As I got changed, Clive sat on the couch and listened, his expression darkening. You’re sure?
Nodding, I told him, I recognized the Renfield’s scent as well as a layering of vampires. I didn’t know the vamps, but I haven’t met everyone yet.
Sam, this makes no sense. This is the Guild. They make the rules everyone has to follow. How can it be Guild members flouting secrecy and killing humans in their own backyard?
Maybe it’s one of those do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do type deals. I went to the couch and sat beside him. There’s something rotten here. I felt it before we even entered this place. Maybe it’s only a few people and the rest of the Guild isn’t aware.
Clive shook his head. It would be impossible to hide something like that. We’d all smell the humans and the blood, the sex, if the wolves are correct about the assault. He stared at me as though willing me to be mistaken and then his shoulders slumped. I want it too much. Nodding slowly, he said, Perhaps all didn’t participate, but they knew and did nothing. All right. We know now. Let’s figure out who and stop it.
Leaning forward, I gave him a kiss. We’ll do just that. Standing, I went back to the closet and began speaking aloud again. “Audrey said pants were okay to wear.” I held up a pair of charcoal slacks.
“You can wear whatever you want. Leave the shorts on, if you’d like. I’ve told you. You aren’t a vampire and therefore needn’t follow our rules.”
I stepped into the trousers. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“Hush. After all the lovely things you said about me to the wolf, I’d be one of those monsters to criticize your ensemble.” He put his feet up in the coffee table, his attention focused on partially clad me.
“You eavesdropped? Rude.” I pulled on a soft cashmere sweater in sea glass green. It reminded me of the mermaid’s story and my hope that she and the fisherman had found their happy ending.
“Unintentionally. I’m attuned to your heartbeat and was listening to find you.”
I put on a tumbled sea glass necklace, earrings, and bracelet set.
“Pretty. I haven’t seen those before,” Clive said.
“I found them in the window of a little shop right after I’d purchased the sweater. Audrey said she thought they were perfect.” I was starting to feel a little less weird about spending money. Were they gems? No. But they were lovely and made me happy.
I stepped into charcoal gray suede heels that matched the trousers and turned back to Clive. “Okay?”
He stood, gathering me up in his arms, and kissed me. Eventually, he leaned back, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “Perfect. You got some sun on your face too. Sunkissed, that’s what you are.”
Grinning, I said, “I’m pretty sure I’m vampire-kissed.” I picked up my phone and stuffed it in my bag. “Ready when you are.”
By the time we got to the meeting room, it was quite crowded. I heard Clive swear under his breath but couldn’t see what had upset him. The voices in the room were louder than last time. If vamps drank alcohol, I’d wonder if some of them were drunk.
The lights flickered as a Renfield came by and offered Clive a goblet of blood. “Master thought you’d prefer this to our other offerings this evening. If not, please feed at your leisure.”
Clive glared at the Renfield, taking the goblet from his tray. “I don’t care for tonight’s fare.” He tipped the cup to his lips and swallowed it down before returning it to the tray, all while blocking me from the room.
“We have our answer. Let me deal with this, love,” he said. “I promise I’ll put an end to it.” Clive’s expression was so strange, part fury, part concern.
“Deal with what? What’s wrong?” I asked, looking over his shoulder.
Clive’s eyes went vamp black as the color drained from his face and he clutched his stomach.
What is it? I grabbed his arm, trying to lead him away from all the others.
Poison. The blood was poisoned.
I went lightheaded. What do we do?
Try not to die, I suppose. Jaw clenched, his fangs poked out from between his lips.
That’s not funny! Will my blood help? It might help dilute the bad blood. Bite me.
He lurched to the side, but I caught him and kept him upright. Do it. Drink my blood. I wrapped my arms around him and felt a slight prick in my neck.
Looking over his shoulder, I flinched. The women from the asylum, threadbare gowns stained in ways I didn’t want to think about, stared at me with blank gazes, mouths agape. One woman, who was missing patches of snarled hair, tugged mindlessly at a greasy hank and pointed at the other side of the room. Another scratched at her arm with torn nails, ripping at her skin. Blood dripped on the floor at her feet. The screaming woman I’d seen the day before opened her mouth, teeth gray and rotting, but made no sound. Instead, she lifted her arm, pointing as well.
