“It’s late. Get some rest. We’ll talk when you’re feeling better.”
Viktor reached for a folded blanket at the end of the bed and pulled it up over her shoulders. As she began to drift off to sleep, Viktor closed his eyes, sensing her energy. A vision of her smiling formed in his mind, her hand reached for him, her fingers touching his lips.
Viktor’s eyes snapped open, surprised. Interesting, he mused. Could this human communicate with him in her dreams, her energy forming an actual picture? Did she intentionally show it to him or was this simply a more active form of dreaming? Like the art she dearly loved to study, he suspected Dr. LaFleur also held many secrets.
“We may be taking a trip,” Viktor commented nonchalantly. He lounged on a chaise and stared at the twinkling lights reflecting onto the water that filled his large rectangular penthouse pool. “The weather’s exceptional this evening, don’t you think?”
“Why, might I ask, are we leaving? No, don’t tell me, it has to do with the chick upstairs.” Rafe scooped a spoonful of ice cream and slid it in his mouth.
“I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to let Dr. LaFleur go back alone,” he confessed.
“Big mistake, man.”
“I can’t quite explain it myself. There was a demon in that apartment. I’m sure of it. Tonight, there was a shooting by a human. Her friend is missing. Apparently, she was involved with a vampire wannabe group.”
“Let PCAP deal with the missing friend. You know that donors take a risk going to places like that. As for the shooting? Humans love their guns. They do sketchy shit all day long.”
Viktor sighed. “I don’t know. My immediate concern is getting her back to San Diego. The police have questions. I have questions too. I want to know more about the shooter.”
“You killed him, right?”
“Well, yes, but he deserved it.”
“What is there to know, then?”
“I want to know his background. His motive.” Viktor shrugged. “We’ll go to San Diego. A day or two tops, and then we can move on to Jackson Hole so you can get back to Hunter.”
“Come again?” Rafe asked, setting his spoon into the bowl.
“I thought you’d be happy to go home. Back to Hunter. Back to the pack.” Viktor set his gaze on Rafe. His prodigy appeared more confident than he was.
“I don’t know.” He hesitated. “I like Miami.”
“You’re going to join a pack here?”
“I dunno. Maybe I’ll go rogue,” Rafe casually suggested, looking into his bowl.
“I don’t think we should talk about this right now,” Viktor replied without emotion, concealing his concern. How was he going to explain to the Alpha that Rafe was thinking of going rogue? It wasn’t going to be pleasant. “You’ll come with us then. We’ll deal with this rogue business later.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Rafe shook his head. “Wolves go rogue. I’m just thinking maybe the big pack isn’t for me right now. You know, considering all the changes.”
“We’ll talk about it later. Nothing’s set in stone. Right now, I need your assistance with the human.”
“Seriously dude? She’s your woman, not mine. Just do what you usually do when you have a girl over.”
“I don’t have women to my house. Not humans anyway. And there’s a reason for it.”
“How’s that? She’s alive. You’ve got that going for ya. She’ll wake up eventually and then we’ll split and hit the West Coast. No worries.”
“Humans,” Viktor mused. “While I enjoy a bite and a cuddle, I’m not typically in the business of taking care of them.”
“It’s easy enough. Just get her dressed. Feed her. Help her get back home. What’s the problem?”
“Feed her,” Viktor repeated. He didn’t eat human food, let alone cook.
“Yeah. You know. Like I do. I’ve got some food. You could make her something.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that.”
“Then order out. Call the deli down the street. Mazilli’s. Get her a cheesesteak.”
“A cheesesteak? It’s two in the morning.”
“Or a salad. Or a pizza. I’ll take a slice.”
“You’re a bottomless pit.”
“My appetite for food and blood are healthy. I’m good.”
“Yeah, sure you are. You’d better get some rest, wolf. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Do I need to pack or are we flying VikAir?” Rafe asked.
“No flashing anywhere. She’s already freaked out enough.” Viktor reached for his cell phone and pecked at the screen. “We’re taking the jet.”
“The PJ, huh?” Rafe smirked knowingly. “Nice.”
“What is it now?” Viktor rolled his eyes and continued to text the pilot.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Rafe chuckled.
“Spit it out, already. What’s so funny?” Viktor set his phone down on the table and sighed.
“The royal treatment.” Rafe smiled wide like the Cheshire cat. “You’re sweet on her.”
“Wrong.” The ancient vampire gave a sly smile. “I’m intrigued. Yes, yes, I’m definitely intrigued.”
“You mean horny.”
“No. Intrigued.” He sniffed. “Her blood is as sweet as honey. I suspect there’s something…” Viktor stopped short of airing his suspicions. “Someone shot at her last night. And succeeded in spilling her blood. I was hasty in killing the human. I will return the good curator and do a bit of investigating.”
“That’s why they have police.”
“I’m very aware of the human police. But I am also very old. And this means I have instincts. And my instinct tells me that a demon is involved with humans. But for what purpose?”
“I don’t get why you’d get involved when you don’t have to.”
“Duty. Glory. Honor.”
“Sex?” Rafe laughed.
“Wrong. Sex is easy to find. I’ve had as much as I’ve wanted. But in thousands of years…I don’t have time to explain, except to say there’s more to it. Life can be…” He sighed, considering how he’d repudiated his humanity. “It can be many things. The years pass and many of us, we choose to forget, perhaps, what was important to us when we first entered this realm. And so, when there is a spark, a human who intrigues you, you make time to explore the magick. When you are intrigued, when you find an opportunity, you must seize it.”
“We all come by the magick one way or another.”
“Wolves are born with the magick.”
“Yeah, well. I’m no longer a wolf. Not a pure one anyway. I’m something else. I was made too.” Rafe paused reflectively and quickly changed the subject. “So, you’re not just trying to impress her with the jet? You know…so you can get laid?”
“I’m a gentleman.” Viktor stood. “She’s not accustomed to our ways. Not wolves. Not vampires. But I do believe she’s what I’d consider curious. I don’t want to scare her.”