by Rena Marks
Coffin lids are heavy. No doubt about that. But Johnny and Merrick lifted it, and I wasn’t even scared about what might be inside. I was sure it was Julian. However, what was in there should have scared me.
He was weak. His eyes could open when the lid lifted but that was it. He just watched me, helplessly. I stepped into the coffin and straddled him. His skin was paper thin. I could see faint veins beneath it. It looked brittle, like onion-paper that might crumble to dust at a touch. That was my fear, my biggest fear. That he would crumble to dust.
I leaned over him and exposed my neck. He simply looked at me but I could see the bloodlust in his eyes. He did nothing else.
“Have a drink, Julian.”
“No.” One word, barely whispered out.
I understood. He was too hungry and afraid to hurt me. Maybe even afraid to turn me.
“Oh, yes.” I looked into his eyes and pressed the barest of kisses to his lips. “Drink up.”
Neither of us could survive otherwise.
I bared my neck to his lips again. It was too much for him in his weakened state. I felt the puncture and the warmth flowing from me to him. It felt a lot like the first time when I’d accepted the protection mark. I felt his strength returning. His sucking strengthened, becoming more rhythmic. It was a sweet feeling, nurturing, knowing that he could not live without me. My own breathing started to slow. I was vaguely aware of being weakened and drained but didn’t care. Didn’t want to care.
Julian pulled away and my head floated down to his chest. He stroked my back and held me gently while I shivered. I was cold now, damned cold. All that beauty was gone. Julian was crooning softly, making soothing noises against my forehead. My shivering worsened, until my whole body trembled. It grew worse and worse until my arms and legs jerked in spasms like a seizure.
Julian was strong again. He lifted us out of the coffin and carried me upstairs, all while I jerked and twitched in his arms. We moved through the bar, and headed up the back stairs. I was dimly aware of the other vamps, Johnny and several of the others all speaking at once. Lily was there and stroked her fingers down my trembling cheek.
“She’ll be all right,” Julian assured her but he didn’t sound as if he believed it. “I’ll just get her warm.” He took the stairs, two at a time, to his office. Johnny was right behind him.
“Get blankets out of that closet, spread one on the floor.” Julian commanded. While Johnny spread the blanket, Julian stripped my clothes off. I was naked but I doubted my blue extremities were attractive to anyone. Julian stripped too and held our naked bodies together. Johnny covered us with another blanket. Soon I heard Julian say, “It’s not enough. She’s still cold. Johnny, strip.” I felt another warmth enveloping me, Julian on one side, Johnny on the other.
“Julian,” Anna screamed. “It's not working.”
I heard a howl as Leo stood in the doorway.
And darkness fell.
I came awake slowly. We were no longer in the higher-temperature office, but in a bed. Julian’s bed. Anna was there, leaning over the side of the bed holding a cup of steaming hot something. She was clothed. I was enveloped between Johnny and Julian and wasn’t wearing anything at all. But I wasn’t trembling anymore.
I held a hand out automatically as Anna lowered the cup toward me. My hand was surrounded with colors which left a trail following. I blinked. I thought I saw a trail of colors on Anna’s cheek and reached out to touch it. There was nothing there. I shook my head, trying to clear it.
“What is wrong, my sweet?”
“I’m not vampire?” It was the only explanation I had for the funny swirls of colors I was seeing.
“No. Just bound to me as always, my human servant.”
“Yesterday?”
He nodded. “You’ve been out for a whole day. Leo too. I think maybe the binding did connect—yours to his. We have him in Johnny’s quarters. We have not harmed your wolf.”
I turned toward Julian and Johnny slipped out of the blanket.
I felt distrust clouding my soul, darkening my vision. I didn’t feel normal at all. I was slipping from the normal human world, to the realm of supernatural vision, back and forth way too easily.
“I’m tired, Julian. I want to go home.” Desperately, I squeezed my eyes shut. I wanted to be home where things were normal. Because my vision wasn’t and it scared me.
