Free Steal the Day by Lexi Blake Page A

a bad influence on you, as well. I don’t see the point in blue jeans,” Alexander admitted.
    The table beside me rattled as the doctor placed something on it. He was more than likely getting ready for my inevitable introduction to nineteenth century blood transfusion practices. I doubted it would be as nice as it was when I took blood from Daniel.
    Alexander huffed a little, his British accent crisp and neat. “I just find it difficult to believe there are five vampires I’ve never met before. It’s a rather small world.”
    “William says he met you a couple of years back,” Michael offered.
    “Funny, I don’t remember him.”
    “He says you were in Seattle and there was a rash of unexplained killings,” Michael said, disgust plain in his voice. “Prostitutes, I believe. William was working with the police. Night shift, of course.”
    “Now that does sound like me.” Through slitted eyes, I could see the smug smile on Alexander’s face. I really didn’t like him. There was a small part of me that wished he would do something, just anything that would justify Daniel killing him. Unfortunately, he’d had centuries to perfect his techniques, and the Council didn’t care what he did as long as he didn’t get caught. “Well, that explains it. I was distracted at the time. Ah, you’re awake, Mrs. Donovan.”
    I gave up the game and opened my eyes. “Is Dev here?”
    “Do you hear accusations and righteous indignation? No, he hasn’t made it yet. Apparently you have his vehicle. He had to get his driver up,” Alexander stated blandly. “That club of his shouldn’t pay so well. Makes you wonder what he does on the sideline.”
    He held a piece of weird medical equipment. At least I thought it was medical equipment. I winced at the sight. It was a metal and glass tube. On the top was a plunger with a circular handle. Tubing came from both sides and each was tipped with the largest, nastiest needle I’d ever seen. I got a little nauseous at the sight. Give me fangs any day.
    “Can’t we go to a hospital? Or maybe I could just rest and everything will be all right in the morning?” I could last a day or two, right? Blood builds back up. Maybe a few days of bed rest and I’d be fine. My DVR was backed up anyway.
    “Not at all, dear,” Alexander said, smiling his creepy grin. “You’ll be dead by the morning if we don’t get some blood in you. I believe it’s the residual effects of sharing blood with your husband that’s managed to keep you alive and talking this long. I’m surprised. I didn’t think you shared blood with him. The gossip is you donate but choose not to receive.”
    “I haven’t taken Daniel’s blood in months.” Seven months to be precise.
    Alexander stared at me, for once his mouth closed in shock. He looked back at Michael. “He really is a bloody king, isn’t he?”
    “I told you,” Michael said.
    The door opened, and Dev’s voice rang through the house. “Where the hell is she, Harry?”
    “Ahh, let the recriminations begin.” Alexander smiled, obviously enjoying the drama. “Your lover is here, dear.”
    My father stalked into the room, a fierce frown on his face. He didn’t like Dev, and he certainly didn’t approve of my relationship with him. Daddy was firmly on Team Daniel. I’d been asked several times in the last few months when I was going to stop “fucking around with that faery.” Dad was just one more person who didn’t understand how I felt. In his view, Danny and I had been planning to get married and Danny had finally come around, so I should fall in line with the life plan that had been laid out when I was seventeen. It didn’t matter that I’d been lied to. It didn’t matter that I had questions no one seemed willing to answer.
    I pushed Felicity Day’s promises firmly out of my mind.
    Dev followed my father. He’d gotten dressed in a hurry, it seemed. His clothes were usually immaculate, but now his slacks were slightly wrinkled, and I