“It sounds like a place Jack mentioned last month.” He shrugged. “We’ll look into it. I’ll need you in a meeting later.”
“Business stuff?” She curled her lip as Murphy chuckled.
“Aren’t you glad you came to work for me? Yes, just a meeting with a chap from Lisbon. Trade deal.”
She sighed. Since she’d come back, she spent more time standing in the corner of Murphy’s office looking menacing than she did investigating the trickle of information they were getting about this drug from the continent. Jack had assured Murphy he was more than capable of heading the investigation. Declan continued to coordinate his army of human hands to control and monitor the shipping operations. Tom coordinated security for the Docklands building and other businesses. Angie still ruled the office with a smile, and Brigid had become Murphy’s constant shadow during most night hours.
Trade meeting? She was there.
Tour of the city with the cagey German? Brigid was happy to assist.
Interrogation of a vampire suspected of smuggling goods from the North without informing Murphy… well, that part was a bit fun.
“The meeting is at three a.m., so please be there around two thirty or so. Angie will brief you.”
Brigid offered him a polite smile. “Sure thing. See you then.”
Murphy strolled off after flashing a smile at her waitress, who almost poured the tea on Brigid’s lap instead of in her cup. She sighed and caught the small stream before it hit her pants as the waitress apologized profusely.
Ah, Murphy.
She was just finishing her tea and reading Carwyn’s letter for the third time when she sensed someone approaching. A deliciously sweet smell hit her nose and the chair across from her scraped back. A familiar figure slid into it.
Brigid blinked, gaping. “Emily?”
Her old friend smiled cautiously. “Hello, Brig.”
It had been almost two years since she’d seen her. The last night had been the one when she’d pounded on Emily’s door, demanding she give her the heroin that had caused Brigid to overdose. Brigid knew Emily had a supplier, even though she’d only ever used drugs to party. She hadn’t known that the supplier had been Emily’s vampire boyfriend, Axel.
Emily spoke quietly. “Nothing to say?”
“I’m… surprised to see you.” She was. As far as she knew, Emily had stopped working for Murphy shortly after and no one seemed to know where she had disappeared to. “You’re looking well, Em. How’ve you been?”
“Locked up,” she said with a small smile. “Well, in a treatment program, anyway. My parents finally caught up with me. I… well, I’m better now. Thanks to them.”
Brigid looked around the room in a panic. She had no idea how to react to her old friend.
Emily looked just as uncomfortable. “I know this is a bit awkward.”
She snorted. “A bit, yeah.”
“I…” Tears came to Emily’s eyes. “I never wanted to—”
“I never blamed you, you know?” Brigid may not have known how to feel about seeing the girl—woman—again, but she didn’t want Emily carrying any guilt for things that she was responsible for herself. “I wasn’t in a right state, Em. I probably would have bloodied you up if you hadn’t have given me anything that night. You should know that. I don’t blame you for my own stupidity.”
Emily nodded and Brigid could see the relief in her eyes. “I appreciate that. But I was still responsible. And I wanted to apologize. I’ve been trying to work up the nerve for months now, ever since I heard you were back in town. And it’s something I need to do for my own recovery. Making amends, you know?”
“Oh really?”
Emily gave a rueful grin and the playful girl that Brigid had bonded with at Parliament House peeked out. “You know how organized I am. Got to check all the boxes off or I’ll go insane.”
“Might not be the best joke when you’ve been locked up for a bit, eh?”
Emily let out a laugh, and Brigid joined her. Finally, Emily wiped the tears from her eyes. “Jeez, it’s good to see you again. And you look amazing. The immortal thing really works for you.”
For some reason, the approval of her old friend warmed her. “Does it?”
The human smiled. “You already had that intense, badass thing going for you. Now you just have the fangs to back it up.”
Brigid grinned and let her fangs run down. Emily couldn’t help but stare at them. “Pretty cool, right?”
“Very cool. And the blood thing? Should I be wearing a metal scarf?”
