Blueblood: A Dark Southern Aristocracy - 32. Vampire Women's Lib!

I hadn’t realized just how long we’d been up until I came out to see Colin speaking with Ruben Chance. I looked at my watch. It was almost noon now.

Colin came over and hugged me. “How are they?”

“Mark’s alive. He woke enough to talk with Stan. Stan told him everything.” I smiled. “I pray Mark recovers, it will destroy Stan if he doesn’t.” I looked at Ruben. “How does the FBI feel about agents that are involved with each other?”

Ruben looked surprised. “I thought they already were involved.” He shrugged. “I said they were sibling rivals, but I had a feeling it was more. I just felt they were more already and hadn’t admitted it to anyone.”

“But you don’t care,” I said again.

“Care?” Ruben asked. “Hell, why should I care? No, to me, it makes them a better team.”

Colin looked surprised at that. “It does?”

Ruben chuckled. “The Greeks or Romans…I forget which…were the ones that capitalized on that. Having two soldiers that were lovers just made them defend each other more. I saw that right off with Mark and Stan. Stan stays on task and is very good at what he does and Mark keeps him there.” He shrugged. “Some of the other unit directors had problems with it, but not me. As long as they didn’t fight, I’m good. Mark and Stan never fought. I knew you two wouldn’t mind, seeing that you’re both like them. Then I met George and Burke. I figured Stan and Mark would fit in fine.”

Colin nodded. “And so they have.” Then he stifled a yawn.

I grinned as I pulled on Colin’s arm. “Okay, husband. Time for bed.”

Colin grinned back. “Can you believe it? I’ve had enough coffee.”

I chuckled. “You're right, I don’t believe it.”

“Coffee works for you guys?” Ruben asked. “The caffeine works to wake you up?”

“Sure.” Colin nodded. “We get tired, too. Most drugs will work. Even if it’s just in my head, coffee works wonders.”

“But no illnesses?” Ruben asked.

“Not yet.” Colin smiled leaning on me. He held his hand up to Ruben. “We can discuss it later. Now, Devon and I are beat and need sleep.”

I looked back at the door for the lab. “I hope he’ll be alright. Stan’s tired, too.”

Colin nodded. “I couldn’t leave you if you were sick even if I was tired.”

I nodded. “That’s true.” I pulled him again down the hall. “Let’s go, husband.”

Colin and I didn’t waste a lot of time but practically collapsed into bed. We cuddled, of course. Colin didn’t sleep well unless he was spooned up behind me. I didn’t sleep well without him pressed against me. I knew that would never stop.

We made up for lost time when we woke up. Loving and then a shower and Colin was again drinking his coffee.

“It was easier when I was a vampire.” Colin groused as he sipped his coffee. “There was no doubt when the sun came up, it was time for bed. Now, my body clock doesn’t know what time it is.”

I grinned as I put my last shoe on and came up behind him. “That’s easy to fix. We’ll take the disc out and don’t take the serum anymore.” I said kissing him behind an ear.

Colin sighed but didn’t turn around. “Nah, I lost my taste for rat’s blood.” Then he pulled me around to face him as his lips pressed to mine. “And now, Mr. Wentworth, I am saying it again. I love you. You came in my life and you make me so happy.” He kissed me longer. “As messed up as I was, I couldn’t ignore you.”

I grinned as my arms went around him. “But you tried!”

Colin’s eyes grew. “I did not!”

I chuckled. “Yes, you did! You were afraid to even touch me at first.”

Colin was shaking his head but smiling. “No, no, I was afraid of hurting you. That was different. I fell in love the first day, but you broke my defenses very fast. I knew you and I were meant for each other.”

I nodded. “So, you knew we were meant to be together?” I smiled. “I suppose you could have known that.”

Colin wavered his head slightly with a smile. “My point is…when we met, I feel my life began when you came. I remember the past, but it’s more like I’m remembering someone else’s nightmarish past. It couldn’t have been real. I waited a long time for you. Now that you’re in my life…” he kissed me. “…for the first time. I’m happy.”

I smiled when he said that. “That’s because of me?”

Colin kissed me gently. “Yes.” He hugged me. “I love you, Devon. I can’t imagine spending as long as Stan did and not see it with Mark.”

“There were some things that made Stan not see what everyone else saw. He sees it now.” I said. “I love you, too. You had some things that made it hard for you. I’m glad we got beyond them.” I felt his hands move over me. I’ve said it before, but I loved how warm and solid he was against me.

