Kissing with Fangs

by Ashlyn Chase

  “Then I was well and truly fucked. I had no idea what the sun had in store for me the next morning and found out the hard way. Someone knocked on my door, and when I opened it, my hand and face burned as if I’d been thrown into a raging fire.”

  He stopped long enough to rub his hand, as if he could feel the burn after all these years.

  “The young man at the door ran screaming, Meanwhile, I retreated to the root cellar, which had no windows, and experienced my first death sleep. I don’t know if he told anyone what he saw or not, but the next night two men came to my home and asked if everything was all right. They said the stranger who had come to see me had been expected at the inn and never returned. Naturally I was worried that they’d discover him in the stable, so I invited the townsmen into my home. That’s when the hunger for blood became overpowering. I couldn’t stand it.

  “I heard the blood pulsing in their veins, and without even realizing what I was doing, I grabbed one of them by the neck and held him so tightly that I heard his bones crack. Then I sank my fangs into his neck until I drained him dry. His friend was trying to pull me off, and when he decided he couldn’t do anything but save himself, he ran. I was so quick that I caught him before his feet touched the grass. I didn’t know I could move like that.

  “He started to scream, ‘Devil,’ so I shoved him back into my little house and latched the door. I didn’t know what to do with him. My bloodlust had been slaked, so I didn’t have to feed on him and was so sickened by what I had done that I thought I’d never do it again. Boy, was I wrong. I wound up tying him to the iron grid in my fireplace and left him there as I escaped on horseback.”

  At last Anthony stopped and waited for a reaction. Sadie must have some kind of opinion on all of this. He didn’t care if it was revulsion. He just wanted to know how his story affected someone else.

  She offered him a sad smile. “It wasn’t your fault, you know. None of it was. I gather you’re blaming yourself for the witch hunts.”

  “Not for starting the whole thing. It was well under way by that time, but I contributed to the idea that it was real. A lot of innocent people died during the following months.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “Back to Boston, but only long enough to stow away on a ship sailing for England. Half the crew lost their lives on that voyage, but it wasn’t due to falling overboard as everyone had thought.” Honestly, how many clumsy sailors did they think there were?

  “And you made it to England?”

  “Yes. I stayed in the White Chapel area of London while I sought out a doctor who might know what was wrong with me. It was a poor neighborhood and a few of its solitary citizens went missing, but nobody seemed to notice or care. You know what I mean, don’t you?”

  Sadie nodded. “You had to feed. By that time you must have learned how to control it somewhat.”

  “Yes. I still experienced bloodlust, but I knew better than to let it get so bad that I’d grab just anyone and…” A golf-ball-sized lump formed in his throat. He remembered the faces of the orphans and widows he’d lured into a dark corner. How he’d found out he could mesmerize people, although there wasn’t a word for it at the time. He just stared into their eyes, and their jaws would go slack. Then they’d stand there completely relaxed while he drank his fill.

  Sadie reached over and took his hand again. Her gentle touch and sympathetic expression spoke of undeserved forgiveness.

  “Did you ever find a doctor you could trust, who knew the truth and could help you?”

  “I spoke to a doctor over a few mugs of ale in a tavern. He had no idea I was talking about myself. I said I had heard about this fellow, and he said he had heard about a prince in Romania with a similar story, and eventually I deduced that I’d find the answer there.”

  Sadie nodded. “It must have been difficult with no guidance. No one to explain not only how it worked, but what you were.”

  “‘Difficult’ is one way of putting it. ‘Fucking impossible’ was a little closer to the way it felt.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  He nodded, staring at his lap. “Yeah. Me too.”

  They say confession is good for the soul. Maybe not so much for the soulless.

  ***

  It took Sadie a minute or two to retrieve her cards from the other room.

  She sat next to him and handed him the cards. “Here. Shuffle them while visualizing her. Stop shuffling when it feels right.”

  Nothing felt right. He had called Kurt and Nick and had to leave messages. Tory was still missing, and now Claudia was, too. He had just finished shuffling and laying the cards on the table when his phone rang.

