The Comanche Vampire

by The Comanche Vampire [Evernight] (mobi)

  Her wordless groan brought his release, a furious rush of sensation as Ned came into Anne. She thrashed under him and he hoped it was as fine for her too. Afterward, she sank to her knees but he caught a glimpse of her grin beneath the wild curtain of her hair. “Aw, honey,” he said and then stopped. The heavy tread of footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs leading to the attic guest room. In moments, someone would enter the room to discover them, clothes in disarray and cheeks bright with afterglow. “Shit,” he swore. “Anne, someone’s coming up the stairs.”

  She leapt up and jerked her pants back in place. Then she heaved her hair back out of her face and marched to stare out the front windows. Ned managed to tuck his dick back into his jeans. He opened his bag and dug through it in frantic search for something. Ten seconds later, a man burst into the room. “Hey, little sister,” he said. “What in the hell are you doing up here with Kawliga?”

  Ned knew the reference, from Hank Williams’s country tune about the cigar store Indian, the one ol’ Hank made famous sixty-odd years ago. He didn’t like the comment but he schooled his face into a bland mask while Anne bristled. “David Delahanty, that’s a rude thing to say!” she cried. “This is Ned Big Eagle and you owe him an apology.”

  Anne’s brother, his hair the same bright auburn as hers, snorted. He put his large leather suitcase on the other bed and walked over to Ned, hand outstretched. “Sorry, man. Let’s try this shit over. I’m David, as you probably know by now. I’m really not a racist prick and I’m sorry I sounded like one.”

  “No offense taken,” Ned said. Inwardly, though, he’d like to use his knife to inflict torture the way a Comanche warrior did best. He pegged him as an asshole, but he kept his opinion to himself.

  “So,” David said as he flopped down beside his suitcase. “You’re Anne’s what? Boyfriend? Best friend? Lover?”

  “Ned and I are together,” Anne said with a stubborn tilt of her head. “That’s all you need to know, David. Is everyone here?”

  “Hell, yes, the ones coming tonight are. Sara and her kids, me, and the two of you are the guests of honor. Mama’s got the table set and Daddy’s carving the roast. They’re all waiting on you. Guess you’d rather I not say what you two were doing up here, huh?”

  Ned ached to cut off David’s nose or maybe an ear. He hadn’t been so tempted to resort to traditional Comanche torture methods in two or three decades, but he longed to do it now. Anne’s face flushed but he suspected rage, not embarrassment brought color. “Do what you like,” Ned said in a brusque tone. “Your sister is a grown woman, not a little girl. And while I respect elders and their wishes, I’ll take her home before you or anyone else gives her shit.”

  Anne’s mouth dropped open with shock before her lips shifted into a tiny smile. Her brother shrugged and spread his hands wide. “Oh, well, who cares? But don’t think you’re fooling me. I may not be getting any, but I recognize the smell of cum.”

  “We’ll see you downstairs,” Anne said and grabbed Ned’s hand. “Let’s go.”

  On the way, she led him into the bathroom so they could wash up. Ned noticed she picked up a bottle of cologne and spritzed her wrists with it. Then she added another shot between her breasts. When she noticed his stare, she said, “Well, just in case.”

  “Tell me he’s not always such an asshole.”

  “He didn’t used to be. Now, I don’t know. He’s upset about his marriage breaking up, I guess, but he’s being a prick.”

  Ned grasped her wrist for a moment. “This is why you didn’t want to tell me, isn’t it?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it is. I’m sorry, Ned.”

  Two more days and we’ll be out of here. “All right, honey. I hope the rest of your family’s got better manners and things go smoothly.”

  Nothing went well. Although Rose’s meal tasted great, no one enjoyed it. Bob smoked one cigarillo after another at the table and the harsh aroma wafted over everything. David made cutting remarks about anything anyone said. Anne’s sister, Sara, kept quiet except to admonish her children, two teenagers, to behave. The boy, in full Goth gear, tossed the F-bomb around without any remorse. Each time he uttered it, Rose jerked as if she’d been slapped hard in the face and Bob glowered. Sara’s daughter stirred most of her dinner around the plate and ate almost nothing. Her pale skin, her extreme slenderness gave her an unhealthy appearance and Ned, savvy because a co-worker’s daughter suffered from it, figured she must be anorexic.

