Steal the Light (Thieves) (39 page)

Marcus shrugged. “I have tried to discover this. I have theories, but I can prove nothing. It doesn’t matter why you are a companion. Only that you are.”

“Was it coincidence that Daniel and I were together before his turn?”

“Perhaps, but I think not.” The vampire waved his hand negligently. “Daniel was a vampire even then, though he did not know it. You have always been a companion. Your blood called to his. It is sometimes this way. Occasionally when a vampire rises he was involved with a woman who turns out to be a companion. It is why you were left alone that night. He had a claim even though he had not taken the steps to make it legal. You are lucky the vampires who came for him that night did not simply kill him and take you for their own. By the time Daniel was brought before the Council, we knew what he was and that you were the only way to keep him under control.”

“He doesn’t love me. He’s addicted to my blood.” I finally said it out loud. He hadn’t been attracted to me for my sparkling personality.

Marcus laughed. “I forget how foolish the truly young can be. What is this love you speak of? That is a child’s game, Zoey. Daniel was offered the world by certain members of the Council. He was offered power and money and all the blood he could handle. He chose to come back here to this piss-poor part of the world and live a half life so he could be at your side. You have no idea what he could be. He could be king, but he refuses because that is not the life he wants for you. Take your childish idea of love. It is nothing compared to the devotion Daniel has shown you.”

I turned from him and walked to the window. It was a gorgeous spring day. I looked down at the street so far below where people were going to work and kids were going to school. It was everyday and ordinary. Those people chose their paths, mundane though they may be. I’d never felt farther from that world. “Why are you here?”

“There are two reasons,” he explained. “The first is a plea. I have been instructed not to force you to do anything you feel uncomfortable with, but you need to understand the situation. Daniel needs blood. He needs your blood.”

Because he was addicted again. “I’ve heard my blood is like a drug. What happens when he doesn’t get it?”

Marcus frowned and, for a moment, I thought he might refuse to answer. “He will go through withdrawal. He will be in pain, weak and soul sick. It is terrible. He is going into a dangerous place, and I would feel better if he was as strong as possible. I would also feel better if I controlled his supply of blood. I would not like for it to be…tainted.”

“Then he should have taken me with him.” Even as I said it, I knew I would relent. I couldn’t stand the thought of him having to rely on the people who discussed his execution. I couldn’t leave him sick and vulnerable. “How do I get it to him?”

Marcus relaxed as though he’d expected a fight. “A nurse will come once a week for your donation. I thank you for being reasonable. There is something else. I felt the need to talk to you. I am here to press young Daniel’s claim. I saw you last night, and I believe you are going to make a mistake. I am here to ask you to not give up on him.”

“Why? You said last night that you could find him another companion. Just find him someone else, and let me alone.”

“I was wrong,” Marcus admitted. “I hate to admit it because I do not like to express anything so unsavory as having feelings, but I was frightened last night. You have no idea how close we came to disaster. If Halfer had taken possession of Daniel… Let me tell you a story about your Daniel. Perhaps that is the best way to make you understand. The Council is responsible for the training of new vampires. This training can be…you would consider it barbaric. It is meant to teach the vampire to follow the rules. One such exercise is called The Arena. A young vampire is placed in our training arena and told to fight for his life. He is not told that the enemies he faces will not actually kill him. The way the exercise is intended to go is the young vampire is beaten to within an inch of his life and then spared by the Council. He then feels some loyalty to the members who spared his life. The young vampire must face three experienced warriors. He has no chance against them. He is a lamb led to slaughter and then spared. Daniel killed twelve before the Council decided to save our numbers. Daniel is a Death Machine. He was born to kill. There is only one thing that ties him to humanity, and that is you.”

“He likes Neil,” I said absently as my mind tried to process what Marcus had told me.

“He has some affection for his wolf, but it is you who defines his morality. I watched you last night, and I think you are going to turn from him. I understand that Daniel has screwed this up, and you might feel the need to explore other options. I only ask that when he returns, you do not shut him out completely.”

