by S. L. Gavyn
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.”
“Why would anyone freeze a Vamp then cut out his spleen? Why would anyone want a spleen? Is there some kind of black market I don’t know about? I thought those usually dealt in organs that were vital. Like kidneys and such.”
“I wouldn’t know about black markets but I do know that approximately a pint of blood is contained within the spleen of an average adult. Vampere being no exception. When under duress or during times of extreme stress blood flow increases and the spleen can hold up to one and a half pint of blood. If it was frozen at that time, it would give the killer quite a bit of the victim’s blood.”
“Why would they need the vic’s blood?”
“That would be for you to figure out. That is the only reason I could think of for removing the spleen. It isn’t as though they could use a syringe to withdraw blood when it’s frozen. A spleen would give them all the blood they need. For what, I don’t know.”
“Crazier and crazier. Okay, thanks Cal. If you find out anything else, call me.”
“I don’t think there is any more. No other injuries. I ran all the usual spells on him and his clothing but there was nothing. Which is quite odd. Usually the killer leaves some kind of signature. It’s as though they were cloaked.”
“You think another magic user did him in?”
I could practically see him shrug. “I don’t know, Sunny.”
“Alright. Thanks again.”
I hung up. Well that was quite unusual. Obviously whoever did this had medical training. Perhaps they were ex-military doctors or something.
When Tristan finished his search for tattoos he joined me in the office we shared.
“Well, I got bupkis. There were several tattoos done over the last few years but none on the palm of the hand. How about you?”
I told him what Cal told me.
“You think the government is behind this?”
I thought about it for a minute. “Unlikely. They would have destroyed the body instead of bumping it.”
“Unless they wanted it found.”
“Why would they want us to find it?”
He shrugged.
“It’s more likely the killer didn’t have a means to burn the body or didn’t feel like digging a hole.”
“But they had a giant reinforced freezer? One strong enough to hold a Vamp I might add.”
“Good point but I still don’t think it’s the government. If they knew about us, we would have a lot more to deal with than a single frozen Vamp.”
“True. But they could be keeping it on the down low. Experimenting on Vamps to find out what makes them tick. That way they can build the perfect weapon to blow them off the map.”
“Whoa. Someone’s been watching too many sci-fi movies.”
“Sure, poke fun now. We’ll see what fun you’re having when their shooting you with lasers from space.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a Vamp and I’m pretty sure they don’t have lasers in space. Oh, and if they get me, I’m taking you with me.”
“Gee thanks.”
“Sure thing.”
It was his turn to roll his eyes.
That evening I dropped Tristan off at the house he currently rented. I had laughed last year when he told me he was moving out and then proceeded to tell me the house he would be moving into was less than a half mile from my own. I had just pulled up to the gate surrounding my home when Doyle called.
“Hello my Sun. Would you have the time to come for a visit this evening?”
“Not tonight, Doyle. It’s been an exceptionally long day.”
“All the more reason to come by. Look Sun, I really need a pick me up. I promise to make it worth it to you.”
“You can’t wait until tomorrow night? Or you could find another Fabled.”
“You don’t want me anymore?”
“It’s not that. I just think you should find someone more permanent. You know I can’t always come when you need me.”
“I do use some others but none of them hold a candle to you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I believe the expression is meant to represent how much better you are than others.”
“I know what the expression means. I’m wondering what you mean by using it.”
“Exactly that. I would prefer to be with you.”
“Because you can extract more energy?”
He was silent for a second. “There is that, yes. And, other reasons. I’m sure you don’t need me to go over all the reasons a man would want to be with you.”
I sighed. “I’ll come over tonight but I want you to find someone else to suit your needs. I can’t just come whenever you need me. I’m back on full duty now and I’m pretty sure the case I’m working is going to keep me busy for a while. It’s time to find someone else. Do you understand, Doyle?”
Again he was silent. “Yes Sun, I understand. As they say, all good thing must come to an end.”
“I’ll see you in fifteen.”
I didn’t wait for him to respond. Instead I hung up and pulled back out into the street. I would have to take a portal to Doyle’s home as he lives in Virginia and I live in Georgia but it won’t take long to get there. The portal I usually take is the same one I took to Dallas this morning.
As I drove my mind wandered back to the night I first met Doyle. I was chasing down a group of rogue Vampere. They had been smuggling drugs, spells, people; anything they could sell on the black market and leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake. All attempts to find their sire were futile and even if we found her, it was unlikely she would have been able to, or even wanted to, bring them to heel.
It took me several weeks to find them since they changed their location almost every day or two. One routine I found they always stuck to was they would meet at the docks every night after their business was concluded. I figured their stash was hidden on one of the boats so after I finally found them at a local motel and exterminated them all I returned to the docks and located the boat that belonged to one of them.
