by Mary Abshire
I withdrew my knife and pressed the button. Half doubled over, the vampire stumbled. He'd heal soon. Without waiting, I rushed toward him. He looked up, then I jammed the blade into one of his eyes.
While the vamp growled and held his hands to his face, I ran toward the hole in the wall. I stepped through it and found Kyle lying on his back a few feet away. As I hurried to him, I noticed a piece of wood sticking up from his chest.
"Kyle! Kyle!" I said as I fell to my knees next to him.
He coughed and dark fluid spilled from his mouth. "Run."
My heart thudded fiercely as I stared at a two-inch thick piece of wood sticking up from his torso. If I moved him or the stake, he would die. I hated to admit it, but there was nothing I could do. And that tore me apart inside. I didn't want to lose him, too.
A deep, throaty growl from the barn captured my attention. The vampire moved to the hole in the wall. My time to escape was dwindling.
I looked at Kyle. The gun was still in his hand. I took it and gazed into his eyes. His pupils were dilated. He was staring up.
My lip quivered. I wanted to mourn and scream, but I had to leave. I rose with the gun in my hand, then strode toward the barn at an angle. The vampire stepped through the gap in the wall, then jerked the knife from his eye. I didn't know how many bullets were left, but I hoped it was enough to give me a fighting chance.
The vamp looked at me as he staggered. "Fucking bitch."
The gasoline canisters were within sight since the bloodsucker had moved away from the gap. I raised my arms, then pulled the trigger. The first pop jolted me, but I didn't wait to fire at the containers again.
A thunderous boom erupted. Along with it came a large heatwave. The blast threw me off balance. I landed on my ass, but quickly rolled onto my side. Pieces of wood fell from the sky. Wails of agony carried in the night while flames devoured the vampire and the barn. He flung his arms in the air, as if he could extinguish the fire with wind. When he dropped to his knees, I pushed myself to stand. Debris continued to fall, but only small pieces. He flattened himself on the ground, then rolled. I knew then I had to get away fast.
I ran to the back of the barn to my car. Flames hadn't consumed the back end yet, but it was on fire. I hurried to get behind the wheel and tossed the gun on the floor of the passenger side. Breathing hard, and thankful I'd left the key in the ignition, I started the engine. After shifting the gear, I pressed my foot on the accelerator.
I drove by Kyle's lifeless body and the vampire rolling on the ground. Fire still clung to the bloodsucker, allotting me time to get away. I switched on my lights and sped along the dirt driveway. In my rearview mirror, flames reached high into the sky.
Reaching the main road, I increased the speed of the Mercedes. Every ten to twenty seconds, I checked my mirrors. Not a car came in sight. After several miles, I began rocking in my seat. Grief flooded me. I bit my bottom lip hard, fighting the tears, but they flowed anyway. Two of my dearest friends were gone. Forever. All because of me.
For many more miles, I chastised myself. I should've demanded that Drake stay with me. I could have threatened him even. Back in Alaska, I shouldn't have asked him to bring Dani to us. I should've let her live her own life, regardless of her struggles. She would've survived. And if I hadn't contacted Kyle, he would be alive. I hated myself, hated I'd brought death to those I'd loved.
Head throbbing, I glanced at the empty seat next to me. In a matter of seconds, I realized I'd left my bag in the barn. It had the notebook with names to contact, bank information, dates and times for meeting Drake, as well as my cell phone, money, identification, and the few items that were most valuable to me. Except for the ring on my finger Drake had given me, and I'd never part with it. Although I had some cash hidden in the car, the funds wouldn't last long.
"Fuck." I hit the steering wheel. Now, I was in the deep end of shit creek.
While I continued driving, I considered my options. I refused to risk any other human lives. The names of the people Drake trusted were now gone, burning in the barn. I knew of one man who could help me, but the price for his assistance would undoubtedly be steep. I disliked the idea of going to him because I would be risking his life. I'd spent a month watching Kyle and had thought he was safe. I never considered a bloodsucker would tamper with his mind and force him to restrain me long enough for a vamp to appear. It was a grave lesson I would never forget. But Kyle was human. The man I thought about contacting couldn't be manipulated by vampire mind tricks. He also had a handy skill to kill vampires with. He was a full-blooded demon and he despised vampires.
