Praise for the writing of Mechele Armstrong

Blood Lines: Blood Kiss

From the chilling beginning in the mind of a villain to the dramatic climax this was a well-
plotted suspenseful tale of love and murder… The tingle of suspense throughout the story
and the love of two like souls make a terrific read in the dark of the night.

-- Kirra Pierce,

Just E otic Romance Reviews

r

Readers will be drawn in and enthralled by the incredible mix of sensuality and darkness
that fills the pages and makes your heart skip a beat. Mechele Armstrong has created a
fantastic story that is hot, sultry, and fun to read.

-- Tammy,

Fallen Angel Reviews

If you are looking for a good vampire romance to read this Halloween season and want to try
someone new, look no further than

Blood Kiss

by Mechele Armstrong.

-- Barb Hicks,

The Best Reviews

I enjoyed everything about this paranormal tale. Ms. Armstrong creates a fantastic story that
kept me glued to page after page of this hot read. The characters and setting pulled me right
in.

-- Klarissa,

Joyfully Reviewed

If you enjoy a dark, gritty story with plenty of hot sex,

Blood Kiss

is for you.

-- Belinda S. Mays,

Romance Reviews Today

Blood Lines: Blood Kiss

is now available from Loose Id.

BLOOD LINES: CONDUIT

Mechele Armstrong

www.loose-id.com

Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered
offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the
laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where
they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

* * * * *

This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and some violence.

Blood Lines: Conduit

Mechele Armstrong

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or
existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.


Published by
Loose Id LLC
1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29
Carson City NV 89701-1215
www.loose-id.com

Copyright © March 2006 by Mechele Armstrong

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of
this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing,
photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-229-5
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America


Editor: Erin Mullarkey
Cover Artist: April Martinez

Dedication

To the Dark-Hunter Groups: wonderful friends and my first fans and to Squirewriters:

for all the support and advice.

Chapter One

“Ohhhhhhh,” Copper Daly moaned as Jared sucked her nipple deep into his mouth.

Warm wetness engulfed it. “Yes. More. Oh god, more.” He shifted, and she smelled the acrid
scent of his cigarettes clinging to him.

His mouth made a popping sound as he released it. He grasped her breast with his hand

and kneaded. “You have such beautiful tits,” he murmured.

She lifted her head, glaring at him. “You have such a way with words.”

“I have a way with my mouth.” He winked before suckling her other nipple, nipping

the areola lightly.

“That’s the only reason I keep you around -- Ow, that hurt.” She winced, pushing on

his blond-streaked head because his teeth had clamped down too hard.

“Sorry.”

“I don’t want to be bitten, Jared. Tongue, not teeth.”

“Geesh, Cop. You’re such a bitch. I could use a lot less instruction here.” His blue eyes

gazed up at her, darkened, but not passion-hazed anymore. She’d pissed him off again. Funny
how they kept doing that to each other. Tomorrow would be his turn.

“It hurt. I’m sorry I snapped.” She wanted tonight to be a peaceful one. Wanted to get

laid. If they argued again, they wouldn’t have sex.

He kissed her mouth; she parted her lips for his tongue to twirl around hers. Tasted the

bitter flavor of the beer he’d had after dinner. His cock slapped her thigh as he arched his
hips against her.

She panted, and he swallowed the breaths like he was trying to eat them.

The phone rang.

2

Mechele Armstrong

“Don’t answer it,” he mumbled against her lips, arching against her again, stiff cock

rubbing against her leg. His fingers trailed down the sensitive skin of her stomach, rough
against the smoothness. Her breath quickened, her clit trembled as she clenched her thighs.
She ached for his touch, his strumming with each digit until she poured out her climax. One
area they had no trouble with at all, unlike the rest of their relationship.

“I wasn’t ...”

His fingers reached her mound. He played in the coarse hairs, and she sucked in a

breath. Not quite where she wanted them, but close. The answering machine picked up. Her
voice sounded.

“You need a wax.”

She pressed her head back on the pillow with a long-suffering sigh. Why couldn’t he

keep that talented mouth closed once in a while?

Copper’s voice finished, and the machine beeped.

“Copper ...” The voice sounded breathless as if she’d been running. “Copper ... Oh god,

pick up. Pick up ...”

“Get off!” Copper shoved Jared, leaping up to race to the phone.

Crimson screamed on the speaker, and the line went dead before Copper could pick it

up.

She stopped two paces from the phone. “No!” Yanking up the receiver, she heard the

dial tone. “Shit.” She checked caller ID. A number she didn’t recognize. Why hadn’t Crimson
called from home? Or her cell phone? Her heart thumped in her chest.

“Come back to bed, Cop. We have things to finish.”

She turned around, her eyes narrowing. “That was Crimson.”

“I know who it was. Come back to bed.” He patted a spot on the mattress.

“You little shit. It was

Crimson

. She screamed on my phone.” She turned around, and

dialed the number from caller ID. No one answered. Closing her eyes, she swallowed, the
sound making a hollow noise in her ears.

“She probably was playing one of the games she likes to play. You know she likes that

stuff.”

Turning around so sharply she almost lost her balance, Copper growled, “I know the

games she likes to play. This was different.” Her breasts had bounced with the movement.
She didn’t miss Jared’s eyes appreciating her jiggle. She crossed her arms over her chest. He
frowned, his bushy eyebrows coming together. “Did you hear her voice? She was scared.”

He snorted. “She was playing one of her games, Copper. That bitch doesn’t get scared.”

She ran a hand over her face. Jared didn’t like her sister. Crimson telling him he was

pussy-whipped on their first meeting probably had something to do with that. “She isn’t a
bitch. And this didn’t sound like a game. She screamed!”

Blood Lines: Conduit

3

He shrugged. “I’m sure she screams a lot. Like you’re going to before the night is over.”

He stalked toward her, heavy cock resting between his pale, hairy thighs. Usually it
captivated her to see a man’s hardened penis that way. Not now.

He reached a small hand out to her breast. She pushed at his shoulder. “No. Crimson is

in trouble. I have to find her.”

After dialing the number again, she tucked the phone alongside her ear and tugged on

her bikini underwear. He slid hands over her ass, stroking, even as she smacked him, needing
her full attention on the phone. He yelped and retreated out of reach. “Hello!? Crimson?”

“Who is this?” A deep, slightly accented voice answered.

“Where’s Crimson, you son of a bitch? If you do anything to my sister ...”

Click and a dial tone.

“Oh no!” She dialed again and then shrugged up her jeans. “You’re not hanging up on

me. Pick up the damn phone.” She let it ring twenty times. No answer. She rang her sister’s
cell and home phone. No answer.

“What are you doing?”

Copper slammed the phone down. “What does it look like I’m doing?” She reached

around her back to fasten her bra. Sliding the straps up her arms, she tried to ignore the
fluttering in her belly. Crimson had to be all right. Copper shivered.

Please let her be all

right.

“Why are you getting dressed?”

She slid her T-shirt over her head before answering. “Why do you think I’m getting

dressed?”

“We were going to fuck.” He stuck out his lip, looking so much like a little boy who

didn’t get the pony he wanted. Had she not been so worried, she would have laughed.

“Key word:

Were

.”

“What are you going to do? You don’t even know where she was. I’m telling you she

was playing one of her pervo sadistic games.”

“Not this time. She doesn’t play them with me, anyway. And I’ll figure out something.

But I have to find her.”

She picked up the phone and dialed the caller ID number again.

A different voice picked up this time.

“Where’s Crimson?” she demanded.

“Who?”

“Who is this?”

“Look, lady, I was going to make a call. You called as I picked up to dial.”

“I got a call a while ago. From ... well, a redhead. Did you see her?”

4

Mechele Armstrong

“I told you, I just got here.”

“Where is here?” She grabbed a pen and pad from the orderly desk by the phone.

“What?”

“Where is here?!” She tried to calm herself. Yelling wouldn’t get her anywhere. “What

city?”

“St. Louis. It’s a pay phone.”

Her hands shook. “Where in St. Louis?”

Silence.

“C’mon. Look at the street signs. Please? It’s important.”

He sighed. “The corner of Fox and Brisbane.”

“Thank you.” Copper placed the receiver back into the cradle, staring at what she’d

scribbled down. If she remembered St. Louis right, that corner wasn’t far from where
Crimson lived.

She turned to face the bed. Jared sat on the coverlet, naked, with his lips drawn up into

a tight frown. He looked pale against her dark purple cotton sheets and comforter.

Grabbing a ponytail holder, she brushed her long hair out and put it up.

“What the hell are you doing, Copper?” His pissed voice stroked her nerve endings

with all the finesse of fingernails down a chalkboard.

“I’m going to find my sister.”

His frown lengthened. “You’re leaving?”

“That’s the plan.”

“You know I don’t do well when you leave me.”

Her mouth opened to say,

You mean you do everyone else well when I leave,

but

somehow she managed to keep the words from rolling off her tongue. “I have to go, Jared. I
have to find out what happened.”

“Can’t you call the police?”

She pulled an overnight bag out from under her bed. Looking at his abdomen, which

was eye level, she noticed he had the start of a belly. He’d never had six-pack abs except for
all the beer he packed in there. “You know I can’t.”

“Leaving me for the bitch. I can’t believe this.”

Copper picked up the bag and threw it at him, hitting him in the chest. She didn’t have

time for this.

“Hey! You threw that at me.”

“Damn straight. Get out.”

“What? You’re leaving me and kicking me out because of your sick-assed sister? You

have a screw loose.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

5

“I may have one loose, but you’re the one who likes to screw other people.” His eyes

narrowed; he hated it when she brought that up, but he never defended himself. “Get out. I
have more important things to do than to argue with you.” She grabbed the bag out of his
hands, set it down, and tossed some underwear into it.

“If I leave now, Cop, I’m not coming back. I won’t put up with this shit.”

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass, then, Jared.”

He grabbed his clothes off the floor. “Fucking bitch. Like your pussy is golden.”

She snatched his jeans out of his hands, marched to the door, and threw them into the

hallway. “Get out now.”

He sauntered across the threshold. “Your loss, babe.”

“And the titty club’s gain. I hope it gets a disease and falls off.” She slammed the door

before he could reply.

Putting her head in her hands, she closed her eyes a minute. “Get a grip, Copper. You

knew this was coming.” She had. And she had more important things to focus on than losing
her on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Shit

was too good a word for him. She hadn’t even gotten

laid.

She tossed clothes into her overnight bag, trying not to think about what could be

happening to Crimson at this moment. The stuff her sister did for kicks scared her most days.
Whatever had made her scream like that had to be bad. Very bad.

She picked up her keys and wallet, glancing around the one-room box she called home.

Cleaning would have to wait. She shook her head with a worried smile. Crimson would say
only she, with her neatness obsession, would think of that at a time like this. God, there
better be a flight to St. Louis leaving tonight. One last look, and out she ran into the
darkness.

* * * * *

Bastian De Luca slammed his hand against the telephone stand. Sniffed again, closing

his eyes. His tongue shot out to lick his lips. The metallic scent of blood filled his nose. He
panted, bringing the lust, which had filled him, under control. He’d pushed his limits and
now paid the price with hunger.

The phone rang. He looked at it, shrugged, and answered it.

“Hello? Crimson?”

“Who is this?” He didn’t recognize the voice.

“Where’s Crimson, you son of a bitch? If you do anything to my sister ...”

Bastian hung up the phone as the southern voice continued to rant. The sister. Crimson

must have called her.

6

Mechele Armstrong

Swallowing, he pulled out his cell. “She got away. Her blood is on the ground. A

smattering. I want APB’s posted all over town.” He barely resisted the urge to swirl his
gloved finger in the tiny puddle and taste it as he pocketed his phone. His mouth hungered
to savor the small amount. It would be sweet. He already knew the taste of her. Licking
concrete was not his idea of a good feeding, however. Pathetic he even entertained the idea
of it.

He cocked his head, looking both ways down the street surrounded by tall hotels and

buildings. The arch by the river loomed large in the moonlit sky. “Where did you go,
Crimson?”

His boots clicked on the gravelly sidewalk as he turned left. Eyes narrowing, he looked

for any sign of a trail. She’d been bleeding. She had to go one way or the other. He inhaled,
trying to catch any scent he could of his prodigal girlfriend.

A drip here. A drop there. A few feet away to the street. He crossed the road, eyes

scanning. No more trail on either side. She’d been picked up. A vehicle. That had to be it for
the path to end so abruptly.

“Damn.” He ran a hand through his hair.

A noise made him turn to the alley behind him. His nose tracked blood. Not Crimson’s.

Different scent. A rat squeaked in the distance. He approached, his steps slow, his reflexes
ready for an assault.

The body lay at an angle to the building. Unmoving. The smell of cheap rum assailed

his nostrils. The bag, with a broken bottle, lay at the entrance to the alley.

The bum lay face-down on the cold asphalt. Bastian turned him over. Blood had pooled

under him like a black tide. His throat had been ripped out, shredded like hamburger. The
body was still warm. He fought a shudder and stepped back from the temptation. Too easy to
make a meal and leave evidence he’d been there. Leather gloves had protected his hands
from leaving a print. Nothing would keep his mouth from leaving a signature.

“What did you see?”

Bastian couldn’t have missed them by much.

“Damn,” he repeated. If he’d needed proof Crimson hadn’t run on her own, he had it.

But was she being helped? Or hurt? What had the unlucky man seen?

He scoured the surrounding blocks for anything that might give him a clue where the

girl had gone. Nothing stood out as worthwhile. After getting far enough away from the
crime scene, he alerted the police anonymously to the dead bum. Not that they’d have a clue
who’d killed him. One thing about the killer: it wasn’t a human.

He straddled his bike. What would the sister do? What had Crimson told her about her

life? Perhaps he should find out. He tried the sister on his cell. No one answered. He’d never
talked to her before now, despite knowing a little about her. He doubted she knew about
him.

Blood Lines: Conduit

7

At this time of night, where had she gone? One place came to mind. Here. To St. Louis.

The worst place for her to be until he figured things out. Until he found Crimson. He’d
better make arrangements to have Crimson’s sister watched.

Taking out his cell again, he opened it. “I want the airports checked. For Copper Daly.

Yes, it’s Crimson’s sister. I want her followed when she arrives.” He clicked off.

His bike motored down the streets. Was Copper anything like her sister? Identical

twins, not that that meant anything. Crimson never talked much about her family. She
talked about Copper more than anyone else.

Arriving at his house, Bastian headed inside, dropping his keys on the marble-topped

island in the open kitchen.

He walked into his bedroom. Lucy rolled over, her eyes searching his. She’d stretched

out in his bed. He wasn’t surprised to find her there.

“You didn’t find her?”

“She got away.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry.”

He unbuttoned his shirt and sat down beside the leggy blonde. “We’ll find her.

Eventually.”

“I’d never run from you.”

He reached out, running fingers through her silken hair. “I know.” She leaned her face

into his palm, savoring his touch like a needy housecat. Precisely the reason why Lucy would
never be more that what she was to him.

“It’s been a while. Since Crimson came to you.”

“Has it been that long?” His fingers caressed the soft skin of her throat, pausing over

the pulse beats, which speeded up under his touch.

“Yes. And you need to. She’s not here to give it to you.”

“Lucy ...” He didn’t pull back but chastised her all the same.

“Do it. You know you need to. While she’s gone. Please.” She tossed her head back,

displaying the white column of her neck more prominently than before. “I used to be special
to you. Please.”

He leaned his head in, his lips applying pressure. She groaned from the light touch. His

tongue slid out to skim her skin, licking upwards. His eyes closed. Lucy did taste wonderful.
Always had. If only she could accept things for what they were, he’d use her more often. Of
course, Crimson met all his needs perfectly. Until now that she’d left. And Lucy was right.
His need was great.

His fangs punctured the skin as his hands came up to hold her head. Her gasp ended in

a moan. He sipped her blood like the fine wine it was. Such a banquet ran through her veins.

8

Mechele Armstrong

Feeding for several minutes, he lifted his lips to kiss her soundly after he’d taken his

fill. Sated for now.

“Thank you,” she murmured, pulling him down with her as she lay back in the bed. He

wrapped his arms around her, holding her closely as they drifted off to sleep.

* * * * *

Click. Click. Click.

Stiletto heels tapped a rhythm as Evangeline walked down the beige-tiled hallway.

Opening the door to the bedroom, she took a step, the pointed heels sinking into the plush
red carpet.

“Leave us.” She shook back her hair as she circled the huge four-poster bed. The men

scurried out of the room. She loved to be in charge. To have men at her beck and call.
Women, too.

As the door clicked shut behind them, she spoke again. “I understand you don’t like

our hospitality. I thought we had an understanding.”

“Fuck you.”

She ran her hands along the satin sheets on the side of the mattress, moving near the

head of the bed. “Such language. Did I ever tell you where I came from?”

Silence.

She leaned over as her hand snapped out and backhanded the girl across the face. “Did

I ever tell you where I came from?”

“No.”

“Victorian England. Talk about repressed.”

Stony green eyes stared back at her.

“My pet. You are so unhappy here that you would run? After our agreements?”

“We have no agreements. I’ve ... changed my mind.”

“More’s the pity. Your stay here could be highly pleasant or highly painful. Oh, but I

did forget. For you, pleasure is pain, isn’t it?”

“Fuck you.”

“You need to get more of a vocabulary, pet. Though your spirit does challenge me.”

She sat down on the bed, adjusting the red silk and lace robe as she did so. “You ran

from me. That’s unacceptable. Your part in this game is already set. I can’t have you taking
off, away from the stage.” She stroked her fingers along the girl’s jaw line, caressing the soft,
pale skin with the tips. Her pet shivered, freckles dancing, and pressed her head further into
the mattress. “You don’t like my touch? I forgot.” She tapped her mouth. “You don’t like
women. Only guys.” She leaned down and flicked a nipple with her tongue. “I like women.
And men. Makes for so much more prey to do both.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

9

“Please, I don’t want to be a part of the game anymore.”

She tsked. “You beg so prettily, but it’s too late for that. Bastian is already playing. And

I need you to get to him. So sorry, pet, no changes of heart this late. Is that why you ran? Last
minute kind thoughts about your boyfriend?” Her palm skidded over the exposed breast.
“Why didn’t you run to him? They caught you near your own apartment.”

“Please don’t. Don’t touch me.”

“Say my name.”

“You never told me it.”

“Malarkey. You’ve heard it many times. And I’m sure that Bastian told you all about

me. Say my name. I want to hear it from your lips.” Her thumb rubbed the already hardened
nipple. She could feel the divots under the pad.

“Evangeline. Please stop.”

She withdrew her hand from the mound of flesh. “Oh, my pet. You are a hoot. I can

cut you, whip you, do anything of that sort to you. But god forbid I touch you. And once
upon a time people called me sexually perverted.” Evangeline laughed. “Such a pity to mar
that beautiful flesh.” The scent of blood had hung heavy in the air of the room since her
entrance. She’d been temped by it from the first, but had other matters to attend to. “My
new edict shall be, no touch by me, no pain by anyone.”

“Evangeline. I want to leave. I don’t want to ... be a part of this anymore.” Her voice

rose, fear evident.

Evangeline took pleasure in the tremor she heard. Didn’t think she’d ever heard such

from this one. “It’s too late, pet. I already told you that. You have such a beautiful Southern
twang. A deep, husky voice. I bet I could get off listening to you talk.” Her hand slid down
under her robe and stroked her own sex gently. She touched, until she rocked herself against
her soaked hand, then withdrew. The musky scent lingered in the air. “I think it’s time I let
one of the boys in. And time I fed.” Her laugher tinkled. “And I don’t even have to do
anything to feed. Your blood is right there. How convenient for me.”

Evangeline took another look at the bed before she got up to fetch one of her boys.

Crimson lay naked on the red sheets, flaming hair behind her, arms tied with black

ropes to the posts, feet tied similarly. Her side oozed blood from where the knife had cut her.
If the healing properties from feeding didn’t seal the wound, Evangeline might have to find a
doctor to sew her up. What a picture the girl made. And how much Bastian would give up to
set her free.

10

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Two

Copper rubbed a hand over her eyes. They felt gritty, like she had sand in them. That’s

what only sleeping a restless half hour on a plane would do to a person. She yawned, looking
out the window of the rental car.

St. Louis. It had been two years since she’d graced its streets. Since she’d lived here. She

guessed she could have moved back after Mom had died. But she never had, having gotten
comfortable in St. Joseph. She’d been desperate to leave it when she’d graduated. Probably as
much as the Pony Express riders starting their routes there way back when it had been in
service. St. Louis had been the first stop back then, the first stop for her, too, in life.

Abandoned, graffiti-clad warehouses zipped by her window as she sped down the

interstate. The morning sun hung low in the sky.

Now, where do I start?

There had been no word from Crimson. Should she go to the payphone? Or to

Crimson’s apartment?

Easy choice. She’d head to Crimson’s first. Maybe she’d get lucky, and her sister would

be home. Then she could kill her for scaring her shitless.

She’d considered the police, but there’d be so many questions about the life Crimson

led. And despite her protests to Jared, there was still a part of her that worried it was all part
of a game, a scene Crimson played in. Until she knew more, she couldn’t contact the police.

Managing to find a parking space on the street, Copper trudged up the five floors,

carrying her duffel bag, to Crimson’s tiny studio apartment

She banged on the door. “Crimson! Crimson!” No answer.

A spectacled, gray-headed woman opened the door next to Crimson’s. She blinked.

“Did you get locked out again, dearie?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

11

Sometimes Copper forgot how much Crimson and she looked alike. “Uh ... yeah, I sure

did.”

“Let me go get the key you left here. Good thing you did that.”

She’d planned to jimmy the lock or use a credit card to get in. It had always worked in

the past; probably no one had fixed the half-assed lock since she’d lived there. This way
made it easier.

One good thing about having an identical twin was that you got mistaken for them a

lot, which helped in situations of impersonation. However, mistaken identity was also the
bad part about having an identical twin. Sometimes, she’d wanted to be unique. Not to be a
mirror image. To have someone be able to tell her apart from her sister.

The woman came back with a key clutched in her knobby, shaking fingers. “Where

have you been hiding? I haven’t seen you in almost a week. I was getting worried.” The older
woman’s hands were cool as she handed over the key.

“Oh, you know, the usual. This and that. I’ve been busy.” A week? Her heart bottomed

to her ankles.

“I can imagine, with that boyfriend of yours. Guess that’s why you needed your

overnight bag again.”

“He’s something.”

Boyfriend?

Crim had a boyfriend? They were going to have a serious

talk when she found her sister. She frowned. What was the lady’s name? Mrs. Fields? No, she
made cookies. What the hell was it? “I’ll hang on to this key until I find mine.”

“Be careful, dearie. I’m not sure I like his looks. Too dark for me. And in this day and

age, you never know what can happen. You do that with the key. Drop it off anytime.”

“I will. Thanks so much.” She turned the key in the small lock and stepped inside

Crimson’s apartment.

Talk about dark. Crimson had hung sheets over all the windows, blocking out the view

and the outside light. Walking in was like walking into a bat cave. If a bat hit her in the
head, she was going to whap her sister. Musty, stuffy air hit her face like the place hadn’t
been opened in a while.

Finding the lamp, she switched it on. Hadn’t changed much from when she’d lived

here. Clothes all over the flowery couch and love seat. Stuff heaped on the coffee table.

Copper shook her head, remembering all the fights over the mess they got into living

together. “You never change, Crimson.”

She searched the apartment. She didn’t find Crimson -- not that she’d thought she

would. A harsh scent made her nose twitch in the kitchen. She opened Crim’s refrigerator to
find a few science experiments. White mold grew on some unidentifiable thing, and spoiled
meat had turned black. As she opened the cabinet under the sink for the trashcan, she found
the real source of the stench. The trash reeked.

12

Mechele Armstrong

She got rid of the bad stuff in the icebox and cinched up the trash bag. How long had

Crimson been gone? Just because neighbor lady hadn’t seen her in a week didn’t mean she’d
been gone a week. It could have been longer or shorter. God, please let it be shorter. Even a
few days was long enough for her to be missing.

Copper carried the bag down the steps and tossed it into the dumpster. Pursing her lips,

she climbed up to peek in. Nothing but trash. It wasn’t close to being full, so she could see
well, and pickup happened tomorrow unless the apartment had changed it since she’d lived
there.

With a sigh of relief and a reproach to herself for being paranoid, she walked several

blocks north to the pay phone. She found the corner and checked the number. This was it.

Her eyes scanned the stand the phone stood on and the ground beneath it. A dark spot

on the concrete. Several more a few inches away. She swallowed. Not that she knew much
about evidence gathering, but could that be blood? No way of knowing. And it could be
unrelated to Crimson. So why did she shake all over like a tree in winter winds?

Sighing in frustration, she checked out the phone itself. It worked. Nothing unusual.

She didn’t know what she’d hoped to find, other than something to tell her where her sister
was. Why she’d screamed. But there was no huge red sign indicating, “This is what
happened!”

Copper noticed some more dark drops. She followed them. They went a half block

away and stopped at the street. She didn’t see any more. Across the road, yellow police tape
blocked the alley.

Her heart pounded. She looked at the tape. A large, dark splash marred the light gray

concrete in the center. What had happened here?

“Hey!” a voice called.

She turned to find a man racing up to her. “That’s been cordoned off by police. You

can’t go over there.”

“I wasn’t. I was only looking.” He wore a uniform, gun holstered by his side. Not a

police uniform. Security guard? She’d bet so, probably from one of the hotels. “Do you know
what happened here?” She waved her hand to the alley.

“Police found a body.”

Copper’s hands shook and her stomach dropped below her knees. No, this couldn’t be

happening. But all she could get out of her mouth was, “Oh?”

“Yep. Some bum. I overheard his throat was ripped out.”

“A man?”

He nodded. “Some homeless guy. I’d seen him panhandling earlier.”

She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. It hadn’t been Crimson.

Closing her eyes a second, she blew out another breath. She still didn’t know where her
sister was. But relief at the body not being her was overwhelming.

Blood Lines: Conduit

13

“Are you all right?” His eyes narrowed, searching her face.

“Yes. I’m fine. Thanks for the information.” She turned to go.

“Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” She hadn’t even taken one step away.

She turned back toward him. “I don’t think so.” His eyes traveled up and down her

jeans-and-T-shirt-clad body. She saw the interest flicker in them.

“I know where. You waitress at Lucky’s Bar.”

Oh, damn. He recognized her as Crimson. “Ohhhh. Yes, that’s probably where. You

come in often?”

“Often enough. You’re one of the best ones there.” He licked his lips. “So I hear.

Though I heard tell, you have a boyfriend. Big and mean sucker.”

She smiled brightly. “Why, yes, I am involved. And I have to go. Bye and thanks

again.” Copper took long strides walking away. She hadn’t missed his eyes darkening or the
bulge under his khakis. And there went boyfriend talk again. She hated to even think what
Crimson did so well at Lucky’s Bar.

“I’ll see you next time I come in!” he hollered from behind her.

She didn’t turn around or acknowledge him, but swore she could feel his eyes boring

into her back until she turned the corner. Yeah, he was jonesing, but after the wrong twin.

* * * * *

Back at Crimson’s apartment, Copper paced. She rubbed her hand over her face. “You

didn’t think this would be easy, did you? Dammit, Crimson, where are you?” Maybe she
should call the cops? No, the authorities had to be a last resort. So now what?

Time to snoop.

She’d gone through all the magazines on the coffee table, mostly

Cosmo, People,

and

various bondage magazines. Her sister had too much time on her hands. The phone rang.
Holding up a finger, she walked around the apartment. “Answering machine. I know you
have one, Crim.” It wasn’t in the kitchen or the living room where everyone else she knew
had theirs. Where had it been when she lived there? The kitchen. Crimson must have moved
it.

On the fifth ring, Crimson’s voice sounded. “I can’t come to the phone right now ... too

busy doing other things ... teee heeee ... but leave me a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

Copper had heard the message a dozen times over the past day. But hearing her sister’s

husky voice, her attempt to be sexy by dropping an octave on “other things” in contrast to
the giggle, while standing in her empty apartment, rattled Copper.

“Oh, Crim.” Her vision clouded with tears, and she shook them off.

14

Mechele Armstrong

The answering machine rested on a nightstand in the bedroom. “Crimson, this is your

last chance. I’ve been leaving messages all week. You don’t show up for work today, you’re
fired!” Click. The angry baritone cut off.

So Crimson had to work today.

Copper sighed, looking at the machine. The number two blinked beside the alert light.

Wait a minute. Only two? She’d left a message most times she’d called. She hit play.

The first message was hers. From earlier today ... or was it yesterday? Her time clock had
gone screwy.

How could there only be two? The boss had said he’d left messages all week. If that was

true, who erased them?

Copper bolted for the fridge. On the outside were tons of papers held up by magnets. A

few menus for restaurants that delivered. A note on dumpster pickup for the building
confirming the day hadn’t changed. Where was it? She spied her sister’s work schedule and
nabbed it, glad Crimson’s habits hadn’t changed. She always posted her work days on the
fridge.

She’d been scheduled several days this week. But the week before, she hadn’t worked

at all.

Copper plopped down on the couch, the schedule in her hand. She needed to find out

lots of things but didn’t know how. If only she knew more about her sister’s life.

Sitting up straighter, her head went up. What better way to find out about her sister’s

life than to

be

her sister? They looked identical, with only a few differences, and nothing

casually noticed. They’d passed for each other before.

She checked the clock. One hour before Crimson had to report to work.

Investigating the closet, amidst the leather and the two floggers -- which Copper didn’t

touch -- she found a short black dress uniform that had “Lucky’s Bar” emblazoned in bright
pink, with lipstick-like kisses all over it. One piece with a flippy skirt.

She slid it on and looked at herself in the mirror. It was short. She’d be flashing her

underwear if she wasn’t careful, not being used to skirts and dresses.

Putting her hair up in a way Crimson wore it, she practiced deepening her voice.

Crim’s voice rasped more than hers naturally did. She applied her sister’s makeup the way
Crimson had always worn it.

Pulling out the phone book, she found it. An address for Lucky’s Bar.

Telling herself to think Crimson thoughts, she headed to work to see what she could

find out.

* * * * *

Blood Lines: Conduit

15

Bastian turned over, reaching out to an empty bed. Putting his arm over his eyes, he

shut out what little light shone into the room. He’d reached for Crimson. Damn. A habit he
didn’t need. He’d always been alone.

Reaching his hand up, he tightly clenched the headboard. The wood bit into his

fingers. He stretched.

“You’re awake.” Lucy’s voice trilled from the darkness.

“I am.”

She approached the bed. Even in the darkness, he could see her brown eyes shining.

Waiting for anything. Any sign from him that he’d do more, take more from her than he had
last night. He closed his eyes. Her eyes always wanted. Wanted things he could never give
her. It might be time Lucy moved on. She’d been ready a long time ago but had held onto
him, and he’d let her.

“I need to head out at darkfall.”

Her bottom lip quivered and poked out. “You aren’t going to feed? And why are you

going out?” She stepped closer, her blue wrap falling open, displaying her matching lace
teddy. Her long blonde hair fell down around it, artfully striking against the blue. She’d
always had a flair for offering herself to him.

“No, Lucy. Last night, I needed the blood. Tonight, I’m fine. And you know why. I

have to look for her.”

“You haven’t found any trace of her. Except for last night. And it was only ...”

“She was there. I smelled her blood. I know her scent and taste. I have a bad feeling she

didn’t leave that phone of her own will.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed so much she squinted. “She never should have left you to begin

with.”

“It makes no difference. I have to find her.”

With a

harrumph,

she stalked out of his room.

Bastian laid his head back on the body pillow, stretching out his frame in the huge bed,

a California king. Big enough for a king and his entourage. Not that he’d ever had an
entourage. Occasionally, since he’d been with Crimson, he’d had others share his bed, but it
had mostly been her.

The headboard had been hand-carved from solid oak. It sported a few drawers and

cubbies to store things. Crim had fallen in love with it the instant she’d seen it. A couple of
silk black sheets, and they’d been at each other for hours. He smiled, thinking about it.

Lucy thought he loved Crimson. And it bothered her.

He didn’t need his abilities to read Lucy most of the time, but they helped because she

never told him what was bothering her. Only sniped at him and Crimson. With two words,
he could alleviate her worries. He liked Crimson. He loved her in a way. But he wasn’t in

16

Mechele Armstrong

love with her. Never had been. She didn’t love him, either. But they got along well, they had
great sex, and the biting suited both their needs.

Not a monogamous relationship.

It had never been Lucy for him sexually, though. The rest of his band understood what

he had to give and took it. She always wanted more. Damn, he never should have fallen
asleep with her last night. That indicated an intimacy that didn’t exist.

What should he do about Lucy? She’d been with him three years, ever since he’d

rescued her from her pimp. All of his band came from the streets. He wasn’t in love with
Lucy either, nor anyone else; he wasn’t sure he knew what true love was. He tacked the
questions about Lucy in the back of his mind. Right now, his focus needed to be Crimson.
He’d deal with one situation at a time.

Tad peeked his head into the room. “Bastian?”

“Yes, T?”

“Jake called.”

Bastian sat up, the sheet falling around his middle. Tad’s eyes followed the movement,

and he swallowed, licking his lips. Bastian ignored the heating of his blood at the simple
movement. Tad couldn’t see his rising erection under the sheet. Good thing, because Tad
would act on it. Not that that was a bad thing. But not a good time right now. “What did he
want?”

“Ten minutes ago, Crimson showed up for work.”

“What the hell?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

17

Chapter Three

Copper smiled as she set the drinks down in front of the pot-bellied pig who’d made a

game of trying to rub her boobs at every opportunity with whatever he had available. “Can I
get you anything else, sir?” She made her voice syrupy sweet.

“Oh darling, the things you could get me.” He slid his forearm against a nipple. “Oh,

sorry. Didn’t realize you were so close.”

She gritted her teeth. The touch hadn’t been accidental. The things she’d like to get

him. Lobotomy came to mind. At the very least, castration. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

“Hurry back now.”

Copper scurried for the waiting chicken wings to deliver to another table.

“Crimson, you are rocking tonight.” Barb slid two Jack Daniels across the bar top to

her, his meaty hands making the glasses look tiny. “I’ve never seen you hustle like this.
Especially lately. And you’re not looking so pale like you have been, either.”

“Thanks.” She grabbed the drinks, positioning them on the tray.

“I thought Jake would fire you for sure.”

Copper didn’t comment but moved to deliver the orders.

What she’d expected from Lucky’s Bar, she got. A dive. A smoke-filled bar with a small

stage to the side and tables everywhere. Neon signs dotted the wall, barely showing in the
murky air. She could see the smoke drifting as she delivered appetizers and drinks ordered by
people well on their way to becoming drunk. And no sign of Lucky. Only Jake, a tight-
mouthed, bald-headed guy in a suit, and Barb, the burly tattooed bartender. She bet no one
made fun of Barb’s name. Or at least if they did, they did only once.

She’d waitressed before, so she caught on fast to Crimson’s duties.

She walked by the asshole pig table, and he flicked her skirt up.

18

Mechele Armstrong

Diane, the other waitress, gasped loudly from the table behind her. Great. She’d seen

Copper’s underwear.

Back at the bar, Diane whispered, “I have some extra shorts.” She pressed them into

Copper’s hand. “Here you go. I’ll cover your tables.”

Copper trekked off to the bathroom with them. Once in the brighter lighting of the

dingy restroom, she looked at them. Short black shorts with “Get lucky at Lucky’s bar” and
several kiss marks that would ride over her ass. “Crim, you have got to have the worst taste
in jobs. And men.” She went into a stall and slid them on.

Coming out the door, she lifted her skirt. One lipstick mark sat right over her pubic

bone. “Oh, now this is classy. Lipstick marks? Like some girl kissed my pussy?” She shook her
head. “And, I showed my panties to the jerkoff for no reason. I bet you had a pair of these
somewhere. What did I tell you about putting your job uniform all together?”

Her eyes flickered to the mirror. A woman had opened the stall door next to the one

she’d been in and blinked at her in the reflection. She scurried out the door without a word.
Probably to tell her friend about the nut in the bathroom talking to herself.

Copper rubbed her face. “I have gone off the deep end.” She’d better find out

something about her sister here. Or she would get pissed off.

* * * * *

Diane slid by Copper at the bar. “Someone is asking for your time, Crimson.”

“My time?”

“Your time.” Diane nodded.

“Go take care of them,” Barb mouthed over the roaring sounds of the blender.

She’d gotten the impression from the security guard earlier that Crim’s duties might

include more than serving a few drinks. Hoped it had been rumor, not fact. How much
would she be expected to do?

“He’s in the back room. He already saw Jake.” Diane picked up a tray full of drinks

meant for Copper’s tables.

Great. Now where the hell was the back room?

Copper took a deep breath as she headed in the direction of the back. A door past the

bathroom held a sign, which read “Employees only.” The only other doors led outside and to
the kitchen. She’d figured this was the storeroom, but it had to be what they had talked
about as the “back room.”

She opened the door and stepped into the dark room. Pitch-black to her light-

accustomed eyes. Even the dimly lit bar had more light than this. Her hand reached for the
light switch she could make out with the illumination from the open door.

“Don’t turn on the light,” a deep voice murmured. “And shut the door.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

19

She let her hand fall. And shut the door behind her.

“Lock it.”

Swallowing, she pushed the button on the door knob. How far was she going to go?

How far could she go? She’d never been into doing the same things Crimson did. She liked
sex as much as the next person. But she’d never sold her body. Even when she had the
chance. But pretending to be Crimson, she had to live in Crimson’s world.

She took a step forward.

“Now you can turn on the light.”

Sliding her hand back, she did. Mister Pig leered at her, sitting on an empty shallow

wooden shelf that ran the length of the room on one cinder-blocked wall. His rear
overflowed it and it creaked as he moved. How long would that rickety thing hold his
weight? She was surprised it hadn’t broken already. Unless that was where the sex happened.
Maybe they were reinforced? A shudder escaped her. Had Crimson fucked men on that
shelf?

She’d been right, it was partially a storeroom. Boxes were piled along both sides of the

small room, stuffed full of peanut cans and liquor bottles.

“I paid for a dance from you. Do me right, and I’ll spend even more.”

A dance? That wasn’t so bad.

She moved like music played, shimmying her hips.

“A lap dance.” He snickered. “Are you messing with me?”

Copper squared her shoulders like she marched into war. She’d never done a lap dance

before. Tried to recall scenes from movies where she’d seen it done.

She sauntered over, swinging her hips with an exaggerated slide. Catching his eyes

with her own, she lowered her face with a sexy grin. Or at least an attempt at one, under the
circumstances. As she leaned her body in, she arched back, sliding up and down, straddling
his lap. He became her pole as she shifted up and down, barely touching his body with her
curves. She thrust her chest out, and the V neckline from two unbuttoned buttons dipped
into the valley between. He lifted his head, peering down her shirt as much as he could.

