by Jackie May
I giggle and swat his arm lightly. “Thank you for the compliment, but don’t let Nicky hear you say that. He wasn’t happy earlier. He thought you might be trying to steal me from him.”
Elijah leans in, and his eyes flash with intensity. “And what if I am?”
I allow my eyes to grow big, then I giggle again and shake my head once. “Then I’d say you have your work cut out for you. I’m devoted to Nicky. He’s so strong.”
He wets his lips and drops his gaze to my mouth. “What if I could prove that I’m stronger?”
I’m not sure how to answer. I’m not touching him anymore and am surprised by this line of questioning. I thought he didn’t trust me, and now he’s trying to steal me from my boyfriend? Does that mean he wants me, but not Nick? Or is he trying to prove the two of us are untrustworthy somehow?
I glance across the room at Nick, stalling while I try to piece together the best response, and am startled to see who’s joined him. Parker promised me he’d keep Xavier from the party. But then…I don’t see Xavier. Parker is here alone.
It’s the perfect out. I gasp and call loudly, “Parker!”
When Parker turns in my direction, I beam a smile at him, stand up, and meet him halfway across the room. Elijah follows me, keeping a set of hawk eyes focused on Parker. I don’t think the two have met before, but somehow Xavier figured out who Parker is, and he told Elijah that Parker is a 400-year-old vampire.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprising Parker with a hug. I lean my face in next to his and whisper in his ear as soft as I’m able. “Just play along.”
Parker doesn’t miss a beat. “It’s lovely to see you again, Nora. Xavier called and invited me tonight. It’s not Underworld, but it’s something to do. What are you doing here?”
“Xavier called me earlier and told me about it.” I look all around, even though I know my creepy neighbor is not here. Parker might be here, but he wouldn’t have gone back on his word to keep him away. “Where is he, anyway? Didn’t he come with you?”
Parker shakes his head and looks me straight in the eyes. “I went to go pick him up because he wasn’t answering his phone, and I guess he had some kind of mental breakdown after his trip to the hospital.”
“Mental breakdown?” I gasp.
Elijah is concerned about this, too. No doubt he’s afraid Xavier is running around telling people he’s joining a brotherhood that sacrifices monsters in order to gain their power.
Parker shakes his head and gives me a small smirk. “It was the strangest thing. I guess he’s been committing some very serious crimes against women for some time now, and this evening he randomly decided to come clean to the police about it. He turned himself in and asked them to lock him up and get him some psychiatric help.”
My jaw dropped all the way to the floor. “What?” I squeaked. “That’s crazy!”
“Yeah,” Parker agrees, hitting me with an intense gaze. “I can’t imagine what compelled him to do such a thing.”
Oh! Oh, my! Parker compelled Xavier to turn himself in? The look he’s giving me makes me certain he did it for me. Now I’m sorry I didn’t kiss the man after dinner. I definitely want to do it now. I want to fling my arms around him, hug him tight, and thank him a million times over. I can’t do this in front of Elijah, of course, but my eyes do gloss over with a layer of moisture. Parker sees me struggling with my emotions, and his face softens a little. Neither of us gets to say anything, because Elijah curses. “Xavier went to jail?” he asks Parker.
Parker nods, narrowing his eyes at the guy who is a total stranger to him. “Yeah. I watched him get hauled off in the back of the police car. And considering all the pictures and videos he handed over to the police of him doing unspeakable things to unwilling girls, I don’t think he’s coming home anytime soon.”
Elijah huffs out a frustrated breath and rubs his hand over his face before raking it through his hair. He’s too fidgety all of a sudden. He looks at me, then glances at Nick still laughing with his friends. After a moment, he sighs and forces a smile at me. “If you’ll excuse me, Nora, I need to go talk to my brothers for a minute.”
“Of course!” Go tell your brothers you have to let Nick into your whacked out circle.
Once Elijah is gone, I immediately throw myself at Parker. Rare tears leak from the corners of my eyes. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice raw with emotion. “I can’t believe you did that.”
