by Anya Nowlan
“You’re going to get us killed if you don’t keep your eyes on the road,” Ruby tried changing the subject, and tensed as Harlan whizzed by an SUV a little too close for comfort.
“You forget, I’m already dead,” Harlan chuckled, amused by his own joke. “Don’t worry,” he added after a second. “I have far better reflexes than humans. You’re safe.”
“Was Roberto safe back there?” she asked. “Does he get paid to let vampires snack on him? And by the way, am I like the only human in New York that doesn’t know vampires exist?”
“A lot of people like Roberto do get reimbursed, or are on the payroll permanently. That’s almost always the case at higher end places like that. At somewhat shadier spots… The donors could be there just for the thrill of the experience,” Harlan replied.
“And you’re not the only one. Donors are thoroughly vetted and they all know to keep their mouths shut, not that many people would believe them if they did talk. You don’t even want to know what would happen to Roberto if he spoke a word of what goes on in that place to anyone, human or vampire,” he added, crinkling his nose slightly.
“He seemed to… like it, when Lucinda drank from him,” Ruby said quietly, recalling the moan that slipped past Roberto’s lips when Lucinda sank her teeth into him.
“I’m sure he did,” Harlan laughed. “It can be a very sensual experience, if done right.”
He snuck a glance at her neck, and Ruby resisted the urge to tug her turtleneck higher. A very serious expression came over Harlan, and she couldn’t help but stare at his smooth, symmetrical features as he spoke.
"Grant was cruel and violent with you. He deliberately caused as much damage as possible, and that is both unacceptable and despicable. I’m not going to lie and say he is the only vampire who is like that, who considers humans meals or prey, and themselves the predator, the next step in evolution.
“But I can say a great many of us don’t approve of that. That’s why I was sent here – to make sure he doesn’t keep hurting people.”
Ruby was struck by his apparent honesty. He seemed sincere, and despite her suspicious nature, she found herself believing him. It did all add up, from Harlan saving her life to now working to track Grant down.
Is there actually such a thing as a nice vampire? she wondered.
It was entirely possible that she’d let her encounter with Grant color her view of all of his kind. The fact that before running into Grant, her exposure to vampires had been limited to horror movies didn’t help much either.
Those didn’t exactly paint vampires in the best of lights.
Thinking it over, it made sense that vampire society would be similar to human society, in the way that there were universally accepted values, and there were those who were dismissive of those values.
She used to be a cop, and in her heart she certainly still was one, so her job had been to deal with those who didn’t respect the rules. It looked like Harlan was on the same page. Except Lucinda had seemed surprised Harlan had been the one sent to deal with Grant…
“Who’s Julius? Lucinda said he’s your Maker. What does that mean?” she asked, hoping Harlan would continue being open with her.
“It means he turned me into what I am,” Harlan replied, his tone peculiarly flat.
“You don’t want to talk about it,” Ruby remarked.
“There’s nothing to say, really. I was dying and Julius decided he wanted to keep me around,” Harlan shrugged.
His nonchalant attitude wasn’t fooling her. Clearly there was more to the story, and he was trying to downplay its importance. Ruby didn’t even know why she was suddenly so intrigued. What did she care about Harlan’s past? She was only putting up with him because she owed him for saving her life, and because he could help her get to Grant.
Anything he tells me is useful. I know so little about how vampire societies work. Any piece of information I get is crucial, she told herself, but she knew that wasn’t the only reason for her curiosity.
“Lucinda said you betrayed him,” she said quietly, sneaking glances at him. “And you said you used to rip heads off people.”
“Vampires. I used to rip heads off vampires. Those lives don’t concern you, do they? Not like Roberto’s safety did,” Harlan replied, turning onto the street that led to her apartment building.
Ruby didn’t know what to say to that. There was an edge of bitterness to Harlan’s voice that made her hesitant to continue prodding him. Clearly she was out of her depth, and the last thing she wanted to do was accidentally insult the man.
