Kylian and Brett

by Edward Kendrick

  Cody rolled his eyes before asking, “What do you have for us, Kylian?”

  “A list of places we need to check out.” He gave copies to everyone.

  Brett scanned his and whistled. “It’s going to be a long day.”

  “Not after we narrow them down to the more secluded ones,” Kylian replied, sitting down at the desk. He went online again, this time to a map site. “Ronnie, read off the addresses if you will, and let’s hope the hotel’s Wi-Fi is speedy.”

  As she did what Kylian asked, he brought each one up. At least half were eliminated because the houses had close neighbors. “Too close for a vampire’s comfort,” he pointed out. “Especially one who has gone rogue.”

  With the list cut by more than half, Ronnie and Cody split it up and used their phones’ map systems to mark them so that they’d have visuals of the properties. Then Cody put his hand on Kylian’s shoulder and they vanished from the room.

  * * * *

  “Have you ever been teleported?” Ronnie asked Brett.

  “I’ve gone through some of Kylian’s doors,” he replied.

  “Good. Then you’re used to the feeling of disassociation. Let’s do it.” She gripped his forearm and instantly they were standing in a grove of trees, looking at the first house on their list. Brett had the feeling she had known where to go because she’d seen its picture on the map site. When he asked, she confirmed it.

  “Are you able to sense if there are people in there?” Brett asked.

  “If I get close enough,” she replied.

  “You won’t be safe,” he said, and realized he was talking to a fox. A small, cute one who was already scurrying toward the house. “That’s too weird,” he muttered as he watched her circle out of sight around the side of the house.

  A few minutes later the fox was beside him again. It shifted and Ronnie stood there—thankfully fully clothed. “There are people inside. From the bit I overheard, the mistress of the house and at least a couple of servants, so I’d say we scratch this one off the list.”

  It was the same for the next one on the list, and the next, ad nauseam, until Brett began to wonder if they were on a wild goose chase. From the way Ronnie was drooping each time she came back to report a failure, he had the feeling she was of the same mind.

  “Two more left,” she said after checking the list. She found the next one on her phone’s map site and seconds later they were looking at a much smaller home than the others they’d visited, nestled deep in the trees. Its narrow driveway curved around the side of the house to an attached, two-car garage.

  “This might be the place,” Brett whispered, gesturing to the windows. Every one was covered by heavy drapes.

  “Let me check it out, to be certain there are no humans inside,” Ronnie whispered back before shifting.

  Brett waited, fingers metaphysically crossed, for her to return. When she did, and had shifted, she was smiling. “We may have liftoff. No scents of humans, no voices, no movement that I could detect. Of course we won’t know for certain until we’re inside.

  “How can we do that, when all the windows are covered so you can’t see inside?”

  “Keyholes, Brett. Old house, old-fashioned locks that take antique-type keys. There’s one on the patio door. It gave me a nice, if restricted view of the kitchen.”

  “Then let’s explore,” Brett replied, taking a step toward the house.

  She stopped him, saying, “Not until we get Kylian and Cody here.” She made the call, saying to whoever answered, “It’s remote, there’s no one inside, or at least no humans. It could be the one we’re looking for.” She gave the address and seconds later Cody and Kylian were standing beside them.

  “What do we have?” Kylian asked.

  “As I said when I called, a house with no one inside,” Ronnie replied. “At least no one who is moving around, talking, or even breathing, as far as I could discern. Not even a heartbeat. Of course the owner could be gone, but…”

  “Were you able to get a visual?” Cody asked.

  “Yep, of a small part of the kitchen. Here you go.”

  Brett had a strong feeling she’d mentally shown it to Cody because the shifter said, “Not much, but enough to get us inside.”

  “Not until we plan our strategy,” Kylian said.

  “What strategy?” Cody retorted. “We go in, we find him, we kill him.”

  “Before we eliminate him, I want to find out what’s behind his going rogue. I find it hard to believe hating other vampires who intermingle successfully with humans would suddenly make him want to start killing humans, especially since they probably wouldn’t know their next door neighbor was a vampire. “

  “He’s a vampire himself. They don’t need a reason to kill,” Cody muttered.

