Sweeter than Wine

CHAPTER 10

«Where are we going?» Christy asked as they drove down the road. Sebastian was at the wheel of one of his larger cars, a luxury SUV with dark tinted windows and lots of room in back.

«First I'm going to drop you off at the vineyard so you can visit with Lissa for a bit. Then Atticus, Marc and I are heading out to a place Collin Hastings set up as a safe house. He's got someone for us to meet.»

«A new ally?» She pulled the thought from his mind, but otherwise her thoughts were still preoccupied by what had happened the night before. The confrontation with Jeff ran through her mind pretty much non-stop and each time she thought of what she'd done, she felt better. She'd stood up to the bully who'd ruled her life for so long and come out the victor. All thanks to the man sitting beside her.

«It remains to be seen if he'll prove trustworthy, but Matt said the signs are good.» Sebastian reached over and captured her hand, drawing it to his lips for a soft kiss. «He could be of great use in tracking the killer.»

«I didn't realize you were so involved in vampire politics.» She could see the survival of his people mattered a great deal to him.

«I'm afraid when it comes to injustice, I still have a bit of chivalry in my soul. It wouldn't be right to sit by while a killer roams loose. Besides which, he could be coming for one of us. I'd rather we take him out first, while we have help from our allies among the were.»

«Is it really such a big deal?»

«That Matt and I are friends?» Sebastian shrugged as he pulled up to a heavy gate that opened automatically for him. «Actually yes. But it's an even bigger deal that others of his kind are willing to work with us on this. Cross-species cooperation is the stuff of legends.»

The vineyard where Atticus and Lissa lived was gorgeous. The house was set in the midst of it all and was built on a grand scale. Lissa answered the door with a big smile and the women hugged each other in greeting. Shortly after their reunion, the men left, headed for their meeting while Christy and Lissa sat together in the spacious dining room, talking. The room opened onto a stone patio, the French doors open to let in the evening breeze.

«I wanted to visit you before now, but Atticus said you needed time. Are you okay? I mean,» Lissa hesitated, «with all this?» Her hands made circles in the air, gesturing.

«With waking up as a vampire?» Christy laughed. «It's not so bad, actually. I confronted Jeff yesterday and personally served the divorce papers.»

«You didn't!» Lissa beamed. «Oh, Chris, that's great.» Lissa's eyes were wistful as she gazed at Christy. She hadn't quite realized how much her friends cared and how much she'd missed them. «How did he react?»

«He took a swing at me.» Christy shrugged, a gleeful smile bursting forth as she remembered again what had happened next. «I knocked his feet out from under him and he fell to the floor.»

«No way!»

She smiled at Lissa's reaction. «Sensei Hiro's been teaching me some moves and with my new abilities, I'm actually pretty good.»

«Oh, sweetie.» Lissa's eyes were moist, though a smile lit her face. «I'm so happy for you.»

«And best of all-« Christy lowered her voice, «-there's Sebastian. Lissa, I've had the hots for that man since I danced with him at your wedding. I never dreamed I'd have a chance with a guy like that, but now…well, it's like a fairytale.»

Lissa's eyes glowed. «I know how you feel. It was that way when Atticus found me.»

«I still can't believe you didn't tell me. How did you manage to hide something like that?»

«Well, Jeff hardly let you out of his sight the past few months, so it wasn't all that difficult, actually. Kelly found out, but then Atticus offered her a job here at the winery, so it was okay. I mean, they don't like people to know, so Kelly working here was a good step. Otherwise she probably would have been watched, like Jena.»

«Damn, is she the only one of us who's not a vampire now?» Christy shook her head at the odd twists of fate that had visited the small group of college friends.

«Don't forget Sally,» Lissa said with a quick grin, «but yeah, you, me, Kelly, and Carly are all living on the dark side now.» She giggled and Christy laughed with her.

An hour after sunset, cars started arriving. The werefolk had shared a large dinner with Steel and he was amazed by how much food those people could consume in one sitting. They'd cleaned up and resumed their places in the living room when the first of their guests arrived.

The doorbell rang and Hastings and Matt went to answer, inviting the visitors inside. The process was repeated for each of the newcomers and Steel realized the vampires needed to be formally invited into the house. He heard them chatting in the hall before they entered the living room as a group.

They were introduced to each of the were and made their way over to Steel last. He was glad of the opportunity to study them for a few minutes before being introduced. Even so, he was unprepared for the power of them, or the impact they collectively had on his senses. He'd seen vamps before, since going to work for the AC, but never this close. Now he began to understand a bit more of their power.

