Blood Relic

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “Stop!” Drew screamed and yanked at the unmoving chain.

  “Three the limit? Fine.” Matthias sat the last leg down beside the bag of fingers. He jabbed a thumb in Drew’s right eye until it popped out and rolled down his shirt. “Do you imagine you can entrance with one eye?”

  “You are crazy!” He wiggled in the chair, falling sideways on the couch. “She’s not even human, you know. Filthy little hybrid.”

  White anger flashed across his red rage. Matthias grabbed the stake again. He rammed it into Drew’s chest, deliberately missing the heart. A roar escaped as he ripped it out and slammed it in between another pair of ribs. “What emotion did you press to get those tears?” He yanked the chair upright.

  Drew coughed blood, spraying it on Matthias. “Worthless. Useless. Unwanted.”

  A growl started in Matthias’ gut and rolled out. He swung, connecting with Drew’s nose and sent him and the chair flying back over the couch. Her biggest fear. Damn it. She needed him. He wasn’t there. Again. Matthias took two steps and lifted Drew by his throat. The chair bottom fell away as Matthias tossed him on the couch again.

  The eye stopped bleeding. A stream of dried blood and the crusty blood gluing the lids closed were the only signs of trauma. Matthias used two fingers and wedged them carefully into the left eye. He slowly twisted.

  Drew howled and kicked.

  “More pain is better, right? If a witch can handle it, so can you.” He threw the other eye across the room. “Do you imagine you’ll be feeding anywhere now aside from blood dens?” Matthias laughed. “Can anyone love your sorry ass enough to feed a hideous thing with two gaping eye holes? Shame you can’t see what a monster you look like now.”

  “Does your sweet witch know you are a lunatic?” Drew’s shredded hand twitched.

  “Sort of.” Matthias circled around Drew. “I’m not sure just limiting you to a life at dens covers those tears. She was awfully sad. You like the dens anyway. Seems you have the resources.”

  “If she loved you, you wouldn’t have to pay for it. Whores. All of them.” Drew turned his head, appearing to try and locate Matthias by the sound of his voice.

  “You just aren’t learning, are you? Did your maker tell you that you were a little thick? Have you made a child?” Matthias wrapped a lock of hair around his fingers and yanked it out. Scalp came with it. Morrigana would have a use for that. Matthias chuckled.

  “Sick. Vampires who kill vampires. I’ll call the PPK.” Drew jerked his head each time Matthias got close.

  “The PPK? That’s rich.” Matthias glanced over at the screwdriver and pliers. The sun would be up soon. Did he get to live? He made Alice cry, real honest sad tears.

  Matthias picked up the pliers and pulled the coffee table over to the couch before sitting down. He ran the pliers across Drew’s face.

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m collecting parts for my witch. You owe her.” Matthias gripped Drew’s fingered hand and yanked out all of the nails one at a time. He sat them on the table. “She has a not so charming friend who might like some too.” With slow pulls he wiggled off the first knuckle. “Witches. They do like the parts. What can you do?”

  Drew coughed more blood. “You won’t get out of town alive.”

  “Who is going to avenge a nasty creature like you?”

  “Ambrose is… I’m…”

  Matthias punched him in the mouth. “Spit.”

  Drew clenched his teeth.

  “Stubborn.” Mathias pried his mouth open and collected a few teeth. “Those aren’t the ones I want.” He wedged the screwdriver longways in Drew’s mouth, holding it open. With the pliers he pulled out a fang.

  Drew mumbled, biting against the tool.

  Once he had both fangs, Matthias collected all the parts and put them in the bag. The eyes. He stood and searched the floor for the one he tossed. Morrigana would pay dearly for all these parts. Her lessons would make Alice a witch like no other. That would be Drew’s reparations. His parts would pay for Alice’s true apprenticeship beyond what Morrigana needed her for.

  He tapped his foot. Did he leave Drew alive to starve? That would be justified. If Drew had an open invite to Ambrose’s den, or worse, knew the vampire who made relics, he could ruin the whole mission. Damn it.

  Matthias snarled as he looked at the bloody mess of a vampire. You deserve a slow painful death. Lucky for you the mission comes first. He walked over and opened the heavy drapes

  “No!” Drew rolled, falling off the couch.

  Burning in the sun was a painful death. What if he rolled away before the sun came up? Can’t have him coming back to haunt them. Matthias pushed the couch until it was facing the window. The sun would burn the evidence.

  “What are you doing?” Drew twisted in the binding. The remaining chair pieces fell out, loosening the ropes. He reached for the stake in his stomach.

  Matthias grabbed it and tossed it across the room. “Who are you going to stab one handed and blind?”

  “You are as good as dead!” Drew scooted back, bumping into the couch.

  “I’m trembling with fear.” Matthias put one hand on each side of his head and started to press. “I wish we had more time.”

  The skull cracked.

  Drew stopped squirming.

  “For Alice.” Matthias rotated his hands in different directions, spinning with a force that snapped Drew’s spine. He twisted again, turning until the flesh, muscles, and bones separated.

  The body fell away from the head.

