Blood Leverage (Bloodstone Chronicles Book 1)

by J S Hazzard

  Her theory made me want to throw up, but I bent to retrieve her needle and kept my voice non-committal. “With Luigi gone, I think my presence is more about a lack of help than a marriage proposal.”

  Lack of help was an understatement, but it was as honest as I dared get.

  “Besides, this isn’t meant to be an adventure like last time,” I continued, hoping my excursion would be nothing like last time. “I’ll be back tomorrow, once the delivery is complete.”

  “That doesn’t sound like much fun,” Amy said.

  “It’s not supposed to be fun,” I explained with more honesty than she’d ever know. “I’m doing this strictly to help Gigi complete his contracts.”

  “You mean to help Nicky,” she corrected me.

  “Oh, yeah.” I mentally smacked myself and evaded further questions by promising to meet Amy for dinner tomorrow. Then she gave me a hug that nearly made my eyes cross, and I left as quickly as my throbbing back would allow.

  Despite my loaded duffle bag, the courtyard was too deserted for nosy questions. The heat was merciless today and no one with a choice was straying outside their cool concrete walls. Not having a choice, I trudged on.

  Upon reaching the vault, I soon realized that if climbing into Nicky’s truck with bashed knees had been difficult, climbing into the truck with a wrenched back was nearly impossible. After three failed attempts, I cheated and borrowed the step stool my mother kept in the vault’s filing room. Fortunately, despite the morning’s delays, my driving practice had paid off and I made excellent time.

  My exit from the truck utilized more gravity than skill, but at least I wasn’t late. Dragging my duffle to the trapdoor, I poked around for a keypad, but it was either located elsewhere or the trapdoor only opened from inside.

  With no high tech options available I tentatively knocked on the door, and when that received no response I not-so-tentatively stomped on it a few times, wincing. I heard voices almost immediately and barely had time to move before the door slammed upward. One more second and I might have been launched into a tree.

  The two vampires emerged into the shaded cool of the forest and I could barely contain my anxiety. “What’s going on? Is there any word about Nicky?”

  “Hey Rory!” Keanu seized my duffle with an eagerness that sent it flying back over his shoulder. “We’re optimistic, but more about that over lunch. Ian, show her the keypad.” He bounded inside before I could press for more information.

  Meanwhile, Ian ignored my question entirely. “I’m glad you made it. We were a little worried.” He took one of my hands and proceeded to look me over like a buyer inspecting a potential purchase for damage.

  “I’m fine, thank you,” I said politely. “I had a few issues loading the truck yesterday, but otherwise everything went well.”

  Ian’s eyes narrowed. “What sort of issues? Are you okay? Is the cargo intact?”

  The last question made me want to stick my tongue out, but I resisted temptation because at least he’d asked about my safety first. “I didn’t drop anything, thank you, but loading everything into the truck was difficult.”

  He sighed. “What hurts?”

  I could feel my face warm against the cool air of the forest. “My back is tender, that’s all. I’m sure I’ll be fine after a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.” I briskly turned to the stairs, knowing the sooner I was inside, the sooner I’d get my answers.

  “Don’t be silly,” Ian said brusquely, lightly gripping my wrist. “You’re no use to anyone if you’re injured. Give me a moment.” In an impersonal manner, he moved his other hand to my waist and untucked my shirt.

  “Um, Ian.” I attempted to squirm away, but his feather-like grip on my wrist was immobilizing as his free hand slid behind my waist. “I’m not sure this is a good—Agh! What in hell are you doing?”

  It was a sensation unlike anything I’d ever felt before. It moved in almost liquid-like ripples over my torso, a strange combination of heat and energy. Not only did the warmth coat my skin like a hot shower, but it resonated inside—like I’d drunk a scalding beverage and could feel its warmth from the inside. It also left a tingling between the pins and needles of a foot falling asleep and the prickling of goose bumps.

  Jumping back, I briskly rubbed my hands over my arms.

  Nonplussed, Ian looked at me with an expression of mild clinical interest. “All better? Good,” he said, not waiting for an answer before moving away from the trapdoor.

