by Lisa Olsen
“I like option number three.” Carter’s gun was up before the words were out of his mouth.
“How about option four?” Anja stepped between them again, her hands held out in each direction. “We agree to let bygones be bygones. Nobody here has to be the bad guy, can’t you both see that? Bishop, you said he hasn’t broken the law, so why do you need to take him in? What if he agrees to go hunt somewhere else?”
Bishop knew his duty. So why was he even considering letting Carter go? Was Anja influencing him again? He tore his eyes away from hers, refusing to look at her again, but the seed of doubt was already planted. Dropping the gun, he shoved it into the holster with short, angry movements. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours to get out of Vetis lands,” he growled.
“And if I don’t?” the cheeky bastard had the balls to ask.
“After that, all bets are off. If I see you again, I’ll shoot first and ask questions later. Come on, Anja, we’re leaving.”
“No.” She defied him again and it took Bishop a second to realize it.
“What?”
“No, I’d like to talk to Carter alone first. I’ll be outside in a minute.”
She was blowing him off again, after he’d caved for her? It was all Bishop could do not to pick her up and toss her over his shoulder like a spoiled child to salvage a shred of his manhood in front of the other vampire, who grinned like the cat who ate the canary. “I’m not waiting around for you to finish your chit chat. I’m asking you to come with me right now.”
“Then I’ll catch up with you later. This is important.”
That told him everything he needed to know. “Fine.” His jaw tightened. “Good to know where I stand.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Bishop, wait… don’t be like that,” I took a step in his direction, but he was already out the door.
“Don’t go running after him, sunshine. He’s the one who didn’t want to stick around and wait for you.”
Not that I trusted Carter’s advice where it came to Bishop, but I did have a reason to stay behind. “It’s better if I let him cool off anyway, and I do still want to talk to you.”
“Did you change your mind about teaming up with me?” His face split into a wide grin, and I shook my head in annoyance.
“I already told you, I don’t want to kill anybody.”
“Then why did you blow off your boy-toy?”
“I wanted to know if you’re going to leave like Bishop asked you to.” It would all be for nothing if he dug in and refused to take the out.
“I don’t see why I should have to.”
“That’s what I thought,” I sighed heavily. That left just one thing to do. “Come here.” I took hold of his shoulders, setting him directly in front of me.
“What are you doing?” His brows arched with curiosity, but Carter did as he was told.
“Saving your life.” I extended my will, catching hold of his. It was easier than it had been with Bishop, but harder than with Fisher. I wondered if it was affected strictly by age, or if there was a degree of resistance to it that had more to do with willpower. In either case, I felt it the moment I had him under my sway.
“I want you to leave England tonight. Stay away from Vetis lands entirely, in fact, go back to the United States for a while. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” he nodded slowly, his blue eyes blank.
“Good,” I breathed easier once it was done. “When you leave here you’ll get your stuff and go immediately. Don’t stop for anything, okay?”
“Okay,” he replied and I let go of him. Carter blinked once and snapped out of it. “I guess I’ll be moving on then,” he said equably.
“I think that’s for the best.”
“Hey, Anja, thanks,” he smiled. “Not that I didn’t have it covered, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” I smiled back. “You’d better get going though.” I wouldn’t put it past Bishop to have a change of heart and come barging in at any moment.
Instead of leaving immediately, Carter hesitated, as though struggling to come up with the right words. “Come with me,” he said finally, the plea succinct, but heartfelt. “You know we’d make a good team. You don’t belong here with these people.”
He had me there. More than ever, I realized I didn’t like living with the web of lies I’d spun. I wanted to go home. “Maybe, but that isn’t the life for me either. You should go while the gettin’s good.”
“Alright,” he nodded, the serious moment passing as he regained his good humor. “If you change your mind, put out the bat signal. I’ll find you.”
“I wouldn’t hold your breath, but forever is a long time. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
“There is no forever, sunshine. There’s just today, and I’m glad to have seen you in it.” With a last crooked grin, he slipped out the window and into the night without a sound.
*
Bishop wasn’t anywhere in sight when I got out to the street, not that I expected him to be. I thought about going to see Ellie, but I didn’t think I’d be much good to her in the frame of mind I was in. Besides, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hang out with Rob. Despite him saying otherwise, things were weird between us since I’d let him drink from me.
Speaking of drinking, I needed to feed, and soon. Already I could feel the heat dancing along my skin; if I left it for too long I might slip up and lose control. Some teacher I’d turned out to be.
I drove back to the mansion, playing over the events of the night in my mind. Despite my arguments with Bishop, I had faith we could work things out. He’d been angry, but not uncaring through it all. With some time and perspective, I was sure we could get through it together. Still, I wasn’t too upset to find him absent from our room when I returned. It was too soon to get into it again without igniting both our tempers.
I called down on the house phone, asking for some blood to be sent up. At that point I didn’t care if it was bagged or what, I just needed to eat. It felt kinda douchey to order such a thing over the phone like a pizza, but hey, if I couldn’t take advantage of vampire room service there, where else could I?
