by Flynn, Mac
Certus leapt onto the top of the fence, a height of some height feet, and perched himself on the pole. I rolled myself onto my back and glared at him. He tensed to drop down. I turned and sprinted towards the scent of blood. Nothing would stop me from my dinner.
I reached the front of the building. There was a large garage door on the right and a smaller exterior door on the left. I chose the smaller door and rammed my shoulder into the locked entrance. The door flew open and slammed into the wall to my right.
The scene was open before me. A group of three men stood around a chair on which sat a slim gentleman of thirty-five. His hands were tied behind the back of his chair. His face was bruised and bloodied, as was their fists. Off to their right sat the black car from earlier in the evening.
All four men looked in my direction, and one of the burly bruisers sneered at me. "Who the hell are you? What are you doing here?"
My attention lay solely on the blood that bled from the captured man's wounds. The blood on their hands was old, dirty. His was fresh and clean. I strode towards them.
The burly man reached for me. "I asked you-" His hand landed on my shoulder.
I grabbed his arm in both hands and flung him behind me. His back slammed into the garage door and left an outline of his body. He dropped face-first onto the floor and groaned. I spun around and snarled at the other two. They each pulled out a gun and pointed the barrels at me. Their fingers pushed the triggers.
Certus swept past me and grabbed their gun hands. There was a definite crack and the men screamed in agony. Certus had broken their hand bones. He grabbed their collars and tossed them into the garage door where they soon joined their companion.
But none of that mattered to me. When I was assured the danger was passed I hurried over to the captive man. He shrank from me. I knelt down and clasped his chin in my hand. I turned his head away from me and revealed his neck. Blood dribbled down his face into the valleys of his throat. I licked my lips. My tongue brushed over my sharp fangs.
I leaned forward and sank my teeth deep into his neck. His stiffened for a moment before he sank in his seat. The sweet nectar of life flowed into my mouth. It was hot, delicious and-
Wrong.
There was a strong, loud scream in my head. I started back and found myself panting. Two thin threads of blood trailed from the bite marks on his neck. I reached up with my shaking hands and touched my long, thick fangs. The taste of blood permeated my mouth.
I fell onto my rear and scrambled back. My stomach churned. I turned and threw up. Blood and food splattered the ground.
A shadow fell over me. I lifted my head. It was Simon.
CHAPTER 6
Simon's clothes were disheveled and full of small round holes. He looked past me at my victim. The captive's chin lay on his chest, but he still breathed. Simon strode over to the chair and tipped his head away so he could look at the wounds.
My pulse quickened. I sat up and set my eyes on the pale man. A lump formed in my throat that I was forced to swallow before I could speak. "Is he. . .did I-?"
Simon dropped the man's head and turned to me. "He will not become a vampire."
My shoulders slumped. I clutched my hands against my chest. "Thank god."
Simon scoffed. "He did nothing to intervene. It was your own foolish desire to reject your nature that saved this man."
I whipped my head up and glared at Simon. "My nature isn't to hurt people."
Simon strode over and knelt before me. His eyes caught mine and held them in his powerful gaze. "Your nature is to survive. In order to do so you must harm others."
The man groaned. His eyes flickered open and he lifted his head. His hazy eyes fell on me and widened. He started back, but that only caused him to tip over his chair. He crashed onto his side and winced.
"Damn it. Can this night get any worse?" he muttered.
Simon stood and walked over to the man. He righted the chair with his foot and grinned down at the captive. "It can be infinitely more worse if you do not agree to my proposition."
The man swept his eyes over Simon and frowned. "Who the hell are you?" He jerked his head to me. "And what the hell is she?"
Simon chuckled. "She is a vampire, as am I."
The man blinked at him. "Seriously?"
"You need only touch your neck to assess the validity of my words," Simon dared him.
The man squirmed and twisted his roped wrists. "That's a little hard for me right now."
Simon bowed his head. "Pardon. I had forgotten the frailty of humans." He leaned down and sliced the rope with his fingernails.
