Kraven (VLG Series Book 2) (25 page)

“Who helped her?” Bat asked.

“Your father.”

“Dad knew what she was?”

He nodded. “Yes. Antina took blood from him but she wouldn’t give him hers. It helped her smell human. She’d wear a lot of his shirts to mask her scent as well. He came in with her the first few years you were my patients, until he learned to trust that I wouldn’t harm his family. He amused me. He carried holy water and a stake, as if they could ward me off if I attacked.” He smiled slightly. “Your mother asked me to pretend to fear them. She was very protective of his feelings, and particularly his desire to believe he could protect her. Your father was a brave human.”

Tears filled Bat’s eyes, memories of her parents surfacing. Her father had known, yet he’d loved his family, despite them being different. He’d been a wonderful dad. Now she tried to picture him facing off against a Vampire because he loved his wife and kids. It didn’t surprise her.

Dr. Brent’s expression softened even more. “I know this sounds wrong but I’m glad they died together. I doubt either would have survived long without the other. They couldn’t complete a formal blooded mating bond because your mother feared it would put a target on his back if he carried her scent, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they loved each other. Antina planned to seal the blood bond with him once both you girls were out of the house. She feared losing him to old age if she didn’t. He was my patient too. Vampire blood can heal. She’d rush him to me anytime he was ill.”

“Dad was sick?”

“Nothing serious. She’d panic every time he caught a cold. Both you and Dustina inherited her immunity traits but he had none. He’d run a fever and she’d bring him to me. Humans can receive small amounts of blood from my kind without it doing them any lasting harm or staying in their system beyond a few hours. It heals them though. He’d be cured within minutes.”

“So those shots you give Dusti are blood?”

“It’s a special plasma mix I created just for her. I had to adjust it over the years as she grew. It’s also laced with a light sedative. It was pure hell inventing something she wouldn’t have to keep refrigerated that could last weeks without spoiling. That’s why I insist on seeing her at least once a month. It’s a powder substance, and the liquid I use is the sedative and a preservative.” He paused. “Where
is
Dustina?”

“She’s safe.” Kraven’s tone softened, as if his anger had edged back. “My brother is her mate.”

“I see. He’ll be sharing his blood with her then. That’s good. It will keep her stabilized.” Dr. Brent pulled his chair closer to the desk. “Would you mind taking a seat? You’re making me nervous, VampLycan.”

Kraven actually released Bat and pulled two chairs closer to the desk. He sat, and Bat took the other seat. “You may call me Kraven.”

“I’d rather not.” Dr. Brent studied Bat. “You never physically needed my help to survive. I mean, I’d give you checkups. You’re remarkably human unless your blood is spilled. You faintly carry the Werewolf scent.”

“Lycan,” Kraven interjected. “We hate that term. Why didn’t any of the packs or your kind attack Bat?”

“Antina made bargains with the local pack masters, and she held the gratitude of my nest. We’re the dominant nest in this city. The smaller ones knew they’d face retribution from us if the girls were harmed in any way.”

Bat leaned back in her chair, confused.

Kraven didn’t seem to be. “Grateful for what?”

“At first Antina kept herself and her babies hidden but she couldn’t keep them housebound forever. They needed to go to school and that put them out in the open. She knew she could trust me to help her find a solution. I became a doctor because I believe in saving lives, not taking them.”

“Why are you a suckhead?” Kraven’s tone became rude.

Dr. Brent hesitated. “My nest master was a fourteenth-century Vampire. He turned anyone he found useful, willing or not. I wasn’t asked if I wanted to become a Vampire. He needed a doctor, so he grabbed me thirty-six years ago after I ended my shift at the hospital. My old master lost his arm during a sword fight and believed I could find a way to get him a new one. His had turned to ash seconds after it was severed.”

“Did you?” Kraven asked.

