Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four (2 page)

Nikki



Mom’s
bogus funeral was held on Friday afternoon at Our Savior’s, a small Baptist church on the outskirts of the town. Nathan and I drove together, while Duncan snuck over to Victor’s cabin in search of some kind of evidence that would prove she was still alive. Although we’d been staking out his place the last few nights, it was clear that Victor had moved her to a remote location.

“They must be having
the service outside,” remarked Nathan as we pulled up in his Mustang. Surprisingly, Victor had released it to him the week before, explaining that our mother would have wanted it that way. We both agreed that he was only trying to placate us and get us out of his hair while he continued his schemes.

I
noticed a small group of people huddled behind the church, near the gravestones in the back cemetery, and smiled wryly. “Makes sense. Victor would probably fry if he walked into a holy place.”

“Sorry,
” replied Nathan, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers nervously, “but, I think it’s vampires that can’t step into church or onto any type of sacred ground.”

I
snorted. “Seriously? That’s just based on movies and you know it. I believe that we already proved that I’m not afraid of crosses.” I looked up toward the sky. “Nor the sun. Well, not very much, at least,” I added, pulling my shades closer to my face.

He shrugged.
“Hey, I’m just saying that you might want to be a little extra cautious.  Take your time walking into the church. Maybe test it out. You know, in case you start to melt or something.”

“Nathan, I believe
you’re thinking of the witch from the
Wizard of Oz
. Anyway, just because my DNA has been altered, doesn’t mean that I’m an enemy of the church. Heck, I pray, just about every night that mom is alive and well.”

His lips twisted into a sardonic grin.
“You’d better change your prayer, now that she’s a vampire and already
dead
.”

I rolled my eyes.
“We’re not dead. We just have different eating requirements and,” I sneered, “can kick your mortal ass faster than you can fart.”

“Don’t think
just because you can kick
my
ass, you have the upper hand,” he sneered back. “I now have an arsenal of wooden stakes and hammers.” He reached under the seat and pulled out a Forty-Four Magnum. “Plus, I have this bad boy.”

I gasped. Nathan’s only experience with guns included a BB and a Twenty-Two. This was an entirely new ballgame.
“Jesus. Isn’t that a little overkill?”

He quickly
shoved it back under the seat. “Relax. Duncan gave it to me. Along with a shitload of silver bullets.”

“
Silver bullets? Where did he find those?”

“Sonny had a couple of boxes, I guess.”

I rubbed my forehead and sighed. “I guess you should have some kind of protection, especially against those monsters. Duncan and I can’t be around you twenty-four-seven.”

His face darkened. “And you shouldn’t have to be. If
I were actually one of you, there wouldn’t be a problem.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “
You seriously do
not
want this.”

He grunted.
“Says the girl who can fly anywhere in the world without a plane ticket. Look, you have no idea what it’s like knowing that my sister can throw me across the room like a Frisbee. It’s humiliating.”

“
To me it’s a curse, not a gift.”

“It’s only a curse if you don’t want it. Maybe, I do
.”

“
Nathan, you do realize that if you were one of us, you couldn’t eat the way that you do now. I mean, that’s like one of your favorite pastimes.”

He frowned
. “Well, yeah. I know.”

“N
o more burgers or ice cream. And forget about your late-night pizza orders. There is no delivery service for what we have to consume.”

“
So, I’d have to give up food. I’d learn to deal with it.”

“
And you could really deal with a diet of blood to survive? I mean, you can barely look at the supply in the refrigerator without getting sick to your stomach.”

He raised his hand in protest
. “Okay, yeah, the blood thing is pretty messed up.”

“
Damn right it is. I’m telling you, I’d rather go back to being normal than having these so-called gifts that you’re obsessing over. And so would Duncan.”

His eyes narrowed. “Speaking of blood, you’re looking kind of pale
. When was the last time
you
fed?”

“Why, you scared?” I teased.

“Ha… ha… Seriously, though. When was the last time you fed?”

I shrugged.
“I don’t know. Three days? Maybe four?”

“You need t
o keep up on that,” he replied sternly. “Not only does it make you weaker, but I don’t need to have to watch my back.”

“You don’t trust me?”
I asked, my feelings hurt. “You know I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“
I trust you. I just don’t trust your appetite. Celeste had told me that if you go without it for too long, it can make you delirious. Soon, the hunger begins to control you and nobody is safe.”

