Drawing Bloodlines (The Princeton Allegiant Series Book 1)

by Deborah Garland

  Gingerly, I approach the edge of my bed, turn and sit with my hands in my lap. Alexander takes out a number of items from his bag and places them on my dresser.

  The empty vial with a long thin tub attached, like he used in the doctor’s office, turns my stomach like it did that day. Next, he removes a wider tube and something that resembles a meat thermometer, only instead of a dial on top, it’s a round glass globe. His fingers touch each instrument several times before he turns around.

  Crouching before me, he says, “I want to give you my blood, Elizabeth.”

  “You want to give me your blood?” I ask innocently surprised.

  I figured he would take a sample of mine to confirm this was the flu or some other common bug buzzing around these days.

  “Yes, Elizabeth. Let’s not pretend anymore. I know you know what I am.”

  I swallow, fear and panic rise in my throat and make me forget the pounding in my head. “But, that’s not possible,” I whisper.

  “There’s nothing for you to be afraid of.” He takes my hand to rest against his chest; hard and cold. No movement beneath his dress shirt.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” His attention focuses on a tendril of hair that fell over one of my eyes and his nostrils flare.

  “Why should I not be afraid?” I sweep it behind my ear.

  “Because I may be a lot of things, but I don’t murder indiscriminately.” He speaks like a defendant, pleading with a jury. When I open my mouth again, he squeezes my hand. “Is there a bathroom nearby?”

  “In the hallway.” I point. “What do you need from my bathroom?”

  “You can ask me all the questions you want after I make you feel better.” He picks up the globe device. “I can’t use ordinary needles to penetrate my veins.”

  I reach out and touch the glass ball in his hand. Its sharp metal edge is at least half an inch thick. The needle he used last week to draw my blood was paper-thin and it slid into my veins with ease.

  Alex has to gouge himself for his blood. “Why do you need to use something like that?”

  “Vampire blood is valuable and its healing qualities makes my body protect it very well.”

  I didn’t hear anything after vampire.

  Alexander glides a cool finger across my lips. “I could bite into my wrist and have you drink directly from my veins.” A muscle in his jaw jumps like he senses the wallop in my chest. “But, I thought maybe we should get to know each other better first.” Alex leans forward and brushes his head against mine.

  Unable to resist him, or the sweet smell of his desire, I pull him down for a kiss, which he returns with vigor.

  “Mmmm. When you’re better. I promise.” Alex stands.

  Slowly, he removes his jacket and places it on the bed next to me. Keeping his gaze locked to mine, he unbuttons one of his shirt sleeves and pulls it up past a muscular forearm, dusted with a thin layer of golden hair.

  Resting a cold hand on top of mine briefly, he says, “I’ll be right back.”

  I nod and dig my fingers into the top of the blanket. While he’s in the bathroom, I brace myself for a guttural cry that will surely echo down my hallway when Alex plunges that sharp instrument in his arm.

  The only sound is my own heartbeat, raging through my ears.

  ~ ~ ~

  The myth is I don’t feel pain.

  I do.

  The probe is sharp and would not hurt as much if I thrust it into my veins. Hard and fast. For accuracy, though, it needs to be wedged in slowly. With a determined shove, the probe enters the vein. Drops of blood fall into the sink, but from my mouth, because I bit into my lower lip. I spit out the excess while the glass fills with a rich burgundy-colored liquid that has a bubbly texture.

  Venom dulls the sting in my arm and my blood heals me.

  Elizabeth took my confession well. I was serious when I said it’s too soon for her to drink from me directly. Sharing blood like that is quite intimate. Not that I don’t have other intimate thoughts of her. The feelings I have are rooted in what’s left over from my humanity. There’s another side to me though, and I’m not ready to show her him. The mad, lustful, craving beast.

  Still, I could not let her suffer. Giving her my blood in this clinical way satisfies both parts of me.

  When the globe is filled, I release the probe and fasten the tube to the end. I already sense Elizabeth is a selfless woman. If she watched what I just did, I suspect she would have stopped me and waited the bug out. I want her well, though. I have plans for that woman.

  My lip heals and I cover the gash in my arm with a bandage I find on the vanity counter. As I rinse the blood from the sink, I catch my reflection in the mirror. A wave of panic settles in my chest.

  What am I doing?

  Can I really trust this woman? How can I take such a massive risk when I only just met her?

  I wish I knew where Loren was. He’s excellent at debating moral dilemmas with me. But I haven’t heard from him in months. I need my sire sometimes.

  The sink is clear and my complexion is back to normal. I step back into the bedroom and find Elizabeth on the edge of the bed, right where I left her. My God, she’s so lovely.

  “Why don’t you lean back against the headboard so I—” I pause. The metal swirls she grabbed onto while she made herself come, calling out my name, catch my attention. “So, I can do this, um, properly.”

  She nods but instead of simply swinging her legs to get off the bed, she twists her body and crawls across the mattress on her hands and knees.

  I almost drop the globe.

