by Lisa Olsen
“Don’t take on so, I’m still the same as I was before. Being a vamp don’t change that.”
“Yeah, but a vampire,” she repeated, with a note of laughter approaching hysteria.
“Ain’t nothing to be scared of, luv. I would never hurt you. You know that, yeah?”
Anja shook her head. “Just when I think I get a handle on this… I’m married to a vampire? Or did you do that thing… put that whammy on me to be your blood slave?”
“It ain’t like that. Me and you, we love each other heaps. We’re meant to be.” Rob took a step toward her, and Anja flinched, scooting back several feet.
Carys almost felt sorry for the girl. Almost, until Bishop left her side to run to Anja’s defense.
Bishop picked up a chair, breaking off the leg. “Keep your distance,” he warned, brandishing it as a weapon.
“I’ve had just about enough out of you,” Rob growled, flashing the fangs again, and Bishop’s stance changed, becoming more fluid, ready for battle.
“Don’t you dare fight him!” Carys cried out, flinging herself in the way. “She’s not worth it. Your duty is to protect me.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do, Carys. If you’ll get out of the way, I’ll slay this vampire, and then we can figure out the next step.”
“No!” Anja wailed, her hands coming up. “What if he’s a good vampire? Like Angel or Spike.”
“Yeah, I’m a good sort,” Rob nodded, looking relieved that she’d leapt to his defense.
“Or he could be playing us like Angelus. And Spike was bad for a whole hell of a lot longer than he was good,” Bishop pointed out, and Carys shook her head.
“I don’t know who you’re babbling about, but there is an actual vampire right there before us. Kill him now, Ulrik!” she yelled, her hold on reality spinning away.
“And I’m thinking I’m a vampire hunter from the way this stake feels in my hand,” Bishop said in a low voice, shifting Carys out of the way.
“Wait… wait, wait, wait…” Anja insisted, stepping between Bishop and Rob. “What if he’s not the only one? Think about it. Super strength, fast healing, we can see pretty well in the dark, and Aubrey did that super speed thing. I’d say that all falls into the realm of vampire.”
“You’re insinuating that I’m a vampire?” Aubrey snorted. “The very idea.”
“Can you think of a better explanation? What if we’re all vampires?” she asked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
“I’m not a vampire,” Carys insisted, the idea distasteful.
“Okay, but apart from Joe, have any of you had the urge to eat this entire time?” Anja persisted. “And Carys, I thought you were dead when we first found you, because you didn’t have a pulse. I didn’t think to check it when you woke up and started complaining. Do you have a pulse now?”
Carys’ eyes widened, taking a step backwards when Bishop turned to her, his brows drawing together. “But I can’t be a vampire, I…” Carys turned to stare at her reflection in the window. In a flash, a series of memories hit her in rapid succession. Images of herself freely drinking blood from countless victims, some slow and seductive, some fast and violent, taking what she wanted. Her stomach tightened, and the lust for blood consumed her in those memories, her gums aching as the fangs slid down more prominently. Memories of drinking Aubrey’s blood, and Rob’s, and Joe’s… and Ulrik’s.
Another memory came to Carys in pieces, first the music, and then the images swirling around them like ghosts and she found herself at a party dressed in a period costume, corseted within an inch of her life. Ulrik approached her in all politeness, dressed in similar clothing. The belle of the ball, Carys sank into a graceful curtsey. They began to dance, moving and swaying together, arms raised but never quite touching. It was a game between them, the air charged with sexual tension as they gazed into each others eyes, knowing that she had tasted those lips and more.
“All of you,” Carys murmured. “I’ve drunk from all of you. Well, the men,” she added as an afterthought, though no one appeared to be listening. Her gaze flicked to Bishop, who sat on the coffee table, lost in thought, while Rob and Anja whispered together in the opposite corner of the room. Joe huddled by the fireplace, his eyes wary, while Aubrey stared off into space on his own.
Bishop didn’t look up as she approached, staring down at his hands. Finally, he said, “I thought I was one of the good guys.”
