Silver

by Pieslak, Dixie

  I trembled and in the depths of my being I wondered why, in the midst of terror, I had enjoyed it.

  Chapter 66

  My bedroom prison was warm and I was feeling the first pangs of missed dinner, when the door suddenly opened. I jerked up with an involuntary squeak. Russell. Who else.

  He loomed over me. “Henna, I only have a minute.” The light from the hallway cast a glow behind him and I couldn’t make out his features at first. But his voice was filled with stress and - anguish?

  Russell knelt beside the bed, much closer than usual and I pressed myself to the wall. Was it now? A disgusting kiss? A bite? How could I stop him?

  He almost groaned. “I have to leave. There's no time. We shouldn’t have come back here, but I thought there was time. My mistake.”

  What in the world was he saying? Leave? I couldn’t leave with him. At least here I was close to home and maybe Brecken would find me. But, leave?

  “No!” I cried.

  He understood me. “Not you yet, just me.” He touched my hair and tugged a few strands into his hand. Then he stroked, like petting a dog, but curling his fingers in and my heart knocked at my chest. I twisted my head away and his hand followed. “So beautiful, all wild like that,” he whispered. “Just like hers.”

  He threaded his fingers deep into my hair and a longer lock grazed my shoulder. Then his face was right there and I whimpered, waiting for the bite I’d been expecting all along. His jaw moved sharply, pushing against my cheek, and it was over. He leaned back, my lock of hair dangling from his fingers.

  “Sorry. No scissors,” he said flatly and reached for me once more, stroking and tugging at the curls. I was absolutely still, absolutely confused. He bit off a piece of my hair? Like a souvenir? Was it preparation for another bite? The real bite?

  But he dropped his hand and leaned back. “So much like her.” What? Was he leaving me just like that? Unhurt? I couldn’t believe it was real. And he bent his forehead against mine, brief, scary and very careful. “Bye, Henna,” he murmured.

  I didn’t understand. What was the craziness this time? Biting off a lock of my hair? Telling me there was no time and he was leaving? I focused on that part.

  Russell moved his hand along my shoulder and stood. “I tried.” He turned to the doorway. “I told her I’ll take care of you. Bad idea, going to the beach. It was the fight and everyone yelling up on the highway. The cops radioed, and he probably heard so I’ve got to get out of here fast.” Russell shook his head then turned to me with a woeful look. “I told her you’d be safe. I’ll still try, but if I can't stop him, I'm running. Don't worry, Henna. I'll come back for you.” He moved into the hall.

  “Wait!” I gasped. “Her? The woman from this house? Why does she care anything about me?”

  “No, not her. Your mother.”

  I lay back in shock. He knows my mother? My head had been spinning for most of this long day and now it went wild. What did my Mom have to do with the kidnapping? Did he phone her to tell her that he had me? Or maybe Alina did. That made sicko sense.

  A minute passed. Another. I couldn't feel him. Was he in the garage? Should I go out there? Yes.

  Nervously, I scooted off the bed and something plopped onto the rug. The hall light glinted on metal and I bent down to pick it up. Russell’s harmonica. He’d tucked it beside me. He left it for me. Maybe he really was gone. Maybe I could get out the door. Maybe I could escape, if I moved fast. Now, now, now.

  The lamp was on in the living room and Russell wasn’t there. I reached out, feeling for his presence. I eased towards the front door. And stopped.

  Energy swirled. Out front. Vampire, very close, and not Russell. Another new one. I shrunk to the wall and heard a yell and a thud and a car racing off. And the front door crashed open.

  He stood in the entry, a scant step from me, a strange, astonished look on his face. The most extraordinary face I’ve ever seen. Something warm and silky swirled in the air.

  The vampire stared. And I stared, waiting for the inevitable attack. Or … I didn’t know. I slid towards the hallway then froze, knowing it was useless. No way to run. His eyes grazed my face then he shifted slightly and half smiled. A quizzical smile, uncertain, somehow. He wiped his hand along his leg and shifted again, taking in the living room and small kitchen.

