Blood Rage, page 14
In the middle of it Duo and Solo stand side by side, their orange and red hair bright and obnoxious among all the muted colours of this space. Bruce stands well back from them, speaking with his hands slightly raised while, at his side, Viola considers the scene with interest. I can’t see Linda anywhere, but that’s not a problem for me. I already intensely dislike the woman.
Both wolves visibly straighten when I reach the last few steps and relax after a quick sniff of the air.
It takes Bruce a moment longer to spot me, and his voice rings with alarm. “What are you doing out of bed?”
“I heard you guys fighting. I thought I should mediate.”
Solo glares at me. “I wasn’t fighting.”
Duo snorts. “I was.”
“Guys”—I shake my head at them—“this is Bruce Dixon. He’s a Rancher here and he treated me.”
“Is that why you smell like old rot and dead seaweed?” Duo ventures.
Solo quips, “And look like you swallowed a golf ball?”
I sigh. “Thanks, guys.”
A shrug and a soft, chorused, “It’s true.”
“Mr. Dixon”—I face him—“I’m sorry. I should have mentioned I asked my colleagues to come find me. I wanted them to know I was all right after I didn’t check in last night.”
He eyes me coolly. “There’s a lot of things you neglect to mention, Agent.”
Ouch.
I pull my shoulders back a little. “Some things aren’t my business to mention, sir.”
He glares at me. Then nods. Some of the fight seems to ooze out of him, and he plants a gentle hand on Viola’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”
She sniffs.
Now that I look closer at her, I can see she has been crying. Of course, as a human, her tears are watery and clear, but the signs on her face are just as evident. She looks at me, then breaks away from her father to stand in front of me.
Like Rayne, she is tiny, but very slight with it. More so even than Rayne. “Thank you, Agent.”
I lift my eyebrows at her. “Huh?”
“You might not understand what you did, and Emily—I mean, Rayne—will never tell you, but you probably saved her life. In more ways than one.”
“I—” Before I even try to get the words out, I stop. I mean, nothing I say will really match what she’s giving me, so I don’t even try. Instead I smile as warmly as I can manage. “I would do it again in an instant.”
She nods. “Can we talk later? After you’ve had a rest? I have…questions.”
I’m sure she does. Oh, boy.
“Um…” I try to find excuses.
She hurries and says over me, “Nothing complex or invasive, I promise. I just…Pa might be a Rancher, so I meet more than most around here, but still, there’s so much I want to know. I promise I won’t take too much of your time. Please?”
Fuck, she’s really sweet.
“I’ll do my best.” It’s the best I can manage.
“Thank you.” She backs up. “I’m going to get a bit more sleep. I have some classes later tonight, and I don’t want to be falling asleep in them. You’ll rest too, though, won’t you, Agent?”
Again that curious stress on my title. Both Bruce and Viola do it, though I get the feeling that it is for entirely different reasons.
“Of course. Rayne made me promise.”
She winces at the name but smiles hastily to cover it. “Good. Um, goodnight, again, I guess?”
The sun has risen. It’s most certainly not night any more, but I don’t have the heart to fight her on it. Instead I give her the smallest wave and watch her head out the door, which appears to lead outside.
Bruce looks back to me. “Please stay here, Agent. I’m working, so I’ll be down here in the office. You can call me if you need anything. There’s a pulley you can use near the bed that will alert me. You boys—I assume you’ll want to stay here with her?”
They nod. In unison. Of course.
“Fine. In that case, your chittarik is also down here. Should I fetch her?”
I can feel the widest of smiles stretch over my face. “Yes, please.”
“Of course. I’ll bring her to your room.”
Ha, right. Now I see where Rayne gets it from. Orders without giving orders. Directions without giving directions.
I take the hint and gesture both Solo and Duo to follow me back up the stairs. They do so quietly, one to either side of me and slightly back like a pair of matched bodyguards.
Back in the room I use the bed while Solo positions himself near the door. Duo sits on the edge of the mattress close to my knees.
The pair are tense. Not uneasy, but certainly ready.
Can’t be surprised, really.
But now I need to figure out how to explain how I got this way without explaining how I got this way.
While I think about it, Bruce arrives with Norma cradled against his chest. He has one hand on her back, maybe to soothe her, but she is the most blissed out little pest I’ve ever seen.
Her eyes are partially closed, her wings droopy. Her tail hangs limp behind her, occasionally twitching as she breathes little sighs of contentment. It’s kinda funny, to be honest.
She sees me and straightens enough to call my name, before Bruce places her on the end of my bed.
His expression shifts from vague interest to outright shock on hearing her call, then fascination as she worms her way up the bed and into my arms.
“She imprinted on you?”
“A while ago.” I smile at my daft dummy of a pet. “I pulled her out of a river, and she’s barely left my side since.”
Bruce assesses me again. This time he seems to be considering more than I can see. “That’s rare, Agent.” This time when he uses my title, there’s none of that odd stress on it. Just…respect? “She must really trust you.”