He smiled at me. “And I haven’t forgotten. We have a honeymoon we missed. We will go, I promise.”

“Being kidnapped and then all the new vampires…we’ve been busy.” I chuckled.

“I think we owe it to us to go anyway,” Colin said. “The vampires won’t be eliminated by us. They’ve always been. We can’t put our lives on hold.”

I kissed him. “We’ll go, but for now, let’s go see how Mark and Stan are doing.” I took his hand as we headed out. “Besides, you need to eat. It’s been a while.”

Colin nodded. “It’s almost dinner time.” He chuckled.

“After we check on Mark,” I said.

In the lab upstairs, we came in to find Mark awake and talking with Stan.

“…and you've been here all day.” Mark was saying to Stan. “I’m going to be alright.”

Stan nodded. “But you’re not in the clear yet. I’m staying right here until you are.” He said firmly.

They both saw us come in and smiled. Stan has looked a whole lot better. He needed a shave if nothing else. Mark’s bruising looked worse from time. After an initial greeting, Mark asked us for support.

“Tell him,” Mark said a little pleading. “He’s not slept in more than twenty-four hours. He needs to rest.”

“I know you’re concerned, Mark.” I smiled. “But we nearly lost you. Stan almost lost you. He’ll not leave easily. I wouldn’t.”

Stan folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not leaving.” He said again.

“Why don’t you tell us what you remember,” Colin suggested.

Mark frowned. “Well, Alex picked up on a scent.” He began. “We followed the scent to this alley. He in his mid-thirties and new. I say that because his clothes weren’t that dirty.” Then he chuckled. “Then again, I don’t think he was all that clean when fully human. The typical beard and uncut hair for a biker, he was probably ruff before. He was big. Well over six feet and a few inches. Probably a hundred and eighty to two hundred pounds; he was hunting.”

I nodded. “Aren’t most bikers in a gang? He was alone?”

Mark nodded. “He was. Sons of Satan was the emblem on his biker jacket.” He shrugged. “We cornered him and he was going to attack, but whatever that stuff is in my blood made him cringe. He could tell Alex was off the menu, as well. That’s when he spoke, telling us to leave him alone.” Mark smiled. “I couldn’t just let him go, so I told him there were people that could help him. He said the only help he needed was fresh blood.” Then he frowned again. “That’s when he pulled the huge knife and came at us.”

Colin nodded. “He’s still part human.” He said sadly. “His aggressiveness tells me he wouldn’t be a candidate for the serum.” He looked again at Mark. “There were others that were questionable. What’s being done with them?”

George came into the lab. “That is an issue I am having a problem with.” He said holding some box looking thing in his hands. “Once a vampire, they can’t return to the world. Do we hold them indefinitely? Do we end them because they’re not good candidates for the serum? We can’t let them go.” He frowned as the…whatever…beeped. “Damn it.” He said to something he didn’t like.

I looked at him and smiled. “What’s that?”

George grinned. “It’s a vampire detector.”

“Really?” Colin looked surprised. “It works?”

George gave a shrugging nod. “Too well.” He muttered. “It’s still reading us as vampires.” He chuckled. “Which we are, but I need it to cancel the alarm if the vampire is on the serum. There are subtle differences with each vampire, which a good sense of smell like Alex’s can detect. The olfactory senses in some are more refined. Like…a cat’s sense of smell is greater than a dog’s, but the cat behavior is less likely to be as obedient as a dog so they can’t be used for drug or bomb sniffing.”

“Can it be calibrated for just the venom?” I asked.

“Again, the venom changes…slightly…with each vampire. The venom you got, Devon has changed since Colin gave his to you. Now, it’s your venom…” George said. “…made from Colin’s venom now is your venom. The Biochemistry changes.” George replied. “Something that Alex can detect naturally. Subtle changes in the air cause a unique scent.” He sighed and put the device down. “The problem is making it sensitive enough to sense it.” He walked over to Mark. “Let’s see how you’re doing.” He smiled and began to prepare to look. “If you let me.”

Mark nodded. “Sure.”

“I have to ask. It’s polite.” George explained and lifted the sheet and blanket. He gently pulled the bandages away. He smiled at what he saw. “I see you’re doing well.” He looked at Stan. “I told you being here would help.” He looked back at Mark. “You’re healing well.”

“Is he out of the woods?” Stan asked.

