He licked there instead. No. Youve lost too much blood tonight.
I didnt care. I wanted my blood inside him. It was a need almost as strong as the desperation that each new thrust within me brought.
Do it, I moaned. Show me Im yours.
His arms lashed around me even as he moved faster. Youare mine, he ground out, sealing his mouth over my pulse.
I barely had a chance to smile at my victory when his fangs slid into my neck. A hot swell of passion flooded me, making me dizzy, but for more reasons than the single swallow Bones took before he closed the punctures.
He kissed me, the metallic taste of my blood flavoring his mouth. I clung to him while the escalating intensity seemed to make my whole body boil.
Your turn, Kitten. His voice was rough with lust. Show me Im yours.
My teeth sank into his neck. Boness hand wound in my hair, holding me closer, inciting me to bite harder, until his blood filled my mouth.
I swallowed. Bones tugged my head back to kiss me again, our mouths tasting of sex and each others blood. There was something primal about that, his anger, and the seething urge I had to prove to him that no one else mattered.
Dont stop. Dont stop.
Maybe I said it out loud. Maybe I didnt. Either way, Bones flipped me over until he was on top of me, moving with ever-increasing intensity.
I cant stop.
It was the best fight wed ever had.
The strobe light of the control tower pierced the darkness with sweeping circular beams. It had snowed earlier. I was freezing even with my double pants, double sweaters, and jacket. Bones hadnt bothered to don anything over his clothes except his black leather coat, but that was probably more from habit than need for warmth.
The strobe light turned off. Our signal.
In the darkness, Bones circled the base in whirls of aerial speed, too fast and random for anyone with a bulky weapon to target, and if they had anything smaller, it wouldnt matter. I was clasped in his arms, closing my eyes against the dizzying dips and turns. We could have just driven up, but Bones was being extra paranoid. He didnt want to risk the chance that one of Patras people had somehow followed us from the wreckage of Hyksos plane and was waiting near the compound with a rocket launcher like Max had.
The guards faces on the roof were masks of carefully controlled shock as first Bones appeared out of the dark, landing, striding toward them without even a falter in his step. Right behind him was Ian, who carried Tate. Then came Tick Tock and Zero.
Don had argued about Ian knowing where the compound was, but Bones brushed him off. He didnt think Ian would betray the location to anyone, so Ian was here, letting go of Tate as soon as he touched the roof. Ian looked around with mild curiosity. His being herewas ironic, of course, considering how Don had sent me to capture or kill Ian just a little over a year ago. How things had changed since then.
The six of us went inside. No one had been shot at and nothing had exploded. So far, so good, if you asked me, though truth be told, I didnt know why we were here in the first place. After our, um, argument in the back of the tractor trailer, Bones had said he needed to see Don. Id asked why, of course, but he had a really effective method of distracting me. Then there had been the interesting scene at the private airport, where Bones green-eyed an unsuspecting pilot into flying us to Tennessee. So now here we were, and I still didnt know what Bones wanted to talk to my uncle about. Guess Id find out soon enough.
Id avoided looking at Tate since we met up with him, Ian, Tick Tock, and Zero a few miles from here. There was a big awkward factor between us now. For his part, Bones didnt act any differently, even though he would have been able to sense and hear my mental discomfort. Therefore, I was taken aback when Bones announced that hed meet me in Dons office, saying he wanted to find Juan and have a word with him.
Okay, I managed, torn between going with him just to keep Bones as a shield between me and Tate, and staying because of how cowardly that was. I picked staying. Whoever said I took the easy road? Not me.
Ian cast a meaningful look at Tate and then grinned. Ill go with you, Crispin, he said.
I began walking toward Dons office. It didnt surprise me that Tate followed. I heard Bones let out a sardonic snort right before the elevator doors closed. Yeah, he wasnt surprised by Tates actions, either.
