Simon bowed his head. "Pardon. I had forgotten the frailty of humans." He leaned down and sliced the rope with his fingernails.
The man jumped to his feet and took a few steps away from us. He rubbed his wrists and looked from one of us to the other. "So you guys with Rufus or what?"
Simon shook his head. "No. We have our own motives for coming to your rescue."
The man smiled and shook his head. "I'll admit I was in a pretty rough spot. Those assholes didn't like me showing off to-well, to somebody, and they were gonna beat me pretty bad for it." His eyes flickered to me and he frowned. "Then you showed up and-" His eyes widened.
He reached up and patted his neck. His eyes widened, and he lowered his hand to see two smeared streaks of blood on his fingers. He whipped his head to me, the blood, and back to me. The man stumbled back and pulled the chair with him to place between us.
"W-what the fuck are you? Some sort of a weirdo?" he questioned me.
Simon stepped closer to him. "I have already informed you we are vampires, and from your words I must assume you are Bo Macon."
The man frowned. "That's 'Swift,' not Bo." Simon moved closer to him. Swift scooted back with his protection chair. "Stay back! I'm not gonna be dealing with any vampires!"
Simon chuckled. "Would you rather we return you to Rufus and his gentlemen? I am sure they would be eager to resume their association, and any unfinished business, between you."
Swift straightened and eyed Simon. "What's your deal, Mr. Vampire? I'm guessing you didn't come here to save my hide out of the kindness of your dead heart."
Simon smiled. "You are quite right. We would like to assume a business contract with you and-" he gestured to the vehicle, "-your impressive car."
Swift scoffed. "So you want the Shadow, too, huh?"
"If that is the name of the vehicle, then yes."
The human swept his eyes over us. Behind Simon stood Certus. Swift nodded at him. "Is he a vampire, too?"
Simon opened his mouth, but paused and tilted his head to one side. "Unfortunately, there isn't time for proper introductions on our part. It seems Rufus has gathered his forces and means to surround us."
I whipped my head to Simon and frowned. "You didn't take care of them."
His half-lidded eyes fell on me. "Your mental screams were impossible to ignore, and I was forced to disengage before my work was finished."
I turned away and pursed my lips. Simon returned his attention to Swift. "Will you accept my contract, or remain here?"
Swift frowned. "I don't know. What's the fine print say?"
A voice over a bullhorn broke the silence outside the building. "Whoever the hell you are, get the fuck out of there and drop to the ground! Otherwise we're gonna come in there and you're not gonna like what we'll do to you!"
Swift scoffed and rubbed his bruised face. "Like we're gonna like what they do to us outside."
Simon turned to him. "Then do we have an agreement?"
Swift nodded. "Yeah, but on one condition. Whatever you want with me and the Shadow, I get to keep the car. Agreed?"
Simon smiled and bowed his head. "Agreed. Will you two escape through the front or rear?"
Swift blinked at him. "What two?"
Simon nodded at me. "She will accompany you and lead you to my home. You, and your vehicle, will be safe there."
I started back and glared at him. "Are you crazy? I nearly sucked that guy dry once already!"
"Like hell I'm going in a car with a girl who tried to kill me!" Swift agreed.
Simon met my gaze. "You cannot escape this garage on your own without being seriously harmed. The only way for you to escape unharmed is to leave inside the armored vehicle."
I winced. My eyes flickered to Swift. He still looked pale. "But I-"
Simon stepped up to me and grasped my chin. He tilted my head up so I stared into his eyes. "Prove to me your nature can be what you choose it to be."
He dropped my chin and strode towards the door. Certus followed him. The pair paused at the entrance and Simon half-turned to us. "We will distract them so they cannot follow you, but a quick leave would be advisable." And with that the pair stepped outside and shut the door behind them.
The man with the bullhorn sounded angry. "Now get on the ground! I said get the fuck on the-aah!" The scream was followed by gunshots and yelling.
