Stained

by Jessica McBrayer

  Harley had a tall 6’ frame, bald-head and a red goatee. He shrugged heavy shoulders as he started towards the door. Before he could reach it, a petite blond came flying out. As soon as she saw Thorn her face turned from joy to a snarl worthy of a large cat.

  “Harley, who the hell is this?” Deirdre demanded. She’d stopped dead in her tracks and with her hand on her hip. She was dressed in an old pair of jeans and short boots, a low-cut spandex shirt, and too much makeup.

  “Hi, honey, you sure look pretty,” Harley said, trying to lighten Deirdre’s mood.

  “Cut the crap, Harley. Who the fuck is she?”

  “Deirdre, this is Thorn. I told you about her. She’s the one doing my tattoos.”

  “Oh, yeah!” Deirdre’s face changed in an instant with her smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said. Then she looked questioningly at Harley again. “It’s nice to meet her an’ all, but what’s she doing in my front yard?”

  “That’s the stick of it, darlin’.” Deirdre tensed up, as Harley went over to her and started rubbing her arm and back. Raven landed on Thorn’s arm. “She’s got into some trouble with the law and needs a place to stay for a few days…”

  “Oh no, Harley, Oh hell, no! I’m not a boarding house. No offense,” she said, as she looked at Thorn.

  “None taken,” Thorn said, smiling at her, trying to be as amicable as possible. She really needed a place to stay.

  “Baby, please. She has nowhere to go. I bet Thorn would give you a free tattoo even for the trouble,” Harley said, pleading with her with his eyes.

  “I’d love too, Deirdre. It would be my pleasure,” Thorn said.

  “What if I want a full back?”

  “I still think that’s a fair trade.”

  “Okay, come on in, before anyone sees you,” Deirdre said. She acted like she’d gotten the better deal even with the risk.

  “Thank you,” Thorn said, as she carried her bag towards the house.

  “We’ll see how this works,” Deirdre said. “And the bird has to stay outside.”

  “Keep watch, dear friend, and be careful,” Thorn whispered to Raven.

  “Yesth.” Raven flew up to the porch and surveyed the area.

  “Will he stay there? It’s kinda creepy.”

  “It’s either that or have him inside. He is well-trained.”

  “He talks too, Deirdre,” Harley said. He was smiling, thinking everything was all settled and fine. Thorn knew things were far from fine. She would be walking on eggshells around Deirdre.

  They made their way across the sagging porch and into an unexpectedly cheerful house. Deirdre had painted everything in bright colors. Plants hung from the ceiling and sat on every spare inch of flat surface. The furniture was used and eclectic but in good shape. Harley flopped down on the couch and Deirdre motioned for Thorn to follow her. She showed her to a little bedroom off the main living room. It had a twin bed and framed posters on the wall, of flower prints. Thorn sat her duffel bag down and Deirdre walked out of the room, and reappeared with clean sheets and a quilt.

  “I keep this for when my kid shows up. She’s nineteen and in college so I only see her during the breaks.”

  “That’s great she’s in college. You must be proud.” Thorn said.

  Deirdre smiled, a genuine smile, “Yeah, she’s a smart kid, wants to be a biologist. Smart enough to be. Going to school on a full-ride scholarship.” Deirdre leaned against the door.

  “That’s terrific, Deirdre. Really wonderful.”

  “Anyways, you can have her room for a few days until you get this sorted out.”

  “I really appreciate it. I’ll pay for my food and give you some money for staying here, too. The tattoo will have to wait until I can get back to my shop but then we’ll set up an appointment.”

  “That’d be awesome. I’ve been wanting to get some angel wings on my back.”

  “That would take a couple visits depending on how much detail you want in them,” Thorn said, easing onto the bed.

  “Cool. Well, I better get Harley a beer, you want one?”

  “No, thanks, I think I better keep a clear mind right now.”

  “Gotcha.” Deirdre left. Thorn to put her things away.

