Vampire (14 page)

“What do you think you're—”

“Get
off
me!” Darcy was furious, but the more she struggled, the tighter he held her. “What kind of an uncle are you anyway? Beating up on your own niece—”

“Quit calling me your uncle!” Jake slammed her arms down hard and glared at her. “I'm
not
your uncle! We're not even
related!
”

His face was just inches from hers. As Darcy gazed at him open-mouthed, the sparks in his green eyes began to fade.

“I'm adopted. And I bet your mom and dear Aunt Alicia never told you
that
, did they? Hell, no—it would have offended their sense of—of
propriety
—and—and—good
breeding!
As if that wasn't bad enough already, I lived with their
father
—who they
hated
because he was a plain, decent man who couldn't have cared less about
money!
”

Darcy felt his heart hammering against hers. Without warning he rolled off and released her.

“Forget it,” he grumbled. “Get up.”

They started back without a word, Jake avoiding Darcy's confused eyes. As they slowly approached the street, Kyle ran up to them, out of breath.

“Where were you?” His hands went nervously through his hair. “We looked everywhere—”

“Yeah, so what's up?” Jake cut him off.

Kyle didn't seem to notice their disheveled appearances as he glanced anxiously toward the market. “I can't believe it—This is awful—they found somebody—”

For the first time now Darcy began to notice the commotion, people running, gathering at one end of the stands. She could hear muffled screams and faraway shouting. In the distance a police siren wailed.

“What is it?” She could feel the fear in the air, and she heard Kyle's answer even before he spoke—

“A girl,” he said, and he sounded numb and sad and horrified all at once. “The Vampire—her—her throat—”

And as Darcy stared down at her foot, she could almost feel the wet hand leaving its Woodprint on her ankle.

16

W
hy are you two acting so surprised?” Darcy looked from Brandon to Kyle and then back again. Jake had gone on to the Club, and now they were almost to the apartment, yet neither of the boys had hardly said a word. “Why is it so hard for you to believe?” She saw a look pass between them, and her voice grew more insistent. “I'm
not
imagining this!”

“We didn't say that,” Brandon said quickly.

“You're
thinking
it—”

“I didn't think it.” Kyle shook his head adamantly. “Brandon didn't think it, and I didn't think it.”

“Okay.” Brandon draped an arm across Darcy's shoulders as they stopped in front of the Dungeon. “We'll just ask him.”

“Great idea!” Kyle brightened.

“You'll just ask him.” Darcy folded her arms across her chest and gave the two of them a scathing look. “And of course he'll just
admit
that he's been following me.” Again the look passed between them. “I have to
work
with this guy, remember?
Alone!
”

“Well …” Brandon shrugged and glanced at Kyle. “I mean, what do you want us to say? Elliott's an okay guy—”

“Oh, right. He had blood all over his hand, and then some poor girl was found with her throat cut open.” She gave an exasperated groan. “Why won't you listen to me?”

“We're listening.” Kyle nodded.

“Yeah, but I can't believe what we're hearing.” Brandon studied Darcy's stubborn face. “You're serious, aren't you? About that hand … and what happened to that girl at the market. What kind of an accusation is
that?
How do you even know it was Elliott's hand?”

Darcy didn't hesitate. “I saw his sunglasses on the ground. He must have dropped them.”

“Oh, well, that proves it, then!” Brandon threw up his hands in mock defeat. “Come on, Darcy, Elliott wouldn't hurt a fly. He might be a little strange, but—”

“A
little
strange?”

“But he's …” Kyle stammered, searching for words. “You know, kind to kids and animals and—”

“What's wrong with you two?” Darcy narrowed her eyes. “You act like you're hiding something.” And for the third time a secretive sort of look passed between the boys.

