Matters of the Blood (15 page)

"Great, a vampire club ... why does this not surprise me?” Bea stopped fingering her cross and stared at me, then at Tucker. “Do you think Marty was killed by one of them?"

"It's a possibility,” Tucker said and told her what I'd seen on Marty's neck.

"I'm thinking they might be what I saw in my nightmare,” I added.

"But at the Wild Moon?” Bea's voice reflected the shock. “How would Adam not know?"

Tucker looked at me and grinned a little, no doubt remembering my phone message.

"Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't,” I said. “Didn't exactly bring that topic up in conversation. Besides, it's not hard for them to mainstream. If they're staying out at one of those guest houses, people might just think they're eccentric—or from Hollywood. There are an awful lot of pretentious dweebs in L.A. and New York that dress in black, sleep during the day and listen to Marilyn Manson. Hell, I'm like that and I'm not a vamp."

"But you don't listen to Marilyn Manson. You're not human either.” She looked at Tucker. “Neither of you."

He grinned at her and saluted with his wine glass. Bea grinned right back.

I ignored the interplay between them. “Point taken, girlfriend. Of course, there are a whole lot of other things out in the world besides vamps. We haven't ruled out Marty being killed by a human. Those were probably vampire bites, but they weren't necessarily fatal. Carlton's weighing in on the Albrights. I don't agree."

"The idiot brothers? Why?"

"Money, why else? Evidently, cousin dearest was pumping hundreds of dollars Derek's way.” I told her about the canceled check.

"Well, shit.” Bea sat back in the chair and took a big gulp of wine. “Could explain why those two skipped on work. I tried calling their apartment again, but there was no answer."

"Maybe they're history,” Tucker said. “Could be they know what happened and took off."

"Tucker's got a point, Bea,” I said. “Maybe you're better off with them gone."

"Definitely,” she said. She took a gulp of her wine. “Keira, if Boris thinks there was a connection to the dead deer, do you think that Marty was just out at the ranch and saw something that he shouldn't? A predator that saw him back and wanted to silence him?"

My brow furrowed. “Unlikely. What do you think, Tucker?"

He agreed. “I'm not so sure that would be a motive for murder, a few threats or just laying low for a few days, maybe, but not killing. We pretty much tend to take these things in stride. We're good at hiding and keeping a low profile. Killing someone because they were peeping is not low profile stuff. There has to be another reason Marty was killed."

I shifted position on the couch, lying on my side, propped up on one arm. “Tucker's right, Bea. Low profile is the key, for vampires, too, no doubt. If there's someone at the Wild Moon we need to check out, I can take Adam up on the dinner invite. Give me a chance to sniff around a little, see what I can find out."

"Girlfriend, I'm not so sure you ought to go sniffing around that man for anything more than a good meal ... or a good time,” said Bea with a smile. “Leave the Nancy Drew-ing to Sheriff-man. If the idiot brothers and your cousin were involved, let Carlton deal."

I blushed and didn't want to look at my brother, who I knew was grinning bigger than the Cheshire Cat. Unlike me, Tucker didn't have any qualms about dating humans—of either sex. I was sure he thought my having a little hanky-panky with Adam Walker was just what the doctor ordered. But then again, Tucker had always been careful to stick to humans who cared little for permanence. Most of his real relationships had been with clan.

"Bea, Carlton's not going looking for the same things. I need to do this."

At this, my brother guffawed. I glared at him. He just smirked at me and drank his wine.

Bea scowled at Tucker. “Keira, I know, but look at what just happened to you just a little while ago. What if you start to freak out when you're out at the ranch? Maybe both you and Tucker ought to go to dinner. It's safer."

"No way. I am not going to drag my brother to dinner as a chaperon. Come on, Bea, you know me better than that."

I turned to my brother. “And don't you even get started on any of this. This is out of your territory, brother mine."

I shot him a look. It was bad enough that Bea was interfering, I didn't need my brother to chime in.

Tucker snickered and poured himself another glass of wine. “Far be it for me to interfere in my sister's love life."

Thing was, Bea was probably right. Considering what I'd been feeling toward Adam, if the opportunity arose, I might just start thinking with my hormones and not my head and who knew where that could lead?

