The Elemental Mysteries: Complete Series (73 page)

“I need to feed.” He leaned close. “Unless you’re offering, in which case I’d be happy to go upstairs,” he said with a soft growl.

She hesitated. “Do you have bagged blood here?”

He was tempted to lie but didn’t. Instead, he nodded and tried to discern whether it was wishful thinking that he saw a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She moved off his lap, and he quickly retreated from her presence to feed himself from the bagged blood in the refrigerator.

An hour later, and despite his meal, he was still eyeing her neck as they opened presents around the Christmas tree.

“Sweet! Another video game!”

True to Ben’s fantasies, the adults in the room had showered the boy with gifts. Beatrice gave him his first computer, and she assured Giovanni she would teach him to use it responsibly. Caspar supplied the boy with a wealth of comic books, video games, and movies; while Isadora gave him enough dress clothes to make Ben shudder.

None of it seemed to fascinate Ben like the computer, and Giovanni stared in pleasure as the boy and Beatrice huddled over it while she unlocked the mysteries Giovanni couldn’t.
 

“I’d say you look like you want to eat her alive, my friend, but I think it’s much more serious than that,” Caspar said quietly, his eyes following Giovanni’s as he sat next to him on the couch.

“Look at them. Look how beautiful they are,” he murmured as he watched their dark heads lean toward each other.

He saw Caspar smile.

“She’s so good for you. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you this happy.”

“I’d be happier if she returned my affections.”

Caspar said, “Don’t be blind. She’s unsure, not indifferent.”

He shrugged. “Aren’t I being patient?”

“Mostly. What did you get her for Christmas? I didn’t see a present from you.”

“None of your business, you brat.”

Caspar chuckled and nodded toward Ben. “It’s so odd, to see you with another child. Was I anything like that?”

Giovanni frowned. “Yes and no. Some things are the same, but he’s much more independent than you were.”

“That makes sense.”

“And much more canny, which is both good and bad.”

“Yes, I can see that, as well. The two of you are much easier around each other than you were last summer. Has B helped?”

He looked at her, and her eyes lifted to his. She offered him a small wink and a smile before she turned back to Ben.

“Yes, Beatrice has helped.”
Everything
.

After the rest of the house had gone to bed, they kept each other company in the library, waiting for Carwyn’s expected phone call.

“I never gave you your present,
tesoro
. Do you want it now?”

She smiled. “I wondered. I have one for you, too.”

Giovanni pulled out a large box wrapped in burgundy paper from under the side table and handed it to her. She opened it and pulled out a carefully packed book box with two small volumes inside. She looked at the spine in delight.

“
Persuasion
?”

“First American edition, 1832. I found it in Paris a few years ago and thought you might enjoy it. I remember you eyeing my Austen the first time you were here.”

She carefully pulled the first volume from its original book box and opened it carefully. “It’s wonderful, Gio. Thank you.” She smiled again. “
Persuasion
, huh?”

He shrugged and smirked. “It seemed appropriate. There’s another small item in there, as well.”

She closed the book, carefully packing it away before she looked into the box again and pulled out a small leather bag. She opened it, and a familiar brass key fell into her hand.

She blinked. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Well, you like that house as much as I do, so there’s your key.”

“You’re giving me the…the Cochamó house?”

He smiled. “You still have to share it with me. That’s my favorite home, but your name is on the deed, so to speak. And Gustavo and Isabel know if anything ever happens to me—”

“
Nothing
better happen to you.”

“—the house is yours, Beatrice. It’s your house, too. You can go whenever you want to now.”

He couldn’t read the expression on her face until she looked up and there were tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I love both my presents, but this one especially.”

“You’re welcome.”

She leaned over to him and kissed his cheek. He left his arms lying across the back of the couch so he didn’t grab her and cart her off to his room.

“So,” he asked, clearing his throat. “Where’s my present?”

“You know, you’re not really bouncing around like Ben was.”

He grinned and bounced in his seat just a little, making her laugh uproariously before she stood.

“Hold on; it’s in my room. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

Giovanni stared into the fire and tried to imagine her lying in their bed at Cochamó, her smooth skin lit by candlelight. He wondered when he’d be able to persuade her to go with him again. He wanted to go in the summer with her, so she could see the waterfalls running and the meadows filled with wildflowers. They were beautiful at night, though she would be able to enjoy them during the day, as well.

“Okay,” she called from the hall. “I don’t have it wrapped, so close your eyes.”

He smiled and closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them, she would be modeling lingerie…or just skin, but he had a feeling that was wishful thinking. Instead, he heard her fumbling with something that sounded rather large.

“Okay, open.”

He opened his eyes to see a large framed color photograph. It was his favorite waterfall in Cochamó, the midday sun reflecting off the mist and scattering rainbows. He smiled when he recognized it and looked up to see her waiting expectantly.

“I thought you could put it in your room here to go with your picture of Florence.” She set it down and propped it against the chair nearest to the door. “And I got you a case of your favorite scotch, too. I called Gavin last week—”

She was cut off when he pulled her into his lap and kissed her. Beatrice tensed for a moment before she relaxed and sank into his arms. She gave a small sigh as he caressed her mouth, and she finally seemed to melt in his arms. His hands grasped her waist as she straddled him and met each surge with corresponding need. Her arms twined around his neck to pull him closer, and his hands reached up her shoulders, pressing their bodies together.

“Thank you,” he murmured against her mouth before his lips left hers to travel down her neck, nibbling in strategic places. “I love the picture.”