Darcy made breakfast, but all the fun had gone out of the occasion. She felt strangely removed from Brandon and Kyle's conversation, her mind going relentlessly over all the strange events that had taken place in the past few days. She dreaded being with Elliott at work today, but when she finally went downstairs to open up, he was already letting customers in. She welcomed the steady stream of visitors—it gave her an excuse to avoid him. When closing time came, he escaped while she chatted with a customer, and she was glad to get upstairs and change for the concert.

She hadn't been able to stop thinking about Jake all day.

As Darcy wandered restlessly through the apartment, her thoughts kept going back to the Farmer's Market and what had happened there that morning.
How did Jake know where I was—why was he so nervous?
Again she heard the desperate voice in his bedroom—“
I can't stand this anymore.…
”

“What is it, Jake?” she whispered now. “What's making me feel so afraid?” She remembered the confession he'd made at the market, and the expression on his face as he'd looked down at her, and a whole range of confused emotions went through her. “
I'm not your uncle … we're not even related
.”

She realized she was standing in his room, staring at his closet. The door was half open, dirty clothes spilling out onto the floor. She opened it and stared down at the pile.
You threw something in here last night … what was it?

She reached down and picked up a towel, wondering how it could have gotten so muddy, all those dark stains … mostly dried now and stiff to the touch.… Only now she could see they weren't really brown at all, but more of a reddish color, like old rust, and not a muddy smell, but another, stranger kind of odor.…

“Get out of there, Darcy,” Jake said, and she whirled around, flinging the towel guiltily onto the floor.

“You … you scared me.” She fought for composure. “I didn't hear you come home.…”

Jake walked slowly over to where she was standing. He reached past her and closed the closet door.

“What were you looking for?” he asked, and his voice was smooth and very, very calm.

She realized he hadn't seen what she'd been holding, and she blurted out the first thing she could think of.

“I thought you might have an umbrella I could use—it looks rainy again, and there's that concert tonight. Are you going?”

“No.” He stood there, eyes going to the ceiling … down the wall … across the floor. For a moment he looked as if he was going to say something, then seemed to change his mind. He started out the door … stopped … looked back at her. Darcy moved past him into the living room.

“Don't ever go in my room again,” Jake said.

“No.” Darcy shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I won't. I'm sorry.”

She didn't realize how badly she was shaking until Jake was gone again. Nausea rushed over her, and she sagged against the wall.
Blood … the towel all soaked and stained, oh, God
.… She forced a deep breath into her lungs and tried to think logically.
It could be anything, really, lots of things could stain that color, but what did you do to your hand, Jake, and “I didn't expect it … the struggle.…
”

She thought of the body she'd found in the alley … and the body discovered just hours ago in the market.

“What did they see before they died?” Darcy whispered. “
Who
did they see?”

“Darcy?”

She jumped back, swallowing a scream. “God, Kyle, I didn't hear you come in.”

“Sorry. I knocked, but nobody answered.” He motioned toward the stairs. “You ready? I came by the park on my way, and the band's already warming up.”

“Great. Let's get out of here.”

It felt good to be out in the fresh air where she could breathe … where she could think. On the back of Kyle's motorcycle she closed her eyes and tilted her face into the wind, loving the sting of it against her cheeks, something natural and real. And then, as Kyle rolled to a stop in the parking lot, she suddenly buried her face against his back.

“Hey.” Kyle twisted around, concerned. “What's wrong?”

She forced a smile, shaking her head. For a minute she didn't trust herself to speak.

“Darcy?”

“It's just …” She bit her lip and forced a laugh. “It's nothing. I'm just feeling … I don't know … empty or something.”

He didn't laugh. His eyes searched hers, and in their depths she recognized real understanding. “Hey,” he said and reached out to give her an awkward pat, “hey, it's … you know … going to be okay.”

Is it, Kyle? I want to believe you … but is something really wrong here, or am I just being paranoid?

“We don't have to do this,” Kyle was saying, his eyes full of worry. “I can take you back, or we can go anywhere you like.”

“No,” Darcy said firmly. “That's sweet, but no. I'm not going to ruin your evening.”

