Only Vampires Cry Blood (7 page)

I jumped at his words. Fighting back the panic that threatened to envelope me, I knew I had no choice but to answer honestly. I prayed that this wouldn't blow up on me.

“No. He doesn't. In fact, he was adamant that I stay the hell away from you. But, this isn't about him. It's about me.”

A low chuckle came from Harley. It stroked me in places that only a lover knows, and I shuddered in both pleasure and revulsion.

“You're bound to him. Do you think that he won't find out? Don't be a fool. You can't keep him out of your head forever,” he said, leaning forward in his seat. “And trust me; you don't want to see Arys in a jealous rage.”

I knew that already, but hearing him say it reinforced my fears. “I can handle Arys.

Just tell me if you're willing to help me or not.”

Placing his chin in his hands, Harley studied me until I felt like I was on display. It didn't take long for me to grow short tempered. I wanted to ask him what the hell he was looking at, but then I felt it, the slightest touch of his power. Similar to what Veryl had done in his office, Harley was metaphysically feeling me out. It was invasive, rude and strangely, I liked it. God! The man was so frustrating.

“You'll have to be a little more specific, Alexa. From where I'm sitting, you have more than enough power to blow this city wide open. What exactly is it that you seek from me?”

Again with the talk about how much power I had. If only that was the problem. I ran a hand through my long hair, shoving it away from my face in frustration. “That's just the thing. I'm so fucking sick of hearing everyone go on about how much power I've got when I have no idea what the hell to do with most of it. I feel like I'm running on all cylinders and going nowhere.”

I paused in my pacing, fearing that I had revealed too much but knowing it may be the only way. Harley knew things, and I needed to know them, too. I didn't have the patience to figure it out over the course of my lifetime. I wanted to know now.

He seemed to consider this, or maybe he was just trying to unnerve me. “You know what your problem is? You still have that pesky heartbeat. It's what holds you back.

Much of your power comes from your link to a vampire. That kind of power comes from the dead, something that you are not. Yet.”

“Please don't tell me that death is my only option.” I groaned, overcome with the urge to hit something. “That's not what I came to hear.”

“Death is rarely the only option. However, if you think you've got power now, just wait until then.” He shifted, crossing one leg over the other. There was a spark of excitement in his ebony orbs. “I can help you. I can show you what you are capable of.”

“And control?” I asked, needing to pinpoint my main concern. “Can you show me how to control it?”

He smiled at me like I was a needy child. “Of course.”

I got the feeling that he was enjoying this far more than I'd hoped he would. “That's not going to come without a price, is it?” If his terms were completely outrageous, I would have no choice but to walk away.

“You're a clever lady, Alexa. I'm sure we can strike some kind of bargain.” Harley rose to his feet, crossing the space between us slowly, as if trying not to frighten a spooked animal.

I watched him come towards me, and the butterflies in my stomach set to flight. The power coiled inside my core reacted to my fear, growing to fill me with a warm glow that quickly grew hot. I struggled against the urge to tap it.

“Just tell me what you want, Harley. I don't have a lot of room to negotiate. Make it reasonable.”

Just as I was about to take a step back, toward the door, he came to a stop. “Why are you so skittish? You're a predator for crying out loud.”

I was surprised by his scolding tone. I'd have thought that Harley would prefer me to act like prey, unless it was testing his control. He was right though. I detested being treated like prey. I had no reason to be afraid of him. I think more than anything, I feared what he would want from me. There had been a time when he'd begged Arys for me, claiming that I was something that Arys owed him. My spine crawled with what felt like the slither of a snake. I could still hear his desperate plea ringing in my ears.

“Maybe I should just go.” Ignoring the ready energy inside me, I followed the instinct of my wolf and spun on my heel.

“Wait!” His hand shot out before I'd taken a full step, grasping my forearm. The urge to lash out at him with a fiery blast was almost too much. Whirling to face him, I was shocked to see the satisfied smirk that he wore. “Now that's more like it. Never forget about the wolf, my dear. It is what gives you the edge no vampire will ever have.”

“What the hell do you want?” I jerked my arm from his grip, and he let go. I was seething, which was exactly what he wanted. “Tell me what you want, or just forget that I ever came.”

His smile vanished immediately. With a deadly serious expression, he said, “You know what I want. Let's not play coy. I want you. In whatever way I can have you.”

