Broken Heart 05 Over My Dead Body (16 page)

I felt woozy.

Okay. Way to project, Simone. Calm down.

“He’s a vampire.” Sheesh. I sounded like I’d implicated him as a serial killer.

“Yes, dear. So are you.” Gran was using her patient tone. “I’m blind, and he drinks blood for dinner. We all have our little quirks.”

Oh, gawd. Did we ever.

“By the way, Reiner was asking after you.”

“He was here?”

“Just about everyone dropped by and checked on us. We have so many casseroles that I don’t think we’ll be able to eat them all.”

Well, that was the Oklahoma way. Tragedy + comfort = casseroles.

Obviously, I’d missed my Monday night appointment with Reiner to help him complete the queen’s gift. I wondered if he’d gotten someone else to fix it. Or maybe he was still hoping for my help.

“I need to go, buttercup,” said George. “I’m meeting with the construction team.”

Had he just called Gran buttercup? Ew.

“You don’t let the grass grow under your feet, do you, George?”

“Nope. I see what I want and go for it.” He was looking at my grandmother when he made this announcement. “See you later, ladies.”

He leaned down and kissed Gran right on the lips. He saluted me, then patted Glory on the head. I hadn’t seen another vehicle parked in front of the house, so I could only assume George liked to walk.

He left through the back door, whistling softly.

“He’s Family Ruadan,” said Gran, as if she’d realized that I’d been wondering about his mode of transportation. “He took me up.”

“In the air?” I asked, trying not to flip out. “You went flying with him?”

Glory returned to the living room. The annoying giggle of SpongeBob floated into the kitchen. Thank goodness my daughter was more interested in the sponge that lived in a pineapple under the sea.

I turned to stare at Gran, unable to form any words.

She shook her finger at me. “Don’t you give me that look, young lady. I’m a grown woman.”

I didn’t bother to ask her how she knew she was getting The Look. “If you tell me you have needs, I’m going to yark.”

“Well, I do, Simone. Seventy-three isn’t dead, you know.”

Vampires didn’t get headaches, so the pain throbbing behind my eyes wasn’t real. I couldn’t blame my body for trying to deal with its stress in human ways.

The phone rang, saving me from having to respond to the whole needs comment. I flipped open my phone. “Hello?”

“Ah, Simone. I heard you were released from Dr. Merrick’s tender care. How are you feeling?” asked Reiner.

“Just dandy. What can I do for you?”

He paused, maybe to consider if I was being sarcastic or not. (I was.) “I still need your help with the project we discussed on Saturday. Is it possible for you to meet me at the garage this evening?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Sure.”

“Very good. Half an hour?”

“See you then.”

Gran was frowning at me. She rose from the table and took the empty mugs to the sink. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

“Just for a bit. Reiner needs my help with something.”

“Three people dead and two missing. Damian’s got guardians patrolling our property, so we’re safe. But you, all alone in that big ol’ garage . . . it makes me worry, child.”

“I’m sure the guardians are in town, too.” Now I was feeling nervous about leaving my family. I had no doubt that the lycanthropes could kick just about anybody’s ass, but Gran was right. And the two dead bodies had been found on our property. The possibility of the shadow man lurking in the woods, watching the house, made me sick to my stomach.

“You feel safe here?” I asked Gran. They’d done well enough without me for the last three days.

“Always have, always will,” said Gran. “You going to the garage?”

“I’ll get done quick as I can, promise.”

“All right.” She walked to me and gave me another hug. “I love you, Simone.”

“I know,” I whispered into her hair. She smelled like talcum powder. Like a grandmother. She was soft, too. How could I be angry that she was dating? She deserved some happiness. We all did.

I let go. I was feeling all weepy, and for a vampire who couldn’t shed tears, it wasn’t exactly satisfying to cry.

Before I left, I called Flet to me. “I want you to stick by Glory, no matter what. Protect her as much as you can.”

Flet nodded. “Is this the favor I owe you for the wrongdoin’?”

“Yes. If you keep Glory safe, all debts are paid.”

“All but one,” he reminded me. “I prefer her company, you know.” He cleared his tiny throat. “All the same, I’m glad you are . . . still among us.”

I was surprised at the fairy’s admission. “Thanks, Flet.”

