by Deanna Chase
“Yes I am. Allcot, what—”
“Phoebe never calls me Allcot,” he growled.
Shit on a stick. I’d fucked that up royally. How had I been so off my game? I was a highly trained agent of the Void. All it took was one trip to an alternate-universe and it was as if I had zero concept of being undercover. Of course a wife wouldn’t call her husband by his last name. She probably even had a pet name for him that no one else would know.
His hold tightened around my waist, and one thumb fluttered over my rapidly beating pulse. “You look like her. Hell, you even smell like her. But do you taste like her?”
I stiffened, panic hitting me hard. He was too strong. I’d never break his hold, but if I had a spell… I reached for the necklace I always wore around my neck, the one that would knock out even the oldest of vampires, but my hand only clasped air. The necklace was gone.
“Eadric.” I tried one more time. “You’re being paranoid. It’s just been a strange night. I’m—”
“There’s only one way to find out,” he said, and then without warning, I felt the sharp sting of a vampire bite.
“Allcot, you fucking bastard!” I screamed, clawing at his arm clutching me. “Stop it. I didn’t give you permission to bite me. Stop!” I kicked my foot back, praying I’d connect with his balls, but instead I just got his thigh.
He shifted his weight to the other side and started to suck. As my blood spilled into his mouth, euphoria took over and a sensation so sweet, so glorious, overtook me, making me sigh with pure pleasure. I couldn’t help it. I gave in and sagged against him as I let out a small whimper.
Gods, I thought. Don’t ever let it stop.
2
Allcot tore his teeth from me, picked me up, and threw me so hard I slammed against the wall in my studio. My head hit the plaster with a loud thunk, dazing me as I slid to the ground and crumpled before him.
“Fucking bitch,” he snarled. “Whose blood have you been drinking?”
My head spun, and nausea took over. I’d just gotten out of the infirmary and I had a strong suspicion that by the time he was done, I was going to be in desperate need of another healer. I placed both hands on my head, trying to stop the spinning. “What?” I asked, confused. “I don’t drink blood.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me.” He walked up to me, his pointed leather boots showing signs of wear, something I’d never see in my own universe. Allcot was always impeccably dressed from head to toe no matter if he was wearing a suit or just a silk robe. “It’s faint, but I can taste it on my tongue. Since when does my wife drink from other vamps?”
Horror filled me as a realization dawned. He was implying that my doppelgänger drank his blood. A vamp’s blood. But why?
Power. I’d heard vampire blood could be used for certain dark spells, spells I’d never consider wielding. Not to mention the idea of drinking vampire blood repulsed me.
I needed to fix this and fast. It was just my luck that I’d had a blood transfusion recently. That damned gun wound was still causing me issues. Remembering my brother had told me that Allcot thought we were trying for kids, I took a shot in the dark and said, “It’s not another vamp’s blood. It’s some herbs to help with… fertility.”
Allcot, who looked like he’d been ready to tear my head off, blinked in surprise and then took a step back. “Herbs? What kind?”
Having no idea what exactly he’d tasted, I didn’t get into the specific herbs that could increase fertility. Instead, I said, “It was a combination I got in New Orleans. I’m not sure exactly what was in it. The healer said it would help.”
The anger vanished, and for the first time in my life, I actually saw regret flash over his features. “Shit, Phoebe. God. I’m sorry.” He knelt and pressed a palm to my cheek. “You’re all right, aren’t you? Do you need ice? Fuck. I handled that all wrong.”
“You think?” I snapped and pushed myself to my feet. Stomping past my abuser, I decided I couldn’t blame my doppelgänger for taking my spot in my world. If that was what this version of Allcot was like, I would’ve jumped realities too. Fuck. That meant she wasn’t coming back. I was going to have to talk my brother into going after her and forcing her back.
I’d just learned that my brother’s doppelgänger in this world had died and that’s why he was able to slip in and out of the two worlds without an issue. He chose this one because of his son. I understood it, but I still hadn’t come to terms with it.
