by Mac Flynn
Dolf frowned. "I don't concede anything, but this is suicide."
Simon shrugged. "Then remain in the car. I will bring the safe in your place."
Dolf narrowed his eyes. His hand stretched over the seat sprouted fur. "Nobody takes my place."
Simon bowed his head. "Then I expect good results." His eyes swept over our group. "From all of you."
Maeve straightened in her seat and pursed her lips. "So no human witnesses, and nothing to keep us from doing the most damage, am I correct?"
Simon nodded. "You are. You have carte blanche to commence with whatever attacks you wish. Just remember not to destroy one another in the process."
Our witch friend smiled and reached into her coat pocket. She brought out a small pestle, mortar and a bag of dust like what she'd sprinkled on me. "Where do we start?"
Simon looked to Dolf. "I believe the gates are rather weak looking, don't you agree?"
Dolf grinned and looked ahead. "I think you're right," he replied as he started the car.
He turned us around and drove us back to the gate. I looked at Simon and pointed at myself. "So what do I get to do? Be bait?"
"You will remain with me as we bring up the rear," he told me.
My face fell. "Is that it?"
Specter laughed. "I could possess you again if you want."
I studied him for a moment before I returned my focus to Simon. "On second thought, that doesn't sound too bad."
Maeve nodded at the top of my head. "And it will keep my spell in your hair."
Specter clapped his hands and rubbed them together. There wasn't any noise. "So when do we start the chaos?"
"In five seconds!" Dolf called from the front seat.
The front gate came up on us. It was set far enough back from the road there wasn't much of a turn into it. Dolf punched on the gas and threw his head back in a maniacal laugh.
The suited guards stepped behind the gate to see what all the squealing tires was about. Their mouths dropped open and they leapt out of the way a half second before we slammed into the gate. The thick iron bars were no match for the weight and speed of the limo. Their bolts tore from the stone wall and the gates came crashing down. We skidded off the gravel driveway and bounced onto the grass.
I clutched the car door beside me and glanced out the rear window. The guards picked themselves up and one of them threw off his glasses. He tilted his head back and let loose a long, loud howl.
Maeve whipped her head to Dolf. "What'd he say?"
"He's calling that!" Dolf warned us as he nodded out the front windshield.
He gestured to a flurry of phantoms and a pack of transforming black-suited were-guards. A half dozen bonfires were lit around the house, and over each one presided a woman. The bonfires shrouded the house and close grounds in a thick fog bank.
Maeve rolled up her sleeves and grinned. "This might be fun after all."
"And I'll help," Specter offered.
Dolf careened us into the fog. Large thumps on the roof announced the arrival of the werewolves. Dolf applied the brakes and we skidded to a stop within the dense fog.
I screamed when something clawed at my window. Simon flew past me and opened the door nice and hard. There was a yelp, and he turned to me with his sly smile. "I believe I just broke its snout."
"Let's move!" Maeve shouted as she rushed out the other door. Specter flew through the ceiling.
A burst of colorful light came from where Maeve had gone followed closely by a lot of yipping. The light twirled around like a disco ball and illuminated the shadows of the two dozen fighters. There was a high-pitched cackle followed by a high-pitched scream. It was wonderful chaos.
Dolf opened his door and grinned at us as he quickly transformed. "I can't let them have all the fun." He leapt outside and the sounds increased.
Simon grasped my shoulder and grinned at me. "We should take cover."
I blinked at him. "Before what?"
He nodded at Maeve's open door. The fog was slowly swirling. "Before our ghostly companion's trick commences."
Simon pulled me from the vehicle and into the thick fog. I clapped my hand over my head as we ducked and dodged the battle. We burst from the fog at the far end of the lawn close to the garage. I looked over my shoulder. The house was completely shrouded in swirling mist. Our friends were nowhere to be seen, but their battles were a chorus of yipping and screams.
A long, low howl interrupted the cries of defeat. It was followed by a half dozen stronger ones. Simon stopped us at a tree near the garage and turned. His eyebrows crashed down.
