Try Me (11 page)

When the last of his people left, Alejandro said, “I take it you did not find what you were looking for?"

"No, but they all seemed pretty ticked off at the demons for not wanting to be outed along with you.” They wanted to spread the wealth of any possible fallout. Couldn't blame them for that.

"It's a sore spot,” he conceded. “In hindsight, I realize I should have let Micah know of my plans first, to smooth the way."

Yeah, Alejandro's love of the dramatic had put him in trouble this time. “Well, you might want to work on calming some of them down unless you want a war on your hands."

He nodded wearily. “There is only one you have not yet tested. Myself."

I didn't need to. The vamp leader had been within my sight the entire time. “That won't be necessary,” I said, hoping he'd think it was because I trusted him.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Instead, he surprised me by asking, “How would you like to come work for the New Blood Movement?"

"Huh?” I responded stupidly.

He leaned forward. “Thanks to you, I have an opening for a new lieutenant in my organization. Your ability would come in very handy to smoke out any other traitors, ensure everyone who joins the movement is genuine, protect our interests among the demons and with the humans in the SCU."

Okay, I still felt stupid, ‘cause I sure couldn't figure out why he was asking me. “You do realize that I work for the SCU, right? That I'm called the Slayer because I kill people like you?"

"Not people like me,” he said with a smile. “People like those vampires who are not in my organization. And the fact that you called us people is very telling."

It was? I didn't know how to respond to that, so I said nothing.

"I'll double whatever the SCU is paying you."

"I don't do it for the money,” I protested.

"I know, but having some extra cash doesn't hurt. What do you say?"

I wanted to blurt out an instant “no,” but his offer was a little tempting. Not have to work with Dan, or be treated like a freak anymore by the normal humans . . . ?

No, if I went to work for Alejandro I'd be shunned as a murderer by his vamps and as a traitor by the demons and the San Antonio police department. How was that any better?

But before I could respond either way, he added, “Why don't you think about it and get back to me?"

I couldn't see myself working for him in any future I could envision, but there was no sense in turning him down right away. It wouldn't hurt to let him think I was considering it. “Okay. And thank you very much for letting me question your people about the . . . missing item,” I said, trying to be diplomatic for a change. Micah would be proud of me.

The leader of the New Blood Movement inclined his head. “This was but a small favor. I am still in your debt."

Okay. Not sure how he kept score, but I wasn't going to argue when the outcome was to my advantage. He rose to walk me to the front door. At first I wondered if it was to ensure I didn't wander places I shouldn't, but no, he was probably just doing the gentlemanly thing.

He opened the door to escort me out, but halted as Austin hurried into the hallway waving a cell phone. “There's something wrong at the Fort Sam blood bank."

Oh, crap. Another blood bank, another vamp gone mad? “What kind of trouble?” I asked.

But Alejandro said, “Let's go,” and practically flew to the limo parked in the driveway. Austin jumped in the driver's seat and they took off.

Worried about who might get hurt, I jumped on the back of my motorcycle and zoomed after them. The blood bank was just outside Fort Sam Houston, in another of San Antonio's old hotels that had been converted to a new purpose. On my bike, I might be able to get there faster than Alejandro.

I did get there first, but a teenaged preppy type was guarding the door, holding her arms outstretched in front of it. “I'm sorry, the blood bank is closed tonight,” she told a man who was trying to get in. She looked a bit freaked out. Whatever was going on in there, a human volunteer like her shouldn't have to deal with it. Look what had happened to Brittany . . .

The man tried to push his way past, but she was determined to stop him. Before he could get too physical, I let Lola loose and she wrapped her wiles around him. Just like that, he was mine to command. I had a crazy urge to wave my hand in front of his face and intone, “These are not the droids you want,” but stopped myself. Fang's love for pop culture references was a bad influence.

Instead, I said, “The blood bank is closed. Go home.” I could feel him enjoying Lola's caress. Eeeww.

Obediently, he left. I wished I could wipe away the feel of his mind. The girl thanked me, but seemed determined to keep me out as well. Too bad I couldn't use Lola on her. Not wanting to hurt her, I flashed my SCU badge and said, “Police.” When she still hesitated, I added, “Alejandro is right behind me."

