So, Jerry was a vampire, and Cassandra was the witch helping him stay under the radar. A part of me was relieved that we had nothing to do with the medium’s need to flee her life at the college, but we were still somehow connected to her due to my premonition.
“Sheriff Tate is on her way over, and she’s asking for everyone to stay put until she arrives,” Tina called out with a shaky voice. By this time, I had already made my way over to the front of the dining area to make sure that Cassandra didn’t sneak out after Jerry through the front door. I also wanted to be close enough to speak to her without anyone else overhearing, but Tina didn’t seem inclined to leave the counter. She was quite content to allow someone else to attend to the man lying on the floor. “Cassie, why would Jerry attack that guy? Did they know each other?”
Miss Saruman is very young, dear hexed one. I do not believe she harnesses enough power to get through you to the exit.
The fact that Tina didn’t know the stranger who had been eating breakfast gave more credence that the man was a vampire hunter. I guess we had our answer as to whether or not Jerry was a human, a warlock, or a bloodsucking creature who just happened to have a very good throwing arm. Seeing a small one-pound weight from the scale that Hal probably kept in the mail room on the floor next to the unconscious man, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what weapon had been utilized in what was looking more and more like self-defense.
We mean you no harm, Miss Saruman. Perhaps we might even be able to help you with your current predicament involving the hunter lying on the floor? His name is Mr. Palisade.
While Cassandra and Pearl were having a conversation that would hopefully reassure Cassandra that we meant no harm, I still wasn’t so sure her concern over Jerry wouldn’t have her sneaking out the exit. I strategically positioned myself between her and the front door, thus giving me full view of the sheriff quickly walking across the street. The older couple made their way outside, not heeding Tina’s request that they remain inside the building.
The short-order cook and another waitress, the only other two employees the diner seemed to have on staff this morning, were near the small kitchen. They were whispering to one another in hushed tones. As for the woman in the booth, she’d cautiously sat in an upright position to see what damage had been done to the other patron.
“I don’t think Jerry knew the man,” Cassandra responded softly, her gaze leaving me to glance at the front door. She’d lost a bit of color in her face when she saw that the sheriff was about to enter the diner. Sheriff Tate had already dismissed the older couple. “I’m not sure why Jerry would hurt a stranger, unless he had felt threatened by him. Did they have much of a heated exchange, Tina?”
Before Tina could reply, Mr. Palisade let out a guttural groan as Piper helped him into a seated position. He held the balled-up napkins against the open cut on the side of his head. She was asking him for details on what had happened, but he didn’t seem to be very forthcoming.
I would agree with you on the self-defense claim, Miss Lilura, although this vampire hunter does seem to be a bit careless with his weapons. Mr. Palisade could be new to the fold, of course. On another note, Miss Saruman’s love interest clearly doesn’t want the locals knowing the true nature of his undead state, otherwise he would have done what is instinctive to his kind. Isn’t that right, Miss Saruman?
“I was talking to Mr. and Mrs. Hickman about the weather. I didn’t see anything, other than to catch Jerry and Hal running for the front door. As for Mr. Palisade, he was driving through town when the storm hit last night,” Tina managed to say about the hunter who was only now coming to after Piper had discreetly used her ability to ensure the sheriff wasn’t about to walk in on a murder scene. Cassandra must have replied to Pearl by thought, leaving me to guess that the reply had been affirmative to Pearl’s theory. “Maggie gave him a place to stay above the bar last night. Cassie, do you know Mr. Palisade?”
“No.” Cassandra was staring at me with hesitation and concern, most likely trying to figure out exactly who we were and why we’d been looking for her. Pearl had only been able to convey that we meant her no harm. While whatever concealing spell this medium had used around the nest had been good enough to hide Jerry’s residence, she hadn’t thought or had enough power to do the same with the town. “Where did Jerry go, Tina? I should really find out what happened and try to convince him to speak with the sheriff.”
Miss Saruman has agreed to hear us out, but only if we come up with a cover for her friend.