  After dinner, the houseguests divided into a group who wanted to listen to Christmas carols in the parlor and another who settled down to watch reality television. Ned craved solitude and some cold, crisp air. He announced he needed to fuel the truck and ended up taking Anne, her niece Amber, and Sara to look at Christmas lights. The activity entailed driving around Rusk and searching for the most elaborate and lavish holiday displays. Anne asked him to tune in some Christmas tunes on the radio so Ned did, but by the time he delivered them back to the house, he considered taking off. He could return after Christmas to get Anne. Ned debated it for about a minute and decided she’d be mad. So he girded his loins and headed inside with the others. He endured festive hot chocolate and cookies before he escaped upstairs for a few minutes alone.

  Ned smoked and stared out at the stars above the small town. David came in, kicked off his shoes, and needled Ned. He asked what he did for a living and found fault with it. “You mean my college professor sister’s dating a card dealer? What the fuck is wrong with her?” After a few more questions, Ned shut up and refused to answer anything else. He feigned sleep until David stopped talking and began to snore. The annoying rattle was an improvement over his bitter spew but Ned still considered smothering the man with a pillow. Antsy and full of energy he had no way to expend, he paced the attic floor instead until realizing his steady tread might be audible below. In sock feet Ned crept down to visit Anne, but she was asleep. If he woke her, he’d rouse the house. In slow motion he made his way downstairs and thought he would go outside but when he touched the doorknob and turned it, an alarm screeched and he let go.

  Before he could bolt back upstairs Bob charged down the stairs with a .410 shotgun in his hand. Rose trailed her husband and by the time Bob reached the entryway, everyone including Anne descended behind him. No one spoke and in the utter quiet Ned heard Bob cock the firearm. Anne gasped and came down three steps to grasp her daddy’s arm. “Don’t shoot,” she cried. “It’s Ned.”

  Bob lowered the shotgun. “Well, what in the hell is he doing?”

  With every bit of dignity he could muster, Ned faced the Delahanty family. “I couldn’t sleep and I thought I’d step out on the porch for a few minutes, that’s all. I didn’t know the place was wired like Fort Knox.”

  Rose spoke up. “There were a lot of break-ins in the area so we got the alarm system.”

  “People ought to be in bed this time of night,” Bob groused. “Wandering around at all hours, prowling like some god damn burglar or something.”

  “Daddy, that’s enough!” Anne cried. “Ned’s my friend and a guest in your home. You act like he did something wrong.”

  David added his two cents worth. “Maybe he wanted to scalp someone or something.”

  I could break his neck so easily or cut his throat with one slash. Ned said nothing but stood as still as death. If he spoke now, he’d regret the words. He used every ounce of self-control to remain. Anne’s eyes met his, concerned and filled with tears. Ned wanted to take his woman and leave but that might not be Anne’s choice. He pulled words from deep within, translated his turbulent thoughts from Comanche into English. “I apologize if I’ve done something out of line. I didn’t mean to upset the entire house. All I wanted was some fresh air. I’m not a thief and I’m not planning to take any scalps. I’m sorry if I offended any of you. If you want, I’ll pack up and go stay at a motel. Or I’ll go home. But if I’m not welcome, just say so.”

  Ned spoke with a quiet dignity and he never raised his voice. The gat
hered family stared until Anne broke ranks and pushed past the others to join Ned. She offered him her hand and he took it. “If Ned goes, I will too.”

  Sara muffled a sob with her hand. “Don’t go, sis,” she said. “It’s Christmas.” Anne’s grip on Ned’s hand tightened when her mother joined the chorus. “Anne, please stay and Ned, too. Of course, you’re welcome. Bob, tell him.”

  The older man rolled his eyes and coughed. Then he said, “Oh, hell, you’re welcome here. My daughter wants you here and so I’d like you to stay. I’m sorry if I went off half-cocked. It’s the middle of the damn night, so let’s forget about it and go back to bed.”

  Anne nodded at Ned so he said, “Apology accepted.”

