The Vampire Next Door (21 page)

“I-I’m sorry. I haven’t worked in a couple of days.”

“Worked? What’s work got to do with it? Unless you’re a professional firebug. In which case, I want to know. I live right over y’all.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. I… I have this problem.”

Gwyneth took Lily’s hand and patted it. As she led Lily to the charred sofa, Gwyneth said, “Maybe I can help.”

Lily sank down onto the couch. “I doubt it.”

“Now, come on, sugar. Y’all can tell me anythin’ and I won’t breathe a word. We all have our little problems.”

“Not like this.”

“Try me.”

Lily heaved a deep sigh. “I might shock you.”

“Oh, honey. I’m a witch and a phone-sex actress. How shocked can I be?”

Lily bolted up straight. “Really?”

“Uh-huh. Now come on. Out with it.”

Lily bit her lip, then offered the strangest explanation Gwyneth had ever heard.

“I’m a dragon. I sneeze fire. The only cure for it is regular sex. So I’m a call girl, but because I just moved to this city, I have no clients and haven’t worked recently.”

“A dragon? But y’all just look like a pretty girl to me.”

Lily smiled. “Thank you. You’re looking at my human form. If I need to protect myself, I shift into my dragon form, but that’s only as a last resort.”

“I see. So you’re a shapeshifter?”

“You’ve heard of us?”

“Oh, honey. Y’all have no idea. But back to the sex thing. I think I get it. That’s how y’all blow off steam—so to speak.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, I’ll be jiggered. Can’t y’all find a dildo? I have several upstairs. What’s your favorite color?”

Lily chuckled. “Thank you, but vibrators don’t work. I need the real thing.”

“Well, there’s got to be somethin’…”

“Perhaps there is, but I don’t know of anything else and haven’t any clients yet. I just moved here from San Francisco.”

“Why, that’s clear across the country. What made y’all pick up and move so far away?”

“I-I’d rather not talk about it.”

I wish Morgaine was here. She’s way more psychic than I am, and this lady is just confusin’ the hell outta me.

“Well, there’s gotta be somethin’ I can do to help. I can’t let you set the building on fire.”

Gwyneth could think of only one solution. It wouldn’t be her favorite thing to do, but this was an emergency.

She moved closer to Lily and draped an arm around her. “Now, I don’t usually swing this way, but for the sake of my neighbors…” She pursed her lips. “Pucker up, darlin’. Looks like we’re gonna have to get cozy real fast.”

Lily shoved her off the couch, and Gwyneth landed on the hard floor with a thud.

“Ouch! Why’d y’all go and do that? I was just tryin’ to help!”

Lily crossed her arms. “I don’t swing that way either, and I don’t want to start now.”

Loud laughter echoed all around them. Gwyneth shook her fist at the ceiling. “Chad! Y’all know it’s impolite to eavesdrop.”

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have missed that for the world.”

Gwyneth’s lips thinned. “What in blazes—er, I mean, what in tarnation are you doin’ here anyway?”

“I wanted to meet the new neighbor too.”

“And how long have you been here?”

“I was right behind you, oooo…”

She glanced at Lily, who was giving her the oddest look.

“Oh, sorry. Y’all don’t know about our ghost, I guess.” She picked herself up off the floor and brushed off her skirt. “He can be a smart-ass, but he’s basically harmless.”

Lily glanced around the room, nervously. “Basically?”

“He only pulls pranks on people he don’t like. I’d say not to worry, but y’all burnin’ down the place he haunts might really tick him off.”

Lily covered her eyes and wailed, “What am I to do?”

“If only I had a body…”

Gwyneth snapped her fingers. “That’s it! I know exactly who can help y’all, Lily.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Who?”

“Yeah, who?”
Chad asked.

“Nathan! He lives in the apartment right under y’all’s. I don’t think he’s ever had a girlfriend in his life.”

Lily sounded doubtful. “He isn’t gay, is he?”

“Nope. I remember some reporter tryin’ to make it look like he and Jason had a thing for each other, but from what I hear, they was both pretty horrified at the thought.”

Lily folded her hands in her lap. “Would this Nathan be understanding of my—um, real nature? As understanding as you are?”

