Baited Blood (7 page)

SEVEN

H
ayes?” Doug spoke next, his voice swollen with anger and surprise. “You took my name?” He had risen to stand next to Dodie’s chair.

Ann Hayes tossed her glossy hair. “Well, darling, it’s not like you were using it anymore. Besides, I wanted something to remember you by.” She rolled her stunning eyes. “Thank goodness your name wasn’t Dedham at the time. What were you thinking, naming yourself after a town in Massachusetts? I would have thought you’d have more creativity than that.” She turned her eyes on Dodie. “Or at least you did when we were together.”

Dodie shot to her feet and bared her fangs. “How dare you disrespect me in my own home.”

Doug placed his hands on his wife’s shoulders and tightened his grip. Everyone at the table was out of their seats, standing at alert.

“Oh, that’s right.” Ann moved to stand in front of Dodie but remained out of reach. “I’d heard Doug gave you eternal life as a wedding present. How romantic.” Ann sneered at Dodie. “Just remember, you mousy old housefrau, who gave it to
him
.”

With their speed overwhelming Dodie’s strength, both Colin and Doug held Dodie back from attacking Ann. But the usually nurturing Dodie continued to snarl at her opponent like a mad, bloodthirsty dog. Madison watched, fascinated yet pale with fright. Without her realizing it, Mike had put an arm around her waist and was slowly drawing her back, away from the table and out of the fray.

Kate’s fangs were out, ready to defend Dodie’s honor, while Eddie and Stacie had come behind Ann, ready to step in and break apart the fight. The air was thick and fetid, like bad breath in a confined space.

“Enough!” Samuel’s baritone roar filled every crack and crevice of the room with its menacing authority.

Everyone froze, even Ann Hayes. Madison felt warm urine dampen her panties.

“Dodie, sit down,” the head vampire commanded. Dodie hesitated, but with a final growl aimed at Ann, she obeyed. Doug stayed behind her, keeping his hands on both of her shoulders like a safety harness.

Samuel turned his milky eyes toward Ann Hayes. “Ms. Hayes, you are a guest here. Remember that and behave accordingly.” He indicated the seat at the end opposite him. “Sit there. We have questions we’d like to ask.”

Ann looked ready to challenge Samuel’s authority to ask her anything, but one glance at the dark figure changed her mind. He’d tolerated her bravado earlier, but it was clear he would not any longer. She’d heard enough about Samuel La Croix to know that he meant what he said and expected nothing less than cooperation. Raising her elegant chin in her only show of defiance, she took the seat at the opposite end of the table.

“Call me Ann, please.” She mustered a sweet smile with Samuel as its target.

Samuel glanced at Colin. “Colin, take the seat next to Ms. Hayes.” He turned his eyes back to Ann as he spoke to Colin. “Restrain her if you must.” He looked around at the rest of the group. “Everyone, take your seats.”

After giving Dodie reassuring pats on her shoulders, Doug took his seat next to his wife.

With Colin and Ann added to the party, there were no more seats for Notchey and Madison at the table. Notchey brought two chairs out of the kitchen but set them back away from the table, where the two humans gladly retreated to watch the proceedings from a distance.

With the meeting under control again, Samuel got to the question on everyone’s mind. “Ann, did you try to kill Keleta Kibreab and dump him in the Dedhams’ pool?”

“Colletta who?”

Samuel opened the file in front of him. It was Notchey’s missing persons report on Keleta. In it was a copy of the photo given to the police by Keleta’s family upon his disappearance. Samuel retrieved the photo and pushed it down the table. Eddie Gonzales picked up the photo and handed it to Ann.

“Do you know that young man?” asked Samuel.

Ann studied the photo, then dropped it to the table in boredom. “He’s cute, but no.”

Samuel passed down a print of Doug’s sketch, the one of the morning’s dead vampire. “How about this man?”

Ann glanced at it briefly before dropping it to the table next to Keleta’s. “No.”

She turned to Colin, her face ablaze with anger. “Is this why you brought me here? To be interrogated like a common criminal? I thought you wanted my help.”