“No.” Brigid laughed. “Though, I’ll confess that you smell pretty amazing. It’s funny the things you notice. Hope I’m not scaring you, but if you’ve always smelled like that, it’s no wonder Axel couldn’t keep his fangs off you.”
She blushed, which only made the smell stronger. Brigid shook herself. Her friend smelled like some exotic sweet fruit. Her skin glowed and she looked ripe for the picking. Apparently, sobriety agreed with Emily.
“You look great, too,” Brigid said. “I think you look younger now than when we were in school. Really good. Healthy. I’m happy for you.”
Emily smiled and looked away in embarrassment. “I wasn’t for a while, but I’m feeling much better now. Who knew clean living was the best beauty treatment, eh?”
“Are you and Axel still…?” She’d been making quiet inquiries about Emily’s old boyfriend, but no one in Dublin would admit to seeing him.
“No,” she said quickly. “That wasn’t the healthiest relationship, was it? I, uh… I loved him. Madly. And he didn’t want to break up, but when I went into treatment… He didn’t understand.”
“The treatment program?”
“I think it was the addiction. He didn’t understand why I just didn’t stop and move on with my life.”
“Ah.” Brigid sipped her tea, which suddenly seemed bland, despite the sugar she’d added to it. “It’s a mindset, isn’t it? Getting off the drugs. It’s far more than the physical symptoms. You have to leave behind the things that hold you back.”
Emily paused, twisting her fingers together and looking around the room. “I don’t think vampires—” she said softly “—unless they had an addiction when they were human, really understand that.”
Brigid raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know. We’re all addicted to blood, aren’t we?”
“I guess so.” Emily shrugged. “I bet you conquered it quick, didn’t you?”
“What?”
“The blood thing. You’d already had practice getting off drugs. Blood was probably a cinch.”
Brigid smirked. “I’ve never thought about it that way. You might be right; I’m very strict about that part of my life. Now it’s easier, of course.”
Emily’s face lit up. “That’s great!”
“Though I’ll confess, the way you smell is testing my control, Em.” Brigid pretended to plug her nose and Emily smiled and leaned away.
“Sorry.”
“Find a different perfume, will you?” Brigid was mostly joking, but Emily did smell mouthwatering. Rather inconvenient if she wanted to remain friends with the woman.
Emily started to stand. “I know you’re working, so I won’t keep you. I’d like to keep in touch, if that’s something you’d like, too. I’d understand if you didn’t. I’m staying with my parents.” Emily handed her a small card with a phone number and address. “Call if you like. I’m just getting back into things here. Found a nice job working for a friend of my mum’s. Still accounting, but no vampires this time.” She trailed off, looking a bit lost and more than a little nervous.
Brigid thought back to their time in university, and it wasn’t the drugs or partying she remembered. She remembered a nervous girl from the country and a warm and welcoming hand of friendship. She remembered Emily’s patience during the worst of Brigid’s social anxiety and her encouragement when Brigid was frustrated with her old, human limitations. She smiled at the young woman and held out a hand for the card.
/>
“I’d like that, Emily. I wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Rome, Italy
May 26, 2012
When is your birthday? I should know these things since I’m in love with you. I don’t know when mine was. I was born in the winter. And my mother complained that I came out of the womb causing trouble. I don’t believe her. I blame my older sisters. I always did.
Did you want children? It pains me that it might have been something you didn’t have the chance for in your human life. But don’t worry, we can always adopt, if you’d like. Whether we add any human children to my crazy brood is entirely up to you. I’m rather fond of children. Haven’t had one around in quite some time, though. It would probably be entertaining.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I? I’m good at that.
Gemma told me that women like being courted, so please read the following reasons that you should marry me. (I only included five. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.) And yes, I realize this isn’t a traditional courtship. It’ll work anyway; I’m irresistible.
“Arrogant ass,” she whispered, trying to ignore the smile flirting around her lips.
