The Bite That Binds Part 12

"I'm not ill, it's just that my gifts are playing up."

"And there's the unbearable pain, remember. I don't want you out there while you're vulnerable."

"Vulnerable to what? We're just visiting a Pagori vampire in L.A, who may or may not be linked to the Brothers Grimm. Besides, I have Dexter."

Antonio neatly stepped in. "Sam is right, Jared. This isn't an a.s.signment. You will simply be paying another vampire a friendly visit."

Naturally Jared hadn't been happy with that response, which was why he sulked the entire time we gathered the squad, and right up until we reached the gates of Orrin's Spanish style duplex in L.A. Although we had taken the entire squad, we decided it would be best to leave most of them outside so that we didn't appear threatening. As Antonio had said, this was supposed to be a social visit, nothing more.

Jared's knock was answered by a large, sleazy-looking Pagori who I would bet had an affinity for banjos. He ran his gaze over Jared, myself, Max, Salem, and Denny, scowling. When his eyes focused again on Jared, he demanded, "Who the f.u.c.k are you?"

Ignoring his tone, Jared simply said, "I'm here to see Orrin."

"And who-" Realisation must have dawned on him, because his eyes widened and he spluttered. "Jared...For a second there, I didn't recognise you. Come in."

Entering, we found ourselves in a small, bright hallway. Branching off it was a living area on our left side, and a dining area on our right side. In both rooms, a number of vampires were lazing. They tensed at the look of Jared, but bowed their heads respectfully.

Have you met any of them before? I asked Jared.

No. But they'll recognise me as being the Heir. Antonio made sure that would be the case worldwide.

"I'm Rudy, by the way," the large vampire informed us after chasing the vampires out of the dining room. "Take a seat. Can I get you anything before I go tell Orrin that you're here?"

Jared shook his head. "No thanks."

Rudy nodded and left the room.

No sooner had we all seated ourselves at the large, gla.s.s dining table than Rudy returned with the lanky, blond Pagori from the photograph. He wore a timid, shy smile as he walked toward us. He had an awkward way about him, much like one of those school geeks who totally lacked social skills. Not that my social skills were much better.

"Jared," he greeted simply, shaking his hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

Jared nodded. "Likewise. This is my fiancee, Sam, and three of my squad."

Orrin must have looked at me a little longer than Jared was comfortable with, because he stiffened beside me. Personally, though, I didn't feel that Orrin was ogling me. His gaze was studious, searching.

"It's an honour to meet you all." Having taken a seat directly opposite Jared, Orrin again smiled shyly. "I'm not in trouble, am I?"

Jared returned the grin. "No, nothing like that. I'm hoping that you can help us with something."

Orrin suddenly looked eager, perhaps flattered that the Heir would come to him for any a.s.sistance.

"The Grand High Master is looking for a vampire with a certain set of skills. Namely, someone with the ability to alter DNA. But he needs one strong enough to alter the DNA of vampires. We know that one of your vampires has that gift. We'd like to borrow him for a short time."

I thought that was quite clever of Jared. Vampires could be quite protective of those they had Turned. Therefore, if Jared had said that he wanted to punish any of them, Orrin would most likely have concealed their location.

Orrin scratched his nape. "I don't have a vampire with a gift that strong. However...put him and his brother together and you have a force powerful enough to achieve that."

"It requires two of them?"

"Yes. Quinn can manipulate DNA, and Wyatt has the capability to freeze and unfreeze things. Vampires are physically frozen in their development, but if Wyatt can very slightly affect that, it enables his brother to play with DNA."

I hadn't thought of that. "Where can we find them?"

Orrin's expression was sheepish. "I'm afraid that's something I can't help you with. Once the Trent brothers realised how strong they were, they felt that they didn't need their Sire or anyone else. They felt that they were quite capable of starting their own line. I heard that they were seen in Vegas a few days ago. I doubt it was really them, though. They prefer solitude."

I strongly suspected that it had been them and that they were trying the trick of hiding in plain sight.

"Do you want me to have a few of my guys search for them?" Orrin seemed keen to help, clearly wanting to impress the Heir.

Jared waved a hand. "That's not necessary. There are other vampires on the list that we can approach." Very smart of Jared to not seem desperate. Besides, now that we knew their names and a little more about them including where they were last seen it was very possible that Sebastian could track them much faster than Orrin ever could. "Thanks for your time."

Back at The Hollow, Jared and I relayed all of the information to Antonio. Going by the strain in his expression, I suspected that he was sincerely looking forward to getting a grip of the Trent brothers and making them pay for what they had done. Well he'd better get in line.

"Sebastian, I do not need to stress to you the importance of the brothers being found," said Antonio. "Track them as best and as fast as you can, but do not act when you finally find them. Simply report back to me with their location."

