Loyalty

by Charles E Yallowitz

  Feeling stronger, Mab tries to put her jacket over her head and create enough darkness to explain her steady recovery. “Running away from this attack doesn’t sit well with me. Not without getting Xavier out and making sure Nadia is okay. We’re already under suspicion and this plan sounds like it will make things worse. I know they have a warded lair nearby, so we should check there for survivors. Where are we meeting anyway? You don’t know of many places aside from Nyte, Gaia, and all of the hideouts we destroyed.”

  “Titus told me of a safe place.”

  “Just tell me the name.”

  “It’s not important.”

  “No! We aren’t going to see her.”

  “We’re desperate, Mab.”

  “That doesn’t mean we abandon all standards and interact with her.”

  “It’s a haven and she might have information.”

  “Only about the latest diseases you can catch by being a-”

  “So, you two really are sleeping together again,” Decker casually interrupts.

  Clyde cannot hold back his laughter while Mab’s face turns red with anger, an effect that he is quick to mask with an illusion. Seeing that she is about to throw a punch, he coughs to remind her that she needs to hold back. Even at half strength, the blow hits Decker in the chest with a loud thwack and he is pushed back a few inches. To their surprise and relief, the vampire simply fixes his beard and rubs at the slight dent in his body. Knowing that it is only fair, Mab stands and waits for the soldier to throw his own punch. The shot to her jaw spins the burglar around and she stops by digging her foot into the ground. A little dizzy and unable to heal the injury without raising questions, she does her best to set the bone and repair as much as she can without making him suspicious.

  Barely audible footsteps cause the three vampires to turn towards the noise and prepare for an attack. They relax at the sight of Luther, who comes stumbling out of the underbrush and nearly collapses at their feet. The forest tracker is covered in thorns and leaves, his night cloak torn from whatever happened during his journey. His right arm is burned to the point where most of the skin has sloughed off the bone and both of his legs show signs of being broken. A mad look is in his eyes, which dart from side to side in search of food. His keen senses lock on Clyde and Mab, but a rabbit wanders out before he can pounce on them. Leaping at the rodent, he tackles it into the bushes and drains it completely. Still hungry, Luther licks at the air and scrambles up an oak to attack several squirrels and birds. Minutes pass before he clambers down another tree and lets his exhausted body flop to the ground.

  “Talk about an entrance,” Clyde mutters as he inches closer. Not wanting to create another Dawn Fang, he watches for signs of an attack while rolling the man onto his back. “Doubt that we have to ask the obvious question. Let Decker carry you on his back while we go to meet up with the others. I’m sure you only need a good meal and some bedrest. Don’t bother talking and wasting energy.”

  “I got too close to the battle and a priest shot me out of the sky,” Luther explains while getting picked up. Refusing to be silenced, he bares his fangs and snarls at even the gentlest attempt to calm him. “Titus had me spying on the council to see if they had captured you. It’s a plan we had been working on for years and it seemed like the best time to try it. Obviously, they didn’t have you or Mab, but I overheard a conversation. This attack may be part of it, but none of them talked about coming after Nyte or sending the Duragians. All I know is that the council wants you, Clyde. Not as a prisoner, but as a meal. They seem to think your blood and flesh hold a power that they want for themselves. Do you know what they’re talking about?”

  “Probably listened a mortal we missed at Lord Shallis’s castle since you were pretending to be immune to the sun. Told you that little prank would backfire on us,” Mab replies, cutting Clyde off. Taking a seat on the grass, she picks at the blades and tosses them into the fresh breeze. “Let’s meet up with the others and sort through everything that’s going on. Events and changes are coming at us at griffin speed, so we need to relax. First, Nyte is invaded and now Clyde is on the council’s menu. None of this makes any sense.”

  “Yeah . . . Guess not,” Clyde mutters while his friends start walking. He takes a final look at the smoking castle and city, which has gone eerily silent and still. “Has to be an explanation for all of this chaos, but this isn’t the place to talk. We’re too exposed and I don’t want other people getting the idea that I’m edible. I’m sure we’ll put all the pieces together when we reach the Scrumptious Siren, which is a weird name for a tavern.”