The man jumped to his feet and took a few steps away from us. He rubbed his wrists and looked from one of us to the other. "So you guys with Rufus or what?"
Simon shook his head. "No. We have our own motives for coming to your rescue."
The man smiled and shook his head. "I'll admit I was in a pretty rough spot. Those assholes didn't like me showing off to-well, to somebody, and they were gonna beat me pretty bad for it." His eyes flickered to me and he frowned. "Then you showed up and-" His eyes widened.
He reached up and patted his neck. His eyes widened, and he lowered his hand to see two smeared streaks of blood on his fingers. He whipped his head to me, the blood, and back to me. The man stumbled back and pulled the chair with him to place between us.
"W-what the fuck are you? Some sort of a weirdo?" he questioned me.
Simon stepped closer to him. "I have already informed you we are vampires, and from your words I must assume you are Bo Macon."
The man frowned. "That's 'Swift,' not Bo." Simon moved closer to him. Swift scooted back with his protection chair. "Stay back! I'm not gonna be dealing with any vampires!"
Simon chuckled. "Would you rather we return you to Rufus and his gentlemen? I am sure they would be eager to resume their association, and any unfinished business, between you."
Swift straightened and eyed Simon. "What's your deal, Mr. Vampire? I'm guessing you didn't come here to save my hide out of the kindness of your dead heart."
Simon smiled. "You are quite right. We would like to assume a business contract with you and-" he gestured to the vehicle, "-your impressive car."
Swift scoffed. "So you want the Shadow, too, huh?"
"If that is the name of the vehicle, then yes."
The human swept his eyes over us. Behind Simon stood Certus. Swift nodded at him. "Is he a vampire, too?"
Simon opened his mouth, but paused and tilted his head to one side. "Unfortunately, there isn't time for proper introductions on our part. It seems Rufus has gathered his forces and means to surround us."
I whipped my head to Simon and frowned. "You didn't take care of them."
His half-lidded eyes fell on me. "Your mental screams were impossible to ignore, and I was forced to disengage before my work was finished."
I turned away and pursed my lips. Simon returned his attention to Swift. "Will you accept my contract, or remain here?"
Swift frowned. "I don't know. What's the fine print say?"
A voice over a bullhorn broke the silence outside the building. "Whoever the hell you are, get the fuck out of there and drop to the ground! Otherwise we're gonna come in there and you're not gonna like what we'll do to you!"
Swift scoffed and rubbed his bruised face. "Like we're gonna like what they do to us outside."
Simon turned to him. "Then do we have an agreement?"
Swift nodded. "Yeah, but on one condition. Whatever you want with me and the Shadow, I get to keep the car. Agreed?"
Simon smiled and bowed his head. "Agreed. Will you two escape through the front or rear?"
Swift blinked at him. "What two?"
Simon nodded at me. "She will accompany you and lead you to my home. You, and your vehicle, will be safe there."
I started back and glared at him. "Are you crazy? I nearly sucked that guy dry once already!"
"Like hell I'm going in a car with a girl who tried to kill me!" Sw
ift agreed.
Simon met my gaze. "You cannot escape this garage on your own without being seriously harmed. The only way for you to escape unharmed is to leave inside the armored vehicle."
I winced. My eyes flickered to Swift. He still looked pale. "But I-"
Simon stepped up to me and grasped my chin. He tilted my head up so I stared into his eyes. "Prove to me your nature can be what you choose it to be."
He dropped my chin and strode towards the door. Certus followed him. The pair paused at the entrance and Simon half-turned to us. "We will distract them so they cannot follow you, but a quick leave would be advisable." And with that the pair stepped outside and shut the door behind them.
The man with the bullhorn sounded angry. "Now get on the ground! I said get the fuck on the-aah!" The scream was followed by gunshots and yelling.
Swift's eyes fell on me. "You promise not to give me another hicky?" I turned to him and pursed my lips. He smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. What's a little blood between business partners?" The noises outside grew louder. He jerked his head to the car. "Come on. Let's get out of here before Rufus turns the big guns on them, and us."
