Bound by Blood (Vampire Romance)

by Tara Manderino

  She shook her head as if to clear it. “What am I saying? I don’t even think there are such things as vampires. There can’t be.”

  “No? Do you have an explanation for what occurred earlier?”

  She shook her head again, this time much more slowly. “I looked around your house when I was there. Do... do you really drink blood?”

  He nodded sharply. She didn’t look as if she believed him. He forced himself to finish what he had to say. “The oil Monsignor Phil rubbed on your skin is loaded with pure silver.”

  “And that means something to me?”

  It was his turn to scoff. “Lisa, you grew up in Cornwall, England. I know you have heard tales of pixies and fairies -- of vampires, and all of the lore associated with them.”

  “Very little, I’m afraid. My father was a vicar, remember. He spoke of other realms, but he didn’t hold with nonsense.” She clapped her hand over her mouth as if afraid she had offended him. Her look said as much.

  “There are such things. I’m one of them. And silver is absolutely lethal to us.” He should have felt more uncomfortable placing such a weapon in her hand, but to his surprise, he didn’t.

  “If you really are a vampire, aren’t you being a little too trusting?”

  He smiled at her, surprisingly relaxed. “Perhaps. But I do trust you, Lisa.” And he did. Implicitly. Philip was the only other mortal who knew his secrets.

  “I thought maybe it was a practical joke earlier, but you’re not joking, are you?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Lisa ran her hand through her hair, scoffing. “I still can’t believe this. It’s too much to take in.” She looked away for a moment, then back to him. “How many other people know this? Your office? The Morgans?”

  He shook his head at each suggestion. Other than Philip, you’re the only person I have told in the past century.”

  “Century!” She took a deep breath, then met his gaze. “Earlier you said you were two…two…”

  She seemed to have a difficult time getting the words out. “I was just two hundred and fifty-three last month,” he said quietly.

  “And how old is Carlos? You said he was younger, not that it would take much.”

  “Much younger. At least half of my age. Which is where the problem is. He’s much too susceptible to stories that he hears.”

  ~*~

  She couldn’t imagine what kind of stories vampires told. Did she really even think that? Believe what he told her? Yet even as the words filtered through her mind, she remembered the way he had moved them to Philips’ after leaving Carlos. There was no physical explanation for the preternatural speed at which they had moved. It was much more demonstrative than at his home, and all the more chilling because he had done it without thought.

  “And Louis? He’s younger too?” Alex looked to have a few years on the other man.

  “No. He’s actually closer to five hundred years old.”

  “But he looks so young!” She couldn’t stop the words as they flew out of her mouth.

  Alex gave a twisted smile. “He was barely twenty-five when he was turned, a significant age in his day. He still looks the same.”

  “How old were you?” She couldn’t believe she was the one asking these questions in such a calm voice.

  “Thirty-five. We remain the way we looked when we were brought over.”

  “Turned, you said.”

  He nodded. “They mean the same.” He reached for her arm, and again stopped himself in time from touching her. “We can discuss this another time if you wish, but right now we have to prepare for Carlos.”

  She tried not to shudder at the thought. So far, the man did not have a sterling character. She didn’t know about Alex either, but at least he had a semblance of civility. She thought back to the expression on his face when he confronted Carlos earlier, and revised that to meaning most of the time she had known him.

  She crossed her arms and rubbed her hands up and down them, trying to warm herself, though heaven knew the part of her that was cold could not be reached.

  Whether she wanted to or not, she was going to have to trust him. He was all that stood between Carlos and herself and Sandy. He put his hands out, as if to hold her, but let them drop to his side. Disappointment shot through her.

  “Why would he want Sandy?” She kept her voice brisk, not wanting him to know she noticed his slight action.

  He looked uncomfortable for a moment, but started. “He doesn’t care about Cassandra. He’s after my blood.”

  She drew her brows together. She didn’t think that vampires had blood of their own. She asked.

