Life's Blood (Pulse Book 2) (PULSE Vampire Series)

by Kailin Gow

  “Another call,” he said. “I'm sorry, sis; I know I've been crap this week.”

  “No, it's fine...vampires…whatever's out…”

  He stopped. “You really think it's vampires?”

  “Remember what Mom said.”

  “Supernatural, right.” Even through his feigned disbelief Kalina could see her mother's cross around his neck. “Well, if it makes you feel better...” he said, noticing her eyes upon the cross.

  Kalina went over to her purse, pulling out one of the stakes she kept there.

  Justin's eyes widened. “Kalina – what the...”

  Her face was stony, even serious. “You have to go,” she said. “You need to help whoever it was that got attacked. But take this.”

  “A stake.”

  “Please,” Kalina said. “Don't question me on this.”

  Somewhere in Justin's eyes, amid the cloud of disbelief, she saw acceptance.

  “Stick it in the heart – all the way. As deep as you can. Hard and fast – that's the best way. At least it will give you a fighting chance.” She demonstrated a stake, in a quick and clean motion. Justin went slack-jawed before her.

  “I've watched a lot of vampire movies,” she mumbled, but it was clear Justin didn't believe her.

  “Kalina, what are you mixed up in?”

  “Just take it, Justin!” She couldn't help snapping at him. Fear made her angry.

  “Look, vampires or not – keep the doors locked, okay? And close the windows. Whatever it is out there.”

  “Whatever it is.” Her voice was like an echo.

  When Justin had at last gone, Kalina breathed a sigh of relief. At last she was alone. There was no Justin – no Aaron, no Stuart, no Jaegar to confuse her thoughts like the pieces of a kaleidoscope, arranging and rearranging them in different combinations. There was only Kalina – alone, herself – free at last to sit and think, or better still, to not think about it. The pressure of her romantic decision weighed heavily on her mind, as did the promise of Life's Blood – and the many implications that it entailed.

  She went to her desk drawer and took out Aaron's journal – looking for clues, looking for a sign. He had written about Octavius – with such kindness, such love – how could this be the same Octavius who had betrayed him? She scanned the pages she had remembered – yes, it was Octavius he had described. He was their maker – more than that, he was their friend. The vampire that had turned them. The vampire that had cared for them.

  It seemed that Octavius had been close to the brothers, served as a kind of uncle and mentor – until she had come along, and their relationship had been destroyed because of her Life's Blood. She couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt. Had it not been for her, and her passions, perhaps they would have remained friends – brother with brother, maker with made.

  She thought of Octavius. He was so terrifying, so powerful, and yet somewhere within herself she felt that she understood him. He was a general, a soldier. He could not be seen to be weak; he was used to destroying those who defied him, lest he gain a reputation for softness, and be himself destroyed by another vampire clan.

  Men. Kalina could have laughed. Always fighting – always scrambling – always bamboozled by the presence of women.

  She read onwards, to a passage entitled “Life's Blood.” Here was something interesting, she thought. Here was, perhaps, a hint.

  Life's Blood is one of the rarest and most valued of all types, although veracity of the myth is disputed. Rumored to be the product of the experimentations of a Chinese scientist, c. Ming dynasty. Scientist said to have died before completion of experimental blood formula (note: some sources suggest he was murdered, other sources suggest the blood itself killed him; Stokers Historia Vampiris suggests he died of natural causes), but his work continued by daughter, unnamed. Daughter said to have injected herself with Life's Blood, began selling to vampires - until she too fell in love with a vampire, also unnamed in many sources. Some sources call him “Francois” - others “Edouard” - historicity debatable. Their lineage was the only recorded note of half-human, half-vampires; their descendants are the carriers of Life's Blood. Reported sightings of Life's Blood: Matilde D'Arnay, 1289 (unconfirmed), Isabella di Moriano (1567 – said to have turned the vampire “Lorenzo di Moneglia”), Johanna Geltwerlt, (1868, Berlin. Said to have been murdered by the vampire “Malvolio”).

