Darkness of day, p.22
Darkness of Day, page 22
“I got you here, didn’t I?”
Jelani tilted his head to regard the Hunter. “You have no idea what I’m going to do to you.”
Remy laughed. “And what could a fledgling fool do to a pureblood Hunter? Tell me.” He took a step backward, toward Alisha and Wen.
Jelani’s upper lip curled back. In his peripheral vision, Daniel saw Alisha and Wen’s eyes go wide. Remy didn’t miss the reaction either. “Looks like the girls have never seen you as the monster you are, hmm?”
He took another step toward them and Jelani exploded into action. So fast was he, that not even the pureblood Hunter reacted in time. Jelani slashed him across the face with his elongated nails and grabbed him by the neck, spinning and hurling him across the room.
Remy landed lightly on his feet and grinned as the two slashes across his face closed and disappeared. He winked at Jelani then bolted through the door to the bedroom.
“I’m sorry you had to see this,” Jelani said over his shoulder. In the blink of an eye, he was at the doorway to his old room.
“Hold on!” Daniel said, coughing out the word.
“Keep the windows closed,” his best friend said, then he was gone.
34
Jelani descended the ten floors and hit the ground running. He didn’t know if it was intuition or not, but after Saaya had left him, he’d felt compelled to return to his old apartment.
He looked ahead. He shouldn’t have stopped to speak with the others, as now Remy had a good head start on him. Still, for some reason he was able to feel his way along the Hunter’s trail, and soon he had the other vampire in sight.
He had to admit that Remy was good. The way he darted in seemingly random directions, and managed to have a knack for picking the least travelled streets certainly had to be some aspect of his talent. As he leaped across the street, gliding cleanly over a passing pickup truck, Jelani wondered how much respect a person could command, with an inherent skill that had a lot in common with cowardice.
Remy turned down an alley, then leaped to the roof of a low building. Jelani jumped the twenty feet to the roof and continued to close on in. From one rooftop to the next, Jelani followed the one who had hunted him and his friends for months, killed Daniel’s good friend Claire McMahon, and made their lives hell. Jelani wasn’t sure exactly what he would do to Remy once he got his hands on him, but it would be unpleasant … at least for Remy.
The Hunter leaped across another gap between two buildings, then as soon as his feet touched the roof, he darted left and jumped back to the street. Jelani cursed, as he was in midair when Remy had changed directions. He landed and skidded to a stop, then went to the side of the roof just in time to see Remy snatch a driver out of his SUV and take off in a cloud of smoke and rubber.
Jelani burst into action, going back the way he came. He went back to the previous building, then banked left and leapt across the street to land on the roof of a low rise apartment. He sprinted across, hopping from roof to roof, all the while keeping the blue SUV in sight.
The car turned onto Georgia Street—a three lane highway—and Jelani knew that at this time of night, there would be less traffic, and Remy would be able to outrun him.
Screw it! He traversed several more rooftops, then launched himself straight out over Georgia street. It was a long way, and Jelani hit hard and fast, rolling with the momentum. He heard the sound of an engine roaring and knew that Remy was barreling down on him. Jelani kept his wits about him and came out of the roll, planted his feet, and sprang backward.
The car closed in, and Jelani tucked his feet up, arms stretched out to his sides for balance. For several heartbeats he glided backward as the car came forward. Finally, when gravity began to pull him down, the hood of the SUV was just beneath him.
The hood folded under his weight, and he glared murderously at the Hunter on the other side of the glass. Jelani’s fist snapped back and he punched through the windshield. He nearly got his hands around Remy’s throat, but the other vampire slammed on the brakes, and Jelani was thrown backward.
He hit the ground in a backwards roll, all the while hearing the roar of the large vehicle. Jelani slapped his hand to the ground and slid to a stop. Kneeling in the middle of the street, he looked up just in time to see the charging buffalo emblem on the grill of the SUV before it slammed into him. Out of reflex, Jelani threw his hands up. The impact would have instantly killed him, had he been human. But Jelani was no longer human.
