Chapter 14
Excited children were everywhere, but none were more enthused than the little boy who held his hand. Nick glanced down at Elliot, who had hold of both his hand and his father's, the flute providing a small, awkward barrier between Elliot and Jacob's contact.
Just as he'd told Nick he would, Elliot had brought the birthday gift with him to the concert. All through the performance, well, at least during Peter's parts, he'd pretended he was playing along with the rest of the orchestra. It had been a comically delightful sight. Nick was still a little amazed by the fact that the young, would-be musician hadn't let a renegade note or two slip out during the performance. But Elliot never did put the flute to his lips, so the possibility had been eliminated. Nick hadn't been privy to it, but if he knew Beth, he knew there had been a discussion on the matter of the flute and proper behavior before his arrival at the Simmons' home.
A grin played across Nick's mouth as he continued to look down on the small boy skipping beside him. He was glad he'd come. This morning when he'd gotten home from work, he'd given serious thought to calling Jacob and backing out of the excursion, the last 48 hours having further aggravated the ever-strengthening vortex of doubt that threatened to drag him under. Being out amongst mortals had been the last place he'd wanted to be. He'd made it through his shift, and that had been about all he could face at the time. He'd wanted to retreat, to shut himself away. But as he'd held the telephone receiver in his hand, ready to make the call, Nat's encouragement broke through the blinding haze of depression and self-loathing. '...I can't think of a better reason to keep trying to make it back to humanity than that little boy you just got finished talking to, can you?'
That little boy's happy, smiling face had appeared before Nick. In that instant, he'd felt some of the fog of disenchantment lift. A reason to make it back to humanity. To watch Elliot grow up, have children of his own and pass the flute on to one of those children. To experience the joy of being a part of Elliot's life from now until...whenever. To eliminate the need for moving on, eliminate the vampire. To regain his mortality in order to allow for the possibility of remaining in Elliot's life.
Those thoughts had sparked a sudden determination in Nick. He'd made up his mind not to squander the time he and Elliot had together. Because in the back of his mind the drum of reality continued to beat softly, telling him that his time with Elliot was limited, repeating that there would eventually be a need to move on.
He'd replaced the receiver and gone to bed to rest up for the night's adventure.
And so now here he was, filing out of the university auditorium with his two friends after having spent a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours listening to wonderful music. He really was glad he'd come, even as the temptations bustled around him. The siren calls of hundreds of heartbeats served as a particularly difficult distraction tonight, but for the most part, he was able to tune them out, or at least, turn them down. However, the melody of blood-scents that filled the air were harder to ignore. Choosing to overlook the half-empty bottle of human blood still in his refrigerator, he'd had his fill of cow's blood before leaving the loft, but it just didn't seem to be enough anymore.
"Boy, every kid in Toronto must be here tonight," Jacob observed as they made their way down the crowded hallway to the exit.
Nick pulled his attention from Elliot as he nodded. "Yeah, I didn't think there'd be this many people here. It's nice to see so many youngsters being exposed to good music."
"Mmmm." Jacob smiled his agreement. "I know what ya mean. Hopefully this experience will kindle a growing appreciation in these kids. It beats the heck out of a lot of the popular and rap music floating around out there nowadays."
They entered the outer lobby as Jacob finished his statement. And while they slowly traveled the width of the area toward the doors leading to the outside, Elliot joined the conversation. "Hey, Dad?" Nick looked down to see the young man pull on his father's hand. "Dad, what's ap...pre...c.... What's ap...pre...ci...tion?"
"Appreci-a-tion." Jacob grinned at his son as he stopped in front of the exit door to consider the question. "Well, let's see. It means.... I guess you could say it means to like something a lot."
Pushing the door open, the professor walked through and held it for Nick, Elliot and several other people who took advantage of his courtesy. Once there was a break in the stream of patrons, Jacob let go of the door, and the small group started to walk to the car.
As they moved to the stairs in front of the building, Elliot picked up the discussion where his father had left off. "I liked the music a lot. It was neat. I'm going to play in a band someday."
The proud father tousled Elliot's hair with a loving hand. "I just bet you are."
