Chapter 12
I had a nightmare that night. I dreamed that Marsh turned into an albatross, sent to weigh me down until I couldn’t handle the guilt anymore. In the dream I had been ready to slit my wrists when I woke in a cold sweat that left my sheets damp.
As I showered and dressed, the thought wouldn’t go away, that maybe—just maybe—Marsh’s presence was a curse, rather than a gift. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I had to get moving if I was going to get over to Shayla’s before I hit the freeway that would take me to Wynter’s court.
I opted to dress in a sedate manner—a pair of black jeans and a green turtleneck. No use flaunting my sexuality in their faces. Not that either woman was a slacker in the looks department. Both Tricia and Shayla were gorgeous, but the less I paraded my skin in front of either of them, the better. My hair in a ponytail, I slapped on the barest skim of makeup.
Marsh was in the kitchen with Nate when I trundled in. He was sitting on the floor by Mr. Whiskers’s dish. I thought about asking what he was doing, but then decided not to pry.
Nate had fed Whisky already, and the cat was scarfing down food as fast as he could. I often thought about putting him on a diet but the truth was, no matter how fat he got, Whisky would be okay thanks to his nature.
“Morning all.” The shock of seeing Marsh had worn off, and I felt more capable of dealing with his presence.
“How many eggs?” Nate was cracking them into a bowl for scrambled eggs.
“Three, please.”
While Nate made breakfast, I started a to-do list. Contacting Wynter was at the top of the list, but I decided to wait until after I’d dropped in on Shayla.
I knew the weretiger on an acquaintance-only level, but Dani was right. Talking to her would be better than attempting a détente with Tricia. Nate handed me a plate and I accepted the toast and eggs without comment as he poured me a cup of coffee.
Marsh stood up, dusting off his pants even though there was no dust that clung to them. I supposed habits died hard even when you were a ghost. He wandered over and sat down in the opposite chair. I was still startled by how corporeal he looked.
“I’ve learned more than I thought possible by watching the news all night long. The world has changed, hasn’t it?”
I nodded. “Yes, in some ways for the better. In many ways, not.”
“So, vampires.”
“Right.” I paused, setting my fork down. “Has Nate told you what we’re up against?”
“I did, Lily. I hope you don’t mind. I figured you’d have enough to deal with today without giving Marsh a rundown on the Souljacker.” Nate joined us, plate and coffee in hand.
“Actually, I’m grateful. But yeah…so…vampires. They didn’t come out until after the Weres and the Fae did. I knew they existed—most Fae and Weres already knew. But as long as they kept to the shadows, we assumed they weren’t a large part of society. Altasociety, that is. We were wrong.”
“There are a lot of them, then?”
“Too many. Apparently, the vamps had been massing in the underground areas, waiting for the day when they would be able to walk freely among us. That day has come, however, most of them aren’t just walking among us, but hunting.” I frowned. “They’re dangerous, Marsh. You can’t be harmed by them—at least not physically—but they are powerful beings and I’m convinced they mean to take over.”
Marsh blinked. “You mean, keep the humans and…Weres? Weres and Fae as feeding stock? Horror movie sort of stuff?”
I nodded. “The government says it’s all panic, but there are a lot of high-ranking officials who receive plenty of blood money from the vampires. And the more they refuse to play by the rules, the more suspect they are. There are plenty of theories going around that the vampires are planning an organized coup. If we continue allowing them get away with the attacks, we might as well hand over the keys to society.”
“She’s right,” Nate said. “I keep up with a lot of subcult organizations. There’s a groundswell movement that claims they have proof that vampires are out to subjugate the living. Part of their strategy is to buy up control over a number of important organizations. Did you know that the Deadfather owns fifty-five percent interest in Tellecom-Via?”
Even I hadn’t realized that. “Really?”
“What’s Tellecom-Via?” Marsh asked.
