Moonlight(Pact Arcanum 3) (21 page)

Nick sighed and gave him a plaintive look.

Fuck
. “I’ll get you a blanket.”

CHAPTER 28

Anchorpoint City, Colorado; Five days later

Rafael squared his shoulders and put his hand over the security scanner next to the door. After a few moments, the door unsealed and Jeremy looked out.

Jeremy was clearly disappointed. “Hey, Raf. Nick not with you?”

“Hello, Jeremy. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually.”

Jeremy stood out of the way and let Rafael enter the apartment. “Have a seat.”

Rafael pulled up a chair, and Jeremy joined him after sealing the door, taking a seat on the couch. The Nightwalker looked gravely at Jeremy. “How long do you plan on shutting him out?”

Jeremy sighed. “I thought it was only going to be for one night, but he hasn’t come back yet.”

“So why don’t you go after him?”

“Because it wouldn’t solve anything,” Jeremy said, settling back in his seat. “Nick is convinced that Toby can’t handle his own choices, and that’s plainly false. I just don’t know how to make a stronger point that he needs to back off and let his brother live his life.”

“You’re mortal, Jeremy, and this is just wasted time. Are you sure this is how you want to spend your nights—alone?”

Jeremy rubbed tiredly at his eyes. “No, of course not. I miss him like hell when he’s not there beside me, but I made him a promise when I first opened my eyes to never hold back the truth. I can’t start lying to him now, or he’ll never respect me.”

The silence stretched between them for several heartbeats. “He has nightmares,” Rafael said softly.

Jeremy’s expression hardened. “Luscian?”

“Yes.” Rafael met his gaze thoughtfully. “He woke up screaming in the middle of the first night, and he didn’t recognize me at all. I finally let him sleep next to me, and that calmed him down. He hasn’t mentioned it since, but he hasn’t gone back to the couch.”

Jeremy smiled thinly. “I’ll bet he hogs the covers.”

“Jer, be serious.”

The Sentinel slumped in his seat. “Nick functions at a very high level, but his mental balance is fairly fragile. He depends on support from his friends to get through the day, even without being aware of it. That’s one reason why I want him to step back from Toby. This estrangement between the two of them is taking its toll on Nick in ways that are entirely predictable. The White Wind planted a suggestion in his mind that Toby is in imminent danger, and he’s compensating by becoming overly paternal. Unless he makes a conscious decision to let Toby stand on his own two feet, he’s going to be completely unprepared if something does eventually happen.” Jeremy met Rafael’s gaze with resignation. “And something
will
happen, Raf. Toby’s mortal, the same as me. Nick will almost certainly outlive us both. I don’t know what that’ll do to him.”

Rafael sighed. “Then I guess I’ll have to get used to waking up with his arms around me, until you two work this out. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a pleasant feeling, but I have no desire to add Nick to my dance card.”

Jeremy smiled knowingly at him. “Poor Rafael. You finally get one of the Jameson boys in your bed, and it’s the wrong one.”

Rafael stared at him for a moment and then dropped his gaze. “There really isn’t any point in hiding things from you, is there?”

Jeremy watched him with a sad expression. “I’m sorry. The attraction is right in front of your surface thoughts whenever you’re around Toby. I didn’t intend to pick up on it.”

“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t see me as anything other than a friend, and I have no intention of challenging Nemesis for him. There are less painful ways to commit suicide.”

“True, but that doesn’t mean you have to be alone.” Jeremy sat up and clasped Rafael’s hands in his. “I know how strong the need is for a vampire to lay claim on someone he wants, even when he doesn’t mean to act on it.”

Rafael pulled gently away from Jeremy’s touch. “Jeremy, I’m two hundred fifty years old. Unlike Nick and Rory, or even Layla, I am fully aware that mating with a mortal is insane. I’d never do that to myself, regardless of my instinctive reaction to Toby. I thank you for your concern, but honestly, you don’t have to worry about me.”

Jeremy leaned back and draped his arms over the back of the couch. “Fair enough. If you change your mind, however, I suggest you talk to Rory or Lorcan. They’ve both had to deal with controlling their unrequited needs, and they could probably give you some support.”

“Are you mad?” Rafael said with a deep laugh. “Burden the Redeemer or the Imperator with my personal problems? Why would they care?”