  “The same could be said for shifters,” Ronnie replied. “At least in the eyes of humans.”

  “He’s going to sit there while you interrogate him?” Brett asked in disbelief.

  Kylian nodded. “I’ll use an enchantment to hold him, the way I did with the Slayer. He won’t be able to use any of his powers, including teleportation.”

  “Meaning we’d better get in there before he wakes up,” Ronnie said. “He’ll sense our presence and vanish, if we don’t.”

  Brett had a sudden thought, and voiced it. “What if he has a security system?”

  “Cody, that’s your field of expertise. Check and see,” Kylian said.

  “On it.” Cody vanished. When he returned, several minutes later, he told them, “All the doors and windows are alarmed, but we won’t be using them, so we’re good that way. There are cameras, but if you can cloak all of us, Kylian, we can get past them. If I don’t miss my guess, whichever room he sleeps in will have some sort of motion detectors on the door that will set off a very loud alarm to wake him. At least that’s what I’d do, if I were him. It might pay us to come back tomorrow around noon, when he’s in his deepest sleep.”

  Kylian thought about it then said, “I’d rather get this over with now. If we wait, he may go looking for someone else to kill tonight. Since he’s old enough to go invisible and fly, we wouldn’t know he was leaving.”

  “Yeah, good point. Are we ready?”

  “Yes. When we find him, you leave it to me to talk with him. Brett, you’ll do your best to pick up his thoughts. Being that he’s a vampire, I’m not certain if you’ll be able to. I’ve never been able to read one.”

  “If you can’t…” Brett shrugged. “I’ll try. I have one question. If you cloak us, Kylian, how will we know where the rest of us are?”

  “It’s selective. It won’t hide us from each other, just from the cameras. If there was anyone else there and watching monitors, they wouldn’t see us, either. Oh, Brett, lower your shield. We’ll be mind speaking once we get inside.”

  “Don’t go prying,” Brett replied with a brief grin when he did as Kylian had asked.

  Ronnie gripped Brett’s arm, Cody put his hand on Kylian’s shoulder, and seconds later they were standing in a large kitchen. Kylian held up his hand to keep them where they were then murmured something in a language Brett didn’t recognize.

  ::We’re good to move now:: As it had the first time he’d done it, Kylian’s voice in Brett’s mind startled him. It didn’t seem to bother Ronnie or Cody, but they were used to speaking that way, Brett figured.

  Kylian pointed to a staircase at the far side of the kitchen leading to the second floor, and they went up, finding themselves at one end of a long, curved landing. There were four doors along it, and in the center a circular stairway going down to the two-story entryway of the house. Opposite that staircase was a large alcove with set of double doors.

  ::The master suite?:: Cody suggested. ::Give me a minute to find out::

  He approached the door cautiously, kneeling a foot away from it. Brett had the feeling he was trying to peer through the keyhole to get a visual before teleporting into the room. Then he vanished, only to reappear seconds later, giving them
a thumbs-up. He glanced at Ronnie, getting a nod in return, and the shifters teleported Kylian and Brett into the master bedroom.

  The room was pitch-dark—at least to Brett. He wondered if it was to the others. Suddenly there was a ball of light floating above him, allowing him to dimly see the room.

  ::Better?:: Kylian asked, laughter in his voice.

  ::Much, thanks.::

  A king-sized canopy bed, enclosed by red velvet curtains, sat along one wall. There was a seating area with a table and two chairs facing a fieldstone fireplace to its right, and a door that Brett presumed led to a bathroom on the left, as well as double doors, one of them partially open, revealing a walk-in closet.

  ::Very posh,:: Ronnie said. ::I want.::

  Kylian strode to the bed, pulling aside the curtains. A slender, dark-haired man lay there on his back, his head on a wine satin pillow, his arms crossed over the comforter covering him. As far as Brett could tell, he wasn’t breathing. He said as much to the others, wondering if the man was dead.

