by Susan Stec
He pulled away, sticking his finger in his ear, making a 'ewee' face as he mouthed back, "I smell burnt amber, and it's strong."
"We are not going in there without Marcus," I firmly said, pulling him back out the door.
Leaning against the door jamb, he angrily pointed to his eyes and then at the closed door at the back of the room.
I puffed irritation through my teeth.
He tiptoed towards the door, slowly opened it, and shoved his head inside while I held my breath, ready to bolt.
Turning to me with a smile, he pointed to his zipper and made like he was peeing. "It's just a bathroom. There's no one here," he said, sarcastically.
I entered the cabin and turned a slow circle, trying to figure out where to start first. "You were lucky this time."
He gave me happy eyes as he headed for the small kitchen. There was a sink, stove, and motel room size refrigerator sitting under the window Christopher had peered into earlier. He began opening cabinets and drawers, rifling around as I studied the room.
It was rustic. Lanterns hung from the rafters, playing most of the light on a large woven carpet in front of a tapestry couch and two chairs.
A wood stove was burning beside a very rough-cut wooden table with two benches in the back of the room.
The table was littered with papers, rope, another lantern, unlit, a machete, a coffee cup, and several rolls of thick duct tape.
I picked up the cup and sniffed it. "Tea—they must have just left—the cup is still warm."
"I told you I smelled them. As soon as Marcus gets here, we should check out the property surrounding the cabin." Christopher opened a small closet beside the sink.
Against the wall on one side of the room a large trunk was half open, blankets falling out onto the floor. I lifted the lid. "Candles," I said, holding them up for Christopher as I perused the trunk, "and a box of salt."
He was back in the bathroom and turned to look at me. "They have a shower in here and a toilet," he said, looking on the wall just inside of the door.
I walked up behind him as he flipped a switch up and down. Looking up, I could see lights mounted on the wall over a sink, but they weren't working.
"That's odd. Why use lanterns if you have lights?" I mumbled.
"Generator," Christopher answered.
"Excuse me?"
"They have a car battery in a pantry in the kitchen but it's not hooked up. I'm sure it's used for the lights but to power the water in the bathroom and kitchen they need a generator. I bet there's a shed out back."
Christopher looked in the cabinets above and below the sink. "Just the usual shit—TP, soap, shampoo, bubble bath, a blow dryer—womanly things." He came out of the bathroom grinning at me.
The floors were long planks of dark wood and the walls were rough logs. A large ornate mirror hung over the couch and a small table sat before it, covered with magazines like the ones in the condo.
"Wow, this place is awesome," I said. "No phones, no ugly light poles outside, just one room and a lot of woods. I could live here, easy."
"Look, there's something under the rug. Help me roll it up." Christopher was already kneeling in front of the carpet.
I got beside him and we began to roll the carpet as Marcus walked in the front door with a look on his face that made me throw my hands in the air.
"Hey, it wasn't my idea," I said. "He just walked in, and there's no one here anyway."
"I smell her, she's here," Marcus said.
"That's what I said, but we've checked the whole place and no one's here." Christopher shook his head, a look of curiosity on his face.
I looked down at the red pentagram peeking out from under the rug. "Well, this proves they use the cabin to summon her." I stood, and the three of us studied the floor.
Marcus bent down, his nostrils flared.
"It's blood. I already smelled it," Christopher said.
I eyed the mirror. It looked like it was smoking. I stepped around the coffee table to get a better look, listening to Marcus and Christopher as they discussed the pentagram.
The glass on the mirror began to ripple. My eyes got real big.
"Why are you here?" a voice asked from the mirror.
I jumped back and fell over the coffee table. Marcus caught me before I hit the floor, pulling me up beside him.
"I asked you a question, Marcus," the voice echoed around the room.
"Show yourself Countess," Marcus ordered.
"I really don't think that's a good idea," I whimpered, backing further away.
