Slayed (16 page)

“I hope so.”

She elbows me. “Look who’s here.”

Tyler is leaning against one of the large stone statues by the front steps. Without waiting for Sam, we get out of the limo. “How many did you get?” Kiki asks.

“Ten total. You?”

“Just the one,” I say, looking him in the eye and daring him to make fun of us. “We figured you had all the slaying taken care of so we directed our efforts into protecting citizens.”

He cocks his head. “Isn’t that what I was doing too?”

“We were protecting my boyfriend,” Kiki says.

I look at her, surprised to hear her call Gabe her boyfriend instead of the usual “asshole.” “Yes,” I say. “We personally escorted him home. But add our total to my parents’ eleven and we’re ahead.”

“Does this have to be a competition?” he asks wearily.

I shrug. “No, I guess not.”

“Good,” Kiki says. “Let’s go in and relax. I think we should pop some champagne to celebrate my retirement.”

My stomach drops. “What? Why?”

She takes my hand and leads me up the steps. “Slaying vampires sounds like a lot more fun than it actually is. I just don’t think I have what it takes.”

“Of course you do! Look at the way you totally got that vampire to come after us—that was genius.”

Tyler scoffs.

“It was,” I insist. “And what about how you staked that vampire on your first try? You’re a natural.”

“I’ve almost peed in my pants about a dozen times since I started this and my stomach has been in a perpetual knot. And look—I’ve broken out in hives.” She points to the small red welts dotting her chest.

She looks back at Tyler and me. “I think this is something you have to be born doing.” She sighs. “Besides, in a
couple of days you’ll be gone anyway,” she says forlornly. “But you better promise me you will never ever hunt alone again!”

“Yeah, okay,” I say quietly.

She opens the front door and starts spinning the prayer wheels.

“Stop!” Tyler says sharply.

Kiki jumps in surprise. “Oh, my God, what?”

He puts out a hand and stops the two wheels that are in motion. “You’re spinning them backward.”

Her shoulders relax and she laughs. “So?”

I look at the wheels trying to figure out how that could possibly be a problem.

“You’re supposed to spin them clockwise—you know, like in the direction of the sun moving across the sky.”

Kiki puts a hand on her hip. “And you know this because …”

“My dad has a prayer ring. He told me that if you spin it counterclockwise whatever you’re praying for will manifest itself in a more ‘wrathful’ way. And with the weird energy lines here I’d be extremely cautious about what you’re wishing for.”

Kiki frowns at the wheels. “I’ve been wishing for the same thing since my parents had them installed, and trust me—it’s not going to come true.”

“What did you wish for?” I ask.

“That my parents would disband The Disco Unicorns.”

Tyler’s eyes pop. “Your parents are in The Disco Unicorns?”

“Lead singers.”

“Wow. I didn’t watch the show too much.” He grimaces. “No offense, it was a little girly. But that’s totally cool about your parents.”

She rolls her eyes. “Not as cool as you might think, but I’ll leave that sorry tale for another day. Come on and let’s make a toast to my fabulous contributions to the world of vampire slaying.”

We’re sitting on the third floor lounging on pillows and surrounded by several empty champagne bottles. “I think she’s asleep,” I say, pointing to Kiki who’s lying with her head back on a pillow.

“Yeah.”

I giggle. “She’s snoring.”

He nods.

“I think I’m a little drunk. I’ve never had champagne before, but I kind of like it.”

“Yeah, champagne was never in our budget.”

“Oh, God, is your dad constantly going on and on about money like my mom?”

“It never ends. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to sleep in the car. The thing that pisses me off is I was looking over his shoulder a few months ago at an ATM and we have
a lot
of money saved up. When I confronted him he just said you never know when the work will dry up and he’s saving for a rainy day.”

“I wish the work would dry up. If I never see another vampire again I could die happy. Don’t you wish our parents were doing
anything
but this?”

He looks out toward the dark windows—the thinnest sliver of moon hangs just above the trees. “No. I’m good with it,” he says quietly.

I crawl over to him on my hands and knees and look him in the face. “Come on, you can’t seriously tell me you’re okay with killing vampires.”

“Yeah. I am.”

I lean back onto my heels. “Are you crazy? I mean, I would give anything to just walk away from it all. I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to.”

