He hugged Kate as he looked to Rachael. "You have been quiet, Rachael. I know we threw you into this, but I wanted you to be involved in our son's life, see that he is fine. But I also am concerned about your safety. This incident has brought a lot to light for me. I want you to also have a warrior on patrol near you. It is easily done with my warriors in California. Raven can head that up. They can be as visible or as invisible as you choose. I want you to feel safe. I owe you so much."
Rachael nodded. "That's fine. I was never in any danger, but I understand. By having mortals close to you, we offer an easy target to those who can't get to you. They can use us as pawns. I’ll do it because, in the long run, it protects Cory too."
"Grazie. I will have Dante fly you home whenever you are ready. I am sure I speak for Kate and myself when I say, you are always welcome here, stay as long as you wish." Shade laid his head back on the sofa and exhaled. "I am sorry, to all of you. I should never have let the two of them go unprotected. I am still struggling to deal with how I let this happen."
Kate laid her head on his shoulder. "Lover, how could we have known Max was in California? We can't live our lives looking over our shoulder. But this is good. We are stronger when we’re together."
"Si, we are always stronger as familia, working together. I am exhausted from my dream-walking, and I must rest for a while. I hope to hell this does not mean I am getting old."
Kate giggled as she nuzzled into his neck. “Don’t fade on me now, warrior! We still have another baby in our future.”
100
Sitting in a window seat on the campaign bus, Alec stared out the window without seeing the passing countryside. Braden had been managing the press during the hiatus and painting a picture of the candidate in mourning but also a candidate who was still determined to fulfill his mission and his commitment to the American people.
They’d attended several rallies, and the crowds weren’t as large. Many of those that did show up seemed to be drawn more by curiosity. The press was questioning whether he should remain in the race and asking whether it might be too soon for the Senator to get back in the game. There were suggestions that, perhaps, he should ‘sit this one out’, and try again in the next election. His poll numbers were slipping, and he’d come in third in the Iowa caucus. Before Rissa’s untimely demise, he’d been a shoe-in for Iowa. In fact, the press had speculated his path to be the party’s nominee was pretty much a lock.
He dropped his head back on the head rest and sighed heavily, scrunching up his forehead. Braden looked up from his laptop to see the pained expression on his face. He signaled for Kelsey to bring him a Midnight, as he moved to the open seat next to Alec.
“You okay? You look pale. I sent you a feeder last night. She texted me that you sent her away.”
Kelsey handed him the Midnight, overhearing this interesting tidbit of information about the feeder. Alec accepted the glass and downed the thick wine in a single gulp.
“You can’t fix everything, Braden. Besides, you know I don’t care for the feeders. Too eager to please, and all the allure of a blow-up doll.”
Braden stared back at him, getting annoyed. “Okay, listen to me. I expected this lag in the polls. That doesn’t mean we can’t turn this around, Alec, but you’ve got to get your head in the game. You’ve got to show some energy, some enthusiasm. You’re delivering your speeches like a robot. If you don’t feel it, the people won’t feel it. What’s going on here? Do you still want this?”
Handing the glass back to Kelsey, he bent forward, his arms resting on his knees. “I’m not sure what I want. Even when it was right in front of me, and it looked like a shoe-in, I was starting to second guess myself.”
Braden shook his head. “What do you mean? Is this because of Rissa? Do you need more time?”
Alec rubbed his face, clearly agitated. “No. It has nothing to do with Rissa. I’m wondering why I even want this. I mean, what’s the point? The vampire community is against this, so it’s not like I’ll be doing anything to elevate our status in the world. It will be a constant game of subterfuge. That’s all it was ever about. Me, obtaining the most powerful mortal position in the world, and hiding in plain sight, fooling them all. It’s a game, Braden, a big fucking game. I was bored, and I wanted what I couldn’t have.”
Braden sighed heavily. “So, what are you saying? You’re done here?”
There was a long pause before he answered, as he considered his options. What else would he do, if not this? He didn’t have an answer to that. “Not yet.”
The frustrated sigh from Braden could be heard all over the bus. “All right, Alec, I’ll keep doing my job. But help me out here, brother, and start doing yours.”
He got up and moved to the far end of the bus, putting as much distance between him and Alec as possible.
Kelsey brought him another glass of Midnight and slid into the seat next to him. He took the glass without speaking, sipping quietly as he looked out the window. She slid her hand along his thigh, covered in the rich fabric of his hand-tailored suit. “You know, Alec, I’d be more than happy to have you feed from me.”
Removing her hand from his thigh, his grip on her wrist was much tighter than it need be, and he watched with pleasure as she winced in pain and tried to pull away. He chuckled at her reaction. “Somehow, my darling, I seriously doubt that. You have no idea what I need.”
Kelsey rubbed her wrist and quickly stood up from her seat. The look he gave her sent a chill down her spine. This was a side of him she’d never seen, as she too scurried away, putting distance between them.
Alec returned to looking out the window as he thought to himself, Rissa would have loved the pain. She would have even loved the rejection. She wouldn’t have run from him, she would have just tried harder.
101
The bus pulled into the parking lot for the last stop of the day. They had continued to attend rallies with dwindling numbers, and Braden kept pushing him to show more of the ‘Alec’ the voters had come to expect, but his heart was no longer in this race. His energy was low, as he’d not fed, continuing to reject the feeders Braden sent to him nightly. Alec knew it was taking a toll, and he’d have to succumb to his body’s demand, sooner rather than later.
He made his way through the small crowd, and it looked like the press was starting to outnumber the constituents. He stopped to pose for a few pictures as he made his way to the podium and delivered his canned speech. As he spoke to the crowd, he made eye contact with a female reporter, who smiled up at him and winked. He held her gaze as he continued to speak, and several people in the front row turned to see what had captured his attention. The pretty blond reporter made no effort to hide her interest.
As the rally concluded, he stepped off the stage, and into a wall of microphones, as the press hit him with a barrage of questions about his dwindling poll numbers. He delivered his carefully prepared responses, as he eased his way through the throng. Just as he was about to break free, she stepped in front of him.
“Hi. I’m Jessica, and I’m a reporter for the local news station here in Dayton. Any chance for an interview?”