The mirror flickered and Erzsebet appeared, looking just like the painting Christopher took a picture of. She stood in front of a jet-black background, etched in the golden frame of the mirror.
Her bright red hair was braided close to her skull above her forehead, fanning up to a pile of tight curls at her crown, laced with black pearls. She had on a lace trimmed collar that started at her breast and fanned around her ears, coming to rest behind her head. The bodice of her gown was blood red, with big black buttons running down the center over white lace trim, crisscrossed with gold rope. The sleeves, a billowy white, fell to a red and gold cuff, covering half her hands. The skirt was also red with a long white lace apron.
She raised a hand, and gold bracelets tinkled near her cuff as she touched the pearl and onyx necklace at her throat. "Your brother gave me these two weeks before he deceived me."
"You would not adhere to our rules, Countess. You gave him no choice. I assure you, had you made good your promise, you would be at his side today."
Christopher put his arm around my leg protectively. I looked down at him and he slid in front of me. I eyed the front door. I wanted to get the hell out of here. The woman was freaking me out. If she walked out of the mirror, I was going to hit the door. I glanced at it again, judging the distance.
Be still, darling, we don't know how much power she possesses, Marcus pushed at me.
I laid my hand on Christopher's shoulder as a warning. He stiffened under it. I squeezed. He moved his shoulder. I squeezed harder. He jerked it free.
"Where's Pastor Julie, bitch?" Christopher asked. "And you better start talking before I take that mirror and break it in two."
Marcus jerked his head in our direction and I gave him 'I didn't do anything' eyes with a nervous smile. The woman in the mirror laughed, fanning her lips with long bejeweled fingers as she stared at Christopher. My eyes jumped to our only exit. I nudged Christopher toward it. He stood his ground.
"Such a crude little man. You would think someone would teach you the proper way to address a Countess. And although I would love to beat you into a writhing ball of understanding, I am unable to do so at the moment. However, I would so enjoy watching you try to remove the looking glass from its mount. Come, young man. Take it from the wall, I beg you." She laughed manically, large black eyes glowing behind an innocent face.
"I asked you a question, Vampire," Christopher said. I grabbed him in a death grip, shoving him behind me.
My body quivered with the power she exuded. She seemed to fear nothing as she stared at me. Her eyes glittered and her full lips turned up in a smile. "You are quite lovely, my dear. Would you care to join me? I would love to feel your body squirm under my touch."
"Like that's gonna ever happen," I scoffed and I about pissed my thong.
"I will make you a promise, Susan. I will have you and your daughters, before this is finished. I so look forward to the interlude." She laughed again, making my skin crawl.
Marcus hissed. "You'll have to kill me first, Countess Bathory."
"Oh, now that is truly fodder for my fantasies." Her voice echoed as her image slowly disappeared in a puff of smoke contained within the glass. "I remember our last sexual encounter, Marcus, and it was decadently delicious."
Crazed laughter filled the room as a liquid fire fingered its way down my trembling body.
"All righty then, time to leave." I watched my reflection in the mirror move back and expected to feel b
illowy arms encase me and pull me in with her. I turned for the door
"Hold on. I want to take a picture of the room and the pentagram," Christopher said, stopping me dead as he pulled a camera from his pocket.
"Are you crazy? Let's get the hell out of here before she comes back!" I rubbed my arms. I could still feel her hot liquid fingers on my skin.
He began snapping off shots as he circled the pentagram.
Marcus pulled me to his chest. "Are you alright, Susan?"
"Hell no! I can feel her all over me. Can we just get out of here?"
"She cannot get out of the mirror, Susan. I think we are safe for the moment. But we should leave the cabin." Marcus guided me toward the door.
"I'm going to check out the back of the house before we leave." Christopher headed for the door.
"Does he ever let up?" I whined.
"It wouldn't hurt to look around outside," Marcus pleaded with me. "Julie was here not too long ago. I'm getting a strong scent."
"Me too," Christopher yelled from the porch.
