Blood Emerald

by Amber Anthony

  Anna stepped behind her new friend, hiding when the donor’s moans escalated. The ingénue vampire fisted her hand, drew her knuckle to her own fangs, and sighed. It was more than Anna could watch, “I gotta go…” and she darted toward the elevator.

  “Don’t go yet.” The blonde vampire caught up to Anna. “Please, would you want to have a drink….? Not you… I mean in the bar.”

  Anna was horrified to admit this ingénue was possibly the perfect match for Rick. In that light, she examined her reluctance to drink with the vampiress. Her insecurities about attracting men were deep-seated. How can Rick prefer me to some of these stunning mortal donors? That alone left her self-doubting and when she looked at the new competition that feeling rose even higher. Now, she realized, she faced rivalry with flawless vampire women, as well. Rick had so much more in common with them, what could she offer that the woman in front of her couldn’t top in every way? Her qualms soared to the moon.

  “It’s been such a long time since I’ve had a girlfriend to talk to,” the blonde implored. “I’m Cat, what’s your name?”

  “Anna…” She couldn’t help smiling at the vivacious vampiress before her. Wow, I never thought about female vampires before.”

  * * * *

  A server made his way to the booth Anna chose, the same one she shared with Rick. “Ginger ale, please,” Anna ordered.

  Cat folded her hands on the table, “Oakheart and a splash of O positive.” She settled in the booth and gave the room a scan, “I hope I’m not keeping you from anyone. Do you have a date?”

  “No, my friends are busy tonight.” Anna played with a strand of her hair, pushing it behind her ear. What do you say to a Gen-X vampire? She needed a girlfriend in the worst way. It was hard to experience all she had in the vampire world without sharing it. Cat had to see things from a slightly different perspective but surely, if she was recently turned, they shared similar experiences. Maybe this warm, engaging blonde would be her friend? Perhaps even a confidant?

  They stared at each other’s manicures for a beat. Anna noticed a humongous diamond ring on her new friend’s left hand. A married vampire. Good, not competition! Cat tapped her nail at Anna’s tapered manicure. “That is unique, what style is that?”

  Anna giggled but self-consciously curled her nails under. “You won’t believe this, they’re called coffin nails.”

  Cat clinked her glass in a toast. “How apropos.”

  They laughed and sipped.

  Anna crossed her arms on the table and leaned toward Cat. “What do you think about that demo? Do you think he’s hot for the donor?”

  “I asked my mate the very same question when we got down and dirty about feeding. I was so jealous.” She shook her head and waved a dismissive hand. “Now, I know its sustenance. We need blood like you need food. It’s not personal.”

  “So feeding’s never personal?” Anna felt deflated.

  Cat reached over and put a reassuring hand over her new friend’s. “Here, there are definite lines between feeders and donors. It’s a business. It all depends on the context.”

  “Did you feed anyone before you were turned?”

  “No. I started off feeding from my sires.”

  Anna’s jaw dropped. Sires? I don’t know her well enough to pry into that.

  “… and also bagged blood. I’ve only recently started feeding fresh and being a newbie they started me on the wrist.”

  Anna knew she got off when she fed Matt from her wrist, “It’s good for us, it is. In fact, that’s the only way I ever fed vamps.” And I only fed Matt Brenner. “Does a vampire get off on feeding the way donors do?”

  Cat grinned mischievously, “Well, you know vamps have to bite before they come. Now, that doesn’t mean they orgasm every time they feed, it’s not the same thing…”

  Anna’s mind flew to her lost night. She knew Rick bit her, she had the marks. I missed his orgasm. Dammit! So if Rick feeds from me…

  Cat’s glossed lips wrapped around the straws, “I’m not exceptionally strong yet, that will come. Right now….Oh, you don’t want to hear tales of the most awkward vampire in Los Angeles…”

  Anna’s eyes widened at the thought of picking her brain. “Oh, yes I do!” They shared the laugh.

  “Well, okay, I’ll tell you what I can. What do you want to know?”

