Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (7 page)

“That I’ve let everyone down with my behavior, that they will think less of me because of it. I’ve always been the perfect little sister. Now I’m the disappointment,” I say.

“Has anyone told you that you are a disappointment?”

“No, but I know they must be thinking it.”

“I know Helena is worried about you. She’s crazy for you and sick that she did something to push you into this,” Sophie says.

“That’s just not true! Helena had nothing to do with me feeling this way. I had everything to do with it. It’s all my fault. I have to tell her.”

“In a minute if you want we can invite her in and you can tell her yourself,” Sophie says.

“I would like that.”

“Now back to you feeling like a disappointment. Are you disappointed in yourself, Lily?”

I have to sit back in my chair. This is an Ah-ha moment for me. I’ve been so worried about what everyone else feels that I lost touch with myself. I am a little disappointed in myself and angry at myself and I feel sorry for myself. I’m truly angry. Really, really angry at everything.

“Yes, but I realize that I am angry too. Angry at myself but also just plain full of rage. So much I don’t know what to do with it.”

“So you’ve turned to alcohol and drugs as an escape from all this rage boiling inside of you,” Sophie explains.

“Yes. Although I didn’t know I was doing it.”

“It’s quite common. What’s not common is having a vampire figure it out about themselves so quickly. You are a very mindful vamp, Lily. I think we can work together well. Would you be interested in coming back?”

I look over at the clock and realize two hours have gone by. Geesh, I’m going to get billed big time, but I nod at her. This has started to lift some heavy chains off of me. I still feel like I’m drowning in them but a few are gone now and I know this woman has the key to the lock.

“Can we ask Helena in now?” I ask.

“Of course.” She smiles and steps out to do that.

Helena comes in vampire mode. Her brow is creased and she is not the carefree Helena I am used to seeing. I now know I have put her through the ringer. I have to apologize.

“Helena, I’m so sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

“Sshhh, Lily. I love you, like you were my own. You aren’t trouble. I’ve worried out of love,” she says as she smoothes my hair off my forehead.

“I want you to know that you’ve had nothing to do with me going down this dark road. It’s been about love and sorrow and now it’s turned into anger and I don’t know what to do with it. I’m so full of it I just want to make it go away,” I say.

“Oh, dearest, it doesn’t work that way. But I’m sure Sophie can help you with that. I know of something else that will help. I found a vampire kick boxer trainer. He’s got all the equipment magickally reinforced. I was going to look into it to work out some of my frustrations. Now I will have a partner. It will be a great way to take out some of that rage.” Helena looks to Sophie for affirmation and Sophie nods enthusiastically.

“Okay, but we’ll have to do some shopping for outfits,” I say because I know that will make Helena smile. And it works.

“There’s my girl. We’ll go shopping right now. First class is tomorrow evening. When do you want to see her again, Sophie?” Helena asks.

“If it’s alright with you, Lily, I would like to meet every two days right now. So could you make some appointments with Aurora, my receptionist? She runs my life. She’ll squeeze you in so it might not be a regular time and days yet, is that okay?”

“Yes, whenever. My schedule is pretty free right now. Oh, except for kick boxing,” I say and smile.

“You’ll love it,” Sophie assures me.

I leave her office and the lovely Aurora helps me schedule enough appointments for the next month. I leave with Helena chattering about where to find athletic clothes and whether we should match or not. I carefully roll my eyes. I am so not in the mood to shop. I never thought I would say that. Yikes.

We head over to Fillmore Street and to Athleta and clean them out. I have to admit I am starting to cheer up. Helena is contagious. I love the idea of the classes in Athleta, too. It’s a genial atmosphere.

When we get to the manse, Julian is home and so is Sebastian, or at least his car is. Doesn’t he work anymore? I hope Nico is gone.

“Take a deep breath to loosen your muscles. I know you don’t have to breathe but it does something to our neck and back muscles when we do. Try it,” Helena suggests.

“Wow, I can feel everything relaxing. Not as good as a back rub but it works in a pinch. Thanks Helena,” I say and give her a kiss on the cheek before we get out of my little car. We walk to the back to get our bags. When we walk into the manse Julian is waiting for us and kisses each of us. I leave my bags at the bottom of the stairs and think about searching out a really good cup of coffee.