After all, he’d been nothing but kind to her. Annoyingly flirty too, but she was willing to let that slide.
With so many new things to ponder, she decided she would focus on something she actually could figure out. Like making sense of the information Lucinda had given them. After Harlan had given her some motivation, she had revealed that she’d heard a rumor about Grant having a partner here in New York, who was funding his stay and helping him remain under the radar.
“Do you think Lucinda was telling the truth about Grant having a friend in town?” she asked, steering away from questions about Harlan’s past.
“Grant is almost as bad at making friends as Lucinda,” he replied, tires squealing as he pulled up to the curb outside her building. “But it would explain why I’ve been having such a hard time tracking him down. He’s changed his pattern, and maybe this partner of his has something to do with that.”
“From what Lucinda said she’d heard, this guy has to have some serious money lying around,” Ruby mused, happy that the car was safely parked for the moment. “And I’m betting that money might not be entirely legitimate. I don’t see any reputable businessmen throwing in with an off-the-rails vampire.”
Using the word ‘vampire’ so casually was still weird, but Ruby was getting used to it. This was her reality now, and there was no use in fighting against it. Harlan was looking at her, squinting against the sunlight shining in through the windshield.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
Ruby couldn’t help but notice that he looked tired, which she wasn’t sure was even possible. Since her last round of twenty questions hadn’t gone so well, she decided to keep those thoughts to herself.
“I’m thinking I know just the person we should be talking to,” she smiled to herself.
Maybe Lucinda will end up being more helpful than I thought.
“He might not be that pleased to talk to me, though,” she added.
“Well, I can be pretty convincing,” Harlan grinned at her.
And for a moment, she was glad she didn’t have to do this all on her own.
9
Harlan
“Why did I let you drive again?” Ruby sighed as she stepped out of Harlan’s car, parked in front of a rundown apartment building.
“Because it’s my car?” he countered.
“Whoever gave you a license should be fired,” she shook her head.
“Is this a good time to mention I don’t actually have a license?” Harlan said, following her inside the building and away from the scorching sun.
Walking around in daylight all day was starting to take its toll, and he hadn’t eaten in two days. He wasn’t veering into dangerous territory just yet, but he did make a mental note to make sure he got to a donor sooner rather than later.
“You don’t even have a license?” Ruby whirled around, eyes wide. “I should have you arrested, you know.”
“I’ve been driving for decades, and I’ve never been in an accident. I’m probably the best driver you’ve ever met. No need to throw me in jail just yet,” he chuckled.
“Exactly how old are you anyway?” Ruby asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
“Now that’s just rude,” Harlan clucked his tongue, brushing past her.
He could swear he saw her smile at that from the corner of his eye, and it made him happier than he would have liked to admit. Getting attached to humans was a mistake he w
as past making. He had been around long enough to know better.
Yet with Ruby, none of the rules he’d set up for himself seemed to matter. There was something about her he found irresistible, and he knew that could only spell trouble for him. Even if Ruby didn’t find his kind distasteful at best, there was no way they could ever have a relationship past this forced partnership they were involved in.
I shouldn’t want anything more. I can’t give her what she deserves.
“You coming or what?” was what he said out loud, climbing up the stairs.
Many of the apartments in the building seemed to be empty. His senses told him there weren’t many humans around, and the whole place reeked of desperation and bad decisions.
“You don’t even know which floor to go to,” Ruby remarked, catching up to him. “And you don’t know this guy. I do. So step aside, Mr. Vampire,” she said edging past him.
“You don’t even know if he’s here,” Harlan replied.
“It’s a Wednesday afternoon. Trust me, he’ll be here. I’ve never known the man to get out of bed before five,” she said, confidently striding up to the third floor.
