Love by Night

by Stina

  “Wrong? Wrong, Adirah? I am standing in the home of vampires.... They have frigging vampire boxes, or whatever you call them. I saw one with my own eyes. They kill people to live, for God’s sake, Adirah,” Lina said, shaking her head. She finally let the tears come down her face. “I don’t know what else to do, Adirah. You’re lost now. I knew if I came here, I would find something. After Narum and I found the chest with just the cologne in it, I almost gave up. But now I come to find out that it is some kind of elixir. And you two show up, with your speed and glowing skin, proving that I was right all along,” Lina cried, hugging herself.

  “Lina, listen. . . .” Adirah went to touch her.

  “I said, don’t touch me!” Lina boomed, slapping Adirah’s hand away. Her mood was suddenly swinging like a pendulum, going from frail to fierce. She squinted her eyes into dashes and pointed again at Adirah’s chest. “I swear, Adirah. I will have every vampire hunter from here to Transylvania on your ass and his too. If you even think about harming a hair on my head, they will find you and destroy you,” Lina promised, her tone venomous.

  Adirah tried one more time to grab Lina, but Lina ducked out of the way.

  “Don’t you touch me with your evil vampire hands!” Lina exclaimed.

  “Oh, my God,” Adirah huffed. “I’m not a vampire. I swear to you, I’m not, Lina. We just need to speak calmly about this. You’re upset, and that’s understandable, but if you just hear me out, you’ll know that I am not a vampire.”

  “Then explain how you just caught me in the air! What normal college girl can do that?” Lina threw her hands up and shook her head. “Explain it. I’ll wait.” She tapped her foot.

  “It’s . . . I . . . ,” Adirah stammered, the words stuck in her throat. There was no way that she could explain what she was, because she didn’t even know. Was Lina right? Was she a full vampire? But wait, no. She was still alive. Adirah shook her head, unable to land on a firm answer for Lina.

  “I didn’t think so,” Lina snorted.

  “It’s just complicated,” Adirah said. It was the best she could come up with.

  “Stay away from me, Adirah. I swear to the real God that I will scream it all over campus if you try to come near me again. I don’t feel safe,” Lina told her as she started to back up toward the door. “And another thing . . .” Lina pointed in Adirah’s direction. “You purposely tried to make me feel crazy when I told you I had suspicions about all these students on campus suddenly needing blood transfusions. Remember that? You have always tried to make me seem crazy, and now I know why.”

  Lina went on. “I also did some research, and this . . . this so-called fraternity doesn’t exist in any records of the school’s history. It’s like somebody just made it up and the school went along with it. But why? Did these evil ones use their mind-control tricks to make that happen? I know now that I was tricked. That . . . that girl, she tricked me that day. Oh, you have no idea, Adirah. I can’t wait to tell the whole school what you all are. I can’t wait to get every hunter available. I’ll have my wooden stake, my crosses, my holy water, garlic—whatever it takes to keep you and them away from me.” She glared at Adirah. “There’s no way I’m living on campus with all this evil. I’m telling the whole story,” Lina proclaimed, her hand curling around the wooden stake she’d pulled from her pocket.

  “I don’t think so,” a voice boomed from behind them.

  Lina jumped so hard, she almost fell over. When she turned around, Vila was standing there, snarling, with her fangs extended. Lina still had the wooden stake in her grasp. With shaky hands, she held it out in front of her.

  Adirah’s eyebrows shot up into arches, but she couldn’t react fast enough. “Lina! No . . .”

  “Argh!” Lina roared as she charged forward and into Vila, with the wooden stake leading the way. Vila grabbed Lina’s wrist mid-lunge and pulled forcefully until she and Lina were chest to chest.

  “Please. Please. Oh, my God. Please,” Lina begged. Adirah saw the stream of urine seep into Lina’s pants, darkening the material.

  “That was dumber than you coming to this house in the first place. This isn’t a movie,” Vila snarled. “Let me show you how real this is.”

  With a quick jerk of her thumb, she twisted Lina’s wrist to the side. There was a loud cracking sound.

  “Ahhh! Ahhh!” Lina screeched, her eyes snapping shut from the pain. “Please! Please I won’t tell anyone, I swear! Just don’t kill me!”

