“Hmmm…well as you know we do not need an invitation to come into your home, let me see…other things about us you should know…we do not have to stay out of the sun—well most of us anyway, some vampires descended from the Nosferatu have sun issues. What else? Uhmm… garlic does nothing except give us bad breath, and I have no aversion to crosses, some more religious vampires do, but I think it is all mind over matter and crisis of faith creating the problem.”
“Holy water?”
“Nope, not me anyway.”
“Coffins?”
“Some of us still like the stereotype and find coffins quite comfortable. However most of us prefer beds,” his voice held a touch of amusement.
“Mirrors?”
He hesitated, then said, “I can see my reflection just fine…in new mirrors and with modern digital technology.”
“Why just new mirrors and modern technology?”
“New mirrors are usually not coated with real silver anymore, just silver paint. And modern digital technology has cut the silver out of photo and film processing.”
“So vampires do have issues with silver?”
He looked like he didn’t want to tell me. “Yes, unfortunately, most of us have silver issues. Real silver can pose a threat to us.” He glanced around like he wanted to make sure no one could hear what we were saying.
“How much of a threat?”
“It can hurt like hell and burn if we come into contact with it. If it ends up inside our bodies, we can be severely injured. Enough silver to the head or heart can kill us.”
“If the silver is removed will you heal?” I had seen in movies and TV shows like True Blood, once the silver is removed the damage will heal. But some books I have read said silver injuries are permanent.
“External injuries will heal quickly if we are properly fed. Internal injuries can take longer depending on the damage. A fatal injury will not heal even if the silver is removed. At least, not that I am aware of. There have been rumors about vampires coming back after one of their minions removes the offensive silver bullet or weapon from the brain or heart.”
“Wow, good to know. Anything else I should know?” I asked. I mentally took notes. With a killer vampire on the loose I needed all the info possible about how to hurt or kill a vampire.
He sighed. “Anwyn, everything I tell you about vampires is only what I know to be true for myself and the vampires I know. It is not definitive. Not all vampires are the same.”
“What do you mean they’re not all the same?” This was becoming totally intriguing.
“Just like humans, vampires all have the same basic DNA but there are subtle differences as well. You should know a large majority of humans have a part, however far removed in their genetic line it may be, which is Other—could be fae, could be demon, could be witch. Most only have a small droplet of Other DNA, so small nothing ever comes of the non-human part of them.”
“Let me guess, unless they are turned into a vampire.” Wow, I wondered if Mel knew all this. It would fit right in with all her crazy research.
He smiled. “You’re a quick study and exactly right. When the transformation to vampire occurs it awakens and magnifies the dormant Other DNA.”
“So that’s why vampires all have different powers and weaknesses?”
“The way I understand it, yes. Many vampires’ powers and weaknesses are connected to the Other…for lack of better word, DNA that is part of their genetic makeup.”
“What about the vampire sire? Do new vampires get part of their powers too, like a child gets genetic traits from their parents?”
“Yes, a made vampire also gets powers from their sire. So a vampire can have a very complicated mix of ‘genetics’ inside them. A whole lot of Other besides just vampire.”
“So vampires are like supernatural mutts? A little bit of everything residing in their DNA and their sire’s DNA? Do you know what you are? I mean besides vampire. What do your powers and weaknesses say about you?” I asked lightheartedly. After the discussion I didn’t think he’d mind further questioning.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
His voice, so low no one else could hear, added to the menace creeping across my skin. He replied not so lighthearted, “Anwyn, I am a monster. I may look human right now, eating pizza with you and everything, but you have to know this isn’t what nourishes me. I drink blood. I survive on blood. I enjoy death.”
The image of him vamped out with fangs sunk into the neck of some poor unsuspecting woman flashed through my head. I shivered.
“I know what you are Galen. You don’t have to remind me.”
“Did you not get the point of my little tutorial, Anwyn? You do not know what I am, not fully. You have to be aware of what you are getting into with me. Everyone carries baggage, but an immortal vampire with serious issues and questionable genetics is going to be a lot to handle relationship wise. I am damaged, Anwyn.”
“Galen, we’re all damaged.” I sighed, knowing all too much about being damaged.
With those thoughts drifting between us the waitress set our food and drinks in front of us.
We ate our pizza in silence.
Chapter 14
I stood in the parking lot next to my car when Galen finally broke the silence.
“Anwyn, I am really sorry I ruined our evening. I wanted this to be something good, a get to know each other night where we could talk and act like…two average people on a first date. Then it hit me, we are not average, hell we are not even people. You are a witch not knowing a damn thing about vampires and I am a recovering killer trying to live a semi-normal life.”
“Recovering killer? Is that what they’re calling it these days?” I retorted wryly as I kicked at a clump of mud in the parking lot. A cloud of dirt and small rocks skittered across the pavement.
He didn’t look pleased. His brows knit together in frustration as he studied me through narrowed eyes.
“Sorry, Galen. Just trying to lighten the mood a bit. Look, I know we’re not human and I’m well aware of your past. You do keep throwing it in my face after all.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but I stopped him.
“Hear me out, okay?”
He nodded.
