I was more disturbed than he was.
Why doesn’t he recognize my god form? Surely, he’s seen it over the years. Does it mean there are even more radical changes on the way?
I shed the shadow form, becoming Caine Deathwalker once more, and walked over to them. I handed Vivian her clothes. She’d taken my advice and wore a camo-shirt with NRA on the front, and a rifle across a valentine heart. Vivian looked hot enough to melt the couch she sat on, spontaneous couch combustion: SCC, I wondered if it was “a thing”.
She took her stuff, looking up at me. “Up-grade, huh?”
“The new me. Come next door once you’re done here.” I walked back to the first bedroom and stepped in, bending to pick up the severed arm with the vine tattoo. I carried it by the wrist like a club, returning to the living room, crossing to the door. I noticed Granny’s body and the bloodstains were gone. So was Craig’s body in the dining room. That just left the bedrooms and bath to tidy.
I let myself out, and crossed the porch, taking the stairs down to the yard. I cut left and returned to my own cabin. There didn’t seem to be outside guards. Of course, Gloria and Kain by themselves were the strongest vampires in existence. They were a threat only god-class beings could tackle—and Anubis had other worries; like Selene and I coming back his way. And all the hell-bugs infesting his world.
As I opened the screen door to my own deck, the door to the building opened. Gloria stood there, dressed down out of her armor, wearing jeans and a black crop-top tee. She still had her short swords strapped on, a sign she wasn’t comfortable with all the vamps here.
“Glad you could make it.” Her smile warmed me. “I knew it would take more than Anubis to stop you.” I crossed to her and she backed up to let me enter. Her gaze dropped to the appendage I carried. Her eyebrows rose, questioning.
“Let’s tell everyone at once,” I said. “Where’s Kain?”
“Hallway,” she said. “Branon, The Master of Bossier swears he saw an angel of death coming out of one of the rooms. Supposedly, it went down the hall and out the side of the house.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Wow, imagine that.”
“Jorge St, Paul, The Master of New Orleans says it’s proof Branon is a little bitch at heart, getting his panties in a twist over nothing. And St. Paul says he ought to have a say in who runs this territory since it’s so close to his.”
Yeah, it’s going as I’d figured.
I closed the door behind me, listening as quarreling voices returned from the hallway. Kain led them into the living room, his eyes brightening as he saw me, a smile on his lips. “Caine, you’re back. What happened with Anubis?”
“I need to tell you about that in private. I also need you do me a favor so the timeline stays intact. For now, I have something else for your museum.” I held up the severed arm.
Kain swept closer, peering at the severed limb. “You brought me a late-night snack? I’m not a shifter, dear boy, I don’t do carrion.” A mass of vampires crowded around us, everyone taking their cues from Kain. Several of them sniffed with disdain.
I said, “It’s a clue. While all of you neck-biters were over here, a hit squad went for my son next door. They had a magic-user portal them in and out, but Colt managed to grab a piece of one of them. The family staying in the cabin were all killed, along with Vivian’s pet slayer-in-training.”
One of the vampires interrupted. “Vivian? That’s the hot-assed dhampyr, right?”
Kain’s mask slipped and he looked centuries older around the eyes. A terrible darkness peered out of him—a look that would have backed off a legion of demons. “The boy, is he hurt?”
“No. Vivian protected him, but they cut her up badly with cursed knives. You know about those.”
He nodded, face grim. “Is she dead?”
“Colt used his demi-god blood to heal her. It just put her out of her head for a while. Not everyone can handle divine blood.”
From the corner of my eyes, I saw several vamps licking lips, imagining the taste of god-blood.
I turned the arm in my hands to show him the wrist. “Look here, this vine tattoo. I need someone who can identify this group. I’ll also pay a reward for an address.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Kain said. “You are marrying into my family after all. We take care of our own.”
There were gasps of astonishment across the room.
I guess Kain hasn’t gotten around to announcing Gloria’s engagement yet.
One of vamps pointed a finger my way. “That human is unworthy of our vampire princess. It’s blasphemy!”
