Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born) (9 page)

It was a fake plant. No. A fake, sun-bleached plant. But Ga’loh glared as though the shrub was a Ming vase.

“My apologies.” Gray gently brushed off the plant and returned it to its precarious perch. “No harm done.”

The tension in Ga’loh lessened and Gray breathed easier. The man didn’t look like much, but he was one of the most powerful war mages this side of the Veil. Shadow Bearers on both sides had hired them as mercenaries during their civil war. He would kill a man without hesitation or remorse.

“Thank you.” Ga’loh leaned back, his eyes focused somewhere behind Gray’s shoulder. “She was with Claudius. The vampire appeared to have taken her under his wing. I believe she was feeding him.”

Gray grabbed Sam’s forearm when the other man tensed. To hear the woman you shared a bed with was feeding a leech would anger any man, but they didn’t have time to piss Ga’loh off. When Sam stilled, Gray released him.

“Do you know what she was getting in return?”

Ga’loh leaned forward, ash dangling from the end of his cigarette. “Good question. It’s anyone’s guess.” He paused, considering. “She was with some members of the Brotherhood yesterday, so she could be trying to play them to get information.”

Sam frowned. “The demonic cult? Why would the vampires care about them? Is there a connection?”

“No. They patently avoid dealing with each other. But there’s a first time for everything, I suppose.”

Gray dusted off his memory of the murder files, and found a piece that might fit. “Didn’t one of the Brothers get murdered?”

Ga’loh nodded. “As did Claudius’ wife. Both by that fanatical bastard they’re calling the Kenaz killer.” He held out a hand, palm outstretched. “That gives us both a place to start. I want my payment.”

It was something at least. They had two more leads to follow.

Gray placed the bagged blood in the mage’s hand. It was hard to ignore the look of hunger in the other man’s eyes. Rising to his feet he stepped to the tent’s opening, Sam following behind.

“Nice doing business with you.” Ga’loh’s raspy voice rang out as they disappeared into the droves of people making their way to and from the vendors.

When they were free of the crowds they moved toward the exit, but Sam wanted to stay.

“We need to find Claudius,” Sam said. “He has to know what’s happened to Marissa. Some of his people will be here.”

Gray glanced at him sharply. “Ignore your jealously and think for a minute. We can’t just walk up to Claudius. He’s the representative of the Vampire Assembly in these parts. If you approach him in anger, his minions won’t ask questions. They’ll kill you.”

“You know him?” Sam walked faster. The masses Gray had thrown money at earlier had noticed them. “I hear he’s a real bastard.”

Gray smirked. “He can be difficult, but he’s not a liar. If he has Marissa, he won’t hide it.” As they left the tunnels, he turned to Sam. “He wouldn’t have fed from Marissa. She didn’t betray you.”

Sam looked unconvinced.

“Claudius only feeds from his own kind. Aside from Shadow Bearers, he believes everyone else’s blood is impure.”

“Thanks.” Sam slid into the passenger side of the vehicle. “Are you going to set up a meeting with him tonight?”

“It’s not that easy. I need Brenna. He has a weakness for beautiful women, especially if they’re powerful.”

“Just make sure Brenna doesn’t kill him. She might go off half-cocked.”

“I’ll control her.”

Sam’s snorted “Good luck. She won’t be herself until her body recharges.” Guilt tinged Sam’s words.

“Hey, you can’t blame yourself for needing to feed. It’s not your fault. The key is to recognize you have an issue and learn how to cope with it.”

Sam looked away. “It pisses me off that I have to feed off my friends to survive. Most people aren’t leeches.”

“No. We all are. Incubus, vampire, witch or human, we all use someone else to survive. Even Shadow Bearers. No one was built to survive on their own.”

Sam considered that for a moment. “I guess. I never thought about it that way.”

Gray hoped he took the words to heart. It had taken Gray too long to learn the truth behind them.