“Then we shall take you home.”
He rose and dressed. I lay there, watching listlessly. My eyes were tired, my body worn out. Julian lifted me, blanket and all. Blackness swirled before my eyes.
When I awoke next, Julian was laying me gently on my own living room sofa.
Johnny and the trio were still there, watching me with worried eyes.
“Anjelia, something's wrong. You’re not healing as quickly as you should be. You need to drink my blood.”
I stared at Julian, my head spinning. It was going to take me a long time to heal, I could feel it. But I could be safe for a little while with my thoughts and my memories.
Julian smiled at me before pressing his lips to my forehead.
“Remember the magic potion? That’s what it was made from…my blood.”
He pulled away and went to slice his neck. Would the drinking of his blood when I was so drained turn me vampire?
I reached out and took the finger that was going to slice him. I brought it to my lips, kissing it gently. Knowing this would be the last time I kissed him.
“I can't let you do that. I revoke my invitations for all five of you.” It was a whisper, all the strength I had left.
My living room door had been open, it stayed open still after the wind blew them all out to the front porch. Julian was still in the open doorway, his hands clutching at the invisible field. The other four were looking at me with panicked faces through my bay window. The blanket that had been enveloping me had slipped to the floor. I didn’t have the energy to retrieve it even though I shivered with cold. I curled my body into a fetal position and closed my eyes to the sight of what had been my friends, watching me but unable to get in.
“Anjelia, don’t do this. Please. You’re not yourself.” I heard Julian beg from the porch.
My mind crisscrossed with his. I knew I wasn't myself, but I couldn't control it.
That damned vision that I’d been having problems with since the fight with Danielle. I was suddenly looking through his eyes, seeing me curled on the couch. I had a feeling of déjà vu and realized I’d witnessed this scene before. This is what I’d seen while in a trance by Merrick.
My memories had been erased. Danielle hadn't been lying about that.
It would take me a long time to heal and I could have my memories, my own thoughts, during that time. The first time I stepped outside that doorway though, I was sure someone would be waiting with that deathly kiss to erase my memories again, along with my will. I wondered if things would go back to the way they were before.
Where does it end now? I don’t know what will become of Danielle. I’d never asked. Actually, I may not want to know. You don’t betray your master. I know that much. Especially for the humans. Leo is still Leo. I hoped the vampires released him safely. That could be a problem, if not. War between the species would break out immediately. Especially since I should have been his wolf queen by now. I wondered how long his mental clarity would remain in check.
It was too much to think about. I closed my eyes.
Was I dying?
Chapter Seventeen
I came awake groggily. I was in a bed, but not in my safe little house. It was an enormous room with a canopied bed.
A cold stethoscope pressed against my chest. I looked up to find Leo in doctor mode. His hair was tied back in the usual ponytail, darker stubble accented the strength of his jaw.
He smiled. “What have you done to yourself, Anjelia?”
“I don’t want to forget my memories, Leo. I think they’ll erase my memories,” I babbled, then paused. “How did I get here?”
“Julian came to me that night, a week ago. He requested that I enter your home when he was revoked. I brought you here to nurse you.”
“But they’ll get to me at your place. As soon as you take me outside.” My agitation was high as I tried to make him understand the gravity of the situation, and I grabbed his arm.
Leo calmly took my hand from his arm. He put it down gently and reached for a hypodermic needle. “You’re fine at my house, Anjelia. I have a whole pack of wolves watching over it and over you. Julian is not going to harm you, as I would never harm you. We both love you. He would rather send you with me than watch you die. You’ve been here a week and you’ve been safe all that time now.”
I held still as he slid the needle gently under my skin and gave me the shot. “This is just to relax you.”
“Please don’t leave me, Leo.” I insisted.
“I won’t,” he whispered.
