City of Dragons: Of Flesh and Blood (25 page)

Deshi leaned forward a little. “You think Orin needs protection?”

A small tight smile pulled across Christopher’s face. “I think he needed it hours ago. So he most certainly needs it now.” Out in front of them, a large group with cameras and mics were already converging on the police station. “Let’s go.” Maze opened the door and led them to the front of the building. At the top of the steps a cop got in the way.

“I’m here to see my client, Orin.” Behind Maze, the media pulled in tight.

The cop said, “He’s in holding.”

“I’m his lawyer.” Maze showed him a card.

“I can’t let anyone in there. He’s dangerous.”

“Are you denying legal representation to the Male known as Orin?”

The cop’s eyes widened. He gave a nervous glance to the camera two feet from his face. “Of course not.”

“Then let us by.”

“He’s not in any condition--”

Maze cut him off. “Are you suggesting he’s been injured while in your care?” His eyes went to the cop’s name plate. “McConnley?”

“I never said--”
“Then I suggest you allow my associates and myself by.”

All around them reporters threw questions at the cop so fast they were nothing but noise.

For a split second Haley was sure McConnley was going to tell them no again. Then his gaze raked over the crowd of cameras and mics. The cop moved aside.

Inside, another uniform tried to stop them in the foyer. Maze flashed them his card. “I need to see my client, now.”

Much to Haley’s relief, this guy seemed less willing to risk the media. He gave a reluctant nod and led them down the hall. The uniform glanced back and Haley tasted the lie in his scent even before he opened his mouth. “The Male resisted arrest, so he sustained a few injuries. Our nurse was looking after him but he went ballistic. We got her out just in time.”

Maze made a thinking sound and asked, “Your nurse administered IV fluids?”

The cop glanced at him with a look that said, how-the-hell-did-you-know-that? “It’s a standard treatment for shock. We had to stabilize him.”

“Standard treatment for Humans, sir, and even then it’s done in a hospital and not a less than medical professional environment.”

The cop shot a glare at Haley and Deshi. “So who are these two, his personal physicians?”

“They’re concerned citizens and probably the only two people who can help you keep your job.”

The cop dug in his heels and stopped. “Excuse me? That wyrm in there raped and mutilated a young woman. He ate out her insides, for God’s sake.”

“Are you always this biased about your suspects?” Maze’s voice was cold and held the promise of a shit storm of trouble.

“Biased?” The uniform stepped up to Maze. They were almost the same height, but the officer was wider at the shoulders with a little padding around the gut, whereas Maze was nothing but straight lines. “What the hell is wrong with you? You think these bastards have rights or something?”

Maze held up his hand. “Sir, not everything is about rights as we know them. That part we’ll decide in court. As well as your personal liability in this case.” The cop flashed a confused look. “You see, Officer, Kin are considered property to their Queens. I have at least two Queens with a vested interest in Orin. Between them they have enough money to bankrupt this city and each and every one of the officers with this department. Considering how long Kin have the potential to live, that could include your kids and your grandkids.”

A deep red flush shot up the cop’s neck and his fists curled into mallets. “Are you threatening me?”
Maze smiled and pushed his glasses up. “Not yet.”

With one more angry glare, the cop turned and stomped his way up the hall muttering something about lawyers and deep holes.

At a set of heavy steel doors, the officer came to a halt. Haley went to yank it open but it was locked. She opened her mouth to say something but remembered what Maze said.

She looked at him, and Christopher said, “Open it.”

The uniform shook his head. “He’s flipped his top.”

“He’s in shock, officer. And he needs medical care that you are physiologically incapable of giving.”

As in, unless you’re going to open a vein, shut up.

The cop shook his head. “I can’t let you go in there.”

“I’m not.” Maze nodded at Haley and Deshi. “They are.” When the man opened his mouth to protest, Maze cut him off. “Just give me the key.” He held out his hand. McConnley hesitated for a split second before pulling out a key and giving it to Maze.

Deshi took off his overcoat, fished out his wallet and cell phone, then handed it to Maze. Haley did the same with her cell and CFKR ID.

Maze handed Deshi the key and asked, “Anything else?”

He nodded. “We’ll need milk or red meat, and probably clothes.” He said it like it was no big deal and Maze seemed to accept it. The cop on the other hand looked like someone had just stomped on his toes. Deshi undid the lock, leaving the key in the door.

