Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

“I get that you’re worried,” I said. “But sitting here, doing nothing isn’t going to get you answers any faster than going to work and casually asking questions.”

“You have a point,” Vena mumbled.

“So, while Shepard does his thing, you do yours.”

“Fine,” she said.

Shepard straightened and looked at me. “I’ll make today up to you, Everly. I promise.” With one last glance at me, he headed out.

I retreated to the kitchen with Cross, leaving Vena and Anchor to cuddle on the couch.

“What are the chances that Vena’s family is in trouble?” I asked Cross quietly as I picked up my recipe notebook from the counter.

“If it were anyone else, I would say very little. However, you, Vena, and Miles seem to have an uncanny knack for finding trouble.”

“Personally, I believe trouble has a knack for finding us, but whatever.”

He chuckled and watched me add a note about fae desserts that evoke desire.

“And what type of dessert would that be?” he asked.

“For me, any dessert. But I doubt the way I desire a dessert is what the fae would be interested in. I need something that will remind them of what they want most.”

“Sexual desire,” Cross said.

“Exactly. Would you mind getting the takeout bag I left by the door?”

He retrieved the bag and placed it on the counter.

“I think these might give me a hint. Maybe. Does a half-fae need to feed like a full fae?”

“The traits inherited from the parents are always unique to the child,” he said. “Some do and some don’t.”

“And what about half-vampires? All research says your kind is made and not born. Yet, you’re not dead. You have a heartbeat. Doesn't that mean you can make kids too?”

With black eyes, he was in front of me, crowding my space.

“That is something I’ve questioned often in my long life. A woman who would love me enough to want to carry my child. To watch her grow round with life.” He trailed a finger down the column of my throat. “I want it so badly it incites my bloodlust. I hunger for more than this lonely existence, but would I condemn my child to a life dependent on blood? A life filled with bias and prejudice and hate?

“Even if I knew such a pairing would result in a child who is human, do you think any woman would be willing to attempt such a thing with me? Look at my eyes, Everly. See how hungry I am for a taste of you. Would you hate me if I was unable to resist drinking from you when I hear you cry out in pleasure?”

My face flushed at the picture he was painting for me. Cross, consumed by lust and unable to stop himself from biting me. He’d safely sampled my blood too many times for me to fear it. All those little tastes had done the opposite. They’d shown me how good it could feel.

I tried to speak but had to clear my throat first.

“I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for here. But I can say that having a kid is a big responsibility I’m not yet ready for. With anyone. I haven’t even graduated or established the career I want. No matter who I want to have kids with, that’s something that would be discussed at length.”

He leaned in and set his forehead against mine, closing his eyes.

“When I’m with you, I feel like I’m a man again, not a monster.”

I cupped his face. “That’s because you are a man, Cross.” I stood on my toes and pressed my lips against his, uncaring that his eyes were black and he was still fighting his hunger.

For a moment, he didn’t move. Then he had me sitting on the counter with my legs bracketing his waist. His kiss was hot, hungry, and pure sensual heaven. I hooked my feet behind him and pressed him closer until I felt his hard length right where I wanted it.

He snarled against my lips, and his mouth moved to my neck. The scrape of his teeth against my skin had me tipping my head back.

“If I use the spray bottle, will you hurt me, Cross?” Vena asked.

I jerked and tried to pull away. Cross' arms banded around me as he scraped his teeth against my skin again.

Vena’s worried gaze met mine. “If he bites you, what will Shepard do?”

I cursed, grabbed a handful of Cross' hair, and pulled his mouth off me. Or I tried too. He didn’t budge.

Rather than attempting another tug, I ran my fingers through his hair and felt him shiver.

“Are you still with me, Cross, or did I lose you?” I asked softly.

He stopped kissing my neck. Breathing heavily, he stayed right where he was.

Vena stayed a few steps back, spray bottle held loosely in her hands.

“Don’t be mad at me for interrupting,” she said. “If you’d gone any further with her, she would have avoided you for the next three months, which would have driven you crazy. I’ve seen her do it. I’m just trying to protect you both from a hard time until I know she’s actually made up her mind and not just listening to her runaway hormones. Which I do commend, by the way. A good time every now and again is an excellent mood boost. For most people. Just not Everly. You get what I mean?”

“I do,” he said into my shoulder. “Thank you, Vena. You are a true friend.”

“As soon as you detangle, I’ll leave,” she pressed.

He sighed, lifted his head, and took a step back.

