Ironic Sacrifice Page 4

  “You can relax. I’m not going to hurt you. Razvan just has a way of pissing me off.”

  Jayden straightened and sipped her beer, humiliated that she was cowering before this tiny woman.

  “How long have you known him?” she asked, curious about the nature of their relationship.

  “A little over four years.” Akasha laughed. “We kinda got off on the wrong foot when I threw him through a sliding-glass door.”

  “Why?” Jayden asked, thunderstruck.

  “I thought he was threatening my man.” Akasha smiled in remembrance.

  “And why did you hit him this time?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t going too far.

  Akasha was silent for a while as she nursed her beer and smoked. Finally, she crushed out her cigarette into an overflowing ashtray.

  “Razvan likes to toy with his prey. I didn’t like the smug look on his face when he brought you here. He’s a little more old-fashioned than Silas is with humans and I didn’t know if you were with him willingly or not.”

  “But you didn’t get mad until I saw … your ...um …past.” Jayden trailed off lamely.

  “Razvan especially likes psychics,” Akasha said as if that was the point.

  “Oh.” She still didn’t get it. “Why?”

  Akasha sighed and lit another cigarette with the butt of her first one. “He’s been searching for his missing brother for centuries, using psychics to help. When they fail, he throws them away. Now I’ll ask you, are you with him willingly?”

  Jayden was touched and perplexed that the woman cared so much about the fate of a stranger.

  She shrugged. “We made a bargain.”

  “What kind of bargain?” Those amethyst eyes narrowed, making her want to squirm.

  “I offered my life in exchange for another woman’s.” Jayden looked down at her lap. “I wanted him to kill me.”

  “So Razvan was telling the truth.” Akasha’s voice softened marginally. “Are your visions really that bad?”

  Jayden refused to look at her, the pity would be unbearable. “Yes. They grew so strong and invasive that I lost my job and dropped out of college, and then when I couldn’t get another job, I lost my apartment. I just want them to go away. I don’t want to see any more terrible things!” she cried, choking on tears of frustration. “You can’t know how awful it is for me.”

  Akasha got up and tossed her beer bottle in a trash barrel. The clang of glass against metal echoed in the shop. “You’re right. I can’t.” Her tone was implacable. “But now that you know Razvan isn’t going to put you out of your misery, doesn’t it mean the bargain’s off?”

  Jayden shook her head. “No. He said that since I offered him my life, it is his to do with as he pleases.”

  Her new acquaintance snorted in outrage. “So, what, he owns you now? I don’t fucking think so. This is the twenty-first century and we aren’t living in the feudal system he grew up in. If you want, I’ll do what I can to help you. He Marked you, so he can find you wherever you go, but I have connections that can make him back off.”

  “No!” The shout tore from her throat.

  Panic rose up at the thought of losing the stability she felt around the vampire and being cast back to the chaos, and perpetual visions of suffering on the streets.

  She met Akasha’s shocked stare defiantly. “I mean, I’m okay for now. Razvan’s been kind to me and I don’t get visions from him when he touches me.”

  Her cheeks flushed as she remembered his tumultuous lovemaking. Akasha saw it right away and leaned forward in a flash, eyes narrow slits of accusation.

  “He fucked you?” she demanded. “He actually thinks his ‘owning’ you goes that far?”

  Jayden blushed harder. “It’s okay… I mean, it was wonderful.” She couldn’t suppress a sigh.

  “Oh damn, mental picture!” Akasha opened another beer as if trying to drink the images away. “But if you had said no, do you think he would’ve stopped?”

  Jayden frowned. It was hard to imagine telling such a dark and powerful man “no.” But Akasha had a point. It didn’t matter how gorgeous he was, or how good he was in the sack. She didn’t want him to rape her.

  “I don’t know,” she mumbled.

  Akasha glared. “Well you’d better find out, if you’re going to stay with him. If he rapes you I will hurt him…for real.”

  Jayden changed the subject. “What is your husband like?”

  Akasha lit up with a dreamy smile and her eyes overflowed with rapture. “He’s a sweetie. You’ll like him. He’s going to help you control your powers.”