With a nod, the tracker left.

Antonio looked between Jared and I. "You should both go and get ready for tonight's entertainment. We shall see you soon."

Ah, yes, the Opera. So not my thing, but I was willing to keep an open mind.

I had expected to find Fletcher waiting outside my apartment with a shopping bag containing a revealing dress, as he normally was. Instead, I found Evan, smiling like the cat that got the cream. Nope, that wasn't good.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

(Sam) I'd never liked those I know something you don't' smiles, and I especially never liked them when they belonged to Evan. He was a great bloke and all that, but he was also a sneaky b.u.g.g.e.r. I immediately narrowed my eyes.

Jared, who knew his brother well enough to know what that look meant, groaned. "Okay, what did you do?"

Evan shrugged innocently. "Who says I've done anything?"

"Spill it."

"Bro," whined Evan, putting a hand to his chest. "I'm hurt that you're so suspicious. Secrets aren't always bad secrets." He looked to me for some kind of character back-up.

"Yeah, I'm with Jared on this one, Ev. It's never good when you're smiling like that."

He seemed delighted rather than offended. "Ready for your Binding gift?" he asked me.

"Should I be worried about what it is?"

"You're going to love it."

Jared shook his head at his twin. "Do I at least get to come and see this gift that's supposed to be for both of us?"

A little patronisingly, Evan patted him on the back. "Sure. You'll love it too, because it's work-related. But it's mainly for Sam." He peered down at my feet. "Oh good, you're wearing cross trainers."

I frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"

That smile was back. "You'll see."

Excited in spite of myself, I followed him down the hallway where we came across Fletcher. He was holding a shopping bag, surprise, surprise.

Evan spoke to Fletcher. "If anyone asks, they'll be gone most of the evening. And they'll be having way more fun than they would have at the opera-thing that Antonio's got planned."

Jared exchanged a baffled look with me before asking his brother, "Gone where all evening? And why will we be gone all evening?" His twin merely winked in response.

Fletcher put his hands on his hips, studying Evan over the rim of his gla.s.ses. "Hang on a minute, why are you smirking like that? What have you done?"

"I'm only taking Sam to see her Binding gift from me."

My best friend's expression morphed into one of intense curiosity. "Don't think you're leaving me behind."

To my surprise, Evan's smile faltered a little. "Are you sure you're not too busy, Fletch?"

"When there's a gift involved? Not at all."

A very impish grin spread across Evan's face. "Okay then, if you want to come, by all means come."

Now I was even more suspicious...but I was also more intrigued. Curiosity won over, and I followed Evan out of the building. When he led us into the rainforest, I went from curious to what the f.u.c.k?' Still, I remained silent as he took us deep into the rainforest, in the direction of what the legion immaturely called the four t.i.ts' basically, they were four mountains cl.u.s.tered together, surrounding a huge stretch of land.

Evan came to an abrupt halt when we neared the narrow opening that lay between two of the mountains, leading to the land nestled between all four. The excitement on his face made me smile, despite my impatience. "You ready?"

I shoved him. "Move out of my way so I can get through and see what it is."

"No. You have to close your eyes."

"Ev, don't take the p.i.s.s. I don't have much patience left."

"Just do it."

Releasing a put-out sigh, I nonetheless did as he asked.

"Bro, Fletch both of you stay quiet until I've told her to open her eyes." He took my hand and guided me through the narrow opening. I heard Fletcher gasp and sensed Jared's surprise and...awe? That made me even more desperate to look. Finally, Evan brought us to a halt. "Now, Sam, do you remember a month ago you told me how you thought the legion would benefit from having a tactical field to train in? Look."

When I opened my eyes, I gasped just as Fletcher had done. Tactical field my a.r.s.e. It was more like a small, abandoned village. The only thing stopping it from looking real was that the buildings were made of plywood. And of course no one has gas drums and piles of tyres just lying around here and there, do they. There was even a bus and several other vehicles lining the streets'. "How did you do all this in a month?"

"I designed it, but every squad member and every one of the commanders other than Jared, because I didn't tell him about it all came together to help me build it. Like it?" My smile must have been answer enough for him, because he chuckled and curled an arm around me. "Then you're going to love what I've got planned for the next six hours." He slipped his free hand into his pocket and fished out a single, spherical, gelatin capsule.

Antic.i.p.ation shot through me. "Paintballing?"

He chuckled again, nodding. "Paintballing. I got one of Antonio's guards to teleport all the necessary equipment here. The squad will arrive any minute. They're eager to play; they've been looking forward to this for weeks."

I hugged Evan tightly, laughing at Jared's playful growl. "I haven't been paintballing for years."

