They Come by Night Page 16

  I made sure the house was secured, took a quick shower, and went to bed myself. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

  I KNEW I was dreaming, but I’d never had such a vivid dream before. My eyes stung from the acrid bite of the smoke of cooking fires that rose from numerous chimneys, and the lingering odor of some roasted meat filled my nostrils. The air was cold, but that wasn’t what made me shiver. Ahead of me was a house—larger, better kept, richer than the others in its vicinity—and somehow I knew whatever was going to happen in it would be horrible.

  I didn’t want to see, but in spite of my reluctance, my feet took me forward until I was able to peer through the window. Glass was expensive, but apparently whoever lived in this house had no problem affording the glass panes that shielded the windows.

  A fire burned cheerily in the hearth, unaware of the horror that was going to unfold.

  I didn’t question how I knew that. This was a dream, and all kinds of weird stuff happened in dreams.

  A small boy of about nine sat cross-legged in a high-backed chair, an oil lamp at his elbow and a book in his hands. That, more than anything else, made it obvious his family wasn’t of ordinary peasant stock.

  A woman entered. She carried a shawl draped over her arm, and while the clothes she wore were well-worn, they were of good quality—another sign this family wasn’t poor.

  The kid looked a lot like her, with the same light brown hair and gray eyes, and I realized she must be his mother.

  Suddenly I was in the room, and I held myself very still. Maybe no one would notice me?

  But the only one who seemed to realize the mother and son weren’t alone was the small dog who lay by the fire. She stared at me, then lowered her head to her paws and closed her eyes.

  Meanwhile, the mother was saying, “I must go, Cezar. It is Madame Cojocaru’s time.”

  “It has been her time for the past three days. Perhaps this baby will finally be born.” Although they were speaking a foreign language, I was able to understand it.

  Well, dreams were like that.

  “You’re not supposed to know things like that,” she chided gently. “Come, kiss me good night.”

  The boy rose and went to her, and kissed the cheek she proffered. “Is Claudiu going with you?”

  “Your brother is busy courting Atanasia.” She laughed and pinched his chin, and I felt my heart clutch. It must be so great to have a mom. “You take after your father, my son. You both worry too much. I will be fine.”

  “Please take Cosmina with you.” The small dog raised her head at her name, her ears perked and her tail wagging.

  “Very well.” She drew the shawl over her shoulders, covering her hair as well. “Papa will be home soon, and then I expect you to go to bed.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  She embraced him, her smile filled with love, and then snapped her fingers. “Come along, Mina.”

  The mother and the dog left, and the kid went back to his book.

  I took the opportunity to look around the room. The furnishings were in excellent condition, but they were of another era, as were the clothes Cezar and his mother wore.

  “Are you my vampyr?”

  I jumped when I realized he was talking to me. “Huh?”

  “I’m too young, you know. You’ll have to wait a few years before you can drink from me.”

  “Uh… no, I’m not a vampyr. I’m a sabor.”

  “Really? So am I!” His young age probably explained why his mother could touch him. “Is it as wonderful an experience as I’ve heard?”

  “Yeah.” I could hardly talk to a little kid about the fact that it gave the best orgasms, so I changed the subject. “Listen, how can you see me?”

  He shrugged. “I just can. You speak oddly. You’re dressed oddly too.”

  “I could say the same—”

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Stay here,” he ordered. “I’ll see who it is and send them away. I want to know more about what I can expect. Papa tells me I have time and to spare to learn these things, but….”

  The knocking became more impatient. He left the room, and in spite of his words, I followed him, making sure I stayed in the shadows.

  He opened the door. “Yes? Oh! Please, enter, Majesty!”

  The angle of the door blocked my vision, but Cezar sounded honored to welcome the person, whoever it was.

  And then the visitor stepped farther into the room. A cape hung from his shoulders, but I couldn’t make out his features. It was as if his face was hidden by a perpetual shadow.

