Page 9 of Relic

NINE

When I return to Relic, Morticia is behind the counter, the usual scowl on her face.

“Is something wrong, Morti?”

“No.” She studies her fingernails. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Good. How is Emery?”

“Quiet. He’s busy reading everything he can about our city.” She glances at the beads. “He still seems to think it’s all fiction.”

“Perhaps it’s for the best.”

She sniffs the air in my direction, narrowing her eyes. “Horatio. You fed from him.”

“I claimed him. I felt it was necessary.”

“Necessary for you?”

“No. For his safety. Danger surrounds him and it’s not only from the IDVs. Orson knows of him somehow and wants to harm him.”

“Orson? What the fuck does that loser want now?”

“The same thing he always wants. New Orleans. Do you think there’s any way he’s responsible for the IDVs?”

“I don’t know how. Pasha told us it would take incredible magic to make this happen. Where would he find that? Who would trust him? He doesn’t exactly have a strong reputation around here.”

“No idea, but knowing he wants to bring Emery harm, and that Emery is also attracting these stricken vampires, I had to do what I could to protect him. For some reason, I feel responsible for him.”

“Well, now that is interesting. Why do you suppose that is?”

“I wish I knew.” My eyes flutter as Emery’s scent wafts around me, sweet and innocent in some ways, but sensual in others. I’m drawn in his direction, almost pulled against my will, until I’m standing in front of him. He’s still sitting on the couch where I left him.

Glancing up, he smiles. “Hi.”

“Hello. How are you doing so far?”

“Good. The information is… interesting. Like, how far do we go with this? Do you want me to wear fangs and stuff?”

Smiling, I sit in the seat next to him. “I want you to do what feels comfortable and fun.” I grip his chin, tugging his bottom lips down with my thumb. “But you would look gorgeous with a pair of fangs.”

His forehead cinches for a moment as he leans slightly toward me. “You make me feel weird.”

“Do you not like it?”

“No, I do.”

“So do I, Emery.”

He gazes at me, his breath heavy in his chest. “Are you going to kiss me?”

“Do you want me to?”

“I… you’re…” He blinks, clearing his throat and sitting back. “Sorry. You’re my boss. I don’t know what came over me.”

“I’d like to think you find me attractive.”

“I do. Yeah. Definitely.”

“I find you attractive as well.” I can feel my fangs descend, but unless I plan to dose him up again or use my charm, I better keep them hidden. Abruptly, I stand to put space between us.

“Did I say the wrong thing? I did, didn’t I? I really don’t want to mess up this job.”

“You haven’t.” I turn to face him, careful to stand in the darkened corner to hide my aroused appearance. How would I explain my red eyes, fangs, and sharp nails? “Now is not the place though.”

“No. Right.” Emery rubs his forehead. “You probably want to make sure I’m a good worker before you… before we… um…” He huffs a breath. “Before you decide if you’re keeping me or not.”

“I’m keeping you.” I shift so that I’m directly next to him again. He blinks in surprise, but then smiles. “Would you like to sit on my lap, bon bon?”

A tentative smile pulls at his lips. “Really? No one’s ever asked me to do that.”

“I like it. In fact, I adore it.”

He nods, climbing onto my lap, his arm draping across my shoulder. “Listen to me, Emery. Listen well. What I’m saying is not a joke.”

“Okay.”

“I need you to stay close to me. New Orleans is a wonderful place, full of history and mysteries abound, but there is danger too. You are too sweet and fresh to be left unattended.”

He nods, gazing into my eyes. “Okay, Horatio.”

“Do you remember what to do if you’re afraid and I’m not near?”

His face crinkles as he looks down to his chest. “I feel funny.”

“What do you mean?”

He rubs at his sternum. “It’s like a tugging sensation. Like a rope wrapping around me.” His eyes widen. “Around us.”

I kiss the edge of his jaw, pleased he can sense my claim. “Do you remember what to do?”

“Say your name.”

“That’s right.”

“And you’ll be there for me.” He nearly whispers it. “How…” Emery closes his eyes.

“Speak freely.”

Emery shakes his head. “I’m wondering how I feel so comfortable with you when we don’t even know each other.”

“Sometimes, we get lucky with chemistry.”

He nods, smiling. “Yeah. I could use some luck. The good kind.”

“You have it while I’m near.” I rub my thumb across his bottom lip. “And I will always be near.”

“No one’s ever wanted to take care of me before. Why do you?”

“You inspire me, my sweet beignet. Your eyes draw me in. I’m curious.”

“Ares said I should stay out of your bed.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Is that so? Did he say why?”

“Something about you getting bored easily. Or something like that. Are you only a hookup kind of guy?”

Narrowing my eyes, I realize the psychic knows much. “I have been in the past, yes.”

“But I’m different, right?” He scoffs. “That’s what all guys say.”

“You don’t have to believe my words. You can make your decision based on my actions.” I tickle my fingers down his back, feeling his shiver against me. “But you said so yourself, you feel close to me already.”

