Drawing Blood

by Mary Lou George

“Didn’t Matt say his father was in the Caymans? He couldn’t have committed them himself, but he sure as hell could have hired someone else to do the deed. Do bloodstalkers hire contract killers?”

  Holly shuddered, ignoring Avery’s lame attempt at humor. “As soon as he finds out about Stryker, he’ll come after him. Just like he did Mackenzie Holister, my biological father.”

  Avery took hold of Holly’s upper arms and looked into her eyes seriously.

  “My money’s on Stryker.”

  “But don’t you think his involvement with me will only exacerbate the situation? Make my fath…Alan Seaton rabid?”

  “Seems to me he’s there already. He knows about you two. Alison probably told him.” Avery shrugged. “Innocently enough…she’d have no idea what that news would mean to him and neither do we for that matter. We know he’s a bloodstalker, but we don’t know if he’s aware that Stryker is a vampire.”

  “Stryker is going to get all the information he can on my real father, Mackenzie Holister.” She kept repeating the name in hopes of making it feel real. “He didn’t recognize the name. Back then, his people had barely started to assimilate and a rogue relationship with a human was frowned upon. My parents would have thought themselves alone with no one to turn to. Stryker says he and Declan are the first to see the advantages of reconciling humans and vampires and they had no knowledge of MacKenzie Holister and my mother.”

  Avery smiled. “So I guess that kinda makes you the first lady of the vampire nation.”

  “Ha! Stryker says he’s just a warrior drone. Declan is the real leader.”

  “Yeah, and I believe that. Stryker’s got alpha dog written all over him. I can’t see him blindly following an order he didn’t agree with.”

  “Me neither. I’m in love with him, Avery,” Holly stated.

  “Tell me something I don’t already know, kiddo.” She hugged her friend fiercely.

  * * * *

  Stryker slipped between the crisp sheets on Holly’s bed. She was waiting up for him. They said nothing. Words weren’t necessary.

  When he pulled her beneath him, she was already wet and waiting. With one smooth movement he was inside her. She flexed her muscles, holding him tight. He lingered, enjoying the sensation until he couldn’t help it anymore and he started to rock. Holly gasped at the size and strength of him. Every time he pulled away, she tried to hold him tighter to keep him there. He slipped a clever hand between their bodies, zeroing in on the perfect spot. She lost all conscious thought and became a simple creature of nature writhing, sweating, mating for life.

  A long time later, when their collective pulses had calmed, they talked. At first about nothing really. They simply shared their thoughts. It excited Holly that he was so interested in what she thought about everything. Of course they didn’t agree on all subjects, but he always showed respect for her position. His admiration for her was evident on his face every time he looked at her. It gave Holly more confidence than she’d ever had.

  “I’m relieved that Arnie is going to pull out of this thing, but when he comes to he’ll face a world of hurt.” Holly’s lip trembled.

  “He’s very young. He and Candace never knew what hit them. That might actually make it a little easier for Arnie to live with. She’ll appear in his dreams though.”

  “Isn’t that worse?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. He’ll never really feel alone. She’ll be with him always.”

  “This whole bloodmates thing sure is complicated.” Holly propped her head up on her hand as it rested on his chest.

  “Yeah, it is. I wish I could tell you more. I wish I knew more. My parents were bloodmates but they didn’t talk about it much. Your parents were bloodmates too. It’s possible we inherited the potential from them. It’s a pretty rare thing. But maybe it won’t be once we manage to settle more of our kind into human society.”

  Holly frowned. “I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not. I’ll have to get back to you on that.” She wasn’t ready to talk to Stryker about her fears regarding the whole bloodmates thing. What was this compulsion to love another? Did they have a choice? Did he want to love her or was it merely something beyond his control? If so, then would he come to resent the phenomenon? Shouldn’t choice come into it somewhere?

  Obeying her wishes, he changed the subject, sort of. “How do you feel about what you learned at Carrie Blue’s place?”

