Fangs And Fame (31 page)

Aurora

IF I THOUGHT THE
Rolling Stone
article had spread like wildfire, it was nothing in comparison to the smear campaign we faced the next day. As if we hadn’t had a long enough night, we woke up to find pictures of Nikki kissing Trey on the cheek plastered all over magazines and being featured on entertainment news shows. Neon had called to warn us so we wouldn’t be caught completely off guard. We’d gotten online to see exactly how bad it was, which I regretted once I saw the headlines that were being carelessly thrown around, such as, “
Is the honeymoon over? Newlywed Trey Decker caught getting close with ex-girlfriend Nikki Lane,” and “Bliss or Quits? Nikki cozying up to Trey before a Catalyst show could be a sign that the frontman’s marriage is on the rocks.”

“
Stanislav is behind this whole Nikki thing,” I told Trey as we rode the elevator up to our hotel that night after the show. “Now we know exactly why he involved Nikki. He’s not happy that we said no, and this is how he’s showing his displeasure. He set us up.”

Trey took my hand, considering me while we walked the long hallway to our room.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll sort this out,” he said as he opened the lock with his key.

“
How?” I asked, surprised by how calm he seemed.

“
I’ll get on Twitter. The fans will believe me. They’ll listen. They’re really the only ones I care about anyway. Everyone else can believe what they want.”

“
You think that will work?” I asked.

He shrugged.
“I don’t see why not.”

“
You’re taking this all surprisingly well,” I added.

“
Not really,” he said as he sat his wallet and phone down on the nightstand by the bed. “I just don’t want to spend another minute thinking about Nikki when I’ve got you right here.”

I couldn
’t help the smile that stretched across my face at those words. Trey held a hand out to me and I stepped forward, putting my hand in his. He pulled me toward him, and his hands went to my hips while his mouth covered mine. All thoughts of Nikki and Stanislav were gone the instant I tasted him. Then I felt his fingers in my hair, gently cradling the back of my head. I recognized the hunger in Trey’s kiss. He needed blood, and he knew it.

“
I fed today,” I assured him when he pulled back. “Take what you need.”

He was kissing me again, and I gave myself permission to enjoy the rush. When his lips finally left mine, it was only to move down toward my neck as his fingers gathered my hair, sweeping it out of the way. He slowly sank his fangs into my throat and drank. I felt Tytus approaching just then, but assumed he
’d continue down the hall to his own room. I was surprised when a knock rang out on our door a moment later.

“
It’s just Tytus,” I whispered to Trey. “He can wait while you finish.” Trey swallowed twice more, but pulled back after that, healing the small puncture wounds in my skin. “Did you get enough?” I asked.

He nodded and leaned his forehead on mine briefly, a satisfied smile playing on his full lips.
“Thank you.... I’ll get it,” he said, turning to answer the door. “You have impeccable timing,” he said sarcastically as he let Tytus inside.

“
Whatever you two were busy doing, it can wait,” Tytus said. “You’re going to want to hear this.”

“
What’s wrong?” I asked, getting to my feet.

“
Malena’s in town.”

“
How do you know?” I asked.

“
I just spoke with her.”

“
What? Why?” Trey blurted out. “What does she want?”

Tytus
got comfortable in the oversized chair nearby, sighing. I sat back down on the bed and patted the spot next to me. Trey sat reluctantly.

“
She was in a car outside the hotel,” Tytus began. “She pulled up and told me to get in.... I figured it was the best way to get information.”

“
What does she want from us?”

“
Us
? Nothing,” Tytus said. “She wanted me to help her track someone, though. She’s desperate, and she’s not having any luck. I mean, she’s got to be desperate to come to me begging for help. Right?”

“
Who is she tracking?” I asked.

Tytus furrowed his brow.
“Someone named Angelica. Why?”

I shook my head, unsure.
“Does that name mean anything to either of you?”

Tytus frowned and shook his head.
“No.”

Trey looked at me and said,
“Not in the slightest.”

“
Hmm....” I bit my lip.

“
So what did you tell her?” Trey asked.

“
The truth,” Tytus said. “That she betrayed my trust the last time we saw each other, and that working with you two was the best decision I ever made. I’m not interested in running off to help her. End of story.”

“
And she just left?” I asked. “Just like that?”