My friend smiled. “Okay, go. Talk, eat dinner, get all couple-y.” She tossed me the cordless phone. “But that's all, right? No matter how
guapo
that man is, you need to be careful. You can worry about getting laid later."

Her grin widened as she watched my brother's face. He was trying not to laugh. “Besides, this'll be a good chance for you to think about something other than Marty. Let Carlton do his job. You go out there and de-stress. Nothing better than a fabulous dinner, fantastic wine and something chocolate for dessert."

I felt my face turn red. All I could think of was Adam's voice, rich and dark and tempting as the finest Belgian chocolate. I knew that's not what Bea meant, but I blushed anyway. Okay, then, this would be an exercise in some serious self-control.

The phone rang twice before he picked up. His voice, still as smooth as the anticipated chocolate dessert, sounded a little fuzzy, distant.

"Hello, Keira Kelly,” he said. “I heard you called. Does this mean I get to pay you back with dinner?"

Whoever said paybacks are hell was so very wrong. Then again, maybe their idea of hell didn't match mine.

"Yes, I'm taking you up on your offer of dinner,” I said. “I'm sorry, though, did I just wake you up? Was that why you didn't answer the phone earlier?"

"You caught me out,” he said, his voice clearing. “I was napping and asked not to be disturbed, but that's fine. I'm glad you called. If I remember rightly, you're a bit of a night owl yourself."

"You remember rightly. So ... what's good for you?"

His deep laugh vibrated through the phone. “I'd answer that, but I'm sure it would get me in trouble."

Damn it, I'd meant the time for dinner. I felt myself turning red as I imagined the grin on his face. I couldn't even look at Bea or Tucker.

But Adam got me off the hook before I totally made a fool of myself. “Would tomorrow at nine be okay?"

"Sounds great,” I answered. “Where should I meet you?"

"Just drive through to my house,” he said. “You can park here and we can walk over to the restaurant. Hang on a second.” He was back nearly immediately with the security code for the gate. “Do you have any preferences on types of food? I have an ‘in’ with the chef.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

"I'm not that picky,” I said with a laugh.

"See you tomorrow then, Keira,” he said. “I'm looking forward to it."

"Yeah, me, too."

It occurred to me I wasn't just spouting pleasantries. I really was looking forward to this, despite everything that happened today. Tomorrow night, I could relax and enjoy a nice dinner out with a very attractive man. It would be a great chance to escape for a few hours, to forget, if only temporarily. Dinner with Adam Walker certainly had other possibilities. I could certainly contemplate enjoying a little more than just a meal.

Relief suddenly flooded my overstressed body. I let go the tension I'd been clutching like a not-so-comforting blanket, feeling it slip from me, taking my tightly-held shields with it.

It was like a smudged film had suddenly been stripped from my awareness. I felt Bea's breathing across the room, a tangible current of air moving around me, the heat of her body nearly solid, as if I could see it, feel it. My brother's breath was heavier than hers, more solid, tasting of earth, of musk, of the woods and of blood. His energy burned red, gold, white with the changing swirl that was shapeshifter.

The leather of the couch caressed my skin, even through the thick fabric of my jeans; the nubbly softness of the chenille cushions stroked my back and sides. A burst of light and dark speared my eyes.

"Holy shit!” I fell against the couch cushions. The handset fell out of my nerveless hand to the floor.

"Keira, are you okay?"

"Bea, wait, don't—"

Before Tucker could stop her, Bea put a cool hand on my forehead. I cringed at the touch. Tucker squatted next to her, gently moving her hand off me. I felt the heat of his hand hovering above my face.

"I'm fine, just, please, don't touch me right now."

Bea scooted back to the easy chair Tucker had just vacated, curling deeper into the seat. “I'm sorry; I was just trying to help.” Her voice was small and tight, holding in the hurt I knew she was feeling.

Tucker stayed next to me, concern on his face. He was careful not to touch me. He was too close.

"Tucker, please, move back a little."

He nodded, and moved back over by Bea, perching on the ottoman.

"I'm sorry,” I said to both of them, struggling to keep the thin hold I had on what was left of my safeguards. “Something's happened. My shields are gone ... everything's pretty raw right now."

