by SF Benson
The incubus lifts his hands as if he’s surrendering. “I won’t be a problem. I welcome the change. If I didn’t, you’d know.”
Victor nods.
“If we’re done here…” The Najex stands. “I have places to be.”
We watch the sharp-dressed demon stalk across the floor.
After the front door slams, Audra says, “Good riddance. The creature gives me the creeps.”
“And yet you encourage him,” I point out.
Her full mouth curls up. “Hey, it’s what wolves do.” She walks over to Victor. “You’ll be fine. I’ll let Brady know what’s happened here. We need to have a community meeting with all the heads of state. You can count on the Romero and Nevers packs to help you in any way needed. Tell your girl to give me a call.”
The female wolf heads for the exit, leaving me alone with the young vampire.
“Okay, Old Man, be honest with me,” Victor says as he returns to his chair.
This time I join him at the table. “Falls Creek has had enough changes to last two lifetimes. I know what I told you about coming back to town, but the smart thing would be to hold off a bit.”
His eyes darken. “For how long?”
“A few months. Give the supernaturals a chance to adjust to you as a leader before you force all of your doctrines down their throats.” When the vampire opens his mouth to protest, I hold up my hand. “Hear me out. This isn’t a ruse. You’re welcome to run things as you see fit. I’m simply suggesting you’ll gather more allies by feeding them a spoonful of ideas at a time. Shoving it down their throats in one sitting will only earn you enemies.”
Victor presses his lips together, possibly considering my words. He drains his goblet and wipes the residue from his mouth with the back of his hand. “Where was all this wisdom when you were a wraith?”
Good question. “I guess I didn’t have a reason to be agreeable.”
“And you do now?” He leans back, tipping the chair on two legs. “So it’s true then?”
My heart suddenly taps out an erratic rhythm. “What’s true?”
“Rumor has it you saved a human because she interests you.” Victor inclines his head. “Personally, I thought it was bullshit. That would require a heart, and we all know the irascible Uraeleus doesn’t have one.”
Ouch. Definitely a falsehood since the one occupying my chest is thumping like a maiden caught in a vampire’s gaze. “I assure you, Victor, I have one, but you’ve misinterpreted what you’ve heard.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I saved a human, but my only interest is to make sure she recovers,” I say, wanting desperately to believe my own rhetoric.
Victor’s head moves side to side while his lips purse. “I cry bullshit. You don’t do good deeds for anyone. There’s something special about this woman.”
My mouth opens, but now it’s Victor holding up a hand to stop me.
“Don’t worry, Old Man. I’m not judging you. Only pointing out the obvious. I don’t know your history, but if you’ve found someone who makes you happy and less disagreeable, I’m with The Najex. If we have any say in the matter, you’ll stay human. Live out your life with this girl. Maybe this time when your number’s up, you’ll cross over and never haunt this planet again.”
An intriguing thought.
On my walk back to the hospital, I contemplate what Audra, Victor, and even The Najex had to say. Have I really become more of a likable being? If so, when did it happen? I honestly don’t think all of the blame can be placed on Antoinette’s slender shoulders. After all, she didn’t ask me to save her, so that means the change happened earlier.
Does my altered behavior bother me? I’m not sure. I think it might change my plans though. Maybe all I need is a shift in attitude instead of locale.
An empty bed greets me when I return to Antoinette’s room. How could she be gone? I dash through the halls, searching for some sign of her. Not watching where I’m going, I collide into a soft body. Breasts. Red hair. It’s the nurse I had my sights on before.
Before things became weird with Antoinette, that is.
“I’m sorry,” I say, taking a huge step backward.
She flashes a toothy smile. “Don’t be. I was hoping we’d run into each other.”
“Oh?” I try not to stare at her chest as I glance at her name tag. “Delaney, why is that?”
She holds up a slip of paper. “To give you this. Call me sometime.”
