by Kym Grosso
“If you really could, I swear I’d let you, but so far, nothing has changed. I can’t feed like Kade does. I have to just learn how to live like this. There is no other choice.”
Anthony knew better than to argue with her. If Kade was right, she’d crash sooner or later. And when her world came crumbling apart, he planned on being there for her and Kade.
Chapter Seven
Kade estimated that Sydney would only make it through a few more hours before needing more blood. Unless a vampire was mated to a human, the reality was that one couldn’t survive an immortal life relying on one donor. He knew Sydney had acquired Mya’s contact information, convinced she’d forever feed from her. But siphoning was a temporary solution to a complex problem. A vampire couldn’t function independently if they relied on others to prepare the blood.
Kade was certain he’d made the right decision by asking Anthony to help Sydney. He’d sensed Anthony’s arousal as soon as he’d presented the idea. Her partner had happily agreed, confirming what Kade had always suspected; Anthony desired Sydney. Still unsure of how to broach the topic with Sydney, he considered that it might be best to wait until she showed signs of hunger. At that point, she might be more willing to accept his proposal.
One thing had become clear since his conversation with Anthony; locating and killing Pat Scurlock was a priority. While vampire activities were generally under his tight control, a small element of unrest always existed. Kade had contacted P-CAP, making them aware of the escape and potential supernatural involvement. When he’d spoken with Logan, the Alpha had assured him that his pack would alert him if they heard of any suspicious activity going down on the streets.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He shoved out of his chair, making his way toward the foyer. He opened the front door, and Luca’s stern expression met his. Dominique, who’d become Luca’s security assistant, followed. While she’d never intentionally hurt an innocent human, she’d proven herself deadly on many occasions. Kade shook his head when he caught sight of her skin-tight black catsuit and over-the-knee boots. Her red hair had been twisted up high on her head into a ponytail. If there ever had been a vampire who reveled in her race, it was her.
“Come in.” Kade gestured for them to enter.
“You talk to Logan?” Luca began.
“Yes. They’re going to keep a strong presence in the city,” Kade replied.
“How is Sydney doing?” Dominique asked.
“She’s doing better today.” Kade hesitated. “She fed last night.”
“Siphon donor.” She sniffed with contempt. “It’s weak.”
“I’m with her on that one,” Luca added.
“Yes, I know,” Kade agreed. “But I’ve got a plan for that. I’ve given some thought to what we discussed.
“You mean…a friend?”
“Anthony’s here.”
“The detective? From Philadelphia?” Dominique asked.
“Yeah. Her partner,” Kade confirmed.
“So she’s agreed?” Luca questioned with a cocked eyebrow.
“She doesn’t know yet. We’ll discuss it later.”
“I think you might want to tell her sooner than later,” Luca suggested.
“Can someone clue me in as to what you’re talking about?” Dominique whined. “Why are we just standing here anyway? Let’s get this show on the road. I’m looking forward to staking out that Matt guy.”
“Pat,” Kade corrected.
“Matt. Pat. Whatever,” she sighed and flicked her nails. “So, where's Sydney?”
“Sydney’s in the living room with the detective. We don’t know where we’re going, let alone who’s going. I called you over to talk to Anthony and strategize.”
It wasn’t as if Kade hadn’t given it thought. On the contrary, he knew exactly what he planned to do. If he had to visit every blood club in the damn city, he would. The last thing he needed was this asshole criminal stirring up trouble. All it took was one vampire with delusions of grandeur to cause an uprising. His cell buzzed and he swiped his thumb across the glass. He read the text, and blew out a breath.
“There’s been an attack at Embo,” he said.
“What happened?” Luca asked.
“I don’t know. The text is from Gil Martin.”
“The bartender?”
“Yeah. Looks like a couple of vampires are dead. P-CAP is on the scene.”
“Well, shit.”
“It’s time to roll. I’m gonna go tell Anthony. Get the car,” Kade ordered.