I expected to find drugs and magical paraphernalia but instead I found four coffins wrapped in silver chains. That was the cruelest form of punishment for a Vampere. Barring any injuries that would require healing, a Vamp can survive for a long time without blood. They would weaken considerably and the power they lost during their imprisonment would take centuries to recover but they would live. Could you imagine being locked in a box for decades or longer with nothing but your own thoughts to keep you company? It would drive the sanest person mad and most Vamps aren’t that sane to begin with. Well, at least not the ones I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Something about the blood magic changes them. Some are saner than others but they’re all at least a little crazy.
Anyway, I found some extra silver chains laying in a corner and wrapped them around my neck, crossed over my chest and around my stomach. Then I pulled my sword and used it to cut the chains of the first coffin. Without opening the lid I stepped back and waited. After a minute I figured the Vamp was too weak to open the lid himself so I slowly did it. He was dead and by the looks of the body, had been that way for quite a while. The first thing I noticed was that he had not died slowly. Or, he hadn’t died over a series of years like most would in his situation. He had died of silver poisoning. The body had shriveled in death but his mouth was still open on a scream and the inside was coated in silver.
One by one I opened the coffins. The second Vamp was as dead as the first only he had died without the silver. I was beginning to think all I would find is dead Vamps when I opened the third coffin and the Vampere inside jumped out at me. He grabbed my sword hand and brought it toward his mouth. I could see his razor sharp fangs extending as he opened wide to bite deeply. I did the one thing I knew would kill him. I sent my magic to my forearm where the Vamp’s skin touched mine, used my magic to cling to his and began pulling it into me. Usually it takes several seconds to kill someone this way
but the combination of me pulling his magic in as fast as I could and his lack of energy to begin with had him losing his grip and falling to the floor almost immediately. I grabbed his hand as he released mine and continued to absorb his magic until there was no more.
Once he was dead I stood back up to catch my breath. My head began to pound and I thought I might pass out from the pain of it but I managed to retain consciousness. It always hurt after absorbing too much of another’s magic which is why I only did it as a last resort. It was better to be in pain than to be dead. The headache is my body’s way of telling me I need to expel some of the pent up magic. Only I couldn’t just release it. I would have to use the magic until it was gone. The good thing about absorbing magic like that is I get whatever abilities the Fabled I absorbed from. Unfortunately, the only abilities other than growing fangs Vamps have is mind control, running fast and healing quickly. So, unless I wanted to make a few trips around the park at warp speed or cut myself several times then run around making a bunch of people cluck like chickens, I was pretty much stuck with this extra magic until it wore off. That could take several days.
I still had one coffin to open so I shook off the pain and better prepared myself when I lifted the lid on the fourth coffin. If this Vamp thought he was going to get away with eating me as a snack, he had another think coming. I couldn’t absorb his magic too like I did his friend but I made sure to hold my sword at an angle that would kill him if he lunged at me. I removed the chains but held onto the lid so he couldn’t push it open then slowly lifted it and was surprised by what I found. There was no Vamp in the coffin but instead a Demon lay within. He looked at me and smiled. I must say he was one of the most handsome males I have ever laid eyes on and then I could feel his magic. It was calling me, pulling me, making me want whatever he could give me. His green eyes seemed to look into my soul and his copper colored hair was begging me to run my fingers through it. The thought of my nails on his scalp had a sigh escaping my mouth.
I put my sword to his throat. “Stop trying to seduce me incubus or I will end your miserable existence right here and now.”
He smiled and tried to look apologetic. It didn’t suit him very well. “I am quite sorry but it is very hard to control when I am in such need.”
“How long have you been in this box?”
“I would not know the date, my lady.”
“When were you put in?”
“December fifteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-four.”
“You’ve been locked away for almost thirty-five years then.”
“That long? Seems like only yesterday I was running amuck in this fine city. We are still in Virginia, are we not?”
“Yes. Why were you locked in here? I want details.”
“And why would that be? If you don’t like them, will you kill me?”
“Probably not. I will know if you’re lying to me but, also, if your master mistreated you, there are actions that you can take against her.”
It wasn’t often demon lived on this plane but when they did they almost always aligned themselves with someone stronger. It gave them protection and I guess they were used to it based on the hierarchy of the hell dimension.
He smiled fondly at me. “My mistress punished me for not completing a task for her.”
“I said details. What was the task?”
He was still lying in the coffin but I kept my sword aimed at him in case he attacked.
“To kill a Human. I could not do it.”
“Why not?”
“She was beautiful. Both outside and in. A light in the dark. To snuff out that light would have been to deny this world one of its most precious treasures.”
“Wow. A sentimental demon. That’s not something you see every day.”
He huffed. “We have hearts too. Just some are smaller than others. I, myself, am a lover not a fighter.”
“Yeah, I bet you just love your victims to death. Why did your mistress want this Human killed?”
“Jealousy, I think. Of course her reasons are her own but I believe she was envious of this woman because the man my mistress loved was in love with this beautiful Human.”
“So your mistress decided to eliminate the competition.”
