RECAP: Ex-assassin Noel heads to the restroom to deal with a threat to his friends. On the way, he passes a threatening blond man who sets his nerves on edge. Before this, a rude man verbally assaults Samantha. But she’s not any human. She’s a mage queen from another world coming back to Seattle for a visit. She has a vision that the rude man will get the justice he deserves soon enough. Darius, her husband, has seen the man tear into his wife. He heads to the restroom to deal with the man.
[Rolf, from Between the Shadows series. This scene occurs just after book 2 ends, when Duncan has found his mate. Rolf’s story is coming soon in BETWEEN BLOODE AND GODS]
Rolf, a member of the Night Bloode, the most powerful clan of vampires in the world, passed the human who moved like a predator. He stopped, intrigued enough to conceal himself, keeping him invisible to others.
He gave the man a few beats before joining him and his human challenger in the men’s restroom. Fortunately, it had room to allow space for the sudden fight that broke out…
Silent, sharp, and fast. Even better, the men didn’t use guns. They used their fists and knives that appeared as if out of nowhere. Not like a regular fight. These men knew violence and reveled in it. Appreciating the show, Rolf stood away, by the hand dryers on the wall, and watched.
Of the two men engaged, the giant would seem the likely bet to win. He had height and more muscle. Yet the slightly shorter, whip-lean man had speed and a cold viciousness Rolf appreciated.
“What do you want?” the faster man asked.
“Well, Ice, I want revenge,” the large one answered. “Romero Burleigh ring a bell?”
Ice cocked his head. “That dickhead human trafficker Shadow took out? That’s what this is about?”
“Yeah. He was a friend of mine.”
“You’re a little late. That happened a while ago.”
“Time means nothing to me.” He made a wild stab that Ice easily deflected. “I don’t give a shit about Burleigh. But Shadow cost me a lot of money. He’s going to pay. First, with you, his business partner, then with his wife. His kid. Everyone he cares about. Gone.”
Ice sighed, his contempt clear. Rolf was really starting to like the guy. “Great. Got a name I can put on your gravestone?”
“Fuck you, you—”
Ice stabbed so quickly Rolf almost missed it. A quick jab to the man’s throat, followed by a fast follow up with a blow to his temple.
The large man fell. Hard. He didn’t move, dead in a flash. Ice hurried to remove the man’s jacket and use it to stem the tide of blood pouring from the slice to his jugular.
Normally, Rolf would indulge in a few sips of the fresh stuff. But he really wanted to get back to the movie. Plus, when possible, he preferred magir or fae blood to human. Magir, those with magic in this mundane plane, had a certain spice he favored. The spice of magic. Humans were just…so-so.
Ice looked up and around him, his eyes narrowing on Rolf by the wall. Interesting intuition in one so mundane. Rolf thought about biting into him. Then he heard something demonic.
Shit. Had the movie started already?
Ice kept frowning at Rolf’s invisible presence even as he called for a cleanup crew on his phone. He hung up, checked the dead man’s pockets, and stole the man’s ID. To Rolf, he said, “I don’t know who you are, but this isn’t your mess. I was never here.” Ice stood, paused, as if waiting for a response, then sighed. “I’m losing it, talking to myself. Way to go, Noel. Time for the old assassin’s home.” He wiped his blade on the dead man’s jeans then tucked the weapon away and slipped out of the restroom as quietly as he’d entered.
Rolf watched for a moment before moving to the door. It opened, and a man paused in front of him. Rolf frowned. He’d seen this man in the city before and remembered, because this was no ordinary human or magir. He was something else.
“Don’t even think about it, vampire.”
Rolf blinked in surprise and removed the spell camouflaging him. “Mage?”
“Close enough.” The large man with dark eyes that didn’t look quite right stared past him. “Yours?”
Rolf huffed. “Please. As if I’d be so sloppy.”
The man looked over his shoulder. “Ah, the human’s.”
“Yes. It was a decent fight. But no contest, really.”
