Silver

by Pieslak, Dixie

  He nodded. “A few weeks is all. We done here?”

  “Not quite. What are your plans? Obviously more than passing through.”

  “I'm not looking for trouble.”

  I didn't consider that an answer. “What, then?”

  “You have someone here?” Again he wasn't answering my question.

  I added an edge to my voice. “Human friends yes, as you saw. Our kind too, not far away and ugly mean. So walk careful, vampire.”

  “Look, I’m doing protocol like I’m supposed to. Why are you on my butt?”

  He was right. I was up in his face because I didn’t want another vamp anywhere near Henna. And here one stood, way too close. A couple of miles is nothing to us. He’d have noticed where she lived by now, if she weren’t heavily protected in the sleep I settled on her before sending Silver. Good that I didn't stay outside Henna's all night since he would've come to wherever I was. Now I only wanted to get rid of him.

  He shifted restlessly while I sucked in annoyance and gave my standard talk. “People are friendly around here, Russell. They watch after each other. It’s not a good place for us to feed. They stick in groups. Dorms, married couples. Very few live by themselves. Not a good town for hunting.”

  “Seems like you manage okay.”

  I bristled. “I manage, but not local. I travel to feed. Leave these people alone.”

  “Is that a suggestion? Sounded like an order.” His sarcasm rankled.

  “Both. I live here as I want and won’t tolerate anything screwing that up for me. You can have a short stay in Azusa but stay away from here.”

  “Humans wouldn't know.” He puzzled over my demands. “I know how to be careful. Been passing as human for years so what’s the deal?”

  “Simple. I don’t want you around.” I was neutral again, following ancient protocol which prescribes that the first one to arrive gets to make the rules. If Russell didn't accept, it was open challenge and one of us would bleed. The world is large with plenty of room for all and few of us would make such a challenge - including the weaker one standing in front of me.

  Russell scowled and jammed his hands in his pockets. “I may be looking for an old friend in Claremont.”

  “Thought you didn’t have any human friends.”

  “Call them acquaintances.” He seemed anxious to finish and so was I. A few rules left to cover. And give him something to think about that could change his vile life.

  “Russell, do you hurt them? Do you take more blood than necessary?”

  “Yeah, probably. Hard to stop and no reason to. Sometimes I leave them alive.”

  “And how long since you didn't?”

  He shuffled nervously. “Maybe five days. Like I said, I don’t kill every time. Do you?”

  “I like humans, Russell, and don’t like seeing them destroyed. You don't need to drain. Let them walk away. Wouldn't affect you at all. A little deprivation and self denial is good for us.” Wasted words, but why not try. “There's more to life than blood.”

  He shrugged noncommittally, so that was that. I couldn’t require him to respect human life, only to not take it in my territory.

  “Where do you get your money?”

  “Damned nosy, aren’t you?”

  “Protocol is protocol,” I said. “Answer the question.”

  “I take what I want.”

  “Meaning that you steal.”

  “Mostly, yeah. But I won’t around here so it’s none of your business.”

  Infuriating, but true. I couldn't judge him unless it happened in my territory. That’s how the unwritten rules go because we’ve all been there - desperate, hungry, running. Our lives aren’t easy. Burglary and mugging, disappearances and bodies in the hills are a miniscule part of unsolved crimes we are responsible for, and I was sure Russell had added his share.

  “I'm no vigilante but I don't trust you and will hunt you down if you prowl in my territory.” I lifted my lip, fangs showing. “Just saying ….”

  He squinted. “How old are you?”

  “Old enough that you should avoid messing with me.” Blatant truth and he saw it. Yet his verbiage and attitude told me that he would push every boundary of protocol.

  I was bored with formal nonsense and doubly angry that he'd seen Henna. He would follow protocol or not and I’d deal as needed. “So Azusa is it. East of there is off limits and don't try to bluff on me. I don’t expect to be seeing you again. Right?”

  “Pff. Yeah.”

  I heard the lie and my jaw tightened. “You don’t like to respect rules, do you.”

