Kindling Flames: Stolen Fire (The Ancient Fire Series Book 4) Read online

  Vanessa was already trying to lean into the man.

  “It won’t be a problem.” Elliot shifted most of her weight to his shoulder. “I’ll make sure she gets home uncompromised.”

  Vicky grinned at him again. “It’s you I’m worried about,” she teased as Vanessa petted his chest.

  Elliot chuckled and started to lead Vanessa off.

  “Elliot,” Darien called before his friend could leave; he still needed to talk to him about the menagerie.

  Elliot and Vicky stopped and looked up at him.

  “I need your help.”

  “What do you need?” Elliot offered.

  “I know it’s been a long time, but do you think we can open our link back up?” Darien gave his friend a pleading look. “I’m afraid that I’m not strong enough to support the new group.”

  Elliot gave him a very concerned look. “Darien, you’re more powerful than all of us,” he reassured his worried friend. “Your people are fine.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” Darien confided in him. “Lately, I’ve been having some… issues.”

  “You have nothing to worry about,” Elliot tried again. “I can feel your power through my mark. It’s sure and steady, but if it will make you feel better, then yes, I’ll add my strength to your menagerie.”

  Darien let out a relieved breath. “You know that I only ask this of you to ensure the young are safe.”

  Elliot smiled at him. “Of course.” Closing his eyes, he focused inward to reopen his connection to Darien.

  Vicky could always feel Darien in her mind, but Elliot’s cool, green energy washed over her for a second before receding to that point just beyond her consciousness. Her mark had been added after Darien had picked up the other vampires, so it was strange feeling the addition.

  “Thank you, my friend.” Darien came over and touched Elliot on the shoulder. It was easy to see that this meant a lot to him.

  Elliot returned the touch almost lovingly. “You know you can always call on me for anything.”

  Vicky looked away from what felt like a very intimate moment between the two men.

  Elliot dropped his hand away and cleared his throat. “Well, let me see if I can get this one home.” He nodded towards Vanessa. She hung, almost asleep, between Vicky and Elliot. He shifted her so he could swing her up into his arms.

  Darien led the way to the door and held it open for the group.

  “Do you need help?” Vicky asked as she pulled Vanessa’s coat out of the closet.

  “Nah.” Elliot shook his head and helped Vicky pull Vanessa’s coat on her before scooping her back up. “I can handle one small female.”

  Vicky laughed and thanked him as he stepped into the elevator.

  “Have a good night.” Elliot shot her a broad smile as the door slid shut.

  She turned to look at Darien. His face was carefully devoid of emotion. “Is there something I should know about?” She knew Darien had been having some problems as of late, but he hadn’t told her how bad they were.

  Darien let out a sigh, and his face showed the fatigue he was feeling. “Maybe. I’m just not used to having someone draw power from me.” Wrapping his arm around Vicky, he held her close. “I’ve just been so tired lately.”

  Returning his embrace, Vicky guided his head down to rest on her shoulder.

  “The menagerie depends on me for their strength, and if I can’t cut it, they will be the ones who suffer.”

  “It will be okay,” Vicky soothed him.

  Darien held her for a long time, taking comfort in her warmth. Finally, he let out a deep breath and stood up from her. “I know.” He turned and led her by the hand back into the kitchen, where the pot of stew was happily bubbling away. “I asked for Elliot’s help to ensure that it was.”

  Vicky nodded. “I felt him join the bond.”

  Darien smiled. “He was always there,” he informed her. “Vampire marks never go away, but they can be closed down when not needed.”

  Vicky thought about this as she recalled what Jakob had said about feeling Darien add her to the bond. Remembering the encounter, she realized she had felt the twin’s power, both through her skin and in her head; only she hadn’t comprehended it at the time.

  “So, I’m connected to all the vampires in your new group?”

  Darien confirmed her thoughts. “Yes, but the bond goes through me, so they can’t affect you unless I allow it.”

