by Lisa Emme
Tess and I had then gone to our separate bathrooms to shower and change. We had arrived back downstairs, following the smell of bacon, and were treated to the sight of Nash and Max attempting to play nice and cooperate in the kitchen. It was a little surreal.
“One minute there were these idiots shouting, “Chug, chug, chug,” and the next I had a bottle pushed into my face and champagne was being poured into my mouth,” Tess continued. She shook her head. “Then it gets kind of fuzzy after that.”
“It was the champagne. You must have been rufied,” I said. “I think that whole place was on drugs. It was nuts.”
Over breakfast, I filled Nash and Max in on what we had seen at the club. At first, they both stared at me like I was crazy.
“There were only about thirty people in the warehouse with you, Harry. Not hundreds.” Nash frowned at me.
“What?” Tess yelped. “How can that be? The place was packed. We had to wade through the crowd. What about all the waiters on roller skates? The white leather fetish wear? The slot machines?”
Nash and Max glanced at one another.
“I didn’t see anyone wearing roller skates,” Max replied.
“Or dressed in white leather,” Nash added.
“How is that possible? I saw everything with my own two eyes!”
“I’m sure you did, Tess.” Max patted her hand, reassuringly. Tess pulled her hand away like it was on fire. Ignoring her reaction, Max continued, “Or at least you thought you did. Perhaps it was some sort of hallucination.”
“A mass hallucination? Because Harry, Barbie and Tank saw it all too.”
Max shrugged. “Possibly. And I think you’re right about the champagne being drugged, Harry. There was probably some sort hallucinogen that also made people more compliant.”
“But I didn’t have anything to drink, and I still saw what Tess saw,” I replied skeptically. “And why did I lose so much time?” I couldn’t get over the important detail that what seemed like only a couple of hours had actually been almost twelve.
Max gave a little shrug. “I have some suspicions, but I want to do a bit of research first to confirm my thoughts.” He rose from his seat and stretched. “It’s been a long night…for all of us.” He raised an eyebrow at Tess and then turned back to me. “Let’s talk more tonight.”
“But…” I stopped, biting my lip in thought. I had some suspicions about what had happened too. I hadn’t even had a chance to mention Seth yet.
“Give it a rest, Harry,” Nash grumbled. “It can wait until we’ve all had some sleep.”
A soft snore escaped the blankets on the couch, and I looked over at Tess. She was already out like a light.
“Yeah, I could sleep.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I thought I was supposed to be sleeping,” I mumbled at Nash, half awake.
After getting Tess settled in her own bed and seeing Max (who refused to leave until after Tess was taken care of) out the door, I had crawled into bed and immediately fell asleep before Nash could even finish getting undressed and join me. Sometime later, I found myself naked and spooned up to Nash, his arms wrapped around me, hands exploring various parts of my body.
“You are,” he rumbled, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Don’t mind me. I can keep myself occupied.”
He buried his face against my neck and inhaled. His lips brushed against his mate mark, and desire zinged through my body. Rolling in his arms, I pulled his face to mine and kissed him. It was a slow, sensual kiss, at least until I thrust my tongue in his mouth which had the same effect as flipping a switch, the kiss going from thirty to a hundred in less than two seconds flat. With a growl, Nash took over, and I found myself flat on my back, my arms pinned above my head while he ravaged me with his lips and tongue.
Just as suddenly, Nash tore his mouth from mine and sighed. “Damn it, Harry,” he said, his voice low and rough. “The wolf…I…” He paused, propping himself up on one elbow, and tousled his hair. “I thought I had lost you there for a while.”
“I’m here. I’m fine…I’m naked,” I replied in a whisper, reaching out to run my fingers through his hair as I pulled him back down on top of me. “Now, what are you going to do about it?” I slid my hand down between us.
With a grunt, Nash captured my mouth with his, and then he spent a very long time showing me just what he could do about it.
The next time I awoke, Nash was pulling on clothes.
