His Obsession

The servant handed the master of the house a slip of paper before slipping out of the room. Across the room by the fire place, the beautiful red haired mistress of the estate watched as her brother’s crimson red eyes scanned the contents of the note and spied a brief quirk of his lips.

“Read this.” Kyriak said with amusement casting the paper to Damia with a flick of his wrist. Damia read the three simple words on the page before Sin stormed into the room in a flurry of white lace.

Both older vampires watched their young blue haired companion plant himself onto the settee with a furious huff. Kyriak noticed with a grin that the cross dresser’s lavender eyes were bloodshot.

“I take it you’re still upset.” Damia announced sweetly. She busied herself a moment by smoothing the silk of her black dress before walking over and climbing onto her brother’s lap.

“Someone fried Luk.” Sin spat. “Someone fucking killed my little Luk.”

“Are you sure about that?” Damia purred playing with her brother’s clothing. She unfastened two of the buttons on his slate gray shirt and toyed with the belt loops on his jeans.

“What my dear sister means is,” Kyriak interjected before an argument could start, “Luk was never an intelligent boy. You made him into a vampire just because you felt we needed some muscle. How do you know he didn’t forget the time?”

Before Sin could snarl back a reply, the butler cleared his throat. All except Kyriak turned and looked at the balding man.

“Mister Damien and company have arrived.” He announced. “Shall I have them wait in the receiving room or —”

“Bring them here.” Kyriak ordered with a smile. His butler nodded and bowed briefly before hurrying off to do his bidding.

“Why are those mongrels here?” Damia demanded of her brother. “They’re vile, loathsome and—”

“The best bounty hunters available.” Sin answered. “It’s been a week and none of the humans I hired could figure out what happened to my Luk. It’s high time we pulled out the big guns.”

“Oh big guns.” Said a voice as a group of three rough looking fellows came into the room trailed by the butler.

Each man, who were at least six foot tall, wore some sort of leather. The largest, an eye patch wearing bald man of Latin descent wore jeans and a tan buckskin coat with tassels along his massive arms. The next in height, an Asian man, wore leather bands around his wrist with baggy pants and a normal white t-shirt emblazoned with the symbol for anarchy.

“I like big guns.” Their leader, the final man in the group said with a vicious grin.

“Chase Damien, lovely to see you.” Kyriak replied with a smirk. “And from the sound of all that creaking leather, you’ve brought your pack. It’s nice to see them too.”

The copper haired werewolf chuckled and took a seat on the couch nearest to the vampires. His men crouched around him, scrutinizing the room for threats.

“So why’d you call, Spartacus?” Chase asked. Damia let out an indignant complaint before her brother chuckled. They exchanged looks and telepathic words before Damia settled down back in Kyriak’s lap.

“Sin, go collect that little clue for Chase.” He told him. Sin gracefully rose from his seat and sauntered off trailed by at least one foot of ruffles.

“One week ago, the remains of our dear Luk Jiang were found on a construction site in the city. He had apparently stayed out way past his bedtime when the sun came up.” Kyriak informed. Chase snorted.

“We wouldn’t have any need for you except.” Damia paused dramatically. “Luk phoned Sin before his doom and mentioned he ran into some trouble but was certain that he could handle it on his own.”

“Guess he was wrong.” Chase commented as Sin came back with a small bag that he handed to the werewolf.

“Our contacts in the police said that they found that on Luk’s clothing.” Sin said as Chase held up the bag to the light. Inside he could make out a single strand of white hair.

“So you want me to find the person who off’ed your pet muscle and kill them?” Chase asked passing the bag to one of his men.

“No.” Damia replied sweetly. “We want to meet this individual.”

“Luk may have been a moron but he was strong and anyone who could defeat him is a person of tremendous interest to us.” Kyriak told Chase.

“’Sides they might be cute.” Sin added brightly. “If they’re not, then we can kill them.”

“I know a person who can do a locator spell to uncover the owner of the hair. Sounds like this gonna be fun.” Chase said standing to leave. “But not enough to forgo my twenty grand fee.”

“Rest assured Mr. Damien, the money will be there by morning.” Kyriak replied with a smile. “My butler will see you out.”

Once the three vampires heard across the mansion the sound of the front door closing they spoke again.

