Static Reflections: Book 1 of The Mortal Guard Series

Chapter 35 - Boris and Pierce: Needle in the Haystack

Chapter 35 - Boris and Pierce: "Needle in the Haystack"

Opening the car door and getting inside, Boris watched as the lemur opened their side and got in. He blinked. "You're really just fine getting in the car with someone who just tried to murder you?"

"Well . . . you can't," Pierce responded. "I just assumed I'm coming along to learn why."

"That's . . . not the answer I expected." Boris buckled his seatbelt. "Are you sure you don't want to try to run away or go home?"

Pierce leaned against the door. "Not until you explain what the hell you cut yourself for. And making me drink your blood? What was that about? And how's your arm?"

"Healed." Boris sighed. "It's certainly an interesting first meeting." He looked in the rearview mirror. "So . . . when were you bitten?"

"Bitten? You never bit me." Pierce wiggled their nose at the strange question.

"You haven't made the connection that blood healed you?" Boris asked them.

"I don't get what you're saying..."

"Don't you know you're a vampire?"

"I . . ." Pierce seemed to lose their breath. They blinked and felt around as if they didn't believe the car around them was there. They pulled the handle of the door and stumbled out, falling onto the ground below, panting. "You're joking!"

Boris watched, concerned. "Hey!"

The other animal was on their knees, palms pressed to the ground. "You're . . . you're joking, right? Th-that's not funny."

"I wish I was," Boris told them. "You already know that blood heals you, though. There isn't a scratch on you! And you know I stabbed you a bunch of times!"

Pierce's body shivered and they shook their head. "But . . . how? How?! I'm at home during the day and work at night! How . . ." They sniffled. "What will my family think?! Ohh . . ."

Boris sighed. "Pierce . . . Get back in the car. I know you're scared of this news but it will be okay."

"How?!" Pierce cried, laying down on the ground then and curling up, not caring about the dirt from the asphalt against their clothes. "I'm a freaking horror movie monster!"

The otter unbuckled and got out of the car, coming over and kneeling down beside them. "I know how you feel. I do. I'm possessed, actually. It feels weird to speak about casually, but it's true. His name is Absalom, and now that I've told you his name, you'll be able to see my reflection."

"I don't . . . know what you're talking about . . ." Pierce mumbled against the ground, feeling the rough surface of it on their cheek. "Wait, did I lose mine?"

"Your what?" Boris asked.

"My reflection! Vampires don't have reflections, remember?" Pierce then thought clearly for a moment. "No, wait . . . I saw my reflection while I was cleaning, so I still have it. Oh god, what's happening?"

Boris placed a hand on their back. "I don't know how this happened to you, but I do know that you should come back with me."

"You said it was a test . . . ." Pierce said. "So, did you know from the beginning?"

Boris stood up. "Absalom nor I knew that you were a vampire until I attacked you. I just said that so you'd come with me."

"Wait, then how did you . . . ?"

"Well, you couldn't die, and there are only a few things that would make that happen," Boris explained. "Vampire is the most common, according to Absalom."