by Skye Knizley
Moments later Raven slid behind the wheel of her Shelby and turned the key. The engine rumbled to life and Levac slammed the passenger door, pulling the strange object from his pocket.
“That doesn’t make any sense, Mom was resting too, you know that,” Raven said.
“She is blaming your mother’s policies and claiming she is weak and unable to protect the city,” Dominique replied.
“Marvelous. Tell Mom I am on my way.”
Raven punched the gas and one thousand horses responded, accelerating the Shelby to breakneck speed. Next to Raven, Levac muttered ‘to hell with protocol’ and switched on the car’s lights and sirens. Raven nodded her thanks and guided the car through evening traffic, drifting around corners and narrowly avoiding other cars in her haste to return home. In just minutes they were on the highway and heading out of the city.
THE SHELBY PULLED DOWN THE manor’s driveway in record time, gravel flying as it drifted around the corner. The curved driveway held half a dozen cars Raven recognized as belonging to Evangelina’s followers. She parked behind them and climbed out of the Shelby. She paused to gather several fresh magazines for her Automag and then headed up the front stairs followed closely by Levac. Raven stopped at the door and looked at Levac. “I don’t want to treat you like a mushroom. This is family stuff. Are you sure you want to go? You can wait out here.”
“I’ve got your back, Ray,” Levac replied. “Someone is threatening your family. That’s a police matter.”
“Thanks, Rupe,” Raven said.
She pushed open the door and stepped through to find two of Evangelina’s followers standing guard inside. Both wore leather vests that revealed muscular chests and Evangelina’s personal double snake crest, leather pants and carried swords. The shorter of the two stepped forward to block Raven’s path.
“Lady Evangelina ordered that she and Lady Tempeste were not to be disturbed by anyone.”
Raven’s Automag spoke once, blowing a hole in the vampire’s foot. He screamed in pain and tried to grab his wounded toes, ending up on his rear. The vampire next to him started to draw his sword and found Levac’s Mp5 pressed against his throat.
“You seem to be carrying a blade longer than three inches,” Levac said. “I’m assuming you don’t have a permit for such a weapon, a misdemeanor within city limits. That means you’re under arrest.”
The vampire licked his fangs. “Stupid vertraut. We are above human laws. You should know that. No cell can hold us.”
“Whatever. What are you two idiots doing blocking the door to my house?” Raven asked.
“Lady Evangelina ordered it,” the injured vampire replied.
“I repeat, this is my house. You seriously thought she had the right to keep me out?” Raven asked.
“The Totentanz…”
“…is a bunch of antique bullshit,” Raven finished. “You two get out of here and don’t come back. Ever.”
She stepped over the first vampire and headed toward the ballroom. She kicked open the doors and stepped through. Evangelina stood with a dagger to Valentina’s throat. Valentina was seated and still calmly holding a glass of claret. Five other vampires, three men and two women all dressed in leather and armed with pistols and swords were spread out in the room. Evangelina looked up and snarled, her fangs extended.
“The Mistress’ pet Fürstin. Where is my Karina?” Evangelina screamed.
“I have no idea,” Raven replied. “And I won’t be answering anymore questions or helping you until you put that blade down and surrender.”
“I am going to kill the Mistress and take her place!” Evangelina replied. “Then I will find out where my precious jewel is!”
“Take my place?” Valentina asked. “Evangelina, you are an Embraced and a weak one at that. You cannot take my place. Do as my daughter asks before this gets uglier than it need be. You are distraught. Let us help you.”
“You’re a pathetic Mistress and you kidnapped my Karina to stop me from denying your authority,” Evangelina said.
“They have no need to kidnap anyone, Evangelina and I would never allow it,” Levac said. “I’m a police officer. If you will just put the weapon down we can talk this out and try to determine who kidnapped Karina before it’s too late.”
“Police officer. A poor choice for a vertraut, Fürstin Ravenel,” Evangelina said.