“Yes, well, don’t get used to it. You’re still a pain in the ass.”

“So are you.”

I saw the quicksilver smile before he whirled around and buzzed back to Glory. I guess the little bastard wasn’t all bad.

I went out to my truck, which was parked in the front yard. It seemed weird that I’d woken up in the hospital—what?—an hour or so ago, and now I was carrying on with my life like usual. But then that was the natural order: The world didn’t stop just because you did.

I was almost to town when my phone buzzed. Wow. I was popular tonight.

“Hey,” said Brady. “How are you doing?”

“I just talked to you twenty minutes ago.”

“I know. I missed you.”

Aw. I grinned and my insides went all ooey-gooey. “I miss you, too. What are you doing?”

“I’m nearly to the build site. In a few minutes, I’m going to get all sweaty and use my manly muscles.”

I laughed. “I wish I was there to see that.”

“If you’re good, maybe I’ll show ’em to you later.”

“Promises, promises.”

He laughed. Then in a voice that made my womanly parts clench (yowzer, he was go-od at that), he asked, “Can I tuck you in tonight?”

Ooooh, baby. My mouth went dry, and my undead heart turned over in my chest. “Yeah,” I said softly. “I’d like that.”

“Okay. See you an hour before dawn.”

We said good-bye. Five minutes later, I arrived at the garage.

Reiner was waiting for me.

I didn’t bother with opening the office. We went directly into the garage and over to my worktable. Reiner unloaded the box he’d brought with him.

The statue was in three pieces: the base, the Moon Goddess and Tark, and the crystal orb.

Two hours passed, and all I managed to do was put the pieces together. The staff wouldn’t lift at all, much less light the damned orb. I shook my head. “I hate to say it, Reiner, but I think you might need magic to make this thing work. I’m sure Zerina or one of the Wiccans could create a spell that would do the trick.”

“Perhaps you are right.” Carefully, he boxed the statue. Then he held out his hand. “Thank you, Simone. You have helped me more than you know.”

“No problem, Reiner.”

He held my hand for a little longer than was comfortable; then he let go. He said good-bye, then took his precious gift and left the garage.

As I cleaned up my workstation, I puzzled over the strange icon. Its metal was odd. I’d never worked with it before. I wondered if Zela, or even Elizabeth, would recognize it. Maybe the stuff was somehow made by lycans, or something particular to Germany.

I was bummed I hadn’t been able to figure out how to do more than just put it all together. It wasn’t really designed to include clockwork pieces. It didn’t look as if it was meant to move at all. Magic was probably exactly what Reiner needed. I wondered if he’d thought of it before, but if so, why drag me into the process?

My brain was starting to cramp. Too much was going on, and the stress was making my shoulders bunch and my neck tingle.

I no longer had the ability to suck in a deep, calming breath. Maybe when Brady came to tuck me in, he’d be willing to do a little massage. He could start at the top and work his way down.

Heh.

I locked everything up and headed around the back to where I’d parked my truck. The night air was thick with humidity. It was the kind of quiet I noticed before a thunderstorm rolled in.

I put my hand on the door latch.

The scrape of a boot against gravel. Behind me.

I whirled around, adrenaline driving a spike of terror into my belly.

No one was behind me. But I still felt as though someone were nearby, watching. The hair rose on the back of my neck.

“Who’s there?” I yelled. I didn’t exactly sound brave or confident.

Screw it. I jumped inside my truck, locked the doors, and jammed the key into the ignition. The engine roared to life, and I felt immediately better.

I shifted into reverse and looked over my shoulder as I started to back up. A man stood behind the truck. I slammed on the brakes. What the hell?

I swear my poor, dead heart wanted to leap out of my chest and crawl away. The man was dressed in black from head to toe. He was big, tall, and broad shouldered. There was a familiarity to him, but I couldn’t place him. Not Brady. He wouldn’t stand there scaring the crap out of me.

“Simone,” he taunted. “Sweet, sweet Simone.”

My vampire ears had no problem hearing him. That voice sounded like . . . oh, hell, no. No! I didn’t care who the guy was, I was getting the hell out of here. I pressed the gas, and the truck fishtailed.

The man jumped, and I mean jumped. He went over the top of the entire vehicle and landed on the other side. The black outfit shone oddly in the headlights. And his face was covered in the same material as his outfit. Only his eyes were showing, and I couldn’t really discern their color.

