Bat Shift Crazy: An Ex-Shifter turned Vampire Hunter Urban Fantasy (The Legend of Nyx Book 2)
Page 5
Devin nodded. "The Order calls what they do celestial magic. A gift from the angels."
I snorted. "Just because the power might be angelic doesn't mean those who wield it aren't witches. Other witches derive power from the earth, from different sources. None of those sources are what make witches, witches. It's the way they draw on the power. Like it or not, the Order of the Morning Dawn used witchcraft."
Devin sighed. "But the kind I learned was going to send me to hell, apparently."
"The Order is nothing if not hypocritical," I said.
"Tell me about it," Devin said, rolling his eyes.
"So Cain is cursed, too. But he can't get rid of his curse because—"
"Cain was cursed directly by God," Brucie said, answering my question before I could finish asking it. "The Neck, as it turns out, were cursed by God, too, through the agency of an angel. When God cursed the land after Adam screwed the pooch, or at least ate the wrong apple. Apparently, the waters of the earth were included in that."
I sighed. "Then why did the Neck think they needed these witches? If the neck were cursed by God, only God could reverse their curse."
"Because the Neck, as you know, have sketchy memories. Certain things are passed along, from generation to generation. Others, such as the nature of their curse, were forgotten. Using the Neck for their own purposes, the witches concocted a cockamamie tale about how a witch cursed the Neck. Your kind believed it. The witches used that to manipulate the Neck."
I cocked my head. "So the Neck only thought they needed witches because they were the only ones who could undo their curse."
Brucie nodded. "And the witches delivered human offerings to the Neck so, even if your kind didn't believe the witches' tale completely, they were satisfied no less."
"Well, this is fantastic," I said. "Come to find out, I'm double cursed. By both God and now by witches."
"I'll figure this out," Devin said.
"It won't help if you do," Brucie said, taking a long draw from his cigar. "Remember, I said the Neck were cursed when God dispatched an angel to curse the earth. They were cursed through celestial magic, a magic inherited by the Order, and now inherited by you, Devin. If you removed the bat-shifting curse from Nyxie, you'd remove the other curse, too."
"And I'd become an elemental again," I said, hanging my head low.
"But at least you wouldn't have to eat people anymore!"
"But I wouldn't be me anymore. My human life, I'd never be able to get it back."
Devin scratched the back of his head. "So what were the Neck, exactly, before they were cursed?"
"They were simple water nymph. Pure spirits, full of power. Sort of like me."
"You're pure?" I raised one eyebrow. "About as pure as a sewer."
Brucie laughed. "My nature is pure. My habits, well, that's another matter."
"When did the angel curse us?" I asked.
Brucie shrugged. "Who knows. The ground was cursed because of Adam. Maybe the same curse spread to the waters."
"So there's no way to remove this curse."
"If you want to stay human, no," Brucie said.
"Well, shit."
"But Nicky," Devin said. "You said before that Cain had his werewolf curse under control. Even when he became a werewolf, he didn't lose his will like other werewolves do. He was still himself."
"Yeah, but he's also had something like six thousand years of practice."
"And at that Asylum he runs, he helps vampires, too, right? Younglings who need to tame their bloodlust?"
"I believe so," I said. "What are you thinking, Devin?"
"Two birds with one stone. I mean, you're not a bird. Not my mom, either. But you get the metaphor."
"You want to take me and your mom to the Vilokan Asylum of the Magically and Mentally Deranged?"
Devin nodded. "If anyone can help, it's Cain."
"Hate to say it, Nyxie. But pretty boy here is right. That might be your best chance at getting a handle on this thing."
Chapter nine
Brucie left. He said he had hunnies waiting for him that needed some of his freaky kind of loving. Whatever that meant.
Devin and I sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, looking at Debbie's staked body on the embalming table in front of us.
"I don't want to go back there," I said.
"Didn't that place help you?" Devin asked. "You said Cain helped you learn to embrace your new life."