“He’s the best partner I ever had,” Raven said, stepping sideways away from Levac. “And right now his cool head is keeping you alive, so you might want to be a little nicer. I’d rather just blow your fool head off. Put the blade down!”
“Do as my daughter says, Lina, and you will not be harmed,” Valentina said. “I will do all I can to return Karina to you.”
“All you can do?” Evangelina scoffed. “You’re useless!”
Valentina was a blur of movement. One moment she was seated, the next she was standing with Evangelina held by the throat at arm’s length. Evangelina dropped the knife and gurgled, making ‘help me’ motions at her companions.
Raven was only a step behind her mother. As Valentina held Evangelina, Raven opened fire, followed quickly by Levac. Evangelina’s companions vanished in a cloud of gunsmoke and ash, leaving the hapless vampire dangling, alone and helpless.
“Now, Evangelina, perhaps you would care to explain what has happened to your familiar and why you have come here?” Valentina asked. “My daughter and her partner will listen and help if they can.”
Evangelina struggled for a moment longer, surrendering when Raven moved next to her mother. Valentina set the distraught vampire down and returned to her seat, taking up her glass.
“I woke at dusk to find my sanctuary in shambles and Karina gone,” Evangelina said. “Her scent was everywhere, but there was no blood or other evidence of what had happened. I felt she still lived so tried her cell; there was no answer. I can find no hint of my jewel. If you, Valentina, were stronger no one would dare take a member of the House.”
“You are not a member of the house, Evangelina,” Raven said. “You lost that privilege when you challenged Mother’s authority. Perhaps whoever took Karina knows of your attempted coup?”
Evangelina hung her head. “I cannot argue that I may be partially to blame, Ravenel. I apologize for my actions and beg forgiveness.”
“You are forgiven,” Valentina said. “I will work out a suitable punishment. In the meantime I believe time is of the essence. Raven, my daughter, I believe you and dear Rupert are as you say ‘off the clock?’”
“I’m never off the clock, Mother,” Raven said. “But we are at a wall on this case unless a suspect breaks or Ming finds something new. I think we can spare a few moments for Karina.”
“Thank you, my love,” Valentina said.
“Ms. Evangelina, may we have the key to your domicile?” Levac asked, holding out his hand.
“You won’t need a key,” Evangelina said. “Simply tell the doorman you have Lady Evangelina’s permission. He is mine and will gladly let you in.”
“Of course. Thank you, ma’am,” Levac said.
“Evangelina, I expect you to behave yourself,” Raven said. “I have no problem adding you to the dust pile. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Fürstin Ravenel,” Evangelina replied, tears running down her cheeks. “I pledge my allegiance to House Tempeste. Please just find my Karina, I know she is in pain.”
Raven holstered her Automag and turned toward the ballroom door. Behind her Levac said, “We’ll do what we can, ma’am,” before turning and following Raven outside.
Raven quickly located Thad and advised him of the cars that would need to be removed from the estate’s driveway. She then headed out into the night where her Shelby waited, still ticking in the cooler night air. She was about to open the Shelby’s door when Levac gently took her by the elbow.
“Ray, what’s going on?” he asked.
“My mom just finally acted like a leader and took a hand in both her own safety and her future as Mistress of
the City. Then we volunteered to try and find a psycho bitch vampire’s familiar,” Raven replied. “Just another day in my life.”
“That isn’t what I mean,” Levac said. “I know you try to keep me out of the vampire side of your life and I appreciate it. But that name they called me. Evangelina said you chose me. What was she talking about?”
“Nothing important,” Raven said, trying again for the door handle.
Levac gently turned Raven to face him. “Raven, you’re lying. I know when you’re lying, you stop being snarky. What were they talking about?”
Raven sighed and shuffled until she could sit on the hood of the Shelby. “I did it to save your life after I thought Xavier had killed you. I couldn’t handle losing you.”
Levac nodded. “I don’t want to lose you either. So?”
Raven blushed and looked at the ground. “So I did something I didn’t even know I could do. I shared my blood with you.”
