“News flash. Each moment we are apart I worry about you.”
It’s incredibly sweet and I become even more impressed when he sweeps me off my feet and carries me down the staircase. Soon he lays me on his bed. Then sits on the edge and draws a quilt up to my chin.
“How did this happen?” He grimaces as he speaks and covers his mouth.
“A broken slide, believe it not. Direct contact through cuts in my skin. But here’s the thing. This sickness I have, it’s a parasite, not a virus.”
“A parasite?”
“I saw it in a slide of your sister’s blood.” I expept him to step away from me or put distance between us, but he doesn’t even flinch at being close to me.
“Anabelle has a parasite? That’s what’s killing her?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Her new sample was clean. Someone tainted the slide I touched. The parasite was meant for me. For me to catch it.”
Arsen’s eyes widen and his voice is an octave away from dangerous. “Who?”
“Demetri, Niko’s scientist.”
“Nikolai is a part of this?”
“Yes.”
“But the Baetal, There are sick vampires in his clan, too. This doesn’t make sense.”
“He wants the power. The power to control the immortal with death.”
Arsen stands up and paces. “Son of a bitch.” He makes laps around the bed. “And I take it that this parasite is worse than the virus?”
I nod. “With a virus, either it kills the host, or the hosts antibodies kill it. It takes about two weeks for the human body to rally and produce enough antibodies to kill a virus. But the human immune system is not as efficient with parasites, and the larger the bug, the harder it is to kill. And who knows what kind of immune system vampires have?”
“And this virus and parasite are from the same maker?”
“Yes.”
“But you are immune to the virus.”
“Only the virus. The parasite was designed to circumvent my immunity. He wanted me infected.”
“And there’s no cure waiting for us at Niko’s, I take it?”
“No. There isn’t.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying, I’m sick with a parasite ten times more powerful than the virus, and if you don’t help me get back to the lab and get my research, I’m going to die. For real, this time.”
“What about a human hospital? We could mix blood with one of those medications that eliminates parasites. It’s worth a shot.”
“But this parasite is not naturally occurring. Someone designed it specially to kill vampires. To kill me.”
“How did you find this out?” His eyes bore into mine, and I worry that too much anger simmers below his cool façade. I don’t want him to go off half-cocked after Niko and Demetri.
“I heard Niko and Demetri when they thought I was asleep. Niko commissioned him to create it.”
“Niko,” he hisses. “Then why did he let himself get sick if he doesn’t have the cure?”
“Niko expected Demetri to deliver a cure immediately. He didn’t, but promised he’d have it soon enough. He never delivered, probably because he was afraid that Niko would kill him when he did.” I don’t say aloud, Or maybe because he can’t make one.
“And that bastard allowed it to go out and infect all of us? Even his own people?”
“What better way,” I say bitterly, “to throw suspicion off himself?”
Arsen paces the room again, each step hitting the floor solidly and with purpose.
“That bastard. That utter and complete piece of crap. I will kill him. He deserves no less.” Pure rage radiates from Arsen, and while I do not blame him, this will not help us.
“Arsen,” I say sharply. “Focus. We need to concentrate on finding what kind of parasite this is. If we save me, I can try to save everyone else.”
“Of course.” He nods his head, his focus somewhere distant. “And how do we do that?”
“I need my notes and the samples from Niko’s laboratory.”
“I will break down his gates and get them myself.”
“Actually,” I say sheepishly. “I already broke down the gates when I left his compound.”
“You did?”
“Check the car I drove in on.”
Arsen gives me a disparaging glance but pulls out his phone and calls up an app that shows the security feeds throughout the house. I stare at him.
“What? You watch everyone?”
“Only when I need to,” he says. “Damn, you wrecked that front end.” He flashes the picture of the car and I get a good glimpse of my destructive tendencies. The front bumper hangs crookedly, and only half the grill remains.
“It drove okay. No shaking or rumbles. It’s a solidly made car. And Niko said no one wants to drive it anyway.”
“Hmm,” he says. “I’ll keep that in mind when it comes time to lend you one of my cars.” Arsen jokes as he sticks his phone back in his pocket. “I might have to get you an old-lady car.”
“A what?”
“Like a Cadillac. Built like a tank. Practically indestructible.”
“I’ll pick out my own cars, thank you. I can barely hold me head up driving an Audi.”
“I see,” he says with a glint of mirth in his eyes. “Maybe I’ll have to purchase you a Hummer. That way you can crash gates to your heart’s content and not risk life and limb. That seems like the safest option.”
I like joking like this. It gives me peace, thinking that things can be as they were.
“I’m not sure a tricked-down military vehicle is fashionable or fast enough for mall shopping. I might have to supplement my income with a life of crime since it’s pretty obvious I won’t get be a cutting-edge science researcher.”
“Who says that?” Arsen asks as he lays down next to me and gathers me in his arms. “Sounds like we need someone who can do research for vampires. If one vampires tries this nonsense, who says that another won’t? There are many factions among vampires. The Baetal, the Draugur, the Istria, and the Kresova.”
“There’s two other clans?”