  “In the demonstration tonight you mentioned there was something about that feeder’s natural elegance?”

  “Oooh, that’s Rick Hiatt! He’s one of the owners of the club and probably the most proficient Dom here. He’s several hundred years old, he’s schooled, and I hear his gift of empathy gives a donor the most exquisite experience.”

  Anna squirmed in her seat. Nothing like talking to a cheerleader for your lover. Nice to know he’s held in high esteem. Anna fought the urge to moon over the romance of it. She had to get off the subject of Rick. “I’ll need a few viewings to process the sight of a vamp feeding live.”

  “Ah, you know bottle vamps?” Cat had a sense of humor. “The first twenty years are the worst, the way one of my sires described it. I’ve been lucky my mate has paid a lot of attention to my adjustment. I’m sure I give him fits. He isn’t ancient, so we’re making our way together.” Cat ran her finger in the wet circle on the table, “I’ve never seen a place like this in action. We’ve been solitary since my turning, I’ve had to pick up feeding tips here and there.”

  Stop nodding at her like a ninny. “Do you think it would be harder if your sire was a few hundred years old? You know, like you have to catch up?”

  Cat shrugged, either thinking it unimportant or without an answer. “In Los Angeles it’s a young town. While my mate and I were on the coast of Spain and Italy, the vamps were positively ancient!”

  She’s giggling like a sorority sister dishing about the nearest frat house and I want answers to a final exam.

  “Trust me, the feeding is just food. Your man wouldn’t get upset if you smiled at your server at a steak house, would he?” Cat prattled on.

  “Your face just lit up when you mentioned steak.” Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Do you miss eating?”

  She’s certainly hungry for conversation, Anna thought as she unconsciously touched her right wrist and flashed back to her last feeding. Matt’s bite left her wet for hours. In fact, she extenuated the sensations in the locker room shower when she touched herself. Although she prized Matt’s bite, Rick’s kiss blew through every scintilla of her body, mind and heart.

  * * * *

  Rick felt phenomenal, physically. He gave three superb bites in a row and carried each of the donors to comfortable chaises in the next room. The living blood was the ultimate cure for what ailed him. The trade off? His mind ran laps faster than the Indy 500 anticipating Veronique’s power play.

  Chapter 15

  “Cupcake? Player?” Rick entered the brightly lit penthouse and found Player curled on the sofa opposite the flat screen watching Puppy Planet. “Son of a nutcracker, great watchdog you are. I could be robbing this place.” Player raised his large head off his paws and cocked his head, nonplussed.

  Rick checked the time, unclipped his watch and placed it carefully on the burl wood tray of the sofa table, next his money clip and phone. 5:41 in the morning. Unless Anna found an all-night, all you can eat burger joint, she should be home. Okay, he spent time chatting up folks visiting from the London Gaoler, but where was Anna? Cupcake should be home with Player.

  Urgently, Rick tapped commands to bring up security cameras. She wouldn’t go to the … Rick gasped. He laughed and dialed the apartment below. “Dear boy, why don’t you flip on security camera twelve and watch a bit of I Love Cupcake?”

  “Not on your life, why would I want to watch the two of you make out in the bar?”

  “Oh, I’m not in the bar. Your wife and my girlfriend have their heads together down there.”

  * * * *

  “Listen,” Anna dropped her volume for confidentiality. “Have you ever
heard of a vamp and mortal having sex, but the mortal not remembering it?”

  Cat looked around the bar, took in a sensing breath, and slid closer to her new friend. “I wish I could say I had more experience with vamp/mortal relationships. I’m sorry Anna, I just don’t know. Did that happen to you?” Cat thought for a moment. “You know, I could ask Rick, he’d certainly know.”

  Anna groaned. How in the name of God is this new vampire on a first name basis with Rick Hiatt? “Rick who?”

  “Hiatt, of course.”

  Of course. Why not? Kill me now. Hit me in the head with a shovel and bury me below this building. Her green eyes met Cat’s blue eyes. “So, you know Rick.”

