Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (20 page)

As we descend the mountain I look for a cave or dense set of trees to lie down in. My vision is excellent at night because I’m a vamp and it’s enhanced by the whole she-wolf thing that I have going on. I find both right next to each other. My luck couldn’t be better. We make our way over to the cave and the first thing I notice is the smell. Something lives here and it smells like sour body odor and blood. I hear it rustling so it must have heard us and I crouch into attack mode, taking a second to free the knife.

That’s all the time I have as a true monster flies at me. I duck and swing up with the knife, cutting into its belly. The wound only enrages it more. It is a cross between a wild boar and a wild cat, but twice as big as either of them. A truly formidable creature. Hades lunges in the fight. He reaches its neck as it lunges for me again. The Hell Hound bites into the back of its head sending blood spraying but the beast continues on to me, shaking his head to free himself of Hades. I don’t have time to cut at him this time so I dive to the left. He follows and gets me with his razor sharp tusks. Crying out, I manage to roll avoiding the claws that are quick as a flash. The wound is not lethal, I will not bleed out but it is laced with some kind of poison that starts burning immediately as it makes its way through my side and into my body. I know that Hades and I have to kill the crazy animal fast before I am down for the count.

I spin around and land a flying side kick into its face. Hades is still tearing its neck in a death grip. It’s starting to take its toll on the monstrosity. I crouch again starting to feel numb in my side, knowing that numbness will spread everywhere leaving me at its whim. The animal, dragging Hades along with it, attacks me again. I am ready this time and flash across in front of it, slicing its neck with my teeth and gutting it with the knife for good measure. More of its toxic blood flies through the air, drenching me. I spit out what is in my mouth. Hades drags it backwards as it weakens, though with its last strength it tries to reach me. The life dims in its eyes. Knowing that Hades will finish it, I crawl to the cave. Nothing else comes out of it, thank Goddess. I am able to just get into the interior before I feel my entire body go numb. I can’t move, effectively paralyzed. No doubt its venom is how it catches most of its prey. Hades runs to me and whimpers when I don’t respond. I pray my sleep comes soon and it is restorative. That’s the last thing I think of before the world fades to black.

32 AIDAN

I have decided to give Lilith and the rest of the world a vacation from me. I dissolve the cell phone, knowing I can manifest a new one when I want it. I have a niggling feeling that this may be a mistake but my pride is hurt if truth be told. I bared myself to Lilith once again and she has rejected me. I’ll give her the space she needs and do what she suggested: build my relationship with Manda.

She is shooting a cover for a magazine along with some interior shots. She’s simply stunning. Grace personified, and professional. She is able to react to the camera in a natural way that the photographer is eating up. I believe this ability is because she is such an authentic person. That goodness shines through everything she does and the camera is greedy to capture it. I watch her in awe for the remainder of her shoot. She finishes late in the evening and is exhausted having only stopped a few times for lunch and a couple of short breaks.

When she comes out of the dressing room freshly scrubbed, I pull her to me and kiss her soundly.

“Hmmm, what a nice way to end a brutal day,” she murmurs against my lips. I smile against her and kiss her more while working us into the shadows so I can transmanifest us back to my Paris flat.

It has a view of the Eiffel Tower out the window and resides over a prominent restaurant. Still kissing Manda I reach down for the land line and magick the number for the restaurant below. I break from Manda’s lips long enough to order her some food in fluent French. It will be ready in twenty minutes and I plan on making the most of those minutes by starting to undress a now highly attuned Manda. She makes a soft moan as I latch onto her nipple and she pulls my head closer to her. I take a minute while laving her breasts, I get rid of her skirt. I slip my fingers into her now wet panties and quickly bring her to orgasm. Her head lolls back, I spread butterfly kisses across her neck.

“Mmm now that’s more like it. You are nice and relaxed. I love watching you come, lover,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers nicely.

“Ahh Aidan, don’t start what you can’t finish,” she says and smiles, eyes still closed.

“Oh I intend on the full course but first I am going to run you a bath so you can soak until your dinner gets here.”

I take her hand and lead her to the large circular tub in the master bedroom’s ensuite bathroom. I start the water adding some foaming lavender oil. The fragrance is heady and further relaxes her. I slip her panties off and help her lower into the bath.

