Old Sins, Long Shadow Read online

“No, Marc. You.” Conrad’s gaze was steady as it locked with Marc’s. “When you killed her maker and absorbed his essence you inherited certain of his responsibilities.”

  “Me?” Marc jerked his head in Damian’s direction. “He’s the one who snapped his neck. I didn’t kill anyone.” But the thought of Damian as Heather’s sire—making decisions for her, telling her what she could and couldn’t do—did nothing to improve his mood. Damn it, he has no right!

  Conrad cleared his throat. “Yes, well, as to that, if Vincent had been human, I’m sure such an injury would have proved instantly fatal. However…”

  Not fatal? Both Marc and Julie turned to stare at Conrad. “What are you saying?” Julie asked. “He was dead, wasn’t he? He must have been.”

  Conrad shook his head. “No, my dear. The vampire I fed from that night was undoubtedly unconscious, but he wasn’t yet dead.”

  Marc glared at Damian. “You told me to burn him. Did you know he was still alive?”

  “You make it sound so…melodramatic,” Damian complained as his eyes sought Conrad’s. “So perhaps his death was not instantaneous but, surely, after you’d drained him?”

  “I’m sorry, my dear, but as I recall it, I became somewhat distracted while I was eating and did not get the chance to finish my meal.”

  “Well, so what?” Damian shrugged and looked away. “He would have died anyway.”

  Conrad nodded agreement. “Indeed. He was unconscious, paralyzed, unable to breathe, without enough blood or energy remaining to repair the damage he’d suffered. In time, he would undoubtedly have starved, which would have been a most unpleasant death.”

  Marc snorted. “You think so? More unpleasant than being burned alive?”

  “Did I not mention that he was unconscious? I assure you, Marc, he knew nothing of what was happening to him. He felt nothing.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Nobody deserves an end like that.” Marc shuddered to recall it. Vincent’s body exploding into flames. The rush of steam that had enveloped him, momentarily stealing his breath. Vincent’s essence…yes, he could see now what Conrad had meant. “He was just trying to protect Heather.” Granted, the bastard had turned her against her will, so maybe “protect” wasn’t exactly how she might’ve phrased it, but still…

  “Sí. While I was merely acting to protect your sister,” Damian snapped hotly. “Have you forgotten that, mi niño? Not to mention what he’d already done to Conrad. No. I refuse to pity him. If you ask me, it was too good an end for him.”

  “Damian. Stop,” Conrad chided. “Let it go. The boy’s been through enough tonight.”

  Damian inclined his head. “You’re right, of course.” His gaze raked Marc, his eyes anxious, pleading. “And are you sure there’s nothing more I can do for you tonight?”

  Marc shook his head. “No. Nothing.”

  “Very well.” Damian nodded sadly. “I’ll take my leave of you then. Rest well.”

  “Hold up, D.” Julie slid from the chair and stood up. “I’m going too.”

  Conrad grabbed for her hand. “Wait. You’re not thinking about going out, are you?”

  Julie shrugged. “Not really. Maybe just down to the gatehouse for a snack.”

  “Be careful out there,” Conrad cautioned, giving her hand a squeeze.

  Smiling, she bent and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be very careful,” she promised. Straightening up, she glanced uncertainly at Marc. “I’m sorry I yelled at you—you know, before. I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Thanks.” Marc nodded. “Me too.” Okay wasn’t anything at all like he’d have described himself, but he saw no point in mentioning it. How could he be okay? He was overwhelmed by the prospect before him, daunted by all the tasks he’d taken on.

  The promise he’d given Nighthawk—it had seemed so right, at the time. Now, he couldn’t help but wonder to what lengths he’d have to go to keep it. He had Heather to worry about too and, to top it all off, Elise had gone missing.

  He’d insisted they go by her loft on the way back to the mansion. He’d insisted he needed to warn her about the danger she might be in. In truth, he’d needed a lot more than that, but she was gone when they arrived. He took consolation in the fact that there did not appear to have been a struggle. That her paintings had disappeared along with her was also a good sign. But she was gone just the same—just when he needed her. And Audrey was still on the loose.

