by Niranjan K
Alistair shrugged. “Don’t blame yourself for something that wasn’t really in your control.” he said. He could feel Aiden’s pain through the bond. “Perhaps you should try dating, you know? Try and have a normal life?”
“Fool some poor human into thinking I’m one of them?” Aiden made a face. “Solid basis for a relationship, isn’t it? That was one of the reasons why I never could break it off with Eve. She… she knew what I was, and it made no difference.”
“Let’s not forget that if not for the treaty, she would have been more likely to stake you than accept you?” Alistair said, rolling his eyes. “I wish I could manipulate the bond to make you fall out of love with her.”
“Wait, you can do that?”
“If you were younger,” Alistair said. “The bond cannot create attachments, but it can make people forget them. Why do you think so many people choose to become vampires immediately after suffering a loss?”
“Ah… you never used to do that.”
Alistair rang the bell. “It seemed manipulative to use people’s emotional distress.”
“Jon wouldn’t say that.” Aiden said.
“Jon and I are two different people,” Alistair said. “It’s not that he’s bad, he’s just-” He shrugged, unable to come with the right thing to say about his brother.
“He’s Jon.” Aiden said.
The door opened and Daphne stood there.
“Hi,” Aiden said, sounding so extremely awkward that Alistair looked away. He could feel Aiden’s embarrassment and he sent reassurance through the bond. “I’m Aiden, I don’t know if you remember me.”
“I do.” Daphne said. “Come inside, won’t you? Alistair already has an invitation.”
Aiden looked stunned and Alistair smiled inwardly. The Haspels were unorthodox in many ways. This was one house where vampires would be invited in, but that was not for the reasons one thought.
“Aiden,” he said since Aiden looked like he was frozen.
“Thank you.” Aiden said as he stepped inside, followed by Alistair.
Aiden looked around curiously while Alistair followed Daphne to the couch, asking softly. “How’re you feeling?”
“Better actually.” she said. “Talking to the children… Alistair, it helped both of us. I’m not saying I’m all right, but it feels like I can breathe without falling apart.”
“It’s a start.” he said.
“I love all the art pieces.” Aiden said. “Juniper?”
“It was Ned’s father.” she said. “I mean, his family had some of those for generations, but when he moved here, he made this collection. Figured if he was going to have to invite vampires in, there should at least be some protection in place.”
How can you stand being here? Aiden asked through the bond. I thought I was used to being around Juniper, but this is overkill. Don't you feel sick? It almost makes me want to puke.
I’m used to being around it. Alistair replied. The bond was probably the only thing the Juniper didn’t affect, other than their speed. You can be sick, but there’s a Juniper frame to the bathroom mirror.
Wouldn’t surprise me. I feel like they’re the ones in control, even though they invited us in.
In the poem, the spider invites the fly into the parlour.
Aiden huffed out a laugh, startling Daphne, and Aiden blushed and said, “Sorry, just…” He drew a deep breath. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” he said. “I didn’t hear in time, or I would have been here for the funeral.”
“It’s all right.” Daphne said. “Is your daughter with you?”
There was longing in her tone and her eyes, but Alistair was certain he was the only one to notice it.
“No, ma’am.” Aiden said. “She’s back in West Brockland, staying with a friend whose Mom offered to look after her while I was away.”
“It’s good you have people to turn to.” Daphne said. “You… would you be having any pictures?”
Aiden nodded, looking surprised. “Yes. Yes, I do have some on my phone.”
Alistair was also treated to the sight of a little girl in pigtails, maybe around 6, in various places, in a school uniform, at a park, riding a roundabout, eating ice cream, laughing with friends, blowing bubbles… Daphne’s voice wasn’t quite steady when she handed the phone back to Aiden.
“Thank you,” she said. “She… she has Eve’s eyes.”
“She does.” Aiden agreed, “But who she really looks like is my Mom. I have this old picture of her as a child. It’s the only thing I have from my human days, and Jess looks almost exactly like that.”
