“You still should have called for backup,” Raymond chided.
“It was for Sulie,” Dixon said as his only defense. “Besides, I put a tracker in my pocket for you to find me. I knew you would.”
Raymond nodded. “As it turns out, we didn’t need the tracker. Julian led us to the restaurant.”
Dixon made eye contact. “Who is Julian?”
“An ally,” Raymond answered, and then added, “We hope.”
Ally? “How long was I out?”
“We found you… unconscious so it’s hard to tell. You’ve been out a good eighteen hours though. We expected it to be longer.”
Dixon nodded. “I guess I was put through the meat grinder.” A thin white blanket covered him and he realized he didn’t feel cold. He didn’t feel hot either. He gave Raymond a questioning look when he noticed he was in a hospital gown.
“We had to cut your clothes off. They were torn and covered with your blood.” Raymond gestured over to the metal trash bin near the door where Dixon assumed the clothes had been tossed. “Sulie cleaned you up and put the gown on you.”
Dixon had never been modest, but knowing Sulie had bathed him sent a chill up his spine. He wondered how thorough of an undressing job she had done. He knew certain body parts looked more wrinkled and pruney than others.
As he looked at his forearm, he noticed tubing sticking out of his vein. His eyes traveled the tube’s path up to a bag dangling from an IV rack near his bed. He thought it would be an IV, but was surprised to see a red liquid in the bag instead of clear. “A transfusion?” He stared over to Raymond. “How badly was I hurt that Sulie wants me to have a transfusion?”
Raymond fell silent.
“Well?”
“Sulie wanted to tell you, but I don’t think she’d mind if I shared this.” Raymond walked over to the bedside table and handed Dixon a mirror. “You were fatally wounded.”
“Fatally?” he asked as he took the mirror from Raymond. Dixon glanced down at his fuzzy reflection. An aged man with old–age spots, pitch–white hair, and glasses did not stare back at him. Instead, his hair was jet–black, his skin vibrant and youthful, and his eyes sharp and vampire black. Dixon swallowed the lump in his throat. His hand went to his face and inspected what he saw in the mirror, as if touch would confirm it. He couldn’t look away from his reflection. “Am I a…” he took a deep breath, almost too scared to ask. “Am I a vampire?”
Raymond smiled. “It’s what you had wanted, before the Council rejected your request.”
“You turned me,” Dixon said, grinning.
“No. Sulie turned you.”
“She did?”
“Yes.”
“I am,” he said excitedly, as he continued inspecting his face in the mirror. “My eyes… .”
Raymond smiled. “They’re black due to the turn and the blood in your system. They’ll revert back to their original color once the blood drip is gone.”
“Oh,” Dixon said, “I’m not worried. It’ll just take some time getting used to it. That’s all.”
Raymond furrowed his brow. “You seemed surprised by the turning.”
Dixon beamed a smile to Raymond. “I am surprised. Pleasantly surprised.”
“In order to turn, you need vampire blood in your system before you die. What did you think my sister was going to do once you ingested her blood?”
Dixon set the mirror down. “I’ve never tasted her blood before.”
“Before yesterday, you mean?”
“No,” Dixon corrected. “She’s never given me any of her blood.”
“During your turn she said that she had.”
Dixon recounted the events to Raymond, from the moment he retrieved the dagger and syringe from the office to the time he subdued and killed Charles. He looked quickly over to Raymond once he had mentioned the syringe and dagger.
Raymond gave his friend a halfway smirk. “The team has known about the precautionary dagger and syringe for a long time now.” He ran his hand through his hair. “What I don’t understand is how you had vampire blood in your body before your death. If it wasn’t Sulie’s blood, then the blood must have been from one of the kidnappers. Perhaps you bit Charles before you killed him.”
Dixon furrowed his brow, not remembering the specifics. “Perhaps.”
“However it happened”, Raymond said, “I’m just glad we didn’t lose you.”
Dixon glanced down at his hands and made two fists. “I feel stronger than I have in years, maybe even more than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“You look younger than when we first met. In fact,” Raymond said, “Your turn is progressing faster than any of us would have guessed.”
