BloodBound (4 page)

He regarded her for a moment. “I’ve been doing this job a long time. We both know you’re withholding some information. You don’t want people to know that you’re part vampire?”

A miasma of confusion leaked into her mind, clouding her logic.
Impossible.
Her mouth went dry. “You’re mistaken.” She yanked the handle, but the door didn’t budge. “Let me out.”

“If that’s the issue, I promise your secret’s safe with me.”

“I’m not part…
anything
. You’re nuts.”

The muscle in his jaw clenched again. “I have the means to pay you a considerable amount of money if you help. All he needs is a blood transfusion.”

This was getting out of hand. “I don’t want your money.”

“So you’d rather go in for questioning, face charges of obstructing law enforcement…expose your personal life
in full
.”

She stared at him for several seconds, unable to breathe. As the full meaning of his words sank in, she raised her hand to smack his face, but restrained the urge. Hitting him would put her in a worse predicament.

Instead, she grinded her teeth together and replied, “Blackmail’s against the law.”

The bleakness that dimmed his eyes snagged her breath. Heavy silence stretched between them for a moment. “He’s going to die before his time if he doesn’t get this transfusion.”

Die.

The oxygen left her lungs in one breathless gasp and her hand dropped to the seat. She swallowed around the tightness in her throat, as though that awful word had lodged itself there.

“Just meet him, Stephanie. Please.”

A battle waged in her head, morals against good judgment. She decided it wasn’t a matter of whether she believed him. She did. “Open the door.”

His eyes flickered with assessment. Then he turned a little and there was a soft
click.

Stephanie stepped out of the vehicle and crossed toward the single underground entrance to the building, relieved to put some space between herself and this rugged vampire. It didn’t take him long to catch up, of course. Although he shortened his steps to match hers, she sensed the power in his tall build, the agility in his stride. It caused another one of those quivers, only this time it went through her like an electric current.

Damn it. The man was ruthless and unprincipled—he shouldn’t have this effect on her.

“This doesn’t mean I’ve agreed to anything,” she stated as they walked toward the elevators.

A fraction of a pause followed her comment. “Of course,” he replied.

Stephanie met his gaze in the mirrored wall of the elevator. “Tell me one thing. Why do you assume I’m dhampir?” The calmness of her voice surprised her. Only two people knew her genetic makeup was one third vampire. One was Maryann and the other a very discreet doctor who worked in a private clinic.

His gaze dipped to her mouth for a fleeting moment and she had to stifle the urge to lick her lips.

“It’s best that Victor explains everything to you.”

Who the heck was Victor?
She pulled a face and broke eye contact. Five minutes later, she was walking through one of the most impressive condos she’d ever seen. It had the airy space typical of a loft—open-concept, high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with mountain and city views, yet it was apparent there were rooms beyond the main living space.

Normally, she would have made a nice comment, but this wasn’t a normal situation. She dragged her eyes away from a wall of exposed brick and looked at the man who was wreaking havoc in her life. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to speak.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asked.

“No, thanks.” She was anxious to get this over with.

The sound of light footsteps reached her from the hallway and she turned her attention to the source: a wiry man of indefinable age—somewhere between sixty and late seventies—with angular features and unusual, silvery eyes. She guessed he was an old vampire. Although ancient vampires once lived an immeasurable length of time, the vampire species evolved to survive in a human environment. Today’s vampires were able to walk in daylight and function like most humans, but now they only lived an average of about one hundred and twenty years.

“Stephanie, this is Victor. He’s a friend and a seer.”

Not sure what to make of this man, she just inclined her head. The old man responded with a warm smile as his strange eyes reached into her, causing a shiver in her chest. She suspected the man could penetrate any soul with one such look.

Then his brow furrowed. “My dear, you’re obviously upset.” He shot the agent a sharp glance. “You shouldn’t see Ray unless you’re composed. He’s got cystic fibrosis and he’s rather weak today.”

She frowned. “Isn’t that a lung disease?”

The man gave a brief nod. “In its basic form, yes. But it causes several health complications.”

