Blood Bath, A Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (The Maurin Kincaide Series Book 4)

by Rawlings, Rachel

  17

  Alone apparently meant with Saint Ryanne At least they had the common sense to send her to inform me no one was comfortable with me going alone or jumping to the local watering hole. I wasn't surprised they were in agreement or working together to ensure I had an escort. Despite earlier events and the fact they hated each other, I knew they could at least agree on my safety. I argued that I would have Conry with me but they had prepared her counter arguments. Safety in numbers, blah, blah, blah. They obviously told her to save the best for last.

  I would still have to jump since I didn't know the area and Bathory could use my blood to locate me if I was in the between for any length of time. I needed someone to drive me. I think they expected me to cave and pick one of them. So of course I nominated Saint Ryanne. Mason was irritated and Ryanne was definitely reluctant but I got them on a technicality. They said I needed someone to drive me but they didn't think to specify anything else. I'd been spending a lot of time with Agrona, I quickly learned the importance of being specific dealing with her.

  Dressed in the clothes and weapons Aidan took the liberty of packing for me almost made me feel bad for kicking his ass. Almost. I wasn't sure if he let me or if I actually got the drop on him. I'd worry about it tomorrow night in our next sparring match. I would spend the rest of the night toasting his broken nose and my busted knuckles.

  I'd actually be able to drink now that I was in a pair of my own jeans. The Levis induced lap band surgery had thankfully been reversed with pants my own size. I decided on the Flogging Molly shirt with the pin up girl on the front that hugged my curves, my black eight hole Docs and my leather jacket. I slipped a silver dagger into my boot, one on my left wrist and two new hair sticks. It was the most I had felt like myself in days.

  Saint Ryanne waited for me in the hall, wearing jeans, a green silk blouse, brown high heeled boots and a brown jacket. She topped the outfit off with a little gold jewelry, simple hoops and chain, and very little makeup. Her red hair flowed behind her in beachy waves while mine was pulled up in a messy bun.

  Everything about her said buy me a drink which offset my stay the fuck away look perfectly. We got in her silver Mini Cooper and headed into town. I would say the ride was painfully quiet but that would mean I actually wanted to talk to someone, which I didn't. I was really starting to enjoy being around Ryanne. Her silence was a welcome change. I didn't have to answer a bunch of getting to know you questions or entertain her with stories of my exploits working for the Council.

  "So you're here to train with Mr. Hunter?" She signaled the bartender over to take our order, a bee sting for her and a snake bite for me.

  I should have known it was too good to be true. I wanted to get drunk, was that so wrong? She hadn't done anything besides lend me her clothes and fix me something to eat so I spared her my typically sharp tongue. Plus I couldn't ignore her since she was my ride to and from the pub.

  "Yeah, Mason is working with me on my technique."

  "Well there's no one better than Mr. Hunter for that." She gave me a little wink to which I rolled my eyes. "That Aidan fellow, he your ex?"

  Why did she have to decide to bond? I liked her so much more when she wasn't talking. I tried to remind myself she was acting like a normal person should but I'm not a normal person. "Right now I'm not sure what he is. It's confusing and apparently driving me to drink. Look, don't take this the wrong way because you seem like a really nice person and everything but I'm not feeling very chatty tonight. I just want to have a few drinks and contemplate my life."

  The pub was packed for a weeknight. Locals were crowded around old wooden tables, sharing stories and singing along to the folk band set up in the back corner. We'd be lucky to get a drink, let alone drunk.

  I tried to relax, to forget about Caligula and Bathory, strumming my fingers on the bar in time to music that sounded a lot like Van Morrison. Maybe they’d do a cover of Into the Mystic. Ryanne hummed along, watching the band and giving the drummer a little wave. I liked her a little bit more. Everyone always goes for the singer or guitarist. Of course he flashed her a brilliant grin and followed up with a wink. He would have been an idiot not to. I could tell all of the guys in the place hoped to catch her eye.

  I wondered again if there was more to her relationship with Mason or if there had been at some point in the past. Two people that attractive would surely be attracted to each other. Visions of little Masons and Ryannes danced in my head and I felt a scowl forming. I wondered why I cared and where the hell the bartender was.