“And that’s why I didn’t die?” Levac asked.
“Yes,” Raven replied.
Levac was quiet for a moment and Raven could tell his mind was working. She prayed he wouldn’t ask the question she knew he was going to come up with. He was, after all, one of the best detectives on the force.
“That makes sense,” he said at last. “Just one more thing. What you did to save my life…it did more than just keep me alive, didn’t it?”
“Rupe…” Raven said.
“I deserve to know, Ray,” Levac pressed.
Raven looked up, her eyes green. “Yes. It did more, okay? It made you stronger, faster and gave you the ability to heal terrible wounds like the one that was going to kill you. It made you one of my chosen. My familiar in name and in blood.”
Levac turned away visibly shaking. “How could you do that to me?”
“You were dying in my arms, Rupert, what was I supposed to do? Watch my best friend, someone I love, die?”
Levac spun, anger on his face. “Yes! It was my time, Raven!”
Raven slid off the Shelby’s hood. “No it wasn’t, damn it! It wasn’t your time. Xavier chose your time and I couldn’t let you die. Not like that.”
Levac closed his eyes and looked away. “You took away my humanity.”
Raven turned Levac around and looked up into his eyes. “I didn’t, Rupe. I promise you. You carry some of my blood in your veins. Everything that makes you the person I care about is always there, in your heart and in everything you do each and every day. Sure, you’re a little stronger and harder to kill. You will age more slowly like I do. Is that so bad? Does me having a vampire for a mother make me less the person you care about?”
Levac closed his eyes and shook his head. “Of course not, Ray. You know how I feel. This is different. I wasn’t born this way like you were, this is something you did to me without asking.”
“I couldn’t ask you!” Raven yelled. “If I could have I would have. You were bleeding out in my arms. I had a choice. I made it. I’m sorry you disagree with it, but I can’t take it back. I will never stand aside and just let you die.”
Levac touched Raven’s face with a gentle hand then turned and headed for the garage.
“Where are you going?” Raven asked.
“Thad said I could have that old Ferrari GTO,” Levac replied. “I’m taking it and going home.”
Raven started to say something, but the words died in her throat. What could she say? She doubted saying ‘I saved you because I love you, stupid’ would make any difference.
She stood next to the Shelby and watched the bright red GTO pull out of the garage. Levac never even looked at her. He simply guided the car down the driveway and disappeared into the night. Raven knew he never looked back; she watched until the taillights had melted into the darkness.
She wiped tears from her face and climbed into the Shelby. When she could speak without her voice shaking she raised the radio mic to her lips and said, “Dispatch, X-ray 42, rolling single on a possible lead. Levac’s on his way home.”
“X-ray 42, dispatch. Have you rolling single. You’re off the clock, no overtime on this one.”
“Doesn’t matter. Just keeping you in the loop. Storm out.”
She started the Shelby and headed back toward the city, her eyes on the distant glittering lights, her mind on a certain goofy detective.
THE WOLF MOON, ANGRY AND red hung over the city and bathed it in a hellish glow that made Raven’s fists itch as she guided the Shelby through the maze of back alleys and side streets that made up the inner workings of Chicago’s famous Loop. The dull red glow made everything look like it was bleeding; somewhere deep inside, her vampire was licking its lips while Raven wanted to vomit. Or punch someone.
She pulled into the garage to Evangelina’s building and parked in an empty parking space next to a Maserati of some kind. She barely glanced at the shiny black car. It may have done 185, but it wasn’t as pretty or as brutal as the Shelby and both were qualities Raven wanted in her car.
She pushed through the glass doors into the apartment building, her boots ringing out in the tomblike silence of the lobby. Like most of the vampire havens in the city this one was heavy on the marble, columns and red velvet with a side order discrete gargoyles. It made Raven want to set fire to the place.
She swallowed her annoyance at the vampire décor and walked toward the front desk where a short black man was standing, a solitaire game in front of him. He smiled brightly and offered Raven a half bow.
