DraculaVille - New York - Book One (19 page)

“Of course. I hope Lydia can give you some information.”

She hurried outside and flagged a taxi. If she hurried, she could grab lunch and still make it to Soho in an hour. A chill invaded her spine at the memory of her last trip to that area when they’d run into Maron’s buddies at the night club. Hopefully all the vampires were tucked tight in their coffins during the day. She had no desire to see any of them ever again.

***

Talia entered the tea shop and paused. It was a cozy place full of chintz covered furniture and little round tables. A fireplace on the far wall held a glowing set of gas fire logs. She scanned the room. A woman in leggings and a big oversized brown sweater waved to her.

“You must be Lydia,” Talia said as she approached the table for two.

“Yes, please be seated.” The witch gestured to the other chair. She had long wavy brown hair with golden glints and hazel eyes that sparkled with humor.

“My name’s Talia. Thank you so much for meeting me.” She sat and shrugged out of her coat.

“Serena sends people to me sometimes. I’m not sure I can help you. Tell me about the situation and the, ah, man.”

She gave her a brief recap of the scenario with Drake. “Do you believe me?”

Lydia smiled. “Yes, of course. I’m aware of these, um, factions in the city. They do tend to keep to themselves. It’s in their best interest to stay under the radar.”

“Have you ever heard of someone in my situation?”

A waitress arrived and brought a tea tray laden with a china pot, two cups and a plate of finger sandwiches and tiny cakes. Lydia leaned back in her chair and studied Talia during the interruption. When the waitress left, the witch poured them both tea.

“I hope you don’t mind. I ordered the tea tray before you arrived. Please have some.” She gestured to the plate of goodies.

Talia picked up the cup and drank, enjoying the tangy orange aroma of the steaming beverage. “Mmm, this is good. Thanks.”

Lydia leaned closer over the table. “I’ll tell you what I know, but my knowledge is incomplete. I’ve met a few of these people in my circles. What I know I gleaned from conversations with them along with my own studies. I have to tell you, I believe you are in a great deal of danger.”

Talia gulped the hot tea in her mouth, scalding her throat. “How can you say that when you just told me you don’t know everything?”

“I know enough. First of all, the group you met from this area is known to be radical. They don’t allow people in their flock who come from minorities. They call themselves,
pure-bloods
.”

“So they’re like vampire Nazis?” She whispered as goose bumps popped up on her arms.

“Shh.” The witch put a finger to her lips and glanced around. “Yes, exactly. They’re very strict about their territory. Other groups aren’t so unwelcoming, but this gang tends to be a bit paranoid.”

Talia sat her cup on the saucer with a
clink
.

“The other group you met on the Upper West Side is mostly Hispanic, but have a variety of ethnic backgrounds in their membership. Tension between the two groups has been rising lately. Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen.”

“Great. I’ve landed in the middle of a turf war.” Talia crossed her arms. “A vampire West Side Story.”

“Exactly. Loners like your friend don’t last long if they refuse to join a group.”

“Is that all?” So, Drake had been right about the importance of siding with Carlotta. Damn it.

“No.” Lydia scooted her chair around the table so they could sit side by side. “From what I understand, vampires mate for life. They’re extremely loyal to their spouse and flock.”

Talia told her about Carlotta with her human, how she called him ‘mine’ and referred to her being Drake’s. “What does that mean?”

“That’s different. They can have lovers, human or vampire. Such a relationship is what she’s referring to. But a mate is that one person they’re drawn to above all others. It's a cosmic connection, undeniable and unbreakable. Their
armantor
, they call it. Like a soul mate. The person they’re supposed to be bound to and live with forever.”

Talia’s heart pounded and sweat broke out on her brow. “Is that between both humans and vampires.”

“I’ve only heard it spoken of between vampires. It’s sacred to them.” The witch rested a hand on Talia’s forearm. “That’s the main reason I believe you're in grave danger.”

She blinked but couldn’t speak. Her heart knew what came next before Lydia said the words.

“From what you describe, I think you and your friend are
armantor
to each other. That explains your reaction to him. The allure and the jealousy.” Lydia’s gaze held sympathy.

