Blood Curse (9 page)

"When vampires sleep, we reach a deep state where we are still conscious of what happens around us, but we are unable to move,” Rialto answered, surprising himself by giving away one of a vampire's biggest secrets. Maybe the woman had a little witch blood in her after all. She certainly seemed able to get past his barriers and obtain information he normally wouldn't dare give a mortal. “It only lasts a short while, twenty minutes to a few hours, depending on our physical state. Our heartbeat and speed all decrease as our energy replenishes, but our ability to heal goes into overdrive. This is how we go on living for centuries. This not only replenishes the energy we use every night, but if we've been injured our wounds will be healed once we complete this stage of sleep. I was going through that stage when you entered the room."

Aria was silent, her expression saying she was mulling over this new information, and Rialto took the opportunity to think about a plan of action. “We need to find this killer, Aria. I don't know why, but it feels personal. I don't think this is just some deranged vampire wannabe. I think this is some type of revenge."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know. Gut feeling, I suppose. If I could see one of the bodies, maybe I could pick up something."

"Like a psychic?"

"Something like that. Actually, I was thinking I'd get some assistance."

"Assistance? More vampires?"

"A vampire-witch, actually.” Rialto angled his head to the side and took in the confusion he saw in her eyes. “What is it?"

She shook her head slowly, as if the motion took all her strength. “I don't think I'm ever going to be surprised again. Vampires, witches, a combination of both . . . What other beings are out there that I don't know about?"

Rialto thought about it, wondering how much information he should give her. “Shapeshifters are the most common after vampires."

Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened before she lowered her head into her hands and shook it. Rialto could tell this was all too much for her and felt himself wanting to smooth away the frown lines on her forehead. The intimate thought caused his heart to slam in his chest. What was wrong with him? He didn't belong in her world. As much as the thought angered him, she belonged with someone like the detective, a normal human, someone who wouldn't accidentally kill her.

"I must rest,” he said, needing to get away from her so he could think clearly. “I just came out here because I felt your distress, but if you're all right now . . ."

"I'm fine. I guess vampires do tend to sleep all day long, huh?"

"We are creatures of the night,” he responded, “and if I'm going to stake out the parks tonight I need to be well-rested."

She frowned at him. “Stake out the parks?"

"The killer is dumping bodies in Baltimore's parks. I have a better sense of smell and far better night vision than the police. The best way to catch the killer is while he's dumping the body of a victim,” he explained, instantly regretting his choice of words as a shadow fell across her eyes.

"He dumped my mother like a pile of trash."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"When you catch him, destroy him. Promise me that."

He looked into her eyes and was stunned by the hunger for spilled blood he saw there. He'd felt such a need for vengeance more than a century ago, and he was sure he'd had the same look of rage in his eyes as he'd stared down at his father's battered body moments before killing him. Yes, he knew all too well how Aria felt.

"I promise you,” he vowed, “your mother will have not died in vain. I will destroy her killer.”
And I'll do whatever else is necessary to take that look out of your eyes,
he added silently.

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The sun was still out, but Aria could feel the approach of night in the cool wind as she walked down West Baltimore Street, and she zipped the fleece jacket she'd donned before leaving her apartment. She had no real destination in mind, just a need to get out of the apartment, away from the vampire haunting her mind.

After Rialto had gone back to sleep, she'd received an onslaught of vivid flashbacks, scenes from dreams she'd apparently been having for a while but for some reason had suppressed. All featuring Rialto . . . and her. But they weren't all sex dreams which was what had really disturbed her.

Though most of the dreams were of them intimately entwined, there were a few that had really set her heart to racing. Images of them together, walking hand in hand through the snow, laughing and genuinely enjoying each other's company; the two of them sitting by a fire, Rialto brushing her hair as she read to him from a book; both of them prowling darkened alleys . . . hunting for blood.

Sex dreams she could understand. Vampire or not, the man was sexy as hell and what normal woman wouldn't fantasize about him to some extent? But the other ones made no sense. Was her subconscious trying to tell her something? That he was The One?

