Blood Debt - P1C2

Chapter II

Lyndsey heaved a sigh as he leaned back against the chair. He half listened to the witch talk on the phone, but didn't really paying attention to what was being said. His focus had drifted elsewhere, namely back to Maureen. He couldn't believe what she had done to him. She really didn't care for him at all. It made him wonder if she ever did, or if he somehow just degraded to the status of an object over time.

Unable to come up with an answer that didn't make him want to puke, he pushed the thought aside and sank against the back of the chair. He kept his eyes down for a long time until he heard Cassie approach him again.

She smiled. "You're in luck. He's on his way right now. We should have your problem fixed in no time." She handed him a couple magazines. "Here, why don't you amuse yourself while I get things set up. There's nothing you can do but wait until it's all over. Don't worry, you're safe for now. She shouldn't be able to reach you so long as you stay inside this circle."

Lyndsey didn't quite comprehend what she was saying, but he nodded and obeyed anyway. Looking at the magazines he had been handed, the corners of his mouth wrinkled in a grimace. "You don't have anything less... girly, do you?"

She shrugged. "Sorry, fresh out. Let me go unlock the door. I'll be right back." Without waiting, she left the room.

Lyndsey muttered his disapproval of flipping through magazines strictly targeted for female audiences, but he knew there wasn't much of a choice. And frankly, he didn't know how long this was going to take. Resigning, he opened the Cosmopolitan magazine and started reading.

No more than half an hour passed as he was going through make-up ads and gossip columns did he hear the jingle of the bell that hung above the shop's front door. Cassie had already returned and had busied herself at the counter when quick footsteps made their way to the back room.

Lyndsey looked up just in time to see a man in the doorway. He was tall, with dark hair and dark eyes. Asian, if the sharpness of his cheekbones and the almond shape of his eyes was any hint. Though he wore casual clothes, it wasn't hard to imagine the toned muscles that lay underneath. This man looked formidable. Like he belonged in a kung-fu movie, or one of those old samurai or yakuza settings. There was something about him that screamed predator. It made Lyndsey grip at the magazine in his hands, uncertain about how he should be feeling about this guy.

The man glanced around the room before laying eyes on him. He quirked a brow, looking down at the magazine and then at Lyn. "That's about the gayest thing I've seen all day."

Definitely not expecting that to pop right out of the guy's mouth, Lyndsey bristled. "Excuse me?"

The man pointed at the cover. "Cosmopolitan," he said, as if that was explanation enough.

Lyndsey slapped the magazine closed, his wariness replaced by anger. "It's not like I had a choice."

Cassie stepped up to the man, cutting off anything he might have said in reply. "Before you two get in a cat fight, here's a list of what I need." She held up a piece of paper, folded in half a few times.

The man took the paper from her and opened it up. His dark eyes scanned over the items. When he reached the end, his brow arched up. "Only one eye? Does it matter which side it comes from? If it does, would it be her left or right, or my left or right?"

Cassie grimaced. "How about you just get me all of it. I'll pick."

"Easily done." He folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket. "Anything else?"

When Cassie shook her head, he returned his attention to Lyndsey who was listening with confusion and suspicion. He didn't know what they were talking about, but the talk of eyeballs didn't settle well with him.

"Where might I be finding this former lover of yours?"

Lyn pushed down his unease and rattled off Maureen's address. "Why?"

"I will be paying her a small visit, of course." The man turned back to Cassie. "I should be back within the hour."

Cassie smiled and stepped in to give the man a quick hug. "I knew I could count on you."

He rolled his eyes and patted her on the head. "Yeah, yeah. Alright then. Turn loose, Cass m'love, so I can be on my way."

She nodded and stepped back. "Just be a little careful. I don't think she's the type to pull any punches." She glanced at Lyndsey who just stared back at them. "She's got her claws in him deep. Best not see if she can get you too."

"Not to worry. She'll never have a chance." He mock saluted her before leaving, closing the door after himself.

