Freaky Fangs, page 27
part #9 of Mystic Caravan Mystery Series
I nodded. “They’ll be gone long before dark. I’m scanning every guest to see who is under strigoi control and we’re planting images in their head. They’ll see people … even though there won’t be any here for them to attack.”
“The vampires won’t see these fake people when they arrive.”
“They will if we do a mass glamour. We’ll make them see what we want them to see.”
He pursed his lips. “They’ll think there are guests everywhere.”
“When in reality it will be an illusion,” I finished. “It will work.”
“And then you, Raven, Nixie and Naida will take out the strigoi.”
“That’s the plan. But we need Cole’s help. They’re susceptible to fire power, just like the vampires. We can take them.”
“And what if I tell you that Cole is too weak to fight?”
I felt helpless in the face of the question. “Luke ... .”
“You’ll ask him to fight anyway,” Luke surmised. “And, because you know he’s a good guy, you know he’ll say yes even though he’ll be at risk the entire time.”
“We’ll all be at risk, Luke.” I opted to be pragmatic. “You can be with Cole the entire time, watching his back.” And I’ll be watching your back, I silently added. He was shifter strong, but that didn’t mean much to the strigoi. If they got their hands on him it would be all over. “This plan will work, but we all need to work together.”
“Uh-huh.” Luke’s eyes drifted to the bedroom door. It was ajar, and I knew Cole slumbered inside. “I care about him a lot.”
“I know you do.” I was close to tears. “You’ve bonded with him ... and fast. He cares about you, too. He told me.”
“And still you would put him at risk. That doesn’t seem like friendship.”
Out of nowhere, my temper bubbled up. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had and that will never change. But we’re a group. We have to work together. All of us. Kade will be in danger, too.”
“But Kade will be at full strength.”
I threw my hands in the air, frustration overwhelming me. “What do you want me to do, Luke? I want to make this right, but I don’t know how. You’re purposely being difficult now, digging your heels in, and I can’t fix this. Not right now. I need you to have faith in me.”
“Because you had so much faith in me when you cut me out of the rescue effort this afternoon?”
“I told you why I had to do it. I stand by it. I’m sorry you’re upset, but they were watching you. If you had left the fairgrounds they would’ve known something was afoot and sent a warning to Zurie. I couldn’t risk that. We only had one shot to rescue Cole.”
“And you did it.”
“Yes.”
“Without me.”
“Oh, knock it off.” The guilt I’d been hoarding evaporated. “I’m not going to apologize for saving his life. I am sorry you’re hurt, but I think that most of your anger is coming from a place of pride. You wanted to be there — and I get it — but the best plan was the one I hatched.”
“Yes, well ... .” He rubbed his forehead and blew out a sigh. “Do you know what bothers me the most?”
I nodded without hesitation. “That I’m right.”
For the first time since I’d entered the trailer, he cracked a smile. “You know me too well.”
“I love you with my whole heart.” I took a step toward him. “I’m always going to love you. I went after Cole for you ... and for us. I think he’s a good fit. This is all going to work out, but I need you on my side. I can’t do this without you.”
He held my gaze for a long time and I thought for sure he was going to deny my request. Finally, he nodded. “It’s a good plan. We’ll make it work.”
I was breathless. “Does that mean we’re okay?”
“No. I’m angry. I expect you to make me a huge breakfast every single day for a week straight. I also expect you to go back to Dinosaur World and act like something other than a spoiled brat.”
“That’s it?” It seemed too easy. “I thought ... .”
“What?” His lips curved. “You thought I would hold a grudge for two weeks until you were at the end of your rope?”
I nodded. “That’s what you usually do.”
“Yes, well, I’m trying to grow. I can’t have an adult relationship if I’m acting like a child.”
That was true. “You can have your breakfasts. Dinosaur World is stupid, though. I can’t pretend to have fun there.”
“Then we’re going back to Guntown Mountain and you’re dressing up for photos.”
Oh, no. He had me and we both knew it. He was always going for the photos. “Fine.” I blew out a sigh. “Does that mean we’re in love again?”
He nodded as he stood, pulling me in for a hug. “You’re still a butthead. I can’t get over that part right away, but I doubt it will last very long if we pull this off.”
“We’ll pull it off.”
“I know. You don’t know how to fail. That’s not who you are.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “I really do love you, Luke.”
“I know. I’m impossible not to love.”
28
Twenty-Eight
It wasn’t easy finding the infected humans. By the time we finished, we discovered five. Curing them wasn’t all that difficult. Nellie distracted them, I moved in behind and froze them with my magic, and Raven forced the potion on them. They were knocked out quickly and transported away from the fairgrounds. That didn’t stop us from continuing our trek around the fairgrounds, relentlessly roving. The location was clear by six o’clock, when we moved all the guests out.
“We apologize,” Max reassured them. “Unfortunately, we’re having technical difficulties with the animals. Here are vouchers for a free day tomorrow ... including unlimited games on the midway.”
Behind him, Mark scowled. His people were responsible for bringing in most of the money and he hated when “free games” were a part of any marketing plan. He wisely kept his mouth shut, though.
