Bound in Blood (14 page)

“Right,” Roger grunted. “But this hunter guy. How much of a threat is he?”

Carlos grimaced as he accepted the glass of wine from Marcus. “He could be a very real threat. The fact that he confronted Christopher tells me he wanted to use him as bait. He actually asked if his ‘vampire friend’ would be meeting him at the club. Of course, Christopher thought him insane and told him so.”

“How’d Chris get away?’

“He threw a cup of coffee into the man’s face and bolted out the door.”

Roger howled. “Oh man, wish I’d been there to see that!”

“So do I, Roger.” Carlos sipped his wine slowly then stared moodily into the dark-red liquid. “I have a boundless hatred for vampire hunters.”

Marcus squeezed Roger’s shoulder. “Carlos’ lover, Miguel, was murdered by vampire hunters,” he said quietly.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Carlos.”

Carlos smiled sadly at the young vampire. “It was many years ago, but vampire hunters pass their skill and lore onto their descendants. I intend to find out if Kellogg’s ancestors were Miguel’s murderers.”

Roger was wide-eyed with interest. “How would you find that out?

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“By questioning him once I have him in my grasp.”

“Is that wise, Carlos?” Marcus asked. “Would it not be better just to dispose of him quickly and quietly?”

“I intend to dispose of him, Marcus, after I have questioned him. If he is indeed the spawn of those murderers then I will feel Miguel’s death has been avenged.”

Marcus sighed. “If that is your wish.”

Carlos ground his teeth in frustration. “All these years, Marcus, I have been tormented by the fact I was unable to slay my lover’s murderers. Now, perhaps I can right that wrong.”

He downed the last of his wine then said, “I will not ask for your help in this. It is my vendetta to carry out alone.”

Roger looked at Marcus with concern. “But we have to help him, right?”

“Of course, we will help you, Carlos,” Marcus said firmly. “I have already alerted our friends to the hunter’s presence. We all need to be vigilant. If he discovers there are several of us here in LA and learns of our whereabouts, he will no doubt call for reinforcements. I imagine he would consider it quite a coup to wipe us all out. Those who fund his operation will most likely increase the bounty he can earn.”

“Forgive me.” Carlos nodded his acknowledgement of what Marcus had just said. “I was thinking only of my own need for vengeance. Of course, the others must also be informed and protected.”

“And Chris,” Roger murmured.

Carlos met Roger’s gaze and held it. “Most assuredly, Roger. Christopher’s safety is of paramount importance to me—and always will be.”

Alone in his room, Carlos stood by the window, gazing sadly out into the darkness of the early morning. Christopher’s confrontation with Martin Kellogg was not something he had foreseen, and it had brought back many unpleasant memories to mar his otherwise newfound optimism. He found his mind slipping back to the fateful day when Miguel had been attacked by vampire hunters—an incident that should never have had the tragic consequences that followed. Ordinarily, Miguel would have been more than a match for the BOUND IN BLOOD

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hunters, but he had let down his guard momentarily as he’d walked through the grounds of their home just before dawn.

Carlos knew Miguel enjoyed these moments just before sunrise, staying outside until the first burning rays appeared over the horizon. For that reason, he had not been concerned that Miguel was not always indoors as the day lightened. But on this particular morning, Miguel had been followed from the village by three hunters who had recognised him as a vampire, and were determined to collect the bounty paid for the head of every vampire brought in. These men were generally desperate charlatans, and not beyond cutting off a mortal’s head, filing his or her teeth into points to represent fangs, then claiming the bounty.

Sometimes the magistrates were foolish enough to believe the ploy, others were not so easily duped.

Then there were the professional hunters, those who knew vampire lore and used it against them. They had planned their attack well, only minutes before sunrise, when a vampire is at his weakest, when his body grows heavy with fatigue and the call of his resting place cannot be ignored. Miguel had fought well, even managing to kill one of the hunters, but as the sun rose, bathing his body in its searing light, his strength had evaporated and he had fallen under the hammer blows the hunters inflicted upon him.

