Silver

by Pieslak, Dixie

  “Yeah, that's it. Now I’ve found her again. If she thinks she's careful, wait until she sees how careful I am this time. I’ve practiced over the years, making new vamps to run with. Had to kill most of them when they got pissy with me, but slashing them to pieces was fun and they asked for it.”

  ”You're a bastard, Russell.”

  “Yeah, maybe. But I saved your skinny ass from the vamp that was after your territory, so love me, Baby. Love me.” I looked out at the cars beside us on the freeway. Megan, I promise to go slow with Henna. She'll make it through all right. Not die on me. Henna, you are mine.

  “Hey, Russell, Indian Hill is coming up and there’s a vampire.” Doreen turned off the freeway. “No one I recognize, but he’s right ahead.”

  “I feel him. We’re just going to stick our heads in and grab a look at Henna and check out the scene. Anyway, maybe he’s just passing through.”

  “Yeah, but you’re coming back. If it’s his territory, you gotta do protocol.”

  “I've done it before.” I leaned forward and peered out the front window. “Up there’s the Village Tavern. Pull over.”

  We scrambled out of the car and followed some people towards the entrance. “Maybe she’s on break,” I said. “But she’ll be easy to spot. Lots of red hair, plus you’ll probably feel her.”

  “Right now all I feel is that vampire.” Doreen nudged me. “That her? The vamp's staring at us - and look at her, Russell. I think she knows something's up.”

  I hauled Doreen back. “Let’s get out of here.”

  We raced to the car and Doreen spun towards the freeway. “I thought you said Henna's never seen you. We weren’t in there two seconds and she had you pegged.”

  “Yeah, maybe. But she didn't see us.” The car screeched around the on ramp. “I told you she was special. You feel it?”

  “All I felt was the power sitting next to her.”

  “Yeah, that was a surprise. Doesn’t change anything. She’s still mine.”

  “But not mine.” Doreen darted across to the fast lane. “I’m heading back to Long Beach.” She shook her head. “I don’t need trouble with a vamp as strong as that one. Guy’s been around a lot longer than we have and I don’t think he knows you have a claim on the girl. Looks to me like she’s his.” She glanced at me beside her. “You still going after her?”

  “After all this, you bet I am. Just drop me off in Redondo and I’ll take it from there.”

  “Yeah, right. I said I'd help, but forget it. You’re on your own.”

  “Always have been,” I mumbled.

  Chapter 26

  Henna's thumb biting tease at the park had twisted my head, although I shouldn’t have been surprised, so much about her was new. Then vamps showing up at the Tavern and no way to go after, with Henna reacting like she did and unable to relax until I put her to sleep before the Silver. I guarded her house all night and now running with Ev and Mark, staving off the urge to something violent.

  We headed off at a brisk pace, Ev determining the morning route, per usual. After the vampires showed, I'd stayed with her and was hyped from my vibes swirling with hers right in front of everyone. Rather much like an exhibitionist, which is an unfortunate corner of my nature. But the way she takes in what I send is intoxicating. Henna's independent and edgy - and delightfully nicer to me each time we meet. Harder for me too each time we meet, the girl's so hot. Hard here, hard there. I need this run.

  Mark asked Ev about something and I lagged back, monitoring their talk. Girls, naturally, and not the part relating to brains and personalities. They were in the mood for crude and best I avoid all part of that conversation. But I’m male, so I listened.

  Twenty minutes along we approached a bushy shrub where a blind corner leads onto another street. A light wave passed over me - a delicious wave - and I swooped around the shrub. She stood on the sidewalk, hands on her hips, a sheen of sweat and a wiseacre look on her face. I loved that expression and immediately returned it.

  “Henna?” Mark jerked to a halt. “You’re Henna from the Village Tavern.” His eyes flicked appreciatively to her chest, her running shorts, her bare thighs.

  In a flash I was between them with sharp visions slicing through my head - Louie’s killing rage when I jumped Sonja in Amsterdam, defense of his woman overtaking everything. Now, in a blink, Mark was a sexual predator and I, his running mate, stood there as the Dark Shadow of Death.

