Page 100 of Dark Obsession

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The tables and chairs lay in pieces scattered across the dining area when Demetrius and Cody emerged from the kitchen. Marlowe stood near the back hallway, several cuts across her face and one up her left arm that Demetrius could see through her torn sleeve. Liam, the younger vampire who’d run in front of Zenona’s car the night they’d all visited The Rusty Screw, stood at her side, fists raised and cuts across his face and throat. They were facing off against another bald vampire who’d shed his leather jacket for just a white tank top stained with human and vampire blood.

A couple of vampires were circling Dave and Oliver near the front door, while off to the side, Deputy Alberti was tending to Deputy Rockford who held her arm at an awkward angle. Lucia and Gayle were just helping each other up from the floor near a fresh pool of dark fluid.

Demetrius stooped to pick up a chair leg, holding it with the jagged edge pointed out. “Where do you want to help?”

Cody pointed with the mop handle. “I’ll give Dave and Ollie a hand.”

“I’ll see if I can help Marlowe and Liam.”

Demetrius paused by Lucia and Gayle to whisper, “Bastian and Annie are dead. Zenona is locked in the cooler. Bastian busted one of the hinges, and we can’t get the door open.”

“Shit.” Lucia’s shoulders sagged, and she held herself stiffly, one hand pressed to her side. “I’ll call for assistance.”

“I’ll do it,” Gayle said. “Let someone else do something, for God’s sake.”

“There’s still more of them,” Lucia said, grimacing. “And we’re out of silver bullets.”

“We’ve got it,” Demetrius assured her. “You’re injured, sit down.”

He came up behind the big vampire swiping at Marlowe and Liam. Holding the chair leg tight, he called, “Hey, baldie. Afraid to pick on someone human?”

The vampire whirled, one corner of his mouth lifting in a snarl. Marlowe was on him in a flash, and a moment later he was gone. She slung the residue off her hand and nodded to him. Liam gave him a quick smile.

Demetrius watched as Cody jabbed one of the vampires threatening Oliver and Dave, distracting it. Oliver, despite stepping in a slick puddle and having his foot slide out from under him, struck the killing blow. Dave feinted to his right then moved to the left and lunged forward, stabbing the remaining vampire with his stake and jumping back to avoid the splatter.

It was over. The diner was a wreck: furniture destroyed, the kitchen in shambles, the walk-in cooler damaged beyond repair, and the floor and booths splattered with gore. Demetrius limped toward his and Cody’s usual booth and dropped into it, setting the chair leg on the table with a thunk. A moment later, Cody joined him, and they both fell back across the vinyl seats. Out on the street, they heard the sounds of the stores burning and the firefighters battling the blaze. The temperature inside the diner was even hotter, and Demetrius hoped with the vampires handled, for now, that the firefighters would have a chance to save the rest of the businesses.

“I could use a double helping of Margie’s meatloaf,” Cody said.

Demetrius laughed and turned his head to look at him beneath the table. Cody was looking back and smiling.

“I love you,” Demetrius said.

“I love you, too,” Cody replied.

“This place is a mess,” Dave said.

Demetrius forced himself to sit up. Dave and Oliver stood by the booth, taking the place in.

Cody sat up as well. “Yeah, it looks like your wedding.”

Dave gave him a dirty look.

Oliver sat heavily in the next booth down and bent over, head between his knees.

“You okay, babe?” Dave put a hand on the back of his neck.

“Yeah.” Oliver stared at the floor. “It’s just been a lot.” He sat up and looked at Dave. “Again.”

“I know. But it’s done now.” Dave looked between Demetrius and Cody. “Right?”

“Bastian is dead,” Demetrius said. “And this wave of his followers is gone.”

“And Annie,” Cody added. “Hopefully there aren’t any more of his army out there waiting for a new attack, because I don’t think I have any fight left in me.”

Demetrius had to agree. The Fang had done its job, but he could feel his energy flagging. It appeared to have healed his concussion and other recent injuries, but a hint of his old neck injury was returning, like a shadow of itself.