Khaldon swiped off the phone. “Dog’s Bollocks! Vhalencia, Ichi, Devdan, and Chuck will be here in a few hours. You can count on them to take care of Harris. They’ll watch out after Briggs as well.”
“We don’t need anyone else looking out after my brother.” Kalina took a defensive posture above his body as though she were a momma eagle guarding her nest. “I’m here, and no one will do anything to him.”
“Could you be any more melodramatic?” I asked.
Kalina straightened and went back to inspecting her fingernails.
I pulled on Khaldon’s sleeve. “Who are these people, and why would you trust them to take care of my family?”
“It’s quite simple really. Vhalencia is my progeny. She is family too.”
Chapter Ten
Cheyenne O’Cuinn
The noonday sun beat down on me with the force of a lead pipe while the tang of hot asphalt and greasy street vendor food produced a heavy cloying sensation in my mouth. My stomach grumbled with an ache for more blood. Live blood. Not that pasteurized, in-a-plastic-bag type of blood. I needed the real deal—or Cheetos. I couldn’t tell anymore.
The hunger surging through my veins ran deeper. It was getting to the point where I was desperate enough to drain a human, a dog, or even a rat. Any minute, I was going to start looking for places to stash bodies.
My filthy clothes clung to me with the remnants of my little sister, blood, and sweat. I dared a sniff under my arms and was rewarded with my own foul, pungent odor.
I was in dire need of a shower.
Paramedics drove up with the ambulance to transport Harris to the poison control center. Looking skyward, desperately hoping for inspiration, I silently waited for that inner voice to give me a hint that my decision was the right one.
I should leave with Harris, but dammit, I have to get back to Sheridan.
Khaldon walked up to me with four people I’d never seen before.
It took me off guard to be meeting his closest friends while I looked, felt, and smelled pathetic. But it’s inevitable, right? No one ever sees you dressed up in your best. But be damned if you run to the 7-11 for gas, a bottle of Coke, and some powdered donuts with your hair thrown up in pony tail and pre-period breakouts all over your face. Of course you’re wearing the pajama bottoms you didn’t bother to change out of either. You’ll run into three people you haven’t seen since high school.
Khaldon held his hand at the small of a woman’s back. “Cheyenne, I would like to introduce you to Vhalencia De La Fuente. The slyest fox of a thief you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.” Khaldon presented me with a stunningly beautiful Spanish woman on his arm.
Shell-shocked, I gawked at her and secretly coveted the leather thigh-high boots that seemed to accentuate every curve of her muscular legs. She had to be the most attractive lady I’d ever seen, with feathery black hair and seductive brown eyes. Her mouth was alluring, even to me.
Seriously? She is his progeny? So that is who he must have been contacting when he showed Ludovic how to mind-message Dakota.
Khaldon continued his introductions of the three intimidating men standing beside him. “This is Ichi Murasaki—our master healer of Eastern medicine. Devdan Sarat—a clerical mage with a deadly prayer. And Chlodochar Lothar, our alchemist of the group, but everyone calls him Chuck. He’s quite handy with a chainsaw, too.”
He gestured to all of them with a broad spread of his hands. “These crazy peeps are my family. I am honored to finally introduce you. My crew—this is m’lady—Cheyenne O’Cuinn.”
They resembled an ancient wall of unified purpose, as though they’d been a team, a made-for-each-other family, for a millennium. For all I knew, they had. I envisioned a battlefield tapestry hanging somewhere or an oil painting of this troupe after a night of debauchery and human exploit.
Standing in front of me, they revealed silly grins on their faces possibly hiding an ancient mystical secret. It seemed they knew quite a bit more about me since I apparently knew nothing about them.
Not sure whether to curtsy, nod, or shake their hands, I swallowed and tried to plaster a genuine smile despite the fact I was still covered in goo and reeked to high heaven. Plus, I would be turning Harris over to their care in a few minutes.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you. I wish I could say I’ve heard more of you, but I don’t believe an opportune time has come up.” I perked an eyebrow in Khaldon’s direction.