  “No, I get it.” He was suddenly careful, backpedaling from sarcasm. “If I pass through I’ll just keep on going. No stealing here and I won’t drain anyone in your territory.”

  “That doesn’t mean drag them off base, Russell. It means no hunting here.”

  There was something suspicious about him, something more underhanded than we usually are. If I made it uncomfortable enough, he should move on. Most of us would. Having another vampire angled against you doesn't make for easy days and nights.

  He turned sharply and walked off. Trouble, I thought. Bring it on. The world, both human and vamp, would be better off without Russell.

  His showing up - accident? Odds said yes. A long life has taught me that with my kind, none of the odds meant anything.

  Chapter 28

  Christina called me at the university. “There's a surprise waiting when you get home.” I heard the glee in her voice.

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “Nope. You'll see when you get here.”

  Of course I went straight home and then stood inside the front door and laughed. My cousin had taken the casual hint. “What is it?” Rapid, warning barks answered me.

  “I’m not sure? What do you think?”

  “Part doberman, part pit bull. Part everything else?” I knelt down, clicking my fingers at the outrageous dog. It snuffed, then growled, eyes alert, pointed ears flat to his broad head. I love big dogs but he was bigger than big and looked mean.

  “What’s his name?”

  “No idea. He was hit by a car and taken to a vet who patched him up. No collar, no chip. One of my co-workers is the vet’s sister and when I mentioned we were thinking about a guard dog, she stuffed me in her car and took me straight to the animal shelter. He's about two years old and they said he's trained. Try giving him a scratch.”

  “What if he takes my hand off?” I bent over, palm down, letting him sniff. But the dog was just as leery of me as I was of him. “He doesn't like me.”

  “Give him a minute.”

  I tried sweet talk. Nothing. I tried beaming out warm feelings, like I do with people. The dog seemed to get that and went for a sniff of my fist, then feet and calves, knees and all the way up - and up went shoulder high. But the stubby tail moved and the ears pointed to the ceiling. I waited a few more minutes, cooing more sweet talk, then turned my hand and scratched under his chin.

  “Ah ha,” Christina said. “See? I told you so.”

  “You like me, puppy?” The tail moved faster, quivering his behind. It made me laugh, he was suddenly so eager. I sat on the floor, scooted back and called to him and he wiggled and put his broad muzzle into my hand. Cautiously friendly, a dog asking to be loved.

  Christina squatted down beside us. “He was at the shelter for nearly three weeks and nobody came or called about him, so I decided to rescue him. We have a nice yard and I should've asked you first I guess, but I liked him a lot so I brought him home.” She scratched above his tail and the dog gave a soft growl. “It’s a fake growl, Henna. I already learned that.”

  “Does he always bark like when he first saw me? Like he's going to attack?”

  “Yeah, it took me a while to win his trust. But he only barks at strangers, they said. And he’s already caught a gopher.”

  “Oh, no. A killer dog.”

  She nodded and scratched again above his stubby tail. “A guard dog. More than eighty
pounds of muscle and a really good nose.”

  “Good nose for what exactly?”

  “Mice or possums? Who knows? As long as he leaves skunks alone.”

  “Yeeou. No skunks, please.” I rubbed along his sleek body. “He has beautiful cocoa eyes, doesn't he. Where will he sleep?”

  “Garage? Laundry room? He’s housebroken so it doesn’t matter. Just not outside.”

  “Why not? Mom's dog used to sleep in a dog house by the back door.”

  “There's too much danger from coyotes. They come down looking for stray cats and water, although come to think of it, I haven't heard any around here lately. They usually yap when they get a rabbit or something. I don’t want them to gang up on him, even if he is tough and bigger than they are.”

  “But they can’t get into the yard.”

  “They can if they want. Sometimes they even walk along the top of the block walls. I’ve seen it before. When you jog in the morning you might spot one in the middle of the road. They'd probably be smart enough to stay away from this monster, but why take the chance.”

  “Okay. So we have a no name dog that will scare off the world and sleep wherever he wants to. Love it.” I grinned. “A real watch dog.”

  “A hungry watch dog,” Christina nodded. “I’m hungry, too. Have you had lunch?”

