Page 3 of Relic

THREE

Fuck. He’s fainted.

I lay him on the couch in the room, pushing my unfinished meal to the end of the coffee table, before rising to get a cool cloth for his forehead.

Morticia appears moments later, dragging both bodies, their heads tucked under her arms. She dumps them in the kitchen. “Is it still in the freezer?”

“Yes.”

“They got blood all over my favorite dress,” she complains. After dropping the bodies, she opens the freezer and pulls out the vial of potion, ridding us of the intruders with powerful magic. “Is the mortal okay?”

“I believe so. Fainted from shock.”

“Are you going to explain to him what happened so he doesn’t think you’re some sort of madman?”

“I don’t see that I have a choice.”

She huffs her displeasure. “You shouldn’t have chased him.”

“Or perhaps I should have. He’s attracting these things to him. First, last night and now this morning. Don’t you find that curious?”

“Yes, actually.” She twists her lips. “Compelling him to forget could be dangerous for him, but why did you hire him? He can’t possibly withstand this lifestyle.”

“I only meant to keep him for a bit. Feed at our leisure. I don’t have time for hunting these days. I was fortunate to find this one sleeping in the alleyway.” I gesture to the table of body part scraps, now dead too long to indulge in further.

“So he’s a blood source for you? You weren’t planning to take him to bed?”

“Who I fuck is not your business, dear Morti.” I rub my forehead, ready to shift the subject. “The outbreaks are never ending these days. What’s causing it?”

“If you don’t know, no one does.”

“Mom,” Emery murmurs, his eyelids fluttering.

“Shh, you’re safe.”

His eyes open wide as he shoots up. “Fuck. Let me go.”

“I need to explain first.”

“I don’t want to know. Then I’m like an accomplice or something, right? Just let me go. I promise I won’t say anything. I’m good at keeping secrets. In fact, I’m packing my shit and leaving town. I can’t live like this.”

“Told you,” Morticia gloats.

“Emery, listen to me.”

He shakes his head, his pretty hazel eyes filled with tears.

“There’s a perfectly good explanation for what you’ve seen.”

“Can’t be. Those people… you just chopped… dead.” He’s practically hyperventilating now. “Fuck.”

I snap my fingers in front of his face, and when that doesn’t work, I slap him softly, but firm enough to get his attention.

“You hit me,” he whispers, touching his cheek.

“I grounded you. Take a deep breath.” Morticia hands me a glass of water. “Drink this.”

“Is it poison?”

“Of course it’s not poison. It’s water.”

Morticia chuckles. “You’ve got yourself a live one this time, Tio. I’m opening the store.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re gonna open the store like two people weren’t murdered here? Are you a psychopath?”

“I am not and they weren’t people.”

“Oh. Right. What were they then? A figment of my imagination?”

“I’m afraid not. Drink. You’ll feel better.”

His eyes shift away from me as he takes the glass, sniffing it before taking a delicate sip. “What is that?” He points to my meal. “It looks like… body parts.”

“Yes, well, it is. From a cow,” I lie. He wouldn’t understand otherwise.

“A cow. Right. Can I go now?”

“No. Something about your energy is attracting these things to you. I’m afraid you won’t be safe on your own.” I frown. “I need to learn why. What is it about you they crave?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Those things you saw just now, as well as what was chasing you last night… We call them IDVs.”

Emery stares at me before nodding slowly. “Cool. You explained. Can I go now?”

“You have no idea what an IDV is, do you?”

“Does it matter?”

“It does. They want you. Now tell me, whose presence would you rather be in, mine or theirs?”

“It’s kind of a toss up at the moment.”

“Emery, my little beignet, I will not harm you.” Not yet anyway.

His face pales as he scrunches his nose. “You keep saying that, but every time I see you, someone dies.”

“But not you.”

He blows out a breath. “Fine. What’s an IDV?”

“Infected and distressed vampire.”

Emery blinks at me with a blank expression. “Vampire? Right. That explains a lot. Thank you.” He sets the glass down. “I appreciate your hospitality. You don’t have to worry about me, though. I’m getting the fuck out of New Orleans. Today. Bye, Horatio.”

He stands to leave, but I move to block his exit. He exhales, rolling his eyes. “How do you move so damn fast? You can’t keep me here.”

“Actually, I can. No mortals will be attacked on my watch.”

“Mortals. I suppose you’re a vampire, too.” His eyes shift to the raw meat on the table. He swallows hard, glancing up at me. “Please let me go, Horatio.” His voice is weak now.

“I understand you’re scared. I wish you hadn’t witnessed what you have, but until I know you’re safe on your own, I can’t release you. You’ll work here and stay with me.”

“Not gonna happen. I’ll call the police.”

I chuckle. “Call them. They’re well aware of my work.”

“Work?” He shoves my chest, not moving me at all. “Killing people is work?”

“Sit down. You need to calm yourself.”

“I need to go.”

He’s annoying me now, so I lift him by his arm and drop him on the couch. He gasps, watching me as I approach my liquor cabinet. I pour a small amount of memory potion into a glass, turning to hand it to him.

“Drink it. You will feel infinitely better. I promise.”

“You know what? I will drink it. Even if it kills me, it has to be better than what’s happening now.”

I smile. At least he’s complying. He takes the glass, downing the bitter red liquid in one shot. It takes a moment to kick in, but as it does, his features relax and he slumps back against the couch.

“I feel sleepy.”

“Good. Take a nap, Emery. You’re safe here.”

His body falls over, and I pull the throw off the back of the couch to cover him with it. When he wakes up, he won’t remember anything but what I suggest to him. These damn mortals are always walking into trouble, complicating matters more than they need to be.