  “Really? Razvan didn’t tell me.” Surprised pleasure washed over her and a tiny candle of hope ignited. Could there truly be help for her?

  “Yeah, I’m not surprised. He likes being an enigmatic bastard.” The mechanic put a flashlight on the bench. “Could you point that for me while I check out the wiring harness in that Dodge?”

  “Sure.” Jayden picked up the flashlight and followed her to the car.

  “And Jayden?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Until you get your shit under control, don’t fucking touch me again.”

  ***

  As he walked in search of Silas, Razvan pondered his intense fascination with Jayden. Never before had any of his pet psychics weighed so much on his thoughts. Perhaps it was because he’d enjoyed her body so much. He hadn’t had a release with a woman for a long time. Or maybe her power brought him hope. Could she be the one to find Radu? His heart quickened at the thought, but something told him that there was more to his growing obsession. Either way, he couldn’t ask her about Radu until her mind was healthy and strong again…if it ever would be. Besides, he’d given up on his quest to find his missing twin. His fists clenched as he reiterated the statement. He had given up.

  Razvan spotted the other vampire behind a tavern on 2nd street. He hung back and watched his prodigy feed. Silas McNaught was a large warrior, with broad shoulders and powerful muscles. The physique still remained from his practice with the sword, though he now directed most of his efforts to tedious matters of finance.

  Silas touched his victim as little as possible. When he finished, he handed the young man some money and, as if on command, a taxi pulled up. Razvan chuckled at Silas’s way of turning his meals into a virtue. Every night he fed, he kept a drunk driver off the road. It seemed he was still covered with guilt over deeds long past. After Razvan had left McNaught to his own devices back in the sixteenth century, Silas had launched on a bloodthirsty campaign against the English who had slaughtered his clan. According to rumor, he had killed at least one soldier a night…until the Elders had instituted their ban on killing humans.

  Of course, there were always accidents. Razvan chuckled aloud at the thought, thinking to announce his youngling of his presence.

  Silas raised a brow at his laugh and crossed the street, meeting him on the cracked sidewalk. Dead leaves crunched under his polished shoes.

  “Greetings, Razvan Nicolae, Lord of Spokane, Washington. How are you this fine evening?”

  Razvan bowed. “Greetings, Silas McNaught, Lord of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I am well. I seek a favor from you.”

  Silas stared hard at him with his far seeing peridot green eyes and ran a pale hand through long black hair that fell past his shoulders. “Might this have to do with the woman you found?”

  Razvan was stunned. “You know about her? What did you see?”

  Silas laughed. “Why do you presume I saw anything? I can smell her on you. I thought you did not advocate having sex with your food.”

  Razvan grunted noncommittally and shifted back and forth on the cracked sidewalk. “I generally do not.”

  Silas laughed harder. “Oh you look so uncomfortable right now. I suppose I will take pity on you. I had a vision of you taking her from the streets last night, so I think it was intended.”

  “Intended? How so?” He hated the angst revealed in his tone.

  Razvan had had cen
turies to get accustomed to the fact that things happened for a reason. Human beings had no idea how many prophecies and portents were being played out every second of their meager lives. Still, he’d never had awareness of being directly involved with one, despite his exposure to all the psychics he trafficked with. The idea that this fact could be changing made him wary.

  “So, what was the favor you wanted to ask me?” Silas asked, ignoring the question, as they began walking down Lakeside Avenue.

  Razvan measured his words carefully. “Jayden, my new pet mortal, is a psychic. A very powerful one.”

  McNaught raised a brow. “How powerful?”

  “So powerful that she cannot function in a normal human life. She sought death to escape the intensity of her visions.” He hoped that his worry and guilt was concealed from his youngling.

  Silas blinked then seemed to carefully compose his features. “And I suppose you came upon her as if by chance?”

  “Yes. I was playing with my food, and she burst into the alley, brazenly offering her life in exchange for a spoilt woman’s.” He shook his head, still amazed at Jayden’s brave but pitiful demand. “She begged me to kill her.”

