I run around with peroxide and hand sanitizer, making sure everyone is cleaned up and germ free. It’s a full time job. I also try to take care of bruised egos. The cuts and abrasions are easier to fix.

  “Sebastian, you were so wonderful. I love it when your fangs come out.”

  Drool, drool, drool. I think he notices the drool because he leans in and kisses me. He nips my lip with his fangs. Ohmygod! Not to be ignored, Aidan gives a little moan. Sebastian winks at me. He is aware of what he has just done to my body.

  “Aidan, you were very brave and strong. You look like you’ve stopped oozing fluids now. And I don’t want to know what they are.”

  “It’s my essence, love. Not a pretty sight. I don’t think I will get in any more fights. They are a lot more enjoyable to watch then they are to participate in.”

  Julian busts out laughing. Not to be outdone by Sebastian, Aidan glimmers himself to resume his normal face. Then reaches over and takes my head in his hand and kisses me. Sebastian curses in French. Julian keeps on laughing.

  “Well there is never a dull moment here,” says Hannah from the doorway. “What the hell happened in here? It looks like World War Three.”

  I look around. Tables lean, chairs smashed, cushions strew the floor. I hope Aidan plans on fixing the furniture too.

  “Aidan and Sebastian decided to fight for Lily’s hand. But it turns out they are pretty evenly matched,” Julian says.

  “Girlfriend, your scrawny butt is causing way too much trouble. What’re we going to do with you?” Hannah says.

  She’s wearing a plaid mini and a white button down shirt with short, cap sleeves, little Mary Jane’s decorated with skulls on them and knee socks. I on the other hand, haven’t had a shower and am still wearing last night’s makeup. My hair is a mess and all I have been able to do is grab a pair of jeans and a tee shirt.

  “Andrew, will you bring coffee and tea in please?” I beg as I rub my forehead.

  I feel the need to settle.

  “It’s ready, Miss Lily, though it’s probably cold by now.”

  “Just bring it in Andrew,” Aidan drawls. “I’ll warm everything up. No sense in everyone waiting because Sebastian and I can’t behave ourselves.”

  Aidan seems amused by the whole endeavor while Sebastian pulses with displeasure. Aidan starts to put everything back together again while Andrew brings tea and coffee in and everyone jumps on it like hyenas on a dead zebra. We can’t live without our caffeine fix. I make myself a nice mocha and wait for Aidan to glimmer it. He sweetly obliges and a poof of steam drifts towards the ceiling. It is just too cool. My perpetually cold hands warm up and I luxuriate in it.

  “So, Hannah is going over to the witches to plot my demise in just a little bit. Does anyone have any parting advice? I, for one, don’t like her going alone. I suggest Aidan go too, if he will consider it.”

  I hate volunteering him this way, but I can’t think of any other way to keep her safe. I know it is dangerous for him as well. I figure the two of them together makes it a bit safer.

  “I will go with her,” he says generously. “I was already planning on offering. I don’t think any vampire is safe alone with them right now.” He includes Sebastian in his glance. “They are too unpredictable.”

  “That would be excellent, Aidan. I’m pretty sure that it’ll be okay but it would be nice to have back up. Any suggestions or questions you want answered?” Hannah asks.

  “We want to know what they have planned for Lily. Julian is going to be talking to Iris soon, about the texts they want translated. But I think that Indio only wants Lily,” Sebastian says grimly.

  Aidan summons a shirt and covers up his very fine chest, making it easier to concentrate when he talks to me. He sits across from me saying something.

  “Lilith, Lilith! Are you okay?”

  “Uh Huh. Just thinking.”

  He gives me a knowing look and I get a little woozy. He really is fine looking. The chiseled chest, tanned and toned. Mmmm. That accent just does something to me.

  “I say, Lilith! Focus. Will it help if I come and sit next to you?”

  “No, it won’t,” Sebastian says as he gets up and sits next to me.