“You are stacked. I bet your tits look so pretty.” His greasy blond hair shook out,

brushing her chin.

Copper tried not to roll her eyes.

Please let this be over soon.

He put his hands out, grasping her hips.

“Ah, ah. No touching.” She had no idea if that was a rule for lap dancing or not. She

gyrated her pelvis against him. He moaned and squeezed her hipbones harder before
releasing them.

“Aren’t you supposed to be nekkid for this?” His accent twanged.

20

Mechele Armstrong

Good question. She didn’t know the answer but figured she probably should be. Or

close to it. As close to it as she would get, that is.

She undid her outfit button by button. Slowly twisting each one, letting skin show as

cloth fell away. As she stepped back and turned to the side, the black garment fell to her feet
with a swish. She’d worn a black lace bra. That and the short shorts covered everything
amply. She’d worn bathing suits that covered less skin than this.

He made a noise sounding like “uhhhhh,” sending out breath reeking of sour alcohol.

She came closer, facing him again. His erection brushed her leg. She fought back the bile as
she wound up and down, thrusting her hips in tempo to a rhythm only she could hear.

Seems like they would have music for this. Her quick glance around spotted a portable

CD player. Oh. Too late now.

“You’re still not nekkid. Aren’t you supposed to be?” His beady eyes glittered with lust.

His hips jerked.

“House rule. No nakedness.” She’d bet this was his first time because he asked about the

nakedness instead of stating it, so she could get away with stating house rules like she knew
them. Yes, she could bullshit with the best of them.

Copper slowly ran her hands down every inch of her body, tweaking a nipple through

her bra. Her hands caressed. He balled his up, probably itching to touch her the way she did.
If he touched her, she might lose it. Hardly believing she was doing this, she wanted to
smack him between his desire-filled eyes and kick him in his engorged cock. She’d never be
able to sell her body. Even for this cause.

“Honey, I’m paying for the rest of it. I heard tell you give the best blow in the house.

Go on and blow me. I’ll square with your boss after the job.”

Oh, god.

A knock at the door had both their heads turning.

“Time’s up, Leroy.” Jake stood outside the door he’d slightly opened, key in hand.

“Damn.” Leroy slumped.

“And come on out, Crimson. All he paid for was the dance. I hope Diane told you that.”

Jack folded his arms over his chest.

Hallelujah for small favors. Copper grabbed her outfit and slid it back up. No wonder it

was one piece. Easy to put on and take off. And didn’t muss the hair.

“One day, honey, I’ll have money and pay for a suck and fuck. Your bastard boss

wouldn’t let me. Said I had to do only this, you weren’t putting out tonight.” He adjusted his
pants, grabbing his cock. “Damn, I’m going to have to jack off before I leave. I can’t even
walk straight.”

Jake muttered for her ears as she passed. “I’m surprised he finally had the money for

this. He’s been bugging me for ages. You know how family is.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

21

She nodded, scurried away from Jake, and then blew out a breath. Please let her be

gone by the time Leroy came back. And please let him be her only customer tonight.

* * * * *

Tad leaned back in his chair. “Crimson’s going to shit bricks when she sees you.” His

short brown hair looked raggedy. He probably had Lucy cut it. Tad didn’t like people
messing with his hair.

Bastian took a swig of his vodka. “Maybe.” He tucked his dark glasses into his pocket.

Scratched at his arms. He hated the sun. Granted, it was good he didn’t burst into flames like
vampires were supposed to. But still it aggravated him when he had to be in it.

They saw the red-headed beauty come from the back. She shook her head as the other

waitress spoke to her.

“Hell, she’s fine and dandy. All the worrying ...”

Bastian held up a hand. “Shut up, Tad.”

He watched her take a tray and head for a table.

If he didn’t know Crimson’s twin was identical, he’d think like Tad, who had no idea.

What was her name again? He’d gotten accustomed to thinking of her as the sister.
Something red ... Copper, yes, that was it. The sameness was overwhelming. The differences
were almost imperceptible. Especially to humans who didn’t have the eyesight he did. Her
breasts looked bigger, fuller. Crim’s build was leaner. Probably because unless someone made
her, she forgot to eat. Nothing existed that would tip anyone off that Copper wasn’t who she
claimed to be. Over the alcohol and smoke, he could smell her. Lavender and coconut. And
something that was uniquely her and different than Crimson. He could get lost in that scent,
exult in it for hours.

Desire, pure and unfettered, slammed him as his cock hardened. A part of him looked

at this woman and wanted to claim her on the tables in front of every man there. He
swallowed, clenching the edge of his table to keep from getting up. Never had he reacted to
anyone like this. Her eyes met his briefly, but quickly ducked down.

Jake approached. “She did it. The dance. How come you didn’t want her to do anything

else? Crimson’s never minded it, and you haven’t minded sharing.”

“Did you tape it?” Bastian’s breathing wouldn’t come back under control. Lust choked

his airway.

“I always do. I don’t understand why you’re controlling what she does. You never have

before.” Jake’s face contorted in puzzlement. He wiped his hands on his black suit, which he
always wore. He’d probably play tennis in one. Bastian had never seen him in anything else.

“I want to see the tape.” Bastian wanted to see what Copper had done. He’d had his

people follow her from the airport. But he’d never expected her to pretend to be Crimson.

22

Mechele Armstrong

How had she known to come in? “Jake, have you still been harassing Crimson about work?”
He’d gone in and erased Crimson’s messages after listening to them.

He smiled. “I knew I’d get her to come in. Come on, Bastian. The tape is in the security

room.”

Bastian got up and peered through his lashes at her. She’d gone back to the bar to pick

up another order. He passed within a few feet, her green eyes lifting to meet his. Searing
him. His body reacted, pulsing with need, with want. The sweet scent of her arousal drove
him wilder. He wanted to slam her against the wall and drive himself home. Instead, he
followed Jake on shaky legs with Tad trailing behind him.

* * * * *

Copper was being watched. The hairs on the back of her next prickled, tickling in their

anxiety. She looked down but scanned the room as unobtrusively as she could.

Finding the eyes that stared at her, she lifted her head. Heat started low in the base of

her pelvis and radiated up and out. His eyes bored into hers like he could X-ray in and see to
her core. Her breathing shallowed, panting in and out as she dropped her gaze but continued
to peek.

Even in the murky cigarette-smoked light, he was gorgeous. Short, ebony hair, which

looked thick and made her want to thread her fingers through it and feel the silky strands.
His blue eyes reminded her of a summer pool in the town where she grew up. Almost as if
she could dive off and swim in them. His tongue shot out to lick his lips, and it felt like a tug
on her clit. Moisture drenched her sex. White teeth parted those full, luscious lips, and she
ached to feel them nipping at her skin.

She blew out a breath. Boy, oh boy.

Diane stood beside her, and she hadn’t realized Diane had walked up. Jake approached

the table where the object of her attraction sat.

“Diane, who’s that dark-headed man?”

“Where?” Diane squinted to see where she pointed. She looked for a second, and then

turned wary eyes to Copper. “What do you mean who’s that? Are you joking around?”

Uh-oh. “Oh, you know me. Always joking. Ha ha.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t over there on his lap. You and Bastian are always messing

around.”

Copper’s hands shook as she poured a glass of water for her table. That man was her

sister’s boyfriend.

Oh Cop, you are evil for having those thought about him.

s

Blood Lines: Conduit

23

She watched him get up and follow Jake to the back of the bar. His eyes captured hers.

And singed her. Burned her all over as if he’d taken a match and lighted her with it. Then he
walked out, following Jake. The brown-haired man glared at her from behind Bastian.

Oh yes, this is burn in hell stuff. Coveting thy sister’s boyfriend.

Wait a minute, if he was Crimson’s boyfriend, and they were usually all over each

other, why hadn’t he come over to see her? Obviously, he’d spotted her. She shivered,
remembering that gaze. If he could do that with his eyes, what would he do with his hands?

Copper had already been puzzling why her boss hadn’t let more go on between her and

her client. Mr. Pig Man, Leroy, had said the boss wouldn’t let anything more happen. If
Crimson was doing more than that normally ... why had he limited it?

Did they suspect? No reason for them to. Unless boyfriend knew more about her than

she did about him.

* * * * *

Bastian sat down in the straight-backed chair, his erection straining against the wool of

his pants. Tad, who noticed everything, looked down and arched a brow.

“So even if she’s had you in knots worried about her, you still got it bad for the bitch,

huh?”

Tad always said what was on his mind. Unlike Lucy, who relied on Bastian’s abilities to

know what she wanted.

Jake popped in the tape, so Bastian settled back in the chair, ignoring Tad’s question.

Tad frowned but didn’t repeat it.

“OK, here it is.”

“It’s too dark to see anything,” Tad muttered.

“That’s because the light’s not on, dickhead.”

Tad opened his mouth to say something, and Bastian held up his hand. “Don’t, Tad.”

Jake was a strict heterosexual, uncomfortable with the idea of men with men. Tad

loved to bait and make the man react by questioning his sexuality.

Tad stuck his lip out. “Spoil my fun.”

They saw the door open on the screen. Light spilled into the room, bathing the goddess

in the doorway golden. Gods, she was lovely. Bastian swallowed, shifting in his seat.

“There she is.” Jake sat down in the chair by Bastian.

The door closed, and the light flipped on. He caught her frantic look like a rabbit

who’d been caught in the garden. It only graced her lovely face a second. Damn, he wanted
to jump into the tape and stop her pain. What was coming over him?

She shimmied around, dancing.

24

Mechele Armstrong

“What the hell did she do there? He paid for a lap dance. Crimson never dances like

that. And she’s usually a helluva lot better at it.” Jake smoothed down the lines of his suit,
nervousness apparent in the habitual motion.

She flipped her hair back and approached the man staring with beady piglet eyes,

starting the lap dance.

Two strong emotions flooded Bastian’s psyche. He wanted to run and tear the man’s

arm off, especially when he reached to Copper, grasping her hips. At the same time, he
wanted to be that man. Wanted to be the one she’d gone to, doing these things for. His cock
pushed against the seam of his pants, wanting freedom. Wanting to feel the woman against
it.

She dropped her outfit.

Bastian sucked in a breath, causing Tad to jerk his head to look at him. The grainy tape

didn’t do her justice. But that milk-white skin had to feel like silk. He wanted to pull the
clips out her hair and have her run that hair up and down his body. Then kiss between those
full hips and thighs.

“Does she ... take it all off?” Bastian’s voice came out hoarse, like he spoke through a

foghorn.

“No, she doesn’t. Yet another odd thing. You know how Crimson likes to strip. This is

as far as she goes.”

Too far in front of the other man for Bastian’s tastes. Licking his lips, he wanted her to

turn and face the camera so he could get a full frontal again, like he’d gotten when she’d
stripped, instead of this sideways view. He wanted to unsnap that bra and release her full
breasts, but for his eyes alone. Wanted to see them without any bindings. He wanted to kiss
her right on the kiss mark he’d seen at the apex of her thighs as she’d dropped the rest of her
clothing.

He panted. Jake didn’t comment on his obvious state of arousal. No such luck with Tad.

“I’ve never seen you react to Crimson this way.” Tad’s frown had come back.

“Jake, no more clients. And I want her watched.”

“Bastian, she’s the most popular girl I have. I can’t stop. It will cost me money.”

“I’ll make sure you don’t lose any.” Bastian leaned back. “No more clients.”

Jake shrugged. “Whatever you want. Remember, you aren’t my boss. I do things for

you for mutual favors.”

Bastian nodded. “I know. And I want the tape.”

Jake handed it over.

“What if she asks questions?” Jake scratched his chin.

“Tell her no one has asked for her.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

25

Jake let them out through the back entrance. Bastian didn’t want to chance seeing the

woman again and not being able to fight his primal side. Last thing he needed was to take her
in the middle of a bar. He had enough problems.

“Bast?” Tad fell into step with him.

“Yes?”

“What’s going on? You’ve never reacted like this to anyone. Even Crimson before

today. Like you want to screw her so badly you can’t control it. I saw everything that
happened to you.”

“I ... don’t know, Tad. I don’t know.”

“What was Crimson feeling? Thinking?”

Bastian froze. Stood still. “I don’t know.” He heard the surprise tingeing his voice.

“You didn’t read her?”

It hadn’t hit him until now. “I couldn’t read her. I didn’t pick up on anything.”

“Didn’t read her? Or couldn’t read her?”

Bastian ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure I was trying.”

“Do you still read me?” Tad took a step to face him, frowning.

Bastian pushed out with his mind. “Yes. Yes, I can. I don’t read you all the time, Tad.

You know that.”

“Then why couldn’t you read Crimson? You always have before.”

He wasn’t sure why he wanted to keep Crimson’s sister a secret. Perhaps it was how

she affected him. But keep it a secret he did. “I don’t know, Tad.”

He’d never been unable to read anyone before. His maker, Henri, had told him his

psyche had strength most vampires didn’t have. He read without trying, unlike most
vampires. Did it like breathing. People he was around all the time -- he tried not to, but even
when he wasn’t trying, he did. He’d gotten nothing from this girl. Why would a human be
blocked from him?

26

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Four

Copper yawned as she walked down the dusty hallway to Crimson’s apartment. They

needed to change burned out light bulbs once in a while. And clean up the dead bugs.
Fatigue weighed down her limbs like she’d swum for hours. Been a long time since she
waitressed.

She rounded the corner. A man stood at the door to the apartment. Or rather, as she

got closer, a kid. He looked barely legal, with close-cut brown hair and a lanky body.

“Hello, Crimson.” Not the lazy southern drawl of the deep South. And not the voice of

an adolescent with breaks and high pitches either.

“Hi.” She took a deep breath. The less she said the better.

“Bastian sent me to fetch you. Why the hell he wants me to, I don’t know.”

The boyfriend. He’d sent for Crimson. She let out a nervous breath. Bastian believed

she was Crimson. A good thing. He probably didn’t know Crimson had a twin. But now he
wanted to see her. Not sure if that was bad or good. “Let’s not keep him waiting.”

He glared at her. “After you.”

They headed back toward the stairs. She quelled the shaking in her legs. Impersonating

her sister at work was one thing. This was something different. She’d waited for him to
approach her in the bar. But he’d disappeared, and she hadn’t seen him again. Why hadn’t he
confronted her there?

The guy took her down to a Jaguar. Climbing in, he started it, gunning the motor. “So

why aren’t you babbling about how you didn’t mean to frighten anyone? You usually have
more excuses than a whore has dick.”

Copper narrowed her eyes. “I do not.” Crimson didn’t make excuses for her behavior.

She did what she wanted to.

Blood Lines: Conduit

27

He snorted. His raggedy hair framed his face. Looked like he’d been trimmed with a

hedge trimmer. He had full, sensual lips and almond eyes, in shape and color. “Tell it to
Bastian. He’s the only one who believes that.”

They spent the rest of the ride in strained silence.

When they turned into the driveway, Copper gaped. She shouldn’t be gaping; she acted

like herself with that action and not Crimson, but she couldn’t help it. The house loomed; no
other word could describe it. Multi-colored stone and dark wood led to an intricate system of
roofs that had the appearance of being thatched. It had a rounded tower like something out
of Rapunzel. Massive windows probably bigger than she was. She’d never seen anything like
it.

After parking, the boy watched her. “What are you looking at?”

Copper leaned forward, moistening her lips with a flick of tongue. “Nothing. Just

looking.”

“Don’t try the tongue trick on me. Save it for Bastian.”

“You know, you really don’t like me, do you?” Would he notice she’d never called his

name? She crossed her fingers where they were shoved under her thigh on the seat.

“Boy, someone gave you IQ pills while you were gone. Maybe that was a good thing.”

“I’m not stupid. I’ve known you don’t like me. I want to know why.”

His entire face lengthened as he laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re asking

why? Like you care.”

“I do.”

“Because you will hurt Bastian. And he doesn’t deserve it. Like you don’t deserve him.

Come on. Let’s find Bastian and end this heart-to-heart that you’ll forget about in two
seconds.”

Ouch. After exiting the car, Copper fell into step behind him. Damn, not knowing

names was difficult. Crimson had never exactly been known for her people skills. But she’d
never been that much of a bitch. They walked up the massive, curling steps to the heavy,
wooden front door. Copper stopped mid-step as a thought hit her. Crimson had only been a
bitch when she’d gone without her daily dose of S&M. People could do S&M responsibly.
Not her sister. She had an addiction like people did to drugs, alcohol, food. Moderation -- not
something Crimson practiced.

The door banged shut behind them.

“Tad. You know you’re not supposed to slam that ... Oh.”

Copper took in the petite blonde bombshell in a body-hugging halter-top and jeans.

Her brown eyes seemed so big in her slender face. Hungry eyes. Like a wolf.

“Lucy, where’s Bastian?”

“He said he’d be in his room when you got back. He didn’t tell me you’d found her.”

28

Mechele Armstrong

“As Bastian tells me constantly, he doesn’t have to tell us everything.” Tad swiveled his

head to glare at Copper. “Come on, Crim. Let’s go.”

“You’re going to escort me up there?” She waited until he moved, tagging along behind

him. Copper ascended the cool marble staircase. One glance back told her Lucy glared,
watching them. At the top of the steps, another glance back revealed more glaring. Great.
Another Crimson fan.

They walked down a long hallway. Tad pushed open the door, and they went into a

bedroom. Bastian’s. A small, Tiffany-style lamp was the only light breaking the darkness.
Heavy, full-length curtains covered the huge windows she’d seen from outside. Crimson’s
place had been darkened, too. An obscenely huge bed was the centerpiece of the room. It
had dark wooden posts and dark linens. It would have dwarfed a smaller room but fit this
one well.

“I brought her.”

“Leave us.” She’d missed the figure sitting in a wingback chair. His voice, deep.

Familiar. It sent a shiver along her body. His eyes narrowed. He hadn’t missed it.

“Bastian ...”

“Do it, Tad.”

Tad frowned one more time, glaring at her, then stalked out of the room, slamming the

door.

“I think he’s angry at me.”

Bastian leaned back. “You think? You know Tad. Does what he wants and trusts he’ll

get away with it.”

“Oh, yeah.” The voice. The one on the phone. He’d been there the night Crimson had

called her. She clenched her hands, nails biting into the palms.

Don’t give this up too soon.

“Are you going to have a seat, Crimson? Or stand there wringing your hands together?

I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that. Everything all right?”

“I’m fine.” She shook her hair back and stalked over to him.

You’re Crimson.

She

straddled his lap. His breath caught in his chest. “I’m more than fine now that I’m here with
you.”

Bastian swallowed, his head shooting off rockets at her nearness. His cock twisted to

full attention in the wrong place, a seam biting into it. Her scent intoxicated him. He kept his
eyes from her breasts, so full, begging for his touch. His hands bit into the chair arms to keep
from wrapping around her, dragging her against him and having her ride him in the chair. A
strangled sound rumbled up from his chest.

“Are you now? Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? Running from me?” His breath

came out rushed and forced.

Blood Lines: Conduit

29

She rubbed against his lap. His cock perked up even more at her touch.

“I’d never avoid you, baby. Thought you were avoiding me.” Copper poked her lips out

in a sulk that looked like pure Crimson. “You didn’t come over to me tonight. Barely looked
at me.” She slid down, sitting straddle-style on his lap, warming it like molten lava had been
poured down him.

“I decided to leave you alone. Let you work. You haven’t exactly been available for me

to see.” Bastian leaned back. “Where have you been, Crimson? I’ve been worried.”

“I’ve been around, baby. Needed a little bit of space; you know how I get sometimes.”

He gripped her arms tight in his hands. Squeezed them hard enough to leave marks.

“Have you been in the scene again?”

“You’re hurting me,” she bit out between clenched teeth. “Scene?”

Bastian could smell her fear. Every pore oozed it. He still couldn’t read her mind.

Couldn’t sense anything. He’d forgotten how much he depended on the ability. He did it like
breathing, involuntarily. A lot of vamps had to continually concentrate to link to their kind
or read humans. He didn’t. And never expected to encounter someone he couldn’t read. That
was why, at first, he hadn’t realized it. “You know what I mean. Do I need to check you all
over? Look for whip and handcuff marks?”

Her body slumped. Relaxed. She gave him a sultry smile. “No marks on me. But you

can check me out anytime you like.”

He let his finger reduce their grip on her arm. “Let’s do it now.”

“Now?” she squeaked, her eyes widening.

“Now.” He brushed a hand across her face. Smooth and soft like cotton. He wanted to

run his fingers all down her skin. How far would she take this?

Copper ran a hand through her hair and leaned back. Button by button, she unlooped

them, exposing inch by inch of creamy flesh. He caught sight of a few freckles. He could take
chocolate and have a rousing game of dot to dot. Arching his hips up, he caught her eye,
rubbing his cock against her.

She shot up further, escalating the striptease. Her face flushed, a lovely shade of red.

She shimmied the one-piece outfit down her legs, losing contact with his lap. He missed her
skin touching his.

She held out her arms. “See? No marks.”

“Turn around.”

She complied, swiveling slowly around like she stood on a turn plate. “Satisfied?”

Not hardly. Bastian wanted to sink his teeth into that firm ass, accentuated so clearly

by the tight-hugging, black latex shorts. Wanted to cup it in both hands, see how well the
cheeks fit. His mouth couldn’t get any drier nor could he get any harder.

She’d done a full turn and arched a brow at him. “Anywhere else you’d like to check?”

30

Mechele Armstrong

Hell, yeah. “I could check your breasts. You’ve always liked to be bitten there.”

He saw the tic beat for a second in her jaw and a swallow moved down that long,

slender neck, bringing his attention to the pulse beats. She reached around her back,
fumbling, and then the bra fell forward as she shrugged it off.

Heat slammed into his solar plexus. So beautiful. Two firm mounds with pale pink

nipples. Unbitten. Rounded and curvy. So he could get drier and harder. And hornier.

He reached out, cupped under her breast. An electric pulse zinged him. She gasped,

and he jumped. He’d never felt anything like it. Moaning, she leaned into his hands as his
thumbs came up to caress her hardening nipples. He moved closer to suck them into his
mouth.

She shook her head, panting, moving back.

She wasn’t Crimson.

He dropped his hands. He couldn’t take her until she knew he

knew who she was. And he wasn’t ready to give up the charade yet. He didn’t know where
Crimson was. The easiest way to keep Copper out of trouble would be to keep her with him.
He could look for Crimson at his leisure, and her sister would stay safe.

“I have to go out. I want you to stay here. Tad will escort you to and from work. Until I

find out where you’ve been the last week or so.” Bastian bolted, retreating before he touched
her more than he already had.

* * * * *

Evangeline sighed and tossed back her hair.

“Your locks are like gossamer silk. So luxurious.” The boy toy’s hand weaved a path on

her thigh. They sat in an oversized black armchair together.

Somehow his Southern accent drew out the words. “Gossamer silk? Where do you

come up with words like that?”

His full lips poked out in a mock pout. “I found it on a Word of the Day calendar.”

She laughed. “Oh, Raphael. You are my favorite. You never cease to amaze me in more

ways than that big strong lance you have between your thighs.”

“I try, milady.” His long, dark hair swung around his lean brown body. Naked, his

semi-aroused penis jutted out. In her day, he would have had to cover up such loveliness
with layer upon layer of silks, wool, or lace. A crime to do so.

Most of Raphael’s language and courtesan skills came from reading old gothics and

medieval romances, and he hadn’t studied the Victorian time frame. But she appreciated his
efforts to bond with her.

A mumble sounded from the bed where Crimson still lay tied. She whimpered,

breathing deep, her eyes closed. The prisoner slept.

Blood Lines: Conduit

31

Evangeline studied the girl. What made Bastian enamored of this one? He’d had

beauties who’d graced his house for decades. No less beautiful than Crimson. But never had
he felt anything serious for them, nor did he feel for this one. But he’d try to save her all the
same.

Someone who didn’t love had taken her love. Now the time to pay had come.

“Are you dreaming?” She leaned close in to whisper, “What do you dream of, pet?”

Raph’s hand inched into her upper thigh. She leaned back and spread her legs, giving

him easy access to her sex. He strummed her clit. She pressed harder into his palm.

“Do you dream of Bastian? Riding to the rescue like in the romance books? He will, you

know. That’s his fatal flaw. He will come to me, even knowing I will kill him. All because of
one simple human girl.”

Mary’s face flashed before her, eyes beseeching even as she’d gone to earth, looking to

Evangeline to stop it. Only she hadn’t been able to. She put her hand up over her face, even
as her lower body bucked, trying for a climax. “Stop!”

Raphael stilled the ministrations of his hand. She pushed it away. Leaped off the chair

and grabbed a marble statuette from a black lacquer dresser. Tossed it across the room.
“Nooo, Mary. Please, I tried to save you. Don’t look at me with those wanting eyes. Please.”
She picked up a second statuette.

A hand on her shoulder gripped her shoulder. “Noo!” She turned, slinging the statue

into Raph’s head. He slumped in a heap on the floor. Her hand covered her mouth. “Nooo.”
Evangeline dropped the marble figure and fell to her knees.

She stroked Raph’s cheek even as his eyes rolled back in his head. Sometimes, she

forgot how fragile mortals were. How easily broken. He’d been trying to comfort her.

Bastian’s fault. All Bastian’s fault. He’d killed the one person she’d ever loved. Made

her crazy with grief. All his fault.

“Raphael’s blood is on your hands too, demon. I hope you’re happy. And I hope you rot

deep down in Hades when I kill you.”

She ran her hands through her hair. Raph had been right. Gossamer. Like silk. She

traced his throat, letting out a little laugh. How fragile he’d been. Yet another casualty to lay
at her enemy’s feet.

A movement drew her attention from Raphael’s body to the bed. Crimson’s eyes stared

wide into hers.

“Awake, my pet?” Evangeline stood, drawing herself up to her full height. “Did you

have a peaceful slumber?”

The fear, the agitation rolled off the beauty’s body in waves like a troubled sea. “I slept

well, Evangeline.” She struggled to keep her voice level, keep it calm.

Evangeline clapped her hands together. “Oh, how nice. You used my name without

being prodded. You are learning, pet. Are you hungry? Need some water?”

32

Mechele Armstrong

Crimson’s legs quaked, shaking the bed slightly. “I would like some water. Thank you.”

“You’re in a much better mood today.” Evangeline picked up a pitcher and poured

some water into a cup. “Much better language too.” She knelt down, looking at the girl’s side.
“Healing nicely. Sorry if we hurt you when we fed. But you needed the healing properties of
our mouths.” Crimson had passed out when they’d fed. “Here you go. Here’s the water, pet.”

She tossed the cup’s contents into Crimson’s face, who blanched and leaned back. Her

tongue came out, trying to capture any droplets she could.

“Oh, pet. I can think of so many uses for that tongue. Slurping me. Licking me. Dueling

with mine. They had duels back in my time. Did you know that? Silly little things.”

“Please, Evangeline. I don’t want to do this anymore. I ... thought I did. But now I want

to go. You can still get Bastian without me.”

Evangeline sat down on the bed. “You are a silly thing, like those duels. I guess it’s time

I told you. You will never have the gift of immortality. Yes, I lied. Shocking, isn’t it? The
plan was always to lure Bastian out here when the moment was right. Kill you in front of
him. And then kill him. He has to suffer. Suffer for his sins. He was once a Catholic, so he’ll
know all about doing penance.” She clucked her tongue. “I hate to kill you. But you’re part of
the penance.” She shrugged.

“No. Please. Fuck you. You evil bitch!” Crimson struggled against the bonds.

“Struggle all you want, pet. I know how to tie a good knot. I thought about using cuffs.

But it seemed like overkill. And your language is back. Maybe later I will get Evan to deal
with you.”

A knock sounded on the large doors.

“What? I asked not to be disturbed.”

Evan, looking all of the lawyer he was, strode through the door. His eyes flickered to

Raphael’s body. He made no comment, but turned his vision to Evangeline. Evan, always so
direct and worshipful.

“Get someone in here to deal with that. And find me a new favorite.”

“Yes, Mistress.” He dashed to the door, bellowed for others. Came back to stand in

front of her, ducking his head down. “I have news.” Evangeline got up and his eyes bugged,
his neck craned to the girl on the bed. “What’s wrong, Evan?”

“I ... I thought she’d escaped again.”

Evangeline turned, looking at Crimson, struggling against her bonds. “Now why would

you think that?”

“She showed up for work today. I saw her, Mistress. With my own eyes.”

Two men scurried in to pick up Raph and dispose of him.

“That’s impossible. The girl is right here.” Evangeline gestured with her hands.

“I can’t explain it, Mistress.” He shook his head, ducking it down again in reverence.

Blood Lines: Conduit

33

“Pet. Have you been holding out on me?” She ran her hand up Crimson’s side, and then

stroked a round breast in her ascent.

“I won’t tell you

shit!

”

Evangeline sighed. “Such a waste. I need the information right away. I don’t have time

to play any more games with you. But your pleasure is in pain, so how to get it?” She tapped
her chin.

“Fuck you.”

Evangeline darted out a finger. “Bingo. I think that’s the ticket to get the information I

want. As my touch disturbs you so much. Thanks for the idea, pet.”

Her eyes turned to the men struggling with Raph. One of them, a lean muscular one,

was still underage for drinking. His brown hair was cropped close on his neck. His muscles
strained, but he didn’t struggle as much as the blond.

“You? What’s your name again?”

“Mike.” Evan pulled off some lint from his wool suit. “What are we going to do about

this poser? If Bastian thinks the girl is back, he won’t come here to find her.”

“I didn’t ask you the name, Evan.” He swallowed, lowering his chin. “And I will find

out everything I need to know from Crimson. Mike, let him get that. You come with me.”
She laughed. “I made an interesting choice of words.” She leaned down and kissed Crimson’s
nipple. Mike sauntered up to the bed. “You’ll tell me, won’t you pet? Everything I want to
know and more.”

Crimson squirmed on the bed. “No. Leave me alone.”

“When you tell me what I want to know. If you don’t, I will take you, Crimson. Do all

those crude things to you that you hate. All you have to do to avoid my touch is tell me who
the girl is. I’m guessing ... sister. Or cousin. But you will talk.” She went back to laving
Crimson’s nipple. “Leave us, Evan. See if you can find out who the look-alike is. But I won’t
have anything spoil my plans with Bastian.”

Evangeline sucked on Crimson’s breast and rubbed a lazy hand along her thigh. They

heard the click of the door as Evan left, and Crimson screamed.

34

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Five

Bastian ascended the tall staircase, his bare feet sinking into the plush red carpet. As

flame-red as Copper’s hair. It would be so silky running over his fingers. Or wisping over his
body as she went down on him. His hardness took his breath away. He’d never wanted a
woman more than he did the one down the hall.

Looking for one woman while another pretended to be her. Damn, but he could get

into a situation. There had been no sign of Crimson. He’d run out of leads, out of checks, out
of time. If trouble had found her, he was probably too late to save her.

Aren’t you always? To

save the ones who matter.

He’d never give up. Not only because of Copper but for his own reasons. Copper would

hate him if he didn’t save her sister. He had no idea how Crimson would react to his feelings
for her sister. A messed up situation. Crimson didn’t love him, never had. But jealousy often
reared its head where you least expected it. Damn, he needed to find the woman.

It was nerve-wracking and refreshing all at the same time not to know what Copper

had in her mind.

Breathing heavily, desire humming through his veins, he skulked down the long

corridor. Slipped open the door.

I’m nuts.

He didn’t need these problems in his life. But here he went, into Crimson’s

room where her sister lay sound asleep on the bed.

Tousled in the silken sheets. One pale leg wrapped around them. Bared. She wore a

gray T-shirt. Nothing like what Crimson wore to bed. Leather or lace and seduction
incarnate. And yet, the slender legs peeking out of the Cardinal’s T-shirt enticed him to look.
To salivate. To imagine caresses of fingers, tongue and teeth up her muscular calf to the
inside of one silken thigh, until he reached her center. He’d part her pubic hair, sure to
match the hair on her head, and find that button of pleasure, strumming it until she

Blood Lines: Conduit

35

screamed. Sink into her wetness, find nirvana between her legs. Bury so deep into her pussy,
they’d be as one.

Her nipples puckered, elongating, visible through her shirt. He wanted to nip them

with his teeth. Pierce them with his fangs. Take blood from that tender spot first. His hunger
drew in and knotted his insides. Sexual. Blood. All ran together like paints on a canvas until
there was only one writhing, burning want inside him.

She let out a throaty moan.

Dreaming. She was lost in those realms. Did she dream of him?

Gods, let her.

Bastian’s mouth dried. He turned fast on his heels, striding back out of the room.

Almost daylight. If she woke, he’d take her.

* * * * *

Hours later, Bastian woke to the door being nudged open and closed. His breath

caught. Copper? His nose quickly scented Tad. Damn. He sighed in disappointment. Hardly a
fair reaction to the boy, but not something Bastian could help.

Tad padded to the bed, clothes dropping on the way, making soft swooshes against the

carpeted floor.

“I know you’re awake, Bastian. Like I could sneak up on you.” Tad snorted. He slid in

under the sheets. His leg brushed Bastian’s. The contact deliberate. Slid it across again like
they were crickets.

“Aren’t you supposed to be watching C-Crimson?” Bastian almost called her Copper.

He had to watch that. It would get things found out quickly. Tad, for all his smart-ass bluster,
was no dummy.

“Pope is watching her.” Tad’s warm hand slid up Bastian’s calf and then further up his

thigh. A light touch. Gliding over the skin. Tad’s erection brushed against him, rocking
lightly against his leg.

Bastian sucked in a breath. Tad’s hand close by his cock. It jerked to get attention.

Closing his eyes, Bastian tried to give himself over to the sensations. Tad grasped him firmly,
pumping, measured strokes that knew exactly how to bring the most pleasure.

All he could see in front of his closed eyes was red hair. Flashing emerald eyes. All he

could see, Copper.

“No.” Bastian grabbed Tad’s wrist.

“No?”

“No.” Bastian had never taken anyone fantasizing about someone else, and he wouldn’t

start now. Damn it to hell. Not fair to Tad. To Copper. Or to himself.

Even in the natural light, Bastian saw the hurt prickle in Tad’s eyes, though his face

stayed neutral. “Why?” He sat partway up. The sheet slid down, uncovering his body to the

36

Mechele Armstrong

waist. Bastian admired the exposed flesh. He’d explored every pore. But it didn’t captivate
him the way it had once. The way it had before he’d seen Copper.

“Because I said no. Crimson’s back.”

“Oh, bullshit. You’ve never turned me down before. Not for Crimson or anyone else.

You’ve had sex in your bed with Crimson down the hall. Nothing different than that tonight.
Or is there?” Tad’s eyes narrowed.

“Nothing is different. I ... I just got her back. I don’t want to jeopardize that.”

“Hell, Crimson has never cared who you screwed. Or you her. Why start now? And

don’t you need to feed?”

“Tad, I can’t tonight. I won’t tonight. Neither sex or feeding. Go look after Crimson.

Like you were ordered to do.”

“You’ve never treated me like an employee before.” Tad’s voice sounded bruised,

confused. If Bastian tried anything now to comfort or to appease, he’d hurt Tad more. He
didn’t know why his attraction to Copper was so strong. But it overruled all his other desires.

“You’ve never given me cause to. Thaddeus.” Bastian went the bastard route.

Tad froze at hearing his whole name. The name he’d gone by on the streets when he’d

been pimped out by a drug pusher, who had sold Tad’s soul for the money he collected from
vampires. Only Bastian’s intervention had stopped his life from ending. Tad flipped him off,
not even grabbing clothes on his way out of Bastian’s room.

* * * * *

Copper plopped onto her mahogany four-poster bed with a sigh. Ran her hands over

the thick, down comforter on top of silk sheets. Everything in the room was dark, from black
or dark wood furnishings and accessories to the shades over the windows. Even the
chandelier looked like something out of a gothic castle, with lights that looked like candles
and didn’t give off much light.

Impersonating her sister among hostiles hadn’t been easy. And doing so with Bastian --

not a hostile, though he seemed more indifferent than she would have liked -- had been
much harder. Somehow, so far, she’d pulled it off.

He made her senses sing like the golden harp in the beanstalk story.

And he think

you’re your sister.

She lay back with a loud sigh. The only reason she had his attention -- he

believed she was someone else. Copper had never been jealous of her sister. Until now.

s

Running her fingers through that thick, short, ebony hair would be like owning a piece

of heaven. So many scenarios and fantasies. She closed her eyes.

I’m a horrid horrid person.

He had an inner magnet, which attracted her like no other. Like an iron shaving, she
couldn’t help but drift in his direction.

Please don’t let him be responsible for Crimson’s

disappearance.

His being there that night could mean nothing. Or everything. The

arguments went back and forth.

Blood Lines: Conduit

37

So far she knew nothing more than when she’d begun the charade. Well, except she

wanted her sister’s boyfriend in all the worst and best ways possible.

Tad shuffled in her room without a knock. “You want dinner?”

“I’d love some. I’m starving.”

He rolled his eyes. “Lucy fixed some spaghetti while we were at work.”

She arched a brow at him.

“Hey, I worked. I looked after you.”

Tad had escorted her to and from Lucky’s Bar today. He’d disappeared for a short while

and came back in a pissy mood. She hadn’t liked the grunge king who had kept watch on her
while he’d been gone. She hadn’t seen too much of Bastian. Luckily, no one had requested
anything other than drinks.

“Is Bastian eating with us?”

Tad stopped in front of her, causing her to run into his back. “What?”

She backed up a step. He turned to face her, his whole face crinkling. “Is Bastian going

to eat dinner with us? I was only curious, Tad.” She reached her hand up, then jerked it back
before she could check and see if she’d sprouted another head.

“OK, sometimes it seems like your IQ went up. Then you say stuff like that, when I

think you couldn’t be any stupider. Has Bastian ever joined us for dinner? Why would he
start now?” He shook his head and continued walking, rambling the whole time. “Unless
you’re going to slit your wrist into a goblet for him. Which isn’t a half bad idea. Especially if
you do it too deep.”

Copper took another step back, not following. Slit her wrists? What the hell did that

mean?

Tad turned at the bottom of the steps so like those at Tara in

Gone with the Wind.

“Are

you coming? I am not warming anything up for you.”

She took a breath. “I’m coming. And I thought maybe Bastian would join us as he’s not

spent much time around here lately.”

Tad frowned, but didn’t comment. She could see the torrent of emotion behind his

eyes. Bastian had secluded himself in his room. Was he avoiding her? She had no idea why.
Maybe Crimson had carried whatever had happened too far. But why wouldn’t he be kicking
her out or making up with her?

