by Robin Roseau
I didn't say anything but simply held out my hand. She placed the phone in it, and I called Elisabeth.
"Michaela?"
"Yes. I am giving the phone to the vampire."
I handed the phone back. She put it on speaker and set it down. "I am speaking with Elisabeth Burns?" she asked.
"Yes." Elisabeth's voice was clipped.
"Are you alone?"
"No."
"Michaela is unhurt. She is sitting in my home, currently drinking from a cup of tea," the vampire explained. "I have apologized for how this meeting came to happen. An underling was overzealous. She and I have agreed to put that behind us. I do not wish a dispute with the Madison pack, and I will offer modest reparations if you feel they are necessary."
"If she is returned to us undamaged, then the only reparations required are any she negotiates with you. Are her memories currently intact?"
"Yes."
"Then we require her to inform us of any reparations before you cloud her mind."
She looked at me. "Are you asking for reparations, Michaela?"
"No," I said. "May I say more?"
"Do not anger me."
"I would prefer there be good will between us," I said. "Maybe you consider that a reparation. I do not."
"Nor do I," she said. The vampire paused. "May I call you Elisabeth?" she asked.
"Yes," said Elisabeth.
"Then perhaps you will call me Carissa."
Elisabeth was quiet for a moment. "I know that name."
"I have convinced Michaela of my identity, but I do not wish her to explain the nature of my proof. Michaela, are you satisfied?"
"Yes," I said.
"Elisabeth, do you know who I am?"
"The queen of New Orleans."
"Precisely."
"You do not have a reputation for kidnapping."
"A mistake for which I have apologized, as we've already discussed."
I lifted my hand. Carissa looked at me and nodded.
"Elisabeth, I am inclined to accept her apology. I do not believe there is benefit from dwelling on it."
"It is not like you to forgive so easily, Michaela."
I looked at the vampire, who nodded.
"There is a bigger picture, and she has been gracious."
"Are you absolutely sure she is who she claims to be?"
The vampire nodded.
"Yes, Elisabeth. I am."
"Elisabeth," Carissa said, "I am going to ask Michaela to remain silent now. I have a question for you. Is there value to your pack for me to feel exceedingly beholden to you?"
"May I discuss this with my alpha?"
"Of course. Do we need to call you back?"
"No, if you do not mind if we mute the call for a moment."
"We will mute our side as well." And she did just that before looking at me. "Are you going to help me?"
"Right now, they're trying to figure out what you're up to, and they're going to try to find a way to guide me. The only thing Lara is thinking about is getting me back. They'll say anything to make that happen."
I drank from my tea, watching the vampire carefully.
"Carissa?" came Elisabeth's voice from the phone. The vampire unmuted our end and said, "Yes, Elisabeth."
"We want our pack member back."
"I have asked her to perform a favor for me. She has not given her answer yet. If she performs this favor for me, I will be exceedingly grateful. I believe she is waiting to hear what her mate has to say about that."
"I have stepped out of the house," Elisabeth said. "How much risk is there to her?"
"Some. I believe she will be successful."
"Lara will never agree."
"It is not Lara who must agree," Carissa said. "It is Michaela."
"Can she hear me?"
"Yes."
"Michaela, come home."
The vampire looked at me. I remained quiet.
"Elisabeth, will you answer my question? Is there value in my gratitude?"
"Yes."
"Would you care to quantify your answer?" Carissa asked. "I will tell you this. If Michaela agrees to attempt to assist me, but later determines the risk is too high, I would still be grateful for her attempt. Of course, the depth of gratitude would be much greater if she is successful."
"And if she gets herself killed, what do I tell my sister?"
"I believe that likelihood is slight, much smaller than the risk she suffered in some of her other adventures."
"She's been through enough and deserves a quiet life, Carissa."
"Women like Michaela do not live quiet lives, Elisabeth."
"Will you allow her to speak?"
The vampire nodded to me.
"Elisabeth, please answer her question," I said.
"Carissa, are we suggesting the Madison weres would become subservient to the Queen of New Orleans?"
"Absolutely not," Carissa said. "I have no designs on your pack's independence. However, I can be a powerful ally and a very good friend."
"And a fearsome foe?"
"That would only happen if Michaela were to betray me. I do not believe it is in her nature to do so."
"No," Elisabeth said. "It is not. Michaela, you already know the answer to Carissa's question."
I lifted a hand, and the vampire nodded.
"There is risk, Elisabeth. I believe I can manage it, and there are reasons beyond gain to the pack involved."
"No more than that, Michaela," the vampire said.
"Lara will never approve, Michaela," Elisabeth said. "Come home."
"Elisabeth," Carissa said, "We will call you back again. I do not believe it will be very long."
She hung up before Elisabeth could respond, then she looked at me.
"How would I find her?"
"We will share blood. I can find anyone with whom I have shared blood, although the ability fades over time."
"How will that help me?"
"I can share the ability with you. It will last for several weeks, if I take a sufficient amount of your blood, and you consume enough of mine."