Daphne smiled. “Jess.” she said. “It’s a beautiful name.” She hesitated. “Would you mind terribly if I were to visit sometimes? Ned and I wanted to, but we didn’t know where you lived and we didn’t want to use the usual channels, and we weren’t sure how you would react.”
The usual channels would mean hunter channels which they used to find vampires they were hunting. They could probably find any vampire they had the name of, but Alistair appreciated that they didn’t. From what he could feel through the bond, Aiden did too.
“Sure,” Aiden said softly. “She’s your grandchild. She would like to meet you too. Keeps asking me. I’m sort of getting tired of all the lies.”
“Wait till she’s old enough.” Daphne said, her voice gentle. “She’ll have to learn you’re a vampire someday, and… you just have to wait till she’s able to understand.”
Aiden nodded. “Thank you, and I could bring her over for a visit. We always take a trip when she has breaks. We could come here. You don’t have to come all the way up there.”
“Thank you,” Daphne smiled. “I’d love that.”
A noise in the stairs like someone stumbled into something and a moment later, a stranger appeared, rubbing his forehead. “I bumped into the wall,” he said. “Lost my footing in the stairs. I’ve shitty balance. Sorry.”
“That’s all right, Jerry,” Daphne smiled fondly at the man.
So, this was Jerry Hu, Ray's producer and friend. Alistair observed him with interest. He looked a nice enough guy, a bit of a walking disaster, probably, but Ray needed people like that.
“I didn't know you had visitors.” Jerry said. “Sorry again.”
Inept or pretending? Alistair would think a bit of both. Had Ray and Eve sent Jerry to spy on him and Aiden? Or only Aiden? Or was he imagining things? Surely, they wouldn't send a civilian to spy on two vampires?
“Alistair here is a family friend.” Daphne said. “And Aiden is also an old friend. Alistair, Aiden, this is Jerry, Ray's friend from Miriwok.”
“Jerry Hu.” Jerry held out his hand. “Don't say it. Just call me Jerry. Saves everyone the aggravation.”
“Alistair Jerrod,” It wasn't always he used his real name, and it felt strange to his mouth. He shook hands with Jerry.
“Aiden Brick.” Aiden shook hands with him. “First visit to Vrelsk?”
Jerry nodded.
“I've heard your name,” Aiden said thoughtfully. “Wait a minute, you're the producer of A Ray of Sunshine, aren't you?”
Jerry nodded, a look of interest in his eyes. “You watch the show?”
“My daughter loves it.” Aiden said. “Tries all the recipes. The Ray in the show is your son?” turning to Daphne.
Daphne nodded. “I like the show too.” she said.
Jerry looked pleased. “Well, if you're friends of the family, perhaps you can convince Ray to sign his renewal contract.” he said. “He says he's got this thing he has to do, but he won't say what it is and he says he doesn't know how long it's going to take. I mean, let's be honest here. Ray is our biggest attraction. I wouldn't be surprised if the network cancelled the show if he pulls out.”
Daphne smiled. “It's Ray's decision, Jerry, and I'm sure he wouldn't have taken it lightly. I'm sorry, but I won't interfere in this.”
“Well, no harm in asking.” Jerry said, plopping down on an armchair. “So, what do you two do for a living? Wh
ere are you from?”
“I live across the street,” Alistair said. “I dabble in the occult.”
Jerry must be the first human he had met who didn’t make some inane remark on hearing the word occult. Alistair was expecting that and now he felt cheated which was even more amusing than Jerry’s non reaction.
“I'm a teacher,” Aiden said. “In West Brockland.”
“That's?”
“To the north,” Aiden said. “The mountains.”
“Sorry, not too good at Geography,” Jerry said, an apologetic smile on his face.
“Ray is leaving tomorrow,” Daphne said. “Eve will be leaving the day after. Dan and Anton said they could stay a while longer, but it's going to be strange, having the house all to myself.”
“Um... Jess' winter break starts two weeks from now.” Aiden said. “I could bring her over for a visit, if that's all right with you.”
