Page 42 of Fangs and Family
Even with Leszek’s tumultuous relationship with the witches, Sara’s status within the Coven had gradually grown. It started from a kind of hero worship after she survived Czernobog’s assault, but now she was seen almost on a par with Dola herself, and there was nothing Leszek or the old gods of the Nether could do about it. More importantly, with the fragment of Leszek’s spirit embedded within her soul, Sara’s power was growing, fuelled by this worship. I asked once why he hadn’t told her about it, and in his own inimitable fashion, he replied that he wanted to give her as close to a human life as possible.
I didn’t question his reasons; Sara still didn’t fully grasp the changes to her life, but I felt he was making a mistake.
Of course, I knew, and because I was an unscrupulous vampire, I was more than willing to use it to protect Nina.
‘Fine, I’ll have something ready for you in a few days, but Adam, don’t make me regret it. I don’t want to explain why some human with a grudge is going around killing vampires with a weapon I made. Oh, and this stays between the two of us. It’s bad enough that people think I don’t hate you. If they knew I’d actually helped you….’
‘Thank you, Veronica,’ I said, refraining from making any comments as I ended the call.
She was being overdramatic, but I understood. My thoughts slipped back to the kiss with Nina, and I felt my heart beating faster. Just as I was savouring the memory, my computer chimed, announcing the arrival of the clinic’s security footage.
‘Lorelai, I’ve ordered several packages for Nina. When they arrive, please ensure they are taken to her room. I must not be disturbed. Order some normal food to be delivered as well and… some coffee liqueur,’ I requested.
‘Yes, Master. Will Nina be living with us then?’ My assistant asked, tilting her head and the beak made her look like a preening bird. I reached out, patting her affectionately on the head.
‘What’s your opinion?’ I asked, curious after seeing their interactions.
‘I don’t know. She is kind and likes you. I want her to stay, but there is a sadness in her that festers like a wound. May I decorate her room? I will make it pretty. Maybe that will help?’ She offered, and I nodded. Lorelai wanted this, even knowing such a physical task would use a lot of her magic, meaning she might not be able to manifest again for several days afterwards.
The kikimora was wise and helpful. She could see deep into a person’s soul, but even so, she was still naïve and prone to exaggerated emotions, occasionally acting almost like a child.
‘I’m sure Nina would love that. Just be careful to not deplete your magic.’ I said, turning back to my computer. It was time to show why I had a reputation as the best cyber security analyst in Northern Poland, while Lorelai would ensure Nina felt so cosy that she never wanted to leave.
Chapter 14
Ishould have realised that a sleepover with Sara was a bad idea, with my emotions still in turmoil. Somehow, we emptied Michal’s moonshine, inventing new and exciting cocktails whilst setting the world to rights and trying to decipher the mysteries of love.
Every now and then, our discussions were interrupted by Leszek as he came to check up on us under the guise of grabbing drinks and snacks for himself. Each visit, we sat in silence, looking at each other, trying not to giggle as the increasingly worried Forest Lord stared longingly at his spouse. Leszek was fooling no one as he made a mess, creating unappetising sandwiches and overfilled drinks.
As the alcohol continued to disappear with increasing speed, I found myself getting frustrated with Leszek’s visits, till in one booze-fuelled moment of clarity, I realised I was jealous and that telling Sara was the right thing to do.
‘I want that!’ I stated, slamming my cup onto the table. The tacky monstrosity with a painting of clashing bucks chipped on impact but largely survived my enthusiastic handling.
‘What? That thing?’ Sara looked at me, then spent several moments trying to focus on the cup in my hand as I waved it around.
‘No, this!’ I pointed to Leszek, who had once again appeared like a bad penny, now with a panicked look in his eyes.
‘What?! Hell no, missy! I love you, but that hunk is mine. I’m not sharing, but if you want a date, Gedania is full of horny gods. I can ask Leszek if he’d take you there. We could do it like that programme, with the roses where they have to woo you to get picked.’ Sara swayed as she talked, and her “woo you” sounded like a bad impression of an ambulance. She also waggled her eyebrows and moved her hands closer, then further apart, to indicate… Well, even drunk, I understood what that meant.
‘Ooh,’ she continued. ‘Antlers, you must get one with antlers, or horns; they’ll do. Damn things are sooo useful. You grab the tips, and then you rock up like that,’ Sara began demonstrating but misjudged her balance, screeching with laughter as she fell backwards. The two thumbs up had me joining her in giggling, and it took several minutes for us to calm down.
‘You’re drunk, doc, and a nut job.’ I said, throwing myself next to her and placing my head on Sara’s lap. ‘I don’t want antlers, but feathers would be nice. Nice, cuddly feathers and a man that looks at me like Bambi looks at you. Adam has feathers, you know, and those wings. I mean, he chopped another vampire’s head off with them, but I bet they are still cuddly,’ I felt my mood shift, and I got dangerously close to flipping from happy drunk to mushy mess.
‘Then give Adam a fucking chance, oh, and stop calling Leszek Bambi.’ Sara rolled her eyes before pinching my nose. ‘That vampire’s chasing after you like some lost, bloody puppy, so grab those wings, hop on his dick, and see what happens.’ She lectured, pressing a hand to her mouth when the hiccups started.
‘What if things go wrong? What if he wants me only because he can’t have me? I like him. He’s changed, but what if I spoil everything? What if he sticks his dick in me and …poof, he’s back to being a toad, I mean, an arsehole?’ I couldn’t help but play out my worries in my head.
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, what if you die tomorrow? Between us both, shit hitting the fan is a daily occurrence. We see enough of that crap at work not to say “fuck it” then carry on. You like him, and he likes you, so why not give yourself a chance? You deserve to be happy. I know most men are shit, but some of them are trainable. I promise if Adam acts like an arsehole, I’ll get His Furriness to send him to Siberia to cool off.’
With a few unsteady movements, Sara sat up straighter, then, as she slid back down, pointed her thumbs at her own chest. ‘Then this mighty Seer right here will help you forget the bastard ever existed.’ My friend looked so pleased at her solution that I couldn’t burst her bubble.
Thankfully, Leszek, or as Sara dubbed him, His Furriness, stepped in at that point.
‘No one is sending anyone to Siberia at five in the morning, and this mighty Seer is going to bed. Nina, Michal made up the bed in the guest room for you. Walk if you can, or I’ll come back after tucking in Twinkle Toes here.’ Sara giggled, kicking her feet up into the air, and I raised my head just in time for him to scoop her up, leaving me alone in the nests of cushions.
Sara hung over Leszek’s arm like a sack of potatoes, but before they left, she pointed her finger at me. ‘You do it, missy. Everything will be all right, trust the Seer,’ she said before turning to her husband, tugging his ear. ‘You are mean. I’m not sleepy. Stop behaving like you’re my daddy.’
‘Say that again, and I’ll show you who your daddy is. You need rest, and so does Nina. You’ll be suffering enough already after drinking Michal’s brandy. Now let me heal you and get some water.’ The rest of Leszek’s words faded to white noise as he walked further into the house.
