by Rose Pressey
I wasn’t sure I wanted the responsibility of taking this guy’s rare book. If I lost it, he’d probably hunt me down. I’d had enough vampires, voodoo, and supernatural for the day. All I wanted was to take a relaxing bath, maybe enjoy a steak with Jack by my side. But the day had only just begun and the reality was I had a long day of searching for Jack ahead.
He handed me a raggedy-looking leather book. It looked as if it had been read a million times. Did he have the thing memorized? He probably slept with it like a teddy bear.
“I’ll take good care of it.” My voice probably didn’t sound overly confident. But I couldn’t make the book any worse unless I ran over it, then set fire to it. “I’ll bring it back soon, after I’ve had a chance to look at it.”
I wasn’t confident that it would tell me anything different than I already knew. And if he’d read it so many times, couldn’t he just tell me the important parts that I needed to know?
I held the book tightly in my hands. “Thanks again.”
He looked as if he might cry as Jennifer and I walked toward the door. “You’re welcome and good luck.”
I’d need it.
Jennifer and I made our way inside our building and I was glad to be back in my safe haven, but it would be short-lived. As soon as Jen and Stephen left, I had to get a move on—out there amongst the vampires all by myself. Maybe at some point I should stop being so stubborn and ask for help from others instead of attempting to do everything on my own. But if anything went wrong I only had myself to blame; I didn’t want to drag others into my problems.
The water had turned off for the shower, so I knew they’d be gone soon and I’d start my mission. As much as I didn’t want to see her leave, I was ready to get this vampire hunt started. They were messing with the wrong werewolf. I placed the voodoo paraphernalia on the table.
Jennifer snapped me out of my musings when she said, “She’s up to her old tricks. What does she want now? If Stephen comes out and sees her, she'll be arrested.” She pointed out the living room window.
“What does she want now?” I massaged my temples.
Jennifer motioned toward the sidewalk again where Lily stood waving her arms. “Doesn't she know how to use a phone or, I don’t know, a crazy idea like come to the door?”
“I have no inkling what goes on in that brain of hers. I think she has multiple personality disorder or something.”
“She has something going on.”
I raised the window. “What is it, Lily?”
“You said you were going to help me plan my wedding.”
“Um, no. I don't remember saying that. I'm pretty sure I told you I didn't do that kind of stuff. Once I make a match, then...”
Oops, that was right. I hadn't made a match with her. She'd gone ballistic when the guy I fixed her up with didn't want her. Did I really need to remind her of that little detail? But she was dating my next-door neighbor now, maybe she'd forgotten all about her former were-soulmate. Her words, not mine.
“I do know some wedding planners. I can give them a call,” I offered.
“You are going above and beyond for this woman. You need to tell her to take a hike,” Jennifer said from over my shoulder.
“I'd love to tell her to take a hike, but she's unstable. I figure humoring her is the only way.”
She shrugged. “If you say so.”
“I can't afford a freakin' wedding planner. Are you stupid?” Lily yelled.
She was pushing the limits of my anger. I didn't want to get furry right now. “Okay, but you do plan on paying me to plan your wedding, right?” I smirked.
Her face grew red. Actually changed colors. I thought she might bust a vein right there on the sidewalk. “You have got to be kidding me. You screwed me over and you owe me. You're lucky I didn't sue you before. Now plan my freakin' wedding or I'm going to take a flea collar and choke you with it.”
“That's it. She's insane,” Jennifer said.
“I think we established that a long time again,” I said to Jennifer from over my shoulder. “The only thing you're going to be doing with a flea collar is removing it from your as—”
“Rylie.” Jennifer coughed and I looked around. She motioned over her shoulder. Stephen stood behind us.
“Is there a problem, Ms. Cruz?” he asked.
“Look, if you're going to date my roommate the least you can do is call me Rylie.”
“Okay. Is there a problem, Rylie?”
“Nope. No problem at all.” I smiled.
“Get down here, you flea-bag.”
I shut the window, cutting off her rant.
“Are you ready, Jen?” Stephen picked up her luggage.
She nodded. “Are you going to be okay, Rylie?”
I reached out and squeezed her again. “I’m a werewolf, remember?” I winked.
“Don’t forget to add the powder over the amulet like the priestess said.” Jennifer warned with the point of her finger.
I saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
Jennifer jutted a hip and placed her hand squarely on it. “Don’t patronize me. That lady knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I repeated.
Jennifer frowned and stared. “Rylie. Rylie. Rylie. What am I going to do with you?”
“Continue to be my best friend?” I laughed and squeezed her shoulders.
She chuckled. “You know I will. Oh, I almost forgot. Here are my car keys if you need to use it. Stephen’s driving me until things calm down.”
“Thanks.” I took the keys from her hand. This was more serious than anything I’d ever been through. I’d never put Jennifer in this much danger before.
Jennifer smiled and walked with Stephen out the door. I hoped she wasn’t moving out for good. After I grabbed a few things from my bedroom, there was one last thing I knew I had to do. Add the new powder to the amulet.
