The Nightling: Darkness Within

by Danae Ayusso

  That was the sweetest thing ever!

  Giovanni was right in front of Tybalt.

  I groaned. “My annoying brother is directly in front of you, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he has a crush on you, too.”

  A smile filled Tybalt’s face. “You have a crush on me?” he asked, looking at me, his eyes sparkling.

  Giovanni and I both whimpered. “Oh Goddess you are so hot when you smile like that,” we said in unison before my hands covered my mouth.

  “For once we’re in agreement about something, Shawny,” Giovanni said. “I am impressed. Can I see him naked?”

  “Polpetto!” I gasped. “That’s rude. No, you can’t see him naked. I swear, you aren’t coming out of the closet, instead you’re blowing that thing up!”

  Tybalt chuckled, shaking his head. “You two are funny.”

  “I like him!” Giovanni beamed. “Can he take us home, to his home?” he wagged his brows.

  I shook my head in warning.

  Out front a fancy car for hire was waiting and Tybalt got the door for me.

  “Is it far?” I asked.

  “Is what far?”

  “Where we’re going?” I clarified. “It’s a beautiful night and I wouldn’t mind walking, if that’s okay.”

  Tybalt smiled and closed the door then motioned the driver away. “I wasn’t sure if you could walk distances in heels, not many can outside of a professional capacity,” he teased.

  I chuckled. “Yes, I know. My old job required heels, the boss was adamant that his girls wore them at all times.”

  Giovanni shook his head, making a face.

  “Even casual Fridays didn’t apply there. It was shorts skirts and six-inch heels minimum otherwise you were fired,” I said.

  The shoulders of the man walking next to me heaved with contained laughter.

  “Oh, Sis, you are so adorable in an innocent way,” Giovanni cooed, shaking his head.

  “What?” I asked, embarrassed. “Does it surprise you that I was a working girl?”

  ‘Prostitutes are working girls and the working class ladies he was speaking of wearing heels,’ Andrei informed me.

  My hands covered my mouth.

  That isn’t what I meant!

  ‘It may not be what you meant but it is what you said.’

  Stay out of my head on my date!

  ‘Nyte.’

  Could I make myself look any more like a spaz then I already have?!

  “I worked in accounting, not prostitution,” I clarified. “Polpetto, stop laughing!” I shrieked, swinging at my brother and my fist passed through him. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I meant, the hooker thing, and I didn’t mean to swing at you, Polpetto. Would you stop?”

  Tybalt threw his head back when he laughed, and pulled me into him even more. “You are adorable, Shawn. Truly adorable.”

  I’m glad someone thinks so because at the moment I felt like a complete and utter spaz that needed to up the meds she wasn’t even prescribed!

  “Such a troubled little vampire,” Giovanni said, shaking his head, walking on the other side of me with his hands in his pockets. “But at least you have amazing taste in eye candy.”

  I’m going to ignore my brother…

  At least attempt to.

  “You did accounting for a real piece of work,” Tybalt said as we walked down the sidewalk arm in arm. “Why? You’re better than that.”

  “Yeah, Sis, why did you?” my pesky brother asked, knowingly.

  I shrugged. “There wasn’t much for a high school dropout to do in a big city like Seattle,” I admitted. “After Giovanni died, I was left to fend for myself and I refused to be at my step-dad’s hands… Sorry, Polpetto. Calm down, no reason to lose your temper. It’s a nice night and maybe we can see that cute blond that can see you. Would that calm you down?”

  Giovanni glared at me.

  “Please?” I pleaded. “It’s my first actual, non-setup blind date, date, Polpetto, and I have a vampire stuck in my head, I called myself a hooker by mistake, with this dress the risk of a wardrobe malfunction is great, and I’m being chaperoned by my brother, my dead brother. Can’t you make an attempt to not make it anymore awkward than it already is?”

  The corners of Giovanni’s full lips twitched in amusement before he nodded his agreement.

  Tybalt looked at me, concern on his face.

