Blood Life Seeker (19 page)

Pete had already seen me, so as soon as he was done he came over and poured me my usual. Another ghoul slipped in behind the bar and took over serving the rowdy crowd. Pete slid the lager towards me and indicted a booth to the rear with the nod of his head. I followed, drink in hand. I figured I'd need this one to help swallow down whatever had got Pete so riled. Because he was riled, I could tell.

I slid into the booth on one side of the table and he took the other. I sipped my cold beer, let the feel of it flow down my throat and chill my body ever so slightly.

“So, what's up, Pete?”

He scratched his short beard. Pete's a big guy with curly light brown hair and a short, trimmed beard. For a ghoul, he's really well presented. Most humans wouldn't even pick up that he wasn't one of them. Just because his diet preference is raw, doesn't mean he can't blend in. Ghouls in Auckland City tend to behave themselves, mix with the locals, just like the vamps.

“I heard something on the grapevine I thought you should know.”

“Is this one on the house?” It always pays to negotiate your terms with a ghoul before you accept any information. They operate by strict rules, you have to play by them if you want to be a part of their world. I couldn't afford to piss Pete off, he was too valuable as a source of otherworldly info.

He laughed. “Nothing for free, Luce. You know that. But you can owe me. You're good for it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't like not paying my debts.”

“Then what you got?”

“You first, then I'll see whether mine warrants it or not.”

He smiled an appreciative smile. He always did like his contacts to have a bit of a backbone. Never give in too easily, but readily play the game. I'd known Pete a while now and although I couldn't play him, I certainly knew how to play the game.

“There's been a bloke asking about you. Not here, but some of the other haunts.” The other haunts were supernaturally owned bars. Michel and Pete weren't the only Supernaturals to own real estate in Auckland. If you had a hint of sensitivity to the supernatural world, then you knew which bars to frequent, or not. Depending on your persuasion.

“What does he want with me?”

“Don't know. Just asking for the local Nosferatin. Bold as brass. Where you hunt, who you hang with, how good you are. That sort of thing.”

OK. So, people: vampires, ghouls, shifters and magic users, they knew who I was and occasionally one would come looking for me. To kill me, to hurt me, to get to Michel. Sometimes, just to meet me. This was nothing new.

“So, what's got your knickers in a twist, Pete? This all sounds fairly mundane so far.”

Pete sat back and looked at me a moment. Nothing too scary, Pete doesn't have that effect on me, just assessing me I think, trying to see something in my face.

“This one's different, Luce. There's nothing obvious about it. I can't be sure he means you harm and even if he does, you can take care of yourself.”

“Then what is it, Pete?”

“He says he's family. Your family. He says he's another Nosferatin.”

Now that's a turn up for the books.

I took a slow sip of my drink. I don't have a Nosferatin family. Or at least one I know. My parents died when I was a baby and I was raised by my non-Nosferatin Aunt and Uncle. I call them my Mum and Dad. I never knew my biological parents, my Aunt and Uncle are the only parents I've ever known.

I did know my father had a brother, but my parents, that's my Aunt and Uncle, broke off contact with them not long after they adopted me. So, I guess a part of me has always been aware that there was another side to the family tree, but they'd never tried to get in touch with me, not once while I was growing up. And they knew where I was, they had to have. My parents' farm has been in the family for generations, they have never lived anywhere else.

Well, this was interesting news. Pete had allowed me a little notice. If this Nosferatin relative had just turned up on my doorstep, I would have been undoubtedly on the back foot. Now I was prepared at least. What this guy wanted, who could say. Re-establish old family ties? If Pete really thought that, then why the urgency? Why the serious look on his face now?

“You don't think this is a friendly visit, do you?”

He shrugged. I guess I'd got all the info I was going to get out of him tonight. So, do I pay up?

I sighed. “The
Iunctio's
in town.”

“Tell me something I don't know.”

Bugger.

“They've sent their Enforcer.”

“Already know.”

Shit.

“He's here to check up on Michel's new powers.”

“They want to make sure he's not a threat to their kind. Heard it already.”

Ah dammit. I so did not want to share this.

“His name's Gregor and he and I have a challenge in motion.”

That got a raised eyebrow. He nodded for me to continue though. Obviously not enough to cover the debt yet.

How do I put this? “He wants to seduce me away from Michel.” There said it. Now if that doesn't come back to bite me in the arse, I'll eat my stake.

“Really? Now that is news, Luce.”

“He won't succeed.”

“Are you saying that to convince me or yourself?”

Damn. I forgot how perceptive Pete could be sometimes.

