“What’s that mean?”
I didn’t like where this was going. Orlando was supposed to be here.
“Where’s Orlando?” I asked.
“All those guys are gone,” Charlie said.
It was getting worse. I really didn’t like where this was going.
“On whose order?” I asked.
“Tyr’s.”
I steeled myself. Was he really making a play on power while I was down, after saving my life? It made no sense.
“Apparently, he thinks they can’t be trusted,” Charlie said.
That may have been true. Ronaldo couldn’t be. But Tyr shouldn’t have been making those kinds of decisions without me. They were my guards.
“Tell me you at least brought me my breakfast,” I said. I relied on the guards to bring me a packet of blood every night when I woke. After the healing I’d had to do, I was getting hangry. Fast.
“Those are cut off too,” Charlie said.
“Seriously?” I asked. “He’s cutting off my food supply, too?”
I didn’t wait for an answer, and instead went hunting for the man who’d taken over my life. He was like Walter, but worse. Not only was I stuck in this building, now I was supposed to be without protection, and without food.
Sexy or not, Tyr Ulfhednar was about to get a big angry piece of my mind.
“Hey,” Charlie called, “wait up.”
I ignored him as I searched the empty hall, throwing open every door in search of Tyr. Everything was empty, and quiet—too quiet.
A tap on my shoulder, and I spun around. Charlie stood there, looking nervous. “Tyr’s downstairs,” he said. “In the throne room.”
“Thanks,” I replied, then headed that way. Of course he was in the throne room. He was probably sitting in my chair, touching the velvety fabric, and looking all regal like he was in charge. It was the best place to make up new rules. It was the best place to undermine my authority. Why had I been stupid enough to drop my guard, even for a second? This was what always happened—let someone in and he screws you over, screws your cousin, steals your bank card…it was always something.
I expected to catch him in true form, proving what I knew to be true—he was just like everyone else. But that’s not what I found.
Walter passed me in the doorway, and offered me a nod, and Charlie a scowl. I guessed the chat about Angel had gone about as well as could be expected.
Inside the throne room, Tyr wasn’t sitting in my chair. He wasn’t lording over anyone. He was by a bookshelf at the back of the long room, running a finger across the spines. He pulled out a thick hardback, and turned to me.
His gaze disarmed me, and threw all of my suspicions out the window. With my suspicions gone, all that was left was a feeling—breathlessness—if I’d been alive and actually needed to breathe.
“You’re awake,” Tyr said.
“Yeah.”
“How well has your wound healed?” he asked.
“Fully,” I replied.
I felt like I’d planned on saying something, like I’d had this whole conversation worked out before I’d gotten here. And poof, just like that, it was gone.
“That’s wonderful news,” Tyr said.
“Yep,” Charlie said from the doorway behind me.
“I apologize for you having to wake without your guards,” Tyr said.
That’s right, I was mad about that. I was really mad. My stomach growled.
“And my food?” I asked. “You took that, too.”
“I asked Bennet to investigate the vampires that are allowed within these walls. I expect it’s better to be safe, after the recent betrayal,” Tyr said. “Once a few have been cleared, they’ll return to their duties, serving however you see fit.”
“Okay,” I said. That didn’t seem so bad. It made sense, really. “What about the blood?”
“Walter is checking into the protocols of exchange for the blood bank deal,” Tyr said. “It’s a noble endeavor—offering blood without feeding.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I want to cut down on killing.”
“I hope it helps,” he said.
No one else had thought it was a good idea to stop the killing. But Tyr seemed to understand. Why was he so different?
“I like to think it will,” I said, shifting my feet. “But it’s been a rocky start.”
He looked so at ease, standing there in his white, button-down shirt and black pants. Looking at the gentle, honest look on his gorgeous face, I felt like an idiot for not giving him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe this was the one guy who wasn’t going to let me down, the one who wouldn’t betray me. He deserved the chance.
“So, how long do you think it will take to get my breakfast?” I asked.
“To have the supply tested for poison, and the handlers checked out?”
“Sure,” I said.
Tyr squeezed the book in his hands and looked down.
“I’m not certain.”
“How long exactly can a vampire wait to feed?” I asked. My stomach said about another five minutes before it started eating itself.
Tyr smiled.
“You won’t wither while you wait,” he said. “I promise.”
“How long?” I asked again.
“At least a couple hundred years.”
“Seriously?” Charlie asked from behind me, mirroring my sentiment.
“Completely,” Tyr replied.
I wasn’t sure where we went from here, or what even to ask next. I just stared at him, wondering just how long it had been since he had fed, and exactly how old he really was.
“I’d been reading this before I left,” he said, as he set down a textbook-sized novel onto the desk in the corner. “I’m looking forward to picking back up again. But as I’ve disrupted your schedule, and your meal, may I first make it up to you?”
I found myself nodding, even though I had no idea what exactly I was agreeing to. Whatever he had in mind, I was looking forward to finding out.
Chapter Thirteen
Tyr
Damp and cold, the basement was a stark contrast to the floors above. It was the difference between playing alive versus accepting that immortality was death.
