Taking The Night (Nightshade series Book 1)

by J F Posthumus

  “Dammit!” Bernie roared, throwing his hands into the air.

  “You shouldn't be so mean to me,” Selia said slyly as she grabbed Alex's arm and draped it around her shoulders. “As I have heard you say often, dearest Bernie: payback is a bitch.”

  Bernie just stared coldly, his hands on his hips.

  “You want me to get pizza, don't you?” Bernie breathed through clenched teeth. “You want me to get that stuff with the white sauce, and the ham and the pineapple, or the mushroom and spinach. That’s not real pizza!” He bellowed the last four words. “Pizza is tomato sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Or sausage. Or both.” He ranted. “What the hell happened to the world? Geezus!”

  “I was thinking maybe bacon and onion.” Alex threw in with a smirk.

  “Well, that's not so bad, and at least it's- Dammit! I am going to get pizza, aren't I?” Bernie loosened his tie, and he went on, his face red. “Fine, fine, fine, fine! I will go out, and I will buy a pizza for my asshole brother who everyone thinks is nice, one for the princess, and one for the only sensible one in this crowd!” He went to the front door, flung it open, and declared “And I'll get a damn teddy bear!” before storming out.

  “Wait for it,” Alex whispered, still smirking.

  Selia and Alex turned to the front door. They waited for ten seconds. Bernie came through the door, his expression sour, his anger replaced with a tired acceptance.

  “What do you want on your pizza, Lia?” he grudgingly asked.

  An hour later, Selia sat between Bernie and Alex on the sofa opposite the door, munching on a slice of ham, bacon, and onion pizza. Bernie sat on one side of her, gnawing on a slice of pepperoni pizza, more or less content. Alex was on her other side, enjoying a slice of the same pizza Selia had. A very expensive, dark brown fuzzy teddy bear, with cashmere-like fur, sat in her lap. She had no clue where in the hell Bernie had found the adorable toy that was dressed like a knight in shining armor. It had won him a few brownie points and a big hug, though.

  “So,” Selia asked, handling the TV remote deftly as she surfed through the ‘on demand’ movie options. “What are we in the mood to watch?”

  “Nothing violent,” both men chimed in, mimicking Selia's voice when she was seventeen years old.

  Giggling, she nibbled at the cheese on her pizza, turned slightly on the sofa and leaned back against Alex’s side. “Fine, how about a really bad horror film we can mock endlessly?”

  There was a glance between the two men, and they nodded.

  “Fine by us,” Bernie declared.

  Selia pushed a button on the remote and Night of the Killer Shrews began loading. She snuggled against Alex, getting comfortable, and finished devouring her slice of pizza. Wiping her fingers on a napkin, she smiled contentedly. It was nice having the brothers here, eating pizza and watching a movie.

  It felt like old times. Considering she'd come close to dying without anyone knowing, being surrounded by two people she considered near and dear was pretty damned comforting. Not that she could possibly tell them she'd nearly died, but she could definitely enjoy their companionship now and in the future. It was amazing how a near-death experience could really put things, and people, into perspective.

  Alex patted her on the top of the head, and she sighed in contentment. Bernie then caressed her knee.

  “It's not going to be that kind of a night, Bernie, so don't be getting any ideas,” Selia said, her voice dropping a few degrees. “Be a good boy and move your hand before I break your fingers.”

  Bernie snatched his hand away. Selia felt Alex slide his arm around her, but she waited a moment. She was rewarded a moment later with the sound of Alex slapping Bernie upside the head before retracting his arm back to its original position.

  Giggling, she nestled against Alex. Grabbing his left arm, she pulled it around her. Now, between his arm and shoulder, she had a comfy little pillow. Bernie had a petulant expression on his face and was stuffing his mouth with pizza again.

  Yep, it was just like when she was a teen, again: Bernie trying to hit on her and Alex being the heavy.

  “You always had a crush on Alex,” Bernie grumbled.

