“Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’m…addicted to blood.”
“Hi, Sarah!”
I took a deep breath. “Just like the rest of you, I have problems with my thirst.” I thought of Thierry and his issues. Had he ever been to a meeting like this before? I honestly couldn’t picture it. “When I get even the smallest taste, I lose it. I want more and more. I’m afraid of hurting someone really badly—like, say, my fiancé. I’ve bitten him before and one time I nearly drained him. I was lost, crazed; it was scary. I try to keep a hold on it, but it’s always at the back of my mind…blood. More. Always more. All I can do is try to stay away from the temptation completely and not drink blood at all.”
There were gasps at this. I swept my gaze over the group and they all looked at me with shock. I’d been role-playing Thierry’s situation, his difficulties with blood, but somehow with this reaction I wasn’t sure if I’d said something wrong.
“What?”
“You sound like you have a serious problem,” Charles said.
I frowned. I thought maybe I could get some insight on Thierry’s issues by speaking them out loud. “Isn’t that why you’re all here? Because you’re addicted to blood?”
“I’d never actually hurt someone. I just spend too much money trying to satisfy my never-ending craving, that’s all. I’ve never lost control of myself like you’re describing. As soon as I get a taste, I feel better, not worse.”
I could see at a glance that this was a common feeling.
“It gets worse when you get older,” I said.
“Aren’t you a fledgling?”
“Um, yeah.” I crossed my arms. “But, uh…maybe I have an old soul?”
Dolores, the group leader, looked at me with concern…and some wariness. “It sounds as if you’re describing something that goes far beyond a simple addiction like we all share. Quite honestly, it sounds dangerous.”
That was worrying. “I know someone else like this, too. He’s—older than me. A lot older. He doesn’t need to drink blood at all and when he does, it gets a little…unpredictable.”
She nodded slowly. “I suppose it’s possible. I know those older than five hundred years can survive for a very long time without any blood. But they should still be in control of themselves when and if they do drink. Masters are the most controlled of any of us. Practice makes perfect, and all that.” She drew closer and pulled a card out of her pocket. She hesitated only briefly before holding it out to me. “If you find that either you or your friend is getting to a point where you can’t control this dark thirst anymore and you feel that you might be putting others at risk by being around you, I strongly suggest you call this number to get help.”
I took the card from her and looked down with dismay at the phone number and name.
Markus Reed.
Small world. I had a funny feeling I knew exactly how Markus would deal with a vampire with a severe and potentially deadly blood addiction. He’d prescribe one wooden stake to be administered straight through the heart. Problem solved.
The meeting ended a few minutes later with hugs and words of support. I tossed back a quick cup of black coffee with three sugars as I thought about what I’d learned. Basically that whatever it was that Thierry dealt with in regard to his particular kind of bloodlust, it wasn’t something that could be helped at a typical Bloodaholics Anonymous meeting. Just one more thing for me to worry about.
Charles approached me as the others filed out of the room. I was looking at the screen of my cell phone to see that I’d received a breezy text from Amy asking me how I was doing. I decided to reply to it later when I actually knew the answer to that.
“If there’s anything I can do…,” Charles began.
I looked at him now feeling completely horrible for suspecting him of anything more than being an overprotective guardian of Victoria. “I’ll be okay.”
He didn’t speak for a moment. “It isn’t you at all, is it? It’s just Thierry. Am I right?”
I cringed. “I’d rather not say.”
“It sounds like he has a really hard time with it, but he’s survived this long. Don’t worry about him.” He actually looked concerned for me, which was weird given our strained relationship before this. “I’ve got to get back to the hotel and make sure Victoria’s okay, but I’m here for you if you need me. For both of you.”
“Thanks. You go. I’ll…well, tell her I’ll be in touch when I can.”
He promised he would and then left—after giving me a rather awkward hug of support.
I took my time leaving the M&M’s store, thinking about what I’d learned and whom I’d met and what it all meant. I didn’t even know why I was giving it this much thought. Thierry had his issues under control and he was way better than when we’d first met. I didn’t constantly worry for the safety of my neck around him.
I stared at my cell phone again. It had been a little over an hour since I’d split from him. He should be calling me any minute and I could stop obsessing about stuff that didn’t even matter in the grand scheme of things.
In the meantime, I didn’t exactly feel secure standing in the middle of the sidewalk all by myself. I was right near Blood Bath & Beyond, so I headed toward the novelty store, feeling more paranoid with every step I took.
Had to say, though, I felt incredibly relieved about Charles. I’d been convinced that he was the killer—based mostly on gut instinct. It was nice to know my gut had failed me for once. He was just a person with problems he needed to deal with on a daily basis. I knew a lot of those. I was one of them.
I was glad he was legitimately interested in being Victoria’s pseudo-daddy. I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d grown to care about that kid and her wildly split personality. I wasn’t sure which side of her I liked more—the fun-loving child who loved wearing pretty dresses and singing, or the no-nonsense businesswoman who drank and smoked and had no filter in saying what was on her mind.
I still wasn’t too thrilled with “puppy” as a nickname, but I supposed there were worse things to be called.
