Thanks to my beta.
Tired though she was. Lub ya!
I looked back at the shifter. “Can you what?”
“Can I go home with you?”
He was serious. “Where would I put you? I only have one bed.”
“I can sleep
in the recliner. Please?”
“What about your girlfriend?” I didn’t need to give Ms. Blake
another reason to come after me.
He shrugged. “She has others to take care of her needs.” We walked
back into the control room as he told me. “I promise to be quiet and not touch
you.”
When I laughed and he didn't, I knew he was serious. He actually
looked like he would burst into tears if I said the wrong thing. “You don't
snore. Do you?”
His face lit up as he grinned. “No, but I tend to purr.” We both
laughed at that.
We actually had a lot of fun during the shift. He was a quick
learner. I thought about talking to Mitch about letting Nathaniel intern for a
while but that probably wouldn't go over good with the Master of the City or
the Blake woman. So at the end of my
shift we left the station in my car. He had gotten a friend to drop him off.
Walking into the apartment, I threw my keys on the breakfast bar
and my coat on the chair. He knew where
everything was, so I told him to help himself. I went into the bathroom then
walked across the hall to the bedroom and undressed. I was just sliding between
the sheets when Nathaniel walked in. He looked lost and lonely.
“You're sure you don't snore?”
He nodded so I pulled back the covers. “Come on then. You're by the
wall.” He grinned and stripped down to a pair of black boxers. Climbing in
behind me, he was still grinning. I smiled back as I asked, “Comfy?”
“Yes. Thanks for letting me stay, for letting me hang out.”
“Go to sleep. Talon wouldn't believe this.” I added, shaking my
head.
“Who's Talon?”
“Not tonight.”
“Will you tell me tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yes.”
He snuggled in behind me. Nope Talon wouldn't let me forget this
one.
The dreams were back. There was an even stranger twist this time.
I was in my brother’s place, floating down underneath the canopy when the
German fighter swooped in firing. It was just like before except the pilot was
no German. It was Anita Blake. I jerked upright, breathing hard.
I looked to the side where Nathaniel should have been. He was
gone. I got up too fast and almost hit the floor as my head swam. I steadied
myself and walked out to the living room. The place was spotless. The tree was
gone and something smelled really good.
Walking into the kitchen area, I found Nathaniel stirring
something in a pot on the stove. I didn't even know I had a pot.
He turned toward me and grinned. “I couldn't sleep. I got hungry.
You really need to shop. I had to go to the grocery.”
“You went to the grocery?”
“Yeah. You like chili?”
“Sure.” I walked back into my room, grabbed some clean clothes and
went to shower.
When I walked back out to the kitchen, Nathaniel had two bowls of
chili sitting on the table. The chili had cheese on top and he had set out a
bowl of tortilla chips. A can of coke sat beside each bowl.
He looked a bit nervous. “I wanted to do something nice for you.
For letting me stay.”
“You didn't have to. Looks good though. Thanks.” He sat down
opposite me and waited for me to take the first taste. I told him, “This is
great. Where did you learn to cook?”
“I cook all the time at Anita's. I like to do it. You really like
it?”
I nodded. “I do. It's really good.”
He smiled; It reached his eyes. “Will you tell me about Talon?”
“I'll make you a deal. I'll tell you all about my world if you'll
tell me about yours. Deal?”
“Deal. You start.”
“You asked about Talon.” Nathaniel nodded so I continued. “He's from
England. He's old.”
“How old?”
“Almost fifteen hundred years old. He's a Celt. His father was a
Druid priest. His mother was a queen of his people.”
“And he's like you?” He asked.
“He's a Hunter. Yes… Lives in the swamp… Has gators for pets.”
“I'd settle for a goldfish.”
I almost laughed until I saw how sad he was. But I had to admit
the thought of a leopard having a pet fish was funny.
I looked over at him. “Your turn. Micah said he was a Nimir-Raj.
What is that?”
“He's the Alpha Male and our leader. Micah is strong without
having to threaten people. He has a lot of power but he lets Anita make most of
the decisions. His pard and ours merged. It's a long story. Tell me about
Simi.”
“She's a demon. Acheron thinks of her as a daughter.”
“Where does she come from?”