Nick was gratified when Elliot indicated the flute as he'd informed them of his plans to be in a band one day. If his gift helped to stimulate the boy's interest in music, then Nick couldn't be happier. He felt as though he'd accomplished something. Philip's wish for the instrument had finally been fulfilled.
When they reached the bottom step, Nick froze. A familiar sensation skirted through his body as he was alerted to the presence of another vampire somewhere very close. Raising his head a little higher, he scanned the area. The dual impression he was receiving could only belong to one vampire. His eyes searched for a familiar face in the field of profiles before him.
It took little more than a second or two for him to hone in on the interloper. Andrew stood on the edge of the parking lot. He wore only slacks and a sweater against the frigid night. The younger immortal's amused stare was locked on Nick, his mouth tilted in a defiant smirk. And as Nick recognized the confident bravado, he knew that the vampire he was looking at was not Andrew Fisher. Antonio was on the prowl again, a ravenous wolf hovering on the edge of a choice flock of tender sheep. An innocent group of hundreds of happy, healthy children, one of whom was Elliot.
"Nick? Nick, you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost." Jacob broke Nick's chain of thought when he placed a concerned hand on the detective's arm. "Hey? Nick? Are you all right?"
Forcing a smile, Nick finally looked at Jacob. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. I just-- It--" He shook his head. "It was nothing."
"You're sure? It didn't look like nothing to me. You looked scared to death." The expression on Jacob's face conveyed his worry and his misgiving. He didn't believe a word of Nick's denial, but seemed willing to bypass any further questions. One eyebrow lifted in puzzled acceptance as he nodded. "Okay. If you're sure?"
"I'm sure, Jacob." The reassurance came as Nick turned his eyes back in Andrew's direction. The other vampire was gone. At least, that is, gone from sight. Nick could still feel Fisher's presence lurking somewhere near.
"Nick?" Elliot's small voice penetrated his momentary preoccupation with the unseen danger stalking the night. "Nick, you don't have to be scared. Me and Dad are here. You never have to be scared if you're not alone." He paused a moment before earnestly repeating, "You're not alone, Nick."
The simple, yet somehow profound, words of comfort grabbed Nick's heart and squeezed tight. His love for the young mortal had never been stronger than it was at this very moment in time. How did the saying go? 'Sometimes kids say the damnedest things.' Well, it couldn't be more true.
Gazing down into Elliot's angelic face, Nick saw an incredibly mature light of understanding shining there. It was almost as if this small, six-year-old boy recognized the feeling of isolation the vampire endured every day of his existence. But it wasn't possible for one so young to have such deep insight, was it? And yet....
Along with the comprehension in Elliot's eyes, Nick also glimpsed a stubborn determination, a serious need for the boy to ease his friend's fear. With a deep, satisfied sigh and a bright smile, the detective lifted Elliot in his arms and hugged him close. "I know, little man. I know." The loving whisper next to the child's ear was all the vampire could manage. The emotions stirring inside him robbed him of the ability to say more.
'You're not alone, Nick.' He held the youngster a little tighter, the words echoing in his head. 'You're not alone....' He relished the idea as he held the boy close. However, it didn't take long for the cynical voice of reality to throw in its two cents worth. It pecked away in response. But aren't you? Aren't you more alone in the presence of mortals than at any other time? More isolated, more foreign? You need to be with your own kind.
No. Nick fought against the damnable voice yet again as it threatened his feeling of belonging.
"Well, we'd better get to the car. It's cold out here." Jacob patted Nick on the back, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "We can't have anyone catching their death in this frosty air."
Elliot pulled his arms from around Nick's neck and rested his hands on the detective's shoulders. Looking over at his father, he asked, "Can we go get ice cream, Dad? I'm hungry."
"Ice cream?" Jacob's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Ice cream? In this weather?" Nick watched with an amused eye as the professor's look of astonishment turned to mock horror before he continued. "Ah...Sport, I don't think ice cream is such a good idea."
Elliot's hopeful face fell.
"Why don't we make it hot chocolate? Maybe throw a cookie or two somewhere in there? Mom made some peanut butter cookies today, didn't she? How 'bout we raid the cookie jar when we get home?"
