Stealing Time (7 page)

Part of me was repulsed, but it was fast losing ground to the hunger. A large space separated us from the humans and there were enough vampires around me so that the scent of prey was minimized, but it still called to me. The loud, thumping music helped mask their heartbeats, but just as I could easily hear their words, I could also hear the mouth-watering rush of blood in their veins.

And there was the boy, limp in the female’s arms, fading fast…the scent of his blood, fresh, almost gone, the taste of his fear, the stuttering sound of his struggling heart, the rattle of breath in his lungs—all of it—sang to my senses, made my pulse pound, set my throat ablaze with longing. My lip curled back from fully extended fangs and my muscles bunched to rise.

No! I am me, Evie! I will be what I choose, live how I wish.

Trying to focus on something, anything else, I forced my mind to consider how the vampires decided who would approach the prey…the humans…the boys.

After a moment, the red haze over my vision cleared and I figured it out, how the selection process worked—and why the hungry vampires did not just attack en masse—when Kore lifted a finger and pointed to four vampires. She was giving favors. The honored females approached with open arms and cold beer, moving seductively to the pounding music, and the boys elbowed each other in anticipation.

“Evie, we must leave now,” James said. It seemed he had been speaking to me for a while.

I struggled to clear my mind and had difficulty standing. He wrapped his arms around my waist to steady me.

“Let’s go. Quickly,” he said. “It’s about to get very bad.”

Without acknowledging Kore, we headed for the door.

“What will happen to them?” I asked in a daze.

His jaw tightened and he pulled me along faster. That’s when I heard the first scream.

The humans’ scent was thick on the air, concentrated as it was by the stillness, the closed building. Uncoordinated not by the bloodlust but by my efforts to resist it, I stumbled through the darkened warehouse, leaning on James. We burst through the outer door and onto the sidewalk, running another block before he slowed our pace.

“That was awful,” I said, gulping air.

His mouth was set in a grim line. “I am sorry, Evie, I should have refused Isidro’s invitation. I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

“Vampire etiquette will take some getting used to.” My mind was on a loop, replaying the sounds that carried to us as we ran. “We should have done something to help those guys.”

He sighed. “There was nothing to be done, from the moment they decided they were bored and went looking for adventure.”

“What do you mean?”

“Vampires who hunt humans don’t have to work very hard because humans mistakenly think they are at the top of the food chain. This makes them complacent. Careless. It’s not something we publicize, for obvious reasons.” He put his arm around my shoulders, a soothing gesture, and we started walking. “The typical pattern is that a beautiful female is selected to collect prey—college boys are an easy target. Of course, they feel safer in a group of friends. But when the hunters are vampires, their numbers are irrelevant.”

“Couldn’t we have, I don’t know, stood up for them?”

“There were more than thirty vampires there, not including us. I am a skilled fighter, but would find that number unmanageable.”

I mused out loud, “Fifteen each? I’ve never taken on more than nine at a time.”

He shot me a look, unsure. “Are you teasing?”

“No, I’m serious. Before I got sick, I studied
Krav Maga
, a form of martial arts used by the
Mossad.
One of the higher-level training methods is to replicate street fights with multiple opponents. The instructor keeps adding opponents to those already attacking you until somebody lands what would’ve been a debilitating or killing blow.”

After a moment, he said, “I find I’m not quite sure how to respond.”

“You’re not the first guy to tell me that. The first
Victorian,
but not the first guy.” I laughed.

“Regarding tonight,” he seemed to choose his words with care, “even immortals must pick their battles and I would not willingly risk you.”

I huffed. “Please. Tell me you’re not a sexist.”

His body shook and it took me a second to realize he was laughing silently.

In a dry tone, he said, “I have had more than sufficient time and experience to get past any lingering preconceptions of the so-called ‘gentler sex.’” His expression grew serious. “I was thinking of the laws within which we must live.”

Uneasy, I asked, “For example?”

“For example, male and female vampires have equal standing before our Elders who, like magistrates, interpret the law and mete out punishment. Improving one’s standing among our kind almost always involves combat, regardless of gender.”

“I’m sensing there’s a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”

“But…age determines everything among our kind. Among mortals, you were formidable—successful, intelligent, strong and independent. While you remain all those things, your status has changed utterly. As a changeling, even speaking out against Kore’s plans for the humans tonight would have been severely punished. Fighting to protect them…” He left the rest unspoken.

I exhaled forcefully. “This is going to take some getting used to.”