I nodded. "It isn't that. I don't want to leave Nicky's. Certainly not while vampires are on the prowl. I don't know any other hunters, especially now that the Order is mostly out of commission and rebuilding, who could handle these vamps."
"Nicky, if you shift into a bat every time you encounter a vampire, especially if the woman from last night could make you shift with a snap of her fingers, you aren't going to be much use taking them out."
"If I work fast," I said. "Maybe if I take them down before I shift."
"And if you don't?"
I took a deep breath. "I don't know. I need to protect you, Devin. These vamps want you."
Devin took my hand in both of his and stroked the top of my hand gently. "Then I'll go with you."
"But we've sold tickets to our shows for three weeks out," I said, shaking my head. "People love our shows. I don't want to let them down."
"Then let Gina run the shows until you get back."
I snorted. "You saw Gina's set last night. That act isn't exactly what people paid for."
Devin chuckled. "Her songs were a bit over the top. But people did love it."
"Yeah," I said. "Some did. Not everyone."
"Then give people a choice," Devin said. "They can use their tickets to come to see Gina. Or, they can exchange them for a later date. If that doesn't work, you can refund them. We'll have no problem selling more tickets again when you get back."
I grunted. "Damnit, Devin. Why do you have to make so much sense? I'm trying to come up with an excuse not to go."
Devin reached over and brushed a strand of hair out of my face. He guided my chin toward him until his eyes locked into mine. "Why do you want an excuse at all? If Cain could help you, isn't it worth a try?"
I bit my lip. "I don't know. I wish this whole fucking bat thing would just go away."
"If you want me to, I'll try to find a way to dispel the curse."
"I don't want that either. I don't want to go back to being some kind of water nymph. I don't want to leave you, Devin."
Devin leaned in and kissed me softly. I parted my lips and kissed him back. "Then go see Cain. He helped you accept your truth before. Do it for me. And do it for my mom. She needs the same thing, you know. To learn to accept this change."
I chuckled. "I wonder how your Bible-thumping mom will react when she realizes it's Cain, something of a villain in the Bible, who is her new shrink."
Devin smiled. "She'll lose her shit. But that's about the only thing she has left to lose anyway!"
"Alright," I said. "I'll do it for your mom's sake. I'll do it for you. But if he can't help me, if my condition doesn't change in a couple weeks, we're coming back."
"It's a deal," Devin said, extending his pinky finger toward me.
"You want me to pinky swear it?" I asked. "Your mom wouldn't approve, you heathen."
"I know. But hell, I'm dating a trans woman. I'm a warlock. So, in her mind, I'm already a lost soul. Might as well seal my fate to damnation with a pinky swear."
I hooked my pinky with Devin's. "Alright, well, now that we pinky swore on it, I guess I'm stuck doing it."
"Damn straight," Devin said. "You don't want to know what might happen if, God forbid, you break a pinky swear."
"I'd probably get cursed a third time," I said through a laugh. "Pinky swears, I mean, that's some serious shit."
"Serious as a funeral. Good thing we're in a funeral home."
"A former funeral home, you mean. We're the hottest club in the city that just happens to have a functioning mortuary i
n the basement."
"We should probably pay Geraldo a visit. Let him know Gina will have to expand her set by a few more numbers for the next couple of weeks."
Devin stood up and extended his hand. I grabbed it, and he helped me to my feet. We unstrapped Debbie and rolled her back up in the same blanket she'd used before to protect herself from the damage of the sun.
Thankfully, Devin's Subaru had a hatchback. We put the back seats down and laid Debbie's wrapped up body across the seats, her head toward the front, her feet in the trunk.
"Taking your bike?" Devin asked.
"I'll leave it here," I said. "I don't really feel like driving."
Devin nodded and opened the passenger door for me. I wasn't exactly a traditional woman. Not really into all that chivalry bullshit. But I appreciated the gesture, no less.