“He won't. I'm Bonded to Michel, he's wasting his time.” Of course I knew otherwise now. The Bond was not the be-all and end-all of our relationship. I only hoped Pete didn't know that yet.

He smiled. “Well, this will be entertaining. Be sure to let me know how it goes. Or is he likely to take out a full page ad in the
New Zealand Herald
when he wins your heart?”

“Ha ha. Very funny, Pete.”

His smile dimmed. “Your debt is paid, this one's for free. Take care, Luce. Not just because of this
Iunctio
vamp, but I got a bad feeling about this Nosferatin. Nothing solid, just all gut.”

He stood then and stretched his huge bulk. Pete's not fat, just big.

“Enjoy the atmosphere. The drink's on the house.” He walked off back towards the bar. Pete never gave free drinks. Occasionally free advice, if I'd been good and given him something that really tickled his fancy, but never free drinks. He really was worried about me then. Funny, I couldn't muster the energy to worry myself. Another thing to add to
the
List.

The night was surprisingly warm when I emerged from the bar. I like spring, I used to love it on the farm; flowers, baby lambs, a bit more sunshine. Tonight the city smelt amazingly fresh, not the usually foul stench of car exhaust fumes and too many people. Spring had reached Auckland too it seemed.

I let my senses spread out in a circle around me; no vamps, or at least none reeking evil. I didn't bother with my new
seeking
abilities. They required a certain amount of concentration and right then a cab had pulled up to the curb to let some late night pub crawlers out, so I took the opportunity and grabbed it.

Where did I want to go? Normally, I'd head to
Sensations
to spend what was left of the dark with vampire friends, if not Michel. But I knew I wouldn't be well received there tonight. I suddenly felt very alone. Not only did I not have my kindred Nosferatin to go to, but my best friend had all but cast me aside, threatening to kill me. And Nero was probably still pissed off at me going after Gregor, right after he had risked himself to Dream Walk twice in one night to be by my side.

I must really suck as a friend right now, no one wanted to have anything to do with me.
Gregor does,
my little internal monologue piped up.
Go to hell,
I spat right back.

I told the Taxi driver to take me home. I wasn't tired, but what else was there to do? It rankled with me that I couldn't just be happy to be in my own company tonight. Normally, it wouldn't worry me. I'd take a long bath, watch a DVD, eat a carton of ice cream. You know, the normal night at home ritual, but tonight I just felt lonely and being on my own did not improve that mood.

My flat was eerily quiet, as though it sensed my despair. I switched the TV on, but set the volume low, so it was a just a soft background noise, enough to cover the white static of emptiness that had settled in my head. I went to the kitchen and primed my coffee machine. Caffeine at night is usually a no-no for most people, not me. I love my coffee and can drink any time of the day and night, as long as it's full-bodied and has a kick. I don't do decaf.

The smell of freshly ground and brewed beans filled the small space and I settled in at the dining table to sip my cup of Java. Just the smell alone had a soothing affect on me, let alone the slightly bitter, thick, rich taste of Arabica beans. So, I didn't jump when the phone rang, I'd actually managed to find a happy place after all. That didn't last long though.

“My sources tell me you are home alone, little Hunter.”

I sighed, why didn't it surprise me that Gregor would be watching every move I made? It's just something he would do I guess.

“Are you offering to come keep me company?”

“I'd be glad to, but it would break the rules. We have a date set for tomorrow, it would be an infringement to meet with you tonight.” Good to know, at least he wouldn't be knocking on my door any time soon.

“Your
sources
manage to get on my property?”

He laughed and even over the phone it managed to wrap around my body and snuggle in close. I closed my eyes, at least he couldn't see me. “Your protection wards are strong,
ma petite chasseuse
, but not strong enough for me. Never forget that.”

I didn't say anything,
he'd
phoned me, he could carry the conversation. I should have of course, just hang up, but I was lonely. Even the enemy sounded better than my own thoughts alone tonight.

“Your business at the ghoul's seemed serious. Is there trouble? Can I help?”

I laughed then. “I'm not sure I'd want your help, Gregor.”

“You said want, not need. Do you need it?”

“No. I'm quite capable of looking after myself, thanks.”

“I don't doubt it at all.” This time his voice curled around my neck and ran a finger down his marks. I forced myself not to breath too heavily. That's all I needed, me heavy breathing down the line to Gregor.

“Behave yourself, vampire. You're not playing fair.”

“I've already told you, I never said I'd play fair.” His voice had gone soft, barely a whisper over the line. I swallowed as quietly as I could manage.

