by Cat Devon
“We’re doing experiments to improve the artificial blood currently available. I’ve indicated that I think a better blend could be attained.”
“So you broke into the blood bank and stole blood?”
“I didn’t actually steal it but I might as well have.”
“Did you hire someone else to do it?” Alex asked.
“No.”
“Compel someone else to do it?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I fail to see how you are to blame for the thefts,” he said.
“Because I put it out there.”
“Put what out there? Doesn’t your facility have access to blood?”
“Yes, but the research grant for the project I’m working on was recently cut because of a lack of funding.”
He sighed. “It always comes back to money, doesn’t it?”
“We couldn’t procure the blood we needed.”
“So someone stole it.”
“They must have.”
“Any idea who? It would have to be someone who knows about the work you’re doing.” He pushed a yellow pad toward her. “I’m going to need names.”
“I can’t blame anyone else for my mistakes,” Bunny said, wringing her hands.
“What mistakes?”
She shook her head.
“Maybe I should bring Craig in here.”
Now she really shook her head. “Don’t do that!”
“Why not? He’s your husband. Are you suggesting he has something to do with the thefts?”
“No. He’d never do something like that.”
“Bunny, I’ve got a lot going on right now. We’ve got a potential vampire war breaking out between us and the Gold Coast vamps. Someone torched Keira’s apartment yesterday, and we have multiple hostiles looking for her grandfather’s journal. I’ve got to get to it before someone else does. So I really don’t have time to sit around trying to figure out what you’re talking about.”
She picked up a pen from the table and started to write. “Warren Driscoll is a research assistant.”
“A human?”
“For the most part. He has some vampire blood but not much. Not enough to interfere with his work.”
“Does he know you’re a vampire?”
“We’ve never discussed it.”
“That doesn’t really answer my question. What makes you think he might have something to do with the thefts?”
“He was very upset when he got the news about the grant funding being cut,” Bunny said.
“How upset?”
“Quite upset.”
“Did he suddenly show up with batches of blood?”
“No, nothing that obvious. He did seem to indicate that he might have access to a supply of blood that was outside the normal suppliers.”
“I’ll bring him in and talk to him.”
“Don’t hurt him.”
“What is it with everyone thinking I hurt humans and burn down apartments?” Alex said impatiently.
“I never said you burned down an apartment.”
“Keira thought I did.”
“You seem to have formed a strong connection with her in a short period of time,” Bunny said. “That’s the way it was with me and Craig. We met when I was sixteen. He moved in across the street from me and the first time I met him, I knew we’d be married. We didn’t know we’d be vampires.”
“How did that happen, again?”
“Craig was run over by a horse and carriage.”
“Horse and carriage? I thought you were turned in the 1950s.”
“We renewed our vampire vows in the 1950s. We couldn’t keep the same identities forever. Humans would get suspicious. Craig has kept his name since the 1950s and just added Junior or the Third after his surname of Anderson.”
“So when were you turned?”
“During the Chicago Fire. Craig’s cousin from Romania was visiting. The situation was chaotic. I’ll never forget that night.” She shuddered.
Alex was only now realizing that Craig had never gone into details about when he was turned. He’d been vague, letting Alex assume that the date was the 1950s and not the late 1800s. He wondered if there was a reason for the secrecy. “Go on,” he told Bunny.
“They said the fire was under control but it wasn’t. By the time we realized that, it was too late. It was very windy. Embers were flying through the air, setting everything they touched aflame. We were heading toward Lake Michigan, as were throngs of others. Some had carriages filled with their belongings, or those they could grab in a hurry. Somehow Craig was shoved into the street in front of one of them…” She paused. “His legs were crushed.” She cleared her throat. “Even after all this time it’s still difficult talking about what happened. I stayed behind with Craig. His cousin said he could take away the pain but it would change Craig forever. I refused to let go of Craig’s hand so his cousin was stuck with us both. He commandeered the carriage and loaded Craig into it. I’m not sure where he took us. He was new to the city yet he seemed to know where he was going. We escaped the path of the fire and ended up in a deserted house away from everything. That’s where he drained Craig and then me before having us drink his blood.”
“You weren’t nervous about becoming a vampire?”
“I just wanted to be with Craig,” Bunny said. “I confess I never did get used to drinking blood. I never bit anyone. Craig brought me containers of blood. I went to college in the 1960s and got my degree in chemistry and microbiology. I’ve been working on the creation of a workable synthetic blood ever since, using various names and working in various places.”
“What about your sire?”
“He returned to Romania.”
“Before the fire or after, did you know anyone by the name of Horace Turner?”
“I don’t believe so.”
Alex made a mental note to check with Craig as well as getting more info on the mysterious vampire cousin from Romania. “Let’s get back to your assistant Warren. Where is he now?”
“He didn’t show up for work this morning and he hasn’t returned any of my calls or texts. That’s not a good thing, right?”
“Definitely not a good thing,” Alex agreed.
