Reality came back with a vengeance when I woke in the same room at
Guilty Pleasures. Asher was talking to someone in hushed tones. There weren't
any other voices so I figured he was on a cell.
I opened my eyes slowly. The lights were low but I could see
Asher, his back to me. A sudden wave of pain and nausea hit me; I almost screamed.
The sound that exited my throat was a sharp gasp.
Asher turned. His clothes were covered in blood, my blood. I tried to sit up and my body screamed in
protest. I lay back gasping as the
searing pain tore through me.
Asher came to sit down beside me, stroking my cheek as he
continued talking. “Please Mon Chat. I need your help.” He listened for a
moment. “I will call as soon as I get that information.” He closed up the
phone. “You must try not to move. It will only cause your wounds to bleed more.”
Closing my eyes I tried to block out the pain. “I thought you were taking me home.”
“I am trying to find a driver.”
I looked at him frowning. “I'll drive.”
He shook his head. “You can barely stay conscious.”
I couldn't argue with that. There was a knock on the door and
Nathaniel walked in. I closed my eyes, frustrated.
I heard Asher tell him, “You should not be here. Anita will not be
pleased.”
The shifter explained, “Buzz said you needed someone who could
drive. Besides I had to see for myself.”
I opened my eyes and looked at him. He walked over towards the bed
slowly. His nostrils flared but his eyes didn't change. He was trying to
control himself as he asked, “Richard did this?”
I sighed. “He had help but Asher is right. You shouldn't be here.”
The boy sounded as frustrated as I felt when he replied. “Shut up
and stop treating me like a kid. You need someone to drive. I'm it.” We both stared at him as he explained.
“Besides it's the least I can do for getting you into this.”
That one lost me so I had to ask. “What? You didn't get me into
anything.”
“I never should have asked you about the music and you never
should have come here!” Nathaniel was yelling now.
I wasn’t above yelling back either. “This has nothing to do with that!”
The blonde vamp chose to stop us as that point apparently.
“Enough. It is getting late. We need to
go.”
The boy asked me. “Where do you live?”
“East Third. Or is it West?” I tried to think as I spoke. This wasn't good. Neither was the room
spinning.
Asher must have noticed my problem. “Are you all right?”
“No. Look at my license.” I told his as I tried to reach around to
my back pocket with no success. Everything just went limp. I broke out in a
cold sweat. “Okay I wanna get off this ride now.”
Asher tried to hush me. “Be still.”
I shook my head trying to clear it. “Tell that to the room.”
“The room is not moving.” The vamp quietly explained. Nathaniel
laughed and that was the last thing I heard.
I was dreaming, at least I thought I was. I could hear Simi as
plain as day. She was not happy. I couldn't open my eyes for nothing. It was
like they were weighted down.
I could still hear Simi telling someone. “Akri is not going to be
pleased. You will pay. Even the bitch goddess won't like this. I should
barbecue you all now. Save time. That sound like fun to the Simi. Who want to
be first?”
Oh Christ. Wake up. Please let me wake up.
I thought I recognized Luna’s voice. “Just what the hell are you
anyway?”
Acheron’s pet demon sounded indignant as she responded. “I am the
Simi. What are you?”
The Goth Princess sounded pissed as she told her. “You are gonna
be one dead Simi if you don't move away from that bed.”
No. Can't let that happen. Wake the fuck up Nathan! What's your
problem? Maybe I'm dead. Yeah that has to be it. No such luck. I was in too
much pain to be dead.
I forced my eyes to open. It was bright. What? Was every light in
the house on? I could just see my electric bill. Then I realized my eyes had
changed. My body was trying to heal. I felt really weird.
Luna was standing in front of Asher and Nathaniel her gun drawn,
ready to blow anything away that moved. Simi was standing beside the bed, hands
on hips. She was in a black leather mini skirt and a blue jean jacket. I
glanced upward. Her hornays were blue today. I reached out and touched her
hand. She looked back over her shoulder.
My voice came out in a whisper as I told her. “You can't barbecue
anybody.”
She pouted. “They hurt you. That against the rules. Only Akri is
allowed.”
I tried to ask her. “When was that rule made?”
The Goth Princess interrupted her reply. “What the hell is it?”
Nathaniel chimed in. “I think it's cute.” Both Asher and Luna
stared at him so he shrugged. “Well it is.”
“I am no it. I am Simi.” She smiled at Nathaniel then. “You I
like. I may not barbecue you.”
I was starting to get my voice back as I told her. “You aren't
going to barbecue anybody. Simi,
I'll heal. Besides they had nothing to do with it.”
The bedroom door opened. A pretty blond woman walked in with a
tray. She took one look at Simi and the tray hit the floor. Luna immediately
went to her.
The blonde looked from Simi to the Goth Princess. “What is that?”
Luna gave the newcomer’s hand a quick squeeze. “It's okay Maggie.
Everything is under control.”
I tried to reassure the apparent human. “She won't hurt you.”
Simi chimed in. “Yes I will.”
“No you won't. Sit.” I told her. She pouted so I added, “Please?”
