Blood's Voice
Page 21
“It’s his choice, but it makes sense. I’m still amazed he feels so comfortable with the idea. Still, I haven’t dismissed the idea he may be insane,” I continued with a smirk.
Looking more solemn Geoff continued, “Seriously though, he shouldn’t be so laid back about this, living with vampires that is. Peony and I would never hurt him, nor would Nicholas, but he seems to lack understanding of how dangerous we are.”
“He does actually understand, to a point. Do you remember when I brought him up to meet you for the first time? He was afraid to meet others like me, forgetting you wouldn’t hurt him.”
“Yes, but” he countered. “He failed to show fear or understanding when that vile creature Ashley bit him.”
I could feel the anger flash across my face before I could control it. “Yes,” I hissed, “I remember.”
He visibly shrank at my words, his eyes widening in fear. Argh, I can’t win! Working to regain my calm and voice control, I spoke again. “My apologies. Please, I’m not upset with you, but the thought of her, much less the idea someone bit Declán . . .”
I watched as he relaxed and calmed. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his temples for a minute breathing deeply. “Anya, I understand your anger, but could you please control your voice. Actually, that was the other reason I wished to speak with you. In my youth, I travelled and studied many things; one of those might help your focus. That is if you don’t mind my teaching you,” he added, appearing nervous.
“Geoff, if you think you know something that would help, I would be glad of it but, why do you and Peony both always look so worried when either countering something or offering help? Am I really that unreasonable and frightening?”
“No, well . . . yes and no. When your voice is not controlled, you can be bloody terrifying. However, I worry because you are the head of this House about how you will view my offer.”
“Geoff, please. Really, I’m not angry that you wish to help. Besides, you remember your youth, human and immortal; I cannot remember my life of a year ago.”
“True, I guess I worry you won’t keep us,” He said sheepishly.
“Have a little faith, you’re my brother now . . .”
“Thanks” His smile was beatific. “I was thinking that Tai Chi might be a good way to help you with your focus.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Anya, come on . . . we have work to do.” Geoffrey was standing in my doorway looking strangely ill at ease. He was dressed oddly, for him, in simple jeans and a plain grey t–shirt with gym shoes, of all things. I couldn’t help my amused smirk when I looked up at him. He didn’t seem to appreciate my humour, however. “I still can’t believe you talked me into this,” he grumbled with resigned annoyance.
“I don’t see what the problem is,” I chided as we headed to my car. You wanted us to act more normal for a family, so here’s your chance.” I knew it irritated him but picking on him was too fun.
“Yes, but I was thinking a hunting trip, or if you wanted human family, a trip to the movies or something. But, a cleanup event at a cemetery? Don’t you think this is more than a little inappropriate for one of us?” Ha, it was his turn to be the one uncomfortable.
“Kayla asked if I’d go with them and mentioned it was a family kind of thing. It would also mean that you could meet Kayla and Declán’s parents. They’re nervous about the move and well, you’re a responsible, married member of my family.” Declán and I had discussed ways to get Liam to relax about the move. He was worried about his children, which was natural, but he had become rather belligerent about Declán’s choice to move in with me.
“He’s still worried you’re moving too fast?” he asked, slinging his long arm over my shoulder as we got out of the car just outside the cemetery. “And you think I’m going to help somehow?”
“Me? No, not really, but Declán has this theory that your being married and my big brother will reassure him that we’ll have supervision.” I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out at the thought. A vampire being a safe chaperone for human teens, funny. “Ah, speaking of which . . .” I could see Kayla and Liam heading over to meet and lead us to the right area.
“Maybe, but I still think this is a weird place for us to hang out, especially in daylight.” He was shaking his head but had an amused smile.
“Don’t forget your work gloves, their parents don’t know about our skin or coolness,” I whispered quickly.
“Right.” He quickly slipped them on.
“Anya! Welcome,” called Liam as they had reached us. “Who’s your friend?” He was eyeing Geoff curiously.
