by SGD Singh
Lexi brought her the emerald earrings. “I thought it would go well with these. And I was right.” She giggled, making fireworks noises and gestures. “Now for a braided up-do with… except you have thick hair, so neater? But still, fashionably messy. Some kajal, I think, and we're ready to go.”
“I'm actually a living being, Lexi, not a doll, in case you haven't noticed,” said Asha, shoving Lexi away and doing her own hair.
As they walked across the garden in the fading light twenty minutes later, Asha, in spite of her fatigue, was beginning to look forward to the party. Even if, though she would never admit it out loud, mostly to see what everyone else was wearing.
Nidhan looked like a young Maharaja standing by the car, impatiently drumming one hand on the hood, wearing an embroidered cream achkan, the navy silk scarf hanging from its wide collar ending in tassels past his knees. As soon as he saw Lexi and Asha, he straightened, staring at them for a second before he started “fixing” his navy turban.
“You guys took long enough,” he said, opening the door. “We're late.”
“It's her fault,” Lexi said, getting in the back. “She was trying to get out of going.”
They stopped at Headquarters to pick up Tzirga and Ariella on the way. Tzirga wore red and light pink and Ariella was in turquoise and blue-green anarkali dresses with contrasting, elaborate borders, plunging necklines and low embroidered backs. The girls started talking about how their weapons belts, when worn under fancy clothes, were not the most comfortable things, causing Nidhan to turn the music up irritably.
At the hotel, a uniformed attendant told Nidhan he had to park outside the gate, because the parking lot inside was full. He scowled at Asha for making them late. But the mood changed as they walked under a canopy of red flowers and golden drape-covered arches. The blaring Bhangra music guided them past the marble entry and toward the over-dressed crowd in a large banquet hall.
Lexi, in her low snob-voice, turned to Asha and declared, “Youthful elegance and luxurious handwork monumentalize the ordinary, restoring the Salwaar-Kameez to its former glory this season. The Sari still lacks dazzling subversive wit, and yet a beguiling collection, boasting nouveau color combinations add contemporary glamour to the over-forty set and the full-figured among the crowd tonight. Meanwhile, the chic, attention-grabbing Surrealist styling of the Anarkali provide a nexus between fashion and art, while the generous use of gold proves, once again, to be the absolute accessory nécessaire of the season.” She turned to Asha, waving a hand lazily. “Must mingle, dahling, you bore me.”
Asha made a rude gesture at her as she floated away, and turned to see Nidhan's dazed expression as he watched Lexi disappear into the crowd. Taking his arm, she laughed. “The one and only Lexi Hewitt. Thank God, dahling!”
They watched Lexi whisper something to Ursala, slapping the back of his head while he stared past her at Tzirga and Ariella, open mouthed.
Round tables covered in gold and white filled the room, topped with brass vases overflowing with red and orange flowers, and the whole place seemed to sparkle under a square chandelier.
Asha noticed Afzal and the tall man with the white crew cut, who had been so angry about Chakori's injuries, in deep conversation with six or seven highly decorated law enforcement officers in dress uniform. Men in military uniforms holding Sten guns stood against a wall, scanning the crowd and chatting.
At the far end of the room, in front of a backdrop of flowers, tiny lights, and golden sheer drapes, a whispering and laughing couple reclined on an extremely gaudy love seat elevated on a small stage. The woman wore the fanciest, most uncomfortable-looking clothes, in deep red and gold, and jewelry Asha had ever seen. A crowd surrounded the couple, posing for the camera and piling cash on their laps, and as Asha watched, Tanvir, wearing sparkling maroon and standing with an arm around one of the aforementioned sari-clad, full-figured women, leaned toward the couple, talking and gesturing with his free hand. Uma, Dhevan, Javin, and Prabhnoor, each elegant in sparkling formal attire, leaned toward the couple to hear Tanvir over the music, and a moment later they all laughed uproariously, clapping.
Asha felt suddenly out of place, and she followed Nidhan to the delicious-looking buffet. They joined Li Tsia, Wei Feng, and Hua Tseng, each wearing Chinese clothes of embroidered silk that looked so soft it was all Asha could do not to reach out and touch them.