Harley's eyes fell to my lips and curling his fingers ever so slightly, he pulled the angry energy I was giving off into him. “I knew you'd be back.”

The psychic touch felt physical, as if he was running his fingertips along my skin.

We were nowhere near touching, yet I could feel him all over me when I focused, all around, inviting me to play. Everything but my common sense wanted to respond in full.

Yeah, this was exactly why I needed control, but was it possible to find it with someone like him?

His cryptic words set me on edge. I didn't like that he was so certain I would come back. What was he really expecting from me? When I didn't respond or walk away, he boldly stepped closer. The power emanating from him felt divine.

Memories that belonged to Arys ran through my mind, a blurry jumble of images I'd obtained the first time our power joined. Because of them, I already knew what it would feel like to touch Harley the way I suddenly wanted to. I also knew that this was a test of my own strength, one I had to pass.

“Whatever way you can have me … what is that really supposed to mean?” I curled my hands into fists so that my lengthening claws dug into my flesh. The sheer force it took to hold back the power seeking to control my actions was tearing me apart. My four fangs filled my mouth, and I growled. This was too much.

Harley's eyes widened, a gleam in their depths. “Don't you just want to give in sometimes? To see what it's like to stop fighting it?”

“No,” I snarled the one word, backing away until my back hit the doorframe.

“Alright.” He cocked his head to the side, watching me with hawk-like intensity.

“Here's the bottom line. Body, blood or power. That's what I want from you. It's your choice which you feel most comfortable bargaining with.” I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. He wasn't finished though. “I want to explore you in every physical and metaphysical way possible. Anything you offer, I'm going to accept. So think about it. Carefully.”

I gaped at him, utterly tongue-tied. I most definitely was not sleeping with Harley so he could forget about that whole “body” thing. The unfortunate part was that the sharing of either blood or power had physical effects too, some that were almost impossible to deny. If the entire point of this was to gain control over such things… There wasn't a single option available that wasn't intense and deeply intimate.

“You know that all three of those elements pretty much go hand in hand on some level.” I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning against the doorframe.

“They don't have to. Isn't that what you want from me? The ability to be the one in charge of that.”

“You're taking advantage of me.”

“Look who you're talking to, honey. Of course I am.”

He had me there. We stared into one another as my mind reeled. What was it going to be? Let Harley get something he wanted from me or walk away and still be stuck right where I was now.

I growled at him, baring my fangs for good measure. He merely raised a brow and smiled with phony innocence.

“Fine. Blood then. But, you don't get to sink fangs into me until I have learned something concrete from you.”

“By all means.” Harley nodded and despite the fact that he stood there casually, I could feel the hunger rolling off him.

I couldn't help the strangely unwelcome anticipation that settled within me. Part of me was looking forward to working with Harley. I told myself it was because of what I would gain from it, but I knew that wasn't the whole truth. Harley's power felt good, dangerously good.

I felt Kale's approach and relief swept through me. “I have to go. I'll be back.”

Turning toward the exit, I was glad that he couldn't see my face when he replied,

“And I'll be waiting.”

Anxiety attacks really aren't my thing. Since I'd left The Wicked Kiss the previous night, I had been a jittery ball of nerves. The deal I'd made with Harley haunted my every waking thought and my every dream. Arys' memories had flashed bloody images behind my eyes until I couldn't take anymore. I'd been drinking coffee since, waiting for Shaz.

He'd had two days to think about the information Veryl had given me. He'd agreed right from the start that we had to look into it. In fact, he'd been more willing than I'd liked. It was unsettling. Even though I truly believed Shaz to be more than capable of taking care of himself, being the one to lead him into potential danger didn't appeal to me. Though I seriously doubted that I'd be able to talk him out of this, I had every intention of trying. I knew him well enough to know better. Yet, I was just as stubborn as he was.

He was taking the night off from work, and the two of us were going to follow up on the address that Veryl had given me. I was hoping it would be a total bust. I didn't care what those wolves wanted. They weren't welcome here. I just hoped we'd be back in time to catch Arys if he stopped by. It wasn't like him to stay away for long.

Arys … I felt guilty at the thought of him after my visit to the Kiss. I also still felt pissed. The two should have canceled each other out but they didn't. The thought of seeing Harley the following night had my stomach in a twist. I wasn't backing out. Arys would just have to understand why I needed to do this. I knew he never would though.

