Your magic is fine, he said as he walked fast beside me.
You call this fine? I said, and he pulled me to a stop.
Listen to the noise, he said calmly, and my frantic pulse slowed. Its moving off. I felt whatever it was right before things went haywire, and its gone. Whatever it is, its past us. Try a spell. Something that wont explode.
The womans cries cut off with a startling smack of flesh on flesh. I had no time. Id have to trust he was right. Breaking into a jog, I tossed my bag to Trent. Its in there. Dont let them take her outside. If they get her alone, shes dead or worse.
Our feet scuffed on the sidewalk outside, but I didnt care if they knew we were coming. Got it, Trent said, and I jerked the door open. I would have rather kicked it, but the hinges only went the one way and I wouldve broken my foot. Id learned the hard way.
Trent came in behind me, my eyes going to the ceiling before returning to the three vampires at a back table: one woman, and two men, eyes blacker than the sky outside. The woman pinned to the table was in a bartending uniform. Her eyes met mine, her sobs punctuating the dwindling taunts as the vampires turned to us. My breath came easier. They were living vampires. Trent and I had a chance.
Is this a bring-your-own-can-of-whoop-ass party? I said, copping an attitude and pulling enough ever-after through me to make the strands of escaped hair float. The line felt normal, bolstering my confidence. I got enough to pass if you three didnt bring any.
My gun in hand, Trent gave me a quizzical look. Seriously?
Shrugging, I shot him an annoyed look. Im kind of winging it here.
The largest vampire let go of the woman, and the female vampire in pink-and-blue tights pulled her to herself, whispering in the terrified womans ear, her grip so tight it made the flesh between her fingers white.
The leader turned, running his eyes up and down my body, hopefully deciding I was too difficult to add to his evenings entertainment, but the other, a cowering nervous man now that they had witnesses, tugged at his sleeve like a little boy.
The leader turned, running his eyes up and down my body, hopefully deciding I was too difficult to add to his evenings entertainment, but the other, a cowering nervous man now that they had witnesses, tugged at his sleeve like a little boy.
Vinnie. Vinnie! he said, hunched as he looked at Trent and me. Its them free vampires. We got to go. Lets go!
Free vampire? I wondered, watching the leader, Vinnie, apparently, breathe deep, taking in the scents of the room and smiling as he realized we were nothing of the kind.
Shut up, he said, shoving the smaller man off him. They arent vampires. Thats a witch and an elf. You ever tasted elf blood before? They say it tastes like wine.
And youll never know, I said, finding my balance and pulling heavier on the line. In fidem recipere, leno cinis, I shouted dramatically, making a glowing ball hang right before me. My pulse raced, but it was perfect, the size I wanted and its construction without fault. It wouldnt hurt them, but if I could cow them into leaving, I wouldnt have to spend the rest of my night filling out forms. You need to let her go, I said boldly. Beside me, Trent took aim.
The show of force made the smaller vampire jiggle on his feet. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Vinnie, thats Morgan! he hissed, and the woman vampire finally quit her soft crooning. Cormels demon. Come on. Lets go!
But Vinnie shoved the frightened vampire back, arrogant as he came forward three steps. Cormel dont scare me. Dont let that woman go. This will only take a second.
I pulled harder on the line, and the light glowed brighter, making the woman vampire hiss and drag the silent, tear-streaked bartender back. Lets try this again, I said, and the largest vampire laughed. You are going to let her go, and sit at a table. Pick one. Its seat-yourself night. Otherwise, Im within my rights to kick your collective ass until youre unconscious. You know who I am, and thats all the warning youre going to get.
The head vampire flicked his eyes to Trent, vamp pheromones rising like musky desire to make my neck tingle. He dropped back a step, and when I relaxed, he leaped at me, the other vampire screaming as he did the same a heartbeat behind.
Celero dilatare! I screamed, and the charm acted on the light curse already going, expanding it in a flash of light to blow them back.
The first vampire hit the floor, his head meeting it with a sodden thud. The smaller one handled it better, and he scrambled up as the woman vampire holding the bartender howled her anger. Even before regaining his feet, he fell, taken out by Trents first shot. His second hit the larger vampire, still dazed. His head fell back and hit the floor again. Two down, one to go.
Help me! the woman screamed as the last vampire dragged her away, and then all hell broke loose when the bartender began to wildly wiggle, thrashing out and clawing until the vampire threw her across the room and spun to run out the back.