“Simi, no barbecue. Simi, no hurting bad mean people. Simi sit.
You sound like Akri, Nathan Hunter.” With that, she disappeared.
The woman that Luna called Maggie stared at me as the Princess
asked, “What was that?”
I was getting real tired of questions but I answered. “A demon.
She's pretty harmless unless you hurt someone she cares about. Now I think I'll
go back to sleep.”
The female shifter looked confused. “A demon? She didn't look like
any demon I've ever seen.”
I shook my head. “That's because she isn't and what do you mean,
not like any demon you've ever seen?”
It was her turn to shrug. “Just a comment. Never mind.”
“I think she looked cool.” Nathaniel added which earned him a look
from Luna.
Maggie’s voice was surprisingly steady as she told me. “I have to
set up another tray. No more surprises Mr. Elliot.”
I couldn’t help a small grin as I recognized the voice from my
radio show request line. “Am I to be your rat in the cage?”
She gave me an odd look. “How about my human in a cage?”
I was tired. “That's what it feels like.”
She shook her head. “I'm not holding you prisoner.” With that she
left.
A few minutes later the doctor went about patching me up. I knew
she was trying to be as gentle as she could but even the shot she gave me to
ease the pain wasn't enough. All of my nerve endings were on fire. Whatever she
used to clean the wounds burned like hell. I couldn't help but squirm. After
all the cleaning, stitching and bandaging were done she gave me another shot. I
think that one was just for fun although she assured me it was antibiotics.
She took Luna aside. “He needs the one thing I don't have in my
bag.”
“A brain?” The Goth Princess asked.
“Looney, I'm being serious. He's lost a lot of blood.” The doctor
sounded a bit worried.
Luna asked. “You're saying he needs blood?”
Maggie nodded as she looked back at me.
Nathaniel volunteered. “I'll give him some of mine.”
Luna quickly answered that. “Oh no you won't.”
The young shift wouldn’t be deterred. “Luna, if I hadn't called
the station and asked him to come down to the club, none of this would have
happened.”
Maggie’s voice was soft in the silence. “You didn't hurt him
Nate.”
He shook his head his long hair flying everywhere. “I want to do
it. I'm going to do it.”
Luna stared at the young man, resolve etched in every line of her
face. “Don't make me invoke status, Nathaniel.” Her face softened. “Please, I'm
asking you not as Oya, but as Luna. Don't do this. Please, Nathaniel.”
He looked at her, his lilac eyes filled with tears. Then hung his
head. Luna put her arms around him. He nuzzled her neck as she brushed her
cheek against his.
Asher spoke up. “I will give him what he needs. He gave me his
blood. I can return the favor.” Luna started to protest but Asher held up a
hand. “I will not stand here and argue protocol when I am the only one willing
and able to do this.”
“It's late. Can you afford to do this so close to dawn?” The
Princess sounded concerned.
Asher returned her question with his own as he asked. “Will you do
it? Or how about you Doctor? You have told Nathaniel that he is not allowed.”
“Maggie is out of the question and you know how my beast is around
blood.” She replied.
The vampire nodded. “Yes. You have shown remarkable restraint.
That leaves Moi.”
“I don't have to like it.” Luna grumbled.
“Non.” He agreed.
Maggie offered. “I could send to the lab for some O negative
blood.”
The vampire looked at the doctor. “And who would bring it? Someone
Jean and Anita trusts no doubt. Then they will know where he lives as well. No
we cannot risk it.”
“Or if you're willing to trust me, I have someone who could bring
it.” The Princess offered. She was still trying to figure out a way to keep
Asher from having to donate.
He shook his head. “This is my choice. I want to do this.”
“I worry about what it will do to you.” Luna quietly responded.
He smiled. “I will survive.”
He opened his arms, inviting her in. He was quite surprised when
Maggie and Nathaniel joined in. It was one big group hug. It would have been
perfect for the cover of the After Dark newsletter. I watched all this in kind
of a drug-induced stupor.
I heard Nathaniel tell the vampire. “He doesn't like the taste of
blood. He'll probably fight you.”
“You can hold him down. You are strong enough.” He told the boy.
The young leopard nodded.
They turned in unison and headed toward me. Somehow I didn't think
a group hug was in the cards for me. I tried to move. Couldn't. What the hell
was in that shot? Nathaniel moved in behind me, holding my upper body against
his, his legs stretched out on either side of mine. Maggie moved to the foot of
the bed as Luna sat on my legs.
Asher’s voice surprised me so close. “You need blood. We cannot
take you to the hospital.” I started shaking my head. Asher stopped this by
placing his hands on either side of my face. “I will give you what you need.”
“No. I won't.” I tried to move again but it was useless.
“Look at me Nathan.” I closed my eyes instead so he snapped. “Look
at me!”
That caught all of us by surprise. I don't think anyone was used
to him yelling. I opened my eyes and he captured them with his own. I could
smell it just under his skin. I could almost taste the warm coppery fluid.
In my mind he whispered. “Do this. You need this. You want this.”
