Relativity (A Sage Hannigan Time Warper Novel #2)

by Peggy Martinez

  When Soren pulled his car around, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. It wasn’t a car. It was a frickin’ piece of art, and it would look totally out of place in front of my apartment building. Soren, ever the gentleman, opened the passenger door for me, and as I slid into the custom, buttery soft, red leather seat of the jet black Aston Martin, I sighed. Wow. So much for horse drawn carriages, eh? We pulled out of the driveway and Three Doors Down rang out through the sound system. I raised an eyebrow and shook my head.

  “What?” he asked as he lowered the volume of the music.

  “It’s just hard for me to see you like this.” I waved my hand around myself, and Soren frowned. “When I think of you and…the others,” I swallowed hard and looked out my window. “I still think of you as Sir Soren Blackwell from 1904. You wear fancy vintage suits, ride in horse drawn carriages, and listen to live orchestras. You don’t wear jeans and t-shirts, drive expensive modern cars, or listen to rock music.” I crossed my arms over my chest and looked straight ahead. I could feel Soren studying me, and it took everything I had not to squirm.

  “Sage, it has been over a hundred years for me. I have changed with the times and evolved right along with technology. I am now part of your modern reality. I have been for a long time now,” he said softly. We rode in silence the rest of the way to my apartment. I didn’t dwell too much on how he knew where I lived. I was too tired and emotionally drained to spend the energy required to be angry.

  I threw my purse and jacket over the back of a chair as I entered my apartment. “Just make yourself at home. I’m going to go change real quick and then we can have our little talk.” I changed as fast as possible, glad to be out of the tight jeans I had worn all night. I padded barefoot into the living room and found Soren standing in the middle of it, looking uncomfortable and out of place. “Have a seat anywhere.” I gestured towards the vintage sofa and mismatched arm chair I’d found at a second-hand store.

  “I like the place. It fits your personality,” Soren remarked as he sat down. I grabbed some leftover fried rice out of the fridge and popped it into the microwave.

  “Yeah, well, I enjoy shopping for unique pieces for the apartment. Vintage and antique items always seem to have so much more character than new ones.” I took the piping hot rice, dumped it onto a plate, and sat on the floor cross legged at the coffee table in front of Soren. “So, I’ll eat and you can talk,” I said around a mouth full of Chinese food. He cleared his throat and sat forward, running his hand through his hair.

  “After the house party, that last night you were in 1904, things got a little hectic.” I ignored the sharp stabbing pain in my chest as he spoke of the night I’d tried to completely wipe from my memory.

  “Hectic?” I prompted.

  “Besides dealing with your abrupt disappearance, things started really getting out of control in the preternatural world. Disappearances, deaths, and even a robbery at Howell Home.” He looked up when he mentioned Howell Home, and I quickly averted my eyes and shoveled in a fork full of rice just to avoid his gaze. “At first everything seemed random, maybe an after effect of their leader dying, of Elaine not being there to put them all in their place and organize the chaos that was her following.” I looked up when he stopped. I could almost hear the “but” hanging in the air between us. I sat my fork down and wiped my mouth on a napkin.

  “But it wasn’t?” I asked, knowing full well what the answer was.

  “No, it wasn’t. The things stolen from Howell Home were books and various documents, even a box from Elaine’s room. It wasn’t until Aldwin realized that all the books and documents that were stolen were his texts dealing with the subject of warpers did we know we had a bigger problem on our hands.” He stopped and searched my face. I hoped I didn’t look as sick as I felt. I clenched my jaw and stood up, taking my plate to the kitchen to wash it. As I dried it off and sat it back in the cabinet, I asked quietly, “And what else?” Soren cleared his throat.

  “We found out several of the vampires that were killed were the remnants of Elaine’s little crew. Someone was knocking off all of the vampires that had survived the battle we fought the night you were abducted. It took us a long time to figure out who the vampire was, and by the time we did, he had cleared out of town and it was impossible to track him. We are pretty sure he had some help to cover his tracks so thoroughly—some magical help.”

