The red ambrosia ran out, and I let out a rather pitiful-sounding whimper. I finally looked around and realized it was Nik feeding me. I guess I should have been able to figure this out, considering that if Periphetes was holding the bottle it would probably turn into a blood Popsicle.
Nik was cracking open another bottle as fast he could. This time I reached for it, willing to feed myself. It didn't take me long to finish the last two bottles. I was still hungry and my chest still hurt, but I could tell that the blood was taking effect.
“We need to get you more.”
“I'll be fine,” I croaked. I tried to sit up, but he pushed me back down.
“Ashley, we had to cut you open. You're ribs were badly smashed.”
I finally glanced down at my chest. Sure enough a long, not so straight, scar was in the process of healing. No wonder I hurt. I dropped my head back onto the pillow and sighed as deep as my healing ribs would allow—it hurt and I grimaced.
“Now, you ready to tell me what happened?”
I tried to look around, but gave up. “Where's Periphetes?”
“I'm right here.” The winter fae came into my line of sight and sat on the coffee table, as far away from Nik as he could manage without falling off.
“You barely stayed asleep long enough for me to finish rearranging your ribs. Periphetes hasn't exactly had a chance to fill me in.”
The next half an hour was spent telling the story of the Cyclops, and his smashed-in brain, and answering Nik’s questions. Periphetes made sure to point out that I had joined the fight when he had obviously intended for me to run to the safety of the car. Nik glared at me and I ignored them both.
“What's gonna happen to the Cyclops corpse?” I asked when they finally grew silent.
“Whoever controls it will fetch it,” Periphetes responded automatically.
“Controls it?”
“Yes. Cyclopes aren't all that bright. They're almost always under the control of a high fae,” explained Periphetes.
“So whoever wanted to attack us was this controller person?” I asked, still trying to think clearly.
“Yes. That seems more likely,” said Periphetes. “The question is, were they after you or me?”
“You think they could be after you?” asked Nik.
I could tell from his tone that he just assumed the attack was directed at me.
Gee thanks, I thought as a glowered up at him. It hurt because it was accurate.
Based on the first week of my new life, I should expect to be ambushed every time I went out for a coffee. So far, I had been attacked more times than I could count, with nearly every mystical community trying to kill or capture me.
And here I thought that was all past me. Lesson learned.
“I have enemies, same as you,” responded Periphetes. “We can’t live as long as we have without angering a few people along the way, and the fae are mighty good at holding grudges.”
“So Tereus said,” I commented, thinking of my cat and his curse.
Periphetes chuckled. “Yes, Tereus would know all about grudges.”
“I don’t think there is a good way to know who they were after,” sighed Nik.
“Agreed. I think the best thing we can do is part ways and see who’s attacked next,” suggested the fae.
“You think I should just leave Ashley to fend for herself?”
“Not at all, but I think it would be best if she and I were not together when the next attack comes, that way we know who they’re after.”
“Who says there will be a next attack?” I asked with a pout forming on my lips.
“You really think you’re lucky enough to be the victim of a random attack?” Periphetes asked incredulously. “B… by a Cyclops?”
I ignored him and continued pouting.
“I think you’re right, Periphetes. Go home and keep in touch with me,” said Nik. I could practically hear the smile on Nik’s face, though I refused to look at him.
Periphetes stood and gave me a quick, cold peck on the cheek. “Sorry this weekend couldn’t go as planned,” he whispered in my ear.
We all knew that Nik could hear him, but he chose to whisper anyway. I felt my eyes grow wide and my face burn with embarrassment. I didn’t know what to think of this winter fae or the things he often said. Sometimes I thought he was serious, but other times I figured he was just trying to annoy Nik, though I couldn’t fathom why any of this would annoy Nik.
I glanced at the other vampire, and, sure enough, his face was pulled down into a glower.
Men. Am I right?
Periphetes left just as we heard footsteps slowly descending the staircase that led into the foyer. Yes, his mansion has a full-fledged foyer.
