Night Lurks

by Amber Lynn

  “Don't give me that shit. Candace is your succubus.”

  “Yes, well, that is a true statement. I was just questioning someone who brought her name up. If you wouldn't have called me to join you, I might have gotten more information,” he says with a huff and takes the seat open closest to me. It is directly in front of me, and thankfully, it swivels so he spins it around. I want to be able to look at his eyes while we are talking. I don't believe for a second me summoning him really took him away. If he was truly busy, he could have turned on the stupid voicemail.

  “Can't you just call out to her and tell her to report in for questioning?” I ask. If he is in charge of the legion she belongs to, it seems like a perfectly good question.

  “Most of the time that would work, but Candy Cane and I have a very unique relationship. She isn't required to report when called like all my other work monkeys.” Great. I imagine their special relationship involves a lot of special tickles. It was bad enough having to think of her molesting Sebastian, but I doubt Ben was unconscious for their intimate relations and the things that demons consider a good time are probably not pretty. It is yet another reason why his requests to impregnate me are being turned down. Don’t get me wrong; even if he promised to keep things “normal”, it wouldn’t be happening.

  “Do you at least know where she hangs out?” I ask. “Maybe I can find someone that knows where she would hide a centuries old vampire.” I wouldn't mind finding her at the location as well. With her target caught, I don't believe she will want to be away from him for too long. She should know Sebastian well enough to figure out he is sneaky and no room will hold him forever.

  “I know she sticks to the paranorm communities. She gave up feeding on humans ages ago because she claimed they gave her indigestion. It is more likely that they didn't give her enough energy. Aside from that, I don't know what else I can tell you. We haven't seen each other since I started my quest to become a daddy. Candy didn't understand my reasoning and we had a bit of an argument about the logistics.”

  “What? She didn't want you sleeping around on her?” I ask laughing at the idea of a succubus wanting fidelity from anyone.

  “That would be her way of thinking. She likes to be dominating in her other relationships, but that doesn't work for me. I was the only person she allowed to top her and she was afraid of losing that relationship if my mission was successful,” he explains. “She lost it anyway because she wouldn't back down when I told her I was still going through with it.”

  A little more information than I wanted to know, but okay. As long as he doesn't let their relationship get in the way of me killing her, I am just fine. Them having a falling out may eventually work in my favor.

  “Does she have any acquaintances we can squeeze for information?” Alex asks getting back to the questioning.

  “Sure, but it is best if I handle that part. I don't think anyone in that crowd will open up to you. Plus, we don't need them figuring out what Nyx is,” Ben replies directing the comments towards Alex.

  “Can just any demon come in contact with Nyx and instantly know what she is?” Alex questions continuing their conversation about me like I am not in the room. Sure, it has only been a couple of sentences, that doesn't make it any less irksome.

  “No. You have to be a certain level of demon to be able to detect that sort of thing. The kind of people Candy hangs out with meet that requirement. They would know the second Nyx walked into a room just what she is. Reactions would probably vary, but most wouldn’t be happy to see her.”

  “We know Candace is past the level already. She is going to find out just what she is up against in a couple of days,” I say rejoining the talk.

  “How do you know that?” Ben asks zeroing in on me.

  “I just do,” I reply not wanting him to know about my dreams. I try my hardest to put some kind of wall around my brain just in case he is able to take a peek. I know how to build walls to keep regular vampires that have the ability to read minds out, but I know the same method doesn't work on Alex and Sebastian. I hope it is enough for demons.

  “You know, this information thing is a two-way street. If you want something from me, I expect to be kept apprised of any learned information. You knowing something that is going to happen in the future would be covered under that umbrella.” His eyes have narrowed into slits of red that look really wrong on his face.

  “Are you going to tell me how to kill Candace?” I ask wanting to make the point that I doubt he will just hand over all of his information. There have already been times in the conversation where I have felt he was sidestepping. I couldn’t pinpoint them if you asked me, but his eyes seem a little shifty.

  “Why kill her? You can just banish her and she will be out of your hair.” What a useful answer to my question. Not.

  “If you need to ask that, you don't know me at all. Rest assured, when I catch up with her, we will be having succubus fricassee. Her end goal in this kidnapping is going to be to kill me. You have mentioned that for procreation purposes you don't want that to happen, so you better get on the same page,” I tell him wishing my eyes could change colors as well. It would be an easy way for my different moods to be portrayed. For now, I just settle for my glares. They tend to get the point across.

  “I will assist in helping to find her, but giving you the knowledge of how to kill a demon is something I will be keeping to myself, if only for self-preservation reasons. Why don't I go use my contacts to try to find you a location? When I know more, we can reconvene,” he suggests and I understand that it is probably best he does this part of the investigation on his own. Being around even more demons does not give me warm and fuzzy feelings.

  “Fine. Try not to take all day. Time is wasting, and the more time that does, the more chances Candace has to try to torture Sebastian. Anyone who has met the two of us knows that isn't something I am going to allow to happen.”

  “I will be back with a progress update in an hour or so. Try not to go on a killing spree before I get back,” Ben says and then bleeps out. He doesn't bother with the smoke effect he has been using lately.