“Oh, heck yes. He’s a shapeshifter too. That’s why I thought y’all would be good together.”

“Oh! Is he a dragon?”

“No, but I wouldn’t feel right tellin’ you all his secrets. Why don’t I go talk to him and if he’s interested, he can tell you himself.”

“How can I ever thank you?”

“Don’t burn down the building. That’ll be thanks enough.”

*   *   *   *

“Sly, dear. It’s me, Alice.”

“Alice?”

Sly bolted upright and saw his late wife sitting at the foot of the bed. She looked as young and beautiful as the day they’d met. “But how can you be here? You’re…”

She smiled. “Dead?”

“I was going to say a dream.”

“I know. I had to come and see you one last time. This is the only way I could.”

“Why? Are you going somewhere? Or, somewhere else?” Sly scratched his head.

“No, I’m where I’m supposed to be. I had to visit you though. I have something important to tell you.”

“I’m listening.” He reached for her hand.

She laid her palm in his and curled her fingers around his hand. He was amazed by the warmth and pressure. She actually felt real, but how could that be?

“I want you to stop holding onto the past. I’ve seen you struggle and resist the changes in your life. It’s time for you to move forward.”

“What do you mean?” He glanced at the other side of the bed, but it was empty. Where was Morgaine? “Do you mean with someone else?”

“Yes. You’ve brooded for too long. It’s time to enjoy life again.”

He stared at his lap. “If you can call what I do
living
.”

“You have a lot to look forward to. You’ve been reunited with our daughter, a grandchild is on the way, and you have the wholehearted love of a good woman. But you could miss out on that blessing if you don’t open your eyes and your heart.”

“Is that why you’re here… to tell me it’s all right to fall in love again?”

“It’s not just all right. I want you to.”

“Seriously? But you had a jealous streak when we were dating… sometimes even after we were married.”

“It’s not like that anymore. Things like envy, jealousy, greed, and fear… we let them go here. As it turns out, all we really have that matters is love.”

Sly smiled. “You were always the wise one.”

“You’re wise too. You simply have to believe in yourself and trust your instincts. She’s right for you. Allow the love you already share to blossom.”

He looked to his side again, and there was Morgaine, sleeping with an angelic look on her face. A blonde curl crossed her cheek and lay on the pillow next to him. Warmth flooded his heart. He wanted more than anything to touch that curl, but he didn’t want to wake her.

“Alice?” He glanced back toward the foot of the bed, but she was gone.

How odd. Why hadn’t Morgaine been there a few moments ago when Alice appeared? Now Alice was gone and Morgaine was beside him. He knew dreams took strange turns and often represented the dreamer’s subconscious thoughts.

It didn’t take a genius to figure this one out.

*   *   *   *

Sly blinked in the glare of the first sunrise he’d witnessed in twenty-six years. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he noted the beautiful colors reflected in the windows of the high-rises. New York City was beautiful at this time of day—and almost quiet. He wondered how many others woke up to this view and didn’t even notice it. A lump formed in his throat.

Morgaine came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you enjoying the view?”

He couldn’t speak, so he nodded.

As if she understood, she remained quiet and let him stand there and lean on the window sill for a long time. Morgaine was the perfect person to share this moment with. His late wife, Alice, would have been chattering away, completely unaware of the spiritual impact this was having on his psyche.

He turned in Morgaine’s arms and hugged her close. “I never appreciated this time of day like I do right now.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Morgaine whispered beside his neck, her breath warming him. With even more joy, he realized that although he could hear her blood coursing through her veins, he had no desire to drink from her—or anyone else.

He pulled away far enough to see her face. “This morning is unbelievably beautiful, and so are you.”

She gave him her shy smile and looked down.

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Hide your eyes when I give you a compliment.”

“I don’t know. Maybe I just want to savor the moment privately. I’m not used to it, you know.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Yes, I know and I don’t understand it. You must have had boyfriends at some point.”

Her expression saddened immediately.

He placed a finger under her chin and held her gaze. “What happened?”

“How can you tell something happened?”

He smoothed her hair down her back, hoping to soothe her. “I just can.”

She let out a deep breath. “Date rape put a stop to my social life. I thought it would be temporary, but the longer I went without a relationship, the more comfortable it became.”

