Mercy's Danger: Montgomery's Vampires Trilogy (Book #2) (Montgomery's Vampires Series) (24 page)

“Does your fiancé have a name?” Joseph asked me.

I gave Robert’s name and every vampire in the room gasped.

“Not possible,” uttered the boy in the bowler hat. “Robert is human.”

“Not anymore,” Robert said, baring his fangs.

Big mistake. The VGO took this as an act of aggression, which I know Robert hadn’t intended. Maybe his brief stint as a human had made him out of practice with vampire customs.

Trying to reign in their outrage, I declared, “Robert’s vampirism is what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Joseph quieted his associates. “I admit, we
were
taken aback when you offered to turn yourself in.” A few of the vamps muttered words of agreement.

Blond Bitch commented, “I couldn’t care less
what
she has to say.”

“Then it’s a good thing you don’t speak for all of us, Serena,” sniped Dreadlocks. I wanted to give him a high-five. He turned to me. “
I
was bowled over by your audacity, Mercy. I think most here share my outlook.” There was more nodding.

“In our centuries of operation, not a single human has ever surrendered to the VGO,” Joseph declared. “Not one. I cannot promise that we will decide to let you live. However, as I stated on the phone, I can assure you that you will be unharmed while you state your case. Think of it as a reward for your bravery.”

“And it had better be interesting after we’ve all been gathered here,” sneered Serena.

“Enough!” growled Joseph.

Serena yelped in defeat.

I bit back a smile.

“Thank you for hearing me out.” I hoped I’d sounded gracious and not terrified. I detested Serena, but she
did
have a point. What I had to say had better sound good if Robert and I had any hope of getting out of there alive.

21

“Please, continue,” said Joseph. “There will be no more interruptions.” No need for him to clarify whom
that
comment was directed toward.

Serena looked as if she’d just bitten into a ripe cow patty.
Serves you right, you lippy bitch.

I hadn’t gone in there with a speech prepared for fear of sounding insincere. Promise or no promise, if the VGO suspected that I was being deceitful, it was game over.

“I’ll get right down to it,” I began. “I’m sure all of you are aware that my blood changes vampires human, and that Leopold Sorin used my blood to create a serum.”

I studied the faces of the vampires before me. None of them were surprised by what I had to say. Joseph had been earnest in his claim, though; nobody interrupted me, though they did seem to like me less after the reminder about my blood. I looked over at Robert, who smiled encouragingly.

“However, what none of you know is that the change my blood elicits is temporary.” The vampires exchanged a few skeptical looks. “As this is a recent discovery, it is a detail not even Leopold knows, though it is absolutely true. Any vampire who drinks my blood to become human will ultimately revert to vampire.”

Now I got the reaction I was expecting, which was a combination of curiosity and shock. Still they said nothing, so I went on to explain.

I told the VGO everything, start to finish, beginning with Robert’s sudden illness in San Francisco and ending with his return to vampirism in Bali. I revealed Leopold’s findings in the lab and my inability to become vampire. The only segment I omitted was the part about Jerry decapitating the assassin on the beach, fearing that the VGO would seek retaliation because he’d helped me.

By the time I’d finished, the group appeared deep in thought. I’d said all that needed saying, so I clasped my hands on my lap and pressed my lips together. I was tempted to elaborate, but I knew things could curdle fast if I kept yammering just to fill the silence. In times of grave uncertainty, it’s usually wisest to zip it.

“What you have told us is very fascinating,” Joseph said. “And I am very pleased for Robert. But none of this changes the fact that you gave your blood to Leopold so he could develop his serum.”

“I did not!” I half shouted.

Joseph raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Are you positive about that? You wouldn’t be fibbing to save your hide, would you?” Man, the vamp was hot, even though he was
delivering a threat.

“Is that what all of this has been about? Me giving Leopold my blood? I’ll have you all know that Leopold lied to me . . .
and
to Robert. The whole reason I gave Leopold my blood in the first place was so that he could develop a cure for Robert. Never in a million years would I have given him a drop if I’d known what he was planning on doing with it.”

“So you are saying that you don’t believe vampires should be eradicated?” asked Dreadlocks.

I shook my head vigorously. “No way. I like vampires. No, I
love
vampires, obviously.” I gestured towards Robert. “My best friend is a vampire. I tried to become one myself, but it didn’t work. So, with this in mind, why would I want to hurt you guys?”