  My eyes stared blackly into Mark’s, daring him to move. Startled, he did move, a quick step back, which was smart of him even if he didn’t know it.

  But Henna was looking at me. “Morning Henna,” I said politely through my teeth. “Out for a run?”

  She snickered. “No, I’m shopping for jewelry.”

  Love it when she plays. “There are diamonds and gold just around the corner,” I teased, still glaring at Mark.

  “Oh, no. I prefer silver, thank you.”

  I swiveled to take a deep look at her, hearing messages that surely weren't there. No, not there. But - silver? Coincidence? I heard Mark babbling.

  “Hi, Ev,” Henna said.

  Oops, missed an introduction I should have made, not Mark. I glanced at Ev and damn. My genius running mate was checking out her black tank top. Those two were undressing her right in front of me.

  Eye stalking!

  Red exploded inside me and my vamp took over, stepping harshly towards Ev. His eyes bulged and his mouth went slack. My fangs released. A deep threat sounded in my chest and when he gasped, I realized he must have heard. I pressed my lips tight, willing the fangs back. They stayed out and Mark was checking over her curves. Not thinking, I moved on him.

  “Brecken?” Henna's hand on my shoulder. My God, what am I doing? I sucked in strangled growls and leaned back to her and Mark’s life went on. She had rescued and she rescued further with simple words. “You guys run together?”

  What? She knows that already.

  Mark jumped in. “Better than alone.” I immediately saw me slicing the tongue from his quick mouth. “We run every morning. I haven’t seen you out before.”

  “Every morning? Wish I could do that.”

  She was keeping her cool, I realized foggily. There’s not one indication that she knows this already. Nothing at all to suggest we’ve been seeing each other. Well, that works for me; I’ve been quiet about it, too. My fangs receded enough for me to talk. “How far are you running today?” I asked. My darker self can be polite and knows very well how to hide what I am.

  “Far enough.” She took a few deep breaths. “I’m about to turn around.”

  Mark had to butt in, the blind fool. “You could run with us if you want.” I wanted to smash him. Ram his mouthy suggestions down his throat. Smear mud in his filthy eyes. I stepped closer.

  Henna was smiling sweetly, but she widened her eyes at me like a reprimand. “Mark, um, no thanks. You guys are out of my league.”

  And the four of us had a strange little staring match right there in the middle of the sidewalk. Puzzled Ev staring at me, Henna staring at the ground, Mark doing the Henna’s leg thing again, and me glaring at the world.

  “So, I’ve heard you sing,” Mark said suggestively, clueless how close he was to pain.

  “Hope you enjoyed it. Have you been in to hear me too, Ev?”

  “Uhh,” he stammered. “Not yet. I'd like to.” He seemed to check back with me, unsure. I tried to look okay with it all, while I pictured my thumb jabbing his jugular.

  Henna was also looking at me, amused. Pretty obvious she saw me doing mental ninja moves on my friends. “Okay, guys, I better get going. Enjoy your run.”

  She turned back, jogging up the street ahead of us. Ev was fixed on the sidewalk, but Mark grinned after her, looking straight at her butt and I lost it.

  “Damned lech.” My fangs dangled behind clenched lips, volcanic rage boiling - and he didn't deserve what I wanted to slam on him. I forced myself to stillness.

  Mark looked at me. “What di
d you say??”

  “You’re a disgusting lech, checking her out like that.”

  “You use the weirdest words sometimes,” he said. “What the hell is a lech?”

  “Okay, try pervert. Does that work for you?” I nearly growled and he didn't even notice.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t check her out yourself.” He saw my expression and laughed. Mark, so carefree and fun loving. Totally clueless.

  I could let it go. Or, I could pop his dirty eyeballs out. I enjoyed the imagery, but slowly thin membrane covered my fangs and irrational rage cooled.

