“You mentioned once that Mark is a natural healer,” I said. “How did he figure that out?”
“All vampires can heal minor injuries to an extent. For example, we have to be able to close the wounds from our bite after feeding from a human, but Mark was able to do it unintentionally with his mind. It surprised him as much as anyone when it happened after his first feeding. His gift was pretty obvious after that.”
“I wonder what mine will be,” I said, staring into the fire’s hypnotic flames. “I’m anxious to figure it out.”
“I have to admit, I’m curious as well. For now, though, I’m sure you’ll find the mind-reading thing entertaining enough.”
“Then, I get to choose again at the next full moon?”
She nodded. “You’ll like that part. Unlike tonight, the ritual makes you feel more connected to what you’ve become.”
“Sitting here with you after everything we’ve been through, I feel pretty connected right now.” She smiled and leaned her head on my chest, and we sat in comfortable silence. I ran my fingers over her long black hair, enjoying the silky feel of it against my skin. “So, did this whole vampire thing ruin your favorite song?” I asked her after a few minutes.
“What do you mean?”
“My heartbeat’s changed along with everything else. I know you used to love the sound of it, but there’s nothing like having a cover band do a terrible rendition of your favorite song to ruin it for you. I’m just saying.”
She tilted her head to smile up at me, tapping my chest with her finger. “It’s still you,” she said. “Even if it’s different, the worst cover band in the world couldn’t ruin it for me. You have no idea how happy I was to hear it after hours of worrying that you weren’t coming back to me.”
Chapter 34
Trey
IN TRUE VAMPIRE FASHION, Aurora and I slept the entire next day away. It was almost ten o’clock the next night when I woke up to find that she was no longer in bed. I called for her and she came out of the bathroom wearing a robe, her hair still damp from a shower.
“I’m starving,” I said with a groan as I stood up and stretched, making my way over to her.
“You need blood,” she said, reaching up to play with my hair.
“Already?”
“You need it quite often at first, but it won’t always be this way.” She took my hand and led me to the bed where we sat. She slid the robe off of her shoulder and brushed her hair out of the way, exposing her long, slender neck. I realized then that she expected me to bite her. The thought was mortifying.
“I ... I’ll just use some of the stash,” I said.
“Don’t be silly. Besides, my blood will do more for you than anything from the stash could.”
I stared at her, not sure what to say. Her mental fortress may have been absent last night after changing me had taxed her, but it was back in full force tonight. I couldn’t so much as glimpse what she was thinking. “I can’t do it,” I said, letting out a humorless laugh. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
The look on her face changed from mild amusement to understanding. She took my hand in hers. “You won’t hurt me. I promise.”
I shook my head and pointed at my fangs, which had unsheathed themselves at the mention of blood. “These things are dangerous,” I said. “I might do something wrong.”
Aurora gave me a sympathetic smile. “You’re going to have to learn eventually,” she said. “But for tonight ...”
Her unfinished sentence hung in the air while she brought her wrist to her mouth and bit it. I moved to stop her, but it was too late. By then, the intoxicating scent of her blood hit me like a brick wall. She offered her bleeding wrist to me, and I cradled it gently in my hands and obediently drank. Her blood burned down my throat, heating me up from the inside out, burning away any thought patterns. The last time I drank from her, I’d been so caught up in the fact that I was dying that I hadn’t been able to appreciate the way her blood spread through my body, lending strength to every fiber of my being. I felt the rush of it from head to toe, like a light tingling on the surface of my skin. I didn’t take much, and when I was finished, Aurora ran her tongue over the puncture wounds and healed them.
“Better?” she asked.
I smiled, feeling content. “Much better. Thank you.” It was the truth.
“We’re going to work on your whole aversion to biting,” she said, smiling at me. “Just wait. You’re going to surprise yourself one of these days.”
“What are we doing tonight?” I asked in an effort to steer the conversation away to any topic that didn’t involve me having to bite Aurora.
“We have an appointment with the Emissary,” she said casually.
I blinked at her. “We do?”
“It was Antonio’s idea. He thought it would be good for them to see you now that you’ve been changed.”
“Now that I’m no longer a threat to the secret.”
She nodded. “Hopefully, they’ll call off the Emissary detail now that you’re one of us. I like to at least pretend the Emissary have better things to do with their time than babysit the two of us.”
“Guess we’re about to find out,” I said. “In that case, I’d better get dressed.” I went to the closet and rummaged for something to wear. I was just starting to button up a fresh shirt when I glanced down and realized with a twinge of panic that my Catalyst tattoo was barely visible. I hurried to the closest mirror to get a better look. Sure enough, my tattoo had almost faded completely.
“Hey,” I called to Aurora. “I … uh … something’s happening. This can’t be right.” I heard the blow dryer turn off, and Aurora walked into the room, searching my face.
"What's wrong?" she asked, walking toward me.
"It's my tattoo," I said, gesturing to the spot on my chest where you could see the remnants of what used to be a full-blown tattoo. "It's disappearing."
She stepped closer to me, tracing her finger over the faded design. She looked almost as confused as I was feeling. "You're right."