  “Too late for all this begging now,” Vila hissed. “I’ve been waiting to feed on one of you weak bitches since I got here. You thought that your stupid all-black clothing was going to protect you? You thought we’d never catch up to you with all your snooping? Huh, idiot? You’re so lucky Kesh made me return your mind to normal, or else I would’ve made you a simple, babbling fool for life.”

  Just as Vila was about to bite down on Lina’s carotid artery, Adirah’s voice stopped her.

  “No!” Adirah yelled. “Please, Vila, don’t. She’s really harmless.” Adirah walked closer. “Kesh told me that you’re good.... You don’t just kill for no reason. You’re not evil, Vila. I know everything.... I know all about you and him and the Sefu.”

  Vila twisted her neck and glared at Adirah with a look that could set the entire room on fire. “She knows too much, and so do you. This is against our law. The both of you will meet your fate. You’re lucky I don’t have you in this position right now,” Vila retorted, her nostrils flaring wider than those of a bull on the charge. She turned her sights back to Lina.

  Adirah had to think quickly. “Please, Vila. Listen to me. Kesh is in trouble. He’s out there . . . alone. I think the boy . . . the boy vampire is leading him into a trap,” Adirah yelled out frantically. Adirah knew exactly how Vila felt about Kesh. She knew that would work.

  The crazed look on Vila’s face faded, replaced with a furrowed brow look of concern. She did not loosen her grip on Lina, but she did focus her attention on Adirah. “What kind of trouble? What are you talking about? Is this a ploy to save this bitch?” Vila squinted.

  “No. No. I swear. He’s really in trouble,” Adirah answered, her words rushing out. “Lina was here with a boy from the Malum—”

  “Malum!” Vila twisted Lina’s already broken wrist even more.

  “Agh!” Lina screamed. “I . . . I didn’t know who . . . what . . . he was.”

  “Yes,” Adirah said, realizing the new information had not saved Lina and might even have signed her death certificate. “He was from the Malum, but I don’t think Lina knew what or who he was. He said he took some elixir from a chest in Kesh’s room or something like that. Kesh got so mad about it that he chased the boy out of the house, but . . . but I just don’t have a good feeling about this. Kesh wasn’t himself at all. The boy got away from him too easily.”

  Vila inhaled deeply. Her faced turned a darker shade, like someone had placed their hands around her throat and squeezed. “You better be telling the truth, mortal girl. Because if I find out you were lying just to save her”—Vila released Lina with a hard shove—“you’ll be sorry, and so will she. I don’t know who you think I am, but I will destroy you if I have to.”

  “I—I swear. I’m not lying,” Adirah assured her. “Kesh is out there. He is not himself, and he may be running right into a trap.”

  “If you’re right and it is the Malum, and they’ve taken what I suspect, Kesh is in more trouble than we think,” Vila remarked, her words laced with concern. “We have to find him. Now!”

  “Lock her up in the basement,” Vila said breathlessly to two other Sefu Clan members. “I’ll deal with her when I get back.”

  “No! Let me go! Please!” Lina screamed, but it was all for nothing. They weren’t going to let her out of their sight now.

  Adirah shot her a look that said, “Just be happy you’re still alive . . . for now.”

  “Kesh’s scent is still fresh. We have to go now, before it fades,” Vila said. “You have abilities like us, do
n’t you?” she asked Adirah.

  Adirah nodded her head slowly. She wasn’t sure if the answer was really yes or no. She was also shocked that Vila wanted to work with her. Adirah had only seen Vila look either angry or totally sure of herself. Seeing fear find a home on her gorgeous face was something Adirah had never anticipated. It made her scared too.

  “I think so,” Adirah finally managed to say.

  “Good. Because you’ll need them. Let’s go.”

  Chapter 12

  Kesh couldn’t control his breathing. His chest rose and fell so rapidly, it almost hit his chin. He could feel his legs shaking, and it had taken all the strength he could muster to catch up to Narum. The wind whipped around them like a small tornado, and all the animals around had scurried into hiding. Kesh’s body shook fiercely as he used the last of his might to hold on to Narum’s throat. Kesh had the younger man pinned against the thick, rough trunk of an old tree, and he squeezed his neck until Narum’s eyes bulged.