  ::No,:: Ronnie replied. ::Because he’s a vampire, he doesn’t have to breathe and he doesn’t have a heartbeat.::

  ::Let’s hope he never has to visit a doctor,:: Brett joked—as a way to ease his tension.

  He watched Kylian, who was waving his hand inches above the recumbent form. Kylian’s lips moved and Brett knew he was casting the holding spell. When he’d finished, Kylian touched the vampire’s shoulder. Getting no response, he said, ::It’s almost dark. He should awaken soon.::

  Less than ten minutes later, the vampire’s eyes opened. He looked at the team hovering around the bed. His gaze lighting on Ronnie, he said, “Rhonda, my dear, it’s been a while.”

  “It has, Nigel. I thought you’d died,” she replied.

  “I intended to, until something occurred to change my mind,” Nigel replied.

  “You decided it would be more amusing to go rogue?” Kylian asked acerbically.

  Nigel’s gaze moved to him. “Not in the least.” He frowned, then studied Kylian momentarily before saying, “I think you’re the reason I’m unable to move. You’re an elf, I presume, who’s able to cast powerful magic? A holding spell in this case?”

  “Correct on all counts,” Kylian replied. “Why are you denying you’ve gone rogue? There are at least two humans that we know of who died by what appeared to be spontaneous human combustion. My guess would be you did it, using your fire gift.”

  “Very perceptive. You put him on to me, Rhonda?”

  She shrugged. “You were seen leaving both houses. We were able to interview the witnesses. Well, Kylian and Brett did. They came up with good composite drawing. I recognized you.”

  “Brett is who?” Nigel asked.

  “Me,” Brett replied.

  Nigel smiled. “Are you the one trying to read my thoughts, or would that be the elf?” He looked at Kylian. “What is your name, by the way?”

  “Kylian. And it was Brett you felt, although I suspect from what you said, he hasn’t been successful.”

  “Nor will he be until I allow it. I suppose if anyone was going to capture me, I’m glad it was you, Kylian. You have a reputation for fairness.”

  Kylian seemed surprised at Nigel’s words. “Would you care to explain?”

  “Would you care to lift your holding spell?” Nigel replied.

  “Not until you tell me what’s going on and why you’re killing humans.”

  “If you don’t like, or believe, what I tell you, I gather you’ll kill me?”

  “It’s what I do,” Kylian replied. “My organization searches for rogues who attack humans, and we deal with them.”

  “I’m aware of that. All right, the long and short of it. The two that I’ve eliminated so far are vampire hunters. Dhampir to be precise.”

  “Half vampire, half human,” Ronnie whispered to Brett.

  He chuckled. “I know. I’ve read my fair share of paranormal fiction. According to the stories, they are born with the ability to sense vampires, without the vampire knowing they’re there, and dedicate their lives to finding and killing them. Although—” he turned his attention back to Nigel, “—I didn’t know they were real.”

  Nigel smiled dryly. “If I were to guess, you didn’t know any of us existed until recently. Correct?”

  “Yes,” Brett admitted, casting a glance at Kylian.

  “It’s all to the good that humans don’t know,” Nigel said bitterly. “However, back to what I was saying. The two I incinerated were dhampir. They are…were part of a small coven of them who, obviously, are hunting my kind. I came here because several of them lived in the city. Unfortunately after the deaths of the two I eliminated, the others fled.”

  Kylian whistled softly, then frowned. “How were you able to get the drop on them? Dhampir are able to sense when a vampire is close by.”

  Nigel replied, “Of course they are, which is why I made it quite clear, before my presumed death, that I was terrified of those vampires who live comfortably among humans. Afraid that somehow they would slip up, reveal we exist, and then there would be an all-out hunt for us.” He looked at Ronnie. “Something I expounded on to you, probably more than you liked.”

  She smiled. “It did get a bit boring after a while, even though I understood your fear.”

  “Very feigned fear, my dear. I was setting up what would come next. I would disappear, go rogue, and then hunt my own kind with a vengeance.”

  “The vampires living relatively openly, so to speak, in the human communities,” Cody said.

  “Precisely.” Nigel paused to ask Kylian, “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to lift the holding spell now.”

