Stained (15 page)

“I came over to check on your uncle.”

“And you found me instead.”

“Apparently.”

“Are you going to arrest me?”

“No.” Sé moved over to the table and sat down.

“Why?” Thorn’s eyes settled on him as she sat across from him.

“I think they’re on a witch hunt,” Sé said plainly.

“Figuratively or literally?”

“Does it matter?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

All things watching, all that is bad, all that has dragged me down, and troubled me. Leave me forever! All that was bad is now dissolved. Let good energy come my way posthaste. It is and shall be.

Thorn decided to come clean with Sé about her plan. In order to do that, she had to tell him about vampires. As she was prepping her station, later, she remembered his reaction.

“Vampires? Real vampires?” he said, as he flopped down in one of her chairs, barely making the seat.

“Yes, Sé, real vampires. They consume or drink blood to sustain their life but they don’t have to kill people to do it.” She said, relieved that he’d met the news head-on. “They are nocturnal because the sun hurts them. They don’t burn or turn to dust – it’s just painful. Richard was a vampire. That’s why the coroner is having problems with his body.” Thorn had gotten a cool glass of water and had handed it to Sé. He sipped it slowly.

“Can I see one?” He gave her a rueful smile.

“That’s what you ask me?”

“I asked Muirin the same thing when she told me about them,” Uncle chuckled. “They weren’t nearly as mainstreamed as they are now. It’s much safer.”

“Better now,” Raven cawed.

The blood left Sé’s face as he contemplated that.

Thorn smiled as she remembered. She went to the safe and retrieved her bespelled inks. They bonded with the new cells a vampire’s instantaneous healing abilities produced, instead of disappearing. She noticed her supply was getting low. She would have to make up a new batch soon.

No one could see her in the back. She would be tattooing in a room with no windows, completely blocked from the front windows. Sé came down to see what she was up to.

Earlier, after his shock had worn off, he had gotten more businesslike.

“Thorn,” he explained, “the only way I can clear you of these murders is to tag you twenty-four hours a day. Especially, if you are tattooing someone tonight. We know the killer is escalating and chances, are he’ll target this new person.”

Thorn, sighed and sat down hard, on the edge of her stool. “You’re right. I shouldn’t do the tat. I have no way to get in touch with him though. I’ll have to wait until he shows up.” She took a drink of Sé’s water and put her hand to her head.

“It’s a vampire, Thorn. If we warn him, don’t you think he can defend himself?” Sé asked.

“It’s possible. Richard had no warning. I’ll prepare everything and leave it up to him.”

Casually, Sé began his campaign to let him watch. Thorn explained that in her licensing terms, with the vampire council, no mundanes could be allowed in the room. He argued, calmly, he had to be there so could testify she didn’t try to sedate the vampire or hinder him to make him easier to attack. It was for everyone’s protection.

Thorn had heard a lot of blarney in her life, she suspected Sé was laying it on thick. When she finally relented, he grinned. Uncle said one vampire was enough for him and he was going to bed. Sé had won. He was going to see his first vampire and guard Thorn at the same time.

Sé and Thorn walked into the main room and Thorn saw her client at the door, waiting politely. He was an average-looking man, wearing leather pants and a long trench. The only difference between him and the rest of the population was the fangs that would descend when he got hungry, angry or aroused.

“Come in, Sean. How are you tonight? Have you fed?” The vampire looked a little gaunt. Thorn wondered if it was a good idea to have Sé in the room after all. The vamp eyed him suspiciously.

“Yes, but it was yesterday. I wasn’t able to feed yet tonight. Is that going to be a problem?”

“You know I specifically requested that you feed right before you meet with me. There is blood involved. Is it going to be a problem for you?”

“I am six hundred and eighty-nine years old. I have control over my hunger. I think everything will be just fine. Besides, it is my blood that will be spilled,” he said, looking at Sé again. His appraisal of the detective was thorough, then he turned away indifferently.

“Before we go any further, I need to warn you. Everyone I’ve given a talisman to lately has been killed. Including a vampire. You are the first person I’ve been able to warn though. I leave it up to you whether or not you want to go through with it.”

“Consider me warned, Thorn.” He gently caressed her cheek. “I am old and sneaky. I have several survival tactics, having lived as long as I have. I would like to go forward with the tattoo.”

“Okay.” Thorn went to her portfolio and retrieved a drawing. “Let me show you the art I did based on what you told me you wanted. It’s a Celtic band.”

“This is lovely, Thorn dear. Could you work a talisman into it?”

“Yes, of course. What would you like?”

“I want something that represents the Goddess. She and I are close friends.” Thorn frowned at that. Vampires were the opposite of peace and love. Was he mocking her? “I’m quite serious, Thorn,” he said, when he saw her face. “I practice Witta.” Witta was the Irish equivalent of Wicca.

Seeing the truth in his eyes surprised and excited her. “Okay, I can do that. You want this on your upper arm?”

“Yes, my right arm.”

“Let’s get started then. Come on back in here and take your jacket off. Try not to wig the human out too much either.” Sean just chuckled. So did Sé.

Thorn went to get her gloves. When she came back, Sé and Sean were talking about Ireland. Thorn smiled at how open Sé was. He was taking this in stride. She put her gloves on and prepped her table and gun. She got Sean’s skin ready and warned him she would be chanting so wouldn’t be talking.

