Dark Pact

by Lisa Manifold

  “I didn’t come here for that today.”

  “Oh?”

  “Please eat,” he gestured at my bag of burger.

  I noted that the brown bag was under his arm again. It seemed like it was part of him.

  “No. I have heard that you are trying to save a human from vampire justice.”

  “Is this from your message boards again?”

  “Of course.”

  “I need to be on those boards.”

  “You can have my account,” Caleb said.

  “Is that what you want to give me?”

  “Later,” he shook his head. “That is something we will come to later. You have listened to my story. When a person hears the life of another, then there is no real death. I thank you,” he said, inclining his head formally.

  I set down the burger I was about to take a bite out of. “Caleb, this is making me nervous.”

  He smiled. “Think of this as hospice for the weird.”

  I laughed. “I feel bad even laughing at that.”

  “Laughter is not a bad thing. Laughing about the good in people, even if they are dying, is healthy. This way, you’ll remember me well.”

  “Okay.” I glanced at the burger, which was cooling by the second.

  “Eat, Deana. I wanted to help you. I understand you’re working with a vampire?”

  I nodded, my mouth full.

  “I don’t know why she hasn’t suggested it, probably because it’s something they don’t allow outsiders to know, but the way to prove what your friend did or didn’t do is with his blood.”

  “What?” I didn’t want to get into blood and vampires. It made me a little nervous.

  “Have the lead vampire or whoever it is who is running this take a drop of his blood. If he’s lying, they’ll be able to see it.”

  “Why didn’t they do that at first?” I dropped the cheeseburger, I was so pissed. All this running around? And bullshit?

  “It must be freely given.”

  “Why didn’t Lavina do this?”

  Caleb shrugged. “She no doubt has things to hide.”

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. All the effort I’ve been going to for this—” I pushed away from my desk. “I could kill every one of their fangy selves. They knew, all along.”

  “Not all vampires know,” Caleb leaned forward. “It’s not well known, and the heads of the covens keep it low key. Can you imagine? It would be a bloodbath.”

  I looked at him, and then we both burst out laughing. “More than usual, you mean?”

  “I am sorry I didn’t meet you earlier, Deana Holliday. I enjoy your company, and that isn’t the case with most humans.”

  “Ah, but I’m not entirely human, remember? Speaking of which, what else am I?”

  “Are you really that intent on knowing?”

  “If one more person sniffs me like some creepy uncle and asks me what I am, all my normal good behavior is going to go right out the window.”

  He smiled. “Finish your burger. It’s no doubt colder than it should be but finish it. Then we’ll see.” He got up and walked outside.

  My life was getting weirder and weirder. However, just in case I forgot who I was, my phone rang, and it was my mom.

  “Hey,” I said, “I’m eating before this thing gets stone cold. What’s up?”

  “I’m calling you to ask the same thing. What’s going on?” Mom had her worried voice on.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t try and stall, Deana Holliday! Some sort of shit is hitting the fan!” Mom sounded put out.

  “How is it with the curse and demons and whatever up there?”

  “It’s going. That’s all I’m going to say. It’s going. But I woke up this morning worrying about you. What’s going on?” she asked again.

  “My cases are coming in fast and furious. I have normal stuff, and then I have stuff like the aunts would see,” I said carefully.

  “You’re mixed up in something, aren’t you?”

  “Mom, are we more than just witches?”

  “What?”

  Well, at least I’d stopped the tirade that was building.

  “Are we more than just witches?” I spoke clearly, having finished the burger.

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because the other people… you know, like us… they keep sniffing me and asking me what else I am.”

  “What are you asking me, Deana?”

  “Um, I don’t know. Who was my dad? My grandad? Great grandad? Somewhere in there is something that is setting off all the sniffers around me.”

  The bell rang as Caleb walked back in. He sat in front of the desk and set the bag under the chair.

  “I don’t know, Deana. None of us seemed to have much luck with men sticking around, and honestly, it seemed easier to let your dad go.”

  “Mom, I have to go. I have a client here.”

  “I’ll ask your grandmother and see what the aunts know. And then you’re going to tell me everything, you got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said.

  “Don’t patronize me.”

  “I’m not. I have to go. Love you,” I said.

  “Love you, too, brat.”

  When I hung up, Caleb was smiling.

  “What?”

  “We’re always children to our parents.”

  “Yes, we are. Now, you’re sure about the blood thing? I can ask them to see via Kel’s blood?”

  He nodded. “They won’t be happy you know, but promise them you’ll keep it secret, and swear with your own blood, since that’s something they hold sacred, and they’ll let you go. Don’t tell them where you found out, though. It’s important they think you are just very good at your job.”

  “I don’t share client info with other clients,” I said.

  “I didn’t think you would. I’m just offering advice from my own experience.”

  “I appreciate it,” I said. “I need to give you back the mon—”

  “No, you do not. Remember what I said? I must give away my possessions. I do not have much more than I need to be comfortable, and fulfill my job, but I want to give it to you. I like you, Deana Holliday.”

  “I like you, too. I wish—”

  “Do not wish that. It’s my time.”

  “Can I be with you?”