They entered the huge kitchen, as picturesque as the rest of the house, with an open

floor plan and lots of cabinets and a bar island to one side. The black stone countertops
looked like real marble, the cabinets all a dark-stained wood.

Lucy’s eyes narrowed, her lips compressed in a tight line. “Hello, Crimson.” Her voice

always snapped, at least her way. To Tad, it came out jovial. To Bastian, it sounded as syrupy
as a bottle of molasses. Lucy clung a lot to Bastian. Much more than Copper liked.

38

Mechele Armstrong

“Hello, Lucy. Should I check for arsenic in my food?”

Tad chuckled. “Only if you want to live.”

Halfway through dinner, Bastian strutted into the kitchen. Copper’s breath quickened

and her IQ diminished at the tight leather pants and open, button-down white shirt he wore.
Six-pack abs displayed openly. Such a pale expanse of flesh made her want to run her hands
over the planes and see if they were as defined as they looked. His erection strained against
the leather. He was huge-fucking-mongous. She swallowed, hard.

“Hello, Lucy. Tad.” He leaned over and kissed Copper until her vision swam. Nothing

deep. Not even tongue. How on earth could he make her that wet from a light kiss? She
clenched her thighs together. “Hello, Crimson.”

Lucy had looked away during the kiss and still had her head turned. As if, if she didn’t

see it, it didn’t happen. “Hello, Bastian. You’ve been away all day, locked in your room. I
missed you.”

Copper shook off the stupor his lips on hers had left her in. “I missed you, too, love.”

His smile toasted her down to her toes, alighting delicious shivers. “Missed you, too,

babe.”

Tad paused, his fork in midair. “Any sweeter in here, and I’ll die of diabetic coma.”

Bastian chuckled, going to the island and pouring himself a glass of wine. He sipped. So

far so good. Tad and Lucy were none the wiser to who Copper was. And she seemed unaware
that he knew who she was.

“So when are you going to feed again? Since you turned me down.” Tad’s eyes shut

lightly so he peeked through his lashes.

Bastian choked on his wine, coughing deeply in his chest. Oh, shit. Copper probably

had no idea he was a vampire. Talk like that continued, she would. “I’ll eat soon. Not hungry
right now.”

“Oh, Bastian. You need to feed. You’ve allowed yourself to go so hungry while Crimson

was gone.” Lucy glared at Copper with pupils like thrown daggers.

“I will soon. I promise, Lucy.”

“You should eat some spaghetti. It’s delicious.” Copper twirled some around her fork.

“Scrumptious, Lucy. You’ll have to tell me how to make it.”

Tad looked from Bastian to Copper. Bastian made a motion for him to keep quiet.

Damn it all to hell. So much for him being the only one knowing.

“You open a jar of Ragu. Boil some water for some noodles. Oh, wait, I forgot. You

don’t know how to boil water. And we could never allow you so close to all the sharp, pointy
things in the kitchen. I keep telling Bastian he shouldn’t even allow you near his fangs.”
Lucy’s voice rose several octaves.

Blood Lines: Conduit

39

“Lucy.” Bastian’s voice dropped.

She glared, looking down at her plate of spaghetti. Muttered something under her

breath.

Copper looked from person to person, her face an illustration of puzzlement. She didn’t

have enough pieces to put it together yet. But she would if this kept up.

“I’ll eat later, Crim.” He kissed her again. “I have to run out. Do some work.”

“OK.” Copper shook back her hair. He wanted to run his fingers through the silky

tendrils. His hand reached out but he quickly drew it back.

“I’ll walk you out, man. We need to talk.” Tad pushed to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

They walked out the back door into the cooling evening air.

“Tad ...”

“Who is she?”

Bastian ran a hand through his hair. “How do you know?”

“Come on, Bastian. It can’t be Crimson. Whoever that is, she has much more insight

than Crimson ever had, especially about people. But she’s stupider than hell about things she
should know. Like you being a vamp. Tonight’s reaction proved that.”

“She’s Crimson’s sister. Copper.”

“Twins? And damn, Crimson and Copper? Their mom must’ve had some good reefer to

do that.” Tad leaned back on his toes, stretching out his legs.

“Yes. Not quite identical. But to you they probably are.”

“Dammmnn. So Crimson’s still missing?”

“Yes. I’m still looking for her. Have feelers out everywhere. I haven’t sensed anything

that would be a threat to me.” Bastian’s frustrated tone sounded harsh. He needed to find
her. He had plenty of motivations. But no leads.

“Is she looking for her sister too?”

“I think so. I think that’s why she’s here. And why she’s doing this little role reversal.

She probably figures I had something to do with it. This way I can keep her here, contained.
Keep her safe.”

Tad pursed his lips. “I think you need to start thinking of enemies, Bast. Something

happened to Crimson. Even as much as I don’t like her, this isn’t like her. She liked this setup
too much to book on it.”

“My enemies are all vampires. I would sense if they came into town. Only thing I’ve

picked up new is some newly made ones.”

“What are you going to do with the sister? Once you find Crimson.”

Take her. “I don’t know yet. I ... I react to her ...” Bastian stopped. What would he do

once he found Crimson? About Crimson and Copper?

40

Mechele Armstrong

“Like a sailor coming into port with blue balls? Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“I’ve never had anything happen like it. And I still can’t read her.”

Tad sighed. “So what do you want me to do, oh fearless leader? And I take it I’m not

getting fucked by you anytime soon? I gave you ample opportunity in the bedroom today.”

Bastian allowed a smile he was sure looked wry. Tad, so earnest, so young, so like he’d

been. “She affects me like no other. I don’t know how I’m going to handle Crimson when I
find her. But I have got to explore these feelings.”

“You could ...”

“No. No, I owe it to Crimson to find her.”

“I bet sis freaks about vamps. She doesn’t know about you. Have you thought about

how she’ll react?”

“I know. I’ll deal with that when the time comes. As for what I want you to do, look

after Copper. I need her safe.”

“Well then, I’d better get back in there and make sure Lucy didn’t bean her or find

sharp stuff to use on her. You do need to feed. We don’t want you getting too hungry.”

“I will, Tad. Promise.” Problem was there was only one person whose blood he wanted

right now. And she’d freak. One problem at a time, though.

* * * * *

Copper pursed her lips. Lucy folded her arms and leaned back in the chair. Shook back

that mane of blonde hair. Glared at her with those glowing eyes of brown. A better “fuck
you” look had never been given.

Such an adversarial dinner, sitting across from Lucy at this small, dark wood table in

the kitchen. Hard to get comfortable on stiff red cushions. Did everyone have that problem
or just her? Maybe the kitchen didn’t like her either because no one else seemed to. So many
people lived here with Bastian.

Copper twirled some spaghetti around her fork. “How long have you been with

Bastian?” She counted on her sister’s apparent self-involvement. She doubted Crimson and
Lucy had ever had a conversation. This way, asking questions wouldn’t tip Lucy off she
wasn’t Crimson.

“What do you care?”

Copper took a bite and chewed. “I thought maybe we could get to know each other.”

“You’ve never once tried to get to know me before.” Lucy’s eyes hooded, shaded by

long blonde lashes.

“An even better reason for us to do it now.” Copper smiled, hoping she had no parsley

in her teeth. It would ruin the effect.

“I’ve been with Bastian three years. He rescued me. Like he does all of us.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

41

Rescued from what? Bastian had surrounded himself with a lot of young adults. She’d

assumed they worked for him in some way. Obviously not. She took a plunge to ask. “Who
from?”

“My pimp.” Lucy rolled her eyes. “You, of all people, know all of us came from the

streets.”

Copper nodded like she did know. Had she hidden her surprise? Bastian had taken all

these people off the streets? What the hell was he doing with Crimson? If he didn’t like
people who had sex for money? “Why do you hate me so much?”

Lucy’s eyes got round and big. Then her face clenched up. “Because you’ll hurt Bastian.

And you aren’t good enough to be the dog shit he steps over.”

OK. “Does everyone feel this way about me?”

Yes, let’s establish who Crimson’s

enemies were.

She ignored the little voice quoting the statistic about more crimes committed

against people by someone they knew. It couldn’t be Bastian.

Lucy nodded. Taking her bite and severing through a meatball. “Yes. Everyone does.”

That narrowed the field.

“You should leave again. Take off. Be better on Bastian that way.” Lucy took another

snagging bite off her fork. “If you disappeared.”

“I’m glad to see no blood has been spilled on this fine spaghetti.” Tad walked back in

grinning at them. He sat next to Lucy, who gave him a big smile. How quickly it turned into
a glare at Copper.

She sighed. Pretending to be Crimson in a kitchen full of utensils with people who

hated her sister’s guts ... she’d better keep her back to the wall.

* * * * *

Bastian straddled his bike. A light snap. A twig. From behind him. He slid his helmet

on. His nostrils caught the scent. He drove away, but doubled back. Ditched the bike and
moved in close.

The young vamp yawned, chatting on a cell phone. “He left. I’ve seen nothing of the

girl. Tell Eva I can’t make things happen.” He snorted, flicking a stain on his AC/DC T-shirt.
“I know she doesn’t like nicknames.”

Bastian waited until the vamp hung up and pocketed the phone into his jeans pocket.

Then jumped him where he staked out the back of Bastian’s house. Held him up by his
throat, fingers pressing the heavy silver link dog collar into the skin.

“What are you doing here?” Bastian didn’t need to ask. He could read all the vamp’s

thoughts. Dart, his vamp name. He’d been a vamp about two months.

“Get out of my head!”

42

Mechele Armstrong

“Evangeline. Well, well, well ... That’s a name I haven’t heard in years.” Damn. The

little boy vamp had no idea where his Mistress was. Out of the city. So Bastian couldn’t sense
her. “Go tell your Mistress I know she’s here. If she wants me, she should come get me.” He
dropped the little vamp on his rear.

Dart leaped to his feet, one long blond shock of hair obscuring one eye. Psychic

tendrils beat at Bastian’s mind, seeking entry. “You might as well kiss your ass goodbye.
When she’s done with you, you’ll wish you had.”

Bastian cocked his head to the side. “You are a cocky little son-of-a-bitch. The only ass

I’ll kiss goodbye is Eva’s. And I’d hate to be you and go tell her not only did I find you, but
that I know she’s nearby now.” He clucked his tongue. “She’s not quite that forgiving, unless
she’s changed with age.”

Dart’s face blanched.

“Oh, you want to know who the girl is? She’s my girlfriend, dickweed. And Eva won’t

be getting her grubby little hands on her.” Dart had been sent to watch. Damn, they knew
about Copper. Well not exactly. They knew someone who looked like Crimson had come
back. Dart had been assigned to find out who the hell she was. Bastian would bet his right
fang Evangeline had Crimson. She had to. Now, how to find Evangeline? May pretending he
didn’t know Copper wasn’t Crimson help in some way. “Now get out of here. And tell Eva,
no more spying. Unless she comes here to do it herself.”

Dart backed away, and then sprinted into the darkness. Evangeline would kill him. Or

have others do it. She didn’t take to failure well. He ducked behind some bushes, following
the unknowing vamp. Dart might not know where Evangeline was, but maybe he’d lead him
to someone who did.

* * * * *

Bastian watched from a half a block away. Dart walked up to several other young

vamps. One, a long-haired blond, looked familiar.

They all ducked into the club they’d been standing in front of. Blade’s was a vampire

hangout. Flash motion lights beamed colors around the dim, crowded dance floors. Neon
glowed, taking attention off dingy walls.

Bastian quickened his pace, his boots clicking on the wood, rushing not to lose the little

group. He’d need to get one of them alone. Someone knew where Evangeline was. Bastian
needed to get close enough to read their minds. No one of his line or Henri’s was in town, or
he would do it over a long distance. He still could make connections and do some tracking
from here, but he required the proximity to get the information he needed.

The crowded club had wall-to-wall wriggling bodies. Humans and vamps, all pressed

together. Even with the air conditioning cranked, the temperature matched the Sahara. The
air, perspiration saturated. A cooler shirt would have been nice.

Blood Lines: Conduit

43

No Dart. No group. Where had they gone?

Pushing through the crowd, he scanned. Nothing. He blew out a deep breath.

Continued his search.

In the back of the club, by the iron steps to the upper floor, he found a pile of ash. A

silver link dog collar lay buried in it. He pulled it out, fingering. Scenting. Dart’s.

“Shit.” He swiveled around to scan the club. Long-haired blondie should be easy to

spot. Or maybe not. He walked the perimeter. Saw golden hair down to the waist. Grabbed a
shoulder. A pixie-faced woman turned around.

“Sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

She smiled, her cherry-red lips glistening. “I could be someone else. Anyone you’d

like.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

He smiled. “Sorry. Looking for a man.”

She sighed. “All the good ones are always taken or gay. Or dead.”

He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “You have no idea. Good luck.”

No blondie. They’d probably left the club after killing Dart. At least, he did have a

description of someone to find. If only he could remember why the vampire looked familiar.
He made a few calls before heading back to his house. Better than what he’d had a few hours
ago.

* * * * *

“He’s dust? You’re sure? How’d you keep him from screaming in the club? His tongue?

Oh, good thinking. Now don’t you fail me, I’d hate to do the same to you.” Evangeline
clicked off. Tossed the phone across the room.

This plan should have worked perfectly. Except she hadn’t factored in a look-alike.

Had there been no look-alike, she wouldn’t have had to send Dart to spy. Dart

wouldn’t have gotten his stupid self caught. And Bastian wouldn’t know she was near town.
The only good news was Dart didn’t know where she was. They’d always met somewhere
outside St. Louis, never her place. So Bastian didn’t know everything, but he wasn’t supposed
to know this much so soon.

Evangeline shook back her hair, growling.

She’d plotted this for years. Surveyed Bastian for weeks, her minions spying on his

every move. Had wooed the girlfriend and used her. Now it all stood to ruin because of one
little frayed end in the tapestry she hadn’t counted on.

Crimson refused to tell her anything. Not even torture had worked. Not that she could

rely on usual means. Crimson liked to be hurt, liked pain. And for a human, she could take a
great deal. She’d pushed the unwilling girl. Sexually. And still Crimson protected whoever
had taken her place.

44

Mechele Armstrong

The identity didn’t matter.

Bastian believed this girl was his girlfriend. Dart had confirmed that. He wouldn’t be

looking. Which ruined her plans for him.

She turned back toward the bed, her red leather corset cracking at the movement.

Mike spoon-fed Crimson some soup. A bite on her breast and nipple healed nicely.
Evangeline traced the fang impression. Crimson struggled; Mike dribbled soup down her
chin.

“Oh pet, you have some soup there.” She sighed. “Should I clean it up? Or Mike?”

Crimson glared sullenly at her and bit her lip.

Evangeline laughed. “Still fiery, I see. Since I’m done asking questions, Mike, you can

clean it up.” He picked up a napkin. “I didn’t mean ... oh, never mind.” She missed Raph.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m done asking questions?”

“No.”

Mike scrubbed the soup off Crimson’s chin.

“Why not?” Evangeline’s eyes wrinkled, as did her nose.

“Because you’ve proven you’ll tell me. You like the sound of your own voice.”

“Pet, pet, pet. You are a funny one. The reason I’m not asking anything more about her

is that it doesn’t matter who she is.”

“Good.” Crimson sipped some more soup.

“Yes, it is. When she’s brought here, she can tell me herself who she is.”

“Brought here?” Crimson’s voice trembled. She didn’t like the idea of her double being

brought there.

“Well, of course, brought here, pet. I can’t have her keeping Bastian from looking for

you. If he thinks she’s you, he won’t come looking. So soon, she’ll be my acquisition too. And
then, we’ll have Bastian in my screws, won’t we?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

45

Chapter Six

Copper pressed a hand to her head. She’d tried talking to every person at the mansion.

Crimson had a serious popularity problem. Yet none of them seemed like they wanted to
hurt her. The only thing they wanted was for Crimson not to hurt Bastian. Which put her
back at the beginning and knowing squat.

She sat in the dark living room. She had started to wonder if they all liked living in a

tomb.

From her vantage point, she could see Tad had sauntered into the kitchen. One of the

other guys, the grunge king, stood in front of the many-buttoned microwave making
popcorn. Tad flirted and grabbed his ass.

Maybe Bastian was gay. And Crimson was his cover story. Because Tad sure was.

Maybe Crimson had threatened to out him? But, of course, that only worked if it was
someone famous or you could lose your job or something. And Bastian didn’t seem to have
any fame. And while he went out, he didn’t wear clothes you’d wear to somewhere that
would fire you for being a homosexual. And he mostly went out at night.

“Why are you sitting in the dark?”

Copper jumped two feet in the air off the hardback chair with an “Aiieeeeeee!”

Bastian quirked a smile. “Did I startle you? I’m sorry.”

“Uh, yeah, you did. God, what are you, a cat? You make no sound when you walk.” She

regretted her outburst immediately. Crimson would never say anything like that.

Bastian grinned. “I’m stealthy.”

She sat back down. Did he own anything besides leather pants? Not that she was

complaining, but damn, the things should be against the law for what they did to his butt
and legs. And his hard-on bulged against the material. He’d had one every time she’d seen
him. Made sense, as she was impersonating his girlfriend. Only, why did he never act on it?

46

Mechele Armstrong

Hush, you don’t want him to act on it.

A lie. Even to herself. She was a horrid person. But it

made her speculate about what he wore under the pants, too. Boxers? Bikinis? Commando?
Surely he needed something to support himself. She would gladly offer her hands in
support ... She shifted with a loud gulp. A horrid, horrid person.

“Apparently.” And he looked even cuter when his lips curled into a grin or a smile.

Weak-in-the-knees cute.

“Bas?” Tad approached. His shirt had now been unbuttoned. If only Bastian’s had been,

too. With her teeth. “I think Pope and I are gonna go get some z’s. You OK?”

“Yeah. You go to bed.”

Copper didn’t think they’d be doing any sleeping. But she kept that to herself. Pope’s

unbuttoned jeans influenced her thinking.

“What are you still doing up?” He settled himself on the sofa beside the wingtip chair

she perched on.

“Watching Tad flirt, mostly. And I couldn’t sleep. Did you just get home? Late night for

you.”

He shrugged. “Not too bad. I’m used to it.”

“Ahhh.”

They sat in silence a moment. And Copper started having “What would Crimson do ...”

thoughts. She wouldn’t sit here with her boyfriend mere inches away and do nothing. That
was for sure. And truth was, if Bastian was her boyfriend, she’d be over there on the couch
with him playing check the tonsils. Copper had never been shy when it came to making out
or sex. If only this man wasn’t her sister’s boyfriend.

“Want to come over here?” His voice had lowered more than his usual baritone. She

shivered. His voice pulsed along her nerve endings.

“OK.”

What are you doing? Go to bed, Copper. Don’t play this game.

But over to the

couch she went. To the other side of it. Her feet touched his leg. She wanted to run her feet
all over his body. Wanted to clutch her legs around him while he drove himself in to the
hilt. God, she had it bad. When touching a man with your feet turned you on, you had a
problem.

“Want to watch TV?”

“Sure.” Her voice squeaked. Oh yes, so attractive. What was it about Bastian that

brought out her inner teenager? She’d never been this nerve-wracked around a man.

He grabbed a remote from the end table and flicked one of its buttons. The huge,

flatscreen TV came on. She had noticed it before but seeing it on made it seem larger. She
caught herself right before her exclamation of surprise.

Bastian hit a few buttons.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

flashed across the screen. He

stopped with a snort.

Blood Lines: Conduit

47

“Don’t like Buffy?”

Those cool eyes of his shifted to her. “Not a big fan. Are you?”

She nodded. “I like it. Not too much a Buffite though.” As much as it pained her to say,

it had to be said. “I do love

Buffy the Vampire Layer.

” A porn movie. Her sister had loved it

back when they had lived together. Crimson had shared it with every guy she’d dated. More
than likely, that hadn’t changed.

His chuckle reverberated through her. She licked her lips. What would it feel like from

underneath him? His face shifted down. His eyes focused on her mouth. The heat from his
eyes set her aflame, like a match to the tinder.

His growl made her shudder. He moved fast, sitting up, grasping her and claiming her

mouth with a ferocity that took over all her senses. All she could see: him. Smell. Taste. Feel.
All him.

She moaned under his questing lips. They gentled, tasting, slipping over her mouth.

Their tongues dueled. His overpowered hers and took control. He took over the whole
embrace, not asking her but telling her how to react. And she gladly complied.

His mouth ate at hers like she was a piece of candy and he wanted to find the center.

One hand played in her hair, tangling and letting it fall through his fingers. The other made
motions up and down her back.

A gasp fell into his mouth. She shifted closer. Wished her clothes away. No barriers

between them. The ache in her pussy pulsed. She needed him in the worst way to fill her. To
take her. She rubbed her breasts against him. Her hands clasped at his shoulders.

He pulled away. They panted in time with each other. His hand continued to massage

her back, lightly.

“Please.” One word moaned by her. Not even sure what she asked for. Only a kiss. And

nothing had ever affected her like this.

Her breath caught. What was she doing?

His eyes widened, and behind the flame, she saw a dose ... of fear? What was he afraid

of? Her?

“Go to bed, Crimson.”

“But ...”

“Now.” His voice bit out the word.

She leaped off the couch and dashed for Crimson’s room.

* * * * *

Bastian pictured the grossest things he could, trying to relieve some of the pressure in

his cock. No dice. It hurt, he was so hard. A mere kiss had him ready to shoot into his pants.

48

Mechele Armstrong

He’d never wanted a woman more than he wanted Copper. She’d taken the whole

damn frustrating night and somehow made it better. By being there. Not only the clinch.
He’d enjoyed settling on the couch, starting to watch TV. Wanted to pull her into his arms
and rest her head on his chest. He’d wanted to cuddle with her awhile and forget the world.

Buffy the Vampire Layer.

Her little joke had ignited his libido. So many thoughts on

how that could play out with him and Copper. Only he’d do the staking and use his big stick
quite masterfully. And often.

He groaned.

Stop thinking like this.

But he couldn’t.

He slowly pushed to his feet and headed for his room. Her scent permeated his house.

It clung to him from their all too brief embrace.

Shower. Now. If you want any sleep.

He

wouldn’t be able to take lying there, smelling her and knowing she lay a few doors down.

Bastian stepped into the bathroom off his room, stopping in front of the counter-to-

ceiling mirror hanging over the two sinks. He dropped his clothes onto one of the red
bathmats lying on the black and white tiled floor. Stepped over to the two-person shower
across from a huge jetted tub in the other corner.

Women liked huge tubs for baths. He could take Copper there. It had enough room.

Shaking his head, he turned on the water. She would fit in the seat in the one-piece

shower surround. Tall for a woman, she’d be about right for his height. He could set her
there, wrap her legs around him, and drive home.

His cock jerked. He picked up the soap, sudsing up his hands. Lowering them to his

member, he arched his hips at the touch. His balls tightened, drawing up into his body.

He imagined small, soft hands clutching him, taking him over to her warm, wet,

wanting mouth. It would close around him, suckling him in. He lay his head back, imagining
watching her take as much of him as she could get. Treating him like a sucker. Heaven.

It only took a half dozen pulls and thrusts of his hip before he ejaculated onto the floor

of the shower, his come washed away by the pulsing water jets. He leaned his head against
the cooler plastic door.

It would glisten on her lips, making them shine. She’d swallow. His cock jerked back to

life, hardening.

He groaned, banging his head lightly. It had helped to ease some, but hadn’t fully taken

away his lust.

It was going to be a long night.

* * * * *

Copper sat down at the kitchen table. Her frustration grew. She didn’t feel she was any

closer to finding Crimson than she had been before she’d come to St. Louis. Her only lead, a
man who kissed like sinfully delicious Bissinger’s chocolate.

Blood Lines: Conduit

49

“You look tired.” Tad turned his chair around and sat down across from her.

She yawned. “I guess I am.” She narrowed her eyes at him. He’d been almost nice

today. No cutting comments. He couldn’t know, could he? Nah, no way he could. “How long
have you been with Bastian? I know I’ve never asked you before.”

“A year and a half.”

“Less than Lucy.”

“Everyone has been here less time than Lucy.”

Interesting. Had Tad been rescued like the rest? Lucy glided into the kitchen before she

could ask. “Hello, Tad. Crim.”

Tad waltzed over and kissed her. “How are you doing, baby?”

“I’m good.” Her sweet smile morphed into a glower at Copper. “Until now.”

Tad chuckled. “Play nice.”

Tad talked to her at dinner. Copper tried not to frown at his change. Lucy made faces

and grimaced, especially at Tad. Perhaps talking to Crimson was considered off limits by
Lucy. So Copper engaged Tad in conversation every chance she got. Lucy’s face pinched up
more and more with every word she said to Tad. And when he laughed at something she
said, Lucy looked like she might slap him, the way her hand came up.

Copper took her last bite of pork chop. “Great cooking, Lucy.”

“She does know her way around the kitchen.” Tad patted his belly.

Lucy smiled at him.

“Yep, you are a good cook,” said Copper.

Lucy’s face turned stony, like Mount Rushmore. “Cooking isn’t all I do. I’m good at

many things.”

Copper bit her tongue, keeping down many retorts. “I’m sure you are.” She repeated

Crimson’s name in her mind. The only reason she kept quiet.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lucy’s snap rang through the air.

“That you’re good at many things?” Copper kept her face neutral and serene.

“Look here ...”

Tad put a hand on Lucy’s arm. “She was complimenting you.”

“It was an underhanded dig at me. Not a compliment.”

“Was not.” Copper leaned back in her seat.

“Was too.” Lucy folded her arms in front of her body.

“I was not making an underhanded dig at you.” Copper folded her hands primly on the

table. Maybe she’d get a halo out of this. Or at least a medal.

“You were too. And what’s with taking

her

side? You’re supposed to be on my side.

Remember? We hate her?”

50

Mechele Armstrong

Copper rolled her eyes. “What are you, twelve? This isn’t some junior high school

clique.”

“Lucy, I ... she’s ...” Tad tossed down his napkin. “Oh hell.”

“We’ll see how well you like it when ...” Lucy broke off, sounding smug.

“When what?” Copper slid down in the seat. It creaked under her butt.

“When Bastian’s mine. You might snow him and even Tad for a little while. But

eventually, they’ll see you for the bitch you are.”

“When the devil gets frostbite in his tail. That’s when you’ll take Bastian away from

me.” Copper’s ire rose. She clenched the table. Wanted to claim offense for her sister’s sake.
But the truth remained. He and Lucy. It soured her gut, rolling her stomach. Jealousy. Over a
man she had no rights to be jealous over.

“We’ll see. I’ll be laughing at you in the end.”

“You know? When I make a dig at you, you’ll know. I don’t do underhanded.”

“You were talking about me being a whore. I know that. I could tell.”

“Was not.” Copper didn’t want to regress into a childish game of back and forth. She

hadn’t been calling Lucy a whore. Sad Lucy was so quick to see that about herself.

“Was too.” Lucy folded her arms over her chest, fists clenched tightly. “I’d know how

to satisfy him better than you. I am good at everything I do.”

“I suppose you are.”

The slap rocked her head back. Copper hadn’t expected Lucy to strike her. Hadn’t seen

her get to her feet to do it. Her teeth contacted the inside lip, puncturing a small hole. She
tasted the metallic tang of blood.

“Oh no, you didn’t ... you ...mealy-mouthed bitch.” Copper stood up. Word games were

one thing. Slapping was something else.

Before she could lash out, Tad grabbed Lucy and put her behind him. “Stop.”

Arms grabbed her from behind. “You take Lucy to her room. Keep her there until

further notice.”

Bastian picked Copper up with ease, carrying her into the living room. She weighed

more than a feather but that’s what he acted like he carried. He sat her down on the couch
and kneeled before her. Her skin tingled where he’d touched. “Are you all right?” His voice
was laced with concern. He turned her head to face him so he could see the small wound
where she’d bitten her lip. “I should get some ice.”

“I’m fine.”

“Lucy hit you.” He cupped her chin tenderly in his strong hand. She liked the dark

hairs that wound their way up his wrist.

“It’s nothing.” She shrugged, her anger changing into something less tangible as she

looked into his blue eyes. Damn, but she could get lost there.

Blood Lines: Conduit

51

“You’re bleeding.” His eyes darkened. “A little.” His voice sounded strangled. He

looked down at her lips, his eyes no longer meeting hers, seemingly drawn to her lips.

Oh,

yes, kiss me.

“I’m OK, Bastian.” His hands drifted down to her arms. But they clutched. Tightly.

Almost too tightly. His breath came in pants. She struggled against his arms. Too strong. A
shiver ran through her.

He leaned down. His tongue swiped across her lips, dipping down to obviously touch

the wound, hurting it as the tip of his tongue drove in. Then made a pass before he pressed
his lips to hers, capturing her mouth, deepening the kiss, exploring her.

He had

licked

her wound.

She pulled back from the kiss, pushing against him. Even as it heated her, she had to

get away. “Did you lick the blood?” She broke free, putting her hand to her mouth

He swallowed. Staggered back. His eyes flew to hers. “What are you?”

“Now, wait a damn minute. I’m asking the questions here. Did you lick the blood?” His

tongue had concentrated on her wound. Had to be for the blood. All the pieces of
conversation about blood, and Tad suggesting she cut her wrists, zipped into her mind.
Bastian had never eaten anything in front of her.

He shook his head, swaying on his feet. “What the hell did you do to me?’

Had he been drinking?

“Me? I didn’t do anything to you! You ... you ... you’re nuts.

You are one of those vampire wannabes, aren’t you? Well, guess what, I am not Buffy the
Vampire Layer. Get that through your sick, demented mind right now.”

Bastian stretched his arms out. “I’ve never felt like this. Except when I became.

Everything is amplified ... My gods.” His eyes flew up to meet hers. She saw the surprise.
“You’re a Conduit.”

“A what?”

“I thought they were a myth. Your blood.” He touched his mouth.

“What the hell are you talking about?” She folded her arms around herself. Of all the

beautiful people to go nuts, why him? Copper backed up a step. Blood? “Oh, no, I am not
being some sacrifice. Forget that.”

Bastian breathed slow and easy as though he attempted to calm himself down. “Don’t

freak out on me, Copper.”

“I am not freaking out.” What he said sank into her panic-stricken mind. She sucked in

a breath, panting to get air.

He knew

. “Who?” Her heart pounded. Feet itched to take off, to

run, to get away.

“I know who you are. I know you’re Copper, not Crimson. You’re her twin.”

“How long ... have you known?” She pressed a hand to her mouth. It came away clean.

No more blood, though her mouth had swelled where her teeth had clicked.

52

Mechele Armstrong

“Since you arrived.” He rubbed his face with his hand. “I thought it was best to keep

you where I could keep an eye on you. You have no idea what’s going on.”

“Where’s my sister? You sick bastard. Have you done something to her?” Copper

advanced on him. He stood his ground -- didn’t back up a space -- and met her eyes head-on
while speaking. “You tell me where she is right now. I know you were there that night. I
recognized your voice!” Copper gritted her teeth. She didn’t know what to think, if he’d had
anything to do with her sister’s disappearance. But he’d acted nutty a few minutes ago. Was
he a vampire wannabe? If he tried to bite her, she’d stick a clove of garlic down his throat.
But first she wanted the information on Crimson. Information only he had.

“I don’t know where your sister is. I’ve done nothing to her, Copper. I swear to you.”

He didn’t move closer but didn’t give her any more space, either. His eyes searched hers.

She didn’t know what to believe. But he needed to talk. Now. “You tell me everything

you know. Everything. Don’t leave anything out.”

* * * * *

Bastian steadied his breathing. He’d never experienced anything like this. Correction,

he had when he’d first been made a vampire. His heart pounded and noises came loud to his
ears. Everything looked bright, clear. He could smell her arousal, faint but there. His already
heightened senses kicked into overdrive. He could feel them humming. Only a drop of her
blood had done this. A drop. What would a full feeding do?

He rocked back on his heels. Drunk. Hyped up on one drop of a human’s blood.

Not a human.

A Conduit.

Myths. Legends told by his kind the same as humans told stories of cities paved with

gold. In his thousand years, he’d yet to encounter one. Now he had. The tales were true.

Power.

The liquid running through her veins. Golden. And could get her killed.

A Conduit’s blood would make any vampire more than thrice powerful. Until they

bonded with their mate. Then the properties would exist solely for their mate. Even after
they were made a vamp.

Vampires could feed from each other as long as one fed from human blood. Mated pairs

developed all the time. And only mated pairs fed from one another. But no ritual existed to
truly bind them. Except in the case of a Conduit. Copper would be anyone’s meat if anyone
found out before she mated. And some would drain her completely, taking the temporary
power rather than let her be mated to one of their kind. Her mate would enjoy permanent
power lifts. Until one of them died. And when one died? The other went with them.

Of course, it might all be myth and legend. Except the myth of the Conduit stood

before him right now. So the rest might be true.

Blood Lines: Conduit

53

His head spun. He almost went to his knees. His attraction. The chemistry. The pull

between them that went even beyond desire, his need to be in her presence. Could Copper
be his mate? Henri had told him for years he’d find his mate eventually. He’d ceased
believing he would.

He had no idea of the bonding rituals. Hell, had Henri not told him of Conduits, he

never would have had any idea what she was.

A buzz droned inside his head. Her voice.

“Are you drunk or something? Drugged out?” She snapped her fingers in front of his

face.

“I’m fine. What were you saying?”

“I want to know everything. Everything you do.” Her eyes snapped the fire her hair

resembled.

The effects hadn’t worn off, but his body slowly adjusted to its new capabilities. How

long would he be like this? Damn, he’d forgotten how much trying to get a handle on
abilities sucked. No wonder so many new vamps went loco. “It’s going to take a while to
explain all this.”

“You don’t have that long. I want to know what happened to my sister. Skip the rest.”

He moved closer to her, and she shied backwards. He wanted her body touching his. His eyes
zeroed in on the small cut on her lips. He swallowed. Wanted to kiss her and feed all at the
same time. Blood rushed through his veins, down to his cock, stiffening it more. He could
feel the blood, could feel the rush. Heady. And much more blood went there, he’d get a
headache.

Bastian sighed. “It isn’t that easy, Copper. You’re getting into things you have no

business knowing.”

“I knew it. You’re into all that S&M crap. That’s what’s gotten her into trouble.”

“No. I’m not into S&M. Not exactly.” Although, her in a leather bustier and thigh-high

boots captivated his mind. His erection throbbed. Too much blood pooled away from his
brain, making him light-headed. He turned his mind to anything but Copper. Anything to
get his libido down. But the worst ache came from his hunger. Her blood sang to him with
its rushing and gushing.

“Well, I know all about her activities. So I’m not getting into anything that’s over my

head.” She folded her arms.

“This has nothing to do with S&M.”

“What does it have to do with?”

“I have an enemy. I think my enemy took her. Is holding her.” Mostly the truth.

“You mean like kidnapped?” Copper’s voice rose. “Someone kidnapped my sister, and

you haven’t called the police.”

54

Mechele Armstrong

“It’s complicated.”

“911. Not all that complicated, asshole.”

“The police can’t ... shouldn’t be brought in.” He watched her breathing hitch. Her

breasts moved with each breath of air she took. Between them would be a nice place to be.

“My face is about six inches above where you’re staring. And why no police?”

He forced his eyes away from her chest to her face. Disgusting vegetables.

Lima beans.

Brussels sprouts. Must keep mind on conversation.

“Because it’s complicated.”

“You either tell me the whole truth about this. Or I call 911 right now.”

“You can’t.”

“Sure I can. Watch me.” She stomped toward the phone in the living room. “It’s easy.

First, a nine. Then, a one ...”

He had her in his arms before she’d taken too many steps. His muscles stayed tensed

from the pounce. He could catch a gazelle like this. Maybe even rival a lion. It had been five
minutes. Five minutes with a single drop. Damn.

“Let me go!” She aimed a kick at his shins. He dodged it. Captured her hands before she

could lift them to smack at him.

“Look, Copper.” Another kick, another dodge.

“Let go.”

Bastian pulled her against him. Her body slid, the contact making him moan. Such

perfect breasts to suck and hold now rested against his chest. He put his thigh between her
legs. The warmth surrounded him. He wanted her naked. She would arch toward him. Her
hair would tickle. He rubbed his thigh across the seam of her pants.

She went slack. “Don’t do this.” Fear rushed off her in waves, in the scent of her sudden

sweat. In the hair rising and goose pimples that erupted on her forearms. She thought he
intended to take her by force.

He growled. Put reins on the beast he kept shackled most of the time. The beast that

cried to claim what already belonged to it. His body shuddered with the effort. “I’m not
going to rape you. I need to talk to you. But if I hold you like this ... I may lose control.
Promise me you won’t go for the phone.”

“I promise.” She nodded. Every reaction triggered by her words told him she lied.

“Now promise me truthfully. If you fight me, I will not tell you anything more about

your sister.” He rubbed his leg against her again. The moisture that leaked almost undid him.
Her arousal. Rip off her pants. Dive in with his fingers. Coat them in her scent. He groaned.
“Not like this.” Steadied his voice. “Promise me.” He didn’t want to scare her. But he’d never
been closer to losing himself to his animal instincts than he was at that moment.

Copper swallowed. “OK. I promise I’ll listen first.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

55

He ran his fingertips one last time over the skin of her arms, and then released her.

“Copper, some of this is going to sound ludicrous. I need for you to try and have an open
mind.” He took a deep breath. “I’m a vampire.”

“You are crazy.” Each word came in a measured clipped voice. “Listening time over.”

“No. No, it’s not.” The letter opener sat on the end table by the couch. He picked it up

and plunged it into his stomach. Reeled back from the pain.

Copper shrieked. “Oh, my god! What did you do that for?” Her eyes were wild and

wide with a face full of horror.

“I’ve found ...” He gritted against the pain, pulling out the opener. “... the more

demonstrative the show is, the easier it is to get people to believe what I am.”

He lifted his shirt, showing the pastel pink substance on his abdomen. She gasped. The

wound had already started to knit itself and worked to do so more while they watched.

“I’m a vampire, Copper. A real one.”

56

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Seven

Bastian took her small hands and put them on the woundless spot on his stomach.

She swallowed. He followed the movement down the long, slender slope of her throat.

His tongue could find every nook and cranny. Taste her sweet skin. She put a hand over her
throat. He forced his eyes upward to meet her glare. This, he couldn’t blame on the blood
he’d taken in. The effect had slowly worn off and had vanished when he’d stabbed himself.
This was lust. Driven only by needing her above anything he’d ever needed before. He
needed to make her his.

“No. This cannot be.”

“It is.”

“You’re nuts.”

He smiled, letting his elongated canines show between his lips. “No. Not nuts. I’m a

vampire.”

She took a step back, eyes screaming as she scrambled. “No. Those are fake. They can’t

be real.”

