"Then I'd hate to see it when you mean to do damage," I muttered as Daniel tried to wrap himself around me. This was one of those times when I was everything to him. His higher brain stopped functioning as every cell of his body concentrated on healing what was burned. I smelled like home to Daniel. I smelled like healing and safety. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I pulled him close.

Felicity took in the scene, and instead of disapproval, I saw a longing on her face as she watched us. "I'm truly sorry. If I had any idea my brother would react like that, I would never have allowed him to accompany me. You have to forgive him. It is his nature to be judgmental. He serves a particular function, and with Felix away, he has lost his balance."

"I really don't care about the whys or the wherefores, lady. I will not help you. You'll have to find someone else." And I would have to find another way because I wouldn't put Daniel in that position again. Had I known what we were walking into, I wouldn't have even taken the call.

"But there is no one else," she said beseechingly. "It must be you."

"Too bad." I had no sympathy for her. I could still smell Daniel's charred flesh. The burns were trying to heal themselves, but I feared he was going to need more blood. He'd made himself vulnerable by cutting back on his intake. He would need to gorge himself if he wanted to heal. Felicity Day's problems were no longer any concern of mine.

"I can help." She took a tentative step forward.

My arm shaking, I raised my gun. "You touch him and I'll find a way to kill you. I will be very clever, and I'll make sure it hurts."

"All right." She backed away, her face a mask of worry. "I'll contact you again. I'll find another mediator. You won't find anyone else who can help you as I can."

"Don't bother. I won't take the call."

"You will, Zoey," she said with serene certainty now. It made me nervous, as if she had figured out something I hadn't yet. "I'm the only one who will help you. I'm the only one who can answer your questions. You want to know what you are and why. I'm the only one who can make you understand."

She turned and walked down the hall and, in a blink, she was gone. One minute her pet.i.te figure was walking away, and the next there was nothing.

I let loose a pent-up breath and stared down at Daniel. He was breathing, but it was a shallow thing, a shaky rattle of his chest. "We have to get him out of here."

Neil clicked the safety on the gun and shoved it in his pocket. He walked over to us, his eyes searching the church for more trouble. "He needs a doctor, Z. He's not the only one. You're very pale. Your lips are almost blue."

"I'm fine," I a.s.sured him, the world around me swimming a little. "Just get Daniel to the car."

Neil grunted as he lifted Daniel's two twenty frame. He moved quickly and was back for me before I managed to get to my feet. My hands shook, a combination of blood loss and adrenaline.

"Stop there, sister." Neil swept me up in his arms. "No more walking for you. Hey, those shoes held up nicely."

"I'm never wearing them again." I sighed, letting my head rest against his shoulder. Neil smelled clean and like all the really good parts of a Dillard's men's fragrance counter. He would take care of things now, and that was a good feeling. I didn't exactly lose consciousness. I kind of drifted as Neil drove. I heard him make several calls. One was to Michael House. He was to bring the rest of Daniel's supply of blood to my father's house. The next call was to my father, Harry Wharton. His house was closest, and as much as my father annoyed me on occasion, he was good in a crisis.

Neil was cool and collected as he drove through the streets of Dallas. In no time at all, we pulled up to my father's large home in North Dallas. I opened my eyes and saw the house was lit from what looked like every room. There was a dark Council-issued Benz out front. Michael had beaten us here.

It was Michael who opened the back door of the Audi and hauled out Daniel. "What the h.e.l.l happened to you, man?" he asked under his breath.

He tossed Daniel over his shoulder and started for the house.

I heard my father curse as he pa.s.sed Daniel. "Neil, you better start talking. I want to know what happened to my daughter and my son-in-law."

Neil opened the door, and I stubbornly tried to get out on my own. It didn't work. My legs felt like Jell-O.

Neil picked me up. "She's fine, Harry. She just lost a lot of blood. We need the doc to look at her after he sees Daniel. If we can get enough blood into Daniel, maybe he can help her."

"From what I just saw there might not be enough blood in the world to help our Daniel," my father said, jogging to keep up.

