Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (25 page)

“I think I just fell in love with you all over again,” I say. This woman is so amazing. She has created a solution to make both of us happy. I realize that what I had suggested would eventually lead us to the same boredom and repetition that had brought me to that Suicide Hotline so long ago. But I am selfish and want to show her the world before her short human life is over. She gave me a way to do that and a way for her to save herself along the way.

The week goes by in a blur of high octane photo shoots and nights out dining and sight seeing. Manda is glowing but exhausted the night before the full moon and so she looks relieved when I mention I have to leave for Lilith and Liam’s feeding.

“I honestly just want a hot soak in that marvelous tub and to order in delivery from L’Osteri. It’s been a long day and I have an early start tomorrow. Two more days and we can head home,” she says.

“So you’re not upset with me for leaving for a couple of hours?”

“No, not at all. You made a commitment and I expect you to be the honorable man you are and stand behind it. Besides a bath then bed, to sleep, sounds like a perfect night for me.”

“I’ll be back to hold you,” I whisper and then kiss her temple and move down to her mouth, lingering. “I better leave, they get quite rabid,” I say and wink at her horrid expression. She swats at me when she realizes I’m teasing but I’m already fading away to the sound of her laughter and the smell of her skin’s perfume… peaches…

40 LILITH

The last week before the full moon phase was relatively quiet. Sebastian and I continue to explore each other and our relationship. I go to my kick boxing classes and Sebastian escorts me to Sophie’s. I still use my hand sanitizer but not as much and I haven’t pulled a hand- wipe out in a week. I call that progress.

Diel is still stuck in red tape as per the “Dominic Situation.” He finally let slip that Mark’s father is the mayor of Hell. A truly prestigious position but not above the law. And not above royalty. It just means that there is more paperwork than usual. Dominic has stayed clear of us so far but I feel little tingles when we go out, like we are being watched.

It’s the first night of the full moon phase and I don’t expect Aidan to show. He is out of the country with Manda but the doorbell rings and I pick up on Andrew’s excitement.

“Oh, Mr. Aidan. I’m so glad you’ve come to help. It will be so much easier with you here. You know you don’t have to ring the bell,” Andrew gushes.

“Of course I have to be here, Andrew. Can’t have my silver eyed beauty going through this without me, can I?” he says.

My heart does a little flip before settling back down next to Sebastian. For life. Settled and happy and in love for life. And to a vampire that’s a very long time. I guess that doesn’t mean I won’t have the occasional twinge for Aidan.

“Lilith and Sebastian, I hold you both as dear friends and I want you to be the first to know.” Sebastian raises his brows and Aidan laughs. “Yes, Sebastian, in our odd relationship I have come to realize that you are a friend, one that I want to have for a long time. One that I want taking care of Lilith forever.”

“Thank you, Aidan.” Sebastian nods formally acknowledging his great gift. “I feel the same way,” Aidan nods back.

“So I want you to hear my great news first.”

“What is this news?” I say.

“Manda and I are getting married,” he says looking me in the eyes for my reaction. I don’t know what he was expecting, but I feel a rush of happiness for him.

“Aidan, my dearest, I am so happy for you and for Manda. So, so happy. She couldn’t be here? I would love to tell her in person,” I say.

Aidan grins and envelopes me in a hug.

“No, love. She was well and tired from work today. But this will be her last job. She has two days left then we head home and she is going to continue her schooling and get a degree in environmental law. We plan on starting a foundation so she can do research and maybe do some good in this world.”

“I can’t think of any better news to get today, my friend. I sure as hell wish you drank champagne,” Bast says while he shakes Aidan’s hand. Aidan barks out a laugh and shakes his head.

“Believe me when I say the energy you two give off together is like any champagne in this world. It’s like getting drunk to be around so much love. That’s how I know I have the real thing with Manda and how I know you two are right together.”

“Now I might get weepy. Damn it, Aidan. That’s the most romantic thing to say and now I have to go change clothes because I am going to change into a blasted she-beast,” I half-sob, half-laugh.

“Let me take care of that, love,” Aidan snaps and I am in designer jeans, sneakers and an expensive t-shirt. I can’t help but smile at him. I am going to miss his mischievousness. Hopefully he and Manda will visit often.