  “Cassandra is the last in my line –“

  “You had children?” This sounded too bizarre.

  He nodded slowly. “I told you about Katherine. She had a son, my son--“

  “She married your friend.” She still didn’t see how anyone could make such an arrangement. Not if he really had loved the woman.

  He gave a curt nod before continuing. “I followed my son’s family and his descendents. Cassandra’s father is from my linage, thus Cassandra is the last.”

  He didn’t seem a man –vampire? – given to excess movement, but he paced in the confined space he had taken them to. “There is some reason he is coming for her now, and I don’t know what it is. He could have gone after any of my descendents over the last century and he has not done so.”

  It still rocked her off balance when he casually referred to a century. “Perhaps he did not know who they were and only found out.”

  “No. There is another reason, but I have not yet discovered it.” He waved her answer away.

  “How do I fit in with this? Why would he want me?”

  ~*~

  Like that would be difficult to answer! Who wouldn’t want her? Any normal male for the obvious reasons to start with. And any vampire would be drawn to her sweet scent. That was definitely not the issue. He extended a hand and ran it down her hair, careful to stop short of her neck. He liked that she leaned in to him, consciously or not. “You are a side bonus to him.”

  “Well, that’s not very nice.”

  She hadn’t sounded really upset. She looked around him, trying to check on Cassandra.

  “She’s still asleep,” he told her.

  “How can you know? Do you have eyes in the back of your head too?”

  “No,” he chuckled. “I can hear her even breathing.”

  She looked at him disbelievingly. “She has to be fifty yards away.”

  He nodded. “If you feel more comfortable, we can move closer.”

  Shaking her head and putting her hands in her back pockets, she met his gaze unflinchingly. “I want to know what you can tell me about Carlos. What can I do to protect Sandy and myself?”

  “Not a lot at this point, I’m afraid.” He looked around the church. This was the best protection he could offer, and it was far from foolproof. Carlos could get inside easily enough; he did. But his strength would be seriously depleted. For some reason, whatever reason, it did not have that effect on him. Others had told him it was very unusual, including Louis and Philip. He accepted it as a gift. And now it would help – he hoped.

  “I don’t even know exactly how effective the silver oil will be, but am hoping for the best.”

  She raised her hand to her neck. “Philip put it here first, and then my arms. Why?”

  Didn’t she know? How could he tell her those were the points Carlos, or any vampire, would seek her blood first. “They are your most vulnerable points. Even if Carlos should grab you, he will, I hope, be put off by the silver.”

  “You had more on Sandy?”

  “She’s much smaller and weaker, and most of all I do not even want her taken.” That came out all wrong, but he didn’t know how to make it right. He would not let anything happen to either of them but he trusted that Lisa would be able to fight. She would not be such an easy target because of her size. Cassandra would not be able to stand a chance.r />
  “I certainly don’t want anything to happen to her either.”

  “I won’t let him touch either of you,” he told her. “If – when he comes, I need you to take Cassandra and care for her the best you can. She will not be safe at her house.”

  She raised her eyebrows at that. “Then what am I to do with her? It’s pretty obvious I’m no match for him.”

  “Philip will know what to do, but use him as a last resort. He’s mortal,” he said, As if she didn’t already know that. “Get to Louis, or have Philip call him. They know about each other even if they haven’t met.”

  Chapter 16

  She felt terribly cold. She didn’t like the way he was talking, like he would be out of the picture soon. “You’re really scaring me, Alex.”

  He reached for her, then stopped. Because of the silver?

  “I know, but these things must be said.” He looked around her, toward one of the windows. “Although I was able to enter here while it was still somewhat light, Carlos will be here in the dark when his strength is at its peak.” He pointed to Cassandra with his chin when he finished speaking. “She’ll be awake in a moment.”

  Nodding, she left him and made her way to the child who was just opening her eyes as she slid into the seat. How had he known that? He admitted he wasn’t psychic.