  “It’s okay. Vanni will calm down, we might have to make a detour though. Back to the original discussion; I came across a job listing on a message board at a coffee shop in Tukwila when I was filling out an application to sling coffee there. Never did I imagine I’d get the job, but the advert was in code and it amused me.”

  “Code?” Tybalt asked with a look on his face.

  I nodded. “A numerical code. If you could solve it, you got the job. I solved it and got the job. I really like numbers, and could have gotten a scholarship if I tried. There’s many big schools back east that focus on mathematics, and they are always trying to diversify, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Fast forward a few years, and I was still there until Andrei turned in my letter of resignation, at least I think he did, and I no longer work there. Maybe that’s why I’m sleeping as much as I am,” I admitted, just realizing it.

  “What do you mean?” Tybalt asked, suddenly concerned instead of amused.

  I shrugged. “I was working myself to death. Ron had me working seventy-hours a week, six days a week, and usually on Sundays if he could corner me before I ran out the door. Of course he used the fact I was a dropout and runaway against me. Saying yes to working longer hours for no additional pay and wearing high heels and skirts every day was easier than putting up with his sexual advances and stomach turning perversion and racism.”

  “Nothing is worth that kind of harassment and hostile work environment and life, Shawn,” Tybalt scolded. “No one should be terrified and scared of their boss, of not being able to tell them no and have to live in fear of what they’d do in return because of it. No one deserves that, Shawn, especially you. No job is worth that.”

  Now someone tells me.

  Giovanni raised his hand. “That’s what I told her, nonstop. I even tried to haunt that sick pervert, but I’m a mess of a ghost that can’t do shit.”

  I glared at him; oh but he can annoy his baby sister to no end though. “Stop,” I hissed. “Thanks, not many guys think like that, Tybalt,” I said. “It kept a really crappy roof over my head, I could afford tickets to the matinee in the park, and it got me some cool vintage shoes and pieces Andrei let me keep, so there’s that I suppose.”

  “Isn’t the matinee in the park free?” he asked with a smirk.

  “I’m a cheap date,” I said with a shrug. “Not in the hooker way though.”

  “I’d never do you the injustice,” Tybalt promised before chuckling. “If you want to go shoe shopping, I know a few boutiques that cater to those with exceptional vintage taste,” he offered.

  That’s really sweet of him.

  “Sis, you better ask him to marry you before I do,” Giovanni warned in a singsong tone.

  It is getting really hard to ignore him.

  Of course Tybalt’s offer made me blush. “I’ll have to remember that. This is the longest I’ve gone in years without working, and I think that’s why I’ve been sleeping so much. I’ve been catching up on sleep. It’s been nice, but I’m ready to start earning my keep again. I like working. I like doing something with myself and spending my time constructively. Sleeping and being held captive in a church really isn’t doing much for me.”

  Tybalt chuckled. “Later we can talk more about it, and if you want a job I can help you find one. I have a few business ventures that would benefit from a numbers’ girl like you. No high heels required,” he promised, softly knocking into me and I smiled.

  Giovanni groaned. “Ugh! I want a hottie, too,” he whined.

  Sometimes having a brother was a pain in the butt.

  “Do we have time to
stop by and see Alder?” I asked. “I could really use some coffee and I need to thank him for helping with Andrei, and it was a compromise I made with my annoying brother to not be as annoying, which he hasn’t held up his end of the agreement in the least, but I have to hold up to mine since he stopped trying to smack you in the butt as you walk. He has a bit of a crush on Alder and I’m hoping it’ll reel in his out of control ghosty libido.”

  Giovanni smiled wide.

  Tybalt chuckled. “Of course. I take it Luka took a detour through the Galleria of Light and that’s where you came across Alder’s shop?” he surmised.

  I nodded then shrugged. “That’s what Connor said he did. She was annoyed that he was detouring as he was, but I think she was more annoyed because of where she surmised he was taking me. Honestly, I’m not sure where he was taking me but I’m glad she intercepted us. I really owe her. Not to mention, I owe her big time for introducing me to Alder and his amazing food! It is honestly something I can never repay her for.”