"What's going on?" I asked. “How can this be happening?”
"I ... I'm not sure, exactly. I think your body is absorbing the ink. It's probably a side effect of the change."
"So I need to get the tattoo redone or something?" That wasn’t so bad. I knew a guy who could fix it for me in a heartbeat and wouldn’t go blabbing to the media.
Aurora bit her lip, considering me for a moment. "I don't think I've ever seen a vampire with a tattoo," she said slowly. "Actually, I’m almost certain I’ve never seen an inked vamp but I’ve just never really thought about it. Our skin probably isn't conducive to holding the pigment."
"You mean there's nothing I can do?" She touched my cheek until I met her gaze. "The guys will kill me," I muttered. "They'll think I had it lasered off or something. That’ll be great for band morale. What will I tell them?"
"We'll figure something out," she promised.
"Like what?" I asked. “Someone’s going to notice sooner or later.”
She smiled, and I could tell an idea was forming in her mind. "I'll paint it on for you," she said. "We'll get an airbrush gun and spray it on."
"Every night?"
"If we have to. No one will ever know the difference."
I considered her for a minute and let myself relax a little. "That might actually work."
"Of course, it will," she assured me.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. "It must seem ridiculous for me to get so worked up over a little ink. It’s just that getting these tattoos as a band was a really big deal for us. It sort of represents everything we’ve worked so hard for. I can’t imagine not having it anymore. Not to mention, that word would spread like wildfire that I had it removed if anyone ever noticed.”
“I don’t think it’s ridiculous,” she said. “It’s a big part of you who are. You can’t go without it. We'll run right out and get an airbrush gun tomorrow if you want. I don’t see any reason to wait."
“I can’t imagine.” She went up on her toes to give me a kiss and then made her way back into the bathroom. I heard the blow dryer start back up a second later, and I stared at my reflection in the mirror again. It was weird seeing the remnant of my tattoo like this, like something that could just come and go without a second thought.
Aurora and I arrived at her house before any of the Emissary, if you didn't count the one who tailed us from the beach house. Aurora unlocked the door, and we went inside, sitting down on the couches in the living room. I found myself staring at the painting that hung on one wall. It was the one Aurora had done of a park in Chicago where she and her brother Aiden used to go. It had also been the park where Antonio had found her in her grief after her parents’ car accident. My eyes scanned the details of the painting from across the room. In a way, it felt as if I’d never seen it before.
"What is it?" Aurora asked, watching me with green eyes full of curiosity.
"Nothing. I just didn't know you very well the first time I saw this painting. Now it takes on a new level of meaning. That's all." I turned to face her, a small smile playing on my lips. "What about you? What are you thinking about?"
She sighed and slid closer to me on the couch. "I think I want to sell this place."
I was mildly surmised by her words. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "We don't need two houses, and yours is obviously the better of the two. It seems ridiculous to keep it. This house represents a part of my life that I'm leaving behind to start a new one with you."
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to me. "If you really want to start new I guess we could sell my place, too, and pick a new one out together."
"And give up the hidden wine cellar?" she gasped. "Forget it."
I chuckled, and she turned to face me, planting a soft kiss on my lips. The moment was quickly interrupted when we both sensed other vampires and broke off the kiss. "I guess our company is here," I said, getting to my feet.
"I'll try to keep this short," she said as she stood and went to the door. She opened it as Damir and another Emissary vamp were coming up the walk. Damir didn’t even bother with pleasantries as Aurora held the door open and waved them inside. Damir and his colleague walked into the living room but didn't sit. I followed suit, staying on my feet, as well.
"Damir," Aurora said, anxious to get things started. "You remember Trey."
"How could I forget?" Damir looked me up and down with scrutiny. I stood my ground, gazing right back at Damir coolly.
The first and only time I had come in contact with the head of the Emissary, he showed up at Wes’s funeral in an attempt to blackmail Aurora into being with him instead. Let’s just say I hadn’t forgotten.
"So," Damir began. "It appears you did manage to survive."
"The change, you mean?" I asked. "Or the hostile vampires that have been hunting Aurora and me for weeks."
Aurora looked like she had to resist the urge to grin but I wasn't going to make this easy for Damir.
I almost wish I’d popped popcorn, Aurora projected into my mind.
Damir almost smiled in response. It was more of a sneer really. "I was referring to the change, of course."
Aurora wasn't buying that any more than I was.
"You seem surprised," I observed. Damir raised an eyebrow but didn't respond otherwise. "Aurora is an amazing woman and an extraordinary vampire, certainly capable of creating another," I continued. Damir's sneer was even more tight-lipped than before. "But then again, maybe it wasn't surprise, but disappointment, in your voice."
When Damir next spoke, it was directed at Aurora. "It seems your little pet still has much to learn about our world. You might consider teaching him better."
"Really?" she asked. "Seems to me he's right on track. Once you have the politics down, you're pretty much set. Wouldn't you say?"
Damir took a few slow steps toward me, but I didn't flinch. "Just because you're a vampire now doesn't mean she won't grow tired of you."