  “We don’t even know what she wanted. All that venom she was stockpiling, all that expensive equipment she’d set up. Who knows what she was planning to do with it?”

  Marc hadn’t even realized he’d spoken the words aloud until Conrad answered, “She was hoping to begin breeding Lamia Invitus.”

  Marc stared at him in surprise. “Vampires like you?”

  Conrad nodded. “Even so.”

  “You don’t sound very surprised?”

  Conrad shrugged. “I’m not. I’ve suspected it for some time.”

  Of course he had. Marc sighed. And, of course, he wouldn’t ever have considered sharing the information until now when it was almost too late. “Could she really do that?”

  “If she were to retrieve the missing information she’s been seeking? Yes.”

  “Will she?”

  “No. It was unlikely to begin with, as there are only a handful of us left who are familiar with the process and we have all sworn never to reveal it to anyone. But now I will make every effort to insure that she never achieves her goal.”

  “Good,” Marc said on a yawn, the events of the day finally catching up with him.

  Conrad got to his feet. “You’re tired. I should let you get some rest.”

  Marc nodded but said nothing. Rest again. How could he possibly rest? First there was the fear. If he closed his one remaining eye, if he actually went to sleep, who was to say what he’d find when he awoke? Perhaps that eye would be gone as well. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to see at all. Or maybe something else would be missing.

  Then there was the horror. When he did close his eye, the image of Vincent appeared, his body engulfed in flames. What kind of monster sets fire to another person—even an enemy?

  Vampire…

  The word whispered in his mind and he cringed at the thought, but that was more from reflex than anything else. It was too late to deny the truth about what he was. It was too late for what-ifs or regrets or if-onlys. It was too late for him. He was Vampire. A monster. He was his own worst nightmare come to life. Somehow or other, he’d have to find a way to live with that.

  “Julie.” Brennan stood frozen in the doorway of his apartment, his expression rapidly changing from surprised relief to wary longing before settling into a somewhat-crooked smile that revealed nothing at all. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

  “Hey, yourself. Can I come in?” She smiled back at him gently; deliberately keeping her tone matter-of-fact, deliberately hiding her hunger from him, her desperate need. Please don’t say no tonight. Please don’t. He hesitated. She shrugged disarmingly and licked her lips. A tiny shudder racked him, almost imperceptible unless you were watching for it. Which she was. “C’mon, Bren. It’s just me. You can trust me, can’t you? You know I won’t bite. I mean, not unless you want me to?”

  “C’mon in,” he said as he stepped back to let her in. “Did everything turn out all right with your brother?”

  “Mostly.” She sighed a little as she thought about it. “I mean, he says he’s okay and all, but…” But she knew her brother better than that. He’d never really recovered from that night in the cave. Now, after everything else that had happened, after everything else they’d learned, who knew if he ever would.

  Brennan closed the door and joined her in his living room. “Look, Jules…”

  “I know,” she said spinning around to face him, nodding quickly to forestall him. “I know. We said we weren’t going to do this anymore. I got that. I do. But, I missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  “I ju
st needed to see you again. And to say thank you—you know, for being there for me earlier tonight, in the garage.” She needed more than that, of course. She needed to feel his arms clutching her tight, to taste his blood running down her throat. She needed the easy give and take of their friendship, the affection—she wouldn’t dare call it more than that—that had always existed between them.

  Brennan looked away. “Sure. Anytime. I mean…hell, Jules, you’ve been there for me, too, you know.”

  “How’s that?”

  “You know,” Brennan repeated, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. “With the way you always take care of me and all? I guess I didn’t realize how much that meant to me until you weren’t around.”

  “Oh.” Julie turned away to hide her dismay. Nice to know he’d missed her, but he made it sound like she was his mother. Nothing sexy about that, was there? Not even a bit. “So, I guess there’s no chance of things going back to the way they were before, huh?”