“Oh God does this feel good after today. I am so spoiled.”

“I haven’t even started yet,” I say and start to rub her shoulders making her groan with appreciation. When she is truly relaxed and soaking I leave her and return to the main room.

With a flick of my hand every surface is covered in white candles, another flick and they light. I release rose petals all over the sofa in front of the fire place which I then light. The gas fireplace doesn’t do it so I replace it with a stone one, complete with blazing, sweet-smelling apple wood. A bottle of champagne chills and a table set with a white tablecloth. Huge baskets of roses finish off the room. Just then I hear the buzzer down below. I had installed it a second ago so that I would know when dinner is here. I go down and pick it up, tipping handsomely. Popping back into the apartment I set the food out. I have just finished when I hear a gasp from behind me. I turn to see Manda glowing in a satin, Kimono style bathrobe. She walks slowly to me. Her beautiful legs peeking from the slit of her robe. The sight is so erotic. I can hardly wait for her to eat.

She walks to me and purrs as she pulls me down for another long, languid kiss. I open her robe and let my hands wander.

“Mmm, Manda, you need to eat before your food gets cold.”

“Food seems underrated right now.”

I throw back my head and laugh.

“You wanton creature. No, you must eat, you didn’t have time to have much today. Afterwards I promise to fulfill any and all requests.” She whimpers against my chest and I pull her face up for one more kiss.

We leave each day to wander the City of Lights, visiting museums and landmarks. All the things Manda has never had a chance to do, though she has been in shoots around the world she has never had the chance to play tourist. At night she dines on the most fantastic food, and then our sweet love making.

Three days after I last saw Lilith, I retrieve my cell phone to see if I have any messages. There are fifty-two missed calls and two heart breaking messages. One from Sebastian and one from Diel. The blood drains from Manda’s face as she takes in my emotions while I listen to the messages.

I don’t stop to tell her what’s wrong, instead I grab her hand and we transmanifest back to the manse.

33 LILITH

I wake on what I hope is the day after the monster attack. Hades is glued to my side. He whimpers and licks at my face.

“It’s okay, buddy. I’m back, I think,” I say to him aware that my throat feels like sandpaper. I need some of that wine from my rucksack.

I try to get to my feet. Rolling over causes the edges of my vision to turn gray. I gingerly sit up, waiting for the dizziness and my vision to stabilize. Then I crawl to the rucksack. Collapsing after a little distance. I need to feed to fully heal.

Hades understands what I need and brings me the bag. I tentatively get back into a sitting position and open the bag to get a thermos out. I have to rest before I can open it and drink. Finally, the sweet wine flows down my throat erasing the dryness. I feel better after drinking it. But wine is not the fuel I need. It only attempts to relieve the dryness of my mouth not my blood thirst. I don’t attempt to move again for an hour or so. As I wait, I flex my legs and arms, testing them. I feel like I can move and very, very slowly make it to my feet. I feel too exposed here and want to make it down the mountain before dark. If I was up to par I would run vampire-fast. I know that Hades could keep up. But as it is, I am having to draw on my wolf nature to make it this far. I don’t want to pull on it too much for fear of having a feeding frenzy. I am less than human strong at the moment and need to lean on Hades to make it out of the cave, blinking quickly in the harsh sunlight. My mind is fuzzy. I feel like I am forgetting something.

Hades stands close and I use his great height and strength to move. We make short progress but at least we are moving. I have to stop and rest often. I don’t see another vehicle or demonic creature the entire time. By nightfall I am about halfway down the mountain and refuse to quit. I don’t want to run into any other beast from Hell so I keep going until the dawn. We find shelter in a thicket of trees. Their brilliant gem colors are the last thing I see on my second day in Hell.

The next time I wake it’s the following afternoon and I’m feeling stronger but still very weak. I need blood. Hades takes up his position next to me and we make our way down the road until we come to black top. I follow it. At two hours to dawn, I’m staggering through a city. Thank god vampires have natural clocks in their bodies. I know I have a short amount of time to seek shelter. I would rather get to a portal. I look like I feel. Covered in that monstrosity’s now dried blood, dirt and the odd twig and leaf. I couldn’t care less. I made it. I made it. I just have to find the portals now and convince someone to pay my way through.

