by N. R. Larry
I bit my bottom lip, hoping to arrest the frustration mounting in the center of my chest. Instead of arguing, like I wanted to do, I got up and did as she asked. It seemed like doing what Mrs. Anne wanted you to do was the only way to get along with her. Once the jar was filled, I sat it at the table and stared at her back as she rustled around in her medicine cabinet. When she turned around, a small, black vial was clutched in her remaining hand. She limped over, sat back down at the table, and poured whatever was in the vial into the larger jar that I’d filled with water.
I narrowed my eyes as the liquid went from clear to a cloudy white. When I opened my mouth to ask what this was all about, Ada Anne cleared her throat. “Bring your beast to me.”
I pressed my lips together in a hard line.
She huffed and then waved me off. “Bao. Bring Bao to me.”
With a nod, I got up, retrieved Bao from the couch, and then returned to the table, sitting her in my lap like I used to when she was a much younger girl. Bao’s head fell back into the crook of my neck and I moved her hair out of the way so I could keep a close eye on what Mrs. Anne was up to.
Ada reached for Bao’s hand and narrowed her gaze at me. “You never thought it was strange that the girl ages... that she changes?”
I shrugged. “I figured it was something in her ancestry that made her different from other vampires.”
The old woman snorted, and then stabbed the long, silver needle into Bao’s index finger. She jerked slightly in my arms as an orb of blood bubbled out from the wound.
I widened my eyes. “How?”
Ada chuckled. “Silver, and at its core, dragon bone.” She swirled the needle around, gathering up a fair sample of Bao’s blood before she pulled the lance away. “With enough study, you can figure out how to kill any beast,” she added.”
I stared down. Bao’s finger had healed as if she was never been cut to begin with. When I glanced back up, Ada was lowering the tip of the silver needle into the milk white solution. Then she leaned back in her chair, eyes wide as she stared into the jar. It was almost like she was staring at something a lot more interesting than vampire blood swimming around in the water. From the look on her face, I half expected a baby unicorn to jump out onto the table and burp glitter sprinkles.
But, all that happened was the solution turned jet black, and then bright red. Ada gasped, clapped her hands together as if in prayer, and then brought them to her papery lips.
She stayed in that position so long that I lost patience and finally huffed. Ada’s eyelids fluttered as if I’d surprised her. “Will you just tell me what the hell is going on?”
When her gaze met mine, there was a very real fear there. It shook me. Even though I barely knew her, I got the feeling fear wasn’t something Ada felt easily. But when she peered at Bao again, there was no doubt in my mind, she was afraid of her.
“What?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. “What is it?”
Ada swallowed, and then placed her shaky hand down on the table. For several moments, I thought she wasn’t going to answer me. When I felt ready to explode, she finally closed her eyes and cleared her throat. “Like I said, not all blood drinkers are turned.” She took in a tumbled breath. “Some are born. Not much different than humans.” Her eyes opened. “The other blood drinkers say these vampires are born in blood. That they are mothers of the jiangshi.”
“Mothers?” I asked, confusion evident in my tone.
She nodded. “And because they are born,” Ada went on. “They change. They mature.”
Her voice was so ominous and deliberate that I had to force myself to breathe. “And, why are they called mothers?”
She tilted her head and gazed off to the side. “Because they change the entire species. Once a mother reaches maturity, they sense it and they come for her. To worship her. They slaughter for her.” Her eyes narrowed. “They breed with her.”
I hugged Bao closer to my chest. Gritting my teeth, I spat, “She’s only a child.”
Her gaze swept back to me. The fear in her eyes was gone and was replaced with something like sympathy. “She is not,” she told me in a hard voice that didn’t match the expression on her face. “She never was, Malcolm.” She shook her head and her lips tightened, making them almost vanish on her face. “She never will be.”
The only thing I could think to do was hold Bao closer to me. I shook my head, trying to work through everything Ada was telling me. “So, you’re saying these bizarre vampire killings are happening... because of Bao?”
