by Al K. Line
I ducked, felt her belly glide across my hair and a hind leg kick me in the face but the claws thankfully missed. With my back to her, she turned before I had the chance and leaped, but she was tired, clearly unable to keep up the panther form because of the damage I'd done and her own lack of control under stress.
I felt powerful arms lock around my neck and perfect, naked thighs wrap around my waist, not at all the way I'd pictured Plum doing it in my drams. But I had to remind myself this wasn't her, and certainly not foreplay. This was a fight.
Loathe to do it, I reached up, grabbed her arms, then bent forward at the waist, flipping her over my shoulder. She hit the ground hard. She was up in a flash, ready for more, determined no matter the personal cost.
This couldn't go on, so I used an old trick I knew would immobilize her for a while without risking her life. I feinted left, then right, and as she punched out hard and faster than I'd expected I still managed to dodge, her fist grazing my ear, and dug my fingers hard deep into a nerve cluster then forced cold magic deep down.
She dropped to her knees, left arm hanging limp, staring at me with hate. She'd be fine in a minute or two, and no, I'm not telling—stick to the Vulcan nerve pinch if you want, this one is for Hidden only.
Then others came and covered her naked body, got her to her feet. I stood watching as she wrapped herself up and shook away offers of help. She hobbled closer, full of loathing, and said, "You killed my cousin."
As far as introductions go, I've had more pleasant ones.
Misinformation
"What are you talking about? Who are you? Who is she?" I asked the crowd of people. "Barrack, what's going on here?" The bear shifter was beside the woman, not holding her back but seemingly ready to try to stop her if he absolutely had to. I hadn't seen him for a long time but he'd helped when it all went wrong, looked after the children at Grandma's while I went to fight vampires and witches.
"She's Plum's cousin, like she said. She came a while back and won't listen to reason." Barrack frowned at the woman, obviously at his wit's end with her. He shrugged his massive shoulders as if to say what could he do.
I turned my attention to her. Maybe she would listen. I realized I was still in the throes of magic and calmed myself, eyes back to normal, magic returned to the Empty, no real comedown so to speak of. I was getting the hang of it now.
"Are you responsible? You've been manipulating people, getting them to do disgusting things. Warping the minds of my friends and family, getting me locked up. It's you, isn't it?" Anger rose unbidden and I felt all the stress burst free of me in an instant. From calm to dark magic enforcer in a moment, I would rip her to shreds, panther or no panther.
This woman that hated me so, this must be who Charlie spoke of, the one glad to have got me sentenced and who ruined Kate, tried to ruin our life. Was succeeding.
Only one thing saved her as my eyes were stabbed with sharp pins of magic and I felt energy practically rip through my body then settle hard and emotionless at my core, ready to flatten her to mush on the cracked road. She spat out the words, "How could I? But I'm glad they're gonna kill you, you let my cousin die."
I was confused but not totally lost to myself, and once more I got myself in check. This needed a level head and a proper conversation, and for her to not look like she would pounce at any moment.
Hell, what was going on? First I thought it was the Council, now some lookie-likie, what next, a bloody gremlin? Guess anything is possible in our world.
"Spark," boomed a voice from the end of the road. "Time to meet your maker. In pieces."
"Shit, that's all I need. This isn't over," I warned, as I did the sensible thing and ran away.
Take it as a tip, if a giant comes charging down the road after you then run really fast in the opposite direction. There's less chance of getting squished. No way could I fight him here, not with all the kids and shifters, plus I was a little tired and confused what with all the sexy panther action and the fact she blamed me for Plum.
It wasn't my fault, was it?
I ran.
Reade came right after me. He was a lot faster, too, so I wouldn't get very far.
Running Around in Circles
I was running on empty as I raced down streets, ducked down alleys, clambered over railings, and generally darted around shifter territory like a headless chicken.
Reade just kept on coming, eating up the ground with ease, hardly even running because of the short distances before streets met junctions or I tried to lose him by going into narrow spaces. Nothing worked, he kept after me, edging between the alleys, finding me easily because of his height.
I was exhausted, still coming down from the booze of yesterday and the shock of Kate going wild. Emotional stress is a killer, and it had done for me. Let alone the magic use. If I survived I would need one hell of a rest.
When had I eaten today? I was out of energy and desperately wanted a cup of strong tea, but when you are running from giants there's no timeout for snacks and beverages, you focus on staying alive. Could I make it back to the car? I'd need a big head start or Reade would still catch me, and probably crush it with a single stomp of his foot.
Where was Intus when you needed her? Guess she'd done her bit for the day and was off making more babies or trying to control the ones she had.
It seemed unlikely Plum's cousin was to blame. After all, why attack me if I would be dead tomorrow anyway? Why risk it? No, that was pure hate that drove her, so she wouldn't be the one manipulating minds to get me locked away.
Back to square one but with more people wanting me dead than usual. Great, just great.