  The first thing she did, was make the bed. The sheets were good old-fashioned cotton and smelled sun-dried. She bet Deirdre had a clothesline out back. The smell evoked memories of a feather bed and Irish sunshine. Thorn pushed thoughts of her childhood out of her mind, as she shook the quilt out onto the bed. She sat down once again and pulled her bag up in her lap. Drawing out the prepaid phone she’d purchased from the convenience store, while she waited for Harley, she activated it and punched in the number of her uncle’s cell phone. She knew her magick would break her cell eventually, but it was a necessity.

  “Hello,” her uncle said guardedly. She was sure he didn’t recognize the number.

  “Uncle, it’s Thorn. Can you talk?”

  “Yes, little one. Are you safe?”

  “For the moment. I’m staying at a friend of a friend’s. Raven has to stay outside but he is taking it well. I bought a prepaid cell phone. I can’t promise it will last long though. I’ll buy another one if this one breaks.” Thorn crossed her legs and sighed. It was good to hear her uncle.

  “Scettico and Simms came back and were very angry. They had two other officers search the house, but of course, found nothing. They just left a few minutes ago, actually.”

  “Uncle, I have an appointment I have to take care of tonight. It’s at three in the morning so don’t wait up. Actually, it’s a client I can’t mix with humans if you know what I mean.”

  “Vampire, eh?” Uncle chuckled. “Haven’t seen one in a while.”

  “I promised the council that I wouldn’t let a human mix with them while I tattoo them. It would break my licensing agreement.”

  “Maybe you can sneak in a little early and come up and see me.”

  “I know I shouldn’t do this, but he’s coming from Germany and I have no way to cancel. There’s enough up in the air with the council, I can’t take a chance with an unhappy client and or another dead one.” Thorn fingered the worn patchwork quilt with her fingers. “I’ll try to come early. I love you, Uncle. Has Sé called again?”

  “No, dearest. I imagine he knows what is going on and didn’t want to be caught calling while the others were here. I’m sure I’ll hear from him at some point.”

  “Okay, tell him thanks for me. I think I’m going to get my bike when I come back tonight.”

  “Okay, Thorn. Be careful. I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye, Uncle.” She pressed the off button and settled back to think.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  I walk in circles of light that no evil may cross.

  Thorn stepped into the living room to find two more of Harley’s friends. They had arrived while Thorn had been making the bed. They were drinking beer. They eyed Thorn appreciatively.

  “Hi, I’m Thorn,” Thorn said, as she offered her hand to one of the bikers. He grabbed her hand and hauled her onto his lap. Everyone but Thorn laughed.

  “My name is Tiny, pretty lady. What’cha doing hanging around this mutt, Harley?” The huge man asked. He was anything but tiny, easily 6’4” and 250 pounds of solid muscle. He had a handlebar mustache and was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, leather vest and lots of chains to hold his wallet and keys.

  “Harley’s an old friend of mine,” Thorn said, as she tried to get up, but Tiny kept a firm grip on her.

  “Any friend of Harley’s is a friend of mine. Sit and have a beer with us. Party, have a good time,” Tiny said, motioning Deirdre to get a beer for Thorn.

  Thorn glanced at Harley who was trying not to meet her eyes. He knew she was uncomfortable. Dammit! She was a big girl and could take care of herself but he didn’t know that. He could have set her off limits. She didn’t want to resort to magick if she didn’t have to.

  “Hey, Tiny, let me get a little of that action,” the
other biker yelled. Tiny pinched Thorn’s ass and then tossed her to the other guy.

  “You got it, just don’t wear her out, ‘cause I have first dibs.”

  “Hey, guys, ease up on Thorn, she’s a guest,” Harley said, timidly, the manner in contrasts to the confident biker she had known as a customer. Thorn stared at him. Deirdre was looking uncomfortable, as well. She also seemed afraid to speak up, something else that was unexpected.

  “Back off, Harley. You don’t have the balls to stand up to us so shut your mouth up,” Tiny snarled, confirming Thorn’s suspicions.

  “I really can sit all by myself. I don’t need any assistance,” Thorn assured her new captor.

  “Name’s Hooch. Just sit still and look pretty. Deirdre, where’s that beer?” he yelled. Thorn struggled against his grip and he laughed holding her tighter. With his other hand, he grabbed her ass. Thorn jumped with the insult to her body and Hooch and Tiny laughed. Then Hooch started to move his hand up higher. He was getting ready to cop a feel of her breast when she’d had enough.