  Silas nodded with understanding and pity. “I often felt that way when the visions first came upon me. Where is the poor lass now?”

  “At Akasha’s shop.”

  “So that is what I happened to your face.” Silas grinned. “I should have known her handiwork. Is anything broken?”

  “I think she cracked my cheek bone.”

  The other vampire laughed. “That’s my lass.”

  Chapter Five

  Jayden smiled as Akasha’s cat, Isuzu, butted his head against hers. “Your kitty is really affectionate.”

  Akasha grunted in what may have been agreement. It was hard to tell, since she was under a car.

  Jayden sighed and shifted on the shop stool, trying to get comfortable. In the growing silence, her nerves began to tic and jump and her neck was sore from turning to the doorway at every sound. Razvan would return any minute and with him, Akasha’s vampire husband, who was Razvan’s psychic prodigy. Would he help her? And more importantly: would he be kind? The way his wife’s frigid eyes warmed at his name indicated he wasn’t a bad guy. On the other hand, even Hitler had a lady love.

  She whipped around at the sound of a parking car. It was only someone getting gas across the street. Akasha rolled out from under a Dodge Stratus. Ears burning, Jayden twirled around on the stool, forcing her gaze everywhere but at the door. Her eyes lit on a photograph taped on the inside lid of Akasha’s toolbox and widened in disbelief.

  “No way,” Jayden breathed, hoping her eyes weren’t going to pop out of her head.

  In the picture Akasha was arm in arm with Jayden’s favorite band, Rage of Angels. The lead singer, Xochitl Leonine was holding out her hand in the classic devil horns gesture and Sylvis Jagwolfe, lead guitarist, was giving Akasha bunny ears. The bassist, Beau Thompson, was kissing the drummer, Aurora Lee behind them even though the whole world knew Beau was gay. This was surreal.

  “You know them?” she said.

  Akasha followed the direction of Jayden’s awed gaze. “They’re my best friends,” she said with a fond smile. “They practiced at my house back in high school. Silas and Razvan hooked them up with the owner of the club in Seattle where they got their start.”

  Jayden nodded. “The Mortuary.”

  She’d read every scrap of info and gossip on the band since she’d first heard them on the radio. She usually wasn’t the type to obsess over rock stars, but there was something about the music of Rage of Angels that set her heart aflame and made her imagination soar.

  Akasha’s grin widened. “When we get to my house, I’ll show you more pictures and where they used to practice.”

  “I’d love that.” Jayden tingled with excitement. Not only was she going to get help with her visions, but she would see where Rage of Angels started. “I used to fall asleep with their music playing. It gave me the most intense dreams! Some were a little scary; some were beautiful, far off worlds and…”

  She shut up, afraid she was sounding like an obsessed groupie. Akasha’s eyes had turned speculative, as if Jayden claimed that she held a map for buried treasure. “When they come here to visit next week, I’ll introduce you if you’re still around.”

  Jayden was too stunned to reply. Meet the band? She was spared by the sound of the front door opening. Razvan and Silas had returned.

  “And how be ye lasses on this fine evening’?” A Scottish brogue intoned.

  Akasha’s face was breathtaking in its display of pure love. Jayden turned to see Silas McNaught, Lord Vampire of Coeur d’Alene. He was taller than Razvan by about four inches, and his shoulders were broader. Silky straight black hair caressed the lapels of his suit and framed a face that trumped Brad Pitt’s. His emerald gaze was locked on Akasha with infinite tenderness. This must be what actors try to convey in chick flicks Jayden realized with a lump in her throat.

  Unable to stop, her eyes darted to Razvan. He was watching the couple with an unreadable expression playing across his saturnine features. As if he sensed her perusal, his eyes, black as sin locked on hers. Jayden hated being a redhead now more than ever. She knew every inch of her skin had turned crimson in an instant.

  Razvan turned back to Silas. “If I can pull your attention from your bride for just a moment, McNaught, I would like to introduce you to my pet, Jayden Leigh.”

  Silas turned to her and bowed. “Ah yes, the seeress. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in person, Ms. Leigh.”