  So there were others like her – Kalina thought. That meant she wasn't so special after all. And if Life's Blood was a formula – well, surely it could be replicated! Justin was a man of science, after all...a hemotologist at that!

  Lost in thought, Kalina gradually drifted off to sleep. She was awakened by a sharp tapping at the door. Was it Jaegar? Back with news! She shot up and rushed to the window. “Jaegar!” she called.

  She saw nobody out the window – only a dark shadow fleeting as it turned around a corner.

  “Jaegar?”

  Suddenly, the door to Kalina's bedroom swung opened. Standing in the frame was a man dressed in a utility outfit – the kind repairmen wear. But his face was unmistakable – vampire. He must have tricked Justin into...

  She lunged for her stake; he lunged towards her, his fangs bared with rage.

  “Help!” she called out to Jaegar, dodging each attack as the vampire came closer and closer. “Come in – come in and help me!”

  The window shattered as a figure forced its way through the panes. In a matter of seconds, the blurred figure had taken hold of the vampire and driven a stake through his heart.

  “Oh, Jaegar,” cried Kalina. “Thank God...” She stopped as a pair of large hands wrapped themselves around hers. They weren't Jaegar's hands.

  She recognized that same sweet, musky smell, that same powerful and broad chest crushing her against it. Octavius.

  “You do smell nice,” he said, burying his nose in her hair. “I believe, Miss Kalina, that you're trying to seduce me.”

  “I'm wearing sweatpants and I smell like garlic,” said Kalina, her voice acrid despite her terror.

  “I can only smell your blood, my dear. And it is sweeter than wine – let me tell you that. Sweeter than wine. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since...”

  “Where's Stuart?” Kalina was in no mood for romantic pleasantries.

  “Stuart – and Jaegar – are with me. I have upgraded their rooms, however. They're in lovely guest rooms – with feeders, vampire wines, soft sheets...all the amenities you'd expect from a top-class establishment. Excepting, of course, a view.”

  “Okay...” Kalina was waiting for the catch.

  “We have come to an agreement,” said Octavius, smiling broadly. “All of us. I daresay they weren't quite – vociferous in their agreement – but what choice did they have? They are, after all...guests in my house.”

  “Haven't you ever heard of hospitality?”

  “Oh, I can be hospitable,” said Octavius. “To you – I intend to be enormously hospitable.”

  “What – try to capture me again?”

  “Kalina, please!” Octavius looked offended. “You clearly aren't sure of your love for any of the other vampires – boys, all three. So perhaps there is still a chance for another vampire to win your heart. I refer of course to myself. And I would like a week of your time to make your choice that much easier. No compulsion – boys' tricks. No captivity. Simply...polite conversation. Getting to know one another. And, in case you try to escape – three beloved vampires locked in three, perfectly pleasant, guest rooms downstairs.”

  Chapter 9

  Kalina could not help stopping and staring. Could Octavius really have the audacity to try again? After all he had done – he was still standing before her, staring at her with those blazing eyes, that piercing gaze, asking her to love him – no, demanding it of her. Olive had told Kalina that Octavius was irresistible, that there was not a woman alive or undead who could look at him and not succumb. He stood tall before her – all six foot seven of him – clad in a cashmer
e turtleneck that only emphasized the taut muscles rippling beneath the wool. His hair was down to his shoulders; his olive eyes stared out at her from behind his thick lashes. He was magnificent, and she found herself thinking about the last time he kissed her.

  “Seriously?” was all that Kalina could say.

  “Seriously,” said Octavius, raising an eyebrow. She knew better than to doubt him. Octavius’ eyes were full of cold sincerity.

  “Just a week?” Kalina tried to hedge. “To give you a chance – to see if you're the one? After you’ve imprisoned my friends – threatened my life – how stupid do you think I am?”

  “You may think me untrustworthy,” said Octavius. He began pacing around her, skulking like a cat. “That is not in fact the case. I believe in honor, Kalina. And from my perspective, it is the Greystone brothers who ought not to be trusted. I have every right to be angry at them. They were my men – my soldiers – my comrades – and they failed to follow orders. Aaron betrayed me; he disobeyed a direct command from a superior – betrayed my trust, and brought Stuart and Jaegar along with him into this traitors' tangle. For centuries Stuart and Jaegar served alongside me – through a number of battles. We fought together. We saw vampires turn to dust before our eyes. One does not disregard a commanding officer. We protected each other – Stuart and Jaegar and I – and I watched over Aaron, too, in a manner of a godfather, although he was never a soldier; Aaron was always a wine-maker. But Aaron was one of my men; he was bound to me – for I was his maker. Had he brought you to me, I would not have harmed you. Why would I? I have no interest whatsoever in harming you.” He paused, eyes softening, suddenly looking more human and vulnerable than before. “You were right about me, Kalina…about wanting to become human. I’ve walked this earth for thousands of years wanting a chance to love…only to outlive everyone.”

  “This is…crazy. I mean you’re the one I’ve been running from. You’re dark, dangerous, and everything I should be wary of,” said Kalina. She felt the stirring of attraction within her. “For one thing, you're much older than I am.”

  “Yes and no,” said Octavius. “As a vampire, I am older than most – but I was only twenty-seven when I was turned. If this disturbs you, I am happy to wait – until you are older. I have, you see, all the time in the world.” He flashed a set of sharp teeth at her. “Or I could court you now. If you are in fact the one I seek, time is...immaterial. If you are not – well, you will find yourself growing older, growing wiser, more mature, while those three vampire brothers remain stuck in their immaturity, their youth.”

  “And when I'm thirty, won't I be older than you?” Kalina shot back; Octavius gave her a slow smile.

  “If you choose against me,” said Octavius, “I am powerless to stop you. Go to Stuart – to Aaron – to Jaegar, whichever one of them you choose. You will turn them human, for I doubt you could bear them to remain a vampire while you age. But...just in case – I am giving you an opportunity. An opportunity to choose differently. We must give Life's Blood a chance, no? For it to work, to turn me human again.” Octavius took a step forward. “From the time I was just turned,” he said, “I have known of Life's Blood. I have sought the carrier...I did not want to become a vampire.”

  “Because of Drusilla?”

  “Because I wanted it!” Octavius’ voice grew hot with anger. “It was only with Aaron's particular skill that I was able to locate such a carrier. And I never imagined, yes – if you wish to point it out – that she would remind me so much, in her eyes, her voice, her intelligence, of a woman I once loved.”

  “Why should I do this?” Kalina felt her resistance buckling.

  “You do not yet know,” said Octavius, “whom you love. And I have a feeling you would want to make sure – before you give up your blood to a vampire, yourself to a man. You want to find out who you are, don't you? The origin of your powers – the source of your blood? And I, I am proud to say, am the vampire capable of helping you discover all this. I have the knowledge of Life's Blood. I have the maturity – the wisdom – the strength to keep you safe. And I have the resources to help you find answers.”

  He stiffened.

  “I am an honorable vampire,” said Octavius. “And I will make this agreement with you. If you refuse me by the end of the week, I shall release you – along with all three brothers. If you accept me, however, I shall release all three brothers – with a reward for their good service – and keep you...for as long as you wish to stay. The rest shall be what we make of it.” He grinned at her.

  “And if I refuse to go?”

  “Ah,” said Octavius, sighing heavily. “I don't know how long I shall keep the vampires – the brothers. But those are not the consequences you should worry about. Now that word of your blood has gotten out, your town will continue to attract vampires – those that wish to taste your blood for themselves, or those clever to sell it to those who would want such a taste. That is not in my interest. I want a real life – between you and me – I want a woman, a family. For all my Roman life, my human life, and now all this strange half-life, I have been a soldier. I am strong enough to resist the evil in your blood, should it come to that; I have no interest in the powers that you would bring to a vampire you did not love. I am stronger than any of the Greystone brothers – than Stuart, Jaegar, and Aaron combined. And I know what they say of Life's Blood carriers. They are destined, always, to love a vampire.”

  He stepped closer to her, and at once Kalina was consciously – ecstatically – aware of his fingertips brushing her cheek.

  She forced herself to step away.

  “And how do I know that the Greystone brothers – how do I know they're alright?”

  “Well,” said Octavius, “I have thought of that contingency. Could I trouble you for the use of your computer?”

  “What?”

  “Humor me.”

  Kalina slid over her laptop; Octavius took it and began typing into the web browser. “A pass-word protected website linked to the security cameras in my house,” said Octavius. “For security reasons.”

  He handed her back the laptop. On the screen she could see Stuart, Jaegar, and Aaron, all pacing a perfectly spacious – perfectly acceptable – guest room, with three large beds and large shelves stacked with vampire wine.

  “How do I know this is real?”

  “Take out your phone and call Aaron.”

  She pressed a “1” into speed-dial. She hadn't been able to remove it, even when she thought him dead. The phone rang for a few minutes; she could see Aaron start in the video, and pick up the phone.

  Octavius took the telephone from her. “Hello Aaron,” said Octavius. “Would you wave to the camera, Aaron?” Aaron smiled broadly and waved on the monitor; Kalina felt her heart sink. They seemed awfully happy to be cooperating.

  “Talk to Kalina, Aaron,” Octavius handed the phone back over to her.

  “Aaron – what's going on?”

  “Look, Kal...”

  “We just spent hours getting away from this guy – you just staked about twenty vamps getting me away from there – and now you want to hand me over to Octavius? You'd better start explaining, like, right now.”

  She could see his face fall on the monitor.

  “Listen, Kal,” said Aaron. “We all love you – you know that. But he had Stuart – and this is the only way. You've...you've torn our family apart; we've fought over you so much we've almost lost the brotherly bond that kept us together.”

  “That's not my...” Kalina began, but Aaron kept talking.

  “You need to pick one of us – and Octavius isn't going to hurt you.”

  Octavius corroborated this with a nod.

  “Jaegar and I had a fight after we dropped you off, before he went to see you. And we realized our rivalry almost let us get Stuart killed...and Octavius came for us and...convinced us this was a reasonable solution.”

  There was something robotic in his voice. Had Octavius used compulsion?

  “Let
me talk to Stuart.” He's the sanest one, she said to herself.

  Aaron passed the telephone to Stuart, who was reclining nearby on a chaise.

  “Kalina!” She had forgotten how good Stuart's voice sounded. “I miss you – are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I'm fine. What's going on?”

  “Octavius, is he...”

  “He's been a perfect gentleman. For now.”

  “I'm sorry I couldn't get back,” said Stuart. “I tried – I did – I was outnumbered. You know...you know how much I love you...”

  “Stuart,” said Kalina. “Listen to me – am I safe?”

  Octavius gave her a look of wry amusement.

  Stuart considered. “Yes,” he said at last. “Octavius is a man of his word. If you do not cross him...you will not be sorry.” His voice was sincere – she could tell compulsion had not been used upon him. “I cannot speak ill of my maker. I am bound to him. We are...fortunate Octavius has forgiven our betrayal. He does not wish to destroy us; it is always hard, for a vampire to kill his progeny. It was wrong of us to defy him.”

  “What?”

  “It is evident – with what happened with Jaegar, with what happened with Maeve – that we were not...as happy as I thought we were. I can lay no claim to you. I know how my feeding off her hurt you – it couldn't be helped.”

  The pain was palpable in his voice.

  “Perhaps it is better this way,” he said. “Octavius will not hurt you. He will not force you to do anything against your will.”

  She could hear what he did not say – Octavius has never had to make a girl do anything against her will.

  “It is your choice, Kalina,” he said. “I will not stand in your way.”

  “I need to talk to Jaegar now,” she said, and flinched when she saw the pain, the jealousy in his eyes. How she wished she could erase it. “Just to talk,” she said. “It doesn't mean anything.”

  Stuart grudgingly passed the phone over.

  “How's my girl?” Even in captivity Jaegar seemed confident. Kalina felt herself melt a bit at his words.