“Hmm.” The mage looked down at the body, and his eyes glowed behind what Rolf assumed to be contacts. “This asshole insulted my wife.”
“Well then. I leave you to it.” Rolf slid past him, curious but not curious enough to miss any of Slice and Dice III.
He heard flames and assumed the mage had disposed of the body. All good for the one called Ice.
Rolf slipped into the theater, looked around, and spotted an area to the side devoid of spectators, also giving him clear view of the theater. The preview for a horror movie finished, and the lights dimmed even more.
He noted Ice at the top of the stadium next to an attractive woman. A few other couples dotted the audience, but… Ah, there. The mage returned and sat next to a beauty with eyes only for him. The mage met his gaze but did nothing more than nod.
Rolf sat by himself, so excited to watch this third installment in the franchise. From what he’d heard, Krampus would make a cameo. An old friend of his, Big K had a fascination with mortals that had him constantly interacting with humanity to leave bits of himself behind.
After a glance around, and seeing no one pay him any attention, Rolf pulled a bag of sprite fruits from his pocket. They looked a little like Jujyfruits, yet these had been wrapped with filmy wings, the texture of rice paper, and didn’t stick in his teeth. And the fruits were made from the blood of actual sprites and candied with fae sugar, the treats highly sought after.
He munched and watched as the terrible special effects only added to his enjoyment. Then Krampus appeared, and Rolf had to hand it to him. Horrible acting, but the look of his reaper blade, shiny horns, scaly gray skin, and fiery beard totally added to the film’s schlocky aesthetic.
Along with the audience, Rolf oohed and aahed at the right times, having an absolute blast.
Then, to his surprise, Big K stepped through the movie screen onto the stage.
“Holy shit!” one the large humans bellowed. “Sadie, this movie is wicked!”
“No kidding,” Sadie said. “A live action piece? Awesome.”
Another human said, “How are they doing this? We aren’t wearing 3D glasses! This is epic.”
Rolf wanted to like it, but Krampus kept motioning for him to join him on the stage.
He shook his head. “I’m watching,” he murmured, knowing the guy would hear.
“I need a bit of help,” Krampus growled, his fangs showing. He looked like a big gray Santa, but full of muscle, not fat, with large orc-fangs and fiery fur instead of hair. His red suit was more blood-red than candy cane-red, his jacket open to show off his abs. Vain as hell, as everyone knew. And of course, that pointed, black tail that whipped back and forth, seeking prey, only added to his other-worldliness.
“I’m busy,” Rolf said louder. He noted the mage glaring at him and flipped the guy off.
“Darius, no,” the mage’s wife warned. “Do not. I mean it.”
“Samantha, he’s a…” He leaned closer to whisper.
“I don’t care if he’s Dracula himself. Do not move from this seat.”
Darius glared but didn’t move.
Rolf sighed when Krampus left the stage and stood in front of him, waiting.
“Fine. What?”
Krampus pointed behind him at the movie.
“Seriously?”
Krampus lifted him by his shirt from his seat and took his spot. Then the bastard’s tail swiped the baggie of treats out of his hand faster than a light elf on swiffy dust. He popped a few and smiled wide. “Sprite fruits? Way to treat yourself, Rolf.”
Grumbling under his breath, Rolf rushed up onto the stage and into the movie screen, not surprised when it transported him into more than the movie itself, but into an alternate plane.
“Okay, Slice and Dice,” he said, throwing himself into the role. He looked out at the audience watching in awe. Saw a few of them pointing at him and his empty seat, since Krampus had disappeared. Many of them in awe of this facet to the movie that shouldn’t exist. “I’m ready for you.”
A demon neared, horned with cloven-feet. “A warning, immortal one.”
“I’m ready. Preach, bro.”
The demon scowled and, in a whisper, said, “Dude, we’re in a movie. Pretend a little better, eh?”
Rolf cleared his throat. “Thusly, I am ready for your warning, oh dark one.”