"I felt them go,” Tucker said. “What happened?"

"I don't know,” I said. “When I hung up, I relaxed, then—"

"Your shields were gone."

I nodded. “Yeah."

Bea's eyes welled up with tears. I could feel her emotion brimming to the surface, empathy, pity, a little fear. I could taste her worry, rich on my tongue, her anxiety hovering just above the feeling of relief that I seemed to be okay. The heat of her body temperature flooded over me, covering me like a second skin.

I huddled into myself, pulling together the last shreds of my tattered barriers until I could block enough of her energy to speak coherently. Tucker had known how to react, he'd reinforced his own shields the second he felt mine going, blocking himself from me.

"I don't know what happened,” I said. “I felt something, power, maybe. I saw...” I didn't really know what. I'd flashed on blood and death and hunger. I felt the need deep inside me, clawing its way out, desperate for release. But I couldn't tell if that was just remnants of my previous vision, or if this was a new invasion of my sanity.

"It was like a rush of power,” I finished, knowing it was a lame answer.

It had been more than that. As I'd stupidly relaxed my shields, they'd slipped completely away, leaving me raw and open to everything around me. I'd touched the night and it had touched me back. But it wasn't anything I could explain. There weren't any words to give meaning to what had happened. Like someone tripping on acid, I'd felt colors and smelled light, felt the energies of everything that ever hunted in the dark.

Bea sat facing me, both knees drawn up to her chin. Her arms were wrapped around her legs.

"I'm sorry. I freaked you out, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you freaked me out,
chica.
"

She frowned a little. “Are you going to be okay?"

Before I said anything I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I wasn't careful.” I mentally thanked the powers that be that I hadn't done that in front of anyone else. At least my friend understood—sort of.

"Damn it, girl,” Bea said. “I thought you'd learned that lesson.” Okay, well, she was my best friend. She was allowed to scold.

"Tell me about it.” I was tired of complications. I was beginning to feel that fate, or karma or whatever, was stirring this particular piece of my life with a delicately evil hand. Why the hell couldn't everything just stay simple?

"Keira?” Bea's worry echoed throughout the room. Damn it, my shields were still too fragile. Her emotions still leaked through.

"Sorry, just trying to maintain."

"She'll be okay, Bea.” Tucker's voice was soft and comforting. “It's just ... a little unsettling."

Unsettling was a good word. Trying to maintain my stability was something that seemed to be getting harder and harder to do over the past day or two. My senses kept freaking out, my natural controls didn't seem so natural anymore, and it was way too easy for me to get sidetracked with emotion. I knew it was probably a side-effect of my changing energies, but knowing it and being able to do something about it was altogether something different. Time to cancel my dinner date. I couldn't risk losing control while I was with Adam.

I picked up the handset, which had fallen between my feet.

"What are you doing?” Bea sat up straight.

"Calling Adam back and telling him the date's off."

Bea moved as fast as any human could and pulled the cord out of the wall before I could even dial. She hadn't had to move far. The main phone unit was on the table next to her. Lucky her. She'd caught me by surprise and done the one thing I hadn't expected. Damn her, she knew me much too well.

"What are you doing,
m'hija?
” she asked. “Are you nuts?"

"I'm not, I'm sane—totally calm and completely in control of myself for the first time since yesterday."

Who was I kidding? I was running scared. Scared of possibilities that were so vague they didn't even have a name. I wanted to see Adam, but I was afraid that all that emotion was what was loosening my control. I hadn't planned on having to deal with this kind of physical attraction to anyone, especially not with a human. But here I was and there he was and damnitalltohellandback. This was not getting me anywhere.

"Keira, stop and think.” Bea was insistent. “You cannot pass this up. Isn't this an ideal situation for you?"

I stayed where I was. “What?"

"Adam Walker. He's gorgeous, rich, no complications. He's not Carlton and he's not Gideon. You don't need to worry about anything more than dinner. Just relax and enjoy, ask questions ... you'll be fine."

"She's right, Keira.” Tucker chimed in, having wisely kept his counsel until now. “Just say ‘yes'."

I glared at him for making with the stupid jokes. He was one to talk. After all, Bea had only seen me lose control once. Tucker was there both times in less than a few hours.