~*~*~
I spent the next few hours giving my statement and answering the same questions over and over. No one found any trance of Simon or Angie. With Hill and Balicki as my escorts I packed a duffel bag full of clothes. I took some jeans, a suit, a few blouses, and two pairs of shoes. I slipped on some socks and my running shoes. I grabbed my leather jacket, pulling it on over my jersey. I was going to my parents'. No vampire would get an invitation into that house under false pretenses.
Balicki and Hill followed me all the way to Naperville. By the time I pulled into my parents' driveway it was almost two am. I waved at the BSB agents when I was safely over the threshold of the house.
An excited Sasha greeted me. I dropped my bag and scooped her up. I pulled my phone out of my purse.
Chris picked up on third ring. “Hey. You just getting up?”
“Not exactly. When you get home there's going to be some police tape over my bedroom door.”
“Uh...”
“I'm at my parents'.”
“I'm glad you're safe, but I was on my way home. Are you saying I'm not safe to go there?”
“The police are watching the place. And I've vacated the premises. You should be fine.”
A long sigh came through the ear piece. “I'm slightly more worried about you.”
“I'll be fine.” Eventually. “I'll talk to you later.”
I disconnected without listening to anything else he may want to say. I didn't feel like sleeping. Not after my rude awakening. To feel safer I pulled the stake out of my purse and tucked it into my waistband. I turned on the TV to watch whatever horrible movie was showing this late. I settled down on the couch. Sasha jumped into my lap, glad of my presence. I was equally glad of hers.
We'd barely gotten into a Godzilla movie when Sasha stood up in my lap. Her hackles were up and she emitted a low growl. I muted the TV to listen.
At first I didn't hear anything. But Sasha's growl continued. Then I heard a light tap on one of our windows. I got off the couch to investigate. I pulled the stake from my waistband, poising it for attack.
I circled the bottom floor of the house. Sasha kept her watchful position on the couch, her entire body alert. I went room by room. First the kitchen. Nothing out the windows. Then the dining room. Status quo. Nothing weird in the bathroom, except my mom's taste in magazines. Back in the living room everything was as I left it. If Sasha wasn't so alert I'd think I imagined the whole thing.
I went to the big picture window that faced the street. I surveyed the bushes. Nothing. I turned back to Sasha. Her ears were flat against her head. She barked once. I turned back around to see Simon staring at me through the window.
I stumbled backwards, landing flat on my butt. His wounds had healed, including the burn marks from my holy water infused blood and the blessed bat. He'd fed since I last saw him. A thought that made me shiver. Sasha jumped off the couch. She was a streak of tan and white, barking incessantly at the window. Simon made a motion for quiet with a finger to his lips. I could hear footsteps above us. I opened my mouth to call for help, but Simon pulled a very ragged looking Bridget into my view. Her eyes were wide in the dark. The moon's light illuminated her fear. My dad would come down and his presence could mean bad things for Bridget.
“It's just me!” I cried loud enough that Simon nodded his approval.
“Samantha?” My dad called down the stairs. The upstairs hall light flicked on.
“Go back to bed. I just came to see Sasha.” I grabbed Sasha by the scruff of her neck. “Shh!” She whimpered and nervously licked her chops.
I heard some unintelligible curses from upstairs. At least the light when out. I heard his footsteps go back into his room.
Outside the window Simon crooked a finger at me. I showed him the stake. And I showed him my gauzed up hand, reminding him I had more weapons at my disposal, ones not so easily stripped away.
I pulled myself up and went outside. I left my bat inside. If Simon wanted to attack he'd have broken my neck the second I came outside. Jessica and Melvin lurked around the Rav. Simon had a firm hold on Bridget.
“Caught her taking out the trash. Agacia has some confidence in you two. And don't lie and say Samantha is your caseworker,” he said, giving Bridget a shake.
Jessica moved closer to me. I raised my stake. She just laughed. Her teeth shone brightly. She was on the hunt, ready for my blood. I didn't move. My blood had burned Simon. Let her try to take it.
“Jessica,” he said. “The witch spelled her. Her blood is tainted. They're both tainted.”
Jessica looked at me. I stuck my tongue out.
“Very mature,” Simon quipped. “If you give me Agacia's file this will be all over.” Except for me. Who would soon suffer a case of the deads by Angie's hands.
