“She's scared of Starr,” Emily answered. “People do a lot of crazy things out of fear.”
Beau stood then glanced down the hallway, toward the workroom. “We have no way of knowing if it was all of the blood I gathered that night or just the containers I gave Marcus.”
“Ravenna told him that the cops found a couple bloodless bodies. Do you think they received some of the tainted blood that Beau sold?”
Her voice fell to a whisper. “They died because of me. All of this is my fault.”
Scott's mouth twisted into a frown. “It would be hard to trace.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Emily. You had no way of knowing.” Beau released his hair from its binds and tucked his glasses into his pocket. “Starr will do whatever it takes. She doesn’t care if a few innocents get caught in the middle of this war she started.”
“Should we call Detective Hahm?” Emily gripped Scott’s hand. “She seems pretty knowledgeable about the supernatural.”
“It's probably not a good idea to involve her. It's better if fewer humans are mixed up in this.” Beau’s lulling voice was meant to reassure her. “Marcus will handle the situation.”
Eyeing the vampire, Scott asked, “How is it that you’re not affected? I see you drinking the stuff all the time.”
Emily didn’t care for Beau’s smile. Realization coiled in the pit of her stomach. “He doesn’t rely on it alone.”
Beau smiled wistfully. “Don’t give me that look, Emily. There are plenty of willing contributors. I don’t have to force myself on anyone.”
“Dump all the blood you have in storage, Beau. Don't sell any.” Scott moved past them and disappeared into his office.
“I’d like to talk to you about a couple of things.” Beau laid a gentle hand on her arm.
Emily led him down the narrow hallway toward the workroom. Scott’s door, she noticed, was closed. He was speaking to someone on the phone, and he sounded hostile.
Once she had her tools out and had begun working, Beau said, “Marcus asked me to explain a few things to you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Did he ask you to apologize for him too?”
“To be honest, he’s a little embarrassed by his behavior tonight. He’s asked the mistress to allow me to watch over you in his place. It would make more sense since we know each other, but she won’t hear of it.”
Emily stared across the table at him. “That figures. Is it just me or does she seem nuttier than a fruitcake?”
A grin touched his features. He fingered the tag hanging from the cadaver's big toe. “Why do you think I quit working for her?”
He watched her apply makeup to the dead woman on the table. “Look, there are a few things you should know if you’re going to live with a vamp. First of all, the enforcers do not rely on the blood from animals and the morgue.”
Emily didn’t comment or bother to look at him, but continued working.
“The blood I gave him is not alive and can't sustain a vampire forever. It should have kept him from being hungry though. If Starr hadn’t messed with the blood I gave him, he would have been okay.”
“I think I understand. Come to think of it, he drank the stuff you gave him like a man possessed. Only I guess since it was cursed, it didn’t suppress his appetite like it should have?”
Beau nodded. “That’s right. I figure that’s only part of the reason he came after you.”
Emily's eyes widened. “I don’t recall hanging a free meal sign around my neck.”
A patient smile crinkled the corners of Beau’s eyes. Smoothing hands over his already neat hair, he looked toward the doorway. “Scott, why don’t you just come in instead of hanging out in the hall?”
Scott slunk into the workroom. He watched Emily comb tangles from the cadaver’s hair and winced each time she pulled one free. “So what’s the other reason the creep came after our Emily?”
Now that Scott had joined them, Beau ignored him. “Have you flirted with him since he’s been there?”
Emily hadn’t expected this kind of question. Her lashes lowered, and her cheeks heated. She kissed him back, had even allowed him to touch her. That went beyond flirting. Hell, if he hadn't tried to bite her tonight, she might have done the naked tango with him.
The expression on Scott’s face was a bit affronted. “If she’d flirted with him, wouldn’t he be interested in something besides blood?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing to us. Sex and blood aren’t connected though it’s much more pleasurable if it is.” Beau seemed to fit the part of teacher quite well. “I witnessed her kissing him in the street. I can only assume you’ve kissed him or teased him since then?”