  “No, I am like a cat. I must go on my own. But I’m not dead yet, and there is more to do. Give me your hand.”

  I wiped my hands on the napkin I had on my desk and stretched my left hand across to him. He took it between his own. His hands were warm, and big. His touch made me feel safe, which was weird. His hands were rough, like he’d worked with them his whole life.

  “Close your eyes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s easier to do this without you gawking at me,” Caleb shot back.

  I closed my eyes. The warmth in his hands increased, and I could hear him humming a song with a tune that was unfamiliar, almost alien to me.

  Chapter Ten

  My hand in Caleb’s was getting warmer. I wondered if it would get so hot that it would burn. His song got louder, and I peeked for a moment. His eyes were closed, and he was swaying slightly. Worried that I’d get caught, I closed my eyes again.

  When I peeked again, my hand and wrist was glowing. Like, a lightbulb went off in them. What in the actual hell?

  Then Caleb dropped my hand, and the light went out. “Open your eyes,” he said.

  “What’s the verdict?”

  “You are a witch on your mother’s side. You will be a very strong witch, if you allow yourself. Your father—he was human. He, too, was strong. I think one must be, to be with a Nightingale.” He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

  “Further than your father, though, there is something more. I cannot tell where it came from, but there is the something that everyone else can sense in you.”

  “What is it?”

  He looked at me then, and his eyes were sad. “It is demon.” />
  I shoved myself away from the desk. “There is no way in hell,” I said.

  “Well, I don’t actually think it was in Hell—”

  “This is no time to be funny!” I shouted. I got up, and walked to the back of the office, kicking the wall for good measure.

  “I’m not,” Caleb said. “I’m sorry to tell you that. But—”

  I rounded on him. “There is no but! I’ve met exactly two demons in my life, and it’s all been in the last month, and they have both been complete shitheads! And now you’re telling me that I’m like that? I’m one of them?”

  “Are you?” Caleb asked.

  “Don’t try to Yoda me, Caleb Black!”

  Wisely, he kept his mouth shut as I paced up and down the small hallway that housed the bathroom and a back office. That’s where I kept my files, my safe, and a futon. Not that I’d been able to use it today, when I really needed it. Nor did it look like I was going to.

  When I came back into the front of the office, Caleb was standing. “I’m sorry to upset you. I’ll come and see you again, when it’s closer to my time. I am sorry, Deana. If you want to talk about this, you have my number.”

  He picked up his ratty brown bag, and walked out the door, leaving me seething and looking for a fight.

  Three hours later, I hadn’t found it. I had found the husband of one of my clients hanging out with a woman that was not my client in a manner that seemed far too up close and personal for a coworker. I took the pictures that she wanted and emailed her right then to let her know I had them. I sent an invoice as well. As soon as she paid, the pictures and the husband were her problem.

  I didn’t go back to the office. But I still needed to call Kel, and then go home to wait for my vampire sidekick—she’d kill me dead on the spot if I called her that out loud—and ask about the blood test.

  I sighed. May as well call Kel now.

  He answered on the first ring. “Dee-Deana! It’s less than three days! What have you found out?”

  “Oh, I’ve found out a lot, and I might have the key to saving your life. But I don’t know yet, and I won’t until tonight. So, stay where you are, and don’t do anything dumb assed.”

  “But what—”

  “I’m not going to talk about it until I know for sure. Oh, I saw Lavina last night.”

  “How is she?” His voice changed, to one of the eager lover boy.

  I remembered what Delgado had said about being in thrall. He was in something, all right. “She said she’s fine, but she’s worried for you, and wants you to be careful. For her. She also said to tell you she loves you.” I was embellishing a little, but if this whole blood thing was wrong, I didn’t need him running around like a crazy person. If he thought Lavina was telling him to lay low, he might listen to her.

  “Does she know you’re helping me?”

  I rolled my eyes. “She does, and she feels like you have a chance. But she said, more than once, Kel, that you can’t do anything that might make things worse for you, or for her.”

  “Oh, god, they’re going to hurt her, aren’t they?”

  “I don’t think so. I think they’re making sure she doesn’t run off.”

  “She wanted to,” his voice was morose now. “I said no, and now look.”

  “Well, listen to her, please. I’ll call you tonight after I know more, okay? I promise. I’m not going to leave you hanging. I just can’t give you an answer now.”

  “No matter how late?”

  “It will probably be late. They keep late hours,” I said, thinking about last night.

  “Yeah, I know. But it was worth it,” he sighed. “Call me, Dee.”

  I didn’t even correct his use of the nickname he used to call me. “I will.”

  We hung up. I hoped like hell I’d have good news for him. Now all I needed to do was figure out how to talk a vampire in charge into taking a drop of his blood.

  As I drove home, I realized I had about three hours until it was good and dark. Which was just enough time for a nap.

  I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  I woke to someone shaking me. “Mom, stop! I’m not late.”

  “I’m not your mom,” Tuesday’s cool voice broke into my half-asleep, half-awake head.

  Sitting straight up, I grabbed her arm. “Holy shit, what time is it?”