  “Nope. I came right home.”

  “Tuna sandwiches?”

  “Sounds good. We can decide on a name for him while we eat. Let me go change first.”

  Christina headed for the kitchen and the dog bounded behind up the stairs after me. A dog with a good nose and hunting instinct. A dog that barks at strangers. Where has he been all this time when I could have used him?

  Hours later I gave Sonar one last scratch and set off for the Tavern. When I seated myself and turned to the small crowd, Brecken was there. Not up front, but there. I couldn't decide whether to keep my cool or be mischievous like when I bumped into them during my jog.

  I started to tune my guitar. Brecken had been so edgy with his running buddies, like a mafioso guarding his property and trying to pretend he wasn't. I wasn't sure I liked it, but in a way I did and decided he deserved a wink but not a smile. And besides, maybe it was time for a step back to keep him off balance.

  I went through my first set, smiled thank you to the patrons then set my guitar down and went over to Brecken. He acted all innocent friendly, like we weren't seeing each other on the sly. “Nice set, Henna. Will you sit with me?”

  Back step, Henna. You have a good excuse. “I can't. Jeff needs to see me.”

  “Nothing serious, I hope.”

  “Serious enough in a good way. He's hired a new act and wants to arrange the schedule. Tonight is slow so he wants to talk now and have it over with.”

  He frowned. “Jeff auditioned someone new? No poster outside about another act.”

  I'm talking and that isn't stepping back. “The guy's sister brought in a sample of his music and a picture. Jeff knows her and is willing to give him a shot without the audition.” I shrugged. “He's the boss. The new guy is Conor something. He's from out of state and is supposed to get here in a few days.”

  Brecken spun his finger around the rim of his wine glass. “You okay with that, Henna?”

  “Absolutely. I can't keep playing seven nights a week and I'll still be top billing. By the way, nice to meet Ev. Uh, and Mark. Friendly guy, isn't he.”

  Brecken scowled and I laughed. His expression went irritated and I laughed harder.

  “Didn't you like Mark flirting with me? He's cute.”

  “Mark's a hustler, Henna. That's all.”

  “And I've never met a hustler before? Dozens of them.” I felt his temper stirring and remembered the watcher feelings from outside my house and couldn't resist my next words.

  “Brecken, guess what? I asked my cousin to get us a big guard dog.” I laughed again at his puzzled eyes. “Fun, huh? He'll go jogging with me now.” Feeling saucy and totally in charge, I blew him a sweet little kiss and went to see Jeff.

  At some point during my next set - not sure just when - Brecken disappeared. At some point - not sure when - he was back again.

  On a wicked hunch I called Christina. Nothing special, she replied. Watching T.V. Did some laundry. Oh, and must be a possum or something outside. Sonar was going crazy, barking and tearing back and forth. He finally stopped and curled up with a doggy grin on his face, like he'd chased the boogie man away.

  Interesting. Very interesting.

  I'd circled Henna’s house then sat in the car listening to the animal’s efforts to chase me off. Christina tried to hush it. Sonar, she yelled. Couldn’t see the dog, but a massive rottweiler it was not. Raging at me, however, it absolutely was.

  Sneaky gal, I thought as I rushed back to the Tavern. What had Henna meant that she didn’t say? Why did she think a dog would concern me? It seemed patently obvious to me, when I recalled the black dog at the coffee shop and frantic yaps in some of the yards we passed on our walk the other day.

  I was frustrated. With a loud barker like that, no sending of Silver tonight. And no slope. Suspicious, sweet Henna has taken the gloves off.

  Chapter 29

  Ev was on the grass stretching and he was alone. “Mark is late,” I noted.

  “He phoned last night and told me he wasn't running this morning. I'm ready if you are.”

  “Right. Track today?”

  “Yep.”

  We ran lap after lap in silence, which Ev never does. I could almost hear him thinking. No one else around, perfect chance to say whatever he's been wanting to say for the past week or two. Just get on with it, Ev. Spill.

  Finally I prodded. “Something on your mind?”

