Stained

by Jessica McBrayer

  “Can I see one?” He gave her a rueful smile.

  “That’s what you ask me?”

  “I asked Muirin the same thing when she told me about them,” Uncle chuckled. “They weren’t nearly as mainstreamed as they are now. It’s much safer.”

  “Better now,” Raven cawed.

  The blood left Sé’s face as he contemplated that.

  Thorn smiled as she remembered. She went to the safe and retrieved her bespelled inks. They bonded with the new cells a vampire’s instantaneous healing abilities produced, instead of disappearing. She noticed her supply was getting low. She would have to make up a new batch soon.

  No one could see her in the back. She would be tattooing in a room with no windows, completely blocked from the front windows. Sé came down to see what she was up to.

  Earlier, after his shock had worn off, he had gotten more businesslike.

  “Thorn,” he explained, “the only way I can clear you of these murders is to tag you twenty-four hours a day. Especially, if you are tattooing someone tonight. We know the killer is escalating and chances, are he’ll target this new person.”

  Thorn, sighed and sat down hard, on the edge of her stool. “You’re right. I shouldn’t do the tat. I have no way to get in touch with him though. I’ll have to wait until he shows up.” She took a drink of Sé’s water and put her hand to her head.

  “It’s a vampire, Thorn. If we warn him, don’t you think he can defend himself?” Sé asked.

  “It’s possible. Richard had no warning. I’ll prepare everything and leave it up to him.”

  Casually, Sé began his campaign to let him watch. Thorn explained that in her licensing terms, with the vampire council, no mundanes could be allowed in the room. He argued, calmly, he had to be there so could testify she didn’t try to sedate the vampire or hinder him to make him easier to attack. It was for everyone’s protection.

  Thorn had heard a lot of blarney in her life, she suspected Sé was laying it on thick. When she finally relented, he grinned. Uncle said one vampire was enough for him and he was going to bed. Sé had won. He was going to see his first vampire and guard Thorn at the same time.

  Sé and Thorn walked into the main room and Thorn saw her client at the door, waiting politely. He was an average-looking man, wearing leather pants and a long trench. The only difference between him and the rest of the population was the fangs that would descend when he got hungry, angry or aroused.

  “Come in, Sean. How are you tonight? Have you fed?” The vampire looked a little gaunt. Thorn wondered if it was a good idea to have Sé in the room after all. The vamp eyed him suspiciously.

  “Yes, but it was yesterday. I wasn’t able to feed yet tonight. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “You know I specifically requested that you feed right before you meet with me. There is blood involved. Is it going to be a problem for you?”

  “I am six hundred and eighty-nine years old. I have control over my hunger. I think everything will be just fine. Besides, it is my blood that will be spilled,” he said, looking at Sé again. His appraisal of the detective was thorough, then he turned away indifferently.

  “Before we go any further, I need to warn you. Everyone I’ve given a talisman to lately has been killed. Including a vampire. You are the first person I’ve been able to warn though. I leave it up to you whether or not you want to go through with it.”

  “Consider me warned, Thorn.” He gently caressed her cheek. “I am old and sneaky. I have several survival tactics, having lived as long as I have. I would like to go forward with the tattoo.”

  “Okay.” Thorn went to her portfolio and retrieved a drawing. “Let me show you the art I did based on what you told me you wanted. It’s a Celtic band.”

  “This is lovely, Thorn dear. Could you work a talisman into it?”

  “Yes, of course. What would you like?”

  “I want something that represents the Goddess. She and I are close friends.” Thorn frowned at that. Vampires were the opposite of peace and love. Was he mocking her? “I’m quite serious, Thorn,” he said, when he saw her face. “I practice Witta.” Witta was the Irish equivalent of Wicca.

  Seeing the truth in his eyes surprised and excited her. “Okay, I can do that. You want this on your upper arm?”

  “Yes, my right arm.”

  “Let’s get started then. Come on back in here and take your jacket off. Try not to wig the human out too much either.” Sean just chuckled. So did Sé.

