Bound by Blood (Vampire Romance)

by Tara Manderino

  Alex shoved his hand through his hair in frustration. “If I take them he’s certain to follow.” He thought for a moment, trying to imagine what would deter Carlos. “If there was some way to disguise their scent… That is what he follows.”

  “I can’t think of how that would be done. Can’t you do something to protect them? Something that will put him off?”

  As if that wasn’t what he had been thinking. “Silver,” he said suddenly.” But you have to do it.”

  Philip raised his eyebrows in question.

  Alex stood closer to him as he quickly explained how silver would be toxic to Carlos, to any vampire really. “It won’t disguise their scent, but should protect them if he catches up to them.” He knew he was putting a weapon against him in Lisa’s hands if she didn’t already know, but he needed to protect Cassandra and there was no other way he could figure out how do so. “Do you have anything, anything at all that is silver? Something we could use?”

  “There is a church behind those doors, Alex, what do you think?” There was no mistaking the amusement in Philip’s voice.

  Alex’s was much more serious. “I was hoping you had something personal.” If by some slim chance he wasn’t already dammed, he didn’t particularly think he should antagonize the Almighty and use holy goods.

  “Let me check, “Philip said, “I may have some cufflinks.” He left the room and Alex could hear him rummaging in his drawers. He reappeared after a few moments, the cufflinks closed in his palm. “I do have them,” he shook his hand as if testing the weight of the jewelry, “but I’m not really certain how pure silver they are.”

  Alex motioned with his hand that Philip should give them to him. “I can tell,” he said wryly. “Just lay them on the table.”

  The older man unwrapped the protective cloth and laid the cufflinks on the table. As he did so, Alex concentrated on listening to Lisa calm Cassandra. He would have smiled if he had been more relaxed. She was doing an admirable job; even he could barely detect the fear in her own voice.

  He brought his attention back to the matter at hand when Philip displayed the cufflinks. They had an onyx setting and were old-fashioned, so the amount of silver was less that he would have liked, however, he realized that it also increased the chances that they were pure and not the white gold that was so popular. Reaching out a finger, he touched the onyx set. Even there he could feel a slight warmth. Certain he was dealing with the real thing, he removed his hand, wet his little finger with his tongue and extended it toward the shank. The sizzle that arose caused Philip to jump back and Alex to remove his finger quickly. “Definitely pure.”

  He extended his reddened digit to Philip. “And that is why you have to handle it.”

  Philip nodded. “Tell me what to do.”

  That was the hard part. He was winging it as he went, but knew he only had a short amount of time to work and whatever he did was going to have to be effective and last, at least until he could find out exactly what Carlos was after. A quick glance out the window showed the sun would soon be in full force. That could work to his advantage. If he could get Cassandra and Lisa to the old church on the mount during the day, there would be less chance Carlos could easily follow them.

  First things first. “Find me a metal file and some kind of body lotion. Oh, and leather gloves wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  Philip raised his eyebrows at that. “I’m sure there’s a file around here somewhere, even gloves, but lotion?”

  “Any kind of body cream will work.”

  Philip was shaking his head. “There’s nothing like that here. Tell me what you want to do and maybe I can find an alternative.”

  Quickly, Alex explained how he planned to use the silver dust and combine it with the cream so the girls could rub it on their body.

  “Wonderful idea! Will oil work? I have some cooking oil at the rectory.”

  “I would rather no one leave until we are finished. Is there nothing here?”

  “Consecrated oil?”

  Alex gulped. Would that damn him further? “There’s nothing else?”

  “Not that I can think of.”

  Finally, Alex nodded. What else could he do?

  Once Philip was out of the room, Alex searched for other items he could use and quickly lined them up before Philip returned bearing the file and a vial of oil. He held the latter up for inspection. “Is that enough?”

  Alex nodded as he pulled on his gloves, then stopped. “I forgot we’ll need a dish or a container, something to mix it in.”

  Chapter 14

  He hated to ask. “I think I’m going to need more silver. This simply isn’t enough to do any good.”

  “There are things I can find from the church…”

  Alex nodded but didn’t look at him. “Then do it while I finish this,” he said indicating the other cufflink.

  He tried not to show his unease when Philip returned with a chalice and placed it in front of him.

  “I thought they were made of gold.”

  “I have those too.” He extended the cup to Alex. “Would you like to test it?” When the vampire made no move, Philip sighed. “There really isn’t anything else. Would you prefer I handle it?”

  Alex nodded in agreement. There was no possible way he could hold it, the chalice was made of solid metal, there wasn’t even a stone to grasp. As Philip held the cup poised over the dish, Alex made quick work of shaving silver from its base. If he could have perspired, this would have been the time. He looked at the small pile of silver in front of him, and determined it was enough.

  He reached for the vial of oil while indicating Philip should remove the chalice.

  “You bring Cassandra and the nanny in here. I think they’ll come with you rather than me at this point,” he told the other man.

  Understanding showed in Philip’s face before he headed out of the room. Alex could hear him talking in the other room, soothing their fears. They looked wary when they entered, and a bit pale, but they came. They also stood close to Philip.