Swift's eyes fell on me. "You promise not to give me another hicky?" I turned to him and pursed my lips. He smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. What's a little blood between business partners?" The noises outside grew louder. He jerked his head to the car. "Come on. Let's get out of here before Rufus turns the big guns on them, and us."
My pulse quickened. "Bigger guns?"
Swift grabbed my hand and yanked me towards the car. "Let's just say they're not legal, at least not in most countries."
Swift paused to swipe the keys from one of his beaters, and we slipped into the car. The interior was tight, but comfortable, with a rear seat and two in front. The dash had a few more dials than the usual car, and there was a small square screen where the CD player should have been.
In the small confines of the cab my sensitive nose picked up on the smell of his dried blood. I slapped my hands over my mouth and nose.
Swift turned the ignition and the car roared to life. He grinned and put the car into gear. "Purrs like a dream." He glanced over to me and frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head, but didn't drop my hands. "Nothing. Just get us out of here."
"Yes, ma'am," he agreed.
Swift pressed a few of the buttons and the screen lit up. The screen was split into four camera views, one for each corner of the car. He slammed on the gas and the car sped off.
Except it sped off backwards. The seat belt cut into my chest and I clung to the dash in front of me as we went in reverse. The rear of the car slammed into the back wall. The vehicle's tough plating cut through the metal siding like a can opener. The gunmen who surrounded the rear fired at us, but the bullets ricocheted off the thick armor. They jumped out of the way and made a convenient path for us.
Swift slammed on the brakes and spun the wheel. The car slid a full ninety degrees and came to a stop, but not for long. He slammed on the gas pedal and the car jumped forward. Men in black suits leapt out of our path while the guards from the fence leapt onto the hood of the car. They lay flat on the hood and shot point-blank at the windshield. The bullets bounced off the glass, but left large ripples on the exterior surface.
Swift grabbed the stick. "Hold on!"
I clutched onto either side of the bucket seat as he shifted into a faster gear. The car leapt forward and the lighter rear began to fish-tail, sending the car into left-and-right convulsions. The men on the hood were thrown off and we had a clear view of the chain-link fence towards which we careened.
I jabbed a finger at the oncoming barrier. "Fence!"
"Not for long!"
Swift stepped on the gas and we slammed into the metal links. They curled back and snapped, opening a hole for the car. We bounced onto the road. Swift turned a sharp left and right, and we shot past the black limo in a few seconds.
I looked behind us. Nobody followed. We were alive. Mostly.
CHAPTER 7
I slumped into my seat and breathed a deep, heavy sigh.
Swift's eyes flickered to me. "You okay?"
I gave a nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just not used to all this excitement." A fresh waft of his dried blood hit my nostrils. I pinched my nose and shuddered as the familiar hunger growled inside of me.
"You know, you don't look like the type to suck people's blood because you want to," he commented.
My voice sounded squeaky with my nose pinched. "Let's just say I said 'yes' when I should have said 'no.'"
That got a chuckle out of him. "So where are we headed, anyway? This thing doesn't have much gas after my test drive."
I turned to him and blinked. "How should I know?"
&
nbsp; He frowned. "Because that one guy said you would. That tall, creepy one. What is his name, anyway?"
I sighed. "Simon Cruor."
"Sounds like a vampire's name." His eyes flickered back to me and a sly smile slipped onto his lips. "What about you? What's your handle?"
I snorted. "I just tried to drain you dry less than ten minutes ago, and now you act like you want my number?"
He shrugged. "Gotta get 'em while I've still got time. You never know when you'll hit a bad corner and take your last tumble. Anyway, where are we going?"
"The Park Place Avenue Penthouse, 30th floor," I told him.
Swift whistled. "That's a pretty snazzy place. Is it yours or your boyfriend's?"
I choked on my spittle and whipped my head to Swift. "He's not my boyfriend!"
Swift held up his hands in front of him which caused the car to swerve and bump onto the sidewalk. We hit a stop sign before he grabbed the wheel and pulled us back onto the road.
I glared at him and stabbed my finger in the direction of the windshield. "Are you trying to kill us!"
