him from using Lily successfully.

  But the demon child, with the right partner, could be an unstoppable force.

  Dorius got up and stood in front of the mirror over the dresser. He dropped his fangs, locking eyes with his reflection, and ran a hand over his goatee, spreading his lips in a smile. "Having her blood flowing through my veins on the other hand, would…"

  He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  "Come in," Dorius said, walking back to sit at the desk.

  Christopher and Lily walked into the room.

  * * * *

  We were scattered around Mom's hotel room, suitcases stacked on a carrier next to the door. The only ones missing were Jake, Christopher and Lily, and since we knew where Christopher and Lily were at the moment, they were the topic of our conversation.

  "Well, I for one, am glad the little guy finally found a mate," I said, stretching out my jean-clad legs. Damn, it was good to be out of that frigging dress.

  "You do realize we're talking about demon blood, right?" Marcus said, tossing a pillow at me.

  I hugged it to my chest, opened my mouth to speak, but Mom snatched the opportunity. "Yeah, it's a damn miracle!" she said. "I just spent days alone with Christopher, and he isn't as dumb as you think. Lily is just what he needs, to be all that he should be."

  "Dorius better not fuck with them," Zaire added.

  "But she's just a child," Jeni interjected from one of the queen-sized beds, Paul perched beside her. I hated looking in her direction. The wolf's attraction to my daughter pissed me off.

  "Yeah, a child that puts Chucky to shame," Paul said, with a smirk as he ran a hand over Jeni's bare leg. Jeni locked fingers with him, a frigging smile on her face when Paul continued. "She has more power, and the brains to use it, than all of us put together. Whatever happens, I think she can handle it."

  "But can we handle her?" Marcus asked. "I'm not sure Christopher…"

  "This is crazy," Gibbie squawked, "Christopher tapping into all that power. Come on! Dorius won't be able to control him."

  "Exactly!" Mom bellowed, "That's the point, and about damn time!"

  "Demons, fairies, werewolves, dragons, and animal vampires," Sonny said, his hands rubbing his face, "this is all too much to take."

  Betty put her arm around his shoulders. "Hey, it's gonna be fine, hon. We're just like any other fucked-up American family, only we're gonna be around a hell of a lot longer than Archie Bunker's Place. You'll get used to it."

  Warren laughed. "That is, if the council doesn't fry his ass."

  "They didn't fry our asses," Zaire challenged.

  "Yeah," Resi backed her up. "And we messed up royally."

  "That's true," I said, smiling at Sonny. "We all turned each other. Mom killed two humans. One in the butcher shop, right behind the meat counter at Walmart! Zaire stole blood bags from work, just like you. JoAnn turned a raccoon into a vampoon—could you fuck-up more royally than that? Not to mention the time JoAnn and I went after those two pedophiles. We all know how that turned out. And then there's Tootles, the zombie I conjured up."

  "That dog is dead?" Sonny whimpered, his brows knitted together. "There were no animal zombies in the Walking Dead series."

  "Well, maybe they didn't fit into the storyline," Resi suggested.

  "Can't ya smell the bitch?" I asked, lifting my nose with my curled back lips.

  Tootles plopped her butt on the carpet, then, using her front paws, she dragged her body across my path.

  "Oh, that's just nasty," Resi said, scrunching up her nose.

  Zaire laughed. "Hey, when you got an itch, ya gotta scratch it."

  Tootles yapped in agreement, wiggled around, and then dragged her ass back in my direction, just to spite me, I bet.

  "Christ," I said, pulling my eyes off the soiled carpet—damn glad I was wearing my Doc Martens—and locking them on Sonny. "I'd say what you did is nothing compared to what we did, and we're still here."

  "Besides," Zaire said, still smiling at Tootles, "we all know what Dorius is about. The prick. I'd say havin' a couple of shape-shifter vampires to order around…"

  "Hold it right there!" Betty said, "No one orders me around!'

  "Sh-yeah, right?" Zaire cackled. "Be careful your mouth doesn't write a check that your ass can't pay."

  Gibbie shot across the room, shrill laughter erupting from his mouth. He came to an abrupt stop, hovering in front of Betty. "Don't kid yourself; he puts up with your shit because you have something he wants. And after what you did tonight…"

  Betty's hip worked her hand. "I had no idea I could shift! Christ, it scared the hell out o' me!"