  He wore a thick, teal colored sweater and black leather pants. Who wears leather pants? Rock stars? No, motorcycle riders, but I’d heard no motorcycle. I wanted to edge farther away, but his eyes were on me again and I saw him breath deeply, checking me over. His lashes lifted and lowered as his eyes strayed to the space beyond me, above me, around me. I pulled myself together and tried not to shake. Just a man - but not just a man and he was beautiful.

  I gulped. How could I get out of this rabbit hole?

  The vampire’s hair was dark and artsy shoulder length. Not quite as tall as Brecken, but taller than Russell and obviously lean under the bulky sweater. Are all vampires lean? Stupid thought, but the stunning man in the entryway was definitely a vampire. His energy coiled around me and I waited, knowing I wouldn’t be able to resist any command. Not from this one.

  Seconds passed. Not many or maybe a lot. He shook his head, puzzled at something and his hair brushed across his shoulders. Then his eyebrow lifted and he smiled again. An incredible, inviting smile. His teeth glistened dangerously and I gasped - but they were normal teeth. The others were hidden, but I knew. Oh, I knew.

  Cold blew in through the open door, but I was already frozen in place. Eyes on mine, he bowed his head slightly. A curious, fluid dip of acknowledgment. “Henna?” My name came out like rich velvet. How did he know my name? But I reacted and the vampire nodded. Now he knew for sure who I was.

  A slight dip of his head again, eyes holding mine, capturing me in his grip. Fascinated, beyond my will. Terrified and absorbed by the power that poured from him. I had no hope. I felt no mind control but I was caught all the same.

  Then he took a step towards me, breathed deeply and dipped his magnificent head lower, as if honoring me. His voice was black granite and liquid gold, hard and melting, grazing my skin, flowing sweetly through my veins. And his words finally penetrated.

  “Henna,” he said, “I’m Louie.”

  Chapter 67

  I was on the Pacific Coast Highway south of San Clemente when Louie’s first call came through. He wasn’t sure, but it sounded hot, so he was driving to check out a strange scenario at the pier in Huntington Beach. Every instinct told me this was it and I raced up the coast.

  I’ve talked with Russell, sneered at him and baited him, but I only saw his vamp aspect. I knew the human in him also wanted Henna and contrived to get her. Which one had actually taken her? I was banking on the human controlling the desire to bite and drain. But turning her? Both sides of him would do that.

  Louie would take Russell down. He would act, and fast, to secure her safety, but Louie has never met Russell and I wanted to be there. That probably wasn’t an option now. Not if the ruckus at the pier was due to Russell. And, oh God, not if vamped Henna helped fight Louie.

  I groaned. Louie called again. A fight on the beach, A girl screaming for help. No one there scant moments later. That’s very much our style. Cause trouble and disappear. Oh yeah, my kind excelled at that. But he sensed a four vamps in town, three together, one alone. He was going to check out the loner.

  I chewed my lip and boiled as the miles sped by. Half an hour plus from San Clemente to Huntington Beach. I broke all speed limits, champing for his next call.

  Chapter 68

  “Louie?” I backed away, trying to understand his presence. Did he know Russell?

  He nodded and spoke into his phone. Quick words in French, I think. Then he addressed me, all smooth and comforting.. “Brecken is only a couple minutes out. We should wait here for him.” He tilted his head. “May I come in?”

  I didn’t understand. He was already inside and he asked permission to come in?

  L
ouie saw my confusion. “I could wait outside if you prefer, but it’s cold for you with the door open and I’d rather wait inside. If you don’t mind.” Mild, sincere words. Courteous to a fault, in this impossibly bizarre drama.

  I wanted out of this house more than anything, but he said Brecken was coming. Russell might return, too. What if he did? The beach fight flashed. Russell won that fight.

  Louie seemed to read my thoughts. “Yes, Russell is still around, but I won't leave you.” His voice was persuasive, but at least no pressure in my head.

  I nodded and he closed the door then took charge. “Sit down, Henna. Please. Can I get you something? Water?”

  I found my voice and thank God it didn't shake. “No, I’m okay. For sure Brecken is coming here?” I eased to the armchair.

  “Yes.” Louie’s eyes didn't leave mine and his amazed expression still flickered.

  “You have an accent,” I said stupidly, and ‘Vampire’ echoed in my head.

  Louie shrugged. “But not much.”