“I know you’re a vampire, and I know I’m not fully aware of everything it means. I do know you’re dangerous. I know I need to be conscious of your danger. I am. You have fangs and you know how to use them, I got it.”
“Anwyn…” His green eyes swirled with gold flecks of light as he seemed to struggle with his emotions. “I just want you to understand what you are getting yourself into with dating a vampire, dating me.”
“That’s fine but don’t be all doom and gloom about it. We were having a perfectly nice evening learning about each other, well mainly I was learning about you, all the vampire stuff, which is what you want, but then you got all dark and menacing on me. Do you always suffer from such fast mood swings?”
He nervously ran his fingers through his silky dark waves and looked around the parking lot then back at me.
He smiled shyly. “No, the mood swings are not a regular trait of mine. I have to blame those on you, on us. Anwyn, I am so drawn to you it drives me crazy with need to be with you, yet I want to protect you. And to protect you, I should stay away from you. Every time I am near you my dual emotions are pulling me in two directions at once—as close to you as I can be and as far away from you as possible.”
“And your physical body meets them somewhere in the middle. You’re with me yet you keep me at arms’ length, so close but rarely touching.” I reached up and cupped his strong jaw in my hand and directed his gaze to mine. “Galen, I am so very attracted to you it’s driving me wild. I want to jump into this relationship and never look back. But every time we get close to actually starting something you pull away. Sooner or later I’m just going to let you pull away and keep on going.”
He leaned into me, his lips barely grazed mine. “As much as I do not wan
t that to happen, it may be the best thing for you, Anwyn.”
I put my hand on his neck and pulled his head back down to mine crushing my lips against his. Kissing him was heaven. I didn’t want to stop, but I paused long enough to murmur, “Neither one of us want that, Galen, so quit splitting us up before we’re even together.”
He didn’t answer with words. He just deepened the kiss between us, sending heat rushing to my extremities then flowing into my core. I wanted to melt in his embrace, but once again, he pulled away too soon.
“I am sorry. I think this is enough for tonight. I know, I know, pulling away again, but I think we both need to process what went on tonight and think about everything. Please do not be angry with me, Anwyn.”
“Look Galen, I get it, being a vampire sucks.” I almost giggled at my unintentional pun until I caught sight of his unamused expression. “Look, I’m not angry, disappointed, yes. Angry, no. I did have a lovely evening, considering.” I smiled.
“Me too,” He kissed me once more, lightly brushing his lips across mine then he turned and headed toward VAMP.
“We’ll do it again soon, I hope,” I called out.
“Of course,” he replied, turning to smile at me. He waved and continued on.
I regretfully headed home alone.
Chapter 15
My phone was ringing when I walked through the door. I rushed to grab it before it went to voice mail.
“Hello?”
“Anwyn dear, we need to talk.”
“Gram, what is it? Is mom okay?”
“She’s better than she was the other day when you were here, but that’s not why I called. I received a disturbing phone call tonight. A friend said she’d seen you at the pizza place downtown and you were with a vampire,” she said, the last word pronounced like it was poisonous.
“Gram…”
“Anwyn, you know how this family feels about vampires.”
“Gram, I am well aware of your feelings about vampires. I just don’t completely understand them. I know dad was killed by vampires and thus our lives were ruined. But what if other witches had been responsible, or what about all the humans who played a part in his death? Should we avoid them all as well? I learned Satinka Tala, a vampire, was dad’s partner and mom’s best friend before he got killed.”
“That fanged whore was never a true friend to your mother and she let your father get killed. I don’t want to speak of her at all. And I don’t want you to have anything to do with her.”
“Gram, I’m all grown up and you can’t dictate who I speak to. Especially when it’s my job to deal with the Others in this area. You know I’m not only a member of the P.I.T. Crew now but I was promoted to being the Preternatural Liaison for the area as well.”
“I heard.”
“Gram, you should be proud of me. I wish you and mom could be proud of me.”
“Oh, Anwyn. I am. We are. I’m sorry for acting like a lunatic about it, but it’s just vampires drive me nuts. I know they aggravate your mom and just the mention of them has her retreating deeper into her shell. And I worry about her. I worry about you out there on the streets and being in contact with them.” She paused and I heard a big sigh. “Anwyn, the vampire you were seen with at WizeGuys, are you dating him?”
Crap. Crap. Crap. I could either come clean, get it out in the open and have her totally freak on me or I could keep the peace by lying through my teeth. I didn’t even know if Galen and I were going to work out. There was no need in getting everyone all upset about nothing. I would tell her later, if Galen and I got more serious.
“No, Gram, of course not. It was work related. I have been questioning all the vampires in the area about the murders.”
“You had to question him over dinner?” she asked with a hint of disbelief in her voice.
“I was hungry. He was next door at VAMP. We decided to meet at the restaurant. It was convenient, that’s all.” I hated lying to her, I really did, but what else was I supposed to do?
“If you say so, Wyn.” She switched topics. “You should drop by again soon and see us. Maybe have dinner with us one night. Just be sure you don’t reek of vampire when you come over, okay darling?”
