They turned down a dimly lit side street, almost an alley, which was crowded with people lining up to get into a club.
“This is it,” Miles noted, pointing to where the line snaked around the side of the building. “Freddy Pirate and the Voodoo Revivalists are playing tonight. No cover, but a three-drink minimum, so in about three hours, the surrounding alleys are going to be filled with severely inebriated folks looking for after parties. Easy targets for lazy vamps.” He pulled out his phone and typed a quick message, alerting Mike to the situation. Mike replied that he would alert the watchers in their area. Lucy knew this because the messages also appeared on her own phone.
“What do we do until then?” Lucy asked.
Andre pursed his lips and blew noisily out his nose. “Scout the area, of course. It will not do us any good if the whole team isn’t familiar with the streets.”
Lucy bit back the urge to start a fight and nodded instead. Mid-nod she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. A woman was standing slightly away from the crowd, in the shadow of the buildings. She was dressed like everyone else, right down to the absurd beehive style hair, but her eyes, Lucy noticed, were a pale shade of moss green with a silver ring around the iris that almost glowed.
“Uh, guys, I think I may have spotted one of them. Where the buildings split, black beehive and a huge rose tattoo on her shoulder.”
The girl had turned her head in the opposite direction.
“The one lighting a cigarette?” Andre asked. “What makes you think she’s vamp?”
“Wait till she turns back, she’s got freaky eyes, freakier than mine.” Just then, the girl stepped out of the shadow and began walking away from them. Dammit, Lucy thought. Suddenly her small earpiece buzzed and a familiar voice filled her ear.
“Lucy’s right, that one is genuine grade-A mod and I think she just found dinner.”
“Lona?” Lucy looked at Miles, puzzled.
“I’m on it.” Andre started walking towards the girl, who was now leaning in close to a young man who appeared all too pleased with the attention.
Lona’s voice buzzed in her ear again. “It’s me, Luce. I wasn’t going to pass up a free Voodoo Revivalist show, so I volunteered for watcher duty.”
“You better not be alone!” Miles looked perturbed.
Lona laughed. “Of course not, Lance came with me.” Lucy scanned the crowd and sure enough, down by the corner she caught a glimpse of two flaming red pigtails. “Don’t worry, we’ll be careful. We’re each buying three club sodas, even if they are seven dollars a pop.”
Miles’s scowl relaxed slightly. “Alright babe, you know I hate when you do this. Enjoy the show, but be careful.”
Lona disconnected and Miles motioned for Lucy to follow him in the direction that Andre had taken. Before they could round the corner, there was another buzzing in her ear and Andre’s voice alerted them that the deed was done. Her phone vibrated and the GPS screen appeared, showing that Andre was a block up, in a small alley. They turned up the block and saw him, casually leaning against a door and smoking a cigarette, which he ground out with a look of relief as they approached.
“You know it’s true, smoking does make you look cooler,” Miles joked.
Andre rolled his eyes. “I had to look like I had a reason for standing here. The restaurant over there is still open.”
“Any problems with the guy she was targeting?” Miles asked.
“No, he’s still back at the club, but he was a bit miffed that I stole his hook up, so I’d be grateful if you went to get the van. I’m in no mood to get in a fight.”
“Back in a flash,” Miles said and turned, leaving Lucy awkwardly alone with Andre. She peered cautiously into the alley, but it was empty. “So, uh, where’s the body?”
Andre jerked his thumb back. “Dumpster.”
“Oh.” Lucy was relieved for the moment, even though she knew she'll be seeing it soon, and a lot more in the future.
“So what’s the deal with your eyes?” Andre asked.
“Huh?” Lucy was confused for a moment then she realized that Andre had not seen her without her contacts. “Oh, nothing really, they’re just a little lighter than normal. Not like hers though.”
“Are you light sensitive?”
“Slightly,” Lucy said with irritation. “Is it really that big of a deal to you?”
Andre held up his hands defensively. “Lucy, I’m just curious, okay? I’m not accusing you of anything.”
