Authors: Parker Blue
"He wasn't totally responsible for his actions—the dark magicks in the books had a lot to do with that,” Micah said. “But he'll be punished, I promise you."
"How?” Luis sneered. “In the human courts?"
"No, by us,” Micah said. “I promise you, he will be appropriately punished."
Alejandro made an impatient gesture. “Can we trust you?"
Micah stiffened to his full height, and Ludwig ranged himself alongside his leader, clenching and unclenching his fists. Damn. Looked like a fight was about to erupt again.
"Stop it,” I insisted, pushing a little with Lola to make my point. “Alejandro, Andrew isn't the one who poisoned your blood. Another demon did that."
"Demons,” Luis spat. “I knew it."
I felt like slapping him but stared down Alejandro instead. “It was your fault, Alejandro. You didn't warn the others. You didn't tell them the truth."
"What are you talking about?” came Alejandro's furious question.
"Andrew was angry because the vamps refused to turn his sister to save her life."
This news made the other vamps trade frowns. Austin looked taken aback. “We can't turn demons."
Alejandro nodded. “There is a prohibition against it."
"Because . . . ?” I prompted. I knew the truth about demon blood making vamps sick, but I wanted him to tell his people, not me.
Alejandro's nostrils flared. “That is a private matter for our kind only."
Oh, he knew all right. But he was keeping it secret from the others. I was beginning to hate secrets.
"Alejandro. Don't you understand what I'm getting at? This explains what happened to Lorenzo and the others. What made them go mad."
Alejandro's expression changed as my point sank in. “So that is what happened to my people."
"Yes. The donated human blood was mixed with a demon's and that is what made your vamps crazy."
Austin and Luis looked stunned.
"His blood?” Luis asked, pointing at Andrew.
"No, someone else's,” I told him.
"The books told you of this?” Alejandro asked. “The books with the dark magicks?” At my nod, his eyes narrowed. “Where are they now?"
Good question. “Andrew?” I asked.
He shook his head. Still under Lola's control, he had a zombie expression. “I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?” Everyone stared at him in shock.
"They didn't want to burn in the fire, so they told me to hide them, and I did . . . but I can't remember where."
HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH, Fang said in disgust. THE MAGICKS HAVE CLOUDED HIS MEMORY.
"They must be found and destroyed,” Alejandro insisted. “They could be very dangerous in the wrong hands . . . to all of us."
No kidding. “Secrets are dangerous in the wrong hands,” I reminded him. “If the fact that vampires couldn't drink demon blood was common knowledge, Veronica would have known the vampires couldn't turn her, and so would Andrew, and this never would have happened."
Micah spoke. “This settles it. Andrew was a victim of vampire secrecy."
I turned on him. “You're no better."
He looked taken aback. “What?"
"Always with the damned secrets. Ooh, let's not let anyone else know what makes us vulnerable, let's not let anyone know what the encyclopedia can do, let's not let anyone get close enough to help us.” I knew I sounded like a drama queen, but I didn't care. “Who died and made you keeper of all the demon secrets?"
"Well, my father did, actually."
Fang snorted in amusement, but I ignored him. “If the Demon Underground hadn't kept secrets even from their own, kids like me wouldn't have to grow up feeling like freaks. And we might have figured out that Josh is a phase demon long ago, and— “ Alejandro made a negating gesture. “Some things should be kept confidential, for our very survival."
"Maybe. But at what cost?"
"You can't really expect us to reveal all our secrets,” Micah protested.
"Okay, maybe not. But at least you can think about it and see what makes sense to share."
Alejandro and Micah both looked stubborn, but I was glad to see I got them thinking about it.
"What about these two criminal demons?” Luis asked. “The fire demon and the phase demon must pay for what they did to our people."
Before they could start arguing again, I asked Alejandro, “Are the poisoned vamps doing better?"
"Yes, Lorenzo and the others are almost fully recovered."
That was a relief. “Then why don't you and Micah decide the punishment together?” They were the most level-headed of this bunch, and it would help to set a precedent for inter-species cooperation.