Cautiously, I take the note from her manicured hands. Fingers tipped in a bright shade of pink grasp mine. My thoughts are on Antoinette, not this…this lovely woman.
She leans closer, letting her bosom rub against my arm. “I’ll have you know I have a thing for wraiths.”
Glancing into her face, swirling indigo eyes stare back at me. Damn. Delaney’s a fucking siren.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I shove her phone number into my pocket. “Can you tell me where my friend is?”
Delaney’s mouth twists. “The human? She’s in therapy. The doctors wanted to see what she’s able to do before they discharge her.”
It’s too soon for that. Those idiots are going to mess around, and Antoinette will never recover.
Would that be such a bad thing?
Yes, if it means never seeing her again.
“What are they doing to her?” I ask.
The siren awkwardly folds her arms over her capacious breasts and inclines her head to one side. “Word of advice? Let it go. She’s a human. You’re a wraith. The only way you two can get together is in the afterlife. Frankly, I hear you’re older than this town. I don’t think the girl is into… Gee. What do you call a man in his thousands?”
The irksome being sashays away. Not once since I took on a semi-permanent body have I missed being able to dematerialize. Until now. There’s nothing tugging on me, letting me know where to find Antoinette. It’s best I return to Cherina’s. I’ll be back in the morning.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Uraeleus
When I arrive, Cherina greets me at the door with a curious expression. She doesn’t utter anything verbally, but the look on her face says a thousand words as she blocks the hall.
“Don’t speak,” I warn and push past her. The last thing I want is an argument.
My body craves food and drink, but I’m not particularly interested. When you’ve done without it for years, what’s a few more minutes? The rumble in my gut begs not to be ignored though. Unfortunately, there’s too much on my mind. Maybe I can find some solace in sleep. I take the stairs two at a time, rushing to my destination.
Alas, even the dead can’t find peace around Cherina. The persistent witch leaves me alone for only a few minutes, and then she comes into my room. Leaning against the doorframe, her gaze slides over my tired frame. “Did you meet Delaney?”
“Delaney?” The name doesn’t resonate with me.
“Red hair. Big boobs.”
My mouth opens as I realize who she means. Shaking my head, I snap my lips shut. I should have known Cherina was behind the sudden introduction. There wasn’t a good reason for the nurse to approach me.
Seconds turn into minutes. Before the staggering silence stretches further, I say, “You can’t help interfering, can you?”
She shrugs her shoulders. “I was trying to be helpful. Marcus, you need a diversion. It’s been ages since you’ve been intimate with anyone. I spoke to Delaney and discovered she has a thing for wraiths. It’s my understanding she even gives ghosts scream-worthy orgasms.”
“Are you fucking with me?” My gaze swings to Cherina. Does she really think this is about me getting laid? If I only needed sex, I could have had plenty by now. “I think I’ll pass on the siren.”
“Suit yourself.” Cherina tucks her chin and gazes at the floor. “So, you want to tell me what’s bothering you then?”
What I’m about to ask borders on fishing, but I’m desperate for an answer, and Cherina is the only one who knows me well enough to give i
t to me. “Before I saved the human, did you notice anything different about me? Did I act abnormally?”
Cherina taps her lips with a finger while her eyebrows squish together. After a minute or so, she shakes her head. “If you want an honest answer, I have to say no. You’ve always been unpleasant. Marcus, ever since the first day we met, you’ve been argumentative, rude, and the most self-centered asshole I’ve ever dealt with. For the record, I’ve encountered some very vulgar spirits. But you, my friend, would embarrass the ghost of Genghis Khan.”
My head jerks back.
She smiles. “Over time you have learned to be nicer to me. As far as what’s going on now… Honestly, nothing changed about you until after you saved that girl.” Cherina arches an eyebrow. “Are you seeing the error of your ways, Marcus?”
Averting my eyes from the witch, I think about what she said. In order to admit error, there has to be evidence of wrongdoing. We’re taught as children that there’s nothing wrong in helping others—I see that now. As we age, it’s up to us to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong, but kindness holds true despite it all. For once, my conscience is clear.