I shrug. “She lets me trim her claws occasionally. No one else is allowed that honour.”
He nods. “I’ve seen a lot of chittarik in my time. They mostly make sounds, repetitive ones as I’m sure you know, but rarely names. It’s very special when they connect to someone enough to use their name.”
“It’s annoying,” I mutter. “Remember that ancient TV show kids used to watch? With all those weird animals that could only say their own names? She’s like that, but more irritating.”
“Perhaps. But you really should be honoured. These creatures so rarely do that. This is the first time I’ve ever seen it in person. I’ve read articles here and there, but they’re just theories.”
I scratch Norma under her chin, particularly under the flap of skin there. She purr-croaks at me, clearly delighted at this attention. “Just lucky, I guess.”
“Yeah.” He strokes the huge brush of hair that makes his beard. “Lucky.” Then, to the boys, “I’m more than happy to bring up anything she needs, but please, help her keep stress to a minimum and don’t let her move around too much.”
“I’m right here, y’know.”
“Indeed. But Rayne has already warned me of your tendency to take matters into your own hands. Please don’t do that today if you can help it.”
Wow, thanks, Rayne.
But I nod my agreement to him.
Bruce backs out and away, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Solo turns his head slightly to angle his ear towards the door. Only after a few seconds does he look back to me. “So, what do we need to know?”
I sigh. “It’s a long story.”
“Apparently we have all day.” Duo helps himself to a piece of my chocolate. “Let’s have it, boss. What’s going on?”
And so I tell them everything.
Well…almost everything.
* * *
The day is long and boring. I sleep, but only a little, safe in the knowledge that both Duo and Solo are with me on guard duty. An odd way to put it, and yet…?
Solo in particular is merciless in his grilling of me. He wants to know everything, and I make a point of telling him. In fact, the only thing I leave out is why we were down with the sprites in the first place. In my version, we simply happened on the cave and chose to look inside, but I’m certain neither he nor Duo are fooled.
More than once they share a glance between them, and I know full well they are conversing without me. Only fair, I suppose.
The whole time, the blissed-out Norma chills on my chest, occasionally snuggling into me, occasionally calling my name, a few dan-dans here and a son-dar there. The night has been rough on her, that’s certain. Though catnip for chittarik is not something I’ve come across before, I’m pleased Bruce thought to use it. I never would have thought of such a thing.
And, of course, I explain Rayne’s background with these people. I don’t want to, not really, but I realise quickly that keeping it secret is next to impossible. Besides, the fewer lies or lies by omission I have to remember, so much the better. But I do keep it brief, simply telling the wolves that Rayne grew up in this place and that these people are her family.
Another of those looks between them, but they seem to soften towards Bruce when they see him next.
He checks on me twice before midday, once to check on my wounds, the second time with additional food. He tells me that the horrible purple lumps appear to be going down and that I should be fine to move later on that evening.
What Bruce doesn’t tell me is how many people have arrived downstairs in the time I’ve rested.
Not that it’s a secret. With their keen hearing, the wolf twins are able to tell me much of what’s going on. More than that, they take it in turns to sneak to the top of the landing and listen just before the curve of the stairs, out of sight. Perfect.
And what they find is deeply interesting. Enough to stop me tearing my hair out from boredom, anyway.
Rayne had been right.
Her flight through the village in the middle of the night was more than enough to wake several people, especially with Norma screeching the entire way.
One after the other, various members of the village drop by to check in on good ole Bruce Dixon. I don’t need Duo’s eye roll or Solo’s scoff to know just how false those claims are.
I get the feeling that the Dixons are something of an oddity around here, and the so-called well-wishes from many of his visitors over the course of the day only highlight that more and more.
The first, an older couple, have a yapping, bratty dog. Even I can hear the high-strung terrier from up the stairs. And so does Norma, who quickly came alive to yell her displeasure towards the open door.
I nip her beak shut with my thumb and forefinger, but even I hear that the dog has settled a little. Good. I hate terriers. Are they even real dogs? Tiny and yappy, with more attitude than sense. Give me a German shepherd or a malamute any day.
The second is a young teenager with her sister. The pair claim they are doing a school project and need to investigate the duties of a local and report back. Funny that they should pick today of all days to visit the Rancher who, if I’m right, is usually shunned and distrusted by all.
Bruce handles all of it with grace and polite firmness, another trait I see in Rayne on the daily.
When his wife, Kimberly, shows up, the pair of them fight off the influx of visitors together after she gets the rundown. She even comes to see me, the same cute little woman from the news article.
Up close her greys are more visible, as are the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. But those are clearly the product of years of smiles and hard work, and I find myself warming to her immediately.
When the wolves stand slightly to one side, she takes the trouble to approach my bed and gently hold my hands in hers. “I don’t know all the details yet, but I suppose I don’t have to.” Her voice is soft and bright. “But Emily was always special to us. I’m sure you know we have a lot of young people pass through our home?”
“Oh, I don’t really know how fostering works.”
