Thanks once again to
my muse. Enjoy. Or Not.
Mai's
apartment had that homey look to it. There were bookshelves and curio cabinets.
A large dark blue sofa and matching chair took up most of the space. She had a
nice home entertainment center, state of the art. There was even artwork on the
walls.
One of the cabinets held what looked like Greek pottery. The other
held her trophies. I stood looking at those. She was an eighth degree black
belt in Jujitsu and had belts in several of the other martial arts. She was not
someone you'd want to make angry.
I turned around to find her standing in front of the breakfast bar
that separated the small kitchen from the living room, watching me. “I ordered
a large meat lovers and a chicken and garlic. Are those okay?”
I nodded. “Sounds great. I need to go over and grab my wallet.”
She looked from me to the door. “Why don't you tell me where it is
and I'll get it.”
“Why?”
She threw me a critical stare. “Because you look like you're about
to fall over.”
“I think I can make it but if you'd like to go with...” I was
almost at the door when a wave of nausea hit me.
I had to lean against the wall. Mai came over, took my arm and
walked me to the sofa. I hated being hurt but I hated appearing weak even more.
“You park it Mr. Tough Guy. I'll go.” She didn’t sound like it was
an optional offer so I sat. “Where is it?”
“Nightstand in my bedroom.”
“I'll be back. Then you can tell me what's really wrong.” She
turned and left with me staring after her.
I had the feeling I was going to get grilled, especially if the
doctor had left anything behind. How could I tell her what had happened? One,
she probably wouldn't believe me. Two, I really didn't want to cause Richard's
people any problems. Just Richard, oh yeah and a certain jerk of a
vampire. Maybe it would have been
better to have waken in the void.
One thing was for sure. I wasn't going back to the District, not
by choice. Maybe it was my turn to play with their heads. What I wouldn't give to be back in New
Orleans, just patrolling and having fun.
It sucked not knowing what was going on back home. Mitch had said that
there was a lot of Daimon activity. I wished Acheron would let me know
something. Even Simi had been vague.
The door opened and Mai came back in. She walked over, handed me the wallet, and shook her head. She
went into the kitchen and came back with two Heineken. I wasn't so sure I
should have alcohol but took the bottle of beer.
She sat down near me. “So, how badly hurt are you?”
“Badly enough that I can't go to work for a few days.” I shrugged.
“What happened?”
“Some guys jumped me, when I was leaving one of the clubs in the
District.” I admitted.
“Which club?”
I took a deep breath and regretted it. Letting it out slowly, I
explained. “Guilty Pleasures. I'd gone down to give someone a disc. One of the callers to the station is a
dancer down there. He asked if I'd make a disc of music for him, stuff that he
liked that he had heard on my show.”
“You're a deejay?”
“Yeah. Overnight at 93X.” She smiled as I continued. “Anyway
that's the gist of it.”
“How did you get home?” She sounded concerned.
“The club manager had someone bring me home, even sent a doctor to
look after me and that's about it.”
She nodded. “Bad publicity.”
“I guess.”
She stared at me a moment before asking again. “You're a deejay?”
“Yes. Why do you find that so hard to believe?”
“You're built like a soldier. You work out?” She relaxed back a
bit with her drink as she asked.
“Been known to. Didn't help much the other night. Course there
were more of them than there was of me.” I laughed shaking my head. “Been the
way lately.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Not a big vampire fan.” I offered.
“Why are you here in St. Louis?”
“I was sent here.”
She smiled oddly. “Me too.”
Before I could quiz her, we heard footsteps heading for the
building. It hadn't been long enough for the pizza to arrive. Then I heard my
door open and close. I put my finger to my lips and whispered for her to
listen.
The doctor was actually yelling for me. Whoever was with her was
probably on the phone to somebody. After a few minutes, my apartment door
opened again and the footsteps went the other way, to a car I suspected.
“Why did you do that?” She asked when the front walk was once
again silent.
“Because I'm tired of being a rat in a cage. They'll be back.
Someone will. Look thanks for the beer.” I stood up to leave.
“Just sit. The pizza will be here soon. I can't eat it all by
myself.”
I shook my head. “I don't want you caught in the middle of my
problems.”
“Trust me, I am very vigilant. Besides I'm offering food and talk.
You look like you could use a good ear.”
“Just a better functioning brain.” I told her.
She took my hand and pulled me back down on the sofa. My back hit
the sofa's arm and the pain resurfaced. I cursed Richard and his wolves in a
language I didn't even recognize. Something warm ran down my back and I knew
some of the stitches had popped.
Mai was suddenly on her feet. “Lie down.”
“I need to get back to my place.” I argued weakly.
“Lie down Nathan. Don't make me put you down, on your stomach. I
want to see your back.”
The look on her face told me she meant business. What was it with
the women here? Did they all have something to prove? I did what I was told. I
was getting good at that. She lifted the tee shirt over my head and told me not
to move. I heard her walk across the room and down the tiny hall to either the
bathroom or bedroom.
