Kelly stepped up first since she wasn’t as close as the others were to him. She embraced him in a hug. She didn’t know what to say to him, so she remained silent.
Next, Todd approached him with his hand extended. They shook hands and Todd pulled him into a manly, one-armed hug, patting his back a few times. “It’ll be alright, man.” Todd’s confidence surpassed Emma’s for once as he seemed to really believe his own words.
Zachariah pulled Daniel into a brotherly hold and lingered for a moment.
Daniel muttered, “Be safe, brother.”
Zachariah nodded, “I’ll do my best.” He released him and stepped back, taking in a deep breath to keep up with the masculine façade, puffing out his chest. It was the first time in years that Zachariah became choked up.
Emma was last; she was like a sister and a stand-in mother to him. One that never aged and that he had never worried about losing one day.
“Come here,” she gently said, wrapping her arms around him.
Daniel held on to her so tight that he grasped the back of her shirt into his clenched fists. He didn’t speak, he couldn’t. If he did, he would embarrass himself with tears. He felt the tightness in his chest and the lump in the throat that was a prelude to a cry fest. So, he held back.
She took his face into her hands, “If anything should happen to us…”
He interrupted by furiously shaking his head.
“Daniel, listen to me. If something happens to us…run. Do not come back here to the Manor. Ever. It will be too dangerous for you. If Declan overtakes us, this will no longer be your home. Do you understand me?” She spoke slowly with fervor. “Do not come back.”
He nodded, his chin now quivering and eyes watering, but he refused to cave in to his emotions. He rubbed his face before picking up his suitcase and fishing his car keys out of his coat pocket. He took one last look at them, forced himself to turn away and walk out the door without looking back.
Emma and Zachariah stood in the doorway and watched as he drove away. Once he was down the road and almost out of sight, she fell down to her knees and began to wail. Zachariah knelt down next to her, wrapping his arm around her.
Todd’s immediate instinct was to rush to her and prop himself at her side. “Everything’s going to be okay, love! Daniel will see all of us again,” he tried to reassure her. “You not only have me as a defense, but you have Kelly as well. You’ll have Aidan and the other Kings and Queen here to help defend us all. Declan is no match against us—have a little faith, old lady!” He actually managed to pull a laugh out of her.
She wiped her eyes and smeared blood across her cheek. “Ugh! We’re so cursed that we can’t even cry without a mess!”
“Humans are just as disgusting,” Todd laughed as he helped her up.
“We’re going to do everything we can to beat Declan,” Kelly finally spoke as they shut the front door. When Emma turned around, Kelly was taken by surprise to see all the blood on her face. “Are you okay?” She exclaimed as she rushed over to her, not knowing what had happened to her.
“I’m fine,” Emma replied with an embarrassed wave. “Vampires are kind of messy criers.” She appreciated Kelly’s concern and felt a little bad for the nasty thoughts she had toward her the night before. Kelly considered her a friend; perhaps it was time Emma began to act like one. Before Todd arrived back home, Emma actually enjoyed having a female companion to pal around with, especially since she didn’t get to see her best friend Vivienne very often. Todd’s optimism was contagious and Emma began to feel her attitude change. From her worries about Declan and even her jealousy toward Kelly, things began to look up. She needed to have confidence that they would take Declan down and come out of it alive.
She also needed to realize that Todd would eventually move on; if not with Kelly, then someone else. No better time than now to accept the inevitable. The fact was that she actually liked Kelly; she was a good person, even though she was a little fanatical. She knew that Kelly was into Todd because she was a fan; but Emma reminded herself that that was how she and Todd began as well.
“The Kings and Queen will be here soon,” Zachariah said after he fetched a wet paper towel for Emma to clean off her face. “We need to start preparing. The other thing is…we’re going to have to tell them about Kelly. How else are we going to explain her presence? And how we found Todd? I’m thinking now is not the time to get mixed up in lies and false stories and just spit the truth.”