She didn’t answer me right away. Finally, she gave a curt nod. “I’m also telling you that they won’t stop until the beast—” She swallowed, and the lump in her throat moved as if it were trying to work something out. “Until Bao is theirs. That’s why they’re killing in her vicinity. To prove themselves worthy.”
I bared my teeth. “Anyone that wants to take this girl will have to go through me.”
She smiled, but it was sadness, not joy, that touched her tired eyes. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Is that a threat?”
Her eyes widened. Probably because what she said wasn’t even close to threatening, nor was the tone of her voice. It was all me. I felt threatened. Suddenly, invisible enemies were closing in around me.
Ada snorted a laugh. “Malcolm, you are a—” She stopped and shook her head. “Let’s just say, that a little thing like me could never threaten a big thing like you.” Her eyes narrowed and her expression hardened. “I’m just flesh and bone that happens to draw in some pretty creepy shit.” She picked up her tea and took another sip. “Not that I’m afraid of you.”
I frowned. “There’s no reason to be afraid of me.”
Her gaze flickered from Bao, and then back to me. “Since you won’t listen to me, the best I can do is tell you what you need to know.” She sighed. “The jiangshi venom becomes a different animal when they start to change.” She pointed at Bao. “Her maturing means they have changed. Their venom hollows out bodies. Leaves them hard as stone—”
“Shatters them,” I whispered.
She nodded. “And not only that. Once they change, they can kill almost anything. Including other vampires.” Her eyes narrowed. “You have a decision to make, girl. Because holding onto this girl means you’re choosing to put everyone else in danger.”
I CARRIED BAO THROUGH the streets as the moon glinted down against the polls of the street lamps. My body was so heavy that carrying her felt like an effort. I knew it was all in my head, but I thought I might sink through the cracked concrete. Finally, I stopped at a bus stop and sat Bao down next to me. She still had valerian resin nestled in her throat, so she was out cold.
With a sigh, I pulled out a large, heart shaped labradorite gemstone. It was as black as Bao’s hair and lined in rose quartz, so it was girly enough that Bao would like it. I blinked back the tears from my eyes and took in a deep breath. Ada had assured me that the labradorite wasn’t a cure, but that it would give me some time. Two weeks if I was lucky. The stone would work to shield Bao from the energies that were drawing the rest of the jiangshi toward her. It would also stop her cycle.
By the time I had left, it was clear that I wasn’t Ada Anne’s favorite person. She practically spat on me as she shoved me out of her front door. But, she had given me a shred of hope—a way that could potentially stop the jiangshi from coming for my girl.
I would have to find the vampire that gave birth to her.
Closing my eyes, I tried to shove out Ada’s last warning. “Most likely, giving birth to such a powerful being shredded the mother to death. But, I guess you’ll have to see that for yourself.” And then, she slammed the door in my face. She didn’t even ask for the fairy dust.
I sighed again, opened my eyes, and then attached the black gemstone around Bao’s neck. It fell just over her heart chakra, as Ada Anne told me it should. I clutched her shoulder with one hand, and with the other, stuck my fingers down her
throat. Hooking a finger around the sticky, black substance, I pulled it out and Bao gave a loud, wheezing cough. Her eyelids fluttered and she gasped as I clapped her on the back.
“Take it easy,” I muttered. “You’re okay.”
Her dark gaze darted around and her eyebrows slammed together in confusion. “Where?” She shook her head and covered her eyes. “The last thing I remember—”
I stared at her, patiently waiting for her to calm down. She gasped and her hands fell into her lap. “Ohmygod!” Reaching out, she grabbed my wrist, pulling me into her vice grip. “I was at school... I’m so sorry I snuck out... and I—I attacked...”
With a nod, I tried to ease her anxiety with a smile. “Yes, I caught the tail end of that performance.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “And you will be paying for that somehow, by the way. But, don’t worry. The girl is fine, and the school is none the wiser.”
She widened her eyes at me.