“It is my responsibility and honor to teach you.” James said it like a solemn vow.

We walked a few blocks in companionable silence as the college boys’ faces and, God help me, their alluring scents strobed through my mind. “There’s something that’s bothering me.”

In my periphery, I saw his face turn toward me. “What is it?”

“Those guys, they’re so young, and to die like that…” I hesitated, ashamed. “The thing is, there’s a part of me that wants to go back and join the others. A large, very determined part.”

He bent and kissed my hair, and my breath caught at this unexpected gesture. A fleeting smile crossed his face.

“Your response to the humans is normal, Evie. And retaining your humanity and compassion is very difficult. It’s an ongoing effort and it never gets easier.”

“Never?” I made a rude noise.

He chuckled. “It can become habit, which simplifies the effort somewhat. But the predatory desires are always there.”

I eyed him. “You wanted them too?”

“Yes.”

“Badly?” I pressed.

“Yes.” He spoke the word as if it was painful to admit.

I considered this as we walked. “When you pulled me from the car wreck, I was bleeding.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“It didn’t bother you?”

“I tried not to think about it.”

I processed that for a minute. “I can’t imagine your willpower.”

He laughed. “It helped that I was focused on something more long-term than a snack.”

“Ha ha,” I said in a bored tone.

“Funny indeed.” James embraced me and buried his face in my hair. I was surprised—and pleased—by his increasing affection. Between our conversation and that astonishing first dance, our relationship had evolved tonight.

He drew back. “I am sure your blood would have been very sweet.”

“That’s a compliment, right?”

“Yes.” He grinned.

“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but…would it taste the same now?”

“Well no, you’re a vampire now,” he said reasonably. “It wouldn’t taste bad. Just…different.”

He laughed at the face I made.

Movement caught my attention—about six blocks down from us, two human males crossed the street as a car cruised by them. Even from this distance, I could easily read the license tag on the back bumper, and hear every word the driver and the two males said to each other. Then the car accelerated and turned a corner. The humans got into a van and drove off in the same direction a few seconds later and we were, once again, alone.

Only after we’d walked several blocks did my throat stop burning. A few more blocks and the knot in my stomach eased. But I wasn’t sure I’d ever forget the effortless—and automatic—calculations of optimum attack angles, velocity and victim selection.

“Can I ask you something?” I looked sideways at James.

“You may ask me anything you like.”

“It’s just…I’m not sure of the etiquette.”

He grimaced. “I think we’ve had enough concerns about etiquette tonight. What would you like to know?”

“Have you ever hunted humans?”

James stiffened.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer,” I said quickly.

“It is only that I am displeased with the manner in which I comported myself. Your question was not inappropriate.” It seemed that his speech patterns reverted to Victorian formality when he was upset. I wished I hadn’t asked the question.

We walked a little way in silence. Keeping his gaze on me, his expression somber, he said, “Yes, Evie, at two times in my life, I hunted humans. I took only criminals, the more despicable the better. But it was still murder.”

I wondered aloud, “Was it incredible?”

His face tightened. “Yes. Words cannot describe it adequately.”

Nodding, I glanced up at him. “You’ve had to make difficult choices.”

Incredulous, he said, “You are not disgusted?”

“How could I be? I’ve experienced what it’s like to be around humans. So how could I judge you for the same feelings? Plus, you had to survive.” A wicked thought occurred, and I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Is it possible that Kore isn’t as old as you think? Maybe she was one of your criminal victims and you didn’t kill her. She’s certainly despicable enough!”

James was appalled. “Evie, I have changed only you…” His eyes narrowed. “Oh, you’re being
funny.
”

I hooted. “You should see your face!”

He looked down the street, his jaw muscles working. Trying to stifle a giggle, I bumped his shoulder with mine. He glanced at me and his expression softened.

“So what was the other occasion?” I asked.

He looked quizzical.

“When you hunted humans.”

“Ah. Yes.” He sighed. “I lived out west in the late 1800s and did what I could for the Sioux and Cheyenne people.”

“The Indian Wars,” I echoed, trying to absorb the passage of time.

“Yes. They valued a strong fighter, but I made them nervous and for good reason.”

“Is your time with the tribes why the other vampires bowed to you?”

“No. It’s because I survived the tribunal afterward. I’m the only one who has.” At my perplexed expression, he said, “We are forbidden by treaty with the Church to influence the course of humans’ political affairs. I did exactly that by fighting in the Indian Wars. So a tribunal was called and I was eventually pardoned.”