“You are, my love,” she assured him, her hand sliding over his shoulder in soothing strokes. “There is none finer than you.”
“But vampires?” He looked up at her, his green eyes shiny. “I don’t have a pulse either.”
“This is no cause for sorrow, cariad. Think on it, we will have eternity to share our love.”
“Forever is a long time,” he said, something passing over his face that she couldn’t quite comprehend.
“Yes, and we have already shared centuries together. This is why you’re Ulrik to me, it’s the name you used to live by.”
“Then when did I become Bishop? When did I become a vampire?”
“I don’t know, but the answers will come.” She lifted his chin with two fingers, drawing his gaze to hers. “This only strengthens our ties together. Do you not see this?”
He was a long time in answering, but Bishop’s lips lifted into a smile. “Yes, I suppose it does.”
“Good,” she breathed, more relieved than she could say. Now that she was sure of his support, her mind returned to her original problem. “This doesn’t change the fact that Anja is the enemy. We should move now before they anticipate an attack.”
“I can hear you, you know,” Anja called out in a sing song voice from across the room. “Vampire senses?”
“It’s still impolite to eavesdrop,” Carys scowled.
“I don’t get it.” Anja pushed her way into the conversation. “If you’re a vampire, and I’m a vampire – how come you hate me so much? And what are we doing in here?”
Another flash of memory appeared, this one feeling far more recent. Snuggled up to Rob’s bare chest, Carys was about to suggest another round when Anja burst into the room.
“Get dressed,” she barked, slamming the door behind her.
The pair barely acknowledged her presence, Carys didn’t even lift her head. “What on Earth for?”
“Because you and I are about to settle this once and for all.”
“I thought I already had,” Carys smiled, kissing his chest. Partly to get a rise out of Anja, and partly because it was such a magnificent chest. Rob’s stamina was much better than she’d hoped for from such a newly made vampire. Perhaps she would keep him.
“You made your point, you can compel a guy into wanting you. Big whoopdy do. But I’ve claimed Rob as mine and that gives me certain rights.”
“And I have the privilege to challenge those rights.”
“Maybe so, but I have a right to respond to that challenge.”
Carys waved her away. “You’ve already lost, accept it and move on.”
“No, he might not remember it right this moment, but Rob is under my protection. If you’re so sure of yourself, why not release him from the compulsion and see who he chooses?”
“That doesn’t interest me in the slightest.”
“Fine, then you and I are gonna go, right now.” Anja wiggled her fingers in a come-at-me gesture. “You and me, mano a mano.”
Her forehead puckered in confusion. “Hand to hand?”
“That’s right. Unless you’re afraid to fight me.”
“Why would I be afraid of you?” she said with an indelicate snort. “I’m your superior in age and skill.”
“Let’s go then, old lady. Fight me.”
She’d come between Anja and her chosen mate? Perhaps she had deserved the challenge at that. It was of more interest to Carys to learn that she was older and more powerful than Anja. But more importantly, she could compel other vampires? That was a handy talent to have indeed. Secure in that k
nowledge, she hid a smile behind her hand.
“Who can say? Perhaps we should declare a truce? At least until we escape from this insufferable place,” Carys suggested, pleased by the nod of approval she got from Bishop.
“That sounds shiny to me.” While Anja’s answering smile marked her a trusting fool, Rob’s wariness did not lessen. No matter, Carys was fairly certain she could sway him to her side once she got a few moments with him alone, thanks to her compulsion ability.
“Now then, we’re one big happy family,” Carys declared, clapping her hands together. “And I, for one, can use a drink. Can I get one for anyone else?”
“I wouldn’t say no to that,” Aubrey called out from the corner of the room, and Bishop nodded.
“Same here.”
Joe raised his hand to be counted, but didn’t say a word, watching them all warily, eyes looming large. Poor thing, as one of the only two humans in the room, Carys could see why he felt vulnerable, especially since the woman hadn’t recovered consciousness. Now that she knew what to listen for, she could hear his heart beating from across the room.