I saw trust reflected in his eyes, and remembered—no—I knew that I could trust him as well. Damn. It was that sight, that sixth sense, uncontrollably asserting itself again. I couldn’t control the damn thing now, and I just wanted it to go away.
“Something's not right with me,” I said.
He nodded. “We think there was some transference of Merrick's powers. We don't know which or how much, or whether it'll last. While you sleep, Julian will be coming to feed. You’ll be out for it and won’t have to deal with him, okay?”
My eyelids were heavy. “Okay.”
I saw Leo lean forward and kiss my forehead before I closed my eyes.
When I awoke next, Leo was entering the room with a tray. Setting it on the night table, he adjusted my pillows and helped me to sit up.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Eat first to build your strength. Then I'm thrown into nurse status, bathing you. Your first in a week.”
“You?”
“I don’t trust anyone else, Anjelia,” he said seriously. “One of my kind might be tempted to turn you. They still want you as our queen. We don’t know what the consequences will be with vampire blood running through your veins.”
“But you’ll see me naked.”
“I’m a doctor.” He sounded quite surprised. “I’ve already seen you naked. Who do you think has given you sponge baths this week? All that schooling and I’m reduced to your nurse. You owe me big time, woman.”
I giggled at his teasing. I was comfortable and happy around him. He set the tray on my lap.
“Did you cook too?”
“Thankfully not. I did choose the menu, though. Does that impress you?”
“Very much,” I assured him.
To my surprise, Leo sat on the bed next to me, picking up a spoon and feeding me spoonfuls of soup. We kept up an idle chitchat until I started to grow weary, which didn't take long. He watched me carefully.
“Okay, just a couple more bites. I’ll get the bath started, before you knock out. It’ll take a while to fill up.” Leo disappeared into the adjoining bathroom, and I heard the water run.
“You like it soapy? Lots of bubbles?” He called out.
“Yup.”
I must be losing my modesty. It didn’t upset me too much that Leo was about to bathe me. Of course, I’ve been bathed before—by Anna and Julian.
He returned to the bedroom and I was surprised to see he was stark naked.
Completely.
“Huh?”
He grinned. “I’m getting in with you. It’s easier. Being nude doesn’t embarrass a wolf, Anjelia.”
“Well, it kind of embarrasses a human,” I grumbled and tried not to stare at the object between his legs. He ignored me. I tried very hard not to notice the bulk of his muscles, the smooth, tan skin, the spattering of masculine hair. The hair that trailed in a downward spiral… and I barely remembered to avert my eyes. Again.
He set aside my tray and opened the bedclothes. As I leaned forward I inhaled his scent while he untied my hospital gown from my back. He slid it down my shoulders, which left me just as nude. He picked me up, somewhat matter-of-factly, and carried me into the bathroom.
The tub was huge and sunken into the floor. Filled with bubbles. It had actual steps to walk into it and Leo did just that. He settled on the bottom of the tub with me curled onto his lap. The water was hot. I sunk back against him, relaxing.
“I used lavender bubbles.”
“Darn. I’m partial to jasmine.”
“I’m a professional doctor in the human world. I can’t go around with jasmine scented skin,” he teased.
I smiled and turned slightly. I was lying directly on Leo, my back pressed to his chest. His arms were wrapped around me, comfortable and strong. I made sure my breasts were covered by the bubbles and not bobbing about. I felt so safe and secure. Especially since there was nothing poking me in the backside.
“Thank you for taking care of me,” I said, watching my toe poke a bubble on the surface of the water.
“You’re welcome.”
“This isn’t going to cause a problem with the vampires, is it?”
“No. They came to get me when you revoked them from your house. Julian loves you, much as I hate to admit it since I’d rather have you. He’d like to come and see you to start over. Whenever you’re ready.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“If I could make you love me instead of him, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But you love Julian and I want you to be happy.”
“And you’re stuck being insane every full moon?”
