Zen and the Art of Vampires

You're not a murderer. You don't have that sort of an aura.'

I slumped against the sink in relief, pulling off the itchy black wig, ruffling my hand through my hair to fluff it back up. 'Oh, thank god. You don't know how many horrible things I envisioned you saying to me. No, I didn't murder her, although I do know who she is, and I have a suspicion—' I bit off what I was going to say, not wanting to put my worst thoughts into words.

'You have a suspicion you know who it was?'

I nodded.

Magda came over to me and put a hand on mine. 'Pia, sweetie, who was that man you were with? Do you think it was him?'

'I don't know,' I said miserably, wanting nothing more than to pour the whole story out to her, but knowing she wouldn't believe half of it. 'His name is Alec, and it's possible he killed her, although he didn't seem at all like the violent sort of person.'

Not until I knew he was a vampire, that is. Not until I learned how much the vampires hated the Brotherhood, and then it made all too much sense.

'Then again, Kristoff said he didn't kill her, but can I really trust him now? I just don't know!'

'Who's Kristoff?' Magda asked.

'Another guy. Alec's friend.'

'You haven't gone to the police? I really think you should. If that guy you hooked up with is bad news, you don't know what he will do next. He might come after you.'

I shook my head. 'I wish I could, but it's… complicated.'

'Complicated how? Pia, are you in love with this Alec? Because if you are, I'm here to tell you—'

'No, no, it's nothing like that,' I said, blushing at the memory of the kiss I had shared with Kristoff. 'He's a nice enough man, and I really don't think he murdered Anniki, although he might have… Oh, it's so muddled, Magda. There are other people involved, a religious group, for lack of a better description, and Kristoff said he didn't, but what if he was lying? But if he did, how could I want to kiss him? I mean, wouldn't you know if someone was capable of murdering someone else?'

She blinked at me in incomprehension. 'Just by kissing him? I don't know. I haven't kissed any murderers. Wait a minute—you kissed your lover's friend? Oh, honey, we really need to have a talk.'

'No, it's not like that. At least… No, it's not. I'm married to him, but I don't like him.'

Her mouth dropped open a little bit. 'Whoa, back up a few steps. You're married? Since when?'

'This morning. I was forced into it. Kristoff bribed some people and had his friends witness it falsely. But I don't like him at all. He murdered a man in front of me, for heaven's sake!'

'Another murder?' she asked, incredulous.

'Yes, although Karl says that Kristoff was just trying to protect me from him.'

'Who's Karl?' she asked, a puzzled frown wrinkling her forehead. 'A third lover?'

'No, he has a wife,' I said, not wanting to get into the issue of just exactly what he was. 'And Kristoff isn't a lover. He's just my husband, that's all.'

'Then, who did this unwanted husband kill?'

'The man with the knife.' I ran my hands through my hair again. 'I told you it was complicated.'

'Honey, that's not even close to the word I'd use for it.'

There was a knock at the door and an inquiry.

'Occupied! Be out in just a minute!' Magda shouted at it, then turned back to me. 'What can I do to help?'

'Oh, god love you,' I said, filled with appreciation. I gave her a swift hug. 'Bless you for not pestering me with a thousand and one questions. I need money, mostly. I don't have anywhere to stay and haven't eaten since yesterday—'

'Say no more,' she said, digging out a money belt. She handed me a handful of cash. 'I'm afraid that's all I have. I was going to cash a traveler's check in the morning. Is that enough?'

I counted it quickly. It was about a hundred dollars in euros. 'It's more than enough,' I lied. 'Thank you so much.'

'Husbands and lovers and Karls with their wives aside, I think you really should go to the police,' she counseled. 'If people are being murdered in front of you, you have to do something about it. You can't just run away.'

'I am going to do something,' I said, mentally girding my loins. 'I'm going to go to the only person who can help me.'

'Karl?' Magda guessed. 'Alec?'

'No. Kristjana.'

'Is she a lover, too?' she asked hesitantly.

I smiled. 'No, she's a woman who runs the religious cult I mentioned earlier. Kristoff said she'd try to kill me, but I think I know a way around that.'

She opened her mouth to say something, but pounding on the door halted her.

'Magda? Are you in there?'

'Denise!' Magda hissed.

I spun around in the tiny bathroom. It consisted of a sink, toilet, and mirror, with a tiny window that would be impossible for more than one of my legs to fit through. 'Crap! I have to hide!'

'Here. Put this on and hide your face,' Magda said, shoving the wig at me before turning to bellow at the door. 'Just a second! Give a girl a chance, for cripe's sake.'

'Are you all right?' Denise called, her voice filled with suspicion. 'Who are you talking to?'

'I popped my zipper, if you must know, and this lady is helping me get decent.'

I hurriedly stuffed my hair back under the wig and draped the long tresses around my face.

'You ready?' Magda asked, her hand on the door lock.

I nodded and dipped my head.

Magda unlocked the door and shoved her way out, pushing herself directly in front of Denise, acting as a human screen for me. 'Just the person I need. I think I have something in my eye. Do you see anything?'

Through the wall of hair hanging over my face, I could see Denise trying to get a look at me over Magda's shoulder, but the latter adroitly stepped to the side and blocked her view. I hurried into the little room I'd used before, counting to twenty before poking my head out. I just caught the sight of Magda whisking Denise back into the main room. I sent her another mental thanks and shucked my flimsy outfit.

Someone spoke as I left the room.

'What? Sorry? I'm… a bit light-headed. Do you speak English?'

The man, who wore a reproduction Viking outfit of leather and wool, carrying a huge tub of ice cream, nodded. 'English, yes. You sick?'

'Just need a breath of fresh air. Is that the way out? Great. I'll just get a little air and then get back to the show. It's great so far,' I said as I hurried out the door to freedom.

I was about a block away when I was grabbed from behind.

'Gotcha!' Magda said, laughing when I clutched my chest. I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

'What are you doing here?' I asked, looking around for anyone else.

'I'm coming with you. You don't think I'd miss meeting Alec and Karl and your murderous husband, do you?' She grinned. 'This is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm not going to miss one single moment of it!'

Chapter 8

'You're insane.'

'I know, but it's better than being bored, don't you think? Where are we going?'

'The library.' I gave Magda a very stern look. 'You really should not be getting involved in this.'