Page 10

CHAPTER TEN

“How long are you going to sleep?” Cross murmured as he kissed the side of my neck.

I shivered at the memory of his bite there and tilted my head to give him better access.

“Mmm, you’re teasing me again, Everly. But I promised Shepard all I would do is wake you.”

“I’m not awake yet,” I said, keeping my eyes closed. “I need a few more kisses.”

He chuckled and nipped my collarbone. Nothing to break the skin but enough to make me reach for him. My hands skimmed over material instead of a bare chest.

Slightly disappointed, I opened my eyes. A slash of light from the partially open curtains illuminated the room enough to see that his eyes were dark but not veined as he smiled at me.

“Good morning, beautiful. I need to meet Shepard at the TV station in an hour. Would you like to come with to watch, or would you rather spend the day here with Vena and Anchor? Fair warning…Vena is fully recovered and keeps begging Shepard to lift his sex relic ban so they can have another go.”

“I love that girl, but I’m not ready to witness that again. Ever. I’m sticking with the two of you today.”

I stood and saw I was wearing a long, silky nightgown. “Pretty sure I didn’t wear this to bed.”

“Do you remember going to bed?” he asked.

“I remember falling asleep on your shoulder and then…nothing.”

He grinned. “You’re cute when you drool.”

“Stop,” I said, covering my ears. “I’m perfect when I sleep. You’re ruining my illusions.”

His laughter followed me into the bathroom. He didn’t, though. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

I showered and dressed in something that looked business casual. When I emerged, I found Cross waiting for me. He looked incredible in the blue pin-stripe suit and paisley tie with color accents complementing his hair.

He caught my stare and turned slowly in a circle so I could see the exquisite cut of his suit that molded to his firm body.

“I like you in a suit,” I said when he faced me again. “I like you in jeans. And I like you in nothing at all.”

He kissed my cheek and stood back to examine my clothes. The shirt accentuated my chest, which wasn’t hard to do, but it also flattered my waist and hips.

“You look delicious,” he said. “Are you ready to tease Shepard?”

“Tease? How?”

“You’ll know when you see him.”

Cross and I met Shepard at the TV station.

When I saw Shepard in his suit, I almost forgot how to walk. While Cross had a classic, elegant look, Shepard looked like a professional athlete in his well-tailored suit, and I couldn’t stop staring.

Hugh and the producer for the nationally syndicated news show were also there and noticed our arrival when Shepard excused himself. He said a quick hello then left with Cross to introduce him to the producer, Aggie, a very anxious woman with bright red lipstick and short dark hair. They listened as she went over what they should expect.

On the way over, Cross said Hugh had chosen this show because the anchor wasn’t cutthroat when she asked personal questions.

“Just answer the truth every time,” Aggie said. “Denise can smell a lie a mile away, and she’ll pry further. Normally, I wouldn’t give anyone this advice. It doesn’t make for a good show when she’s not prying into your personal business, but I understand the need to reveal a different side to the story and set the record straight.”

Aggie walked us over to the set, which had three large cameras controlled remotely by an operator. She pointed at a dark window above our heads, indicating where the director, switchboard, camera, CG, and teleprompter operators were located.

I knew about half of what she said. The other half was over my head.

The audio person placed microphones on Cross and Shepard and had them sit on a sofa together. An assistant poured them glasses of water. I stood back in the shadows, out of the way and watching everything.

Shepard caught my gaze. I pointed to him and fanned myself. The corner of his mouth curved. Cross leaned over and said something softly to Shepard. Whatever it was, it had Shepard’s eyes flickering with gold.

Denise arrived two minutes before the floor director called out the warning to start the recording. She greeted Shepard and Cross and took the chair across from them. I recognized her, but I had never watched her show before. She always looked fussy and judgmental, even though people praised her for her casual interview approach.

The floor director started the countdown. My stomach churned with nerves when they went silent at two.

Denise looked at the camera and smiled.

“Good morning, and welcome to News for You. Today’s guests might surprise you. We have Shepard Ulv and Brodier Cross with us. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today.

“Now, just so viewers understand who you are, Shepard, you’re the head of the werewolf organization in D.C.”

Cross immediately hid a smile behind his hand. Shepard ignored him.

“Head of an organization sounds like some kind of mafia or crime boss,” Shepard said bluntly. “That’s not who I am. I lead the pack in D.C.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “How exactly is your job different from a crime boss? You make hits on the people you’re paid to kill, don’t you?”

My mouth dropped open. If I’d stood any closer, I would have succumbed to the temptation to slap her. Hugh appeared beside me, and he shook his head when I glanced at him. How was this woman not cutthroat? Where was her casual approach?

