BloodGifted (13 page)

‘How long?’

‘About four hundred years.’

I recalled him mentioning the rings turning black during times of danger. It
must have happened then.

‘R
ight now I need you to understand what’s going to happen.’

‘Okay,
back to this challenge. If I get this right, it’s a risk for you too?’

‘
Yes. If I step down before the Ritual commences, I’ll be allowed to live. But if I step up and am rejected, I’ll be executed.’

I nearl
y choked on my coffee. ‘Why?’

‘To avoid a civil war.
In the past, the Princeps had been challenged and because the challenger was allowed to live, a faction built up around him and a civil war ensued. The temporary power they enjoyed was used to destroy the Elders and then rain down terror on humans. Entire villages were decimated before the survivors took up arms and burned down every house they thought belonged to a Brethren. But the Brethren managed to capture the
Ingenii
and suck him dry.’ I felt my eyes widen. ‘Both sides suffered. Eventually the rebellion was put down and all who took part were beheaded, their bodies exposed to the sun. The Princeps had to wait several years for the new
Ingenii
to come of age. It was a tense time. Nobody who remembers those days wants them to return.’

I understood what he meant
. History was filled with wars begun by rivals for the same throne, so why should the vampire world be any different? A tinge of fear crept over me as I realised how very different Alec’s world was from my own—alien and frightening.

‘Listen to me
, Laura. You and I both saw the way the rings reacted when they met. You’ve already chosen me, so a challenger won’t succeed.’

‘Well
I hope you’re right.’ I let out a sigh. ‘Is there more?’ He didn’t answer right away. ‘Alec?’

‘One… minor
thing. I must feed from you before the entire assembly for our bonding to be recognized.’

Was he serious? ‘Wrist?’

Alec shook his head. ‘Neck,’ he mouthed.

‘That’s a minor thing?’ My v
oice rose and I glanced quickly around to see if anyone had noticed, but people were absorbed in their own conversations.

‘
Laura, I also need to make you aware there’s an element of risk involved. Compared to ordinary humans, your blood has a quality that makes it intoxicating and I need to exercise extreme control so I don’t kill you!’ I stared at him. ‘It’s one of the reasons the Elders are there. In case I lose control, they’ll pull me off you in time.’

I tempo
rarily lost the power of speech and had to fight the urge to run back home to Matt.

‘Has it ever happened?
’ I said weakly.

‘Nearly
. It takes time getting used to a young
Ingenii’s
powerful blood. First Taste is always fraught with danger. Yours’—he inhaled deeply—‘is fresh and potent.’ His eyes slightly lightened.

I sat there
breathing hard while Alec signalled the waitress to bring another cup of strong coffee—for me. ‘Pity they don’t serve alcohol here. I’d prefer brandy right now.’

‘The Elders will be there
Laura, to make sure we don’t lose you.’

‘Gee
, there’s a comforting thought!’ I wondered if my aunt deliberately chose not to mention this to me. Smart woman.

He smiled
. When my second cup of coffee arrived, I gulped most it down and nearly scalded my throat.

‘Um, one other thing.’

I stared at him over the rim of my coffee cup.

‘The Elders will examine
your neck as proof I’ve taken your blood, after which they’ll approve us before the assembly.’

This was unreal,
like a dream, yet everything around me seemed solid—people chatting, cups clinking against saucers, the delicious smell of brewed coffee and fresh rolls, someone laughing—all real. And this strange, beautiful man, sitting so close to me was real too, but he inhabited a very different reality.

The
idea suddenly came to me. If Matt and I were to have a future together, he needed to be there with me. ‘Can I bring Matt?’

‘No.’

He said it without any hesitation and I blinked. ‘Why?’

‘Apart from
parents of the
Ingenii
and
donsangs
, all other humans are forbidden.’

‘My parents will be there?’

He gave a curt nod.

‘
But Matt’s my partner—’

‘As in blood
givers, Laura. Each of the Brethren are required to bring their
donsangs
—their food source. It’s not possible to provide enough
refreshment
to cater for my kind at these large gatherings. For this occasion, I’m your partner. Your boyfriend would be seen as unattached and could possibly end up as someone’s… snack.’

‘No
!’

He nodded
.

‘And
… if he was my husband?’

‘
But, he’s not.’

‘Yet.’

Alec’s said nothing, but
looked at me unblinking and twirled the Serpent Ring on his finger until the silence stretched uncomfortably between us. I broke first. ‘Anything else I should know?’

‘Yes. We’ve got company.’

Alec’s gaze moved over my shoulder. I turned to look but it was difficult to make out anyone specific from the groups of people milling around the various other shops and cafes on our side of the street. I glanced back at him and frowned in confusion but he simply indicated the direction with a nod. There at the far end, on the other side of the road and barely distinguishable from those around him, was Matt. Only his height and familiar gait gave him away as he made his very determined way to our table.

I groaned inwardly and checked my watch. How long had we been sitting here? And what was Matt doing
awake? It then occurred to me—how could Alec have spotted him at such as distance? His vision must be phenomenal. Also, how did Alec know Matt? They’d never met.

‘How did you know—
?’

‘
Last night, I watched him come to you.’

‘You what?’

‘To make sure you were all right before I left.’

He wanted to make sure I was okay
? He’d scared me half to death, yet he was concerned enough to hang around and risk being seen when Matt arrived. I honestly didn’t know what to think of him.