Emily ducked her head, unwilling to answer. She could practically feel Scott’s heated glare on her. She laid the comb aside and picked up her makeup case.
Beau ignored her embarrassment. “He was at your breast when he started to bite, am I correct?”
Again, Emily was unable to meet his gaze. She tugged the straps of her tank top up to hide the scratches.
Scott huffed in disbelief and irritation. “He wanted more than just her blood.”
Beau nodded. “Do you still touch your necklace when you get flustered?”
“I can't help it.” Emily was close to tears now. It was like she’d become the example in a guidebook for what not to do.
“If you wear something around your neck, it’s like lingerie. We want to undress the flesh and sink teeth in. If you continually touch your neck, it only draws our attention.”
Emily realized she knew very little about nosferatu triggers or turn-ons. The idea that Beau had noticed all these things made her insides squirm. That would certainly explain the shifty-eyed looks he seemed to cast in her direction every time he thought she wasn’t looking.
“After all this time, why haven’t you said something?” Emily felt like a total dunce. “I mean, I didn’t realize those things made us irresistible to your kind.”
Beau smiled. “I liked to imagine you were doing it on purpose. At first, I believed you were.”
Emily glanced at Scott. His face was as red as hers must be. “Brenda said vampires like to hunt us. She said our emotions also fuel your desires.”
Beau nodded. “Brenda is right. Those as old as Marcus usually have more self-control. I think the fact that he was half-starved kept him from thinking straight. I’m sure you were frightened and that only exacerbated the problem.”
Scott’s voice was low and angry. “So now you’re saying it’s her fault?”
“Not entirely.” Beau’s fingers formed a steeple, and he rested his chin atop them.
“I was scared to death. Even while he chased me, I think he was trying to explain what was happening. He said my fear turned him on.” She felt obtuse now. He’d tried to warn her, she just hadn’t listened.
Scott clenched the sides of the table so hard his knuckles cracked. “Don’t you dare make excuses for him.”
Beau gripped his arm. “Calm down, Scott.”
Scott gnashed his teeth and glared. “I don’t like this. He’s supposed to protect her, and he can’t even keep her safe from himself.”
“I’m sure he’ll get it all straightened out.” Beau cocked his head. “He’s here now.”
The door whooshed open, and someone entered the foyer. Marcus’s voice rang out loud and clear. “Scott, may I have a word with you?”
Scott stalked in the direction of the vampire’s voice. The look on his face was pure murder. “Oh yeah, buddy. I’d like more than a word with you.”
Marcus’s voice grew closer as he moved further into the building. “You have to destroy all the blood in your possession. Don't save any until we get this mess cleared up.”
Emily and Beau followed Scott as he pushed through the doors and headed for the front of the building.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here, bastard.”
“We have some business to take care of,”
Marcus said, completely unruffled.
Scott gnashed his teeth. “Get out.”
“I don’t like you either.” Marcus glared at the shorter man. “It angers me to have to ask a favor from you.”
“Whatever you want, the answer is no. Get the fuck out of here. Go back to that bitch you serve.”
The tension in the foyer was thick, almost suffocating in its intensity. Someone was going to get hurt.
The vampire’s hands clenched at his side. “Can we rely on you and your kind to help us? Our numbers are down since the fire. Those who didn’t die have been converted by the witch.”
“That’s not my problem, Marcus.” Scott narrowed his eyes on the vampire and snarled.
“It will be, should the witch overthrow Isabella.”
Scott’s bark of laughter carried no humor. “You bloodsuckers never want to get your hands dirty, do you? You honestly think we’ll just do whatever you and that crazy bitch tell us to do?”
Marcus chuckled. “Why should it change now? The hierarchy has been in place longer than either of us have been alive. It isn’t up to you, me, or even Isabella.”
“Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“You’re just a bunch of halfwit animals that can’t control yourselves once you change.”