  Heat crept up Selia's cheeks. It wasn't a lie. She had crushed hard on Alex from pretty much the moment she'd met him. Handsome, kind, and caring, he'd treated her as a person. He hadn't seen her as a burden or annoying task, but as someone who needed help adjusting to a strange new world. His protectiveness of her only added to his charm.

  “Jealous?” Selia teased Bernie. “You should try being a gentleman, Bernie. It might get you further than your usual high school mannerisms do.”

  She tilted her head so she could glance up at Alex, curious as to how he felt on the subject. Maybe if things had been different, she'd have fallen harder for him than she had, but Alex had not once reciprocated and eventually her puppy love had turned into strong affection.

  Things hadn't been different, and all things considered, she was glad for that fact. Alex would never have allowed her to step out and do what she had done. It wasn't in his nature. Nope, she was very satisfied with Wil and how things had turned out.

  “She is just appreciative of someone who treats her like a human being, and doesn't think every comfortable gesture is an invitation,” Alex said without looking at her. His eyes were fixed to the screen. The movie had started.

  The narrator began, and upon hearing the words ‘The most dangerous animals’ Alex chimed in with, “...are in Vegas.”

  “-are the shrew,” the narrator continued.

  All three of them shouted at the screen, “A shrew?”

  As the narrator went on about the movie's reason for the shrew being vicious and so forth, Bernie added, sarcastically, “Yeah, just go with us on that!”

  The three of them looked at each other, laughed at happy memories, and settled in to mock the rest of the feature in good humor.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  S elia woke up to the phone ringing, still cuddling the teddy bear Bernie had given her. Not that she’d ever admit to that to anyone other than Wil or Soren. She reached over and grabbed the phone.

  “Hello?” she asked, still sleepy.

  It had been a late night of watching bad horror flicks and keeping a running commentary about them. There had been popcorn, pizza, candy, and lots of drinks. If she had to stay at the bungalow longer, there would have to be a restocking of snacks, beverages, and someone would have to bring in a home gym.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” Wil's voice filled her ears.

  “Good morning,” Selia replied, as she stretched beneath the covers. “I like hearing your voice first thing in the morning.”

  “Good to hear yours too, but it's the afternoon,” Wil said with a laugh in his voice.

  “Huh?” She looked at the phone. “Oh, it is, isn't it? It's going to be hell getting back into a normal sleeping pattern after this.”

  “I have faith in your ability to recover, yes, even from this,” he teased.

  Giggling, she rubbed her eyes. “You meanie,” she said with a laugh. “I missed you last night.”

  “Missed you, too. I hope you had more fun than I did,” Wil said. “After writing a week's worth of articles, I mended the costumes and cleaned all the gear.”

  “I feel guilty, now,” she said, a smile on her face. “I stayed up late with Bernie and Alex watching really bad horror flicks and mocking them.”

  “Oh, that is very unfair,” Wil said flatly. “You riffed on bad films and didn't involve me? You, dear lady, have some apologizing to do.”

  Selia laughed. She replied in a soft, silky voice, “I'll make it up to you later, I promise.”

  “That has yet to be proven, she-of-the-bosoms-I-could-drown-in. Better have back-up plans,” he retorted playfully.

  “You're the one who keeps saying I can't bring you home with me,” Selia countered, trying to not laugh. “How about this for a 'back-up plan': dinner, on me, at a place of your choosing?”

&n
bsp; “Oh, good. I hear Wendy's has put my favorite bacon and Swiss burger back on the menu; for a limited time only.”

  “Wendy's? Really?” Selia asked. She wasn't sure if he was serious or pulling her leg. “Of all the places I could take you, you want a fast-food joint?”

  Wil just laughed.

  “You smartass,” she replied, laughing. “Good thing I'm nuts about you.”

  “I'll remember that when we're in the drive-thru and you're complaining,” he replied easily. Shifting conversational gears, he amended, “You can take me to a favorite restaurant of yours.”

  “I should pick one of the five-star black-tie only restaurants,” she teased. Then, thoughtfully, she added, “Actually, I wouldn't mind taking my mate to one of those places as himself. I'd love the chance of taking a suit off you.”

