by N M Thorn
“How do you do it, Cole?” asked Damian quietly. “You don’t age either. And how do you manage to control your nature, being around humans all day long?”
“Haven’t you heard? I am eccentric.” He laughed, throwing a strand of his hair off his face. “People think I do plastic surgeries to keep my youthful appearance. And once in a while”—he twirled his wrist, a mischievous grin on his face—“I use magic to modify some records and memories. The almighty dollar can buy some serious wizard-power.” He fell silent, thinking, humor slowly dying down in his bright eyes. “As far as my nature. I’m a thousand-year-old vampire, Dima. I know how to control my urges.”
Damian nodded and opened the car door, stepping onto the warm asphalt of the driveway. Cole shut down the engine and followed him. As Damian pressed the button of the doorbell, Cole touched his shoulder, a guilty grin on his face.
“I’m going to need an invitation,” he said quietly. “You know, vampire and all.”
“I know,” replied Damian, feeling torn inside. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about his brother being an ancient vampire with hundreds, if not thousands of kills, under his belt. Could he trust him the way he used to, or was he loyal to his kind now? After all, they had been separated for over a thousand years. But one thing he was positive about—vampire or not, he still loved his little brother as much as he had when they were kids, and he wasn’t lying when he told him he would die before he would let anything happen to him.
The entrance door opened softly, ripping him out of his thoughts. Still dressed in her business suit, River stood in the doorway. As her eyes halted on Damian, a barely visible smile touched her lips.
“Damian,” she said. Her arm rose to touch his hand, but she changed her mind half-way through and lowered it. “I’m glad to see you. Are you okay after everything that happened this morning? I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there earlier. I would never have let Jesse treat you like that.”
“I’m fine. Thank you, ma’am,” he replied but didn’t move. “I see your father took care of the door. Have you had a chance to discuss our arrangement with him yet?”
“Yes, we discussed it alright.” Sam’s voice sounded from inside the foyer, and a moment later, he appeared next to River. Giving Damian a quick once-over, he smirked. “Before I sign off on your little arrangement, I would like to have a word with you, kid.”
“No problem,” replied Damian, “I expected that.”
River huffed and threw her hands up. “I feel like I’m back in the fifteenth century, and my father’s discussing my dowry with my future hubs.” She rolled her eyes, eliciting a snort out of Cole. “Hello! Macho-men!” She waved her hand in front of her father’s face. “I’m standing right here—a modern, independent woman, by the way.”
Damian lowered his eyes, suppressing laughter.
“Hello, Detective,” said Cole, offering her his hand for a handshake. “It’s nice to see you again.”
River shook his hand, her eyes narrowing for a heartbeat as her gaze darted from Cole to Damian and back. “I’m glad you’re here, Mr. Adams. I would still like to discuss with you a few matters associated with your own case.”
“Call me Cole, please.” He smiled, his smooth elegance shining through a touch too strong, and Damian wondered if his brother turned on his vampire ‘charm’ or if it was his natural demeanor. “There is no need for formalities.”
“And who are you?” asked Sam, frowning, before River could say anything.
“Cole Adams,” replied Cole, his smile growing wider as he offered his hand to Sam.
The old hunter squeezed his fingers in a handshake but held it a little longer than was necessary by accepted standards. “You have icy-cold hands, Mr. Adams,” he said through gritted teeth, suspicion reflected in his eyes.
“It’s a cool evening,” replied Cole with an easy smile.
“Uh-huh, I guess you’re right,” muttered Sam. “Seventy-five degrees for Arizona is close to freezing temperature. Should I offer you a fur coat to warm up?”
“Father,” hissed River, switching her attention to Cole. “Mr. Adams, please come in. Ignore my father.”