Lyndsey stared at the space the man had occupied before sliding his gaze over at Cassie. "Who was that?"

The witch met his gaze with a grin. "Sam? A friend. He'll take care of everything. Trust me."

Trust her? Lyn didn't really know if he should, but he already asked her for help. He couldn't back out now, not when he knew what Maureen was trying to do to him. Who knew what would happen the moment he stepped out of this protective circle. He would just have to believe that Cassie wasn't planning on doing something worse to him instead.

Actually, it wasn't the witch he had to worry about, it was her friend. Sam. Whoever he was. Cassie said she wouldn't ask him for payment, so long as he paid whatever price Sam gave him. He didn't know Sam. Didn't know what he was or why he was so special. All he knew was the man sounded like a leprechaun and wasn't bright on giving good first impressions.

Lyndsey wondered if he was another witch - or maybe the term was wizard. He had never met anything supernatural before, not before Maureen. She was the one who first told him witches existed. For a long time he thought she meant she was a Wiccan and it was some sort of religious thing. When she showed him proof that she was the real deal, and much scarier than the version Hansel and Gretel had to face, he knew he was wrong.

But even though witches were real, he didn't believe that anything besides existed. It was too much to simply accept without pause. Some humans might have a bit of magic in them, but things like vampires, werewolves, ghouls, aliens... they couldn't possibly exist. That was impossible. They would have made news by now.

Looking down at the magazine in his lap, Lyndsey opened it back up to a random page in the middle. He didn't want to think about it. Cassie was off doing her thing, and he wasn't too inclined to ask her about the truth. He was afraid she would confirm there was more out there. If these monsters really did exist, then where did that leave him, a simple human?

The next hour passed in silence as Cassie flitted from the cabinets to the counter, putting things together. Sometimes she even came to him, plucking a hair from his head. Lyn tried to pretend none of it was happening, ignoring the glaring signs that this wasn't a dream.

The chime of the front door being opened drew his attention away from the magazine. He looked up at the sound of footsteps and saw Sam return with a large bundle slung over his shoulder. It looked like a throw rug had been wrapped around something. Lyn spotted a pair of feet at one end, and familiar curls of hair peeping out of the other.

It was Maureen.

Shocked, Lyndsey gaped as Sam asked, "Where do you want her?"

Cassie pointed to a clear space on the counter. "Right there should be good."

Sam dumped her unceremoniously, making Lyndsey flinch. "What did you do to her? Is she still alive?" He wasn't too sure if he wanted an answer to that, but he asked anyway.

"She's dead as a doornail. She gave me a little cheek in the beginning, but toward the end she was nearly bricking herself." Sam waved a hand at Maureen's corpse as Cassie unwrapped her and started poking at her. "She had her whole place set up for war. Must not 've liked being dumped. She tried to throw some spells my way, but she never got the chance. I made good use of one of her sticks and found a creative hiding spot for it."

Cassie made a face and shook her head. "That's so gross."

Lyndsey was sure his jaw hit the floor. Not only was he listening to some stranger talk flippantly about killing his ex-girlfriend, the person who was supposed to save him didn't even blink at the detail being shared. Cassie didn't look phased by the fact Sam had probably just disemboweled a witch. And for what reason?

"Why?" he cut in, horrified and disgusted. "Why did you do that? That's so--"

Sam glanced his way. "She attacked me. And I figured she deserved it, or worse. Do you even know what she was going to do to you?"

Lyndsey nodded, though his expression didn't change.

"Then I have been justified. Be glad it's her swimming with the fishies right now and not you. Or would you rather have to deal with whatever shite she planned on summoning? I'm pretty sure I felt traces of sex magic going on. You would've been a nice, obedient puppet by the time she put a bow on your neck and delivered you."

Lyndsey's teeth clenched. He looked away, knowing the guy was right. He couldn't feel sorry for Maureen, even if he used to love her. She planned on sacrificing him. She didn't love him. Not enough, anyway. At least this way she couldn't hurt anyone ever again, regardless if she deserved the end she got or not.