No light shone down the curved staircase, and I hadn’t bothered lighting torches. There was no need—I could see as well down here as I had upstairs.
While I waited, I wondered how she perceived the world. Ashley’s experiences as a young vampire differed so much from mine so many years before, that I wondered how similar her feelings were to what mine had been. Even if she had believed it was something she’d wanted, did she resent the change? Did she find camaraderie amongst my kin, as I once did with my brothers? Or because she never knew her sire, did she feel alone?
The quiet click of footsteps echoed through the empty hall. I turned to the stairwell and waited for her.
She wore tall, black boots that reached up over her knees to the hem of her skirt, and a thick, oversized, cream sweater. Her hair was dry, and she’d pulled it back from her face with two ties. She smiled at me with such playfulness that I couldn’t help but smile back. What was it about this woman? She was light and life in a dreary existence. There was no wonder as to why Yeke had chosen her, for I too was drawn to that light.
“What excitement lies in the creepy basement?” she asked. “And please don’t tell me your idea of a good time has to do with the dungeon.”
Her brows shot up, and a hint of pink tinted her cheeks, as if she’d surprised herself.
“I believe you mentioned something about wishing to see the city,” I said.
“You’re taking me out?” Her smile spread from ear to ear.
“I’m not up to date on what establishments are fashionable these days,” I said, “but I thought I could show you—”
“I’m not looking for fashionable,” she said. “And you know, Walter’s going to be pissed.”
“Let me worry about Walter.”
“All right then,�
� she said. “Take me to town.”
She linked her elbow in mine. The contact was a surprise, as much as her intoxicating scent—sweet like honey and warm at the same time.
I led her to what appeared to be a part of the stone wall. Ashley stopped and looked up at me, the obvious question on her face.
I reached out and pressed my palm to the one rectangle that appeared just like the rest, but was unlike any other.
A large section of the wall phased from solid stone to a thin, translucent pearl. Ashley reached out in front of her and touched where the wall had been. The illusion rippled from her fingertip, like a rock cast into a still pond.
“What kind of technology is this?” she asked.
“Magic,” I said, and stepped through.
Ashley squealed and closed her eyes as I pulled her along with me. The other side was just like the first—a dark, damp, stone hall—only this one led out of the estate.
Ashley opened one eye, then the other.
“Please tell me the house is full of these,” she said.
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see,” I replied.
She squeezed my arm tighter and leaned in. I smiled, something I seemed to be doing a lot lately, then began walking once again.
“So where does this come out?” she asked. “Is there a door on the other side of the border wall?”
It was only a few more steps, and she could see for herself. “We’re almost there,” I said.
“That’s a tricky non-answer.”
We rounded the corner, and stopped at the dead end.
“Another button?” she asked.
“Yes.”
I reached up and placed my palm over the stone switch, as I’d done countless times before. The wall changed, just like the last. This time Ashley pulled me though, at a running pace.
“Wait—” I tried to warn her, and dug my heels into the floor.
We emerged at the edge of the harbor, on a thick concrete pylon overlooking the water. Ashley tottered over the edge and gave a little yelp. She grabbed hold of my arm with both hands.
I pulled her back, and she fell into my chest. She felt good, like her body belonged pressed up against mine. Her sweater was soft against my hands, her size just right. I breathed her in, as she looked up at me with a wide grin and playful excitement dancing in her eyes.
“How is this possible?” she asked.
I was thinking the same thing.
“The travel, it’s crazy,” she said. “How can we cross so much distance so quickly?”
“I hired a witch during construction of the estate,” I said. “The basement was built first, with doorways that lead all over the city.”
“That’s amazing,” she said. “How come Walter never showed me this?”
“That’s a question for Walter,” I said. “Though, it’s likely he hasn’t shared the secrets of the estate with anyone.”
“Not even Charlie?” she asked. “Violet?”
“I haven’t asked,” I replied.
“Well,” she said, “I guess that makes it even more special that you shared it with me.”
She stood up on tiptoes and kissed my cheek, a soft peck that lingered even after she pulled away.
She hopped from one pylon to the next, leaving me to play catch up. Before stepping off of the last, she turned back.
“So, no one can see the door if they don’t know it’s there,” she said. “It’s perfect.”
I smiled and followed, then stepped down onto the grass beside her.
“Where can we find a hotspot for underground vampire life?” she asked. “I mean, other than the secret mansion we just came from.”
“This way,” I said.
We walked up a block to the roadway that led through dock yards and warehouses. Everything was familiar, yet not. The vehicles parked behind fences were rounder than I remembered. The fences were higher, the road wider. The little bit of the city I had seen was different enough that it left me wondering if The Cache would be anything like it had been before.
At first glance, my concerns seemed to be well-founded. The lot was empty—not a single car. Ashley walked beside me, looking from me to the shell of a building where a bustling nightclub had once been.
I had to know for sure. I crossed the cracked pavement to the two-story building. Windows were shattered. The metal siding was dented and someone had defaced it with spray paint. Every step closer was more and more difficult.