“Can we come in?” asked Jordan from the doorway leading to the foyer.
Nik glanced at me.
“Please do!” I said without thinking.
Jordan and Chloe both entered. Though I couldn’t see them, I could hear their pounding heartbeats. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced the desire down into the pit of my stomach. I wouldn’t let my baser instincts keep me from my best friends—not for one more minute of my eternal life.
They came into view and took seats as far away from the couch as the area permitted. Nik moved to sit next to me on the couch so as not to block their view. We all sat in awkward silence for a minute.
“What’s gonna happen now?” asked Chloe. I wasn’t surprised that she would be the first to break the silence. She never could handle awkwardness.
“I need to get Ashley some more blood to heal, and she needs to rest. Then we wait and see if Periphetes gets attacked… or if Ashley does.”
“That should be fun,” I said with a fake smile.
I didn’t want Chloe or Jordan to worry about me. Though they knew the basics of what had happened to me after first being turned, they didn’t know the details, and they didn’t need to know.
Chloe glowered over at me. She wasn’t handling this new life well.
“You just have to make a joke out of it, don’t you!” she snapped before Jordan could stop her.
“It’s that or scream,” I responded, straight faced.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Chloe,” warned Nik. “Do I need to remind you again? You don’t know the details of what happened to Ashley.”
“Only ‘cause you won’t tell us.”
“Just tell them Nik. I’m going to bed,” I sighed as I hoisted myself to my feet. It hurt.
“You need more blood. We need to go out before the sun rises.”
“She can have some of mine,” offered Jordan.
“Didn’t you already donate?” I asked, glancing down at the empty bottles.
“Nik wouldn’t let me.”
“The others donated. I didn’t want you associating his or Chloe’s smell with food.”
I laughed outright. “Nik, every human smells like food to me.”
Nik hesitated a moment before nodding and standing up from the couch. Jordan joined us despite Chloe’s half-articulated protest. I could tell she wasn’t happy with the solution, but I also knew, or at least I thought I knew, that Nik wouldn’t let me really hurt Jordan.
It didn’t go as planned. At first I happily sucked away at Jordan’s neck, but when Nik suggested that I’d had taken enough, I growled deep in my throat, threw my arms around Jordan’s chest, picked him up, and started marching away, while still draining my best friend dry.
Not my brightest moment, if I’m honest.
Somewhere past my need and desire I heard a woman screaming, and I think I even knew who it was, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. There were more important things to worry about.
“Ashley,” commanded an angry voice from somewhere very near my own head. “Stop, right now.”
The body I held began to get heavier, though it was hardly a strain on my vampire-hardened muscles; I could carry a great deal more if I had to. Just when I was about to have to ta
ke all the body’s weight I felt a solid object whack into the back of my head. I felt my eyes cross, absently thinking I probably looked pretty silly, and collapsed on the floor, the body firmly held in my arms. I felt someone grab my arms and jerk them behind my back until my muscles screamed in protest. A second later a knee began to dig into my back and a strong hand press my face into the plush carpet.
I growled again, and felt quite embarrassed by it. I was starting to think clearly and knew that growling was not the proper response. Once again, I had nearly killed my best friend.
Dammit!
I held perfectly still, to let Nik know that I was myself again and ready to behave, at least as much as I ever did.
“Ashley?” Nik asked from somewhere above me.
“Yeah. It’s me. I’m back.”
Slowly, Nik released the pressure on my back and wrists. As I rolled into a sitting position I heard Chloe’s screams modulate into an indignant question.
“You sure it’s safe to let her up?”
“She’s fine,” said a soft voice from across the room. I looked to see Jordan sitting against the far wall, a handkerchief pressed against his neck, slowly turning from white to red.
“How do you know that? She tried to kill you!” shrieked Chloe.
“No she didn’t. She just got a little carried away.”
