by Brooklyn Ann
She nodded and fumbled with the plastic cross around her neck. “I did, until Satan’s minions shut me down.” As Holmes and Milbury exchanged glances she added, “I blame it on the demon child.”
Holmes looked at his notes. “Alex Olson?”
Alex had run away from Mrs. Steele’s home and reported her cruelty to the police, causing her to be arrested and her facility to be shut down.
“No!” Mrs. Steele shrieked, causing her guard to step closer. “It was the girl, that demon girl with the purple eyes. No natural child has eyes that color.”
Milbury hid a triumphant smile as he scribbled down the eye color. It was the same color the girl’s father, Private Lindsay’s, had been. Holmes continued his questioning. “And what was the girl’s name?”
The woman’s eyes darted around as if she saw things that weren’t there. She whispered something, fingering the cross as if it were her last grip on reality. Maybe it was.
“What was that?” Holmes asked politely.
Mrs. Steele’s gaze swam back into focus. “I said her name was Akasha.”
“Akasha what?”
The woman didn’t seem to hear. She clutched the sides of her head and began repeating. “Satan’s harlot! Demon spawn!”
The guard stepped forward and looked at Holmes. “I think she’s had enough for today. Maybe you could come back tomorrow?”
Milbury ignored him and approached Mrs. Steele. “What did she look like?”
Those wild eyes locked on his. “Messy black hair, the devil’s curls. She threw me across the room once. Satan guided her hand with his unholy strength!”
Excitement flared in his chest. It was her, he knew it. He strode forward and demanded. “The last name, give us her last name!”
Mrs. Steele’s gaze went out of focus once more and she began mumbling a garbled Bible verse. Just before Milbury was about to shake her, she shouted, “Hope… Akasha Hope!”
Milbury stopped hiding his pleasure. They had a lead on the mutant. “Very good. Now what happened to Akasha Hope? Where did she go?”
The woman cackled hysterically. “She’s in hell where she belongs.” More disjointed Bible quotes followed.
“You killed her?” Holmes asked, blinking in confusion.
Mrs. Steele rounded on him. “Do I look like a priest to you? I can’t kill a demon. No, she disappeared one night when she had sown the seeds of evil and the devil’s work was done.” She hugged herself and began quoting the Bible again.
“Damn it, woman, where is she?” Milbury demanded.
Searing pain exploded in his cheek as Mrs. Steele raked her nails across his face.
The guard pulled the raving woman back before he hit a button on the wall. “I said that’s enough! It’s time for you to leave. I don’t care who you are, I won’t have you upsetting her further.”
The door opened and more guards poured into the small cell, followed by a nurse armed with a syringe. One of the guards escorted them out.
“We have a name!” Holmes said cheerfully.
Milbury shook his head and growled. “It won’t do us much good. The trail’s still cold, especially since she’s an adult. It could take years to sort through criminal records and vehicle registrations to find her. And if she married…” He stopped at the thought. “Dear God, what if she breeds?”
Holmes scratched his chin. “Yes, what if she does?” His tone was disturbingly speculative. “What if she does?”
“Don’t even think about it!” Milbury snarled, concealing a shudder at the thought of a new species of humans who could bench press Volkswagens.
***
Silas whistled a merry tune as he walked, tapping the rhythm on his hip with the latest issue of Wheel Deals. Akasha would be returning any minute with her driver’s license. She’d been so excited last evening that she forgot her usual reserved demeanor and was downright bubbly. He could hardly wait to help her pick out a car for her Christmas present, to see those amethyst eyes sparkle as she smiled.
Snowflakes began to fall, iridescent in the moonlight. He frowned. Akasha would soon be driving on icy roads. Silas wished he knew more about automobiles so he could be sure she chose a safe one.
As he neared the house he detected Xochitl’s powerful presence. She was huddled by the front gate. Silas’s breath caught in alarm. Xochitl hated the cold and would go outdoors in winter only if she had no choice. The wind shifted and he heard soft rumbling in various tones…purring. She was surrounded by cats.