George nodded. “I prefer a few more hours, but I think so.” He patted Mark’s shoulder. “In a few hours, I’ll move you to a room and out of my lab.”

Mark smiled. “You’re a good doctor.”

George laughed. “I was performing surgery when your grandfathers were in diapers. I think I can stitch a man up.”

I heard Colin’s stomach growl. “Okay, we’ll be back.” I grinned. “Colin needs to eat.”

“We’ll be hunting for the vampire that got you, Mark, tonight,” Colin said.

“If nothing else, we can hold him with the others,” I said getting up. I grinned at Colin. “Now, let’s get you something before you faint.”

It was later when we had another surprise. Alex and Burke were going to be joining us on patrol tonight. What nobody expected was Gabriella. She was dressed in dark clothes, but still blue. She wore pants and shirt that were form-fitting, but flexible enough to move easily. Her hair was down in that crinkly free-flowing fashion and even I thought she was attractive. I was gay! It was non-sexual, but we saw attractiveness in the other gender.

Both Alex and Colin raised eyebrows when she showed up.

“Where do think you’re going, Gabby?” Colin almost growled.

“We talked about this, honey,” Alex said almost at the same time as Colin asked his question.

Gabriella nodded. “You talked about it, Alex.” She said casually. “I listened.” She turned to Colin. “And I’m going with you tonight, Daddy.”

Alex frowned. “It’s dangerous!”

“There will be another vampire helping you out,” Gabriella said logically. “I’m not sitting home knitting because I’m female. He can’t infect me again. If nothing else, you’ll have another set of eyes. More teams.”

Colin didn’t like this at all. “I don’t like you out there. These vampires don’t always bite. They can also attack with weapons.”

Gabriella nodded. “Yes, they can. Why should it be that the men I care for are willing to put their lives on the line while I’m home safe? Women have the right to vote now and women’s lib is alive and well.” She smiled. “I’ll be fine. If it’s too much, I have four strong men to protect me. Besides, when I was alone at the old Wentworth Manor, I could take care of myself.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Do we waste time discussing this? Or get out there and get this vampire?”

Alex looked at Colin, waiting for Colin to say no. When he didn’t hear one… “Well?”

Colin shook his head. “She was always pig-headed even as a child.” He frowned and walked over to Gabriella. “You listen to whatever we say!”

Gabriella smiled, kissing her father’s cheek. “I will, Daddy.”

We also had Shelly and Chuck for their badges if nothing else if we had to deal with New York’s finest. We were dressed in dark clothes and even I have to admit, we looked badass. It was good that Gabriella came with us. We found a hidden asset.

As we neared the area where Mark had been attacked, Alex held his hand up.

“I smell him,” Alex said. “He’s been here since last night.”

Colin looked around the dark street and alley. “He feels safe here, thinking there is no threat he can’t overcome.”

Gabriella frowned and sniffed. “That musty smell?” She asked.

We all looked at her in surprise.

Alex nodded. “It is musty. It’s strong.”

Gabriella nodded. “Very strong.”

Colin raised his eyebrows. “You smell that!?”

Gabriella nodded. “It’s hard to describe, but yes. I smell it.”

I jabbed Colin lightly. “See? Sexism in vampires is just wrong, too.”

“Later with the women’s liberation in vampires, can you tell us where he went?” Shelly asked.

Both Alex and Gabriella pointed in a direction and said together. “That way.”

Colin nodded as we moved in the direction they said. “I should have known.” He muttered. “She always did have a very good sense of smell.” He griped taking my hand as we went.

It was nearly a block later when both Alex and Gabriella stopped and turned to look down an alley.

“That way,” Alex said.

Going down the alley, we heard someone finishing their meal with a wet slurp. The man was tall and he was a little hairy. More hair than I liked on a person. He was dressed in a jeans jacket with sleeves missing and the Sons of Satan on the back. He let the body of a female drop. He had pushed the woman against a wall to help stop her from escaping. He turned to rub the back of his hand over his blood-stained mouth. He saw us and hissed; the fangs still elongated. He sniffed and frowned.

“I don’t want any of you.” The man said gruffly.

“But, we want you,” Chuck said as he looked at the woman that was now dead. “For murder, if nothing else.” He pulled his badge out. “FBI. You will come with us.”

The man smiled snidely. “She was nothing but a cheap hooker. I was her last trick.” He chuckled. “What do you care?”