“Very clever lie, Sin.” Kyriak told him. “Where did our investments really find that piece of evidence?”

“Luk had it in his hands.” Sin replied and pulled out another bag from within his bodice. “Along with its friends.”

Damia took the bag from the vampire’s white silk clad hands. Her brother pulled out a lock of pure white hair with a pensive smile.

Who are you, my mysterious friend?
************************************************

The ceremony was lovely. The church benches were crammed tight with people in their finest clothes. A rainbow of flowers flooded out from the stain glass lined walls. A dozen of ruby red roses sat in front of the pulpit.

At the front sat twin caskets made of the finest mahogany, lined with silver lace and silk. One sat closed while the other cradled the most beautiful girl.

Her parents sat in the front row. Her father was dressed in an impeccable midnight colored suit. The emerald green tie he wore with it was given to him by his son and daughter on his last birthday. His dark hair was beginning to gray at his temples, a result of six months of angst filled waiting. Her weeping mother wore a green dress so dark it appeared black. Only when the light struck the full skirt just right did anyone notice the color. On her fingers were silver rings with blue, violet and gray stones.

Puck sat in the back in between Talisa and Felissia. The three of them made an interesting sight to those who had gathered to mourn the deaths of Mikel and Maeve Durant.

Talisa wore a simple brown shirt with a bronze colored skirt with black paisley designs and a pair of leather sandals. Her waist length auburn hair was pulled back and braided. On her left, Puck sat wearing a black suit obviously one or two sizes too big. In the place of a tie, the silver medallion he often times kept beneath his shirt sat prominent.
For this important day, Puck had his messy white hair trimmed and neatly brushed back away from his face. It wasn’t until they had entered the church did Talisa notice Puck had stolen a few brightly colored barrettes and places them strategically in his hair. To her credit, the witch tried to get her friend to take them out but Puck argued quite vehemently that the Voices said he looked pretty and she knew it was a lost cause. Just from the short time she knew him, Talisa knew that Puck listened to whatever the Voices told him.

The oddest of the trio, Talisa’s grandmother Felissia, had the most practical reason as to why she was dressed the way she was. She was a vampire. The wide brimmed hat with a thick matching veil protected her neck and face. Her black ankle length dress with matching elbow high gloves and knee high boots protected the rest of her body from the sun’s rays.

Even inside the church, one stray beam of light would permanently harm her. So despite the care she took with her makeup that brought out the auburn streaks in her brown hair, the perfection of her coiffed locks and beauty of her smoky blue eyes, Felissia sat bundled up next to the aisle.

“Do you want to go up and see your parents after the service?” Talisa whispered in Puck’s ear. He shook his head, trying to droning out the constant murmur of the Voices and focus on his and his sister’s funeral.

“It would be best if he didn’t.” Felissia told Talisa telepathically. “Mr. and Mrs. Durant have been through enough without revealing that their son’s been turned into a vampire and developed a split personality.”

Talisa nodded as the minister asked the gathered crowd if they wished to say a few words. The first up to the pulpit was a dashing blond haired boy with crystal blue eyes.

“Um hi, I’m Blaine uh..” he stammered.

“Get on with it, y’flake.” Puck whispered harshly. His lips puckered in annoyance as the young man kept stumbling over words and Felissia stifled a giggle as she saw Puck roll his eyes.

“I was a friend-well boyfriend of Maeve’s.” Blaine told everyone.

“Who else’s boyfriend would you be? Mikel’s?” Puck muttered. Talisa disguised her laugh as a cough.

“Maeve-she was awesome. Real pretty, real nice and real smart.” Blaine said.

Felissia elbowed Puck to prevent another scathing comment about his twin sister’s ex-boyfriend. He slid lower in the bench and crossed his arms in front of him.

He’s a liar. Maeve wasn’t real smart, she couldn’t do her homework without Mikel helping her out. Puck thought to himself.

He’s being nice, the Voices replied. …He’s also hoping to score by using the sympathetic and grieving boyfriend card.

Puck sulk turned dark, Puck isn’t going to let him use Maeve like that.

We won’t let him either. But first- The Voices sniggered and then a single voice spoke up out of the darkness.

Momma? Where Momma?

He’s not listening to us. The Voices informed Puck. We told him where his mother was but he doesn’t want to listen.