  Alex came to stand near them, then got down on his haunches to be level with the little girl. When Cassandra instinctively shrank from him and leaned toward Lisa. He told himself he was glad she felt some comfort from the nanny’s presence.

  He resisted reaching out to touch the child, but he looked steadily at her. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he told her. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his badge. “See, I’m a policeman.” He figured she would understand that better than that he was an FBI agent, and certainly better than understanding he was a vampire.

  She leaned closer to look at it, then stood quickly back again. “Do all policemen fly?”

  Alex bit back a laugh, but he could hear Philip covering his with a discreet cough. “No, they don’t jump as high or far as I can. I can’t tell you more about that right now though. We have to leave here soon because there are some really bad people out there.”

  She nodded solemnly. “He took me. He said bad things too.”

  Alex really wanted to hear more, but knew this was not the time or place. It was also impossible for the child to return home. He worried at her reaction, but she took that bit of news better than he anticipated.

  “Can Lisa come with me?” She slipped her hand into Lisa’s.

  Alex nodded. “But before we leave, I have to rub something on your skin. It will help protect you from the bad man.”

  “A magic cream?”

  Alex looked at Lisa for help. He didn’t know anything about little girls or magic creams.

  Lisa shrugged, and when she spoke, her voice held a slight tremor. “Some fairies use magic cream,” she told him, as if that explained everything.

  Alex’s lips twitched. If the situation weren’t serious, he would have laughed. The child was more delightful than he anticipated. He stood and tried not to notice how they both shrank from him. He ignored them and reached for the small bowl holding the oil and silver mixture, which he handed to Philip, after sho
wing them the contents.

  “My friend is going to spread this on your arms and neck and the back of your hands. Even if it itches, you are not to wash it off.”

  Philip reached out his hand to grasp the child’s arm, but she snatched it back.

  “Perhaps you should do the nanny’s first,” Alex suggested, “though the bulk of the cream must be saved for the child.”

  Lisa looked at him puzzled, but he gave her a warning look and a quick nod of the head. She needed protecting too.

  He watched Philip apply it to Lisa’s neck first, and then run his hands down the inside of her arm to her wrist. He repeated the action with the other arm. Cassandra watched him, absorbed. When he was finished with Lisa, the child extended her arm, and Alex felt a sense of relief. He wouldn’t be able to touch either of them on the exposed skin, but that meant Carlos couldn’t either.

  When Philip was finished, there were only a few drops left in the bowl. Alex insisted that Philip spread it around his own neck, which he did.

  “Don’t you need some too?” Cassandra asked, reaching for his hand.

  Alex snatched his hand from her vicinity and assured her he was fine. He pulled his wallet from his jacket and peeled off several bills, giving them to Philip.

  “Right now, my friend is going to take you to a safe place. But first, he, and both of you, are going to go into the store and get some food, but you must be very, very quick.

  “Aren’t you coming, too?” Lisa asked this time.

  His gaze met hers. He wasn’t sure if there was fear -- for him? Or mere query in her voice. “I’ll be along a bit later. I have some things to see to here.”

  He didn’t wait for any other comments, but let Philip hurry them out the door. As soon as Alex heard the car drive away, he made his way to the basement level. It would be far from the first time he found himself away from his own home at daybreak. At least at Philip’s place he was prepared.

  His room in the basement of the old church was set in total darkness. Before closing the door, he was careful to set his watch. He needed to rest, but he also needed to allow himself time to get to the Church on the Mount long before Carlos. He would rest for two hours, by then Philip should have returned, along with some nourishment, and he could be on his way. He preferred to do so before the noon sun.

  Philip didn’t return until after nine. By then, Alex had been pacing in his room for the best part of twenty minutes. If he hadn’t needed to feed, he would have already left. He was not so foolish as to forgo that, not when he would have to confront another vampire. Instead, he used his time to call and check in with his department and learn how the Morgans were holding up. He felt a twinge of guilt in not returning their daughter to them, but knew he couldn’t do so until her safety was assured. That left a lot of loose ends when he was talking to the captain.

  “I’m sure I have a lead on her,” he told the man, “but as this is not a secure line I’d rather not say more.”

  He heard the frustration in the other man’s voice as he sighed.

  “Have the checks on the Morgans been run?” He could hardly ask if Barbara was as innocent as she appeared. There was something about the woman that didn’t ring quite true, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. If it was anything that proved harmful to Cassandra, he would be sure she paid, he didn’t care if she had given birth to the girl or not.

  He signed off with the captain when he sensed Philip’s presence.

  “They’re somewhat settled,” Philip told him. “And they have enough prepared food to last a few days if they’re there that long.”

  Alex nodded. “I don’t see it being more than another day. Whatever Carlos is planning will come to a head soon. I just wish I knew what he was after. Aside from my blood, of course.”

  “Speaking of…” Philip said, as he handed Alex the bag he had brought back with him.

  Alex took it and checked inside the brown paper bag, though he knew it contained the blood he needed. It certainly helped to have friends who worked in the blood bank. Nodding his thanks, he left the room. He was back shortly, picking up the conversation as if he had never left.

