Chapter 5

“Your friends are back,” Garth muttered as he slid past Magdalena to grab a menu. “Allow me.”

Magdalena looked at the entrance of the main dining room as Garth approached the us and scowled.  She hadn’t expected us to return so soon.  It was going to be difficult explaining her miraculous healing. What was she thinking, coming to work only a day after a fight like that? She should have anticipated the possibility of our return to the diner and made up an excuse to call in sick. She should have stayed home a few days to make it appear like she was still healing.  This was bad.  This was very bad.

I looked in Magdalena’s direction as Garth led us to a booth at the far side of the room. My heart felt heavy as I looked for signs of the injuries she’d received not twenty-four hours earlier. There were none. This could mean only one thing.  She wasn’t human.

Garth took our drink order in his usual arrogant fashion before sauntering into the kitchen as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“Do you see?” Shen whispered.

I nodded.

“She could be something else,” I said hopefully.

“She could. I do not know what, but you are right.  She could be something other than a vampire,” Shen replied.

He was careful to keep his voice barely above a whisper.

We watched for a sign of Magdalena reacting to our conversation.  After all, most supernatural beings had incredible hearing abilities and she could easily listen in if she so chose.  But, there was no indication of her eavesdropping.

Garth returned with Shen’s coffee and my beer and stood waiting, with pen and pad in hand, for us to place our dinner order. We promptly obliged.

I watched Garth saunter toward the kitchen and scowled when I saw the looks that were exchanged between our server and the hostess.  There was something that passed between the two of them. I was positive of it; but, what? They probably knew each other outside of the work environment. Were they friends? Lovers?  If she wasn’t human, was he?  Remembering his glistening amber eyes, I questioned his mortality as well.

“So, what do we do?” I said flatly.

 “I am not sure,” Shen said. “I wish we knew what she was. It would be easier.”

“What about him?” I said as I nodded my head toward Garth as he moved passed us to serve a table not far away.

“You noticed?” Shen asked.

“Yep,” I replied, careful to keep my voice as low as I could and still be heard. “What do you think he is?”

“It is difficult to say,” he replied. Shen moaned as he leaned back in his seat and ran swept his hair back with his slender fingers.  “I am new to all of this like you,” he sighed.  “It was not that long ago that my biggest thoughts were on teaching in my uncle’s dojo. Now, that life seems like a sweet dream.”

I looked at my friend’s forlorn face and stretched my hand across the table in his direction, I came close to his hand with mine, but I didn’t actually touch it.

“I understand, my friend. I feel the same,” I said sympathetically.  I’d like to get off this merry-go-round as much as you, but until we are able to help Bruce...”

“Yes, I know,” he said, “and I agree.”

“You miss her,” I said.

He nodded.

He’d left Dao-Ming tucked safely away in her village in China after we’d escaped Wadim den and they’d returned to their native country and wed.  We hadn’t realized the intensity of the vampire situation when we’d set out to kill those that escaped.  Now, after our trip to Phoenix and the discovery of Nambru and his dessert den, it was clear that the vampires were everywhere.  How could two lone men conquer an entire nation of vampires?  It was bad enough when I thought there were only three of us. Now, we had to not only worry about the vampires, but find a cure for Bruce’s lycanthrope contamination as well.

Werewolves, I thought with sadness, as if vampires aren’t enough!

Garth passed our table just as I was pondering the fact that we now had to deal with werewolves as well as vampires. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard the server emit a low growl.

“I miss Dao-Ming more than I can say, but I do not want her to return until I know she is safe.  I just hope it is not much longer,” he moaned.

“Me too,” I agreed.

“Have you heard from Jessica?” he asked.

I shook my head. I’d deliberately pushed thoughts of Jess out of my mind. As hard as we tried, things just weren’t the same between us since I was held captive in Wadim’s den and fallen in love with the now deceased Mei-Lien.  I’d changed, and so had she.  She couldn’t, and probably never would, understand how my world had permanently altered.  She argued with me continually over my tunnel vision with killing vampires. 

