Rajmund

by D. B. Reynolds

  Sarah blushed. “I don't care what he does to them. I hate those people."

  Emelie gave her a longer look. “Is there somewhere you'd rather go? Family maybe?"

  Sarah stared out the window and shook her head. “No. No family."

  "What about your parents, or your brothers?"

  Sarah turned and gave Emelie a flat stare. “You checked me out."

  Emelie nodded easily, no embarrassment, no apology. “It wasn't easy, if that's any consolation,” she offered.

  Sarah took a deep breath and let it out. “It doesn't matter anymore, does it?” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “They all know who I am now. I'll have to start all over again."

  "Raj could help you with that. The vampire community has resources."

  Sarah laughed bitterly. “I don't think Raj would give me the time of day unless he had to."

  Emelie gave her a puzzled look. “He rode to your rescue today, didn't he?"

  "Yeah,” Sarah admitted. “But only because he wants this case solved and I'm the best lead he's got. So far, anyway. I probably won't even be that for much longer."

  Emelie startled her by reaching out to snap her fingers in front of Sarah's face. When she recoiled, Emelie said, “Huh. Well, you're not blind, so the only alternative is stupid."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Raj is crazy about you, little human."

  "Raj hates my guts, skinny vampire."

  Emelie laughed. “Skinny vampire,” she repeated. “Awkward, but accurate. So tell me, Sarah,” she said deliberately. “What exactly did you do to my master to turn him around the way you have? He's been a bitch to get along with the last few days and I think it's your fault."

  Sarah met Emelie's certain gaze and turned away, unwilling to admit what she'd done.

  "Oh, come on, Sarah. We're going to be spending a lot of time together for a couple of days. It'll be more fun if we can talk girl talk—you know, guys, makeup, hair, shit like that."

  It was Sarah's turn to laugh at the idea of Emelie being interested in girl talk. “What did Raj tell you?” she asked.

  "You may not have noticed, Sarah, but Raj can do a fair imitation of the Sphinx when he wants to. He hasn't told me shit. And that's saying something, because Raj tells me pretty much everything. He's my Sire and that makes him pretty damn important, but he's also my best friend. He was the first person ever to see me as something other than what he needed me to be. I would die at his command without hesitation and I will kill anyone who harms him."

  "Oh."

  Emelie grinned. “Don't worry, that wasn't a threat. Raj'd kill me if I harmed a hair on your pretty head. But I'm thinking whatever you did had to be something bad because that vamp is crazy about you."

  Sarah sighed. “Did Raj tell you we went over to the university the other night and talked to Jennifer Stewart? Trish's roommate?"

  "Yes. We've been doing the three dollar tour of Buffalo blood houses the last couple of nights because of it."

  Sarah blinked in surprise. Raj had been continuing the investigation without her? It was stupid, but she was sort of hurt to discover that.

  "And?” Emelie said impatiently.

  Sarah cringed. She had a pretty good idea of what Emelie's reaction would be to what she was about to say.

  "I don't know anything about how you all do stuff. I mean, I know you can make the act of drinking blood feel really good—not that I've ever done that."

  Emelie hooted loudly, obviously amused by Sarah's inexperience.

  Sarah scowled at her and continued. “Apparently Raj was talking to Jennifer, um, in her head, I guess you'd say. You know, telepathically or however you do it. I think he only had her talk out loud eventually so I could hear, but I didn't figure that out until later. I didn't know then what was going on."

  Emelie's face grew solemn. “What did you say to him?” she asked, her eyes suddenly dark with accusation.

  "I told him what he'd done was the same as rape,” Sarah said in a small voice. “That he'd raped Jen's mind instead of her body."

  Emelie closed her eyes briefly, as if in pain, shaking her head slightly. “You and I have to talk,” she said somberly. But then she lapsed into silence, making a left turn down a long, dark street, eventually pulling up in front of the same abandoned-looking warehouse where Sarah and Raj had stopped what seemed like a lifetime ago. Back when he'd still liked her.

