06 Blood Ties

by Mari Mancusi

  To be honest, I couldn’t care less who was hanging at the Bloody Ford Clinic with my sister. But if it distracted her from asking about how I ended up here in the hospital I was willing to play along.

  “Billy Joe from Green Day? That chick from Paramore? R-Patz? Justin Bieber?”

  “Um, for the record, Sun, Justin Bieber sooo does not make my list of hot celebs. I wouldn’t think I’d have to tell you that.”

  “Spencer Pratt? Eminem? Snooki from Jersey Shore?”

  “You’re not even trying, are you?”

  “Well, if it’s some weirdo Goth singer from 1980s Germany, I’m giving up now.”

  Rayne sighs deeply. “Okay, fine. How about charades? Sounds like... Ace... Rameson.”

  “Um, have you ever played charades? ’Cause, for one thing, you’re not supposed to talk. In fact, it’s kind of the only real rule.”

  “Ace Rameson, Sun. Come on!” I roll my eyes. “Fine, fine. Race Jameson. I get it.” Rayne holds up her hands. “I didn’t say a word.” Right. “Okay, fine. I agree. That’s pretty interesting,” I grudgingly admit. After all, legendary rock star Race Jameson seemed perfectly fine back in October when he helped us with our little cheerleader incident. “I didn’t realize he had a blood addiction.”

  “Well, you know how it is,” Rayne says casually. “All those groupies. It must be tough not to take a nibble here and there. And before you know it, you find yourself in the second half hour of your Behind the Music.” She giggles at her own joke, then turns to me, her expression serious. “Speaking of nibbles. Are we going to talk about your neck now?”

  “I think I’d rather talk about the other celebs. Did you happen to see Taylor Momsen? I’m pretty sure she could be a vamp—”

  “Come on, Sun. What happened? No one will tell me anything. It wasn’t Magnus, was it? ’Cause coven leader or no, I’m pretty sure I could stake his ass if he’s suddenly taken to juicing your jugular.”

  I shake my head, not able to look her in the eye. “It was Jayden,” I mutter.

  She looks at me sharply. “I’m sorry? For a moment, I thought you said Jayden. But he’s—”

  “Currently turning into a vampire.” “Well, there goes the neighborhood.”

  I scowl. I know she’s not the hugest Jayden fan— after all, it’s in her best interest to keep me with her boyfriend’s best friend so we can more easily double-date. But still!

  “He saved my life, remember? The night you were too busy playing craps? And while he was so selflessly sacrificing himself for me, he might have gotten infected with the virus.” My voice breaks, remembering the frail, pale boy in the alleyway. “If he dies, it’ll be my fault.”

  “Um, he won’t die. Vampire, remember? Immortal life, all that jazz? It’s sort of the whole point.”

  “Yeah, I know. But what kind of life...?” I trail off. It’s impossible to argue with a girl who, her entire life, wanted nothing more than to be a creature of the night. Even as a kid she refused to eat anything but Count Chocula.

  “Jayden didn’t ask for this,” I try instead. “And also, I think there’s something wrong with him. Maybe because he didn’t have anyone to guide him through his initial transformation. But he’s acting... I don’t know... bizarre.”

  “Bizarre? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Rayne shakes her head in disbelief. “He mistook your neck for a juicy porterhouse, Sunny!”

  “Vampires in glass rehabs shouldn’t throw stakes,” I remind her dryly. After all, she was the one who couldn’t control her bloodlust and almost drained Corbin dry back in Ireland. (Which is totally against the Consortium code of conduct, which states vampires can drink only from licensed blood donors.) If Jareth hadn’t stepped in and turned poor Corbin into a vampire at the last minute, the Alpha would have ended up a bloodless corpse. Which, in hindsight, wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing...

  She snickers. “Well, I’m out of rehab now, baby. And as a slayer, I consider it my sworn duty to stake any vampire who doesn’t behave around my baby sister.”

  Baby. Please. She was born seven minutes earlier than me. And, I might add, has been late to everything ever since. “Even if baby sister gave the vampire in question permission to bite?”

  Her wide eyes tell me I’ve surprised her. Good. “Since when did you go all willing-blood-donor chick on me?”