Devin drove to Geraldo's apartment. I wanted to go home and change first. He'd never seen me this way. It wasn't just that I was wearing sweats and a t-shirt. My left heel was covered in dried vampire blood. But, as Devin was quick to point out if we were going to leave straight away for New Orleans, we needed to give Geraldo time to prepare for the night's show. As it was, he only had a few hours to get ready.
I rang Geraldo's doorbell. He opened it, looking dapper as ever. Even in the paint-covered apron he had tied around his waist.
"Working on a new canvas?" I asked.
Geraldo nodded. "What happened to you, Nicky? You look like shit."
"It's been a long day," I said. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Geraldo gestured us inside. "Sorry about my song choices last night. I know it wasn't what you expected. I'd understand if you didn't want me to perform again."
I shook my head. "It's fine. Not why I'm here. I was actually going to ask if you could carry the whole show for the next couple of weeks."
Geraldo cocked his head. "The whole show? Totally the opposite of what I expected. I'd be honored. But why?"
"Devin's got something of a family emergency. We're going to leave town for a couple weeks."
"Nicky," Geraldo said. "Of course I'll do it. But I'm not sure Gina can fill your shoes."
I shrugged. "Just give them a few numbers that are a little less, you know, angst-ridden."
"Of course," Geraldo said, chuckling. "I think I have a few more songs fitting that bill."
"If anyone bitches about it, let them know they can get a refund if they want. Or they can exchange their tickets for two more shows in the future."
"Two for one? Not a bad deal."
"Let them know I'll be back in two weeks. Maybe sooner. You can say it was a sudden family emergency."
"Most people have been there," Geraldo said. "They might be disappointed, but they'll understand."
"By the way," Geraldo said. "Your little trick last night. That was something."
"What can I say? I figured adding a little magic to the show might help sell more tickets."
"Not like you need any gimmicks to sell tickets," Geraldo said. "People already love you."
"Think it was too much?" I asked.
Geraldo shrugged. "Maybe. I think it added a little to the whole mystique of Nicky."
I bit my lip. "I'm going to add some new lights at the entrance before I leave. Make sure to leave them on at all times. It's essential."
"New lights?" Devin asked.
"Sunlight lamps," I said.
Geraldo scratched his head and narrowed his eyes. He'd been attacked by a vampire before. Chances were better than not, with all the vamps we'd had to deal with recently, one or more would show up. From the look on his face, I could see Geraldo was putting two and two together.
"You aren't expecting any vampires, are you?" Geraldo asked, his voice cracking.
I shook my head. "I sure hope not. But you know, you can't be too safe. I want you to feel safe. If you do run into any problems, just call, okay?"
Geraldo cocked his head. "Sure. I mean, what are the chances? That was such a freak thing before."
"I know," I said. "But I know how much it affected you."
Geraldo nodded. "I'll be fine. Go and do what you have to do. Nicky's will be in good hands."
I gave Geraldo a hug. "I know."
Geraldo hugged me back for a moment then pushed himself back. "Damn, girl. You smell like a gymnasium."
I winced. "Sorry about that. Like I said, it's been a long day."
Chapter ten
We stopped by Home Depot and grabbed a few full-spectrum sunlight lamps. I'd used them before when hunting. They were more effective at deterring vamps than you'd think. Not foolproof, by any means. Vamps can move quick. If they really wanted to, they could use their enhanced speed and run past them. Most of the younglings, though, would probably avoid them entirely. An older, more mature vampire-like the female who was at the show the night before-would know what to do. Still, older vamps are more discreet about how they stalk their victims. And the vampire the night before didn't come to Nicky's for a meal. She came for me and probably Devin. If she, or the vampire who'd attacked Debbie, showed up and realized Devin and I weren't there, hopefully, they'd just leave. It was the best I could do.
We made a quick stop by the apartment. I cleaned myself up and changed my clothes into something more appropriate. Then, I packed a suitcase. Devin did the same.
Donnie was already gone on her date with Caleb. I shot her a quick text letting her know we were leaving town for a couple weeks. She didn't respond. She was probably enjoying her time with her beau. She'd see the message later and, more likely than not, respond with twenty questions. We had a long drive. I'd have plenty of time to explain more to her later.
