Ghosts of Coronado Bay (8 page)

Down where Blake’s stomach used to reside, a cold, sick feeling took form. Since they hadn’t located the key yet, there was only one other thing that could make Coronado Bay’s resident practitioner of the dark arts so happy.

Maya.

Blake prayed he was wrong, but the moment Gavin started speaking, he confirmed Blake’s worst fears.

“Blake. So good to see you. Saves me the trouble of looking for you.”

Gavin’s men all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the evil being who’d doomed them all to Hell. Anton Childs, who seemed to know what was going on, put a hand over his mouth to cover a laugh.

Knowing he couldn’t avoid the confrontation, Blake faced Gavin from across the room. “What do you want?”

If possible, Gavin’s smile grew wider. And crueler. “Just to chat, that’s all. Seems like we have something in common. I believe her name is Maya, and her kisses are oh, so sweet and tasty, like a fresh piece of fruit. But then, you wouldn’t know that yet, would you?”

Hatred swirled through Blake, creating a feeling similar to all the blood rushing to his face. He clenched his fists and took a step forward, but immediately two of Gavin’s men grabbed hold of his arms.

“If you’ve hurt her, I’ll kill you,” Blake said, wishing he could make it true.

Gavin laughed. “Hurt her? Far from it. We had a date. She invited me up to her room, and we spent some time on her bed, getting to know each other better. She’s a feisty one, but soft in all the right places.” He made an hourglass motion with his hands for the benefit of the sailors and a couple of them whistled appreciatively, which only increased Blake’s ire.

“You stay the hell away from her.”

“Now, that wouldn’t be right. Considering we’ve got another date planned very soon.”

“Sir, didja take her blood? Did it work?”

With a snarl, Gavin turned on the man who’d spoken, his expression morphing from smug arrogance to furious anger. “You idiot. Do you think I’d be standing here like a fool if I’d blooded the bitch?”

Relief surged through Blake. Thank God! But how long could Maya hold out? It would be one thing to remain a virgin in the company of oafs like that Stuart fellow. But someone like Gavin, who had a serpent’s forked tongue and the ability to charm a spinster’s savings from her purse? She wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

Then another thought occurred to him.

“Does she know you’re not human?”

Gavin froze, and Blake saw tendons and muscles bulging in the other man’s jaw as he fought to control himself. Odd how there is nothing substantial to us, yet we appear human to each other, down to our bodies mimicking every aspect of their solid forms.

After several seconds of silence, Gavin let out a breath and favored Blake with an icy-cold stare. “I do not believe she is aware of my...current state,” he said, each word coming out in measured fashion. “And I do not intend for her to find out.”

Now it was Blake who found himself smiling. “Then perhaps I should make it clear to her exactly who, and what, she’s dealing with.” Before any of the others could move, he let his body pass through the wall behind him and hurried out of the building as fast as his spirit form allowed. He heard Gavin shouting for someone to go after him, but he ignored it.

This is my chance to make things right.

*  *  *

Gavin swore as Blake’s form disappeared. Even a few seconds head start meant he’d be long gone before the Black Lady’s crew could catch up to him. Still, he called out to the watching sailors, “Quickly! Two of you, get after him! Find him or I’ll sell your souls to the Prince of Darkness.”

Two men raced across the room and disappeared through the wall. The remaining sailors looked expectantly at Gavin.

“What now, sir?” asked Anton Childs. “We need the witch’s blood if we’re to ever get ourselves free of this place.”

“I’m well aware of what we need, Mister Childs. But what would you have me do, knock the girl about the head and carry her here? We’ve no idea how this magik works. It might not last. Could very well be I deflower her only to find that by the time I return, the magik is gone. Then we’re no better off than now.”

“Aye, there’s that.” The old man scratched at his chin. “But so, that gets me to thinking. A few minutes is all we need. So p’raps there’s another way.”

Intrigued, Gavin momentarily forgot his concerns over Blake telling the spirit-talker the truth about him. “And what might that be?”

Anton chewed his lip before speaking. “Well, if what the legends say is true, and ‘tis taking the virgin blood of the witch that makes a spirit whole again, then it just might be that something half as good might work half as well.”

Gavin felt his frustration mounting again. “Speak English, you old fool.”

“What I mean is what if it be a regular virgin? That part of it must mean something, else you could use any old witch.”

A smile crossed Gavin’s lips. “In other words, taking any girl’s virginity might just make me solid for long enough to find the key.”

