The Suck Stops Here

by Kristen Painter

  “Rareness?” Donna asked.

  “We don’t usually marry outside the pack, for all kinds of reasons, but an alliance would make it very understandable.”

  Donna nodded. “I have an alliance with the New York pack, so one with the Indiana pack wouldn’t be that far of a stretch. And if it makes things easier on the kids, then I’m all for it. What do you need from me?”

  He got his phone from his pocket. “Just your office’s contact information so I can send you the release when it’s ready.”

  She reached into her purse for her phone, and they exchanged info. “Thank you again for opening your home to us.”

  He smiled. “I wish I’d realized ahead of time who you are. It’s my own fault for not being more current on vampire news.”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t know who you are either, so we’re even on that.”

  “It’s a good thing, really. Jeanne was nervous enough as it was. If she’d realized you were a vampire governor, we would have had to redecorate the house.”

  Donna laughed. “I can understand that kind of nervousness, so I sympathize.”

  “Hey,” he said suddenly. “Are you really writing a book?”

  “No, sorry. I just felt I needed a way to explain my income so it wouldn’t seem mob-related.”

  “Too bad,” he said with a big grin. “That’s a story I’d like to read.”

  Everyone said goodbye to Christina, then stayed to wave as she and Noah drove off. But as most of the crew wandered back to whatever they’d been doing, Will approached Donna. “If you don’t have other plans, we could pull out and head for Kansas a little early. Hector and I got plenty of sleep. We’re good to go. We still have almost twelve hours to go, so if we don’t need to be here, might as well move us closer to our destination.”

  She nodded, her eyes still on Noah’s car. “That’s a good idea. Better to get there early than to run into an issue and get there late. Wouldn’t hurt to get there early enough to get the lay of the land too.”

  “Very true. I’ll let Hector know, and we can start breaking camp.”

  “Thanks.” The car turned, but the taillights were still visible through the bare branches of the shrubs and trees that dotted the campground’s main road. A deep sense of bittersweet sadness welled up in her unlike anything she’d felt before, and Donna couldn’t shake it.

  She wasn’t even sure she fully understood what she was feeling. She was happy for Christina. She really was. The Millers were good people. And Noah was a great young man. But… She shook her head and sighed.

  “She’ll be okay,” Will said. “But it’s hard to watch them leaving when they’re heading for a new chapter of their life that doesn’t include you, isn’t it?”

  Donna swallowed, hoping the emotion clogging her throat would go with it. “Yes,” she said softly. “That’s exactly it. She’s headed off on a brand-new adventure, and she doesn’t need me anymore.”

  “Oh, she needs you,” Will said. “Before you know it, she’s going to need you more than ever. And in new ways that neither of you realize.”

  Donna glanced at him, unconvinced. “I don’t think so. That child she’s carrying is half werewolf. What do I know about that? Christina will end up turning to Jeanne, not me.”

  “A girl always needs her mother.”

  She forced a little smile. “I’d like to think that’s true.” She exhaled a long breath. “What can I do to help us get ready?”

  He looked around. “Check the campsite and make sure we haven’t left anything. Start spreading the word we’re going to get back on the road soon. Other than that, sit back and enjoy the ride.” He started for the RV, then stopped and turned to her again. “By the way, Pierce and I had a nice long talk. He’s good to go for the ritual. We can do it at any time.”

  “He won’t need any downtime? There’s no recovery?”

  “It’s not like becoming a vampire. Once the ritual is complete, he’ll be a reaper, and that will be that. He’s going to need some… What do they call it? Continuing education? But I’m here for whatever he needs.”

  She thought about that. “We should do it soon, then, since you’ll be around each other until the trip is over. No better time, really. And there’s plenty of blood in the fridge to see me through.”

  “I’d agree with there not being a better time. Not to mention, if Fitzhugh realizes that Pierce has become a reaper and is no longer human, that could be enough for him to drop his charges.”

  She frowned. “You really think so?”

