Bite Me

by Parker Blue

  “It won’t hurt me,” Shade assured us. “I am merely a conduit. However, the process of healing will be painful for the one being healed, and the act can be more . . . intimate than either of you might care for.”

  Dan looking suddenly suspicious. “What do you mean, intimate?”

  Pain didn’t bother him, but the thought of letting Lola sink her virtual tentacles into him again obviously did. Idiot. I wanted to yell at him to get over it already. I wasn’t about to let that happen again. I’d locked it down so tight, it would take a crowbar to let Lola loose again around Dan.

  Shade shrugged. “I mean simply that since I will be drawing upon Val’s powers to heal you, you may learn more about each other than you really want to.”

  Dan looked relieved. “Okay. No secrets here.”

  I hesitated. Did I really want Dan knowing how I felt about him? Not that I cared, you know, but I didn’t want him knowing how much his rejection had hurt. Then again, if I could keep Lola caged up, I guess I could keep that hidden, too. Besides, I needed him in good working condition. I couldn’t take on a whole vein of vampires with no one but Fang for backup. I could do this—I’d just have to be very careful. “I’m in.”

  “Good.” Shade moved toward Dan. “How many painkillers do you have in your system?”

  “They gave me a shot at the hospital, but it’s just about worn off, and I haven’t taken any pills yet.” He’d obviously been waiting for me to leave.

  “Good. This will work better if your mind isn’t clouded.”

  “What do I need to do?”

  “Stay where you are.” Shade beckoned to me as he moved around behind Dan and took off his gloves. “Come sit next to him on the couch so I can touch both your shoulders. We’ll need to get the bandage off.”

  I sat next to Dan, then helped him remove the bandage. Once it was off, I glanced uncertainly at Shade, realizing I didn’t know how my inner demon might react with his. Would it distract him? Offend him? “Um, when our energy fields overlap, my succubus—”

  “No worries,” Shade said. “Knowing where the lust comes from will help me handle it. Besides, once my power kicks in, all of you—including your demon—will be too occupied to do anything about it.”

  Shade had us face each other on the couch, then touched my shoulder. It was as if the shadow demon drew substance from me. He solidified, becoming real, human. Without the spooky special effects, he looked like a normal guy—a little older than me, maybe. He had long blond hair, blue eyes, and was totally gorgeous, but normal.

  Shade glanced at Dan, and for the first time, I could read Shade’s face—he looked concerned. “If this becomes too much, tell me and I’ll stop.”

  Then he touched Dan’s neck and I didn’t care what he looked like. All I could care about were the strange . . . things going on inside me.

  Now I knew what he meant about being totally occupied. Energy ebbed and flowed, from me into Dan, then back into me. There was no room for anything else, not even Lola—we were both just swept along by the tide. Whenever I surged into Dan, I obtained a small glimpse into his psyche, a private view of his world, his mind. As Shade had warned, it was incredibly intimate and I was learning a great deal about Dan, straight from the source where I knew only truth existed.

  I obtained flashes of his past, learning about his pride in being a Sullivan and a protector, his strong love of family, his annoyance at losing Lily to the vampires, and his fear of Lola. But not the way I thought. He was having enough problems controlling his attraction to a girl he considered too young to have even had a life yet, and Lola made it a heck of a lot more difficult to stick with his good-guy code.

  Really? That made me feel better.

  In return, I could tell he was learning about me as well. Though I tried to snatch them back, my memories leaked out of me. My isolation as a child when I watched other children play in the street but couldn’t join them. My mother’s caring, but wariness of the demon child she’d spawned. My first kiss that almost proved fatal for Johnny. My training to control the lust, and my sorrow at being different and losing my family.

  Worse, my constant battle to balance my need for people with the side of me that reached out for the kind of contact I might not be ready for. Dan learned his big scary lust demon was a great big virgin chicken.

  When Dan veered too close to things I didn’t want him to learn, I tensed, but it wasn’t necessary.