All I could think of was joining him, although my body and mind were screaming to leave. Not at all like me.
"I can't seem to say no to Christopher. Why do I always follow him?" I asked, walking with Marcus to the door.
"He's the one that turned you, Susan. You will always be drawn to him," Marcus said softly.
I stopped and grabbed his arm, yanking him back. "Are you kidding me?"
"Sorry love, I thought you knew."
Digesting that bit of information, I followed Marcus to the back of the cabin. If that were true, I turned Resi, so I had the same effect on her. JoAnn was beholden to Mom, Mom to Zaire, Zaire to Resi. I wondered how all of this influenced our judgment. We rounded the back of the cabin, and the first thing we saw was a light coming from a small building at the edge of the woods. As we headed for it, I contemplated another relationship. Mine with Marcus. I was so worried about Marcus controlling me, I didn't even think about Christopher moving me in directions I'd rather not go. Marcus could be a real asset to me, and I totally pushed him away, still thinking like a mortal. In our relationship, we had equal power.
I looked up at him, pondering what a fool I'd been. His strength was a gift I refused to use to its full capacity. Maybe I needed to rethink this mate thing. Maybe I needed to start thinking like an immortal.
The two large doors on the front of the shed stood open. Christopher was pushing things around on the floor, rifling through boxes.
"Find anything?" I asked, still thinking about what Marcus said.
"No, just boat parts, tools, mostly junk. That's a generator." He pointed behind him, his face shoved in a box.
I stared at it. "I know what a generator is, Christopher."
He pulled his face from the box. "You sound different. What's up?"
"Nothing, just want to get out of here," I lied.
"I'm going to have a look around the woods, then we should head back to the boat," Marcus said, then pushed, Susan, it's not like you think. He doesn't control you. But he did bind you to him and because of that you are more apt to follow his lead. It's something you have control over now that you know it's happening. Just think before you follow him from now on. My blood will make you stronger.
Why didn't you tell me this before, Marcus?
I thought you knew and made your decision accordingly. He walked out of the shed, leaving me with a million questions.
"Marcus said I keep listening to you because you turned me. Do you manipulate me, Christopher?"
"Aw, come on, like anyone can make you do anything," he said, pushing the box away.
"He says we have a bond."
"So. You don't have to listen to me. I thought you did because you wanted to," he said, heading for the door.
"I didn't know you could sway my judgment. I will not be controlled by you," I said with an emphatic nod.
"I'm going to see what happens if I touch the mirror." Christopher sprinted out of the barn and headed for the cabin.
"Oh, hell no," I said, and followed him.
Marcus bolted after us, and we ended up in a close-knit bundle by the front door.
Christopher ran across the room, climbed up on the couch and stood in front of the mirror.
"I think this is unwise, Christopher," Marcus said. He had his arm tucked around my waist, his long black hair grazing my cheek, as he tried to cover me with his body.
"Step back from the mirror," I ordered.
Christopher looked at me with a scowl and raised his hands as if to dare me to stop him.
"You're an idiot!" I said, trying to get away from Marcus.
"Just say no, darling," Marcus sang, holding me tight.
"Christopher, we're leaving," I yelled, ignoring Marcus.
Christopher raised his hands, and when he tried to lift the mirror, a maelstrom of wind broke loose, sending everything that wasn't nailed down, including him, across the room into the sink. Dishes, utensils, magazines, everything swirled in the air.
The wind settled and everything dropped to the floor. I was still holding on to the doorframe, my nails digging rivets in the wood.
Bell-like laughter filled the room. "Come, little man, try again. Maybe Marcus will assist you this time. I tingle with anticipation at the thought of watching both of you go up in flames, for I will use fire this time." Her voice turned venomous as she spoke.
I let go of the door and watched Christopher stand. "She evidently wants us alive for a while, but feel free to push your luck again, Christopher. Just let me get off the porch first."
"Don't gloat." Christopher headed toward the door.