I’d contemplated not wearing the amulet when the priestess had first given it to me. With a lot of coaxing from Jennifer, I’d finally decided to give it a try. I don’t know if it was the power of suggestion, or if it really had any influence on my curse. Either way, I was grateful for any help I could get.
The black bag with the powder for the amulet sat on the table, waiting for me to use it on the necklace. The pull to it was powerful as if it had a voice of its own. I still didn’t know what to do with the voodoo stuff. I walked over to the table, then slipped the amulet from around my neck and set it down.
If I used the powder on the amulet, it would be pure luck if it turned out correctly. I’d been wearing the amulet regularly since I’d done the initial spell. It had appeared to help with the curse for a while, but now maybe it was losing some of its power. Maybe it was time for a little refresher? Something told me that wasn’t the way the whole voodoo thing worked, but I digress.
I studied the necklace. A silver pendant with intricate details dangled from the middle of a string of alternating red and black opaque beads. The design was almost like a snowflake and very pretty. I had no idea of the pendants meaning, but I was sure it had one.
Maybe I hadn’t worn it long enough and the power of it just wasn’t fully developed yet. I should’ve put it on when the priestess had first given it to me. Maybe things wouldn’t have turned out so badly if I had. Was I starting to believe in the voodoo stuff? If a curse was real, so was voodoo.
Could I really break the curse for good someday? Even if I did manage to stop the hex someday—and that was a big maybe—life would never be the same now.
A surge of energy radiated from the amulet moving in an invisible line through the air and into my body. Again, it was as if the amulet talked to me. After slipping the pouch of powder from the bag, I cleared my throat, and readied myself to begin.
The priestess had said belief was the key for the magic to work. So I cleared my mind and thought of only a positive outcome for Jack and Uncle Ernie. I blocked out all noise and only concentrated on the good images that ran through my mind.
With my eyes closed, I sprinkled the powder on top of the amulet. It seemed like a strange ritual, but what did I know? Everything in my life was strange. Nothing made sense.
After I’d scattered all the contents over the amulet, I waited. And waited. Where was the magical feeling? I felt the same surge of energy from the necklace, but was that enough? Wasn’t there supposed to be more with the new powder added? Extra strength on something?
My breathing steadied until I became fully aware of its rhythm with the clock on the table next to me. They were in perfect harmony with one another—a precise cadence. But still nothing spectacular happened. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. There needed to be more. More than just a feeling. I wanted special effects. A twirling wild wind. Perhaps a few lightning bolts to match.
Since apparently nothing special was going to take place, I picked up the amulet and slipped it back around my neck. The same awareness that I always felt when I wore it returned. In the back of my mind I was always aware that the necklace was there around my neck, as if it guarded me. I know that may sound unbelievable, but it was the only way I knew to describe the feeling.
All I could do was count on it to work like before. Maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part, but it was all I had. and I needed something to count on in this crazy world. I brushed off the excess powder back into the bag, then made my way to the door. It was time to get out of there and find Jack. I’d wasted too much time as it was.
My hand had just met with the knob, when a knock rattled the wood frame, and I stopped in my tracks. I wasn’t sure answering the door was such a good idea, but what if it was Jack. I’d have to take my chances. When I inched the door open, I instantly regretted my decision. It wasn’t Avon calling.
The vampire had a deathly pallor and hollow cheeks. His dark hair was parted down the middle and slicked back on both sides into a thin ponytail. From the moment I opened the door, his dark eyes fixated on me, conveying his intention.
“May I help you?” I asked, not hiding my discontent.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” A line furrowed his brow.
“I don’t invite strangers into my home.” I pushed the door forward and he placed his foot out, stopping me from shutting it.
“Look, I’m not playing games with you all anymore. I know you and your minions have Jack and I intend on finding him. And I swear to you, if you so much as hurt one hair on his head, you all will regret it for the rest of your long, miserable lives.” I pushed the door forward, attempting to close it and let him know that our conversation was officially over.
“You’re awfully sassy for a werewolf.” He gave an impish grin, exposing his fangs. He put his foot across the threshold, letting me know that as far as he was concerned the conversation was not officially over.
“Not nearly as sassy as I’m going to be if you don’t remove your foot. I’m tired of your empty threats and bullying.”
Not sure which sentence set him over the edge, but his lips curled back in a sneer as he pushed the door. I went tumbling backward, landing with a thud against the hardwood floor. Perhaps they weren’t empty threats after all. He stepped closer, then hesitated before releasing another wicked leer my way. The rubber bottoms of his big black boots squeaked on the hardwood as he lunged in front of me. He glared and licked his cracked lips. He grabbed at me, wrapping his palm around my arm. Within a second, he was on top of me. He was stronger than I’d imagined.
I pushed at his hard chest, but he pinned my arms down. “I won’t let you rip my throat out.” It was so hard to change into werewolf form with a vampire on top of you. Go figure.
“You know, when I was turned many years ago, it was perfectly acceptable to rip someone’s throat out. It was just one of those things. Now everyone throws a fit if I as much as scratch someone’s neck. So sensitive.”
“Back off Satan’s Spawn.” I glared at him.
“Your blood probably tastes like cheap concession-stand food anyway. You know, like the greasy corn dogs at the county fair.”
