Darlings of Darkness: A Vampire Anthology Part 165

"I have to warn you; any sign of you misbehaving, and you're dead. I've killed vamps before. Doing it again won't be a problem for me, all right?"

I nodded, but I was thinking: who is this guy? "So do you know what I did? How I can fix it? Is there a spell I can do or something?"

"I'm not sure how you managed to do it accidentally, but I have a friend who's in the know," Peter said.

"What?" I couldn't believe it; he didn't have a clue either. "You're supposed to be the man in the know. What the h.e.l.l is this? You trying to set me up or something? Got a buddy who wants to punch a girl too?"

To his credit, he looked momentarily ashamed, but then shook himself out of it. "I'm a hunter. I go after bad things. I'm not all up on the facts on vampires, all right? I know a good bit, but it isn't like we have a friendly little chat before I stake them, you know? But the man I mean, he runs a bookshop. If he doesn't know then I'm betting one of his books will help. You want to see him or not?"

I chewed for a few minutes. I had nothing to lose, not really. He thought I was a full-on vampire, sure. But he didn't know that things like holy water and silver crosses didn't affect me, so even if he did attack me again, he might do something that wouldn't hurt me. If I could run then he wouldn't catch me. Besides, I had to do something about Carl.

"Okay," I said at last. "I'll see your friend. But remember, if you hurt me then Carl will hurt himself trying to help me out."

Peter nodded, giving me a quick smile that jerked my insides upward. I was pretty disgusted with my reaction. Only I could be attracted to a man who hated my guts on sight.

"Can we go today? I mean now so we can get back before dark?"

"What's the rush?"

I cleared my throat and glanced over at Carl who was on the edge of his seat and glaring at Peter. "I really need this to be sorted out as soon as possible. I'm having some... trouble, being around him."

"You feel like you're gonna bite me?" Peter said, his eyes too bright as he rubbed his wrists, drawing my attention to the small crosses tattooed on them. I wondered if it was a form of protection but pretended not to notice.

I shook my head. "Nah. Just him. Guess he must taste nicer than you or something."

Peter wrinkled his nose in disdain. I almost felt bad for freaking him out.

I remembered my manners and decided I should at least attempt to be hospitable, now that he was helping us. "Want some food? It's just leftovers."

"No, thanks. I'll just sit and wait until you're both ready."

He sat on the sofa next to Carl and tried to make small talk with him. Carl was not in a forgiving mood. I couldn't help smiling to myself as he rebuked any attempts at conversation. Not that he was able for a discussion now he was pretty much mind controlled by me.

I crossed the room to get some milk out of the fridge and drank until I felt full. I had always turned to milk as a replacement for blood. Peter kept watching me until I was so nervous I spilled some. Cleaning up, I willed my hands to stop shaking. I had to trust Peter, but I couldn't help wondering if I was about to run into a trap. I could only hope for the best. I wiped the counter in fourteen strokes. My normal routine helped me calm down.

"You two ready to go?" I asked, as soon as I felt less rattled.

They both stood, Carl towering above Peter. Even as my thirst-driven instincts screamed out for Carl, I couldn't help focusing on Peter instead. Apart from the punch he had given me, I was pretty sure he was my type. If I allowed myself to have a type, that is. He had nice lips, but little reminders of another man with nice lips stopped me from staring at Peter too much. The ache in my jaw helped.

"Okay, let's go see the wizard," I mumbled under my breath.

Chapter Four.

On the way to see Peter's friend, I tried to trail behind both men-determined not to get too close. Peter glanced around and slowed his pace, unwilling to keep his back to me. I couldn't help sighing as Carl joined him, both of them surrounding me with the heavy scent of testosterone that made it hard for me to think straight.

Peter kept looking at me as if he were waiting for me to burst into flames. When nothing untoward happened to me in daylight, he moved on to glaring at complete strangers. Suspicion darkened his eyes-everything he thought he knew about vampires had been proven wrong by me, as far as he was concerned.

"I'm the only one who does this," I said, trying to rea.s.sure him. I got a scowl for my trouble. Carl b.u.mped against him, getting between us and making me hide a smile.

"Who is this contact of yours?" I asked Peter, trying to make conversation.

"A businessman," he said, without looking around. "He knows a lot about... supernatural things. He's helped me out a few times."

The bookshop wasn't too far from my house. I realised I had pa.s.sed it by before. It was an independent seller with lots of old books, specialising in the occult. The shop had very few customers, yet it seemed to thrive. It had been around for as long as I could remember, but I had never gone inside.