  “Wait, what was that?”

  He turned back, the smallest hint of a smile on his mouth. “You already knew vampires had a certain level of control over humans, including the potential to heal. My abilities are slightly more extensive and don’t always require vocalization or eye contact. And you’re welcome.” He brushed the leaves from a nearby tree trunk and pointed to a box nestled amongst its roots. “Stop fussing and come here. Not knowing whether you would be able to lift the trapdoor, we rigged this as more of a doorbell. The door will still unlock for its usual minute, but it also tells us someone is here.”

  I refrained from saying it didn’t matter. Even if I could lift the door I’d never find my way around on my own. Of course Ian had no such problem and led me to his living quarters in no time flat. (The route became no more recognizable for having taken it twice.)

  The promised lunch was waiting in the dining room I’d yet to see. The china was an opulent creamy yellow trimmed in gold, with raised white patterns that echoed the pale gold walls and ivory moldings. Even the flatware was golden—though I doubted even Ian owned fourteen karat forks.

  Despite the table having sixteen chairs, only the three places at the end had been set. Anxious to hear the news, I dove into the nearest seat. “What have you learned since we last spoke? I’m assuming you haven’t found Nicky or he’d be here.”

  And wouldn’t that be cozy.

  Surprisingly, Ian sat across from me and left the head of the table for Keanu before he mercifully began speaking. “We haven’t found him, but we are now reasonably confident that he was alive as of three nights ago—”

  “Did you see him? Where is he?” I could barely sit still in my agitation, causing Keanu to stare worriedly at the water goblet beside my elbow. In contrast, Ian merely folded his hands and waited for silence.

  “Sorry,” I muttered, gulping a swig of water and setting the goblet further back on the table—to Keanu’s obvious relief.

  “As I was saying,” Ian continued, “Keanu and I have searched every night for the past week. Three nights ago, I caught a fresh trace of human scent that Keanu positively identified as Nicky’s.”

  Unable to stay seated, I swallowed the remainder of my water in an audible glug and began pacing. “What does that mean?”

  Keanu’s eyes followed me as he refilled my water glass. “Well, for one thing it means someone saw fit to spare Nicky’s life, either through skilled vampiric intervention or a combination of lesser vampiric intervention and human medicine. Or perhaps we overestimated his original injuries.”

  Ian took my wrist and forced me to stop moving. “This is an excellent development, Aurora, on multiple levels. For one thing, not only do we know that Nicky was still alive a few days ago, but we believe he’s still in the area.”

  “And why is that?” My heart was racing from adrenaline, but I was proud to sound normal.

  “Well, we can’t know for certain,” Keanu admitted, “but the two nearest cities aren’t easily accessible by vehicle. You can’t drive across the Niagara River toward Toronto without crossing the old border bridge, and we’re monitoring activity there.”

  “Not only are we monitoring activity,” Ian put in, releasing my wrist, “but I submitted anonymous ‘evidence’ of a human trafficking ring across the border. It’s all nonsense, but it’ll keep the border officials on their toes for several weeks.”

  “And the other possibility?” Again, I kept my voice calm, though I was impressed with their initiative.

 
“The island of Manhattan.” Keanu lifted his glass in a gesture of triumph. “Another city accessible only by bridge, and currently operating at high alert due to a human terror organization that hopes to bring down one of the last occupied skyscrapers.”

  I laughed. “I had no idea you two harbored such vast ambitions.”

  Ian tapped his glass to Keanu’s. “We’ve limited Eggplant’s ability to smuggle Nicky into another city so we’re hopeful he’s still close by. Keanu and I have been tugging at several other threads, including blood bank records from Niagara Falls and the couture clothing possibilities we spoke of the other day. We’ll update you when we learn anything new. Now, you need to sample Keanu’s cooking before he faints from excitement.”

  Keanu beamed as he held my chair for me, all but bouncing me off as he slid me back in. “In celebration of our news, I prepared a modern version of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner!” He looked so pleased it seemed rude to tell him we still celebrated Thanksgiving—mainly to give thanks for continued safety from vampires.

