Flesh and Blood

She could have taken advantage of the situation. Could have killed him. Taken control of Seven for herself. But she hadn’t. It wasn’t proof of her desire to change, but it was worthy of reward. He would give her navitas. Having a noble vampire who was previously fringe on his side would strengthen his hold on Paradise City immeasurably. Especially if war broke out between varcolai and vampires once again, which it very well could when Dominic killed Maddoc. The varcolai might be on the outs with his pride, but Sinjin wouldn’t let such a thing go unanswered. Yes, another noble ally could make all the difference.

Provided Katsumi lived through the resiring.

Crouched in the crown of a palm on the property opposite Chrysabelle’s, Doc waited until the Mohawked brother had motored out of Chrysabelle’s neighborhood. He didn’t recognize the guy, but maybe Dominic had sent him over to keep an eye on Chrysabelle. The guy looked human, but he might be remnant. Either way, the bike was tight. Someday, when this mess was done with, maybe he’d get a bike like that and take Fi for a ride. Anything was better than thinking about the danger he was about to put a friend in.

He hesitated. He should find somewhere else to go. But where? His pride wasn’t an option. Although maybe Sinjin would be willing to take him back once he realized what Doc had done to Dominic. But then maybe Dominic would expect that.

No, he needed a vampire-free zone, and Chrysabelle’s was the only place that fit that description. Reluctantly, he dropped out of the tree and jogged across the street.

Doc buzzed the intercom at the pedestrian gate leading into Chrysabelle’s estate. He gave the security cam a nod. The gate buzzed. Just like that he was in. One step closer to creating chaos. Resigned, he pushed through and headed for the house. What choice did he have? Fi needed him and Chrysabelle’s was the only vampire-safe place he could think of to hole up in.

Chrysabelle stood in the open doorway. Her gaze went to the messenger bag slung over his shoulder. ‘Hi. Mal need more blood?’

If only it were that simple. ‘No, uh, I was hoping you might let me crash here.’ Say no. You really don’t want me here.

She shrugged. ‘Sure. You and Mal aren’t fighting, are you?’

Relief and regret twisted his gut into a hard knot. ‘No. It’s a long story you’d be safer not knowing.’ That was the straight truth.

Her brows lifted slightly. ‘This have anything to do with Fi?’

‘Yes.’ Go ahead, ask more questions. Find a reason to turn me away.

She moved out of the doorway. ‘Come on. There’s plenty of space.’

‘Thanks. I probably won’t be here past Halloween.’ Or until Dominic found him. Doc walked into the foyer, admiring the house. If he had to hide out, at least he could do it in style. Yeah, because that justified putting a friend in a bad sitch. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen your joint in the daylight. Nice. Your mother didn’t spare the cash, huh?’

‘I guess not.’ She shook her head, her eyes filled with a faraway glimmer. ‘It’s a lot of house for one person and a semisolid wysper.’

‘Where is Velimai?’

‘She went into the city to run errands, get groceries.’ She smiled at him. ‘If I’d known you were coming, I would have had her stock up on fish.’

‘I won’t eat much. I—’ His stomach growled before he finished speaking. ‘I am a little hungry.’

She laughed and looped her arm through his. ‘I think there are leftovers from last night’s dinner. Let’s get you some. You know, it’ll be nice to have some company.’

Sure. Until Dominic showed up and she got caught in the middle of this mess. Maybe he should tell her. She’d want to help Fi, wouldn’t she? But he couldn’t bring himself to confess. Not yet. ‘If I can help out around here, I will.’ Not that he was good for much besides making things worse.

She led him into the kitchen and disconnected from him to reach for the fridge. ‘There is one thing you could do for me.’

Tell you the truth? ‘Sure. Name it.’

She took out a large pan of lasagna. Even cold, the aroma of meat filled the air. ‘I could use a sparring partner. I’m tired of training alone.’

‘I can do that.’ The way things were going, he could use the practice. As soon as Dominic recovered, he would come looking for Doc, ready to settle their score.

And the last time a handicapped shifter had bested a noble vampire was never.

Chapter Twenty-four

‘I wondered when you’d get here.’ Creek snapped the Harley’s kickstand into place and nodded at the tarnished green dragon perched on his loft railing. After watching the exchange between the vampire and the comarré on the balcony, Creek’s mood had turned foul. Not even a day’s worth of hunting had erased the image of Mal’s mouth on Chrysabelle’s. Creek had to pull it together fast. The sector chief didn’t need to know about that.

Argent blinked the inner membrane over his unnerving green eyes and shifted into his half-form. ‘Creek.’

‘Sector Chief.’ Despite the overwhelming urge to watch the varcolai’s every move, Creek walked out of Argent’s sight line and into the kitchen. He’d learned the hard way not to show fear in front of the dragon-shifter. He opened the fridge. ‘Beer?’

‘No.’ A soft thunk indicated Argent had returned to the first floor. ‘I’ve been waiting for you almost all day. Do you not come home at sunrise?’