  He held out a hand and she shook it, noting the open kindness in his eyes. No horrific visions assaulted her. She didn’t expect them to, since Razvan had waxed on his powers, but it was nice to know the truth. Please, God, let him be able to help me.

  Silas smiled. “It may take a wee bit of prayer, as you are indeed more powerful than I, but I think that if I teach you a few simple tricks, you’ll be much better off.”

  Jayden’s breath caught in amazement and indignation that he read her mind so easily. “Your accent is gone,” she said.

  His hand rubbed the back of his neck as if he were embarrassed. “I have lived in the States for almost two centuries, so it is gone for the most part, unless I am upset or…”

  “How is Max doing?” Akasha interrupted.

  Razvan turned to Jayden. “Max is Akasha’s mentor and business partner. He suffered a minor heart attack last week.”

  Silas grinned. “The irascible devil is fine. It has been a trial keeping him in the house and away from the cigarettes and beer. I very nearly had to restrain him to keep him from coming to work this evening. Dr. Greenbriar and I agree that he should take at least one more week off.”

  Akasha smiled. “I guess that means I’ll be calling the college and letting the auto students intern again this week.” She went to the sink and began washing her hands. “In light of all the shit that’s come up tonight, I guess I’ll close up early.”

  ***

  Sitting in the dark with Razvan in the backseat of Akasha’s 1973 Plymouth Roadrunner reminded Jayden of the chaperoned dates she’d been on when she was fifteen. She didn’t know whether to talk to him, or if she was sitting too close. She remained rigid the whole ride, staring at nothing out the window. She was so focused on fighting her trepidation that at first the castle on top of the hill seemed a product of her imagination… until they pulled in the garage.

  Akasha got out and flipped the driver’s seat forward so she could exit. “Welcome to castle McNaught. I’ll order dinner and get the guest rooms ready.”

  “Room,” Razvan said. “She’ll sleep with me.”

  Akasha’s eyes flared, but Silas, with Isuzu perched on his shoulder, put a hand on her arm and met her gaze. Some silent communication passed between them and Akasha sighed. “Fine. Less work for me, then.”

  The castle resembled something out of one of those celebrity lifestyle shows with its
plush carpeting, cherry wood furnishings and expensive paintings adorning the walls. The only thing amiss was the odor of stale cigarettes emanating from the house. Razvan took her coat and hung it on an ornate hall tree in the foyer. They followed Akasha and Silas into the living room and were greeted by two people. The first, with the white coat and stethoscope was obviously the doctor. The second, a huge man with a white and silver beard who looked like an aging biker had to be Max, Akasha’s mentor and business partner. And the man who’d taken her in as a child….Jayden suddenly recalled from her vision. Max’s blue eyes twinkled when he saw Akasha.

  “Hey, Spark Plug,” he said. “The doc here says I can have two cold ones a day now as long as I promise to cut back on the smoking.”

  “Right on!” Akasha replied. “Have you started yet?”

  “No, thought I’d wait and have one with you before heading back to bed.”

  “Cool, I’ll grab ‘em after I order some takeout.” She flounced off to the kitchen. Max lumbered up from the couch and followed her. “You’re not gonna order me any vegetarian crap, are you?” he groaned.

  Silas shook hands with the doctor. “How is he really, Jonathon?”

  The doctor ran a nervous hand through his brown hair. “Honestly, my lord, he is the most trying patient I’ve ever had. It has been agony to get him to take his medicine and rest properly. I really don’t want him drinking or smoking at all, but I know if I say so, he’ll rebel and get right back into the habits that landed him in this situation to begin with. Since he refused surgery, I’ve also been treating him with small doses of my blood in hopes that it will heal some of the damage to his heart. I’ll have to have him come in for an EKG to see how well that has worked… Oh, hello Lord Nicolae.” The vampire doctor bowed to Razvan. “It is a pleasure to see you this evening.”

  “Greetings, Dr. Greenbriar,” the vampire said. “Allow me to introduce you to my pet, Jayden Leigh.”