Kain’s darkness slipped from his eyes, hiding behind friendly cheerfulness. “Jorge, you don’t like my decision? Perhaps you are smitten with love and want Gloria for yourself?”
Jorge. That’s the Master of New Orleans.
“I would say that I am not unworthy of such an honor,” he shot me a red-eyed stare meant to intimidate. “What is this creature, anyway? I’m smelling something unusual in his blood.”
I smiled, meeting his gaze, showing him he couldn’t mesmerize me. “You want to know?”
My eagerness made him hesitate. Then he said. “I think we have a right to know what strange blood is entering the royal line. After all, Gloria was born a vampire. She can still produce children, an heir for our Lord Kain. This matter concerns all the clans.”
Kain made a show of rubbing his chin in thought, musing. “You might be right. Branon, what do you think?”
The Master of Bossier cleared his throat, buying an extra second to consider his answer. Vampire politics had a way of turning bloody on a dime. “I believe the most important thing is what will make Princess Gloria happy.”
St. Paul snorted contempt. “What serves the needs of all our people best is doubtless the most proper course for the princess.”
“You think you know my mind so well.” Gloria pressed through the crowd, approaching him with a hand on the hilt of one of her swords.
St. Paul eyed her. “I do not mean to presume.”
Gloria’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I think you did.”
Kain spoke with force. “Gloria, do not kill him outside a formal challenge. It will mean war. If he dares challenge my decision, I or my official champion must slay him. It is our way.”
I looked at Kain. “Unless I’m your champion, I will challenge you for your throne. I swear it.”
The vamps gasped in outrage.
The sound of a mission bell pealed in the sky high above the cabin.
Kane sighed and looked at Gloria. “I’m sorry, my dear. Caine is my champion. The future needs us both, so it has to be this way.”
I smiled as Gloria glowered at me.
I said, “So, if I accept the challenge, and win, is it settled, or do I have to fight every vampire that comes along until the wedding?”
Kain smiled. “Jorge is one of our strongest master vampires. I think he should shoulder the weight of fighting for all who share his sentiment. That way, one battle can decide it all. I will give Gloria’s hand to the victor.”
Satisfaction shone in St. Paul’s eyes. A huge smile stretched his lips. In one stroke, he had the opportunity to marry into the royal family, and maybe succeed Kain himself. He respectfully bowed to Gloria and Kain. “That is acceptable to me.”
Kain’s voice swept the room. “Is it agreed by all who are present?”
The vampires murmured, nodding.
“So be it!” Kain decreed.
“About this arm…,” I asked.
“Throw it on ice. We’ll work that out later.”
“Why bother?” Jorge asked.
Branon answered. “Because an unknown enemy is active in this territory and could target any of us after this. That’s reason enough.”
Kain turned to give the Master of Bossier his attention. “Well said. Why don’t you get some of your people on this right away?”
Branon bowed, acknowledging the order. “As my lord commands.
Kain turned to me. “As
the one challenged, you have the right to name the conditions and your weapon of choice.”
“Outside, on the shoreline in ten minutes. Swords.” I shot Jorge a questioning glance. “That’s all right with you?”
He bared fangs in response. “Swords? That suits me fine. I was a cavalry officer during the Old West Indian campaigns. I will take your life, and your scalp.”
I smiled back. “You can try.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
“Shadows hide so much, until they don’t.”
—Caine Deathwalker
The kraken took no interest in our gathering. He swam out into the lake and sank from sight.
Nap time.
Though Kain had earlier dismissed a lot of vampires, leaving the top echelon from both cities to hang around, that still left a large crowd. Arriving together like an amoeba, they filled the yard, leaving a fifteen-foot strip of shoreline open for the duel.
Werecats from Kat’s cabin came out to see what the fuss was all about. Kat and Josh led their Pride out onto their dock where the boat was tied. They brought lawn chairs and an ice chest with canned sodas. Kat scrapped together all the cash they had and went up to the vampires, asking what the odds were.