The truck bounced out of the driveway and onto the road. I rammed the gear into drive and sped down Main Street. All I wanted to do was go home.

Brady! I need you!

I wanted to feel safe. I wanted someone to stop that horrible man from chasing after me, from catching me. Fear made my hands shake. I was trembling so badly, I couldn’t keep the wheel steady.

I was too afraid to pull over, but I wasn’t doing too good a job staying on the road, either. I looked behind me.

The road was empty.

I turned back and screamed.

A big, black truck barreled toward me. I realized I was on the wrong side of the road, and I overcorrected, swinging too far to the right. I stomped on the brakes.

My truck slid down the gravel shoulder.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

I couldn’t get ahold of myself. I was shuddering and cold and nauseated.

“Simone!”

I screamed and threw my arms over my head.

“Honey, it’s Brady. It’s okay.”

I dared a glance out my window. Brady stood there trying to open the door. “Let me in, baby.”

I unlocked the door and fell into his arms. I pressed my face against his shoulder and stood in his embrace, quaking like I was having a seizure.

“Why aren’t you wearing your seat belt?” he asked. “You could’ve been killed.”

I snorted a laugh. “Are you kidding me?”

“Sorry. I’m just a little freaked out. When I saw the truck go off the road . . . Jesus.” He held me so tight.

I needed him. I wanted him. I didn’t care what it took to keep Brady. I’d do it.

“How did you get to me? How did you know?”

“I heard you cry out for me.”

We really were connected. Thank God for that. I might’ve smashed into a tree before I made it home. At least I was starting to calm down. I felt safer now.

“I was headed into town with Damian. We were going to pick up some food for the crew.” He leaned away just enough to look at my face. “It was lucky we were so close.”

“Thank you,” I said. I pressed my face into his chest. His heartbeat reassured me.

“What happened? Why are you so scared?”

“There was someone at the garage. In the back lot. He . . . he jumped over the truck, Brady.”

“Vampire?”

“He was wearing this black, shiny outfit. He looked almost military.”

He tensed. “Shit.”

Dr. Merrick had been right. Whoever was sneaking around town had targeted me. And if she was right about that, then she was surely right about why he was here.

“Everything okay?” The voice was Damian’s.

“She’s fine,” said Brady. “I’m going to take her home.”

“I’ll meet you back at the build site, then.”

Brady shook his head. “No. I’ll return tomorrow.”

I sensed Damian wasn’t thrilled with this news, but he seemed to accept it. He walked away, then I heard the truck start and drive away.

I don’t know how long Brady stood on the side of the road and held me, but I took every bit of comfort I could from him. Then I made the decision. I would tell Brady everything. Give him the truth and the trust he’d asked for. And then hope that he’d meant what he’d said earlier. His feelings wouldn’t change. . . . He would still want me. Maybe he would even (gulp) love me.

Finally, I pulled free from his embrace. “I have something to tell you, Brady. Well, more than one thing. It may change us . . . if you know what I’ve done.”

“I told you already, there’s nothing that will change how I feel about you, Simone. There’s no way you can top my past—you know what I did.”

“I understand it,” I said. “And I don’t judge you for it.”

“Then expect the same from me.”

I nodded. As I tried to gather my courage and figure out what to say first, my phone rang. I groaned. “This thing has been ringing all night.” I took the phone out of the holster. Caller ID showed my grandmother’s number. I tried to steady myself. I didn’t want to sound freaked out when I talked to her.

“Hi, Gran.”

“Baby, you need to come home quick,” she said. Her voice shook. “Glory’s missing.”

From the field journal of Cpl. Braddock Linden Hayes

30 OCT 98

Everything went wrong. We walked into a trap. Worse, we ran into a group of paranormal researchers who lost one of their own in the explosion.

ETAC fucked us. And for what? Having a conscience?

Screw those bastards.

I’ll give them payback. Then I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for what I’ve done.

I can’t write in the journal anymore, but I’m keeping it. I’ll put it in a safe place with a few other key items. If ETAC ever tracks me down . . . hah! I’d like to see them try. I dug out that tracker myself and destroyed the tattoo. If they try any damned thing, then I’ll make sure the whole world knows who they are and what they do.