  Henna was long gone and I’m a nice guy, really I am. So Mark got to live. We ran on - me listening for a comment, any comment, about her. One suggestive remark, and I’d blow. Knock them on their asses, at the very least.

  Sometimes people, all unaware, are nevertheless wise. They spoke not a word for the rest of the run, but as we parted Ev turned to me. “Don’t get me wrong, Brecken, but if I’m ever caught in a dark alley, I want you on my side.”

  It seems that every time I'm home, Christina is asleep or gone. I stood at the tub and checked out my collection of good smells. Mom used to say that if she bought me a new scent, I wouldn’t argue with her for a week. Lotions, body spray, candles, and scented shampoo. Home made soaps from an art fair and bath oils. I love scent and use them all. And now I was sticky from jogging and the bathtub waited.

  I like the water as hot as I can take, so I lay in the luxury of my bubble bath with scented steam rising around me, fogging the mirror and settling on the chrome, which I'll polish up afterwards. Sometimes I read in the tub or work on music. This time I let my mind drift to the new people in my new life, especially the ones I just met with Brecken.

  I don't remember seeing Mark before and for sure have never seen Ev, but they seemed like typical students. They surprised me this morning but no surprise to see Brecken since that familiar sensation warned me he was near. I don't think he was surprised either, or not entirely surprised. My guess was that he sensed me too, and always has.

  But that wasn't normal. I mean, normal for me, but not for other people. So what does that say about him? More confirmation that he's different, is what it says.

  It was funny the way he acted towards the other two, like they were rivals. Is he the jealous kind? Obviously. So am I though, or at least I can be.

  My thoughts turned to the atmosphere at work yesterday. There was extra high tension in the PR offices, mostly from Gina. Since she’s the boss, what she feels can affect the whole place. Her tension spread to everyone else and I couldn’t just do nothing when I had the means to alter that tension.

  I seldom use my abilities like that, but I knew what would work because I’ve done it all of my life. So I sent satisfied thoughts into the room. I visualized confidence and accomplishment. I created my perfect working scenario and sent that picture out to every person there. Of course, I pictured Gina happy with me and me happy right back. And none of that took long.

  It worked as it always does. Some tension still there, but it was the good kind that propels us to action. The kind that eased at the end of my work day. Like I was easing in my scented tub, even though my head was obsessed with the way Brecken looked this morning. Good grief the guy is built perfect. And he had his temper on. I blew bubbles from my shoulder and laughed. I don't think he wanted me to notice that temper.

  The water cooled as water does. I soaped up with a sea sponge and shaved where I shave then stood under the shower to shampoo and condition my hair. I let the water out, wrapped my hair in a towel and wiped down the chrome and everything else, even the floor. Needful tasks that I don't much like, but Christina's house and I'm trying to get better about picking up. A quick check of my nails. All good and I keep them short anyway for guitar.

  Scent lingered in the humid air and I sucked it in as I picked over bottles of lotion. It's winter so I went for a fresh scent that reminded me of nature after a storm, and I applied it all over, from neck to toes. My body tingled and my skin was flushed from the hot water. Or from picturing Brecken in his running shorts.

  My hair was easy to comb through, but blow or air dry? I let it air dry. Deal with the bushy later. I slipped on a white robe and tripped down the stairs to start coffee for me and Christina, who was moving around now. Plenty of time for a good breakfast before work, and maybe I'd tell her about bumping into Brecken this morning.

  I think of myself as a strong person, but sometimes I like being girlie. The last hour was indulgent girlie time and I vowed to do it more often. Maybe run that street more often too, and bump into Brecken again, but smile at cute Mark.

  Chapter 27

  I sat on Amie's swing. Wind ruffled my hair and made my shirt billow. I pushed the swing into jerky movement. No chance to see Henna at the university and she was with her cousin at the Tavern and after, so I'd only had a short time on the slope behind her house, listening to them talk about writing music. Her cousin knows nothing, but she does a good job of encouraging.