  “Anthony Cross,” he answered.

  “Anthony, it’s Nick. We’re at the hospital. What’s going on?”

  “The hospital?” Anthony’s heart beat a little faster. Okay, maybe four or five beats a minute, but faster than his usual one.

  “Yeah. Brandee’s in labor.”

  “Oh. I guess this isn’t a good time to bother you with my dilemma.”

  “What dilemma?”

  “Claudia’s missing.”

  “Shit. How long has she been gone?”

  “Since she left work early this evening.”

  There was a pause on the other end. “Uh, Anthony… She might have just gone out for the evening.”

  “I don’t think so. Sadie’s here and she was about to try her cards to find out what may have happened to Claudia.”

  “Hang on a moment,” Nick said.

  Anthony heard him giving encouraging words to Brandee and then breathing funny. Meanwhile he turned to Sadie. “Go ahead with the cards. Nick’s busy for a minute.”

  Sadie spread the cards across the coffee table. “Draw one,” she said.

  Absently, Anthony reached for the closest one and handed it to her.

  “Hmmm…the Magician.”

  “That reminds me. I can’t get ahold of Kurt, either.”

  Sadie sighed. “Now don’t get upset, but the way you pulled it, the card is reversed.”

  “Shit. That’s bad, isn’t it?”

  Nick interrupted. “Okay, I’m back. Brandee had another labor pain. I’m her coach, so I’ll have to disappear every three minutes or so.”

  “Sadie was about to read the tarot cards for me, but I’m not so sure I want to hear what they say.”

  After another long pause, Nick said, “Buddy, maybe you should wait a while. Claudia might still come home and wonder what all the fuss is about.”

  “Hang on, Nick. Sadie, do your thing.”

  She tapped the card. “This card is about energy. This card describes an energetic, focused, and dedicated person. A person who practices hard at a craft, ambition, or personal goal. In reverse, as you drew it, it indicates the drawer of the card is spinning his wheels. Personal energy is being misdirected or wasted.”

  “See?” Nick said. “You’re probably worried for nothing.”

  “Are you sure the Magician isn’t referring to Claudia? She works twice as hard as most people and is more dedicated than anyone I know.”

  “I’m sorry. If she were here, it would be about her. This is about you.”

  “Crap.”

  “Is there anything else either of you can think of besides waiting it out? I’ll go bonkers if I do nothing.”

  “Sorry, buddy. I’ve got nuthin’,” Nick said.

  Sadie snapped her fingers. “Those daytime vampires. Sly and Morgaine. Maybe you can talk to the woman. She’s a witch and can do a locator spell.”

  “Great idea, Sadie. Nick, you know where they live, right?”

  “Yeah. In my brother’s old apartment building. Sly’s the super and his daughter lives upstairs. He babysits his grandson sometimes, so I doubt they’d have moved.”

  “Where
is it?”

  “Do you really want to bother them at this time of night?” Sadie asked. “If they’re up during the day, they’re probably asleep at night. They have to sleep sometime, don’t they?”

  Anthony pounded his fist on the coffee table and inadvertently broke it in half. Sadie jumped in surprise.

  “I’m sorry, Sadie. Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. I’m more worried about you.”

  “I’ll be okay. I’ll get the address from Nick and visit them tomorrow night if they’re unreachable. Sadie, can you tell Angie and Chris that Claudia’s missing and send them home for the day?”

  “I have a couple readings booked. Why don’t I run the place for one day?”

  “I thought you didn’t want to do that.”

  “That was back when it was a bar. I think I can handle the tea crowd.”

  Anthony leaned toward her but spoke so both she and Nick could hear. “So, you think she won’t be back by tomorrow?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  Anthony watched her facial expression carefully as he asked, “Sadie, you get vibes. What is your gut telling you?”

  Sadie sighed. “I’m sorry. My gut tells me she won’t be back tomorrow.”