“Hey, Kayla.
“Hello, Liam, this is my brother Geoffrey. I convinced him that two extra hands would be useful.”
Liam looked him up and down once before responding. I could see he was dazed a bit by Geoff but hoped he’d be able to handle this. “Welcome Geoffrey, Millar is it?” He was fishing for information already, amusing.
“I’m her half–brother but yes, Millar.” We had already discussed the issue of names, Geoff hadn’t retained his human last name – he just used Geoffrey. “And you are Kayla and Declán’s father, Mr. Keane, yes?”
“Liam, please. Come on kids, before the others think we got lost.” He was smiling, finally. That seemed a good sign.
Joining the others, Geoff leaned in close and murmured, where only I could have heard him, “Don’t worry about Liam, I think I’ve got this one.”
This was some family tradition of theirs where the last Sunday in April they came out as a family to clean up the cemetery, put out flowers, and say prayers for their ancestors. It was interesting to see and felt oddly familiar, though I couldn’t place why. Geoff worked and hung out with Liam and Caera, winning them over quickly.
“Well,” Declán said in a low voice, late in the afternoon, “he seems to be working his charms on the parentals. Let’s hope he can calm their nerves some.”
“He is cheating a little, but you said your father just needed to see someone would be there who is more mature. Geoff and his natural demeanour seem to be doing the trick. He was nervous about coming today, but both of your parents seem to like him.”
Declán looked at me confused. “Why was he nervous? Wait, what do you mean ‘cheating?’”
“He’s focused on scanning your da, so he can play the part needed,” I whispered. Only he and Geoff could hear me. I caught the smile twitching at the edge of Geoff’s lips.
“Oh, well, okay I guess. That’s a little creepy still, ya know.”
“Imagine my annoyance at times. Nicholas, Peony, and Geoff can all do that, with focus. Who knows what all I miss in conversations of which I am actually a part.” A fact I found most aggravating, especially when they mentioned things from those private conversations later.
“True. I guess it’s nice knowing I’m not the only one left out.”
“Hey, where’s Kayla and Skye?” called Caera. “There were just here.” In the same moment, a scent caught both Geoff’s and my attention. His head snapped up, meeting my eyes with a flash of dread. Vampire!
“Stay with your parents,” I commanded Declán. Working to make my face untroubled, I called back, “Hey Geoff, let’s go find the girls. They’re probably goofing off.”
Geoff hurried over to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as he had earlier. “I don’t like this, Anya. I don’t recognize the scent,” he hissed in my ear.
“I know. We have to find them, now!” I worked to keep my voice in check. Last thing I needed was Geoff scared, again. “Come on.”
We searched for what seemed like forever. It had only taken a moment to pick up its scent for tracking, and yes, the girls’ scents were mixed in with it. They had all gone the same way. “If they’ve been touched so help me . . .”
“I know Anya, I know. I think we are catching up though. The scents are getting stronger.” A slightly hopeful look crossed his face, “Perhaps . . . maybe it’s just someone curious about you again.”
As we entered the oldest part of the cemetery, I could hear two faint heartbeats. “I can hear them,” I whispered.
He motioned for me to go around the large monument we were fast approaching, which I moved silently to do. We rounded the corner at the same time. I had kept a wary stance, but I was still human looking (well sort of), Geoffrey, however, had shifted into a much more animal–like hunting stance with his fangs extended fully, fingers curled like talons.
Skye was leaning on the back of the monument – eyes closed looking very pale. Kayla was alert though confused looking. There was a small female with them. Vampire, definitely, and not the friendly kind. The little intruder seemed to find Geoff amusing, Kayla did not. Kayla, though dazed looking, began to back up whimpering, staring at him with wide–eyed horror. As I went to try to calm Kayla down the void–eyed one took off at an impressive speed, even to me. Geoff gave chase immediately.
