“That’s why you aren’t scared of anyone, huh? Top of the food chain,” I joked despite the serious conversation at hand.
“Eleanor’s scream is quite terrifying but yes.” His fang nicked my skin, and I inhaled sharply. We hadn’t done anything other than teasing caresses and a peck since our talk at the park. But it was clearly obvious that I wanted to be with him and him with me. We loved each other.
“Vampires.” Romi snapped her fingers and Tatsou smirked.
“Focus. We’ve got to take him down before he does more damage. It’s not going to be easy. We need a plan.” Romi always strategized, and she was really good at it, while I was not.
“Based on what you’ve told me, and the information I have, we will not be able to take him down on our own. His vampire and scumbag collection are too great. Rumors on the dark web talk about him using a power to move people, but it’s not clear.”
I frowned with every word she spoke. If she didn’t believe Tatsou could take them all out quickly, then things were indeed dire. “Tatsou?” I asked, needing to hear him say it himself. The legendary male leaned back, his hand caressing the skin of my arm gently.
“I can but an army is a lot for one vampire. He will disappear by the time I defeat his distractions.”
“So, what can we do?” I knew I had a superpower but didn’t know how to wield it. Tatsou’s shadows and killing expertise could only get us so far. Romi was a computer mastermind but I couldn’t see how that would fight off a horde of dangerously fanged soldiers.
“Tatsou, I think it’s time you find some of your original friends. If we had just a few more originals, we could do it.” Romi grinned, and I reached over to grasp her hand. She hoped more original vampires would defeat the monster who tried to kill us . . . who killed her fiancé and our mother.
“Eleanor would be up for a fight, but I do not know where the others are, if they are even still alive.” His eyes glowed for a second, then shifted to his normal gold. Romi noticed but rattled off where the demon vampire was last seen and possible targets. We had to stop him before he left the country. The insecure part of me wondered how I could help. Talking my ex-father to death didn’t work out well for me while I was tortured. I wasn’t a physical fighter at all. I sketched clothes and sewed them into reality.
“I need some tea.” I boiled the water and steeped the tea. The liquid didn’t taste the same, but the motions of sipping the warm liquid soothed me. I wished I could enjoy a nicePokémonrice ball with shrimp. Little things like that used to cheer me up; now only blood satisfied me. After a few minutes of “rising imposter syndrome,” I announced I needed some air. I closed the sliding door behind me. The sounds of the city drowned out the noise in my head but only for a moment.
I took being a vampire in stride, but there were moments where I doubted this new life. I needed to figure out this new me. The upcoming fight to save the world took precedence over the adventure of discovering myself.
“My little flower looks wilted.” Tatsou’s voice joined the six-foot by four-foot space.
“My mental game is not strong right now.” It was an easy admission to release. I’d been floundering around since the moment Tatsou appeared. I just needed to get my feet under me. Tatsou’s shadows swirled, and the bright lights of Tokyo dimmed slightly.
“I don’t know how to help in this fight against that monster. Sort of feeling low on myself, which is lame.” I sighed and the vamp behind me stood still and silent. But I knew he was there by the steady rhythm of his heart beating.
“Do you know why I call you Kitten?”
I shivered at the timbre of his voice. “It’s sort of a nickname slash insult, or at least it was when you hated me.” I thought back to our first interactions. He was such an asshole, but he’d evolved in so many ways. I think I did, too.
“Good memories.” He chuckled then tried to pull my hand around but he spun me around, his other hand pressed against the small of my back.
“At first it was an insult. But then I realized you were more than a kitten. You didn’t know you had sharp claws and a wicked tongue.”
His eyes glowed and I knew mine did the same. I couldn’t help it. Predator called to predator I guess.
“You are strong enough to not only handle this life but become the monster they fear most.”
“Call the hospital, I think you hit your head or suffered an injury,” I teased but only to hide the way my heart exploded for him. I loved this vamp.
“Dramatic woman.” His hand left mine and caressed my cheek.
“I will share with you everything I know. You have nothing to stress about. Now, come with me.” He released me and my swooning expression to jump onto the railing.
“Tatsou!” I yelled. My hand reached for his, but I knew I made a mistake a moment too late. He yanked me up by my wrist.
“Are you insane?” I tried to get back, but his strength outmatched mine.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned, knowing full well I couldn’t take him if he did what I think he wanted to do. I’d try like hell to kick his ass, though.
There were no words, only his bright smile as he forced us to freefall off the balcony.
Chapter Forty- One
Tatsou