The front grill of the SUV knocked him into a into a violent roll, and he felt the tires climbing over his legs and one of his arms as it rolled over him. Jelani let out an inhuman growl against the pain, even as his limbs instantly repaired themselves.
The pain lit his rage, and the nails in Jelani’s curled fingers extended. He managed to turn flat on his back as the vehicle passed over him, and punched upward. His clawed hands tore through the undercarriage and he grabbed hold.
Jelani held on along as the SUV roared down the street, and he began working his way back up the front, tearing and grinding metal as he went.
He reached the front and grabbed hold of the bumper, pulling himself out and up. He slapped his hand down on the dented hood, tearing five angry scars through the metal. Jelani’s fangs extended through his clenched teeth as he pulled himself all the way up. The SUV swerved, but he had a firm grip this time.
Jelani lifted himself over the grill and thought he saw a trace of fear in the eyes of his re-creator. But then, the view was blocked by the muzzle of a nine millimeter handgun. Jelani dropped onto his stomach just as a pure silver round passed over his back. He looked up and saw Remy aiming for his head. He threw his body right and several more rounds passed, hitting the hood.
Remy was forced to swerve around a car and that brief moment was all Jelani needed. He punched his hand through the hood, tearing out wires and parts. He pulled out a piece of broken metal and shoved it through the hole in the windshield, stabbing it into Remy’s face.
The Hunter cried out in pain, and Jelani reached through the hole, grabbed the steering wheel, and yanked it to the side. The SUV made a sudden turn to the left, but overbalanced and tipped over. Just before the vehicle flipped, Jelani leaped away. He hit the ground sprinting after the still rolling vehicle.
As soon as it stopped, he jumped on top of the door reached in, and grabbed Remy by the hair. With strength that still surprised himself, Jelani yanked the Hunter halfway out of the car. Remy bent his arm, lined up the gun with Jelani’s torso, and unloaded the remaining clip of silver rounds.
Jelani quickly released him, dodging to the side, but he wasn’t fast enough. One round found his side and passed through his body, front to back.
He screamed and fell away as Remy climbed out. The Hunter grabbed him and lifted him off the ground. “You think you’re the Hunter, now, you mixed up son of a bitch?” He pulled Jelani close to his face and he had just enough time to see the deep gashes from the metal closing up and the skin smooth again, then Remy threw him backward.
Jelani hit the street and rolled to a stop. He tried to rise, but the searing pain in his side was agonizing. It burned like acid.
Remy hopped down from the upturned vehicle and strode toward him. “I don’t know what you’ve been doing or where you’ve been doing it to be out of my reach, but you’re mine. You hear?” He looked around. Other cars were slowly approaching now. “But first we’ll need to make our exit. Get up!”
When Jelani didn’t comply, Remy stopped and tilted his head at him. “That silver must have hurt for you not to be listening. I’ll have to punish you later for that.” He started again toward the still incapacitated Jelani, then stopped. He turned in a circle, eyes wide with panic. “Shit!” He looked back at Jelani, eyes wild and desperate. “Get up! We’ve got a fight coming.”
Remy growled when Jelani still failed to respond, but by then, two figures came into view behind him. Remy spun around, ejected the clip in his gun and reloaded, firing on the approaching duo. The taller of the two increased his step and, to Jelani’s amazement, began swatting the flying rounds aside. So quick did his arms move, that they looked like a blur even to Jelani’s sharper vampire eyes.
“What the fuck?” Remy swore, then stuffed the gun back in his pants and ran toward Jelani, kicking him as he passed. “You’re in my range, now, fledgling. You will come to me.” With that last threat, he was gone.
A second later, the towering figure of Kafeel appeared over Jelani, then Saaya. He felt himself lifted off the street, none too gently, then air rushed around him as they made their retreat.
35
Jelani crashed back into consciousness after his body was thrown to the ground. He rolled onto his back, but still didn’t open his eyes. It felt like his head weighed a hundred pounds. The burning wound in his side was healing, but it was slow to do so. He heard a voice, not Saaya’s, but her brother’s.