  Someone started to complain as the bartender made his way over to us with our drinks. "Shut it, Wallace or that'll be the last drink ye have tonight." Wallace, who apparently thought his refill was ahead of our first round, sank down on his seat. He was a chubby guy, more ass than there was stool, and somehow he still almost missed. "Ignore that one. He's had plenty and waiting will do him good. Besides, you look like you could use this more than him. You're far too pretty to be wearing that frown." The bartender set a glass filled three quarters full of ale in front of me and dropped a shot glass of whiskey in.

  "I didn't order an Irish car bomb."

  "You're in Ireland. We just call them car bombs here." I couldn't help it, I smiled. I even managed a chuckle. "That's more like it, now drink up."

  "Well done, James, well done. I haven't seen her smile the entire time she's been in Ireland. Not once." Ryanne nursed her bee sting.

  "I haven't had much to smile about lately." I slammed the rest of my drink.

  James had my snake bite waiting in the wings and handed it to me. "Let's see if we can fix that, shall we?" His hazel eyes twinkled with a touch of mischief, enough to know he was a healthy dose of fun but totally harmless. I bet he gave the ladies in this bar a run for their money with his down home good looks and all that charm. "Boys play something for my American friend."

  Much to my embarrassment James continued to harass the band until the rest of the bar joined in and they had no choice but to toss out their set list. I was uncomfortable with the spotlight until the first few bars of the Who's American Woman belted out of the guitar. When the singer got to the chorus and sang stay away from me, while trying not to laugh I was convinced this was my new favorite place. No one but Ryanne knew who I was but I was pretty sure she didn't know what I was or what I was really training for. Maybe I really could have a few drinks and forget for awhile.

  The night was finally looking up. We moved from the bar to a table near the band, wedged in between the musicians on a break in between sets. Apparently Ryanne had grown up with all of them and the friendly conversation peppered with teasing was contagious. It had been too long since I'd done this. Not since my split with the coven. Well, at least I had Conry. You're not really drinking alone if you’re with your ethereal dog, right?

  Eighties pop music wafted out the speakers and laughter filled the air. James came over with another round as I considered flagging myself after singing along to not one but two Blondie songs. I couldn't carry a tune and probably made an ass out of myself.

  I took the drink to wash down the embarrassment and prevent my defense of Debbie Harris and her ground breaking rap effort from coming out after the drummer asked James to turn that shite off. I didn't bother to learn all their names, certain I wouldn't see them again after tonight so I kept them straight by instruments. When the bassist asked how I even knew the words to that song I credited my vast lyrical knowledge to Pop Up Video on VH1.

  Apparently Ryanne forgot she was my designated driver because she threw drinks back like it was sorority initiation night. If it wasn't damn near impossible for me to stay drunk, a cab would definitely be in our future. If I cut myself off now, my metabolism would burn off the alcohol and I'd be fine to drive us back to Mason's place. Staying on the right side of the road would be the real problem and by right I mean left. Maybe we should walk.

  I pushed my half empty glass to the center of the table, laughing when the guitarist slammed it do
wn instead of his own.

  "Bloody hell, what did you do to it? You ruined a perfectly good beer."

  Before I could explain the perfection that is Black and Tan mixed with hard cider (or James's equivalent) Conry bolted out from under the table, knocking over glasses and bottles. Chairs screeched against the floor as everyone pushed back from the table in an effort to get away from the huge puddle of spilled drinks spreading to the edge of the table.

  Chaos erupted as Conry tore through the bar leaving a wake of turned tables and flipped chairs behind him. I shoved through the crowd and ignored the shouts of what the hell is that, how the bloody hell did that pony get in here and some other more colorful complaints as I followed him toward the front door. Ryanne was right behind me, shoving her hand on the door before I could pull it open.

  "Maurin, I've already called Mr. Hunter. His instructions were to stay inside. He and that vampire fella are on their way."

