Tooth and Nail

by Chris Underwood

  I’d had the weapon a long time now. It was as much a part of me as my tattoos or the gunshot scars on my torso. It had saved my ass more than once. Subtle magics were all well and good, but there was nothing like a stick in your hand when the darkness closed in around you.

  “Inside of the ankle,” I muttered to myself. “As hard as you can.”

  I cleared some space at the center of the living room and pictured Holdfast standing before me. I had to imagine him with a bent neck so he didn’t bump his head on the low ceiling.

  Estimating the position of his ankles, I took a couple of test swings. I couldn’t help but feel like any direct attack on his ankles would put me in the perfect position to get clocked over the back of the head.

  I was testing some alternate stances when I heard a car pull up outside. A car door slammed, and a few seconds later someone knocked on my front door.

  The pizza had arrived faster than I’d expected. Or else I’d been swinging at an invisible ogre for longer than I’d realized. I put down my truncheon and opened the door.

  I frowned. “You’re not the pizza guy.”

  Lilian barged past me. “No. And you’re a fucking asshole.”

  For such a skinny woman, she sure could stomp. She demonstrated it as she tromped through my living room and into my bedroom. Before she disappeared through the doorway, I noticed she was holding an empty duffel bag.

  I stood still for a moment, slightly dumbfounded. Then I closed the front door and followed her into the bedroom. She had laid the empty duffel bag on my bed and was pulling open my drawers.

  “Uh, Slim,” I said. “What are you doing?”

  She grabbed an armful of socks and underwear and tossed them into the duffel bag. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

  “Robbing me?”

  With a growl, she turned to face me.

  “We’re leaving town. Tonight. I’m getting you out of here.”

  “What? Why?”

  Lilian grabbed a load of T-shirts from the drawer. “Why didn’t you just tell me? I had to hear it from Early, for fuck’s sake.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “The duel.”

  “Yeah,” she snapped. “The duel.” She looked around the room. “Leave your phone and your charger. We’ll get you a new one. Find anything you can’t do without and put in the bag. We have to be out of town before dark. I’ll get your toothbrush.”

  She started to push past me, but I grabbed her by the arm.

  “Slim,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Like hell you’re not.”

  “I can’t leave. That’s crazy. I have to fight the ogre. It’s already decided.”

  “Crazy?” She stared up at me. “Crazy is walking calmly to the slaughterhouse. Crazy is making yourself a sacrificial lamb to try and appease these assholes.”

  “I—”

  She grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand off her. “Look, I know Lockhart must have something over you. I know that’s why you agreed to the fight. But that’s why we have to leave. We leave now. I can protect you.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not scared of Lockhart.”

  Her frown deepened. “Then why? Why are you doing this?”

  I held up my hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I have to, Slim. It’s the only way.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “It’s not like this is the first time I’ve ever done anything dangerous.”

  “This isn’t dangerous!” she shouted. “This is suicide! It’s senseless. You’re going to die and they’re all going to go back to fighting five minutes later.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I do. And you do too. I can see it in your eyes, Ozzy.”

  I glanced away.

  “I have to try,” I said quietly.

  “No, you don’t.” Lilian’s voice softened. Gently, she laid a hand on my cheek and turned my face back toward her. “I know you want to help, Ozzy. I know that for some stupid reason you’ve decided it’s your responsibility. But it’s not. The vampires, the ogres, they’re all grown-ass adults. If they want to kill each other this badly, it’s not your job to throw your life away in a vain attempt to stop them.”

  “It’s not just the vampires and the ogres,” I said. “If war breaks out, we’ll all be exposed.”

  “You don’t know that,” she said, turning my own words back on me. “They know they’ll have to keep their war secret. And if they slip, others can cover it up. The hag won’t let it come to that.”

  “The hag is only loyal to herself. She can’t be counted on.”

  “You can’t carry the weight of this whole goddamn town on your shoulders.” She brushed her fingers across my temple. “Come with me. We can be a hundred miles from here by sunset. Lockhart won’t be able to track you. Early can handle the investigation from here. Don’t let yourself be a pawn in their stupid game. Please.”

  It broke my heart to hear the pleading in her voice. It broke my heart to know what I had to say anyway.

  Luckily—or maybe not—my face told her everything she needed to know. Her hand dropped to her side and her expression hardened.

  “Fine,” she said. “You’re a grown-ass adult as well.”

  She brushed past me and headed for the front door.

  “Slim,” I said.

  She just shook her head without stopping.

  I couldn’t let her leave like this. I’d already lost Early; I couldn’t lose her too.

  “Lilian, wait.” I hurried across the living room after her.

  She pulled open the door.

  “Wait!”

  Before she could leave, I reached her side and slammed the door closed. She jerked around and glared up at me.

  “What do you want, Ozzy?”

  I stared at her. What did I want? I hadn’t asked myself that question in a long time.

  What did I want?