“Phoebe, please,” Allcot said, his voice quiet. “You know how it is with the other vampires in this town. I just get so…”
“Jealous?” I finished for him, letting my contempt show. “Attack me again, and I’ll stake you myself.”
The words had flown out of my mouth before I could stop and think about what I’d said. But I didn’t care. No one attacked me and got away with it. I fully expected him to go into another rage, but instead he just chuckled.
“I always knew marrying you would be an adventure. You never disappoint.” He walked over to me, his eyes blazing with lust.
My stomach turned. What the hell did he think he was doing? He’d just slammed me against the wall. This wasn’t some BDSM fantasy.
He dipped his head down, going in for a kiss as his arm came around my waist.
But I placed my hand on his chest and gave him a good shove. “I don’t think so, buddy. You don’t get to toss me around the room and then rip my clothes off. The baby-making plans are postponed.”
His lips twitched as if he found me funny. “For how long?”
“Indefinitely.” I glared at him, but my ire only seemed to fuel his amusement.
He stepped in close again and grinned. “So. You’re going to make me work for it then?”
I wanted to slap the cocky grin right off his face. My anger wasn’t fake, and right about then I was feeling a collective rage on behalf of women everywhere. The sick bastard actually thought he had a chance of getting into my pants after he went psycho on me. No. No way. Not ever. It was obvious this wasn’t the first time he’d lost his temper, and it made me wonder how the other Phoebe handled it. Did she put him in his place? Go along with his bullshit just because it was easier? If it was the latter, I sincerely hoped she’d been planning his demise carefully.
“You’re going to take a step back and let me decide when and if I want you in my bed,” I said, my tone so cold it could’ve frozen his dick right off.
His piercing blue eyes narrowed and his irritation flashed. “Fine. Then stay the fuck out of my room. You can sleep here in your studio. But hear me on this. No one in this house is going to know you’ve denied me, got that?”
“Fine.” I matched his glare with one of my own. “But if you lay a hand on me again, what they think of our sex life is going to be the least of your worries.”
We were both silent. He stared at me as if really looking at me for the first time. I started to wonder if he was questioning my true identity again. But then he reached out, squeezed my hand and said, “It won’t happen again. My apologies, love.”
Love. I wanted to vomit as I watched him turn on his heel and stride out, his head held high.
I let out a long breath and clutched the desk as my hands started to shake. He couldn’t be trusted. He’d hurt me once, and he’d certainly do it again. Not that I’d give him a chance. That dagger was going to be a permanent accessory from now on, and I wasn’t afraid to use it. At least the expectation of sharing his bed had been removed. It was something.
And I didn’t have to share his bed. I glanced over at the couch under the window. It would certainly do as long as Allcot stayed away. I took my time searching through the attached walk-in closet and was relieved to find an extra blanket and a pillow on the top shelf. Knowing that Allcot was likely downstairs, I raided the master bedroom closet and found myself pajamas and a change of clothes and deposited them in my studio.
I was busy logging the spelled jewelry on my worktable when I heard a light knock on the door. My
entire body stiffened. If Allcot was back for round two, there’d probably be bloodshed, only this time it would be his.
The second knock was louder.
“Phoebe?” Seth called. “Are you in there?”
The tension drained from my shoulders, and I walked over, flipped the lock, and let him in.
“Jesus fuck, Phoebs.” He reached up and gently turned my head to the side. “Did that bastard bite you?”
“I think the evidence speaks for itself,” I said, trying to swallow my rage. I needed answers, and Seth was the only one who could give them to me. “Forget it. I’m fine. We… worked it out.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What does that mean exactly?”
“It means I threatened to cut his dick off if he ever put his fucking hands or teeth on me again.”
Seth’s brown eyes turned almost black as he paled. “You didn’t.”