Stephanie wanted an explanation upfront, but she felt compelled to see this ill man first. “Agent Mason said you’d explain why I’m here, but I’d like to see him…Ray…first. I’m fine.”

Victor regarded her a moment before nodding. “Okay, Stephanie. He doesn’t know who you are or why you’re here. I’ll introduce you as a friend of Dex’s.”

“I’ll make myself a drink and wait here,” Agent Mason said, and she resisted the urge to look at him before following Victor.

Stephanie thought she’d braced herself, but when she saw the young man propped up against a pillow in bed, a piece of her heart broke. Young people shouldn’t be stuck in bed, attached to a ventilator machine.

He pulled the mask away from his face and slipped it into a cradle on the rectangular device on the bedside table. Once he turned a dial on the device, the suction murmur stopped.

“Hi there.” His brown eyes smiled at her with curiosity before shifting to Victor. “You didn’t tell me I had a visitor. I would have put on something decent.”

Stephanie noted the Broncos jersey he wore and returned his smile. “It’s cool. I’m a fan.”

“Ray, this is Stephanie. She’s a friend of Dex’s.”

Ray inclined his head. “Nice to meet you, although I don’t recall any time Dex brought a female friend to my place.” A mischievous smile danced across his mouth. “You’re dating.”

The playful remark brought heat to her cheeks. “Em…no.”

A raspy chuckle sounded in his chest as he raised his hands in defeat. “Okay, no more inappropriate comments.”

His charm was natural, appealing. “This is a great home. Do you live here alone?” she asked.

“No, I’ve got Victor, and Dex is here almost every day.”

Her gaze went to the ventilator as an unvoiced question pressed against her mouth.

Ray followed her gaze and said, “That baby helps keep me alive for now.”

“How long have you been ill?”

“Technically, I was ill before I knew it because cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder. But the infections got much worse about a year ago.” A cough shook his chest and he took a moment to clear his throat. “It’s compromised my immune system, so I work mostly from home.”

A frown pulled at her mouth. “I’m sorry to hear that, Ray.”

He smiled. “It hasn’t gotten the best of me.”

Tears pricked her eyes and she quickly forced them back. “What do you do?”

“Software development.”

“Ah, a tech guy.” She smiled. As a graphic artist, she had a special appreciation for computer professionals.

“Total geek.” A sparkle lit his eyes as he grinned.

Stephanie took a quick liking to him and decided that this man deserved some of her blood if it would treat his illness, though she was still pissed about being blackmailed. “It was nice meeting you, Ray. Take care of yourself,” she said with a note of firm encouragement.

“Same here, Stephanie. Hope to see you again.”

She waved her goodbye and followed Victor out and into a book-laden study. Agent Mason wasn’t there.

“Have a seat, my dear. There are some things I need to explain to you.”

She nodded. “I’m listening.”

“I’m not a physician, but I’ve been well informed about Ray’s condition. Basically, the disease causes thick mucus to develop in the lungs and the pancreas. It makes him susceptible to infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. In humans, adult cystic fibrosis is milder and more controllable, but for some unknown reason, in vampires, the disease is aggressive.”

He drew in an audible breath and his unusual eyes clouded over. “Eventually, his lungs will stop functioning. His doctor estimated he’d live another ten years at best.”

Stephanie absorbed the grim news in brief silence. “So how will my blood help him…and would I be a good match? I’m part vampire.”

“You carry a rare mutant RNA gene that will directly target the cystic fibrosis gene and destroy it. His doctor has estimated that two transfusions are all he needs. And yes, vampires can receive blood from a dhampir.”

She ran unsteady fingers through her hair. She was aware of her mutant gene, which posed no threat to her, but this man’s knowledge of it was uncanny and rather creepy. “Victor, how do you know about my gene?”

He pulled open the top drawer of the desk and placed a drawing on the surface. “This image. I saw it clearly in a vision and instantly sensed that you were the dhampir with the mutant gene that could save Ray.”

She picked up the drawing of her tattoo and her eyes widened. An almost perfect reproduction. With her eyes fixed on the drawing, she asked, “You drew this?”

