The largest of the leather wrapped grease balls stared at me with such hatred that if the look had missed me and hit a tree, it would surely have caught fire. He stepped out into the road. “You’re gonna pay for this, vamper!”
I stepped forward. “Oh, I’m no vamper.” I spread my arms wide and continued smiling. “I’m a messenger of god.”
“You’re fixin’ to meet your dear and fluffy lord sooner than you think.” He marched toward me, and a few of his cohorts fell into step behind him.
He took a swing and I felt the bones of his hand crunch when he made contact with my chin. He cursed and cupped his ruined hand with the other. “I told you. I’m not a vampire.”
He turned to those behind him. “Cut this motherfucker!”
I saw the glint of polished blades in the moonlight and the scent of silver was strong on the still air. I actually sighed as I stepped forward. “Let’s dance ladies.”
I pulled my angel blades from their scabbards and felt them vibrate with anticipation in my hands; I’ll admit, I did feel a bit…avenging. The first few who attacked dove at me like idiots. I easily side stepped their feeble trajectory, slicing them in half with the golden blades as they soared past.
More men poured from the bar and they began to try to circle me. Those closest to me waved their silver blades and tried to intimidate me. Obviously they had no idea it wasn’t working. They came at me like madmen. Blades sliced through the air and men tried to strike, kick or tackle me. They moved so slowly that even without the angel juice running through my veins, I’m sure I could have easily avoided their attempts. My golden blades went to work on those closest to me. Body parts rolled away and blood poured in the streets.
A gunshot echoed in the night air and I turned to see a small framed man holding a very large revolver, smoke still rising from the barrel. If he had actually hit me, I didn’t feel it. I quickly pulled my automatic from the shoulder holster and placed two in his chest before turning my attention back to the other men. If they were going to come at me with blades, then I would gladly introduce them to the afterlife with a blade of my own. But I will not be accused of bringing a knife to a gun fight.
The dance didn’t last long. Each man stupid enough to engage me soon found himself dancing with Death, and she is a unforgiving bitch.
I stood looking over the battleground. I couldn’t be certain that all of them had been sent to Valhalla, or wherever they’d been planning, but I didn’t see any slip away from the fray and I could hear no footsteps running in the darkness. I turned slowly, taking in the carnage, when a grunt sounded behind me and something bit sharply into my thigh.
“Take that you son of a–"
I turned to find the first attacker attached to my leg by his blade, the bone handle still in his grasp. When I grasped his hand, his eyes rounded with surprise and he stared at me, his mouth refusing to form the words that his mind was racing to ask.
I crushed the bones before dismembering the entire offending arm and flinging it away from me. I wrapped my hand around the knife and pulled it from my thigh.
Fuck, that hurt. “I told you. I’m no vampire,” I said to the weeping bad ass on the ground at my feet. I tossed the blade aside and watched as the man tried to crawl away over the broken bodies of his cohorts.
“W-what are you, man?” He began to cry as he realized that his minutes were numbered.
I grabbed him by the shirt and lifted his blood soaked form up to meet my eyes. “I’m the devil.”
I stared into his eyes as my hands grasped either side of his head. It crushed like a grape in my grip and I dropped him to the ground with his clubmates. I stepped over the body parts littering my path and went back to my tree. It wasn’t long before Marcus arrived with cars following closely behind.
I stepped from the shadows and nodded to the pieces scattered across the way. “Are these all of them?”
Marcus stared wide eyed and nodded. “I…I think so. If there are any stragglers, we’ll…we’ll take care of them…sir.”
I stepped past him and muttered, “Perhaps you should consider investing in some guns.”
He shot me a surprised look and it hit me that the thought had never dawned on him. “You may be at the top of the food chain, but if the prey starts fighting back with silver, an up close and personal scuffle’s not going to end well. You need to be able to put distance between you.” I nodded to the man near the door with the two bullet holes in his chest. “Never feel that modern weapons are beneath you. It may be the only thing keeping you alive.”
I walked away and into the surrounding woods, considering the case closed. I bled into the shadows and when I knew I was clear, I transported myself home.
I walked along the narrow paved driveway and onto the entry. As soon as I stepped inside, Laura turned, her eyes wide. “You’re back alre–" She stopped short and she stared at my blood soaked clothes. “What happened?”
“I took care of the problem.” I stepped farther inside and glanced to the floor. The tile was covered in blood and I didn’t dare get it on the carpet…hey, I might as well enjoy the highlife; I knew it wouldn’t last. I looked up at her and shrugged. “I’ll uh…undress out here.”
I stepped back out through the door and stripped in the grass, in full view of the cameras. Did some spectacular posing. Then I stepped into a “dead zone” where I felt confident I wasn’t in their view. I opened my eyes and was in the shower.
The hot water felt good against my skin and I rested my shaved head against the cold tile of the wall while the water beat on my body. It wasn’t so much that I was sore or even hurt. Hell, the knife wound in my thigh healed almost immediately once the blade was removed.
I was just drained. Mentally. I needed to rest my mind. Recharge my chi battery or something.