"Have everything you need?" Devin asked, eyeing my suitcase as I started to zip it shut.
"I think so."
"Half that thing is nothing but shoes," Devin said, chuckling.
"I wanted to focus on the essentials," I smirked.
Devin shook his head. "I suppose you can buy more clothes if you need them when we get to New Orleans."
"Far be it from me to turn down a chance to go shopping!"
"You remembered your toothbrush, at least, I hope."
"Shit," I said, running to the bathroom and grabbing a few more personal items. "Thanks for that."
"Only you would pack six pairs of heels and forget your toothbrush."
I shrugged. "Good thing I have you to remind me."
"I swear, Nicky. I don't know how you ever survived before we were together."
I laughed. "It was a challenge. But I managed."
We loaded our suitcases in the car. Not much room since Debbie's staked corpse took up most of the back of Devin's car. In her condition, though, comfort wasn't a concern. She wouldn't mind, much, that my suitcase was lying over her legs.
At least we'd free up a little space once we unloaded the sunlight lamps. We made our pit stop at Nicky's on the way out of town. It wasn't exactly on the way. It was more of a detour. But it was necessary.
I set up the lamps, turned them on, and locked up the club. Geraldo had a key of his own. He'd probably be there within the hour to get ready for Gina's show.
It occurred to me that leaving my bike parked around the back might give some of the vamps the false impression that I was there. Probably not wise. I managed to push it in through the double doors usually reserved for bodies. My bike would be safe inside.
According to Devin's dashboard GPS, it was a thirteen-hour drive from Kansas City to New Orleans. Though, based on the size of the fountain drink that Devin picked up at the gas station on the way out of town, I figured several pit stops were in our future.
I had to admit, road trips riding shotgun, despite Devin being great company, aren't quite as enjoyable as on a motorcycle. It did give Devin and me the chance to talk, though. Our relationship was still relatively young. With all the vampire hunting, starting the club, and everything else, we hadn't had much time to get to know each other any deeper than surface level.
Sure, I
knew the big picture of Devin's history. And, since my history as a human spanned just a little more than five years, he already knew most of mine. But it was interesting to learn about his experience in High School, growing up a minister's kid with all the Order crap that his father was involved in. He used to be a Boy Scout. He earned the rank of Eagle when he was sixteen. His experience with Boy Scout summer camp was, probably, among the most interesting things he shared.
"So you kids, a bunch of white kids from the Midwest, went to what you called a Scout Reservation every year where you dressed up in loincloths and pretended to be Native Americans?"
Devin chuckled. "Yeah, I mean, looking back on it... sort of offensive, I think. Even weirder, the adult leaders were more into it than the kids."
"Grown-up men, going to camp with their boys, wore loincloths and learned to do rain dances?"
"Yeah," Devin said. "Some of the men were so into it that they kept going even after their kids outgrew it."
"Sort of creepy," I said. "What was the point of all of it?"
Devin shrugged. "You advanced in ranks every year you went to camp. If you went on camp staff, once you were old enough, you could advance even faster. We had to wear these claws around our necks. If you ever got caught without wearing them, not just at camp but at any scouting event, they acted like you'd committed some kind of sacrilege."
"Humans do some weird shit," I said. "Especially when their kids are involved."
"If you think that's weird, you should see the parents who follow their kids in sports."
"Did you play any sports?" I asked.
Devin shrugged. "Played kids soccer when I was little. Never scored a goal. Not once. It wasn't my thing, I guess. But you should have seen my mom at those games. Grown adults, cursing other people's children, getting in fights with other parents."
"Like fistfights?"
"Sometimes! Most of the time, just a lot of shouting and hurt feelings. As a kid, it was embarrassing as hell. It's one reason why I didn't stick to it. I just didn't see why they thought a kids' soccer game was so important that they had to get angry over it. Sort of took the fun out of it."