Running From the Night (22 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Remy hid on the rooftop of a building several streets away from the Shangri-La, and where the siblings stood watch over the city and their human pets. His eyes glowed as he considered his next move. The North American Council had sent him to watch Yako’s actions when they’d learned of the High Council’s involvement in the matter of those two humans. Angered by the Eldest Hunter’s failure to eliminate his targets, then with Yako bypassing the Council and communicating directly with the High Council in Romania, they had dispatched Remy to glean what information he could about this situation.

As he lingered in the concealment of the wall, watching the pair, he couldn’t deny the truth of the Eldest Hunter’s situation. That Yako was still alive at all was a testament to his skill, yet Remy questioned his ability to complete his task. For more than eight decades Remy had grudgingly worked in the Eldest Hunter’s shadow, waiting for his opportunity to lead the Hunters of the Northwest Coven. His hopes had been frustratingly cast aside year after year when the Eldest Hunter failed to accept his place among the Reapers, a prestigious position that only the most devout and skilled Hunter could attain.

Once, Remy had tried to sidestep Yako and attempt the Trials of the Ancients. He had practically been laughed at. No one became a Reaper without proving that they had reached a level of skill, focus, and dedication beyond any of their peers. Though Yako had been presented with the opportunity more than once to take the Trial, he had declined, preferring to lead the Hunters as he had done for so many years.

Remy clenched his teeth. It was insult enough that the Council deemed him unworthy to take the Trial. The fact that his own coven had agreed with the assessment, and that weakling female, Mariska being Yako’s Second, further sharpened the knife jabbing his pride.

Watching the conversing siblings and simmering in his own personal fury, Remy decided he might just prove to the coven and the council that he would be a more capable Eldest Hunter than Yako had ever been. He was confident that he could defeat Yako in a fight, and most certainly Mariska, but that was not how it was done. He would either have to wait his turn to lead the Hunters, or he would have to prove himself more capable than the Eldest.

Remy studied the siblings. The tall male was obviously formidable. Remy had seen him fend off not only Yako, but Nikko and Steja as well. Remy had never met the two Hunters from across the ocean, but their exploits preceded them. That the tall male vampire had fought the three of them at once was warning enough that he would need to be careful.

The female had proven to be the surprise. Remy may believe he was Yako’s better, but he was no fool in thinking Yako was not formidable in his own right. The fact that this tiny female was able to so easily incapacitate the Eldest was no small thing. Remy had never gotten close enough to glean any information about those two, but he knew what he saw, and what he saw was two very powerful vampires who, for whatever reason, had decided to aid the human males. Whoever they were, Remy would need to find a way to eliminate them. Or did he?

Those two on that building were concerned with Yako and Mariska and the remaining Hunter from overseas. They wouldn’t expect someone else. Perhaps he could pay a visit to the two humans first, then perhaps find a way to deal with the rogue siblings. Or, maybe let the siblings deal with Yako for him.

His eyes glowed brighter in their pale red hue and his smile widened. His wait to become Eldest Hunter might be shorter than he thought.

O O O

“I know it seems like I’m playing games, Melinda, but I promise you that’s not the case.” Jelani paced back and forth in the hallway around the corner from his apartment. Melinda had called, and since he and Daniel’s two-bedroom apartment had now come to house four people, privacy was no longer a closed door away. He spoke in hushed tones into the phone, pressing his damage control skills to their limits.

“Look, some really difficult things have come up right now and I’ve been trying to deal with them.”

“You mean like nurturing a future with your little relationship while keeping me in the queue just in case things don’t work out?”

He hated hearing her voice like this; so angry and hurt. Though he knew he hadn’t really done anything wrong, he still felt a stab of guilt at being the source of Melinda’s unhappiness.

“I absolutely promise you that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Of course, if this whole business of trying not to be killed by myths come to life hadn’t surfaced, this conversation would have had a decidedly different feel to it.

“What is it, then? What am I supposed to think when all of a sudden, after you get me in bed a couple of times, you suddenly disappear? I can barely get you on the phone and you hardly respond to my texts. What am I supposed to think?”

