Dare Me

by Parker Blue

ALL OF A SUDDEN, every single one of the minions seemed intent on murdering me. Just because I’d chopped off the head of their so-called savior? No sense of humor, obviously.

  They left whoever they’d been fighting and all charged toward me.

  Crap. There were about a dozen still standing. I couldn’t fight them off by myself, and they might hurt Shade or Sharra. “Get upstairs,” I yelled at the shadow demons. Catching a glimpse of bilious green out of the corner of my eye, I added, “And close that damned portal.” We didn’t need it anymore, and the thing was dangerous.

  “Help Val,” I heard Austin yell.

  I backed up a step and held my sword horizontally in front of me, hoping that would deter some of the minions from wanting to get cut, but they didn’t even care. Two of them sliced themselves on the sword to tackle me and knock it out of my hand, then the two of them and a third guy landed on top of me. They pinned me and took advantage of my surprise to pummel me. They’d been fed Emmanuel’s blood recently, ’cause none of them were in the least affected by Lola, and their fists packed a heck of a punch. That hurt, damn it.

  Austin, looking royally pissed, yanked one off of me. Fang and Max attacked another one’s head, leaving me able to catch the third one in the stomach with both feet. I shoved, and he went flying down the stairs and hit his head on the newel post.

  YOOOOOOU’RE OUT! Fang caroled with glee.

  Another leapt up the stairs to grab me, but stopped short, bowed backward with his arms and legs jerking, then fell, wires attached to his back. Oh, good—Ramirez and his men had entered the fray, wielding Tasers. And now they were confining the tased followers with cuffs and zip ties.

  I stood, chest heaving, as I surveyed the scene and tried to figure out where to join the fray again. My sword lay nearby, still, so I grabbed it, not wanting it to be used against me or anyone else I cared about.

  “Val, above you,” Austin yelled.

  I spun and brought up the sword just in time to block the swing of a huge blond man who was just trying to sweep me out of his way. Where’d he come from?

  THAT’S NOT A MAN, THAT’S A DEMON, Fang said as he ran by. A FULL DEMON.

  What the heck? I glanced up and saw the roiling green cloud, now about six feet in diameter. An arm appeared, and I slashed at it. It disappeared.

  “Close it,” I yelled at Shade as the demon ran by me.

  “I can’t,” he shouted back, arms splayed about a foot from the cloud, looking as though he was grappling with it.

  Idiot—we couldn’t let any more through and had to stop the one who had already made it. Where was Sharra? She ought to be helping him. I bellowed, “Stop that demon,” pointing at him with the sword.

  Ludwig, just as big as the demon who had come through, smashed the guy down with a Hulk-sized fist of water. The demon raised his arm to use some kind of unknown power, but he didn’t get the chance. Diesel, bless him, shoved his arm forward with a mighty heave, and the demon went sailing back through the portal.

  “Shut it down,” I screamed at Shade again, worried that more demons would come through, or that he’d kill himself before he let that happen.

  “Can’t,” Shade gasped out, hunched over at the base of the thing, his clawed hands pushing at the cloud as if he were suffering torture.

  “Help him,” Austin said. “We’ve got this.”

  He and Diesel and the two hellhounds acted as a living shield to keep the other demons off me as I whirled to see what was going on with Shade and the portal. He still knelt at the base of it as a demon arm and leg came through. I leapt up to cut at them, and they retreated. Why wouldn’t he close it? Had he lost control of his emotions?

  Well, crap. I’d have to help him. I tried Lola, but she was too weak.

  Use me, the crystal called.

  I couldn’t take time for Mother-may-I when a horde of demons was waiting to come through into this world to rape and pillage. I knew exactly where the crystal was. I ran down to where Austin was and tried to grab it from his pocket.

  “No,” Austin said and shoved my hand away.

  Damn it, no time to argue. I ripped off his pocket and snatched the amulet as it fell.

  Yes, the crystal cried.

  I used it to augment Lola’s meager powers and slammed into Shade’s chakras. No time to waste on delicate sensibilities. If he couldn’t control his temper or the cloud, I’d do it for him. “Close the portal. Now!” I ordered him.