  “Have you discovered anything from the note?”

  Philip shook his head, and sank down into one of the easy chairs in the room. “You’re right in thinking that he wants your blood, but I can’t fathom why. Is there anything else you can think of?”

  “Not at the moment. But I’m going to see what Sandy has to say. Surely Carlos said something to the child. She hinted as much.”

  “You’re leaving now?”

  At Alex’s nod, he stood and grasped Alex’s shoulder. “Via con Dios.”

  Alex gave him a wry smile before heading out of the door leading to the alley. It wasn’t much darker, but the shadows gave some shelter from the light. His car wasn’t far. Once there, the tinted windows would offer him additional protection.

  Deciding speed rather than subterfuge was of essence, Alex took the most direct route. Even if Carlos was monitoring him, he would be working under the same disadvantages.

  Chapter 15

  Alex had some trepidation on crossing the church’s threshold, although he had crossed many. Walking into public buildings was never an issue, but the Church on the Mount was older than him. He felt the weight of its years. Beeswax and incense permeated the wood and stone.

  Once he passed the vestibule, he stood completely still, getting his bearing and scenting out Cassandra and Lisa, and anyone else who might be present. It was only the two of them. From the slow even breathing, he knew Cassandra was asleep. He could hear Lisa’s heart beat quickly in fear – of him? Silently he made his way down the aisle to where they hid in a pew tucked under one of the arches.

  Lisa looked up when his shadow crossed her, using her arms to cover the child sleeping on the seat.

  Alex put his fingers to his lips, and motioned for her to follow him. Easing away from the child, she stood reluctantly and did so. He resisted touching her in any manner, instead he led the way back down the aisle to the vestibule. From there he could see the entire church, as well as be far enough away so their voices would not disturb the sleeping child. It would only be for a few moments. He would have no trouble hearing Lisa, but his voice tended to carry, even when he kept it low.

  She eyed him warily. “What do you want? Your friend didn’t say much about us being here other than we would be safe and you would explain.”

  “He’s right. At the moment, this is the safest place we could think of.”

  Lisa wrapped her arms about her midriff. Her body language proclaiming she felt far from safe. “I don’t know how we can be safe with you.” It pained him when she turned away from him, but she whirled back to face him before he could fully absorb the feeling. “And how did you do those things out there? What was that with Carlos?” She put one hand over her mouth and scoffed. “Actually, I’m not sure I even want to know.”

  He nearly reached for her. “Lis…ten,” he caught himself before becoming more familiar. He had a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate it. “You already know about me--”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t know what that was out there.”

  He nearly reached for her, at the same time she shrank from his touch, and he knew it saved him from injury, although that wasn’t her intent.

  He ran his hand through his hair. “What did Cassandra say about the man who held her? Anything? She had said he said ‘bad things,’ do you know what she meant?”

  She shook her head at his barrage of questions. “She was too frightened. She didn’t say anything. She just asked when she could go home, when she could see her daddy.”

  “Not her mother?”

  Lisa looked away for a moment, then back to him. “She doesn’t get on all that well with her mother. Barbara is a hard taskmaster, and she doesn’t have time to watch out for children.”

  He had suspected as much, hadn’t he? “Regardless of what you think of me now, I need you to talk to me. I am a
n agent, remember? Just think of me in that light.”

  “Are you really?”

  “I showed Cassandra my badge earlier. Surely you saw it then too, in addition to the first time.” He reached in his pocket for a card and handed it to her. “If you don’t believe me, call my headquarters.”

  She gave a brief nod.

  “I don’t make things up.” He put his hands on his waist, then raised one and rubbed the back of his neck. He knew he could not touch her even if he wanted to. The silver dust and oil concoction he used to keep Carlos at bay would do the same for him – he hoped. “Cassandra will not be safe at home.”

  He could see she didn’t want to hear more along those lines. She wanted to know more about him. What could he tell her? Did he even want to tell her? Even as the thought crossed his mind he was overcome with the need for her to know. If not about him, then what she would need to know about Carlos. It wasn’t fair to send anyone into an enemy camp without all of the information available. That’s what he told himself. He glanced to where Cassandra was sleeping and saw her following his gaze.

  “Will she stay asleep for a while?”

  Lisa nodded, keeping eyes focused on him. He could see the concern.

  He motioned for her to follow. She looked wary when they headed further into the shadows, closer to the sanctuary but further from the child. Still she followed.

  “I suspect you still don’t believe I am a vampire.”

  She gave him a skeptical look.

  “Do you have an explanation for what happened last night?”

  She let her gaze drop. “There has to be one.”

  “And I gave it to you.”

  She stared at him then scoffed. “A vampire? You mean fangs, drinking blood, that kind of vampire?”

  He gave her a twisted smile. “That pretty much sums it up.”

  “You expect me to believe that there are vampires?”

  “I’m afraid we haven’t left you much choice.”

  She looked around the church and he could see a new awareness in her eyes. “Then why are we in a church? I thought vampires didn’t believe in that kind of thing.”