“No.” I push to my feet and shrug on my jacket. “I think I’m finally seeing the way.”
Cherina’s eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
“I’m going out.” I pat her arm and place a chaste kiss on her cheek. “See you in the morning.”
I spend the rest of the day walking around Falls Creek, appreciating the town for a change—the color of the leaves, the historic homes, the shops, and the businesses. All things I’ve taken for granted. All I’ve ever seen is red as I drifted from one end of town to the other. My discontent has colored my thoughts, my mood, and my behavior. It’s fucking sad when you think about it.
Is it possible that thousands of years after my death I’ve finally learned my lesson? After all, I’ve done more good since Antoinette’s accident than I have the entire time I was alive. How could that be? Better question: why now?
Before I know it, I’m standing on the sidewalk near the Mohawk River. It’s peaceful for the moment. Across the street, supernaturals and unsuspecting humans line up outside the Temptation Club. A chill runs down my back. I’m not alone. Turning around, I find Victor.
The vampire, dressed in black jeans and a leather jacket, stands with his hands tucked in his pockets. It still amazes me how his kind doesn’t feel the cold. I’m freezing.
“C-can I help you?” I ask him, my teeth chattering. My attitude is finding its way back home.
“Not really,” he admits in a monotone. “I was on my way into the Club. Care to join me?”
Jerking my head toward the building, I say, “In there? Do you think it’s wise?”
“Probably not, but remember, I don’t follow rules.” He tilts his head to the side. “Come on, Old Man. I’ll buy you a drink, and we’ll talk for a bit.”
“If you’ll refrain from calling me Old Man, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Victor laughs and steps off the curb.
Samson, a bear shifter and one of the club’s bouncers, guards the door. The bald, seven-foot giant stares at me. His ears, bottom lip, and eyebrows are pierced and tattoos cover his skin. Returning his glare, I wonder how much larger the creature gets when he transforms.
“Victor,” he growls.
“Samson,” the vampire responds. “How’s it going tonight?”
The shifter keeps his deep-set, dark eyes fixed on me. “Uraeleus?”
“I go by Marc now,” I say.
His eyebrows lift, but he lets me walk in.
Pulsating trance music and bouncing strobe lights greet us. Bodies ricochet off each other as we slice a path through the crowd. Honestly, I’ve never understood mankind’s inclination to embrace bad music and strange dances. Back in my day, I didn’t care for any of it. In retrospect, I didn’t make time for that type of entertainment. Beautiful women moaning beneath my loins was the only music I enjoyed.
We shuffle through the gyrating throng until we reach the rear of the packed, overheated room. Instead of going up the stairs, Victor heads to the manager’s office. I’m grateful when he closes the door behind us, muffling the throbbing noise. He goes to a small wet bar in a far corner. I make myself comfortable on the sofa.
“Do you have a preference, Old… Marc?”
“I prefer bourbon.” The whiskey I had at the sports bar had a nice flavor to it. “Vodka if you don’t.”
Victor reads a few labels before he picks up a bottle of Devil’s Mark, pours a good amount into a crystal tumbler, and passes it to me.
“Thanks.” I take a long, healthy swig, savoring the taste before letting my head rest against the back of the sofa. Much better than the watered down swill Romans called wine. A metallic smell tickles my nose and forces my head up.
“So, talk to me, Marc.” Victor sits across from me sipping from a wine glass filled with blood.
Lifting a hand to my nose, I attempt to breathe despite the stench. “Is that necessary?”
“The crimson bothers you?” The corners of his full lips quirk up. “How long have you been in that body?”
“A few days.” Bile rises up my throat. “Please…” I swallow hard. “Unless you want me puking on your feet…please.”
Victor laughs, stands, and downs the glass’s contents in one swallow. He rinses the goblet in a sink before returning to his seat. “Humanity is taking its hold on you. Do you intend to stay in this form?”
