Crimson and Blood
Chapter 9
Noon glistens and shadows wave
Who knows whether we're stupid or brave
and the way we are
Oh we are running scared
No use fighting in the name of pride
when there probably isn't any place to hide
And the two of us running scared
They're fakin' their peace and makin' their tracks
their watching you, watching them, watching your backs
and they know who we are
Oh we are running scared Running scared from hearsay and hate
Fatality and fate
St. Peter's Pearly Gate
On the run to merciful release
Where paranoias cease.
Running Scared, Kershaw Nik
3 months later
Josef stood at the window at his home office, watching the wedding crews getting the tents up and chairs set. Both humans and vamps would be in attendance given both Josef's business associates. Grace didn't know many humans, but vamps from Europe and Great Britain would be there as well. Catering with food and drink was being handled to accommodate both groups. Bartenders would be vamps so they could serve both humans and vamps appropriately as they were able to tell the difference between the two. There would be no head table, simply rounds to seat about 8 per table. There would also be no photographer since photographs might later prove problematic if one or both never aged. Grace had decided on no cake and no buffet as it would be strange and too obvious that some people were not eating. The maid of honor would be dressed in a Crimson Red gown, and Grace would wear white. He was eager to see her in her wedding dress. The groom and best man would be in trendy open necked tuxedos with Crimson cummerbunds. Beth was of course Grace's maid of honor, and Mick was Josef's best man. Grace and Josef were disappointed that Beth and Mick weren't getting married at the same time with a double ceremony. While the guest list was large, the wedding party was quite small. Valentin would walk Grace down the aisle. Everything was planned with meticulous detail by Grace and Beth.
As he mused over the wedding plans, he absent-mindedly watched his freshies in and by the pool, enjoying their time in the late afternoon sun. He had a glass of blood in his hand, and while it wasn't warm, fresh from one of the girls, it met his needs. Grace and he had spent a lot of time on the whole freshie question. If he got to have a bevy of girls at his beck and call, for blood only now, then Grace wanted some male freshies too. She didn't actually mind the idea of drinking from the girls even though she didn't need to yet. Some had become friends and she wanted additional choices, a man or several men to be exact. And she had specifications for the type of man: muscled, 6 pack abs, medium height, long hair, no facial or chest hair, clean, and smart. Grace thought it would be great if they could also be part of her bodyguard contingent. Some of her long-time human bodyguards had already volunteered. She was definitely yanking his chain, as she knew so well how to do. Josef could not stand the thought of another man's hands on her body, touching her hair, lusting after her, feeding her. No, he couldn't do it. He'd probably end up killing them. Jealousy was such a new emotion for him. The only time he could remember being jealous was the day after spending the night with Beth and Mick. He wanted what they had, what they have. Now he does with Grace. He can honestly say that he has never been happier than he has been with Grace. Maybe he would give up his freshies so Grace would not ask for her own. It would solve the problem. They would both give up warm blood and settle for blood off tap. Josef would miss the on-tap blood he got now, but to lay this question to rest was more important. Harmony in the household is paramount to his habit.
The great lover, of men and women, had not had sex…except for Grace's excellent and enthusiastic blow jobs in 6 months. Since the night after he met Grace. It was like he was addicted to her. Her skin that smelled of flowers, her hair that smelled of those same flowers, her curves that he couldn't quit fantasizing about, her endowed cleavage that she insisted on showing off in everything she wore, her power, her enchanted blood. There was just nothing he could get enough of. He just flat out didn't want anyone else. He wanted forever with Grace.
Given her inability to act on her normal urges left Grace constantly horny. She gladly takes care of him on a mostly daily basis. He can't resist her and keeps coming back for more and she never refuses him. Josef can smell her perpetual arousal, especially spiking when she is in his presence. He likes that, and stays focused on the day when he can take her completely. He wants to teach her everything, do everything with her, liberating the passionate woman he already knows is there.