When they returned home, Brenna sat waiting in the parlor. Although he could not hear her conversation with Mira and Hilda, she was clearly frustrated by it. He managed to peak through her glamour. Her skin was bluish and pale.

Gray entered the study. Sam followed behind him, hands shoved in his pockets.

“Did you find Marissa?” Brenna asked.

Gray shook his head. “Just information.”

Mira hissed. “She looked like crap yesterday. Her arms were bruised and her aura was way off. Has something happened to her?” She glanced down at the wine glass in her hand, watching the blood swirl against the crystal. “She smelled like Claudius.”

Gray straddled one of the wooden chairs beside Brenna. “How well do you know Claudius?”

“We go way back.” Mira sat her glass on the side table. “He raised me. My maker got staked the day after I woke up.” The authoritative way she held herself was a reminder of the successful lawyer she had once been. “I interfered with Claudius’ smuggling ring. He sent one of his minions to teach me a lesson.”

Gray leaned forward. “He made you a vampire?”

She nodded, running her finger around the rim of the glass. “I killed the bastard the next day and Claudius had to clean up the mess. He taught me to kill to survive. Until recently, I didn’t realize there was an alternative.” She paused, grinning at Brenna. “I’ve been rehabilitated.”

“From being a vampire or a lawyer?”

“There’s a difference?” She ran a slender finger across her lips.

Gray chuckled. “My contact in the Underground confirmed she’s been seen with him. I’m going to set up a meeting. I’d like you to track him once Brenna and I leave his house.”

Mira rubbed her hands together. “With pleasure. If he hurt Marissa, I’ll kill him myself.”

“No you won’t. We need him for information.” Brenna narrowed her eyes. “Don’t growl at me, Mira. He could be connected to the serial killer.”

Mira leaned back in her chair, the wine glass back in her hand. “If I’m going to be at my best, I’ll need more than just synthetic blood.” Her grin widened. “Can I ask Sam to donate?”

Sam shook his head. “I’m still weak. I might end up draining you at the same time.”

Brenna frowned. “This is ridiculous.”

She got up and headed to the kitchen. “Stay there,” she ordered.

Brenna sighed as the door swung shut behind her. Tensions were mounting without Marissa to sort out everyone’s needs. She headed to the back pantry and stepped inside, locking herself in. Slipping a key from her pocket, she knelt before the bottom shelf and pulled out a chilled lock box. She opened it and glanced down at what was left of her reserves.

Not much. The increase in demon attacks had taken their toll on them. Things would get dire soon.

She pulled one bottle out and popped open the cork. Pleasure surged through her at the smell of pure Shadow Bearer blood. It would make Mira far more powerful, and they needed her strong.

Grabbing her antique Hello Kitty mug, she poured the precious liquid until it was three quarters full. Replacing the cap, she locked the box and went back to the study.

Mira gave her a bemused look as Brenna handed her the cup. Brenna could tell Gray had caught the scent. Gray closed his eyes, bliss on his features. It made her wonder how long it had been since he had fed.

“Brenna.” Mira stared at the blood, eyes wide. “Are you sure?”

Gray’s eyes held the same question.

“Yes. I need you strong. If Marissa has been taken, it might be one of us next.” She crumpled into her chair, still a bit weak from helping Sam. “But savor it, there isn’t much left.”

Gray raised a hand, halting Mira before she could drink. “If you haven’t had our blood before, you should prepare yourself. The buzz will last for days. Your abilities will redefine and strengthen for years. It will shift your body into a different type of being. More like us.”

“So it’s like strong coffee?” Sam joked, but there was tension in his body. “Could it hurt her?”

Brenna shook her head. “It may sting, but only as your powers redevelop. Think of it as steroids with only good side effects.”

Mira closed her eyes as the powerful blood slid down her throat. When they reopened, they were glazed over. “I’ve never had anything so…” She paused. “I can’t think of a word.” Instead she took another sip, her head rolling back against the chair.