Looking behind me again, I could see Matt practically running down the s
treet only to get stopped by traffic lights. His lower shirt button was undone and as the breeze caught the end I saw the gun strapped to his belt. He was supposed to leave it at work when off duty!

My hands shook and
I glanced at Alec as he said, ‘Are you afraid of him?’ There was a dangerous edge to his voice.

‘Of Matt? No! It’s ju
st that…’ I bit my bottom lip and wondered how to answer him. No way I could mention Matt was packing a gun. Instead I said, ‘I left him sleeping. We had a late night.’ He raised his eyebrows and I knew what ran through his mind. But really, it was none of his business. ‘I thought I could meet you and be back before he awoke. I… left a note and your card sitting on the table next to the flowers—which I placed in a vase.’

A look of understanding crossed his face. ‘Ah!’

‘He would have prevented me coming otherwise.’ Or he would’ve come with me.

‘I see
.’

Mat
t wasn’t smiling when he arrived at our table. His lips were a tight line, eyes stormy as they darted from me to Alec and back again. ‘We’ll talk about this later,’ he said icily, and he leaned down to give me a quick kiss.

My stomach clenche
d. ‘Matt I’m sorry, but I thought I’d be back before you woke up so you wouldn’t worry.’ I seemed to be doing a lot of apologising lately, but I didn’t regret my decision to meet Alec this morning. Oddly, I enjoyed his company and time seemed to stand still while we talked.

‘Laura kindly came at my request,’ Alec said.

‘Matt, this is—’

‘Dr Alec Munro,’ Matt finished for me.

He had
definitely
read the card I’d left on the dining table.

Alec rose
and extended his hand without a welcoming smile. ‘Detective Sommers.’

Matt gripped it and returned the shake. ‘So, Laura’s mentioned me. In that case let’s not pretend we don’t know why I’m here.’

My stomach churned. Seating himself next to me and directly opposite Alec, Matt reached for my hand and interlaced our fingers while his eyes never left Alec’s face. Awkward was not a strong enough word to describe this situation.

Tension plus.

‘Let me hazard a guess,’ Alec replied coolly. ‘Protecting your interest?’

I slid my other hand under the ta
ble onto my knee to stop it bouncing, which it always did whenever I was nervous.

‘Protecting my girl
,’ Matt corrected him.

Alec’s gaze returned to me. ‘
She’s worth it.’

I shifted uncomfortably
in my seat. This was not good. Matt tensed at that comment so it was just as well I was holding his gun hand. ‘Matt, let’s go, I have things to do.’ I stood up to leave.

He did
n’t budge. ‘Not yet, Babe. I need to ask Doctor Munro a few questions.’

‘You’re off duty,’ I reminded him.

‘It’s okay. This is the perfect opportunity.’

‘Matt, please, not here!’ I hissed.

‘Don’t worry, Babe, it won’t take long.’

He could be so stubborn, which made me wonder whether it was concern for my safety or his pursuit of a perceived murderer that made him rush down here. And since I didn’t have the answer, I sighed and sat miserably back down again.

Alec
seemed to enjoy watching our exchange, and a slight smile played about his lips. Well actually, it was more of a smirk. He lounged back in his chair, folded his arms across his chest and said, ‘Ask away.’

I signalled the waitress for my third cup of coffee. At this rate I was going to b
e awake for the next three days.

‘Since when has your lot been able to come out during the day?’
Matt asked Alec.

‘They can’t, normally.
’

‘Y
ou’re the exception?’

‘Obviously.’

‘Laura’s bloodline, huh?’

Alec gave a simple nod
and his eyes strayed to the gun at Matt’s belt. ‘Since when are
your
lot allowed to carry a weapon when off duty?’

‘When my girl leaves a
note telling me she’s meeting a person of interest, I’d be a fool to leave it behind.’

He said it
calmly, but I felt him tense and his hand in mine began to sweat. I’m sure it had little to do with the day’s heat.

‘Or a fool to
think you could intimidate me with it.’ Alec indicated Matt’s gun with a nod of his head. ‘
That
, poses no danger to my kind, but it does to everyone in this café. Perhaps you should have thought of that before bringing it.’

Matt smiled.
‘I did a little research last night and discovered a certain substance that’s quite nasty to your kind. Wood. How do you know I’m not packing that?’

Alec smiled back. ‘If you did, Detective, it wouldn’t be in your holster right now. All I can smell is lead, but nice try. Maybe next time the bluff’ll pay off!’

They stared at each other, as if neither were willing to back down. It was like watching two roosters face off, yet Matt’s comment about the wood prompted me to intervene. ‘What does wood do to you?’ I asked Alec.

‘Not all wood, only certain types. As snake venom is to you, so wood is to us.’

The furniture in this café was metal. Was that why he’d chosen it? ‘You didn’t mention this last night?’

‘You didn’t ask.
’ His smile broadened.

I stared back, unable to break away.

‘You like to drink?’ Matt’s voice had a sharp edge to it.

‘Depends what type of beverage we’re discussing.’ Alec’s gaze shifted slowly from me to Matt.

It was going on midday and the sun had crept further toward Alec’s side of the table but this time he didn’t shift his chair and I knew he couldn’t be out for much longer. He’d only told Matt half the truth and I wasn’t about to say otherwise, since Matt appeared to position his chair to prevent Alec from shifting into the shade.

T
he sunlight had reached Alec’s left shoulder and he tried to angle his body away. I watched as Matt extended his leg and let it rest on the crossbar of Alec’s chair effectively preventing him from moving.