“Kayla, shh . . . It’s okay.” I murmured softly catching her arm.
“He was . . . he . . . he . . .” She just kept repeating ‘he’ as she stared at me blankly. Poor girl, frightened of the wrong monster. Finally, she let me lead her back to where Skye was still sleeping.
“Kayla, I need you to calm down now,” I said carefully using my voice. I needed her calm and coherent, so I could help both her and Skye. “Can you do that?”
She blinked hard, clearing the fog away from her mind. “Um, yes, sorry. He was just so . . .” she trailed off. Suddenly her head tilted hard to the right, “What is he?” she asked with a strange tone. “Geoff I mean.”
“We can discuss Geoff in a few minutes. Right now tell me what happened to Skye.” I had moved over to her now. Her skin wasn’t as warm as it should be and she had a fine sheen of sweat covering her. She didn’t stir at my touch but at least there weren’t any puncture marks – not that they couldn’t have covered it up if she chose. And since I didn’t know the exacts of our conversion, I was worried . . .
“I–I don’t know,” she said with defeat in her voice. “We went for a walk, and this girl stopped and asked us to help her find a grave back here. She said she was doing research on her family. I don’t remember how Skye ended up like this though.
“Is she going to be okay?” Kayla knelt beside Skye, caressing her face gently.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. We need to get you and Skye back though. We’ll take her to the hospital, Kayla. They’ll figure it out, I promise.” Hopefully they can help . . .
Looking her directly in the eye and using the force of my voice fully, “And we will discuss your concerns about Geoff later, for now this needs to stay between us, only.”
Her eyes unfocused for a moment and then cleared. “Yes, we can talk later.”
I carefully scooped Skye up and headed back, careful not to move faster than was comfortable for Kayla. Geoff came back just before we re-entered the area Declán and his parents were waiting. Thankfully, he looked normal again. I am seriously going to have to talk to him about when and where it is appropriate to do that.
“Let me,” Geoff whispered, “I’m stronger.” I allowed him to take her though I did give him a sardonic glare.
“Did you find the girl?” I asked, trying to keep my tone even and mostly succeeding.
“No, she’s fast – I mean really fast. I couldn’t catch up. I’m sorry.” His tone was depressed sounding, defeated, as was the way he looked.
Kayla walked on the opposite side of me, looking wary but under control.
As soon as we came into view, Declán came running. “What happened? Why are you carrying Skye?” he demanded.
“She’s unconscious. We don’t know why but I want to take her to the hospital. Now!” I just kept tugging Geoff to the car as Liam and Caera joined us, looking panicked.
Hospitals make me nervous. All the devices designed to help keep humans alive, some of those could easily tell I wasn’t human. We were all convened, waiting to hear something; Skye’s parents, Amanda and Dean Barrister, were with the doctors; and Geoff waited outside, acting melancholy. He blamed himself for whatever was wrong with Skye.
Having called Nicholas and updated him on the day’s events, he and Peony took a quick sweep of the cemetery and its surrounding area, but found nothing new. Peony was out with Geoff, trying to get him to calm down. Nicholas was trying to help me keep Kayla and Declán calm. She wouldn’t let me get more than a few feet from her, and the one time Geoff came in, I could see the fear in her eyes – so could he.
“Finally,” I heard Kayla and Declán say in harmony. Amanda, Skye’s mom, was coming over to where we waited.
“They’re not sure what’s wrong exactly. She’s very weak and severely anaemic. They’re keeping her for a few days while they run tests. Thank you all for staying but there is nothing else we can do right now. They’re giving her a transfusion right now. The doctor said she can visitors in, but only if you are quiet.”
I waited until she was between transfusions, no need to make things harder. Thankfully, she was so tired that she just slept through most of our time there. I wasn’t ready to deal with her questions. Kayla was going to be difficult enough.
