Lacing Shadows

by Tina Smith

I knew he didn’t understand. I cracked the door before the car had even come to a complete stop on the edge of the road. I got out and put my head between my legs.

  He was beside me in a flash. “Farren, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  I flipped my hair out of my face. He seemed concerned, confused.

  “I don’t like going fast...” I explained as the nausea rose.

  “Tell me, why?”

  “I was in a car crash.” I concentrated on my breathing.

  “I had no idea.”

  “It’s okay, I’m just sensitive about it.” I gripped my stomach.

  “I’m sorry I’ll take it easy.”

  I nodded, still feeling the mud rising from my stomach.

  “Are you alright to get back in, we can go somewhere and get a bite to eat?”

  I nodded.

  *

  True to his word Joe drove like an old lady. We went to a burger joint and sat at a table out front, overlooking a lake. We didn’t speak.

  Finally as we ate Joe enquired. “What happened?”

  I put down my burger.

  Joe had one in front of him but he hadn’t touched it.

  “Why do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Buy food and never eat it.”

  “It makes humans more comfortable.” He glanced at it. “I can eat some if you want. But you are avoiding the question.”

  Fine, I would tell him. I took a breath, “We’d been at a small party. My friends got me to drive, it had been a long night. We were stopped at some traffic lights, they turned green, only as we took off some asshole on his phone ran a red light. We hit, and I’m the only one that got out in one piece.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I sniffed. “I’m sorry doesn’t cut it. Three kids died in the car I was driving. One of the girls, Emma, was in a coma for a month before they switched off her life support...the dip shit that hit us died on impact...I have to live with what happened. I think, what if I went a different way, what if I drove slower or I was concentrating more...?” I reasoned, I held my stomach and rocked as tears cascaded down my face.

  He leant across.

  “Shh, it wasn’t your fault.” He grabbed my hands and held them. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “I had to attend the funerals, I had to face those parents.” I sobbed uncontrollably. My whole body shook.

  “Live long enough and you’ll lose everyone you love.”

  I realized he knew the pain.

  “Here.” He passed me his napkin. “That’s why you tried to jump?”

  I nodded.

  He didn’t ask about it anymore after that. We walked by the lake and fed his hamburger the ducks.

  We went back to his place. Joe promised to take me to dinner. He caught some shut eye while I studied in the lounge room.

  I had nothing to wear so we drove to the dorm. I put on a dress and pumps and grabbed a nice coat.

  I was expecting to go to a restaurant.

  “I have a surprise. Listen, you don’t have to do it when we get there. I mean I might...but we don’t have to.”

  I was puzzled. He was playing his music and I felt chilled as I looked out the window.

  We parked on the street. “A movie?” I guessed.

  “Guess again.”

  I looked up to see a huge neon sign that read ‘Let’s Dance’. Once inside he took me onto the dance floor and held my hips. I swayed. “I noticed you liked to dance.”

  “Truthfully, I’ve never danced like this before.” I glanced at the other couples twisting around like Latin ballroom dancers. “Actually I’ve never danced properly…at all.”

  He smiled and spun me out and pulled me back. “Salsa is easy.”

  With him leading me I laughed deprecatingly as I attempted it.

  After about half an hour Joe got drinks at the bar. I found a table.

  “Here, it’s all they had.”

  I accepted a vodka and lemon as he took off his long sleeve shirt and sat.

  “Farren,” he said my name “What’s with that name?” His eyes danced.

  “Why, haven’t you heard it before?” I sipped my drink.

  “No, actually I haven’t met anyone with it.”

  It didn’t really surprise me. “My dad chose it. My mum didn’t know what to call me. It means land, or something.” I felt a little shy discussing my family. Dad had run out on us a long time ago.

  “It’s nice.” He smiled a little. I liked seeing his smile escape.

  “So what’s your story?” I asked.

  “That’s for another day.”

  “Well, what about your name?”

  “My name? Yes, Joe is quite unusual…” he joked.