  He came up behind her, and she was startled to feel his hand on her waist. She looked over her shoulder to find him watching her.

  “There’s no silver here,” he said simply.

  She nodded and turned her attention back to the child. His touch was unnerving, maybe more so if she believed everything he said. She could feel him this close, could even smell his aftershave, but she had trouble detecting any scent that was his alone, and there was definitely no body heat thrown off. Even where his hand rested through her clothes she could feel the weight of his hand, but not the warmth. She refrained from shivering.

  She moved closer to Sandy, and away from his touch. He didn’t follow and she bit down her disappointment.

  Sandy let out a whimper, and Lisa slid across the pew closer to her, gathering her in her arms. She stared at Alex with wide eyes.

  “Shhhh…” she whispered, smoothing Sandy’s hair from he face. “He’s not going to hurt you. You’re safe.”

  She pushed a little away, but didn’t totally break contact with Lisa as she looked her fill at Alex. “Are you going to take me back home?”

  “Yes, I am,” he told her, his deep voice carrying, “But not just yet. We have to wait a while so the bad man won’t find you.”

  “He was bad,” Sandy agreed “He said some awful things about my daddy.”

  Lisa stared at her then glanced at Alex. She wished she hadn’t. He looked as if he had turned to stone. Then his face softened marginally as he walked over to where they were seated. He sat in the pew in front of them and turned to face Sandy.

  “Can you remember anything that he said, sweetling?”

  Lisa started at the word. What an old fashioned term then came to grips that it probably was not unusual for him. He personified old, never mind the fashioned part didn’t quite fit. There was nothing, at least very, very little that she could detect as marking him from a different century. Did she really say century?

  When Sandy looked hesitant, Lisa prodded her along. “It will help to catch the man who took you, honey. Tell Detective Aguilar everything you know.”

  “Did he say he needed to find your daddy?” Alex asked her, “Did he want to send a note?”

  Sandy shook her head so vehemently her braids practically flew straight from the side of her head. “He said my daddy would have to pay, but he still wouldn’t get me back until he was finished. I don’t know what he means, but I didn’t like it.”

  Lisa hugged the little girl to her, looking at Alex. Did he know what she meant? From the granite-like expression on his face, and blue ice of his eyes, he did. And did it really have anything to do with what he said earlier about – blood? That couldn’t be real. Then again these were vampires if he was to be believed, and she had the sinking feeling he was.

  “Did he say anything else, Sandy?”

  The child shrugged. “He talked all of the time. But he talked more to the lady who was there.”

  “What lady?” Both Lisa and Alex said in near unison.

  Sandy shrugged. “I don’t know He said her name,” she looked away from them, apparently trying to think. “Jan…Jan..”

  “Janelle?” Alex asked flatly.

  Sandy looked up at him and nodded. “That’s it. I didn’t see her, but I could hear her when she was talking to him. She said you were in the way but some things couldn’t be helped.”

  Alex looked at her sharply. “Is that what she really said?”

  Sandy nodded again. “I remember things all the time. She said your name,” she cocked her head to one side, “really she said your name two times, once in Spanish and once in English. She said, ‘Alessandro … Alex is in the way.’”

  Nodding at both of them, Alex got to his feet and moved closer to the sanctuary.

  ~*~

  So, Janelle was in on this too. That could not be good. She was an extremely intelligent and ambitious vampire. Not quite as old as Louis, she still wielded great influence. The question remained as to why she might be interested. For now, it served as proof Carlos was not working alone. He gave a wry smile. He hadn’t thought the man intelligent enough. Janelle not only brought her own intelligence but also a whole slew of vampires who swore allegiance to her. He was curious as to what Carlos brought to the table, or if he was merely another of her followers. He would have to give this information to Philip soon. There must be something she needed, and he wanted to know what it was before she started making demands.