  Under my control, Shade had no choice but to do just that. He straightened, face intent, and reached out to the boiling green cloud. He opened his arms wide, then brought them together slowly, painfully, as the portal shrunk until it was gone.

  Once that threat disappeared, I was able to breathe easier. Especially once I noticed that all of Emmanuel’s remaining followers—the ones who’d attacked us, anyway—had been incapacitated and rounded up for Ramirez to take care of. The poor great room, on the other hand, looked like a hurricane had swept through, scorched by fire, scourged by water, and shattered by burly men.

  “Good job,” Austin said, grinning at me.

  “The hell it was,” Shade said, charging down the stairs to yell in my face. “You broke your promise, Val. Now let me use my powers.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  He grabbed my shoulders. “Sharra’s on the other side.”

  Oh, crap. What had I done? “What?” I asked incredulously. “How?”

  “A demon snatched her up and hauled her through. That’s why I didn’t want to close it. Let me open it. Now.”

  He released me, then concentrated, and a small green ball of interdimensional energy formed in front of him.

  “You can’t do that,” Austin protested. “There’s a horde of demons waiting to come through.”

  HE’S RIGHT, Max said in his gravelly voice. I CAN SENSE DOZENS OF THEM THROUGH THERE, ALL WAITING TO LEAP INTO THIS WORLD.

  Grimly, Diesel added, “We don’t have the manpower to stop full demons. That would be a disaster.”

  “But, my sister’s in danger,” Shade protested. “They’ll kill her!”

  NO, Max said, sounding regretful. I’M SORRY, BOY. SHE’S ALREADY DEAD. THAT BIG DEMON BROKE HER NECK RIGHT BEFORE SHE WENT THROUGH THE PORTAL. I FELT HER GO.

  Horror filled me. I felt so bad for Shade. And Sharra, too, of course. She didn’t deserve to go this way.

  “You don’t know that for sure,” Shade said, totally pissed now.

  YES, I DO, Max answered. I CAN READ THE DEMONS THROUGH THE SMALL PORTAL YOU HAVE OPEN. SHE’S NOT THERE. SHE’S GONE, SON.

  “No,” Shade said. “Damn it, we can’t just leave her there.” He opened the portal wider.

  STOP IT, Fang said. MAX IS RIGHT. SHE’S DEAD, SHADE. YOU CAN’T HELP HER NOW.

  Shade whirled on him. “I can bring her body back. That’s the least I can do. Val, help me.”

  When I hesitated, Austin said, “No, Val, make him close it.”

  Trying to ignore Shade’s pleading eyes, I reminded Austin, “I’d have to use the amulet.”

  Austin grimaced but said, “Do it.” He frowned at Shade. “Think, man. You can’t do this, or we’ll all die.”

  “I don’t care. I can’t abandon her. Ever.” Shade turned to me. “Come on, Val. You can’t do this now, not when I need you the most. Who are you going to choose? Austin or me?”

  He was strung so tight, he might just explode. But he was wrong. This wasn’t a choice between two men. I shook my head. “It’s not a matter of—”

  “Forget it, Val. No time for mealy-mouthed platitudes. Choose. Choose me for a change,” Shade challenged, looking defiant, hopeful, and resigned all at once.

  I closed my eyes against the pain. Leave Sharra’s body in a demon hell . . . or let evil demons infest San Antonio? There was o
nly one possible choice.

  I sighed and gave him a pleading glance. “I can’t, Shade.” Couldn’t he see that? “I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

  His shocked look spoke volumes. I’d lost him now, forever. A great pressure rose in my chest, threatening . . . what? Tears, a meltdown, pure relief?

  I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, I beat it back. I had to. I was the Paladin.

  “Close it, Shade.” Once more, I used the amulet to force Shade to bow to my will. And this time, no one tried to stop me.

  With an agonized expression, Shade turned to the portal and made it shrink, leaving the body of his twin sister on the other side.

  When it was done, Shade just stared at it, defeated.

  “Can’t you see?” I released him and pleaded with him to understand. “This is about far more than you and me and Austin. It’s about the whole world.”

  YOU COULDN’T DO ANYTHING ELSE, Fang assured me.