His arms come around me, and for a moment he holds me tight. I can hear his thoughts, I know how much he’s been longing for this, how much he likes it, and how much hope it’s giving him, but I can’t make myself let go. “I’m a good man, Nora. I couldn’t let that creep keep hurting women the way he tried to hurt you.”
“I’ve wished I had a way to turn him in for so long,” I whisper, shaking my head while it’s still buried in the crook of Parker’s neck. “You don’t understand how much this means to me. Seriously, thank you, Parker.”
“You’re welcome.” Parker squeezes me even tighter and then lets me go, stepping back. So…are you starting to believe me that we’re not all bad?”
I’m not sure if he means men or vampires, but either way, after what he’s just done when he didn’t have to and wasn’t asked to, I have to nod my head. “I guess some of you might be decent.”
Parker smiles, but it’s sad. “I’ll have you know that I never chose this life.” So it’s vampires we’re talking about, then. “I make the best of it now, but I never asked for it. It’s not what I wanted. You, on the other hand…” His face changes to that same intense look he’s given me a number of times, and he steps close, really close. I’m surprised that I don’t back away from him. “I want you, Nora.” He swallows and lifts his hand to my face. He drops it before touching me, though. “But I can’t,” he whispers. “Henry would kill me.”
I gulp. “Do you mean that literally?”
“Possibly.” He grimaces. “Nora, Henry has completely fallen for you. I’ve never seen him so besotted with anyone. As much as I want you for myself, and I understand why you chose to leave, I feel obligated to tell you that he’s heartbroken by your rejection.”
I feel no sympathy for the bastard. “He’ll get over it the longer he stays away from me. At least, that’s how it usually works.”
“What?”
Parker’s brows shoot up so high in surprise that I blush. I should have explained this to him sooner. “People are…drawn to me.” When he gives me a look, I cringe. “Yes, humans and underworlders alike. You too, probably.” He opens his mouth to ask questions, but I shake my head and cut him off. “I can’t explain it. It’s like all my other powers. I don’t know where it came from or how it works, and I have no control over it. I just know it happens. It’s why I’ve had so many problems with men my entire life. I was with Cecile earlier, and she said I’m definitely not a succubus, but I must have something in me that gives me this allure.” I meet his eyes and give him a pleading look. “But until I learn how to stop it, I can’t trust anyone with my heart. I can’t trust that their feelings are sincere.”
“Nora, I swear I—”
I hold up a hand. “You can’t know that for sure. And besides, even if you could, or even if you don’t care, I can’t trust you not to get too…enthusiastic. People become obsessed, Parker. They can’t help themselves. They get to a point where they can’t take no for an answer. If I encourage you…you’ll end up just the same way.”
“I would never—”
“You can’t promise that.”
He shuts his mouth, brows pulled low over his eyes, as if he’s trying to figure out how to argue. Before he finds that nonexistent solution, Elijah comes back, with all of his buddies and Nick trailing behind him. Nick moves to my side and slides an arm around my waist. It’s a claiming gesture. I have to remind myself we’re in character, because Parker had temporarily pulled me back to my real self.
“Hey, babe, I have some good news.” I frown at him quizzically, and he nods to El
ijah and his buddies. “I’m in.”
“What?” I turn my frown on Elijah. “But I thought you said all the spots were full.”
Elijah grimaces. “Xavier was supposed to be our final spot. Obviously he’s not going to work out, so my brothers and I have decided Nick will make a good final addition.”
“Yay!” I clap my hands together, ignoring Parker’s secret smirk at Bubbly Nora. “Oh, Nicky,” I whine, “I’m so happy for you! I knew you could get in!”
Nick grins. “Thanks, baby. It’s all thanks to you, of course.”
Elijah clears his throat to gain my attention. “As we’ve explained to Nick, to become a member, every man must have an underworlder officially sponsor him.”
I almost snort. Sponsor him. Sure. You mean forfeit our life force. Still, I nod like a crazy bobble head. “Oh, sure! Of course I’ll sponsor him!” I turn my pouty smile on Nick. “Whatever you need from me, baby. You know that.”
Nick looks at me, face solemn. “Actually, there is one thing I need from you right now.” He grabs my hand as if he’s about to ask me a big favor and sends me a thought. He wants some of your blood. You don’t have to do this.