“I’ll go get the glasses,” Anja volunteered, but Carys was the first to move toward the kitchen.
“That’s not necessary. I’ll get them. You choose the drink from the bar, dear sister,” she smiled.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Rob offered, following Carys to the kitchen. Even better.
Carys didn’t have to try for a subtle opening, as Rob turned on her almost from the moment they reached the relative privacy of the kitchen.
“Don’t think for a moment I don’t know what you’re on about,” he said in a harsh whisper.
“Oh?” Her brows rose in mild surprise. “Do tell.”
“You’ve got it in for Anja plain and simple. I don’t buy this truce business.”
“I intend to honor it, as far as it goes. After we’re out of here, all bets are off.”
“Then you’ll have me to deal with,” he bristled, and Carys smiled, relishing the idea of a mano a mano with the handsome bruiser.
“Wouldn’t be the first time. You’re a very perceptive man. Can you guess why we fought?” Carys slid her hand across chest, enjoying the ripple of muscle. “Nothing coming to you yet?” Her hand slid lower, to the ridges of his abdomen. “I can keep going until it does.”
His hand caught hers around the wrist. “You don’t want to be doing that.”
“That’s not what you said before. In fact, I remembered more than one particularly intimate moment between us. We’ve tasted each other’s delights, you and I. Do you truly not remember?” His eyes widened, breath leaving in a soft rush as he recovered at least one of their intimate moments together by the look on his face. “You want me still, don’t you?”
“It’s Anja I want,” Rob replied, his face growing cold.
Carys reached out for his will with her own. “Are you sure about that? I think you’ll find it’s me that’s your heart’s desire.”
“You’re out of your tree,” he snorted, turning his back on her to reach for the glasses in the cupboard, leaving her staring at him in frustration.
Why had the compulsion not worked?
Chapter Eleven
Vampires. Holy buckets. I never in a bajillion years would’ve guessed without the pop of Rob’s fangs. Well, until the thirst built so much I felt the need to get a little fangy myself. While I didn’t trust Carys as far as I could throw her, I was glad she was willing to stop being such a b.i.t.c.h. while we were trapped in the house. I hadn’t missed her announcement that she’d fed from all of the men in the room, but I tried to set that aside. Without knowing the extent of my past and how it fit together, I couldn’t get jealous of any bodily fluid exchange between her and Rob, especially when I remembered some heated kisses with Aubrey.
I did trust Rob though, so I tried not to eavesdrop when he went into the kitchen with Carys. Instead, I approached Joe, who was still wide eyed, sitting at the end of the loveseat next to the passed out girl.
“Hey,” I offered with a smile, worried when I could hear his heart hammering in his chest. How had I missed it before? “Are you alright?”
“Why should I not be well?” he replied, swallowing nervously. “I am the only human among vampires, except for this girl. And who knows? Perhaps when she wakes, she will change into a wolf? Or perhaps she will rise as a an undead flesh eater?”
Oh yeah, he was totally losing it. “I don’t think we have to worry about a zombie horde, Joe. And it’s okay, you’re among friends.”
“Am I? And how long will that friendship last when we are unable to escape and you crave the blood in my veins?”
I had to admit, the throb at his throat did look pretty tasty.
He scowled, wrapping the quilt tighter around him, so that only his face protruded. “Already I am feeling like a piece of meat.”
“Jeez, I’m sorry,” I apologized, sitting on the edge of the coffee table beside him. “I didn’t mean to, it’s just you started talking about blood and…” I stopped myself, taking a short breath. “Never mind. The point is, no one here is going to eat you, I swear. Everybody hear that? Joe’s a friend, not food.”
Bishop looked up with a brief smile, and Aubrey rolled his eyes in response.
“See, you’re safe as a hobbit in his hole,” I added with an encouraging smile, and Joe’s death grip on the quilt eased.
“That’s a hasty promise to make,” Rob pointed out as he entered with an armload of clean glasses. “And one you might not be able to keep. We will have to eat eventually, after all.”
Joe immediately bunched up again, and I shot Rob a dirty look. “Rob!”