Trying not to rush the door when the knock sounded, I was utterly shocked to find Maggie standing on the other side of it, her hands devoid of any tray or blood carrying device.
“They said you were hungry?” she asked brightly, stepping into the room.
“Well yes, but…”
“I’m sorry, did you want Bridget? She wasn’t in her room, so they sent for me. Would you like me to find her?”
“No…” I found my voice after a few seconds. “I wasn’t planning on drinking from anyone directly. I thought they’d send up a carafe or something.”
“Oh. Am I not to your liking?” She actually looked a little down about it.
“That’s not it, I just wasn’t expecting you to offer. Maggie, I know you’re staying in the East wing with the other feeders, but that’s not why I kept you here.”
“I know, but it’s the least I can offer, after everything you’ve done for me,” she smiled encouragingly. “You should eat. I can tell you’re hungry.”
“You can?”
“Yes, your face is all flushed and I can see your fangs.”
My tongue went to the tips of my teeth which were indeed slightly elongated and sharp. The last thing I wanted to do was prey on the poor girl, but the slope of her neck mocked me, teasing, beckoning… I swallowed. “Maybe a tiny bit, if you’re really okay with this.”
“As I said, it’s the least I can do.” Maggie swept her hair to one side, kneeling before me since she was a good half a foot taller than me.
“Alright, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it right,” I breathed, pulling away from the tantalizing offering she made. Sitting on the sofa, I patted the space beside me. “Come and sit here by me, you don’t have to kneel.” Maggie meekly rose and joined me, keeping her neck exposed. I had something else in mind though.
Wit
h my hunger as sharp as it was, I wanted the least amount of temptation possible. I also wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. “Maggie, I want you to look at me.” Her will was easy to catch hold and I saw trust swimming her hazel depths. “This won’t hurt you at all. Not even an instant of pain when I bite you.”
Maggie nodded, and I brought her wrist to my mouth, watching her carefully as I bit into her arm. Her lips parted in a gasp as my teeth pierced her flesh, but of pure pleasure, not pain, and only then did I allow myself to swallow. Counting… I counted the beats of her heart, focusing tightly on the number to keep from losing myself to the heady drink. Counting… I suppressed the urge to touch her smooth skin, the desire to feel her soft limbs pressed against mine. Counting… I ignored the hunger that grew with each swallow, threatening to dissolve my hard won control and take more than she had to give.
The count grew higher, and even though I felt her heart beating fast and strong, I tore my mouth from her wrist when I reached the magic number. The cry of disappointment that slipped from her lips was echoed a hundredfold by the voice inside my head, and I bit down on my own hand to keep from lunging for her again. The shock of pain helped me snap out of it, and I used my blood to seal the wounds at her wrist.
The counting had worked. I’d beaten my hunger.
Sure, I could easily have thrown my good intentions aside and gorged myself the way one more piece of cake always sounded good after a big meal, but I knew I had enough blood to tide me over. Maggie sat there in a swoon, her eyes closed, lips parted. Realizing I still had a hold of her hand, I patted her wrist. “Maggie?” I prompted gently.
“I had no idea,” she murmured, eyelids fluttering open.
“Are you alright? That didn’t hurt at all, did it?”
“No, that was lovely.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, but right on the heels of her pronouncement, tears caught at her lashes. “Oh, what is it? I thought you said it was alright.”
“It was,” she sniffed delicately. “I only just realized what an utter and complete bastard Jasper was. He could have made it pleasant for me that entire time and yet…”
“He decided to make you suffer,” I nodded. “I’m not one bit sorry he’s dead and gone.”
“Thank you again, for helping me,” she smiled. “I’m eternally in your debt.”
“Please stop thanking me. I didn’t do all that much.” It was Carter who’d saved her in the end, not me. Maybe I didn’t agree with his methods, but with my ability to compel other vampires, maybe it was my responsibility to help others like Maggie. It was something to think about.
*
Bishop didn’t come back to the room that night. Or if he did after I’d gone to sleep, he was gone again by the time I woke up. Not knowing what kind of reception I’d be walking into when I went downstairs, I didn’t bother with a fancy dress to join the others in the Hall. Instead, I dressed for comfort, a pair of jeans and Converse high tops in case I had to make a run for it. Not that I thought Bishop would’ve really left me all alone if I was in any danger, but my paranoia kept me away from high heels.
I found the same group of vampires in the Hall, minus Felix, who was probably off seeing to his arrangements to leave or maybe grieving. Corley held court in his corner of the room, sitting on his chair like a throne. I hadn’t intended to put myself anywhere near him, but the moment I saw him, outrage simmered deep inside, threatening to bubble over and explode. How dare he sit there like nothing had happened when he was the one behind Tommy’s death? Did Sylvius know about it?
Only a flare of self preservation kept me from marching up to denounce him in his own hall. After all, I had zero proof… but possibly the means to obtain it.
Aware that all eyes were on me as I approached the Warden of Vetis, I smiled politely, waiting for him to acknowledge me.
“Miss Gudrun, how nice to see you again,” he said, chewing each word as if he found them distasteful.