  “On one condition, you allow Brett to read your thoughts. He’s a very skilled telepath. He’ll know if you are telling us the truth or not.”

  “I have no problem with that…now.”

  Brett probed again and found that Nigel had dropped his shielding. He skimmed Nigel’s surface thoughts then went deeper. Everything he read in the vampire’s mind confirmed what he had told them. He was even able to learn where, as far as Nigel knew, two more of the dhampir were at the present time.

  ::If we’re going after them:: he told Kylian, ::we’ll be back in New Orleans::

  ::Which makes sense, since the city is the known home for quite a few vampires:: Kylian replied. Aloud, he asked Nigel, “Are you planning on going to New Orleans next?”

  “Before I answer,” Nigel said. “I did as you asked. It would be nice if you repaid the favor.” A moment later, he stretched then pushed back the comforter, moved to the edge of the bed, and sat up. “Thank you. I suppose I should be glad I am accustomed to wearing pajamas when I sleep. Otherwise you might be seeing a good deal more of me than either you or I would be comfortable with.”

  Ronnie laughed. “I’m sure Cody—” she gestured to her mate, “—agrees with you.”

  “And you don’t?” Cody grumbled.

  “I do. I was teasing you.” She kissed his cheek.

  “To answer your question, Kylian,” Nigel said. “Yes, New Orleans is my next destination. If you’re willing, it would help me immensely if you would get the word out to some of your compatriots down there to act as if they’re on the look-out for me, since I am a dangerous rogue who is hunting my kind.”

  “I can do that,” Kylian replied. “I can also put you in touch with my brother Emile. He’s a half-elf and a NOPD detective. I’m certain he’d be willing to help you if the need arises.”

  “Such as confirming, to those who question it, that the dhampirs’ deaths were natural? Well, as natural as spontaneous human combustion can be?” Nigel asked.

  “If I may make a suggestion,” Brett said. “Once they’re dead, torch their homes as well. It might raise a few less questions. Better the authorities think there’s an arsonist running amuck than their wondering why the hell there’s a sudden rash of—hell, I’m tired of saying the whole thing. Let’s call it SHC for short.”

  Kylian shot him an amu
sed look then said, “He’s got a point, Nigel, as long as the ones you’re after don’t live in apartments or condos. Burning the whole building would bring my people after you in a heartbeat.”

  “Very well. I’ll do it your way.” Nigel sighed. “It was such fun, confounding the experts about how they died until they had no choice but to put it down to spontaneous, umm, SHC.”

  “Thank you,” Kylian replied. “Now, if there isn’t anything else we need to discuss, we should leave. Nigel, it was a pleasure getting to know you. Perhaps, sometime in the future, once your vendetta is complete, we can meet again. I’ve never considered adding a vampire to our team, due to the fact they would be useless during the day. Perhaps it’s time that I changed my mind.”

  “If you mean you’d be willing to let me work with you, I’d be honored.”

  “We’d be honored to have you.” Kylian held out his hand and Nigel shook it. “Shall we?” he said to the others and seconds later Ronnie and Cody transported Kylian and Brett back to the hotel room.

  “That went much better than I expected,” Ronnie said once they were seated. “I always knew he was a good guy. I’m glad to find out I was right.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Kylian replied. “Although I suggested I might like him to join the company, it won’t happen until I’m quite certain he keeps his word. If Emile finds out he hasn’t—and I intend to let him know Nigel is coming down there and why—then we may be back to trying to track him down. The next time it won’t be so easy.”

  “He had his chance to vanish when you dropped your spell,” Ronnie pointed out. “He didn’t, and—” she looked at Brett, “—you didn’t pick up on anything which said he was lying to us, right?”

  “Right,” Brett replied. “I don’t think he could have hidden his true thoughts from me, but mind-reading is an iffy practice at best. If he was showing me only what he wanted me to see…” He spread his hands.

  “Time will tell,” Kylian said. “For now I suggest we pack up and head home. There’s nothing more we can do here.”

  “I have one question before we end this,” Brett said. “Why do you think it’s alright for him to kill dhampir? After all, they’re paranormals, too.”