I hadn’t told Jessica about Bruce’s problem. Although Mei- Lien’s almost attack made her a believer in vampires, there were times when she claimed it had been a lucid dream that she probably told me about and I’d become obsessed with.  I was aware that this might happen. Mei-Lien did her best to ensorcell Jessica to make her forget the incident, but she hadn’t completely turned and so her skills at ensorcelling weren’t equal to that of a real vampire. The result was that Jessica flittered from believing it was reality to thinking it a horrendous nightmare that she’d rather forget.

“She’s slipping away and I don’t know how to stop it. I think we may have run our course,” I sighed.

 “I am sorry, my friend,” he said. “I know you cared very much for her,” Shen replied.

 “That just isn’t enough. We don’t have much in common anymore.  I’ve changed,” I shrugged. “We’re taking a break for a year and see how we feel after that.”

“An entire year?” Shen gasped.  “Why so long?”      

“It was her idea,” I said.  “I just went with it.”  I sighed, “Let’s face it.  Neither one of us has any idea when this nightmare will end or if we’ll find help for Bruce.  How can I ask her to stick it out when she’s so against it all?  It’s different with you and Dao-Ming.  She’s a believer.  Jess isn’t.”

“That’s raw,” Shen said flatly.

“Yep,” I replied.

“Who keeps the condo,” he asked.

“I’ll look for a place.  It’s the least I can do,” I said sadly.     

The commotion from the kitchen caught our attention, along with that of the entire dining area. Shouts and curses floated through the cracks of the swinging door. I immediately looked for Magdalena to make sure she wasn’t involved in the raucous.  She was leaning against the pie case that served as a counter for the cashier with an odd look on her face.  I couldn’t tell if she was amused or annoyed.  She was a difficult one to read.

I touched the arm of a female server as she passed by.

“Excuse me,” I said softly.  “What’s going on in there?  Is everything alright?”

“It’s just cook,” the woman replied as she rolled her eyes for emphasis. “He gets a little riled once in a while. I’m sorry about the disturbance.”

“It’s fine,” I chuckled.

I was actually happy for something to take our minds off lost love, longing for love, vampires, and werewolves; if only for a moment.

“Where is he from?” Shen asked.

“Cook?” she questioned.

“Yes,” he said in a steady, but soft tone.

“Greece, I think,” she replied before moving on to continue with her duties.

“That figures,” I chuckled.

“Why?” Shen asked.

“Most of these diners are owned by Greek people. He’s probably related to one of them, if not the owner himself,” I replied.

I looked at the serious expression in my friend’s face and tensed.  I knew Shen well enough to know that if he had a look like that then he was either sensing something or knew it for a fact; either way, it meant trouble was brewing.

Our attention was claimed by the rich aromas of our food as Garth lifted the plates from his tray and strategically placed our order in front of us.  It was then that Shen noticed Garth’s long, sport-length fingernails and the few rogue strands of long dark hair that crept from beneath the cuff of his sleeve. A closer inspection of his hand hinted that he might be saving it.

I didn’t notice the little oddities of our server as I bent over my medium rare steak that was smothered in grilled onions and took in its mouthwatering aroma.  I salivated as I picked up my fork and steak knife and attacked my meal.

Shen decided to follow suit. There’d be time to worry about vampires, werewolves, and the like later.  Now his body needed nourishment.  As odd as the staff at this small diner seemed, the food was probably the best we’d eaten since we arrived in Middletown and he wanted to savor every bite.

****

Magdalena watched us carefully for any signs that would indicate that we were aware of her identity.  Relief flooded her when she saw none.

She was sure Shen suspected something, but perhaps she could pass herself off as a magician of some sort.  There were some famous magicians who could do tricks that far exceeded a simple ensorcell. Her only other option was to confide in Garth so that the two of them could ensorcell us at the same time.

So far Garth was unaware of the fact that we were slayers and she wanted to keep it that way; although she had no idea why. Maybe it was because Garth would want to eliminate us and she had no desire to kill humans, slayers or not.  Or, maybe it was because something happened when she touched my hand; something inside her that she couldn’t explain. Whatever the reason, she wanted to keep our identity from Garth, if at all possible.