  My insides turned to water. I didn’t question how I knew things were about to make that left turn into bad with a vengeance—I just did. This… whatever it was that had entered Cezar’s home was pure evil. By the time the kid realized he was in trouble, it would be too late. I wanted to grab him and drag him out of harm’s way.

  But of course I couldn’t.

  The figure swooped down on him and twisted his head to the side, exposing his little boy throat. Fangs glittered for a moment in the firelight.

  No, no! This was wrong! Vampyrs were supposed to hold sabors in high regard!

  The kid is too young!

  Cezar cried out in terror and then pain as the vampyr sank its fangs into his throat, but that didn’t stop the thing.

  Okay, I was the only one around, and I couldn’t let this go on. But when I tried to jump it, it was as if my shoes were nailed to the floor: I couldn’t move from that spot.

  “Goddamn you!” I yelled at it, trying to get its attention, not even asking myself if I was out of my mind to do such a dumb thing. “Goddamn your fucking soul to hell! He’s just a baby! Let him go, you motherfucking son of a bitch!”

  But if Cezar had been aware of me, had been able to hear me, this bloodsucker wasn’t.

  The vampyr withdrew its fangs, and Cezar cried in relief. His eyelids fluttered open, and he stared piteously at the thing that held him.

  “Please… please let me go,” he whimpered.

  The vampyr’s lips parted in a savage grin, and I couldn’t tear my eyes off its fangs—sharp and white and curved, like a snake’s fangs. And then it latched on to Cezar’s neck again. The sounds it made as it drank from him were obscene.

  It finished sucking the life out of the boy and tossed his body aside.

  Approaching voices drew its attention, and its head shot up, but all I could see was the blood that dripped from its fangs and its lips and down its chin. Its tongue swept out to catch the last drops.

  “Gabriela? I’m sorry I’m so late. The mayor would natter on. Claudiu, lock the door. It’s time all God-fearing folk were abed. Wife, are you there?” A man entered the room and gave a cry when he saw Cezar on the floor.

  The vampyr was on him in a heartbeat, wrenching his head to the side and sinking its fangs into his throat.

  I was helpless to do anything, and I wanted to turn away. I couldn’t bear seeing more of this.

  “Papa?”

  “No!” I tried to warn Cezar’s brother. “Stay away! Get out!” But he couldn’t hear me.

  “Is something—” The oldest son came to a dead halt, then howled and threw himself onto the vampyr.

  He was no more a match for the fiend than his little brother had been, or his father. In a matter of minutes, all three were dead.

  “No!” I moaned. “No!” And then, “Ow!” as something bit me.

  I SAT up with a start, staring frantically around the room, afraid to see what might be there, but more afraid not to see.

  Something bit me again, and I realized it was Mina, her sharp little puppy teeth nipping my arm as she tried to wake me up.

  “Enough, Mina! Enough. I’m awake!”

  She clambered onto my lap and braced her front legs against my chest, trying to reach my chin to lick it.

  “I don’t know how you knew I needed to wake up, but I’m glad you did. Thanks, pup.” That was what I got for watching monster movies before I went to bed.


  The sweatpants I slept in felt damp, and for a minute I was afraid I’d pissed myself. I stripped them off and sniffed cautiously. No, I’d just sweated like a stuck pig.

  The sheets were clammy. I turned on the light, blinking at the sudden brightness but reluctant to stay in the dark. I got fresh sheets and remade the bed, then tossed the sweatpants I’d worn into the hamper and took another shower.

  Mina was back on the bed when I returned to the bedroom. Okay, I really was a wuss, but I was relieved she was there.

  I turned off the light and got under the covers. Mina curled up next to me, and I fell asleep to the sound of her puppy breathing.

  And when I woke a few hours later, it was with relief, because I hadn’t dreamed again.

  MEMORIES OF the nightmare faded to just an uncomfortable feeling, and then to nothing at all.