Was I willing to risk his life? He was strong. He was a fighter. He could torch a vamp with his touch. He could defend himself with ease and he had plenty of experience doing so. The million-dollar question was would he be willing to help me? He once would've done anything to protect me. He had the means and willpower, just as Drake had. Would Jeremy feel the same after five years?
I took in a deep, painful breath and gripped the wheel. My options were limited. As much as I disliked the idea of contacting the demon, my gut thought it was my best choice. Decision made, I took the next exit in a big city. I needed to rest and formulate a plan before showing up on Jeremy's doorstep.
Chapter Three
The crowd cheered loudly for the home team. I leaned against the rail on the walkway, above a plethora of seats, staring at the ice rink. The hockey game at the Pittsburgh Penguins stadium had sold out once playoffs had started. Acquiring a ticket in a decent location hadn't been easy, or cheap. My supply of cash was quickly shrinking.
The crowd continued to roar and dance to the beat blasting from the speakers. A Penguin player had scored a goal. Everyone appeared happy.
"Can I help you, miss?" a woman with a uniform and badge asked. She glanced at the ticket in my hand.
"Yes, I'm a little late and I'm not sure where to go." I showed her the flimsy paper with my seat assignment.
"Row G, seat 13," she said, then moved her gaze down the rows below. "I think you're not far from the penalty box. Follow me."
Just my luck, I'd purchased a seat in a location where Jeremy might actually see me. I wasn't sure if I was glad or not. When I’d first met Jeremy, he was an instigator for the Chicago Blackhawks, which meant he typically spent a lot of time in the box for starting fights. But I'd learned over the last few weeks that they'd transferred him three years ago to the Penguins. Now he played for them and his position hadn't changed. Was I ready for the demon to see me? My answer was still unclear.
The attendant stopped, then faced me with her arm extended. "Here you go."
I inhaled a deep breath while the spectators in their seats rose. "Thanks," I told her, then squeezed into the row.
Finding only one vacant yellow seat, I headed toward it. The woman on one side gathered her coat and purse. I reached my destination and gave her a brief grin before I sat.
Ready or not, I'd showed up to the game. Over the last two and half weeks, I'd contemplated how to contact Jeremy. I followed and watched him to help me decide and to see if any vampires were tracking him. When he wasn't at home, he spent most of his time at practice. After playoffs started, he was at his house less. Twice he'd visited a bar and left with women. I'd almost gone inside to grab a drink and observe him from a distance, but I knew he'd sense me. So, I stayed in my vehicle and waited. From what I could see, he was living a normal life as a hockey player. More importantly, he didn't have a bloodsucker spying on him. I was the only stalker.
Hockey players skated up and down the ice. One guy slapped the puck and sent it shooting to the other end of the rink. Jeremy rushed out from the team's bench and chased after the round disk. Even wearing a helmet and visor, I picked him out with ease. Okay, the number on his jersey helped too. He caught up with the puck, then hit it. Other players rushed to catch it. A New York Ranger on the other side of the protective glass six rows in front of me stopped the disk. He fought with his stick against a Penguin p
layer for control of the puck. In a blink of an eye, Jeremy smashed the Ranger to the glass. Jeremy's teammate took the disk and the crowd shouted their praise.
The beat of my heart accelerated as I witnessed the event just a few feet in front of me. It was the closest I'd been to Jeremy in over five years. When I'd last seen and spoken to him, it was at the airport in New York. We'd said our goodbyes and I’d left with Drake. On occasion, I’d wondered what had become of him, but I never attempted to contact him. We'd been friends, but he'd always tried to win me over from Drake, no matter how many times I told him I loved the vampire. Saying farewell had been difficult for him, thus one reason why I never tried to send him a message.
Jeremy skated by the glass, then stopped in the middle of the rink. An opponent rushed toward him. Jeremy watched him approaching. The Ranger shoved his shoulder into Jeremy, but didn't force him off balance. Jeremy pushed back and brought the Ranger's stick up. The two separated, then spewed heated words to each other.
