Demonspawn Page 19

  “Do those work?” she asked.

  “What?”

  She pointed at something to my left and right. I followed her finger, and my jaw dropped.

  We weren't on the ledge. We were both falling toward the river. Or rather, floating.

  Sticking out of the middle of my back, and acting like a parachute to slow our fall, was a set of huge wings.

  I could feel them, somehow attached to the muscles in my body. I could sense them, just like you can close your eyes and know your arms are there. They shook a little as they glided along the night sky. I was so stunned looking at them I didn't catch what Victoria was saying.

  “Alex! Are you listening?”

  “Huh? What?”

  “Can you move those things? Control them?”

  “I...don't know.”

  She sighed and looked down. She gripped my arm tighter. “Well, I hope you can swim then.”

  I could hear the water rushing over the rocks as we drew closer. Victoria hit the water first. I was right behind her and was surprised at how cold it was. Luckily we didn't have to swim. The river was only about four feet deep. She made it to the river bank easily, but I was having a tough time. The newly discovered wings sticking out of my back made everything harder than it should.

  “Uh, a little help?” I called as I got closer.

  Victoria reached out and easily yanked me out of the water with one pull. We both collapsed on the ground. I had no idea what my wings were doing, but I could feel them moving behind me.

  “Hey, you want to keep those things to herself?” Victoria said. Apparently I was bothering her.

  “Are we safe here?” I stood up and leaned against a tree.

  “Unless those fuckers can fly, yeah, we're alright. It'll take a while for them to get down here.”

  She started checking herself for other injuries. I figured I should do the same. Besides my ruined clothes, I was fine. Victoria had blood all over her, including her arrow wound. But it didn't look like it was bleeding.

  “Aw, dammit,” she said.

  “What? What's wrong?”

  She held up something for me to see. My night vision was gone. I had to squint to see what it was.

  “The iPhone,” she said. “Cost me six hundred bucks. It plays music, email, Internet, phone. I love this little thing. Now it's broke.”

  She threw it to the ground. I shook my head. We were almost killed, and she was worried about an iPhone.

  “I'm, uh, very sorry about your iPhone.”

  “You should be. This is all your fault.”

  “My fault?”

  “Yeah. Why'd you follow me in that alley, anyway? Or you want me to believe you have a damn pair of bat wings, and don't know how to use them?”

  I looked at my wings. Very strange thing to say. My wings. She was right. There weren't any feathers, like a bird's. They look a lot like a bat's.

  “Hey, would you get off my ass? You got shot with an arrow, and I pulled it out of you.”

  She was quiet, then nodded. “Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that. I'm just a little pissed. Look, let's get moving. We at least gotta get out of here.”

  “Where exactly are we going? Where the hell are we?”

  “Don't really know. Depends on how long we were out, we could be anywhere. But I smell a road, this way.”

  She started walking into the woods. I followed her.

  “You can smell roads?”

  “Yup. Got a good nose. It really kicks in when the blood is nearby, which I need really bad right about now.”

  I didn't ask any questions, at least not yet. I was afraid of the answers.

  I kept getting my wings hung up on trees and bushes. It annoyed the hell out of me. I kept having to walk sideways. I couldn't control the huge things at all, and they were sticking straight out, making me at least ten feet wide.

  “What's the plan?” I asked. “Go to the police?”

  She laughed sarcastically. “Yeah, right. And tell them what?”

  “Well, what do we do?”

  “We don't do anything. This isn't your problem. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But they'll leave you alone. I'm the one they want.”

  “Who are they? And who are you?”

  “I know you got a thousand questions right now. And I'll be more than happy to fill in the blanks, after I get home, get a nice shower, and a good drink.”

  I looked her up and down. We were both soaking wet, but I was in far worse shape than she was. At least she had clothes. The only thing I was wearing was a half burnt pair of jeans and waterlogged shoes. Still, she had a point. No use playing trivia pursuit while we walked through the woods.

