Romancing the Paranormal

by Stephanie Rowe

  “It’s okay,” she lied.

  “Hey.” Kade cradled her face with his palms, his thumbs gently brushing the tears away. “I love you. We’re going to figure this out. I promise you.”

  When he told her he loved her, it broke her heart. Sydney’s gaze fell to the floor, unable to look at him. His warm lips grazed over hers, and she swallowed the soft cry that bubbled inside her throat. As his hands fell from her skin, she gazed out the window. She wished she could pretend to be blind to his actions. She refused to watch his fangs descend, but the sigh of the donor’s arousal rang in her ears. Sydney thought she’d die another death, her chest heavy with emotion. By the time the blood hit her lips, she’d made a decision. She knew he wouldn’t agree, but it was of little consequence. One way or another, it was time to regain control of her life.

  Chapter Two

  Kade snatched a bottle of scotch off the bar and fell back into his leather chair. He recalled the debacle of a feeding that had just played out with Sydney. He’d bitten into the strange woman, her blood like paint thinner on his tongue. In turn, Sydney had barely been able to choke down more than a few drops, and still wasn’t nourished.

  Kade cursed the fucking demon that had stolen Sydney’s spirit. As she’d lain dying on the sidewalk, he hadn’t thought twice about turning her. He’d known the consequences, but like a doctor performing an amputation, he’d chosen to cut off the limb to save a life. In the process, he’d killed the human within the woman he loved.

  He’d known it would be difficult for Sydney to accept her new lifestyle. But he’d anticipated that in time she’d grow to understand that it was a matter of existence. He’d explained several times that the sexual feelings induced by their bite was necessary, a survival mechanism for the vampire race.

  Footsteps in the hallway thwarted his racing thoughts and alerted him to the fact that he wasn’t alone. His best friend, Luca Macquarie, stood watching him, his arm braced on the doorjamb. He’d known Luca would come, sensing his discontent.

  “Scotch?” Kade poured a drink and slid a tumbler across his desk.

  “Is that a question or an order?” Luca approached and took a seat.

  “I’m running out of time.” He held up his glass to the light, studying the amber legs trailing down the sides.

  “We’ve got nothing but time, my friend.”

  “Not her.”

  “Did she feed?”

  “What do you think?” Kade locked his tired eyes on Luca’s.

  “Is that a no?”

  “She ate…barely. She’s unable to control her bite.”

  “Still causing pain?”

  “Tried it two days ago.”

  “And?”

  “Let’s just say I had to bite the donor a second time just to take the edge off her screaming. Needless to say, she won’t be back.”

  “Can’t you just continue as is? You bite the donor then she feeds?”

  “Let me ask you this.” Kade took a deep draw of the liquor, his lips drawn tight. “How would Samantha feel if you bit another woman? Another man for that matter? Had to rely on someone else for food?”

  “She’d hate it. Look, I see your point, but you’re running out of options here.” Luca rimmed the edge of his drink with his forefinger. “What’s the great one say?”

  Kade gave a small smirk, realizing Luca was referring to Léopold, the ancient vampire who’d turned him.

  “Léopold believes it’s psychological but won’t rule out the possibility that the demon somehow mutated her. If that’s true, she’ll never be able to feed on her own…not bite easily, anyway. The human will struggle. Every time would be torture. She could end up killing them.”

  “Okay, well, let’s assume the former, shall we? Have you tried male donors? It could give her an incentive…you know…make things more pleasurable for her.”

  “Yes,” Kade bit out. The male had been every bit of a disaster as the woman.

  “I take that it didn’t go well.”

  “That would be correct. Not to mention that I know for damn sure you wouldn’t want your woman’s mouth on another man.” Kade plowed his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know…it’s not that I’m opposed to her eating from a man per se, but it was just all wrong. I didn’t know the donor. She didn’t know him either. Learning how to control the pleasure without it turning sexual is an acquired skill.”

  “You let me bite her,” Luca noted, averting his gaze.