“Honestly? I hadn’t thought about it.” I lie and take another sip.
“But that’s changed, hasn’t it?” Victor crosses his ankle over a knee. “Can I offer you some free advice, Old Man?”
I cut my eyes toward Victor.
“Sorry, Marc. Force of habit.” He pauses for a moment. “For whatever reason, you saved a life. Unusual behavior for you to say the least. Be honest with me. Are you interested in this human?”
Other than Cherina, no one has asked me the question, and I’ve been trying hard to not think about it. “I find her…intriguing.”
“Come on, Marc. Have you been out of the game that long? Is she pretty?”
Yes, I have been out of the game that long. So much time has passed I don’t even know what the game looks like anymore.
“Antoinette is beautiful. She reminds me of a woman from my past. Someone I loved.” I close my eyes briefly and picture Cordelia’s face. It quickly morphs into Antoinette’s. In my mind, they are one and the same. But my heart knows the difference… I hope.
“Okay. So you are interested in her.” Victor leans back in the chair, touching his finger to his upper lip.
My face heats up.
Victor breaks into a short laugh. “No need to be embarrassed. You’ve been around for a damned long time, Marc. Don’t you think you deserve to find someone?”
I toss back my drink, appreciating the burn, and instantly wish for another one. “No. Assholes don’t deserve anything, especially beautiful women.”
His eyebrows furrow for a moment. “What the hell did you do so wrong when you were alive?”
“Everything.” I scrub a hand over my bristly face. “I cheated, lied, and stole. I fucked around with every female who’d spread her legs for me. I killed, maimed, and ruined good men. When I did find a worthy woman, my Cordelia, I didn’t stand up for her. And when I needed someone to clear my name, I quickly discovered my name wasn’t worth shit. I wasn’t worth shit.”
“Fuuucck,” the vamp says. He glances down at the floor for a moment before lifting his widened eyes to me. “Marc, you’ve had a helluva life, but I say cut yourself some slack. It’s all behind you and not a person alive remembers any of it.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Dropping my chin, I say, “I remember.”
Victor sits forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “And what good is it doing you? Excuse me for saying it, but you’re a miserable bastard. Now I know why you’re so damned disagreeable all the time. As much
as I dislike being a vampire…”
The statement takes me by surprise. Our eyes meet, and I see he’s not lying.
“As I was saying… As much as I dislike being a vampire, I have had some fun over the years. My problem was being alone. I hated facing each and every day and night without someone. With Kelsie… Let’s just say the afterlife is a much nicer place.”
When your thoughts are clouded with your own shit, you can’t see anyone else’s misery. I’m guessing that’s why Victor fought so hard for the succubus. And my response was despicable.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I was an ass to the two of you for no good reason,” I apologize.
“Dried blood as far as I’m concerned,” Victor says. “What’s important is realizing you can change your existence. If you return to being a wraith, you’ll walk this earth until it’s gone. Doesn’t sound very exciting if you ask me. Just because you wasted your life the first time around, doesn’t mean you can’t have a better one this time.”
I wave my hand over my body. “This is borrowed time. As soon as Antoinette is on the road to recovery, I have to go back to being a wraith.”
“Bullshit.” Victor’s eyebrows raise as a slick smile spreads across his face. “You need to learn how to bend rules. This could be your second chance at happiness. Are you going to let it slip by because of a technicality?”
Second chances aren’t available for the likes of me.
The vampire continues his diatribe as he pads over to the bar. “Bottom line? You don’t get to choose who you fall in love with. I sure as hell didn’t. I’m not saying you’re in love with this girl, but what if?”
I scratch my head. Love was not my intention the night I saved Antoinette and her friend. I wanted… What? What on earth compels a bitter old cur to do good?
“Think about it, Old Man.” Victor refills my glass. “What if you didn’t have to go back to being a wraith? What if you could have happiness with this girl who reminds you of the woman you lost?”
What if indeed.