Dare Me

by Parker Blue

  IT’S A BOY! he announced. AND A GIRL! AND ANOTHER BOY AND ANOTHER GIRL.

  I grinned. He sounded so proud and happy . . . and rather stunned at being a father. “Congratulations,” I told him. When Austin and Dan gave me perplexed looks, I explained, “Princess just had her pups. Two boys and two girls.” But that wasn’t important right now. “Did you call Micah, too?” I asked Shade.

  “I did, but there was no answer. I’ll try again.” He held a brief conversation with someone then hung up, looking grim. “We weren’t the only ones to get visitors tonight. Two other men showed up at the club looking for me. Micah’s bouncer managed to get rid of them.”

  Crap. If they showed up at Club Purgatory and my place, they knew more about the Demon Underground than I cared for.

  “What’s going on?” Dan asked.

  I explained everything to him.

  Dan glanced at Shade. “And you have no idea why these people want you dead or who they are?”

  “No.”

  “So,” Dan continued, “this place isn’t safe for you, and neither is Club Purgatory. You need to find somewhere out of harm’s way.”

  “I know a safe place,” Austin said. “A penthouse at one of the blood banks. They won’t know to find you there. And there’s built-in security.”

  Yeah, they’d have to go through a whole lot of bloodsuckers to get to him. “That’s a good idea,” I said.

  “This is ridiculous,” Shade protested, his voice tight. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “You need protection,” Dan said firmly. “And you’re going to get it whether you like it or not. I’d like to avoid as much collateral damage as possible.”

  “He’s right,” I told Shade. “And Micah will agree, too. You know he will.” When Shade didn’t say anything, I took a peek at his expression. He looked pissed and stubborn, so I added, “It’s only temporary, until we determine who’s behind this and take care of them.”

  YEAH, Fang interjected. AND I WOULDN’T MIND PRINCESS AND MY KIDS BEING OUT OF THE LINE OF FIRE WITH A FEW BLOODSUCKERS BETWEEN THEM AND DANGER.

  I AGREE, Princess said. YOU MUST PROTECT MY PUPPIES.

  Shade gave in, unable to resist his hellhound’s wishes. “I’ll get my stuff together,” he muttered, and went back to his room.

  “Do we have to wait for nightfall again?” Dan asked.

  Good question. The sun was now rising, so it would be a while before it was dark again.

  “No,” Austin answered. “I can arrange for one of our human friends to take us in a darkened limo to the blood bank.”

  Dan glanced at Austin, and his eyes narrowed at the blood on his shirt. “Were you shot?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “He took a bullet meant for me. Thanks for that, by the way.”

  “What a gracious expression of gratitude,” Austin drawled.

  Okay, yeah, I could have been a little more thankful, but now I owed Austin, and it bothered me. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to respond to his mocking. “You okay?” I asked gruffly.

  He might be able to heal fast, but it still had to hurt. Not that he’d shown any pain.

  He tossed me another mocking glance. “I was happy to take a bullet for you. Any other little thing I can do for you tonight? Rob a train? Catch a falling star? Feed your succubus?”

  My face warmed. He was just doing this to make me feel uncomfortable. Too bad he was succeeding. Uncertain how to respond, I said, “No, I’m good. Just glad you survived.”

  Austin squinted at the drapes. “With the sun rising, maybe I’d better do my surviving in the bedroom. I’ll call from there.”

  Yeah, just in case someone else came barging through the door. Austin left for the bedroom and the security of the blackout curtains I’d had installed. A lot of the tension went out of the room when he left, and I felt a lot more grounded, more like myself.

  A knock came at the door and when I answered it, Lieutenant Ramirez was there, along with a couple of other guys from the SCU.

  We explained what had happened, and the SCU pick-up guys took away the body to do an autopsy and see what they could learn about him.