  “Did you really think you could beat me? Huh, little boy? Do you know who I am?” Kesh snarled, spit flying from the sides of his mouth into Narum’s face. Pain shot up Kesh’s arms and down his back. He knew he had to act fast, or his life would be ending. “Where is my elixir?” Kesh growled, clamping down harder.

  Narum’s body shook; he couldn’t speak.

  “Where is it!” Kesh boomed, using his free hand to pat down Narum’s pockets. Kesh’s body ached all over, but he wouldn’t let go. Finally, he felt what he was looking for and dug into Narum’s pocket. Kesh fisted the bottle of elixir, a small explosion of relief bursting in his chest. His energy was so depleted, he wasn’t sure how much longer he would have been able to overpower the young man.

  “You’re so lucky I got it back, or you’d be sorry. I’d take you back to my clan and let them torture you mercilessly, and then we’d leave you in the light to burn,” Kesh hissed, releasing his grip on Narum’s throat. “You’re lucky that I am a changed man and that I really want peace. A final end to this war.”

  Narum slid down the tree trunk and collapsed on the ground, coughing and gagging. “You . . . you’ve made a grave mistake,” he rasped between breaths. “You should’ve just killed me. They’ll come. My leaders and my clan will come. They know that I am here.” Narum finally got enough air into his lungs and started laughing hysterically. “They know I am here, and I’m going to watch them torture your mortal—”

  A kick to the face sent Narum’s words tumbling back down his throat.

  “Don’t you ever mention her! Do you hear me? Don’t you ever,” Kesh growled. He could barely keep himself up, as his energy was fading fast. He needed to feed. Sweat drenched his face and shirt.

  “My clan will destroy you,” Narum gasped, blood painting his teeth.

  “I’m not scared of your clan. I won’t run anymore,” Kesh spat, staggering on his wiry legs. He felt close to passing out.

  “Is that so?” a voice called out from behind Kesh.

  In response to the voice, Kesh spun around, almost falling over. His eyes lowered into dashes at the sight of his enemy Tulum.

  “You should be smarter than this, Tulum. Sending this . . . this baby’s breath vampire to infiltrate me . . . ,” Kesh said, kicking dirt in Narum’s direction. “You thought you could send a mere amateur to steal from me?” Kesh was unsteady on his feet. He tried desperately to hide the fact from Tulum.

  Tulum’s face crinkled. He looked down at Narum. “What is he talking about? What did you steal from him?”

  Narum bowed to Tulum. “It . . . it was the girl. Lina. She wanted to go to the Sefu’s place. I . . . I . . . had to go along, or risk blowing my cover. Please, King. Please forgive me,” Narum pleaded.

  “Idiot!” Tulum growled just as his queen, Calum, and other members of the Malum Clan closed in behind him. “Get him out of here, out of my sight.”

  “Wait, King Tulum. Let me make it right. Listen to me. I had the elixir in my possession. He . . . Kesh took it back. It’s here. He has it now,” Narum shouted as he was being dragged off. “It’s here! All because of me! I got it here! I got it here!”

  It was no use. The other Malum were forcefully dragging him deeper into the woods. His protests grew quieter the farther away they got. Tulum had no patience for insubordination, and Narum had just committed the most blatant disrespect of the rules. He was going to pay the price.

  Tulum turned back to Kesh. Fire flashed in Tulum’s eyes, and Calum moved to his side, licking her lips.

  “Finally. It’s time to finish him off once and for all,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “I’ve been waiting for this day for decades.”

  Tulum put his hand up to hold her back. “Hand the elixir over and you can hope to make it out of here in one piece,” Tulum said as Calum hissed and growled, dying to get to Kesh.

  Kesh swayed on his feet, barely able to stay upright. He shook his head no.

  “You can make this easy or hard. Especially since it seems like your loyal followers haven’t cared to find you. My queen would love nothing more than to take care of you once and for all. I never knew it was your people who pillaged and destroyed her home.”

  “You’ll never take it. I will die first,” Kesh retorted, dropping down into a weak defensive stance. He felt his entire body quake, and he wanted to throw up. His legs were about to give out. He needed to feed, but he couldn’t let them know he was losing his power. “Never,” he said, struggling.

