Sharkbait
Quid Pro Quo

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Luna Adrienne,” Master Vampire Alexander Corvinus said as he closed the door to his office behind us.

“Thank you for the warning,” she said.

“I owe you that much,” he said. “Ah, Vicki Lawrence, we meet at last. I’m a big fan of yours.” He held out his hand, and I took it in mine for a brief handshake. My wolf didn’t like it and pushing me to run; other than his smell, he looked normal. Well, if your ‘normal’ is ‘male model hot with a killer body and flawless skin and teeth.’ It was no wonder vampires could entice women into giving up their bodies and blood. “I’ve been following your career this year; it’s rather impressive. I was intrigued enough to purchase fifty tags through your website this spring.” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Fifty tags meant a fifteen-thousand-dollar donation. That was big time. “Thank you for the support,” I said. “It’s been a whirlwind.”

“I suppose so. There have been enough attacks on you lately, and the world is a better place with you in it. Please, let us sit and talk.”

The office was as impressive as the man; large windows framed a killer view of the city and the Harbor. Unlike the austere and clean modern designs in steel and glass, Alexander Corvinus’ office was like stepping back into a Victorian library. The ceiling held museum-worthy murals and complicated moldings, most of them gilded. The walls held rich tapestries, full bookshelves, and large paintings of sailing ships and battles. An ornately carved desk sat on four clawfoot feet that matched the high-backed chairs and other antique furniture from the Victorian era. Sitting on the tables and shelves were more precious sculptures and vases than I’d ever seen. I relaxed as he led us to a set of chairs surrounding a small table.

If he planned a fight, it wouldn’t be with all these priceless works of art around. No, I thought as I looked around, this office was an expression of him as a person. I would bet that he had collected the pieces himself. “Just how old a vampire is Alexander,” I sent over the family bond.

“He was born in 1860. He was a successful trader before his turn.” That explained it. Vampires collected beautiful items, perhaps to make up for an inability to have human love or children.

He offered tea or coffee; Adrienne asked for coffee, and I asked for water. The female vampire, who looked to be about twenty, got up to get them without saying a word. She had the flawless beauty vampires were known for; with her long blonde hair and athletic body, she could have been my sister.

Alexander didn’t introduce me to the human male sitting in a chair by himself near the window. The man looked up briefly as we passed, then went back to his phone. His off-the-rack suit, rubber-soled shoes, and bad haircut pegged him as a cop. I spotted the flash of a badge on his belt, and the bulge of a shoulder holster.

The female returned with the drinks, then went to sit next to the man by the window. Adrienne was eager to find out what he knew. “What do you know about the threat,” she asked him before taking a sip of the coffee.

“Quite a bit, but your credit doesn’t cover that,” he said as he leaned back in the chair. “Information is a commodity, and thus have value. I am hoping you will agree to the terms.”

“That would depend on what the information is and what your terms are,” I said as I cut off Adrienne. Alexander looked a little surprised, but pleased, at my interjection. I wasn’t going to sit back and let others decide my future, not anymore. “You know who put the contract out on me?”

“One step at a time,” he said with a disarming smile. “An acquaintance of mine deals in wet work. He’s developed a reputation for getting problems solved, quickly and quietly, without leaving clues.” Wet work included assassinations, arson, kidnapping, and extortion. "He was offered a contract for you and accepted the down payment. I can give you the proof of the contract’s existence; that is what I am offering.”

“So all you offer is proof that I am in danger?” It didn’t seem like much.

“Without proof, what chance do you have of finding and charging the one who is after you?”

Adrienne cut in. “I have a damn good idea of who would do this,” she said. “I’ll kill him for even thinking of Vicki.”

Alexander chuckled. “Ah, yes, Nutless and Slut.” I must have looked shocked because he just smiled at me. “Young lady, I am over two centuries old and have been a Master Vampire for over a century in this town. I have contacts within the supernatural world and without. I know more about your life than you would be comfortable with, including the enemies you’ve made. I’m sure your ex-mate or his woman would love to see you dead.”

“I’m sure he would,” I sent to Adrienne.