“May I have word in private?”
Corley stared back at me, probably trying to make me feel uncomfortable, and it worked for the first few seconds. After that I just started getting angrier. What a bully! Finally he gave a single nod, rising from his chair to lead me to a private study.
“What is it you think we need to discuss, Miss Gudrun?”
“I know what you did,” I huffed, waiting to see how he’d deny it.
“Do you indeed?” A single brow rose. “I’m all aflutter, please tell me what it is you think I’ve done.”
My will reached out for his. “No, I want to hear it from your own mouth.”
Instead of compliance, all I got was a scowl. “I don’t have time for this. Have out with it or leave me in peace.”
I tried again, but it was like trying to catch hold of a greased pig, he kept sliding through my clutches. “I know you’re behind the attack on Thomas Lyons.”
“That was the hunter,” he replied without missing a beat, taking a seat behind an enormous wooden desk.
“You and I both know that isn’t the case.”
“Interesting.” Corley’s fingers steepled together. “I’d heard a few whispered speculations about your connection to the hunter. Are you entirely certain that is wise, given the current focus of the Order’s investigation?”
Of course he had, I’d blurted out that I’d known the identity of the hunter in front of a dozen people. “I already told Bishop everything I know, and he’s convinced Carter had nothing to do with it.” Okay, so convinced was probably the wrong word to use, but I wanted to see his reaction to it. Corley gave no visible reaction though, except maybe around the eyes which grew noticeably cooler.
“I think, perhaps, it is time you returned to your own lands,” he said after a pregnant pause. “These are dangerous times, regardless of your brother’s standing in the Order.”
Maybe I couldn’t compel someone as old and powerful as he was, but I’d definitely hit a nerve. “Are you threatening me?”
“On the contrary, I’m merely looking out for your continued wellbeing.” Corley didn’t even bother to hide how forced his smile was. “It has been suggested that your ties to the hunter have made you some powerful enemies. It’s entirely possible that you have overstayed your welcome.”
Roger that, not welcome here, got it loud and clear. So much for being a friend to the House of Vetis. “Maybe I’ll head back to the States with Felix then.”
“Whatever you think is best.”
Smug bastard. “I’m sure we’ll have all sorts of interesting things to talk about on the way home.” There, that knocked some of the smirk off his face. “Thank you for your hospitality.” Without waiting for a response, I stormed out of there, suddenly understanding Bishop’s need to hit something. Punching a hole through the wall sounded like a fine idea.
On top of everything else, now I had to get out of town. How was I supposed to fix things with Bishop all the way from California? Unless… unless he was halfway serious about leaving the Order. I had to find him and see what kind of a mood he was in, but the first person I ran into was Felix.
“Just the person I was looking for.”
“Me?” I blinked. “I don’t know where Bridget is.”
“I do,” he replied, “but it is you I wanted to talk to.”
I could only imagine what he wanted to talk to me about, and it couldn’t be good considering most people thought I was Carter’s partner. “Look, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me being in cahoots with the hunter but…”
“Why don’t we take this someplace more private-like?” Felix stopped me cold, and I nodded, realizing the shrewdness of that plan. He led me to his suite, a fox carved into the placard by the door. His rooms were much larger than mine, with two bedrooms adjoining the sitting room. I can’t say I cared for the décor though, which featured way too much red velvet for my tastes.
“I know you didn’t have squat to do with Tommy’s death,” he began and my mouth fell open.
&nbs
p; “You do? How do you know that?”
“I know people and you’re good people. Tommy took a real shine to you and I know you’d never have anything to do with what killed him.”
“Thank you for that,” I eased, taking a seat by the fireplace. “And for what it’s worth, you’re right. I’d never be a part of anything like that. Carter didn’t either. As bad as that sounds, me being on a first name basis with the hunter, I can vouch for the fact that it wasn’t him who killed Thomas either.” Or was it last name? I really had no idea.
“Yeah, I know. Bridget told me about your epiphany. That’s part of what I want to talk to you about.” Felix paused to light a brown cigarillo while I shifted impatiently on the couch. “See, the other reason I know why you’re not to blame is I’ve got Corley’s office bugged.”
“You what?”
“I know, it’s a risky move,” he allowed. “But after Thomas got the shaft, Corley started going on about changing the agreement we’d been working on and I knew I smelled a rat.”
“Then he came right out and admitted to killing Thomas?”
“Not in so many words, but he was dancing around it pretty good, you know? Him and that Angel chick had a private meeting after I finished reaming his ass for the shitty security detail he stuck us with, and it was pretty obvious she was in on it too.”
Risky move was right. If Corley traced it back to him, there was no telling what he might do. “What are you going to do?”
Felix let out a long plume of smoke. “Not a goddamn thing.”
“Nothing? But…”
“I can see you’re thinking just what I’m thinking too,” he said, face twisting into a bloodthirsty grin. “But we gotta be careful. We’re on their turf. With Tommy gone, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch for them to get rid of us too and make up any story they liked to the folks back home. His threatening you tonight pretty much confirmed my suspicions to that effect.”
