A burst of blue light erupted from both of them at the same time and joined a foot away from them. The light connected with laser precision, then rammed into the chest of the vampire. Britt felt alive with energy and power. Connecting with the two other men gave him insight into their characters. The vampire was looking to have a leg up on the competing vampires in the financial markets in Europe. It was that simple.
Fisk was more difficult. His reasons were skewed and there was something hiding behind a blue cloud that was unavailable to Britt.
“Focus,” Fisk grunted. Britt realized his loss of concentration had put more strain on Fisk’s powers. He looked at the vampire and imagined him becoming human. Suddenly, the olde one’s gray, scaly flesh began to change color. Changes happened slowly and painfully since the vampire shrieked and writhed in front of them for what felt like an eon.
“Keep going,” Fisk grunted.
“Not a problem,” Britt said. He didn’t feel in the least drained, but he felt Fisk’s light waning. The man’s energy was all but sapped.
Finally, the vampire shrieked and dropped to his knees on the ground with his head hanging low. The blue light encircled his whole body and, for just a second, it appeared to have lifted him off the boardroom carpeting. Had that really just happened?
Then, seconds later, Bellarizio fell to the floor, apparently unconscious.
Their energy snuffed out. Fisk rested his arm on Britt’s and his hands shook violently. “I’m going to pass out,” he uttered, then dropped to the floor in a dead faint.
“Je … Veronica, will you aid Mr. Fisk back to his office?” Britt said.
Jess nodded and moved toward the two men, her features hidden by the black hooded robe. She leaned over, picking Fisk up as if he’d been a four-year-old child and carried him out with Brewster trotting like a show horse behind her.
The vampire, meanwhile, had slowly regained consciousness. He pushed himself up off the floor and stood on slightly shaky legs. His irises were black and he still had fangs, but his flesh was almost normal again. He gazed at his skin with near reverence. “You did it. You’ve changed me.”
Britt still felt the vampire’s dark spirit deep inside him. “I believe the change is superficial at the moment, sir. You’ll still have to avoid the sun, for now.”
Suddenly Bellarizio looked around. “What happened to Fisk?”
Britt had to come up with something credible and fast. “He asked me to wait for you to regain consciousness,” Britt said. “That’s part of my duty. Mr. Fisk will return shortly.”
“Considering how much I’m paying him,” Bellarizio said. “I expect him to continue my treatment himself.”
The vampire was getting more agitated. Obviously, he had no intention of accepting treatment by a perceived underling.
“One moment, please,” Britt said. He yanked out his cell phone and called Jess. “Is Fisk ready to come back to his client?”
“He just woke up. He’s still a bit stunned and somewhat like a limp dishrag.”
“Tell him Mr. Bellarizio wants him to complete this appointment himself, okay?” he said in a tone that she couldn’t mistake. Get his ass back here, now!
Jess sighed. “Okay, I’ll try. But Fisk is in bad shape right now.”
A few moments later, the door rattled and Jess opened it with Fisk heavily leaning on her.
Luckily, the newly partially humanized vampire didn’t seem to notice or care. His main concern appeared to be his own well-being, not the obvious weakness of the man who’d made a pretty damned good attempt at healing him.
SOMEHOW, JESS managed to keep him upright. His head lolled a bit, but he finally managed to get it together long enough to focus on Bellarizio.
“As you can see, my efforts have paid off. You are on your way to possibly being healed.”
Bellarizio tore his gaze away from his younger, pinker-looking flesh. “Possibly?”
“Why yes, sir. I did explain that there could be no guarantees in this endeavor. Healing is a complicated matter, and the end result depends on the amount of time the client has been a vampire, and sometimes the physiology of the client himself.” His words sounded garbled. Like he was barely able to get them out.
Jess glanced at Britt. Britt looked as fresh as he had when they’d arrived. Not a single bit of fatigue lined his face.
Had Fisk just given away more than he meant to because of his fatigue?