“Tellecom happens to be the primary communications company in the United States. They bought out most of the others, one at a time. The mergers started way back when Time/Warner and Comcast and Verizon and Sprint and all the others were waging war for supremacy over the airwaves. Now, it’s mostly Tellecom-Via, with a few ragtag startups who are barely managing to stay in business.”
“Yeah, not much choice, really,” I added. “And trust me, while technology has advanced, customer service hasn’t.”
“You said a mouthful there.” Nate shrugged. “I only found out about the vamps’ holdings because I’m a techie and I was poking around, looking for an alternative. I followed enough links to discover that the Deadfather is the shadow behind the primary shareholder.”
“Who’s the Deadfather?” Marsh was still looking confused.
I finished my breakfast and took a long sip of my coffee. “The Deadfather is the…think of him as the vampire king, so to speak. What he says, goes, among the vamp community. He’s officially acknowledged as the leader of the vampire movement by the government. Jolene told me that the cops are instructed never to attribute any vampire execution to him because that would only stir up trouble. Anyway, he’s terribly wealthy and demands a tithe from most of the vamps over whom he rules. Those who don’t pay, don’t stay alive long.”
Marsh cleared his throat. “Kind of like the old-time Mafias?”
“Only much more deadly. Anyway, the Deadfather is incredibly rich and incredibly strict. You don’t want to mess with him.”
My lips twitched as I remembered the one time I had actually met the man. It had been at a party—a one-time client had hired me to go as arm candy to a cocktail party. Easy money. I played the part and was a doting, trophy girlfriend. The Deadfather had been there. I hadn’t spoken with him for long, but even in that short time there was something so incredibly powerful about the vampire that I had wanted to run as far away as fast as I could. He had taken my hand, turned it over, and gently kissed the palm. The entire time I’d been terrified he was going to sink his fangs into my wrist. The worst of it was that, as strong as my glamour was, his had been stronger. I had almost thrown myself into his arms, as terrified as I was.
“You’ve met him.” Marsh said, a glittering look in his eye.
“Once. And I hope I never meet him again. But the Deadfather owns a vast empire, of both wealth and property. I don’t know where he hides—it’s not in the Underground; that would be too obvious—but wherever it is, you can bet he’s got a ton of servants and probably a stable of donors. Though my guess is they aren’t volunteers.”
There were those who sought out the vampires, begging to be turned or to be used, but the vamps didn’t make it easy for the former, and the latter, they willingly took in. Once you pledged your allegiance to the Blood Nation, you pretty much gave up any right to freedom. It was technically illegal, but the cops looked the other way. Once the vampires used you up or grew tired of you, it was easy enough to turn you into a vampire—a slave in an entirely different way.
Marsh blinked, then changed the subject. “I’m supposed to be watching over you. How will I do that when you go out?”
I shook my head. “I have no clue. I’m not an expert in how the ghost world works. I guess…we figure out if you can go with me and hang out in the car.”
Nate laughed. “Silent car alarm?”
I snorted. “Whatever. I should get moving. Once I’m done groveling at Shayla’s feet, then it’s off to visit Wynter. Marsh, when we get to Wynter’s court, be careful. The Dark Fae are not for the faint of heart, and there are those who will be able to see you, wh
ether or not you choose to manifest. And some of them can do nasty things to spirits if they decide they don’t like your looks.” And with that, I dropped my plate off by the sink and grabbed my jacket. “Nate, what’s on your agenda today? You have work?”
He shook his head. “Telecommuting today.”
And with that, we left the house, all three of us. Nate headed next door, as Marsh walked along behind me, looking around. Since I could see him, and Nate, I wondered who else could.
“Say, how visible are you right now?”
“If someone were to walk by right now, they’d see you talking to a patch of…well…air. I can be seen by those I allow to see me. I don’t know how to explain it. Hell, I don’t even understand it myself. At least so far.” He stared at the car, then he was suddenly inside, sitting in the passenger seat.
I slipped behind the wheel and turned the ignition. “What if someone else gets in the car?”
