Blood Lines: Conduit

by Mechele Armstrong

  Bastian placed a hand on her heart, feeling the minute the rhythm hit it, and it started again. Her gasp of breath sounded. A few more gushes of his blood. Then he licked the wound closed.

  He’d made Crimson a part of who he was, a part of the blood that went all the way back. If only he didn’t feel so damn unsure.

  “My god.” Barb’s hushed whisper drew Bastian’s attention from the girl in his arms. “She’s breathing again. Look at her color. It’s returning.”

  “It’s done. She’s a vampire. Turn off the lights. Everyone please whisper.”

  “Why?” Copper scooted closer to him.

  “Because when she comes to consciousness, her hearing and vision will be a vampire’s. The light will be too bright. Talking too loud. It will take her a few minutes to adjust to her new self.” Or even more than that. If she adjusted at all.

  “Can you do that for Lucy?” Tad still cradled the girl’s body.

  Bastian shook his head. “She was dead when we got here. I was in time for Crimson. Her death was fresh. Lucy’s been dead too long.”

  Tad swallowed. “I knew that. But I had to ask.”

  Copper leaned in, her hair touching his shoulder. He could smell her light scent. Such a small thing. Her being so close. His heart thumped. He could have lost her. Bastian knew what Henri talked about. If he didn’t get this woman, it would be his undoing. He would have done anything to save her. Anything. Her voice was light against his ear. “Have you made a vampire before?”

  Bastian nodded. “Three times.”

  “Only three, fearless leader?” Tad frowned. He lay Lucy down and asked someone to go find a sheet. “How come?”

  “Because becoming a vampire is hard. Predatory senses are heightened.”

  Copper nodded. “So she’ll be a little different when she wakes up?”

  “She already is. My blood runs through her veins. It goes all the way back to the first vampire. Our blood gives us our power.”

  Tad’s brow furrowed. “Predatory senses? So she’ll be like an animal? And humans are her prey. Or at least first choice?”

  Bastian nodded, pushing Crimson’s hair back from her forehead.

  “It doesn’t answer why you haven’t made many.”

  “Aiiiiiiieieeeee!” Crimson shrieked. She jumped up and covered her ears. “The buzzing. Oh god, what is it? The pumping sounds. Water rushing everywhere.”

  Bastian struggled to keep his hands on her. “It’s the night sounds, Crimson. Calm down. It will ease. You have to adjust.” He didn’t mention the pumping sounds she heard. People’s blood. Her hunger would be great for her first feed. The scents and sounds would tempt her, drive her almost insane if she let them.

  “Crimson, it’ll be all right.” Copper reached out to touch her.

  Bastian pulled Crimson out of reach. “Don’t.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “It can get dangerous.”

  “Why? She’s my sister.”

  Crimson shook her head back and forth. “What’s happening to me? Why do I feel like this?” Her eyes turned to Copper. “Her pulse beats beneath her skin. Like a drum. Badump. Badump. Badump.” She smacked her leg with each word.

  “I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s freaking me out.” Tad fingered an iron ring, which had held one of the three of them. “So, what’s next? Does she have to feed from a human? Will that get her sanity back?”

  “Yes, feeding is next. It takes time for her to get used to all this. It will take a while for her to adjust to ... the beast inside of her.” Provided she can get used to it. Please don’t let me have to kill her after I saved her. That was something Copper would never forgive. But Bastian would never foist the girl off on human society. He would see she didn’t become a killing machine like some of his brethren did.

  “I volunteer.” Copper leaned in, baring her neck.

  Bastian grabbed her hand. “No.” A Conduit for a first feed would be a disaster. Crimson would never handle it. He squeezed Copper’s hand in his. Thankfully, Evangeline hadn’t bitten Copper or taken her blood to know what she was. The secret remained safe.

  “What do you mean ‘no’? I’m the logical choice. Her sister. I asked you to do this. She should feed off of me first. No one else is going to volunteer.”

  “I will.”

  Their gaze all wandered to Tad. “Are you sure?” Bastian wrapped his arms securely around the newest vampire.

  “I’m sure. Where do you want her to feed?”

  “Your arm would be safest.”

  Tad nodded, taking off his button-down shirt.

  “I said your arm.”