Colin looked at the sketch with surprise, then up at Samuel. “There was another?”

“Just this morning.” Samuel shook his head slowly. “But this one didn’t make it.”

Colin’s dark eyebrows met in the center of his forehead like a black hedge. He pushed both pictures back in front of Ann. “Just look at them and answer the questions.”

Glancing down at the pictures, Ann shrugged. “Why would I know these men?”

Doug leaned forward. “Because they both had your brand on their backs.”

Ann pursed her lips and studied the faces of the two men again before looking back up at Samuel. “Sorry, but you can hardly expect me to remember every man I’ve turned in the last thousand years.” She tossed an inviting smile at Doug Dedham, then turned and did the same to Colin. “Of course, some were more memorable than others.”

“You bitch,” hissed Dodie.

Madison’s eyes widened. She’d never heard Dodie swear, let alone participate in name-calling.

“Oh, come now, Mrs. Dedham.” Ann turned a saccharine smile on Dodie. “Just because you’ve probably never turned anyone doesn’t mean the rest of us are celibate in that regard.”

Dodie rose from her seat, fangs once more on display. Doug jumped up, ready to step in if needed.

“Order,” demanded Samuel, rapping his knuckles on the table. “Dodie, mind yourself, or I’ll have you leave the room.”

Without taking her eyes off Ann, Dodie put away her fangs and sat down. Doug resumed his seat but stayed alert.

Samuel directed his attention back to Ann. “I don’t know what Colin has told you, Ms. Hayes, but we are investigating the attempted murder of that young vampire.”

“Yes, I know. Colin told me. He was staked and dumped in a swimming pool.”

“
Our
swimming pool,” added Doug with emphasis.

Ann turned a plastic smile on Doug. “How interesting. And so you automatically think it’s some pathetic trick on my part to gain your attention? You’re cute, Doug, but not
that
cute. I’ve been over you for decades.”

Doug narrowed his eyes at Ann. “The last time we saw you, you tried to kill Dodie.”

Ann waved a manicured hand in the air. “Pish, posh. Just a little misunderstanding, that’s all.”

Dodie started to rise, but Samuel, clearing his throat, gave her second thoughts. She settled back into her seat.

The action amused Ann. “Seems Mr. La Croix has you all trained like little lap dogs. How sweet.”

Colin leaned in, his mouth close to Ann’s ear, but he didn’t bother lowering his voice. “Behave yourself, Ann. Killing another vampire in our jurisdiction is serious business.”

“Colin is quite right, Ms. Hayes.” Samuel stood back up at the head of the table. “We live a civilized life here, and these incidents are unacceptable. So just answer the questions.”

With a jerk of his chin, Samuel indicated the pictures again. “Keleta, the young one, was found nearly dead a few days ago in the Dedhams’ swimming pool. The other man was found dead this morning in the same place. Both vampires, both with what I understand is your personal brand at the small of their backs.”

“Sorry, but if they are my work, I don’t remember them.”

Samuel didn’t let up. “Keleta has been a vampire eighteen months or less. That should be recent enough to be memorable.”

Ann’s lips curled in smugness. “Then I know he’s not mine. I stopped branding about the time the Prince of Wales married Wallis Simpson.”

She looked at Colin, then at Doug. “And I’m surprised at the two of you, thinking I would be interested in men like these. This one.” She tapped Keleta’s photo. “He’s too young for my taste. This other.” She moved her finger to the unknown vampire. “He appears too rough and uncouth. I only keep company with men of refinement.” She turned her intense blue eyes on Samuel. “Someone like you, Mr. La Croix.”

Samuel didn’t take the bait. “Then how did your brand get on these vampires?”

“I honestly have no idea. Brands are easy enough to have made. Someone obviously is trying to set me up.”

“Anyone with a grudge against you come to mind?” asked Samuel.

“I’m sure there’s a long list,” added Dodie. Samuel shot her a look to not test his patience.

