Blood and Sand

by Elizabeth Hunter

  “Obviously,” Natalie muttered.

  “I have called in a favor,” Katya said with a smile. “Several, actually. Lucien Thrax has agreed to come to a facility I own in Northern California, only an hour from San Francisco. He has agreed to work with my pharmaceutical company to discover more about this Elixir. If we can discover a cure, it would be beneficial for everyone.”

  “And profitable,” Natalie said quietly.

  Katya smiled at her. “Of course. Profitable as well.” She returned her attention to Baojia. “The girls will live there. We are building a comfortable house right now. A home where they can live and be looked after. They will be prisoners, of a sort. That is unavoidable. But their time is limited, and we will offer as much protection and treatment as we can. We have decided this is best for them.”

  The superior tone put Natalie’s instincts on edge. “Who has decided?”

  “I have,” Carwyn said. “And Brigid. This was our idea, Nat. We’ve seen what humans go through with this illness. Unless we find a cure, it’s a slow and painful death.”

  Brigid said, “My closest human friend died of Elixir poisoning.” Her strange eyes met Natalie’s. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. And we don’t know who might come after these girls. Whoever Ivan was working with—whoever is making this drug—would kill them without a thought.”

  “If you take my offer, I don’t believe it will come to that,” Katya said. “Lucien is brilliant, but he is a man of science. And these girls will be targets. They’re loose ends that need to be protected.” She looked at Baojia. “That is what I want you to do. I want to hire you to run the security for this facility and everyone—human or vampire—who works there.”

  Natalie looked at Baojia, then at Katya, then back to Baojia. He wanted to say yes, she could tell. But he didn’t want to answer without asking her. She could tell

  by the way his grip on her hand tightened.

  “Yes,” she said quietly, looking at him. “It’s too important to let anyone else handle it. Yes.”

  He turned toward her and murmured, “I said I would follow you. You don’t have to—”

  “There is a job waiting for Natalie as well,” Katya said. “If she’d like to work for the Chronicle. I have been assured they would be very flexible about her schedule and most happy to have her on staff or as a contributor.”

  Natalie turned toward Katya, lifting her chin. “Are you offering this just so he’ll come work for you?”

  The vampire cocked her pretty blond head. “Yes. But you’ll only keep the job if you’re good.” Then she smiled at Carwyn. “I like her.”

  Natalie let out a burst of sharp laughter, trying to come up with an objection. She still had questions—plenty of them—but as far as plans went, it seemed like a good one. She looked at Baojia, recognizing the gleam of anticipation in his eyes. She thought about the girls who were sick and would only grow sicker without help. No one would protect them like he could.

  “I’ll take it.” She nodded. “We’ll go.”

  Baojia squeezed her hand, but she could see he was pleased. “Only if you’re sure.”

  “George,” she said, throwing her arm around his shoulders as he groaned, “I’m sure of you. Everything else, we’ll figure out along the way.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  “This isn’t a good idea, Boss.”

  Baojia considered the young man’s words from the back of the black Cadillac that his new employer had bought for him. The streets of Ensenada flew past; Luis still drove too fast.

  “You worry too much,” he said as the driver pulled up to the side door of the club. He slapped Luis on the back before he slid out. “Stay with the car. I won’t be long.”

  Luis only sighed and said, “Okay. But this is still—”

  The slam of the car door shut him up. Baojia raised an eyebrow. The sedan had excellent soundproofing. He’d have to remember that. He walked to the doors of the club where the vampire guard eyed him cautiously.

  “Is he expecting you?” the stocky man asked.

  “No.”

  The guard gave a nod, spoke to a human standing at his shoulder, then smiled at Baojia patiently. A few moments later, the human came back and nodded, and the guard waved him in.

  “Welcome to Bar El Ruso.”

  “Thank you.”