She worked in his office occasionally, helping him with especially sensitive deals. Since she could read minds, anyone's mind, she was a tremendous asset in negotiations. They had managed to keep both her telepathic talents, as well as their personal mind connection a secret. Their combination had made them millions already. And it was their shared assets. He'd already put her name on the appropriate papers and gifted a chunk of his net worth to add to the fortune she was bringing with her. Yes indeed, if it was possible for a vamp to hold another in thrall, he was there. Now, mind you, it isn't like she is aware of what he has done. She doesn't care about his money, or even her own money, except to keep her living how she wants to live. She just wants to be with him. Just with him. That makes him smile.
After the night she agreed to marry him, she started slowly moving into his house. She spent more of her time at his home, now considered their home, and time with him in the office when her particular skills were needed. She even adjusted her sleeping patterns to his. Beth and a few freshies were her only friends, although Grace and Riley also became friends through their common interest in computers and research. While she wasn't a tenured professor at UCLA, at least not yet, she did teach some business classes as well as religion and literature. Having all three going helped keep her mind busy and occupied and she loved the challenge. Often he would find Grace and Riley at their respective computers doing research and in her case either writing or researching papers for academic journals. That she really enjoyed. He enjoyed her constant intellectual challenge. While he was brilliant in several areas, mostly in business, she was brilliant in even more areas which constantly challenged him. He even attended some of classes in subjects he never really knew anything about, religion and literature. Josef was proud of his soon-to-be wife and the many things she accomplished without him. He would never be happy with someone who wasn't an intellectual equal, nor someone who stayed home all day or spent their time shopping or sunbathing. That isn't to say that Grace and Beth didn't shop often, but it wasn't her focus in life.
To be 25 years old, and have all this power, beauty, money, and education makes her life a challenge. She has clung to her innocence like a drowning man to a life preserver. There is also some speculation that the person who takes her will gain special powers as well, but since this has never happened before, she has never happened before no one knows what special powers that might be. Josef smiled a tiny smile. Wouldn't it be ironic if the taking of her virginity caused the taker to die or endure some other less than pleasurable or powerful event?
For more than a decade she has been fighting off would-be suitors seeking her power and the power she might provide them. Grace has been living a life behind locked doors and cared for by bodyguards. Even now, under both Josef's protection and her father's, there is a constant threat to her although while she acknowledges it, she is not nearly as careful as she should be. That is a continuing argument between them. While she has made concessions, she continues to challenge her caretakers to the brink of craziness. Her bodyguards are long time friends and guards, both vamps and humans with extraordinary strength who know exactly how to kill a vampire and have done it often in the protection of Grace. Once Grace agreed to marry Josef, Josef, her father, and Grace sat down to figure out how long they could wait to get married, given the danger that Grace could be kidnapped. That date is now four days away: a real wedding, with rings and bridesmaid, dancing and a wedding night to remember. Josef smiled to himself, finished his drink and decided to get back to work.
Josef had been working for the better part of an hour when his cell phone went off. The ringtone was Amazing Grace, so he knew who as calling. (A/N: ok, I couldn't resist)
"Hey baby. Where are you? I thought…" Josef was interrupted by a panicked Grace.
"Josef, my body guards are no longer behind me. We were separated by an eighteen wheeler pulling out between us. It was a trap. My protection was behind me, and then the truck pulled across sideways , blocking them from following me. I don't' know if they are alive or dead. I'm being chased by a car and two trucks. They are all black. I'm on the highway, but I don't think I can make it to your house. They are too close."
"What car are you in?" Josef's voice remained calm and focused, while inside he was terrified that she might actually be kidnapped and taken from him. If he could throw up, he would he was so scared for her.
"Your Ferrari. Beth and I were out and she is still with me. We can't be caught. What should I do?"
"Grace, that car can outrun those other ones. You can get going up to 180mph if you had too."
"This is LA, Josef. I can't go 180 on the highway. There are too many cars." Grace was frightened and his idea to speed up on the highway irritated her. That clearly wouldn't work, and he hadn't thought through his solution.