As soon as we stepped through the doorway, I felt the power in the air. It emanated from a man standing at the counter and ran right through me, making me shiver. Peter hadn't told me the man knew about supernatural things because he was one himself. It surprised me that Peter was comfortable with any supernatural element-he was so intent on hating me.

I didn't say anything, but I suspected the man was a big player in the supernatural world, and that intrigued me. You wouldn't have known it to look at him. He was small and wiry, with a crooked nose, ginger hair and lots of freckles. He had huge blue eyes that seemed so earnest, I might have felt safe in his shop-except for the strange cold sensation on my skin.

The shop itself was small; most of the books were old, and the most interesting thing in the place was the owner. To my surprise, Carl took a step behind me and gripped my arm. I wondered if he felt something in the air too, but Peter moved toward his contact with a friendly smile on his face and distracted me from Carl's reaction.

The man smelled like magic and strength to me, similar to the smoky smell when a lit match is blown out mingled with the sharp, salty tang of the sea. Goose b.u.mps appeared on my arms as the man looked me over. Something seemed to push against my skin, an invisible hand searching for something.

He greeted Peter like an old friend and then looked at me again, this time with a huge grin. My skin warmed up as whatever it was backed away. I smiled back at the man, determined to show I hadn't noticed a thing. Playing dumb was just about the only card I had.

"This is Eddie Brogan. He might be able to help you," Peter said, but his voice sounded almost forced.

"Oh, with what?" Eddie asked, his voice lilting pleasantly.

"Eddie, this is Ava. She's a vampire. She's here to ask you for help." Peter really enjoyed delivering that line, and I fidgeted nervously in the silence that followed.

Eddie's eyes snapped back to me, narrowing as he looked me over once again. "A vampire in daylight, Peter?"

"I know. She isn't talking."

Peter scowled in my direction, but Eddie stepped closer to me, his eyes full of curiosity.

"You look too young to have been dead for at least a century," he remarked.

"I haven't been," I blurted out, confused.

"Isn't that funny? Considering humans haven't turned into vampires in at least that long." His voice was soft, but I felt like I had been tricked into revealing something I shouldn't. "Your name's Ava, is it?" Eddie asked me, not unkindly.

I nodded, feeling like a shy schoolgirl all of a sudden. "This is Carl," I said, gesturing toward the tall man who hadn't moved an inch from my side since we entered the shop. "I, uh, I seem to have accidentally made him my... minion. Somehow." I honestly couldn't think of a better word.

Peter snorted derisively. I ignored him.

Eddie nodded with understanding. "That you have. He's threaded very tightly to you. So you want to cut the threads, is that it?"

"Yeah, or whatever. I just want him gone, before... I want him to leave me alone, okay?"

Eddie stared at me, and I felt another odd sensation roll over me. I tried not to react, but it was so invasive I couldn't stop myself from taking a step back to try and shrug it off. As soon as it stopped, I felt something cold brush against my hands, like something else was there with us.

Eddie nodded finally, as if deciding something. "I'm going to take a break now. Would you three care to join me for some coffee?"

He put a closed sign up but didn't bother locking the shop door. Eddie escorted us into a small backroom with a makeshift kitchen. He brewed some coffee, but I couldn't help glancing at Peter with concern. Eddie wasn't at all what I had expected. Peter shook his head slightly, so I looked away. I knew I disgusted him, but a little camaraderie would have been nice.

Nerves got the better of me. Back in the shop, I had been able to count books if I got jumpy. The backroom was so spa.r.s.e that I needed to count heartbeats again. It was that sort of thing which got me into trouble in the first place.

Eddie sat down at last, having placed cups in front of us all. Both Peter and Eddie stared at me like I was supposed to do something. I glanced at Carl, but his eyes were closing, apparently taking my instructions to take care of his needs literally. I sipped the coffee to give myself something to do as an uncomfortable silence draped over us. The coffee was surprisingly good. Eddie noted my appreciation with some satisfaction.

"Enjoying it?"

"Yes, it's delicious. I thought it was instant." I realised Peter's mouth had dropped open, and I frowned at him in confusion.

"What?"

He shook his head. "You really like it?"

"Uh, yeah. Don't you?"

He frowned at Eddie. "What the h.e.l.l is she?"

Eddie gave a low chuckle. Fury burned up inside me, drowning out the panic.