  “It’ll make sense when you see it,” Luther groans with a laugh.

  “Just wash your hands after you touch anything,” Mab angrily hisses.

  10

  The Scrumptious Siren sits on a flat top hill covered by a birch tree forest. The black and white trees are dotted with purple flowers that attract palm-sized hummingbirds that are every color of the rainbow. Flitting around the cupcake-shaped building, the tiny animals show no fear around strangers and bravely hover near the road until the unfamiliar faces walk out of sight. The curved top of the ebony roof holds an orb that shines like a star whenever it is covered in shadows and emits an enticing mist when touched by sunlight. A vent releases smoke that is sucked into the absorbent shingles, which have been merged to create the odd building’s frosting-like top. Darkened windows surround the circular outer wall, which is made from a pure white wood that cannot be scratched. Half of the sills have pies cooling on them and a fearsome goblin sits behind each one, the dark red creatures waving their tridents at anything that dares to come too close. A cobblestone walkway leads to an arched door with a heart emblazoned on the front, the simple image repeatedly shifting from whole to jaggedly split in half. Flanking the entrance are a pair of wind chimes that remain silent until guests arrive. One goes off to notify those inside if the person is mortal while the other sings in the presence of a vampire. To Clyde and Mab’s relief, only the crimson one on the right rings and the brown chimes remain perfectly still.

  The inside of the tavern and bakery is a bizarre combination of styles that still manages to work together. Running to the left and right is a circular balcony where ivory-horned goblins tend to the ovens. Shelves of cookies, cakes, and other desserts surround each window and spectral servants wander about to retrieve anything that has been purchased. The menu is written on the ceiling, but an enchantment reads the viewer’s desires and swiftly draws their eyes to the proper food before they suffer a neck cramp. A few polished steps take the guests to the bar and dining area, which has a dance floor that looks too big to exist in such a small building. Instead of stairs, two metal poles give access to the lower levels where a wide variety of private rooms are maintained by those who have fallen under the thrall of the beloved owner. Throughout the establishment, mortals sit with vampires, but they are trapped in a spell that prevents them from recognizing the undead. Surrounded by blinking lights, a sign warns all patrons that they are not to eat each other or the punishment will only be pleasurable for the hostess.

  Standing on top of the bar, Chastity Sullivan whistles while pouring a bottle of whiskey into the mouth of a slender half-elf. The attractive mortal eventually starts to choke and spits out the drink, which causes him to lose a bet. Instead of handing over money, the man drunkenly heads for a doorway off to the side and takes the stairs to one of the curvaceous vampire’s private quarters. Chastity blows him a kiss before roaming the crowd, her black hair trailing behind her like a dark bridal train. Her yellow eyes spark with mischief as she asks every person if their hands match the bright pink prints that are scattered about her dress. The hunt stops when she comes to a vampiric elf maiden, who gleefully goes to await the hostess on the top floor. Cheers erupt from the crowd and Chastity spins with her arms wide, but freezes when she catches sight of Clyde. Excited to see her old friend, she sends a spectral servant to tell the two above to start the festivities without her and runs t
o give the man a hug. She pouts when Mab steps in her way and the woman skids to a stop that puts them nose to nose.

  “I see you’re still holding a grudge,” Chastity says with her arms crossed. She puffs out her chest in an attempt to push the scowling burglar back, but stops when she feels a claw against her stomach. “Don’t go attacking me in my own home, Ms. Winthrop. That’s so rude and it really would end our friendship. Glad to see the rumors were true about you being alive, darling, but I really wish you came to see me sooner. Then again, I’m sure the horrible beast over here has been keeping you on a short leash. Seriously, our people live for far too long to let some minor misunderstanding get between friends.”