The referee blew a whistle and time on the clock stopped. He pointed to Jeremy. The demon tossed his arm up and said something to the ref. Then, Jeremy skated toward the penalty box, shaking his head.
He entered the glass-enclosed area, then removed his helmet. The demon looked as if he'd changed very little over the years, whereas I'd modified my appearance multiple times because of being on the run. Jeremy had let his hair grow out on his face, but kept it trimmed. The light brown beard and mustache made him look slightly older. He was still tall, muscular, and handsome. Me, on the other hand, I looked completely different. I doubted he would recognize me if he saw me. I'd bleached my locks after running into the vampire in Indy and I'd lost more weight. The stress of being on the run was taking a toll on my appetite. Not to mention, the deaths of my friends and lack of communication with Drake also contributed to my lack of interest in food. I really needed to find away to get more substance in me to keep my strength up. Protein bars wouldn't work forever.
Jeremy grabbed a bottle from the side of the penalty box, then squirted liquid into his mouth. As he returned the container, he looked at the crowd. My heart gained beats as he scanned the audience. Was I ready? Would he see me? What would he do if he did?
He sat down and returned his attention toward the rink. He appeared calm, watching the game. As far as I could tell, he hadn't noticed me. I breathed a little easier.
The penalty clock ticked down. When time neared for him to leave the box, he stood and put on his helmet. Mere seconds away from returning to the game, he turned my way. He stared at me while he strapped his headgear. Then, he dashed out of the box and onto the ice.
My eyes bulged and my pulse raced. He'd seen me. In fact, he had to have taken notice when he scanned the crowd earlier. How did he find me among the mass? How could he recognize me? How could he appear so calm? Yes, I sensed other demons in the arena, but I couldn't single him out if I tried. So how could he pick me out from the audience?
Jeremy skated by and glanced my way. He repeated his efforts a few more times before the buzzer sounded. Players headed off the ice. Jeremy was one of the last to exit. He stepped off the rink, stick in hand, then gazed at me from across the rink. Yeah, he recognized me. There was no doubt about it. After a minute of watching each other, he disappeared with the rest of his team.
Intermission allotted me time to consider my next move. I contemplated if I should leave. Jeremy's calm attitude and reserved expression left me to wonder if he was happy to see me or not. He never smiled. He didn't wave. All I got was a closed-lip stare. I started to question if I had done the right thing by showing up at the game. It was playoff time. I didn't want to be a distraction. Playing hockey was his profession.
People around me rose from their seats and proceeded up the steps to the concession area. When the lady next to me got up, I decided to do the same. The heat from other demons, along with my own emotional state, had caused me to perspire. I needed air.
Bodies crowded the hallways, pathways, concessions, and the bathrooms. After a fifteen-minute walk to the restroom, I spent another ten waiting to release my bladder. I returned to the arena, but stopped off to the side, above the rows of seats. The last period had begun and the Penguins were still ahead. I searched for Jeremy on the ice. When I couldn't find his number, I looked at the team bench. Leaning an arm over the half wall and holding a hockey stick, he stared straight at me. I knew at that moment that I was a distraction.
I spun and walked out of the arena.
* * *
Sitting in my parked car, I waited for the herd of traffic to leave. The game had ended at least thirty minutes ago and the Penguins had won. Everyone appeared happy and shouted their praises for the team while I reclined in my Mercedes, window cracked open for air. I'd watched him enough over the last two and half weeks to learn his routines. About an hour and a half after a game, he'd stroll out from the back of the arena. He'd retrieve his car, parked on the lot, then head to his house in the suburbs. Suburbia hadn't been his style when I first met him. Maybe he had changed some.
Now that he'd seen me, I had to approach him. Well, technically, I didn't have to, but the timing was right. I'd decided to contact him, so it was fitting that I follow through. Besides, if anyone on earth could help me, it was him. After all the cars were gone, I would move mine to the street and wait. Then, I'd stroll to the back door of the arena and catch him leaving.