Jeremy smiled again. “You’re important to Nick, and that makes you important to them. Consider it.”

Rafael stared at him thoughtfully and then checked his watch. “I should get home before Nick gives up on me and tries to cook.”

Jeremy smirked. “Yeah, that would definitely be something to avoid.”

Armistice Security Headquarters, Anchorpoint City, Colorado

Toby knocked at the open door of Nick’s private office. Nick and Takeshi looked up at the sound, breaking off their conversation.

“Hi, guys,” Toby said. “Can I have a word with you?”

“Sure.” Nick indicated one of the empty chairs next to him at the conference table. “Is something wrong?”

Toby took the proffered seat and leaned forward intently. “Layla and I have been talking, and we’ve decided to make a change to the security precautions for my concert in Atlanta this weekend.”

Takeshi frowned slightly. “What kind of change?”

“Layla is lending me six soldiers from House Curallorn to augment my regular security, but she wants someone we both trust to take command of them and integrate them into my human security team.”

“I’m glad you’re wising up a little, Toby.” Nick smiled. “Who do you want to be in charge?”

“You.”

Nick stared at him, taken aback. “Excuse me?”

Toby smirked. “If I can convince you, of all people, that my security is air tight, then I can get up on stage with a clear conscience.”

Nick continued to stare at him, saying nothing.

Takeshi gave Toby a lazy smile. “You realize, naturally, that you’ve invited me to the party, as well?”

Toby nodded. “Of course.”

Nick remained silent.

Toby felt a psychic probe tap on his shields and reached out to it.

“Clever boy,”
Takeshi’s voice said in his mind.
“If he says ‘yes,’ then you’ve given him a chance to allay some of his fears, while making it seem like he’s doing you a favor. If he says ‘no,’ then it’s his choice to turn his back on you. It’s a win-win proposition for you.”

“It’s not about winning, Take,”
thought Toby.
“It’s about reaching out.”

Take’s inner voice chuckled.
“You’re putting him in the hot seat of your relationship, Toby. Either way, he takes responsibility for what happens next. Who thought this up? You or Layla?”

“She thought it might help bridge the gap between me and Nick.”

“Nemesis always knew how to spin a good trap. I hope you realize what you’re getting into when you walk down the aisle with her.”
Take broke the psychic contact, leaving Toby alone in his head.

Nick took a deep breath. “You’re serious? You want me to run your security?”

“Yes—the Armistice component, at least. You can delegate the details to Take and Armistice Security, but I want you to make the final decisions.”

Nick drummed his fingers on the table. “If you bring me in on this, then I want your explicit permission to continue the investigation into your bandmates as potential suspects.”

Toby blinked. “What?”

Nick’s gaze hardened. “There are no half-measures here, Toby. You can’t back out and say you want me to respect their privacy. If you want me to help, then I’m going to make sure they’re not threats to you.”

Toby glanced at Take and saw the same unyielding expression on his face.
No help there.
He considered his own motives carefully. Did he object to his best friends being treated like enemies, or was he only afraid of what Nick might find out? “All right. Just be discreet about it.”

Nick smiled, his fangs showing. “They’ll never see me coming.”

CHAPTER 29

September 2042; Austin, Texas; Two weeks later

After Nick let him into the dressing room, Rafael sat down in one of the comfortable chairs and flipped through the newspaper that had been discarded on the table. He listened to the shower running in the next room and the single heartbeat he could hear under the drumming of the water. After a couple of minutes, the water turned off, and he heard Toby climb out of the shower to towel off. A light telepathic scan pinged off Rafael’s mental shields, and then Toby peeked around the corner into the common area. He blinked and walked fully into the doorway.

“Raf? What are you doing here?”

Rafael glanced at him over the top of his newspaper, raising an eyebrow. “Admiring the view?”

Toby’s face colored as he realized he was standing naked in the doorframe, his towel hanging over his shoulders. “Sorry. Give me a sec to get dressed.” He walked back to his locker and started pulling out his clothes.

Rafael folded the newspaper and waited calmly in his chair. “Don’t hurry on my account,” he said.