  “Still on the 'mate’ theory, eh? Gee, no pressure on me.” Selia could hear his smile behind the sarcasm. “I think I've got a tuxedo or three tucked around here somewhere. My favorite one is baby blue with big 70s style lapels. Sound good?”

  “I will kill you,” Selia countered. “Unless you want me taking you shopping at one of the exclusive men's boutiques in the city, you'll wear something else.”

  “Fine, be difficult.” Wil joked. “I'll wear the one an actor borrowed from me to attend the Oscars. You can't complain about that one.”

  “Sure I can,” she said, enjoying their playful bantering. “I'm a woman. I can complain about anything.”

  “I'll amend my statement. You can complain but I won't listen,” he retorted dryly.

  “I'm sure you'll look absolutely dashing.”

  “So do I get to dictate what you'll be wearing on this hypothetical dinner date?”

  “Sure,” Selia replied. “It's only fair.”

  “Oh, good. You'll regret ever crossing me, then,” he said with just enough challenge to pique her interest.

  “Oh, really?” She asked. “Going to dress me up in something skimpy? Or are you going to aim for old and frumpy?”

  “Such a limited imagination you must think I have,” Wil said with a sigh. “When I'm done, people will be asking you for autographs, swearing they met one of the top pop divas. But I promise your outfit won't give you a risk of contracting Mad Cow Disease or worse.”

  Selia burst out into laughter and continued laughing until her eyes watered.

  “Oh, gods,” she managed to gasp. “Okay, no black-tie affairs unless you want to go to them.”

  “Victory is mine!” Wil declared with a British accent added to his voice.

  “Does that mean you won't come to any of the parties I have to attend?” Selia asked, disappointment in her voice.

  His voice became very serious and concerned. “No, not at all, Selia. I'll attend any party you want, when I'm able to. I thought we were having fun, here.”

  “We were,” Selia replied, smiling again. “I was just afraid you wouldn't want to come because you didn't like wearing tuxes.”

  “Oh, I despise wearing tuxes, but that wouldn't keep me away,” he assured her.

  “I'm glad,” she said softly, snuggling down into her pillow. She glanced at the teddy bear beside her and laughed softly. “You know, I really should warn you about Alex. Of all the Family members, he's the only one who could prove to be a, um, problem.”

  “Okay, explain to me what problem he could cause,” Wil requested immediately.

  “He's the only one in the Family, aside from Soren, who keeps a really close eye on me.” She paused, trying to find the right words to explain it. “Let me try to explain. I, um, sort of crushed hard on him when I first arrived in New Campania. He has since been something of a protector; he gives me space and lets me date, but he keeps a really close watch on me.”

  “Oh, that's all?” Wil sounded relieved. “I thought you meant he was a threat of some kind. The only threat to my... um... 'secret identity' is me becoming complacent and sloppy. Or if he becomes an enemy to you.”

  “Awww, that's sweet,” Selia said, feeling giddy. “Alex does what he's told by Al and Soren, but he's always given me warnings about stuff when he could. He told me he'd been sent to kill me after that first photo popped up online. That isn't typical protocol, I assure you.” She shrugged despite the fact Wil couldn't see it. “If anyone was to figure out I'm dating the same person who is wearing multiple disguises, it would be Alex. Though, I doubt he'd tell anyone. Unless he's under orders, he has always come to me about anything I do that's suspicious.”

  It was, after all, how she'd ended up on her first hunting trip with him and Bernie.

  “Then there should be little problem, or nothing we can't handle,” Wil assured her.

  “I'll trust you in that,” Selia replied. “What are your plans for tonight?”

  “From what I can tell, things are peaceful on both sides of the Mafioso.” Wil's voice became slower and deeper, as if the Sandman was creeping into his voice. It made her toes want to curl, and not in fear. “The smaller concerns have been laying low for the past few days. Seems the idea of two vigilantes in the city, one of them a woman on permanent PMS, has them being cautious. I hear a certain patient is ready for release this evening, however. I might go make sure he gets home safely.”

