by Parker Blue
“Not soft. Effective. All you do is destroy their confidence, make them even easier prey.”
Luis sneered. “That’s your opinion.”
“No, that’s why I’m in charge of training, and your job is to work the political angles. How’s that going for you, Luis?” Austin mocked.
He knew the answer—not well at all. Luis was supposed to lobby to pass legislation in Texas that would require all vampires to subscribe to the creed of the New Blood Movement and afford them protection under the law while outlawing the rogues. Doing so would make the climate right for the Movement to reveal itself, but that initiative had stalled.
“That’s irrelevant,” Luis said, scowling.
“Is it? I don’t think so. I think that’s why you’re trying to horn in on my business, because yours is so badly screwed up.”
Luis took a threatening step forward and shoved his face in Austin’s. “Talk about screwed up. I’m trying to make sure they’re trained, to save them and us. Someone has to.”
“Look, bud—” Austin began.
“What’s going on here?” Alejandro demanded from the doorway, Rosa right behind him.
Out of respect for Alejandro, Austin backed away from Luis but kept his mouth shut. This was between him and Luis.
“Just a little disagreement in training methods,” Luis said, his expression bland.
Alejandro scowled. “We have enough problems without two of my lieutenants at each other’s throats.” Alejandro glanced at Gwen and Elspeth, who had regained their composure. “Are you all right?”
Elspeth lifted her chin and glared. “Yes. We know combat training is necessary in our new lives, and we don’t object to it, but the manner in which we are being taught is most displeasing.”
Alejandro nodded. “Luis, training is Austin’s responsibility. Leave him to it,” he said dismissively.
About time Alejandro put Luis in his place. Luis gave Alejandro a short, jerky bow then strode out of the room, his expression rigidly controlled.
Facing Gwen and Elspeth, Alejandro said, “Ladies, if you would excuse us?”
He gestured toward the door, and the two women took his hint and left. Only Rosa stayed behind. The beautiful Latina had her hand possessively on Alejandro’s arm, but he didn’t seem to notice. Or did he?
Austin didn’t understand the relationship between these two. Rosa obviously yearned for Alejandro with all her heart, but if Alejandro realized it—and Austin didn’t see how anyone could miss it—he never let it show in public. Nor had he ever taken advantage of what she offered, so far as Austin knew. In fact, Alejandro never dallied with anyone, female or male. Either that, or he was the most discreet person on the planet.
Alejandro played his cards, whatever they were, very close to his vest. So why did he let her touch him so possessively?
When Rosa saw Austin watching her, she snatched her hand away. And, as she obviously believed the best defense was a swift offense, she glared at Austin. “Where have you been? Alejandro has been looking for you.”
Austin raised an eyebrow at her. They were equals, she and he. He didn’t have to answer to her. And she probably didn’t expect it, either. Undoubtedly, she was trying to cover her embarrassment. She glanced away, confirming his suspicion.
“May I talk to you alone?” he asked Alejandro.
“Of course,” Alejandro said graciously. “Rosa, if you don’t mind . . .?”
He glanced at her and smiled. It was a polite smile, as smiles go, but Rosa beamed as if he’d declared his undying love. “I do mind,” she said, slanting an annoyed glance at Austin. “But if you wish it, I’ll go and leave you two to your secrets.”
Alejandro nodded. “Thank you.” Rosa left, and as there was no seating in the sparring room, the two of them remained standing. “I have not seen much of you of late,” Alejandro said.
Austin winced. Alejandro’s tone wasn’t disapproving, but Austin laid a guilt trip on himself anyway. If he hadn’t shirked his responsibilities, Luis wouldn’t have interfered. “I know. I’ve been protecting the Slayer.”
“Oh?” Alejandro raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “And why is that?”
Austin refused to feel defensive. But he didn’t have to tell the whole truth, either. “She’s vulnerable now. You know that.”
“And you feel it’s your responsibility to watch over her?”
