Broken Heart 03 Because Your Vampire Said So (5 page)

“Patricia.”

My name held a world of hurt. He reached one arm beseechingly toward me. I shook my head, my whole body going numb. I tossed the paper towel in the trash because I needed to do something other than look at him.

“Why do you fear me? I am no different than Lorcan or Eva or any of the other vampires who share my abilities.”

“Lorcan was cured, so he’s not a beast anymore. And Eva isn’t a werewolf.”

His eyes widened. “They didn’t tell you.”

I frowned, not really wanting to know what I hadn’t been told.

“The cure for the Taint comes from the blood of royal lycanthropes,” he said quietly. “But there is a side effect. The vampires who survive the cure retain the ability to shape-shift.”

He sure sounded like he believed the malarkey coming out of his mouth. My friends would’ve told me the truth about something so important. Yet the werewolf side effect would explain why the Consortium hadn’t released the cure to all vampires seeking it.

“Is that what happened to you?” I asked.

“No.” He grimaced. “I was born with this … anomaly.”

A lycanthrope born with vampire tendencies? How in the world had such a thing happened? I didn’t know what to believe or how to feel. Well, okay. I was insanely attracted to Gabriel, which upset me far more than his unusual parentage. Even now, though I was scared of him, I wanted to touch him. I wanted to make him feel better. Damn. His wounds had not closed. Blood flowed onto the chair and pooled around its base.

“Why haven’t you healed?” I asked.

“Demon scratches are poisonous, even to mutants such as I.” His words held bitterness. He sucked in a sharp breath and squeezed his eyes shut. “You shouldn’t be alone. You’re not safe.”

That’s right. Darrius was supposed to be watching me. Then I realized he’d probably gone off after Wilson. Good dog. “Why did you risk coming here again?”

His eyes flickered open. “To claim you.”

“I’m not checked baggage.” I put my hands on my hips and looked him over. All Gabriel needed was a little blood to help him heal. I really wanted to get closer to him—and that uncontrollable urge to be near him confused me. Terrified me.

I looked at Nonna and Dottie floating above us, hanging on to every word. “Find something else to do,” I told them. For a minute, they looked as if they might protest. Nonna rolled her eyes and Dottie sighed, then pop, they were gone.

Uneasy, I approached Gabriel. He watched me, his expression solemn. I gripped the armrests, leaned down, and offered my neck. His lips brushed my skin. I felt electrified by that single, soft touch. Then his fangs sank into my neck and he drank.

Oh, God. My fingernails dug into the vinyl as I tried to keep my balance. Heat pulsed through me, and desire exploded. I wanted to crawl onto Gabriel’s lap and devour him.

I don’t remember my Turning; few of us Turn-bloods did. I couldn’t recall drinking from my Master. Since then, I’ve never had a reason to share my blood with another vampire.

I didn’t know the sensations were so erotic. Vaguely, I wondered about my donors—if they always felt this intense rush of pleasure when I drank from them. Did this terrible, aching need build within them? Was I experiencing normal reactions? Or was I responding to Gabriel?

Delicious, beautiful, dangerous Gabriel.

I couldn’t stop myself. I maneuvered onto his lap, my legs dangling off the sides of the chair. I didn’t care about the blood staining my jeans and shirt. I pressed closer, my hands clutching at his broad shoulders.

His hands cupped my buttocks, and he brought me against the hard-on bulging in his jeans.

I moaned. He felt so good, so right. I never wanted this moment to end.

Then it did.

“No!” I couldn’t bear for him to stop. Damn it!

His fangs receded, but his lips stayed on that spot. His tongue flicked across my neck. Lust burned bright and hot.

I cupped his face and kissed him. His lips were soft, plump. He tasted like blood and that reminded me that I hadn’t eaten, either. The coppery taste inflamed me. As our tongues thrust against each other, I stroked his chest, which was smooth and firm. He’s healed! wiggled through my fogged brain. Yay! He could do more naughty things to me.

“Patricia,” he murmured. He grasped my wrists and pulled me away. “I know our destiny. I will happily mate with you, but I don’t think you’re ready.”

