Tainted Blood

Gently lowering her back to the pillow, Nighthawk straightened to his full height and glanced over his shoulder at the soul who had been haunting him since returning to the house.

“You are hers… are you not?”

Carley jumped in surprise, not realizing the Indian had been aware of her the whole time. She narrowed her eyes on him. He’d just simply ignored her while she’d yelled and ranted at him... the jerk. Her expression softened… she’d stopped yelling after a while, becoming confused after seeing him take such tender care of Tiara.

She slowly came forward, stopping to hover next to Tiara, appearing to sit on the edge of the mattress. There was no sense in hiding from him… it wasn’t like he could hurt her even if he wanted to… which she doubted.

“Someone might assume that I was hers… but I’m not.” Carley answered honestly as she reached out and ran her hand over Tiara’s long clean hair imagining what it would feel like if she were still alive. She hadn't been dead long enough to forget the feeling of touch.

“Then why did you follow her?” he asked.

Carley looked up at him and raised her chin defiantly, “She’s my friend… I want to know she is safe.”

Nighthawk nodded, respecting the answer. “And Craven’s magic does not touch you even though you are inside his walls?”

It seemed like an important question to the Indian so Carley shook her head and gazed down at her friend, “Because of Tiara, necromancy can no longer touch or control me. I love her for that, so please don’t hurt her.”

Nighthawk felt his chest swell with hope. The emotion quickly vanished but it had been enough of a taste to make him want more. That’s all he’d ever wanted… to never be called upon by a demon again.

“We have no intention of harming her. It was her wish to come with us and we honored that request. If you do not believe me, then you are free to stay until she awakens and ask her yourself.” He spoke only the truth… the one trait that he had carried over from life.

“Then who hurt her?” Carley asked knowing it wasn’t the man standing next to her, but the rapidly healing bruises on Tiara spoke volumes of evil intentions.

“The demon she was fighting in the cemetery did this. Craven saved her from him,” Nighthawk answered as he moved to sit on the window seat where the sun could touch him. This was one of the only rooms in the house where the windows had not been painted black. Nighthawk tried to remember if he had ever enjoyed the sunlight or not… he supposed so.

Carley frowned when he turned his face toward the window as if dismissing her and the conversation. “And Craven would be the demon who was with you? Would that be the same man that has surrounded this house with so many monsters? I honestly don’t think Tiara would approve.”

She reached out and laid her hand on Tiara’s even though it went right through Tiara’s hand. “And why would she leave us… her friends, to be with a demon?”

“She and Craven are blood kin. You would call Craven her uncle. But in Craven’s mind, his brother’s child is the same as his own child. That is why he will not harm her. She is not a prisoner here and she will not be forced to stay. Once she heals… if she decides to leave, I will go with her as a protector.”

“Why would you do that?” Carley asked. It was Craven that was kin to her… not the Indian. “Did Craven order you to?”

“No, I am beyond Craven’s control now.” he answered without turning to look at her. “I am a Night Walker and she is the only one that can return my soul to me.”

Carley’s jaw dropped... a Night Walker? Now that was some powerful magic. She thought back to the myths and legends she’d studied and even those ancient writings had rarely mentioned of them.

From what she remembered, a Night Walker was created from a human who’d possessed mystical powers during their human life and was then raised from the dead like a zombie by a powerful wizard. But that was only the first step toward becoming a fully developed Night Walker.

Unlike most zombies, they could use their own power to regain their mind and heart. It was said they were soulless but she didn’t recall what powers a Night Walker possessed or if there was even a limit to what they could do.

She frowned when she couldn’t remember reading anything about a Night Walker regaining their soul. Was that even possible?

“Isn’t your soul in the afterlife?” Carley asked curiously.

“No, it is bound to my grave,” Nighthawk answered as he vanished into the spirit world.

Carley sat in stunned silence. Bound to the grave? She shivered at the thought of being bound under the dirt instead of free as she was now. Lowering her gaze to the floor, she noticed Nighthawk may have vanished but she could still feel him there within the room.

Looking back at Tiara, Carley decided not to push the subject by continuing to speak to him… granting him the privacy he had silently requested.