  “She let you feed from her. Once. To save your ass. And if you recall correctly, I told you that I wouldn’t share her again,” Kade replied.

  “Yes, I do, but now you may have to do the same to save her.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re implying.”

  “Let her feed from someone she knows. Samantha is pregnant so that’s out but perhaps one of the wolves…”

  “Maybe. I’d have to ask the Alpha.”

  “Think about it…their blood is strong. The Alpha’s mate, Wynter, she would be a good choice. She’s a woman. And she and Sydney are friends. The Alpha owes you this anyway. Sydney ended up in this predicament saving her and their child.”

  “Wolves aren’t our usual food source.”

  “Who then? Does she have any other human friends who are willing?” Luca asked.

  “She hasn’t been down here very long. She doesn’t know many people,” Kade hedged. “I’ve got to do something, though. I’m losing her.”

  “You’re not losing her.”

  “I am. I can see the desperation in her eyes. Some days,” Kade pinched the bridge of his nose, “she’s not fighting. That day I saved her, I think she was ready to die. I mean, despite everything I could give her, her job had certain dangers. Dying…she knew it was a possibility. She always told me that she wanted to stay human. She was my mortal, and now…things are changed. We must rely on others for blood. She can’t handle me feeding from another woman. And fuck, I can’t blame her. I don’t want to see her bringing someone else pleasure.”

  “Remember that night in the club?” Luca asked, the corner of his mouth upturned.

  “What?”

  “Sangre Dulce. We were working the Asgear case.”

  “Yeah, what of it?”

  “You know I love Sam, so don’t take this the wrong way. But that night on the dance floor…Sydney and I…when we danced. I know you watched.”

  “So?”

  “So? You damn well know she was pleasuring me. Well, maybe she wasn’t doing it entirely on purpose, but still. Dancing like that. And then you joined us for a little sandwich action. I was harder than a fucking rock out there. You knew.” He laughed. “Not only did you know, you liked it.”

  Kade shook his head, unwilling to admit it. Seeing his best friend and Sydney enjoy each other had been a turn on, no doubt. But he’d always controlled the situation and he hadn’t bonded to her yet.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t like it, because you did. And the three of us together, when I was injured? You both came to me in bed. Granted you knew I needed her blood, but still. When I bit her, she touched me. You would never have let it happen if there wasn’t a small part of you that was open to it.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Luca. Even if I did enjoy it, which I’m not saying, it was you. Sydney and I are both close to you. There’s no one who fits that bill.”

  “What about Jake? He was with her when this demon shit all went down. Sydney knows him. He’s wolf. His blood may help her transition more quickly.”

  “It’s not happening,” Kade said, but the idea lingered in his mind. While it was true that Jake had come to Sydney’s aid, she didn’t know him that well. As loath as he was to admit it, maybe he should ask the Alpha if Wynter was willing to help. Sydney and Wynter had cared for the child together, and since the attack, she’d come to visit her. His cell phone rang, breaking his contemplation. He slid his thumb across its glass and answered it.

  “Kade,” he responded.

  “Detective Anthon
y Salucci.”

  “Anthony.” Kade had expected he’d call sooner or later. Sydney’s former partner still lived in Philadelphia. Prior to the accident, they’d kept in touch quite often. Lately, however, unless someone came to the house to visit her, she avoided speaking to anyone.

  “What’s going on down there? Syd isn’t picking up my calls. I texted her and nothin’.”

  “Detective,” Kade paused and glanced at Luca, “I’m very sorry to tell you…”

  “What happened? No, don’t tell me. She’s not…”

  “No…she’s not dead,” Kade replied, and took a deep breath. “There was an incident.”

  “Was she shot? Is she in the hospital?”

  “No but…she was attacked.”

  “Goddammit, Kade. Why the hell didn’t you call me? I would have come down there.”

  “There hasn’t been time. And besides, she’s recovering.” Kade stalled and changed the subject. “I’m sorry but she isn’t taking calls right now. I’d be happy to give her a message.”

