Byron

The wear of the road made Byron’s change more arduous. Life was both slower and faster after Mara lifted the curse. He felt rushed to do everything, and yet it all took longer to do. In addition, he had to tend to basic needs like food, drink and sleep, which meant less time too. It was an adjustment.

A full day into the journey, Rory turned to him and frowned. “Back at the farmhouse, you said we needed to talk more about the one night-”

“You mean the one night you called me a fucking monster?”

“That one,” she said, staring at her feet. “I would have brought it up sooner, but I was hoping you would. It’s not one of my greatest moments.”

“It’s kinda the last thing in our way, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think you’re a monster now…”

He scratched the back of his neck furiously. “Yeah, but are you?”

“I deserved that,” she said and pulled her knees to her chest. “The first day at Mara’s, when we were all there, she used my power against me. And that was one of the worst feelings ever. I shouldn’t have done that to you again. There’re no words that properly express how sorry I am.”

“Think I’ve lived long enough to understand the value in giving people a second chance. Once in a great while, you meet people that are worth giving as many chances as they need. Whether that’s third, fourth, fifth or so on. There’s good in you, Rory. I can see that.”

Her chest hitched, and she wiped her eyes. “Thank you,” she said.

“So, why aren’t we jumping into each other’s arms?”

“I don’t know… If we grew old together, would you hate me?”

“What when my eyes dim and all I can see of you is locked in my memory? Maybe that’s why I’ve heard the vampire’s curse is immortality. There’s a maturity they miss out on.”

“Could be.”

“Would you want to live forever?”

“I mean the drinking blood thing is a big catch….”

“Let’s say you didn’t have to drink blood.”

“Would I still age?”

“Let’s say, no.”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t rarity make things precious? I mean, would the years lose their value if they were unlimited?”

“Well, when you have all the time in the world, anything can wait until tomorrow.”

They looked into the fire, and the conversation died. Now and then one would look at the other as though ready to speak, but no word would leave their mouths. Part of Byron wanted to pick her up, grab her in his arms and say something as stupid as ‘Let’s go steady’ like they were a couple of high schoolers, while another side looked into the darkness of the trail ahead. It could all be over before they had much of a chance to start. She knew he cared, so why couldn’t they skip this dance and get on to the good things?

Doc plunked himself down next to Rory and his glare pressed into Byron for a moment. The giant looked away and grunted. “How are things?”

“I don’t know.” Rory lay her head on his shoulder. “Things are what they are.”

A hostility churned in Byron’s chest. “Think I might turn in.”

“Don’t,” she said and held up a hand. “I mean, I’d like you to stay up with me.”

Byron shook his head. “I think Doc wants a moment alone with you.” He stood and groaned at the tightness in his legs. “Probably should take a walk.”

She sighed and nodded.

The cool night air reinvigorated Byron, and he walked on and on, paying no mind to the distance he traveled. At a clearing, he found several ghosts standing by overgrown tombstones. A short female walked from a monument that read DIANE W. and she asked, “Have you seen my Howie?”

Byron shook his head.

“He promised we’d be together forever. For a while he visited me and brought flowers—yellow tulips—every week. Then he came by with some young people who called him ‘Dad’ and I don’t why they did, because we never had kids. Since then I haven’t seen him.”

“Well, Diane. I get the feeling you might not find him here. You should move on,” he said, his words infused with the new power.

She nodded and said, “Move on.” Her translucent form shot into the sky and disappeared in a burst of violet plasma.

Further in, two ghosts, who argued as only a husband and wife can, went back-and-forth over the details of their last car ride. “I told you to turn left, Herman. Why didn’t you turn left?”

“I keep telling ya, there was a pylon in my way. I couldn’t, Emma. I had to think fast and then, well, we were kaput.”

“Are those little details really so important?” Byron asked.

Herman crossed his arms and kicked the ground, upsetting nothing. “What are you on her side?”

And Emma wrapped her arm around her husband’s waist. “Who do you think you are? Can’t a married couple have a conversation without the peanut gallery getting involved?”

“Looks like you’re in agreement. You’ll be happier together in the hereafter.” This time the ability bonded to Byron’s words with barely any thought. And for once he understood Rory in a way he’d failed to in the past. If it was as easy to activate her power as it was for him, her slipups made more sense.

Herman and Emma smiled at each other and enwrapped in an embrace before vanishing in the same fashion as Diane.

From there he used the call Mara gifted him on all the remaining spirits. After he helped the last transit, he found himself alone and more than that—lonely.

Would he linger on the earth after death with such unresolved trifles as those found in the overgrown cemetery?

* * *

In the morning, Doc woke Byron. “We need to talk,” he said. “Rory’s become like a sister to me. I have—I had other feelings for her, but she wanted me to apologize for how I’ve treated you. So, sorry.”

“That’s all right. I understand.”

“Do you?” Doc set his jaw and held out his arms. Something sparked in his eyes, and then he looked down and slumped. “I’m going about this all wrong. You’ve been nothing but kind. You even saved my life the first time we met. Guess I’ve been a little ungrateful all around, huh?”

“It was kind of understandable. I wasn’t exactly human.”

“Yeah, but I fell back on my own misinformed prejudices instead of seeing you for who you are. I always hate it when people treat me that way. There’s really no excuse for my behavior. Hell, Sven even told me to lay off.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. A fella has to stop and think when that asshole is telling him to calm down.”