Ive got her! I shouted, hoping Trent didnt down me with my own spell as I launched myself at her.
My breath exploded from me as I hit her and we went down, the vampire shrieking in anger and affront. Grabbing her luscious hair, I slammed her head into the floor. This is why . . . you never leave . . . your hair loose! I shouted in time with my motions.
Rachel! You got her! Trent cried out, jerking back when he touched me and I almost hit him. You got her, he said softer. Its over.
Panting, I stopped. I was shaking, and I scrubbed a hand over my face before I slipped my hand in his and he helped me rise. My elbow felt like it was on fire, and I stood over the downed woman and twisted it to see. I had a floor burn, but if that was all I walked away from here with, then Id done good.
No, wed done good, I amended, seeing the gun still in Trents hand. He didnt seem to know what to do with it, and I understood.
Wheres the bartender? I said, and we spun when she came out from behind the bar, a big-ass rifle in her hand. Her face was wet from crying, but her expression was of hate and fear. The sound of it cocking shocked through me, and I put my hands in the air.
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Its okay! We got em! I said, and Trent shoved the gun in the back of his waistband and out of sight.
Hunched, she came closer, the gun pointed at the largest vampire. They tried to take me! she screamed, and the adrenaline was a slap, clearing my thoughts. They were going to turn me into a doll! Im going to kill them! This is my place, and Im going to kill them!
Her eyes were darting between all three, and I let my arms come down. I nudged Trent, and he did the same. Look, theyre all unconscious, I said softly. Its over. Youre safe.
The hell I am! We have laws against this! Where are the master vampires! Theyre supposed to protect us! I called the I.S. and no one came! If I ever see another vampire in my place, Im going to shoot them on sight!
I totally understood, but I edged closer, trying get between her and the vampires. Its over. Youre okay, I said, hands out in placation. Youre not marked, or bitten, youre okay. Tomorrow will be the same as today. Put the gun down. They arent getting up.
Rachel! Trent shouted, and I turned, seeing the last female vampire Id knocked unconscious coming at me.
No! I shouted, then dropped as the rifle went off.
Leave me alone! the bartender screamed, shaking as she stood with the smoking rifle in her hand. Ill kill you! Ill kill you!
Yep, she killed her, I thought. The female vampire had a hole in her chest big enough to put your fist in. The hole in her back would be bigger, and I thought the woman would look better with less makeup as she sighed her last breath and her pale hand fell against the scratched floor.
Give me that, Trent said, jerking the gun from the bartenders slack grip as she stood, a shocked expression on her as she watched the vampire die her first death. Collapsing to the floor, the bartender began to sob, rocking back and forth with her knees drawn to her chin.
Gunpowder pricked in my nose. I got up as Trent took the last shell from the rifle, tucking it in his pocket before gently setting the weapon on the nearest table. There was no blood on me. No blood on Trent. There was a growing puddle of it on the floor under the woman vampire, and I looked at the clock over the jukebox. Theyd want to know what time she died to better estimate her rising, though by the look of it, it might be weeks.
Silent, Trent eased to stand beside me. Im going to go out on a limb and say that a date with you is nothing like having you work security. Lets not tell Quen about this, okay?
I slowly looked him up and down. He seemed to be taking this rather well, but then again, Id seen him kill a man in his office. Flashing me a mirthless smile, he started scanning the place. You see a tablecloth anywhere?
I slowly looked him up and down. He seemed to be taking this rather well, but then again, Id seen him kill a man in his office. Flashing me a mirthless smile, he started scanning the place. You see a tablecloth anywhere?
To cover the dead vampire, I thought, shaking my head. The woman was still crying. I knew I should comfort her, but I was kind of pissed at her right now. Leaving her to cry, I found my shoulder bag and dug out my phone.
How come you got a signal? Trent said, grunting when he checked his phone and found the towers were back up. Unfortunately the 911 circuits were busy with a recorded message saying to hold for a thirty-minute wait time.
Nuts to that, I said, thinking I wasnt going to spend my night here with a dead vampire. Hanging up, I called Eddens direct line. Edden, I said as soon as his deep, low voice came clear over the sound of ringing phones and tense voices.
Rachel? I dont have time right now.
Impatient, I pressed the phone to my ear. Im in a bar on Hostant Drive. Ive got two vampires under sleep charms and another dead, possibly twice from a hole in her chest.
Edden went silent, and the woman stopped crying at the sound of Trent locking the front door. Oh, Edden finally said. Did you call 911?