  “Strange. My whole life has been a lie, but instead of being devastated, I feel calm. It’s like all those lies weren’t important anyway. They weren’t what made me who I am. On one level, I’m not really so surprised to learn my father is not Alan Seaton. Avery’s been my family for as long as I can remember. In retrospect, I realize, I always wanted to run away from the love Father gave me.”

  “Alan Seaton doesn’t love without strings.”

  Alarmed at the tone of his voice, Holly turned to him. There was barely contained violence in his eyes.

  “Have you learned something new?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear more, but she didn’t tell Stryker that.

  “My sources got hold of your mother’s medical file. It wasn’t investigated at the time and of course nothing was done about it, but she could have been murdered. It looks likely.”

  Holly shook her head. “No more. Please I don’t want to hear anymore. I’ve had enough for today.” She laid her head on his chest. “I just want to listen to the beat of your heart. I don’t want to hear about murder and death right now. Can we forget it for the moment? Let it go? Please just hang on to me.”

  Stryker wrapped his arms around her. She could sense the battle he waged controlling the anger Alan Seaton engendered and smiled when she realized he’d won over his primitive impulses and brought his pulse under control. Eventually they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  * * * *

  There was no question. It had to happen. If Holly Seaton stood in the way she’d be eliminated. That thought gave the bloodstalker no pleasure. Some would have thought it would, but Holly Seaton had proved useful. Once again he congratulated himself on the decision he’d made all those years ago. If it came to it, he’d regret losing her but if necessary he wouldn’t hesitate to give the order. Her friend, Avery’s children were the answer…they could be used. Their fate was of no concern in the larger, more important picture. His will was all that mattered.

  Chapter 29

  They all agreed not to talk about bloodstalkers and lying fathers for the night. Midnight Madness in Bracebridge was something the kids had been looking forward to with bated breath. They had to come first. Stryker begged off, deciding instead to stay with Lydia.

  “These kids are going to be so cranky tomorrow,” Avery said as she glanced at her watch. She’d promised to ignore their usual bedtime this once. She and Holly had just finished signing books and were at last, ready for some fun. It was nine o’clock and getting dark finally. Each kid had his or her face painted. Jessica was a ladybug, Aaron a frog and Connor a skeleton. Holly solemnly assured them they each made the right choice.

  “Hotdogs, chips, cotton candy and ice cream, I’ll have fat with my fat with my sugar and sugar.” Avery put a hand on Holly’s shoulder and said, “Tell me I’m not a bad mother.”

  “You’re not a bad mother.” Holly parroted as she wolfed down a ketchup soaked French fry. “I’ll hate myself in the morning…ah, I’ll sleep till noon.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I slept till noon.” Wistful, Avery pouted.

  Stephen gave her a dubious look. “I’m not sure I’ve ever slept till noon.”

  “Oh listen to cranky pants here.” Avery nudged him. “Just remember dear, no man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.”

  The kids squealed with delight as a man on stilts spewed fire.

  Ever inquisitive, Aaron tugged on his father’s hand. “How did he do that Daddy? He’s not even burned.”

  Patiently, Dr. Stephen Williams explained to his son h
ow it’s possible to blow fire and not get burned.

  When he was finished he said, “But don’t try it at home.”

  Music started up and they headed toward it. The kids ran ahead. Six eyes followed their progress sharply.

  “Good turn out, eh?” Beth had come up behind them.

  “Beth!” Avery threw her arms up in the air and hugged her soundly. “So nice to see you outside the store. You work too hard.” Beth patted her on the back.

  “I come every year.” She nodded toward the library decked out to look like a haunted house. “Have you taken the kids in yet?”

  Shaking his head, Stephen said, “They haven’t asked. It might be aimed at an older audience. Connor still has nightmares from the Harry Potter movies.”

  “Poor baby.” Beth said. “I’m not sure it’s good for kids to think all that magic stuff is real.”

  “Hey, that magic stuff is our bread and butter,” Avery said.