"What's in this? Poison?" I slammed my hands on the table, livid at the idea and disgusted with myself for being so naive.

Carl stood up abruptly, startling everyone. He glared at Eddie who signalled toward him and made a low noise. Carl fell back down, his anger forgotten. Still hot with fear and rage, I got to my feet instead. Ready for a confrontation, ready to fight my way out.

"It's all right, child. It isn't poison, but it is magic. It won't harm you. Don't worry. I just had to make sure your intentions were purer than Peter suspected."

I sat in my chair, my concern for Carl the only thing stopping me from lashing out. I was sick of being tested. They couldn't just help Carl and let me go on my merry way. Everything had to involve suspicion.

"I'm sorry," Eddie said, his voice soft and velvety.

An unexpectedly sudden bout of drowsiness caused my eyes to flutter and almost stay closed. I struggled to clear my thoughts through the haze. I sat up straight and forced myself to be more aware, trusting Eddie less and less.

"I'll help you, Ava. I see exactly who you are now. I see it all. The only problem is, the vampires see it all, too. Their seer is a pain at the best of times." He waved his arm vaguely in the air.

"Seer?" I had no clue what he was talking about.

"Aye. I'm sorry, Ava, but your problems just got a lot bigger. They know you're coming."

"How could you possibly know that?" I asked, mystified.

I took note of the furtive glances exchanged between Eddie and Peter.

"I have eyes everywhere, so I know for certain they'll be waiting. Or worse, they'll come looking."

"Looking for me? Why? What did I do?"

"Not what you did. It's what you are, pet." His words were kind, but I couldn't allow myself to soften for a second. I couldn't let the vampires find me, find out how I was made. All I wanted was Carl gone and life to go back to normal.

"What she is?" Peter asked, staring at me like I might grow horns. "What is she?"

"Later, Peter," Eddie said. "So, tell me what happened. With Carl." Abruptly, he was steely eyed again. As observant as a bird. It was unnerving.

"Nothing happened. Not really. I could smell him. His fear."

"Wait, you can smell fear?" Eddie's mouth curved upward.

I bit my lip, wondering if I said too much again. "Uh, yeah. I went to see what was going on. A vampire had him, was toying with him. He asked me if Carl belonged to me, and I said yes. Told him to come over to me. Left with him. I didn't notice until later that he was obeying everything I told him to do. Everything except leave me alone, that is."

"That's part of it," Eddie said. "He can't until you let him go. He'll keep trying to serve you until then."

"You know how to fix it?" Peter asked. His expression was grim; I wondered what he could be thinking.

Eddie rocked in his chair, his eyes closed. He hummed a tuneless song. I glared at Peter, blaming him for taking me to see a lunatic. He put his finger to his lips and nodded toward Eddie. I glanced at Carl who had fallen asleep in his chair, his coffee untouched.

"It's as I thought," Eddie said after a minute. "You claimed him. He wasn't opposed to it. A vampire bore witness. Now he's yours. Don't you want him?" His voice changed again; his tone felt like a cool palm on my hot forehead.

I shook my head slowly. "No." My voice was a cracked whisper.

"Why?"

"I don't want anybody. n.o.body's safe around me." I felt compelled to speak. I didn't want to answer him, but I couldn't help myself. I sensed Peter staring at me intently, but I could only focus on Eddie. I was unable to break eye contact with him. My panic was dulled by whatever he was doing to me. I felt like my body was spinning around, and I gripped my chair to brace myself.

"Who sent you to Peter?"

"My grandmother." Peter made a noise, but it sounded so very far away. I could have sworn I was floating around the room, but my eyes were still latched onto Eddie's.

"And if I tell you how to free Carl, will you do it?"

"Yes."

"Even if it hurts?"

"Yes." My answers were whispers, and Peter leaned in closer to hear me.

"Do you want to harm Carl?"

"No. But I might not be able to stop myself."

I still couldn't look away from his eyes; they were big black pits of nothingness, and I was sinking into them, freefalling. A cold hand on my shoulder brought me back to the room. Shuddering violently, I gasped, not quite sure what had happened. Glancing around, it was clear n.o.body else was there, but I knew I felt a hand touch me.

"Is she okay?" Peter asked, more concerned than I would have expected. Eddie ignored him.

"Ava. You have bound Carl to you. The only way to revoke it is to persuade the witness to reject your claim."

"The witness? You mean the vampire who attacked Carl in the first place? But how? How will I find him?" I asked, already worrying.