by Amy Cissell
“What kind of naked things?”
“Do you want me to tell you the things I was imagining doing with the vampire?”
Isaac parked the car. “Maybe not right now, but I wouldn’t mind hearing a bit more. Because I am incredibly selfless, I volunteer to not only listen to your fantasies but to help you act them out to see if that will purge them from your system.”
“I hope you can tell I’m rolling my eyes at you, oh generous one.”
Isaac smiled and pulled me into his body for a kiss that left me breathless. “Ready for dinner, Princess?”
We found Florence and Raj engaged in animated discussion. I watched from across the room for a moment, trying to figure out what subject could get them both that excited. They both turned at the same time, and I mentally cursed the number of psychics I’d managed to collect. Raj stood up. His suit looked painted on. I was usually more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, but the way he was rocking that formal wear made me consider adjusting my preferences. How he didn’t spontaneously combust under the force of all that hotness was a mystery for the ages.
Raj’s grin got larger as we walked towards the table, and Florence wasn’t even trying to contain her laughter. “You both suck.”
“I can think of things I’d like to suck.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. This was going to be harder than I’d thought.
“That’s what she said.”
I glared at Raj and then turned my attention back to the table. A waiter stood next to me, pen at the ready.
“Drink order,” Isaac prompted.
“A glass of the house red.”
“Very good,” the waiter replied.
“Florence, what were you guys talking about when we got here?”
“Football,” she replied.
“Are you serious?” I had never been a sports fan, but I knew enough about the game to follow it if I had to. I mostly tried to make sure I didn’t have to.
“Absolutely. Football is serious business,” Raj said. “Florence is an enthusiastic Broncos fan, whereas I am partial to the Saints.”
“You’d have to be, I suppose,” I said. “I’m surprised you don’t live in New Orleans. Isn’t that vamp central?”
He laughed. “For once, the myth is the reality. New Orleans is the seat of power in the New World. Our queen would have the heart and head of any of her subjects found to root for an inferior team.”
“If you say so.” I hoped we weren’t going to have to talk about football all evening.
The waiter returned with our drinks, and I gave myself over to studying the menu. After we’d ordered—Raj stuck with wine—I leaned back in my chair and looked at Raj.
“Tell me why you specifically, and your people in general, are against opening the gates.”
Raj held his wine up to the light and twirled the stem around in his hands. I determinedly did not think about how I’d like to pour the wine down his chest and lick it off. I reached under the table and grabbed Isaac’s hand. Someone was getting lucky tonight.
Raj smiled at me, which didn’t dampen the heat. The waiter brought appetizers and refilled our wine, and then Raj leaned forward to speak.
“The Fair Folk once hunted my people almost into extinction. Only the proliferation of iron saved us. We were forced to join with our age-old enemies in a war that almost destroyed the world. We are the reason the gates were shut, keeping the majority of your people imprisoned.”
As at Rebecca’s, his anger allowed me to see his true self: Ancient and evil.
“No, not evil, my sweet,” he said. “I am angry, but you have never encountered true evil. Ancient is a matter of opinion, and no man likes to hear that the woman he’s determined to seduce thinks he’s old.”
“So you—your people—helped close the gates?” I asked.
“Along with coalitions that are represented by our other dining companions this evening. We’re quite the gathering, are we not? By rights, I should be fighting your mate and attempting to dine on your teacher, but your presence—our enemy—brings us together.”
A surge of alarm thrilled through me before Raj waved it away. “Speaking, of course, as if we were the repository for all enmities among our respective races.”
I couldn’t leave it alone. “Are you obligated to kill me, now that I’m trying to undo what you did?”
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Raj asked, taking another sip of wine.
“There are many of us who remember what life was like before we slammed the gates. Some believe that we were short-sighted, that we should’ve destroyed the enemy instead of containing them. Some believe that the closing of the gates was directly responsible for the Industrial Revolution. What is certain, is the flow of magic into this world slowed to a trickle after. The only magic left not innate to our supernatural forms is that which escapes through leaks and temporary doors.
“I am afraid, however, that the Fair Folk, who are long-lived, might not return ready to cast away old wrongs, but instead, to take up arms again. The battles we had then were bloody, but with the weaponry currently available, a new war could destroy the world.”
“Not if technology is rendered useless,” Florence said.
“Do you think it will be?” Isaac asked.
“I do. The incidents that followed the first gate opening were likely only the beginning. We are going to mitigate the immediate effects of the magic flooding the world, but that much magic is going to short out the technology. The world is going to get big again.”
I leaned back, angry that I hadn’t followed that thought to its logical conclusion. “The planes are flying around Portland again, aren’t they?” I asked.
“They are, but my contact at the FAA told me there are more mechanical issues every day—instruments going haywire—and they no longer fly over Forest Park. The effects are creeping outward.”
“Power outages in Portland and the surrounding area are extremely common now,” Raj said. “Many of my people have missed several episodes of their favorite shows when we’ve lost electricity. It’s been upsetting.”
“What about cars?” I asked.
