First Thirst (Craving 1)

ancients. I have nothing else.” He started to collect his things as he made ready to leave.

“The ancients despise her,” Devin sneered. “I remember how they treated her, gossiped about her. Why would they allow her to call a meeting?”

“Apparently, what I know from my operatives is only a rumor that she has become Ramon’s lover. He was the one that actually called the meeting at her instigation, and requested his other ancient clan leaders hear her out. It is scheduled for this evening, so at least, for now, she is in London for yet another day.”

“Ramon? Allora and Ramon?” Devin seemed stunned.

“They were seen in Paris together…often,” Jeremy answered. “My men didn’t think anything of it at the time…but now that a meeting of this magnitude has been called, they and I think it is of great concern.”

Devin paced and when he came back to face us he said, “Allora was always going on and on about vampires being superior to Lycans and humans. She used to tell me to think about a world where we could rule and use humans as food. Keep them alive and working for us and compelled to do our bidding, as well as willing blood donors.”

“Impossible,” I said.

“Agreed. The vampire clan leaders were content with matters the way they stood. They like their anonymity. Most of them have over-coom their instinct to kill when they feed and manage quite well in the human world. They have developed a complex system of clubs where humans worship them…similar to a cult.”

“You mean humans willingly offer their necks?” I was shocked.

“Nae, the ancients and some select vampire members have to use compulsion, which can be time consuming and a drain on their energy,” Devin answered quietly.

“Nightclubs? Yes, it all makes sense,” Jeremy said.

“But Allora was always interested in how I became a day-walker…I wonder if she means to hold this out as a promise to the Ancient Clan she can deliver on?” Devin said.

“Walking in daylight. Ramon of Vystruc, the head of the ancients, would be interested in that, I believe…if he thinks it’s possible.”

I waved my hand in some agitation. Jeremy took it and held it tight. “It will be okay.” I smiled at him, but all my thoughts were on this new development. Jeremy continued to hold my hand and as I didn’t want to pull it away and offend, I left it there for the moment.

“You are a day-walker, Devin,” I said. “She would believe you have notes about your experiments…here at MacLeod.”

However, Devin was looking at us strangely and said, “Jeremy…”

“Yes?” Jeremy said as he looked Devin’s way.

“Ye can release Bobbie’s hand now.” Devin’s voice was low and hard.

Jeremy looked confused for a moment, but dropped my hand and said, “Right.” He then rubbed his hands together with some excitement and hurriedly added, “Upstairs…I’ll get the notes and take them to a secure place…I know, the safe at my office.”

“Nae, lad, that won’t work. Allora must never be underestimated. That was m’mistake…it put me here. Once Allora arrives in town, she will find out everything she needs to know by compelling locals for information. She’ll find out about ye, about yer last name. Lord love ye, but dinnae ye see? She’ll find out ye are Sarah’s warlock brother and that ye and I have been, are still working together. She’ll go into a rage and then she’ll center all her efforts in destroying ye—but nae before she tortures ye for information. Two things we need to do, one, ye need to stay out of her reach by any means ye have, and second, get those notes to me now.”

“Yes, I’ll get them right now,” Jeremy said. “But…how can I get them to you?”

“Bobbie can,” Devin said softly.

“Holy shit, yeah!” I realized. “Of course, I may not be able to get you out, but I can bring you whatever you need, and Allora the bloodsucker won’t be able to do anything about it!”

He laughed out loud. “Ye do realize, I, too, am a bloodsucker,” he said with a rueful grin.

“Yes, but of a different sort. You don’t kill and you don’t drink human blood,” I reminded him.

“Brilliant, lass,” Devin whispered. “Ye reminded me that even if she got m’notes, it probably wouldna help the ancients…they have killed and been living on human blood too long for m’formula to work on them.”

“Still, formulas can be adjusted. Let’s get this one out of their sights,” Jeremy said, and excitedly rushed out of the room.

I turned back to Devin. “You know Allora. She does what she wants, but…why go to all this trouble? Why do this—why entice the other ancients with something she might not be able to deliver?”

“She has always wanted the freedom to travel during daylight. She has always wanted feeding to be more than the hunt, something she could have at will,” Devin said. “Behind it all, the truth is, she enjoys stirring up trouble more than she cares about these issues. She likes chaos. It is who she is,” Devin said irritably.

I wished I could touch him. No, not just touch him. I wanted to fall the hell into his big, strong bear arms!