Lexi leaned behind Asha's chair, whispering in her ear, making her jump. “Jordan Witzigreuter looking mind-blastingly gorgeous at three o'clock.”
Lexi easily dodged Asha's fork and sat down with Ursala, Tzirga, and Ariella at the next table, ignoring her. Asha tried not to look, but her eyes wandered across the room to Aquila. He looked, well, perfect, in a simple black achkan.
Asha watched him. Actually, she was unable to take her eyes off him. He turned, his gaze settling on her, and a smile lit up his face. Asha felt herself blush and turned away to see Lexi wink at her. When she inevitably looked again, Aquila was surrounded by Afzal and a group of police officers.
After numerous speeches with so many inside jokes they might as well have been in a foreign language, the dancing started. Everyone milled around, socializing; Nidhan stood in deep conversation with Kelakha and Himat by the dessert table. Asha, feeling the lack of sleep, sat watching Hua Tseng create the illusion of a tiny snowy mountain inside her water glass.
Lexi and Ariella shouted in protest, breaking Tseng's concentration and causing the illusion to vanish. Mia dragged them onto the dance floor, and soon Asha was laughing until her sides hurt. Asha pushed aside a slight headache as she watched Tzirga attempt to teach them Gidda.
Mia was terrible at it, and Lexi couldn't stop laughing at her long enough to focus. Tzirga gave up with a disgusted gesture, allowing Mia to revert to her liquid-hip moves, and Lexi approached the DJ. Soon Latin pop filled the room, and the DJ looked harassed.
Everyone cheered as Ursala showed off his dance skills between Ariella and Tzirga.
It wasn't until Asha heard The Ready Set's Young Forever blasting from the speakers, and she looked up to see Lexi grinning at her, that her head really began to pound, and she realized she needed air.
Regretting eating so much rasgulla, Asha grabbed a bottle of water and pushed her way through the doors to the garden. Sitting down on the edge of one of the hotel's small garden pools, she ran a hand along her forehead. The water pouring down a wall into the pool made a relaxing sound, and Asha watched the light sparkling in the pool's soft glow, beginning to feel sleepy again.
“Asha!”
Her head jerked up. “Nidhan?”
Asha stood, looking around her, but could see no one. “Where are you?”
“Over here!” His voice was on the other side of the hotel gate. “We have to go now! It's my grandma, she's sick! We're meeting everyone at the hospital!”
“Okay, I'm coming,” Asha called, starting to jog toward the gate.
“Asha?” Lexi burst out of the building. “Where are you going? Look, I'm sorry I—”
“It's Nidhan's grandma!” Asha called over her shoulder as she passed through the gates. She heard Lexi running to catch up. “She's in the hospital. We have to go.”
Asha passed into the deserted street and stopped short. Nidhan's car sat empty at the curb.
Lexi joined her, panting. “Well? Where is he?”
“Get back!” Asha screamed, pushing Lexi, but it was too late.
Cold iron wrapped around Asha, pinning her arms to her sides. She watched Lexi's eyes widen in surprise as a pale, strikingly handsome blonde boy grabbed her from behind. He leered at Asha over Lexi's shoulder, eyes gleaming in the streetlight as he rubbed his face against Lexi's neck.
Vampires.
A feeling of disgusted regret filled her as Asha recalled the passage from Underworlders Wars in Satya. “Among their numerous abilities, the Vampire can mimic any voice they hear, no matter how brief.”
Asha felt the Vampire behind her move against her b
ack suggestively and heard him laugh. A wave of nausea swept over her. His skin on her bare arms sent chills up her spine, and she vaguely realized that he had no smell. He wrapped both of her wrists in the cold fingers of one of his hands, and Asha gasped in pain.
Lexi, across from her, never looked more murderous as the Vampire holding her whispered into her ear, still leering at Asha.
“Well?” a voice called from right next to Asha's ear. It was strange to not feel his breath. The dead don't breathe. “Which one is it? You said there would only be one.” Asha felt him nuzzle her neck, his skin like ice. “I hope it's that one, because this one is absolutely intoxicating…” His cold lips brushed against her ear. “You should pay more attention in school, Cookie. I can practically taste your fear.”