"What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly perking up. "He was fine back at the church. He was healing."

"He just needs more blood. Your father likes to exaggerate." Neil entered the house and walked straight to the living room. He settled me on the plush leather couch and my father's a.s.sistant, Christine, was there to wrap a blanket around me. She was dressed for bed in pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. I didn't like to think about where she was sleeping. She was a year younger than me, but she was also my father's girlfriend and a fairly decent witch.

She pressed a mug of something warm in my hands. "It will help until the doctor gets here."

I didn't ask what it was because I didn't want to know. It was bitter, but I felt warmer. I forced myself to sit up, looking for Daniel. He was a few yards from me. I could see him through the door that led to the kitchen. Michael and Neil were both trying to hold him down, but his big body bucked and convulsed. Michael cursed as he tried again to force Daniel to the floor. I suddenly found the strength to move, throwing off the blanket.

"Get his legs," Michael ordered.

"I'm trying," Neil yelled back. He looked up and saw me in the doorway. "d.a.m.n it, Zoey, get back. Who do you think he's trying to get to?"

Daniel suddenly scented me. His head cracked around to get me in his sights. He was all fangs and those alien eyes with no irises, just sapphire blue spheres of his will. "Come to me, companion."

I shrank back. I'd only met this version of Daniel once before when he was close to death. Then he took what he needed and managed to not kill me. He was even further gone now, and I worried he wouldn't stop if I let him start again. Unfortunately, he'd taken enough of my blood to get his strength back, and Neil and Michael were losing their battle. If Daniel managed to get off the ground, there would be no holding him. He would come for me and take what he wanted. My father cursed, walking past me to start up the stairs. I knew where he was going. He would get the crossbow, and if he had to, he would put an arrow in my husband's heart before he would allow me to die beneath him. I didn't have very long if I wanted to save him.

Over the vigorous protests of the two men trying to hold him down, I kneeled at Daniel's head and started to stroke his hair.

"Zoey." He immediately calmed when I touched him. I noticed physical contact with Daniel could sometimes quiet the beast that raged from time to time. A companion was not without her talents. "Zoey, I need you."

"And I'm here," I said soothingly. Daniel was no longer fighting but rather trying to bend me to his will with persuasion. I certainly preferred seduction to force. I didn't break eye contact but held out my hand. "Give me the bag, please."

Neil let up just enough to pa.s.s me the bag I'd seen in Daniel's fridge earlier.

Daniel shook his head, his hand covering mine. "I don't want that. I want you. Let me have you and it'll be good. It'll be so f.u.c.king good. Baby, you know how it feels when we're together."

I felt him try to a.s.sert his will, but I was better at ignoring the effects now. I held the blood above his mouth. "You've already had me, baby. You had too much of me. This is all you're going to get. Now take your medicine like a big boy or I'll leave. I'll get in the car and drive away and leave you alone."

It wasn't the nicest thing to do, but I knew if he was this out of control, there was an edge of fear. He wouldn't want me to leave. He needed me close.

I put the bag to his lips and watched him sullenly concede. His fangs punctured the bag and he began to suck. I held his head in my lap and stroked his hair until I watched the beast finally leave, and he was Daniel again. I motioned to Michael and Neil to leave us, and they got up to go. Even my father put his crossbow down.

"It's all right now, Danny," I said, quietly satisfied that he was going to survive.

Danny drained the last drop and tossed away the package. He twisted until he could get his arms around my waist, holding me tightly. He just sat there breathing in and out and letting me rock back and forth. It was the way I held him when we were children, after his father died. That first night he'd been so bereft. He'd cried because he was worried no one would take care of him. He'd been thirteen at the time so it was a reasonable fear. Now I felt him trying not to cry, and I wondered why. It wasn't the first time he'd come close to death, and now his wounds were visibly healing. Pain wouldn't make Danny cry. Pain just p.i.s.sed him off. This was something else.

"What is it, baby?" I asked, falling easily back into endearment.