“
I got out of the car a block down and walked back. I doubt she’s going to hang around after I refused to join her, though.”

I chewed my lip in thought.
“Weird.”

“
Definitely weird,” Tytus agreed. “Anyway,” he said, getting to his feet again. “I just thought you should know.”

“
Thanks, big guy,” Trey told him, and Tytus nodded and saw himself out.

“
Angelica,” I repeated. “I seriously don’t know anyone by that name.”

“
Neither do I,” Trey said. Then he pulled his T-shirt off and jeans and collapsed on the bed next to me. “At least Malena has something to keep her occupied.”

“
That’s true,” I agreed as I changed into a tank and a pair of shorts and climbed into the sheets next to him. I nestled up next to him, resting my head on his chest.

“
You’re not going to obsess about this all night, are you?” Trey said, and I could hear the smile in his tone.

“
I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, laughing softly. “I’m just going to fall asleep to my favorite song.”

He kissed the top of my head and rubbed my shoulder.
“When does Mark’s flight land?” he asked after a moment.

“
He should be to the venue just in time for soundcheck,” I answered. “It’ll be good to see him.”

“
Yeah,” Trey admitted. “I kinda miss the guy.”

I grinned and said,
“I warned him that a few days with us won’t be much of a vacation, but he’s still coming.”

“
At least we won’t have to watch what we all say in front of Jonas, Chase and O’Shea. In that sense it’s kind of nice that they know everything.”

“
You’re forgetting that Kacie will be here tomorrow, too. I think they’re actually on the same flight, funny enough.”

“
That’s right,” Trey said slowly. “So much for easy conversation.”

“
It’s best she doesn’t know,” I added.

“
I’m sure O’Shea feels the same way.”

“
Did you think to warn the guys that we’re bringing another vampire on the tour?” I said, laughing at the thought.

“
Maybe we’ll just change the name of the band,” Trey joked. “Something like Fang + 3 would be more fitting.”

“
That’s not half bad,” I said with a grin.

Trey

THE GUYS AND I had the day off. No radio appearances, no conference calls, no obligations. Aurora, Mark, Tytus and I took advantage it and spent the day wandering around the city. We’d done a little shopping, enjoyed the sites, and even hit an art museum Aurora had been dropping hints about for three days. It was a good day, and the down time was good for my soul. I was almost convinced by the end of the day that Tytus was even growing on Mark, despite the reservations he’d had about us hiring the giant vampire in the beginning. Despite the crazy press involving Nikki, the fans were being nothing but supportive. My simple tweet denying it seemed to be all they needed to hear. They’d gotten behind Aurora and I completely, and the few times I checked online during the day, they were setting the record straight for us on blogs and social media. I was more than a little relieved to have the army of support behind us.

We were meeting the rest of the guys and Kacie at a restaurant for a late dinner, mostly because half of our group was human and still required actual food. We
’d been waiting at our private table in the back for O’Shea and Kacie to show up, and they were seriously running late. We’d been waiting for them for half an hour before Aurora decided to call Kacie and see what was taking them so long.

“
Maybe they’re lost,” Jonas offered.

“
Kacie always answers her phone,” Aurora said as she sat her phone down.. “It rang until it went to voicemail. I can’t imagine what’s going on.”

“
Maybe they’re having a really good time,” Chase offered, waggling his eyebrows.

I called O
’Shea’s phone, too, but he didn’t answer either. “We’ll give them another thirty minutes, and if they don’t show ... “ my voice trailed off.

“
Then what?” Aurora asked.

“
Then we start to worry, I guess,” I said, hoping they’d just get here already.

“
We’ll, I’m ordering,” Chase stated, rubbing his stomach.

Aurora
’s phone rang fifteen minutes later, and she sighed in relief as Kacie’s name appeared on the screen. “It’s about time,” she said, sliding her thumb across the screen to answer it.

“
Aurora, it’s me,” Kacie’s panicked voice came through the phone, and I heard it clear as daylight.

“
Kace,” she said. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”

“
We’re ... I don’t know. This guy-” But she didn’t get to finish her sentence. The next voice that came over the line was one we both recognized. My stomach tied itself in a giant knot as I listened.

“
Hello there, Aurora.” It was Stanislav Vidic. Aurora and I shared a knowing glance, and she pressed a button to turn the phone on speaker.