He nodded slightly.
“I’m sure you could post a complaint with the council. We’ve been unsuccessful with finding your mistress so far but we’ll find her eventually.”
“We? You work for the council?”
I smiled and held out my hand. “Sunny Dubois. Council enforcer.”
He slowly lifted his hand to meet mine and when our skin touched I felt a tingle run through me. It moved around inside and slowly worked its way back to my hand and on to his. He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it. Another tingle ran through me stronger this time.
“Sunny. Yes, that sounds apt. Doyle McConnell at your service madam.”
I pulled my hand away and stepped back. I noticed my head wasn’t pounding as strongly as it had been. He had absorbed some of my magic just through that small touch.
Doyle sat up in the coffin and brushed himself off. I don’t see why. It wasn’t like dust had managed to seep into the airtight coffin and collect on him.
“Ah, that’s better. A little more magic and I’ll be right as rain.”
“If you kill a Human to gain your magic, I will hunt you down. Right now I don’t have any reason not to release you though I urge you to press charges with the council.”
He laughed slightly. “There be no need for that, my beautiful Sun. Wouldn’t want to bother the council with my personal affairs. There is something you could do for me though. I fear in my current state I would not be able to help myself if I were to encounter a Human.”
“I’m not sure how you want me to help you with that. Do you want me to take you to some place Fabled frequent? Possibly a Vampere, Witch or Wizard could help you.”
He smiled at me. “I was thinking of a more hands-on way of helping me.”
I drew my brows together wondering what he meant. He slowly climbed out of the coffin and approached me. I didn’t move as he got closer and he must have taken that as a sign that I was cooperating. He brushed my hair off my forehead with his thumb and I could feel that tingle follow. My headache was temporarily appeased. He was almost a foot taller than me and lowered his head so he could look me in the eye.
“Poor Sunny. How it must pain you to keep all of that inside. I can help you with it. Allow me to and I will take your excess. In return you will prevent me from hurting someone else. Perhaps it was fate that you found me tonight.”
He ran his thumb across my bottom lip and I closed my eyes as relief ran through me again. I wasn’t stupid. This was a demon. One that killed by seducing women and sucking their energy out. He could take from other Fabled without killing because they could easily replenish the magic taken but Humans couldn’t absorb energy like we could and would die. A lot of demon prefer it that way. They got their own pleasure from killing their victim. It seemed as though Doyle would prefer his meal live and kicking.
Maybe he was right. If he absorbed my extra energy it was a win-win. He would get what he needed and I could off-load the magic that was causing me pain. It would help me and him to function. The only problem was the way he took magic from others. I know he couldn’t absorb much through touching alone. Incubi gained the bulk of their magic through orgasmic release. But then again he was one nice looking guy, I haven’t been with anyone since…I’m not going to think about him, and it was well-known that incubi were the greatest lovers on the planet. Until they killed you at least. I wasn’t worried with Doyle. Why would he want to kill me? I could be the ultimate cash cow for him. Maybe I should think of a new name. I don’t particularly like being called a cow. But the point was if he took my excess energy, I was likely to use him on a regular basis.
“So you want to take only my extra energy. Is there a way I can give the energy to you? That way I know you’re only taking what
I want you to have.”
His smile spread across his face. “Yes, my Sun. You can give to me instead of me taking. You must simply set aside the energy that is not yours. Of course, this will need a more intimate interaction.”
“Sex, Doyle. It’s called sex.”
“Yes it is. At the time of your release you let go of the magic that is not yours and I will take it.”
“How do I let it go? I’ve never been able to release it before.”
“I will be pulling it. All you have to do is shield your magic and the rest will come to me. Do you agree?”
How the hell do I shield my own magic? I thought about it for a minute. I closed my eyes and looked inside at the magics as they intertwined inside me. I could easily determine the difference between my own magic and the magic I took from the Vamp. I reached out and touched Doyle’s arm. I could see the magic move toward my hand so I pulled back my own and allowed the Vamp’s magic to continue to my hand and into him.
I opened my eyes. Yes, I could do this. All I had to do is keep a hold on my magic and that was easy enough. I looked at Doyle and nodded. He was kissing me before I finished.
This would work for both of us. I wouldn’t have to worry about killing someone using magic anymore because I would have Doyle to take it from me afterward and I also wouldn’t have to worry about one day having to kill him because he would have a constant source of energy in me. The fact that I get to take the edge off with great sex was an added bonus. Like I said win-win.
Chapter Three
“One is the loneliest number”
“You know father, I really do like to sleep every once in a while.”
“I apologize Sunny but I thought it would be prudent to advise you two more bodies washed ashore last night.”
“Whoa. Like the first?”
“I haven’t received the confirmation from Calvin but it is suspected.”
“Ashore where?”
“Lake Lavon.”
“Probably dumped by boat.”
“That would be presumable.”
“Wow. You’re just full of information today, aren’t you?”