His eyes opened, a brilliant blue that kicked me in the gut every time I looked at him. "That was an angel, wasn't it, Z?"

"Oh, yeah, that was an a.s.shole angel."

"I burned, Zoey," he said quietly. "I stood in front of an angel of G.o.d and I burned like I was nothing. I wasn't worthy to stand in the light."

My heart ached for him. "Danny?"

"I don't have a soul anymore."

There was such sadness in those six words that tears came to my eyes, and I held him tighter.

"That's not true." I knew he had a soul. I'd seen it. Soulless creatures didn't care about the people around them, didn't sacrifice for them.

His grip loosened, and he went limp as he settled his head on my lap. "I think Heaven would disagree with you, baby. I'm tired. So f.u.c.king tired."

"Then sleep," I urged him, trying to keep control of my emotions. He needed to rest. He didn't need to deal with my angst.

"I love you, Z. Soul or no, I love you." His voice was quiet and sleep overtook him.

"The doctor's here, darlin'." My father leaned down and kissed my forehead. "He's got a soul, Zoey. Don't let him forget it. Now let the doctor have a look at our boy, and then he can take care of you."

"My, is this my patient?" a cultured British accent asked from the doorway. Alexander Sharpe looked down on us with a superior smile. His body was lean and elegant, reminding me of a predatory insect, all arms and legs and black as night eyes. He carried an antique doctor's kit. I really hoped it wasn't fully stocked with leeches. Alexander was that old.

"Not a chance," I said because the vampire always made my skin crawl. "Get another doctor."

Alexander scoffed, his shoulders shrugging negligently. "I'd like to see you try, Mrs. Donovan. There isn't another doctor in three states who knows as much about vampire physiology as I do. I believe the nearest with any competence at all is located in Los Angeles. I'm afraid I'll have to do. Trust me, the Council would insist. Can't have our prodigal son pa.s.sing away now, could we?"

"It'll be fine, Zoey," Michael said. "He really is an excellent physician."

"Would you let Jack the Ripper examine you?" I shot back.

Alexander smiled, not even attempting to hide his fangs. "I find that accusation offensive, Mrs. Donovan. No one has ever proven that allegation. At least no one who lived."

Neil came over and helped me up. Alexander examined the now unconscious Daniel. He looked at Neil and me with a curious gleam. "If I hadn't seen him earlier tonight, I would accuse the two of you of all manner of crime. He looks like he was staked out to meet the sun."

"It was an angel," Neil explained.

The doctor's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You don't say? You're keeping curious company. How did he manage to survive? No, don't tell me. The wayward companion did her duty and fed her master. It looks like you fed him well, too. Your lips are blue. I'm surprised you're still standing."

"I'm tough," I replied, though I found myself leaning against Neil.

"Well, you're going to need a transfusion," Alexander stated flatly. "Your master will survive thanks to you, but he can't help you. In fact, tomorrow he'll need more blood. You, wolf, you'll do. Werewolf blood is rich. It's not as good as companion blood, but she can't donate for a day or two."

I leaned back against Neil as the vampire got uncomfortably close and sniffed me in a vulgar fashion. "Hey, has anyone explained the idea of personal s.p.a.ce to you?"

"O neg," Alexander said, pulling back. "No wonder he craves you. You smell delicious. Unfortunately, that's very rare. The wolf won't work unless you would enjoy doing it doggy style once a month."

"Pa.s.s." I looked back at Neil. "No offense."

"Don't knock it 'til you tried it, sister."

"The humans here aren't the right type, either. Michael or I would greatly enjoy donating to you, love. I a.s.sure you we would find the task immensely pleasurable right up to the point that your master cut our heads off. What we need is the supernatural equivalent of a universal donor. You're lucky, dear. There happens to be one species who can donate to any blood type."

"And where would I find this magical creature?" Why wouldn't he just get to the point? I was tired and cold. I had donated a great deal of my blood volume, and no one had even offered me a cookie.