  ***

  Ruxandra had been having an unexpectedly pleasant evening. Kurt was funny and flirtatious, making her feel like an attractive woman again. She hadn’t realized how much damage to her self-esteem all of Anthony’s rejection had caused. Suddenly, she knew that Anthony might not be what she needed—and even more surprising, that she wasn’t playacting with Kurt. She was genuinely attracted to him. If only he’d let his hair grow, he’d be every bit as attractive as Anthony.

  Never having much of a filter, she’d probably blurt that out at some point, but now was not the time. She didn’t want to spoil the wonderful mood. As they strolled over the bridge, Ruxandra remembered something that hampered her mood anyway. Claudia.

  She wished she could invite Kurt in, but letting him see Anthony’s girlfriend all duct-taped up and probably asleep on the cold, concrete floor wouldn’t make a very good impression.

  Why did she want the girl, anyway? And what in the world was she going to do with her now? Frig. Anthony will probably call Kurt to help him find her. Pondering her dilemma made her stop in the middle of the bridge.

  “Why are you stopping?” Kurt asked.

  She took his hand and pointed to the full moon over the Charles River. “Look. Isn’t it beautiful? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything prettier.”

  Kurt leaned against the railing. “I have.”

  “Really? What?” She expected he’d say something about flying above the clouds or soaring over a jungle waterfall or something. But instead, he swept a stray lock of her hair behind her ear and said, “You.”

  She nearly melted on the spot. Grinning at her feet like a schoolgirl, she said, “You don’t mean that.”

  “Yes, I do. I’m a Libra. I appreciate beauty in all its forms. Nature can be breathtaking, but nothing beats a beautiful woman. And you, my lovely, are the most breathtakingly beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Her jaw almost hit the pavement.

  “Seriously?”

  He nodded and leaned toward her. She tipped her face up, letting him know she was open to the idea of kissing him. He wasted no time and captured her lips in one of the most passionate, toe-curling kisses she’d ever experienced. Even Anthony’s sensuous full lips didn’t convey the desire radiating from Kurt. And surprise, surprise, she wanted him too.

  If only I didn’t have a human held captive in my damn lair.

  All she could do was prevent whatever damage Anthony might do if he called Kurt and blamed her for Claudia’s disappearance.

  Which pocket does he keep his phone in? Kurt was wearing an old fatigue jacket with about a million pockets both inside and out. Crap. Oh, well. I’ll just have to feel him up to find it.

  She began caressing his back and chest. He took it as a go-ahead signal to grope her a little too. By the time she located the rectangular shape, he was cupping and squeezing her ass.

  “Get a room,” someone yelled from a passing car.

  They broke apart and giggled like they’d been caught in the act. A little longer, and they might have been. Kurt gazed down at her with heavily lidded eyes. She recognized that look. She hadn’t seen it in a while, but she knew it as “bedroom eyes.” If only she hadn’t blown it by kidnapping Claudia, they’d be making love in about ten minutes.

  They recommenced their walk, heading in the direction of her lair. She had to drag her mind back to the task at hand. She needed to pick his pocket and take his cell phone. Then she had to hope he didn’t have a landline Anthony could call.

  One thing at a time.

  When they reached the Flats, she turned to him for a good-night kiss. He surprised her by sweeping her into his arms and dipping her low as he kissed her silly. She had exactly the room she needed to reach into his pocket, grab his phone, and slip it under her waistband. Fortunately, she’d worn a skirt and sweater instead of a one-piece dress or her catsuit.

  When he pulled her back up and she regained her balance, she smiled. “Wow. You’re so…” What was she going to say? She never complimented guys. She didn’t have to. But she wanted to say something sweet to Kurt.

  He smiled in return. “Sexy? Smart? Handsome?”

  She chuckled. “I was thinking ‘romantic,’ but the rest apply, too.”

  His smile turned into an ear-to-ear grin. His straight white teeth held a certain appeal, but she was a little sad knowing he’d never grow fangs and sink them into her neck in the throes of passion. At least that gave her the moment to cool off.