“Are Helena and Julian taking Liam out?” Aidan asks.

“Yes, they already left. Sebastian was going to take me by himself,” I say shyly.

“Don’t ever lose faith in me, please, Lilith.” Aidan begs me.

“I won’t, never, I promise.”

“Okay, sappy sapmeisters, let’s get this show on the road,” Hannah says from the door.

“Hannah!” Our three voices exclaim. Everyone rushes her but Aidan gets there first and affectionately rubs her belly while kissing her cheek.

“Are you taking good care of my god son or god daughter in there?” he asks.

“Of course I am, even if some people want to keep me sheltered in plastic bubbles,” she says as she glances back at Diel who has the decency to look sheepish. “I am coming with you tonight like always,” she says and stomps her leather booted foot. I try to hide my smile, I really do, but Hannah sees it and she starts to smile too, ending her tantrum.

“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” I say to Diel. He nods and grins like he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Damn straight,” Hannah says. Sebastian kisses both Hannah’s cheeks and lovingly tucks a stray hair behind her ear.

“A small tornado, ma petite maman.”

“Thanks Bast, I think…” Hannah looks unsure.

“It was meant as a compliment, Han,” Bast says.

“Well then let’s let loose this force of nature and get the girl fed. Vampire Diaries is on tonight and I never miss an episode,” Hannah says.

“OMG! You so did not go there,” I say.

“I so did, girlfriend. Diel just has to mop up the drool and deal. Besides, nothing beats a demon in bed so he knows he has nothing to worry about,” Hannah says as she strokes Diel’s chest which is puffed up like a peacock on display. I can’t help my giggles. I can’t stand TV but will occasionally watch a movie. I’d just rather spend time with friends or a good book, which is almost the same thing.

“Guys, I hate to break up the love fest but I am getting antsy. Can we go?” I ask.

“Oh course, ma cherie.”

“Take my hand, love. Come on, you all know the drill,” Aidan says as he motions everyone to join hands before transmanifesting us to the gods know where.

I’m pleasantly surprised to be in Golden Gate Park. There is a huge concert and plenty of people milling around on the fringes. Snacking on a few will be no problem. I snatch one out of the bushes we are standing among and start to feed before anyone else realizes what I’ve done. Not only do I get a bloodlust on the night preceding the full moon but during the three nights of the moon phase I am incredibly fast, agile, aware and hard to catch. I also have heightened sexual needs that in the past few months have been agonizing to go through by myself. Now that I have Sebastian, I can hardly wait for the games to begin. In the past he just took those three days off and we barely came up for air.

Soon enough the group is bribing me with another victim so I will relinquish the one I am feeding on. I barely register that I am hissing at them but then I catch the other’s scent and let go long enough to dive in with my fangs. After my fourth “donor” I am feeling replete. I had been more cognizant of my surroundings during the last feeding to realize the moaning that was going on was coming from me. I am rightly embarrassed.

“I’m so sorry, guys. I must sound like an overly hormonal gourmand. Moaning and groaning like that. But it is so good,” I try to explain.

“You remind me of Manda. She is quite the foodie and when she is eating she makes her fair share of appreciative sounds.”

“I really look forward to getting to know her more, Aidan. Why don’t you zap us home and you can get back to her,” I say. He looks appreciatively.

“I want you two to be friends, Lilith, but I would never have pushed it.”

“I know,” I say smiling. Suddenly very much happy with my feelings towards Manda. “Thank you, Aidan, for taking time away from her to help me tonight. It means so much.”

“You’re very welcome, love. Now line up everyone. I want to get back to Milan,” he says with a wink. We transmanifest back to the manse where Aidan puts a new set of designer clothes on me and cleans me up with a wave of a hand.

“I gave you a little present, Sebastian,” he says and sends us a wicked grin before blinking out.

It could only be my lingerie. Damn him… I hear Sebastian growl.

41 AIDAN

I know something is wrong the second I transmanifest into the room. The door is hanging off the hinges and there has been a terrible mess made. A struggle and Manda is missing. I immediately send out my energy searching for hers. I find nothing. Nothing! It’s impossible. Even if she were dead there would be a residual energy left so the shudder that goes through me centers me for a moment realizing that she is alive. That left one alternative. Her energy frequency has been changed. Vampires. Fucking parasites. Someone has changed her. Oh the gods no. I had to find them and now.