I slipped into a pair of tight black leggings and a Mopar t-shirt. It was a little chilly considering the weather, but I needed to be able to move easily. I was prepared to fight but hoping it wouldn't come to that. Maybe this was some kind of misunderstanding. No big deal. Yeah, right.

The sound of the front door was accompanied by the warm werewolf energy that I knew and loved. After running a brush through my hair, I tossed it over my shoulder and went to greet Shaz. I couldn't help but cross my fingers in the hope that he would announce his decision to stay home after all. Who was I kidding?

“Ready?” He asked when I ascended the stairs from my basement bedroom to the main floor. “I've been thinking about this all day.”

Shaz' jade colored eyes sparkled with an intensity that dashed my pitiful hope. He was revved up and ready to go alright. It should have made me proud, honored that he was both my mate and my Alpha. It just made me afraid.

“I am ready to go beat some werewolf ass,” I replied, gathering my things from the kitchen counter where I'd tossed them. “If it comes to that. Anyone asking around about Raoul can't be up to any good.”

“You never know. It may not be a bad thing. There are a million reasons why someone may be looking for him.” Shaz slipped his arms around me from behind. “Don't always jump to the worst conclusion.”

His action made me realize how tense I was. I tried to relax against him, but it was impossible. Even when he nipped lightly at the back of my neck, I was a twitching bundle of nerves.

“You don't want me to come with you,” he said, his lips brushing my sensitive skin as he spoke. “You think I can't tell? I know you, Lex. If anything, it should be me trying to keep you from harm not the other way around. Stop trying to control everything. You know that you can't, so why let it plague you?”

He was right. For years now I had felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders when it fact, that wasn't so. I was a natural-born control freak. That would likely never change.

“Of all of the possible reasons for someone to look for Raoul, someone who doesn't know he's dead, none of them can be good.” I closed my eyes and savored the sensations of his touch. “I can feel it, Shaz. This is bad news.”

“Well, he's dead. How bad can it be?”

“Those are famous last words if I ever heard any,” I laughed. Gently disentangling myself from his embrace, I turned to face him. “Let's get out of here before I change my mind. I've cleaned up enough of Raoul's messes for one lifetime. I shouldn't be surprised that he's still causing trouble from beyond the grave.”

* * * *

Though it had been tempting to ask Kale or Jez to come along, I knew that could be dangerous. Whatever these wolves wanted with Raoul, keeping it in the pack was likely to make everything go much smoother. Maybe they just wanted to kill him. I could relate to that. Hell, maybe in another time and place I would have been on their side. Once they found out he was long dead, they had no reason to stick around. Perhaps this wasn't really all that big a deal after all, although any newcomers to town did pose considerable risks. In the world of the supernatural, everybody is up to something.

We pulled up to the address that Veryl had obtained for us. It was a small, rundown motel on the outskirts of the city. Whoever these werewolves were, they were obviously trying to keep a low profile.

“Do you think they're here?” Shaz' question broke the silence that had fallen as we drove. I glanced over at him in the passenger seat. He looked ready and eager.

“I don't know. I can feel their energy but I'm not sure if it's lingering or if it means they are here right now.” With my hand on the door handle, my heart began to pound. I had a sick feeling that I didn't want to know what these wolves wanted with Raoul. “Only one way to find out.”

I met Shaz in front of the car, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if I should hang back and let him take the lead or not. My instinct was to charge ahead and kick the door down.

Yet, I didn't want to steal his thunder or make him feel inferior. He decided for me by motioning for me to go first. He hung back behind me, scouring the night all around us.

Picking my way along the icy sidewalk, I was struck with the energy of an Alpha wolf. It hit me hard, like a punch in the gut. Alpha Weres rarely went uninvited into the territory of another. Though the big city wasn't our domain the way Stony Plain was, there was no other Alpha pair anywhere near here that could match us. Clearly, this guy didn't care who he offended.

“There is an Alpha wolf here,” I whispered. “Be ready for anything.”

Shaz nodded and sniffed the air. “I can smell him.”

Before I'd raised my hand to knock, the motel room door swung open. A tall, burly man with a few days worth of stubble glared out at us. Oh, joy. From the looks of his jacket, we'd caught him on his way out.