“Being practical is all,” Rob shrugged, handing us each a glass. “It don’t have to be a bad thing. It ain’t even got to hurt, yeah? We can all get something out of it.”
Surprisingly, Joe seemed intrigued by the notion, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. “While that’s a nice sentiment, I think it’s only something for a last resort,” I maintained, accepting Aubrey’s pour of an amber colored liquor. Bourbon. Blecch. “What should we drink to?”
“Freedom,” Bishop suggested, holding his glass up for a toast.
“I’ll drink to that,” I agreed, and we all touched glasses. After a few sips of the alcohol, I didn’t hate it so much, but I shook my head when Aubrey offered a refill. I wanted a semi-clear head for what I had in mind. “Along those lines, the best way I can think of to keep anyone from getting too thirsty, is to get out of here. And I think that’s our ticket out of here.” I pointed at the high windows in the great room, the ones that looked like eyes. They were definitely big enough to fit through if we could get up there. And maybe they were so high up they wouldn’t be under the barrier?
“It’s an interesting idea,” Bishop agreed, scratching at his upper lip with his thumb as he stared up at them. “The high windows in the other room weren’t spelled, they were just too small to fit through.”
“Okey doke, I’ll check it out.” Emboldened by the bourbon and my new-found super powers, I went to the stone fireplace and started looking for footholds in the rock.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Bishop frowned.
“The only way to find out is to climb up there and take a look. If I climb up the fireplace, I can crawl down that beam and make it to the window, easy peasy.”
“Absolutely not, you’ll break your neck,” he objected, and Rob took his side for once.
“Too right, it’s a bad idea.”
“I will not. I’m a vampire, remember? Who knows what’ll happen once the sun comes up? Maybe we’ll all turn to dust or slip into a coma. We’re running out of time. Sitting around looking at spellbooks won’t do us a lick of good without a witch to cast them.”
“I’d rather take my chances with magic,” Bishop replied. “None of us knows what the rules are for being a vampire. We don’t remember any part of it. Or at least I don’t. We don’t know wha
t will happen after dawn, and if you break your spine you could end up paralyzed for years.”
“I’m willing to take the risk,” I insisted. It was worth it in my books. “I’ve got this, sheesh.” I started up the side of the fireplace, but Bishop grabbed my ankle, strong enough to keep me in place.
“I forbid it,” he said. “If anyone goes up there, it’ll be me.”
“Hold on now, Ulrik. Perhaps we should let her have a go at it,” Carys frowned, and I shot her a dirty look before I remembered she was weighing in on my side.
I tried pulling my ankle free, but I couldn’t shake him. How much stronger than me was he? “Bishop, let me go. You’re not the boss of me.”
“Maybe I am?” he retorted. “You don’t know.”
He had a point there. Maybe I was in his vampire police squad too? Nah, I couldn’t picture myself as a cop. “I know I’m not going to do what you say just because you order me to.”
“Then do it because it makes sense.”
“Says you,” I retorted. I know, not the most eloquent of responses, but he was starting to really tick me off. “I mean it, Bishop, let go of my leg before I kick your teeth in.”
He simply smiled up at me. “You think you could?”
“Heck yeah, I could if I wanted to. Go ahead, keep smiling at me like that, you’re making it easier for me to picture smashing that perfect face.”
That only made him smile wider. “You think my face is perfect?”
“I… yeah, sure, if you like pretty boys.”
“I’m not a pretty boy.”
“Oh please, your eyelashes are longer than mine are. Put you in a dress and you could give Bugs Bunny a run for his money.”
“What?”
I shook my head, not wanting to explain the segue, beyond frustrated. “Would you let me go for crying out loud?”
“No, now would you stop being a spoiled brat and get down here? I don’t want to have to yank you down, you might hit your head or something.”
“Then let go of me. Look, chivalry is sweet and all, but do you honestly think you can make this climb better than I can just because you’re a guy? This is the twenty-first century, you know. At least… I think it is,” I frowned. What if we were living way in the future, but I couldn’t remember those parts yet?