  Once she is seated, I sit next to her. My head warns me to keep a few inches between our bodies, but she slides closer so her hip touches mine. Heat immediately transfers to my body and energizes me the way her kiss did. The way her blood did.

  Her delicate fingers run along the sides of the globe and she gasps. “It’s so . . . cold. And really, really red.”

  For levity, I say, “Did you expect it to be green?”

  “I didn’t think you were an alien if that’s what you mean.”

  “I like you, Elizabeth Lockspier.” I laugh, and let my gaze caress her beautiful face. “Is that your married name, by the way?”

  “No. I never changed it when I got married. When you start getting professional degrees—”

  “Say no more.” I touch the hands in her lap. “I’ve been there.” I was born Alexander Manning II, and used various forms of that name, preferring to remember who I once was. If I take this woman to bed, I want her to call out my given name while I’m inside her. “Lay back and close your eyes.” To properly care for her, I must put all those thoughts, regardless of how they excite me, out of my head.

  “No problem.”

  “That’s right. You don’t like needles.” I rub a pre-soaked alcohol cloth on the inside of her arm. Now that she knows what I am, I use my strength to put pressure on the vein. The needle slips in easy enough, but she jumps.

  “Ouch. I felt that. I didn’t last time.”

  “The needle for this is wider I’m afraid.”

  “I’m more concerned with the needle you had to use.” With her free hand, she reaches for the wound on my arm and glides her fingers across the colorful children’s bandage. “You’re a fan of cartoons?”

  “I hope you don’t mind. There were a few sitting on the countertop.”

  “I have them all over the house. Annie is always scraping something.” She leans back but snaps forward. Without asking, she peels away the plastic and sharply inhales, as the tiny hole closes up.

  “Some myths are true,” I whisper. “When it’s appropriate, I’ll tell you more. Now please lay back and close your eyes.”

  “What does it feel like?”

  �
�My wound when it closes? It feels—”

  “No,” she interrupts me. “Your blood, when it’s . . . in me.”

  “It will feel like a winter storm beneath your skin at first. By the time it gets through your veins, you’ll feel a warming sensation. You’ll start to feel better. Any aches will go away. Your fever will come down in about an hour. It’ll be another twenty-four hours before the virus is killed though.”

  “Twenty-four hours? A flu virus can last up to two weeks!”

  “There are a lot of reasons for that. I’d really like to tell you about me. Who and what I am. But I want you to get well first, okay?”

  “Yes, Dr. Manning.”

  ~ ~ ~

  I close my eyes and wait for the spectacular sensation of vampire blood running through my veins.

  Hmmm. So far, it isn’t anything like what fiction promised me. Only the edge of my headache wears away. I should have asked if any humans are allergic to vampire blood. Although, I’d be convulsing by now, if I were allergic. My heart hasn’t suddenly stopped, in fact it beats faster.

  Alex runs a cool finger across my forehead and down my cheek. His eyes watch mine, as if he waits for a sign of resistance on my part. Getting none, he slides his hand down my neck, and it rests at my jugular. He presses his knuckles against it and closes his eyes, letting me fantasize he’s blocking out the temptation to take a huge bite out of my artery. No. His lips move in little beats. He’s counting to measure my pulse. The pressure tells me I can’t move, but I don’t want to. He lowers his head to listen to my heart. I’m not sure what type of valid reading he hopes to get. A six-foot gorgeous vampire who practically made me come just by kissing me has his head between my breasts.

  “Maybe you should do that with a stethoscope,” I say, when a curious expression greets mine.

  “This is more fun.” His deep voice is so smooth, I can’t resist his devilish charm.

  It’s safer too. The scope would amplify the intense pounding of my heart and knock out his eardrums.

  Chapter 6

  Alex’s head moves northward to place cool lips on my forehead.

  A whiff of lemon sails by me, when he gets to his feet. He steps back to the dresser and returns with the thermometer. After checking my temperature, he smiles.

  “Is my fever gone already?” I manage, feeling a slight sense of withdrawal.

  “Oh no. It’s still high.”

  “And you’re smiling because?”

  He puts the thermometer down. “I don’t get a chance to check my abilities against my instruments too often.”

  “I’m a guinea pig, then?”

  “Don’t underestimate the value of a guinea pig to a scientist,” he replies smartly.

  “Alexander?” My use of the formal version of his name appears to startle him.

  “Yes, Elizabeth?”

  “Are there more of you?”

  “Of course. I’d be terrified if I were the only vampire left on the planet.”

  My skin tingles at his casual use of the word. “Are you part of a-a coven?” The question feels unreal coming out of my mouth. “Is that the right term?”

  “There are many words for it. At one time, the main language used by civilized men was Latin, and since many vampires who were around then are still around today, they use other terms.”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  “When?”

  “I don’t know, when you go home?” I must sound ignorant as hell and while Alex’s smile is a touch condescending, I could see he finds it charming.

  “No, it’s an allegiance. I’m bound to it.” His hand moves a stray hair out of my face. “And I live alone.”