In a word, they were mesmerizing. They had some kind of hypnotic mojo that made it hard to concentrate. He was pretty sure most normal folks wouldn't even notice, but he'd always been a little different. Even as a child, he'd been sensitive to currents in the air-the crackle of electricity, the scent of magic. Since being recruited by the AC, he'd received training to enhance his natural abilities. They called him a Sensitive, which meant he was able to sense the use of magic around him.

Why then, hadn't he suspected Mario? If Mario was a strong magic user, and responsible for the heinous crimes depicted in that file Steel had been shown, how could he have missed it? He was better than that. Something was seriously wrong here.

He recognized Marc LaTour even before he was introduced, from the file he'd been given by his superiors in the AC. Steel shook his hand with reserve. He'd never been this close to a vampire before, and he'd never even seen one this old.

The other men with him were introduced as Cameron, Atticus and Sebastian. Cameron had a strong feeling of magic about him that Steel had never encountered, but the other two had the same magical feel as Marc LaTour. They were definitely vampires and both had very slight accents when they spoke. He couldn't quite place Atticus's slightly Slavic tones, but he'd peg Sebastian for upper class English, if he had to guess.

Matt surprised Steel by sitting next to Sebastian on the couch. He looked comfortable with the vampire, though Steel well knew these two races of supernaturals rarely, if ever, mixed.

«Sebastian's the reason we were able to track you down, in a roundabout way,» Matt said as he sipped a cup of coffee. «He recently took in a battered woman named Christina Kinsey.»

«Battered?» That was news to Steel, though he hadn't liked the woman's husband at all. Still, he hadn't had any contact with either husband or wife in a week or two. He'd been busy tracking down other leads in the area and would've gotten back to the Kinsey file eventually. Now he regretted he hadn't looked more closely at the man before this.

Sebastian spoke with quiet authority. «Jeff Kinsey beat her to death. Luckily for him, she lived.»

A chill went down Steel's spine at the menace in the man's tone. «I had some contact with Kinsey. I was investigating his wife because of her connection to Kelly LaTour.» Steel noted Marc LaTour's frown but he refused to be intimidated. «The AC knew about you, Mister LaTour, or should I say Master? When you married, they wanted to know more about your wife as well. I was sent to look into it and laid groundwork by checking out her circle of friends. Frankly, I didn't expect anything to come of it.»

«I won't see her put in danger.» Marc's voice was cold but his agitation was clear as he stood and started to pace like a tiger on the prowl. «Don't even think of making reports on her or her friends.»

Steel eased back in his chair, taking the man's measure. This vamp loved his wife. That much was obvious. And Steel hadn't been able to turn up anything negative in his recent history. He was a good businessman, respected by the community and seemed to be on the up and up. He also seemed to keep the other bloodletters in line, which was a key position and not something he wanted to mess with. There was no reason to threaten the man, or his wife, and every reason not to piss him off at the moment, while Steel was essentially at their mercy.

«I haven't finished my investigation, so the report hasn't been sent. If all of this is on the level, it never will be.»

«I assure you,» Hastings spoke from his chair at the side of the room, «we're on the level. You won't have any reason to make further reports.»

«That remains to be seen.» Steel leaned forward. «What I don't understand is how Mario Gonzalez could be a magic user. I should tell you, I'm what they call a Sensitive. Always have been. And the AC honed that natural ability with training. I don't see how I could've missed it. Every time I've seen him, I've never felt a thing.»

«A truly powerful magic user can hide his light even from one as sensitive as you, laddie.» Cameron spoke for the first time as he stood. «Watch carefully now.»

He snapped his fingers and his magical energies winked out as if they'd never been. Where before, Steel's senses had been bombarded by the most potent magical energy he'd ever felt in one being, suddenly it was all gone. As if it had never been.

«How'd you do that?»

Cameron leaned in and winked, a devilish light in his twinkling blue eyes. «Magic.» There were a few chuckles as the man straightened and reversed whatever spell he'd wrought. As before, in the blink of an eye, the magic was back.

«What are you?» Steel couldn't help but ask.

Cameron smiled in a cunning way. «Fey.»

«No way.»

«Don't you know it's never wise to contradict the fey?» Atticus teased drolly as Cameron sat back down.

The presence of this most magical of all the supernatural races changed things a bit. Fey didn't enter into the affairs of mortals, vampires and were lightly. If this man was part of the operation, it was serious indeed.