  The flashing lights still annoyed him, and he was glad he hadn’t needed to spend time in their presence for over six months. The house he and Natalie lived in north of San Francisco faced the ocean and was set on top of sweeping cliffs with a secluded beach below. It had enough light for her and dark for him. Plus, it connected underground to the facility where he spent most of his nights. The infected girls had been brought from the desert four months earlier—much to Tulio’s relief—and most seemed comfortable so far. Security renovations on the facility were well under way, and Natalie was healing as quickly as she could. Though pain was still an issue, it was less and less every night.

  Baojia climbed the stairs to the VIP lounge, nodding at the vampire guarding the entrance. He spotted Ivan holding court in his corner sofa as soon as he entered. The vampire watched him with a curious smile as he strolled over.

  “My friend,” Ivan said graciously, though he didn’t stand. “What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to my city? Please, have a seat.”

  He sat across from the wily earth vampire, as casually as he could when he was surrounded by six of Ivan’s guards. No sign of Carlos, of course. Carlos’s dust was scattered in the desert, along with Ivan’s old customers. “I’m only here for the night. I came to pay my respects to an old acquaintance.”

  “Oh?”

  He watched Ivan carefully for his reaction. “It is a beautiful monument, Ivan. Constantina would have been honored.”

  A slight tic above his right eye was the only indication that the words had surprised Ivan. “I’m sure she would have,” he said. “And how is your woman?”

  “She is well. Thank you for asking.”

  “I heard she was in a rather bad accident.” Ivan leaned back, spreading his arms across the back of the sofa. “So unfortunately fragile, aren’t they? I trust the human doctors were able to repair her.”

  Baojia smiled. “It was very bad, but she has recovered.”

  Silence fell between the two immortals; even the guards surrounding them seemed to sense that they were intruding.

  “I hear you are working for Katya now.” Ivan leaned forward, reaching for a red cocktail in a martini glass.

  “I am.” It was the only reason Ivan was still living. If Baojia had not been connected to an organization, the vampire would be dead already.

  “How very fortunate,” Ivan said with a smile. “For both of us.”

  “I suppose that’s a matter of perspective,” he said under his breath so Ivan’s guards couldn’t hear.

  Ivan only laughed. Despite everything he had done, the immortal was still clever. He knew, just as Baojia did, that both of them represented powerful organizations. An open attack on either would have grave consequences, so Ivan and Baojia could parlay in relative peace.

  “Some in Mexico City were surprised by your move, but not me.”

  Baojia folded his hands in his lap. “No?”

  Ivan took a sip and smiled. “Some might say you have behaved… very out of character over the last year. I am not one of them.”

  “You know me so well.”

  The other vampire smirked. “I know you better than you might think. We’re not so unalike, you know.”

  “I can think of a few important differences.”

  “I’m sure you think you can.” Then a glint of anger entered Ivan’s eyes. “I’d be curious how far you would go if something of yours was threatened. Hypothetically.”

  “I believe…” Baojia leaned forward. “There might be no limit to what I would do. Hypothetically.”

  “Then we understand each other better than most, don’t you think?”

  And sudde
nly he did.

  Constantina. The lavish tomb in the rich cemetery was not something one did for an obligation. It was the tomb of an honored lover. Ivan had loved Constantina. Perhaps he had brought the Elixir to Mexico, thinking it would allow the human to live with him forever. Perhaps the truth had been as much of a shock to him as anyone else. But despite that, when Ivan had learned the reality, he had sought profit and power. He hadn’t cared for his lover in her final, painful days. That job had gone to another.

  “I may understand you, Ivan. But don’t think we are the same,” he said quietly.

  “I would never make that mistake, my friend.”

  “Did the cartel know?”

  Iva18">

  Carlos had disappeared. Rory was gone. He hadn’t caught a whiff of any tempting waitresses on the way in. Ivan had indeed learned a lesson in caution.

  “You were operating right under their nose, but they didn’t even get a cut. Plausible deniability? Or were they truly unaware?”

