Blood and Guitars Read online

  “What do you think about these abandoned fledglings?” Mark asked. It was obvious that Antonio’s announcement that two more had been found was bothering Mark.

  “I don’t know,” I said truthfully.

  “I can’t imagine the motivation,” Mark stated. “What could a vampire possibly get from creating others and just turning them loose?”

  I wished I had an answer for him, but my analytical mind couldn’t produce a single good reason for what was happening. Mark helped me carry the three that were ready downstairs again and I placed one in the empty spot. The other two weren’t as easy to place and Mark and I spent several minutes rearranging things until everything fit just right without seeming too cluttered. Of course, I could have let Kacie do this when she arrived in the morning. In the beginning she’d offered to take care of it several times, but it didn’t take long for her to realize that the perfectionist in me wouldn’t allow for anyone else to decide the way my paintings were displayed. We had an arrangement now that worked well for both of us. I supplied the art and had complete control over its placement in the showroom, and she handled pretty much everything else. I paid her extremely well, mostly because she didn’t mind abiding by our unspoken rules, one of which was not to ask too many questions.

  “So, what’s the plan now?” Mark asked as I finished placing a price on the last of the new paintings.

  To answer his question, I planted an image of a tall wine glass in his mind. Mark had worked the night shift at the hospital almost all week, including tonight, and I sensed he needed a chance to unwind. He perked up instantly at my suggestion.

  “You don’t have to read my mind to know I like that idea.”

  “Good.” I picked up my purse. “You’re buying.”

  “Okay,” he said as we walked out back. “But at least let me drive.”

  “After what happened last time?” I asked. “I promised all of the telephone poles in Clearwater that I would never trust you with the keys again.” He rolled his eyes in response, but walked to the passenger side of my car without another word.

  I started the engine and pulled out onto the road again. With the top down I reveled in the feel of the warm Florida night air in my hair as we made our way to Club Sanguin. It was the only club in the Tampa Bay area serving drinks that could quench our particular thirst.

  Chapter 2

  As usual, Club Sanguin was swarming with energetic vamps looking to blow off some steam and quench their thirst. Antonio actually owned the club, but Malena ran the place for him. I led the way to the front of the line and winked at Daryl, a bouncer I’d come to know, and he let me pass without hesitation. He let Mark in as well, but only after Mark had handed over the ten dollar cover charge. I heard some random complaints from vamps in line as we walked inside but one look from Daryl and the protests died off. I could feel the bass thumping in my chest before the flood of overhead lights bathed me in their red glow. I paused briefly to scan the vamps closest to us on the dance floor. I recognized more than a handful of them.

  Mark cleared his throat next to me and I heard the sound even above the music. He nodded toward the upper balcony level and said, “I’ll get drinks and meet you up there.” I smiled and turned to my left, walking up a flight of solid mahogany stairs to the balcony loft that surrounded the dance floor. I found a seat at a small table next to the rail so I had a clear view of the entire club below. I didn’t recognize the DJ, which meant that he must have been new. I didn’t recognize the song he was playing either, but it seemed that everyone was enjoying it as the dance floor was packed with vamps. I glanced at the bar, hoping to see Mark on his way back with our drinks when I smelled someone approaching me from behind. I rolled my eyes, wishing I’d taken the time to reach out with my mind before choosing a seat in the club.

  “I was wondering if you might show up tonight,” said a familiar deep voice, almost like a growl. I turned slowly and looked up at Tytus as he leaned down, resting a hand on the table and staring at me hungrily. I groaned, more out of habit than anything. “Is this seat taken?” he asked and then sat down without waiting for my answer.

  “Actually it is,” I said. “He’s only gone for drinks.”

  “No matter,” he said without hesitation, clasping his huge hands on the table between us. “I’m sure he won’t mind.”

  “I’m the one who minds.” I met his gaze. “Just get out of here already, Ty. I’m not in the mood.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me, his big forehead wrinkling with mild agitation. “Aurora, please call me Tytus.” It was a name he’d given himself after he’d made the change. I really didn’t want to associate with someone who would name himself after Titus the roman emperor or anyone else who planned on conquering things or people for that matter. “Awe … come on.” He smiled at me. “When are you going to let me take you out?”