I hear Sebastian come up behind me. He looks nervous.

“Lily, can I help you with your purchases?”

“Where’s Nico?” I ask.

“She’s at a photo shoot. Merde, I don’t really care where she is.” He shakes his head and rubs a hand across his eyes. I pause at this. “Please, I would really like to help you with your bags.”

“Okay, that would be nice,” I say.

He picks them up and we walk up the staircase together and to my room. When we get inside, he shuts the door. I turn, surprised.

“Lily, I want you back,” he says hoarsely.

He grabs me then and kisses me soundly. When we come back up for air he says, “Diel dropped this by while you were out. It’s the contact information for that Mark character. He said he was obligated to give it to you but said if he were you he’d stay the fuck away from him. I concur.”

He hands me a white business card and walks out of the room.

12 AIDAN

Raging through the hot winds of the desert, being free as a spirit, weightless and thoughtless, did wonders for my mind and soul. I’m thinking clearer than I have since I tried to jump off that damn bridge in San Francisco and was entranced by a beautiful vampire. I don’t regret a moment of the past but I feel like my heart is now free to move on. It’s been unlocked. Finally. I know my love for Lilith is so deep not even the cleansing fire winds could eradicate it, but it’s now manageable. If I still want to pursue her, well then I’m in for the long haul. It’s something I have to think on.

I find myself back in San Fran dressed in jeans and a lightweight sweater, sitting out in the sun at a coffee shop in the early morning. Something I haven’t done since I met Lilith. Again, another chain lifted. I am soaking up the energy and sunshine, people watching when the glimmer from a silver bangle catches my eye. I lazily look for its source. What I find makes me lower my sun glasses.

An ebony goddess.

Her energy is pure and sparkles with good intent and faith and love and honesty. A lot of what had drawn me to Lilith. She has beauty inside and out. What a marvel. Human too. But do I want to engage in conversation let alone anything else with a mortal? Their lives are so short. It’s tragic but powerful.

I taste her energy and almost fall off my seat. It’s so pure.

I get up and walk to her table. She’s sitting alone drinking some tea. My shadow falls across her and she looks up. I take my sunglasses off so as not to be rude.

“My name is Aidan, may I join you this morning?”

“Aidan, you’re in luck. I’m feeling a little self-conscious sitting here by myself so, yes please join me,” she answers in a honey-sweet drawl. Atlanta maybe.

“Georgia?”

“Yes! That’s very good,” she says smiling wide showing off a stunning smile. I sit down next to her so that we both face the street. A fleeting image of Lilith flashes through my mind. Guilt fills me and I almost make my excuses.

“I’m sorry, I’m not so good that I can guess your name,” I say and wink at her. She blushes.

“Where are my manners? My name is Manda Hightree, but for work I just go by Manda.”

“What do you do for work?” I ask, intrigued that she would only need one name.

“I’m a model. But what I really want to be is an environmental lawyer. I have a degree in biology and I’ve been accepted to a few law schools but the modeling gig is fun for now and I’m saving money to pay for tuition,” she says and grins showing me her sweet, sweet dimples. Something I never knew I loved before.

“Amazing,” I say, eating up her energy and conversation. I must look like a golem. “You have some strong ambitions for someone so young.”

“How old are you? You can’t be much older than I am, which is twenty-five.”

“I am as old as time,” I say wistfully and then grin at her myself. She laughs. A hearty, rich, colorful laugh, just like the woman. Gods, it is refreshing to hear someone laugh. That makes me feel guilty again. I’ve been a part of Lilith’s misery. I have no right to be as happy and intrigued as I am right now.

“Manda, would you mind if I call you sometime?” I ask. I have to get out of here now but I want to explore these feelings.

“I think that would be okay. Here’s my card. I’ll write my cell number on the back.”

I take the card and slip it into my pocket.

“Thank you, I have a meeting so I need to go now. But be sure that I will call you.”

“That’s what they all say,” she says. Her lips are pulled down at the corners.

“I’ll call you,” I say and kiss her hand when she offers it to shake. Her gasp of surprise buffs my melancholy away. “Until later?” I raise an eyebrow, challenging her to change her mind.