Just then, the van’s headlights illuminated the alley, cutting off their conversation. Miles jumped out and swung open the back door, revealing a refrigerated compartment that they loaded the vampire corpse into. After finding another place to park, they resumed scouting the area around the club.
Right on schedule, the show ended at three in the morning and chaos erupted all around them. Watchers started buzzing in with vampire sightings all around the area. Andre and Miles were forced to split up, but Lucy stuck with Miles, mainly providing a distraction and blanking intended victims who got a little too close to the action. There was no time to get the van, so bodies were thrown into convenient dumpsters, hidden under pallets, and even arranged to appear as homeless sleeping in doorways. Just when Lucy thought the night might finally be over, two reports came in simultaneously for the area they were in. Andre was still occupied by a vamp several blocks away.
“Can you do this Lucy?” Miles asked hesitantly. Lucy nodded. “Alright, I’ll be quick and I’ll come find you as soon as I can. Remember to hit the button if anything happens.”
Miles took off to the left and Lucy to the right. She turned the corner to where her vamp had been spotted and immediately saw a man with his face pressed to a woman’s neck. Her stomach turned from the fear that she might be too late. She took off running, sliding a CPA from her holster as she ran. With a flick of her wrist, she released the safety and grabbed the vampire’s shoulder, spinning him away from the girl. She slammed him into the side of the building and cocked her hand back to strike.
“Holy shit! Who are you, the make out police?”
Lucy stiffened and turned to look at the girl, who was staring at her like she was crazy. She looked back at the guy she had pinned to the wall and noticed, to her horror, that he definitely was not a vampire. His eyes, normal if not glassy from a night of drinking, were as wide as saucers and he was shaking visibly.
“Lady, I don’t know what you want, but my wallet is in my back pocket. I don’t want any trouble.”
Lucy realized she still had the CPA cocked and dropped her arm. Dammit! She cursed herself silently. She reached into her pocket to pull out a blank and waved it under the guy’s nose. “Get out of here,” she warned. “These alleys are dangerous and your girlfriend deserves better than a cheap grope against a filthy building.” She blanked the girl as well, and watched as they weaved their way to the main road, before falling to her knees and emptying her stomach into an oily puddle. She almost killed an innocent person. Lucy wiped her mouth and fought the urge to retch again.
She decided she would ask Miles to take her back and she would tell Evan that she wasn’t cut out to be a vampire hunter. She’d find other work. Maybe Lona would let her come back to the shop, if she still had a shop. She stood up slowly, on shaky legs, and took a deep breath. As she started walking back the way she came, she was grabbed forcefully from behind.
“Hunting vampires?” Hot, putrid breath that smelled like rancid meat made the flesh on her neck crawl. “Not very good at it, are you?”
Lucy felt the sharp, searing pain of fangs sinking into her neck and gasped. Shaking off the fear, she unsheathed a CPA and swung her free hand back, stabbing the vampire in the thigh. He slid to the ground and Lucy leaned against the wall, willing her stomach not to heave again.
“Sweet Jesus! Lucy, are you okay?” Miles ran up the alley to where she stood.
“The vampire’s dead,” she said blankly, pointing to the corpse on the ground. She lifted her he
ad from the wall and touched her neck. Already there were no marks, but the blood on her neck was still fresh. “Oh Miles, I fucked up big time.” She relayed what happened, fighting against the urge to cry. “I’m not cut out for this! I didn’t think! I just reacted! I’m dangerous!”
“Lucy, it’s okay.” Miles put his arm around her shoulder. “You didn’t kill anyone and those kids are safe now. If you hadn’t been here, they would have probably been this guy’s dinner. Look, that was my fault more than anything. You weren’t supposed to go anywhere alone tonight, not on your first night. The situation was crazy and we haven’t seen this kind of action in a while. We’ll talk about this tomorrow, after you’ve had some sleep. Andre’s headed our way with the van. We have seven bodies to pick up then we’re headed back.”