“Where are you going?” I tried to blink away the sleep, but I was still exhausted.
“Gotta go into work and deal with this shit.” He tucked the covers around me and then sat on the edge of the bed. “Try and get some more sleep.” He kissed my forehead and ran his hand through my hair.
I sighed sleepily and snuggled down into my pillows. “Nash?” I asked, peeking one eye open. “So it seemed like you and Max worked well together.”
Nash shrugged and bent to tug on a boot. “He’s okay. I couldn’t have got into the warehouse without him.” His booted foot fell to the floor with a clomp, and then he picked up the other boot. “He still smells funny though.”
“So maybe we could all go on a double date sometime?” I grinned at him, my tone teasing.
Nash snorted. “Go to sleep, Harry.”
***
“Wake up, Harry!”
Disoriented, I blinked and looked around. I was in my room, the sun shining wanly through the blinds. I squinted at the clock on the bedside table. It read four twenty.
“Shit!” I said, pushing back the covers. I had slept the whole day away.
“It’s about time you got your lazy bones out of bed.”
“Gran?” I squeaked in surprise, wrapping the sheet around my naked torso.
“Come on with you. No time for that. As if I haven’t seen you in your birthday suit before or wiped your lily-white bottom. Now hurry up, you’ve got company downstairs.” Gran folded her arms across her chest. “Himself is here.”
There was only one “himself” that Gran would have her panties all in a twist about. “What is Salvador doing here?” I muttered to myself. Gran didn’t volunteer an answer, and I wasn’t really expecting one.
With an exasperated huff, I grabbed my T-shirt off the floor and pulled it on. After throwing off the covers, I slipped out of bed and padded across the room to the bathroom.
“Where are you going? You can’t just leave that vampire downstairs on his own!” Gran floated in front of me, blocking my way.
“Salvador can just bloody well wait. I need a shower.”
***
I showered, got dressed and then checked on Tess before heading downstairs. She was fast asleep, although judging from the empty packages of cookies and cans of soda on the floor by her bed, I assumed she had been awake at least once to forage for food.
The smell of roasting chicken had my stomach growling before I was even halfway down the stairs, but the sound of voices raised in argument coming from around the corner in the kitchen made me pause.
“…knew what they were facing and still sent them in unprepared!” Isaac’s voice was angry.
“My dear Isaac,” Salvador replied, his voice cool and condescending, “I merely suspected. I did not know.” There was a pause, and I could imagine Salvador giving Isaac one of his annoying shrugs. “Besides, the girl is more than strong enough—”
“You don’t know that!” Isaac interrupted. “You—”
“Harry! Now there are two vampires in your kitchen. Two! It’s a damn vampire convention.” Gran popped into view right in front of me.
“Shhh! Gran! I’m trying to hear,” I hissed, waving her away from my face.
I remained still for a moment, listening, but the voices had fallen silent. Damn vampire hearing. Now they knew I had been eavesdropping. Tossing a dirty look at Gran, who continued to fade in and out of view beside me, I hurried towards the kitchen.
“Ahh, there she is,” Salvador said as he rose to his feet, smiling widely
, his arms raised in welcome. “My dear Harry, so nice to see that you are none the worse for wear after your adventure last night.”
“Not that he really cares,” Gran griped, hovering by my ear. “Mark my words, he’ll use you up and throw you out like yesterday’s trash.”
I kept my face impassive, ignoring Gran’s interruption.
“Salvador,” I said, walking around the far side of the kitchen island, avoiding his arms. I nodded to Isaac and gave him a look that said what the hell is he doing here? Before turning back to Salvador.
For a brief second, I swear I saw disappointment on Salvador’s face, and then it was gone, replaced by his usual sly smile. He lowered his arms, but outstretched his hand to me, waiting.
Rolling my eyes (I don’t care what Page Six thinks of my attitude), I huffed out a little sigh and then crossed over to put my hand in his. He clasped it, placing his other hand over mine, and gave me an assessing look.