Annoyed, Austin said, “She exposed Lily as a traitor for us, got rid of mage demons who threatened both the Demon Underground and our Movement, became the keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka, and took down a corrupt demon leader who would have caused us trouble. I think we owe her. Besides, didn’t the soothsayer say that Val is key to getting what you want?”
“I’m not disputing that,” Alejandro said. “I asked why you feel it’s your responsibility to repay her.”
“I’m one of your lieutenants. Who better?” Austin challenged.
“Again, I’m not arguing with your ability, merely your motives. Why?”
“Because I’m the one who saw the need.” It was so plain to him, to Micah, to any right-thinking being that she needed that assistance. To everyone but Val and Shade, of course. They were thinking with their hearts, not their heads. Maybe it was to be expected from two so young, but Austin had come to expect a lot more—from Val, anyway. He didn’t know Shade well enough to expect anything. Nor did he want to. Shade had taken advantage of Val’s trust, caused her to lose her powers by making love with her, then acted like a lily-livered coward.
Well, maybe not a coward, Austin admitted, unable to lie to himself. But Shade had put Val in danger with his actions, insisted she leave him with another succubus, then blamed her when it didn’t turn out all sunshine and roses. Austin would make sure that didn’t happen again.
“Could it be that you have feelings for Ms. Shapiro?” Alejandro asked.
He seemed more curious than challenging, but Austin wasn’t sure he wanted to admit that quite yet. He snorted. “She’s headstrong, stubborn, rebellious . . . and enamored of someone else.” One who didn’t deserve her. “Why would I have feelings for her?”
“Because she is also compassionate, honorable, and fierce in championing the innocent—qualities you possess and esteem in others.”
Maybe, but Austin was reluctant to admit it. He shrugged. “She is a succubus. No man can resist her.”
“You and I both know that her physical succubus allure does not linger beyond close proximity. Do you care for her?”
It appeared Alejandro was going to continue his polite insistence until Austin ’fessed up. He took a deep breath. “I am beginning to,” he admitted at last, then glanced up to see Alejandro’s reaction.
The leader of the New Blood Movement nodded thoughtfully. “I knew, of course. I wondered if you did.”
Austin didn’t know how to respond to that. Instead, he asked, “Is that a problem?” It had better not be. His feelings were none of Alejandro’s business.
“It can be, if you let your feelings get in the way of your duty.”
“They won’t.” When Alejandro looked thoughtful, Austin went on the offensive. “Is that why you don’t show your feelings for Rosa?”
It was a stab in the dark, but apparently hit home. He surprised a look of pain on Alejandro’s face, quickly wiped away and replaced by his accustomed mask of polite civility. “Yes,” Alejandro said. “But I expect you to keep that to yourself.”
Shocked by the admission, Austin blurted out, “Why? I mean, of course I’ll keep it to myself, but why don’t you act on it? No one will think less of you.”
Alejandro sighed. “I cannot show favoritism. Rosa is extremely valuable to me as a lieutenant, especially with the women in the Movement. I fear elevating her to the status of consort would cause nothing but problems.”
He was right. And though Alejandro probably wouldn’t say it, he had to know the power might go to Rosa’s head. Not to mention how she might purposely flaunt her victory and how the relationship could sow dissension among the women in the Movement, most of whom wanted nothing more than to be Alejandro’s lover.
Alejandro was wise to stay unattached. But it had to be a lonely existence. Austin didn’t envy him his position one bit. “That doesn’t pertain to me, though.” He’d had his share of liaisons with women in the house. It had never caused the sort of problems Alejandro worried about. “If I ever act on my feelings for Val, I won’t let it get in the way of my duty.”
“Perhaps not,” Alejandro conceded. “But relationships with humans rarely work out.”
“She’s part demon,” Austin reminded him.
“Only one-eighth. And all mortal—her lifespan is fleeting to one such as us. And she’s in love with the shadow demon and sees you as nothing more than a bloodsucking monster.”
Austin winced, and something twisted inside of him at that. “She’s young and thinks she’s fallen in love with the first man she slept with. It won’t last.”
Alejandro acknowledged that with a nod. “Very true. In fact, I believe she’s come to value your friendship.”
