Silver

by Pieslak, Dixie

  Louie was at the curb when I pulled up. His dark hair was back in a tail like some artsy Hollywood directors and he wore a blue suit, complete with vest and tie. “A vest, Louie? In California?”

  “He grinned. “It's good to see you.”

  “Very.” I drove towards the freeway and started in. “Strange thing going on in Claremont. There's a new girl performing at the Tavern, with the most stupefying energy I've ever felt. It's been driving me crazy for days, but I just found out it was her last night.”

  He turned his head slightly. “Is she one of us?”

  “No, Henna’s human, just not like any human I've ever met before. I can't figure it out. I followed her home when she left the Tavern. Stayed outside her house most of the night.”

  “Are you attracted to her?”

  “More like annoyed. And angry.”

  His voice was like oil. “And also beguiled?”

  “Oh she looks tempting, all right, but I don't know her. Fascinated by her energy though, I'll give you that.”

  He took off his jacket and vest, perusing me the whole while. “Describe it.”

  I thought for a moment. “It's like electric sizzle in the air. I went hunting at the cabin and felt normal, but when I returned it was there again. Making me sizzle, too. My skin almost burns and it hurts and feels good at the same time. She sensed me as something different. Glared and shot bolts of anger and those damned vibes my way. I felt like I was stuck in a spotlight and couldn't move.” I shuddered. “Awful feeling, Louie, but it pulls at me. I don't understand and that's unacceptable. You know?”

  “So take her mind and ask what's going on.”

  “I will if it comes to that, but I want to learn more about her first.”

  He laughed. “Oh, you're beguiled all right, brother. What does she look like?”

  “Sort of tall, rust colored hair, or maybe burnt sienna. Early twenties, very attractive. And I'm not beguiled, so drop that.”

  “Burnt sienna? That's pretty specific. Two centuries and no woman, Brecken? Perhaps she's the one.”

  “There is no “one”. It's always about love with you, Louie. You know why I don't want it.”

  He shoved the seat back and propped his foot on the dash. “Non, mon ami, I don't know. All you've ever admitted is that love was not for you.”

  I steeled myself to go through it. “You know how you always look for love, even when you know you'll eventually lose the girl?”

  “Yes, and I'm right to do so, because love is everything. What's the point in our eternal life if there is no love in it?”

  “I don't agree. Love means pain. I've watched you hurt again and again. Grieve over each and every one of them, because they left you or died.”

  “Or they betrayed.” He shrugged in that old world Gallic way of his.

  “That, too,” I said. “Love may be good but I don't want a life of repeated pain. Avoid entanglements and I have peace. That's the long and short of it.”

  “Sometimes there is no choice about loving.”

  I knew he was thinking of Sonya, the one true love of his long life. In truth, I had been half in love with her myself.

  “Do you intend to follow this girl around, Brecken? Do the internet search and all?”

  “Follow, yes. Google, eventually.”

  His eyes slanted towards me. “Do I need to suggest that you be on guard?”

  “As I said, she's human. No threat that way.”

  “Maybe a threat, maybe not. Keep me posted?”

  “Oh, yeah.” The miles rolled by as we chatted about this and that, but my head always returned to Henna and relief that the annoying sizzle stayed way back in Claremont.

  We found a realtor in Santa Barbara, checked out at a few houses for rent and selected one that offered privacy for Logan. When he arrived we took him furniture shopping, not that he cared. Logan was human ruled and could take daylight but he spends a lot time sleeping. Odd thing is, if his vampire ruled his body, no way he could be depressed. That would disappear along with his human. But then of course, he would be killing again.

  Sunday evening Louie went hunting for female blood with Logan while I drove to Ojai and the animal filled hills beyond. Monday was lease signing and Louie rented a U-Haul truck and the three of us moved the new furniture into the house. Logan had a backpack stuffed with clothes, towels and such, so after we got the utilities turned on he mumbled thanks and we took off. Monday traffic was ridiculous and I had to drive Louie to Canyon Lake, so it was after 9:00 before I arrived in Claremont.

