No Good Comes When You Dig Up the Dead, page 20
I smirk as I reach the bar, rattling off the drinks order when asked. My memory for details was shit when I was a human, and it’s still a source of pride that my vampire brain is a steel trap. I carry the crowded tray back to the table, handing out the drinks, then sit next to Theo, who swapped places with Azra so I could perch on the end of the curved bench.
“Should you be drinking that?” Adrian calls along the table.
Everyone turns to look at him.
Shona rolls her eyes. “Mate, it’s a J2O.”
“What are you, the booze police?” Azra says.
“I just remember you telling me you couldn’t drink, that’s all,” Adrian grumbles.
Azra glares at him. “What, and you thought I wouldn’t remember that without you being here to remind me?”
“Forget I said anything.”
“How about you stop trying to police me instead?”
Adrian holds his hands up in surrender, then takes a huge glug from his pint. He bounces back in no time. “So, what was the mystery present, Carrie?”
“Haven’t opened it yet,” she says. “Gonna open it at home.”
“What did I miss?” Theo asks.
“A mystery gift arrived at the shop,” Shona says. “We don’t know who it’s from.”
“And the note said to open it when I was alone, so that’s what I’m gonna do,” Carrie adds.
Gary’s face flares red, and he lifts his glass to hide behind it. I’ll keep Gary’s secret for now.
Azra turns to me and Theo. “How did you two meet?”
I share a grin with Theo, as we both say, “In a graveyard.”
That gets a few laughs and some strange stares.
“What were you doing in a graveyard?” Azra asks.
“I was playing Scrabble, and he was squirrel hunting.”
Amid the laughter, Marina asks, “Why were you squirrel hunting?”
Theo shrugs. “Someone had to make them pay for what they did to the sparrows.”
Adrian wipes the lager foam off his lip. “Mate, what are you on about?”
“He’s messing with us… obviously,” Azra says.
“We just hit it off when Theo helped me win my game. The rest is history.”
I’m not sure three months really qualifies as history, not when Theo spent almost half that time dead and underground.
“Isn’t squirrel hunting illegal, though?” Marina asks when the conversation has already moved on.
Everyone cracks up, and the conversation flits from one topic to another as Theo gets more and more bold with his new camera. Over the next hour I get the impression that Carrie is just as into Gary as Gary is into her. Maybe the mystery present will fix it. I also think Adrian’s confidence is shallower than the personality he projects, and I can’t help but wonder why he goes out of his way to be antagonistic just because he has confused feelings for Azra.
Theo is so relaxed, and I love to see him enjoying himself. I suspect it’s at least partly down to the amount of alcohol involved, but he seems happy and comfortable with these people.
When his phone chirps, he goes pink, but doesn’t make a move to retrieve it from his pocket.
I have an idea why. “Ooh, is that Raven?”
He and Theo have been playing Scrabble, using the message function to chat. It’s unlikely to be anyone else since everyone involved in the case usually goes through me first, apart from Brody, who is more likely to call than text because they don’t like how text messages leave no room for nuance.
Theo shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“Check it, then.”
Theo sighs, dragging his phone out of his pocket. “Yes, it’s Raven.” His eyes go wide. “He’s… He’s here.”
I glance around. “In the pub?”
“No, in Brighton. He was hoping to say hi.”
“Who’s Raven?” Shona asks.
“He’s an extremely good-looking goth who fancies Theo,” I tell her.
Adrian groans. “Oh, you’re not one of them.”
Shona leans across Carrie to poke him in the ribs. “I’m one of them, you fucking twat.”
He rolls his eyes. “You know I’m not homophobic… not really. It’s just there’s loads now. When I was a kid, there were hardly any.”
“They were there, Adrian. They just didn’t make themselves known as much, you know, because of the rampant homophobia,” Shona says, her voice getting louder. “Unless they were sure of you… and fancied you.”
“Are you saying I’m unfanciable to gay men because—”
“Nobody needs to hear how sexy you think you are, Adrian.” Shona turns to Theo. “Invite him along.”