  Tad smiled. “I know. I don’t want to get blood on it.” Bastian cocked his head. “Hey, it’s my best shirt. Blood doesn’t come out, don’t you know.”

  Bastian chuckled. Leave it to the boy to make him laugh even at a time like this. “I’m going to cut you. Then let Crimson lick the blood.”

  Barb and Jake motioned. “Bastian, we’re going to take the rest. See if we can’t get a bead on Evangeline. Find her for you. I assume you want us to.”

  “I do. I want her head. Thanks, guys.” He owed them so much. He looked over at Copper. More than he could ever repay.

  “Why cut me?” Tad shuffled nearer.

  “Because her fangs haven’t elongated enough yet. They will. It takes a few days to complete.” Bastian pulled his hunting knife from its sheath.

  “Geesh. That’s a big knife.”

  “Tad, are you sure? I can do this ...” Copper had a worried look to her face. She hadn’t known what she’d asked of Bastian. But he had. He’d taken the risk. Would it come back to kick him in the balls?

  “No.” Bastian growled. She leaned back away from him. Glaring. She could do that all she wanted to. The first feed was tricky. He wouldn’t chance her. Not to mention the blood of a Conduit.

  Tad sawed his mouth together. Bastian cut down his arm, leaving a small gash.

  Crimson hummed and rocked herself in his arms. She’d covered her ears with her hands when they spoke.

  “Crimson? I need you to feed. Take some of Tad’s blood.”

  “Ohhhhh.” Her body quivered. She swallowed. He could feel it go all the way down her. “Blood.” Her head craned forward. She lapped at it with her tongue. “Sweet.”

  He grabbed her hands, holding them down. Should have tied her up.

  She bit Tad, her mouth sinking into his arm with no fangs. Regular human teeth punctured his arm.

  Tad grunted. His face went slack with pain. “Get her off me.”

  “Pope, hold her hands.” He slid Crimson down, letting Pope take her hands.

  Crimson chewed once, slurping. Beads of sweat broke out on Tad’s forehead. If he pulled away it would take a chunk of skin.

  Bastian reached his hands around, sliding one under her jaw. He slipped a finger in her mouth and broke the hold. “Feed’s over, Crimson.”

  “Oh, but it was good. I could drain him. All that blood.” She laughed, without humor. “I can take him all into my mouth and chew. Yum yum.”

  Tad cradled his injured arm into his body.

  “Are you all right?” Bastian held her fast in his arms.

  “I’m lovely. Anybody need a dental mold for Crimson before the fangs? I have one, right here.” He pointed to his arm.

  “You should heal quickly.” Crimson’s saliva had already had its properties changed with the intake of the new blood. It would help with clotting once it dried. While wet, it acted against clotting mechanisms to promote bleeding. “Pope, release her arms. Give me those cuffs.” He cuffed Crimson’s hands so she couldn’t grab anyone. Pope scooted to Tad’s side, murmuring to him, comforting him. Bastian knew they screwed around. He hadn’t seen the caring until then.

  He pushed Crimson down. She looked green. “You need to rest, honey. Build back up some strength.” Vampires who took a full feed for the first one usually threw up. Too much for their system. Smaller amounts helped.
/>   Crimson nodded. “Tired now.” She balled up on the floor.

  “What the fuck is wrong with her?” Copper’s whole face told of her horror. Her lips tight together, forehead wrinkled.

  “Nothing’s wrong. It’s the new senses. The new blood. Vampires are more animalistic. The animal side gets triggered when you become. It’s overwhelming. She’ll settle down.” I hope.

  “What if she doesn’t? What if she doesn’t adjust to this?”

  Bastian licked a fang. “Why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it? We’ve all been through a lot tonight.”

  “No. You tell me now. What will happen to my sister? If she doesn’t settle down?”

  “If she starts killing humans, I’ll have to kill her, Copper.”

  * * * * *

  They arrived back at Bastian’s house. Pope and Tad helped with Crimson. Copper’s head hurt. She rubbed it absently with her fingers.

  Crimson eyed her like a wolf did a caribou.

  Copper didn’t like it. But her sister was alive. She needed to figure out what this being a vampire meant.