“But why am I in danger?” Talia managed to whisper.

“Because there is nothing I or anyone else can do to help you.”

Talia swallowed. “Okay, so I have to learn to live with it. Maybe get him to move out or something.”

Lydia shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. This attraction is unavoidable. Two souls call to each other, searching--a constant unavoidable attraction that must be consummated.”

Talia squirmed in her seat. “Consummated?”

“Yes. Your friend doesn’t know it yet, but in the end, he’ll have you or die. The pull between you will grow stronger until…” She bit her lip and looked away.

“Until…?” Talia held her breath.

Lydia pressed her lips together for a few seconds. Then said, “Until he’s forced to kill you and turn you into a vampire.”

“B, b, but I don’t want to be a, a, a vampire.”

Lydia removed her hand and sat back in her chair. “Then you will have to kill him first.”

Chapter 23

“I need to see Gerri Peterman. It’s an emergency.” Talia leaned across the free clinic’s reception desk.

The woman tapped the end of her pen on the desk and gave her the once over. “What’s your name?”

“Talia. She knows me.”

“Have a seat over there.” The woman pointed to a seating area filled with plastic molded chairs and a couple green plastic plants for ambience.

“Did I mention it’s an emergency?” She curled her fingers into tight fists, nails biting into her palms. The pain grounded her and kept her from falling apart.

The receptionist nodded and pointed, with her pen this time.

Talia wanted to argue, but the woman’s glare sent her to one of the stiff uncomfortable looking seats. Why did Gerri have to work at the hospital’s free clinic? It would be nicer at, say a nice plastic surgeon’s office. They had lovely furniture.

She glanced at a girl seated across from her. She was probably no older than sixteen with piercings in her nose and eyebrow. A few tattoos scattered down her thin arms. A baby with drool shiny on its chin waved a chubby fist in her direction. More drool erupted, but the mother texted instead of tending to the child. Talia went to another seat.

Thank God she only waited a few moments before Gerri poked her head out of a swinging door and motioned her back.

“What’s going on?” Gerri scanned her with a worried glance. “Claudia said it was an emergency.”

Talia glanced around and put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I need to talk to you. In private.”

Gerri nodded and led her into an exam room then closed the door. The smell of antiseptic stung her nostrils and made her eyes water. She sank onto another of the omnipresent plastic chairs.

Her friend perched on a rolling stool. “So, what’s the emergency?”

Talia pressed her hands against her cheeks, wishing this whole day hadn’t happened. Her head whirled with the news she’d received, and she had no idea how to deal with it. Still, how did Lydia know so much about the vampire culture? Maybe she’d misunderstood about the fatal nature of the attraction.

“I don’t know how to explain.” She closed her eyes for a few seconds. “There’s been something bizarre between me and Drake ever since we first met.”

Gerri let out a deep sigh and shook her head.

“It’s strange. I thought it was some sort of vampire trick. You know, like in the movies where Dracula puts a woman in a trance so she comes to him and doesn’t mind him biting her?”

She paused, glancing at her friend’s face, which remained unreadable.

“Something about him…I…damn it, I can’t get him out of my mind. I want to be close to him, and the thought of him seeing that Carlotta bitch makes me crazy.” She wrapped her hands together in her lap.

“You’re in love with him?” Gerri shot her a speculative stare.

“No, no, it’s not that. Well, not exactly.” Talia explained about her attempts to control the attraction, and then her conversation with Lydia earlier. “What am I going to do?”

“You have to kill him? That’s what she said?” Gerri gave a skeptical laugh.

“Yes. It’s that or he turns me into a vampire.” Talia’s hands started shaking, and she gripped them tighter.

Gerri shook her head. “I don’t believe it. You know Drake. He wouldn’t even consider biting someone to live. Remember?”

“You think the witch was lying?”

“She doesn’t know everything about vampires. You said so. Seriously, you can’t kill Drake. That’s insane. He’s our friend.”

Talia’s pulse slowed, and a ray of hope warmed her heart. Talking to Gerri was like a cold rag on the back of her neck. She’d gotten too worked up over Lydia’s revelations. She’d never even heard of
armantor
between a vampire and a human. “Yes, he’s our friend.”

