Waiting

by Kiahana

  I bit my lip to try and contain the joy spreading through me. I'd gladly sell my soul to the devil to hear him say that every day.

  “I love you, too.” He grinned widely before I continued. “Which brings me to my next idea.”

  Nodding, his face turned business like while he waited for my next thought, making me feel important. He wants to listen to me. I really hit the jackpot.

  “If you turn me I won't hold you back and I'll even be able to help, rather than just sit at home, which is probably where you'll stash me until you get back. Who knows how long you'll be gone and I don't want to be worrying the entire time.”

  I'd started out light, making a suggestion, before turning it into more of a demand, more strict at the end.

  He'd taken a seat and positioned himself between my legs, watching my face. For what?

  “No.” Well it was worth a shot. I sighed but nodded, accepting his decision. “You're not even going to ask me why?” Amusement and awe flashed in his eyes.

  “Well, I'm guessing I'll be a shit show and it'll be a lot of responsibility to turn and train me, so I figured it would just be too much of a hassle right now.”

  I was scooped into his lap and tucked tight against his chest before I could blink.

  “You are the most wonderful woman I've ever met. So level headed and reasonable. You think things out before overreacting, or even reacting to anything at all. And you're smart. Smart enough to save me a lot of trouble to bring Sam to us before rushing head first into danger.” Where was he going with this? “Have I told you that I love you?”

  “Maybe once or twice,” I teased.

  “I'll work on saying it more. But for now, I'll just explain to you why I won't change you today.”

  Oh, right. We'd been having a conversation before this.

  I sat up straight and looked into his eyes, awaiting his reasoning for keeping me human. Breakable.

  “You're not ready.” I started to argue but he stopped me with a look. “I want to be with you forever, to turn you and start your new life together, to protect and always be there for you, but it can't happen right now. I want you to be relaxed and not thrown into this. When we get Francis back, then we can re-discuss this. Oh, and after I meet your family.”

  He had a few valid points and I couldn't blame him for being logical, but the part that stood out the most was when he said, when we get Francis back.

  “Does that mean I get to go with you?”

  Hope filled my eyes, his grin making it hard to breathe.

  “We're going to take it one step at a time. For now I'm going to call Sam to me. It'll take her a few hours, depending on where she is now, though she'll have to come. If she's not here by six then I'll up the call, making it painful for her until she gets closer and closer. Francis and I call it Home Sick, because when we were younger and human, and away from home, we'd be in the worst moods, sometimes sick to our stomachs until we were within a few miles of our home.”

  I smiled at the memory he revealed, thinking it fit just perfect.

  “Ok. Should you call Gunther back to be here just in case Koopa comes with her?”

  “Gunther's outside and he's already called on our friends. We'll be ready in a half hour for anything she might bring with her, willingly or not.” His tone let me know he hasn't completely written her off and might think she can still come back to the good side. “He's praising you to everybody. Gunther is. You're brilliant you are. We might've thought about calling Sam eventually, but this is going to save us a lot of time.”

  “I have to be good at something. If I were completely useless you probably would've been spying on some other unknowing chick all these years.”

  With a roll of his eyes, he stood, placing me back on my feet.

  “Spying's a rather harsh word. And as for any other women, there is no other that I will ever want. You've been it since...for years now.” What had he been about to say? “I'm not going to mess this up.” He heaved a heavy sigh while inhaling deeply, smelling my confusion. “After Francis is free we need to discuss something. I'm dreading it but I don't want there to be any secrets between us.”

  He was starting to freak me out so I took a deep breath and counted to three before looking back into his eyes.

  “Ok.” There wasn't really much to say about that until he told me what it is that's troubling him. He needs a clear head to get Francis back. “What are we going to do when Sam gets here?”

  He smiled wryly at my smooth change of topic before taking my hand and leading me out of the kitchen.

  “I think I know who her mate is, and I plan on starting there.”