  For some reason Tybalt gave me a look.

  “You are eating regular food?” he asked, sounding surprised.

  I nodded. “It was delicious. Why the look?”

  He shrugged. “It’s… I’m not a vampire, obviously, and I was born like this so I’m not the expert in what to expect when it comes to fledglings or those that go from human to evolved, as some call it, but in my limited experience they can’t eat regular food without getting deathly ill.”

  My eyes widened.

  “Why?” I asked.

  Again, he shrugged. “A vampire’s body only needs blood to sustain it, and when you introduce something else, something not liquid and that requires a different type of digestion, the body rebels in a matter of speaking and tries to purge it from their system-”

  “That’s why they don’t poop?” I asked.

  Tybalt tripped over his feet, quickly catching himself then looked at me with wide eyes before he started laughing hysterically.

  That wasn’t an answer.

  “You are too much,” he eventually said, pulling me into him and hugged me.

  Not sure what to do, I hugged him back.

  “Thanks?” I offered.

  Again, he chuckled, shaking his head before kissing the top of my head. “Simply adorable,” he whispered against my hair.

  When we eventually got to the alley, Tybalt offered a warm smile before stepping over the invisible line and pulled me along with him.

  Giovanni was excited to be out where others could see him, with his people, as he called them now. This was as close to living as he got now, so he was going to enjoy it as if there’s no tomorrow; that’s why he was spinning around and singing. There was a sense of lightheartedness in my brother that I missed, and it made me realize that I needed him more than I knew, especially now that my life expectancy had increased exponentially. I needed to figure out how to un-church the church so I could see my brother when indoors because I needed him more than ever.

  “You okay?” Tybalt asked. “You’re quiet all of a sudden. It isn’t the company, is it?” he teased.

  “Not at all,” I assured him, watching an old woman outside of a bookstore dance with Giovanni; it was more than obvious she could see him.

  Tybalt looked around, noting the looks many were giving us. “No one will hurt you here,” he promised, thinking that was the problem. “It’d be suicide to touch my date.”

  Death and romance is not my favorite combo.

  “That’s creepy and sweet, but that isn’t what my problem is,” I said. “I just didn’t realize how much I needed my brother. He was always there for me, always protected me, and when he died I wanted to follow so I wouldn’t be alone. Knowing he’s here with me still makes me more accepting of being forced into the immortal life I’ve been shoved. I wish you could see him,” I said, dabbing the tear from the corner of my eye. “He’s Dirty Dancing style dancing with an old lady… Oh please, don’t attempt the lift!” I called out the latter. “You’re a ghost!”

  Giovanni stuck his tongue out at me before trying to caress the old woman’s cheek with the backs of his airy fingers then blew her a kiss before heading back over to us.

  Tybalt smiled but didn’t press it.

  “You are a flirt and a half!” I hissed under my breath, and Giovanni smiled wide. “Not funny. It was bad enough I had to deal with that in Usk, but I really don’t want to deal with it here as well. Ew.”

  Giovanni wagged his brows.

  Back home, there wasn’t a woman that didn’t flirt with my brother, and he was more than happy to flirt back. The same with guys, there was no limit to who or what my brother would flirt with. It was sickening at times, but I knew he didn’t sleep with any of them, he was just a happy, flirtatious, loved life, type of guy.

  “What do expect from such a sexy little ghost?” Alder called out as he bused one of the bistro tables out front of his shop.

  Giovanni smooched his lips at him.

  Tybalt smiled. “Yes, I’ve heard stories and I don’t think they’re doing him justice. What I wouldn’t give to be able to see him, too.”

  Alder nodded. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said, shaking Tybalt’s offered hand. “You two look lovely this evening. What’s the special occasion?”

  “You know what today is,” Tybalt said, taking the tray from him. “Don’t act like you didn’t. Why don’t you come with us?” he asked, picking up the remaining plates then put them on the tray.

  It was strange, but seeing Tybalt, all dressed up for a nice night out on the town, bussing a table for someone so they didn’t have to, was one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.