Early into the morning hours, Declán and Kayla finally decided to go home. The doctors were very confident that Skye would be fine, with proper help, so they both had relaxed some. Nicholas had already assured both Declán and me that she would stay human. Honestly, I was far more worried about what Kayla had seen and how she was going to deal with everything. Should I be honest? What excuse could I give? Had she noticed everything different about him? I was confident she had, considering the initial fear.
As we left, Kayla pulled me aside. “Anya, we still need to talk.”
“I know, but you’re so tired you can barely keep your eyes open. I’m wondering if we can hold off until morning. I promise to come over and talk as soon as you call. For now, let’s keep this just between our little group, okay?” I used just enough of an edge to make sure she would comply. I still needed to talk to the others about what she had seen, and what to do about it, before talking things through with her.
“Okay,” she mumbled as she shuffled off to the car.
“Good night, a ghrá,” I said, kissing Declán goodbye, and we all left for our respective homes.
Staring at Nicholas and Geoffrey, I started, “Please tell me one of you took the time to check her mind for what she saw or what she thinks she saw? I have a very short deadline before I have to go deal with this.” I was furious that this was even a needed conversation, but I was determined to keep my voice under control.
“Anya, love, I checked carefully as she was thinking it over when Geoff came in the one time. She may have seemed dazed, but she saw exactly what you fear. She’s not as observant as Declán, but she didn’t miss the fangs or any of the rest of his presence.” He moved behind me, gently wrapping me in his arms. I idly wondered if it was for reassurance or so he could restrain me, if needed.
“I’m so sorry,” Geoff mumbled. He wouldn’t meet my gaze, only serving to annoy me further. “I panicked. I–I didn’t think.”
I took in a deep breath and slowly released it, trying hard to keep my tone even and my thoughts coherent. “I understand the temptation and fear, Geoff. I do. They have been my friends since I began this human training experiment, but I had never intended to reveal myself to any of them much less more than one. I only told Declán because he and Nicholas insisted.
“What do I do now? She saw you in full hunting mode.” How could I explain that away?
Peony, who had been exceptionally quiet this whole time, spoke up now. “If you can tell Declán then maybe his twin will be able to handle the knowledge as well.” She spoke softly, but with conviction, “She knows and trusts you. Maybe she’ll share his understanding?”
&n
bsp; Geoff looked hopeful as I thought through her idea.
“Peony, I might agree to a point, but even Declán has never seen me do anything too non–human, nothing frightening. I’m not sure how he would react. Nicholas and I don’t watch our speed and both the boys here like playing in windows but I’m always very careful.” Declán would panic if he ever saw me like that, wouldn’t he?
“Anya,” Nicholas murmured into my ear. “I do not see how you are going to keep this from her now. I would, however, suggest that you have Declán with you. He has known and can attest to the fact that we are not dangerous, she trusts his opinions over even her own at times.
“There are only two choices. Tell the truth and hope for he best or bind her with your voice. I’m concerned that fear and curiosity could drive a wedge between even her and her brother, if you bind her, though.”
“This is getting so complicated,” I mumbled.
Pulling up outside Declán and Kayla’s home, I struggled to gain and maintain my calm. They expected me to make this all okay with Kayla. I don’t even know what Declán may have said in the in–between time. Sigh. I should have visited Declán earlier – too late now. Declán was waiting outside for me and took my hand as soon as he reached me.
“How is she? Kayla I mean.”
“She’s okay, I think. She wasn’t really able to sleep so we ended up talking some.” He kept his voice quiet, but there was a strange, nervous edge to it. “I hope you aren’t going to be too angry, but I couldn’t come up with a good answer to her questions.”
“Nicholas checked her mind before you two left. She noticed everything,” I sighed. “What did you tell her?”
“That Geoff isn’t dangerous to us. That he looked scary, but it was just because you feared for their safety. She’s a bit upset that you knew he was something different and never told, but she’s even more upset with me. As her brother, I shouldn’t have kept such secrets . . .” He looked both guilty and sad.