16. Ashe

She was supposed to be checking up on the Seventh Precinct a few hours away as she made her quarterly diplomatic appearance around the Fourth Ward. She was not scheduled to come back for at least another day or two. Dammit, I was supposed to have more time to figure this all out!

But yet here she was, standing in my—well, technically her—apartment. And she was furious.

“Why is that human from the coffee shop sitting on my couch?”

“A-are you a demon, too?” Dani asks, and I cringe as Catalina's fierce glare pierces mine from across the room.

“And she knows about demons. How unfortunate.”

“Cat, I—”

Catalina cuts me off with a wave of her hand. She always did love taking charge of a conversation. “We had an understanding, Ashe. No fucking around while I'm in town.”

“You weren't—”

“It was thoughtful of you to bring me a snack, love,” she continues, unperturbed. “But foolish to tell her all our secrets.” Her gaze sweeps back to Dani and a devilish smirk spreads across the vampire's lips as a hunger permeates off her, assaulting my senses. It makes my skin crawl. “I suppose none of that matters, though. We can still have a little fun tonight, and my trip has left me famished.”

In the blink of an eye Catalina moves from the front door to the living room, her fangs bared and bloodlust swirling in her chocolate eyes.

The imminent threat to Dani's life stands my hairs on end as a powerful force beckons my legs to move. I hear Dani shriek a millisecond before I'm standing between them, one arm pushing Dani back down on the couch and the other pressed against Catalina's chest.

“That's not what this is, Cat!” I snap. I can feel the Reaper's mark tingling against my skin, eager to be released as my reflexes anticipate a fight, and I pray that I would not have to use it tonight. I'm not really sure if I could, but the ring would leave me no choice if Catalina made good on her threats.

The vampire looks between me and the human curled up on the couch. “If you aren't going to bed her, Ashe, then I'm going to drain the life from her. She's a liability. She can't be permitted to live beyond tonight. You've seen to that by bringing her here!”

“I can't let you do that.”

Dani shifts behind me and I feel her fingers wrap around my arm as her body tenses. My stomach tightens and my eyes widen a fraction at the contact of her skin against mine; I hope Catalina did not notice.

She flicks her blood-red eyes down to Dani's hand and a primal hiss rattles in her throat. Her brow narrows as she slowly turns her attention once more to me. “Now that was a very stupid thing to do.”

Of course Catalina would notice the ring. What was I expecting? Did I really think I could hide that from her now?

“You know what this means, though.” I cautiously lower my arm, lifting my chin against her stare despite the seething anger that crashed into me like a tidal wave. I had to de-escalate this and quickly. Catalina's fury could be almost as unforgiving as her hunger. “I don't like it any more than you do, Cat, but it happened and—”

“How? How could you let this happen again?”

I grit my teeth and impulsively glance back at Dani. The barista's eyes meet mine but for the life of me I cannot sense whatever she was feeling. Given our current predicament, maybe that was for the best.

“It was a mistake.”

I know saying that is harsh. I can tell by the way Dani's hand loosens its grip and her shoulders tense that it affects her a great deal. But if I can see that, then Catalina can surely sense it. I needed to impress upon the vampire that Dani was not a threat.

“At least now I know why you were so inclined to feed last time.” Catalina sighs. “When are you going to stop getting yourself into these situations? First Emelie and now—”

“This is nothing like that!” I snap my head back around and narrow my eyes as my blood spikes. “And don't you ever say her name again!”

Catalina hums and leans back. “After all these years, I thought you would have learned to be more careful. You know our laws. For fuck's sake, Ashe, you enforce them!” The maroon flecks slowly fade from her eyes as she pinches the bridge of her nose and I breathe a sigh of relief. For now, no blood will be spilt tonight. “Does Nadia know?”

I shake my head, glad to have taken the focus of this conversation off of Dani for the moment. “I haven't had a chance to call her yet. I was hoping—”

“That she would know how to remove it,” Catalina interjects, her lips curling into a sneer. “You know that's impossible.” Her gaze cuts to Dani. “I could remove it, myself, if you'd like? I promise to make it painless.”

Dani flinches behind me and my jaw clenches. “You know I can't allow that, Cat.”