  “Sure. He’s one of my sires.”

  Life with Rick Hiatt is like dating an octopus. I’m pulled and pushed in every direction. His life is certainly complicated, especially with the other sex. There was Veronique, tonight’s donor, and this perky blonde who claims he is ‘one of her sires.’ Is this vampire status quo?

  Anna’s hands fell to her lap and she placed them protectively over the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “So… who’s your other sire?”

  “Matt Brenner.” Cat smiled dreamily. “He’s also my mate,” she added with delight, as she caught his scent entering the bar. Cat waggled her fingers at Matt and Rick. In a heartbeat she was out of the booth and greeting Rick with a baby bear hug. “Hi, Dad! Come meet my new friend!”

  Rick’s lips curled boyishly. “Hello, Cupcake.”

  Anna waggled her fingers like Cat and winced. “Hey, Fitz. Have a seat, there’s room for two more.”

  Rick checked the time where his watch had been. “Well, you must be one tuckered cupcake. You’ve been up for twenty-four hours…”

  “Oh, that’s okay, I’ve recently heard news that has me wide awake.”

  He stood, rubbing the back of his neck. “News? Huh, well, does everybody know everybody?”

  Matt shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. “Looks like they’re getting ready to close. Why don’t we adjourn this party upstairs?”

  * * * *

  In the elevator, Rick wrapped a protective arm around Anna, which she removed, to stand stiffly by his side. Matt wrapped his arm around Cat, who looked at him questioningly, not understanding the cause of the underlying tension permeating the air. Rick ripped the band-aid off. “So, Cat, I guess Anna told you she was Matt’s donor before he met you?” Matt had nowhere to look.

  Anna closed her eyes in mortification and exhaled. Cat’s bewildered gaze swept them all.

  If looks could kill… Rick thought accurately.

  Matt ran his hand down his face, trying to think of something to say that would cut the tension.

  Cat spoke up. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew Rick and Matt?”

  Anna shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t want to throw Rick’s name around. You didn’t say who your sires were. I figured that was private.” Anna turned to Rick. “We haven’t had vampire Family protocol classes yet.” She poked a finger into his chest and rolled her eyes, a gesture Matt and Cat couldn’t see. “I guess the proud sires don’t send out ‘turning’ announcements.” She turned to Matt. “Congratulations are in order.” She extended a hug to Cat. “And best wishes. I can tell you’re both over the moon about each other. Fitz is ready to hit the slab, so perhaps tomorrow evening you and I can have drinks by the pool and get to know everything about each other?”

  Cat clapped her hands around Anna’s “We just got into town. We’re in the apartment beneath Rick until our place is ready. I have to pick up a few things. You wanna go shopping? I haven’t shopped in months.”

  “Come get me when you’re up. I just moved in with Fitz. I’m sure these two big lugs…” She threw an acid glance at Rick and Matt. “…can take care of themselves for a few hours.”

  The elevator door opened and Matt and Cat exited. “Tomorrow then!” Cat called excitedly.

  “Bye!” Anna waved, while Rick and Matt exchanged stony looks as the doors closed. Anna pivoted on her heel into Rick’s chest. “Make new friends but keep the old…”

  “You’ve gotta watch out for the silver,” Rick snarked.

  Anna turned a sad look of betrayal to Rick. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Rick frowned. “It all happened so fast. I intended to tell you Cat was here. You didn’t come home. Why would you go to the Gaoler alone?” The elevator doors opened on the Penthouse, and Rick drew her to the sofa. “I need to be serious. You left before Adam shared his news.”

  “I got some—” Rick placed a silencing finger on her lips.

  “This is bigger than all of us, just listen for a minute.” Rick watched darkness and confusion color Anna. This mortal has been through too much in the past week. Rick poured a brandy and put it in her hands. “We have some enemies.”

  “Who is ‘we’?” Anna whispered as she held the glass up to her mouth.

  “Well, it’s really Matt and me. Unfortunately, you, Cat and Adam are in the crosshairs too.”

