Good Nite Dr Death

“As far as I’m concerned that is not at all illegal.”
“Laurence, that’s definitely illegal.”
“Well…legally speaking yes but…”
I gave up trying not to laugh as Kier’s best friend tried to explain why stealing his neighbour’s car wasn’t really theft and slugged back another drink. It had been an hour and I knew I needed to get back before panic broke out at home but it was almost a novelty to sit with humans again and listen to their lives. Vampire life was amazing but intimate, the differences between us and humanity all too vivid when I stared at the tattoo on Kier’s neck.
“Well it’s been lovely meeting you all but I really have to get back.”
Kier looked a little disappointed as Drew pointed out it was only eleven and Shane suggested more drinks. I smiled and politely declined, accepting the various phone numbers and promising to meet up again. I knew it wouldn’t happen, I had plans on their friend that would end up with him dead. Still there was no guilt, as sweet and handsome and young as he might be, I was hungry and wanted to end this and go home.
“I could walk you home?”
“It’s a long way…”
Kier nodded, turning the puppy dog eyes on me which caused me to giggle. I hoisted the backpack with all my treasures onto my shoulder and ruffled his hair. That caused a rush of wolf whistles and a blush from the boy so I pouted and nodded towards the door.
“How about to the bus stop?”
He grinned and we set off towards the door, the congratulations of his friends ringing in our ears. I had already forgotten them, the whisky in my system mixing with the hunger into an almost blinding need. It was easy to become swept up in the feeling and the adrenaline mixed in from the adventure earlier on was making it worse. The cold air hitting my face helped and I followed Kier out of the alley and back into the main square.
There were fewer people about, the lights over by the museum seemed to have pulled most people in that direction and I suggested we went to look as the bus stop was nearby. Kier nodded, taking my hand as our footsteps echoed across the square. It was exhilarating, our laughter sounding too loud in the air as Kier looked back at me.
“Your hands are freezing.”
I giggled, not resisting as he pulled me into the shadows.
“Cold hands, warm heart.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded, my back against the side of the building as he went to kiss me. For a moment I considered letting it happen before grabbing his hair and pulling his head over. I was focused, intent on the blood and lax as it happened. From out of nowhere I was on the floor and Kier was looking down at me, no longer smiling and with a stake in his hand.
“Vampire….”
I was open mouthed I have to admit. All of the warnings from Claire and Frank, Mikey…all of them in fact and I had still managed to walk into a trap. I tried to scramble back and remember some of the defensive moves that Frank had shown me before Kier pulled me up by the hair, dodging as I swung at him and hitting me hard. I fell again, my head full of stars and lights.
“You haven’t been turned long I can tell. I’m sorry for what happened but I will put you out of your misery.”
“Fuck you, you’re just a walking Happy Meal.”
I did the only thing I could think of and sunk my teeth into his ankle. Kier yelled out and tried to kick me off. Again my head hit the floor and he was looming over me, the light behind turning him into nothing more than a dark shadow as I tried to shuffle backwards. He leant down and then there was a flash of brightness and Kier landed next to me unconscious and bleeding. Confusion meant that I didn’t recognise the shadow above me until his hand reached out and helped me up.
“What did I say about staying out of trouble.”
Mikey was smiling, his fingers lifting my chin to check the damage as I tried to get my bearings.
“Thanks, I didn’t realise he was a hunter.”
“Obviously. You robbing a place in style I can explain to my brother, you being dusted not so easy.”
I giggled and relaxed as Mikey wrapped his arms around me in a hug. I had no idea how long he had been following me but was relieved that he had. The thought of not seeing Gerard again was too much to think about and I could feel enough of the pain to know I had been lucky.
“Did Gee ask you to follow me?”
Mikey released me and stepped past, crouching down to put his fingers to Kier’s neck as he answered me over his shoulder.
“No, it was Claire. She knows you well enough to know that natural desire for chaos.”
“I just wanted to bring presents. Are we going to eat that?”
Mikey shook his head, pulling the boy upright and putting his arms over our shoulders. To anyone looking it would be like we were helping a drunk friend to get home. I was puzzled at getting no answer to my question but obediently helped Mikey carry Kier back to where Gerard’s car was parked by the kerb. We dumped the cargo in the back and set off, the wind even more welcome on my rapidly forming bruises.
“It’s rare we capture a hunter. We need to find out what he knows and how many of them there are.”
“At least four others.”
Mikey nodded, unsurprised that it seemed I had walked into a nest of hunters. He told me about the organised gangs that could sweep a city clean of our kind within months. How it wasn’t just a case of keeping our heads down. I listened mutely, the dangers of this life now being laid out before me. Immortal did not mean invincible and I decided that I needed to learn how to fight a whole lot better.
“So what do we do if it is an organised group?”
He didn’t slow the car as we turned the last corner, nearly bouncing me out of the window as we hit the kerb and finally stopped. Already the door was open and a concerned Gerard was coming down the steps. He saw I was hurt and anger flashed across his face, Frank coming down at his heels. Gerard didn’t stop to ask questions, pushing me over to Claire as he got the story from Mikey. The three men unloaded our prisoner and quickly took him inside, Claire and I following a little way back.
“Are you ok?”
I nodded at Claire’s concerned face, glad to be back in her warm embrace. Claire always managed to look undisturbed and exquisite, the black dress clinging to her curves as we locked the doors behind us. She took me into the kitchen and washed away the worst of the blood and muck as I showed her the treasures in my bag and explained what happened.
“You don’t need to bring us things but wow, I fucking love that you did!”
I giggled as Claire held the sapphire earrings up to her ears and admired her reflection in the mirror. We both tried on the jewels and gems until the guys reappeared and Gerard swept me into his arms, peppering kisses over my hair and face.
“No more going out alone, I am going to put you on a lead.”
“Promises, promises…”
Frank giggled, already seeing the mace and knowing it was for him. Soon all of them were admiring their gifts and thinking of ways to use my talents. Which was all well and good but I wanted to know what we were going to do with Kier. There was a basement at the bottom of the house and I guessed that was where they had taken him but to do what?
It was Ray that answered, his fingers tracing carved continents on the globe.
“We question him. Humans can only take so much before they speak.”
“You’ve done this before?”
Mikey nodded, his face a mask of concentration as he checked how the coat made his ass look in one of the long mirrors. Gerard was still holding me close to him, his fingers winding in my hair as he leaned close and whispered in my ear.
“We will find out what he knows and then turn him. How would my Elise like her own puppy on a chain?”

Notes