When Theo hesitates, I snatch his phone and message Raven with the pub’s address.
Ten minutes later, Shona exclaims, “Holy shit, mate. He’s eminently bangable.”
“He’s got really good hearing,” Theo warns.
“Evening,” Raven says as he approaches the table. He kisses my cheek, then Theo’s, whispering, “So, this is how rosy you glow when you’ve been drinking? That’s adorable, Theo.”
“Shut up,” Theo grumbles.
Raven chuckles, making Theo squirm. “I definitely owe you a drink.”
“As long as it’s not yellow bile like that last glass you foisted on me.”
“I’ll get you whatever you want as long as you take me home after,” Raven promises.
“Fuck’s sake.” Sometimes, I wish my hearing wasn’t so good. “I can hear you, you know.”
Raven laughs as he straightens. “Apologies, but I really would appreciate a bed for the night.”
“Will a sofa suffice?” I offer.
“Yeah, thanks. You look very nice by the way, Theo.”
“Thanks, so do you,” Theo says, his cheeks getting rosier still.
Raven claps his hands, which breaks everyone’s stares. “Right, drinks. Who wants what?”
“He looks like that guy who just won the American version of Pop Twats,” Gary says when Raven heads for the bar.
Carrie laughs. “America’s Got Talent? Or The Voice? Is that still a thing?”
“Something like that,” Gary says.
“Wolfgang Avery,” Azra says. “That’s what he’s called. And yes, Adrian, before you mention it, I am allowed to watch telly.”
“God, I wasn’t going to say anything,” Adrian complains.
“Maybe it is him,” Theo says. “Maybe his real name is Raven Wolfygag.”
Azra and Shona start cackling, and I join in.
Gary frowns. “What?”
“It’s an anagram of Wolfgang Avery,” Theo explains.
“Who’s Wolfgang Avery?” Raven asks, returning from the bar, because of course he would get served in two seconds flat, the sexy bastard.
“He won a TV talent show,” Azra says.
Raven hands out the drinks. “Is he good?”
“Oh, yeah, he’s good,” she says, innocently sipping her juice through the straw, even though her comment was loaded with innuendo.
Raven apologises to Carrie for crashing her birthday, charming her with smiles and hand kisses, then the stories begin, and Adrian makes things awkward again by mentioning Shona’s criminal record, which consists of a single caution when she was nineteen for attacking an uncooperative vending machine at the train station.
Luckily, Raven knows exactly where to take the conversation, regaling us with the story of how he got arrested for stuffing a sea bass into the cloaca of a chicken in Tescos while dressed as a Teletubby.
“Why did you stuff a sea bass into a chicken?” Gary asks.
Raven shrugs. “Wanted to see what a chicken’s arse would look like with a fish face.”
Everyone laughs.
“Why a Teletubby, though?” Gary goes on, like he’s hoping to find some kind of logic in this story. Poor guy’s out of luck.
“I hired it for a party… at the orphanage,” he adds for Theo’s benefit. “Figured I might as well get a bit more wear out of it.”
“That’s not even his most ridiculous arrest,” I say.
“What’s more ridiculous than that?” Carrie asks.
Raven holds his hands up. “I don’t want to be a bad influence on you, so my lengthy arrest record will have to be reserved for never.”
Theo leans into him. “I’ll get it out of you later.”
Raven winks. “You can try.”
Theo blushes, then shoves his camera across the table to Shona. “Take a photo of me and my Scrabble buddy.”
Theo smiles for the camera, then laughs at whatever Raven just whispered in his ear. Even Shona is grinning as she snaps a few photos of them.
Raven’s still smiling when he looks at me, but it turns into a frown because I’m scowling, so I look away. This is harder than I thought it would be, and it was my stupid idea to invite Raven in the first place.
Time to face facts, Nixon. You’ve really gone and done it now. There’s a great deal of irony in falling for Evan’s son.