“Well, not exactly, but that was the gist. He won’t be doing that again.” I crossed my arms over my chest, leaned against the desk, and nodded to the couch. “We’ve also come to an agreement. I’ll be sleeping here for the foreseeable future.”
“Damn, little sis,” he said, sounding impressed. “I gotta say, I had no idea how you were going to handle this. Well done.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you thought I was going to sleep with that vampire, you’ve lost your mind. He’s even worse in this reality than he is in ours.”
Seth sucked in a deep breath. “I can see why you’d say that, but there are things you need to know. He might not be as bad as you think he is.”
“I’m all ears, but you won’t change my mind. He is as bad as I think,” I insisted, my ire rising to inferno levels. “That bastard threw me against the wall when he thought I’d been drinking another vampire’s blood.”
“He… what?” Seth’s expression turned confused. “You’re drinking vampire blood now?”
“Of course not. You know I would never engage in vampire blood magic. Hell, Seth. Do you really think I’ve changed that much?” I stared at him like he had three heads, and I had a strong desire to punch something. How in the hell had this happened? Dax’s face flashed in my mind, and I had to fight back a scream. He was the only person I wanted in that moment, but instead I was stuck with my jackass brother and Eadric fucking Allcot.
“No,” Seth said, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t think that. I just don’t know why your blood would taste different.”
“Because of the blood transfusion I just had. If you hadn’t just disappeared on me, you’d know those details.”
He glanced down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Phoebe. It’s just… Pandora and my boy. I had to get home.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying for calm. “You know, you could’ve just told me. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have been looking for you and this never would’ve happened.” Son of a… Gah! I was seriously pissed at him, and it took all my willpower to not slug him.
“I didn’t tell you precisely because I didn’t want you to follow me.” A muscle in his jaw pulsed. “This crossing realities, it’s dangerous, Phoebe. I was just trying to save you from this happening.”
“I’m not a sixteen-year-old anymore, Seth. I can be trusted with information. In fact, I’m pretty damned competent. You’d know that if you paid any attention.”
“You’re right.” He ran a hand through his thick dark hair and moved to sit on the couch. “Look at what you’ve done with Allcot in less than two hours. If he’s not careful, you’re going to be running this show soon.” He gave me a half smile.
I took a seat next to him, feeling some of my rage fade. “Was that a compliment? I think you just complimented me.”
His smile widened to a grin. “Maybe.”
His approval filled me up and eased some of the heartache I’d been carrying around for the past eight years.
“Listen,” he said as he reached around to his back pocket and pulled out a folded-up envelope. “I know you think Allcot is a bastard. And he probably is, but he’s more than that. What we’re doing tomorrow is important. Clio’s operation is one of the dirtiest. If we’re successful, it will mean freeing dozens of women from forced prostitution.”
“Clio La Doux is a madam?” I asked, still trying to process his words.
“More than that. She’s a predator of the worst kind. She used her magic to coerce these women into contracts, and then they’re stuck for decades working for her.”
I took the envelope he was still holding and retrieved the packet of papers inside. But before I looked at it, I asked, “Why does Allcot care?”
“Why do you think he wouldn’t care, Phoebe?” he asked, sounding annoyed at the question.
“Because, brother, the Allcot I know never does anything unless there’s something in it for him.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure he’d like to take La Doux down. She causes a lot of problems in the city, not just for vampires but the paranormal community in general. She has politicians as well as drug dealers on her payroll, and she deals in everything from adult entertainment to predatory housing. She fleeces the city, manipulates those she can, and eliminates those she can’t. But if you ask me, his main reason is you.”
“Me?” I jerked back. “Why?”
“Take a look at the list of names. The one at the top.”
I scanned the document that the vampire Kai had prepared for Seth, and a cold chill ran down my spine. The name at the top of the list of those Clio had entrapped was none other than my best friend Willow Rhoswen.
3
“Marrok. Good. You’re here,” Director Halston said the moment he walked into her office. She glanced past him and barked, “Where’s Kilsen? Her healer said she’s cleared for work.”
