Chilling Cadence

Seventeen

The group of men who had stormed Odell’s Auto Repair shop were causing havoc in the ordinarily quiet streets of Glasskeep. Lorelei had taken Cadence and Jaxon to the roof of Bibliophile where they could see the men and much of the town’s landscape clearly. At this time, The Sizzling Griddle would be open and Spellbound Coffee Shop, which was open from seven in the morning to nine at night, would be handling its last customer and getting ready to close down for the day. The grocery store in front of Ayami’s house would have a parking lot with at least seven cars, and there would be a group of grandmothers sitting on the grocery store’s bench after the arduous task of shopping, gossiping about the latest thing. Cadence knew that only because Chau had mentioned it in passing during the time they had been focusing on capturing Jocelyn.

The peaceful predictive nature of Glasskeep had been disturbed now, though. Spellbound Coffee Shop had shut its doors early and The Sizzling Griddle further up the road was eerily silent. She couldn’t see the lights of the supermarket from where they were standing, and The Eye of the Owl she had called upon made out eight cars in the grocery store’s parking lot but they were all empty. Even further down past the church Reverend Whitlock ran, Cadence couldn’t see any lights from the houses or Barry’s Gas n’ Go even though it was hundreds of feet away from where they were.

It was as if the entire town of Glasskeep had been inhabited by ghosts, instead. The only sound was the sound of the loud, obnoxious laughter the men below them made. Cadence counted them out. There were fifteen of them total.

“They bought more people,” Jaxon said. Cadence couldn’t figure out the tone in his voice and she didn’t have time to try to figure it out. “There were two when they came to Odell’s. There are more now.”

“How nice,” Lorelei murmured, although her tone implied the opposite. “They need fifteen men to capture one. What a pitiful display.”

Jaxon swallowed audibly. “What about Gran? Will she be…?”

“They know she’s in Glasskeep but they don’t know where. The spell that Witch cast should mess with them. You were unlucky. Someone must have told them exactly where you were and therefore, the spell was rendered useless. But as long as no one tells them where Ruth is, the spell will make her impossible for family to find.” Cadence glanced over at Lorelei. “Was letting Chau get involved a good idea, though?”

A few moments after Ruth had told Cadence her and Jaxon’s story, Chau had trudged back into Bibliophile, her eyes moving back and forth between the four of them. She was holding the manila folder Ruth had given her, which she had handed over. In the end, Lorelei had asked Chau to take Ruth to the church and make sure not to get caught by Ruth’s relatives. Cadence wasn’t sure how much the girl knew, but apparently, she knew enough for her face to darken as she led Ruth out of the store.

“Chau is a capable girl,” Lorelei said. “I wouldn’t do anything to put her in danger.”

She didn’t sound like she was lying and she had seen Chau and Ruth enter the church a minute before the group of men had started approaching. Even if she was unwilling, she had to admit Lorelei really was amazing. Cadence, Jaxon, and Lorelei were on the roof in time to see Ruth and Chau passing by Spellbound and closing in on the church. With one phone, all of Glasskeep plunged itself in shadow. The people who had come to the supermarket hurried inside as the grocery store turned off its lights. The patrons in Spellbound were silent and even in The Sizzling Griddle where outsiders visited, it was completely quiet. Although, she sensed strong sleep magic there, heavy and thick.

“I think this is it,” one of the men said, pointing at Bibliophile.

The group of men turned toward the building. They were holding flashlights, shining its light on the sign and reading it. As dark as it was, they couldn’t see the three figures on top of the building staring down at them. Only someone with enhanced senses would be able to see them.

“We got the bats?” asked the guy in the front. He was the one who seemed to be leading the charge, at least in Cadence’s opinion. When they had been causing havoc in the streets, he had been the one front and center. And just now, at the sound of his voice, Jaxon’s body grew incredibly tense.

Someone to the right of the ringleader tossed a bat to him. He caught it surprisingly easy considering how little light there was to see with.

Cadence leaned forward, suddenly anxious. It’s not like the shop was hers but Ruth was a sweet lady who put a lot of work into this place; it was her livelihood. They weren’t just planning on breaking a little glass. With the Eye of the Owl, she could see men near the back holding canisters of gasoline.