“You took my breath away,” he purred, “when you walked in this house tonight. Do you have any idea how hard it was not to simply go to you? You are stunning, Lucinda, so much more so than I could ever have imagined.”

“Anticipation always sweetens the result. Don't take it too seriously, Gregor, you don't know me well enough to get besotted.”

“Too late.”

Hmm. “Why are you doing this? You can't really want me, it's just a game to you, isn't it? Or revenge. Revenge on Michel for whatever ancient grievance you seem to have.”

“If I wanted revenge on Michel I could achieve it in much more practical ways. My interest in you was only piqued when you first Dream Walked to me. The fact that you are Michel's kindred Nosferatin is incidental, unfortunate, but incidental all the same.”

I didn't believe him, but I wasn't going to argue the point either.

“So, what's the plan for tomorrow?”

“Let's not talk about that. Why waste breath on work, when there are much better things to discuss, like....have you changed for bed, my dear?”

“We are
not
doing this, Gregor. You are not going to try to seduce me over the phone.”

“You're no fun, my little Hunter. I merely wished to know if you had entered your boudoir.”

I got a little creepy feeling between my shoulder blades then. I quickly sent my senses out, but there was no evidence of residual
Sanguis Vitam
in the apartment. But, that didn't stop my stomach from knotting. I tip-toed towards my bedroom, my phone is cordless, I'd only been staying standing in the kitchen by its base unit to keep from getting too comfortable anywhere else.

I paused before I reached my bedroom doorway and braced myself, then took the step further to see inside. Sitting on the bed was a medium sized white box with a silver bow on top. One of those boxes you simply lifted the lid off and inside would be tissue paper containing some sort of exquisite gift. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what Gregor thought was an appropriate gift. I hesitate on the threshold of the room.

“Aren't you going to open it?”

I glanced around. The curtains hadn't been drawn, I hadn't even thought of it until then, too wrapped up in my own misery to contemplate privacy. Yet another thing to shut out people and feel more alone. I quickly went around the apartment and closed all the blinds.

His laugh just trickled down the line, curling against the soft skin on my cheek.

“Feel better? Do you really think curtains will keep me out?”

OK, so that was definitely creepy. “You're creeping me out a little, Gregor. This won't win you any favours.”

He ignored me. “Just open the box.”

Ah damn. “Then will you go away?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Creepy and frustrating.

I stomped over to the box and flicked the lid off in a quick no-nonsense manner, it went flying across the room and landed on the floor with a soft thud. Sometimes, I forget my own strength. There was tissue paper inside, wads of it. I had to hold the phone to my ear using my shoulder, so I could use both hands to pry the paper apart and see what was inside.

Part of me expected slinky lingerie, similar to what he had first seen, well
felt
, me in when I found him down that alley sucking on that Italian Nosferatin. Maybe even a naughty underwear set, I'm sure he'd envisaged me in such. But, I wasn't prepared for this. I picked up a shortie PJ set; short shorts and close fitting T-Shirt in a soft cotton, all my exact size. The T-Shirt had a picture of
Sylvester the Cat
licking his lips and writing underneath his image said
Okay mouse I'll fight you, but I aint fightin' no dames
.
It didn't make any sense, but it still managed to make me laugh.

“You like?”

I didn't want to say yes, but how could I not now? He'd heard my reaction.

“
Very good, Gregor. How did you know I like
Sylvester
?”

“I didn't,
ma cherie
, but he is a favourite of mine. Wicked with a determined frame of mind. Sound familiar?”

Yeah, just a little.

“Will you wear it? For me?” he added.

“I don't think so.” I was already folding it back up and covering it with the tissue paper.

“Ah come now,
ma petite chasseuse
, it is merely a gift. It means nothing and I think the lady could do with a little more smiling this evening. It makes you smile, does it not?”

This was wrong. I was not going to wear this.

“It doesn't matter if it makes me smile, Gregor. I'm not wearing your gift.”

“
You disappoint me,
ma cherie
. I did not take you for one to be swayed by convention. Just because your current lover would object, does not mean you should not have your own desires rewarded. Do it for yourself, Lucinda, regardless of the consequences.”

“No, Gregor.”

“You don't like my gift?” Again with the soft voice, creeping lower down my body.

“You're pushing, Gregor and let's not forget the fact that you entered my home and left it here, uninvited I might add.”

“I do not need an invitation, we share
Sigillum
.”

What?

“The sharing of
Sigillum
, little Hunter, allows for a close relationship. One would not give their
Sigillum
unless one wanted to extend an invitation of sorts.”