A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(23)

His vehemence surprised her and rang convincingly true. Was it possible for a vampire to continue to identify with his human origins even after he was turned?

“Yet you work with Traders.”

“They are not the ones who stole me off the streets of D.C. And you will learn, Quinn Lennox, not all Traders are the same. Just as all vampires are not. Nor humans, for that matter.”

“How do you feed?” she asked him.

“Blood and fear.”

“You don’t act like a fear-feeder.”

His mouth twitched in the semblance of a smile. “I feed quite adequately on those who already fear. I’ve no need to cause it.”

“Then you’re an anomaly around here from what I’ve seen.” She cocked her head as she studied him. “If what you say is true.”

He watched her steadily, then shrugged. “I have no need to lie to you. I am who I am, sorceress. You will have to accept help from some in this world if you are to survive. But accepting help is not trusting, not entirely. Trust is something that must be earned.”

She couldn’t have said it better.

Voices in the hallway had her glancing at the open door as Arturo appeared, Micah close behind him. Relief snaked its way through her, easing her mind, if only a little. She might still have walked into a trap, but her instincts told her that wasn’t the case, that she and Zack really were safe here. As safe as they could be anywhere in Vamp City.

“Come,” Neo said, and started toward the door. “I wish for the others to meet our guests.”

Arturo motioned for her to precede him, and she did, Zack behind her. Neo led them down a narrow hallway, through a comfortable-looking living room, and into a library lined with bookshelves. One set of shelves had been opened like a door, revealing a long, wide staircase leading down into a well-lit basement. She wondered what the trick was to opening the hidden door, then decided Neo had intentionally not revealed it to them.

Arturo started down the stairs first this time, Quinn and Zack behind him. They were less than halfway down the long stair when she heard something heavy and creaking behind her and looked back to find Neo closing the bookcase. She supposed that was a good thing. If anyone got inside the house who didn’t belong, they’d have trouble finding the way down here.

The question was, if she needed to, would she be able to find the way out?

The room that came into view was large and open, and surprisingly inviting, dotted with leather sofas and chairs of various sizes. In the center sat a large oval table upon which a small feast had been laid out—platters of small sandwiches, cheese and crackers, raw vegetables and dip, and a host of what appeared to be tiny cheesecakes.

Behind her, Zack made a sound of appreciation.

Two women stood beside the large table, one of whom appeared to be of the Trader race, her shoulders as broad as a linebacker’s, her face wide, her eyes glowing bright orange.

The other woman was petite and pretty, with long, wavy dark hair that glowed with the phosphorescence that marked her as an immortal human, or Slava.

To Quinn’s surprise, both women smiled and moved forward to greet Arturo warmly, each getting a kiss on the cheek from the vampire in return. Arturo turned, gripping Quinn’s shoulder lightly.

“This is Quinn Lennox, though you’ll have to wait until Micah’s glamour wears off before you’re able to see her true likeness.”

“This is Mukdalla,” he said, motioning toward the Trader female.

The Trader smiled and reached for Quinn’s hand. “It is my pleasure, sorceress. You are most welcome here.” Quinn had thought the woman homely at first glance, but the wisdom radiating from her eyes and the warmth of her smile had Quinn reassessing.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mukdalla.”

Mukdalla’s glance slid from Zack to Quinn, and back again. “Siblings? You have the same eyes.”

Quinn sighed. She was glamoured, for heaven’s sake, and still the woman saw the resemblance. She’d learned the hard way that it was not in Zack’s best interest to be revealed as her brother. Loved ones could be used against you too easily in this place. But it seemed that he’d been revealed anyway.

“My brother, Zack.”

“Hello, Zack,” Mukdalla said kindly.

Arturo nodded to the other woman. “This is Dr. Amanda Morris.”

“Just Amanda, please.” The woman extended her hand, shaking Quinn’s, then Zack’s. “In my old life, I was a family practitioner.”

“You still have a practice,” Neo said behind them. “It’s just changed a bit.”

Amanda snorted. “You might say that.” Her gaze returned to Zack, peering at him a little too long and in a doctorlike way that had Quinn tensing. “I was captured several years ago, escaped my master about a year later, then was captured and bought by Cristoff.”

Quinn winced. “I’m sorry.”

Amanda’s gaze met hers. “I’m not. Kassius kept me away from the house and, upon learning that I was a doctor, had me brought here.” She looked back at Zack. “I’d like to do a brief examination of you, Zack, if you’ll allow it.”

Zack eyed her warily. “What kind of exam?”

Amanda’s voice warmed. “I just want to check your temperature and take a quick look at your eyes.”