I glanced from him to the fog and back. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Dolf is in-"
The lights from Maeve's disco-ball fun disappeared. "Get off me!" I heard Maeve shriek.
"Maeve!" Specter shouted. The perfect swirl slowed to a stop.
I whipped my head to Simon. "We have to help them!"
He turned to me and clasped his hands on my shoulders. "Remain here."
"But-" He leaned down and caught my lips in a long, passionate kiss.
Too long. I heard another howl of trouble from Dolf. Simon pulled us apart and raced toward the fog. I stretched out my hand, but it was too late. He disappeared into the thick mist.
I backed up so I stood beside the tree. The garage stood some ten feet behind me. I gripped the rough bark of the tree and waited. My ears picked up on the slightest sounds. A groan from a werewolf, a scream from a witch. I couldn't decipher if they were friend or foe.
"Come on," I whispered. I gripped the bark tighter. "Come on."
The disco lights returned. The fog started to swirl again. A single, triumphant howl filled the air.
My shoulders fell. I clutched my chest and smiled. "Thank god."
"May I join in the celebration?"
CHAPTER 9
My eyes widened and I spun around. Standing three yards behind me in the shadow of the side of the garage was a man of thirty. He was a few inches taller than me and wore an impeccable black suit with a white shirt and blood-red tie. His short black hair stood on end in a becoming messy manner. On his lips was a familiar sly grin, and his eyes glowed red in the deep darkness. One of his hands was tucked into his suit pants pocket. The other hung by his side.
I took a step back. He gave off a creepy vibe. "Who are you?"
He sighed and shook his head. "I never expected Simon to tell his 'friends' about me, but not to tell his fledgling? That's inexcusable. Especially how a fledgling should know her 'brother.'"
I frowned. "If you're my brother than I'm a single child."
The man chuckled and pulled his hand from his pocket. His middle finger was missing. I gasped as he strode toward me. He paused and lifted his hand. "Ah. My dear brother was kind enough to tell you of my deformity, was he?" He clenched his hand into a fist and he grinned at me. "But you, also, have a deformity. Unfortunately, yours is a far deeper one. A deformity of the soul."
I blinked. He disappeared. I felt a hand brush against my hair and spun around to find him standing behind me. His hand was covered in the dull powder Maeve had sprinkled over my head.
He raised his deformed hand and studied the powder. "A useful concoction, but only when it remains in your hair."
A chill sank into my bones. My blood ran cold as I whipped my head left and right. I caught sight of a shadow. It pulled itself from those of the garage and shifted into the shape of a cloaked figure. The thing pulled a dagger from its cloak.
I turned to run, but Trica caught hold of my arm and pulled my side against him so we stood perpendicular to one another.
His eyes were on the Phantom and he grinned. "Death is a magnificent creature, isn't it?"
My eyes flickered to the Phantom. Its dagger glistened in the light of the blinking stars. It was only ten feet from us. I tried to tear myself free, but his grasp was as strong as iron. As strong as Simon's.
Trica leaned down and whispered into my ear. "Will you come with me without st
ruggle, or shall I give you to him?"
I bit my lip. One promised certain death, and the other promised death. I whipped my head around and glared at him. "Fuck off."
He straightened and chuckled. "A very admirable reply. I think I'll keep you."
He pulled a small knife from inside his suit jacket. The silver blade shone brightly in the dark. He flicked his wrist. The knife flew from his hand and into the chest of the Phantom. It let out a horrible scream and clutched at the knife.
"Trica."
Trica spun around and pulled me with him. Before us stood Simon. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair disheveled, but there wasn't a scratch on him. His eyes blazed with anger and his lips were curled back in a snarl.
Trica smiled and bowed his head. "Good evening, big brother, and good night."
He pulled a white packet from his suit and threw it to the ground. The packet exploded into a thick fog bank. Simon lunged at us, but disappeared into the mist.
Trica tossed me over his shoulder and sprinted across the lawn toward the lapping water. I heard the roar of a boat engine and saw a large speed boat at the dock. A pale woman stood at the controls. Trica hopped and landed on the buoyant floor. He dropped me into a corner and took the controls. We zoomed into the center of the wide river.