Vhalencia peeked up at Khaldon and winked. I imprisoned the green monster crawling out of my heart and managed to keep him at bay. She stepped forward and hugged me tightly around the shoulders and then held my face close to hers as she studied me.
She turned her head toward Khaldon without letting go. In a thick Spanish accent, she greeted me. “Oh, Señor Khaldon, she is simply captivating. Wherever did you find her? She is so … American.”
Devdan snapped off a picture from a camera hung around his neck, and Vhalencia pinched my cheeks like I was a Christmas puppy.
I smiled, stepped back, and broke the embrace, managing to square my shoulders and speak the best Irish I could muster. “I was born in Kerry, Ireland, and bloody proud of it.”
“Of course you were, my dear.” She patted my shoulder and then discreetly wiped her hand on her hip-huggin’ jeans. Vhalencia pulled a Kleenex out of her bag and glanced at Khaldon and then back at me. “Now don’t you worry about a dhing. We are here to take care of your brother, Harris, isn’t it?”
I tried to correct her, but she didn’t allow a single word.
“No worries, my sweet. We’ll have him under 24/7 security guard. He’ll never be alone.” She peeked back over her shoulder and giggled. “You’re practically family.”
She handed me an overnight bag. “Here, I brought you a change of clothing, some personal toiletries, some makeup….” She rumbled through the bag and pulled out a small crystal vial with a hose-and-bulb spray pump. She spritzed the toilet water into the air. “Some perfume.…” She held her fingers under her nose, but she smiled and danced her eyes, all while breathing in the crisp, clean scent of lavender. “And a little gift from all of us. We are so endeared to finally meet you.” She cupped my cheek and pursed her pouty lips. She turned to stare at Khaldon and placed her hands on her hips as though this topic had been a bone of contention. “Unfortunately, we are meeting under such trying circumstances. Tsk tsk tsk. I’m sure next time our visit will be much nicer. I hope you’ll come to the villa soon.”
Not sure what to say, I opened my mouth to thank her, but she seemed to be done with me and moved on to the next shiny thing.
“Where’s my Torchy? I simply must see him before we leave.” Vhalencia gracefully pirouetted and scanned the area for him.
Can you say “squirrel?”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to. I just haven’t had a chance to—”
Vhalencia looked back at me pressed and her index finger to my lips, flashing me a sweet wicked grin.
“It was nothing. When Señor Seters asked me to bring you a few dhings, we couldn’t resist.”
Her smile was so contagious; it actually made my whole body feel better. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the reason, but if I had to describe Vhalencia, I would venture to say she reminded me of my sister Dakota. Or at least the way she used to be. Immaculate, manicured, beautiful, and not a hair out of place. Always giving me little presents and wanting me to fix myself up. I wanted to like her, but now knowing she was also a master thief, I knew there was no way I would ever completely trust her.
Chuck picked me up and tossed me into the air a couple times like I was a rag doll. The bile in my stomach threatened to come up. He was huge and his arms were as big around as my thigh.
Ichi said, “You make her toss cookies. Put her down.” Ichi reached up and eased me down from Chuck’s grasp.
Chuck then handed me a bottle of pomegranate bloodwine, and my stomach fell in love with him.
I hope this stuff isn’t fro
m an illegal blood orchard.
“Oh, thank you. You’re a saint.”
“Ja, I’ve been called vorse,” Chuck winked.
“Chainsaw, huh?”
He shrugged. “It gets the job done.” His eyes grew wild as though he were begging for some of that action Khaldon had spoken of before.
“Yeah, that’s a little frightening.” I patted his chest. It was as solid as an oak door.
Why weren’t these guys with us on that island?
From a distance, I heard Torchy call out, “I’m here, Vhal.”
An orderly pushed him in a wheelchair out toward us.
Vhalencia darted her eyes back at me and winked, “Enjoy the goodies. I’ll see you soon, my dear. Ta ta!”
Ichi handed me a little gold paper sack. “You take these twice day. It will heal damage no object has touched.” He handed me the bag with both hands. I accepted his gift in kind, and then he held a hand over his heart.
Was he offering me Chinese herbs for depression?