They looked at each other. Micah frowned. “Providing he remembers that Josh and Andrew were crazed with grief, influenced by dark magick, and believed that your people were responsible for Veronica's death."
Alejandro inclined his head. “And providing you are able to keep the two under restraint until a decision is made."
Micah nodded decisively. “Val, if you would please put Andrew to sleep?"
I let Lola surge deeper into him. “Andrew, go to sleep."
He slumped down to the ground, passed out.
Micah nodded. “Good. Kyle, if you would keep him there until we are ready to deal with him?” To the others, he explained, “Kyle is a dream demon."
Wow. He was sharing secrets and everything. Progress.
Micah held out his hand to Alejandro. “I apologize for what my people did. I hope we can make up for it somehow."
Alejandro took his hand and smiled. “By agreeing to be by our side when we come out, perhaps?"
Micah winced. “I'll have to think about that. Shall we talk later, after everyone has had a chance to cool off?"
Alejandro nodded.
As Micah and Alejandro discussed the arrangements, and Ludwig and Kyle hauled Andrew off, the other vamps went back into the house. Shade came up behind me to sling an arm around my shoulders and murmur, “Great job."
AW, SHUCKS, Fang complained. WE DIDN'T EVEN GET TO KILL ANYTHING.
"That means she's getting better at controlling situations,” Shade told him with a grin.
I leaned into him, loving the feeling as his arms closed around me. “Thanks."
"Sorry I was more of a hindrance than a help."
I pulled away to look into his face. “No, you weren't."
"Yes, I was, and without you, San Antonio might be on fire or overrun with demons right now. Thank you for stopping me . . . without killing me."
"Hey, I couldn't kill you just when I'm getting to know you. And thank you for helping me with Lola. I have much more control now."
He grinned and kissed me on the nose. “So we're good for each other. You help me control my demon and I'll help you control yours. Like we're destined to be together or something."
Fang rolled his eyes. OH, GAG ME.
Shade laughed and lowered his voice. “Even without making love in the usual sense of the word."
I felt myself flush at the thought. That was a decision for another time. Too much had happened today to think about that. For now, I was happy to just be with my new boyfriend. I sighed in contentment. I'd learned where my strength came from, caught the thief, and, even though I hadn't retrieved the encyclopedia, at least no one else could find it, for now.
I was learning to get Lola under control, and had even improved my relationships with Dan and my family. Now that I could sit back and let Micah and Alejandro take all the responsibility, make all the decisions, and keep the hotheads under control, life was good. But not too boring, I hoped.
"Val,” Micah called. “Can you come here a moment?"
I reluctantly peeled myself away from Shade.
"Alejandro reminded me of your agreement to come work for him,” Micah said.
Uh-oh. I hoped he'd forgotten that. Shade rejoined me and hugged me hard with one arm. Though he didn't say anything, I knew he was urging me to get out of this any way I could. Luckily, it looked like Mood was keeping an eye on his temper still.
I smiled brightly, as if my cheeriness would hold back the darkness about to descend. “But no one else was hurt, so the agreement is null and void."
"Not exactly,” Alejandro drawled. “I believe you said if someone else tried to harm my people, you would come to work for me. Andrew did try."
"That wasn't my intention and you know it. Besides, we just helped you avert a grisly death by fire here. You owe us."
Alejandro regarded me thoughtfully. “Perhaps. Shall I suggest a compromise?"
"Like what?"
"You come along to all of the discussions our two groups have together. You seem to have a knack for helping people to see reason, and for ending conflicts as well as starting them."
Relieved, I said, “Okay, I can do that."
But Alejandro wasn't finished. “And you work for me for a short period of time."
"How short?” I asked apprehensively.
"Let's say . . . until the books are found and dealt with, and we have revealed ourselves to the world."
"Don't do it,” Shade whispered.
But I had no choice. I'd given my word. Besides, I had to find those books, no matter who I worked for.
"Can we put this in writing . . . in a contract?” This time I wanted it spelled out exactly how long I had to work for the creatures I was accustomed to slaying and exactly what I was to do.
He smiled. “Of course."
I didn't trust that smile, but I'd make sure I had a damned good lawyer to help me put that contract together before I signed away my life. “Okay, deal,” I said and shook his hand, wondering if I was making a mistake.
