by Martha Woods
* * *
Tessa had never thought to ask about the attic in Kristian’s house. She knew that it had one, but it never occurred to her that there would be anything of interest there. It should have been filled with the kind of crap one would collect in two hundred years of life.
Of course, vampires had to find different uses for what would be an ordinary space inside anyone else’s home. It figures, Tessa thought.
The entire room held only two items: an intricately carved mahogany cabinet, and an antique electrocution chair.
The demon, Charley, was strapped into the chair. Fortunately for her, it was only being used to keep her bound. Tessa couldn’t see any wires connected to it, but the buzz of thoughts in the air around her were more than hostile enough. She didn’t want to see what was about to happen.
Morgan moved to open the cabinet doors, revealing a dangerous collection of knives, swords, and other gleaming implements. The tools of torture were within the demon’s line of vision.
All the vampires were gathered around. Tessa stood between Kristian and Veronica. The guards flanked the execution chair, all except for Morgan, who faced the demon.
“We have an interesting problem here,” Morgan said. “We send you back to the Calder, they’ll kill you. We keep you here, and eventually we’ll have to do the same thing.”
“Eventually?” she spat. “Or, I could snap these bindings and start snapping necks. I could begin with the human’s. It’s be easiest.”
Morgan leveled a glare at her that said he wasn’t scared in the least. It was hard to be afraid of something that looked like a teen that listed to too much My Chemical Romance. Tessa, on the other hand, reached to touch the bruises forming on her neck.
“Your life span depends on how forthcoming you are.”
“I’m not down for this torture shit. But there’s not an awful lot I can tell you.”
“Why did you come after Tessa?” Kristian asked. “How about we start there?”
“Look. You don’t like the witches, they don’t like you. I get that. And really, I couldn’t care less what the lot of you do to each other. I was told to scare some sense into her.”
“Your instructions weren’t to kill me?” Tessa asked. “Because it seemed like that’s what you wanted.”
“Okay, so I was a little rough, but you did cut me,” the demon pouted.
“Bitch, really?” Tessa yelled. Kristian grabbed her waist to keep her from pouncing.
A soft murmur of laughter moved among the guards. It only made Tessa angrier when she realized the vampires were amused. Kristian had the good sense not to show any reaction.
“I could have told you,” Veronica said drily. “She doesn’t lack spunk.”
“Alright, Charley,” Morgan said. “How’d they know where to find her?”
The demon sucked her teeth. “They’re using a seer.”
“Since when do they have one?” Kristian asked.
“Recently, I guess. But, I mean, I don’t really know. It’s not like these people are my friends. It’s a job. I’m like a pizza delivery man. I get orders and I get paid to deliver, only with murder instead of pizza.”
Kristian let go of Tessa’s waist, taking a few steps towards Charley. “They had a seer and nobody bothered to tell you that you’d get captured on this little mission of yours?”
“Well, she is low level,” Morgan grumbled. “Maybe they were just trying to do away with a loose end. Can’t have a demon knowing too much about their dealings. Why not throw her at the vampires?”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Charley said, her voice already faltering. “I won’t believe a Satan Damned lie coming from your fanged mouths.
“Uh-huh. I’ll get back with you on that,” Morgan said.
* * *
“Tessa,” Kristian called.
She was in the basement apartment, sitting inside the kitchen. She looked up but didn’t respond when he spoke.
“We need to talk about what happened today,” he said.
“Really? Because I don’t think you want to hear what I have to say.”
“Maybe not, but things won’t get any better by pretending you were not shaken.”
Tessa laughed. She put her face in her hands.
“What’s funny?” Kristian asked.
“You!” Tessa laughed. “Shaken? How do you think that even approaches how I feel right now?”
“I’m doing the best I can,” Kristian said. “What more can I do?”
“That’s just the problem. I know you think you’re trying to protect me. I just got attacked by a demon. Something I didn’t know really existed a few hours ago. I led you right to my foster parent’s home when freaking witches were hunting you. This is…it’s not what I signed up for. I’m sorry, but I think I should go back to my life as it was.”
Something changed in Kristian’s eyes. “You’ve thought about this? You’re quite sure?”
“I have,” Tessa stood up. “I’m sorry. My life was simple before. It wasn’t perfect, but I was… well it wasn’t like this. It’s all too much.”
“After…whatever is about to happen, once the current threat is over, I won’t stop you if you still want to go. But if you’re willing to walk away from me, and what we could have together, you owe me an explanation.”
“Of what?” Tessa demanded, feeling the fire burning in her eyes.
“The Calder are always after vampires. But you seem to be a priority to them right now. Why is that?”
“Do you think I have any fucking idea? They weren’t behind me before I met you.”
Tessa moved towards the bedroom and Kristian followed her.
“I don’t believe that’s exactly true. Why is it that you live the way you do, Tessa? I understand why you did when you were a teen. There was always the possibility you could have been found by the authorities and returned to your family. Once you turned eighteen that was no longer a consideration.”
