Darlings of Darkness: A Vampire Anthology Part 101

She stepped into his arms and hugged him.

There was a knock on the door. Her mother stuck her head in and asked if they were okay. Silver quickly explained everything that had happened since Summer bit him. After she was finished, Vanessa said, "You both need to get ready for school or you're going to be late."

They looked at each other, both thinking about Jersey.

"You don't have to do it," Silver said. "Not today. We can wait."

"Better if I do it now. Get it over with."

"Okay. I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast."

Jack waited until she was gone. He picked the rock up where it had fallen on the floor and rotated it in his palm. There was no way he was going to let Silver down. Even if he got himself killed, he was going to finish Jersey today.

Chapter Twenty-Two:.

BETRAYAL...DECEIPT...MURDER Three days pa.s.sed and Jersey didn't show his face at school. Odd, but the total silence on Jersey's end worried Jack more than a full-on frontal attack. The princ.i.p.al was irate because Jersey hadn't called to give an explanation. Hardwick had called the police, told them it wasn't like Jersey Clifford to be absent, so they went looking for him. It didn't take long for them to report back that Jersey must have picked up and left town. This theory was based on the appearance of his empty house. Of course they hadn't checked his underground mansion.

It was Friday. Jack and Silver couldn't bear the thought of heading into the weekend without knowing what Jersey was up to. They met in his empty cla.s.sroom at lunchtime. They would use their shared power to get answers.

Jack opened the drawer of Jersey's desk, looking for a personal item while Silver stood guard at the door. Smiling, he lifted a comb up for her to see. "I think this will do the trick."

Silver rushed over to him and put her hand on the comb, her pinky finger touching his. The familiar current of electricity sizzled through Jack's body. The two of them were instantly transported through time and s.p.a.ce. Dizzy, he closed his eyes for a moment.

This time they weren't in Jersey's study; they were in a wide hallway, a few feet from Pagan's dangling body. Silver swallowed hard. Jack squeezed her hand. He gestured to the stairs, wanting to draw her attention to Jersey as he descended. The teacher had an open book in his hand. He read it aloud to himself. His voice echoed throughout the maze of connected, dimly lit corridors.

He stopped at the foot of the stairs, and his eyes immediately went to Pagan's dead body. The book fell from his fingers. "No." He ran to her, fell on his knees in front of her, arms thrown up and spread wide. "No! No! No!"

This time he changed into a half-man, half-wolf creation. Black fur stood on end. His face totally transformed into something the most creative and expensive horror movie had failed to conjure, a true monster. He looked like an evil species of hedgehog with glowing red eyes. He howled loudly, creating his own private earthquake. The entire underground structure shook with terrible force. Dust fell from the ceiling. Crystals on the many chandeliers clinked together with eerie harmony.

Jersey buried his face in his hands and returned to human form. His shoulders shook as he sobbed. He had genuinely cared about the woman. Jack almost felt sorry for him.

After a few minutes the man pulled himself together. He stood and grabbed the hilt of the sword. With a vicious yank he pulled it from her body. Pagan fell to the floor while Jersey stared down at the blood-stained blade. "I will avenge you! Whoever did this will pay. First I will torture them until they beg for death. Then I will kill them as slowly as possible."

Jersey went to the center of the hallway and screamed, "Attack! Arise, my beauties, and attack!"

"What is he doing?" Silver asked.

"He's summoning the wraiths."

Of course the wraiths didn't respond. Jersey blinked his eyes a few times, listening for the shrieks, but the halls remained quiet as a tomb. He dropped the sword and raced downstairs. Jack and Silver followed, wanting to keep him in their sight just in case he started to plan his revenge out loud. Hand in hand, they jogged after him.

He ran in one bedroom after another. Jack and Silver stayed in the hallway, already knowing what he would see upon each visit. Once he exited the final bedroom he screamed in fury. His hands closed into fists.

His rage brought out the beast within again. He turned into a solid black werewolf. This time he began to rip at the walls, tearing huge holes in the plaster. Next, he went upstairs to his study and trashed the place.

Jersey ripped up papers on the desk. He threw the chair across the room, tossed the ma.s.sive desk on its side, and punched a hole in the stone fireplace. Each act of destruction seemed to fuel his fury. He grabbed his prized possessions, first edition books of cla.s.sic stories and pulled pages out by hairy fistfuls. He tossed the pages into the lit fireplace, burning them.

Finally he knocked an angel statue over, and it shattered into a million pieces.

This time it took more than fifteen minutes for him to calm himself. When he reverted to human form, he sank down in the pile of debris and cried. Now Jack felt truly sorry for the man. He couldn't help it. Jersey hadn't asked to be made into a werewolf. Jack wished he could speak to Jersey now, but he reminded himself it was only a memory. Communication was impossible.