“Yes,” Catalina drawls, her tone low and unamused. “Being soulbound to a human does complicate things. Quite the mess you've gotten yourself into. Still, Nadia does have intimate knowledge about these soul rings. Perhaps she knows a way to unbind its effects. Other than death, of course.”

“That's what I'm hoping for.”

A moment of silence descends between us before finally Catalina says, “Nadia's out of the country, but she should return before the month's end. You would do well to maintain a low profile until then.” She purses her lips as her eyes flick down to Dani once more. “If she's able to remove the ring then we'll have to figure out what to do with our little human here.” A wicked grin curls the corners of her mouth as she adds, “I'd very much like to taste her. Her soul smells sweet.”

A low growl rumbles in my throat. “We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Catalina hums again before tracing her painted fingernails along my jawline. “Very well. Come, darling,” she moans, her voice adopting a sultry edge that sends shivers down my spine. She pinches my chin and pulls me forward, brushing her lips against mine as she spoke. “I've had a long journey and I'm positively dying for a good meal.”

Her eyes linger on Dani for a moment longer before she pivots on her heels and glides down the hallway with regal grace. The faint aroma of her desire still hovers in the air, swirling around me like incense, and with a heavy sigh I step away from the couch.

This was not a request. It never was with her.

“You should, uh . . .” Christ, why am I stammering? Is this embarrassment? Guilt? I shake my head as if that would shake away this feeling. “Don't wait up.”

I avoid looking at Dani's face as I follow the vampire into the bedroom. Maybe it was the sense of shame that swaddled me or the sudden realization that the last time I did this it was with the barista in mind. Whatever the reason, I did not want to see the look in her eyes as I left to satiate Catalina's hunger. A small part of me was afraid of what I would see reflected back in them.

***

It was late by the time I finally emerge from the room.

As was her custom, Catalina showed herself out while I slept, satisfied for the time being. My body still felt like it had been run over by a moving truck, though; whiskey should help with that.

I rub a hand over the back of my neck and make my way to the kitchen when something stirs in the corner of my eye, drawing my gaze.

Dani was spread out on the couch, her limbs splayed out at odd angles and her head tilted back between the cushions. Her brow was furrowed and her lips slightly parted as a curtain of caramel hair caressed her cheeks, framing her heart-shaped face. The television screen crackled with pale blue light, illuminating the small living room and bathing her olive skin in its soft glow, and I could not help but think how peaceful she looked when she was sleeping.

A stray strand of hair slips and tickles her nose, and for a fleeting moment I feel an impulse to brush it from her face.

I realize that I'm staring and shake my head. Whiskey, right. I came out here for whiskey. My hormones must still be reeling from my tryst with Catalina earlier. Whiskey will help wash all of that back down.

Before I can move away a blast of cold air whistles from the vent above the couch as the air conditioning kicks on and Dani reflexively curls in on herself. Her sleeper shorts and loose nightshirt would do little to keep her warm, and I really did not want to discuss the night's events with her if she woke up. I was in no mood for her barrage of questions tonight.

With a sigh, I pull a blanket from the hall closet and carefully drape it over Dani's frame. Now if I can only grab my drink and make it back to the room before—

“You two were in there a long time.”

Too late.

I glance down to see a pair of emerald eyes staring back at me through slitted lids. Even in the dim lighting they still glimmered like a mysterious forest blanketed in morning mist. Brimming with curiosity and a swath of emotions I cannot decipher. As captivating as they were deadly, I wondered if I would lose myself in their depths if I stared long enough.

I clear my throat. “I told you not to wait up.”

The muscles in her neck contract as she fights to stifle a yawn. “I didn't. Obviously.” The faint scent of alcohol dances on her breath and I frown.

“You've been drinking?”

“Relax, it was only a few beers. I'm not drunk.”

“I don't have beer.”

“I brought it from my apartment. Part of the life I packed up and stowed away,” she quips with a snort. “Besides, I have work tomorrow. It'd be stupid if I got drunk.”

“Yeah, you're not going to work.” If Catalina's threats were not enough to convince her of the dangers that waited for her, then what the hell was?