  Once Keanu began transferring dishes from a warming buffet to the table, I realized I’d never celebrated Thanksgiving like this. Lunch began with a chestnut and sherry soup garnished with truffles, followed by a spinach, pear and almond salad. The main course consisted of turkey tenderloins and cranberry chutney, with swirls of sweet potato puree, parsnip puree and cauliflower puree decorating the side of the plate. Finally, dessert was a pumpkin roulade with ginger buttercream.

  I wanted to ask what ‘roulade’ meant, but it would have been rude to talk with my mouth full.

  By the end of the meal, I was ready to burst and even Keanu’s eyes looked glazed. Ian hadn’t eaten and I thought he looked sad as Keanu transferred the leftovers onto a tray. I was slightly sad myself as the roulade left the dining room. Only my memory of the sausage sandwich debacle had prevented a third serving.

  “You didn’t want anything?” It was hard to believe. What’s one visit to the bathroom in the greater scheme when you have eternity to work with?

  Ian shrugged as he stood from the table. “I’ve tasted Keanu’s cooking before. Please excuse me.” He left the room.

  Alrighty then. So much for that conversation.

  Keanu returned for the remainder of the dishes as I stared after Ian in consternation. (Actually, I was staring at the door—Ian was long gone.)

  “Yeesh, was it something I said?” I didn’t know which was more annoying—Ian’s behavior or the fact that Ian’s behavior annoyed me, if that made sense.

  Keanu smiled as he cleared. “It’s not you. Ian is sulking because he couldn’t eat.”

  “Who the heck was stopping him?” I shoved my chair back and tried to clear my own dishes, but Keanu snatched them from my hands.

  “What the hell, Keanu?” I slapped my hand on the table. “What is wrong with you guys today?”

  “Sorry, sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m overprotective.” He carefully wiped the smears of roulade off my dessert plate and extended it, upside down.

  Tilting my head to read the tiny print I read aloud from the back of the plate, “The White House 200th Anniversary, 1800 – 2000, Lenox, The White House Collection.”

  “What does that mean, the White House Collection?”

  Keanu gently set the plate on the tray. “Exactly what it says. It’s the presidential china from Clinton’s terms in office. Not all of it of course, it was an enormous set.”

  “Do I want to know why it’s here?” Or how Ms. Parkes had obtained it?

  “No. And to answer your other question,” he cut me off before I could demand more details, “Ian didn’t eat because he’ll be nauseous tomorrow. The last thing he needs is food in his stomach.”

  That stopped me. “You’re talking about sun sickness. Ian didn’t give details,” I murmured, not that that was anything new. Until recently I’d thought vampires couldn’t be in the sun at all.

  Keanu settled back in his seat at the head of the table and sipped his water. (I’d vetoed his enthusiastic suggestion of wine at noon.) “I’m happy to help with that.

  “You already know a vampire’s strength increases as we age, which affects our reaction to the sun. After a human has fully converted, it takes a new vampire centuries to stay awake during daylight, let alone survive exposure to sunlight. Sun sickness manifests in different ways. Vomiting, nausea, muscle weakness and headaches are the lesser symptoms. Depending on the amount of skin exposed and the vampire’s age, the poisoning is frequently fatal. Even after two and a half centuries I’d be far too weak to survive it without regular infusions from Ian.”

  He shrugged as if this was no big deal.

  “But you’ll be okay, right?” I said it somewhat desperately. I felt like the world’s biggest jerk for putting the guys through this.

  “Honestly? I’m somewhat looking forward to it.” Keanu shrugged again. “The sun being painful doesn’t make it less worth seeing,” he finished simply before rising and removing the rest of the dishes from the room.

  Having nothing better to do, I left the table and went in search of Ian. I found him on his blue sofa and sat beside him without waiting for an invite.

  “I’m sorry you couldn’t eat. Maybe when things are less crazy I’ll cook for everyone, though I’ll make sure to use different plates to spare Keanu’s nerves.”

  Ian smirked, but I didn’t know if he was reacting to my china reference or the idea of me cooking. And okay, I didn’t know how to cook but surely I could master one splashy meal—if for no other reason than to wipe the smirk off Ian’s face.

