A knock on my door one night caused me to jump in surprise. I hadn’t had an interaction with another being since the nightmares started. I had started ordering my blood to be delivered and left outside. There was no need to knock. Who could it be?
The deep sound came again, and I hurried to see what it was. It was my brother, Gianni.
I opened it quickly. “What are you doing here?”
He was standing there, almost bored. He was holding something large covered in a deep red cloth. “I have something for you.”
I eyed the cloth warily. “What is it?”
“If you let me inside, I’ll show you.”
I stepped aside to let him in. “Why didn’t you call?” I asked as he came into my apartment.
“I thought a surprise would be fun. I need something flat to put this.”
I motioned to the coffee table with some of Scout’s notebooks. I moved them to let him set the thing down. He did so and quickly ripped off the ruby-colored fabric.
A tiny black thing made a small squeak in a metal cage.
“What the fuck is that?” My mouth fell open as I stared into the cage.
“A gift. From Magdalena Solís herself.”
“Who?” I crouched to see the creature that was continuing to make tiny little chirping sounds.
“The High Priestess of Blood. I found her for you. You’re welcome, by the way. She was rather interested in your girlfriend’s situation and wants to help.”
I tilted my head. “And her solution is a bird?”
“A Dracula parrot. Just like the one Scout had once upon a time.”
I blinked with surprise.
“Oh wow. I see no red.” I stood back up and dusted off my knees.
“He’s a baby. Barely a hatchling. It’ll develop in time. The High Priestess has tons of them in her territory.”
“So she just gave you one?”
“To give to you. When you find your girlfriend, offer her the bird.”
“You think that’ll work?”
“Better than nothing.” Gianni shrugged. “And you don’t turn down a gift from the High Priestess.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is she really that special?”
“Yes. Baby brother, I’m once again disappointed yet not surprised that you don’t know who is who. I was very lucky to have been granted a meeting with her.”
“Meeting? Or more?” I snickered. His red eyes grew cold and small, which only confirmed. Gianni may act like he’s all business, but I grew up with the fucker. He thought with his dick just like any other man.
He sneered at me. “I think you’ll find the High Priestess very interesting.”
I raised my eyebrows, suspicious. “You think?” I cocked my head to the bird. “What do I feed it?”
“Figs.”
“What the fuck is a fig?” I threw my hands up. I didn’t eat food.