Stroking a finger through his collar, Fletcher cleared his throat. "This isn't really my scene, luv. I'm more of a pacifist."

I gripped Fletcher's hand. "Oh please stay. It'll be a laugh. Honestly, it's addictive, you'll love it."

Just then, Chico entered through the narrow opening, followed closely by the rest of the squad...and someone I really hadn't wanted to see.

Fletcher curled his upper lip in distaste. "What's Widow Tw.a.n.key doing here?" She didn't appear to appreciate that nickname, though she probably had no idea he had named her after a pantomime dame that was always played by a man.

Salem, who I then noticed was holding her lower arm, frowned down at her. "We found her wandering aimlessly. Apparently, she's looking for you, Coach."

Fletcher snorted. "Yeah? Well she can sod off."

Magda lifted her chin, scowling at Fletcher. "As I told Sam, I think it would be good for her and I to spend time together if she intends on Binding to one of my vampires. Besides, if she's going to one day be responsible for my protection and the protection of all vampirekind, it is only fair that I get to know her."

Jared, Fletcher, and Evan all went to object, but I held up a hand. "No, she's right." I smiled brightly at Magda. "If you'd really like us to become better acquainted, there couldn't be a more perfect time. You can join us for a few games of paintballing."

Magda gaped. "Paintballing?" Going by the distaste coating that one word, she thought this kind of thing was beneath her. I sensed Jared's amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Don't worry. I'm not one of those really compet.i.tive people who take it too seriously." The guys all snorted, knowing me too well.

Magda straightened to her full height and forced a smile. "I accept your invitation."

"Invitation?" repeated Fletcher. "What planet are you on? This is gate-crashing."

"Nah," disagreed Evan, "it's important that she and Sam bond." He winked at me, humour lighting his eyes. "Come on, let's go get kitted up." He led us all to a small hut where, as I'd expected, he'd kept the supplies. "First, I want to talk you all through everything. I know some of you haven't been paintballing before particularly Fletcher, Reuben, Damien, and David-"

"And me," Magda informed him.

Evan nodded. "And Magda. But don't worry, you'll all enjoy it. You'll be split into two teams, and the aim of the game is to complete each mission without getting shot by a paintball. It's as simple as that." He shrugged to emphasise the simplicity of it, but then he held up one finger as he continued.

"There are rules for the game. I know that some of you will have big advantages because of your gifts...and that's why rule number one is that none of you are to use your gifts at any time. Rule number two: if you are hit, you do not need to leave the game unless you've been hit in the torso or the head they're the only areas that would have any real effect on a vampire. At that point, you simply raise your gun, declare that you're hit, and head to the dead zone' no one is to shoot at or go near this zone. I'll show you where it is in a minute.

"If you're hit in the head, it's considered a fatal shot and you will be eliminated from that particular game. If you're hit in the torso, you need to only spend ten minutes in the dead zone' before you can return to the game. But unless the paintball breaks and leaves a mark the size of a quarter, it doesn't count. And nor does paint splatter, which means that although the paint grenades will do well at distracting the other team, they won't count as deadly'. Rule number three: do not take off your safety mask unless you're in the dead zone' or unless the game has ended. Rule number four: you must allow surrenders. And the final rule: no bodily contact. This is not about combat. That all understood?" Everybody nodded.

Ten minutes later, all of us were dressed in camouflaged overalls and padded gloves. It was when Evan pulled out a bag and handed it to me that I understood exactly why he'd been wearing that smile earlier. Inside was a pink tutu, a headband with pink horns attached, and a white L' sign. b.a.s.t.a.r.d. In seconds, I was dressed like an army s.l.u.t. Of course everyone thought it was hilarious, even Jared.

I snarled at my fiance. "Thanks a lot, Judas."

Evan huffed at him. "I don't know what you're laughing at." He then pulled out another bag. Jared's face fell when his twin fished out a Borat-style, lime-green, lycra mankini. Then it was my turn to laugh.

"You're f.u.c.king kidding me." Jared shook his head. "No way."

I put my hands on my hips. "Oi, if I'm going to look stupid, you can as well."

He stood, seething, as his brother and Fletcher helped him put the mankini on over his camo gear. The icing on the cake had been when Harvey took a photograph with his smartphone. Jared made a dive for it. Obviously having antic.i.p.ated that, however, the others held him back as Harvey dashed off to hide the photographic evidence of us looking like plonkers.

Once the laughing had died down, Evan clapped his hands twice to get everyone's attention. "Okay, let's split you into teams. Sam and Jared will each be a leader, which places them on opposing teams. I'll be refereeing, since it wouldn't be fair to have two commanders on one team."