  “Foul creature.” Matthias tossed the head on the couch and lifted the body, sitting it beside it. He turned and checked that the sun would shine on the right spot.

  Before leaving, he pulled out a few ribs, and then used the hammer to smash the chest. “I bet your heart will be useful to someone.”

  A few steps from the door and he stopped, turning toward the garage again. The sun would start a fire but some gas would make sure it caught. No evidence.

  The PPK had severe punishments for killing supernaturals outside of self-defense. There would be no way to make that pile of vampire remains look like a case of self-defense.

  Matthias poured the gas and then walked into the night. Once back at his room, he messaged Alice.

  Don’t go in tomorrow. Change of plans. I know where we need to be and have an idea on getting you an invite. Stay in your room after dark until I come. Refuse me twice and then slam the door in my face. I love you.

  Chapter Fifteen

  ALICE KICKED HER motel room door closed with one foot and tossed her bags on the bed. She pulled out a soft brown sweater and rubbed her face against the knit. Amarok would love it. Even if he hated it, he’d pretend to love it, and wear it, and beat up anyone who hinted that it wasn’t awesome. She refolded it and fished around for the cologne she picked for him, putting it in the bag with his sweater.

  “You trying to say I stink?” he would say and wink playfully.

  “You do stink.” Alice would reply and shove him, before adding, “But this is to make up for me giving my heart, body, and soul to the creature you despise most.”

  “I see. Matthias gets to go to heaven and all I get is a sweater? Does he even have sex socks?”

  The imagined scene added to the melancholy that the retail therapy had only slightly dented. It wouldn’t go down that way. Their next exchange wouldn’t be playful. Not while she ripped out his heart.

  She dropped to the floor, ignoring the dank smell that perfumed the carpet, and tugged out the mailing box she picked up yesterday. Before going deeper underground, she wanted to send things back to the PPK. Her and Amarok always shipped back their shopping if things started to look dicey. Things didn’t get dodgier than offering your neck to vampires.

  The hairs and small vial of blood from Nathan were already in the box, along with a few extra bags of the cookies she found at the corner store that were delicious.

  Her attention drifted from one bag to the other as she deba
ted how to fit it all in the already half-full box. The marble chess pieces for Matthias had to fit, it was the only thing she found for him.

  When a creature lives for centuries there is little that he wants and doesn’t already have. The woman in the shop assured her they were one of a kind and any chess player would be ecstatic to have the set. She reached in, pulling out one of the white pieces. A pawn. That’s not a sign. Her thumb rubbed the smooth surface. They were pretty.

  All the shopping and gifts were distractions because Matthias said he had a plan. They were going deeper. That, and the awful feeling from the last night lingered in the back of her mind. Would she really be enough for a man like Matthias?

  The chess board took up the whole bottom of the box after she repacked things. The pieces nested in a few new dresses and pajamas she picked up for herself. Once it was all packed, she labeled the top and taped it closed with more tape than was needed. Her gaze drifted to the nightstand where she’d left out a bag of cookies.

  Her phone buzzed. Matthias? When did the sun go down? Had she really been packing that long? She twisted her watch around. Yep.

  I’m on my way to the den. Give me time to look around for you, make a scene, and walk out. Make sure you reject me when I arrive, and slam the door.

  She typed out a fast response.

  Sure. And then?

  A cold presence moved outside. The audience was already waiting. Had it been there long? The packing had totally distracted her.

  I will go to the den we want to be at. I have a token. After I buy a witch and feed, I’ll leave and come back to you. Turn me away again. We need to make it very clear I want you at any cost and no one else will do.

  Right. Someone will then offer to kill me to sate your hunger. She frowned and opened the cookies before she typed out the modified response.

  See you soon.

  Alice tossed her phone on the bed and peered at the door. Just give me the damn token. I’m coming to get you, king moth. Three more cookies later, she was pacing the small room.

  The buzz of her phone startled her.

  He’s here.

  She swallowed the last bite of another cookie. Yep. Show time.

  A soft knock grew louder.

  Alice cracked it open, leaving the safety chain on. “Yes?”

  “Where were you?” Matthias reached a finger through the crack.

  “I needed a night off. Go away. I’ll be at the den when I’m up to it.” Her tone held all the frustration she had at herself for letting that other vampire get into her head.

  “I’m hungry.” He pushed as far as the chain would allow.

  “Go buy another witch.” She pressed her shoulder against the wood and pushed, but against his strength didn’t gain an inch.

  “I don’t want another witch.” He wrapped his finger around the chain and snapped it with a tug. “I’ll pay you double. Let me in. Look at my eyes.”

  “No.” She leaned in with her whole body and dug in her feet. “I’ll call the police if you don’t go away.”

  Matthias laughed. “I’ll eat them too.” He pushed money toward her. “Look at me, damn it.”

  His tone raised every hair on her body. “No.” She shook her head. “Go away.”

  “Look at me, now.” He rammed again. “It never has to be unpleasant between us.”

  Do something. He’ll bust in any second. Alice flung sparks at him and slammed the door when he staggered back.

  His presence moved away.

  She leaned against the wall and put her hand over her mouth. He was either a good actor or a hungry monster. Actor. When she reached for another cookie, she realized her hand was shaking.