  Beth waved a hand. “Oh I didn’t mean that. The kids know the creatures in your stories aren’t real.”

  Holly lifted her eyebrows and said, “They’re real to me. This world is more magical than adults think.”

  Beth smiled with earnest. “Well, for now all the magic I need is to hear that Arnie is conscious and well.” They nodded. No one wanted that more than Stephen, Avery and Holly.

  Their conversation was interrupted when Jessica, Aaron and Connor came running back to them, yelling.

  Connor reached them first. “Jessica says I’m too young to go in the haunted house without you, Mommy.”

  “He is. He’ll have nightmares.” She made a face at her little brother.

  Avery looked down at Connor. “Do you want to go in alone?”

  He looked uncertain for a moment. He swallowed and finally nodded his head soberly. “If Aaron can, then so can I.”

  “Ah, sibling rivalry.” Beth smiled.

  Touching Aaron’s hair, Avery said, “So Aaron…you up to going in?”

  He didn’t hesitate a second. Fearless, he said, “Yes!” He started to move toward the converted library.

  “Whoa there.” Stephen caught him. “Do you all want to go in?”

  They nodded, and hope gleamed in their little faces. They were irresistible.

  “Okay. We’ll go together,” Holly said.

  “Ahhh, Mom! Can’t we go alone?”

  “Please! We won’t be scared.”

  Avery crouched down and looked her children in the eyes.

  “Okay, you can go in alone, but stay together. We’ll watch you go in and wait for you at the exit. How’s that?”

  It didn’t take much to make them happy. Holly smiled at their oh-so-obvious excitement. She whispered to Avery,

  “I didn’t feel much like exploring a haunted house anyway. I’ve had enough of monsters for now.”

  At the entrance, the kids recognized some of their school friends. There was no way they were going to show fear in the face of all that peer pressure.

  The adults stood outside and waved them in. When they disappeared from sight Stephen said, “They’ll cowboy up for sure now. I’m going to get a drink of that fresh squeezed lemonade. Anyone else want some?” He took orders. “I’ll meet you at the exit.”

  Ever the popular one, Beth was called away by some friends, so Avery and Holly walked to the haunted house exit together.

  Holly said, “I don’t know that I’ll be afraid of anything supernatural again. My own father, or the man I thought was my father, is the scariest of all and he’s human.”

  Avery looked at her with sympathy, “That sucks, Hol, but at least you know now.”

  “I don’t know it all. There’s so much more to figure out and I think that’s what scares me most.”

  “Stryker will help you with that and so will we. None of it changes who you are.” Avery put her arm around her friend. They waited patiently for the kids.

  Stephen came back and Holly had half finished her lemonade before the kids started to exit the haunted house. They were very excited and some wanted to go back inside. There was mass confusion as they worked out who was going back in and who was staying out. The truly motivated repeaters ran back to the entrance.

  Holly could feel Avery tense from three feet away. Something was very wrong. Her eyes searched the crowd of children. Holly automatically picked out Jessica, Aaron and…Connor?

  “Where’s Connor?” Stephen was the only who spoke and for the moment his voice sounded only mildly curious. Panic hadn’t set in…yet.

  “He was just behind us,” Jessica said, her eyes huge and serious.

  Stephen corralled his family and used his most commanding voice, “Stay here.”

  “I’m going with you,” Avery said. She looked frantically at Holly who acknowledged Avery’s unspoken request.

  “I’ll watch over Aaron and Jessica. You guys go!” She called out the words to their retreating backs.

  “You take the exit and I’ll take the entrance. Check everywhere.” Avery took off at a run.

  Holly did her best to distract the kids while they waited for their parents to return with Connor. She saw Stephen talking to an official. The lights in the library cast shadows against the curtains. There was no more haunted house. Word travels fast in a small community, everyone searched for Connor. The bodyguard Stryker had watching the children was nowhere to be found. Holly knew with a gut-melting certainty that something must have happened to him. He was Stryker’s man, nothing but death would have kept him from his post. There was no question. Connor was missing. He wasn’t lost.