  And what a walk it was. We must have walked two miles before we finally got somewhere. She had a hell of a nose. I could see a car break through the trees up ahead, then another.

  We were at a highway. I didn't recognize it, so I had no idea where we were. Victoria stopped just before the trees ended and turned to face me.

  “You might want to put those things away,” she said, pointing at my wings.

  “I don't know how.”

  “Alright, look. Close your eyes.” I did. “Now, I want you to picture yourself standing with a giant set of wings hanging out of your back.”

  “That shouldn't be too hard.”

  “Okay, now, I want you to picture them disappearing. They go away, and you're back to normal. Or, at least, whatever you call normal.”

  I tried to do as she said, but I could still feel them. My right one even brushed against a tree, and I could feel it all the way through the wing into my back. Very strange sensation. Then there was that pain in my back again.

  “Good job.”

  I opened my eyes. “It worked?”

  “Yeah. Looked pretty weird too.”

  Nice. A woman who survived an arrow in the chest was calling me weird.

  “Okay, let's go.”

  I followed her up the embankment to the highway. I was only along for the ride. I had no idea what was going on, but Victoria had a natural leadership vibe to her.

  I don't know what time it was, but it must have been the wee hours of the morning. There weren't many cars on the road.

  “How do I look?” she asked as we stepped over the railing on the shoulder.

  “Like a train wreck.”

  “Well, I know that. But do I still look sexy enough to flag someone down?”

  “Are you joking?”

  She wasn't. She waved at the few cars that passed by. It only took the third one to pull over and back up to us. Inside was an older man in a suit. Late work night? Crazy party? Who knows. But he rolled down the passenger's side window.

  “Well, hello there,” he said with a smile.

  “Hi,” Victoria said. She went through that change that I'd seen before. A minute ago she was forceful and direct. Now her voice oozed with sexiness. “My friend and I had a little accident.”

  He looked her up and down. Whether he was looking at her ruined clothes covered in blood, or her nice body, again I don't know.

  “Yeah, I can see that. You need a lift?”

  “Nah. If I could just borrow your cell phone?”

  “Certainly.”

  He handed it over. She dialed a quick number, and looked at me. “You have money to pay for a cab?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “My purse is locked in my car back at the club.”

  The club. Oh man. As far as the gang knew, I just vanished, chasing after Victoria. They were either worried sick, or furious at me. Especially Cindy and Alicia.

  I glanced at the phone as Victoria handed it back. It was almost four in the morning. There was no sense in calling. They were already in bed. They'd understand, once I explained everything to them.

  The driver offered one more ride to Victoria. She politely refused, and he took off. Victoria sat on the railing.

  “We wait for a cab here?”

  “Yup. I told him right by the s
ign on the beltway leading to the interstate.”

  “Okay. This is definitely new.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  I sat next to her. We were both quiet, lost in our own thoughts. I wasn't thinking much actually. I was still absorbing the fact that I was fireproof and could grow a set of wings.

  It took twenty minutes for the cab to get there. He insisted on taking us to the hospital, but Victoria refused, and gave him an address on the outer limits of the city. It took another forty-five minutes to drive there. Quite a high cab fare.

  Chapter 20

  I sat in the cab in silence. Victoria did the same thing. Near the end of the ride I noticed she was getting a little jittery, looking out the window and shifting in her seat. We ended up in a nice neighborhood, but I was even more amazed at the house we stopped in front of.

  House is the wrong word. More like mansion. A huge wall surrounded the place, with an electronic gate to keep people out. Even the cab driver gave Victoria a doubtful look as we climbed out of the cab.

  “You're sure this is your place, lady?”

  “Last time I checked.”

  I paid the man and he drove off. I stood there stunned while Victoria punched a few buttons on a keypad next to the gate, which slowly opened. She turned around to look at me.

  “You coming?”