  “So, someone was getting rid of all the loose ends and was also interested in warper powers and history?” I asked. Soren nodded. “So what exactly does that mean?” I asked, perplexed. Less rogue vampires equals a win-win, right?

  Soren looked away from my eyes, and I knew the worst was yet to come. My stomach clenched. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to hear any more. I wasn’t sure I could take it if he said my fears out loud. I flinched when he spoke again.

  “Other people began going missing. Not just Elaine’s minions but people who knew specific information—information about you.” I swallowed and felt my heart pump out an unsteady rhythm. I wouldn’t ask. Some things are better left unknown. “There were only a select few of us who knew what exact time you’d warped from, and even less of us knew what exact place you’d warped from. Me, everyone in Howell Home, and then the preternatural leaders at the dinner we had attended together. You remember that, don’t you?” I nodded. Of course I did…it felt like it was yesterday to me. “Well, the other vampire leader that was there? His long time human mistress and Dwennon’s human servant both went missing. By the time we found them, it was too late. It was evident that they had been tortured for information.” Soren stopped and rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the carpet.

  “That isn’t all?” I whispered.

  “I’m afraid not. About thirteen years ago, a seven-year-old girl was kidnapped. I was made aware of this kidnapping because the child’s grandmother raised a holy ruckus. She swore that her granddaughter was taken by demons and that they took her because of her “gift.” When she gave a description to police, she told them that the little girl had a white tattoo, a spiral-of-life tattoo on her shoulder that marked her for greatness. That she had been blessed by a priestess. The police, of course, thought the old lady was off her rocker, but Cerberus got ahold of the Intel and contacted me to verify if it was a match to your tattoo. They are certain that the same blond vampire that committed all the crimes 100 years ago is the “demon” that grabbed the young Irish girl, Colleen, from her home in Ireland. That he is holding a warper against her will.”

  I brushed my hand over the tattoo behind my ear and shivered. The poor girl. What would he want with a warper? He couldn’t control her time travel. Maybe he wanted to use her as a weapon? I wasn’t sure what it all meant, but I knew it couldn’t be anything good. Soren walked over to me and took my hand in his. “I’ve wanted to come talk to you, Sage. For a while I lived as far from South Carolina as I could, so I wouldn’t be tempted. I know this vampire has something planned. I’m not sure if he ever found out where and when you warped from, but I couldn’t take the chance that he would find you through me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss you or kill you when you came strolling into the club the other night with your human friend.” He chuckled softly and I instantly smiled in return. His face grew serious, and he tilted my chin up so he could look me in the eye. “There is something else, Sage, but I don’t think now is the right time to speak of it.” His hand clenched and I stiffened out of fear. Fear of what it was he had to tell me. Fear it was exactly what I didn’t want to hear…the fate of those I’d loved and left behind. Aldwin’s fate. I laid my cheek against his shirt and wrapped my arms around his waist.

  “No, let’s not speak of it tonight then. I think I have enough to try and digest for one night.” I smiled sadly up at him.

  “Ah, Sage, how I wish I never had to bring it up again.” He gave me another squeeze before he stepped back. “So, you are probably beat from working all night. I’ll get going and see you at the club tomorrow evening. We’ll have to
discuss your safety then as well.” He murmured. I raised a brow. “Oh, come on, Sage. This is my fault. I should have stayed in Italy and then we never would have run into each other. I’d feel better if I could be sure you were safe.”

  “That’s fine, Soren. But, I’m not a little girl, so don’t have any ridiculous expectations, that’s all. I can be reasonable.” I smiled and mentally patted myself on the back. See…I could play well with others. Soren couldn’t quite hide a doubtful smirk.

  “Yeah, I’m sure you’ve changed a ton over the past several months,” he chided.

  “You’d be surprised.” I said softly.

  Soren left me with a ton to think about and a ton of new questions. I was beyond happy to have been able to spend some time with him, and I was even happier that his car hadn’t been stolen while he was in my apartment. In bed that night, I lay wide awake digesting all the events Soren spoke of and all the deaths that were because of me. I thought of the spark that still sizzled between us and the spark that I’d had with Aldwin that would never again be lit. My heart was still broken, but a very tiny sliver of it had been mended by Soren’s reassuring presence. I fell asleep for the first time in three months without having a panic attack. I slept peacefully and dreamlessly. I almost wish I hadn’t. Without the painful dreams, the sweet memories never surfaced either.