As soon as they walked into the foyer, Cole stiffened, grabbing Damian’s arm, but before he could say anything, River invited them to follow her through the hallways into the living area. Despite its size, the room was well illuminated with LED lights. A black leather sectional stood by the wall with a small glass coffee table in front of it. A couple of leather armchairs matching the couch were positioned on either side of it. A big-screen TV mounted on the opposite wall was tuned to the local news channel, and a few folders with the police department logo lay on the table.
“Mr. Adams,” said River, throwing a reproachful glance at her father, “would you mind accompanying me to the kitchen while these two... antiquated jackasses discuss whatever they need to discuss.”
She gestured toward the door, motioning for Cole to follow her. Sam frowned, ready to object, but then changed his mind. As Cole and River left the room, he turned to Damian.
“What happened here last night?” he asked, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “River told me some of it, but her explanation was more than confusing.”
In a few words, Damian described the events of the night before without holding any information back. When he was done, Sam exhaled, dropping his head into his hands. For a few moments, he remained silent and then raised his face, looking as if he had aged ten years in one moment.
“Can you protect her, son?” he asked quietly. “Do you know what is after her and why?”
“I have no idea.” Damian sat down next to Sam, leaning forward slightly. “But I’m going to find out. In the meantime, it would be best if I moved here. I think this is the safest option for River since she doesn’t want to hear about moving out.”
Sam pressed his fingers to his eyes, exhaling, and then raked his hand through his gray hair. “Goddammit. I wish she had never gotten involved with the Evans-boy. That family is cursed, I swear.”
“They weren’t cursed, Sam,” objected Damian, leaning back on the couch. “At least I don’t think so. But some powerful supernatural creep is definitely after whatever is hidden in the left wing, and as long as River is here, she’s in their way. I copied the architectural plans of the house, and I intend to visit the warded area again while she’s at work.”
“Fine. Maybe you’re right,” said Sam, turning a little to face Damian. “Here is what I was going to say, kid. River, even though she’s some big shot police detective, for me she is always going to be my little girl. Do you understand that?”
Damian nodded.
“So, if by some strange coincidence,” continued Sam, drilling him with his eyes, “while staying in this house, you lose your way around and find yourself in her bedroom at night, especially without a—”
Damian snorted as wild laughter bubbled up in his chest, and he struggled to suppress it. Sam threw a scorching gaze at him, and Damian raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, his eyes watering with laughter.
“Sam,” he managed to say finally, “remember when we were driving here, you asked me how old I was?”
“So?”
“I’m over a thousand years old, man,” said Damian, regaining his composure. “I was born in the year nine hundred sixty-two. Were you seriously going to give me the birds and the bees speech?”
“Jesus Christ almighty,” breathed Sam, slapping his hand over his mouth. “Are you seriously that old? You look like a thirty-year-old boy.”
“Who are you calling a boy? He is practically falling apart from age... A shitkicker... Your daughter is safe with him, Sam. I’m not sure all his body parts are still functioning...”
Damian winced at the sound of Gypsy’s voice in his mind and threw a warning gaze at her. The cat strolled into the living room and hopped onto his lap, rubbing her head against his stomach.
“Hey, Sasquatch, did you know you brought a vamp into this house?” The cat st
retched luxuriously, offering him her back to scratch.
“What is it with you and this cat?” asked Sam, his eyebrows rising. “She can’t have enough of you. I hate cats. Give me a dog any day, but cats?”
“And the cats hate you too, Sam. It’s mutual.” Gypsy yawned, displaying a set of sharp fangs, and turned on her side under Damian’s fingers.
The old hunter got up and leaned forward, massaging his knee. Then he halted in front of Damian, staring down at him intently. “Save my little girl, kid.” His voice shook, and he frowned. “I wish I knew how, but it seems you’re my only hope.” He extended his hand to him.
“We’re doomed.” Gypsy snickered.
“I’ll do everything I can,” promised Damian, trying to muster as much confidence to his voice as he could, but doubt tore at his heart. He moved the cat to the couch and got up, shaking Sam’s hand.