Dixon felt a heaviness settle on him. “What do you mean? Is something wrong?”
A reassuring smile came from Raymond. “Not at all. We gave you vampire cord blood from Kate’s delivery to complete the turn. Your body is processing the change faster because of it being pure blood, plus the extra enzymes vampire blood has in it.”
“Kate’s blood?” When Raymond nodded, Dixon added, “I’ll have to thank her for donating the blood for my turn.”
“She was happy that it helped you.” When Dixon shifted his body on the bed, Raymond asked, “Are you all right?”
Dixon placed a hand on his chest. “I’m not really in pain. I just ache everywhere.”
“That’s your body processing the turn. Your heart is still beating. Since you can no longer make your own blood, your heart is circulating the borrowed blood in your body. As it pumps the blood repeatedly, the blood will change from human red to purple, then to blackened goo — all the time aging your body. You’ll get accustomed to the feelings of rejuvenating your cells and of aging.”
Rubbing his fingertips on his chest, Dixon felt his heart beating.
Raymond pointed to the bag of blood, which dripped into Dixon’s arm. “Since you’re awake, we can stop the transfusion and you could try drinking the blood. It will give your spleen a chance to process the blood from your digestive track to your circulatory system.”
He grimaced. “My stomach may not be up for that yet.” As Dixon enjoyed the feeling of vitality, reality set in. He looked up at his friend. “I died.”
Raymond’s eyes softened and in a quieter tone he replied. “Yes.”
Death. He had escaped its grasp. He remembered the battle, so he knew how badly he had been wounded. He would have died had it not been for the turning. He was no longer human, no longer with a timer that was quickly counting down. He had time. All the time in the world. More time than he had ever dreamed of.
He knew what he wanted to do with that extra gift of time.
“Now that I am a vampire, I don’t want to retire,” Dixon said. “I want to join the Colony. This time I want to be where all the action is — with all of you out in the field. The team could definitely use the extra help.” He balled his fists and flexed his muscles. “I’m up to the task.”
Raymond held up his hand. “One thing at a time. Before we put you on active duty, you need to rest. Plus,” Raymond added hesitating, “you died with the subroutine still in place.”
Dixon’s eyes widened. “Is that bad?”
Shaking his head, Raymond answered, “I don’t think so, but I am curious to test a few things once you’re feeling better.”
Dixon realized he was Raymond’s equal. Actually, the whole team’s equal. Just as strong. Just as powerful. No more medicine, no more food, no more limitations, no more… loneliness. He had found a family to belong to and a woman to love.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. A woman to love. He wasn’t a frail old human, all wrinkled and fat. He looked down at his hospital gown. Thank goodness Sulie didn’t see him like that. He was now a strong, vibrant vampire — someone Sulie could see as an equal.
A chill ran up his spine. He could actually ask Sulie out. They were best friends; they did enjoy each others’ company, so, why not? He was now a vampire, like her. Equ
als. Deserving of her love. But, would she even like him now that he was a vampire? He was still the same person… but could she ever see him more than just as a friend? Could she love him?
Dixon looked around the room. “I guess I could even live here in the mansion,” he suggested excitedly. Seeing Sulie every day. Well, he already saw her most days, but this would… well, be exciting.
Raymond chuckled. “I suppose so, although I believe all the rooms are taken.” Raymond glanced down at Dixon and a moment later, his eyebrow rose. Clearing his throat, he looked away. “I guess you could always check with Sulie. See what kind of sleeping arrangements she could come up with.”
That was a great idea. Dixon wanted to see Sulie. She was alive and upstairs. So close.
Raymond turned back towards his computer. “Sulie suspected you’d be out longer than this, but she did ask me to call for her the second your condition changed. Personally, I think you need your rest.”
“I can rest later,” he said, halfway sitting up. He had to see her. Had to tell her how important she was to him. He loved her. He needed to hold her. To smell her sweet scent. To caress her soft skin. To kiss her full lips… .