  “The way things were before?” Brennan said with unexpected fierceness. “Hell no. Why would I want to do that? All those bloodsuckers snacking on me day and night? Sure it was fun for a while, all that venom, being high all the time and everything but…” His voice trailed off as he took in her blank expression. “Oh. I guess you meant…between you and me?”

  Julie nodded. She’d never realized he felt so strongly about it, that it had bothered him so much. Embarrassed—because, really, how was she any different from the others—she turned toward the door. “This was a bad idea. I should go.”

  “Wait,” he said as he moved to block her exit. “The other day… Look, I’m sorry for what I said, all right? I never meant we should stop seeing each other altogether, you know.”

  “Oh?”

  “I just thought things had gotten too intense between us. You know what I mean? You had me wanting things I couldn’t have. And that just…”

  She gazed at him helplessly. She hadn’t a clue what he meant. “So what do you suggest?”

  “Couldn’t we maybe just…back up a bit? Take things a little slower?” He shrugged again. “I like you, Jules. I like you a lot. But I can’t tell you you’re going to be the girl I end up with, because I think we both know that’s not in the cards for us. Just like I’m not gonna be the guy who gets to not-grow-old with you. But you’re the only girl I’m interested in right now and you’re definitely the only vampire I’ll want…probably ever.”

  Julie nodded, thinking about it. His girl for now, his vamp for always…it wasn’t the worst deal she’d ever heard of. “Well, I won’t promise that yours is the only blood I’ll drink either because that…well, that’s just not a good idea. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us. And, you’re right, time will likely change a lot of things. For both of us. But, for right now, you’re the only one I want to be with too.” Which was mostly true. Or true enough, anyway.

  “Well, okay then.” Brennan sighed, shoulders sagging a little as his body relaxed. He shot her a relieved smile. “So, what do you say? You in the mood for a little snack?”

  She smiled back at him, letting all her teeth show, as she closed the distance between them. “Baby, I thought you’d never ask.”

  “Well?” Conrad asked, gazing at Georgia expectantly as he waved her into the library where he’d been sitting alone, awaiting her return. “Has everything been taken care of?”

  Georgia nodded her assent. “I believe so. As much as can be done in one night. The warehouse has been cleared out and all the elixir destroyed. I saw to that part myself, just to avoid any unnecessary complications. I also destroyed whatever information I could find that had to do with the making of it.”

  “Very good. I knew I could count on you.”

  “I didn’t find the original scroll, however, so that’s something we’ve yet to accomplish.” She shook her head. “There were also a couple of computers in the warehouse, which I took the liberty of bringing here. I thought it might be a good idea to have someone go over them before they’re destroyed. Who knows what we might find on them, notes perhaps, or correspondence, even bank accounts. Anything like that…it could prove useful in helping to track her movements or find out who she’s been in contact with.”

  Conrad nodded. “Good thinking. Another thing I’d like to do is find out who owns the warehouse. And there’s another property I want to look into as well—a small loft building in SoMa. I’ll give you the address tomorrow.”

  “All right.” Georgia looked at him curiously. “That should be easy enough to find out, but why? What will that tell you?”

  He smiled at her surprise. “I don’t expect it to tell me anything. I simply wish to purchase the buildings. Our enemy is on the run now,” he explained. “She will be looking for what support she can find. I wish to cut off as many avenues as possible. If we’re lucky, we may succeed in forcing her into the open that much sooner.”

  “I’ll check into it then,” Georgia agreed. “Now, what about this venom she was being furnished with? It seems likely it’s connected to the other matter we discussed last night—the recent attacks? I assume you will wish me to track it back to the source.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Conrad answered quickly. “I know everything I need to know about that situation.”

  “Really? And those responsible for its harvest? What do you intend to do with them?”

  Unbidden, the memory of Marc risking his life to save the feral Conrad had been about to kill rose in his mind. He’d been so blind with rage he might very well have killed Marc, if Damian hadn’t intervened. It was a chilling thought. “I’m not going to do anything about them. At least not for the moment.”

