by Judith Post
Enoch nodded. "There are no laws about venom."
"Because there are no laws about vampires." Danny's voice was tight.
Derek turned to look at him. "Are you going to be okay?"
Danny shrugged. "I'm not in the mood to go party."
Enoch ignored the remark. Danny was upset, and he dealt with that with rude humor or grim remarks. Part of being a cop. Graveyard humor helped them cope.
Danny stalked toward the door. "Come on. We might as well go. There's nothing else we can do here."
Enoch followed. Once in the Land Rover, he said, "What now?"
"No appetite. I'll go back to the station."
It was a quiet drive back. Enoch didn't see his surroundings. He drove on auto-pilot. All he kept envisioning was Macy's body sprawled on the altar as though she were stretching out on a cozy bed. And the smile. Damn Feral and her venom! Damn the vampire club! When he pulled to the curb at the station, Danny got out, slammed his door behind him, and gave him a perfunctory wave.
Enoch drove home, poured himself a big glass of cabernet, and went to brood on the balcony. He stayed there until it was time to pick up Angel from school.
Chapter 32
Enoch couldn't shift moods. When Angel climbed in the car, he tried his best to listen to her, to concentrate on her day, but he couldn't focus. Finally, she looked at him and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I've had a bad day," he told her.
Her expression fell. She unhooked her seat belt and scooted closer to him. She jammed her hand between the seat and his jacket, wrapping an arm across his back. "If you say a day is bad, it has to be really bad."
A lump formed in his throat. He had trouble swallowing. Her sympathy touched him, made him feel more vulnerable instead of less. "I'll be all right. Some things just take more time than others."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Can I help you? Want me to play a game with you tonight? You can choose."
He tried to smile. Failed. "Thanks anyway."
She nodded and scooted back to her side of the car, hooked her seatbelt again. "Voronika will know what to do."
He nodded. Voronika knew when to offer sympathy and when to leave him alone. They were good together that way.
Angel put her earphones in her ears and punched a button on her laptop, then lost herself to her music. Enoch drove, wrapped in his cloud of misery. When they reached the apartment, Angel skipped inside and disappeared into the elevator. Enoch took a few deep breaths before starting after her, but stopped when he heard someone call his name. He turned, and Scarlet waved for him to come to her.
Enoch frowned. Why would he bother to visit with Scarlet? He turned his back on her and started to the building.
"Please," Scarlet called. "I need your help."
Curiosity tugged at him. What was the user up to now? He hesitated, but didn't approach her.
She came to him, glancing upward at the gray cloud cover. It was intermittent today, coming and going. She stopped under the covered drive for the front door. He purposely made his voice unfriendly. "What do you want?"
"Sanctuary. Feral's threatened to disown me or kill me if I don't find Lance. I've looked everywhere, but it's like he disappeared."
"He has. He left town. Feral cut him off, and he found someone else."
"Someone who'd give him venom?" Scarlet sounded surprised.
"You and Feral haven't cornered the market on it," Enoch told her. "Every vampire uses it to seal the puncture wounds of their victims."
Scarlet's pale complexion blanched. "If Feral disowns me, I won't survive. Lone vampires are targets for every other undead. You have to make Feral keep me."
"I can't." Enoch felt guilty for enjoying the irony so much. "Feral's not breaking any vampire rules. Caleb protects mortals, but sires can pretty much do what they want to their own."
"That's not fair!"
Enoch shrugged. "Life isn't fair. Vampires are worse, but people who choose to be turned know what they're getting into. They know the risks."
"Then you have to take me in until I find a new sire."
"And let you near Crystal? Think again."
Scarlet clutched his coat sleeve. "I don't want to be true dead."
"Then run."
She hissed. "You know my chances. A new, female vampire, alone? Some master will claim me and rape me whenever the mood strikes him."
"Then reason with Feral."
"I can't! The only reason she changed me was because…." Her words stuttered to a halt.
"Because she could use you to harm Crystal? Have you ensnare Lance and use him to harm Crystal?" Enoch supplied.
Scarlet snarled. "You're a damn angel. I thought you protected people."