Ichi was straight out of a kung-fu movie. He could have been a brother to Master Pai Mei from Kill Bill. His brilliantly white top knot hair was held up with a wooden chopstick. I’m sure the ornamental stick had seen more action than sushi. He stroked his white beard down to a point on his chest. His outfit was complete with the little black bootie shoes kung fu fighters wore. I wasn’t about to piss off this guy.
“Thank you. Do I take them on a full stomach?”
Ichi bowed toward me, and I returned the gesture remembering to look him in the eyes.
For the briefest of moments, he smiled, and then as soon as it arrived, it fled once again.
“You drink first thing in the morning and then again in twelve hour. No soon, no later.”
“Okay, got it. I will take them until they’re gone.” I bowed again and Devden snapped another photo.
I turned my attention to him. “Oh, please don’t. I’m a total wreck. I’m a grand-prize winner for one of The Walking Dead premieres. All I need is to lose a shoe, and I’d be complete.”
Devden laughed in a quick ha-ha-ha. He wore a white turban and a knee-length dress shirt of sorts. The leather boots were made of a laced-up suede and flat-footed soles. He also toted a formidable blade at his side.
“Is that a scimitar?” I reached to touch the hilt but then thought better of it. “Do you carry an exclusive license for that thing?”
Devden laughed out loud once again. “Babuji, you never told me she would keep me in stitches.”
Khaldon slapped him on the back. “Oh yes. Stick with her, and you’ll never know what bodily harm she may do to you.” He blew me a kiss.
I scowled at him.
Devden pulled the scimitar out of the leather catch he wore around his waist and held out the intimidating blade. “I finished this myself.”
I gawked at the mastery of the craftsmanship and gently handed it back to him. This guy was definitely not someone to mess with. I shook my head in disbelief. “Wow, I don’t have words for how beautiful this is. I hope one day to watch you work.”
From what I could tell, Devden blushed at my words and gave me a small bow, accepting my compliment. “I sometimes will hold expeditions at Torchy’s Super Market locations. Perhaps you’ll see me there one day.”
My eyes shone with delight. “Yes, I would truly enjoy that very much.”
“Vait ein minute. I pounded the heavy metals, Devdan.” Chuck stood straighter and taller than before.
Dude was an oak and looked like he could break one in half.
“It took both of us together to make that blade. Devdan does the fine finishing details.” A look of immense pride came over both of the men as Chuck continued. “Ve are ein good team.”I turned to Khaldon. “Why weren’t these guys with us on that island?”
Khaldon’s eyes grew as wide as an Anime character as if the thought never occurred to him. He opened his mouth to answer but I hushed him.
“Hold that thought,” I said.
The paramedics wheeled Harris out, and I ran over before they could load him into the ambulance. I reached for his hand, hoping he might have gained enough consciousness for me to explain the circumstances.
No luck.
I knew he couldn’t squeeze back, but I wanted him to know he was not alone and he was going to be all right soon. At least I prayed he would.
I glanced up at the laughter and commotion from Torchy. It was good to see his spirits up. He apparently knew these people and seemed more at peace than I had ever seen him. I trusted his judgment, so I presumed they were legit. Vhalencia bent over and kissed him soundly on the mouth.
Interesting … maybe too good. They sure are a friendly bunch.
Khaldon placed his hand in the small of my back. “Are you all right, m’sweet?” He gazed down at Harris and also touched his shoulder as well. It was though he completed a circuit of love between us.
I halfway nodded and tilted my head in a shake, not clear on how I felt or what to say. Dazed, numb, and starving, I wanted nothing more than to hit control-Z on this whole ordeal and return to pre-SHTF—shit hit the fan—days. Bygone was the time when everyone was alive, no one was undead, no one was a demon, vampire, werewolf, or a dragon. My so-called life was normal.
Khaldon leaned in and squeezed my hand. I looked down at Harris and worried the fabric of the sheet between my fingers. Even though I didn’t know them, Khaldon had called in close friends, family members, to watch Harris for me. I would have to trust, something I wasn’t especially adept at.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m sure we’ll be able to talk to him by tomorrow. Ichi and Chuck will be with him constantly, and you can text them anytime you want, all right?” Khaldon’s calm reassurance helped to reduce the tension that had been building in my gut.