“Suddenly you don’t believe me anymore? You’re the one who found me, remember?”
“Of course,” he replied. “But maybe you haven’t been honest with me about all the reasons you live like a nomad,” he said, crossing his arms.
Tessa pretended not to pay attention. She reached into the dresser and pulled out another of his t-shirts and pulled a hairbrush from her purse.
He touched her arm. His grip was gentle, but she felt rooted to the spot. The intensity of his eyes would not allow her to look away from him.
“Have you ever been honest with yourself about what’s been going on in your life?” he asked.
There was a loud knock on the door. It was Veronica.
“Ally’s here,” she said. “You two might want to come upstairs.”
* * *
Tessa was only momentarily relieved to get out of finishing the conversation with Kristian. She knew he was angry, and she was too. I’ve made my decision, she told herself. Despite her sadness there was also a sense of relief. At least he knew she didn’t intend on sticking around. It wouldn’t be fair to let him think that she was going to be anything to him but a pleasant memory.
Provided they survived the next few hours.
When she and Kristian came upstairs to the living room, it was clear to her that the war party had been gathered. The grim faces of the guards and Ally’s presence let her know that the threat was close.
“I will be staying tonight,” Ally said. “Right now, we need to talk strategy.”
* * *
The hours ticked by slowly.
Tessa had to fight the urge to flee every second she stood in the open. Every now and again she pressed her fingernails into her palms, reminding herself this had to be done.
With the house, so still, she imagined she could hear every sound. The quiet ticking of the clock in the dining room, the sound of the ocean outside, her own trembling heart. Too many thoughts crowded her mind. The life she left behind on the road. The disillusionment she saw in Kristian’s
eyes when she told him that she wanted to leave. The feelings she had for him were so clear. She only feared that being with him would cost her everything.
Tessa licked her lips. She took a deep breath.
The moment she first heard them, she was very aware of what they were.
The thoughts of vampires were the same as humans. Even the demon, Charley, had much the same rhythm of in her thoughts.
The witches were different. It wasn’t just the rhythm or speed of their thoughts. It was a cacophony of noise. Yet somehow, she was able to follow it.
She took her cell phone out and texted two words: Game on.
Tessa shoved the phone back into her pocket and waited. Somewhere in the house, Kristian’s phone would vibrate in response. She closed her eyes and started to count. In her left hand, she grasped her weapon, a long, curved machete.
Five…four…three…two…
The crash of glass made Tessa jump. She was on her feet and running within seconds. The windows shattered in every direction as she ran. The window at the top of the landing shattered, a figure with pale hair streaming around it appearing.
It was only when she reached the dining room that she turned and looked behind her.
Tessa could see the witches from where she stood. There were three. They hovered, floated in the air. With their black eyes and paper thin skin, she found them indistinguishable from each other. They were all at one beautiful and horrible with their sharp, dark features. She ducked just in time to avoid a flash of fire from one of them. A chair ignited in flame.
Kristian came down the hallway towards her, sword in hand.
“Go!” he yelled.
She ran past him, up to the second floor.
Tessa took a left and dodged into a bedroom. She slammed the door behind her. She heard scraping on the other side of the door, so loud it hurt her ears. Was the witch using her fingernails? The sound was like a bone being drawn against a chalkboard. The rooms on this floor had connecting doors, and she ran through several before finally stumbling through the last one.
Just as she reached it, she heard a blood curdling scream from the floor below.
She was met in the last room by Jared. “One down,” he muttered as he passed her. Tessa looked over her shoulder to see him swinging his own sword at a snarling witch.
When Tessa reached the third floor, she paused. There was an unnerving quiet. She pressed her back against the wall, raising her blade. She could do this, she could do this, the words repeating over and over in her head like a mantra.
And then she heard glass breaking again.
The witch came in through a bedroom window. Tessa kicked the door closed as the thing came at her. There was a sound like wind rushing forward, and then heat. Tessa watched in horror as the door disintegrated into flames. The witch emerged from the fire, black eyes fixed on her prey. Tessa fell to the floor, lifting an arm to protect herself against the flame.
“Incoming!” Ally screamed.
The witch bent close to her, only inches away. Tessa flattened herself against the wall just as Ally’s blade separated the creature’s head from her shoulders. Tessa felt the air of the blade’s movement. A lock of her hair fell to the floor.
“That was close!” Tessa screamed.
“You’re welcome,” Ally spat. “Get your ass up.”
Only one more, Tessa thought.
Veronica and Ryan waited in the attic, along with Charley. She had been freed from the chair and was waiting with her sword like the rest having been convinced that the witches were well and truly trying to kill her via vampires. The four of them were the last holdouts. The rest were all on the lower floors, fighting. The hope was that there were enough vampires to hold the witches off. The numbers were clearly stacked against the witches, but when fireballs were added the numbers got a bit hazy.
“I know you’re supposed to be on our side for the moment, but stay away from me,” Tessa hissed.
“Gladly,” Charley’s eyes narrowed.
