Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(39)

“He only wants me to do it because I have the proper papers,” Dev explained. “You died on this plane. It would be difficult for Zoey to marry a dead man. He only wants any children we have to be protected.”

“Tell me you weren’t happy about it, Dev,” Daniel challenged.

“I can’t. I’ve wanted Harry’s approval for years.” Dev’s voice was tired. “If, however, it means giving up yours, then I’ll tell him I refuse his request.”

Daniel kicked the floorboard, making the whole car shake. “Damn it, I didn’t ask you to do that. Can I not have a freaking emotion? Do I have to immediately be okay with everything that happens? Look,” he turned to include me and Neil in the discussion. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not running or trying to break us up. I just…need some time. See, this is why we don’t have demons on the crew. They f*ck up everything. If Stewart hadn’t been around I could have kept my freaking thoughts to myself and not have to talk about…feelings and shit. I hate this touchy-feely crap.”

Dev parked the car and suddenly Daniel was interested in something other than his manly distaste for relationship discussions.

“You have a gun, Dev?” he asked, his every muscle tense and ready to pounce.

Dev pulled out the SIG Sauer. “Always. Demon?”

“Vampire,” Daniel replied.

Neil was already out of the car and Daniel followed suit.

I scrambled out even as Dev was trying to pull me behind him. “Danny, it’s Chad.”

But he could already see that because Neil was throwing his arms around the vampire who’d been clinging to the shadows. I saw a great wave of relief fall over Chad’s handsome features as he pressed his face into his boyfriend’s neck. He nuzzled but controlled himself. They spoke quietly for a moment. Even Daniel backed off and came back to stand with Dev and myself.

“Is he all right?” I couldn’t help but think about Chad’s odd behavior from the previous night.

“Neil’s fine, Z,” Daniel said. “Chad’s apologizing.” Even from this distance and with the couple speaking in hushed tones, Daniel could easily hear their conversation. “He says he couldn’t get away until tonight. He didn’t want to call because Marini keeps him under close watch. Now he’s…well, that’s a little more private than we should go into.”

“Prude,” Dev accused softly. “You always stop before you get to the good parts.”

Daniel laughed and I felt a little of the tension between them leave. Chad kissed Neil one last time before catching sight of us. He nodded and, after taking his boyfriend’s hand, led him to where we stood.

“My king,” Chad said, bowing his head slightly.

“It’s good to see you, Chad,” Daniel said with a sincere smile. “Are you still okay?”

Chad’s eyes were cloudy with something...doubt, maybe. “I’m coping. I have to admit to you, I’ve begun having memory lapses. I meant to call earlier tonight to warn you that Marini was sending agents to bring in the queen. He’s obsessed with her after last night. I…I forgot.”

Neil’s light blue eyes were beyond concerned. “What’s wrong with him, Daniel?”

Daniel put his hands on the vampire’s face, studying him closely. “From what I understand, it’s an unfortunate side effect of his powers. His powers of illusion are very rare. Marcus explained that Chad could have some trouble with his memory and certain impulses. His mind works very differently from other vampires. It’s what makes him an excellent spy. Marini can’t read him.”

Chad laughed and I found the sound worrisome. “He calls me his little jester. I can say whatever I want and get away with it because he thinks I’m hopelessly insane.” He shut down, his hands fisting at his sides. “I’m not insane, damn it. I just have to concentrate.”

“And your master’s blood should help.” Daniel slipped out of his jacket and offered Chad his wrist.

The vampire fell to his knees in his haste to get that blood into his mouth. Daniel didn’t react as Chad’s enormous fangs penetrated his flesh and he began to drink. This part I understood. Daniel had been the vampire to take Chad through his turn. A vampire rises with very little impulse control. He dies thinking he’s human and the vampire part of his DNA reanimates him, but the newly risen vampire is a killing machine until the Council has trained him. One of the first rituals for a newbie is the taking of a mentor’s blood. The mentor is then the vampire’s master. A vampire’s first blood is very potent. His master’s blood would help Chad with any problems his odd nature was causing. If Chad was around Daniel on a regular basis, he might be perfectly normal.

Neil’s hand sought out mine as we watched. I squeezed his fingers and I could feel his worry for the man he loved. Daniel let Chad drink his fill and it was a long time before Chad finally sat back on his heels and released his master’s arm.

“Is that any better?” Daniel asked.

Chad’s eyes were dark, but there was such relief in them. “You have no idea, my master. It’s like my mind is clear for the first time in months.”

“Does that mean Marini will be able to read him?” Dev asked.

Daniel shook his head. “No, my blood is some protection.”