by Jane Ederlyn
“It was good to finally meet you,” Marie said.
Lagmann gave her a polite nod then turned to Odin. “How can you be out in public?” he asked aloud. But what he meant was, “How can you be out with a vampire in vampire territory?” and “Nothing good could come of this.”
Odin picked it out of his head. His breathing quickened and fury inched up his body like lava wanting out. Marie touched his chest and the anger cooled.
Lagmann walked away leaving Siv and Egon to bid rushed farewells.
“That’s Marie,” Egon said.
“What the hell are you doing?” Lagmann asked.
“She’s a vampire,” Siv said. “I go to Finland for a month to tinker with cruise ships and Odin starts dating a vamp.”
“He’s not dating a vamp,” Lagmann said.
“Yes he is and I think she’s nice. And that’s her child, Abby.”
“Child?” Siv asked. “How does a vampire have a child?”
Lagmann’s hand went to his hair, an age-old habit he hadn’t been able to break even though twenty years had passed since he’d chopped off his mane. He was now sporting a crew cut and clean-shaven face. “This isn’t going to end well.”
Egon shook his head. “Why is everything bad to you?”
Lagmann gave him a withering look. “Open your eyes. Everything’s wrong.”
“She’s a nice lady.”
“She’s a fucking biter.”
“Yeah and I’m a howler. So fucking what?”
Lagmann expelled a frustrated breath. “I need time to think this through. Let’s go home.”
“I’m staying at Odin’s.”
“I’ll drop you off.”
“No, I’ll walk.”
Lagmann unlocked the truck, hopped in, and sped out of the parking lot before Siv closed the passenger-side door.
Egon stood on the curb, arms crossed and legs apart. When he’d gone to live with the pack, he’d been a kid, too young to shift and mourning the loss of his parents. Most of the pack, like Lagmann, still saw him as that little boy and it grated.
Egon looked back at Nikki Beach. He briefly considered returning to join Odin and the girls but thought better of it. They were on dates and he would feel like a fifth wheel. The thought hurt. He sighed and crossed the street.
He lived in the moment unlike some in the pack that hung tight-fisted to the old ways, as if accepting anything new would make them disintegrate. Clustered within the pack, it was easy to stay unaffected by change, but he wasn’t like that.
Both Odin and his sister relished every moment and lived to the max, and taught him to do the same. They’d taken over as guardians and had been there for him more than his biological parents when they were alive. Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t remember his parents or what they looked like. They had been such a small flicker in time for him. On the other hand, no matter how much time passed, his sister was unforgettable and Odin as a brother-in-law had earned his eternal loyalty. He had more in common with Abby than he first realized.
Egon was lost in thought when a shadow in his peripheral made him snap to attention. In the blink of an eye, three vampires surrounded him. One was standing directly in front and another two lurked back, several yards, on each side of him. Oh shit. He hated when Lagmann was right.
“Good evening,” said the vampire in front of him. He was thin and pale with black hair cut short and slicked back. He was dressed in a suit, the same inky shade of his hair. “Are you lost?”
“No, I’m on the way home.” Egon pointed up the street.
“On your way home?” The vampire paused, looking like he intended to continue speaking.
When the silence stretched, Egon began to think he was mistaken. He fidgeted, contemplating his next move. Alarm was shooting through his body and every nerve cell was sizzling, awaiting the command to shift, but turning into a wolf right now would not be a good idea. In fact, it was a really bad idea.
Finally, the vamp spoke again. “Here?” he asked and cocked his head.
The uncanny gesture reminded Egon of Marie. He had thought her intensity was creepy, but this guy took the cake. He looked around, assessing his options. The other vampires were wearing black slacks and long-sleeved, black guayaberas. The Havana shirts were pristine and wrinkle free as if they were on the way to play in a domino tournament rather than ready to attack.
Egon, always curious, had asked a Cuban friend of the pack why the shirts were named after fruit. The old man had chortled recalling how Cuban women use to sew extra pockets on their husband’s shirts, so they would bring home guavas or as they would say in Spanish, guayabas. Egon liked the shirts, but they weren’t his style. He preferred Abercrombie and Fitch. The tighter, the better.
He shook his head, bringing his attention back to relevancy. “I’m on the way to Odin’s house. It’s two blocks up.” The animosity between werewolves and vampires was stupid, but there was nothing he could do now to change centuries of ingrained behavior.
“Odin?” the vampire asked.
“Yes.” Egon nodded.
“We know Odin, but he is not with you.”
“He is my family and I stay with him. I just left him to return to the apartment.”
The vampire went still again making Egon wonder if he was resting or thinking. He would have to ask Marie about that.
“You may pass.” The vampire stepped aside and motioned with a flourish.
Egon walked past. He could sense all three of them, behind him. Their tread was light but detectable. They were following him, and they wanted him to know they were following him. Some kind of mind trick, he thought.