  TWENTY

  “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  A smile surfaced on my face when Parker's arms encircled me from behind, his head buried in the crook of my neck as he inappropriately skimmed his fangs along the sensitive curve.

  Fifteen of us stood topside on the mountain. Another thirty or so were hidden within a ten mile perimeter of us, cloaked so they couldn't be sensed right away if an attack did take place. Or so I was told.

  Sam should be here soon and we were trying to be prepared for anything.

  “Yes, but I'll never tire of hearing it.”

  I turned to face him, giving him a quick kiss before stepping back to put some much needed space between us.

  All I could think about was being with him and I didn't want the smell of my lust to waft to everyone.

  Parker stepped closer, not letting me keep the space for long, protectively wrapping his arm around me as everyone formed a giant circle. Everyone's mood changed to serious with the blink of an eye.

  A few seconds later three forms appeared in the center. Koopa, wearing a black spike collar and a multilayered green suit, dropped two forms. A frightened, fierce looking Sam dressed in a pink dress that reminded me of Princess Peach. He really was taking this Mario thing too far. The other, a bruised and bleeding Brian.

  My heart rate shot up as I instinctively started forward, only to be held back with Parker's unbreakable hold.

  Why did they have Brian? There was no reason for him to be a part of any of this!

  Brian inched away from Koopa. His left leg looked to be broken as he struggled to gain more than a few inches before Gunther gripped his shoulders and placed him outside the circle close to me. The group closed in to accommodate for Gunther's absence.

  He sliced open his wrist and held it to Brian's mouth, forcing him to swallow until he starting gagging. It was more blood than I've ever taken and his color seemed to get better almost instantly. The bruises on his face disappeared first, then his leg started putting itself back together.

  Parker let me go to him, comfort him, with Gunther protectively standing by as Parker started his plan.

  “Koopa. Thank you for dropping off my Kin.”

  Koopa's pudgy face turned into an evil grin as he kicked Sam's withering form closer to Parker.

  “It's my pleasure. She's a peace offering. I felt her pull when you called and decided to make sure she came to you, instead of letting her kill herself like she planned.”

  Her skinny form looked lifeless, her eyes staring at nothing.

  I helped Brian stand when his broken limbs healed and held him close when Gunther grabbed onto his arm, but didn't argue when he bit into his wrist, taking blood to ensure he had strength to fight in case it came to that.

  “I don't want her, I want Francis.” Parker's gaze narrowed in on Sam's with disgust before looking back at Koopa. “Why do you need Francis? You have plenty of followers.”

  “I don't need Francis, I want him. He's thorough with his work and I don't need to babysit him. You know how much of a hassle it is to find good help.”

  A slobbery grin met Parker's outraged scowl.

  “You might think you're invincible but you're about to start a war you don't want. You have allies, yes, but only those who owe you and don't really hold their loyalty with you. How dependent are you on those
you hold as slaves?” Koopa's grin turned into rage, not liking Parker's words. He’d obviously not thought ahead with his backup. “Me, on the other hand, I have family, friends, people who hold their loyalty with me out of choice, not fear. People who care about Francis and won't stop until we have him back.”

  I rejoined Parker, gripping his hand for support and glared at Koopa with the rest of them.

  “Watch your words, Parker!” he spat. “If you declare war, your brother will be killed immediately. Along with Sam and your human as soon as I get my hands on her again.”

  Parker's grip throbbed in pain, making me squeeze his arm, silently begging him to release me. When that didn’t work I pinched his arm and removed my hand before wrapping my arm around his waist instead, not letting our contact sever, afraid of what he'd do next.

  “I'll have Francis back by tomorrow morning, with or without your permission, Koopa. So what will it be?”

  Koopa snarled and looked around at our friends in disgust.

  “Like you and your band of merry men could contain me.” Eye's flashing gold around his fiery red eyes, fangs extended threateningly, he worked his neck in a circle as if preparing for battle. “Now, if you have nothing nice to say, then I suggest you...”

