Feral Hunger (2010) (5 page)

Her blonde hair was longer and curlier. Blue eyes flashed as she stared up at the man rushing her along. She didn't want to go with him any more than Jaelyn had. It didn't look like she was being given much of a choice.

Vlad pushed through the last of the crowd, taking Jaelyn with him. The dark man and his prey disappeared through the back door leading to the alley. There was no one else in the hall now. They hurried after them.

Jaelyn's heightened hearing brought her the sound of the woman's heels scraping across the concrete ground outside. She heard a gasp and then a smothered protest. Vlad shoved the heavy door. It opened into darkness, but with her sharpened vampire sight Jaelyn could see the blonde woman wedged against the wall. The dark man thrust her against the bricks. His incisors gleamed in the dim light as he brought his mouth down to her neck.

The woman struggled in his grasp. No, she pleaded. Her panicked eyes scanned his face for mercy and found none. She tried to dart to the side, moving her neck out of his reach. The vampire's mouth closed with an audible click as he missed his target. Anger tightened his jaw. Quickly, he wrestled her back under his control. He opened his mouth again, making sure she saw his razor-sharp fangs as he closed the precious inches between his mouth and her throat.

Jaelyn remembered that feeling of being overpowered, of having no choice but to surrender. Fury tightened every one of her muscles. Stop! Her voice echoed off the brick.

At the sound of Jaelyn's voice, the other vampire raised his head. His dark eyes centered on her. Recognition crossed his face, followed quickly by cold anger.

Jaelyn sprang. Cool air rushed by her. She barreled into him, momentarily throwing him off balance. The side of his body hit the wall, but he didn't release his prey.

Leave her alone! Jaelyn put the sum of her fury into another hard shove, but the long-haired man was stronger and he refused to let the woman go.

Jaelyn, no! She heard Vlad holler. He leapt into the fray. Jaelyn's assault had distracted the attacker, giving Vlad an opening. Using his longer reach, he seized the dark man by the collar of his trench coat and ripped him away from the blonde woman. Even overpowered, he still wouldn't willingly release his meal. His hands left long claw marks on her arms as Vlad hauled him away. I didn't hear the lady give you her consent.

For a moment, the blonde woman stared at them, stark fear plain in her eyes. Jaelyn watched as her terror turned to shock and she slumped against the brick. Jaelyn reached out to catch her.

Vlad shoved the other vampire face first against the wall. The dark man thrashed violently in his grasp. Jaelyn heard a muffled curse as Vlad grappled for a better grip. He thrust the vampire's feet apart and leaned against him, using his weight to hold him in place. It was obvious his efforts wouldn't hold him for long.

Jaelyn tightened her grip on the woman in her arms. I think we have no choice but to call the police now.

Vlad frowned at the thought. It was plain he still didn't want to involve the law. The vampire renewed his struggles. Vlad shoved him harder against the brick. Who are you?

What's it to you?

Vlad nodded in Jaelyn's direction. You bit a woman and left her on my doorstep to die. I'd say it's a lot to me.

When no response was forthcoming, he shoved the vampire harder. Answer me!

You! the vampire growled. This is all your fault.

For an instant there was silence, then Vlad asked, My fault? He leaned into the vampire's back, earning a groan from his quarry.

You're the worst of us, Leslie, the dark man snarled through clenched teeth.

Me? Vlad reared back as if he'd been struck. His prey struggled, nearly breaking free before Vlad recovered and renewed the pressure holding him in place. Jaelyn noted he hadn't denied his name was Leslie.

What have I done that's so bad? I'm not the one attacking innocent women!

You're a plague on our kind. Dressing in black, sleeping in coffins, reinforcing all the old stereotypes. You alone have thrown us back to the dark ages.

Vlad opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, the other vampire continued, Not only that, it's working. You're out with a new woman every night. The rest of us have to be stuck with your leftovers.

