On Midnight Wings

Von nodded, then glanced over his shoulder at Silver. Clothed in more of Jack’s generous donations—a black Voodoo Fest tee, jeans, and classic Converse high-tops, all suspiciously gator-free—his purple hair smudged nearly black in the moonlight, Silver met his regard with gleaming eyes.

<Ready?>

Silver flashed fangs for reply.

“One,” Von said, low.

“Two,” Merri picked up.

“Three,” from Silver.

Von moved, Merri and Silver right on his sneakered heels—sneakers, for chrissakes—the entrance hall blurring past in a smoke-reeking streak of black walls, fluorescent paint, and red flickering light.

BURNBURNBURNBURN

Even as he sped into the club, Von heard only a few low, pained moans—the hard-knuckled combat had ended. As he came to an abrupt halt in the center of the soot-streaked dance floor, he also realized that only one vampire remained standing.

One he recognized. Murphy and his stupid law had struck again.

Holly Miková pushed silky tendrils of hair the color of honey butter back from her face. Red light from the buzzing neon BURN sign jittered along the crescent moon tattoo beneath her right eye.

“Ah, there you are, McGuinn,” she said, a faint Russian accent flavoring her words. She wore a curve-hugging rose-red lace mini over black tights and wedge-heeled black boots, looking for all the world like a pop diva during a video shoot break instead of what she was—deadly. “Just the man I was looking for.”

“Well, you found me, darlin’,” Von drawled, despite the tight knot forming in his belly.

Holly’s return to New Orleans so soon after her last visit could only mean bad news given the summons she’d delivered less than a week ago—and a lifetime of shit had passed since then—and the promise he’d made in response.

You are to report to the filidh in Memphis in one night’s time to explain why they’ve learned of a True Blood through outside sources and not from the llygad serving this alleged True Blood’s household.

Why’d they send you? Because they thought you’d enjoy breaking the news?

No, they thought you’d listen to me—because of what we once had. Is Dante Baptiste a True Blood?

Ain’t my place to say. You need to ask him.

Of course it’s your place! It’s your duty to observe, compose, and report. This is information vital to vampire society and you’ve kept mum. Abandoned your duty, your impartiality. Oh, Vonushka. You’ve got a lot to answer for.

Tell the filidh I’ll be there. And have a safe trip back, darlin’.

A promise made to buy time. But a promise he’d intended to keep—after he’d kept his promise to Dante, a promise never voiced, but held deep in his heart: I will see you free and whole and walking the path you choose.

And in Holly’s deep blue eyes, Von read the truth.

That time you bought with a few easy words? All used up, man. Every last second.

Von nodded at the half dozen nightkind sprawled or crumpled on the floor, like plucked and discarded petals from an unwanted rose. A couple had even tucked themselves into fetal balls of pain. One unlucky bastard who happened to be more mobile than his buddies was busy trying to crawl away. He dragged himself across the floor, blood glistening in his wake like a snail’s moist trail.

Von shook his head. “Still making friends, I see. Didn’t your mama ever teach you to play nice?”

“Da, she did. But only if they played nice first.”

Von chuckled. “Woman after my own heart. Sure you ain’t nomad?”

“Absolutely positive. Good thing I stopped by to take out the trash for you, yes?”

“Well, that remains to be seen, darlin’.”

Frowning, Holly stepped forward, bent, then twisted the unlucky bastard’s head to the left. His neck broke with a sharp snap. He went limp, down for the count until his body healed.

Silver, now standing at Von’s left, whistled, low and impressed. “Can all llygaid kick ass like she does?”

“Aside from me, you mean?” Von said, dryly. Folding his arms over his chest, he added, “Miková there used to be llafnau before she came to her senses and joined the llygaid ranks.”

Silver whistled low again. “No shit?”

“No shit, indeed.”