  His words cut short when out of nowhere a long line of silver dropped from the sky landing securely over Koopa's neck causing him to double over instantly before four vampires broke formation to cover him with more, effectively holding him immobile while his skin started to sizzle. Curses flew freely from his mouth.

  A small figure appeared above where Koopa had been standing, slowly floating to the ground in front of Parker and I with a satisfied smirk. The stout three foot tall man stood with a mane of brown, puffy hair, small fingers reaching out to shake Parker's large hand, disappearing altogether.

  “Tiny. A pleasure to see you, like always.”

  This was the infamous Tiny? It seemed kind of rude to call him that derogatory term. Like calling someone fat, Fatty.

  “Anything for you, Parker.” The childlike face turned to face me, hand extended, gripping mine for a second before letting go. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Piper.”

  “It's nice to meet you.” I smiled gratefully at him, thankful he was able to keep Koopa from escaping. “How did Koopa not sense him?” I returned my gaze to Parker.

  “Tiny has a special ability. No one can sense him if he chooses. I didn't even know he was here, or that he was aware of our plans until the chains dropped.”

  Tiny tsk'd.

  “You know I always watch out for family. I was at the club and have been watching over Francis for you, who's fine by the way. A little banged up and was low on blood, until Koopa left. I brought two meals to him with the instructions to free him, then let him feed.”

  A huge weight lifted off me at this news. Francis was alive and well, and might actually be free right now.

  “I wasn't able to stay and make sure he escaped since I followed Koopa here after I saw him grab Brian and Sam.” Tiny's voice was full of pride. “Your Piper is very fond of the Brian and I thought you would want me to make sure he lived.”

  He beamed at his accomplishments and waited for Parker to comment. His face lit up with the praise he received.

  “Of course. Thank you again, for everything. You know that you are free to do what you want, and I thank you for staying loyal. I hope you'll let me thank you properly.”

  Koopa let out an enraged growl, pulling all our attention back to him.

  “Francis isn't freed you idiots! I still have him. Even if he's fed, my guards won't let him get far!”

  Maybe we were celebrating a little too soon. After all, the last person to see him saw him chained to a wall, starving to death.

  “What are you going to do with Koopa?”

  “Yes, what are you going to do with Koopa?”

  Five new bodies floated to the ground just behind our circle containing Koopa, everyone again on high alert. Tiny disappeared altogether after sharing a nod with Parker.

  All five kept their hands up as if offering a peace. All eyes a fierce red, clearly Pulpas.

  “We aren't here for a fight. We were told to keep watch and kill anything that moved if a fight broke out. But as you can see and as you all well know, our loyalty only goes threat deep.”

  As if to assure us they weren't upset at Koopa's capture, two of them wrapped another silver chain around his left arm, snaking all the way to his shoulder.

  Koopa growled, though there was nothing he could really do but lie there and look pale.

  “Now that we've let our true feelings show, you understand that we can't let him live. If he escapes, we die. You know that.”

  “Back away from Koopa.” Parker's voice was lethal as the five newcomers were herded and surrounded by ten of ours, the others remained around Koopa. “Though we have a common enemy, it doesn't mean we are friends. I know of what you do on a daily basis and we do not condone it. Leave now, before I change my mind. We'll take care of Koopa. As a warning, I suggest you bring me Francis quickly, before I declare war with you and your Kin.”

  The apparent leader of the group smiled icily at Parker before all of them lifted a few feet off the ground.

  “Like I said, we want no war and no part in Koopa's plans. Kill him, and I'll bring you Francis once I find him. Where did your little friend say he was?”

  I looked around but Tiny hadn't reappeared.

  “He didn't. But if you came with Koopa then you know where to find Francis. You have three hours to locate him and contact me.” Parker chucked something at the leader who caught it with ease though it traveled with the speed of a missile. A phone I soon realized. “Your time starts now.”