  They walked in. Bastian sniffed. Stopped in his tracks. “I do not need this now.” She barely heard his muttering. “Tad. Pope. Take Crimson up to her old room. Stay with her. Do not let her bite you. I want to supervise her next feed. Secure her, too.”

  “I can go with them.” Copper took two steps.

  “No. You aren’t to be with Crimson without me there.”

  She folded her arms against her chest, following Bastian into the living room. Pope and Tad went up the steps, guiding Crimson.

  “I’m getting tired of you telling me what to do.”

  A snicker sounded. “I see you still have a way with the ladies.” A deep, accented baritone voice came from the other side of the room.

  “You’re as bad as he is.” A lilting Southern twang surrounded the softness of the woman’s voice.

  Copper looked over. A thin woman with her red hair pulled into a French braid sat on the couch. She had her feet on the lap of a scowling man.

  “I only want to keep you safe, ma petite.”

  “Who the hell are they?” Copper took a step back, watching the strangers. Bastian didn’t show surprise and only seemed mildly irritated.

  Bastian sighed. “I suppose friends. I sensed you vaguely earlier.”

  The man smirked. “Don’t do me any favors, there, Bassy boy.”

  “Screw you, baby face.”

  Copper blinked. “Baby face?”

  “Baby face?” The young woman guffawed.

  The other man growled. She placed her hand on his arm. Got up and approached Bastian and Copper. “I’m Sarah Connelly. The grumbly one is Nick Mancuso.” She shook Copper’s hand.

  “I’m Copper Daly.”

  Sarah turned to Bastian. “You must be Bastian. I’ve heard a lot about you from Henri and Nick.”

  Bastian kissed her hand. Nick growled again, getting up off the couch. “You can believe anything that Henri says. Nothing Nick does.”

  Sarah laughed.

  Nick stalked over to Copper. With a look at Bastian, he kissed her cheek. Bastian stiffened, his hands clenching. “Nice to meet you, Copper.”

  “Don’t touch her.” Diamonds had nothing on Bastian’s voice in hardness. Copper had never heard it so harsh.

  “Then you don’t touch mine.”

  The girls looked at each other. If Bastian could have, he would have scratched his territory on the floor or marked the room. Testosterone and posturing so thick in the room, they almost seemed to be visible.

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “I swear. Henri told me you’d be bad because of Bastian. I had no idea it would be this bad.” She smiled at Copper. “I’m sorry for his actions. He’s not all that bad most of the time.”

  “Can I interest you in some drinks?” Bastian walked to the mahogany bar by the fireplace and TV.

  “Wine.” Nick wrapped an arm around the small woman’s waist. A tiny thing. Copper felt gigantic next to her. She wore a poet’s shirt and a long, free-flowing skirt. Bastian was about an inch taller and more muscular than Nick. His features looked a little more aristocratic, Nick’s a little rougher. Both had black hair, but Nick wore his long, pulled back. Nick wore black leather pants and a tight gray Richmond Braves T-shirt.

  “Wine as well.” Her voice dropped octaves. “You can beat at my mind all you want to. You can only get in if I let you,” said Sarah.

  Bastian swallowed, looking embarrassed.

  “You tried to read my mate’s mind. Bastard.” Nick let go of Sarah and took a step toward him.

  “Nick.” Sarah grabbed his arm. “He would try and read anyone’s mind who came to him like we did. You would, too. I’m sure he’s reading yours as much as he can. You knew that would happen.”

  “You’re only a human.” Bastian poured wine into goblets. “But I can’t get in.” Copper mulled over that one. He’d told her he couldn’t read her mind. But it sounded like most humans he could.

  “I am a human. But with a little punch.” Her smile widened. “And you’re strong. I can feel your mind strength.” Nick’s eyes narrowed but he remained quiet.

  Copper licked her lips. This was the oddest conversation she’d ever heard in her life. She could feel nothing about Bastian getting in, but Sarah could feel him trying. A human with a little punch? What did that mean? Copper had no punch at all, so Bastian should be able to read her mind. She was nothing but a regular human.

  “Copper, may I get you a drink?” Bastian turned to her. His eyes lit in a way that had her thighs clenching. A gorgeous man like Nick in the room she could appreciate like she would a Warhol painting or a chocolate from Bissinger’s. But he didn’t fire those neurons the way Bastian did.