Emma nodded as she wiped the blood from her cheeks. “I was thinking the same thing. We would have to come up with an elaborate story to cover us. However, if they find out we lied, they would probably think we were organizing a plot of our own. I don’t want to lie; I would feel better just telling the truth.”
“Eh, do you think that’s such a good idea?” Todd asked with apprehension. “Do you remember Aidan’s reaction when he found out what I was? The only thing that saved me was…” he stopped short.
“Your love for each other,” Zachariah finished. “We could tell them Kelly is mine.”
Everyone raised an eyebrow and looked to each other for agreement.
“That’s not a bad idea and it’s just a tiny, white lie,” Emma replied. “Kelly, do you think you could pretend you’re in love with Zachariah?”
“Sure,” Kelly simply replied. However, her thoughts ran wild, Are you kidding me? Have you seen him? He’s gorgeous! Yes, I can easily pretend to be head-over-heels for Zachariah!
“Alrighty then, that’s settled,” Emma said. “Come on Kelly, do you want to come with me to go pick up some bottled blood? If you’re going to be a part of this life, you might as well know the ins and outs.” Emma wanted to take the time to be alone with Kelly and actually start to build a friendship that she could see Kelly desired.
“Okay, sounds good,” Kelly answered. Although, deep down she was hoping to spend some time alone with Todd—get to know him better and just talk. She had enjoyed the hour she had spent with him at the premiere and had seemed to hit it off with him; however she figured his mind was certainly preoccupied at the moment.
Emma and Kelly left to go to Miller Funeral Home in Barrington to visit Patricia Miller and pick up some jugs of blood, leaving Zachariah and Todd to prepare for the royal arrivals. Zachariah moved so quickly that he went and grabbed two wet mops before Todd could blink his eyes. He handed one to him and started mopping the foyer floor, prompting Todd to do the same since it was such a large area.
“So, what do you think of Kelly?” Zachariah asked, engaging in some guy talk.
“She seems cool, but I don’t really know her that well,” Todd replied without looking up, focusing on the task at hand.
“She really likes you,” Zachariah added as he wiggled his eyebrows.
“Yeah, but how much of it is because of what I do for a living and not who I really am?” Todd stopped and leaned on the stick of his mop.
“Eh, if you recall, that’s how you and Emma started,” Zachariah reminded him.
He pondered that for a moment and began mopping again. “She’s really cute; it’s not that I don’t think she’s attractive.”
“Then, what is it?” Zachariah asked as he wedged his mop into a corner, picking up any hidden dirt.
Todd exhaled as he reached down to the floor to pick up something sparkling from beneath the circular couch in the middle of the foyer. It was an earring that he didn’t recognize; he figured it belonged to someone from the party. He stuck it in his pocket anyway to make sure it didn’t belong to Emma or Kelly.
“Well?” Zachariah urged.
“I’m not over Emma yet,” Todd shrugged.
“Listen, man, the only way you’re going to speed up the process of getting over her and being comfortable as friends is to move on,” Zachariah suggested. “It sucks, you’ll get over it. I think you should give Kelly a chance…you kind of owe your life to her…”
Todd knew Zachariah had a point. This girl dropped everything to come up to t
he Manor, endured things that she had never thought of in a million years, and learned that she was a magic weapon against the world’s deadliest predators. Things she thought were from horror movies and campy television shows. Creatures that were thought to be folklore. Vampires. She overcame her fear and made contact with a ghost that had been dead for two hundred years…all to aid in saving him.
“I’ll take her on a date and see where it goes from there,” Todd complied.
“Attaboy!” Zachariah laughed and shook his head. “You’ve got a beautiful girl right under your nose who would probably tattoo your name on her butt if you asked her to…and it’s like twisting your arm to give her a chance.” He laughed to himself again.
They mopped silently for quite some time before Zachariah amused himself once again, “I wonder, if you and Kelly had babies if they would be super weapons? Like crazy, mutant, X-Men babies?”
