Nimravid (The MacFade Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  Claire was still searching my soul with those beautiful deep brown eyes. My stony hard heart melted. “How can I say no to you?” I kissed her lightly, took a deep breath to calm my rattled nerves and shoved myself to my feet. “OK, here goes. I’m going to need some open minds here.” Velda and Thelma both looked at each other and responded in unison, “Done.” Velda said, “Go on with ya bad self.” Thelma added, “Get up on the good foot, baby.” I gave Claire one last look, searching for chance to back out. She smiled, “Go ahead, Mack. Tell us what you see.”

  “There is no putting genie back in the bottle.” I warned her, knowing from personal experience, but that’s a story for another time. Effie dropped her fork noisily onto her plate. “Oh Lord have Mercy. My food is getting cold. Do we really have to do this, now?” Velda hissed at her, “Hush up, Sister! Let the boy do his thing.”

  I took a deep breath and tried to shake myself loose. This was way different as a spectator sport. I do this all the time naturally but there is just something about knowing you’re being watched that adds tension. I walked half way between the ghost and the table, I Focused on the apparition. The details became instantly clear. “It’s an elderly man. I say seventy or so. He’s wearing work boots, a flannel shirt, overalls and striped cap that says Union Pacific. Does that mean anything to anyone?” Everyone at the table blanched, save one. Effie let out an exasperated sigh, blowing one lock of hair around her forehead. “Oh, he could have gotten that from a picture somewhere in the house. This is bullshit!” Velda frowned and her eyes narrowed. “I said hush now, Sister. Don’t make me rebuke you!” Effie’s eyebrows went up in a “well la-de-da” expression. Claire leaned forward. “Mack that sounds like my Uncle Edward. Can you talk to him?” I shrugged, “don’t see why not.” Claire’s face showed hope. “Ask him why he’s still here? Why he hasn’t gone into the light?” I huffed out in frustration. “Claire, he most likely doesn’t even know he’s dead. You can’t just come right out and say it! Nice day isn’t it? By the way you’re dead and we don’t want you stinking up the place, SO ON YOUR BIKE, MATE!”

  “Well, can you call Casey?” I didn’t need bloody Casey; I could handle this on my own, I think… “Just let me ease into it. OK? It’s stressful enough as it is,” I said defensively. Velda held up a pacifying hand. “Take your time, baby.” I walked up and addressed the old timer directly. “Good evening, sir.” He slowly turned to acknowledge me. “Good evening, young man. Have we met? I don’t believe I know you.” He held out his insubstantial hand, my right bracer immediately formed a gauntlet, allowing me to shake it. “My name is Dalton Walker, a friend of Effie’s.” Effie took offense. “Did he just say?” Velda was ready with the chastisement. “Shush, quiet now. This is a crucial moment!” Effie resolved herself to brooding silence. Edward’s face became quizzical. “Oh, is she here today?” I nodded. “Yes, she is. Would you like to talk to her?” The old man’s face filled with pride. “Maybe later, I’m waiting on my wife to come home from the beauty parlor. The children are taking us out for dinner tonight. It’s our 50th anniversary.”

  “You gotta be kidding me, Mai! That’s…that’s just tragic! He kicked it on his anniversary? How do I get myself into these things?”

  “Waaay too often”

  “Quiet you…”

  I relayed what he said to the group. There was another series of quick breaths. “Is that him?” I asked Claire and she nodded. Even Effie was paying attention now.

  “Oh this is just bullshit. He’s a fake! He could have gotten all of this from Claire.” She stood up and hauled Claire to her feet. “Girl, what’re you up to? You tell me right now!” Oh no, that is unacceptable. “EFFIE!” I barked. The Voice of compulsion lashing out involuntarily. Everyone jumped. “Let her go, right now! If you desire proof, I can provide it.” Effie released Claire. “Go on now! Show us your proof, Mr. Ghost Talker Man!” I looked around the room. There was a photograph of Edward and his wife on the book shelf. “Is that you and your wife?” I pointed to the photograph. Edward got up. Focusing on him, I grasped his elbow, pushing a little power into his essence, to bolster his substance. He reached up and took the photo down to gaze at it with bright eyes. Everyone at the table was speechless.