“Jerry and Hal ran out the front after Jerry completely lost his mind. I mean, he just lost it.” Tina’s cheeks were regaining a bit of their color, and she sighed with relief when the front door finally opened to reveal a woman with short blonde hair. She was wearing a grey sheriff’s uniform with a matching coat, and she certainly didn’t look happy that she’d been called away from the warmth of her office. “Sheriff, I’m so glad you’re here. Jerry took off, but he was the one who threw that scale weight at Mr. Palisade.”
“Is Jerry up to his old tricks again?” Sheriff Tate asked in a knowing tone that indicated she’d had a few run-ins with Jerry before. She surveyed those who remained in the building, probably taking in the fact that the majority were out-of-towners. “Let me guess. Hal got him out of the building before you called me.”
It appears that Hal and Miss Saruman’s beau have a special connection. There seems to be a lot of secrets in this town, does there not?
The sheriff flicked her narrowed gaze from Tina to me, then from Cassandra to where Piper and Orwin were helping the man back into his chair at the table. She clearly didn’t like the fact that there were so many strangers involved in a local incident.
“Cassie, didn’t you learn your lesson the last time you visited Jerry? Tell me. Is he back on drugs? Don’t answer that just yet. I’ll get your statement after speaking with the victim,” Sheriff Tate directed before indicating that she wanted Cassandra to take a seat on the bench next to the front door. “Who are you, ma’am?”
It looks as if you have a decision to make, Miss Lilura. Do we help cover for a vampire or do we somehow finagle our way out of this situation and move on?
Chapter Eight
“Lou,” I answered, feeling the weight of Cassandra’s stare. I didn’t bother to give my last name. I was hoping that it wouldn’t come to that, given that we were in vampire territory. While the UV rays of the sun bothered creatures of the night, the shadowed, grey filtered sunlight of a day like today didn’t prevent them from moving about during the daytime. Given the time of year, the usual coverage of winter clothing and overcast skies, there was nothing to stop them from enjoying the outdoors. “I’m here with Cassie’s brother. We couldn’t reach her on her cell phone to let her know that her uncle is in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Cassie. I’ll let you get on your way shortly. Why don’t the two of you grab a seat for now?”
Sheriff Tate waited until Cassandra and I had done as she asked, settling ourselves onto the rickety old bench. Surprisingly enough, it held our weight. We sat in silence as we watched the sheriff walk over to where Mr. Palisade was listening quite intently to whatever Orwin and Piper were saying to him.
Our alien hunter seems to be a bit out of sorts today. I’m assuming it’s due to your premonition about his impending death, but it does seem to give him an assertiveness that is much needed in this situation. You’ll be happy to know that Mr. Cornelia has taken care of things on his end, and Mr. Palisade will do as we’ve asked of him.
“You’re the ones who wanted to meet with me back in Minnesota,” Cassandra whispered, guessing correctly. She also noticed that Tina had finally moved from behind the counter so that she could listen in on the sheriff’s conversation with Mr. Palisade. “I’m sorry that I skipped out, but Jerry needed my help.”
“Is he the reason you haven’t visited your coven in the last six months?” I asked, guessing at some of the missing puzzle pieces that ha
d Pearl’s intuition all but screaming that something was wrong with the scenario. “Your family has no idea that you’re dating a vampire, do they?”
My intuition doesn’t scream, dear hexed one. That would be uncharacteristically rude. In case you are wondering what is being said, Mr. Palisade is explaining that he provoked Miss Saruman’s beau into throwing a one-pound scale weight at his head. I realize how the story sounds, and so does the rather apathetic sheriff. I do believe that she’d rather wash her hands of this dispute than write it all up, and she is willing to believe the absurd tale despite her skepticism.
“Jerry and I love one another,” Cassandra defended, clutching her hands in her lap. She was wearing black leather gloves, and it didn’t appear that she was going to take them off. That was one indication that she didn’t believe she’d be inside this building for very much longer. “He called me…scared and terrified that he was being hunted by someone new. He asked for my help, and I couldn’t say no. Tell me what it is you want. I’ll do it, but only if you promise to help me keep Jerry and his family safe.”
