Chris arched a brow. “And we’ll just go on faith that they aren’t preying upon innocents while they’re roaming where they will and getting the word out?”
“We can reduce the chances of that by keeping them supplied with blood at the network and having Lisette or Étienne read their thoughts nightly or weekly, however you want to do it. I’ll hunt while the vamps are out and about. And, when they’re not, I’ll serve as guard at the network. At least while Melanie is working.”
Chris gaped at him. “You serve as guard? Are you shitting me?”
Bastien shrugged. “It would allow me to spend more time with Melanie. Cliff and Stuart like me being around. The new vamps will likely be more comfortable with me around. It’s a win-win situation.”
“Yeah,” Chris said, “except most of the emergencies we’ve had at the network in recent years—which spawned many injuries and a hell of a lot of damage to the property—were instigated by you.”
“So?”
Chris just pointed at Bastien and looked at Seth.
Seth shrugged. “Bastien is with Melanie now. He has a vested interest in keeping things calm and safe around there. And, if he gets out of hand himself, Melanie will kick his ass.”
Melanie smiled.
Bastien grinned. “She’s strong enough to do it, too.”
Chris shook his head. “You are so fucking weird. Fine. Seth, if you want the new vampires to live at the network with the others, I’ll begin construction on the apartments as soon as you give me the go-ahead.”
“Go ahead.”
“Done. What about Bastien’s desire to let the vamps roam North Carolina freely?”
“Let’s wait on that, give the vamps some time to settle in, and see if Melanie will be able to make the tracking devices work.”
She bit her lip. “The challenge will be finding a way to keep the virus from expelling the devices the way it does bullets and other foreign objects . . . without the aid of the tranquilizer, that is. We know the tranquilizer slows down the healing process, and could probably help, but the vamps will need their wits if they’re going to be mingling with other vampires.”
“And they can’t know about them,” Chris added, “or they’ll just dig them out.”
“I’ll bury the memory of them,” Seth said.
Bastien spoke up. “If she can make it work, I’d like to take Cliff and Stuart hunting with me while the other vampires are out spreading the word.”
Chris stared at him. “Hunting? You want vampires to help you hunt and destroy other vampires?”
“Yes.”
“In violent, bloody battles, armed with weapons.”
“Yes. Both Cliff and Stuart have proven their loyalty to us.”
The two vamps had indeed proven their loyalty, but . . . “Cliff has been infected long enough to suffer the consequences,” Seth reminded him gently. He didn’t need to see the MRIs to know the damage had begun.
“I know. But he’s holding it together,” Bastien insisted. “And I think he’ll hold it together a little longer if he can get some fresh air and exercise. He’s been cooped up at the network too long without reprieve.”
Bastien loved Cliff like a brother. A quick look into his thoughts told Seth Bastien wanted the young vampire to experience a last taste of freedom before the madness claimed him. And Seth, after his own attempts to help the young vampire, held the same desire. Cliff had proven to be incredibly strong and fierce in his determination to hold off the madness. It was going to break Bastien’s heart when he finally lost the battle. Melanie’s, too.
“If Cliff broke and made a run for it, do you think you could catch him?” Seth asked.
“Yes.” And the dread in Bastien’s face and voice told them all without words that he would do what had to be done when he caught him, just as he had with Vince.
Melanie took his hand.
“Very well,” Seth decreed. “Cliff has always been loyal to you, Sebastien. You need not wait and can begin taking him hunting with you now. Stuart and the others, however, will have to wait for the tracking devices.”
“Thank you.”
The fact that Chris made no objection confirmed that even he had a soft spot for Cliff.
“Excellent. I’ll meet with the vampires now.”
“May I accompany you?” Bastien asked.
Seth grinned as Chris’s mouth fell open once more. “Melanie has been a good influence on you.”
Bastien grimaced and swore. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”
“What?”
“Being nice,” he said with much disgust.
Melanie smiled.
Seth laughed. “Yes.” He teleported them back to the holding room with the mercenaries. “Shall we?” He could have just popped them into the room with the vampires, but knew the network guards liked to keep track of their movements for safety’s sake.
Bastien kissed Melanie, then led Seth out into the hallway and to the holding room next door.
Melanie returned to her office while Chris headed for the elevators.
A guard standing in front of the vampires’ holding room took a security card from his pocket.
Seth shook his head and waved a hand in front of the lock. A thunk sounded. Opening the heavy door, he stepped inside, Bastien right on his heels.
A thought closed the door behind them.
Five vampires stood shoulder to shoulder, eyes wide with trepidation, heavy titanium chains weighing down their right arms and anchoring them to the walls.
Seth said nothing as he scanned their minds.
The virus had not progressed far in these. The brain damage was minimal. They must have all been turned during the past year.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Seth, leader of the Immortal Guardians.”
They exchanged nervous looks.
One wearing a Tar Heels T-shirt swallowed. “Are you the one they call the Day Walker?”
“Yes.”
“Why do they call you that?” another asked.