Austin snorted. “Hardly.” She saw him as an annoyance, someone to avoid. Besides, he wanted more than friendship from Val Shapiro.
“Nevertheless, you have much to recommend you, and she will come to see that in time.” Alejandro sighed. “But what you choose to do in your personal life is none of my concern, unless it affects your duty to me and the Movement.”
About time he figured that out. “I won’t let it,” Austin insisted. His first loyalty was to Alejandro. The man had more than earned it. Not only had Alejandro given him his second life, he had provided meaning to what would otherwise be a challenging existence.
“And the training?” Alejandro said. “If you don’t want Luis to—”
“I’ll take care of it,” Austin promised. Somehow. He owed it to Gwen and Elspeth as well.
“See that you do,” Alejandro admonished him. “And you may assist Ms. Shapiro with my blessing, until she is able to protect herself, or until you become a liability to her and to us.”
“Won’t happen,” Austin promised.
It wouldn’t be easy, with Val fighting him all the way, but she couldn’t think straight when she was around the shadow demon and his pretty face, so she was bound to made stupid mistakes. She needed someone to watch over her, and he’d elected himself for the job. He planned to be there for her whether she liked it or not.
Chapter Four
Val
WHEN THE WHOLE parade got to my townhouse, the number of demons seemed to have doubled.
Part demons, that is. Full demons are pretty much full evil, too. Cross them with humans, and the offspring were gifted with human compassion. Most of the time. In the case of the part demons in the Demon Underground, those offspring wanted nothing more than to fit in to the real world, to be treated like any other human and not like freaks. Ahem. Not that I have that problem, you understand.
And now the demons were all clustered around Princess, cooing over her, petting her, and generally brown-nosing the self-centered spaniel. Even Tessa, Micah’s assistant, who I thought was more level-headed.
I wondered why, but doubted any of them would give me a straight answer. Who would? My gaze settled on Shade. I never realized how much I relied on nonverbal communication cues until I met the shadow demon. With the other dimensions swirling through his features, all I could get was words without context. I had no hints of true emotion revealed to me by the quirk of a lip or undisciplined eyebrows. Heck, I wasn’t even getting words, lately.
Surreptitiously, I used the amulet to get a glimpse of his expression. Strange, he looked . . . amused.
Fang nudged me with his nose. HEY, HOW CAN YOU SUDDENLY SEE WHAT SHADE LOOKS LIKE WHEN NO ONE ELSE CAN?
I’m using the amulet the tiniest bit, I assured him. Only so I can see Shade’s expression. When Fang gave me the cocked eyebrow look of disbelief, I added, It’s only fair. He can see us. This way, I can see him, too. Tracking Shade’s moods would be key to keeping him alive and safe. I reminded Fang of that fact.
OKAY, Fang said grudgingly.
“What’s with the Princess love fest?” I asked Shade as if nothing was wrong between us. He could either choose to ignore me, or decide to be civil.
He grinned as if at a private joke, then explained, “They all want a puppy, a hellhound of their own.”
Ah, good. He’d chosen civility.
Fang looked smug. WHO WOULDN’T WANT ONE OF MY KIDS?
Well, yeah, I got that, but I wondered . . . “Who decides who gets a puppy? Shade? Fang? Micah?” I hoped it wasn’t Princess—the puppies would probably go to the people who spoiled her the most.
I HEARD THAT, Princess said with a mental sniff. AND I ONLY WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY BABIES.
Maybe motherhood would be good for her. “So who chooses?” I asked.
DUH, Fang said with a roll of his eyes. THE PUPPIES DO, ONCE THEY’RE OLD ENOUGH.
“Really? It seems like a pretty big decision for someone who’s only six weeks old.”
THEY DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE THE MOMENT THEY’RE WEANED, Fang explained. THEY CHOOSE THEIR HUMAN PARTNER WHEN THEY FIND THE RIGHT PERSON, LIKE I CHOSE YOU, AND PRINCESS CHOSE SHADE. THEY CHOOSE THEIR OWN NAMES AS WELL.