“They’re real. Yes.” He picked up the opener again.

“No! Don’t do that.” Her voice rose several pitches. “Please.”

“I’m a vampire, Copper. Say it.” Saying it aloud helped the brain process the truth. She

couldn’t deny what she’d seen. He needed her acceptance, and quickly.

“You’re a vampire. How can that be?” She shook her head. “I’ve seen you in daylight.

And not crispy.”

“That’s a myth. I can walk in sunshine. Makes me uncomfortable, but I can do it. Lots

of myths exist about us. But we are as real as the moon above.”

“Where’s my sister?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

57

“I don’t know.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I wish I knew her location.”

“But you said an enemy of yours had her.” Her voice went an octave lower but had a

plaintive note. He grasped her hand in his. Squeezed it. Led her to the couch and sat down
beside her. He stroked her soft skin with the pad of his thumb. Memorized each bone, each
hollow in the skin.

“An enemy of mine does have her. But I don’t know where.”

“Don’t you have vampire spidey senses or something? Mind reading? Something you

can use?” she huffed, scooting away from him. Did she have as much trouble thinking in
proximity to him as he did to her? He couldn’t read her thoughts, but she showed signs of
desire. She had to get past him being a vampire. And her sister having been his lover. It was
imperative she dealt with those things. For his sake. And hers. If she was his mate, once they
bonded, he could protect her. If anything happened to her ... No, he’d never let it.

“Not any spider senses. I can sense vampires. But Evangeline knows this and is staying

out of my range. I know she has people in the city, but I don’t know them so I can’t track
their movements. If I find her, I find Crimson.”

“So Evangeline is the bitch whose ass I have to kick.” Her body stiffened, tension

vibrating out of it. It hung thick in the air around her.

“No. You will stay far away from Evangeline.” Uh-oh. That came out like an order. It

was, but usually he had more finesse than that. Orders as requests, less likely to set someone’s
hackles the wrong direction. Something about her brought out his primal side.

“Oh, like hell. She has my sister. I’m not staying out of this.” Copper sat forward on the

cushions. Her face flushed. How far did the flush go down? He could follow it with his
fingers ...

“I never asked you to stay out of it. But the last thing I need is for you to get involved

in this, and get hung up in Evangeline’s plans. Right now Evangeline thinks I think you’re
Crimson. She’s bound to make a misstep.”

“It hasn’t worked so far. You don’t have my sister back.”

He sighed. “I know. I know this is hard. But going off like a bunch of cocks in search of

hens won’t net us anything.”

“That metaphor sucks.” It did. An old joke he and Henri had passed back and forth. She

shook her fiery hair out, and it stretched halfway down her back. “I’m promising nothing.
Who is this Evangeline, anyway?”

“Another vampire.”

“Figures. What did you do to her?”

“A long time ago ...”

“... in a galaxy far away ...”

He arched a brow at her.

58

Mechele Armstrong

She didn’t blush or flinch but waved a hand. “Sorry. Continue on.”

Her smart-aleck comments were a thin disguise for her fear. He wanted to press, to

make her lose her fear of him. But it had to come in her own time. No matter how much he
hated it.

“I killed her lover.”

“Oh. So you killed the man of her dreams, and now she wants your pain?”

He nodded, sliding his arm along the back of her seat. “And suffering. But it was the

woman of her dreams.”

Copper blinked. “She was a lesbian?”

“All vampires become bisexual when they are turned.” He shrugged. “Evangeline was a

lesbian as a human. In Victorian England.”

“I bet that went over well.” The cushion made a soft sound when Copper pulled her

legs up under her. “Now she’s a psycho, door-swings-both-ways creature of the night.”

“Pretty much.” Bastian turned so he could get a better look at her face. It blocked her

from moving away, too. He slid his leg against hers. Instant sparks.

“Why?” Her voice came hesitant. Quiet. But probing.

“Because she loved to kill. Marie was an animal. And I couldn’t let her slaughter

innocent people. Evangeline has hated me ever since. She vowed revenge. I had no idea she’d
wait over a hundred years to get it.”

“How noble.” Her tone quieted. “Do you kill? How do you get blood?”

“I’ve never killed. For blood, I use a willing human, or I now have suppliers from blood

banks. But I have never taken a human life for my meal.” Henri had insisted on that when
he’d made Bastian so many years ago in Italy. Henri would have killed him before he’d let
Bastian hunt a human. Henri had taught him to control the beast that took over so many
new vampires. In all his years, Bastian had never been closer to embracing his primal side.
This woman brought all that out in him.

“What other powers do you have?” Copper shook her head. She believed, but her head

still asked questions, trying to make sense of it.

“I have heightened senses. They are more in line with an animal’s than a human’s. I

can do some mind reading.”

“You’ve read my mind?” She gulped. Her face flushed again.

“No. I can’t read your mind.”

“You can’t?”

He shook his head. Her sigh of relief made him smile. What thoughts had she had

about him that she didn’t want him to know about?

“What happened earlier when you kissed me? You looked like you’d been thrown for a

loop.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

59

Damn, he hadn’t been ready for this conversation. “I got a taste of your blood.”

“I know. Icky, by the way.”

“The drop energized me. Copper ... I think you ...” He broke off.

Think with your head,

not with your cock.

If he told Copper what she was, she could broadcast that to any vampire

who tried to read her if they got into her mind. If she didn’t know, no one else would know.
She’d forgotten his outburst of earlier. Best to leave it alone. Bastian could block most
vampires from his head. He had no idea if other vamps would be able to enter her mind
when he couldn’t. Couldn’t take the chance that they could. If he were the only one who
knew, her ability would stay secret. “I think you must have a strong blood source. Lots of
iron.”

“Well, I do eat my Wheaties. What’s your game plan now?”

“Try and find Evangeline. Get Crimson back.”

Her solemn jade eyes met his. “Then everything goes back the way it was.”

Nothing would ever be the same. Hadn’t been since the day she’d gotten off the plane

in St. Louis. “I ... don’t know about that.”

* * * * *

Copper leaned back on the sofa, sinking into its depths. Ignored his tone and his

gleaming eyes. Didn’t want to think about this right now. Too much other stuff was piled
onto her mind, demanding a review. Crimson had a vamp for a boyfriend. And was being
held by a nutty one.

“I know it’s a lot to take in.” He scooted closer to her. Retook the hand she’d pulled

away. His fingers stretched out so long. He had pianist’s hands.

“You think? Not every day I find out Nosferatu is real.”

Bastian drew back, face aghast. “I am not Nosferatu.”

“You’ve watched it?”

“Well, of course. I watch everything vampire. Read a lot of books too. And laugh my

ass off at how wrong the myths are.”

“That’s real adult. How come I didn’t notice the fangs before you told me?”

Bastian ran his hand along her arm. “Happens. The vampire who made me taught me to

conceal them. To live among humans.”

She shivered at his fingertips touching her. Inched away from him. “How are vampires

made?”

“A human has to be at the point of death and have all his blood drained. Then, they

must drink blood from a vampire.”

“Why drink from a vampire?” Her face crinkled with curiosity.

“Because a vampire’s blood holds the power that make us what we are.”

60

Mechele Armstrong

All this information didn’t help get her the one thing she wanted. Wanted more than

Bastian. Her voice cracked. “I want my sister back.” So weak. She hated the way it sounded.

“I promise you, I will get her back. I’ll do whatever it takes. I know more now than I

did.” His voice sounded like a knife against an iron sharpener. He meant the words.

“Did ... she tell you about me? That’s how you knew who I was?”

Duh

. Crimson had to

be the one who’d told him about her twin.

Bastian nodded. “She told me she had a twin sister. How did your mom come up with

those names?”

Copper smiled. “Mom didn’t know she was pregnant with twins until things started

happening after Crimson was born and out popped me. We both had red hair. She is ... was
an artist. So with two red-headed babies to name, she picked two reddish color names.”

“You said ‘was an artist’?”

“Mom died six months ago.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He patted her shoulder.

The tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry but every time she heard those

words, it reminded her. Of the loss. Crimson had come home. But not for long. And
obviously hadn’t shared the reasons for her visit. “Mom had a long, full life. She died of bone
cancer.”

“Crimson said you’d had to move back to St. Joseph. That was why?”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. She’d managed not to cry. “Someone had to take care

of her. Crimson ...”

“Crimson?”

“Wasn’t happy I left. And that I stayed. But I had to take care of Mom.” She hadn’t

wanted to move back at first. Leaving the small town they’d grown up in had been the first
thing on both their minds after graduating. But Mom had needed it. So she’d done what she
thought was the right thing. Then after Mom had died, she’d hidden behind jobs and
boyfriends to stay in the safe bubble, where she at least still felt close to the one parent
who’d loved them.

Bastian had inched closer while they’d talked. He wrapped an arm around her

shoulder. She leaned into it. Could get used to him being so close. “How about your dad?”

“Our father was never involved. Other than semen.” Nor had a string of boyfriends

been involved enough to get to know them. No matter how many times Mom had told them,
“This one is the one.” And had transformed herself from eccentric artist to whatever the guy
wanted her to be. Each relationship had lasted only months.

“Crimson talked about you a little. Hardly ever your mom.”

Only a little?

Copper fought off the soupy feeling in her gut. Crimson had been so

angry when she’d left St. Louis. And every visit home had resulted in arguments. Made sense,

Blood Lines: Conduit

61

with the questions he’d been asking. Questions he should have known the answers to.
Crimson hadn’t wanted to talk about her. She looked down at her hands, rubbing them
together before speaking. “Crimson and Mom had lots of differences. Crimson never forgot
when dinner was late, paint brushes were everywhere, or Mom wore something artsy to
school or said something ditzy. But I loved my mother for all her eccentricities. Crim never
understood that.”

His hand toyed with the ends of her hair. “I don’t mean to pry.”

“You’re not. I ... I ... hope ...”

“You and Crimson get the chance to work it out.”

Copper closed her eyes. She’d told him more than anyone else. “Yes. We had some

harsh words. I don’t want them to be the last ...”

He put a finger to her lips. “Don’t. Don’t even say it. We will get her back. I promise.”

She kissed the fingertip. Would love to draw it in and suckle it. Roll it with her tongue.

Exactly like she’d do with his cock. Now wasn’t the time.

“It must be weird for you. Seeing her mirror image.”

He pulled back the finger like her lips had scalded it. “You two aren’t mirror images.

There are differences.”

She snorted. “You’d be the first to say that.”

Bastian waved a hand. “There are.”

“Like what?”

He shifted in his seat. “Your breasts are fuller.”

She looked down. Pulling back up, she found his eyes had gone down with hers. She

puffed her chest out. “They are?”

He nodded.

“So I have bigger tits ... And that’s how you can tell us apart?”

“No.” He pursed his lips together. “Crimson is leaner.”

“So I’m fat?”

He made an exasperated snort. “You aren’t fat. She’s leaner. She forgets to eat.”

Copper let out a slight smile. “She’s still doing that, huh?”

Bastian nodded.

“I’ve got more meat on my bones in all places. That sum up the differences?”

“Your hair has more highlights in it.”

“Hmmmm.” Crimson hadn’t been out much in sunshine if all the darkness in the places

she’d lived was any indication. Not that either of them needed to be. No tanning, only shades
of red for them. None of what he listed sounded like enough to tell them apart. She didn’t

62

Mechele Armstrong

like thinking his attraction to her could be caused by his attraction to Crimson. If only she
knew he could tell them apart.

“You smell differently.”

“I smell?” She gasped. Then sniffed lightly.

“Not bad. You smell like lavender. And coconut. And you. Something that’s uniquely

you.” His voice dipped several octaves. No missing the growth in erection. Nor the way his
breathing came faster.

“And you like it?” Her voice sounded hoarse. Husky.

“Oh, yes, Copper. I like it.” He pulled her head up to look at him, stroking the back of

her neck. Nerve endings tingled down her spine, bounced outward to her hips and made
places zing between her thighs. His nostrils flared. No secrets from a vampire when it came
to affairs of the nose. She could feel the slickness and guessed he could scent it.

His lips came down to claim hers.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Despite his words, Tad looked anything but apologetic.

Bastian swallowed. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be watching Lucy,”

he grumbled.

She caught her breath deep in her chest. Had Bastian kissed her ... that would have

been it. It had been a good thing Tad had showed up. She wanted Bastian but not like this.
Not until they found Crim.

“Pope’s with her. She’s still pretty damn ticked off.”

“I’ve decided Lucy needs to move out on her own.” Tad and Copper’s heads both swung

to look at him. “I’ve been putting it off. She’s been ready to move on for a long time now.”

Tad frowned. “Whoa, Bas. That hardly seems fair. To kick her out now.”

“You know as well as I do that she’s ready. She’s been ready. But she won’t do it as long

as I let her stay.”

“I’m not sure now is the time, though. She’s upset and angry with you.”

Not that there was any love in her for Lucy. But Copper didn’t want to cause more

trouble in the setup Bastian had than she already had. No one would believe it wasn’t
because of her. Copper reached out and touched his arm. “Don’t do this because of me.”

“It isn’t because of you.” He patted her hand. “It’s time.”

“It is because of her.” Tad’s voice held no anger, no emotion. It sounded flat. Copper

blinked at him. She’d never heard his voice sound like this. “Which is fine, but I don’t think
you should make a decision right now.”

“Tad, this isn’t the same thing you went through, and you know it. Hell, you’re already

looking at places to move without me saying anything to you. Lucy’s been comfortable here,
and I’ve not pushed. Today, I push her. She can still work for me. But she needs to live on
her own.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

63

“Bastian, I’m stronger than Lucy ...”

“Bullshit.” Bastian glared up at the younger man. “That’s bullshit. Lucy is as strong as

we let her be, and we haven’t let her be strong.”

“It’s a mistake.”

Copper nodded with Tad. It would cause a rift. She patted Bastian’s arm. And didn’t say

anything. Bastian had made up his mind. Nothing she said would change it.

“I don’t think so. I think it’s the push Lucy needs. To come in to herself. If you think

we should ... she can stay here until things with Evangeline are done. I don’t think
Evangeline would go after her anyway. She wants my lovers, not a charge or a friend. I want
Lucy told of the plans tonight. To prepare her.”

Tad clenched and unclenched his fists. Like he battled something highly emotional.

“You need to tell her.”

“Of course I will. I’ll be up to see her in a few minutes. It’s OK, Tad.”

Tad smiled but the corners of his lips trembled. “I’ll leave you and Crim alone. You can

start back where you left off.” He took a step and turned back. “Your heads were about an in
inch from the other. Lips about to meet.” With that, he marched out the room.

Bastian sighed. “I think we were about here.” He lowered his head to about a half-inch

above her lips. His warm breath tickled against her skin.

Copper backed up slightly. “What did you mean when you told Tad it isn’t the same

thing?”

Bastian frowned, his cobalt eyes displaying a little twinge of pain. But she couldn’t do

it. Not now. And couldn’t chance someone’s interruption stopping her. “Tad was kicked out
of his house by his mother. She acquired a boyfriend whose door swung both ways, and she
didn’t want the competition. He was fifteen.” Copper had a feeling that the more things hit
the boy, the less he showed. She never would have guessed that of him, being so direct in
everything else. “He lived on the streets, acquiring a pimp who used him in all ways. To him,
it probably seems like I’m doing the same thing. Kicking Lucy out because ... of you.”

“You don’t have to kick her out.” Bastian had taken all these people off the streets. It

evoked warm thoughts about someone she could never have. Who still could be ... No, she
couldn’t think like that. In some odd metaphysical way, she trusted him.

“It’s been coming a long time now.” He leaned back against the soft cushions.

Copper wanted to curl up around his body. For the comfort. “Tad doesn’t know I’m not

Crimson.”

“Yes, he does.”

She sat up straight. “What? He does? He never showed any sign.”

“I told him not to.”

“Well, hell. Is there anyone who didn’t know I wasn’t Crimson?”

64

Mechele Armstrong

He chuckled deeply. “Tad and I were the only ones who knew. He figured out on his

own that you weren’t your sister. I knew from the start.”

“It was you who picked up the phone the night Crimson called me?”

He nodded. “I must have missed her by minutes. I wish I’d gotten there sooner.”

She patted his hand. “I do, too. But whatever happened, I don’t think she stayed at that

phone long. She was taken before she said much to me.”

“We’ll find her.” He ran a hand over his face. “I’d better go talk to Lucy.”

She nodded. “I’m going to bed.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Pleasant

dreams, Bastian.”

* * * * *

Only of you.

Bastian wanted to go with her to bed. Lock them both in a room and

explore their passion. One day, he would.

He took the steps up to Lucy’s room two at a time. Her room sat at the end of the third-

story hallway. Crim’s and his rooms were the only ones on the second story. He paused
outside Lucy’s door.

He grasped the cool doorknob in hand and entered.

Pope sat in the rolling desk chair at the small particleboard desk in the corner. Lucy

stood by the windows, her arms wrapped about her middle. She didn’t turn around to face
him.

The room looked as it had when Lucy moved in. He’d never realized there existed

nothing of her here. All his other charges decorated. Did something to make the room theirs.
Lucy had done none of that. A bed, a night table, the desk were the only furniture. The
coverlet, the same one that had been on the bed so many years ago. No pictures. Nothing on
the walls, which were virgin white. The room, stale. Cold. Austere. After he’d realized how
much Lucy wanted from him, he’d never gone to her room. Too intimate to go there, she’d
always come to him. He hadn’t wanted to set up false hopes. Perhaps he should have. Even
more reason she needed to leave out from under his wings. Like the chick leaving his
mother, she’d fight it. But better for her in the long run.

Bastian nodded to Pope. “I need to speak to Lucy alone.”

“Yeah, man.” Pope skulked out.

Bastian watched Lucy a moment. Her long hair golden, shimmering. He’d never seen it

outside in sunlight. It would probably glow like an angel’s halo. Twilight’s dying light cast
shadows. She’d let her shades up, pushed her curtains aside.

His powers rose up inside of him like a cobra doing its charmer’s dance.

“I’m not going to apologize.” Lucy’s muffled whisper was almost too faint for even his

ears.

Blood Lines: Conduit

65

“I’m not going to ask you to.”

She turned a half step away from the window. “Good.” She studied him, careful brown

eyes appraising him. “She’s a bitch, Bastian. Putting on acts around you. She’ll never love you
the way I ...”

“Lucy.”

She stopped, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “You know that I love you. I’ve

loved you ever since you came for me.”

First time it had ever been spoken aloud. “Lucy, I adore you. I think the world of you.

But ...”

“No! Don’t say it.” Her hands left her middle, balling into fists, swinging forward. “You

cannot love her, Bastian. She’s not good enough for you. She doesn’t want you. Need you.
Doesn’t want to take care of you. She’ll never be there for you.” Lucy paced, ranting, tossing
her hair behind her as she turned a sharp corner. “Not the way I do. The way I can. If you’d
ever let me.”

“I’m not sure what I feel for her.” The her he spoke of was Copper. Only Lucy didn’t

know that. “But I know ... what I feel for you. I adore you. I enjoy you. I’m not in love with
you. Never have been. Never will be.” He had to tell her the truth. Destroy her illusions.
Only fair to do it now. Before she got any more torn up inside.

“It’s her. I hate her.” Her mouth twisted.

“No. I wouldn’t be in love with you even if she weren’t in my life. It’s not meant to be.”

He took a step closer. Lucy bordered on hysterical.

“It was meant to be. Until that bitch came to you. She ruins everything. Everything she

touches.” Lucy took the three steps to him. Grabbed his hand and knelt down in front of
him. “Don’t let her ruin you. I’d never do anything to hurt you.” Her hands reached out and
grasped between his legs.

Bastian shimmied backwards. Disentangled her hands. “No.”

“Yes! Let me ease you. Feed from me. You came up here to me. To be with me.” She

frantically grabbed, trying to keep her contact with his cock. Her knees hit the floor harder,
making a thudding sound.

His hands clutched her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “No. I came up here to talk to

you about what happened. And what will happen.”

She stilled, her eyes searching his. “What?”

“Lucy, you’ve stayed here longer than anyone else I’ve ever taken in. The time has

come for you to stand on your own.”

Her body sagged to the floor. “You’re kicking me out? Over her?”

66

Mechele Armstrong

“It’s time, Lucy. You have a little while to find a place of your own. Then you need to

move out. You’ll still work for me. I’ll still be there for you. But you can’t live here
anymore.”

Her breath panted. “Out on the streets. I’ll be out on the streets.”

“No. You’ll find a place to live. Tad has been looking. He can help you.”

“Noooooo.” She moaned, sinking deeper into the blue-carpeted floor. “I don’t want to

go.”

“You need to move out, Lucy.”

Her eyes sought his again. “Please, Bastian. I’ll be good. I’ll even be nice to her. Don’t

make me leave.”

He cut his eyes away at the sorrow, the disillusionment he saw there. He’d never

meant to hurt her. Should have said these things long ago. “It’s time. I’ll help you, I promise.
One more thing.” She stared down at the floor. “Look at me.” Her head lifted. Her hand
brushed hair out of her face. “You ever raise a hand to Crimson again, you will lose my help
and your job.” He made his voice clear. One day, she’d know he could never be what she
wanted him to. Once she got out on her own.

Her eyes narrowed to slits, reminding him of a cat’s. “I wish she’d never come here.

We could have been happy.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Damn you, Bastian. Damn you to hell.”

“I’ll expect you to be prepared to leave within a few days.” He ignored her curse. He’d

been to hell and been damned long ago in his life.

Blood Lines: Conduit

67

Chapter Eight

Bastian paced his room. Waited for any calls from his contacts about Evangeline. His

beast raged, wanting to take the girl down the hall. Needing her blood. And yet, the man in
him wanted to go to her and hold her until morning. The beast and man agreed on wanting
her. But the man had more patience than his vampire side.

Suppose he’d been wrong about it? He ought to test the Conduit theory.

He licked his lips, then his fang tip.

Paced again.

He picked up the phone and dialed.

“Allo

.”

“Allo

, Nathan.”

“Bas!! How are you?” Nathan’s voice rose, full of pleasure.

“I’m good.”

They talked a good few minutes before Henri figured out who was on the phone and

took it.

“You evil man.” Humor laced Henri’s speech as he picked up. “I’m going to make you

pay later.”

Nathan chuckled. “I’m counting on it.”

“How are you, Bastian?”

Bastian hesitated. “I’m OK, Henri.”

“Oh? Only OK?”

“A lot going on.”

68

Mechele Armstrong

The presence slid against Bastian. He breathed, feeling the pinches at his mind. He

could smell Henri’s cologne. “I had no idea you could do that.”

“A new talent. You let me in.”

“I had no reason to keep you out, my master.”

Henri gargled. “You know I hate that infernal nickname.

Zut alors.

It would be

interesting from this distance to see if you could keep me out, with your strength. Now tell
me everything,

mon étudiant.

”

“Evangeline has come for her revenge.”

“

Merde

. You should have killed the bitch when you had the chance.”

“She wasn’t like Marie. And as I recall, I did try.” He’d gone after Evangeline after she’d

attacked him. But she didn’t seem to have the bloodlust Marie did.

“True. She ran. What is she up to now?”

“Evangeline came after my current lover. She kidnapped her.”

A noise sounded in the hallway. A step. Barefoot on wood.

“I’ll call you right back.” He mumbled it.

“

D’accord

.” Henri slapped down the phone.

Bastian eased to the door. Scooted into the hallway. Empty. He searched up and down

it. No strange smells. Copper’s, old from earlier. Tad’s. Lucy’s. Lucy’s shouldn’t be there.

He took three steps to the walkway. Tad and Lucy stood talking on the steps. They

shouldn’t have had to pass by his room on their way to the first floor.

Bastian advanced on them. “What were you doing in my hallway?”

Tad and Lucy blinked at him. “Huh?” Tad queried.

“My hall? What were you doing in my hallway?”

Tad grimaced, his face drawing up. “We took Crimson some dinner. She didn’t get to

eat earlier. Came down the back staircase. Lucy didn’t get close, if that’s what you are
worried about.”

Lucy touched his arm, her eyes shining, contrite. “I told you I wouldn’t do anything to

her again.”

Bastian sighed. Paranoia. Not a good thing. “I scented you both outside my door. Didn’t

know why you’d be there.”

“No problemo. I know you’re on edge, fearless leader.” Tad grabbed Lucy’s wandering

hand.

“Be ... cautious.”

“We will.” Lucy glared at Tad for stopping her. “We promise.”

Bastian stalked back up to his room. He must have heard them walking past his door to

the steps.

Get a grip.

Evangeline (or her minions) couldn’t get in. He had the place secured.

Blood Lines: Conduit

69

He radioed his sentries and asked them to do a recheck of the grounds. But nothing would
come of it.

He redialed the phone.

Henri answered before it rang on Bastian’s end. “What the hell happened, Bast?”

Bast. Henri must have been worried. He never called him that.

“Nothing. I thought I heard something.”

“Did you?”

“No. Two of my charges walking around.”

“Ahh. The rescued. So Evangeline seeks revenge on you? She has your lover?”

Bastian sighed. “Yeah. I think she kidnapped her. To get to me. Henri?”

“

Oui?

”

“Have you ever encountered a Conduit? Like you told me about.” He lay down on his

bed, reclining back.

“

Oui

. Twice. You think you have one?”

“Yes. I think I do.”

“The lover?’

“No. Her sister. How did it feel when you found Nathan?”

Silence. Then, “Like I’d die if I didn’t have him. You think this Conduit might be your

mate?”

“I do.” There, he’d admitted it. Out loud. To someone else. He still doubted, but his

draw to her didn’t abate at all, only grew in intensity.

“Claim her. Right now.”

Bastian chuckled. “It’s not that easy.”

“Boy, if others find out what you have, what your mate is, they will try to take her. It’s

been eons since I’ve encountered a Conduit. Vampires killed that one rather than let him live
and be claimed. I’m not even sure why I told you about them.”

“Her sister was my lover, Henri.”

“So?”

“It makes things a little more complex. She’s unsure of where she stands or what she

should do.”

“Feelings never pay attention to details like that. And if Evangeline finds out what you

have ... She will not hesitate to kill the girl and take the power spike to finish you off.”

“I know.” Bastian closed his eyes.

“You are sure of what you have?”

“I took a drop of her blood, and it made me feel beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

A high I’ve not had since I became.”

70

Mechele Armstrong

“Bast, I ... well, I have a special case living here at my house. I think she would be of

some help to your Conduit. Perhaps she and her lover could help you, as well.”

Bastian frowned. “A special case?”

Henri tittered, something Bastian had never heard the man do. “It’s ... someone you

have to see to believe. A powerful human.”

“You want to send her to me?”

“Her and her mate. They have been looking at the bonding rituals. To see if they can

bond. She ... she’s unprecedented in my knowledge.”

Bastian’s eyebrows raised. That was saying something, considering the fount of

knowledge Henri drew from. “Go ahead and share. If they want to come, fine. It can’t hurt
anything.”

“

D’accord

. You stay safe,

mon étudiant.

”

Bastian hung up the phone. What was Copper doing right now? Perhaps he should go

check on her.

Fool. You like to be tortured.

He blew out a breath. Assured himself he only

went to check on her safety, still concerned about the noise he’d heard.

* * * * *

Crimson yanked at the bonds tying her wrists. Tight. The damn bitch checked her

often, making sure the ties stayed secure.

When you screw up, you screw up big.

She’d gotten herself into a real fix. And didn’t

know how to get herself out.

Tears streaked down her face.

Copper had come. Crimson strained against the bonds again. They wouldn’t budge.

“Dammit!”

They had left her alone. It wouldn’t be for long. They’d come back. She swallowed, her

throat dry, her tongue prickly. Needed water. Her body shuddered. The bitch would touch
her. They’d all bite her. Over and over again.

She hadn’t told them who Copper was. No matter what they did to her. She’d kept her

sister’s identity within her.

Evangeline’s mental powers weren’t as strong as Bastian’s. Otherwise, she never could

have hid it from her. Bastian could read her mind as easily as reading a book. Evangeline
kept slapping at her mind, but couldn’t break the seal to the information.

Not that it mattered. They’d go after Copper and bring her here.

She kicked the bed in frustration. No, they couldn’t do this to Copper. Copper ... was

the good one.

Blood Lines: Conduit

71

She never should have called her. She’d been running scared. Hadn’t dared call Bastian.

Not thinking. Or she never would have dragged her sister into the mess she’d made of her
life.

It would be so much easier if she could blame Bastian.

But she couldn’t.

Her fault. And hers alone.

All because she wanted something Bastian wouldn’t give her.

When she’d met Bastian De Luca and found his true nature, it had been fascinating.

Exciting. A vampire. He liked to bite. She liked a little pain with her sex. Kismet.

He’d weaned her away from the S&M bubble she’d trapped herself in. Probably had

saved her from a big hurt. She’d been getting less and less safe with it.

She hated him and adored him at the same time for doing that. Why had he cared so

much? Only not enough to do other things.

And then Etien Malloy had come. She’d been drifting back into the scenes she’d left.

Like a junkie too long from a fix. He’d told her of his Mistress, who had offered her the
world. Or at least a chance to stay in it forever.

Immortality.

Who in their right mind would turn it down? All she’d had to do was disappear and

lead Bastian to Evangeline at the right time. To talk. Simply to talk. Vampires were
immortal. So she’d known delivering Bastian couldn’t hurt him. Only when they’d begun,
they had insisted Crimson go with them, instead of hiding by herself. And they’d talked and
talked and the more they did, the more she didn’t like the way they discussed Bastian.

She’d been mad at him for stifling her. For not offering her the gift of forever life. For

not loving her enough, though she didn’t love him. Never had. But she had never wanted to
physically hurt him. Or worse.

Bastian had told her all about vampires one stormy night at his house. He’d neglected

to tell her one small fact.

Vampires could be killed only by other vampires.

She’d learned that lesson after she’d run.

She’d bolted, scared. And done a dumb, chicken-shit thing. She’d called her sister. And

the vampire retrieval squad had caught up to her while she’d still been talking.

They had killed the homeless guy in the alley so he wouldn’t talk about them

abducting her. And one of their own for mangling his body too much. They’d dustbusted
him up with a car-battery-run vacuum.

She’d heard him scream, seen him die and pulverize into ash.

They would kill Bastian. Evangeline had been bent on revenge. Crimson had been a

pawn in a game.

72

Mechele Armstrong

And Copper now sat directly in Evangeline’s sights.

* * * * *

Lucy waited until Tad went off with Pope, heading for Pope’s room. She tossed off the

covers, her plain beige comforter that Bastian had given her. Everything she had, Bastian had
provided, showing his love.

Swallowing, she pulled on her tight jeans and ultra-tight lycra shirt. No bra. The tits

would bounce tonight. Slipped on her kicking shoes. Not exactly her old slutty clothes, but
they’d have to do.

After doing her makeup and teasing up her hair, she opened her window. The night air

was cool and caressing against her skin. A breeze blew. Magnolia blossoms fluttered back and
forth in the wind.

Swinging across to the tree branch, she shimmied down the huge magnolia tree. Not as

straightforward to climb as the maple she’d used when she’d lived at home to escape. But
good enough.

She rubbed her hands on her jeans, getting off the tree sap. The wind tickled her

cheeks, rocking her hair back and forth. She should have put it up. But how many men told
her they loved the long hair? And for what she had in mind, she needed to attract them.

She looked behind her at Bastian’s house. Her lips drew up into a pucker. No way in

hell was she leaving there. The bitch could dry up and rot before she’d leave. And leave
Bastian to her clutches. The bitch would not have her man. No way.

She could tell Bastian secretly doubted she could make it on her own. She’d show him.

Starting tonight. Then he’d admit to himself what they were to each other.

Soul mates.

She’d known it the first time she’d laid eyes on him, as she lay dying in that blasted

gutter. Well, not really dying. But beaten and cut so close, life barely flickered. He’d been
her angel then. Saved her. Her romantic hero later. The one she wanted above all others. The
one who’d always keep her safe. She wouldn’t lose him. She couldn’t.

He was the only man who could ever understand what she’d done. Run away from

home and out of money in St. Louis on the way to LA. And stayed. And whored. For
whoever paid the money.

Bastian knew her.

She sidled around the side of the house, and made for the street. If all went well, she

should be back before she’d been missed.

She headed down the streets, counting cracks. Headed deeper into the city. She’d

walked these same streets all the time hooking.

Blade’s.

Blood Lines: Conduit

73

Lucy smiled and tossed her long hair behind her. Entered the bar with a sashay. She

caught the bouncer’s head turn to watch her ass as she strutted.

Flashing lights greeted her adjusting eyes. An open floor plan with a dance floor in the

middle. The upper floor looked down on the central action. A bar on the first floor with
barstools and a few haphazard tables. The pictures and carpet brought one word to mind --
gothic. It suited a place where vamps were known to hang out in the city.

A tall black man slunk around the dance floor like he owned it. She slipped in behind

him, doing the dirty bump and grind. When he turned to do her from behind, his huge dick
rubbed against her ass. He wore skintight pants that left nothing the imagination. A huge
dick, probably bubbling up with pre-come.

Shivering, she leaned her head back against his chest, rubbing her ass against him. Not

Bastian, but still the most dominant man in the place. Bastian could have had his entrails for
an appetizer.

“Oh, baby.” His moan sounded guttural.

She grabbed his face, kissed him, her tongue searching his mouth, deeply exploring,

sliding along the sides, along his teeth.

No fangs.

She withdrew her mouth from his. He groaned.

“Sorry, but you aren’t my type.” She purred the words, patted his cheek while doing

one last thrust against him with her other cheeks, and off she sauntered across the dance
floor.

“Cock tease.” His grunt followed her.

She shook her hair back so it flowed under the flashing lights. So many men had

wanted her to wrap that hair around her naked self. Somewhere there were pictures of her.
Bastian loved to play with her hair. He would again. Feed. Take her. Make her his. This
would ensure it. She had to keep looking.

Vampires should have a secret tattoo or something, so she’d know where to find them.

Of course, the management might not know about their clients.

Across the second floor balcony, he stood, his long blond hair -- longer than hers --

stretching down to the middle of his back. He had it pulled back in a ponytail. Guys
shouldn’t have prettier hair than her. His dark purple shirt lay open to the waist, revealing
two pierced nipples. His tight leather pants could have been done with spray paint.

He saw her interest, and his eyes lit in the murky darkness of the club.

She leaned her head down, winking at him.

His gait was loose-limbed and eager as he approached her. Reminded her of a cowboy

who’d gotten off his horse. Or of an antelope. Looked funny on a man who might be a
predator. She eyed his mouth.

Please have fang .

s

74

Mechele Armstrong

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“You sure can.” She licked her lips, obviously, his eyes trained on her mouth.

His fangs gleamed in his smile.

“Oh my. What big teeth you have.” She reached up to stroke his chest. Downy hair

sprang to her fingertips. The soft skin pressed against her like cotton fabric after a wash with
fabric softener. He smelled nice, too. Summer fresh. Like dryer sheets. She pushed down a
giggle at the laundry thoughts. Her day tomorrow at the house.

“The better to taste you with.” He waggled his brows as he ordered her a shot of tequila

and himself a beer.

“I thought that was tongue? That tasted? Teeth bite.”

“Well, yeah.” He leaned in to whisper, “I only bite when asked real nice.”

She giggled. “A big tongue can do wonders, too.”

His laugh strangled out. She saw the crease against the growing bulge in his pants. He

shifted his feet.

She tugged on a nipple ring, causing his breath to suck in. “Hurt?”

“Not exactly.”

“Damn, if it were hurt, I’d soothe it a little.” She poked her lips out, giving him dewy

eyes like he’d taken away her fun.

He swallowed. “Maybe it hurt a little.”

She leaned over, twirling her tongue around the small brown nub of puckered flesh.

Then drew it into her mouth, sucking hard. He hissed.

“Better?” She leaned over, giving the other one the same treatment.

“Oh, yeah.” He groaned, fisting a hand in her hair. He brought her over to his lap. She

wiggled her bottom against his hardness.

“What a big dick you have.” Lucy smiled. Men, so easy to manipulate. Little touch, tell

them their dick is huge, and give them hope of pussy, they’d do anything. Bastian was the
exception to that rule. The waitress dropped off their drinks.

“The better to fuck you with.” He growled. His lips claimed hers. Hard. Fast. Driving.

Both panted as he released her.

She regained her breath. “So do you know Evangeline? Or someone who does?”

She’d heard enough of Bastian having a conversation with someone. Evangeline,

someone she’d figured out was a vampire, wanted Crimson for revenge on Bastian. Lucy
would ensure Bastian wouldn’t be hurt. Like an immortal could die. Crimson was human.
She’d die by Evangeline’s hand. And Lucy would be all the comfort Bastian needed. If this
vampire couldn’t take her to Evangeline, she’d find one who could.

His black eyes hooded quickly. He passed her back to her own chair. “Who wants to

know?” He grabbed her shoulders in his tight hands.

Blood Lines: Conduit

75

She looked down at each one. Didn’t protest. “I’m Lucy. And I’ll have Crimson to her

by tomorrow night.” Damn, the words sounded even better coming out of her mouth than
they had in her head.

“Really?”

Lucy nodded, downing half of the newly brought drink. “Really.” She licked alcohol

from her lips, liking the taste on her tongue. His eyes followed the movement. So, she licked
again. Teasing him. Rubbing her lips with it.

He swallowed, the sound harsh. “She will want proof. That you can do what you say

you can do.”

She slung back the other half of her drink. “I can prove it. By delivering the goods. I

can make your Mistress a happy woman. And as you found me, I’m sure she’ll provide a
finder’s fee to you. Advantageous to both of us.”

He sipped his alcohol, leaning back away from her. “What do you want in return? And

my name’s Etien.”

“Something I’m sure your Mistress won’t mind doing one bit.”

“And what’s that?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Kill the red-haired bitch.”

* * * * *

Copper rolled over in the bed. Threw off the covers. She couldn’t sleep. Too much

whirled in her brain. Did Bastian sleep yet?

He’s a vampire. Creature of the night.

He’d admitted to her daylight wasn’t his preferred time of day. So he probably hadn’t

gone to bed yet. Was he hunting for her sister? What the hell would happen now? And if
Bastian thought he’d keep her out it, well, her pointy little shoes would walk all over his ass.
She’d never gone for “Yes, let’s let the big, strong man handle it.”

Her boyfriends were always wimps. Crimson had commented on it more than once.

Bastian wasn’t.

And he’s not yours.

She sighed. Opened her window. Wind danced across her face, tickling it, bringing

sweet smells on the crisp air. Honeysuckle. She loved the scent. Reminded her of
summertime and cruising back-country roads with the windows open.

She closed her eyes and inhaled. Magnolia, faint and pure.

A light rap on her door made her turn.

“Tad, I told you, you didn’t have to come pick my tray back up.”