  Alder shook his head. “No, I don’t think so,” he said. “You’re looking better, Shawn.”

  “Hug?” I sheepishly asked.

  “I told you I’ll never turn one down,” Alder reminded me and I hugged him tight.

  “Thank you for helping with that incident at the church,” I whispered.

  He kissed my forehead. “It’s what friends are for, Shawn. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help and that you did that. You need to learn to control that compulsion,” he warned, his tone soft and flooded with concern.

  I nodded. “I’m gloved today, that should help, right?” I offered with a shrug.

  Alder chuckled. “You are adorable. Ty, stop bussing tables. It’s my place, not yours anymore. Okay?” he complained looking from me to Tybalt.

  Tybalt blushed. “Sorry, old habits. Can we bother you for some coffee and dinner before we grace the Queen with our presence this evening?” he sheepishly asked.

  “Of course,” Alder said, escorting me inside and Giovanni and Tybalt followed.

  After lots of coffee and gorging myself on Alder’s amazing cooking, I was ready to head home and sleep for the next week. I was exhausted, but I wasn’t sure why; I had five espressos! It could have been from my body processing non-essential sustenance, which would make sense. I slept like the dead after the first time I ate at the café, perhaps that was why and it wasn’t because I touched an Italian ghoul. That would make sense, I suppose. Perhaps the annoying vampire that is trying to keep everything from me would tell me if I asked?

  ‘Not likely.’

  That’s what I thought.

  Alder and Tybalt were entertaining us with amusing conversation while I gorged and Giovanni swooned over the two hotties his sister stumbled across. Alder would act as a ghost to living translator for my brother when he was trying to talk to Tybalt, and I could tell both of them found it amusing. It was really sweet that Tybalt wasn’t put off by the fact my brother was a ghost and was on our date with us, or that he was trying to monopolize his attention, or was shamelessly flirting with him. Tybalt was a complete and total gentleman and seemingly knew what to expect from my brother; most likely Alder had filled him in while they scrambled to get what they needed to help me with Andrei.

  Sure, it was annoying that I couldn’t go on a date without being chaperoned b
y my brother or the vampire in my head, but Andrei had been surprisingly quiet for the most part, and Giovanni was making my date all about him, so it was okay. Memorable, and it kept me from doubling over from nerves or getting overly embarrassed about inadvertently calling myself a prostitute a couple of times.

  Now, the only thing left to do was to see the Queen!

  I wasn’t looking forward to it.

  If Tybalt’s queen was anything like Andrei’s, there might be bloodshed tonight, most likely mine, and it’d effectively end whatever I might have had going on with Tybalt.

  The joys of being socially awkward and a freak.

  “You’re quiet,” Tybalt commented, stacking up the empty dishes on the table. “Still hungry?”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m full. Thanks! I hope I don’t puke all over… Why don’t I get sick from eating normal, humany food?” I asked.

  He shrugged with a chuckle.

  “I take it as a compliment,” Alder said, forcibly taking the stack of plates from Tybalt, giving him a warning look. “You are as bad as she is,” he hissed under his breath. “Shawn did the same thing when Mercy brought her by the first time. You don’t work here, and neither does she.”

  Tybalt smooched his lips at him with a wink, which caused Alder to blush.

  Okay, perhaps he’s gay, too?

  Alder ignored Tybalt’s flirting. “To have the culinary stamp of approval from a new born, a vampire princess at that, is impressive and speaks wonders of my skill in the kitchen.”

  Of course I took that as a compliment myself, and blushed.

  “You have my approval and then some,” I promised. “I still want a cheeseburger, but your vegan delights effectively push that longing away.”

  Alder made a face. “Heathens and your meat,” he said with a shiver then laughed when I pouted.

  “Please come with us tonight,” Giovanni whined, following Alder over to the bussing station on the opposite wall. “My sister already had a bad experience with a queen, and she can’t handle having another. With her lack of luck and inability to not blurt out what’s in her head, she’ll most likely call herself a woman of the night next! Please?”