"Tell me what exit is next and take it. I'm sending Karl and his teams to you. You keep coming this way, taking side roads but be sure not to get caught in a dead end or cul-de-sac. Beth can help you. She knows LA and this part of town really well. Can you use some of your telekinetic skills to blow up the car closest to you? Blow a tire or something. That will help you a lot." Josef had cleared his mind of his fear and gotten very task focused.
"Ok, I'll try to concentrate on blowing up the tires. Oh, my God! They are shooting at me. Josef, the first car is a big ball of flames. The tires blew and they rolled over a lot and caught on fire. What do I do about the guns? I think they are trying to hit the car, to scare me, maybe cause me to pull over. They are definitely not aiming at either Beth or me."
"Can you twist the guns so they don't work anymore? Bend the barrel backwards. If they haven't killed your bodyguards they should have been able to get around the truck and follow you. If they are alive and able to follow you, Beth can call them and let them know where you are. That will be one less thing you have to deal with. Karl will be there soon too."
"Josef this is taking too much concentration. I can't drive and deal with telekinetic stuff. I'm really scared. Tell me if you reach my guards. I'll be really pissed at someone if they have been killed."
"Karl says he can see you. What do the trucks that are following you look like?"
"They are both black Tahoes. The trucks are about 4 car lengths behind me. I'm in a neighborhood though. I can't go as fast. They don't seem to be slowing at all. I'm going to try to spin them so Karl can take them out. We are going to need the cleaners. Josef, this is killing me. My head is splitting apart. You better call my doctor and have him there if, no when I get home. It hurts so bad I can hardly focus on driving. Better get the gates open as well."
Josef heard silence on the line. He thought she was concentrating on the trucks.
"Ok, the trucks have spun out of control and one has flipped. I guess those safety reports of going on two wheels in an SUV were accurate. The guns I could see are ruined, but there may be more. Looks like Karl and his guys are descending on them. I'm slowing down and heading towards you. I should be home in about 5 minutes. I love you Josef."
"I love you too, Grace. Stay alert. There may still be someone between here and there. Stay on the line. I'm going to use the office phone to call the cleaners and your dad. Ok?"
"I'm not going to hang up until I'm inside and with you. Are my guards ok? Do you know yet?"
"Yeah they are ok, but this team took out two of their tires so they are immobile for now. And they are pissed too.
Josef issued soft soothing words to her to take the edge off her fear, hoping to minimize her headache. Whenever she used her powers too much, especially virtually impossible things like flipping cars and bending guns she ends up with a migraine that lasts for days sometimes.
"Josef, I can see the open gates. You should call Mick too. Beth is as scared and shocked as I am. He needs to come now. I just drove through the gates and the guards are closing them. Oh God, my head. I'm going to be sick."
"Baby just leave the car at the front door and come inside. I'll take care of you. Your father is bringing Kelly too." Once she was inside the gates, Josef's panic and fear diminished but was still there. Damn, she was NOT leaving his house again, maybe not ever as far as he was concerned. He was going to beef up security too. Turn the mansion into a damn fortress to protect her. She would never be safe if people knew how powerful she was, and her now public display just makes the situation fraught with danger.
Josef was just a few feet from the front door when Grace and Beth came barreling in. Grace ran into his arms and started to cry.
Josef's fury and worry exploded. "This was too close. I don't know what your other close calls looked like but this was way too close for me."
Grace didn't even lift her head from his shoulders when she agreed with his assessment. This was to close. This was the first time she had been without body guards when she was stalked or attacked, and this time they almost had her. She paused, breathing deeply, and then ran to the nearest bathroom to throw up everything she had eaten that day. Beth came in and gently held her hair back while Josef got cold towels for her. After the dry heaves stopped she leaned hard against the wall, taking the two washcloths, one for the ice pick that seemed to be embedded in her eye and through her head. Of course there wasn't one, but is sure felt like it. The other was to wipe her mouth and clothing clean of the vomit spatter.