His eyes were wild with black veins as he stared at me. I waited until Vena left to ask, “Are you angry?”

“With you? Never. With fate for making me what I am? Always.”

“I’m glad fate made you who you are, Cross. If you weren’t who you are today, I would have never met you.”

He retreated one more step and offered me a hand down.

“Want to help me look up erotic desserts?” I asked with a small smile.

“After that kiss, I should probably stay away from anything erotic, but dessert should be fine. I’m happy to help.”

Thirty minutes later, Anchor was distracting Vena in her bedroom when Cross’ phone rang, interrupting our research. I didn’t mind the interruption, though, since I had a notebook page filled with recipe ideas to test.

“It’s Shepard,” Cross said.

“Put it on speaker.”

Cross answered the phone then placed it down on the counter between us.

“Hello, bestie,” he drawled in a pronounced accent.

A soft growl came through the speaker, but it was hardly sinister. Even so, it made Cross grin.

“Be serious for a moment,” Shepard said. “How long can a vampire live after their heart stops?”

“I thought you loved me,” Cross said with a sigh. “Are you trying to find ways to kill me again?”

“I will if you don’t answer the question.”

“Why are you asking the question?”

“We found a body that has similar markings to what your old friend, Master, made on Gunther.”

Similar markings? And he was asking how long it took a vampire to die after their heart stopped? It didn’t take a genius to figure out why. Shepard was worried Master might still be alive.

My hand clutched the pen I was holding, and Cross reached over and stroked my back in soothing motions.

“How old is the body?” Cross asked.

“The body is a few days old,” Shepard said. “Either someone is copying his methods, or Adriel is alive.”

No. Not possible.

“How could he survive?” I asked. “I saw you fight him. Your hand was in his chest. He was dead.”

Cross took the pen from my hand before it snapped in half. “While stopping a vampire’s heart usually means death, Adriel isn’t a typical vampire. According to what I’ve learned, he’s known for getting out of impossibly tight spots.”

“So it’s possible,” Shepard said.

“With Adriel, I believe it could be.”

Shepard sighed.

“What aren’t you saying?” I asked.

“I could smell Adriel’s scent on the body. Either it's Adriel, or someone dragged his dead body around the crime scene to confuse us.”

I shivered. “If he’s alive, what about the people he’s thralled?”

“Sierra is now under my control,” Cross said. “Adriel would have to try to break it, but I doubt she’s of any use to him anymore. Even so, she’s safely tucked away at Shepard’s where he can’t get to her.”

“And Miles?” I asked quietly, aware that Vena was still in the house.

“That could be an issue,” Cross said.

My stomach clenched with the implications.

“Let’s table this for right now,” Shepard said. “I have a few people I want to talk with first. I’ll be in touch when I have more information.”

“Can we keep this between us for now?” I asked before Shepard disconnected. “If Vena knows, she’ll panic.” I already knew Anchor could hear the conversation, but he wouldn't want Vena running off to find Miles. The best place Miles could be right now is trapped in a mountain so that Master couldn’t get to him.

“The fewer people who know about this, the better,” Shepard agreed. “If you don’t hear from me, come to Blur for your shift like normal.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

“I will. See you soon.”

When Shepard disconnected, I looked at Cross.

“If Adriel is alive, I’ll ensure he doesn’t stay that way for long,” Cross promised. “How about we get back to erotic desserts?”

I shook my head. “I think I’ll zone out in front of the TV for a little while.” I had enough ideas for fae desserts, anyway.

Cross steered me to the couch and sat me down then handed me the remote. “I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

Before he finished, Vena and Anchor joined us to watch two old episodes of The Other House . Anchor was pretty chill with Cross. Both earned a dirty look from Vena when they laughed about the misleading facts about werewolves.

We had just turned off the show to get ready for our shifts when Anchor stopped us.

“Might want to wait,” Anchor said. “Shepard’s here.”

He went to open the door before Shepard could knock. His grim face set Vena off.

“What? What happened?” she demanded, crossing the room to stand right in front of him.

He set his hands on her shoulders.

“I heard back from my contact. The king thinks Miles killed the prince. They allowed him to send the message because he claimed we can prove his innocence.”

Her panic shifted to disbelief, which I shared.

“Miles wouldn’t kill someone,” I said. “He’s even careful with fairies.”

“I know,” Shepard said. He turned Vena toward Anchor. She balked.

“We’re going, right?” she insisted.