My pulse quickened. "Bigger guns?"
Swift grabbed my hand and yanked me towards the car. "Let's just say they're not legal, at least not in most countries."
Swift paused to swipe the keys from one of his beaters, and we slipped into the car. The interior was tight, but comfortable, with a rear seat and two in front. The dash had a few more dials than the usual car, and there was a small square screen where the CD player should have been.
In the small confines of the cab my sensitive nose picked up on the smell of his dried blood. I slapped my hands over my mouth and nose.
Swift turned the ignition and the car roared to life. He grinned and put the car into gear. "Purrs like a dream." He glanced over to me and frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head, but didn't drop my hands. "Nothing. Just get us out of here."
"Yes, ma'am," he agreed.
Swift pressed a few of the buttons and the screen lit up. The screen was split into four camera views, one for each corner of the car. He slammed on the gas and the car sped off.
Except it sped off backwards. The seat belt cut into my chest and I clung to the dash in front of me as we went in reverse. The rear of the car slammed into the back wall. The vehicle's tough plating cut through the metal siding like a can opener. The gunmen who surrounded the rear fired at us, but the bullets ricocheted off the thick armor. They jumped out of the way and made a convenient path for us.
Swift slammed on the brakes and spun the wheel. The car slid a full ninety degrees and came to a stop, but not for long. He slammed on the gas pedal and the car jumped forward. Men in black suits leapt out of our path while the guards from the fence leapt onto the hood of the car. They lay flat on the hood and shot point-blank at the windshield. The bullets bounced off the glass, but left large ripples on the exterior surface.
Swift grabbed the stick. "Hold on!"
I clutched onto either side of the bucket seat as he shifted into a faster gear. The car leapt forward and the lighter rear began to fish-tail, sending the car into left-and-right convulsions. The men on the hood were thrown off and we had a clear view of the chain-link fence towards which we careened.
I jabbed a finger at the oncoming barrier. "Fence!"
"Not for long!"
Swift stepped on the gas and we slammed into the metal links. They curled back and snapped, opening a hole for the car. We bounced onto the road. Swift turned a sharp left and right, and we shot past the black limo in a few seconds.
I looked behind us. Nobody followed. We were alive. Mostly.
CHAPTER 7
I slumped into my seat and breathed a deep, heavy sigh.
Swift's eyes flickered to me. "You okay?"
I gave a nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just not used to all this excitement." A fresh waft of his dried blood hit my nostrils. I pinched my nose and shuddered as the familiar hunger growled inside of me.
"You know, you don't look like the type to suck people's blood because you want to," he commented.
My voice sounded squeaky with my nose pinched. "Let's just say I said 'yes' when I should have said 'no.'"
That got a chuckle out of him. "So where are we headed, anyway? This thing doesn't have much gas after my test drive."
I turned to him and blinked. "How should I know?"
He frowned. "Because that one guy said you would. That tall, creepy one. What is his name, anyway?"
I sighed. "Simon Cruor."
"Sounds like a vampire's name." His eyes flickered back to me and a sly smile slipped onto his lips. "What about you? What's your handle?"
I snorted. "I just tried to drain you dry less than ten minutes ago, and now you act like you want my number?"
He shrugged. "Gotta get 'em while I've still got time. You never know when you'll hit a bad corner and take your last tumble. Anyway, where are we going?"
"The Park Place Avenue Penthouse, 30th floor," I told him.
Swift whistled. "That's a pretty snazzy place. Is it yours or your boyfriend's?"
I choked on my spittle and whipped my head to Swift. "He's not my boyfriend!"
Swift held up his hands in front of him which caused the car to swerve and bump onto the sidewalk. We hit a stop sign before he grabbed the wheel and pulled us back onto the road.
I glared at him and stabbed my finger in the direction of the windshield. "Are you trying to kill us!"
He grinned and winked at me. "That'd be something for a vampire and her apprentice, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not dead yet, and you're not going to be a vampire."