  “Listen, I wanted to tell her first, but this concerns both of you now.” He sighed. “There’s been an escape.”

  “A what?”

  “An escape. From prison.”

  “And you thought to call Sydney because?” Kade asked.

  “The guy who escaped is dangerous. He’s had a hard on for Syd ever since he laid eyes on her.”

  “You think he’s coming down here?”

  “They’re coming for her.”

  “They’re?” Kade’s jaw tightened. As if she didn’t have enough problems, some two bit criminal planned on attacking Sydney? He’d have laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation if it weren’t for her seriously impaired state.

  “Yeah, this guy. He’s got connections. We busted him three years ago, and he’s been tied to over twenty murders,” Anthony told him.

  “If he thinks he’s coming to New Orleans to get Sydney, he’s going to have to get through me first.” Kade’s eyes met Luca’s.

  “All the same to you, I’m flying down there. He’s my responsibility and so is Sydney.”

  “She’s not your partner anymore.”

  “She’s my friend. You may be marryin’ her but she’ll always be my responsibility in my mind. I don’t know what the hell happened to her and I can see you’re not planning on tellin’ me. Doesn’t matter. I’ll be there tomorrow and we’ll work it out.”

  “You’re welcome to stay with us, but you need to know something.” Kade paused, concerned about how Sydney would react to seeing Anthony. “Listen, please don’t take this personally, but Sydney may not be up for visitors. I think once she sees you, she’ll be okay. But just in case she’s not, I feel like I need to warn you.”

  “Then I’ll visit with you. The best shot we’ve got to keep her safe is to work together. I want this guy and I plan on bringin’ him back.”

  “Whoever even attempts to lay a hand on my mate will be going home in a coffin.”

  “I hear ya, but all the same, I’m coming to help.”

  “All right. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Kade clicked off his phone and slammed it onto his desk. “When it rains, it pours.”

  “I take it from your conversation the detective expects trouble. He worries too much.” Luca took a sip of his drink and continued. “It’s like you just told him; if anyone goes after Sydney, they won’t be successful. They’re mere humans. Criminals who’ve already been caught once. How bright can they be?”

  “We should be cautious nonetheless. Sydney’s condition is precarious at best.” Kade picked up the bottle and poured another drink. “I’m worried about her. I know my girl. Something’s cooking in that head of hers. She’s going to strike out soon.”

  “Perhaps. It’s to be expected, though. Even for a mortal, she was a fighter. She’s proven herself to be a fine asset.”

  “An asset, huh? You do have a way with words. How I missed your candor.” Despite never being fond of humans, his friend had grown attached to Sydney.

  “Miss Willows has always been stronger than most. Most humans are so very weak…a shame really.”

  “They serve a purpose. You and I both know it.” Kade gave a small laugh, slightly amused with Luca’s condescending attitude.

  “So what to do with the human who is no longer human? You must learn to share donors. It can be quite pleasurable.” A small smile crossed his face.

  “She doesn’t want a donor, that’s the problem.”

  “Perhaps try a donor who’d agree to have you drain them artificially? They exist.”

  “No, it’s a temporary fix. Not acceptable.”

  “But in the short term…”

  “You and I both know she needs to learn how to feed on her own. I don’t think it’s the demon changing her. I’ve never heard of that happening. I tend to agree with Léopold. She’s got some kind of block going on. I’ll consider your idea about Wynter, though. I think knowing the person could make a difference. It’s worth a try anyway.”

  “Did I hear the detective say he’s coming for a visit?” Luca raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Yeah.” Kade stared into his glass, swirling the liquid and contemplating the bait his friend had laid on the table. Given the agony Sydney had caused her donors, he doubted she’d ever agree to feed from Anthony. He’d bet his life the detective would let her, however.

  Sydney had confessed to him that, at one time, she’d considered dating Anthony, but never did so for fear of losing the respect of her peers. Kade had never been jealous of Sydney’s friendship with her partner, because he knew with certainty that no one else was her mate.