“And you're not stopping me!” She props herself up on one elbow and stares pointedly at me. “This isn't up for debate, Ashe.” A sly smile spreads over her lips and my heartbeat quickens. “I promise to behave if you agree to this. Or I'll just do it anyway and you can punish me later.”

Was she flirting with me just now?

The sensuous tincture that spiced her usually mild voice caused my breath to hitch in my throat and inadvertently my eyes dip to the curvature of her neck, right where the collar of her shirt slipped down and exposed her bare shoulder. My chest tightens as a familiar heat sparks in my lower abdomen and simmers back to life.

Mischief looked sexy on her. As she licks her lips, whether unintentional or not, I find myself wondering what it would be like to—

Goddamn hormones.

“Fine,” I mutter. I cannot believe I'm actually agreeing to this. “But only if Marco agrees to drive you. I can't watch you twenty-four-seven and I can't keep you out of trouble otherwise.” And I don't want any trouble from you.

Dani purses her lips in silent contemplation before she slowly nods. “Fine. I like him, anyway. He's nice.”

“Great.”

She quirks a brow as that smirk returns. “Aren't you supposed to say 'your wish is my command' or something like that?”

Again with the genie jokes?

“I'll never say that. I'm being lenient, here. Don't give me reason to change my mind.” I sit on the edge of the coffee table and cross my arms. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, actually.” She gestures between us. “Is this going to be a problem for your girlfriend? I'd hate for her to get the wrong idea about us.”

Her flat tone suggests differently, as does the bitterness laced in her words. Apparently alcohol did wonders for lowering her inhibitions and loosening her tongue—ah, fuck, quit thinking about her tongue!

I clench my jaw. “Cat and I aren't a thing. What we have is—”

“History?”

“Complicated,” I correct. “But yes, she isn't exactly happy about this whole situation.” She made sure I was well aware of her displeasure earlier, if the scratches along my back were any indication. They would heal quickly enough; my pride, on the other hand, was more than a little bruised.

Dani huffs. “Clearly, if she wants to taste me.”

I raise an eyebrow, only slightly amused at how badly she misinterpreted Catalina's meaning. “That wasn't what you think it is. It was a threat. She was threatening you, Dani.”

“Well that was the sexiest threat I've ever heard from a demon.”

“She isn't a demon.”

“Is she a werewolf, then? Er, sorry—fera? Shifter?”

She had said it so plainly, as if she were discussing the weather, that I was almost unsure if I had heard her clearly. “How do you—” I fight off a groan and roll my head back. “Marco told you about them, didn't he?”

“If I'm to survive in this hidden world of yours, Ashe, I should know about these kinds of things. Don't you think?”

She has a point. Air whistles through my nose as I sigh and glance at her. “Well she's not a demon, and she's not a shifter.”

“Don't tell me she's a freaking vampire.”

“I wouldn't call her that to her face,” I warn, but I cannot hide the smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “The vitaem hate that word.” At seeing her confused expression I decide to elaborate. By this point, Dani was already pretty deep in my world. What harm would come from shedding a little more light?

“They've been around a long time and have been known by many names. Strigoi, upyr, baobhan sith. Vampire is a more recent term that mortals have given their kind, and for the most part it's not too far off. Their eyes charm you, make you feel safe around them, and their fangs carry an addictive venom that increases the dopamine levels in their victims when bitten.”

“What happens if she bites me? Would I turn into one of them?”

“No, it doesn't work like that. The toxins they release from a bite carry high enough doses that can paralyze a person or knock them unconscious, but it won't kill you or turn you like the bite from a werewolf can. It's a curse, not a disease. You have to want it and they, in turn, have to choose you.”

“Who in their right mind would want something like that?”

“You'd be surprised at some of the lengths people would go to for immortality.”

“I saw her in the café with you, the day we ran into each other at the club and I . . .” Her voice trails off as she wrings her hands together and a sigh escapes her lips. “It was broad daylight.”

I know exactly what she is asking. “Contrary to popular belief, sunlight doesn't harm them. They're immortal so they don't require sleep, and I imagine it's easier to hunt unsuspecting prey at night than in the middle of the afternoon.”

“And holy water? Crosses?”

“It'll only burn them if they contain traces of silver.” I am unable to hide my smirk as I add, “And I know many vampire families that attend church religiously. Some are very devout in their faiths.” Mortals and their misconceptions.