  The energy buzz was jittering my bones again and I couldn't wait. Eager to do what I was going to do, I drove up and parked on Henna's street.

  Chapter 9

  “Henna, give me that remote.” Christina clicked through channels. “These cookies are good.”

  “Mm hm, I like them, too.” I almost mentioned us making cookies together - but what if she didn't remember cause it wasn't important to her? “Couple of days ago someone at the office brought cookies. It made me feel like baking. Want to hear about my pizza date with Kyler?”

  ”Ooh, I forgot. How did it go?”

  “So-so. We ended up talking for two hours. He lives with three other musicians and they've formed their own band. Jeff didn't want all of them so Kyler was the only one he hired.”

  “Do they all sing or just Kyler?”

  “Two of them sing, but they all write and perform their own stuff when they're allowed to. I guess they usually are, just like me. Kyler can't play his music at the Tavern because it's not what Jeff likes.”

  Christina put the remote down and turned full on to me. “Are you going to see him again?”

  “Slow down, cuz. Kyler's okay. He's just way more interested than I am.” My cold toes dug under the couch pillow. “He invited me to hear his group practice, but I probably won't go.”

  “Why not? It's not a commitment. Be happy and enjoy yourself, girl.”

  Happy? I'm trying - but icy fingers keep crawling down my back and the memory of stifling tarp won't stay away. “I don't know. Maybe. Toss me the blanket, hey?”

  I crouched outside the kitchen door listening to every word, taking in the flow of her voice. I liked learning that Henna lived with her cousin. Family should stick together. But she went out with Kyler? That, I didn't like.

  This close to her, I kept a strong grip, closeting my own energy deep inside. She still might sense me, but the risk was worth it. Couldn't stay away, in any case. I've stalked lots of times and it involves more than following and listening. Potentially dangerous for me, but I was going in.

  “This one's a good show,” Christina said.

  Henna mumbled under her breath, unaware I heard it like a shout. Heh. She hates that show.

  I find B & E easy and fun and the specter of getting caught added spice. Tonight I wanted to rummage through her things, learn her interests. I'd break in to further my knowledge of her, but that's just the excuse. The real reason to do it is because I can.

  Lifting a screen and cracking a window is quickly done, but why not use the back door, which was conveniently unlocked. I slipped up the stairs even as Henna sat up sharp and turned my way. That jumpy girl might sense something and investigate, but there were always places to hide. And I'd grab her awareness if I had to.

  From the dark of the top landing I saw her stand and head towards the kitchen. The back door lock clicked and she glanced nervously up the stairs before she sat down again. Christina was jabbering about some thing or another of zero concern to me. I probably had a few minutes before Henna’s anxiety would draw her to check things out. I tamped down the magnetic pull urging me to … do what I wasn’t sure, but that damned pull was enticing and it wasn't even half the force I felt at the Tavern.

  No light in her room, which is irrelevant thanks to my enhanced rods for night vision. I walked in and stopped. Hmm. Pumpkin colored walls, flashed my artist's brain, with creamy white and olive accents, curtains to match. Henna seems to
be mildly untidy. Bed unmade, clothes on the chair and an empty plate with fork on the bed stand. A large dresser, built in desk and her own bathroom to the right. Her computer was on the desk. While it was booting up, I turned off the volume, rifled through a few drawers and checked out the closet. Bathroom next, but first her private correspondence.

  Nice that her email password was 'remembered'. My kind is gifted with perfect recall, so I merely scanned, absorbing information for later. I noted sites she'd visited recently and perused her addresses, banking habits and calendar. I scrolled through her half a dozen files, snorting at the games and zeroing in on the lyrics to tunes she 's composed. In other words, I snooped big time and enjoyed every second of it.

  Impossible to ignore the distance from me to her, so I knew when Henna moved towards the stairs. Computer off fast and, like old vaudeville skits, I slithered under the bed. She hesitated in the doorway and I willed my energy to extremes of stillness. But since she might check under the bed anyway, I allowed soothing ‘all is well’ vibes to seep into the quiet of the room. I do that all the time, yet with her they weren't completely effective.