34 AIDAN

I surprise a grim group in the manse as I pop into the library with Manda in tow. Helena starts crying when she sees me. Julian is instantly at her side. Sebastian looks like death. He comes to me immediately.

“When was she taken?” I ask Sebastian.

“Three days ago. Hannah is still unconscious upstairs with Diel. Diel is beside himself with grief and worry,” he answers.

“I’ll leave right now if you will please fill Manda in.” I pop down under, to Hell, and begin using my energy locating senses to find Lilith.

Before long I’ve got her. She is disheveled, filthy and staggering, leaning heavily on Hades.

She sees me. “I made it, Aidan. I did it. I killed both the fuckers.”

“Both? Was it Mark after all? Who was with him?” I ask, scooping her into my arms, at the same time with a blink cleaning her and dressing her in an outfit she would like. She rouses but is drifting in and out.

“Mark took me, drugged Hannah, the baby. We have to get back, Aidan, so she can go to the doctor. Hades and Diel can bring her through.”

“Of course, love,” I choke. I remember why it was easy to love her. She has been through all sorts of hell, literally, and her main concern is getting Hannah help. I rub Hades head and tell him what a good guy he is then transmanifest us all to the public portal station.

Hades remembers where to find the portal to Bakersfield. It’s easy to conjure the fare and I shove Hades and Lilith through, instantly reappearing topside for them. They pop out and Lilith smiles when she sees me. My energy plummets as I realize all the trials she has fared in the last few days while I was in bliss with Manda. Why did I get rid of the cell? A right temper tantrum which points to how immature I still am.

I scoop Lilith up and place a hand around Hades’ collar. We transmanifest into the library at the manse.

“Oh, thank God and Goddess,” I hear Helena say, her voice strained. Then everyone converges on us. Diel is there. He looks grim. I feel a stab of worry for Hannah and my unborn god child.

“Diel, Mark drugged Hannah. Have to get her to the doctor. Got here as fast as I could. I’m so sorry,” Lilith says before she collapses going unconscious. Diel reaches her first.

“Silly woman,” he says gruffly. “Doesn’t she know I don’t blame her?” He lowers Lilith on the couch next to Hannah.

“Diel, I’ll take you and Hannah and Hades to the portal now. Once you cross I will follow and get you to the hospital.” I flick my wrist and send some steaks to my godson. The sound of a ravening beast reflects his appreciation. Diel carries Hannah and I touch him and the Hell Hound who knows his duty, though I suspect he would like a bit more meat. I transmanifest them to the portal throwing more money at them so Diel can just walk through, meeting them on the other side, in Hell. We pop over to the hospital right away. Diel has been in touch with the doctor so they are standing by.

They draw blood and it’s sent to the lab STAT. Soon we will know what Mark gave her so they can bring her out of stasis. The doctor begins an ultrasound on Hannah’s belly and I step out. Diel lets a whoop go and I rush in. Diel looks at me, stunned.

“Did you not want to know the sex, Diel?” the doctor asks.

“It’s just, I’ve been so focused on their well-being I never thought about it.” Then he grins hugely. I shake his hand and tell him I am going to give the good news that mamma and baby are going to be okay. He keeps the sex a secret until he has a chance to speak to Hannah about it.

In a flash I am in the library. Lilith is still out for the count but now she is in Sebastian’s arms. The library is so full. Julian, Helena, Liam and Andrew all turn and look at me.

“The doctor did an ultrasound and Hannah and baby are fine. They are analyzing her blood now to find out what the bastard gave her.”

Lilith starts to moan and her eyes flutter open. The first thing she sees is Sebastian’s worried face. She smiles weakly at him.

“Cherie, Hannah and the baby are going to be okay. What happened to you? Why are you so sick? You need to feed as soon as possible. I was about to drip blood down your throat.”

“That fucker tranquilized me and when I came to, I was tied up in the back of an SUV already in Hell.” Lilith shudders and gags. I come over and take one of her hands and squeeze and she smiles over at me.