“You understand that we will confer with Leopold to see if he corroborates what you’ve told us,” said Bowler Hat.

“Go ahead,” I snorted. “But don’t expect any real honesty from Leopold. He’ll look out for number one.”

Joseph smiled, “Yes, that does sound like Leopold.” He sat back in his chair and thought a moment. “It’s evident that you’re being heartfelt, Mercy, and I do feel for your plight. I think all of us present do. But you are a loose end, whether or not you aim to be. It is not the VGO way to leave a . . . situation unresolved. It’s a pity because you are a very beautiful woman.” Translation: You’re hot but we’re still going to kill you.

Great.

I sighed. “I figured that would be your response, which is why I’ve come with an offer.” Now the group was interested. I imagined very few individuals, whether human or vampire, had ever tried to negotiate with the VGO. “But before I reveal what that offer is, I’d like for you to allow Robert to say a few words.”

Joseph consulted with the group. “You have again amused us with your boldness, Mercy. We will allow Robert to speak, but he’d better make his point quickly.”

I nodded at Robert and he stood. “I was a vampire for over a hundred and sixty years before I became human again,” he said to the group. “Compared to many of you, this is not a very long time. So, I can only imagine what it would be like for a vampire to see the sun again after five hundred or a thousand years—two, three thousand years—without it. For me, it was indescribable.

“After drinking Mercy’s blood, I was able to experience many things I’d long forgotten as an immortal: drink wine, eat a fine meal, watch the sun rise . . . swim in the surf with sunshine upon my back. However, in my heart, I am vampire. Immortality is a gift I would not return, no matter what the reward. Mercy’s blood can provide the best of both worlds.” Robert bowed humbly to the group. “Thank you for hearing me out.”

“That was a touching speech, but we are no closer to identifying what it is that you’re offering,” said Joseph.

“I don’t wish to test your patience, so I will make it fast,” I said hastily.

“That would be wise.” Joseph gave me nod. “Carry on.”

“What I’m offering is a sort of vacation into humanism. As you may or may not already know, the serum Leopold developed is permanent. Once a vampire has received it, there is no going back. They will remain human until the day they die. The effect of my blood, however, is temporary. How long it lasts may depend on the age of the vampire, so the results may vary. Regardless, this means that you will be able to walk in the sun again—do a whole host of other things only humans can do—without having to give up your immortality.” I took a deep breath. “I’m offering to give the VGO my blood.”

Nobody jumped up to slay me, so I seemed to be headed in the right direction. I listened in as the group discussed my proposal. There were a few naysayers, Serena the most outspoken (no surprise there), who wanted to kill me just to be rid of the nuisance. The majority, however, were excited at the prospect of seeing the sun again. Robert was more relaxed, too, which I took as a good indication.

“And what is it that you want in exchange?” Joseph asked. “Money?”

“No, I am not seeking monetary gain from our deal.”

The group scoffed collectively. “From what we’ve witnessed, humans can be quite greedy,” said Dreadlocks.

I shrugged. “I’m not like most humans, I guess.”

“No, you most certainly are not, Mercy Montgomery,” flirted Joseph. Robert made a peeved
humph
sound. “So what is it that you
do
want?”

“I want to be left alone,” I said. “I want all of you to stop trying to kill me. I want Robert left alone, and my friends, too: Liz, David, and Seraphim . . . even Leopold. And I want you to cover David’s hospital bills, since it was your associates who put him there.” I added reluctantly, “And I don’t want you to kill Mathew, either.”

This bewildered the group. “Really? Your treacherous mate? You do not wish to see him drained?” asked Bowler Hat.

“He’s not my
mate
anymore,” I made clear. “And I detest him, yes. And he’s a complete idiot. But I would not feel right if you murdered him on my account.”

Joseph asked, “And how can you be so sure that we can be trusted—that we won’t take your blood and then kill you anyway?”

“I suppose I can’t be sure. But from what I’ve heard, the VGO pride themselves on having honor,” I replied. “Look, I’m no fool. I’m aware that any one of you could leap out from your chair and end me before I realized that I’d even been, uh, ended. But I hope you won’t. And I also know that you would have continued trying to kill me if I kept running, which is why I came to you. I don’t want to live my life in fear. I hope that if we can come to an amicable agreement, no more blood would need to be shed. If occasionally giving you my blood is what it takes for me to stay alive, then that is what I’ll do.”

“And you will give us your blood upon request?” asked the Japanese woman.