  “I don't trust that he is on our side for this,” Alex says leaning closer to rest his head on mine. “I don't like that he has a history with our target.”

  “He isn't on our side, on this or anything we are involved in. He is a demon and can only think about himself. I will use him if he can help find her. How to handle her once we meet face-to-face is something we are going to have to investigate on our own. Does anyone have any ideas on how to kill them?” I ask not really believing I will get a good answer.

  “The only thing I have ever heard of, which might do the job, is the Panoptic knife. Rumor is it will kill anything you want dead. Whether demons are covered under that umbrella has never been proven as far as I know,” Marcus supplies. “Sebastian has looked for it for years, but he knows based on the lore he won't be able to find it.”

  “Why not?”

  “It is only available to those pure of heart, or so the story goes. The texts we have found it mentioned in have a little rhyme that goes with it. Only those pure of heart, will know the exact location to start; If your need is that great; leave it all up to Fate; She will guide the way; just in time for you to save the day. I have always thought it was some big joke,” he explains.

  It sounds that way to me. I have found anything that has a silly rhyme is probably too much trouble for what it is worth. The fact that it probably started out in another language and someone translated it to English in rhyme form only makes it worse.

  “The whole pure of heart deal puts us all out of the running. It is too bad because a knife capable of killing anything would come in really handy,” I muse as I try to break into Sebastian's head again. I would really like to know what is going on over there and the fact that I am not able to find out is getting me riled up again.

  “I think when we return home I am going to have to give you a little present before you are allow
ed to question Alan,” Alex says. “You are too irritated and you won't be able to keep yourself calm enough to do a proper job.”

  “I don't think anything you can give me will help. Even a giant anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-anger pill will not do the job right now.”

  “I know that. What I have in mind will. It is past time for it to happen anyway,” he replies. He has piqued my interest and I am excited that we are now starting to descend. Alex knows me well enough to know I don't like jewelry or chocolates as presents. Maybe it is a cannon or something. If I cannot kill the succubus, perhaps I can blow a giant hole in her chest. It has possibilities.

  Chapter 3

  An end to an era

  After a quick ride home from the airport, I watch as Dante and Marcus escort our visitor down into the dungeon while I wait with Alex for my surprise. I have managed to amp myself up even more in the last twenty minutes. There are so many big artillery weapons that may be offered to me that I am giddy.

  “So where is it?” I ask ready to test it out.

  “First, I want you to remove your current weapons. I think you will get more out of the situation if you are unarmed. Like I said earlier, you tend to shoot too quickly.”

  I do as he says and hand over my holster and knife sheaths. I don't understand his reasoning, but if he has a heat-seeking missile somewhere waiting for me, I won't complain.

  “Great. Follow me,” he says and leads me down into the dungeon. I haven't searched every nook and cranny down here, yet, but I don't doubt they are hiding some fun toys in the catacombs somewhere. The rest of the building was easy to map out, but on two occasions, I ended up lost down here.

  “Do I get any hints? Is it larger than a stick of butter?” I ask hoping for some kind of clue.

  “Yes, it is larger than a stick of butter, and your mind is way off on what the present is. Sebastian wanted to be around for this, but he will understand my reasoning,” he replies and shows no signs of stopping as we continue our journey.

  We are in a part that I haven't been to and I am a little turned around. There is just gray brick wall everywhere I look. He should have run ahead and added some colorful banners that said “Nyx's big surprise this way”.

  “You know your mind is really amusing. I am glad we are mates because just listening in from time-to-time keeps me from being bored,” Alex says and slows down in front of a wall. He stops and reaches up for a hidden button. “We couldn't have you finding this too early. I am still surprised you haven't gone looking.”

  The wall slides away to reveal a dungeon cage with thick silver bars. Inside the cage is Tommy laid out on the cement floor. When he hears us, he sits up and smiles his evil grin that makes me sick. The room is completely empty except for him.

  “I thought they wouldn't let me see you again. This is a very unexpected surprise,” Tommy says and quickly leaps up to his feet. Once standing, he walks closer to the bars to get a better look. “Beautiful as always. To what do I owe this honor?”

  “Does this mean what it better mean?” I ask Alex getting even more excited about my present. A cannon would still be awesome, but this will do.

  “Yes. It is time for you to get your revenge for what was done to you and Phee. Here is the key,” he says handing me a long skeleton key. An actual key, really? Most things are digitized around here. “I prefer not to watch. It will be hard enough for me not to try to jump in just feeling and hearing what is happening and I know this is something you need to do alone.”

  “You are the best mate ever,” I say and hop up on my toes to give him a quick smack on the lips. We both know that me calling him that is not necessarily true, but it felt like the right thing to say. I really need to beat someone up right now and there is no one better than Tommy. If he ends up dead from my thumping, that will be even better.

  “I will remember not to mention that to Sebastian. Have fun and call out when you are done.” He hurries away knowing that I am going to take only half a second before stepping into the cage.

  “So, the great battle between us is finally here. Do you think you have what it takes to square off against me?” Tommy asks. Other than being a bit disheveled and covered in blood, he doesn't look like his time here has hurt him too badly. He might be a little bit skinnier from not getting his usual T-bones, but that is all I notice.