  I spent most of the day jogging from one building to another, and then waiting in line in the bookstore to buy the books I hadn’t been able to get earlier in the month. The helpful guy was there, but he was so busy he barely had time to give me a nod and a smile before he turned to the next person on his line.

  I paid for my books and just managed to get to my last class on time.

  “ALL RIGHT, ladies and gentlemen.” Dr. von Bulwer, who was teaching Chemistry for Applied Science, looked us over. His gaze seemed to linger on me, and I swallowed. Was he pissed because I’d asked if I could record his class? I was an okay note taker, but I wanted every advantage I could get. “That’s all for today. I’ll see you on Wednesday for the lab, and next Monday I’ll expect you to be able to discuss basic atomic theory. That’s Chapter 7, in case any of you weren’t paying attention.” He put the textbook into his briefcase, his action dismissing us as effectively as his words.

  I stuffed my notebook, textbook, and recorder into the messenger bag and hurried to the parking lot. It wasn’t late, but the light was starting to fade, and I needed to get home and walk Mina.

  AFTER FEEDING her and nuking a TV dinner for myself, I turned on the television—I really missed the sounds of Dad puttering around the house—but the action-adventure series about a bunch of scientists and soldiers battling an alien menace wouldn’t interfere with my concentration. I’d been able to compartmentalize from the time I was about ten.

  I sat down at the desk to do my assignments, and Mina made herself comfortable at my feet, resting her chin on my toes.

  Precalculus wasn’t too difficult. The problems on the xeroxed page Professor Johnson had handed out seemed to be a rehash of what we’d covered just before graduation, and I had it done in fifteen minutes.

  English Comp took a little longer, since in five hundred words or less I needed to write an essay comparing and contrasting a topic of my choosing—I’d decided to do the music Dad listened to compared to the music I listened to.

  But then there was Chemistry. Everything I’d heard about it and the professor who taught it had me worried. It was important I pass this class, if only with a C, but I wanted to show Adam I wasn’t wasting the money that had been invested in me. I transferred the files from my recorder to my laptop, read the chapter the professor had assigned, and then looked over the lab sheet for Wednesday.

  The phone rang, making me jump. I’d been getting a series of calls from telemarketers—my number was unlisted, and how the heck they’d gotten it beat me. All I knew was I was freaking tired of it. I intended to let the answering machine pick up. If it was Dad or one of my friends, I’d get it.

  Each ring seemed to become shriller, more demanding, as if ordering me to pick it up, and then the answering machine clicked on. “You have reached the home of Ty Small.” Cheering broke out in the background. “Oh, you’re too kind. I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you.”

  I turned back to the lab sheet, expecting the caller to hang up, but instead a woman’s voice came over the line.

  “Mr. Small, this is Dr. Ingram’s office,” the woman said impatiently. “I’m calling to set up your appointment to bring in your dog.”

  Dr. Ingram? Oh, yeah, the vet Adam had recommended. I moved Mina off my foot, hurried to the kitchen, and picked up the phone.

  “This is Ty Small. What’s this about Mina?”

  “Who? Oh, your dog. She needs to have her shots.”

  “Her shots are up-to-date.” Adam had told me so and had given me a book with all the information in it, as well as the schedule for her next shots.

  “Did I say shots?” She sounded even more impatient. “I’m sorry, I’m making a number of calls, and it’s been a long day. Mina needs to come in to be spayed.”

  I knew my puppy had to have this surgery done—Adam had told me that as well, and she was about the right age now.

  “We have an opening for tomorrow morning.”

  “But—”

  “You do realize spaying makes for a happier, healthier pet.”

  “Well, yes I do.” And Adam had said she’d need this done because she would be a working dog, although what kind of work a dog this small would do had me at a loss. And when I’d googled Înger Păzitor, I’d come up with nothing.

  “Excellent. Too many owners procrastinate until they wind up with an unwanted litter of puppies. You wouldn’t want that to happen to your dog, would you?

  “No.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t. We’ll see you at eight tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ve got class at eight.”