She laughed out loud. No way. The man was a killer, not that his particular skills didn't come in handy when saving her life and for meting out justice when her mother's killer was found. But she knew better than to entertain thoughts of anything more. He was one of the undead, for crying out loud.

No, her subconscious was just telling her it was time to get over old betrayals and brave a new relationship like her mother had been telling her for years. But where could she find a guy? Even before her mother's death she'd been a recluse, never leaving the apartment unless it was to take her finished pieces down to the little shop that sold her work. She thought of the detective, Jonah Porter. He'd seemed interested and was a good-looking man with a nice personality. Yet, she doubted he'd fill her with the heat Rialto sparked in her in all those dreams . . . and when he looked at her with those dark, stormy eyes.

It was a damn shame the man wasn't even human.

"Aria!"

Aria looked toward the direction from which her name had come and saw a tall, thin redheaded man waving from outside one of the buildings belonging to the University Of Maryland School of Medicine. As he jogged closer to her, she made out his face.

"Curtis? You're a medical student?"

"Yeah,” he answered as he repositioned his backpack over his shoulder and caught his breath. “Feels like I've sold my soul to science sometimes, but it'll pay off one day. What are you doing in this area? Live around here?"

"Yeah, downtown close to Inner Harbor,” Aria answered vaguely. One of the things her mother had always drilled into her head was that you didn't let anybody know where you lived unless you knew them well, which made it all the more surprising she'd so easily led Rialto to her apartment. “I was just out for a walk."

"You look like you have something on your mind."

Just the fact that I'm fantasizing about a blood-drinking killing machine. Oh, and the serial killer that murdered my mother is still on the loose which I find just a bit upsetting.

"I'm fine, just out walking. Helps me to get ideas for my writing, you know."

"How is that going?"

Aria started to answer, then gazed back at the building Curtis had just exited, an idea hitting her. “Actually, I'm stuck on something. Tell me, medical student, do you know much about hermatology?"

"You mean hematology?” Curtis grinned at her.

"Yeah, that's it, I think. The study of blood, right?"

"Yeah, and I know a bit about it, I guess. Why?"

Aria smiled. “I'm writing about vampires, remember? I need to know something about blood, don't I?"

"I suppose,” Curtis answered as he shifted his backpack which appeared to be overstuffed with books. “Tell you what, I'm done with classes for the day, so let's discuss it over dinner, my treat."

Aria looked into his hopeful face, sensing his invitation was more than just a friendly one, and tried to figure out the nicest way to turn him down without hurting his feelings. Although her subconscious was insisting she could use a little romance in her life, there was just something about Curtis that seemed all wrong for the part. But she needed as much information as she could get from him, and she didn't know anyone else who might have studied hematology.

"Come on, Aria. It's not a date, just two buddies hanging out, discussing the gross subject of blood over dinner.” He bobbed his eyebrows up and down in such a pathetic attempt at humor that Aria felt inclined to say yes out of sheer pity.

"Okay, but let's make it quick. I should get home before dark"

An hour and a half later, Aria was more confused than ever. If a body couldn't possibly be completely drained of blood, then why were the victims being left without a drop? Of course, Curtis was only a medical student. Someone who'd studied hematology exclusively for several years could possibly figure out a way. In fact, someone obviously had.

"I insist on seeing you home,” Curtis stated firmly as Aria turned to tell him goodbye.

"I've been walking these streets for years, Curtis, and you've already paid for my dinner, which was more than kind of you."

"Aria—"

"Hush, now. You go on home and study or whatever it is you need to do. I'll be fine, I promise."

He cocked his head to the side, a strange look passing through his eyes as his body tensed, and Aria wondered if she'd somehow offended him.

"All right,” he finally said, then added with a smile, “but the next time I see you, you'd better be safe and all in one piece."

"I will be."

"Be careful,” he added, his expression serious. “Be aware of your surroundings. You don't know what all walks these streets at night."