"Enough to be dangerous to me?"
"As I said, about a cup of your blood."
"Will I become, I don't know. Your thrall?"
"For a while, yes."
"That's how you're going to convince Lara, isn't it?"
"Yes. I will be able to call you to me, probably for several months, and it is quite compelling. If she prevents you returning to me, it will probably drive you insane."
"Why don't you call your friend?"
"She is Fae. She broke the blood bond. You will not be able to do so. It will fade over time."
"I have your word you will not use the bond in ways we have not discussed?"
"Yes."
"If I attempt this, and I deem I am unable to complete it, you will let me return home to my mate?"
"Yes."
"Will the thrall prevent me from making that choice?"
"You will be deeply motivated to help me, but not foolishly so. You will retain all your intellect and abilities, and some of them will be somewhat enhanced. You will find it exceedingly difficult to disobey me, but I will give you no orders beyond the secrecy you have already promised me."
"You are asking me to trust you a great deal."
"I am also offering to trust you a great deal."
"Is what you are offering me worth how angry Lara is going to be with me?"
"I am more powerful than Lima Consulting, and I protect my friends quite fiercely. I would have, for instance, freed you from your captors in Iowa City and not have considered this debt paid. And Michaela, I will live for a very, very long time. The debt is not to you. It is to your pack. Your babies."
"You know a great deal," I observed.
"In all fairness, everyone in North America knows what happened in Iowa City."
"I hope that excludes the humans."
She smiled. "Of course."
I leaned back and closed my eyes.
"You are weary," she observed. "Do you wish to sleep on your decision?"
"You may have my decision now," I said. "But I would like to clean up after I give it, and I will need sleep before I can do anything else."
"You are going to help me?"
"I am going to try."
She was quiet for a moment before saying in a very soft voice. "Thank you."
I opened my eyes. "Now what?"
"We must share blood."
"May I shower first?"
"Of course. Do you know the way, or do you wish me to lead you?"
"You would trust me?"
"Yes. Do you wish fresh clothes?"
"Will you send me home?"
"I will invite your security detail here."
"These clothes will do, then. Will you also want to enthrall them?"
"No, only you."
"You promise it wears off?"
"Over time."
"Is it going to push aside my feelings for anyone else?"
"No. My permanent thralls have perfectly normal relationships. You will feel no differently towards your mate. You will, however, love me as well. It is not necessarily romantic love. I find it odd you ask these questions after already giving me your answer."
"May I go?"
"Yes. Do you require food or anything else?"
"I need sleep more, and a light meal when I wake."
She nodded. "It is nearly four AM."
"I guess I should hurry." I climbed to my feet, weary and nervous. I pointed towards the door, and she nodded.
* * * *
This was all very surreal, I decided. I found the bathroom, turned on the water, and stepped out of the borrowed clothes. I made sure I would have everything I would need and stepped into the shower.
I was efficient, but I spent the time wondering whether I was making the right choice. I would rather have Lara's willing cooperation. I wondered what the long term price was going to be.
But I believed Carissa, and Greg had sounded like he trusted her and respected her. It sounded like Elisabeth respected her as well.
I finished by washing my hair, finally turning off the water and drying off. I found a hair dryer and brush in the vanity and spent time brushing and drying my hair. I didn't get it fully dry, but it was dry enough. I dressed in the borrowed clothes and retraced my route.
Carissa was waiting for me when I stepped into the room.
"I have one fear," I said.
"Do you care to share it?"
"I worry about Lara's long term reaction and the effect it will have on my future independence."
"Do you want to talk to her before we share blood?"
"She's going to try to talk me out of helping you."
"She might surprise you."
"How much can I tell her?"
"If you let me talk to her first, you may tell her anything you want."
"I'd like to talk to her then."
She held out the phone. "Call her."
I closed the distance and took the phone from her. I dialed Elisabeth's number, and she answered before the second ring.
"It's Michaela," I said. "How is everyone there?"
"Worried."
"I need to talk to Lara."
"Are you going to break her heart, Michaela?"
"Of course not. Let me talk to her, Elisabeth."
There was a pause, and then Lara's voice. "Little Fox, are you coming home?"
"Lara, I need you to talk to Carissa, and then you and I are going to talk for a while."
I didn't wait for a response, but handed the phone to Carissa.
"Alpha," Carissa said.
"Queen Carissa," Lara replied.
"I don't use that title," she said. "Just Carissa is fine. Your mate is about to share some of my secrets with you. I need to know with whom you will share these secrets."
"My head enforcer and Michaela's head of security," Lara said.
"Then I will require the three of you to hold these secrets in the strictest confidence. If you violate my trust, I will be exceedingly angry."
"And if you hurt my mate, we will be exceedingly angry."
"I wish no dispute with you, Alpha," she said. "I only wish a promise you will not divulge my secrets. I am giving you an opportunity to reverse the decision your mate already made. If you do not wish to offer this promise, we will hang up, and I will hold your mate to the agreement she already made with me."