  I let out a humorless laugh. Tytus was quite a bit older than me and outweighed me by a hundred and fifty pounds. Still I wasn’t afraid of him, although I probably should have been. The vampire was built like a professional football player, which was saying something even before you considered all the extra benefits that come with being a vampire. He was stupid, though. I’d come to that conclusion after he’d hit on me several dozen times despite my blunt rejections. Tytus, like several other vamps I know, spends most moon cycles using the ability to track others with his mind, or reading their minds. It hadn’t taken me long to decipher the motivation behind that pattern. He was with a different woman every time I saw him. He was a pathetic excuse for a vampire by most standards. He was close to reaching his ten year mark as a vamp, and he was nowhere near where he needed to be in order for the Synod to grant him full use of all the abilities. He was a perfect example of what Antonio wanted those of us in his Brood to avoid. It was almost enough to make me regret my selection of abilities tonight. Almost.

  “At least let me buy you a drink,” he urged.

  “What’s the point? It wouldn’t make you better looking.” I had already told him that my drink was on the way. Besides, I knew why he was so persistent in his attempts. It drove him crazy that he couldn’t break through to my mind. I was rare in my moon given ability to block my thoughts so effectively. Because reading minds was something he took great pride in, it bothered him to no end that I was the one woman with a mind he hadn’t been able to break.

  I sensed Mark approaching, and although part of me was grateful for the interruption, a bigger part of me worried about what Tytus might do or say to Mark. Don’t get me wrong, Mark is no weakling, but compared to Tytus he wouldn’t stand much of a chance. I took only small comfort in knowing that if a fight did break out, Mark would be able to heal fairly quickly this moon cycle.

  “Aurora,” Mark said as he neared the table. I saw the control he exhibited as he nodded to Tytus. Unlike me, Mark was horrible at blocking his thoughts. He had to control them immediately or Tytus would read him like a book, which could be disastrous since Mark really hated the giant vampire.

  Tytus gave me an amused smile and then got to his feet rather quickly. I forced myself to play it cool and not react by jumping up just as quickly. Tytus clapped Mark on the back so hard that only Mark’s incredible reflexes kept our drinks from spilling to the floor. Mark took a deep breath in an attempt to hold his tongue and before I could think of something to say Malena approached from behind. What happened next shocked me speechless.

  Malena sauntered up to Tytus and put an arm around him. “Come on baby. Buy me a drink already.”

  Tytus gave me a longing glance and then turned to look at Malena. “Coming right up.”

  Malena smiled like a four year old who had just snatched a beloved toy from another child as Tytus walked away.

  I didn’t smile back and neither did Mark as he stepped in front of her to take his seat across from me at the table.

  “Behave, you two,” Malena said. “Or I’ll have you thrown out.” To my relief she stalked off without another word.
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  “I didn’t see that one coming.” Mark slid my drink toward me.

  “Tsh. Bit of an understatement, wouldn’t you say?” I wrapped my fingers around the glass.

  “It’s not like she can really kick us out,” Mark added. “Antonio wouldn’t like that.”

  That wasn’t at all what I was talking about, but I shrugged in response. “What’s she playing at getting involved with Tytus?”

  It was Mark’s turn to shrug. “Who cares? They deserve each other. Maybe it will keep them busy enough to give the rest of us some peace.”

  Maybe Mark was right, or maybe something else was going on like my gut told me. In any case, there wasn’t much I could do about it, at least not immediately. I took a sip of my Purple Haze and it burned pleasantly, gliding smoothly down my throat. Mark was sipping his drink too, or rather gulping it.

  “How long since you fed?” I asked him, smiling incredulously as I watched him drink.