“You're not.” He smiled. “Quit talking like that.”

“I'm being difficult. I do that sometimes.”

“Uh-oh. Then maybe you need a spanking.” Kyle's eyes twinkled as he helped her off. “It's a tempting thought, but Brandon probably wouldn't be too happy about it.”

“Now
you
quit talking like that.” Darcy blushed. “There's nothing going on between Brandon and me, and he's in enough trouble already.”

“Nothing, huh?” Kyle gave her a sly look. “That's not what
I
hear.”

“What do you mean? What do
you
hear?”

“My, my, but we seem awfully curious.” Kyle laughed, walking a little ahead. “But I should warn you, Liz isn't going to give him up without a fight.”

“You're pretty presumptuous.” Darcy looked indignant, but Kyle only chuckled.

“Presumptuous?” he teased. “Just because Brandon woke up on your couch this morning?”

“I told you before, we were just talking and we fell asleep,” Darcy sighed, exasperated. “Anyway, he's probably the kind who attracts girls like crazy.” She tried to sound indifferent, but Kyle stole a knowing glance at her.

“He's the best,” Kyle agreed. “At just about everything.” Then with a wink, “But you're different, aren't you?”

“Different how?”

“From all his others.”

“All his others, huh?”

Kyle gave another grin, then led the way to the outdoor stage. The viewing area was already packed. As they found a spot near the front, Kyle stood a moment, looking around.

“Brandon's supposed to meet us here. If Liz doesn't kill him first.”

Darcy didn't find the subject that amusing. As she sat down on the ground, she noticed Kyle watching her thoughtfully.

“Darcy … I have to tell you something.”

“Then come down here.” She patted the grass beside her and wondered why he suddenly seemed so ill at ease. For a moment he stared off into the distance, then slowly sank down beside her.

“You're not going to like it,” he said quietly.

Her face changed from surprise to suspicion. “Kyle … what's this all about?”

Again he hesitated. His eyes lowered guiltily.

“Kyle—”

“The rat,” he mumbled. And then, as if afraid of losing his nerve, he blurted, “We put it there. In your bed, I mean.” He looked away from her, and Darcy regarded him speechlessly.

“You … did … what?”

“It was just—you know”—he gestured vaguely—“it was …” Finally his eyes met hers. “Not very funny,” he finished lamely.

Darcy stared him down. “No. No, it wasn't very funny.”

“Liz was mad about your getting her job,” he said, talking to the ground, resting his chin on one knee. “Jake told her that night at the Club right as we were leaving. And she was already jealous of you because of your picture.”

“The one Jake got from Aunt Alicia?

He nodded. “When Jake showed it to us, Brandon thought you were really beautiful—only he made the mistake of saying it out loud in front of Liz.”

“So the rat was really her idea.”

Another reluctant nod. “When she told me about it, I didn't want any part of it—”

“So why did you do it?” Darcy nudged him with her foot, but he wouldn't look at her.

“She said she'd tell Jake that Brandon and I smuggled beer into the Club one night—I mean, we didn't even drink it, it was just a dare, but if Jake ever found out, that'd be the end of my job. He wouldn't even let me in the building. He doesn't put up with stuff like that.” He thought a minute and gave a wry smile. “I don't even know why I'm worried about it anymore—it looks like I'll be losing my job anyway.”

Darcy shook her head angrily. “What about Jake and that dumb story about his cat?”

“He told me he told you that so you wouldn't think some psycho was after you.”

“Does he know
you
did it?”

Kyle squirmed uncomfortably. “He figured Liz did it. He told me he thought it was her, but he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of making a big deal out of it. He said … well … that you were really upset.”

“That's putting it mildly. So what else have you done?”

“Nothing.” Kyle sighed and buried his face in his arms. “I feel terrible.”

“You should.” Darcy got up and brushed herself off while Kyle mumbled into his knees.