“Well, for one, she was alive when you brought her to this alley. Now, she’s dead. That’s a crime.” I said.

The man sniffed again. “What are you? Almost all of you smell like I do, but different.” He looked at Shelly and Chuck. “They could have been prey, but I smell something wrong with them.”

Shelly moved forward. “There’s nothing wrong with us. We just won’t be on a menu for you.” She pulled her gun out, as did Chuck. “As I understand it, you’re not bulletproof. One good shot and you’ll go down like any man.”

The man laughed. “I’ve never been afraid of cops, Federal or otherwise.” He waved at the dead woman. “But I’ve just fed. Do you think you can stop me?” Then he moved very fast, too fast for a regular man. He brought the knife out that he apparently used on Mark and he rushed Shelly. Chuck fired before the vampire had gotten to Shelly. He was overconfident and that was his mistake. Chuck hadn’t aimed at the usual spots like the shoulder or a nonlethal spot. He had changed his thinking and Chuck hit the vampire in the head with one shot, causing the vampire to stop with a surprised look for a second and then the vampire collapsed.

“So much for what to do with him,” Colin said grimly.

“What do we do with her?” Shelly asked. “She’s dead. She won’t turn into a vampire, will she?”

Colin shook his head. “She has no more blood for any venom to work in. He won’t have anything left of his body in a few hours when it becomes dawn. We can check if she has an ID.”

While they were dealing with the victim, I walked over to Gabriella. “So, you could smell him?”

She nodded smiling. “I could.” She gave a shiver that was from excitement. “This has been thrilling! Is it always like this?”

I chuckled. “With your help, it probably will be.” I put an arm around her. “You’ve proven you are an asset. We won’t be going out much without you now.”

“No one ever asked me before,” Gabriella said shrugging. “A woman’s place doesn’t always have to be in the kitchen.”

I chuckled. “It’s taken a few hundred years to see that for most men. Some men still haven’t gotten it. Your father is from the 19^th Century and will take a little longer. Even Alex is from a period where the delicate little woman was supposed to be at home and protected. If you’ve convinced them; we’ll be fine.”

We got the scene more ready for discovery. We put the vampire in an area that won’t be seen so easily and the sun would take care of the body. The prostitute’s body could be found and logged as a Jane Doe since she had no identification on her. She would be another who died of a mysterious cause and blood loss.

When we got back to VUN, we told Mark and Stan the vampire that had attacked Mark was gone. Stan almost growled when he heard us talk about the guilty vampire. Stan looked a little better having shaved and showered but was in an extra pair of scrubs thanks to George. He still looked tired. But Mark would be moved in the morning, so Stan would sleep at that time and probably in the same room with Mark.

Going to get something to eat; we saw Amanda moving down the hall with a young man with dirty blonde hair in his mid-twenties. They were having a conversation that wasn’t what the young man liked.

“…you’re hiding things!” The man objected.

Amanda nodded. “Yes, I told you, I’m hiding things for a reason.” She said tired of the discussion. “Doug, I love you. What happened was bad…really bad. If these people hadn’t stepped in, I would be dead. I’ll tell you when I’m ready, but right now, I don’t feel I can.”

“This isn’t like you, Amanda. Is there someone else? Why else would you be so out of character?” Doug asked and looked at Colin and me. “Is it one of them?” He pointed to us.

Amanda looked at us and laughed at the idea. “Hardly. They’re gay, dummy! They're married!!”

Colin nodded taking my hand and leaned in kissing me in front of Douglas. “And happily married to each other!”

Amanda patted Douglas on the chest. “It’s for your own safety. The FBI is even in on this. Trust me. There’s no one else and what happened has to be kept here for now. Don’t claim a lack of faith as a reason. I thought we were beyond that.” She smiled. “Besides, I wasn’t the one that cheated that once.”

Doug was a nice looking man but was turning pink. “We had just started to get serious and were new! I wasn’t sure how you felt!”

Amanda nodded. “And I forgave you. Can we at last move on?”

Doug looked doubtful. “I don’t like it.”

Amanda nodded again. “Neither do I, but it is. Either we deal with it or not, not meaning we go our separate ways.”

I chuckled at what we heard and saw. “Love is a tough road sometimes,” I said to Colin.

Colin nodded. “But so worth it.” He kissed me again. “I love you, Devon.”

I grinned giving his backside a squeeze. “I know. I love you, Colin.”

Colin smiled. “I know.”