Mate. Yeah. That sounded like a fine idea. I tugged my hands free and yanked the top of his jeans. The metal buttons popped off and the material parted, revealing the top of his large cock. My fingertips danced along the mushroomed head and then I caressed the sensitive ridge.

He sucked in a sharp breath. “Patricia.” He let me dip my hand inside his pants, then growled in frustration. “Damn it!”

He grabbed the armrests and yanked them off. They clattered to the floor. Then he plucked me from his lap and set me on my feet. He scrambled from the chair and put his hands out in a “stop” gesture.

Someone rattled the front door of the salon. I ignored the racket and stepped toward Gabriel. His expression was caught between amusement and desperation. Blood streaked his torso and his jeans were still open. His hair had come loose again.

“You’d better answer the door,” he said. “I’ll hide in the bathroom.”

Frustration roared through me. After he hurried into the bathroom, which was located just a few feet away in the back of the shop, I started to regain my senses. The fog of lust lifted and I felt as if I’d been released from a magic spell. Jeez. Our proximity caused me to go wild woman on him. What was wrong with me?

Rattled by my behavior and annoyed by the persistence of the unexpected customer, I turned around and marched to the door. I flicked open the bolt and the person on the other side swung into the shop.

“Why haven’t you answered your cell phone?” yelled Drake.

I pushed him back through the door and shut it behind me. He looked surprised, but I wasn’t about to explain why I was hiding a Consortium-wanted fugitive. Mostly because I didn’t know.

“My cell phone is on.” I reached into the back pocket of my jeans and looked down at the slim device. “Oh. Well, sorry.” I turned it on. “There. Problem solved. Is Darrius watching Wilson?”

“Ja.” Drake’s nostrils flared. “What happened to your shirt?”

I looked down at my clothing. Blood from Gabriel’s wounds had stained my T-shirt and jeans. “I … uh, cut myself. I’ll go change my clothes after I’m done in the shop.”

His gaze narrowed. “Is someone in there?”

“Is it your business if there is?” I asked tartly. I was relieved that Darrius was tracking Wilson, but now I was worried about protecting the other man in my life. “Can’t a girl date around here?”

“Date? You?”

Maybe not the best lie I could’ve told, considering everyone knew about my ex-husband and my feelings about relationships.

I put a hand on my hip and glared at him. “Do you want something?”

“Who is the lucky man?” His jade green eyes studied my face and he grinned wickedly. “If such a thing were possible between our kind and yours, I would’ve asked you out a long time ago.”

My mouth dropped open. As much as I flirted with him and his brother, I’d never thunk either one of him took it seriously. He was probably yanking my chain, hoping I’d give up the identity of my new beau.

“Well, aren’t you sweet, you liar.” I made a shooing motion. “I got work to do and I don’t want you shedding on my clean floor.”

He pressed his hand against his heart. “You wound me, Liebling.”

“Drake,” I said warningly, “if you don’t go away, the next time I groom you, I’ll shave you bald.”

He put his hands up in the air and stepped back. “I would not dream of angering my stylist. But I will be watching you, Patsy. Damian’s orders. “

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. So long as you do it outside.”

He nodded. “Deal.” He walked to the concrete-block wall and leaned against it. “I’m only a scream away.”

“Terrific.” I returned to the shop. I looked at the closed bathroom door and pressed a hand against my roiling belly. Panic gurgled.

How the hell was I going to get Gabriel out of here?

Before I could answer my own question, the door opened. I whirled around to give Drake what for, but he wasn’t the one coming into my shop.

The lady looked like Lucy Liu except she was taller and had no freckles. Her dark brown hair cascaded in thick ringlets to her ass. Jewels sparkled in the sleek strands. Her lips were bloodred and her almond-shaped eyes doe brown. The gold, knee-length dress she wore screamed expensive and so did the black calf boots. Gold bracelets pinged together as she sashayed past me.

As beautiful as the woman was, she carried with her a stench so bad, my eyes started watering. Hovering above her left shoulder was a black smudge. Within it were two white orbs. Ick. Eyeballs. And they were looking at me.