Samuel studied Ann Hayes, trying to read her. Although easy enough to do with humans, vampires were a different story. Sometimes he could get a bead on them, but most often they were able to easily block him. It depended on whether or not they threw up a firewall before he got inside their head. Ann’s thoughts were like Fort Knox—secure and guarded.

“I must tell you, Ms. Hayes, if this council decides to charge and try you for one count of murder and another of attempted murder, the consequences could be severe.”

Once again, Ann Hayes waved a dismissive hand. “And LA used to be such fun.”

EIGHT

W
hy am I here?” The question was tossed to Samuel by Madison.

“You are here to observe. Pay close attention to Keleta when he first meets Ann Hayes. Don’t take your eyes off of him. If she’s lying, the boy’s face will tell us. Beyond that, just keep your eyes and ears open.”

They were getting out of Samuel’s car. Hyun, Samuel’s new driver, was holding the door open to the black Mercedes sedan. Where Gordon, Samuel’s last driver, had been thick and beefy, Hyun, a Korean man in his mid-thirties, was more on the wiry side. He stood straight in his black suit as he held the door, but his eyes were constantly surveying his surroundings for any possible threat to his employer.

Hyun had pulled the car into the circular brick driveway of a lovely single-story home situated on a quiet cul-de-sac in Beverly Hills. It was the hilly portion of Beverly Hills, not the flat section that was closer to the famous shops and restaurants. The street was steep, and Madison could see that the house was set against a small hill covered with rich vegetation. It was the home of Byron and Ricky, the gay couple who fostered abandoned vampires.

Before they got to the front door, Byron opened it and greeted them warmly. Just as they were entering, Colin’s Porsche pulled up to the curb. With him was Ann. Madison had been surprised that Samuel had not invited Ann to ride with them. When she had asked him about it, he’d simply said he needed time away from Ann to think about the problems she presented. He’d made one call from his cell phone. It had been to Isabella, letting her know that Colin had located the former Annabelle Fogle, but asking her to keep snooping around for information on Ann Hayes. For the remainder of the trip from Topanga to Beverly Hills, Samuel had remained silent and unmoving, lost in his thoughts behind his sunglasses until the car came to a stop at its destination.

Byron and Ricky’s home was inviting and comfortable. Not huge and sprawling like Samuel’s villa or as coldly modern as Colin’s condo, it was more like the Dedham house in taste and warmth. Built-in bookshelves lined many of the walls and were filled with more books than Madison had ever seen outside of a library or a bookstore.

“Ricky took Keleta out shopping just before you called,” explained Byron as he showed them into the living room. “I called and let him know you were on your way. They should be back soon.”

Madison had first met Byron and his partner Ricky shortly after she’d gone to work for the council. Samuel had held a reception for her at his home for the purpose of introducing her to the core of the Los Angeles vampire community. Byron and Ricky were both in their forties, of average build, with brown hair and beards, though Byron’s hair and beard were threaded with gray. They looked more like brothers than lovers.

Madison sat on the large sectional sofa. Samuel stood by the sliders that led to the patio. When Ann and Colin came in, they both took seats on the sectional with Madison, though Ann sat on the far side from her. Colin seated himself between the two women and crossed one long leg over the other. He shot a quick glance at Madison, accompanied by a partial wink. Ann saw it and cleared her throat with displeasure.

Ann Hayes had paid Madison little to no mind at the Dedhams’. Now she studied Madison so closely, Madison could feel perspiration beading on her forehead.

“What’s she doing here?” Ann smoothed the front of her impeccable pantsuit like a monarch preparing for an audience.

Colin made the introduction. “This is Madison Rose, Ann. She works for the council.”

“I thought she was the Dedhams’ maid.” Ann grinned at Madison. “My mistake.”

“Madison is a very valuable asset to both the council and me,” added Samuel. He targeted Ann with one of his fierce scowls.

Ann looked Madison over, head to foot, a slow smile stealing across her face like a big cat on the hunt. “I just bet she is, Mr. La Croix.”

Afraid earlier to look directly at Ann Hayes, Madison, upon hearing the comment, turned her head and locked her eyes onto Ann’s cold blue ones with heat and dislike. The femme fatale vampire stared back a few moments, then increased her smile. “You’d think a human so used to working with vampires wouldn’t wet herself so quickly.”

