Endless Days (The Firsts)

by C. L. Quinn

  “Yep. You remember me. He really did.”

  “Details are fuzzy, but they’re coming back in pieces. Yeah, you were there. But I don’t remember you having a hand in the torture.”

  “No. God, no. But I don’t feel good about my involvement either. I wish I could have helped you. Or some of the others.”

  David sat down and took a sip from Bryn’s cup. It was bourbon and felt good going down.

  “That’s right. There were other prisoners. Other species. Tell me, where was this facility located? Can you get us there?”

  “David…” Katerine began.

  “If they are still there…if they still have captives…I’m going back. I’m stopping them.”

  “Commendable. I’m with you on that. Except, what about this first blood? We need to find out about her first.”

  Bryn was full of bourbon and starting to feel it.

  “I think the best way is to go in and clean out the shite that hurt David. Get the others out. Kill the motherfuckers that did this. I think then the first blood will come out. What do ya think David?”

  “I agree. It’s a plan.”

  Cherise touched his arm.

  “I don’t know. You’ve just come through healing. If you go back…if you’re faced with that place, those people, I’m not sure you’ll stay okay. It might be best to send an army instead.”

  “Baby, we’re the fucking army! Cherise, this is extremely personal. But I won’t let them keep others like they did me. They’re done. And that fucking rat, Joubert…I’m going to kill him.”

  Katerine stood. “I’ll go, too. You two need back up. We’ll be powerful enough for anything that comes.”

  Lauren threw her hands in the air. “You don’t know what the other first blood can do. What if she’s more powerful than two first bloods? You need to do some recon first.”

  Bryn pointed to Lauren.

  “The odd one speaks the truth. Ya make sense, lassie. How do we go about it?”

  Bryn’s brogue was thicker. David walked over to him and reached into the pocket of a satchel next to his chair. He knew Bryn well. Now that he could remember him. Bryn grabbed for the large bottle of bourbon now in David’s hands.

  “You’ve had enough, if we’re going on attack. I need you sober or you can’t go.”

  “You’re not remembering, David. I fight better when I’m drunk.”

  “No, I remember. You think you fight better when you’re drunk. Anyway, I need you on my left, Katerine on my right. We’ll take the place with barely more than a whisper.” He turned back to Lauren.

  “Can you get us anything at all about the first blood?”

  She shook her head. “I’m a traitor to them. Armel would have me killed instantly.”

  “I might be able to,” Cherise said from behind them. They turned to see what she meant.

  “My brother. He’s buried in this up to his eyebrows. He’s pissed at me…he betrayed me…but he might still open up with me. If I play it right.”

  David was already shaking his head no. “You…I won’t risk. You…stay here under protection.”

  Cherise gave him a look of surprise. “We haven’t been over this enough yet…you still don’t get that you don’t control me. I have a stake in this too. He’s my own blood…and he betrayed me. I will see this through and get the information you need. Katerine, will you help me?” Cherise turned to David and kissed him. “I’m going to call him. Can I use your mobile?”

  He nodded. Yeah, he bloody well knew he couldn’t control her. But he could lock her up.

  After she left the room with Katerine, he turned to Bryn. “She’s not going.”

  Bryn just smiled.

  Katerine stopped Cherise on the stairs.

  “I agree with David. Your brother is too dangerous. We can do this, without you taking this risk. Two first bloods against one…we’ll be fine.”

  “You don’t know what she can do. All of you have different abilities. What if she has something you can’t fight? No. You need to know. Actually, you need to get to her before you take on the humans. Before I call my brother, I want to check in with another first blood. You know Koen, don’t you?”

  Katerine smiled. “I’ll say I do. He’s…delicious. I haven’t seen him in centuries. Why do you ask?”

  “I want to see if he has any information on this Tamesine.”

  “Ah, good idea. You have a current number?”

  “I do. We…fought together last year. I’m close with his daughter.”

  Katerine pulled back. “He has a daughter? Remarkable. Well, if anyone could do it, he could. He’s extremely powerful.”

  David’s mobile was in his room, so they grabbed it and took a seat on the huge couch. Cherise dialed quickly and set it on speaker for Katerine.

  “Bonjour” a soft voice filled the air when the call connected.

  “Park, il est Cherise, comment ca va?”

  “Cherise, mon cherie, nous sommes tours bien!”

  “Anglais, s’il vous plait. I have a friend here with me.”

  “Of course. How are you my friend?”

  “I’m well. We have a question for your father. Is he around?”

  “Just beside me. You need to get here and see Cairine, she is growing so quickly. She’s barely a baby anymore.”

  “I will, and soon. But we have a problem that I hope Koen may be able to help with.”

  “Oui. Father, it is Cherise, from America, for you.”

  A deep masculine sexy voice came on next. “How’s the states?”

  “Koen, hello, sir. Actually, I’m in Iceland now. I need to ask you. Have you ever heard of a first blood called Tamesine?”

  There was a pause. Then a smattering of French, curses.

  “Where did you hear that name?”

  “Well, sir, I believe she has been involved with a horrible situation that tortured a first blood for decades. He’s still a little foggy on some of the details.”

