Faline

Her question startles me so much I answer automatically. Her eyes follow the movement of my hand that's once again rubbing over the hard shape. When she lifts an eyebrow, I explain further.

"My sister had put it in my things before I left home. She didn't want me to come back in the first place but she knew my feelings on it, so she gave me this instead. She's a sucker for blades and has given me several but I don't do anything with them."

I know how to use one...sort of. Not with any type of skill but there isn't much of that needed when you're trying to harm another someone. At her continued look, I pull it out and show her.

The outer switchblade casing itself doesn't look very threatening. A plain black with shiny metal trimming. Spring action, which makes it very illegal. Doesn't stop Kierra though. If our home is ever raided by cops we would be in so much trouble with all the shit she has. Hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars worth of sharp instruments, many of which are highly illegal in most parts of the state, let alone the country. Probably.

She'd given me one of the smaller knives, one that fits in my hand and can be easily hidden. Think the blade itself is only four inches or so. Holding it up, I push the small release that has the knife shooting out.

Lady is eyeballing it, so for shits and giggles, I hand it to her. She doesn't take it, just looks up at me with an expression I can't read.

"You've had this on you all day?"

Nodding, I retract the blade and put it back in my pocket, while she watches me do so. Way she's acting you'd think she's never seen one before. Pretty sure she has, just taken aback by not knowing I had it. That thought is highly pleasing.

"So what exactly is the plan here? Go in guns blazing or what?"

Apex slows at a light, the night traffic isn't too bad but still pretty busy. Looking up front, the four-way intersection is surrounded by strip-malls packed with utility stores, fast food, coffee, dentistry, and more. So far it seems no different than any other city I've seen.

Granted I haven't seen too many but still, seems they all have a similar theme of advertising at the busiest motorways. The smart thing to do and highly expensive. Attention goes back to Lady when she starts explaining just what she's wanting to do.

A stealth mission ending in either a peaceful sale or a bloodbath. Lovely.

"We'll be going in to look at his 'wares' with an interest in buying one for a personal party. He will have his best-looking ones out, but the others will be hidden. While I talk to him, you will be with his woman, moving around and getting a count on just how many he has. When you have a count, come back and tell me."

I raise a brow. If this woman is trying to lead me off for nefarious purposes, I doubt she will just let me walk back freely. The Vampire facing me smirks while the car starts moving again.

"I have faith that you will find a way. There is also the possibility that each will have a guard with them but the information on that was unclear. Apex will be at the door to make sure none run out, you and I will have the inside."

Outnumbered and more than likely outgunned. Fantastic.

"And just what are you going to do with all the people inside you plan on 'buying'? Car is barely big enough for the three of us, do you plan on packing in more?"

A scoff sounds from the front seat, causing the corner of my mouth to tilt up.

"Arrangements have been made for pick up. Apex will give the call as soon as we get there. One way or another, they will be coming out."

That sends a small cold shiver down my spine but I must admit that my body is thrumming for action. After hearing what this man and woman are doing, I wanted to give them a taste of their own medicine. Doubt we'll have the time for doing exactly that, but I can manage.

The restlessness coursing through me makes the rest of the ride almost unbearable. Lady watches me as I fidget and move restlessly, a grin playing over her shadowed features. Ignoring her seems to be the only recourse here. For now anyway.

"You can channel your sister, can't you?"

Blinking at her, I look at my reflection in the window glass. Sure enough, my eyes have gone to the green that they take on when I end up dipping into her head. Whenever we tangle at home they do it too. Bit weird, but it helps when needed. At my slight nod, her head cocks.

"When you came at me before, in the kitchen, your eyes had gone that shade. At the time I thought it one of your abilities but the way you fought reminded me of how wolves react when fighting. Since that seems to be the only time your eyes change and knowing who your sister is, I figured it a safe bet."

Not sure if I really wanted her to know that, but hopefully it isn't so obvious to others.

"I don't do it intentionally, it just sort of happens. After saving her life when we left the brothel, our bond became stronger. But even before then we would catch glimpses of the other, usually when one of us was in pain."

Her eyes light in her dawning of realization.

"Those times when Nicolaus had you restrained from the fits you were having... You were sharing her head."

Nodding again, I keep watch of her face.

"Each time it was her fighting off someone he had sent after her. We now share each other’s...lusts. Mine for blood and hers for battle. I can just imagine how crazy it would be if she and I were to fight someone seriously. The energy alone would be a serious high."

Strange eyes give me a look of confusion but I don't go into it. This woman is still too much of a danger to me to share what I have already. Before she can ask for any more details, we stop.

Looking out, we're in a residential neighborhood. Looks relatively new; many of the houses still have their 'for sale' signs out front. We're parked in front of one but Apex is looking further down and across the street; to a white house at the end of the cookie-cutter development. A very non-threatening two-story with a small front porch. Think the only difference from one house to the next is the color.

Yards all around are spattered with old snow, which by this point is being added to. Small white flakes drift around lazily before landing softly. Seems so wrong that something like this is happening in an area like this one.

"Just how many are we dealing with? Is there at least a starting amount of how many bottoms are in there? Animal count?"

Apex is the one who answers me this time.

"There are at least six 'bottoms', as you put it. They will be the ones up front that he's showing off. Aside from the couple runnin’ the place, there might be two bodyguards. Not sure how many are animals. His woman, Tabitha, was a child he got a hold of years ago. He's reshaped and brainwashed her so now she's as bad as he is. Don't feel any pity for her because she will show none for you."

So this Tabitha is the one I'm supposed to allow to take me wherever. Can feel sorry for her plight later, right now the ones being harmed are what needs my attention. I keep Lady's words in my head about holding my breath when walking around. I may be undead, unable to be affected by much, but I'd rather be safe than sorry on unknown territory.

It takes a few minutes to convince my body it isn't dying after a long period of not inhaling. I’ll have to practice over a period of time, as it isn't something that can just be flipped off as if it was a switch. Able to hold it for a few minutes at a time, that should be enough time to get away from any substances that are air-born. Nodding to the Vampire who's eyes seem stuck on me, we get out.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you not to talk too much, do I? I know it will be impossible for you not to say anything, but leave him to me. You worry about his woman and any guard she may have."

I get the childish urge to stick my tongue out at her but resist and nod with a huff. I can't promise anything if something is said directly at me though. If he comes at me verbally, I cannot be held accountable for my reactions.