Real Vampires and the Viking

by Gerry Bartlett

  “The computer, the Internet. Of course, Gunnar. We’ll get right on it.” Richard broke all kinds of speed limits until finally the Ice Palace loomed ahead of us, brilliantly lit as usual. He slowed the car. “We’re here. Now is everyone good? Do we need to get an extra room for someone? Gretchen?”

  “It doesn’t matter where I spend my death sleep.” She sounded tired and discouraged. “I’m sorry if I’m not making sense tonight. But for now if Gunnar will promise to keep his distance…”

  “Whatever you need, sötnos.” Gunnar looked pathetically eager. “I will even go with you to this shopping if it will make you feel better.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so. But wasn’t he nice to offer, Gretchen?” Flo was like Switzerland between two warring countries and she knew better than to drag Gunnar into a boutique with the Brodin name over the door. “We will buy Gretchen something pretty and Gunnar can be cleaning up while we do it. We will get him something to wear too, won’t we, Gretchen? Ricardo, you will take care of his money problem, sí?”

  “Yes. Gunnar can shower in our room while you go shopping and I’ll look over his coins and do a little research. What do you think, Gunnar?” Richard pulled into the driveway and popped the locks. A valet ran out to open our doors.

  “It’s fine with me. Gretchen?” The Viking was trying to catch Gretchen’s eye but having no luck.

  “We do need clothes. Florence can bring you some. I’ll meet you later in the room when I’m ready.” Gretchen got out of the car. She still wasn’t looking at Gunnar. “Jeremiah, I hope when you called here you arranged for a room with two beds.”

  “Not sure about that.” Jerry gave Gunnar a sympathetic look. “I’ll check. You go on and start your shopping. I’ll hit the front desk and get your keys.” Jerry kissed my lips. “Buy something sexy, Gloriana. Our honeymoon is back on and I’m feeling good. All healed from that wooden bullet.”

  “Glad to hear it but perhaps I should take a look at that wound, just to be sure.” Ian strolled up to our group as we entered the lobby. His hair wasn’t even windblown. “Are we celebrating our victory tonight?”

  I shook my head. “The mood’s not right. I think the men are doing some research on the coins. Check with them.” I led the girls to the boutique. It was retail therapy and Gretchen made use of her credit cards to pick up everything she’d need for the next few nights. She was serious about not wanting to go back home even to pack a bag. Her phone rang while we were in the dressing room.

  “Hallä.” She listened for a minute or two then talked in Swedish. Finally she wiped her eyes and ended the call. She turned to Flo and me. “That was my brother. He has taken care of the, um, mess we made in the warehouse. Those were his words.” She sighed. “It is done. He is on his way to tell Fredrick’s family what happened.”

  “Sounds like you have a great brother.” I hugged her. “How do you think they’ll take it?”

  “With relief. Lately his family hasn’t known what to do about my husband. When they heard he was selling those wooden bullets to vampire hunters, they were horrified, of course.” She was talking very quietly and we were all aware of the clerk on the other side of the wall. “The other vampire families got wind of it and wanted Fredrick sanctioned. In Sweden that means put out in the sun.”

  “Well then maybe we won’t have them coming after us for revenge in that case. It seems we solved a problem for the Swedish vampires.” I knew that sounded harsh but it was the truth.

  “Yes, that’s what Stefan is going to say to Fredrick’s brother and sister. They are a very powerful family. I’m sure word of the Eliminator got to them too. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they are glad he’s gone. He hadn’t spoken to them since a birthday celebration for his sister turned ugly last summer. She wanted him to stop his work that could hurt vampires. Fredrick mocked her concerns and it turned into a shouting match.”

  “Family should stick together.” Flo has a loving brother. When one was made vampire the other turned so they could be together forever. “But sometimes it’s impossible. Did you ever tell them how he was hurting you?”

  “No, I didn’t dare. Though his sister did have her suspicions. She asked me about it. I had to lie to her or it would have been bad for me once Fredrick got me home. He made that very clear.” Gretchen grabbed a red dress that had fit her perfectly. “Enough of this gloom. I am free. I have a handsome man who loves me, though I don’t know why. He will be a challenge, that’s obvious, but at least he will never hurt me. I almost feel like dancing after what happened tonight.”

