by Emily Reese
“It’s a decent lead.” Elliot worked on cleaning my left arm while trying to reassure me. “I can probably get us an extra day, maybe two.”
The Council will let you do that?
“Possibly. If not, I’ll just tell them I lost my phone.” I felt more than heard the rumble of his laugh.
What about the guys following us? You didn’t mention what happened when you went back. Who were they?
“The rest of you looks pretty good,” he informed me, leaning back to take me in. “No, wait.” I felt him drag the cloth across my middle, just above my waist. I had a fleeting thought, grateful the underwear and bra I’d worn was pretty and matched. I pushed it back out of my head just as quickly, not wanting it to coalesce enough for Elliot to pluck it from my brain.
Pierce?
“Yeah?”
You’re not answering me.
Elliot let out a frustrated sigh before he responded. “I have a few ideas, but nothing concrete. It bugs the hell out of me.”
Explain. His efforts to dance around my questions made me uneasy.
“They were vampires, but I don’t know who they’re working for. The only one I could question got away.”
I think he was the leader. I recalled his face peering at me back on campus. Where did he get a ring like yours?
“No idea.” Elliot opened the drain at my feet. “It’s not so much my ring as the toxin inside it, and it’s not easy to come by.”
So what do we do?
“I grabbed one of their phones. I’ll over-night it to Cody, see what he can mine from it.” To himself he added, “Maybe call the family.”
Your family? They can help with this?
“My family can do just about anything,” he said with a smile. The fondness with which he spoke left me with a pang of loneliness for my own. “Now, ready to get out?”
You’d know before I would.
“Okay, let’s see…” He clicked his tongue while he thought. “I really could’ve planned this better,” he grumbled. “Okay, here’s the plan. We’re going to get out, but I’m going to have to turn on more lights otherwise I won’t be able to get you dried off.”
Awesome.
“Anytime you want to help and hold something for me…” Elliot joked and stood, hefting me onto his shoulder a moment later. In my current state, I was left to bear the sting of one of the bedroom lights as he flipped it on.
After a littler maneuvering, Elliot laid me on some towels and began to dry me off. His movements were careful and precise, and between that and the lights he still left off, I was sincerely touched. The entire ordeal turned out as painless as he could make it; even now he focused on getting me dry, despite the goosebumps popping up all over him from the chill.
Pierce? I thought, wanting to thank him. When I perceived no reaction, I tried “calling” his name a little louder. Elliot?
Still nothing. Hey, Elliot! I just wanted you to know, you’re uh… not bad for an older guy. I was hoping for some sign he heard me, yet received none. I’m not even kidding, I goaded, you are legitimately dead sexy. I’m a vampire, we specialize in dead. Oh, God, what a terrible joke... My finger tapped in irritation as I tried to think of something really shocking, wanting to see how loud and obnoxious I would have to get if I needed his attention. Hey Pierce! How’s about you come over here and—
Holy crap. My finger moved.
I tried it again, and sure enough, I could wiggle my right index finger. The amount of effort it required was phenomenal.
Hey! Hey, look at my finger! I called, only to remember he was tuning me out now that we were out of the bath per my request. Forming a new plan, I waited until he moved back to my right, and the second his hand was close enough: tap, tap!
Elliot paused a moment, then shook his head dismissing my fantastically impressive feat.
Really? Really!
I concentrated until I was sure I would break out into a sweat, waited for the right moment, then: tap, tap, tap!
This time I did get his attention. His head snapped in my direction almost instantly.
“Did you do that?”
Ye-es! I sang in triumph. I’ve been trying to get your attention to tell you!
“You told me to tune you out.”
Not that much!
“Can you do it again?” he asked with an anticipatory tone.
Yeah. It’s hard though. I think my whole hand is about to cramp up.
“Show me.” This time it took longer and I could only get one tap out.
I know you can’t see it, but I’m totally doing my happy dance right now.
“I’ll bet,” he grinned. “This is really good, Claire. Everything should be back to normal by sundown.” Elliot returned to the bathroom, then poked his head back out. “Doors open or shut?” he asked and tapped his temple.
Ugh, isn’t there any middle ground?
“I’ll turn on the TV. It should help. Yell if you need me.” A moment later I was left alone in the semi-dark, watching international news on CNN.
As he cleaned up (again) and shaved, Elliot largely ignored me. I was of two minds about this. On one hand, it irked me, being ignored like one of the throw pillows he propped up behind me to prevent me from staring at the ceiling. I was not a piece of furniture.
The more logical side of me appreciated him doing his best to give me some personal space while still making himself available if I needed him.
And a teeny, weeny part of me, one that I would never admit to if confronted, was trying like hell not to sit back and just enjoy the show.
This mortal, whatever-he-was, walked around in nothing but some jeans – I hadn’t lied about him being good looking for an older guy, albeit younger than me. What was he, in his forties maybe? With the time to notice I spotted a few gray hairs, all of which added to his appearance rather than subtract. The TV cast shadows over the planes of his chest and abs while he puttered about, disposing of our clothes and turning down the other bed. When he faced me and muted the TV, I found myself wishing I could still look away.