“Oh, yes, though the Kresova queen claims she has lordship over all of us—or at least she desires it.”
“I’d like to see her.”
“No, you do not. She is power hungry, cruel, and ruthless. Some call her mad. We avoid her as much as possible.”
“I consider myself warned.”
“Good,” he rumbles, tightening his hold on me. “I’ve missed you. I don’t like it when you stay away from me for such a long time.”
“It’s wasn’t that long.”
“For me it was.”
Everything isn’t fixed, but right now his arms are the only thing keeping me from drowning in the fear that I may fail and never recover.
“You? Big, bad, immortal vampire?"
“Yes. Is that so hard to imagine?”
“Yes.” I laugh. “But I’m glad.”
“Good.”
“So you’ll help me. Help me before—” I stop because my words catch in my throat as an image of Arsen’s sick sister flash in my mind. How can I subject him to seeing another person he cares for descend into madness. I can’t let that happen.
“Of course, I’ll help you. You are doing your utmost to help, and I’ll do the same.”
Arsen leans over me and gently grazes my lips with his.
“You shouldn’t. We don’t know how—”
“Sasha, I care for my sister, I help sick people all around me, and I am not afraid.”
“We should test your blood. Now that I know what I’m looking for—”
“Sssh,” he says. “We will talk tomorrow after we get some rest.”
“You don’t sleep at night.”
“I can make an exception to keep a rebellious fledgling in bed for her own good.”
“Fledgling?”
“Yes,” he says, before he kisses me again by skimming his lips along the sweep of my ch
eek and brings his lips to mine. He hesitates and stares so deeply into my eyes, I shiver.
“Is that okay?” he asks.
This is so different from our last, demanding encounter where he plundered my body thoroughly. Now in my arms is a tender man, one looking for the softer side of what we could share.
I nod my head and lean farther into him.
“Sasha, I want you to know that I have every confidence in what you can do. I know you will find a cure for our people and for you. And when that happens, I want you here, by my side, in my coven.”
“Arsen?”
“Yes?”
“Shut up and hold me.”
“No kissing?” He sounds disappointed.
“After I find the cure, there will be plenty of kissing. Right now, though, holding you is the most precious gift you can give me.”
“I offered you a Cadillac and a Hummer, and all you want is for me to hold you?”
I reach up and brush away a stray lock of hair on his forehead.
“Yes. It’s more than what I want. It’s what I need.”
“Smart girl,” he says, approvingly.
“Yeah. That’s what I keep saying.”
Chapter 20
I had asked Arsen to help, but he didn’t know fully the extent of what I had in mind.
I know he will hate it. I remember what Arsen said about vampire politics and even though I’m a fledgling, I know the vampires are very careful about honoring coven lands and the presence of outsiders on them. But I need to get into Niko’s compound, and I need more than just Arsen’s help to do that.
My hands shake as I call Jackson from Arsen’s phone. We haven’t spoken since he offered his help, and lord knows he was probably trying to get ahold of me.
“Hello?”
“Jackson? It’s Sasha.”
“Sasha!” he’s practically yelling, “Where are you? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Great. Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
“Well, I do have some things to talk to you about, so if you can come to Arsen’s—”
“Arsen’s?” The line goes quiet and I wait for him to finish his thought. “Are you kidding?”
“No.” I shake my head even though I know he can’t see me.
“You expect me to walk into a vampire coven house?”
“It’ll be fine. Arsen will protect you here, and what I have to say I need to say to the both of you.”
“Arsen? The leader of the Draugur, protect me? Did you fail your Rorschach test?’
“Please, Jackson. I need you trust me.”
Jackson sighs before he gives me a reply and in that space between my words and his, I’m afraid he’ll turn me down. And I can’t have that. The success of my plan depends on him doing his part.
“Okay,” he says. “This isn’t what I had in mind before, when I said I would help, Sash. And I think it is insane, but I’ll be there.”
“Thanks,” I say and click off the call.
“Who was that?”
I startle at his voice. Arsen walks into the bedroom suddenly. He holds a tray with two packets of blood.
“Jackson.”
Arsen stiffens. “Why are you talking to him?”
“Because he’s my friend,” I say. That’s true but it’s only half the story.
Vampire politics being what they are, with various factions trying to outdo each other, I need a neutral party to carry the news of what’s happened and who did it. Jackson isn’t on anyone’s short list as the go-to guy for vampire diplomacy, but he knows the players. I have absolute faith that Jackson will do everything in his power to deliver the message so that whoever is left won’t fall into useless blaming and fighting.
This isn’t me acting altruistic. I’m doing this for Arsen.
Because he offered marriage to me and hosted me in his house, other vampires could think he colluded with me to bring about the downfall of the vampires. And I have no doubt that someone could conflate “the virus” with me being a research student and draw the wrong conclusions, and then Arsen would be dead—undead meat.
I can’t let that happen. I hope for his sake that Arsen agrees. It makes me feel horribly guilty knowing my time may be coming soon and I may not complete my task. But with my notebook and medical history, I hope I leave enough of a legacy so that whoever takes up this work after me can finish this.