“I suppose this is our cue,” Lorelei said.

Cadence nodded and then stopped abruptly, glaring at the Vampire. “Wait, what do you mean our.”

Lorelei grinned too sinisterly for it to be considered angelic despite her good looks, before wrapping her hand around Cadence’s waist. Cadence couldn’t even open her mouth to shout in protest as the Vampire’s muscles bunched in anticipation. Lorelei jumped from the top of Bibliophile. Wind whipped her hair around her face and stung at her eyes but Cadence couldn’t close them. Even though this building was small in comparison to New York skyscrapers, it was still high enough that an ordinary person would have been in critical condition if they had done what Lorelei did.

Lorelei sat Cadence down on her feet and the moment Cadence got her bearings, she glared at the Vampire.

“You psychopath,” she snapped. “Why are you getting me involved?”

Lorelei raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with amusement. Cadence could see her face incredibly clearly in the glow of the flashlights.

Flashlights?

Cadence whirled around and came face to face with the dozens of flashlights pointed straight at her and Lorelei. She held up a hand to shield her eyes from the overly bright invasiveness of the lights.

She glanced over at Lorelei beside her…and paused. When the Vampire’s glowing icy eyes met the flashlights full-on, her already inhuman appearance became even more inhuman. There was a silver ring around her pupil that reflected the illumination of the flashlight back at the humans who were holding them.

She couldn’t take her eyes off of the unnatural nature of the creature in front of her, but she could hear the humans behind her start in surprise. Something slipped from someone’s hands and clattered on the pavement.

Lorelei’s eyes remained low-lidded, her expression almost bored. “You came all the way here making such a show of things and this is all you have to offer? Cowardice?” She stepped forward purposefully and the men stepped back. “I thought you might at least offer me some entertainment. How boring.”

Cadence swallowed, her throat suddenly dry and the late October night air that whipped through her bones seemed too cold all of a sudden. All Vampires had an aura that could incite terror in those around them; an undead aura, so to speak. A powerful Vampire could clear out an entire concert hall if they spread that aura out far enough, inciting fear of everyone in that building. Cadence had read of Vampires being able to do that. She had also read that most Vampires were incapable of spreading their aura out that far.

Of course, she should have known that Lorelei Darkhe was no ordinary Vampire. Lorelei could walk in the day and function fine for a few hours during the daylight before her body started deteriorating when most Vampires couldn’t stand the daylight at all. She could walk on consecrated ground even though it caused her great agony.

The aura that emitted from Lorelei was absolutely frightening. The humans could only feel the terror of it, but Cadence could see it. It was poisonous, almost, as thick as clouds of smoke from a fire and as black as nighttime. It was cold. Colder than the air that blew through the clouds and tangled itself in Cadence’s hair. Colder, she thought, than the winter her Grandmother had taken her to Siberia to meet with the Witch who had taught her all she knew of Russian magic.

Even though she wanted very much not to be afraid, Cadence felt herself tremble at the force of that aura. Lorelei Darkhe was one hundred percent not an ordinary Vampire. That aura would not only clear out a stadium but the entirety of Glasskeep if she spread it. Maybe even the entirety of Manhattan, if Lorelei had wanted to.

There were few Vampires who could produce such a heavy aura. The Old One, they said could clear out entire states if she wished. Her Kin could clear smaller states. And then the other Vampires who were related to the Old One’s Kin who could perform feats far and away above anything ordinary Vampires could do.

Lorelei was a Royal.

Cadence’s head swam. She felt like she should have noticed it sooner, but then, she was convinced that not noticing was not her fault. Royals didn’t live in America since the entirety of America belonged to the Old One. All Cadence knew of them was what her Grandmother told her; that, in Europe, they sat in their castles all night, indulging in all the blood they wanted and killing anyone who angered them even a little. In Africa, they built humble abodes in the forests and snatched away tourists and unlucky locals to be blood slaves. Their skin was the darkest of ebonies and their eyes the reddest of rubies and they were so beautiful and so wealthy, it was said that some of the Africans who lived near forests chose to go there of their own volition. In Asia, depending on where you went, the Vampires there either lived in the forests, waiting for victims, or they lived in old abandoned shrines or dilapidated castles.