Chapter Eight
Kade took in the scene at Embo. Blinding house lights illuminated the blood-sprayed walls. Bar stools and chairs strewn about the floor indicated signs of a struggle. From what he could tell, there weren’t many witnesses alive to question. The only employee he recognized was Gil Martin, who stood behind the bar pouring himself a shot of tequila.
Despite his best efforts to convince Sydney to stay at home with Dominique, she’d insisted she’d be safer with him. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t expected her refusal, but he gave her points for persuasion. She and Anthony stayed close as they checked out the debris, never leaving his sight. He kicked through a pile of ash and assumed that a vampire had been staked. His gaze caught Gil’s and the bartender nodded in silent understanding.
“Who did this?” Kade asked.
“There were four of them. All wearing masks.”
“Ski masks?”
“No, man. I’m talkin’ full head coverings. Devils and animals.”
“Okay,” Kade breathed. “Well, this is New Orleans. They could have gotten them just about anywhere.”
“Not sure if this matters, and you know I already told P-CAP, but the masks…they weren’t the cheap ones. They were leather. The kind some of the more expensive stores sell.”
“Or they could have bought them on the internet.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. It all went down fast. I would have called you sooner but you know how P-CAP is.”
“What time did this happen?”
“It was about six or seven this morning.” Gil slammed the liquor down his throat, coughed and scrubbed his hand over his hair. “I was getting ready to turn things over to the dayshift. Counting tips. Not many people are here at that time.”
“Who was?”
“They killed Sean. You know, he works the front. The band had already gone. There were just a few other vamps still here. Both are dead. You’re walkin’ in ‘em.”
“Donors?”
“Yeah, they seemed more interested in them.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“They wanted names. Wanted to know who was here, like they were lookin’ for someone. I gave them the inventory list.”
“Where’s the list?”
“I don’t know. It’s on an iPad. We keep track of everything that way. I gave it to one of them and that was the last I saw of it. Hey, when the bullets started flying, I lost interest.”
“Syd, Anthony. We’re looking for an iPad,” Kade called out. “Let’s get back to the donors. How many were still here?”
“I don’t know. I think maybe six or seven. A few dove back here with me. P-CAP took them down to the station.” Gil looked over to a pool of blood underneath one of the tables and wiped his hand across his mouth. “Two are dead. One they took out on a stretcher. Not sure if she’ll make it.”
“Anyone else?”
“Yeah, man.” He paused, tightening his grip on the bottle. “Gemma.”
“What about her?” Kade was surprised she’d stayed after Sydney’s attack, but he also knew how much she got off on vampires.
“They took her. She was alive, though.” He shook his head and put the rim of the bottle to his lips, not bothering to pour it in a glass this time. “She was screaming. It all happened so fast.”
“How do you know it was Gemma if you were back here?”
“I’ve worked here a long time. You know she’s a screamer.” He blew out a breath. “Shit, I know
that’s wrong to say at a time like now, but it’s true. I heard her scream, and peeked over the bar for all of about two seconds before a slug whizzed by my head. I saw them dragging her out of here. For the record, I did shoot back. I keep a handgun back here but it was no match for what they were packin’. Fuck, this has been a night.”
“So you think the perps were vamps?”
“Only one. The way he took out the others…he had to be a vampire. The other three seemed human.”
“You sure?”
“I’ve been working here for five years, boss. I’m tellin’ ya, I know the difference. Mask or no mask.”
“This it?” Anthony interrupted. He held up a black leather case and opened it.
“Yeah,” Gil responded. “We’ve got an app that tracks the appointments. It’s what was up when I gave it to zebra guy.”
“It’s busted,” Anthony said.
“Let me see.” Kade took the iPad from Anthony, observing a web of cracks across its glass. He pressed a button and it flared with light. “Still working.”
“Well, that’s something.”
“You keep personal information on employees?” Kade asked. His eyes darted to Sydney, whose shocked expression told him she already knew what he was about to say.