  The other one—the live one on the floor—moaned and started to sit up. Ramirez handed Dan a pair of cuffs, and Dan restrained him, propping him up against the back of the couch. “What are we going to do with him?” he asked. “He’s human, so we can incarcerate him and charge him, but he’s being controlled by someone else, so there’s something woo woo about the whole thing.”

  Woo woo? What was that? A new SCU technical term? “Yeah,” I said. “Plus he’s stronger and faster than the average human, which might cause waves if you put him in with the general populace in jail. I’d like to question him. Maybe you’d let us have him?”

  Lieutenant Ramirez frowned. “And do what with him?”

  “The Underground has some jail cells where we could hold him.” I knew that all too well, having been held there myself not so long ago. “We can keep him out of sight, question him, find out what he knows.” It was in the basement of Club Purgatory, but that was the Underground’s secret, not mine to reveal.

  Ramirez frowned. “It’s not protocol.”

  No, but it would be convenient for them. The SCU usually dealt with vampires who either ended up dead or escaping. They didn’t keep their catch.

  Dan snorted. “We don’t have protocol for something like this. The protocol for ‘special’ crimes is what you say it is, boss. And Val is right—we need to keep him away from other humans until we know more about him.”

  Ramirez nodded, looking reluctant. “All right, for now. We can transport him there for you.”

  “Uh, I’d better check first to see if it’s okay with Micah.”

  “I’ll do that,” Ramirez said.

  He called Micah, and they agreed to have Dan transport the prisoner to Micah’s jail, since Dan was already familiar with the situation. He left to get some shoes and a jacket, and the lieutenant said, “I’ll wait until he gets back, just in case someone else shows up.”

  I was supposed to be the Paladin, yet here everyone was trying to protect me. Shaking my head, I put the living room back to rights and left Ramirez watching the prisoner while I went into the other room to see the puppies.

  Princess lay on her makeshift bed, four newborns lying in a pile next to her as Shade stroked her head. Fang lay close by, keeping an eye on his family. They all looked exhausted.

  The puppies were so cute. Four fuzzy little creatures, looking almost hairless with bright pink noses, like fat little mice. “They’re adorable,” I said admiringly.

  YES, Fang said. AND ALL HEALTHY.

  “What shall we call them until they pick their own names?”

  Shade leaned over to look at the pups. “How about Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta?” He pointed at one of the pups who looked just like Princess. “Call her Alpha, because she was born first. Then the boy who looks like Fang is Bravo, Charlie is the boy who looks like Princess, and Delta is the girl who looks like Fang.”

  “Works for me,” I said. “Fang? Princess? Okay with you?”

  THOSE ARE AS GOOD AS ANY, I GUESS, Fang said. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY’LL CHOOSE THEIR OWN NAMES WHEN THEY’RE READY.

  Yeah. A knowledge of English would be helpful first. I wondered when they’d start being telepathic.

  I’M NOT SURE, Fang said. I’VE NEVER HAD KIDS BEFORE. BUT DON’T WISH THEIR BABY BABBLE ON US TOO SOON!

  I grinned. Fang already sounded like a harried father, and he’d only been one for what? Twenty minutes?

  JUST WAIT. YOU’LL SEE.

  I stroked one of them with my finger. Soft. And much tinier than I expected, smaller than my hand. So helpless. No wonder Fang and Princess were so protective.

  I sighed, wishing I could st
ay all day and just watch the puppies, but unfortunately, it was time to get back to the real world.

  Chapter Nine

  Austin

  ONCE INSIDE VAL’S bedroom, Austin sat on the bed and allowed himself to clench his jaw against the agony in his shoulder. It felt as if someone had shoved a hot poker inside him and twisted. He needed to get that slug out—soon.

  But first, he needed to take care of business. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Alejandro. “We have a situation here,” he told his boss. “Some men came looking for the shadow demon. They pushed their way into Val’s house and tried to shoot her when she refused to tell them anything.”

  “Is she all right?” Alejandro asked.

  “Yes, she’s fine. They hit me instead.”

