Always the Vampire (32 page)

I crossed my arms. “None that we know of.”

“Third, Starrack has no reason to target Maggie or Neil. Hell, if he’d wanted to, he could’ve killed them instead of the homeless couple.”

“That’s true, but what if he’s saving Maggie and Neil for a big finale killing spree?”

“Honey, it’s us he really wants. We have the amulets. We’re the finale.” He squeezed my hand and turned to Lia. “Is it remotely possible that Starrack would go to the festival? Say to steal some ouzo?”

“Very. He’d enjoy the challenge of lifting a bottle from under the noses of so many people. He did so many times at village fairs.”

“Then
if
he shows up, and
if
we can find him there,” Saber said slowly, “we should be prepared to take him out.”

“No,” Cosmil barked. “I must agree with Francesca on this. Aside from her friends, there will be a large crowd, and Starrack has proven he cares nothing for innocents. In that climate, we cannot risk a confrontation.”

“I understand your concern,” Saber said, “but Cesca made two valid points to me today. One is that we don’t know where Starrack is, or what’s in his mind to do next. We’ve only been able to react.”

“We have done our best with the location spells,” Lia said defensively.

“I don’t doubt that, but it’s not enough. When I hunt Rampants, I don’t wait for them to come to me. I find them, or I set a trap.”

“Are you suggesting,” Triton put in, “that we lure Starrack to us? How?”

“I don’t know yet. Maybe we simply lure him from the Greek festival, if he shows up.”

“That’s still a big if,” Triton said.

“It is, but here’s the other point,” Saber continued as he turned to me. “Cesca, when we left to chase down Starrack tonight, you said we weren’t ready. You were right. We need to know what Starrack might do in a head-on fight. What weapons he’d use. What tricks he might throw at us. We need information and a plan so we have less chance at being blindsided.”

Saber’s cold logic didn’t vaporize my fears, but he was right. Making plans meant taking action, taking control. I could do that. I took a calming breath and felt the pool of energy swirl in my spine.

“I do not,” Cosmil said quietly, “recall seeing Starrack fight anyone, but Lia and I will put our heads together and see what we can remember.”

Saber smiled. “Your insights will help, thank you. Cesca, are you on board?”

“All right, fine, I’ll play what if. The festival is held at the events field, and there are only a few exits. Maybe we could set a trap for him away from the field.”

“Was that a knee-jerk comment or do you have a trap in mind?”

“Knee jerk,” I admitted, “but we should be able to figure some way to ambush Starrack or lure him into coming after us.”

Saber nodded. “Where can we lure him that’s far enough away from the festival patrons?”

“Not to mention the regular tourists and locals in town,” Triton added. “What about the northern grounds of the fort? That part of the Castillo de San Marcos is more isolated.”

“I don’t know. Whether this goes down at the festival or not, the last thing we need is for witnesses to call the cops.” Saber drummed his fingers on the island. “Cesca, you know the town better than any of us. What location is close to the events field and open enough for us to maneuver, but away from prying eyes?”

“The top level of the parking garage,” I tossed off.

Immediately, the hair stood stiff on the back of my neck, and goose bumps plowed their way up my arms. The dream I’d had about being on a flat roof slammed through my memory. Saber unconscious, my feet stuck in tar muck. The settings weren’t an exact match, but then when had I last been on the top level of the parking garage? The similarities between the dream roof and the real roof lot were too close to ignore.

“Honey, what did you see?”

I shook off my case of the willies. “I’ve had some weird dreams lately, and in one of them, I was on a flat roof, stuck in black goo. It could have been the roof-level parking lot.”

“Then it’s an option to check out. We’ll take a look at Triton’s suggestion, too. Maybe the north grounds of the fort are more shielded than I remember.”

“Speaking of shielding,” Lia said, “we shall work on that tomorrow. Cesca especially needs instruction and practice.”

Saber put his arm around me. “She also needs rest. Let’s pack up and call it a night.”

Cosmil and Lia shooed us out of the cabin while they cleaned their potion mess and gathered spell paraphernalia. They’d keep the spell running and call if they got another good hit.

The guys walked away to talk while Lynn and I sat on the porch steps.