“We’re closed,” I said.

“I don’t need your services,” she sneered. Her delicate brow furrowed as she glanced around my shop. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and tidy. Her arrogant glance assessed me. “You are a messy eater, my dear.”

I looked down at my clothing. Blood from Gabriel’s wounds had stained my T-shirt and jeans. Well, let her think I’d just devoured a donor. It wasn’t any of her business.

“Like I said, we’re closed. Door’s this way, in case you forgot.” I hitched my thumb over my shoulder toward the front of the shop.

Her gaze landed on the closed bathroom door, and then she turned and sauntered toward me. Good God! That awful smell filled up the whole room.

The woman looked at me as though she was a scientist examining an alien. “I’ve found Broken Heart to be very quaint.” She smiled beguilingly. “I can’t believe that Lorcan and Patrick haven’t already tired of their little business endeavor. “

I wasn’t particularly fond of the Consortium or its rules, but her condemnation got my back up. It was like picking on my sister—that was my job and no one else’s.

She was obviously waiting for a response, but I didn’t give her one. How many times did a person have to be told to leave? Her gaze was flat and cold. Her smile was as fake as my particle wood entertainment center. “I’m Magnolia Blossom.”

“It’s a shame to walk around with a name like that. I guess your parents didn’t like you much.”

She blinked at me, her pretty little mouth hanging open. “My real name is Hua Mu Lan. The founder of the Family Hua. I’m one of the Ancients.”

“That’s fantastic,” I said in a tone that suggested the opposite. “Do you need shampoo or something?”

I really wanted her to leave. I didn’t like her attitude, or the creepy thing hanging around her shoulder, or her horrible stench. If I’d had the ability to breathe, I would be running outside to gulp in fresh air. Jess had once told me that her nose had gone crazy after Turning. To this day, she said ol’ Doc Michaels smelled like a ham and cheese sandwich. I wondered if I was experiencing something similar.

“Might I use your bathroom?” she asked. “I’d like to freshen up.”

“The toilet’s backed up,” I lied. “It stinks to high heaven in there.”

“Oh, I don’t mind.” She turned and headed toward the bathroom. Now, why did I believe she knew Gabriel was in there? And if she did, why was she looking for him?

I didn’t know how to stop her, so I did the first thing that came to mind. I grabbed her shoulder and yanked her backward.

My palm felt like it had melded to her. Power zapped down my arm and surged hot and electric through my whole body.

What the hell?

Magnolia Blossom whirled around. Two short, sharp daggers shot out from her sleeves and into her hands. She pointed them at me. As if that wasn’t scary enough, flames rolled over the blades.

“Stupid little Turn-bloods like you should mind their manners.”

I beat a hasty retreat.

Triumph flashed in Magnolia’s gaze.

“Hah! That’s the pot calling the kettle black,” I said angrily. “You’re the rudest bitch I’ve ever met.” I marched to the front door and pushed it open. “Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.”

I wondered if I’d signed my death warrant. In that moment, I knew she was deciding whether to kill me.

Drake entered the shop and stood close to me. His brows arched as he examined Magnolia’s fiery knives. “Is there a problem, Lia?”

“No. I was merely showing Patsy my newest weapons.” She blew out the flames and sheathed them. She strode to the doorway and paused on the threshold.

“Never lay your hands on me again,” she warned softly.

“Don’t come within throttling distance and I won’t.”

Her eyes flashed with hatred. Then she stomped out, taking the stench and the entity with her. Whew. I was glad she was gone. I locked up again and leaned against the door. Man, I was feeling dizzy.

Drake grinned. “You sure know how to make friends.”

“It’s a talent.”

He studied me, his gaze worried. “Patricia—”

“I know, I know,” I said. “I should show more respect to the Ancients. But I don’t care who you are. If you act like an asshole, then I’m treating you like one.”

“I would never tell you how to behave,” said Drake, chuckling. He sobered, eyeing me with a frown. “Let’s go see what’s in the bathroom, shall we?”