Anton nodded. “Right, sir.”

Gavin laughed. “Then by all means, let’s find ourselves another virgin.”

Maya hated Tuesdays more than any other day of the week. Sundays were bad because there was school the next day, and other days could be bad depending on how much homework she got or how busy work was. But Tuesdays were always guaranteed to be the worst.

It started in the morning. She had to be at school an hour early because she was the treasurer for her class, and each Tuesday morning the class officers had a meeting before first period. Only through sheer will and a large double latte did she manage to stay awake.

Then there was work right after school. She couldn’t be late or miss a day because Tuesday was the busiest weekday for the diner, thanks to its being bowling night and all the league teams coming in for early dinners or late snacks. By the time her shift ended at nine, all she wanted to do was go home and go to bed.

Except she couldn’t because she still had all her homework to do.

So when she walked out of the diner, already in a fouler than foul mood, and found Stuart Newman waiting on the sidewalk, it was all she could do to keep from screaming.

“We need to talk,” Stuart said, falling in step next to her.

Maya considered going back into the diner, but there were enough businesses still open, and enough people on the streets, that she felt the confrontation wouldn’t get physical on his part. “God, not now, Stuart. I’ve had a real crappy day.”

“Yeah? Well I’ve had a real crappy week. And it all involves you. And you’re not going anywhere until we talk about it.” As he finished talking, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to a halt.

“Ow! Let go.” She tried to pull free, but he tightened his grip.

“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

All the anger building up inside Maya for the past several days finally burst open. “You want to talk? Fine. Here’s the deal. I dumped you because I was sick and tired of your jealousy, your juvenile behavior, and the way you treated me like a possession, not a person. For as long as I was with you, I couldn’t even say hi to another guy without you freaking. You know how many friends I lost because of you? And contrary to what you think, I never once cheated on you although everyone told me I should. And then, when I finally meet a nice guy, a guy who’s not two steps away from being a psycho stalker, you come along and try to beat the crap out of him. So do us both a favor and stay the hell out of my life!”

Even in the yellow glow of the streetlights, Maya saw Stuart’s face take on the red hue that signaled he’d gone from angry to furious.

“When did you turn into such a bitch?” He gave her a hard shake. “When you met that other guy? How long were you seeing him? Did Lucy cover for you?”

I can’t believe it. Even after telling him she hadn’t cheated, he still didn’t believe her. How could I have ever liked such a jerk?

“Stuart--”

“Shut the hell up. You talked. Now it’s my turn.” He shook her again, harder this time, and she cried out.

“Stop it! You’re hurting me.”

“I’ll hurt you even more if--”

“I think you should let go of her.”

Maya and Stuart both turned to see a tall young man in a black coat standing a few feet away.

“Gavin.” Maya didn’t know whether to be glad for the interruption or frightened. If someone had asked her right then which of them was more dangerous, she’d have been hard-pressed to pick one.

Stuart glanced at her and, then, back at Gavin. “You know this guy?”

Before Maya could speak, Gavin answered for her. “Maya and I are acquainted, yes.”

“Acquainted?” Stuart let go of her arm, but if anything, he looked even angrier. “You’re seeing him, too? What, Lucy finally turned you into a slut like her?”

Gavin grabbed Stuart by the shirt and slammed him into a nearby building. Although the husky football player outweighed Gavin by at least twenty pounds, the taller man had no trouble moving him across the sidewalk. “That’s no way to talk to a respectable woman.”

“I’ll kick your ass, you stupid--”

The rest of Stuart’s words disappeared in loud gasp as Gavin drove a fist into his belly. Stuart fell to his knees, his face still red but for a different reason, as he clutched his midsection and struggled to breathe.

“Gavin! You didn’t have to hit him.” Yet, even as she protested, Maya felt a twisted pleasure at seeing Stuart on the ground. And another pleasure as well, something warm and comforting that sent her whole body tingling.

“I will not apologize for protecting your honor, Maya. I could not let him treat you that way.”

Maya looked at her arm, where a bruise had already formed, five perfect finger-shaped purple marks. “You know what? You shouldn’t apologize. It’s all right. In fact,” she added, taking his hand, “it’s better than all right. If I want to date someone, or more than one someone, is there anything wrong with that?”

“Not at all.” Gavin led her away from Stuart, who’d stopped groaning but hadn’t gotten to his feet. “A beautiful young girl like yourself shouldn’t be serious with just one person. You need to meet people, experience different outlooks and personalities. Otherwise, how will you ever learn who you are and what you want out of life?”