  “Ha,” I laughed and hit him, playfully.

  I leant in. “What’s the tat on your arm about?” I had wanted to ask him.

  “This one?” He looked at the tribal design, as though it was a surprise to see it there. He ran his finger over the lines. “It’s symbolic, why you want to get one?” He shot me a cheeky look.

  I shook my head. “What does it symbolize?”

  “That I’ve been through some shit, the hazard symbol so girls like you will know that I’m poisonous,” he gave a tight smile and sipped his drink.

  “It’s nice.”

  “Nice?”

  “Yeah,” I laughed. “I don’t know if I would be brave enough to get something on my skin forever. I’d like to—I think.” I looked at my drink.

  “Well, maybe I’ll take you.”

  I smirked back at him, his stare lingered. A nice beat started up. “C’mon let’s dance.” He followed me onto the dance floor. I swung my hips a little and he pulled me into him, I wrapped my hands lightly around his marble neck.

  He glanced about.

  “You worried about Cyrus?” I asked.

  “Not tonight.” He dipped me back, lifting me up slowly. Dizzy, I rested my head against his chest as he pulled me close.

  But he slowed. I looked up. He was gazing intensely across the room and his face stilled. Before I had a chance to ask he said, “Caitlin’s here.”

  An attractive woman in a beige dress and knee high black boots came up to us with a confident stride. “Isn’t she charming? Good enough to eat,” she said above the noise, narrowing her eyes to my neck.

  “Try it,” he challenged fiercely above the music. He walked out of the crowd my hand linked in his. I knew she was the woman from the phone and her face was unmistakable from the photograph in the loft.

  She brushed back her short blonde hair. “Calm down, it’s Cyrus who wants to kill her, although she does smell good...”

  I shied from the flick of her eyes.

  “I didn’t think you liked the sweet ones.”

  “Stay out of it, Caitlin.” Joe squared his shoulders. He seemed more annoyed than angry now. I wondered what she meant by ‘sweet ones’ exactly.

  She addressed both of us. “It was him and me, for many years—up until he didn’t return my calls.” She eyed him. “Well, when you’re done with this kid stuff you know where I am.” Her tone was bitter at the end. She turned with a sway of her hips. I watched as she strutted away and like a flash she was gone.

  Joe immediately dragged me along. We were headed for the exit at the other end of the club.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as we drove.

  “The dorms.”

  I wondered if he would leave me there.

  “When we get there, pack, you’re coming with me.”

  I stilled. It sounded like an order.

  *

  I gathered up items of clothing slowly.

  “What about school. I barely know you.” I threw the clothes in a bag. “I can’t just move in?”

  “Listen to me, the second I lose sight of you or turn my back they will kill you.” He started pulling open drawers.

  I was surprised at the gravel in his tone. Caitlin had been icy but I hadn’t thought she was
violent.

  “Can’t the Guard protect me?” I guessed.

  He shot me a look. “Not as well as I can.”

  But I took my opportunity to say what had been on my mind.

  “Then turn me.” My face was serious.

  He looked furiously in my direction. For a moment his face contorted with disgust.

  I insisted. “You are the undead, they can’t kill me if I am like you.” I had a point.

  He grabbed me hard and thrust his nose to mine as if he might kiss me; I was tantalized by the thought. But instead he whispered, “You don’t have any idea what you are suggesting.” He let me go.

  “I don’t care,” I protested. I didn’t. We had bonded. I couldn’t explain it but I knew I belonged in his world, no matter the cost. I’d felt more alive with him in the last few days than I ever had.

  He turned, his face furrowed.

  “Please, I think there is a reason you saved me.” I had thought about it during class. “Maybe I was always meant to be like you.” I was pleading, I hoped he would agree. It wasn’t for his sake, I wanted to be changed regardless of the situation.

  “No, it can’t be done.” He started packing my things regardless of his refusal.

  Perhaps he had other reasons for not wanting to change me. “Listen, is she your girlfriend?”

  His packing slowed. “She is most certainly not my girlfriend, or anything else.”