“She's from Katoteros.” He frowned so I explained. “We all would
like to know that where that one is.” I looked at my watch. “I need to get to
work. You coming?”
“Jason is coming to pick me up. Can I come back one night?”
“You're always welcome here Nathaniel. Tell Asher, I'm fine.”
He sighed. “He'll want to see for himself.”
“Then he has to come to me.” I stood and grabbed my keys. “Be
careful and lock up.”
“I will.”
I left then. Somehow I knew this was going to be a regular occurrence.
That was okay. I needed to learn. Might as well teach a little too, and that's
how it got started. He'd meet me at the station when he wasn't busy or had to
work.
I told him as much as I could. The info I got from him was very
helpful, especially about the relationships that Anita Blake had formed with
the Vampires. He also told me that she could raise the dead, literally. Mitch
had said that she was someone to be avoided. I had tried.
I was surprised that she hadn't been there when Richard was doing
his best to make me chopped steak. I could just picture her on the sidelines
cheering with each gash formed.
I had been so busy with work and giving Nathaniel lessons about my
world that I hadn't really had time to think about much else. I had done a few
remotes during my shift for the station. It was a good way to meet people and
have a little fun, instead of being cooped up in the control room.
Sundays I still went to light a candle for the lost. One
particular Sunday, May eighth, after going to church, I stopped at a bookstore
to find something to read and grab a Mocha. I was sitting in the cafe part of
the store when someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Mai. She was back. She
bought herself a latte and joined me.
“How was your trip?” I asked.
“It was interesting. You staying out of trouble?”
“I AM trouble. Just ask Ash.”
She smiled. “How is the old guy?”
“What can I say?” I shrugged. “Same as always.”
“Figures.” She took a sip of her latte and sighed. “You must have
a lot of questions.”
“Nope. Just one. How was it that you happened to get an apartment
next to mine? Who sent you?”
“That's two questions.” She smiled. “I needed an apartment. The
one next to you was available. As for
who sent me, I can't say.”
“Well you aren't a Hunter. Katagari. Maybe a Sentinel.” Mai smiled
at the last so I asked, “I'm close?”
“Close enough that we need to stop this conversation. Feel like
walking?”
“Sure.”
We left the bookstore. I placed the bag that held three books that
I had purchased in the Viper and locked it up. Then we walked up the street
past the rows of shops.
“You still have control over your eye color.” She asked.
“Only turn Hunter chic when I'm in a fight or angry.”
“The sun? Can you still travel in the daylight?”
I shrugged. “It's getting harder. When I first got here, I didn't
go crispy.”
“We were wondering how this world would affect you.”
“We?”
“You were sent here for a purpose Nathan.”
“Want to shed some light on that?”
She shook her head. “The only thing I can tell you is that it is
for good.”
“Then Artemis can't be involved, for sure.” Mai laughed. I had
another thought. “Hey is the mall open this late?”
“I think until nine. Why?”
“I need to go to the pet store. I want to get something for a
friend.” I smiled.
“We have to take your car. Unless you want to ride the bus.”
“My car is fine.”
We turned and walked back to where I parked the Viper. It only
took about twenty minutes to get to the mall on the outskirts of town. We
looked around a bit before we went to the pet store.
The clerk was really helpful. I ended up with a five-gallon tank,
two goldfish, food and supplies. Mai had fun picking out the color of the
gravel and the plants that would go into the tank. She carried the fish in
their little plastic bag. I carried everything else, which I set on the roof of
the Viper as I fumbled for my keys. I hit the button on the key chain and the
auto locks opened. I set the stuff behind the seat and got in.
“Any place you want to go?” I asked as Mai got in.
“How about we pick up some Chinese and go back to your place?”
“Hmmm. A Sentinel in my apartment.” I thought aloud.
“You aren't a rogue for me to hunt. Yet.”
“Chinese you said?” She laughed at my diversion.
We went to a place called Dragon's. We ordered enough to feed a
small army and then drove back to the apartment. I was surprised to see the
lights on. I knew I'd turned them off. I felt him as soon as I got to the front
step. Hunger. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open the door.
