Sucking Bites (San Francisco Vampires Series #3) (13 page)

“Stop where you are, I have a gun!” a gravelly voice threatens from behind.

We stop.

“Turn around and empty your pockets.”

Celine and Helena have nothing in theirs. I conjure up a wallet with a fake ID, some bogus bills and fake credit cards.

“Now I want the gentleman to walk slowly over to me and hand me the wallet. Easy now, remember I have a gun,” he says.

He is an ordinary, older man. Not particularly well-built. He smirks at me like he knows something I don’t. I am pretty sure this is our man. He fits the description Liam gave me. I can feel Celine itching to move.

“Helena, Celine seems to need your support right now. I think she is going to collapse. Why don’t you hold her?” I suggest.

“I quite agree, dear.”

“Ugh!” Celine says.

“Shut up! All of you!” our mugger growls, confused by our calm and frustrated by his lack of control of the situation.

I ease over to the man cautiously, acting like I’m afraid, but my only fear is that I might scare him away. He grabs at my wallet but gets my wrist instead. He pulls my hand to his mouth. I let him bite me. He gets a mouthful of essence and that surprises him. I send an immobilizing blast at him and it sends him to the ground. He can’t run but he can still talk.

“Are you okay, Aidan?” Helena asks.

“Never better.”

“Celine, have you control of yourself now?” I ask.

“Yes!” she hisses. “Let me go, Helena!”

“You almost ruined everything. You must learn patience, young one,” Helena says letting reproach show in her voice before she turns Celine loose.

“He has done so much damage. I just wanted to get him so badly,” Celine hisses. More likely catching him has ruined her fun.

“Yes, but until he bit Aidan, we did not know he was the one,” Helena counters, patiently.

“Who are you and what are you talking about? Let me go!” our captive yells from the ground.

I give him a kick. “What’s your name?” I ask.

“Fuck you!” the werewolf spits out.

I kick him harder. “What is your name? I can do a lot more nasty things to you than just keep you from moving.” A tree root snakes toward him, wrapping around his neck. His eyes widen.

“Do you want to reconsider your answer?” I tighten the grasp.

“Antoine,” he wheezes.

“Antoine, why are you infecting people?” Helena asks.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Wrong answer. The root grows ever so slightly tighter

“Oh I think you do,” Helena says. “I want to know how you figured out you were a werewolf in the first place.”

“Wasn’t so hard. Just had to put the pieces together.”

“I’ve heard enough, Aidan. We need to get him somewhere more private to question him.”

“You bastard,” Celine says as she lunges for him.

Helena is a blur as she restrains Celine first.

“Easy, my child. We have to make sure this is the one that infected Liam and then we will dispose of him,” she says, warning her.

“What do you mean dispose of me? You aren’t going to kill me are you? I bit him. He’s going to be a werewolf too now. You going to kill him too? Huh? Murdering bitches. Like you could kill me if I wasn’t all stuck together.” I encourage a few hundred beetles to come and check him out.

“Stop, Oh, God. What are you?”

Then Celine flashes her fangs at him.

“Vampires! Damn bloodsuckers. Filthy parasites. You aren’t supposed to be out in the open.”

“Neither are you, dog boy,” I say. “Let me take him back to San Francisco and I will come back for you two.”       

I pick up Antoine and take him to the manse. I’ll have to warn Sebastian to keep him alive, though I definitely sympathize with his probable reaction.

After Aidan and Helena leave for New Orleans, Andrew cleans up the coffee tray. Liam and Sebastian talk about politics. I follow the Baroque music and the light to Julian’s lab. Standing in the doorway I’m afraid to ask any questions but desperate to know
something
.

“Jules, how is it going?” I keep my voice casual as I run my fingers over the spotless granite counters.

“I think I have some exciting news.” His usual controlled, analytical style is infused with cautious excitement. “It appears that your blood is still carrying the vampire virus and it’s battling the werewolf one. It appears Vampirism is the dominant virus. Which means that you should not be contagious.”