“Make hits?” Shepard echoed. He laughed. “No. There’s no organized killing. There are no payments—nothing like that. The videos released have grossly misrepresented what my pack actually does. And what vampires do, for that matter.”

“How so?” she asked.

“Vampires feed on humans, plain and simple. In centuries past, they would kill indiscriminately. My kind was meant to stop them from killing the entire human race.

“However, as humans and technology evolved, vampires could no longer kill everything in sight and leave a trail of bodies without persecution. They’ve learned how to hide what they do. Now, they feed on the weak and the unwanted, those alone in the world who would never be missed.

“Look around the city. Where are the homeless? Four weeks ago, you would have seen them in doorways, parks, or the subway. Today? They’re gone.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded as if contemplating the case. “Where are they?”

“The unlucky ones have already been converted. The lucky ones didn’t survive and were dumped in mass graves we discovered a few days ago.”

Hugh muttered something under his breath, and I knew he wasn’t happy with Shepard for revealing that.

“The surge in the vampire population and the rising number of people they’re killing forced us to increase our efforts to remove them from our city to protect its people.”

Her eyes lit up as if she had snagged him on a hook. “Isn’t it bold of you to take this task on yourself? What gives you the right to be judge and jury and take a life?”

“This isn’t about being judge and jury. This is about protecting humans the way we have been for centuries. We’ve always taken care of humans. It’s at the forefront of everything we do. We have seen firsthand towns wiped out by vampires when their numbers grow too big.”

“But is it your right to regulate it?”

“Is it their right to feed on humans? To kill them? Is it their right to convert unwilling victims, causing either vampirism or death?”

“We’re not talking about their rights but yours. By what right are you taking this role?”

I could see Shepard’s face getting redder. If Denise had any sense at all, she would realize she was poking the bear…or, in this case, a wolf.

Shepard locked gazes with her. “Can you run faster than any car you own? Hear your rapid breathing and smell fear? See at night to hunt those who can’t?

“If not, you’re not qualified to protect your fellow humans from creatures who can do those things. Creatures who don’t need an invitation to enter your home. Creatures who are only holding themselves back until they can amass the numbers they need to take control and make you their living feeding bags…make you their slaves.”

Her eyes widened for a moment before she leaned in. “This seems to be an emotional topic for you. Is killing vampires perhaps personal? Do you hold a grudge?”

Shepard looked ready to explode, and Cross didn’t look so amused anymore.

“Will you tell the people who witness a vampire suck their loved ones dry within seconds that they’re being too emotional?” Shepard reached for his mic, but Cross caught his hand.

“I thought we were here to share the truth,” Cross said to Denise. “Is this reporting or pandering for more views?”

Denise carefully composed her expression. “Just because one person says something is true, doesn’t make it true. I’m asking the questions our viewers have asked. And the truth is that Mr. Ulv doesn’t have the right to kill anyone. He is not the authority. We have a government body for a reason.”

“And that government body is backing Mr. Ulv.” Cross’ gaze shifted to Hugh, and he nodded in his direction. “The person to ask is right there. I believe he was introduced to your station manager, something I know you were informed of. So this isn’t about discovering the truth.”

Rather than acknowledge his words, she asked, “You are a vampire, are you not?”

He nodded. “I am.”

“What is your opinion of the wolves savagely killing your fellow vampires?”

“It’s a good thing.”

She blinked. “Good? Doesn’t that mean he should kill you too?”

“He won’t. The recent videos released by Orphia Prince have raised concerns because it appears werewolves are killing innocent vampires. I’m here to clarify that the majority are not innocent.

“Because I understand the threat my kind poses to humans, Shepard and I have formed an agreement of sorts. And while Shepard and I are…let’s say friends, few of my race are as rational as I am or have the capability of friendship. Most are driven by a single desire—to feed on fresh human blood. Especially those who are newly turned.”

“Are you saying it’s okay for wolves to kill?”

“I’m saying wolves are doing what they were made to do. Hunt and kill vampires.”

“Is this like saying just because a leopard has spots, it’s okay for them to kill their prey?”

“Isn’t that your point as well? Vampires have the right to feed on humans because they have the teeth to do so?”

Cross withdrew a pamphlet from his pocket and held it up toward the camera. “This is an informational pamphlet being handed out on the streets by people working for Orphia Prince. If you would care to open it, it clearly states that vampires need blood to survive. What it doesn’t clearly state is how they feed or how many humans die because of their manic bloodlust while feeding.”

He set the pamphlet on the table and pushed it toward Denise.