I glanced at Shade. “Sounds like something we need to add to the encyclopedia.”
He nodded. “I keep telling them the puppies will choose,” Shade said, gesturing at the demons clustered around Princess. “But they seem to think that if they’re here during the birth, they’ll be able to get a puppy to imprint on them.”
Like little baby ducks who toddled after the first moving creature they spotted? “So this is going to be Demon Central for a while?”
“Afraid so.”
Too bad. This Demon Underground movement ought to be more underground in my opinion. Now there were way too many people in this small townhouse . . . and I’d worried about being lonely? Shade’s tone led me to believe he wasn’t crazy about so much company, either. And it wouldn’t get any better after the puppies were born.
I clapped my hands to draw their attention. They all glanced at me. “Okay, people. My house, my rules. You can’t be here at all hours of the day and night. We’ll set up visiting hours, but for now, you need to go.”
They looked mulish, so I added, “We all need to get some rest, especially Princess.”
I AM A LITTLE TIRED, she admitted.
That did it. Heaven forbid Princess should get the least bit weary. Most of them left, though Micah and Tessa decided to stay until Austin returned, and cornered Shade in his room for a while. Fine. Let them have their secrets. At least it was quiet again.
When Austin arrived with his things, Micah and Tessa left, leaving the townhouse empty of all but Shade, Austin, the two hellhounds, and me. I glanced at the time. Most people were just getting up for work, but it was time for me to go to bed. I’d been out all night hunting, and Shade obviously hadn’t gotten any rest either. I didn’t know about Austin. But dawn was coming in about an hour, and my place wasn’t vampire friendly.
I pulled the drapes against the sun that would soon rise and checked all of the windows and doors in the townhouse. “Shade, you’ll take Gwen’s room,” I said unnecessarily, as Micah had already directed his things be taken there.
Shade glared at Austin, not knowing I could see his expression. “Where’s he going to sleep?”
Childish much?
It didn’t seem to bother Austin though—he just lounged against the wall, looking amused. “Well, darlin’,” he drawled, “I do have a suggestion.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me
.
Lola was still weak, but Austin’s offer made her perk up, urge me to live a little, and take what he offered. I, however, wasn’t about to be ruled by the physical cravings of my succubus. I jerked my gaze away from him, feeling warmth creep up my face. “I don’t want to hear it,” I bit out.
“No one wants to hear it,” Shade said, sounding pissed.
Annoyed by his jealousy when there was no reason for it, I thought about telling him I didn’t need his help to handle Austin. But since it would only amuse Austin more, I decided not to.
I glanced around the place. Sheesh, the only options left for Austin to crash were my bedroom and the couch. Austin’s long, lean length wouldn’t fit very well there. And what about sunrise? “The drapes aren’t exactly light-tight.” All it would take was one twitch of the curtains or someone opening the front door to let the sun stream in, and we’d have toasted Austin in the living room.
I wasn’t crazy about sleeping on the lumpy thing either, but it looked like I had no choice. “I guess Austin can take my room,” I said reluctantly.
“You’re letting him sleep in your bed?” Shade asked in disbelief.
Ignoring the mocking laughter in Austin’s eyes, I snapped, “It’s obvious he can’t sleep in the living room. I’ll take the couch, unless you want to share your bed with him?”
Shade scowled and kicked up his chin, looking stubborn. “No way. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I assessed it from a security point of view. “I don’t think so. If a demon hunter comes through the front door or back door, whoever sleeps on the couch will be the first person they see. I’ll sleep there.” They’d have to go through me to get to Shade. “It makes the most sense, right?”
“It does indeed,” Austin agreed, though the amusement never left his eyes.
It just seemed to piss Shade off more. His mouth firmed into a straight line, but he had to admit I was right.
Sighing, I had a feeling it was going to be a long day. Knowing Shade was nearby and I couldn’t cuddle with him, and that Austin was in the other room—in my bed—and wanted to cuddle with me . . . it was enough to make any self-respecting succubus a little crazy.