“Still working as far as I know,” Raj answered. “Although, driving within a twenty-mile radius of Forest Park with a newer car often results in inexplicable mechanical trouble. You may be on foot before this is over.”
The waiter delivered the main course, and we were silent until he left again.
“What can I expect? Will I continue to be hunted by you and yours?”
“You won’t be hunted by me, Your Highness. I speak only for my sphere of influence, not the entirety of the vampire population in the United States.”
“How large is your sphere of influence?” Isaac asked.
“I blush at the innuendo.”
I rolled my eyes. With all the ridiculous men in my life, it was a wonder they’d never rolled right out of my head.
“I’m in your life?” Raj asked. I looked around to see if that was out loud or in my head. By the way Isaac and Florence were looking at me, I was guessing he’d asked aloud.
“You’re in my life in as much as we’re having dinner, exchanging information, and you’ve pledged your assistance to help us tie up some loose ends about a year from now. Why don’t you answer Isaac’s question?”
“My sphere of influence isn’t as large as your Alpha’s, but it does encompass most of the Pacific Northwest. My territory is second only to the queen’s in terms of cachet and desirability. Limited sunlight, you know.”
“Does your influence over the Pacific Northwest mean that you’re like the Governor? Can you command the vamp national guard to stand down?”
“That is exactly what it means. We don’t have an official national guard, though, so my command will be more like a firm suggestion with the underlying threat of decapitation. I can directly control the members of my clan and blood line, but the other clans may choose to strike out on their own.”
“Why would the
y do that?”
“If the queen issues a statement regarding your capture or kill, that will override me. If someone tries to depose me, they could hope that disobeying would rack up bonus points. That would be the most likely reason a vampire from my territory would go after you. Since you’re no longer in my territory, your safety will only be assured once you return. I can’t protect you outside of my territory.”
“Do you have any mutual aid agreements with other territorial leaders?” I asked.
“Yes, and I can call them in, but it would be better for you to try to fly under the radar rather than have them ‘protecting’ you. I am a man of my word, as are most of the old ones, but sometimes, agreements can be twisted to honor the letter rather than the spirit. Vampires can be treacherous creatures. You wouldn’t want to end up locked in someone’s basement because they decided that the best way to protect you and ensure that you weren’t attacked is locking you away for eternity.”
I looked at him, sure that had been his intent.
He held up his hands. “My word of honor. I’ll observe the spirit of my agreement as well as the letter. You and yours are completely safe from me and mine. I would add to that, if I may—if it is within my power and is reasonable to do so, I’ll attempt to protect you from those who would do you harm.”
I noted that it wasn’t a strong pledge, but it was certainly more than I’d had before.
“Thank you, Raj. If you like, you may call me Eleanor.”
He smiled, and it warmed me like the sun, making me want to bask naked in its light.
“Stop it.” I added for his mind only, “I might think you’re hot and have impure thoughts, but when you start making me feel poetic, then I know you’re cheating.”
“My apologies, Eleanor,” he said. “Sometimes, when I get excited, it happens without conscious direction.” He added, “I’d love to show you exactly how excited I am.”
The waiter appeared. “Oooh, dessert!” I said.
Raj looked at me, and I swear the bastard was laughing. “You can fight if you want, but you and I are inevitable.”
I decided on the flourless chocolate torte. Isaac got the cheesecake Florence and Raj passed and resumed their football discussion. Raj kept sending vaguely pornographic images, and my mind, when not distracted by the horny vampire, was mulling the long-term implications of the magic waves.
It sounded like the flood of magic would send the world back to a pre-Industrial Revolution-era world. Not everyone was going to be happy about that. I was going to miss the internet. I wanted to go back to Rebecca’s and Google shit while I still could. I hoped we could find a way to mitigate the disasters caused by a sudden lack of working tech. Beyond the number of planes in the air at any given time, there must be tons of potentially fatal results that we should be trying to assuage.
After dessert, Raj told me that I could call him any time, and he’d be ready to help us find Michelle. We said our good-byes. He took my hand, bowed over it, and then kissed it. There was a sharp bite of pain, and I realized that he’d turned my hand over and nicked my wrist. I watched, fascinated, while he licked up a drop of blood. The wound closed up the second his mouth left my wrist.
“Delicious,” he said the moment before Isaac punched him in the face.
“My apologies,” Raj said. “I couldn’t help but take a taste. She smells so alluring. I promise it was less than a sip, and this will create no lasting tie.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s not Isaac you should apologize to. I’m the one who was an unwilling blood donor.”
“You’re right, of course. Please forgive me, Your Highness. Both for my boldness in taking blood that was not offered, and in apologizing to the incorrect person. I like to think of myself as a modern man, but every once in a while, the misogyny of the past creeps out.”
“I might forgive you eventually, but never do that again.”
“I’ll make sure to ask next time.”
“Isaac?”
Isaac was quivering in anger. I’d considered asking him to apologize for the punch, but thought that might send him over the edge. He was a big boy—if he wanted to act like a jerk and couch it as protecting “his woman” that was his business. I was feeling less romantically inclined now. I don’t have a problem asking for help when I need it, but I hate the expectation that I can’t take care of myself.