  I wanted to go back, back to the time before I’d known about vampires and ogres and witches and cunning men. I wanted the last years of my childhood back. I wanted Teddy to be alive, I wanted to watch him grow up, learn to talk, go to school. I wanted to be his big brother, like I never was before.

  I wanted revenge. I wanted an endless stream of targets put in front of me, outlets for all the dark feelings that lurked inside me. I wanted the power to destroy them all.

  I wanted to live. I wanted Holdfast to drop dead of a heart attack the instant I stepped into the ring with him. I wanted to break his ankles, bring him to his knees, and crack open his skull. I wanted to bring peace to this town, even if I had to kill to do it.

  I wanted to sleep. I wanted to watch bad TV with a beer in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other. I wanted to apologize to Early. I wanted to babysit for Alice’s kids while she and her wife had a night to themselves. I wanted to make up for all the secrets I’d kept, all the lies I’d told.

  But at that moment, most of all, I wanted Lilian.

  I pushed her back against the door and kissed her hard.

  She made a noise of surprise. Her lips tensed at first, then softened. Her body pressed against mine. The scent of her filled my head.

  She planted her hand in the center of my chest and shoved me with unnatural strength. I went stumbling away from her, only just managing to keep my feet. She stared at me with wide eyes. Her chest rose and fell with panting breaths.

  I dragged my hand across my mouth. “I…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”

  She charged across the living room and threw her arms around me. Fingers tangled in my hair, pulling my face down toward her. Her lips met mine, bruisingly hard.

  I swept her off the floor, lifting her up to me. We clung to each other like shipwreck victims, desperate to stay afloat and yet threatening to pull each other down.

  Her hair fell forward, brushing across my face. I kissed down to her chin, across to the sharp line of her jaw. She threw her head back and I pressed my lips to her throat. The noise she made set my blood aflame
. It was a drug to me, and I wanted more. I needed more.

  The fingers in my hair pulled tighter. She lowered her lips to my ear.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  How could I refuse?

  27

  For the first time in days, I woke feeling truly rested.

  I didn’t move, didn’t open my eyes. Lilian’s body pressed against me, one hand curled around my shoulder. I felt her skin against mine, warm and soft. Her breath tickled my arm.

  I lay like that a long time, just listening to her breathe. It was a strange feeling. Peaceful. Quiet. Simple. I almost believed we could stay like this forever.

  Slowly, I opened my eyes. The bedroom window was open, a cool breeze blowing over us. I was mostly covered by a sheet, but Lilian was almost completely exposed. I took a good long look before my conscience finally got the better of me and I pulled the sheet up to her shoulders.

  Lilian stirred. She snuggled into me a little closer. Without opening her eyes, she murmured, “What time is it?”

  I glanced out the window. The sky was a deepening orange.

  “Sunset,” I said.

  “No wonder. I’m starving.”

  “I ordered pizza like four hours ago,” I said. “It never came.”

  “That might explain the knocking.”

  “What? You heard knocking? When?”

  “Like three and a half hours ago.”

  “Well, shit,” I said. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “My mouth was otherwise engaged.”

  “Oh, yeah. Well, there goes our pizza.”

  Lilian slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me. I brushed away the hair that’d fallen across her face.

  “I think…I think I needed that,” she said.

  I nodded. “Me, too.”

  She glanced down and traced a finger across the letters of one of the words of power tattooed on my upper arm. “It’s not too late, you know. We can still get out of town.”

  “I know.”

  “You won’t go, will you?”

  I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

  She nodded. “I don’t know how long I could stay away anyway. This town has a pull on me.”

  “I know.” I paused, tossing things up in my mind. I came to a decision and licked my lips. “There’s something I should tell you. Something I should have told you a while ago, maybe.”

  She stopped tracing my tattoos. I felt her eyes on me, but I stared up at the ceiling, at the lengthening shadows spreading across it.

  “I found something,” I said. “In Morley’s tomb. Something of yours.”

  She was silent for a long time. Finally, she whispered, “What is it?”

  “I didn’t know if I should tell you. Still don’t. I don’t know how it will affect you. With…you know…”

  “My urge for murder?”

  “I meant that it hurts you when you come into contact with something from your past. But that too, I guess.”

  Silence again. Then: “Tell me. You don’t have to show me. Not right away. But tell me. Please.”

  I swallowed. “It’s a locket. Inside, there’s a photo.”

  “A photo of…”

  “You,” I said. “And someone else. A man. Your husband, maybe.” I paused. “You’re pregnant.”

  “What?”

  “There’s more,” I said. “There’s another photo at the hag’s place. She has it on a big shelf full of weird stuff. It’s a picture of the same man. And there’s a child with him.”

  She licked her lips. She was no longer looking at me—her eyes were far away. “I think…I think I’ve seen that picture. The kid…you can’t make out the kid’s face.”

  I nodded. “That’s the one.”

  Lilian rolled onto her back next to me. “The kid in that picture…you think it’s mine?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.”