I sighed and rubbed my temples. “Fiona... fixed it.” Guilt bubbled into my stomach, but I forced myself to ignore it. “You owe her, big time.”
She nodded, and then her hands lifted and she ran her delicate fingers across the smooth surface of her new necklace. “What’s this?”
I opened my mouth, about to explain everything, when something stopped me. For some reason, I couldn’t do it. A part of me still needed to protect her. Instead of being honest, I cleared my throat and asked, “You trust me, right?”
Her mouth stretched out into a wide smile. “Yes.”
“Good. Now, I can’t... well, won’t tell you why, not yet, but you have to wear this necklace at all times, until I tell you otherwise.”
She lifted an eyebrow.
“I need you to promise me.”
Her gaze lowered to the necklace, and finally, she shrugged. “It’s pretty.” With a nod, she gazed back up at me. “I can do that.”
I breathed out relief. It was the first good thing that had happened all damn day.
“So,” she started in a small voice. It was my turn to lift an eyebrow. “Did you rethink that whole cheerleading tryouts thing?”
I snorted, and then threw my head back and laughed. “Girl.” I stood up, taking her with me. “Not only can you not try out, you’re grounded for a week. Both you and Fiona aren’t allowed to use your powers. So, no super speed. No feats of strength...” As we walked home, arm in arm, I ticked off the rest of the things she wasn’t allowed to do on my fingers, and she, in preteen form, sucked on her teeth and rolled her eyes at each of them.
MUSIC WAS BUMPING FROM my house. What now?
I stopped when were a block away and sighed. Bao’s eyes widened as she stared up at me. Then, she snatched her hand away and started to shoot off down the sidewalk. I cleared my throat.
With a huff, she stomped her foot and a small crack formed in the pavement. I could almost hear her cussing me out inside her head and had to bite down a tired laugh. Then, she took off down the street at a normal pace.
As I followed her, it felt like I was dragging every muscle in my body behind me. I just wanted to go up to my bedroom and sleep for a week. The closer I came to my house, the more my eyes narrowed. I was hoping that Ryland would have fed the kids and put them to bed, leaving me with nothing but a pillow and a drama free night to deal with.
So much for that plan.
They were probably all hopped up on whatever sugar equivalent a werewolf and a fairy liked to get all hopped up on.
Human flesh was a big one.
I braced myself as I pushed into the house. Once inside, the music was almost unbearable. I would have been surprised that someone hadn’t called the cops, but from the looks of it, everyone in the damn neighborhood was packed inside my living room. Red solo cups were raised in the air, and a cloud cover of smoke swirled along the ceiling.
The vibration from the music was so deep that I thought it might rattle the calcium off my bones. Making myself take up as little room as possible, I started through the pack of bodies, trying to find Ryland. I didn’t spot him until I made it through the crowd. He was seated on the ledge of the living room window, one eyebrow raised and flipping through an old book as if he were in his study instead of in the middle of a party.
Him reading a book wasn’t odd, but him allowing the kids to have a party was a little out of the ordinary. I planted my hands on my hips and waited for him to notice me. People kept bumping into me, offering me beers and once or twice, a hit of green. As tempting as all those offers were, I turned them down. Finally, I raised my fingers to my lips and whistled as loudly as I could.
Ryland lowered his book and stared at me with the usual blankness on his face. Slowly, he stood and nodded toward Darnell, who was frozen in the middle of the floor, a hunk of flesh in his hand and blood smeared all over his face like chocolate.
My stomach lurched.
“Darnell here made the honor roll,” Ryland said as he sauntered toward me with his hands behind his back. The only reason I could hear him over the pounding music was super hearing. He shrugged and added, “I thought a little celebration wouldn’t hurt.”
At that moment, as tired as I was, all I heard was honor roll. I grinned down at Darnell and gave him a high-five, trying to ignore the human snack in his hand. It wasn’t the first time Ryland had given the kid a taste from his private collection. Luckily, all the humans in attendance seemed too smashed to protest.