I go up front to see Morticia watching the customers with her critical eye.

“You’re keeping him, aren’t you?”

I nod. “As I stated earlier.”

She exhales, dragging long nails across the wood desk. “He is attractive.”

“It’s more than that. I find him fascinating. I imagine he tastes quite sweet, and he is oh so compliant.”

“By force. I don’t think that’s what compliance means.”

Chuckling, I straighten the cuff of my dress shirt. “Perhaps I used a bit of charm on him, but I am certain in time he will come to enjoy my company.”

“Yes, because that’s worked out so well all the other times you’ve tried. Why can’t you choose someone like us? Wouldn’t that be simpler?”

“Perhaps, but not nearly as exciting.”

“You think it’s exciting to slowly drain a mortal, turn him into your sex slave, then kill him when you’re finished? That’s your idea of fun?”

“Do not be so righteous, darling. We both know you enjoy a good kill.”

“I don’t play with my food first.”

“Perhaps you should try. Vampires offer me nothing.”

“You and your mortal kink.” She huffs. “Fine, but keep him out of my way.”

I lift her hand, kissing the back of it. “As always, I appreciate your support.”

She scowls at me. “Can you blame me for not wanting to stitch your broken heart back together again when your newest boy disappoints you?”

“At some point, you’ll no longer need to. I‘ll find my prize. One who does not leave me wanting. One I don’t have to discard.”

“And you think it’s that sweet, naive boy in there?”

“How will I know unless I try?” I smile at a customer. “Besides, he’s attracting IDVs, and I need to learn why. Perhaps he’s not as sweet as he appears. It would be a shame to kill such beauty, but duty before romance.”

She nods. “Did you give him the memory potion?”

“I did. It seemed the only way to calm him.”

“Smart.”

“I had hoped he would listen to reason, but perhaps he needs more time. It seems he’s unaware of the supernatural.”

“And he moved to the French Quarter? He’s in for a shock.”

“Many.”

Returning to the back room, I busy myself cleaning up any remnants of what was here before. I hate to throw out perfectly good human remains, but the feeding window closed to safely consume dead blood, and Emery definitely wasn’t convinced it was beef. Now that I know he’s unaware of the veiled world around him, I’ll have to take care to ease him in slowly.

By the time the potion does its work and Emery’s eyes flutter open, I’m sitting in an armchair, sipping a glass of French vintage blood mixed with wine.

“Where am I?” Emery asks with a groggy voice.

“Ah. You’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Confused.” He drags a hand through his hair. “Who are you?”

“My name is Horatio. You came into my shop earlier and fainted. Fortunately, I was there to catch you before you could be harmed.”

“Fainted? Whoa.” Emery sits up, rubbing his temple. His hair is sticking up a bit, giving him a charming youthful appearance. “I’m so sorry.”

“Quite alright. Would you like some water?”

“Please.”

I stand and cross the space to the small kitchenette, watching Emery try to get his bearings. He seems to remember nothing, which is perfect.

“I believe you were inquiring about employment when you came in,” I say, handing him a glass of cool water.

Emery’s face flinches. “Way to make a great impression. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. Are you truly seeking work?”

He nods, gulping the water down. The potion makes one thirsty. “I’m an artist, but my savings are meager. I need something part time to keep me going.”

“Perfect. We’re hiring part time. It’s simple work, minding the cashier station, answering questions, enforcing the capacity rules. We’re a small shop but popular. We always have too many crowding in.”

“That sounds good.”

“Great. We can do some paperwork tomorrow, but why don’t you go home now and rest?”

“You’re hiring me?”

I smile. “I had a good feeling about you when we chatted earlier. I’m sure you were simply overcome by the city. You’re new here, right?”

“Right. Yeah.” He nods, but his brow is creased. “I don’t think I’ve ever fainted before.”

“Rest will do you some good. You should go straight home.”

“That’s a good idea. I have no idea what came over me.”

I pull a card from inside my suit jacket. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything at all.”

“Thank you.” He studies the card for a moment. “A coffin?”

“Ah yes, the picture on the front. Well, I do sell vampire inspired goods.”

“Oh. Right.” He laughs softly. “Thanks for your kindness.”

“My pleasure. Come back at nine tomorrow morning?”

“I will.”

I send a subtle wave of compulsion to him, planting the suggestion that should he be followed or cornered by anything he calls for me. He sways slightly, letting me know it reached him.

He stands to leave, glancing around the space, then shakes his head. I follow him out front. Emery pauses when he sees Morticia, who ignores him while helping customers.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

“No,” Emery answers, shaking his head. “I can’t remember anything. I don’t remember how I got here. Nothing.”

“Oh dear. Perhaps you need a doctor. I could take you to the hospital?”

“No. I’m sure I’m fine. I don’t feel sick or anything. Maybe I’m dehydrated.”

“Possibly. See you tomorrow then.”

“Yes. Bye.”

Emery heads outside, standing on the sidewalk for a moment before turning to leave. When I look at Morticia, she rolls her eyes. She’s never approved of my interest in mortals for companionship, but I can’t stay away. Vampires are so arrogant. Their blood is tainted by the many memories from their victims mingled in. Mortals are so pure and sweet, like tapping the first nectar from a tree. As long as Emery doesn’t bore, annoy, or grow tired of me, he will live.

His scent on my sofa will help me stay connected should he attract another IDV. For now, I need to go hunting. The IDVs are getting bolder, stepping out in daylight to attack tourists. The sooner I rid our city of these parasites, the sooner I can get back to living my life as I please.