Page 77 of Wounded Soul
Ian frowned, some of his anger seeming to drain away. “I thought drinking from a human was like the best thing ever for a vampire.”
Jesse’s smile turned rueful. “Oh it is. The rush you get from it is quite unlike anything else. But the agonising guilt you suffer afterwards takes the edge off somewhat.”
Ian scoffed. “Peter doesn’t feel guilty in the slightest.”
“That’s because Peter’s a cunt. Being a vampire gives him the excuse to do all the things he couldn’t get away with as a human. There’s plenty more like him, but there are also a vast number who don’t enjoy taking life after life, no matter if we think some of them deserve it.”
“And besides,” Jesse added, in case Ian needed more reassurance that he was safe with them. “If you turn up dead, the first thing they’ll do is pull your phone records. I’m on there, remember, and as soon as the VLCD get wind of it, which they will eventually, they’ll ask to verify my whereabouts. So either way, I’m fucked.”
Both Lys and Ian stared at him, and he gave them a sad smile. “It’s okay. Whatever happens to me will be what I deserve.”
“Jesse—”
“Think about it, Lys. There’s no way out of this without them finding out I turned Ian.” He shrugged. “It is what it is. What we need to focus on is keeping Ian alive until we can get this sorted.”
“And by sorted, you mean have Ian as part of our coven and Peter languishing in a VLCD prison cell?” Lys turned to Ian. “Fuck, sorry. There’s me assuming you’d want to join our coven after all this.”
After a moment that seemed to last forever, Ian finally nodded. “I think I do. I mean, I don’t know any others, and quite frankly, I’m not sure I’m ready to meet a whole slew of new vampires just yet. Better the devil you know, right?”
Jesse felt like he’d been slapped.
“Wow, that sounded way better in my head.” Ian scooted closer until his knee brushed Jesse’s thigh. “I don’t want to join another coven. I want to stay here with you.” He turned to look at Lys. “And you too, of course.”
She laughed. “Oh, of course.”
Jesse put his hand on Ian’s leg; that one connection soothing him and settling his unease about what was to come. “So, first we get Ian somewhere safe. Then we tell Raph. Then I’m assuming we call the VLCD and explain ourselves.”
“We’re telling them about Peter, though, right. I just want to get that clear.” Ian put his hand on top of Jesse’s. “Because your coven is a whole lot more appealing without him in it, I have to say.”
Jesse didn’t blame him for thinking that, and although it wasn’t his decision to make, he couldn’t see Raph letting Peter get away with killing a human. It was Raph who’d pushed for the agreement with VLCD in the first place. “We’ll tell Raph everything. As coven leader, it’s his responsibility to take it to the vamp police, but I can’t see him telling them anything other than the truth.”
“Good.” Ian looked a little happier at that news.
“So,” Lys began. “Where can we stash Ian that’s safe from both vampires and the VLCD for now?”
Jesse had been thinking about this on his walk back from the kitchen before Michael had rudely interrupted him. “Cate,” he said, garnering raised eyebrows from both Ian and Lys.
“Seriously?” Lys looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “She’s human.”
“I know.” He directed the next part to Ian. “If we go see Cate, explain to her what happened to you and that your life—your new life—is in danger, would she be on board?”
“Maybe. On board with what though?”
Jesse swallowed. This was the bit he was unsure about. “With contacting Blake. I don’t want to risk going straight to him. But if Cate can persuade him to help you, he’s VLCD, he’d be able to protect you.” He paused, not wanting to say the next bit, but it was necessary. “And protect himselffromyou. When we’ve spoken to Raph, Blake can take you in and hopefully get you sorted with an identity bracelet.” He smiled, trying to be reassuring. “And then you can join our coven officially.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed as he took it all in. “And where will you be?”
“Locked up in a cell,” Lys grumbled with a resignation that meant she knew there was no other way.
“Is that right?” Ian’s gaze bore into Jesse’s. “They’ll lock you up? And then what?”
Jesse wished he had the answers. “I don’t know. Yes, I’m guessing I’ll end up in a holding cell while they figure out what to do with me, but I’m hoping the fact that I didn’t feed from you, didn’t actually kill you, will go in my favour.”
“Don’t forget I’m going to tell them I wanted it. And even if they don’t believe me, they can see I don’t blame you. It’s not like I’m out for blood or anything.” He frowned, absently licking his lips. “Well, not yours anyway.” When Ian’s gaze dropped to Jesse’s neck, the tension in the room suddenly increased ten-fold. “You know what I mean,” Ian mumbled.
“Unfortunately,” Lys added with a smirk. Her smile faded quickly though. “Would Blake do that for you? Bearing in mind he’d be jeopardising his career by not reporting it straight away.”
Ian had said they were best friends, but Jesse was willing to bet his life they’d never had to test their friendship like this before.