Fear of the unknown clouded my actions. How would he respond once he'd seen me up close and personal? Would he respond with a smile? Would he tell me to fuck off? I had no clues to guide me. Regardless, I had to seek his assistance. Dread filled me each time I thought about the price I'd have to pay, so I avoided pondering about it. I'd do anything to get Drake back. At the very least, I needed to know if he was still walking the earth. How to accomplish my goal remained unclear, but like Drake, Jeremy had connections. That's one reason why I knew he could help me.
For forty-five minutes, I sat in my car, then I drove out of the public garage. I circled the arena twice before I located a parking spot off the street, two blocks from the stadium. After I secured the alarm, I pushed my hands into the pockets of my vest and headed down the sidewalk.
The cold air soothed my heated skin and helped calm my nerves. Although I wore nothing attractive, just a long-sleeved shirt under my vest, jeans, and sneakers, I still acquired several sexual comments by people driving by. Why did people assume blonde-haired women walking alone late at night were hookers? I should've considered a different color for my hair, but it was the last one I hadn't tried before.
I reached the surface lot for the players and strode across it, heading for the door to the arena. A guard stood near the exit and was chatting with a couple young ladies. They looked more like prostitutes than I did as they were dressed in provocative and very revealing clothing. I stopped a row of cars away from them to avoid unwanted conversation or a public scene. After a scan of the area, I located Jeremy's SUV. I strode toward it.
For ten minutes, I waited near his vehicle. Leaning against the sedan parked next to his car, I watched the arena door. Players exited one at a time. A few stopped to talk and sign autographs for the ladies. Snowflakes started to fall, but they were tiny and melted the minute they reached a hard surface. Yawning, I looked around for vampires. I hadn't sensed any, but I still remained on high alert.
I was gazing at the street when I heard a woman call out Jeremy's name. I shifted my attention to the arena. Jeremy was heading my way, carrying a bag in one hand and swirling keys in his other. He wore jeans and thin, long-sleeved gray shirt. Our eyes locked and I stiffened. He continued toward his SUV, never smiling, never frowning, and never taking his gaze off me. Damn it, I wished I knew what he was thinking.
His SUV chirped and the lights flashed. My pulse sped as I watched and waited. What would I say? Either stress or fear took control of me and my mind drew a blank. I had no fucking clue what to tell him. He opened his door, tossed his bag inside, the
n settled into his vehicle. The engine hummed and the break lights illuminated. In less than twenty seconds, he'd backed out and had driven away.
I stared with wide eyes at the empty exit to the street. The bastard left me. He'd stared straight at me and ignored me. Why?
I pressed my lips together and looked up at the dark sky. Clearly my appearance was not a happy one for him. The demon was either upset or angry from when we'd parted over five years ago. That had to be the answer as to why he’d driven off. Walking away had been more difficult for him than I'd thought, or he was mad because I hadn't contacted him in so long. Either way, getting help from him would require a major sacrifice.
"Fuck," I said into the night.
Since my plan to contact Jeremy had taken a detour, I decided to return to my car. I left the surface lot, then proceeded down the sidewalk. With each step, despair grew within my heart. If Jeremy didn't want to talk to me, then I had no hope of finding Drake. There was no one else I could turn to. Head down, I fought tears bubbling in my eyes. I had nowhere to go, no friends, and very little money. My life seemed worthless.
I stepped off the curb, then walked around my car. As I reached for the handle, an SUV came to a quick halt beside me. The tinted window lowered and I saw Jeremy gripping the steering wheel.
"Get in," he said in a commanding tone.
I swallowed hard and quickly considered what to do. In his current state of mind, any conversation regarding a bargain with him would not be a good one. But I had no other options. I hated being in such desolation. Damn it, my life sucked and I was beyond all hope.
Inhaling a deep breath, I tucked my keys back inside my pocket. I opened the passenger door of the SUV, then hopped inside. Dread consumed me as the window rose, closing me inside. I'd thought my life was a living hell so far, but I had a feeling once I bargained with Jeremy, I'd find out a deeper, more accurate meaning of the phrase.