They pressed their sleek bodies against hers and rubbed their faces against Xochitl’s as if she was one of them and they were comforting her. Silas drew closer and was able to make out the colored markings on their fur and inhale their musky scent. The felines spotted him, eyes glowing with reflected light. In tandem, they turned to Xochitl. She saw him and waved. Instead of running away from him as most animals did, the cats moved in front of her like an honor guard and growled, fur puffed up and tails swishing.
Xochitl murmured. “It’s okay, friends.” She made a gesture and they scattered silently into the night.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Silas remarked.
A tremulous smile curved her lips. “Cats love me and I love them… I’m finally going to get a cat!” There was something off about her cheery tone. Something that was hurt. He saw when he got closer.
His fists clenched at his sides and he struggled to suppress a roar of outrage. “My God, what happened, Xochitl?”
Her lip was swollen and split open, dried blood caked on her chin. A nasty purple blossomed on her cheek. Silas ground his teeth, hot with anger. Xochitl was under his protection. Whoever hurt her would pay.
She stood and crossed her arms over her chest, teeth chattering. “I had a fight with Bill. But everything’s okay now.” Her eyes glinted dangerously. “I just need to be away from them for a bit.”
He patted her shoulder, fighting through her powerful aura to touch the Mark he’d made on her. The rage within her scalded him. He willed her to calm and answer him truthfully.
“Bill hurt you then?” he prodded gently. No, everything wasn’t okay. It wouldn’t be until Silas dealt with the bastard. Sucking in a deep breath, he grappled with his temper. He must handle this carefully.
“Yeah, but he’ll never touch me again.” The icy conviction made Silas fear the worst. She hunched over suddenly. “Fuck, my back hurts!”
“What did you do to him?” he demanded, locking on her mind. How would he be able to guard her if she was in prison for murder? Again there was a vicious struggle that made his skull pound, but then he had her.
Xochitl’s eyes glazed over as she answered him. “I made a fire, like this.” A ball of flame appeared in her hand then vanished. “I told them I’d burn them if they ever messed with me again. Scared the shit out of them. Until I’m old enough to move out, things are going to go my way.” Her mind broke from his. “Sorry, I spaced out for a minute. What did you say?”
Silas tried to appear calm, but what he’d seen scared the shit out of him too. “I said come on inside. It is freezing out.”
As he followed Xochitl into the house he realized she walked like a cat. …And she can manifest fire. And is somehow associated with a world that has two moons. What the hell is she?
He sent her upstairs to clean up and wrap herself in a blanket while he made some cocoa. As the water heated on the stove, Silas poured himself a dram of scotch. He sipped it slowly, wishing he could down it without getting ill. He’d taken guardianship over Akasha and obeyed Delgarias’s request to guard Xochitl and the others in order to get more answers. All he was getting were more questions. His destiny was tied with a girl who had the strength of ten men as well as a creature from another world who talked to cats. What does it mean?
Akasha returned home just as the water began boiling. Her beautiful smile sent heat through his body.
“I passed! One hundred percent!” She waved her license in the air as she practicall
y skipped over to him.
The leather jacket she refused to part with was slung over her shoulder and he could see her nipples poking through her T-shirt. He cursed himself for noticing even as he stirred with arousal.
Silas cleared his throat, forcing his focus to the matter at hand. “Xochitl is upstairs. She had a fight with her foster parents, so she is staying here tonight.”
Akasha’s eyes widened. “Oh shit, is she okay?”
“Her face is bruised and her lip is split open. And she was out in the cold a wee bit.” A measure of rage laced his tone.
“The bastard hit her? I’m gonna kick his ass!” She stomped off for the door.
“Akasha, no!” He reached to pull her back. Thankfully she listened and turned to him, eyes narrowed in fury.
Silas kept his voice level. “Perhaps you should talk to her first. She told me they came to an understanding. I hope she will tell you more. If anything, maybe we can call the police.”
“All right.” She didn’t look happy but at least she seemed to see his logic. “And maybe you could just bite him or something.”
