Chapter 10 #3
“We can eat or drink anything that you can. We don’t like garlic; it’s like a human eating dirt.
It’s just not right. We can drink and get drunk; it just takes a bit more to get the job done.
We don’t even actually have to drink blood.
We will die, after many years without it, and we will be extremely weak while we are alive.
At least for us. It’s kind of like starving yourself to death, only in slow motion. ”
“So, for instance, if someone was made into a vampire and didn’t want to be, then they could just choose to not drink blood, ever?” I was genuinely interested in this conversation.
“Correct. It takes a very strong-willed person to do that because the thirst is real, but it is tolerable. Kind of like kicking a crack habit, I guess. One you weren’t aware that you had.”
“Is it like that the whole time? The thirst?”
“No, just after you turn. That’s when the thirst is the worst. After that, it’s just like a caffeine addiction that you can’t ever kick.”
Ronan had joined the table at some point, but hadn’t spoken since he returned. “So, are you the one that is going to introduce me to the people I need to know and show me the ropes?” I asked as I turned toward him.
“Yes, I am basically ye teacher, tour guide, and employee all at de same time. I will take ye to de compound where everything is run. I will introduce ye to de people dat run de departments within and show ye how everyting operates. However, ye won’t learn all of dese tings overnight.
It will take time, lots of it. We will be spending a lot of time together until ye are comfortable, and perhaps even after dat. ”
A smile spread across his face, and then his attention turned to Maddox. This was going to become annoying. He really did need to get this jealousy thing under control. It will be a great disservice to all of us if he doesn’t. It’s only cute to a point, then it becomes a hindrance.
Maddox’s phone lit up, and he put it to his ear. “Tell me something.” I could hear chatter on the other end of the line, but I couldn’t make out what was being said. “Okay, stay in touch. Don’t make me call you.” He hit the end button on the phone and set it back on the table.
“They aren’t sure where she is, but we do know without a doubt who is calling the shots.”
“Who is it?” Ronan said.
“Alexander,” Maddox responded.
“I suppose we should ’ave known dat. I was ’oping it was false information, dough. De problem is going to be locating ’im, but ye already know dat.”
“Who is Alexander?” I asked aloud, to anyone that would answer.
“He is a vampire and not a kind one. He doesn’t follow laws, has ’is own crew, and is always clashing wit De Order. He ’ad ’is maker murdered and den blamed it on ’is partner. Xavier was an agent for de Order.” Ronan said all this with absolutely zero emotion.
“Well, that sounds like everything I need to know. Alexander is the bad guy—noted,” I said in return. “So, what are we going to do now? We know who at least made the call to kidnap her. However, we don’t know where she is or who she is with exactly.”
“I have guys actively looking for her. They found this information, which means they are getting closer to finding where she is being held. Once we find out where she’s at, then we send in a team to retrieve her,” Maddox answered.
“A team? Why aren’t we going to get her ourselves?” I asked, getting frustrated.
“We aren’t going to get her because we are here to make sure nothing happens to you.
It might interest—and slightly piss you off—to know that you are the priority, not Charlotte.
We have every intention of getting her back.
Ronan and I are here to make sure no one comes back for you.
Alexander, for some reason, is wrong in his choice of victim and doesn’t know it yet. He needs you, not her.”
“So, when he figures out that it’s me he needs and not her, is he going to kill her?” I asked, serious now.
“More dan likely, yes. Or ’e will try to use ’er as a bargaining tool to get to ye,” Ronan interjected.
“He would be stupid to think that he could trade Charlotte for Joslyn,” Maddox snapped at Ronan.
“Ye are correct. However, he would bank on de fact dat he could get Joslyn to come to ’im to save ’er cousin,” Ronan shot back.
Maddox turned his attention to me. “You cannot do that. Do you understand that what Ronan is saying is not a fucking option? Got it?”
“Well, damn, I thought I was the one that was in charge. You gonna spank my ass and send me to my room too?” I quipped.
“If I have to. Don’t tempt me.” His eyes met mine, his gaze intense. “You talk a lot of shit.”
“Well, I tend to match energy. If you’re talking shit, then we are both talking shit.”
“I don’t talk shit.”
“Whatever you say, Big Guy,” I said, picking my phone up off the table. “Anyone hungry? I’m starving, and I’m definitely not cooking.”
“I could eat,” Ronan said.
“I’m hungry,” Maddox added.
“I think you mean hangry. Any preferences? I really want a burger and fries,” I said.
“Sounds good to me,” both men said in unison.
I ordered the food to be delivered and went to the kitchen for more beer.
When I opened the fridge, I realized I had leftover food from the night before, mostly untouched.
Salad always got nasty overnight in the fridge.
I grabbed the container and tossed it into the trash.