“This seat will feel incredibly chilly to them. That’s about it. I’d just move to the back so you wouldn’t get disconcerted seeing me superimposed over them in the same seat.” He paused, then asked, “So, Lily…this Souljacker fellow. He’s really dangerous, isn’t he?”
I nodded. “I wish I could say otherwise. Honestly, I have no idea what to do. I’ve been out of the battle, so to speak, for years. Since well before I met you. And here? In Seattle? The worst things I have to worry about? Stay out of the vamp paths after dark. Don’t rub my business in my clients’ wives’ faces. Concern myself with being discreet. Nowhere till now did worry about being murdered by a psychotic vampire out to strip the skin off my body come into play.”
My voice drifted off as I turned onto Onna Avenue. My shoulders felt like one knot on top of another, and the stress was giving me a low-grade headache. It didn’t help that it was Marsh I was talking to. Ghost or not, he was still the man I had loved. I felt queasy, like the sky was about to fall and I was the only one who knew about it.
“Lily…” Marsh’s voice was soft. “I want to help. I don’t know who or what brought me here, but I’ll do whatever I can to help you. I’ve got your back.”
I swung into the parking garage beneath the high rise that Shayla lived in. As I circled around, looking for the visitor parking, I managed to shove my fears to the back.
“Do you really not remember anything before showing up in my house?”
Marsh nodded. “I’ve tried to remember, but the last memory I have…” He paused, then softly said, “The last memory I have is of kissing you, and feeling my breath leave my body. I want you to know something, Lily.”
I eased into a parking spot and turned off the ignition. “What?”
“I thought about all of this last night. I watched the news and thought about how the world has changed. My last thoughts were about how much I loved you. And about how I should have listened to you. I was stupid and careless. You warned me, but I put myself in danger and I put you in a horrendous position. I take responsibility.” He bit his lip, shrugging. “I pushed you too hard to be someone you weren’t. Someone you could never be.”
“You weren’t the one who killed yourself.”
“No, but I didn’t do much to preserve my life, either. I could have locked the door against you. I could have locked myself in the bathroom. You would have been furious…but I’d have been alive when they found us.” He caught my gaze, reaching a hand out to place it over my own. His fingers went through mine with a gentle chill.
I stared at him. “At some point, we have to stop blaming ourselves. And each other. I’m so tired of carrying the guilt around. I’m so tired of beating myself up. I have missed you so much, and I never, ever forgot you, even though I tried.”
He nodded. “It is what it is, as you said earlier. We made mistakes. I died, but obviously that wasn’t the end of me, was it? I’m here now, just in a different form. And if I had lived? I’d be dead of old age by now. Humans don’t live forever.”
“Neither do the Fae, though it might seem like it to mortals. Okay then. We start fresh. We start here, as friends?”
“Friends. I’ll go invisible right now so you aren’t distracted by my presence. I’ll be behind you, though. There isn’t much I can do except warn you if I see a potential problem, but I’ll be there.”
“If something happens, go to Nate and tell him to call Dani. I don’t expect anything to come up, but in case it does, they’re the ones to contact.” I paused, then for the first time since Tygur died, broke into a wide smile. “Marsh…I’m so glad you’re here. It hurts, yes, but I’m glad you’re back in my life.”
He returned the smile and then vanished. I stared at the empty patch of air, but I could feel him around. Just like when we had been together, only the energy had shifted some. The edge of passion was gone, but I could almost smell his aftershave. With a long sigh, I adjusted my jacket so it hid my dagger and headed toward the elevator.
• • •
Shayla lived on the fourteenth floor. As the elevator doors opened with a soft swish, I stepped out into the tiled hallway. At first I was surprised that it wasn’t carpeted, but then thought—Weres. This building was tenanted mostly by Weres, and during the full moon they were out on the run. When they came home, they were often bloody or muddy or roughed up from their nights under the moon. Jolene had returned more than once covered in rabbit blood. Tile was easier to clean than carpeting.
I stopped in front of unit 1405, pausing before I rang the bell. Was this really a good idea? Maybe I should give it a rest. Just let things settle. But before I could make up my mind, the door opened and there she stood. Shayla, Tricia’s best friend. I stepped back, startled by her sudden appearance.