“Yeah, we’ve got personnel files but we keep addresses and phone numbers stored in there so we can call in staff when we need to…go pick them up if they need a ride. Stuff like that.”
“They were looking for her.” Kade flipped the tablet toward Sydney, so she could view it. Mya Everhart’s address and appointment information flashed across the screen.
“He went after her because of me,” Sydney whispered. “Shit. How could he have known?”
“Someone told him,” Kade said, his eyes meeting Gil’s. After their performance on the balcony, it hadn’t been a secret that both he and Sydney had been at the club.
“Hey, I don’t know who you’re talking about but whoever it is, ya’ll know I wouldn’t tell anyone anything. Look at the donor list if you’re looking for a suspect. Humans don’t all get the privacy rule. Just sayin’,” Gil said.
“We’ve got to go to Mya.” Sydney tugged on Kade’s arm.
“I think we should get you home,” Kade suggested.
“This is my fault. I came here. I used Mya. There’s no way I’m not going to check on her.”
“Look at me,” Kade said, taking her hands in his. Her cheeks remained flush with color and she appeared healthy.
“I’m fine. I swear it.”
“The second you feel the slightest twinge of hunger, we’re going home. Understood?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Let’s go,” Kade reluctantly agreed.
As they left Embo, he pulled Luca aside and asked him to go ahead with Dominique to Mya’s apartment and make sure it was clear. He caught Anthony’s look of concern as the detective ushered Sydney into the car. Someone had alerted Pat that Sydney had been at Embo. It was likely the informant was alive and well, assisting Pat, and looking to lure Sydney into a trap with Mya.
It wasn’t as if Sydney hadn’t been to a crime scene before, but this was personal. Mya was missing because of her. She studied the décor and took note of the perfectly straightened books that sat on a dusted bookshelf. A small trail of destruction led from the foyer into the bedroom, everything in its path strewn onto the floor. She spied an overturned picture frame on the carpet and bent over to retrieve it. Sydney ran her finger over the edge of the cold metal frame and picked away the broken glass. Underneath, Mya kissed a fluffy white lap dog, a pink diamond collar around its neck. Every detail about the apartment told a story of an innocent young woman, one who appeared to be in college. Her psychology book lay open on a small kitchen table, and Sydney wondered how the fresh-faced coed had found herself employment as a siphon donor.
Kade waved to her, gesturing to the bedroom. She entered, scenting the blood, but concealed her reaction to the scene. A torn shirt lay on the floor. A set of bra and panties were tied around one of the poles of the white four-poster bed. Dark brown bloodstains were splattered across the pink sheets.
“Are you sure you wanna stay?” Luca asked Sydney. When she nodded, he leaned over and sniffed the linens. “There’s semen. It’s fresh. It’s possible she was raped.”
“It would be in line with Pat’s M.O.,” Anthony interjected.
“Yeah, it is.” Sydney turned her head, sickened by the sight. She made her way into the tiny bathroom and what she saw took her breath away.
“Wait a minute, Syd,” Luca said. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you…”
“Kade.” Sydney’s heart caught in her chest as she saw the folded note taped to the mirror. Kade went to reach for it but she blocked his hand. “No, he left this for me.”
Her hands shook as she tugged at the smooth paper, careful not to tear it. Pat Scurlock. He attacked Mya because of me. Carefully, she opened it, a gasp choking in her throat as she read it. You took my girls. Now I’m taking yours.
“He’s not going to get to you,” Kade assured her.
“He’s going to kill her,” Sydney whispered. Dizzy, she gripped the sink.
“Syd. You know him. He never kills right away,” Anthony said
“No, he’ll play with her, torture her. I don’t get it, though. Who is the vampire helping him? What could Pat possibly have that he’d be worth causing this kind of trouble in New Orleans? Maybe he’s not from here.”
“It could be a ‘she’,” Luca commented.
“A woman?” Sydney asked with surprise.
“They had on masks. But who knows? It all went down fast and Gil didn’t see much from behind the bar.”
