by Megan Hawke
The pack leaders stood upon the flatbed naked. Most of the packs were in wolf or wolfman form. A few were in human form, but they were naked, too. I assumed the ones in human form were only like that to speak. None of the pack leaders looked pleased to see me.
"Hello, Jeric, looking good," I said, glancing at his crotch. Yes, very good. "Thank you for allowing me to speak to everyone here."
"Remember our last meeting?"
I watched him warily. "Yes." Our last meeting was in Deep Ellum, when I ended the rampage. "What has that got to do with tonight?"
He reached back, and someone placed a large pistol in his hand. A .44 Magnum if I was any judge. Jeric grinned wickedly, and shot me in the left thigh. Then he shot me in the right thigh.
"Aaggghh," I cried, falling to my knees then sitting back on my legs. His aim was perfect. Both femurs snapped in two. "Dammit!"
"Goddamn you!" Gabe cried, being wrestled to the ground by four wolfmen. "You lied! You are without honor!"
There was a lot of murmuring in the crowd. Some were giving Jeric angry looks.
Even I knew that was the ultimate insult for a werewolf. Their honor was everything. They were more fixated than vampires about keeping their words and such.
"We never promised not to hurt her," Jeric called to the crowd. "We promised to listen and then let her go. Nothing was said about playing with her before letting her go."
"I'm fine, Gabe," I said. I spoke through gritted teeth, because Jeric shot me with blessed silver bullets. The two bullets were burning the bejesus out of me. Like white hot pokers stabbed into my legs. "Got to…give you credit, Jeric. You learn from your mistakes."
"Yes, I do," he said, and aimed at my chest.
"Don't shoot me!"
"Why not?"
"I haven't spoken yet." He shrugged, but dropped the pistol down to his side. "I appreciate that."
"Sable, I'm sorry. I didn't know they were filthy liars. I swear, I didn't know."
"I believe you." I slanted a look over my shoulder, locking eyes with him under that dog pile of wolfmen. "Like I said, you suck at negotiating."
Gabe grimaced, but said nothing.
It would take a while for my bones to knit. They were already tingling, telling me they were starting to heal. The flesh of my thighs were almost completely healed. Meat and skin healed fast. Bones, slow. Slow for vampires, but still lightning fast for a mortal. They would probably be healed by the time I finished my plea before the packs.
I just wished I was allowed the dignity to stand while making that appeal.
"Have you voted to go to war yet?"
"No. We have to listen to you first. But it is a foregone conclusion. This really is a waste of time for both of us, but we promised. So speak."
"First, you need to seriously consider the repercussions of a war. I'm not talking about how terribly the vampires will decimate your numbers. I am talking about the utter and total loss of goodwill you will lose with the common people. The non-paranormal mortals." That made a lot of them stir uneasily. I'm sure that was a major concern. "Right now, most people don't consider werewolves entirely evil. They believe you have hope, and you can be saved. But when they start dying in the droves, and they see wolves attacking people, what do you think they will believe? Remember, they can't tell the difference between a vampire and a mortal on the street. You will be killing people in their eyes."
That stirred up the assembled wolves.
"Settle down!" Jeric barked. He glared down at me, looking like he really wanted to shoot me again. "You're not telling us anything we haven't already considered."
"Ah, but think about it. Who is more media savvy? Wolves or vamps? Vamps, of course. Who is better at manipulation? Vamps. Who is to stop vampires from morphing into wolves, and attacking innocent people? Who will be blamed? Werewolves."
"She's right," Gabe said. "They will have the people marching in the streets, demanding the police to stop the packs."
"My daddy once told me, after catching me beating my little sister for hitting me, that the person who retaliates is the one everyone sees and blames," I said. "Vampires attacked you, I don't deny that. It's fact. If you respond in kind, then everyone will see that. They will see you being the aggressors. They will blame you."
"You want us to stand around and wait to be slaughtered? Is that what you suggest we do?" Jeric cried. His eyes burned with rage. If he grew any angrier he would morph whether he wanted to or not. He raised the pistol to shot me.
"How many died yesterday and today?"