He nodded. “I was horrified. He killed people and chopped off their arms, forcing me to try to attach them to him. It took me months but one finally took. I mastered attaching the nerves. His blood did the rest. I thought he’d kill me at that point but he loaned me out to the Werewolves. I would set bones so they didn’t heal wrong, and remove bullets so they didn’t walk around with them inside their bodies. Especially after metal detectors began to be used more frequently by humans. The packs like to keep a low profile, not trigger alarms and be subjected to body searches. I made my old master money and earned him favors from various packs.”

“That’s why your master allowed you to treat Antina’s children? He wanted favors?” Kraven leaned forward a bit.

“I never told him about them. He gave me enough blood so I was awake and mobile during the day but he never came here himself. I feared he’d steal the children from her. He could have used them to force Antina to assassinate other masters around the city.” Dr. Brent grimly regarded Bat. “He would have ended up killing you both, and possibly your mother, when he got what he wanted from her. I refused to let that happen. He was a real bastard.”

“Was?” Kraven leaned even closer.

“Antina killed him, earning her the gratitude of every Vampire in the city. He terrorized my nest, plus the other ones in the area. He was the oldest and most powerful master in this territory. He forced everyone to pay him tribute.”

“What does that mean?” Bat glanced between them.

Dr. Brent grimaced. “He would literally make us kiss his feet, for one. And he took whatever he wanted from all Vampires. Money. Property. Hell, he even stole a few brides from another nest, and wiped it out completely when they complained, just to set an example to others. Antina knew he’d use her daughters against her if he ever learned of your existence. She killed him for all of us, as well as for her own safety. She made a deal with the nests, including a few members of mine, before she let her presence be known to my old master. You VampLycans are devious and brilliant. As was her plan.”

“Which was?” Kraven asked.

“I hated my master, and Antina figured some of the others in my nest might feel the same. None were strong enough to take him on, and the Vampire Council would have come after us anyway for killing our sire. They would’ve wiped out our entire nest as punishment.”

“There’s a Vampire Council?” Bat was stunned.

“Yes. There’s no law against someone else killing a master if they don’t belong to the nest he created.” Dr. Brent smiled. “Antina was beautiful and a VampLycan—two things he couldn’t resist when she offered herself to him as a lover. She played on his vanity to get his guard down and took his head before he knew what happened.”

“My mom cheated on my dad?” Bat was horrified.

“No.” Dr. Brent chuckled. “She just pretended she wanted to join forces with my old master, to be the most powerful couple and rule the city. His greed was his downfall. He would be in charge of the Vampires and she could gain control of the packs. They went to his bedchamber together but she walked out alone. It was done, and every Vampire in the city owed her their gratitude.” He looked pointedly at Kraven. “Her children have always been safe with us.”

Kraven didn’t seem appeased. “What about the Lycans?”

“They were treated badly by my old master. They owed gratitude to Antina as well after his death. Lycan packs no longer have to pay money to live in peace with us. It was one of the terms she made with the nests. Peace between the two and no more cash demands. She left them alone and they gave a wide berth to her and her children. Her family was deemed off-limits by all.”

“Wasn’t anyone tempted to go after her daughters once Antina died?” Kraven shifted his weight in the chair, making it creak. “No one likes VampLycans.”

“They are weak and harmless. It wasn’t worth pissing me off.”

Kraven arched an eyebrow.

“I treat a lot of the packs. It’s why I keep day hours. They can’t go to human hospitals and few of them have the patience to go to medical school. You know how they are.”

Kraven nodded.

“
I
don’t know. Clue me in,” Bat stated.

“Werewolves are moody creatures.”

“Lycans,” Kraven corrected. “And I wouldn’t say they’re moody, so much as intolerant of sitting still for long hours. They enjoy working physically demanding jobs, rather than careers that call for years of schooling.”