Vampires like to play elitist games with shifters, but seeing the cash in her hand, they made nice. Money makes friends. Always has. I myself have the best friends money can buy.
St. Paul’s people were eager to score points with him by betting against me.
Branon’s vamps from Bossier City countered by betting on me instead. Their boss came where I stood in the cleared strip of shoreline. He looked me up and down. “Just tell me you’ll put up a good fight. You’re supposed to be what, half-demon? The Red Moon Demon from L.A.?”
Some of St. Paul’s people were listening in, trying not to be obvious about it. Vampire super-hearing made this rather easy.
I answered the question, knowing it would spread fast. “Half Villager and half dragon. I’m the one that fried Big Tom not too long ago and bit his werebear head clean off. His people are burying him in the woods as we speak.”
“Oh, well…” Branon grinned. “That’s nice to hear.”
St. Paul called out in a booming voice. “But it’s not his dragon I’m fighting. It’s man-and-sword against vampire-and-sword. This is not a shifter’s battle.”
I laughed. “That’s not going to help you.” I yelled over to Kain. “Hey, my Mustang is parked nearby. If I lose, you can have it.”
Kain stared at St. Paul. “I’m sorry, but the way he loves that car—you’re pretty much dead now. Uh, deader? About to die some more. I’ve never been good with preternatural grammar.”
St. Paul ground his fangs, all but gnashing.
“Roadkill,” Gloria said. “Thar’s a good term for him.”
I noticed Colt and Vivian sneaking along the back of the crowd, going into my cabin. I wondered how much they’d straightened out. It also occurred to me that I’d forgotten about my new recruit.
I wonder where old gator-face is. Might be dead. As Colt’s man, the enemy might have lured him off and taken him out first to clear the way for their attack. Something to look into later.
I sent a thought out into the either, touching the shores of Fairy. I called to the land, to the wilds, and soon, a swarm of Will-o’-the-Wisps appeared in the air around me, having crossed worlds. Basketball-size spheres of light, they floated in the air: red, pink, lavender, green, aqua, and gold, all gently pulsing.
“You guys, stay up in the air. We’re going to have a death match here and you’re the guests of honor.”
But which I mean; you’re the lighting system for our little battle.
Many of the shifters and vamps stared at the fairy lights. Explanations circulated. Kain had some of his phantom cameras pop in to take pictures.
“These lights are under contract to you?” Branon asked.
I shook my head no. “As the new High King of Fairy, they just come when I call. If I wanted them here too, I could have summoned the Wild Hunt.”
Branon nodded sagely. “I begin to see why Lord Kain thinks you’re worthy of joining the vampire Royal Court.”
“There are other reasons, but I don’t think Kain wants them bandied in public.”
St. Paul had one of his minions bring him an Old West saber. He gripped the leather hilt and swished the curved blade in the air few times, getting the feel, working his arm. “Isn’t it past time to fight?” he inquired rather loudly. “Are your feet getting cold?”
Branon clapped me on the shoulder. “Good luck. My bank account is depending on you.”
I grinned. “I’ll do my best.”
Best is me, enjoying my work. Keeps it from getting old. Now, for a little shock and awe.
I extended my will into the ether and pulled the Sword of Light to my hand, letting it materialize in a haze of shadow magic so it was barely discernable.
St. Paul narrowed his eyes to a thin red glow. “You think if I can’t follow your sword, it can get through my guard?” He laughed. “Such a childish strategy.”
Kain yelled, “Caine, my friend, is that sword you’re hiding one of the three great Celtic treasures of Tuatha De Danann, blessed by the Goddess Dana?”
I could tell he’d phrased the question for maximum impact among his own wayward children.
I answered with mild surprise, as if I hadn’t realized the sword’s nature myself until right then. “Why, yes. It is the legendary Sword of Light!”
Kain continued. “Then those who are not ancient and powerful vampires owe you their lives. I, of course can resist magical daylight, as can many master vampires, but most of those here would turn to ashes without your thoughtful use of shadow magic.”