"I try to protect good people," Enoch said. "You don't qualify as either…good or people."
She released his arm. "You're no better than anyone else."
"So sue me. I did try to protect you, but you're a sell-out. You're on your own." He pushed away from her and entered the building.
When he stepped into the apartment, Ulrich nodded for him to join him on the balcony. Voronika was busy with Angel, so Enoch followed him outside and shut the French doors.
"What was that all about?" Ulrich motioned to Scarlet, storming down the street in the direction of Feral's club.
"Scarlet asked me for help." Enoch leaned on the balcony railing. "She's afraid Feral's going to disown her or kill her."
Ulrich shrugged. "Good riddance, we'll be done with the bitch."
"My thoughts exactly." Enoch told Ulrich about Macy and the overdoses from venom.
Ulrich grimaced. "You're stuck between a rock and a hard place, old friend. If you warn the public about vampires, you'll create a panic that's only going to make things worse. If you don't warn them, your hands are tied. There's not much you can do until Feral breaks one of Caleb's rules."
"I'm sick of rules. I'm tired of this stand-off." Enoch watched as a beam of sunlight spilt through a slit in the clouds. Maybe they'd get lucky and it would hit Scarlet. A pipe dream. There were plenty of shadows to hide in.
Ulrich stepped closer to the building and frowned at the golden rays. "You have more freedom than all of us, my friend."
"As long as I do what I think is right." What was the right thing to do now? Was he enabling Feral or respecting mortals' freedom of choice? "That's a burden on its own."
"Too bad you weren't born a Viking. We're better at bending the rules."
"Where I come from," Enoch said, "the rules don't bend that much."
"True." The sun slid behind another cloud, and Ulrich heaved a grateful sigh. "It's not really freedom when it loads you with more responsibility, is it? I'm glad I'm not an angel."
"No fear of that, no one would call you an angel." Enoch smiled and felt his shoulders relax. "You make the perfect Viking."
Ulrich grinned. "Sometimes practical is a lot more fun than perfect."
The two men walked into the apartment together, more relaxed than they had been. But Enoch worried. Feral's games were coming to a close. She'd played just about every card she could think of, and her moves were running out. What then? Would she accept defeat graciously or would she up the ante one more time? His guess was on the latter.
Chapter 33
Angel frowned at the dessert on her plate—layers of white cake with whipped cream filling and slices of fruit between each layer. "I've never seen a cake like this."
Voronika raised an eyebrow. "You picked it out when I took you to the bakery."
"It's Enoch's favorite bakery." Angel looked to Enoch for support. "You said it's Mexican and different. You like the restaurant across the street from it, too. You promised to take me there sometime." She glanced back at the dessert. "And the cake was so pretty."
"Do you like strawberries?" Voronika asked.
Angel nodded.
"Do you like kiwi?"
"Yes."
Voronika picked up her fork. "Then you'll like this."
>
Angel took a tiny bite, chewed, and smiled.
Ulrich shook his head. "I think she likes it."
Angel watched Enoch poke at his food. "I picked this out because I thought it would make you happy."
"It does. I'm just not hungry."
Disappointment settled in her stomach. She'd never cared if her mom was upset. Come to think of it, her mom was always upset. Maybe that's why it bothered her so much that Enoch was sad. He usually didn't show it, never complained. She pushed her plate away, too. So did Voronika.
Ulrich looked across the table at Lucinda and Crystal. "Let's try something different tonight. I'll take you two out, and you can spar with each other while I referee."
Crystal glanced at Enoch. "Would you rather come?"
Enoch shook his head. "I can pass tonight, but thanks."
"Come on then." Ulrich pushed to his feet, and Crystal and Lucinda hurried after him. Angel realized no one liked seeing Enoch sad.
Voronika tilted her head to study him. "I'm taking Angel to the bookstore. She needs new things to read before bed. Want to come?"
Enoch loved books. He loved book stores, too. Why, Angel wasn't sure. He practically had a library on his shelves, but he shook his head. "I think I'll stay here and work. I didn't get any writing done today."