  I followed her up the long sidewalk, taking everything in. Huge lawn. It must have taken an army to keep it neat. The mansion was two floors and a lot of windows, and bars over every single one. Next to the sidewalk was a driveway that led to a garage attached to the mansion. The whole place was simply impressive.

  She fumbled with her keys a moment before throwing open the front door. I followed her into a huge hallway, and it was a strange contrast from the outside.

  There was absolutely nothing. Nothing on the walls. No pictures or decorations. As we passed the huge stairs leading upstairs and a few other rooms, I stole peeks in them. They were bare too. It wasn't dirty or dusty, just empty. Very strange.

  We stopped at a large door near the end of the hallway. It had a keypad similar to the one at the front gate. She punched a few numbers and pulled it open. She led me down a set of stairs into the basement.

  Again, I was amazed.

  The basement was probably the size of most people's houses. I have no idea of the square footage, but it was huge. It was like a studio. There was a kitchen along one wall, a living area in the corner, complete with awesome home theater system. Her bedroom was in plain view for everyone to see, as well as a pool table, and a heavy duty computer system. The only room I could see was in the far corner, and I could only guess that was a bathroom. There wasn't a single window. It was obvious she lived completely out of her basement.

  She grabbed a phone from near the couch and dialed a number.

  “Hey, Jim. It's me. Listen, I need a favor. It's a long story, but my car, and also a blue Chevy truck, are in the parking lot of Lumbermill's. Could you tow them to my house for me? The code's still the same. Thanks a lot.”

  She hung up. I noticed that she was familiar with my truck. I didn't ask any questions.

  She looked at me and took a deep breath, slumping her shoulders. We were both exhausted.

  “What a night, huh?” she said. Then in one quick motion she grabbed her shirt and pulled it off. I saw a glimpse of a white sports bra and a nice chest before I turned away. I heard more clothes coming off. “What's the matter, Alex? Haven't you seen a naked woman before?”

  “Every now and then. But I usually have to turn on the charm first.”

  “Well, when you get to be as old as me, you stop caring about modesty.”

  As old as me. She only looked a few years older than me. I wouldn't even guess thirty years old.

  She passed me, holding her wet clothes. It took a lot of effort to not look at her nude body as she headed toward the bathroom. I was impressed with myself. I knew if it were Cindy, I don't think I would have been able to pull it off.

  “I'm gonna take a quick shower,” she announced. “Make yourself at home.”

  She vanished into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on.

  Make myself at home. I was standing in the middle of a stranger's huge well-furnished basement, wearing nothing but wet, burnt clothes, and I was supposed to make myself at home.

  I studied her place while she showered. No pictures of anyone. A large DVD collection. Instead of any closets, she had a few dressers and a couple of racks holding her clothes.

  The shower turned off. She came out wearing nothing but a towel, which wasn't that long. Her wet red hair hung just behind her shoulders. Very sexy woman. I have no doubt she had no trouble getting men to notice her in the clubs she went to. Or dragging them into the back alleys.

  “It's all yours,” she said. “Just leave those nasty clothes in the bathroom. I'll dig up something for you.”

  I said nothing. I was hesitant to take a shower, but I knew I could definitely use one. I didn't exactly trust Victoria, but I didn't think she'd hurt me. It wasn't like she could anyway.

  The shower did feel good. I made it quick, just enough to get the drops of blood off me and relax a little. When I got out I saw the bathroom door was open with a pair of shorts and a tank-top folded on the carpet. I grabbed them quickly and put them on.

  Victoria was dressed, wearing a pair of jeans and a baggy white shirt. She was lying on the couch with her feet up. I sat in the chair opposite her and leaned on my knees. I wasn't comfortable enough to lean back.

  “Sorry, no underwear,” she said with a smile. “Don't get a lot of male company.” She looked me up and down, not even bothering to hide it. The word predator came to mind. “You can fill out a shirt though, can't you.”

  I could say the same for her. “Thanks for the clothes.”