  “It’s possible. There aren’t many vampires who’d want to provoke a reaper, seeing as how a reaper’s scythe is always fatal to a vampire. Even those as egotistical as Fitzhugh.”

  She nodded. “Pierce mentioned that about the scythe, but it never occurred to me that his having reaper powers might be enough to get Fitzhugh to back off.”

  “Like I said, who knows? But Fitzhugh likes soft targets. And there is nothing soft about a reaper.”

  “Maybe we should do it sooner, then.”

  “Let me know.” He turned and waved to Temo, who was sitting by the still-crackling campfire with Neo. “Help me buckle this rig up, would you?”

  Donna sat on the weathered picnic table that was part of the campsite’s setup. The bittersweet feeling was back, this time because of Pierce’s impending transformation. He would be all right, wouldn’t he?

  It wasn’t like her to worry so much, but with all the changes swirling around Christina, Donna felt like her emotions were just under her skin.

  Will had said the ritual would change Pierce. But Will had meant for the better. She hoped. She had to talk to Pierce one last time about this. Make sure he wasn’t doing this just because he thought it was best for her as governor. He had to want to do this for himself.

  She got up, did a quick once-over to see if anyone had left any personal items behind, but found nothing, so she went inside. Pierce was wiping down the counters. They’d all made s’mores while she, Cammie, and Christina had been at the Millers’.

  “Hey there,” he said. “How are you?”

  She shook her head. “I’m all kinds of things right now. Still in shock about the Millers, but happy that they’re good, solid people. And I’m now missing Christina and realizing that our relationship is never going to be the same.”

  “I don’t suppose it will,” he said. “She’s about to join you in motherhood and marriage, two new things to have in common.”

  She smiled. Leave it to Pierce to find the silver lining. “And I’m also thinking about you and what you’re about to go through.”

  He hung the damp cloth over the faucet. “I’m excited about it.”

  “Are you? Really?”

  He leaned against the counter. “Ever since my brother was turned, I’ve wondered what it would be like to be something more than human. I’ve had a taste of that, thanks to you. But that little added boost of strength and speed and senses that I get from our blood exchange is really a tease.”

  She frowned.

  He held up his hands. “Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate it. But I’ve also come to realize it can’t compare to the full measure of what a vampire is actually capable of. And until Will’s offer, I never imagined there was any other path to immortality than becoming a vampire. Now I have one. And I am excited about it.”

  She could tell from his smile and the shine in his eyes that he meant what he said. “Good. I needed to hear that. I needed to know you weren’t just doing this because you thought it was what you should do. Because of me and everything going on with Fitzhugh.”

  “I’d still do it even if that was the only reason, but I promise you it’s not.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her in close. She leaned into him, the contact comforting in the midst of her chaotic emotions. “I’ll tell you something else.”

  She had to tip her head back to keep eye contact. “What’s that?”

  His gaze pinned her. “I am very much looking forward to
being your equal.”

  She would have loved to tell him that they were already equals, but she knew that wasn’t true. He was a very intelligent, exceptionally powerful attorney. But his role in her life, in the simplest of terms, was as her blood servant. Granted, she gave him blood in return, but he was most definitely in service to her.

  That dynamic would change once he became a reaper. As supernaturals, they would be on the same level. He might even be a little above her, considering the power of the reaper’s scythe.

  She smiled. “I’m looking forward to that too.” Even if it meant she’d have to find a new human donor.

  “I will at last truly be able to protect you.” He traced the line of her jaw with his finger. “And not just with my knowledge of the law.”

  She rested her head against his chest. He had saved her life once already by defending her before the council. She owed him so much for that. “I’m just glad you’ll still be in my life.”

  She meant it too. She couldn’t imagine being without him.

  “Absolutely. And if being a reaper doesn’t agree with me, I’ll give up the scythe and go back to being human.”

  She picked her head up to look at his handsome face again. “If that happens, if something goes wrong or you hate the change, I’ll turn you. You have my word.”

  He kissed her. A short, soft seal of that promise. “Thank you. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. I’m going to be just fine in this new life. You’ll see.”