Chapter 2

Amidst the mayhem of Hollywood Cemetery, Michael looked down at the dead Spinnan at his feet and dusted his hands on his coat.

“That was enjoyable,” he muttered. He glanced up just in time to see Kane rip the head off of another demon and toss it over his shoulder. Michael scrambled out of the way of the flying head and glared at Kane’s back.

“Do you mind?” Michael demanded. “I’ve made it this far without getting dirty… I’d like to keep it that way.”

Kane smirked at him over his shoulder, “You’re quick enough to move if something comes flying at you.”

Tabatha sighed having seen enough gore to last her a lifetime. Now it just looked like the boys were playing in it. “If I didn’t know any better Kane, I would swear you’re having too much fun killing these things.”

“Well, I never heard…” he stopped and thought for a moment then looked around at the dead demons then back up at Tabatha. “You’re right, I am having fun,” he shrugged unsympathetically.

“Remember what you asked about us using a camera?” Tabatha asked coyly.

Kane dropped the headless demon to the ground and let his eyes rove over his mate’s body suggestively, “Yeah… I remember.”

“No camera,” Tabatha growled and started walking away.

Michael started laughing at the look of dejection on Kane’s face just before the blonde vampire ran after his mate.

“Wait,” Kane called. “I take it back… I’m not having fun at all.” He paused long enough to stick his hand through a Skitter that was running alongside him. “They’re annoying… see?”

Angelica arched an eyebrow secretly wanting to laugh. She suppressed the urge and simply looked up at Syn curiously. “Your sons are… interesting.”

“They have yet to grow out of their adolescence,” Syn stated with a straight face, “That… and they need their mother.”

Michael shot Syn an indignant look having overheard the remark. “I’ve grown out of my adolescence just fine thank you very much.” With that said, he stomped off like a child having a temper tantrum and muttering to himself. On the way, Michael kicked the head Kane had thrown at him like a football and it went airborne. It landed in a stand of trees followed by a loud exclamation.

“Who the hell’s throwing demon heads?” Jason’s voice was heard shouting.

Michael froze for a moment cringing then decided not to stick around. “I’m gonna go check on Kane,” Michael explained as he ran by Syn and Angelica, in the opposite direction of Jason.

“I rest my case,” Syn said conspiratorially, making Angelica look away to hide her amused smile.

*****

“Did you see that?” Nick’s voice shouted from behind a crypt. “I just saw a flying head wiz by here.”

About that time a Skitter stumbled into view trying to escape its death. There was something funny about seeing a boogieman having a frightened look on its face.

“Yes Nick, I saw it,” Kriss answered and walked into view.

Nick shot at the Skitter’s legs with an expression that bordered on sadistic, “Come on. Let’s see if you can dance.”

“Nick, stop playing with that damn thing,” Steven growled, then rolled his eyes realizing he was taking up for a monster.

Jewel walked up to the Skitter and blew its head off with the shotgun before smiling sweetly at Nick, “Your dancing partner just died.”

“H-hey!” Nick whined. “That was my kill.”

“Actually it was mine,” Kriss said with his arms crossed over his chest. “Who do you think it was running from?”

“Too many hunters and not enough prey anymore,” Dean said as he stepped out of the shadows of a nearby tree.

“At least Nick got rid of that arm,” Steven muttered then did the rendition of an all over body shake while adding, “Eww.”

Kriss made a face, “Don’t mention the arm… EVER again.”

“Why?” Jewel asked not getting the joke.

Nick grinned, “Well, I…”

Kriss turned on him and growled, “Say another word and I will give you a one way trip to St. Peter myself.”

Dean smirked, “Don’t test him kitty cat… he looks mad enough to do it.”

Kriss looked over at Dean and his eyebrows shot up into his hairline when he saw the underlying desire shining in Dean’s eyes. He couldn’t help it… his gaze shot down Dean’s body and a light blush dusted his cheeks making him look away.

Jewel smiled, aware of what the two men were thinking. However, Steven and Nick were completely clueless.

Dean’s eyes darkened attractively as he watched Kriss’ reaction to him. Stepping up behind the other Fallen, Dean wrapped his arm around Kriss’ waist and placed his lips near his sensitive ear, “I think you guys can handle it from here.” He smiled when Kriss gave a light shudder from where his warm breath had touched him.