Nick looks to Elijah to let him explain. Elijah gives me a very smarmy smile. “Our brotherhood is about trust, loyalty, and becoming one to reach a higher existence. That means we share things. We pool our talents and resources.”
“This includes our underworld sponsors,” Hooptie Guy adds.
Elijah nods. “In order to prove his loyalty and earn the final spot in our house, Nick must allow you to share some of your blood with us, and you must agree to it as well.”
I know Nick told me they wanted some blood, but I can’t help feeling surprised. They’re not vampires. What do they all want with my blood? Nick reads the question in my eyes. Even the smallest swallow of underworlder blood gives a human temporary powers. It will also prove to them that you are, in fact, an underworlder. He sees my sudden panic, and he adds, Don’t worry. I’m fairly certain that you have underworlder blood in you. It should work. And if it doesn’t, tell them you’ve been cursed by your people and had your power repressed. Tell them you’re cast out of faerie and that’s the real reason you hang out with humans. If they don’t accept us, I think Parker will stand in for you. But you don’t have to do this. You can tell them the lie now and say it won’t work. I’ll pretend not to know and ask Parker to be my sponsor instead.
“Seriously?” I say, because it’s been too long since Elijah spoke and I’m beginning to look suspicious. “You are aware that sharing blood is considered one of the most sacred, intimate acts in the underworld, right?”
Nick and Parker both shoot me secret smiles, proud of my quick lie. They underestimate me. Thinking on my feet is a skill I had to develop years ago to keep myself safe. I’m kind of a pro at it now.
Elijah takes my hand and speaks in a low, soft voice. “I know, Nora, and I am sorry to be so bold as to ask it, but don’t you see? To earn our trust, there must be a sacrifice made.” Yeah, a sacrifice that includes my life… “You do want Nick to become one of us, don’t you?”
If I act too eager, they’ll be suspicious. Elijah is still holding my hand, and so I know that he needs this. He needs to taste my blood to know that I am who I say I am and that he can trust Nick. He likes Nick, but he’s still not quite certain he can trust us. I can see that having Parker give his blood won’t work. Elijah is already being drawn to me. My blood is the only thing that will convince him to let Nick in.
“All right,” I say. “I’ll give you blood. But just you for now.” I glance at his brothers. There is no way I’m letting all of them drink from me. When Elijah frowns and shakes his head, I shake mine as well. “I’m sorry, but trust has to be earned both ways. I’ve spent time with you tonight. I’m comfortable with you only. I’ll give you my blood, and if that’s enough to get Nicky in, then I’ll be willing to share myself fully as Nicky’s sponsor.”
Just as I’d hoped, my singling Elijah out plucks at his pride and puffs up his ego. He’s flattered and excited that he’ll have something that none of his brothers have. For all his talk about sharing everything and becoming one, he relishes being their leader. “Okay,” he agrees. “That’s fair enough. Just me tonight. You can share with the others after Nick is officially initiated.”
“Okay,” I say. “I can agree to that. Thank you for taking my feelings into consideration.”
“Of course. You are Nick’s girlfriend, after all, not just his sponsor. We wouldn’t want to make either of you uncomfortable,” he purrs. “Shall we go someplace a little more private?”
“There’s no one out front anymore,” Nick says, looking out the curtain. “It’s chilly, so everyone has come inside. We’ll have privacy out there.”
And we can make a swift getaway, if we need to. Smart thinking, Nick.
Elijah gestures with a hand for me to lead the way. Nick slips his arm back around my waist and escorts me outside. I love how he always makes sure not to touch my skin unless he wants me to hear him. Mind reading wouldn’t be so bad if everyone were as conscious of my ability as he is.
Unfortunately, not everyone pays as much attention as Nick. As we head down the front steps and to the corner of the yard near a large tree, where we’ll have cover from the house and the street, Parker grabs my hand. I’m flooded with his angry, afraid, and jealous thoughts as he says, “Nora, you don’t have to do this. Those jerks shouldn’t be asking you for this.”