  From the family’s viewpoint, the chair started rocking of its own accord and the picture floated down from the shelf. I hate to be this theatrical but Effie pissed me off by manhandling Claire. “Jesus Christ.” Effie said as she sank into her chair. “Far from it, Ms. Barnes, but I do the best I can.” I smirked.

  Edward gazed lovingly at the picture. “That’s my Beulah, Fifty years through the best and worst of times.” This was too personal for me to be going in blind. “Will you excuse me for a moment, sir?” Edward nodded as he sat back in the rocker. “Of course, young man, take your time, I ain’t going nowhere.” Yeah, I know, that’s the problem, now isn’t it?

  I walked back over to the table. “I need to be caught up here or I can’t do anything for him. What happened to his wife? How did he die?” Claire was close to tears as she spoke. “It all happened on the same night, Beulah was coming home from having her hair done and she was hit by a drunk driver, killed on impact. When we broke the news to Edward he had a massive heart attack and died in that chair.” I nodded and kissed the top of her head. “I see, he died of a broken heart.”

  “Oh my God, that’s so tragic, Alex.”

  “Get ahold of yourself, Mai. If you make me cry in front of these people I’m going to be furious.”

  “I know, I won’t.”

  I looked at Edward and my heart went out to him. I had to help him if I could. Turning back to the stunned family members, “That would explain it, died waiting for his wife to come home and in a state of shock, no less. His mind couldn’t handle it so it blocked out the traumatic event. Guys I am going to need your help with this, just trust me.” I went over to Edward and we had a short chat. Gathering up some power I made everyone visible and audible to each other. I reintroduced Edward to his family, showing him how everyone was so much older now. He was a sharp guy, got it almost immediately. Everyone said their goodbyes which had never been possible before.

  Edward clasped my arm with both hands. “Thank you, Dalton. You have given me and my sisters an incredible gift. I think my niece made a fine choice in you, even if you aren’t completely human. I don’t think she could have done better.” Compassion gripped my heart and gave it a painful squeeze. I would have really liked this guy when he was alive. Edward gave me the exhausted sigh of a man waiting 17 years for a lover who would never come home.

  “So what do I do now?” I smiled reassuringly. “I have a friend who should be along shortly. He’ll show you the ropes.” The man in the gray suit appeared—better late than never I reckon. “I can take it from here, Mr. MacFade.”

  “Azrael…” I said acknowledging him. “It’s about bloody time you showed up, did we interrupt NAP TIME?”

  “As I told you before Mr. MacFade, it has to be voluntary.”

  “He was in shock. You could have at least showed up and explained it to the old geezer. Way to phone in it, yah bastard!”

  “Is it really appropriate to have this conversation in front of the flock?” I noticed everyone at the table was staring at me. They could hear my part of the conversation with what looked like empty air. “You’re right. Mr. Barnes…Death…Death this is Mr. Barnes.” I gripped Edward’s shoulder. “Azrael will take good care of you from here.” The angel offered his hand to Edward. He took it and they were gone. I sank back into my chair, completely drained. “It’s done…can we eat now?” Effie snatched up her fork and toasted me with it. “Hell, yes!” Claire didn’t look like she was satisfied with the whole thing. “That’s it? We are just going to sit down and eat after all that?” I buried my face in my hands. “I would TRULY appreciate it if we could.”

  “Fine,” said Claire crisply. She started ripping into her chicken violently. She wanted to talk about this and I didn’t. I would l
ose this contest of wills at the end of the day but for now I was just going to eat my dinner. “Mr. Walker may I ask a question?”

  “Sure, Ms. Velda.”

  “What does death look like?” Every fork at the table stopped moving. It just wouldn’t end. I described him in detail, even told them about his oddly comforting countenance. I dare say, everyone was rather disappointed. Some were expecting the grim reaper and others a grandiose spectacle with six wings and a halo.

