Page 25 of Fangs and Family
‘What are you talking about? Why would I call someone abroad? Why would I even take the chance of missing a call from you or Pawel?’ She asked, now fully alert, a panicked look in her eyes, so I handed her the phone to show her.
After glancing at the phone, she frowned before handing it back. ‘What are you talking about? There’s nothing there.’ Nina was clearly exasperated, but even from this distance, I could still see the number displayed on her screen.
‘Fuck!’ The curse slipped out as I rushed forward, and Nina jerked away, frightened. I grasped her head, tilting it to the side and thrusting my face close to her skin, searching for any signs of damage, but frustration left me snarling at the lack of evidence.
With a whispered apology, I pressed my lips to Nina’s carotid, lightly grazing my tongue along its length, tasting her sweet skin. There was a low gasp of surprise from her, but instead of tensing and pushing me away, Nina relaxed, tilting her head to the side in complete trust. I nearly came undone at her reaction, but just as my body began to respond, I tasted the barest hint of the sourness of vampire venom and cursed again, pulling away suddenly. Retreating to my chair, my phone already in my hand, I hit speed dial three, calling Veronica Sandoval.
‘What do you want?’ she asked curtly, and I wondered what insulting tag she had my number saved under.
‘I need your help. Send a Psychic Witch to Leszek’s mansion. Find one who can remove a geas placed by an elder vampire.’
‘Sara?’ she asked, and I quickly answered.
‘No, Nina, her friend.’
‘You’re asking a lot for a human, but fine. Twenty thousand zlotych, and I will send you my best witch first thing in the—’ She hadn’t finished before Leszek ripped the phone from my hand.
‘You will send one now, and I will double your price. Now, Veronica. It’s important.’
Ignoring Nina was a mistake, and when her panicked voice overrode Leszek’s, I turned back, ready to apologise.
‘What’s going on? Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?!’
If looks could kill, I would have been dust at that moment, but before I could speak, Sara answered Nina’s question.
‘I’d say Adam discovered you were bitten by a vampire and that the bastard has you under a compulsion to do whatever he tells you,’ she said, and I watched the colour drain from Nina’s face.
‘That can’t be true. It was only a nightmare,’ she whispered before her eyes rolled back and she fainted.
I had Nina in my arms before I even thought of moving, gently laying her helpless body on the sofa. When Sara came to our side to examine her friend, I nearly attacked the Seer, but expecting my actions, she merely knelt down and smacked my nose, then ignored me as she worked.
Moments later, her sigh of relief eased the knot in my chest, and I sat back, Nina’s hand in my own, my fingers running across the veins for reassurance.
‘Foolish man, she was just overwrought, exhausted and anaemic from the bite.’ Sara’s words, meant to be comforting, had the opposite effect on me, and her next question angered me beyond sense. ‘I’m assuming you haven’t bitten her as well?’
‘No, and I will stake the motherfucker who touched her! He must have compelled her to call him when she had any contact with her brother. Fuck, where is that damn witch?’
I could barely contain my fury. The mark of another vampire on Nina’s neck was evidence of my complete failure. Maybe if I’d contacted Nina as soon as Sara asked me to investigate, this wouldn’t have happened. My spiralling thoughts broke off when Nina slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting mine with eyes that were hard and unyielding, filled with a hurt I wished I could erase.
‘You will fix this, Adam. Do whatever it takes, and I will give you whatever you want in payment,’ she said quietly but implacably. I simply nodded, unable to console her while my head was filled with rage. I sat next to her on the sofa.
‘As soon as we’re done here, you are moving to my apartment. It isn’t just about your brother, Nina. I can’t allow anyone to hunt on my territory.’ I said, and her eyes widened at the vehemence in my voice.
That wasn’t the whole truth, but still, it was a better explanation than mentioning the thought of her alone and unprotected drove me mad. Now came the challenging part, the one I knew she would oppose. ‘You will also take a leave of absence from the hospital. You will be by my side or with Sara, but never alone.’
‘You can’t be serious! I can accept living with you for now, but how can you expect me to pay my bills if I’m not working? Rent won’t pay itself just because I temporarily changed addresses. I know what you’re saying, but I can’t let this fucker stop me from living my life. He already did… I can’t let him rule over my life, Adam,’ she argued.
The last sentence was a pleading whisper, and I wanted to give in, tell her she could live as free as before, but what would stop that bastard from coming for her then? What if he lost control, draining her dry without bothering to turn her?
It was this fear that hardened my resolve.
‘I am serious, Nina, and you will accept it, or I will let your brother die in whatever shithole he’s crawled into.’ I said, and Nina turned her head toward her ally.
‘Sara?’
‘I’m sorry, I know it’s not ideal. Trust me, been there, seen it, and nearly strangled Leszek with the tee shirt, but this time, Adam is right. Although he could be less of an arsehole in how he goes about asking,’ Sara said with a glare in my direction, and Nina instantly deflated.
‘Fine, but when you’ve dealt with him, we’re done,’ she all but snarled.