  “Minor misunderstanding?” Mab hisses, her fangs sliding between her lips. She takes a step back and retracts her claws, but never looks away from the grinning woman. “I caught you riding Clyde like a . . . a . . . I don’t know how to describe it without getting angrier. You were my friend and you slept with my boyfr . . . partner. Undead creatures or not, that’s a line you don’t cross. Especially on his birthday and after I asked you to help me pick some sexy clothes for me to seduce him with. You’re lucky I don’t rip those chunks of fat off your chest and beat you with them.”

  “Don’t blame me for your mistakes, dear.”

  “How was that my fault?”

  “You agreed that I would take your form and do the things you refused to do.”

  “That was your gross suggestion and I wasn’t paying attention when I nodded.”

  “And I apologized for not making sure, which means I’m in the clear.”

  “I’m going to . . . Close your mouth, Mr. Illusions Are My Specialty.”

  “He never could see through mine.”

  “I challenge you to a fight!”

  “Fine, but we all know how this is going to end.”

  The two women head for the dance floor as Titus and Bob emerge from a back room, the pair joining their friends near the stairs. Mab takes off her jacket and tosses it to Clyde, who makes no attempt to take it off his face. She snarls when Chastity acts like she is about to do the same with her dress, the tease getting a cheer from the crowd. People begin taking bets, the vampires siding with the hostess while the charmed mortals believe the emerald-eyed burglar looks tougher. More patrons come sliding up the poles while the half-dressed couple upstairs hurry down, the employees having spread word of a fight. Within minutes, the main floor of the Scrumptious Siren is packed and only the square dance floor is clear for the combatants to move around.

  “Are you sure you want to do this again?” Chastity asks with a teasing giggle. The instant Mab pops her claws, she rapidly snaps her fingers and casts her favorite spell. “This is a mistake as usual, dear. I’m going to be nice and not embarrass you. Simply surrender and offer to settle things in private.”

  “I give up and want to be with you in private, mistress,” Mab says in a droning voice. The booing crowd snaps her out of the charm spell and she unleashes a shriek of frustration. “Every damn time! One of these days, we’re going to have a physical fight and you won’t be able to use that enchantment. Give me a mug of calico and we’ll try again. Pretty sure I know why I keep falling for it.”

  “Sorry, but I have better things to do,” the hostess declares while the crowd disperses. She walks over to Luther, who is barely able to stand even with help from Decker, and runs her hand around his face to ease his pain. “You go with Titus and Bob, dear. They’ve already made themselves comfortable in my off hours bedroom. Not to be rude, but I put new sheets on the bed this morning. Please take one of the soft chairs until your arm stops shedding. Now, where is the gorgeous man that I’ve been wanting to talk to for so long?”

  “I assume you’re talking about-” Clyde starts to say before the playful vampire jumps at him. His eyes remain open as she delivers a kiss, her momentum spinning him so that she can gracefully land on a table. “Thanks, but we really need to talk in private. Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you again. You were always one of my closest friends and best sources of information. I hope your ears and eyes are as keen as ever.”

  “Only thing more skilled is my tongue,” Chastity coos, her hands sliding along her magical dress. The prints shimmer and change to match Clyde’s hands, which earns her a piercing glare from Mab. “It looks like you’re my special guest for the night, so all of my time is yours. Please know that I will always be here to help in any way I can. My life has been in your hands ever since you saved me from the bastard who forced me into this non-life. Even after all these decades, I feel like I haven’t repaid my debt to you. Oh, I guess I owe Mab too since she helped me learn how to use my powers.”

  “Too late to kiss my . . . It’s not safe to say that phrase to you,” the burglar claims while sipping at her drink. Feeling a hand coming near her rear, she whirls around and kicks an amorous halfling into an open oven. “Really hope that was a vampire. Since Clyde can’t talk without you trying to physically steal the words from his throat, I’ll be the one to ask. Are we allowed to rest here until we figure out a plan?”