You should know from your childhood lessons that one bite from a vampire could cost you your life, Miss Saruman. We do not take that lightly, and it is the sole reason we keep our distance.
“Not the sole reason,” I amended wryly, indicating that we also didn’t prefer how vampires got their source of nutrition if they happened to go on a bender. “You have yourself a deal, Cassandra, but only if you can get Jerry to guarantee our safety.”
My first concern was Orwin and ensuring that my premonition was altered to the point that it never happened in reality. Nothing else mattered at this moment…even my hex.
And you wonder why I’m so fond of you, Miss Lilura.
“Don’t start, Pearl,” I said, keeping my focus on Cassandra. “Do we have a deal? You get Jerry to tell all of his bloodsucking friends that we’re completely off limits. If they break that truce, I’ll have every coven from this coast to the next informed that the treaty has been broken by your friend’s nest.”
Now who’s showing her assertiveness? I’m once again impressed with your dedication to your traveling band of merry misfits.
“Jerry nor his family would ever hurt anyone, let alone a witch,” Cassandra whispered back, the faith she had in Jerry evident in her plea. “You make it sound as if there are hundreds of vampires on this mountain. There aren’t. Jerry is the only vampire within thirty miles from this town, and he’s a good man. I promise you that no one will get hurt. Please help me.”
If I may offer my opinion, Miss Lilura, she does sound sincere.
“Alright, folks,” Sheriff Tate called out, though there was only one true customer still at her booth. “Let’s call it a morning and go about your business.”
“Is there anything we need to know, Pearl?” I straightened when Sheriff Tate began to walk our way, stopping briefly to ask Tina about her version of events. “Did anyone contradict Mr. Palisade?”
Mr. Palisade refused medical treatment, though he has no idea that my sweet Piper healed the concussion he suffered at the hands of Miss Saruman’s beau. The chef—and I use that term loosely—was with the other waitress in the back kitchen when the confrontation ensued, and Tina was speaking with the older couple. The young woman in the booth had her nose in a book, and she didn’t notice a thing. You might want to ask Miss Saruman about the postmaster, though. Let’s just say that he wasn’t forced to leave with her beau, but instead seemed to be leading the way.
Pearl had finished a recount of the last few moments, and just in the nick of time.
“Cassie, I’m sorry to hear that your uncle is in such poor health,” Sheriff Tate said, beginning to put back on her grey knit gloves. “Jerry doesn’t get a pass, though. Just because Mr. Palisade started the argument, that doesn’t give Jerry the right to assault the man or to leave the way he did. Jerry is very fortunate that Mr. Palisade isn’t pressing charges, but I’ll still need to speak with him regardless.”
It appears that Sheriff Tate is not aware that a vampire runs amuck in her small town, as is the same story with the other locals. Miss Saruman, just how long has your beau been one of the undead?
“We just got back from the fishing cabin, but I’m meeting him at Hal’s place,” Cassandra replied as smooth as any experienced witch. She’d been taught well, and her abilities would grow in time. Her limited skill did give me pause in my belief that she could reach out to the ancestors who had knowledge on how to break a curse as strong as one bestowed by a Lich Queen. “Jerry was just acting in self-defense. He was scared that you wouldn’t see it his way, given his past troubles. He’s still struggling with the whole college debacle that happened last year.”
Miss Saruman is trying to tell us that her beau was newly initiated to the vampire lifestyle. No wonder he had such trouble controlling his more violent impulses. That might explain why the alien hunter became such a delicious snack in your premonition, dear hexed one.
“I take it you were hoping to leave for Minnesota today?” Sheriff Tate asked Cassandra, though the woman was staring at me. She might not know that vampires lived on the outskirts of her town, but she was aware that all was not right with Jerry and Cassandra. “You’ll want to rethink your trip. Another storm is blowing down from the northwest. It’ll make this one look like a light dusting in comparison. Maggie should have another room or two above the bar. I’ll touch base with her and tell her she’ll be having more guests this evening.”