  Vicky mulled this over for a moment. Honestly, she was a little bothered that she had such an intimate connection with so many people, but she was glad for her joining with Darien. She pushed the thought from her mind. “How about we get something to eat and go to bed early.” Vicky turned to press against Darien.

  He gave her a knowing smile and curled his arm around her. “Anything you want, My Lady.” True, he was tired, but he was always up for some good, quality time with his love.

  Darien knew he had pushed himself too far this time. He ached all over, and the hot water from his shower hadn’t done him any good. Pulling on his dress shirt, he forced his shaking fingers to fix his tie. For a moment, he considered having Vicky cancel his day, but what excuse was he going to give her? Vampires didn’t get sick. Darien willed himself to be well, and the slight tremble left his hands.

  Grabbing up his suit coat from the end of the couch, he slipped it on and looked at himself in the mirror over his dresser. His eyes looked darker than normal, and his skin looked paler. He tried to shake away the odd feeling and convince himself that all he needed was some fresh blood. Drawing himself up to his full height, he turned to face the day.

  Vicky looked up at the familiar sound of Darien coming into the kitchen. Usually he was up before she was, but today he had taken a lot longer to get ready. “Morning.” She smiled at him.

  Zak scampered from where he was trying to steal Sue’s breakfast to bump into Darien’s legs affectionately.

  The impact nearly knocked Darien off his feet, but he caught himself on the counter.

  “I’ve still got some toast left,” Vicky offered.

  Darien’s stomach rolled at the idea of solid food. “No thanks.” He pulled down one of the blue tumblers and turned to get his blood. “I don’t think I can handle solid food today.”

  Vicky nodded and turned her attention back to her plate.

  Darien poured his blood into his glass and stared at it for a moment. Even this didn’t look appetizing. He swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of his throat and raised the glass to his lips to drink. The feel of blood going down had never revolted him before, but today it gagged him. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to drain the glass as quickly as he could. The cold liquid swirled in his stomach, and he gripped onto the edge of the counter as his body disagreed with the offering. He swallowed hard, trying to keep the blood down, but his stomach cramped and brought the liquid back up.

  Vicky jerked away from her breakfast when she heard Darien vomit into the sink. It only took her a moment to get over to his bent form gripping the sink with white knuckles. “Darien!” Vicky gasped and wrapped her arm around his body to support him as he emptied his stomach. He trembled in her arms as she held him. She could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

  When his heaving subsided, she pulled the dishtowel from under the sink and gave it to him to wipe his face. “Come on.” She pulled him away from the mess and into one of the breakfast nook chairs. When the smell of her leftover food hit him, he bolted back to the sink to dry heave several more times. Vicky pulled a chair over to Darien and placed him in it. He relaxed in the chair and let his head hang backwards resting it on the high back.

  “What’s wrong?” Vicky asked as she turned on the water and rinsed the wasted blood and bile from the sink.

  Darien just shook his head and breathed shallowly through his mouth. He felt like death warmed over. Vicky laid her wrist across his forehead. He felt cold and clammy, but Vicky’s eyes widened as she moved her hand to his cheek and presse
d her lips against his forehead.

  “You’re running a fever!” Her voice was high with surprise.

  Zak wiggled against Darien’s leg, but it was all the vampire could do to sit in the chair.

  “You are not going to work like this.”

  Darien didn’t bother arguing with his assistant. He wasn’t even sure he would be able to get himself back up from the chair. Groaning his acceptance, he swallowed hard. Just that noise made his stomach roll again.

  “Do you need fresh blood?” Vicky offered.

  Darien clamped his mouth shut and shook his head slightly trying to suppress the cramps that were instigated from just the suggestion of food.

  Vicky shifted from foot to foot, worrying. Darien had all the classic signs of the stomach flu, but she knew it was impossible. He had already informed her that vampires didn’t get sick like humans did. Deciding on a course of action, Vicky came over and rubbed Darien on the shoulder reassuringly. She would treat him as if he were sick. “Come on.” Pulling on Darien’s arm, she urged him up. “You need to go back to bed.”