Bastian slid the door open. “Sorry. It’s not Tad.”

76

Mechele Armstrong

“Oh. Oh. No need to be sorry.” She gulped, her hands grasping the bottom of her long

T-shirt and pulling it down to cover. Mistake. His eyes followed the movement. As they
drifted up and down her body, she shivered, wanting more than his eyes on her. She shifted
her hips, her underwear too tight. “What’s up?”

“I ...” His eyes made it up to meet hers. “I came to check on you.”

“Well, I’m fine.” Her breath felt like it weighed as much as a brick, getting it out of her

chest. “Fine and dandy.”

“That’s good.”

“Uh huh.”

They both stood silent a minute.

“Bastian ...”

“Copper ...”

Copper chuckled. “Jinx.” She and Crimson had done that all the time as kids. Said

things together.

“What?”

“That’s what you say when you say something at the same time as someone else.

Usually, it’s the same thing, but I figured with us saying the other’s name, it was like that.”
Drowning. In his eyes. Or burning. And she wasn’t sure which. But, the longer they looked
at her, the more she knew it was one of the two. Her pussy moisture slicked between her
legs. All her attention focused on that spot.

Could he feel this too? This electric pulse running between the two of them? Her eyes

looked down at the center of his body. One. Hard. Cock. Her breath whooshed out in a
heady rush.

His nostrils twitched. “Dammit.” Two steps and he had her. His arms wrapped around

her, pulling her to him. His lips descended and surprised her with a gentle exploration. His
mouth sought hers, his tongue tracing her lips for entry.

She moaned. Fire swept over her even at that gentle touch. She leaned into his body,

rubbing herself against the hard feel of it.

His tongue plunged in. Her knees wobbled. The feel of his tongue chasing hers was

exquisite.

His hands tangled in her hair, stroking through it. He pressed his erection into her

middle. She rubbed against it. The ache between her legs intensified. She throbbed. Wanted.
She put her hands on his ass, squeezing his backside, pulling him closer.

He had the nicest butt. Like her hands were meant to cup it. She wanted to nip it, to

kiss it, see it bare before her eyes.

Blood Lines: Conduit

77

With a growl, he pinned her against the wall. His hands cupped her rear. Her shirt had

slid up out of the way so her underwear was the only barrier between his hands and her ass.
She moaned at all the swirling sensations.

Combustion.

Every part of her rested against him.

So hard, so large. She couldn’t get any wetter.

He hadn’t touched her yet. Not the places she most wanted him to.

Her hand went down, grabbed one of his, and placed it on her breast.

He broke off with a shaky laugh. “Something you want?”

“Touch me.”

“Oh, I’ll touch you all right. I’ll touch you everywhere.” His fingers located her

straining nipple under her shirt. He slid his palm against it and then pinched it roughly.

“Oh, yes.” She panted, unable to get enough oxygen in to satisfy her need. The need for

him grew exponentially.

He lowered his mouth. Breathed hot air around her pebbled nipple.

She shook. A little sauna. Hot from heat. From desire.

His wet tongue traced around through the cotton. Sparks centered along her chest.

Wanted his mouth on her bare nipple. Wanted nakedness. Now.

She gripped the hem to take it off. He grabbed her hands in his.

She tried to toss them off. His mouth continued to lave her nipple through the wet

fabric.

As he removed his mouth, he puffed air, instantly cooling it off. His ragged breath

matched hers. A shudder wracked her entire body.

“I want to take off my shirt.” She’d never heard herself sound so needy.

“No.”

“Bastian! I want to ...”

“If we make love now, no matter how much I want to, or you want to, we’ll both

regret it. You take off any more clothes, I will take you, Copper.”

The words dulled her desire. He was right. Dammit, he was right. What was she doing?

She’d planned to keep her distance from him. This was not distance. This was closeness.

“When I take you, Copper Daly, you’ll be mine. Mine alone. And I will do what I

please to your body. To please you.”

His words ignited something in her soul. The flicker moved through her. He bowed to

her, pulled her hand up, and kissed it.

78

Mechele Armstrong

“Did you make a pledge to me?” She couldn’t keep the husky note of desire nor the

catch of bemusement from her voice. She’d never had a man play a knight. Role playing.
He’d look so fine in armor. She shook her head to clear it.

“I did.” He bowed his head to her in a nod.

“Well, I expect you to damn well keep it.”

He chuckled. “I will.”

“This is killing me.”

He lowered his head and placed his forehead on hers. “Me too.”

They had finally admitted what lay between them. Attraction. Lust. Something so

strong neither could deny the cord, the link between them. Copper wanted to stop time for
this moment. Stay in it forever, and pretend their problems didn’t exist.

She’d never felt this way about a man.

She closed her eyes, resting against him. Her heart pounded. She was falling in love

with him. She’d resolved long ago never to do that. She’d seen her mother’s and Crimson’s
versions of love. Neither appealed to her. She had to get away from him.

She pushed away from him, opening her eyes. “You’d better go. I ... need to work

tomorrow.”

Bastian frowned, trying to keep his hands on her even with her pulling away. “You

don’t have to work anymore.”

“No one else knows I’m not Crim but you and Tad. You’re hoping Evangeline will

come out because she thinks I’m Crimson. For that to happen, I have to keep up the façade.”
She pulled free of him. “That means working.”

Bastian’s frown deepened. “I don’t like it.”

“It has to be done.” Copper crossed her arms in front of her.

“Tomorrow, Tad will take you and stay until I come to pick you up.”

“It will be daylight.”

He nodded. “I know.”

“Well, that’s stupid to come pick me up. Evangeline won’t come after me in the

daytime.”

“She can walk in daylight the same as I can. And she has humans who help her, same as

I do. That’s why Tad stays with you. To protect you. Jake and Barb know not to let you leave
with anyone but Tad or me.”

“Still ...”

“Copper.” One word. With finality. Her arguments would make no difference. And he

was probably right. She’d never met a man who didn’t waver from his decisions. Her pussy
tingled again. Turned on by a strong man. She certainly never imagined she would be.

Blood Lines: Conduit

79

Bastian straightened, taking a deep breath. “I’d better go. Let you sleep.” He leaned

down, giving her a gentle kiss on her lips. “Good night, Copper.”

He left her room. She watched his rear, muscles clenching as he walked. She gulped.

Her lips tingled. Why did he have to feel so good? Look so fine?

She curled up in a ball in Crimson’s bed. Steeled herself against the emotions. She

couldn’t let herself love him. Too strong. He was too strong for her. She’d lose herself to him.
She’d seen Crim and her mother do it one too many times. And he was a vampire. And the
pesky problem of him being her sister’s boyfriend hadn’t been eliminated.

Copper drifted off to sleep, resolving to stay strong against Bastian De Luca. For her

own survival.

80

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Nine

Lucy pulled out her cell phone. Her body ached after a night of sexual play. She

touched a bite on her shoulder. Etien had marked her several times and fed, despite her
instructions to the contrary. She’d need to be cautious around Bastian. He could spot those
things a mile away. She’d begun showering with bath soap she’d seen Crimson use and
would soak herself in it before the day was through. That way he wouldn’t catch any scent of
Etien. Blood could be explained away from a cut shaving.

“Tad? Tad? Is that you?”

“Who else would be answering my cell phone? What’s up, Lucy?” Tad’s flippant tone

quickly switched to serious. He hated it when there was angst or trouble.

“I know I didn’t come home last night. I’m in trouble. Please, Tad, come and get me.”

She made her voice a mix of desperation and regret.

“Lucy, you’re a mess. Where are you? And it’s not exactly a good time to come get you.

I’m babysitting Crimson.”

“Oh, God, please, Tad, I made a mistake. You’re the only one I can turn to. The only

one I have left. I need to get away. Before he comes back.”

Tad sighed. “You found the old pimp again? Give me the address, and I’ll come. But

you have to come sit with Crim afterwards.”

“Thank you, Tad. I will do anything for you. Please don’t tell anyone. You’re a

lifesaver.”

She gave him the address to an abandoned, graffiti-covered warehouse. He’d

investigate to make sure she wasn’t in there. That would buy her some time.

Lucy watched from her position across the street from Lucky’s Bar. Two minutes later,

Tad sauntered out of the bar. He was so predictable and helpful. And good thing none of
their cell phones had GPS locators. She’d handle not being where Tad thought she was later.

Blood Lines: Conduit

81

Find an explanation. The pimp had come and taken her home. Where she tragically found
Bastian in a stupor and thought he was injured.

She dialed her phone again.

“Crimson! You have to hurry. You have to come home. Bastian’s been wounded. He

needs you. You and Tad need to come home now. Not much time.”

“What? What happened?” The panic settled into Crimson’s voice. Good. The more

emotion hit her, the less she’d use what little brain she had.

“A lady vampire came, and he fought. It was bad.” Lucy smirked, twisting her hair.

“He’s been hurt. He asked me to call you. He lost a lot of blood. Vampire blood. It’s precious.
He lost consciousness. I think ... I think he might be dying.” She let out another sob. “I had to
call you. It was the last thing he asked.”

“Oh, god. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Crimson snapped off the phone. Lucy shook her head. Dumb bitch. Time to put the

next part into play.

* * * * *

Jake moved in front of Copper. She handed Diane her tray. “Crim, I don’t know about

this.”

“Get out of my way, Jake. I need to go to Bastian.” Her voice rose octaves.

“I’m not supposed to let you leave ...”

“I don’t give a damn. I’m going. I need to get to Bastian. That was Lucy. You know

Lucy! He’s been wounded.” Her voice screeched. Her heart pounded in her chest. No, she
wouldn’t lose him. Not now. Could vampires die? The legends said they could, but they had
so much wrong. She should have asked him when she had the chance.

“I could order Barb to hold you while I call Bastian. Or Tad.”

“And I can kick him in the balls until he lets me go. Tad had an emergency errand to

go run. This is about Bastian, and we are wasting time. Lucy said he was unconscious. I have
to go.

Now

.”

Jake frowned, lines drawing up all along his face. Worry lines. His worry fed her own

until she nearly burst at the seams with it. “I’ll go with you.”

Barb snorted, coming out from behind the bar. “Like you could do anything, Mr.

Monkey Suit. I’ll take you to Bastian’s.”

“We need to hurry.”

“We will.” Barb’s tone left no doubt he meant it.

They pulled up outside Bastian’s fifteen minutes later. They’d broken the sound barrier

and all the speed limit laws getting there. Barb had been true to his word.

82

Mechele Armstrong

Lucy rushed out of the house. “Oh good, Crimson ...” She drew back, seeing Barb’s bulk

getting out of the car. “What are you doing here?”

“Escorting Crimson here. For safekeeping. Hello, Lucy.”

Lucy smirked. “Hello, Barb. Ah. She’s safe now on Bastian’s estate. You can run along

back to the bar.”

“How is Bastian? Maybe I can help ...”

Copper headed for Bastian’s room while they talked. She had to see him. Make sure he

was okay.

“No. You can’t help with anything. Crimson, hang on a minute.”

Copper turned to face them.

Barb frowned, his mouth drawing down to his chin. “Are you sure? I can ...”

“No. Go on back to the bar. I haven’t gotten a hold of Tad yet, he’s supposed to be

picking me up, and I’m not where he thinks I am. He’ll go back to the bar to pick her up. Go
catch him. Tell him I’m back.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “Crimson and I
can handle Bastian. Nothing you can do here.”

“Lucy,” Copper started walking again, “I want to go ...”

“Wait a minute. I need to go with you.”

Copper’s eyes narrowed. Odd things going on. “Barb, go on back. I’ll let you know how

Bastian is as soon as I can.” Barb needed to leave so she could find out what Lucy was up to.
Because she was sure up to something. Tad’s emergency call had been Lucy? That cinched it.
The witch. What was she up to?

“Are you sure, Crim?” The man flexed his meaty arms.

“Yeah. I’m sure.” She nodded. “It’s best if you go on back.” She had to find out what

Lucy was up to, and Lucy wouldn’t act with the big man here. That was obvious.

Barb strode out the door and back to his car.

Copper turned to Lucy, her eyes taking in the woman clad in jeans and a T-shirt. She

saw the dark purple hickey on the side of her neck, the shirt not quite covering it. She
should have worn a high-necked one. While a momentary shot of jealousy hit low in the pit
of her stomach, her heart dismissed it. No way Bastian would screw the little witch.
“Bastian’s not hurt, is he?”

Lucy turned stunned eyes toward her. “No. How did you figure that out?” She sidled

close to Copper.

“A guess. What do you want? Why did you bring me here?”

Lucy’s laughter trilled. “I want you dead. And I brought you here to take you to people

who’ll do that.”

“You’re going to take me somewhere? How? You and how many army men?” Copper

backed up a step.

Blood Lines: Conduit

83

“I’ll take you, Crimson.” Lucy’s voice lifted and shifted. She retook the step of distance

Copper had gained. “Off to see the wizard. Or in this case, a vampiress.”

Copper stilled, her whole body going slack. “To see Evangeline?”

Lucy’s eyes simmered with hurt. “Yesss.” She hissed like an angry snake. “Bastian told

you about her? Like he never told me?”

Copper shrugged her shoulder, moving around Lucy. “I guess he likes me better.” Take

her to Evangeline? And that meant to Crimson. She’d have to think of a way for Bastian to
find her, though. She’d need help getting her sister out of there.

Lucy balled her fists up at her side. “You’re trying to make me angry. I won’t strike you

again. It’s not worth it. You’ll be dead soon. And Bastian will be mine. All mine.”

“Let’s go then.”

“What?” Lucy put her hand behind her back. Copper saw something clutched in it. But

didn’t get a good enough look to identify it.

“Let’s go to Evangeline. Come on. Chop-chop.” Copper shook back her hair. Maybe if

she made Lucy think she was cooperating she could find a way to leave Bastian a sign. She
had to take this chance and go to Crimson. “Where is she, anyway? Long trip? Before we
leave, I do have to pee. Especially for a long car ride. I would hate to make you have to stop
or piss on your seats. I’ll go now.”

Lucy shook her head, stepping in front of her. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re

playing. But I’m not telling you jack about where we’re going.”

She grabbed Copper’s arm, the hand behind her back coming up, jabbing a needle into

her skin.

“Ow.” It stung, and burned. The numbness started at the needle insertion and drifted

quickly up her arm. Oh shit, Lucy had drugged her. She’d never get a message to Bastian
now. Unless ... Even as she fell to the ground, the intoxicant taking over, her mind screamed
for the vampire.

* * * * *

Bastian jerked awake. Every cell fired. Every neuron snapped. His skin prickled. Heart

pounded.

He sat up, rubbing his face. He’d been having a sensual dream of Copper.

She’d kneeled before him, taking his cock in her mouth. Laved all around it, sucking it

like a stick of candy, slurping in her eagerness to take all of him. She’d taken him to the
brink, then backed off. Had wrapped those nimble legs around him, positioned, and thrust
him inside of her with a

whoosh

. He’d pounded into her, again and again. She’d screamed his

name, raking her fingernails down his back. He’d lifted his head and shoved fangs deep into
her shoulder, feasting on the powerful liquid she carried within her veins. She called his
name again, louder and desperate. Screamed it.

84

Mechele Armstrong

So real. So intense.

Such a dream.

It had all been in his mind, obviously, as Copper didn’t lie beside him. And as his cock

remained so hard it stung. Even another hand job hadn’t taken any edge off. He needed to
sink it into her willing flesh soon. She’d been hot and primed for him earlier.

His head came up. What time was it? What had torn him out of this dream?

Copper’s scream. The last thing he remembered.

But that meant nothing. It had only been a dream. Where’d he’d taken her. All it was.

He’d even fed again. Only in a dream.

But the niggling feeling wouldn’t go away. He lay down and tried to slumber again. He

couldn’t stop thinking. His hard-on wouldn’t go away and he couldn’t stop imagining what it
would be like to sink into her.

Perhaps he’d check on her. See how her day of work was going.

He pulled the phone closer to him and dialed.

“Hey Jake. Is everything OK there?”

“Oh man, I’m glad to hear your voice. What happened? Not hurt as much as Lucy

thought? She scared us.”

Bastian stared at the receiver. What? “Hurt? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Lucy called. Told us how you’d been hurt. And wanted Crimson.”

“I was never hurt. I was asleep.” Bastian’s breath caught.

Oh, shit.

“Put Tad on.”

Jake didn’t say anything, and then spoke, “You weren’t hurt? Tad’s not here. He got an

emergency call and had to go.”

“No, I wasn’t hurt. Where is Crimson? Tell me everything.”

“Bastian, Lucy called here. Said you wanted Crimson there urgently. You were hurt.

We let her go. Barb got back right as you called. He dropped her off.”

“Damn. Here? With Lucy?”

“Yeah. Did we do something wrong, Bas? I know you said no one but Tad and you, but

Lucy ... she’s been with you a long time.”

“It’s OK, Jake. Don’t worry about it.” He’d do all the worrying for both of them. Lucy

wouldn’t do anything to Copper. She’d know the consequences. But it wouldn’t leave his
mind.

“Bas, Barb did say when he got back, Lucy was in a hurry to get him to leave. She told

him about a dozen times to go before he finally did.”

Lucy had called, lying to friends of theirs to get Copper alone. Had been in a hurry to

ensure she’d have Copper alone.

It stank. Reeked of something not kosher, and he wasn’t even Jewish.

Blood Lines: Conduit

85

“I need to go, Jake. I’m going to look for Crim and Lucy.”

He hung the phone up and bounded out of bed, naked. Yanking the door open, he

charged into the hallway. No time to stop for clothes. He wanted to be overreacting. But the
nauseating feel to his gut told him he wasn’t.

If Lucy had hurt her ...

He searched the whole house. Nothing. No Copper, no Lucy. No answers to the yells.

Barb said he had dropped them off here. Where could they be?

He called Jake back. “Did Barb come inside the house? You said he saw Lucy. Where

did he drop off Cop-- Crimson?”

Jake talked for a minute, away from the receiver. Bastian heard the muffled voices.

“She kept him outside in the driveway. Never let him inside the house. Bas, he said she was
real nervous, too. He thought she was afraid because you were hurt. Lucy didn’t hurt Crim,
did she? What is she doing?”

“I don’t know.” Bastian hung up.

His phone rang again. “Copper?”

“No, it’s Tad. I walked in the bar, and they said call you. What’s up?”

“I’m not exactly sure. What was your emergency?”

“I ...” He could hear the hesitation, and the mind working on a cover story.

“I need the truth. It’s important. Too much is going on for a lie.” Tad never lied to him,

anyway. He might not tell the whole truth. But he didn’t lie.

“Lucy called me to come get her. She sounded upset.”

Bastian stared at the receiver. “Your emergency call was from Lucy?”

“Yeah. She wanted me to pick her up. She was gone from her room when I went to

look for her this morning. Made some poor decisions. Needed someone to come get her.
Then, left me looking for her.”

“She wasn’t there?”

“Nope.”

“Tad, I need you back at the house. Now.”

For outside, Bastian got on clothes, or at least pants. He wanted to rush out naked but

scrambled, pulling on sweats. In case he had to run around the city without going back in.
This couldn’t be happening. Lucy wouldn’t ... He swallowed.

No sign of them outside, either. No answer to his calls.

But in one spot near the driveway circle, the faintest of scents. Copper. Lucy’s scent

covered by Crimson’s body wash again. A bitter scent.

He inhaled deeply, scratching at his chest and squinting.

86

Mechele Armstrong

A sleep drug. He recognized it. He had encountered it long ago, and it wasn’t a scent

he’d forget. It had been used on women by a vampire who’d gone over the edge. Henri and
Bastian had hunted him down. He hadn’t encountered it since but the smell was distinctive.

Lucy had put Copper to sleep. But for what purpose? Why would she do something like

that? And was she working alone? A chill went down his body. Or was she working with
someone?

* * * * *

Lucy walked up to the small farmhouse. She knocked on the door. Not exactly the most

elegant of places. A bit run down, with the house in need of some paint. A sagging front
porch. Cow farms surrounded it. Crickets chirped and few katydids sounded. No human
sounds around. She hadn’t seen many cars on the way out.

Evan, a brown-haired man, opened the door. Etien had introduced them last night. His

hair was cropped close to his head. A stern-looking wool suit. He must be hot as hell. No
wonder he looked so grumpy. “What took you so long?” He waved her inside to a living
room as ramshackle as the outside.

“You live in the boondocks. That’s what took me so long, Evan.”

“Do you have the girl?” His tone was clipped. Like he was in a courtroom instead of the

middle of farm country.

Lucy giggled. “I do. She’s trussed up like a turkey snoozing on my back seat.” She’d had

fun tying the other girl up. Used much more twine than necessary. Put more duct tape than
necessary on her mouth. It should hurt to remove. She wished she could have slapped her
around, but hadn’t wanted to mark her when delivering her so soon to Bastian’s enemy.

“My Mistress will be most pleased.”

“I am, Evan. Oh yes, I am.”

Both their heads turned to see the woman descending the creaky steps. She wore a

black leather outfit like Catwoman. Her blonde hair was almost the same shade as Lucy’s but
shorter.

“Mistress.” Evan’s voice held reverence. Lucy’s gaze shifted to him. He sounded so

worshipping. Not something she’d imagined from him in their quick impromptu
introduction. He’d seemed so unaffected.

She tingled, clenching her hands with fear. She was only supposed to deliver the girl to

Evan. Hadn’t been told Evangeline would be present. The one who wanted revenge on
Bastian. This change of plan was not something she’d anticipated.

Lucy looked to the door. Running from the vampiress probably wouldn’t be the

smartest thing to do. She’d have to find a way out of this.

“Evan. Go bring in our newest guest. I’m sure the current one will be pleased at the

reunion.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

87

“Yes, Mistress.” Evan bolted out the door. His eagerness made Lucy more wary. Did he

do things out of fear or love? Somehow she thought both. And if he feared the one he served
so much, it made her scared. More than she’d been in a long time. Her heart thumped
rapidly in her chest.

“You must be Lucy.” Her cool hand caressed Lucy’s cheek. Lucy barely managed not to

flinch. “I’m Evangeline.” Her voice chirped, grating on Lucy’s nerves. “It’s a pleasure to meet
you finally.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Evangeline. Etien told me a lot about you.”

“Did he, now? You are quite a lovely thing.” Evangeline’s head came close, and she

inhaled deeply. “Etien enjoyed you well.”

Lucy nodded. “That he did.” She inched one step closer to the door.

“How forthright you are. No blushes or hesitation. A woman not afraid of her own

sexuality. I like it. And you.”

Lucy let loose a quivering smile. Evan scurried back in the front door, carrying

Crimson, who was still unconscious.

It would be done. She’d finally be rid of the bitch. Bastian would love her as he was

meant to. As he did without realizing it.

“Take the lovely guest up to the room we have prepared. Make sure she’s comfortable.

Until we can ... get Bastian here to talk.” Evangeline slid her hands down the smooth leather
material. “You love Bastian?” She stared at Lucy, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

And he loves me, and now, we’ll finally have some peace.

“He loves you?”

Lucy took another step closer to the door, her hands shaking. Her feet ached to run.

“What?” She hadn’t spoken that out loud. Had she? “I must be getting back. It will be dark
soon.”

“Pet, you are projecting thoughts so loudly, my fledgling vampires can hear you. Etien

had told me you said Bastian loved you more than Crimson.” Evangeline tapped her chin.
Lucy’s back hit the front door, garnering her sigh of relief. “Interesting piece of information,
don’t you think?”

“He does.” Lucy blurted it out. Then cringed. A mistake. Admitting that Bastian loved

her to the person bent on some sort of revenge against him. Her plans crumbled around her.
She was supposed to use Evangeline’s plots to get what she wanted. Not be drawn into it.

Evangeline sighed. “Such a complicated life our dear Bastian has. Take her, boys.”

Lucy scrambled to yank open the door, turned to run, and hit a wall one step out of it.

Only it wasn’t a wall. It was a man. A huge man who’d been waiting outside the door. He
grabbed her. She kicked, but he slung her over his shoulder. Two other men stepped out of
the shadows.

88

Mechele Armstrong

“This wasn’t part of the deal! I gave you Crimson! You were supposed to let me go if I

did.”

Evangeline patted her ass. Her hand lingered there, tracing it through her jeans. “What

a nice rump you have.” Then in a whimsical tone, “If Bastian loves you, I must have you too.
Rules of engagement. Have as many things in your favor as you can. Sorry for you, pet.”
From her upside down position, Lucy saw Evangeline move towards another man, a brown-
haired one. Her kicks had been useless to get her down from the man who held her. “Take
her upstairs and secure her in the room with the others. Get this room ready for the games to
start. Oh, and pet? I already have Crimson. I’m not sure whom you delivered yet. But I will
be finding out. As soon as our sleeping beauty wakes up. I will let you watch. Before I kill all
three of you.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

89

Chapter Ten

Voices came into Copper’s consciousness. Light, indecipherable warbling sounds that

ran into her brain. She rolled her head. Her eyelids wouldn’t raise. Tiny, heavy bricks sat on
them.

The voice slowly came into focus.

“Copper! Would you shut the hell up, bitch? I know you want Bastian and to get out of

here. We all do. Copper, wake up.”

Sobbing, and the snappish voice of her sister.

She forced one eyelid up. She viewed the room through a dreamy haze.

Lucy and Crimson sat on the floor nearby. A living room. The furniture, sofa and coffee

table had been shoved back against the walls in one corner. Lots of open space.

Circular rings had been bolted into the plain white drywall, which Lucy and Crim had

been handcuffed to. No one else seemed to be in the room.

She slid the other eyelid up. They wanted to slam back down. Her legs and arms

weighed heavy on the carpet.

Drugged.

Lucy had drugged her, the bitch. Now she sat crying. Copper wanted to pull her

eyeballs out.

She leaned her head back and almost lost consciousness again. But saw enough to know

she’d been secured like the other two.

“Nice of you to join the party, sis.”

“Crimson, are you OK?”

“Never better. Are you? Did they hurt you bringing you here?” Crimson shifted her

head to look.

90

Mechele Armstrong

Copper shook her head. She sat further up. The house smelled like the woods. Crisp.

Clean. Warm. A slight tinge of vanilla. Contrast to the frigidness seeping into her bones.
They might die here.

No. Don’t think like that.

Crimson licked chapped lips. “Copper, we don’t have a lot of time. I’m sorry. I never

should have called you and brought you into this mess.”

Copper smiled at her sister. “I’m glad you did.”

“Touching reunion.” Lucy’s voice came out raw, hoarse. “They’re going to fucking kill

us.”

“Shut up, bitch. You delivered us here. We’d still be safe at Bastian’s if you hadn’t taken

me.” Copper tested the bonds. Tight. Chains. No way to break them. Unless she got vampire
strength within the next few minutes.

“They’ve got us secured good, Cop. There’s no getting out of this one. I wanted to tell

you, though. I love you, sis.” Crimson’s voice dropped. She swallowed noisily.

Copper’s eyes stung as she fought to hold them back, but tears trickled out. Her throat

burned, feeling raw. Crimson hadn’t said that in a long time. Last time they’d fought, she’d
said the opposite. Copper had worried they might be the last words she’d hear from Crimson.
“I love you too. We’re going to get out of this. Don’t you give up.”

Lucy’s eyes snakeified. “I wonder how your sister would feel to know you’re banging

her boyfriend.”

Copper gnashed her teeth. “Why couldn’t they have gagged you?”

Crim’s voice sounded so strong. “You and Bastian? Hooking up?”

“Crim, it isn’t like that. Not like that at all. I was pretending to be you, trying to find

out where you were.”

“Oh. He thought you were me.” Crimson shifted her hands, rattling chains.

Copper cringed. “He ... umm ... well, he knew I wasn’t you. But we haven’t screwed or

banged or anything else like that.”

“But you’d like to. I can still read you. After so much time apart.” A smug tone came to

Crimson’s voice.

“Of course she wants him. He’s Bastian.” Lucy’s waspish voice made Copper’s spine

snap straighter. Though she did have a point.

“Shut up, Lucy. Crimson, I ... we didn’t plan it. Nothing we’ve acted on, either. We

have not fucked ...”

“Sis.” Crimson interrupted, shaking her head. “Bastian is a good man. He’d be good for

you. Unlike the moron.”

Copper hadn’t thought about Jared since she’d met Bastian. The differences in them

could fill volumes. “The moron’s history anyway.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

91

“Cop. We do not have a lot of time. Whatever happens, you leave. Get out. And agree

with everything I tell you to.”

Copper blinked. Crimson had a plan.

The door to the room creaked open. A sliver of light shone. The overhead light flipped

on. The walls, so plainly white with nothing to break it up, hurt Copper’s eyes. Two leather-
booted legs strode in, attached to a thin woman in a tight red leather mini-dress, her hair in a
bun.

“Good to see you awake. I was beginning to worry Lucy here had given you more

sedative than I prescribed. Then we would have had to make Lucy suffer.” She clucked her
tongue.

“You must be Evangeline.” Copper leaned her head back to stare at the woman who

wanted revenge on Bastian.

“What do you know? My reputation precedes me.” Men and women sauntered into the

room. Most of the men wore no shirts, except one who wore a suit. The women wore little.
The eerie thing was, none of them said a word at first unless Evangeline spoke to them or
touched them.

“I thought you were from Victorian England? Didn’t they have a dress code? I don’t

think you or your little minions meet it.” Copper shifted her weight, seeing if she could
deliver a kick. Not unless she or the others came closer.

“I see Bastian talked about me. And yes, pet, they did. Makes me glad I live in the now

and not the past.” She ran a hand down a man’s sleek chest. Turned and did the same thing to
a woman wearing a low-cut shirt. “So much easier to access body parts these days.”

Crimson moved, the chains clanging. “Evangeline. This woman knows nothing.

Nothing about you or Bastian’s real lives. She’s innocent.”

“Suddenly

now

you get chatty?” Evangeline moved around all of them. Her boots made

soft thumps on the old carpet. “Why now?”

“Because this woman means something to me. She’s my sister.”

“Crimson!” Copper railed. “What are you doing?”

“Sisters. How scrumptious.” Evangeline’s voice rose. A kid with a new toy. A new perk

to use.

“She means nothing to Bastian. Nothing at all. I’m the one who does.”

“Crimson. Don’t.” Copper lined up her shot. Evangeline needed to move into range. It

wouldn’t get them out. But it would focus her on someone other than Crimson.

“Copper isn’t a part of this. I know you want to get back at Bastian. But killing her will

do nothing to get to him. And that’s what you want. To get to him.”

Evangeline stopped moving. She ran an index finger down something Copper hadn’t

noticed. A flogger hanging on the wall. “So you want me to let her go?”

92

Mechele Armstrong

Crimson nodded. “I do.”

Evangeline sucked her lip into her mouth. “But see, there’s nothing in that for me. I

like to kill too. Doesn’t have to be to get back at Bastian.”

“If you let her go, I’ll willingly fuck you. With my whole body.” Crimson’s eyes looked

directly into Evangeline’s. “I know you want it. You’ve wanted me since you started this.
Your eyes can’t deny it.”

“I had you, pet. You put too great a price on your own sex.”

“Crimson!” Crimson ignored Copper’s call. Copper wanted to kick her.

“But my arms couldn’t hold you. Couldn’t pleasure you. I couldn’t top you. And that’s

what you want from me. You had me. Sure you did. But unless you do this, you will never
have

had

me.”

Evangeline ran a hand over her face.

“What about me?” Lucy shrieked.

“What about you? You go screw yourself.” Crim sat up taller. Slowly drew her tongue

across her lips. “Bastian does care for Lucy. He’s fucked her before.”

“Crimson, please don’t do this.” Copper’s voice pleaded.

“He’s screwed both sisters.” Lucy leaned back against her chains. Her grin looked

malicious. “He screwed Crimson. And Copper while you had her.”

“Did he now?” Evangeline stilled, her head turning to scan all three of them.

“No!” Crimson snarled. “He’s never touched Copper.”

Evangeline approached Copper. Knelt down beside her. “Why can’t I get into your

mind? It’s like my head hits a wall each time I try. I’ve been trying since I walked in the
room. I can’t find out which one of them lies about you.”

Copper shrugged. The chains rattled again. Bastian had said he couldn’t read her.

Maybe no vampire could.

“I can’t even get a small part of my mind in yours.” She pursed her lips. “Why is that? I

can get into your sister’s head. She can block me, but I’m still in. You, I can’t put any feelers
in your brain.”

“It doesn’t matter about her. I’ll only let you take me if you let her go.” Crimson

stomped the floor to get Evangeline’s attention.

“As tempted as I am by the offer, and I’m more tempted than I should be, I can’t,

Crimson. I can’t get into her head. I can’t smell Bastian on her, but that means little. And
you’d lie to me to protect this one. I don’t have to search your mind to know that.”

“Dammit, Evangeline.”

“It’s all right, Crimson.” Copper shook. Her sister had been willing to sacrifice herself

for her. She had never expected that.

Blood Lines: Conduit

93

“Now?” Evangeline picked up the flogger and rolled it through her hands. “Whom

should I start with?”

“Them.” Lucy’s murmured words caught the vampiress’s ears.

“Bullshit. Let her start with you.” Crimson’s voice growled, low and deep. Like she’d

been hanging out with wolves and not vampires, who couldn’t change shape, despite the
rumors.

“So you two presume to know what I want?” Evangeline smacked the flogger against

her hand, making a snapping sound.

Evangeline got up, turning in the direction of Crimson. Copper saw the advantage,

maybe her only time to use it, and took it. Her foot shot out, kicking Evangeline in the hip.
She went down, staggering to her knees.

Evan started forward, and Evangeline growled at him. He rejoined the line.

“Not being able to read your mind is a pain.” She stumbled to her feet. She slapped the

plastic whip against Copper’s midsection. It let out a sharp sound, stinging the skin. Copper
bit her lip. She wouldn’t give the bitch the satisfaction of knowing it hurt. “Do you know
why I left you all clothed?” Another slap. More burning pain. Copper gritted her teeth. “I
plan to cut those clothes off of each of you. Only I don’t intend to be careful with the knife.
How many wounds do you think I can make? Etien and I have a bet. On how many nicks I
can put into your skin. My vampires will feed well from them. As I cut you.”

“Been there, done that, Evangeline. Your vampires have been feeding on my wounds

for days.” Crimson lay her head back.

“And I’m sure you will find your way to orgasm with what will be done now, Crim.”

She twisted the flogger against her palm, face thoughtful. “You would have followed through
with your offer?”

“Damn straight.” Crim’s eyes met Copper’s. Regret, love, a few other things pictured

there.

Evangeline sighed. “I finally meet a woman to rival Marie, and I have to kill her. The

fates are not kind. Evan? Whom shall I start with?”

Evan stepped up behind Evangeline. She leaned in to lick down his jaw. His body

shook, his face turning to a look of rapture. “I think the blonde.”

“No!” Lucy screamed, straining against the cuffs.

“Good choice. Go take the rest of the humans out. The guards are positioned?

Watching for Bastian? And Etien is in place?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Etien cannot engage Bastian until I say so. If he arrives too early, it will ruin my

surprises for him. People will pay for that, Evan.”

“He will not until he gets my call, Evangeline.”

94

Mechele Armstrong

He and a few others left the room. The humans.

Only vampires there now. Maybe Copper’s high iron count would make all the

vampires go dizzy like it had Bastian. Had to have some hope.

Evangeline drew out a dagger. Picked up Lucy’s leg. They heard the slice of denim.

And the scream. “That’s one. I hope you don’t scream like that each time. I have to keep
track, you know. I have a bet.”

“Perhaps a gag, Mistress?” A female with short black hair looked down at her pink-

painted toenails.

“Good idea, Veronica.”

They placed a small ball inside Lucy’s mouth and a strap around it. She fought, but they

pried her mouth open and stuffed it in.

Evangeline counted each cut. The vampires gathered where Evangeline stripped the

clothes off Lucy. And the floor stained red.

* * * * *

Bastian slammed his hand against the wall. “Dammit.”

“I’m sure the wall is shaking in the face of your anger.” Tad arched a brow. “Now can

we please do something constructive?” He picked up a pen. “Tell me everything you know
about Evangeline.”

He recited every fact he knew to date. And cursed himself. He’d been stupid. Never

thought that Lucy would ever betray him. Figured her love would keep her from doing
anything to hurt him. Hadn’t imagined she’d hurt anyone else. Stupid.

“Bastian, we could be wrong. Lucy might not have ...”

“Shut it, Tad. You don’t believe that any more than I do. You don’t think they went to

bond, shopping for shoes and getting pedicures together.” Bastian paced the floor. He’d been
doing that since Tad got back. “No, Evangeline has them.”

Tad sighed. “I knew Lucy was pissed. I never thought she’d do anything like this.” He

put down the pad and pen. “Not much constructive here. And would you cut that out?
You’re making me jumpy.”

The phone rang. Bastian grabbed it. “Lucy?” He listened for a few seconds. “Thanks.”

Hung it up. “Come on, Tad. Lucy was seen a few nights ago, dancing with a longhaired
blond. And I bet blondie is the one who was with Dart when he got killed.”

“Do we know where he is now?” Tad slunk in behind Bastian as they walked to the car.

“At Duff’s. In the outdoor tables.”

Duff’s sat on Euclid across from Heffalumps, an adult toy store, in the heart of Central

West End. It had sidewalk seating cordoned off by a low, wrought-iron fence.

Blood Lines: Conduit

95

Bastian took the side of Duffs next to Kopperman’s Deli. Tad approached from the

other, from the direction of Left Bank Books, so the quarry rested in between them on the
deserted outside seating.

Bastian growled. It was the man he’d seen with Dart that night. And in a flash of

memory, he knew where he’d seen him before. He’d seen the man at Crimson’s work. At
Lucky’s Bar. Seen their heads together a few times. She had a few customers who were
vampires. He hadn’t been suspicious.

The vampire sat, clad in jeans and AC/DC T-shirt, leaning back in his chair, lounging.

Resting while Crimson, Lucy, and Copper sat in the hands of a psychopath. Bastian clenched
his hands again and again. He would slam those hands upside this man’s head.

Tad scaled his fence, and Bastian hopped his. The vampire saw Tad with no reaction.

His eyes darted to Bastian’s and widened to goggle-eye size.

The blond got up, started to bolt. Bastian grabbed him, slamming him down onto the

ground.

“Don’t give me an excuse to kill you.”

“Bastian. We want information. You can dismember later.”

Bastian pulled him up into a chair. “Where are they? Where’s Copper? Where’s Lucy?

Where’s your Mistress?”

“I ...” His eyes fluttered like butterfly wings. With fear. “I don’t know what you’re

talking about.”

Bastian bared a fang. No one was out this time of night. No one would interfere.

