Lost Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #6.5) (6 page)

“Indeed,” Kade agreed. Alexandra, a vicious vampire in Philadelphia, had a reputation for torture.

“I’m just sayin’. Things at home aren’t as under control as they are down here. It’s pretty ironic considering this is New Orleans, huh?” he laughed. “Anyhow, let’s just say ole Patty has contacts in the supernatural community. We suspect he may have been involved in human trafficking.”

“How’s that?”

“Takin’ victims, selling them to well-off vamps who need blood. There’s been rumors of blood slaves, not kept individually, but in some kind of caged community.”

“Jesus Christ, Anthony. Do they have evidence?” Long ago, it had been commonplace for vampires to capture and enslave humans. Sex, blood, it was stolen from the innocents against their will. But in the past century, their community had evolved and it was no longer acceptable or legal.

“Honestly, we’ve got nothin’ except the one victim we rescued from Pat’s house. But she was delirious at the time and once she started her recovery, she clammed up. Blah, blah, blah, patient doctor confidentiality…not ready to talk…and now it’s just a rumor.”

“So why Sydney? Why does he want my fiancée?” Kade leaned against the granite countertop and crossed his arms.

“Because he’s a fucking psycho. Because she was the one to take him down. My girl put a,” Anthony paused at his words and corrected them, acknowledging Kade, “
our girl
…she plugged him in the shoulder, then handcuffed the fucker until the paramedics showed up. Testified against him.”

“That would do it.”

“He was kinda pissed. But then again they all are. The difference is that Patty started threatenin’ her from jail. Phone calls at first. Once he lost those privileges, he managed to send her a few presents using connections.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“At first it was letters. When that didn’t get a rise out of her, and you know Syd, it’s gonna take a lot, our buddy sent her a tongue.”

“What the…?”

“Yeah, a tongue. And it wasn’t the kind you eat either.” Anthony sighed and took a drink. “It was identified as belonging to a woman. It’d been preserved, pickled if you can believe that shit. Never identified who it came from.”

“When did this go down?”

“A few months before you met her. He was convicted about a year ago.”

“So you’re concerned he’s got contacts down here? Supernaturals?” Kade stroked the scruff on his face, and mulled over what he’d been told. Despite Anthony’s comments to the contrary, an evil undercurrent was alive and well in his city. His consistent and dominant rule was the only barrier between calm and chaos.

“Yeah, this guy has a real hard on for Syd.” He coughed. “Uh, pardon my French. It’s just he’s gunnin’ for her and we’ve gotta find him first. A good offense is the best defense with this guy.”

“I’d better get Luca over here. We’ll put some feelers out. If he shows up anywhere, he’s as good as dead.”

“Hey now, Kade. My virgin ears didn’t hear that. Law enforcement, remember? As much as I wanna see some of these assholes take a dirt nap, I don’t get to go around killin’ humans, and neither do you.”

“No worries, friend.” Kade put his hand on the detective’s shoulder and let the heat of Anthony’s body seep into it. Even though Anthony wore a shirt, Kade could detect his pulse. Thoughts of blood twisted through his mind, and he imagined, but for a second, the intimate encounter they’d have should he agree to let them feed from him. Kade struggled to concentrate on the topic and crossed the room, staring out the window.

“You okay?” Anthony paused. “Ya wanna tell me what’s going on with Sydney? You never did tell me why she was sick….what happened?”

“There was an accident,” Kade began. He reflected on the day he’d found her lying on the bloodstained pavement calling his name. “Anthony, I know you don’t have a lot of experience with the supernatural. There was a time when Sydney didn’t either.”
No, I brought her into this world.

“You’d be surprised what I know. Is she okay?”

“She was attacked…by a demon.”

“What? Wait. Where were you?” Anthony stood, plowing his fingers through his thick dark hair.

“Before you even ask, yes, I fucking blame myself. But you know Sydney, and it wasn’t as if she was alone. She was at Logan Reynaud’s house. The Alpha of Acadian Wolves. It doesn’t matter because what’s done is done.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Tony asked, his voice growing louder.

“She almost died…”

“But you said she’s here, so what is it? Just tell me. Maybe I can help her.”

“You can help her but I assure you it’s not at all what you think.” Kade faced Anthony, his jaw tight with angst. He flattened his hands on the cool stone counter and pinned his eyes on Anthony’s. “I had to turn her. She’s a vampire.”