“Oh, awesome. I think they finally came to an agreement, and my future has been arranged.” River’s voice filled with sarcasm beyond limit sounded behind him, and Damian turned around. Both she and Cole walked into the living room, wild twinkles of laughter dancing in the vampire’s eyes.
“Damian, I have to go,” said Cole, suddenly serious. “My... um... banker summoned me.” He lifted his hand with his cell phone. “Give me your number. I’ll call you tomorrow before coming here.”
“He doesn’t have a phone. Can you believe it?” said River before Damian could answer, rolling her eyes. “But I’ll force one on him tomorrow. I’ll text you his new phone number as soon as I have it.”
Cole’s eyebrows climbed up, but he just thanked River and turned to Damian. “Would you mind walking me to my car?” he asked, giving him a pointed stare.
They walked briskly through the hallway, and Cole stopped in the foyer in front of the silver mirror.
“Damian, the Lady of the Mirror,” he whispered. “I don’t think we’re dealing with a ghost.”
“How do you know?”
“I don’t know. Just a guess.” Cole grabbed Damian’s arm and pulled him closer to the antique mirror. “Look. What do you see?”
Damian stared into the mirror and then glanced at his brother. He could see his own reflection and the reflection of the surroundings, but the vampire wasn’t there even though he stood right next to him.
“You don’t have a reflection,” muttered Damian, thousands of thoughts speeding through his mind. “You’re a vampire—”
“Yes, I’m a vampire,” Cole interrupted him snidely. “But I do have a reflection, and I don’t sparkle under the sunlight. Doofus.” He chuckled, pulling him out of the house. “Reading too many fantasy books lately?”
He led him toward his car and bent down, staring into the side mirror. Damian glanced over his shoulder and smirked. Of course, Cole had a reflection, and he knew it. Fighting with the undead for centuries, he was familiar with all their strengths, weaknesses and sneaky tactics. The no-reflection-story was just another urban legend the vampires had been spreading around for centuries to mislead humans.
“The mirror in the foyer is made of silver,” said Damian. “Do you think this is the reason you don’t reflect there.”
Cole shook his head, a thoughtful expression suffusing his features. “Doubt that. Not the first silver mirror I’ve seen.” He sighed, shoving his left hand into his pocket. “This is the reason I think the Lady of the Mirror is a spirit, but not a ghost.”
Damian rubbed his chin, staring at Cole’s reflection in the car window. “You’re probably right,” he said after a moment. “There are quite a few spirits that inhabit mirrors. I think if we find out which one we’re dealing with, it’ll help.”
“If it would help, this particular spirit doesn’t want to reflect evil,” said Cole quietly, fidgeting with the car remote.
“You’re not evil...”
Cole smirked, looking into the darkness of the night sky over Damian’s shoulder. “I’m a vamp, Dima. I’m not proud of my past, but I’ve learned to live with it and everything I’ve done. I killed many people. Especially when I was new to all that.” He dropped his head, frowning. “I’m positive that in the eyes of this spirit, it makes me evil.”
“I think I know who it is,” muttered Damian. “I’ll have to do some research to confirm my suspicion, but if I’m right, it’s good news.”
“That’s good.” Cole raised his face, a haunted expression settling in the ocean depths of his eyes. “Here is the bad news. The phone call I received earlier wasn’t from a banker.”
“I figured,” murmured Damian, unease spreading through him. “What’s going on?”
“The Queen is summoning me in the middle of the night. It won’t be the first time she summoned me at night, but—” He looked down at the small remote in his hand. “I have no choice. She’s the Queen, and she’s a lot older and stronger than I am. With my maker MIA, she is the only one who holds my leash, and she’s not afraid to yank it. I have to comply with her demands, no matter what they are. Unless I want to rebel and become one of the rogues, that is. But that would mean the end of my peaceful co-existence with humans.” He raised his eyes at Damian, and his lips parted. For a moment, he looked like a little child begging his big brother to protect him. “You have no idea how much I don’t want to go. Especially not today...” His voice trailed off, and he smirked, his features becoming hard again. “We all have our bane, right? You have your scars. I have my leash.”