  “What was that about then?” I tried not to sound hurt.

  “What was that argument with Jack about?” he replied.

  “I don’t care for Jack.” I never did. I wouldn’t have thrown myself off a bridge if I had.

  “—But you care about me?” he questioned.

  My chest fluttered. “Yes,” I answered shifting awkwardly. We faced each other. My chest rose and fell. I could feel my cheeks burn. We stood nose to nose, I thought he may kiss me, but he pulled away ad shook his head, frustrated.

  “No, you only think you do.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself of the fact.

  But it still hurt. “So why protect me?” I narrowed my eyes. “Take me back to the park and kill me now. Do what you didn’t do.” I jutted my chin as my eyes misted. “Let me jump.” It wasn’t an empty threat. “I’ll be just another body.”

  “Fine.” He grabbed my hand in his cold palm. I dropped the clothes I held as he pulled me along. We passed a few curious students and I avoided their faces as I stubbornly went along with him into the park. He stopped halfway to the bridge and clasped my face, his palm resting on my neck. I leant my face into it. Would he call my bluff?

  “You have killed before.” I gave him a doe-eyed stare. Maybe this was it.

  His face was inches from mine in the dark. “You would like me to say that, wouldn’t you?”

  “Aren’t you hungry for something real?” I parted my lips, slightly. “I trust you.” I sounded desperate, because I was. When he was so close, all I wanted was more time with him.

  He sized me up. “No,” he finally refused as he broke away, turning his face from mine.

  “Why did you save me, if you usually take lives?” I searched his face.

  Suddenly he was before me again, slowly leaning his face to my ear, achingly close, he whispered, “Yes, I have killed. Are you scared?” Fangs showed themselves as his breath quickened, his nose wrinkled angrily.

  I stepped up. “No,” I whispered.

  “You should be.” He turned grimacing, struggling with himself.

  “Why not kill me?” I insisted, my voice sweet.

  He steadied his gaze. “I don’t like willing participants.” He glowered.

  “How do you know I’ll remain willing?” My face hardened.

  A sad smile escaped his lips. “I used to kill a lot, is that what you want to hear?” He hit a tree and a chunk of bark broke away. “If you were lucky we’d keep you around, we’d have used you.” His voice was low.

  I tried not to look scared but my eyes fluttered. “How many?”

  “What?

  “How many were there?” I bravely met his eyes. “How many did you kill, in cold blood?”

  “Their blood was warm,” he corrected. “I used to eat hundreds, their bodies went cold beneath me.” His lips curled back to reveal fangs. “They suffered as I sucked the life from their veins. I’m a predator, Farren. We are deadly animals. We would take over this God forsaken earth, but then who would feed us?” he scoffed. “Every night we’d feast on girls like you and throw them away like used gum.” His honey eyes were cold, scathing.

  “Then why spare me?” I leant towards him; the sensual air between us made my heart race.

  He gave me a long look. “Because you want it.” He was stone faced, cool as ever.

  I would call his bluff. “You need to eat,” I challenged.

  “Yes but I’ll find some murderers and homeless drunks.” He was walking away. Was he just going to leave me here? His eyes turned down as he walked away.

  I called after him. “Why not just take me. Make me like you?”

  “You’ll draw too much attention,” he called back venomously.

  “Make it look like I’m an accident then,” I said lower.

  He touched my face, suddenly in front of me again, close. “I wish it were that easy.” His cold lips barely brushed mine. Suddenly I was thrust against the tree. The air was all but completely pushed from my lungs. Despite the rough treatment a warm sensation spread up through my belly, as we breathed. His body pressed firmly against mine.

  I stared at him breathless. He barely eased his icy cheek along my own. His lips kissed the skin of my neck above my throbbing jugular vein. He didn’t have to speak as I struggled to draw in air.

  I extended my neck, resisting and waited for him to bite. He pressed his hands against mine and his fangs along the vein as my breath caught.