“No…no, this can’t be happening…”

“It already happened. The transition…it didn’t go well. She’s not coping. She’s having problems feeding.”

“When did this go down?” he asked.

“About a month ago. You have to understand, she didn’t want me to tell anyone.” Although after last night’s spectacle, the entire community would be aware of his fiancée’s newfound state. “Well, more people probably know now but the point is that she wasn’t doing well. She can’t feed.”

“Yeah, I just heard you say that, but what the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t know much about vamps but if she’s still alive and obviously still tellin’ people what to do, then she must be…you know…uh, drinking blood,” Anthony choked out, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Keep your voice down,” Kade instructed. He heard Sydney’s footsteps in the hallway above him. “The drinking isn’t the problem. She’s having trouble biting.”

“Is there something wrong with her teeth? I mean her fangs? Jesus, I can’t even believe I just said that. How can she be a vampire? You should have found some other way to save her.”

“Don’t you think I would have? There was no other way.” Kade slammed his fist down onto the granite.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that Sydney…look, I know she loves you but it’s not like she’s exactly crazy about all this supernatural shit. She told me she didn’t want to be turned, you know? This may be TMI, but we talked about a lot of things. She told me about your arrangement…you bite her, she drinks your blood and stays human. She never wanted to be anything other than what she was.”

“I know. Believe me, I’m so fucking sorry…you have no idea. And now she can’t bite. Technically, she can, but she can’t do it in a way that doesn’t hurt the donor.”

“Donor? Don’t you mean human?”

“Same difference to Sydney. Our bite, it gives pleasure for a reason. It’s an evolved survival strategy for our species.”

“Nice,” Anthony replied sarcastically.

“I won’t apologize for our way.”

“I’m sorry, man. It’s just that this is all hard to take. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

“Léopold thinks it’s some kind of block. She loved it when I used to do it to her so it doesn’t make sense.”

“Exactly, Kade. She loves it when
you
do it, but not her. It’s what she wanted when she was human, and now? Now, she’s not, is she?”

“Just so you know, I’ve never heard of this happening,” Kade continued. “Sure, some people are repulsed by blood at first, but once they feed, that moral concern disappears. Last night was the first time she fed successfully.”

“I’m confused. I thought you just said…”

“She used a siphon donor. The blood is removed manually…drained into a glass.”

Anthony grimaced, unable to conceal his disgust.

“It worked,” Kade told him. “But unless she can do it the old-fashioned way, she’ll be vulnerable, unable to feed herself should the need arise. Siphon donors aren’t always available. Besides, when it comes to donors, most want the full experience, if you know what I mean.”

“If most people are actually asking to be bitten, it must feel pretty damn good,” he laughed.

“Yeah, it doesn’t suck,” Kade joked. “Well, I guess it does but still, we make it as pleasant as possible.”

“So, uh, what’s the plan?” Anthony took a sip of his lukewarm coffee.

“I’ll be frank. Until yesterday, there was no plan. I don’t want to pressure you. What I’m about to propose…you asked how you can help.” Kade paused, seeking the words that eluded him.

“Of course.”

“It’s just that Luca and I think that maybe if she fed from someone she knows…”

An amused smile crossed Anthony’s face as soon as Kade spoke, but he remained silent.

“You’re close to Sydney. If I wasn’t totally secure in our relationship, I wouldn’t suggest this, but…”

“You want me to let her bite me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’ll do it,” Anthony responded without hesitation.

“You may want to take some time to make this decision.”

“What’s a little pin prick, huh?”

“I suppose you could say that.” Kade smiled, pleased that he’d agreed quickly. But full disclosure was in order. “I think this may work, but you must understand. There are consequences.”

“Like what?”

“First of all, this experiment could fail. The donors she’s bitten…it wasn’t pretty. In terms of pain level, it could feel like someone is pulling out your tooth.” Kade raised an eyebrow at him. “Without Novocain.”

“Hey, I’d take a bullet for that woman. I’ve been stabbed at least once. I think I can tough it out.”

“Second, there’s, uh, feelings. You know, like sexual ones. If we do this, it’ll be intimate. We must make it as pleasurable as we can for her. Whatever she wants…whatever she needs.” Kade could hardly believe he was agreeing to this, but desperation ran deep.

