by Judith Post
He leaned back in his chair and watched the traffic pass beneath them. The restaurant across the street had strung small, orange lights in the bushes around each of its doors. Halloween. Witches and goblins, trick-or-treating. Little witches in pointy hats, begging for candy. Damn. Things were seldom what they seemed.
Voronika tugged at him. "Let's take a walk."
"But Angel…."
"Is asleep. She's spent most of her life on her own. She'll be fine."
Enoch nodded. He locked the grid at the balcony. They got their jackets and set off down the street. Walking in the dark freed his thoughts somehow. When they returned before dawn, he had a plan. He never thought he'd resort to financial blackmail, but it might work.
Ulrich was returning with Crystal and Lucinda.
"How did it go?" Enoch asked on the ride up in the elevator.
Ulrich tossed him an exasperated look. "Rome wasn't built in a day."
True. And Enoch couldn't smooth over life's wrinkles in a week or two. He'd calmed down. He'd give himself more time. And he'd try new tactics.
The vampires wandered off to bed. He settled in his easy chair to read until it was time to take Angel to school. This time, he parked in the lot and walked into the building with her. Kids stopped and stared as they passed him in the hallway. He stooped to give Angel a kiss on the top of her head before he headed to the office.
"Who's he?" he heard a girl ask Angel.
"He's my new, adopted dad." Angel said it proudly.
"Is he the guy who bought you all the new stuff?" another kid asked.
"Yeah, he doesn't like me going to school here, but I don't want to leave, so he's thinking about donating money to buy us new things."
An older boy asked, "What kind of things?"
"Gym equipment, matching jackets and shirts with our school's logo on them." Angel shrugged. "Stuff."
"Gym shoes? Would he buy us gym shoes?" the boy asked.
"Probably. He doesn't know anything about kids, though. We'd have to tell him what we want."
"New computers?" the first girl asked.
"I guess. He has an awful lot of money."
Angel walked to class with more and more kids surrounding her. Enoch took a deep breath. This was pitiful. He was resorting to tacky gimmicks to influence friends, but if it worked for Angel and helped the kids in this building, why not?
"He's dreamy," another girl said. "Like Wolverine."
Enoch frowned. Was that supposed to be a compliment? He scratched his chin. Dark stubble. He hadn't shaved yet. Did he look hairy?
"What does your new mom look like?" someone asked.
"Like a movie star." Angel wrinkled her nose. "But she's making me do my homework."
A kid laughed. "Yeah, that's what my mom does, too."
They disappeared into their classrooms and Enoch braced himself to see the school's principal. When he left the building, he felt befuddled. Apparently, most schools were under-funded. An offer of money produced all kinds of enthusiasm. On the drive home, he listened to Chopin. He felt better. At first, his money had gotten Angel in trouble at school, but now it could level the playing field. What she did from there was her choice. If only money could solve the other girls' problems, but surviving as new vampires took brains and courage. Ulrich could teach them the basics, but vampires weren't immune to preying on one another. The girls needed to find an older, stronger vampire who'd sponsor them.
Chapter 17
Once again, Scarlet was leaving as he was arriving. She was off to look for jobs again today. This time, she wore a long, burgundy skirt and a gold, cowl-necked top.
"Good luck!" he called to her as she hopped into his Land Rover and disappeared. He watched her for a minute. She was headed in the direction of Feral's club. He shook his head. Lots of things lay in that direction—businesses, restaurants.
The apartment was silent when he entered it. As before, he grabbed his laptop and got to work. His article was almost finished before it was time to pick up Angel. He pulled in line at school and got out of the car to lean against it, making himself extremely visible. When kids shot out of the building, a few came to press notes into his hand. He opened a few.
"I vote for Nikes," one said.
"I want black with white stripes," said another.
Hmm, the principal must have announced that he'd like to buy matching gym shoes for every kid in the school.
A girl pushed a red heart cut from construction paper into his hand. It said, "You're handsome."
He nodded and smiled. She blushed to her root line and scurried away. When Angel came out, he held the car door for her. She got in and sighed.
