4 Vamp Versus Vamp (31 page)

I shook my head. “It’s too risky. I’m not even a fan of going in.”

Imara closed her eyes. Silence fell over the room. She opened her eyes. My heart leapt into my throat at the sight of her irises lost in a sea of white. “You doubt. You do not believe what
has
happened to be fate, but rather the orchestration of several to make it fate. Regardless of the coordination, fate is fate. If it was made to happen, if it was allowed to happen, then it was meant to happen.” She blinked, and her eyes returned
to
normal.

Will adjusted the tie over his button-up shirt. He avoided looking at me, finally aware of my innermost doubts about him and everything. He fingered the edges of the worn binder.

I sighed. This wasn’t how I wanted it to be. “Yes, I have doubts, and questions, and concerns and a lot more. But I’ve learned to ignore them. I’ve done my best to accept what was and is. I’m not perfect, and I have a hard time believing that I could ever be the female vamp described in that prophecy. I’m just a teenage vampeen with a pile of hopes and dreams, not a kick-ass warrior who makes the highest powers in the vamp world shudder. I have a hard time with this sometimes because there seems to be such a huge disconnection from who I am to who everyone thinks I am or expects me to be.”

“It is not your job to question the validity of those words; it is your job to believe in yourself enough to become those words.” Imara’s statement was like a blazing arrow that shot straight into and scorched my heart.

Kellan laced his fingers through mine. “We’ve both struggled. We haven’t been the united front we need to be lately, and that’s primarily my fault. That doesn’t help us in the faith department. That’s what that entire book is. It’s two men believing in their visions enough to document them and claim them as truth. It’s our job, though, to make sure they become the truth.”

Kellan turned me sideways to face him. “Let’s make them true, babe. Today is proof more than ever of how bad things have gotten.” He took a moment. “I’m not sure if you’ve considered this angle, but perhaps the molecular tracker was left by vampires since it only targets vampeens. At that point, we may have a larger enemy to contend with.”

“It was not.” Imara’s confidence cut through Kellan’s theory.

“How do you know?” he countered.

She waited for him to calm down before speaking. “Cesar set the trap to keep all vampeens away. Should anyone disobey his direct orders, he was easily able to track and kill them.”

“Why would he do that, though?” I tried to think of a good reason to allow a home to be condemned and continue to rot.

Imara’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “You will uncover the truth when the time is right.”

I blew out a breath. “No pressure.” I caught a glimpse of Will; he was still hurt from earlier. I grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry, Will. I don’t doubt your abilities or your dedication. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

“We both do,” Kellan said.

He slipped from my hold. “This book is my life. My job as your Eislom was for my life to revolve around yours. I can’t do my job if you doubt the validity of everything.”

“I don’t doubt the validity of everything. I’m analytical, though, Will. You know that. I’m going to cross-examine everything.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” He pepped up. “I’ve grown fond of the two of you. I thought my direct interaction was complete back in Wales, but it seems fate does deliver new twists at times, so I can understand your wariness. Just promise me you’ll address your concerns with me immediately from here on. I am here to educate and guide you. Answering questions is in my repertoire.”

“Really?” I scoffed. “Every time I’ve asked you something in the past, you’ve given a riddle of an answer or none at all.”

“Then we shall work on it together.” His British accent gave a fluent spunk to his words.

“That sounds good, but if you give me the run around again, I’ll thwack you over the head with that encyclopedia.” With my hands on my hips, I leaned into my words.

Kellan chuckled. “Who says ‘thwack’?”

“Indeed.” Will smirked.

I rolled my eyes at them.

“I will be waiting in the lobby at 10 a.m.,” Imara announced.

“Are you sure? Does Jack even know what you’re doing?”

“This doesn’t concern my son. I will see you tomorrow.” She walked herself out. I didn’t like the idea of her coming with me, but I couldn’t deny that she would be a great source of knowledge and tact.

“Do you plan to get furniture?” Will asked, peering around at the space.

“Ironically, it’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow.”

“I’m sure it will look splendid when you’re through.” His eyes sparkled with amusement, as if he knew something I didn’t.

“You’re doing it again.”

“I am going to leave you. I have a library on the second floor if you wish to drop in sometime. Apartment two-oh-two.” He picked up the binder and a briefcase I hadn’t noticed on the floor. “Stay safe, you two.”

“Bye,” Kellan and I called in unison.

Drexel closed the door behind Will, securing the lock in place again.

Kellan pulled me into him. “What do you want to do for the rest of the day?”

“I want to take a nice hot shower, put on my pajamas — ”

“You realize it’s only two in the afternoon.” He smirked, his dimple dotting his left cheek.

“So?”

He chuckled. “Go on.”

“I’m going to put on my pajamas and bake. I figure tonight is the perfect night to try out new recipes for my bakery. I’ll call a few
people,
see if they want to come try things. My only rule will be it’s a pajama pastry party.”

He kissed my lips. “That sounds like a good day to me.”

I caught Drexel moving in the corner of my eye. “Drexel, do you have any pajamas?” Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen the vamp change clothes, shower, or do anything hygienic since he’d been with me. He didn’t stink, though.

“I live out of the trunk of the company vehicle. I don’t own pajamas; I own uniforms and weapons.”

I looked at Kellan. “
Do you mind?
”

“
Do what makes you happy. I don’t mind, though.
”

I smiled wide. “Hm. Well, Drex, I think we need to change that. From what I gather, you’re on a long-term placement contract with me, so the other spare bedroom is going to be yours. I want you to go get yourself some pajamas and whatever else you want. That room is yours. Even if you’re reassigned, it’ll be waiting there for you. It’s always nice to have a place to come back to.”

