The Loyal Man

The Loyal Man

by Michelle Montague Mogil

Copyright 2013 by Michelle Montague Mogil

Smashwords Edition

Michelle can be found muttering about things here:

A Place for My Mind

This is mostly a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the products of the author's fevered imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Chapter One

Ana dripped with water, her blouse plastered to her skin. I was torn: admire her lovely chest, heaving with anger, or confront the shabby little weasel of a man who had just doused her with the contents of a Big Gulp container.

You! You're an abomination before the Lord! the man cried revealing a mouth mostly bereft of teeth. Demon! Hell-spawn! Die now and be purged from the Earth!

Jesus! What the hell?! Droplets flew as Ana shook her arms angrily. "This is silk, you asshole!"

I pulled my rapt attention away from Ana and leaped forward to grab the little creep by his threadbare overcoat. What did you just throw all over her, you idiot?

H-h-holy water, he stuttered. She should be burning in agony!

What? I turned back to Ana, half expecting to see tendrils of smoke rise from her body. I swore I saw steam and her glare could have set asbestos on fire.

A gangly young man with an acne-spotted face, dressed in the uniform of a cinema employee, came running with a wad of paper towels apologizing all the way.

It’s okay, I’m okay. Ana accepted the towels from the young man and mopped at her face and blouse. It’s a damned good thing that was only water, she snarled at the ragged creature dangling from my hands, because you obviously don’t have the money for dry cleaning.

"It was holy water, he insisted, struggling to free himself from me. You should have succumbed to an agonizing death!"

The young man's ears turned scarlet and he stared from Ana to the little man. Lady, he wanted to kill you? With water?

Obviously, this idiot has dangerous delusions and needs to be locked up, I said, giving him a shake. Someone should call the cops.

No! No! he cried. Call an ambulance! I should be in the psychiatric ward, right? Call an ambulance, please!

Ana's eyes widened and her lips formed an O as she stared at the little man. Holy shit, she said. You’re Popândău.

Poppa who? I got a stronger grip on the ragged man as he tried to squirm away.

Popândău, Dr. Cruciat’s nurse. From the psych ward at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the cinema employee, realizing he was dealing with something beyond duties as assigned, nonchalantly strolled away. I directed a puzzled gaze at Ana. Doctor...?

That bastard who tried to cure my Lord... Her throat audibly clicked shut before she could speak his name. She swallowed and continued, This is his assistant.

She turned her glare on Popândău, who was now groveling at my feet. Cinema employee gone, the little man had apparently decided I was his only hope for protection from the trim, petite woman at my side.

Mister, please! he begged, clutching my left pant leg. Call an ambulance. Call the psych ward. Mister, please—

Ana leaned down and fixed him with her steel-blue eyes.

Yes, my dear little Popândău, she hissed. we will deliver you to the psych ward and your gracious master. But not without a message of warning.

I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck at the dire tone in her voice. She straightened and gripped Popândău's arm, pulling him to his feet.

Let’s go, Ethan. Instead of incurring the expense of an ambulance, we can deliver him to Dr. Cruciat personally. With that, she strode off toward the exit, dragging Popândău with her. I started after them, but was brought up short by jamming my foot hard on the exit door.

Gah! A sharp pain shot up my leg and I hopped around for a minute, watching Ana and her victim get further away. Clamping down on my agony, I limped as quick as I could manage out the exit and into the dark parking lot in time to see Ana stuff the little man into the back of my car.

I know I locked those doors, I thought, and Ana no longer has a set of keys. How the hell...? I hop-skipped to the car, breathless and shaking, my toe throbbing in time with my thumping heart.

Ana slid into the backseat after Popândău, who had scrunched himself up to the far door. With rising misgivings, I got in front to drive, wondering how I'd managed to get swept into this bizarre chaperone gig.

It’s okay, Ethan, she assured me, as if feeling my trepidation. Whatever you hear going on back here, just keep your eyes on the road.

Ana, do me a favor, okay? Please don’t get blood all over my back seat.

I’ll do my best, she said and lightly squeezed my shoulder. I couldn't help it: I flinched.

Popândău was practically shivering out of his skin as Ana slid closer and gave him a big, toothy grin. My guts clenched at the sight of the unnaturally white, shark-like teeth she sported now. A purely primal reaction on my part; I doubted I had anything to fear from her razor-sharp fangs. Probably.

Calm yourself, Popândău, she murmured to her victim as we drove off. I’m not going to kill you. I’m just going to leave a little calling card for your boss. I want to make it quite clear that he’s to drop this futile campaign.

Popândău was shaking, his teeth chattering, but he screwed up his courage and stammered, You're abhorrent to the Lord. You're unnatural, not of this world. You must be purged from the Earth.