Copper had been missing too many hours for niceties. “I know how to kill you. You tell me
what I want, or I sink my fangs in deep.” He probed the man’s mind, seeking the answers.
But out loud would be better. This one wasn’t as new as Dart. He was better at blocking his
mind. Things said out loud, he’d know if the man lied.

“Christ.”

“He can’t help you now. You can live or die. I don’t care about you. But I will get my

information.”

The man panted, gripping the arms of his chair. “She’ll kill me.”

“Not if I kill her first. And you know I will kill you now if you don’t tell me what I

want to know. Your death at my hands is certain.”

Tad took a seat. “Maybe you should kill him. And make it messy.” He nodded. “Really

messy.”

“No! OK. OK, I’ll tell you where Evangeline is. But if she doesn’t die, she will kill me. I

was supposed to find you. Take you to her. When she called me.”

“Write down the address.” Tad shoved paper at him. “And directions.”

“Why take me to her?” Bastian kept close to the shaking vampire.

96

Mechele Armstrong

He scribbled and ducked his head. His quiet voice stopped Bastian’s heart. “Because

she’s going to kill the three women of yours.”

Bastian roared. “What?”

Rip the man’s throat out.

The animal leaped, wanting to make

the man pay. Its mate was in danger. Copper was in danger. He reached for the man before
dropping his arm.

“Calm it down, fearless leader. My man, if this information is wrong, he’ll do worse

than dismember you, worse than kill you. You like the ladies? Hard to impress them with
your nuts stuffed down your throat.” Tad tapped the paper with his fingertips.

“It’s true. The truth. I swear it.”

Bastian reached over and made the man stand. Rummaged in his pockets and grabbed

his cell phone.

“Don’t kill me.”

“I told you. I won’t. If this is the truth. If not, I’ll hunt you down wherever you may

go.”

The man swallowed. Bastian shoved a hand in his pocket and pocketed the phone. Tad

handed over some twine, and he tied the man to the chairs. He left instructions to some
friends in the area he was to be left until morning, then released.

“But what if the sun comes up with me out here?”

Bastian stalked off, without answering, heading towards Rothschild’s Antiques.

“You won’t crispy fry. You’ll be uncomfy. Find some calamine when you get free. Go

have a truffle at Bissinger’s.” Tad got up. “Toodles now.”

He caught up to Bastian a foot from the car. “Nice work, fearless leader. You kept your

cool. I know you wanted to kill him.”

“You have no idea.” Bastian got in on the driver’s side.

“Oh, I’ve seen that look before. Towards others, of course. Never at me.” Tad sat down

in the passenger seat.

“Of course. Others. What the hell are you doing, Tad?”

“Coming with you.”

Bastian turned to look at his young friend. Sometimes, he forgot how young. Tad had

seen so much. So jaded. So much like him. “Are you sure? It could be dangerous.”

“I laugh in the face of danger.” Tad batted lashes at him with a suggestive grin. “OK, I

giggle.” He waved a hand. “OK, maybe I scream like a girl.” His face turned serious with a
frown. “I have to help out. Lucy may be a pain in the ass, but she’s been a good friend to me.”

Bastian had never seen Tad anything but flat during a crisis, and never so earnest.

Smartass the rest of the time, but bland during anything remotely sticky. He could use the
help, but Tad better not get himself hurt. “Thank you.”

Tad waved a hand. “I can handle my ... What did you say?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

97

“I said thank you. For coming with me.”

“Oh. You’re welcome.”

Bastian started the car.

“So vampires can be killed?”

“Yes.”

“How? I thought you were immortal.”

Bastian glanced over at him as he changed lanes. “Why do you ask?”

“Future reference. In case you piss me off.” Tad grinned at him.

“Vampires can only be killed by other vampires, Tad. “

Tad sputtered. “That’s so not fair. I cannot believe that. Who made up that rule?”

* * * * *

Copper strained against the chains that held her in place. The trouble kept getting

deeper. So not good. Lucy had stopped moving a few minutes ago. The vampires surrounded
her, sucking sounds echoed in the living room. Not that she’d liked Lucy, but what a horrible
way to die.

She and Crimson would die that way.

No. They couldn’t.

Bastian would save them. Somehow.

She hated thinking about the clichéd hero on the white charger. But it helped her hang

on to her sanity. Somehow this wasn’t the reunion with Crimson she’d envisioned, nor how
she expected to spend her time in St. Louis.

The scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Wafted over the woodsy scent the house had

had earlier. Copper gagged on it, trying to swallow. She had never smelled such a pungent
odor before.

Evangeline’s head came up. The dagger bloody like her mouth. Copper’s body

trembled. She tried to stop it. Wouldn’t give the bitch the pleasure of seeing her afraid.

Bastian, please hurry.

Her heart pounded in her chest. The chains bit into her hands. She

clenched them tightly.

“Ah, the joys of a good feed.” Evangeline licked her lips. “And Etien was way off the

mark. Josie, tell Evan to call him. I want these two bodies warm when Bastian finds them.”
The petite vampire hurried out of the room. “Bring the gag. Which of you will I do first?”
She tapped her chin. “Decisions.”

Her feet tapped over by Copper. She tried not to shake nor back down when the

woman looked in her eyes. “Bring it on.” Her voice didn’t shake like her body, the carpet
gritty under her ass.

98

Mechele Armstrong

“You are almost as feisty as your sister. Will your blood taste as sweet? Come and gag

her.”

“Hey bitch!” Crimson’s voice rose. She yelled insults ending with, “You’re such a pansy

ass, it’s no wonder Marie died and left you.”

Evangeline’s head snapped around. “What did you say?”

“I said you’re such a pansy ass, it’s no wonder Marie died and left you here. She

couldn’t deal with being in love with such a pussy. And I don’t mean that as a compliment,
bitch.”

“Crimson, shut up,” Copper pleaded. “Don’t do this.” Evangeline’s attention turned

completely to her twin.

“Marie must have been a hell of a woman to catch Bastian’s attention. I bet you didn’t

get it. He didn’t concern himself with you. And I bet you ran after she was dead. Left her
lying, cold, dead on the ground.”

Copper blew out a breath. Crimson could sure talk trash. “Hey!”

“Stop it!” Evangeline stalked over to Crimson. Her bosom shook, her voice sounded like

it had rocks in it.

“Ran away. Such a chicken-shit scaredy cat you are. I don’t know why I ever thought

you’d do anything for me. Or was scared of you. You’re nothing.”

Do anything for her? Copper’s breath caught. Had Crimson made a deal with this

woman?

Evangeline slapped Crimson across the face. The stinging sound echoed and a red mark

marred Crim’s face. “Stop it.”

Crimson didn’t move against the bonds when the slap hit. “Why? Because I speak the

truth?”

“No.” Copper shook the chains. “Come back over here. You and I were going to have

some fun. Leave her alone.”

“Pet, I think your sister has chosen who’s next.” Evangeline’s face drew up into a hard

line. “Bring me the gag. Now.”

The petite vampire dashed back into the room. “Did I miss the first cut?”

“Josie, did Evan call Etien?”

“Yes, Mistress. Etien hadn’t picked up yet, but Evan said he would.” Her eyes cast down

with a gleam. “Oh good, I didn’t miss it.”

“Bastian will be contacted soon and be here. I don’t want to have to rush through your

sister’s time with the knife. So we must get started.” Crimson’s eyes met Copper’s, and she
saw the mouthed, “Take care.” The gag was inserted.

Blood Lines: Conduit

99

“No. Get away from her! Stop it.” Copper railed and ranted. She could do nothing but

yell. Never had she been so helpless. Her tears beaded up in frustration as the blood flowed
down.

Her voice hoarse from shouting, Copper watched in silence, unable to tear her eyes

away. Only a few cuts in ... maybe she could get Evangeline’s attention to her, slow them
down. Crimson couldn’t intervene now. “You are a loser, Evangeline. Crimson was right. No
wonder Marie left you.”

“You’ll get yours soon enough, pet. You must wait your turn. I never thought you two

would be so eager to come under my ministrations.”

A thump came from outside the front door.

“What the hell was that?” Evangeline stopped, knife in hand.

A body launched through one of the front windows. Glass broke, shattering all over

the room. Bastian leaped to his feet. “Hello, Evangeline.”

Evangeline’s mouth opened wide. “What are you doing here? You’re early.”

Bastian shrugged a shoulder. “What can I say; I like to crash a party.”

She smiled at him. A slow, out of touch smile. “Welcome, Bastian. I had hoped to be

gone already, but you’re early.” She laughed. “And yet a little late.”

“Get away from her.” Voice low and menacing, Bastian scanned the room with his

eyes, but kept Evangeline in his sights.

“Not likely.” The knife plunged into Crimson’s midsection. Crim groaned, going limp.

“No!” Copper struggled against the chains again. “No!” She repeated it over and over

like she could reverse time and make it not happen.

Bastian attacked the vampire that shot in front of Evangeline. Tad slipped in through

the broken window. He saw Lucy and gave a loud cry, full of anguish. Copper drew back
from it, retreating into her mind from the whole damn situation.

The two fought the vampires along with a few others Copper recognized, including

Barb and Jake, who slipped in the window behind Tad. But Evangeline traipsed through the
kitchen door, fronted by Gerald, the mountain who had first caught Lucy on the porch.

Tad and the others fought fiercely. They did take down the humans, who had filtered

back into the room when the window crashed.

Copper watched them fight but most of her attention drifted between Bastian and her

sister. Bastian got closer to her, but vampires kept engaging him. She snuck peeks at her
sister through the thinning mass of people. So still. Too still. “Get these bonds off of me.”

As the last two vampires broke into a run, Bastian knelt at her side. “Copper, are you

hurt?” He pulled the chains up, pulling her up with them.

100

Mechele Armstrong

Copper’s mouth opened, dropping down to her chin. He’d come to her first. Had a clear

path to Crimson, but he’d rushed to her side. And knew who she was. “You can tell us apart.
Or did you guess?”

Bastian made a rough sound, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I can tell you apart. I told

you that. Thank gods, you aren’t hurt.”

Tad used a paperclip to pick the lock.

“Do I dare ask how you know how to do that?”

“Only if you want the answer.” Tad’s voice sounded tired. He walked to Lucy’s body.

Picked her up and cradled her in his arms. He’d loved her. Blood related or not, they’d been
family. “Sleep now, little one.” He closed her eyes.

Copper let the chains fall. Family. Her only remaining family lay curled up. Barb and

Jake had knelt down by her.

She walked over on shaky legs, Bastian holding her arm. “Is she alright? Is she ... d-d-

dead?”

“A faint pulse. But it’s erratic.” Jake’s voice sounded grim.

“Call 911!” Copper pushed back her sobs. “Shit. There’s so much blood.”

Another man Copper didn’t know plowed through the door back into the living room

from the kitchen. “Evangeline’s gone. A motorcycle. They hid one or we missed it slashing
tires.”

“She’s bleeding like a moth--” Barb stopped, looking at Copper.

“Call for help.” She pushed hair back from her sister’s face. No, this couldn’t be

happening. Not now.

“Out here, they won’t get to her in time.” Jake swallowed. “She’s bleeding too badly

and from too many places.”

Copper yanked off her T-shirt. “Help me. Help me put pressure on the wounds.”

“Copper.” Bastian stroked her shoulder. “It’s too late. Too much has been lost and

you ... can’t stop it. You don’t have the means.”

She pressed the material against one gaping wound in Crimson’s stomach. “No. It’s not.

Please. Help me. She can’t die.” She pressed, her shirt already getting soaked. “No.” Her voice
broke off and tears spilled. “No!”

Crimson’s breathing rattled. Dying. She was dying.

“You!” Copper turned to Bastian. The perfect solution. “Make her a vampire.”

“What?” Bastian’s face pinched in shock.

“Make her a vampire. Now.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

101

Chapter Eleven

Bastian ran a hand through his hair, looking at the dying girl before him. What she

asked ... impossible. Or was it? “Copper ...”

“Now! Do it. She’s dying.” Her tear-filled eyes harpooned him. He hadn’t made it in

time. Too late again.

He’d been too late to save his friends, his fellow prostitutes, when the invasions had

happened in Italy. They’d died at the hands of the French, trying to take over his country.
He’d been too late so many times through the centuries.

Evangeline had run. His focus had been getting to Copper. Nothing else. He’d fought to

get to her side.

He could catch Evangeline if he left now. But Crimson would die. He had no time to

think if she could handle the power. Only time to act.

Crimson’s breath gurgled. He bent down and pulled her into his lap. Sank fangs in deep

to take the last of the remaining blood from her body. The heart, barely beating when he
started, stopped.

He opened a vein in his wrist with his fang, opened her mouth, let his blood flow into

her.

Bastian placed a hand on her heart, feeling the minute the rhythm hit it, and it started

again. Her gasp of breath sounded. A few more gushes of his blood. Then he licked the
wound closed.

He’d made Crimson a part of who he was, a part of the blood that went all the way

back. If only he didn’t feel so damn unsure.

“My god.” Barb’s hushed whisper drew Bastian’s attention from the girl in his arms.

“She’s breathing again. Look at her color. It’s returning.”

102

Mechele Armstrong

“It’s done. She’s a vampire. Turn off the lights. Everyone please whisper.”

“Why?” Copper scooted closer to him.

“Because when she comes to consciousness, her hearing and vision will be a vampire’s.

The light will be too bright. Talking too loud. It will take her a few minutes to adjust to her
new self.” Or even more than that. If she adjusted at all.

“Can you do that for Lucy?” Tad still cradled the girl’s body.

Bastian shook his head. “She was dead when we got here. I was in time for Crimson.

Her death was fresh. Lucy’s been dead too long.”

Tad swallowed. “I knew that. But I had to ask.”

Copper leaned in, her hair touching his shoulder. He could smell her light scent. Such a

small thing. Her being so close. His heart thumped. He could have lost her. Bastian knew
what Henri talked about. If he didn’t get this woman, it would be his undoing. He would
have done anything to save her. Anything. Her voice was light against his ear. “Have you
made a vampire before?”

Bastian nodded. “Three times.”

“Only three, fearless leader?” Tad frowned. He lay Lucy down and asked someone to go

find a sheet. “How come?”

“Because becoming a vampire is hard. Predatory senses are heightened.”

Copper nodded. “So she’ll be a little different when she wakes up?”

“She already is. My blood runs through her veins. It goes all the way back to the first

vampire. Our blood gives us our power.”

Tad’s brow furrowed. “Predatory senses? So she’ll be like an animal? And humans are

her prey. Or at least first choice?”

Bastian nodded, pushing Crimson’s hair back from her forehead.

“It doesn’t answer why you haven’t made many.”

“Aiiiiiiieieeeee!”

Crimson shrieked. She jumped up and covered her ears. “The buzzing.

Oh god, what is it? The pumping sounds. Water rushing everywhere.”

Bastian struggled to keep his hands on her. “It’s the night sounds, Crimson. Calm down.

It will ease. You have to adjust.” He didn’t mention the pumping sounds she heard. People’s
blood. Her hunger would be great for her first feed. The scents and sounds would tempt her,
drive her almost insane if she let them.

“Crimson, it’ll be all right.” Copper reached out to touch her.

Bastian pulled Crimson out of reach. “Don’t.”

“What? Why not?”

“It can get dangerous.”

“Why? She’s my sister.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

103

Crimson shook her head back and forth. “What’s happening to me? Why do I feel like

this?” Her eyes turned to Copper. “Her pulse beats beneath her skin. Like a drum.

Badump.

Badump. Badump.”

She smacked her leg with each word.

“I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s freaking me out.” Tad fingered an iron ring,

which had held one of the three of them. “So, what’s next? Does she have to feed from a
human? Will that get her sanity back?”

“Yes, feeding is next. It takes time for her to get used to all this. It will take a while for

her to adjust to ... the beast inside of her.”

Provided she can get used to it. Please don’t let me

have to kill her after I saved her.

That was something Copper would never forgive. But

Bastian would never foist the girl off on human society. He would see she didn’t become a
killing machine like some of his brethren did.

“I volunteer.” Copper leaned in, baring her neck.

Bastian grabbed her hand. “No.” A Conduit for a first feed would be a disaster. Crimson

would never handle it. He squeezed Copper’s hand in his. Thankfully, Evangeline hadn’t
bitten Copper or taken her blood to know what she was. The secret remained safe.

“What do you mean ‘no’? I’m the logical choice. Her sister. I asked you to do this. She

should feed off of me first. No one else is going to volunteer.”

“I will.”

Their gaze all wandered to Tad. “Are you sure?” Bastian wrapped his arms securely

around the newest vampire.

“I’m sure. Where do you want her to feed?”

“Your arm would be safest.”

Tad nodded, taking off his button-down shirt.

“I said your arm.”

Tad smiled. “I know. I don’t want to get blood on it.” Bastian cocked his head. “Hey, it’s

my best shirt. Blood doesn’t come out, don’t you know.”

Bastian chuckled. Leave it to the boy to make him laugh even at a time like this. “I’m

going to cut you. Then let Crimson lick the blood.”

Barb and Jake motioned. “Bastian, we’re going to take the rest. See if we can’t get a

bead on Evangeline. Find her for you. I assume you want us to.”

“I do. I want her head. Thanks, guys.” He owed them so much. He looked over at

Copper. More than he could ever repay.

“Why cut me?” Tad shuffled nearer.

“Because her fangs haven’t elongated enough yet. They will. It takes a few days to

complete.” Bastian pulled his hunting knife from its sheath.

“Geesh. That’s a big knife.”

104

Mechele Armstrong

“Tad, are you sure? I can do this ...” Copper had a worried look to her face. She hadn’t

known what she’d asked of Bastian. But he had. He’d taken the risk. Would it come back to
kick him in the balls?

“No.” Bastian growled. She leaned back away from him. Glaring. She could do that all

she wanted to. The first feed was tricky. He wouldn’t chance her. Not to mention the blood
of a Conduit.

Tad sawed his mouth together. Bastian cut down his arm, leaving a small gash.

Crimson hummed and rocked herself in his arms. She’d covered her ears with her

hands when they spoke.

“Crimson? I need you to feed. Take some of Tad’s blood.”

“Ohhhhh.” Her body quivered. She swallowed. He could feel it go all the way down

her. “Blood.” Her head craned forward. She lapped at it with her tongue. “Sweet.”

He grabbed her hands, holding them down. Should have tied her up.

She bit Tad, her mouth sinking into his arm with no fangs. Regular human teeth

punctured his arm.

Tad grunted. His face went slack with pain. “Get her off me.”

“Pope, hold her hands.” He slid Crimson down, letting Pope take her hands.

Crimson chewed once, slurping. Beads of sweat broke out on Tad’s forehead. If he

pulled away it would take a chunk of skin.

Bastian reached his hands around, sliding one under her jaw. He slipped a finger in her

mouth and broke the hold. “Feed’s over, Crimson.”

“Oh, but it was good. I could drain him. All that blood.” She laughed, without humor.

“I can take him all into my mouth and chew. Yum yum.”

Tad cradled his injured arm into his body.

“Are you all right?” Bastian held her fast in his arms.

“I’m lovely. Anybody need a dental mold for Crimson before the fangs? I have one,

right here.” He pointed to his arm.

“You should heal quickly.” Crimson’s saliva had already had its properties changed

with the intake of the new blood. It would help with clotting once it dried. While wet, it
acted against clotting mechanisms to promote bleeding. “Pope, release her arms. Give me
those cuffs.” He cuffed Crimson’s hands so she couldn’t grab anyone. Pope scooted to Tad’s
side, murmuring to him, comforting him. Bastian knew they screwed around. He hadn’t seen
the caring until then.

He pushed Crimson down. She looked green. “You need to rest, honey. Build back up

some strength.” Vampires who took a full feed for the first one usually threw up. Too much
for their system. Smaller amounts helped.

Crimson nodded. “Tired now.” She balled up on the floor.

Blood Lines: Conduit

105

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” Copper’s whole face told of her horror. Her lips

tight together, forehead wrinkled.

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s the new senses. The new blood. Vampires are more animalistic.

The animal side gets triggered when you become. It’s overwhelming. She’ll settle down.”

I

hope.

“What if she doesn’t? What if she doesn’t adjust to this?”

Bastian licked a fang. “Why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it? We’ve all

been through a lot tonight.”

“No. You tell me now. What will happen to my sister? If she doesn’t settle down?”

“If she starts killing humans, I’ll have to kill her, Copper.”

* * * * *

They arrived back at Bastian’s house. Pope and Tad helped with Crimson. Copper’s

head hurt. She rubbed it absently with her fingers.

Crimson eyed her like a wolf did a caribou.

Copper didn’t like it. But her sister was alive. She needed to figure out what this being

a vampire meant.

They walked in. Bastian sniffed. Stopped in his tracks. “I do not need this now.” She

barely heard his muttering. “Tad. Pope. Take Crimson up to her old room. Stay with her. Do
not let her bite you. I want to supervise her next feed. Secure her, too.”

“I can go with them.” Copper took two steps.

“No. You aren’t to be with Crimson without me there.”

She folded her arms against her chest, following Bastian into the living room. Pope and

Tad went up the steps, guiding Crimson.

“I’m getting tired of you telling me what to do.”

A snicker sounded. “I see you still have a way with the ladies.” A deep, accented

baritone voice came from the other side of the room.

“You’re as bad as he is.” A lilting Southern twang surrounded the softness of the

woman’s voice.

Copper looked over. A thin woman with her red hair pulled into a French braid sat on

the couch. She had her feet on the lap of a scowling man.

“I only want to keep you safe,

ma petite.

”

“Who the hell are they?” Copper took a step back, watching the strangers. Bastian

didn’t show surprise and only seemed mildly irritated.

Bastian sighed. “I suppose friends. I sensed you vaguely earlier.”

The man smirked. “Don’t do me any favors, there, Bassy boy.”

106

Mechele Armstrong

“Screw you, baby face.”

Copper blinked. “Baby face?”

“Baby face?” The young woman guffawed.

The other man growled. She placed her hand on his arm. Got up and approached

Bastian and Copper. “I’m Sarah Connelly. The grumbly one is Nick Mancuso.” She shook
Copper’s hand.

“I’m Copper Daly.”

Sarah turned to Bastian. “You must be Bastian. I’ve heard a lot about you from Henri

and Nick.”

Bastian kissed her hand. Nick growled again, getting up off the couch. “You can believe

anything that Henri says. Nothing Nick does.”

Sarah laughed.

Nick stalked over to Copper. With a look at Bastian, he kissed her cheek. Bastian

stiffened, his hands clenching. “Nice to meet you, Copper.”

“Don’t touch her.” Diamonds had nothing on Bastian’s voice in hardness. Copper had

never heard it so harsh.

“Then you don’t touch mine.”

The girls looked at each other. If Bastian could have, he would have scratched his

territory on the floor or marked the room. Testosterone and posturing so thick in the room,
they almost seemed to be visible.

Sarah rolled her eyes. “I swear. Henri told me you’d be bad because of Bastian. I had no

idea it would be this bad.” She smiled at Copper. “I’m sorry for his actions. He’s not all that
bad most of the time.”

“Can I interest you in some drinks?” Bastian walked to the mahogany bar by the

fireplace and TV.

“Wine.” Nick wrapped an arm around the small woman’s waist. A tiny thing. Copper

felt gigantic next to her. She wore a poet’s shirt and a long, free-flowing skirt. Bastian was
about an inch taller and more muscular than Nick. His features looked a little more
aristocratic, Nick’s a little rougher. Both had black hair, but Nick wore his long, pulled back.
Nick wore black leather pants and a tight gray Richmond Braves T-shirt.

“Wine as well.” Her voice dropped octaves. “You can beat at my mind all you want to.

You can only get in if I let you,” said Sarah.

Bastian swallowed, looking embarrassed.

“You tried to read my mate’s mind. Bastard.” Nick let go of Sarah and took a step

toward him.

Blood Lines: Conduit

107

“Nick.” Sarah grabbed his arm. “He would try and read anyone’s mind who came to

him like we did. You would, too. I’m sure he’s reading yours as much as he can. You knew
that would happen.”

“You’re only a human.” Bastian poured wine into goblets. “But I can’t get in.” Copper

mulled over that one. He’d told her he couldn’t read her mind. But it sounded like most
humans he could.

“I am a human. But with a little punch.” Her smile widened. “And you’re strong. I can

feel your mind strength.” Nick’s eyes narrowed but he remained quiet.

Copper licked her lips. This was the oddest conversation she’d ever heard in her life.

She could feel nothing about Bastian getting in, but Sarah could feel him trying. A human
with a little punch? What did that mean? Copper had no punch at all, so Bastian should be
able to read her mind. She was nothing but a regular human.

“Copper, may I get you a drink?” Bastian turned to her. His eyes lit in a way that had

her thighs clenching. A gorgeous man like Nick in the room she could appreciate like she
would a Warhol painting or a chocolate from Bissinger’s. But he didn’t fire those neurons the
way Bastian did.

“Wine as well. Thank you, Bastian.”

He delivered the glass and gave her a light kiss. Her lips tingled as his left them. He put

his hand on the small of her back. They approached the couch and sat. Any closer to her, and
he’d have been on her lap. She almost dropped the glass when his arm skirted around her
shoulders. He leaned in and nipped the nape of her neck. Her nipples hardened, a shivering
zing heading up her spine.

“Get a room.” Nick took a sip of his wine.

“Nick.” Sarah’s breezy voice, light but prim. He looked at her and shifted in his seat.

Copper had a feeling she’d missed something. Like a piece of conversation. She frowned.
“Copper, I’m sure you’ve figured out Nick is a vampire like Bastian. I’m a human. With
serious jet lag. We’re friends of Bastian’s maker, Henri.”

“He’s talked about Henri.” She swished the wine around her glass. “And you’re a

human with ... punch?”

Sarah nodded, rolling a shoulder. “I have some gifts.”

Nick leaned back. “Did you take care of Evangeline?”

Bastian growled. “She got away. Not by much. I have all my allies searching for her. I’ll

find her and dispatch her this time.”

Sarah swallowed, looking into her wine. “Did you rescue the person she had?” She

rubbed a spot on her arm. A scar rose up from the skin. Copper tried to survey it without
looking like she was. Looked like an old knife wound. Nick cuddled her closer.

“Tonight. Too late to save one. A human girl ... I was friends with. Evangeline had

taken Copper and her sister. I did manage to get them both out.”

108

Mechele Armstrong

Sarah nodded, her eyes troubled.

Copper couldn’t stop a few shivers. Poor Lucy. And if Bastian hadn’t shown up when

he had, Crimson would have died too.

Bastian opened his mouth to speak again, but Nick beat him to it. “So Henri tells me

you have a Conduit.”

Bastian’s back shot straight, taking his head up with it. The term sounded familiar.

Copper couldn’t place it, but Bastian’s reaction was dramatic. “Um. Oh. Yeah.”

She took a sip and nearly choked when Nick continued. “So this is her? I can’t get in

her mind. Even Sarah couldn’t keep me completely out when we met before her gifts were
developed. How does she do it? Is it like Henri says it is to take her blood?”

Copper patted the drops on her mouth, thankful she hadn’t spewed in Bastian’s hair.

She stared at him.

He shrugged, shifting his weight back and forth. He had something to be nervous about

all right. “I don’t know. Nick ...”

“What is a Conduit?” All eyes turned to her. Her eyes ringed his like in horseshoes.

“Tell me. Now.”

“You hadn’t told her?” Nick shook his head. “You’re in trouble now.”

“I think we need to get some rest.” Sarah nudged Nick. “And Copper and Bastian

should too. I’m sure it’s been a long night for them.” Sarah sat her wine glass down. “We’ll
talk some more after some sleep for all of us.”

Bastian didn’t take his eyes off Copper. She wiggled her foot impatiently. What would

she be hit with now? So many impossible things were now possible.

Bastian motioned to Nick. “I do have things to tell you later. I ... made a vampire

tonight.”

“You did what?” Nick froze, sputtering. “Why the hell did you do that, you stupid

SOB? And where is it?” Sarah tugged on his arm.

“She’s here. And I didn’t have a choice. I’ll explain it more after you both get some

sleep. Get in a better mood.” Under his breath, she heard Bastian mumble. “Not that Nick has
one.”

Sarah took Nick’s hand before he could return the insult. “Come on. They need to talk.

We’ll find out everything that happened after a nap.” She smiled at Copper, dragging Nick
out of the room.

Copper smiled back. She needed the alone time with Bastian. Not that she wanted to

hear this. She swallowed, facing him. “What’s a Conduit? And am I one?”

Blood Lines: Conduit

109

Chapter Twelve

Bastian pulled Copper alongside him, his body so warm and hard against hers. Power

surged in spite of all reason. Such a pull between them. She shifted back, needing a break
from their bodies touching. “I was waiting to tell you. I need you to listen to me. To trust me.
And not to freak.”

Copper sighed. So tired of people telling her not to freak. Especially when the material

was freak-worthy. “Just tell me.”

“Your blood is power incarnate. Vampires who take it will have their powers increased.

By a lot.”

“How much?”

“How much of an increase? Threefold.”

“Drinking my blood gives a vampire three times their normal power?” Copper put a

hand to her head, light-headed. Impossible. She couldn’t be this thing, this Conduit. Her
blood was blood, that was all.

“Yes. Or more.”

How did he know this? He’d tasted her blood once. His reaction had been obvious.

He’d almost swooned. “The drop of blood. It wasn’t too much iron. It was because I’m a
Conduit. That’s why you reacted like you did.”

Oh, god, it was true.

Bastian leaned back on the couch, his hand stroking her arm. “Yes. One drop had me

feeling like I’d been newly made a vampire. It was incredible. Haven’t experienced anything
like it since I adapted to my powers. And it was only one sip. A feeding has to give a power
rush ... well ... I can’t imagine it.”

But you’d like to.

Her eyes flickered shut, then opened. “Why? Why my blood?” She

pulled her arm out from his wandering fingers.

110

Mechele Armstrong

“No one knows what makes a Conduit’s blood so potent. Sort of like no one knows

where the first vampire got their power.”

Too much. Her head swam at the attempt to digest it all. Tears pierced her eyelids,

leaking out in small, tunnel tracks. Oh no, Copper didn’t cry when things like this happened.
She got mad. “Dammit to hell.” She scrubbed at her eyes. Slammed her hand on the cushion.
It should have been something hard so it hurt.

His hands slid over her shoulders, steadying her. “It’s a lot to take in. I know.”

“No! You don’t know. In three days’ time, I’ve found out vampires do exist. My sister

had one for a boyfriend. Was taken by a loony one. Now Crimson is a vampire too. And my
blood is pretty much a Fort Knox for vampires. They drink it, they become like Arnold
Schwarzenegger.”

His hands gentled, sliding over the skin of her arms. Warming her. “It’s not too much

for you. You can handle it.” Her skin burned and sang at his touch.

“Bastian, no, I ... can’t deal with all this.” She shook her head back and forth to

emphasize what she was saying.

“You will,” he whispered. Then, leaned in to kiss her forehead. “You will. You dealt

with your mom. With her sickness and death. And you will come to terms with what you
now know.”

She didn’t move away when his lips slid down to capture hers. He slipped in like silk

on silk.

So much to deal with and accept. So much hurting, pain. She’d seen a woman die

tonight. And watched her sister die and come back. And being with Bastian would take it all
away. She tossed aside all her fears. Opened up her mouth for his kiss. Took in his comfort.
Needed it to stay sane.

Her head swam. His mouth delved deeper, his tongue exploring every nuance of her

lips before slipping in to savor her mouth.

She moaned. Never had she felt so much heat or wanted it inside of her so much. It

would warm her from the inside out. Get rid of the cold that had grown and taken her over
during the whole sordid night.

She wrapped her arms around him, giving over to the kiss. Stroked along his muscular

shoulders, arms, and back.

He broke contact with her mouth. “It’s been a long day. I should let you get some

sleep.”

“You should. But you won’t.”

Bastian gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I won’t?”

She shook her head, her hands going to the hem of her shirt. “You won’t.” She yanked

it over her head.

Blood Lines: Conduit

111

His breath rushed out in one big

whoosh

.

Copper reached behind herself and undid the straps to her bra, letting it slide off her

shoulders.

“Copper ... I ...” He swallowed, eyes not moving from her bared breasts. “Damn, what

was I going to say?”

“You weren’t going to say anything. You were going to touch me. Touch these.” She

puffed her chest out.

“We shouldn’t do this.”

“I need this.” Her voice dropped to gravelly levels. “I need to be with you. Tonight.

Please.”

His hands reached out and cupped her breasts. “So

bello

. So lovely.” A thumb stroked

against her nipple. Like striking a match, it ignited her body into a big ball of flame.

His lips retook hers, straining against them, taking them, tongues thrusting in mimicry

of what they were about to do.

Bastian squeezed her breasts, rolling them in his hands. Stretched one out and up. His

mouth dipped down, trailing kisses along her neck and upper chest. So many places she
wanted his tongue. He took his time, nipping and licking before he reached her breast. It
drove her crazy with need.

He puckered his lips upon her nipple, sucking only that into his mouth. He tongued it,

feeling each dip and diversion. Nipped it lightly between strong teeth.

Copper gasped with a jerk.

“Hurt?” That satin tongue rasped across her nipple, peaking it more.

“No. Oh, please. Don’t stop. Touch me.”

He positioned himself over her other breast, taking his tongue around and around the

nipple, drawing it deeper into his mouth each time.

She clutched at his back and shoulders.

“We should move this to my room.” He sat slightly up, taking her with him, standing

up with her cradled in his arms.

Why couldn’t vampires have teleportation?

She took the opportunity of him holding her to lave his neck with her tongue, nipping

at the roundness of his chin, exploring his skin. He tasted like cherries and cream. Smelled of
sandalwood. Drove her even wilder.

They reached the top of the steps. He slid her down his body, each of their parts

touching the other’s.

They both moaned.

“Oh, gods, I shouldn’t have done that.” He rocked against her.

112

Mechele Armstrong

She claimed his mouth again, rubbing her middle against his erection. She dangled one

hand down and breached the waistband of his pants.

His hips jerked against her. Tight fit, but she found his cock. No underwear. That had

her pussy tightening and slicking. All night, he’d been commando. Probably the whole time
they’d been together.

His cock rested hard in her hand. She squeezed it. His whole body lifted up with an

“Ahhhhh” coming from his lips.

She located the tip and ran an index finger over it. Moist. Pre-come had leaked. She

stroked it around, dipping into the opening.

“Baby, oh, gods.” He backed up a step and dropped his jeans.

She’d been right. Huge-fucking-mungous.

The head of his cock shone, another drop of pre-come escaping to glisten.

She dabbled with the end, ringing it with her fingers like a cock ring sliding up and

down along his length. Circled the tip with one finger. He lifted up again to give her more
access, trying to shove himself into her hands.

She cupped his balls, stroking the in-between skin with her thumb. “I thought we were

going to your room.”

He jumped from a squeeze. His breathing was labored, voice sounded strained. It filled

her with satisfaction to see her effect on his body. Because god knows, he affected her like no
other. “I. Was. I put you down to ask were you sure again.”

“Guess what? I am sure.”

“Oh, good.” She rolled her palm around his balls. His eyes glazed over. “Room. Now.”

Each word came out more guttural.

He disengaged her hands, pulling her closer to him. Her breasts skimmed his chest. He

pulled off his shirt, tossing it. Her bare breasts caressed him, teasing with their motion. The
crisp feel of his hair, abrasive to her nipples, made Copper gush more moisture.

“Room.” Now her voice came out gravelly.

“I’m going.” He pulled her against him, mouth claiming hers. Both of them were

breathless and panting.

“No, you’re not,” she murmured against his lips, but not letting him go to answer. She

nipped his upper lip.

His hands slid down her shoulders, along her spine to cup her ass.

Poofing off clothes would be a great ability for vampires to have, too. She had on far

too many.

Copper reached down and undid her pants. Shucked them off, along with her bikini

briefs.

Blood Lines: Conduit

113

“Copper ... we’re ... hallway ...” His eyes looked at the center of her pelvis. A drip of her

juices rolled down her thigh. He launched into Italian faster than she could follow any of it.
She knew a few words. This went beyond her knowledge.

He buried his hands in her hair, twisting around and backing her up. Against the wall,

he pushed her.

“I can’t wait.” His voice hoarse. “Need to be inside you.”

She didn’t want to wait. She kissed him harder, letting him know with her body how

much she agreed with that.

He held her up, leaning her back, lifting her legs up to twist around his waist. Perched

her up at the right height.

He panted. Slid slowly into her center. Her aching, tender folds sucked him in.

Copper moaned at his entry. Her whole sex quivered around him. He dipped partially

into her channel.

Outwards he slid, stopping before he pulled out, and keeping the same pace, went in

again.

Gentle. Slow.

Not what she needed.

She arched against him, trying to speed up his pace.

He fisted a hand in her hair. “Stop it.”

“Faster.”

“When I say so.”

He controlled the pace of thrusting into her. She laved her tongue over a spot on his

collarbone. Then sucked the tender skin into her mouth. Made sure he felt the warm,
grasping pull. Found his nipple and tugged at it with her teeth.

He groaned, his teeth gritting together.

The pace got faster.

She tweaked the other nipple, pinching it between her fingers.

More speed. Until he pounded into her.

He reached down, pulling back, and one strum on her clit had her screaming his name

in release. Each stroke took him deeper until he almost touched her womb.

Bastian rocked up. His tension clenched every part of his body.

She came again, riding the wave of pleasure as his began. He called her name, his body

straightening against her, rocking her back one last time. No one but them in the universe.
She couldn’t see or touch anything but him.

She had worried they might bring down the house from the way she hit the wall that

last time. He certainly had brought down hers.

114

Mechele Armstrong

They both trembled in the aftermath, sweat-soaked. She leaned back against the wall,

and he rested his weight on her, letting her legs go back down to the floor.

“Do you think anyone heard us?” Copper cringed, thinking about the other people in

the house.

“Luckily, we are the only ones on this floor. But as loud as we were, I don’t know.” He

kissed her forehead.

Her cheeks heated. “I’m sorry.” She’d never had sex so publicly before. So urgently.

What did he do to her?

“Don’t be. That was incredible.” His sliding out of her caused moisture to rain down

her thigh. The loss of contact made her feel empty. Bereft. “I’m sorry. I meant to make it to
the bedroom.”

“Don’t be.” She rubbed her cheek on his chest. Both apologizing for such little stuff.

She’d never experienced anything like this in a relationship before.

He looked at her swollen breasts, red from his loving. She swallowed, thinking about

what they’d shared, causing a jiggle. His cock hardened again. “We better go to the bedroom.
Now.”

They had two more “I’m sorry” rounds before they finally made it.

* * * * *

Copper woke up to slight snoring. Bastian stretched out, her leg between his thighs. He

had one arm over her.

He looked so boyish in slumber. Long, dark lashes framed his eyes. A sloping nose.