He grinned and winked at me. "That'd be something for a vampire and her apprentice, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not dead yet, and you're not going to be a vampire."
He shrugged. "Ah well. I kind of like the idea of driving around at night, but I suppose that'd finish off most of my racing in the day, huh?"
"Yeah."
We reached the penthouse garage without any more incidents. The valet recognized me and let us in to park near Simon's spot. The limo was still gone. I led our 'guest' into the elevator and to the penthouse. That, however, wasn't so easy to get into.
I jiggled the handle and frowned. Locked. I turned to Swift. "You happen to know a quick locksmith?"
He smiled and pulled a hairpin from his pocket. "I've got something better."
"Terrible fashion sense?" I quipped.
He chuckled as he stepped up to the door and knelt in front of the lock. "It's actually from my-well, from a close friend." He turned the pin this way and that for a few seconds. I heard a click and he stood and turned the knob. The door swung open. He turned to me with a grin on his face. "After-"
"Get down!" I yelped.
I jumped him and slammed both of us to the floor. I'd seen a dark shadow in the doorway, and whatever it was lunged at Swift. The dark thing flew over us. I shivered as its shadow left a cold chill over my body. We climbed to our feet as the shadow thing stopped between us and the elevator. It turned and revealed a pair of white eyes.
"What the hell is that?" Swift asked me.
I shook my head and stepped back towards the open penthouse door. "I don't know, but I really don't think it likes what you did."
The elevator doors swung open to reveal Simon and Certus. I was never so relieved to see their two pale faces. Simon stepped out of the elevator and his eyes fell on the shadow.
"Recede," he called out.
The shadow floated backwards into the wall. I clutched my chest and glared at him. "What was that thing?"
Simon smiled and strode past us into the penthouse. "Merely a deterrent for thieves." Swift and I followed Certus and Simon into the living room. Simon gestured to the couch. "If you would please have a seat we can begin official negotiations for your contract with me."
Swift plopped himself into a chair and shrugged. "I don't know about working for vampires. I mean, she's nice when she's not chewing on me-" he jerked his thumb at me, "-but you-" he pointed at Simon. "I can see you're a different breed. And that 'dog' of yours kind of settles it."
Simon chuckled. "I have counted on your hesitation." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
A familiar voice picked up. "What news, dark and gruesome?" Swift jumped to his feet and his eyes widened.
"We have retrieved your brother," Simon told her.
Swift pointed a shaky finger at the phone. "Is that Rota?"
"Is he still in one piece?" Rota wondered.
Simon's eyes flickered to Swift and a sly smile curled onto his lips. "More or less, though Rufus's men were somewhat rough with him."
"Rufus!" she screamed. Swift cringed and shrank back into his chair. "What the hell was he doing with that asshole?"
"Perhaps he can explain," Simon suggested. He held the phone out to Swift. "Your sister wishes to speak with you."
Swift reluctantly took the phone and placed it against his ear. "Hey, Sis."
"What the hell were you doing messing with Rufus?" she screamed.
He winced. "I was just supposed to test-drive that car of his. How was I supposed to know he'd go back on his deal and wouldn't let me leave with my money?"
"Because you can't trust him as far as you can throw his fat body, that's why!" she snapped at him.
Swift's face drooped. "Come on, Sis, give me some credit. They haven't found out yet."
A growl reverberated through the phone. "Give me back to Simon before I reach through this phone and bitch-slap you like you deserve."
Swift tossed the hot potato back to its own who deftly caught the phone and held it against his ear. "What're you going to do with him now, gruesome?"
"There is a small errand I wish for him to perform, and then I will hand him into your care," Simon told her.
Rota snorted. "Oh hell no, he's not coming here. If those thugs find out we're related this'll be the first place they'll come looking for him. You keep him."
"Sis!" Swift whined.
"Don't 'Sis' me! You got yourself into this mess, and you're stuck in it!" Rota snapped. She took a deep breath and lowered her volume a couple decibels. "Take care of him for me, will ya, gruesome? He's an idiot, but he's the best driver there is."