I get you in bed?
“Okay, slow down.” Jelani rubbed his temples.

“And why are you speaking in such a low voice? Is there someone there you don’t want to hear this conversation?”

“No, there’s a lot of people I don’t want to hear this conversation, Melinda. I’m out in the hallway. Daniel has company and I preferred not to trouble them with hearing all this.” He sighed. “Now please, let me answer you.” He ran a hand over his head.

“First, I didn’t get you into bed, Melinda. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it,” he rushed to add, knowing the reaction that statement was likely creating. “I wasn’t the one who pushed for that. Wait, just let me finish. This past month I’ve enjoyed our time together a lot, and I am being totally honest when I say I really wish we could spend more time together. But there are some things going on right now that I’m not at liberty to talk about, and that have absolutely nothing to do with me dating another person.”

“So you conveniently can’t talk to me about the reason you can’t spend any time with me right now. Gotcha.”

Damn, I don’t need this right now,
Jelani thought. “Look, please, just hear me on this, okay? I have to deal with some very serious issues in my life right now. When I’m done with it, if you are willing, I’d like to pick up where we left of. If not, I understand. But I will promise you that if anything changes as far as my own feelings, I will tell you. I have no intention of trying to string you along and play games. I don’t get down like that, and I’m not good enough at it to be successful anyway.” He closed his eyes, hoping he was getting through to her.

“I really want to believe what you’re saying, Jelani, but how do you think this looks to me?”

“Like I’m playing games with you and want to have my cake and eat it too.” He frowned. “You know, on a side note, why the hell do people say that? Have my cake and eat it too? If I have cake, why wouldn’t I want to eat it? The euphemism just doesn’t make sense.”

There was a stretched silence and Jelani looked at his phone to see if she’d hung up. Finally, her voice sounded again. “I …” she half laughed half-sighed. “You said it, not me.”

“I know. I’ve heard it too many times and need to quit repeating it.”

“Anyway, I hope I can trust you, Jelani, I really do. But I won’t have anyone playing games with me.” Another pause. “I hope you get whatever problems you’re having under control. When you’re finished sorting your life out, if I’m still available, or inclined, maybe we can try to pick up where we left off.”

Jelani heard the message clearly. “Whatever happens, Melinda, I would still value your friendship. You’re cool people.”

Another chuckle. “And you’re so American.”

He smiled. “Should I start speaking more like you all since I’ve been living aroond this place for aboot five years, eh?”

“Watch it,” she said in a playfully warning tone. “We do not sound like that.”

“If you say so,” Jelani said, smirking. “Okay. So look …” He glanced at the time on his phone. “I’ve got to run. I may not call you or text for a while, but don’t take it any kind of way, okay? I really have some stuff going on that needs my undivided attention, okay?”

“Okay.” He heard her sigh again. “Just as long as you’re not expecting me to wait around for you.”

“You’re a pretty girl and a great person, Melinda. Of course I wouldn’t expect that. Whether things work out for us or not, you deserve the best in life. I mean that.”

“Thanks. I guess you’re a good guy, Jelani. I want to think that.” Another pause. “Good luck and take care.”

“You, too.” He hung up. It was a sticky situation. If she ever saw him with Alisha, or just happened to drop by one day, there would be no explaining. The easiest thing he could have done was just told her it wouldn’t work out, but he didn’t want her to think it was because he’d gotten from her what he wanted. And though he was fairly sure about Alisha, he wasn’t completely sure. Thinking about it, maybe this was the best way to leave things for now. Regardless, he had no more time or energy to think about it. Survival first, girls second.

He entered the apartment to Daniel and Wen making a valiant show at watching television while Alisha watched him from the corner of her eye. He mentally groaned.

“Potential love interest troubles?” came the expected inquiry. When he opened his mouth to explain, she stopped him. “No, I was just joking, and it’s not my business anyway.”

Jelani stood there, not knowing what to say next. After several minutes went by, he decided to go into his room.