  “Wine as well. Thank you, Bastian.”

  He delivered the glass and gave her a light kiss. Her lips tingled as his left them. He put his hand on the small of her back. They approached the couch and sat. Any closer to her, and he’d have been on her lap. She almost dropped the glass when his arm skirted around her shoulders. He leaned in and nipped the nape of her neck. Her nipples hardened, a shivering zing heading up her spine.

  “Get a room.” Nick took a sip of his wine.

  “Nick.” Sarah’s breezy voice, light but prim. He looked at her and shifted in his seat. Copper had a feeling she’d missed something. Like a piece of conversation. She frowned. “Copper, I’m sure you’ve figured out Nick is a vampire like Bastian. I’m a human. With serious jet lag. We’re friends of Bastian’s maker, Henri.”

  “He’s talked about Henri.” She swished the wine around her glass. “And you’re a human with ... punch?”

  Sarah nodded, rolling a shoulder. “I have some gifts.”

  Nick leaned back. “Did you take care of Evangeline?”

  Bastian growled. “She got away. Not by much. I have all my allies searching for her. I’ll find her and dispatch her this time.”

  Sarah swallowed, looking into her wine. “Did you rescue the person she had?” She rubbed a spot on her arm. A scar rose up from the skin. Copper tried to survey it without looking like she was. Looked like an old knife wound. Nick cuddled her closer.

  “Tonight. Too late to save one. A human girl ... I was friends with. Evangeline had taken Copper and her sister. I did manage to get them both out.”

  Sarah nodded, her eyes troubled.

  Copper couldn’t stop a few shivers. Poor Lucy. And if Bastian hadn’t shown up when he had, Crimson would have died too.

  Bastian opened his mouth to speak again, but Nick beat him to it. “So Henri tells me you have a Conduit.”

  Bastian’s back shot straight, taking his head up with it. The term sounded familiar. Copper couldn’t place it, but Bastian’s reaction was dramatic. “Um. Oh. Yeah.”

  She took a sip and nearly choked when Nick continued. “So this is her? I can’t get in her mind. Even Sarah couldn’t keep me completely out when we met before her gifts were developed. How does s
he do it? Is it like Henri says it is to take her blood?”

  Copper patted the drops on her mouth, thankful she hadn’t spewed in Bastian’s hair. She stared at him.

  He shrugged, shifting his weight back and forth. He had something to be nervous about all right. “I don’t know. Nick ...”

  “What is a Conduit?” All eyes turned to her. Her eyes ringed his like in horseshoes. “Tell me. Now.”

  “You hadn’t told her?” Nick shook his head. “You’re in trouble now.”

  “I think we need to get some rest.” Sarah nudged Nick. “And Copper and Bastian should too. I’m sure it’s been a long night for them.” Sarah sat her wine glass down. “We’ll talk some more after some sleep for all of us.”

  Bastian didn’t take his eyes off Copper. She wiggled her foot impatiently. What would she be hit with now? So many impossible things were now possible.

  Bastian motioned to Nick. “I do have things to tell you later. I ... made a vampire tonight.”

  “You did what?” Nick froze, sputtering. “Why the hell did you do that, you stupid SOB? And where is it?” Sarah tugged on his arm.

  “She’s here. And I didn’t have a choice. I’ll explain it more after you both get some sleep. Get in a better mood.” Under his breath, she heard Bastian mumble. “Not that Nick has one.”

  Sarah took Nick’s hand before he could return the insult. “Come on. They need to talk. We’ll find out everything that happened after a nap.” She smiled at Copper, dragging Nick out of the room.

  Copper smiled back. She needed the alone time with Bastian. Not that she wanted to hear this. She swallowed, facing him. “What’s a Conduit? And am I one?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Bastian pulled Copper alongside him, his body so warm and hard against hers. Power surged in spite of all reason. Such a pull between them. She shifted back, needing a break from their bodies touching. “I was waiting to tell you. I need you to listen to me. To trust me. And not to freak.”

  Copper sighed. So tired of people telling her not to freak. Especially when the material was freak-worthy. “Just tell me.”

  “Your blood is power incarnate. Vampires who take it will have their powers increased. By a lot.”