Stained (7 page)

“Don’t stare at me that way.”

“Your kind doesn’t mix with humans.”

“Just because I’m part magick doesn’t mean I can’t mix with a human. It could work.”

“No, it couldn’t.”

“Dash all my day dreams, why don’t you?”

“My little witchling, you are special. Don’t waste it on a human.”

“He’s not just any human, Raven. He has a touch of the sight. He saw I was a witch.”

“He’s still human. Trouble.”

“Ach! You and your Trouble! Let’s go hunt.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Lord and Lady, hear my plea, to bring new friends at once to me. Strengthen old relationships, and offer fresh companionship to widen my circle of laughter and fun. And moral support with battles begun. Make for me some strong connections and guide good friends in my direction.

Just as Thorn was getting ready to go upstairs she heard a knock on the door. She glanced up to see three vampires, still as death. They only looked that way when they were feeling intense emotions, so Thorn assumed they were pissed. She expected this, since one of their own had been murdered and she was tied to him, but it still made her nervous to see them all riled up and on the hunt. She girded herself against their glamour before she went to the door to let them in.

Each personality was unique. James. Tall and awkward, favoring the stereotypical vampire attire, long leather trench and all black clothes. Long hair and silent leather boots. He fooled a lot of people into thinking he was uncoordinated. Thorn had seen him move so fast she couldn’t track him. He was lethal in every way and had a nasty temperament. He was at least five hundred years old. Age was a prerequisite to be on the council.

The other male in the group, Julian, was more refined and polished. He was a decent man, not too tall, shaved head and dressed in a tailored Ozwald Boateng suit. Julian was over seven hundred years old. He happened to live in San Francisco, in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.

Elizabeth, the feminine aspect of the trio, was petite and appeared to have ‘died’ in her teens. A truly deadly teenager and the oldest of the three, she was scary to most people but was a confidant of sorts to Thorn. They had corresponded and had several meetings before Thorn was granted permission to tattoo vampires. The two of them had always hit it off. Tonight she stood still, without even pretending to breathe, for Thorn’s benefit. It was a sign that she no longer cared about making Thorn comfortable. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

“What can I do for you this evening?” Thorn said, trying to mellow the situation.

“You know why we’ve come and don’t try to pretend you don’t, little witch,” James sneered.

“James,” Julian sighed. “Thorn, we’re here because of Richard, a client of yours the other night. What can you tell us about him?”

Thorn tried hard not to fidget. It would only show how uncomfortable she was and they would take it as a sign of weakness, or worse, guilt. “Richard made an appointment with me about four months ago for a tattoo.”

“Did he show up on time?” Elizabeth asked. “What was his state of mind?”

“He was on time and eager to have the work done. He was excited.”

Julian took a seat. “When did you finish the tattoo?” he asked.

“Around five o’clock. I was sure he had a bolt-hole set up because he was in a great mood still. He thanked me over and over again.” Thorn said, as she leaned against the display counter. She thought for a moment. “I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It might have been another vampire,” she explained. “It’s not unusual to have that happen. Sometimes they come to watch.”

“Did you warn him or did you just let him go to his demise?” James growled.

“Richard was already long gone. I had no way to warn him,” she said, leveling her eyes steadily at James, not backing down. “I had no reason to think he was in danger.”

“Hmph… she could be lying. She could have set the damn thing up,” James said.

“What would she have to gain from that, James?” Julian intervened, before James could get even more riled.

“I don’t trust witches,” James whispered, as he lunged for Thorn and in an instant he had her, his hot breath warming her neck.

“Easy, James,” Elizabeth said. He growled again and tightened his grip around Thorn’s neck, running his finger over her artery, finding her pulse. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her head began to throb. Panic seeped into her. Thorn knew if she used her magick James would kill her, so she kept a tight grip on it. The intake of air became harder and harder. Her vision started to gray around the edges. Raven danced on his perch and cawed loudly.

She spoke mind to mind with Raven, “Don’t intervene or they’ll kill us both!”

“Yes, my witchling.”

“James, that’s enough. Let her go,” Elizabeth commanded, waving her hand at him. She was the oldest and therefore the leader. Her word had to be obeyed or she would tear him apart, piece-by-piece, and she could. Her cute Mary Jane’s and school-girl outfit were purposefully misleading. James reluctantly tossed Thorn down. She tried not to gasp for air as her lungs burned and demanded it. Her fear scented the air, a fine wine for the vampires. James took a deep unnecessary breath and smirked at her. Thorn shuddered involuntarily.

“I’m sorry, Thorn,” Julian said, watching her with pity.

“It’s okay.” It came out as a hoarse whisper because her throat still hadn’t recovered. Julian shot James a scathing look.

“What kind of tattoo did you give Richard, Thorn?” Elizabeth asked.