It’s hard to feel his concern for me when his thoughts of thirst, lust, and his desire to share blood with me, to form a bond, are shouting at me. I rip my hand out of his and wince when he jerks back, offended. “Sorry. I can hear your thoughts when you touch me like that.”
Parker grimaces. He knows exactly what I think is unpleasant at the moment. “I’m sorry. They’re just thoughts. I would never act on them.”
“I know, but I don’t need to hear them.”
“Sorry. But still. You shouldn’t do this. If they just need underworlder blood, I’ll give them mine. I’ll be Gorgeous’s sponsor.”
I’m not surprised by the offer, but I do know it won’t work. Having heard Elijah’s thoughts inside, I know he’s already starting to fixate on me. Drinking my blood is only going to make his obsession worse, but it’s the only way to get us to the sanctuary and the missing underworlders.
All of Elijah’s brothers have followed us outside, and all of them hear Parker’s angry comment. Eleven angry faces stare at me, waiting to hear my answer. I give Parker a reassuring smile. “It’s fine, Parker. It’s only Elijah right now, and if these men are really going to be his brothers, then I don’t mind. Are you going to be okay once I bleed?”
Parker sucks in a sharp breath through his nose and his eyes flash with desire, but he nods. He glances around and then lowers his voice. “I’m a very old vampire, Nora; my control is impeccable. Still, because it’s you, I fed before coming here tonight just to be safe. I will be fine.”
Parker glances at the group of humans staring at us. I can tell he hates that we’ve just confirmed their suspicions about his underworlder status. I feel a little bad about that, but I also needed the answer to his question. I don’t think I’d have been able to cut myself in his presence if I thought he was going to vamp out on me.
“Is her blood really that much more enticing to you?” Elijah asks.
The glare he gets from Parker is 100 percent vampire. His eyes turn red, and his fangs descend. It makes Elijah and his friends all back up.
“You will keep his secret,” I say calmly to the group of curious onlookers, “or we will kill you. All of you.”
Whoa. I don’t know where that threat came from, but I kind of mean it. Not that I’m a murderer, but I suddenly feel this desperate need to protect Parker. I guess that makes him one of my friends now, too, because I would only ever be that loyal and protective of someone I care about.
Elijah must believe I’m serious, too, be
cause he steps over to me with a hand up in surrender and speaks to me like he’s trying to calm a raging child. “It’s all right, Nora. We would never do something to harm your friend. We do not do things to hurt our brothers or their sponsors.” His smile turns rueful. “Besides, we know better than to cross a vampire.” He nods when Parker growls softly once more. “Your identity is safe with us. You have my word.”
After a moment of tense silence, Elijah turns to me with a smile. “It’s time.”
When I nod, he takes my hand in his and pulls a butterfly knife from his pocket. His thoughts are a jumbled mess of excitement. He’s addicted to underworlder blood, and he’s so eager to try mine. He thinks there’s something different about me, something powerful that I’m still keeping a secret. He thinks that’s why he’s so drawn to me and why Parker finds my blood more enticing.
“Well, get on with it,” I rasp, shaking my arm at him.
He looks up at me with heated eyes and refuses to break my gaze as he makes a small but deep cut on my inner forearm over a vein. I wince but am rather proud of myself when I don’t cry out because it hurts like a bitch, and pain brings out the sailor in me.
Keeping his eyes locked on mine in what I think is meant to be a sexy look—epic fail there—Elijah brings my bleeding arm to his mouth. At first, he just licks the beads of blood that have bubbled on the surface, but then he gasps and clamps his mouth down on the cut. He pulls a hard suck, and his eyes roll back in his head. He moans in a way that makes me feel dirty—though, that could just be his thoughts making me feel that way.
He’s never had blood like mine before. He was right, and it’s everything he expected. He doesn’t know what’s different about me, but mine is the sweetest, most vitalizing blood he’s ever had. He can feel the power I’m giving him, and it’s exciting him sexually.
Suddenly, the tingling sensation—that intuition that someone plans to harm me—disappears. Elijah no longer plans to allow me to be sacrificed. He has other uses for me now. He wants me to be his girlfriend, or, at least, some kind of sex and blood slave.