Of Life and Death

by A. L. Kessler

  “Yes, his is more awesome though. He can appear as anyone he wants in the vision.”

  Well shit. “Thank you, that helps a lot. When was the last time you saw him?”

  “Oh, he comes every week. He brings me candy and flowers for my room.” She hugged her doll tight. “He brought me this doll last time. He made her especially for me.”

  “May I see it?”

  She nodded and handed it to me. I could feel a little bit of magic from it, but I wasn’t going to mention it since it didn’t feel menacing. I was curious how he managed to keep it active within the circle. “It’s a very pretty doll.”

  “Yes, I know.” Her gaze met mine and she smiled, lunging forward at me.

  I jumped away, and she gave a feral growl. I slowly held the doll back out to her, and she tilted her head to the side like a dog before taking it and holding it to her chest.

  My heart pounded as she sat down with the doll, stroking its hair and humming Hush Little Baby. Just like her mother.

  “I’m sorry Agent Collins, it’s time for you to go.” The nurse stepped up.

  I nodded. “Of course. Thank you for talking with me Cynthia.”

  “Goodbye, Agent Collins.” She didn’t even look up this time.

  The nurse put a hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the exit. “She doesn’t get as violent as often, but it still happens.”

  “When did the violence die down?” I glanced over my shoulder at Cynthia. The little girl was just sitting there, acting as if nothing had just happened.

  “About the same time as she got that doll.”

  I opened my mouth to mention the spell now, and the nurse nodded. “I know, it works within our walls because it’s a calming rune stitched into the doll. The block on the building allows it because it helps the patient.”

  Well, had I known that, I wouldn’t have taken the doll from her. Though I thought it was interesting that Drake was the one who visited, not Loraine. “Thank you for allowing me to speak to her.”

  “Of course.” She opened the door, and I walked out. When I got into the parking lot, I found another mother fucking flamingo standing in front of the Hummer. This was getting ridiculous. This time it was wearing a sun hat, and there was a note stuck under it.

  “You owe me a dance.”

  No signature or anything, but it gave me a clue on who it was that thought this would be funny. I picked the damn thing up and threw it in my back seat.

  I got in the driver’s side and started the car. I’d make it back to town before sundown. I sent Mario and Levi a text saying I was heading in their direction.

  It was Levi who answered, reminding me that he didn’t have to sleep the entire day. “We’ll be waiting.”

  I threw the Hummer into gear and headed out.

  Mario was waiting at the front door when I pulled up in the Hummer, the sun had just set, and I was wondering if he had been debating on stepping into the sun before it faded.

  I jumped out of the Hummer, and he walked up to me, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, my dear.”

  “Hey.” I kissed his cheek back.

  He held me close for a moment. “We have company, best to play the part.” He whispered, nuzzling my neck.

  I hoped he didn’t think I was going to open a vein for him. “Okay.” I turned and kissed him lightly. “I hope you have a fun plan for tonight.”

  He pulled back and chuckled. “I think Levi has some less fun plans, but once his business with you is done, I’ll take you out to dinner.”

  Which struck me as odd, because the thought of him just watching me eat was weird. Is that what vampires who dated humans did?

  He wrapped his fingers around mine and pulled me toward the mansion. “Levi is waiting, let’s get this over with.”

  Of course I couldn’t handle my business with company. I forced a smile and let him lead me inside. I kicked off my boots and continued in with him. Mario led me to the library where Levi was sitting at a table with a very tall, pale, black-haired woman. Her lips were painted red, and it matched the color of her eyes.

  “Ah, Abigail.” Levi stood and took my hand from Mario’s. “Lady Rose, meet my daughter, Abigail.”

  I nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “She’s a witch.” Lady Rosa quirked a perfectly manicured brow up. “So, not your blood then?”

  I glanced at Levi for any clue on how I was supposed to react. It was clear that Lady R wasn’t in on the King secret, so there was no way for me to screw up there.

  “Correct, adopted. After her parents were killed over twenty years ago.”

  “I heard you’re the one I need to speak to in order to search your territory for Keira.”

  “That little creep isn’t in my territory, that’s what I came here to discuss. Levi seems to think she is, but I’ve caught the vampire who had been leaving corpses in my area.”

  I sat down at the table. “Can you tell me how the bodies were found?”

  “They were on display, sitting like a family in an abandoned house.”

  “Yeah, that’s her. I don’t know who you caught, but that was how we found the bodies here.” I shook my head. “Have you seen her recently?”

  “No, I haven’t, and you will not be entering my territory. Not as PIB and not as Levi’s child,” she snapped, and the air grew thick.

  I held my hands up. “There’s no need for a power display.”

  “Lady R, we’re just trying to detain her so that we can figure out what to do with her,” Levi stated.

  Lady R shook her head. “I said no. If the King sends his demands, that’s one thing, but there’s no other proof that she’s there now.”

  I really wished that Levi didn’t have to remain in hiding because he could have just given the order then and there.

  “How about we make a deal?” I offered. “I won’t step foot in your territory unless she starts killing there again. Then you’ll know for sure that she’s there and you know I’m not just trying to poke around.”