Asha looked at Lexi , who was cursing and struggling furiously against the iron arms holding her. Then there was something wet on her neck, and she realized with a sickening lurch that the Vampire was licking her. Bile rose up in her throat.
The Vampire holding Lexi said something in a language Asha didn't recognize and she felt the arms around her tense. “What?” he asked, disbelief in his voice.
She watched the other Vampire's face break into a smug smile. “I said, yours looks just like that dumb cow, what was it? Forty years ago? Must have been her grandmother.” He shrugged. “I'm guessing it must be—”
“You're guessing?” Asha felt the Vampire against her back. “Let's take both of them. I won't risk my life just because you're hungry.”
“Well, your love sick waiter said Asha was sitting outside, so which one of you is Ash—”
“I'm Asha!” said Lexi, before Asha opened her mouth.
A third figure approached from behind Nidhan's car, and Asha hoped it meant help. Her heart sank a when he entered the light. He was even more handsome than the other two Vampires despite his disgusted sneer. A long black cloak billowed behind him as he moved.
Lexi snorted. “Seriously? We are not about to be killed by a fucking boy band.”
Sounding bored, he ignored Lexi and said, “I see you two morons are dicking around as usual, instead of following simple instructions.”
The Vampire crossed to Asha and, grabbing a handful of her hair, yanked her head back until she was glaring up at him.
“This is the one,” he said softly, his nose almost touching hers as he smiled. Then, his eyes filling with disgust, he shoved her head, ripping out a handful of her hair. Tears of pain and frustration filled Asha's eyes as she watched him twirl the strand of black hair around his fingers and put it into his pocket.
With a flick of his wrist at Lexi, he said, “You can kill that one.” He took one step and turned with a wicked grin, adding, “I'll give you five minutes to show her what happens if she doesn't cooperate,” and walked back across the street without a backward glance.
The Vampire holding Lexi smiled with insane hunger, and Asha thought she saw his teeth sharpen. “She's magically delicious!” he sang, then giggled.
Lexi and Asha looked across the darkened sidewalk at each other and Lexi said something in Spanish that Asha couldn't hear through the pounding of her heart. Panic welled up hopelessly in her mind.
No. No no no no no!
Lexi smashed the back of her head into the Vampire's nose with a sickening crunch. He loosened his grip on her for a fraction of a second, but that was enough. Lexi twisted out of his arms, her revolver in her hands, and shot him in the face with holy water. The Vampire shrieked, a horrible, inhuman sound filling the night, as the skin peeled away from his skull.
Asha felt the Vampire behind her tightening his arm around her torso, and she screamed in agony as her ribs cracked. He squeezed her wrists so hard in his other hand she felt the bones snap. Asha struggled to remain conscious.
“Don't!” he screeched, his voice cracking with fear. He wasn't looking at Lexi. “I will kill her!” Asha, confused, looked through a haze of pain. She saw Lexi follow the Vampire's terrified gaze, her mouth opening in surprise.
And time stood still.
Gliding, silent as a ghost, a flash of golden brown feathers under the glow of the streetlight, was a hawk. An enormous hawk. As Asha watched in disbelief, it grew in size, wings expanding and transforming in one fluid movement, becoming… human.
With blinding speed, the hawk-human collided with the Vampire, and Asha fell, pushed away by the impact.
A beautiful face stared at her, frozen in surprise, where she lay on the pavement. The severed head of the Vampire rolled to a stop against her knee. In the same instant, cold liquid showered over her, soaking her clothes. Asha stared down at her red hands. Blood.
In detached fascination, Asha watched the blurred figure crouch over the Vampire's body as it fell to the ground, driving a wooden stake neatly into its heart. Flames engulfed the headless corpse, blazing like kerosene-soaked wood, and Asha kicked out at the ball of fire that had been the Vampire's head. Vaguely aware that the corner of her ruined clothes was on fire, she moved her leg to smother the flames.
Asha rose to her knees, cradling her broken wrists. Every breath was excruciating, and her vision blurred. She watched the dark figure move to stake the Vampire who had held Lexi. Her best friend, she noticed, was still screaming curses and shooting it in the face with flares even as it burst into flames. The figure put a hand on Lexi's arm, forcing her weapon down, and Lexi grew still. She nodded once and took off running through the hotel gates.