  “I’m not. I just thought it might help him.” I explain to her my theory on the Holy Grail blood in my veins. “I thought maybe... just maybe it would cure him.”

  “Well, it hasn’t,” interrupts a male voice.

  I look up to see Magnus enter the room. My sister takes one look at the expression on his face and takes off running faster than the Road Runner. Coward!

  “Hey, hon,” I say casually, trying to will my voice to sound steady and nonchalant. “How’s it going?”

  He frowns, plopping down in the chair beside my bed. His usually perfectly pressed Armani suit is rumpled and his hair has come loose from its ponytail. “Not great,” he replies in a disgruntled voice. “I’ve missed my flight to Japan and the Consortium has been ringing me off the hook, wondering why I’m not on it.”

  “Okay...” I pause. “And, um, why aren’t you, again?”

  He gives me a pointed look. “Because a certain girlfriend of mine is in the hospital undergoing a blood transfusion after she decided to offer herself up as a gourmet treat to some hungry stray?”

  Oh, right. That.

  “Jayden’s not a stray,” I protest. “He’s my friend. And friends help each other. At least, in my world they do.”

  Magnus reaches over and brushes away a lock of hair that’s fallen into my face. He gives me a small smile. “You’re very sweet,” he says. “Always thinking of others before yourself. Honestly, it’s one of the things that made me fall in love with you in the first place.”

  Hmm. I’m sensing a big “but” coming in for a landing here...

  “But, Sunny!” Magnus continues, not disappointing me. “You could have very well been killed out there, had I not come along. A new vampire like Jayden doesn’t know his own strength. Especially one with no training—he literally wouldn’t know how to stop sucking once he started—even if he wanted to. In fact, if I hadn’t pulled him off of you, I am quite positive he would have drained every last drop out of your body and still been hungry for more.”

  I hang my head. When he puts it like that, it does seem like a rather dumb move on my part...

  “I mean, look at the mess your sister got herself in,” Magnus continues. “She sucked the entire mortal life out of Corbin, forcing Jareth to turn him into a vampire. What if I had to do that to you? Would you be okay living the rest of your life as a creature of the night, just to give Jayden his afternoon blood and cookies?”

  “I guess not,” I mutter, feeling ashamed and stupid. It had seemed like such a good plan at the time...

  The two of us fall silent, each lost in our own thoughts. Actually, I’m just trying to work up the courage to ask the question I desperately need answered, but at the same time am afraid to know the answer to.

  “How is Jayden, anyway?” I blurt out finally.

  Magnus looks weary. “He’s stable now,” he replies. “But I don’t know for how long. I don’t know if it’s because of the manner in which he was bitten or his hemophiliac blood disorder—but his human cells aren’t properly bonding with the vampire ones. Meaning he’s not really a vampire. But he’s not really human either.” Magnus reaches over and takes my hand in his, stroking the back of my palm. “I’m sorry, Sun. I know he’s your friend. But I think it might be kinder to just put him down instead of letting him suffer like this.”

  “Put him down?” My heart reels. I yank my hand away. “Magnus, he’s not a dog! You can’t just—”

  “He’s sick, Sun. He can’t get proper nutrients from drinking human blood. And so he’s literally starving to death, even though we’ve pumped him with every blood type known to vampire.” He
shakes his head. “And a sick vampire can be more dangerous than a rabid dog.”

  I cringe. “But maybe he’ll get better! Maybe he just needs more time...”

  “Normally I’d say yes, but we’re in Code Red right now, in case you forgot,” Magnus reminds me gently. “The Alphas are readying for battle. And we have no idea what they have in store for us. We need all our top doctors and scientists working on ways to stop them from creating an army of vampiric fairies.” He gives me a pitying look. “We just don’t have the time or resources to deal with one sick vampire when the whole vampire race is in danger of being obliterated by our enemies.”

  “But this isn’t just any single vampire,” I whimper, my voice breaking as I think of my poor, sick friend. “This is Jayden.”

  Magnus lets out a slow breath as he rises to his feet, his eyes tormented and sad. “Sunny, I know he’s special to you. But I don’t see any alternative in this case. I wish I did. I really do.”