  Ivan’s smile grew wider. “If I was conducting any business without their permission… hypothetically…”

  “Of course.”

  “Then I’d hardly worry about them listening to rumors, would I? Things could get…” He winced dramatically. “So complicated. No one would want that. Why, then they’d have to find someone else to run this territory and clean up their messes, wouldn’t they? And they’d have to admit that someone was more clever than them.”

  “Hypothetically.”

  Ivan raised both eyebrows innocently. “Of course.”

  “And Juarez?”

  Ivan shrugged. “Such an odd situation. Who knows what is happening there? It could be any number of things. So often, people make assumptions. Especially humans.”

  So Ivan had used the Juarez murders as a cover. And the human police were still looking for the connection between the two. As far as Baojia was concerned, they could keep looking. He was confident they would find nothing pointing to either Ivan or himself.

  Ivan said, “It’s so strange how things work out sometimes, isn’t it?”

  “How so?”

  “If I were involved with something as hypothetically damaging as murdered women—”

  “And human hunts?”

  “So you say. And if someone were to clean up all the loose ends for me… Kill everyone involved, for instance. Whoever did that would be doing me a favor.” Ivan’s friendly gaze grew keen. “No one to spread lies. It would leave me… quite blameless. Hypothetically.”

  Baojia leaned forward. “Wherever has Carlos run off to?”

  Ivan shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid my first might have been involved with some rather unsavory characters. I’ve already reported it to my sire. I do hope he can be found, but I’m not terribly optimistic.”

  “Such a shame to lose valuable people.”

  “I’m sure your sire thinks the same thing.”

  Baojia leveled his gaze at Ivan. “I’m sure my sire will be fine. He is already shoring up his defenses with all the activity happening along the border. Nicolas is taking over my position since I am moving.”

  “How very fortunate for Ernesto. He’s a good man.”

  Ivan didn’t look pleased, which was exactly what Baojia was hoping for. He’d used Beatrice’s influence over Ernesto to put his chosen successor in a more powerful position. As much as he wanted to cut ties with his sire, he could not, in good conscience, leave the southern border unguarded. He’d trained Nicolas himself.

  Warning Ivan off Ernesto’s people was only part of the reason he’d come down for a visit. He was also following up with Father Andrade. The priest, despite their fears, was still healthy and helping the poorest in Ensenada. Carwyn had been worried when the man hadn’t called, but in the end, it appeared a simple wrong number had led to the mix-up.

  It was always the most unexpected things.

  Ivan took a deep breath. “The last few months have been rather messy, haven’tsy, have they?”

  “Nothing we’re not used to.” He scooted forward. He’d found out the truth about Juarez—as far as Ivan was concerned. He’d warned the cartel that Ernesto’s people would be well guarded. And he’d checked on the priest for Carwyn. Baojia was ready to leave.

  A hint of temper lit Ivan’s gaze. “Does it bother you to go to work for someone else who will just expect you to clean up their messes?”

  Baojia paused. “I work for whom I choose. I do not have your ambition, Ivan.”

  Ivan shrugged. “There are some who might see ambition as a virtue. They might appreciate immortals with talent, such as ourselves.”

  “Because we’re

  so much alike?”

  The vampire turned a seductive grin on Baojia. “We’re more alike than different. Whether you’ll admit it or not.”

  Baojia smiled and stood. “So you say. I need to go now. It was interesting to see you.” Both vampires stood, neither holding out a friendly hand to shake. Baojia began walking away.

  “Baojia?” Ivan called.

  “Yes?”

  “When you get tired of other people’s problems, let me know.”

  “We’re not alike, Ivan. Don’t fool yourself.” And I have promised to kill you myself. It won’t be tonight, but I do not break my promises.

  Ivan only smiled, as if he could hear the challenge in Baojia’s thoughts. “I’ll see you soon.”