Carlos, already asleep, had been abruptly awakened by the terrible realisation of Miguel’s death. He had risen from his bed and rushed to the door, flinging it open, almost blinded by the light, but still able to see the headless and charred remains of his lover lying in the courtyard, only a few feet away. Risking his own flesh being burned, Carlos had dragged Miguel’s body inside, had buried him in the vaults below the house and, later, had searched for the men who had taken his reason to live from him.

The hunters had made good use of the daylight hours, putting distance between themselves and any vampire seeking retribution for what they had done. Carlos would have killed them both had he been able to find them. Usually not one for violence against mortals, Carlos nonetheless knew he would feel no remorse for bringing about their deaths. To drain them dry then snap their necks was what he craved night and day. Their escape was not something he could live with easily, for he had been sapped of emotion, emptied of feeling, knowing he would never love as deeply and completely again—until now.

Until Christopher.

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Martin Kellogg eyed Billy with contempt. He was sorry now that he’d used this foolish man in any part of his plan to hunt down the vampire. Billy had told his friend Frank about their meeting and had actually brought him along to meet Martin. Frank had stared at him like he was some curiosity, an alien being to be held not in awe but with derision. Frank’s sniggering sarcasm had finally sent Martin over the edge, causing him to pull his silver knife from its scabbard inside his coat and hold it under Frank’s wobbling Adam’s apple. The fool’s eyes had stared back at Martin, terror and a desperate need for flight reflected in their watery blueness.

Billy had laughed, quite happy to see his so-called friend recoiling in abject fear.

“Maybe now you’ll believe me,” he’d taunted Frank. “Not so quick with the put downs now, are ya?”

Martin had sent Frank stumbling away with the warning never to snicker at things of which he had no knowledge. And now he had to deal with Billy who was still voicing glee over his friend’s humiliation.

Martin sighed. “Billy, Billy. You really are quite useless to me.”

“What d’ya mean?”

“You have no conception of what will be needed when we come face-to-face with the vampire, have you?”

“We? What, there’s a mouse in your pocket or something?”

From the less than amicable look Martin threw him, Billy guessed his attempt at humour had fallen flat.
This guy really takes himself way too seriously
, he thought.
And from what
I’ve seen so far he’s not too swift
.
Wonder if he’s just full of it—maybe he’s never even seen a vampire
.

Martin started to walk away without another word, Billy trotting in his wake. “Wait, where’re you goin’?”

“To do something I can better do on my own,” Martin said, not looking back at Billy.

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“Oh, come on man,” Billy whined. “I gotta see how you do this.” Then he added as a taunt, “
If
you can do it, that is.”

Martin turned so abruptly, Billy all but collided with him. “Listen to me,” the hunter hissed, his eyes cold and full of dislike. “Your friend just learned that I have no time for fools.

You would do well to remember that, Billy. What I do has inherent dangers and allows no room for mistakes. My biggest mistake would be in having you at my side.”

“Hey, wait a minute—”

“You won’t have the stomach for it,” Martin snapped, resuming his purposeful stride.

“You and your ilk are all bluster and no balls.”

“Oh yeah? I’m the one who seen the vampire, not you.” Billy grabbed at Martin’s arm.

“You wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t told the press my story.”

Martin again stopped dead in his tracks and swung round to face Billy. “And what did you do then, Billy? When you saw him, did you stand your ground, or did you run screaming into the night?”

“Well, I ain’t stupid—”

Martin’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “So, you ran. Which is why you would be of no use to me.”

“Wait,” Billy huffed. “I won’t run this time. You’ve got the stuff to stop him, haven’t you? The silver chains and knife and all the gear to put him down.”

“But I don’t have a reliable man at my back,” Martin said. “A hunter’s partner must have the same resilience and courage as the man he works with. There is no room for error or cowardice. I would rather attempt this on my own than have someone who might run at the first sign of fangs. Go away, Billy. Here—” He dug into his pocket and pulled out some dollar bills. “Take this, and forget about hunting vampires. You’ll live longer that way.”