“Sure Gram, I’ll let know when I can come by.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too, give mom a kiss for me and tell her I love her, all right?”
“Of course dear.” She hung up.
My heart was about to pound its way right out of my chest. The old vampire hating conversation always found its way into a discussion if I so much as looked at a vampire. I couldn’t imagine how bad it would get if she found out I was dating Galen.
Chapter 16
I nervously prepared for dinner with Mom and Gram. I shouldn’t be so freaked out about a normal family dinner, but had a feeling Gram would grill me about Galen. Not in the mood for the old vampire hate spiel tonight.
My cell blared The Devinyl’s “I Touch Myself” just as I walked out the door. Seriously? How the hell…
I answered, “Detective Rose.”
Malone’s deep, masculine voice came across the line, “Hey, Annie. I need you downtown. We got another dead woman.”
“Vampire?”
“I don’t think so. This one has no bite marks and something feels odd. I need your input.”
“Alright, I’ll be there in fifteen. Where exactly are you?”
“Behind The Torch.”
“Okay.” I hung up and dialed Grams.
She answered on the first ring. “You’re not coming are you?” she asked.
“Sorry, Gram. I just got called downtown. Work. If I get a chance I’ll stop by later for leftovers. Tell mom I love her.”
“Okay dear. I won’t count on you coming by, but I’ll be happy if you do. Just please make sure you drop by soon. We need to talk about some things.”
“Sure. Thanks, Gram. Love ya.”
“Love you too sweetie.”
I briefly wondered what she thought we needed to talk about. Probably the whole Galen vampire thing. I pretty much forgot about it as I rushed for the car and on to the crime scene.
Five o’clock rush was over so the highway wasn’t jammed up. The streets of downtown Flint were filled with college kids and folks milling around the restaurants either heading to dinner or just leaving. I turned off Saginaw onto a side street and pulled up behind Malone’s truck. I walked down the alley behind the Torch, a trendy little bar and grill which was one of Flint’s hidden little treasures, where the college kids and trendy artist types hung out.
I spotted the yellow tape and Malone standing just beyond it. He turned as I ducked under.
“Hey Annie. This one’s a puzzler. There’s not a mark on her. No bites, no bruises, no signs of foul play. Nothing. The ME says there are signs of sexual activity but it doesn’t appear to be forced. The sex could have happened before whatever killed her.”
I walked around the body. She looked young and pretty in a dark artsy way. Her hair was very dark, almost black with streaks of purple in it. She wore her makeup very dark also. Goth, maybe Emo or whatever they were calling it these days. I smelled the pungent aroma of sex mixed with death. It hung in the air like an invisible cloud.
I couldn’t sense any magick or feel any traces of vampire pheromones. This certainly wasn’t the work of our serial killer, not the work of any vampire. I knelt down and touched her body. Cold to my fingers, but that was all I felt.
Odd. Usually as soon as I touched a body I got images or flashes. This one didn’t give me anything. I put my other hand on her. One over her heart and one on her head to make a solid connection with her. Still nothing.
Crap.
I closed my eyes and pushed my power into her, imagining my seeking tendrils penetrating her memories. Finally, hazy images flashed in my mind, but they were just flashes. I had a hard time putting them together to get anything useful. Then I saw him. Finally, things made sense.
A young, gorgeous guy, very w
ell endowed. He had finally asked her out on a date. She had been thrilled. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They went into the alley to make out, one thing led to another. Then he sucked the life right out of her.
I stood up. “It was an incubus. A young one. Just a teenager. He lost control, it was an accident.”
Malone looked at me surprised. “A young incubus? I thought the incubi were all centuries old.”
“Most are. Many preternatural creatures have breeding issues. Reproduction is rare these days, but it does happen. I know of several couples who have successfully birthed children.”
“What about this guy? You know anyone with a horny teenage incubus?” Malone asked.
“No, but I know someone who probably does.”
“Satinka Tala?”
“Yeah.”
“What are we going to do with a teenage incubus who accidentally killed his human girlfriend?”
“I don’t know, Malone. Probably let The Guardians take care of it.”
He looked a little irritated. “And what about this poor girl’s parents?”
“We’ll have to spin-doctor it magically so they get closure as well. Malone you know this is a tough situation. It would be even if he had been human.”
“A human wouldn’t have sucked the life out of her.”
“You are absolutely right, Malone, but we both know human boys have accidentally killed their girlfriends in plenty of non-supernatural ways too. Shit can happen to anyone.”
“Yeah, but it happens to the monsters more often,” he snarled.
I wasn’t going to argue with him. I could quote statistics and facts, but it wouldn’t change his mind. To him, we’re all monsters.
****
When I arrived at VAMP Satinka had the family of the teenage incubi waiting to speak to me. The mom was a beautiful red haired succubus and dad was a drop dead gorgeous incubus who could suck my…life force any day. Muscles rippling, cheekbones that could cut, and lips…that could make you scream in ecstasy…
Hmmm…guess I wasn’t immune to incubi charms or he was simply too damn beautiful. Either way it took everything I had to drag my eyes away from him.
Hex and the Single Witch (Vehicle City Vampires) Page 9