She was back in a couple of minutes. She then went to the kitchen
and ran some water. The scents of vanilla and heather filled the apartment. The
aroma was nice and soothing. She apologized in advance for hurting me. That
registered just before she started tearing off the bandages. I heard something
like water dripping into water before another scent filled the air, Eucalyptus.
“Are you an herbalist too?” I couldn’t help asking.
“My grandfather taught me about the old Chinese healing arts. He
wanted me to be a doctor.”
“Why didn't you?”
“I went through the motions but got bored with it after awhile.
This may sting but trust me it will help.” She warned me. Then she took a soft
cloth and started to gently wipe whatever she had concocted over my back. It
felt cool and then warm. “What did this to you?”
“Wolves. Be careful because I'm not sure if I can be infected.”
“You can't.”
I turned my head so that I could get a look at her. “What do you
mean I can't?”
She just smiled. Her hair was hanging down like a dark curtain. I
reached over and took a few strands in my fingers. I loved the feel of it.
Either she was very intent on taking care of the wounds, or she didn't mind.
The heather was making me drowsy. She was humming something. I didn't recognize
it. I was almost out when the doorbell rang.
“We'll leave the bandages off and let your back dry.” She said as
she stood and went to answer the door. It was the pizza.
The delivery guy was staring at me. “What happened to him?”
“He left the toilet seat up.” She told him with what sounded like
a straight face.
The guy’s eyes got huge. Mai paid him and gave him a tip before
closing the door. She turned with two huge pizza boxes in her hands and a
mischievous grin on her face. I had to laugh.
She motioned to me. “You lie still. I'll get some plates and
another beer. We can watch the Sci-Fi channel.”
“Sure.”
Two hours later we had gone through quite a bit of the pizza and a
six-pack. We were watching Andromeda when we heard car doors slam.
“I'd better get back, before they come looking for me.” I sighed.
She shook her head. “You're how old? You can crash here on the
sofa until morning.”
“Or you could come over to my place.” I offered.
She gave me a funny look. “Don't take this wrong but you seriously
lack in decorating skills. Where would I sleep?” I gave her a wicked grin so
she countered. “I'm not so sure you could back that up at the moment.”
“You're probably right.” I eased up to a sitting position before
telling her. “ Thank you.” I kissed her cheek. “I owe ya.”
“You never know when I'll collect.” She winked at me. Standing I
walked over to the door. Mai followed, handing me my shirt and wallet as she
told me. “If you need me…”
I smiled. “I know.”
Opening the door, I walked outside and crossed the porch to my
apartment.
My door opened and Asher was standing there. He didn't look amused
and neither did the doctor. Noah, who was standing by the breakfast bar, was
just smirking. Before any of them could start in on me I went to the bathroom
then went to lie down. Asher walked in a few minutes later.
He sat down in the chair by the bed. “You should not have worried
the doctor so.”
Turning to look at him, I said. “Sorry dad. Next time I'll leave
breadcrumbs or something.”
“They were worried that you had been taken.”
“If Richard comes here I'm gonna neuter the bastard.” Asher
chuckled at my warning as I told him. “I'm sorry that they dragged you over here.”
“No one dragged me here.” He shook his head.
“You enjoy my company that much?”
He smiled. “Oui. I do enjoy your company. You are different from
most people I deal with.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
He looked confused. “It was how it was meant.”
“You're too formal. Lighten up.” He raised an eyebrow so I
explained. “I forgot Old French dudes don't know how to lighten up.” I stood up to take off my clothes. I didn't
want to sleep in the sweats and the tee had blood on it. Throwing the clothes
in a basket in the corner, I turned to see Asher watching me. “You need to
feed?”
The vampire smiled sadly. “Non. Besides you are too weak. It would
only add to your healing time.”
“Are you going to spend the night? You could tell me a bedtime
story.” I grinned.
He laughed. Maggie and Noah came in.
I laid down pulling the sheet up. “Everybody just go home. I'm
okay.”
The blonde woman shook her head. “I need to check you over.”
I sighed. “Really, I wish you all would just leave me alone. I
don't need a babysitter and I definitely…” Looking at the doctor, I added,
“don't want to be drugged again.”
Noah stood beside the woman, almost protectively. “You always
whine when you're hurt?”
“Do you? We could always find out.” My question earned me a growl.
Maggie snapped. “Children.”
I told my visitors. “All I need is sleep. I'll heal. Now go.”
The woman looked like she was really close to pouting. “Luna won't
like this.”
I shook my head. “The Princess doesn't give a damn if I live or
die. Just go. Please.” The doctor and Noah left the room. Asher sat looking at
me a bit longer before standing. “Asher, if you need me tell Nathaniel to let
me know.”
He nodded. “If I just want to talk?”
“Anything, blood, conversation, let me know. You're always welcome
here.” I assured him.
“Thank you Nathan.” He turned and left.
After they left I went through the apartment turning off lights
and locking the door. Lying in bed later, I couldn't sleep. My mind was too
busy. I needed to talk to Acheron. Hell
I'd settle for Val or Talon. I finally
drifted off around Seven AM. The dreams didn't come. Why, I wasn't sure. Maybe
my link to my world was severed. No. They wouldn't do that. At least I hoped
not.