  “Oh Tommy. I am a little sad that Alex took away my weapons. I would have loved to try out my knife skills on you for once,” I reply and unlock the door to enter. Once inside, I quickly secure the door and drop the key into my pocket.

  He rushes over to me immediately and tries to lift my arms above my head to secure them in place. I don't allow the move to be completed though and I duck out of his way. I end up behind him and he quickly turns to face me before I can get a punch in.

  “You are quicker than the last time we met. This might be more fun than I thought.”

  I assume he is meaning the time we met inside the Collective while I was breaking a prisoner out and not the time he drugged me leaving me helpless to fight back. “You will find I am a much different person now. I would have never made it this far without breaking free from the Collective.” I move in closer and fake to punch him in the face, but attempt a leg sweep instead.

  He is quick and sees the move coming, so he jumps up and out of the way. He lands and throws a right jab right into my face. I don't move out of the way because it gives me a chance to land a solid punch to his gut. With punches exchanged, the fight starts to pick up. Fighting someone who is pretty equal to your skill level gets a bit tedious, as I have experienced when sparring with Alex. I wish me and Tommy had this out before he started taking whatever drug the Collective came up with to increase his abilities.

  “You know it doesn't have to be like this between us,” Tommy suggests as I land another fist to his face. I have always said the boy was delusional and prone to spout clichés at the drop of a hat.

  He morphs his hands into claws and takes a couple of swipes at me as he redecorates my shirt. The claws don't go very deep into my flesh, but it does smart a little. I haven't seen a wolf change like that before and I think I am going to have to ask Alex how to do it.

  “There was a time when it might not have come to this. I could live with you carving me up as a kid. I would have liked to at least fight you for that offense, but I wouldn't have felt the need to kill you. When you assaulted a little girl because of me, that is what drew your death warrant. I promised her you would not be able to do it again and if you are allowed to go free, I cannot guarantee that she will not have to live in fear of you showing up for seconds.”

  “Really? You want to kill me over some little piece of meat? She cannot mean anything to you. You are so much more than just a regular werewolf. You have to be meant to rule all paranorms with the blood you have mixing around in your veins. Why would you let something that happened to one of your future servants bother you?” he asks as he tries to deliver a kick to my knee.

  It doesn't work and I spin around behind him to attempt to get his arms locked in place. Our size difference makes that impossible and I settle for kicking him to the ground. He rolls over as soon as he makes contact, but I pounce on top of him. Not liking the change in scenery, he morphs into his gigantic, charcoal colored wolf. My little gold one is about half of his size, but I change as fast as I can.

  “Are you sure we really have to do this?” Tommy asks even as he snarls and takes a little lunge towards me.

  I don't know if he is worried about really killing me or if he finally realizes that I am not going to let him out of this cage alive. “It is a done deal.”

  “If I am going to meet my maker, I might as well try for one last hurrah.” He launches me off him and I fly to meet the closest wall. That is going to leave a mark in the morning. I unscramble my brains and stand to face him again.

  I know I don't have the strength that he does in this form, but it does give me sharp teeth and claws. I charge him with my te
eth bared. He likes the idea and hurries to take the five steps it takes to meet me and we clash teeth against fur.

  He gets a good bite on my right front leg, what would be my right arm in human form. I clamp on to his left ear and twist my head. I end up pulling it off. Yuck. I spit it out quickly not expecting it to detach that easily. Tommy doesn't let it faze him and continues his assault on my leg. I sure hope it heals quickly once this is said and done.

  With him distracted elsewhere, I move in for his throat. It takes him a second to see the move and that is all I need. I sink my teeth in deep and rip my head back quickly to do the most damage I can. If I thought the ear was gross, this is even worse. A tangled mess of ick is spit out as fast as possible.

  Tommy falls to the floor and I know he isn't dead, just severely wounded. If left alone he would be able to recover within a few weeks, maybe a little more, that was an awful lot of gunk I spit out.

  “That will put a stop to his talking,” Alex says stepping into the room with one of my knives extended towards me. “I knew it was close and you would prefer to finish the job with this.”

  I switch back into human form and take the knife with my left hand. My right arm is hanging limp close to my side and hurts like someone filled it with lava and then froze it. “Thanks. I am really tired of tasting his blood and I don't know that I am able to just rip his head clean off.”

  I work my way over to Tommy's body. He doesn't seem to be conscious, which I am actually leaning towards being a good thing. I have killed a lot of people in my lifetime, but I never really knew my targets that well. I have nothing but hatred in my heart for Tommy; however, knowing who my victim is makes this a little bit strange.

  “Thomas James Vack, the world is going to be a much better place without you in it. It saddens me to see a wolf that may have, at one time, had a lot of promise be soured by your crazy obsession with me. I hope you find comfort in whatever realm of Hell you are assigned. This is for my pipsqueak,” I say and bring the knife down across to his neck, successfully finishing my head severing. His head rolls off to the side and I continue with my task. I take the knife and embed it in his heart. After already receiving a ton of damage, it doesn't take but a second for the silver knife to do its job. His body is jellified into a mass of sludge.