  A chorus of ‘good nights’ echoed as Anne’s folks retreated upstairs. Ned lingered and so did Anne. “Thank you,” she told him. “And I’m sorry this happened.”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry too. Your brother’s an asshole.”

  “I noticed. He didn’t used to be, not like this.” She linked her arm through his and tilted her face upward.

  Ned delivered a kiss, a slow, sweet one. “Is there any place else I can sleep?” he asked. “I don’t look forward to heading back up to share space with David.”

  She cocked her head as she considered it. “Tim’s not here yet with his family so I guess you could bunk in the den. Tomorrow night, Tim’s boys will be there, but if you don’t mind the couch, you could spend the night there. Do you want me to get you some blankets and a pillow?”

  “I’ll manage.” Ned kissed her one more time. “Good night, honey. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Christmas Eve began early. Good thing I don’t need sleep. A clatter from the kitchen warned him the day was underway. Rose banged pans and sang Christmas carols.

  A steady stream of family members filed past to get coffee and a roll but Ned lingered until Anne stuck her head into the den. “Hi,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you were awake yet. Everybody’s up. Want some breakfast?”

  “Coffee will do.”

  Anne came into the den and sat on the edge of the couch. “Don’t you want a sweet roll or something?” she asked.

  He shook his head. Ned longed to go home, back to the wide-open spaces of western Oklahoma, to his place where he could be himself without artifice. “No, thanks, I’m not hungry.”

  She frowned. “Okay. Well, soon as you’re ready, would you mind driving me to the supermarket? Mama’s making cookies today and cooking some of the stuff for tomorrow. She’s got a mile long list.”

  He’d rather jump head first into a den of rattlesnakes or work a triple shift at the casino but he forced a smile. “Yeah, I’ll take you to the store. Let’s get some coffee and go.”

  Ned knew it would be a very long day.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ned preferred his coffee strong and black. Rose’s coffee tasted like lukewarm dishwater, but he managed to down one cup. Anne’s bunch nattered and chattered, everyone almost too friendly after the middle of the night’s events. Although Anne offered him a cinnamon bun and Rose pushed a cookie his way, he turned both down with the best smile he could muster. Ned craved blood and he’d need it soon to make it through the holiday. A nagging headache plagued him and he figured he’d have to find a way to get a donor during the shopping trip. At least, though, he’d get some time alone with Anne.

  “Ready, honey?” he said, slipping on his jean jacket.

  “Sure. Sara and Steffi are coming too,” she said. Ned glanced up to find sister Sara grinning from ear to ear, a suitcase sized purse hung over one arm. Beside her, the Goth girl glowered. From her glare, he guessed she didn’t want to make the trip any more than he did.

  “All right,” Ned replied. He resisted a powerful urge to stomp out to the truck but he managed to stroll. The three women crowded him so close it took effort to turn the steering wheel. “Tell me how to get to the store.”

  On the day before Christmas, the traffic flowing into the parking lot resembled a multi-lane freeway. Ned slowed to avoid two near-accidents and paused as another driver shook his meaty fist at an old woman driving a boat-sized Chrysler. He spotted a single parking space at the far end and headed for it, but a sports car whipped into the slot before he could. Shoppers raced across the pavement pushing shopping carts piled high with bags and one woman cradled a huge frozen turkey to her bosom like a newborn baby. “How about if I drop you three off and pick you up when you come out of the store?”

  Anne pursed her lips together. “I thought you’d come with us.”

  That was about the last thing Ned wanted. He needed to track down an easy donor and he’d hoped for a little space. He longed to spend time with Anne, but he’d rather not make nice with Sara and her daughter. “Do you want me to?” he asked as he suppressed a sigh.

  She nodded. “I could use your help and it’ll go faster.”

  Without comment Ned whipped into an open parking space and cut the engine. He bailed out of the truck and the three females followed suit. Sara led the way and they trailed her into the bustling supermarket. The racket of many shoppers echoed off the ceiling and beneath the sound, canned Christmas carols played over the loudspeakers.

  A rush of smells hit Ned, an intense mixture of cologne, baking bread, frying chicken, air freshener, and more. Although some might be pleasant on their own, the combination became noxious in his nose. Sara parked her huge purse in a shopping cart and Anne sent the others, including Ned, off to find items from the list. Ned picked out a half a dozen large sweet potatoes and bagged them, then returned for his next assignment. Anne sent him to search for brown sugar, baking powder, and a bag of butterscotch chips. He tracked them down and headed back, hands full.

