Exist (Vampire Assassin League Book 30) (7 page)

Six foot six – and whatever nineteen-and-a-half stone calculated to – looked really good to her. And here she’d thought Steve’s firefighter brother was a god-among-mankind at six foot two and maybe two hundred.

‘
Oh. Geez. Old farts! Ask a simple question; get a messed-up, archaic, non-calculable answer. The record says you were some kind of tribal warlord. Changed in 810. Right?
’

“Yes.”

Leah gasped. It wasn’t audible. And it was stupid. Anso’s answer fit what he’d told her. It shouldn’t be a surprise. She was in a delusionary hallucination. Things that happened should all add up. But the youthful male voice just kept spouting things she didn’t have the imagination to conjure up.

‘
It also says you were changed during a battle. Right? So...that means you’re in the battle condition? Fit? Yes?’

“Yes.”

‘
Sweet! Look, we’ve got an associate in trouble—!
’

“Get someone else,” Anso interrupted in a commanding tone. One used to getting obeyed.

‘
There is no one else!’

“So?”

‘
Come on, buddy. Didn’t you hear me? I’m running the desk!’

“So?” Anso repeated.

‘
I need you to do something. How about if I make it an order?
’

“No.”

Leah’s eyebrows rose higher at the insubordinate word and Anso’s tone.

‘
Come on. Please? I’m begging here. You have to do it!
’

“I cannot.”

‘
Cannot? Or will not?’

Anso looked across at her. His eyes glowed dark red again. An instant sense of warmth bloomed within her, as if the earlier sparks received an infusion of air. Leah had a difficult time gaining her next breath, and even then it was ragged. Raw.

“I have found my mate,” Anso said.

Leah jerked. Her jaw dropped. Her heart pounded so loudly she almost missed the follow-up words. Her mind raced through possible explanations. Anso didn’t mean that word the way it sounded.
No
. He couldn’t. He was using the word to mean physical joining. He did not mean lifetime companionship. That had to be the answer here.

The alternative was beyond frightening.

Because...
if
she’d somehow crossed into a fourth dimension, and Anso was a real vampire, would that mean the word mating meant
eternal
companionship?

‘
Crap. Crap. Double crap. How far have you gone?
’

“She is not fully changed, if that is your question.”

Anso might be speaking to the caller, but he was looking directly at her, leaving Leah no doubt whatsoever who he was addressing the answers to.

‘
So she’s half? So sorry, man. You’ll have to leave her. That will be better, actually. It could be dangerous.’

“You expect me to leave my mate?”

Anso was watching her as he said it. His look sent all kinds of signals her body had no trouble reading. All completely insane. Warmth enveloped her. Oh! If only she could shut her mind off and just go with the physical realm here! She wanted to...but, no. This was too much. She might have to do a complete paradigm shift. Evaluate things from a new perspective. Consider the unreasonable, despite how impossible it seemed.

This entire episode might be real.

It could actually be happening.

The warmth slowly dissipated, leaving her shaky. Cold. This was bad. At least if she’d gone insane, she knew what to do. There was a chance of recovery in her future. And the young male voice just kept adding more insanity to the mix.

‘You have to! You’re old enough to have immunity to daylight and the weather satellite shows...crap. Crap. Crap. I’m not catching much of a break here. You’re getting high clouds. Slight chance of rain. She’ll be safer where she is. Come on, man! Please? I’ll do anything. Please?’

Anso sighed heavily. “Who is my target?”

‘
It’s not a hit. We have a rogue. He’s my responsibility...and damn me for being too blind not to see that trap before it sprang shut on me!’

“Is it Hunters?”

‘I wish. Look. I’m sending details to your laptop. Airwaves are not secure enough for this. There! Done. Do this for me, man and I will so owe you. You have no idea...’

The call ended because Anso pulled the phone away and flung it. The crash as it shattered was loud. Leah watched as he turned back to her. Folded his arms. Acted like he was fully dressed and this entire scenario was completely acceptable and normal.

“You heard?”

She nodded.

“You have questions for me?”

She licked her lips. Glanced away. Both signs of an upcoming lie. But maybe he didn’t know that. She returned to meeting his look and tried to hold it. “None...that come to mind.”

“I must go.”

She nodded.

“You will stay here?”

Despite what Steven had said, she’d never been good at drama. Acting. Faking anything. She swallowed and glanced away again, this time into the upper left corner of the cavern.
Damn it!
It took an act of will to move her gaze back to his and nod.

“You give me your word?”

She had to settle for another nod. Any attempt at voicing words got stuck in her throat. He smiled. And then he moved.

“How did you know I was lying?”

Anso sent a sidelong glance toward her. One of his eyebrows lifted, drawing her attention to his eyes. That was quite the affectation. He didn’t need it.

“I was a leader of men
.
Bravery is often faked. Usually when facing a battle. When death is possible. There are signs.”

“It’s because I looked away, isn’t it?”

“No.” He shook his head as if it needed added emphasis.

“Then what?”

“Your heart sped up. Your breathing got shallow. You had to swallow often.”

“How...do you know that?”