  Henna had flipped on the overhead light so the fading glow of the computer screen didn’t catch her attention and it was her just uncanny sense of my presence that I had to block. I could do that, but my skin prickled and it threw me off kilter.

  She stepped to the bathroom, switched on the light then went along the hall turning on lights in other rooms. A moment later she was back, peering out the window to the street. I lay my cheek on the thick carpet, so near to her, so close to being caught.

  “Is everything okay?” Christina was at the bedroom door.

  Ahh, my mind cautioned. I might really get caught. The possibility upped the adrenaline rush, in a sick sort of way. Danger of any kind always attracted me, but hiding under the bed in an occupied house was atypical and a thrill shivered down my spine. I disappeared the adrenaline surge and sank into a void.

  Henna's feet stopped inches from my face. “I thought I heard something up here.”

  Yeah, right. She heard nothing. She had just fibbed to her cousin. Henna fibs. I loved it.

  Christina moved down the hall. “Did you check my room, too?”

  “Yes, but check again. I probably imagined it, though.” I watched her feet move to the closet. Surprise, surprise, Henna. Nobody there.

  Christina came to the door again. “This is a very safe neighborhood. Besides, all the windows and doors are locked.” Henna's cousin was good at reassurance.

  “Not the back door. I’ve latched it now, but is it possible someone could have gotten in?”

  “If so, where is he? Under the bed? Not much room.” Christina laughed and turned back to the stairs. “I’ll go check the garage.”

  “Wait, let me come with you.”

  They left the lights on and traipsed down the stairs, making a lot of noise to scare away the boogeyman, I guessed. Females seem to do that. The question was - stay or leave now? I wanted to stay. I imagined her trying to sleep with me that close. I imagined me staying that close and doing nothing else but stay that close. For a brief moment, temptation rolled in my head.

  Useless to pretend that scenario was wise. I scooted out to take a last look around. Partially burned candles in the bathroom, girl stuff in the drawers, lotions and cologne all over the place. There was a lingering scent from what she'd applied to her body earlier today. Nice. I tipped lotion onto my palm and squeezed. Very nice.

  A framed photo of Henna and a middle age woman was on the dresser. Not the slightest resemblance between them, so no clue who the lady was. The two drawers by her bed contained lots of unusual costume jewelry, a journal, and a small stack of photos. I hastily thumbed through them, lingering on one of Henna performing somewhere outdoors. Tempting and I wanted a souvenir.

  I left the photo but lifted one of the earrings she was wearing the first time I saw her. A pounded hoop with tiny bits of stone dangling on three chains, definitely hand made and unique. Perversely, I wanted her to think it was misplaced and go looking for it, so I slipped the backing off and left it next to the other earring. Then I ran my finger along her hair in the framed picture on the dresser, pressed it momentarily to her neck and left a print in the thin film of dust.

  I also left the computer sound turned off. Would she notice? Did I want her to realize someone had actually been in here? Suspect me? Yeah, unwisely, I did. Insane, but I wanted her mind on me, no matter the reason.

  The bathroom window was barely large enough. I slid it open and twisted out, grabbing the roof edge while I closed the window and replaced the screen before dropping lightly down to the side yard.

  Go home and ponder email information, or stay and hear what played out in the house? I buzzed and squirmed, toyed with the hoop earring in my pocket, licked the light dust from my finger and thought about the odd black streaks in Henna's aura.

  Shortly after lights out I made a tiny mistake. Henna wasn’t in bed. She was at the window of her darkened room. She saw me leaving, but I was in the shadows and she couldn’t know for certain whom she saw. I decided to be nice and didn't wave.

  My cousin was asleep and I stood at my bedroom window with anger raging in my chest. I was sick and tired of being afraid, but that stalker was out there right now and I knew it.