The expression on Vlad's face turned from outrage to horror. He glanced at Jaelyn and the woman she still clutched in her arms before turning back to the dark man. You did this because you couldn't score with women?

No one wants an honest guy anymore. All they want is the theatre. The fangs, the black velvet, the blood-drinking from crystal goblets. As a human, I watched you over the years at different clubs. You always had the prettiest women. You had your pick of them all. Even my ex-girlfriend couldn't resist you.

Vlad shifted uncomfortably. Look, I'm sorry if I

You weren't sorry. You never cared what happened among us mortals. Once I'd lost Lori to you, I decided that if I had to become a vampire to get even, then that's what I'd do. Your ex-girlfriend was kind enough to oblige me.

Jaelyn watched as Vlad blanched a shade paler, if that was possible. Michaela brought you over? Barely able to move his head with Vlad holding him against the wall, the vampire nodded.

And this is what you did with the gift she gave you?

What gift? It didn't work. It didn't change anything. All the women still went home with you. Scorn thickened his voice. I realized finally that you didn't score with women because you were a vampire, but because you put on a show.

Vlad cast a sheepish look in Jaelyn's direction. He didn't look pleased to have his dating habits stated so callously.

But I never thought you'd bring her over, the vampire continued. I never thought you'd take the responsibility.

There was silence for a moment. Vlad drew in a long breath. Yeah, well, I guess I've changed. The vampire turned his head as far as Vlad's weight would let him. Have you?

Jaelyn looked at the crowd gathering in the doorway. People were on their cell phones taking pictures and making calls. Someone had likely notified the police, whether Vlad wanted to involve them or not. Vlad

Before she could complete the sentence, the door burst open and several uniformed police officers wedged into the doorway.

We need an ambulance, Jaelyn shouted. That vampire attacked this woman.

The police relieved Vlad of his quarry, cuffing the vampire with silver handcuffs. She heard one of the officers putting in a call for the vampire liaison office. Just as Vlad had feared.

Medics came and took the blonde woman away in a special ambulance geared to deal with vampire emergencies. Police officers escorted them into the club's office and requested they stay until the liaison officer arrived. They left the club's vampire owner, Alix Greenberg, in charge of making sure they did. The newly turned vampire looked extremely displeased to have trouble in her club. They sat in stony silence.

Jaelyn glanced down, noticing that she'd torn her borrowed dress beyond all repair. The thigh-high slit in the side now exposed most of her hip. She shifted in her chair, trying to cover herself. Vlad was missing most of the buttons on his silk shirt. It hung open nearly to his waist, showing off his heavily muscled chest. The club owner didn't seem to have noticed, but Jaelyn gave him a pointed nod. He looked down, shrugged, and then covered his chest by crossing his arms. His dark curls stood out in all directions. It surprised her that she found the effect appealing. He had the air of a little boy who'd been caught fighting at school and was now sitting in the principal's office. She might have laughed if the situation hadn't been so dire.

Someone knocked on the door. Still keeping an eye on them, Alix crossed the room and opened it. A blond man with golden eyes stood in the doorway, flanked by a tall woman with dark hair.

Come in Dante, Xandra, the club owner said. The pair crowded into the small office. Jaelyn noted that Vlad followed Dante's progress warily.

The vampire liaison flipped a badge in their direction. Vampire Liaison Officer, Dante Rodriguez. This is my associate, Xandra Wheeler.

The liaison officer's golden eyes centered on Vlad, pinning him to the chair like an exotic bug. It looked to Jaelyn like Vlad was trying hard not to squirm under his scrutiny.

Jaelyn studied the liaison officer. She was so new to being a vampire, she didn't really know how to judge him, but it seemed like what Vlad had said was true. He wasn't like any other vampire she'd ever seen, not that she'd seen many. For one thing, his coloring was all wrong. Golden eyes gleamed in the dim lighting. His associate studied the two of them blatantly. The tall woman wasn't a vampire, Jaelyn was certain of that much, but she didn't seem entirely human either. The way she stood still as a statue unnerved her.