  “Sure. So, Alex,” she said. She sat up and swung her legs into a sitting position, almost rivaling some of Cindy's sexy moves. “You're probably lost right now, aren't you?”

  I nodded. “I don't even know where to begin.”

  “Well, let's start with you. You're not fully human. I sensed that when I first laid eyes on you. But you got a normal heartbeat. So what gives?”

  I took a deep breath. “It's a long story. But somehow, I've got demonic power. And more and more keep coming out all the time.”

  She nodded. “Ah. Was this on purpose? I mean, did you do this yourself?”

  I scoffed. “Yeah, right. My parents did this. But it backfired on them.”

  Victoria laughed. “Wow. I've seen all kinds of crazy shit. This century has been the worst, with all this technology popping up. Some weird experiments going on out there. That's what I thought you were. Some kind of experiment.”

  “And what exactly are you?”

  “Oh come on. I'm sure you figured it out by now. I'm a vampire.”

  I knew that. The clues were all there. Sucking blood with large fangs in the back of an alley. An arrow through the heart. People using crossbows as weapons. But even though we were saved from a violent fall into the river by a pair of wings that shot out of my back, I convinced myself that there was no way vampires could exist.

  “A vampire,” I said.

  “Yup. If you really have demonic powers, then you know all about the demon world, the spirit world, blah blah. Well, our own world has some pretty freaky shit in it too. Vampires, werewolves, witches. It's full of the supernatural.”

  I was quiet for a moment, just taking it in. “Are they all like you?”

  She smiled and struck a pose. “You mean gorgeous?” Wow, just a strange conversation. Who knew a vampire could be so normal and funny. She got serious. “Everyone and everything is different, Alex. No different than humans. All vampires drink blood. We need to to live. Human blood is the filet mignon. You got vampires out there who don't care how they get it, and they'll suck a person dry. Then you got others like me who only take what they need. You don't need to kill a person to get blood.”

  �
�Did you kill that guy back at the club?”

  “Hell no. He never came so hard in his life.”

  “What?”

  “When we feed, it's like sex to the person we're feeding from. They forget about what happened usually.”

  “Who were those people trying to kill you?”

  Her face turned angry. “Vampire hunters. They don't care who I am, only what I am. They watched too many movies and think all vampires are trying to take over the world. Please. But yeah, I've dealt with them before. Heins is a real piece of work. He just lives to kill. He works for a guy named Bachner. They got a little army going on, all out to kill vampires. Real nice.”

  I shook my head. This was insane.

  “You handling this okay?” she asked. “I think if you can handle having a pair of bat wings, you can handle this.”

  “Yeah, I'm okay. Sometimes, it's just...too much, you know?” I looked down at the fresh clothes I was wearing, remembering what happened to the old ones. “Sometimes I feel like a monster. This isn't helping.”

  “I can relate a little,” she said. “But you're not a monster, Alex. Neither am I. Our actions make us what we are. I don't kill people. Neither do you, right?”

  “No, but when we were fighting those guys back there,” I trailed off. “I just felt so powerful. I almost got out of control.”

  She nodded. “I understand. But I think you have a good heart.”

  “Then why the hell did you try to squeeze me to death when you first met me?”

  Her face turned red. I was surprised. “Because I was wrong. It happens. I've been through some craziness myself. Trust is a hard thing to come by. And when you sense something else that isn't human, your guard goes up.”

  I didn't like how she kept saying I wasn't human.

  “Anyway,” she continued. “Bachner, Heins, and his little puppet bastards would have torched me and left me to daylight for sure. You'll always have my thanks.”

  “Stakes in the heart don't do it?”

  She shook her head. “Stop watching movies. If something pierces our heart, we go into a coma. Only daylight and fire can kill us.”

  “Yeah, me and my damn movies.”

  “There's something else I should apologize for.” I waited for her to continue. “I've been keeping track of you for a while, after that night we met. I'm the one that found your adoption papers. I just put them in a spot your sister Alicia would find.”