  "I think James is going to have a serious problem with that plan." The happy go lucky bartender from moments ago was replaced by a surly, cursing man trying like hell to keep the place from being completely destroyed. I watched as he knocked one guy flat on his ass for trying to make a run on the bar. That'll be the last time he tries to steal when James is behind the bar.

  Ryanne's face went slack, eyes glazed over like a Krispy Kreme. I snapped my fingers in front of one eye and then the other. Nothing. I gave her a firm shake. "We don't have time for this, Ryanne. Wake up!"

  Someone yelled, would somebody please get that damn dog out of here! Conry growled as a few of the bigger guys tried to back him in a corner. "You don't want to do that boys, trust me. Ryanne, seriously wake up. I'm going to slap you but I want it duly noted I had no other choice since you didn't respond and I'm fairly certain you'd rather I slap you than ruin your makeup and blouse by throwing whatever it is that's left in the closest glass I can find." I reeled back and was about to make contact when she came to. My breath came out in a rush. I really didn't want to smack Saint Ryanne.

  "I'm back, I'm back. Jaysus, don't slap me."

  "I appreciate your desire to follow orders, what with Mason being able to fire you and all but going catatonic is taking it a bit far don't you think? He said stay inside not stay still. What the hell is the matter with you?"

  "I have a touch of the sight. Wee bit of fae blood thrice removed on my mother's side. Not enough to help anyone, just enough to be a danger to myself. I practically turn to stone when a vision hits me. It's why Mr. Hunter took me on as his housekeeper. He'd never admit it but he felt bad for me, wanted to help me somehow."

  "You have visions, nothing to feel bad about. When we finally coral my dog and get out of here, away from whatever has him spooked, remind me to tell you about the weird shit that has become my life." I gave a soft, low whistle hoping Conry would hear it over all the commotion he started and know that I wanted him to fade. "When my dog disappears we go, got it?"

  "Your dog's been in here the whole time, hasn't he?"

  "I never leave home without him."

  "Mr. Hunter said to stay inside."

  "We're not staying inside. We're getting the fuck out of here, now!" Conry ferreted out a vampire, who made his presence known at the entrance to the men's room. We weren't the only ones out for a drink. He tossed the drummer out of the way, slowly moving toward us. His eyes and body language said this vampire was looking for a fight."Out the front door, now. Move."

  "We're not going out the front."

  "I don't care what Mason said."

  "Maurin, we're not going out the front." Her voice was an octave away from panicked scream.

  "What did you see?" Something spooked her, something from her vision.

  "I saw him." Her arm shot out pointing at another vamp outside. "That's why I didn't want to go outside."

  "This is why it's so important to be specific about these things." Okay, think Maurin. The vampire inside is more of a threat. Take him out, wait to see if his buddy still wants to come in after that.

  Two stakes, two silver daggers, two vamps. Time to party. These mother fuckers are ash. "Get behind the bar with James. I'm betting he's got a shot gun back there. It should help buy us some time." I pulled the dagger from my boot and slid the other out of its sheath.

  Ryanne scrambled across the floor on hands and knees, looking over her shoulder once to see where I was. "Right behind you." I reassured her. Only, I wasn't. I closed the distance between me and the vampire. Ryanne cried out my name but James already had the Dutch door open and dragged her behind the bar.

  With her out of the way and as secure as I could get her, I focused ninety percent of my attention on the vamp in front of me. I still needed to keep an ear out for the one outside. He would come through the window or the pile of people who'd jammed chairs and tables in front of the door and then themselves on top of that. I guess they liked the odds with the vamp inside better than trying to run away from the one outside.

  Conry positioned himself at my back watching the one outside. My hands clenched around the daggers as I kicked a chair out of the way. Some of the locals huddled into corners praying they went unnoticed.

  The drummer snapped off the rounded tip of his drumstick under his boot and lunged for the vampire. I didn't even have time to yell for him to stop. The vampire snatched him out of the air. The drummer's blond ponytail came loose and his shoulder length hair fanned out around his face. His hands instinctively went to pry the vampire’s hands from his neck. It was over before it started.