  Sarah sighed as Emelie drove past the office door, stopping instead in front of one of the three big loading bay doors. Jamming the car into park, she reached over to the back seat and dug into a black canvas duffle bag, emerging with what looked like a heavy-duty garage door opener. Point and click, and the left-most door rolled up on nearly silent tracks. Emelie dropped the remote into her lap and drove the car inside, clicking it again to close the door behind them as soon as they were clear.

  "Home sweet home,” Emelie announced and turned off the engine.

  "What is this place?” Sarah asked, staring through the window.

  "This, my dear, is why Raj is going to be the next Vampire Lord of the Northeast. Raw power is good and he's got lots of that, but it's brains that makes the difference, and Raj is a fucking genius when it comes to strategic planning. He bought this place years ago in anticipation of this day."

  Sarah gave her a skeptical glance. “This day?” Either Emelie was talking about something other than her own predicament, or Raj was more than a strategic genius, he was a damn fortune teller.

  Emelie laughed as she swung the car door open and climbed out. She grabbed the duffle from the back and said, “There's a lot more to this day than you realize, little human. One hell of a lot more."

  "Tell me something I don't know,” Sarah snapped back.

  "How much time do you have?"

  Sarah swung around. “What?"

  "You said tell you something you don't know. Well, how much time do you have?"

  "Har, har.” Sarah watched enviously as Emelie strode away from her. She looked like a model on a runway despite the heavy bag thrown over one shoulder and the functional black combat gear she wore. Or maybe because of it. The contrast only accentuated her very feminine appeal. As if aware Sarah was watching her, she turned around and walked backward for a few steps, grinning. “Come on, Sarah. I've got a story to tell you and I'm going to need a drink first."

  "A drink? But—"

  "Don't be such a wuss.” Emelie dropped her bag near a pile of similar gear and sauntered back to hook Sarah's arm, leading her across the large, empty space toward some sort of living room in the corner. Since Emelie was as strong as any other vampire, Sarah had a choice between going along or being dragged like a rag doll. She went along.

  They crossed into the faux living area which was about the size of Sarah's entire first floor. It was defined by a thick-pile carpet, or maybe just a really big throw rug. Several couches and chairs were scattered at odd angles, although every one of them was turned toward a wide-screen display worthy of a private theater and complete with a dizzying variety of electronic devices. Emelie dropped Sarah's arm and walked over to a bar which stood along one wall, with several rows of bottles lined up on a counter behind it. Emelie grabbed one of the bottles and poured herself a shot of some clear liquid. She offered the bottle to Sarah who shook her head.

  "Raj got me hooked on vodka decades ago,” Emelie said. “When it was still only commies who drank it.” She laughed at her own joke and threw the shot of liquor down her throat. Sarah almost coughed in sympathy, but Emelie didn't seem at all bothered by the alcohol. “Tastes better with blood in it, but I don't want to sully your innocent sensibilities.” She winked at Sarah and poured herself another shot, downing it the same way.

  "Okay,” she said, drawing a deep breath and letting it out, as if reaching some momentous decision. Hands resting on narrow hips, she gave Sarah a speculative look. “Have a seat, Sarah. I'm going to tell you a story. It's one that very few people know—in fact, only two people in the wor
ld know it, and that includes me."

  "Uh, I'm not sure—"

  "Oh, pooh. You're a scholar, right? Where's your curiosity? You're about to hear how I became a vampire."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Em poured another shot, swallowing it quickly. “I was gang raped.” She glared at Sarah, as if daring her to comment. When Sarah said nothing, she continued. “The circumstances don't matter. Let's just say I was more attracted to the cook's daughter than the young men who called at my parents’ house to play suitor, and I did something stupid trying to make up for it.

  "Raj found me while . . . Anyway, he pulled some of them off me, scared the rest away. I don't remember much about that part. I don't really try very hard. But I remember afterward. He took me back to his lair. It wasn't fancy, but it was safe."

  She leaned back against the bar, a half smile on her face. “I know what you're thinking. He's a vampire, right? A sensible girl would have run from him screaming. But I knew who the real monsters were and it wasn't the nice vampire offering me some hot soup."

  Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, as if suddenly cold, she walked over to one of the couches, picked up someone's discarded jacket and slipped it on. “The true monsters were altogether human. Those men could have been my cousins or uncles. Hell, for all I know, some of them were. I was beaten and raped nearly to death. She stared down at the floor, her face blank of any emotion. “Stupid,” she said at last, then drew a deep breath and met Sarah's gaze.

  "Raj offered me a choice that night. He would heal me, wipe my memories of the rape and send me back to my parents. Or freedom. A chance to be myself. The choice was easy."

  "Have you ever regretted—"

  "Never,” Emelie said immediately. “Never. Raj might say differently. As good a leader as he is, as powerful a vampire, he never asked to be turned. But I love my life, and I love Raj. Not as a lover. We were never that. I have no interest in men, and Raj would never, ever force himself on anyone. You were way off base on that. But I love him as my master and my friend, my true creator. He's the best man I've ever met, Sarah, vampire or not, and I've lived a long time.” She leaned forward intently, forcing Sarah to look at her. “And I will not tolerate anyone causing him pain."

  Sarah sighed. “I really fucked up, didn't I?"

  Emelie barked out a laugh. “Yeah, you really did. And he's not happy you lied to him about who you are, either."

  "I lie to everyone about that,” Sarah said dismissively. “No one knew before today."

  "What about your friends?"

  "No one,” Sarah repeated.

  Emelie cocked her head as if listening, then took two steps and crouched in front of Sarah. “Listen to me. Raj is almost here. I've never seen him care about a human the way he does you. This whole thing tonight? He wouldn't have done this for anyone else. But if you want him—and you're a fool if you don't—you've got to make him believe he's not a monster."

  "He's not!” Sarah said, outraged at the very suggestion.

  "No, but he sometimes thinks he is, and you pretty much told him you think so too."

  "I—” Sarah remembered the things she'd said to Raj and blew out a long sigh. “Damn."

  "That about sums it up,” Emelie agreed. She stood and began walking toward the exit. By the time she reached the door, it was opening and Raj was striding through.

  "My lord,” Emelie said, her voice full of affectionate respect.

  "Em,” he said, not even glancing at Sarah. “When you send someone back for the car, tell him to check inside and around the house. I want to make sure we didn't miss anyone."

  Sarah sank deeper into the cushions and stared at him, brooding. Granted, she'd been way out of line the other night, and if he ever gave her a chance, she'd be happy to apologize profusely, but he didn't have to be such a dick about it. She'd never told anyone her real name, never trusted anyone that much, not even Cyn, so why would he think she'd spill her guts to him? She tried to build up some anger toward him, but it wasn't working. Of course, it didn't help that he looked so damn delicious standing there in his tight jeans, his t-shirt straining over his broad chest beneath the leather jacket. She remembered the smell of that jacket, the soft leather against her cheek, the zipper rubbing . . . Ah gods. She twisted around on the chair, turning her back on him and slouching down so she didn't have to look at him. He was probably relieved not to have to look at her anymore, too. Not that he'd been looking anyway. Son of a bitch.

  Raj knew Sarah was watching him, knew she was waiting for some acknowledgment from him. He saw her flinch when he told Em to have one of the guys check the house and felt just a bit guilty. She'd been through a lot today and the worse was yet to come. She'd probably lose her job over this, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get a new one with all the publicity. That asshole Blackwood would no doubt be happy to give her a job at his phony institute, but Raj knew she wouldn't even consider that. He wondered if she had enough money to get by for a while, and then wondered why he cared. It wasn't like she'd been honest with him about anything at all.

  Besides, he knew if he gave an inch, if he let himself care even a little, that inch would become a mile and she'd be right back in his gut, her presence gnawing away at him until he was forced to touch her, and then . . . Well, there was no doubt where that would end. He shook his head, disgusted with himself. Jesus, he was nearly two hundred years old. Maybe he should grow a pair and stop acting like a Goddamned love-struck teenager. He heard a little hitch in Sarah's breath from behind the sofa and wondered if she was crying. Damn. He had to get out of this fucking warehouse.