Purely for peace of mind, I let magic build to a dangerous degree while I ran, then turned and gave Reade everything I had. The stories were true. It splatted against his body and spread out and away like rain falling on glass. It just bounced and split, not even slowing him. He had a permanent protective aura no magic could touch.
At least I knew. What else could I do? I was seriously out of options. I had to make it to the car and get some real distance. Once we were in Regular territory, he would have to slow to maintain his Hidden appearance. It wouldn't be an option. He is inherently magic so the magic would control him to ensure his true form remained Hidden—just another man while in Regular company.
I took a left at a junction, trying to picture the streets in my mind. A few more turns then circle back to the top of the road—I could do it as long as he kept his distance.
I ran on, winklepickers tapping loudly, suit cut to ribbons, and all I could think of was the counter on my neck.
How much longer?
*
Skidding around another corner, I slipped on a patch of oil and almost went over. As I grazed a hand again I glanced behind. Reade was close now. He'd get me before I reached the car. Then what? Dead, I guess.
I ran for all I was worth. Arms pumping, lactic acid burning my thighs—I was totally out of practice of running and never that great at it anyway.
I heard a car screech and turned again to see it heading right for Reade. It swerved at the last minute, honking its horn and making him slow to check what was happening. Then the battered, white Suzuki Vitara was next to me, rear door opening as it matched my speed.
"Get in," shouted Barrack.
I looked inside only to find the passenger holding the back door open by stretching over was Plum's cousin. What a choice, death by giant or by panther.
At least with one I had a chance, so I dove inside and yanked the door closed as Barrack put his foot down and we raced away. Righting myself, I saw Reade slow, realizing he'd never catch us.
Another close encounter with the giant. I knew the third time wouldn't be so lucky.
"I may owe you an apology," said Plum's cousin.
"You got that right. Thanks for saving me, Barrack, I wasn't gonna last much longer." I was surprised. We'd never been buddies, he always seemed like a bully, but things change. People change.
"No problem. Figured it was the least I could do after what Persimmon here just did. What's with the giant, anyway?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know. So, Persimmon, care to tell me why you tried to bite my head off? I'm not to blame for Plum, she was my friend."
I checked that Reade was gone—seemed like we were safe for a while.
"You reanimated her, got her killed and then you brought her back. It's disgusting and you deserve to be punished."
"Blimey, say what you mean, why don't you? So what are you doing here?"
"Barrack just told me something. In all the time I've been here he kept it to himself." Persimmon glared at Barrack and he kept his eyes firmly on the road. Seems that Persimmon was just as intimidating as Plum was.
"And what was that?"
"That it was you she called after the vamps attacked her. That you were the one she trusted, the only one she trusted."
"Oh, right."
"What, got nothing else to say?" Persimmon stared at me hard, seemingly unrepentant about attacking me, but somehow mollified by the revelation.
"Yeah, you owe me a new suit."
"Dick."
Well, one thing was for sure, she had a lot in common with Plum.
"Barrack, can you take me home, please? No, scrap that. My car's at the end of the street, we should be okay to circle back there now. Reade is probably off hunting Rikka."
"Sure. You think maybe you should call him?"
"Guess I should, but to be honest I'm not sure it will make much difference. How do you stop a giant intent on destruction?"
"You get him to change his mind," said Persimmon.
"And how do you do that?"
"Isn't it obvious, you make him a better offer."
I'd already thought of that. "Won't work," I said. "The Littlejohns always carry out their jobs unless told to back down by the person who hired them."
"Then I guess you're screwed," said Barrack.
"Yeah, guess I am."
We were already at my car, and as I got out I said thanks to Barrack. He truly had saved my life. I leaned in through the open window and got up close to Persimmon. She smelled fantastic, musky and powerful, fierce, willful, and yet like a rose. "She was my friend. I tried my best but she wanted her revenge. It was her choice."
"But you had her brought back. You could have left her in peace."
"You think Plum would have rested in peace knowing those that destroyed her life and her friends were free and alive?"
Persimmon paused for a while then said, "Maybe not."
I turned and got into my car as they drove away.
Knowing I would be asleep if I sat there for long, I started the engine and drove home. I had to see Kate, check she was okay. She'd been alone for too long.
I dared not look in the mirror, there wasn't much time left.
Getting Stressed
I got about halfway home before I caved and checked in the mirror, almost getting killed by a bus as reality hit home. It was four in the afternoon. Where had the day gone? Running around like a loon, that's where. Nineteen hours and I would be done for.
Yikes!
Okay, I may have sworn rather a lot, banged the steering wheel, accidentally beeped the horn and scared an old lady half to death who was crossing the road, but I think I earned that right.
I wasn't sure if it was just all in my mind, but I felt the numbers throb as they counted down, like an extra heartbeat, pulsing loud and hot. A constant tick, tick, tick, louder than the tinnitus.
What was I going to do? It wasn't the Council that were after me, it wasn't Plum's cousin—I still couldn't believe that, I'd thought she had no family—so what now? How I'd even considered it could be a shifter was testament to how manic I'd been acting. This needed to be someone adept, someone strong with magic and its subtleties. It didn't narrow it down much, our world was teeming with such people.