Gray coughed, momentarily covering Mira’s groans of ecstasy. “I need you both back here in six hours. We’re going on a field trip.”

Mira tilted her head back, draining the rest of the cup, for a moment it looked like she might lick the inside. Jumping to her feet, she gave Gray a quick salute. “Yes, sir. I’m on it, sir.” Dancing across the floor, she smacked Sam on the butt, sending him out ahead of her.

Brenna sank back into her chair. “That probably wasn’t my best idea.”

“You may be surprised. She will be loyal to you forever.” Gray offered his hand.

She sighed, accepting it. “A loyal nightmare. At least she’s well fed.”

Brenna let him pull her up. Their bodies brushed as she regained her footing. Heat radiated from his skin. She fought the urge to press closer as a flutter of desire stirred deep in her belly again.

“How long has it been since you charged your blood?” he asked.

It was a question she didn’t want to answer. “There are other things to worry about. I’m fine.” She tried to pull away, but he held fast.

“You know better. If you continue to draw power, you’ll need to refuel with fresh blood to stay strong.”

She pulled away from him, her body screaming at the loss of contact. “And how am I supposed to do that? You are the first Shadow Bearer I have seen since I was banished. I have taken precautions. I have a supply of stored blood.”

“Which you said you’re running low on. It’s not enough.”

Heat rose in her cheeks. “I said I was fine.”

“You’re not fine. And there is no reason for you to go without blood now. A small exchange would not bond us.”

She could practically taste him on her lips. The temptation was almost too much. But she needed too much blood to safely drink from him. An extensive blood exchange would create a bond between them for a time. She didn’t trust him enough to make herself that vulnerable.

He moved closer, the strength of his body backing her against the wall. “You need blood.” She could feel the heat of him, the roughness of his hands against her arms, the prickle of his stubble against her forehead. She tried to hide her reaction, pushing past her warring feelings of desire and alarm.

But he was right.

She hated he could see through her bravado, through the glamour she had thrown around her weakness. She would have to feed soon or it would start affecting her performance. They didn’t have the luxury of time to recharge naturally.

She heard Gray call her athame to his hand with a word. Her breathing slowed as he pulled the blade across his wrist, allowing the blood to well against the silver.

She tried to pull free, but he held fast.

The sweet essence of his power drifted toward her. The urge was so strong. She should push him away, resist, but she couldn’t.

She pulled his wrist to her lips. His blood was like quicksilver and her body burned with relief as it slid down her throat. Time lost all meaning. Wrapped in their combined power, she could only feel. A growl wrenched from her throat when he pulled his wrist away. Wanting more, a fragile grasp on her control, she watched him heal the skin without any scarring.

Her body awash with new sensations, she couldn’t focus. He had not given her enough to allow her to overcome his glamour, just enough to allow her own blood to recharge. In theory it had been what she needed. In practice, he had gone against her wishes and she was furious. An exchange was addictive. One would never be enough. She would be forced to live with the memory and the temptation. She was just thankful no one had walked in on them.

Gray wrapped his hand around her forearm, pulling her against his body. “My turn.” The heat of his breath caressed her face as he leaned closer.

Temptation stood six-four, with long black hair and violet eyes, wielding a silver blade in his hand. Sharing blood was more intimate than sharing her body. If she gave in, it was only a matter of time before he broke down the barriers she had spent a century erecting. But she wanted him, and that desire had already left her vulnerable. The realization jerked her back to reality. She pulled free of his grasp.

Skirting backwards, she hit the door frame. “I can’t,” she said, searching for an excuse. “I… need to rest for our meeting with Claudius.”

Not sure she could resist any longer if she stayed, she fled.

Several hours later, Gray snuck out the back and into the gardens. Dead trees swayed in the crisp winter night. The wind whipped their broken branches in a macabre dance. The temperature had taken a bitter turn. Snow coated the broken concrete steps that led out of the garden.