(50) Trevor Wallace – Dhampir

“You wear a cross? It can’t be for protection.” Daniel looks at it. At me. We’ve stripped down so I can teach him some fighting moves.

“Right. Not that kind of protection. A friend gave…no, lent it to me to keep me safe.” I smile a bit. Thinking of Del.

“Female friend I bet from the smile. You doing her?”

“In the first place,” growling, “if I were that’s none of your business. In the second place, well there isn’t a second place. Other than she's a he.”

He looks at me in disbelief, so I aim a swift kick to his balls. He’s startled. But avoids it. Just. The tip of my shoe grazes his hip. Comes back with two fast ones of his own. I grab his ankle on the second one. He’s on his back looking up at me. Wincing.

“It was just a question. Damn.”

I twist. He’s face down now. My knee in the small of his back. “My personal life is just that, personal. And pay attention. If I’d been a Vampyre you’d be dead now or on the way to worse.” Let him up. “Now try again.”

We continue with the lesson for a while. He improves. Fast learner. Which is good. Finally call a halt.

He goes to the fridge. Hands me a cold one. Flops back on the sofa that’s now against the wall. “You have a rep for screwing a different chick every night.”

I chuckle. “That’s reached your ears way out here? And I'll screw anything human. It's…me."

“I checked up on you before I called.” Running a finger down the bottle. Glances at me. “You got awfully defensive when I asked about that…guy.” Holds up his hand before I can say anything. “None of my business I agree but this is me. I like knowing things about…friends.” Looks at me to see if I accept that.

“Not sure we’re anything more than friends, yet, but I guess maybe…” Pace to the window. Take a long pull on my beer. Turn back. “OK. Yeah, he’s important to me but we’re nothing more than friends. We help each other out when needed. Grab a bite to eat or what have you together but that’s all there is to it.”

“Why?” His eyebrow goes up quizzically.

“Why what? Why haven’t I made it with him? 'Cause he wouldn’t want that I suppose. But more because I respect him and I think he respects me. I’m not willing to loose that or his friendship for a quick in and out.”

“He knows what you are?”

“Yep.” Go back to settle at the other end of the sofa. Take another swig of beer.

“And he doesn’t mind? That must be one hell of a guy, there.”

“That he is.” I know I’m smiling. Try turning the tables on him. “You got a chick?”

“Naw, but I’m not looking either. I need to get a handle on things first. This, my father, all of it.” He stares at me. “Trev, I’m not giving him up to you. At least not yet. So if you were thinking I would, forget it. I accept that he’s probably as bad as you say, but until I work things out in my head I can't do that.”

I nod. “Just remember, if you make the right decision and you need me to take him down you can call. And Daniel, don’t try it by yourself. He may live at home with your mom, but he doesn’t sleep there if I don’t miss my guess, at least not any more—since he sent you after his rival. He’s got the reputation for being one smart cookie and I’d bet my bottom dollar that he’s not going to take even the remotest chance that word will get to you about what he’s really like, and you’ll come after him.”

Daniel chuckles. “I think that’s the longest sentence I’ve heard you speak.” Sobers then. “Yeah, I know. I’ll be careful. I’m going to do my best to off any of the bastards I find. And thanks to you I just might succeed now.”

“No problem. You’re a quick study. You should be fine. And as I said, you need help, you call.” Finish my beer. Get up. Grin at him. “Ready for another round? It’s the last you’ll get before I leave town.”

(49) Trevor Wallace – Dhampir

“You know I want your father’s head.” I stare at Daniel. Wonder what his response will be.

He looks away. Everywhere but at me. Mutters. “I know.”

“Kid, he’s one of them. And he lied to you big time to keep you from going after his kind with the tools you needed to take them on. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

“Yeah.” He finally looks at me. “But he’s my father. What would you do if you were in my place? You don’t have to answer cause I know what it’ll be.” Frowning. “Or do I? Where is your father, or do you even know who it was?”

“I know.” Tightening the rein on my emotions. Tell him calmly about the bastard. And what I did. “That’s why I hate them, why I kill them. No one hires me. I do it because I can. And because every damned one of them deserves to die.”

“There have to be some that don’t.” He’s fighting for a reason. He doesn’t want to kill his father. Despite all he knows now.

“Daniel, it’s possible that some are,” I shrug, “not totally evil. But your father’s not one of those. I won’t force you to lead me to him. It’s a decision you have to make on your own. Just realize that he’s no better than any of the others. Worse, in fact, because he used you to eliminate a rival. He didn’t even have the balls to do it himself.”