Madison wanted to jump the vampiress and beat her hard on behalf of Dodie, as well as herself. Sensing her anger, Colin reached out a hand and touched her arm. It was then Madison realized him putting himself between her and Ann was no accident. It had been planned to keep the peace and to keep Madison from doing something foolish.

Byron filled the awkwardness that followed by asking if anyone wanted refreshments. “Ricky had some fresh Polynesian blood ordered in from Scarlet’s for Keleta.” Byron shook his head and smiled. “He’s positively spoiling the boy.” Everyone politely declined.

It wasn’t long before they heard a car pull into the driveway and then into the attached garage.

“That’s them now.” Byron got up, his face relaxed with relief. “They should be coming in through the side door.”

Everyone turned to watch the door that led from the garage into the kitchen. From the sofa, they had a clear view. Samuel left his post by the patio doors and moved into a better position.

Keleta was first through the door. He bounded in like a frisky puppy, laughing and chattering in English over his shoulder at Ricky. He was so different from when Samuel and Madison had last seen him. When he saw the room of people, he stopped short, but it was just a moment’s hesitation, a blink of shyness that dissolved when he spotted Samuel. A wide smile crossed the young man’s smooth, dark face as he called to Samuel in a language Madison didn’t understand. Keleta went to Samuel, his hand held out in greeting. The two men shook, and Samuel clapped Keleta on the shoulder as a father would a son.

“Keleta, I’ve brought some people to meet you.” Samuel turned Keleta’s attention to the three on the sofa. “You’ve met Madison.” Keleta gave Madison a quick nod. “On the other side is Ann Hayes, a friend visiting from out of town. And this fellow,” Samuel indicated Colin, “is Colin Reddy, one of our council members.”

Following Samuel’s orders, Madison hadn’t taken her eyes off of Keleta from the moment he stepped through the door. She studied his every facial expression, looking for telltale signs that he recognized Ann. She found none. When introduced to Ann, Keleta was polite, almost shy, but he took her offered hand and shook it, followed by a shake of Colin’s extended hand.

It was Ann who deftly and creatively broached the reason they were there. “Keleta, have we ever met? You look so familiar.”

Keleta studied Ann’s face. “I don’t think so, ma’am.” His voice was lilting yet strong. He formed the formal English words and said them slowly. “If I have forgotten, I apologize. Such a beautiful woman should not be forgotten.”

Ann flashed Byron and Ricky an amused grin. “You boys giving Keleta charm lessons as well as vampire lessons?”

Ricky stepped forward. “The charm is all his and quite natural.” He looked at Keleta with pride.

“Your English is much better,” noted Madison. “You learned it so quickly.”

“I study English in school,” Keleta explained.

“I think the trauma Keleta experienced blocked some of his memory.” Ricky perched on the arm of the sectional. “As he started feeling better, his memory returned, along with his command of the language.”

Samuel clapped Keleta on the shoulder again. “Keleta, would you do us a favor and show your brand to Ann? We told her about it, and she is very interested.”

Keleta was slow to respond, but he did take off his shirt and turn around. Reaching back one hand, he pulled down the back of his jeans to expose the brand to everyone. Ann moved off the sofa and bent close, studying it with interest. When she returned to her seat next to Colin, she gave Samuel a shrug. “It certainly looks authentic.”

Samuel turned to Keleta, who was putting his shirt back on. “Would you excuse us, Keleta? We have some council business to discuss. Maybe you and Madison could visit quietly while we do so?”

“Of course.” Ricky stood. “Keleta, why don’t you take Madison into the den? You can play those new CDs we picked up tonight.”

Although it felt like the kiddies were being dismissed, Madison knew better. If it had simply been council discussion, she might have been asked to stay. It was Keleta they wanted out the way, and bringing her along had provided a suitable age diversion while the seasoned vampires talked. After closing the door to give both parties privacy, Madison settled on the large, comfy sofa in the den. Across from her was a full entertainment center, including a sizeable flat-screen TV and state-of-the-art stereo equipment. The other walls, like those in the living room, were lined with bookcases stuffed with books and mementos.