  Giving up on conversation, I shifted my attention to the trio of movies Ian had queued in advance. By the time I’d sat through Schindler’s List, Gone with the Wind and Avatar—my first experience with 3d glasses—I didn’t argue when Ian suggested I turn in. My emotions had been sucked dry.

  “If it’s okay with you, now that it’s dark, I’ll apply a temporary window tint to the truck,” he added.

  I’d never heard the term. “Window tint?”

  “It’s a thin film used to darken glass. It’s sheer, but it reduces the amount of light the glass lets in. It might make things easier and we can remove it later.”

  “Sure, anything to make it easier is fine. You’ll wake me when it’s time to leave?” I had a vision of Ian trying to do everything alone.

  “I need you there,” he reminded me. “If we’re asked to go inside for the payment or a receipt, that’s on you unless I have the privacy to force an invitation. It’s doable but I’d rather conserve my energy.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. And thank you for this.”

  “We don’t want Luigi out of business any more than you do.”

  “Of course.” I somehow kept forgetting the role Luigi’s business played for the two vampires. My sense of guilt was determined to make this all about me. I stood to leave, but Ian lifted his hand in a gesture to wait.

  “One more thing before you leave. Keanu was in Manhattan a few nights ago and thought you’d like this.” He offered a bottle of crimson nail polish.

  “Wow, that was generous. I’ll have to thank him.”

  “Don’t spill,” he cautioned. “Nail polish won’t wash out. Use towels or something.”

  “Not a problem.” I turned to leave then turned back before I forgot. “Not to be rude, but no kittens tonight, please. I’m old enough to not need protection from my dreams.”

  Ian’s back went poker straight. “My apologies. Believe me Aurora, I know you’re an adult. I’m sure you can handle anything your dreams throw at you.”

  He stalked out though I’d been leaving the room anyway. I considered pursuing him—for two seconds—and then decided Ian’s mood wasn’t my problem.

  Since the air conditioning was blasting to combat the heat, I opted for a hot bath. A few changes had been made in the bathroom and I smiled at the silky crimson robe hanging from a hook on the back of the door, wondering if Keanu had selected it to
match the nail polish or if Ian had picked it to match his bathroom. My new friends were a tad obsessive about color and I idly wondered if their vision differed from my own.

  Sliding into the robe, I passed the time it took for the tub to fill by admiring the array of goodies that had materialized on the counter since my previous visit. The jewel bright bottles contained a selection of bubble baths, lotions and scented shampoos—everything you’d never expect a self-respecting male vampire to have in his bathroom.

  Or a self-respecting male human, for that matter.

  In addition to the bottles, a copper box sat near the toilet and I idly flicked the lid as I waited. There were a dozen objects inside, each individually wrapped. Since the other new additions were clearly intended for me, I ripped open a wrapper to investigate and a corded chunk of cotton fell into my hand.

  It took me a moment to ascertain its intended purpose and I almost collapsed in laughter. A vassal’s lot in life must be lowly indeed if they could be forced to purchase feminine hygiene products. (Not for a heartbeat did I think Ian had bought tampons.)

  By the time I’d finished snickering—and had flushed the evidence—the tub was full. I was still smirking as I re-hung the robe and stepped into the tub. The fountains were as extraordinary as I remembered, but I didn’t linger. I wanted to try my nail polish and didn’t know how long it took to dry.

  I was admiring my efforts when a tap at the door interrupted me.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “COME in!” I said, happy Ian had knocked for a change.

  He poked his head in. “I saw the light. Are you still awake?”

  “Obviously. What do you think?” I lifted my foot from the towel-draped bed and wiggled my toes.

  Being Ian, he took the question seriously. “Crimson suits you.” Still, he didn’t look particularly happy.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked.

  “I’m very well. Thank you.”

  I lowered my feet to the floor, careful not to smudge the polish. “I didn’t ask whether you were well, I asked if everything was okay. You’ve been weird all day and now you’re evading my question. Have I done something wrong?”