  “You’re talking about David Patric? I helped search for him when he disappeared years ago. He’s back? He’s alive?” There was another pause and he laughed out loud. “Well, fuck me! What the hell happened to him? We couldn’t find him anywhere on this planet. He had to have been dead. No one could find any sense of him. Tell me what happened, Cherise.”

  “He was being held in a warehouse in France. Prisoner. Tortured for thirty years.”

  “Impossible. We would have felt him. We would have rescued him.”

  “No, sir. That’s my question to you. This Tamesine. I get the idea the name is familiar to you. It’s been suggested that she is the one who captured him, blocked his life force from detection, and kept him from using his powers to escape.”

  “Fuck me.” He was quiet again. “She could do it. No one has seen or heard, or felt, her for millennia. I can’t believe she’s turned back up. I can’t believe even she would do something like that to another first blood. But, all bets are off when it comes to her. She’s not stable. Never has been. But she is powerful.”

  “Oh. I was afraid of that. David may be going up against her.”

  “Not without me, he isn’t. He can’t control her alone.”

  “We have another first blood with us. David’s friend Katerine.”

  “Ah, now, that’s a face I wouldn’t mind seeing again.”

  “I’m right here, Koen. I would love to see you again, too,” Katerine said into the phone.

  “Katerine, darling. Wonderful to hear that beautiful voice. Well, you will see me. I’m heading to you. Do not attempt to engage Tamesine. I can’t stress that enough. I’m on my jet in less than an hour. We’ll talk more when I arrive.”

  He didn’t have to ask where to go. He would find their life forces when he searched for them, and he would come right to them.

  Cherise felt relief and terror at the same time. Koen was the largest vampire she had ever seen in her life. And he was extremely powerful. They could use him in this fight.

  He wo
uld be there by the end of the next daylight. Cherise looked at Katerine.

  “Katerine, I asked you to come with me so I could tell you to keep a really close eye on David. He won’t admit it, but he’s still vulnerable. Don’t let him take any chances.”

  “Baby, I promise I’ll bring your man home.”

  “Thank god Koen is coming. It seems I was right. This Tamesine is really dangerous. I just wish we could find out where she is.”

  “Obviously, she can block her own life force from us. But perhaps our combined power can help. We’ll see. All we have to do now is wait for Koen.”

  “Except that I think I can get some information from my brother.”

  “David won’t let you go.”

  “He won’t have a choice.”

  With a tilt of her head, Katerine gave her a look. “You’re kidding, right? David may not be full power yet, but he’s a seriously powerful first blood. If he won’t let you go, you won’t go.”

  Cherise nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll join you guys in a moment. Why don’t you go on up and let me visit the little girls room.”

  “Alright. I don’t look forward to this fight, but it will be amazing to see Koen again.”

  Cherise smiled and walked Katerine to the door, then closed it gently behind her. She turned and picked up the mobile, drew a long breath, and dialed her brother’s number. He answered on the third ring.

  “Oui?”

  “Didier, it’s Cherise.” She spoke in English because she considered that her language now. “I hate how we left things.”

  “Sister, I do as well. I never meant to hurt you. It is this project…it has taken over my life. I do not wish you to hate me. Please. Can you come to me and we will talk?”

  “Perhaps. But I am not in Colorado. I am in Iceland.”

  “Je sais. So am I. I came to find you. You do not understand how dangerous the vampire is. Will you come to me? Let me protect you and tell you my reasons? Let me apologize?”

  He sounded so sincere. He was so arrogant! He thought he could fool her. Didier always thought he could not be read. Ha. She’d read him since she was a child. David was right, though. Her brother was dangerous. Still…

  “Of course. We are family, Didier. I don’t want to lose you, either.” That wasn’t a lie…she meant it. It was just that it was too late. “There’s a diner named Litio Hus, about halfway between the stronghold and Reykjavik. Do you know it?” You bet you know it, you son of a bitch. You were the one I felt there when Leo and I arrived here.

  “I can find it. What about tomorrow morning? Eleven o’clock?”

  After sunrise. No surprise. He didn’t want any vampires around. “Sure. I will see you then.”

  “I’m really happy you called, Cherise.” God he sounded sincere. Like he was her loving brother. Tears sprung up.

  “So am I, Didier.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The meet was set. Was there any chance he really would let her know anything about the rogue first blood? She thought he might. Didier had no idea how good she was…how well developed her emotional skills were now. Anyway, she needed to try.

  David would never allow her to go. So she was going to need help from Leo. He had hooked up with a group of elves who worked on the property, caring for all the landscaping and livestock for the stronghold. It had been a pleasure for him to meet others from his species. He was staying with them in their quarters out past the stables. He joined them in the main house for breakfast to spend time with David, but then he’d need the open air…which was so sweet and pure in Iceland.

  But he came as soon as she called him.

  “No one else here would help me get past David, but I need to meet my brother for lunch tomorrow morning. I have to go…this household, the vampire community, needs this information. And I need to look my brother in the eye before I have to choose whether he is out of my life forever. Leo, I need you to shadow me…help me blend…get me past the guards. Will you do it?”