Profound anger invaded his gut. He could tell there was more to this story, and it was hard for her to talk about. Controlling his voice, he asked, “There’s something else. What is it, babe?”

“I almost died—Natalee Holloway style. Only I managed to escape and swim to shore.”

“Shit! No wonder you’re scared. Look, you don’t have to tell me any more if you don’t want to, but I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk it out.”

“I think it’s enough to know I’m safe with you. Years ago, when it happened, I talked about it with counselors and the police. I got a lot of support, and the guy went to jail for a long, long time.”

“Is that why you moved away from Baltimore?”

“Yes. Boston reminded me of Baltimore, somewhat. I lived in a little row house there, and the Back Bay has the same kind of historic vibe—but on a slightly larger scale. And even though it snows more in Boston, the summers aren’t quite so hot and humid.”

“Is that when the agoraphobia started?”

“Shortly after that. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to hex the Hell out of the guy.”

Sly enveloped her in a strong hug. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry that happened to you. If he ever gets out, let me know. Okay? I’ll pay him a little visit.”

That made her smile. “I’ll bet. But you don’t have to defend me. It’s just nice to hear you say you want to. I love you, Sly.”

Fuck.
Could he say it back yet? She certainly needed to hear it. But did he mean it? He thought he did. He wanted to. Her expectant eyes shifted to her feet. If he hurt her, he’d never forgive himself.
Better wait until I’m sure.

*   *   *   *

Gwyneth pounded on apartment 1A’s door for the third time. “I know y’all are in there, Nathan. It’s just lil’ ol’ Gwyneth. Now open up.”

Several clicks on the other side of the door said he was unlocking what must have been Fort Knox-like security.

Finally the door opened and Nathan peeked around it.

Gwyneth jammed her hands on her hips and sputtered, “Jeezum Crow. Y’all would think there’s martial law and chaos out here or somethin’.”

“What do you want, Gwyneth?”

“Well, for starters, how about some manners? Where I come from, when a neighbor comes to call, y’all invite her in.”

Nathan hung his head and stepped back, opening his door wider. She understood that was the only invitation she was likely to get and breezed inside.

He closed the door behind her and relocked it, but only by the dead bolt. He looked handsomer than usual. His black slacks and black shirt were nicely pressed, and his hair, though wet, looked good slicked back that way.

“So, aren’t y’all gonna offer me some hospitality, like a place to set a spell?”

Nathan shrugged, then gestured to his sofa. “I suppose you want a cup of coffee too.”

“If it’s not too much trouble. That would be most kind of y’all.”

Nathan shuffled off to his kitchen, and while he was gone, Gwyneth wandered around the living room, appraising the only apartment in the building that she’d never seen. Other than the necessary furniture and a large-screen TV, there was very little in it.

As expected, the raven had a lovely hand-carved perch next to his big bay window. “I wonder if he’d rather be his human or bird form?” she mumbled to herself.

“Oh, he definitely prefers his raven form. I envy his ability to fly on the wind and have some control over it. Me? I wind up halfway down the block with the slightest gust.”

“I didn’t know y’all was here, Chad.”

“Yeah. I followed you downstairs and came in behind you. So, if you were a shapeshifter, what kind would you be?”

“If I was a shapeshifter, a bird would be the type I’d choose. Not like Nathan or Jason or Morgaine’s owl, Athena. I’d be a beautiful swan or a Canada goose, able to glide across water or air currents equally good.”

She settled on Nathan’s comfortable distressed-leather couch and crossed her ankles in an attempt to look ladylike. However, no lady would propose what she was about to ask him.

“Chad, would y’all mind leavin’ us alone for a bit? I have somethin’ personal to discuss with Mr. Nourie.”

Chad sighed.
“I suppose. Although I’d love to see him squirm when you ask him to be Lillian’s booty call.”

“Oh, hush, you.”

Chad laughed.

Nathan returned with two mugs and handed her one filled with steaming, dark brown liquid.

“Yeck, black coffee. You should have asked for tea.”

In as sweet a way as she could muster, she asked, “Do y’all have a speck of milk or sugar? I’m not used to drinkin’ my coffee black.”

He rolled his eyes and schlepped back to the kitchen.