“Don’t misunderstand, I’m glad you were. But how? You broke the treaty.”

He laughed without humor. “Yes, I did. The Ancients gave me the option to fight the vampire of their choosing or die. Clearly, it wasn’t much of an option.”

“So you fought another vampire?”

“Yes.”

“I’m guessing it wasn’t a friendly match, where the loser just gets up and walks away.”

“No.” His voice was curt.

I moved on. “How long did you stay out west?”

“The longest twelve years of my existence. I might have hung on longer, but Leo hunted me down and convinced me that the effort was futile. I finally realized he was right, that any native victories resulted in even worse atrocities against them.” He took a deep breath. “Vampires have perfect recall, which is often a blessing. But there are many images I would do much to forget.”

“You’ve seen so much pain,” I whispered.

“There has been a lot that was good too. You just have to decide which to focus on.” He smiled and pulled me close. “Let’s go home, shall we?”

Several days passed without my really noticing, something James said I’d have to focus on, since perception of time is different for vampires. We were back in the kitchen and I was trying to pretend the red film in my empty glass was just tomato juice—never a favorite, but definitely preferable to the truth.

“Would you like to get back outside? Before we ran into Isidro the other night, we had an enjoyable time exploring the city.” James carried my glass to the sink, glancing at me over his shoulder.

I went to him, took the glass and washed it myself. He grinned and leaned against the counter, watching me.

“Not another rave,” I said, making a face.

He chuckled. “No.”

I put the clean glass on the counter to dry. Tracing a water drop along the cool granite top and making circles with my fingertip, I avoided meeting James’s eyes. “Look, about that night…” I hadn’t had the nerve to bring it up yet and doing so now was excruciating.

He handed me a towel to dry my hands. “Yes?”

“When we danced. That wasn’t like me.” I dared a quick look up and was relieved by his gentle expression.

“It was not like me either. But it was delightful.”

My pulse quickened at the memory and I had to focus to continue. “Yes…I just didn’t want you to think I normally dance like that.”

“I do not think it.”

I tossed the towel into the sink and took his extended hand, keeping pace as he led the way through the apartment and out the front door. At James’s gesture, I preceded him into the open elevator, admiring its gleaming brass rails and rich mahogany paneling as the doors slid shut. Vague memories had me look up at the crystal light fixture overhead, its understated elegance corresponding with a blurred image of the world from James’s arms.

Seeing where I was looking, he lifted a brow in inquiry.

“Just thinking about the first time I saw it. My life is very different from when you pulled me out of that taxi.”

Understanding filled his eyes as he pressed the lowest button on the elevator’s brass panel.

As the car descended, I murmured, “Thank you, James. Thank you for saving my life.”

In a soft voice, he said, “You’re most welcome.” Turning to me, he brushed a loose strand of hair back from my face. “About our dancing together. It was a very special part of the evening, Evie. I would not have you regret any of it.”

My breath caught and a million comments zoomed through my head, most inappropriate and out of character. Wisely, I opted for silence and a small smile.

The elevator doors opened onto the empty lobby and my feet hesitated as I took in the exquisite décor. We’d come through here the night of the rave, of course, but everything had seemed so new and overwhelming. Now, I felt more at home in my own skin and noticed details I’d missed before.

“What is it?” James asked, noting my hesitation.

“Still thinking about that first day, I guess. It’s a good thing I was so out of it when you brought me through here.”

He made a noise in his throat. “It’s good to know the decorator followed my instructions.” Seeing my confusion, James grinned. “I told him that I wanted a lobby that would intimidate callers so Tom would have an easier time turning people away.”

“Ah. A bit of psychological warfare.”

“Decorator warfare, maybe,” he allowed with a smile.

Suppressing the urge to sidestep the gorgeous Oriental carpet in the lobby’s center, I asked, “How did you get me through here without Tom seeing?”

“I called him from my cell as I ran and sent him on an errand. We can move faster than human eyes can follow, so none saw me reach the taxi or carry you away. Once here, it took but a moment to unlock the door and get upstairs. Tom was absent and never knew we’d come through.”

Tom.
I had a moment’s pang thinking about how I’d tried to kill him. Happily, it was near midnight now and well past normal work hours, so he’d gone home long ago. Even though Tom wouldn’t remember the appalling episode, my own memory worked just fine.

James let us out onto the sidewalk, locking the heavy arched door behind us. He owned the building and was its sole occupant, so it was not like anyone else would need access.