Alexander's face lit with menace. "It's faeries, of course, dear. Faery blood is so vital and versatile. I think you won't have any trouble finding some. From what I hear, you have a faery willing to donate other bodily fluids. I doubt he'll deny you a little blood."

"No, don't you call him," I said, but Michael had already pulled out a phone and I was betting he'd dialed the number to Ether. The last thing I needed was the utter chaos that would happen if Dev walked through the door. He would be so mad at me. Everything had gone wrong. I didn't want a fight with Dev, too.

And then it was all just too much. My vision narrowed in that strange way it does just before you pa.s.s out. I felt Neil's arms go around me, and I hoped it was all just a dream.

Chapter Six.

"You're playing a dangerous game with that one. And I certainly would like to know why we have so many visitors in town." Alexander's voice was the first thing I heard as I slowly came back to consciousness.

I couldn't have been out for too long. I was on the couch and someone had covered me with a blanket. I tried to stay as still as I could because I wanted to know what dangerous game was being played and by whom. What can I say? I'd had a rough night and I like good gossip.

"It isn't a game." Michael's words sounded careful, almost wary. "They aren't here for any reason other than to get to know Daniel."

Now I was really listening. In all the chaos of the evening, I'd never gotten around to asking Daniel about the new vampires in town. Michael seemed to think they had come as some sort of group hoping to socialize with the vampire of the moment.

"Well, he is an interesting chap. I will admit that. Wish he dressed better, though. He's having a bad influence on you, as well. I don't see the point in blue jeans," Alexander admitted.

The table beside me rattled as the doctor placed something on it. He was more than likely getting ready for my inevitable introduction to nineteenth century blood transfusion practices. I doubted it would be as nice as it was when I took blood from Daniel.

Alexander huffed a little, his British accent crisp and neat. "I just find it difficult to believe there are five vampires I've never met before. It's a rather small world."

"William says he met you a couple of years back," Michael offered.

"Funny, I don't remember him."

"He says you were in Seattle and there was a rash of unexplained killings," Michael said, disgust plain in his voice. "Prost.i.tutes, I believe. William was working with the police. Night shift, of course."

"Now that does sound like me." Through slitted eyes, I could see the smug smile on Alexander's face. I really didn't like him. There was a small part of me that wished he would do something, just anything that would justify Daniel killing him. Unfortunately, he'd had centuries to perfect his techniques, and the Council didn't care what he did as long as he didn't get caught. "Well, that explains it. I was distracted at the time. Ah, you're awake, Mrs. Donovan."

I gave up the game and opened my eyes. "Is Dev here?"

"Do you hear accusations and righteous indignation? No, he hasn't made it yet. Apparently you have his vehicle. He had to get his driver up," Alexander stated blandly. "That club of his shouldn't pay so well. Makes you wonder what he does on the sideline."

He held a piece of weird medical equipment. At least I thought it was medical equipment. I winced at the sight. It was a metal and gla.s.s tube. On the top was a plunger with a circular handle. Tubing came from both sides and each was tipped with the largest, nastiest needle I'd ever seen. I got a little nauseous at the sight. Give me fangs any day.

"Can't we go to a hospital? Or maybe I could just rest and everything will be all right in the morning?" I could last a day or two, right? Blood builds back up. Maybe a few days of bed rest and I'd be fine. My DVR was backed up anyway.

"Not at all, dear," Alexander said, smiling his creepy grin. "You'll be dead by the morning if we don't get some blood in you. I believe it's the residual effects of sharing blood with your husband that's managed to keep you alive and talking this long. I'm surprised. I didn't think you shared blood with him. The gossip is you donate but choose not to receive."

"I haven't taken Daniel's blood in months." Seven months to be precise.

Alexander stared at me, for once his mouth closed in shock. He looked back at Michael. "He really is a b.l.o.o.d.y king, isn't he?"

"I told you," Michael said.

The door opened, and Dev's voice rang through the house. "Where the h.e.l.l is she, Harry?"

"Ahh, let the recriminations begin." Alexander smiled, obviously enjoying the drama. "Your lover is here, dear."