  “Who’s the enemy?”

  “You heard us talk about Veronique Moreau in Colombia.”

  Anna nodded.

  “She was tried, and they’ve taken away the majority of her power, but she’s crazy as a bag of snakes. We don’t know how long it will take for her to mount an assault, but she’ll be coming for me and anyone close to me.”

  Anna steadily sipped her brandy, all emotion drained away, leaving only her desire to be with Rick. “So this could happen next year for all you know?”

  “Ronnie has no impulse control. She’ll strike at the first opportunity.” He poured himself a brandy. “That’s why I don’t want you going anywhere without protection, and never to the Gaoler without me.”

  Anna nodded. “Okay.”

  Rick read the wariness in her eyes. “Cupcake, if all this seems too daunting for you, too foreign to your mortal life, I want you to know, I can relocate you. The financial package Helen gave you is still good. We can even change your identity. You say the word, and I’ll understand.”

  Anna’s lips pursed for a second. “What will you understand?”

  Rick shrugged, his dark eyes warm with pained compassion. “I’m not worth the danger.”

  Anna’s hand sought his. “Three nights ago in Colombia, did I tell you I love you?”

  Rick was confused. “You know you did.” He watched curiously as relief spread over her face.

  “Well, that’s your answer. I love you. I’m not leaving.”

  Rick smiled and pulled her into his embrace. He nuzzled her into a smoldering kiss. “Bear with me a little while, Cupcake, and this will all be behind us.”

  Her arms tightened around him as her teeth plucked at his neck. “You told me you’ve ridden out to many battles and you always came home. You promised to tell me about those one day. I want to know everything about you.”

  “Aren’t you the curious historian?” He softened in her arms, falling back against the sofa.

  Anna ran her finger down his nose to play at the bow of his top lip. “Yes, and right now I’m an exhausted historian. What about that Evercool mattress you’re so proud of?”

  “I could use some horizontal time myself.” Rick stood and threw her over his shoulder. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “You know I can walk, right?”

  “This is more fun. Indulge my inner caveman.”

  “Tomorrow, I want to hear the ‘tale of Cat and her two sires’. In detail.”

  Rick sighed. “I suppose I can’t get out of that one?”

  “Not on your life.”

  * * * *

  “Anna was your donor?” Cat asked sharply. “I mean, your donor? Your personal donor? She never fed anyone else?”

  Matt frowned—he was doing a lot of that lately. He put his hands on his hips and drew in a hissing breath while he tried to formulate an explanation Cat would understand, or at least buy. “She was a really nice girl. We don’t get many of those.” He looked u
p at Cat from underneath his eyelashes. “She didn’t belong at the Gaoler.”

  “So the Gaoler has a diversion program?” Cat crossed her arms over her chest and waited.

  “Uh…not exactly…although Rick has said I have to stop rescuing the donors.”

  “Oh. You’re a serial rescuer, now?”

  “Uh…no…uh, not exactly…”

  “Well then, what name would you pin on it?”

  “Basically, this is about Anna. And uh…I was afraid she’d get hurt.”

  “So what did you do about it?”

  Matt puffed out his chest. “I banned her from the club. For her own good.”

  “Then what is she doing with Rick, if you banned her from the club?”

  “I’m a little iffy on that whole thing.” Matt scratched at the back of his head and ran his tongue over his lip. “I had the same question earlier this evening when Rick walked into his penthouse with her on his arm.”

  “When was this? While I was setting your toiletries out on the bathroom vanity? While I was hanging up your collection of Hawaiian shirts? You were getting reacquainted with Cupcake and Fitz?”

  “It wasn’t like that.” Matt held up a hand. “She took off five minutes after they arrived. She had to walk the dog and eat...”

  “Walk the dog?” Cat was incredulous about a canine in the building. “You told me animals didn’t get along with vampires?”

  “I don’t know, I didn’t ask. We had more important things to discuss. She left Rick, Adam and me to talk, and by the way, I have news we need to discuss.”