Her voice matched the sensation of incredulity. He gave her a swift grin before turning away. She followed his gaze. They looked over an old Soviet military complex. It was located on the Polish border, eighty-some-odd miles from Prague. She knew that because a helicopter had landed on an outcropping of rock outside Anso’s hidden castle. They’d taken it. Some guy named Ivan piloted. Leah hadn’t gotten a good look at him. She hadn’t looked at much. The sun might be a no-show today, but it was almost blindingly bright. Excruciatingly hot. She’d hidden beneath a shawl and hung onto Anso while he explained. He couldn’t just take a leap and they’d be at this camp. It was too far. He needed to reserve his strength.

That was another oddity in this dreamscape. Didn’t vampires have unlimited strength? Wasn’t that the mythos? And why did she even question it? Dreams, delusions and/or hallucinations had many nonsensical and unexplained things in them. That was one thing that came out in therapy sessions.

The view was desultory. What was once lush forest had been scarred with progress, but then it had been deserted. The forest was now winning. The place had been hard to spot. Here and there she could make out angular features that belonged to derelict, graffiti-strewn buildings. Strips of asphalt ribbed the ground in overgrown sections, while a multi-storied tower peeked from beneath a patchy covering of foliage. It was rusted. The entire area reeked of desolation. Decay. Rot.

“Because you are my
weibchan.
My every breath matches yours. As does each heartbeat. My pulse. It did then. It does now.”

“Oh. No way.”

“You deny the truth often,
lioban
.”

“No. I deny science fiction that is presented as fact. Different concept entirely.”

“Come. The guard is coming out again.”

“Yeah. Looks like he’s a chain-smoker.”

“Where did you read that? It was not in the report.”

Leah’s heart stalled. Her mouth watered. “What...report?”

“The one I left open on my computer thing while I dressed and prepared.”

“What makes you think I read it?”

He was pretty damned accurate about her physiological response to a lie attempt. He had the heart rate covered. The need to swallow. The pent-up breath. He regarded her for some moments while a smile played about his lips.

“What woman could resist?” he finally replied.

“Okay. So, maybe I peeked.”

He grunted, grabbed her to his chest and sped through leaves that showered them with raindrops when jostled. His pace didn’t have any steps to it. Good thing. Nigel’s forecast hadn’t been accurate. The skies were gray with clouds, each breath heavy with moisture, while the pelting of rain drowned out any other sound. She was grateful for Anso’s assistance. Her skirt was made of burgundy-shaded velvet and nearly a foot too long. If this material got saturated, she’d have a hard time moving at all.

He stopped at a building edge. Knelt onto a knee and settled her atop his upraised thigh, inches away. Rain had plastered his dark hair to his skull. Rivulets drained down his pecs from where strips of hair clung to his shoulders. He was beyond gorgeous. He looked big, dark, sexy...

Dangerous.

Her heart gave a twinge. His eyes widened.

Oh shit.

He hadn’t experienced that, too, had he? His words answered that. And her heart gave another lurch.

“I like your train of thought,
lioban.
If we had time. And a suitable spot. I would very much like to show you.”

“Um. Anso?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not what you think.”

He leaned forward to peer around the building edge. Straightened. Looked back at her.

“Is he still there?” Leah asked.

He nodded.

“I’m going to hamper this rescue, aren’t I?”

“No.”

“You should put me down. I’ll be fine.”

“Your skirt is too long. You’ll trip.”

“Who says I’ll be moving anywhere?”

One of his eyebrows lifted.

“I wouldn’t. I’d stay right here. Honest.”

“No.”

“Come on, Anso. I don’t even know where I am! And look at me. I’m dressed like a—. A—. Oh! I don’t know. A medieval princess or something.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Oh. Of course I do. To you. You’re the guy who stocked all the wardrobe closets with really low-cut dresses that belong in a Renaissance Fair! And this shawl is useless! Look. It’s pretty much see-through when wet.”

“You did not wish to bring your jacket.”

“That’s because it’s not mine. It belongs to Steven. My colleague. Or – he was my colleague. Remind me to send it to him if I don’t wake up from this, okay?”

He grunted again.

“You know, I have a doctorate in psychology. You’d think I’d have the wits to envision efficient attire if I’m going to hallucinate! Especially if I’m going to be running through a forest in pouring rain, and traipsing through some heretofore unknown and secret deserted Soviet military complex! That would be the smart move. I need cargo pants! Hiking boots. Thermal Henley. A water-resistant, fleece-lined jacket. With a hood. Yeah.
That
would work. And I have all that in my closet. I even bought short men’s sizes, so I wouldn’t have to go through a fat lady catalog to get them big enough. The outfit is brand new. Never worn – except for the jacket. One of my exes was the outdoorsy type. So I pretended.”

He regarded her for long moments. “Why do you speak of all this?”

“I’m hoping it will trigger a wardrobe change.”

He shook his head. “How so? And why? You look very beautiful
.
”

“The translation of that is I look ridiculous.”

“No. Perfect. But, I do apologize. You are a bit smaller than I anticipated. Everything will be too lengthy for you
.
”

“Excuse me? Am I hearing right? You
anticipated
?”