“Why don’t you turn into a bat and flap away, Grandpa Munster.”
“I’ll suck you dry. But I’ll do it slowly so you suffer.”
“You’re a sick bastard.”
“Why, thank you. How sweet of you to notice.” An evil glint flickered in his eyes.
“I’m not scared of you. Take your little bat wings and fly away.” Okay, I was a little scared. A lot scared. Whatever.
Chapter Twenty-Three
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #23:
Don’t ask if having sex with a vampire will make you a vampire. It won’t.
I struggled to break free. His fangs would be in my neck within seconds. A slight terror flooded my body. His fangs gleamed under the light, and suddenly, I was a lot more aware of their potential harm if he sank them into my veins. I didn’t want to be this guy’s midnight snack. His jet-black eyes grew darker and his milky white face even paler.
“Why don’t you tell me where he is?” His voice lowered to almost a growl. I wasn’t sure who he meant. Jack or Uncle Ernie?
Coarse hair was appearing on my hands.
“Where the hell is he?” he repeated.
He craned his head around, scanning the area, then glared at me. He was a vampire whose expiration date had expired decades ago. This guy was pushing my buttons.
“I don’t know what you want, but I can tell you want you’re going to get.” My other hand tingled with hair growth. The situation might get tricky in next to no time if he kept up his overambitious demeanor. Maybe I should have been more afraid, but my anger won out.
“Shut up, stupid werewolf,” he muttered.
Oh, this guy was full of great retorts. What a genius. Decrepit vampire rubbed me the wrong way.
“Is that the best comeback you got?”
“I never have liked werewolves,” he said.
Heat rose in my cheeks, and I sensed the familiar feeling rush through my body. There was nothing I could do to control my temper. My eyes changed colors. I knew at what point in the process that happened.
“This is crazy. If this chase is about Uncle Ernie’s debt, then why don't you just tell me how much he owes and I'll take care of it for him. We can put an end to this whole little game because, frankly, I'm getting rather tired of it. What is it, two hundred dollars? Three hundred?” I panted out the words
“Try twenty thousand.” He stared me in the eyes.
I swallowed hard. “Could you take a post-dated check for that? Say, for the year 2050? Can I make payment arrangements? I have good credit.”
“Cute. That's real funny. You're a regular comedienne. No. I cannot take a check for it. I can take it out of your uncle's ass though. A couple broken limbs. Maybe losing a few limbs permanently, but the money isn't the only reason we want him. The cash is important, but he has something far more important that belongs to us and we want it back.”
And there you had it. The truth came out. I should have known. Uncle Ernie never could make something simple. He always said he was a complex werewolf. I wasn't sure complex was the word I'd use. More like four words. Pain in the ass. I’d finally realized this was about more than the money. Yeah, I was a real genius… not.
“Do you think we could have this conversation without you crushing me with the heavy weight of your large ass? I do have chairs, you know.”
He didn’t budge.
“What does he have, anyway? Have you asked for it back?”
“Have you asked for it back?” he mocked.
I was beginning not to like this guy. He was getting on my last nerve. I mean very last. “Okay, so I take it you asked for it back. No need to be a smartass.”
The weight of his heavy body was crushing me. How did I always find myself in these predicaments?
“As soon as I find him and talk to him, I'm sure whatever it is he has, he'll give it back. So don't worry. Relax. Go have a glass of wine,” I offered. Sage advice, I thought.<
br />
His scowl deepened.
“Not much of a people person, are you?” I asked.
“You could say that,” he growled.
“Okay. So you're not going to tell me what this item is that Uncle Ernie has that's so important? Can you give me a clue? We'll play hot or cold? Charades?”
“You are more annoying than a fly on spilled blood.”
“That's disgusting.”
His lips twisted into a wicked grin. “Good, then I'm doing my job. I see that the annoyance runs in the family. Your uncle is just as annoying as you are. It will get you nowhere, by the way,” he said.
“It's gotten me pretty far. I'm doing okay.”
“I can't stand one more minute of this conversation with you. You're worse than my ex-wife.”
How was I going to find this item that Ernie had? I didn't even know what I was searching for. If I couldn't find Ernie, then how in the heck would I find their precious item? Now not only did I have to find Jack, I had to search for an unknown item.
“Well, if I find Uncle Ernie, then I'll make sure he gives the item back and pays his debt. Now if you'll excuse me.” I pushed my body forward. “You are a strong one, huh?” I grabbed his arms, pushing in an attempt to free myself. It didn’t work. My thoughts raced. Using my werewolf skills wasn’t something I enjoyed, but sometimes it was necessary. There was no need to let this guy bully me. I could give him a taste of my wolfish side and send his bloodsucking butt packin’.
He left me no choice but to change over. Rage bubbled inside me. My mouth felt dry and my teeth grew. Two big canines poked my tongue like pointy daggers. If I ever got my hands on Uncle Ernie, I'd wring his neck. The vampires wouldn't have anything left of him when I was through.
“You see,” he said in a calm tone. “That won't be necessary because you are coming with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Come on, big bad wolf, let's go. Don't make this any harder than it has to be.” He pulled me up by the collar of my shirt.