Either way, there were no Royals in America. The Old One had abandoned them from entering her territory. America existed as it did today because of her monetary investments, and naturally, she had more say-so over who could come and go than others. Vampires couldn’t step a single toe into any American country without her consent.

But there was no other explanation for why Lorelei was so powerful. Her parents had to be the Royals to reigned over the Transylvanian region.

The ringleader was the one who pulled Cadence from her shock. He was more ballsy than his friends. Some of the light from one of the flashlights illuminated his face, and Cadence was able to see him more clearly. She jerked in shock.

His face was Jaxon’s face, only covered with wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. Instead of Jaxon’s thick, wavy dark hair, this man was bald with a badly placed tattoo of a swastika on his bald head, in plain sight. He was shorter than Jaxon, too, and stockier. But there was no doubt in Cadence’s mind that this man was Jaxon’s father.

“Where is Jaxon?” he demanded. His voice was incredibly steady for someone facing the malicious aura Lorelei was emitting.

Lorelei raised an eyebrow. “I was not aware you were in a position to demand anything.”

The man smirked, the air around him cocksure. “We’re the one with the guns, not the other way around. I don’t know what you are but…” His gaze trailed over to Cadence who narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure you don’t want to see your little friend end up full of bullet holes.”

Lorelei laughed. “You could try.”

Cadence cut a glare at Lorelei. Because, yes, she could stop these men before they got a single shot out of their guns, but she preferred not having to using magic at all.

“Aren’t you supposed to be protecting me and not feeding me to the wolves, you undead charlatan?”

A laugh was Lorelei’s only response and Cadence wanted desperately to wrap her hands around the Vampire’s pale neck and squeeze. It might not affect Lorelei at all since she didn’t have to breathe, but Cadence was certain she, at least, would feel better.

“That’s enough.” Jaxon came out Bibliophile. He was slightly out of breath but his gaze was steady at least. “Cadence is innocent.”

“Cadence? Is that her name?” The ringleader snickered. “You keep interesting company, don’t you? After all that I’ve taught you, you’re hanging out with people like that.” He glared in Cadence’s direction, looking like he wanted to spit on her. If he did, Cadence knew a spell to remove all the moisture from his body until he dried up and mummified. “You haven’t changed at all. You’ve always preferred lesser women.”

Jaxon’s face darkened and his father laughed. “What did I say something wrong? Weren’t you quite smitten with…what was her name? Evanga—”

“Don’t you dare say her name.” Jaxon’s face was filled with fury. “You don’t have the right to even think about her.”

He stepped forward, his face a mask of pure fury but Lorelei placed a hand on his shoulder and he was immediately halted. He wouldn’t be escaping that grip. Although the hands were as delicate as the finest of silks, they were stronger and more unyielding than the strongest of metals.

“Don’t mind them, Jax,” she whispered so that the men a few feet away wouldn’t be able to hear. “They’re trying to upset you. When humans are upset they do stupid things. Leave things with Evangeline”—Jaxon flinched—“be for now.”

“I didn’t expect that so much time away made you such a little b***h,” his father sneered, spitting on the sidewalk. “If you took nothing else from what I taught you, you could have at least not been a coward. Hiding behind a woman, no wonder you ran with your tail between you legs—”

Lorelei was suddenly right in front of Jaxon’s father. Cadence hadn’t seen her move at all. One moment, she had been standing there with her hand on his shoulder, and the next she was towering over his father.

Cadence obviously felt wariness watching the Vampire move so fast. Obviously, she couldn’t help but think of how quickly she would have died if Lorelei had wanted to kill her, but she was pleased to watch the man pale and take a step back.

That was the cue. Cadence murmured the word of power, summoning the power of Phobos to intensify the fear of this man the men around him. She could feel their fear climb and climb as they stared at the Vampire.

“W-what are you?” Jaxon’s father barely managed the words. By now, the magic was working so intensely, he could only feel petrified.