  He was taken.

  * * * *

  Avery’s face looked so pale Holly could see the veins beneath her smooth skin. When she spoke, her words were precisely pronounced in a dry staccato. She hadn’t shed a single tear as if tears would make it real…possible that Connor was gone. Holly knew better than to try to console her friend. There was no consolation for this. Now was the time to cope. To fix the situation, solve the problem. Avery wasn’t going to lose it, and in support, Holly held on as well.

  Stryker arrived with his usual speed and searched the area. He appeared by Holly’s side before she knew it.

  “He’s down,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Connor? What do you mean?” Holly said turning to him.

  “No, not Connor. The body guard. He’s dead.” He spoke without emotion, but Holly knew what teamed beneath his calm. It took a lot to kill a vampire, especially one of Stryker’s men. It had to be the work of a bloodstalker. Connor in the hands of a bloodstalker. It was unimaginable.

  “Tell Avery and Stephen, but no one else. I hate to upset them further but they deserve to know the truth. They’ll understand that Connor has to be the priority. He’s still alive. I can feel it.” He nodded to the stricken Jessica and Aaron. “Get them home. Keep them safe. I’ll send you more men to watch the house.”

  * * * *

  Back home, Avery, Stephen and Holly tried their best to reassure Jessica and Aaron. They put them to bed, promising that Connor would be home in the morning. Exchanging looks, they silently vowed to make it the truth. Holly didn’t know what to say to her friends and the look on Avery’s face told her that she shouldn’t even try. Words wouldn’t help. She needed action.

  The local police did all they could, but there was no sign of the little boy. Stephen and Avery went to the police station. Holly promised to stay with the finally sleeping Jessica and Aaron. They needed to see the face of a loved one should they wake in the night.

  Alone with the kids, time ticked away as she paced up and down the living room. Why hadn’t she heard from Stryker? He must know the hell she was going through. Holly stopped pacing. No. She had to stop thinking about herself. It was better that Stryker was out there somewhere trying to get Connor back. She trusted him. She believed that if anyone could rescue Connor, Stryker could. There was nothing she could do but wait.

  Frustrated with her impotence, she searched for something constructiv
e to occupy her time. It finally came to her. What the hell? Now was as good a time as any and it was worth a try. Forcing her legs to stop moving, she sat on the couch. Closing her eyes she tried to empty her mind and concentrate solely on Stryker. Their connection was getting ever stronger. They were bloodmates, if he could walk in her dreams, who said she couldn’t connect with him over distances?

  * * * *

  Three hours. Connor had been missing three long hours. Stryker couldn’t bear to think what could happen to a small boy in such a long time, especially in the hands of a bloodstalker. He consoled himself with the knowledge that human children were not usually the bloodstalker’s prey. There was still a chance that Connor was unharmed. Stryker searched everywhere at once trying to catch the scent of the kidnapper. He could tell it was the same bloodstalker they’d been searching for. The bastard smelled the same. Connor wasn’t harmed on site or Stryker would have tasted his pain and terror. No, Connor wasn’t frightened which meant he was probably unconscious. At last, Stryker finally lost the trail. The kidnapper had used the highway.

  Stryker refused to go back to Holly with no information. He had all his people on it. He’d called out a general alert, but he knew that despite all their efforts, they wouldn’t find Connor until the kidnapper wanted them to. All they could do now was wait for the ransom demand.

  Sitting astride his horse, Stryker felt closer to nature. The scent was easier to catch when not polluted by automobile exhaust. Besides, Dakota could move as fast as any car and there was no comparison when it came to maneuverability. He longed to give the stallion his head and taste the speed he was capable of, but he reined in the impulse. He had to maintain his calm and be prepared to act on a dime should he learn anything significant. Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long. He felt the vibration of his Blackberry and prayed for good news.

  It was a text message and its content was so disturbing Dakota could sense his rider’s tension and tossed his head in reaction. The message read: