Zero was on the list, despite his outward slavish devotion, then Tick Tock, Rattler, and Doc completed our suspects. Vlad he kept as a potential alternate.
While Id been eating breakfast, Bones had finally called Don to tell him hed arrived. My uncle asked about Tate, of course, and got a brusque response that he was still unshriveled for the moment. I could just picture tiny gray hairs being yanked from Dons eyebrow during that conversation. Don loved Tate, but he was also a realist. He knew what would happen if Tate was guilty of this crime. Vampires didnt do probation.
To reinforce Mencheress description of a slow recovery, Bones moved with notable sluggishness compared to his normal prowling strides. We spent the afternoon on the couch while Mencheres brought him up to speed on what had occurred when he was presumed dead. In brief but unsparing detail, Mencheres described how Patra had crashed the event at the opera house. My mother gave up pretending she wasnt eavesdropping and sat in a nearby chair. When Mencheres was finished, she broke the loaded silence.
What a real bitch, Catherine. You should kill her.
Bones let out a snort. I intend to do the honors myself.
And in the meantime, wed see who here tried to contact Patra to let her know Bones was alive. Don had arranged for tapping of all the phones, and even interceptions of the wireless signals coming out of the house. Computers, text messaging, and anything else aside from homing pigeons were confiscated. Security purposes, Mencheres coolly stated, and no one dared argue with him. When the traitor made his move, hed have to do it by phone, and then wed catch him. Now we just had to wait.
Bones, you are still pale, Mencheres said. You should feed and get more rest.
Right. Bones tugged my hand. Kitten, I want to show you something.
I followed him downstairs to the basement, passing through several rooms I hadnt bothered to explore in the past few days. At least a third of this house was underground, a good vampire and ghoul analogy. What you saw on the surface was only the beginning, much like the species themselves.
Two vampires bowed at the waist before they held the wooden double doors open for us.
Several people, all human, glanced up when we entered what appeared to be an entertainment area. Some of them were on a large sofa watching the plasma TV, others played on one of the four billiard tables, and five looked to be engaged in a game of poker.
What is this? I whispered.
Boness wave encompassed the room. This is a vampires version of a kitchen, luv. Caring for humans in exchange for their blood is how many vampire households operate. I wanted you to see it.
Dibs on the redhead! a freckled young man called out, coming forward with a grin. Youll like me, I taste the best.
You think Im here tofeed on you? I gaped when he tilted his head and bared his neck.
Bones chuckled. He does indeed. Sorry, Neal, but shes not going to bite you, and you dont taste the best, he corrected him before laying a hand on his shoulder. Youll do, however. Though you should eat fewer onions.
I watched as Neal went to Bones, who sealed his mouth on Neals neck and bit him like he was a walking cupcake. Less than a minute later he stopped, closing the holes and giving Neal a companionable chuck on the chin.
Less garlic as well, mate. Ive drunk Italian chefs who didnt have such a reek about them.
Neals smile didnt slip. Best pizza Ive ever had, Whitey, and it was loaded with onions and garlic. Sorry.
Bones gave an amused snort. Toothbrush, lad. Familiarize yourself with it or youll never get turned. No, dont get up, as one of the girls rose from the couch. Were taking a quick walk and then well be off.
My mother would pass out if she knew this was underneath her, I thought dazedly.Living snacks, all within biting reach.
Who are these kids? I asked low. None of them looked much past their twenties.
Bones led me through another set of rooms. There was a library, computer area, even an underground Jacuzzi. And every few dozen feet there were bedrooms. Some were occupied, some were empty, and a few with closed doors had the unmistakable sounds of sex coming from them.
Oh, theyre from all sorts, he replied. Some are college students, aspiring artists, runaways from bad homes, street children, or budding apprentices. Neals one of those. He wants to be a vampire, so hes showing his commitment by being a meal and doing small errands. Whenever you have a group of vampires who live in a large house, you generally have one of these situations.
Are they all tranced?
Blimey, no. Theyre aware of what keeps them and why. The runaways get homeschooled, a place to live, and an allowance they save for whenever they wish to strike out on their own. For their own safety, though, most of them dont know where theyre located or the real names of who keeps them. When they leave, what they do know is wiped from their minds. Its happened this way for millennia, Kitten. A form of feudalism, as I told you before.
Feudalism? I stopped near one of the bedrooms with the heavy breathing. Is that what you call it?
This-Bones nodded at the doorway-is consensual. While I cant speak for all households, as a rule its considered very bad form to mesmerize ones food into shagging. If youre a guest and you do such a thing, its almost cause for death. Now, if the human fancies a tumble, then whos to criticize? Its their choice.
Whos to criticize? Me.Nice, Mencheres. Provide all-you-can-eat meals, in every possible way. Do be sure to feed regularly, Bones, theres a good lad!Asshole.
You know better, Kitten, Bones said with all seriousness. It will never happen.
I believed him, even if irrationally I still felt threatened by the easy opportunities available. Is that why you showed me this? So I wouldnt worry you were trying to conceal something?
Thats one of several reasons, yes. Bones started to smile. The main one is behind you, ogling your arse and about to get beaten for it.
Amigo, a voice said in a wheedling tone. I havent seen it for days-
My whirling to barrel into him cut off the rest of the sentence. Juan returned my hug, crooning in Spanish.
Mi querida,your husbands back,que bueno.
Yes, Im glad hes here as well, I sniffed. And that you are, too. How do you feel?
Juan grinned. It was his usual lecherous grin that reminded me crossing over didnt change the essence of the person.
I feel wonderful, and you are even more beautiful with these new eyes of mine. Look at your skin. He fingered my cheek. Magnifico.
Thats all the pawing youre allowed, mate.
Bones gave him a light punch, knocking him back a pace. Juan didnt quit grinning.
I must thank you for many things,amigo, but this most of all. You have made women even more appealing to me, ah, the scent of them. Their heartbeats. And how they taste He closed his eyes. Delicioso.
I swung my gaze to Bones in disbelief. Youve turned him into evenworse of a pig!
Bones shrugged. Hes just a bit overwhelmed with all the new senses. Hell get used to them. Or get neutered if he forgets himself and even thinks of palming your arse, do you think Im blind? He slapped at the hand wandering with feigned innocence near my hip. Control,amigo. Learn it.
Querida. Juan kissed my cheek, this time with respect. Im not ruled by my hunger and I can once again fight. Hes given me powerand I wont squander it.
One of the girls who were watching TV came down the hall with a flirtatious giggle, eyeing the two men. Juan went on full alert, his nose crinkling and green lights appearing in his eyes.
Speaking of not squandering it He gave me a last quick kiss and followed after her, grinning.
La rubia, por favorwait. I am thirsty, and very susceptible to flatteryyou could talk me into anything
So much for fighting the good fight, I observed dryly. Hell have a harem within a week.
Bones watched Juan disappear down the hall, nuzzling the blondes neck in a manner that didnt speak only of hunger. Hes a fine bloke. Hell learn.
Learn what?At least he cant get or pass diseases anymore, I thought. Thats one advantage turning Juan into a vampire did for womankind.
Bones put an arm around me as we headed toward the exit of this flesh feast. Hell learn that many women can satisfy for a short period of time, but when he falls in love, only one will sustain him forever.
I cast him a sideways glance Are you trying to seduce me?
His lips curled with promise. Absolutely.
My fingers laced in his. Yes, there was so much wrong with our situation. Someone we trusted wanted him dead, and that was just the start of our problems. Still, life was wasted on those who didnt live in the time they had, be they human, vampire, or ghoul. Or a freaky mixture of the two, like me.
Good.
TWENTY-EIGHT
THE WAITING WAS GETTING TO ME. UNDER other circumstances, I would have considered spending most of my time with Bones behind closed doors as a vacation. But suspiciously eyeing the people around me whenever we left the bedroom was not my idea of relaxing. It was worse for Bones, I knew. At least I didnt have emotional attachments to whoever the traitor was.
This morning at breakfast, Bones upped the ante. As I munched French toast, he casually mentioned to Zero that Reno should be a pleasant change in temperature compared to here in Whistler, British Columbia. All of our suspects were close enough to have overheard. Here I thought Id outgrown Clue.Will it be Zero in the kitchen with a cell phone, or Doc in the drawing room with a pistol?
Speaking of Doc, hed been acting strangely. Several times, we saw him lingering near the hallway where Tate was being held, wearing his guns, chewing on an unlit cigarette and watching everything around him with a surgeons attention. He seemed to appear behind me whenever Bones wasnt there, soundless as a shadow. When Bones would appear, hed exit in a polite but deliberate way, still staying in close proximity.
It creeped me out.
Bones didnt care for it, either, but out of necessity didnt confront Doc or show that it bothered him. Instead, he would smile and say things like, Oh, there you are, mate, in such a breezy, unaffected tone it was all I could do not to applaud. Maybe in another couple centuries, if I lived that long, Id have such good acting abilities as well.
Tick Tock and Rattler, the other two suspects, went about their business in such a blithe manner I mentally placed them lower on the totem pole. If anything, they seemed to sense my discomfort around Doc and tried to lead him off the few times Bones wasnt glued to my hip. I took to wearing knives under my clothes, though they didnt provide much comfort. With how blazing fast Doc was with those guns, Id be pumped full of bullets before even getting a chance to fling one.
Soon after the Reno announcement, Bones went for his morning drink. I wandered outside on the porch. Vampires traditionally hated the freezing cold, having no internal heating system as a human did. Mencheres didnt choose to hide out in the Canadian mountains in December on a whim. He knew it was a place the undead usually avoided. At this time of year, Florida was full of pulseless visitors. You couldnt swing a cat without hitting a nonbeating heart.
It was with mild trepidation therefore that I glimpsed a lone figure in the trees just to the left of where I was on the wraparound porch. I knew that form by now. Tall, lean, and deadly. Something glinted, and the sudden chill I felt made the outside air seem balmy in comparison. It was the reflection of sun off metal.
Without obvious rush, I turned and headed toward the door, concentrating all my willpower on not letting my pulse race. Such a sound might as well be a scream of fright to a vampire. As I walked, I wondered if I could dodge the bullets fast enough to avoid any vital organs. But it made sense that Doc would aim for my head. Why would he target anything else?
The door opened before I reached it, Vlad at my side, right in the way of any oncoming gunfire. I couldnt remember when Id been so glad to see him.
Thank you, I sent to him without giving a last look over my shoulder like I wanted to.
Its freezing out here, he said with a sardonic twist of his mouth. Youll catch your death.
Stay away from Doc, Kitten, Bones began as soon as we were in our room and I told him what happened.
You should just grab him and find out what he knows, I muttered, irritated with myself for presenting such an open target.
Yes, well, it would take longer to torture it out of him than to be patient and wait for him to get caught spilling it, Bones said with calculated menace. Believe me, if it were a matter of preference, you know mine.
Yeah, I had a pretty good idea. If imagination failed me, I was sure he could arrange for a demonstration to jog my memory. Whenever we left this room, his mask of cheerful obliviousness was on with full force. Once inside, it fell from Bones like scales. He rubbed the side of his temple almost impatiently. However rough it was on me, it was certainly worse for him.
You must go crazy wishing for a few minutes of real peace and quiet, I said. I mean, its never quiet for you, is it? Either youve got noise from people around you or the crap rattling off in my head.
He smiled with a trace of bitterness.
Dont fret, luv, I had a bit of real silence not too long ago. Its highly overrated, if you ask me.
He sat on the high-backed chair near the bed. Red velvet, mahogany wood, gold threading, maybe a real Louis the Eighteenth. Bones looked compatible with it, just as beautiful and finely molded.
I sat down and rested my head on his legs. This isnt your fault, I said, softly but out loud, so he could hear it both ways.
He sighed. Then whose is it, Kitten?
Whatever I might have replied cleared right out of my head. Bones yanked me down on the carpet and covered me before my heart even finished its beat. No, it wasnt from being overwhelmed by passion. It was because of the sudden eruption of gunfire.
He dragged me to the bathroom before snapping, Stay here, and disappearing in a blur. His quickness actually made me shake myself for a second before I ignored his directive and vaulted after him. No way was I sitting it out by the tub and hoping for the best. Doc only used silver bullets. It would be just as dangerous for Bones as it was for me.
Without bothering with the stairs, I jumped the three floors down and followed the direction of the other streaking bodies, not to mention the noise. There was another succession of bullets, too fast for me to count, and an accompanying shout that picked my feet off the ground and had me diving forward. The commotion was coming from the dungeon below, and the voice yelling out was Tates.
I blasted past the other vampires racing down the narrow hallway and made it through the ruined door, hurtling straight at the man who raised the knife even as I crashed into him. The force of my velocity bashed both of us through the wall in an expulsion of concrete. Before I allowed myself to think, I jammed one of my silver knives into the form scrambling away. I didnt have time to wonder what part of him Id pierced, or why the hell it wasnt Doc, because he was yanked out. Just as swiftly my legs were tugged on next, and I was plunked out of the new hole in the wall.
Above Tates panicked cries of Cat! Cat! I heard Vlads cool voice.
Youre holding the wrong man, Bones, and you owe Cat your life.
Kitten, are you all right?
Bones had Doc gripped in such a way that it stalled my response. Or maybe belated dizziness from the impact of my head smashing through solid concrete was to blame. I shook some of the blood off my forehead and accepted Spades hand to help me to my feet. The small room was shoulder to shoulder with people.
Im fine, I managed. He was going to stab you.
No, Doc was going to shoot Rattler again, werent you, mate?
Bones asked it with caressing menace as he tightened his grip. I winced and instinctively straightened my spine. Doc couldnt; his was bent at the opposite angle. Bones had him folded like a backward sandwich.
Bones! He looked up from sharpness of my tone. Rattlerwas going to stab you.
Shes right, Tate said, pulling on his restraints. He stabbed Annette, is she okay?
I have her, Mencheres replied from outside the cell. Zero, go fetch a human. She needs blood. Annette, dont move. This will hurt
Underneath the rest of the uproar her low, pained voice penetrated. It was irregularly spaced but audible, and everyone shut up as her words became clear.
Crispinit was Rattler-ah! Christ, thats excruciatingDoc shot himwhen he stabbed meis that bloody blade out yet, Mencheres, I cant bear to look
Bones released Doc. Vlad held Rattler in a punishing embrace, one hand on the silver knife Id lodged in his chest, which was very close to his heart. Bones pushed past the people in the cramped space until he was in the hallway, kneeling by Annettes crumpled form.
Dont move, sweet, he said with the soothing cadence one would use on a child. There, feel my hand? Its almost over, squeeze very hard
With precision delicacy, Mencheres drew the wicked-looking silver blade from her chest. A laser beam would have been sloppier. The reason for his caution was obvious-shed been skewered straight though the heart and any sideways motion would finish her. I held my breath as the last inch left her chest, because despite it all, I admired Annette. When it was out and she made a grunt of pain, sitting up, I let out my breath. It seemed everyone did, even those who didnt breathe.
Zero came back, holding a wide-eyed teenager under his arm. Bones moved to allow the young man to be deposited next to her, and Annette latched her mouth onto him the next moment. Her hand still was curled around Boness and he brought it to his lips before letting her go and standing with grim purpose.
Doc stood also now, his spine having healed in the interim. He went to Annette, who just released the teenage boy with a last lick of her lips. Zero supported him as he lurched away. I hoped they had a good supply of iron pills here.
Doc stretched and his back made an audible crack.
Think the last of them settled back into place. Bones, dont try to play chiropractor with me again. After all, Im the only certified medical professional in this room.
You were a bleedin dentist, and a rotten one from what I hear. Still, you are without a doubt the fastest shooter Ive seen anywhere in any era, and I shall be grateful to you the rest of my days. Bones glanced at Vlad next. Pull that knife out of Rattler once my wife is clear of his reach. To Spade, he said simply, Let Tate loose.
The clanking of irons was the only sound now as Spade released Tate from his restraints. Once free, Tate stretched in much the same manner Doc had, only with a lot less graciousness for his rough treatment.
Told you it wasnt me.
I knew you suspected me, Doc said. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable this morning, Cat, but Rattler had been skulking around the side of the house after you. He knew I saw him, and it made him des perate. I followed him down here just in time to see him stab Annette. At least my bullets kept him from finishing her.
Bones laid his hand on Docs shoulder. Take Annette out of here, and once again, you have my deepest gratitude.
After the two of them left, Bones turned to Vlad with a cold smile. Lets fill that vacancy on the wall, shall we?
There was a matching smile on the former princes lips as the two of them strapped Rattler into the same clamps that had held Tate.
You must be hungry, I said to Tate, whod gone to my side as soon as he was released. Theyre stocked here, believe me. Have someone show you.
Tate rubbed his arms, as if he could still feel those clamps biting into them. It can wait. Your heads bleeding.
Ill tend to her.
With Rattler bound, Bones came to me, pressing his lips against the wound in my crown.
You could have cracked your skull like an egg smashing into that wall, let alone the risk of getting shot. Mule-headed woman, at least it appears your stubbornness is well protected by a thick layer of bone. Have I thanked you yet for your reckless disregard of my directive to stay upstairs?
No, I said with a small smile.
Bones set me back, pulling a knife from his pants. I will. Promise.
He cut his palm and placed it over my head. The tingling sensation was almost instant as my flesh healed. With a last brush of his lips, he let me go, and turned to the vampire who was the center of attention.
Why?
It was asked with the threat of punishment and the pain of betrayal combined. Rattler dropped his gaze.
Spade rammed his elbow so hard into Rattlers rib cage that half his arm disappeared from sight.
You were asked a question, Walter!
Walter, a.k.a. Rattler, gave a gasp of pain even as Bones laid a hand on Spade.
Its all right, mate. Well give him a chance to confess without bloodying him first. Then to Rattler, with a much harder tone.
You know how this will go down. No matter how brave you fancy yourself, everyone breaks eventually. So you will either detail exactly when, why, and how you threw your lot in with Patra with all your limbs and skin attachedor with new parts growing as fast as we can tear them off.
For once, such a grim pronouncement didnt fill me with the slightest bit of compassion. It was all I could do not to fling myself on Rattler and start ripping him to pieces just for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Was it for money? I hissed. All that gold and glory she promised? Is that it, were you just greedy?
I dont care about money. Whether it was spoken to me or Bones was a toss-up; Rattler glanced at both of us. I did what I had to do for love.
For love? I repeated. Youre in love with Patra? Then youre stupid as well as a backstabbing asshole.
Not Patra. For Vivienne.
Patra killed Vivienne, why would you- Bones began, and then stopped. He shook his head with a sound that was much too callous to be laughter.
Ah, I see. All this time, then? You told me Vivi enne had been slain months ago. I grieved with you, you sod, and all the while you were waiting for your chance!
It clicked then. I remembered the explosion at Mencheress house caused by vampires whod turned themselves into walking bombs all for the sake of whoever Patra had kidnapped beforehand. Seems Patra had done the same with Rattler by kidnapping someone he loved to get him to betray Bones. What a truly vile person Patra was. If possible, I hated her even more.
How do you even know Viviennes still alive? Bones asked.
Rattler looked even more pained than he did right after Spade had elbowed him out the other side.
Because every week Patra calls meand lets me hear her scream.
Bones began to pace in limited, impotent strides.
I only told her about the train, Rattler went on. I had nothing to do with the attacks on your wife. Earlier, I was going to snatch Cat and threaten to kill her unless you slew yourself in my sight, but Doc saw me, and I knew hed shoot me before I could grab her. So I came to where you were holding the only other person the Reaper would endanger herself for, but I failed. I know youll punish me as an example, yet I ask one thing
Youd dare ask me for anything? Harshly.
I dont plead for lenience. I know youll put me with the other one, but before you doBones, my sire, I ask that you forgive me.
Bones quit pacing. There was a loaded silence. Then he came to stand in front of Rattler.
In 1867, I befriended you. Five years later, I changed you, and what did I say was the worst thing you could ever do as a vampire?
Rattler looked away. To betray your sire.
Right. You have committed the worst act you could in the eyes of our people, yet you ask my forgiveness. Do you know what I have to say to that, Walter Tannenbaum?
Bones was completely still, and that should have been my warning. Maybe it was the aftereffects of slamming my head through solid concrete that slowed me, or it could have been that he moved too fast, outdistancing even Spade and Vlad as they tried to block him.
You have it.
The knife hed used to cut his palm was still in his hand. It buried with a fierce twist into Rattlers heart even as he uttered those words.
There was a split second as their eyes met, me yanking futilely on Boness arm and shouts of protest coming from the onlookers, when I would swear I saw Rattler smile. It died in the next instant along with him. His body slumped, and before my eyes, his skin started to wither.
Bones, why?
Now I was the one who directed that ringing question to him. He swung around to face me.
Because I would have done the same thing if I were him, so he has my forgiveness.
In the uncomfortable moment of silence I spoke up. He didnt have mine.
Only the pain in his voice kept me from screaming at him. Instead, in a manner very like his, I grew more still.
I heard that bitch laugh when she told me shed killed you. Then saw her face when she thanked me for it being all my fault. ArentI deserving of any retribution? Doesntmy injury measure up next to Rattlers? This might have been merciful but it waswrong, Bones. You taught me that. No matter how much you empathized with Rattler, you shouldnt have killed him. I let you have Max. You should have given me Rattler.
And with that, I left the small room, the other vampires clearing a path to let me pass.
TWENTY-NINE
SINCE BONES HAD BEEN PRETENDING TO BE weak prior to finding out who the traitor was, he hadnt spent much time with the prisoner hed helped capture from the train ambush-Anubus, Patras second-in-command. In fact, Anubus had almost been neglected in the furor over Boness return, though Im sure he didnt complain over his lack of attention. In fact, he almost seemed surprised to see someone in his cell.
This was really the first Id seen him as well, since I didnt count that initial time when Ian, Rodney, and Spade had returned with him and without Bones. Anubus was tall for an Egyptian, well over six-three, and he had the long straight hair and pronounced features to brag of his heritage. His bearing was far from that of a prisoner awaiting a grim sentence, too. He almost appeared relaxed, even though he was welded into the steel wall he hung from.
His stygian gaze evaluated me in much the same way I considered him. Coldly. The first flicker of real disconcertion came when I moved aside to let him view the man who followed behind me.
Ah, hallo there, Anubus. Blimey, I think the last time I saw you was over fifty years ago. You recall, I had just met this very forward wench who took me back to her chalet and then nearly bored me to impotence with her shagging. Dont think she moved once under me the whole time, and it took hours, didnt it? Why, if the mattress would have had a hole of similar size, I wager Id have had a grander time shoving my cock into that
A bellow of rage cut off the rest of his sentence. I managed to keep my features blank. Bones had warned me what he would use to goad Anubus, since Anubus regarded Patra as a deity, but Id insisted on being present. Guess he wasnt kidding about it being graphic enough to piss the other vampire off.