Byron laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”

The two shared a knowing look, and Doc frowned. “Not that you need it, but you have my blessing with Rory. I like you Byron and I’ve been wrestling with my own stupid jealousy. I think you guys are good for each other.”

“You think we’re together?”

Doc widened his eyes. “Wait, are you two not an item?”

“No. We like each other, but you know…”

A giant finger scratched at Doc’s mane. “It’s just the way she was talking about you last night, I mean, I thought for sure you two were… Anyways, if you’re at all worried about me, you can rest easy. She’s only interested in you, friend.”

Byron frowned for a second and then smiled and clapped Doc’s shoulder. “Thanks. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Got to admit I’ve had a lot of respect for you since I saw you risking your life to save Sven.”

“We’re good then. Don’t let Rory slip through your fingers, huh? Else, I’ll be coming after her myself.”

Rory stepped away from Nadine when the men finished speaking. A meaningful look passed between her and Doc. She hugged the big guy and smiled. Afterwards, she jogged up to Byron. “You guys had a good talk, huh?”

“Yeah, we did.” Byron’s cheeks ached at the stretch of his own smile. He smoothed the corners of his mouth and received no relief. Part of him wondered if he’d ever felt so happy.

Without warning, she grabbed him and squeezed her softness against his chest. “Kiss me,” she said. Byron pulled her in tighter and both sets of eyes closed as they found each other’s lips. Their mouths worked and tongues wrestled. The world faded away.

“Oi, get a room.”

Nadine hissed. “SVEN, Sven. Leave them alone. We need to give them space.”

Alas, the interruption broke the spell. Rory dropped her embrace and Byron followed.

“We should take a walk. Byron, are you up for walking?” Rory asked.

“Sure,” he replied.

Hand-in-hand, they walked down the road. All the way, Rory giggled and Byron couldn’t help but join in. “They’re going to think we’re laughing at them if we don’t keep it down,” she said.

“Possibly, but it feels too good to worry about all of that. Thanks for having Doc talk to me. For once, I don’t feel like an interloper.”

“Don’t mention it. Things were getting unnecessarily tense between the two of you. He’s been a good brother to me through this whole thing and I like him that way, but you….” Her words dropped off, and she sighed.

“I wasn’t sure where we stood, actually, until I talked to him. He seemed to think we were an item.”

She pushed a wild strand of hair behind her ear. “Sometimes I make up my mind about how things are before checking in with all the people involved. Sorry about that.”

He chuckled. “No reason to apologize. We cleared things up, eh?” He put his arms around her and rubbed his hands down her back. “Where did we leave things, now?”

Her whole face beamed. “Let’s see. We were smooshed together. My lips,” she said and pecked his mouth. “Were on yours.” She kissed him deeply for a moment and moved her face back. Eyes so close, specks of green shown in her otherwise blue eyes. “And I think if we had a room handy, well, I think we’d be somewhere on the bed,” she said, her tone deep, breathy.

A pleasing humidity misted over Byron’s warm skin, and he realized he’d forgotten what it felt like to sweat. Then a cool breeze swept over him and goose pimples freckled his arms.

They intermittently walked and kissed. Daring each other to make the next move. Teasing at what they’d do. Byron stiffened and his kisses became insistent. He touched her in the secret places and she found his.

Her teeth raked the lobe of his ear and she said, “Can we get any closer.”

“Not with all of our clothes on.”

Neither stripped completely—just enough. He held her body flush against his chest and she straddled him with her legs. They plunged into each other with ever increasing speed and screamed at the burst.

Disentangled, they fell panting on the ground. Byron opened his mouth to speak, but clamped it shut, knowing he’d say he loved her; knowing it wasn’t time for those words. Instead, he said, “Thank you.”

She turned and kissed him. “No, thank you.”

* * *

At the end of the next day they were in sight of the plateau the Highland Blueskins called home. On scouting around, Byron found no hunting camps or signs of life anywhere except in the fires of their homes. From this he gathered the Blues were on high alert. He thought about the mess he’d left last time. Long as Vic was at the top, Alma and Paradise would be at war. And in no small way, he was responsible for a part of the conflict.

He looked from one member of his friends to the other as they supped on biscuits and gravy, washed down with a pleasing berry drink Nadine called ambrosia. Their eyes danced with the sparkle of the campfire, and their spirits were so light and lively—not a killer among them. Doc, of course, had seen war. The big guy played it off, but every now and then Byron would catch the thousand-yard stare. Yet, Byron knew Doc had never killed despite his time in the army. It wasn’t in him.

There was another way to solve this mess. The summoning. Byron didn’t know exactly how it would help in a fight against his nemesis, but he trusted Mara had given him the means. She’d done what he’d previously thought was impossible, after all, and restored him to life.

He looked over at Rory and watched her as she joked with the rest. She was too precious for the world to lose. The drums of progress would still beat without him, but they’d skip a beat without her. A memory of her neck bleeding churned his stomach. While she may have gotten the upper hand on Trevor in that situation, would the same happen against Vic?

When they retired to their bedrolls for the night, he gave her an extra snuggle and kiss. Once her breath thickened, he made his move, taking great care not to rouse her or the rest and crept away. A branch, fashioned into a broom, dusted the footprints he left in his wake.

He lost sight of his friends and said, “This is between me and Vic.”