“That’s not…” He stops. Scowls. “Okay. Yeah, you’re right. But damn it he’s my father. Good or bad I still love him. I think.”

“You think? I suppose that’s a step in the right direction. Daniel, you have to make some choices. You are what you are, just like me. You can play around with it, or you can be serious and put what was given to you to good use. If you decide to truly be what you are, then I’ll do as I promised and teach you. It’s up to you.” I get up. Heading to the door. “Call me when you’ve made up your mind.”

“Trevor. Wait.”

Turning. “Yes?”

“Teach me.” He sounds uncertain still. But there’s conviction in those two words as well.

So I do.

(48) Trevor Wallace – Dhampir

“Now we watch and wait?” Daniel asks.

“Yep. Not a bad spot. You did good.”

Daniel smiles. “I do have a brain; I just need to learn to use it.”

“So true.” I chuckle. Rest my arms on the parapet. Keeping an eye on the club. Mutter. “I hate stakeouts.”

Damned boring. Necessary though. Much later our target appears. Visible now. From our vantage point we watch. He moves swiftly down the street. Disappears around the corner. We follow. Rooftop to rooftop. Spot him again.

On the street now. Still tailing him. He must live close. Sleep close. Shortcutting down alleys. Finally. I smile when he slips through a yard. Through a door.

“Do we follow him in?” Daniel asks.

“Not till after sunup. That’ll give us plenty of time to find his lair in there. Nice house. I wonder if he owns it or is just taking advantage of whoever does.”

“They do that?”

“Hell yeah. They’ll pick a respectable place and make a den there. Sometimes they’ll even use the families to feed on in emergencies.”

“Damn.” He looks shocked.

“These are deadly predators, kid. Never forget that for a second. They’ll use whatever means necessary to survive and stay alive. They don’t care who they feed on, man, woman, child. It’s all the same to them.”

We settle in again. Waiting. The sun shows its face. No one appears. The house must be vacant. Except for our prey.

Moving silently. The door locked. Easily unlocked. Too easily maybe. Telling Daniel to wait. I slip inside. A basement. Dark. But not to me. My Vampyre side assisting me. He is a fool. Or foolhardy. A vague trail through the dust and dirt. One human eyes might not see. Ending at a blank wall.

I pause. Listening. He must be sleeping. Unless…

Returning to Daniel. “This is too easy. We’ll stay here till noon. Even an ancient will be asleep then.” Finding shade on the back porch to hide us. The kid dozes. I remain alert. Time passes slowly. Finally it’s time.

Wake Daniel. We go inside. Thin sunlight comes through dirt-streaked windows. I point to the wall. “He’s behind that.”

“And we’re out here. Now what?”

I point to a faint outline. “There was a door there once. So we find it again.” The basement was used once for many things. On one wall a workbench. Thick with dust. A few rusted tools. A crowbar. Screwdrivers. We start to work. Removing the layer of plaster. I was right. Slowly the door is revealed. By now it’s mid-afternoon.

Opening it inch by inch. We steal through. Into a small room. A bed on one side. Our prey there. Back against the wall. Sleeping. Weapons in both hands. I see why. Above us a trapdoor. He expected us to find it I suspect. To attack soon after dawn. Drop down into his clutches. Sometimes instinct pays off.

When he’s executed we leave. Go back to Daniel’s place. To sleep ourselves.

(47) Trevor Wallace – Dhampir

The kid’s right. This club is a Vampyre hang-out. Not obviously one. Most of those we see dancing, drinking, are human. But there are creatures there too. Two are on the dance floor. With human partners. Enthralled females. Glazed eyes. Reeking of lust for their Vampyre escorts.

Another, deep in the shadows. Thinks he’s hidden. Not from me. Not from Daniel. The kid taps my arm. Glances at the bastard. Takes a step forward.

“Not here.” I tell him under my breath.

“But no one would know. He’s invisible.”

“To the humans.” I sigh. He still has a lot to learn. “His kind knows he’s there. And they know we’re here and what you are.”

“But not you?” He’s puzzled.

“I’ve been at this longer. I’ll teach you how to shield when you need to. Later.”

I watch. See one of the Vampyres lead his prey to the back of the club.

“Wait here. Watch him.” Telling Daniel. Nodding at the hidden creature.

He follows my glance. Shakes his head. “I want in.”

“Wait here.” An order now.

He sighs. I leave. Inside, he’ll be safe. Like us, the bastards don’t want to make a scene. Not in their club.

