First Drop of Crimson

His brows rose. "Beg your pardon?"

"You," she repeated. "You're a Master vampire. You've tracked down people in the past, Cat told me, and you don't care about me, so if things get too dangerous, you'll bail without getting yourself killed. You're the perfect person to help me find Nathanial."

Spade didn't bother giving her one of those you're-crazy looks; he swerved off the road and came to a stop on the shoulder before she even had time to worry about oncoming traffic.

"I can't drop all my responsibilities just to chase down a demon-dodging human who should never have trifled with the dark arts in the first place," he said through gritted teeth. "Sorry, Denise."

Desperation made her rash. "You're sorry? I doubt that. Yes, I know I'm asking for a huge favor, but I don't expect you to do it for me. I was hoping you'd do it for your friend, because you know I'll only have one place to go if you don't help me. But hey, maybe you can tell Cat, 'I'm sorry' if Bones gets killed doing what you didn't have time to. After all, it's so much easier to say you care than to prove it."

He was next to her in a blink, his face so close, she couldn't focus on one distinct feature. But there was no need to see his expression. The growl in his voice told her how furious he was.

"No one knows you called me. No one knows where you are. I could have your body buried before sunset, then I wouldn't need to fret about Crispin risking himself for you. So you might not want to dare me again to prove that I care for my friend."

Spade's eyes weren't their normal cognac color. They were glowing green, blazing with intensity, and Denise didn't have to be undead to sense the power leaking off him. But still, instinct told her Spade wouldn't harm her, no matter how angry he might be with her. If it was just herself Raum had threatened, she'd take her chances alone, but her family's lives depended on convincing Spade to help her.

"Then after you bury me, you may as well find each member of my family and kill them, too," she replied. "Because that's what Raum will do unless I give him Nathanial. How many murders are you willing to commit instead of helping me?"

He leaned back, something like disbelief on his face. "Are you blackmailing me?"

Denise gave a bitter laugh. "Blackmail implies that I have something you want, but I have nothing...except the hope that I won't cause anyone else I care about to get killed. You've made it clear that humans don't mean much to you, but can't you understand that?"

Spade glanced away, looking out the window at the cars whizzing past them. Finally he jerked the gear shift out of park.

"Luckily for you, I can."

Denise had gone straight into the bathroom once they arrived at the hotel, reminding Spade he'd neglected to stop so she could use the facilities along the way. She hadn't said a word, poor girl. She was no doubt hungry as well. He heard the shower switch on and decided to order for her instead of waiting to ask her preferences. With the day she'd had, he'd be surprised if she was awake by the time the food arrived.

Spade hadn't driven straight to his house because he wanted to clear some things up before they had an audience. He'd gotten one room at the hotel, wanting to be close in case the demon somehow followed them, unlikely as that was. Still, it didn't do to let his guard down when it came to demons. Raum could attempt to ambush him and hold him hostage as incentive to get more cooperation in the undead world. Spade wouldn't put anything past a demon. It was a good thing they were so rare, or humanity would have far more to concern itself with than the occasional rogue vampire or ghoul.

He slid his shoes off, stretching as he settled himself in the overstuffed chair. This was a fine kettle he'd gotten himself into. How to find Nathanial without anyone realizing he was looking for him? If he was open about his search for him, then Spade would be the obvious suspect when Nathanial turned up missing - and he didn't fancy getting involved in another undead war. Not to mention, he'd have to hide the fact that Denise was with him. If word of that got 'round to Crispin, he'd instantly suspect trouble.

But no one else really knew Denise. Few had seen what Denise looked like, and of them, many were now dead. Who was to say Denise wasn't just another sweet snack he was traveling with? As long as he avoided Crispin, Cat, and the rest of their close friends, there was a chance he could find Nathanial without anyone knowing Denise was involved.

Spade didn't want to calculate the odds of that. No matter that wisdom said he needed to avoid Denise, for more than one reason, he really didn't have a choice about helping her.

The bathroom door opened and she came out, wear ing a robe with the hotel's name stitched on it. Spade nodded at the closet, indicating where he'd put her bag. She retrieved some items from it and then stood there, chewing on her lip as if debating whether to speak.

Spade arched a brow. "Unlike some vampires, I can't read minds, so whatever it is, you'll have to say it out loud."

"I want you to know I intend to pay you for your time," she said, the words coming out in a rush. "And reimburse you for any expenses, like this hotel room."

First she'd manipulated him, now she insulted him. "No."

She blinked. "No?"

"I understand your confusion," Spade said smoothly, "since it seems you don't hear that word often, but allow me to explain. It means I'm not your employee. It means you'll need to do what I say in order for me to find your greedy relative, and it means your personal preferences in the matter aren't my concern. Quite clear now as to its definition?"

She gave him a look that could have cut steel. He noted with mild amusement that her hazel eyes seemed greener with her anger, almost like how a vampire's eyes got in the early stages before they changed color completely.

"In that case, I'm starving, so I hope this hotel has room service and a good steak," she replied with barely restrained curtness.

He let out a bark of laughter. "I already ordered something for you."

As if on cue, a knock sounded on the door. Spade got up, pausing to make sure he sensed only a human on the other side of it, then opened it. A uniformed young man gave him a mechanical smile as he pushed in the cart.

"Where would you like this, sir?"

"Right by her," Spade said, and shut the door.

He let the lad uncover the dishes and rattle off their contents to Denise, who looked surprised at the variety of items before her. Then when he turned to Spade with a politely expectant expression, Spade hit him with his gaze.

"What are you doing?" Denise gasped.

He ignored her, focused on the pulsating vein that called to him. A quick slide of his fangs into the lad's neck produced the flow of rich, nurturing blood. Spade waited before swallowing, allowing his mouth to fill from the pumping of the pulse under his lips instead of sucking, forming a seal to prevent any of those red drops from escaping.