“We are told about mates. I envisioned mine. I ordered all manner of attire, but you never arrived. So I gave up. Centuries ago.” He looked around the corner again, his hand slowly reaching behind his back. “Have you ever handled a weapon?”

Her mouth had opened to start the denial, but he’d pulled a sharp dagger from the back of his trousers, silencing her. It had a black leather grip. A really long blade. Jagged-looking edges along one side. Looked extremely lethal. He held it out to her. Leah lifted both hands in the universal sign of defeat.

“This is too much for me, Anso. I mean, really. I’m a doctor of psychology. I don’t do death and dismemberment. The most I’ve handled is a cooking knife. The occasional steak knife.”

He secured the knife back behind him. “Very well. I will handle it. You stay at my side.”

“Can’t I just stay here?”

He gave her an unfathomable look. She tried desperately to keep her heart from beating any faster. Modulated her breath. Didn’t even attempt a swallow. She didn’t even move her gaze.

“I am sorry
.
I cannot leave you. It is too dangerous. Come. I will carry you.”

He stood. Lifted her against his left side. Looked down at her, locking gazes. Her heart gave every sign of being affected as it thudded heavily. Rhythmically.

He was right.

There was a distinct echo as his heart matched.

“This isn’t going to work,” she whispered.

“Wrap your arms about my neck. Legs about my waist. Hold tight.”

“How are you going to get him to go with you? Nigel says he’s your size. Angry. Stubborn. You can’t force him if you’re holding me.”

She did the requested movements while she argued. Got suctioned into place against his side. And it felt really nice. Damp, but warm.

“That is the least of our trouble. You saw the plan?”

“Vaguely. Something with ‘D’s.”

“Yes. Four of them.”

“That’s not a bra size?”

“Why would it be such a thing?”

“Delusions have a way of being off-the-wall like that.”

“This is not a delusion,
lioban.
A 4-D Team is scheduled for noon. We have less than an hour.”

“Before what?”

He looked down at her. Lifted both eyebrows, putting little lines across his forehead. Replied with one word. “Boom.”

“Boom?”

“Deploy. Destroy. Disinfect. Disappear.”

“Destroy? How much destruction are we talking?”

“Everything.”

“You’re joking.”

He shook his head.

“You can’t just blow everything up! Not in my delusion! That kind of thing will really do some damage to my psyche!”

“I speak, but you do not seem to hear. This is not a delusion,
lioban.
”

“It has to be.”

“Why?”

“Because anything else is impossible.”

“How so?”

“We really have to go into this now? Right now?”

“We have a few moments. The guard is still there. And even if he moves, I can go through a door as easily as open it.”

“All right. Fine. I’ll just start with that. You’ll go
through
a door?”

“Yes.”

“Let me guess. Because you’re a vampire.”

He smiled.

“Let’s start there, shall we? We can drill down from that. There’s a root cause to this hallucination. I might as well find it before we blow stuff up. You claim to be a vampire. You actually exhibit vampiric traits. Both are impossible.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it’s true.”

“What makes it true?”

Leah blinked. Thought for a moment. “Because it just is.”

“Again. Why?”

“Certain beings do not exist. Never have. Werewolves. Yetis. Vampires. Easter bunnies. Tooth fairies. You know. Impossible things.”

“Why do you say they don’t exist?”

“Because nobody ever saw one!”

“They have.”

“Bull crap. If they had, there would be a valid record.”

“Every culture has written proof of their existence.”

“Mythical stories. Complete fiction.”

“What makes them fictional?”

“There is no scientific proof to back anything up.”

“What would you need for this scientific proof?”

“Okay. Maybe if I met one. Saw signs of special powers. Proof of immortality. Got bitten by one. Or maybe—”

Her voice stopped. He had one eyebrow quirked up again.

“If I cut myself right now and it instantly heals, would that suffice as scientific proof?”

She was going to gag. “No. Please. Don’t do that.”

“You worry for no reason. But you are amusing.” He leaned forward and looked around the building again. Returned. “You are ready?”

“Just don’t kill anybody. Okay? Don’t make me go there! Killing people in your mind is the sign of a truly deranged psyche!”

”Lioban.
This is not in your mind.”

“Please, Anso?”

“You make this extremely difficult for us. Do you know what you ask?”

“Please? If I cross that line, there’s no going back! Please?”

He considered her for a moment, as if she asked something completely unreasonable. And then he sighed heavily.

“Very well
.
No killing. For you.”

The relief was short-lived. Anso was moving before the words finished making sound. They should have gone around. Used the hulking chunks of concrete buildings for cover. They traversed an old courtyard. Thick layers of gravel appeared to have impeded plant growth. There wasn’t any cover except the rain. Leah couldn’t seem to move her gaze, or even close her eyes, despite sending the order for both. The guard looked up. Saw them. Chucked his cigarette to reach for the gun over his shoulder.

Leah sucked in a breath. Watched as Anso back-handed him across the chest. The guard smacked into the wall and slumped to the ground, on his front, looking broken. Anso shoved him with a boot toe. The man groaned and then went silent.

“He’s still...alive?” she whispered.