Daphne looked completely stunned “You… you'd do that?”
“Sure; we hadn't finalised where to go this year. This is as good a place as any.”
“I feel like I'm missing something.” Jerry whispered to Alistair.
“Nothing important.” Alistair said.
“Mom, is Alistair there?” Ray's voice was heard and his steps on the stairs and why was his heart racing?
“Yes,” Daphne replied just as Ray walked in, and Alistair felt his breath catch. Aiden gave him a sideways glance but Alistair couldn't have looked away from Ray even if he had wanted to. It was so incredible that he had managed to survive without Ray for so long.
“I need your help.” Ray told him. “I'm stealing him, Mom. Hope that's okay. Hey Jerry.”
Jerry waved absently from his chair, engrossed in texting someone. Ray gave Aiden a curious glance.
“Have you met Aiden?” Daphne asked.
“Raymond Haspel.” Ray smiled at Aiden and held out his hand. “Eve told me about you. Sorry about the deal you got.”
“Aiden Brick.” Aiden shook hands with him. “Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Ray turned to Alistair. “So, please? I need some help.”
As if he ever could deny Ray. “Sure,” He rose. “If you'll all excuse me.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ray lay in the crook of his arm, his breath still heaving and his heart pounding. “I needed that.” he said.
“So did I,” Alistair murmured, kissing him. “But is this why you asked me here?”
“Nope,” Ray sat up and turned, giving Alistair a close up view of his bare back. “I found something, and I needed your input.”
Alistair pulled him back to him. “Later,” he said.
“What if-”
“Shut up,” Alistair said, kissing him. “You do realise that Aiden would have heard us?” At least he had had the sense to mask the bond.
“Oh,” Ray said, and Alistair was both amused and exasperated at the horror that dawned on his face. “OH!”
“I adore how you never think things through.” Alistair murmured, pulling him back to him and kissing him.
“I love you,” Ray said, and he pushed himself away. “I can't think when you look at me like that, so… this is important, all right?”
Alistair sighed and lay on his back, his eyes on the ceiling. “All right. Tell me.”
“I found a connection between the victims. It's a weird one, though.”
“Tell.”
“They all have B positive blood.”
“B-” Alistair frowned as he turned to face Ray again which was a mistake because Ray looked so utterly delectable he forgot what he was about to say.
“Alistair,” Ray murmured, as he launched himself on him.
“What happened to important?” Alistair asked between kisses.
“Yes, but this seems more important right now.”
Alistair laughed. “Won't Daphne be wondering what's happening?”
“I don't think so.” Ray murmured. “She'll be too happy I'm talking to you. Now shut up unless you want me to stop.”
He definitely didn't want that.
“So,” he said when his brain started working again, “B positive. Definitely a vampire then.”
“That's what I think too,” Ray said. “But it doesn't make any sense, even for a vampire. I mean, it's one of the most common blood groups. There must be hundreds with that group, if not thousands in Criston and Bredol. Why these people?”
Alistair frowned as he sat up. “That's right, but choosing people by blood groups… that's got to be a vampire? I mean, how would a human even get access to that kind of information?”
“Maybe that is the common thread,” Ray said. “Humans won't have access to what blood type everyone has, so they have to restrict their victims based on knowledge. But vampires… they can smell the type even. So, what would cause them to pick and choose?” He looked at Alistair. “I asked Magnus to look into the medical histories of the victims and their families, talked to Grimes over the phone and asked him about the blood types of the families and neighbours. Fun fact. Half the witnesses had the same blood group.”
“So, it could be a human.” Alistair said. It was disturbing. Ray was a hunter. He was not equipped to deal with human serial killers. “Don't you think it's a case for the police if so?”