"We will protect your secrets, Carissa," Lara said, but I could hear the anger in her voice.
"Thank you, Alpha," Carissa replied. "Here is your mate." She immediately handed me the phone.
"Lara, please calm down," I said immediately. I moved away from the vampire, sitting down at a different chair.
"What have you done, Michaela?"
"Lara, she's asked us for our help. I believe we have to at least try. Do you trust me?"
She was quiet for a while. "It's hard, Michaela. All I can think about is protecting you."
"I know. There is risk, but there is a life at stake. I believe an important life. I want to help." I turned to the vampire. "Who will you allow to join me?"
"Whoever your alpha sends."
"She'll want to come herself."
"I presumed so."
"Did you hear all that, Lara?"
"Please don't do this, Michaela. Come home to me."
"I want to help, Lara. I need to know if you'll forgive me afterwards. I need to know if my life will be a cage afterwards."
"For a while, probably, but not permanently, and of course I'll forgive you."
"Kiss the babies for me. I'll talk to you soon."
"I love you, Michaela," she said. "I hope you're making the right choice."
"I love you, too." I hung up and walked back to the vampire, handing her the phone. I studied her. "Why did you let me do that?"
"Because you asked."
"Would you have enforced my agreement if she had changed my mind?"
"No."
"I didn't think she would agree."
"But she didn't, did she?" Carissa said. "She perhaps believes she can spirit you away once I set you loose. Michaela, I ask that you try. I do not ask that you trade your life for Deirdre's."
I nodded. "Is this going to hurt?"
"I can make it very pleasant, if you want."
"Where will you bite me?"
"I'm sorry. If I were simply feeding from you, I could take from your wrist, but for this, I must take from a source much closer to your heart."
I touched my neck, and she nodded.
"Here," I asked, gesturing to the sofa next to her, and she nodded.
I sat down slowly, stiffly.
"I need to hear you offer, Michaela," Carissa said. "I have made a request, but I am not compelling you."
"Carissa, I cannot promise to free your Fae, but I am willing to try. I accept the conditions we have discussed."
I was sitting stiffly on the sofa next to her, not looking at her. She reached over and gently tugged my chin to face her. "Look into my eyes, Michaela," she said gently. "Stare into them and try not to fight me."
I closed my eyes for a moment then opened them and stared brazenly into her eyes. It took a moment, but then I felt a lassitude spread over me, and I no longer had any thought of looking away or changing my mind. I felt myself smile softly.
"You could have made me agree," I said.
"Yes," she agreed. "Does knowing that help you trust me further?"
It did, and I nodded, but never taking my eyes from hers.
She moved closer, pulling me into her arms, and I felt myself going willingly, then rotating across her lap, always staring into her eyes. After a moment, I was lying in her arms, my back in her lap, as Carissa leaned over me, still staring into my eyes.
And then she lowered her mouth to my neck, but still I stared straight ahead, and I could still see her eyes, even though she was bent over my neck.
I felt her fangs as they ent
ered me, and I relaxed even further as the vampire drank from me. It didn't hurt. It felt... nice. Right. Part of me was puzzled, but most of me simply accepted what she was doing.
She drank slowly, and the entire time I lay quietly in her arms. And the entire time I could see her eyes and feel her thoughts amongst mine.
And then I felt her fangs withdraw.
"If I heal it," she said into my mind, "it leaves a little scar. Do you want to shift to heal it?"
I felt myself smile, not answering her, but I concentrated briefly and felt the wound heal. She sucked at my neck a moment longer, then lifted her head, and we smiled at each other.
"You are full of surprises," she said gently. "Thank you, Michaela."
"I haven't done anything yet," I said.
"You have gifted me with a portion of your life force," she replied. "You will replenish it, but you help me to live."
"Then you are welcome." I smiled, staring into her eyes, still entranced.
"If you have not changed your mind," she said, "you must drink from me."
"Then I shall."
She held one hand in front of me, and I saw her fingernails extend into sharp claws. She turned them around and plunged them into her own neck. The blood didn't spurt out, but it began to bubble. She lifted me mouth to the wound, and in my head she ordered, "Drink."
It was odd, but I was helpless to obey. I attached my mouth to her neck and began to suck and lap at the wound.
"Yes," she said. "Drink, Michaela."
And I did.
I felt warmth spread throughout my body, and my senses came even more alive.
And I felt Carissa in my mind, more deeply than before. And then, slowly, I felt another. And somehow I knew that was Deirdre. I couldn't hear her thoughts the way I could Carissa's, but I could sense where she was, far to the east, far towards the rising sun.
And still Carissa ordered me to drink.
I clutched at her, becoming hungry for her blood. I moaned with the need.
"Yes," she said. "Drink, Michaela."
And I drank.
"Very good," she said, still in my mind. "Sleep, my pet."
And I slept.
Part Two
Awakening
"Wake up, Little Fox."
I stretched, smiled, and opened my eyes to see Lara sitting on the bed beside me.
"You came," I said.