“No. We aren’t. I need you and Anchor to stay here for two reasons. The first one is that I trust Anchor to help manage Blur and the vampire sweeps we’ve been doing. The second reason is that I’m worried about what will happen if your whole family is in the mountain.

“We don’t know the situation. Until we do, I would rather have you on the outside.”

She opened her mouth to argue, and he added, “We might need outside help this time, Vena. Who do you trust more than yourself to help your family?”

He had her there. She closed her mouth and stared at the floor for a long moment.

“Why does Miles think we’re both needed?” Cross asked.

“The dwarven ring is missing,” Shepard said.

The way he steadily held Cross' gaze, in addition to knowing that Master might be alive, was enough to send a chill through me.

“I’m not comfortable leaving Vena and Everly alone with only Anchor as protection,” Cross said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “No disrespect meant, Anchor.”

“I understand,” Anchor said. “My focus would fall to Vena first and Everly second. And Vena likes to do what she wants without considering the consequences.”

“Vena is right here, asshat,” Vena said, scowling at Anchor. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“Are you offended because he’s telling the truth or hurt because he’s not seeing how deeply you care about us?” I asked.

She lost some of her anger. “The second one.”

I nodded. “But you do know he’s right, right?”

“Whatever. I get it. I’m a problem maker, not a solver, so I’ll stay here, out of the way.”

Anchor hugged her from behind, and she let him, which I took as a good sign.

“Everly can accompany us,” Shepard said. “I’ll message Doc and see if Sierra can cover your shift today and possibly tomorrow.” As he spoke, he texted. “Pack for two nights. It shouldn't take more than that.”

I looked at Vena, not liking that we were being separated.

“Go,” she said. “I trust you to bring my family home. All of them, Ev.”

I knew she was counting me as family, too, and went to hug her.

“I promise.”

Fifteen minutes later, I was in the front seat of Shepard’s SUV with Cross seated behind us.

“What are the chances of you finding a body with Master’s scent after the dwarven ring goes missing?” I asked. “It means he’s alive, right?”

“It’s not something I would have thought possible, but the scent was fresh,” Shepard said. “A few days old, not weeks.”

I leaned my head back against the seat, trying to fight my dread.

“Whether it’s Adriel or someone else, the problem is still the same,” Cross said. “The vampires haven’t given up on collecting the rings. We need to warn the fae that they’re next.”

Shepard tapped the steering wheel, seemingly deep in thought. “This must be why the vampires stopped supplying fae with humans. I wonder if they know the vampires are setting up to betray them.”

“What does their supply have to do with the rings?” I asked.

“No matter what species we are, if we are hungry, we will focus on finding our next meal,” Cross said.

A sick feeling settled into my stomach as I understood.

The vampires had cut off the fae’s food source as a distraction.

Shepard used hands-free dialing to call a contact he’d labeled “Caution.”

“Is that the same as ‘use protection?’” Cross asked.

Shepard shot him a hard glance in the mirror. Cross grinned as a woman answered the phone.

“I knew you wouldn’t deny me forever,” the woman said with a sultry purr. “Tell me where you are, and I’ll come to you.”

“I’m on my way to see Curran about Hakon’s death,” Shepard said. “Their ring is missing.”

“They should be more careful with their possessions. I would take great care not to misplace you.” She made a sound that resonated in my chest and made my pulse race. “I dream of your taste, Shepard.”

He fumbled with the call, trying to take it off speaker, and the SUV swerved.

“You’re on speaker, Effora,” Cross said. “Keep talking like that and your boy toy will end up driving off the road.”

She laughed.

“Cross, I heard you were keeping unusual company. Perhaps I can interest you in accompanying Shepard in entertaining me. I’ve never had a wolf and a vampire at the same time.”

I tried hard not to let my shock or jealousy show but knew Shepard caught me when he inhaled deeply.

“I think Shepard finds sharing with me a tempting invitation, Effora,” Cross said. “But, respectfully, we’ll need to decline. The missing ring must take precedence. We don’t believe it was misplaced but taken.”

“Taken? Who would—” She swore. “Does that bitch dare?”

“We know nothing yet,” Cross said. “But Shepard will keep you apprised of what we learn. Guard yourself well, Effora.”

Shepard disconnected the call.

“So she’s tasted you?” Cross asked Shepard with a grin.

Shepard flushed scarlet, which I would have found adorable if I wasn’t so worried about Adriel being alive.