Wyvern and Company (20 page)

"So your poison can kill one of those things?" Dad
shook his head. "That's wonderful."

"Have to bite throat—scales thin there. Can pierce,"
he gestured with a hand. "Closer to vein. Kill fast." Darzi's face
was animated as he described how his snake could take down something that
large.

"I can't tell you how glad I am that you were there,"
I said. If he hadn't been, I wouldn't be sitting where I was, casually eating
breakfast and talking about it. "Glad you found clothes, dude," I
nodded at him. He'd come home with us the night before, completely naked. It
didn't seem to bother him much, either.

"We've already ordered a few things for him—he likes the
jeans," Joey said, offering a wry grin.

"Like jeans. T-shirts. Not much shoes, but have to wear."

I liked his speech shorthand. He could make himself understood
perfectly and still cut corners.

"As far as I'm concerned, you can have anything you want.
If you hadn't been there last night, we'd have been in terrible trouble,"
I shrugged.

"Maybe he'd like Nikes," Mack said. "They're my
favorites."

"I say take him to the athletic shoe store," Mom
said. "In your new car." She held up keys and rattled them at me.

"What?" I blinked stupidly at her.

"It's your birthday, dude. I think you got a new car,"
Mack grinned.

"It's in the garage, and Lynx said he'd go with you to
the mall," Mom said. "Take Darzi and get whatever he needs, and get
Mack clothes too, while you're at it—his pants are too short. He's two inches
taller than he used to be and his feet are bigger."

"Seriously?" Mack stared at his feet. His pants no
longer reached the Nikes he was so fond of. "The toes of my shoes pinched
now and then, but I didn't realize," he shrugged at Mom.

"It'll be our gift, for what you did last night, baby."
She gave him a hug. Mack went pink, but he hugged her back.

"I'll make sure we get plenty of stuff," Lynx
appeared with a sly grin. "I have your dad's credit card," he added,
holding up the item in question. That meant a video game or two might be added
to the pile.

"Can I take Gina and her mom?" I asked. "They'll
need stuff, too."

"Yes. Lynx, give Mrs. Allen a call, haul these boxes over
there and then take all of them shopping. I'll pay for the Allens' things,"
Mom handed Lynx a second credit card.

I started to ask how he was going to work around signing for
my Mom, then let it go. They'd work it out.

"Power," Lynx said, reading my thoughts. "I
just changed the name on the card to mine." He turned the card so I could
see it. "I'm an authorized signer on your mom's account, did you know? So
are your Aunt Wolf and your Aunt Tiger."

"It's in case of an emergency, like this one," Mom
shuffled over and rubbed my back. "But Lynx had to use his power to change
the name—I can't do that again until after the baby comes. Honey, Gina lost the
laptop she worked so hard to get when her house burned down. Buy another one at
the electronics store for her." She patted my shoulder and moved away.

"That's a lot of money," I croaked, staring at her
for a moment.

"Don't worry, your mother seems to have more of that than
previously imagined," Dad offered dryly.

"You're no pauper," Mom accused, poking Dad in the
chest with a finger. I could tell this had been a point of contention sometime
in the past. I sure didn't want to get in the middle of it, though, and the
thought of buying Gina a new laptop?

Score
.

"Let's go before the fur flies," Lynx herded Darzi, Mack
and me toward the door. I was more than ready to get out of the house, and Lynx
would make sure we were covered if anything tried to jump us. I'd already
Looked
and didn't find spawn or a kapirus anywhere in Fresno, but I did see a few in Tennessee.
After the oddness of the night before, that was a good thing.

Chapter 11
 

Justin's Journal

Gina couldn't believe it when we invited her and her mother to
the mall, and explained that we were prepared to buy whatever they needed,
including a new laptop for her. That's when she cried.

I'd never been faced with that dilemma before. Of course, I'd
never gotten mindspeech from Lynx before, either—telling me to hold her and
tell her that everything would be fine.