“What music did you get tonight?” Madison also planned on taking advantage of her one-on-one time with Keleta to see if he would tell her things about his past.

Keleta had his head down, concentrating on unwrapping the CDs. “Usher and the Black Eyed Peas.” With his head still down, he stole looks at Madison, as if studying her from behind a
curtain
. Once the CD was liberated, Keleta stuck it in the player, and Usher’s voice filled the room.

Madison grimaced at the volume. “If you turn it down a bit, we’ll be able to talk.”

Keleta adjusted the sound.

“How are you getting along, Keleta?”

“Ricky and Byron are very nice to me. They are trying to teach me things about this life.” He gave Madison an impish grin. “But I already know much.”

In a surprisingly quick move, Keleta stripped off his shirt again and plopped himself down next to Madison. Putting an arm around her shoulders, he turned her toward him. His eyes were large and liquid, like pools of rich melted chocolate nestled in white cream. He smiled and moved closer, unleashing his fangs—more white against brown.

Surprised, Madison leaned back but found herself trapped between Keleta and the high arm of the sofa. “What are you doing?”

Keleta placed his free hand on one of her breasts, cupping it through her sweater in his growing excitement. Madison was about to scream when he abruptly stopped and pulled back. He studied her, bewildered. He touched her again, then pulled back once more.

“I am confused.” Keleta cocked his head and knitted his brows. “I want to have sex with you and feed, but something is stopping me.”

“You’re damn right something’s stopping you!” Madison put her hands against Keleta’s firm chest and shoved him away from her. “Me!”

“No, something else.” Keleta didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by Madison’s rejection as he continued working out the problem in his head. “When I touch you, I cannot do more, though I want to. It’s as if I am being restrained with bindings I cannot see.”

Madison touched the bracelet on her wrist. She’d never seen it work until now, though she still wondered what would happen if a violent vampire tried to hurt her. Would they be stopped as easily as Keleta?

“It’s this.” She held up her arm so he could see her bracelet. “It was given to me by the council. No other vampire can harm me when I wear this.”

“I remember seeing that before. The day you found me.” He shrugged and looked back at her with disappointment. “So you are only consort to the council?”

“Consort?”

He searched for the right words in his jumbled head. “Lover and blood. Am I not saying it correctly?”

Madison thought about Samuel’s mistresses. That’s what they were, his lovers and food source. That’s what Keleta thought she was. She shook her head. “No. I work for the council. I help them with their business.”

“You do not have sex with Samuel?” He seemed very surprised. “Is he like Byron and Ricky?”

“No, Samuel is not like Byron and Ricky.” Madison laughed softly. “Not at all. Samuel has women … consorts. Many of them.”

“But not you?”

Keleta leaned back against the sofa. Madison checked his chest. There was no sign of the wound from a few days ago.

“Very strange,” Keleta continued. “Samuel is very powerful, and you are beautiful.” He gave her a look of understanding. “You are consort to Colin, then—the other man out there tonight. Yes?”

Her initial fear gone, Madison laughed and again shook her head. “I am consort to no one, Keleta. No one bites me. No one has sex with me.”

“How sad for you.”

For a brief moment, Madison did feel sorry for herself and her lack of a love life, but she shook it off when Keleta leaned in closer. “You will be consort to Keleta then.” He gave her a wide smile, complete with fangs, as if that would seal the deal.

She pushed him back again. “No. I don’t wish to be a consort to anyone.”

His disappointment was obvious. “This place is so very strange.” Keleta retracted his fangs and got up. Retrieving his shirt from the floor where he’d dropped it, he pulled it over his head to cover himself.

“Did you have a consort where you were before?”

“But of course. We all did. Many lived with us for that purpose. Anytime we wanted, we could feed or have sex, or both. Not like here.”

Seeing a small crack into Keleta’s past, Madison started getting excited. “You lived with other vampires?”