  As Kade downed the last of his drink, he heard the squeal of wheels in the driveway. His eyes met Luca’s, anger flaring. As he’d suspected, she’d snapped; Sydney had left.

  Chapter Three

  Sydney had given it considerable thought. She couldn’t go one more day depending on Kade for her survival. Her life had become miserable. There was no reasonable explanation for why she couldn’t feed. If the demon had truly spawned her dilemma, then she was the only one who could regain control of the dismal situation. It had become a sickening ritual, watching Kade bite another woman, then dribbling the blood into her mouth as if she were a baby bird. A few tablespoons of blood hadn’t been enough to fully heal her from the attack. She’d rather die than be forever reliant on the demeaning process that had barely kept her alive.

  Sydney stood in front of the mirror gathering the courage to do what needed to be done. She finger combed her curly blonde hair, observing the dark circles that rounded her eyes. With shaky hands, she applied concealer to her pale skin. Tears wouldn’t come, though her heart felt as if it had been shattered in a thousand pieces. She’d cried so hard in the past two hours that dehydration had set in, her mouth dried due to her stinted saliva.

  Running her palm over the jagged scar on her abdomen, she closed her eyes. She resisted the temptation to stare at it one more time. The obsession to heal faster had done nothing but throw her further into a depression. Earlier in the week, she’d overheard Kade telling Luca that she should have been further along in her transformation. Her skin should have been flawless, yet everything about her was flawed.

  Sydney reached for a t-shirt and tugged it over her head. She slipped into a prairie skirt, and stole a glance at the woman she didn’t recognize. The tight fabric constricted her torso, showing her ribs. The weight loss only reminded her of how weak she was. She needed to drink more in order to recover.

  Sydney rummaged through her purse, looking for her keys. As she did so, she was reminded that she no longer had a badge or gun. Her superiors had told her she’d been placed on sick leave but she knew it was just a matter of time before they fired her. Only humans worked on the police force. Supernaturals worked for P-CAP: Paranormal City Alternative Police, an organization she’d grown to tolerate but hadn’t quite accepted. When she’d lived in Philadelphia, she and Anthony had worked with them on occas
ion on cases where human and supernatural crimes crossed paths.

  As a police officer, she’d never gone out without a weapon. She thought it ironic that as a vampire she should be stronger than any human, yet she was the most vulnerable she’d ever been in her life. She closed her bag, resigned to the fact that she’d have to go without protection. At this point, it mattered little. The only thing she needed where she was going was cash. As she made her way to the car, sneaking by Kade, she knew what she had to do, and the only way she could do it was alone.

  Sydney took a deep breath as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Gas lamps flickered overhead, their flames dancing to the bass that bled out into the street. The shuttered doors had been held back by brass hooks and eyes attached to the brick outer wall. Laughter spilled from a young couple exiting through the blue satin drapes that hung in the vestibule. A black wooden sign carved with gold calligraphy greeted patrons with a single word, Embo.

  It wasn’t as if Sydney hadn’t been to clubs that catered to humans and supernaturals, places that allowed them to share blood and sex. Both Philadelphia and New Orleans hosted establishments that fostered the symbiotic relationship. But Embo was special. It was the only place she knew that had been restricted to vampires and humans only. No other supernaturals were allowed entrance. Of greater interest to Sydney was the purist nature of the feeding arrangements. Every human who stepped foot inside had unequivocally given their consent as a donor. And every vampire knew it. More importantly for Sydney, it was the only place in New Orleans where they provided the kind of food she sought.

  Sydney grasped the curtain and pulled it aside. Her heart pounded against her ribs, the scent of incense in the air. A tall man dressed in a black suit fiddled with a reservation list, busily checking off names. She steeled her nerves as the maître d turned his attention to her.

  “Good evening, detective,” he said from behind a podium, not making a move to unchain the red velvet rope that stood in her way.

  “No detective here. You see a badge?” Sydney opened her arms wide.