He closed the door and lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Where had he gone wrong with all this? He always tried to treat people how he would want to be treated, but somehow he’d ended up juggling two different situations. He didn’t even want two girls to be interested in him. He only wanted one! He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Melinda he wasn’t good enough at playing games to try them. He didn’t want to be, anyway.

“Ah, whatever,” he thought aloud. “All I can do is my best. Might not be alive much longer anyway, then I won’t have to worry about any of it. And only an idiot thinks about dating with vampires trying to kill him.” His attempt at joking with himself failed, so he closed his eyes, trying to imagine any other circumstance than the one he was currently in.

He rested his hands on his stomach, interlacing his fingers and simply enjoyed the silence of his sunlit room. Though his mood was dark, he felt at least a little heartened by the feel of the warm sun shining on him through the window. It must be a horrible feeling, being turned into a vampire and never being able to enjoy the warmth of the sun, or ever see a sunrise or sunset.

He lay awake for a long time when a soft knock came from the door. “Come in,” he answered.

“You sound a little down,” Alisha said, peeking in and finally stepping into the room and closing the door. “Do you want me to leave? If you don’t want company …” she half turned back toward the door.

“Not at all,” Jelani replied. “Come on in and kick back.” He sat up and she sat on the bed next to him. “What’s up?” he asked.

“That’s what I came to ask you.” she said. “You’re not yourself.”

“Not really in my happy spot right now, I guess.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“I don’t really think so. Wouldn’t do much good anyway. Actually, it probably wouldn’t do any good.”

“I was just teasing you earlier.”

He held up a hand. “No need. I’m all over the place with everything right now. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

She rubbed his leg and smiled at him. “I know you didn’t mean to drag me into this, and I’m not mad at you anymore.”

“You are very likely a better person than I am, then. I’m glad one of us forgives me.”

Alisha studied him. He was very studiously watching the floor directly in front of his feet. “Why are you so hard on yourself all the time?”

“Oh, believe me, I’m not hard enough on myself. I’m a blessed person, living in this city, with a great career and no money problems. I should be able to keep things a little simpler in regards to how I affect people’s lives, and my own. I should have just put things to an end with you and the other person and none of this would have happened to you. Instead, you and Wen are wrapped up in this, and I’m trying really hard not to get anyone else involved in my mess.”

“I appreciate how hard you try to be a good person, Jelani.” She sounded as if she was about to laugh at him. “You know, you sound like a person who just got out of prison and is trying to make the best of a second start.” She leaned forward and looked at him, forcing him to look at her. He didn’t. “You didn’t just get out of prison, did you?”

He finally looked at her. “What if I did? Would you not wanna hang around me anymore?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“Well, you should worry about me trying to steal your heart!” He said it with a grand and exaggerated gesture, placing one hand on his chest and the other reaching out to her. She giggled and pushed him away.

“Alright with the corny lines.”

They sat in silence again for a few moments. On an impulse, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Though on an innocent place, the kiss was slow and deliberate.

“Look,” she said. “I like you a lot. Maybe that’s why I’m so quick to forgive you, or maybe it’s just because I’ve had time to think about it and I see things more clearly now. I really would like to see if we could have something together.” She paused, staring at him. He looked back at her, right into her eyes. He loved her eyes.

“Do you know why I’m telling you this?” She must’ve seen that he was thinking really hard because she laughed. “I’m telling you this, knucklehead, because I want you to take some time and figure out what you’re going to tell your little lady friend.”

“Am I telling this lady friend that I have a girlfriend, now?”

Alisha thought for a moment. “I think that status is pending, but you go ahead and tell her that. It’ll make things easier.”

“Wow!” he said, excitedly. “Oh man! I’ve got a girlfriend!” He yawned exaggeratedly and stretched his arms, letting one fall around her shoulders.

“Will you stop?” Alisha giggled. “Quit with the corny moves!”

“How about this?” He cleared his throat. “Girl, I wanna sop you up with a biscuit!” He said it in his best drunken wino voice. She continued to giggle, shaking her head.