  Thorn went to get her gloves. When she came back, Sé and Sean were talking about Ireland. Thorn smiled at how open Sé was. He was taking this in stride. She put her gloves on and prepped her table and gun. She got Sean’s skin ready and warned him she would be chanting so wouldn’t be talking.

  As soon as the first drops of blood started to form, Sean’s eyes dilated and turned black. It had been longer than a day since he had eaten. He’d lied. Dammit. Thorn quickly wiped it away. She began weaving the tattoo into his skin and Sean kept his eyes focused on the blood. About half way through the tattoo, he changed his focus to Sé. Sé must have noticed the difference in Sean’s demeanor and started to fidget.

  “Should I go upstairs, will you be alright?” Sé asked.

  “They won’t take a witch’s blood. So yeah, I’ll be fine. I think you do need to go upstairs and bolt the door. Please.”

  “Yeah.” Sé got up and Sean followed his every move with his eyes. Thorn could tell that it was taking all his self-control not to leap out of the chair and have Sé for dinner.

  When Sé had gone, Thorn turned to Sean and asked, “Why did you lie about the last time you fed?”

  “I really want the tattoo. I had to travel in an unconventional way and there was no way to eat. I promise I will feed as soon as we are done. I thought I had better control than this. I apologize.”

  “Apology accepted. Normally, I wouldn’t have a mundane in the room with me. There’s been a lot of weird shit happening. When you leave, look everywhere and be diligent.”

  She went back to his tattoo, keeping a tight eye on him in case he made a move for Sé. She knew she could throw a restraining spell around him if she was ready for it. Sean kept focused but she could tell it was an effort. Luckily, an arm band didn’t take her a long time. She was soon done and Sean would have time to feed before going to bed for the day. Thorn sent up a silent request to the Goddess to keep him safe.

  “Thanks, Thorn. It’s beautiful. Exactly what I wanted. Truly a representation of my beliefs. I still have time to feed too, which is very necessary,” he said, eyeing Sé who had come back down against Thorn’s better judgment. Sé fidgeted in his seat, keeping his eyes on Sean. Sean just smiled, flashing him a little fang. Sé gave him a tentative smile back and Thorn chuckled. Sean paid her and left quickly, eager to hunt.

  “So, what did you think of your first vampire?”

  “A bit toothy,” Sé said, with a lopsided grin. Thorn shook her head. “I just hope we don’t hear about him tomorrow,” Sé said, more seriously.

  “What’s the plan now, Thorn?” Sé asked.

  “Japantown.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Guard and guide our trip, and all who venture on this road. See us safely to our destination, see us safely home. Blessed be.

  Thorn quietly kissed Uncle goodbye, leaving him a note on the table. She grabbed her duffel bag and slung it over her back. Raven cawed softly. He knew he would get a long flight tonight compared to usual. Sé had parked his bike in back, not knowing that Thorn’s was there too. They both descended the stairs and headed out the back door.

  “Where’s your bike?” Sé asked.

  “Right here,” Thorn said, as she wiped her hand across the bike and it appeared. Sé gasped.

  “The whole force has been looking for this bike and it’s been here the whole time?” Sé laughed.

  “Yep,” Thorn grinned. “It’s called a stay-away spell. When we get to where we are going, I’ll put one on
your bike too, so it won’t get stolen.”

  “Cool…”

  “Think you can keep up with me?” Thorn cocked her hip, as she got ready to put her helmet on.

  “Bring it, little girl.” Sé put his helmet on as quickly as Thorn and the two threw a leg over their bikes simultaneously. The roar of the engines made the windows vibrate in the alley. Raven led the way as they vaulted out of the alley onto the empty streets. They wove expertly through what little traffic there was on the freeway until they were dead even at the toll plaza. Thorn paid for both of them and then they were off again, up and over the Bay Bridge. Once they cleared the Bridge, they made their way through San Francisco and into Japantown. They kept the bikes as quiet as they could. Dawn was near.

  Thorn pulled up to a teahouse and Sé slid in next to her. Raven landed on her handlebars.

  “Good fly, yesth,” Raven said. Sé reached out and scratched his head. Raven ruffled and closed his eyes.