  The next night my shift flew by. I’d seen Soren briefly before the Club opened when he nodded in my direction as I was helping Jorge get ready for the night. Jorge seemed surprised but didn’t ask any questions. I wondered what Soren had told Jorge about what had happened the night before, but when he didn’t ask me any questions, I didn’t push my luck by bringing it up. The night wound down with relative ease, and I was glad to see the doors shut and the music turn off. The silence was beautiful. Soren met us out front while Jorge was locking up, and I once again was unsure what to say or do, not sure how to go about treating Soren at work or really anywhere for that matter. I felt tense and the need to break out in some sort of rambling explanation nearly choked me.

  “Sage, would you care to take a walk?” I glanced over at Jorge who seemed to be busy locking up and I shrugged.

  “Sure. See you Monday night, Jorge.” Jorge waved in my direction. I huddled into my leather jacket against the chilly night air as we walked down the dark and empty city sidewalk.

  “We need to discuss how we are going to keep you safe, Sage. I doubt your presence in my club has gone unnoticed, and it is just a matter of time before whoever has been searching for you all these years figures out who you are and comes. I’m surprised nothing has happened yet.” His lips turned down in full brooding vampire mode, and I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re smiling?” he asked exasperated. I smiled even bigger and took one of his cold hands into mine.

  “I’m smiling because I never thought I’d see that frown line between your brows again or that I’d miss someone trying to tell me what would be best for me as much as I did. I guess even with all the danger involved, I just feel pretty lucky to have you here with me again.” His hand caressed my cheek, and I leaned my face into it. It felt so good to have a piece of my heart back with me. With Soren’s hand still cupping my cheek, I felt him stiffen just as a soft sound of terror, only Soren should’ve been able to hear, came from a few buildings down. Soren looked sharply in the direction the sound came from and then back at me, his eyes widening.

  “Yeah, that’s something we’ll have to discuss later,” I said over my shoulder as I bolted towards the cry for help. Even though I speed-warped, Soren was just a step behind me when I halted in front of the old city jail. The old Charleston city jail was a beautiful piece of history, a great place to visit during the day, but at night it was just plain creepy. It was lit up from the inside by red-colored bulbs. The lights cast an eerie crimson glow all over the inside of the building, spilling out into the abandoned late night street. I took a step towards the entrance, but Soren’s hand stopped me. I glanced up into his worried gaze and smiled at him.

  “Soren, I’m a warper. If push comes to shove, I will time freeze the entire building and do whatever is necessary. I’ve been kicking ass on the streets for months now all on my own, without anyone’s help. Please don’t give me a hard time. I know what I’m doing.” His grip relaxed and he unclenched his jaw as he spoke.

  “Let’s try the back entrance. It’s less conspicuous.” I followed him quickly around the building, a little surprised at how easily he’d complied with my wishes. The back door was slightly ajar, I unsheathed my dagger just as Soren held up two fingers, signaling he’d heard two human heartbeats inside the jail—the one who was in trouble and the one making the trouble. I nodded as we entered the jail as one. We spread out and made our way room to room on the bottom floor. The first floor was mostly dark, except the red light that some idiotic city worker had thought was a good idea. I swung around when I heard a metallic screeching sound coming from behind me, only to find a thick rope swinging in the breeze coming from a barred, but open window. The rope was hanging through a rusty metal ring placed in the center of the ceiling in the room. The hairs on my arms prickled as I thought of all the men and perhaps women that had swung from such a rope when the gallows room had been in use not so very long ago. A sound echoed down from the upper floor and I froze. A sliver of sweat dripped down the small of my back. Something wasn’t quite right, but I didn’t know what exactly. I shook my head. It didn’t really matter. All that mattered was helping whoever was in trouble. Soren and I met at the base of the stairs that led to the second and third stories. Soren pointed up and then held up three fingers. Great. Third story it was then.