“Gil never mentioned he scented or suspected it was a woman,” she countered.
“It’s unlikely but still possible,” Luca continued.
“I guess.”
“Back to your other question; why does a vampire involve himself with miscreants?” Luca took the note from Sydney’s hands and studied it.
“Power would be the obvious answer, but if there was one strong enough to challenge me, why would he wait for the help of a human? It makes no sense,” Kade said.
The conversation faded as Sydney spied the red spray on the flowered shower curtain. Bile rose in her stomach and she fought the pangs of hunger that arose out of nowhere. She closed her eyes briefly, and attempted to gather strength. Something was happening to her. The rush of Mya’s blood waned. She’d need to feed, find another donor. Yet curiosity drove her as she put one foot in front of the other. Her fingers curled into the nylon fabric. As she pulled it across, a thick trail of caked blood clung to the textured fiberglass tub. A tunnel of black engulfed her vision as she pointed to her name, which was written across the white tiles.
Chapter Nine
Kade gently laid Sydney onto the crisp cotton sheets. After she’d fainted, he’d gathered her into his arms, cursing himself for not seeing the signs. He’d dismissed her shaky hands, but knew she’d never show fear. Before her accident, the threat in the shower wouldn’t have caused her to falter. While she’d been temporarily nourished, it wasn’t nearly enough for a new vampire to thrive. As if she was a newborn, she’d need frequent feedings.
When he’d left Mya’s apartment, he’d instructed Luca to wait for Xavier, so they could turn it over for clues. Despite his orders, Kade suspected they wouldn’t find anything else. Pat Scurlock meant to toy with Sydney. Like a cat batting around a mouse, he’d play with her first, making his kill all the more sweet. Delighting in a sick sense of torture, Pat sought to instill both fear and guilt.
Kade had asked Anthony to help him transfer Sydney back to the house. He played the scenario in his head, the act scrolling through his brain. A mixture of excitement and apprehension arrested his thoughts, and he prayed Sydney would accept the inevitable.
After they’d arrived home, he’d given her a bath. Cleaning the stench of the evening away, he’d washed Mya’s blood fr
om her skin. He’d dressed her in a warm robe and brought the covers up over her hips. Brushing a stray hair from Sydney’s eyes, he studied her face and considered how much he loved her. Sharing her with Anthony would be the ultimate act of devotion, yet he was fully prepared to see it through. He wasn’t sure why he thought it would work, but instincts told him that she’d never allow herself to hurt her friend.
Kade turned his head toward the door, where Anthony stood silently watching. Wearing only a pair of pajama pants, he stood bare-chested. Kade gave him a small smile and waved him into the room. As the detective made his way toward the bed, Kade leaned to kiss Sydney’s forehead. Her eyes flickered open in response. She stared up into his eyes wearing a look of confusion.
“Hey there, how’re you feeling, love?”
“I, um…” Sydney’s eyes darted from Kade to Anthony, who stood next to the bed. “How did I get here?”
“You had a little spell is all.”
“I passed out, didn’t I?” She groaned.
“Not unexpected, I’m afraid. I should have watched you more carefully,” he apologized.
“This isn’t your fault.”
“I should have known you were about to get sick.”
“How would you…?”
Kade cocked an eyebrow at her and smiled.
“Hmm…you know everything, huh?” Sydney moved to sit up, but fell back onto the pillow in exhaustion.
“Just relax, now.”
“Back in the bathroom, I don’t know what happened. I remember feeling dizzy, hungry. I need blood again, don’t I?” she asked.
“I may omit details every now and then,” he gave a small laugh, looked up to Anthony and back to her, “but I’ll never lie to you. You need to eat.”
“Where am I going to get blood? Mya’s gone.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I can’t do this, Kade. I can’t bring one more donor into our house. I can’t do it. There’s something wrong with me. I’m a terrible vampire.”
“No you’re not. You’re just a little fang challenged.” He smiled down at her, gently sliding the back of his hand over her cheek.