  The phone buzzed. She squealed.

  I’m on the way to the other den. He’s following me. Rest, sweetheart, tonight is all me. I’ll be back in a few hours.

  The spellchecker earned it’s keep as she thumbed out a message.

  I’m going to grab a shower. I love you.

  She flipped the bolt as she inspected the damage from the struggle. It should hold. Even if the stalker was following Matthias, the other vampire from last night was still out there somewhere. He’d followed her from the first den, just waiting to get his mouth on her. Before starting the shower, she moved a chair from the corner and wedged it under the doorknob.

  MATTHIAS WATCHED WITH moderate interest while the den master at the Central location paraded the leftovers in front of him. He crinkled his nose as he walked from one to the other.

  A strong, cold presence followed him most of the way, stopping a few blocks short of the den.

  “Let me try this one.” Matthias ran a finger along the curves of a voluptuous witch, before he turned back to the den master. “Any table will do. I just need a fast nip.”

  The den master cocked his head and tapped a finger on his closed mouth. “Table fourteen in the left corner is available. Arrive at dusk for the full selection tomorrow.”

  Matthias scoffed. “We’ll see.” He took the witch by the arm and walked her quickly to the table.

  She sat, leaning against him. “Do as you please.”

  No time, love. He gave her a heavy dose, so that she wouldn’t notice any lack of interest. “Show me what you have, dear.”

  The little ball hardly rotated as she lost herself to the moment.

  He drank enough to be prepared in the event he needed to fight off anyone. Drew’s housefire would have been discovered. There shouldn’t be any way to link him to it. Shouldn’t.

  After he finished, he planted a soft kiss behind the witch’s ear. “Thanks.” On the way out, he tossed some money at the doorman.

  On my way. Don’t open the door to me no matter what I say. This is the pivotal moment for us. In fact, make it clear you won’t be feeding me again. Ever.

  ALICE READ THE message again and closed her eyes. The first presence that approached was Matthias, but the stalker wasn’t far off. She blew out, closed her eyes and prepared to be nasty to her love.

  Matthias’ pounding rattled the chair she left wedged there.

  Her heart raced. “Go away.”

  “Open up, now.” Matthias punctuated each word with his fist.

  “Never.” She took a few steps back as waves of frustration came through the door.

  “I’m sorry I was harsh. Please. Let me in.” He dropped his tone and it sounded like he was pressing his head against the wood as he talked. “I’ll make it beautiful, like the first time.”

  “No. We are done. I’m leaving town. If you follow me, I’ll curse you.” She kept backing up until she was standing in the corner.

  He started pounding again.

  Alice put a mix of annoyance and fear in her voice, as well as her presence. “I’m calling the police.”

  “You’ll be sorry.” Matthias left.

  Alice held her breath, waiting to see which way the stalker would go. Her or Matthias. She wrung her hands together. Her. It worked. “I’m not in the mood for you either.” She yelled at the vampire.

  The presence left.

  She removed the chair and peered outside. The air was still cold and smelled like waffles. Waffles? No, maple syrup.

  A card and a red rose were on the ground.

  Don’t activate the death rose. She was careful how she held it. Magic vibrated from it. The ward on her chest heated. Was his witch casting against her? She dropped the rose and looked both ways down the hall.

  She hurried, tossing the card on the bed and returned with a washcloth to pick up the rose. After she dropped it on the floor inside the room, she locked the door again and put the chair back in place.

  The hum coming off the rose didn’t seem to affect her ward unless she was holding it with her flesh touching the stem.

  Alice used her room key to open the card, not wanting to get a paper cut and activate any other curse. Would they curse her before she worked a spell? Maybe. They were attempting something. Time to open the box, add the rose, and reseal it. Morrigana could u
ndo whatever. Hopefully.

  First, she dumped the token from the card onto the bed and slipped the card out. The address wasn’t for Central. Was this it? The final stop?

  Alice sent a fast message to Matthias.

  Does 1587 S. Linklater in Wethington mean anything to you?

  She flipped the card, no instructions. The dusk was implied this time.

  No. Did you get the invite? He stayed behind. I mapped it, that’s a few towns over. Out of range for the body drops. If it is just the final stop before the reliquary, then that’s irrelevant. I can’t be there when it opens. Arrive a little late. Enough past bidding that they will only give you a tour and get you settled in.

  Was he worried she couldn’t fend for herself? She typed a response.

  You know I let that vampire make me cry. I can handle myself. I thought we agreed not to call it a reliquary. It isn’t holy, it’s unholy what they are doing.

  The message came back faster than he should have been able to type it.

  I know that you can handle yourself. You are the most fearsome creature I’ve encountered. Humor me. Let this old master feel like he is protecting you a little.

  She giggled.

  Fine. I’ll arrive late. After dinner I’ll take a cab and search out a new hotel before I go to the den. I miss you.

  Alice changed into pajamas while she waited for the return message.

  I can feel that. I feel your concerns too. You are ready. More than ready. And I will always love you.

  She grinned and shut off her phone. Tomorrow she would step into the recruiting den.