The top five reasons that you should marry me:
1. My Hawaiian shirt collection. It’s extensive. There have actually been overtures from some museums to add it to their exhibits. I know you pretend to think that they’re ugly, but I see right through you, my sweet Brigid. You’re in love. (With my shirts… and me.)
2. I’m extremely rich, particularly for a priest. I never did all that well with the vow of poverty thing. See, when you’ve been alive a thousand years, it’s just idiotic not to invest. So, I’m very comfortable financially. Not that I think this is a concern to you, but it would be irresponsible not to mention it.
3. My good looks are obvious, so I won’t expound on them.
“This is possibly the worst ‘courtship’ in history,” she muttered. “I don’t really think it’s supposed to work this way, Carwyn.”
4. A thousand years. That’s a lot to make up for. My enthusiasm for certain activities will be rather boundless, and I can promise neither of us will go unsatisfied. Please, use your imagination to fill in the rest. (Then tell me about it later.) By the way, your mouth is glorious. I’m thinking about kissing you right now. And Gio is watching me. Awkward. Best leave the room.
She bit back a laugh and kept reading.
5. And I’m back. The last thing I’ll mention is just this: I love you. I’ve lived as an immortal for a thousand years and I’ve never met a woman who warmed my heart, my body, and my soul the way you have. I admired the woman you were as a human, and I’m even more excited to see who you become in this new life. I think you’re extraordinary.
Love to you, Carwyn
Trust him to leave her a bit weepy right before she was supposed to go out on patrol with Declan.
P.S. The collar is optional, you know.
Brigid stood up suddenly, shouting, “What the hell does that mean?” Declan and Tom turned to her, both looking as if she’d just slapped a nun. “Sorry… just something unexpected.”
“Everything all right back in Wicklow?” Tom asked.
She nodded with a tight smile, folding the letter in half. “Yes. Fine.” She folded it again. “Just fine. Just…” She folded the letter again. It was around the size of a business card. She tucked it in her pocket and walked from the room. “It’s all just… fine. Let me grab a quick bite and I’ll be ready to go.”
An hour later, Brigid and Declan were leaning against the back wall of The Abbey, a club in town that catered to vampires and their human guests. Murphy was out of the office that night, so Brigid had eagerly volunteered to join Declan as he monitored Dublin’s newest hotspot.
It was a new club, one that Murphy hadn’t approved before it was built, but once the owners made their very generous tribute to the leader of Dublin, allowances were made and the club remained in business. They had a man stationed there every night who reported in. Jack had argued that shutting it down would just force the club underground, and Brigid had to agree.
But she still didn’t trust the owners. They were two Norwegian humans who had letters of introduction from the immortal leader in Oslo. Murphy was being cautious, but politically smart by allowing the club to remain open as a favor to the other vampire, who had powerful connections in shipping that he wanted to exploit. The political considerations grated on Brigid, who was sure the club was funneling drugs. She just wasn’t sure through whom.
“Where the hell is Jack?” she muttered, kicking a loose pebble in the street.
“He probably found a sweet-smelling girl and is taking a nip.”
“He was supposed to meet us half an hour ago.”
Declan shrugged. “It’s Jack.”
“Does that vampire understand the concept of ‘on time?’”
“What do you think?”
Just then, the alley door opened and a body was tossed out into the road. Brigid smirked. Stupid, drunk human…
“Jack?” she gasped when she recognized the mussed hair and torn shirt. She rushed over. Declan was just behind her. “Jack, what the hell?”
Declan flipped him over. “He’s… passed out? It’s nowhere near dawn, how can he be—”
“Feel him.” Brigid put both hands on his face. One on his neck. “Feel his amnis. It’s all…”
“Scrambled,” Declan mumbled. “It’s like it’s coming in short bursts. What the hell is this?”
It was unlike anything Brigid had ever felt before. Jack’s amnis was still there, still a current running under his skin, but it jumped and died under her hands, as if an electrical surge had knocked out the power and his computer was restarting.
