Page 27 of The Vampire's Werewolf Bodyguard

Simon

Simon flits from room to room, shedding sparks with every snap of his fingers. Snap lights the sconces in the private parlor. Snap lights the bathing chamber. Snap lights the coffin room, and snap lights the closet that’s almost as big. Obedient flames dance on their perches, illuminating Simon’s coffin.

The poison is cured. Blood sings in Simon’s cold heart, flickering hot as a flame itself. Simon feels alive with power—and gratitude. The taste of fresh blood and warm skin, the feel of strong hands caging gently around him. The sheer wonder in Cody’s dark eyes…

Simon had to flee downstairs fast, before anything irrational left his lips .

Like asking what the werewolf mating bond is really like. Cody wouldn’t know. He’s been alone for years—just like Simon. If Cody had a mate, he wouldn’t fear his own nature.

How strange that a werewolf would trust a vampire above his own instincts. Cody doesn’t fear Simon’s nature anymore. He offered his blood. Reveled in Simon’s magic. If Simon had asked for more, Cody would have given it, because he trusted Simon not to ask for too much.

Just like Simon trusts the evidence before him. Cody didn’t kill the stranger in the woods.

Even if Cody had killed someone, Simon’s sure there would be a good reason. But that line of thinking seemed unlikely to comfort Cody, so Simon refrained from mentioning it.

That still leaves an unsolved death, practically on Simon’s doorstep. Giddiness melts away, and Simon halts at his closet door. He needs more information. Precisely how close is this dead body? Are human authorities working with paranormal authorities yet? The local hunters’ guilds must already be talking to local pack leaders. Suspicious animal attacks are a warning sign older than Simon.

He should start with the pile of unanswered text messages. Rumor travels faster than ever with newfangled technology, and every vampire in the time zone woke to the same news.

Including Dima, who knows about Cody.

Simon doesn’t want to think about that now. Dima was the one who forced a bodyguard on Simon in the first place. Now he wants to take Cody away. Familiar hurt burns with a new edge of anger. If Dima expects Simon to roll over and comply this time, he’s mistaken .

Disagreement might be good for their relationship. They both need to remember Simon isn’t a fledgling anymore. Simon needs to remember he isn’t infatuated anymore, either.

Or lonely.

Not for now, at least. There’s the pesky matter of time, ever shambling forward. Cody will grow and live and change. Simon will remain as always, a statue carved by the shadow-gift.

Someday, by choice or necessity, their paths will diverge.

Simon flips past hangers of clothing. He can deal with his sire tomorrow. He can deal with the onslaught of time even later than that. First, there’s everyone else who knows Simon was hanging out with a werewolf recently. Perhaps causing a scene at the Broken Cross was a mistake. He should start with Kimiko. Because he likes her the most, and because he’ll literally never hear the end of it otherwise.

Decision made, he changes clothes with unnecessary speed—he’s missed the rush of paranormal haste. The pajamas are comfortable, but he wants to feel a little more prepared for the day. He chooses a soft gray sweater…

…and his red leather pants, to surprise Cody with later. Who needs mirrors when he can see the reaction in Cody’s face?

Pleased with himself, Simon shuts his coffin, then perches on the lid. A long heartbeat steadies his emotions. Mustn’t call his friend all giddy and blood-drunk. Then he makes the call.

Kimiko answers on the fifth ring. “Hello, dear friend.”

The familiar voice takes Simon aback. “So, you do know how to use your phone.”

“‘Hello, my beloved Kimiko! Your voice is an unparalleled melody in my ears!’” Kimiko says, in a falsetto that sounds nothing like Simon. Then her voice drops back to normal. “That’s what you’re supposed to say.”

“My mistake,” Simon says politely. “Hark! What a unique noise.”

The sound she makes in reply is not polite at all. “I sent Andrea on an errand. I’m operating this damned contraption myself, and you should be grateful. Don’t tell Andrea I answered the phone, by the way. She does like to feel important.”

Simon swings his legs. They could small-talk all night, but he’s impatient. “To what do I owe the honor?”

Kimiko hushes, though she’s hopefully alone in her office. “There was a mysterious mauling five miles from your home.”

A dramatic pause ensues.

“I’ve heard,” Simon says obligingly.

“The night of the full moon.”

“So it was.”

“And you’ve adopted a new pet,” Kimiko concludes, with gossip-hungry glee.

“The mauling wasn’t Cody,” Simon says, for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. Though the assumption is more reasonable on Kimiko’s part than Cody’s own.

“Oh.” Kimiko pauses, processing the information. She at least trusts Simon without arguing. “Quite the coincidence, then.”

That’s the real problem. Cody is innocent, but coincidences are suspicious. “If you happen upon the gory details, I’d appreciate a call. Especially since you clearly know how.”

“I never should have answered,” Kimiko grumbles, then sighs in deliberate affectation. “But it can’t be helped. My dear Andrea is still miffed about your visit last month. ”

Simon frowns, thinking back. Far more exciting things happened that night—the second attack, Cody bleeding, Cody almost kissing him. Using his years and power to pull rank on Andrea had been rather rude, though.

“She was rude first,” Simon points out. “Does she want an apology card?”

“God no, she would never forgive that.” Kimiko sighs again. “However, she recalls you were keeping a werewolf around. She wants to report Cody as a suspect to the treaty council.”

Simon’s every impulse resists the idea.

A reasonable investigation would find exactly what Simon found. Cody can’t have anything to do with the attack. Unless they consider Simon’s testimony biased.

And Cody has a history of uncontrolled, blackout shifts.

Simon doesn’t want to count on a reasonable investigation. Not until he knows more. “Can you stop Andrea from reporting?”

“Of course,” Kimiko replies cheerfully. “But I only owe you one more favor. This would clear the debt between us.”

“Do it,” Simon says, without hesitation.

After a beat of silence, Kimiko laughs. “Simon Caley, trading a favor on a werewolf’s behalf. Now that is interesting.”

Simon rubs his temple. An emotional reflex more than a true headache. “Don’t read too much into it.”

“You must visit again soon,” Kimiko says, sounding far too happy. “I want to watch your face as I interrogate you.”

“Begone, foul creature,” Simon says, and hangs up to the music of his friend’s laughter. Fuck. He probably should visit her more. Apparently socializing is good for him.

If he wants to keep socializing with his werewolf bodyguard, Simon has yet another unsolved attack to investigate. He waves a hand, and in a giddy sparkle of magic, all the sconces wink out in his wake. Next step is checking the human news, and he can do that as easily from the library as down here.

More importantly, he can lounge provocatively, for when Cody finds him.