“That is the best news I’ve had in days.” I do a happy dance. “I can’t wait to tell Sebastian, and the others. Do you think that if we turned Liam the same thing would happen to him?”

“I have been considering that. There’s a good possibility. There is a chance that it won’t, but I think the benefit would outweigh the risk. If it works, we can only hope his quality of life will improve and at least he won’t be contagious anymore. Of course, there’s no guarantee he won’t lose all his human personality and the bloodlust completely rules him all the time.” Julian’s brow furrows as the purely hypothetical reasoning lines up with the real ramifications for all of us.

“If the vampire virus is dominant, why am I burned by silver?” Skipping over the horrible possibilities. I’ll think about that tomorrow.

“The werewolf virus is still in your body. It has become recessive. That means only some of the symptoms will manifest.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see what they’ll be then,” I say. I hug myself, hanging onto hope and elation.

“Yes, my dear. I am sorry I do not have more answers.”

“You’ve given me a great hope already, Jules. Thank you.” I put my arms around him. “I’m going to tell Liam and Bast.”

I’m relieved I haven’t infected the man I fed off the night I was attacked. And it looks good that I will probably be able to feed and not condemn someone to this life.

“Sorry to interrupt guys, but I have fantastic news.” I climb onto Sebastian’s lap.

“What is that, Cherie?” he says wrapping his arms around me.

“Julian has determined that the vampire virus is the dominant virus in me and it appears I’m not contagious.”

“Thank God,” Sebastian says. He kisses me with life-affirming force.

“That is terrific news, Lily,” Liam says, the implication for him putting a warmth in his expression we hadn’t seen yet.

“If this is true, it may give you a choice,” I say. “I know it may not seem like much of one. But if you wanted to become a vampire, you might lessen your symptoms and you would no longer be contagious.” I slip off Sebastian’s lap and take Liam’s hands. “We don’t know what the effects the full moon will have on me yet. I would put off any decisions until we know that, but it is something to think about.” We are aware of the ramifications if Julian’s theories don’t prove out as no one else.

“I have been thinking about it,” he admits. “I’m praying you don’t have a total melt down during the moon cycle like I do. If you don’t, then I’m going to beg one of you to turn me. I can’t keep going like this. I’m too dangerous and too miserable. If I have to live my life like this I would rather not live.” He is completely sincere, I’ve heard it too many times on the other end of a phone line. I try to ignore the option Julian worried about. He leans forward, with his hands between his knees, staring at the floor.

“Liam, we can help set you up in your own practice and help you manage your symptoms,” Sebastian says quietly. “We would help you with this. You would have a choice no matter what. Ending your life would not be one of them.”

“Why would you go to all that trouble for me?” His head comes up.

“Because we will be helping Lily at the same time. Because it is our duty to help our own and you are one of us now because you are our friend,” Bast tells him.

“Thank you.” Liam’s voice breaks. He looks away. We give him a minute.

“Why don’t you stay here for a few days and rest,” I suggest. “You need to be around people for a while. It will do you good.”

“I don’t want to be a burden. You have a full house already.”

“Yes, and we love it,” I say. “Besides, Andrew gets tired of eating alone. He needs someone to keep him company and Helena loves to cook. I’m sure they will be back soon.” I’m full of good will towards men, women, vampires and werewolves, oh and not to forget demons. Julian’s news has restored my optimism.

“It’s nice being here. There’s always something happening.”

I laugh easily now, while I ring for Andrew.

“Andrew, would you take Liam back to his condo and help him get a few things. He is going to be staying with us for a while.”

“This will be like a big slumber party, Liam,” Andrew says. He gives me a sideways glance. “That is if you can stand the noise.”

I throw a pillow at him and Liam laughs.

“I think I can manage it,” he says.

Liam and Andrew head out and Sebastian gives me that look he does when he wants sex.

“You are insatiable!”