“Is he going to return?” This was the question that kept me up all night. He was going into that place wrapped in chains. If what I understood was true, then there were many vampires who might take advantage of his situation.

Marcus sat back and clasped his hands together. It reminded me of a scene from
The Godfather
. “I think there are members of the Council who will view this indiscretion as an opportunity to take out a threat, but they will find it difficult. Daniel can tell when a new vampire is going to rise.”

“Yes, I know. It’s important and rare. I heard there were only three or four vampires who can do it.”

“Sadly those numbers have dwindled.” Marcus sighed. “Just yesterday two of them were killed in terrible accidents. I believe the Council will find themselves in a corner. Daniel is too precious to execute.”

“You killed them,” I said under my breath.

Marcus had the audacity to look offended. “I have no idea what you are talking about, girl. I would never do such a thing. It would be a crime if anyone could prove it. But know this, I believe Daniel is important, and I believe he has two paths ahead of him. I wish to see him go down the path that saves Vampire, not the path that leads to war.” Marcus looked at his watch and stood up. “My time here is done,
bellissimo compagno
. My jet leaves for Paris in an hour.” Marcus walked over and took my hand. He brought it to his lips. I thought it was a courtly gesture, but at the last moment, he flipped my hand over and placed a lingering kiss on my wrist right where my pulse could be measured.

“If I did not believe in Daniel, know that I would have pressed my suit for you,” he murmured. “I think you are the most intriguing thing I have seen in many years. I would be interested in you even if you were not a companion, Zoey.”

He let my hand fall, and I watched him walk to the door. Just before leaving he turned around. “You will think on what I have said? Do not forsake him completely. It could be bad for your people.”

“For my family?” I was confused. Daniel would never hurt me or my father.

Even in the light of day, Marcus’s eyes were infinitely dark. “No, I wasn’t speaking of your family. I was speaking of humanity.”

The door closed quietly, and I was alone again.

* * * *

It took me three weeks to make the mistake Marcus had been sure I was going to make. After Marcus left me, I went home to my apartment where a letter was waiting for me. It was a simple set of numbers and the name of a bank in the Cayman Islands. The money meant nothing. I’d tossed the letter on my desk and packed a small case with a change of clothes and other necessaries. After stopping by a liquor store and picking up a case of good wine, I went from bridge to bridge until I found Halle. I spent the days walking with him and the nights allowing Ingrid to brush my hair while I cried. The only time I went back to the real world was to make my weekly donation.

I woke up three weeks later and realized I just had to know. I had to know if I could make my own choices. If a vampire was programmed to love a companion, it only made sense to me that it worked the other way, too. Had my love for Daniel been written into my blood? Did that make it love or something less? I missed him with every part of my soul, and I also was so angry with him. I felt the need to burn everything down around me.

So I bought new lingerie and a brand new red dress. I slipped on stiletto heels, and I made my way to Ether.

I hadn’t spoken to Dev since he stormed off that night. I wasn’t even sure he would let me in to talk to him. We hadn’t left things in the best of places. I could still see his disappointed face as he walked off. I approached the entrance with a knot in the pit of my stomach, fully expecting to be told to get out of there.

“Good evening, “Albert said in a grave, somewhat judgmental tone.

I smiled, happy to see a face I knew, but the half demon gave me nothing.

“How may I be of assistance tonight, Mrs. Donovan?” Albert asked politely.

I felt myself flush. “I’m not Mrs. Donovan.”

“Whether you like it or not, Mrs. Donovan, you are wed by the laws that bind our world,” Albert said, and finally some sympathy crept into his tone. “If you walk into that club and find my master, things will take a natural course, and he will suffer. He will be committing a crime against your master. It is serious and not to be taken lightly…”

Albert stopped, and his hand pressed against the communication device cradled in his ear. “Of course, sir. I’ll send her right up.” He returned his attention to me, and I knew he was obeying, not following his own wishes. “Please be welcome, Miss Wharton. My master will see you in his office.”

