Page 84 of Quintus

“Nor do I.” The Alpha spun around, waving his wooden spoon and tilted his head. “It’s something how the time passes.”

“Yet all that matters is right now. The present.”

“Gabriella?”

“Things went to hell today, si?” Quintus failed to hide the anger in his voice.

“I haven’t had a whole helluva lot of experience with this shit. I mean out in Wyoming, I’m dealing with the occasional black magick fuck up. Usually a witch or some other supe trying to get their way. But this Lilitu bitch is a whole new level of fucking crazy. And Jiangshi? Yeah, they’re not usually something I’m used to dealing with. To be fair, I’m pretty sure most wolves aren’t. Pretty sure Tristan would have mentioned it in his holiday card. He’s pretty detailed.”

Quintus raised a silent eyebrow at the Alpha.

“Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Just fucking with ya. Tris doesn’t do a card.” He turned around and shrugged. He gave a wave of the spoon before setting it back into his epicurean delight. “But he does call me. The asshole likes to mess around. Once told me a mermaid showed up in his bar and I bought it for five seconds before I questioned the lack of an ocean in Philly. Or a mermaid. He got a good laugh. He’s a dick like that.”

“Your point?” Quintus shook his head. There was a reason he tired of wolves and their constant nonsense.

“Relax, Quint. Go with it. I think we’re bonding here.”

“What the fuck is your point?”

“You vamps need to learn how to relax. Ya know that don’t you? Thousands of years here and you’d think you could have some fun. Indulge me.”

“Fine. Just give me some food. Let’s go. Plate up.”

“How can you be hungry? You just fucking fed! You’re like the three little piglets except you’re one big piglet, eating all the human food too.”

“None of your business, dog.”

“Hold on there with the d word, ya pointy-toothed ancient.” Hunter swung around holding his arms up, the spoon in one hand. A sly smile crept onto his face.

“Sorry.” Quintus nodded with a sigh. “I just…there’s something about human food. The day I turned, I swore I wouldn’t lose that shred of me that made me human. I know full well that all I need is blood to survive…physically. But having a meal. The taste buds keep a memory. And today, this also will be a memory.”

In a moment of weakness, Quintus’ voice went soft, his thoughts drawn back to Viktor. “My brother. He…he was kind of a purist. We argued often. Every now and then I’d get him to try something human. It was as if he’d forgotten. I’d have to remind him of the flavor, spend hours convincing him to go to a restaurant. And when we’d finally go to one, he’d order the bloodiest piece of steak he could get.”

“I’m really sorry, Quint. Maybe he’s still alive. We could contact Absinthe. Find that weasel, Thorn,” he offered.

“I don’t feel him.” Quintus’ lips formed a tight smile. “I should feel him. For thousands of years, no matter how far he was, I always felt him. But there’s nothing.”

“What do you know about Hell?” the Alpha asked, his voice serious.

“That I don’t want to go. I know that anything or anyone I’ve ever met who has been there is never the same. Demons. Succubus. The various demonic creatures that inhabit the underworld, they torture the pure souls who are trapped for any period of time. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of rescuing a friend or two over the centuries, but I was in and out. The ones who go for any amount of time…they change. I knew this guy…he was a genuinely nice vamp. Walt. Got mixed up with a succubus who convinced him to go.”

“Lured was probably more like it,” Hunter interjected.

“Yeah, well. You know how it is. It’s not like anyone usually goes knocking on Hell’s door without a reason. “

“Hot piece of ass.”

“Hot as in going up in flames. Lucifer’s plaything.” Quintus shook his head. “Walt thought he’d get a favor from her. His heart was in the right place. His only living niece had died. Couldn’t turn her because well…she was a kid.”

“It’s been done.”

“Yeah, I know it has but it’s not safe. Turning a kid…they don’t grow up into normal adults. It’s just not something you should do. There aren’t many rules but it’s one of the few words of wisdom I pass on to new vampires. Anyway, the point is, he wanted her back. His sister was distraught.”

“Necromancy.”

“It’s never a good thing. I guess he could have gone in search of black magick. But instead he hooked up with Jasmine. Sexy little succubus convinced him to seek out the help of her friends. She looked innocent enough with her big blue eyes.” He sighed. “Long story short. I knew he wasn’t coming back but that bitch caught me on the wrong day and I went back in for him. We’re lucky we got out. Poor slob was never the same.”

“And his niece?”