  I smile at him, appreciating the effort he’s making for my sake. Especially since he’s not exactly Jayden’s number-one fan. It’d be much easier for him to just let Jayden die—and wipe his only competition off the face of the Earth. But he loves me too much for that. And I love him for loving me that much.

  “Master!” A vampire in a white lab coat suddenly bursts into the hospital room, a large clipboard clasped in his hands. He pushes it toward Magnus, pointing down at the charts with a shaky finger. “You said to inform you of any changes. Well, take a look at this.”

  Magnus studies the chart carefully, his face a mask of solemnity. Then he looks up at the doctor and nods his head. “Thank you,” he says. “Keep me posted of any other changes.”

  The doctor agrees and heads out of the room, clipboard still in hand. I look up at Magnus, who is watching him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. “What?” I demand, my heart thudding in my chest.

  “Is this about Jayden?”

  Magnus pauses, then nods reluctantly, as if he doesn’t really want to tell me the news. As if he has a choice...

  “Come on, Mag, spill!”

  “It would seem...” he says slowly. “That your blood actually did do some good for him after all.”

  My eyes widen. “You mean because of the Holy

  Grail antibodies in my bloodstream?”

  He nods. “While a fully formed vampire would die from receiving a transfusion of Holy Grail–infused blood, since Jayden’s still partially mortal, the Grail antibodies actually seem to be helping his human cells fight off the vampire cells. Much like an antibiotic might kill harmful bacteria.”

  “I knew it!” I cry. “That’s awesome news!”

  “Don’t break out the celebratory champagne just yet,” Magnus warns. “He’s still got a long fight ahead of him. Vampire cells are extremely strong and he’s going to need a lot more antibodies if he has any hope of destroying them altogether.”

  “Well, I can help. I can give more blood. Whatever he needs!”

  My boyfriend shoots me a sharp look. “Believe me, I’m well aware of your willingness to slash open a vein for this guy,” he replies. “But it may not be enough to save him. After all, you’ve only got a trace amount of antibodies in your blood. He’d have to drink gallons for a chance at a real cure. And you just don’t have that much to give.”

  My heart sinks. Was all this hope for nothing then? “What we need is a very concentrated dose,”

  Magnus muses. “Straight from the source.”

  The source? “You mean like the actual Grail?” I ask. “Going back to the druids and asking for another drop?”

  “Maybe,” Magnus hedges. “I just wish this wasn’t happening now. The druids are not going to just talk to any vampire who walks up to their door. But I don’t know if I can take the time out to go myself.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’ve got my duties to the Blood Coven to consider. The Consortium needs me in Japan, like, yesterday.”

  “Well, the Consortium can hold their vampire horses,” I growl, not willing to let this shred of hope be ripped away. “I mean, England’s on the way to Japan anyway.”

  Magnus raises an eyebrow. “Now I know why you’re getting a C in geography.”

  “I meant, if you go around the long way,” I correct hastily. “It’s just a short side trip. Swing by Glastonbury, grab the Grail blood, cure Jayden, then hop back on the plane to Japan. The most it’ll take is a day. And seeing that Japan is a day ahead of us anyway, you’ll end up getting there exactly when you’re supposed to.”

  “Your logic never ceases to amaze,” Magnus replies dryly. “But yes, I suppose it won’t take too much time. And I can work from the plane and keep in touch with phone and e-mail until I’m able to arrive in person.”

  Yes! “Oh, Magnus, thank you! Thank you, thank you, you thank you!” I cry, throwing my arms around him and squeezing him with all my might. “You won’t be sorry. I promise.”

  “One thing, though, Sunny,” Magnus says, pulling away to look me in the eyes. His expression is serious. “You’re going to have to come along, too. We may need to give Jayden some small blood transfusions to keep his body fighting until we get the real blood.”

  I nod eagerly. Happy to be able to help. Happy to not be left at home. Finally, for once in my life, I have an actual purpose. I’m useful to the Blood Coven. Or at least to Jayden.

  “Of course I’ll do it!” I tell Magnus. “Whatever it takes, I don’t care.”

