Old Habits

Tish: vampire trouble

The vampire was not like any I had met before. Of course, most of the ones I had met before turning had been trying to kill me for good reason. Still, I expected Stefa's ex-boyfriend to be a little scarier. He looked like a very pale tech startup investor. The young woman he was with checked her phone more than she looked around her.

Conor seemed more annoyed than worried, but I could worry for the both of us. Now that we knew we didn't have the answers Jackson was looking for, I wasn't sure what he'd do. We could stop him from tearing apart out pack, but I didn't know if he had lied about how many he had brought or if he would come back for revenge later, when Mel's blood had worn off. He now knew where we lived and I felt in my gut that this wasn't a good thing.

Grant frowned at the other vampire and then at Conor, hoping for some explanation.

"We can't help you," I said. "We don't really want to. Perhaps Stefa doesn't want to be found?"

"Her clan has never been this quiet for so long," he said. "The couple members I could find didn't have any information for me. They know I wouldn't hurt her."

"You voted against her," Conor pointed out.

Even after all he had told me, I hadn't realized just how embroiled Conor had been in vampire politics. If the hunters had ever discovered that, he would have never been allowed to return in peace. Jackson scoffed, folding his arms.

"I wasn't about to sacrifice my clan for a gesture," he said. "I told her that as well. I could not sway the council. I didn't want to be the second option. Stefa would have voted to kill me; you know this."

Conor considered. "Yes. But she wouldn't roam the countryside looking for you, Jackson."

"Jackson? The Ghost of New York?" Grant said, as if finally catching up with what was happening. "I had always hoped you weren't real."

"Likewise, Grant Danube," Jackson observed. "You've murdered your fair share. Welcome to the dark side."

"Hardly darker," Grant scoffed. "I'm paler than ever."

"It may be time for you to leave," I hinted, gesturing at the open door.

Jackson rolled his eyes and stomped back up to the house. Lacy was leaning against the porch railing, her face lifted up towards the sun with her eyes closed. I couldn't imagine having to avoid the sun on my skin. It was cold up here in Montana, but I loved the wide-open blue sky.

"So?" Lacy inquired without opening her eyes.

"Nothing," Jackson growled. "We know nothing more than we did before coming here. Goddamnit."

Lacy sighed, stepping back into the shadow of the house. "Why don't we bring Conor with us? We could use him to talk the hunters in person. We could trace Stefa's steps. We have options, Jack."

"Conor isn't going anywhere," Mel said, stepping out onto the porch. "My pack members are not available."

"Grant shouldn't even be here," Lacy countered. "So why not let us take him with us? We would feed him better than werewolf blood."

I found it a little surprising that this girl, no more than fifteen, was nonplussed by Mel's cold glare. Then again, she had said that she was Jackson's heir.

"No," Mel replied in a low warning tone, hoping that the vampires would take a hint.

Jackson glanced at Lacy and then back at Mel. "Then we're going to have to resort to blackmail," he said. "And before you order me to tear my own throat out, we sent our location back to our clan an hour ago. They know we are here. And I can promise that our deaths will be noticed by my clan. You are impressive, but you can't take on two-dozen angry vampires, ma'am."

That had to have been why he had agreed to drink Mel's blood. I had known there had to be a catch. There seemed to always be with vampires. Mel's eyes flashed orange and I put my hand on her shoulder.

"You cannot take Grant," I said. "His boyfriend just got him back, and nothing good will come from tearing them apart again. I'd rather face a hundred vampires than deal with Aidan. Blackmail or no, we have no assurance that our members would come back unscathed being kidnapped by you. Mel's not going to risk us for that."

"Make Lacy stay," Conor suggested.

"What? No," Jackson responded immediately.

"Then you'll have to come back for her and bring me home," Conor said. "Blackmail all you want, Jackson, you're not going to get your way."

"You're not going," Mel told him.

Conor turned to me with a familiar look in his eyes, hoping that I could explain for him. Everyone on this porch knew that Conor was the most likely to find Stefa. Conor didn't want anyone else to get hurt.

"You two have to go," I said. "You know where we are, we know what you've done. But the pack has to talk it over and decide and you can't be here for that."

"I have no problem taking out this pack," Jackson observed. "I'm pretty sure that would be an excellent way to attract Stefa."

He wasn't wrong. I bit down all the unpleasant things I wanted to say and instead pointed toward their car.

"Go," I said. "We need you off the property."

"I don't have to obey you."

"Leave us," Mel said quietly.

Jackson and Lacy were gone almost immediately. Mel didn't say anything, but gripped the railing.

"I have to go, Mel," Conor said. "Jackson is many things, but he doesn't make empty threats. Make the girl stay and I'll be back as soon as I can."

"And I'll go with him," I offered.

Both Mel and Conor stared at me incredulously.

"I'm not going to let Conor leave me here," I said. "That's how bad things happen. And Conor is not himself when he's around Stefa. I will bring him back home. He can't go alone."

"You're pregnant," Mel pointed out. "This is dangerous for you."

"No more dangerous than being a werewolf is usually," I replied. "The baby will be fine. And worst comes to worst, I am excellent at killing vampires. We'll call you every day. But I don't want vampires raining down on us and I don't want to wake up with my blood drained. Do you see a better option?"

Mel pulled me into a tight hug. I returned the embrace. We had all known that it was a matter of time before something like this came up. At least Jackson seemed like something we could handle.

"I had hoped we were past the worst of it," Mel sighed.

"Please," I scoffed. "I can handle a vampire wearing skinny jeans. We'll be fine."