  “Soren's going home today?” Selia asked quietly, trying to keep from screaming in joy and excitement. “Damn the rules. If I don't get released from this prison, I'll go to Soren without Al's permission.” Her mind latched onto his comment about her alter ego, and she laughed. “Permanent PMS, huh? Well, it should make the nightlife a little quieter for a while, what with the threat of a blood-thirsty woman on the loose.”

  “Blood-thirsty woman with sharp swords and guns, no less,” added Wil. “Although you don't want to know how many hits you have on YouTube right now. Best if you don't read the comments, either, since you seem to blush easily.”

  Selia giggled. “Guess a woman with weapons, who knows how to use them, is rather attractive, huh?”

  “I find it interesting that you skipped over what exactly was on YouTube.” Wil chuckled. Before she could answer, he added, “Want to know what the website about your bosom is called?”

  “What?” she screeched, sitting up in the bed. “I figured it was just the rave! What the hell is on the internet, anyway? Please don't tell me something from the last fight got online...”

  “Oh, someone had a really nice camera in the crowd instead of just a smartphone,” he explained. “I'm betting it was the tall guy dressed up like the ex-delivery boy in my favorite cult musical. Anyway, he got your whole exchange with the dealers and pushers. From the instant you pick up my batons. The video is in startling HD quality. You look fabulous, by the way. The website is called, I wish I were kidding, 'Nightshade's Knockers: A study of perfection.' It's got fifty thousand followers already.”

  “You are making that up!” Selia nearly screamed in mortification. “If not the website, then certainly the number!”

  “Nope. I can take a picture of the homepage and the subscriber counter and send it to your phone, if you like!”

  “Oh, gods.” Selia groaned and dropped back to the bed. It was so very tempting to hide under the bed. “Thank the gods no one knows it's me.” She paused and laughed. “Though, it's a pity we can't cash in on merchandising rights.”

  There was a very still silence on the other end of the line. As if someone didn't want to say something... or give something away.

  “Wil,” she said, drawing his name out.

  “Um, yes?” he asked, a little too innocently.

  “Spill it, handsome,” she demanded, not quite ridding her voice of all her amusement.

  “Well, I told you I had a diverse portfolio. I bet I didn't mention that I own stock in most of the companies that the Sandman's gear comes from.” There was an audible cough. “And a lot of local costume shops. I might have suggested the managers stock up on skintight pleather catsuits and blonde wigs, along with scarves. I have a number of lawyers, you know...” H
e sounded almost childlike, as if trying to get out of something bad. “I kinda, sorta had your likeness and name trademarked.”

  Selia laughed again, harder this time. “You've been a rather busy fellow, haven't you?” She giggled again, staring up at the ceiling, a bright smile on her face. “Sounds like you're using my alter ego to take the heat off a certain other fellow.”

  “Oh, I actually had my little friend's image taken care of right before he started stalking the night,” Wil said, his voice approaching normal. “Last thing I needed as a vigilante was for someone to make me a web phenomenon, someone else trademark my image, and then have a standing court order to pay them money if I planned to keep using the costume they 'owned.' It didn't happen with the Sandman- I managed to keep a low enough profile. Nightshade, however; well, the costume stores have already sold out of those catsuits and wigs. I hear trench coats are flying off the shelves.”

  There was another cough.

  “The lawyers for the Nightshade trademark are already fielding calls and offers, as well as looking for potential image violations. I even hear there's some minor interest in the Sandman.” He cleared his throat.

  “You already had the ball rolling on the Nightshade costume the moment I told you about it, didn't you?” Selia accused him, though her tone was playful. “My dear man, you are simply remarkable.”

  “I'm just glad I didn't make the mistake of trademarking Nightshade under a different dummy business,” Wil breathed. “Otherwise, my own lawyers would be trying to sue each other right now. I'd go broke in a few months with all that billing.”

  Selia laughed. “That could've proven rather amusing, though.” She picked the teddy bear up and moved its little arm, as though she were making it slash with the sword. “You know, I'd love to have a plush Sandman toy to snuggle with when I can't have you.”

  “Wow! That's a great marketing idea.” He sounded serious. “I'll have some made up. But you get to choose what the final market design gets to be.”