"None, but that doesn't matter. We gathered the packs. They can't attack us now."
"Remain that way. Stay together on your runs. Hunt. Have sex. Whatever, but stay together as one. Safety in numbers." I looked around. Everyone seemed to be listening, even the pack leaders with Jeric. "Give me time to find them. I've already killed three of them. Jeric saw me do it. There are only ten more. Really, no more than thirteen vampires are doing this, all in the same family."
"What she's saying is that only one vampire family is attacking you, not all vampires," Gabe said.
That stirred them up, too. Didn't their leaders tell them?
"Tonight I found the vampire that was used to Change them. He's dead. Someone killed the vampire, stole his blood, and used it to reanimate thirteen young people, just kids really. He killed them, turned them into vampires, and set them to kill werewolves."
"Bull shit, no one can control vampires like that," Jeric said.
"A witch can."
Jeric had nothing to say to that. He raised the pistol to shoot me.
"Don't," another pack leader said. She was a small Asian woman. "Your petty vindictiveness shames us all." She glared at me a long moment. "How do we know you can find them? What assurances do we have you will kill them?"
"It's what I do." I shrugged. "I'm Black Heart. I kill vampires."
"And if you fail?" Jeric said.
"There will be war."
"Not good enough," Jeric said. "If you fail, more werewolves will die. Not every werewolf is in a pack. They are still vulnerable. What will you do for us, what will you give us, in exchange for the lost wolves if you fail?"
"What do you mean? Like some kind of blood price?"
"Exactly. You promise us something, and if you fail then we claim the 'blood price.'"
"Okay." I had money. A lot of money. Anything to give me time to finish what I've started. "How much?"
"We don't want money." Jeric said.
"We want you, Black Heart," the Asian wolf said.
"Don't do it, Sable!" Gabe cried.
"Me?" I looked at Gabe, struggling desperately ten feet away. The werewolves wanted me if I failed. That could only mean one thing. They wanted me in their power to torture and kill, for revenge purposes. Yet, if I failed I'd likely die in the ensuing war. What did I have to lose? And honestly, I really thought I could do it. "I accept."
"We accept," Jeric said. "If you do not kill the killers by next Sunday, midnight, then you will return to this place and turn yourself over to us."
"We'll give you one hour to get here," the Asian pack leader said. "If you fail to show by one A.M., then we will unleash the packs on all those innocent people you are so keen on protecting."
"Don't be late, Sable," Jeric said, eyes vicious.
"I won't be." I rose up on my knees. The bones held. I appeared to be healed, but still weak and in extreme pain from the two sanctified silver bullets. I rose to my feet and looked at Gabe. "Let him go."
"You have one week, Sable," Jeric growled. "Do not fail us."
Chapter 8
Before getting back into Gabe's Hummer, I borrowed a hunting knife. While Annie, Gabe, and a dozen other wolves watched, I thrust the blade into my left thigh. I sliced deep and pushed my hand in before the wound healed. Annie looked shocked by my self-surgery, and looked a little impressed when I pulled out that silver bullet. Once my left thigh healed, I did the same to the right.
"
Take me home, Gabe," I said.
"Sure thing." He backed down the gravel road. There was no place to turn around, so he backed all the way back to the blacktop. Then we headed west, towards Rockwall and Dallas beyond. "By the way, what time do you and Sabrina have to be at Antoinette's?"
How does he know? Did Heidi tell him? Who else did she tell?
My chest tightened when I thought about Antoinette with Sabrina. I was barely fighting Antoinette's advances off, and I was a big scary vampire. Everyone said so. Sabrina would be a sacrificial lamb on Antoinette's alter of debauchery.
"Are you all right? You're trembling," Gabe said.
"With all of the other shit going down I forgot about it. I forgot about it."
"How could you forget that? Did you at least tell Sabrina?"
"I forgot."
"Oh my God. Oh my God," Gabe said. "Do you have a death wish or something? I thought going before the packs was bad enough, but failing to return Antoinette's favor is just suicide. It's beyond suicide."
"I thought you were against me taking Sabrina to meet her?"