«So you're telling me Mario Gonzalez is able to hide his magical energies from me?» Nods all around were his answer. «You think he actually has enough power and skill to do that? I mean, he's definitely a mortal, and certainly not fey.»

«Mortal he may be, but he's been tapping into the magic of other realms otherwise he wouldna live so long.» Cameron chimed in.

Ian spoke for the first time. «I met him briefly about a hundred years ago. He was a thief then and it looks like his crimes have only escalated. Judging by the caliber of his current offenses, he's learned quite a bit in the intervening years. If he can take down that many supernatural single handedly, it'd be nothing to hide his magical energies from you, Mr. Steel.»

Steel digested that, sitting back in his chair. It felt right, but he was chilled to think he'd been duped for so long. He marveled at his own blindness.

«You can drop the 'mister'. Just call me Steel if we're going to be working together.»

And just like that, a new alliance was born.

Lissa and Christy sat out on the stone patio enjoying the night air. It was crisp, but not too cold. A great night for stargazing. And sharing secrets.

Lissa had brought out a bottle of one of the vineyard's award-winning vintages. Christy was glad she could still enjoy wine in her new life. She hadn't felt the need for food and frankly didn't miss it unless she thought about it, but she'd always enjoyed the flavor, bouquet and sheer romance of a good bottle of wine.

Now however, the experience was something more. There was something almost magical about the fruit of the vine and the healing liquid it produced. Christy could feel the wine effervesce in the most delicious way as it hit her bloodstream, making her tingle with warmth. It also tasted a thousand percent better than it ever had. The crisp vintage settled on her tongue like air, tart and dry in a way she had never fully experienced before. It was as if her taste buds had only just been awakened.

The women talked about their men and the way their lives had changed as they sat under the stars, drinking their wine. It was an idyllic moment for Christy, who hadn't known such camaraderie since her college days, or such peace since her childhood spent in the mountains of Oregon.

«Are you happy, Lis?» Christy gazed at the stars until she realized how rude her question might've been. She looked at her friend, seated at her side. «I mean, you seem happier than I've ever known you to be, but do you have any regrets?»

Lissa smiled. «My only regret is that I didn't meet Atticus sooner. That man makes my life complete in a way I never expected and even though I'll never have a tan again,» she chuckled, «all the magic makes up for it. I mean, Atticus can do things…» Her eyes went misty as she trailed off.

«Yeah,» Christy agreed softly. «Sebastian is pretty amazing too. I never knew a man could care so much about my feelings, or my safety. He's…»

«Hard to put into words, isn't it?» Lissa smiled.

«I never expected to feel this way after the hell I went through with Jeff.»

«Oh, honey.» Lissa reached out to Christy. «I suspected something wasn't right with your marriage, but you hid it so well. If I'd known what was really going on I'd have tried to do something.»

«I know.» Christy patted Lissa's hand. «I didn't want any of you to know what a fool I'd been.»

«You were never a fool, sweetie. Jeff was the fool, to squander the happiness you could have had. He's an ass, Chris, and if Atticus hadn't already made me promise not to track him down and give him a piece of my mind, I'd have had a posse over at your old house while you were still recovering. As it is, I'm still tempted, but this connection with Atticus can be problematic when I want to do something behind his back. I mean, he knows every thought in my head.» She made an exaggerated face. «I can't get away with anything anymore.»

Christy laughed, nodding. «It certainly takes some getting used to.» They compared notes on how to cope with their new mates for the next few minutes, enjoying the night and the companionship.

The men had been gone for two hours when out of the night a fiery ball of energy shattered the stillness, streaking through the air to land between the two women seated on the patio. Christy saw it coming and shoved Lissa out of the chair and onto the flagstones as she dove the other way. A split second later, a smoking crater was all that was left where the patio furniture had been.

«Get inside, Lis!» Christy yelled as she jumped behind the low stone wall of the patio. Lissa was nearer the door. Christy felt relief when Lissa ducked inside.

But whoever was lobbing fireballs at them was still out there. Allowing her senses to expand, Christy searched the night with her enhanced vision, hearing and olfactory senses. A movement behind the third pine tree on the right. She knew the magic user was there, but she wasn't sure what she could do to distract him until the cavalry arrived. She knew without question that Sebastian was already on his way. He would've felt her terror, even over the miles that separated them, but neither wanted to distract the other with the effort of speech at the moment.

When no further fireballs were forthcoming, Christy gambled on engaging the stranger in conversation. It might help her keep track of him and perhaps she could learn something useful while she stalled for time.

«Who are you? What do you want?» she called into the woods.

