by M. D. Massey
Just as I was drawing a bead on Rafael, the crossbow bolt pierced his wing. Where Luther’s attacks had almost immediately healed or had no effect, the silver bolt tore a gaping hole in his wing that grew larger as the wind whipped through it. Rafael’s graceful dive became a plummet, and I filled him with lead, silver, and burning magnesium on the way down—right before he crash-landed on the roof.
I closed the gap immediately, drawing back for a powerful overhead slash at his exposed neck.
And I was stopped dead in my tracks as one of those massive wings lashed out, slapping me across my torso. I was flung across the rooftop, where I skidded to an abrupt stop against a vent pipe.
I shook it off just in time to look up and see a now wingless Rafael rocketing across the roof at me. I fired the last few rounds from my pistol at him and watched as they punched holes in his chest, legs, and face. He didn’t seem to mind, and snatched me up in a massive clawed hand by the neck, lifting me off my feet and holding me up like a prize.
“Luther, you brought me a gift. This is the meddler who killed Cécile. Such a shame. It will take me some time to create another like her. I will derive much pleasure in bleeding this one dry.”
I struggled against his grip, slashing at his arm with my sword as I kicked and fought. I stabbed my sword through his arm, eliciting a roar from the nos. He plucked the sword free and tossed it away, over the side of the building.
“That was my favorite sword, dick,” I croaked as he held me suspended a foot off the ground.
He chuckled. “Such anger and defiance. Perhaps I should turn you, and make you my servant instead.”
Luther’s voice echoed from over my left shoulder. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Moreover, I would advise you to set the boy down, and negotiate a truce.”
“I’m… no… boy,” I groaned, still kicking weakly in a vain effort to free myself.
The two old vamps ignored me.
Rafael turned his massive chiropteran head to acknowledge Luther. “What reason would I have to spare him? We’ve already established that neither of you can stop me.”
I reached into my Bag as he spoke, grabbing one of the napalm bombs. Hell if I was going to become a vamp. I’d go out in a blaze of glory before that happened.
Suddenly, I felt Luther’s hand like a vice on my wrist. “Colin, wait.”
What the fuck, Luther?
Luther continued, addressing Rafael now. “I would not be the one to stop you. And Colin here wouldn’t, either. At least, not this Colin. Look closer at the prey you hold in your hand, Rafael. Look deeper, and tell me what you see.”
The nosferatu’s eyes narrowed as he inspected me, then they widened. “It’s not possible… this is a trick!”
Luther walked slowly into my line of sight to my left, hands clasped behind his back like a college professor on a leisurely stroll. “I assure you, this is no trick. Feed from him, and the thing inside him will be released. Try to turn him, and the same will happen. And as you and I well know, it will destroy you. Perhaps even the both of us.”
Rafael turned me left and right, examining me like a slab of meat. After several seconds of being scrutinized by Max Shreck, he dropped me like a hot rock.
“You tell the truth. The god-giants return.”
I sat there in a heap, rubbing my neck, while Luther regarded Rafael. He tilted his head slightly. “In a manner of speaking, yes. Things are changing, Rafael. Now you see why I choose to live in peace with humans. An alliance may very well be necessary for our survival in days to come.”
Rafael grunted. “I could still kill you.”
Luther nodded. “You could. But then this young man would hunt you to the ends of the earth. You would have no rest. He would either find you and destroy you during your time of rest or confront you and force you to trigger his ríastrad. Either way, you would be destroyed.”
I shook my head in disbelief and chuckled despite the situation. All this time, Luther had known I couldn’t beat Rafael. He’d also been well aware that he couldn’t defeat him, either. So, he’d used me as his pawn. A pawn who could be crowned to destroy the king.
“Still here, you know,” I muttered from the asphalt roof of the building.
Again, the two vampires ignored me. They stared at each other a good long while.
Finally, Rafael’s shoulders slumped. “Tell me, master of the Austin vampire coven… what are your terms?”
Epilogue
The next day, I sat in Luther’s office at the coffee shop. I sipped on a damned good cappuccino as he stared at me from across his desk.
“I regret that I couldn’t let you in on my plan. However, I knew that ultimately you’d be in no grave danger. And, you are the only creature in Austin—save Maeve, perhaps—that he would fear.”
I rubbed the bruises on my neck. I looked like I’d been making out with a Dyson vacuum. “Would’ve been nice if you’d got her to kick him out of town.”
His forehead creased for a moment, then his expression went flat again. “I doubt that the Queen of the Austin fae has any interest in chasing vampires from her city. If she did, I would be gone by now. To her, one vampire is the same as another. We pose no threat to Maeve.”
He tapped a pencil on the table, drumming the eraser like the world’s fastest metronome. The pencil froze, and he pointed it at me. “However, after last night’s events, she may begin to take an interest in you. Such a story will very likely intrigue her… and being the focus of her intrigue is not a circumstance I would wish on any mortal.”
“Great.”
He frowned. “Perhaps you’ll escape her notice. I only mention it so you can be prepared. If you’re ever called into her presence, be on your guard.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning.”
The old vampire sat up straighter and smiled. “Now, to the business at hand. Your compensation.”
He pushed a thick envelope across the desk to me. I peeked inside; it was what he’d promised and more. That would definitely help pay for my tuition. Then I thought about Charlene’s kids.
Damn it.
I pushed the envelope back across the desk to him. “Is there any way you can get this to Charlene’s family? You know, to help them out?”
Luther blinked—once, twice. “You mean the children of the last woman he killed.” I nodded. “Consider it done. I’ll have my attorneys set up a trust fund in each child’s name. Also, I made some calls. The Circle won’t be bothering you again.”
“Thanks, Luther.”
“Don’t mention it. Colin, I owe you a great debt—beyond whatever recompense we first agreed upon. Don’t be a stranger around here. I find your sense of honor to be… compelling.” He paused, as if searching for the right words. “If you ever need anything, feel free to call on me and mine.”
I took a sip of coffee and smirked. “Alright… just as long as you don’t try to turn me metro.”
Suddenly, the serious vampire coven master was gone, and the queen was back. Luther gave me snaps and an “oh no you didn’t” look. “Pretty white boy, you might be cute, but believe me—you could use a little style advice from Luther.”
I chuckled into my coffee. “I’ll take that under advisement, based on the authority of the source.”
He shook his head and cocked an ear. “Hmmm… perfect timing. Sounds like that hot little Spanish number is out there looking for you. Just for that remark, I’m going to let her know you’re here.”
“Luther, wait—”
And like that, he was gone. A few seconds later, I heard a knock at the office door.
“Loverboy, I know you’re in there. Are you trying to avoid me?” More knocking. “I’m just going to keep knocking until you come out, you know.”
I hung my head. “Thanks, Luther,” I whispered.
Somewhere, from the front of the cafe, I swear I heard him laugh.
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