Once everyone was gone, the parking lot empty, I cornered him. “All of your people need to be locked in their trailers,” I warned. “They can’t leave. Doors shut, locked, and lights off.”
“Sounds like a delightful evening,” he drawled.
I ignored the sarcasm. “We’re putting enchantments on all the trailers. Nobody will be able to enter. That won’t stop your people from leaving. You have to make sure they understand the stakes if they try to leave the confines of their trailers.”
His glare was withering. “My people know what they’re doing.”
“Okay. If anything happens to them, it’s on you.”
He was silent for a beat. When I figured he was finished talking, I turned to leave. He stopped me.
“What about Starla?”
I stilled. “What about her?”
“She’s still alive. I know she’s in that cage.”
I was calm when I turned. “She’s dead. That thing walking around with her face is not her. You must understand that.”
“So ... you’ll kill her.”
“She’s gone.” I thought of the image of her that led me to the voices in her head. “The small part of her that’s left is trapped. We’ll free her.”
“By killing her.”
“If we leave her as she is she’ll try to kill all of us. That’s not an option.”
“Then why haven’t you ended her already?” His tone was accusatory. “If she’s so dangerous, why is she still here?”
“We need to make sure we have no further use for her.”
“That’s pretty cold.”
“It’s reality. We’re doing the best we can.”
“It doesn’t feel like enough.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. You need to get over it. It’s not as if you’re new to this. You’ve known for years that we’re more than just a circus. You can’t claim ignorance now.”
“I don’t want to know what it is you people do. I never have. This isn’t the first time my people have paid the price for your need to rid the world of evil.”
“It is what it is.”
“Yes, well ... I’ll be talking to Max once this is over.”
“That’s a great idea. I look forward to hearing how that conversation goes.”
He scowled and turned on his heel, muttering under his breath. He wasn’t my concern. Up next was the huge glamour, and it was going to take some work. I grabbed my walkie-talkie and spoke into it. “I need Raven to meet me by the parking lot. We don’t have much time.”
Her voice was crisp when it came through. “On my way.”
WE WERE IN PLACE BY DUSK. I EXPECTED Zurie and her crew to arrive early in the hope of taking advantage of the human fodder they were certain would be present.
I stopped by the spot Kade and Max were using as a base before leaving to join the others.
“You’re okay?”
Max smiled and winked at me as Kade pulled me in for a tight hug.
“We’re okay,” Kade whispered into my hair. “You’re the one with the bigger fight.” He hesitated before continuing. “Don’t sacrifice yourself. Don’t be a freaking hero just to be a hero.”
I smiled into his shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about that. The same goes for you. If they use the scream trick again, don’t fall for it. The only way we can save the people of this town is to end them here.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Max squeezed my shoulder before physically wrenching me away from Kade. “Boy, you need to let her breathe.” He winked at his son before giving me a little shove. “The glamour is working. I can see the entire overlay. With the lights and music going — that was a brilliant idea, by the way, because it will serve as sound cover — all outward appearances point toward a normal night.”
“Let’s hope they think the same thing.” I squeezed Kade’s hand one more time before separating. “I’ll see you guys in a bit.”
Kade pressed his lips together and nodded. He looked as if he had something to say — I guessed what it was — but he kept his mouth shut. Now wasn’t the time for mush.
I was careful as I picked my way through the fairgrounds, not stopping until I reached the center of everything. This was the place the strigoi would likely land. I expected — and hoped — they would stick together. If they separated, our battle would be more difficult.
“Does anyone see anything on the horizon?” I asked into the walkie-talkie.
“There’s movement by the trees,” Seth replied. He sounded excited. “They’re definitely here. They’re watching right now. I’ll let you know when they start heading in this direction. I think they’re trying to ascertain if we’re having a normal night.”
I looked to Cole. He’d been apprised of the situation when he woke and, in a surprise to absolutely no one, immediately agreed to do whatever we asked of him. Luke insisted on being at his side even though he would’ve been more help on the perimeter. There was no way I could mention that.
“Are you okay?” I asked Cole.
He nodded, his eyes twinkling. “I feel almost a hundred percent.”
I risked a glance at Luke and found him watching me with speculative eyes. “If you don’t feel up to this, it’s okay. Tell me now.”
Cole’s gaze bounced between Luke and me. It was obvious he was curious about what had happened earlier. “I’m fine ... and I want to be part of this. Luke knows that, don’t you?”
Luke heaved out a heavy sigh. “He wants to be a hero. Who am I to judge? I want to be a hero, too.”
His response made me smirk. “Well ... .” I never got a chance to tell him he was already my hero — ten times over — because Seth interrupted me.
“Here they come!”
I turned quickly, moving closer to Raven. There were three strigoi and four of us if you didn’t count Cole, who would be supplying the power for us to utilize. Luke would obviously try to fight if given the chance, but I was determined to keep him out of the thick of things.
“They’re going for the power,” Dolph called over the walkie-talkie. “You were right. The red-headed demon is at the front of that group. They’ve got the panel open ... and there goes the wire.”