  Licking her thumb, Chastity tenderly rubs some dirt off Clyde’s cheek and leans in close to sniff his neck. “Regardless of you despising me, I would never turn any of my friends away in their time of need. We’re all part of the same gang after all. From what I’m hearing, you two are in a lot of need and that’s before I learned that Nyte had been attacked. Don’t worry because I would never charge any of you for the secrets I’ve gathered during my . . . indulgences. Please treat the Scrumptious Siren like your home for as long as you want. All I ask is that you don’t bother the patrons or my goblin bakers. Big Boy and Crazy Elf have already claimed one of my bigger guest rooms. Clyde can stay wherever he wants and I’d be happy to give a fellow female my on-the-clock bedroom. The maids are already working hard to clean it and I’ll put some blood champagne up there for you.”

  “I would sooner strip myself naked and set myself on fire than sleep in your bed.”

  “Kinkier stuff has happened there.”

  Clyde swiftly picks Chastity up and vaults over Mab, whose stretching claws miss his legs by a hair. He lets the hostess down and steps between the women, but the crowd calls for him to let the rematch happen. Mugs of ale and beer come flying at him, each one easily caught and thrown back at the original owners. Tired of stopping the inevitable, Clyde walks away and mutters under his breath as he passes by Mab. Moving faster than she can react, he snaps off her claws and puts them in her jacket pocket, which he tosses onto a nearby table. He is about to sit down to watch what will be another battle between cunning brains and grudge-fueled brawn when Decker forcefully pulls him away from the dance floor.

  “Before we go any further, I need to talk to you,” the dwarf whispers while trying to avoid eye contact. He watches Mab try to charge and her punch turning into a tight hug, which causes an eruption of laughter that helps hide his voice. “You owe me this, old friend. Please step outside because we really need to discuss whatever it is you’re hiding.”

  *****

  Walking towards the bottom of the hill, Decker and Clyde focus on listening for signs that they are being followed. When they get halfway to the first crossroad, a group of giddy drunks waving slices of cake over their heads burst out of the building. The vampires move to the side and let the mortals by, their eyes catching a shadowy figure darting through the trees. Not wanting to get involved in someone else’s hunt, the two friends wait until they hear a gurgling scream before they continue walking. A low growl ripples from the trees as they pass a pair of legs sticking out of the bushes, the hidden predator revealing his hunger and youth. Clyde is about to snarl back, but stops after noticing a flock of hummingbirds have gathered around the surrounding trees. The tiny creatures dive at the feeding vampire as if they are one, their target jumping up as they drive their beaks into his flesh. Stealing most of the blood from the reckless hunter, they leave him a gasping husk and flit back to the Scrumptious Siren to
report the incident to Chastity.

  “She takes her business very seriously,” Decker states while drawing his axe. He steps into the trees and beheads the starving vampire, which causes a solitary hummingbird to rush after the others. “He would have been killed anyway. Chastity doesn’t want to lose any of her lucrative businesses and it isn’t like vampires buy pastries. She’s still big into blackmailing and sex, but she’s become a very famous hostess and baker. Only reason you didn’t know is because people learned not to talk about her around Mab.”

  “That would explain a lot,” Clyde says as they reach the bottom of the hill. Feeling exposed, he nods his head and leads his friend further into the woods. “So, what secret do you want to talk about? I seem to have so many that even I didn’t know about. Better be more impressive than the council wanting me for a snack. Hard to top that.”

  Decker strokes his beard as he thinks of the most tactful way to speak, a flicker of doubt helping to tone down his rage. “Even though Mab is restraining her strength, I can tell that she is more powerful than the last time I saw her. Also, her claws are sharper than any I’ve ever seen on a vampire. Those made me suspicious, but it was really the shadow travel. Lord Tempest has talked about how that spell was used long ago, but he always stated it was dangerous. The modern version is a merging with the physical darkness and traveling through the earth. I didn’t say this in front of Mab, but what she did was something else entirely. She guided me through another dimension. More importantly, she did it with a very fast casting that I would even call sloppy and half-hearted. That simply isn’t done, Clyde, especially when there are light spells flying everywhere. Those made me feel a little weak, but they had no visible effect on her. Between the two of us, I’ve always had the stronger constitution, so it should have been the other way around.”