He actually got a laugh out of Todd, who shook his head, “Oh my gosh, you have to stop!” He was cracking up, “I’ve technically known this girl for all of two hours and you already have us reproducing! You’re a trip.”
There was a loud knock at the front door that startled them both into seriousness. Zachariah slowly placed his index finger in front of his mouth, indicating for Todd to remain still and silent. He softly placed his mop on the floor, not making a sound, but crouching to prepare for a surprise attack. He inhaled deeply through his nose to catch a scent, which struck him as a familiar one.
He stood up straight and sprinted to the door, opening it to reveal Aidan and Mackenzie. He welcomed them in and asked why they didn’t just walk in like they usually did.
“I didn’t want to surprise you and risk being attacked, I’m sure you’re all on edge,” Aidan replied in his Scottish brogue.“Where’s Emma?”
Zachariah explained that Emma had just taken a quick trip into Barrington to purchase some blood, but would be back shortly.
Aidan’s eyes scanned over to Todd, who was still standing completely frozen and silent. “You look well, Todd,” Aidan stated with a steady tone.
“I’m much better, thank you,” Todd confirmed while standing up straighter. His height made him subconsciously feel slightly more powerful. He remained motionless, like a soldier standing at attention as Aidan strolled over to him.
“We need to get you prepared, lad,” Aidan said, eyeing Todd up and down. “You’re the most powerful weapon we have against Declan, we have to make sure you’re ready for what you’re up against.”
“How will we prepare?” Todd asked in as steady of a voice that he could muster. Aidan still intimidated him and probably always would. He often recalled the night that Aidan was set on killing him; before he knew anything about what he was.
“We’ll practice some techniques for you to defend yourself against our kind. Declan is ancient and strong, you’ll need to be ready for him to charge you, because I can guarantee he will. I’m twice as old as he is, so if you train with me and can fight me off, you’ll be able to take him down if he comes at you.”
Todd nodded, understanding Aidan’s plan and actually appreciated him willing to train with him. A part of that idea was unsettling, given their shaky history. As powerful as Todd felt, Aidan made him feel like a tiny ant that could be squashed at a moment’s notice.
“You’ll have to remember that anyone who attacks you will know not to bite, so they may try to kill or overtake you in other fashions: snapping your neck, stabbing you, crushing you…” Aidan warned.
“Thanks for that visual,” Todd sarcastically smiled.
“Just keeping it honest so you’ll know what to plan for,” Aidan said with sincerity. “You know what, put down the mop, we’re going to go outside and start now. We have no time to waste.” Aidan motioned with his arm to follow him as he walked toward the door.
Todd leaned the mop against the wall, went to grab his coat, and casually ran after Aidan who was already outside.
Zachariah and Mackenzie found themselves alone for the first time in ages, rushing toward each other in a mad dash to tear in to each other with lust. Zachariah swiftly led her to his room where he slammed the door behind him and got physically reacquainted with her.
Outside, Aidan was ready to prepare Todd for vampire attacks and wasted no time jumping right in. Without warning, he charged him, moving so fast Todd only saw a blur coming toward him in the blink of an eye. Aidan appeared behind Todd, grasping his head as if he was about to snap his neck.
“And just like that, you’re either taken over or dead,” Aidan grumbled as he released him, walking around to face him once again. “Out of all of us, you’re going to have to be the most alert since you’re the prize they’re going to have their eyes on. I can’t tell you if they’re going to want you dead or if they’ll try to take you again. Regardless, your focus cannot waiver.”
Todd nodded, becoming more alert after Aidan’s sneak attack and preparing for him to make another surprise move. As Aidan was speaking, he ran at Todd again, who was ready for it this time. He ducked out of the way just in time to spin around and shove his forearm, which was covered by his coat, to Aidan’s mouth. Aidan paused and backed off, pleased with Todd’s quick reaction.
“Very good!” Aidan commended. “We’ll have to arm you with a dagger or sword; I know Emma has some in the house. It won’t kill us, but it will slow us down enough for you to get your blood in their mouth. Getting stabbed hurts, we just heal quickly. You’ll only have about twenty to thirty seconds, before a vampire heals, so you must act fast.”