Raj smirked, bowed, and then walked off into the dark.
“Thank you for an interesting evening,” Florence said. “See you tomorrow.”
I hugged her and then got in the truck. Isaac was still seething.
“How was dinner?” Rebecca asked when we returned. Then, she saw Isaac’s face. “That good, huh?”
“Raj nicked my wrist at the end. Isaac punched him.”
“Wow!”
“It’s too bad. Raj was using sexual glamour on me throughout the meal, and I was pretty sure that was going to work in Isaac’s favor tonight. Not sure how his sulking will affect things.”
Rebecca laughed. Isaac glared. “Bedroom. Now.”
“Maybe it’ll work out after all,” Rebecca said.
Once we were in the room, Isaac slammed the door. “I can’t believe you’re being so relaxed about this. He bit you! He could’ve drained you! Enslaved you!”
“But he didn’t.” I started to take off my clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“Stripping.”
“Stop trying to change the subject.”
“We aren’t having this argument. Raj was an asshat. He apologized. I refuse to argue ‘might have beens’ with you. I am perfectly capable of defending myself. If I need help, I promise to ask, but if you treat me like someone who needs protection, that will piss me off.” I finished removing my clothes and stood in front of him naked. “Are we still arguing?”
“It’s just…with the vampire,” Isaac started.
I walked up and pulled him into my arms, not incidentally pressing my naked breasts against him. “I know, sweetheart. Nothing happened. I don’t trust Raj, but I do believe he’s interested in keeping me alive and well.”
Isaac buried his face in my neck and ran his hands down to cup my ass. I sensed—and by sensed, I mean felt against my stomach—the moment his thoughts turned from the might-have-beens to naked-woman-in-my-arms. He growled, tossed me onto the bed, and stripped faster than I would’ve believed possible.
“Tell me more about those naughty thoughts Raj was invoking.”
Chapter Twenty-One
THE NEXT FEW days we established a pattern: eating, sparring, and hanging out with Florence. Between the physical sparring and magical work, I was constantly drained. I could barely able to keep my eyes open at dinner, and more than once, I woke up in bed with no memory of how I’d gotten there. It was less than two weeks until the equinox, and I was nervous. I woke up Sunday morning determined to hike up Harney Peak again for reassurance.
Isaac agreed to my plan and headed off to the kitchen to help Rebecca with breakfast. I grabbed clean clothes and hopped in the shower. I’d washed and gotten on panties and a bra when Finn appeared in the room.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demanded. “I’m pretty sure I told you to get out and not come back.”
He leered at me, and for the first time in our long association, I was embarrassed to be nearly nude in front of him.
“Get out, Finn. Get out of my head, out of this room, and out of my life.” I grabbed the rest of my clothes off the back of the toilet. Before I could put them on, Finn took two steps forward and grabbed me. He wrapped me in his arms, and I knew what he was planning the moment before it happened.
“Isaac!” I yelled, and then we disappeared.
Traveling with Finn never took long, but it was always disorienting. When the ground was solid beneath my feet, he let go, and I collapsed trying to convince my stomach it needed to stay where it was. I stayed on the down even after I reoriented while I assessed the situation. I reinforced the shield
s I’d been working on to keep nosy assholes out of my mind. It wasn’t perfect and stuff still got through, but at least he’d have to work for it.
I looked around and realized I was in Harvey Dennehy’s shop. Harvey was standing near the back of the shop looking as though he’d seen a ghost.
I had no weapons. Finn had grabbed me before I’d armed myself. I still had my dragon, though. I pulled my dragon self forward, and I spared a brief moment of regret for the damage I was about to do to Harvey’s livelihood.
“She’s changing!” Harvey yelled. Finn turned around, and a second later, there was a small pinch on the side of my neck. My shift stopped and everything went black.
When I came to, I was on my stomach and strapped in a spread-eagled pose. My wrists and ankles burned, and my back felt like it was on fire. I shielded my thoughts and tried to assess the situation with my eyes closed. I couldn’t concentrate through the pain on my back and the whirring noise. Harvey was inking me and from the feel of things, he was inking over my dragon tattoo.
A surge of rage suffused me and the shift started again. Before I could complete the change though, I realized the iron bands tying me to the bed were mirrored by the iron bands being tattooed on my dragon. The whirring of the machine stopped.
“Why’d you stop?” Finn asked.
“I need a break,” Harvey said.
“Another one?”
“You try tattooing someone with iron-fortified dragon’s blood and see how long you can keep it up before you need a break,” Harvey snapped.
“Watch your tone, Haerviu,” Finn said.
Harvey didn’t reply, and I switched my attention to my shift. I didn’t know how much time I’d have to try to shift and break the incomplete bands before someone figured I was awake. I pictured myself as the dragon and tried to flex through the still-weak bindings. I hadn’t made much progress before Harvey came back. I flinched when he touched me and then kicked myself mentally.
“She’s awake,” Harvey said.
“Impossible,” Finn said.