When Mia pulled into her mom’s driveway, the lights were out. She ran to the door, stopping short when she heard voices inside. Leaning forward, she placed her ear against the wood.
“Get off me… die, die, die!” Her mother’s voice shot straight through the wood and down Mia’s spine.
Mia palmed her weapon. Grabbing the knob, she gently turned it, rolling her eyes when she found it unlocked. Her mom still lived in a land of denial where it was okay to leave your windows open, and your doors unlocked. She flung open the door, ducking as she scooted in, quickly moving into the living room. Pinching the light switch she flicked it up, and the room filled with light. Samantha and Sharon stared at her, a look of scorn on their faces.
“Nana! Look out!” Sam yelled and pointed to the TV.
“Ah, hell…” Sharon grumbled, pushing several buttons on a game controller. “Nice work, Agent Starr. You got me killed.”
“Yeah, Auntie Mia,” Sam said, sucking on a Popsicle. She pointed with her pinky to the screen. “We’ve been playing this for seven hours.”
“Party pooper. We just got the zombie hoard under control.” Sharon flicked her gaze over her. “What’s the matter?” Her expression pinched with worry.
“Work, mom, that’s all. I was worried.”
“We’re fine. I told you, you didn’t have to worry.”
“Yeah, Auntie… we’re fine. Nana made me Bloodsicles!” Sam stuck a rocket shaped ice form in her mouth and sucked. “Doesn’t that rock?”
Mia smiled. Her mom made fun out of every bad situation, and after Em, Mia was sure this fun was to get them past the pain. At least they were okay, although she’d never imagined she’d be watching her mom feed blood to her niece. She pulled her phone from her pocket and sent a text to Cole.
Everything’s good here. How’s things on your end?
Her phone pinged instantly.
Not good. I’ll get back with you soon.
She stared at the text for a moment. What could be wrong? Waiting wasn’t one of her strong points. She thumbed open her cell phone screen and texted: Is it bad?
Cole responded instantly: Yes. Meet me at Mystic Books. It’s in the city. I have to go, see you there.
Her stomach knotted. This had to stop. She couldn’t live life like this, constantly worrying about someone she loved getting hurt. If she had to do it herself, she’d hunt down Velvet and end her. Shoving her phone back in her pocket she turned to face her mom. “Do you still have the clothes I gave you to donate to the church? You probably don’t…”
“Of course I do.” Sharon tilted her head and smiled.
“You do?” Her voice rose on the last word. A year, almost two, had passed since she’d given the boxes to her mom.
“I kept them for sentimental reasons.”
Mia’s brow rose, “What reasons would those be?”
“They remind me of when you were fun, not so serious.” Sharon’s face broke into a grin.
Ah, her mother the realist—direct and honest. Mia would be offended if it weren’t true. Somewhere down the line, she’d lost more than her confidence. “I need to get some things out of my car, and then I’m changing in the room.”
“Do what you need, but be quiet about it. We’re starting up the game again,” Sharon said, as she pushed the button on the game controller.
* * * *
There were weapons in the hearse Mia had never seen before. She’d have to guess at what some of them did. A renewed strength washed over her when she stepped into an old pair of soft black jeans. They fit snug to the skin, almost like leggings. They used to be her favorite pair of pants, until she started wearing clothes that would guarantee no one looked at her. Her mind moved fast, and the adrenaline started to pump. Picking up a black tank, she shoved her arms through the holes and slid it over her head. After strapping two holsters to her legs, one for the left and one for the right, she wrapped an accessory belt around her waist. The Taser was charged, and the gun she secured on her other thigh was loaded with silver bullets.
Her gaze went to the remaining items on the bed, and she made quick use of them. One was an over the shoulder holster, and the other fitted to her back holding a new, shiny, silver curved machete. Mia scooped a couple small items in her hand and stared at them. They looked like jacks from her childhood game of ball and jacks but more lethal. The usual smoothed, rounded spikes were sharpened to dangerous points. Sick, but she liked them. Her metal mesh teddy was thinner, but lighter, and was only a tank. It wouldn’t protect her from a blade, but it would deter a vampire.
After she pulled on a department issued black vest, she made quick use of its inside pockets, filling them with jacks before slipping a set of small throwing knives into the elastic holders. Sliding her feet into her black boots was like coming home. They fit like a glove right up her calves, stopping just under her knee. The top of the boots gave her enough space to conceal a couple more blades. She smoothed her hair back, making a quick braid, and tied it off. Next to her handcuffs, her badge slid home, and pride filled her chest.
Mia rounded the corner of the hallway and walked into the living room.
“Holy shit, Auntie!” Samantha’s mouth gaped and her eyes grew wide. “You look badass! You’re like Resident Evil meets Tomb Raider.”
“Let’s hope you don’t have to get on an airplane.” Sharon laughed.
“Thanks guys. You can close your mouth now Sam.”
“You look hot, Auntie. I never knew you had boobs.”
“Alright. Alright! Geez…” Everyone didn’t have to keep reminding her she’d been missing from life—until Cole. She didn’t have a problem admitting it. He’d breathed life back into her, and now she was taking that life back. “I’ll check on you guys later. It’s already eight-thirty so—”
“It’s that late! Crap. I’m late. Come on, Sammy.” She dropped the control and moved quickly to the kitchen.
“Where are you going at this time of night?” Mia asked.
“I’ve got someplace to be. Mind your business,” Sharon said, shrugging her purse over her shoulder.
“Mom, please, please be careful. Do you have blood for Sam?”
Sharon laughed and shook her head. “You’re funny. It’s not like I haven’t taken care of kids before.”
“She’s not a kid. She’s a vampire.” Mia walked behind her mother, still concerned where she was going this late, and in such a hurry.
“Don’t you have someone’s ass to kick?” Sharon asked, locking the door behind them. “I mean, that’s why you look like that, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then go… do what you do.” She flipped her hands in the air. “Get that beast of a car out of my way.”
“Mom.” Mia swallowed a lump. What if something happened to her mom, or Sam? What if she didn’t make it to daylight? “I—”
“Yeah, yeah… I feel the same.” Sharon smiled, her knowing eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Now you’re all dressed up for a Ball of blood, better hurry before you turn back into yourself at midnight.”