“Used car salesmen usually don’t taste good,” he said with a wink. When she didn’t laugh at his comment, he sighed. “I made some cocoa and an ice pack. Would you please bring them up to her?”
“Sure.” Akasha’s fists clenched with suppressed violence.
Silas closed his eyes. What kind of abuse had she suffered to make her this way? He wished he had lower scruples. Then he’d just drink from her and find out. His fangs seemed to throb as he imagined her taste.
***
Akasha knocked softly on her bedroom door to avoid smashing the polished mahogany, not trusting her temper.
“’Kash, is that you?” Xochitl’s voice was muffled.
“Yeah.” It was odd, standing outside her room. It is mine, Akasha realized, surprised at the pride that came with the thought.
Behind the door she heard Xochitl laugh softly. “Dude, it’s your room, come in.”
Akasha went in and cursed at her friend’s pitiful sight. Xochitl was dwarfed by the huge blanket and still shivering. Her lower lip was huge and purple with a gash in the middle. This was no open handed slap. No, definitely close-fisted.
“Silas said I could crash here. Is that cool?” Xochitl winced when her bruised cheek shifted as she spoke.
Akasha shook her head. “You dumbass. You’re my best friend. Of course it’s cool. Silas made cocoa, but it probably wouldn’t feel good on that cut.”
Xochitl took the cup and sighed in pleasure as it warmed her hands.
“So what happened, Xoch’?” Akasha asked quietly, quivering with fury.
“They insulted my mother and I naturally took offense,” she explained airily, but her eyes were a dark burgundy, like Beau’s hair. They seemed to change color with her moods, and red could not be good. Xochitl rolled her eyes and continued. “I went off on a tangent about what sadistic assholes they are and Bill punched me. His class ring hurt like a bitch.”
“That motherfucker!” Akasha growled. “Silas says we could call the cops.”
The deep red of Xochitl’s eyes was unnerving. “No. They won’t touch me again. They’re afraid of me now.”
“What did you do?” Akasha whispered, not sure she wanted to know as she took a step back. How the hell were her eyes doing that?
Xochitl smiled wickedly. “I could ask you how you threw that big jock at the kegger on Halloween.
Akasha gasped, not knowing whether she should be pissed off or scared. She tried to sound casual and leaned against the wall, folding her arms. “It would be dangerous for you to know.”
Xochitl nodded. “Don’t ask, don’t tell. I knew you’d understand. I’m really sorry to be such a bitch about it though. Still friends?” Her eyes bled to puppy-dog brown.
Akasha nodded, shoulders sagging in relief. “As long as you don’t ‘scare me’ like you did them.”
Xochitl laughed without malice. “If you don’t throw me across the room, I won’t need to. Does Silas have any more of that yummy wine?”
“Yeah. He bought a case when he saw how much you liked it.” Akasha relaxed slightly at the change of subject.
“Your boyfriend is so awesome. I’d be jealous of you if I didn’t know that you’ve suffered more in life than I have,” Xochitl said.
The wisdom and empathy in that statement made her feel uncomfortable.
“Don’t call him my boyfriend.” Akasha’s ears burned as she remembered Silas’s kiss. He hadn’t made any more moves on her and she couldn’t figure out whether she was relieved or disappointed.
Xochitl laughed. “Your boyfriend is hot.”
“Dammit Xochitl!” Akasha whacked her friend softly on the shoulder with a pillow, mindful of her injured face.
“Okay!” Xochitl raised her hands in surrender. “So, have you slept with him yet?”
Akasha sighed. “No. Nothing’s happened.” Things had been awkward since that first and only kiss. Ironically, learning that he was a five hundred year old blood drinker didn’t make half the impact on her life as his awakening of her sexuality.
Xochitl seemed to sense her reticence and changed the subject. “Can we get drunk now?”
It was a school night but… fuck it. Her friend had been through hell tonight, despite the fact she was trying to play it cool. She needed to be numb for a bit. Perhaps they both did.
They headed downstairs and saw that Silas was already opening a bottle of Riesling.
