Blood Relations

By J.P. Bowie

In a time when vampires have gained civil rights and walk freely among humans, they must still overcome the factions who seek to take away those rights and return them to the role of the hated, and hunted.

Rob Lydell employed by 'Blood Relations', a philanthropic group of wealthy businessmen, is asked to negotiate a meeting with Gabriel Torrance, a powerful vampire. The object of the meeting is to improve relationships between humans and vampires, who have recently gained civil liberties.

Rob and Gabriel form a close relationship of their own, but not everyone is happy about vampire civil rights and Rob soon finds himself the target of attacks and threats, while the violence against vampires by members of so-called 'staker gangs' increases.

As Rob and Gabriel's blood bond grows, they are startled to discover that the biggest danger they have to face may come from a power play within Blood Relations itself - not to mention some members of the Vampire Council who still regard humans as prey, rather than equals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Nov 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9780857153432

J.P. Bowie

J.P. Bowie: I was born and raised in Scotland. Moved to London and worked in several West End shows before immigrating to the United States. First port of call was Las Vegas where I worked backstage with the Siegfried and Roy Show at the Mirage Hotel as Head of Wardrobe for the legendary stars. Another move more recently took me and my husband Phil to San Diego where we intend to stay! Love sunny San Diego.

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A Total-E-Bound Publication

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Blood Relations

ISBN #978-0-85715-343-2

©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2010

Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright November 2010

Edited by Michele Paulin

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln,LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

BLOOD RELATIONS

J.P. Bowie

Dedication

For Phil, always—and for all who love those creatures of the night.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Jacuzzi: Jacuzzi Inc. Corporation

BMW: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Google: Google, Inc.

Chapter One

Los Angeles—Sometime in the Future

Rob Lydell pushed open the door of the crowded downtown Los Angeles club and made his way through the press of bodies towards the bar. He knew he wasn’t the only human in the bar, and it wasn’t the first time he’d been in vampire company, yet he couldn’t quite rid himself of the nervous prickle running down his spine. Trying to avoid the curious and lascivious stares thrown his way, he kept his eyes on the mirrored shelves behind the bar crammed with bottles of liquor.

The bartender, a tall, darkly handsome vampire, gave him a cursory nod and a, What’ll it be?

Just a beer, thanks…light.

The vampire’s eyes flitted over Rob, taking in his blond, blue-eyed, wholesome good looks. Haven’t seen you in here before.

I’m looking for someone, Rob said, his tongue passing over his lips as he watched the ice-cold beer being poured into a frosted glass.

Oh, yeah?

Gabriel Torrance. You know him?

The bartender nodded as he handed Rob his beer. Not well, but he comes in here most nights. We’ve talked. The tips of the vampire’s fangs showed as his lips curled back in a smile. He likes to talk. He eyed Rob with just a hint of suspicion. You a friend of his?

No.

Didn’t think so. Torrance doesn’t care much for mortals.

Why’s that?

Can’t trust them, he says. Nothing personal, but he’s not exactly wrong about that. Every day, there’s another restriction placed on us. I thought when they made us legal mortals would leave us alone—but it seems the ones who run this city are determined to undermine what the federal government put in place five years ago.

That’s what I want to see him about…

Well, here’s your chance. The vampire bartender looked over Rob’s shoulder. He just walked in.

Rob turned, his eyes searching the crowd, his breath catching in his chest at his first sight of Gabriel Torrance. He was just as he’d been described to Rob. Average height, just an inch or so under six feet, wide shoulders, a shock of thick auburn hair combed back from a face that was arresting in its aquiline beauty—but it was his eyes that took the total focus of Rob’s attention. Mesmerising was the only way to describe the vividly green orbs that locked for a moment or two on his own dark blue eyes before sliding away to survey the other patrons standing at or near the bar.

Torrance was simply but stylishly dressed in a dark green linen shirt that perfectly accentuated the green of his eyes and black jeans outlining his muscular thighs. A hint of a smile touched his lips as he ordered a glass of zinfandel from the bartender.

And how are you tonight, William? he asked cordially.

Very well, Mr. Torrance. The bartender jerked his head at Rob. This gentleman was asking about you earlier.

Torrance turned and locked eyes with Rob again then he took a long, slow sip of his wine, never dropping his hypnotic gaze from Rob’s.

Uh, hi… I’m Rob Lydell. Rob wasn’t sure whether he should offer his hand or not.

Torrance solved the problem by putting his wine glass down on the bar and holding out his hand. Gabriel Torrance.

The hand Rob took in his was cool and dry, and he shivered. Not from the coolness—he knew all vampires had skin that was less than warm to the touch. He had shaken hands with a vampire before, but the contact he’d made with this man was different—cool, yes—but he couldn’t ignore the tingle that pulsed through his fingers and up his arm.

You wanted to speak to me?

Uh, yes. Rob’s gaze slid away from Torrance’s to a far corner of the bar. Could we, uh, perhaps sit over there? He indicated a corner table.

Certainly. Torrance smiled. Lead the way, he said, picking up his wineglass. He put a hand on Rob’s shoulder as they passed through the crowded bar. Just so I don’t lose you in the throng, he said, his voice low and close to Rob’s ear.

Not much chance of that, Rob mused. Vampires could see in the dark and could smell a mortal’s scent from one hundred yards. He shivered again as he thought of that. He’d heard that vampires weren’t all that crazy about the way some humans smelled. He hoped like hell Gabriel Torrance wasn’t secretly wrinkling his nose at being this close to him.

Torrance chuckled softly as they sat at the table. Your scent is not offensive, Mr. Lydell. In fact, it is quite pleasant.

Oh yeah, that was the other thing about vampires—they could read mortal minds. They could also read other vampire minds, but vampires had the power to close their thoughts to uninvited intrusion, whereas humans did not.

Th-thanks, Rob muttered, taking a swig of his beer.

So, what is this about?

I represent a small body of business men who feel it would be better all round if there was a greater understanding between vampires and humans, Rob said, once again mesmerised by Torrance’s eyes. What right did a man have, alive or undead, to own eyes as beautiful as his? They were green, yes—but on closer inspection, which Rob now found he couldn’t resist doing, there were shards of gold buried in the green depths. Beautiful, he whispered.

Excuse me? Torrance was looking at Rob, a small smile twisting his full lips.

Oh, sorry, I lost my train of thought there. Rob blushed and cleared his throat. Anyway, this group, based here in Los Angeles, is called Blood Relations— He tried to ignore Torrance’s wince and eye roll, but found he couldn’t quite. Yeah, somewhat corny, isn’t it?

Somewhat. But what is it they hope to do, Mr. Lydell?

Well, I don’t have to tell you that even though the government has made it illegal to hunt vampires for bounty and has given your people civil rights, there is still a lot of mistrust on both sides, Rob said earnestly. The organisers of Blood Relations want to start a campaign to overcome that mistrust, allowing vampires to exist side by side with humans and not be in danger of the ‘staker gangs’ that have recently sprung up in the inner cities.

Torrance grimaced at the mention of the staker gangs, then said, "An admirable campaign, Mr. Lydell, but why exactly are you telling me this? Is this not something the Vampire Council should be apprised of?"

Oh, they have been. That’s why I came looking for you. The Vampire Council has recommended you for the liaison between them and Blood Relations.

Torrance’s eyebrows arched in surprise. They have? He chuckled softly. I hate to say this, Mr. Lydell, but if the Vampire Council recommended me, it’s because they put little credence on the success of your campaign.

It was Rob’s turn to look surprised. Why do you say that?

"Because I am something of a thorn in