Page 28 of Big Enough to Bite
“It’s half true.” Tilda shrugs. “You did come here to steal me away.”
Maybe, if help arrives in time, we can win this without turning me into a murderous giant. However, no one would blame me for ridding the world of Pierre Brochet, especially not the two women in this room. “We may need to hold out an extra day or two.”
“He’s not going to wait.” Tilda scoffs. “He’s been hunting her for over a hundred years.”
I feel as if I have no choice. “Then I’m going to have to create a delay. I’ll try to get him arrested, but if he returns from our meeting, he’ll need care. Are you willing to go that far, Tilda?”
“You don’t know how strong he is. He’ll kill you.” There’s concern in her voice.
I’m touched that she cares if I’m injured. “Let me worry about that.”
“Mari, tell him he can’t compete with a vampire this old. Tell him it’s foolish.” Tilda’s voice rises.
Touching her shoulder, Mari’s eyes fill with compassion and gratitude. “Giants are one of the monster species that little is known about. Perhaps we’re about to get a lesson. If Sam is sure, I trust him.”
I like the way that sounds.
“You’re both certifiable. How on earth have you lived this long without any sense at all?” Tilda throws her hands in the air in defeat.
Smiling, Mari chuckles. “Thank you for waiting to call. Even if this goes badly, I’ve had the best month of my life.”
A shade paler, Tilda nods. “I’m glad for that.”
With a brief goodbye, we head back to my truck. I stop and get a steak at the restaurant. We go to Mari’s house, where I eat, and we wait for doom to find us on the edge of a cemetery.
“At least we’ll be easy to bury.” She laughs at her bad joke. “Well, not you.”
Sitting on the wall I built for her, I pull her onto my lap. “Ye of little faith.”
“What do you plan to do? And when I ask that, I want specific details.” She stares into my eyes.
We have at least an hour, so I lay out my plan.
Chapter Twelve
Mari
This is madness.
Darkness falls, and the moon's light is enough to give the cemetery an eerie glow that sends humans running. For me, it’s my favorite place. Quiet and serene.
The scent of clove reaches me first. “He’s here.” I grip Sam’s hand for a quick reassurance that he can do all he promised. Climbing from his lap, I step inside the wall as we discussed. It should provide me the safety of vampire lore for now. Sam’s phone is in my hand, and Officer Willa Williamson is on the other end listening.
The trees catch the wind and sway in the background. There’s a hint of movement in their shadow, but even with my keen eyesight, I’m not able to see more than two forms moving in our direction. There is no doubt it’s Pierre and Tilda approaching.
“Maria, I’m flattered you still know my scent.” Pierre’s sweet and terrifying voice emerges from the darkness. “I remember yours as well. Even through the filth of the giant you’ve been consorting with, I find your essence irresistible. Not to worry, though, his smell will fade with the memory.”
Sam remains sitting casually on the wall. If he’s affected by the insult, he shows no signs.
Stepping to Sam’s right side, with my body obscured mainly by his enormous arm, I watch the shadow become my nightmare.
Always enamored by the latest fashion, Pierre looks as if he’s going to a gala rather than a kidnapping. His black trousers taper to just above his ankles, and his shoes, which probably cost what some people earn in a month, shouldn’t be worn in the woods. The black button-down has the shimmer of silk, and he probably couldn’t resist the leopard-patterned sports coat. His honey-brown hair is cut short on the sides and back, but long bangs are brushed to one side.
He may be six hundred-plus years old, but he looks twenty-five and ready for a night on the town.
“You really should grow up, Pierre.” I hope he can see my eye roll. “You look ridiculous.” I would wish him blisters from those shoes, but vampires are impervious to such minor maladies.
Stopping, he leans on a tombstone that has an angel statue at the top of a four-foot pedestal. He’s only about thirty feet from my property. “It’s time to come home now, Maria. You’ve had a good run, but you always knew I would come for you. I made you, and you are mine.”
