Of Masques and Martyrs (37 page)

The minister fell silent, then closed his Bible. He turned to walk back to his car, and was quickly followed by the small group of people who had turned out for Cody’s funeral. Some of them, Peter had learned, were distant relatives of Will’s. Though the official word still said that he was not who he claimed to be, there were members of Colonel William F. Cody’s descended family who believed otherwise, and turned out to mourn his death.

Peter had taken the time to tell them how it had come about. They had stood, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as he explained it to them, but he knew they were pleased by the heroism of their famous ancestor. Still, they glanced at Allison awkwardly as they were led away. A vampire was a rare sight, these days, and would be growing rarer still. This first time would likely also be the last time they would ever see one.

“We should go,” Nikki whispered to him, and her fingers twined in his own.

Peter turned; his eyes searched hers. He touched her hair, brushed it away from her face. She smiled slightly, and he found what he’d been looking for.

He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. Then he left her behind, and walked around the grave to where Allison stood alone. They stared at one another for a moment, the gulf between them made even greater by the weight of what he’d once been and what she now was and had never wanted to be.

They came together then. Wordlessly, they embraced. After a moment, Allison put a palm on his chest and pushed him gently away. Peter turned and walked back to Nikki. Together they made their way across the rolling green of the cemetery lawn, the sea-salt stinging the air, the sound of gulls crying above them.

Inside the rental car, he slid the keys into the ignition and then paused a moment.

Nikki looked at him, brow creased with concern. “What is it?”

Peter smiled, shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just not sure where to go from here. I mean, what do I do now?”

Nikki slid over in the seat, stroked his face, pulled him to her and kissed him deeply. She rested her forehead against his and whispered to him.

“Do what George told you to do,” she said.

“Live.”

Peter nodded slowly, then kissed Nikki again. He nuzzled against her neck. When his eyes opened, he could see the green lawn of the cemetery and, across it, the tall headstone erected in memory of his friend. His brother. He recalled the words inscribed there.

Colonel William F. Cody,
it said simply.
He yet lives.

Peter smiled. He believed the sentiment completely. For all Will had done, he would live on.

Heroes always do.

OF SAINTS AND SHADOWS
ANGEL SOULS AND DEVIL HEARTS
OF MASQUES AND MARTYRS
THE GATHERING DARK
(February 2011)
WAKING NIGHTMARES
(April 2011)