History Repeats Itself

Chapter 13 – Lying Won’t Help

Xander closed the door to the guest room he had, letting Jade sleep there. After she had finished telling him everything, she was drained. He told her she could sleep there, and it would be safe enough for her. Since he wasn’t a fan of the light so that everything for him was dark and blacked out.

But sleep wasn’t coming for him like he had hoped. He grabbed another glass of liquor and sat on the couch. His mind tossed over everything she had said. It was evident that this was all vampire-related, that this was no longer his duty. However, he couldn’t just stamp it with ‘vampire relations’ and close the case. Because teens were being hunted and then slaughtered.

There was no other way to say that. Horrible as it was, it was also the truth. And what was worse, he had no one to talk to about this. Jade had the means, being part of the community, but he didn’t need something happening to her. And it sure sounded like no one questioned anything and if they did, well, it wasn’t pleasant. So, what the f**k did he do? He couldn’t go back to newspaper clippings from three hundred years ago. Chances were s**t like that was gone.

And what did that prove anyway? That something similar happened? He didn’t doubt that. But if the cops didn’t handle it, and the so-called council didn’t either, then who? Jade said there was another bite on the victim. What did that mean? Another vampire was at the scene? That a vampire killed the other vampire?

But that was a law that was broken. No matter what, though, Xander couldn’t believe a council that was so tight, so highly regarded that you couldn’t even ask questions, wouldn’t have been all over the first vampire death. Especially if impaling on ice was one of the two ways to kill these beings and it wasn’t something that was used.

No. He believed they would have caught whoever was behind this and dealt with it. So, he could only surmise that they had something to do with it. But without proof, without asking, without digging, he had nothing but his thoughts. And it wasn’t quite like the humans could try the vampires and get away with it. Again, the humans were already dead, nothing he could do anymore.

He leaned his head back on the couch, letting the empty glass sit on his lap. This was the problem with being a damn cop. s**t stayed rolling in his mind and ate at him until he could figure it out. And if he didn’t, well, he had plenty of sleepless nights. Or, well, sleepless days actually.

With a jerk, he sat upright. What if he did get into the community? What if being Jade’s bite slave allowed him to be with her? Visit clubs? Other homes? Basically, follow her wherever she needed. That’s what he was assuming was his job. Provide blood and s*x when she sought it. He could do that. Especially if it allowed him the ability to learn more, to find out more. To maybe start putting some of these questions to bed.

Of course, the words of his Captain still rang in his head too. Of not doing that. Of being wary of them. He wasn’t sure what to make of vampires, as Jade was it. But maybe it was high time to see some others for himself, right? No one could stop him; he was an adult. They might frown at him, but that was it.

“Did you sleep?” Xander blinked a couple of times, glancing over at Jade who stood in the hallway. His gaze shifted to his balcony then he slowly shook his head.

“No, guess I was too lost in my thoughts.” She snorted and came to sit next to him.

“That’s not good, Xander. What could you possibly be thinking about so hard?”

“The case. You and I both know this is vampire-related.” She opened her mouth to object to the notion but truthfully, she couldn’t, and he knew that. She couldn’t bury her head in the sand and pretend that the vampire community wasn’t a part of this.

“Okay, yes, I would go with you on that. So what?”

“I can’t legally close the case and hand it off to you with the stamp ‘vampire death’. That will never fly. I walk a fine line between trying to catch someone or something, that is really outside of my jurisdiction. This is your control, not mine.”

“Oh no it’s not. Not at all. I have as much power here as you do.” He lifted a brow at her, and she sighed. “Technically, I hold no power.”

“But you have the means to find out more information.”

“Sure,” she said, shooting off the couch, “at the cost of my own life. Xander, gathering information that could possibly go against the council will pretty much put a target on my back. How do you think I safely avoid all of that?”

“Use me.” He watched as her brows crinkled in confusion.

“You’re human.”

“Exactly. I have the one thing you need to survive, Jade. I could be that for you. It would allow me access to where I need to be with you, I could offer a form of protection.”

“No, oh no Xander. I’m not taking on another bite slave; I already told you that. And no offense, there’s nothing you can do that I can’t, and do it better. Sorry to burst that bubble of yours.”

“We fit, Jade. You can’t deny that. I can help you, get what you need, or find out.” She reached for her jacket and tugged it on.

“Look, I appreciate your words and your worry, but I’m fine on my own. Whatever this case is, I can help you get to the bottom of it.” She leaned down, putting her hands on the back of the couch, and caged him in. “You’re a hottie, Xander, I won’t lie about that. And your blood is some of the sweetest I’ve had in a long time.” She glanced down at this c**k and smirked. “And feeling that bad boy pressed against my cunt was pretty f*****g nice as well. However, you’re asking for a ride in a car you don’t know anything about. How fast it is, if it’s safe, if you’re heading to the right location. So, don’t jump in it. In fact, walk away from it. From the car and from the idea.” She gave him a peek on the cheek and in a flurry of leather, twirled around and left.

Xander sat there, rubbing his hand over his aching bulge. Where the f**k did that come from now? He really hated getting hard all the time around her. But maybe she was right too. The idea had merit, but he could go down another road if need be.

-----

“How’s it going?” Xander looked up at the older man and shrugged.

“We’ve got a serial killer, sir.” The captain sighed and ran his hand down his face.

“Any leads?”

“None I can put in the file. I think the council is behind this, though, and you know I can’t just declare that. I even talked to Jade about it.” The man’s eyes narrowed at Xander.

“Get the idea of being a bite slave out of your head, Xander. It’s not going to get you the answers you want. And it sure as well won’t help this case.”

“Don’t worry, she’s not jumping at the chance for it either. How do I get close to vampires to even get a better sense of what’s going on?” The other man sat down in the chair next to Xander’s desk and shook his head.

“Xander, you don’t want to be part of that world. You don’t even want to be close to it. There is no getting to know vampires better. This is a s**t case, but the best thing you’re going to have to do is lie. It’s not like these teens have anyone to write home about. Let them die, twice, in peace. You’re only going to risk a wrath that’s going to end you, in the long run.”

“They can’t kill me.”

“No,” the captain agreed, “they won’t kill you. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own ways of making your life a living hell. Trust me, they aren’t good people, they never will and they sure as f**k never will be. Don’t think one pretty face makes them good or even her. She’s not doing anything to stop any of this, is she?” Xander wanted to defend Jade because she was, but something about the way the captain was so against him told him to keep his mouth shut. “Good. Now, when the killings stop, and they will, lie and close the case. It’s the only thing you can do.” As if that was the final and the end to it all, the captain stood and walked away.

However, Xander was a cop. Lying wasn’t something he did, even to appease his boss. Even if those poor teens had no one left to care about them. He wasn’t just going to close the folder and label it done. That wasn’t his nature. So, he was going to do what he wanted, even if that meant going against his boss.

He didn’t have to stay near Jade, didn’t have to follow her. He could get answers on his own. After all, didn’t he know about the clubs? And didn’t he have a friend who could give him more names? Being with Jade was the best answer in his mind, regardless of what everyone else said, but it wasn’t going to happen. So, like most things in his life, he was on his own. And tonight, he was hitting up a club.