Lucy sighed. “Just do me one favor.”
“Anything,” Miles smiled.
“Don’t tell Andre what happened.”
Miles laughed. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
Chapter 13
Lucy awoke to a new message from Evan blinking on her phone.
Spoke briefly to Miles. Grab some coffee and meet me on the roof.
She immediately began replaying the moments of her monumental screw up in her head, which caused her stomach to twist uncomfortably. She shrugged on some shorts and a t-shirt and headed down to the kitchen, not at all surprised to see Ida waiting for her.
“Good Afternoon, Lucy!”
“Hey Ida, I already know the coffee’s fresh, so how about the gossip?”
Ida pursed her lips and shook her head. “Now, now. I know you just woke up and you can be cranky some, but give Miles a little credit.”
“Uh huh,” Lucy said, scowling. “So what am I giving him credit for?”
“Most nights the crew ends up in here after their shift. I make sure there’s plenty of food, coffee, and a nice selection of beer for those who are inclined, and last night was no exception. Well I take that back, last night was exceptional because everyone came down to grab some grub and ask how your first night went. When you didn’t show, everyone pumped Miles for information.”
“And?” Lucy prompted impatiently.
“And he said you were a natural. Apparently, your acting ability is Oscar worthy and the way you handled the would-be victims was excellent.”
“That’s all?”
“That’s all Miles said,” Ida retorted knowingly.
“Ah ha!” Lucy exclaimed. “So what then, did Andre say?”
“Andre weren’t here,” Ida shook her head sadly. “That boy’s not much for socializing. I expect he went straight to his office like he always do.”
“So who did say something then?”
Ida stopped fussing with the coffee maker and put both hands on her hips, leveling Lucy with a knowing stare. “It’s not what anybody said, Lucy, it’s what you’re not saying. You ain’t the only one with the power of observation around here, you know.”
“Touché, Ida,” Lucy smirked. “Actually, I do have a load on my mind and I’d love to hear what you have to say on the matter, but unfortunately the reason I’m here right now is that Evan wanted me to grab coffees before I meet up with him to discuss my shortcomings.”
Ida smiled and reached for a thermos and two cups, which she handed to Lucy. “You know I’m here any time, Lucy, but don’t go walking into this meeting with Evan expecting a dressing down, that ain’t Evan’s style. Whatever it is rattling around in that pretty little head of yours, just let it out. Be honest with him. And of course, it goes without saying, be honest with yourself.”
“Thanks Ida,” Lucy smiled, taking the coffee and advice. “One more question though.”
“Sure doll, what is it?” Ida began brewing another industrial sized urn of coffee.
“What’s the deal with Andre? You were right. We didn’t exactly hit it off when we met.”
Ida stopped what she was doing and turned back towards Lucy. “I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Andre about that.”
Lucy said goodbye and left, feeling slightly annoyed that Ida’s usual talent for sage advice seemed to abandon her where she needed it most. She tried not to dwell on that particular problem. Instead, she mulled over what she would say to Evan. Honesty, as Ida had pointed out, was the best policy, but what was the truth? Did she want to continue to be a vampire hunter? Perhaps she didn’t have a choice in the matter. Maybe Evan was going to tell her she didn’t make the cut. Last night she was ready to cut her losses and quit, but in the morning, the thought of being a failure weighed heavily on her.
Lucy finally found Evan in a far corner, looking out over the river and smoking the biggest cigar Lucy had ever seen, though Lucy admittedly hadn’t seen too many cigars before.
“Ah, Lucy!” Evan smiled, looked at the cigar in his hand, and became uncharacteristically sheepish, stubbing it out on a nearby ashtray. “Cuban, can’t get them here. I’d appreciate it though if you conveniently forgot that you saw that.”
Lucy grinned. “Unless you plan on burning that suit, Dara’s totally going to smell that.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Evan acknowledged with a look that led Lucy to believe he’d already had that fight with Dara before. “So as I said, I spoke to Miles. He told me what you told him, but I think I’d like to hear the details from you.”