“Good job, kiddo,” I yelled, even though he would have heard me over all the noise. “Now, we just have to focus on not getting into any more fights at school.” I ruffled his hair.
A low growl filled my ears. “Oh, we had a talk about that.” Ryland stared down at Darnell like he was something he was about to eat. “Didn’t we, D?”
Darnell gulped and pressed himself against me. I waved my fingers in the air and said, “Can we do something about this noise?” I asked.
Ryland nodded in such a subtle way that I almost didn’t catch his movement. He snapped his fingers over his head. Seconds later, the music stuttered to a stop and everyone around us crawled to a stop.
He sniffed. “Get out.”
Almost right away, everyone began to file out of the house, leaving half-empty cups on random surfaces and shooting varying looks of respect and desire in Ryland’s direction. I tried to keep my expression neutral. Even after all these decades, he still managed to impress me.
“Ah, man,” Darnell complained as the last of the party goers stumbled out the front door. “The party was just getting started.”
Fiona floated in from the kitchen holding a tin can stuffed with dollar bills. “Man! I sold s-o-o much fairy dust tonight. I can get you those new Jordans next week, D.” She spotted me and came to a stop. From the couch, Bao snorted.
Ryland held out his hand. “Give me the can,” he said in a voice barely above a whisper.
Her eyes flashed to black as she stomped forward and slammed the money down in his palm. Handing the can to me, he added, “All of you. Bed. Now.”
Within seconds, the living room was damned near clean. I didn’t say anything about the fact that Fiona and Bao had obviously used magic and super speed. I was too damn tired to be a disciplinarian. I sank onto the couch and let out a huge yawn.
Ryland sat down beside me. “What did you find out?”
I didn’t answer right away, opting instead to let the rare quiet in the house sink in as I tried to relax. Plus, even though I hated to admit it, Ryland himself was a calming presence. Despite how dangerous I knew he could be, I always felt still around him. Safe.
I almost snorted at myself. With a sigh, I ran my fingers through my hair and told him what Ada Anne had told me. He sniffed, but didn’t say anything right away. Finally, I opened my eyes and turned to him.
“Twenty-four hours,” he said in a plain voice.
I lifted an eyebrow.
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. Something that made Mom buzz from where she sat in my wrist holster. Ryland eyed the k
nife, and then traced his fingers along the stubble that dotted his chin.
“Twenty-hour hours to handle it, before I do,” he clarified. “And that’s out of respect. You know I run things a certain way in The Heights.” He stood up and cast a gaze at me that almost bit.
I laughed even though my heart was pounding in my ears, making my voice breathless. “Is that a threat?”
He examined his nails. “Mal.” His voice was rough as he lifted his gaze and scanned me up and down. Dragging his tongue across his plump, bottom lip he said, “Don’t be like that. It’s simply a reminder.”
I shot to my feet, but the dozens of retorts that ran across my tongue jumbled together, leaving me tongue-tied. Memories flashed through my skull. I knew how Ryland handled things. If he wasn’t such a protector of the innocent, I might have sent him to my mother by now, but so far, he had never been in my way.
It never occurred to me that one day, he might be.
Just as my thoughts began to clear, my front door shot open and a bent over, bloodied Felicia hobbled into the room. My mouth fell open in shock while Ryland rushed to her side.”
“Tell me,” he said in a tone so dangerous it froze me in place.
My gaze followed the movement. Beside me, Ryland shot up and was at her side in less than seconds.
Felicia clamped a hand over a hole in her neck, and every time she sucked in a raspy breath, blood would squirt out between her thin fingers. “Boss.” She shivered and slumped against Ryland. “It’s Blood N’ Fangs. I tried to stop them, but someone go the drop on me.” She wheezed again. “All of it. It’s gone.”
Chapter Seven
The two of them were gone before I had the chance to blink. I stumbled around in my living room, glancing this way and that, trying to figure out where they’d gone off to. Something clanged around in the kitchen, so I followed the sound to find Felicia sitting at my kitchen table with Ryland hovered over her.