The three people blinked as the two Fallen vanished into thin air.

“How do they do that?” Steven asked softly.

“I don’t know,” Nick answered trying to mentally bleach his mind of the fact that Dean had been holding Kriss so closely.

Footsteps from the side made them look over as Quinn and Kat walked into sight from behind the crypt.

“Well, that’s almost everyone,” Nick said. “I’m ready to leave the rest of this mess to PIT.”

“All that’s missing now are Envy and Devon,” Steven said.

Jewel looked around, “I wonder where they are?”

“Last time I caught sight of them, they were with Envy’s brother and our favorite gun-toting carebear. I’m sure they can catch a ride with him,” Nick stated. “So if you’re riding with me, this train is leaving now.”

“You ready?” Quinn asked Kat, snagging her around the waist. “Like an hour ago,” Kat smiled up at him. They’d made a great team tonight but all of this fighting had gotten her in the mood for other things.

Steven slipped his arm over Jewel’s shoulder and steered her toward the front of the cemetery.

Nick rolled his eyes. He was starting to feel like a third wheel.

In another area of the cemetery, the four people in question were patrolling through the cemetery picking off demons one by one. Trevor had his cell phone to his ear giving orders to the people he had planted in the precinct.

“Yeah, we’re gonna need a couple road blocks to keep humans away from Hollywood Cemetery. Make sure all side roads are covered.” Trevor became quiet for a minute while the officer on the other end of the phone was talking.

“Set it up as soon as possible,” Trevor continued, “It’s going on nine now… we need it set up within the next ten to fifteen minutes. Spectators are already showing up but luckily I have sent people out there to stop them. The thing is they are not cops so it’s causing a huge hassle. We can’t have just anyone tampering with the crime scene… if you know what I mean… vandals and arson… about three days…. No, if anything tries to get out, I don’t think it will use the roads.”

Trevor rubbed his temple with his other hand. “Look, if you see something you’ve never seen before… just shoot it.” He hung up the phone and sighed heavily. “I hate having to spell out everything.”

“You can spell?” Chad asked with comically wide eyes.

Devon snorted with laughter and Envy smirked.

“No,” Envy quickly answered feeling a little goofy. “But he can come close by sounding out words.”

“Let me guess,” Chad interrupted. “He spells ‘the’ like it sounds?”

Envy nodded, “Yep, t… h… u… h.”

Chad nearly fell over laughing while Trevor sulked beside him.

“Will you two knock it off?” Trevor growled.

“Knock what off?” Envy and Chad said simultaneously which started a chorus of giggles between the siblings.

Envy smiled at her brother remembering all the times they’d gotten in trouble while growing up because they’d caught the giggles and wouldn’t be quiet. Come to think of it, it had usually happened when they were supposed to be going to sleep. She glanced closer at Chad. Yep, his eyes were glassy.

Devon wasn’t really paying much attention to the teasing now. He’d spotted Warren off in the distance dismembering a demon and fought the urge to shift so he could run with him.

Envy caught Devon’s expression and saw the longing in the way his eyes changed color. She followed his gaze seeing the jaguar and it dawned on her that it was in his nature to shift. He was probably staying human only because of her and that wasn’t really fair to him.

“Why don’t you go help?” she said reaching out and laying her palm on his upper arm. “I’ll be fine.”

Devon looked back at her, “How will you get home?”

“I’ll take her to my place,” Chad offered actually liking the idea. The apartment hadn't felt the same since she’d left. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here anyway. You can stop and pick her up when you get done here.” He quickly added, “And take your time because we will probably be crashed out anyway.”

Devon was about to object but looked between the two siblings, realizing for the first time that they were so tired they were damn near high. He felt a twinge of guilt for not noticing sooner. Humans need twice the amount of sleep a shifter did… if not more.

“Okay,” Devon conceded and gave Envy a lingering kiss. “I’ll be by to pick you up… go get some sleep.”

Envy nodded and watched as Devon stripped off his clothes and shifted into his jaguar form. He took off across the graveyard after Warren and she marveled at how graceful he looked in all forms.