“Yeah but falling for a pretty face isn’t new for me. Actually, it’s a huge problem of mine.”

The sadness in his eyes fills me with a level of rage I’m unaccustomed to. “Who hurt you? Linx?”

“He’s the most recent one, yeah, but there’s a long list of assholes behind him. It’s a character flaw. I latch on to the worst possible choice every time.” He shrugs. “So if you fuck me over I won’t be shocked.”

“I absolutely will not fuck you over, Emery. You’re too precious for that. I admit I’m far from noble in my romantic pursuits, but I knew almost immediately you would be different.”

There’s a flash of hope in his eyes before he blinks it away. “We’ll see. You might think that now, but once you get to know me…” His words trail off as he turns his face to the small window behind him. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

He tilts his head, clearly hearing something I cannot even with my enhanced hearing. “It sounds like whispering. Not just one person though. Lots of people.”

Setting him down carefully, I rise and peek out the window, seeing nothing. “No one is here.”

When I turn around again, Emery is passing through the beads. I rush in front of him, but he continues forward, not seeing me, as if in a trance.

Morticia’s eyes widen. “What’s wrong with him?”

“I don’t know.”

I follow Emery outside the shop, watching as he turns right down the sidewalk, away from the bustling center to the alleyway. I reach him in the blink of an eye, focusing on the IDV standing there. He has glowing green eyes set off by brown skin and a bald head. He bares his teeth in a dangerous smile as Emery moves ever closer. The IDV doesn’t seem aware of me yet, too focused on his prey. I shall make my presence known.

I appear in front of him, smiling as he blinks. “Hello, vampire. What do you seek here?”

“Get out of my way,” he growls. “I have what I need.”

“No, you see, that man belongs to me. Why do you want him?”

“I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

“Ah, but you should or prepare to die.”

“You should mind your own business.”

“I am. I told you he was mine.” Extending a sharp nail, I slash the man’s throat. I’ve learned the IDVs are more sensitive to pain than a normal vampire. The man gasps, clutching his bloody throat.

“I am on a mission.”

“Tell me more.” I grip his shirt, lifting him off the ground. When I steal a glance at Emery, he’s standing immobile, clearly under some sort of spell. “Now.”

The man in my clutch struggles, but he cannot break free. “I need him or master will kill me.”

“I will kill you first if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

The man’s eyes shift around the space, clearly agitated. It’s rare to find one who can speak, so either something is special about this one or the disease is evolving.

“You don’t understand,” he hisses. “Master will run this city and everyone in it.”

“Why does he want Emery?”

“Master does not tell me why.”

“Who is your master?”

The vampire opens his mouth, but instead of speaking he grins, drawing my attention to where his eyes go. I turn to find a pack of mindless IDVs advancing on Emery. Sensing the danger, Mattheus thankfully appears, along with Samson who shoots a bubble of white light from his hand. The magic stuns the IDVs, but it’s only temporary as they shake it off and continue their charge.

I make the decision to release the man in my grip and remove Emery from this situation. Before I can even make it to Emery, the vampire is gone, but Mattheus nods at me.

“I’ll handle these,” he says, pulling a sword from the sheath on his back.

Samson approaches me, his eyes fixed on Emery as he holds a hand over him and eyes closed. When he opens his eyes, he nods at me. “I can fix this.”

Yellow waves of light pour from his hands, falling like a blanket over Emery. In only a few seconds, Emery blinks slowly, looking dazed but released from his trance.

“Thank you, Samson.”

The witch nods. “I’ll come later to see if I can understand more. Right now I’ll help Mattheus. Get him to safety.”

Instead of the shop, I bound with lightning speed to my home, kicking the front door open when I arrive. My butler, Sven, meets me in the foyer, his face a mask of concern.

“Sir?”

“Open the safe room please.”

Sven nods, hurrying ahead of me up the stairs and down the hall where I keep my most valued possessions. It’s the safest place for Emery until I know what’s happening.

Sven unlocks the door to the room, and I step inside, laying Emery down on the chaise. Sven hovers behind me, a concerned look on his face.

“Bring me water, food, and a drink for me.”

“Food?”

“Mortal food. He likes sandwiches.”

“Right away, sir.”

While Emery rests, I brush the hair from his forehead. His safety is far more compromised than I thought.

“Where am I?” he asks, sleepily.

“My home. You’re safe now.”

“What… Safe?”

“You don’t know what happened?”

He shakes his head. “No. I was at the shop with you. Then…” He shrugs. “I don’t know. Now I’m here.”

“Let’s get you some food and rest and then I’ll explain to you.”

It’s clear I can no longer keep the boy in the dark. He has to know his life is in danger, and maybe, he’ll have some idea why. Nevermind that he doesn’t believe in the supernatural world. Perhaps, if he tells me where he’s been and who he’s interacted with, I can find a clue. Otherwise, I’ll have to burn this city to the ground to find out. His fate and the city’s are entwined which means I must protect him at all costs.

Something about Emery tells me my efforts will be worthy.