Silence met her query.

«What's with the fireballs? And who the hell are you?»

A man stepped from behind the third tree, as she'd suspected. He had a dark complexion in the murky light, but she could see him clearly with her enhanced vision. He wore a smug look on his face, his dark eyes eager.

«Don't hide, little witch. I promise to make it painless if you give yourself up now. Don't make me come after you.»

«Sebastian, I hope you're close. This guy means business.»

Atticus and Sebastian knew the instant their mates came under attack. Miles away, they shot to their feet, and headed outdoors.

«What's wrong?» Hastings asked behind them, but neither of the vamps wasted any time on explanations. Matt knew what was going on. He explained to the rest.

«The women are under attack at Atticus's place. I think our mage, Mario, just showed himself.»

«How do you know?» Marc demanded.

Matt shrugged, speaking quickly. «I'm connected-a little-to Sebastian and Christy. I heard her scream. I'm hearing what she's telling Sebastian. A man came out of the trees and started lobbing fireballs at her and Lissa while they sat on the back patio at Atticus's house.»

Marc nodded grimly and headed out the door, after his friends.

The vampires were nowhere in sight. They'd transformed and flown away at top speed for the vineyard. Behind him, Matt heard the rest of the group moving uneasily in their seats. He spared a moment to look back at them.

«I don't know about you, but I'm going over there. We need to stop this asshole before he kills again.» Matt shed his clothes, shifted, and then bounded out the door after the vampires.

Cameron stood and rubbed his hands together. «I'm heading over there too. Werefolk, I suggest you aid your brethren. My senses tell me we'll be too late to capture Mario this night, but your skills might yet be needed.»

Steel was fascinated to see all the shifters take off at high speed. There were a few raptors that simply flew out the door and a large number of wolves and big cats that loped off after Matt. Steel wasn't sure what to do. He had no way of keeping up with the animals or vampires, but he wasn't out of the fight. He caught Hastings' eye before the man shifted.

«Tell me where. I'll take a truck.»

«Go right out of the drive, then about ten miles to Mill Road. Go left and up the side of the mountain about halfway. You'll see the vines. The house is set back in the middle of the fields. Take the gravel road on the left. It's marked Private.»

«Got it. I'll be there as soon as possible.»

Hastings nodded then shifted and flew out the door after his brethren.

A large hand settled on Steel's shoulder. Turning swiftly, he saw it was Cameron. «Mr. Steel, will you accompany me? I prefer not to travel magically unless I have no other choice. It attracts too much attention.»

Unsure exactly what the fey warrior meant, he nodded anyway. «I'll drive.»

Energy sizzled along the edges of Christy's vision. She rolled away as a ball of fire swept where she'd been not a moment before. Her arm was singed, but she couldn't think about that now. If this man had his way, she'd be a lot more than just singed.

Rolling faster than a mortal could, she gambled and moved closer to the man. She had to jam him up. Running away would only give him a clearer shot at her. If she moved in close where he had no room to maneuver, perhaps she could save this situation after all. Or at least buy some time until Sebastian showed up.

She knew he was coming. She could feel him in her mind, silently advising and reassuring her even as he worried. He was flying but he nixed her idea about shifting shape to escape even before it had fully formed in her mind. She was too new to shapeshifting to depend on it in such a situation.

She rolled once more, a blast of fire making a crater where she'd just been. She used her forward momentum to rise not a foot away from the man. He gasped, shock and a bit of panic showing on his face as he tried to back away. But there were trees at his back. Big ones. Directly behind him.

«Now, what is your problem?» she demanded, angry now that this man would try to hurt her and Lissa. She'd had enough of men hurting her. She was done with that. Forever.

He tried to throw a punch at her, but she threw up a block with her forearm, the way Hiro had taught her. She was a little shocked when she heard the bone of his arm snap. His magical energy flew up into the trees, burning a path through the leaves, but it was otherwise harmless. The man screamed and cradled his arm. It was hanging at an awkward angle that made Christy's stomach turn.

But she couldn't let it distract her.

«Tell your maker. I'll be back, witch. I'll stake you all out for the sun.»

«I'd like to see you try, you bastard. I'm through taking this shit from anybody! I refuse to be anyone's punching bag ever again!» Anger rose once more. She was shaking with it. All the recent turmoil in her life had finally come to a head. The incident with Jeff the night before had started something inside her. She wouldn't be a victim again. Ever.

She moved forward, ready to trap the man, but he raised his good hand palm outward and she was just too distracted to duck. A pulse of power hit her, impacting against her whole body and sending her flying back. The side of the house stopped her cold. And very hard.