  We made our way up the staircase painfully slowly and as quietly as possible, hoping for the element of surprise. When we reached the third floor, I could hear a slight buzzing in my ears and thought it was from the anticipation of the fight, the slight high that comes before the adrenaline starts to pump and my warper powers begin to surface. Boy, was I ever wrong.

  Soren’s eyes nearly lit a path to the only room whose door was slightly ajar instead of standing completely open. Once we stood outside the door, Soren put out his hand to count down our entrance. One finger… two fingers…I lifted my dagger… three fingers. As I swung open the door, Soren hissed so loudly, my eardrums felt on the verge of rupturing.

  “Vampires!” was all he could manage before we were surrounded on all sides by baby vampires, their fangs bared and their red eyes shining. I glanced around us and counted at least eight vampires in full terrorize mode. A figure was huddled face down on his knees on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. Blood was dripping from a nasty gash on the side of his head. I couldn’t make out his features or how badly he was hurt.

  “Soren, do you have a plan?” I asked, knowing full well I’d probably have to freeze time in order to get us out of this mess. Just as I thought that, I realized something was very wrong. I gasped as I tried to pull on my power, to bring to life my warper abilities. My heart swelled up and the room spun slightly as I looked back into the bright red eyes shining all around us from the darkness. “Uh, Soren? I seem to be having a technical glitch with my powers at the moment.” We stood back to back, but I could feel his body tense behind me and a very faint, “Oh hell,” echoed in the room. I glanced around, searching for anything that would help, any other means of escape, but nothing stood out.

  In a far corner, a hint of movement caught my attention, and I squinted to see what it was. A slight figure stood, huddled there, draped head-to-toe in a black hooded cape. I couldn’t tell if the figure was vampire or not, but I guessed human since Soren had heard two heartbeats before. Two vampires moved in between the figure and my gaze, and I wondered if they were there to protect or to harm the hooded mystery person. In the blink of an eye, the atmosphere in the room shifted, and I didn’t have time to ponder anything else. Six vampires attacked us at the same time, and a fight ensued that would have made me run for the hills if I’d known what we we
re getting into. Two vampires came at me, while four flanked Soren. Teeth ripped into my left arm, and I screamed out as I swung my dagger with all the strength I had. I was a bit stunned to see the head of the vampire that had bit into me plop on the floor with a sickening thud. Soren had already managed to dismember two of the vampires that had jumped him. The other vampire that had come after me stood there staring down at the body of his fallen comrade with a stunned look on his face. I pushed my advantage and swung my dagger across his neck. He howled his fury into the night, and the force of his screech nearly deafened me. I fell to my knees with both my hands covering my ears. The vampire gazed at me with a seething hatred and the need to kill lighting his eyes, but instead, he reigned in his fury and hissed out a command to his left.

  The vampire, along with the only other vampire not fighting Soren, flanked the hooded figure, took one arm each, and sped from the room at an inhumanly fast speed. Soren had three decapitated vampires at his feet and was backing the last one into a corner. His eyes were completely dilated and the ancient fury burning from his gaze sent a tremor up my spine. His faded blue jeans and gray t-shirt were saturated in the blood that still dripped down his chin. He was a terrible and awesome sight to behold. The baby vampire made a move to run, but Soren had him pinned to the ground before he’d made it a foot. I ran over to the still huddled figure on the ground and felt his neck for a pulse. A sigh of relief escaped me when I found one, but it was short lived. I turned the guy over so I could assess his injuries. All the sounds of the night faded away as I looked into the face I recognized. Into the face of the only friend I had over the last three months.

  “Matt,” I whispered. My shock only lasted a moment before my survival skills kicked into gear. I grabbed my cell phone out of my pocket and opened it to shine light on the gash on Matt’s head. It wasn’t as bad as I’d suspected earlier. He probably had been knocked out cold. I immediately wondered how much he had seen, how much he knew. I felt for his pulse one more time, just to reassure myself of its steady rhythm. Soren had the abandoned vampire by the throat on the floor, asking him questions I couldn’t hear. I took off my jacket and put it under Matt’s head before I made my way across the room.