The entire situation bothered Egon. Why did Stormda refuse to deal with vampires outside of the necessary? Why couldn’t he walk on a regular street like a regular guy? Why couldn’t Odin be with Marie? He had been lucky enough to find a beautiful woman who could have sex with him, what was wrong with that? Why was that an issue? Why all the rules? He didn’t care if the vamps smelled his emotions. He was frustrated. Hundreds of years and they were still not past the superstitions and the ordeals.
He let himself into the apartment and went to the window. The three vampires were there, purposely standing beneath the corner streetlight. Then, as if choreographed, they took a step back, in perfect unison, and disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter XXVII
Marie put her head on Odin’s chest and he automatically wrapped his arms around her. She fought for control and pushed back her emotions. John was skittish and not dealing with her well. As much as she liked him, to her he was just a sperm bank. But it was Abby who would be hurt if he didn’t adjust, and it pained Marie to see her bereft because of her. Also, weighing heavily on her mind was the antagonism from Odin’s friend and from his father. It wasn’t good. It didn’t bode well for their relationship in the end.
Tears threatened to spill. She was tired of having to control everything, of always having to be ahead of the game. She was tired of having to be on guard with Anton and having to manipulate him to protect her fragile family. Just when she thought that she could relax and enjoy life, problems were springing up as if sent by Anton. She was feeling her long two hundred years heavy on her shoulders and was weary.
Odin’s heart beat steady and fast. His chest moved up and down with his breaths. They would have to leave soon and the realization felt like a stab to her stomach. She and Abby were too entangled to stay and remain unaffected. And if Anton got bored enough to check up on her, he’d shorten her leash. Then again, he hadn’t shown interest in her since she’d moved to the states.
Did she dare stay and hope nothing happened to Abby? Did she dare leave and hope she survived losing Odin? She had never felt so alive, but Abby needed her undivided attention. He’d turned them into a fa
mily and taken Abby under his protective wing, but could she depend on him unerringly? She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in his shirt. She couldn’t think about it now. She could only think about the present and for once, be a little selfish. She blinked, and her lashes brushed against the soft cotton of his shirt.
“Are you okay? You’re a million miles away.”
She smiled at him hesitantly. “I’m fine.”
He lifted her chin and studied her, his forehead creased in thinking mode. But he didn’t question her again. Instead he released her chin and let the silence stretch between them as they swayed slowly in each other’s arms, ignoring the fast beats of music and other dancers. Doing their own thing on the crowded dance floor like they did their own thing in their crowded realities.
“I’m sorry about—”
Marie put her fingers on Odin’s lips and shook her head. “Shh, not necessary. I know.”
He hesitated for a fraction before changing the subject. “Are you worried about John?”
“What do you think of him?”
“He’s definitely wary, but try to put yourself in his shoes. It’s a lot for him to accept. I think we just have to give him time.”
She nodded.
Odin’s front pocket vibrated. He withdrew a hand from underneath her jacket, dug into his jeans, and retrieved his cell. Lagman’s picture frowned back at him and he thumb swiped the screen to accept the call.
He had just been there. It couldn’t be good that he was calling. Marie was proven right when Lagmann roared across the line.
“We have trouble.”
The hand still on her waist tightened.
“Just heard it over the police radio,” Lagmann continued.
As Odin listened, barely contained fury sizzled under his skin like a live wire. Marie lifted her head from his chest, liking the surge of heat but wanting to gauge his thoughts. Yet as volcanic as he was beneath his skin, outwardly the only sign of emotion was a clenched jaw.
“Talk to me,” he ordered.
“Kids found a dead body at Ocean Beach Park.”
“That’s a block from here.”
“They’re saying she was mauled by an animal.”
“She?”
“Raped too.”
“Shit. Where are our eyes?”
“Nowhere near. We’re going to need a bigger net.”
Odin expelled a long breath before he allowed himself to speak and then his words were slow and clipped. “Go to the park and see what you and Egon can pick up. Call Thorhild and see what damage control he can do. I’ll drop off the ladies and meet you there.”
There was silence on the line.
“Did you hear me?”
“Egon is not with us.”
“Explain.”
“We can pick him up. He should be at your place.”
“Should be? You mean you don’t know?” His body gave off a spark that surprised her. She had never seen her easy-going wolf this upset. Not even when he argued with his father.
“Call him now. We walked to Nikki Beach. Tell him to get my car and pick me up immediately. You two go straight to the park. Got it?”
“Got it,” Lagmann repeated and disconnected.
“We can’t be exposed, Odin.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. I know.” He ended the call and dropped the phone back into his pocket.
“Do you want my help?” Marie asked.
He caught a lock of her hair and tugged on it. “I might take you up on that. But for now, take Bee home. We’ll take care of this.”
She nodded and they returned to their lounge bed where Abby was sitting on the edge as if ready to bolt. Marie touched her shoulder. “We have to go, ma chérie.”