“We should get some rest so we’ll be ready to leave first thing tonight. You can take the other bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor.” He moved to pick me up, and I pointed my finger straight up, poking him when he bent over.
Hey!
“Ow! What?”
What’s wrong with this bed? Why are you sleeping on the floor?
“I guess you can’t see it.” Looping a hand behind my neck he shifted me up and leaned me against him, my temple resting against his chest. Given the position, it took me a minute to ignore his heartbeat and actually take in the condition of the bed.
Blegh! What is all that?
“The remnants of our “adventure” from earlier. A little bit of your blood, a bit more of mine… but mostly theirs,” he finished triumphantly.
No wonder I needed to get cleaned up. How did we get so messy? It didn’t seem like that bad of a fight.
“I may have gotten a little… carried away when I came to and they were standing over you. I couldn’t tell if they’d killed you or not.”
It couldn’t have been that big of a deal. You might be taking me to my Second Death by next week. This would’ve wrapped things up a lot sooner for you. Despite my pragmatic comments, they came out snottier than I’d intended.
“I don’t like the law any better than you do right now, Claire.” Elliot took my face in his hands and bent down to look me in the eye. “Which is why I’m pushing things as far as I can to do what I feel is right, even if it gets me in trouble with my superiors. But until then, until we’ve run out of time and options, your safety is my priority. Understand?”
What about our investigation?
“A close second,” he laughed and rolled his eyes. “And also, directly related to my first priority. C’mon.” Once again I was lifted as if I weighed nothing. “Let’s get you in bed before you keep fishing for anymore compliments
.”
I am not! I shouted mentally, only to be thwarted in objecting further by Elliot’s loud and infectious laughter. He laid me gently on the bed and I tried my darnedest to level a glare at him.
“Hey,” he said softly, leaning close to my face. “I think you sort of smiled just now.”
Quit fishing for complements, I retorted, only to be met with more laughter.
“Good night, Claire. Yell if you need me.” He tucked me in tightly at the center of the bed and left. The TV switched off a moment later and I heard Elliot take his place on the floor.
Once again the silence felt like more of a hindrance, leaving me alone with nagging thoughts and naught to do but marinate in them.
Eventually, it was just too much.
Elliot?
Mmmh? Came his sleepy reply.
Are you asleep?
Trying to be. What do you need, Claire?
I don’t like you sleeping on the floor. And, um… my eyes are still open. My finger was tapping again in time with my agitation. At least it was getting easier. Do you want to share this bed?
I didn’t think you’d be comfortable with that, he replied with surprise.
I’m not going to lie. I’m not entirely. But knowing you’re on the cold, hard floor is going to make me feel guilty. I can’t sleep when I feel guilty.
So what you’re telling me, is that I’d really be doing you a favor.
Sure. I mentally rolled my eyes.
A moment later I heard him get up. As awkward as my limpness made it, he turned me on my side to make room in the bed fairly quickly. Then he was under the covers, scooting towards me.
“Jesus, woman!” he yelled. “How did you get so cold already? Fess up, this is really why you wanted me in here isn’t it? Your own personal space heater, is that it? Is that what I am to you??”
I laughed so hard in my head, I almost didn’t register it when a small giggle escaped my lips.
“Now she laughs.” His hand came gently across my eyes, closing them.
Before you go to sleep, I wanted to tell you something.
“What’s that?”
I don’t want to drink from you again.
“I’m not one to offer my vein lightly.” I didn’t need to pick up on emotions to tell my refusal offended him.
I understand, and I’m grateful. But after the attack today, and your injuries, I don’t want to weaken you further.
“Any other ineptitudes you’d like to point out?”
No. I sighed mentally. I know this makes things more difficult, but I need you at 100% Elliot. I never, ever want to be incapacitated like this again, but if it happens… you’re my best chance at making it through safely.
Elliot was quiet so long I thought he’d fallen asleep. Then, finally he spoke.
“I’m not a fan of you being right like this. Now shut up, I’m tired.” As gruff as his words were, I felt from him a grudging acceptance and respect at my pragmatic assessment of our situation.
Despite any lingering irritation, Elliot moved behind me and wrapped an arm around me. To my surprise, he took my right hand in his and linked our fingers. “Pinch me, flick me, whatever if you need to get my attention. I’ve been told I’m a deep sleeper.” Without another word his breathing changed to deep and measured, telling me he’d fallen asleep in seconds.
I lay there a moment, mulling over the events of the past few days. I’d slept with and probably ruined any hope of a normal relationship, (romantic or otherwise,) with my best friend. I returned to Regulus’ territory, something I’d sworn never to do. Not only that, I was 98% paralyzed, spooning in a hotel with a stranger, some kind of supernatural… creature? Who was none the less mortal, and had a decent chance of being the delivery mechanism of my Second Death. Nothing at all complicated about that.