I did that. It went a long way toward clearing up the
waterworks and got me a tighter hug and a kiss. Who knew? Besides, it made my
birthday better to know that I could help someone else instead of just getting
stuff for myself.

We drove to the mall in my new Jeep Rubicon, which was red and
awesome, complete with the smell that new cars have. I let Lynx drive while I
wedged myself in the back seat between Gina and her mother. There was a light
in Gina's face that hadn't been there earlier, and I was grateful to be part of
it.

Halfway through our shopping trip, I sent mindspeech to Mom,
telling her the cost was mounting. She told me to keep going. Lynx grinned—he'd
been included in her return mindspeech.

"Don't worry, kiddo," he crooked an arm around my
neck. "It's for a really good cause and she can afford it."

Mom called my cell phone before we left the mall, telling us
that Dad was on his way to haul packages, and to bring Gina and her mother to
the house.

Dad had to haul most of the stuff in his SUV; there wasn't
room for much in my Jeep. When we got back to the house, my old Honda, which
had been miraculously restored, waited on the circular drive.

Mom and Joey came out of the house. Joey handed the Honda keys
to Mrs. Allen and told her the car was hers to drive until her insurance paid,
and then she could give it to Gina.

"We have to stick together," Mom told Mrs. Allen. "That
Pierce boy and his father have done damage to all of us."

"I heard he attacked you at the grocery store," Mrs.
Allen offered a watery smile. "I'm glad you're all right."

"She almost had a miscarriage," Joey grumped.

"You're pregnant?" Mrs. Allen breathed, her eyes
widening in surprise.

"Unplanned," Mom nodded. "We thought we were
past that."

"Do you know if you're getting a brother or sister?"
Gina asked shyly.

"Sister," I said.

"That's so sweet," Gina hugged me. I hugged back.
Hell, I'd take the affection any day.

"Would you like to come inside?" Mom invited them
in. "Joey and I are making dinner."

"I'd love to," Mrs. Allen said.

"I'll transfer your bags to the Honda," Dad offered
as Mom led the way to the front door.

Mrs. Allen went to the kitchen with Mom and Joey; Gina, Mack
and I ended up in my bedroom playing Joey's video game until the food was ready.
We had to leave the door open, but I got to sit on the floor with Gina curled against
me while we played. Mack didn't say anything when I kissed Gina's hair or her
temple now and then.

All three of us had close calls to deal with, so it was nice
to get some comfort that way. Gina wouldn't ever know what Mack and I had done,
but that didn't lessen her terrifying experience the night before. If Dad and Lion
hadn't helped, Mrs. Allen would probably be dead.

At least one other life had been saved, besides mine.

Darzi showed up after a few minutes to join the game, making
it two against two. I have no idea where lion snakes originate, but he got the
hang of it quickly and was wicked fast at it. Gina and I lost to Mack and Darzi
twice before Mom and Mrs. Allen, who'd offered to help with dinner, called us
to the kitchen to eat.

Everybody showed up to eat smothered chicken, mashed potatoes,
fresh green beans and salad. Mrs. Allen, who'd stared at Lynx earlier, now
stared at Uncle Dragon. I guess it was a girl thing. Or a woman thing.

It didn't matter, because Gina only stared at me, and I liked
that just fine.

* * *

Later, when Gina and her mother walked to the Honda to drive
to the old house, I pulled Gina close to give her a quick kiss before she got
into the car. Randall Pierce was still in jail, but I knew his dad had to be
putting bail money together. This was a new experience for me—worrying about
the safety of my girl. That's what she was to me, now—my girl.

I was glad, too, that she felt comfortable calling Dad for
help. She couldn't have picked a better person to ask. I owed him thanks and a
big hug for what he'd done.

Waving as they drove through the arched wrought-iron gates, I
realized something else—that behind those gates lay a sanctuary that Randall
Pierce and his father couldn't breach. I felt just fine with that, too.