Dani nods as she tilts her chin. “So if we've been wrong about all of that, what exactly do they eat?”

“While vampires can tolerate human food, they can't live off of it indefinitely like shifters can. Their hunger will overtake them and drive them mad if they don't feed on a person's life force, but they have different beliefs on how they do it. The sanguinis are more closely aligned with your view of a vampire and prefer to satisfy their hunger with blood while the vitaem, like Catalina, see feeding as a sensual act and would rather take life by stealing breath. That's probably where the myth of the succubi came from, actually.” Leave it to Catalina to birth a legend about a sex demon.

“That doesn't sound sensual at all.”

“You wouldn't think that if they were feeding on you.”

She scrunches her nose. “Is that what you were doing with her earlier? Letting her feed?”

I grimace. “If she's feeding on me then she's not feeding on humans.”

“How noble of you.”

“It's not like I enjoy it!” I doubt she would like having her life energy drained from her body, despite the pleasure that Catalina was so good at providing. Most mortals would not even realize that they were sitting on death's doorstep while in the arms of a vampire. My immortality was the only thing that kept me out of death's grip.

“Yeah, right,” Dani snorts. “I'm not stupid, Ashe. I heard what was going on in there. Sounded to me like you were both enjoying yourselves.”

“You know nothing.” I shake my head. “I shouldn't even be telling you any of this.”

“Right, because this is all just a mistake.”

There it is again, that seething revulsion for that word. What was up with that? “Are you pissed because I called this a mistake?”

Something flashes in her eyes and with a sigh she tilts her head, averting her gaze. “Words can sting just as much as a bullet,” she whispers, her flirtatious vibe from earlier flickering out like the flame of a dying candle as she sits up and pulls the blanket tighter around her.

“What does that even mean?”

“My ex called being with me a mistake. So, yeah, that word's kind of a sore spot for me.”

Once again I find myself wishing that I could sense whatever it was that she was feeling. Empathy did not come easily for me and without my ability to read her emotions I was sure to say the wrong thing. The last thing I needed was for her to have a breakdown in my living room. I doubt I would handle that well, and I was not about to open up old wounds. For either of us.

“I'm talking about the situation you're in, Dani,” I say, choosing my words carefully. I feel like I'm treading water, one breaststroke away from drowning in the ocean. “Knowing about the supernatural is a death sentence for most humans, not to mention the fact that my ring on your finger paints a huge target on your back. There are worse things than Catalina out there. It was a mistake—”

“To save my life,” she blurts out. “Yeah, you've said that more than once now. Thanks for the reminder.” She pushes herself off the couch, letting the blanket slip down the length of her body as she passes dangerously close to me. I catch a whiff of her cucumber shampoo and my stomach flutters. Was she even aware of her actions or what they were doing to me right now? “And fuck your 'imminent danger' bullshit. I don't even know why I agreed to go along with any of this, this is just stupid.”

Without thinking, I grab her wrist as she starts to walk away. Her skin feels warm against my palm and a heat washes over me. We have not touched like this since that night. I found myself yearning to touch more of her, to caress the goosebumps on her flesh with the tips of my fingers. To feel her quiver beneath my touch. To lose myself in the sensation and taste the bittersweet tang of her desire on my tongue.

“Just so you know,” I mutter, pulling back my hand as if I had pressed it against a hot surface. “I don't regret saving your life.”

In the glow of the television I see a faint blush color her cheeks. “Then what do you regret?”

“A lot of things.” With a frustrated huff, I release the breath that I was holding in as I meet her gaze. I'm not sure if it was her tender vulnerability that was infecting me or a sense of guilt for forcing all of this on her in only a few days with a total disregard for how she felt, but whatever this moment was it needed to end here. I cannot afford any more complications. “Go to bed, Dani. It's late and we both have work tomorrow.”

If she had anything else to say, she instead decided to hold it in and let the words die on her tongue. Her gaze lingers on me awhile longer, eyes as mystifying as hieroglyphs, before she nods and turns away.

After Dani retires to the guest room, I comb a hand through my hair and make my way to the kitchen like I should have done in the first place. If I did not need whiskey before, I sure as shit needed some now.