“No hurry,” Toby said over his shoulder while he fastened the buttons on his shirt. “I stayed late for an interview, and the others went on ahead. I was about to head out and join them. What brings you to Austin?”

“I had a few days off while they’re recalibrating the flight simulators at the Academy, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing. Nick told me this morning that he was going to be working security for you tonight, so I thought I’d catch the performance. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you play for a crowd.”

Toby laughed as he tightened his belt. “What did you think?”

“This particular type of jazz isn’t exactly to my taste, Toby, but I’ve heard better and I’ve heard worse in my time. I have to admit, however, that Watered Silk is a more enthusiastic and talented group than many of the performers I’ve seen.”

Toby hung the towel up to dry and walked back to the doorway. “Thanks. We always appreciate an honest review.”

Rafael shrugged. “It’s growing on me. Nick likes to listen to your albums before he goes to bed. It relaxes him.”

Toby’s smile slipped. “He’s still staying with you?”

Rafael nodded. “Yes. He doesn’t have any plans to move back in with Jeremy until they get this issue between them resolved.”

“This issue,” Toby said in a sour voice. “You mean me.”

“Yes, I do,” Rafael answered before getting to his feet. “The business about you asking him to handle your security is something of a sore point between them. Jer doesn’t think Nick should get involved, that he needs to step back from interfering in your life. What you’ve done is the opposite, allowing Nick to fuel his obsession even further.”

Toby sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I thought if I gave him what he wanted, it would let us talk to each other—and maybe get past his paranoia.”

“I don’t know what the answer is, Toby. The three of you will have to work it out among yourselves.” Rafael smiled. “In the meantime, I’m learning vicariously what it means to be mated. I’ve been single for a long time, and I’m used to living alone. Having Nick in my life constantly is a weird feeling, but I’m adapting.”

“I didn’t mean to put you out, Raf.”

Rafael waved his hand dismissively. “I’m the only bachelor in his circle of friends. It’s natural for him to turn to me if he didn’t want to be alone. In a way, I’m flattered that he trusts me enough to share my bed.” He noticed Toby’s wide-eyed look. “And no—we are not fucking.”

Toby rearranged his expression. “Sorry, for a second I thought—”

“I know what you thought. Do you honestly think that Nick would do that to Jeremy? Or that I would?”

Toby raised his hands in surrender. “No, of course not.” He thought for a moment. “Listen, I’m supposed to meet the rest of my band for dinner before we turn in. Well, before I turn in, and they go out and party. Would you care to join us?”

Rafael raised an eyebrow. “I’m not a Daywalker, Toby. I don’t really eat, remember?”

“You still have to feed every night. This is an upscale place we’re going to. They might have Tiamat on tap.”

“That’s possible, but I wouldn’t like to risk it, and I don’t know anyone on the donor list in this city.”

Toby raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have to know them. That’s why there’s a list.”

“Tobias,” Rafael said with a sigh, “you know how intimate a feeding can be. I don’t want to share that with a stranger that I’m not planning to kill afterward. I have some scruples. I’ll pass, I’m afraid.”

“Come on. We hardly spend any time together these days.” Toby smiled. “You could always feed on me.”

Rafael stared at Toby in shock and then licked his lips involuntarily. He shook himself. “No. That won’t work either. Nemesis would rip my heart out if I bit you.”

Toby rolled his eyes. “Layla doesn’t own me. Yes, it’s intimate, but it’s not like I’d be cheating on her or anything.”

“Do you really believe that?” he asked softly.

Toby frowned. “Is there something you’d like to tell me, Rafael?”

“No, not really.” Rafael shook his head slowly. “If you’re really willing to do this for me, then I
would
actually like to hang out with you.”

Toby grinned. “What are friends for?”

Rafael gently turned Toby’s head to the side, exposing the line of his throat. Extending his fangs, he leaned forward, touching the points to the skin over Toby’s pulse. Then, before he could talk himself out of it, he bit down hard and caught the spurt of blood in his mouth. When he fed, he felt the blood magic bridge open up between them and felt Toby share with him the memory of their second meeting, when Toby had recruited him to help set up the surprise presentation of the
Starlight
to Nick at the Daywalker’s wedding. He experienced Toby’s childish glee at the subterfuge, working to create a surprise that would have such deep personal meaning to his brother.