* * *
A shower and a change of clothes didn’t give Keira a fresh perspective on her situation. But at least she smelled better thanks to the selection of artisan soaps in a basket in the bathroom. She pulled on a pair of comfy yoga pants and a black tunic.
When Keira opened the bathroom door she found Sierra in the kitchen putting away a bag of groceries. “Alex asked me to pick you up some food,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like so I got the basics for you—eggs, bread, frozen dinners.”
“I’d like my freedom,” Keira said. “Alex says I have to prove I’m trustworthy. I think it should be the other way around.”
“Did he suggest a way to prove yourself?”
“Sure. He said I’d have to voluntarily let them take my blood.”
Sierra looked stunned. “You mean to drink from you?”
“No, my blood is toxic to vampires because of my grandfather being what he was. Instead they want to take a blood sample the regular way with needles and a phlebotomist so they can learn more about me.”
“Wow.”
“I know.”
“All I can say is that everyone is very stressed at the moment because of these blood thefts,” Sierra said. “We could be on the verge of a turf war between vampire clans here.”
“As I already told you, I met Lawrence Lynch briefly. He’s in charge of the Gold Coast vamps, right?”
Sierra neither denied nor confirmed Keira’s statement. Instead she said, “What was he like?”
“He gave me the creeps.”
“I’ve heard he’s pretty ruthless.”
“Ruthless enough to torch my apartment?” Keira asked.
“I doubt he’d do it himself given the fact that vampires avoid flames. But he could certainly ha
ve compelled someone to do it. He could also have sent his minions to try to grab you.”
“Minions?”
“Minions are mercenaries of a sort. I’ve heard he hires them to do some of his dirty work. I’ve only been in Chicago six months, so I’m not totally up on the details of the issues between him and Vamptown.”
“You still must know more than I do.”
“I don’t know about that. You’re the one who met Lynch, not me. I do know that Alex has really gone out of his way to protect you,” Sierra said. “I know you don’t think so, but it’s true. The others aren’t pleased that he brought you here. Alex has put himself at risk by helping you.”
Keira’s heart froze. “Will the others hurt him?”
“The hostile vampires would kill him. It’s my understanding they were mercenaries. We don’t know who hired them, but their mission was to grab you and to kill Alex if he tried to stop them.”
“How do you know that?”
“Let’s just call it the word on the street.”
“So Alex is in danger?”
“I know he’s a cop, but saving you from hostile vampires is above and beyond the call of duty or abilities of the average Chicago police detective.”
“By average you mean human.”
“Alex is above average even in the vampire world,” Sierra said.
“How so?”
“He’ll have to tell you himself.”
“Is that why he was next on my grandfather’s hit list? Because Alex is ‘above average,’ as you put it? Does he have powers that other vampires don’t, and if so what are they? Other than drinking wine or coffee and being able to cloak, I mean. I know about those. Does he have additional abilities?”
“Ever the reporter, huh?”
“I’m not asking because I’m a reporter. I’m asking because…”
“Because you care about Alex. You might as well admit it. I saw the look on your face when you realized he is in danger.”
Keira wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to stay warm when her body felt like ice. Yeah, it was cold in the loft with the air-conditioning cranked way up but she was wearing yoga pants and a black tunic top with long sleeves. It’s not like she had on a tank top and shorts. She shouldn’t be on the verge of trembling. Concern for Alex was making her react this way. He was so strong and powerful that she hadn’t considered the possibility he could be hurt. “I never should have gone to see him,” she murmured.
“If you hadn’t, you’d be dead by now,” Sierra said bluntly.
Before Keira could respond, the door to the loft flew open. Daniella Delaney rushed in and yelled, “War is coming!”
Chapter Ten
Keira looked around in dismay. “Where?”
“Here. Right here,” Daniella exclaimed before adding, “I think.”
“Okay, let’s just all take a deep breath before we panic,” Sierra said. “No sirens have gone off so we should be okay for now.”
Daniella nodded and inhaled.
“In and out,” Sierra said, putting an arm around the woman. “That’s it.”
“You’re Daniella Delaney, right?” Keira said, just wanting to confirm her facts. “You own Heavenly Cupcakes. You were written up in the Chicago Tribune. I did a story about you for ReadIt a few months ago.”
Daniella perked up. “That’s right.”
Keira had heard of Cupcake Wars. Surely that must be what Daniella was talking about. No way could she be referring to a vampire war. No way the cupcake maker could be a vampire, right?
“I have premonitions—” Daniella began.
Sierra held up her hand to stop Daniella midsentence. “I don’t know how much we’re supposed to share with Keira.”
“My premonition involves her,” Daniella said.
“Maybe we should wait for Alex to return,” Sierra suggested.
“He was in it, too,” Daniella said.
“Then we should definitely wait,” Sierra said.
“But this is urgent,” Daniella said. In a lower voice, she added, “It’s not like the sex premonition I had about Damon and Zoe.”