“It was a dragon with talismans for wealth and protection woven into it. That’s the only part the killer cut out. I’ve seen the photos.”

“How did you see the photos?” Julian asked, snapping his head back to Thorn, with his full attention. James seethed.

“The police showed them to me. First they wanted me to verify that they were my tats, and then, because I’m a suspect, since I was the last person to see him and I did the tattoos.”

“That seems weak to me,” Elizabeth said, giving James a pointed look. James snarled, realizing he had to recognize a temporary truce.

“One of the detectives feels the same way, thank the Goddess.”

Elizabeth glided towards the door. “We’ll be in town at Julian’s if you hear anything else. We will be looking as well. Keep us posted.”

And with that, they left her shop and disappeared into the shadows. Thorn drew a deep breath that hurt her injured throat and then locked the door behind them. She got herself under control. Raven flew over to her arm for comfort. She made her way upstairs to try and find some sleep.

In a matter of days, she went from being a prosperous, well-respected business owner, to a witch suspected of heinous murders, by the human authorities and the vampire council. A sadistic murderer was out there harvesting her magickal talismans. What was she going to do about it.

CHAPTER NINE

For those who want the truth revealed, open thy hearts and secrets unseal. From now until after the memory ends, those who are now in this house will hear the truth from others’ mouths.

The next day, Thorn was sorting through the mail. She had slept restlessly. Tossing and turning all day long and Raven said she mumbled in her sleep. She carefully made piles of junk mail, bills and industry catalogues. Thorn never got any personal correspondence at the shop, but tucked away between the weekly shopper and Tattoo Artist Magazine was a letter addressed to Thorn. She held it for a moment wondering what it could be. She tossed the junk mail, grabbed the bills, tucked the magazines and catalogues under her arm and took the letter with her to the break room.

Thorn opened the letter and started to read:

I’ve been watching you. You’re my inspiration and someday we will work side by side. Stay away from that policeman. We are meant to be together.

Thorn grimaced. Now she had a stalker? Who the hell was watching her? It sent a cold shiver up her back and she sat down on a chair. She laid the letter down on the vintage white and chrome table and read it again. Thorn wondered if she should bring this up to Sé. She decided not to. She’d keep an eye out but wouldn’t bring it to his attention. She didn’t want him to think she was helpless, and this was probably nothing to worry about.

Thorn returned to the main room and its hum of activity. Machines going, people chatting, and excitement thick in the air. She had a few minutes before her first client was due so she pulled stock out of a cabinet for Jason to put in the display cases. T-shirts, key chains, and bumper stickers were the big sellers. She also sold a lot of her handmade lotions for tattoo aftercare. Their inventory was down. She would have to make up a batch soon.

“Jason, can you put this merchandise out? We’re starting to get low,” Thorn asked him, as he walked in the big glass door with Stained etched on it.

“Anything for you, boss,” he said with a wink. Thorn just looked at him. He blushed and went to get the stock to put away. She couldn’t believe he winked at her. That was a first. It wasn’t a bad thing exactly, just not expected. She wasn’t sure if it constituted crossing a line or not.

By then her first customer came in, a repeat customer, he was on his tenth tattoo, third by her. Thorn ushered him back to her chair.

“Hey, Harley, what’s up?”

“Not much, Thorn. Got a new bike since I seen ya last. A Hardtail.”

“Can’t go wrong with a Harley,” Thorn laughed.

“You still riding that crotch rocket?”

Thorn chuckled at his vulgar term for her racing bike. “Yeah, I am and I’m loving it. Not enough open space around here to really let loose though.”

“I hear ya there.”

“So you want to start a sleeve, Harley. You already have quite a few tattoos on this arm and I think we can fill it in nicely. We’ll start with the outline first,” Thorn said, as she put her gloves on.

“Whatever you say, Thorn, you’re the best.”

“Awww, thanks, Harley. You know, I’m still going to hurt you.”

“I’m counting on it,” he said, giving her a big belly laugh. Thorn smiled to herself as she readied her needles and ink. She traced the design out on Harley’s arm and then began to ink it in. When she started he sighed, reminding her of Sé.

“Thorn, I hear you’ve been having some trouble from the police. You okay?”

“Yeah, they just wanted info about some tats I’d done.” Thorn said, as she paused the machine and looked up at Harley.

“I heard there was some freak out there, killing people you tattooed. Hey, don’t let the police give you a hard time. If you’re worried about protection, me and the boys could set something up for you.”

“Thanks, Harley, but I think I’m safe enough.”

Thorn went back to work on his arm, but now she was worried. If her customers started to think they were in danger because of these killings, her business would be affected. This was her livelihood and that of her employees. Besides, she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. Then there was always one of her competitors ready to eat her up if she looked like she was failing.

CHAPTER TEN