Once a Decretum is declared, all Deamhan must obey.
“So how do you know each other?” Carol grabbed a water-soaked dishrag and wiped down the bar counter. I sat across from her on a stool, watching her closely. She leaned forward, and for a second, I managed to score a first row seat to ogle her surprisingly well-proportioned cleavage.
The crowd at Stongfeather’s Bar and Grill had dwindled down to just a few rowdy customers, including the human, Jack. He sat at a table near the front stage, still slamming down beers with two of his friends.
Nash excused himself and made his way into the kitchen, leaving me to chat with Carol. I kept tabs on the time, realizing that more than twenty minutes had passed, yet he did not return. I started to suspect he might have gone feeding without me.
As a Lugat, I didn’t have to kill a human to feed, but not once did I adhere to that. Killing was just part of the daily ritual for me. For now, I just placed my hands underneath the counter, moving them from left to right and absorbing whatever psychic human residue I could. That would have to be enough to hold me over for now.
“Nash and I go way back,” I replied to her.
“Really?” She grabbed a plate with leftover food and threw the contents into an overfilled waste can behind her. “How come he never mentioned you before?”
“I dunno. You should ask him.” I felt someone watching me and turned to look over my shoulder, making eye contact with Jack. “He seems like the overly protective type of hick you’d meet in a small town.”
“Who? Nash?”
“No.” I nodded my head in Jack’s direction.
Carol followed my gaze. “Oh, Jack. He’s harmless.” She waved him off. “He likes to pretend he’s the law around here sometimes.” She placed both arms on the counter. “He’s a regular. Likes to come in on the weekends, and drinks until we close. Sometimes he drives me home.”
“A real charmer, hmmm?” I said while I continued to stare at him. “So what if I want to take you home tonight?”
Carol laughed. “I think I’ll pass, but thank you anyway.”
I gently placed my hand on top of her forearm. “Are you sure?”
Her smile faltered. “Your hands are ice cold, sweetie.”
I ignored her comment just for a moment, deciding to read Jack’s thoughts instead. His friendship with Carol was more than that. He’d actually taken a liking to her and now grew jealous that her attention was fixed on me.
Don’t worry Jack. I’ll make sure to have her home and tucked into bed before sunrise.
Jack jumped onto his feet. “What in the hell?” He stood, looking dumbfounded. “How in the hell did you do that?” He pointed at me.
I turned back to Carol, pleased at my brief moment of playtime. “It’s cold outside.” I placed my hand over hers and again, invaded Jack’s mind.
When I’m done with her, she’ll be purring like a kitten.
I heard Jack’s heavy footsteps approaching before he spun me around by the shoulder. “You some psychic or somethin’?” He eyed me.
“Yes, Jack.” I stood. “I’m a psychic or something.”
“Hey now, boys,” Carol spoke up. “Calm down.”
“Yeah, Jack. Calm down.” I grinned maliciously at him.
“You and me, outside. NOW!” He moved in closer and bumped his muscular chest into mine.
I had him just where I wanted him.
“Excuse me,” I said to Carol. “I’ll be right back.” I began walking to the door.
The moment I left the bar with Jack close behind me, he slammed his hand into my back, forcing me to turn around. “How did you speak in my mind like that?”
I played dumb. “You’re drunk. I didn’t do anything.”
“No, you did something back there.”
“Jack, I really want to fight you,” I said to him. “But not right here. I don’t want your friends to be ringside witnesses to your ass-kicking.” I walked down the street, but I didn’t hear him following me.
I turned around again. “Scared?”
He came running at me and I stood still, watching his muscles flex underneath his clothing. I heard his heartbeat increase as he raised his arm to swing. This time, Nash wasn’t around to stop me from hurting him and I loved every minute of it. I caught his fist in mid-air and squeezed as hard as I could.
“Did you honestly think you could take me?” I asked. “No human can take me. Not ever.” I let him go and motioned for him to come at me again, but this time, he hesitated.
“What’s wrong, Jack? Afraid?” I smiled.
He looked up at me and I could see his rage mounting.
“That’s it, Jack.” I stepped back. “Unleash your anger.”
He swung again and I avoided his attack easily.
“Again, Jack! Again!” I rallied him on.
He swung with his left, putting his whole body behind the attack. I moved to the right and he tumbled forward, falling onto the sidewalk. Placing my foot on the back on his neck, I stood triumphantly over him. The energy he expelled smelled ripe, urging me to take a taste. I placed my hand on the sidewalk right next to his body and absorbed what little I could. The way his mind rationalized the event came to my brain as “muddled.” He wondered who and what I was.
“Don’t worry about what I am.” I lifted my foot and pressed down as hard as I could. Blood pooled from his mouth and ears onto the concrete. As I leaned forward to hear him choking on his own blood, I didn’t pick up the scent of the human who crept up behind me.
I turned around just in time to feel a sharp piece of wood entering my stomach. Immediately, excruciating pain gripped me, forcing me to my knees. I glared at the end of the wood protruding from my body and felt like I would explode any minute from the agony. Trying to concentrate, I squinted and looked up to see Carol standing over me.
She balled her fist and struck me across the face. Usually, that wouldn’t have hurt me, but after being penetrated by wood, I felt her blow. My head moved violently from left to right until I fell on my side and curled up in a fetal position.
Shaking her head, in a disgusted tone, she said only one word. “Deamhan.”