“I just think you’re attracted to him. I mean he
is
super hot, and he’s nice. Why wouldn’t you find him attractive?”

She stood and paced the small room, biting a fingernail. Maybe Gerri was right. But where did that leave her? Falling for a vampire? She couldn’t believe it. How could she have possibly allowed that to happen? She’d never permitted her emotions to cloud her good sense.

Gerri stood and offered a sympathetic smile. “Don’t get all worked up about this. Drake would never bite you or hurt you in any way. Anyone can tell how much he cares about you.”

Talia stopped pacing. “He does?”

“Yes, of course. It’s obvious.”

“It is?”

Gerri let out a deep breath. “Go home, Tal. You’ve been under tremendous stress lately. Take a nap and forget about this nonsense. You and Drake have to work together for a long time. Treat him like you would any other man.”

She hugged her arms around her stomach, letting Gerri’s calm words sink in and drive away the panic. “Okay. I’ll go home. I am tired. Maybe I simply need a break from the pressure. Thanks, Ger.”

“Sure, girlfriend. Anytime.” Her friend gave her a hug. “Now I’ve got a few more patients to see before I can go home. Call me later if you need to talk.”

She nodded and left the clinic. She called her assistant from the cab and told him she wouldn’t return today. It was already four, anyway.

Her apartment was silent when she entered. She paused inside the door and glanced at the familiar surroundings. Drake’s gray jacket draped over the back of a chair, and a pack of cards on the coffee table where he and Pip had played a game last night were subtle signs of his presence.

She strolled into the kitchen, noting an empty dishwasher. A recipe for veal scaloppini on the counter waited for Drake to rise and work his kitchen magic. Half the cheesecake remained in the refrigerator. She took it out and placed a slice on a saucer then carried it into the living room.

The creamy richness melted in her mouth spiced by the tang of the strawberries. She felt like a complete jerk. Drake was a thoughtful and pleasant roommate, not to mention a fabulous cook. She’d let Lydia’s story get under her skin. Gerri was right. She couldn’t imagine Drake doing anything to hurt anyone. Her fears seemed ridiculous now.

She finished her cake and went to her bedroom. A nap, a rare luxury, sounded wonderful. It wasn’t until she snuggled under her comforter that she realized she had locked her bedroom door without giving it a thought. She squeezed her pillow in frustration. It was crazy to let the witch’s warning get to her. Her life was better now than it had been in a long time.

Closing her eyes, she refused to think about Drake being a threat any more. But she didn’t unlock her door.

***

“Talia?” Drake’s voice rumbled through her closed door.

She stretched and yawned. “Yes?”

“Are you all right?”

“I’m just taking a nap.”

Silence. Then, “I’m going to start dinner.”

A lingering twinge of guilt tugged at her conscience. She sighed as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She had to put that witch’s crap out of her head. After donning leggings and a long, jade silk shirt, she padded down the hall. The clink of pots met her ears.

“Hey,” she said as she climbed onto a kitchen bar stool.

“Wine?” He smiled.

“Sure.”

He poured them both a glass and pushed hers across the island. “How was work?”

She took a sip. “Leslie had this idea that you should be part of a giveaway contest for the grand opening of the park.”

He paused in lifting his glass to his lips.

She explained about the contest.

He shrugged. “Well, maybe having dinner with the winner wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t want to get into some quasi romantic hoopla though. You know, some sort of vampire Bachelor show.”

She laughed, glad that he shied from the idea of romance with someone else. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”

His cell rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. “Hello?” He listened for a minute. “Okay, come on over.”

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Felix. He has the outfit ready for the photo shoot and wants me to try it on.”

“A likely excuse to come and eat.” Talia snorted.

Drake grinned. “I like having Felix and Gerri around. Makes it seem like we’re part of a big family. It’s nice.”

She had to admit, she liked it, too. Funny how her personal life had changed since Drake came to live with her. Her solitary routine of work, work, work had left her empty and she didn’t even realize how much until now.

“Hey, Mom.” Pip straggled into the kitchen still in a pair of flannel Batman pajamas.

“Don’t call me that,” she said to him, then turned to Drake. “Batman?”