“That was imprudent.”
“Uuh. Uh huh,” was all he could manage.
“Remind me why we are preserving this fool?” Kafeel asked. When Jelani didn’t hear an answer forthcoming, he opened his eyes and lifted himself up on his elbows. A few feet away, Kafeel and Saaya stood looking down at him. The latter looked much the same as when she’d left him; raven hair plastered to the sides of her face and down her back, her clothes clinging to her curvaceous figure. Kafeel’s long coat swayed lazily in the wind, but he didn’t seem nearly as soaked through as his sister, or Jelani.
At last the wound closed, but his body continued repairing the internal damage. With an effort he climbed back to his feet. “Thanks for the save,” he said. “I thought I almost had him. Turns out he almost had me.”
“You use your body well,” Saaya replied, “now it is time for you to use your mind equally well. It would be a shame to lose you, jaan, but we are not your personal bodyguards, nor are we given to babysitting.”
It was the second time Saaya had ever spoken to him in a stern tone. For reasons he couldn’t define, Jelani found himself unhappy that he had displeased her. And that displeased him.
“I’m sorry.” With a groan at the still burning wound, he forced himself to stand up straight. “Look. I know you two have been watching out for me and I really do appreciate it. It’s not like I’m taking it for granted, but I’m still trying to feel my way through this.”
“That is understandable,” Saaya said, “but going on the hunt so soon after first awakening is foolish enough. That you managed to kill several Hunters during that dark rock is impressive, but ill advised. I would have thought you’d learned from your nearly fatal confrontation with the Eldest Hunter himself. Your actions are reckless and foolish, Jelani.”
Kafeel’s eyes flicked down at Jelani with distaste. “Stupid, would be another word.”
The corner of Saaya’s mouth twitched. Jelani was definitely immune to that smile. He most certainly did not want to kiss her at all.
“You hint at a smile,” Kafeel said to Saaya while nodding at Jelani, “and that vacuous expression reappears.
Jelani frowned and jerked his head back at the insult. Vacuous?
“Would it not be easier to have a dog?” Kafeel continued.
The sound of a honking horn drew his attention. For the first time since he’d opened his eyes, Jelani took a look around. They were on yet another rooftop surrounded by taller office buildings. Most of the windows were dark, save the occasional lit office where some poor bastard put in extra unpaid hours to finish a job. I swear, I’ve spent more time on rooftops lately than on the damn ground. “If you’ll please pardon my vacuousness,” he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll be going, now.”
“Where to?” Saaya asked.
Jelani started to ask why it was her business, but that was unfair. “I need to make sure my friends are okay.” He looked to Kafeel. “You know, that’s why I’m being what you consider reckless. I’m new to all this, but I also have to protect my friends while figuring it all out. I’m not saying I’ve been the easiest to deal with lately, but maybe you could cut me some slack, brotha.” He turned and started away.
“Rest and heal. I will watch after them.”
To Jelani’s surprise, it was Kafeel who had spoken. He turned around to thank the towering vampire, but those dark brown eyes bore into him.
“If you speak another word, I will recant my offer.”
Jelani held a hand up and nodded, backing away. He heard a feminine giggle. When he glanced over his shoulder, Saaya was nowhere to be seen. When he turned back, he found that he was on the rooftop alone.
Jelani turned the key and stepped inside the lavish apartment, adorned with paintings and art from various East Indian and West African cultures. He turned on the lights, more out of habit than the need to see. The paintings and sculptures were beautiful depictions of people, natural settings, and famous landmarks. Jelani wished he knew where Saaya had found them. He’d asked her once, but the response had been offhanded and vague.
Jelani snorted. Not that he had a need for any of the stuff now. It wasn’t like he was going back to his old place any time soon.
Saaya’s voice practically drifted into his ear. “Do you find something amusing, my love?”
