THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

WE NURSED A couple more beers. The vampire and werewolf in the booth, along with the bodyguards, left. Last call was announced. I saw the bartender empty the trash, step out from behind the bar and go down the back hall. We followed. There were a few people waiting in line for the restrooms so the bartender had to push through the crowd to go out the back door. The door was on its way to closing as we slid through silently.

The alley was empty. We were behind the building that housed the nest. The old building behind it was another hotel. Apparently they shared this alley and the dumpsters. The bartender turned and jumped, startled, not having heard us.

“Can I help you folks?” he asked in a friendly manner, but I could tell he was on alert.

“Yes, actually.” I didn’t close the distance, unsure of his skill or strength.

He walked sideways casually, as if he were stalking prey. A smile pulled at my lips at him not realizing he was the one in trouble. But I played my part. I was eager to see what he was capable of.

“I have loads and loads of questions I need answered and I think you’re just the gentleman to give me those answers.” He paced back the other direction, reminding me of a caged animal evaluating how to strike. He felt superior in his abilities but could tell he was engaging with another predator.

He kept his tone casual. “Well I’m just a bartender but I know the area somewhat. If you’re looking for the best jazz in town you only need to go two blocks down. Tell the guy at the door Brandon sent you. He’ll hook you up. They stay open until dawn.”

“Hmmmm…” I kept my eyes trained on him. “Sounds lovely. But I’m afraid taking in the wonders of your city isn’t why I’m here. I need to find out as much information as I can about vampires and werewolves.”

He didn’t act surprised but grinned, his sharp canines elongating quickly. “I’m afraid you won’t live long enough to get many answers.”

The vampire was fast. Ten times faster than a human at least. He ran at me and in the blink of an eye was almost upon me. I didn’t move. The instant he lunged for me Daur snatched him by his throat and held him two feet off the ground.

“Arsehats have speed.” Daur said as the vampire thrashed, his hands pulling at the vice grip Daur’s massive hand had on him. “Strong, too. I’m having to work at holding him.”

The vampire’s eyes were wide. He tried speaking but couldn’t get words out.

“Loosen your grip. He’s trying to talk and I can’t understand a damn thing,” I ordered.

Daur loosened only slightly. The vampire’s voice was gravelly. “What are you?”

“I’m afraid I said that I had the questions. You only get to answer them.” I studied him as I spoke. His face was contorted in fear. Fear that he was no longer top of the food chain.

“You don’t look like a demon,” he croaked out.

We laughed and then heard the back door begin to open. Immediately we looked at one another and jumped to the roof of the neighboring building.

The look on the vampire’s face was utter shock. We now stood on the roof, four stories up. Daur tightened his grip so Brandon couldn’t make a sound. I feared he would snap the vampire’s neck before we questioned him. I peered over the edge. One of the female vampires stepped into the alley, looked around, mumbled, “Lazy asshole,” then went back inside.

“Daur, take him to Emrys and have him questioned. I’ll be there in a minute,” I ordered then jumped back down into the alley.

Daur is one of my favorites because the man never asks any questions. He thrives on battle and absolute mayhem. Any action, no matter how crazy it seems, he just goes with it, never flinching. He knows that plans go awry and never relies upon them. That’s why he’s a better warrior than Aiden. Aiden thinks plans should be made down to the smallest details and followed, even when the scenario changes. It’s his fault as well as a strength, I suppose.

Emrys was going to be pissed. Emrys could adapt in chaos but chose being methodical. I believed in seizing an opportunity and if opportunity didn’t present itself, creating it.

I opened the back door. The music had stopped. Quietly I entered the ladies restroom and waited. I heard the front doors being closed and locked. I picked up on seven different voices. Four male and three female. I waited a little longer to be sure. No other voices.

Seven. I wanted to see how they fought. Their strengths, their weaknesses. I only had four long knives. As I sat there waiting, I forced myself to quit wishing I’d brought swords too. Nothing I could do about it now. Time to see if I was in over my head or not. And hope that the other vampires and werewolves would not be alerted.

I pulled two knives out and strode out of the restroom down the hall. I heard them talking. Gossiping about ‘Lord Bellamy.’ I didn’t slow. I threw both knives at the two vampires nearest me, aiming for their hearts. I hit both marks. The vampires instantly turned to ash.

I pulled the other two knives from my boots as the others turned toward me. Two female vampires, a male vampire and two male werewolves.

The vampires unleashed their fangs. The werewolves instantly morphed. I had to focus on not being mesmerized by them. I’d expected them to turn into giant wolves. I kicked myself for watching those ridiculous movies. Stupid teenage girl loves a wolf and a vampire. Both good and both beautiful. They were huge and anything but beautiful. I guess I’d expected them to look more wolf-like. At least ten feet tall, standing on their hind legs like a person would. The fur they sprouted was so black it was as if it actually sucked in any light that tried to get near it. Their heads were definitely canine, and their snouts held teeth as long as my knives. Blood red eyes focused on me. Werewolves weren’t wolf at all. They were engineered all right. Part human, part hellhound demon. This was a very, very bad idea.

The werewolf closest to me eyed me as did the other one, but neither moved. It was the vampires who struck first. The female bartender that I’d seen earlier in the alley came directly at me, relying on her speed. I was faster. I stepped to the side and beheaded her as my waitress sped at me.

Like her friend, she relied on speed and I easily took her head. The werewolves paced. They might not be wolf, but like all canines, they were pack animals. They would come at me together. The male vampire leaped to the bar and grabbed a lead pipe. Seriously, who keeps a lead pipe lying around? He had learned from his friends. He stood fifteen feet away from me, the wolves at his back. I was betting that the wolves wouldn’t attack unless he failed. I was betting my life on it. If I was wrong I would surely die here.

He was faster than the females. My eyes had to focus to keep track of him as he moved. He zigzagged towards me and once in reach, swung the pipe at my head. I ducked and swept his feet. He fell on his back. I could have taken his head there but I was curious to see him fight, and the werewolves seemed to still only be observing.

The vampire was up in a single blink. This time he didn’t swing the pipe but punched for my gut. I fought my training to block the punch, wanting to see how much strength he had. He had a lot. I flew twenty feet, hitting the wall and sliding to the ground. Deciding I had gathered enough information about his strength, and not wanting to go through that again, I lay waiting for his final attack. He was standing above me, both hands on the pipe, ready to plow it down on my head. Thankfully, I moved faster, jumping up and slicing across his neck. The knife wasn’t long and not having the force of a full swing, his head teetered halfway off. I raised my other knife, finishing the job so his body could crumble into ash.

I turned towards the wolves. Their hackles were raised and their red eyes bored into mine. I felt a tingle of dread looking into them. One lifted his head and howled. The entire nest would descend in a moment.

“Balls!” I screamed, sprinting towards the back door.

I flung the door open and bumped right into Daur. I felt as if I’d run into a Great Oak and bounced onto my ass. The door behind me flew shut and I heard the werewolves as they crashed into it but it held. Emrys stood with his hands on the door, his face clearly irritated.

“I think it’s time for plan B,” I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

Emrys, calm as usual only replied, “Clearly.”