  As he tossed the items into the shopping cart Sara stared at him and Ned noticed for the first time how bright the fluorescent lights overhead were. He glanced down and noticed his hands appeared almost clown white. Although he’d donned a ball cap before leaving the house, he figured his face must show up pale too. “Ned,” Sara cried. “You look awful. Are you okay?”

  With effort he mustered a smile. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t have any color in your face,” she said. “Why, you’re paler than Amber.”

  Amber, the anorexic girl, did look washed out and Ned had noticed. “It’s the lights in here, I think.”

  Ned wanted to end the inquiries before Anne returned and the conversation continued. She appeared with three loaves of bread clutched to her chest, trailed by Amber, who carried several packages of bacon. “What about the lights?”

  “Ned looks really white,” Sara said. “He doesn’t look well. Check him out and see what you think, Anne.”

  She turned toward him and frowned. “He is,” she said as if he wasn’t standing a foot away. He braced himself for the questions to begin. “Ned, are you okay? Sara’s right.”

  “I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ve got a bit of a headache but other than that, I’m great.”

  Anne sighed. “Is that why you didn’t really want to come into the supermarket? I wish you’d said something. It always worries me when you turn so pale,” she said and then turned to her sister. “He’s done this before.”

  “He should get checked out,” Sara said. “He may have some chronic condition or something.”

  Amber put the bacon into the cart. “Oh, geez. Mom, let him alone. So he’s a little pale. What’s the big whooping deal?”

  “If he’s ill…”

  His desire to end the scene before other shoppers began to stare caused Ned to bark, “I’m not. And it’s Christmas Eve, so let’s get the shopping finished.”

  A hand landed on the small of Ned’s back. “I do have some presents left to wrap,” Anne said. “And Mom wanted help with the cooking, so I guess we should. Ned, why don’t you go pick out whatever you need for your head and wait for us in the truck? If you take something now, maybe you can get ahead of it.”

  “Sure,” he said. A
thought slammed into his brain with the force of bricks. He’d picked up a small gift for Anne and had it tucked into his luggage but now he wondered if he should’ve got something for her family. “Come help me find something.”

  She looked perplexed but nodded. As soon as they turned down another aisle, Ned said, “Should I have gifts for your family? And if I should, how many of them are there? You said there’s a lot more who’ll come.”

  Anne linked her arm through his. “You’d need about forty gifts but no, it’s all right. I’ve got presents for my parents, siblings, the kids, and my grandmother. No one else expects anything, but I hope you got me something.”

  “I did.”

  She tilted her face upward toward his with a smile. “Good. Now, tell me if you’re really okay.”

  He kissed her. “I am. Go on back to shopping. I’ll be waiting in the truck when you’re done.”

  “We won’t be too long,” she told him.

  To placate Anne, he bought a bottle of some headache remedy and a soda. Outside in the sunlight Ned figured he looked like hell, but he headed down the sidewalk. He’d spotted a small park not far from the store so he made for it with haste.

  Despite the cool temperatures a few people walked their dogs, several children played on the swings and a couple of old folks sat on the benches. Ned picked out a woman with a rambunctious German shepherd on a leash. She remained near the edge of the green space and as he watched, the dog paused to hike his leg against a bush. He approached, hands tucked into his pockets. “Good morning,” he called. “That’s a fine animal. What’s his name?”

  The woman glanced up from beneath her knitted tam. “King,” she said.

  Her eyes narrowed with wariness and although he couldn’t blame her, Ned turned on his magnetic charm. “That’s a perfect name,” he said as he moved closer. He knelt down to pet the dog as the woman hovered. “Does he have fleas?”

  “Why, no, he doesn’t,” she snapped.

  Ned pointed to a speck of dirt near the collar. “Then what’s that?” he asked. When she bent down to look he moved with swift grace and nailed her. His sharp fangs sank deep into the back of her neck between her hat and coat collar. Ned drew hard to gain what he needed and finished before she noticed anything.