"How was your day?" He slid behind the steering wheel.
She teared up. "Thank you."
Damn it. He got all emotional again, but forced himself to be calm. "It's only a start. The rest is up to you."
She looked at him. "I talked to lots of kids today, and they were nice. They're allowed to talk to me now that I'm not living with Mom."
"Lots of parents wouldn't approve of her." He could understand their concern.
Angel blinked again and swiped a hand over her eyes. "I always thought it was me. That they didn't like me."
He grinned at her. "What's not to like?"
And then she cried for real. He kicked himself. He should have said something else. What did you say to eleven-year-old girls? He'd learn. He'd get better at it.
She'd calmed down by the time they reached the apartment. Voronika was waiting for them when they walked inside. She took one look at Angel's tear-streaked face and said, "What happened?"
"I had such a wonderful day!" And Angel started crying again.
Upset, Enoch looked at Voronika. She shook her head, but kept her voice low, trying not to wake Ulrich. Enoch felt sorry for him, having to sleep on the couch. "These are good tears," Voronika said. "They're washing away some of the bad. Let her cry."
She motioned for them to follow her onto the balcony and patted to the seat next to hers. Angel plopped on it, ready to tell her about her day. When she finished, she said, "My teacher told me if I'm actually going to do homework, I need to buy some notebooks and do it right." She handed Voronika a list.
"No time like now," Voronika said. "Let me get dressed and I'll drive you to the strip mall. There's an office supply store there."
Enoch glanced down at the parking lot. Scarlet hadn't returned yet. He'd feel safer if Voronica drove the Land Rover with its tinted windows, but gray clouds swathed Three Rivers in heavy layers. Fall and winters were usually gloomy—perfect vampire weather.
Before Voronika and Angel were ready to leave, Scarlet hurried into the building. She looked ready to burst with pent-up excitement. Things must have gone well.
"Where are you two off to?" she asked when she saw Voronika up and ready to leave. When Angel explained, Scarlet handed Voronika the keys to the Land Rover and slid out of her heels. "I think I'll take a shower and change into something comfortable. It's been a long day. I might watch some TV until it's time for supper."
Voronika gave Enoch a peck on the cheek on her way out the door. Angel dutifully followed, close on her heels. The girl needed a distraction. This outing was low-key enough to work.
Scarlet stopped in the hallway on her way to the bedroom and turned to Enoch. "Your day's been busy, too. Want to watch TV with me?"
That was the last thing Enoch wanted to do, but the offer didn't strike him as genuine. Had Scarlet decided to try to be more polite?
He shook his head. "I might take a short walk before supper."
Her smile came too easily. "I'll see you later then." She quietly opened the door to her room, trying not to wake Lucinda. She probably didn't have to worry. Vampires slept deeply during the day.
Enoch flipped through the mail he'd picked up in the lobby and then tugged on his coat. He opened the door to leave the apartment, but changed his mind. Traffic clogged the streets this time of night. Fumes choked the
air. What was he thinking? He closed the door and went out on the balcony instead. The traffic noise still hummed on the streets, but by the time it reached him, it was muted. The fumes stayed closer to ground level.
He sagged onto a lawn chair and stretched his legs in front of him. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander. A short time later, he heard Scarlet's bedroom door open. She started down the hallway, but stopped at Voronika's bedroom. The knob turned, and Scarlet went inside.
What would she be doing in there? Enoch quietly went to see. She'd left the door ajar, so he pushed it wider and saw Scarlet, standing over Crystal, gripping a wooden stake, poised for a kill.
"I wouldn't do that."
She jumped at his voice and drew back her hands to plunge them down. Enoch shot Light at the stake, knocking it out of her grip.
"No!" Her cry woke Crystal, who pulled back her lips and hissed. Lucinda came running into the hallway and stared at him.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Enoch crossed his arms over his chest. "Scarlet tried to stake Crystal."
Ulrich flashed to Crystal's side and gripped her shoulders. The girl's eyes flamed bright yellow. Her fangs and claws sprang out. "Calm yourself. Don't let the bloodlust overwhelm your reason."