“
What’s going on?” Aurora said, speaking in an even tone despite the anger flashing in her green eyes.

“
I’ve just been visiting with your friends,” Stanislav said calmly. “We’ve had a nice little chat.”

“
Aurora, help!” Kacie called out in the background.

Mark and Tytus both got to their feet in reaction. Every muscle in my body tensed, but all I could do was listen as Aurora tried to reason with the Synod Elder.

“Leave her alone,” Aurora demanded, raising her voice now. “Whatever it is that you want, it has nothing to do with them.”

“
Why don’t you and your husband come and see me, and we’ll see just how agreeable you’re willing to be.”

“
Where are you?” Aurora said without hesitation. Stanislav gave us the address to a hotel. “Is O’Shea okay?” Aurora tried to ask.

“
Come quick,” Stanislav said, ignoring her question. “I’m beginning to feel a little parched.”

“
If you so much as lay a hand on either of them-” Aurora began, but the line had already gone dead. Mark swore under his breath.

“
What are we waiting for?” Tytus asked.

“
You’re not coming,” Aurora told him decisively.

“
You’re going to need help tracking them,” Tytus insisted. “He didn’t mention what room they’re in.”

“
You’re going to stay with Chase and Jonas, and make sure they all stay safe,” Aurora instructed.

“
We don’t need a babysitter,” Chase said.

“
Chase, don’t,” I said.

“
I’m just saying,” he muttered, but dropped the issue.

Tytus wasn
’t happy with the arrangement, either. He looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it.

Aurora turned to look at Mark.
“You’re coming with us....” There was an implied
just in case they’re hurt
at the end of her sentence that she couldn’t bear to say out loud. Mark gave a quick nod, and Aurora met my eyes.

I squeezed her hand with mine and said,
“We’re going to find them.”

She nodded and said,
“Let’s go.”

Tytus headed for the band bus and Aurora, Mark and I took off on foot around the block. We hailed a Taxi and sat in anxious silence as the driver took us to our destination. The idea of O
’Shea and Kacie being held by a bunch of seething vampires was almost more than I could take. Images of them being used as donors flashed in my mind, making my blood boil. O’Shea was my brother, and I’d come to think of Kacie as a sister. That meant Stanislav Vidic was messing directly with my family. He was almost certainly counting on the fact that Aurora and I would do anything for the people we love. I just hoped it didn’t involve hurting anyone else.

How are we going to track them down once we
’re inside?
I projected to Aurora and Mark.

I think I
’ve got that covered
, Aurora responded. I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant by that, but her answer was good enough for me.

Mark
, I added.
You didn’t happen to select the healing ability last full-moon cycle, did you?

If Mark
’s slight hesitation wasn’t answer enough, the sullen look in his eyes was.
Mindreading
, he answered, almost apologetically. Mark’s healing skills were impressive, even without the additional benefits of asking for the ability, but I was still hoping we wouldn’t need his specific skill set at all. We pulled up to the hotel and I paid the driver, quickly scrambling out of the car to head inside. Aurora paused right in the middle of the lobby and closed her eyes in concentration.

“
I’ll ask the front desk which room he’s in,” Mark offered, but I stopped him with a shake of my head.

“
He won’t have used his real name to check in,” I told him. “I never do.”

Mark
’s shoulders dropped in disappointment, and we both looked at Aurora to see what to do next.

“
We’ll take the stairs,” she said after a moment. Aurora slowed but didn’t stop as we climbed new floor of the hotel. She was as focused as I’d ever seen her, and I realized she was actually tracking somehow. It was the first time I’d seen her using an ability she hadn’t called for during the full moon, and I knew it wasn’t coming easy to her. Twenty floors up she stopped at the door in the stairwell. Her hand hovered over the handle for a few seconds before she reached out and turned it, pulling the door open. “This way,” she said as she moved down the hall. She moved quickly at first, but then slowed down the further we went, repeating the same process at each set of doors. She stopped in front of a door, and then took two steps backward to the door next to it. She closed her eyes for a second, and I took the opportunity to really listen to what was happening. There were several vampire heartbeats on the other side of the door, and two human ones. I recognized them both. I didn’t know whether to feel relief that they were both alive, or sickened by the possibilities of what I might see when we went inside. “This is it,” Aurora said, unnecessarily.