Moving in our direction with regal grace, she slid up to our booth and smiled. 

“Good evening gentleman,” she cooed.

We ceased our eating and looked up at her with dumb looks of surprise.  After a brief moment of uncomfortable silence, I spoke.

“I’m glad to see you’re alive and well” I said with as much enthusiasm as I dared without sounding phony.  “Although I’m a little surprised to see you working. How’s the foot?”

Prepared for the question, Magdalena had already thought of a response that she felt fairly certain would be accepted.

“It turns out it was only sprained and scratched; nothing that a good dose of pain pills couldn’t fix,” she said.

“Is that wise?” Shen asked.

He’d spoken so softly, Magdalena questioned if he was speaking to her or himself.

“Probably not,” she replied as she looked him in the eye.

She held his gaze in hopes of ensorcelling him without getting caught.

“Probably not is right,” I added as I reached out to touch her forearm.

The sensation that shot through Magdalena was indescribable. It wasn’t exactly painful, but not altogether pleasant.  It was a drawing sensation; like a magnet pulling her to me. It was something she’d never experienced before.  She assumed it was a power that slayers had over vampires, since we were the first true slayers she’d ever encountered. Needless to say, it foiled her attempt at ensorcelling.

“In case you forgot, I’m Dan,” I added as I struggled to maintain my composure after the rush of titillating energy that filled my body upon touching the woman.  I had no idea what type of creature she was to have such an effect on me, but I had to admit, I liked it. “And, my friend here is Shen.”

“I remember your names,” she said.

She smiled at me before turning to Shen and nodding warmly in greeting.

Shen returned the nod while I continued to study her. I tried to decipher what type of creature she was, but I could tell nothing.  Remembering what she’d managed to do the last time she looked into my eyes, I quickly shifted my focus to her lips.

“I am happy to see that you are feeling better, Miss... Magdalena, is it not?” She said.

His voice was firm, but soft and friendly.

“You’re very kind,” she said with syrupy sweetness. “I’ll be leaving in a few minutes, though. I shouldn’t have come in at all today, but it was such short notice and I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to replace me.  So, I came in for the dinner time,” Magdalena volunteered.

“It sounds like it can get pretty intense back in the kitchen,” I said as I nodded my head in the direction of the ongoing raucous. 

The warm, brilliant smile that Magdalena flashed me sent shivers of delight throughout my body.  I felt like a kid in school who’d just discovered my first crush. I was drawn to her like a bee to honey. The attraction was as strong -if not stronger- than when I fell in love with Mei-Lien.  It didn’t matter what type of creature she was. To me she was a goddess divine and I wanted nothing more than to be near and worship her.

My eyes took in her finely chiseled mouth. Although she didn’t possess the thick, pouting lips that seemed the rage in Hollywood, her lips were sensual enough to tempt men in a theater.  I longed to trace them with my fingers; to touch my own to them. Would they also be cool to the touch or would they be as warm and inviting as they looked?

If touching her arm brings on such a reaction, I wonder what making love would do, I mused.

The mere thought sent such an electrifying jolt through my body that I jumped in my seat.

“Are you okay?” Shen asked with concern.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

She hoped my sudden bolt in my seat wasn’t because I’d realized what she was.  She cursed herself for not using her telepathic abilities.  She’d grown so accustomed to turning them off when in large crowds that she forgot that now was a time they’d come in handy.

Embarrassed, I lowered my gaze and took a sip from my coffee cup. It was cold.

 “I had a cramp in my calf, that’s all,” I hurriedly explained. “My coffee’s cold.”

“Would you like a fresh cup?” she asked as she pointed to my cup with one hand and signaled a busboy with the other.

“I’m good,” I said as I looked eagerly at Shen in hopes he got the message that I wanted nothing more than to get out of there. “How about you?”

He put his hand over the top of his cup and shook his head, “We can just take the check, thanks.”

Magdalena looked at our plates and scowled.  We were far from finished with our meal. This wasn’t a good sign. 

“Is there something wrong with your food?” she asked.

“We just have an appointment to keep,” Shen lied.