I smiled and put my hands in my front pockets. "Believe that if you want. I don't pretend to understand what I've done to deserve her. I do know this, however. I didn't need any of your vampire mojo to win her over. If she chose a weak, fragile human over you, what chance do you really have of ever deserving a woman like her?"
"I will not stand here and be insulted by a fledgling," Damir said, clearly feeling the sting of truth in my words.
"Then don't," Aurora said. "You've seen what you needed to see here. You've witnessed that Trey is a vampire now. Call off your Emissary detail, and leave us."
Damir didn't even try to hide the contempt in his face as he turned to face Aurora. "My Emissary have more important matters to attend to than following the two of you around," he said, almost like it had been his idea.
Aurora did her best not to look as relieved as she was clearly feeling. We’d both had enough of being followed by Damir's minions.
"Thank you for coming. I trust you'll pass word on to the Synod that Trey has joined Antonio's brood," Aurora added in a satisfied tone. "You can see yourself out."
Damir did little more than huff his acknowledgement as he walked toward the front door again. He and his Emissary disappeared and the door closed behind them. Aurora and I both went to the front window and watched until he was gone, our Emissary detail going with him.
“Glad that’s over,” I said.
“Me too,” she admitted. “And now to celebrate our freedom … I think it’s time to take you out in the world.”
That was an intriguing idea. “Do I get to ask where we’re going?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” she said as she led me toward the doorway.
Chapter 35
Trey
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, AURORA pulled her car into the parking lot of a club I’d never been to. There wasn’t a sign out front, but I could only guess that it was Club Sanguin, a vampire club she had mentioned once. She took my hand as we made our way across the parking lot. There was a small line at the door, but Aurora talked to the bouncer and got us in. The music wasn’t exactly something I’d put on my iPod, but it wasn’t terrible either. As a musician, I had an uncanny ability to make myself feel at home pretty much anywhere there was loud music playing. Surely, I could make that work here, too. As we walked through the club, I had to remind myself that it was no big deal that I was literally surrounded by vampires. I was one of them now. Whatever it was about my blood that would have appealed to them when I was human didn’t apply now. I followed Aurora to the bar where she ordered us both a drink of some kind. I carried the drinks, and she led me to a table on the next level up off of the dance floor.
“What do you think?” she asked as we took our seats.
“It’s a little surreal,” I said, looking around. “If you’d have told me a month ago that I’d be sitting here tonight ...”
“Pretty crazy, huh?” Aurora smiled and took a sip of her drink. “I remember feeling that same way once.” She must have noticed me glancing hesitantly at the drink sitting before me because she smiled and gestured at it with an elegant nod of her head. “I splurged for the good stuff,” she said. “Go ahead. You’ll love it.”
“Love is such a strong word,” I said, but I raised the glass to my lips and drank. The combination of tastes that swirled around on my tongue was unlike anything else. It wasn’t as strong as Aurora’s blood had been, but she’d been right about it tasting incredible. Before I knew it, I’d downed the entire glass.
“Told you so.” Aurora grinned at me as I set the empty glass down.
“You weren’t kidding,” I said, smiling back. “I think I could get used to this. So do you know all of these vamps?” I gestured with a sweep of my hand to the jam-packed club.
“I would consider most of them acquaintances,” she said.
I glanced around, spotting a giant vampire across the
club. He must have been almost seven feet tall. Were there vampire linebackers? “What about him?” I asked. Aurora followed my gaze, sipping her drink casually.
“Unfortunately,” she said, rolling her eyes. “His name is Tytus. He’s kind of obsessed with me.”
“Can’t say I blame the guy.”
She grinned and said, “This might be a great place to practice your skills.” I narrowed my eyes at her in confusion.
“Skills?”
“Someone is bound to have their guard down. Most vamps can’t block their thoughts as easily as I can. Have a listen. What do you hear?”
I closed my eyes, trying to focus. I felt the hum of the moon’s power, almost vibrating in the back of my skull. Within seconds, I could hear several trains of thought in my mind. I picked out a specific voice to hone in on and listened for a moment.
“A woman on the dance floor is upset, because the guy she likes hasn’t offered to buy her a drink. She’s thinking about leaving the club now.” I opened my eyes and found Aurora grinning at me proudly.
“Nice job,” she said. “You’re picking up on this quickly.
I closed my eyes again, wondering who else I might hear. Then I recognized a voice, though I couldn’t place it at first. It didn’t take long to realize that the train of thought I was listening in on belonged to Malena from Aurora’s brood. What surprised me most were the thoughts running through her mind.
I can’t believe she brought him here. It’s bad enough she had the nerve to bring him to a ritual, and now this. Who does she think she is? After everything I’ve done to prevent this human from becoming one of us, and now he’s just sitting here in the club like there’s nothing wrong. He didn’t even have the sense to run scared when I made their relationship public. No matter what I do, Aurora refuses to give up. She’ll pay eventually. She’ll pay for her attitude; for the way she thinks she runs the brood and occupies all of Antonio’s time. She’ll pay for the way she slighted Damir. Maybe now he’ll realize she’s just vampire trash.
Immortals And Melodies (Blood And Guitars #2) Page 18