He shrugged. "Ah well. I kind of like the idea of driving around at night, but I suppose that'd finish off most of my racing in the day, huh?"
"Yeah."
We reached the penthouse garage without any more incidents. The valet recognized me and let us in to park near Simon's spot. The limo was still gone. I led our 'guest' into the elevator and to the penthouse. That, however, wasn't so easy to get into.
I jiggled the handle and frowned. Locked. I turned to Swift. "You happen to know a quick locksmith?"
He smiled and pulled a hairpin from his pocket. "I've got something better."
"Terrible fashion sense?" I quipped.
He chuckled as he stepped up to the door and knelt in front of the lock. "It's actually from my-well, from a close friend." He turned the pin this way and that for a few seconds. I heard a click and he stood and turned the knob. The door swung open. He turned to me with a grin on his face. "After-"
"Get down!" I yelped.
I jumped him and slammed both of us to the floor. I'd seen a dark shadow in the doorway, and whatever it was lunged at Swift. The dark thing flew over us. I shivered as its shadow left a cold chill over my body. We climbed to our feet as the shadow thing stopped between us and the elevator. It turned and revealed a pair of white eyes.
"What the hell is that?" Swift asked me.
I shook my head and stepped back towards the open penthouse door. "I don't know, but I really don't think it likes what you did."
The elevator doors swung open to reveal Simon and Certus. I was never so relieved to see their two pale faces. Simon stepped out of the elevator and his eyes fell on the shadow.
"Recede," he called out.
The shadow floated backwards into the wall. I clutched my chest and glared at him. "What was that thing?"
Simon smiled and strode past us into the penthouse. "Merely a deterrent for thieves." Swift and I followed Certus and Simon into the living room. Simon gestured to the couch. "If you would please have a seat we can begin official negotiations for your contract with me."
Swift plopped himself into a chair and shrugged. "I don't know about working for vampires. I mean, she's nice when she's not chewing on me-" he jerked his thumb at me, "-but you-" he pointed at Simon. "I can see you're a diffe
rent breed. And that 'dog' of yours kind of settles it."
Simon chuckled. "I have counted on your hesitation." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
A familiar voice picked up. "What news, dark and gruesome?" Swift jumped to his feet and his eyes widened.
"We have retrieved your brother," Simon told her.
Swift pointed a shaky finger at the phone. "Is that Rota?"
"Is he still in one piece?" Rota wondered.
Simon's eyes flickered to Swift and a sly smile curled onto his lips. "More or less, though Rufus's men were somewhat rough with him."
"Rufus!" she screamed. Swift cringed and shrank back into his chair. "What the hell was he doing with that asshole?"
"Perhaps he can explain," Simon suggested. He held the phone out to Swift. "Your sister wishes to speak with you."
Swift reluctantly took the phone and placed it against his ear. "Hey, Sis."
"What the hell were you doing messing with Rufus?" she screamed.
He winced. "I was just supposed to test-drive that car of his. How was I supposed to know he'd go back on his deal and wouldn't let me leave with my money?"
"Because you can't trust him as far as you can throw his fat body, that's why!" she snapped at him.
Swift's face drooped. "Come on, Sis, give me some credit. They haven't found out yet."
A growl reverberated through the phone. "Give me back to Simon before I reach through this phone and bitch-slap you like you deserve."
Swift tossed the hot potato back to its own who deftly caught the phone and held it against his ear. "What're you going to do with him now, gruesome?"
"There is a small errand I wish for him to perform, and then I will hand him into your care," Simon told her.
Rota snorted. "Oh hell no, he's not coming here. If those thugs find out we're related this'll be the first place they'll come looking for him. You keep him."
"Sis!" Swift whined.
"Don't 'Sis' me! You got yourself into this mess, and you're stuck in it!" Rota snapped. She took a deep breath and lowered her volume a couple decibels. "Take care of him for me, will ya, gruesome? He's an idiot, but he's the best driver there is."