The Vampire from Hell

Chapter 17 - You Deserve a Break

Chapter 17 - You Deserve a Break

After Michael's blood healed my wounds and a long bath brought me back to my sanity, I composed myself and re-entered the world anew. Everything seemed so glorious, so bright and shiny knowing my father was dead. I walked around Blick's living room in a new change of clothes, basking in the warmth of our victory. 

I did make a mental note that being low on blood could mean my emotions would wreak havoc on me. I'd have to figure out a way to get steady meals and keep that at bay in the future, without siphoning blood from Michael. I added a calendar item on my iPhone, denoting when I'd received his blood as I joined everyone on the terrace. 

"Do you realize how much paperwork I'm going to have to fill out?" Death asked me as I walked past him, busy with my phone. I wanted to return to some normality after the events of the day. 

I flipped him off. 

"I think that means she doesn't really care," Michael replied to him. 

"Geez," Death grunted. 

I glanced up from my phone, smiled at Michael as he sat in a patio chair with his long legs stretched out, and then resumed checking a few text messages from Lynn. I leaned against the railing feeling the wind of the ocean against my back. I was on cloud nine. The freedom, the weight now lifted off my shoulders, was difficult to articulate to anyone. But I knew they could see it in my face. I had a devil-may-care attitude and it clearly showed. 

I caught Blick gazing at me while he sat near Michael. Blick spoke up, "How many red smoothies did you make this time?" 

"A fair amount," I snickered, struggling to avoid Michael's stare. 

The confident, proud look in Blick's golden eyes startled me. Thanks to a few whispers in his ear from J, Blick had resumed his human form. The only remnant of his werewolf form was a full black beard that replaced his goatee. He and Michael both were dressed in crisp white T-shirts, dark jeans, light gray Italian suit jackets, and matching loafers. They had somewhere to go, I could tell. 

I shoved my phone in my pocket and beamed at him, letting the wind catch my hair. I wiped a few raven strands away from my face. 

Saying not a word, Blick rose from his chair and held his arms out to me, offering me a hug. 

Immediately I rushed into his arms, returning his strong embrace. "Papa," I whispered, giggling under my breath. 

He rocked me slowly, quietly humming "The Pretender," by my favorite band, the Foo Fighters. "We're rid of him, aren't we?" he whispered in my ear. 

"Yes." I closed my eyes to savor the moment with my best friend. 

*** 

"We've got to get going. The Medusa look-alike is on the move again." J stepped onto the terrace, motioning for us to join him inside. 

As we gathered around the computer in the living room, Death offered, "I'll get Ra and the other dragons to join us. Where was she last seen?" He leaned over J's shoulder, studying the image on the monitor. 

I flew off the couch and joined the guys as they huddled around the computer. "Ra is a dragon? What?" 

Michael bumped me in the arm. "We can talk about that later." Quickly he winked at me and resumed his serious demeanor. 

J nodded and swept a wisp of his light brown hair behind his ear. "Thank you, Michael. Yes, Death, we'll need their help. That's a great idea. I'm sending Blick and Michael on a separate task before they join us."