With Harris still harnessed to the bed, Ichi, Chuck, and the paramedic bumped elbows to noses more than once. He tried to make the fellas exit the ambulance, but their stoic faces told everyone they weren’t leaving.
Somewhat placated that things would be all right for Harris, Chuck nodded to me. His silent gesture purchased me a moment to exhale a held breath of discomfort.
Torchy called out, “They’re releasing you too, mate?”
I popped my head up and noticed Kalina hurriedly pushing Briggs in a wheelchair away from the entrance and toward a red pickup truck.
I gave Harris’ toe one last squeeze. “Please guys, take care of him for me. I wish I had more time to get to know you.” I handed Chuck an envelope. “Could you give this to him when he wakes up?”
Ichi Murasaki bent forward in a namaste type hand gesture. Chuck took hold of the envelope and stuffed it in his breast jacket pocket. In a strong German accent said, “Ja, it vould be my honor to deliver zis message to him vhen he avakes.” Chuck then blew me a kiss.
These guys are friendly, I’ll give them that.
“Thank you.” I released the bed rail and instinctively kissed the tips of my fingers, blowing kisses back to the men. I prayed for the Goddess to shower healing and protection over them all.
I ran after Briggs.
“What the hell are you doing?” I caught up to Kalina and pulled on her upper arm to stop her from moving. “Where are you going with him?” I squinted at the sunlight bouncing off the concrete pavement. “How are you even able to leave here of your own free will, or are you bailing before the cops get here?”
My grasp held firm. She had well-defined muscles under her shirt. A tattoo of a dragon slithered out from under her sleeve and snaked around my wrist. Heated red marks formed around my fingers where the purple dragon curled and dug in. Its claws and teeth were about to draw blood.
“What the….” I wrenched my hand away as Kalina jerked her bicep out of my grasp.
The dragon receded and whooshed away with the wind.
Her eyes spoke volumes of warning.
Khaldon rolled up, pushing Torchy in the wheelchair with Vhalencia and Devden beside him.
; I turned to them. “Shouldn’t Kalina be going to jail for Tiffany’s murder or manslaughter or accidental on-purpose homicide or something?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but Briggs held out his hand to quiet her.
“Now, Chey Chey—the proper authorities ’ave been notified about dzis unfortunate incident with dze girl. But dzese things ’appen with ’umans, no? They’re quite fragile to dze likes of us. I will be eternally grateful to the young lady, and I’ve ensured Tiffany’s family receives closure and recompense.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Khaldon explained further. “It happens. Remember when you killed those innocents when you first changed? You didn’t go to jail, did you? In fact, you were simply doing what came naturally. Humans are not the top of the food chain on this planet, and this is simply an incidental event. This death is justifiable in our culture because Kalina used the human power source to save Briggs’ life. No crime was committed here. The real crime would have been to allow a dragon to perish.”
Kalina dazzled a brilliant smile as the righteous indignation of the moment crashed over me like a cooler full of ice water. I understood it, and Khaldon was right.
I blinked at him. Hating his logic and my actions.
I had killed those kids and heaven knows who else, and I didn’t land any trouble. It never even occurred to me that I would. Lord Stovall had sent out an absturger team for cleanup. Other than dealing with the guilt of my human emotions, I never thought about their deaths again.
Knowing I had properly been put in my place, I couldn’t accuse Kalina of wrongdoing if I too had exacted the same crime against humanity.
But it wasn’t a crime, it was survival. And Briggs needed to survive.
My eyes asked for agreement from Vhalencia and Torchy, but they had equally sad expressions on their faces and nodded their heads in agreement.
“I guess this is something I’ll have to get used to.” I rubbed my forehead and winced in the sunlight. I wished for a pair of sunglasses to hide my embarrassment.
“So help me understand,” I scratched my head. “One person or two persons can easily go under the radar as missing and/or dead and it doesn’t bother anyone, but illegal blood orchards and kidnapping people, that’s a crime? Where is the line drawn in the sand? Who makes these decisions?”
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