He tried to hide his smile, but the tears gathering in his eyes gave him away. I noticed he didn’t like to show emotion around other men. “Thank you.”

“Now, I’m going to be having a pajama party tonight, so, you, Mr. Bancroft, need to shower and change with me.” I pointed at Drexel. “And you need to go to the store and buy yourself at least one pair. I’ll gladly pay for them.”

“That won’t be necessary,” he stated.

“Alright, then. I’ll see you later.” He started for the door. “Oh! And please invite Sanders.” He cast a knowing look over his shoulder. He knew what I was up to, but he didn’t press the issue. He nodded and trotted out the door.

“I have you all to myself.” Kellan nuzzled my neck. He trailed his tongue along my vein.

“You know, I haven’t tasted your blood in quite a while.” I skimmed my finger down the center of his chest. He’d thrown away his shirt at the Bladangs’ since blood didn’t wash out of white, even with bleach.

“Feast upon me.” He challenged me.

It was our game of predator and prey. If I caught him, I got to drink from him. If he caught me… well, he got to do what he wanted with me since he couldn’t drink my tainted blood.

He abruptly took off.

***

By six, all of our close friends and family had shown up. The condo smelled of nothing but sweet heaven, or so they claimed. Kalel was the only one absent. He’d returned to look for Francesca.

“I love your palm tree and smiling sun pajama pants, Kai.” I tried to hold in my laugh.

“These are better than miss Hello Kitty over there.” He jerked his head towards Mel.

“I resent that, buster. I happen to love my PJs.” She pranced over to the island.

“Hm. I’m beginning to feel my age in these silk pajamas,” Beth said.

“Why?” I asked. Her soft pink button-up shirt and pants looked comfortable and stylish at the same time.

“Because only the parents are wearing silk.”

Al was wearing black silk pajama bottoms with a V-neck white T-shirt. He snuggled up behind his wife. “I like what you’re wearing.” She blushed.

“Okay, and I’m getting a little creeped out by my parents groping each other. I’ll be over there.” Kellan sauntered off to talk to Craig.

Gabi joined the round table at that moment. “What are you working on right now, Lex?”

“I’m trying my hand at a blood pudding pie.”

“I don’t know what it is, but it sounds delish.” She licked her lips.

“Remember, guys, I want you to be brutally honest. If you don’t like something, tell me.” Several acknowledgements followed, but nothing that made me believe them.

Jack pushed his way between the crowds at the island. “Here is your new logo and website.” He spun the netbook towards me.

I stopped whisking the pudding mix, my jaw dropping. “O.M.G. Holy sugar plums! I love it! You did such an amazing job!”

I stared at the screen. The cartoon vamp was wearing skinny jeans, a pink T-shirt, and black heels. Her dark brown hair was Texas-sized and fell perfectly around the animated face, a face that looked a lot like mine. She wore a red apron with “Bloody Bakes” stitched in white across the front. She had a chocolate cupcake in her hand with a chunk missing. Blood was oozing from the center, and a drop of blood still clung to her fangs.

The website had a modern retro theme with bold colors that somehow worked well together. The slogan pasted across the top read, “Now serving delicious desserts for vamps everywhere.” I noticed an order page, as well as a menu link. He clicked on the menu and displayed the items he knew I’d already made, each with an enticing description below it.

“Great news. You’ve already got five orders, all from vamps. I ran their IP address and confirmed their information with the global registry.” Jack showed the others the site.

“Oh, wow. Thanks.”

“This better not take away from your army time, Jackson,” Auggy grumbled. I’d laughed when he entered in camouflage pajamas. “
Only him,
” I’d thought as I shook my head.

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess. I’m too valuable of an asset?”

“And I thought I was conceited,” the burly vampeen chuckled.

“To answer your statement, no, this shouldn’t take up my army time. It’s just a hobby turned small business.”

“I expect a delivery of your hobby every week to my office. I already told Claire to put in the order for whatever you happen to make that week that sounds good.” His eyes lightened. He felt something paternal towards me; I’d caught glimpses of it.

“He did. Told me if I forgot it, then I wasn’t allowed to come in.” She laughed. She considered him with love. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek. I was happy to see them back in each
others’
good graces. Life was too short to spend it angry.

I poured the pudding mixture, which consisted of a packet of instant vanilla pudding mix, one and a half cups of blood, a half a cup of milk, and a few drops of vanilla extract, into my freshly baked graham cracker crust. Since the blood and milk were cold, and I’d used less liquid than the recipe called for, it instantly set. I did scallops of freshly whipped cream all around the edges and a big swirl in the center. “This one’s done,” I announced.

Gabi immediately stole the dish out from under me, leaving me standing there with the pastry bag of whipped cream in my hands in midair. Drexel came around and retrieved a cake knife from a drawer. He’d purchased disposable plates at the store for me since the sink would already be overloaded at the end of the night.

I smiled when I saw him and Sanders share a look. Time. It healed all things.

We spent the rest of the evening laughing. The best part of the entire event was the lack of tension between Kellan and Kai. For the first time ever, it seemed like they were genuinely getting along. They weren’t best friends, but they at least held a decent conversation with each
other. It was after one in the morning before anybody left. Others slowly trickled out after that until it was just Drexel, Sanders, Kellan, and
me
.

“You go get some sleep. Me and Sanders will clean up,” Drexel said.

I grinned up at him. “Sure.” I kissed his cheek and winked at him. His
gaze drifted to Kellan and then back
to me. “Kellan doesn’t care.” Drexel seemed uneasy. “Kellan, do you care if Drexel is gay or straight?”

“Nope. Just don’t touch my girl and we’re good.” He came up behind me, pulling me into his chest.