A Song For the Dead (Carousel Series #3)

Chapter 10: Santa Cruz, CA | 1988

David wandered through the tunnels. It was his form of pacing. Paul was crashed out on the couch asleep, the Playboy on the floor near his outstretched hand. David rolled his eyes. Dwayne was meditating in the cavern with the pools. When he'd decided to take up meditating, David didn't know.

He hiked the passages that wound through the rock, his mind constantly at work. He hated waiting, he hated not being able to do something to prepare. But no one, especially him, knew when it would happen. When they would attack.

A week had passed since he and Ruby had returned from their trip to Oregon. After a final night living apart, David had locked up the house and moved Ruby and himself back into the cave with the Boys. What should have been a happy homecoming, the Lost Boys reunited, was marred by Marko's sullen attitude. He had not accepted that he no longer had a chance with Ruby, no matter how much Dwayne tried to talk with him. It was unneeded tension added to the already heightened awareness that filled the cave.

No more attempts had been made by the Bloods, even though David checked the markers nearly three dozen times a night. They fed in shifts, going in pairs or three at a time. David rarely let Ruby out of his sight; he knew the Bloods were after her just as much as they were looking for him. Dwayne, Paul, and Marko would just be extras for the vicious Bloods.

Taking a right turn, he'd circled back and ended up a small side chamber Ruby had taken as personal space. The tinny speakers and cassette player they'd rigged for her was playing a tape quietly. David stopped outside the rugged rock doorway; she'd been very quiet since they'd returned. Never argued about David's nearly overbearing need to have his eyes on her at all times. He knew it bothered her, but she understood why. David knew she was still upset about Marko's reaction, and hadn't been able to repair any of the tatters of their friendship.

David wanted to leave her in peace, knowing she was fine where she was and didn't need his burdens. But he needed to talk. And right now there was only one person who could understand him.

He slipped in without a sound, approached slowly, hating to disturb Ruby. She was lying on a bare mattress Paul had dragged up from a ruined hotel room deeper back in the cave. Eyes closed, she looked as calm as she possibly could be.

"You need to talk." Ruby spoke before David got a chance. He nodded. "I'll meet you on the bluff." Her eyes had not opened; she made no move yet. David turned without reply and left, heading to the bluff.

***

Ruby climbed the wooden steps slowly, the wind biting at her legs. It whipped the ends of her coat around her ankles. Thankfully she'd buttoned it before she'd headed out. Winter had very much arrived in Santa Cruz, the winds riding heavy down the mountains.

David was waiting on his bike, hunkered down against the wind. Ruby climbed on behind him, arms around his waist and they headed down the dirt road towards the forest. Both were silent. David took comfort in his wife's arms around him. For a moment things were right again.

After a time they reached the deserted shoreline. David parked his bike behind some tall shrubs while Ruby had walked ahead to the large rocks that dotted the inlet's creek. Settling on a rock, she waited for David to join her, passing the time by looking up at the stars.

"I don't know what to do." David confessed. "I hate being unable to do anything, to have to sit and wait for their move."

"I know." Ruby sighed. "The Boys are restless too."

"It's more then just restlessness for me. After what they did to you, there will be no holds barred. They're out for the kill." David looked away from her, out to the waves. "My allegiance to the Boys is tearing at my vow to you. I don't know how to be in two places at once."

"I'm sorry David." Ruby took his hand in hers. David felt how cold her hands were, even through his leather gloves. Instinctively he gathered her close, like he had that night five years ago. Only now she fitted against him easily, belonging in his arms.

"I just can't lose you or the Boys. I can't lose another gang..." He said finally.

"The Boys are good fighters."

"Yeah I know. Much more so then my other gang."

"Then don't worry."

"But I will, till the Bloods attack and I know what we're up against. That you're out of harm's way and the threat is over for all of us."

"You've taught me, David. I'm not useless this time. I'm a vampire now."

"Yes but... you weren't useless the first time we got attacked. You held your own okay... This time there really won't be any mercy at all!" Ruby could feel David's fear through their bond. Much more was invested this time, more at stake for him.

"Shut up and stare at the stars with me, David." Ruby smiled softly, cutting him off. He stared at her, mouth open to protest more. She was right though. He smiled back, his arms around her. Silently, both sat and watched the stars trace slow movements through the inky sky.

***

They must have fallen asleep some time after. The next thing David knew, he felt the sun nearing the horizon. The first streaks of pink and orange made his eyes ache. Ruby was out cold in his arms, her head nestled against his chest. David groaned, realizing they weren't going to make it back to the cave in time.

"Shit, this is not happening." He whispered. He figured he had five minutes to think of something to do, to save both their lives.

He left his bike; it was relatively out of sight and no one really ventured down here anyway. Cradling Ruby, he took flight. The woods were their best chance – a copse of trees or something would be dark enough. Eyes darting this way and that, he settled on a grove of pines twisted by the wind.

Unfortunately, he'd miscalculated. The sun hit the horizon, its rays sending a shock wave through the two vampires. They tumbled, startled. Ruby woke with a jolt, realizing she was in the woods and the sun's rays were creeping up on her. David was face down in a bed of fallen needles. Ruby swallowed, figuring he'd crash-landed. Picking herself up off the muddy ground she sprinted towards the shelter, hauling David with her.

Pushing him into the thick grove, Ruby howled as a sunbeam hit her hand and cheek. Flesh smoked, turning black quickly. Last ounces of strength and the fear that filled her managed to get her safely into the grove. But she was marked already. David was out cold and she was injured. And they were trapped until nightfall, roughly nine hours away.

Biting back tears, the pain searing through her cheek and hand, Ruby curled against David and pulled his trench coat around herself. It was the first time in years she had feared for her life. Marko was back in the cave, sleeping; Paul and Dwayne were as well. And David probably had a concussion.

David was old enough that the first rays sent him directly to sleep. Ruby wasn't that lucky. Her vampiric nature was still too new to be used to years of daylight slumber. She found herself whispering the old prayers Jeremy taught her over and over, hoping God was listening. As the sun fully engulfed the grove, casting them into murky shadows, Ruby found sleep and leapt into its open arms.