  There were lyrics in one of Henna’s computer files. A while now, since I broke into her room, and I haven't reviewed all of those lyrics and maybe I should have. I flipped my head through the file, but only one seemed unusual, like it was spur of the moment writing and maybe not finished. And sad, in a way.

  Here and There

  I’m welcomed in with open arms

  Questions are asked, relationships formed

  Told to unpack with smiles stretching wide

  Then life happens, I’m told to pack and

  I must say goodbye.

  It’s always the same, my heart filed with hope

  A dog named Lester, a cat I tried to help float

  But the loss of each family still breaks my heart

  Because life happened and I was told

  I had to move apart.

  Here and now, all was good

  Then moved to there and told I should

  Find my place in the new here

  But soon I do I’m moved again

  Gone from here to there.

  Families hold hands

  As they walk near.

  I watch those hands

  And fear that for me,

  A family may never be.

  But I hang on to here

  Will not forget there

  Because the here and there

  Have done their part

  To help make me.

  No time to think those lyrics through because company was coming. I traipsed back to my own house. Best to deal formally, without violence; but there was zero tolerance in me that the vampire was back.

  I peered through the slit of my curtain. He was across the street. Let him wait.

  I checked him over, as I had at the Tavern. Not that tall, with severely short hair and dark eyes. Not bad looking, but rough. A long brown coat and thick soled shoes. In his late thirties by appearance, though some years younger as a vamp. Experienced, though. He stared at my front door, finally beginning to fidget.

  Jumpy, I thought. Accepting the protocol and willing to abide by it, but not liking it. Because of his showing up at the Tavern, I made him wait longer. Half an hour. Forty minutes. Then I opened the door and walked down the driveway to the street.

  I passed him without speaking and headed for the oak trees on the next block. He quickened his pace and strode alongside, checking me out as I had done with him.

  The coat swayed in tune with his strides. Wool, I noticed, good for looking human in frigid weather. Not from California then, or perhaps newly returned to the state. He moved solidly, unconcerned and sure of himself.

  I leaned against the tree trunk and studied his attitude through half closed eyes. Protocol required me to speak first, but I waited, taunting his impatience. He came to my town so it was on him to seek me out and discuss intentions. No need to like it, just do it.

  “Who are you?” My voice was neutral, without challenge.

  “Russell. You?” Good voice, higher
than I expected and deceptive, linen masking scarred metal. This one would obfuscate, would offer a piece of truth to couch more important truths. I wouldn't allow that.

  “I'm Brecken. Where you from?”

  “Been traveling. All over the U. S. of A. No place special.” His tone was as neutral as mine, the two of us fencing and both knowing it.

  “You haven’t been in California long.”

  He puzzled a moment. “I’m from here but I was out of state. How'd you know?” I glanced at the give-away coat. “What's wrong with this coat? I like it.”

  “Not much for the blending in though, is it.”

  “I blend in good when I want to.”

  No one accompanied him this time, but I had the right to know if others were on the way. Such as the female I'd seen. “Are you alone?”

  “Mostly. I’m alone right now.”

  “No human companions?”

  “You mean do I carry around food?”

  “I actually meant do you have any human friends. Apparently not. Why are you here?”

  “Nice little place. Never seen it before last night.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Not in Claremont.”

  “Mmm. That's not an answer, Russell. You're in my territory.” I didn't like this guy but had no reason I could pin down, except that he'd seen Henna.

  “I’m over in Azusa. Found an empty house. Foreclosed so I didn’t kill anyone for it, if that’s what you want to hear. Not your territory there, anyway.”

  “Back off on that. Anyplace within fifteen miles or so is mine.”

  “I didn’t feel you there and ten miles is territory limit.” Russell was getting belligerent. Maybe he thought to claim Azusa and was here to set up a challenge for the place. And maybe he came to the Tavern to find me.

  It was hard to stay reasonable, but this was my turf and I had the upper hand. “True,” I said. “But I'm testy about what borders my territory. I don’t care if you're in Azusa for a while, as long as you don't come closer.”