If given a choice, I would stay in touch with her and make sure she found a new way to pay her bills without doing any more pageants and placing herself in potential danger—some way that also didn’t involve becoming a tiny jewel thief.
Just as I reached the front door of the store, the Elvira-costumed cashier was turning the sign to CLOSED. I pushed the door open and slipped inside before she was able to lock it.
“Sorry,” she said. “We’re closing early tonight.”
“Why? Is Josh here?” This would be the perfect place for me to wait for Thierry and get lost among the aisles and merchandise. I hated to think that wouldn’t be an option.
“We lost a ton of staff today and Josh has his magic show to get to. There are just not enough people around to keep it open till midnight like usual—and I’m sure as hell not sticking around. Not when I haven’t had a paycheck that hasn’t bounced in nearly a month.” She glared at me as if daring me to question her about why she was being so open with this particular gossip.
I cringed. Kristopher had hinted that Josh’s finances weren’t doing so well. I guess this was only more proof. I couldn’t imagine how much a place like this would cost to keep running on a month-to-month basis. It was huge and it had a ton of stock. When I’d been here before, it was busy with tourists, though. It wasn’t like it was completely empty. Still, I guess it wasn’t enough.
“Is he still here?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s giving Carlos his walking papers right now. Been putting it off far too long. That guy is a disaster waiting to happen, if you ask me.”
I wondered if that was the vampire Josh mentioned earlier—the vamp who’d been here a week who had “human issues.”
“Can I hang out here for a bit?” I asked. “I know Josh, so I don’t think he’ll have a problem with it.”
She shrugged and pulled off her long black wig, revealing a platinum blond pixie cut underneath. “Whate
ver. Just promise not to steal anything.”
“Cross my heart.”
Without another word, she slipped past me and went out the door before locking it behind her with a key she had on a key ring.
I checked my phone again. I didn’t want to text or call Thierry yet and interrupt whatever he was doing. So instead, I browsed the store. Half the lights were off, but I could see just fine. This place was a lot of fun; I hated to think it wasn’t doing well. Even before I was a vampire, I liked vampire paraphernalia. I’d been a big Anne Rice fan and loved all the vampire-slaying TV shows with sassy girls who liked kicking butt and quipping sarcastically as they sank stakes into chests. I wasn’t quite as fond of Buffy as I once was, given that she was essentially a hunter in a short skirt and lip gloss, but it had its moments.
“You can’t do this!” The voice was deep but whiny and came from the other side of the store. Since there was no one else in here and the organ music from the speakers had gone silent, it sounded louder than it normally might have.
Josh spoke next. “I’m sorry it came to this. I tried to give you a chance, but it hasn’t worked out. You worry me too much.”
“I worry you?”
“You punched a human customer. When his nose started to bleed, I thought we were going to have an incident.”
The other guy—Carlos, I presumed—snorted at that. “What did you think would happen? I see blood and I automatically attach myself to the customer like some sort of sucker fish? I’m not a complete heathen.”
“I don’t know you and I have no idea what you’re capable of. I’m just trying to protect my business.”
I turned the corner in time to see Carlos—who was as big as a football quarterback—grab hold of Josh’s novelty T-shirt and push him back up against the wall hard. “You’re right. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
His furious gaze flicked toward me and I fought the urge to take a step back.
“Sorry for interrupting,” I said. “Or maybe I’m not so sorry. You okay, Josh?”
Josh pushed back against the huge vampire. “Yeah, I’m fine. Carlos was just leaving.”
“I need to be paid,” Carlos growled.
“I’ll write you a check.”
“Your checks aren’t any good. I want cash or I’m not going anywhere.”
Josh cast a look in my direction, one that was weary and defeated. “Fine. Follow me.”
Carlos followed closely, glaring as me as they walked toward the cash register. Josh pushed a few buttons and it popped open. He counted out twenties and tens into Carlos’s hand.
Carlos counted the money a second time before shoving the wad in his pocket. “You’re pathetic, you know that? I almost feel sorry for you.”
Josh’s shoulders sank, but he didn’t say anything.
“He paid you like you asked him to,” I said sharply, pissed off on Josh’s behalf at this jerk’s rude behavior. I couldn’t help but stick my nose into this even though I knew it was absolutely none of my business. “So why don’t you get out of here and leave him alone?”
He glared at me. “Who the hell are you?”
“A friend.”
“Josh doesn’t have friends. Not anymore. He’s too pathetic to keep any of them. Nobody wants his bad luck to rub off on the rest of us.” He gave me a cold, fang-filled smile; then he moved away from the cash area and started toward the door. I was standing in his path, fuming at what a jerk he was being.
“Move,” he snarled at me.
I put my hands on my hips. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll make you move.”
“Big tough guy, are you? You know what? In my experience, it’s the toughest ones whose knees are the most full of jelly. I bet you’re the one who doesn’t have any friends. You were lucky to get a job here. Do you know how freaking cool this place is? But, no. Instead, people like you take everything and everyone for granted and don’t even say a thank-you. Josh is way better off without you here.” I was livid by now. “Oh, and by the way? You’re ugly, too.”