“Don’t put your hand in his, you ninny!” Gran floated in front of my face. It took every ounce of willpower I had to ignore her. “Don’t you know what he is?”
“Yes, yes.” Salvador patted my hand. “None the worse for wear.”
I pulled my hand from his with a frown. “What did Isaac mean that you knew what we were facing?” I turned to walk back to the kitchen, scowling at Gran on the way past. “What were we facing? I still don’t know, and it almost got Tess killed.”
I walked to the fridge and grabbed a couple of beers, cracking one open and taking a long swig. I held the other up to Salvador in silent question. I didn’t bother offering one to Isaac. He avoided beer, or at least the cheap, national-brand stuff that Tess and I bought, like the plague, but I figured I should at least offer one to Salvador. I’d drank enough of his liquor over these last few months.
Surprisingly, Salvador smiled and accepted the drink. Yay! A point for me in the good-daughter column.
I took a moment to drink some more of my beer, and Isaac produced a plateful of his homemade hummus and pita bread, setting it down in front of me and giving me a look that said I had better not drink on an empty stomach.
“You’re drinking buddies now?” Gran sputtered back into view, hovering between Salvador and me.
Forgetting myself, I turned to Gran and frowned. “That’s enough,” I scolded.
“It certainly is, Aislin,” Salvador said to Gran, using her first name. “You can’t shelter her forever, and you only harm yourself with your vitriol.”
Gran gasped, shock and outrage warring on her face, and then blinked out of sight. Crap! I didn’t even get a chance to ask her about the other night and why she was fading in and out.
I gaped at Salvador in surprise. “You could hear her? See her?” I glanced at Isaac. He shook his head, indicating that he could not. I turned back to Salvador.
Salvador shrugged annoyingly, gesturing with his hands. “But of course. Where do you think your gift came from? I don’t believe it runs on your grandmother’s side of the family tree.”
I stared at him. I hadn’t really thought about it. Well, that’s not true. Lately, after meeting the piece of work that was my not-so-dead-but-now-definitely-undead mother, I had assumed it was mixed up in a cauldron like the rest of my so-called gifts. My mother had made it very clear that she had used what little magic she had to ensure the fetus she was carrying (me) was powerfully gifted.
Salvador smiled like a Cheshire cat. “Of course my gift is a mere parlour trick next to yours, my dear Harry. I can only see and hear the dead. I do not command them.”
Ha! Now that was funny coming from the man who controlled every vampire within a five-state area. But we were getting off topic.
“Listen, let’s not change the subject right now. I want to know what happened last night. What is that place? What’s going on there?”
Salvador glanced at his watch and rose from his seat. “I must be going. I merely popped in to see for myself that you were unharmed.” He paused and smiled at me. “I am genuinely relieved that you are safe, pequeña. I am also glad to hear that you have agreed to help Señor DeGrasse. He is a valuable ally. You will arrange with Tomas to be present at the time you perform the ritual. He will ensure your safety.”
Isaac bristled at Salvador’s words. My safety, after all, was sort of his job. I imagine Nash would have a thing or two to say about Tomas ensuring my safety as well. But Salvador, totally unconcerned about Isaac’s feelings or what I might want, was already walking towards the door.
“Wait! We’re not done here.” I started after him. “What about Wishes? What happens next?”
“Good night, Harry,” Salvador replied, ignoring my questions and taking his leave.
“Damn it!” I spun on my feet and returned to the kitchen, pulling up a seat at the counter. “That man is so frustrating.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow at me and actually snorted. “Try dealing with him for a couple of centuries and then we’ll talk.”
I looked at him in shock, hummus-covered pita halfway to my mouth. “Isaac! Did you just make a joke?”
“Eat your pita, Harry. It’s going to drip on your shirt.”
I grinned at him and then stuffed the pita in my mouth. I’d have to tell Tess. We were definitely loosening the old guy up. I got up and hunted for my purse from the night before so I could find my cellphone and left a message for Nash. Then I texted Max and invited him for dinner. I was going to get to the bottom of things, one way or another.