Mai took the keys from my hand, unlocked the door and we walked
in. I stood there frozen. Nathaniel was standing by the breakfast bar, his face
neutral. The recliner swiveled to reveal Asher. His ice blue eyes fixed on me.
Mai cleared her throat. I let out a sigh and made introductions. I walked over
and set the tank and stuff on the bar.
I smiled at Nathaniel. “Now you have a goldfish. Well two
actually.” He hugged me. “Just be sure you come over to clean the tank and feed
them.”
“Thank you!” He was acting like a kid on Christmas.
“Sure.”
Mai walked over to him.
“Want to help me get these guys into the tank?”
Nathaniel nodded. They went about fixing up the tank. I walked
over to the recliner where
Asher was still sitting. His pull was strong. It was all I could
do to remain standing and even that failed eventually.
I knelt in front of him as I asked, “Why haven't you fed?”
“You are what I want. You said whatever I needed.”
“And what is that? What do you need, Asher?”
Nathaniel spoke up then. “Jean Claude says that Asher can't feed
from you anymore.”
I turned to him. “Why not?” Nathaniel turned back to the fish
tank. I looked back at Asher. “Why not?”
“He believes that you have corrupted me.”
“Have I? Or is it the other way around? If you need to feed, I'm
here.”
“Nathan.” Mai broke in.
I held up a hand to silence her. “Luna said that Asher and I share
a bond. Is that true Asher?”
He nodded. “Oui. It was not intentional but necessary.”
“You saved my life. I am grateful. Tell me what you want.” I
implored.
When he didn't answer I stood and walked away. I told the others
to lock up when they left. I was lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling
when Mai and Nathaniel came in. I glanced over at the pair, annoyed. Nathaniel
gave me a look and walked out.
Mai sat down on the edge of the bed. “Are you just going to let
him sit out there?”
“What do you suggest?”
“You know what he needs. Give it to him.”
I looked at her. “You want Acheron to kill me?”
“He won't.”
I shook my head. “I wish I had your confidence.”
“He has been on this earth a long time Nathan. Intentional or not,
he saved your life. He deserves more than one of your tantrums.”
I stared at her. “Tantrums? You got me confused with Zarek.”
“That's a whole different subject.”
I got up and walked out to the living room. Nathaniel was sitting
watching his fish swimming around the tank. Asher was gone.
The shifter looked up at me. “He went for a walk.”
Oh crap. I went after the vampire. Finally catching up a block
away, I grabbed his arm. He spun grabbing my throat. I managed to squeak out
his name just as recognition caught hold in his mind. Asher needed to feed.
Damn the Mayor! I moved close to him. He was cool to the touch.
“Feed Asher. It's okay.” I told him.
“I cannot. You are forbidden to me.”
“Bullshit! What are you?
Three?” He started to answer but I interrupted. “Never mind. It was a
rhetorical question. Asher you can't run around out here like this. You're
hungry, ready to tear into anyone.”
“I have that under control.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you? You almost took my head off. I don't
call that control.”
“You barely know me, to judge me that way.”
“Fine! Go on then! Attack some innocent but know this Asher, if
the cops don't take you out, I will.”
I turned back toward the apartment. I wanted him so angry that he
would come after me. It worked. The next thing I knew I was on my back on the
sidewalk. He didn't roll me this time. He struck and fed. It hurt like hell.
The last thought I had before the calm of darkness was of how many ways I could
fry the Master of the City.
I woke about mid-afternoon. The blinds were down so the room was
cool and semi-dark. I lay there, letting my eyes focus and listening to my own
heart beating. That was a good sign; that it was beating. I was alone as far as
I could tell. The clock on the nightstand read three pm. I got up slowly,
walked over and switched on the light. I'd shower, have something to eat and
then get ready for work.
Hopefully ever body would just leave me alone. Mai had left a note
on the table. Nathaniel had driven Asher back to the District and she had gone
home after putting some salve on my neck. She had class to teach at the Dojo
and would call me at the station to check up on me.
I had a bagel with strawberry flavored cream cheese and coffee,
and waited for the sun to go down. The bite had practically healed already. My
Dark Hunter abilities were coming back. I hoped my eyes stayed hazel, didn't
need to spook the normals. I left the apartment at six-thirty. I drove to the
station and that was the start of a very bad night.