Arsen offers one of the bags to me. “Drink,” he says. “You need to keep up your strength.”
I take his blood offering and pierce it with my fangs, which have a mind of their own when it comes to a meal. By now I’m an expert at this, and I don’t spill a drop as I suck the elixir. Arsen eyes me with cool regard while I consume my meal for whatever good it will do me. I’m feeding the parasite within more than I’m feeding my starving body.
Arsen waits for me to finish.
“Feel better now?”
I lay the emptied bag on the tray and take it from him, setting it on top of the dresser. Then I take his hands and lead him to the bed. I have a perpetual headache now, and my body is getting weaker.
My eyes seek his, holding his hands in my own, with a silent appeal for him to listen and understand I’m only trying to do the best thing.
“You’ve got to understand that I’m ill.”
“I do, Sasha. It is why I am so very concerned about you.”
“And this nasty business is far from being over. If there are any survivors, then vampire-kind might end up finishing the work Niko and Demetri started among yourselves.”
“ I am no fool. I understand these things, perhaps better than you.”
“No doubt, Arsen. But one thing I’ve noticed about all vampires, including you, is that vampires are very slow to accept help. You—we —do not trust outsiders to our little circles, and suspicion and paranoia runs amok.”
“Amok?” he says with a small smile playing on his lips.
“Yes. Just that. My point being is that we need someone who will carry the message of who did this to prevent that. We’ll give Jackson all the information and task him with delivering it to different factions.”
“That will get him killed,” Arsen says. His tone is sharp as if he’s raked it over a whetstone.
I hear a doorbell, and then realize the sound comes from Arsen’s phone. He picks it up off the bed where I placed it, glancing at the security app he has front and center, and presses a button on the side.
“Let him in.”
“But Arsen,” protests the doorkeeper vamp.
“I said, let him in, and have someone bring him to my bedroom. And make sure all know. He is under my protection and is not to be harmed or threatened. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes.”
Grimly he sets his phone on the nightstand. His pensive face turns to me once again. He has no love for my best friend and I can’t blame him.
I think about the good and bad times we shared through our teen years. My mind flashes then to that night years ago when he held my hand. The night my prom date ditched me and tears came to my eyes. We have come so far, both of us, since then, but the saddest thing is that we landed in the opposite camps of a preternatural war that takes no prisoners.
It really sucks.
A knock on the door announces Jackson’s arrival and we both stand. Somehow, it doesn’t seem right to have Jackson see me on Arsen’s bed in such an intimate setting.
“Mr. Tate,” rumbles Arsen. “Thank you for coming. I hope you’ve been shown every courtesy.”
“I have,” says Jackson neutrally.
Arsen nods his head, and the vamp escort melts away into the outer hallway. Perhaps he’ll take up a sentry position there.
Jackson stands awkwardly halfway into the room, not sure why he is here. Every muscle in his body draws taut, despite his effort to appear unconcerned. It doesn’t help that Arsen stares at him with a predatory gaze, assessing how fast Jackson can run or how much damage my friend can d
o if he throws himself into a fight.
Jackson’s jaw clenches and he stands straighter, meeting Arsen’s gaze in a challenge. Tension jacks in the room and I have to step in before this gets out of hand.
“Boys,” I say. When I speak, I break the spell of agitation my best friend and my lover generate between them. “Put away those rulers you are using to measure each other’s dicks. We have to talk.”
Arsen grunts, but Jackson protests. “You know I—”
“Give it up, hunter,” says Arsen. “We did exactly that and Sasha called us on it. We may understand the need for these little displays but women rarely do.” Then incredibly Arsen smiles. “We can measure our dicks another day.”
Arsen’s unexpected humor jolts Jackson and surprise spreads over his face.
I laugh. “Well, that would be a sight to see, except, and no offense intended, Jackson, I don’t want to see his dick.”
“Noted,” says Arsen in clipped tones as he slips his arm around my waist. Despite my attempt to assure him I have no interest in Jackson, jealousy steals over his undead heart.
Vampires, I think with exasperation.
“So why am I here?”
“You know the situation with the vamps are grim.”
“And?” Jackson crosses his arms over his chess.
“You’re the only one I can trust to do this. Should something happen to me, and I can’t find a cure, then I need you to carry on my work.”
“I will do anything for you, Sasha. You know that. And I’m not going to let this thing take you.”
Arsen’s arm tightens around my wait at Jackson’s affectionate words.
“So here’s the deal. For everyone’s safety, someone has to inform different vampire factions of who created this sickness and why. Because otherwise they’ll go to war.”
“Outside of my fondness for Sasha, I have no loyalties here. If something happens to her, I’m out,” Jackson says stubbornly. “After that, it seems a win-win if the vampires destroy each other.”
“Mr. Tate,” says Arsen. “You know damn well that when my people go to war, humans are collateral damage.”
“You approve this half-baked plan of Sasha’s?”
“No, I do not,” says Arsen with a grim finality that shocks me. “But she is not wrong. I would hope we could find another envoy other than a murderer of vampires.”
Girl, Forsaken Page 15