  “You don’t get it, do you?” Shade sneered.

  “Yes, I get it,” I said softly. “What you don’t get is me. Not if you think I’d ever do such a thing. What kind of a person would put their own selfish desires against the needs of the entire world?”

  And the answer struck me—that’s what Shade wanted to do.

  Shade just shook his head. “We’re through, Val. Completely and utterly through.”

  If he hadn’t said it, I would have.

  As he stormed off, I let my gaze slide to Austin. His answering glance was compassionate. “I had to,” I said, feeling the need to defend myself.

  “I know,” he said softly.

  He got it. He got me. I knew that, now.

  Austin’s gaze narrowed on Shade’s retreating back. “Do you think he’ll try opening the portal again?”

  Crap, I hadn’t thought of that.

  NO, Fang answered. HE KNOWS HE CAN’T GO THROUGH IT HIMSELF. AND MICAH WILL ENSURE NO ONE TRIES TO HELP HIM.

  Max grunted agreement. THE BOY WAS SPEAKING IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. HE REGRETS ASKING YOU TO DO THIS THING.

  Too little, too late.

  I nodded and sighed, noticing I still held the amulet clutched in my fist. I was sick of it. Sick of having the thing talk to me, sick of trying to defend my use of it, and sick of forcing people to do my bidding with it. “Here,” I said, thrusting it at Austin.

  He weighed it in his hand and gave me a quizzical glance. “What do you want me to do with it?”

  “I don’t care. Just get it out of my sight.” I put my hands on my hips. “We have clean-up to do.”

  Austin shook his head ruefully and tucked it in his jacket pocket. “Whatever you say . . . darlin’.”

  Epilogue

  Val

  TWO DAYS LATER, Fang and I were finally alone in my townhouse, crashed on the couch watching prime time television. We’d cleaned up the mess Emmanuel had made, and Shade had gone into hiding. Max must have been right about his change of heart, because we didn’t hear anything about bilious green clouds or portals to another world.

  Now that the field was clear, you’d think Austin would come by to see me. Yeah . . . not so much. He must be busy with those duties of his now that he didn’t have to stay close to protect me.

  I sighed, allowing myself a little pity party. No doubt everyone else was off somewhere with their significant others, celebrating Valentine’s Day. All over the country, women were being gifted with flowers, chocolate, and teddy bears, while I didn’t receive so much as a card to show someone cared about me. Ironic that I, the girl named Valentine, had never actually received a real valentine in my life. The ones from my mom, stepdad, and sister didn’t count.

  Fang jumped up on the couch and gave me a big slurpy kiss on the cheek. I LOVE YOU, VAL.

  I grinned and rubbed his soft, fuzzy ears as I surreptitiously wiped the slime from my face. “I know you do, Fang. And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But—”

  The door suddenly flew open behind me, and I leapt off the couch. What the—

  It was Gwen, looking flustered and upset. “You have to come now,” she said. “Hurry.”

  SADDLE UP, Fang said, and charged after Gwen.

  I didn’t know what the problem was, but if Gwen was in trouble, I had to help her. I paused only to grab my bag o’ weapons from beside the door and ran after them.

  “Come on,” Gwen said, motioning me into her car where it sat idling by the curb. “Get in. There’s no time to waste.”

  Fang and I jumped in, and I barely had time to fasten my seatbelt before she was peeling out of there like a mob of demons was nipping at her back tires.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as she careened through the streets.

  “Zombies,” she bit out, keeping her eyes on the road.

  “Zombies? Are you kidding me? Zombies don’t exist.” Did they?

  I’VE HEARD OF STRANGER THINGS, Fang said. LIKE VAMPIRES AND DEMONS.

  He had a point.

  “That’s what Micah said,” Gwen told me. “He asked me to come get you.”

  “But—”

  “Hush, please,” Gwen said urgently. “I need to concentrate on my driving.”

  Well, crap. I wracked my brain, trying to remember what I knew about zombies. All I knew was that they were risen from the dead, couldn’t feel pain, and craved brains. At least, that’s how the movies portrayed them. Now I wished I’d grabbed the encyclopedia. But I didn’t remember anything about the walking undead in there and had no idea how to make them really dead dead.