Alexander leaned forward and continued. “You cost Timothy his parents, his Pack, and his balls. Traci lost her position as a future Alpha and her entire family. Both inherited enough money to pay the contract.” That was my bet. “I’m sure Skip Bonino would like revenge; you cost him millions in endorsement money and contracts, plus you put him out of action for eight weeks with a broken arm. That meant he missed a chance to defend his X-Games title. There’s also Brian on the Ocean Explorer, whose clumsy harassment ended up getting him kicked out of university. He’s now immortalized on social media, and his quite-rich parents aren’t happy about it. Then there are the ones who might see you as a way to get at your Alpha pair, as you are exposed and vulnerable in all your travels. Whether it is Human or Pack justice you seek, if you take action without proof, you’re just guessing. I can’t imagine the Council will appreciate that, even for rogues.”

Shit. Alexander was right. “How much money do you want for the proof?”

He laughed at me. “Money? Please, Vicki. Look around you. Some of these pieces are worth more than you have raised for your charity.” I’d raised five million, so I suddenly felt nervous sitting on this chair. “Money does not interest me when there are far more valuable things in this room.”

I could feel Adrienne’s anger flare as she figured out what he wanted. “NO. Come on, Vicki, we’re leaving.”

“What is it you want in exchange for the proof,” I asked.

“Your blood, of course.” My blood ran cold as my wolf urged me to flee NOW. “The blood of a powerful werewolf is what I desire. Not enough to harm you, no more than you would lose by giving blood. You would be perfectly fine and walk out of here, having lost nothing you cannot replace in a few days.”

We had talked about what our blood did for a vampire. “Fine. I’ll talk to a Pack doctor and have a pint drawn for you in the morning.”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Vicki, please. Would you open up a rare Bordeaux and serve it in a Dixie cup? There is no need for that. We can do this right here, right now, and it will be over in a minute.”

That was it for Adrienne. “Oh, HELL no,” she said. “No male gets her neck until we find her mate. Come on.”

“You could do it,” I said to Adrienne quietly.

“No, she cannot,” Alexander said. “I have no desire to enrage her mate by such an intimate act. It must be you, Vicki, and it must be your decision. I only take blood freely offered to me.”

“You’re a vampire,” I said.

“Yes, and I have a stable of familiars who provide for my needs. Your blood is special, Vicki. It is your choice.”

“We’re leaving,” Adrienne said as she pulled me to my feet.

We started walking towards the door as Alexander stood. “You should know what happens if you walk out,” he said.

I stopped, forcing Adrienne to turn as well. “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry; my man is not going to accept the contract. He will have to return the down payment and refuse the job. Whoever wants you dead can offer it to another. Are you confident enough you can find and neutralize the threat before someone kills you, and maybe those who are with you? Can you risk all that over a simple blood donation?”

There was a simple answer to this, and it was no. I needed to do this because I could not endanger my friends and family. “I have to do this,” I told my former Luna.

“We can find them and stop them,” she said. “Werewolf blood is like crack to them. Do you think it will stop with just one?”

“It’s my choice.” I pulled her into a hug. “Wait outside until I call you back.”

“Leo’s not going to be happy, and Alpha Steven will be furious.”

“It’s still my neck and my call.”

I let her go, and she walked to the door. “Hurt her, and I will end you all.”

“I gave my word, Adrienne.” He looked at the two in his office. “Leave us.”

Moments later, we were alone. “How do you want to do this?”

“Why don’t you come over to the window? The view this time of night is spectacular.” He turned off the lights in the room, which would keep prying eyes from seeing anything going on. He pulled a chair over for me, helping me get comfortable. “Relax and breathe. It doesn’t hurt, and it will heal almost immediately.”

I pulled my hair off my shoulders, gathering it into a ponytail. Alexander’s hands rested lightly on my shoulders, and I sensed it as he leaned down. I had to force back my wolf as his mouth approached the left side of my neck; he waited for me to relax, then he opened his mouth and bit down.

I felt a quick sting that turned to pleasure as his fangs penetrated my skin and into my artery. I could hear and feel him sucking my blood into his mouth, swallowing it quickly. I started to feel light-headed from the lowered flow to my brain.

He kept his word, though. A few more mouthfuls, then he pulled his fangs out and licked at my neck. The saliva healed the wound, and I ended up with two red dots and some vampire saliva on the side of my neck. I reached up, fascinated at the process. It hadn’t been bad at all.

I turned and looked at Alexander, which may have been a mistake. I could see my blood as he licked it from his lips and teeth. His face looked rapturous as the blood hit his system; his body was trembling with the power boost. He took a moment to control the effects, and then he stood tall and smiled down at me. “Thank you, Vicki. You may call Adrienne back now, and we will continue.”

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