Tick Tock and Zero kept pace behind us. I glanced back at them, once again struck by their dissimilarity in appearance. If ever there was a pair of vampires who looked less alike, it was the albino-ish Zero and the chocolate-skinned Tick Tock.
Where did the two of you meet Bones? I asked, struggling to fill the silence before Tate did.
Poland, Zero replied.
Australia, Tick Tock said.
Id never been to either place. Tates comment that I didnt really know Bones after spending just one year with him out of the two hundred and fifty hed lived echoed in my mind. Then I squashed it.I know what counts, I reminded myself firmly.
So, how are you and Crypt Keeper doing? Tate asked in a casual tone.
Fine. My voice was clipped.
Tate stopped walking and grabbed my arm. How long are you going to pretend nothing happened, Cat?
Dont! I said to Tick Tock, whod already cleared his knife from his belt. Back down, guys. I can handle this.
Zeros fangs slid back into his gums, and after another hard stare, Tick Tock put away his knife. Then I rounded on Tate, looking him full in the eye.
It was a job, Tate. Things went further than they should have, but we got our targets and thats what matters. Now, before you permanently burn our friendship, would you pleasestop reading anything more into it than it was?
I know what I felt, Tate said roughly. You can pretend all you want, Cat, but for a while there, you werent acting, and you cant say you were only thinking of me as a friend.
I had a moment of warning at the power filling the air before I heard Boness mocking laugh.
Just as I suspected, he snorted from the other end of the hallway. Knew it wouldnt be two minutes before youd make that claim, but youre barking mad if you think youll ever come between me and my wife.
Tate folded his arms. I already have.
Bones came closer. More of that cracking power filled the air. Ian just leaned against the wall in the hallway and smiled, like he was enjoying the show. Zero and Tick Tock moved aside, until nothing stood in Boness way to Tate except me.
What are you about to do? I asked low.
Bones arched a brow. Nothing, pet. Why?
Because you look like youre about to play soccer with Tates head,I said to him silently.And thats not going to happen, even if he is being an idiot.
My uncle came out of his office, looked at the vampires lined up in the hallway and Tates defiant stance, then coughed.
Cat, Bones, glad you arrived safely. Wont you come sit down? I have some whiskey I was about to open up.
I couldnt remember the last time Id seen Don drink, but I was glad for the tension dissipater. Bones smiled.
A nip would do me just fine, old chap.
I laced my fingers in Boness as we went inside, which was a good thing, because I almost tripped when Bones said, You, too, mate, to Tate.
The three of us filed into Dons office. I took a seat on the couch and Bones sat next to me. Tate stood, his posture stiff and unyielding.
Don looked over each of us in turn before he sighed. Why do I feel like I just interrupted a potentially nasty scene out there?
It doesnt matter, theyre done now, I said to Don, glaring at Tate to let him know hed better stick to that. It was a vampire pissing contest, but its over.
Right you are, luv.
Bones leaned over to place a light kiss on my cheek. Then he dropped the bomb.
I can read humans minds now, Don. Therefore, I know the dilemma youre in, but the way out is right in front of you. Its commendable you havent used your assets for monetary gain before, but desperate times call for desperate measures, dont you agree?
What? I gasped, both confused by his last sentence and astounded that Bones had told Don about his new power.
My uncle didnt blink. I wont expose the public to Brams. Synthetic vampire blood made into medicine is too experimental. In the wrong hands, it could turn the entire population into superhuman killers.
What are you two talking about? I demanded again.
Dons in a bind, Bones replied. His governments implemented deep budget cuts, and hes looking at closure in a year or two. He didnt want to tell anyone for fear of lowering morale.
My jaw dropped. Dons face confirmed it. How could you have not said anything? I gasped.
Bones tapped his chin and gave Don a calculating look. Smart of you to realize how destructive Brams could be, but you dont need it. Whats got the politicians in a twist today? Terrorism. Scaresem sackless. What can you offer that no one else can? An interrogator guaranteed to get all the facts, names, places, and plots quicker than they can say full-scale retaliation.