I walked away from the half demon feeling low. I liked him, but now it would be hard to look at him knowing he thought I was leading his boss into sin. I didn’t see it that way. I didn’t see myself as married. I’d made no vows, and Daniel had proven he didn’t trust me in his world. I was alone. Daniel left me. I had the right to walk up those stairs. I had the right to ask for what I wanted.

I was shown up to Dev’s office, anxiety pulsing through me as the door opened. He was seated behind his desk and made no move to stand up as I entered. He looked up at me, but that gorgeous face of his showed no signs that he was happy to see me. His green eyes slid across my body, but I couldn’t read them. I suddenly felt cheap in my seventy-dollar dress.

“Hello,” I managed to say.

“Zoey.” Dev looked every inch the businessman behind his desk. I hadn’t thought of him that way before, but now I realized he had to be smart and quick to have built his businesses. “I was glad to hear you found a way out of your contract.”

“Oh,” I whispered, somewhat flustered. There went my first attempt at conversation. “Who told you?” Everyone I knew was either in France or Hell.

“A couple of Eurovamps came into the club late that night. You’re quite the Daniel Webster, aren’t you? I was surprised you didn’t go to Paris with your husband.”

“He’s not…” I started, but decided to not argue any longer. The writing was on the wall with this one, and I needed to get out with my dignity intact. I wished I’d thought to put on a sweater or a light trench coat. It would have been hot, but at least I wouldn’t look so ridiculous. I opened my purse and went with my backup plan. “Well, I just wanted to let you know I have your portion of the money. You did a good job. You deserve to get paid.”

I laid the envelope on his desk.

He looked at it with disdain, sliding it back to me. “I don’t want your money, Zoey.”

I picked it back up and tucked the envelope in my purse. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Daniel was gone, and Dev didn’t want me anymore. I had what I deserved. I was alone.

“What was the second thing?” It couldn’t hurt to ask. He would answer or he wouldn’t. He raised one eyebrow. “Daniel was going to have you take me to the faery mounds. But you said you would do the first but not the second. What was the second thing?”

If anything his face became even blanker. “If I couldn’t make it to the
sithein
, I was to give you to someone named Marcus Vorenus. I believe he’s a vampire. Daniel was playing fast and loose with vampire laws. He was hoping that because he was still alive, his ownership of you could transfer at his will. I looked into it since then. Only a vampire can own a companion.”

I tried not to show my surprise. I suspected Daniel thought Marcus would be better than some random vampire, but I had my doubts. Dev watched me but made no move to speak further.

I hated this feeling. I had no idea how to ask for what I wanted. I could face down a demon and fight off a giant snake, but I felt so vulnerable in that moment that my only option was retreat.

I smiled too brightly. “Well, all right, then. It was good to see you.”

I wouldn’t see him again.

Before I got to the door, he was pulling my hand, turning me to face him. His jaw was set, and his words came out in a harsh grind. “You didn’t come here tonight to pay me off, Zoey. Why are you here?”

“I don’t know,” I lied.

“Yes, you do. You didn’t put on those fuck-me heels to pay me off.” Suddenly my back was against the door, and he was taking up all the available space. “Ask me, Zoey.”

I didn’t bother to pretend to misunderstand. I just couldn’t force the words from my mouth.

Dev came in close, so close I could smell the mint on his breath, and I suddenly knew that his casualness was an act. He’d prepared himself for me. He’d seen me on some monitor and talked to Albert and then rushed to make sure he was ready.

“I need to know.” His mouth was so close to mine that all I had to do was lean forward. His green eyes stared down, catching me and pinning me there. “Do you still love him?”

“I don’t know if it’s love anymore,” I admitted.

“So you want to experiment on me.” He kissed my forehead. My every nerve ending went on red alert as he leaned in, pressing his body to mine. He was so beautiful and so close, I could almost taste him.

“I want to know if I can love someone else.”

“Then ask me, Zoey.” He breathed the words against my skin.

For a moment, I thought it was a trap. He was going to say no and walk away, and I would be left standing there looking like the idiot I was. It made some perverse sense. I’d done the same thing to him, though I hadn’t been trying to hurt him. For a moment, I considered walking away before he could reject me. But I hadn’t come this far to not take a chance.