“Can we go now?” Trevor's voice was dark, not liking the way Envy was staring after Devon.

Envy and Chad both nodded in agreement.

“Good idea,” Chad said. “I’d hate to make an easy target for some lucky Skitter just because I decided to lay down in the graveyard and take a nap. I haven’t had any sleep for the last couple of days.”

The three set off for the cemetery entrance, killing a couple more Skitters along the way. When they finally reached Trevor’s car, Chad had to stop and stare for a moment, unable to control the sadistic grin that appeared on his face.

“Where’s your old car?” Envy asked as Trevor approached the new black beauty. “Not that this one doesn’t look awesome, because it does.”

Trevor froze suddenly remembering the extra feature Ren had put on the car. Oh shit! He had the sudden urge to turn and run like hell.

“Trevor,” Evey said excitedly in Envy’s stolen voice. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I scanned everyone coming and going from the entrance and have already filed most of your report into the PIT system.”

All of the color drained from Trevor’s face as he looked over at Envy and saw the incredulous expression on her face.

“Trevor,” Envy mimicked the concern she’d heard in the car’s voice… her voice. “Is there something you’d like to share with the rest of the class?’

“Oh, who’s this?” Evey asked. “I’ve never seen her before and she’s not in the PIT data bank. Shall I add her?”

If Trevor didn’t know any better, he’d swear that Evey’s voice was just a little too sweet to be sincere.

“Evey, this is my sister Envy,” Chad introduced. “She’s human and not a part of PIT. Can you give us a ride home?”

The car doors opened and they got inside with Trevor and Chad up front and Envy in the back seat.

“When did you learn to talk?” Envy asked glaring at Trevor in the rearview mirror. If looks could kill then a dead man would be driving.

“Just recently,” Evey said with a short, clipped answer… then suddenly added, “Don’t you dare think you can take Trevor away from me.”

Chad’s eyebrows went up into his hairline before he started laughing so hard his sides started to hurt.

“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Envy said with an almost evil smirk at Trevor through the mirror. “I have no intention of taking him away from you. I think you two make the perfect couple.”

Evey gasped excitedly and the car doors slammed shut. “Where do you and Chad live?” This time the voice was happy.

“I’ll drive,” Trevor said, wishing the earth would just open up and get it over with. “You go ahead and get acquainted with Envy.”

“Yes,” Envy said as Trevor started the car. “Please tell me all about you and the fun things you and Trevor have been up to.”

Chad was nearly in the floorboard with laughter and didn’t stop until they were almost to his apartment. As soon as Evey was placed into park, Chad scrambled out of the car and rushed into the apartment knowing Envy would take a few minutes longer. Damn his cheeks hurt. What made it even funnier was the little fact that it wasn’t Trevor’s fault this time.

“Evey,” Envy asked sweetly, “Would you mind if Trevor walked me to my door? I’ve seen way too many monsters tonight to feel safe all by myself… and it looks like my big brother has left me behind.”

Trevor cringed knowing he was in for it and Evey wasn’t helping matters. This was definitely not his night.

“That’s a good idea. Trevor, you make sure nothing harms my new friend. I’ll just finish updating your PIT report for you.” The dashboard lit up, turning into a computer screen as Evey set about her project while humming quietly to herself. She had decided since Envy was Chad’s sister and obviously fighting monsters that she deserved her own file added to the PIT data bank. She secretly snapped a picture of the girl with her hidden camera.

Trevor sighed giving into a moment of self-pity and slowly got out of the car. Well, he’d wanted a moment alone with Envy and now it looked like he was going to get it. He was all up for trying to see the bright side of things but the bright side was starting to look very dim.

They finally made it to the door and Trevor glanced back at Evey seeing that a huge tree in the front yard now stood between them. Envy chose that moment to turn on him and glared heatedly, having thought about this during the entire ride over. She poked her finger in his chest so hard Trevor thought for sure he’d have a hole there when they were done.

“Was that supposed to be a joke, because if it was, it’s not very funny?” Envy hissed in a hushed voice not knowing how sensitive the damn car’s microphone was.