His energy was drawn to me like a magnet. It was strong and dark. He was our Alpha alright. I stopped suddenly, Shaz at my back.

“Coming to check out the new guy in town?” He sneered at us. “Well don't worry.

I'm not here to disrupt your pack or challenge for your territory. I'm just looking for a man.”

“Raoul Roberts,” I said, making careful eye contact. I didn't want to give him the impression that I was trying to instigate anything.

His eyes widened ever so slightly, almost imperceptible. He threw a quick glance over his shoulder and two others in the motel room came to flank him. A scar beneath his right eye caught my attention. Werewolves rarely scarred.

“What's it to you?” His growl was almost wordless, and I tensed. The other two seemed to be awaiting his command.

“He's dead.” I spoke with forced casualness. He'd know I wasn't lying. Due to the chemical changes in the brain during a lie, werewolves could smell it. “He's been dead for almost seven months already.”

The lead wolf stared at me until I thought my knees would buckle under the weight of his gaze. His eyes moved to Shaz for a split second, then back to me. “You didn't kill him, did you little wolf?”

Ok, I may be short, but that kind of talk was going to put him at the top of my shit list. I couldn't help the vampire energy that rose up inside me. Blame my short temper.

“I only wish,” I replied with a smile.

He clearly felt the shift in my energy though. From the confusion that passed through his eyes, he was having a hard time deciphering why it was so different. He recovered quickly, grinning in a way that turned his face into an ugly mask. I did not like anything about this guy.

“Now that's just too bad. And here I'd been hoping that I could kill him myself, right alongside that good for nothing daughter of his.”

I hoped that Shaz' poker face was better than mine was. The strange wolf's words sent a shock through my system. “Daughter?” I was a terrible actress but I was praying that I sounded surprised.

He inclined his head and stared straight into my eyes, as if he were trying to break me. I stared right back, daring him to try. The two wolves behind him stared out at us eagerly, like they were spoiling for a fight.

“She's the reason I'm here. Once I kill the bitch, then we'll be on our way. Until then, we'll try not to be a bother.” He actually started to close the door in my face but stopped suddenly. “Unless of course, you know where we can find her.”

“What do you want with her?” Shaz spoke up, his tone hard and direct. I flinched uncontrollably in response to the menace I detected beneath it.

The unwelcome Alpha looked back and forth between us. “So you do know where I can find her. Start talking.”

“She's dead, too.” I spoke too quickly, regretting the words the moment they left my lips. “I killed her.”

“You lie.” The wolf sniffed at me, making a face as if he'd smelled something sour.

“And you feel … wrong somehow. What is that?”

I felt wrong? That was more insulting than a direct insult would have been. Maybe losing control wouldn't be so bad, this time. “I guess that's what happens when you have the power of a vampire. Now, why are you looking for Zoey Roberts?” I saw no point in lying. It was doubtful that they would believe me anyway.

A frown creased the brow of the large front man. The two waiting behind him appeared to be a little frightened. Good for them. They weren't as stupid as they looked.

“Vampire … right.” He laughed in disbelief, and I smiled. “Zoey Roberts is a murderer that has earned herself a death sentence. If you're protecting her, it would be wise of you to rethink that.”

“I don't even know where she is.” There, that was the cold hard truth. “And if I did, I wouldn't tell you without a little more information.”

The guy took an angry step towards me, glaring down into my face. Shaz tensed at my back, ready to take action at a moment's notice. I smiled up into the grizzly face of the trespassing Alpha, entirely unafraid. The vampire power growing within me wouldn't allow fear of any kind.

“The Roberts bitch is going to die, whether you help me or not. She's an unpredictable half-breed that Raoul should have killed at birth. Three of my pack members are dead because of her, including my mate. And, all signs point to her heading this way.” He took yet another step into my personal space; his words became more of a snarl as he continued. “I'm here for justice. And, I will have it. Stand in my way, and I won't hesitate to take you out, too.”

My heart sunk. I was bombarded with the meaning of everything he'd just said. Of course, she had to go and kill someone that meant something to the guy. It certainly put me in an awkward position. I had no reason to protect her, but I couldn't just hand her over to him, either. Fuck!

“You wanna back off a little, buddy? Nobody is here to cause trouble.” Shaz pulled me back a step, creating space between the glowering wolf and me. I was annoyed because I'd been enjoying the close proximity, hoping it would push me over the edge.