  “I can’t let him have you.” Breathing rapidly he rested his pale forehead against mine. The power he held contrasted the gentle firm touch of his hand to my flesh. I had fallen that night, into his arms and right then I knew I had I fallen in love with him.

  He gradually laced his hand in mine and released me. We walked me to his car. We didn’t speak his eyes locked on mine.

  The spell was broken when my phone rang. I fumbled for it in my coat and looked at the number. It was Henry. I answered it.

  “Sadie’s not with you, is she?” he blurted.

  “No, why?” I caught Joe’s eye.

  Henry explained, “She’s been missing for at least a day. Her parents don’t know, her dorm mate hasn’t seen her since yesterday—are you sure?”

  “I’ll look for her. Keep me posted.” I wished I could tell him it was okay but I had a feeling Joe might know about her sudden disappearance. “Bye.” I hung up.

  “She’s missing.” Joe had heard. My expression must have questioned him. “I have good hearing,” he offered.

  “It’s not like her.”

  “I think I might know who is involved...”

  I read that look on his face that he reserved for Cyrus. “He took her?” I didn’t want to believe it.

  “It’s likely.” He hurried to his car, dialing his phone.

  I fathomed the turn of events. Cyrus had Sadie. Why would he take her? I was horrified to think what he had done to her. My legs felt weak.

  “Let’s get to the apartment,” he called getting in. I ran to catch up.

  We drove in silence. “What will you do?”

  “I’ll have to look for him.” Joe’s frown grew deep.

  I followed him inside the building. My gut feeling was that I would lose her and I couldn’t accept that. I was in shock. As we reached the top of the stairs I realized the door was ajar. Joe pulled me aside and pushed it open, going ahead.

  “Come in, come in.” Cyrus had his arms out and his hands bent like crab claws, standing in the middle of the loft. His charisma was unnerving.

  Sadie was hand-cuffed to a desk chair in the bac
k of the room, her mouth taped closed.

  “Let her go, Cyrus.” Joe shot him a threatening gaze.

  “I just wanted you to play. It’s so dull here.” His complaint revealed his fangs.

  “No one forced you to follow me here.” Joe stepped up to him.

  “Please Joe, we have been attached at the hip for years, I missed you…”

  “You missed taunting me,” Joe growled back.

  “No….” Cyrus sighed and grinned. “Well, you always were so easy,” he admitted in jest.

  “Cyrus.” Joe scolded with clenched teeth. His fists balled.

  “Why should you have all the fun?” Cyrus wasn’t any less confident. “And you brought me another toy...”

  Joe looked livid he shifted in front of me. “I came here to get away from it all, Cyrus.”

  “Oh please, you can’t outrun your inner monster—leave your brother, your sister...”

  “I can if you’d let me.” Joe’s response was guttural. Even Sadie trained her frozen eyes to him.

  “Get off your high horse, Joey. We fight, we tease, we compete, we are brothers.” Cyrus continued to make light as though he didn’t realize the hurt he caused.

  “You get off on this Cyrus. This isn’t a game.” Joe watched him like a hawk.

  “I know this is more than just a game to you, brother.” Cyrus taunted, running a hand down Sadie’s face. Her face was flustered from crying, her mascara had run.

  Joe bellowed, “I swear to you Cyrus, if you don’t let this go, I will make you.”

  “How?” Cyrus took pleasure in pain. A smile spread “I’ll swap you this one for your butterfly.” He tilted his head like a cat.

  In a second Joe was at his throat. They twisted around each other so fast they blurred. The wall cracked and broke away as they hit. Joe thrust Cyrus but he flipped and gained the upper hand, head locking Joe, who for the first time was looking worried.

  I screamed.

  Cyrus laughed, dropped his brother and was wrapped around me so fast I gasped. He went for my neck when Joe bowled into him. Just then the door burst open. Caitlin marched in with three others, dressed in black. They pointed cross bows and a gun at both Cyrus and Joe.

  Their dramatic entrance stunned me as Cyrus instantaneously let go.