I turned to look in the direction of the utility pole and frowned at the small explosion that followed the ripping of the line. It dropped to the ground, whipping and sparking in the field, and killing all the streetlights in the surrounding area. Our lights, of course, remained beaming.
“Oh, she looks confused,” Dolph said, cackling. “I think she might cry.”
“Don’t lose her,” I warned, shifting when the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “We need to make sure we take her out. She can’t escape again.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Dolph was deadly serious. “I owe her.”
“Yeah, well, we’re about to get invaded here. You know what to do.”
“We do,” Nellie agreed. “They’ve regrouped. They’re running across the field. Hit the lights in three, two ... one!” He roared the last number.
I jolted when the refigured lights sprang into action, smiling when I heard the singing of magic combine with the humming beams. The first line of vampires was cut to ribbons within two seconds, their screams barely starting before they were finished.
The plan was coming together. Still, Zurie had a plan, too. I wasn’t surprised when the dreamcatcher sounded right on schedule. She’d somehow found a way around at least one of the lights. This was their distraction.
I immediately looked to the sky … and that’s when the strigoi landed.
I’d sensed them approaching. They were stealthy when landing. Thankfully, they were together, as I’d hoped.
“This isn’t real,” Cyrus noted as he glanced around. He’d yet to see us thanks to the invisible wall I’d put up as a form of protection. “This is artifice.”
Because I was afraid they would smell a trap and flee before we could engage them, I dropped the veil and stepped forward, meeting Octavia’s curious gaze as I flexed my hands at my sides.
“Good evening, gentlemen ... and lady.” I flashed a predatory smile. “Welcome to our humble abode.”
The strigoi made no attempt to hide their shock.
“You’re the Romani girl,” Arrius said finally. It was obvious he was trying to exert some control over the situation. “You’re the reason for so much needless death.”
I let loose a laugh that was low and hollow. “I’m the reason? That’s rich. You’ve been scooping up people in this town for months and stealing their lives.”
“You’re looking at it wrong,” Octavia countered. “We’re not stealing their lives. We’re giving them new lives ... the sort of lives they could only dream of before. We’re giving them immortality.”
“Without a soul.”
“Souls are overrated,” Cyrus said. “We don’t have souls and we’ve been just fine for hundreds of years. The people we’ve helped will be the same way.”
“Except you haven’t helped them,” I argued. “You’ve enslaved them. That was your entire purpose from the start. You wanted to build a living dead army that could stand between you and anyone who dared come after you. What you did was about you, not them.”
Octavia rolled her eyes. “Of course we want to protect ourselves. Our kind is endangered ... and mostly because of her kind.” She inclined her head toward Raven, hatred glittering in her eyes. “That doesn’t mean the rest isn’t true. We gave them a new lease on life.”
“And what about the people you killed to feed those with a new lease on life?”
“Every recipe requires broken eggs.”
Fury bubbled up inside of me. “Well, we’re going to break more than eggs.”
Cole read my cue and ignited his hands, sending a barrage of fire above our heads. Naida acted first, twisting fast and collecting half the flames as she created a tornado and shoved it in the direction of Octavia.
The female strigoi’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as she moved to sidestep the tornado. It was small and compact, but also deadly. She recognized that. Sensing that Olivia was about to flee, Nixie moved in at the woman’s left and sent out a bolt of magic as she slammed her hands against her shoulders.
“I don’t think so,” she muttered. “You’re not going anywhere ... especially after what you did to Dolph.”
Raven was already moving against Arrius, a sword I hadn’t seen before gripped in her hand. She started talking in a language I didn’t know. I had a feeling it was ancient Greek. Whatever she said, recognition dawned on Arrius’s face and the strigoi knew he was in real danger. He made to scramble away, take to the air again, but Raven was ready for him and used her magic to slam him back against the ground.
Trusting that my friends had their combatants in hand, I focused my full attention on Cyrus. He didn’t look as if he planned on running, which made me happy in a weird way. I preferred a straight-up fight.
“You really shouldn’t have come after our people,” I offered, lifting my hands and drawing Cole’s fire to me. He kept feeding the beast, his face grim, but he didn’t show signs of wavering. “That was what really ticked us off.”
Cyrus snorted. “Oh, little girl, you have no idea the forces you’re messing with. You don’t have the power to take us on. You’ll regret ever crossing paths with us.”
“Oh, good,” Luke drawled, a silver dagger in his hand as he braced to protect Cole’s flank. “Now give us a little of the ‘I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it hadn’t been for you rascally kids.’ That’s what this night really needs.”
I choked on a laugh at the confused look on Cyrus’s face.
“I don’t even know what that means,” the strigoi hissed. “You’re not making sense.”
Somewhere to my left, Octavia let out an unearthly scream. She’d been battling against the tornado, holding her own, and then Naida added another one to the mix. The windstorms collided, drawing the fire with them, and the female strigoi was burning.
“No!” Cyrus’s fury consisted of a waterfall of hate. He launched himself at me, and even though I’d been momentarily distracted, I realized what he had planned at the last second and tried to sidestep him. Unfortunately, Luke decided to quit hanging at the sidelines at that moment and became an active hero.
