Page 85 of Thicker than Blood

“He’s very unorganized. He has no idea what he’s doing. I joined his cause in the hopes of helping him make it happen after he killed the guy who was running things before him. Uh, Oscar Maselli, I think his name was.”

“Oscar…” I repeat softly, recalling Lucius’s update. “I thought he was long dead.”

“So did everyone. He and Fisher fought constantly and one night it escalated. I assure you he’s dead now.”

“I don’t understand what you thought you had to gain by joining this ill-fated cause.”

“It’s not ill-fated. Fisher’s right about what they’ve done to us. They’ve practically domesticated us, Elias. Don’t you see that?”

“I’m far from being domesticated. You followed the wrong vampire. If you were looking to enrich your life, you could have talked to me. I’ve helped countless vampires and other supes carve out a place in this complicated world. I would’ve happily helped you do the same.”

“Why should we have to go underground to live?”

“You don’t have to. We can go back to the times of vampire hunting, if you prefer. Or being shunned by a society that fears us. It’s cold in the shadows where we used to live. Stepping out of them was a revelation. I live my life as freely as I choose to. It’s you being short-sighted that made it unbearable.”

“That’s what the vaccine is for,” Geordi says. “Removing one of the barriers that makes people in power nervous. It allowsmortals to choose their interactions and lets the vampires be themselves.”

Tristan tilts his head. “Why do you care?”

Geordi glances at me, a wistful smile on his lips. “Until today, I didn’t know why. Now I know it’s because it’s inside me. I want everyone to be happy and live the way they want to. I want the same for me and other people like me.”

“To what end for yourself?” Tristan asks.

“Not everything has to be about me.”

Squeezing Geordi’s hand, I say, “I believe it’s called selflessness.”

Tristan scoffs. “Pointless.”

“Is it?” Geordi asks. “From where I’m standing, it looks pretty good. You’re the one on the floor in chains, and I’m the one with Elias.”

I chuckle. “He’s got you there, Tristan.”

He pops his bottom lip in a pout.

“I suppose I owe you a merciful kill now. Unless my consort wishes otherwise.”

Geordi stares at the offending vampire, twisting his lips as he considers what to do next. Before he can speak, the door upstairs opens and two sets of footsteps break the silence.

Enyo and Jagger appear. Jagger has an excited look on his face while Enyo looks a bit dazed.

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“Lucius called,” Jagger says. “You didn’t answer your phone. He’s on his way over and said we should be prepared for a surprise.”

“I’m really not in the mood.”

“I think you’ll like this one.” Jagger waggles his eyebrows. “He promised bloodshed.”

Enyo rushes over to Geordi and hugs his friend. “Are you okay?”

Geordi nods. “Yeah. Elias healed me. I have more to tell you, but first things first. What have you been doing?”

“Getting railed by a vampire who never runs out of stamina. I don’t think I’ll be able to sit right for a week.”

Geordi laughs, shaking his head. “Good for you.”

Enyo rubs his hand in a circle on Geordi’s chest. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

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