“Yes. I realize how bizarre this must seem to you, Stephanie, but I never doubted my connection.”

They fell silent for a moment. “It’s a tattoo I got last year. It’s my design.”

It was two and a half inches long and two inches wide. Her inspiration for the tattoo came from the legend of the Celtic goddess Cerridwen, who represents rebirth and inspiration. From this, she’d created an image of a dark-haired woman sitting within a crescent moon, a metal circle of intricate weave on her forehead and a small, jeweled cauldron in one hand. Her free hand has lifted a drop of blood in the shape of a tear from the cauldron.

Her finger traced the curve of the moon.

“Why did you get it?”

She raised her eyes to his and put the drawing down. “I came to terms with…something personal.”

The lucent eyes flickered with awareness. “Yet, it still burdens you.”

His statement confirmed her original impression of him—those eyes of his could strip a soul bare.

Something occurred to her. “This transfusion, it would take place in a medical clinic with official documents and all, right?”

Victor inclined his head. “Of course. You’ll be tested for anemia and transmissible diseases, although I’m sure you’re as healthy as a horse.”

Alarm shot through her. “But that means my name will appear on those papers. I can’t have that. My family doesn’t know…” She got up and walked over to the doorframe, pressing her palm against the wood. Her head had begun to ache.

Seconds later, a hand cupped her shoulder. “The administrator of the clinic is a personal friend. You’ll go in as a Jane Doe. You have my word. And we have nothing to gain by hurting you.”

She supposed it made sense, but there was still a slim risk. “My mutant gene will
definitely
stop the disease?” she queried.

“Yes. It will be…a miracle cure, my dear.” He paused. “Has Dex mentioned he is prepared to pay you for your help?”

Stephanie exhaled a tired breath. “Yes, but I couldn’t accept money for this.” She shook her head. “I just wanted to do the right thing, to help a friend. I didn’t expect to end up here, faced with holding someone’s life in my hands.” Her mouth pulled into a frown. “Agent Mason blackmailed me to see his brother.”

“I’m truly sorry about that, Stephanie, but put yourself in his shoes.”

She closed her eyes and after a long moment, silently admitted that she’d go to great lengths for her family, too, though she’d probably use less manipulative tactics. When she opened her eyes, she decided that she’d eliminate one immediate problem before going ahead with this.

She looked at the old man, whose hopeful expression tugged at her heart. “I’ll help Ray because I like him, not because his brother coerced me. But there’s something Agent Mason needs to do first.” Stephanie walked out of the room and marched down the hall before Victor had a chance to say anything more.

Agent Mason was standing by the living room window, sporting a sober expression. He looked her way and said, “Stephanie, are you leaving?”

“Yes,” she said, as she retrieved her bag. “But I want you to make my legal issue go away like you promised.”

“I’m true to my word,” he replied as he approached.

“Then do so, and I’ll help your brother.”

His face tightened and she noted the angry blaze in his eyes. She still hadn’t figured out their color.
Gray or gray flecked with blue?

“I really wouldn’t want any other authorities, or my brothers, to come knocking on my door,” she added.

“I’ve taken significant charge of the case so you’re safe for now.” His reply was calm, yet there was a trace of tension.

Anger burned in her chest. “For
now
. You don’t trust me to help your brother, so you cling onto that bargaining tool.”

Another flash of emotion in his eyes, this one inscrutable. “I promise to do my best to clear you completely, but don’t forget you got yourself in hot water, Stephanie.”

His last words pinched a tender area inside her. He was right, of course.
Hell, he was doing her a favor.

The trill of her phone interrupted her thoughts. Stephanie looked at the caller ID, which gave her pulse a nervous jump. “It’s my brother, Kyle. He rarely calls me.”

“Don’t answer it.”

The phone stopped ringing short, so it didn’t go into voicemail. She shook her head. “This can’t be good. He must have seen those pictures.”

“Not necessarily. I put a limited access code on the file fairly quickly…but it’s a good idea to avoid talking to your brothers for now.”

She felt her shoulders slumping. “I’m exhausted,” she muttered, and without looking at him, walked through the entrance hall and out the door.