  Alejandro paused, evidently thinking about everything Austin didn’t say. “It was good you were there to watch over her, then.”

  “Yeah.” Even if she didn’t know it or want it. “She wasn’t able to control either one of them because they’re already being controlled by someone else.”

  “You suspect one of us?” Alejandro asked, his tone sharp.

  Austin paused, wondering if Luis . . . Naw. Austin was just trying to find any excuse to hang the guy. Luis had no reason to want Shade dead. And if he did, he didn’t need to control humans to do it.

  “No. Perhaps some of the unaffiliated with a grudge might come after the Slayer, but why would they come after a shadow demon? That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Some?” Alejandro asked. “You suspect more than one?”

  Austin eased his shoulder to a slightly less painful position. “There were two of them, so two controllers would have to work in concert. But I’m not convinced it’s the unaffiliated, either. Just because it’s possible doesn’t mean I’m ready to believe it.” He hesitated, then added, “There’s something peculiar about the two men who attacked her. They’re not demon, not vamp—human, but stronger and faster. It’s possible they’re being controlled by another mage demon.” Or something else the Movement didn’t know of.

  “Then you definitely need to stay by Ms. Shapiro’s side for longer than anticipated.”

  “I plan on it. But in order to keep Val safe, we have to protect Shade, too. I’d like to use the penthouse in the blood bank on the south side. Is anyone staying there now?”

  “No, it’s available for your use.” Alejandro paused for a moment, then asked, “And you? Did the bullet incapacitate you?”

  “No.” Just hurt like mad. “But I need to get it out of my shoulder before I heal around it. I don’t fancy carrying lead around inside me for the rest of my life.” His very long life, if he was lucky.

  “Of course. That would be interminable. Vincent is at the lab below the blood bank. He can help you.”

  “That’ll work.”

  “Do you need a human driver or another car?”

  Austin thought for a moment. “No, we only have Val, Shade, and the hellhounds to transport. Val can drive.” He’d take the back seat, which Alejandro had outfitted so it was protected against the sun’s rays.

  “Excellent. I’ll call Vincent and tell him to expect you.”

  “Good. Thanks.” But since Alejandro was being so agreeable, there was one more item of business Austin had to take care of. “And Alejandro? Can you ask Luis to not go anywhere near Gwen and Elspeth?”

  “Why?”

  Because he’d listen to Alejandro and no one else. But, remembering his promise to his trainees, Austin told a partial truth. “Because they’re terrified of him after that training session.”

  Alejandro paused, then said reluctantly, “Very well. I’ll ask him to leave them alone.”

  Austin couldn’t help it, he had to say something. “That man is a loose cannon waiting to explode,” he warned harshly.

  Alejandro’s voice turned frosty. “That is my concern, not yours.”

  Austin knew the Movement’s leader highly disapproved of dissension among his lieutenants, but Austin couldn’t let this slide. “It’ll be everyone’s concern if he’s not brought to heel.”

  “Drop it, lieutenant.” Alejandro’s tone brooked no refusal.

  Well, Austin had said his piece and wouldn’t get any further by setting Alejandro’s back up. Besides, he’d gotten Alejandro’s promise to keep Luis at a distance and warned him as much as he could. “All right. I’m heading for the penthouse now.”

  “Good. Keep me apprised of events as they transpire.”

  “Will do.” Austin hung up and rose from the bed. No time to waste. He stood behind the door and opened it so he wouldn’t be caught in stray rays of killer sun. “Val?” he called out. “I need to talk to you about the move.”

  She came immediately and closed the door behind her, then switched on the light. It might be light outside, but with her windows blocked against the sun, the room was dark. To her senses, anyway. He hadn’t even noticed.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “I’ve arranged with Alejandro to move all of us to the south side blood bank penthouse. We need to go right away, in case your attackers had back-up.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, but what about the sun?”

  “Not a problem. You and Shade pack up what you need and put it in the trunk of the car. I can secure the back seat against the sun if you’ll drive.”