I raised my hand to pound on the door, but the knob turned and it opened before I could. The vampire that met my gaze was one I recognized. He
’d been following Aurora and I around, showing up at shows and in our hotels for weeks now. He stepped back and gestured with a sweeping hand for us to come inside. I moved quickly past him, Aurora and Mark right on my heels. I surveyed the room with a quick glance to locate my friends. O’Shea was tied to a chair across the room. Dried blood stained his white T-shirt, his lip was split and bleeding, and his left eye was bruised and swollen. He looked like he was on the brink of losing consciousness, but he managed to meet my gaze.

Don
’t worry about me, Decker
, I heard him think. Then I followed his gaze across the room where Kacie was unconscious, propped up against the headboard of the queen sized bed, bound and gagged. Aurora made a move to go to Kacie, and I stopped her just as Stanislav came into the room from a doorway where a connecting room joined. We were on his turf now, and we couldn’t afford to do anything that might make things worse for our friends.

“
Nothing to worry about,” Stanislav said calmly. “I only had a taste,” he said, gesturing to Kacie. “Your friend is a lightweight, and has an aversion to blood, it seems.”

“
She’s alive,” Mark reminded Aurora, his eyes darting from Kacie to Stanislav and back.

Aurora threw herself between Kacie and the Synod Elder, baring her fangs defensively.
“You got what you wanted,” she said. “We’re here now. Let them go. They’re only human.”

“
A fact that hasn’t escaped me,” Stanislav said, wiping a bit of what I could only assume was Kacie’s blood from his mouth with a handkerchief. “You see, the problem is that you seem to surround yourself with humans. For some reason you care deeply about these two. After our last meeting, it was quite clear that I had to make a move to get your attention.”

“
You have it,” I insisted. “Now, let the doctor take them and go. Aurora and I will stay. We’ll talk all you want.”

“
I’m afraid we’re way past talking now,” Stanislav said, taking a seat in the only empty chair like my best friend wasn’t tied up and bleeding right there next to him. “You see, I’m ready to take action.” He gestured for Aurora and I to sit on the bottom of the bed. We hesitated, looking over at Kacie, sitting limply against the headboard.

“
Can I at least see if the girl is okay?” Mark asked boldly, taking a step forward.

Stanislav considered him a moment and then gave him a brief nod. Mark went to Kacie, feeling her neck to check her pulse and then healing the puncture wounds there, all without a word of protest from Stanislav. Maybe he wasn
’t completely beyond reason. Aurora and I both sat  at the bottom of the bed across from him, though it took everything in me not to go straight to O’Shea and free him. I knew Stanislav’s minions were waiting in the connecting room, and any move on my part could get us all killed.

“
What is it that you want?” Aurora asked, exasperated.

“
I want what every vampire wants,” Stanislav said, raising an eyebrow like that would clarify things.

“
You’re going to have to be a little more specific,” I said. “I’m not convinced you and I want the same things at all.”

“
Of course we do,” he continued. “We are a superior species. I know you haven’t been a vampire long, Trey, but surely you’ve grown accustomed to your new immeasurable strength, speed, and agility, not to mention all the other gifts that come with the moon’s all-encompassing power.”

“
I’m getting used to it,” I admitted. “Why?”

“
Don’t get me wrong,” he continued. “Humans have their place, and they’re certainly useful, but we’ve spent too long living in their shadow.”

“
We’re vampires,” Aurora stated plainly. “Darkness and shadows are kind of our thing.”

“
Not you two,” he argued. “No. You’re America’s sweethearts.” He reached over to the TV stand and picked up a magazine, opening it to read out loud. “‘Trey and Aurora could almost convince you that a celebrity relationship like theirs is easy, even though their lives are anything but ordinary. No wonder the country is fascinated by the pairing. They’re impossibly sweet and down-to-earth real, all at once.’” He turned the page and said, … “‘Power couple,’ et cetera, et cetera,  ‘... taking the world by storm ...’ et cetera, et cetera. You see my point. Vampires and hiding are not synonymous. You’ve proven that. We are superior in every way. There’s no shame in what we are. We simply need to come forward and claim that superiority. I had other methods; ways of trying to force the hand of our species to stand up and take our rightful place, but so far I’ve been unsuccessful.”