Authors: Mary Lou George
Avery raised her eyebrows and said, “That was good, Hol.”
“It just came to me.” Holly smiled at her friend.
Stephen waved a hand and told Stryker, “They do this as a defense mechanism. The topic is so overwhelmingly significant that they have to take little recesses with each other.”
“I get it. I think it’s charming.” Stryker smiled at them.
Avery said, “I’m getting the impression that we’re being patronized.”
Holly shook her head, “No we’re not. That’s just the way he talks.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Holly said.
Stryker said, “I know I’ve given you too much to take in at the moment, but I am willing to answer any of your questions…” Avery took a breath, but he anticipated her. “No, we do not sleep in coffins.”
“What about mirrors?” Holly asked.
He smiled. “You can see my reflection in a mirror. Do you need me to prove it?”
Holly shook her head.
“A stake through the heart kills me, but then it kills everybody. We’re not immortal. It just seems like it when compared to humans.”
Avery said, “If a vampire and a human fall in love…with the disparity in life spans then the vampire would have to spend the greater part of his life without his spouse?” She looked at her husband and took hold of his hand as if to reassure herself that he was still there. “That’s so tragic.”
“Not necessarily. Our doctors are currently working on that. They are investigating the theory that if they could find a way to make human blood mix with vampire blood without being completely absorbed, they could extend the human life span considerably without changing human into vampire.” Stryker shook his head sadly. “Of course our blood is dominant. The storybooks have not fabricated that fact. It is not our intent to wipe out humans or turn them into vampires. Our two species must learn to share this earth in peace. We understand this will take generations, but right now, here in Muskoka, we’re the thin edge of the wedge.”
Stephen said, “I’d like to learn more.”
“You will. Our doctors are just as eager to learn from you as you are from them.”
Holly said, “Forgive me, but this is all so utopian. I’m having a hard time accepting it. Maybe I should have taken the blue pill.”
Stryker laughed. “Ah, you refer to Keanu Reeves in the film
The Matrix
….” He smiled, pleased with himself. To Stephen, he said, “I think I’m starting to get it.”
Stephen said, “Yeah, good luck with that.”
“Holy water! Does holy water burn you? Can you walk into a church?” Avery asked, half jokingly.
He laughed. “I can even enter a house without an invitation, but I don’t because that would be rude.” They joined his laughter. “Many of the things written about vampires were created by those who would have us reviled and feared. It serves their purpose. If we are creatures of children’s nightmares then we are no real threat…we don’t exist.”
Avery said, “I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight, not from fear, but from optimism. I understand why you didn’t want to talk about this in front of the kids. This is so huge.”
He nodded.
Holly said, “The kids are going to love this…” She looked at the faces around her and added, “That is, when they’re old enough to know about it.”
“We hope to make the world a better place for all our children, but right now we balance on a precipice. A strong wind and we could plummet in defeat. That’s why it is so important that we find the bloodstalker who killed Irene O’Neill and the person pulling his strings.” Stryker set his brandy glass down and looked at them in turn. “Obviously our enemy knows we’re here. Trust me, they will stop at nothing to stop us.”
There was silence in the room. Finally Avery spoke.
“Okay, I’ll say it, since we’ve entered a new reality here. What makes you so certain it was a bloodstalker who killed Irene? There were two puncture wounds. Why not a vampire?”
Stryker looked rueful. “Irene would have been drained. A vampire wouldn’t have been able to stop. There would have been no pool of blood. No, Irene was killed right handed, from behind with a sharp two pronged object, blood splatter on the flowers tells us that. Perhaps the killer wanted to make it look like a vampire bite just to mock us. Either way, I got the message.”
Holly looked at Avery and Stephen for confirmation. “We’ll do anything we can, but the kids have to be protected.”
Stryker said, “Jessica, Connor and Aaron have nothing to fear, but I will arrange for my men to ensure their safety.”
Avery said, “A vampire?”
Stryker said, “Maybe, or part vampire, part human. He will not interfere in their lives in any way. Your children won’t know he’s there, but rest assured he will give his life to keep them safe. Trust me. He will not be taken down easily.”
Stephen said, “I believe you, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Children are sacred to us. We do not throw them away or use them for our pleasure. Being able to have a baby is an honor, not a right in our world.”
Avery said, “I like the sound of that.”
Stephen glanced at his watch. “Speaking of children, we should get back to ours. I think you’ve given me enough information for one night Stryker.” He turned to Avery, “We should be going.”
They moved to leave. Holly followed in their wake intending to make her departure as well.
Stryker touched her elbow and said, “Could you stay behind a moment, Holly?”
Holly and Avery exchanged looks. Avery thanked Stryker and hugged Holly goodnight. Stephen shook Stryker’s hand. They understood each other. Avery and Stephen drove off and left Holly alone with Stryker.
Chapter 17
After they waved goodbye to Stephen and Avery, Stryker looked down at Holly and asked, “Library or living room?”