“Oh, it’s a joke alright,” Trevor growled back. “But it was meant to torture me… not you. I had honestly forgotten all about it until we made it back to the car.” Trevor explained running his hand through his bangs. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes and hearing it in his voice took the wind right out of Envy’s tantrum. He was telling the truth… she hoped. “Why would someone do that to you?”

Trevor’s bluish-silver eyes darkened just a touch as he stared down at his soul mate. “Because everyone in the world knows I love you and you hate me. They think it’s funny. Why do you think Chad was laughing his ass off the whole ride here?”

“Trevor,” Envy felt her chest constrict painfully with his words. “That’s not true,” she corrected softly. “I could never hate you.”

“I know,” he gave her a small smile but it quickly faded into a frown. “I’m very aware that you’re in love with the both of us. Devon knows it too.”

Envy’s eyes widened and she took a quick step back. Barely shaking her head she whispered, “Why would you think that?”

“We are shifters Envy… we can smell it,” Trevor insisted, taking a step forward and closing the distance between them. “Don’t tell me you don’t want me when I know you do. You love me just as much as you do him because you have two soul mates.” He swallowed hard now that he’d said it out loud.

Envy remained silent, looking up at him with doe eyes and feeling like she’d been caught in his headlights. She didn’t know how to respond to that because the truth was… Trevor could still turn her on a dime. She’d even been forcing herself to ignore her attraction to him because she had chosen Devon.

“Tell me you don’t love me,” Trevor whispered, leaning closer until their lips were almost touching.

Envy was the one who swallowed this time. She willed herself to deny what he was saying because buried feelings wouldn't allow it. She hated to be lied to… therefore she was almost incapable of doing it herself. She still loved him… but it was wrong to be in love with two men at the same time.

“I love Devon,” she breathed against his lips all the while damning herself for hurting him again.

“Smart move… avoiding,” Trevor said after a moment and leaned back just a little bit to let his gaze pierce hers. “Because if you lie to me… I’ll be able to smell it on you.”

Envy took a step back while Trevor hovered above her, blocking out everything else even though he’d moved away. Reaching behind her, her hand fumbled around trying to find the doorknob. She didn’t want to think about this… it was only breaking her heart.

Finally, her fingers brushed the knob and she turned it, opening the door. She slipped inside and started to close it when Trevor’s hand shot out and stopped the action.

“You know I’m right,” Trevor whispered. “You feel it too.”

Envy felt butterflies erupt in the pit of her stomach and quickly shut the door in Trevor’s face. Turning the lock, she spun around and pressed her back against the door waiting to hear Trevor start up his car and leave. For some reason, it felt like he was still standing behind her just waiting to reach through the door and wrap his arms around her.

Trevor laid his palms against the doorframe feeling her presence lingering… leaning against the other side of the wood separating them. He could hear her heart racing through the thick wood and inhaled deep to calm his nerves. His instincts were screaming at him to burst through the door and take back what was his… but he’d be damned before giving her a reason to stop loving him.

He frowned after a moment when he didn’t hear her move away from the door. Leaning closer to the barrier between them, he laid his forehead against the cold wood and sighed.

“Envy,” he whispered. “I love you.”

It was then that he heard her flee to her room.

*****

Jason sat down on a stone bench that had been placed in front of one of the larger crypts to take a breather. He hadn't run into anything or anyone for the last three minutes and that was a record for the night so far.

Tapping the ring, he hoped the thing would somehow turn back on. His stomach was twisted in knots not knowing where Tiara was and if she was really okay. Lowering his head a little, he mentally berated himself for not being able to get her out of the mausoleum. Some protector he’d turned out to be. She’d even had to ask a demon for help.

“You might want to look behind you,” a voice suddenly said from the surrounding silence.

Jason’s eyes snapped up seeing a man with long dark hair standing only a short distance away. He blinked when what the man said finally sunk in.

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and Jason shot forward a few steps before doing a one-eighty to see what was behind him. Four skitters stared back at him from only a couple of feet away with their lipless mouths pulled back showing every one of their sharp teeth.

“Oh come on!” Jason yelled, feeling a small rush of anger. He was bored with fighting these things. “Haven’t you morons figured it out yet? If you live in a graveyard you’re supposed to be dead.”