Simon chuckled. "I will be certain to treat him with a careful hand."
"And don't get him killed, permanently or otherwise," she insisted.
"I will try my best." Simon hung up the phone and glanced at our new comrade. "It appears you have two choices."
Swift frowned. "What are they?"
"You can either help us in our endeavor, or-" Simon swept his hand towards the door, "-you may leave."
Swift arched an eyebrow. "You'd just let me go? Just like that?"
Simon bowed his head. "Just like that."
Swift stood and glanced around us. "Well, it was nice knowing you guys. Well, some of you guys, but I really need to get going." He walked backwards towards the door. "Me and the Shadow need to go make some trouble and shit like that."
"Did I forget to mention the car remains with me?" Simon spoke up.
Swift stopped dead in his tracks and narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is this? You said I could go."
Simon chuckled. "And you may, but the vehicle remains in my possession. Think of it as payment for saving your life."
"I'm not leaving without my car," Swift insisted.
"Then you must remain here, and in order to remain here you must accept the position I offer you," Simon told him.
Swift frowned. "So that's how this works, is it?"
"Yes."
Swift crossed his arms and glared at Simon. "You're a real fucker, you know that?"
A sly smile graced Simon's lips. "I have been told that several times."
"Well, it still sticks," Swift told him.
"Then you will accept my invitation?"
Swift dropped his arms and pursed his lips. "Like I have a choice."
Simon bowed his head. "Excellent. Then we need only gather our other resources and prepare for the coming evening."
I glanced at Simon. "Other resources?"
"We have one more companion with whom to speak, and if he agrees we rest for the heist."
My shoulders sank and I sighed. "Perfect. So what strange and rare creature are we getting now? Nessy? A leprechaun? An honest politician?"
Simon chuckled. "No. He is rather a plain sort of creature, and one who will be familiar to you."
CHAPTER 8
We left Swift in the care of Certus
and drove Simon's smaller black car to the house Simon owned at the edge of town. I stepped out and glanced over the roof at Simon.
"So we're getting Specter?" I guessed.
Simon looked in the direction of the graveyard. His lips were pursed, and he nodded. "Yes."
I followed his gaze and arched an eyebrow. "Why's he always here?"
Simon shut his door and strode towards the path that led to the house. "He is buried here."
I hurried to catch up and settled into his stride at his side. "In that old graveyard? He doesn't dress like he was buried under one of those headstones."
The corners of Simon's lips twitched. "His burial was rather an informal affair. If you wish to know more of the matter you might ask him the details."
I frowned and turned away from him. "Typical. . ."
We reached the cemetery and walked past the headstone where we found Maeve and Specter the other night. In front of us between the trees the river glistened in the bright moonlight. The silhouettes of the gravestones stood out like round white rocks against the dark waters. One of the graves had a transparent form seated atop the headstone. Specter sat atop the stone with his hands nestled on the top and his legs crossed. He gazed out across the river at the bright lights of the city.
Simon stopped us five feet from our spectral friend and bowed. "Good evening."
Specter didn't turn around when he spoke. "You want me to help you with something." It was a statement rather than a question.
Simon straightened and nodded his head. "Yes."
Specter glanced over his shoulder. "So what's in it for me?"
"A change in scenery," Simon offered.
Specter shrugged and returned to viewing the river. "The river's not so bad. Sometimes it's fun just sitting here counting the dead cows that come floating by. The guys like to dump them at night, so there's a lot to count."
"What if I were to offer you a monetary reward that would be transferred into Maeve's bank account?" Simon offered.
Specter stiffened. His voice was tense. "Would she know it was from you, or me?"
"Would our previous arrangement be preferable?" Simon asked him.
Specter tilted back his head and looked up at the stars. I glanced between Simon and our spectral friend. "What arrangement?" I whispered.
Specter lowered his head and shrugged. "Why not? I've got nothing to lose." He spun around atop the gravestone and faced us with a smile. "So how are you trying to get your girlfriend killed now?"