  I really need to focus like Aidan said. I’m not sure what is wrong with me, just being around him makes me unsettled and gives me an overwhelming need to check all the glasses to make sure they’re clean before anyone drinks out of them. What can I say? I get obsessive when I get anxious. This is a good anxious though, I think. How much more good can a girl take? I use some of my hand sanitizer. Maybe he’s using some of his djinn magik on me, because I get a little dazed whenever he is near. Of course watching Sebastian half-naked throwing punches was unsettling as well. I don’t know which of them has the finer chest. Both muscular, lightly covered in hair, tall, handsome… Of course Sebastian is pale where Aidan is tan. Coffee and cream. More like tea, but all the same I wouldn’t mind having both… shame on me!

  “She has another side, Sebastian. That’s the nice thing about a couch,” Aidan says as he gets up and sits next to my unaccompanied side.

  I definitely feel a zing-zang run through me. Not sure if the zing is Aidan and the zang is Sebastian. Not sure if it matters. Hannah makes gagging noises in the corner. Andrew dabs at the corner of his eyes with a napkin and Helena sighs.

  “I think I’m going to take a shower and get properly dressed,” I say as I drag myself up. “And no, I don’t need any help.”

  The faces on either side of me fall. I shake my head. It’s going to be a long, long day. I retreat to my room and lock my door behind me. I know this won’t really keep anyone out, but it makes me feel better all the same. I peel off my clothes and climb into the shower. I really soap up and spend a long time under the hot water trying to forget about how good Aidan looked without his shirt and how Sebastian’s fangs felt when he nipped my lip. By the time I get out, I am squeaky clean and much more relaxed.

  I choose a pink, silk and lace georgette blouse with jeans, some Manolo Blahniks, a little makeup and I’m ready. How to handle the boys? That’s the million dollar question. I feel more than a little disloyal to Sebastian. I owe him more time. He has always been my confidante, the tall brooding vampire that has a vengeful temper but is quick to smile. His touch brings my body to attention and his eyes tell me everything I need to know about what he thinks. I love Sebastian, but do I love him - love him? The jury is still out on that. How do I get that message through to Aidan? The more Aidan insinuates himself into my life the more I discover his charm and intelligence. My body burns for him. He is such a bad boy, mysterious and playful. If I don’t let Aidan have his chance, I may lose out on something special I didn’t know I needed in my life. I’m not ready to let that happen. Maybe they will have worked something out while I was gone... Ha!

  I make my way down the stairs and into the library as I slowly bounce around the pros and cons of each supernatural wannabe lover. It is two thirty and Hannah is getting ready to leave. Julian and Sebastian go over things with her. Aidan and Helena talk quietly and quickly motion for me to join them. Aidan seems to be getting over his aversion to vampires, or at least the ones in my family.

  Helena puts her arm around my waist. “Do you think I should put any more spells on Hannah? I don’t want to set their detection spells off when she walks into their house. Aidan and I can’t decide. Sebastian has never been in their home before. He has always picked Indio up at the door and taken her somewhere.”

  “They are bound to sense a protection charm, but she can say that Helena put it on her last year for her birthday, or after the stakings? Both are viable and it would keep them from any nastiness. At least Hannah and Aidan will have a few seconds warning,” I say.

  “Those are both good excuses and I say we should go with it. Pick one and then put a protection on her, Helena. We need to be as cautious as we can be,” Aidan encourages.

  “What have you decided?” Julian asks as he and Sebastian finish their discussion.

  “We’re putting more protection on her,” Helena says. “She is to say I did it after the stakings if they ask her.”

  “Excellent,” Sebastian says. “I think she needs whatever we can give her just in case.”

  “You guys are starting to freak me out major,” Hannah complains, her voice an octave higher than normal.

  “Easy, ma petite, it will be fine. Aidan will be there to help if things go crazy. If that happens, we talked about it. Your only job is to get out of there and back here,” Sebastian says, rubbing her hand, trying to soothe her.

  “Hannah, I can’t kill them but I can slow them down sufficiently to let you get away. So no worries Ganja Girl,” Aidan tells her.