Jess placed her hand on the small of Fisk’s back and propped him a little more while she led him to the boardroom table at the end of the large, windowless room.
“Why don’t we sit down, gentlemen?” she said, keeping her facial features mostly hidden by her hood.
“Good idea,” Fisk said, slumping quickly onto a chair.
Britt waited for Jess and Fisk to sit. Bellarizio followed. The vampire couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off his own renewed flesh. “I can actually feel my organs working,” he said.
Lucky him. She lowered her gaze and waited for the men to finish their session. Even partially healed, the master vampire’s nearness still compelled her. It was true the olde ones held sway over younger vampires. She’d learned that a while ago, and as much as she detested that fact, she couldn’t completely stop herself from wanting to follow them.
“Why am I still a vampire?” Bellarizio asked. “I expect total healing.”
Jess’s throat went dry. Had Fisk really promised that? He couldn’t even get the blue light to enter her body, so how did he expect to humanize an ancient vampire?
“Of course, you’ll get a complete refund if you aren’t fully satisfied,” Britt said, after waiting a few long seconds when Fisk didn’t answer. He was pale and looked nearly mesmerized himself.
Bellarizio’s tension decelerated. He sat back and drummed his fingernails on the table. “It better work.”
Fisk mumbled something in protest, but Britt covered his voice by asking the vampire about his land. That seemed to please the man inside the vampire, and he told Britt of the beauties of his country. Mostly he talked about the sunshine and grapevines. He really wanted to feel the sun on his face again, and walk on the earthy soil of the many vineyards he owned.
Jess leaned forward. This vampire just told her something she’d never known. The older vampires weren’t just bloodsucking husks of what used to be living, breathing people. They had ambitions and desires.
She’d have to mention that to Sampson. The younger vampires in New York seemed like emotionless monsters with little on their minds but their next meal. Could she have misjudged them so much?
Fisk started muttering again, and Jess used her ability to silence him before the vampire realized something was wrong. Instantly, Fisk’s eyes glazed over and he got one of those sickly sweet smiles only seen on a person who’d been compelled.
Bellarizio still continued to talk about his country to Britt. It was probably the longest, most normal conversation the olde vampire had had in centuries. It seemed regaining sensation and some humanity made the man unusually sentimental.
She chewed on her lip. Maybe she was feeling a little sentimental herself. And more hopeful than she should be. She shouldn’t even let that kind of thinking into her mind. She’d grown accustomed to what she’d become. Hoping for humanity had been a thing she’d given up on many, many years ago.
Meanwhile, Bellarizio stood, pulling Jess from her thoughts. “Until my next appointment, Fisk,” he said.
Jess compelled Fisk to nod his head vigorously in agreement. Both men started to rise, but Bellarizio waved them back down. It was a good thing. Jess’s compelling ability was good, but she couldn’t make an exhausted man stand, even if he wanted to.
The second the boardroom door closed, Jess dropped her hold on Fisk and he slumped, face-first, onto the table.
“What’s wrong with him?” Britt asked.
“The session with the vampire exhausted him. It completely wiped him out.”
“Really? I wonde
r why it was so hard on him and not me?”
“Possibly because you aren’t also healing dozens of other vampires, as well. I think what he’s doing is sapping his reserves of energy. Apparently, they aren’t infinite.”
“Good to know,” Britt said, reaching down and putting his arms under Fisk’s armpits. “Help me get him back to his office.”
Jess jumped up and grabbed the man’s feet.
They staggered across the hall with him and dropped him on the leather settee in the outer office near the elevator door.
Brewster blew into the room and shrieked like a tiny woman when he caught sight of his master in such bad shape.
Jess had to bite back laughter.
“Oh, no. Not again,” Brewster said. ‘This is happening more and more often.” Without another word, the large man tore into Fisk’s inner office and seconds later came back holding an unusual-looking blade.
He held the blade as if it were an offering and approached Fisk.