  Shade moved his hand to the wound on Dan’s shoulder and I felt Dan’s reaction as hot pain scalded him. There was no more give and take, there was only my power and strength flowing to Dan as Shade used it to reattach ligaments, repair torn muscle and regrow shredded skin tissue.

  It took longer, much longer, to heal the damage than it had to create it, and was infinitely more painful for Dan as he felt every minute detail of the healing. I opened my eyes once to beg Shade to stop, to stop torturing Dan, but seeing the shadow demon flicker in and out of human form, seeing Dan stoically endure as his face tightened in a rictus of pain and his skin turned pale and pasty, I couldn’t do it.

  Finally, after eons of mind-numbing agony for Dan, it abruptly ceased as Shade removed his hands from both of us.

  The relief was incredible, and though I felt exhausted, I leaned over to look at Dan’s shoulder. “Ohmigod . . . it’s completely healed.”

  “Yes.” Shade paused in pulling on his jacket. “He was very strong and was able to endure until the end. I’ve never seen anyone tolerate that much pain for a wound that size.” He settled the hood over his head once more and pulled on his gloves.

  Yeah, that was Dan, all right. After being in his head, I could see everything he did was heroic.

  “Thanks, man,” Dan said hoarsely. “I owe you one.”

  Shade nodded, his expression enigmatic behind the hood and the flow of interdimensional energies. “You do. And someday, Micah will collect.”

  That sounded ominous. Dan raised an eyebrow, but didn’t object.

  Shade continued, “How many know of your wound?”

  “Only Val, you, and the people in the ER.”

  “Then I suggest you don’t end up in that ER again anytime soon. It would be difficult to explain your sudden healing.”

  “Don’t worry. I plan to avoid the hospital at all costs.”

  Yeah. Two injuries in one week was more than enough for any guy, no matter how heroic. Especially in the same shoulder.

  “You two rest,” Shade suggested. “I can see myself out.”

  I felt too exhausted to move and Dan looked even worse than I felt. “I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t realize how much this would drain you.”

  I made a feeble motion with my fingers—all I could manage at the moment. “S’okay. I agreed.”

  “Yes, but . . . I used you, used your powers. Kind of like—”

  He broke off, but we were still connected in a way, so I suspected what he’d left unsaid. “Kind of like Lola used you?” I said softly.

  “Yeah. But I saw . . . inside you . . . saw that you couldn’t help it, that it was involuntary. I’m sorry for being such a jackass.”

  I nodded, the smallest possible movement of my head. “Apology accepted. We’re even now.”

  Did that mean we could be friends again? I hoped so.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Though we both fell asleep on Dan’s couch, I stumbled home to my own bed at some point, and woke to find Fang nosing me.

  YOU GOING TO SLEEP ALL DAY? I’M HUNGRY.

  I checked the clock. Nine hours had passed, and the sun had gone down again. I was beginning to feel like a vampire myself, what with sleeping during the day and working during the hours of darkness. Luckily, I didn’t have a thirst for blood, just Coke. And, as Shade promised, I felt as if I had fully recovered my energy.

  I got up and dressed, seeing that Gwen had left us some food. I fed myself and Fang and snuggled up on the couch with my Coke as I thought about the events of the night before.
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  Shade had been strange, yet fascinating, and he’d done wonders in healing Dan. Idly, I wondered if Shade had healed more than his shoulder. How else could I account for Dan’s apology?

  I relived the moment in my mind. Yes, I was certain he was sincere, especially after I’d touched the innermost part of him last night. He was an honorable man, so if he said he was sorry, then he really meant it.

  Dan knocked on the door then, and I let him in. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

  He stretched his shoulder experimentally, swinging it a few times. “Better than new. How about you? Did you get enough sleep?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. What are the plans for today? Shall we try to find Alejandro at his home? Try the blood banks?”

  Dan thought for a moment. “I’m not sure what the best approach is, especially after last night. Maybe—”

  A low buzz interrupted him and he broke off and held up one finger as he took his cell phone out of his pocket. “Hello?” He raised an eyebrow. “Alejandro?”