“Because they killed my mother.”

I bring a hand to my mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have realized. I feel like a complete idiot.”

“It’s okay. I don’t really remember her, but my dad is
always
talking about her—telling me stories, making sure I know what she was like. She would have been a great
mom, I think. My dad has a lot of faults, but he made sure my mom wouldn’t ever fade from my mind. And for every vampire I kill I know I’ve probably saved someone’s life—maybe someone’s mother. It’s kind of like your mom. After her family was murdered, she—”

I sit up with my heart pounding. “What?”

In the dim candlelight I can see Tyler’s eyes widen. “I—I thought you knew.”

“No! What happened?”

“Oh, jeez. I think you should hear it from your parents.”

“Tell me!”

He takes a deep breath. “Um, when she was sixteen her boyfriend got turned by a vampire. He showed up at her house and, without realizing what had happened to him, she invited him in.”

“Oh, God.”

“He killed her parents and her three younger sisters—ripped their throats out right in front of her,” he says grimly. “He saved her for last because he wanted to turn her so they could be together. Our dads and your grandfather rescued her just as the guy had broken down the bathroom door she was hiding behind.”

“
Sharon
. I’ve heard my mom mutter that name when we were house-cleaning. I wonder if that was one of her sisters?”

He nods. “Yeah, that was one of her sisters. My dad told me about her family. He talks about your mom and dad all the time, actually. It’s kind of like he got stuck after what happened to my mom and lives in the past.”

I feel sick to my stomach, as tears gather in my eyes. “Why didn’t she tell me?”

“Come here,” he says gently. He takes me in his arms and I sob into his chest. “It’s okay,” he whispers.

“It’s not okay. I get so damn mad at her for being so cold and so crazed about this never-ending hunt we’re on, and all this time she was living with this—keeping it locked up inside.”

He strokes my hair.

“God, if only I had known.”

“It’s not your fault. They should’ve told you.”

I pull away from him and wipe my eyes. “I’m sorry.” I sniff. “Your shirt is all wet.”

I wipe his chest with my shirt sleeve and he leans in until his face is inches from mine. His breath warms my cool lips and my entire body is on fire. “It’s okay,” he whispers.

“Are you, uh, sure?”

“Daphne, can I …”

I close my eyes and will myself not to faint. “Yes.”

I wait for what seems an eternity with my heart pounding, and then gasp as I feel his hand brush some hair from
my cheek. His fingers linger on my face leaving a trail of electricity. His lips touch mine gently at first, and then my mouth opens and oh my God he’s kissing me.

I’m
kissing
him
.

“Revenge,”
something cold whispers in the air.

We pull apart and look wildly around the room.

“Hunger.”

Smoky black shapes are flying around just outside. Kiki sits up groggily and puts her hands over her ears. “I’m having that dream again.”

“Seek.”

I stare out the windows with wide eyes. Dark shapes blacker than the night are flying across the river in a direct line to the house. Strange whispers fill the air making my skin crawl. Tyler reaches out and wraps me protectively in his arms.

“What the hell is going on?” Kiki wails.

“Kiki, get away from the window!” he commands.

She scrambles to his other side and he draws her close.

Dozens upon dozens of black shadows swoop around and then zip off into the night.

As they disperse, one shape hovers outside the glass in front of us. The creature appears to be made of undulating smoke. I can almost make out a woman’s face and bare breast, and then bloodred eyes appear and lock onto mine.
The thing drags sharp claws along the window making goose bumps pop up on my arms.
“Revenge. Mother comes,”
it hisses before flapping batlike wings and flying off.

Soon the only sound is our labored breathing. I can feel Tyler’s heart pound against me.

Kiki gulps. “What the fuck was that?”

I look up at Tyler. “What were they?”

“The lamia.”

Sam stops the limo at a
light and Tyler squeezes my hand. I yawn and lean my head against his shoulder. Kiki’s chin dips toward her chest a little and she gives a start.

“Did I fall asleep again?”

I nod. I’m thinking none of us slept very well. After what we saw, we hightailed it out of Kiki’s house and Tyler brought us back to the motel. Luckily my parents didn’t see us get out of his car. It was weird being with Mom after what Tyler told me though. I tried to change the way I look at her and the way I react to the things she says, but I couldn’t help but get mad at her like always.