“Cesca, you and Triton really are just friends, aren’t you?”

“When I don’t want to whap him upside the head, yeah. I’m no competition, Lynn. I’m a one-man woman.”

“I’ve felt like such a freak since I started shifting. I’ve been scared to let anyone get close.”

“Triton felt the same way.”

“Is he a one-woman man, or does he play the field?”

I grinned. “In his younger days, he was a bit of a player. Now? I don’t think so, but he is a guy. Men can be too exasperating to be worth the trouble.”

“Or wonderful enough to wait a lifetime for,” Lia said from behind us.

I looked up at her then at Lynn.

“When she’s right, she’s right.”

 

 

We arrived at Saber’s house thirty minutes later, and he insisted on showing Cosmil how to operate the hide-a-bed in the couch. I could’ve told my darling not to bother, that Cosmil and Lia would be sharing a bed tonight. But why ruin his fun in showing off his home?

While they moved on to setting the thermostat, Lia motioned me into the guest room.

“You’re different today,” she said as she set an old-fashioned cloth satchel on the bed. “I noticed it when you called this afternoon, but it’s more apparent in person. What happened?”

“Besides the bodies on my doorstep?”

“Don’t be facetious. You know what I mean. You experienced a shift. You slept perhaps three hours, yet you emanate a well of energy.” She searched my eyes. “You came into your power today, and I’d like to know how it happened so I can help you channel it.”

I thought back to the moment when the cool sensation first pooled in my tailbone, and the feeling stirred.

“I was angry that Starrack murdered those homeless kids.”

“And you wanted his blood.”

“I still do.”

“Good. The anger will fuel your determination. How do you perceive your power? Like the element of fire? Earth?”

“Water. Cool water. It flows from the base of my spine through my torso and into my arms and legs.”

“Water? Well, of course. You’re the sign of the Moon Child.”

The men came into the hall, and she lowered her voice.

“I want you to practice shielding your thoughts. Imagine they are submerged in water. Only when you purposefully bring them to the surface can they be read.”

“It’s that simple?”

“It can be. Women are more likely to project because we’re more emotionally open. It will take practice to balance shielding with the openness of your nature. But never mind that. You only need to hide your thoughts from Starrack. I’ll prepare a special pouch for you to wear that will assist your focus.”

So I had a water fountain of power? All right, how corrupting to my soul could that be?

“Lia, I know you’ve already cast protective spells on everybody and their dog, but if we have to go up against Starrack and the Void next Friday, will you and Cosmil cast extra protection on Maggie and Neil and the wedding party?”

“We’re way ahead of you on that score, my dear.”

“Here you are,” Saber said from the threshold. “Lia, I’ve told Cosmil he can use my bathroom so you can have some privacy again.”

“Thank you, Saber. Now you go along to Cesca’s. You’ve had an eventful day, and tomorrow will be just as busy with the bridal shower and phoning the liquor stores and then getting Lynn settled.”

Sheesh, getting the bum’s rush out of your own home? Talk about cheek.

But Saber and I left, and drove extra slowly as we passed the Castillo de San Marcos and its expanse of grounds. Since the fort was truly a fortress and was a national park, the feds didn’t spring for a lot of security lighting. They didn’t even decorate for the Nights of Lights when the rest of the town was festooned for the Christmas holiday season.

“Too exposed,” Saber declared. “Too many escape routes.”

“And too much of a chance that Starrack could grab a hostage off the streets.”

“Think the parking garage is open for a quick drive through?”

“It’s open 24-7, but I’d rather explore it on foot and in the daytime when we’re fresh.”

“Works for me. I am beat.”

He parked on the street, turned off the engine, and closed his eyes. “Cesca, when this is all over, let’s take a vacation.”

“Vacation?” I echoed as if I’d never heard the word. And I hadn’t, not from Saber’s lips. “Where?”

“A remote island? A cave?” He rolled his head toward me and opened his eyes. “I don’t care, as long as we don’t have to chase bad guys.”

I leaned across the console and cupped his stubble-roughened cheek in my palm. “Let’s go with the island. Bats give me the creeps.”

“Says the vampire.”