“Hold on now, are you saying that she,” he pointed to the hallway, “and me,” he placed his palm on his chest, “we’d be…together? No, no, no…you’d never…”

“It wouldn’t just be the two of you.” Kade laid it on the table, waiting for what he was proposing to take hold in Anthony’s mind.

“You mean the three of us?” Wide-eyed, Anthony laughed as Kade nodded. “Well, shit…of all the things I thought were going to happen today, I did not expect to be propositioned by a vampire. For a ménage at that. Okay then.”

“This isn’t a trivial decision for me. Sydney trusts you. You’re here. Most of all, you are willing. If this could work to trip whatever block she has, I know we’d both be grateful.” Kade hoped he wouldn’t change his mind. The more he talked with Anthony, the more certain he was that this would work.

“I’m in.” Anthony stood up and nodded.

“You sure?”

“Yep, I’ll do it.”

“You need to know that Sydney…she doesn’t know.” Kade had heard Sydney’s footsteps on the stairway and was hoping to finish before she reached the kitchen, but he’d run out of time.

“She doesn’t know what?” Sydney asked. Spying Anthony in the corner, she squealed. “Tony! Oh my God. What are you doing here?”

She jumped into his arms and he spun her around. Kade smiled, observing the interaction. Maybe Anthony was exactly what she needed.

“How’s my Philly girl? I missed you.” Anthony hugged her, locking eyes with Kade. He kissed the top of her hair as if testing what Kade had told him.

“I missed you so much,” she cried.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t answer my calls. No texts. I think you forgot me,” he goaded.

“Stop it.” She pouted. Leaning back from his embrace, she slapped his arm. “I’d never forget you. Not ever.”

“I don’t know. I hear you’ve been kinda busy.”

“He told you, didn’t he?” Her face went flat, her eyes darting to Kade.

“Why don’t you guys go into the family room and catch up,” he suggested.

“Don’t you think we should do this together?” Anthony asked, surprise in his eyes.

“I think old friends need privacy. You okay with that, love?” Kade crossed the room, settling a palm on each of their shoulders.

Sydney responded, reaching for him. He leaned down, gently pressing his lips to hers. Uninhibited by Anthony’s presence, they deepened the kiss. She swept her tongue between his lips. Passion stirred inside, and he lifted his lids to meet Anthony’s gaze. He wanted him to have a small taste of what to expect. Regretfully, he did have business to attend to, and thought it important for Sydney and Anthony to have time alone.

Kade retreated, giving her, then Anthony a smile.

“Go talk with the detective. I’ll join you in a bit.”

“You invited him here?” she asked.

“Yes and no. He called me,” he replied truthfully. “You weren’t answering your phone.”

“But you knew he was coming?” she pressed.

“I did, but this is much better as a surprise, don’t you think?”

She eyed him suspiciously in silence and Kade knew she suspected something was awry. She’d know that Anthony would not visit without a reason, and Kade trusted him to tell her why he’d come to New Orleans.

“You heard him, Syd. Lead the way,” Anthony interjected, his eyes meeting Kade’s in understanding.

“I’m sorry, Tony. I didn’t mean to be rude. This way,” she said.

Kade watched with interest as she fell into her partner’s trusted embrace and they traveled out of the kitchen. He prayed what they were about to do would cure her. But at the moment, more pressing issues required his attention. The human who planned Sydney harm was on the loose. Retrieving his phone, he texted Luca.

Sydney’s heart melted. For years, Tony had been her rock. Partners, they’d faced the best and worst of situations, surviving in the face of death itself. Next to Kade, he was the strongest man she’d known.
Loyal. Courageous.
Like coming home, she’d fallen into his arms. Emotion bubbled in her chest anticipating their conversation. He’d understood her desire to remain human more than anyone else.

“I’m sorry, I, um, I didn’t return your texts.” She moved to cross the room, but he held firm to her hand.

“No, Syd. Stay and talk. It’s me,” he pleaded.

“Tony, I can’t…Kade told you everything?” Sydney turned her face away, unable to stomach the shame inside her. “I’m sorry, I should have been the one to tell you. I just couldn’t do it.”

“You should have told me, because you know what?” He reached to cup her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze. “It doesn’t matter what you are. You’re my friend. My partner.”