Seth glanced at Bastien, who clapped a hand to his forehead. “Because I can walk in daylight,” he explained.
“Ohhhhhhh.”
Okay, so he wasn’t the smartest kid Seth had encountered. At least he wasn’t manic.
Chapter 15
“You aren’t sleeping,” Étienne commented.
He lay on his back, Krysta’s lovely naked body cuddled up against his side in bed.
“I’m procrastinating,” she said, drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.
“About sleeping?”
“No. There’s something I want to ask you and I’m not sure how you’re going to react.”
“I don’t know that I like the sound of that,” he admitted. Tentative was not a word he would ordinarily use to describe her.
She sat up, the covers falling to her waist, and swiveled to face him.
Étienne’s gaze instantly dropped to her breasts.
She began to speak earnestly, but—for the life of him—Étienne didn’t know what she was saying.
He held up a hand.
She quieted.
He raised his eyes. “If there’s something you wish to discuss, you’re going to have to cover up. I can’t concentrate with your beautiful breasts in my face, tempting me to touch and taste them.”
She dragged the covers up and tucked them under her arms, her lips forming a small smile. “What breasts? I’m built like a ten-year-old boy.”
“The hell you are. I love your breasts. They’re perfect. And, if you doubt that . . .” He motioned to the sheet tenting over his erection.
She smiled and licked her lips. “Ooh. Nice.”
His breath caught as she reached for him.
Stopping inches away, she drew her hand back. “No. Not now. I really do need to talk to you.”
Damn.
“But hold that thought.”
He could do that. “What’s troubling you?” He took her hand and began to toy with her fingers.
Did she regret making love with him?
“The same thing that troubled me before,” she answered. “With the mercenary threat combining with the increased vampire population, I can’t continue to hunt the way I have been. I’m putting too many people I care about in danger.”
And he was one of those people. Étienne still couldn’t believe it. “Krysta, I told you. You aren’t—”
“Let me finish.”
“As you wish.”
“There’s an obvious solution. One that will keep me from putting you in danger and from harming Sean when he heals my wounds.”
“Okay.” Had she decided to follow Seth’s advice and become a Second? As much as Étienne wished to keep her safe, he would miss hunting with her each night.
“I want you to transform me,” she blurted, then held her breath.
Étienne stared, convinced he had heard her wrong. “I’m sorry. What?”
“I want you to transform me.”
His heart began to thud against his ribs. His hand tightened on hers. He sat up, the motion drawing them closer. “Krysta . . .”
“Just hear me out,” she said anxiously.
“Only weeks ago you thought I was a vampire and were contemplating killing me.”
“I wasn’t. I mean, I did think you were a vampire, but I already knew I couldn’t kill you. You’re freaking irresistible and you know it.”
“True,” he said, just to goad her.
Smiling, she shoved him in the shoulder with her free hand.
He laughed.
“I hear what you’re saying.” Her face grew solemn. “But I know now that you’re immortal. That you’re just like me, only infected with a virus. I know you won’t go crazy. I know you don’t prey upon innocents. I know how the virus works. Sean has spent every night with Dr. Lipton and explained everything to me in excruciating detail. I just think this is the best solution. The only solution.” She tightened her hold on his hand, her face earnest. “If you transformed me and made me immortal, I could keep hunting and hold my own better against vampires. And I would heal without Sean’s help if mercenaries shot me.”
The thought of her being shot made him lose his erection. He hated the idea of her getting hurt.
“Sean would be safe. You would be safe, knowing I could take care of myself—”
“If you think I would stop worrying about you if you were immortal, you are mistaken.”
“But you would worry about me less, right? Because a bullet wound or two or four wouldn’t kill me or endanger my life.”
Yes, damn it.
“Right?” she pressed.
“Yes,” he conceded.
“Then . . . what do you think? Will you do it?”
He hesitated. “I just don’t want you to rush into anything. I know seeing Sean collapse shook you, but there are other healers among us to whom you could go when—”
“I can’t keep depending on someone else to patch me up. I want to be able to heal on my own. Like you and the other Immortal Guardians. I want to be able to continue hunting vampires. I want to be able to help you defeat your enemies.”
“They’ve tried to kill you three times. They’re your enemies as well.”
“I know. And I’m vulnerable, facing them as I am. I want to be strong like you. I don’t want to have to settle. I don’t want to have to stop hunting and become a Second.”
“Seconds fight in battles, too. I’ve lost more than one in the past to vampires’ blades.”
“But they don’t actively hunt.”
No, they didn’t.
Étienne studied her. He wanted to be objective here, to look out for her best interests instead of going with his own. Did he want her to transform? Absolutely. They had made no promises to each other yet, but they had each admitted they were falling in love and . . .
He couldn’t deny that an eternity spent hunting alongside Krysta sounded blissful. An eternity laughing with her and teasing her. Making love with her.
But those were all his wishes.
This was a decision which, once acted upon, was irreversible.