38
Something Soft and Sweet and Real
POV: Theo
Raven practically carries me home, but I can’t find it within myself to care. I can’t remember the last time I was this relaxed after having a drink. Usually, alcohol brought with it the anxiety of having to get home in one piece, and of waking up feeling like shit.
Tonight, there’s no anxiety… no fear.
I stumble to a stop beneath Raven’s arm. “Can vampires get hangovers? I really feel like I should’ve asked this sooner.”
“No, your system will burn it out fast,” he says. “Now, if you were a vaewolf…”
“Tintin can’t hold his booze at all,” Erin says.
“Why do you both sound so completely sober?”
“Because we’re older than you,” Erin says. “Don’t forget you’re a baby, Teddy.”
“Lovely.” I start walking again, but stop abruptly when I realise we’re walking along the seafront. “Is this safe?”
“Can you not keep stopping and starting,” Raven grumbles, dragging me forward.
“Is it, though?” I point at the sea, which I can hear above the sound of the traffic. My heart thumps harder, but my legs wobble. “I kind of wanna run into the sea, but I don’t think my legs will cooperate.”
“You won’t get past the iron railings,” Erin says. “All the major seafront towns have them.”
“Wait, are you saying the iron railings are to stop vampires from legging it into the sea?”
Erin shrugs. “Who knows?”
“Who does know?” I ask. “Because that’s some fascinating shit.”
Raven laughs. “You’re hilarious when you’re drunk.”
“At least I don’t go around violating dead chickens,” I say.
“Or dead fish,” Erin adds.
“I’ll have you know I was stone cold sober,” Raven drawls. “I don’t know. You shove a fish up a chicken’s cloaca one time…”
“How’s your new case going?” Erin asks.
I glance up at Raven. “What new case?”
“The one I was groomed for.” Whatever it is, Raven doesn’t sound happy about it. “I wasn’t aware it was the subject of discussion since it’s one of the biggest undercover operations in years.”
“I may have overheard you talking to the Admiral at the picnic,” Erin says.
“Dirty eavesdropper,” Raven fires back.
I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other while Erin and Raven talk shop, but it’s difficult because I’m trapped between love and regret. I love Erin, but I can’t have her. And I want Raven, but I can’t love him. They both smell amazing, and I want to jump them both.
“I don’t like that Cascade is grooming you,” I blurt.
“That’s what Cascade does,” Raven says. “This could take years. I’m heading out next weekend. Wanted to catch up with my Scrabble buddy first.”
I laugh, slapping my hand over my face to stop the horrible giggly noise coming out. “Heading out where?”
“Promise to keep it to yourself?”
I make a production of zipping my lips.
Raven grins at my antics. “Nevada… eventually.”
“You’re going to America?”
“Unless they moved it,” he says.
“Smart arse.” I groan as we finally reach our building, climbing the stairs to our floor. “So, you’ll be gone for years, and you’ll be undercover… like a spy?”
Raven smirks. “That’s about the size of it.”
I waggle my eyebrows. “That’s what she said.”
Raven and Erin laugh as Erin opens the door and ushers us inside. I hit the light switch and kick my shoes off.
“Who wants water?” I call from the kitchen.
“It won’t help,” Erin calls back.
“But I’m thirsty,” I grumble, filling my glass.
“Just don’t go overboard,” Erin says, appearing in the archway behind me. “Sofa pulls out if you want it, Raven. Let me get you a pillow. Do you want blankets?”
“Nah, I’ll roast. I’ll have a sheet if you’ve got one spare. Can’t sleep in jeans this tight. I’ll strangle myself.”
My gaze wanders over Ravens jeans. They are indeed tight.
I finish my water as Raven lays his jacket on the back of a dining chair and Erin rummages in the airing cupboard.
“I need my bed,” I say, before anyone can catch me staring at Raven’s bum. “Just gonna clean my teeth, then the bathroom will be free. It’s just through there.”
“Thanks for letting me stay,” he says softly. “I really appreciate it.”