“Have you ever felt anything like this?” she whispered.
“Never,” Declan said. “Jack?” He patted his friend’s cheek. “Jack, wake up.”
“I’ve never seen one of us passed out before.”
“It must have something to do with his amnis. We need to call Murphy.”
“As soon as he’s awake.” Brigid was trying not to panic. “I don’t even know what to tell him.”
The starts and stops were evening out and she could see Jack’s eyes fluttering open. His pupils were dilated and he was… wet. Soaking wet, she’d just noticed. As if someone had thrown him in the bath with his clothes still on. Worry gave way to irritation. What the hell had the vampire gotten himself into now?
“Jack!” Brigid slapped him. Just to wake him up. Mostly.
He groaned. “Feck, Brigid, stop hitting me. I promised to stop making passes at your friend.”
She glanced at Declan. “Doesn’t seem to have scrambled his brain any more than it was already.”
“Jack.” Declan pulled at one of his eyelids, checking his pupils as Jack tried to bat him away. “What happened?”
“Well, there was this girl…”
“How did I know it was going to start out that way?” Brigid muttered.
“Shut up, Brigid. I’m not afraid of your fire-y, fang-y ways. I hate that you have such a great ass, though. Makes it hard to keep focus sometimes.”
She snarled and Declan pulled Jack up by his shoulder. “Jack,” he said. “Watch your mouth and tell us what happened.”
“This girl took me to one of the private rooms for a quick snack and…” He glanced at Brigid. “…well, a quick snack. She was gorgeous. And she smelled so good, I practically came just from sniffing her—”
“Just the facts, please,” Brigid said.
Jack scowled at her, but continued. “We were just getting down to business when I… What happened?” He squinted. “I don’t fecking remember, Dec. I think…” Jack reached over his shoulder. “Something pinched me.”
Declan frowned. “Pinched you?”
Jack was rubbing his shoulder, then his hand drifted over the base of his neck, slid down. “Not a pinch. More like—”
“A bite?” Brigid hissed as she looked over hi
s shoulder to the twin holes in the back of Jack’s shirt, right between his shoulder blades. She quickly split Jack’s shirt so she could see his skin.
“Jesus, Brigid, if you wanted my clothes off, all you had to do was ask.”
“Declan, look at this.” There were two punctures in Jack’s skin, not unlike small tears. They weren’t bites, didn’t seem to go very deep, and they were already healing. The area around the punctures was singed, as if Jack had been hit by two very small beams of sunlight. “What the hell is this?”
“I think I know.” Declan’s voice was grim. “I’ve seen it on humans before, just not vampires.”
“What is it?” Jack was reaching to feel the wounds. “It actually hurts. That’s… odd.”
Declan was furious. “Why the hell haven’t we thought of this before?”
She was still confused. “What are you talking about?”
“I think… it’s from a Taser.”
Her heart dropped. “Oh hell.”
Of all the weapons that could be used against them, Brigid had been warned about swords most of all. It may have sounded medieval, but cutting off a vampire’s head or burning it were really the only two ways they could be killed. Guns, knives, none of them were truly dangerous unless the spinal column was severed at the neck. They were immune and self-healing, even able to regenerate limbs over long periods of time. The sun or fire could burn them, and burns took a long time to heal—as evidenced by the scars on Carwyn’s chest—but even those did mend eventually.
Amnis, everyone repeated. It was the key. Amnis was what regenerated them. Kept them strong. Let them connect to their element and manipulate their energy. It was the electrical current that ran under their skin, the unseen armor that every immortal depended on.
So why had she never considered a Taser?
“I don’t know why we never considered it before,” Murphy said quietly. They were sitting in the office. He’d sent Angie home, so it was just Tom, Declan, Brigid, and a still-recovering Jack. He was shaky and drinking a bag of donated blood cold. “It makes so much sense. Bloody technology will kill us all in the end.”