  “Well, it’s been a great night, but I should let you get some sleep.”

  “Why?” he said with a teasing smile.

  She laughed. “Look, I like you, and I don’t like many people. But let’s take it slow. Savor it. Okay?”

  He stepped away and held her at arm’s length. “I guess I can do that, but I’d better go soon. Otherwise, I might try to change your mind.”

  Exactly what I wanted to hear. She didn’t really want it to end, but at the moment, that’s what had to happen.

  “Okay. I’ll look for you tomorrow night. Unless you have a phone…” He began to reach for his pocket but she stopped him by taking his hand.

  “No. Unfortunately, I don’t have one. I’ll have to meet you somewhere.”

  “How about here? I’ll pick you up and take you somewhere really romantic.”

  “What about the lab?”

  “You don’t think looking for a secret lab is a romantic date?”

  She chuckled. “Okay. I’ll see you here tomorrow night.”

  “Good.” He lifted her hand to his lips and gave her a sweet, old-fashioned kiss on her knuckles.

  A few days ago, she’d have skinned those same knuckles on his chin.

  ***

  Ruxandra watched as Kurt rounded the corner onto Charles Street. When she was sure he couldn’t follow her inside, she unlocked her door and entered quickly, locking it behind her. Claudia was still leaning against the back wall, glaring at her.

  “Wow. If looks could kill…” Ruxandra muttered.

  “Meh ah ta ga ta da ah-rah.”

  Now, what do I do with her? I can’t mesmerize her into forgetting all about this, or I’d just let her go. Ruxandra strode over to Claudia and ripped the duct tape off her face none too gently.

  “Ouch.”

  “Be grateful there was a corner I could grab without touching you. Otherwise you’d be talking garbled gibberish for who knows how long.”

  “I said, I have to go to the bathroom.”

  Ruxandra let out a long sigh. “I’m afraid I don’t have any indoor plumbing.”

  “I h
ave a bathroom at my place,” Claudia said hopefully.

  Ruxandra snorted. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  Claudia just dropped her head and stared at her lap.

  Ruxandra wracked her brain for a new plan. She wanted to get rid of Claudia, but not by killing her. She really would just let her go if she could count on the glorified waitress to keep her mouth shut.

  She began to pace. “You realize I’m not that stupid, right?”

  Claudia didn’t look up, but she nodded slightly.

  “Are you crying?”

  Her rival lifted her head and bit out, “No.”

  “Hmmm… You don’t want to give me the satisfaction, I’ll bet.”

  Claudia said nothing, but it was plain to see Ruxandra had hit a nerve. The young woman’s jaw was set, as if she was clenching her teeth so hard they might break.

  “Look. I’m going to level with you, Claud…”

  Claudia’s eyes narrowed and her face grew red.

  “Oh! You don’t like that nickname, do you?”

  Claudia didn’t answer.

  Ruxandra chuckled. “No. I don’t suppose you do. If I were going to hang on to you much longer, I’d call you nothing but Claud from now on.” She sighed. “But you’re in luck. I’m tired of you and I just want you out of my hair.”

  “Great. Let me go.”

  Kurt’s phone vibrated.

  “Hold that thought.”

  Ruxandra scrutinized the caller ID and hoped it would spell out who was trying to get ahold of Kurt. Unfortunately it was only a number. She waited for the call to be rerouted to voice mail, then inspected the phone.

  “Do you know how these things work?” she asked.

  Claudia raised her eyebrows. “You don’t?”

  “I wouldn’t be asking you if I did, would I?”

  “Yeah. I know how most phones work. If I had my hands available, I could help you with it.”

  “Ha. Clever girl. Clearly, that’s not going to happen.” She held the device in front of Claudia’s face and said, “How do I get to the messages?”

  Claudia shrugged. “How badly do you want them?”

  Ruxandra threw the phone on the concrete floor, smashing it. “Not that badly. I was just curious.”