As we strolled through the empty night, I admired the stately charm of James’s neighborhood. The mature trees whose roots lifted the concrete sidewalk in places, requiring pedestrians to mind their step. The intricate wrought-iron decorations framing broad, double-doored entryways. The brick and brownstone row houses lining the street, their refined architecture reflecting the character of a long-gone era.

Seeing me eyeing a winged stone gargoyle affixed to a building’s roofline high overhead, James smiled. “Gramercy Park was once New York’s most prestigious district in which to live. I rather like it better now, as a green oasis. But don’t tell Tom I said so. He takes his role far too seriously to acknowledge any diminishing of the neighborhood’s status.”

Solemnly, I sketched a cross over my chest. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

James smiled, letting his gaze travel across the darkened buildings around us. He seemed content to walk along quietly and we went a few blocks before he asked, “Any place in particular you’d like to go?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know the city at all. What do you recommend?”

“Central Park is lovely at night.”

I grinned. “Guess we don’t have to worry about muggers, huh?”

He cracked up and shook his head.

Okay, so when I’d imagined muggers, I wasn’t thinking of the preternatural kind. But when we’d gone some distance into the park, James went rigid.

“We are not alone,” he said in an undertone and extended his fangs.

“Peace and well met,” a mocking voice called from the darkness and I spun in that direction.

“Well met and peace,” James replied stiffly.

A tall blond male stepped into the light cast by a lamppost. I knew somehow that he was not alone—like flexing a new muscle, I extended my senses and felt movement, my instincts warning of circling vampires. When I concentrated, I was surprised to be able to pinpoint their locations—one on either side of the strange male, two more moving in behind us.

“Kore wishes the pleasure of your company, James. You and your delightful companion,” the male said, closing the distance between us. He stopped in front of me, his gaze never having left my face. He said something in French, inhaling in an exaggerated fashion and raising his eyebrows.

James growled and answered in kind, his voice rough and angry.

The stranger laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “We shall see,” he responded to whatever James had said and turned away. A hard hand grabbed my upper arm and I spun reflexively, snarling, fangs shooting out as I sprang free.

James moved in close, backing off the dark vampire who’d had hold of me. “You will not touch her,” he commanded and the guy nodded, bowing his acquiescence to James, but eyeing me with resentment. The male gestured in the direction the blond had gone and James put his arm around my waist, holding me close as we turned to follow.

“Where are we going?” I whispered to him, alarmed. Nothing about this felt like an invitation—more like a command appearance that carried an “or else” component. Especially with our four-vampire escort bringing up the rear. I could feel their eyes on my back and it was taking considerable effort not to turn on them.

“We have been summoned by an Ancient and must respond,” James said in a low voice. “Stay close by my side and do not speak.”

Some time later, we stood in front of yet another abandoned warehouse. I wrinkled my nose at the stench of sewage and diesel oil overlaying the scent of scummy water. Remembering a tourist map I’d studied upon first arriving in New York, I guessed we were close to the East River. But, for all I knew of the city, we could just as easily be close to the Hudson—map-reading and directions were not talents I possessed.

The stranger led the way through the building and down a long, echoing flight of stairs. It was dark, but I had no difficulty seeing and realized this must be another advantage to my new existence.

We crossed an open space under the gaze of eight vampires seated on large leather chairs that reminded me absurdly of the décor at Starbucks. Kore and her retinue lounged idly, watching us approach, and their expressions were a disturbing blend of cruel amusement and anticipation.

The Masai warrior, Duni, stood at Kore’s side and her lip curled over her fangs as we stopped in front of the Ancient. The blond male went to sit on the arm of her chair, his cold, almost colorless gaze fixed on me.

James dipped his head to Kore and I followed suit, warily eyeing the Greek female and wondering why she’d had us brought here.

“Peace and well met,” James said and Kore answered the ritual greeting.

The Ancient cocked her head to the side, studying me before looking up at the blond. “Is she not lovely, Liam?”

“Just as you said.” There was an undercurrent to his voice that set my teeth on edge.

“Was there something you wanted, Kore?” James asked, his tone hard as he observed the male’s focused attention.

“Me?” Kore asked, her tone mocking. “I want nothing from you. Liam, however, fancies your changeling. I told him all about her just this morning. Having seen the female for himself, he wishes to claim her. Don’t you,
katikidio?
”

“Indeed,” the blond snake agreed, his gaze traveling up and down my body. Turning and bowing to the Ancient, a mocking smile twisted his lips. “So kind of you to bring her to my attention, Kore.”