Oh, I have an idea,
she thought, wondering if Rialto was out prowling yet. “I'll be careful,” she promised and shooed him away before turning to walk home.

The sun had set, and now the streets were illuminated by the glow of lamps and the pale blue moon. Looking up at the sky, Aria gazed past the eerily tinted moon and wondered if her mother was up there gazing down at her.

Suddenly, a tremor of fear snaked its way down her spine, distracting her from her thoughts. Someone was watching her. The feeling was similar to the one she'd had the night before when Rialto had followed her, but this time there was something different. Whoever was watching her now was furious, mad enough to kill.

Aria started to run down the sidewalk, but the angry presence didn't leave her. After a couple of blocks, she felt the emotion engulf her and knew that whoever was radiating this fury was dangerously close. She panicked, running into the street, not realizing her mistake until she heard the screech of tires and was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car. She started to scream, but was silenced as she felt her body being propelled backward.

She landed on the concrete with a thud, but luckily something broke her fall. Or some
one,
she realized, as she turned her head to find that she was sprawled atop Rialto's body. The barely contained anger burning deep in his eyes stunned her, rendering her oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't notice the crowd forming around them or the barrage of questions being tossed at them. She remained speechless as Rialto ran his hands down her arms and legs, as if checking for fractures. Apparently satisfied that she was okay, he maneuvered out from under her and stood to grab her hands, slowly pulling her up from the sidewalk.

"She's fine,” he announced to the crowd as he gripped her arm and led her down the street, forcing her to nearly sprint in order to keep up with his long strides. It was then that Aria realized the angry presence she'd felt had been him after all.

"What the hell were you doing?” He nearly spat the words at her once they were out of the crowd's eyesight. “Who were you with? Why the hell did you run out into the street like that?"

"I was running from you,” Aria snapped. “I felt someone watching me, someone mad enough to kill me. What in the world is wrong with you?"

"My fury wasn't aimed at you. I felt that you were in danger and came looking for you, ready to kill anyone who might've hurt you. Now, I'll ask you again. What were you doing, and who were you with?"

Aria looked at Rialto in disbelief as she struggled to keep up with him. “I was having dinner with a friend. I wasn't in any danger until you scared the bejesus out of me."

"Who's this friend?"

She started to tell him none of his business, but then she thought better of it. He obviously wasn't in a mood to be put in his place. “The librarian aide from Enoch-Pratt. He's a medical student, and he told me that a body can't be completely drained of blood. How do you suppose my mother's body was drained?"

"Somebody obviously figured out a way to do it. Was the librarian aide the only person close to you tonight?"

"As far as I know.” Aria shrugged in aggravation. “He's harmless. I wasn't in any danger."

"Yeah, well, you're not going out by yourself at night anymore. Baltimore is a dangerous city."

"And just what am I supposed to do? Stay locked in my apartment every night?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me,” Rialto responded with a narrow-eyed glare as he led her through the main doors of a hotel. “We're stopping by my room so I can shower and change clothes."

Aria was ushered into his room without further comment. He locked the hotel room door behind them before going into the bathroom to shower. Aria looked about the room, but she didn't find any personal items that might give her some insight into Rialto's life. The curtains were drawn, so instead of looking out the window, she passed the time by pacing, trying not to imagine the water from the showerhead sluicing down the contours of Rialto's naked body.

Her attempts were futile as the sound of the running water reminded her of another dream. In this particular dream, she and Rialto were in the shower. Her back was pressed against the tiled wall as he held her by her waist and glided her onto his shaft as the water rained down over them. They moved together for what seemed an eternity until she felt him nip at her neck and . . .

The image shattered as she heard Rialto turn off the water and push aside the shower curtain. With the dream purged from her mind, she clearly recalled the way he'd so rudely dragged her down the street, as if she were a petulant child. Who did he think he was anyway? She turned to ask him just that as she heard the bathroom door open, but went mute at the sight of him.