  “You knew that, eh?”

  “Your silence screams.”

  His jaw tightened, but he slowed the pace to a jog. “Remember our conversation a couple of weeks ago?”

  “Mmm.”

  “Can we talk some more about that?”

  “Do you need more laps, Ev?”

  “Like it, don't need it.”

  I veered to the area where we sat the last time.

  “See?” he said, gulping air. “I’m taking in all the oxygen I can get and you’re barely breathing.”

  I flopped to the grass. “We haven’t been running that long.”

  “Twenty-five and a half laps at a nice clip. Anyone would feel it. I sure do.” As before, he sat a few feet away me and as before I swiveled to look at him and - no hem and haw - he was already spilling.

  “Yesterday when we met Henna? You were ready to crawl out of your skin because we were there. She looked good and you didn’t like us talking to her.”

  I closed my eyes. So perceptive this youthful running mate. Circuitous and direct at the same time. I wanted to drink in his wily intellect. Why not? That or discuss my reactions to Henna. The choice was easy on this empty track. Since Ev wanted to toy with me, I would toy back. “You up for a challenge?”

  He leaned away from me. “What challenge?”

  “In about thirty seconds you're going under. With a warning, to be fair. Gives you the chance to resist.”

  “No, wait. I want to talk, not experiment. We already did that.”

  “And we're doing it again.”

  He jumped up and I smiled nicely at him. “Fair is fair. Watching is what you do and this is what I do.“

  I clutched hard at his phenomenal mind and crushed both conscious Ev and deep, watchful Ev into vacuous stillness. A long time running buddy, someone I admired. Young, vibrant - available. I walked down the track a few paces, my thoughts flickering through the ethics of using Ev. But my body thirsted. It was the dark me that drank in Canyon Lake and each enjoyable visit to the Fallbrook couple since. Different here. This would be human me drinking. My fangs slipped loose.

  I stepped behind Ev, smoothly twisting his hand up behind his back to expose the inner arm where the blood flows visible. Satisfied hiss, sharp suck of air, a split sec
ond dip and the heady rush of pleasure. Warm red swished around my teeth, my mouth clamped like a vise. I grasped his shoulder to steady him and leaned my head into his back, stabbing deeper, the flesh of his arm soft around hard needles as blood gushed with each heartbeat.

  I closed my eyes, giving in - full surrender - folding myself over to thirst and the delicious flow. I was completely absorbed in his healthy blood and my healthy self. Every time it’s the same. Every time it is new. For that moment I held him entrapped and freed myself to be myself.

  Then, gripping the arm even harder, I pulled out and struck a second time, swallowing deep, relishing the adrenaline taste of alarm he shouldn't have been able to feel. A fourth swallow. Dessert. Then a fifth. No vigorous human would miss the few ounces that were indispensable to me. Ev ate many times each day, I eat seldom and relished it far more than he ever could. Leaning into him on the track, I fed cleanly. No drop wasted.

  Ev thinks I don’t breath correctly? Just catch me now, richness swelling my being. I know how to breath, deeply and fully. I know how to take and I know how to stop.

  I slid out then pierced again, precisely, injecting the coagulating factor, the temporary, vampire gift that doesn’t alter humans but brings closure and quick healing. Spit would do it, but I wanted the purity of that final piecing. Sometimes the lascivious lick, sometimes benevolent bite. Both work.

  I left him standing on the grass and walked away again. Feeding off an acquaintance was normal. Louie and I lived most of our many years with unaware donors. Ev was unaware, I thirsted, so I fed. Should I feel bad since it was this particular friend? Um … no.

  I stood a few feet away from him, let go of his mind and waited. He looked at me and also waited. I knew he was conscious. Another game of who speaks first?

  I wanted to lie on the grass and luxuriate in the warmth that coursed through my body, but Ev needed attention now. Casual check of his arm for traces. Clear and clean. “Are you okay?” I said softly.

  “That was wrong, Brecken.”

  “Maybe. How do you think I feel about you watching me all over the place, cataloguing my skills and weaknesses.” No weaknesses. But it sounded good.