Shayla was tall, with long copper hair about three shades lighter than mine, and her eyes glowed with a faint topaz light. She was six-six, towering even for a Were, and lean. I knew that Shayla was a dance instructor, so she had muscle and flexibility, which also meant she could whip my ass. I might still look buff, but I sure hadn’t been on a workout schedule lately.
She glowered down at me in her tight spandex pants and halter top. They showed every curve, every inch—and there wasn’t an inch to spare. In fact, I could practically see her rib bones through the material. Given her height, I was pretty much staring at them below the gentle rise of her softly rounded breasts—which were small, but perfect in shape. I had the feeling that she’d had body-shaping done at some time. It was a common enough procedure, but it made everything just too symmetrical for my taste.
Shaking my head, I moved my gaze up to meet hers, which immediately seemed to be a mistake. She bared her teeth, letting out a snarl that was unmistakably a threat.
“What the fuck are you doing here, you dumb bitch?” She folded her arms across her chest, moving forward. I stumbled back. It was either that or have her boobs shoved in my face. “Don’t you have any shame at all?”
I cleared my throat. I didn’t want to get into a fight, but neither was I willing to let her slut-shame me. “Listen, Shayla. I am truly sorry for what happened with Tygur, but come on. Don’t you think he should have been the one to remain faithful to his wife? I didn’t recruit him, for fuck’s sake. He came to me.”
Shayla said nothing, her gaze scorching through me like a laser.
“I wanted to ask you if you could talk to Tricia…to get her to ease up…” I began to stumble over my words as the weretiger snarled again. She began to uncross her arms, and I had the feeling it wasn’t because she wanted to shake my hand.
“You want to ask me to talk my friend into forgiving you? My friend who is burying her husband, because he was murdered with his pecker in your pussy?” Her voice was growing louder, and a couple of doors along the hallway open. The last thing I needed was a pack of irate Weres after me. I decided to forego pointing out that I hadn’t been having sex with Tygur when he got killed, and just get the hell out of Dodge.
“Never mind! I’ll leave. But if you just think about it—” I didn’t hav
e time to get the rest of the sentence out before she smacked me a good one. Her blow was so hard it flung me across the hall, landing me near the elevator. My side hit a garbage can, knocking the wind out of me.
I scrambled to my feet, rubbing my jaw and holding my ribs.
By her stance, it was obvious she was ready to go at it, and I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could come out on top. I backed away, one hand held out in front of me. Weres were volatile when they were roused, and she had that look in her eye that told me she had slid into hunting mode. I had no intention on becoming her quarry. Luckily, as I fumbled for the button, the elevator opened immediately and I jumped inside as she started after me. I hit the CLOSE button and, as the elevator started down toward the parking garage, I prayed that she wouldn’t be there waiting.
Luckily, there was no sign of Shayla as I cautiously peeked out the doors. I raced for my car. She must not have been interested enough to take to the stairs. Either that or she had managed to cool down enough to let me go. Either way, I counted my blessings on getting out without more than a bruise or two. As I peeled out of the garage, Marsh appeared in the passenger seat again.
“You were lucky,” he said.
“I know.”
“Where to next?”
“It’s time for me to go see Wynter. You better make yourself scarce once we get there.” But all the way over toward Faeside, I kept thinking about Shayla and her reaction. I had a very bad feeling I wouldn’t be getting my business squared away again for a very long time.
Chapter 13
On the east side of Lake Washington, across from Seattle, the area still held a swarm of cities. Most still went by their original names, but the Fae congregated around the Woodinville area, and once she had come out as a force, Wynter had set up her palace in what had once been known as Lord Hill Park, near Monroe. Since then, several of the big industry giants had inexplicably pulled out, along with the military bases that had been stationed around the area, and the population had dropped as the forest reclaimed the outer edges of the developed areas.
Souljacker: A Lily Bound Novel Page 11