“You really don’t want to go, do you?”
He lets out a huff of mirthless laughter. “No, I really don’t, but it’s the only way to put it behind me. It’s not just Cascade that has a score to settle across the pond, though our targets differ.”
“Do they know that?”
“Yes. It was my one condition, and they were in no position to decline given my unique skill set.”
I bite my lip. “I shouldn’t ask. It’s obviously personal.”
“The skill set? Or the target?”
“I was just being nosy.”
“I only hope I don’t relish it too much.” Raven tries to smile. “I’m not sure what that would say about me.”
“Some things need to be done,” I say. “I think if I had the chance to kill the person who murdered me… to stop them hurting someone else, I’d do it.”
“Even if it was your father?”
I swallow hard. “My dad’s dead, but he didn’t hurt people. It seems the same can’t be said for yours.” I kiss his cheek on impulse. “It doesn’t make you bad, Raven.”
He turns away. “Thank you. Now, off to bed with you.”
“Night.”
By the time I clean my teeth and crawl into bed, I’m exhausted. I wake up gasping. My throat is a little sore, which could be because I spent the night laughing my arse off, or it could be because I need blood. I only fed thirty-six hours ago though, so that doesn’t seem likely. I get up, happy to note I’ve lost my Bambi legs and I don’t feel cloudy anymore.
I turn on the kitchen light and fill a glass of water, but when I turn to the arch that leads into the lounge, Raven is standing there staring at me.
I jump, sloshing water down my t-shirt. “Fuck!”
Raven is still wearing his indecently tight jeans, but his shirt is off, displaying a lean but muscled chest, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and an array of black feather tattoos around his arms. “Did you forget I was here?”
“No… yes.” I’m acutely aware of the fact that I’m only wearing a t-shirt and boxers. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Raven’s gaze roams my body, and my cheeks flare up. At least the t-shirt is long enough to rescue my modesty should the lazy semi I’m currently sporting progress into a full-on boner.
“Don’t worry.” Raven stalks closer. “I don’t sleep much.”
“You’re monstrously attractive,” I blurt. “It’s not fair.”
“Are you still drunk?”
I shake my head.
“You’re very appealing yourself, Theo.”
“Yeah, that’s why you stopped flirting with me… because I’m so appealing.”
“Aren’t you and Erin… I got the impression you two were—”
“No. We’re not.”
“Seriously? But you’re so intimate.”
I shrug. I don’t want to spill Erin’s secrets, so I settle on the truth of what I do know. “She’s protective of me, but she’s not into me.”
Raven’s concerned look borders on pity. “But you’re into her?”
“Who wouldn’t be? She’s clever… loyal, beautiful. Being her best friend is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Raven groans, a sound that sends a jolt of desire into my belly. “I was absolutely right about you. You’re so fucking precious.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“So, are you really disappointed that I stopped flirting?” He grimaces. “Or tried to stop flirting?”
“A bit… a lot, yeah.”
“Have you had sex since you became a vampire?” he asks.
“God, you’re bold… but no. I haven’t. Is it different?”
Not that I have much to compare it to. I’ve never stuck my dick in any part of another person.
“We could find out.” Raven crowds against me until the worktop nudges my back, and removes the empty glass from my hand. “What do you think?”
My voice wobbles. “Okay.”
He draws his lips along my throat to my ear. “Okay? You don’t sound sure.”
“We can only do this once.”
“No strings guaranteed,” Raven agrees.
“In that case, yes. I’m sure.” I reach between his legs and give him a gentle squeeze. “Consider this enthusiastic consent.”
Raven’s eyes flash, his smile devious. “My favourite kind.” He lifts me onto the worktop, pushing forward, and pulling me against him.
“Not the kitchen,” I whisper against his mouth. “Erin will cry.”
Raven laughs, and I squawk when he picks me up and carries me to the sofa. I bounce when I land, sitting up again to pull my t-shirt off before Raven can follow me down. “Jeans off.”