Josef spoke quietly so as not to make her migraine worse, but there was absolute steel in his tone. "You are not leaving this house again until after the wedding. Whatever you need from your father's house, have Kelly bring over. And I was assuming that she would be coming with you when you officially move in. I'll have a room prepared for her."
Grace whispered so soft she was almost unable to be heard. "Right now, Josef, I don't plan on ever leaving this house. As for Kelly, I assumed she was coming with me, but I guess I should ask her what she wants, huh?" She realized the room was growing black and she felt as if she were falling. Josef pulled her off the bathroom floor where she had fainted and carried her to the couch, dialing the doctor as he did so to find out where he was. Grace was clammy, cold, and white as a sheet. He brought a few blankets over to her, tucking them close around her body. Even though the doctor assured him that it was probably shock, Josef was still panicked and insisting that the doctor hurry to his home.
Karl and his team returned through the garage, updating Josef on number dead and the two that were in the special room waiting for interrogation. Karl also let Josef know that the cleaners were at both accident sites, and that this was going to be difficult to clean up. Karl saw Grace on the couch unconscious. "Is she going to be ok, Josef? She looks so pale and fragile. Not like her at all."
"The doctor is on her way, but she thinks it is just shock. Thank you for helping save her, Karl." Since living with Grace, he had learned to say thank you more often. It still surprised people, including Karl. "I need you to stay here and protect her. We might have lost her today Karl. I would be lost without her. Bad things would happen then." Karl understood how serious the threat Josef made was.
The front door opened and Valentin, Kelly, and the doctor walk in together. Kelly ran to join Beth at Grace's side, while the doctor followed. "How bad is it?" Valentin asked, cold concern in his voice. He would never want his daughter hurt, but he never felt connected to her either.
"Your daughter is over there on the couch in shock because she was attacked by three different carloads of people. Karl, could you tell if they were vamp or human?"
"The car that caught on fire I couldn't tell you. The two Tahoes were filled with humans, except for two vamps who must have been in charge. We have those two in the special room, holding them for questioning. The windows in the trucks were dark to protect from the sun, and they never left the trucks. There was silver in the guns. Thank goodness Grace could ruin the guns, or we would have been in serious trouble. And they were definitely shooting at the car. The back window is shot out, and there are holes around the fuel tank. I think they were trying to get the fuel to run out and she would be on her own. I don't think they were aiming directly at her. To kill her wasn't the objective."
Grace surprisingly woke up from her faint, but her head was still unbearable. She whispered roughly where she could be heard, but didn't make her voice very loud. "Well, that is nice to know. No one actually wants me dead. I'd rather that then what they do want to do to me." Grace paused and looked at Karl with tears in her eyes. "Karl, I'm so sorry. You just saved my life and I get snotty with you. I'm scared stiff, and I don't feel very good, my only excuse. I hope you will forgive my rudeness." Karl smiled at Grace and walked over to kiss her forehead.
"There is nothing to forgive, my dear. I'm glad you are awake now. Let's get you up to your room."
"Sounds good, but wait just a minute. Daddy, they were very close to catching me today, closer than ever before since I had no protection. You must help Josef in fixing this problem by finding whoever is behind this and killing them. Josef is in charge, though. You help him. He's ruthless enough and efficient enough that I trust this will not be hanging over our heads on my wedding day. I'm ready now Karl. Beth do you want to lay down too until Mick gets here?"
"Yes, please. I need my heart to stop pounding. Maybe the doctor can give me something and we can both fall asleep. What a terrible ending to a great day. I may never leave this place either. Josef, do you think you have room for Mick and I to just move in here too?" She was only half joking. She might never feel safe again.
"Beth, we have lots of room. Stay whenever you want. Mick should be here soon. I'll let him check on you, but if you are asleep after the doctor helps you, he won't wake you. Ok?"
"Perfect. Good night everyone," Beth said weakly, heading toward the bedroom Grace and Josef shared.
Karl picked Grace up and brought her to Josef for a kiss, then followed Beth to the bedroom. Kelly and the doctor gathered their things and followed, leaving the two remaining men in a very tense room.