  He switched his gaze to Em and found her fighting a smile. Great. Just fucking great. “I think it's time we paid Blackwood a call,” he said gruffly. “He's got the resources to back something like this, and I'm curious why he was so set on keeping Sarah to himself."

  "Plus he's kind of an asshole."

  "That too.” One of the bay doors rolled open suddenly to admit the two SUVs carrying Angel and the decoy team who'd whisked her away. The doors closed behind them and they piled out of the trucks, their excited post-op chatter falling quiet when they saw Raj standing there. “Problems, Yos?"

  "None, my lord."

  "Good. Simon, I need to know where Blackwood is right now, then you, Danny and Cervantes are with me. Everyone else, check your gear and take the rest of the night off. We'll meet first thing tomorrow night and see where we stand."

  Emelie leaned in close, speaking low enough that only he could hear. “I'm not well-suited to the role of babysitter, boss. Yossi and Angel are here. They can take care of—” She stopped at the look on Raj's face. “Yeah, yeah.” She gave a long-suffering sigh. “You were a lot easier to work with before—"

  "Don't say it, Em,” he warned.

  She shrugged. She didn't have to say the words. Sarah Stratton had gotten under his skin good, and if he didn't get away soon, he never would. It was probably too late already, but he wasn't ready to admit that, fool that he was.

  Sarah heard Raj leave. Not so much that he was noisy as that his vamps all became very quiet when he was around. The bay door slammed down and the noise level rose as his minions went about their usual activities. Several were heading in her direction and she wiped her eyes quickly, not wanting anyone to see she'd been weeping like a big baby. She dried her face on her t-shirt and glanced around, trying to remember where she'd dropped her duffle bag. Or if she'd even brought it in from the car.

  "Your bag's back by the sleeping quarters.” Sarah jumped at the sound of Em's voice right behind her. She sat up and looked around to find Raj's lieutenant regarding her with a carefully blank expression. “Why don't I show you where you'll be sleeping?” Em asked.

  Sarah nodded her agreement. She had to think about what she was going to do next, but she was too tired right now. Tomorrow she would drive . . . Wait a minute. “My car?” she asked Em.

  "We'll send o
ne of the human guards over in the morning. He'll check out the house and pick up your car then. Why? You in a hurry to go somewhere?"

  "No,” Sarah said quickly. “I just feel better, you know, having my own transportation."

  Em gave her a skeptical look. “Sure. Well, it'll probably be back here by the time you wake up. Come on, I'll show you around. You'll probably be with us a few days either way."

  Don't count on it, Sarah thought privately. She'd be gone way before that.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Raj and his team arrived well after midnight. It was a sprawling house on a quiet street full of sprawling houses. This one was a two-story redwood spread out over a lush two acres with a turquoise pool glimmering in the party lights. A big white tent had been set up and crowds of partygoers mingled inside and out, wearing full black tie regalia.

  "This it, Simon?” Raj asked.

  "Yep. He's still there. Several people are Tweeting from the party.

  "Wait here. Danny, Cervantes . . . let's go."

  Raj paused on the front steps, scanning the partygoers’ minds, looking for Blackwood. He winced at the overload of anger, jealousy and greed he associated with a gathering of this sort, but eventually zeroed in on the HR founder and planted a suggestion that would take him into the house and away from the crowds. Telepathy was Raj's particular strength—but the fewer humans he had to deal with the better.

  "No need to knock,” he said, walking up to the door. “Mr. Blackwood is about to let us in."

  True to his prediction, the door opened and Blackwood stood there, staring at them in confusion. “Gregor?” he asked. “What—” His eyes widened as he took in the two bulky vampires flanking Raj.

  "Let's talk, Blackwood,” Raj said pleasantly.

  "Really, I don't think—"

  "No,” Raj commented. “You don't, do you? Well, maybe it's time you started. There must be someplace in this monstrosity we can speak undisturbed?” He looked around coolly.