Jelani hid his startle by clearing his throat. It didn’t work. “Just thinking,” he said, seeing her sitting on the couch with her feet tucked at her side. She patted the empty space next to her and Jelani hesitantly moved across the room and sat down.
“Still uneasy around me,” the dampeal observed.
“I think you know why that is.”
“Yes, of course.” Her long eyelashes dipped as she favored him with a slow, bored, blink. “You must hold fast to your honor, lest you lose it in a night of passion with me, hmm?”
“Saaya, there have got to be a lot more interesting guys around than me.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Oh? I’ve not found one yet. Are you so sure you wish for my interest in you to wane?”
Jelani thought about that for a moment, then decided maybe that wasn’t such a good idea right now. He still didn’t know what he was going to do or where he was going to go. The selfish thoughts made him feel guilty.
Saaya laughed at him. “Even now, completely re-created, your mind and heart war with each other as if you are still mortal.” She shook her head. Her now dry, smooth black hair swished across her face. How he wanted to kiss those grinning lips!
“Okay, foolish boy. I will give you this. Play with your little mortal girl. Have your fun. When time grows harsh and her mortality becomes more apparent,” she shrugged, “see how you feel. Though, as I know you, you would probably still stand by her even if she became decrepit.”
“I most certainly would, Saaya.”
Her bored expression never wavered, but her eyebrow twitched upward, just a bit. Was that a flicker of respect? The silent compliment caught him off guard.
“When mortality finally claims her,” Saaya went on, “you will return to me. More specifically, your heart will come to me.”
Jelani raised his eyebrows at that. “You can’t dictate where a person’s heart will go.”
“Of course not, but I can predict where it lies, or would lie.” She traced a finger down his jawline, his throat, the middle of his chest. “And I know where your heart would lie if not for a little mortal girl.” Saaya looked into his eyes with enticing orbs that glowed lavender, much like his own.
“When the pain of loss claims you, I will be your balm. And when your heart is healed …” she left it at that and stood. Try though he might, Jelani’s gaze hugged her body as closely as her clothes.
“Your eyes are your torture,” she said, never looking back.
How the hell does she do that? Jelani thought, just as the dampeal left out the door.
For a while he sat on the couch. Her words cast a sober pall over his mood. Could he really endure Alisha’s mortality? He had asked himself this question several times, but the answer still escaped him. He mentally shoved the matter aside and thought about Remy.
Everything Jelani had been taught up to this point was that vampires lived in secrecy. They rarely used guns because of the noise. When they did, it was with a silencer and as far away from any human being as possible. That Remy had fired on him either indicated that the Hunter had no regard for anonymity, or that he had been desperate. It was an interesting thought, considering Remy was not only older, but a pureblood Hunter at that.
He fished one of his silver blades out of his belt and inspected it. He’d killed many vampires with the knife. Being shot by Remy made it all the more real how lethal silver was. As he studied the weapon, a thought occurred to him. With the tip of a finger, he touched the flat of the blade and quickly withdrew. No burn. He touched it again, a slightly less quick tap. Still no burn.
Jelani stared at the knife, then placed his finger on the blade and held it. The silver did not burn his skin. “Strange,” he said. “I wonder if it only burns from inside the body.” But he remembered that any vampire he’d seen handling silver always wore gloves. Even Yako. Was he somehow different? “Hey, fine with me,” he thought aloud, standing. He looked out the window across the living room at the night beyond. “I could use some air.”
He left the room and took the elevator down. As soon as he stepped into the lobby, he knew someone was there.
“You might as well quit playing games and step out,” he said, drawing his silver blades.
Around the back of the fireplace on the other side of the lobby, Melinda stepped out. “A little jumpy, handsome?”
He relaxed and put his weapons away. In an instant, she crashed into him and bore him to the floor. “I told you to be careful,” she said, straddling him. “Remy has a fix on my mind and can compel me to do things I don’t want to do. I told you that!”
“Yeah,” Jelani said, “but first off, I’m always prepared.” He slowly led her gaze down to one of his silver blades pointed at her side, not an inch away.