“Bad joke, Saber. Come on, let’s get you inside before you fall asleep at the wheel.”

Saber was out almost before he hit the sheets, and I wasn’t far behind him. Oh, I stayed up long enough to feed and water Snowball, and set the alarms, but the well of energy Lia had perceived in me was plumb pumped dry.

Because I crashed a full five hours earlier than normal, I was up by eleven. I heard Saber in the kitchen, talking on the phone, so I quickly brushed my teeth, showered, and dressed. Not in my bridal shower sundress, but in jean shorts and a tan bra-top camisole.

“Yes, I understand.” Saber scribbled on a legal pad as I entered. “I’ll meet you at the store at noon.”

He flipped his cell phone shut and caught me around the waist. “How’d you sleep?”

“Siren free. Who are you meeting at what store?”

“Palatka. None of the stores I’ve called so far stock more than a few bottles of ouzo at a time, but the clerks I spoke with confirmed that bottles are unaccounted for. They reported the discrepancy to their managers, who already pulled the security tapes. The Palatka store may have Starrack on film.”

“That’s great. Are you still making photocopies of Lia’s sketch, or do I need to?”

“I’ll make some in Palatka right before my meeting.”

“Can you get back to your place before one this afternoon?”

“Don’t fret. I’ll be there when the party tents and tables are delivered. Then I’ll take Cosmil and Lia back.”

“Will you hang out at the cabin? Did you ever get that healing session?”

“I’m good. I may take Lynn with me to a couple more liquor stores. See if anyone else recognizes Starrack.”

“I’m not sure that’s safe.”

“Our wizard and sorceress assure us it is, and they want us to go about our lives.”

“Yeah, they do. Just be careful.”

“No sweat. I have things to do at the house to get ready for the barbeque, so I’ll take Lynn to my place until it’s time to pick you up.”

“You’re brilliant.”

I leaned in for a kiss, which he skillfully returned.

“Mmm. Good to know you feel so much better today.”

“I do. Almost normal, whatever that is.”

“From what I hear, overrated, but I miss it anyway.”

He swatted my butt. “Go drink your Starbloods and get ready for the party. I’ll pick you up about six to take Lynn to Gorman’s.”

Saber left, and I went into high gear. First I phoned Maggie to tell her I would pick up the dishes and cups early. Then I phoned the caterer and florist with instructions to deliver the food and flowers directly to the cottage anytime after one. No point in restricting them to that hour-before-the-party time now that I was up and at ’em.

Before I tackled the next job, I typed a note for Gorman, Ken, and David. In Gorman’s, I listed my cell number and Saber’s, and the approximate times of day he’d be responsible for Lynn. I know, overkill. But with a slow top like Gorman, better to have everything in writing. In my note to the guys, I listed our cell numbers and the address of the daytime “safe house.” I also wrote the directions to Gorman’s via Google Maps and gave them the approximate times to drop Lynn off and pick her up. I’d tell them Gorman’s code name when I knew it.

I made short work of cleaning the house, especially the living room, kitchen, and guest bath. Dust wasn’t so much an issue as cat hair might be. I also emptied, disinfected, and refilled Snowball’s box. I’d put her in her carrier in the laundry room during the party and close the door. She might get her revenge later, but
que sera
. I just hoped none of the guests had allergies.

As it happened, no one did, and the bridal shower tea came off perfectly. The women were gracious guests, showing no fear of me or of being in a vampire’s space. They praised my décor as well as the food, drink, and the nosegays they took home as party favors. They chatted and laughed, never once hinting that they knew of the murders.

In spite of the party gaiety, my stomach churned. Perhaps I should tell Maggie we needed to have a proper rehearsal dinner after all. Surely between the two of us, we could find a suitable place to hold a dinner even at this late date. Of course, I’d have to tell her why, and all I had were suppositions. Bottom line, Maggie was so radiantly happy, I just couldn’t rain on her wedding parade.

The guests left at five thirty on the dot, and Neil must’ve been watching for the exodus because he was on the doorstep minutes later to help haul Maggie’s gifts home. I’d planned to wash the dishes and utensils, and return them later, but Maggie insisted that we just rinse them. She’d take care of washing them at her house.