Cassie cleared her throat. "If you two don't mind, I'd like a bit of quiet so I can concentrate. It won't be easy removing the binding."

Sam shrugged and moved to stand by the door, taking up space against the wall. Lyndsey stared at his lap, lost in his thoughts. He felt Sam's gaze on him, and when he looked, he saw the man staring at him. It unnerved him. Something about Sam's gaze made him feel like an animal in a cage, especially while he sat in Cassie's protective circle.

He couldn't hide, but he did turn away and pretend he was interested in the magazine in his lap. He didn't look up again until Cassie turned to him. She held a glass of some strange blue liquid inside. "Alrighty. It's chug-a-lug time." She approached and handed him the glass. "Drink all of it."

Lyndsey gave the drink a suspicious look. "This isn't going to make me sick, is it?" He took the glass.

Cassie shrugged. "Just drink it. The faster, the better."

Not the least bit reassured, Lyndsey had to just push down his doubt and trust the witch. He sniffed at the drink, expecting some bad aroma, but didn't get anything. With a shrug, he tipped back and swallowed. The first gulp made him want to wretch, it was that disgusting, but he forced himself to keep going.

Eyes squeezed shut, brows creased in concentration, he swallowed gulp after gulp until the glass was empty. When it was all gone, he shoved the glass back at Cassie. Her lips twitched. "Hold it in. It should purge you of whatever spells you have placed on you."

Lyndsey felt like he was going to be sick. His body burned from the inside out. Sweat started to bead on his forehead. His insides felt like they were being twisted into countless knots. "I'm gonna--"

He didn't even finish his sentence before he doubled over and did his own version of purging right on the floor. Thick, black stuff came out of him, splashing on the glowing symbols of Cassie's ward. It was dark as ink and had the consistency of snot.

His whole body felt like it was on fire, as if someone had lit a match inside his stomach and his stomach was full of gasoline.

He emptied everything from inside him, still heaving even after nothing came out. With horror, he watched as the black glob between his feet started to evaporate, hissing like water on a hot stove. Tendrils of smoke snaked up in the air as the stuff gradually disappeared.

When it was all gone, Lyndsey forced himself to sit back. He was suddenly exhausted, but at peace, as if something heavy had been lifted. Closing his eyes, he rested his head against the back of the chair.

He could hear Cassie tittering off to the side, muttering something foreign under her breath. Her hand touched his temple. "Looks like it worked. That was some nasty stuff. You shouldn't have anything to worry about now."

Lyndsey looked up at her, relieved. She took her hand away and smiled back, though it wasn't quite a full smile. He wondered why her expression was so strange but didn't get to ask when Sam spoke. "Since we're done, I think payment is in order?"

Cassie looked over at the other man. "Oh, right. Sam, he'll be taking care of the bill." She pointed at Lyndsey. "He said he'd pay whatever your price is."

Sam's brows went up. "Whatever?"

Lyn turned to him. "Yes. If I can do it, I'll pay you whatever you want."

Sam considered him. He pushed away from the wall. "I want an oath."

"What type of oath?"

"A blood bond," Cassie explained. "It ties you to him and, well, makes sure he can call in a favor if he wants. It can go a lot of different ways. It depends on the person how they use it."

Lyndsey frowned. He didn't really get it, but it didn't sound too bad. It was sure better than emptying his bank account, anyway. "Do I need to sign a contract or something? Leave a bloody fingerprint?"

The other man chuckled. "Not quite."

He stepped forward, pausing just at the edge of Cassie's ward with a questioning quirk to his brow. Cassie nodded, tapping her foot against the markings on the floor. The glow faded, leaving behind ordinary marks.

Sam stepped forward and crouched in front of Lyn, producing a knife from his pocket. "The method is a little different. But don't worry, it won't hurt you any."