  I still wasn’t back up to full strength. Would Lola work on them? Would I need the strength spell? If the zombies moved as slowly as the ones in the movies, I might be okay.

  YOU’LL HANDLE IT JUST FINE, Fang assured me. YOU ALWAYS DO.

  “Just tell me this,” I said to Gwen. “Where are we going?”

  “Club Purgatory,” she said, her gaze intense on the road ahead.

  Micah’s place? Worried, I called Micah to find out what was going on. No answer. Crap. That didn’t bode well. Tessa didn’t answer, either.

  A few hair-raising minutes later, Gwen pulled up to Club Purgatory, and we all jumped out and ran to the front door where the doorman, dressed like Bela Lugosi, stood waiting.

  “Where?” Gwen gasped out.

  “The Ladies’ Lounge,” he said, and pointed in that direction.

  That’s where Micah danced. Was he onstage tonight? Was he in danger?

  I flew through to the lounge and shoved open the door. It was dark and quiet—too quiet. Bodies lay strewn all over the stage, and the women in the audience were all slumped over the tables. Oh, crap. What had happened here?

  I looked around for something to fight, but nothing was stirring.

  “There,” Gwen said, pointing.

  My gaze followed her pointed finger to the stage where one body was moving feebly. I started to head for it, but Fang leapt in front of me. NO WAIT, THERE’S SOMETHING OFF HERE.

  Ya think? Eerie music began to play offstage, then the body lurched to its feet, dressed in the rags of a man’s suit, its face white and what looked like blood staining the bottom of its mouth. But the hair—I recognized the hair and eyes. “Is that Micah?” Oh, crap. What had happened to him?

  More white-faced bodies rose jerkily from the stage, dressed in rags, and took shuffling steps toward the audience. I froze, not knowing how to handle any of this.

  The music intensified, and the zombies stopped shuffling and started moving in unison . . . to the music.

  What the heck?

  Then it dawned on me—the music was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and they were dancing. Was this a joke?

  NOT A JOKE, Fang said, sounding amused. A FLASH MOB.

  I took deep
breaths, trying to calm the adrenaline that had surged inside me as I watched in stupefaction. Gradually, members of the audience joined the dance—even Gwen—until the only ones not dancing were Fang and me. What the heck?

  THIS IS FOR YOU, VAL, Fang told me. A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT.

  For me? Something bloomed within me then, something wonderful and special. They had all given up their holiday to do this for me?

  Emotion suffused my chest and threatened to swamp me. I covered my slack-jawed mouth as I watched in amazement, trying to pick out the dancers. Some, I knew, were the male strippers who performed at the club. But that big guy, was that Ludwig? And the red-haired one—that had to be Andrew. Surprised, I even saw some members of the Movement and the SCU dancing up there.

  Vampires, demons and cops all dressed up as zombies? I couldn’t help it—I giggled.

  You were in on it? I asked Fang.

  WE ALL WERE.

  I watched in delight as the “zombies” continued their dance. Who arranged all this? I asked Fang.

  YOU’LL SEE IN A MINUTE.

  The music ended, and the zombies all froze. The lights went out on stage, and a spotlight suddenly hit me, blinding me. I heard one of the dancers jump down from the stage and come toward me.

  I shaded my eyes, trying to see, but it was impossible until he was right in front of me. Ah, I got it. This zombie was wearing a cowboy hat.

  Austin grinned at me, then removed his hat with a flourish and gave me a sweeping bow, presenting me with a huge bouquet of pink roses from behind his back. “Valentine Shapiro, will you be my valentine?” He lowered his voice. “At least for tonight?”

  I couldn’t stop grinning. “Best. Present. Ever,” I whispered. So much better than chocolates and a teddy bear. This was a Valentine’s Day worth waiting for.

  “Is that a yes?”

  I dipped my head to smell the sweet fragrance of the roses, stalling for time.

  EVERYONE’S WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER, Fang reminded me.

  Austin so got me. Why not? “Yes.”

  Everyone cheered, the lights came back on, and the zombies headed for the bar. Austin linked my arm in his and led me to a table. “Think you could bring yourself to be mine for more than just one night?”