Voronika gave a quick nod. "If you want to take a walk, leave me a note." Before they left, she bent to kiss his forehead, and Enoch gave her a grateful smile.
Relief lifted Angel's spirits. Voronika would know how to make Enoch feel better.
They all left him, and once they were in the elevator, Angel fretted. "Won't he get sadder all by himself?"
Voronika patted her head. "When Enoch's upset, he walks. While he walks, he thinks…until finally, he works things out. He lost someone today that he tried to save. He always takes that hard, but he can't blame himself, and it takes him a while to remember that."
Angel nodded. She thought she understood. For a man who had everything, he sure worried a lot. But it was always about other people. Angel hadn't met anyone like him before. He made her think of Crystal, and how her sister always went out of her way to protect her. But Enoch did that with strangers. That, she found a little odd.
Once they were in the bookstore, Voronika gave her a steady look. "We're here to have fun. I want you to find six, new books to read, and they'd better be good."
Angel smiled. "Not a problem." She'd discovered a whole new world of fantasy outside of Harry Potter. One whole wall here held books that told stories about witches and future worlds after wars had destroyed the earth. She'd even snitched one of Crystal's books from the library that told about zombies. She'd had nightmares for a week, but the scares thrilled her. The only books she avoided now were about vampires.
Voronika went to browse in her favorite sections until an hour later, she touched Angel's shoulder and said, "Did you find what you want?"
Angel looked at her pile. Seven books. Which one to put back? She'd had nine and agonized over each one she'd returned to a shelf. "I have to put one back."
Voronika waved that away and lifted the stack of books. "Next time we come, only pick out five."
"Next time?" How many books would they buy her? Could she have shelves in her bedroom?
When they left the store, Voronika led her to an ice cream shop around the corner, and they sat outside, eating their sundaes. It wasn't until they settled in the Land Rover and started back to the apartment that Angel thought of Enoch again.
"Do you think he'll be happier when we get back?" she asked.
Voronika shrugged. "This one might take him a while. What if we volunteer to make supper tomorrow night? Then he won't have to."
That thought made Angel feel better. She wanted to help Enoch, but she didn't know how. She could cook. Sort of. "Will he like what we make?"
Voronika laughed. "Anything you don't cook yourself always tastes better. But let's get real. No one cooks like Enoch does. It's the thought that counts."
When they pulled into the parking lot, Angel bounced on her seat, excited. She'd show Enoch her books. They'd promise to cook for him tomorrow. She'd help make him happier.
Voronika pointed to the other side of the parking lot. "Here comes Ulrich and the girls."
Angel jumped out of the Land Rover and ran toward Crystal. "Hey, see what I got!"
Crystal hurried toward her when a shadow dropped from a balcony and landed behind Angel. An arm reached out and yanked Angel, hard, against her body. Angel gasped. Who'd jolt her like that? She tilted her head to see. "Scarlet?"
Crystal stopped, staring. "Let my sister go."
"Not unless you accept my challenge to fight to the death. We're both vampires now. It's part of vampire rules. I can challenge you."
Ulrich's voice came from behind Crystal. "If you challenge her, then I can challenge you."
"But I don't have to accept, and you can't make me."
Ulrich shrugged. "Then I'll just kill you."
Angel squirmed, trying to break free. Could he do that? But it would be too late. Crystal might be dead by then.
Scarlet's hold tightened, pinning her in place. "You'd be punished. I've done no wrong."
"Grabbing a mortal to threaten? Think again. You've crossed the lines. As a general, I can take offense."
Scarlet straightened her shoulders. Glared at him. "I made a challenge." She raised her eyebrows and looked at Crystal. "Do you accept?"
Ulrich started to step forward, but Crystal held out a hand to stop him. "I accept. Take your filthy hands off my sister and get ready to die."
Angel stared. Did her sister really say that? Was that her Crystal walking forward, eyes flaring yellow and fangs flicking down? Where was Enoch? He could fix this. She glanced up toward the penthouse balcony. Why didn't he come?
Scarlet's voice turned smug. "He's on his walk. He can't rescue you."