It was a good thing he hadn’t come near her brandishing a knife without a damned good reason. His making any kind of threat would result in her taking him out—and she hated to see a grown, overweight man crying like a baby girl. Shit. She was gaining an odd sense of humor these days.
Brewster placed the blade in Fisk’s limp hands and suddenly, a low-grade resonating hum filled the room.
It surprised Jess to see that Britt had also been completely surrounded by an aura of pulsating blue light. Had the knife done that?
In fact, by the eager expression on Britt’s face, he wanted to grab the blade away from Fisk. He actually moved in with his hand out, as if he’d been compelled, but not by her.
Jess grabbed his hand and wheeled him away. “What are you doing?” she said.
He shook his head as if dispelling thick cobwebs. “I don’t know. I lost myself for a moment. That blade had some kind of power. Can’t you feel it?”
“No.”
“Leader? Are you feeling better?” Brewster patted Fisk’s limp hand.
Fisk had reawakened and looked like he was regaining his energy.
“What is that thing?” Britt asked.
“None of your business,” Fisk said, practically seething. “Brewster, I’ve told you never to bring this to me when there are others in the office.”
“I had to this time, Leader. You were in very bad shape. I think you need to take a break from healing while you’re working on the olde ones. They use too much of your energy.”
“I believe Brewster is right, Fisk,” Jess said.
Fisk cranked his head in her direction and sneered. “You! Don’t you ever dare compel me again. If you do, I’ll make sure you never become human. You, you bitch … you vampire!”
She’d been called worse, but it irked her that he’d dared threaten her. She felt Britt’s tension though. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she considered shoving him away. She didn’t need solace—she was a damned vampire.
While Fisk’s recovery had improved by leaps and bounds, he was still weakened.
“What is that damned thing, Fisk?” Britt asked, his eyes nearly mesmerized again. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she could see a blue light in the center of his pupils. Reflection?
“It’s mine, that’s what it is,” Fisk said. “It’s none of your goddamned business. Just because I let you help me with one project, that doesn’t mean I’m going to share trade secrets.”
“Is that so? You’re the one who asked for my help. And you know damned well you’d be finished if I hadn’t helped you over there. I imagine you’re still near exhaustion, even though you’re pretending to be better.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Well, you can go piss on a tree stump,” Britt said. “And, maybe you should let the European vampires in on the fact that you can’t help them,” Britt said through his teeth. “Because it’ll be a fucking month of Sundays before I come back here to help you.”
Fisk started to sputter and struggled to jump off the sofa, but couldn’t quite make it. “No, wait! I apologize. I’m just tired out. Exhausted. You’re right. I can’t do this alone, and I shouldn’t have treated either of you the way I did. Please … forgive me.”
“No, G.D. way,” Britt said.
Fisk turned to Jess. “I’m so sorry. Jess, can you convince him to change his mind?”
She shook her head. “Britt doesn’t need me to advise him. He knows his own mind.”
“Okay, okay …” Fisk held up his hands in surrender. “I’m really sorry for being such a bastard to you, Jess. I got cocky and you’ve called me on it.”
“Let’s go, Jess,” Britt said.
“Sure,” she said.
“No! You can’t. Listen, I promise I’ll help you, Brittain. I’ll make sure you know how to save Jess. But only if you continue to assist me with the Europeans.”
Britt’s gait stuttered on his way to the elevator. He paused and looked back. “I don’t believe you.”
“I promise you. Touch my hand and read my mind. Then you’ll know if I’m serious.”
Britt frowned at him. “Apologize to Jess. Then I might consider finding out if you’re serious.”
Fisk’s imploring gaze shifted to Jess and she wanted to be anywhere but here. The man was a skunk. He’d do anything to save his hide.
“I’m terribly sorry, Jess. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. You’re not like the others, I know that.”
Liar! She didn’t have to look at Britt. He needed Fisk. If the man really had answers, Britt shouldn’t just walk away. And it wasn’t like Fisk had hurt her tender little feelings, because she had none. “I’m okay with it, if Britt is,” she said, not meeting Britt’s gaze. If she did, he’d know she was lying. If it weren’t for Britt, she might just teach Fisk a bit of a lesson. Maybe on the roof of his forty-story building.