  “And the dogs?”

  “You can put them in the back seat, too.”

  “Okay.” She nodded at the bed. “Take that blanket so you won’t get fried. I’ll go get everyone organized.”

  “Wait,” Austin said. “You’ll need the keys.” He reached into his jeans pocket to pull them out, and the movement sent a red-hot lance of pain through him. He couldn’t help but wince.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Val asked, looking concerned.

  He hated showing weakness in front of anyone. “I’m fine,” he said, his tone terse. “Here, take the keys.”

  She weighed the keys in her hand, hesitating. “Maybe Shade can help heal you.”

  Not gonna happen. “I’d just heal around the bullet. No, thanks.”

  “Then how are you going to get it out?”

  “Someone’s waiting at the blood bank to help. And then I’ll heal just fine on my own. Vampire,” he reminded her. He didn’t need the shadow demon’s help. Besides, it might not even work on his kind.

  “Okay, then I’ll make this fast,” she promised.

  And, true to her word, she got Shade and the hellhounds and all their stuff into the car in record time. She knocked on the bedroom door. “Ready?”

  Austin pulled the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around his head and his hands. “Ready,” he said. “You’ll have to lead me since I won’t be able to see without burning myself.”

  “No problem.” Val grabbed his arm and hustled him out of the townhouse and into the car, closing the door as fast as she could.

  The side and back windows were all tinted dark enough to block out the sun, and Austin hit the button that brought down a darkened sheet of glass between the front and back seats. Once he was safely in the dark again, he threw off the blanket.

  The blanket landed on Fang, who sat on the seat beside him. The hellhound burrowed out from underneath it and growled at him.

  “Sorry,” Austin muttered, understanding Fang’s protectiveness. “Don’t mean any harm to you or your family.” Princess and the puppies were on the floorboard, so it wasn’t like he’d even touched them. He’d just been annoyed by the necessity of the damned blanket. It would have served him right if Val had twitted him about needing her help, but she was all business.

  When they reached the hotel-turned-blood bank, he had her pull into the special garage built in the back, so he was able to get out of the car without going up in flames.

/>   Vincent met them there. The short, bald guy handed Val the card key to the penthouse and showed her to the elevator, saying, “Make yourself at home. We’ll ensure no one bothers you upstairs.” He turned to Austin and said, “You’re coming with me. Alejandro told me what you need.”

  Austin didn’t argue. He wanted to get the slug out as soon as possible. They headed down to the lab in the basement where they tested all the blood that came into the bank. After some stock had been contaminated with demon blood and driven a few vampires mad, it had become an essential precaution.

  They also had a couple of medical treatment rooms available, in case one of the donors became ill or something happened to a member of the New Blood Movement. It wasn’t like they could go to a normal hospital. Luckily, the Movement had some members who had medical training, like Vincent.

  Vincent led him to one of the treatment rooms where Gwen was waiting. “So you’ve started working with Vincent already?” Austin asked.

  Gwen nodded. “Yes. Vincent is letting me help him when I’m not training with you.” She gestured at the shiny, sharp medical instruments laid out on a tray.

  Austin sighed in resignation at the sight. This was going to hurt.

  “Lie down,” Vincent said sternly, snapping on latex gloves.

  Austin took off his shirt and laid down on the examination table. When Vincent probed at the entry wound, Gwen asked, “Aren’t you going to give him something for the pain first?”

  Vincent shook his head. “Painkillers and anesthesia don’t work all that well on us. A quart of whiskey might help dull the pain. Unfortunately, we don’t have any here.” He raised an eyebrow at Austin. “You want me to send someone out for some?”

  “No.” The longer it took to get it out, the more his flesh would heal around the bullet and make it even harder and more painful to remove. “Just do it.”

  Vincent nodded as if that’s what he’d expected Austin to say, and handed him a piece of leather.

  “What’s that for?” Gwen asked, looking puzzled.