"He doesn't have to." Crystal's voice sounded like sandpaper, low and rough. "You're no older than I am. I can kill you myself."
Angel cried out as Scarlet shoved her out of the way. Hard. She fell, her knees scraping the cement. Voronika gripped her and moved her to safety, placing her body between them.
Angel tugged on her. "You have to stop them! Scarlet's going to hurt my sister."
Voronika narrowed her eyes, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "I don't think so."
She didn't think so? What if she was wrong? Angel blinked back tears. Panic flooded her body. "But…."
Scarlet flung herself at Crystal's neck—too fast to see—but Crystal sidestepped her, raking sharp nails across Scarlet's torso and arm. Blood seeped from the deep gouges, and Scarlet stumbled.
Scarlet caught herself, regained her footing. The scratches sealed themselves quickly, but she hesitated. "Where did you learn that?"
"From Ulrich. He's been training me. I'm learning from the best. Has Feral trained you?"
Angel tugged again on Voronika's arm. "Help her."
"She can take care of herself. She needs to prove that, to grow strong."
Angel's world spun. What was wrong with the adults? Were they crazy? This was madness.
Scarlet licked her lips. She turned, looking for Angel, and saw Voronika.
Voronika raised a pale eyebrow. "You can't hide behind her this time. Not unless you can get past me."
Scarlet hurled herself at Crystal. This time, she slashed upward, toward Crystal's jaw. Long claws gouged at her neck, and Angel squeezed her eyes shut, afraid to watch. But she couldn't stand not knowing, so opened them again.
Crystal whirled and flicked her arm aside, then crouched and rolled, knocking Scarlet off her feet. When Scarlet fell, Crystal sliced her claws across her throat. Blood gushed, but the cut wasn't deep. It healed itself, and Scarlet sprang to her feet.
"This isn't sparring," Ulrich said. "Finish her."
Was Ulrich nuts? Why was he standing there, coaching her? Her sister was trying to protect herself, to survive this battle, and
no one was helping.
Scarlet didn't wait for the attack. She leaped high into the air and pointed her talons down to pierce Crystal's throat as she fell. But Crystal turned, hit Scarlet's shoulder with her own, knocking her off balance and turning her away. She drove her claws through Scarlet's back. When Scarlet opened her mouth to scream, Crystal jammed her nails deeper.
Angel stared.
Scarlet's eyes drained from yellow to flat-colored. She tried to raise her arms as she fell. Couldn't. She hit the cement, full force. Her face smacked the pavement so hard, Angel winced. Scarlet needed to move, to roll, but Angel could tell that she couldn't. And then Crystal's hand slashed down. Scarlet's head rolled away from her body.
Angel turned away and got sick. When she looked up again, Crystal was staring at her. Her eyes were still yellow and a shiver of terror slithered down Angel's spine. But then her sister's eyes turned from feral to green. Her nails withdrew, and her fangs clicked back in place. She ran to Angel and hugged her close.
"I'm so sorry," she cried. "I'm so sorry you had to see me like that."
Angel clung to her. Tremors shook her body, and Crystal pulled her closer. Safety. There was safety in Crystal's arms. "You protected me."
"Always," Crystal said. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"I'm a monster now." Emotion clogged Crystal's voice.
Angel stared at Scarlet. She was glad she was dead, glad she couldn't hurt anyone ever again. She pushed out of Crystal's arms. Fierce passion burned inside her. "You are not a monster! You saved me." She pointed. "Is Ulrich a monster? Is Voronika? Or Enoch? You're brave. You're good. You fight evil." Words spilled out of her. How could she explain? "You're a hero."
"A hero?" Crystal choked on a laugh.
"She's right." Ulrich came to stand beside them. "Who else is going to stop rogues from harming mortals?"
Crystal's expression grew serious. "That's what you do, isn't it? You stop vampires like Scarlet?"
Ulrich nodded.
"I want to be one of you. I want to fight rogues, too."
"Me, too." Lucinda came to stand beside him.
Angel stared. If Crystal joined Ulrich and Lucinda, she'd leave here. "No, I'll lose you. I won't see you anymore."