By the time we reached the door, I knew tragedy had struck some time while I was gone. I hadn’t been here to protect those who frequented this place. What had become of them? Was the entirety of the city so badly misshapen?
I touched the cold metal knob and found the door ajar. One step inside, and I realized there had been fire. Ash covered the floor. The chairs and bar were blackened beyond recognition. What had happened here?
I stared at the remains. What if my choice of non-violence had led to more bloodshed than if I had stopped Yeke in the first place? What harm had come from my decision?
“Hey,” Ashley said, with a soft touch on my hand.
I turned to her, unsure what there was that I could say. I’d thought I could show her the side of Scarlet Harbor that she’d yearned to see, but all I had found was a skeleton of the past.
Ashley smiled up at me with compassion.
“It looks like maybe this isn’t where everyone hangs out anymore,” she said. “I haven’t been a vampire in Scarlet Harbor for long, but I’ve lived in the city my whole life. Both lives. How about I show you somewhere we can get a drink?”
“I’d like that,” I said. “Thank you.”
“No probs,” she said. “Let’s have some fun.”
She linked her fingers in mine, and I cherished the feel of her small hand—and the kindness she showed.
Chapter Fourteen
Ashley
I liked to think I had a knack for reading people—especially the broody types—because of all of the practice. It was a real asset in dealing with goth guys who wanted to be vampires, and even more crucial when talking with the real ones. The real vampires tended to be the broodiest.
Walter and Bennet had that grumpy stare down to a science. Charlie was working on his own version, but he mixed it with the enthusiasm of a toddler. But Tyr, he wasn’t quite like any of them. He was the oldest, the most powerful, and somehow, the most human.
I liked that, and the way he smiled, and the way he let me see what he was thinking without trying to hide it behind a stone face. Plus, the tall, dark, and smoldery sexiness. I liked that too.
I cherished the feel of his big hand, the closeness of us, and this gift of adventure out into the city. All too quickly we arrived at the club.
The Lair was pretty close to the docks, just a few blocks up, and smashed between a coffee shop and a book store. Neither neighbor was a fan of the ‘vampire’ club, but the coffee and muffin guys and book chicks tended to head back to their homes before The Lair’s crowd showed up anyway. Just like always, the crowd was big.
We walked up to the door and ignored the line. I winked at the mountain of a bouncer, and he smiled back at me.
“Ashley,” he said with a nod, “how you doin,’ sweetheart? It’s been a while.”
“I’m good, Gary,” I said.
Tyr took a step closer to my side, and I wondered if he was worried about being left behind. Or was his closeness a territorial man thing?
Keeping my attention on Gary, I asked, “How about you?”
“Can’t complain.” Gary opened the door and eyed Tyr. I could guess what the bouncer was thinking—wondering what Tyr’s story was. Tyr didn’t look like he belonged at a place like this. He wasn’t wearing black skinny jeans, or a black t-shirt. He didn’t have piercings, or dyed ink-black hair. He didn’t carry himself like he hated the world, though I still wasn’t entirely sure that he didn’t. Hate was a strong word anyway—maybe he was disappointed with the way the world had turned out.
We entered the club side-by-side and left both the cold night and the crowd behind us. Inside the big, open building we found a new crowd and more darkness. Red lights flicked over shadowed corners and across the bodies pressed together on the packed wooden dance floor. Heavy metal blared while bodies ground together. The club smelled like booze, vinyl, sweat, and sex.
It felt like home.
Tyr froze in the doorway, taking in the scene.
I stood up on tiptoes and spoke next to his ear. “It’s quieter by the bar.”
He looked down at me without reply. His eyes were as wide as the full moon. Maybe The Lair wasn’t what he’d expected.
I took his hand and led him through the throng. Hearts fluttered all around us, the silly excitement of everyone waiting to get their hands on a real-life vampire. I’d been one of them, not long ago. I’d thought vampires would really come to a place like this, looking for acceptance, looking for a warm body to feed on, maybe even looking for a girlfriend. The funny thing was, Tyr and I were the only ones here that actually were vampires.
I snagged a little booth and dropped down onto the red leather bench. Tyr sat down across from me.
“What do you think?” I asked.
He looked a little lost, maybe confused.
“Why does everyone in here wear black?” he asked.
“They’re vampire groupies,” I said.
“I had no idea that this many humans in Scarlet Harbor knew about vampires,” he said.
I smiled. “They don’t, really. They just want to.”
A chick with blunt-cut black bangs and the long, thin frame of a model appeared by the edge of our table.
“What can I get you?” she asked in a flat, bored tone.
“Hi,” I said. “We’d like two glasses of…What’s your favorite type?”
“I prefer a glass of red wine to white,” he said. “What’s your finest vintage?”
The waitress gave him a look like he was crazy, which he wasn’t. I guessed I should have explained before we got here.
“Blood,” I said. “Do you have a favorite type?”
“O negative,” Tyr said. His eyes were set on me, with an intensity that made blush.
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