“Some of us can and do!” Scott gritted his teeth. “And you’re one to talk after what you did tonight.”
“I’ll accept some of the blame.” Marcus looked anything but amused. His gaze cut to Emily, and he touched the tip of his tongue to his right fang. “But the little fox wanted it. She can deny it, but the pheromones she put off told a different story.”
Scott’s face reddened and he narrowed eyes on the nosferatu. “If you lay a finger on Emily again, so help me I’ll…”
“You’ll what? Rough me up? Make me regret it?” Marcus made a low, dangerous sound deep in his throat. “Keep making threats and we’ll see just how far you’re willing to take this, puppy.”
The situation was a powder keg ready to blow. They needed an intervention and quick. “Guys?”
Both men ignored Emily’s attempt to draw their attention.
“I was happy someone was there to keep her safe. I just wish it was anyone but you.” Scott lowered his voice to match the vampire. “Oh that’s right, I know all about you. I know what you and your enforcers have done. Some think Isabella’s getting what she deserves.”
Marcus grimaced. “It goes a little deeper than that, Scott. Innocent people are being harmed.”
Scott clenched his teeth. “Don’t think the shifters or werewolves have forgotten what you did to them either.”
Marcus lifted a shoulder. “Just doing my job, Scotty. If your kind doesn't control its members, my enforcers will take the responsibility. Besides, I’ve done more than my share for Degas and the local pack.”
“So what if you’ve done a few good deeds for the pack leader? It doesn’t right a whole lifetime of wrongs.” Scott’s posture was stiff, and he practically vibrated with anger. “Degas may be able to overlook some of the maiming and killings, but not all of us are so willing to forgive. Or forget.”
Marcus scowled at him. “Look, I didn’t come here to discuss the past, so just shut up and listen. I know you’ve been going to shifter meetings. Remind Degas that we’re in this together. If Starr makes a play for Isabella, I want to know if we can count on the shifter community to help us out. She’s gunning for your kind as well.”
“That crazy bitch you call your master started this.” Scott’s entire body seemed to shake with anger. “It seems only fitting she ends it.”
Marcus’s dark laugh startled Emily. She backed into Beau. His hands fell upon Emily’s shoulders to steady her, but didn’t let go.
Marcus scratched his chin and grinned, making sure Scott caught a view of his fangs. “Starr fears your kind just as much as she does mine. Are you too stupid to realize she’s not going to stop at just exterminating vampires? Starr’s going after everyone. And need I remind you, Starr has plans for your dear little Emily?”
Marcus stepped closer. There was a fierce scowl on his face that Emily recognized. If Scott wasn’t careful, he might get hurt.
Scott’s fingers elongated into claws. The tips of his ears became points, and his cheekbones slid into a new shape.
Holy crap, he is going furry! She should do something, but what? She couldn’t be sure Marcus had entirely regained his self-control, and she wasn’t about to chance Scott’s safety.
Emily put herself between them, hoping she wasn’t about to get torn apart. “Let’s just calm down, okay? We can discuss it after everyone cools off.”
Beau grabbed her by the upper arm and yanked her backward. He didn’t take his gaze from the two hostile creatures. “This could get ugly. You do not want to get between them.”
Coarse brown hair sprouted across Scott’s cheeks and the exposed skin of his arms.
Emily was glad to have Beau’s supportive grip on her arm. She was suddenly lightheaded, and her legs wanted to pitch her onto the floor.
“Why are they doing this?”
Scott lunged at Marcus, clawed hands held like weapons. The vampire caught him in mid lunge and hauled him off his feet. Scott kneed him in the ribs and forced Marcus to drop him. Scott bounced back to his feet and latched onto Marcus’s forearm with a mouth that looked less and less human.
Marcus grasped a handful of Scott’s hair and yanked his head back. His mouth tore away from Marcus’s forearm. Blood dripped from his mouth and chin.