  The rest of the dinner was spent in small talk and Effie’s interrogation. I think I made it clear to her that I have honorable intentions. Dessert consisted of several different fruit cobblers and pies. I sampled all of them of course. We enjoyed the rest of the evening and danced the night away. Right up until…

  Chapter 25

  When we left the party, we were met at the Hummer by a group of bikers. I reckoned they were just punks looking for the evening’s entertainment, but damn, had they picked the wrong black couple to harass. It wasn’t until we were right on top of them that I smelled it. I grabbed Claire and Slipped us back across the yard, depositing her at the back corner of the house just out of sight. “Go inside and wait for me to come get you.” I pressed a Beretta, with a custom made ceramic barrel, loaded with Walker’s kills-all into her hand. She looked scared. “What is it?”

  “Vampires.”

  I Slipped back across the yard and exited The Void right in front of the group. They gave me a mocking round of applause, having known what to expect. One of them was sitting on my hood with a baseball bat over one shoulder. “Get off my truck, blood sucker!” I growled, stalking forward. As he slid down he shifted the bat and used his momentum for a downward swing. This bloke thought he was slick. I easily caught it in one hand and yanked the bat forward throwing the thug off balance and then drove the butt of it into his teeth as two other’s rushed me. Catching each one of them by the throat, I hoisted them into the air, then dropped to one knee, slamming them into the asphalt flat on their backs, rendering them unconscious. Which left only two. “You blokes are way out of bounds. Chief Rayner is not going to be happy about this, one bit.” The older looking of the two, spoke. “We serve a different master, half-breed. We are here for you and bear a message.”

  “How did you find me?”

  “That is of no concern to you. What is important is that our master requests that you and Mr. Smith back off the cop killer hunt or you’ll face dire consequences. We know the two of you work together.”

  “I wonder how they could’ve known?” Mai quipped.

  “Yeah, it’s a real mystery. That dumbass Zawadski took the bait.”

  “Good call, Alex.”

  “Thank you.”

  I returned my attention to the senior scumbag. “Sorry Shit-for-Brains, I’ve already been paid. The contract is in force and I have a reputation to uphold, simply can’t do it.” The grin that spread across his face was absolutely evil. “That’s too bad, I only hope the little gook bitch won’t take it personally, when you get her killed.” My hand shot at him, a result of Mai’s temper flaring, grabbing his throat as I kicked THROUGH his buddy’s knees. The other vamp went down in squeals and wails of pain. I pulled the first one in close as I kicked the second in the head to knock him unconscious. My claws, erupting through the thin gloves I had been wearing, started to cut into the young vamp’s neck. “Shelly is Thai not Vietnamese. If you’re going to use ethnic slurs then the least you can do is be accurate. What have you done?” It came out as an inhuman growl.

  Senior Scumbag was undaunted, confident in his master’s protection. “Nothing yet, Mr. Walker, but that is up to you,” he croaked. “My master has heard that you’re a man of your word and that you would rather die than break it.” My eyes flashed as I bared my fangs. “Your master has been talking to a soon to be dead man. Get to the fucking point! What do you want of me?”

  “Just your word, Mr. Walker. You and Mr. Smith will no longer interfere in our affairs or if you wish, you can kill Mr. Smith yourself to demonstrate your good faith.”

  “Not an option, goose stepper, I’ll only make an in-person exchange. You’ll get nothing from me until Shelly is safely in my possession.”

  “Of course, my master expected this. Be at this address at midnight and we’ll make the exchange. He handed me a slip of paper. “Your good word, and Mr. Smith’s head for the slant-eyed girl.” I almost crushed his throat for the slant-eye, but I needed him.

  “We can settle up with him later, Alex.”

  “COUNT on it, Mai.”

  “I already told you, killing Mr. Smith is not an option. I’ll meet with you and he’ll be there. You can deal with him yourself. The guy creeps me out, dangerous as the Devil himself. Even if I thought I could kill him, it would be at 500 yards with a high powered rifle.” I dropped him to the ground and loomed over him. “Now let me be crystal clear about this. You people CHOSE to bring me into this, personally. That was a mistake of BIBICAL proportions. So I am taking this PERSONALLY, VERY PERSONALLY. If any of you so much as harms a hair on Shelly’s head, I’ll skin them alive and roll them in rock salt.” His eyes widened a little bit. With something that resembled respect, slithering into his expression. “And they say Mr. Smith is brutal…My master will honor the spirit of our agreement. The girl will be perfectly safe until you arrive. Terrified, but safe, you have my word on that.”