  He looked sick, his skin color went ashen.

  “I don’t know… If David doesn’t want you to go, it’s probably because you shouldn’t.”

  “Listen. This is my brother. I know he’s a shit, but I can’t believe he would hurt me. And I’m pretty sure I can get him to talk. Please.”

  “Only if I can come with you. I may be small, but you know my magic may help you.”

  Cherise smiled. “I know. Yes, I need you with me. Thank you. Once we get these monsters, a lot of people can go home. I know you’re missing your family.”

  He nodded. “But these murderers need to be stopped. David said there are elves there, too. I’m going on the attack with them, too.”

  “They’re pretty powerful, Leo. Don’t risk yourself.”

  “I won’t.”

  After a long night setting up more security, David was exhausted at the approach of day. Saying goodnight, he pulled Cherise long with him toward his chambers.

  “Let’s get some rest. Just know that I’m going to wake up wanting to be inside you.”

  “That’s ok. I’m going to wake up wanting you there. See how well this works?”

  “I want you to stay here with me. You need to start learning to live at night, anyway. If you can’t sleep, please stay in my rooms. There are two media rooms and a library near the back of the chamber. And a hot springs in a cave under the south side. I’ll take you tonight. I want to make love to you there.”

  “It sounds wonderful. Yes, I love the idea. I’ve always been a night person, so the change won’t be a problem.”

  “Security won’t let you leave, Cherise. Please don’t think you’re going anywhere during daylight.”

  “Alright, David.”

  “Liar.”

  “I need to speak to Didier. You really need to understand that.”

  “I agree the information would be helpful. But not by putting you at risk. I have no reason to believe he won’t hurt you. You’re not leaving. Final answer. Don’t leave these rooms, Cherise.”

  He went out very quickly after they lay down to sleep. Daytime brought a deep need for rest to vampires. It was very difficult for them to stay awake against their natures…even a first blood. She depended on this.

  And was not surprised the door was locked. Leo waited on the other side of the door to use his elf ability to manipulate small things, turned the mechanism, and unlocked the door. Cherise’s telekinetic abilities were so tied to her emotions, it wasn’t always reliable. With one last loving look at David, she prayed she would be back here soon in his arms.

  Leo gave her a sheepish look, and they both moved silently to the stairs. At ground level, several of the household staff members were moving around, including security. Leo whispered to Cherise to stay in close to him, and he did his thing, moved them through everyone without detection by using his blending skill. He was able to mask her right along with him. No one had any idea they had left the house at all. Leo disabled the alarm on the front door and reengaged it after they went out.

  Walking away to the truck Leo borrowed from one of the elves, he smiled up at Cherise.

  “Easy as pie.”

  They arrived at the restaurant just minutes shy of eleven. Cherise knew immediately.

  “Didier is already inside. Leo, keep hidden. I don’t want him to know you’re here. Listen carefully. And if something happens…if he takes me, get back to David and warn him. Because if he takes me, no one is safe.”

  She pulled the door wide open so she and Leo could both pass through. Only Leo was masked, so when Didier looked up at the opened door, all he saw was his sister smiling and waving at him. He smiled back and stood up. As she approached the table, he hugged her.

  “Cherise, I am so happy you came.”

  She hugged him back, tighter, and held on. This was the first time she’d held him in many years…and it would be the last. She could feel it in him…the tension, the anger. He was afraid she would turn him into the family. He was afraid fo
r his future. He should be.

  As she stepped back, he motioned for her to sit.

  “I wish to explain, my sister, what happened with these tests. Please, look at the menu and choose something while we talk.” Well, he was trying to sound sincere. Keep her off guard?

  “I am hungry. Go ahead.”

  “It just went too far. I never meant you to be hurt, I only wanted to measure your abilities for the record…to see what you could accomplish with a severely damaged vampire. In fact, you should never have even known about the project at all. If you’d healed him, and he went on his way, it would have been just an unremarkable moment in your life.”

  “Didn’t turn out that way, my brother. I bonded with him. Now I am connected to a vampire for the rest of my life.”

  “Cherie, I am sorry. You’ve never cared for vampires, I would not have expected that. It’s okay, I plan to take care of it for you.”

  Her head shot up, but she kept a smile on her lips.

  “And what is that?”

  “The only way to sever the bond is to eliminate him. I will do that for you, and you can get back to normal. Then, please, can we forget this ever happened?”

  He was planning to kill David. She knew how he planned to accomplish it. Careful, Cherise.

  “Ah. And how do you plan to “eliminate” a first blood?”

  He paused. He stared at her as if he was trying to read her, to see if she was buying his explanation, if she was a concern for him. Cherise sent the message she wanted him to see…a sister who trusted her brother and wanted to make him happy. Ah. There was the look she wanted from him. He smiled back at her. Fool. She was really that good.

  “I have an accomplice. A first blood.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “A first blood is working with me. Has been from the beginning. And a pretty powerful one.”

  Cherise took a sip of the water the waitress brought her.

  “Wow. That’s amazing. So, where did you find him?”

  “She. And she came to me. I would never have believed it. We would never have been able to capture Patric without her help.”