Page 7 of Blood & Bones

“Until that happens, what will it be like?” he asked, fear filling his eyes.

“It’s different, and you have to get over being squeamish. But it has some perks. We don’t have any trouble falling asleep,” I said, smiling. “You never grow older, so your body will always stay in the shape it was when you died.”

“What else?” he asked, sitting a little straighter.

“Well, superhuman strength—that’s handy. And a built-in fandom, but you have to be cautious with that one. Never abuse your glamour, Laddy. Once you learn to use it, be cautious. I like to think of it like salt or pepper—too much and it will overpower and ruin the dish. Using your glamour too much and everything feels hollow.”

I leaned forward, taking his hand. “Feel how cool my hand is?”

He nodded. “You don’t feel warm at all.”

“That’s the reality—life as you knew it is gone. Your body is in…think of it as sort of a stasis that acts to keep it running, moving, fueled by blood alone. And it will remain there until the sun or fire destroys it, or your heart is pierced. And you remain locked in this body until it turns to dust.” I didn’t want to be so direct, but he deserved to know the truth. “You have to make a decision, Laddy. You can let this destroy the person you were, or you can learn how to live the life you now have.”

He was quiet for a moment, then said, “You made it work…how did you make it work? How did you pick up the pieces and go on? I don’t think you ever told me what happened when you were turned.”

Prepared for that question, I debated with myself, then I turned to Jocko and Tavah. “What I say stays in this room. My sisters know, of course, and the OIA—given they’re ultimately at fault. But I don’t like talking about this.”

Both nodded.

I turned back to Laddy and proceeded to roll up the sleeves of my turtleneck. Then I pulled up the sweater to reveal my torso. Everywhere, all over my body, were intricate scars, carved with deliberate intent, covering every inch of flesh except my feet, hands, throat, and face.

Laddy’s eyes widened. Jocko let out a gasp, and Tavah snarled. None of them said a word.

“Back in Otherworld, there’s a vampire named Dredge. He’s called the Scourge because he’s more dangerous than even Dracula was. And yes, Dracula exists. Dredge is a sadist, and his fondest love is to corrupt the innocent. One night I was spying on his nest for the OIA, and my blood failed me. My human side makes my innate abilities falter at times. I was tucked up high in the cavern, and I lost my balance and fell.”

Tavah caught my gaze, pain flashing through her eyes. I gave her a gentle nod. She knew what I was about to say.

“I almost escaped. I was almost to the exit, but…Dredge caught me. And he spent the night playing sculptor on my flesh. And worse. I have memories no person should ever have to remember. Come near dawn, he turned me and sent me home to kill my family. Camille saved them—and me, in a way. The OIA spent a year helping me learn to adjust, given they had sent me in without any backup or help. At first, all I wanted was to be free of the pain and confusion, and shame…but I came through it. And…a little over twelve years later, here I am.”

Laddy began to cry, the blood-stained tears trickling down his cheeks. I silently handed him a tissue. “You chose to go on even though…”

“Even though I look like a monster beneath my clothes? Even though I relive that night in my dreams? Yes. I chose to continue. I chose to live…I suppose you could call it an ‘unlife’, but it’s still life. And everyday I choose whether to be a victim, or a survivor.” I worried my lip, then added, “I choose to believe I can help make the world a better place. So, I go on.”

After a moment, Laddy wiped his eyes, stared at the blood-stained tissue, and then straightened up. “Her name is Glory-Be. I think that’s what she said it was. She’s got long blonde hair and eyes so pale that she looked like an angel. Or a ghost, maybe. Is it wrong that I want her dead?”

I shook my head. “No, just like I want to stake Dredge. Staking your sire is usually considered anathema, but in this case—actually, in my opinion, any case where the newly minted vamp was unwilling, I think staking is appropriate. Not all vampires agree with me, but I say fuck ‘em. Laddy, I’ll do what I can to find her. But right now, you can’t be trusted out in public. Not until you learn how to calm the hunger, how to channel that anger and lust and desire into acceptable channels. Tavah, you said you had a friend…?”

I turned to her, and she cleared her throat. “I do. Laddy, I can have Wade and his crew come over here. They can take you somewhere safe and help you make all the adjustments you need.”

He slowly nodded. “What about my cats? I love my cats—but...

“We’ll find them a foster home for now,” Tavah said. “And Wade will help you figure out how to notify your kin and your job. This is what they do.”

He gave a weak laugh. “A little like the Handbook for the Recently Deceased?”

Tavah laughed with him. “Except you won’t have to deal with Beetlejuice.” She turned to Jocko. “Can I have the evening off to help get things sorted out for Laddy?”

Jocko gave her a nod. “Of course.” He looked uncomfortable, but he was a goodly sort. “You go ahead. Menolly, why don’t you go back upstairs. Laddy can rest in the safe-room until Tavah’s friends get here.”

Tavah made sure that Laddy was comfortable, and that all objects he could use to self-stake himself were out of the room, before locking him in. Jocko headed back upstairs as I stood by Tavah’s desk.

“Crap,” I said. “I like Laddy. This fucking sucks.”

“It does,” she said, pulling out her phone. “I’ll call my friends now and have them come over after the bar closes, so Laddy doesn’t have to pass through the crowd upstairs. You know what that first hunger…thirst…is like. I’m going to get some bottled blood for him,” she added.

“Good idea,” I said. “It won’t taste as good as he might want, but it will help assuage the pangs.” I turned to go back upstairs, then stopped. “You know I’m going after her, right?”

“I know,” Tavah said. “If I can be of any help, let me know.”