Screaming and fighting was still audible from the floors below. Tessa closed her eyes and reached out to hear thoughts.
“How many of the Calder did you see?” Veronica asked.
“Four in all. I think two are dead.”
“They sent four?” Charley sighed. “Shit.”
“How is Kristian?” Veronica asked breathlessly.
There was a loud knock on the door. A masculine voice called Veronica’s name. She ran to the door, opened it, and launched herself into Morgan’s arms.
Kristian was still nowhere to be found. The sounds of fighting and scraping came from the first floor. Tessa darted forward without thinking. She flew down the stairs, following the cacophony of thoughts.
Kristian was staggering, the witches staying just out of the reach of his blade as they threw balls of fire at him. He was slowing down. The last ball nearly caught him in the leg. Tessa surged into the fray before anyone realized she was there, swinging her machete.
The witch’s head rolled to the floor with a wet thump. The other witch turned to Tessa, hissing from between her sharp teeth. Tessa’s breath caught in her throat. She froze to the spot.
The barely registered the flash of Kristian’s sword arching through the air before the second head met the floor.
As the witch’s body followed suit, Kristian stared at her with wide eyes.
“You saved me,” he whispered.
Tessa didn’t know what to say. It had all been gut instinct driving her. She didn’t know where Kristian was. She didn’t wait for anyone to tell her. She simply had to act. And, for that, she was grateful. Without words, she dropped her machete and flung herself into his arms.
* * *
“It’s a good damn thing our kind heal quickly,” Ally said. “How are you?”
Tessa and Ally stood on the back deck of the house, watching the grim bonfire on the beach below. The remains of the Calders were being piled up along with wood and bits of destroyed furniture. The sun was starting to come up, coloring the horizon in blue and red.
“I’m okay,” Tessa said. She was still shivering, but she told herself it was only because of the sea breeze. She had gone inside and retrieved her pashmina, a bit of comfort. Her fingers tugged at the edges of it.
“Are you going to be sticking around?” Ally asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Tessa lied.
Ally shrugged. “It would be a shame if you didn’t. We could use a gifted witch killer like yourself.”
Ally smirked and winked at her. She freaking winked.
Just that quickly, she was gone. Vampire speed was still something Tessa had not gotten used to. She turned her attention back to the beach. Morgan and Veronica were holding hands. Everyone had made it through the fight alive, if not unharmed. Even Charley was among them. The demon stood apart from the others, unsure of herself. Ally had admitted that she was a problem she had not figured out how to deal with, but it seemed that for the time being the demon was angry enough with the witches to fight on their side. Hopefully, in time she would loosen up and share what she knew on the Calder.
Kristian must have felt Tessa’s gaze on him. He looked up. Their eyes met and locked. Feeling a warmth spread through her, she turned away and went back into the house.
* * *
The first floor sustained the worst of the damage—singed furniture, busted windows, blood splattered on the living room walls. The basement apartment was untouched. No one would have ever guessed at the carnage which took place one floor above by looking around the suite of rooms.
She would miss it. This was the first real home she had lived in since she was a teen. It was the place where she experienced the first real love she had known since long before that.
Love. She bit her lip. She didn’t like to even think that word. It had been something which she had almost given up on completely.
She went in the bathroom. Her hair was a mess. She needed a good, hot bath. But she was so exhausted that it to
ok all her energy just to brush her hair and wipe a cool cloth across her face. All through the fight, she had held herself together despite the fact that she was terrified. She held onto the counter to keep from falling when her knees buckled.
Tessa couldn’t be sure how long she stood there, half bent over the sink, head down, crying.
Until a pair of strong arms slipped around her.
Kristian didn’t say a word. Instead, he pulled her against his chest and held her. He let her cry against his shoulder, leaving a damp spot on his shirt. He held her and rocked her gently. He rained kisses on her face—her forehead, her eyelids, her flushed cheeks—and ran his hands up and down her back, soothing her.
“Tell me you won’t leave,” his whisper begged. “Darling, please.”
Tessa looked into his emerald green eyes and saw a depth of pain that shouldn’t be possible for a man whose heart no longer beat. This beautiful, complicated man was prepared to sacrifice his life to protect her. How could she turn away from the pleading in his eyes? He didn’t wait for her answer. Instead, he kissed her mouth.
He tasted like fire and soot, the ashes of their enemies. His cool lips parted against her own, drawing her tongue against his. He was bitter and sweet, his touch demanding her response. He stepped back from her, looking her in the eye.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I won’t go.”
Kristian took her in his arms again, steering her back towards the bedroom. She felt her knees touch the back of the mattress, and then he was on top of her. His hands were everywhere, exploring every part of her that almost left his life. He pulled off her top, discarded her bra. His mouth sought the comfort of her neck and her breasts, where he kissed and sucked her. Tessa sighed, reaching to pull him closer to that sweet spot.
He got off the bed, quickly shedding his clothing. She sat looking up at him, and he smiled, running his cool, smooth hand over her cheek. The flecks of gold in his green eyes shined.