I sat up and spun around to face the shoreline. Simon flew down the lawn and clattered onto the dock. He skidded to a stop at the edge. His red eyes glowed in the dark night.
Trica glanced over his shoulder and grinned at Simon. "Open the safe and I'll meet you there!"
We sped off down the river. Simon's figure faded into the distance. I spun around and glared at my two captives. The other vampire sat near me. Her red eyes watched me.
"Is she the one?" she asked Trica.
Trica grinned at me and nodded. "Yep. What do you think of my new sister-in-law?"
The vampire tipped her head to one side and continued to stare at me. She didn't blink. "Very usual."
I leapt at the unknown vampire with my fingernails bared. She jumped up and dodged my attack. Her hand shot out and tried to grab my wrist. I tripped over some rope and my arm tumbled out of his reach, but not my legs. I swiped at her feet and made connection with both of her ankles. She dropped onto her rear on the floor of the boat.
Trica threw back his head and laughed. "Still think she's usual?"
The vampire's expression was blank, but she at least blinked at me. "No."
"As amusing as this is, I'd be grateful if you two would play nicer together. I don't want the boat to rock into shoals," he scolded us.
"Pull over and I'll consider it," I snapped.
He faced ahead and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. You see, you're a very important part of my plan."
"To kill Simon?" I accused him.
Trica laughed. "I bet he gets you for that word a lot."
I climbed to my feet and faced him. The other female vampire remained seated. "Get to shore or I'll rock this boat worse," I warned him.
He sighed as he reached into his suit jacket. "I hoped we could have a lively conversation. I haven't had one since-" his eyes flickered to the woman, "-well, for a really long time, but I can see this isn't meant to be."
I lunged at him. He pulled out another packet and threw the contents into my face. I sneezed and rubbed my nose.
"I think I've had enough. . .enough of-" I clutched my head and swayed from side-to-side. The world spun. My head felt light. "What. . .what did you-" I dropped onto the floor of the speeding motorboat.
Trica glanced over his shoulder and grinned down at me. "Just a little hawthorn powder to knock you out."
I blacked out.
CHAPTER 10
I don't know how long I was out, but when I woke up we were in a car speeding down a familiar winding road. I was in the back seat of a blood-red sports car. Trica and the woman sat in the front.
I sat up and regretted it when my head pounded. "You shouldn't move too quickly," Trica warned me.
I gritted my teeth and glanced out the dark window. Forests loomed toward us from either side of the road. The scent of bay water hit my nostrils like a bucket of vinegar.
My eyes flickered to the front seats. "Where am I?"
Trica glanced through the rear view mirror and smiled. "I'm sure this road is familiar to you. If I recall, you helped my brother to steal quite a truckload of valuable items."
My eyes narrowed. "Why do you keep calling him that?"
Trica shrugged. "Because it's true. We aren't blood brothers in the usual sense, but we were created by the same vampire at near the same time, he being a couple of decades older than me."
I frowned. "If you two are bothers then why are you doing this to him?"
"Aren't you having fun with my little game?" he wondered.
"If you mean trying to get us all killed the no," I retorted.
He wagged his finger. "There you go with that word again. Simon must have his hands full just scolding you on that."
I lunged for the handle of the closest car door and gave it a hard yank. It was locked and solid. Trica turned a sharp corner. I fell back to the center of the rear seat.
He frowned at me. "Don't try that again. Simon would be disappointed if he doesn't find you at my home."
I glared at his reflection in the mirror. "It's not him I'm trying to disappoint."
Trica chuckled. "I can see why my brother chose you to be his bride. You have a lot of potential."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Skip the flatteries and tell me what you plan to do with me."
He grinned. "You'll see."
Trica slowed the car and turned the wheel. We bumped onto a weed-choked dirt road. The bushes scraped against the sides of the sports car and the low-lying tree branches knocked against the windows. The darkness within the thick, ancient forest was nearly impenetrable to my vampire eyes.