“Celeste is a special kind of lunatic,” I replied dryly. “She isn’t normal. Even for a Roamer.”

“So, you’re saying that you’re feeling fine, even though it’s been a few days since you’ve fed?”

“I’m fine,” I lied
, not wanting to worry him. “I’m not even thinking about blood right now.” Admittedly, my stomach had begun to clench hungrily as soon as he’d brought up blood. But, he was my brother. I’d hurt myself before I ever hurt him.

His eyes narrowed.
“You certainly don’t look fine.”

I
pulled the visor down and stared at my porcelain reflection. I was definitely due for a fix. “I guess that I should have put a little makeup on,” I said, shutting the visor. “Well, at least it’s almost winter. Everyone is pale.”

“Good thing this isn’t short
s weather,” he replied. “I’d hate to see your pasty legs.”

“You and me both,” I replied. 

Today, I wore long, black slacks, a black turtleneck sweater, and a long, black leather jacket. Nathan had said I looked like a character from the movie
The Matrix
, with my hair pulled back and the glasses.

“Just keep your sunglasses
on. Nobody will notice. They’ll think you’re just pale from being miserable. Hey.” He sat up straighter. “It looks like Victor is getting a ride from that piece of shit, Drake.”

I watched
in my side-view mirror, as a black Cadillac Seville pulled up on the other side of the parking lot. Both doors opened and the two men, both wearing expensively tailored black suits, got out and began walking toward the cemetery. Victor, who was clutching a copper-colored urn, nodded and smiled grimly at us they passed.

“
Yeah, like that’s proof that mom’s actually dead,” said Nathan, shaking his head in disgust. “So much for the casket. He must think we’re really stupid.” 

“I told you this thing was
bullshit,” I said, opening the door. 

Quiet
ly, we followed them to the group of people huddled at the edge of the graveyard. Victor and Drake barely acknowledged us.

‘I’m so sorry
for your loss,” said an older woman, looking past Victor at me and Nathan. She had ebony skin and her dark eyes were soft. She smiled sympathetically. “I never met your mama, but I’m sure she was a wonderful woman. I’m Maddie, by the way.”

“
Thank you. She
was
a wonderful woman,” I replied. “And, I’m Nikki. This is my brother, Nathan.”

“Nice to meet you both,” answered
Maddie.

Nathan nodded solemnly. “Nice meeting you too, ma’am.”

There were two other women who offered their condolences, greeting us warmly. All of them were strangers, but I could tell that they really wanted to show compassion and support. It made me appreciate the town even more.

“Pastor Sherman,”
said Victor, his voice grave. “Thank you for rearranging your schedule at such a short notice. I appreciate you doing the eulogy for Anne.”

The pastor, an older, dark-skinned man with kind
, brown eyes and shortly-cropped gray hair, put a hand on Victor’s shoulder. “It’s my pleasure. I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

Victor, the clever actor that he
thought
he was, nodded his head and looked away, as if having a difficult time. “Yes, thank you. It has been a very trying time for our family.”

“Just remember that your wife is in a b
etter place now,” he answered, releasing his hand. “A place she will no longer feel any pain or suffering.”

Victor nodded.

“I see you brought the urn,” stated the pastor.

Even though I was sure that the urn didn’t contain mom’s ashes, something to
ld me that it was
someone’s
.

I glanced at Drake, who was now watching me through his sunglasses, and wondered if the ashes were actually Ethan’s. Part of me still hated him and yet
, another part grieved for the bastard.

It was frustrating.

Feeling like a fool, I clenched my jaw and told myself that Ethan deserved whatever Drake had dished out to him. That if he was dead, it was well deserved. As if reading my mind, Drake smiled at me.

I looked away.

“Yes. I picked it up from the mortuary on the way out here. It’s hard to believe that this is all I have left of Anne,” said Victor, looking grief-stricken.

I had to bite my tongue to keep
from saying something hateful, as did Nathan, who also looked infuriated.

“On the contrary,” replied Pastor Sherman. “You have your memories, your children, and nothing will take that away.”

“You’re right,” said Victor. “Still, it’s hard.”

“
It is. Just remember, that I do make house calls, so if you ever need to talk…”