I transmanifest back to the manse and startle everyone. Helena and Julian are back with Liam. I am shaking with rage and grief and Lilith is the only thing that keeps me from annihilating the entire room of vamps. She rushes to my side.

“What’s happened to Manda?” She knows me so well. She’s caught me off guard enough to bring my temper back in check. Thank the gods she is here or I would have killed them all and they were friends and my only hope of finding Manda.

Lilith envelopes me in her arms and pulls me close while I shake. I realize I’m fisting my hands, white knuckles.

“Cherie, maybe you should back away from Aidan right now. I’m not sure it’s safe,” Sebastian warns.

“No! He needs me and is my friend. Something terrible has happened. He needs this, Bast. I just know it,” she tells him. I make a conscious effort to release my hands and wrap my arms around Lilith to hug her back before I let out a huge cry loud enough to shake the glass. It’s filled with grief but also fear. Fear that I will never see Manda again. Lilith just holds on tighter. I think I must be crushing her but she never lets go. Finally, I slump into her arms and she guides me to the couch.

“Aidan, honey, can you talk about it yet? What can we do?” she asks.

“Manda…” My voice sounds harsh and raw. I clear my throat and try again. “The room was destroyed. I can’t find her energy anywhere. No energy and even if she were dead there would be residual energy… The only thing that could have happened is if her energy had been changed and that could only have happened…”

“If she had been turned,” Julian says. I snap my head up to look at him and I have never seen him so angry. The fury is boiling just below the surface. “Aidan it’s imperative that you take us there immediately to see if we can pick up the scent. If it’s someone we know we can find her right away and ease her transition as much as possible. I’m sorry but you have no time to grieve right now. We have to move,” Julian says as he stands up. “Lily should come as her sense of smell is even more heightened right now.”

I nod and hold my hands out. I’m surprised by who rushes to me. Everyone. Even Hannah but Diel and I insist she remain at the manse.

“Hannah, my love. If something happened to you or Lilith it would truly be the final straw and I would cease to exist. Lilith is in her prime fighting shape at the moment, being in her werewolf phase. You can fight but you carry something too precious to risk. Please, for my sake if not your child’s, stay here and liaise with us.”

“Of course, Aidan. I wasn’t thinking. I just love you so much I can’t stand to see you hurt. I’ll be here with Julian’s computers at my command so let me know if I can do anything. Diel, keep me posted or you sleep on the couch until the baby comes,” she says and she steps back letting us go with tears running down her beautiful face.

I transmanifest us to our room in Milan. I’ve never moved this many people before so everyone wobbles a little when we land. Lilith gasps but Julian and Helena each hiss and bare their fangs.

“What? What! Who is it, Julian?” I demand.

“Zoe…” Helena hisses. Suddenly I am a one minded djinn. “Everyone grab hands I have a lock on her.”

42 LILITH

We land just outside of Milan in an old warehouse of sorts. Heavy machinery litters the building and magickal globes of light dot the interior, illuminating the Queen and her body guards. There is an olive-skinned man with midnight hair and flashing azure eyes. He wears a thick silver bracelet. He smells like Aidan but not quite.

Aidan sees him and growls low in his body. He snaps his eyes to Zoe.

“Release him, now, and I will kill you outright instead of making you hurt,” Aidan says. I’ve never seen him like this and am scared. I grab Bast’s hand and he tightens his fingers around mine. I can smell a hint of fear from him. It’s the first time I have ever smelled it come off him except when I have been in mortal danger.

“Now why would I release my pretty pet? It’s only fair that if Lily has a Djinn that I do too.” Zoe laughs her tinkling laugh that has more than touch of lunacy to it.

“You bitch! Aidan has never been owned or mine. He is his own man. What’s more you took someone from him. Give her back, Zoe, or I will kill you myself,” I growl. Her guards immediately move in a semi-circle around her. She laughs again.

“Like you could, Lily. You little slut! You may not have bound Aidan but he was yours to command as you wanted.”