Whipping his head in their direction, Marcus glared at Emily and Beau with dark, dangerous eyes. “Get her out of here.”
Beau didn’t question the order. Instead, he gently pushed Emily along, effectively steering her through the parlor and away from the two creatures. They pushed out the door onto the covered porch. Inside, someone crashed into the desk. A bark resonated through the building followed by a loud thud.
Emily allowed Beau to lead her down the steps. Both were cautious of the shadows in the parking lot. “What was that all about?”
Beau didn’t answer. Instead, he swallowed her in a bone crushing hug. “It goes way back. Shifters have never liked my kind. Throughout the ages, we’ve thinned out their population to control them. They've done the same to us. They don’t like the fact that they must abide by the laws set forth by vampires.”
After he had released her, she stepped back and hugged her arms around her middle. Scott and Marcus had yet to come outside.
Beau tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “It doesn’t help that the enforcers took down a werewolf who was trying to take power from the current pack leader. If he’d kept the killings within the pack, things would have been covered up like usual. Vampires respect their traditions. But the guy killed visiting members of another pack as well as a few vamps who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Marcus thinks he also ate a human or two. The enforcers were just doing their job, but the pack feels it wasn’t their right to hand down punishment.”
“But Scott isn’t a werewolf.”
Beau nodded. “That’s true, but the shifters are more closely related to them than they are to us. It’s only natural that they’d hold fast with their own kind and those they associate with.”
Something slammed against the foyer door. “Great, Marcus will be good and worked up when he comes out.”
“No, he’s alright now.”
Beau seemed to know Marcus fairly well, but his instincts might be askew on the matter. “Really? It doesn’t sound like he is to me.”
“I’m positive. Scott would already be dead if he weren't. Just be conscious of the things you do from now on. It’s been a while since I’ve worked with him, but I know he wouldn’t harm you on purpose. He isn’t like that. Just play it smart. If he walks away from you during an argument, let him go. Remember we feed off emotions as much as blood.”
Emily’s fingers reached for the heart charm. With a sheepish smile, she dropped her
hand to her side. “You were freaking out while I tried to find him. Now that he’s here, you’re okay with it? I don’t understand.”
His smile was wistful. “I didn’t want you to go looking for trouble. Now that you’ve found it, there’s not a lot I can do about it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you used to work for the mistress of the city?”
“Would it have made you think differently about me?”
“Well, no, I suppose not. It just seems like everyone has a secret, and I’m always the last one to know.”
Beau jiggled his keys and laughed. He stopped abruptly when a battered Marcus moved down the steps.
Her vampire stalked closer, and she spied a smear of blood on his cheek. Bite marks ran up and down his arms. A particularly nasty one left his shoulder raw and weeping. She’d never admit it in a million years, but she was concerned about his well-being.
Beau studied the front of the funeral home. He didn’t seem all that worried about Scott. “Did you get everything worked out?”
Marcus’s shredded shirt front flapped in the light breeze. Angry red gashes could be seen peeking through the dark material. “Yeah, we’ve reached an agreement. He’s cleaning up now.”
Emily fought to control the fear and anger boiling inside her. “Is he okay?”
“Of course he’s okay.” The corner of Marcus’s mouth twitched. “And I’m fine too, thanks.”
She moved forward, intent on finding out for herself.
Marcus blocked her path. “He locked the door behind me. He doesn’t want to be bothered.”
Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes. “He might need help.”
Marcus reached for her, thought better of it then dropped his hand. “We didn’t make that big of a mess and he hasn’t changed back to normal yet. It’s probably best to call him once you get home.”
Beau seemed to study the other vampire for a moment. “Are you sure you’re okay or should I stay with her tonight?”
Marcus smiled, his fangs glinting in the streetlight. “I’m in full control.”
Last night, Marcus parked behind her car as usual. He’d sat on the porch for a while, catching lightning bugs with a flick of the wrist.
Of A Darker Nature Page 18