Toxic

I heard Rafe’s intake of breath. “When will it happen?”

The daemon flicked a forked tongue in my direction and its eyes glowed. “Soon. The planets are moving into place and the barrier between our worlds thins.”

“I don’t suppose there is a way to stop it?” I knew it was a futile question, but I had to ask.

The beast laughed. “You cannot stop us, for we are Legion. As soon as the worlds align, the march will begin and victory will be ours.”

“I hate to break it to you, but we won’t be lying down for the invasion. As a matter of fact, with your help, we’re going to find out just how many ways there are to kill you and your kind.”

“I’ve given you all the aid you’re going to receive,” grunted the beast before biting off its tongue.

I’ll admit, it shocked me, not the fact the creature had so calmly removed a part of his body or the blood spurting from the daemon’s mouth, but the way the tongue twitched and moved on the floor. Eeew!

Rafe rushed forward to stop the gush of blood, but I walked away knowing the daemon had bested us. Suicide-a fanatical move to prevent us from learning something.

Too late. In a moment of insight, I discovered what I need to know.

I just wish it was better news.

* * * *

I’d just finished typing up my report in my office when Rafe stalked in, still dressed in his leathers. I yawned, the long night catching up with me as the sun struggled to rise.

“Can this wait?” I asked as I stood up. “I’m bushed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me the daemons were planning to invade Earth?” He bristled as he crossed his arms and glared at me.

Once again I cursed my stupidity in falling for his false geek exterior. The man exuded masculinity. “Why do you think I brought you along with me on the hunt? The plan was to dazzle you with a new creature to dissect and slowly divulge their plans for invading Earth. But wait, you’re not human and you already knew about them. Imagine that, you also lied to me.”

He shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t exactly lie. I just omitted certain facts.”

I snorted. “Whatever. You can leave now. You got what you came for.”

“I’m not ready to go yet. There’s much we need to discuss.”

My temper flared. “No there’s not. I’m done making you, whatever you are, privy to our affairs. You can go tell whomever you’re truly working for what you’ve learned and then go hide your heads in a hole.”

Rafe’s breath whistled out of him, his frustration clear. “My people don’t believe in violence.”

“Well, bully for you. I guess I should count myself lucky you came to my rescue earlier then. That was you with the sword right?”

He nodded. “It was necessary to save your life.”

“Ooh, lucky me.” And had he not seemed so reluctant about doing it, I might have even perceived it as hot. No one ever came to my rescue, except the queen that one time. Now, I came to everyone else’s rescue. Screw the knights in shining armor. This beauty of the night came to your rescue with pointed fangs and skin tight leather, then as a thank you, sucked your blood in payment.

“It’s not easy for my kind to take a life or even injure another, no matter how heinous they are.”

“No, of course not,” I taunted. “You and so many others would rather sit on your high fucking horses and look down on those of us willing to dirty our hands. Then condemn us even as you reap the benefits.”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “It’s not like that.”

“Really, then let me ask you, will your people join us in rebuffing the daemons?”

He shook his head and I snorted.

He looked pained. “It’s complicated.”

“There’s nothing complicated about fighting to survive.”

“It’s not our battle.”

“Well, it is mine, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure I and my kind survive, which also means saving the humans. And as far as I’m concerned, anyone who doesn’t join us in our fight for survival shall feed us to keep us strong.”

“You make it all seem so black and white.”

“It is.” Live or die, could the choice be any more basic?

“If you understood what I was-”

“I really couldn’t give a rat’s ass what you are. You could be a purple people eater or a fucking mythical unicorn. I’d still expect you to step up and be a man. To fight against the daemons and the certain death they’re promising.” A nasty idea floated free. “Unless you’re a different type of daemon? Is that why you can’t fight?”

He looked horrified. “No, most definitely not.”

“So you’re just a pussy.”

“Would you stop that,” he snapped back. “This has nothing to do with courage.”

“Or a lack thereof. Sure, whatever. Get out.” I waved my hand dismissively at him. I never could abide cowards.

“I can’t leave yet.”

I faced him and met his troubled blue eyes with my dark ones. “Oh, yes you can.” Attraction or not, I wouldn’t betray my people for a man who hid secrets and refused to fight. I called my people through my mental link with them. They flooded into the room and at my silent commanded gripped Rafe’s forearms.

He sighed with resignation. “This isn’t over, Ellie.”

“That’s Countess to you. Only my friends may use my real name.” I turned my back as my people escorted him from my home and life. The door slammed shut, but the expected elation at getting rid of him didn’t materialize.

I didn’t understand the gnawing pit in my stomach. Feeding didn’t banish it. Sleep merely helped it grow.

And alone once again, annoyed, horny and frustrated, I did what I did best. Caused havoc.

Chapter Eight

For the next couple of days I kept myself busy. It didn’t stop me, however, from thinking about Rafe. Is that even his real name?

I watched his press announcement to the humans where he glossed over some of my bloodthirsty habits to present us as human beings albeit with a specialized diet.

His calm reassurance, though, did nothing to stop the fanatics from sharpening their stakes. Apparently, no matter how benign we were painted, the humans just weren’t quite ready to accept us. Churches found themselves bursting at the seams as thousands returned to the religious fold and sermons preaching intolerance for the evil creatures-like me-ran rampant.

News reports from around the world held disturbing tales of humans stabbing people with wooden spikes. The ironic part was none of those killed were actually vampires.

And while a loud rabble of humans clamored for our annihilation, muddying the media with their rabid venting, the daemon incursions spiked.

Through my worldwide network, I received reports from cities all over citing new daemon sightings and atrocities. I sent out double squads, teams of eight vamps or more to take care of the problems, but with our limited population and resources, I was finding it harder and harder to keep up.

Hence my current meeting with the queen. I’d flown by private jet to Calgary, then hired a car to drive to her castle hidden from human eyes in the Canadian Rockies. A pretty place if you didn’t mind the cold and isolation.

I wasted no time upon my arrival, immediately seeking my queen out to establish a new plan of action.