She smelled the champagne on my breath and accused
me of being drunk, completely dismissing what we saw. And she gave Kiki an earful about being a bad influence.

At least Dad got her to agree to let me spend the day with Kiki since it was likely we’d be moving on to our next job soon. Mom just wanted to do one more night, and then let the Harkers clean up the rest.

Of course we had to promise there would be no alcohol involved. At first I was surprised Tyler’s father gave him the day off so he could come with us, but unlike Mom, Mr. Harker seems to be encouraging us to spend time together. Also unlike Mom, he thought it was a good idea to find out what we could about the lamia. Tyler had strict orders to meet his father downtown tonight no later than sunset.

I catch Kiki smiling at me.
So cute,
she mouths.

I roll my eyes, but can’t help smiling back at her. I try not to think about leaving them both. I purse my lips and will the tears gathering in my eyes to go away and vow to enjoy every last second I have with them.

Kiki sits up. “Pull over there, Sam.”

A small purple sign reading
DARK SIDE EMPORIUM: PROPRIETOR RUPERT WOODS
hangs over a dark stairwell leading down to a basement shop. Sam pulls the limo to the curb. He takes in the skulls and weird statues in the window, and turns to Kiki. “Picking up something for your parents?”

“Just doing a little research.”

He shakes his head. “Will we be heading back to California soon, Ms. Crusher?”

From the tone of his voice it’s obvious he’s had enough of South Bristol.

Kiki slumps down in her seat. “Yeah, when Daphne leaves we’ll head back. I’ll be staying with her at the motel until then.”

“Very good.” He goes to open his door but Kiki puts a hand on his shoulder. “We got it, thanks.”

As we walk into the Dark Side Emporium the first thing that hits me is the smell of some horrible incense. The small, narrow shop is filled with oddly shaped candles, bins filled with bones, black feathers, and dried herbs.

“This is creepy,” I whisper and Tyler takes my hand into his. I look up at him and feel my eyes watering again. It’s so not fair all this is going to be taken away from me so soon.

“Watch where you’re walking!” a deep voice barks.

I jump and realize there is a very tiny man sitting behind the counter.

“Don’t mess up my salt,” he continues, waving a metal prosthetic hand at us.

Kiki points to the floor at the base of the counter and we all take a step back. Salt has been used to “draw” a circle around the counter.

The man looks at me with dark, sunken eyes. “You never know what might pop up and I need to keep myself protected. Demons and such can’t cross the line.”

We exchange looks and the man scoffs. “You kids don’t know shit. What’re you doing here anyway? You don’t look like the type that should be shopping in here. Go home and play your video games.”

“Mr. Wood, we need some information about the lamia,” Kiki says.

The man’s squinty eyes widen. “This got to do with what’s happening in South Bristol?”

“Yes!” I say. “How did you know?”

He smiles, revealing a large gap between his front teeth. “Oh, we’re all talking about what’s happening to them kids. It’s a shame, but nothing’s to be done about it. Them’s not ordinary demons—old as Adam and Eve they are. Made of smoke and fire so they can’t be caught. Can’t be trapped.”

Tyler takes a step forward, clearly being careful not too get to close to the salt. “We think we saw them last night—we think we know the general vicinity they’re coming from.”

The man nods. “I’ve only seen drawings of them—right scary things. But something’s opened a doorway to hell. That’s what’s attracting all the vampires.”

“You know about the vampires, too?” Kiki says.

“I know a lot of things, and whenever there’s an opening to hell the vampires come out of the woodwork—like they can hear their souls calling to them from the pits of hell. I’d take a vampire any day over what’s coming though.”

Kiki raises her eyebrows. “Something
else
is coming?”

“Those creatures sneaking out of the mouth of hell preying on infants are the children of the demon Lilith. I just heard they had the first fatalities so that means Lilith is close to showing herself. She is most powerful during the new moon, and once she arrives there’s gonna be a lot more deaths and she’ll fly farther and farther away from the opening each night, spreading carnage in her wake. And she don’t just go after the children.” He gives Tyler a look and clucks his tongue. “She likes to taste the blood of young men and pregnant women just the same.”