Bones paused to let his words sink in. I was still shocked that Don had held back something as important as closing from the rest of us.
Youre offering to do that? Don asked, openly skeptical.
Bones chuckled without humor. Not me. Tate. Ship him to wherever their most stubborn hostage is, have him green-eye information out of the bloke, then sit back and sell him out to the highest bidder. Youll be flush inside of two months while providing an invaluable service to your country to boot. Best of all, the Geneva Convention can kiss your arse, because the hostage-and his holders-wont even remember how it happened.
You bastard! Tate burst, advancing on Bones in a fury.
Sit down, soldier! Don shouted in a tone Id never heard him use.
Tate halted in his tracks, staring at me. Hes only doing this to get me away from Cat. He doesnt give a shit about our operation, this country, or anything else but her!
Thats not the question, is it? Bones asked icily. Doyou care about your operation, this country, or anything else but her? I seem to remember you saying your love for her wouldnt interfere with your job. Prove it.
I knew then that Bones had planned this ever since hed ripped the roof off that limousine.Dont get mad, get even didnt begin to cover it.
Don stood up. Well, Tate? Whats your answer?
Tate gave Bones a look of pure hatred. You order me to go, Don, and Ill go.
Don sighed. Youre the finest man I know. Youll prove that everything I believed about integrity being corrupted after turning into a vampire was wrong. Dons gaze flicked to Bones. Ill need someone to replace him. Cats gone too much now, and Dave isnt enough.
Bones didnt flinch. Let me have Tate round another week, then you can ship him off and Ill provide you with a replacement.
Don turned back to me. Go on, Cat. Ill handle things from here.
Even though this was for the best, I felt anguished for Tate. I knew what it was like to be forced to walk away from the person you loved. I just wished that with this absence, Tate would fall in love with someone else. Maybe being away from me would wake him up to the fact that there were plenty of great women out there, instead of always having the person he thought he wanted dangled just out of his reach.
Damn you, Tate growled to Bones.
I hope The proper words failed me, so I just mumbled, Take care of yourself, Tate, and walked out the door with Bones beside me.
NINETEEN
WE DIDNT LEAVE RIGHT AWAY, WHICH WAS Boness idea, not mine. I went to my office while Bones went off to talk to Juan. When the two of them came back fifteen minutes later, Juan looked paler, but he also seemed to be excited.
Whats up, buddy? I asked him.
Juan glanced around my office. Bones,aqui? Ahora?
Bones gave him an impassive look and shut the door. Si. Listos?
Juans eyes met mine, and then he nodded. Si.
I was still translating when Bones grabbed Juan and buried his fangs deeply into his neck. What thehell? Then what theyd been saying penetrated.Bones, here? Now? Yes. Ready? Yes. Oh God. Juan must be the vampire replacement Bones had just promised Don. Talk about not wasting any time.
Juans legs buckled and his eyes fluttered closed. He lost consciousness, his body rapidly going into shock from the mass amounts of blood leaving it. Bones held him, sucking harder at his neck. Juans face drained of color even as Boness became pinker, almost flushed. If I touched him now, I knew hed be warm, though his new temperature would only last as long as it took for Juan to suck his blood back out of him.
Juans heartbeat slowed. What had been a fast, nervous beating when Bones first bit him turned into lazy, lethargic buh-booms with growing spaces in between. After a minute, Bones raised his head.
Kitten, hand me that letter opener.
It took me a second to shake myself from seeing my friend dying in front of me, but then I passed the requested item over. Bones took it and plunged it into his own neck, blood spilling out from the unusual fullness of his jugular. He put Juans head there, forcing his blood into Juans mouth.
Dave came in the door, an odd expression on his face. Thin crimson lines streamed into Juans slack mouth. The air became charged, like there was an electric storm nearby. Bones held Juan to his throat, the letter opener still piercing his skin. Juans lips twitched. His mouth began to fasten of its own volition onto Boness neck. The letter opener fell unneeded to the floor, because Juan was biting at him now. With single purpose, he clutched Bones, chewing into the pale neck.