THE QUESTION ISN'T IF YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE, Fang informed me. THE QUESTION IS, HOW BIG IS THE MISTAKE GONNA BE . . . AND HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO HURT?
I glanced at him. You really think it'll be that bad?
He looked gloomy. UNFORTUNATELY, YEAH. BUT AT LEAST YOU'LL GET YOUR WISH.
What wish?
YOU WON'T BE BORED.
Dear Reader,
Thanks to all the fans of Bite Me who asked me for more adventures with Val, Fang, and the others. I have to say, I didn't expect Shade to be such a major character in the series. He showed up in Bite Me as a throw-away character, but he fascinated me so much I gave him a bigger role in that book than I had planned.
As you can tell, he fascinates Val, too, and will definitely be around for book three of the Demon Underground series. I continue to learn more about the characters as I write them, so I'm as eager to know what happens next as you are.
To learn more, please visit my website at parkerblue.net.
Parker Blue
Colorado Springs, CO
BITE ME, Book One,
The Demon Underground Series
The vampire jumped me again, but this time I was ready for him. We fought furiously, Jason determined to sink his teeth into my neck and rip my throat out, and me just as determined to stop him. Unfortunately, he liked close-in fighting, and I couldn't get enough space to reach the stake I had tucked into my back waistband.
I grabbed his throat and squeezed, but he wrapped me in a vise hold and wouldn't let go. He slammed me up against a brick wall, intent on crushing me. Trapped. Worse, the power I tried so hard to keep confined was able to reach him through my energy field in these close quarters and I could feel the lust rise within him as he ground his hips against mine. Pervert.
Though I was able to hold off his slavering overbite and incredibly bad breath with one hand, my other hand was caught between our bodies. He couldn't get to my neck, but I couldn't get to my stake either.
Stalemate.
Time to play dirty. Remembering even vampires had a sensitive side, I kneed him in the crotch.
He screeched and let go of me to bend over and clutch the offended part of his anatomy. That took care of the lust. I hit him with an uppercut so hard that he flew backward, landing flat on his back on the sidewalk. Whipping the stake from its hiding place, I dropped down beside him and stabbed him through the heart in one well-practiced motion.
His body arched for a moment, then he sagged and lay motionless—really and truly dead.
Now that my prey had been vanquished and the demon lust sated, the fizzing in my blood slowed and stopped, leaving me feeling some of the aches and pains I'd inflicted on my body. It was worth it, though.
But adrenaline pumped once more when I heard a car door open down the street. The light was dimmer here between streetlights, but I was still visible—and so was the body I crouched over. “Who's there?” I demanded.
"It...it's me."
Damn it, I recognized that voice. Annoyed, I rose to glare at my younger half sister. “Jennifer, what the hell are you doing here?"
She got out of the back seat of the beat-up Camry, white-faced. “I told you I wanted to come along."
"And I told you not to."
She shrugged, displaying defiance and indifference as only a sixteen-year-old could. “That's why I hid in the back of the car."
Stupid. I should have checked. I usually drove my motorcycle—a totally sweet Honda Valkyrie—but on nights when I went hunting, my stepfather let me borrow the old beat-up car since it had a convenient trunk. Unfortunately, it was too easy for my little sister to creep into the back seat and stow away there. Obviously.
And I should have known Jen would try something like this. I'd made the mistake of telling her about my little excursions, even giving her some training on how to defend herself in case she ever encountered one of the undead. She'd been eager to learn everything she could, but Mom had gone off the deep end when she found out, especially when Jen had come home sporting a few bruises.
Mom had forbidden Jen to talk about it again and had threatened me with bodily harm if I even mentioned vampires around my little sis. Lord knew what Mom would do if she found out about this.
Jen stared down at the dead vamp and grimaced. “I've just never actually seen one of them before."
"A dead vampire?"
"Any kind of vampire."
Was that censure in her voice? “That's what he was,” I said defensively. Mom was right—Jen was far too young and innocent for my world. I had to find a way to keep her away from all this. “I don't stake innocents."