Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 63 - Thanatia

It was business as usual the next day, but James gathered us all around dinner to discuss how to do this. Those who had guns would bring them, and those who didn't would use baseball bats or crowbars.

I had to stifle an eyeroll. A bullet might slow down a Strigoi for a few seconds, at most. A baseball bat might tickle. A crowbar was the best way to get your weapon stuck in the enemy, leaving you exposed to their imminent attack. Everything about the plan screamed "suicide attempt," and it took all of my will-power to remain silent. I couldn't very well tell them that only silver, fire, or decapitation could kill a Strigoi. That was way too gruesome - even for the wild west.

But I did have one reasonable idea.

'What we need to do is capture them and detain them,' I interjected, completely ignoring what one of the farmers had been saying. James looked over at me.

'That's kinda the plan,' he pointed out, eyeing me quizzically.

I sighed. Of course it was their plan. But capturing a Strigoi, let alone detaining him, was no easy task, even for me. I usually maimed the Strigoi before even attempting any kind of questioning, but I couldn't do that here. I grumbled for a bit. I had never mingled with human life outside of our protected environment in Scandinavia. This was totally new for me, and I found myself falling back on my initial idea. I had to somehow make sure I fought the Strigoi alone. No matter what.

I remained quiet while the guys continued to discuss, absentmindedly calling on the waitress for a refill.

It was Jessica. I stiffened when I noticed it was her, and she appeared to be on her guard too. I expected hostility, but whatever James had said to her seemed to have had the desired effect; she was definitely not on the friendly side, but she at least appeared civil, which was all fine by me.

'Thanks,' I said, when my glass was full of lemonade. She nodded and left.

When everyone had dispersed and retired for the night, James sought me out as I was on my way to my cottage. In the dark I couldn't properly gauge his expression, but my overall impression was that he seemed...thoughtful.

'You didn't say much during the talk,' he said, going straight to the point.

I was silent for a minute. I had the sudden grotesque idea of telling him the entire truth, just for the shock value of it. Or to be in the right. I wasn't sure, but as suddenly as the idea manifested, I beat it down. There was no way in hell that I could drop something as horrible as the truth on poor James, not when he was already going through so much.

'I didn't have a lot to add,' I lied, scratching my neck. 'I'm not a strategist,' I added, a picture of Casimir flashing in the mind of my eye. I refocused. 'I'm used to fighting alone, to be honest. And since I can't do that...I'll just take it as it comes.'

James nodded slowly. 'Whatever happens...I won't let anything happen to you.' He fidgeted slightly, like he feared how I'd interpret his statement.

I knew that James meant that he didn't want me to get beat up over something that didn't concern me but...damn. I just didn't know how to handle this. A part of me still believed that I was kind of immune to Strigoi. I'd been fighting them so long - I'd been so overpowered. But now? I couldn't even sense a Strigoi. I couldn't use the aid of darkness-induced power, or the ghosts, to get me out of tight situations. If I were to survive, I had to be careful. And now I had to juggle that along with several other - far more fragile - human lives.

'Look...James,' I began awkwardly, trying to formulate a sentence without sounding like a condescending idiot. 'I appreciate the concern, really. But out of all of us, I'm the one least likely to get hurt, okay? Please just focus on keeping yourself safe, please.' I searched his eyes imploringly, hoping to dissuade him from his sentiment, but there was no need. James was appeased enough to let it go. We said goodnight, and he turned to go just as I turned toward my cottage.