  Darien just shook his head, unwilling to move yet.

  Vicky released his arm. “At least let me have your coat.” She tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. Darien had gotten blood on it when his stomach first heaved, and the stain would be much harder to get out once it dried.

  Nodding, he let Vicky pull the sleeve loose. His stomach rolled again as he shifted, but he breathed in short, shallow breaths and was able to calm it.

  Peeling the coat the rest of the way off him, Vicky set about rinsing the dark liquid from the material. Once the fabric was clean again, she turned her attention back to Darien. She pulled his tie off and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. “Come on.” Vicky heaved on his arm again, trying to get him up.

  Finally, Darien gave in to her insistence, but he found himself too weak to stand on his own.

  Vicky slipped under his arm and let him lean on her as she guided him into the foyer and up the steps. His feet moved heavily as she encouraged him on with soft words. In no time, they were back in his bedroom, where Vicky leaned him against the doorframe and stripped him out of the rest of his suit. He didn’t protest when she made him lie on the bed and pulled the blankets up around him. He was hot, cold, and trembling, all at once.

  Vicky tucked him in and went to get the wastebasket from the bathroom. “How do I get ahold of Dakine?” she asked as she came back and set the trashcan next to the bed.

  Darien swallowed again, but his stomach was feeling better. “Magic.” He spoke softly, afraid the vibrations from his voice would make his stomach turn again.

  Vicky considered her options. Darien was in no condition to show her how to call the elven lord. She patted the covers over top of him. “I’ll call Elliot. You just get some rest.” Picking up her bag from the couch, she clicked off the light.

  Darien wanted to argue with her. He really did have important stuff to do today, but he just couldn’t work up the energy. Drawing in as deep of a breath as he dared, he let it out in a frustrated sigh and forced his mind off it. Vicky would handle things for him. That was one of the many reasons he loved her.

  ***

  Lord Dakine and Elliot both looked over the flushed vampire wrapped in a blanket sitting on the stool in his kitchen. Darien was still very sick, but he no longer felt ready to die. As long as he did not try to put anything in it, his stomach was behaving itself for now.

  Dakine rested his fingers on Darien’s chest and searched him for the cause of his illness. “I don’t know…” The elf shook his head. “I can’t find anything magically wrong with you, but…” The word hung in the air as he shifted his hand against Darien.

  “But what?” Darien asked. His voice was a little hoarse from the many times he had thrown up throughout the day. Vicky kept plying him with glasses of both blood and water, but everything he tried to drink came back up. She had even tried giving him her own blood, but he couldn’t get his fangs to work properly.

  Dakine gave him a concerned look.

  Darien sighed heavily. “Just tell me.”

  “Kian, I have never seen anything like this.” Dakine dropped his hand away from his friend. “Your energy comes across as human.”

  Darien stared at him, dumbfounded. How could that be? “What?”

  “I said—you seem human to me.” Dakine shrugged.

  Darien looked over at Elliot to see if he had answers.

  Elliot reached out and took up Darien’s arm. He slowly lifted Darien’s wrist to his mouth, making it very clear what he intended to do.

  Darien braced for the sting of Elliot’s fangs.

  Surprise lit the vampire’s face as Darien’s blood slid across his tongue. He took another hard pull at the wound.

  “Elliot!” Vicky’s voice broke the silence of the room. She could not believe the scene she had just stepped into.

  Elliot released Darien’s hand and stepped quickly away from his master. He’d tasted Darien’s blood many times before, but this time was something else. It was thick and warm—like melted marshmallows, but not quite as sweet. In fact, he had never tasted anything like it. Refusing to look at Darien, Elliot backed away. He had only meant to taste him, not to drink so deeply. If the older man could see his eyes, he’d find more than just surprise in them. Darien’s blood was definitely human, but it held a power in it like nothing Elliot had ever come across before, and he wanted more of it.