Haley looked at Maze. “You might want to lock it once we’re inside.” She went in and the Prince followed.

Orin smelled the flesh and blood of his own. His head jerked up and his teeth punched down, sucking the last of his reserves right out of his marrow.

Haley took a step toward him and he threw up his hands as if to ward her off.“No…”
Yes.
“Stay back.” Tremors raced up his arms. He wanted to look at her but he didn’t want her to see his face. He knew it was bad, everything was bad. Thank you God of Man, she stopped.

Orin struggled to breathe. Part of it was the pain and part of it was the rise of his
need
. It had never been this bad, never, but then getting the ever-living shit kicked out of him was a rare occurrence.

“Orin, you need us.”

Just hearing Haley’s voice lit him on fire. Orin needed her all right, his fangs in the meat of her shoulder, the rest of him between her legs. Growling, he shoved himself deeper into the corner. “Back off, Haley…please. I don’t…I don’t want you to see me like this.” His pride couldn’t take any more bruises.

No, enough of that had been done with Brian Gilsp’s creative use of a night stick.

She sighed and Orin could just imagine the look on her face. “Will you let Deshi help you then?”

Would he? Orin curled in on himself. He hated this kind of helplessness. It took him back to those terrible times in the African Dens. He’d been helpless a lot then too. But Serena liked it that way.

I will not think of that bitch right now. Not bleeding, broken, and violated.
Orin pushed the thoughts of the African Queen out of his mind, just in case she could somehow enjoy his suffering even in death. One good thing had come of his time with her--his control. It kept him from losing it in the park, it kept him from attacking the officers here in the police station. So for all the lives Serena destroyed, in the end her methods made Orin strong enough to control his
Rage
.

But now there was a new problem and she was standing twenty feet away, wearing high heels, an almond-colored sweater, and a high cut skirt showing enough of her milky skin to make him ache.

Just don’t look in her eyes.

“Orin?”

Oh yeah, she was still waiting for him to answer. “Yeah, yeah, Deshi can.”

The Prince appeared beside Orin, tugging on the knees of his baggy pants as he kneeled on the floor.

“You okay?” Going by the look on the Prince’s face, he’d already made up his mind that he wasn’t.

Orin said, “I don’t want her in here.”

Deshi moved closer. The heat rolling off of him made Orin whimper. God of Man, he wanted to feel it all over.

“She’s not going to leave. You know that.”

Yeah, Orin did. Haley was too soft. It was a kind of innocence Orin had always treasured in her and sitting in the Athens Tank, his body broken in more ways than he could count, he realized he loathed it as well.

And here he’d been so ready to pit her against Rehbek’ah. Orin reminded himself it was Medan he wanted to pit against the bitch, but it didn’t change the fact he’d have to use Haley to do it.

What a joke. He’d brought Haley here to use her in the worst way and now he wouldn’t take what she was willing to give. Guilt and shame made him wonder if he just wasn’t better off riding this all out and ending it. At least if he was dead Rehbek’ah couldn’t get to him.

Orin looked at Deshi. “Fine, just…” Heat fired up in his cheeks. Great, now he was embarrassed. How stupid was that? “Just help me get my clothes back on.” What was left of his pants were almost to his knees. Deshi maneuvered himself so his body blocked the view as Orin tried to keep the last of his dignity.

Only it wasn’t easy. Broken bones shifted, sending bolts of pain head-to-toe, and a new sharp ache started in his back. That would be rib number three punching a hole in his lung. As if on cue, Orin coughed and sprayed green on Deshi’s crisp white shirt. “Fuck.”

Deshi smiled. “It’s only blood.”

Yeah, just blood.

In that moment, Orin hated Deshi and his willingness to help. Hated his kind hands. Hated how he kept his face calm and his eyes averted. Orin pushed down all his anger and forced out a thanks.

And just when he was starting to forgive the jerk, he had to unbutton his shirt. “What are you doing?” Panic made Orin’s voice rough as bad as his broken jaw made him slur.

“You need to
feed
.” The Jersey City Prince shrugged out of his dress shirt and Orin’s eyes locked on the smooth expanse of the Male’s shoulder. “If you won’t let Haley take care of you, you’ll have to take from me.”

“No.”

