He set the glass down and laid his head back on the counter. “I want to die.”
“Not while my heart still pumps!” Sorley barked, surprising a laugh from Gethin.
“Do your hearts actually beat?”
Sorley rolled his eyes. “And you’re a Council member. Really, Hughes, you should do better.”
“Objection.” Alec held up a hand, although he didn’t move his head or open his eyes. “Not technically essential information. We can be killed by beheading or a stake through the heart. Knowing whether said hearts beat or not isn’t as important as preventing blood lust, or knowing that our saliva is healing.”
“You bloody turncoat,” Sorley hissed, although he was unable to prevent a snigger escaping which rather ruined his delivery.
Gethin’s lips were twitching too. “I can hear your heartbeat, you pillock,” he quipped. “You’re so easy to wind up.” He focused his attention on Alec. “How are you feeling after that drink?”
“I don’t know. Wait a moment please.” He sat up gingerly. Took a few measured breaths with both hands placed over his stomach area. “Possibly a little less awful.”
Sorley refilled the glass. Alec glared at him, but this time the drink went down with barely a sigh and he remained upright.
All three of them seemed to be suspended in time while they waited for any after effects of the entire bag of blood. When none came, and Alec pushed the bowl further along the counter, Gethin tucked it away under the sink and sat down opposite Alec.
“How much did you hear of my conversation with Sorley?”
Alec frowned. “All of it.” He chuffed at Sorley. “You’re a decent nurse but lousy at knowing when I’m asleep. I have barely dozed at all. The pain has been constant.” His gaze rested briefly on Gethin. “We’re not used to pain that lasts more than a few seconds, if that. After so many years, I think perhaps the enormity of it is worse than it might have been were I still human.”
Gethin leaned over to snag a beer from the fridge. “Pain is pain, man. No shame, however it takes you.” He popped the tab on his lager and took a long swill. Sorley noticed his friend also watching the way the wolf’s throat worked and felt irrationally needled at the faint appreciation he picked up coming from Alec. Gethin was his to fuck. Not that he wanted to do anything as deranged as staking a claim on the dog, but he had seen him first. That counted for something, right?
Gethin, hopefully unaware of the direction Sorley’s thoughts were taking him, leant on the counter and regarded Alec with interest.
“How old are you?”
“Ahh,” said Alec. “I feared this was coming.” He rested his head in his hands. “Please understand that I have no wish to usurp anyone on the Council. All I ask is to be left alone to live a peaceful existence.” Sorley squeezed his shoulder, hoping to convey his support.
Gethin merely said, “Go on.”
“Richard the Second was on the throne the year I was born. Henry the Fifth had not long ascended when I was turned.”
Gethin’s eyes widened. He picked up his phone and typed quickly. “Holyshit,” he muttered.
14
GETHIN
Gethin gapedopen-mouthed at the vampire. Alexander looked like a teenager, and in fact possibly was one. Except he was, gods, how old was he exactly?
Alexander grinned. “I am twenty. And to answer your next question, I have been twenty for almost six hundred and nine years. I was turned in the autumn, not long after harvest time.” His grin widened. “Perhaps you did not mean to voice that question aloud.” His smile faded as quickly as it had come. “But now you see, it puts everyone in a difficult position. Dalziel Millar could assume I wish to challenge him. And believe me, if I were to do so, I would win.”
Gethin swallowed thickly. “But you don’t wish to? Challenge him, that is?”
“Heavens no!” His shoulders sagged. “I also suspect Sorley might be in trouble for not telling Dalziel about me. He is a loyal friend who knows I mean no harm to anyone.” He sniffed. “I might be persuaded to make an exception for the salaud who made me feel so ill.”
“You won’t get a chance if I get my hands on him first, pet.”
Gethin nodded approvingly. “There’ll be a queue to neutralise this guy, believe me.” His gaze sought out Sorley. “I presume we are looking for a man?”
“I…I think so.” Sorley seemed wrong-footed at the question. Then his eyes widened suddenly. “Damn it. I’d not even considered he might find Melody.”
“As in Harmony, Symphony and Rhapsody, or is this a name this tune moment?” Gethin knew he was out of the loop here. Both vampires suddenly looked worried.
Sorley touched Alexander’s wrist. “I’m going to pack. Gethin, stay with Alec until I’m ready, then you’d better throw your kit in a bag too. We should be out of here the second the Council arrives to pick up Alec. It didn’t occur to me she could be in danger. I’ll try calling her while I pack, although I doubt she’ll answer. One of these days shewillhave to buy, and even use, a damn phone.”He shot out of the room.