  “Do you want us to give you a note?” Now she sounded exasperated.

  “Yes.” Witch.

  “Very well. I’ll leave a message for the morning receptionist.” I could almost hear her grinding her teeth. “Please see she has nothing to eat or drink after midnight.”

  “Who, the receptionist?” Okay, it was childish, but this woman was rubbing me the wrong way. And too bad if she’d had a long day. This was my baby we were talking about. Before she could snap at me, I asked, “What about blood work?” I had done my homework about this, and while some vets didn’t feel it was necessary, others did.

  “Dr. Ingram doesn’t require it. Now, as I said, I have a number of other calls to make.”

  “Yeah, fine. How—”

  “Good-bye.” She hung up before I could ask how to get there.

  Definitely a witch! I picked up Mina’s water dish and emptied it into the sink, then went to my laptop to google the directions on MapQuest.

  I SKIPPED breakfast. I couldn’t bear the reproachful look I was sure Mina would give me if I ate and didn’t feed her.

  “Okay, pup, we’re going for a ride.”

  We got to the vet’s a little before eight, and although she’d been excited to get in the car, now she was reluctant to get out. I was bigger than her, though, so I picked her up and carried her into the square building.

  The receptionist looked up with a smile. “Good morning. And who’s this pretty little lady?”

  “This is Mina Small. She’s here for….” I put her down on the counter and covered her ears, which was silly, but I didn’t want her to know what was going to happen. “She’s getting spayed,” I whispered.

  “Today? Are you sure? I didn’t think….” She looked at the appointment book in front of her. “Oh, I guess Dr. Ingram must have set this up after I left. We haven’t seen her before, have we?”

  The receptionist was being nice to me, so I didn’t ask, “Who, Dr. Ingram?” “No, but she’s had her shots.” I held up the tags.

  “What does this one say?”

  “Excuse me?” I’d never paid much attention to them.

  “This has something engraved in a foreign language.”

  “Oh. I have no idea! I just thought they were both about her shots.”

  “The silver one is, but the gold one… I haven’t seen one like that before.”

  “Well, she was given to me as a gift. I’ll have to ask what it means.”

  She became all business again. “Now, she
hasn’t had anything to eat or drink, has she?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” She reached under the counter and must have pressed a buzzer that sounded in the back, because a tech in plain blue scrubs came out. “This is Mina, and Mina’s daddy.”

  “Hello, Mina.” He unbuckled her collar and picked her up. “Hi, Mina’s dad. We’ll take good care of her.”

  “Okay.” I dropped a kiss to the top of my puppy’s head. “Be a good girl, Min.”

  The yip she answered me with didn’t sound happy, and she stared at me until the door closed between us. Geez, could it feel any more like I was betraying her?

  But it had to be done.

  “She’ll be fine, Mr. Small.”

  “Call me Ty. Mr. Small is my dad.”

  “Ty.” The receptionist smiled at me. “Now, she should be ready to go home this afternoon, but sometimes we need to keep our patients overnight, so we’ll give you a call as soon as the operation is over.”

  “Great. I’ll be at class until about three today.”

  “I’ll call you after four, then.”

  “Oh, and the woman said you’d give me a note for my professor.”

  “What woman?”

  “The one who called last night to tell me about this appointment? She didn’t give me her name.”

  “Oh. That’s….” She shook her head. “I’ve never had a request like this before. Just give me a second and I’ll write it up for you.”

  I COULD have skipped the note. Professor Johnson gave me a distracted look and nodded toward my seat.

  Conic sections were on the whiteboard. I took out a pencil and notebook and began copying them down.

  THE REST of the day was spent like that, playing catch-up. I’d forgotten my lunch as well as the lactase enzyme, so I had to skip the macaroni and cheese the cafeteria was serving and wound up having the stuffed peppers—so not my favorite. The essay I’d worked on so hard wasn’t exactly what Professor James had in mind, although he seemed intrigued. And then I walked into my sociology class.