“That is a common trait of vampires,” he whispers while he nuzzles my neck.

“I suppose since the house is moderately empty,” I say running my finger down his chest. He picks me up. We couldn’t move faster flying. He bursts through the door to our room and throws me on the bed.

Then he slows down and kisses me while he unzips my dress. I let my fingers run through his curly hair. It’s soft and smells like frankincense and myrrh. I kiss his neck and my fangs come out as I move to his ear. He moans when I tilt my hips and move against him. It doesn’t take long to take his jeans off after that. We lay entangled in each other’s arms kissing until I turn his head and sink my fangs into his neck and drink from him, surprising him and making him moan loudly. We make love for ever. Too long to have time for a shower. Liam will be waiting.

We hurry—Liam and Andrew are in the kitchen. Julian is cooking. He loves to cook as much as Helena, old habits and all that. Greek salads were on the menu for Liam and Andrew.

“Nice of you two to join us,” Julian says and winks at me.

“The house was relatively empty,” Sebastian says, not the least bit embarrassed.

“That was two hours ago,” Andrew reminds him.

“God, I wish I could last for two hours,” Liam says.

“Vampires are sluts,” Andrew says.

“Andrew!” I say.

“We have heightened sexual appetites,” Julian says with the dignity only the very old can pull off.

“Sluts,” Andrew says again.

“Another reason for me to become a vampire.” Liam jokes as he steals an olive from the salad.

“Are you thinking of being turned?” Andrew asks.

Liam nods. “It might lessen my symptoms and I wouldn’t be contagious anymore.” The surprise and pleasure on Andrew’s face speaks volumes about his feelings for the werewolf. “Lily and Julian think I should wait to see what happens to Lily at the full moon first. It may be just as bad as me.”

Julian’s eyes meet mine. He looks torn. “The data is hopeful,” he says. But there are still too many variables to predict exact outcomes.”

I whip out my hand sanitizer and handi-wipes. I wipe down the counter top and slather on the sanitizer.

“I understand there is uncertainty, but I’m willing to risk it.” He watches me attack the already clean surfaces of the kitchen. Liam says looking confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

“She gets a little germ-a-phobic when she gets anxious,” Sebastian explains putting his arms around me. “Easy, Cherie, it will be okay.”

“Sorry, Lily,” Liam says. Andrew nudges him towards the stools at the island and dishes up generous portions.

“No worries, Liam. How’s the Greek salad?” I ask trying to divert attention from me.

“Uhmm, it’s great. Julian and Helena really know how to cook. I am going to get fat staying here.”

“Not on your life. Not with your build,” Andrew says enviously. Liam blushes. Hmmm wonder what exactly is happening here.

“I’ll make the coffee and then let’s all have some in the library, shall we?” I say.

“That sounds like an excellent idea to me,” Andrew says.

“Liam, do you crave protein more than usual?” Julian asks. “Any cravings?”

“Maybe, I think so,” Liam postulates. “Seems like I am hungry every couple of hours.” He runs his hand over his short hair, which looks thicker and longer than yesterday.

“That is the virus acting on your metabolism.” Julian says. “We will make sure there is plenty of meat in the house.” They all head off to the library.

I fumble with the French press. It’s been a while since I’ve made coffee. I get all the creamers and sugar out and reach for a spoon and drop it in midair.

“Damn!” I squeal. “Double damn!” I hate squeaky females.

“What is it?” Sebastian is at my side instantly.

“I burned myself. Dammit dammit dammit! That hurt!”

Sebastian takes my hand and kisses it better. He gets Helena’s calendula ointment and applies it then wraps the burn in gauze. He replaces the spoon and carries the coffee tray into the library.

“Lily, what happened?” Julian asks from the doorway, Andrew and Liam are behind him.

“I grabbed a silver sugar spoon.” Never yelp in a house full of protective males.

“Andrew, tomorrow, would you put all the silver cutlery in storage and make sure it is all stainless steel?” Julian asks.