  I signaled to let me hear as well, and he tilted the phone slightly so I could hear both sides of the conversation. Luckily, my hearing was excellent.

  “You have been trying to reach me?” Alejandro asked.

  “Yes—”

  “I understand the two of you had a slight altercation with some of my people last night.”

  “Us? What makes you say that?”

  “One of my people recognized Ms. Shapiro and I deduced you must have been her companion in the altercation.”

  Dan rolled his eyes. “That unprovoked attack, you mean?”

  “Oh, not unprovoked, surely,” Alejandro corrected smoothly. “After all, you were on private property, uninvited, peering into windows like a schoolboy. No wonder we assumed you were an enemy.”

  Dan grimaced. Guess he didn’t like being called a schoolboy. “And now? Do you still assume we are enemies?”

  “Misguided perhaps, but not enemies.” Before Dan could say anything more, Alejandro added, “My apologies. If I had known it was you, we would have invited you inside. Why didn’t you just knock?”

  I guess he was thrown off balance by the vampire leader’s apology, because Dan said, “We didn’t think we’d be welcome.”

  Alejandro paused. “That close to dawn . . . perhaps you were right to worry. There would be more danger of overreaction. But not now. Would you care to join me?”

  “Join you where?” Dan asked warily.

  “At the mansion. Come, and I will show you around, answer your questions. You know the address . . . .”

  Dan questioned me with his eyebrows. I shrugged. Why not? It couldn’t hurt.

  Dan accepted the invitation, but he called Ramirez and briefed him on what we were about to do, just in case.

  When we arrived at Alejandro’s mansion this time, we were admitted with gracious Old World charm by the leader of the New Blood Movement himself. He accepted Fang as a matter of course, though the hellhound bristled at so many vampires around, and Alejandro showed us through the beautiful mansion.

  Being undead must pay pretty well, ’cause it was awesome, like the “after” pictures in those television decorating shows. He hadn’t gone for the über modern look here. Instead, lots of tile, wood, and earthy colors, combined with stone and wrought iron accessories, made it very warm and inviting. Kind of like I imagined a villa in Spain might look.

  The only place he didn’t take us was the basement, and I assumed that was because they slept there during the day.

  Unfortunately, I didn’t see Jen anywhere, nor did Fang alert me to her presence. I didn’t force the issue on the basement since Fang didn’t seem interested in following his nose down there.

  NO HUMANS GO THERE, he confirmed.

  Once the amenities were over, Alejandro took us to his study. More warm tile here, with thick rugs and the obligatory masculine leather chair and desk. But it was the mural completely covering one wall that captured the attention. It showed a lush green hillside covered with wildflowers leading down to a turquoise sea. But what was most remarkable about the mural was how everything seemed drenched in sunlight. Probably the only daylight he ever saw.

  Alejandro waved us to a pair of leather chairs and offered us refreshment. Not knowing what people who only drank blood might have on hand to munch on, I declined and Dan did as well.

  As if by prearranged signal, Luis and Lily drifted in to take up stations on either side of their boss—an attractive pair of bookends leaning on either side of his throne-like chair.

  “So,” Alejandro said, folding his hands in his lap and looking the picture of the considerate host. “You wished to see me. How may I help you?”

  Dan gestured at me to go ahead. Deciding not to offend Alejandro within his own home with accusations of murder and mayhem, I said, “I’m looking for my sister.”

  One eyebrow rose. “And you think I have her?”

  “Yes. You, or one of your people.”

  “But as you requested, I gave orders that her employment was to be terminated.”

  Lily nodded. “It was. I told her to leave.”

  “But she didn’t,” I said patiently. “And you’re paying her now.”

  Alejandro spread his hands as if in supplication. “If she will not go when asked, what do you expect us to do?”

  “Maybe the reason she didn’t quit is because she is enthralled by a vampire who won’t let her.”

  “I find that hard to believe. That is forbidden in the organization.”