“Orin, have you looked at yourself?” Deshi touched the side of his head and Orin found himself hating the Male all over again. If the Prince sensed it he didn’t let it show. “You’re a mess. The fact you’re not
raging
is a miracle.”

“I won’t
rage
.” Deshi’s baby blues flashed. Orin growled. “I’m not weak. I didn’t kill the fucker who did this to me and I won’t
rage
.”

“Then why won’t you let Haley help you?”

“That’s different.” She was Female and
feeding
from her could draw out Serena’s RHage, which could only lead to very bad things. After everything Orin had endured so far, he wasn’t about to let that happen. These Humans would not have the pleasure of seeing him become the thing they feared. Orin would rather die first.

A shiver ran over his shoulders. Much longer and he might wind up paying in full on his oath.

“Here.” Deshi moved closer.

“I don’t want to.” Orin glared.

“Quit being a prick and
feed
from me.”

“Fuck you.”

“You’re getting cold.”

Yeah, like he hadn’t noticed. Another wave of pain crested, making it hard for Orin to get a reign on his biology. He clenched his eyes shut and fought for control. In blatant betrayal, his arms jerked. The sudden muscle spasm ripped a scream out of his throat. Orin clamped it off when Haley took a step towards him.

“Get back!” Blood flecked his lips and speckled Deshi’s skin. “Please, Haley…don’t…” The Prince’s warm hand touched the side of Orin face. The heat offered in the simple contact eased him. Orin slumped against Deshi.

“You’re not going to last much longer, Orin. Even at eight hundred years old you have limits.” Deshi’s thumb stroked his cheek.

And here Orin didn’t think he could hate Deshi anymore than he already did. Thing is, the Prince was right.

Deshi said, “Let me feed you.”

Orin sighed. “Fine, but you have to promise me something.”

“Name it.”

“Only
feed
me. Don’t touch me. And God of Man, don’t let me get near Haley.”

The Prince’s hand slid to the back of Orin’s neck. Fingers played along his nape and petted the back of his head. It felt so good. So right. Orin was so caught up in being touched he almost missed what Deshi said.

“She won’t deny you, Orin.”

“That’s because she’s naïve. Please, I just don’t want to hurt her. ”

After a long few seconds Deshi said, “Fine.”

The breath Orin had been holding eased out. As long as Haley stayed away he could do this. He had to do this. Yeah, one look down on himself confirmed there was no other choice.

He moved and tried to raise an arm to get closer to the Prince, but between the pain and the exhaustion, he just couldn’t get his body to cooperate. Of course his broken legs, cracked collar bone, and dislocated hip weren’t exactly helping things.

Orin growled, tried again and failed.

Deshi leaned forward. The perfect roll of the Prince’s shoulder came right to Orin’s mouth as he braced himself against the wall.

Orin sank his broken teeth into Deshi’s flesh. His jaw protested but he ate the pain and when the first bit of blood hit his tongue, his body forgave him. Heat seared Orin’s bones and a growl lit up in his chest.

Deshi’s purr vibrated the air between them.

Orin didn’t mean too, but he glanced up and caught Haley staring. Her dark eyes burst with little bits of gold and her mouth was open. The sight of her and the taste of blood on his palate made the RHage inside his chest roll.

Christ, this was exactly what he was afraid of. He should have made her leave. Orin clenched his eyes shut and seized Deshi by the throat. He had to grab something, anything. When he shoved forward the Male went back, head cracking against the concrete with an audible pop.

A metaphysical fire storm exploded under Orin’s skin. Driven by the
need,
he worried the flesh of Deshi shoulder, tearing away parts. With the wound open, he latched on, pulling, swallowing.

More, he needed so much more. It had been too long since Orin ate of his own and his body was ravenous. He knew he was taking too much, too fast and he didn’t care. Deshi’s legs kicked. His arms flailed and a strangled sound gurgled out of his open mouth. But true to his word, the Prince did not touch him.

“Orin…”

His name. The one he’d given himself all those centuries ago. Like his eyes, Orin had no idea why he chose it.

“Orin, look at me.”

He didn’t want to. What Orin wanted to do was keep going. Keep chewing. Pulling blood and ripping flesh. Maybe he’d even crack open the Prince’s chest and eat out his heart. His
need
liked that idea way too much.