  She believed him. He wasn’t one to waver in his decision-making either. But she couldn’t help but feel she would lose part of him. It was an odd way to feel when he was about to become more like her, rather than less, but there it was. “I’m sure you’re right.”

  “I should go out and see if Charlie needs help with anything. I can see through the window that her Uber just pulled up. She made a quick trip to the nearest grocery store to pick up a few things. We realized while making s’mores that we’re low on ice cream, and Bunni wanted birthday cake.”

  Donna laughed. “I didn’t know it was her birthday.”

  “It’s not. She just wanted cake, and she said that’s her favorite kind. So as a result, Charlie called an Uber, and she, Bunni, and Francine went shopping. Anyway, I’ll go see if they need help. Unless you need me for anything?”

  She turned her back to him. “My zipper? As much as I love this outfit, I’m ready to get out of it and into something more comfortable.”

  “You do look spectacular in this dress.” He slid the zipper down to her waist, kissing the nape of her neck. “There you go.”

  “Thanks.” The kiss had raised goose bumps along her spine and made her forget, for a moment, her worries about Christina. She twisted toward him again. “Can I be with you when you go through the ritual?”

  He nodded. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  She went to her bedroom to change as he left to help bring in whatever the girls had bought. She switched quickly into leggings and a big sweatshirt but left her hair up. She’d barely seen everyone on the other bus and wanted to at least say hi before they pulled out again.

  She found Francine, Bunni, and Charlie sorting bags of stuff on the picnic table.

  “That’s my Carvel ice cream cake,” Bunni said.

  Francine looked at her. “You say that like you’re not sharing.”

  Bunni shook her head, making her purple tassel earrings shiver. “I’m not. Except maybe with Kace.”

  Francine rolled her eyes. “That boy doesn’t want your sweets, no matter how fancy they are. Leave him be.”

  Donna suppressed a snort as she joined them. “Cleaned out the store, did you?”

  Charlie smiled at her. “The s’mores gave us sugar cravings we hadn’t known we had. Plus, the smoke from the fire was bothering my eyes, and I really wanted some drops.”

  “Don’t we have a first aid kit?”

  “Not really. I guess it’s assumed that’s not a thing most supernaturals need.”

  “I guess not.” At least they had the potions she’d gotten from Jerabeth.

  Charlie’s brows went up. “How was your dinner? I’ve been holding my breath a little since we delivered that confirmation.”

  “It was better than expected. Really. A few quick, tense moments, then it was all smoothed out. Watch your email for some alliance paperwork from Tom Miller.”

  Charlie blinked in apparent amazement. “You work fast.”

  Donna shook her head. “It was his idea. He said announcing an alliance between us would take some of the heat off of the unusual, quickie marriage that’s about to happen.” She shrugged. “They’re such nice people, and Noah really is a sweet kid. Whatever I can do to help make things easier on everyone.”

  “I’ll let you know when it arrives.”

  “Perfect. Also, we’re going to get back on the road sooner than expected, so make sure everyone knows, okay?”

  “Will do.”

  Donna glanced in the bags. “We had apple pie for dinner, but I am really craving Twizzlers. Any chance there’s a bag in there somewhere?”

  “No, sorry,” Charlie said.

  Francine reached out and put her hand on Donna’s arm. “Honey, you want licorice? Come over to the bus. Lionel’s a big licorice fan. He’s got all kinds in the pantry, including chocolate.”

  “Chocolate licorice? I’m craving the red stuff, but I might have to try a piece of that.”

  “Come on over.” Francine led the way, leaning in as she lowered her voice. “I need to tell you something anyway.”

  “What is it?” Donna stayed close beside her. “Trouble on the bus?”

  “No, we’re all fine. I’m crocheting a bunny rabbit for LaToya’s baby, with matching sweaters for both of them. The bunny and the baby, not LaToya.”

  “How sweet!” But there was no way that’s what Francine wanted to tell her.