* * *

Adam's Journal

Sunday morning, I transported Franklin's body—and Merrill—to
his brownstone in New York, where he called the coroner. Merrill wanted the
service to take place there, because Franklin had friends in the city.

A few vampires planned to attend, too, so an unusual evening
service was arranged. Merrill had already given a generous donation to a local
church, organizing Franklin's funeral in advance. He'd also hired musicians
from the symphony, but he had a very odd request past that—he'd asked Kiarra to
sing at Franklin's funeral.

I blinked at him in surprise. "What did she say?" I
blurted. My wife sang? That was an enormous shock.

"She said yes when I told her it was at Franklin's
request," Merrill shrugged. "Griffin said long ago that the angels
listen when Kiarra sings."

"I intend to have a conversation with my wife," I
growled.

"I didn't bring this up to create tension," Merrill
held out a hand. We stood inside the kitchen at his brownstone while he held a
cup of coffee in his hands. I realized then that this was my first memory of
Franklin, bustling about in Merrill's kitchen, finding food for Kiarra.
Somehow, even then, he'd been prepared for a vegetarian's needs and had plenty
of fruit and vegetables on hand.

"This is a terrible loss," I turned my head and
stared at the multimillion-dollar view through Merrill's wide kitchen windows.

"That was my true child—the child of my heart,"
Merrill's façade cracked as he wiped moisture off his cheeks. "I don't
know what I'll do without him." Using a vampire's speed, he fled the
kitchen. Only a blink later, I heard his bedroom door closing. He had grieving
to do, and only reappeared when the attendants arrived to collect Franklin's
body.

* * *

Justin's Journal

"Will you and Mack be all right while I'm gone?" Mom
asked, poking her head in my bedroom door. "Your father and your uncle
need me right now."

"We're fine, Mom," I said, giving her a nod. "Darzi
and Uncle Lion will be here, and I don't intend to go out."

Uncle Dragon was taking Mom to New York—that's where Merrill
wanted Franklin's funeral to be held and lots of other things had to be taken
care of. It didn't make sense to haul Grampa Franklin's body from one end of
the country to the other by conventional means—it was just undignified.

Mack and I had watched, too, as Merrill carried Grampa Frank
from his bedroom early that morning, holding his shrunken body so carefully in
his arms, so Dad could fold them to New York.

I had to wipe tears away when they were gone.

"I'm going," Mom said as Dragon appeared behind her
and laid a hand on her shoulder. That brought me back to reality with a jolt.

"Okay. We're going to Grampa Frank's funeral, aren't we?"
I asked.

"Of course. Honey, he was a good grandfather for you. The
best." She nodded to Dragon and they were gone.

* * *

Merrill's Private Journal

Griffin appeared during what I'd hoped to be my private
grieving time for Franklin. "Things are going strange and working in your
favor at the same time," he pointed out.

"I'd like to be left alone," I said, my voice gruff
and my sudden impatience clear.

"Don't you want to know that Kiarra is softening toward
you? That the hold on your M'Fiyah is unraveling?"

"I don't give a damn about any of that at the moment. My
child is dead, Brother. Leave me alone to come to terms with that terrible
reality. I have no idea why he kept refusing to allow the turn. I would have
him with me forever if he'd consented. First Greg, and now this." I no
longer cared that he might see my tears—they streamed unchecked down my face
and I stubbornly refused to wipe them away.

"I've said that things will come around," he began.

"I care not," I growled. "Leave me in my grief."

"Fine. I will return when things are better."

"You truly were a vampire," I snorted. "At
times, I wonder if you ever feel."

"I'll leave on that note," he snapped and
disappeared. For once, I was grateful for his hasty exit.

* * *

Adam's Journal

I didn't wish to pick a fight with Kiarra. Truly. What was I
supposed to do, however, when she spoke to the musicians who'd be playing at
Franklin's funeral as if she were used to giving directions?

Merrill requested two songs for her to sing—
Time To Say
Good-bye
and
Nessun Dorma
. A rehearsal time was set; she arranged to
meet the musicians at the church in the morning, before the funeral that
evening.