  “It sounds French.” More stupidity.

  “And yours is Californian,” he said. How could his eyes twinkle like that?

  I sat on the edge of the chair, disconcerted at his presence. At his existence. At the appearance of so many in the last week, when there had been none at all before. No, I corrected myself. Brecken has been there. Russell and Conor, too. How many have I come across and never seen for what they are?

  Louie leaned against the wall just across from me, shoved his sleeves up and crossed one foot over the other, scrutinizing me all the while. Yet I felt no threat from him and I finally began to believe it was over. Russell was gone and I was free. My elbow nudged the harmonica in my pocket. Solid proof that all of this had really happened. No, was still happening.

  “How did you find me?” My voice shook this time and I didn’t try to stop it. I deserved a shaky voice. And I deserved every piece of information I could get out of this man. Brecken’s friend, I remembered. His mysterious, always absent roommate.

  “Police scanner, Henna. Something about a fight at the pier. Have you been … hurt?”

  Oh Lord, he was asking about a bite. “He didn’t hurt me.” My voice caught and I clutched my arms. “He just kept me.”

  “You don’t have to talk about it, Henna.”

  His words were consoling and no questions. But I had tons for him. I tried for normal. “Why are you here?”

  “Conor and I helped search for you. A boy witnessed the car accident and gave Brecken information that was useful. And, of course, Brecken does know Russell.”

  I shrank back. “Do you know him, too?”

  Soft smile, but his eyes turned to steel. “I met him as he was leaving. It was either chase after him or come to you.”

  “Wait a minute. How did you know I was in the house?”

  “I didn’t. Not until you ….” He hesitated. I knew where he was going. I energy searched for Russell and found Louie. Which means Louie sensed me.

  “You felt me looking for him, like Brecken does.”

  He sighed and moved his hand slowly in front of me. His voice caressed, like soft fur and satin. “The warmth of you, Henna, will haunt my days and my nights. It is unforgettable. So, yes, I felt you.”

  My answer. Not the way I expected, though. Far more personal. Louie was radiating warmth himself. And something more. Attraction, I realized with a start. He was attracted.

  “Inappropriate of me,” he murmured. “Sorry.”

  Louie measured my expression, smiling slightly, and I had to smile back. He was soothing and proper and not at all sorry. He was also a vibrant male, who hadn’t stopped gazing at me since he first opened the door. This stunning man, every bit as charming and charismatic as Brecken, was gently letting me feel the intensity of his attraction to me. Unexpected, very masculine and powerful.

  Silent moments passed, perplexing moments. Louie’s incredible presence filled the spaces around me.

  Suddenly, he pulled away from the wall and seemed to suck the warming energy back into himself. A car stopped out front.

  “Go lock yourself in the bathroom, Henna. You don't want to see this.”

  It was an order, but I felt them close, four vampires, Russell included - and I tore for my sanctuary, pitiful as it was.

  The front door slammed open just as I shut my bathroom door. I heard snarls, a thud and breaking glass. A coarse laugh I didn't recognize and agonized French that I did. My body shriveled. Then another car out front. I raised my barriers to the ceiling and tried to disappear.

  I could feel Henna’s presence. I drove onto the lawn and tore through the shattered front door, livid to the point of silence. The scene was electrifying - Louie down, one vamp crumpled and bleeding behind him and three looming for the kill. I released myself into the terrible bliss of battle.

  Russell's lacerated arm dripped as he raised it to slice and destroy Louie - and I was on that arm, snatching him off balance. He careened hard into me and Louie rolled clear. I jerked on Russell's arm and felt it pull from the socket and twist to an impossible angle. His shriek was like music and I jerked again and his body fell against me and the skin of his arm held, but the arm dangled useless. A vicious, pleased rush mixed with my killing rage as I breathed in the scent of my own kind, blood of enemies, shed by my friend. I would add to their loss.

  Russell's head swiveled. Our eyes met and excitement and death painted both our faces. A glaze of fire rode my senses and I sliced for his neck, dug into a shoulder. His legs shoved hard, backpedalling me to the floor, him on top, an elbow deep in my gut. The air exploded from my lungs, but who needs air. My fingers curled around his face, going for the depths that cradle the eyes.

