Always the Vampire

Back in the living area, I found Cosmil alone in the room, standing at the far end of the boat-sized stainless countertop he’d littered with books and bottles and bells. No broomstick in sight, but a massive staff leaned against the fridge, and he tapped a crystal-tipped wand against his cheek.

“Where are Pandora and the guys? I thought our amulet training was next on the agenda.”

“Working with the amulet is on your agenda, not theirs. The others are outside awaiting my instructions. Come,” he said with a beckoning wave. “See what I have for you.”

I followed the sweep of his arm to the coffee table. The amulets weren’t there, but six silver necklaces in white gift boxes were arranged in a neat row. The silver pendant on each chain featured a mermaid poised atop a treasure chest.

Just like the ones Triton carried in his shop. Just like the one he’d given me as a talisman last month so Pandora could keep track of me, except mine had been pewter. And the chain hadn’t been silver, because silver and vampires generally don’t mix. Just being too near too much of the metal used to make my nose itch and the back of my throat raw.

Then I’d drained a crazed vampire into submission and absorbed one of his gifts in the process. An immunity to silver. Or perhaps I should say a tolerance for it. I didn’t have allergy symptoms now and could wear the metal for hours at a stretch without being burned or having my energy depleted. Wearing silver near the beach in the salty sea air extended my tolerance time even more. I’d learned that when I’d gone on a four-hour jaunt to the Lowe’s in Palatka wearing silver earrings and come home with red bumps on my lobes. The St. Johns River just didn’t have enough salt content to allay the allergic reaction.

“Triton donated these for you to give the bachelorette party women,” Cosmil explained as I approach to inspect the pieces.

I shook my head. “Maggie’s already bought other gifts. Besides, there are nine of us counting Maggie and me.”

“Yes, well, Saber and Triton are each using one for the moment, and I believe you will find a slight problem with the delivery when you go to retrieve the ordered gifts tomorrow. Not to worry,” he continued, his hand upraised to stop the tirade I had opened my mouth to launch. “The proper items will arrive next week. Meantime, these will aid you in keeping the women safe for the weekend.”

I gave him the laser look I’d learned from my mother. “They better not give off shocks like my pewter one did.”

“No, no. Nor will they buzz, light, or otherwise cause an annoyance. They will instead attune to each wearer and transmit a warning to you should anyone be in natural or supernatural danger.”

“So I’ll have the receiver?”

“Yes.”

“And it won’t zap me, either?”

“Not if I have made the proper adjustments.”

“You’ve already powered these things up?”

“Oh, yes.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “We had an exceptional circle ceremony, you know.”

“One we will never have again,” I said as I held his blue gray gaze. “I was buried more than two hundred years, Cosmil. I will not repeat that experience.”

The humor faded under a somber, somehow regretful look. He took a breath, as if to speak, then pulled what had to be the ninth necklace from his wizard cloak.

“Here,” he said, unfastening the claw latch. “Try your pendant.”

I lifted the hair from my neck and tensed for a shock, but the chain settled cool and comfy around my neck. The silver pendant was much lighter than the pewter one, too, so I had no fear of conking myself in the nose when I leaned over.

“How is it?” Cosmil asked.

“No jolt, no burn.”

“Good. Now for the test runs.”

He crossed to the front door and flipped off the light switch. I blinked once so my vampire sight would adjust, and two distinct tones emanated from the pendant, vibrating against my chest and ringing in my ears. A vision swiftly followed, a picture of Pandora in a tree, haunches bunched to pounce with deadly intent. Saber and Triton stood in her line of attack, seemingly oblivious.

I yelped just as Pandora leaped and sailed far past the guys.

“Describe what you heard and saw, Francesca?”

I did and he nodded. “Excellent. We will conduct the second trial.”

He flipped the lights back on, and I squinted against the brightness as another vision hit. This time, the same two tones resonated through me, and I saw a flash of Saber with Triton in a chokehold. Triton was hamming up the act. I chuckled.

“You know Saber’s not quite human,” I told Cosmil. “Is his fake assault a fair test?”

“A mugging is a natural sort of crime.”

“So are animal attacks like Pandora simulated.”

“Not quite, my dear. Pandora used magick to make Triton and Saber blind and deaf to her.”

“You’re kidding. She can do that?”

Of course, I can. I heard Pandora in my head before something swatted the side of my gown.

I strangled out, “Aaarrgghh,” as I spun to see panther-sized Pandora parked at my feet.

She gave me that superior expression that only felines can flaunt.