Scowling, Billy took the money and stuffed it into his back pocket. He watched as Martin turned on his heel and strode off along the sidewalk. He waited until the hunter had disappeared round a corner then he followed, keeping well behind, but always with Martin in his sights. No way was he going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. To be there when a real vampire was actually trapped and captured would put Billy’s face on the front page of every publication in the US, if not the world. He wanted that fame—and the fortune that would undoubtedly follow.

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And no skinny guy with an attitude is going to stop me—no way, Jose
!

Lonnie, the Xtasy Club owner, looked over the accounting printouts Chris had given him and shook his head. “You do good work, kid,” he said. “I can’t persuade you to stay? I’ll make it worth your while.”

Chris smiled at his soon to be ex-boss. “No thanks, Lonnie, but I do appreciate it.

You’ve all been very nice to me here. It’s just that I have a new job offer, and I have my folks’

accounts to take care of, too.”

“Sure, sure.” Lonnie handed him an envelope. “A little something extra for you in there. You find anyone interested in taking your place?”

“’Fraid not, but if I hear of anyone looking for work, I’ll give them your phone number.”

Lonnie grunted then looked through the office window. “That big guy yours?” Lonnie nodded in the direction of the bar where Carlos was waiting for Chris.

Chris chuckled. “I like to think he is.”

“Looks like he can take care of himself all right. Joe was tellin’ me he beat the shit outta some morons in the alley.”

“Yes,” Chris said proudly. “Actually that’s how we first met.”

“Yeah, well tell him to watch his back. The punks might’ve been a bunch of cowards, with shit for brains, but he put their noses outta joint and made them look stupider than they already are. So they might just want to get even with you and your boyfriend.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got my car parked outside.” Chris rattled his car keys. “No more walking up the alley.”

“Okay, kid.” Lonnie held out his hand. “Take it easy, and come by any time. Drinks are on the house.”

“Thanks, Lonnie.” Chris shook the man’s hand then walked quickly over to where Carlos stood by the bar having a glass of wine. He reached up to kiss Carlos on the cheek, at the same time rubbing his hand over the tall man’s butt.

Carlos smiled at him. “Do I understand from that you might be ready to go?”

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“More than ready. I can’t wait to get you home.”

Carlos threw back the last of his wine. “Then, as they say in American movies, let’s blow this joint.”

Chris giggled. “The whole joint?”

Laughing together, their arms about each other, they headed for the exit.

Martin stood for a few moments looking up at the lighted window of Chris’ apartment then he slipped into the shadows to prepare himself for the kill. He had weighed the options of waiting for a daytime strike, but the chance that had now presented itself was too good to ignore. The vampire was with his mortal lover. No doubt he would be distracted enough to let his senses be more attuned to carnal desire than to his own safety. But just in case…

From the leather bag he carried, he removed a small aerosol vial and sprayed his face and hands with a fine mist. This secret herbal mixture would mask his human scent and allow him to get close without being detected, as long as he stayed hidden from the vampire’s sight. He pulled a length of silver chain from his bag, looping it loosely and weighing it carefully in his hand before placing it carefully into his coat pocket.

He moved forward and stared up at the long balcony.
An easy climb
, he thought, gripping the limbs of the vines that grew in profusion, covering the apartment building’s walls. He scaled the wall and peered through the balcony railing. The vampire and his friend were standing at the far end wrapped in each other’s arms.

Perfect
. He pulled his knife from the scabbard inside his coat. He knew the vampire couldn’t scent him. He could get as close as he wanted, gaining the advantage of a surprise strike.

The sound of rustling behind him made him freeze.
Another one?
No
.
It’s
that fool, Billy
Richards, climbing up onto the balcony. Damn him to hell! He would alert the vampire—the vampire
would scent him
. Even as Martin’s mind closed around that fact, Carlos turned, and Martin knew the vampire’s senses were alive to everything that surrounded him, to everything that was a danger to him. A low growl erupted from the vampire’s throat. Behind him, Martin heard Billy squeak with fear.