Lucinda's fangs flashed, too, and Enoch gripped her arm. "Don't let this push you in the wrong direction. Ulrich and I can handle Scarlet."
"She tried to kill me!" Crystal struggled against Ulrich's strength, but made no headway. Eventually, she quit trying.
Lucinda visibly fought for control, forcing herself to calm down. Her eyes changed from yellow to her natural deep blue.
Scarlet's lips turned down in a snarl. She pointed at Lucinda, Ulrich, and Crystal. "None of you would change me! I asked all of you."
Lucinda's eyebrow rose in a warning. "What does that have to do with killing Crystal?" And then understanding made her gasp. "If you killed her, Feral promised to change you, didn't she?"
"No!"
"That's where you've been going on your job hunts." Lucinda sniffed. "I can smell the club on you." She yanked down the high collar of Scarlet's Chinese kimono. Bite marks bruised the base of her throat. "You're an addict. You need your wine fix and your venom high. If you killed Crystal, Feral promised to change you."
"I deserve it!" Scarlet pulled her collar back in place. "I've earned it. Vampires have fed off me for decades. I want more than their venom. I want to be one of them."
Enoch took a step toward her, raising his palm, and Scarlet held her breath. Furious, he pointed at her and sparks of Light flickered off his finger. "Why? Why does Feral hate Crystal so much?"
Scarlet pressed her lips together and shook her head.
"Tell me and I let you leave here. Keep your secret and take it to your grave."
She licked her lips. "You can't tell Feral. She'll kill me."
"I don't care what Feral knows or doesn't know. I want an answer."
The words rushed out. "Feral blames Crystal for Desya's death. She'll never forgive her."
Enoch and Ulrich exchanged glances. Feral wouldn't quit. She'd keep trying to kill Crystal until she succeeded. Unless they killed her first. But they had to have a reason, and she'd deny everything Scarlet just told them. Enoch moved out of Scarlet's way. "Go. Get out of here and don't come back."
"But she tried…." Lucinda's hands curled into fists.
"I made a deal with her. I keep my word." Enoch motioned toward the door. "Get out of here."
Scarlet hurried across the hall. When she returned, she carried all of the bags full of things Enoch had bought for her. She'd had them packed and ready.
Lucinda shook her head. "You have no pride."
"So bite me. Oh, wait, you wouldn't, would you?" Scarlet squared her shoulders and left.
Ulrich motioned for Lucinda to stay with Crystal and try to comfort her, then he and Enoch went to the balcony.
"Feral's more dangerous than I thought," Ulrich said. "She plays dirty. We have to stay ahead of her."
They watched a long, sleek car pull to the curb to pick up Scarlet. Enoch grimaced. "She must have called Feral for an escape plan. I'm betting Incisor's driving her back to the club."
Ulrich raised his middle finger at the retreating tail lights. "Feral will change her. She almost has to. If she kills her now, we'll know. I hope the bitch likes being a vampire."
"She will. If Scarlet has a heart, she never used it."
The apartment door opened, and Ulrich glanced inside. Voronika and Angel returned from their shopping trip. They were laughing at something, but stopped at the eerie quiet that greeted them. "Your woman's going to want to hunt down Scarlet and rip off her head. You'd better do damage control. I wish I had some place to take Crystal, but no one has time to train her. Bart sent me here as a favor to you, but told me that if I could find a way to shut down Feral permanently, so much the better."
Enoch had wondered why Bart had sent Ulrich. He was a general, one of his best. It had surprised Enoch that he came to train new vampires. "I wish we could send Crystal to Caleb's fortress. No enemies get in there."
"Do you?" Ulrich gave him a look. "You've visited it. The fortress is like a party zone for vamps. You'd be shipping a pretty, innocent girl to a den of iniquity."
Enoch winced. Okay, that put it in perspective. No one could spend the time on Crystal that he and Voronika could. "She's safe as long as she stays with us. She can't go anywhere alone."
"I'll make sure she understands that." Ulrich knew the subtleties and treachery of rogue vampires as well as he did. Feral wasn't exactly a rogue, and she used that to her advantage. The sooner they got Crystal far, far away from her, the better. In the meantime, they'd have to do the best they could.
