Steal the Day (Thieves #2)(19)

“Well, you’re going to need a transfusion,” Alexander stated flatly. “Your master will survive thanks to you, but he can’t help you. In fact, tomorrow he’ll need more blood. You, wolf, you’ll do. Werewolf blood is rich. It’s not as good as companion blood, but she can’t donate for a day or two.”

I leaned back against Neil as the vampire got uncomfortably close and sniffed me in a vulgar fashion. “Hey, has anyone explained the idea of personal space to you?”

“O neg,” Alexander said, pulling back. “No wonder he craves you. You smell delicious. Unfortunately, that’s very rare. The wolf won’t work unless you would enjoy doing it doggy style once a month.”

“Pass.” I looked back at Neil. “No offense.”

“Don’t knock it ’til you tried it, sister.”

“The humans here aren’t the right type, either. Michael or I would greatly enjoy donating to you, love. I assure you we would find the task immensely pleasurable right up to the point that your master cut our heads off. What we need is the supernatural equivalent of a universal donor. You’re lucky, dear. There happens to be one species who can donate to any blood type.”

“And where would I find this magical creature?” Why wouldn’t he just get to the point? I was tired and cold. I had donated a great deal of my blood volume, and no one had even offered me a cookie.

Alexander’s face lit with menace. “It’s faeries, of course, dear. Faery blood is so vital and versatile. I think you won’t have any trouble finding some. From what I hear, you have a faery willing to donate other bodily fluids. I doubt he’ll deny you a little blood.”

“No, don’t you call him,” I said, but Michael had already pulled out a phone and I was betting he’d dialed the number to Ether. The last thing I needed was the utter chaos that would happen if Dev walked through the door. He would be so mad at me. Everything had gone wrong. I didn’t want a fight with Dev, too.

And then it was all just too much. My vision narrowed in that strange way it does just before you pass out. I felt Neil’s arms go around me, and I hoped it was all just a dream.





Chapter Six





“You’re playing a dangerous game with that one. And I certainly would like to know why we have so many visitors in town.” Alexander’s voice was the first thing I heard as I slowly came back to consciousness.

I couldn’t have been out for too long. I was on the couch and someone had covered me with a blanket. I tried to stay as still as I could because I wanted to know what dangerous game was being played and by whom. What can I say? I’d had a rough night and I like good gossip.

“It isn’t a game.” Michael’s words sounded careful, almost wary. “They aren’t here for any reason other than to get to know Daniel.”

Now I was really listening. In all the chaos of the evening, I’d never gotten around to asking Daniel about the new vampires in town. Michael seemed to think they had come as some sort of group hoping to socialize with the vampire of the moment.

“Well, he is an interesting chap. I will admit that. Wish he dressed better, though. He’s having a bad influence on you, as well. I don’t see the point in blue jeans,” Alexander admitted.

The table beside me rattled as the doctor placed something on it. He was more than likely getting ready for my inevitable introduction to nineteenth century blood transfusion practices. I doubted it would be as nice as it was when I took blood from Daniel.

Alexander huffed a little, his British accent crisp and neat. “I just find it difficult to believe there are five vampires I’ve never met before. It’s a rather small world.”

“William says he met you a couple of years back,” Michael offered.

“Funny, I don’t remember him.”

“He says you were in Seattle and there was a rash of unexplained killings,” Michael said, disgust plain in his voice. “Prostitutes, I believe. William was working with the police. Night shift, of course.”

“Now that does sound like me.” Through slitted eyes, I could see the smug smile on Alexander’s face. I really didn’t like him. There was a small part of me that wished he would do something, just anything that would justify Daniel killing him. Unfortunately, he’d had centuries to perfect his techniques, and the Council didn’t care what he did as long as he didn’t get caught. “Well, that explains it. I was distracted at the time. Ah, you’re awake, Mrs. Donovan.”

I gave up the game and opened my eyes. “Is Dev here?”

“Do you hear accusations and righteous indignation? No, he hasn’t made it yet. Apparently you have his vehicle. He had to get his driver up,” Alexander stated blandly. “That club of his shouldn’t pay so well. Makes you wonder what he does on the sideline.”

He held a piece of weird medical equipment. At least I thought it was medical equipment. I winced at the sight. It was a metal and glass tube. On the top was a plunger with a circular handle. Tubing came from both sides and each was tipped with the largest, nastiest needle I’d ever seen. I got a little nauseous at the sight. Give me fangs any day.

“Can’t we go to a hospital? Or maybe I could just rest and everything will be all right in the morning?” I could last a day or two, right? Blood builds back up. Maybe a few days of bed rest and I’d be fine. My DVR was backed up anyway.