Jersey returned to the hallway and sat next to Pagan's body. He didn't touch her. Instead, he quoted poetry. "When we two parted in silence and tears, half broken hearted to sever for years, pale grew thy cheek and cold, colder thy kiss. Truly that hour foretold sorrow to this."

He smiled down at her. "That was Lord Byron. Of course if you were able to speak, you would nag at me to talk like a regular human being. You never understood I am not even close to being human. Once upon a time I called heaven my home. I was an angel."

"Is he using angel as symbolic?" Silver blinked. "Or does he actually believe he's an angel with the wings and halo and the whole ten yards?"

Jack grimaced. "He says he lost his wings when he came to earth."

"You knew he was this delusional and you didn't tell me?"

"I only just found out. Anyway, I agreed to kill him. What more do you want?" Jack sarcastically said, "Okay, so he's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs."

Jersey lifted Pagan into his arms and started up the stairs. Everywhere he went, Jack and Silver appeared in the background, watching him in silence. Jersey took Pagan outside. He dumped the body on the ground before going to the tool shed for a shovel. A few minutes later he struck the hard earth with the blade, whistling as he dug a big hole.

Jack s.h.i.+fted from foot to foot, uncomfortable watching Jersey grieve for the only true friend he'd had. Silver watched Jack instead of Jersey. Jack could tell what she was thinking. She was afraid Jack had changed his mind about killing Jersey, but she couldn't be more wrong. Seeing the way Jersey was suffering made Jack want to put him out of his misery more than ever.

Jersey scooped the body up and dumped it into the hole. He leaned on the shovel. His eyes went up to the stars for a moment. "Dear Pagan, I know you never understood a word I uttered, and you hated poetry with a fierce pa.s.sion, but allow me one more. I want to send you off with flowery prose the way you deserve."

He folded his hands in front of himself and bowed his head as if in prayer. "I tell you hopeless grief is pa.s.sionless, that only men incredulous of despair, half-taught in anguish through the midnight air beat upward to G.o.d's throne in loud access of shrieking and reproach."

Jersey raised his head and smiled. "That was Browning again. Elizabeth, not Robert. I never cared for him."

He threw a shovelful of dirt on her face. "Goodbye, my sweet. Rest well knowing I will feed your bloodthirsty nature soon. Perhaps I will even bury your murderer beside you."

Jack and Silver found themselves back in the cla.s.sroom. They let go of the comb at the same time, and it fell back into the drawer. She glanced at the clock. Jack's gaze followed. It was almost time for their next cla.s.s. No doubt Jersey would have another subst.i.tute in his place. He was out there somewhere plotting his revenge.

"That was useless," she said. "We still don't know what he's planning."

"We can't wait for him to attack. We need bait. I'll draw him out and then use the rock."

"You can't." Silver folded her arms over her chest. "Jersey will be waiting for an attack. You saw him. He's freaking crazy. You won't get anywhere near him now, and I don't want you to try."

"I don't think we have a choice anymore. He's going to try to kill us. It's only a matter of time. We need to be prepared."

Speak of the devil and he appears. The door opened and Jersey Clifford stepped inside, a box in his hands. He wore the familiar amused expression they had come to know and dread. It grew when he saw their shocked faces. He approached his desk and they retreated, walking backwards hand in hand. He set the empty box down and scanned the desk as if he expected to find something important missing.

For a split-second Jack thought he was still in a memory. Then Jersey spoke to them.

"Good to see you, Jack. You as well, Ms. Reign. Would you like to join us today, stay over to hear my lecture on Shakespeare? It's going to be fascinating."

Jack swallowed before answering. "I thought we were moving onto Beowulf?"

"Changed my mind. I want to talk about betrayal, deceit, and murder."

The growing lump in Jack's throat refused to be dislodged by simply swallowing. He was finding it difficult to breathe normally too. Silver's hand slid up his arm to grasp him above the elbow. She pulled him towards the door while addressing the werewolf teacher.

"Jack was telling me he isn't feeling very well," she said. "I was about to walk him to the nurse."

"Really?" Jersey stared at Jack. A flash of contempt touched his eyes. "I was hoping to hear your opinions on certain stories. Pity you won't be in cla.s.s today. I wanted to talk to you after cla.s.s as well. It's rather important."

Jack reached into his pocket and fingered the rock. He wondered if he moved vampire fast, could he touch Jersey with the rock? Could he end this whole mess now?

As if reading his mind and hating the idea, Silver yanked on him harder. "You were saying you felt like you might throw up. We'd better hurry and get you to the nurse."

"I think I'm feeling better."

Her eyes pleaded with him not to be stupid. She pulled on him again. "The nurse is a better judge on whether you should be in cla.s.s or not. Let's go see her. Now."

"You'd better go, Jack." Jersey's lips twisted into an amused grimace. "The bell is about to ring. You and I will have a chance to talk privately later. I promise you that."

Silver yanked him out the door. Once outside the room, she whispered in his ear. "You are not going to try to use that thing! No way in h.e.l.l. Did you see his eyes? Let's get out of here before he kills us both on the spot."