Ray nodded. “If so, yes, but somehow… I know that logic seems to indicate that it's probably a human, but… my gut tells me this is a vampire. Grimes sent me close ups of the wounds.” He picked up his phone from the floor and opened the gallery and showed Alistair. “If you zoom in, you can see those edges. The medical examiner said it had to be an animal, and I don't know of any man-made weapons that can do that. Also, there's the inescapable fact that the entire neighbourhood was put to sleep.”
“A sleeping drug in the water supply could do that.” Alistair said. “What about how they gained entry?”
“That has been a sticking point so far, since I can only surmise here that they hypnotised someone to invite them in, but since whoever it was is not likely to remember, there's no way to confirm it.”
Alistair wouldn't discount Ray's gut. Vampire hunters had a sixth sense where vampires were concerned and Haspels had even more senses than usual. If Ray felt it was a vampire, it had to be, no matter what logic or reason dictated. He skimmed through the pictures in the gallery, stopping at one. It was the interior of a house. “Is this one of the crime scenes?” he asked.
Ray looked at it, his breath ghosting Alistair's shoulder. “Yes.”
Alistair zoomed in a bonsai in the corner. “Recognise that?”
Ray sucked in a breath. “It's a juniper!”
“This can't be a vampire, Ray,” Alistair said. “I mean, we… our powers don't really work around juniper. You know that.”
But Ray was not listening. He had taken the phone and was skimming through the images.
“There was juniper in every house,” he said. “Carved statue, ashtray, ornamental bowl, bonsai, coaster set, and the final one, the girl who was killed last had a necklace of juniper beads.”
“That's weird?” Alistair said thoughtfully. “I mean, other than hunters, most people don't use juniper that much. That is no coincidence, Ray.”
Ray was already out of the bed and putting on his clothes. Alistair too got up, using his speed to dress so that he was finished by the time Ray was pulling on his jeans.
“Show off.” Ray said as he grabbed a book from the shelf and handed it to him. “Find me the section on juniper? It doesn't have an index and I don't have the patience to go through the entire thing.”
Alistair found it within moments and they read it together.
“So, juniper doesn't lose its ability to repel vampires and dampen their powers even in bonsai forms and wooden beads,” Ray said. “Which I already knew, but good to have confirmation. It also says juniper is popular both for Bonsai purposes and for carving.”
“And there are two groups of vampires who are more or less immune
to their effects,” Alistair said. “One is the very young, who are still in their feral stage, who have no conscious control over their powers, and the other are those like me who are old and have been exposed to juniper long enough to develop some kind of immunity. But I can tell you right now that I think that second part is bullshit, because I don't yet know how to use my powers with juniper around.”
“You used your speed just now.” Ray pointed out.
“That's just about the only thing that works,” Alistair said. “I guess it’s so we can run away if someone traps us with juniper and attempts to stake us.”
“Things balance out, I suppose,” Ray said. “But if this is right, and let us for a moment assume it is. It does say that the exposure it talks about is constant and consistent through centuries, which is not so in your case. So, assuming what it says is true, we have either a feral vampire which is borne out by the manner of the kills, or an old one, which would explain the way everyone was put to sleep.”
It did seem as though Ray was twisting the facts to fit the “killer is a vampire” theory, but Alistair wasn't going to point it out. Somehow, he believed Ray was right. He had been in the vicinity of Haspels long enough to know just how good they were at their chosen vocation.
“Can I come with you when you go back?” he asked. “I don't like the idea of you tackling this alone.”
Ray nodded. “I could use the back up. I just hope Mom won't be too lonely with even you gone.”
“I don't think she'll be. Aiden was promising to bring her granddaughter on a visit in two weeks.”
“What?” Ray stared at him. “My niece is coming here?”
“Aiden has pictures.” Alistair said.
“Give me his number,” Ray demanded. “I need those in my phone.”
Ray wants your number and the pictures of his niece, he told Aiden.
Give it to him. Aiden replied. You and I need to talk.
This is not something I'm ready to discuss.
Your funeral. But seriously, a Haspel?
Look who's talking.
I guess that's fair, but just be careful, Alistair. I don't want you to be where I am now, pining for someone you can't have.