Puck sighed, What happened?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. You might have better luck than us, you try.

“Can’t even have a moment’s peace.” The vampire muttered and shut his eyes so to better concentrate on the young Voice.

Where Momma?

She went on a trip, Puck thought at the little ghost.

Where?

Uh…Toledo, Puck replied with a wince. She went and uh…she’s over there getting you a present.

Present! The little boy exclaimed. The sound of little excited hands clapping echoed inside the vampire’s mind.

“Yeah, a present.” Puck murmured. Talisa looked over at him in alarm and Felissia motioned to her that everything was alright.

Can you see a light? He asked the child.

Um-m.

What’s wrong? Puck asked.

Momma said no talk ta strangers.

He let out a low frustrated sound that Talisa muffled with her hand. Puck opened his eyes and pulled her hand away from his mouth.

“Why don’t you continue your discussion outside?” Felissia whispered in his ear. “That Blaine fellow doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. I’m sure no one will mind.”

Puck gave her a warm smile and slipped out the door.
************************


The child did the same to us as well, the Voices informed him once he stepped outside.

“Okay.” Puck said and sighed. “Won’t talk to strangers so we won’t be strangers.”

And how do you think you can accomplish that? The Voices demanded but the vampire ignored them and focused on the little boy.

“Hi, this is Puck. What’s your name?”

…Dayvid

“Hi Dayvid now that we know each other’s names, we’re not strangers.” Puck responded brightly despite feeling bone weary. He looked up at the sky and the sun peeked out at him between fluffy white clouds.

Right!

“Great.” He sighed and asked the Voices, “What’s the procedure for little bitty Voices?”

They get a guide. The Voices replied. Sometimes it’s a family member, other times just someone they knew who passed before them.

“Dayvid, there’s someone waiting to take you home. Can you see them?” Puck asked.

Puck can’t take me home?

“No, Puck can’t take you home.” He replied as the Voices laughed and snickered. “Puck is busy.”

I’ll wait!

“Uh-h.” Puck began racking his brain just as a helpful Voice piped up for him.

Your mommy left them in charge of you. They’re your babysitter until mommy gets back from Toledo.

Okay, little Dayvid said hesitantly. He seemed to have gone toward the person before Puck heard him exclaim in delight Grummy!

Thank you, an elderly Voice told Puck. I’ll make sure my little grand-nephew gets where he belongs. Will you check up on his mother for me?

“Sure.” Puck replied. “Do I need to go immediately?”

Oh no, you can stay for Miss Durant’s funeral.

“Does everyone know about Maeve?” he asked wryly. A few of the Voices giggled.

Not about Maeve, the Voice responded faintly. We know of you.

Bye-bye Puck

“Bye Dayvid.” Puck said wearily slipping back inside. He took his seat next to Talisa and Felissia again only then noticing someone else was speaking.

“I will admit Maeve was a beautiful and charming young lady.” An older woman said at the pulpit. “I was her English teacher for two years and I grew to know her and her brother well.”

“She taught Mikel and Maeve when they were freshmen and sophomores.” Puck whispered to Felissia and Talisa.

“I knew that Mr. Durant mostly did his sister’s papers, most notably the end of the year essays I give out to all of my students.” The teacher paused to chuckle “I remember speaking with Mikel after class about this matter and I shall never forget what he told me.”

His former teacher hesitated long enough to gather her resolve, “He said, ‘Although I was born first, Maeve comes first. I will always look out for and be there for her. If I must be the bad guy to help her succeed, then I will. If I have to give up my dreams for her, then I will. If I have to spend my last dime to bail her out of jail then…’” His teacher chuckled, “Well if what I heard was true, Mikel didn’t have to bail Maeve out of jail, he was in the cell with her!”

The church filled with laughter and even Puck smiled.

“What’s the story?” Talisa hissed in his ear. Felissia leaned over so she too could hear.

“Maeve went out to a party that got too wild. The police ended up being called. When Mikel went to retrieve his sister, he took exception to the way she was being manhandled into cuffs and struck the officer.” Puck said rather proudly. He added with a toothy grin, “Seeing how Mikel and Maeve’s father is a top notch lawyer and both of his children did have excessive bruising, they got off with a fine.”

Both grandmother and granddaughter refrained from bursting into a fit of giggles.