“It bores them,” Dr. Brent added. “So I give them ultrasounds to see if their next pup is a girl or a boy. They enjoy finding that out. Sometimes there are breech births. I make sure the mothers don’t suffer and the pups live. Parents like to know their pups are healthy and growing strong. I examine their children to alleviate their worries. I dig out bullets from time to time still, so they don’t have to heal around them. It can cause nerve damage and enduring pain otherwise. I’m still excellent at setting broken bones. Sometimes I’ll stitch one up if he or she is really torn up from some pack disagreement. I’m useful to them, and we’re on friendly terms.”

He addressed Kraven. “I tell everyone I’m Batina and Dustina’s godfather. They respect me enough to never give them trouble. Batina has earned their respect on her own, with some of the legal help she’s given them.”

“Some of my clients are Werewolves?” That surprised her.

“Lycans,” Kraven muttered.

She ignored him. “I had no clue. Which ones? Give me a few names.”

“I can’t. They know you aren’t aware of what they are.” Dr. Brent sighed. “Your mother was a highly respected woman who did a lot of good when she was alive. You’re safe here in the city, Batina. You never should have left. Is she in danger, VampLycan?”

“Yes. Her grandfather wants to use Bat to start a civil war between the four clans.”

“Don’t tell anyone else that.” Dr. Brent stood and paced behind his desk. “It’ll be bad if he sends his enforcers here. Especially if he offers favors in return for help finding her.” He stopped, staring at Kraven. “There’s always some tension between nests and packs. A VampLycan promising to kill their enemies would be too tempting to resist for some. The newest packs or nests especially, if they’re promised power. They’re low in the pecking order of our society. Youth is notoriously stupid.”

“Agreed.” Kraven stood. “Are you the new master of your nest?”

Dr. Brent shook his head. “No, but Michael is a good man. He was grateful to take over leadership and allows me a lot of leeway, especially about the Dawson girls. He knows I’m fond of them and I help keep the peace between us and the packs.”

Kraven frowned. “Why didn’t
you
tell the sisters the truth? You never answered that to my satisfaction.”

“There was no need. They were safe. No one saw them as a threat and they were too weak to be used in any way that mattered. I also feared they’d be frightened of me if I told them the truth. They certainly wouldn’t have believed a Vampire existed unless I showed them proof.” Dr. Brent held Bat’s gaze. “I could make
you
forget if you reacted badly, but not Dustina. I had nightmares that you’d flee to somewhere else. Are you afraid of me now?”

She debated it. He still seemed to be the man she’d known. Even if he could do some weird backward leap onto cabinets and had fangs. “No.”

He smiled. “Good.”

“I do have a question.”

“Ask me anything, Batina.” Dr. Brent retook his seat.

“How are you so tan if you’re a Vampire?”

He grinned. “I do what every other Californian does when their schedules don’t allow them to bathe in the sun. I go to the spa every week. They give me a manicure and spray my skin so I’m a nice golden brown.”

She let that sink in. “Ah.”

“It helps us fit in easier with humans and avoid suspicion.”

“You have golf clubs in the corner.”

His grin widened. “I go at night. I’d burn in the sun. I used to love to play before I was turned. My enhanced night vision helps a lot since the lighting isn’t the greatest on most golf courses. It’s just hell finding another Vampire to play against. Not many do.”

“This has been interesting.” Kraven stood. “We should leave now.”

Dr. Brent rose to his feet too. “There’s one more thing I need to tell you.” He gazed at Bat. “Your body chemistry changed a little during your teens. Remember when I began to give you birth control shots to help you with painful periods? You stayed on them afterward when you became sexually active.”

Bat nodded. “What about them?”

Dr. Brent hesitated. “The pain wasn’t exclusively from your menstrual cycle. You displayed mild symptoms of going into heat. Those shots keep you from getting pregnant…but they also keep your mild Lycan traits dormant.”

Kraven growled and Bat stared at him. She looked back at Dr. Brent, stunned.

“It was for your protection. Werewolf males would have gone after you if you’d gone into heat and you’d have been vulnerable to their seduction. At best, it may have confused you and left you at the mercy of hormones. Your mother wanted you ruled by your mind instead.”