  Hannah chuckles, relaxing. I know that was Aidan’s intent.

  Helena starts casting a spell of protection over Hannah that gives off a faint glimmer indicating the spell is in effect. I go over and hug her and wish her good luck.

  “Bonne chance, ma petite,” Sebastian tells Hannah.

  Julian gives her a hug too.

  “Let’s go, Hannah, before they start dragging you back,” Aidan says.

  “Bye, everyone, I’ll be okay.”

  Sebastian comes over and puts his arm around my waist. He whispers in my ear, “It will be all right.”

  “I know. They’ll be fine,” I say with more conviction than I feel.

  “You look incredible today. How do you do it? And you smell amazing,” he says, distracting me. He nuzzles my neck sending good will messages to the lower levels.

  He takes advantage of Aidan being gone and I’m not objecting. I turn into him and he starts kissing me. I put my arms around him and he picks me up to hold me at his level so he can kiss me more easily.

  “Hmm hmm…”

  “Sorry, Julian,” I say.

  “I’m not,” Sebastian says.

  “I’m not either,” Helena says.

  “Lily, you’re turning into a tramp,” Julian says and I feel instant guilt. “What about Aidan?”

  He doesn’t sound exasperated and I relax.

  “I’m a bit confused,” I confess. “I feel very strongly about Sebastian.”

  I put my hands on his chest as I’m still in his arms.

  “But Aidan is very persistent and he riles me up,” I admit.

  “The bastard,” Sebastian spits out. “You really must put him in his place, Lily. Enough is enough.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Make it easy.”

  Sebastian puts me down and walks out of the room.

  “You know you can’t expect him to be supportive of this. He loves you and wants you to himself,” Helena interjects. “He doesn’t understand why you don’t feel the same way. And neither do I.”

  “I do care for Sebastian. But there is something about Aidan. I can’t describe it. I know it’s not fair. I don’t even want to be in a relationship right now. I’m not sure what I’m doing.”

  “I think you need to take your time, Lily. This is not something to take lightly. Each man is different in what they can offer you as a companion and that makes it all the more difficult. Both men are generous to you and care a great deal for you and that is what is important,” Julian says.

  Helena gives him a scorching look.

  “Don’t look at me like that, dear. I know how much you favor Sebastian, but I think she needs to make sure. After all, Sebastian’s only dropped this in her lap a week ago. Give her some time to get used to it all. Besides, Sebastian hasn’t demonstrated constancy in the past, you must admit. ”

  “That’s what Bast said this morning, before he found out that Aidan had been listening in. In fairness, I didn’t know he was listening either. It definitely complicates things, having all those powers available to him.”

  “I think it makes it exciting too,” Julian says.

  “Whose side are you on?” Sebastian says as he walks back in the room.

  “Are you talking to me again?” I ask him.

  “Yes, I figure it is better to take advantage of my no Aidan time than to sulk.”

  I walk over to him and hug him, lightly, not trying to start anything. He traps my arms and keeps them around him. He kisses the top of my head.

  “I’m sorry,” he says.

  “No, I’m sorry for putting you through this. I could lie to you but we have always been honest with each other. I care too much for you.”

  “Then just tell me you love me and forget about that silly djinn. It’s as simple as that. When you are ready you will know what you have to do.”

  I wish it was that easy.

  25 . AIDAN

  We pull up to the witches’ house, a small Victorian that needs a lot of work. They may be proficient in their powers but they aren’t prosperous. I heard them say this is one of the things they hope to rectify with my unwilling help. Not going to happen. I stick to Hannah like a flea, literally. I like her, but she is still a blood sucker.

  Hannah gathers her bag and gets out of her VW bug. She walks up to the front door and rings the bell. Indio comes to the door looking worse for wear. She is definitely suffering from last night’s overindulgence. She holds her heads and squints at Hannah.

  “Hey, girlfriend,” Hannah says. “Looks like you need some hangover help.”

  “Do you know of any?” Indio whispers.

  “Just lots of water and aspirin, gotta flush those poisons out of your body.”