  She lay like that a few seconds. Then she lowered her hands, touched her belly. Her eyes grew wet for a moment, but then she blinked and the tears were gone.

  “I’ve been trying to find out what I can,” I said. “I wanted to have more information before I sprang this on you. But I might not have the chance now.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.

  “Listen, I got a promise out of Lockhart. She’s given you access to her archives. I’ve looked everywhere else for information. Everywhere except there. Even if tonight goes bad, even if Holdfast wins, Lockhart has promised to honor the deal. Go to her. Find out what you need to find out.”

  She nodded slowly. “And the locket?”

  “In a lead-lined lockbox beneath the floorboards in my workshop.”

  “Jesus. You weren’t taking any chances, were you?”

  “Can you blame me?”

  “I suppose not.”

  Her hands were still on her belly. I reached out and entwined my fingers with hers.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier,” I said.

  “No. I understand.” She paused. “I’m not entirely sure why you thought this would be the best time, though.”

  “Now that you mention it, I’m starting to wonder that myself.” I squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know what to feel.”

  “I think whatever you’re feeling now, that’s the right thing to feel.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Do you want to see the locket?” I asked.

  She blanched. “No. I don’t think I can. I think…I think I might lose control.”

  I held her. She folded into me, pressing close. Slowly, the light outside became gray.

  “I know it’s more bad timing,” I said as the twilight deepened, “but—”

  “You have to go,” she finished for me. “I’m coming with you.”

  I hesitated. “Are you sure? It might not be pretty.”

  “I’m used to ugly things.” She looked up at me, a sly grin spreading across her face. “I fucked you, didn’t I?”

  We were late to Lockhart’s mansion. When Lilian and I pulled up outside the sprawling house, my escort was already waiting for me.

  There were eight vampires. Lockhart, of course, was there. She wouldn’t miss this party. Near her stood Carlotta Atwood, moonlight shining off her glasses. Three other vampires whose names I didn’t know were nearby, all dressed like they were going to a funeral.

  Standing apart from that group was Booker. He had a look on his face like someone had pissed in his cornflakes. The truncheon-shaped scar on his face was healing poorly. With him were two other beefy-looking vampires, who I took to be his cronies.

  There were another dozen swains present, most of them standing half a step behind their masters. Lockhart was being attended to by my old buddy Isaac, and I also spotted Nolan lingering in the crowd. I tried to read his expression in the light of my headlights, but it was carefully neutral.

  “Who’s the one who keeps glaring at us?” Lilian asked as I pulled the van to a halt. “The one with the bad birthmark?”

  “His name’s Booker. Swell guy. He’s gunning for leadership of the brood. I don’t know what Lockhart was thinking, inviting him along.”

  “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”

  “Maybe.” I took the keys out of the ignition and handed them to Lilian. “Lockhart will want me to ride with her. So I don’t get cold feet. Try not to crash my van this time, huh?”

  “No promises.”

  I reached for the door handle, but before I could open it Lilian grabbed my other hand. She pulled me back to her and pressed her lips to mine.

  It was a soft, gentle kiss. When I opened my eyes again, she was staring at me intently.

  She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.

  I squeezed her hand one last time, then threw open the van door and stepped out.

  “What?” I said to the gathered vampires. “No applause for your champion?”

  I was greeted with stony face
s. Tough crowd.

  “I was thinking we could do a wrestling entrance,” I said. “You know: rock music, flashing lights, maybe a big gout of flame. Really get inside Holdfast’s head, you know?”

  Lockhart ignored my suggestion. “You’re late. I was growing concerned that you would neglect your obligation.”

  “Don’t you feel stupid now, then? Are we going, or what?”

  A touch of annoyance flashed across Lockhart’s face. Several vampires—including Booker—bristled at my tone.

  “Do not let overconfidence get the better of you, Mr. Turner,” Lockhart said.

  “This isn’t overconfidence. It’s reckless abandon. Quite freeing, really. You should try it some time. Shall we?”

  Lockhart narrowed her eyes at me, but she just inclined her head and muttered something to the vampires and swains standing next to her. The crowd immediately began to divide up, heading for the line of luxury cars parked outside the mansion. Booker and two of his swains marched past me on the way to their vehicle.

  “Try not to embarrass us, human,” Booker said. “It would be terrible if you become a smear on the ground within the first ten seconds.”

  “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll get picked for the next duel. I think Lockhart just wanted someone a little more reliable this time around. You know, since it’s such an important fight and all. Keep your chin up, though. You’ll get your chance one day, champ.”

  He grinned, baring his fangs. “Oh, I can’t wait.”

  “Tell you what, though. If you’re still a little nervous about getting your own hands dirty, I’m sure your goblin friend will be more than happy to fight on your behalf.”

  “What are you babbling about, human?”

  “Nothing,” I said. “Nothing at all. You take care now.”

  Frowning slightly, Booker continued on to his car, accompanied by his two swains. One of them opened the back door for him. As he got in, he glanced back at me, still frowning.