The demon grunted. “Better. The Darkness that Comes is what could be, Son of Dawn and Dusk. Pick your side, because the End cometh. And it cometh for thee.”
“Cometh? Really?” Rolf shook his head, disappointed in the dialogue.
“Oh, fuck you, draugr.” The demon attacked, and Rolf danced around, trying to make the fight last. But like most in the hell realm, this demon was nothing compared to a mighty vampire, especially to one from the draugr tribe.
Rolf killed the sucker then cast a few runes to take himself out of the movie and put himself back in the mortal realm. Once there, he cast another spell, this one stealing the previous memories of him entering the film. He saw the magic settle over everyone but the mage and his wife.
The movie continued. Sadly, Krampus, that dick, had eaten all of Rolf’s sugar sprites. So he had to sit, snackless, through a lot of bad death scenes and supposedly terrified humans running for their lives. Still, he had to admit he’d been entertained.
The movie ended to applause. The lights came back up, and as everyone filtered out of the theater, the mage and his companion paused by Rolf.
“This Darkness. It comes for our world as well.” The mage, Darius, nodded.
“What’s life without a thrill?” Rolf smiled, showing off his fangs.
Samantha didn’t falter. “Be careful, Rolf.” She frowned, seeing him with eyes that saw something else. The air of prophecy hung around her. “What Could Be will be your downfall if you’re not careful.”
“Please tell me chaos will come. I’m dying to play.”
She blinked. “Ah, well, it will.”
“Outstanding.” He smiled. “A happy holiday to you both. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa. Happy Solstice.” He paused in thought, ending with, “And may great ice storms freeze your blood and preserve it for an eternity.”
“Er, well, thanks. And to you.” Samantha smiled.
She was pretty. Apparently, her mage noticed him noticing, because the air around Rolf started to grow warm.
“Okay. Time to go. Darius, come on.” She jerked the guy with her.
“Watch your back, vampire.” Darius sneered, and a jolt of fire singed past Rolf’s cheek, a jolt that would have set his face on fire had he not dodged in time.
Rolf laughed. What a delightful fellow!
“Darius.” The woman sounded scandalized. “Merry Christmas, Rolf!”
He waited until the theater had emptied before he left, wondering if he should have worked harder on the human ducking behind her seat. Did he care if she retained what she’d heard? A human? Nah.
A little holiday mystery never hurt anyone. He left, exiting to the late winter sunlight, feeling the beams over his face as he cast a spell to blend in with the crowd. Time to get home before anyone noticed he’d gone. Then again, his kin were likely asleep. As they should be during the day. No need to let any of them know he could venture out when he put his mind to it.
They might ask questions he didn’t want to answer. Not yet.
Amused, he hummed Christmas tunes all the way back to Mercer Island, the place he called home.
*
Avery sat up in the stadium seat, clutching her favorite pen that had fallen to the floor. What the heck had that conversation been all about? Vampires? Darkness?
Had she really seen a blast of fire go from one hunky guy to another? Peeking through the gap between the seats had shown her a little movie of her own.
And another thing. Had Krampus really come out of the movie like some 3D effect? That part remained blurry. The fire wizard and a supposed vampire, those she’d clearly seen.
She stood and looked around, all alone. The moment the movie had ended, Brad had hustled out to use the restroom and told her to meet him in the hall.
Man. Talk about dedication to the film. She couldn’t give enough stars to Slice and Dice III. They took their fiction to all new levels of fun. She had no idea why they’d waited so long to show off that last part, but maybe because they wanted people to wait and watch the credits afterward?
In any case, she’d be sure to write something magical about the film in her next piece for Searching the Needle Weekly. What a terrific addition to her very merry upcoming Christmas!
The next day’s copy read:
“Darkness Comes for Slice and Dice Fans! Vampires and mages, beware the chaos. Krampus is coming. Make your peace and have a happy holiday!”
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all! Enjoy your holidays with loved ones, by yourselves, and definitely with a good book.