Dax stared at the director, not sure what to say. He had no idea. She’d taken a bullet for him and a bunch of other people over a week ago after a shifter had tried to drug and turn Dax and a couple of others into rabid killers using an illegal drug. She’d saved them by sacrificing herself and had just left the infirmary the day before, but she hadn’t called him last night nor returned his calls this morning. He cleared his throat. “I haven’t heard from her since before she left the infirmary.”
Halston, the director of the Void division of the Arcane—the government paranormal investigation agency—blinked at him from her spot behind her desk. “What do you mean you haven’t heard from her? I thought you two were… involved.”
They were, but that didn’t mean they were joined at the hip. Phoebe was the independent sort. Still, he’d been planning to go over to her place the night before to check in on her but had ended up working late and bringing in a rogue vampire. By the time he’d gotten home, he’d assumed she’d be asleep and had decided to let her rest. He’d figured he’d see her this morning, but so far he hadn’t heard one word. “It’s not like we live together.”
“I see.” The short, gray-haired fae grunted. “She’s still your partner, no?”
Of course she was. And the director damned well knew it. She was the only one who had the power to change their assignments. “Yes.”
“Then I suggest you track her down, because you two have a new case.” Her dark eyes flashed with anger as she tossed a folder at him. “There’s been an attack. A young shifter was killed in the Garden District.”
Dax felt his jaw tighten. The shifters and vampires had been at war for a while in the Crescent City, but with the help of the most powerful vampire in the city, Eadric Allcot, there’d been a tentative agreement for each side to settle down. An attack would end the truce, and Dax would be back to square one. “Any information on which vampire did it? I thought tensions had settled.”
“It wasn’t a vampire. This one looks like a nasty death spell. There’s one pissed-off witch in the city. I need you and Kilsen to find whoever it is and bring them in ASAP. The shifter population is already restless. They won’t wait too long to take matters into their own hands.”
She was right. The shifters roaming around New Orleans had recently lost their pack leader. And without someone to keep them in line, they’d be burning witches at the stake in no time. “I’m on it. I might enlist Leo to help us out. Is that all right?”
She gave him a short nod. “I don’t see why not. He’s been doing very well in his classes this past week. He could use some fieldwork.”
“Thanks.” Dax had taken the young shifter under his wing a few months back. He’d lost his girl to a nasty drug recently and work helped him cope with life. Dax tucked the file under his arm and moved toward the door. “We’ll get to work on this right away.”
She kept her head down and didn’t even acknowledge his comment. Dax strode out without another word and headed straight for the office he shared with Phoebe. He’d been expecting to find his partner or at least signs that she’d been there. Instead, the office was dark and her clean coffee cup was still hanging on the wall above the coffee maker. At least he knew she hadn’t visited the office. That mug wouldn’t have lasted five minutes on that hook.
He took a seat, tried Phoebe’s phone again, but didn’t leave a message when all he got was voice mail. She already had enough of those from him. Instead, he sent a text:
Is everything all right? We have a new case. A witch appears to have murdered a shifter. Call me or let me know when you’ll be here.
Dax wasn’t surprised when she didn’t answer. It wasn’t like her to miss a meeting with the director. The fact that she hadn’t shown meant she was tied up with something. He just hoped he heard from her sooner rather than later. He wasn’t a worrier by nature, but she had been shot recently, and it was going on twenty-four hours since he’d heard from her. He trusted Healer Imogen to not release Phoebe unless she was ready, but until he saw his partner in her tight jeans, wielding her dagger, that gnawing in his gut wasn’t likely to go away.
After fixing himself a cup of coffee, he sat down at his desk and read over the file. The woman, Maci Masterson, had been twenty-seven years old and came from a prominent shifter family in New Orleans. Her father sat on the city council and was a partner in a prestigious law firm. Her mother was from a wealthy family that made their money in sugarcane, and had gone on to make a name for herself, running a nonprofit for low-income paranormals who landed in the city.