  She thought about it for a moment and then turned to Levi. “Your word that she will not interfere in anything going on in my territory if she comes to investigate.”

  “Do you have something to hide?” Levi asked. “If there’s nothing illegal going on, then you shouldn’t have to worry.”

  She hesitated. “There are some things that are questionable.”

  “You have my word that she will not interfere unless there are lives at stake.”

  It was a good way of putting it, but I didn’t like that she asked for his word and not mine. “I second that.”

  “Your word does not count witch; you are nothing but a magical human awaiting death,” she snapped back.

  I wasn’t sure what her problem was with witches, but I wasn’t going to push to find out. Once again I held my hands up. “I didn’t mean to offend you.” I could be diplomatic if it meant not being killed.

  “A witch can never offend me.” She ran her hands down her dress. “A witch is nothing but a cockroach, annoying, and needing to die.”

  I looked at Levi. “I’m assuming my business is done here. I’m going to go spend some time with Mario, and I’d love to talk to you after you finish your business with Lady R.”

  “Of course, I’ll be joining you in the sitting room soon.” Levi waved at the door. “You may take your leave, Abigail.”

  I stood and walked across the library. I hesitated for a moment when I realized the picture of my parents and me was gone from one of the small tables. Maybe he just didn’t want others to see it.

  I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. Mario was leaning against the wall across the hall.

  “That was short.”

  “Yeah, the queen of the red doesn’t like me much.” I shook my head. “Levi said he’d join us in the sitting room in just a little bit.”

  Mario held his hand out. “Shall we make you a cup of coffee and get settled while he finishes his meeting then?”
<
br />   I wasn’t sure if I liked this him being nice thing. It was strange to me, and it was a completely different side of him. I took his hand, and he gave it a gentle squeeze before leading me to the kitchen.

  He didn’t actually need to lead me because I probably knew this house better than him, but I’d let him keep it up just to keep up the facade.

  The kitchen was spotless because no one else used it except me. I let go of his hand and started to move around the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. The caffeine would keep me awake for the discussion we were going have.

  Mario watched me, never missing a beat as I moved. “You look like you are feeling better.”

  “I am. Clarissa wasn’t happy with me leaving the house, but we had another body show up, and I was able to walk. All I feel is some exhaustion.”

  He nodded. “I wanted to stay, but she insisted that I leave you in her hands.”

  “She’s a good-hearted woman, Mario; you did right by leaving. I wouldn’t have been thrilled to find you both looking over me.” I laughed as I pulled the creamer out of the fridge. “You can trust her.”

  He snorted. “I know I can because she pulled me out of that circle.”

  “Yeah, she’s skilled like that.” I tried not to roll my eyes. “And before you ask, yes, I’m pretty sure I know who put that wine there, and yes, I’m actually going to need your help in this. But I’d rather not discuss it while Lady R is lurking around.” I stirred the creamer into my mug and then took a whiff of the coffee.

  There was just something magical about a singly made cup of coffee, no matter the time of day.

  He motioned to the coffee. “I think I’ve gotten it now, lots of cream, lots of sugar.”

  I nodded. “Yes, now if you start bringing me coffee, people really will think we’re dating,” I whispered and met his gaze. “It’s the way to my heart.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  I walked into the sitting room, cradling my mug of coffee. I’d have a chance to drink it while it was hot before Levi was done with Lady R. I’d savor every drop of it, because that’s what was going to get me through the drowsiness that was hanging on.

  Mario and I had some forced conversation while waiting for Levi, some semblance of twenty questions, and for a little bit, it was like we were in that awkward stage of dating where you’re trying to learn about each other.

  Levi finally walked in and sat down with us. He looked at Mario and shook his head. “Sometimes, I question my neighbors.”

  “Sometimes I question why you want a territory,” Mario shot back, and it was a glimpse of his normal self. “Why you insist on it when you could just lay low in a council member’s territory.”

  Levi looked at me, and I had a feeling I knew the answer. “Because I needed to seem like a normal vampire, hold a territory because of my strength so that Abigail could grow up somewhat normal.”

  “Yeah, about that growing up normal thing.” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s not go over my childhood, okay? I have other things to talk to you about.”

  “Like?” Levi raised a brow. “I hear a tone in your voice that suggests I will not like what comes next.”

  He could always hear that tone; I think it was something that I’ve always had. “Spoke to Oliver today. He said his goodbyes and went on his way.”

  “He actually listened.” Mario laughed. “He was told that he needed to leave you alone.”

  I nodded. “Under threat of death. Why?”

  “Because he’s bringing too much attention to you, Abigail. He’s always pushing you to be stronger, use your magic more. The elemental stuff. He’s not good for you, and I had enough of his influence in your life.”

  “You pushed away part of my family.” I tried not to growl. “I don’t know when he’ll decide to walk back into my life, and he was the only connection I still had to my parents.”

  Levi shook his head and refused to rise to my temper. “He’s not; you have me. I told him he could come back when things calm down, when you were ready for him to come back, and you weren’t dealing with Drake and what he might bring.”