Xochitl ran up and hugged him. “My hero!”
Jealously blazed through Akasha until she saw the helpless look Silas gave her. Then it was kind of funny. She was coming to realize that Xochitl could be a runaway freight train when she was emotionally distraught. This is going to be a long night.
They sat at the kitchen table as Xochitl went through glass after glass of wine while chain smoking and regaling them with a long monologue about what she was going to do now that she was “free.”
“And I’m gonna get a cat, a Siamese, and I’m gonna name her Isis and she’ll wear a jewel-studded collar and eat from a crystal dish and go with me everywhere in my car…” Xochitl broke off with a yawn.
“Go to bed, Xoch,’” Akasha ordered when her friend looked ready to fall asleep and Silas returned from another of his walks... or rather, hunts for blood. It was three in the morning.
She didn’t argue. “’Kay.”
After Xochitl stumbled up to bed Silas shook his head. “That is the most entertaining drunk woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah.” Akasha opened another beer and they shared a somewhat companionable silence punctuated with blips of sexual tension.
She studied him as she sipped her beer. Drops of melted snow gleamed in his silken hair like fairy glitter. One large hand rested on the table and she shivered as she remembered his touch. His other hand was tucked under his firm chin with his thumb near his sensuously chiseled lips. He was so close she could lean over and touch them with hers.
“I should probably go check on Xochitl,” Akasha murmured, though for some reason she didn’t want to leave. She was enjoying spending time with Silas. After Xochitl’s melodrama, the vampire was an oasis of calm.
Silas held up a hand. “If you could spare a few minutes, I brought a Wheel Deals. I was hoping we could pick out a car for you.”
It was the excuse she needed. “Okay.”
Akasha couldn’t suppress her excitement. My own car!
They flipped through the pages and she nearly squealed with delight as she saw her dream car. “That’s it! That’s the one!”
“What is it?” His eyes gleamed, reflecting her enthusiasm.
“A ’73 Roadrunner.” She shrugged in instinctive apology for not choosing something more popular. “I know there were better years, but this one has sentimental value to me. Besides, a 318 is better on gas mileage anyway. Max said it was one of the most bulletproof v-eights ever built.”
“Max?”
His voice was silky with inquiry.
“An old friend…He was the one who taught me everything I know about cars,” Akasha stammered at the painful memory. “Anyway, that’s the car I want.”
He frowned dubiously…either at her mention of Max or the advertisement. “It says it needs work.”
She nodded, quivering in excitement. “I know. That’s great! Then I can restore it from the ground up.”
Silas smiled, and she got that melty feeling again. “Christmas is coming soon. Now that you have your license, why don’t you borrow my car until you get your own?”
Akasha closed her eyes and pictured the envy in everyone’s eyes when she pulled the Barracuda in the student parking lot.
“Really? Thanks! I’ll be real careful with it.” She nearly hugged him like Xochitl did, but stopped and patted him awkwardly on the shoulder. Who knew what would happen if she was in his arms again?
“And as for the band, I was thinking of getting them new instruments,” Silas said, setting aside the Wheel Deals. “I wondered if you would be willing to do a little detective work and find out which guitars and such they are pining over.”
“Oh…Silas,” Akasha gasped at his generosity. “Wouldn’t that be too much?”
He shook his head. “Not for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone to indulge.”
His eyes went distant and deep with sadness. Akasha realized he must still miss his family that had been killed five hundred years ago. Had he really been all alone since then? A sudden urge to take him into her arms and cradle his head against her breast overcame her. Akasha thrust it away. What’s happening to me?
“I better check on Xochitl and go to bed,” she whispered as their gazes met.
Silas looked deep into her eyes, his gaze seeming to say everything and nothing at all. “Sleep well, Akasha.”
Chapter Sixteen
Pisa, Italy
“My lord!” Selena’s spy said breathlessly as he burst into her private chambers. “I have returned from the States with momentous news!”
“Do sit down, Charles.” Selena feigned scorned boredom though she was quaking with excitement. Will I finally have ammunition against Silas?