  “Oh, really,” Dan said flatly as Luis and Lily exchanged enigmatic glances. “Then what do you call what you were doing to the audience the night of the rally, what you do to every person you meet?”

  He shrugged. “I use my charisma to persuade, not to control. And that is what every member of my organization learns—they may use their power to sway men’s minds to make giving blood more pleasurable, but may not use it to harm others or use them as slaves.”

  Lily and Luis exchanged another enigmatic glance.

  What did that mean? They didn’t seem to be as confident of Alejandro’s assurances as he was. Perhaps the man didn’t practice what he preached. Or maybe some members of the organization weren’t as much under his control as he assumed.

  “Maybe not everyone who works for you feels the same,” I suggested.

  A small spark of anger lit in Alejandro’s eyes. “If so, I assure you I shall find the culprit and force him to release your sister. I will not be defied.”

  I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t, not when Jennifer was in danger. But, the big question was, if Alejandro didn’t know she was enthralled and he actively opposed it, why would one of his underlings risk ticking off the boss? Did Jen know something that made controlling her a necessity?

  Freeing her suddenly became even more imperative. “Do it soon,” I said, my voice cold. “Or I’ll find another way.”

  Luis spoke for the first time since coming in to the room. “How? If we are not able to make this determination, how can you?”

  I rose, preparing to leave. “Simple. I’ll just kill you one by one until I find her controller and Jennifer is released.”

  Lily let out a brief laugh.

  Dan rose as well and glanced at her. “Val’s not kidding. She’ll do it.”

  Fang growled. AND I’LL HELP.

  Lily’s amusement faded and Alejandro cocked his head, looking mildly curious, but unsurprised. “Would you really?”

  “Damn skippy,” I said and left.

  Fang followed me. OOH, PITHY. WORTHY OF A HELLHOUND.

  Once we were out of the mansion and back in the truck, I glanced at Dan. “Did you really believe I would kill them all or were you just backing me up?” I wasn’t sure which one I hoped he’d choose. One made me out to be a monster, and the other a liar.

  He gave me a half smile. “I was in your head last night. I know how much your family means to you, even though they don’t deserve it. You’d do anything to kee
p them safe.” He paused, then added quietly, “I would, too, if it were my family.”

  Relief washed over me at the realization that Dan meant it. Wow, so this was what it felt like to be understood and accepted. I liked it.

  “But I thought you were all gung-ho on proving Alejandro is one of the good guys,” Dan added.

  “I am. I still think he is. But I’m not so sure about his underlings. He may think he has them all under control, but, judging from their body language, Luis and Lily aren’t as confident. How much you want to bet the lieutenants are having problems they’re not telling Alejandro about?”

  “No bet here.”

  I shrugged. “I figured a threat would help smoke out the real culprit. Any ideas on what we should do next?”

  He paused, thinking. “We don’t have any other leads in finding the source of the increased activity. Besides, whenever we look for your sister, trouble always seems to find us.”

  Fang snorted. HE HAS A POINT.

  “True.”

  “Maybe I can take another look at Micah’s records, see if I can find any reference to Jen.”

  “Good idea. I think I’ll take another look at the blood banks, talk to some of her friends, check out her regular hangouts, and see if I can find her that way . . . or if Fang can sniff her out.”

  Since all three of us were in agreement, Dan dropped me off at the townhouses and headed once again to Purgatory.

  I had no luck at her usual hangouts and no one seemed to know where she was, so I returned to Purgatory. Tessa, Micah’s assistant, let me into his office.

  Fang and I walked in just in time to hear Dan ask Micah, “Does it work on all women?”

  “Does what work?” I asked behind him.

  Dan turned around, surprised. “I was just asking Micah if his powers work on all women.”

  Tessa rolled her eyes. “If they have a pulse.”

  “Even other demons?” Dan persisted. “Even vampires?”

  “Of course,” Tessa said with an impatient wave of her hand. “What do you think I am?”

  “You’re a vampire?” he asked in disbelief.