“Thank you, Sheriff,” Cassandra murmured, answering for us without even blinking. She quickly stood from the rickety bench, which somehow still supported my weight. “I’ll let Jerry know you’re stopping by to speak with him, and I’ll also make sure he remains at his uncle’s place until you arrive.”
Miss Saruman seems quite confident we are willing to stay overnight within hunting distance of a vampire. I’m not so sure that is the wisest of choices, dear hexed one. The short amount of time that Mr. Cornelia and I have spent together has been, shall we say, quite difficult on my well-preserved patience. May I suggest we take care of our needs and be on our way before he begins crafting me an aluminum foil hat?
I stood and made sure to shake hands with the sheriff, who was only doing her duty in ensuring that the situation had turned out for the best. Had she known the real story, this situation could have taken a turn for the worse.
As for Cassandra, she was probably questioning our sanity with talk of aliens, aluminum foil hats, and hexes. It was best we have more privacy to discuss the important details on what needed to happen next, plus I wasn’t leaving this medium’s side until I spoke to Jerry. Someone had turned him, and not by coincidence, that someone belonged to a nest of these creatures. A truce needed to be negotiated with the leader, and then we could get down to business.
“I’ll ride with you, Cassandra,” I said, ensuring that my statement wasn’t taken as a suggestion. We technically weren’t going anywhere until we all had a chat with Mr. Palisade. His name wasn’t all that original, but we needed to convince him to leave this particular subject alone. “Your brother and Piper can follow in the Jeep.”
Well done, dear hexed one. While garlic only slows undead critters down, I’ll use the drive to rub some on my fur. It might very well clear out Mr. Cornelia’s sinuses. Oh, the things we shall accomplish today!
Chapter Nine
“We don’t have time for this,” Cassandra replied with irritation as I all but forced her to take a seat at the table with Mr. Palisade. She was shooting daggers his way with a simple glare, so I made sure that she sat across from him. “And I don’t want to be anywhere near this murderer.”
It’s not nice to irritate the man who has come here to eradicate the vampire inhabiting this mountain, Miss Saruman. May I suggest a spot of warm cream? It does wonders for one’s disposition.
“Not now, Pearl,” I muttered, pulling up another chair so that we could all make some small talk before taking that drive deeper i
nto the mountains. Hopefully, Knox had been able to check out those locations on the map and make it back in time to fill us in on which cabin was the site in which I’d seen Orwin’s impending death take place. Knox was going on description only, but it would have to do for now. “Mr. Palisade, we need to come to some sort of arrangement that has you leaving this mountain before the next storm front rolls in. What we do here could very well save your life.”
“Monster?” Frank Palisade practically hissed in disgust, ignoring my request. He was still holding some napkins against the side of his head to blot the wound that had miraculously dissipated. Piper had healed the internal damage, but she’d refrained from closing the laceration completely in fear of someone noticing her magic. She’d played it safe, but I wasn’t so sure we should let the smaller injury heal itself when a vampire could smell fresh blood from a very long distance. “You’re the monsters, sucking the blood out of us humans as if we’re nothing more than an all-you-can-eat buffet.”
Mr. Palisade does have a point, though it’s apparent that he has confused Miss Saruman for one of the undead creatures he seeks. Maybe it would be best to enlighten him before he attempts to take her life and truly regrets such an action.
“Mr. Palisade, she is not a vampire,” I whispered, quickly scooting my chair closer to the table. Orwin shook his head at me to indicate nothing I had to say about the situation was going to change Frank’s opinion of vampires. “What do you know of the supernatural? You seem a bit confused.”
Mr. Cornelia would like you to know that Miss Saruman managed to steal the red pepper off the table. I can only assume that she has memorized the incantation that will bring Mr. Palisade under her control. She might be relatively new in the spell department, but I do so admire her determination.
Red pepper was known for its ability to influence someone’s thoughts and perceptions. Utilized with the right spell, Mr. Palisade could actually be forced to forget this moment and move on with his life.
The Curse that Bites Page 5