  “I just woke. I didn’t realize you’d be asleep, and I thought you’d better get up.”

  Throwing back the covers, I slid from the bed. “You thought right. We have a lot to do tonight.”

  “Such as?”

  “I know how to prove whether Kel did it or not.”

  “You’re not sure now?”

  “I only have his word. I don’t think he killed anyone, other than my dreams at one point, but you don’t ever really know someone, do you?” I asked, thinking about my conversation with Caleb.

  “No, you don’t. People can always surprise you,” she replied, then stopped.

  Her head lifted.

  “What?” I asked quietly.

  “Someone is here,” she said. She sped off toward the front door.

  I followed, but by the time I got to the door, Tuesday was holding it open, and glaring with her hand on her hip.

  Levi Cassidy stood in my doorway, and he was wearing a cowboy hat.

  Oh, my.

  While I was containing my lady bits, another man stepped up next to Levi.

  Levi turned. “Oh, I brought along Nathan. He’s what you’d call the law in this situation. May we come in?”

  Everyone looked at me. Oh, right. “Yes, please.” I stood back to let them in the door.

  Nathan was about the same height as Levi, and he did not have a cowboy hat. He looked like someone I’d see in Malibu on a surfboard—and he looked far too young to be the law of anything.

  “Why did you bring him?” Tuesday hissed.

  “That’s a good question. I didn’t know we were involving more people,” I glared at Levi, he and his attractive cowboy hat notwithstanding.

  Focus, Deana! I told myself. This was getting ridiculous.

  “I felt it was the next step,” Levi said.

  “Well, let’s not stand in the hallway. Come into the kitchen,” I turned and headed back into the house. Everyone trooped in behind me, and the two men sat down at the table. Tuesday came and stood next to me with her arms crossed.

  “What are you, the bodyguard?” Nathan asked.

  “It’s my job to keep her safe.” Tuesday didn’t give an inch.

  “Why are you both here?” I asked. I could feel the tension ratcheting up.

  “Nathan is in charge of seeing justice done within our territory.”

  “Oh, so you’re the pet killer?” I asked, crossing my arms as well.

  “When I need to be,” Nathan said, not rising to the bait.

  “What is it you think you can do here?” I asked.

  “Grandpa, your ability to be strategic needs some work,” Tuesday muttered.

  “Well, actually,” I held up a hand, “It’s good that you’re here, you being the law and all. I know how to prove that Kel didn’t do it.”

  “Really?” Nathan asked.

  “A drop of his blood,” I said.

  It was as though I dropped a stink bomb in the middle of the table. I couldn’t see Tuesday’s expression, but the two men showed me all I needed to know. Caleb was right—they weren’t happy I knew about it.

  “Why hasn’t that been done? To be sure?” I demanded. “Why am I the one who has to ask about this when he has less than three days to go?”

  “Why are you asking about it?” Nathan had stilled. “How do you even know about this?”

  “I’m good at my job,” I said to him. Yeah, he was not on my Christmas card list, for sure.

  “What does that mean?” Tuesday asked.

  Another thing Caleb had been right about. Not all the vampires knew about it. Only Levi didn’t look surprised. If anything, he looked pleased.
>
  “It means there is a way, if the human agrees, that we can settle this. I’ll need to call Delgado,” Nathan said, getting up and walking to the hallway.

  I was about to object that I didn’t want that man in my house, and then decided that if he wanted to know where I lived, he probably could find it without even lifting a finger.

  Nathan came back. “Call the human,” he said.

  “His name is Kel. Please refer to him as such,” I snapped. I couldn’t believe Levi had dragged this guy into my home. Or that he’d come himself, even with his attractive hat. Pretty damn nervy.

  Nathan didn’t reply, and now it was my turn to step into the hallway.

  Like earlier, Kel answered on the first ring. “What’s up?” he asked.

  “Come to my house.”

  “Why?” His voice was wary.

  “Because I think I can help you prove your innocence. You’ll have to let them take a drop of blood.”

  “What?”

  I shrugged, even though he couldn’t see me. “That’s how it’s done, apparently. I don’t like it either, but it’s your best shot, Kel. Please come over.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Yes,” I said. Even though I hated saying it, hated having to go along with this vampire bullshit.

  “Okay,” he said. “I’ll be there in fifteen.”

  “Okay,” I said and hung up. “He’ll be here shortly,” I told the three vampires as I walked into the kitchen.

  “I’m going to go wait for Delgado,” Nathan said, walking by me.

  I waited until I heard the front door close, and then hissed at Levi, “What the hell were you thinking? Like I want any of that bunch here?”

  “It was the only way,” he said. “We had to involve him. It can’t come from me, or you. Although I hadn’t thought about the blood.”

  “You knew about it and didn’t suggest it?”

  “I did know about it, but it’s not used very often.”

  “I don’t even want to know more,” I said. “Not one word more. I don’t care. If it helps Kel, that’s my concern.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” Levi’s face was impassive.

  “Then he gets to face the music,” I said, trying to maintain calm.

  No one spoke after that. I sat down, but Tuesday stayed standing next to me like a sentinel. That told me that shit was about to get serious.