“Let me read your thoughts,” he requested.
She frowned. “What?”
“Let me read your thoughts. All of them, not just those you send me. I need to know you really have considered this thoroughly and have no doubts. No reservations. That this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to Sean collapsing.”
She hesitated.
“Seth will insist on doing the same before he renders his decision.”
“We have to ask his permission?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He’s our leader. That’s how it’s done.”
She didn’t look too pleased.
“You’ll have to answer to Seth if you transform, Krysta. You’ll have to obey the rules like the rest of us. And his orders.”
“Well . . . I kinda already am, so . . .”
He arched a brow.
“Okay. I won’t lie. It’ll be hard. I’ve been doing my own thing for years. But you did say he’s the wisest among you.”
“He is.”
“That will make it a little easier.”
“So? Your thoughts?”
She bit her lip. “I’m not hesitating because I have doubts. I’m hesitating because there are things up there that I’m not sure I’m ready for you to see.”
He supposed he would feel the same way. But Étienne wouldn’t approach Seth with the request until he was sure she wasn’t merely panicking and grasping at straws after seeing her brother collapse, pale as death, after healing her. Or panicking over having to give up hunting. Or just plain panicking. She could have been killed tonight. Again.
“Fine,” she said, thrusting her chin forward. “Read my thoughts.”
As soon as he sensed she had let down her guard, Étienne explored her thoughts. There was guilt and concern for Sean. Guilt and concern for him. Conviction that transforming was the best course of action for her. A lot of lust for him. And . . .
His pulse began to pound in his ears.
Love.
Krysta loved him.
After learning she’d been engaged, Étienne had feared her heart would always belong to Michael, but . . .
She really did love him. Him. Étienne.
She was afraid to believe it, because it had happened so fast. But she loved being with him. Hunting. Talking. Laughing and teasing. Making love. Watching television. Sharing a sandwich. Even just sitting quietly on this campus or that, their shoulders and thighs touching as the night breeze caressed them.
And he felt the same. Étienne hadn’t realized he could fall in love so quickly, but living with her these past two weeks and spending so much time together . . .
He couldn’t get enough of her and was astounded that she felt the same way.
Dipping his head, he took her lips in a long, passionate kiss.
She drew back. “Damn it! I didn’t want you to see that!”
“See what?”
“How I feel about you! That’s why you kissed me, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
She covered her face with her hands and spoke something so jumbled into them that he couldn’t decipher it.
“Krysta, sweetheart.” He pried her hands away from her pink face. “I feel the same way.”
“You do?” she asked uncertainly.
“Yes.”
“But it’s too soon.”
“I know it feels that way. But it’s not like we’re dating and only see each other a couple of nights a week. We’ve been together constantly since you and Sean moved in, only parting to sleep.” He smiled. “And there were times we didn’t even do that.”
At last, he managed to coax a faint smile from her. “True.” She sighed. “You didn’t see anything else up there that would embarrass me, did you?”
He winked. “I saw some very interesting fantasies you’ve been fabricating around me.”
“Of course you did,
” she acknowledged dryly.
“Would you by any chance care to explore a couple? No, make that a few. We have all day.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Unless you aren’t ready—”
“I’m ready.” She shook her head. “Wait. We’re getting distracted again. Are you going to transform me?”
“I will take the request to Seth and, if he gives his permission . . .”
She leaned forward.
“Yes, I’ll transform you.”
Grinning, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close, those tantalizing breasts pressed to his bare chest. “Thank you.”
He slid his hands up and down her back, loving the feel of her soft, soft skin. “There is one thing though . . .”
“Crap.” Releasing him, she plopped back onto her heels. “What?”
“Younger immortals are always weaker than older immortals.”
“That’s what Sean said.”
“Sarah isn’t. She was turned only two or three years ago and should be weaker than I. Instead, she’s as strong as her husband, Roland, who turned her.”
“Isn’t he like a thousand years old?”
“Close to it, yes. We don’t know if she’s so strong because of his age or because he’s a healer. But you might consider having Roland turn you.”
She scrunched up her face. “I’d rather you do it.”
“You won’t be linked to him emotionally afterward, if that’s your fear,” he assured her.
“Euw. I didn’t even think of that.”
“You would be stronger than me,” he said, even as he wondered how he would talk Roland into doing it.
“If you turned me, would I be as strong as you or weaker than you?” she asked.
“I don’t know. If the age of the immortal and not his gift is the determining factor, then you would have the same strength I possess, I would imagine. Perhaps slightly less.”
“I’m good with that.”
“Don’t be so hasty, Krysta. Being stronger would be an advantage. The stronger you are, the safer you are in battles against mercenaries and vampires. You’ll move faster. You’ll heal faster. You’ll have a greater tolerance for the sun.”
“I want you to transform me.”
He took her hand. “Just think about it.”
“I don’t have to. If I spent a month mulling it over, I would come to the same conclusion. If Seth says I can be transformed, I want you to be the one to do it,” she insisted.
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