Denise stared at him, uncertainty clear on her features. Spade glared at her, hoping she wouldn't do something foolish, like scream. She didn't, but her hand came to her mouth as if she was fighting one back.

The gnawing hunger in him eased after his fourth swallow. He drew back, catching the spare leaking drops with his tongue before closing the holes by cutting his thumb on a fang and holding it over them. In seconds, his blood healed the punctures, causing them to vanish from sight.

"You delivered the food and left. Nothing else happened," Spade said, pressing a twenty into the lad's palm.

He nodded, that artificial smile returning to his face as the memory of what happened evaporated under the power in Spade's gaze. "Have a good evening, sir," he said.

"Thanks so much. I'll ring when she's done with the food."

Spade closed the door. Denise was still staring at him. "You bit him. You didn't even...you just bit him."

He shrugged. "You weren't the only one hungry."

"But..." She still seemed at a loss for words.

"You lived with Cat and Crispin for over a month; did you never see him feed?"

"He never did it in front of me!" Denise exclaimed, like he'd suggested something preposterous.

Spade rolled his eyes. "You'll have to get used to it, because I've no intention of starving."

Denise looked down at the cooling food on the tray. "I think I lost my appetite," she muttered.

He bit back what would have been an annoyed reply. No need to snipe at her when she'd had a truly horrible day.

"Make yourself comfortable in the bed. I'll sleep in the chair," he said, pulling off his shirt.

He was undoing his trousers when Denise's expression stopped him. Right, humans and their silly modesty. It had been a long time since he'd been around average mortals. The ones he associated with were all familiar with a vampire's lifestyle and habits. He'd have to remember what was appropriate and what wasn't.

"I dragged you into this," she said stubbornly. "I'm taking the chair."

He almost rolled his eyes again. As if he'd allow a woman to stuff herself in a chair while he was stretched out in bed. "No."

"I'd feel better if - "

"I wouldn't," he cut her off. "And I'll remind you again that since I'm helping you, the least you could do is not argue with me over every little thing."

Frustration and defiance competed on her features, but she clamped her mouth shut. Good on you, darling. Perhaps this won't be such a burden after all.

"Sleep well, Denise."

Chapter Four

She awoke to the sounds of an English accent. For a moment she was confused. Had she left the TV on? Then the events of the previous, nightmarish day came back to her. Paul, murdered. She, branded by a demon. The owner of the accent, a vampire who wanted nothing to do with her, but who was her family's only hope.

"Ah, you're awake," Spade said, closing his cell with a click. "Ordered you breakfast, considering you didn't touch your food last night." His mouth curled in a grin. "You'll be pleased to know you slept through my breakfast. Perhaps now you'll be able to keep your appetite."

"You eat the room service employees every time?" Denise asked, shocked.

"Of course. But don't fret on their behalf. I always tip well."

A sharp pain in her stomach brought her attention to the cart with the covered dishes and the mouthwatering scent wafting from it. Suddenly ravenous, Denise flung the covers back and went to the cart, flipping off the top of the container closest to her. Pancakes. She picked one up and stuffed it into her mouth, closing her eyes in rapture. So good.

It was gone too soon. She grabbed another one, too hungry to bother with syrup or silverware, and popped it in her mouth. Mmmm. Delicious. More.

She'd just finished the third pancake when she noticed Spade watching her. He glanced at her now-empty plate, then at the untouched silverware, and back to her.

Denise felt a flush heat her face. What was wrong with her? It hadn't been that long since she'd eaten.

"I, uh, was really hungry," she stammered.

His mouth quirked. "It would seem so."

As if to accentuate the point, another pain jabbed her in the stomach, followed by a rumbling, audible gurgle. Denise forced herself to arrange the napkin neatly on her lap, pick up her silverware, and cut the contents of the next container - country fried steak and eggs, her favorite!  -  into small pieces before taking her next bite. By that time, the rumble in her stomach had increased to almost a roar. Spade continued to watch her, that half smile still curling his mouth.

"Always enjoy seeing a woman with a healthy appetite," he said, amusement clear in his tone.

Denise quit the pretense and speared two chunks of fried steak at once, chewing them while giving Spade a glare that dared him to comment. So she was a little too hungry at the moment to eat like a bird, who cared? Maybe it had been longer than she realized since the last time she'd eaten.

"Do you have a plan for how we're going to start looking for Nathanial?" she asked after she'd finished all the steak and eggs. Would it look too piggish to move on to the next shiny container? Screw it. Who knew when they'd break for another meal?

"I do," Spade replied. "We'll start with my line. Though I don't have any blokes named Nathanial in it, who's to say your ancestor didn't change his name? You do remember what he looks like from what Raum showed you, yes?"

Denise shuddered. "Yes." As if she could forget all the horrible images Raum had forced onto her mind.

"Good. I'll hold an assembly and you can pick through my people's property. See if you recognize any of them."

"You know, it's really rude how you keep referring to humans as property. I'm human, too, remember?"

Something glinted in his gaze. "I remember it well. Which is why I'll be introducing you to my line as my newest piece of property."

Her jaw dropped. "Oh no, you won't."

He waved an elegant hand. "You don't want Crispin or Cat to find out what you're up to, so this is best disguise. I don't date humans; that's common knowledge. But I do have other uses for them, and no one would question a vampire traveling with his property. We seldom go anywhere without one or two of them along, in fact."

His expression practically dared her to argue with him. Denise paused. What if this was Spade's way of trying to get out of helping her? If she refused to go along with this charade, he could abandon her without a second thought. Maybe he wasn't as concerned about keeping Bones out of this as she'd bargained on.