“I’ll have Garth prepare your check for you,” she said softly. She didn’t believe his explanation one bit, but there was nothing to be done. Turning to leave she stopped and looked directly at me, “Once again.  Thank you for your help.”

My heart pounded with a type of sensual joy that I couldn’t explain, but didn’t want to lose. Leaping from the booth, I practically blocked her path.

“We’ll walk you home,” I blurted as I abandoned the idea of putting space between Magdalena and me so that I could think more clearly just as easily as I’d abandoned my meal in the quest for that space.

Stunned by the unexpected offer, Magdalena was unable to summon a response.  Taking her silence as a yes, I grabbed my coat, dropped some money on the table and looked at Shen.

“We’ll wait for you outside, okay buddy?” I said eagerly.

“Sure,” he replied with a smile and a nod.

Shen couldn’t recall ever seeing me act so foolish over a woman before.  He found it rather entertaining. Plus, it might not hurt to converse a little more with this woman. Maybe we’d discover what she was. 

“But, your appointment,” Magdalena finally managed to say.

“Your place is on the way,” I lied.

Smooth, Shen thought.

Garth arrived with our check just in time to see me holding the entrance door to the diner open for Magdalena to pass through. His dark bushy brows knit together over even darker, deep set eyes as he scowled after us.

Shen watched Garth carefully. There was something animal about him that had nothing to do with the fact that his body looked to be abnormally hairy.  He purposely let his fingers collide with Garth’s hand as he slid the dinner check onto the table in front of him.  Preoccupied with keeping watch on his charge and me, Garth didn’t even realize his and Shen’s were touching for several seconds.  This gave Shen plenty of time to determine our strange server’s body temperature.  Unlike Magdalena, he was very, very warm.

Shen looked carefully at Garth.  Was the man sick, or was it something else? He dug into the recesses of his memory to see if he’d read anything about supernatural creatures being abnormally hot, but could recall nothing.

When Garth finally realized Shen was touching him, he jumped back and emitted a low growl-like sound from the depths of his throat.

“Are you well?” Shen asked with concern in his voice.

“Quite,” Garth said flatly, before storming off into the kitchen.

Shen looked in the direction Garth went for a few moments before picking up the bill and walking to the register. 

“What kept you?” I asked as Shen stepped out into the evening air.  I stomped my feet from the bitter cold that had crept into the night while we were dining.  “I didn’t wear a warm enough jacket.”

“You don’t have to walk me home,” Magdalena volunteered as she pulled the fur-lined hood of her calf length, royal navy, designer wool coat to cover her head.  “It’s very cold tonight.”

“Do you walk every night?” I asked while I blew on my bare hands in an effort to ward off the cold.  I couldn’t help but admire the quality of the warmth she sported.

“It’s good exercise,” she replied.

“That it is,” Shen interjected, “but, if you will forgive me, I am not going to join you.”

I looked at Shen quizzically.

“Something has come up,” he continued. Looking directly at Magdalena, he added, “You are in good hands with my friend, I assure you.”

 “I have no doubt,” she replied as she made note that neither of us remembered the meeting we claimed to be rushing off to.  She flashed me a broad and somewhat alluring smile. “But, it really isn’t necessary. It‘s cold and you aren’t wearing a warm enough coat.”

“True, I’m not,” I smiled, “but, I’ll manage.” I offered my arm to her, “Shall we?”

Nodding her thanks, Magdalena slipped her arm through mine and allowed me to lead her down the sidewalk.

Shen looked over his shoulder to discover Garth scowling out the window as he watched us walk briskly down the street. If he was uncertain before, there was no doubt in his mind now that Garth and Magdalena had some sort of relationship other than a working one.  Just what kind of relationship they had, he couldn’t be sure, but something told him it wouldn’t be long before he found out.

He flipped his collar up to give his neck a little more protection from the bitterness that was progressing by the minute and slipped his hands into his pockets.  Slumping forward, he hurried off in the opposite direction than the way we went.  Our motel and its warmth was only three blocks away. As soon as he thawed himself out, he wanted to get on the computer and start researching.  There had to be something out there to explain Garth’s excessive body heat.