  “Your word is about as valuable to me as a $3 bill! Now get that load of shit off the street!”

  “As you wish, Mr. Walker.”

  “You had better hope so,” I growled Projecting weapon’s grade menace at him.

  They nervously collected their cohorts and dragged away their still unconscious members. I turned back to Claire as she ran up to me. “What’s happening?” Claire looked frightened. I shook my head as I worked to unclench my right fist. “I thought I told you to stay in the house.”

  “And?” Claire said defiantly. I was too tired to chastise her and besides, I ALWAYS lose those arguments. “They’ve got Shelly.”

  “Oh God, who?”

  “If I have my guess, our cop killers. They’re running scared and claim to be ransoming Mr. Smith’s head, for Shelly. We’ll make the hand off tonight.”

  “You don’t believe them do you? It has to be a trap.” I nodded and dialed Shelly’s cell number. “Of course, it’s a trap.”

  I held the phone up to both our ears as it began to ring. “Tick tock, Mr. Walker,” said an oddly familiar female voice. “I want proof of life, bitch!” I growled. There was an impatient feminine sigh on the other end of the line. “Naturally… temper, temper Mr. Walker. In situations like these only cool heads prevail.” I heard the phone change hands. “At this point I prefer disembodied heads.”

  “Do you want to talk to her or not?”

  “Put her on the fucking phone!” I growled.

  “Mack?”

  “Shelly! Are you injured?”

  “No, I’m OK.”

  “Be brave and don’t tell them anything. I’ll get you out of there, I promise.” Shelly sounded oddly calm. “I know, Mack. I’m fine for now but, there are vampires and white supremacists everywhere, some crazy scary looking guys.” I could only imagine. “What’s going on, Mack?”

  “That’s enough dear,” said the female voice a few feet from the phone. “Please hand the phone back to me.”

  “Stay away, it’s a trap!” Shelly squeaked in a hushed voice. She clung to the phone as someone tried to take it away. “No matter what, you’ll always be in my heart, Mack!” I heard her yelp, as someone slapped her. “That was hardly sporting, now was it?”

  I growled and put every bit of malice I was feeling into my voice. “Lady, I am going to kill you in a thousand different ways if you touch her again.” The voice sounded bored now. “Yes, yes I am familiar with your work, Mr. MacFade. I am so very touched by the child’s devotion to you.” Claire and I exchanged a look. “Just the two of you, Mr. Walker, and come unarmed. Any police show up and S
helly will not be the only death that results. Do I make myself clear?”

  “You do and now it’s my turn. No one lays another hand on that girl or I’ll rip a new hole in their universe. And I’ll call for proof of life a second time before I show up. You had better be able to provide it or I’m going to level the whole place to the ground in a blazing inferno, you savvy?”

  “Me, what?”

  “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

  I heard a disdainful sniff and the line disconnected. Claire looked thoughtful. “What are the odds we can get a hit off the GPS?" I shook my head. “It won’t matter, Claire. They’ve set up a meet and seem to know me. They’ll be right where they say they are. I’ve got to go.”

  “I’m coming with you!”

  “No, you aren’t! They said come alone and no cops, which includes DAs. If she’s threatening the lives of any police who show up, it means that she’s either is one mega Otherworld badass or she has a small army ready. I’m going with the latter. Those bikers were fresh kills; they couldn’t be more than a few days undead. Besides, if I have to protect you as well as Shelly, it’ll cut my efficacy in half. We are going home and you’re going to stay there. And don’t call Chief Martin, I know you will be sorely tempted, you’ll only get him killed. Let’s go.” I boosted her into the Hummer and climbed in the other side. I sat for a second, gathering up my telepathic energy. “CASEY, EMERGENCY! MEET ME AT THE HOUSE!” He would hear the summons anywhere in the city. I turned to Claire and started the engine. “It’s going to be OK, babe.”

  “How?”

  “How else? We have now have access to an army of our own. I’m going to give Kolann a call. I’m thinking he’s going to be short one wife.”

  Chapter 26

  Kolann answered his cell immediately and I filled him in. It came as no surprise to him. He updated me about things on his end, swearing almost continuously, in Danish. The rules of common decency do not allow me to translate. Some of the curses were even new to Mai and that’s saying something.