Chapter 18
Ulrich stayed on the balcony when Enoch went inside to calm down Voronika. He listened to her reaction. She took the news of Scarlet's trying to kill Crystal as well as he'd expected—she wanted to storm into Feral's club and slash Scarlet to ribbons before she ripped off her head. Cool, sensuous V had a mothering streak he'd never suspected.
He chuckled. Enoch had met his match in her. His thoughts turned to Scarlet. Damn, he wished Enoch had blasted a hole in her with his Light. That woman didn't just look frigid, ice flowed through her veins. She'd stab anyone in the back to get what she wanted.
The French doors opened and Lucinda stepped outside to join him. Tonight, she wore jeans and a dark sweater. They hugged her curves. He could understand how she'd caught some old vampire's attention, but the bastard needed to be hunted down and staked. Vamps didn't change mortals these days unless they asked to become an undead.
She came to stand next to him, her gaze sweeping the city. "I've never really seen Three Rivers. Feral had me crated here in a wooden coffin and no one opened it until they were ready to chain me to the basement wall."
She said it as a statement, nothing more. Ulrich curled his fingers into fists. When this was over, he'd make a point of finding Lucinda's sire, but first, he'd deal with Feral. For now, he needed to keep his cool. "It's not a bad city. Not too big, not too small. It has three rivers, so the roads are laid out sort of odd, but I like the view from Enoch's apartment."
"You and Enoch go back a long way?"
"Ever since Bart chose me as one of his generals. I was still green behind the ears, but Enoch never lost patience with me. On our first campaign, I let the main rogue we were after escape. I was furious with myself, but all Enoch said was, 'We'll run into him again. He's too full of himself to stay quiet for long.' And he was right. The next time we chased him down, I killed him."
She stared at him. "Weren't you scared? Older vampires have more power. How did you know you could beat him?"
Ulrich laughed. "I was old, too, and I'm a Viking. Viking's live to fight."
Her blue eyes glinted. "I wish I knew how to fight. My brothers used to thump me around when I didn't get supper on the table fast enough or finish their laundry on time. I got tired
of learning my place."
"So train with me," Ulrich said. "Viking women knew how to handle a short sword or a knife. You're a vampire now. Grow strong."'
She blinked. "You'd train me?"
"There's more to being a vampire than drinking blood. You have lots of years ahead of you. It helps if they have some purpose."
"Can females become generals?"
"Bart's mate, Claudia, fights by his side. There are other women generals, too."
Angel opened one of the patio doors and said, "Voronika's ready for supper. I have homework to do while you train Lucinda and Crystal."
Ulrich grimaced. "I'm not some school boy who has to sit up straight at the table." He sniffed the aromas coming from the kitchen and changed his mind. "Cabbage and salt cod?" he asked Enoch.
"Just like your mother used to make you." Enoch motioned toward a casserole of macaroni and cheese. "I didn't think you'd like Angel's favorite."
Ulrich picked up a fork and stabbed some sautéed cabbage. "Norse food. I've missed it."
Over supper, Lucinda told Voronika about Ulrich's offer to train her as a fighter.
Voronika turned to Enoch. "You should go with them and work with Crystal. She should learn to defend herself, too."
Crystal started to protest, then decided against it. "I don't want to become a general, but I don't want to be helpless either."
Ulrich's shoulders relaxed. Good. The girl was learning. It would take a long time before she was strong enough to survive an older vampire, like Feral, but if she trained, she'd be more aware of danger and have a better chance of dodging it. "What do you say, old friend?" Ulrich finished the last of his meal with a satisfied sigh. "I'll help you rinse dishes if you help me with training."
Enoch nodded. "The faster they learn, the safer they are."
Voronika shooed them away. She glanced outside at the evening sky. "Angel and I will rinse the dishes. She doesn't have that much homework tonight. You four go. Start teaching them the basics."
Ulrich pushed away from the table. "You heard her. Let's move it."
Enoch tugged a sleek hoodie over his head.