The winding road went on for a few miles before the path opened to a large clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a towering, decrepit mansion that greatly resembled the one close to the cemetery. Storm dormers on either side of the tall, narrow windows hung loose at odd angles. Its white paint was yellowed and peeling. The front door was covered in a thick layer of dead leaves. The filthy windows glared down at us as we curved around the circular driveway and parked in a short parking spot just past the front door.
Trica shut off the car. The doors unlocked. I leapt at mine and flew out the driver's side. My feet hit the ground running, but Trica was faster. He grabbed my wrist and swung me back toward the car. I tripped and he released me so I could fall backward onto the ground.
He stalked toward me and towered over me. His red eyes glared down at me. "Do not try that again."
"Make me," I hissed.
Trica pursed his lips. He leaned down and grabbed my wrist to pull me to my feet. I was dragged to the door where we rejoined with the blank-faced vampiress. She opened the door for us and we stepped into a large, dust-filled entrance hall. On either side of us lay two arches that led into a dining hall on our left and a parlor to our right. The furniture was draped in yellowed sheets. A curved staircase to our left led to the second floor.
Trica shut the door behind us and the vampiress positioned herself behind me. He released me and strode to the center of the entrance hall. "This could take some work, but-" He stretched his arms out on either side of himself and turned to face me. "-welcome to my abode. My current one, that is."
I glanced at the female vampire close behind me. "Your maid missed a spot."
Trica pursed his lips and dropped his arms to his side. His eyes fell on the young woman and his face fell. "Yes, well, she isn't too responsive at this moment, but I'll see what I can do myself." He raised his left hand and snapped his fingers.
A whirlwind burst from beneath his feet and flew outward. I covered my face with my arms and ducked my head as the rough wind hit me. It pulled at my clothes and whipped my hair about like an unruly child. Dust
brushed against my skin in an upward direction.
The sudden tornado lasted for five seconds and then blew past me. I peeked open my eyes and watched the devil wind sweep into the adjoining rooms. The wind pulled off the covers and flung open the windows. The dust it carried with it flew out the windows and into the forest. The wind slammed the windows shut and moved out of sight into the deeper depths of the home.
When the wind was finished the rooms were spotless of dust, leaves, and even grime. I lowered my arms and blinked at the clean surfaces around me.
Trica grinned. "Neat trick, isn't it? I bet you didn't know Simon and I could do that. Maybe even Certus."
My eyebrows crashed down. I whipped my head to him. "Where's Certus?"
Trica folded his arms and chuckled. "He's safe, at least for the present." He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. "And Simon should be here within ten minutes. He would be here earlier, but he has several people to pick up."
"More of your playthings?" I snapped.
Trica didn't lift his head, but his eyes flickered up to me. They were cold and hard. "No. This 'guest' I find very un-amusing." He raised his head and smiled. "But why don't we wait in the parlor? It's more comfortable than standing here."
I crossed my arms and planted my feet on the floor. "I'd rather wait here."
"I'd rather wait in the parlor." Trica looked past me at the woman. She grabbed my upper arms and pulled me toward the parlor.
I twisted and squirmed in her grasp. Her hold was tight, but not as tight as those of Simon and Trica. I wrenched one of my arms out of her hand and swung around. The back of my hand connected to the side of her face. She stumbled back and released me.
I made to run for the front door, but Trica let out a roar that echoed over the entrance hall. He appeared in front of me, his eyes ablaze with hellfire. He grabbed my wrist and flung me toward the parlor. The force behind his throw sent me reeling backward into the next room. The back of my knees hit the side of a couch and I fell onto the stiff cushions.
Trica hung over me in an instant. His fangs were bared and his clawed hands flexed on either side of my head. My heart thumped in my chest as he leaned closer to me. "Never touch her again," he hissed.
He paused and cocked his head to one side. His fangs retreated into his mouth. A sly smile slipped onto his lips. "Simon always was punctual." His eyes flickered back to me. His smile disappeared. "If things get rough, remember my warning."