“If I may be so forward, what business do you have in France?” Aurelia asked him.
“Well ma’am, to be honest, my buddy Dorian here is going through a lot and needs some help. I understand you’ve got a little mutant problem too that I’d be more than happy to offer my assistance with.”
“My, how very honorable of you and quite brave. I would absolutely treasure the opportunity to have a gentleman of your caliber in my company.” Aurelia was right to be impressed with Lyle. He didn’t have any special powers, but he was been a lot braver than I had been. My self-esteem boost from standing up to Noah was dwindling.
“A dear friend of mine has already traveled to New York,” Aurelia continued. “The situation will be under control shortly.”
“I think there might be more than a few people behind all this, ma’am. Dorian thought it was over when the first guy from New York was taken care of, but there was someone waiting for us in Boston, too. It’s too much of a coincidence that the mutants were also found in both places.”
“You are correct, Monsieur Turner, which is precisely why I wish for this ordeal to come to a quick end. If humans were to find out that my kind is the cause of these monsters, then I fear they will hunt us all.”
“We have a common enemy, then. Do you know who they are or why they’re doing this?” Lyle asked.
“I can only speculate that it is a less-civilized coven interested in the talents of your friend here, but I cannot imagine why.”
“Speaking of that, sorry about the accident downstairs. He’s having some trouble controlling himself. You know, I’m pretty good with my hands. I’d be happy to help fix up the place.” Lyle was still grinning like a fool and trying to act casual as he showed off for her.
I can’t believe he was using my problem for his personal gain. He wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for me, and now he was stealing the show.
“That won’t be necessary, Monsieur. My people shall handle the repairs. I may, however, make use of your skills in another manner,” she said and flashed a demure smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other pressing matters to attend to. Noah will escort you to a room in the guest house should you need a place to rest during your stay.”
I had almost forgotten he was still there. It was unlike him to be quiet for so long. Once Aurelia departed he signaled for us to follow him back outside.
“Man, I get vertigo just looking at her. I feel like I’m in one of those sexy perfume commercials,” Lyle said, checking out every female on the way there. “I think I'm gonna like it here. I mean,
really
like it here.”
“Gee, I couldn’t tell.”
“What about werewolves, are they real too?”
Lyle had been barraging Noah with questions for half an hour now. He was a changed man after his meeting with Aurelia. Or maybe it was all starting to sink in now that we weren’t in any immediate danger.
“Yeah, they stick to the wilderness. They’re seven to nine feet of muscle, fur, and claws. Unless you’re looking to pick a fight with something that hits like a speeding train, I wouldn’t go searching for them.”
Noah was being surprisingly amicable. At least for the moment he wasn’t trying to kill or berate us, except for when Lyle almost got his hand cut off for trying to touch one of the swords in Noah’s room.
“See this tattoo?” Noah pointed to the large claw mark on his ribs. “I got it after I took down my first pack of those mutts.”
“You went after more than one at a time?” Lyle asked. “That sounds insane, man.”
“Wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Not that I had any doubts. The pack leader got a good hit in on me and since I don’t scar, I had it inked instead.”
I sat on the bed, barely paying attention to the conversation. Now that I had some downtime, my thoughts kept wandering to my parents no matter how hard I tried to push them out. To add insult to injury, it looked like I wouldn’t even be able to give them a proper funeral.
“They’re better off dead.”
“What?” I looked up, realizing Noah was speaking to me.
“Your parents. They’re better off,” he repeated.
“Not again, man. Leave him alone,” Lyle jumped in.
“I’m being serious. It could have been much worse for them,” Noah said. He wasn’t grinning or smirking, but he was never an easy person to read. “Like I keep telling you, you can’t escape this life. Anyone close to you will be in danger.”
“What you’re telling me is that I have to live the rest of my life lonely and unloved in order to survive. If you’re trying to cheer me up, it didn’t work.”
“Spare me your self-pity. Just be happy they weren’t tortured or made to live out their lives in constant fear. There are things so much worse than death.”
“Whatever, Noah.” Even his attempts to be consoling came off as abrasive as sandpaper. “So what should we be doing? Any idea who’s behind all this?”
“Vivi will be back from New York tomorrow night with information, so just hang out until then.”
“I feel like I should be doing something more productive.”
“Yeah, hold this.” I caught a glass Noah threw at me that was lying around his room. “With your mind, stupid.”
“How was I supposed to know?” I floated the glass out of my hand. Since I’d known him I didn’t think he’d called me by name once; I would have been shocked if he even knew it.