Dixon looked over at Raymond.
His friend.
Her brother.
There had to be a bro–code violation going on here if he didn’t say something.
Should he tell Raymond now, while he still lay in a hospital bed? What if Raymond grew angry? No, he knew Raymond well enough to know that he wouldn’t attack him for wanting to date his sister. He knew Raymond would certainly not like finding out after the fact either. The walls of the mansion were thin. What if Sulie did love him and Raymond heard them engaged in… His thought’s trailed off, and he felt his fangs extending.
It wasn’t painful, but he bit his tongue in the process.
“I’m in love with Sulie,” Dixon blurted out, being careful with his fangs. It was the first time he confessed his love for her and it really should have been to Sulie and not her brother, but he couldn’t keep his feelings in. Plus, he respected Raymond too much not to tell him ahead of time.
“I know,” Raymond said as he sat back down in front of his computer.
Dixon stared at his friend. “How?”
“Your mental patterns of love and affection for her are, let’s just say, overwhelming.”
Dixon didn’t know if he was blushing or not, but his thoughts were very focused at the moment on Sulie. “I can’t help it.”
“She is my sister. I’d appreciate it if you could tone your more vivid mental images down a bit.”
For being as old as he was, Dixon felt like a teenage boy in love. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I love her so much.” He bit his lip. “I know I’ve always been the older human buddy of the group, but do you think, maybe now that I’m a vampire, that she might… see me a little differently?”
Raymond smiled. “I think she might.”
Dixon sucked in a quick breath. “I mean, I don’t want her to see me as just a vampire. Do you think she’d like me?” Ok, now he really felt like a teenager.
Raymond grinned. “Shall I pass her a note in gym?”
Dixon laughed — more from nervousness than anything else. “I’m serious Raymond.”
“Let me put it this way, she insisted on giving you a sponge bath.”
Dixon gave a wry smile. “But that’s her job as the team doctor. She would have done so for anyone.”
Raymond furrowed his brow. “Do you really believe that?”
Dixon rubbed his temple. Now that he had all the time in the world, was his time potentially running out? “Raymond, suitors are lining up wanting to marry her because of that stupid schlange marriage list thing. I don’t want her to be with anyone else. Do you think she’d consider me in the long line of potential husbands? You’re her closest relative, do I have to get your approval to even ask her out on a date?”
“Verheiratet Schlange. And you don’t have to worry about potential suitors for her.”
Dixon waved violently in the air with his hands. “She’s beautiful, and intelligent, and funny. And let’s not forget how caring and loving she is. She probably has a list a mile long of vampire men who want her. Someone else is going to snatch her up unless you take her name off that blasted list.” He took a breath and looked directly at his best friend. “Take your sister off that damn list.”
Raymond smiled over to his friend. “What do you think I was doing on the computer just now?”
Chapter Forty
After giving Kate and the twin boys a thorough medical checkup, Sulie treated herself to a hot shower. Afterwards she covered herself with a fluffy towel and wrapped her hair in a smaller one, then slipped into her house shoes. The water had been extra hot and felt wonderful.
Several days of grime and a layer or two of filth were now off her, as well as any dust of Charles’ remains. She was thankful to be clean again. She dried herself off with the towel and reached for a pair of pajamas from her dresser drawer. Sitting on top of the pile lay an old, well–worn t–shirt. Extra big and extra soft. The shirt sported the logo for a university that she never attended, but that didn’t bother her. It wasn’t her alma–mater. It also wasn’t her shirt. It had belonged to Dixon. Stolen from his laundry long ago.
She put on the shirt and the fabric draped down to her upper thigh. Just perfect to sleep in. Unfortunately, the shirt had stopped smelling like Dixon immediately upon its first wash, but she always enjoyed having it on.