  With a loud snap the vampire broke his neck and tossed him aside. A woman screamed, others sobbed but I didn't look for any of them. I kept my eyes on the vamp in front of me. He obviously wasn't a music lover because he snatched the guitarist off the floor. Fangs extended. The guitarist didn't scream or beg, hell he didn't even flinch. I liked him, with his black faux hawk, smiling brown eyes and easygoing personality but I couldn't save him.

  His eyes slid to me as the vampire's teeth tore through his neck. Before his eyes went flat and the life was drained from his body the guitarist stabbed the vampire in the stomach with one of the jagged drumsticks he had picked up off the floor. The guitarist was dead before he knew if he even hurt him.

  The vampire barely flinched as he pulled the makeshift stake out of his gut. The wood was all wrong and it wasn't a kill shot but it was a distraction. Bought me a couple seconds. I circled around a table and moved closer to the vamp. It shrugged out of his leather coat, giving him better range of motion. He didn't think he needed the protection from me or my blades. That was his first mistake.

  His second mistake was lunging for me. I dropped down on my knees keeping one dagger slightly raised. He over-shot me by a few feet but I managed to slice through his jeans and his leg, if the darkening fabric was any indication, as he sailed past. He still managed to land on his feet, running his hands over his slicked back, dish water blond hair. He kicked the edge of another table hard enough to send it sliding toward me. I couldn't move out of the way fast enough and it crashed into my pelvic bone, folding me in half.

  My upper body hit the table top hard expelling all the air from my lungs. The vampire grabbed the back of my head and slammed my face into the table, splitting my cheek. He grabbed my hair and used it to drag me across the table, pulling me against him. He licked the blood running down my face, breathing deep as he savored my complex taste.

  I drove my dagger up, trying to reach the heart but I was too close, the angle was wrong. I pulled out and aimed higher but was hit in the side with a hard right that definitely cracked a few ribs. I tensed my abdominal muscles in an effort to lessen the blow aimed for my solar plexus and hold on to some of the air in my lungs. I heard the shotgun blast and felt the vampire jerk. James pumped the shotgun again and took aim to the left of the vampire. The windows shattered.

  A vampire with a hole in her stomach from James's gun climbed through. Where the hell did she come from? And where was the other guy? I tighte
n my guard, tucking my left elbow in, favoring that side because of the cracked ribs. I could still end up with a punctured lung if I took another hit before they had time to heal.

  With short quick thrusts I stabbed the vampire holding me in the chest. The last one almost hit its mark, nicking his heart leaving him immobile. Still holding the dagger I used all my body weight and leaned against him. He went down on his back with me straddling him. One palm over the other I pushed down, forcing the dagger through his heart and out his back. The tip wedged into the wooden floor boards so I left it where it was.

  The vamp bitch had already made her way to the bar. Blood pooled on the teak wood where James was slumped over the top, the right side of his face was smashed in. She reached behind for Ryanne when Conry clamped down on her leg.

  Sounds of a fight spilled in from the parking lot, more vampires were out there and I prayed to whoever listened that the people outside weren't slaughtered. Ryanne stood up from behind the bar with her boot in her hand. She swung hard, jamming the heel in the vampire's eye. Conry pulled, his teeth tearing through the vampire's calf, shredding muscle. She shrieked, the boot making a wet sucking sound as she pulled it free, part of her eye clung to the heel like chewing gum.

  Ryanne backed up to the end of the bar. I still had one hair stick. Yanking it free of my knotted, tangled hair I slammed it into her back, wishing I paid more attention in biology. I wasn't sure I pierced her heart until she crumpled to the floor. I didn't bother pulling the mini stake free, backing up before the body turned to ash. I was in no mood to be covered in vamp ash - that shit itches. I was down to one blade and by the sounds of it there was more than one vampire outside.

  Ryanne crawled over the bar with James's shotgun in hand and moved down beside me. With Conry leading the way we crept to the window, or what used to be the window. A few people yelled at us to get back, to stay inside. Ignoring them we pressed forward. I was about to poke my head out of the hole in the wall to see how many vampires were out there when one slammed into the siding. Before he could push off and get back in the fight, Aidan was on him. He connected with a right hook that would have knocked a norms head clean off when he caught sight of me in his peripheral.