  Calum threw her head back, cackling. “You’re so weak,” she said, getting serious in an instant. “I can see the pallor of your skin. You haven’t fed. There’s no one around to feed on, weakling. You’re finished.”

  Kesh coughed. Still, he didn’t back down. He growled low in his throat, and his top lip quivered. He looked like a cornered dog in an alley, a dog that was about to get captured by the dogcatcher.

  “Let me take him out. Please, King. I’ve been waiting for this day,” Calum said, bending at the waist and moving from side to side like she was ready to pounce.

  “I will fight my own battles,” Tulum replied. He lifted both of his hands, his fingers splayed and the flats of his palms aimed at Kesh.

  Kesh bore down, his knees bent, but his efforts were for nothing. He felt himself flying up in the air. Tulum had the upper hand this time.

  “Argh!” Tulum roared, jerking his hands back and forth.

  Kesh’s body slammed into the same tree he’d pinned Narum against. Kesh made a howling noise as all the air was knocked out of his body through his mouth. He felt something crack between his shoulder blades. He slid to the ground in agonizing pain, a lump of flesh about to be pummeled by his mortal enemy. Tulum wasn’t finished. He walked closer and stood over Kesh.

  “You will never win this war,” Tulum declared. “Now, hand over the elixir.” With that, Kesh was hoisted into the air again. Tulum yanked his left hand sideways. The motion sent Kesh flying up into the air again. This time he landed face-first on the ground.

  Dazed and confused, Kesh knew he needed to get up, and he struggled to do so. He was digging as deep down in his soul as he could for any strength he could find. He could hear Tulum’s footsteps closing in on him. Kesh bit down on his lip and willed his weak body to cooperate. Kesh kept his head near the ground, but when he was sure Tulum was close enough, he turned swiftly and used every ounce of energy he had left to jump to his feet. “Argh!” Kesh yelled as he bulldozed into his enemy at the perfect time.

  Caught off guard, Tulum fell backward. Kesh wasted no time in attacking. He straddled Tulum, but Tulum bucked his body and easily threw Kesh to the side. Kesh rolled out of the way in the nick of time just as Tulum tried to pounce on him again. Kesh struggled to his feet and charged into Tulum. They fell in a heap, their arms and legs tangled. Both men grunted as they scrapped to get the best of the other. Kesh slammed his fists into Tulum’s face, busting his mouth and temporarily slowing Tulum’s attack. Kesh continued to reign punches down on Tulum. Tulum blo
cked many of the blows and was able to reach up and push Kesh’s chin up. He then gripped Kesh’s chin and turned his head, trying to snap his neck. The battle was intense, each king fighting for dominance, neither one giving an inch.

  “Get off of him!” Calum shrieked, grabbing Kesh’s collar and yanking it.

  “No, you let go of him!” Vila stood with both of her hands out. “Don’t touch my king, you bitch!”

  Calum turned around slowly at the sound of Vila’s voice. She laughed. She’d been waiting for the day when she could finally tear Vila’s throat out of her neck.

  “Well, if it isn’t the little black slave of the Sefu Clan,” Calum taunted, still holding on to Kesh’s collar.

  Vila charged over and grabbed Calum by the hair. “I said, let go of my king, you piece of white trash,” Vila demanded. She dragged Calum down to the ground and away from Kesh. “I’ve been waiting to kick your ass for years!”

  Calum raised her hands and dug her nails into the top of Vila’s hands. But Vila wouldn’t loosen her grasp on Calum’s hair. “Agh!” Calum yelled as she struggled against Vila’s death grip. Vila started twisting her hair at the roots. Calum could hear some of her hair being pulled right out at the roots.

  Calum struggled to gain a solid footing as Vila continued to drag her. At one point Calum was able to plant her feet on the root of a tree and come to a stop. She bucked her body and flipped over so fast, Vila lost her grip on her hair. Vila looked at her own hands, surprised at how swiftly Calum was able to break free. Taking advantage of Vila’s confusion, Calum swung her leg and kicked Vila across the face. Vila flew up into the air and landed with a crunch. Dust flew up in her wake. The impact knocked the wind out of her. Temporarily weakened and struggling to regain her breath, Vila was vulnerable. Calum wasted no time attacking again, this time grabbing Vila by the hair. She was going to give Vila a taste of her own medicine.