* * * *
An hour later, we were in the car and headed for home when I shouted, "You're an idiot." I watched Christopher tear the lining off the car seat.
Christopher shoved Bob the Builder at me. "I'm going to single handedly kill that bitch."
"Oh, yeah, uh-huh, I can see that happening. Can't you Marcus?" I laughed.
Marcus was not laughing. He was driving the Jeep, eyes on the road, his mind somewhere else. I wanted to know where.
I concentrated on his thoughts and closed my eyes. Dorius and I will have to kill Erzsebet. That will be hard for him, but she will never get anywhere near Susan again.
He was unaware I was listening. I could hear every word as if he was speaking it aloud, and it felt more intimate than anything we had shared so far. I felt wrapped in a soft warm glow as I continued to listen.
Susan will be no part of this battle. I will see to that.
Okay, so maybe not so warm and fuzzy. "Marcus, you're not going to keep me from kicking some ass as soon as that bitch takes on another body," I said aloud, thinking I was really kidding myself. When we did get close enough to a physical form we could fight with, I wanted back up, baby. That meant the whole team.
His head jerked toward me. He hit the brakes and swerved to the shoulder of the road. The car came to a screeching halt. "You heard my thoughts."
"You said I could if I wanted to." I told him like it was no big deal.
"But to do so is accepting our relationship," Marcus said.
It felt like it was, and I couldn't take it back.
"Oh, give me a break. You've sucked blood and had sex, so what's the big deal?" Christopher scowled from the back seat. He sounded nervous.
"You know perfectly well what it means, Christopher. It means she accepts me," Marcus answered, his eyes inside mine.
"I've always heard you," I tried.
"But you never initiated it, and you never accepted it." Marcus looked at me with way too much feeling in his eyes. It suckered me right in.
"Well I do now," I said, not knowing what in the hell I was talking about.
"You wish to be my mate?" Marcus asked.
"I thought I was," I said, still not understanding what all the fuss was about.
"Christ, I hope I never find a mate," Christopher groused, but his eyes said otherwise.
&nbs
p; ~~~
Chapter 27
Run while you can, little vamp
~~~
"Why didn't you just kill her while you had her, for Christ's sake?" Mom stood in the center of the living room with a scowl on her face.
"We didn't have her, Chick! She was inside a freakin' mirror!" Christopher shouted.
"You could have smashed the mirror," Mom said.
"I tried to take it off the wall and she about killed me," Christopher screamed.
"What about throwing something at it? You could have tried that," Jeni remarked in a calm, level manner.
"It probably wouldn't have destroyed her. I was only hoping I could break their communication with her. She tossed me across the room like I was nothing," Christopher said.
"I'd've been on that bitch," Zaire said a wee bit too smug.
"I tell you she had the upper hand. We couldn't touch her," Christopher said.
Zaire threw up her hands. "Screw that! There has to be a way to nab her ass while she's in the mirror. I say we summon her here," Zaire suggested, looking around. "We got a mirror around here?"
"You are not bringing that woman into our home, even if she is in a mirror," JoAnn yelped, hugging Tootles to her chest.
"She seemed very sure of herself," Christopher said. "I don't think we can kill her while she's in the mirror."
Marcus was quietly standing in the kitchen. I honed in on his thoughts. She has to be in true form, and the old man isn't going to let that happen around us.
"She has to be out of the mirror for us to kill her," I said. "That's our only way."
Marcus turned a questioning look at me. I pretended not to notice. I enjoyed the way I felt as I wandered around in his head. I not only heard his thoughts but I could feel the way he viewed each of us. That was a bit scary, since I knew he could do the same with me in regards to my feelings for him. And, ho-boy, was he getting under my skin.
"How the hell do we get her to jump out of the mirror?" Mom asked.
I didn't have time to answer her, because Dorius walked in the front door. He looked ragged and he was late. We expected him last night and it was almost sunup.
"Where've you been?" Mom asked. "I've tried to contact you all night. They found Erzsebet."