Jack listened to her, more for her sake than for his. He would kill Jersey later when they were alone. No sense in putting Silver's life in danger. They took each other by the hand and ran down the hallway as fast as they could, darting around curious students. They burst through the gla.s.s doors, went to the car, and drove home at top speed.

Chapter Twenty-Three:.

GOING OFF TO WAR.

Silver's parents were on his side for once. They told her if he wanted to use the stone to kill Jersey, he should be allowed to do it without her interference. She sat in a corner with arms crossed and lips compressed for over two hours. He was beginning to think she wasn't going to speak to him again. He went to bed alone that night, no visitors other than the cat.

Morning came too quickly. He got dressed but skipped breakfast. Today was the day. It was Sat.u.r.day. He was going to Jersey's home to finish him off. Silver wanted to accompany him, but her parents put their collective foot down, and Jack agreed with them. She'd put her life in danger enough this week.

When Jack reached the bottom of the stairs, he found everyone waiting for him. They lined up to say goodbye as if he was going off to war. He guessed it was close enough to the truth. There was a very real possibility that he wouldn't return. He didn't want to think about that.

Vanessa hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "You be careful. I consider you one of my children already."

Andrew took his hand and pumped it twice. "I'm not crazy about this plan, but you have my respect for trying it."

Silver's parents went outside, giving the rest of them privacy to say their goodbyes. Billy went next. He embraced his brother warmly. Since rehas.h.i.+ng the past they were getting along better than ever. He whispered in Jack's ear, "Are you sure you don't want backup on this?"

"I'm sure."

Billy took a step back and said, "Okay. I don't need to wish you luck because you have good instincts. You'll do fine." Billy grinned. "Of course you'll be putting hunters everywhere out of work."

"There'll still be vampires," Silver said.

"Yeah." Billy rolled his eyes. "Until you two figure out how to wipe them off the face of the planet."

He clapped Jack on the back before vacating the room. That left Silver. She and Jack stood in the foyer, toe to toe. A million things went through Jack's mind, things he wanted to say to her in case he didn't make it home alive, but he couldn't bring himself to utter a solitary word. It would be like giving up. Besides, she would insist on tagging along if he showed even a miniscule amount of doubt about this mission.

"Awkward," she said with a wry smile.

He agreed with a quick nod.

Her arms snaked around his waist, and he hugged her. They held each other for a long time, each reluctant to let go just in case it was the last time. Her cheek rested on his chest. She sniffed. He almost asked her if she was crying, but he didn't want to know. Tears might convince him to forget the mission. If he decided not to go, Jersey would eventually come after them. He might even kill Silver.

"I wish I could help," she said. "I should have worked harder to train. Maybe I would be able to suck his soul out by now."

"You might get your chance someday."

She pulled away and looked up at him. Her lips trembled and her eyes glistened, damp with tears. "Don't say that. If you can't get close to him, if you think he suspects anything, then run. Okay? I mean it. Run back here as fast as you can, and we'll stand against him together."

Jack nodded. "Werewolves are strong, but vampires are faster. Good thing I have a little of both. My powers might not be up to his standards yet, but I think I can take him even if it comes down to a big fight."

A half-sob escaped her mouth. Her face hit his chest again, and she grabbed onto his shoulders with both hands. "Please come back in one piece."

"Promise." He kissed the top of her head. "Stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

She glared at him but kept her mouth shut.

Jack left. He turned around once to look at Silver. They waved to each other as he headed to his brother's car. He got in fast, worried she might come running after him and insist on joining the party. When he drove away, he looked in the rearview mirror. He saw her shut the door. She was safe, at least for now.

It didn't occur to him to wonder why she'd given up so easily.

Jack took the two-lane highway between their home and town. He would have to drive fifteen minutes before he reached a little offshoot that would eventually lead to Jersey's home. He slid his hand into the pocket of his coat. The rock was heavy and smooth, a comforting weight in his pocket.

He pressed harder on the accelerator. He couldn't wait to confront Jersey. One way or another it would be nice to have the whole thing over with. He would try hard not to die. Silver needed him. He couldn't protect her if he was dead.

He finally made it to the road, turned, and drove down it at a cautious speed. The tires kicked up a storm of dust. If Jersey was home, he'd see Jack coming from a mile away. Jack tried to figure out a way to convince Jersey to relax long enough to touch him with the rock. Maybe he could trip and fall on his teacher with the rock hidden in his hand.

Billy had left his favorite sungla.s.ses on the pa.s.senger seat. Jack grabbed them without thinking. He wanted to hide his eyes from the head werewolf. He slid them onto his face. A spark of electricity shot through his fingers. "Oh no."

He tried to put his foot on the brake, but it was too late.

Billy stood in the living room, waiting for Silver to close the front door. She hurried inside as Jack drove away, and he asked her, "Are you sure about this?"