Lucy took a deep breath and relayed the story, leaving nothing out. Evan listened without interrupting. When she finished, they sat in silence for a moment while Evan digested what she told him.
“Miles didn’t mention you were bitten.”
“He may not have known, I didn’t tell him and well, you know, I heal,” she admitted trailing off. “I panicked. The vampire saw everything. He must have watched me threaten those kids and when I showed a moment of weakness, he took advantage. If you’re disappointed, I understand. I’m disappointed in myself, but I’m far less disappointed that I was bitten than that I nearly killed an innocent kid.”
“I’m not disappointed in you Lucy,” Evan reassured her. “If I was going to be disappointed with anyone it would be Miles for sending you off alone, but I can’t even fault him for that. I saw what you were up against and he made the same decision I would have, had I been in his shoes. From what he told me, you were a solid professional leading up to that moment. You were able to save three people before he could have gotten to them.”
“I guess.” It was true that while assisting Miles, Lucy had been completely detached. She had effectively provided a distraction that kept the vampires from taking their intended victims before Miles could kill them. “I just don’t like thinking about what I almost did.”
“I know Lucy,” Evan said softly, “and you know that I do. You’re aware of my biggest mistake. Don’t think that hasn’t weighed on my conscience for the last fifteen years.”
Lucy nodded. He was talking about Jacob, the boy Lona had told her about.
“But,” Evan continued, “I also think about the lives we’re saving. If we weren’t out there every night, what would happen? You have no idea what a mess Paris is, Lucy. We’re powerless over there. New Orleans is my home, born and raised. I’m not going to stand back and watch some vampire mafia take that away from me. I get the impression you feel the same way.”
Lucy took a deep breath. Evan was right. New Orleans was her home too. Sure, she hadn’t been here that long, but in six months she’d come to love the city like no other before.
“I sure do,” she replied, feeling surprisingly confident with her answer. “It took me nearly twenty-five years to find this place. I’m not letting the vampires push me out either!”
“That’s my girl!” Evan gave her a high-five. “The rest of the day is yours, Lucy. Now that you’re on the team, you won’t be training for endless hours in the gym anymore, but don’t be a stranger. There’s usually someone around to spar with and I recommend keeping up at least an hour of working out a day to keep from hurting yourself out there.”
“A month ag
o I would have thrown a fit if you told me to work out for an hour a day. I think I can definitely handle only an hour.”
“Great. Unfortunately, the corporate world beckons, so I’ll see you tonight. You’re with Hugh and Lance, both of whom have been ordered not to send you off alone under threat of dismemberment.”
“I’ll see you then.” After Evan left, she headed to the library to begin learning everything she could about the layout of New Orleans, especially the dark alleys.
Once again, Lucy was transformed into someone completely unrecognizable. This time her hair was wound into tight curls and given an auburn tint. She wore brown contacts and a smattering of freckles dotted her cheeks and nose. Her outfit consisted of a pink baby doll tee and overpriced jeans with a pair of matching pink high-topped sneakers. Even her wrist holsters were pink and her CPAs were tipped with faux jewels, making them look like slightly tacky bracelets.
Although she should have been used to the disguises by now, her jaw still dropped when she saw that Hugh appeared to have melted twenty years off his age and looked like a baby faced freshman football draft pick. Lance completed the team looking just as young and innocent as they did. Tonight they were playing the part of uninitiated college freshman on their first outing to Bourbon Street.
Being the first weekend that the universities were back in session, Bourbon was packed with students in various states of inebriation by the time they arrived. The tips from watchers started pouring in almost as soon as they got the van parked. The trio stuck together and stuck to the side streets, avoiding the spill over from crowded bars that would make quick reactions almost impossible. By midnight, they had already killed five vampires. Luckily, there were police officers on nearly every corner and Lance informed Lucy that Mike had already alerted the retrieval team to get an early start.
The Eyes of the Sun: The Complete Trilogy Page 13