“It looks to me like you two want to cause trouble by harboring a murderer. In my pack, wolves are held accountable for their actions, regardless of who they are. She's going to pay the price. Unless, you want to tell me that I'm wrong about that.” The wolf's eyes flashed angrily, but they were on Shaz now, not me.

I jumped in before Shaz could respond. I'd seen him fight for Alpha of our pack, and I wasn't ready to watch him take this guy on. “Here's the thing. She's not in your pack anymore. And, something tells me that she wasn't allowed to leave freely, either. Why else would she resort to murder? There was only one person she wanted dead, and now he is.” My fingertips tingled as the power sought to break free of my restraint. “So, why don't you just call it a loss and go home?”

Yeah, it wasn't the brightest idea, but what else could I say? I wanted to avoid a physical confrontation for several reasons.

If I'd been a regular werewolf, I would have been dead. I could see it in his eyes as he stared hatefully into me. He knew there was something more to me than wolf alone. It was the only thing holding him back.

I raised my hand, palm up, a psi ball burning in the center. Only those with a sixth sense could visibly see it, but any supernatural could feel it. I blew on it ever so slightly, and the psi ball burst into flame. I smiled wickedly when I sensed the fear that rolled off the two wolves backing their Alpha. Success.

The Alpha glaring daggers at me took a cautious step back. His brown eyes bled to wolf, obliterating the whites completely. He bared fangs at me but wasn't stupid enough to do much else. He didn't have a clue who he was dealing with.

“You think I'm a complete idiot, don't you? I know who you are … Alexa O'Brien. I don't think there's a creature in this city that doesn't. Stay the hell out of my way, or I won't hesitate to take you out. Even if that means starting with the rest of your pack.”

The door slammed in my face before I could process what I'd just heard. My instinctive reaction was to blow the door off its hinges, to slaughter all of them. Ok, so they did know who they were dealing with. Now, I just had to prove that I was a threat.

It was Shaz' hand on my arm that stayed me. “Come on, Lex. Acting out right now won't do us any good. It's a public place. It's not safe.”

He led me to the car, and I went along willingly, keeping an eye on the motel room door. Nobody reappeared. They were counting on us having to leave in order to keep the peace. We had little choice. The last thing I wanted to do was draw public attention but leaving didn't sit well with me.

“So who the hell is that guy?” Shaz asked once we were headed for home. “I got the impression that he was pretty familiar with both Zoey and Raoul.”

I sighed impatiently, waiting for a traffic light to change. Now that I was in the safe confines of the car, I was vibrating with rage, wishing I'd snapped the fucker's neck.

“He's from the pack that raised Zoey, from what I can tell. Raoul entrusted her to the women of the pack. He didn't think he could raise her alone. Apparently, they couldn't handle her either.”

“Your energy is crazy hot. But, it's better that you didn't slaughter him. I know you wanted to.” He reached to brush my hair back, stroking the side of my face. His hands felt cool against my warm skin. Even though we'd been standing in the cold, I was on fire.

“Hell yeah I wanted to. It's not worth it. Not yet.” I leaned into his touch, finding comfort in the raw essence of his wolf. I wanted nothing more than to get home and wrap myself around him. The night had been painfully surprising.

Shaz' light stroking of my cheek and jaw line was reassuring. “I know this is serious because it's personal. We're going to deal with it though. Don't let it get to you.”

This man was beyond amazing. To think that I'd been worried about having him by my side as Alpha. If anything, he was far more controlled than I was and would likely do much better under pressure. The entire scenario continued to replay in my head as I drove. Talking to Shaz made me realize that I didn't have to do this alone. After the past several months, that felt really good.

I definitely needed some time to think this over. I had to decide if I was going to try to find Zoey before our visitors did, or if I was going to sit back and let nature take its course. I was emotionally involved as far as Zoey Roberts was concerned. I'd watched her kill the man that I'd loved as much as I'd hated. Did that blur my judgment? I was betting everyone close to me would say yes.

When we pulled onto my street, a cold wave swept over me. The icy chill of the grave struck me with the intensity of an aching hunger. The bloodlust quickly grew until my fangs filled my mouth as every part of me responded to my dark vampire. I felt him as if he were inside of me. I wasn't at all surprised to find Arys leaning casually against the front door of the house, an expectant expression on his beautiful face.