“Actually, it’s getting better. Being around you is relieving the symptoms. I’m getting back to normal. I’d still like to spend a full moon with you to see what happens. I’d never hurt you, you know.”
There was something he wasn’t telling me. That answer was too easy but it was something I’d have to delve into later.
“I know you’d never hurt me,” I whispered.
I stayed at Leo’s mansion for another week. He allowed none of his staff upstairs and I felt safer not having to see anyone but him.
I became healthier. We talked a lot as we sunbathed and swam. Leo thought nothing of nudity, and after a few days it didn’t bother me as much. Sure he was handsome with that sun streaked hair and golden brown eyes, especially with the stubble that so often covered his face. He was extremely muscular, broad-shouldered with impressive thighs, huge massive columns of muscle.
But when he was nude, he never tried to grope me or fondle me or even stare at me unnecessarily if I took my top off to sunbathe. He would even walk in on me while I was dressing, and strangely, it just didn’t bother me.
I wished that time could stand still. I didn’t want to have to think about the vamps, or work, or even why Leo wasn’t at work.
It was daylight outside and I was out on the balcony sunbathing. Leo had gone downstairs to fix our lunch when I started to think about Julian. What would happen if a human grabbed me from the balcony? I panicked and thought about screaming for Leo.
I was quite surprised when he answered. In my head.
Anjelia? What is it?
Leo? You can hear me?
Yes. I see you’ve acquired some new powers.
It was an exciting new event to study, but a headache began, so I blocked out any further communication. I'm not sure how I knew how, but blocking felt like stuffing cotton into my head. My senses dulled, my hearing dampened, my vision impaired. Nevertheless, the headache didn’t diminish.
Leo appeared with the tray of food, still dressed in the surfer shorts he’d left wearing.
His chest was bare. I watched the play of muscles as he balanced the tray. “That was a new one.”
“Umm.” I muttered, rubbing my temple with one fingertip.
“Here, let me.” He set the tray down and sat next to me as he shared my lounge chair. He massaged my temples, and I closed my eyes.
“Was the headache caused by the communication?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Did you get a headache after our
shared dream?”
My eyes flew open. “Wh-what?” I stammered.
He looked me squarely in the eye. “Our dream? The one in which we made love. Did you get a headache from that connection also?”
“You were in my dream?”
“Yes, I was in that dream. You sucked me into it and I wasn’t about to protest.”
“You never mentioned it.”
“That's because I had a feeling this was how you would react.”
“Of course this is how I would react! It’s not proper to have wet dreams about your friend.”
Leo smiled at me. A masculine smile full of secrets that said he’d also dreamed about me and wasn't about to apologize.
* * * * *
Leo and I worked out in the weight room. Or rather, Leo did. I’d stopped a while earlier and spotted him as necessary. Truth be known, I was happier to just watch. I enjoyed watching the glide of his muscles across his chest. The slight sheen that glimmered across his skin as he worked up a sweat. It was so tempting to skim my fingertips along slick biceps.
“Shall we shower and get to bed?” he asked.
“I guess it is late. I don’t really keep track of time here.”
“No need to. Just relax and enjoy it.”
We walked to the nearest shower which was in Leo’s room. He surprised me by taking a hold of my hand as we walked. It felt nice.
“I can shower in my own room.” I offered.
“Why?” Leo asked, looking into my eyes.
“It just seems more natural. Friends don’t go around naked all the time and showering with each other. What will we do when this ends?”
“It is natural for me, Anjelia. I’m a wolf, born not bitten. Do I make you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
To prove it, I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower, and he followed quickly after. We showered in silence in the double headed shower, and I turned my spray off first, stepping out to dry on the fluffy white mat. He lingered a few minutes and when he switched his own spray off, I handed him a dry towel. My own was tucked around my body.
He toweled himself off while I combed out my hair and blow-dried it. I was ready to head to my room when Leo turned down his covers, reached for my hand and pulled me onto him.