“I’ll give you one more chance, Fisk. Don’t effing mess up again. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be respectful to Captain Vandermire. Someday, she may be the only person who can save your ass from the vampires you’ve screwed over.”
Chalk one up for Britt. Jess was impressed. She could actually see the possibility of truth in that statement. There was no way Fisk wouldn’t see it, as well.
Fisk looked truly repentant. And, maybe he’d been a little surprised that Britt knew more about his business than he’d expected. Britt’s comments had definitely struck on the truth.
“You’re right. Again, I apologize,” he said. He looked more revived now. “Will you come back for another session, please?”
He was kind of whiny when he begged. Jess hated that.
“I’ll give you one more chance,” Britt said.
“Thank you! Really.”
Then Fisk turned to the tongue-tied Brewster and shoved the blade back at the man. “How’d you know where to get it?” Fisk asked his assistant under his breath.
“I make it a priority to be indispensable, Leader. I found you unconscious a couple of times with the blade nearby. When I placed it in your hand, you healed.”
“And the safe’s lock code? How’d you know that?”
Brewster’s flabby shoulders rose around his oversized chubby ears. “I’m just that good, sir. If I hadn’t got you the blade, I’d hate to think what might have happened to you, sir.”
Fisk heaved a sigh and waved Brewster back to the safe.
Since the blade didn’t seem to affect Brewster, she had to suspect it only held special powers for Britt and Fisk.
“You keep the blade behind the painting, don’t you?” Britt asked.
“How the hell do you know that? Does everyone know all of my secrets?”
“From the moment I entered your inner office, I felt the hum and the power of something behind that painting. I knew you had some sort of power source there, because it called to me, too.”
Fisk’s expression grew greedy and jealous instantly. “You can’t have it. Don’t you even think
about going near it,” he snarled. Then he suddenly looked worried that he’d gone too far again.
His wan face turned red when he dragged himself to his desk and drew out a pad of paper. “Let me pay you for your services tonight. I’ll be happy to make this worth your while,” he said.
“I don’t want your money,” Britt said. “But there is something you can help me with.”
Fisk’s expression was tight. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s a vampire who needs your kind of expertise. I can try it myself, but I might have more luck if you and I work together.”
Is that what it looked like when a person deflated? Fisk sank back against the back of the sofa. “I’m not sure I can.”
Britt raised his hands. “It’s up to you. But if you expect me to help you again, you’d better think it over.”
ONCE OUTSIDE the Lumination Building, Britt thought about his gut reaction when that ragged-looking blade had been produced. It had surprised the hell out of him when it apparently reenergized Fisk, and, in the process, suddenly became shiny and new.
It was damned strange how that thing had hummed and given off that blue aura. Had it been his imagination that it had seemed newer when Fisk held it?
Worse, the thing had called to him like a siren.
Not good. Especially after seeing the way Fisk adored it—it made him think of an addict needing a drug.
It was definitely not something he ever wanted to experience. He’d seen enough addicts when he’d been a regular cop.
“It’s been a frigging weird day,” he said to Jess, as they made their way to her condo on foot. It would be sunrise in an hour.
“Do you think Fisk is really the right person to help us with Regent’s problem? He seems too weak to me,” Jess said.
“I think he’s just overextended himself, given the number of vampires he’s been working with. Even so, I do think he has something to offer,” Britt said.
“Why?”
“It’s a feeling, I guess.” Had he really just admitted that? “I’ve seen him wield his energy with precision, even though it saps him. Maybe our energies combined can work against Regent’s vampire.”
“And that knife that he’s so protective of? What do you make of that? Sometimes it seems the more we learn, the less we know,” she said. “If only we could talk to Regent about that weapon that seemed to have a life of its own.”
Grave Expectations (Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter Book 4) Page 19