  “Well, copper, you know how to ride that bike. I’ll give you that.”

  “Gee, thanks, Thorn. You know for a girl, you ride pretty well yourself.” Sé said, with a straight face, amusement running through his voice. Thorn warmed. She rarely had the opportunity to share humor.

  Thorn knew the owner of this teahouse and she was an early riser. The teahouse was built in traditional Japanese style with redwood timbers and hand painted shoji screens on the inside. The proprietor usually had an extra room she set aside for friends in need. Thorn hoped it was available. What was she going to do with Sé while she slept? The ideas running through her head wouldn’t be good for either of them at this moment in time. Even if they would be thrilling.

  The woman Thorn wanted to talk to was up and stirring. Thorn saw her light turn on in her kitchen. She put stay-away spells on their bikes and then motioned for Sé to follow her as she made her way through a tight alley and up a stairway that led to an apartment on top of the teahouse. Thorn knocked lightly, not wanting to startle Mrs. Sasaki.

  “Yes,” Mrs. Sasaki answered in Japanese.

  “Mrs. Sasaki, it’s Thorn and a friend. Can we come in?” Thorn answered in perfect Japanese, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Sé.

  “Yes, yes. Come in.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Sasaki. Sorry for disturbing you so early,” Thorn said, switching to English. She addressed a petite, wrinkled but still beautiful woman, as she entered the apartment.

  “Good morning,” Sé said, bowing slightly.

  “Good morning,” Mrs. Sasaki said in English, with no hint of an accent. She turned back to Thorn and they spoke in rapid Japanese. Sé shifted his weight. Raven sat on his shoulder and cawed softly.

  “Mrs. Sasaki has a room for us to use. She would like us to join her for breakfast first, though,” Thorn said to Sé. He nodded to her.

  They kneeled around the table as Mrs. Sasaki brought tea to warm them. The steaming loose leaf green jasmine tea tasted wonderful. Raven took perch on a pillow seat all to himself.

  Mrs. Sasaki made a breakfast of steamed rice, miso soup and grilled horse mackerel. After the cold ride and harrowing night the meal was welcome. The soup was hot and filled Thorn’s belly and the fish melted on her tongue. She fed Raven bits of fish on a plate and he ate daintily. Mrs. Sasaki and Thorn continued to talk in Japanese throughout the meal, one of them laughing every so often. Sé seemed content to sit and listen to the melodic rise and fall of their voices and eat. The meal was a hearty one for Thorn and she was comfortably replete. She could see Sé’s exhaustion setting in the shadows under his eyes. She remembered that he had been out with Mathilda’s murder scene and then came to her. She wondered how long he had been up.

  When they finished, Mrs. Sasaki showed them to a quiet room painted in soft white with a shoji screen at one end for dressing in private. There were smaller screens over the window, which Thorn knew opened onto the front street. It had a futon, a small table and chair, with a huge bamboo plant on it. Simple but elegant. Mrs. Sasaki showed them where they could find blankets and pillows, fresh towels and the bathroom. Then she left them to their own devices as she had to get her own day started.

  “Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Sasaki,” Thorn said.

  “Thank you very much,” Sé said.

  “You are both welcome,” Mrs. Sasaki said in English, giving them a crinkled smile, and closed their door behind her.

  Sé and Thorn regarded each other. An uneasy silence filled the room. Raven flew to the chair and tucked his head and was soon asleep. Thorn was dead tired. Her back ached and she could barely keep her eyes open. She was sure it had to do with all the adrenaline pumped through her system during the last twenty-four hours. Sé looked as beat-up as Thorn.

  “We look like we’ve been through a peppermill,” Thorn grinned.

  She lowered the futon so it was flat, then started making it up and Sé stepped up to help. She thought that was nice. He didn’t expect her to wait on him. They got the bed made and then the silence built up, with nothing else to do but get into bed.

  “We have to face this at some point,” Sé said. He gave her a small smile.

  “I’m ready to drop.” Thorn’s shoulders unhitched.