“You sure it’s not the scotch?” she asked breathlessly as she ran her hands through his hair and pulled his head into the crook of her neck.

“Positive. It’s perfect. You’re perfect,” he said against her skin.

“I’m so far from perfect it’s laughable.”

“I love that you make me laugh.”

“And I’m still kind of mad at you.”

“I’m calling a Christmas truce. If soldiers in battle can do it, it shouldn’t be that much of a stretch for us.” His fingers lifted the back of her shirt and she shuddered as his hands caressed the skin at the small of her back.
 

He felt the normal buzz of electricity grow as his blood began to move through his veins and his fangs descended. He ignored his reaction and continued to explore the soft skin around her collarbone as her hands stroked his neck.

“Gio…”

“Let’s not fight,” he whispered. “Just for a little while.”

“But, Gio—”

He cut her off with a deeper kiss. Giovanni felt her moan and move over him, and he became almost lightheaded with desire.

She finally grasped his shoulders and pushed back.

“Oh,
tesoro
,” he groaned as his head fell to her shoulder. “Why are you—”

“The phone,” she said breathlessly, “is ringing.”

“Why?”

She smiled at him. “Carwyn, remember?”

“Damn that priest,” he muttered. “I’m going to burn his Hawaiian shirts the next time I see him.”

She grinned and stood. “Well, I’m going to answer the phone.”

He slouched in the sofa, closing his eyes while she went to answer the phone.

“Carwyn.” He heard her laugh. “You better lock up your Hawaiian—what? What are you—”

She gasped as he rushed to the phone and grabbed it out of her hand.

“—need to talk to Gio immediately. I can’t—”

“I’m here,” he said to his friend.

He’d heard the panic in his old friend’s voice from across the room. His heartbeat sped in anticipation of danger. Carwyn hadn’t panicked in two hundred years.

“I need you here, Giovanni di Spada. I need you in Ireland. It’s Ioan…my son is missing.”

Chapter Ten

En route to Dublin, Ireland

December 2009

Giovanni pulled Beatrice close as the plane took off, both of them glancing out the window to see Ben waving at the plane with a frightened look on his face. Her grandmother had one hand on the boy’s shoulder and Caspar stood behind them. The three were leaving directly for the safe house in the Hill Country as soon as the plane was off the ground.

She huddled into Giovanni’s side and buried her face in his collar. They had fought horribly about her going with him, but he finally relented when she threatened to fly to Dublin on her own if he left her behind.

Giovanni gripped her arm as the plane took off, and she was almost afraid he would leave bruises. She was beginning to realize he hated flying. He never said anything, but every time they flew together, he looked distinctly uncomfortable at takeoff.

“Tell me about Ioan,” she said to distract him. She wondered whether he would break his usually reticent behavior to tell her anything specific.

“Ioan is…he’s Carwyn’s oldest son, and his biological great-grandson, I believe.”

“Really?”

“Great or great-great grandson, yes. He’s only about one hundred years younger than Carwyn. He’s very powerful and very smart. His wife, Deirdre, is Irish and they’ve lived in the Wicklow Mountains for the last two hundred years or so, though they’ve been married for much longer.”

“And they’re both Carwyn’s children?”

He nodded. “Yes, Ioan asked his father to change Deirdre. They met when she was human. I believe he was around five hundred years old at the time.”

Beatrice fell into silence, contemplating a couple that seemed suddenly very familiar.

“So, if he’s so powerful, how did he disappear?” she asked in a low voice. “Is it Lorenzo?”

Giovanni shook his head. “I don’t know. I think it has to be, but this attack doesn’t make sense. Ioan is not political. He’s one of the most compassionate vampires I’ve ever met. He’s also a superb scientist. Some of our conversations…” His face fell, and Beatrice realized that not only had Carwyn lost a son, but Giovanni had lost a friend if they couldn’t find Ioan.

“He has studied medicine for around three hundred years,” he finally continued. “And he will periodically go into Dublin for free clinics at night. He treats poor families, drug users, prostitutes…He has a very deep compassion for those on the fringes of society.”

“But how does that—”

“Carwyn said he disappeared from Dublin during one of these clinics. He’s weaker in the city. Earth vampires usually are. They draw their strength from the ground. And if he was put into a position where humans might have been hurt if he didn’t comply, Ioan would let them take him.” Giovanni sighed and closed his eyes. “He wouldn’t even hesitate.”

She swallowed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Do you think he’s already dead?”

He shook his head. “Deirdre would know. They’ve shared blood for over four hundred years. She would know if he was dead.”

Beatrice fell silent, suddenly aware she knew nothing of the intimacies of vampire relationships. Though she had spent months with Isabel and Gustavo, it wasn’t something they discussed, and she suddenly felt like an awkward school girl.

As if sensing her discomfort, Giovanni looked down and smiled a little. “I tried to explain once…about the biting. There are different kinds of bites, Beatrice. It’s not always just to drink.”

“Oh,” she blushed, but he just pulled her closer, refusing to let her squirm away. “Well, I know that when you bit me…I mean, it didn’t hurt. It felt…good,” she said in a small voice. It had felt more than ‘good,’ but she didn’t want to dwell on the details when she was stuck in a plane with him for the next eight hours. “I guess I always assumed that if vampires bit each other, it was just for, you know, siring someone.”

When he spoke again, his voice was oddly formal, and it made her more comfortable to hear his “professor voice” when he was discussing something so intimate. “There are two different kinds of bonds that vampires will form with each other. Siring and, to use an old term, mating. When a vampire is sired, their blood is drained and replaced—”