Juan sucked on Boness throat, tearing his flesh and swallowing in ravenous gulps. Bones held him, his lips in a tight line as Juans blood was given back to him irrevocably altered. Finally he grasped Juan and tore his mouth away, wrestling him to the ground and pinning him. Juan struggled, his teeth snapping and starting to curve with the first hints of fang.
No you dont, mate, Bones said.
Dave moved toward me, standing in the way of the now-insensible man who would kill anyone out of sheer, blind hunger.
Juan continued to thrash for another minute before he shuddered violently. Then his whole body went limp and his last few heartbeats went forever silent.
Bones grunted in weariness and rolled off him. Changing a vampire weakened him of power. Not to mention hed just been sucked dry.
You need a refill, I stated, and went to pass by Dave to get some plasma from our in-house blood bank.
Dont.
Bones was on his feet before I could blink.
Juststay right here, Kitten.
Understanding dawned. The last time hed changed someone over, Id gone away for just a minute and ended up being tortured and nearly killed.
Ill get it.
The offer came from Dave, who seemed to remember.
No, you wont, Bones said. Youll stay right here on the very slim chance our friend wakes up and makes a go for her throat. That way I wouldnt have to kill him. Call Ian, have him bring the blood up.
Jeez, he was being cautious. The odds of Juan rising so soon and overcoming Bones were near absolute zero, but I didnt argue. Dave made the call. The fact he also didnt argue meant he must be equally paranoid.
Why arent we just putting him downstairs in the secured cell? Thats what its there for.
Because, Kitten Bones put Juans lifeless body on the couch and stayed close to him. Were leaving, and were taking him with us.
It was several hours and a dizzying free-flying jaunt from the compound back to our cars later that we rounded the last curves on our driveway in the Blue Ridge.
Where will we put Juan?
Three cars behind I could hear him howling, cut off the next moment by the slurping sound of him feeding from the plasma bags Id packed. Hed just risen. Five vampires were in the car with him, and three of them were Masters. No, he wasnt going anywhere.
The cellar, was Boness reply. Its reinforced, and well have Tick Tock, Dave, and Rattler take turns staying with him. Within a week, hell be himself.
Until then, Juan was a danger to anyone with a pulse.
Were not going to have enough room if everyone stays.
Three of the couches have pull-outs and the rest will make do with blankets and the floor. Each one of them has endured worse, believe me.
Were the ones with the urgent problems and its our house theyre staying at, we should take the floor, I noted. Its only polite.
Bones snorted. Right. In my own home on Christmas? I think not.
Yes, it was after two a.m. and therefore officially Christmas Day. This wasnt the romantic, private evening I had planned, but oh well. We were together.
I leaned over and kissed his neck, letting my breath tickle his ear. Merry Christmas, I whispered.
Bones put the car in park and stopped me when I began to draw back. His hand curled around my neck as he dipped my head back with a slow, deep kiss that made mereally wish we were alone.
It was interrupted when Ian rapped on our side window.
If were supposed to wait outside in the cold while you two snog in the car, Id just as soon have flown home.
My mouth opened in outrage when my mother trotted by and muttered, Thank God somebody said it.
The humor of that struck me and I laughed. My mother, agreeing with the vampire whod sired Max? Now that was a Christmas miracle if Id ever heard one.
Im sorry, Ian, did I forget to ask your permission before I kissed my wife? Bones countered. Wanker.
Guttersnipe.
Ian said the insult with a trace of a smile. Far from being offended, Bones chuckled, giving me a last kiss before he got out of the car and grasped Ian by the shoulders.
Im glad youre here, mate.
Ian had a self-deprecating smile. Do you know why I am? Because for once, you asked for my assistance. Youve never done that in all the centuries Ive known you. Thats why I threw in my lot with you, bloody usurping sod though you are.