His name acted like an “Open sesame,” and she let me pass without further argument. Inside, it wasn't as bad as I feared. The place was totally trashed, but there were no bodies and no pools of blood. Only two guys facing off about ten feet apart, one short and bald, with fangs bared. They were both breathing hard and looked like they'd been fighting for some time. Strangely, there were scorch marks on the wall . . . and on the bloodsucker. I recognized the non-vamp—Andrew, the surly redheaded demon from the party.

"You killed Veronica,” Andrew yelled, and his eyes flashed purple as he punched straight out from his shoulder toward the vamp, a small fireball sizzling from his fist.

Baldy ducked, and the fireball splashed against the marble wall, singeing it.

"Andrew, stop,” I yelled. He was a fire demon with a bad temper . . . two things that did not go well together.

The vamp darted a sneering glance at me. “Slayer,” he said with contempt. “Come to help your friend? It figures."

"No, I've come to stop the two of you from making asses of yourselves. Looks like I'm too late."

Andrew snarled and clenched his hand into a fist again, turning toward me.

"I'd reconsider, Andrew, if I were you."

I let Lola loose, just enough to remind them what I could do. “Do you really want me to turn you both into mindless love slaves?"

Both guys backed off, but they didn't look happy about it. I relaxed a little. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. “What's going on? Who started this?” I asked.

"He started it,” Andrew muttered.

The bald vamp pointed at Andrew. “I caught your friend here spying on us."

I shrugged. “So?"

The bloodsucker looked startled. “So? What do you mean, so? He was spying."

I shook my head and placed my hands on my hips. “Let me get this straight. You ask the demons to come out of the closet with you, ask them to trust you with their biggest secrets, then expect them not to come check you out and see how you operate?"

Both guys looked a little surprised. “Yeah,” Andrew said to the vamp, with a smirk. “Ditto what she said.” Though he was willing to go along with my story, I suspected there was more to this fight than he wanted to admit.

I turned on him. “And you—you say you want to keep our existence a secret, yet you practically set this whole hotel on fire?"

Andrew and the vamp both looked sheepish now. Geez, I felt like the grown-up in this situation. How messed up was that? I shook my head. “If you want the other side to take you seriously, you both need to practice what you preach."

The bald guy started to protest but a voice behind me cut him off. “That's enough, Vincent,” Alejandro said. “You are both culpable in this matter."

I turned around and saw Alejandro watching, with Austin lounging against the wall and cleaning his nails with the tip of a knife. “How long have you been there?” I asked.

Alejandro smiled. “Long enough to see that the Slayer doesn't always resort to killing or enthrallment to win the day."

I had done well, hadn't I? It was kind of nice to settle things with reason for a change. Dang, where was Fang when I needed an “Attagirl?"

Austin gestured casually with his knife. “So, is there any other unresolved business between you two boys?"

Andrew looked mulish. “I—"

The door to the back rooms burst open and two male vamps surged out, looking wild. They headed straight for Andrew and me. What the—? They had the crazed looks I'd seen on Lorenzo's face. I yanked Andrew out of the way and was about to pull a stake when Alejandro yelled, “Stop them from attacking the demons!"

Austin and Vincent flew past me and slammed into the two unhinged vamps. In a blur of motion, they each pinned a vamp to the wall and held them there while Alejandro flew to their sides to place his fingers against the temples of the wild vamps, one after the other. They slumped to the ground.

"Yours, I take it?” I asked drily.

Alejandro gazed at the two sprawled vamps, his expression sad. “Yes."

"What's the matter with them?” Vincent asked.

"The same thing that happened to Corina and Lorenzo,” Alejandro said softly.

Austin shook his head. “This is not good."

An understatement, but it could have been much worse. We were lucky Alejandro was on the scene. “Vamps suddenly turning into rabid animals at two different blood banks?” I said. “Does that suggest a pattern to you?"

"It does,” Alejandro said. Glancing at Austin, he added, “Close the blood banks down. All of them."

Austin tipped his hat. “You got it, boss."