  Energy poured through Thorn, as she pulled it from the earth, sky and trees. She laid her hand flat on Hooch’s chest, sending him flying into the wall. Then she leapt up, and turned, ready to face her attackers but none came. Tiny had spit his beer over the floor and himself. Hooch was dazed after hitting the wall. Harley was staring at her, his eyes wide.

  “Come on, you two! Do you want another piece of me? Pinch my ass again? What’s it going to be?” Thorn yelled, at the two bikers.

  “No, ma’am. We don’t want any trouble,” Tiny said. Then, to Harley, he said, lower, “Why didn’t you tell me you brought a bruja to the party, dude.”

  “I didn’t know,” Harley said. “Umm, Thorn, you’re going to have to go. I don’t know where, but you can’t stay here. Nothing against your kind but Deirdre wouldn’t stand for it.”

  “What wouldn’t I stand for?” Deirdre said, eyes slitted, as she walked back in the room with some beers. “And what the hell was all that noise about? You guys are going pay for anything you break.” Then she saw Hooch sitting on his ass and Thorn standing up with her hand thrown out as if waiting for another confrontation.

  “You go, girl, it’s about time someone put them in their place. But same goes for you, you break it you buy it,” Deirdre said.

  “Honey,” Harley said, “Thorn’s going to go hang somewhere else. She’s not crazy about the company here. I’m just going to run her…” Harley looked at Thorn.

  “To my bike. I’m just going to take it out, screw the cops.”

  “Okay, but don’t get too comfortable on the back of my man’s bike in the meantime, ya hear me?”

  “Loud and clear,” Thorn said, as she went to get her bag in the other room. Hooch was starting to get up. The men were talking quietly.

  Thorn entered the room and they got quiet.

  “I’m ready, Harley. Let’s hit the road.”

  Thorn and Harley headed out to Harley’s hardtail and she got on the black and midnight blue bike with its custom chrome.

  “Heard the noise. Thought you could take care of yourself, though,” Raven said.

  Thorn just nodded.

  Harley started up the engine and its guttural growl shook Deirdre’s windows. He took off, letting the bike rip up the pavement. Raven lifted off and soared above the fast-moving machine. Soon they were in territory Thorn recognized, College Avenue, with its collection of small boutiques and toney places to eat. She tapped Harley on the shoulder, signaling him to pull over.

  Harley pulled to the curb and skidded in the gravel the sweepers had missed. He kept the bike running.

  “Thanks, Harley. I’ll walk from here. I don’t want to show up for a while yet,” Thorn said.

  “No problem, and sorry about how things turned out,” Harley said, sheepishly.

  “Not many can handle it. When everything calms down, call me and we’ll set up an appointment to finish that sleeve.”

  “You got it, Thorn,” Harley said, looking relieved. He eased the bike away from the curb and rode away. He never checked his mirror.

  That was pretty much how she expected most people to handle her coming out of the broom closet. She was a little disappointed though. She picked up her duffel bag, hiked it over her shoulder, and started walking towards Stained. Raven followed, hopping in short flights in the well-maintained side-streets, keeping a close watch over her. It was dark now, making it easier to slip through the night without anyone seeing. Until she reached home where she was sure there would be someone watching for her.

  As she made her way along the tree-lined streets, she made a plan. She would see Uncle. Then she would have her appointment at three with her vampire. After that, she would retrieve her bike and head across the bay and into the city. It would be easy to get lost there, and yet she would be close enough to Uncle if he needed her.

  Thorn made it to her alley and was happy to see her bike still there under its ‘stay-away’ spell. She patted it as she and Raven went inside.

  Easing her way up the stairs, on little cat-paws, as the shop was still open. She unlocked her door.

  “Uncle, it’s me, Thorn.”

  “Oh, dear heart, you scared me to death.” Uncle Charles held his hand to his heart.

  “Sorry, Uncle,” Thorn said, giving him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “I didn’t want to announce myself to anyone who might be watching.”

  “Good thing too, the FBI just left.”