"I think only once or twice through the songs will be
enough," she said before offering coffee and snacks to the twelve musicians
who'd arrived at Merrill's apartment. He was a huge donor for the symphony, so
they'd given him anything he wanted for the service. These twelve were those
Kiarra selected.

Were you intending to tell me sometime?
I attempted to
keep my mental voice civil as she placed sandwich croissants, deli meats and
condiments in front of the musicians.

Adam, now is not the time. I thought this chapter of my
life was closed. Griffin chose to revive it, and I won't refuse Merrill this
last request on Franklin's behalf
.

When will be the time, then?
I persisted.

I'll tell you after the funeral. I promise
.

I hope so
, I grumbled. Yes, I should have backed off; I
was ashamed of my belligerence later, but there were things she'd kept secret
and that upset me. Justin—my brother Justin, anyway—always called me a
controlling bastard. His words had only been partially in jest.

In addition, I should have recognized this for what it was—an
attempt by Griffin to drive a wedge between Kiarra and me. I hadn't traveled
that path, yet, and had no suspicions as such. Then, I had no idea how any M'Fiyah
might be broken, without interference by one much more powerful.

I had many things to learn.

* * *

Justin's Journal

I got mindspeech from Uncle Lion, telling me to get clothes
together for a quick trip to New York. Mack wanted to go, too, so after a short
phone call with his dad, he packed a small bag and was ready to go with me.

Uncle Lion looked worried when he showed up at my bedroom
door, ready to take us to Uncle Merrill's place in New York. I'd never been to
New York before—not that I could remember, anyway.

Mack sure hadn't been there, so he was looking forward to
seeing it, although it was for such a somber occasion.

Yeah, I probably should have asked Uncle Lion what he was
worried about.

I didn't. Hindsight is always clear and pristine when you're
examining it—once you've passed the point where it's too late to do anything about
it, anyway.

* * *

Adam's Journal

Lion brought Mack and Justin to New York; the funeral would be
held Monday evening at nine so the vamps could attend. Radomir would be one of
those, as he was Merrill's vampire sibling and cared for Franklin.

Wlodek also cared for Merrill's human child, but you'd never
catch the old bastard admitting it. I knew, whether anyone else did or not,
that Franklin had Wlodek's private number and could have asked for anything. He
never did—not for himself, anyway.

My wife would sing at his funeral. That still irritated me and
although I refused to admit it, waited to hear how good she was or whether she'd
fall on her face and embarrass all of us.

I should have paid better attention, too, as she wasn't eating
much. It hurt her more than I realized I think, that I slept on my side of the
bed as far from her as I could get. She was pregnant and facing an ordeal I had
no knowledge of, and I chose to behave like the proverbial American asshole.

 Joey folded in by himself on Tuesday morning, looking as if
he'd been crying. As Kiarra's and my healer, he was connected to us. He felt the
upset from the current rift between us, and that added to the burden of his
grief over Franklin. I attempted to hug him when he arrived, but he moved deftly
away and headed toward his old bedroom without a word.

Kiarra made breakfast for Merrill and the boys when they
shuffled into the kitchen; I'd gone to a nearby restaurant to eat after rising
early.

Yes, I'd already taken things too far.

Merrill drove us to the chapel for the rehearsal at ten, so I
took a seat with Justin and Mack at the back of the church while the musicians
warmed up. Kiarra was somewhere in the back, warming up too, I suppose. I knew
little about music, other than what I liked.

When she walked to the front of the church, I crossed arms
over my chest, waiting. The musicians played the introduction to
Time to Say
Good-Bye
.

My arms dropped, as did my jaw, when Kiarra began to sing. I
understood then why the angels would listen when she sang. Somehow, I knew that
voice—had recordings of it in the past. I wanted to knock my head against a
nearby wall for being so obstinately obtuse.

Renée Mendenhall, the diva from Mississippi, sang in church
that morning. I'd even read her biography shortly after her death.