The door to the bathroom opened and Laura stepped inside. “I didn’t hear you come back in.” She paused, possibly waiting for a response. “I picked you up some clothes today. They’re hanging in the closet. I had to guess at the sizes but I think they’re probably close.”
“I’m sure they’re fine.” I spun around and let the water spray my face. I looked down and saw the blood swirling down the drain.
I turned my head slightly and watched her walk out of the bathroom. “Thank you.”
She paused and muttered, “You’re welcome,” then disappeared through the closet and I let the steamy water run.
I PULLED THE blue jeans from the hanger and looked at them. I’d had canvas pants before, but never denim. They seemed too…utilitarian. And these looked like they had been worn before. The material was soft and faded. I pulled the tag from them and read it. “Stone washed.” I raised a brow. I didn’t think anybody actually washed clothes with stones these days. I thought everybody used machines. Cool. Like I always said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I slipped the pants on and they were actually comfortable. Now I knew why so many people preferred them.
I grabbed a t-shirt from the stack and pulled it on. It was a bit tight on my frame, but it worked. I stepped back and looked at my reflection. Other than the ancient tattoos, I could probably pass for anybody from this century, in fact, even with the tattoos–and the shaved head. At least I didn’t look like a blonde yeti any more.
I stepped from the bedroom and made my way down the hall. I found her door ajar and knocked lightly. She had chosen a room halfway down the hall. I would have to consider those ramifications later. “You get settled in okay?”
The door pushed open slightly when I knocked and I could see her things scattered about. I guess she wasn’t sloppy just because her room was so small after all. She suddenly appeared in the doorway and gave me a halfhearted smile. “I’m still finding places for my stuff, but yeah. Thanks.”
Her smile faded and she gave me a worried look. “Sir, how did you get to Georgia, take care of business and then return? All in one night?”
I tried to think of a reasonable lie. “I flew.�
�
“Covered in blood?” She raised a brow at me.
“Private plane?”
“The blood was still wet and dripping from you.” She crossed her arms and stared at me, her foot tapped impatiently.
I took a deep breath then nodded at her. “Remember when I asked whose side you were on?”
She nodded. “Of course I do.”
“Then trust me when I say, it’s none of your damned business.” I turned and walked away.
There’s one inner voice that scolds and makes you question things and it was screaming at me. I shouldn’t have been so short with her. I should have just told her, trusted her; she’s my assistant, for gods’ sakes.
The pig headed voice in my head, the one that makes people dislike you but keeps you alive was telling me that I was in the right and that the weenie voice should shut the fuck up about it, we knew what we were doing.
I did my best to shut them both up. I tried assuming the lotus position but the voices wouldn’t be quieted. After what seemed like a very long time, I stood and went to the bed. I lay down on the mattress and felt it melt around me. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the small wooden turtle totem in my mind, forcing myself to ignore the voices. It wasn’t long before I enjoyed the silence that only a deep meditation can bring.
I awoke hours later to the smell of coffee in the air.
I SAT ON the edge of the bed and stared out the window. The sun was obviously up, the blinds were glowing around the edges, and the aroma of coffee was calling to me. I smiled to myself. The smell of coffee had my mouth watering; I have to believe that was some kind of improvement.
I stretched and yawned and glanced at my image in the mirror. “I slept.” The stupid grin on my face broadened and I stood up and scratched.
For the first time in forever, I slept. And it felt good. I had no idea what was different or how I was able to do it, but I felt like a new person. My mind was quiet and I felt refreshed. Even my meditation hadn’t produced so much contentment. I hadn’t felt like this in a very long time.
I made my way downstairs and found Laura sitting at the island, sifting through a short stack of papers. I opened a cabinet and pulled a mug down. I stared out at the woods behind the house and enjoyed the view as I poured a cup of the black nectar.
I sat down beside her and sipped at the coffee. “Good morning.”
“If you say so, sir.” She didn’t look up.
I knew that tone. I’d heard it enough times in the past to know that I’d crossed a line. I sipped the coffee and savored the flavor. It gave me a brief reprieve from the chastising my own conscience was about to give me for being so short with her the night before.
“Look, about last night…”
She looked up at me and raised a brow. “Last night?” She dropped the paper she bad been reading and gave me a tight lipped stare. “You mean when you yelled at me, two nights ago?”
I stared at her and realized my mouth was hanging open. “Two nights?”
She nodded, “Mm-hmm,” she hummed through her clenched mouth.
“I’ve been asleep for two nights? Not a few hours?”
Her face scrunched up and she shook her head. “You past out and slept for a solid fifty hours.”
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the coffee maker. “Wow.”
“Yeah wow. I was beginning to get worried and was about to call someone from the head office but then I remembered…it’s none of my god damned business.”
She turned her attention back to the paperwork she had been reading, probably all morning, and gave me a cold shoulder. I suppose I had that coming. After all, I had been a bit of a dick when I returned from Georgia.
I swallowed the rest of the coffee and looked around the kitchen. “I don’t suppose there's any leftovers from breakfast is there? I’m starving.”