“Let Bridget go,” I hissed.
“No. You hold something I want. I hold something you want.”
“I'm not a something!” Bridget clawed at Simon. He bear hugged her, pinning her arms to her sides. He could break her in two if he applied enough pressure.
Jessica and Melvin flanked me. Jessica looked angry. Melvin looked miserable. I saw a bruise on his cheek coupled with a long gash. They'd hurt him into joining and denied him blood to heal his wounds. I felt bad for him. He didn't want to be part of this anymore than I did.
“You'll hurt the people Angie takes blood from.”
“If they're as withholding as you with information, then yes.” Simon held tighter to Bridget. Her face turned red under the pressure.
“What if they don't know anything? You'll just keep killing? Suck them dry and leave them in dumpsters? Like Angie's old case worker in Boston?”
“I want what's mine.” Bridget's mouth flopped open, like a fish out of water.
“I'll get it for you. I'll find the Tears, but you can't hurt anyone else.” Simon eased his grip on Bridget. She breathed in a few deep breaths. “And you have to release Bridget into my care.”
“How do I know you'll keep your word?” How did I know he'd keep his word?
There was no collateral I could give to Simon. I wasn't about to let him hold Sasha or my parents. Not for Angie. I didn't know Bridget well, but the fear plastered her face was enough to know not to leave her. I remembered the look she got when she said he hurt people.
“Give me the witch and we'll have a deal,” Simon said.
Bridget furiously shook her head. “No. I'm not giving you a living creature as collateral.”
“Then,” he put Bridget in his death grip again.
Behind me Melvin shifted. “Can't we just take her word?”
I heard skin make contact with skin. I didn't want to turn around and see what Jessica had done to her brother. I'd been hit twice by vampires. It wasn't a pleasant experience.
“You must want something else from me. Some show of good faith.” I could tell he wanted something living for good faith.
“Take my familiar,” Bridget croaked. She wheezed as she breathed.
“Are you serious?” I whispered. The vampires could hear me so I'm not sure why I thought being quieter was a good idea.
She nodded. “He's back at the bar. He's a chinchilla.”
“Simon,” Jessica scoffed. “They're wasting our time. Take the witch back; she's worth more than an overgrown rat.”
“Shut up! Don't you know anything? A witch giving up her familiar is very serious.” Simon pushed Bridget to the ground. He gave her one shot to the ribs with his foot. He tried for a second, but I jumped forward and brandished my stake at him until he backed up a few paces.
I helped Bridget straighten. I kept an arm around her waist. She looked unsteady on her feet.
“I'll take you to the bar and hand him over. But I want to ride with Samantha. I won't trust you if I can't go with my friend.” Bridget took a few ragged breaths.
“Jessica, ride with the ladies. We'll meet you back at Sláinte.” He snapped his fingers. Melvin hurried to him.
Jessica grabbed hold of Bridget. Her eyes locked on me, daring me to get into the house with my friend and lock them out.
“Let me get my keys.” I tucked the stake back into my shorts.
I went back into the house. I wasn't going to stay here. Not on the off chance Simon backed out of the deal and came after my parents.
I kissed Sasha and grabbed my duffel bag. I picked up my bat, took a deep breath, and went back outside. Jessica had Bridget in a tight grip next to the Rav. Parked in front of the neighbors’ house was a white Ford Escape. Melvin was in the driver's seat. Simon stood outside, passenger door open. He waited to make sure we were actually going to the bar.
Jessica looked at the bat. Did she know it was blessed? Or did she just remember my attempt at braining her with it? Either way she looked unhappy to see it.
I ignored her and jammed my key into the driver's side door. I got in, throwing the bat into the back seat. I leaned across the passenger side seat to unlock it for Jessica. She flung the door open, reaching around her seat to get the back door unlocked. She shoved Bridget into the car. I could drive away now. Jessica wasn't in yet. I could drive us to holy ground or something.
I caught Bridget's eyes in the rearview mirror. She gently shook her head. God knows who they'd take their anger out on. I put the key into the ignition and waited for everyone to buckle their seatbelts. Putting the car into reverse, I backed out of my parents' driveway, leading our weird procession back to Bridget's bar.