The dejection eased while Elliot considered his father's suggestion. "Hot chocolate. Peanut butter cookies." An approval slowly curved his mouth. "Okay."
"Okay," Jacob repeated, and the group resumed its walk to the car, Elliot hitching a ride in Nick's arms for the rest of the short journey.
When they got to the Caddy, Nick set Elliot back on his feet and reached in his pocket for the keys. The buzz of an extremely close vampire interrupted his movement. No more than a second later, a silky voice crawled up Nick's spine.
"Nicholas. Good evening." Andrew spoke from behind Nick.
Upon hearing him, the detective wheeled around to see Fisher standing next to Jacob, a mischievous sneer on his face while a dual-colored coin traveled across the back of his right hand.
The only acknowledgment Knight offered the new arrival was a forbidding scowl. This was dangerous, very dangerous. He wanted to scream at the other immortal. Tell him to get the hell away from his friends, that he had no business being here. Fisher's presence was an intrusion, a threat, Nick would not abide. He would kill Andrew where he stood without so much as a second thought before he would allow Antonio to harm Elliot.
Stifling a challenging growl, Nick willed his fangs back into hiding before he snapped back with a reply. "What do you want?"
"Nick?" A baffled grimace moved over Jacob's face as he quickly questioned the detective's demeanor.
The sound of his friend's troubled voice made Nick pause. He had to be careful. He had to keep himself in check, under control. This was not the place for a confrontation.
With great effort, Nick compelled the tension to leave his body. Pushing a taut smile to his lips, he tried to smooth out the awkward movement. "I apologize, Andrew. You startled me. Good evening."
"That's quite all right, Nicholas. I understand." The glint in Caproni's eye was a silent chuckle at Nick's insincere attempt at civility. "The concert was delightful. I trust you enjoyed it as well?"
"Yes. Very much," Nick agreed with the falsehood. While the performance had been going on, the other vampire had not been in the auditorium, or anywhere near it for that matter. If he had, Nick would have felt him before now. But, again, this was not the time or place for a dispute between the two immortals.
"Well, Nicholas, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" Fisher looked from Jacob to Elliot.
"I don't--" Nick curbed the caustic words before they brought more curiosity from Jacob. "Of course. Andrew Fisher, these are my good friends Jacob Simmons and his son Elliot." The emphasis on 'good friends' was a disguised warning to Antonio. And from the uneasy look Nick received, the warning was understood.
"A pleasure, Jacob." Tony slid the coin back into a pocket and held out his hand to the professor who shook it with enthusiasm.
"Here, too." A naughty grin materialized on Jacob's face as he released Antonio's hand. "So, you're a friend of Nick's. This is a treat. I haven't met too many of them since I've known him. How long have you two been acquainted?"
"Oh, we go way back." The Italian offered. "My.... How long has it been, Nicholas?"
The little game Antonio was playing was growing very thin very quickly for Nick, and it took all the strength he had not to tell him to shut the hell up. And although the sharp retort was never voiced, the frown on Nick's face could not be suppressed. "I'm not sure. Maybe a bit too long." The last remark was out before he could stop it, and Jacob shot him another puzzled look. Nick chose to ignore it.
"Yes, well...." The awkward moment lasted only a second before Tony let the statement pass and his eyes fell to Elliot. "And you are Elliot."
Nick's jaw tightened in reaction to Caproni's attention to the boy, but he stayed silent. It was all he could do not to step between the other vampire and the young mortal, the desire to protect Elliot from this personable danger surging forward.
"Uh huh." The child cheerfully nodded, apparently pleased with the recognition from the stranger.
"My, you are a happy little boy," Andrew observed. "Tell me, Master Simmons, did you enjoy tonight's music?"
Another alarm went off in Nick's head upon hearing Antonio's reference to Elliot's good-natured disposition. He had to put an end to this encounter, and he had to do it soon.
"Yeah, it was cool. I'm going to play someday. Nick gave me this great flute to practice with." Elliot presented the instrument for the newcomer to see.
"Ahh." Tony's eyebrows lifted in inquisitive delight. "A beautiful piece. May I see it?" He reached for the flute.