  “Damn, too close. I was hoping they had left a while ago. Things didn’t go as planned at my ‘safe house’. I had to use my magick to take care of an unruly biker and I was asked to leave.”

  “Ach, I hope you gave him what for.”

  “I did, Uncle. He and the wall interfaced,” Thorn said, with a small smile.

  “Good, serves him right for messing with my girl.” Uncle chuckled.

  Thorn went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “Let me cook you something for dinner, Uncle.”

  “That would be welcome, Thorn.”

  Thorn puttered around preparing the fresh fish they had bought the day before. The simple task relaxing her. She placed it in the oven. Then she snapped green beans and boiled new baby potatoes. As things were cooking, she cut up meat for Raven. She wasn’t sure they’d be able to hunt that night.

  Soon the fish was done and they set the table for two. Thorn lit candles and a sage smudge to cleanse the area of all the negative activity that had happened there that day. She and Uncle sat down for a light meal. Thorn was amused with Uncle’s use of generous amounts of butter on everything.

  “Uncle, you eat like you’re nineteen. Aren’t you afraid of heart disease?”

  “No, I walk every day, drink a glass of wine a night and have been doing it my entire life. Doctor says I’m healthy as a horse.”

  “Thank the Goddess.” Thorn wiped her lips with her cloth napkin and then set it on the table. “I believe I’ll go to Japantown over in the city and find a room to rent. I speak the language and it’s as good a place to hide as any.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to be so far away but I think it’s a good plan. You still have the phone?”

  “Yes, and it’s still working for now. When it stops, I’ll get another one.”

  “Good, if I can’t see you every day, at least I can hear your voice.”

  “I love you, too.” Thorn stood up and stretched. She carried their plates to the sink and washed them before setting them in the wooden drainer. “I think I’m going to take a shower. I feel grimy after having those guys maul me.”

  “Of course, dear. I’m just going to read for a while.”

  Thorn went to her room and pulled out a long, wool white sweater with a cable design. Digging into the bottom of her drawer, she found a silk turtleneck to wear underneath. She left her leather pants out as she would be riding later. It was cold out. Then she stepped into her bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as she could take it and got into the
steaming water. She lathered her body and her thick obsidian hair. As the soap rinsed away, she let go of the day’s events.

  Thorn had an immediate plan and the means to make it happen. The next step would occur to her once she was safe. This mess with the police would clear itself up, Goddess help her.

  Climbing out of the shower, she began toweling off. She heard voices coming from the kitchen. Opening the door a crack, to listen while she dressed. It was Sé. He would know she was there because of the shower running. Uncle must have thought it was okay to let him in. She slowly opened the door the rest of the way and walked into the room, eyeing the Detective. She wasn’t sure how far he was prepared to resist the law for her. Calling was one thing, seeing her another. Uncle had forced her hand. She couldn’t deny how her heart lifted to see him.

  “Hi Thorn,” Sé said. His eyes met hers. His energy was wary, but his glance was warm and direct.

  “I came over to check on your uncle.”

  “And you found me instead.”

  “Apparently.”

  “Are you going to arrest me?”

  “No.” Sé moved over to the table and sat down.

  “Why?” Thorn’s eyes settled on him as she sat across from him.

  “I think they’re on a witch hunt,” Sé said plainly.

  “Figuratively or literally?”

  “Does it matter?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  All things watching, all that is bad, all that has dragged me down, and troubled me. Leave me forever! All that was bad is now dissolved. Let good energy come my way posthaste. It is and shall be.

  Thorn decided to come clean with Sé about her plan. In order to do that, she had to tell him about vampires. As she was prepping her station, later, she remembered his reaction.

  “Vampires? Real vampires?” he said, as he flopped down in one of her chairs, barely making the seat.

  “Yes, Sé, real vampires. They consume or drink blood to sustain their life but they don’t have to kill people to do it.” She said, relieved that he’d met the news head-on. “They are nocturnal because the sun hurts them. They don’t burn or turn to dust – it’s just painful. Richard was a vampire. That’s why the coroner is having problems with his body.” Thorn had gotten a cool glass of water and had handed it to Sé. He sipped it slowly.