“It should be your first instinct. I want you to squeeze the glass until it breaks.”
This was a challenge. I had only used my powers to push, pull, or lift in one direction at a time, but squeezing would require that I apply force in all directions at once. The glass flipped and spun in the air from my uneven pressure. I felt like a thief trying to figure out a safe’s combination as I listened for the sweet spot to let me know the glass was cracking. It took a few tries, but in a few minutes I crushed the glass to pieces.
“Good, that’ll come in handy. Now go mourn. Get it out of your system now, because once shit gets serious I expect you to pull your own weight.” Noah took out a wine bottle from the cabinet-sized refrigerator next to his bed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get my drink on and watch some TV,” he said, uninviting us from his room.
Lyle put his hand around his neck and looked at the bottle in disgust.
“Relax, officer, it isn’t human blood. It’s from one of our own. This tastes a lot better and doesn’t coagulate.” Noah swirled the bottle around and took a swig. “I’d offer you some, but … I don’t like you.”
“Did you see the size of that flat-screen he had? Man, these guys know how to live. Where are all the cobwebs and coffins? I didn’t think they’d know what a TV is,” Lyle said on the way to our rooms across the hall. “Ow! Jesus Christ!”
“That’s offensive.” Noah had come up behind us and smacked Lyle upside the head. “And that’s for telling the human I gave you my blood after I said not to.” He turned and hit me upside the head too.
“Lyle’s seen everything I have already, it’s not like that’s going to matter,” I protested. “You fed me your blood right in front of him before!”
“Because I already knew you told him,” Noah said, and took another swig from his bottle before going back in to his room. “Trust nobody!”
“He’s gotta lighten up,” Lyle said while rubbing the back of his head. “You gonna be okay?”
“I’ve been bitten by a mutant, cut with swords, and thrown off a roof. Getting slapped isn’t a big deal.”
“I meant about your parents, smartass. We haven’t really had a chance to talk.”
“I’m fine, just trying not to think about it.”
“Well, if you change your mind I’m here for you.”
It was great being able to take a hot shower. I felt as if I was staying in a five-star hotel. The guesthouse was the same baroque architecture and decor as the main chateau, only with updated amenities, such as modern bathrooms in each bedroom. I didn’t see why the Archios would need all this, especially since they were so averse to having human company. The linens were also fresh and clean, as if they had recently been washed. Aurelia’s servants must spend all night, every night, doing laundry and cleaning hundreds of rooms just in case she got a visitor.
I tried to avoid thinking of my parents by going over the little I had overheard of Noah’s conversation with us. Waiting around for something to happen was making me anxious. The best thing I could do was prepare for the next few nights ahead.
According to Noah, there were only four ways to kill his kind for sure: sunlight, fire, decapitation, or destroying the heart. A stake through the heart only caused paralysis, as Lyle and I had learned. Holy water, crosses, garlic, ultraviolet light, and all the other legends were completely useless myths circulated for amusement.
I fought off sleep as long as possible. It was the first time since childhood that I was scared of having nightmares. I finally gave in and closed my eyes for a few minutes. The next thing I knew it was daytime.
A silver platter had been set on the table across from the bed. It was loaded with different kinds of cheeses and fresh fruits. A second platter next to it held croissants and baguettes with butter and jams. There was even a pitcher full of water and a crystal water goblet, and a cup of coffee. I wasn’t sure if I was more impressed or scared that this had all been done without waking me. Now that I thought of it, after I drank Noah’s blood, I was never all that hungry.
It was no caramel latte, but I downed the coffee anyway, and went to look outside. The windows were all cleverly tinted with glass that got darker the lighter it was out — technology I bet the Archios would have loved years ago.
“Hey,” I called to Lyle as he walked past my door, but he didn’t hear me. “Lyle!” I called again and went after him. He was going in Noah’s room. What the heck was he doing?
I followed him to the doorway, not wanting to go any further. Noah was in bed sleeping peacefully with swords under his pillow and the empty bottle on the floor next to him like a drunk.
“What are you doing? Get out of there,” I whispered, trying not to wake Noah. This was as suicidal as walking into a hungry bear’s cave covered in meat. Lyle was at the window now and reaching for the curtains. He was going to kill Noah.
“Don’t do it!” I snuck in and grabbed the curtain to stop him. “The windows are tinted anyway. You're just going to piss him off.”
“So I’ll open them. You heard what he said — trust no one. He’s been messing with us this whole time. He’s as dangerous and unpredictable as they come. This may be our only chance to get rid of him.”