Carlos stared at me for a few moments before his bottom lip began to wobble. “Why do you have to be so mean?”
I immediately deflated, regretting that I’d let my rant get away from me. “Excuse me?”
“It’s been a hard week, okay?” he managed, his voice breaking. “My girlfriend dumped me; I can’t pay my rent; I’m a total and complete loser. I already know that! And now—now I’m ugly, too?”
I felt terrible. So much for my bluster and bravado in trying to take this guy down a notch. “You’re…not ugly. You’re really quite, uh…attractive, now that I get a really good look at you. I’ve always loved unibrows—very retro. Don’t feel bad. It’s been a hard week for me, too, so I understand what you’re going through. Things will get better. Just…stay positive. Keep that chin up. And stop hitting humans. You’d probably still have a job if you didn’t do that.”
“But my girlfriend left me for a human guy. Then he came in here to rub my nose in it by telling me how much happier she is with him than with me.” His eyes glistened.
This was just getting worse and worse. “She obviously didn’t deserve you.”
“Whatever. I can take a hint. Women…you’re all the same. You all just want to break my heart.” He ran a big mitt of a hand under his nose and headed for the door. Josh caught up to him there to let him out and locked the door again behind him.
I grimaced as Josh turned around to face me. He was actually laughing now, his hands on his thighs, his face red. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you called him ugly.”
“Who knew he had self-esteem issues? I mean, he’s a tank with fangs and a single eyebrow.”
He finally got himself under control and raked a hand through his red hair, shaking his head as he looked at me. “That was awesome. Nearly worth the three hundred bucks I just shelled out to him.”
“Glad to oblige. Are you okay?”
That sobered him up quickly. “I’ve had better days.”
“Sorry to hear you’re having problems.”
“Me too.” He shoved his key chain into the front pocket of his jeans. “Sorry, but I’m closing up shop early tonight. That goes for the blood bank, too.”
“I’m not here for that. Will you be much longer? Can I hang out for a bit?”
“I have a few things I need to clear up—plus I have to quickly do a count of the day’s receipts. I’ll be here another fifteen minutes.” He looked at his watch and grimaced. “Damn, I’m running late. I need to be at the theater in half an hour or I’m in serious trouble.”
“That place isn’t what I expected.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been to Club Noir?”
I nodded and shifted my purse higher on my shoulder. “I went to see Kristopher earlier.”
“Really. Why?” He moved behind the cash register again and began to gather the money together.
“I needed his help. Thought he could use his psychic ability to contact someone for me.”
He grinned. “I’m sure he loved that.”
“If by ‘loved’ you mean he tried to pretend he had no real power at all, just before nearly suffocating my fiancé when the truth came out, then you’d be right. He’s got a whole bunch of issues himself, doesn’t he?”
“Oh yes. Kris is an interesting guy.”
I ran my hand along the side of the counter and picked up a Beanie Baby bat that was seated next to a small display of black jelly beans. “Do you think he’s dangerous?”
He flicked a look at me. “I wouldn’t doubt it for a minute.”
“Really? I mean, like, really dangerous? Like…kill somebody dangerous?” Ever since we’d left the theater, I hadn’t been able to get that sickle ring out of my mind and picture the vampirelike wound it would make on a human’s neck.
“I don’t know,” Josh said. “Kristopher’s got a lot of secrets that he hasn’t even confided in me and we’ve worked together for nearly a year now. Maybe if you had
some real dirt on him, he might get a little hard to handle.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. I might be having nightmares of wizard pirates for many nights to come.
Josh scurried around the store doing cleanup and I leisurely followed him since he didn’t seem to mind too much. I randomly put another quarter in the slot machine and received the same results as the other two times—nothing. I was beginning to think either I was deeply unlucky or the thing was fixed. Probably both.
“What’s your plan with this place?” I asked. “Sorry for prying, but I’d hate to think you might close it down.”
“I don’t know yet. My money flow is…well, I won’t bore you with my financial problems. Let’s just say, I keep waiting for interest in the subject matter to grow. Who knew vampires would get to be so commonplace that nobody really cares about them anymore?”
Maybe I wasn’t the only one with bad luck. I used to think we hid our existence from the world at large to protect ourselves from hunters or to make sure humans weren’t scared, but lately the reaction to vampires being real might end up being one big “whatever.”
“Is your blood bank the only one on the Strip?” I asked. “I haven’t heard of any others. But I’d think the area would be big enough for more than one.”
He flicked off some more lights, but even in the growing darkness I could see his immediate frown “No, a couple others just opened up.”
“You don’t look so happy about that.”
“For a month, I was the only ticket in town, which was great for business and my profits helped me pay off a bit of my debt. My café had never been busier than after the two main Vegas blood banks closed down earlier this year.”
Both had closed down? “Were they cafés like yours? Or bars? I’ve only been to the bar kind before.”
“One was in a strip club. Kind of sleazy but the clients loved it. Their wives, not so much. Another was five-star all the way. A rooftop patio with a pool. Absolutely gorgeous. That’s where the millionaires and the movie stars went while in Vegas.”