And yet, even with everything I’d found to worry about, and all that I hadn’t, I was asleep in minutes as well, the warmth and weight of Elliot surrounding me more comforting in this storm than my own bed back in New Orleans.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I woke alone the next morning and my first thought was, finally! Lately too many men were shoved in my general direction courtesy of fate. Hogging the covers and listening to the quiet was something I dearly missed.
My second thought was: Can I move?
To my great relief I found I could, everything now back to normal as Elliot promised. All in all, this day’s starting out pretty well. That thought lasted all of thirty seconds.
I sat up and looked around, my eyes confirming what my ears already knew: I was alone in the hotel room, not just the bed. Turning to get up, I found a note on the nightstand.
Claire, it read:
Went out to speak with the girl’s parents. Will pick you up some “breakfast” on the way back.
Hope the clothes fit.
Pierce
And that was it. He was gone and would be back, leaving me here to wait. I felt as if invisible arms had snaked around my chest, constricting tighter with every breath.
Mike left me a similar letter not that long ago. It resulted in his torture and eventual death and now seemed to be happening all over again.
I dumped the bag of clothes Elliot left for me, taking no notice of them other than to make sure they went on the appropriate body parts. Zipping around the suite, I pulled my hair back, gathering anything I could use as a weapon should the need arise. What if I can’t track him? We aren’t as close as Mike and I were, still… will the blood I drank from him yesterday be enough?
The door opened and I sprang into action, slamming it shut behind the intruder. Grabbing him by the shirt I threw him back against the door… and only then realized it was Elliot.
“Jesus, Claire!” He batted one of my hands away and I dropped the other one soon after. “What the hell is your problem?”
“Where were you? Where did you go?”
He tried stepping around me, but I moved with him, blocking his path. When he saw that he would not be making any further progress, he dropped the duffel he’d carried in and leaned forward to bring his face on level with mine.
“I left you a note so back off,” he growled.
“No, you don’t get to just run off and leave a note!” I jabbed my finger into his chest. “You and I are part and parcel, bread and butter, milk and freaking cookies. You do not get to leave me behind. I am not going to wake up and deal with your actions and the guilt that comes with them!”
“What do you mean guilt?” No longer angry, Elliot cocked his head in confusion. My hand flew to my mouth, only then realizing the words I yelled at him were really meant for a certain fledgling now residing in Las Vegas.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered. The adrenaline from finding myself alone and possibly losing yet another partner now gone, I plopped into a nearby chair. Looking down at my hands, I saw they were shaking.
“Talk to me. What guilt?” Digging in his bag, Elliot produced two bags of blood and waited for an explanation while I drank.
“The last time I was here, in Regulus’s territory, I had a human with me.”
“Mike?”
“He left me a note during the day, just to save time,” I used air quotes remembering Mike’s letter. “By the time I got to him, it was almost too late. That’s when I fought off the three vampires, but in the end it didn’t matter. Collin took him right out from under me… taken, tortured, and killed.”
“But you turned him. That saved his life.”
“I’m not sure if he’d share your sentiment.” I brushed my hair back and took a deep breath. “The point is, waking up to your note this morning was a little too close to my last experience. I apologize if I overreacted.”
Elliot nodded. For a while, we sat there in silence, the weight of bad memories keeping our lips closed tight. Once I ran out of blood, I made the choice to break the stalemate.
“So, you went to see the parents?”
“Yes. They weren’t much help, but they did give me access to the girl’s belongings. I didn’t have time to go through everything in detail, but I grabbed what I thought might be promising and left the rest.” He tossed two flash drives on the bed next to me.
“I imagine that was difficult for them, letting go of her things.”
“These are small. It made it easier.”
“Did you um, mess with them?” I had no idea what to call whatever magic he worked on Hailey, or how often he did it.
“No. I did not. Their grief is real, natural. “Messing” with it would inevitably cause more harm than good.” Elliot grabbed his duffel and unloaded more blood bags into the mini-fridge, keeping his back to me.
“Why the roommate and not them?” It seemed awfully arrogant to pick and choose who you decided to relieve of their mental anguish. Elliot picked up on my disapproval, maybe even hearing my thoughts on the subject, and shut the door to the fridge. When he stood, he waited several seconds before turning around.
“The roommate was wallowing in guilt, blaming herself for being alive, for being a typical college kid. In her dark moments, she hurt herself, thinking she deserved to be punished for what happened. She was on her way down a hole so deep she’d never be able to climb back out. We couldn’t tell her our suspicions, explain to her that if she’d gone home with her friend odds are she’d be dead and Erica Wheeler would be in exactly the same position she is now… whatever that may be.” As he spoke, he kicked the carpet, focusing on that rather than me. “The girl’s parents are going through what thousands of other parents do every year: dealing with the loss and the hope and the bleeding pain of a missing child. It is what it is, ugly as it is.”
“Yes, but—”
“Would you have me erase all memories of their daughter?” He asked me and rubbed a spot on his chest just above his heart. “Take away their hope?”
“No.” He vehemence left me bewildered.
“Which is why I left them as they were.” He went towards the bathroom, but stopped at the door. “There’s always limits to power, even mine.” The door shut and a moment later I heard the sink running.