Forbidden Fangs

Chapter 23

Kylie was still shaking in the aftermath of the attack, despite the comfort of Logan's warm body next to her on the leather couch, despite the glass of scotch she had nearly drained in a single gulp. She could still feel the tremors running up and down her arms from when she'd fired the gunblade. If she'd only aimed a little to the side, she could have ended Luchaver's life and gone home to her bed. But she could not. She needed to know more… more about Wythirians, and more about Luchaver himself.

“I must admit, I'm a little ashamed,” Logan said, pressing an ice pack to the side of his head. She had cleaned the blood from his face and hands, but he still looked like he'd been through a stone tumbler. She'd suggested taking him to the hospital, but he had refused that point blank. “I'm supposed to be protecting you from the vampire, and you had to come to my rescue. If the other slayers got wind of this, I'd never live it down.”

“Well, it'll just be our little secret then,” Kylie cooed, putting a gentle hand on the unbruised side of his face. “In any case, you were very heroic… rushing out to fight an alien vampire hand to hand. I'd never seen anything like that before. You moved so fast, and with such brutal intent… it's a wonder you didn't both die out there.”

Logan opened his mouth to reply and his jaw clicked noisily. Wincing, he clapped a hand to the side of his face, and then a faint knocking reached their ears. It was coming from the front door upstairs, barely audible through the basements heavy security door.

“Do you think he's come back?” Kylie asked, suddenly nervous again. She wrung her hands and looked in the direction of the stairs.

“Probably not,” Logan said, standing up with a groan. “He took at least as much damage as I did, and sunrise is in a few hours. He's probably fleeing, finding a place to hole up for the day.” He moved to the computer terminals and leaned over one of the screens, clicking around until he had a video feed of the front of the house. “Shit.”

“What is it?” Kylie asked, rising and striding up behind him.

“It looks like we've managed to attract the attention of the local police department, somehow.” Logan said, rubbing his temples. “This is going to be a whole new headache.”

“Wait,” Kylie said, peering at the grainy feed. “That's detective Baker. He and his partner were the ones who investigated Erik's death. How did they find me here? What can they possibly want?”

“Calm down,” Logan stood and placed a heavy, comforting hand on her shoulder. “They could be here for any number of reasons. I'll go and see. You stay here.”

“No,” Kylie said, following him up the stairs and through the heavy door, “whatever's going on, I want to know about it. And if the detectives are looking for me, it's probably best to not keep me hidden.”

The portly detective on the security feed knocked again, and the sound was louder this time, and more impatient.

“Come on,” Kylie said, taking Logan's hand, “let's get this over with.” They climbed the concrete steps and closed the heavy door behind them, spreading out slightly as they approached the front door. Logan gave Kylie a final, uncertain look before pulling the portal open.

“Sorry to disturb you, sir.” The portly detective said, displaying a badge. “We're with the Wallgrave Police Department. I'm Detective Baker, and this is Detective Davids. We had reports of a…” he trailed off as his eyes slid past Logan to land on Kylie. “Miss Donaldson? Is that you?” He asked uncertainly.

“Yes,” Kylie said, stepping forward. “Thank you for your service, detectives. What is this about?”

“The gunshot, likely,” Logan said suddenly, turning his head so he could tip Kylie a swift wink. “That's what you were about to say, isn't it Detective Baker?”

“Ahh, yes,” Baker said, exchanging a glance with his partner. “We had a report of a gunshot in the area. A passing driver thought they heard a shot in the vicinity of your house.”

“You got here awfully quickly,” Logan said, “is there something else?”

“We were, in fact, on our way here regarding another matter.” Baker said tersely, “but let's start with the gunshot. Do you own any firearms, Mister Alluvian? Also,” he waved a hand at Logan's bruising face. “How did you receive these injuries?”

“No need for such a serious tone,” Logan said, raising his hands dismissively. “Let me explain. I'm a personal protection instructor. After her recent experience in the woods, Kylie here came to me for self defence lessons. She got in a few accidental shots while we were sparring - my fault - and I showed her how to handle a firearm. She fired a single shot to get a feeling for how a weapon kicks. I'm sure you can understand the importance of that.”

“Is that so, Miss Donaldson?” Baker asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course,” Kylie said, feeling a flood of relief.

“I assume you have the proper permit for owning a firearm, Mister Alluvian?” Detective Davids cut in, crossing his arms.

“Of course,” Logan shrugged. “It's in the basement somewhere. I can go and find it, if you want.”

“That won't be necessary,” Baker said. “We can always double check when we get back to the station. Actually, Mister Alluvian, we had some questions for you regarding the tragedy Miss Donaldson witnessed the other night. Do you have an alibi for your whereabouts that night?”

“I'm afraid I was home alone,” Logan said, tilting his head. “I have to ask… what reason could you possibly have for suspecting me in that case?”

“Never said we suspected you, sir.” Baker said. “However your name did come up in the process of the investigation, and we haven't got many leads to follow. Did you have any connection to the deceased?”

“I would tell you,” Logan said, “but I'm afraid I don't actually know his name.”

“Oh, right.” Baker glanced at Kylie, “you don't have to be here for this if you don't want to, Miss Donaldson. It might stir up painful memories for you.”

“I… right, thank you.” Kylie said distantly. “I'll wait for you downstairs, Logan.” As she walked to the heavy door, Erik's name floated after her on Baker's voice. The memory of the bright light nearly made her stumble as she descended the stairs. She moved to the bar and poured herself a double shot of whisky and a took a long gulp. It helped erode the image of Erik's bloody neck from her mind. Luchaver had done that. So what kind of person was she, if she could be so quick to forgive him?