High cheek bones. Such a strong chin. She reached and ran her pointer finger down his
cheek. The early morning stubble scratched against her fingers. Such a gorgeous male.

He’d sleep a few more hours, the day being his downtime. And with the active events

of last night, he would probably sleep longer.

She slid out from under his arms. Her body had the soreness only a night of wild sex

could bring.

She swallowed, wanting to run her tongue all over his body. Of course she already had.

Numerous times.

Regret seeped through her. No, not regret exactly. She never regretted. What she’d had

with him had been incredible. She’d needed him.

Once would have been about comforting her.

But they hadn’t stopped at once.

She rubbed her hands across her face.

What she had was doubts. Heaps of them.

Blood Lines: Conduit

115

She’d had one-night stands before. Had lovers. But had never been in love with any of

them.

Fucking was easy for her. Loving was hard.

And she loved Bastian. She could deny it all she wanted. But since the moment she’d

met him, she’d been going under.

Bastian was by far the most incredible man she’d ever met. The attraction had been

magnified by things like the way he made her laugh, his strength, the man he was. But that
same strength she loved made her wary.

She didn’t want to be consumed by a man. And he could. He already ordered her

around. The emotions made a mockery of anything she’d ever felt before. It would be easy to
love him. To be with him.

No, she wouldn’t be all incinerated by this passion, this love, and give herself over to

Bastian. Not for him. Not for anyone.

Grabbing her clothes, she scurried out of his room to the living room. Needed to be

away from him to think.

* * * * *

Evangeline tossed the cell phone across the room, cracking the case. “What do you

mean I wouldn’t get out of Missouri?”

Evan shifted back and forth, foot to foot. “Bastian has everything watched. Even more

than before. He’s called in Henri’s resources. Including a connection on the police force. We
only have the one vehicle.”

“How? How do you know all this? And get me another car. I don’t like that

motorcycle.”

“I have a spy, and I’ve tapped into their phones. And it’s not that easy. Bastian found a

way to freeze our assets. Or more than likely, Henri did.”

“That little, pesky Frenchman. I thought he’d stay out of this. Let his little protégé

handle it on his own.” She refrained from stamping her foot. But barely.

“He didn’t.” Evan shook his head.

“I know that, Evan,” she snarled, taking a step toward him. He flinched and ducked his

head down.

Gerald sauntered back into the small hotel room carrying something large on his

massive shoulders. “I picked up Italian.” The mass breathed. But not by much.

Evangeline waved a hand. “Even Italian won’t cheer me up tonight. Unless it’s Bastian’s

head surrounded by rice pilaf and baby carrots.”

How had everything gone so wrong? She’d been this close. So near to getting her

revenge. Then the double had shown up, and it all went wonky.

116

Mechele Armstrong

She picked up a vase and slapped it down on the table. It broke into several dozen

pieces. Both Gerald and Evan turned their heads to face her.

“I lived in the middle of a cow field for months. Bided my time. Spied on Bastian

forever and a day. Kept anyone who met me out of his mind’s range. Saw an opportunity and
took it. Now I sit in a dingy trashcan for a hotel room. And you’re telling me I’m stuck here?
That you two intellectuals can’t get me out?”

Evan sighed. “From everything I can tell, Bastian is watching everything. So is Henri.

They are looking for you.”

“Who’s your spy?”

When he didn’t answer quickly enough, she ransacked his mind. “A low-on-the-

totem-pole house cleaner? That’s where you’ve been getting information?”

“She hacks with the best of them.” He shrugged, still bounding from foot to foot.

Evangeline flopped onto the bed, holding a hand to her head.

“Mistress, eating would make you feel better. It always does me.” Gerald grinned

lopsidedly. He laid the prize down next to her.

“I can tell.” She eyed his growing blood belly. If he didn’t find a sit-up soon, it would

outgrow his height.

Evan tittered around the bed. Dropped to sit and put one hand on her back. “Maybe we

could smuggle you out. Most of your group ... was lost in the unfortunate incid--”

“Don’t even speak of it.” She growled, baring fangs at him. Stroked up the arm of the

dark-haired woman Gerald had laid on the bed. Why couldn’t it be red? She closed her eyes.
She still obsessed too much over that pale-faced twit. “I don’t want to be smuggled out. I
want my revenge. And I will have it.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

117

Chapter Thirteen

Copper dressed quickly, intending to slip upstairs and check on her sister. The vampire.

That would require some getting used to.

Yet another mark in the negative Bastian column. He was a vampire too. He’d never

age. She would. And die eventually.

She pulled up her pants and stopped midway. From this moment on, Crimson would

never age either. Copper would grow old and die. Crimson would live on. Forever.

Unless you are made a vampire too.

She shivered. It hadn’t occurred to her before. She could be made into a vampire.

Bastian could do it. Or Crimson, once Crimson got on her feet.

She ran her hands through her hair

But then she’d have to drink blood. Right now, an ewwww concept for her.

She sank down into the couch, putting her head on the back of it.

To further complicate things, her blood acted like a steroid to vampires. Made them

stronger. Lots stronger.

If others found out, she’d be dinner

du jour

for the lot of them. A plus mark in the

becoming a vampire column. She didn’t think vampires could feed on other vampires.

Bastian could only want you for the power he’d get.

No. He appeared genuine. But how could she be sure? Even if she wanted to be with

him, she’d never be certain he wanted her and not the power she contained.

Footsteps behind her made her look up. Sarah paused in the doorway between the

living room and kitchen.

“I thought I heard someone up. Good morning, Copper.”

She smiled. “Hi, Sarah. Did you sleep well? Nick too?”

118

Mechele Armstrong

“We did. He’s still out. Vampire hours.” Sarah shook her head.

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess he is.” Nick and Sarah were lovers. How did Sarah deal with all

the facets of Nick’s life?

“Am I disturbing you?” Sarah looked down, twisting hair in her fingers. “You looked

pretty deep in thought. I could leave you alone.”

“No, you don’t have to go. I’m sorry if I’m distracted. I have a lot on my mind. But you

aren’t disturbing me.”

Sarah tumbled in, tripping on the threshold, then blushed and sat down on the other

end of the couch. “Have you known about vampires long?”

“No. Only a few days. In fact, it’s been a hard couple of days.” Copper eyed the young

woman. “How long have you known about them?”

Sarah reclined further on the couch. “About a year.”

“Did you have problems dealing with it? With vampires? That they exist. The killing.”

She saw her sister’s body pouring blood. Lucy’s screaming rang in her ears. She shuddered
and fought to control her breathing.

But Sarah smiled, an infectious one. It put Copper at ease. “I didn’t. Not as much as I

should have. But it was extraordinary circumstances.”

“I have those too, extraordinary circumstances. But I ... I’m having problems dealing

with all this.”

“It was your sister? That Evangeline had?”

Copper nodded. “Evangeline killed her and Lucy, a friend of Bastian’s. Crimson’s the

vampire Bastian made.”

“Oh wow.” Sarah’s face stretched in surprise. “Becoming a vampire isn’t easy, from

what I’ve heard.”

“Bastian did it because I asked. She was dying. I had to save her. It was the only way.”

Copper’s voice broke. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. She didn’t want to break
down in tears in front of this woman she didn’t know. No matter how beguiling her smile
seemed or how she’d had extraordinary circumstances in her life too.

“He must care for you a lot. Vampires made or mentored by Henri don’t make new

vampires lightly.”

Copper closed her eyes. “Does Nick feed from you? Take blood, I mean?”

Sarah nodded. “He does. Does Bastian from you?”

“He hasn’t yet. There’s the whole Conduit thing.” She laughed shakily. “Even more of a

problem.”

“Is it as powerful as Henri said it was for a vamp to take your blood? I know Bastian

had a little, that’s how he knows what you are.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

119

“Bastian had one drop. It knocked him for a loop. He said he’d never felt anything like

it.” She frowned, thinking about what that meant. It put her in danger.

“From what I understand, even if you are made a vampire, your blood keeps those

properties.”

“So any vampire could still feed from me? Even after I’m a vampire? Well, damn.”

There went the plus to becoming a vampire.

“Any vampire can feed from you. Until you bond with your mate.”

“Bond with my mate? What?” Copper drew her feet up under her, sitting straight up in

the seat. Her head did laps. “What mate? How do I bond with them?”

Sarah bit her lip, hesitating.

“No, Bastian didn’t tell me squat about this.” She rubbed her head. “Please tell me what

you know.”

“Vampires have mates. They mate for life. Like wolves and a lot of prey animals. But no

mating rituals exist to truly bond them together. Nick and I are mates. Henri and Nathan.
However, with a Conduit, when they find their mate, the mate can bond to them. So that the
mate is the only one the power of the blood works for.”

“So the mate is the only one to get the benefits of the blood?”

Sarah cocked her head with a slight nod. “Henri said Conduits were in great danger

until they were bonded. Because if vampires find out what they are, they often will take the
power completely rather than let someone else have it forever. Or will take it all rather than
a little. A mate is a protection to that. Once the bond is formed, it’s unbreakable, and the
mate is the only one who gets the Conduit’s power.”

“How do you know ... that you’re mates?” Copper leaned her head down. It made sense.

A Conduit would be in great demand if they stayed on the market too long. “I mean, did a
sign pop up after you fuck ... had sex?” She winced at her language. Sarah had to be older
than she looked but an aura of innocence surrounded her.

Sarah flushed, but her eyes twinkled. “You can say that around me. And no, nothing

happens to let you know for sure they are the one. But ...” She paused. “I once read a
romance novel where it said, ‘He sang in my soul,’ about the love interest. Nick sings in my
soul.” She shrugged. “He always has since the day we met. Something is there that I can’t
deny. No matter what.”

Copper’s hands twitched, and she folded them on her leg. Such a romantic. And

idealist. Copper had no romantic illusions. This attraction, the feelings, it couldn’t be this.
Bastian couldn’t be her mate. “Does Nick feel it too?”

Sarah’s laugh tinkled like a bell. “Oh yeah. He fought it for a long time. But couldn’t

ignore the draw we had. He’d ... made a vampire, someone he loved, and it didn’t work out
well. That’s why he resisted me.”

120

Mechele Armstrong

Copper looked down at her hands. That didn’t bode well. Crimson. It had to work out

better for Crimson. “What is the bonding ritual?”

“From what Henri said, it’s the binding of the blood.”

“You don’t know for sure?” Copper’s voice shrilled. “How can you not know for sure?”

Sarah looked Copper straight in the eyes. “The ritual itself isn’t hard. Mix some of his,

some of your blood together. Say an oath over the mixed blood. Both of you drink it. Poof,
you’re bound.”

“Sorry for the snap.” Sarah tried to help, and she’d taken her head off.

Quit being such

a bitch.

“You’re allowed. Once or twice. Then we’ll see.” Sarah’s voice stayed light, but the tone

was firm.

“I don’t know ...”

“If Bastian is your mate?”

“Yeah. Or even if I want him to be.” She didn’t want him to be. But couldn’t explain

this to the romantic idealist so in love with her man.

Sarah leaned forward and placed a hand over Copper’s. “As a Conduit, you are

vulnerable. I know most vampires can’t read your mind, but now that you know what you
are, powerful vampires might, too. They might be able to get into your mind. And some ...
some would use you and toss you like a used paper cup at the water cooler.”

“I know.” She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chills starting at

the base of her spine and moving up.

“Bastian told Henri he thought you were his mate.”

She closed her eyes. Savored that piece of information. Her heart danced in her chest.

She was way too excited over this. Wanted to run find him, curl up in his arms forever. And
yet also take off the opposite direction and keep running. She didn’t want to end up like her
mother. Or Crimson.

“I shouldn’t have told you that. But I know ... well, finding out Nick wanted me, loved

me as much as I did him, helped me to sort out things.” Sarah squeezed her hand.

Copper opened her eyes. “I don’t know if that helps or not.” She let out a brittle laugh.

“If he is, he gets a ready power source.”

Sarah frowned, her face pensive, nose wrinkling up. “You don’t think he wants you for

that as the only reason?”

“Sarah, I don’t know anything anymore.”

The hand squeezed harder. “I have a lot of powers. Nick knew I did when he met me.

But being his mate means he wants me regardless of them.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

121

Copper breathed in deeply. She had to get it together. This wouldn’t rattle her. But

Nick couldn’t draw off Sarah’s powers for himself, either. Bastian could. She shook it off. “So
what are you and baby face doing here anyways?”

Sarah bit her lip to keep the laughter in, but it shined in her eyes. “If you and Bastian

bond, Nick and I came to observe.”

“How come? I mean, why would you two want to watch?” She blinked. That sounded

kinky. But Sarah’s smile told that she had followed the reasoning and the unintentional
innuendo.

“Henri has rarely encountered Conduits. I’m rare myself. Unprecedented in Henri’s

knowledge. I tell him he hasn’t known the right people.” She waved a hand. “While my
mind is strong, the worry is that I could be controlled to do some awful things. Or that a
vampire might be able to siphon off my powers and use them. If I were bound to Nick, the
hope is that he could protect me like your mate would you. That maybe even Nick could
share my powers once the binding is complete. And be the only one to do so.”

“Can regular vampires bond?”

“No. They can’t. Conduits are a special case.”

“Are you going to become a vampire? Once you’re bound?”

She pursed her lips. “I think I’m ready now. Nick doesn’t. Wants to make sure I’m

beyond ready. He worries the vampire powers could make me animalistic. A wanton killer,
unable to control the instinctual urges. With my powers, that would be bad. He tries hard
not to think like that but can’t help it. So we’ll see.”

Copper glanced down the hands still holding hers. “I want to go see my sister. I’m

going to scoot up there and visit. We’ll talk more later?”

Sarah nodded, laying back on the pillows. Copper lifted off the couch and rose.

“Copper?”

She turned.

“Don’t discount Bastian. Henri said he’s been through hell and back in his life before

becoming a vampire. And he strives to rescue kids off the streets. That doesn’t seem like the
power-hungry type to me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Somehow that made everything harder for her to process. So

much easier to run from a man who wanted her only for what she could do for him.

* * * * *

Bastian rolled over, reaching for Copper. No one on the other pillow.

Damn

.

He liked waking up in that special time in the early morning, with lovers. Watching

them sleep or rousing them from sleep with hands. Or lips. He’d wanted to wake up with

122

Mechele Armstrong

Copper. See her firebrand hair spread out across his red sheets. Her jade-green eyes opening
as she smiled wickedly up at him. In his fantasy, they had love in them. He’d bend down to
kiss her soundly, rub her all over with the silk sheets, tickling her body. Stay in bed as long
as he could, talking, laughing, loving.

Copper had probably run scared. Frightened of the intimacy they’d shared.

He had no doubts left that the redhead was his mate. Not after the passion that had

flared to life between them.

He’d drifted off to sleep holding her, her body tangled with his. Talking in low tones to

her about anything and everything. Loving her satin skin against his, her hair tickling his
body wherever it touched.

Copper didn’t want to love him.

He’d seen it in her eyes numerous times.

He hoped the emotion would overrun the fear.

Bastian had withheld the information about vampire mates and about mates of a

Conduit. She didn’t need any more pressure than was already on her. She’d find out in time.
But he wanted her to adjust to the new information she’d gotten first.

The desire to bite her and take blood had spiraled at the moment before his orgasm. It

had been all he could do each time to control it. It would only get worse. Until he couldn’t
resist. He needed to feed. But the only blood he wanted was hers. It was like an addiction
had been caused by one pure drop of it.

If any other vampires found out about Copper, they’d kill her. Unless she bonded with

a mate, who could keep her safe. Bastian didn’t intend to see her die. But that couldn’t be the
only reason she came to him. He wouldn’t let it be. She had to want him. Not only the
protection of a mate.

He wanted it all. Passion. Love. All rolled up into one nice pale package.

Her.

She’d probably gone to see Crimson.

Something else he needed to deal with. Crimson had problems. He wasn’t sure how

those problems would translate into being a vampire. Last night hadn’t gone well. He’d given
Tad and Pope strict instruction on not leaving Crimson alone with her sister. After Tad’s
arm, they both paid attention.

However, Crimson hadn’t tried to kill Tad. And she could have. So, not all bad. If she

could prevail in the end, conquer her vampire powers, she’d live.

Otherwise, she’d die. At his hand.

Copper would never forgive him.

Blood Lines: Conduit

123

He sighed. Relationships never got any easier, no matter how long you lived or how

many you had. He’d not had many in his human life. Mainly fucked, then. And in his
vampire life, something was always missing. A spark.

Nothing was missing from Copper.

The phone rang. Bastian picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hello, baby. Miss me?”

Bastian sat up in bed, the sheet falling around his waist. “Hello, Evangeline. I didn’t

expect to be hearing from you again.” He’d felt her in town, but couldn’t tell exactly where
she’d gone. They weren’t of the same line. Telepathic contact over distance was minimal,
even for him.

“Funny, I didn’t expect to be calling you.”

“Do tell.” His security could trace the call.

“I know you’re tracing. I don’t care. I refuse to be smuggled out of this god-forsaken

place in a pine box. And you and Henri have effectively cut off escape avenues. Nice touch
freezing all my credit cards. Even my Paypal account. And all my minions’.” She tsked into
the phone.

“Wasn’t my idea. It was Henri.”

“Yes, tell him I owe him a big kiss the next time we meet.”

Bastian chuckled. “You’re not his type.”

“Pity. Perhaps Nathan and I could be. So, Bastian, I want to get this over with. Right

here and now. Not wait a few more hundred years again to get revenge.”

“Good. I agree wholeheartedly with that. Let’s do it. Where are you?”

A scream sounded in the background.

“Lucky’s Bar. Nice service here.”

“Evangeline ...”

“I know it isn’t like I still hold your girls. You got them away. Did the two sisters make

it?”

Bastian growled. “One did.” Crimson had died, so not entirely a lie. The less Evangeline

knew, the better.

She sighed into the phone. “Quite a loss. I’m impressed. No threatening. No ‘you better

not hurt my friends.’”

“Cut the shit, Evangeline. What do you want?”

“Simple. You’re what I want. You come here. Give yourself to me. And I’ll let everyone

else go.”

“Agreed.”

124

Mechele Armstrong

“You are a quick boy. I like that. I was worried with it not being your love interests

you might refuse me. But I was right.”

“Right on what?”

“You’d sacrifice yourself for our cattle. The feed that keeps us going.”

“Not cattle.” He shifted the phone, grabbing for his jeans.

“They are, Bastian. You killed Marie because she killed our prey. How stupid is that?

You don’t see lions ganging up on each other over the murder of gazelles.”

“Humans are not gazelles or cattle. They deserve my protection. Even from my

brethren, when they slaughter them as Marie was doing.” He yanked his jeans up his legs,
hastily buttoning them.

“Your mentor is a fool. Thoughts like that will get you killed one day. Like it got Lucy

killed. Like the rest. Who you were too late to save. You’d better get here soon. To find out
who you’ll be too late to save this time. I’m thinking Barb. Lots of blood there to take. How
much will be too much?”

“I’m coming.” He clicked off the phone. Pulled on his shirt.

Who would he be too late to save? Always someone.

He closed his eyes. Remembered Italy. The bodies. The boys he’d grown up with. The

blood. So much of it. He’d gotten there too late to save anyone.

This time, he would get them all out. And ensure Copper would never come under

Evangeline’s thumb. Even if he died trying.

Blood Lines: Conduit

125

Chapter Fourteen

Copper walked upstairs to where Crimson had been taken last night.

A small room with a bed and two chairs. Crimson had been chained to a radiator by a

window covered by a heavy green drape. The long chain allowed her to reach a green chair
and a bed covered with a matching bedspread. She sat in the wingback chair, huddled down,
legs drawn up under her, head on her knees.

Pope climbed out of another chair occupied by Tad. It sat out of reach of the chain.

“Hey, Copper, is it? We met when you were Crimson.” He yawned, shirtless, wearing old
faded sweatpants with a hole in the knee. His longish brown hair lay loose around his
shoulders. Tattoos covered tawny expanses of flesh on his arms and chest.

Tad sighed, his erection bulging in his tight pants. “Hello, Copper. You here to see the

newest blood sucker?”

Copper winced. Lots of getting used to. “Yeah. How’s your arm?”

“Hurts like a son of a bitch. But should be fine.” He cradled it closer to him. It was

encased in fresh gauze.

Pope smiled indulgently. “It’s healing well, better than most wounds do. He’s being a

baby about it.”

Tad stuck his tongue out at Pope, who winked back.

Copper toddled closer on legs like stilts. She gulped. Shouldn’t be nervous. Crimson

was still her sister. “Hi, Crimson.”

Crimson turned to face her. Eyes gleamed but had a haunted desperate look to them.

“You look like someone I know.”

“I’m your sister, Copper.”

126

Mechele Armstrong

“That’s it. You look like me.” Crimson’s nose twitched. Wiggling back and forth like a

fox on a hunt. “You had sex. Bastian sex. He’s all over you.”

Copper’s mouth dropped open. Not only her face but also her whole body heated. Pope

and Tad snickered. She glared at them.

“His come is all over you. Yours all over you, too.” She snuffled again. “But no blood.

He didn’t feed.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Stupid man. Or vampire, I guess.” Crimson got up, taking a step forward, chains

clanking. “I could.”

“Whoa, baby.” Pope sauntered over. “Take it easy now.”

Tad shot to his feet, watching.

Copper didn’t back up or flinch. Crimson neared her. “You don’t want to feed from

me.”

“Sure, I do. I’m hungry.” Crimson gnashed teeth. “You’re the prey. I ... hear blood.

Rushing all around me in the little pipes. It calls. So much more powerfully even than
chocolate.”

“Crimson, you will get a handle on this. On being a vampire.”

Pope grabbed Crimson’s chain, pulling her away from Copper. “Stop it. Right now.”

Crimson fell back onto the floor with a clang. Pope guided her with the chain back to the
chair. “You sit there. Have a visit with your sister.”

“Or your sister will have to leave.” Tad had moved closer, his eyes darting to Crimson

and Copper.

“Guys, wait a minute, she wasn’t hurting me. We were talking.”

“I could kill you.” Crimson’s voice dipped low and sweet. “I could. Take all that fresh

blood.”

Tad pointed to Crimson, waggling a finger. “See. See how not hurting you she is. Or

thinking about it, at least.”

“She said it. But she wasn’t doing anything.” Copper’s knees had gone weak at

Crimson’s words. But she hadn’t shown it. Her own sister had talked about her death like she
was a chicken.

“She was too close.” Pope leaned back on his boots. “Bastian told us not to let you

within three feet of her.”

“She had Bastian. I see the tiny love bites he left. Roughened skin from his rasping

tongue.” Crimson’s reclined on the floor with a sing-songy voice.

Copper looked down. Nothing visible to the naked eye on the small area of skin she

had exposed. But he had nibbled her neck enthusiastically. She’d checked it for hickeys this

Blood Lines: Conduit

127

morning after pulling on her shirt. How could ... vampire senses. Damn, they were good.
“Bastian said not to let me within three feet of Crimson?”

They both nodded.

“You two listen here. Bastian isn’t my ruler and Master. He doesn’t tell me what to do.

He might have you all, and he might have Lucy and Crimson. But not

me

. No one tells me

what to do. No one rules me. Not Bastian De Luca. Not anyone.”

“Bastian told us ...”

“I realize what he told you. But I’m telling you, I will not be dictated to. Now back off,

and let me see my sister.” Her worst fear. Bastian was taking over her life already, and they’d
only had sex once.

They looked at each other. “No.” The tone on both was firm. No hesitation.

“Guys.”

“No.”

“I swear I will take responsibility for this. I’ll take the heat.”

Tad snorted. “Do you think I’m scared of Bastian, and that’s why I do what he says ... or

at least, most of the time I do?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Hell, no. I do what Bastian De Luca says because he’s the first one to ever give a damn

about me. To ever want to help me and demand nothing in return.”

“He fucks you, doesn’t he? Takes blood?”

Crimson nodded. “He does. I want your blood. No fucking involved.”

Copper frowned at her sister.

Not helping, Sis.

Sorry.

Pope’s voice came quietly. “He never takes anyone sexually who doesn’t want to. Or

takes blood from an unwilling donor. I’ve never done either.” He pointed to Crimson, still
laying on the floor. “He was with Crim here when I got here, and I never felt it was my place
to screw ‘im no matter what kind of relationship they had going on.”

“Pope’s right, Cop.”

“So you won’t let me be near or alone with my sister?”

“Nope.” Again with double agreement.

“That’s bullshit.”

Tad shrugged.

“I’m going to go find Bastian.” Copper stamped her foot. “And tell him exactly what I

think of his high-handed dictating ways.”

“You do that.”

“Oooooh.” Copper stomped out of the room.

128

Mechele Armstrong

Bye, sis.
Bye.

Copper was almost to Bastian’s room when it occurred to her Crimson hadn’t spoken

aloud. Neither had she. What the hell did that mean? But she’d arrived at Bastian’s door so
she’d confront Mr. High and Mighty first, then worry about her sister and her talking in
their minds. No man was going to dictate her life.

Squaring her shoulders, she tossed open the door. No one was there.

* * * * *

Evangeline straightened up. “You do have a lot of blood. But too much alcohol in it.

Yech.” She wiped her mouth with a newly manicured hand. “Is that a chipped nail?” She
stared down at it. Wiped at it. No, only a little blood.

Barb clenched his fists in the handcuffs he sported. “Choke on it, bitch.”

“Don’t think so.” She leaned down to swipe tongue against the wound on his upper

chest one last time. “Drat, it already closed. Maybe I should make a new one.”

“Come closer. I’ll wrap this chain around your neck.” His eyes glared, muscles tensing.

He jangled the handcuffs together.

She sighed. “He’s losing his entertainment for me.”

Jake snorted. “I can’t wait until Bastian gets here and does you in.” His words came

slurred. He’d been a fighter. Gerald’s fist had gone a little heavy on his mouth.

“Speaking of the dear vampire boy, where is he? I called him thirty minutes ago. He

should be here by now.” She twirled around, red mini-skirt flashing thigh. “He best not keep
me waiting too long. I’ve done so long enough.”

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping you waiting, Evangeline.” Bastian strolled in the front

doors. Wearing jeans and a T-shirt, he looked a little too comfortable. Evangeline bit down
on her lip.

“So glad you could make it, Bastian. The party’s just started.” She waved her hand to

show Barb, Jake, and Diane all trussed up. Evan and Gerald hulked in the background.

“Ah, but I’m the one you want to party with. Not them.”

“Sorry, Bast.” Jake spoke like he had a few marbles in his mouth. “They got Diane

taking out the trash and used her to get Barb and me.” His lip had swelled. He looked like it
pained him to talk. But he was alive. Sure to make Bastian happy. Until Evangeline got done
with him.

His relieved eyes never left Evangeline’s. “It’s OK, Jake. You did what you could. Now

come on, baby. Are we going to party or what?”

Evangeline tossed him a pair of handcuffs, which he caught. “Put these on.” Her voice

rose. Anticipation. Her sex swelled and dripped. Finally, her revenge. Closer than she’d ever

Blood Lines: Conduit

129

been to it before. Marie’s face flashed in front of her eyes. So beautiful. Loving eyes staring at
her.

It’s for you.

“Uncuff them first.” Bastian swung the cuffs in his hands like a yo-yo.

“Bastian. You don’t seem to understand. I have these people. You walked in here.

There’s no making demands.” She narrowed her eyes. He wasn’t supposed to look so flippant.
So unconcerned. He wouldn’t be by the end. She’d see to that. But her foot wanted to stomp.
Her teeth wanted to gnash. She wanted to tell him she was a force he’d better reckon with.
Not that it mattered. He’d be dead soon enough.

“No. Uncuff them. Now. Or I bolt.”

“You wouldn’t. You came here to save them. Get there first, like you couldn’t as a

human.” She smirked, smoothing down the leather.

“I won’t let them be pawns. Used against me. If they don’t get out now, they’re already

dead. And I can run so you and your two little minions can’t find me. It will take you a while
to build another vampire and human work force like you had before. By that time I can be so
far gone, you’ll never find me.”

“You wouldn’t.” Her foot did stomp the floor, making a patter sound.

“I would.”

“Very well. I had hoped to do more damage to you. But losing two lovers will have to

be enough to make up for Marie.” She motioned, and they unsnapped the cuffs on the three
mortals. “Now put yours on.”

“No. They leave first. Then you and I fight.”

She huffed. “Fine.”

“With your two inside when they walk out.”

“Bast--” Jake frowned.

“Go, Jake. Take Barb and Diane.”

“I can handle these fanged fucks. If they hadn’t had Diane in the back, I would have

earlier.” Barb growled in frustration.

“I know, big man. Go. Get them to safety. No police, or cavalry either. Get out and go

to the house. Hunker down.”

Rubbing his hands, Barb looked at him. “I don’t like this.”

“I know.”

“Neither do I.” Jake stood up.

“Can we get this going? I do have an Italian to savor and kill.” Evangeline tapped her

foot. These people needed therapy. Too many latent sexual urges. She’d been repressed and
look how she’d turned out. She snickered, the sound malicious.

Jake, Barb, and Diane limped out of the bar. The two males watched Evangeline and

her helpers until the door shut behind them.

130

Mechele Armstrong

“Now playtime can begin. Put them on, pet.”

Bastian slid the handcuffs over one hand, skimmed them back and forth. “I said after

they left, we’d settle this. Not that I’d put these on.”

“You want to do that?”

He tossed the handcuffs like a Frisbee in the air. Whirling, they headed for

Evangeline’s head. She ducked, her senses taking over. “I guess you do.”

Bastian approached, his steps wide and aggressive.

Evan stepped forward, the bar between him and Bastian, pulled his pistol out and shot

Bastian twice, through the back.

“I bet that hurt.” Evangeline cocked her head to the side, watching.

Bastian stumbled, falling to the floor. He gurgled.

“Nice shooting, Evan.” Evangeline tossed Gerald the cuffs. “Get them on good.”

Bastian’s body would heal itself quickly. He’d been stunned more than hurt, though the loss
of blood would work in her favor. Too bad the wounds would close. She’d love to lick them.
She’d make new ones, though. Everything was finally going according to plan.

Gerald slapped the cuffs on Bastian’s wrists, pulling him up to his knees by the chains.

Bastian groaned.

“Perfect place for you. Your knees. Worship me like a goddess.”

Gerald held him down, paying homage to Evangeline. Hooked the cuffs to the chain

and looped it up around the bottle shelf on the bar. She drew a blade out of her boot, and
slowly sliced a line in his shoulder. “One cut. I’ll open you piece by piece. Then take what’s
left of your blood. The end of Bastian De Luca.”

“I don’t know about that. I think he might end you.”

The sister stood in the doorway.

* * * * *

Copper’s heart thumped in her ears. Feet wanted to turn back the way they came. Her

fingers clenched into her palms, drawing blood. Fear and anger hung low in her belly, firing
it, making it roll explosively.

“I’m so glad we didn’t lock the doors.” Evangeline purred, her smile scalding hot. “So

good to see you. Bastian, I guess maybe we will go for three.”

“Copper, get out now.” Bastian pulled against the handcuffs, tight around his wrists.

“You go.” His voice edged with panic.

She shook her head. Sauntered in. “No, Bastian, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for

the party.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

131

She’d found the number for Lucky’s Bar on caller ID and confronted Tad, the only one

in the house Bastian would have told where he went. Found out Bastian had headed for a
showdown. Alone. To face Evangeline.

Without visiting her first and taking her blood.

Blood that would have made him all-powerful. Undefeatable.

And he’d not partaken of it. He could have. It would have made it easier to defeat the

villain. Win the fight. And killed off anything she felt for him.

He knew her better than anyone else ever had. Knew her from her sister. And he’d had

to know what taking her blood would do to their relationship. He’d risked death rather than
risk losing her.

All of her feelings had run together like clay on a potter’s wheel.

She’d had to come. Save him. The man she loved.

No matter how hard she tried to deny the emotion, she couldn’t.

She loved him.

Evangeline shook her hair back, elation in her face and eyes. “A new toy. How glad I

am you came. I will enjoy unwrapping you, pet. You remember how I unwrapped your
sister? And Lucy?”

Copper narrowed her eyes. “Don’t even talk about it. You aren’t fit to be the heel on

Crimson’s leather boots.” She took a step further in, closer to Bastian.

“Copper, don’t. Get out of here.” Bastian continued to struggle, but Gerald had him

secured.

“Don’t go any closer to him. Or I’ll have Gerald snap his neck.”

Copper stopped. She had no idea how vampires died exactly. She knew they could. Not

something she’d had a chance to ask. She’d been too busy at the farmhouse to focus. And tied
up. Lots of dust but she didn’t know what killed them. She didn’t want to misstep, and have
them kill Bastian.

Evangeline took two steps her way. Copper took a step closer to Bastian.

“Ah ah ah.”

“I want to give Bastian a goodbye kiss. Surely, you’ll grant me that last request? I know

you’re not a monster, Evangeline.”

Her brow furrowed. “A goodbye kiss? I thought you and Bastian weren’t anything to

each other? How royal of you, Bastian. Keeping it in the family, are you?”

“Shut up, Evangeline. You put one finger ...”

“Bastian, don’t be rude.” Copper sighed loudly. “Sorry, Evangeline. He’s so

temperamental. And bossy. Always telling me what to do. We’ve become close since I came
to St. Louis. I’d like to give him one final kiss. You won’t deny me that. I know you’re a

132

Mechele Armstrong

romantic. And can see why I need to.” She shrugged. “Not like I could do anything by giving
him a mere kiss, either.”

“I am a soft touch. Go, give him a kiss. Then walk to me.” Evangeline leaned back on

her heels. “Hurry it up.”

Copper trotted over to Bastian. “Back off, Lurch.”

“Who?” The giant’s face wrinkled in puzzlement.

“Never mind.” Copper waved a hand. “Television reference beyond you. But I’d like

some room here. And a little privacy.”

“Back off, Gerald. But not too far.” Evangeline folded her arms in front of her chest.

“Watch her. Make sure she only gives him a kiss. Nothing else. No hand contact.”

The man took a few steps back. “Yes, Mistress.”

Copper took a deep breath. Clamped down on the side of her cheek. Struggled not to

cry out, not to swallow. Bit her tongue, too.

Bastian moved as far back as the chains allowed. She couldn’t let him. Had to bleed for

him. “Kiss me, Bastian.” Confusion set in his eyes, but he did what she told him. His tongue
sought out the wound. The blood swished with saliva into his mouth. He swallowed, two
hungry gulps against her.

“I hope it was enough,” she whispered.

Turning, she slowly marched to Evangeline.

Please let it be enough.

She arrived to where Evangeline waited. Evangeline reached out a hand to stroke her

hair. “So red. So much like Crimson.”

Snap.

Evangeline gasped. Copper swiveled her head around. Bastian’s handcuffs had broken

in half.

Crunch.

The chains snapped apart from the wood.

It had been enough. Bastian had broken free. Copper could almost see the power

surging in him. Rippling his muscles.

Evangeline’s eyes went half-dollar size. “That’s impossible.”

Bastian pulled the chains off the cuffs. Gerald dove for him, trying to pull him back.

Bastian grabbed him, tossing the huge man against the wall like a child’s toy. “Don’t get up. I
might let you live.”

Evan clutched the gun tightly in his hands. “Stop now.”

Bastian laughed. “You can’t hurt me. Only piss me off. You saw what I did with the

cuffs. Imagine what I could do to your body. And you can’t kill me with that. Never could.
So put it down. Nice and gentle. I’ll let you live, too.”

Evan lowered the gun, swallowing deeply in his throat.

Blood Lines: Conduit

133

“This is impossible.” Evangeline swallowed. “Not possible.” She grabbed for Copper.

“Not just no, but hell no.” Copper stomped her foot, driving her heel into the

vampiress’s foot. She couldn’t kill her like that, but she sure as hell could hurt her. Copper
dashed away. Evangeline cried out, jumping up and down, and then snarled.

“Get out. Run,” Bastian’s rough voice ordered. His eyes glittered in the light. “I have a

party to break up.”

Copper did what he said. As a mortal against vamps, she was a liability to Bastian. She

ran through the front door without looking back, out of the bar and into the night.

A good distance away, she stopped, leaning against a building, hoping what she’d done

would be enough, and that she’d get to tell a man for the first time she loved him.

* * * * *

Bastian advanced on Evangeline step by step. The blood rushed in his body, the power

rush incredible. He could take on the world like this. Two vampires and a human would be
easy. He could bench press them if he wanted. Power flowed through his veins with strength
untold fueled by fury that someone would dare try and take his mate away from him. The
beast raged with even more strength to back it up.

Time to hurry, though. He didn’t know how long the effects would last. Or how

exactly it would let him down.

“This is ... I don’t understand,” Evangeline babbled on. Stood her ground, not retreating

at Bastian’s approach.

His lazy smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I guess you didn’t know. Copper’s a

Conduit. And mine, by the way, bitch.” Evangeline wouldn’t leave this bar. He’d see to it so
the secret would die with her.

“What? They don’t exist.” Her hands came up in front of her, knife gleaming in them.

“They do. It’s the same as you and me. We aren’t supposed to exist either.” He sliced

with a jab through the air, hearing it cut through it like lightning. Evangeline doubled over,
clutching her abdomen. He’d struck so fast she hadn’t seen it coming nor had time to strike
back at him.

She gasped for breath, the wind knocked out of her lungs. “I’ll still kill you. You can

bet on that.”

“Don’t think so.”

Hands carved through the air. He got her hand in a tight grip. Wrenched the knife

away from her. The one she’d intended to use on Copper and him.

“What do you know? I have a weapon now.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She licked a split to her lip. “Doesn’t matter one bit. That blood

rush doesn’t last forever. It’ll wear off. Your advantage will be lost. And then, I’ll kill you.

134

Mechele Armstrong

Find the little minx and make her my dining partner for many years to come. She could feed
me a long time before I kill her off, if she gives me this much power.”

“Even without the Conduit’s blood, bitch, I could best you.” He slashed to her stomach.

Evangeline jumped at the last second so the wound wasn’t deep. “Only a matter of time
before I do it on my own.”

Evangeline drew another dagger. Rushed at him.

He darted to the side. She went a step past. He caught her back, flaying it open with a

flick of the blade. The strength made wielding the knife too easy. It sliced flesh like butter.

She turned to face him, grinning. He heard the creak in the floorboards. Gerald snuck

up behind him, jumping to grab him. Bastian head-butted the big vampire, twisting away.

“Damn, you couldn’t stay down. I didn’t want to have to kill you.”

Gerald sneered. “In your dreams.”

Evangeline and Evan bolted for the front door. He threw the knife on a perfect arc. It

slipped into Evangeline’s back, burying itself. She took a step and fell to her knees.