“The young people we take on are either on their way somewhere else, or too troubled for somewhere else. They come to us as a sort of pit stop. That’s why our turnover is so large. But some, like Emily, stay for a long time. Until they’re adults, in fact. And they build relationships here. Brothers and sisters and the like.”
“She calls you Mama. And Bruce—”
“Bubi?” She grins. “The cutest nickname a young person ever picked for him. He goes by Pa and Da and Pops and all sorts, but Bubi? That’s my favourite.”
“Rayne—sorry. Should I say Emily while I’m here? Is that easier for you?”
Kimberly frowns. “That’s sweet of you, but it’s not about me, is it? Never has been, with any of the young people who come through my doors. I should correct myself. Her name is Rayne now. And that’s fine. Go on.”
This woman is kind, warm, and loving. The way she speaks, the way she carries herself, even the cuddly nature of her looks—I can understand why so many kids would go through her and Bruce to find themselves better lives.
I smile. “Rayne was so afraid to come here. We saw you on the news, talking about the church.”
“While I assume that’s not why you’re here, I’m glad she was able to see it. She worked on it just as much as the rest of us. Handy with cement and a trowel, that one.”
The mental image of Rayne, sweaty and hot, hefting a tray of wet cement, slips into my mind. I clear my throat.
Solo snorts from his position near the door.
Blissfully unaware—thank fuck—Kimberly continues. “If you go to the back, you’ll see a tiny patch where she put her name. I remember we scolded her so firmly for that, but now, after everything that happened, I’m so glad it’s there. A small reminder of her.”
Damn it, I want to ask. I want to ask so very badly.
I bite my lip over the urge.
Kimberly places her hand over mine, not gripping exactly but certainly not a casual touch either. “So are you two young ladies, um…?” She lifts her eyebrows.
Another snort, this time from Duo.
I glare at the wolves. “You two want to give us some space, or what?”
That infuriating shared glance. And then, “Sure.” Solo grins.
Duo ruffles his gaudy orange hair. “Gossip all you want.”
The pair slip out the door and close it behind them. But I’m not an idiot. I know damn well they’re still out there. They won’t be listening, ear to the door, but they don’t need to. Hell, they could stand downstairs if needed and still hear as much as they pleased.
“Funny pair, aren’t they?” Kimberly muses.
“You’ve no idea. Anyway, yes. Rayne and I have been seeing each other for a few months now.”
“Oh.” She cocks her head at me. “Even with the…the…” Her hand waves a small circle.
“Vampire part?”
She actually looks embarrassed. “This is a small place, Agent. We see little, know less. All that stuff happening in your city is so far removed from anything around here. Brucie does let me in on small parts of his work, but not much, so I’m curious.”
Brucie? I fight to keep my face straight. Ha ha. Good luck, since the rest of me can’t manage.
“What would you like to know?”
“Is it safe?”
Oh. Not what I expected.
I study Kimberly for long moments, trying to decide exactly how much I should say. In the end, given how many lies and not-quite-truths are floating around, I opt for the truth.
“No.”
She blinks at me. “No?”
“It’s not safe. At all. Especially for her.”
“What do you mean?”
I give her my full gaze. “Rayne is a good person. A kind person. I already know the sorts of people you and Bruce are just by knowing her. You raised her, and you raised an incredible person. But inside…there’s a thing. A need or a hunger. And it can make her do bad things. And when you’re a good person like Rayne, that can hit really hard.”
“That’s not what I expected you to say.”
“The other stuff is still true. We have to be careful around blood, make sure she’s fed regularly, keep her away from stressful stimuli, and other things, I suppose. Sunlight is a problem, obviously. That’s manageable, though. But I can’t say it’s safe for her. She gives so much every single night. Usually for me. Usually at a risk to herself.”
A slow nod. “That sounds like Emily.”
I hear the slip, but I can’t bring myself to correct her in this moment. She’s thinking deeply, and I know my speaking would interrupt that, so I don’t.
“She was fiercely protective over all her siblings. Every single one. And us—Bruce and I, I mean. It was natural for her to pursue being a police officer. And now she’s a SPEAR agent?”
“One of the best.”
“Protecting people every day?”
“Every night. The big, the small, the weak, the old, the strong, the young…everyone.”
Kimberly wipes a hand across her face.
Oh, balls—she’s crying.
“Mrs. Dixon—”
“Kim, if you please,” she says at once. “All my young people are free to call me Kim, and you must do the same. She’s safe because of you. Here because of you. You’ve my thanks for that.”
Discomfort worms through my insides. Of course this lady will have no idea why we’re really here, and I can’t tell her. But the idea that’s she’s so grateful to me for anything is burning me up. I’ve done not a damn thing except get myself in trouble. As usual.
“Kim, then. Rayne is wonderful. My life has been nothing but joy since she entered it. I should be the one thanking you.”
She flaps a hand in my direction. “Don’t be silly. All we do is nurture what’s there. And if that’s still there despite the…the change, then that shows her strength.” And with that, she hugs me. Actually leans in and treats me to the warmest hug I’ve ever received from a stranger.