By the time they made it outside, Egon was waiting for them. He stepped out of the Escalade, adjusted the seat for Marie’s legs, and held the door open. “All set, shorty.” He smiled. After Marie climbed in, he opened the rear door for Abby. “Be safe.”
John claimed the front passenger seat. “Of course she’ll be safe. She’s with me.”
Egon glowered at him.
“What’s going on?” Abby asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Go on.” Egon urged her inside, closed the door, and stepped back.
“Call me when you get home.” Odin kissed Marie then hit the side of the car to motion her forward.
As she drove away, she stared at him in the rearview mirror, not looking away until a screen of traffic separated them.
Odin and Egon walked north on Ocean Drive, discovering that streets were already closed, starting at the beginning of the park on Second, until the end at Third. Police cruisers blocked the intersections on both sides of the street. Another cruiser occupied the sidewalk, anchoring a length of yellow tape.
They pushed through a crowd of curious onlookers. “Are you picking anything up?” Odin asked.
Egon nodded.
Odin drew a circle in the air and Egon took his cue as Lagmann and Siv arrived.
Lagmann nodded wordlessly at Egon and the younger werewolf returned the greeting before melting into shadow.
“Silver,” Odin said.
Siv nodded.
A scent of metal hung in the air. Of all of them, Siv was the least allergic. They could all touch it if they had to, but they had varying degrees of reaction and Lagmann, who was always prepared, carried an EpiPen in case one of them went into anaphylactic shock.
“I’ll take a look around too.” Siv disappeared in the opposite direction of Egon.
Odin and Lagmann tried to look inconspicuous, as they watched and waited. When uniformed officers scattered, intent on their respective responsibilities, Lagmann tried to cross the crime tape but was abruptly stopped by a tanned cop with bulging biceps.
“I’m looking for my brother,” Lagmann asked looking concerned. They knew the victim was a girl, but they chanced a dialogue with the grim faced he-man for a closer look at the body without setting off alarms. The last thing they needed was to become suspects. The officer waved them off, and they separated from the congestion of onlookers.
“Did you manage to see anything?” Odin asked.
“There’s blood everywhere.”
“Vampire?” Odin was hopeful despite himself. The death of the girl was tragic, but if it was a vampire scene, they couldn’t interfere or risk breaking the truce pact. They’d have to step back and let the biters take over.
Lagmann raked a hand through his short hair. “No. Definitely werewolf, though I couldn’t pick up a signature. There’s something else. Wolfsbane.”
“Are you sure?”
“I can smell it seeping out of her pores, even from a distance. My guess is she ingested it before she died.”
“Or someone gave it to her to prevent us from getting too close.”
Lagmann nodded. “It’s not like you can buy it at Home Depot. It doesn’t grow in Florida.”
There were only a few possible answers, and Odin didn’t like any of them. A vampire might be trying to frame the werewolves. Wolfsbane wasn’t poisonous to them, nor was silver, but why would they leave a body to be discovered on their territory? It didn’t make sense. The most probable answer, and the most offensive, was a werewolf. Maybe an altered breed of rogue had been created, more rational than berserker and smart enough to know wolfsbane could stop even the best trackers. Was that even possible? No. It had to be an undetected outsider—who they had yet to find.
Across the street, a car door slammed shut. Odin turned toward the intrusive sound. A familiar white truck with a ‘Glades Wild Life Control & Removal’ sign invaded a ‘No Parking’ zone and out came a tall, milky blond in overalls.
Odin smiled. “Good to see you,
Thorhild, despite the circumstances.”
“You know me, the bloodier, the better.” Thorhild scanned the area, absorbing the flashing lights, the crowd, and forensic unit beyond. “What do you need me to clean up?”
“Nothing yet,” Lagmann said.
Thorhild took out a protein bar from his pocket and bit into it.
“Doesn’t that wife of yours feed you?” Odin asked.
Thorhild chuckled. “Overcooks the beef, every time. If she weren’t so sweet, I’d think she was trying to starve me.”
Egon returned and slapped Thorhild on the back. “Don’t you believe in shirts, old man?”
“Too hot and not all of us look so pretty in those tight, pansy Abercrombie shirts.” Thorhild returned with a light punch at Egon’s stomach, voice gruff but smiling. When working, he wore white overalls over a bare chest, exposing a lot of pale, pink skin and thick muscles. “What did you find out?”
Egon described every scent he catalogued, relevant or not. For the most part, everything had been normal beach scents. Everything except for the silver and wolfsbane.
“Larry,” Thorhild called out to an investigator he recognized. “See you later, ladies. I have work to do.”
Larry met Thorhild halfway. “Did you get a call?”
“What do you have for me?” Thorhild evaded.
“Nothing yet, but maybe you can help identify the bite marks.”
Chapter XXVIII
“Marie, Abby is going to stay at my place tonight,” John said.
“That is not a good idea,” she said.
“We want to be alone.”
“I understand.” She glanced at Abby in the mirror. “But not tonight, ma chérie.”