I kind of like it here on Earth, Popândău, she answered softly, gazing into his eyes. I glanced in the rearview mirror as her voice dropped to a soothing, sing-song rhythm. "Why would I allow you or the cruciat to change that? What harm have I, or any of my kind, done you that you persist in this persecution? Isn’t this crusade of yours wearing you out? Aren’t you getting tired? Your eyes are very heavy, aren’t they?"

As she spoke, I felt my own eyelids droop. I shook my head violently to clear it and got a tighter grip on the steering wheel. Damn, I thought. She can hypnotize me from the back seat of my car. What if she's done this to me before? I thought back to our few months of reconciliation: weren't there a few moments there when the passage of time seemed to stutter and hiccup? When she was in one place, then suddenly someplace else? What had gone on during those brief moments of blankness?

Yes, that’s it, Popândău, Ana said. Your eyelids are so very heavy, you are so very tired—

It was quiet back there; too quiet. Ana, I whispered, what’re you doing?

Shh, don’t worry, she whispered back.

I heard a tiny snick, then a soft sucking sound, a quiet gag-cough from Ana, then more soft sucking.

Sweet Jesus, I thought. I'm letting this happen. I'm letting my wife suck the life out of some guy in the backseat of my car. Then, my inner teenager snickered: Sucking, huh? What do you think is really going on back there?

There was a whispered Good enough, from Ana. I glanced in the rearview again to see her running her tongue over one of Popândău’s wrists. She stared at it a moment, presumably watching the cut heal itself. She’d always been fascinated by that.

It also means, I thought with relief, he's not dead yet.

Ana, we’re nearly to the hospital, I warned.

Yes, yes.

I heard a stinging slap and a startled yell from Popândău.

Wake up, Poppy! Ana cried. You’re almost home!

My hands jerked on the steering wheel and the car swerved abruptly. Anastasia! What the hell?

Just pull up to the ER entrance. He’ll be alright. I promise.

I did as she asked. She leaned over a wobbly, groggy Popândău and pushed open the car door on his side. Outcha get. Give the doctor a big hug for me! she said as she shoved him onto the sidewalk, slammed the door and urged me to make tracks.

As we drove away, I glanced in the rearview to watch the poor fellow stagger into the entrance. Ana clambered into the front seat, wiping her lips and gagging a little.

Fun date, Ana. Next time, let’s just go out to dinner... Err, never mind.

She took my hand and squeezed it. You’re a good sport, driving my getaway car, she teased. Hey, let’s stop at the Exchange for a drink.

A drink?

Well, you have a drink. I’ll have water and rinse this nasty taste out of my mouth.

~*~*~*~

Seated at the bar at the Central Exchange, I took a hefty swallow of my beer and ventured to guess what happened to the wretched Popândău.

How is draining him going to stop this Crutch-guy's epic war on your kind? Won't it just spur him on?

Ana frowned at her glass of water, delivered with a disdainful look from Larry, the bartender, one of Ana's co-workers at the restaurant.

"First of all, I didn't drain him, she said. I didn't even take a whole pint, she tapped my beer glass. Second, it sends a warning to the cruciat that I won't be messed with and he shouldn't send his minion after me like that."

And third? There’s always a third.

Third, I didn’t get any blood on your back seat. She smiled proudly, then we looked up to see Larry had come back to our end of the bar just in time to overhear that last bit. He grinned at me.

Just what you look for in a wife, right?

I coughed out a nervous laugh and muttered, Among other things.

Larry leaned his meaty arms on the bar and appraised Ana critically. So, what’s the deal, Annie? he asked. No beer? No wine? No Basil Hayden?

Yeah. I quit drinking. You’ve got to admit, Lar, it was getting out of hand.

Not good for my take, I’ll admit, but hey. Good for you. He looked her up and down and added, And good for your waistline, I see.

He leered at her, then shuffled his bear-sized self back down the bar to pester someone else.

Actually, Ana murmured to me, I’m losing far too much weight. I’m a little worried.

Comes with a liquid diet, I said from the corner of my mouth. If you’re concerned, go see a doctor.

She chuckled at first, then reconsidered. I should go see Dr. Seward, she said thoughtfully. I’m going to wind up looking like the Crypt Keeper one of these days. Not very sexy.

I raised an eyebrow. You’re a lot sexier than you think, Ana. It kind of oozes out of you.

Oozes, eh? Thanks. Maybe I should take more frequent showers. But she smiled and squeezed my arm. No, seriously. Thank you. I need an ego boost now and then.

Speaking of diet, I glanced at my watch, it's well past your dinner time. Aren't you thirsty? Or, um, I guess you ate already, didn't you?

Ugh, not really, Ana shuddered. "He wasn't exactly filling. More like an amuse-bouche." She giggled, sounding a little shaky.