She said, “Well, usually I’d say library. I love that room. I’ve never seen anything like it, but I think given what you’ve already told me, I could use a little less old world and a little more Muskoka farmhouse.”
“As you wish.” He bowed slightly and walked with her to the living room. Holly collapsed in a chair. She deliberately avoided the couch. Her mind could too easily conjure up an image of Stryker making ferocious love to her there. There were just too many erotic possibilities in that couch sitting there all big and roomy, Holly thought.
“Can I get you anything?” His sharp eyes did not miss her deliberate avoidance of the couch and he raised his eyebrows just slightly.
She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ve had enough coffee and I’m driving, so wine is out of the question.”
“Okay then.” He sat on the couch. Leaning back, he put one arm along the back. He stroked the fabric of the soft cushion and Holly couldn’t help but imagine what that hand could do to her. He stretched his long legs out in front of him. His feet almost touched Holly’s frosted pink toes in her blue sandals as they rested modestly side by side on the floor. She knew she looked awkward sitting there so primly while he lounged comfortably, but Holly had just realized she was completely alone with a vampire…a vampire for God’s sake!
Stryker must have sensed her discomfort because he smiled at her gently. “You can relax. I’ll stay right here. If we touch this evening, you will be the initiator.” He raised a hand in defeat. “I’ve given you too much to think about. It wouldn’t be fair if I took advantage of you.”
She sighed. “And of course there’s the whole, you’re a vampire thing…”
He laughed. “Yes. There is the me being a vampire thing. There’s a great deal about my kind that you do not know. I didn’t want to dump anything more on you and your friends in one sitting.”
Holly raised an eyebrow with trepidation. “There’s more?”
He was deadly serious when he said, “A lot more, Holly, more about me, more about you and more about the two of us together.”
Holly’s stomach turned over. She’d had enough and just wanted to go home to bed, but she didn’t want to say so. She hated to show weakness. Her father had always tried to protect her from the truth, refusing to tell her anything he’d decided she didn’t need to know. Holly didn’t want to be patronized so by Stryker.
“You can start now,” she said steadily.
Stryker shook his head. “You misunderstand me. I have more to tell you, but I was hoping that I could see you tomorrow morning and discuss everything with you. I’m not sure I have the fortitude tonight. This hasn’t been easy for me either. I take a very serious risk by revealing to you my mission.”
Holly sighed. “I suppose you do. Sorry, I was just thinking of myself and how this has jostled my world just a tad.”
“No need to apologize. Just say you’ll see me alone first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Of course I will. Call me when you’re on your way. Arnie sent something earlier today. I need to go over his results. We’re still going to try to find out about my mom, aren’t we?”
“If you want to, we most definitely are and don’t forget
Lydia
. I know that what I told you this evening kind of puts everything else out of your mind, but we cannot forget we’re trying to catch a ruthless killer here.”
“You’re right of course…it’s just all so unreal. A year ago I lived in my father’s house and worked in his offices as a receptionist. The most exciting thing in my life was the next episode of
24
. Now look at me!” She lifted her hands up. “I’m talking to a bona fide vampire!”
He smiled sympathetically. “There is so much more for you to know, but not tonight. Please wait for me tomorrow morning. We both need a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow could be another eventful day.”
* * * *
Holly came home to an empty house and vowed to start looking for a dog. Seeing Stryker’s dog Polly and of course Avery and Stephen’s dogs Austin and Micah, made her long for canine company. As a member of many animal causes, Holly knew there were countless dogs in need of a good home. She’d have a hard time picking just one. That’s what made her pause. How could she choose one over another? It would be like a dog version of a Dickens’ novel. The unadoptable would cry in their beds at night after she’d walked away with a cute little puppy. Holly shuddered at the thought. Stryker had offered her his help. Maybe she should take him up on it. She’d been taking him up on so many offers, what was one more?
Getting ready for bed, Holly forced all thoughts of Stryker and vampires out of her mind. She had to, otherwise she’d never get to sleep.
* * * *
She woke early the next morning relieved to discover that she’d drawn no new nocturnal pictures. Showered and dressed in comfy shorts and a sleeveless white t-shirt, she made her way downstairs for a lonely breakfast. After half a cup of coffee and two pieces of peanut butter and toast, Holly heard Avery’s light step on her porch. She knocked once and walked in.
“I smell peanut butter,” she said.
“Want some?”
Avery winced. “After three kids, peanut butter and I have a tentative relationship. But thanks for the offer. How’d you sleep?”
Holly sighed. “I managed.”
“I guess that means you didn’t frolic with our local version of Count Dracula in your dreams or wake with a new drawing clutched in your hand.”
“You’re right. I guess the stuff Stryker told us last night was all my unconscious mind could handle,” Holly said.
Avery nodded and sat on a stool across from Holly. “Me too. I don’t even remember any of my dreams. Stephen is ridiculously happy and can’t wait to meet with Stryker’s doctors.”