“Too late.” It was Noah’s voice. He had risen from the bed and was standing behind us with his
wakizashi
out.
“Noah, wait!” I turned and blocked his path to Lyle.
“I don’t have a problem going through you,” he said and went to push me out of the way.
“What’s going on?” Lyle asked. “How’d I get here?”
I turned back around to him. The expression on his face was completely bewildered. “Are you kidding me? You just tried to kill Noah.”
“I … no I didn’t. Am I dreaming?”
“No, but now you’re dead.” Noah shoved me and raised his sword to attack Lyle. I put my hand out and focused on freezing the sword before it could strike. Even half-asleep in the daytime, Noah was too strong. It took so much effort that the black veins in my arms started to show.
“Let go, or you’re dead next,” Noah growled. I felt his words taking over my mind, but the unnatural noises from the infection filled my head, canceling them out.
“Don’t kill him. There has to be an explanation,” I reasoned. Lyle looked between the both of us in fright. If I didn’t let go, I’d risk blowing the room and Lyle up, but if I did, Noah would kill him.
“Fine.” Noah stabbed the sword into the wall next to Lyle’s head. “He’s telling the truth,” he said, staring into his eyes. “He’s clueless as always. For once that saved your life.”
“I told you!” Lyle exclaimed. “I was falling asleep in bed, next thing I’m here with you two.”
“I’ll deal with this later.” Noah dragged Lyle back to the room he was staying in by his shirt and threw him in the windowless bathroom. “Let him out, I kill you both.”
He lifted an armoire like it was made of cardboard and blocked the bathroom door to trap Lyle before disappearing.
“Can I at least have that food?” I heard Lyle ask from behind the door.
“He’s already gone,” I told him and sat by the door. “Do you really think we can’t trust him? I mean, enough that you would kill him if you could?”
“The guy’s a loose cannon and he seems to have a fondness for throwing people off buildings. I can’t say I wasn’t hoping you’d take him out in the explosion, but after our chat I guess he was starting to be cool with me. Do you think one of the Archios here could have been controlling me?”
“They’re all asleep or I’d say yes. Daytime seems to mess them up even if they’re not in the sunlight. Noah was out cold for a while when we were arguing right in front of him.”
“I wonder if I’ll ever be able to go back. What evidence am I really going to find now to prove I didn’t attack those other officers? I probably shouldn’t have run.” Lyle was always so optimistic that things would get better, so his doubts were out of character. Maybe he knew now how powerless it felt when someone was controlling you.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do when this is over? What brought you to New York, anyway?” he asked.
“A dumb idea. I was going to college for architecture, but got convinced to try modeling before I got too old.”
“That sounds pretty fun. You must have met a lot of cool people.”
“Not really. I barely got started and then this happened. I didn’t get much of a chance to make any friends.”
“Well, assuming New York isn’t hurting when we get back, you can always pick it back up. How old are you?”
“Twenty, why? How old are you?”
“Twenty-three. I was going to say if you were twenty-one I could take you out to some of my favorite spots to get a drink and meet some girls.”
“Thanks, but that’s not really my scene.”
“I hear ya. But bars are probably the main way people socialize in Manhattan. You get used to it after a while.”
“I, uh, meant girls,” I said. I shifted uneasily and got up.
“Oh.” Lyle paused. “Oh! Gotcha. That’s cool. You definitely moved to the right place for it.”
“Yeah, I guess. I kind of just keep to myself,” I said and headed for the door. “I think I’m going to take a walk.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” Lyle was being more casual than I had expected. “I guess I didn’t think you’d be this accepting. I’m not used to talking about it with anyone.”
“We’ve been through hell together. I’m not gonna like you any less because of who you date.” Lyle sounded a little hurt that I had misjudged him. “Life would be kinda boring if we were all the same and liked the same stuff. Go ahead and do what makes you happy, as long as you’re not hurting anyone. You’ve been holding a lot of stuff in, huh?”
It did seem really trivial now that I mentioned it. I was so used to hiding things about myself nobody knew who I
really
was.
“People always look at you differently after they find out the truth. I had childhood friends walk away and treat me like a leper. I was still the same person who played ball with them after school and video games on the weekend. We celebrated all our birthdays together for years and told each other everything. My parents always had such high expectations for me, they wanted me to be perfect and I knew they wanted grandchildren. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I opened up to my friends about it first, but all they could see was a … monster in place of the kid they grew up with. When I learned about my powers a year later I thought they might have been right.”