I couldn't help the mildly disgusted face I made. I was trying very hard to get used to what my wife had to do for sustenance, but the thought of her sucking at that little rat-faced creature in the back seat of my car turned my stomach. To cover, I pulled out my Droid and punched in Alexis' number.

I'll find you something... err... someone more appetizing... umm... nutritious, I stuttered, then fell silent as Alexis' number rang on the other end. I don't think Ana heard me anyway; she was busy staring around the barroom with a covetous glint in her eye.

Ethan! Alexis answered before the second ring. Where are you guys? Seth's here for Lady Ana.

We stopped to get me a beer, I said. Was Ana supposed to be at your place tonight?

Yes, she was. But it's okay, Alexis sounded annoyed but not surprised; Ana had become a little absent-minded lately when it came time for dinner. So, you're at the Exchange, huh? Don't come downtown; I'll come to you. I need an excuse for a drink.

But how...? I began, to dead air — she'd hung up already. Alexis must really need that drink.

It wasn't quite twenty minutes later that the pub door opened and Alexis White, angel of mercy, strolled in with Seth, one of the donors.

The donors are an odd bunch. They volunteered on a rotating basis as walking snack bars for the night souls. It was a very secretive and very selective group. Alexis said some of them actually get a thrill out of the act of feeding.

Alexis, herself, is part drill sergeant, part nursemaid, and all mushy sweetness under her stern façade. She's comfortably plump, with springy reddish-brown hair and warm, milk-chocolate brown eyes and skin. She spotted us at the bar and hurried over.

Hey, Ethan. Thanks for calling me. I was wondering what was going on. She squeezed my arm affectionately. Then she turned to Ana with a scolding look. Almost missed dinner, Lady Ana. She pinched Ana's thin bicep gently. You're getting far too skinny, girl.

Ana flushed and looked around at the busy barroom. Wait a minute, Lexie! How am I going to—?

That’s your problem, Lady. You’ve got to start taking a little responsibility for yourself, you know. It's a damned good thing Ethan called me. I would've been kicking my heels downtown, wondering where you were.

Larry waved to Alexis and raised an Absolut bottle inquiringly. She nodded to him with a grateful smile.

Seth stepped up then and tapped Alexis on the shoulder.

If I may make a suggestion, how about Lady Ana and I just go for a quick ride? There’s a certain service road I know of. He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at Ana.

I felt a twinge of jealousy: Seth was just shy of forty and network-anchor handsome with dark brown hair and warm brown eyes. Just the sort Ana might go for. It was also obvious that he and Ana had something of a past together. I was being foolish, I know. A night soul would no more fall in love with a donor than I would develop an abiding affection for a fruit tree.

Then I remembered her little snack on the way over to the Exchange. Err, Alexis. What about her appetizer?

Ana shot me a glare that could have melted steel, but I matched her eye-for-eye and shrugged.

Appetizer? Alexis frowned at Ana, who set her face defiantly. You've already fed? Her eyes shifted to me. Don't tell me it was you, Ethan.

Oh no, not Ethan, Ana said, then hesitated as Alexis peered suspiciously at her. "It was, well, it was a thin meal, if you ask me." She stuck out her tongue.

Of whom did you feed, Lady Ana? Alexis' frown deepened.

"Ummm— You remember the cruciat? Well, he sent his little creep Popândău after me tonight. The moron threw half a gallon of what he insisted was holy water all over me, as you can see from the state of my silk blouse. I sent him back to the cruciat with a little message."

What??? Alexis bulged her eyes.

Ana cringed. Did I do something wrong?

Honest to god, Ethan, you gotta keep this girl under some kinda control, you know?

Me? I clutched my chest, once again wondering what I've gotten myself into. I’m a little new to babysitting evil blood-sucking fiends from hell.

Jesus, people! Ana hissed. I don’t need a babysitter!

I beg to differ, Lady Ana, Alexis hissed back. "You go around draining people near and dear to the cruciat and you’re gonna have a full-scale war on your hands. You got a death wish or something?"

"God dammit, I didn’t drain him, Ana said. And, if it’s any consolation, he was nasty. I'm still trying to get the taste out of my mouth."

In any case, my foolish lady, you should have something of a more wholesome nature. Alexis nodded to Seth.

Ana opened her mouth to protest further, but Seth interrupted mildly. My lady, could we maybe get you your dinner now and you can fight with Alexis later? I do have a date tonight. He smiled shyly.

Ana smiled back and slid off her stool. Lucky girl, she said.

Um. Guy, he answered.

Ah. I said, and relaxed, my insecurity appeased.

Mr. Trent. Alexis turned to me as Ana and her dinner slipped out the pub door. How're you doing?

I'm okay, all things considered, I said. So far, so good.

What are you going to do? she asked, and stared at me intently.

