Page 12 of The Baritone's Rival

The impact of the bullet and the boom of the weapon were near-simultaneous. There was a quick pinch in Oscar’s chest as the projectile broke his skin, followed by a shot of severe pain. But Oscar didn’t let that stop him.

The mugger didn’t know he was dealing with a supernatural death machine with preternatural speed. His hand was around the man’s throat before he could pull the trigger a second time.

“This could have gone so much better for you, darling.” The man tried to speak, but Oscar’s hand was like a vise around his windpipe. “Once you try to kill me, all bets are off.”

“What the fuckareyou?” the man managed to squeak out. Before he could say more, Oscar snapped his neck. The sick crack of the bones breaking echoed on the empty street. Oscar lifted the now-dead body by the throat and threw the corpse to Justin, who caught it awkwardly in both arms.

“We’ll bring him back and drain him.”

“Please don’t kill me. Please…” The woman’s voice trembled with terror.

“You’re in no danger, dear.” Oscar raised two fingers, locking eyes with the woman. “And thatisa beautiful necklace. Your grandmother must have been very fashionable.”

She nodded mutely. Oscar found his core, that spark in his chest that was his demon waiting to burst forth, and stoked the fire a little.“Nothing strange happened tonight. You had a calming walk in the moonlight.”

“I…” The woman looked around, confused. Oscar lowered his hand. “Sorry, were we speaking? I got mixed up all of a sudden.”

“No, no, I was just complimenting your necklace.” Oscar smiled casually. “Have a lovely night.”

“Oh, you too.” She glanced at her watch. “Ten thirty! My husband will be worried. Have a good night.” She strode off past them, not registering at all the now lifeless body that Justin cradled in his arms.

“How did you do that?” Justin asked in a fierce whisper. “You’re not that old! Only ancient vampires can Compel like that.”

“I don’t know about ancient. But yes, you usually have to be a hundred or more to have the aptitude.” Oscar shrugged. “I’ve always had a gift for the mental powers. It developed after about ten years.”

“But we were friends…” Justin’s brows drew together in confusion. “I don’t ever remember you being able to do that.”

“My ex wanted me to keep it a secret.”

Justin stared at Oscar, shaking his head. Oscar felt strangely self-conscious, and he wasn’t sure why. It was a useful skill, and rare enough, but Justin was looking at him like he was a freak.

“Come on,” Oscar said, shoving his feelings aside. “We need to get him back before the blood gets too cold.”

It was only a few blocks to the covenhouse, and they moved swiftly through the streets, unseen by humans, the warm city air massaging their faces as they passed. Once they reached home, they lugged the body into the kitchen. The room was more of a blood bank than anything, since the vampires that lived there didn’t have to eat solid food. Oscar had a few sweet treats hidden away in a cupboard, but he didn’t need them for sustenance.

Justin plopped the body down on the kitchen island while Oscar grabbed a needle and some empty bags from the supply under the sink. The first few times he’d done this were uncomfortable. When he fed from a live human, there was a sensualrightnessto it, his body and his inner demon in sync in their hunger. Draining someone like this, though, was more clinical. Without the cloud of blood lust, there was no ignoring the facts of what you were doing.

“Insert it into his arm,” Oscar said, tossing a syringe and a bag to Justin. Justin looked up at him with uncertain eyes.

“I don’t know if I…”

“If you’re to dwell here with us, you’ll need to get used to it. Much of our blood is sourced from medical supply, but a portion comes from defensive kills. It would be criminal to waste it. You never know when our contacts at the blood bank will dry up.” Oscar gestured to the guy’s neck. “Go for the carotid.”

Justin squeamishly massaged the cadaver’s throat as he searched for the artery. When he located it, his eyes went to Oscar as if he might grant a reprieve. No such luck. Justin punctured the skin with the needle, pushing it through with his shaking hands. Immediately, the bag began to fill.

They stood as the blood flowed slowly into the container. Justin’s discomfort was palpable, and Oscar was confused. The man was a vampire. He’d been part of the Azarian Coven. There had been no concern with morality there. Justin had drunk from his share of unwilling victims.

“No need to stare.”

Justin startled at Oscar’s voice. Oscar shook his head. How was the kid so squeamish?

“What’s wrong?” Oscar asked. “You’ve seen plenty of blood in your lifetime. Especially hanging out with that asshole, Rick.” Oscar tucked in the extra medical supplies back under the sink, trying to sound casual as he pushed a little. “How did you end up withhim,anyway?”

Justin tore his eyes from the body. His hands were clasped together tightly. “I don’t…I don’t really want to talk about it.”

“Suit yourself.” Oscar shifted his weight from foot to foot as he decided if he should pry further.

Fuck it. “It’s just that you used to be so fun. Occasionally annoying in your relentlessness, but fun. What happened to the little ball of sunshine?”

---