  “Not as long as you’d think.” He licked his lips. “Three nights ago. Let’s just say it’s been a long week.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” I took another sip. Unlike most bars, this one didn’t serve alcohol. It might have if any of the club’s frequenters wanted to drink the stuff, but our drinks were laced with something more powerful and intoxicating. The blood in my Purple Haze wasn’t enough to sustain me for long, but since I had fed tonight I didn’t need anything too powerful. It would be plenty enough to get me through the rest of the evening. The truth is, alcohol doesn’t affect vampires, at least not in the way that humans enjoy. It isn’t that we can’t drink it, but most of us can’t get past the overpowering smell, and our extra receptive taste buds prefer things more palatable. I personally avoided the stuff because I couldn’t get the slightest whiff of it without being reminded of the accident.

  “How’s your stash?” Mark asked me, breaking my train of thought.

  “It’s getting a little on the low side, now that you mention it.”

  “I have tomorrow night off. I’ll stop by and replenish your supply.”

  I smiled. “You’re a good guy, you know that?”

  “You’re just figuring this out?” Mark teased. And then I heard him think, “No wonder I can’t get anywhere with you.”

  A small laugh escaped my lips and he looked at me. “You’re doing it again.” He tried to look upset. “Knock it off.”

  “I can’t help it,” I said, still laughing. “You’re the only form of entertainment I have right now.”

  “Glad I could amuse you.” He gave me a sarcastic smile and set his empty glass down as I took another drink from mine.

  “So, tell me there’s a hot young vamp doctor who just transferred to the hospital that you want to line me up with,” I said lightly.

  “Not likely.”

  I stuck out my bottom lip in a pout and he smiled, but I knew he was right. Despite the fact that vamps have abilities that make us much more effective healers, not many choose to put themselves in situations where they are surrounded by blood all day. The temptation is just too much for most. Mark is a rare exception to the rule. He is a master of control, which coincidentally is probably one of the reasons I’m not into him. Although it rarely happened, I at least liked the possibility of some spontaneity and excitement in my life.

  Mark didn’t like discussing my dating prospects, but he was a good sport and humored me on occasion. His gaze went over my head and a voice from behind me spoke. “Doctors are over-rated. What you really need is a dashing, powerful vamp with connections.”

  The voice belonged to Damir Vidic, great (to many greats to count) grandson of Synod Elder Stanislav Vidic.

  “No offense,” Damir added as he stepped up to our table, nodding at Mark.

  “Sure.” Mark said dully.

  “Although, you do seem to keep great company,” Damir added, staring at me boldly.

  I met his gaze for the first time, smiling wryly at him. He wore his usual black suit, the symbol of the Emissary embroidered on the breast pocket. It was the sign for infinity, a sideways number eight, but on the left side, a straight line slashed through the middle, making a small letter ‘e’ in the design which stood for Emissary. Damir was average height, with blond hair and brown eyes. He wasn’t bad looking, but his over-sized ego definitely wasn’t attractive. Unfortunately, Damir was even more dangerous than Tytus. He was powerful, as much as I hated to admit it, and he was a full vampire. He was also first in command of the Emissary, a group of full grown vamps who act on behalf of the Synod.

  “A dashing, powerful vamp with connections, you say?” I asked. “Maybe you could introduce me sometime.”

  Damir returned my sarcastic smile as I sipped my drink nonchalantly. Mark faked a cough to cover up a laugh and then sunk down a few inches in his seat, not wanting to offend the vampire he reported to on a weekly basis concerning hospital matters.

  “I do enjoy this game of ours,” Damir said to me.

  The scary part? I believed him. It hadn’t taken long after I’d come to Florida with Antonio for word to get out that there was a new vampire fledgling in town with exceptional mental fortitude. It was rare for a new fledgling to show such control in any specific ability, even if it was their moon-given talent. That reputation preceded me everywhere I went. I was nothing more than a prize to Damir. That’s all I had ever been. Damir only wanted to have me on his arm and parade me around in front of the elite vampires.

  “One day you’ll come around,” he continued. “When you’re ready to secure your place in our world.”

  “There are plenty of vampire women here tonight who would be happy following you around like good little mindless robots,” I said to him. “Why don’t you go try your luck with one of them?”