Thirteen
Bridget waltzed into the bar. All the lights were on and the door unlocked. No one else was around. Simon said he snagged her taking out the trash. David had probably gone home for the night. Simon had a firm hand on Bridget's back as we all walked through the bar. I was sandwiched between Jessica and Melvin. Jessica's fingers dug into my upper arm. I wanted to unwrap my wounded hand and grab hold of her with my “tainted” blood. I bit my lip.
Bridget and Simon went into the office, emerging moments later. A white chinchilla was in the wire cage I had seen in the office earlier. Its little black eyes took in everything. Looking pained Bridget handed the cage to Simon.
“Collateral,” she mumbled softly.
Simon shook her hand first. Then mine, sealing our agreement. “I will give you until Monday night. Bring me the Tears or bring me the file. If you don't, I will start with your familiar and work my way up the food chain.” He breezed past us. Jessica and Melvin fell in behind him.
I waited until I heard their car drive away before turning my attention to Bridget. “You shouldn't have done that.”
“Oh please. I have a spell on my Fernando. We can track him during daylight hours and steal him back. We just need to cover our scents. And what about you? Promising the Tears? Angie's gonna rip your heart out.” A pregnant pause invaded the bar. “But thanks. It got them to leave at least.”
I pulled up a stool and sat at the bar. Bridget circled around to stand behind it. She looked natural there, at ease.
“Do you know where the Tears would be?” I asked.
“Ha, not a clue.” She grabbed a bottle from under the bar. It was the vampire repellant. She poured some into two tumblers, pushing one my way. “The effects don't last very long. I drink it every day.” I sucked it down. I wanted my blood as toxic to Simon as possible.
The air got cold. I looked at Bridget. She had sensed the shift as well. Something wicked this way comes.
Angie was a blur of motion, knocking me clear off the stool. I pulled the stake from my waistband and held it feebly against her. Her eyes were black with fury. From under the bar Bridget produced a Smith and Wesson pistol. She pointed it at Angie.
“Leave her alone!” She cocked it. “I had all my bullets blessed.”
Angie turned her fury toward Bridget. “You sold me out!”
“I saved Bridget!” She knew about the deal. She had been watching. She could have done something. “You were going to leave her to die in their hands!”
Angie swung around. In normal circumstances I'd never have stopped the punch. Against a vampire I was less than useless. I doubled over, clutching a hand to my cheek.
“You're lucky I showed restraint!” She snapped. That was true. All the bones in my face would be broken otherwise.
Bridget didn't lower the pistol. “Hey! She's right! You left us out there to founder.”
“We're tracking the familiar tomorrow,” I said. I held my cheek. I was really tired of these attacks. “And like I'm going to give something to that guy that'll make him unstoppable.” I'd honestly have said anything to free Bridget from his grasp. “But your promise to protect me was pretty useless.”
“I was going to intervene, but you seemed to have everything in check. At least until you offered him the Tears!” Angie collected herself. “You rescue Fernando and then what?” Bridget looked to me like I had much of a plan going.
“Destroy your file.” I could look all across the city and suburbs for the Tears. I didn't know where to start looking and even if I found them I wasn't handing them over.
“You'll actual destroy it?” Her interest was piqued.
“If you help us.” I probably shouldn't be making anymore deals with Others, but I was desperate. “Simon is not just going after your blood donors anymore. My roommate, Bridget’s sister, our families, David, Sean, they're all caught up in a mess you started.” My blood boiled through my veins. I didn't apply at the BSB to be beat on because a client had sticky fingers. “I want Simon off our case.”
“I can bring you something that'll make Simon think he has the Tears.”
“You said if they didn't work he'd fly into a rage.”
“Give him what I tell you and I'll handle the rest. In the meantime,” she dug into her pocket. She produced a single key. “I have a house in the area. I don't use if often, but you'll both be safe there.” She crossed to the bar in search of a pen and paper. “If you decide to rescue your familiar tomorrow stay in hiding during the night. I need Simon stalled until the agreed upon Monday night meeting.”
Damn her. I really wished she'd intervened sooner. She wrote out her address on a napkin. I knew the area. Lots of one story houses built in the 1960s made of brick, with little backyards, one car garages, and alleys around back.
“Take the bus. Simon and his cronies know your Rav.”
I had been thinking I should just park it here anyway. Angie nodded to both of us and took her leave. Bridget finally lowered the pistol. Outside we heard Angie tear away on her motorcycle.
“I'm starving,” Bridget said. “How about you?”