“Is it safe to come out now?” Tess peeked around the corner.
“That depends. Salvador is gone, but Max will be here soon.” I gave her a cheeky grin.
Tess paused as if considering going back to bed.
“There is chicken with roasted potatoes and vegetables, Caesar salad, and the sausage cornbread stuffing you like,” Isaac added.
“Oh, well….in that case, no problem.” Tess smiled and sat beside me.
I reached over and placed an arm across her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Ai!” She shook her head. “I feel chuchaqui.” Tess groaned and put a hand to her forehead.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Chuchaqui was one of the few Spanish words I knew far too well. It meant hungover. But then I remembered how weak Tess had been the night before and how close we came to losing her, and my mood soured. “You scared the shit out of me last night,” I scolded.
“Ha!” Tess gave me a playful punch. “Now you know how I feel around you half the time.”
***
“So those guys were demons?” Tess stabbed a jellied cherry off her plate and then looked at Max.
We were finishing dinner off with Black Forest cake courtesy of Hilde. Not my favourite, but one of Tess’s which was fine, since it was her get-well dinner, not mine.
Max had arrived shortly after Nash, and we had all sat down to eat before moving into the living room to talk about what happened at the club. Nash and I were sitting together on the sofa, while Tess and Max occupied the two comfy chairs. It was like we were having that double date after all, if you didn’t count the fifth wheel, Isaac. He was odd man out because Christina wasn’t able to join us. She was busy creating her culinary magic over at The Lodge. Isaac had insisted on cleaning up after dinner, so he was listening from the kitchen.
“No, daemons,” replied Max, pronouncing the word day-mon.
“Po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to.” Tess shrugged and scraped her plate clean, licking the last of the whipped cream off her fork before putting her now-empty dish on the coffee table.
Max paused for a moment, watching her lips intently, and then glanced around self-consciously. Interesting. Maybe the crush was mutual?
“It’s not just pronunciation,” he said after clearing his throat. “There is a difference. Daemons are the lower-level servants of demons. I suspect these particular ones were incubi. They use sex to feed on their prey.”
“I didn’t have sex with them!” Tess folded her arms around herself defensively.
“So they’re like the Otherworld version of a vampire?”
“They most certainly are not!” A crash came from the kitchen, and Isaac turned around from the sink to face us.
“Oh, oh, Harry. Now you’ve done it.” Tess waved an accusing finger at me.
I stared wide-eyed at Isaac. I don’t think I’d ever seen him lose his cool like that before. “What did I say? I’m just trying to understand.” I frowned at him. “Max said that incubi feed on life energy. Well, so do vampires. So do I sometimes!” I gulped. It had taken me a long time to allow myself to admit that. Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, you know. “How is that different?”
“The difference, Harry, is that we have a conscience.” Isaac put his hands on the counter and leaned forward to look me directly in the eye. “We have a soul.” He glared at me, as if waiting for me to deny it.
“Isaac is right,” Max said, quickly filling the awkward silence. “Daemons, demons and other denizens of the Otherworld are purely malevolent creatures, without a soul or conscience. Their purpose is to bring pain and chaos to the world.”
“I don’t know,” Nash deadpanned, “Harry’s got the chaos part down.”
Tess snorted a laugh, and I threw Nash a playful punch to the arm. He caught my fist and pulled me towards him so that I ended up on his lap.
“Nash! We’re trying to have a serious conversation here.”
“You can still converse from there,” he replied, settling me down to rest in the crook of his arm. I had to admit, it felt kind of cozy—a good feeling to have when talking about demons.
I turned back to Isaac. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to offend or insult you.”
“Us, Harry. You insult us. Something you are wont to forget. You are a vampire too.”
He had a point. I did tend think of myself as a witch first and a vampire only when I had to. But that didn’t mean I had to agree with him out loud (there’s that denial thing again).