I smiled at Jordan. Normally, he would have thrown something at me for being so stupid, but for once he was trying to be political and win Chloe over to my side. Maybe, unlike her, he understood the blood lust a little.
I wish I could say the same thing about myself, but I didn’t have a clue what was going on inside me, even after more than two months of being a vampire.
“She did not just get ‘carried away’!” Chloe continued shrieking, cutting through my pensive thoughts, before storming out of the room and up the stairs.
“I’m sorry! Chloe,” I called after her as I started to climb to my feet. I made it halfway up when I felt a restraining hand on my shoulder. Surprisingly, Nik’s other hand went to my elbow and helped me climb the rest of the way to my feet. The restraining hand didn’t leave when I got there, though.
“Let her go, Ash. She needs to sleep anyway. Let’s get you settled for the morning. A little extra sleep will help you heal, too. Jordan, I’ll be back to fix you something to eat,” added Nik as he guided me out of the living room and toward the stairs leading into the basement. I refrained from telling him we were far from providing me extra sleep; if I had my way I would sleep through the night as well as the day.
Chapter Nine
I woke the next evening, not because I was inclined to, but because Jordan was shaking my shoulder as though his life depended on breaking the joint. I blinked a few times, the world still shifting to-and-fro as he jerked me back and forth.
“Gah! What!” I demanded.
“Wake up!”
“I am awake. I’m also sea-sick,” I added as I sat up. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, but Chloe’s not back yet. She got off three hours ago.”
“Maybe she just went out.”
“That’s what Nik said, but I’m telling you, she wouldn’t have without letting me know. Something’s wrong.”
“Jordan you really shouldn’t be in here with me.”
“You haven’t jumped me yet.”
I shrugged. He had a point. I tended to lose control the minute I smelled a human, not halfway through a conversation.
“I’m telling you, Ashley, something’s wrong.”
“Okay. Let’s go talk to Nik. He up yet?”
“Yeah, in the kitchen.”
We walked up to the main floor in silence and found Nik in the kitchen. He wore a black apron as he frosted a cake. “You forgot to go barefoot and get pregnant,” I said from the entryway, my voice harsh with why-the-hell-am-I-awake crankiness.
“What?” he asked, thoroughly confused, his hand slipping and a long streak of blue frosting going where it was clearly not intended. “Thanks.”
“No problem. It looks better that way.”
I would have said something more, but Jordan gave a little cough to remind me why we were here. “Oh right. Jordan says…”
“I know what Jordan says, and I’ve told him, she’s probably out with friends. Let’s not call the cops yet.”
“I happen to agree with Jordan,” I said before crossing the room, and swiping a finger-full of icing.
“Stop that!”
“Make me!” I snapped back.
“Stop flirting and go look for Chloe!”
“We’re not flirting!” Nik and I insisted at the same time.
“We are NOT going to go looking for her when she’s been unaccounted for for only a few hours,” Nik stated. “Now go away. Both of you!”
Jordan was about to continue the argument when I grabbed his arm and tugged him away. “You’re not…” he began before I held up a finger to my lips and winked.
“I’m sure Chloe is fine. Let’s go watch a movie or something.”
We traipsed back down the stairs to my room, flipped on the TV to whatever was on, and turned the volume up.
“Know when a cause is lost,” I whispered close to his ear. “I’ll go look for Chloe. Let me borrow your phone.”
Jordan frowned at me as he retrieved his sleek cell phone and tossed it to me. I caught it by the edge, nearly letting it fly into the fancy TV hung on the wall, and currently blaring a Dr. Who marathon. I tapped out a quick message to Josh and gave the phone back.
An hour later I heard the doorbell ring, despite the fact we still had the TV at top volume. I flicked it off and Jordan heaved a sigh of relief. He wasn’t a fan of the Doctor.
“Josh is here,” I announced, knowing he wouldn’t have heard the doorbell.
We reached the foyer just as Nik was ushering Josh into the living room. “What are you doing here?” I heard Nik ask.
“Ashley texted me. Asked me to come get her.”
“Thanks, Josh,” I said from the doorway. I saw Nik frown so I came up with a quick explanation. “I can’t handle being around humans any longer.”
“You should have let me drive you,” said Nik, a hurt look spreading over his features.
Well shit! I thought as I scrambled for an excuse. I wasn’t ready to hash it out with Nik just yet. “Someone’s gotta stay and keep Jordan from bolting for the police station.”
I turned and headed back into the foyer, listening to the three men follow me. “Thanks Jordan for the… you know,” I stuttered, motioning toward my own neck.
“I would say ‘no problem,’ but well… let’s not repeat it.”
“Agreed.” I smiled at him as I opened the door and escaped into the falling water.
Josh remained silent until we were both safely encased in his gray, 1982 Honda Accord. I loved his car. It was beginning to feel like home. The entire inside was covered with different signatures and quotes from his various passengers. My own writing was in a small corner of the passenger door and read “Tickle tickle on your chin, if you’re horny you will grin.” Josh had laughed his head off when he read it; Nik had scowled.
“So what was that all about?” Josh asked as he coaxed the engine to life.
I was about to tell him the truth when something stopped me. I can’t say what, but I suddenly felt like I needed to keep my plan to myself. “Oh, Jordan is freaking out cause Chloe didn’t tell him she was going to go out tonight after work. He thinks she’s been kidnapped or something.”
“I see. You don’t think so?”
“I think Chloe is mad at me and doesn’t want to come back to a house with me in it.”
Josh was silent, though out of the corner of my eye I saw him nod slowly.
“So, want to tell me why you were at Nik’s instead of with Periphetes?”
I cringed. I really didn’t want to tell Josh about getting attacked. “Some enemy of Periphetes attacked us. Kinda ruined the plans.”
“You okay?” he
asked, carefully keeping his voice even, though I thought I detected a slight quiver of emotion.
“Yeah. Little blood and I’m back to normal! No big deal,” I added for good measure.
Josh was silent, but I suspected he was watching me closely as we waited for the light to turn green again. I stared straight ahead, not wanting to see whatever expression was lurking in his dark green eyes. I suspected it was concern, but I was tired of everyone worrying over me. I feared if I saw the worry I would explode, and Josh didn’t deserve to get covered in the ichor of an emotional explosion.
“Want me to hang with you for the night?” he asked casually.
“If it’s okay with you, I think I just want some time to myself. Maybe work on my book. Or just rest.”
“Okay.”
Josh didn’t say anything else as he pulled the battered Honda into a parking spot. Normally he would have walked me to the door, but I noticed he didn’t even turn off the keys. Had I offended him, or was he just trying to give me my space? I didn’t know the answer, and since I wanted my space I didn’t question his behavior. Instead, I climbed out of the car into the wet air and waved at him as I crossed the deserted street.
Inside my apartment, I found Tereus just entering through my window. I still had no idea how he managed to climb to the second story, but I was pretty sure he wouldn’t tell me.
“What are you doing home? And what happened to your clothes?” he added, his gold eyes extra wide, making them look more human than feline.
I looked down to see the devastation. No wonder Josh had been worried about my well-being. I was splattered with blood (mine), brains (the Cyclops’), and mud (Seattle’s). A long tear opened the left sleeve of my long-sleeve T-shirt from the shoulder to the elbow. I wondered how I had managed to put it back on this morning without noticing the damage.
“Cyclops,” I said as I yanked it over my head and tossed it into the kitchen garbage can, for once not caring if my horny, male cat watched me changed.
“Care to expound?”
“It’s probably just an enemy of Periphetes. We both survived. He’s dealing with it. Look, I gotta go out and look for Chloe. Jordan is insisting she’s been kidnapped or something. I told him I’d go look since no one else would.”
The Series that Just Plain Sucks: The Complete Trilogy Page 32