Ever since I first met Ian, I hadnt understood why Bones tolerated him, but seeing the two of them like this explained a lot.
You could have walked away, Ian. Just as you could have over two hundred and twenty years ago when I was imprisoned at the colony. I didnt thank you then and I havent since, yet it is long overdue. Thank you, Ian, for changing me into a vampire. I am forever in your debt.
Ians eyes flashed with emotion. Then he arched a jaded brow, recovering.
About bleedin time. I expect it to take another two centuries before youll apologize for threatening to kill me over Cat?
Bones laughed. Youll shrivel waiting for that apology, mate.
Lets hatch a dastardly plan, then, Ian said with amused grimness. Or Patra will ensure that wellall shrivel.
Vlad showed up at our house, remarking that hed been in the neighborhood. I doubted that, but I wasnt about to call him a liar, especially since hed proved to be a useful source of information. Still, part of me wondered if hed shown up just because it irritated Bones. Vlad seemed to have a devilish sense of humor that way.
Whatever happened to Anthony? he asked after hearing that Hykso and Kratas were being held hostage. Unfortunately, according to Spade, so far they hadnt proved to know a wealth of information.
Ill be shipping pieces of him back to Patra, Bones replied. Along with pieces of the other blokes. Itll give her people something to think about.
The sick part of me wondered if Bones would cover those boxes with Christmas wrapping paper. Talk about getting an unwanted present. Heres hoping Patra didnt have something similar in the works for us. Nothing said home for the holidays like opening a present full of body parts.
Thats it! I shot straight out of my seat, struck with an idea like a proverbial light bulb had gone off.
Bones arched a brow at me, not knowing what it was. My thoughts must have been whirling too fast for him to catch.
Its Christmas. Most people are with their loved ones today, I said. Rather than ship bits of Anthony and the other guys from flunky to flunky, hoping they got to someone high enough to pass them onto Patra, how would you like to deliver them in person?
Ian leaned forward with interest. Bones stared at me, tapping his chin.
You know the answer. Go on.
We know that Patras been on the lookout for anyone whod give her information on us. Hell, were doing the same thing. So what if an informant contacted Patra through one of the numbers Kratas had, offering to sell information on where she can find us? But this person wants cash up front, in person, and right away.
Patra would assume it could be a trap, Mencheres pointed out. So shed expect you and Bones to be waiting for her.
I smiled. Im counting on that.
Bones finally caught the plan in my head. Kitten,no.
Its an acceptable risk, I argued.
Vlad must have picked the idea from my mind, too, because he started to laugh.
Oh, Bones, maybe you should have married a docile girl who didnt stray too far from the kitchen.
Get stuffed, dont you have more publicity stunts to pull? Bones shot back. How about chatting with another writer who can smear your name into greater popularity?
What, did Anne Rice not return your calls,mate? Vlad asked scathingly. Jealousy is such an ugly trait.
A noise escaped me before I could choke it off. Ian had no such discretion, and his laugh was clear and hearty.
Dont glare at her, Crispin. It was funny, and thats not even counting the look on your face.
Which was far from amused, but after a beat, Bones relaxed and his lips twitched.
Indeed it was. Right. Let us sort out this plan of yours, Kitten. It may be our best opportunity.
Bones selected the members of the vampire entourage who were going with me. When he directed Tate to be one of the five, I was speechless. Then he confounded me even more by choosing Vlad as another.
Are you kidding? I asked when I found my voice.
If theres anything your bloke does better than incense me, its watch you, Bones replied. Hed give his life for you without the slightest hesitation. Its the one thing hes useful for.
Tate gave Bones an evil look, but didnt argue. Vlad watched their exchange with mild curiosity.
And why do you want me with her?
Youre a ruthless sod who never lets conscience interfere with your objectives, Bones said curtly. Its a trait I havent often admired in you, yet one Im counting on now.
I grabbed his jacket. Dont worry about me, just take care of yourself. I want you back in time for dinner.
