Bloodfever
Page 15

Wow. Right. This guy was special all the way down to his toes. I wanted to know him. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to feather my lips on those lashes. And hed probably end up dead if he hung around with me. I killed monsters other people couldnt see and had just spent the entire day in the police station on suspicion of murder for the death of a man I hadnt killed instead of the sixteen I had. Leave me alone. I cant be your friend, I said bluntly.
Thats way too intriguing to pass up. Whats your story, beautiful girl?
I dont have a story. I have a life. And you dont fit in it.
Boyfriend?
Dozens.
Truth?
Is.
Come on, dont dis me.
Consider yourself dissed. Fuck off, I said coolly.
He held up both hands, All right. I get it, and stopped.
I pounded down the sidewalk away from him and didnt look back. I wanted to cry.
Ill be around, he called. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.
Right. Ancient Languages Department at Trinity. I made a mental note never to go there.
I think they know me, I said when I pushed through the front door of the bookstore. Barrons was behind the counter, not Fiona. That was weird. He was actually ringing up a purchase, like a real person doing a job. He cut me a look of warningmute it, Ms. Laneand jerked his head toward the customer.
Flip the sign, he said when the patron left. He slapped a cardboard placard on the counter and began writing on it. Who do you think knows you?
The Shades. They getI dont know, agitated when they see me coming. Like they recognize me and I piss them off. I think theyre more sentient than you know.
I think you have an overactive imagination, Ms. Lane. Did you turn the sign over yet?
I flipped over the sign. That was Barrons, autocratic down to his steel-booted toes. Why? Wrapping up early?
He finished writing, walked over, and handed me a placard to hang on the door next to the sign.
I read it. For how long? I was surprised. The bookstore was our cover and now he was closing it?
At least a few weeks. Unless you want to start running the cash register, Ms. Lane.
Wheres Fiona?
Fiona turned off all the lights and left a window open last night.
I staggeredphysically stumbled backwardand nearly fell from the impact of that mental blow. I caught myself on a display table, toppling a few baubles and stacks of the latest best-sellers. Fiona tried to kill me? I knew she didnt like me, but come on. Talk about excessive!
She claimed she was only trying to frighten you off. She wanted you to go home. I was beginning to think shed succeeded. Where were you all day?
I was too busy reeling from Fionas viciousness to answer him. It was bad enough that I had to watch my back with all the known nasties. I wasnt well versed enough in feminine wiles to see the subtler nasties coming. God, what did she do? I breathed. Sneak back in late last night? How did she get out herself?
Same way you did, I imagine. Flashlights. I must admit, Ms. Lane, Im impressed with how well you cleared the place. There must have been Shades everywhere.
There were, and I didnt. I only cleared part of it. Vlane did the rest, I said absently. How ironic that Id been so doggedly trying to save her from the very monsters shed turned loose on me.
There was a moment of frozen silence, then Barrons exploded, What? Vlane was here? In my store? His fingers banded around my upper arm.
Ow, Barrons, youre hurting me, I snapped.
He released me instantly.
Barrons is dangerously strong. I think he has to maintain constant awareness of what hes touching, or hed end up breaking bones. I rubbed my arm. I would be bruised tomorrow. Again.
My apologies, Ms. Lane. So?
No, of course he wasnt in the store; you have it warded, dont you? Speaking of which, why didnt your wards keep the Shades out?
Its only warded against certain things.
Why dont you ward it against everything?
Wards demandresources. Protection has a price. All power does. Lights serve well enough to keep the Shades out. Besides, theyre stupid.
Im not so sure about that. I told him about the one that had faced off with me in the back room, how Id lost my flashlights and been left with only a pack of matches that Id nearly run through, how Vlane had appeared in the back alley and driven it off.
He listened intently, asked me many questions about our conversation, wrapping up with, Did you fuck him?
Ah! I yelled. Of course not! I rubbed my face with both hands and kept it buried there a minute. Wouldnt I be an addict if I did? I raised my face.
Barrons studied me, dark eyes cold. Not if he protected you.
They can do that? Really?
Try not to sound so intrigued, Ms. Lane.
Im not, I said defensively.
Good. You dont trust him, do you?
I dont trust anybody. Not him. Not you. Nobody.