  He still didn’t know what had motivated Marc to claim the feral as his own, to offer him his protection. There was no telling what kind of compulsion he might have been acting under. Until Conrad had a better idea what was going on, he did not wish to do anything that might further complicate an already complex situation.

  “You can’t seriously be thinking of letting them get away with something like this?” Georgia asked.

  Conrad shook his head. “You know me better than that, I hope. But there are other factors in play, at the moment, Georgia. Issues I’d rather not discuss right now.”

  “You will reveal them at some point, though, won’t you?”

  “Perhaps. When the time is right.”

  “Perhaps?” Georgia’s eyebrows rose. Conrad steeled himself for an argument. Just then, however, the door to the library was pushed open.

  “Is it true?” Armand demanded, hurrying across the room to join them.

  For once, Conrad was happy to be interrupted. He gazed at Armand inquiringly. “Is what true?”

  “What everybody’s been saying about Marc. His eye?”

  Conrad nodded. “Yes, it’s true.”

  “Mon Dieu.” Armand’s face went white. “What’s this all about? How could this happen? Who would dare do such a thing?”

  “All very good questions,” Georgia murmured quietly.

  “I fear it was part of an attempt to gain my attention,” Conrad replied, forcing his voice to stay calm. Though his words were addressed to Armand, the message was meant for them both. “As to the rest, I really can’t say just yet. Perhaps my recent reticence has given people the mistaken impression I can now be pressured into doing or saying things I would not otherwise?”

  “Perhaps.” The wry smile that curved Georgia’s lips suggested his thrust had found its mark. “But I suspect only those who do not know you at all would ever fall victim to such a dangerous misapprehension.”

  Conrad allowed himself a small smile. “I’m glad you realize it.”

  “Oh, I do, indeed,” she answered mildly. “And, now, I believe that’s my cue to take my leave of you gentlemen. Evening comes early these days and I shall have a busy night ahead of me.”

  “Marc will be okay, won’t he?” Armand asked after Georgia was gone, reviving yet another conversation Conrad was loath
to discuss. “And Julie? How is she taking the news? She must be devastated.”

  “Yes. I’m sure she is. But I’m confident that, in time, they’ll both recover.”

  “I wish I’d been here, or that I could have done something to help.”

  Conrad smiled at him sadly. “As do I, my friend. But, I promise you, the criminals responsible will not go unpunished.”

  Armand shrugged. “Of course. That goes without saying, does it not?” He studied Conrad’s face for a moment. “Wait, you can’t think this is your fault?”

  Conrad could think of no response to make. Of course it was his fault. If he had not been so crippled by his weakness, if he had not waited overlong to investigate…

  Armand shook his head. “You would die for any one of us, Conrad, we all know this. But no one is immune from every form of danger. Not even you.”

  Conrad smiled. “Thank you, Armand. You always do find a way to cheer me.” In truth, it had been one of the luckier nights of his long life when he’d agreed to turn Armand. It was a decision he’d never regretted, although he did wonder, upon occasion, whether Armand felt the same.

  “Is Julie in her room?” Armand asked hesitantly. “Perhaps, if it’s all right with you, I’ll just go up and say goodnight to her?”

  “I’m sure she would appreciate your concern for her well-being as much as I do,” Conrad said, wishing to let him down gently. “But I don’t believe she’s there at the moment. She mentioned going out for a snack.”

  “Ah.” Armand grimaced. “Brennan, I suppose?”

  “Yes.”

  Armand nodded and turned away. “That’s probably for the best then.”

  With that, he left the room, leaving Conrad behind to reflect on the sad truth that what we want and what is best for us is very rarely the same thing.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dawn had almost arrived when Conrad finally headed to bed. He paused outside the door that led to Damian’s rooms, but the silence within telegraphed their emptiness. Wasn’t Damian home yet? Conrad bit back his dismay. He’d been hoping to steal a few minutes alone with his lover, but clearly that was not to be.