“That’s a relief.” Keira didn’t need any sex premonitions added to the chaotic mess that her life had become in the past day. “You do know I’m being held here against my will, right?”
“Of course I know that,” Daniella said.
“Being held against my will by vampires,” Keira elaborated.
“Yeah, that sucks,” Alex said, appearing out of nowhere.
“War is coming,” Daniella told him before frowning. “Or maybe Warren is coming.” She rubbed her forehead with a flour-dusted index finger. “You know my premonitions aren’t always completely clear. They can be a bit fuzzy sometimes.”
“Did you tell Nick about your premonition?” Alex said.
“Not yet. I rushed right over here to tell you and Keira because the two of you were in it.”
Clearly Daniella knew about vampires—Keira’s comment about them hadn’t startled her in the least.
“It wasn’t a sexual premonition,” Daniella told Alex.
“How reassuring,” Keira said sarcastically.
“Isn’t it, though,” Alex agreed.
“Anyway, something dangerous is coming,” Daniella said.
“More dangerous than vampires?” Keira said.
“It could be vampires,” Daniella acknowledged. “That’s one of the fuzzy bits. And just for the record I don’t approve of holding you against your will, Keira, but I understand that these are troubling times.”
“To put it mildly,” Alex said.
“And troubling times can require extraordinary measures.” Daniella glanced at her watch. “Yikes, speaking of measures, I’ve got to get back to work. I’ve got six dozen cupcakes to finish measuring and baking for a graduation party we’re catering.”
“I’m going to take off, too,” Sierra said. “I’ve still got five more pages to write today.”
“I’d like to take off myself,” Keira said. “Unfortunately I’m being held hostage here.”
“I’ll tell you what’s unfortunate,” Alex said once they were alone. “The fact that it’s been hours since your mouth has been on mine.”
Keira blinked in surprise. “I thought we decided that kiss was a mistake.”
“Did we? I don’t recall saying that.” He looped his arms around her waist.
Her hand on his chest prevented him from pulling her closer. Well, it probably didn’t truly prevent him. He was certainly stronger than she was and he could have taken her in his arms no matter what she said. But she sensed that he wouldn’t do so.
Was she stupid for trusting him? There had to be a reason for her grandfather to have sent her to Alex. “What are you doing here? I thought you said you were going to work.”
“I was at work. And I’m going back later. But right now I’m more interested in you.” He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
“Why?” she asked suspiciously.
“I’m trying to make sense of all this.”
“Me too.”
“Then talk to me.”
“You’re just trying to seduce your way to my grandfather’s journal.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
“And how am I doing?”
“Too damn well,” she muttered before reaching out with both hands to slide her fingers through his dark hair and tug him closer. A second later his mouth covered hers.
There was no resisting him. She’d initiated the kiss but he intensified it tenfold as she parted her lips to invite him in. He combined the thrust of his tongue with seductive swirls that woke something deep within her. She wanted him so intensely that it was almost painful. Yet it was also powerfully magnetic.
His dark hair was like silk and his lips were made to drive her mad. He was a vampire—dark and dangerous and sexy as hell. Oh yeah, and immortal.
“We can’t keep doing this,” she whispered against his mouth.
/> “Why not?”
“Because it could lead to trouble.”
“Trust me, we’re already in trouble,” he said huskily.
“I know, but if this gets more intense … more intimate … having sex with you would complicate things. Or maybe it would just complicate things for me and make things easier for you,” she said.
“How do you figure that?”
“This is a serious situation.”
“Definitely.” He nibbled on her earlobe.
“I mean it. Your vampire friends aren’t happy that I’m here, and your vampire enemies are out to get me.”
He leaned back to gaze into her eyes. “I won’t let them.”
She believed him. She shouldn’t, but she did. That didn’t change the other problems facing them. “You’re out to get my grandfather’s journal, no matter the cost.”
“What makes you think there will be a cost? What aren’t you telling me?” he said.
“There’s a lot I’m not telling you.”
“What about the Chicago Fire? Did he write about that time? About any vampires from that time? Did he name names?”
“I’m not sure. He didn’t write a lot about that. The journal begins right before the fire.”
“What about later? Did your grandfather plan on having a vampire war to save him the trouble of killing us all himself?”
“I don’t know,” Keira said. “He can’t be behind the blood thefts. He died a year ago.”
“Did he really?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Believe this.” Leaning closer, Alex kissed her again. Every time his lips touched her, the sizzling desire she was experiencing got wilder in her most intimate places. Nothing could have prepared her for this. The taste of him was an addictive aphrodisiac.
“What’s going on?” she asked unsteadily. “Why do I feel this way?”
“What way?” he whispered against her lips.
“Like this was meant to be.”
“Maybe it is.” He backed her up against the brick wall and held her wrists over her head with one hand while he caressed her breasts with the other. When the black tunic she wore got in his way, he simply slid his hand beneath it to unsnap her bra. He cupped her bare skin in his palm before brushing his thumb over her nipple.