  They disappeared before Parker finished speaking.

  At least they were old and strong enough to fly, which meant they were most likely smart enough to work quickly and efficiently.

  Koopa's estranged chuckle pulled my attention to see he was trying, but failing miserably to lift his head in our direction. I tugged on Parker's hand to get him to take a few steps forward, my curiosity getting the best of me.

  “You think this is over? Go ahead, kill me now. You have no idea what you'll be bringing down on yourself and everyone you hold dear.” His whole left arm was down to bone, no skin remained. Gross. “My only regret will be not being able to watch as you finally get thrown off your high horse, Parker. And you will. They'll make you insane before they kill you. How do you think I got to be the way I am?”

  Oh, please! A sympathy speech? Not buying it.

  “Bad parenting.” Oops, did I say that out loud?

  Everyone turned their focus to me before a few chuckles sounded.

  “Think what you want, but you need me.” Koopa didn't mind my verbal thoughts and continued on. “I'll give you a hint as to what will be done if you don't let me go, and then with every piece of silver you take off me, I'll answer a question truthfully and to the fullest extent.” His eyes roamed over me in a sickening way that made me instinctively take a step back. “You can't protect her. She's the first that will be taken, played with, then turned and kept as a slave so she's more durable.”

  Gunther was there, holding onto me as Parker flew forward, hitting Koopa's face with strike after strike until you couldn't recognize him anymore. A few of the men pulled Parker off, who flashed to me and held me close, a fierce blaze in his eyes.

  “You will never touch her! You'll only live the next three hours, so I'd start praying if I were you. I doubt it will do you any good.”

  I couldn't move, only stared into Parker's eyes. Both thankful for his protectiveness and surprised at his burst of rage at the mere words spoken about me.

  “Don’t believe me?” Koopa asked after his lips regenerated enough skin to pronounce words. I looked back at him, half his face missing, the skin hanging off in disgusting strips. “Just ask Sam...”

  Sam moved too quick for me to follow before reappearing with he
r hands around Koopa's neck, jerking with all her strength, depleted as she was. And before anyone thought to stop her she had a sleeper hold on him as she pulled and pulled on his head.

  “Last…chance…Parker.”

  Koopa’s strained words were cut short when he abruptly disappeared, the chains falling to the gravel ground and Sam falling backwards with a surprised gasp. She laid across the gravel road with no energy to move as Gunther went to her side to help sit her upright.

  “Where did he go?” I asked, looking around tensely.

  “He must’ve had help,” was all the answer I got before members of our group started wandering off with determined glazes.

  “I'm sorry, Parker.” Sam wouldn't look directly at him, though she caught my gaze a time or two. “I know everything that he's planning including who he's working with. I wanted to kill him for me and that was selfish, but I know how to get Francis and how to get his companions off your back.”

  She was wearing that light pink Princess Peach dress, her hair a twisted mess with a small gold tiara front and center. All the fingernails on her right hand had been removed, tiny stubs sticking out since they were trying to grow back but her lack of blood not giving her body the nutrients to do so, leaving bloody splotches.

  Slowly reaching out, she grabbed hold of the silver that was now laying in piles in front of her, surprising everyone when she garnished the strength to wrap it around her own neck before falling back to the ground.

  I broke free of Parker's hold and ran to her, quickly ripping it off and trying to set her upright. She didn't want to live, that much was evident. But she had information we needed. Especially now that Koopa had disappeared. And if possible, I was going to try and save her and Parker's friendship.

  “You're so drained of power, even I could take you on,” I teased, trying to lighten the intensity of the moment. “You don't need the silver.”

  Her eyes silently thanked me but she didn't respond, closing her eyes completely when Parker knelt next to me placing a hand on my shoulder.

  The only reason, that I know of, she helped capture me was to get her mate. The way she's acting now, I was almost too afraid to ask, though I did. Curiosity and time to kill were two winning reasons that talked me into it.