Lexi, wait! Asha reached out, wincing. Darkness clouded her vision, and she felt the ground hit her.
She was dimly aware of the dark figure running, sliding to the ground next to her.
“Asha…” A soft voice. “I'm sorry. Oh God! I'm so sorry… please forgive me.” She felt a gentle touch, her hair brushed away from her face.
Someone lifted her off the ground, and agony flooded her sides. And yet, enveloped in the warmth of strong, comforting arms, through the screaming pain, a feeling of blissful contentment swept over her.
Asha blinked up in astonished amazement.
And met Aquila's eyes.
And surrendered to the darkness.
Chapter 16
Aquila looked around to make sure no one was watching before he let himself into the hospital room.
And stopped short in alarm.
Asha lay, pale as death, on the bed, her hands in casts at her sides, an IV taped to one arm. Panic like nothing he had ever experienced stabbed through him as Aquila crossed the room, searching Asha's ashen features for any sign of consciousness. It didn't make sense that she wasn't healed. What the hell is going on?
Asha's dark hair lay in tangles around her scratched and bruised face, her normally radiant skin grey against the white pillow, and Aquila felt sick with remorse, his self-loathing threatening to crush his lungs. He fell into a chair, scraping a hand across his face and lowering his forehead to the bed.
“Please, Asha. Please wake up.”
A ragged gasp filled the room, and Aquila's head snapped up.
Asha tossed her head feverishly, sweat beading along her hairline. “Aquila…”
He was on his feet. “I'm here, Asha. I'm right here.” Aquila reached for her arm.
Senya's voice rang out behind him. “I wouldn't touch her if I were you. Not unless you have a death wish.”
Aquila whirled. “Why isn't she healed yet? What the fuck—three whole days? And she's still… she's…”
Prabhnoor followed Senya into the room, carrying a potted rose bush. He elbowed his way past Aquila with his scarred arm, saying, “Yeah, okay. Step aside Romeo.”
Aquila made an exasperated snort, and turned to leave.
“Okay, watch this Senya,” said Prabhnoor. “Wait, Desai! You might as well see it too.”
Aquila took a shaky breath, crossing to Asha's side and, trying not to stare at her injuries. It's gonna be fine… she's going to be fine… Prabhnoor was talking and Aquila blinked, trying to focus on his words.
“… and
one of her friends left some flowers next to her bed, right? So I'm taking them out 'cause they're in the way, but then I lean over to check the IV and one of the flowers must've touched her because next thing I know—just watch, okay?”
Senya crossed his arms. “We are watching. We've been standing here waiting for…” His words trailed off.
Prabhnoor was grinning and nodding. Aquila felt his jaw drop.
Prabhnoor held the rose bush where one blossom rested against Asha's face. The instant it touched her, the plant began to die, as if being burned by an invisible flame, its petals curling and falling to the floor, leaves like brown paper, stems twisting and darkening.
“What did you… ?” Aquila watched the bruises on Asha's face fade, and color began to return to her skin.
Senya straightened, expressionless, pointing to the dead rose bush. “You're explaining that to Tanvir.”
Aquila didn't hear Prabhnoor's reply. He was out of the hospital, sprinting past the Moroccan lamps and through the door, taking the steps three at a time.
There was still an hour until breakfast, which meant Lexi was training. Aquila burst into the training room and found her sparring with Tzirga and Ariella in the far corner. She looked at him, and Aquila saw her eyes widen in alarm as she jogged over to him.
“No,” he told her, and she exhaled. “It's good news.”
“What happened?”
Aquila told her. Before he could tell her what to do, Lexi held up two fingers, taking out her phone and turned away from him. “Stevens.” Her voice rang with authority. “I need you to arrange for as many rose bushes as you can. Yes, right now.” Aquila shook his head, picturing Stevens as a small man with grey hair and a suit. “Roses, Stevens, pay attention! I want them delivered to…” Lexi left the room.
Seconds later, she was back, shouting, “Hey! Ten minutes at the outer gate. And bring as many people as you can.” She motioned to Ariella and Tzirga to follow her.