The warm feeling expanded, and Maya realized what it represented: freedom. Freedom to date who she wanted, to be herself instead of belonging to someone else. Without guilt and without worrying about what everyone thought.

Is this how Lucy feels all the time? Is that why she’s always so carefree and happy?

“You’re right, dammit,” she said. “I’m my own person, not anyone else’s. Not Stuart’s, not Blake’s, and not--” She stopped, suddenly aware of what she’d been about to say.

The potential insult didn’t bother Gavin, who smiled. “Not mine, either. Although I hope that doesn’t preclude our seeing each other on occasion.”

As much as she knew she should tell Gavin she wasn’t interested, somewhere between her brain and her mouth the words changed. “I suppose that can be arranged. But I’m warning you,” she added, pointing a finger at him, “No means no. I’ve had my share of pushy people, and I’m not looking for a wrestling match every time we see each other.”

Gavin’s smile grew wider, and he chuckled softly. “Agreed. I’ll do my best to be a gentleman. It’s just that your beauty makes it difficult.”

“Yeah, right. Flattery will get you nowhere.” Even as she said it, Maya knew her face had betrayed her, that she was blushing furiously.

Politely pretending not to notice, Gavin asked if she wanted to take a walk with him. “It’s a beautiful evening, and hopefully the actions of the young man back there haven’t spoiled it for you.”

Maya shook her head, feeling a pang of regret as she did so. “Ordinarily, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. But I’ve got a ton of homework due tomorrow, and I really have to get home. Raincheck?”

For a moment, Gavin’s smile hardened, and she caught a glimpse of the person who’d gotten out of control in her bedroom. Then his face cleared, and he shrugged. “My loss. Perhaps tomorrow. Have a good night, Maya.” He took her hand and kissed it, his lips and fingers cool against her skin.

“Goodnight.”

As he walked away, she almost lost her resolve and told him she’d changed her mind, but she clamped her mouth shut and let him disappear around the corner.

Standing in the gathering darkness, Stuart a block behind her and long forgotten, Maya whispered to herself.

“Oh, man. What am I doing?”

Two boyfriends? That could only lead to trouble.

But it felt so good!

Hidden in the darkness between two buildings, Gavin watched Maya walk down Main Street and eventually turn onto the road that led to her house. Only when she was long out of sight did he finally let his frustration boil over. White, orange, and red streams of electricity shot out from his body, making him look like a character from a movie struck by lightning. Light bulbs and neon signs exploded in the two stores closest to him, and out on Main Street a power line separated from a pole with a burst of sparks and a sound like a gun shot. A second later, half the stores on the block went dark.

Muttering a string of increasingly vile curses, Gavin strode past gawking pedestrians towards the library, his presence nothing more than a curiously cold breeze in the warm autumn air.

*  *  *

Stuart Newman wondered if he was going crazy or if he’d been hit on the head too many times in football practice. The past ten minutes had been the weirdest in his life. After getting sucker punched by Maya’s newest boyfriend, he’d had to endure watching them walk off together while he struggled to catch his breath. Of course, it wasn’t like he’d been forced to watch them, but he’d found himself unable to tear his eyes away, like the time he’d caught his sister and her boyfriend having sex in her bedroom. He hadn’t wanted to watch then, either, but there’d been some kind of sick fascination holding him in place.

With each step she took, Maya seemed to be exiting his life a little more. He hadn’t expected to feel sad, but there’d suddenly been tears in his eyes as he realized it was finally over.

So at first, he’d simply blamed those tears when it seemed that the guy walking with her was slowly turning invisible. He’d wiped a hand across his face, clearing his blurry vision, but nothing changed.

The guy was disappearing!

Stuart squinted hard into the last remains of the dusk. As impossible as it might be, the guy was walking away from Maya, and at the same time he was fading away into thin air. Maya, a stupid, smitten look on her face, didn’t even seem to notice. She’d just waited ‘til he disappeared completely, and then headed down the street toward her house.

As if that wasn’t strange enough, a couple of minutes later, while Stuart was still trying to process what he’d seen, a series of sparks shot out from the alley where the guy disappeared, and then all hell broke loose as a power line burst on Main Street and all the buildings went dark.

While people from the stores oohed and ahhed over the mysterious blackout, Stuart found himself unable to shake the feeling that the miniature lightning storm and Maya’s disappearing boyfriend were somehow related.

The question was, how?

And what should he do about it?