“Across the world, there are agencies that manage species populations. Bans on killing certain creatures—elephants and fairies, for example. And licenses to keep certain populations low—such as bears and snakes.

“Exactly,” she said. “ Licensed killing.”

Shepard’s flush, which had started to fade, roared to life again.

Cross cut in before he could say anything. “I don’t understand why you think a piece of paper from the Department of Otherworld Security stating Shepard’s people have the authority to hunt vampires will hold more authority than what was already broadcast. Or perhaps you only believe the truth you speak. I must warn you, though, just because one person says something is true, doesn’t make it true.”

Denise sat up straighter at having her words thrown back at her.

“For the sake of argument,” she said, “let’s say the werewolves are legally hunting vampires. Even regular hunters know not to kill the weak or young.”

“Exactly. Yet, that’s what the vampires do, do they not?” Cross held up his hand to stall another question. “I’m simply explaining the current circumstances, which are quite bleak and will only worsen if you don’t let the wolves do what they were made to do. Stop the protesting, get out of their way, or be prepared to have a vampire suck you dry.”

Cross cocked his head to the side. “I’m willing to do you that favor now if you think it will help your views.”

She rapidly blinked at him, and he shrugged like it made no difference to him.

Cross let out a sigh. “The concerns your viewers have are valid. As I said, the majority of vampires are not innocent. For the few that are, I think there should be a better way to deal with this matter. However, reform will not happen today or even this year.

“What you see now, a vampire sitting next to a werewolf, has never been done before. And it took a lot of patience and understanding to make it happen. Though he and I can coexist peacefully, not every wolf and vampire can. Shepard and I are an exception to the rule. But that we are here together proves that change is possible with time. A lot of time.”

Denise’s gaze shifted to Shepard, noting his fisted hands.

“It doesn’t exactly look like a peaceful meeting.”

“You’re the one who upset him, not me. He quite likes me. Want me to prove it?”

Cross moved fast and kissed Shepard full on his lips. Shepard’s fragile control of his temper broke. He moved as fast as Cross and hit him hard across the jaw.

“Shepard!” I whispered harshly.

He immediately cringed and muttered an apology to Cross. Then he took off his mic and walked off the set.

Cross chuckled and straightened his jacket as if nothing had happened.

“See?” he said, looking at the camera. “If any other vampire had tried that, they would be dead. Yet, here I am. I am an exception.”

Denise gaped after Shepard, then pasted a smile on her face. “Well, that was an insightful interview. Coming up after the break, we’ll look at how fairies are making a name for themselves at a metal sculpture garden.”

The camera light flicked off, and the floor director gave the all-clear.

“What the fuck was that?” Denise shouted, but someone was already ushering Cross toward me, and in short order, we were all being escorted out of the studio.

“The show will air at our three o’clock slot today,” Aggie said as she led us and Hugh outside, then shut the door on us.

Hugh looked exasperated and a little worried. “This might have backfired on us. I’ll be in touch.”

When Hugh walked away, Cross turned to Shepard with a playful smile. “Well, that was fun.”

Shepard let out a soft growl then kissed me on the lips. “Better.”

Cross shook his head with a laugh, and Shepard went to the SUV with us since he’d arrived with Hugh.

Once we were on the road, I said, “I don’t know what lies that producer fed us, but Denise wasn’t out to reveal any truth.”

“Shepard guessed right that we were there for views alone, which is why I kissed him. We weren’t giving them the drama they wanted, so I gave another kind to ensure the interview will air.”

“Hopefully, they won’t edit it down to just the kiss scene,” I said, knowing that it was probably already uploaded to their social media sites as clickbait.

“They won’t. Our disagreement with her will be the build-up they need for the kiss scene to make sense.”

“Can you please stop referring to it as ‘the kiss scene?’” Shepard muttered.

I turned in my seat to look back at him. “It was sweet until you hit him.”

“I thought you didn’t want to share me,” Shepard said. “That includes with him. Tell him to keep his lips to himself, or he’ll get a black eye next time.”

“I like that he already assumes there’s a next time,” Cross said with a chuckle.

I wanted to grin at them but put on my best scowl instead. “This only works if you two respect each other’s boundaries.”

Cross snorted. “He’ll appreciate that kiss when public opinion sways his way because of it. But I promise there will be no further surprise kisses.” He waited several seconds to add, “I’ll warn him before the next one.”

“Asshole,” Shepard muttered under his breath, but there was no real heat to it.

“Do you think there will be any fallout because of the interview?” I asked.

“Hopefully,” Cross said. “That was the whole point. But this time, it should be in the werewolves’ favor.”