Aidan moved lightning fast and came at Todd again, who mimicked stabbing him in the stomach with an imaginary dagger. He then casually shoved his arm to Aidan’s mouth once again.
“You’re catching on fast,” Aidan said proudly.
“I have an idea, it’s kind of silly, but it will work and I don’t think they’ll be expecting it,” Todd started. “Obviously you can’t kill the others without my blood, so you should be armed. Water balloons.”
Aidan looked at him quizzically, as if he was crazy.
“Water balloons with a little of my blood in them, then blown up to the point of popping. Each of you will have a bag attached to you that is filled with them. You all should be armed with knives, just like I will be, and then use the makeshift blood grenades,” Todd explained.
Aidan crossed his arms and leaned back with an impressed smile across his face, something he didn’t do often. “You’re bloody brilliant, kid.”
“I think it will work,” he confidently added.
“It absolutely will. However, do you think you could donate enough blood to fill that many balloons without weakening yourself? You’re going to need all the strength you have.”
“Emma actually grabbed the blood that was drained from me when I was being held captive. I don’t know if she kept it, but if she did, couldn’t we use it?” Todd suggested.
“Absolutely, when she gets back we’ll ask her.”
“Also, I’m going to have my arms uncovered and cut them enough so I am bleeding, but not so much that I bleed to death,” Todd said, but dreading having to do that. He recalled the pain from being bled out nearly every day and how awful it felt every time the knife sliced his skin open. But, he wanted to cover all bases and have the advantage of his own blood all over his arms.
Aidan held up his hand, signaling for Todd to stop talking while he turned his head to listen to a sound in the distance. It was a car coming down the gravel road leading to the house. His eyes remained steady and focused on where the road appeared from the woods, waiting to see who it was. He recognized the little Mercedes when it emerged from the forest and he let his guard down, knowing it was Emma.
She pulled up into the circle drive and didn’t expect to see Aidan there so soon. She especially didn’t anticipate seeing him outside alone with Todd in what looked like a training session. Todd was pretending to hold knives and defending himself each time Aidan charged him. As Todd grew more confident
with his abilities, Aidan became less restrained and gradually unleashed his full power on him. This wasn’t without minor injuries, of course; Aidan knocked him to the ground several times, causing him to roll uncontrollably on the grass. However Todd was determined to be able to battle Aidan because then, he would feel invincible.
“Look at you, training like a Spartan!” Emma said as she unloaded a case of blood from the trunk of her car.
Kelly cautiously stepped out of the passenger’s seat, unfamiliar with who the new face was. Aidan stopped training momentarily when he noticed Kelly, unaware that Emma had a new human friend.
“Who’s that?” Aidan asked Todd while sticking out his hand to hoist him off the ground.
“The redhead? That’s Kelly, she’s…Zachariah’s girlfriend,” Todd carefully replied.
“Why is she here?” Aidan asked. “It isn’t safe for a human to be here right now.”
Emma overheard the conversation and replied loud enough for them both to hear, “I’ll explain in a second once I get all of this stuff put away.”
“Here, I can do it,” Kelly offered, realizing that there was a conversation going on that she couldn’t hear the other side of. “Todd, can you help me carry these in?” She called out to him.
“Sure,” he called back. He turned to Aidan and thanked him for helping him train.
They both began to walk toward the ladies and Aidan said, “You did good, I’m impressed.” He stuck his hand out, shaking Todd’s hand. It was symbolic, as if Aidan was making a peace offering to him. “Take a short break and we’ll continue in a while.”
Todd and Kelly each picked up a case and went inside, small talking as they went along.
“This girl shouldn’t be here,” Aidan stressed to Emma after the two had gone inside.
“Actually…she needs to be here and we need her on our side,” Emma started. “I don’t know if we’re lucky or cursed, but she’s a living weapon as well.”
The Living Weapon (Davenport Manor Book 2) Page 15