  “No one could fault you for wanting to celebrate your freedom. Gunnar does have a temper, but I can’t see him ever laying a hand on you.” I picked up my own find, a black number that plunged low in front, just the way Jerry liked it. “We need to figure out a way to satisfy his urge for revenge against these Brodins without going crazy with it.” I swear she’d had a funny look when Gunnar had called his enemy’s first name. “Gretchen, you know something you want to share with us?”

  “I’d rather we wait to see what Richard finds out on the Internet. I know the Brodins of course. Everyone in Stockholm has heard of them. They are very wealthy.” Gretchen pulled out one of her credit cards. “And I can understand why Gunnar’s so determined, Glory. They did a terrible thing to him.”

  “Mio Dio, not just terrible. The worst thing I’ve ever heard done to a man.” Flo had a big pile of goodies on the counter already and now added a green dancing dress to it. “To freeze a man with no promise that he’d ever be free . . .” She shuddered. “I would want to hurt someone very badly for that. Wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes. Of course. But surely those responsible are long dead.” I signed my tab. Don’t you love hotels where you can just charge it to your room?

  “We will see what the Google has to say, am I right?” Flo winked at me. “Who knows? Gretchen, are any of the Brodins, um, like us?” We all thanked the clerk and walked out with our packages.

  “That’s how I know them. Yes, they are one of the leading vampyr families and friends of Stefan’s. Björn . . .” Gretchen gasped and dropped her packages. “Herregud! What if the man who put Gunnar in the ice is still . . . in Stockholm?”

  “No! If this is true, Gunnar will go absolutely apeshit.” I put my arm around her, my stomach sinking. Could it be? After over a thousand years? If this was the same man, he’d be powerful as hell. What chance would Gunnar, a lone Viking, have against him? Just the thought of how this news would change things made me tired and Gretchen . . .

  “What do you say we hold off on sharing this theory with the guys?” I knew it was a little unfair, but we’d had the night from hell already. Gretchen was already nodding.

  “Are you sure, Glory? This is big news. I’m not sure I can keep it from Ricardo.” Flo picked up Gretchen’s bags and handed them to her. “Gunnar deserves his revenge. I want him to have it and I’m sure you do too, Gretchen. Why wait?”

  “I saw Gunnar going, as Glory says, apeshit once tonight, ready to burn down a building. I’m in no hurry to see it again.” Gretchen sighed. “It’s a good idea. We should wait and see what the research shows. It might be a family name, passed down. Not the same man at all.”

  “True. Björn Brodin the tenth, maybe. Why get the men all stirred up when it could be nothing.” I patted her shoulder. “You’ve had a rough few days, Gretchen. You deserve a few hours to relax.”

  “I do.” Gretchen clutched her bags to her chest. “I spent many painful years under Fredrick’s thumb. Why should I pretend to mourn now?”

  We agreed then headed to our rooms. I was so tempted to tell Jerry that Gunnar’s ancient history might be alive. No. This was Gretchen’s call. Time enough tomorrow night to figure out if there was going to be a Brodin showdown coming. And just when Jerry thought this honeymoon was back on track.

  I’d added a sexy nightie to my purchases in the boutique, the Brodin boutique. At least Jer would have one fantastic night for his honeymoon befo
re the drama and possible bloodshed intervened again. I headed to our room and threw open the door. Jerry was dozing on the king-sized bed, freshly showered and naked. Obviously he was ready to prove how he’d healed from his bullet wound which had completely disappeared.

  I laughed and did a slow strip tease as I sauntered toward the bed. By the time I got to him, I knew there was no doubt he had survived his gunshot without any ill effects.

  “Merry Christmas, husband.” I dropped his gift on his bare stomach.

  “What’s this? You really did go shopping?” He sat up with a grin. “Can I open it now?”

  “Of course, it’s Christmas.” I sat back, excited to see if he liked it. I never gave him presents because he seemed to have everything. But I’d seen this in that hotel boutique and decided to give it a shot. Now I watched as he ripped off the paper.

  “Gloriana, it’s perfect.” He pulled out the silver money clip. It was shaped like a snowflake. “It will remind me of our honeymoon every time I use it.”