  Francine shrugged. “Helps pass the time.”

  “I’m sorry Lionel couldn’t come.”

  “Me too. But it can’t be helped.” She reached for the door, then stopped and put a hand on Donna’s arm. “Consider yourself warned. There are more pheromones on this bus than anyone should probably be exposed to. Between Neo and Temo’s constant canoodling and Bunni’s blatant attempts to seduce Kace, I feel like I’m on an episode of Pleasure Island.”

  Even Donna hadn’t watched that reality show, and she was not averse to incredibly trashy television. “I’m really sorry. Do you want to ride with us for a while? Or I could make up an excuse to need Temo on the bus with me.”

  “No, no. Let the kids be kids.” She pulled the door open and climbed on. “It just reminds me of how much I miss Lionel. I’ll be fine.”

  Donna followed her in, and they went straight to the kitchen. Francine pulled open the pantry door. True to her word, there was an entire shelf of licorice. All flavors, all varieties, and all different brands. Some in packages with languages she couldn’t begin to read.

  In the back lounge, Kace was on his laptop, but otherwise, the bus was empty. He nodded at her. “Governor.”

  “Hi, Kace.” Maybe Francine wouldn’t want to talk with him around. Donna had a solution for that. “The guys might need some help outside. We’re getting out of here a little sooner than expected.”

  He put his laptop aside and got up. “I’ll go see. Thanks for telling me.”

  As he passed by, brushing up against her, he smiled. “You smell great.”

  “Thanks. Should I tell Bunni what my perfume is?”

  He frowned and kept going. “Don’t even start.”

  As he exited, Francine snorted. “That poor boy.”

  Donna grinned and went back to the licorice.

  Francine’s smile disappeared, and she crossed her arms. “Listen to me, Donna. I hate to tell you this, but you need to do something about Fitzhugh. Word on the street is that Fitzhugh has found a fae witness willing to testify that you were absolutely the cause of the queen’s death.
”

  “What?” The air left Donna’s lungs so fast she went light-headed. “How do you know that? Who did you hear it from?”

  “Lionel’s maker. Lord Raleigh. He’s as old as the hills and very well connected, although he’s become something of a recluse in the last decade or so. Apparently, Fitzhugh petitioned Lord Raleigh in the hopes of acquiring a sponsor for his bid to be king, but Lord Raleigh wasn’t having it.”

  Donna clutched the bag of licorice in her hand, digging her nails into the plastic. “I knew there were fae who weren’t happy with Ishalan’s takeover and the treaty we made, but I never imagined one would side with Fitzhugh.”

  “You’d better reach out to that fae king, see what he can tell you. You’re still friends with him, right? You have that treaty and all.”

  Donna nodded. “Yes. Ishalan. I’ll have Temo message him, too, and see what he can find out. They’ve always had a good relationship.” She tipped her head back and sighed, trying to process this new wrinkle. “Wait until the Prime hears this.”

  “The Prime?”

  Donna bit her lip. Too late, she realized what she’d said. She chalked it up to having too much on her mind. But if there was anyone to slip in front of, it was Francine. Donna wasn’t going to worry about her spreading tales. “Forget I said that. I mean, literally forget it.”

  Francine’s eyes narrowed, but there was clear interest in her baby blues. “Has he reached out to you?”

  “I can’t talk about it.”

  “That’s all the answer I need. There’s only one reason I can think of that he’d do that. Are you going to take the job?”

  Donna stared at the licorice like she was trying to make another selection and not just avoid the question. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Francine nudged her. “You should take it. You’d be amazing as queen.”

  “Again, no idea what you’re—”

  “Donna, I may be a new vampire, but I am not a new human. My years have made me a great judge of character. And if there was ever a person cut out to rule with compassion and caring, two things the vampire nation is desperately lacking, it’s you. Don’t be afraid of the responsibility or the challenges. You’ve raised children. And you’ve survived twenty-seven years of being married to a man who could have killed you at any time. You’ve outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed some incredibly dangerous characters.”