  My boyfriend gives me a small smile. “You really do care about him, don’t you?” he says softly, his voice threaded with envy.

  My smile fades as I realize I’ve inadvertently hurt his feelings with my overt excitement. He knows I still retain a soft spot for the boy who saved my life. A place in my heart where he can never enter.

  “I do care about him,” I admit, reaching around to pull Magnus close to me. “But not in the way I care about you. My love. My friend.” I kiss him softly on the mouth. “And I will never forget this act of kindness you’ve shown today as long as I shall live.”

  “And as a fairy princess,” Magnus teases, reaching around to stroke my wings through my hospital gown, “that should hopefully be a very, very long time.”

  4

  “The captain has turned off the ‘Fasten seat belt’ signs,” drones a bored-sounding stewardess, “indicating it’s now safe to walk around the cabin.”

  I click out of my seat belt and make my way over to the private plane’s bedroom, where Magnus is lounging on his back in the queen-sized bed. (Immortal vampires are always claiming they don’t need to buckle up.) He’s going over some briefs faxed over by the Consortium, but looks up and smiles as I enter, and pats the side of the bed, inviting me to sit, as he stacks the briefs on a nearby table. I acquiesce, crawling up onto the bed and melting into his waiting arms, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. He looks down at me and smiles lovingly.

  “Hey, baby,” he says, moving my hair to the side to better stroke the back of my neck. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like a new person,” I reply, nuzzling into his chest. “Blood does a body good. Well, a blood transfusion anyway. I’m still not up for making milk shakes out of the stuff or anything.”

  He chuckles. “Hey, don’t knock a double-malt, extra O-negative ’til you’ve tried one.”

  I make a face. “Ew.com.”

  “Well, then can I interest you in a pint of nectar instead?” he asks, stretching out his other arm to open the mini-fridge below the night table. My mouth involuntarily waters as he pulls out a squeeze box of imported fairyland nectar.

  “Yes, please,” I reply, taking the box from him and stabbing it with a straw. Ever since turning fairy, I’ve had an insatiable appetite for the stuff. And Magnus, being the best boyfriend in the world that he is, always makes sure to keep a stash on hand.

  “How’s your work going?” I ask after sipping.

  He groans. “I think Pyrus is sending me the worst of it as punishment for not
getting to Japan on their timetable.”

  I shoot him a sympathetic glance. “I’m sorry. I feel bad I’ve taken you away from your duties.”

  “It’s okay,” he says. “He’ll live. And, as a bonus, this way I get to spend some extra time with my girl.” He takes the juice box from me and sets it on the night table. Then he pulls me back into his arms. “After all, England is a very long plane ride away.”

  I smile slowly. “However will we pass the time?” I ask impishly as I roll over, pinning him to the bed, looking down at his loving eyes. I lower my lips to his own, tasting his cool, sweet kiss. His hands stroke my back. Lower and lower and...

  “Have you ever considered joining the mile-high club?” Magnus asks huskily, his fingers skillfully kneading my lower back between my pelvic bones. I swallow hard, feeling the warm tide rise over me, shocked that I’m seriously considering his proposition. Imagine. My first time, with the guy I love, on a luxurious bed, thirtyfive thousand miles in the air? What a way to give up the V!

  “Mmm,” I murmur noncommittally as I attempt to gather my courage. My heart pounds in my chest. Could this really be it? Is the timing finally right? All I’d have to say is one word of assent. One tiny syllable to change my life forever... “Oh, Magnus,” I whisper. “I’m—”

  “ARRGHHHH!”

  A piercing cry of anguish interrupts the scene of seduction. Startled, I break from our kiss, sitting up in bed, trying to identify the sound. Magnus grabs my hand and tries to pull me back toward him. “It’s just Jayden,” he murmurs.

  Jayden! God. How can I just be lying here, enjoying all of this, maybe making the most important decision of my life thus far, while he’s chained up in the next room, hungry, scared, sick, and alone? Ugh. They should so revoke my friend card.

  I squirm out of my boyfriend’s grasp. “Maybe I should go check on him,” I say, glancing toward the door. “He’s probably scared out of his mind.”