  “Do you have a . . .” Now, I feel like a five-year-old asking a parent about Santa Claus. “A leader?”

  “Yes and no. It’s not how I refer to Francisco in my head.”

  “What do you—” I curl a fist against my mouth. “Am I asking too many questions?”

  “No.” Alex takes my hand in his and brushes it against his cheek. “So warm,” he whispers, deep and husky.

  Yet, the texture of his skin feels like a bolt of satin in a cold warehouse. “That feels amazing against my skin.” It seems we make each other feel better.

  “Mmmm.” His eyes turn hazy. “Any more questions?”

  Oh right. I clear my shaky throat. “What do you call Francisco?”

  “Um, Francisco.”

  I smile, delighted at his ability to find humor in something that completely frightens me. “I mean, when you’re talking about him?”

  He removes his hand slowly, perhaps reluctantly. “And who would I be having this conversation with? Someone at work?”

  I nod. “I get it. Still, in the corners of your mind—”

  “Why is this so important to you?”

  “Because I never met anyone like you. All I have is fiction.”

  “Exactly. Do you think you could understand the entire human race and all its idiosyncrasies and traditions, practices, beliefs, languages from a few books?”

  “No.” A rush of heat spreads across my cheeks. “I suppose not.”

  Alex catches my chin and the pad of his fingers presses against the radiating warmth. “I’m not dismissing your questions, or making light of them.” His eyes sparkle when he finishes quietly, “The more you understand me, the better off we’ll be.”

  Alex wants us to be something. That thought sits with me for a moment while I decide if I want that too.

  “Where do you live?” I ask because hell yes, I do want that.

  “I rent a cottage a few miles from the university.” His pinky catches a piece of my hair.

  Slowly he slides it down the long strands and releases what sounds like a growl. Of pleasure.

  “This Francisco, he makes the rules?”

  “Even the stupidest of vampires follow a very basic set of principles. Just as your human laws and customs have changed over the years so have ours.”

  Basic set of principles rolls through my brain. Nothing is basic. There is always one common thread in most vampire fiction though. To keep their existence a secret from humans.

  “So, what does Francisco do for a living?”

  “He’s an appliance repairman.”

  I slap his chest with the back of my hand. “Come on.”

  “I’m serious. Good cover, huh?”

  “Yeah.” I swallow. “I guess he’s handsome too?”

  “By your standards, I suppose.”

  “I bet when he shows up at the lonely housewife’s call for a backed-up garbage disposal—”

  “He wouldn’t take that kind of risk. Because of our body temperature and longevity, you can’t make love to someone like me without knowing what I am.” His use of the words make love is so eloquently laced with raw sensuality. “Francisco is a master with tools. He studied engineering. But as the—” Alex stops.

  “See!” I lean forward. “You do think of him as something relating to you.”

  “You caught me.” His hand slips into mine. “In our allegiant, he is a commander.”

  I wrinkle my nose. My years with Stephen and being close to military types have squashed the thrill of leaders and commanders. “Not very sexy or exciting.”

  “Do you want to be excited by Francisco? I assure you, if you met the man you’d probably be terrified of him.” Alex’s easy flow of answers tells me, he’s comfortable with me. “Without getting into every aspect of my allegiant and the roles and responsibilities of its citizens and their mates—”

  “Mates!” I blurt and ask with curiosity, but also apprehension, “Does every vampire take a mate?”

  “Yes, eventually. It makes the appearance of normalcy all the more believable.”
>
  I lean forward. My mouth is dry, but I push out, “Are you planning to mate with anyone?”

  “Not at the moment.” Alex releases a hiss. “And we’re not permitted to mate with humans.”

  He studies my eyes waiting for a reaction. I have none. My brain has no blueprint for this conversation. Every response is raw and untested.

  I square my shoulders and say, “Well, like you said, you need to keep to yourself and not draw attention.”

  He sits back and studies me.

  “You’re probably better off.” I swallow. “Alone.”

  “Alone,” Alex repeats.

  The way his face contorts out of the smile he wore for most of the night tells me he’s been alone too long already.

  “Anyway, we were talking about Francisco.” I try to bring the subject back around to something hopefully less depressing.

  Alex presses his palms into the bed challenging the strength of the fibers and says, “Yes, well Francisco keeps order in our state. There’s a centralized command in New York.”

  “Sounds basic enough. I can see vampires being troublemakers.”

  Alex lets out a whoosh of laughter. It sounds like a beautiful music note I want to hear again and again. “Lucky thing I’m not a troublemaker. Francisco keeps out of my life,” he says with a shrug.

  “If I said something, that would have been trouble for you, wouldn’t it? And I don’t just mean at the practice.”

  “Yes. And I was only annoyed because I went for so long without risking exposure.” Alex hisses, baring his emotions.

  “Were you surprised I didn’t say anything to anyone?”

  “Elizabeth, I don’t even want to speculate what the outcome would be if you had. It’s one of those events that if you assigned a probability to it, there would be an infinite number of results.”

  I don’t know if he uses the language of mathematics to try to reach me. “So, you expected it?”