  A figure moved through the shadows across the street, barely visible to my eyes, but almost glowing to my senses. He was the guy from Saturday night and I was pretty sure he had just been in our house. I caught the feel of him and went upstairs to look, which was stupid. Should've called 911. On the other hand, that sense of him faded so maybe I was wrong. Not wrong about him in the deep shade of the tree though, probably thinking no one could see him.

  I should be scared and I was, but I was also mad. How did he find out where I work? Did he follow me from Venice? And now he knows where I live. Icy fingers raised goose bumps. No more victim, Henna. If I see him during the day, I'm going after him. Or call him out in front of Jeff at the Tavern. What I won't do this time, is run.

  Chapter 10

  I got home five minutes after leaving Henna's but the night wasn’t through yet. Amie Nixon is my eighty four year old landlady. In the event of need we've agreed that Louie or I would be her first telephone call.

  “Brecken, I think I need your help.” Her voice was strained.

  “Where are you?”

  “Upstairs in my bedroom. It hurts to move.”

  “Hang on. I’ll be right there.” I grabbed her emergency key from the hook in our laundry room and went in through her back door. I found her lying on the floor near her bed stand. Tears stained her face. I knelt at her side. “Tell me what happened, Amie.”

  “I got up to go to the bathroom and coming back I tripped. Maybe I kicked one of the cats, I don't know. I can't stand up.”

  A small stained glass house lit with a Christmas bulb served as her night light. Adequate, but one of the cats was black and she must not have noticed it jump off the bed where the tabby cat crouched, hissing at me. All animals and especially cats have an instinctive and totally fitting aversion towards my kind. I liked cats just fine, though I haven’t touched one since forever. At least dogs understand the alpha concept. Doesn’t work that way with felines.

  The black cat poked his head out from under the dresser. “I see him, Amie. He looks okay. Where does it hurt you?”

  “My ankle,” she pointed, grimacing a little. “At least I fell close to my phone.”

  “Yes, that was good. What do you want me to do? I can get you back to bed and see how it is tomorrow. Or I can call the paramedics.”

  Amie was realistic. “I want an ambulance.”

  I dialed 911 then lifted her onto the bed. She cried out a little, her lean arm squeezing around my neck. It made me hurt inside to see her in pain. I pulled a blanket across her then perched on the chair next to her and waited for emergency personnel. She was bravely fighting pain so I held her hand and eyeballed t
he cats, who eyed me right back.

  Amie is a cheerful lady, not too inquisitive about Louie and me and our private lives. The truth is, I liked her quite a lot and debated wiping pain from her. Better not, I decided. Pain was normal in this case and would keep her in the bed.

  “I’m sorry I had to wake you up, Brecken.”

  “No, I was awake. You did the right thing. How about a damp washcloth for your face?”

  “Yes, please.” I was back in a second and she closed her eyes as I dabbed gently at the streak of tears. “Thank you.” I heard the quiver in her voice.

  Damn that cat. I glared at the animal. It glared back, no cowering. Run and hide if need be, but never surrender - the typical feline motto. Hmm. Eerily similar to my own.

  When the doorbell rang I went down to let in the ambulance personnel and four firefighters. I stood back as they took a quick look at her ankle, checked her heart and blood pressure. They asked a few questions, and then the firefighters lifted her into a heavy cloth that swung like a hammock between them as they inched down the narrow stairway. I stepped up after they placed her on the ambulance gurney.

  “Amie, I'll feed the cats and gather up the mail. Anything else you need me to do? Call your daughter, perhaps?”

  “No.” She sucked in the hurt. “I’ll call my daughter from the hospital after they take care of me. She’s on vacation in Hawaii and I don’t want to worry her.”

  “Right. I'll call to check on you later. Okay?” I verified which hospital they were taking her to and went to make sure the animals hadn't scooted out the front door. Two rather large cats. A tiny snack if I were in a pinch. They wouldn't be happy about me in charge.

  I wanted to go over my recall of Henna's computer files and I also wanted to wallow in victory. But the night seemed interminable. My kind never needs to sleep though I do sometimes enjoy it. This was one of those times and I woke myself barely in time to meet my running buddies.

  “Streets or track?” Mark asked.