“As long as you leave me be and don’t threaten or kidnap me, I will give you my blood willingly. I don’t wish to be bitten, however, so a needle will need to be used. And you’ll need to bear in mind that I am human and will need time to recuperate between withdrawals, so we should set up a schedule. I live in San Francisco, so travel arrangements will need to be made. I’d prefer it if you came to me. What I’m hoping will eventually happen is that you use my blood to develop serum that replicates the effect it has, so that you won’t need to take mine anymore.” A few in the group frowned, so I added, “Only if you wish, of course. I just mean that it could be the most convenient arrangement for all parties involved.” Like I wanted to be under the VGO’s thumb forever.

“This is a very interesting proposal. Is there anything else you’d like to say before we make a decision?” asked Joseph.

“The one other thing I am requesting is the release of Seraphim’s mate, Nathaniel. I understand that you may have him here?”

Joseph nodded. “Is that all?”

“Yes. That’s all.”

The group made a vote, sixteen of the seventeen present voting in favor of my decision. The only one opposed to the decision was my girl, Serena. Why did this vampire I’d never met have a vendetta against me? The way she was eyeballing Robert, I had a guess.

“So . . . what now?” I asked to the group.

“Now we will need to verify the information you’ve given us,” said Joseph.

I gulped. “Verify?”

“You didn’t think we were simply going to take you at your word?” Joseph mocked. The group smirked along with him. Fantastic.

“No. No, I didn’t.” I did. “It’s just . . .”
It’s just that what I’ve told you is conjecture—a theory that has been proven on only one vampire.

I am so dead
, I thought,
if this doesn’t work.

Joseph inclined his head. “Yes?”

“It’s just, um, whomever takes my blood will need to be over a thousand for the effect to be instantaneous. Are there vampires present who fit this bill?”
Please say no.

“There are a few.” Of course there was.

Joseph stood and approached my chair. When he reached me, he took my hands into his and gently pulled me to my feet. “But since we cannot be certain that what you say is true until the deed is done, I will sacrifice my own body. It is my duty as a leader.”

I shivered when Joseph’s cool fingertips grazed my collarbone as he swept back my hair. I’d be lying if I said that it was only because I was frightened. (Hey, I’m only human.) He leaned me back in his arms, like he was dipping me at the end of a waltz. His full lips brushed against my earlobe as he whispered, “Really, it is no sacrifice at all. It will be my pleasure.”

“You want to do it right now?” I squeaked. “Here?” I stole a glance at Robert, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere on the planet except at the VGO headquarters, observing foxy Joseph whispering sweet nothings into my ear. Serena was enjoying every minute of our awkward exchange.

Joseph leaned closer and his deep brown eyes bore into mine. “Unless you have brought a syringe?”

Dazed, I blinked. Could the legend about vampires was true? Could they hypnotize a person with their gaze? It felt like it.

“Don’t worry. It won’t hurt too much.” Joseph winked and said, “You may even enjoy it. I know I will.”

“I’m ready.” I squeezed my eyes shut.

Joseph’s mouth was surprisingly warm as it closed around my neck. In truth, I could hardly feel his bite at all. His fangs were a lot gentler than how I remembered Robert’s being. Perhaps drinking blood was a skill that improved with age and practice, like writing or cooking.

Joseph released me and held me with his steady gaze. “Well?”

“It should happen any second now,” I said.

It was the longest ten minutes of my life, sitting there, waiting for Joseph to change.

But he didn’t. Nothing happened. Zilch. Not even a tremor.

They were going to kill me.

“She’s a little liar,” Serena hissed with her fangs bared. It was alarming. Unlike before, she was garnering crowd approval.

“I swear! I’m not!” I yelped, though I wasn’t sure
what
to believe.

“My patience has worn thin,” sighed Bowler Hat.

No!
Et tu, Bowler Hat?
I thought he’d had my back. Fickle, fickle vampire!

A few of the vampires were rising out of their chairs. Frightened, I cast a pleading look at Robert. Suddenly, he was in front of me, arms spread wide, shielding me from the encroaching immortals. They were out for blood and ready . . . Ready to drink from me, the lying little human.

“There has been some mistake!” I screamed. “I swear! I’m legit!”

The whole group was out of their chairs now, swarming and hissing. Claws and fangs fenced me at every angle. The vampires cast surreptitious glances at Joseph—waiting, I realized, for his consent to attack. Serena was leading the outraged mob, directing her malice on me. All she needed was a pitchfork and torch.