As soon as the first drops of blood started to form, Sean’s eyes dilated and turned black. It had been longer than a day since he had eaten. He’d lied. Dammit. Thorn quickly wiped it away. She began weaving the tattoo into his skin and Sean kept his eyes focused on the blood. About half way through the tattoo, he changed his focus to Sé. Sé must have noticed the difference in Sean’s demeanor and started to fidget.

“Should I go upstairs, will you be alright?” Sé asked.

“They won’t take a witch’s blood. So yeah, I’ll be fine. I think you do need to go upstairs and bolt the door. Please.”

“Yeah.” Sé got up and Sean followed his every move with his eyes. Thorn could tell that it was taking all his self-control not to leap out of the chair and have Sé for dinner.

When Sé had gone, Thorn turned to Sean and asked, “Why did you lie about the last time you fed?”

“I really want the tattoo. I had to travel in an unconventional way and there was no way to eat. I promise I will feed as soon as we are done. I thought I had better control than this. I apologize.”

“Apology accepted. Normally, I wouldn’t have a mundane in the room with me. There’s been a lot of weird shit happening. When you leave, look everywhere and be diligent.”

She went back to his tattoo, keeping a tight eye on him in case he made a move for Sé. She knew she could throw a restraining spell around him if she was ready for it. Sean kept focused but she could tell it was an effort. Luckily, an arm band didn’t take her a long time. She was soon done and Sean would have time to feed before going to bed for the day. Thorn sent up a silent request to the Goddess to keep him safe.

“Thanks, Thorn. It’s beautiful. Exactly what I wanted. Truly a representation of my beliefs. I still have time to feed too, which is very necessary,” he said, eyeing Sé who had come back down against Thorn’s better judgment. Sé fidgeted in his seat, keeping his eyes on Sean. Sean just smiled, flashing him a little fang. Sé gave him a tentative smile back and Thorn chuckled. Sean paid her and left quickly, eager to hunt.

“So, what did you think of your first vampire?”

“A bit toothy,” Sé said, with a lopsided grin. Thorn shook her head. “I just hope we don’t hear about him tomorrow,” Sé said, more seriously.

“What’s the plan now, Thorn?” Sé asked.

“Japantown.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Guard and guide our trip, and all who venture on this road. See us safely to our destination, see us safely home. Blessed be.

Thorn quietly kissed Uncle goodbye, leaving him a note on the table. She grabbed her duffel bag and slung it over her back. Raven cawed softly. He knew he would get a long flight tonight compared to usual. Sé had parked his bike in back, not knowing that Thorn’s was there too. They both descended the stairs and headed out the back door.

“Where’s your bike?” Sé asked.

“Right here,” Thorn said, as she wiped her hand across the bike and it appeared. Sé gasped.

“The whole force has been looking for this bike and it’s been here the whole time?” Sé laughed.

“Yep,” Thorn grinned. “It’s called a stay-away spell. When we get to where we are going, I’ll put one on your bike too, so it won’t get stolen.”

“Cool…”

“Think you can keep up with me?” Thorn cocked her hip, as she got ready to put her helmet on.

“Bring it, little girl.” Sé put his helmet on as quickly as Thorn and the two threw a leg over their bikes simultaneously. The roar of the engines made the windows vibrate in the alley. Raven led the way as they vaulted out of the alley onto the empty streets. They wove expertly through what little traffic there was on the freeway until they were dead even at the toll plaza. Thorn paid for both of them and then they were off again, up and over the Bay Bridge. Once they cleared the Bridge, they made their way through San Francisco and into Japantown. They kept the bikes as quiet as they could. Dawn was near.

Thorn pulled up to a teahouse and Sé slid in next to her. Raven landed on her handlebars.

“Good fly, yesth,” Raven said. Sé reached out and scratched his head. Raven ruffled and closed his eyes.

“Well, copper, you know how to ride that bike. I’ll give you that.”

“Gee, thanks, Thorn. You know for a girl, you ride pretty well yourself.” Sé said, with a straight face, amusement running through his voice. Thorn warmed. She rarely had the opportunity to share humor.

Thorn knew the owner of this teahouse and she was an early riser. The teahouse was built in traditional Japanese style with redwood timbers and hand painted shoji screens on the inside. The proprietor usually had an extra room she set aside for friends in need. Thorn hoped it was available. What was she going to do with Sé while she slept? The ideas running through her head wouldn’t be good for either of them at this moment in time. Even if they would be thrilling.

The woman Thorn wanted to talk to was up and stirring. Thorn saw her light turn on in her kitchen. She put stay-away spells on their bikes and then motioned for Sé to follow her as she made her way through a tight alley and up a stairway that led to an apartment on top of the teahouse. Thorn knocked lightly, not wanting to startle Mrs. Sasaki.

“Yes,” Mrs. Sasaki answered in Japanese.

“Mrs. Sasaki, it’s Thorn and a friend. Can we come in?” Thorn answered in perfect Japanese, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Sé.

“Yes, yes. Come in.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Sasaki. Sorry for disturbing you so early,” Thorn said, switching to English. She addressed a petite, wrinkled but still beautiful woman, as she entered the apartment.

“Good morning,” Sé said, bowing slightly.

“Good morning,” Mrs. Sasaki said in English, with no hint of an accent. She turned back to Thorn and they spoke in rapid Japanese. Sé shifted his weight. Raven sat on his shoulder and cawed softly.

“Mrs. Sasaki has a room for us to use. She would like us to join her for breakfast first, though,” Thorn said to Sé. He nodded to her.

They kneeled around the table as Mrs. Sasaki brought tea to warm them. The steaming loose leaf green jasmine tea tasted wonderful. Raven took perch on a pillow seat all to himself.