My mind raced too fast, everything jumbled up and confusing me even more. What I needed was some downtime, a chance to relax and let information filter through my subconscious and hopefully offer me a direction. I'm not good with too much going on, it makes me act irrationally and I end up getting myself into even more trouble. What I need is peace, to be the Alone I am. Someone who needs solitude to recharge his batteries, not a constant barrage of chatter from others who make it impossible for me to think straight and come to the right conclusions.
This was important, beyond that. It affected not just me but everyone I cared about and even those I didn't. I couldn't leave with such a mess in the Hidden world, I owed my kind more than that. If injustice could be planned and carried out on me and powerful people like Rikka and Grandma then who was next? Whoever was behind this could move on to anyone they wanted out of the way. They'd be unstoppable, whatever their plan actually was.
And that was the real pain in the ass. What exactly was the point of all this? There were so many Hidden with so much to gain it could be any number of them. My ideas about who would come out smelling of roses after this had led to a dead end.
Who was powerful enough to manipulate the minds of Hidden and direct them in nefarious ways?
I had absolutely no idea.
When in doubt, go home and see your vampire girlfriend.
*
I was on tenterhooks as I walked up the garden—which already looked like the hobs had been hard at work—dreading seeing Kate in a mess.
I needn't have worried, and this is another fault I have—I should have more faith in her. I'd coped with our falling out, the terrible words we said to each other, the things she'd done, so why wouldn't she? She was a damn strong woman and knew her own mind. Once she understood what had happened, why wouldn't she be able to put it into perspective and accept it as fact, that she wasn't truly to blame?
Yeah, she was better at all that than I was. She waved as I came up to the house. She was watering the geraniums, and come to think of it the weather was hot. I'd been too busy running about like a nutter to take much notice, but normally I'm all about the weather—it's in the blood for Brits, it's always on our mind.
The area outside the house was swept, doors and windows open to ventilate the interior, and the smell of furniture polish and cleaning products drifted out lazily. She'd kept busy, turned a corner, the presence of the hobs allowing her to understand what had happened at our little piece of paradise and make amends.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey." Kate smiled that gorgeous smile and I knew everything would be all right between us. We'd come close, but we'd make it through, be stronger than ever before.
"You've been busy. Place looks great."
"And you look like you've been busy, too. Look at your suit! Faz, you have to be more careful. What on earth happened?" Kate put down the metal watering can and came to me. She held out her hand and I took it gratefully. That single gesture took away my anguish and stress, allowed me to relax and feel whole again.
Her hand was soft and warm, full of love, and I didn't need magic to feel it.
"It's a long story and I don't know if I've got time to tell you. In fact, I don't know what I've got time for at all."
Kate squeezed my hand tight. "How about we concentrate on the now? Let's have a nice dinner, cuddle up on the sofa and watch a movie. We'll be normal, act like we have all the time in the world. And when something comes to you, when you get another one of your mad ideas, well, then you can go chasing around the city and get some answers."
"Sounds perfect." I smiled my best smile at my voluptuous vampire. I knew she was trying to be brave for my sake, pretending like she wasn't scared that this was our last evening together. Hell, how could I have left her for a whole night when there was so little time remaining?
"Good. Now, why don't you take that rag of a suit off, get cleaned up, and then come and tell me all about your day?"
"No, you tell me all about yours first. I can see you've done loads. No more trouble with the hobs, I assume?"
"Th
ey've been brilliant." Kate's face became animated as she beamed at the garden and the house. It was like yesterday had never happened. Had it? So much chaos, I wonder how I cope sometimes. But then, maybe that's the point.
Do I cope?
An Evening at Home
If it was my last night then I was going to spend it with Kate. So, rather than chase around the city like a madman, probably getting myself into trouble—make that definitely—I would stay in my house and try not to think about the next day.
Live for the moment, savor every second, delight in the company of Kate and snuggle up on the sofa.
I was a condemned man and I'd come to the conclusion there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
Kate was right, it was exactly what I needed, her too. We talked about everyday things. I asked her about her work and how it had been going, but she was honest and said she'd done almost no freelancing in the last year, getting caught up in Hidden life and vampire culture, constantly called upon to help them get reorganized after the chaos of the previous year.
A lot of them resented her for the relationship we had, but many of those that would wish her dead were themselves now out of the picture. She'd tried to remain apart from them, but their draw was great and she had felt beholden to assist those struggling with the changes and the loss of identity that had come with displacement and then the death of so many of their kind.
I honestly had little sympathy for the majority of them, but there were also many that were like Kate. Trying to make sense of what they were, grasping for their humanity with all they were worth, wanting to be as they were before becoming infected, knowing it was impossible.
I made Kate promise to put aside time each week to do her regular work. She was good at it and she needed to keep up-to-date with the fast-moving pace of technology and the developments in her field if she wished to continue. She needed to be in touch with clients and work regularly or she would be overlooked.