  He turned and looked over his shoulder. Ivan was still standing, hands in pockets, face in a mask of polite deference. Perhaps they were more alike than he’d thought before, because Baojia doubted most would recognize the anger and pain that burned beneath Ivan’s piercing stare.

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Baojia left. He walked down the stairs and out the door without a single look back. He listened for his car’s distinctive pitch and followed it, tapping on the window so Luis would unlock it. Then he ducked in and relaxed into the seat, letting out a long, relieved breath.

  “Take me home, Luis.”

  EPILOGUE

  Six months later…

  The doctor held the stethoscope to her heart, then lower, smiling as he did. He couldn’t use the more modern equipment his nurses could, but with his keen immortal senses, Lucien Thrax could diagnose illness or catch medical problems with inhuman skill. Because, well… he wasn’t human.

  The quiet vampire straightened Natalie’s gown and smiled. “Everything sounds wonderful. We’ll wait for your blood work, but so far, it looks like a totally normal pregnancy.”

  She couldn’t hold back the grin. “Cool.” She sat up, arranging the clumsy hospital gown around her on the table. Despite the exterior, the house on the Northern Coast was a functioning hospital on the inside, complete with exam rooms, labs, and research facilities she didn’t truly understand. She still grilled Lucien about his work on the Elixir every time they met, much to the earth vampire’s frustration. But that afternoon, the focus was on her newest project, not his. It was her three-month checkup, and so far, everything looked good.

  “How are your legs?”

  She nodded. “All right. The right one seems fine, though there’s pain when the weather changes, and the left is getting better every day.”

  “Keep up with your physical therapy.”

  “Trust me, my physical therapist is a slave driver.”

  Lucien smiled. “With your best interests at heart, I’m sure.”

  “That’s what he keeps saying,” she said with a frown. “I have my doubts.”

  She finally got Lucien to laugh. No mean feat for the quiet immortal with sad eyes. She’d known him for almost a year, but Lucien Thrax was still a mystery. He could be awake for most of the day, so Natalie guessed he was old—very old. He was tall, with a lean face that looked older the longer you looked at it. She wanted to hand him a pair of very old-fashioned eyeglasses even though she knew his eyes didn’t need them.

  Her instincts told her Lucien had suffered loss like she
couldn’t really imagine. And yet he was one of the kindest men she’d ever met. Unfailingly calm with his often unruly patients. Brilliant beyond her understanding, yet always ready to explain some point of research to her. But there was a sorrow that lived behind his eyes, giving Lucien a stern gravity despite his young face. She was glad he and Baojia were becoming friends.

  Lucien said, “There’s no reason you shouldn’t have full use of both legs eventually, though the pregnancy will increase your body’s stress.”

  “I know. Baojia said the same thing, but I didn’t want to wait.”

  “Impatient girl.” He shook his head. “You can get dressed now. Did you want me to leave?”

  She nodded toward the curtain in the corner. “You’re fine. I have a couple questions for you.”

  “Of course you do.” Lucien smiled and sat in his chair as Natalie went to pull on her clothes.

  “So, what I’m wondering is, if I decide to change at some point in the future—and that’s still an if—would my legs heal completely? How does that work?”

  She heard him sigh. No doubt this was another one of those questions with a way longer answer than she wanted. She smiled when he started to answer anyway.

  “It’s hard to say. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any hard and fast rules about some things. It’s a bit like human genetics, to be honest. No one knows what characteristics a baby will be born with. He or she could be the spitting image of one parent, a combination of both, or look nothing like either, but some very distant relative. There are some general rules, but not hard and fast ones, except for our elemental strength, which I liken to blood type.”

  “So, it might heal and it might not?” Well, that wasn’t helpful. She was still debating the issue. She liked being human. She liked it a lot. And being a vampire had a lot of drawbacks. Some benefits to be sure, but drawbacks too. The biggest benefit was still sleeping in their room because the sun hadn’t gone down yet.