“Good evening, Fürstin Ravenel,” he said. “I assume you’re here to see Lady Evangelina, unfortunately she and her familiar are both out at the moment. May I take a message?”
“Evangelina is with the Mistress and has granted me access to her rooms,” Raven replied. “Karina is missing. Do you remember seeing her?”
The guard’s smile twisted into a frown. “No, ma’am, I come on duty for the late shift and Karina is usually in bed by the time I come in. I haven’t seen her in two or three days.”
“Did any of the other guards report anything strange today?” Raven asked.
The guard raised a finger and then rifled through a stack of reports. He chose one and read it over. “A neighbor did complain of noise in Lady Evangelina’s room around noon today. The guard on duty responded, but there was no answer.”
“Is there a back door out of this place that doesn’t come through the lobby?” Raven asked.
“Of course, we do cater to those who prefer to avoid sunlight and attention,” the guard replied. “There is a back staircase that leads into the rear lot and a shaded alleyway.”
“Have the video of that entrance from morning until after noon ready when I get back,” Raven said. “And get me a passkey for Evangelina’s room.”
“At once, Fürstin.”
The guard made an electronic key and slid it across the desk. “She has the four bedroom apartment on the nineteenth floor. There is only one neighbor, a Ms. Tabor.”
“Thanks,” Raven said. “I’ll be back for that video.”
The guard nodded and Raven turned away toward the elevators. One of the doors opened when she pushed the button and she stepped inside the wood and brass car. She stabbed the nineteen button with her thumb and tried not to stare at the empty space where Levac should be.
The nineteenth floor was divided into two rectangular apartments with a central corridor that ran from the elevators to a pool at the far end of the building. The hallway was carpeted in red with white fleur de lis wallpaper and looked like something out of a horror movie. It seemed to stretch on forever with a handful of doors spaced along its length for maintenance and emergency stair access and a tiny pinprick of light at the far end where the pool was located.
Raven stepped out of the elevator and looked at the hallway with distaste. “Someone should invite Stevie King or that Koontz guy to spend a week here,” she muttered. “They’d write a bestseller for sure.”
She walked down the corridor, pausing at the door marked ‘STAIRS�
��. She pushed it open with her toe and examined the jam and the edge of the door. The door locked from the outside and required a passkey to enter the building. Anyone using the stairs for access had to have a card or bypass the lock by some other means.
She found what she was looking for at the edge of the stainless steel lock plate. Someone had used a tool like a large screwdriver or pry-bar to pop the door open from the outside. Whoever had taken Karina had likely entered through the alley and exited the same way with Karina in tow.
She took pictures of the door and stairwell with her phone and continued down the hall to Evangelina’s room. She opened the door and again looked for signs of forced entry, but found none. Karina had either known her abductors or had some other reason to open the door for them.
Raven opened the door with the passkey she’d been given. The lock disengaged with a faint click and Raven drew her Automag. She pushed the door open and dropped to one knee, checking the room beyond for targets. She found herself in a spacious living room arranged around a gas fireplace. A sofa of white leather surrounded the modern fire pit with two tables set into the sofa to hold bloodletting bowls and goblets. The bowls and goblets now lay on the floor among satin pillows and an assortment of blades. Raven frowned at the mess on the floor and turned her attention to the rest of the apartment. A hallway led toward the four bedrooms while a wide kitchen lay opposite the kitchen area. Raven checked the kitchen and was surprised to find the refrigerator stocked with a variety foods. Obviously Karina lived with Evangelina full time.
She also noticed that a large knife was missing from the butcher block next to the gas stove. She looked around and found it discarded at the threshold of the hallway. She nudged it with her boot and saw that the handle had been cracked and now hung in pieces from the rivets that once held it in place. Blood smeared the length of the blade as if the wielder, possibly Karina, had gotten a bite of her attacker.
What happened here? Raven wondered.
She licked a finger and touched it to the blade. A drop of blood came free and she sniffed at it. There was a tang she wasn’t familiar with and a hint of A positive.