“Cole, watch your back.”
“I always do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it to this age.” The car locks clicked as he pressed a button on his remote. Opening the door, he slipped inside and glanced up at Damian. “For God’s sake, brother, get yourself a cellphone, would yah?” He chuckled, his natural cheerfulness returning to him. “No phone, no car. You live like a caveman, dude. Come on.” He thought for a moment and added, “Unless you want me to create a blood bond with you instead.” Cole winked, displaying the full length of his dangerous fangs.
Damian shuddered and rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. “Jeez, man, hide those blades. You look like a friggin’ walrus.
Cole laughed, his fangs retracting, and started the car. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Be careful.”
The car took off and disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter 13
~ Cole Adams ~
A small sports car zoomed over the freeway, raising clouds of dust in its wake. Cole barely paid attention to anything around him, driving at the maximum speed he could squeeze out of his vehicle. Luckily, it was close to midnight, and the freeway was nearly empty. He wasn’t worried about getting into an accident since his sharp vampiric senses and speed allowed him to react instantly to the changing situation on the road.
Even though he could move a lot faster than any vehicle, he enjoyed the power and the speed of a good sports car, and every time he sat behind the wheel, his heart sang in tune with the roaring engine. But today, he didn’t feel his usual elation and excitement. The last call he received from the Queen set his nerves on edge, even though she hadn’t said anything unusual or out of character.
It’d been close to two weeks since someone poisoned him with Silver Nitrate and abducted him from his vacation home in Blue Creek. He had no idea who it was or why they had done it. He also couldn’t understand how they had managed to pass by his high-tech security system without triggering it. However, with all the events of the last day, he had no time to look into it.
What bothered him even more was that during this time the Queen of Arizona hadn’t made an attempt to find him—or at least he didn’t think she had. However, she showed up at the hotel to glamor the owner, and now, she wanted to see him in the middle of the night. Cole slammed his hand on the steering wheel, pressing down on the accelerator pedal.
More than anything, he was worried that the Queen had somehow learned he was the only brother of the so-called Shadow Slayer. He wasn’t worried about himself. Through the centuries, Cole had survived more intrigues, backst
abbing and betrayal of vampire royal courts than he cared to admit. He knew how to hold his own. He was worried about his brother. Damian was different. He had always been strong but too honest and straightforward to swim with the sharks and live to tell the tale.
On the other hand, the Queen of Arizona—an ancient vampire born somewhere in Persia during the rule of Alexander the Great—was as clever as she was deceiving and merciless. On the surface, she ruled in favor of keeping peace with the human population of the state, staying under the radar of the Destiny Council and any magical authorities. Nevertheless, Cole knew better. Well aware of all the shadow dealings and corruption of the Arizona Court, he didn’t want any part of it. Instead, he spent years building his tech-company, running a legit business from both human and supernatural perspectives.
It seemed that Queen Roxana had decided to move against Damian, declaring open war on the Shadow Slayer to protect her shady enterprise from possible destruction. If that was the case, Cole would have to make a tough choice—support his Queen and stick with his kind or lose everything he worked so hard for and stand by his brother who killed anything without a heartbeat. For Cole, it wasn’t really a choice. Now that he had his brother back in his life, he would do anything to keep him safe.
“I’m no one...”
Damian’s words sounded in his mind, and he frowned, pressing his lips in a straight line. That didn’t sound like the man he had admired since he could remember. While Damian had always been shy and awkward around people, he had never sounded so despondent and drained of life.
“Dima, what happened to you?” he whispered, pain gripping at his soul. He didn’t like the chain of events associated with Paradise Manor in the slightest. Even more than that, he didn’t like that his brother was in the middle of this unexplainable supernatural mayhem.