Alix gripped the door handle. If you have things under control in here, I ought to see what's happening out in the club.

There had been a mass exodus when the police and the ambulance had arrived.

That's fine, Dante said. I have a few questions.

More than a few, Xandra added.

Vlad sighed, I'm sure you do.

Dante took Alix's abandoned seat behind the desk. He leaned back in the chair, making himself at home. Xandra rested one hip against the desk and folded her arms. Why don't you start by telling us what happened.

Jaelyn glanced at Vlad. He still looked entirely uncomfortable, but he nodded for her to begin. She launched into the bizarre story of her last twenty-four hours.

The office was silent when she finished. Dante glared at Vlad. You should have called us sooner. The moment Jaelyn landed on your doorstep, Xandra added.

Vlad shifted in his chair. He pulled the edges of his shirt together again and re-crossed his arms over his chest. Yeah, well I've found out what happens when you involve the police. Even if you've done nothing wrong. Do you know how many police lineups I've been in?

He threw the words down like a challenge. For a moment no one said anything, but tension hung thick in the air.

Dante sat forward and gripped the sides of the desk. The wood groaned. Suddenly he seemed to become aware of it and loosened his hands. He crossed his arms, mirroring Vlad's defiant posture. I admit when vampirism first became public knowledge things got a little crazy. Fear ruled, I regret, sometimes even within the police force. But that was years ago. My department he nodded to his partner, Xandra, and I have worked very hard to ensure fair process for all of our citizens. Resentment crept into his tone, like he took Vlad's comments personally. You should have called us. Rogues are dangerous to us all. We've been investigating reports of women being attacked in the downtown area. This vampire who goes by the alias, Night Incarnate, has been a person of interest.

Well, you've got him now, Vlad said.

Jaelyn came to his rescue. Before anyone else got hurt too badly.

Dante nodded grudgingly.

Xandra turned in her direction. If you wish to see a medical specialist, we can provide one for you.

Did she want to see a specialist in vampirism? Jaelyn rolled her shoulders, feeling the increased strength and vitality that came with being a vampire flowing through her body. She searched her feelings. Early this evening, she had been angry. Furious at the strange twist her life had taken. But she'd prevented her attacker from hurting anyone else, which would have been impossible without her new abilities. She glanced up to find Dante, Xandra and Vlad watching her intently.

She held Vlad's gaze. Worry crossed his face, but he said nothing, merely waited for her response. No, I'm fine. Vlad has promised to help me adjust to my new... situation.

Xandra gave her one last probing look. If you do need anything, you know where to find us.

All right then. Dante rose from behind the desk. Xandra joined him. Together they walked to the door. The vampire liaison turned back, his hand gripping the doorknob. I'm sure we'll have further questions. I trust you'll be at the addresses you've given us?

In other words, don't leave town, we're not finished with you yet.

Vlad nodded. We'll be there. He looked intensely displeased at the prospect.

Good then.

The door closed behind them, leaving Jaelyn and Vlad together.

Vlad let his breath go. There's something strange about that guy.

Jaelyn had to agree. The memory of the liaison officer's amber gaze lingered in her mind. Now that the danger had passed, even her vampire strength waned. She tried to lighten the oppressive mood. Is it always this exciting being a vampire?

He barked a laugh. No, I'm afraid most of the time it's pretty much the same as being human. With a few new considerations, of course.

Jaelyn raised herself from the chair. I guess we're free to go.

Vlad stood and held out his hand. Come home with me, Jaelyn. Give me a few days to show you the good things about being a vampire, then you can decide what you want to do.

What she wanted to do about the rest of her life as a vampire, he meant. Which she guessed was going to be a very long one.

She gazed at Vlad and he looked back at her with hope in his eyes. His blood sang to her with recognition. Blood bond, he'd said. But it was more than that. She wanted him, both the man and the vampire.