  “What does Drake have to do with this?” I glanced at Mario. “Care to explain?”

  The two vampires exchanged glances. “Seriously you two.”

  “Your uncle was in contact with Drake because he wants to raise your mother from the dead.” Levi’s voice was even, and I felt like my entire world started spinning.

  “Oliver has done some crazy things, but that? That’s Black Magic right there. There’s no going back from that. It not only requires a lot of blood, but a sacrifice, and working with a soul.” There was so much that went into a spell like that, that it wasn’t something someone attempted lightly.

  Levi sighed. “He came and asked my help. Wanted Mario to get in touch with Drake. It was Oliver’s contact with Drake that brought these current sets of cases. I’m sure.”

  “Oliver mentioned that he and one of the victims had both been looking for Drake. That was the one connection they had. The connection between all the victims is that they’re all mothers, are single, are shifters, and they don’t have primary custody of the kids.”

  Mario looked at me. “You need to find Drake and his daughter then. If you think they have something to do with this.”

  “I have no other leads. I talked to his granddaughter today; she’s a powerful pint-size witch who may never have true control. She mentioned that Drake sees her once a week, but she didn’t really elaborate on that.

  “Then we’re at a dead end.” Levi crossed his arms. “Time to use your magic?”

  I shook my head. “No, because Mario made him, there should be some type of connection there?”

  “You want my help, that’s what you mean by needing my help in the case. You want me to find my fledgling so that you can hunt him?” There was a small growl to his lips.

  “No, I want to talk to him first. I don’t actually hunt anything. I gather the intel, analyze it, and make arrests accordingly. It’s the executioners that do the hunting and killing, and only if they deserve it.” I shrugged. “Who knows, it may not be him.”

  Mario sat there for a moment, thinking. I sipped what was left of my coffee and looked at Levi. “Lady R doesn’t like witches.”

  “No, she doesn’t. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you tonight until you texted me and she had requested a meeting. I simply assumed that you would show up later than the meeting went.”

  I laughed. “Sorry to bust the meeting.”

  “Fine, Abigail.” Mario finally spoke. “I will take you to Drake. I know where his factory is, but you may not like what you find there.”

  That didn’t help Drake sound any more innocent than I thought he was. “Thank you, tomorrow night?”

  “I’d rather do it tonight, closer to dawn so we know that he won’t be there and if he is.”

  That would put Mario at risk. “If you’re worried about him being there, why not just give me an address to check out.”

  “I can do that. I need you to promise not to kill needlessly. Understand that Drake is a vampire and insane because I made a poor choice.” He looked at me over my mug of coffee. The angle made it so I could just see his eyes.

  “I won’t. I’m hoping the shop will be empty. I’m sorry that you were forced to change Drake, but that doesn’t give him the right to kill people.”

  “If he’s the one killing them.”

  I nodded. ”If he’s the one killing them.” There was something in my gut that said he wasn’t, but of course, maybe my gut was wrong. You help me with this, and you don’t hide information from me. Got it?”

  “Got it, Princess.”

  I wrinkled my nose at the title but didn’t correct him. The conversations hadn’t gone exactly as I wanted. I didn’t really get information on my uncle, but at least I knew Mario was willing to help now. Which I think was all he wanted at the start of the case.

  “You said that you knew who poisoned you,” Mario said sudd
enly, and Levi shot up from the couch.

  “Someone poisoned you?” he snarled. “Why didn’t you say something about it.”

  I motioned to Mario, my hand shaking slightly from the surprise of his outburst. “I figured he probably had said something. Don’t worry. I’m fine. I promise.”

  Levi took a few moments to rein himself back in before sitting back down on the couch. “You think you know who did it?”

  “Drake, he’s the only one with the knowledge of the poison that was used, and he’s a vampire who can just pop in and out. The fact that he’s not welcomed at my house tripped my magic, but he was in and out before I even go home. It was easy for him to place a bottle of wine in the fridge and disappear. He would have only been in there a couple of seconds, that’s it.”

  Mario and Levi both were silent for a moment, and I found myself wishing that I could listen in on their thoughts for once.

  “He’s your fledgling,” Levi finally said, “I’ll let you handle it how you want.”

  Mario looked at me. “You bring him in, or we deal with this in the vampire manner.”

  Which meant death, I wouldn’t have Drake’s blood on my hands. “I’ll bring him in, but I need your help finding him.”

  “And I told you that I would help you by giving you the address to the workshop.”

  Glad we were still in agreement on that, though he didn’t make me swear again that I wouldn’t kill needlessly. Maybe something had changed in his mind when they learned it was Drake that had poisoned me.

  “I’ll make sure to report every detail back to you.” I looked at Levi. “And I’ll make sure to check in at dusk so you know I’m alive.”

  There was a look that crossed Levi’s eyes that I couldn’t interpret.

  “I think I may need to bring backup to the workshop though.” My mind turned to Liz. “I don’t know what I’ll find, and I don’t want to have to handle it alone if I come up against something unexpected.”

  Mario clenched his jaw, but Levi nodded. “It is a PIB case, so you may handle it your way since that’s how Mario wants to proceed.”