My heart was pounding. It kept time to the pulse in his neck. I
could taste it. Feel it.
“Do it now.” He said. Asher turned his head so that his neck was
stretched, the big pulse danced. Without warning, without any thought, I
struck, biting hard and drawing out his life force. I'd regret it later if I remembered.
I did remember Luna telling Nathaniel to drive Asher home and to
go home himself. I remember being helped to the bathroom and that was about it.
The Skoti had a good time with me while I slept. Not only did they
have Paul's death to use but now this whole mess with Richard. I was becoming
my own worst enemy.
To top it all off, when I woke up, Mitch was standing over me. He
had that I told you so look on his face but I guess when he noticed the pain
etched on my own face when I tried to move. His features softened some. He sat
down in one of the kitchen chairs that someone had brought in. Oh great. I was
about to get a fatherly lecture, not that I minded really. I was just glad to
be alive.
He told me. “The doctor told me what happened. You want to file
charges?”
I shook my head. “You know I can't do that. That would mean people
finding out what they are. They'd lose everything.”
“Acheron isn't happy.” He grumbled.
“Nothing I can do about that. I guess I should stop trying to be
nice.”
“Right.” Mitch sounded tired.
“I should be back to work on time tomorrow.” I assured him.
“Oh I doubt that, Mr. Elliott.” Maggie chimed in. She was standing
in the doorway. “I don't want those stitches torn.”
“I'll move slow.”
She shook her head. “You'll move nowhere.”
Mitch agreed. “She's right. Give it a few days. Let yourself
heal.”
I noticed that Luna was gone. “Where's the Princess?”
“Watching Smack Down.” She explained. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really. Thirsty.”
She smiled. “I'll bring you something.”
I sighed as she left. “Guess I was naive.”
Mitch looked from the empty doorway to me. “You tend to see the
good in people that others wouldn't. You are a child of the Fates after all.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“What? What? I need to get
going. I have a part-time deejay pulling your shift. He has assured your
listeners that it's only temporary.” He stood. “I'll come back in a couple of
days.”
“Sure. Okay.” He turned to go. “Hey Mitch?”
“Yes.” He turned back to face me.
“Thanks.”
“We have to stick together.” He told me then left as Maggie
brought in a coke and glass with ice in it.
“Thanks.” She actually smiled so I asked. “When can I move around
besides just to the bathroom?”
She looked at me critically. “I'd give it a couple of days. Luna
says you heal quick like a were.”
“I'm supposed to but I've been slow to heal here.”
She nodded. “You should eat something.
“Maybe later.” Luna walked in so I asked her. “Get tired of
staring at guys in spandex?” The corner of her mouth twitched. “Oh come on,
that was funny.”
The blond giggled. “She never kids about wrestling. I need to go
get some more supplies.”
Luna looked from her to me. “Do you think we can leave you alone
for an hour?”
“Princess, you can walk out that door and never come back as far
as I'm concerned.”
“Oh I won't be back, tonight anyway. You'll have another
babysitter.” She winked at me.
“Forget that. I don't need a babysitter.” I looked at the doctor.
“Just give me a shot and I'll sleep all night.”
She sighed. “Both of you grow up. I'll see you in an hour.” The
blond told me and left.
“I'd give you the shot. Just for kicks cause I like to watch you
squirm.” Luna told me. She laughed and left the room.
A few minutes later I heard the entry door open and close. I sat
up slowly and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. All kinds of pain hit me
but at least I didn't get sick or dizzy, point for me. Since I was on the
losing end of this game, any points I could get I'd take.
I made my way slowly to the dresser and took out a pair of
sweatpants and a tee shirt and made my way to the bathroom. It took me a good
ten minutes to get dressed but I finally accomplished it.
Leaving the bathroom, I walked into the living room. The tree was
still up. I needed to get rid of that. All of my CDs were on the kitchen table
along with Simi's oven mitt. I took another coke from the fridge and went
outside. I made sure that the door was unlocked first so that I could get back
in.
It was a nice night, not too chilly. I sat down on the porch steps
and thought about things. A taxi pulled up about twenty minutes later and my
neighbor Mai got out. She was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
She smiled when she saw me and joined me on the steps. “Haven't
seen you in a few days. Have you been on a trip?”
I shook my head. “I wish. Hurt my ribs. Been lying around.” Okay
it wasn't a total lie. “Had some friends in and out.”
She smiled. “I saw them. Should you be out here in the night air?”
“I needed to get up for a bit.”
She grabbed my can of coke and took a sip. “I'm starved. Want to
share a pizza?”
“Sure I'll buy.”
“I get the choice of toppings.” She quickly countered.
“No anchovies.”
“Gross!” She made a gagging sound. “I may be Asian but I'm not a
big fish eater.” I laughed and she asked. “Your place? Or mine?” I shrugged.
“Mine then.” She stood and offered her hand. I took it standing slowly. “I have
just the thing for those ribs too.”
She unlocked the door to her apartment and we went inside. I knew
it would probably cause a panic when my babysitters came back but I really
didn't care. Hell, maybe I'd tell them where I was. Maybe.