“I threw out all of the blood when you told me to.” She chewed at the end of her pen as she continued going over the papers.
I was actually craving bacon. I had smelled the smoked salt pork so many times over the centuries but never could stomach it. Could I really be craving it?
I went to the fridge and opened it. There were a few small take-out items in there, but nothing in the way of leftovers. “Do we have any bacon?”
She pointed to the freezer. I pulled the door open and sure enough. I pulled the package out and tapped it against the counter. “Um…how do I…”
She huffed and pushed her stool away. “Do you really want me to cook this?” She pulled the package from my hand and I shrugged.
“It sounds good.”
She gave me that duh look. “You’re a vampire.” She waved the package under my nose. “And you want bacon?”
I sighed and closed my eyes. When I opened them, she was still standing there with the same look. Except she looked beautiful in her anger.
I opened my mouth but the words wouldn’t come out. She shrugged at me. “Well?”
I ground my teeth. Fine. “You’re my assistant, right?”
“We’ve already established that.” Her tone was short and I reckon she had every right to feel hurt, but to show weakness now would definitely give her a forever edge.
“Good. You want the truth? I’ll give you the truth.” I grabbed her by the arm. I was careful to be firm but not too rough. I didn’t want to break her.
I dragged her through the common areas and pulled the door open. She tugged back, trying to pull me from the glass storm door. “No! Only the windows have UV filters. You can’t–"
I pulled her outside and stood with her in the sun. She stared at me wide eyed and I know she was expecting me to burst into flames at any moment. I gave her a smile then turned a slow circle.
“But…how? I…I thought you were a vampire.”
I leaned in close and whispered. “I was. Now I’m much, much more.”
Chapter 18
“JEEZUS! YOU COULD have warned me.” She flopped into the chair opposite me and crossed her arms in a huff.
I sat down carefully across from her and gave her the softest look I could muster. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t know if I could truly trust you.” She shot me a dirty look and I held my hands up in defense. “I’ve had some really shitty luck with beautiful women in the past.”
She smiled for a microsecond, “Beautiful?” Then she pursed her lips and her brows knit hard. “I’m not like everybody else, you know.” She spun on me and shoved a finger in my face. “You think I tell every guy I just met that I’m a Were?”
I raised a brow at her. “You thought I was a vampire.”
“So?” She continued to glare at me and I gave her a soft smile. She didn’t cave. If anything, she doubled down on her resolution to remain angry.
I sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I needed to be sure you were truly with me.” I pointed to the ceiling. “There are cameras all over this place. I just risked everything by telling you. I’m sure that once the council reviews the footage that they’ll know I’m a daywalker.”
She gave me a duh look. “The council doesn’t give two shits about what goes on here. Those cameras are linked directly to your computer. They’re for your own security. Nothing else.”
I raised a brow. “Are you certain?”
“Of course I’m certain. The previous council member had them put in. They go to his computer directly. He damned sure didn’t want the council knowing what he did here in private. Trust me on that.”
My mind went to a very dark and frightening place. I think I must have broadcast my fears because she quickly added, “His eating habits. That’s all. They wouldn’t exactly approve.” She glanced away quickly. “He never tried anything with me.”
“You’re sure?”
She shook her head. “He preferred…young men.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “The younger, the better.”
I instinctively reached out and patted her hand. I half expected her to pull away but she didn’t. She brought her other hand u
p and held mine in her grip. She turned surprised eyes to mine. “You’re warm.”
“That’s the second time I’ve heard that recently.”
“No, really.” She pulled my hand up and pressed the palm to her cheek. I felt my face flush and she gave me a surprised smile. “You’re like, really warm.”
I pulled away, embarrassed by my own reaction. I sat back and crossed my legs. “Like I said, you’re the second person to say that.”
She hopped from the stool and pressed her face to my chest; she was childlike, but in a good, legal-type way. She jumped back excitedly. “You have a heartbeat!”
I nodded. “I noticed that, too.”
“You’re not a vampire.” She took a half step back, studying me.
“Not anymore.” I glanced to the freezer. “Apparently. What I am remains to be seen.”
She shook her head. “How?”
I inhaled deeply, unsure how to explain. “How about I tell you while you whip up that bacon?” I gave her a weak smile.
“You seriously want food?”
I nodded. “For the first time in months, yeah. I’m hungry. And bacon just sounds good.”
“Fine.” She stood, grabbed an apron from the grill area, and tied it around her middle; the laces went around twice. “I’ll cook. You talk.”
I NEVER WOULD have believed that smoked and salted pork could taste so damned good. I mean…this must be ambrosia. It must be. If there isn’t bacon in Valhalla, send me to the carpenter’s heaven instead. Wherever there is bacon, that’s where my spirit wants to rest.
“So seriously? You ate an angel?”
I shrugged. “Only one bite. But I did drain him first. I’m not sure which gave me the goods.”
“And you can just ‘poof’ from place to place?”
I nodded. “I don’t know if it’s a real ‘poof’ or not, but yeah. I just think it and I’m there.”
Hunter II Page 15