Lorelei grinned and the men all flinched. They all scattered, running back the way they came from.

“She’s a f*****g Vampire.”

Shit, s**t, shit.”

Jaxon’s father was the only one who hadn’t moved, locked in Lorelei’s gaze.

“Vampires don’t exist,” he whispered. His lips were white and all the blood had drained from his face.

“Do you want to find out?” Lorelei sounded like she was really enjoying herself. “For instance…” she placed her hand under his chin and lifted his head, exposing his neck. “I could drink from you until you are lifeless. Would that serve to prove whether I am or am not what you think?”

The man stumbled back away from Lorelei, his jaw trembling, his eyes wild with fear. But he somehow still managed to glare.

“Don’t think things are done here.”

No one said anything as they watched him disappear in the direction his posse had gone.

The moment they had disappeared, Lorelei made another phone call and, like she had cast a spell, Glasskeep’s normal predictability returned. The last few patrons of Spellbound came out with Venus on their heels, her spectacularly beautiful face was cold as stone. The Sizzling Griddle was back in full steam, too. Even as far back as she was—where she was far back enough to make out the restaurant but not close enough to see the details of—she could smell Eleanor’s cooking. It permeated the air and traveled the lengthy distance to waft into Cadence’s nose. Her stomach growled.

Lorelei looked over at Cadence, her face creased in amusement. “Forgive me,” the Vampire said silkily. “I’m not around those who need to eat regularly and since you eat more than most, I can hardly keep up with your schedule.”

Cadence glared at Lorelei whose amusement only seemed to grow at the obvious resentment on her face. Cadence thought again about wrapping her hands around Lorelei’s throat. It was a wonder she was able to resist.

“I can wait a little longer,” she snapped, sniffing indignantly.

“If you insist.”

The Eye of the Owl had not yet dissipated, so Cadence could still see a good ways ahead. In the darkness, she could make out three familiar shapes lit by streetlights coming from the church.

Cadence turned to Lorelei as Jaxon, who muttered something about checking on his grandmother, went in the direction of the church where he would bump into the very woman he was looking for.

“Tomorrow is Samhain.” Cadence could hear the dismay in her own voice. If she could hear her dismay, she knew Lorelei, whose senses were unnaturally sharp, could hear that trepidation.

“So, it is.” She looked at Cadence. The moon tonight was almost a full one and its light gleamed almost valiantly on the Vampire. Her skin really seemed like it was made of moonlight when she stood underneath it. Cadence had noticed it last night, too, but she was really taking it in tonight.

“Isn’t Samhain a sacred holiday to Witches?” Lorelei mused. “Like Christmas for mortals or the Spring Equinox for faeries?”

“I’ll be busy celebrating,” Cadence admitted. “But that’s not what I wanted to ask you about.” She looked over and noticed Jaxon, Ruth, Chau, and Reverend Whitlock were closing in on them. Even though it went against every bone in her body to do so, Cadence moved closer to Lorelei. “Hansel and Gretel will realize I’m in Glasskeep tomorrow. After yesterday, they’ve probably already narrowed down the fact that I’m in Texas. When they come—”

“I gave you my protection and I won’t take back my word. This, I guarantee you.”

The sureness in her voice eased Cadence’s worries. She let out a breath as the others walked up to them.

“They’ll be gone for a while,” Ruth said as soon as she was close. “They’re not gone forever, but they’re gone long enough for us to plan a counter-attack.” She reached out, her kind face gentle as she placed a hand on Cadence and Lorelei each. “Thank you both. I don’t know what would have happened if the two of you hadn’t been here.”

“You don’t have to thank—”

The sound of screeching tires interrupted Cadence. A car rushed by, its driving was fast enough for them to have been stopped for a ticket on the freeway. The six of them watched as it disappeared into one of the residential neighborhoods.

“Who was that?” Chau asked, gaping after the car. The sound of its screeching tires could still be heard.

Ruth looked at Lorelei, her face somber. “I have a bad feeling about this,” she breathed.

And even though Cadence was not one who could peer into the future’s abyss, she had to admit she agreed with Ruth. She, too, had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.