"No!" The denial shot from Nick in the same instant he took a menacing step forward. The response came from his heart, not his head. He knew the action would draw more curiosity and disapproval from Jacob, but he didn't care. He would not, could not, allow Antonio to touch the flute. It would be a sickening violation, an intolerable transgression.
The Italian's hand stopped in mid-air. Turning his eyes back toward Nick, he cast the detective an angry frown.
"Nick?" Jacob again questioned his friend's behavior, but this time with a little more fervor. "What's the matter? I don't understand. Surely there's no harm in him looking at the flute."
Yes, there is...great harm. Nick silently contradicted the professor. Jacob just didn't understand. But he had no way of understanding that Antonio would soil the gift of love Nick had given Elliot. The belief was, perhaps, irrational, but he couldn't disregard the foreboding omen the contact represented to him.
"It's okay, Nick. I don't mind."
Elliot's assurance halted Nick's unpleasant thoughts. His focus was drawn to the trusting, happy face of the small mortal. Instead of calming the vampire's concerns, the innocent, defenseless expression heightened Nick's desire to guard Elliot from the danger that hovered so frighteningly close.
"It's cold." The detective's tone was as severe as the temperature he commented on. He scowled back at Caproni. "We need to get Elliot home, Andrew. I'm sure you understand."
"Yes, Nicholas. I understand completely." A knowing half-smile pulled at a corner of Antonio's mouth as he turned back to the professor. "It was a real pleasure to meet you." He then looked at Elliot. "And you, young man. It was a pleasure meeting you too. Good luck with your playing. I'm sure you'll do very well."
Elliot's eyes brightened with the confidence shown him. "Thanks."
"And Nicholas...." Challenging gray collided with threatening blue. "Take care, my friend." A hand disappeared into a pant's pocket and re-appeared with a tooney. The coin's journey started immediately. "I'll see you again...sometime."
The statement reinforced the feeling of dread that had gripped Nick from the second Tony's presence intruded on the evening. A dread that was pushed almost to the point of panic with the contact between Antonio and Elliot. And as he heard the promise of another meeting, Nick felt the need to reissue his subtle warning. "Perhaps. But I hope that I won't have a reason to seek you out, Andrew."
Again, it was clear the insinuation was not lost on Fisher, but he said nothing more. He merely bowed his head in a gesture of good-bye, turned and walked away, the coin still traveling across his hand.
"What was all that about, Nick? I've never seen you act like that. Are you two enemies or something?" Jacob pounced as soon as Fisher disappeared around a corner.
"Or something." Shaking his head, Nick tried to assuage his friend's concern. "Please, Jacob. I don't want to talk about it. Andrew and I were friends a long time ago, but went our separate ways. That's about all there is to it." Nick slid the key in the car door and unlocked it. He hoped his answer would satisfy Jacob, because he wasn't about to tell him anything else.
"Hmmm. I somehow doubt that. But I won't push. It wouldn't do me any good anyway. But, if you need to talk, I'm here. You know that."
"Yeah, I know that. Thanks, Jacob." Nick faced his friend again and smiled. "Now...didn't you say something about cookies and hot chocolate?" The vampire quickly changed the subject.
"Yeah!" Elliot enthusiastically answered for his father. "I'm hungry."
"Okay, okay. Let's hit the road." The professor took his son's hand and walked around to the other side of the car while Nick climbed in to unlock the two doors.
By the time they got back to the house, Elizabeth had made it back from the baby shower. While Elliot ate his snack, the group reviewed the events of the evening. Fisher's visit, however, was never mentioned. The oversight was a conscious decision for Nick, and he was sure the same was true for Jacob. Nick was grateful for his friend's discretion.
After Elliot said his good-nights and went to bed, Nick stayed only a few minutes more before taking his leave of the family. He made the pretense of getting into his car and driving away, but once out of sight, he stashed the Caddy in a near-by alley.
Flying back to the Simmons' home, he set up watch outside Elliot's bedroom window. He took a seat on one of two swings on the swing set in the backyard. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his senses and felt for any other vampire presence. He encountered none, and some of the tension slipped from his body.
Gazing up at Elliot's darkened window, he overheard Jacob and Beth's conversation as they tidied up the kitchen. The subject of their son's ever-increasing shoe size had come up, and they discussed the need to get him a new pair of gym shoes.