Slip silently down the street. To the back alley. See the creature intent on his prey. He’s not aware of me. Yet. Move closer. His head snaps up. Looks at me. At my sword. Grins slightly.

“Playing slayer?” Taunting.

“Not playing.” Feral grin on my lips. Stalking closer.

He’s all teeth and claws then. I feel him pull. I resist. He’s on me. Claws raking through my coat. Feeling pain. Blood. Seeing teeth going for my throat.

Backing just out of reach. Feinting left with my sword. His arm goes up defensively. His eyes on the sword for a second. I kick up. Even Vampyres hurt when you land one in their groin. He doubles over. Right onto the sword. It’s a fraction off target. I rectify that quickly. Pull it out, thrust it in again. It sinks between ribs. Right to his heart. I twist it.

“Damn, that was quick.” Daniel’s voice behind me.

I turn. Shrug. “Practice pays off. I thought I told you to wait inside.” Sheathe my sword.

“I know, but I wanted to see how you did it.” Looks at me. “You’re bleeding.”

“No shit. But I’ll live.” Scowling. “Need a new coat though. I hate when that happens. Let’s get back inside. I want to see how our invisible friend is doing and follow him when he leaves. If he hasn’t already.” Giving Daniel a pointed look.

“Sorry.” He mutters. “What about her?” Looks at the girl.

“I’ll change her memories.”

He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “We can do that?”

I feel like Master Po. “You have much still to learn Grasshopper.” Chuckling at his bewildered look. I take care of the girl. We walk away. 

Back inside. Daniel first. I follow a few minutes later. Glad the lighting’s dim. Hides the slashes in my coat. Our Vampyre’s still there. Still hidden. Maybe a security guard. Whatever. He’ll be ours in time.

Join Daniel at the bar. Order a drink. Lean back. Glancing at the kid. Saying loudly enough that the bartender can hear. “Ten minutes and I’m out of here. This place sucks. I checked out the bar down the street and it’s hopping. You can stick around here if you want.”

Gotta give him points. He catches on quick. “Naw. The joint across the street looks better. I’m going over there.” Pushes off the bar. Heads out.

I follow after the allotted ten. Look for him. Hear a low whistle. Look up. Quickly join him on the roof. Above the bar he mentioned.

(46) Trevor Wallace – Dhampir

Daniel springs to his feet. Glares at me. “You’re out of you fricking mind. Hell, he taught me how to…how to…” I see comprehension in his eyes.

“Taught you all those myths about Vampyres while pretending to train you.” I stare back at him. “You said he’s a bagger. Did you ever see him doing that?”

“Well, no. He always said it was better if we didn’t. That it made him appear more human, and since we were his family he wanted things to seem as normal as possible. But he had a small fridge in the basement where he kept it. I know because I snuck a look one time, when he left it unlocked.”

“Probably unlocked for that very reason. I bet you were almost out of your teens when that happened.”

He nods. Unhappily. “But why train me and send me out on my own, if he's as bad as you think he is.”

“Because he knows you know what you are. Better to play the good father to keep you from seeing what he doesn’t want you to. I’m betting that, to you, this is all a big adventure. Kind of Dhampir cops and robbers. And I’ll also bet he reinforced that idea in your head. Not coercion, because no Vampyre can do that to one of us, but just nice little father son talks about how your job is to rid the world of his kind but that you should realize that most Vampyres are really nice guys at heart.”

“Well.” He blows out a long breath. “Yeah he did sort of say that. A lot actually.”

I spread my hands. “There you go. Programmed not to do what you were born to do. Or not to do it right. Well you’re going to learn how to do it the way it should be done.”

He changes the subject. Sort of. “Why did those Vampyres toy with me?”

“Not sure. But first best guess is, it was you father who set you up to kill the one you call the capo de capo. Now he wants you to back off by throwing a scare into you. He may be a bastard but you’re still his son.”

“But wouldn’t the other Vampyres wonder about it’s being me that killed him. I mean if my father takes over?”

I shrug. “They probably put it down to dumb luck. Has he suggested you leave town?”

“No. But then I haven’t seen him in ages. Not since I moved out. Which.” He frowns. “Which was his suggestion. Damn it!”

“Finally getting the whole picture. Sorry kid but that’s what the bastards are like. They’ll manipulate anyone to get what they want.” I glance at my watch. Witching hour. “How bout we go hunting?”

He nods. It’s obvious that he’s torn. But… I get up.

His mouth tightens. Angry now. “Come on, I’ll show you that club. I think it’s one of the bastards’ hang-outs.”

Good. He’s finally getting in the right mind set. I smile. Let him lead me out of his place.