  “How come you look so great today?” she asks suspiciously.

  “It’s a vamp thing. We heal fast.”

  “Figures… you suck. Ha! Ha ha, get it? You suck!”

  “Yeah, never heard that one before.”

  “Well, it’s the first time I’ve used it so you could play along.”

  “You’re right, sorry.”

  “Well come in and let’s get out of the glaring sunlight.”

  The clouds are so thick it looks like it might rain. She must be badly hung over. Indio turns her back on Hannah and doesn’t notice the glimmer around her as she enters their house. I am now a lady bug attached to Hannah’s skirt. I want to have all my senses about me. I didn’t want to alarm Hannah, but after seeing these two with Bertrand, I am not letting any of my vamps go anywhere alone with Indio or Iris. My vamps. Huh. I wonder when they became mine? But they are, as much as I may want to wish it weren’t so. I even feel protective toward Sebastian. I must be mad. But it would cause Lilith great pain to lose him so I will protect him if I can.

  “Iris, Hannah is here and she isn’t even a little hung over, the bitch. No offense,” Indio says turning her head back towards Hannah.

  “None taken.”

  “Hi, Hannah. Sit down. You want some coffee?”

  “Hi, Iris. Yeah, thank you.”

  The kitchen is done in faded and chipped yellow paint. There are darker patches where pictures used to hang. Dirty dishes clutter the counters and overflow the sink. A door opens to a stairway that links the main house to the garage. They must do their casting down there. The magik oozes up from that direction, along with the odors of herbs, incense and candle smoke. Iris pours Hannah a cup of coffee. I see Hannah wrinkle her nose. The mix of odors must be unpleasantly strong for a vampire’s ultra sensitive sense of smell.

  “We’ve been doing some thinking about our little friend Lily and how to get rid of her. I think you’ll be interested,” Iris says. Hannah looks interested, but I feel her real emotion, which is rage.

  “Oooh do tell. She was especially annoying this morning and it was hard to keep my blood down.”

  Indio turns green and gags a little at that.

  “We plan on kidnapping her.”

  I could almost hear sinister music and the dark laughter in the background. I fight a deep pull to rush to Lilith and take her somewhere safe. I can’t leave Hannah, though, and I need to know their plans, too.

  “How are you planning on doing that? Sebastian has taken to doing everything with her. He doesn’t let her out of his sight.”

  “We have ways. We’ll have to immobilize Sebastian for a little while too, but he’ll be okay,” Iris says.

  “What are you going to do with her when you get her?”

  “We’re going to stake her,” Iris says as a matter of fact.

  “But first we’re going to feed her animal blood. Thanks for that little tip. I want to make her suffer a lot first,” Indio says with flat eyes. It’s easy to see there is not much below the surface in that one. She’s just a follower. Obsessed and psychotic.

  “Nice,” Hannah whispers.

  I can tell Hannah is starting to lose her cool.

  “We need you to tell us when she is working next. We figured we can take her after work because it’s so late and no one will be watching,” Indio says.

  She is wrong about that. Sebastian and I will be ready.

  “She works tonight as a matter of fact,” Hannah says slowly. “Sebastian wants her to get out of it, but Lily plans on going.”

  “Excellent!” Indio squeals.

  “Have you ever staked a vampire, Hannah?” Iris asks.

  “No, I’ve never had the pleasure, Iris.”

  “It’s rather messy. Wear something you don’t mind throwing away afterwards,” she says casually.

  “You want me to help?”

  Hannah’s heart is starting to beat fast, still too slow for a living person, but dangerously for a vampire. Fortunately the witches won’t pick up on this. Hold on, honey. Take some deep breaths, Hannah. Keep it together. I beam a little sedative at her. Her heart beat slows and her shoulders relax.

  “Of course, I thought you would want to join in the fun,” Indio says, watching her carefully.

  “Well, it’s just I’ve never done anything like this. What if I mess it up or something?”

  “Iris will do the actual staking. We’ll just hold her arms and legs down.”