  Russell has obviously fought plenty and wasn't hurt enough to run. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Eyes are a channel to his brain and I wanted that wrinkled mass splattered in chunks on his dying body. My fingers groped and stabbed.

  Merde, Russell was quick. He jerked his head so I missed the eyes, but my nails cut through his cheek to the hard molars inside. I hooked and pulled and felt teeth pop free. With a roar he stretched his good arm and grabbed for my foot. I jerked, but he his hand gripped and twisted. The crack of my ankle brought my first Gaelic curse in years. One armed, his tug didn’t sever the bones, but the pain made me loosen his face and go for his leg.

  Louie shouted at me in two hundred years old Dutch. Kick him to me, he said. My free foot slammed into Russell’s butt and Louie caught him with a deep swipe at the throat. But big vamp slung an arm around Louie and tugged him back. More Dutch from Louie. “I'm good,” he cried. “Get Russell.”

  I was up, but hurting. Pain shot along my leg and for a moment Russell glared and black waves filled the room. But some of that black was mine and I blasted with those vibes and he reeled. I shot a glance behind him.

  Louie was swinging the big vamp in the air but the female had her fangs deep in his side and he screamed and staggered. Blood spewed. “Vanna,” Russell yelled, then he flipped and was at me. I turned hard and his swipe missed my flesh and gouged through the carpet into the floor. Jagged splinters of wood scattered as he wrenched his hand free and stumbled to his feet.

  I spun a kick aimed to drive through Russell's chest. He slithered and dodged, then the female was there, her nails at my face. She thrust hard and my body smashed to the entry wall and through. The wall shook as two by fours cracked around me. Vanna smacked her knee and cackled.

  I sucked reeking air and wiped blood and saliva from my hands. But Russell was standing, his foot flying at my face and my head was buried in the wall with no way to duck. I snatched at his leg and he staggered, then crashed to his back. I was out of the wall and over him, knee grinding on his throat. He gagged and clawed into my thigh. And I smiled.

  “Disrespect me?” I hissed. “Take my woman?”

  His eyes bulged and I lifted stiffened fingers to sever his head, but Vanna rushed me, arms wide and mouth gaping, glee in her eyes. I shifted and s
tabbed, going for gut, the soft spot, the open target. In deep, all the way - and she jerked, hanging onto my arm. My fingers flexed, groping for knobby bones. Russell bucked and choked under my knee, but I was solid on him and my fingers found spine and wrapped around the twisty thing and crunched. Vanna screeched and dropped. The big vamp whipped around and Louie grabbed and flung him to the ceiling. He hit, then toppled behind the couch.

  I slammed a fist into Russell's face and shook my other arm to free it from the hot gore that gushed and stank. So I wasn't watching and only heard Louie's shout as big vamp pitched the couch like a boulder. It took me in the head and chest and I slammed again to the wall. Big guy looked at the female and screeched in anguish. A laugh slid through my lips and I crooked a finger. Come and get it.

  A moment of rage as Louie clawed at big guy’s back. Then he leaped at me, but Louie swatted and the vamp over flew, landing with a crunch outside the door. He sprang to his feet, gave a hate filled yell and was gone. Russell scrambled behind. There was a car door, spin of tires. I started after.

  No, Henna. I turned back to the house.

  Vanna wailed, then champed fangs at me and tried to stand. She had helped Russell, attacked Louie and cackled at me? I stomped on her chest. And Louie was testing a fire starter.

  My ankle. Cracked, not broken, but it hurt. I limped to the sink and washed what I could. Jeans soaked, jacket torn and disgusting. Henna can't see this. Louie was pulling bleeding guy and the female into a pile. Gritting my teeth, I ignored pain and ran to my car for a backup jacket and five minutes after I drove onto the lawn, I went for Henna.

  Chapter 69

  The beach fight had seemed eternal. This one was over fast. Cries, crashing furniture, the wall shaking, an enraged roar then a car screeching away. I stayed huddled on the floor. The sound of water then my door bashed open and Brecken had me in his arms. He kissed me, lips soft, overjoyed, then hard and filled with need. I wrapped my legs around him and kissed him back. Safety. Relief. Tears on my cheeks.