There were two other vampires present who could hear the rest of my message, but I sent it to him anyway.When you get back, Im going to cover myself in whiskey and nothing else. Then Ill pour gin all over you. Were going to drink from each other, in every possible way.
Vlad let out an amused grunt, saying, Excellent motivator, isnt she? as he walked away. Mencheres kept his features blank. How mannerly. Dave just muttered, She cant cook. Hows that incentive?
Bones moved closer until his body was tight against mine. There was a distinct hardness to him as he bent me back, his mouth pillaging mine like we had all the time in the world.
When he let me go, my heart was hammering. His eyes were swirling green and he inhaled, absorbing the scent of my arousal.
I shall scarcely be able to think about anything else.
Yeah, well, now neither would I.
Keep those bottles close, Kitten. Ill be back before you know it.
He gave me one last kiss and walked away with Spade, Ian, and Rodney in tow. I watched them climb into the helicopter and shielded my eyes from the wind of the churning rotors. Dave stood next to me as it lifted off and then faded into the distance.
He broke the silence. I have to get back to Juan. Rattlers staying with your mom, Denise, and Randy, and Tick Tocks going with you. Hes stronger than I am, so its better.
Id rather have you, I replied, still staring at the sky even though I couldnt see the chopper anymore.
Dave shifted, obviously pleased by the compliment. In several years maybe he wont be. Ill see you when its over.
Tate approached, his short brown hair not even rustling in the wind, and all of a sudden, something cold slithered up my spine.Thats irrational, I told myself.Youre being superstitious, Cat, get a grip.
Whats wrong?
Dave knew me too well. Enough to know it wasnt the temperature that made me shiver all over. I rubbed my hands over my arms, fixing a fake expression of confidence on my face.
Nothing. Forgot my jacket, thats all.
Dave gave me a look, but I ignored it. Just as I ignored the paranoid little voice in my head that made me want to call Bones and insist he return.
Ill be back before you know it.
Comforting words, you would think, but not to me. Those were the last words Bones said to me before I left him all those years ago. That sentence had tormented me during the years we were apart, and now I was afraid him saying it again was prophetic.
Telling myself it was coincidence and nothing more, I went inside. I had a job to do and there was no time for groundless fears. After all, I had enough to be afraid of that wasnt imaginary.
TWENTY
MANY THINGS WERE CLOSEDCHRISTMAS Day. Restaurants. Bars. Clubs. Malls. Of course, one establishment was notoriously busy. The movie theater.
Todays six oclock showing of a romantic comedy starring two big-named Hollywood actors was about to get interesting. It helped that this was an upscale theater with balcony seating. More chance to show off the aerial abilities of the undead.
Vlad Tepesh rose out of his seat in the front row as if hed been pulled by strings. His body was in stark outline against the wide screen behind him. He spread his arms and let the emerald beams in his eyes settle on the shocked faces turned toward him.
You shouldnt have come, Reaper.
A show hound, Bones had called him. Right now I had to agree. Even his long dark hair swirled around him, blown as if by an invisible breeze. I hid my smile and stood, holding a crossbow at the ready.
Time to die, suck head. Okay, cheesy, but if he was piling on the dramatics, so was I.
What the fuck?
The guy next to me barely got the words out when I fired four arrows in rapid succession. Vlad spun in midair, dodging the arrows. They landed in the screen right as there was a close-up of the actresss face.
Somebody screamed.Finally, I thought. Jeez, did I have to cut his throat to cause a panic? People were so jaded nowadays.
Vlad flew at me, mouth open and fangs on display. With that, one of the patrons howled out a word.
Vampire!
Run for your lives, I yelled, knocking over several people as I avoided Vlads tackle. He caught the edge of my jacket and used it as leverage, throwing me across the theater to crash into the wall. It was a spectacular toss and knocked the wind out of me, causing me to gasp even as I ducked from his fist.
Were playing it that way, huh? Good. I like it rough.