“Don’t think I have to dream.” He grabbed the dagger hidden under his T-shirt,

yanking it out and going for the jugular. He tapped it. Blood spurted. He took out the
vampire’s throat. The man’s hands went up to cover, blood seeping through his fingers. He
fell back on his ass, sitting on the floor.

“I’ll finish you in a minute.”

Evangeline crawled on the floor, dagger protruding from her back. “Arrrrrgh.”

Evan knelt beside her to pick her up. He stood up to his full height at Bastian’s

approach. “You ... you leave her alone.” He pointed the gun.

Bastian sighed. “You know I can’t. She’d come after me again. I have to kill her. Gerald

signed his death certificate, too. Yours is still unsigned. You can keep living. If you walk
away. If not, I’ll end your mortal life. Here and now. Your choice.”

He would have let Gerald walk away but for reading his mind. The asshole intended to

find Copper if Evangeline died. Evan’s thoughts were all about survival and not wanting to
die. Not about revenge. If Evan backed down, he would let him go.

Evan glanced around, looking at his loafer-encased feet.

“Help me, Evan.” The wound had almost finished knitting itself around the knife.

Evangeline couldn’t quite reach it with her fingers to pull it out. With each movement, the
sharp end tore into the flesh again, reopening the wound.

Bastian raised the bloody dagger. “What’s it going to be?”

Evan ran.

“Noooo. Come back, human.” Evangeline turned over, sitting up to face him. She

squinted, cheeks drawn up in pain.

Blood Lines: Conduit

135

“This is it, Evangeline.” He slashed with the knife, cutting into her thigh below the

hiked-up miniskirt. Femoral artery. It pumped. Her hands came up in vain to cover it. “I
win.” He leaned over and sank fangs in deep to her neck above her collarbone. She couldn’t
bat him away. He sucked hard as the artery poured out the last of her blood.

Turning to ash, she screamed, wiggling on the floor. Screamed over and over again.

Each piece of flesh, starting at her feet, turned into the ash it would have at death were it not
for the blood’s power.

She made noise until her mouth poofed into a cloud drifting on the floor, and

Evangeline was no more.

Bastian grabbed both daggers, heading back over to Gerald. His mutilated throat had

begun to heal itself. But not the vocal cords. Bastian dispatched him, draining all his blood.
Gerald couldn’t scream. His body contorted, writhing on the floor until each bit of him
turned into ash.

Bastian licked his lips. He could still taste Copper.

She had come for him. He’d never expected that. His heart tightened in his chest. Such

a brave, crazy woman. He left the dusty impressions on the floor and headed out the door.
About an hour or so before sunup.

Soon as she saw him emerge, Copper rushed up to him. “Are you OK?” She placed her

hands on his chest, patting him, touching him, checking him.

Bastian nodded, enjoying her touches. Her concern. “I am, you nutty woman. You

shouldn’t have come there. Especially by yourself. I don’t know whether to kiss you or beat
you.”

“Nick was out, there was no time to find him, and Tad couldn’t help. I knew I could,

just like I know the answer to that question.” She wrapped her arms around him.

“You do?”

She nodded, looking up at him. “Kiss me.”

“Good answer.” His lips claimed hers. Taking. Plundering. Making her lean against him

more and more.

“I thought so,” she murmured against his lips. Slid her tongue in to do a dance with his.

She had to be his mate. No other explanation existed. He’d never had such a reaction to

anyone else in his lifetime. His mate. His lips moved faster and faster against her, harder and
harder, feeling the joy of the kiss and the realization.

He’d die if he didn’t have her. That was made painfully clear when Evangeline had

touched her hair. Her thoughts about what she would do to the redhead had been
telegraphed to him in graphic images. He’d been infuriated and breaking the cuffs hadn’t
been a problem with the little amount of blood Copper had given him.

His cock tightened painfully.

Claim her.

The animal urged him on.

136

Mechele Armstrong

I already have.

He opened his eyes. Deserted street. Handy wall of a building. He could

do it again.

Claim her with the bond.

He closed his eyes, breaking the kiss and putting his head on hers, wrapping his arms

tighter and holding her. This mating bond had to be her decision. He’d never force it on her,
no matter how much he wanted it.

Blood Lines: Conduit

137

Chapter Fifteen

It had been a horrid day. Bastian rubbed his face with his hands.

He’d called Lucy’s family to let them know she’d passed away. Not a pleasant phone

call. Tears and keening from her mother. Threats of hell from her father.

Crimson had attacked Tad again, feeding. Again, hadn’t tried to kill him, but had bit

him like a pit bull and hung on to his arm. Bastian and Pope had to pry her off of him. Tad
hadn’t been happy, not that Bastian blamed him. He’d said he wouldn’t be the rat anymore
for Crimson’s snake.

Bastian didn’t know what to do about Crimson. She wasn’t doing well as a vampire. She

acted like a nut. But she hadn’t killed anyone, or even tried. With patience maybe she’d
come around. Nick had helped to arrange for some more blood bank donations. Maybe the
act of not feeding from a human would help.

He hadn’t seen Copper as much as he would have liked. He’d missed her. Missed her

warm smile, her emerald eyes watching him.

She’d spent most of her day with Crimson and Sarah. She’d pulled back from him

again.

He sighed. Didn’t want her to pull back. Wanted her to jump his bones. To bond with

him. To be with him forever.

Not likely to happen.

Bastian pushed the door open to his room. Stopped, looking around. Lit candles sat

everywhere glowing in the darkness. The scents of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air. Not
strong or overpowering.

Copper got up from the chair she’d been sitting in. A flowing, jade-green gown graced

her supple body. Silk and lace covered by a shimmery robe. Her hair spilled down her back
in fiery, curving grace.

138

Mechele Armstrong

Bastian swallowed, blood humming in his ears. His cock went from flaccid to rock hard

in less than a few seconds. A vision. Her soft body, a vision in wrapping that made his hands
itch to slip it off to explore the curves underneath.

“Hello, Bastian.” She glided across the carpeted floor.

“Copper. What’s all this?”

Her smile, so full of promise he gulped. “I think you are a pretty astute guy. I think you

know what I’ve got planned.”

“Ah.”

She reached his side, her mouth meeting his, warm, opening, inviting him to taste and

plunder.

“Bastian?” she murmured, wrapping her arms around him. Her breasts tantalized his

chest. His cock rubbed against her stomach. He could smell her sex, knowing she’d be
creamy and slick for him. He hardened further, heart pounding.

“Yes?”

“After I found out you’d gone to confront Evangeline by yourself, I realized something.

Something I need to tell you.”

He looked down at her upturned face. “Which is?”

“I love you. I’ve never been in love before.” Her smile was apologetic. Like that was

supposed to be an issue for him? Her honesty, the apprehension in her face, was adorable.

He closed his eyes, emotion almost taking him to his knees. Didn’t think he’d hear

those words. Especially from her lips. As much as she’d distanced herself from what was
between them. “I love you, too.”

She smiled. “I want to bond with you.”

He searched her face, looking for any sign of doubt. “Are you sure? The bond, it’s

forever. There’s no going back.”

“I’m sure.” She nodded. “I want you to be my mate, to be the ‘one.’”

“I think you are ... my mate.” He chuckled. “One problem, though. I don’t know how

to do the bond ceremony. I wasn’t sure you’d ever want to do it with me. I’ll have to call
Henri.” He glanced at his watch, trying to figure out Paris time.

Copper touched his hand, leaning down to kiss it. Her moist lips pressed into his skin.

“I already talked to Henri.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “Sarah put me in touch with him. Now, you have this awfully big bed.

And it’s lonely in it without someone else.” She took Bastian by the hand and led him over.
He would have followed her anywhere.

He watched the sway of her hips and the rounded shape of her ass. It would fit in his

hands. He wanted to try that out.

Blood Lines: Conduit

139

She unbelted the gossamer robe and shook it off her shoulders. It fell to the floor with a

soft plop. She slid onto the bed, tugging him with her.

He sat down, his cock wooden, tenting his pants. He wanted her so badly. Wanted to

roll her under him and slide himself into her depths. “So what do we do?”

She reached over beside her to gather a crystal goblet. “According to Henri, the bond

ritual is simple. Mix my blood with your blood. Say an oath. ‘With my blood, I bind you.’
Both of us then drink it.”

“You sound doubtful, or like there is a but coming.”

“It’s been eons since he knew a Conduit, and the last one ended up dead before anyone

bonded with him. He’s contacting some old friends in case this doesn’t work.”

Bastian leaned back on the bed. “How much blood do we need?”

“Another thing he’s not sure on. He didn’t think it took much.”

“Well, damn, how will we know this works?”

Copper pursed her lips. “Because Nick volunteered to take some of my blood as a test.

To see if the power exists for anyone other than you after we perform the ritual.”

“No.”

She leaned over, kissing him deeply, circling his tongue with hers. She reached up,

running her fingers through his hair. “We need to know. If we are mates. If we are bonded.
The only way to find out is to test it.”

“I don’t want him to feed from you.”

“What is it with you two?” Her tone sounded exasperated.

Bastian ran his hand down her back, enjoying the shiver that raced along his skin in

the direction of his hand. “Nick and I ... we don’t get along. He’s a little jealous Henri didn’t
make him.”

Copper snorted. “And your problem with him is?”

Bastian frowned. She arched a brow at him. He sighed. “I ... he’s much younger than I

am, but he think he knows more than I do.”

“You’re impossible.”

He leaned over, his mouth taking hers. “But you love me.”

“I do. But Nick will test to make sure I’m a vampire steroid no longer. Unless you’d

rather my sister do it.”

Bastian blanched. “No.” Crimson wasn’t handling what she had, much less getting

something so powerful if it didn’t work. But it had to work. He wanted to be her mate more
than he’d ever wanted anything.

“Nick said we can reopen the wound we use to get the blood for bonding.”

“Open a wound?’

140

Mechele Armstrong

Copper nodded. “How else did you think we’d get my blood? You can’t take it and then

spit into a cup. That’d be gross. So I’ll bleed into the cup. You’ll bleed into it too. And

voilà,

bonding juice.”

He hadn’t considered how they’d acquire the blood. He didn’t want to cut her. Or see

her cut. Biting was different. “How will Nick know what to compare it to? He’s never had
your blood before.”

Her face flushed, and she looked down at her nightie.

“Copper?” he growled.

“He needed to have a baseline.”

“He fed from you? The son of a bitch. Wait until I get my hands on ...” He hopped off

the bed, pacing.

“No.” She grabbed his hand, yanking him back, stopping his movements. “Well, he fed,

but I pricked my finger with a needle. The drop did to him what it did to you. Now are we
going to bond? Or aren’t we?”

Bastian reluctantly came back to the bed. He didn’t like the idea of another man

touching her. Even taking only a drop of blood. “We are.” He sat behind her. Maybe he
wouldn’t get so distracted by her body there. He followed the line of skin to where it dipped
beneath the negligee. He could follow that sweet place with his teeth. And tongue. Or
maybe not; he’d stay distracted no matter where she sat. He shifted on the bed.

A knife sat on the little wooden nightstand. “I’ll go first.”

“You are the lady.” He leaned forward to make their bodies brush.

“Ha! Try telling that to any of my teachers. Or ex-boyfriends.”

Bastian stroked up to the nape of her neck, leaning in to kiss it. “I can’t imagine you as

anything but.”

“We’ll see how much of a lady you think I am later when I tie you up.” She looked

back at him with a cheeky grin.

He winked. Gods, he loved playing with her.

Her head swiveled forward. She picked up the knife. Tried to hold the glass in her

other hand. A juggling act that she couldn’t manage.

“Let me.” He grabbed the goblet and held it under her arm. She made a deep incision

with a low gasp of pain. He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her. He hated her
doing this, even with such an important reason. He caught all the blood with the crystal.
Then snagged some gauze and helped her tape it over the wound.

“I wouldn’t want to get blood all over these sheets. They are so soft.” She rubbed her

uninjured arm on them.

Blood Lines: Conduit

141

Chuckling, he stroked the sheets with a finger. “I’d rather be touching you than the

sheets. And it’s not the first time they’ve gotten blood on them. My turn.” He held out his
hand for the knife.

“This hurts.” She held the arm close to her, cradling it. “I hope this works. If I did this

for nothing, I’ll be pissed.”

He wanted to take away her pain. “I do too. I want to be mated to you. Be with you

forever.”

She smiled, her love reflected in her face like a looking glass. “Forever. I’ve never even

made it to years before.”

He prepared the knife. “We will.” He cut deeply into his forearm. Copper caught each

drop in the glass with her blood. She swirled the liquid around, mixing it. He watched her as
he spoke the words. “With my blood, I bind you.”

“With my blood, I bind you,” she repeated, and then took a deep breath. “Now we

drink.” She looked down at the cup in her hands. “You were upset because I had to cut
myself. Can I say the idea of ingesting blood is an icky one?”

“If you become a vampire ...” He swallowed. Her hands shook. She nearly sloshed the

blood out of the glass. Didn’t bode well for bringing her over. “It’s too soon for you to
contemplate that.”

“No. It’s not. I have thought about it. You’re one. My sister is one. I don’t know yet,

though. Blood drinking ... it doesn’t appeal to me.”

He rubbed her shoulders. “I know. And that’s fine.”

“Eventually ...” She broke off, her voice shaky.

He reassured her as best he could. “We’ll cross it when we get there.” No way he could

watch her die without turning her. He couldn’t sit and watch her age. He loved her too
much. But he didn’t want to force things upon her, either. “Let’s do this now. Take it one
step at a time.” She needed to take things slowly.

Please don’t let her back out.

She wrinkled her nose, sipping from the cup. Took one more big sip. Handed it to him.

He handed it back. “You didn’t take half.”

“You like it more than me.” She waved her hand.

“You should drink half of this.”

She poked out her lip. “They didn’t say I had to.”

“Drink it.” He grinned. “You get a prize later.”

“A big one?”

“Oh, yeah. And hard too.”

“Oooh, the best kind.” She drank another two sips to halfway.

He kissed her lightly, and then downed the still-warm mixed blood.

“Do you feel anything?” She frowned, looking down at her body.

142

Mechele Armstrong

He sat there a second. “I feel your blood’s effects on me. The power surge. But nothing

else.” Shouldn’t he feel differently? If it had worked. His hand splayed on her arm as if
touching her could make the bond real.

She groaned. “I don’t feel anything either. Except, I still taste the blood. And I don’t

want to. It’s yucky tasting.”

He leaned in to kiss her. Not that it would take away the taste. It still filled his mouth,

too. His tongue melded with hers.

Desire.

It drop-kicked him in the stomach. His cock got harder, thickening more. His balls

went so far up into his body they hurt.

She moaned against his mouth. “Oh. Oh. Oh. I need you inside me.

Now

.” The musky

odor of her scent got heavier in the air.

He didn’t answer but deepened the kiss, his hands moving wildly, ferociously all over

her body. He couldn’t touch her enough. Her hands clutched as frantically at him.

She pushed him, grasping at his shirt. He yanked it over his head.

Panting, she whimpered. “Pants off.”

He had to break contact of their bodies. Not something he wanted to do. But he leaned

back, shucked his jeans off. He helped her sit up, shimmied off her nightgown. No
underwear. Good, he needed to be inside her soon. Less muss, quicker entry.

Her breasts, rosy and peaked for him. He buried his face between them, then latched

onto her nipple with such suction, it made noise.

Her body arched back. She writhed under him.

Bastian’s hand skirted her legs, slipped down between them, past her hair, into her

swollen slickness. Her clit stood at attention for his ready fingers. Lightly, he flicked it. Then
harder passes. Across and across.

Her head rolled back and forth on the pillow. She moaned deep and low in her throat

so he could feel it echo through her body.

Her hips lifted up, his hand got soaked with wetness. She came with a little cry.

So beautiful. He slammed his heavy cock against her middle. Needed the contact, the

friction.

“Need you inside.” Each word punctuated by a breath. Her hips downshifted, pressing

into the mattress. She groaned again, louder this time.

He lifted up, releasing the nipple he’d been teasing, claiming her mouth and plunging

his tongue deep. His cock thrust at the same time, entering into her creamy channel. So
tight. So wet against him. Nothing had ever felt this good.

She came again upon his entry, spasming around him.

Blood Lines: Conduit

143

He wouldn’t last long. Tensed in anticipation of the coming climax. His whole body

went down on a stroke.

Couldn’t get close enough to her. Her body wasn’t near enough to his. Couldn’t get

deep enough inside her. His thrusts turned even wilder, harder. Like he would come through
her underside.

His head launched back, whole body straightening. With a roar, he poured his seed

into her.

He collapsed on top, shaking with the blindness-causing force of his climax. Never had

he experienced anything like it. It had been good their first time, but that was nothing
compared to this.

No desire to bite had hit him before he came. Must have been the blood cocktail he’d

consumed.

“I can’t move.”

“Sorry.” He slid off. Then shook, his body rocked by an aftershock.

“Not because of you.” She didn’t move, lay there splayed out. “Well, not because you

were laying on me, anyway. That was incredible.”

“Tell me about it.” He pulled her against him, nuzzling into her side.

“I wonder ...”

“Wonder what?” Bastian wrapped an arm across her middle.

“Did desire hit you hard? Like you had to have me then and there?”

He nodded. “Not that I don’t always want you. I do. But this was the fiercest it’s ever

been.”

“I wonder if that was part of the bonding. Henri didn’t know exactly what would

happen once we drank the blood.”

He rubbed against her. “That might make some sense. Strengthen the bond. Make love

after the blood exchange. Do you feel any differently now?”

“No. Only like I had a round of wonderful sex.” She waggled brows at him. He

chuckled. “Nothing more though.” The phone rang. “Uh-oh.”

“What?”

She picked it up. “Hi, Nick.” She put him on speakerphone. “I’m sorry I was supposed

to get you like ...” She moved to see the clock on the other side of the bed. “... an hour ago.”
She cringed.

“I wasn’t about to come looking for you. I have no desire to see Bastian naked.”

“Bite me, fangy.” Bastian leaned back against the pillow.

They heard Sarah hushing Nick in the background.

“So can I come now? Or are you two still busy?”

144

Mechele Armstrong

“Nick, did you have any idea that completing the ritual might end up making us have

to ...have sex?”

“Copper, I didn’t need to know this. No, I didn’t know the bond would cause it. But

when you didn’t come get me after twenty minutes, well, I know what Sarah and I would
have been doing.”

Bastian made a face of distaste. They both heard Sarah’s gasp and “Nick!”

“Give us five minutes. Then you can come down.” Copper hung up the phone.

She got out of bed, pulling on clothes. Bastian lay there. “You’d better get moving and

put on something.”

“Oh, I think not.” Since Nick had brought it up. Vampires didn’t care about seeing each

other naked. Nick liked to jerk his chain, so he’d jerk right back.

“Bastian.” Her voice tipped to schoolmarm tone.

He sighed. She glared at him. “Oh, all right.” He slid on pants, nothing else.

* * * * *

Copper tapped her foot, waiting for Nick. So many emotions ran through her. If Bastian

couldn’t bond to her, she’d die. She’d curse the fates for providing her with one who she
could love, and he wasn’t fated to be hers. No, Bastian had to be the one.

A light rap came on the door. “You decent yet, Bastian?”

“Oh, you know you want to see me nekkid.” Bastian laughed. “I know you think I’m

damn sexy.”

Nick snorted. “In your dreams.”

“Come on in, Nick. He’s dressed and so am I.”

Nick pushed open the doors and sauntered through them. “Well, you, I’m not so

concerned with you dressing.”

Bastian let a growl. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Guys, can we get this over with? I’m waiting here.” Copper’s foot went back to

tapping. So much on the line, and they wanted to play testosterone games?

“Where did you get the blood for the mix?” Nick sat on the bed, closest to Sarah.

“Here.” She showed him the small wound.

“Okay, this might sting. I don’t need much as you saw this afternoon.”

“Yeah,” Bastian grumbled. “Major bone to pick. Taking blood from my girl without

telling me.”

Nick’s tongue came out and lapped at the dried blood. It stung lots. He reached the skin

and blood under the scab. “Hurry up.” Her teeth gritted together.

Blood Lines: Conduit

145

“Sorry sweetheart.” He took one more lick. “I don’t feel anything. Not like I did this

morning.”

Bastian shifted on the bed. “Maybe we should try with fresh blood? For accuracy and to

be sure.”

Screw accuracy. Copper’s arm stung. But she took the tip of the knife and pricked her

finger.

Nick slurped at the drop of blood. “Nothing again. Has he fed from you after the

ritual?” Nick pointed at Bastian.

“Not yet.”

“I’d say let him feed and see what happens. I’m going back to Sarah. She’ll be interested

in what happened.” His frown took over his whole face. “If she and I can find a way to bond,
it’d be so much easier.”

146

Mechele Armstrong

Chapter Sixteen

Copper lay back down on the bed and licked her lips. “I guess you need to bite me

now?”

“We could do it with a pinprick.” Bastian settled in beside her, his arms stroking along

her shoulders. He’d taken off his pants.

“How long has it been since you fed?” Copper had no idea of his feeding schedule.

She’d been too busy concentrating on finding Crimson. And then on making love to him.
Both activities took up a lot of time.

“It’s been awhile.” His admission came out sheepish.

“I don’t want you feeding on anyone else but me. You can do the blood bank thing. But

I want to be your main course.”

Bastian’s cock gave a twitch, jumping back to full mast. Made her mouth ache to get

around it, seeing it like that. Later. “You can be appetizer, main course, dessert, drinks,
whatever you like.”

His words made a shiver elongate along her spine and wind out. “I want you to feed

tonight. From me.”

“I don’t have to. I know you’re new to all this. All I need is ...”

“I want to.” She nipped his side.

He leaned to kiss and nibble along her jaw line. “I have an idea that might take your

thoughts off the feeding.”

More delicious shivering. “Oh?”

He nodded. “Wait here.”

She waited impatiently for his return.

Blood Lines: Conduit

147

Bastian came back with a bottle of something, a bowl, and what looked like a small

paintbrush. She blinked up at him from her position reclining on the pillows. “Is that a paint
brush?”

“Yes. I’m not dipping it in paint, though.”

“What are you dipping it in?”

“Chocolate. I’m going to play connect the freckles.” His seductive grin took her breath

away. “I can clean my canvas and start again each time.”

She swallowed, mouth going dry. “I didn’t think you ate anything but blood?”

“Usually, I don’t. I can’t take in much of anything I ingest but blood. An occasional

glass of wine. This seems like a good occasion though. You think this will get your mind off
my feeding from you?”

“Hell, yeah.” She licked her lips. It would take her mind off anything. But him.

He sat on the bed, setting the bowl on the bed by him. Poured a generous amount of

chocolate into it. Smattered some on the paintbrush. Left it lying there, top on the side of the
bowl. “Let’s get this nightie off. You look scrumptious enough in it by yourself.” She sat up.
He eased the straps down her arms, followed them with his tongue. Warm, wet and rough as
it licked a trail down.

Already wet from earlier, she slickened more. Her pussy throbbed. In want. In need.

His nose twitched. “Gods, I love your scent.”

His hand moved up to palm a breast. First, through the lacy top to the negligee. His

hand cupped it. His thumb inched in to tease a nipple. Then he finished sliding down the
lace to expose her breasts.

Copper’s body heated with the fiery flames of desire consuming her from the inside

out. “If you don’t hurry this up, we may not use the chocolate.”

His laugh slithered, deep and primal. “I’ll take all the time I need to. All the time I

want. And you won’t stop me.”

His lips claimed hers in a kiss designed to take her down. Masterfully, his tongue

dueled with hers, conquering it for the possession.

Leaning her back, he finished slipping the gown from her body.

“Così donna bella. Ti amo.”

“What does that mean?” Her voice had deepened to a husky pitch.

“Such a beautiful woman. I love you. Now lay all the way back.”

She did, on the pillows. She’d never had a man do anything like this to her before.

Fuck her, yeah. But never play such a game of seduction.

After he’d stripped, Bastian dabbed chocolate paint along her stomach. She giggled,

squirming.

“Quit moving.”

148

Mechele Armstrong

“It tickles. You try not moving.”

“You made me mess up a line.” He leaned down and flicked his tongue along her side.

“On second thought, move around all you want.” He reloaded his brush and set about
painting more lines to connect. She couldn’t help the wiggling, and his tongue got busy
cleaning mistakes. Even sometimes when she was sure there weren’t any.

He had moved down to her legs. He jotted the brush along her inner thigh. “Spread

more for me.”

“I do not have any freckles there.”

“Sure you do.”

Copper sputtered, sure she didn’t. But opened her legs anyway. She loved his

ministrations. And his teasing.

A finger made a pass along her slit.

She gasped, hips jerking up. His hand there where she ached so badly for it. “That

wasn’t my thigh. Or a freckle. Or a paintbrush.”

His voice came heady, like he’d drunk too much wine. “I know.” The finger passed

along it again. Then slid around to wiggle against her clit.

Her muscles bunched. She rubbed her pussy against his hand. So good.

Bastian left her clit, finger sliding down into her channel. A second joined it.

“So wet. So open.”

“For you,” she murmured. “All for you.”

“

Bella

.” His tongue rasped the skin of her inner thigh. Then lightly nudged her clit.

“Oh, Bastian.” Her breath jumbling into pants. Her heart pounded like she’d started a

race.

“Shhhh.” His tongue moved the skin back and forth, playing with the hood, the bundle

of nerves. His fingers began to move in and out, delightfully piercing her, and then moving
off again.

Sensations rocketed up. Like firecrackers going off, bundles and bundles of them. Her

pussy exploded in a wondrous ball of sensations.

His face slipped back, his fingers still strumming, joined by a third. His lips kissed her

thigh. And fangs sunk in.

Another climax slipped her over the edge, falling down the peak until she bottomed at

the other side.

Her breath gushed out of her mouth. He continued to feed. The tip of his tongue

brushed lightly against the wound. His head pulled up.

“Did it work?”

“What?” Her mushy mind couldn’t make sense of his words. What had he been doing?

That’s right, he’d been taking her mind off feeding. “Oh. Yes, it worked.”

Blood Lines: Conduit

149

“Good.” He prowled up her body. His body barely touched hers.

“Did it work?” Her turn to ask the question.

“What?” His passion hazed eyes stared down at her.

“Do you feel the effects of my blood?”

“Oh, yes.” He leaned his head back. “Powerful.” Then he slid into her. She gasped at

the entry. He rolled them over so that she sat on top of him. “I don’t trust myself with a belly
full of your blood. So you get to take over for now.”

“Hmmmm, I like taking over.” She clenched her walls around his cock, sliding herself

upwards. On the downward motion, she clenched again.

“Oh, baby.” His breathing went ragged. Deep.

She kept the pace slow. Torture for them both. He let her for a while. Then his hands

tightened on her hips. He put pressure on the bones. His body arced upwards, pressing
himself deeper into her.

“Need more.”

She quickened the pace, sure, even strokes up and down. His finger pinched into her

skin, slid down her ass to cup it with his fingers splayed.

His body rocked upward, then went stiff. He called her name as shudders finished

taking him from the climax.

“Oh, baby.”

She smiled, lying down on top of him. “Like making love all juiced up?”

“I think I saw a couple of planets. And stars. Maybe even the space station. You sent me

that high.” He pulled her along the line of his body.

“Good.” She laid her head on his chest. So good. So right. The scent of him tickled her

nostrils. Along with the scent of sex.

A knock came at the door.

Bastian scowled. “Go away. I don’t want any.”

Nick’s voice sounded serious. “Open up, Bastian. It’s important. Henri wants to speak to

you. He tried your phone, but no one answered.”

Copper darted for her gown and robe, pulling it on quickly. Bastian pulled on his pants

and opened the door.

“What does he want?”

Sarah stood behind Nick. “Talk to him. We told him you bonded.”

Somehow Copper didn’t think Henri had called or Sarah and Nick had run all the way

up there to give them congratulations. “Put him on speaker phone so I can hear.” Bastian
would keep bad news from her if he could.

Bastian did so. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

150

Mechele Armstrong

“

Zut alors,

Bast. Do not do that.”

Sarah’s eyes looked grave with concern. So did Nick’s. They knew what this about.

They had to.

“Too late.” Bastian took Copper’s hands in his. Her eyes turned to his. He had to know

it wasn’t going to be good either. “What’s up, Henri?”

Henri’s sigh reached across the Atlantic and grabbed Copper’s heart. “I wanted to catch

you before the bonding.”

“It’s too late. It was successful, though.”

“You might regret that.” Nick leaned back against the wall.

Bastian gave him the vampire death glare.

“Bastian. You shouldn’t have bonded with the girl until she was a vampire.”

“Why not?” Bastian stroked her hand with his thumb.

Oh, god.

It had been a mistake. Copper’s heart pounded in her chest.

“Because your lives are now conjoined. Because she’s still mortal, she’s a danger to you.

If something happens to her, you die.”

“Forever? Her thread overtook mine?”

“For now. Once she becomes a vampire, it will converge, and you’ll both be immortal.

Dying only as vampires do.”

Bastian blew out a breath. “Well, then.”

“Make her a vampire.

Now

. She’s mortal. You know how fragile they are. One

accident, one fall off a curb, and you die too. Or if she gets injuries to the brain. You could be
bonded to a half-wit for eternity.”

Vampirism had its limits from what Sarah said. Especially with brain problems. What

you took into death, you kept as a vampire. Why those struggling with insanity didn’t make
good vampires.

Bastian’s eyes met Copper’s. “Thanks, Henri.” He clicked off.

Copper processed the new information. She died, he died. As a mortal, much more

likely to happen than as a vampire.

“I guess we get one more newly-made vampire around the house.” Nick grumbled.

“What a mess.”

“No. No, we don’t.” Bastian blew out a breath.

“What do you mean we don’t?” Nick pushed himself away from the wall to pace. “You

heard Henri. She has to be made now. Before anything can happen. Despite all the risks to
bringing her over.”

Sarah approached Copper. “Are you all right? You’re being quiet.”

What’s wrong, sis?

Blood Lines: Conduit

151

Copper swallowed at the voice in her head.

I have to become a vampire.

“I’m fine,

Sarah. A little discombobulated by all this. But fine.”

Cool. It’s neat. You get to bite people. Maybe if you become a vampire, I won’t be

drawn to your pulse points so much. They are so pretty, beating in tandem.

“It’s a lot to take in. I don’t think anyone should make decisions tonight one way or the

other.” Sarah’s quiet voice echoed in the room.

Go to bed, Crimson. Night.

“Are you kidding,

ma petite?

Bastian has to make her one soon. Too much can happen

to a mortal.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not making her a vampire. Not yet.” Bastian ran a hand through

his hair. “I can’t right now.”

Night Copper.

Across the room, Sarah’s eyes narrowed, taking Nick in her sights. Copper would have

retreated simply because it was a look you wouldn’t often see in the gentle woman’s eyes.
“Then why haven’t you made me a vampire yet?”

Nick opened his mouth, then shut it tight.

“These things can happen to me too, you know? Yet, you wait for some magical day

when you’ll know it’s right.”

Copper’s head had jerked up at Bastian’s edict. She loved him, but he couldn’t decide

this for her. After Sarah berated Nick, she lit into Bastian. “Why can’t we make me a
vampire? I’m a grown woman. If I want to be a vampire, I’ll become one. And it doesn’t have
to be

you

that makes me. I can become a vampire on my own if I need to.”

“Because ... because ...” Nick slammed a fist into the door. “Because I don’t want to

have to kill you if it goes bad.”

“I know that.”

Nick stood, tall and silent, hands clenched by his side.

Sarah put a hand on his shoulder. “You won’t. I’m ready. I’ll handle it.”

He pulled her into his arms. “

Ma petite,

I can’t lose you.”

Copper was riveted to this unexpected conflict between Sarah and Nick. Bastian spoke

sharply. “You will not go to anyone else to be made a vampire. If anyone does it, I will.”

“I know. I think it’s time.” Sarah smiled, a shaky one. “I know it’s time. I need to

become a vampire. I’m mortal, Nick. So much could happen to me now. I’m ready for this.
And I need to become what you are.” He squeezed her tightly. Closed his eyes. And nodded
an agreement.

Copper turned toward Bastian, pointing to the other couple. “Look at that. He’s going

to do it for her. Then why won’t you for me? You heard what Henri said. I die, you go with
me. And they are right. Too much can happen to a mortal. I wouldn’t want to die. But gods,

152

Mechele Armstrong

I’d die inside each day I’ve not been made a vampire, knowing I can take you out of this
world. Simply for being bonded to me.” Copper shook her hair back. She had to convince
him to do this. It was the only way. Her heart ached along with her head.

Bastian shook his head. “I have Crimson here. I cannot handle two new vampires at

once. One is tricky enough to be fostered. Crimson has problems. Once she gets a handle on
those, then I will make you a vampire.”

“How long will that take? For Crimson to gain her footing as a vampire? To master her

new abilities?”

Nick piped up, still holding Sarah. “It could take years.”

“Years? You don’t have years, Bastian. You have got to make me a vampire. Before

anything happens to my mortal self.”

“No.”

Copper bit her lip. “Nick, please. You know what I need to become. Please do it for

me.”

Bastian roared. “No. He will not make you a vampire.”

Staring him straight in the eyes, she made her words deliberate. “Then you do it.

Because I will be made one. Tonight.”

* * * * *

Bastian looked down at the woman standing before him, not scared of his outburst. Nor

would she give an inch on this. “Copper. I can’t deal with you and Crimson being new
vampires at the same time. It’s too much for me. I need to foster Crimson if she has any hope
of being sane. Of living as a vampire without being a crazed animal. Or being killed by a sane
vampire. I know you want her safety.”

“Send her to Henri.” The small voice made them all turn. Sarah smiled sheepishly.

“You are of his line. Knowing Henri, he’d consider it his duty to help you with a vampire
you made. And if anyone can help her make the transition, he can. Then you’d be free to
deal with Copper as she deals with becoming.”

“I’m not sure he’d help me. He wouldn’t have made Crimson.” Henri would never

show his displeasure outright. But he’d been disappointed. Bastian’s other protégés all did so
well. He’d always been so careful with who he’d made a vampire.

You don’t know as much as you think,

mon étudiant.

Bastian straightened. He smelled Henri’s cologne.

Henri?

Sarah contacted me. Send the girl to me. I will take care of her. Help her transition.

Make her into a damn fine vampire.

But ...

Blood Lines: Conduit

153

No buts, Bastian. You must make the other one a vampire. The sooner the better. And

you’re right. You couldn’t deal with both. Now go, make your mate one. Send her sister to
me in the morning. Nick and Sarah can bring her back with them.

Sarah nodded. “We can take Crimson back with us.”

“You can contact him from here in your mind?”

Sarah nodded.

Bastian had known her powers were strong. That was incredible. Something Henri had

mastered recently, Sarah could do as a mortal. “You’re going back to Henri’s?”

Nick nodded. “Where I’ll be making my mate into a vampire. We best go so you can

make yours.” They tumbled out the door and shut it behind them.

Bastian nodded, barely hearing anything past they were going back to Henri’s. So torn.

So divided. He wanted nothing more than to make Copper his forever. But he owed so much
to her sister. He’d made her. He should take care of helping her.

Copper leaned in. “You won’t be shirking your duty to her.”

His face flew to hers. “You can’t read minds?”

“No. But I can read faces. We can check on her often. Maybe once I’m stable, I can go

to Paris. But you have to make me. Crimson won’t mind. And she thinks me being a vampire
is a cool idea.”

He frowned. “You talked about it today?”

“No ... errr ...tonight. Crimson and I can mind talk.”

His eyes widened. “You can what?”

“Mind talk.”

“That’s not possible. You aren’t of her line. Nor even a vampire.”

Copper shrugged, taking his hands and pulling them around her. “I think maybe being

twins has something to do with it. She could sense when I was upset tonight, too.”

“Could be. I think you screamed in my mind when Lucy took you. Perhaps you have

some latent telepathic talents. Will make you strong at that ... if you ...”

She leaned up to kiss his cheek. “We’d better get going on this. I’d hate to fall or

something. Die before you make me.”

His swallow wouldn’t go down. “Are you sure? It’s forever.”

She chuckled. “I am sure. Like I was about bonding. I still think blood drinking is icky.

But I’ll deal.”

He sat down in the chair, pulling her onto his lap. “I’m going to take blood from your

throat. Take it all. Then ...”

“I know the steps. Do it.”

She snuggled into him.

154

Mechele Armstrong

He closed his eyes, sinking his fangs in deep into her artery. The blood waned. The

beats died. The breath ended.

Copper died in his arms.

He didn’t expect it to hurt so much. Even knowing what he was about to do, to make

her immortal, his body tensed, hands fisting. Now he had to act instantly to give her new
life.

He’d darkened the room. Perfect for a new vampire. The blood bank delivery had

arrived. He’d get her a bag.

Slicing open a vein, he put it to her lips. Forced her throat to swallow. It moved up and

down, swallowing.

One light gasp of breath.

He let out a sigh. Relief swept through him. The what-ifs had assailed him, even

knowing what he was doing. What if she didn’t live? What if he really killed her? Not
something he could live with.

“Oh, God, what am I hearing?” He covered her ears with his hands.

“Blood rushing in people. Night noises. You’ll get used to it. In time.”

Her senses all kicked in. Overwhelming her. She shook with the over-stimulation. He

rocked her back and forth in his lap.

Her eyes opened slowly. “I love you, Bastian.”

Soon fangs would grow in that mouth. His. For an eternity. Or longer. It would all be

all right. Crimson would go to Henri. He’d see to her sanity. He’d transition this one over the
humps of her new blood. Even Sarah would now become a vampire. Her strength would
make her a powerful one. Would she and Nick bond if it was possible? He didn’t know if
they could, though it would help. But somehow it would all get worked out in the end.

He leaned down to kiss her sweetly. “I love you, too, Copper. For always.”

Mechele Armstrong

Have you ever wondered, "What if crayons have a kingdom?” Mechele Armstrong did

at age five. Now, turning the imagination of a wide-eyed child into intense spellbinding
stories for adults, she is winning over new fans every day.

Writing stories and poetry as a hobby, she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth

University with a degree in Religious Studies and Social Welfare. Although there were
challenges with work and family, the need to write and be published, to share her passion for
books was always there.

During a rainy weekend at the beach reading several romance novels she fell in love,

not with the hero, but with the genre again. So began a two-year adventure of doing what
she loved most, creating worlds with strong heroines and enchanting heroes that will keep
you turning pages until the end.

Using the Internet and the local Romance Writer’s Association, she learned and refined

her craft. Living in Virginia with a husband, kids, dog, and fish, she finds time to share her
vivid imagination and ability to tell stories of adventure, love, lust, and everything in
between.

Visit Mechele on the Web at http://www.mechelearmstrong.com, or email her at

[e-mail].