"I am, but you had to do something about it last night. Not after you agreed and then forgot. By the way, you suck at negotiating, too."
"I kill vampires. I'm not a politician."
"After tonight you'll just be waiting to see who kills you first, the vamps or the wolves."
I called home. Dane answered.
"Dane. Did anyone call? Is Sabrina there?"
"Hmmm, Sable. Speak of the devil." He did not sound happy. "Yeah, Sabrina's here. We returned home to find a limo out front, with Vanessa Mancera waiting impatiently on the porch. Imagine that."
I rubbed my forehead with my left hand. Too much was going on, and I was losing my grip on it all. "I need to speak with Sabrina."
"Sure. But Vanessa has already informed her of your bargain."
He put the phone down. I heard voices, but couldn't make out who spoke or what they said. Then I heard the distinct clacking of Sabrina's stride on hardwood.
"Sable! Since when do you pimp me off? Who gave you that right?"
"I didn't. I’m sorry," I said. "Jesus. I thought I could wiggle out of it, find some reason to put her off until I could return the favor another way. I got distracted and forgot."
"Oh, great. You forgot that you agreed to turn your sister over to the queen of whores. Great. What street corner will I be working tomorrow night?"
"No. Not like that. All we have to do is go to a party. I introduce you to Antoinette, and after the party we can leave. She's given her word that we will not be hurt or subjugated."
"Oh yeah? How's this? Fuck you."
Sabrina hung up. How could I blame her? I had gone way beyond my authority, and made the worst deal imaginable. But Antoinette caught me off guard, manipulated me. No excuse, I know.
"Get me home fast, Gabe. Vanessa is waiting. I have to do something to appease Antoinette."
"The only thing that will appease Antoinette now is if you hand yourself over to her on a silver platter."
"I know. I'm afraid this is what she wanted all along."
We pulled into my driveway at a quarter to eleven. The limo was still parked on the street. The driver stood by the door. He was a vampire.
Everyone turned to regard me when I rushed inside. Only Vanessa smiled. It was a dark, cruel smile.
"Sabrina, I'm sorry. I was wrong. I know it," I said.
"I'm not going," she said.
"I know. I was wrong to even consider it."
"You're refusing to return Antoinette's favor?" Vanessa said.
Everyone turned to her. I think she actually enjoyed all of the attention.
Vanessa Mancera was a gorgeous Latina. She looked twenty-five, but was reportedly over one hundred and forty. Though one of the most powerful vampires in Dallas, she'd been subjugated by Antoinette a little over two months back. She sat regally in the middle of my black leather couch, wearing a shimmering gold evening gown and a fortune in diamonds.
"I am not refusing, but I don't have the authority to command my sister to obey," I said. "Antoinette must ask for something I can deliver. I can't be expected to deliver the impossible."
"Sabrina is a member of your vampire family. That means she is yours to command," Vanessa said. She smiled smugly. "It's not Antoinette's problem that you are too weak and pathetic to control your own family."
"My sister is not weak or pathetic," Sabrina said.
"How sweet. Little sister tosses her big sister to the lions, and then charges in to defend her," Vanessa said. "I see stupidity runs in the family."
Sabrina took a step towards Vanessa, hands curled into fists.
"Don't lay a hand on her!" Desiree cried. "She's Antoinette's envoy. To violate that trust is even worse than refusing to honor a favor."
"Listen to the little thrall," Vanessa said. She paused to examine her nails, as if we didn't exist. "Sable, you have two choices. Return Antoinette's favor, or turn yourself over to Antoinette. No other option will be acceptable."
I stared at Vanessa, then at Sabrina. Vanessa was smug. Sabrina was angry. Everyone else was scared.
"Lord, I miss the old days when we only staked vampires. When we weren't a part of the vampire culture, and subject to its rules," Dane said.
"And that's my fault, too. I dragged you all into this world with me, some of you kicking and screaming," I said. "Vanessa. I have to find the rest of the rogue vampires that are killing werewolves. I met with the packs earlier this evening and promised them I would resolve the issue within a week. I make you that promise, too."
"Why should I care? Why should Antoinette?"