“I also planned to erect a shadow barrier to protect the crowd just before running St. Paul through, roasting his guts from the inside.”
As we continued to talk for our own amusement, Kain frowned. “But, my friend, the sword is a divine relic; the power of a goddess on Earth. Is it fair to use such a thing? I mean, poor Jorge only has an old saber.”
“It was his choice what sword to use. I’m not stopping him from upgrading to something else, now that he knows.”
Kain looked at the Master of New Orleans. “Jorge, it is your decision. If I were you, I’d use a stronger weapon, or humbly ask my opponent to pick another blade. Death by pride is an ugly thing. Don’t be stupid.”
St. Paul considered, turning his head to see all eyes on him. He looked back at me. “How do we even know your weapon is the one you say? You could be lying.”
“You might be right, Jorge, except for one thing,” Gloria said. “Caine is the new High King of Fairy. If he lies, he loses his power—and the fey throne as well. He can no longer lie. Ask him for his Royal Oath if you want.”
“And how do we know he’s the king of anything except his dreams. Anyone here seen him coronated?” Jorge asked.
Most of the Will-o’-the-Wisps continued to float overhead in silence, causing multicolored spots of light to sweep the ground, painting us alternating colors. The green ball however spoke up, his mental voice loud: I was there. I saw it.
I smiled. “There you go.”
“Like I’d believe a ball of light!” St. Paul huffed.
I said, “As High King over Fairy, I give my word of honor that I am the true King of Fairy and hold the true Sword of Light.”
St. Paul opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of mystic mission bells echoed high overhead. He stared upward, looking for the source, and saw the Red Moon in the sky. “Hah! It is a trick. His slut of a goddess is trying to trick us with a sound effect.”
I winced, wondering if—somewhere—Selene were listening. She preferred to be thought a lady, saving her slut side for private moments.
I saw Kain wince, too, and knew he also anticipated disaster.
There came a shimmer of red light, a swirl of micro-stars in a column between St, Paul and myself. The light faded out and Selene’s red cry
stal broadsword stuck point first in the dirt.
She wants me to defend her honor with her sword. A request from my lady. I have no choice.
I opened my hand and sent the Sword of Light back to my L.A. armory. Walking forward, I grabbed the hilt of Selene’s sword, looking over it at St. Paul. “Now you’ve done it. You had to go and piss her off. Don’t think this helps you in anyway. I’m just trading one goddess-blessed sword for another goddess-blessed sword.”
I pulled the sword from the sand and it grew much longer; a lot of it had materialized underground. I stepped back into a defensive pose, both hands on the hilt. Little rushes of red lightning danced along the blade, running to the point and back to the handguard.
“Ready to die?” I asked.
By now, I think my nature had become a lot clearer to him. The self-doubt in his eyes told me he’d been convinced that a demon lord, dragon lord, fey king, Villager might be more than he could deal with. His problem was, he had no way out. Nor would I give him one.
Selene would get him if I didn’t end him cleanly. What she’d do to him, I cringed to consider. Use him to breed her monsters maybe, or just unravel him down to the subatomic level, preserving his consciousness throughout the agonizing process until he was the saddest little ghost ever. And with her power, she could put him back together and do it all over again. And again. Until his sanity shattered.
I looked at him with pity in my stare and made a promise. “I’ll make it quick.”
Mission bells rang out from the sky.
Jorge threw up a hand. “Wait!” He turned toward Kain. “My Lord Kain, I ask a boon of you!”
Oh, a surprise!
Kain lifted his eyebrows. “You want a favor? I’m not going to fight the match for you. You have offended a beautiful lady. I simply cannot approve such an action.”
“Not that, my Lord.”
I heard Kat off to the side, wrangling with the vampires. “Double the cash says Caine ends him under a minute.”
St. Paul offered Kain a pleading expression. “To make it fair, loan me your cursed sword.”
In a rush, the vampires accepted Kat’s bet. They had some confidence in him, but more in Kain’s legendary sword, whoever wielded it.
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