  Blood of your blood will make the world new. That was a pretty basic translation of the phrase in the message. The only phrase as far as he was concerned. Sandy was clearly of his blood, but what could they possibly need? As he turned the ring on his hand, he studied the gold and ruby as they reflected lit sanctuary candles. What secrets could it possibly hold? Especially in conjunction with his blood? He glanced over at the child and saw her sitting within the safety of Lisa’s arms. How often had he longed for such a scene with his own child? Now his concern was getting this child back to the safety of her home and her family. Then he felt it. The very temperature of the building changed.

  In a nanosecond he was in front of the woman and child, urging them toward the side door. They could go through the sanctuary, but Carlos would think twice. Hastily he pushed them through there, pressing his car keys into Lisa’s hand. Why hadn’t he done it as soon as he came in? But he knew. He had been so intent on seeing Lisa, inhaling the essence of her the couldn’t think straight. He didn’t want her to pay for his foolishness now. “As soon as he enters, you are to leave through the door as quickly as possible.”

  “You –“

  “Will follow when I can.” He continued pushing them toward the door. “You must leave, but wait until he appears.”

  “Charming.”

  He whirled around at the sound of the voice. Only it wasn’t Carlos. It was Janelle. Her voice drawled, but the tone could have made his skin crawl. He was too late in his estimation, paying too much attention to Lisa and not enough to the threat.

  He tried to call them back, to stay their flight, but they were already out of his reach and he wasn’t sure he could withstand the sanctuary. “Lisa!” He heard her halt, but she hadn’t started back in his direction. God would not have let them get her.

  Janelle stood in front of him, nearly on top of him, but then backed some way off. She looked around in distaste. “Did you think this could protect you?”

  “Not exactly.” That wasn’t his intent. He planned to save the other two.

  “You know, it is very unusual that all this,” she waved her had about encompassing the altar and sanctuary, “has so little affect on you, Alex.”

  He forced himsel
f to focus on what was unfolding in front of him, not to worry about Lisa and Cassandra. They would get to Philip, he had to believe that. “You seem to be coping fairly well.”

  She smiled at that, but didn’t come much closer. “To an extent.”

  He hoped that extended to her powers, but from the way she smiled he sincerely doubted it.

  “You were foolish to let the child go.”

  He raised one eyebrow at that. “What can she possibly give you?”

  “Tsk, tsk.” She came closer now, in arm’s reach, and extended her hand to pat his face, although she kept her distance.

  “You must have heard by now. She has your blood, of course.”

  “And this is important, why?”

  She gave a genuine laugh that time. “Come, Alessandro. There are not many vampires who have their own progeny, and you know it.”

  He did know it. In a way it served as a reminder as to how foolish a mortal he had been. Most of the others had been much younger than himself. “But there are others.”

  “True, but it’s yours that is important, and you know it. Why do you persist in this? The child can mean nothing to you.”

  “Yet you just admitted she carries my blood.”

  Janelle gave an elegant shrug. “True, but you are so far removed it cannot possibly matter, but then you are not typical of our sort.”

  “And you are?”

  “Carlos is.”

  He refrained from rolling his eyes. Stupid was not appealing in man or vampire.

  “Then you don’t need me.”

  “No, I don’t. But I do need what you have.” She held out her hand.

  He looked at her questioningly although he suspected there was only one thing she could want. He folded his arms over his chest, increasing his bulk. The ruby glinted in the light of the candles, shooting sparks she followed with her gaze.

  “I have nothing for you.”

  “Your ring,” she stated, wiggling her fingers in her outstretched hand.

  “It stays with me.” Oddly enough, he realized, he couldn’t think of one instance of when he had removed it in all the years he owned it, the centuries and decades. There had never been a need, and oddly enough, he always felt protected with its presence. It wasn’t a thought he could explore at the moment. Now he needed to figure out the best time to exit. He no longer heard Lisa or Cassandra and hoped they were safe.