  “That’s the idea.” I leaned in to kiss him. “Do you really like it?”

  “Love it. Stay there. I have a gift for you.” He got up and went into the closet, coming out with a small package too. “Open it. Flo helped me with this one.”

  “Then I know two things—it will be beautiful and expensive.” I laughed then opened the box. “Oh!” I lifted out a gorgeous bracelet. It was vintage, the kind of piece I drooled over when I saw estate jewelry. “Victorian! Diamonds and emeralds. Put it on for me, Jerry.” I held out my wrist and he fastened it on me. “I love it!”

  “Are you sure? Florence was worried because it was old, but we both know you love old things.” Jerry kissed my wrist after he fixed the safety chain. “It looks good on you.”

  “It’s perfect.” I laughed. He’d said the same thing. “We are on the same wavelength, aren’t we?” I pulled him down for a long kiss. “Our first Christmas as a married couple. It’s been strange, but somehow we’re making it work. I love you, Jeremiah.”

  “I love you, Gloriana.” He pulled me on top of him. “Let’s hope all of our Christmases will be happy ones.”

  We lost ourselves in each other. Were we supposed to meet our friends later? I couldn’t remember. If so, we were late. Did I care? Not when I was on honeymoon time.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was still Christmas and dangerously close to sunrise. Gretchen was probably glad of that. It seemed her room had a king-sized bed and she was trying to avoid a confrontation with Gunnar about lovemaking. So she called me. I wasn’t thrilled to have our fun and games in bed interrupted but she had a legitimate excuse. They needed some of our synthetic blood. How could we say no?

  “I’m sorry.” Gretchen said as soon as I answered the door. “Stefan will arrange a delivery for our room tomorrow night. I should have thought of it sooner.”

  “You had a lot on your mind. We have plenty. Take some with alcohol. It will be good to relax for the few minutes you have before dawn.” I glanced at Gunnar who’d gone straight to Jerry and asked to borrow one of his knives for defense. We’d left his sword locked in the car’s trunk. This got the men interested in examining my husband’s extensive collection which he pulled out of a suitcase. Now they were busy going over about a dozen knives Jerry laid out on the coffee table.

  “Relax. Yes, I will try. But all I can see is that bloody sword and Fredrick’s head, rolling across the floor.” Gretchen shuddered as she followed me to the mini-fridge.

  “I know. But look at him, Gretchen. Even now he is thinking about how to keep you safe.” I nodded toward where Gunnar had selected a knife and was testing it on his thumb while Jerry nodded approvingly.

  “Of course.” Gretchen sighed. “I can’t stay mad at him when he was just doing what he knows best.” She grabbed my arm when I started to open the refrigerator. “But, Glory, he will want to be together tonight. I am not sure.” She looked back at him. “It might feel good to be close to him. But--”

  “Wait. See how it goes. He’s, um, a good lover?” I knew I was pushing it but I wondered if men from a thousand years ago had bothered with foreplay.

  “Surprisingly, yes.” Gretchen smiled. “I know what you’re thinking. At first he was like a wild stallion, starved for sex.” She picked up a shopping bag from the boutique and held it open so I could start filling it. “But all I had to do was show him a few things and--Glory!--he has a natural talent.” Her face flushed. “Let’s just say he likes women and wants to please us.”

  “Wants to please you, you mean.” I patted her back. “I’m glad for you. I guess Fredrick didn’t.”

  “Not in the last few years. I was starved for affection too.” Gretchen watched the way the trousers hugged Gunnar’s butt while I finished loading the bag with blood. “That’s why I didn’t hesitate to go with the Viking as soon as I met him. I know you thought I was a slut.”

  I didn’t say anything. We were at our door again and it had seemed sluttish of her to just offer herself like she had.

  “That should hold you until Gretchen’s brother brings you more. We have another delivery scheduled for tomorrow night for ourselves.” Jerry threw open the door, obviously eager to get rid of them. “You’ve got less than an hour till dawn. Better get going.”

  “I know you want to be alone with your new wife.” Gunnar grinned at me. “I see the way you look at her, Jeremiah. Even after what your friends tell me is hundreds of years together.”