I glanced around. Vincent was dragging one of the zonked-out vamps to the limo outside, and Andrew was nowhere to be seen. He must have sneaked out. Probably off to tell Micah his version of events before I could. Well, good luck with that.

"Close down the blood banks?” I asked. “You think the problem is in the donated blood?"

"It appears that way. I shall do a thorough investigation."

"Uh, how are you going to get your blood supplies in the meantime?” Would the lack of donations doom the New Blood Movement and their lofty goal of not sucking on unwilling humans?

"Let me worry about that. I assure you, we will not harm anyone. I won't allow it."

Yeah, right. “I believe that's what you intend to do, but how long can you go on this way? And can you speak for all of your people?"

"Yes. And we shall go on as long as we need to until we can find out what kind of tainted blood is causing this madness and stop it."

His tone was uncompromising, final. Instead of arguing with him, I went back to another subject. “Did you hear Andrew accuse Vincent of killing someone?"

Alejandro sighed. “Yes. And, before you ask, we shall question Vincent together. While we wait, tell me, have you considered my job offer?"

Only for a fleeting moment. “Uh, you were serious about that?” I asked.

"Very."

"Um, I don't think so. I'm happy with where I am.” Well, not happy, precisely, but at least it had to be better than working with the vamps, no matter how nice Alejandro and Austin were.

He nodded, looking disappointed but not surprised. “Very well, but the offer is still open if you should ever change your mind."

Thankfully I didn't have to answer that because the bald vamp came back in. Turning to him, Alejandro said, “Vincent, please try to control Ms. Shapiro's mind."

Vincent looked uncertainly at me, but when I nodded, he did as Alejandro asked, so I was able to read his mind. “Go ahead and ask him,” I told Alejandro.

"What happened here between you and the fire demon?” Alejandro asked.

Vincent shrugged. “I was seeing clients and noticed the redhead had been sitting here for hours, but hadn't been called to donate. I asked the receptionist, and she said he was waiting for someone. It seemed suspicious so I asked him what he was doing here. He became angry and attacked me, accusing me of killing someone named Veronica. All I did was defend myself."

Vincent was telling the truth. “And did you kill this Veronica?” I asked.

"No,” he said, sounding bewildered. “I've never killed anyone."

I nodded at Alejandro. He was telling the truth about that, too. Then again, the fact that he was still here while Andrew had sneaked out probably would have made me believe him instead of Andrew, anyway. I released his mind.

"Thank you, Vincent,” Alejandro said. “Please wait in the limo with Austin."

When Vincent left, I said, “I'm sure Andrew was acting on his own—I'll let Micah know what happened."

"Thank you. And please assure him that I will do everything I can to find out what is causing this madness in my people. Obviously, something is tainting the blood they drink, and I must test it, find out what it is."

"Do you have someone who can do that?” I could ask Gwen for a lab recommendation, but that might be stretching the limits of what she'd be able . . . or willing . . . to do.

"I do. The Movement has friends in many places."

Good to know. “Do you think this is deliberate?"

"Yes, I do. Someone is targeting our blood banks. The only question is, who? And why?"

"Who has reason to? Maybe those free-agent vamps who want to keep killing humans?"

He thought for a moment, then said, “It's unlikely. They would be more likely to steal our supply of blood than poison it.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “With Micah's people present at both blood bank incidents, it leaves me to wonder . . . “

I winced. “I know it looks suspicious, but Micah is not behind this.” Though that didn't mean all of his demons were guilt-free. “I know the demon at the first incident didn't start that trouble. We'll make sure to question the fire demon about the confrontation here."

"It can't be a mere coincidence that these blood bank attacks began so soon after Micah's gathering, where we announced our intention to reveal ourselves to the world."

He was right. The fact that Andrew had been at the party when the encyclopedia had been stolen wasn't lost on me either. Did the books have something in them that showed how to poison vampires through the blood they drank? I didn't remember reading anything about that, but I hadn't read the whole set of books, either.

I knew this much: So far the evidence hinted that a demon was responsible for drugging or poisoning—whatever you wanted to call it—the vamps. “We have been questioning our own kind, just like I've been questioning your guys,” I assured him.