As she slid down the side of the house and onto the stone patio she saw the man turn and run into the woods, making his getaway. Christy thought about going after him, but she hurt too much to even get up. It was enough he'd left.

«Christina! Are you all right?» Sebastian's voice sounded through her mind.

«I think I'm okay. He only knocked the wind out of me.»

«Get into the house if you can.»

«I don't think I can move right now, but I'll grant you, it's a good idea.»

«Oh, love, I'll be there in a minute. Hang on.»

«It's okay, Sebastian. He's gone. I broke his arm.» She still felt a little sick at the thought, but perversely it also felt pretty good to know she'd been able to defend herself and inflict a little damage on someone hell bent on killing her.

«You did well, my love. I'm so proud of you, but this is all my fault. I should never have left you alone.»

«Sebastian, don't blame yourself. How could you have known this maniac would be able to attack us at Lissa's place? I mean, this vineyard is practically a fortress.»

«Still…» Sebastian sounded agitated, «…when it comes to your safety, I should never have taken the chance. You are too important to me, my love. Without you…»

«I know.» She lowered the feel of her voice, stroking him with her thoughts. «I feel the same way.»

A streak of fog shimmered in through the trees. Part of it went straight into the house through the open patio doors and another part congealed before her. A moment later, the mist became a man-her man. Sebastian knelt and lifted her into his arms. He wasted little time taking her into the house.

He laid her on the couch in a room with no windows at the center of the house. Atticus and Lissa were there, but Christy couldn't look away from Sebastian. His beloved face was wreathed in worry as he ran his hands over her limbs as if to reassure himself she was truly all right.

«Are you feeling any better?»

Christy nodded. «I'm okay. Give me a few minutes and I'll be good as new.» Unfortunately, she had experience with pain, though this time, her hurts felt like they were healing themselves as she sat there. Instead of the usual days it would have taken her to heal before, she could feel her body repairing itself at lightning speed. This 'being a vampire' stuff did seem to have its benefits. She cupped Sebastian's cheek, looking into his eyes. «Really. I'm okay.»

He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.

«Christy,» Lissa came over to the side of the couch, «you were amazing! I watched the whole thing. I can't believe the way you took on that man. Where'd you learn all that kung fu stuff?»

Christy smiled at Sebastian, squeezing his hand before looking over at her friend. «I told you, Lis, I've been studying with Sensei Hiro. And Sebastian taught me too. He's a man of many talents.»

Lissa's look was speculative. «I bet.»

Atticus came up behind his wife and drew her back into his arms. He placed a tender kiss on the top of her head.

«Thank you, Christy. Your brave actions saved both your lives this night. I am forever in your debt.»

Christy was taken aback. The ancient vampire meant every word. She could hear the ring of residual fear for his mate in his voice and feel the truth of his tone. The very idea floored her.

«Lissa is one of my best friends,» she said simply, unsure how to respond.

Atticus nodded, seemingly satisfied with her words, and drew back.

Just then, Marc showed his face in the door, a wolf howled in the distance and a hawk screamed overhead. Atticus patted his wife's hand and headed outside to speak with Marc and meet the were.

Christy was feeling well enough to sit up. Sebastian made room, though he didn't relinquish hold of her hand. They both needed the contact after the scare they'd just had.

«I've never been so frightened,» Lissa said, perching on the overstuffed arm of the couch. «Nothing like that's ever happened to me before. I mean, there we were enjoying the evening air and suddenly some lunatic starts lobbing fireballs at us. I can't believe how you stood up to that man, Chris. How did you know what to say? What to do?»

Christy grimaced. «I've faced a maniac before. I've been thinking a lot about how I should have stood up to Jeff, but I never did. Not until-«

«Not until now, my love.» Sebastian squeezed her hand, encouraging her.

An uncomfortable silence reigned for a moment before Lissa spoke again. «I'm so sorry, Chris. You can't know how glad I am you're away from that jerk. I never liked Jeff.»

Christy smiled at her friend. «You were always a better judge of character than I was, Lis. I should have listened to you before I married him.»

Atticus came back in, clearly agitated. «Marc and some of the were are trying to track your attacker, but are having a hard time of it. He knew enough to foul his scent and he's got some kind of magic that interferes with their senses. Or so I'm told.»

«What about Cameron?» Sebastian asked.

«He's not here yet. He's driving over with Steel.»

Sure enough, they all heard a truck pull up the drive and skid to a stop out front.