Ruby was definitely rolling with everything life had thrown her way recently, and was proving to be more useful than he’d thought. Harlan had connections in the vampire world, sure, but as far as humans went, he had a couple of regular donors back in LA and that was the extent of his relationships with the warm-blooded.
Grant used to be the same, he mused, wondering what the hell his one-time friend had gotten himself involved in.
“This is it,” Ruby announced, approaching a flimsy-looking door at the end of the hallway.
“Maybe I should go in first,” Harlan suggested.
“I can handle myself,” Ruby said, squaring her shoulders. “I might have trouble with my shoelaces but I can still throw a punch.”
“I don’t doubt that, but you can still get hurt. I can’t,” Harlan argued.
Ruby just rolled her eyes at him before busting the door open with one well-placed kick. Dust wafted around her as the door knocked into the apartment wall, and she stepped inside, not even bothering to say a word to him.
Stubborn and impulsive. Now why do I find that so attractive? Harlan wondered, before catching up with her within the blink of an eye.
“Whoa,” Ruby muttered when he appeared at her side. “Remind me to never challenge you to a race.”
Looking around the room, Harlan noticed a man rousing from his bed, rubbing his eyes as he blinked at him and Ruby.
“Aw, man. Not this crazy chick again,” Harlan heard the man mumble to himself.
“Hey, Mickey,” Ruby said, giving the man a wide smile. “How’s my favorite little rat? It’s been awhile since I last arrested you. Miss me?”
“Like a hole in the head,” Mickey replied, throwing his blanket aside and slowly getting to his feet.
He was an average-looking man, fit, but not exactly muscular, with an olive complexion and dark hair. Clad in a wife-beater and a pair of basketball shorts, he yawned, before glancing over at his door and frowning.
“I heard you were no longer on the force. So what are you doing breaking down my door, huh? Maybe I should call the real cops to haul your ass to jail for breaking and entering,” Mickey said, sparing a quick look at Harlan. “Who’s the suit?” he asked.
“Shut up, Mickey,” Ruby sighed. “We both know you’re not going to call the cops, so let’s cut the bull. I’m here for some information.”
“And why on earth should I tell you anything? You can’t threaten me anymore. You’re just a civilian,” Mickey snickered, crossing his arms in front of him.
News sure traveled fast.
“I still have friends on the force. You answer a couple of questions, and I’ll owe you one,” Ruby shrugged.
“Like I need a favor from a washed-up cop,” Mickey scoffed. “But maybe you can repay me in some other way…” he trailed off, openly leering at her.
Harlan knew he shouldn’t intervene, but Mickey’s comments were getting under his skin. He wasn’t going to let some lowlife dirtbag talk to Ruby like that. There was still a standard of basic manners in the world, even if Mickey didn’t seem to be aware of it.
“You should watch your mouth when you’re talking to a lady,” Harlan commented, adjusting his cufflinks. “Besides, you wouldn’t be man enough for her anyway.”
That got Mickey’s attention as he uncrossed his arms and took a step closer to them, clearly unhappy.
“What the fuck are you trying to say?” he demanded, before turning to Ruby. “Who is this clown?”
“He’s my new partner,” Ruby replied lightly. “And I wouldn’t piss him off if I were you. I’ve heard he likes ripping people’s heads off,” she said, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips when she looked over at Harlan.
Surprised at Ruby calling him her partner, Harlan had to stop himself from grinning. It meant a lot to him that Ruby was showing him some trust, but he didn’t want to get ahead of himself.
“I really do,” he nodded, playing along.
“Naw, you look like you wouldn’t want to ruin that fancy suit of yours with blood,” Mickey scoffed, but some of the bravado went out of his voice was he took the time to study Harlan more closely.
Not only was Harlan taller and broader than the man standing in front of him, he also had his vampiric speed and strength to help him out. A fight between Harlan and Mickey would hardly be fair, but that didn’t mean Harlan was above kicking Mickey’s disrespectful ass.