Nick couldn't help but smile at the normal, seemingly trivial, concerns of his friends. Shoes for Elliot. Such a simple, uncomplicated, easily-solved dilemma. An insignificant speck of a problem compared to what loomed out there somewhere in the consuming night.
Elliot's life was at risk, Nick was certain of it. After tonight, there could be little doubt. Even while his warnings seemed to be understood by Antonio, he still got the impression that they might not have been taken to heart. When Tony set his sights on a prize, there wasn't much that was going to keep him from it.
"Damn!" Nick swore under his breath. His hesitation had been a mistake, a feeble blunder. He should have killed Andrew when he had the chance. It might not have destroyed Tony, but it would have kept him out of circulation for a long while and away from Elliot and the other children of Toronto.
Damn! He cursed again. When he'd left him that evening, he knew the boy wouldn't have the strength to fight Antonio, yet he'd let him live. And in doing so, he'd allowed for the possibility of the killing to continue. Now, the consequence of his leniency rose up before him, dark and menacing. It threatened someone he loved. His merciful decision now jeopardized Elliot's life.
After a few more minutes of silently berating his failure to act, Nick was momentarily distracted by the tender sounds of love coming from the house. Jacob and Elizabeth had gone to bed, and the whispered moans of pleasure and passion now sang in Nick's ears as the two mortals made love.
Embarrassment and guilt were the first things he felt, both for his unintended eavesdropping. But the gentle noises of desire quickly sparked a need. A need that conjured up an enticing image of Natalie, soft and giving. She was so beautiful, warm and loving; so sweet, innocent and trusting. His unexpected fantasy abruptly ended, the foreboding haze of an earlier dream falling over the inviting vision. Trusting, Natalie. Trust.
Nick's eyes sprang open. Bolting from the swing, he started a slow pace back and forth in front of the swing set while he forced his fangs out of sight. He knew his eyes had changed too, and he fought to cool the unnatural glow as he thrust the picture of Natalie, and the sounds of love, from his mind.
Stopping, he slowly shook his head. Trusting, Natalie. He feared he would betray that trust one day. He could not bear the thought. But the beast and its desires were things that threatened greatly the faith that Nat so innocently placed in him. He hoped beyond hope that he could continue to be worthy of her confidence even as he knew that worth had diminished considerably over the last several months. The beast's pull was becoming more and more difficult to resist. But...he had to resist. No matter how much he wanted her, he could not, would never, take her in that way. And at this point in his existence, he didn't think having her any other way was possible. The glorious pinnacle reached through sharing one's body with another could not be realized without the intrusion of the bloodlust and the hunger for total possession, body and soul. And although Nat's body would be a thoroughly luscious possession, taking her blood would be infinitely more fulfilling. But he could never allow himself that dark, damning pleasure.
With a heavy, frustrated sigh, he seated himself back in the swing and tried to concentrate on the reason he was here--Elliot's safety. What would he do to keep the boy out of harm's way? Closing his eyes again, he reluctantly acknowledged what he knew he had to do. Destroying Andrew was the only way of insuring Elliot's protection, and the protection of the rest of the children in the city. Tomorrow night. He would find Fisher tomorrow night and put an end to the threat, stifle the sick obsession. He had no other choice.
The house was quiet now, all the occupants lost in blissful sleep.
The remaining hours of the morning crawled by, his thoughts weaving between Natalie, Elliot and Fisher. Or, not so much Andrew, but Antonio. Nick knew the Italian was on the prowl, and for that very reason he refused to leave the family unguarded. The fact that Tony was more than likely out there somewhere ending another young life pounded at Nick's conscience, but he would not take the chance of leaving Elliot open to that same fate should he be unable to find Andrew in time. He could not take that risk. So he stayed.
When he felt the first stirrings of the sun, Nick heard Jacob wake. The vampire remained close to the house, yet out of sight, until the morning's rays were almost too close for comfort. Assured that Andrew would not venture out before nightfall, Nick left his vigil and returned to the loft. Sleep was an occasional diversion as he waited to complete the unwanted task that towered before him.
End Chapter 14