A smile crossed her lips. She didn’t have to settle for only a shirt anymore. His big, strong arms would be around her soon enough. His muscular body would hold her close. Sulie took a cleansing breath as she thought of his muscular body laying in the clinic downstairs. She had washed him from head to toe, and nearly every inch in between. His body was well cut, with six–pack abs. Due to the blood lust he was undergoing, she could tell how rock hard his length had become. If other members of the team had not been in the room with her, she would have had more than just a peak at him when she cut away his underwear.
She pinched her legs together as wetness pooled within her core. She wanted to ride Dixon, and ride him hard all night long. She needed to feel him inside of her. As soon as he felt well, she’d tell him of her feelings and they could be together forever.
Of course, that was assuming he wanted to stay with the Colony. There was no guarantee he would. He may want to travel or live a different life other than one of service to the president.
She brushed aside the worry. Of course, she could always go with him. It had been a long time since she was last in Europe. She had never been to Africa. Certainly there were several parts of the world they could explore together, as well as explore each other’s bodies.
But what if he didn’t want to be with her? He had been married three times in the past. Maybe he didn’t want to complicate their friendship with a romance.
What if she wasn’t even his type? She had never met any of his ex–wives, and he never spoke of them. What if he was looking for someone else? Sulie thought for a second and figured it might be best to wait for Dixon to get accustomed to being a vampire before burdening him with her love.
No. Even if he didn’t want her, she would still tell him and take the risk of rejection. She needed to tell him immediately. She had almost lost him, and he would have died without knowing of her love. She decided to march down to the clinic and tell him.
She caught her fuzzy reflection in the bathroom mirror. The excess water from her hair drizzled down her shoulders and onto the t–shirt she wore. She couldn’t let him see her like this. She needed to look her best.
Rummaging through her closet, she searched for a box she had stored long ago. She had to go through several shoeboxes in her organized closet, but finally found what she was looking for — a peignoir set. She opened the dusty box and pulled it out. Silk, blue, and… Good Lord, were those shoulder pads? She had stored the lingerie so many years ago, it n
ever occurred to her that it would eventually go out of style. She held the outfit up to her body and looked at herself in the full–length mirror in her closet. She didn’t like what she saw. Not because she looked fuzzy in the reflection, but because she looked like a vintage Barbie doll.
She tossed the nightie into the box and let out a deep sigh. She had nothing sexy to wear. There were no lace teddies, no garter belts, no sheer lingerie — not even a thong. Letting out a groan, she realized she had been a soldier for too long. Maybe Dixon only saw her as a soldier, too. Perhaps he didn’t see her as a woman at all.
Then she’d have to show him that she was all woman.
No more procrastinating. No more beating around the bush. Her man lay downstairs. The minute Dixon was awake she’d share her feelings with him. He had been given vampire cord blood to start his turning, so she suspected his turn may be faster than others. But, there may still be some time for shopping. Perhaps she could buy something more becoming than a sloppy old t–shirt. She studied her reflection in the mirror. Her hair lay wet, uncombed, and dripping down Dixon’s old shirt. She looked drab and unsexy. She felt her stomach twist when she realized drab and unsexy was exactly how she felt. No wonder Dixon never looked her way.
She now noticed her nails in the mirror, so she held them up and took a good look at them. They were cracked and broken from ripping up floor boards during her captivity. The polish chipped, the nails broken. Maybe there was time for shopping and a manicure before she had her talk with Dixon.
The mirror hung crooked, so she straightened it. She furrowed her brow thinking how odd it was. Then, she noticed her hamper was not flush with the closet wall. Who the hell had been in her closet? She spun around quickly taking inventory. The shoeboxes were always in rows of four and now were scattered across the floor, the hospital smocks were always divided by which hospital they belonged to and now they hung mixed up, and her purses… why were they all tangled and hanging on the wall like that?
She took a deep breath to calm her anger. She had been kidnapped. Certainly the team would have gone through her closet and violated her private space in an effort to gather information that may lead to her rescue. She left the closet and scanned the room. Her books lay out of order. Her pillows were no longer in descending order by size and then by color. She cringed when she noticed the wrinkles in the bed and the uneven comforter. Did someone sleep in her bed?
Enduring Service Page 20