James’s voice was little more than a growl. “Evelyn is mine and I do not relinquish my right to her.” I stiffened at the proprietary nature of his words, but now didn’t seem the time to raise the issue of women’s lib. “You summoned us here under false pretenses, Kore. If telling us about your pet’s…
interest
was that reason, we will take our leave now.” His arm was firm around my waist as he turned to go.

“No,” her voice rang out and he froze. When we faced her again, Kore’s strange, pupil-less black eyes gleamed with malice. “I wanted to know if you have heard from Leopold.”

James inhaled sharply. “I already told you that I would pass your greeting along the next time I saw him. That he has not presented himself to you means he is not yet back in New York…”

She interrupted him dismissively. “Ah, well. I wished to be sure.”

He studied her for a moment and his growing uneasiness translated itself to me. Dipping his head, James again turned to leave and, again, we were stopped—this time by the blond.

“The female remains with us,” he said, his voice honeyed and smooth.

My fangs shot out and I tried to spin, but James’s arm held me pinned against his side. I looked up at him and he shook his head. Facing the seated vampires, he said in a soft, dangerous voice, “She is mine.”

Kore’s laugh rang out. “You are Liam’s junior. He has at least three hundred years on you. And as Elder Law states, he who is senior in age has the right to take whatever he wishes from his lessers. Including your changeling.”

“No.” James’s tone could etch glass. “As her maker, I refuse to relinquish her. That supersedes age rights and you know it.”

Liam stood and stretched lazily, like a cat. “Not precisely. All it means is that, as her maker, you have the right to fight me. And our law states that you cannot hold what you cannot keep.”

I’d had about all I could stand of this crap. The Texas drawl was in full evidence as I cut loose, “You arrogant little sonuva…”

“Silence!” Duni bellowed as James clamped his hand on my arm.

I faced the livid Masai as she strode forward, her glittering eyes hard on me. Baring my fangs at her, I crouched, instincts fully aroused.

“Stand down, Evie,” James muttered.

“I am not property to be taken at will by some jackass who…”

“You do not know what is at stake here. Now
stand down.
”

Glaring up at him, I breathed in and out a few times. The Masai stood a few feet away and my senses vibrated under her hostile glare. I lifted my chin to meet her hard gaze. Flashing her a fang-filled smile, I forced myself straight, holding my hands by my sides non-aggressively. Her lip curled in response as she allowed her fangs to show and she made a little come-hither gesture, taunting me. I felt my eyes flash with barely restrained fury, but held my position and, after a moment, she returned to Kore’s side. The urge to wipe that smirk off her face had me trembling.

“Impressive.” The Ancient laughed. “Your little kitten has claws.”

I went rigid and took a breath to tell the bitch off, but James’s grip on my arm tightened painfully. I ground my teeth as he shook his head, his expression hard. “Whatever,” I snapped, furious but apparently unable to do anything about it.

Liam laughed. “I’m going to enjoy teaching you your place, female.”

I drew breath to respond, but James bent his head to me and whispered, “Silence.” His power filled my awareness and I suddenly found it impossible to make a sound. Alarmed, I met his gaze and was horrified by the sadness I saw there. “I am sorry, Evie.”

I’d had no idea he could do this and fought the binding with everything in me. But no matter how I battered at it or screamed in my head, not a sound escaped my lips. Feeling betrayed, I tore my hand from James’s grip and glared at him.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then turned to face Liam. “Shall we get this farce over with?”

“Farce?” Kore repeated, incredulous. “You have always thought yourself outside our laws. You avoid your own kind, refuse to take our natural human prey, and maintain a pathetic semblance of the mortal life you left behind.” Something dark and ugly layered her words, making this far more than an Ancient chastising a younger vampire. “Even with this female, James. Rather than claim this changeling as is our custom and within our laws, what do you do? You court her. You woo her. How very
noble
of you.”

“How I comport myself is none of your…” he snarled, but the Ancient’s peals of laughter cut him off.

“And by leaving her unclaimed, you condemn your changeling to be taken by anyone strong enough to do so.” Kore shook her head mockingly. “Have you told her, James? Does she know how very vulnerable she is to anyone stronger? Which, because she’s a changeling, means our entire species? Does she know that, through your own form of gentlemanly honor, you have condemned her to the whims of any whose paths cross hers?”