“That would be great, Aidan,” she says and smiles again.

“Ciao, bella Manda.”

“Ciao,” she says while blushing. She’s lovely.

I walk down the street and into an alley before transmanifesting to my home. I throw myself into my favorite chair and brood. Why can’t I be attracted to someone else, dammit? Because I left the last woman so damaged she felt the need to try and destroy herself, that’s why.

She also gave me love and taught me how to love. I never thought I would have such feelings. They have shattered the self-indulgent, self-centered djinn that I was. For that I will always owe Lilith. But I think it is time to move on. Sebastian is trying too. Maybe if we both stop pursuing her she can heal.

I make my decision to call Manda. I know it’s soon but I suddenly feel like there is hope at the end of this self-induced prison sentence. I dial the number she gave me.

“Hello,” she says tentatively. She probably doesn’t know my number and is cautious.

“Manda, it’s Aidan. I told you I would call,” I say, realizing I am grinning.

“Hi Aidan. I have to admit I am surprised. I didn’t think you’d call, especially not so soon.”

“I wanted to see what you were doing tomorrow.”

“It’s a free day for me. First in a month. Why?” she asks coyly. I can almost imagine her beautiful smile.

“If you can stand to be around me, I would like to spend the day with you. Are you up for it?” I cross my fingers. I’ve never had to do this before. It’s nerve wracking. No wonder human males have phobias about this.

“Sure. What are we going to do? I need to know how to dress.”

“What would you like to do if you could do anything or go anywhere?”

“Hiking. In the Teton mountains outside of Yellowstone,” she says without hesitation.

“Okay. Dress for hiking then. Where should I pick you up from?”

“I’ll text you the address.”

“Good. I’ll see you at 8 a.m. Sleep well, Manda.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. “You too, Aidan,” she says more strongly. I hang up after that. I don’t want to spoil the moment. Her voice is as sexy as she is.

Oh gods, what am I doing? Does this make me shallow and selfish to want this? I feel like I am cheating on Lilith. But then I remember that Lilith doesn’t want me anymore. The hurt is still there. No matter how much time I spend flying in the hot desert winds, it can’t erase the hurt. It’s not as bad as it was though. I also know that I have caused her as much hurt. Maybe it’s time we both move on…

“I have a little confession to make Manda. We are going to Wyoming this morning.”

“How on earth can you make that happen, Aidan? Do you have a private jet or something?” she asks. Her face is unbelieving and more than a little skeptical.

“Something like that. Do you trust me?” I ask her.

“I don’t know you,” she says. Her eyes dart around like she is looking for a way out of this conversation. I don’t want to scare her but I desperately want to make her wish come true. She’s dressed in hiking boots, cargo pants and has a back pack on. She obviously takes her hiking seriously. The boots and back pack are well worn and broken in.

“Could you trust me?” I ask.

“I would have to know you better.”

“Then let’s get a coffee and we can talk.”

“Okay.” I bravely take her warm, soft hand in mine as we cross the street from in front of her apartment. There is a small café and I hold out a chair for her to sit in. Only then do I let go of her hand. I sit next to her.

“Ask away,” I say.

“How old are you really?” she asks.

“Over five thousand years.”

She looks at me like I’m making fun of her. I keep my face straight to let her know I’m serious and let my words sink in. Her face starts to turn from disbelief to wonder. She looks behind her and leans close to me.

“What are you?” she whispers.

“I’m a djinn, a jinni if you will.”

“I always knew there were other beings but I never thought I would meet one. I don’t want to be rude, but can you prove you’re a djinn before I consent to go off on some wild adventure?” she asks, eyes wide and smile wider.

I pop a new Kate Spade bag onto the table. The one that just came out in the stores that has a waiting list. She gasps.

“For you, Manda,” I say and wink.

“Oh my gosh, thank you, Aidan,” she sputters and blushes again. “You really are a djinn. Oh my gosh. I can’t believe this,” she whispers behind her hand.

“Believe it, love.” That term of endearment was always for Lilith. It just slipped out though, naturally. “Now about that trip I promised you. Do you have to do anything before we go?”