Do? Do I have to do anything?

Eventually, yeah, Alexis said. What did you think was going to happen when you came back to her?

I don't know. I stared into my empty beer glass. I though we could maybe get back to, you know, life.

Alexis snorted. You're in for some weird shit, my friend. You'd best be prepared for it.

We were interrupted by Larry's need to refill my beer glass. I swear, he can spot an empty pint from a mile away. All the sudden, he was at our end of the bar, grinning at me.

Another?

Please, I said.

Where'd your woman and that hunky dude go off to? he asked as he set my refilled glass in front of me.

Oh, ah, they went for cigarettes, I winced at the lie.

She told me she quit smoking! Larry frowned. He was a reformed smoker himself and took it upon himself to preach to the sinners.

Well, I looked to Alexis who helpfully shrugged. Maybe it was Seth who needed the cigs. I dunno, I don't smoke!

Hmm. Cigs, you say. Larry gave me an exaggerated nod and headed back down the bar, his drawn-out Suuuurrrre... trailed behind him.

God, Alexis, I said. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Oh, Ethan, Hon. You take what you can get, right?

Yeah, right.

The pub door opened and Ana came breezing back in. Her cheeks were flush with warmth and her eyes were clear and shining. She was stunning. I quelled a sudden high-school surge of hormones.

Feeling better? I snugged her to my side.

Much, she breathed.

So, smoking again? Larry leaned aggressively into Ana's personal space. She drew back.

What? She looked at me, puzzled.

You went for cigarettes with Seth, right? I gave her the ghost of a wink.

Oh, ah, yeah. But only for him. He, um, had to borrow a couple of bucks.... Ana trailed off, knowing how lame her excuses sounded. Anyway. Fuck you. I don't smoke anymore. She jabbed a pointy finger into Larry's side. He wisely decided to cease his line of inquiry.

~*~*~*~

Later that night, lying next to Ana in her attic aerie, I could feel her practically vibrating with nerves.

I had insisted on staying with her at the Inn, her second place of employment, rather than drive back to my apartment in Collegetown. We were still technically separated, but I wanted to keep an eye on her. I had an excuse ready: I suddenly developed a case of the hornies and wished to exercise my husbandly duties. I do believe I executed said duties with skill and Ana seemed well satisfied, until she began to twist and turn, sighing quietly every so often.

I slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her chilly body close, trying to lend her some warmth.

Can't sleep, Ana? I murmured. What's bothering you?

Oh, Ethan. What have I done? I mean, what if I’ve unleashed something I can’t control? I’m not the only one who could be affected by my bad judgment.

It was hard for Ana to keep her rare breed status in mind: she was one of ten or twenty thousand in the whole world. The impulsive things she did had consequences and the potential to affect more than just herself, and in ways that could be devastating for the scant population as a whole. The need for secrecy, the constant dissembling, the skulking around in the shadows, were not in the nature of an open, energetic, and honest woman like my Ana. I pulled her closer and gently rubbed her back.

You reacted in a completely predictable way. Trade insult for insult. Maybe this Dr. Cruckshank’ll get the message.

Cruciat, she admonished. Maybe he’ll get the wrong message.

You know, Hon, I said, feeling my way with care, "maybe it's about time you started thinking about what could happen before you make these rash decisions of yours."

What do you mean, Ethan? Her voice had a defensive tone, with a slight dangerous tinge.

Oh, come on, Ana. I could feel my frustration rising. "Think about what's gone on the past few months! You brought that creature into our home without even asking me, and look what happened!"

As always, the mere mention of her Domn raised Ana's hackles. She sat up and stared at me, a flicker of anger and dark despair in her eyes. "That creature was a sweet and gentle man! she ground out between clenched teeth. He didn't deserve what happened to him!"

Now you've done it, I thought. She's finally going to rip your lungs out. I slid a little away from her on the bed and held up what I hoped was a placating hand. Ana, now calm down. I didn't mean—

And, don't you forget, she plowed on, "I am one of those creatures now." Her lips drew back, as if to drive home her point, and her sharky teeth glittered in the dim light.

How could I forget when you make sure to remind me on a daily basis? I said, my frustration and anger getting the better of me. Pull your God-damned fangs in, Ana!

If looks could kill, I would have become a small, smoking pile of ashes there on the mattress. Ana pulled her head back, eyes blazing, and her hands curled into claws, her nails dug into the bedclothes. One part of me feared for my life; the other part was truly sick and tired of being afraid of my own wife. I braced myself for an attack.

Ana lowered her head to stare at her clenched fingers and slowly relaxed her hands, turning them palms up, as if in defeat. Her shoulders drooped and, like a deflating balloon, she released a long, shuddering sigh.

Jesus, Ethan, she said. "I'm sorry. I