  “Yes, we’ve been together over four hundred years and the passion is still hot between us. So get out of here, you two.” Bottles clinked as I thrust the bag into Gunnar’s hands and pushed him toward the door.

  “We are going.” Gunnar laughed and took Gretchen’s hand. “I feel some heat myself. You think it is, how they say, contagious?”

  Gretchen looked down at their clasped hands. “Glory put some of the special blood with alcohol in that bag. Let me drink one of those and we’ll see.” She waved at me as I closed the door and locked it.

  “Finally, we are alone.” Jerry came up behind me and slid down my zipper.

  “About time.” I’d thrown on my new dress when Gretchen’s call had come. Why not? He’d enjoyed seeing me in it.

  “Why do we have everyone we know here along on our honeymoon?”

  “Because they love us.” I turned in his arms as my dress fell to the floor. I hadn’t bothered with a bra since the dress had been cut almost to the waist. My tiny panties were the only thing left for him to remove. I unbuttoned his shirt and slid my hands over his chest, so firm, so wonderfully healed.

  “They can love us from the other side of the Atlantic.” Jerry threw off his shirt, smiling when I opened his pants and dropped to my knees. “What are you doing, Gloriana?”

  “Showing you how glad I am that the wooden bullet didn’t kill you. But if you’d rather I didn’t . . .” I smiled up at him, my hand sliding inside to find him hard and ready for anything as always.

  “Whatever pleases you, my love.” He rested his hands on my shoulders, groaning when I pushed his pants down to the floor and began to explore him with my lips. “Witch. You are going to make me beg before the dawn comes, aren’t you?”

  “Beg for what, Jerry?” I used my tongue to trace the vein in his cock, then pulled him deep into my mouth. Before he could do what he usually did, which was to take charge, I held onto his buttocks. The rhythm I set was just what he liked and he was begging before I was done with him. He tried to back away, to take this to the bed, even to lift me up so he could do something for me. But I wouldn’t let him. I was the one giving the pleasure for a change. My own could wait. He shuddered as I took him higher and higher.

  He wanted to resist, I could feel it. I had to dig my fingers into him when he almost broke free. No. He wasn’t going anywhere. Not until he lost control. When he finally called my name, his knees almost buckling, I smiled and took what he had to give. It was my pleasure to do it. His hands stayed in my hair and I could
feel them shaking. I’d made him fall to pieces, when it was usually me doing the falling. Maybe it had been a little cruel, but when I sat back on my heels, I didn’t think he seemed wounded or even upset. No, he had the look of a man who’d been given a fine time. He held out his hand and pulled me to my feet.

  “Thank you, lass.”

  “Was nothing.” I was shaking too. It had taken all of my self-control not to let him yank me up sooner so we could come together. Now I was almost hurting with need.

  “To bed.” He picked me up and carried me to that wide mattress and laid me gently on top of the sheet. He looked at me for a long moment before he stripped off the scrap of lace that the boutique had called panties. “Beautiful.”

  “Jerry.”

  “Hush. I want to love every inch of you.”

  And he did. Until I cried from the sheer exquisite torture of it. Only when the dawn finally pulled us under did he stop pleasuring me. By then we could only curl up in each other’s arms. Together. Without even the strength to pull up a sheet to cover our naked bodies.

  We met in Flo and Richard’s suite soon after sunset. His text said he had something to show us on his computer.

  Gretchen looked tense but Gunnar paced the floor. Clearly their last hour before sunrise had not gone well. She’d obviously refused him when he’d made a move. I tried to get her alone but that was impossible. Ian arrived and the seven of us crowded into the small sitting room.

  “First, you promised you would take care of my coins. Are they worth anything?” Gunnar came right to the point. He wore the same clothes we’d purchased in the boutique and looked serious, as if it wouldn’t take much to make him lose his temper. “I don’t like depending on Gretchen’s charity. A man should pay his own way.”

  “I understand. Luckily they are worth a good deal, Viking.” Richard held up one of the coins. “This one alone is valued at about twelve hundred American dollars. It’s twenty-four karat gold which makes it costly in itself, but to a coin collector, the era and place it is from make it worth even more.”