Flesh and Blood

There was no thought. Just a growl and his fist pounding the tumbled marble pool deck. The tile cracked. He got up and walked to the edge of the pool. Stared unseeing into the crystalline water. Listened to the whine of the souls in his head.

‘You’re upset he saved my life?’

The slayer had touched her. She probably asked him to. Probably loved it. ‘He saved your life? I’m sure my sending you away and taking the bulk of those monsters had nothing to do with the fact that you’re still here.’

‘Mal … ’ Her voice was soft, cajoling.

Now was not the time for his anger. He knew that but let it roil within him anyway. ‘Where were you injured?’

‘Across my stomach.’

Rage choked him. ‘Did he undress you, too?’

‘Yes.’ Anger replaced the softness. ‘Just like you did.’

He had no problem remembering that day. Forgetting it … now, that was an issue. He turned. ‘If you recall, you undressed yourself that day. I covered you up.’

She scowled, making herself look even more pitiful, and muttered something under her breath that sent an electric skitter over his skin and the voices into a new frenzy.

He cocked one eyebrow. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said bite me. But I meant it figuratively.’

‘Now you sound like Katsumi. Which seems like a good enough reason to change the subject.’ That or he was going to destroy something. ‘Tatiana was in Seven. Her hand has been replaced by some metal prosthesis that can change shape. She’s hunting you. Sooner or later, she’s going to find you. Unless you get your boyfriend to track her down and stake her first.’

‘I figured the Nothos were a sign she was here. Now we know for sure. And her being here makes her easier to find and kill.’ She laughed. ‘It’s interesting to see you jealous.’

Damn right he was jealous. ‘You confuse jealousy with protecting what’s mine. Your blood rights. Or have you conveniently forgotten that again?’

‘Conveniently? You mean like the way you’re only my patron when it’s convenient?’ She snorted softly. ‘This is a two-way street, Malkolm.’

‘Don’t you care that Tatiana’s after you? That she’s in town?’

‘Dominic sent Solomon over to ward the house when we got back from Corvinestri. Some kind of extra-strength spell that erased the house’s location from Tatiana’s memory.’ She stared directly at him in a transparent show of bravado. ‘Besides, I have every intention of killing her the first chance I get.’

‘She found the house once, she’ll find it again. You’re injured. You’re in no condition to fight her if she shows up. Especially if she brings more Nothos with her.’

‘She won’t have to fight. I’m here.’

At the voice, they both looked up. Mal cursed at the slayer walking toward them. Velimai hovered behind Creek, looking far too pleased to have escorted the KM in. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Checking up on my patient. She can’t spare the blood right now, so you might as well leave.’

‘She’s not your patient.’ A storm rose up in Mal, a maelstrom of darkness and desperation. Kill him.

Creek lifted a brow. ‘I put those stitches in. Or didn’t she tell you that?’

‘I told him.’ Chrysabelle’s face went from pale to pink. Was she blushing? Not a look Mal recalled seeing on her before. ‘What can I do for you, Creek?’

‘Like I said, I just came to see how you’re feeling.’ He glanced at Mal. ‘Check on those stitches.’

‘You’ll do no such thing,’ Mal growled. He’d be double damned if he was going to let that mortal touch Chrysabelle again.

‘You both need to relax.’ Chrysabelle rolled her head from side to side against the chaise’s back. ‘And stop acting like children.’

Creek laughed in Mal’s direction. ‘I’m pretty sure he’s more of a senior citizen.’

‘You’re definitely a child.’ Mal shrugged off his jacket. ‘One who could use a spanking.’

With some effort, Chrysabelle swung her feet onto the ground. ‘I’m done with both of you. Go home.’

Mal rushed to her side to help her up. Creek got to her two seconds later. Senior citizen, indeed. ‘It’s not safe for you to be alone.’

Creek nodded. ‘I agree with the old man on that one.’

She pulled away from both of them, her eyes flashing sparks like her signum. ‘Fine. Stand guard. Patrol the grounds. Beat each other to a bloody pulp. Whatever makes you happy. Just don’t think you’re coming in. Either of you.’ She headed for the house. ‘I have a battle to prepare for.’

*

‘I don’t see anything but rat droppings and rust down here.’ Dominic grimaced as he surveyed the cargo hold.

‘She’ll be here soon as the loop starts.’ Doc rubbed a hand over his scalp. This had to work. He was out of ideas, and this wasn’t even a good one.

Dominic eyed Doc suspiciously. ‘Why are you so twitchy?’

‘I’m not twitchy. I’m anxious. I miss Fi.’ Which was true. He ached for her. Hated what she was about to go through. Again. But his nerves were also wired with what was about to go down.

Dominic walked to one of the storage containers and leaned against it. Doc had told him to wear casual clothes. For the Italian, that meant dress slacks and a silk shirt, but at least he’d left the suit at home.