  "Welcome to my world," Sonny mumbled.

  "You an' me are buds, Sonny. We're gonna stick together," Betty said, then got right up in Gibbie's face. "And ya think yer tellin' me something I don't already know? Sugar, he's got somethin' I want too."

  "Sounds like a marriage made in Hell," Resi laughed.

  "And I love watchin' ya bite back, Betty," Zaire chuckled.

  "So you think if I play along," Sonny said, "they won't kill me?"

  "Dead is dead, buddy," Mom said, "and you got too much to offer above ground."

  "I wonder how it's going with Christopher," Jeni mumbled. "I know for a fact, Lily wants this, and she's not going to take no for an answer."

  * * * *

  "So you understand why I think we should put off the mating," Dorius said in a fatherly voice, "and have another immortal exchange blood with Lily to keep her here until a time in the future when she's old enough to make this very significant decision. It is one that she cannot break for the rest of her life, Christopher?"

  Lily jumped in before Christopher could answer. "If I understand you correctly, and I believe I do, you are proposing that another immortal, one like yourself, shall we say, that is not a possible mate, exchange blood with me?"

  Christopher's fangs dropped. Lily touched his chest and frowned at him. Christopher retracted his fangs and stepped back.

  "Yes," Dorius said with a confident smile, "it would serve your purpose—tainting your demon blood so your father can't keep you in the Abyss—but it would not bind you to council law here on Earth with regards to a mate."

  Christopher said, "But it would give you more power, right? And that's what you're trying to…" Again Lily touched his chest, and he settled a bit, ending his rebuttal.

  "No one said it will be me, Christopher," Dorius said with a level voice. "Whomever she chooses will certainly gain the strength of her demon powers, but she would not be tied…"

  "I would like to consider your request, and I appreciate you letting me choose whom I wish to exchange blood with," Lily said. "I have a week to make up…"

  "No, you do not," Dorius said. "You will make your decision today."

  Lily nodded at Dorius. "I can do that, but…"

  "You're going to do this?" Christopher yelled. "I thought we had a…"

  Lily smiled at him. "Dorius has a valid point, one I did not consider, Christopher. And we can still mate someday when–"

  "This sucks!" Christopher headed for the door.

  Lily turned to Dorius. "Let me have a moment with him. I can see your concern for my welfare, and for that, I am grateful. But I warn you, should I choose you, I am still uncontrollably attracted to Christopher, and I wish to make it clear that at some point, we will join."

  "I understand completely
. After all, I do have a mate of my own to consider, and I'm fully aware of the overwhelming attraction," Dorius said with a knowing smile and an air of authority. "But I know this is a time-sensitive situation and I want you to be able to logically consider the consequences of a mate without the pressure your father is placing on you." He patted Lily on the head, pointing at the door. "Go. Talk to the boy, but you will make your decision before we leave today, and I will personally monitor the blood exchange, should you not choose me. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Yes, sir, and once again, thank you for taking my welfare into consideration," Lily said over her shoulder as she walked toward the door. "And for ultimately allowing me to choose whom I wish to exchange blood with."

  In the hall, as soon as the door closed behind her, Lily called out mentally, Christopher, we must talk.

  Christopher turned, his hand on the doorknob of Chick's room. Where are you?

  To my room. Please join me there, I believe it would give us more privacy, she mind pushed with a smile.

  Christopher grinned as he ran towards the elevator.

  * * * *

  Fifteen minutes later, the door to my mother's room flew open and an angry Dorius stood in the doorway. "Have you seen Lily and Christopher?"

  "I thought they were with you?" I said.

  Jeni climbed off the bed. "I better go look for them. Lily has a key for our room, and–"

  Dorius said, "I am going to kill that boy if–"

  "If he mated with Lily?" Mom said. "Not against the council rules, last time I looked."

  Dorius dropped his fangs, turned abruptly, and left.

  Like an army of ants, we marched out of the room and followed the smell of sweet revenge.

  Jeni was knocking on the door to her room when we all arrived.

  "Unlock it!" Dorius demanded with a yell.

  "I don't have a key! I left mine at the front desk," Jeni said, putting her hands over her ears.