“Drake!”

He strode across the room and flung the door open.

The bathroom was empty.

I turned away to hide my surprise and relief. I didn’t want Drake reading my expression.

“It’s not backed up,” he said. “Why did you lie to Lia?”

I didn’t bother to ask how he’d know that. Listening at the door with his big wolfie ears.

“I wanted her to leave. I don’t like her.” I hurried to the hair care display and started rearranging it.

“Was he in there?”

Drake’s voice was so close, it startled me. I dropped the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Drake less than a foot away. I met my friend’s suspicious gaze.

“Who?” I asked.

“Your new boyfriend.”

“None of your beeswax.”

“C’mon, Patsy. Who is he?”

“A troll named Wolf Eater.” I pointed to the door. “Go away.”

“Torturing you is more fun.”

I put the shampoo down. “I’m going to my trailer to take a shower and change my clothes. You are going outside.”

“All right, all right!” He put his hands up, palms out in a gesture of surrender. “I’ll walk you to the trailer and stand guard on your porch.”

His cell phone buzzed. He unclipped it and answered. He listened for a moment, then said, “Okay. Be right there.”

“Wilson?”

“Promise me that you’ll stay in the trailer until I return.”

“Fine,” I said. I locked up the shop and hurried across the weed-choked field. I stood on the second step, looking down at Drake. He turned away and I reached out and snagged his shoulder. “Stay safe,” I said.

“If I do, will you give me a full-body shampoo? “

I laughed. “On the house.”

He grinned; then he scurried away, off to whatever emergency required his attention.

When I entered the trailer, I noticed two things. One, my couch had been covered by a big, red blanket, probably because of the blood-stains. And two, the white wolf was sitting on it, his big tongue lolling out of his mouth.

“Hey!” I said crossly. “No dogs on the furniture! “

He woofed and jumped off, then padded around the coffee table to sit by my feet. “God, you’re cute.”

I pushed off from the door and stumbled. The room started to spin. Darkness crimped the edges of my vision. I heard the wolf bark, and then I was falling, falling into oblivion.

“You sucked her dry,” said an irritated female voice. I floated on the edge of consciousness, hearing the conversation, but was too tired to open my eyes. Exhaustion felt like concrete blocks pressing down on me.

“I didn’t know she hadn’t eaten yet.” Gabriel sounded worried and defensive. “I didn’t mean to take so much. She … we … um, she … oh, just give her the blood!”

“All right. I’ll be her dinner this once. But you’d better be careful, Gabriel.”

“You know how it is with the mating lust, even for me. When a lycan meets his mate, it’s … powerful. Even she could not resist.”

“Just remember that mating lust overpowers even the strongest alpha. You might not be able to stop next time.”

“I hope I will not have to stop.”

“Ew. Please. I don’t want to hear the details.”

The velvet skin of a wrist was pressed against my mouth. My fangs reacted immediately, piercing the delicate flesh. The blood that flowed into my mouth tasted like nirvana. I drank until I was full.

Then their voices faded into the ether and I floated once more.

I awoke on the couch in my trailer, feeling better, if not a little groggy. I looked at the wall clock. It was a little after midnight. I felt as though I’d slept for a week.

It was obvious that I was alone in the trailer. “Wilson?” I called.

No answer. His music wasn’t blasting, which was a bad sign. If the boy was home, his tunes were on. Why hadn’t Darrius brought him home?

Well, I’d just call Darrius and find out. Wilson had a few friends in town, but mostly he skulked around, finding hidey-holes and places to drink and drug.

I sat up and stretched.

Where had Gabriel gone? He’d been here earlier with someone else. He was the reason I’d gotten breakfast. Who’d been my donor?

My clothes had been changed. I wore a pink baby doll shirt that said in glittery gold sparkles: COUNTRY MUSIC STAR. I also wore jeans and pink ankle socks. My boots sat next to the couch.

My gaze fell on a Post-it note left on the coffee table.

Stay here. Will return soon.

Love,

G.

Oooo, I had the warm fuzzies. It was silly to feel mushy about a simple note, but he’d cared enough to leave it.