  Vicky picked up Darien’s wrist and applied pressure to the lightly bleeding wound. “What do you think you’re doing?” She turned a pointed glare at Elliot. Never had she expected to come back and find Darien with Elliot’s fangs sunk in him. She had only stepped out of the room for a moment to check on Sue, who was curled up in the living room with Zak.

  “It’s okay.” Darien patted her arm lovingly. “He was testing a theory.” He looked over to his friend. “And?”

  Elliot gave him a curt nod as he tried to put down the bloodlust that had swamping him. “Human,” he muttered. The ball of energy that was Darien’s blood churned in Elliot’s stomach, pushing him to take more. If this was the way Darien’s blood had tasted when he had been truly human, it was no wonder his sire had prized him so highly. The only question was—what type of control did that man have to not drain Darien at every feeding? Elliot took another step away from his tempting friend.

  Vicky looked from Elliot’s response and odd reaction to the elven lord. “Human?” she asked, concerned.

  Dakine nodded. “Somehow, Kian has managed to turn himself human.”

  Vicky looked to where Darien sat in thought. “But how can that be?”

  Darien looked up to Lord Dakine, hoping he would have an answer.

  “I have no idea.” Dakine reached out for Darien’s injured hand to heal it. Vicky relinquished it reluctantly, but the broken skin was already whole again. Dakine turned Darien’s wrist to see past the smears of blood. “Apparently, not all of him is human.” He released the wrist and came closer to search Darien again.

  Vicky backed up to get a cloth to clean up the spilled blood and give the fay room to work.

  After several very frustrating minutes, Dakine dropped his hand away. “I can’t find anything that would cause this. It’s like you were never turned.”

  Elliot touched the link he had with Darien. “But I can still feel him.”

  The cool green of the vampire’s power filled Darien’s senses. “And I can feel you, too.” He tried to push back against Elliot’s connection, but it was like he lacked something to push with. “God, what’s wrong with me?” Darien surged up from the stool to pace the length of his kitchen. How could he have lost his powers?

  “Whatever magic has done this is beyond my knowledge.” Dakine shrugged and swept his long, silver hair back over his shoulder. “But my knowledge is limited to mostly fay and high magic. There are other schools out there that might be able to give you answers. Perhaps you should consult your books.” />
  Darien stopped in his tracks and turned surprised eyes towards Dakine. “That’s a fantastic idea!” Coming over, he clasped his hands on the elf lord’s shoulders. “Thank you for your help.” Darien slipped past his friends and out of the kitchen without another word.

  Dakine looked over at Elliot in surprise. Apparently, something he’d said sparked a memory in Darien’s mind.

  Elliot returned the same look of confusion. There was no telling what the ill man had remembered that would give him that type of energy.

  “Well,” the fay lord turned to Vicky. “I guess I will take my leave of you, now.” He bowed to her, swirling his robes about him. “Until next time, My Lady.”

  “Thank you, Lord Dakine.” She escorted the fay to the elevator.

  Elliot followed.

  “Are you leaving, too?”

  Elliot nodded. “I have other things that I need to do tonight.” His schedule really wasn’t that busy, but he needed to get out of there. That hot feeling from Darien’s blood was radiating out, and it was staring to do strange things to him. He needed to get something to dilute it soon.

  “All right, then.” Vicky reached out to touch Elliot’s arm in farewell, but he shifted away from her hand before it reached him. A confused look crossed her face, but she pulled her hand back and weaved her fingers together. “Have a nice night.”

  Elliot clamped his jaw shut and nodded to her before slipping into the farthest corner of the elevator. He could feel Darien’s energy running through Vicky, and he wanted to put as much distance between them as he could.

  As soon as the door was shut, Lord Dakine gave the vampire a calculating look. “Are you all right?”

  Elliot nodded again. “Yeah.” He didn’t want to go into his desire to drain Darien right now. “I just need to get something to eat.”

  Dakine considered him for a moment as they rode to the lobby. Finally, he nodded. “Good hunting, my friend,” Dakine bid before he stepped off the elevator.

  Elliot wanted to laugh. A good hunt was exactly what he needed right now.