“Look, whatever you think I might know, I don’t, okay?” Mickey said, backing away and leaning against an old desk shoved up against the wall.
Ruby didn’t seem to be buying a word of it.
“Why don’t you let me ask the questions?” she said, looking annoyed and impatient.
Keeping a close eye on Mickey, Harlan couldn’t help but notice the man slip his hands behind his back, looking like he was fumbling with something behind him. Ruby caught that too, it seemed.
“Hey,” she warned. “Keep those hands where I can see them.”
Not wanting to take any chances, Harlan pushed himself into motion, the edges of his vision blurring slightly as he ran to Mickey and back with preternatural speed. As he stood back at Ruby’s side, dangling a silver Colt .45 in his hand, he felt a pang of hunger deep in his gut, but ignored it.
“Looking for this?” he asked, smiling to himself as he watched Mickey’s wide-eyed reaction.
“What the…” he muttered, glancing behind him at an empty drawer.
Ruby looked from the gun to Mickey, clearly pissed off.
“Now, Mickey,” she said, stepping closer to the man. “You weren’t thinking of pointing that at us, were you?” she asked, and the threat in her voice was clear.
“I don’t know what’s going on here but…” Mickey said, trying to push past her.
In one swift move, Ruby had Mickey’s arm behind his back and was wrestling him to the ground. Harlan hesitated for a moment before deciding not to intervene. He could see Ruby’s right shoulder was trembling slightly, but he wasn’t about to rush in like she was some damsel in distress.
Ruby could definitely handle herself, and Harlan didn’t want her to think he doubted that. So he watched, slightly amused, as the side of Mickey’s face was pressed into the dirty floor. Tears sprung to the man’s eyes as Ruby put more pressure on his arm, until she was all but sitting on him.
“You keep making one bad choice after the other,” Ruby said, grunting slightly. “Now why don’t you make a good one for a change and tell us what we want to know.”
10
Ruby
Ignoring the pain radiating up her arm, Ruby continued holding Mickey down as the man sang like a bird. A little pain was all it took for the self-proclaimed tough guy to tell Harlan and her everything they needed to know.
Harlan’s little trick with Mickey’s gun probably didn’t hurt either.
“Th
ere are some rumors on the streets about a new guy in town. A real bloodthirsty dude. He was shopping around for a sponsor, but I don’t know if he found one or not,” Mickey was saying.
That has to be Grant.
It was tough for Ruby to admit it, but she and Harlan were shaping up to be quite the team. Having a vampire for a partner certainly had its advantages. He was looking down at her as she pressed a knee into the small of Mickey’s back with a glint of appreciation in his eye, and Ruby couldn’t help but smile up at him.
She had missed the action, and even though what they were doing was highly illegal, a part of her also found it insanely fun.
Now if that’s not fucked up, I don’t know what is.
She had never been anything but a by-the-book officer, except right now, she didn’t give a shit about any rules. Grant was going to pay, and she was going to use every weapon in her arsenal to see that happen.
“Ow,” Mickey complained, before letting out a stream of curses.
“I’d really appreciate all the honesty you can muster, and so will my friend,” Ruby said.
“Alright, just ease up,” Mickey grumbled, and Ruby took her knee off his back. “There were whispers Big Theo met with the dude, but I don’t know what happened after that. Those things are beyond my pay grade.”
“He got a meeting with Theodore Greene?” Ruby asked, surprised.
“That’s what I heard,” Mickey replied as Ruby finally let go of his arm and got to her feet.
Looking up at Harlan, it was clear he didn’t know why the name Greene was so significant.
“He’s one of the biggest crime bosses in the tri-state area,” she quickly explained. “He’s currently embroiled in a nasty turf war with a rival gang, but he’s still one of the most powerful men in the city.”
Carefully stretching out her stiff fingers, Ruby walked back over to Harlan as Mickey got up, complaining all the way.
“This is police brutality,” he accused, brushing dirt off his shirt.