I was worried about Wilson. I reached for my address book on the end table, then grabbed the mobile phone.

Someone knocked.

“Who is it?” I called out as I hurried to the door. My heart tripped over in my chest. Was it Wilson? Or Gabriel? I was surprised at how much I wanted to see that ornery fugitive again.

“My name is Terran,” said a female voice. “Gabriel sent me.”

Warily, I clenched the handle. “No offense, but how can I trust you?”

“Because I could easily rip off the door or bust through the wall.”

Trepidation squeezed me, but I unlocked the door and opened it.

The woman was thin, wiry. She barely reached my chin. She would’ve been beautiful if the left side of her face had not had a long, jagged scar puckering the skin. Her black hair was pulled into a ponytail.

She wore a bomber jacket, skintight jeans, and biker boots that buckled on the side. She carried a half sword that was smooth-sharp on one side and wicked-jagged on the other. In the belt around her waist were small knives and on her left hip, a 9mm.

Jeez. Talk about being prepared for the worst. Her brown gaze assessed me. Then she bent down on one knee and lowered her head. “My queen.”

For a full minute, I gaped at Terran. Me, a queen? Was she kidding? Huh. She seemed serious about her homage. And here I thought tonight couldn’t get any weirder.

“Honey, I’m the best beautician in these parts, but I ain’t the queen of hair care.”

She rose to her feet. I moved aside to let her in; then I shut the door.

“You’re very funny. Humor is a good quality in a leader.”

Riiiight. “Where’s Gabriel?”

She paced the small living room, her gaze darting all over the place. “He’ll return soon.”

“Are you a … er, hybrid, too?”

“Hmph. I suppose hybrid is a better word than mutant. Or abomination.” She shrugged. “I’m your garden-variety lycan. Only Gabriel is loup de sang.”

“Loop de what?”

“Loup de sang. Blood wolf.”

“Oh.” God, she was making me nervous with her pacing and constant checking of the windows. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a while now. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“It is my honor to serve you, my queen.”

“I’m not a queen.”

“You will rule the vampires and the werewolves. “ Her gaze pinned mine. “The Vederes are never wrong.”

“Who the hell are the Vederes?”

“A family of prophets. Astria Vedere predicted that one of the Broken Heart Turn-bloods would rule the two nations.”

Choo-choo. Train to Loonyville departing the station.

“You have the wrong Turn-blood, honey.” I walked to the couch and sat down. Terran refused my offer of a chair. She went to the window and peered out.

“What are you guys doing in Broken Heart? And why are you hiding from the Consortium?”

Terran’s gaze flicked to me. “These are questions Gabriel should answer.”

“Well, he’s not here and you are.”

She moved back from the window. “We’re hunted by everyone. Lycans, vampires, the Roma. We are not welcome anywhere.” She stood near the couch, arms crossed. “Except maybe here. We heard about the vampire-lycans who roam free. It is said that anyone who seeks safety and a new life can find it in Broken Heart.”

I was fuzzy on the Consortium’s plans for the town. Something about being one of the first communities where parakind could settle down and live openly. It hadn’t occurred to me how many non-humans were looking for a place to hang their hats.

Terran cocked her head. “You have visitors. I’ll sneak out the window in your bedroom.” She plucked a knife and the gun from her waistband arsenal and put them on the coffee table. “In case you need them, Queen Patricia.”

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t understand anything that had happened today. I must’ve somehow entered an alternate reality. Queens and new kinds of vampires and crazy lycans—jeez! The world had gone mad.

Terran strode through the kitchen and into my bedroom. She closed the door softly behind her. I put on my boots and tucked the little knife inside one. Then I grabbed the gun, hurried into the kitchen, and threw it into the freezer.

I opened the door after the first knock.

Patrick and Jessica greeted me. I saw how they were looking at me. With pity. With certainty. Foreboding slid into my stomach and sat there like a hot brick. I knew it could be only one thing.

They couldn’t be here to tell me … oh, God. The word escaped on a sob. “Wilson?”