Even though he said it, Lyndsey was skeptical. He eyed the knife warily, hoping he didn't have to cut himself open.

To his luck, and relief, Sam didn't turn the blade on him. Instead, the man pressed the sharp edge to his own hand, slicing open the pad of his finger. Blood immediately welled from the deep cut, beading. Before a drop could be spilled on Cassie's floor, Sam's other hand snapped out and took Lyndsey by the chin.

Lyn protested, but wasn't released. Sam's grip was like steel. The man held him firmly, but gently, his fingers slowly pressing at the sides of his jaw to work his mouth open. Lyndsey tried to resist, his eyes widening as Sam brought his bleeding finger to his mouth.

He was no health freak, but even he knew the dangers of consuming another person's blood. Ingesting blood from a stranger was just asking for a disease to be transmitted. Sam could have an STD or some other pathogen. He didn't know if the guy was clean or not.

Sam pressed his finger to his lips, slipping it past the defense of his teeth until the blood came into contact with his tongue. Lyn still tried to pull away, but the chair made it impossible to get anywhere even if he did manage to escape the man's grip.

A second or two passed, and Sam stroked his tongue with his finger. He seemed to smear the blood, letting Lyn truly taste it. When the flavor of Sam's blood finally permeated his senses, Lyndsey suddenly stopped struggling. The tension of his muscles dissipated as he swallowed. The action was unconscious, but once it was done, something changed.

As if someone had flipped a switch in his head, Lyndsey lifted his hand - not to push Sam away, but to bring him closer. His hand wrapped around the other man's wrist and held it in place as he rubbed his tongue over the wounded digit. He couldn't explain why, or how, but Sam tasted good.

He wrapped his lips around Sam's finger and softly sucked on it, drawing more beads of blood. Something about it made Lyn want more. He wanted to drag his tongue along Sam's finger and taste more of him. He wanted to worsen the wound and sip from the cut like it was the finest wine in the whole world.

The thought made him ponder the idea of biting down on Sam, but before he could seriously consider doing it, Sam had pulled back. His finger retreated with a soft pop, still moist. Lyndsey traced the motion with his eyes, letting go of Sam as the man flicked his tongue over the cut of his finger. He rubbed away the moistness, and Lyndsey saw the cut had suddenly vanished. As if it wasn't there to begin with.

Blinking, he stared as Sam cleaned his knife and put it away, his wariness quickly returning. "What did you just do?"

Sam gave him a wry look. "Don't sound so accusing. You are now bound to me. It's not a lot, but enough of me is in you to serve purpose." He stood up, looking down at Lyndsey. "When I want to call in that... favor, I'll be able to find you."

"Find me?" Lyndsey choked.

Sam's lips curled. "Yes. A small sip of blood is all a Vampyr needs to find its prey. Or lackey, if you prefer."

Lyndsey's eyes were wide as saucers. "Vampire?!" Witches were one thing. Vampires were completely different. He always thought the whole nosferatu thing was a myth. A lie. What else was real that he didn't know?!

Sam shook his head. "Vampyr," he corrected, stressing his letters differently. "There is a difference."

Too shocked, Lyndsey didn't really care about semantics. "You're still a blood sucker! And what do you mean prey? I'm not offering my neck to you. You're crazy. That's not any better than being demon food!"

Cassie put a hand on his shoulder. "It's not that bad."

He looked at her incredulously.

Sam shrugged and turned toward the door. "As much as I'd like to explain, I have something else to attend to. We'll be seeing each other again."

Lyndsey watched him leave, pretty sure he had just been on the receiving end of some supernat hit-n-run. He swore and looked back at Cassie. "You never said the guy was a vampire, or that I'd end up being some sort of... of servant to him. If I knew I'd be selling myself to a different type of demon, I'd just pay you the two million."

"I said it's not that bad. Trust me. Sam is nice, considering what he is. Though I don't know what he'll ask for you in return, he won't hurt you." She paused. "I think."

"That's not encouraging at all."