  Damir sipped from his drink and gave me an amused look. “Perhaps I’ll do just that.” I wasn’t sure if he thought that would make me jealous or what, but I hoped he was serious. “I do look forward to seeing you again at the Lunar Eclipse Ritual.”

  Mark rolled his eyes and I grinned at him as Damir walked away.

  “Now you see why I so desperately need a hot vampire doctor,” I said, lowering my voice.

  Mark raised an eyebrow at me, incredulous. “You’re looking at one.”

  I grinned at him playfully and set my now empty glass down. I’d tortured him enough for one night. “Come on.” I got to my feet. “Let’s dance.”

  Mark stood up reluctantly but didn’t fight me as I pulled him onto the dance floor. I decided the new DJ wasn’t half bad as Mark and I danced in the middle of the crowd. Mark was a good dancer, most vamps are. Good coordination is just another bonus we vamps enjoy, which was why the dance floor at Club Sanguin was always hopping. At one point I smelled Tytus nearby and glimpsed him watching me from the bar. Malena was still on his arm, but didn’t notice me watching. I fought the urge to listen in on Tytus’s thoughts and forced myself to look away, but not before Mark caught sight of him, too.

  “Don’t let him get to you,” Mark thought, knowing I would hear it.

  I smiled as a new song started and kept dancing to prove that I wasn’t letting it get to me, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but feel that there was more to Malena and Tytus than met the eye. No one trusted Melena, and I trusted Tytus about as far as I could pick him up and throw him, which even with my vamp strength wasn’t far by our standards. I didn’t know how, but sooner or later I was going to have to figure out their motive for being so close, if only for the sake of my sanity.

  Chapter 3

  Having gotten my fill of blood for the night, I dropped Mark off at his house and drove back to The Waking Moon. I climbed the stairway up into the loft and put on some loud music. The piece I’d started the night before was waiting just as I’d left it. I donned one of the aprons hanging on the wall and picked up a brush. This particular piece was of an ancient Egyptian pyramid at night. This piece was black and white, although that isn’t a very descriptive label considering there ar
e a gazillion shades of grey in between that really make an image come to life. I patted paint onto the canvas, creating a moon in the sky. Then I added the face of a woman on the surface of the luminescent moon.

  I worked for an hour, maybe a little longer before the painting was complete. I set it aside to start drying. It would be dry to the touch fairly soon, but not dry enough to varnish for six months. I set it aside where it would be safe and then pulled out a painting that had just reached the six month mark earlier this week. Working with oils made keeping a steady supply of paintings in the studio a fickle thing. But I’d been painting long before I opened The Waking Moon, so I’d had enough pieces varnished and ready to go on display to make it work. I just had to keep the process going. On occasion I put a painting up for sale and just arranged to have it delivered once it was dry enough to varnish, even though that was often months down the road.

  I carefully twisted off the lid of a jar I had sitting on the table in the corner. It was full of turpentine and the dissolved remnants of some crystal that I had suspended in cheesecloth from the lid. The result was damar varnish that I used to coat my paintings to protect them from dirt, dust and damage. You could buy varnishes at any painting supply store but I preferred to make my own so I could control the quality. We vampires are often control freaks. This was the most obvious way that tendency showed up in my everynight life. I thinned the varnish slightly to get the right consistency and used a horsehair brush to apply it to the canvas, being certain to coat the entire surface. When I’d finished, I had enough varnish left over for one more piece which worked out perfect, considering I only had one more left that had dried for the required period of time. I varnished that painting as well and set them both aside.

  I realized that I was running low on crystals and a few other supplies, and I was in serious need of a new horsehair brush. I dug a piece of paper and pen out of a drawer and spent a few minutes making a list of things I needed to pick up at the art supply store on Belcher. That meant that I’d be going out during the day sometime soon. Shopping during regular business hours was one of the downsides to being a vampire. Someday, maybe I’d find a vampire who owned an art supply store and I’d convince them to open for an hour or so each night. I sighed, knowing that wasn’t likely. It wasn’t that there weren’t other vamps who were business owners. There were plenty, but opening a shop or store of any kind in the middle of the night would only draw unnecessary attention, and that was something the Synod would frown upon.