  “Well, we’ll just sleep with our clothes on, how’s that?” she said, in total agreement. “I’m sure we can keep to our own sides of the bed.”

  “Of course. If you don’t mind, I’d like the side with the table to keep my pager, gun and phone close,” Sé asked.

  This made Thorn uncomfortable. It would mean she was trapped against the wall. As a martial artist, she could see the logic behind his request. She trusted him. They were in this together now. She decided they would be safe here, so she relented.

  “Sure, just get my back if anything comes through the door. I’d be trapped.”

  “You got it.” he said. She smiled, tiredly. Even in his exhaustion he was on guard. Whatever came through the door would have to go through him to get to her.

  “I’m going to ward the room before we go to sleep. I don’t want anyone getting in here. I was serious. It will only take a minute.” Sé tensed. “I think the killer is a witch, Sé, I want to be protected.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “A lot. I’ll talk to you over dinner if you decide to trust me.”

  “I’m here aren’t I?” he said, as he sat on the edge of the futon, rubbing his face.

  “Yes, you are, and thank you,” Thorn said. She wanted to do more than shake his hand, she wanted to hug him, but she wasn’t ready to do that, so she did nothing at all.

  Thorn pulled her athame out of her bag and began pacing the room. She focused on the door and drew a pentacle in the air over it, chanting the whole time. When she was done, her pentacle flashed in violet before winking out. The room was protected.

  “That’s impressive,” Sé said. “That athame stays in your bag, right?”

  She gave him a withering look.

  “I was joking, Thorn. I know how special those are.”

  “Good, I suggest we get some sleep now. I’m about to fall over.”

  “You look like it. You’ve had quite the day.” His eyes softened as he said this. It made Thorn warm up and want to sleep next to this big, muscled man. His ebony hair was tousled from the ride over and he had a day’s worth of stubble on his face, adding to his bad boy appearance. All together the package was just the kind that appealed to her. Though that hadn’t made much difference before. Since Japan, her social life had been non-existent. It took a long time to really get to know someone. She remembered how big, brash Harley had caved.

  She kicked off her boots and climbed into the bed, trying to scoot over to the edge of the wall. Sé climbed in after her. The futon groaned slightly under his bulk but was quiet once he settled. Thorn closed her eyes and inhaled Sé’s scent – redolent of fresh air, sandalwood and a hint of mint—a good scent. When she opened her eyes, she found Sé staring at her. She smiled at him and then closed her eyes again, this
time surrendering to sleep.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Aphrodite and Venus, bring me a lover. Let him be faithful and true, let him love me for who I am and let me love him for who he is.

  The sun was setting through the window when Sé woke in the early evening. Orange and red light danced on the wall across from him. He was still facing Thorn and he quietly enjoyed watching her while she slept. Beautiful aquiline nose, pouty lips, and hair that he ached to run his fingers through. As if he called to her, she opened her violet eyes and met his stare. She was slow to mimic his smile. If she was like him, she was trying to get her bearings.

  “Good evening,” Sé said.

  “Good evening to you. How long have you been awake?”

  “Just a minute longer than you. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Ach, it’s time we get up and moving. Do you want to take a shower?” Thorn asked, while she sat up.

  Sé sat up too, “I’d love to. You sure you don’t want to go first?”

  “Yeah, I’m going to call Uncle Charles and let him know I’m okay, so you go ahead.”

  “Thanks, Thorn,” Sé said, smiling at her. He couldn’t help himself. He was in a great mood. He shouldn’t be. He was hanging out with and harboring a fugitive. He’d be kicked off the force at minimum and could go to jail at the most. He should be kicking himself but he wasn’t.

  He waited for Thorn to take the ward off the room and then headed to the bathroom to take a shower. He adjusted the water to a tepid temperature. He needed to cool off. His head was racing with Thorn. What the fuck was he getting into, he wondered wryly. Sé shook his head dry and toweled off. He had to wear yesterday’s clothes as he hadn’t planned on going off the grid with Thorn.

  “Your turn,” Sé said, walking back in the room. He caught Thorn on the phone with Charles. She motioned him over to the phone.