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Took three tries before anything came out. "Once…once I accomplish my goal, then I will go to Antoinette."
"And?" she said, eyes narrowing, demanding.
"I will submit to her will."
"Yes!" she said.
"No!" everyone else cried.
"I have no choice," I said, whirling on my little vamp family. "I can't have Antoinette coming after me while I'm trying to find the killers. I can't just let the killers go without trying to stop them. I've made promises. If Vanessa will agree, then Antoinette will have me within the week."
"Just a week? I see no problem with that. It'll give us time to plan a proper reception for you." Vanessa stood and smoothed her gown. "She will be pleased."
"No. Wait," Sabrina said. "What did she want with me? Just to meet me, right?"
"No. It's not worth it," I said. "Go, Vanessa. Let Antoinette know."
"No!" Sabrina cried. "Jesus, Sable! What kind of monster do you think I am? I can't allow that. Antoinette will turn you into a whore. A fucking, streetwalking whore. That's what she does."
"I know."
Sabrina stood there, fists clenched, eyes closed, and groaned angrily. I steeled myself for her angry outburst, feeling I deserved any insult she hit me with.
"I want to meet Antoinette. I am ready to go."
I didn't expect that.
For the first time, I allowed myself to visualize what that would entail. It was Antoinette, after all. She was all about sex and domination. I recalled my one evening under Antoinette's power, and all of the wickedly kinky things she and her family did to me, and forced me to do to them.
"You don't understand. She wants me to take you to her mansion and introduce you to her. That's fine. But we have to stay for the party. God only knows what that will entail. Probably an orgy, knowing Antoinette." I glanced at Vanessa, who quirked a brow and smiled. Smugly, of course. Really, she had the best smug smile I’d ever seen. "We will have no choice but to do anything they ask of us, with anyone who asks. She specifically said that we have to cooperate."
"I'm not saying what you say is true or not, but you will be allowed to leave unscathed, with no fear of subjugation, serious bodily injury, or death," Vanessa said. She waved a dismissive hand at Sabrina. "We know all about your sister. She's even kinkier than
you. This will be a typical Saturday night for her." She gave Sabrina a scathing look. "If you fail to obey your sister, she will lose all of her honor in the community. She will be filth in our eyes. No one will speak with her, or help her. And a bounty will be placed upon her head, to be delivered to Council dead or alive."
Sabrina and I both turned to Desiree. She was our expert in everything about the vampire community. She nodded affirmative.
"Vanessa is right. If Sable fails to return Antoinette's asked for favor, then she is outcast. The only option other than death is to turn herself over to Antoinette. She would have to serve Antoinette as a virtual slave, until she served long and loyally enough to redeem herself."
"Who decides that?" I said.
"Antoinette decides your length of service," Vanessa said. "So, am I taking the beautiful Hart sisters to Antoinette's party? Or am I taking word that Sable will kneel before Antoinette within the week, to begin her long sentence of slavery?"
"I'll meet her," Sabrina said.
"Are you crazy? Didn't you hear what she'll do to you?"
"She'll do the same thing to you," Sabrina said.
"I can take it," I said.
"But like Vanessa said, I'm kinkier than you," she said. "I can take it, too."
"You don't know Antoinette."
"I will after tonight," she said. Sabrina turned to Vanessa, saying, "Whether Sable goes or not, I'm going."
Vanessa smiled. I think she enjoyed the turmoil her mistress caused. Vampires could be so sadistic.
"Good," Vanessa said. She indicated two white boxes, one to either side of her on the couch. "Those two boxes have the outfits Antoinette picked out for you. Put them on, fix your faces, and let's get going. Quickly. Half the night has been lost already."
Sabrina picked up her box and went to the main bath on the first floor. I picked up mine, and then headed down to my bathroom. Heidi helped Sabrina dress and Desiree helped me. Antoinette sent over a gorgeous black silk gown. It was loose, but still managed to hug my every curve. The gown had a plunging neckline, virtually no back, and fastened behind my neck. Unfasten one snap, and it fell off. It came with lacy garter belt, black silk hose, and designer shoes.
