The Taste For Midnight Blood

Ten

The Taste For Midnight Blood

By

Remy Blue

(c) Copyright by Remy Blue, December 2017

Eternal Diamond Publishing

Los Angeles, CA 90242

www.eternaldiamondpublishing.com

Chapter One

Drums beats sound faintly in the background as an alarm clock went off on a nightstand. The curtains open to the simultaneously as the alarm reads 7:30am. A hand moved out from the black linen covers to hit the alarm going off. A sound came from the covers and slowly growled getting up. An African man with dark mocha skin with shaved sideburns, a fade style haircut, and muscular built removed himself from the blankets. His big hands moved his face rubbing it. He growled lightly and opened his dark honey colored eyes. He moved out of the bed nude standing five-eleven. He flexed his butt and turned his strong thighs and calves to the window getting cat calls from some women watching his long form exposed to them. He yawned as the women moaned watching him move about through the room.

A brand an onyx symbol of a canine creature with silver and a small ruby chip stood was at the center of the circular round flat medallion held up with leather straps tied together. He glanced at it then placed it around his neck.

He moved to his dresser and pulled out some boxers to put on. He looked at the small mirror in the corner looking at his reflection round nose, full lips and a long neck with broad shoulders. He slapped his face a little looking around at his room with some tribal attire in the corner laying on a chair. Paints of different colors adorn his walks in earth tone colors with dark Serengeti themed. He yawned and ambled across the hardwood floors and entered in the bathroom. He opened his medicine cabinet and pulled out a bottle of green pills and placed it on the counter. He moved to his dresser and pulled out some jeans and a t-shirt. He quickly got dressed and put on some gym shoes. The man opened the door to hear drumbeats. He placed his hand on the railings and sauntered down the stairs to see three men sitting at a table.

The room was filled with West African tribal bodies of statues of full figured women. Some figurines stood on some tables. Ethiopian patterns were designated in the corners of the house. The three women, young, middle aged and older moved around in the kitchen. The younger one wore a green shirt and shorts with embroidered ‘eat me.’ Her short hair was pulled back into a bun and she stood robust with a full figure and average height. Her full nude lips glared at the man.

Oni, you woke up late again, she spat.

He glared at her then ambled to the fridge and pulled out some orange juice and drank from the carton, I had a long night at work, Lerato.

Lerato frowned at him and walked passed him and shoved him, you wouldn’t have late nights if you came to work in the family business instead of being a psychic to the police force.

A middle-aged woman similar to Lerato sighed and placed her hands on her hips and frowned at brother and sister, Oni, and Lerato don’t you know that its bad luck to fight in the morning.

Mom! they said at once reminding their mother of spoiled children.

The woman wore watermelon shirt and long skirt. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail to the side and she moved to cook some food. A middle-aged man with a gruff beard similar to Oni walked behind the woman and kissed her.

Children, leave your mom alone, the man said.

Mosi, I was trying to tell them to not fight. The woman said.

Dada, leave them alone for now, Mosi said then turned to take the carton away from Oni, your sister is right. You could come into the family business and it would help.

Dada, Mosi and Lerato glance at him. Oni sighed and glowered at them. He was pressured constantly to return to the family business but he wanted to do what he wanted to do.

I have to go to work, Oni rushed for the door, tell Zuberi, Zula and Kojo I will see them later.

Mosi exhaled, that boy doesn’t understand what it means to be involved in the family business.

Dada shook her head and took out slabs of meat and placed it on the mini-grill on the stove, Oni uses his talents.

The boy is a healer, but he should be something more, Mosi barked.

Dada lit the fire high and Lerato glanced at her parents and sighed. It would be a never-ending battle with Oni.

****

Many policemen and women walk about the busy station. Some men are cuffed and pushed to the back. Loud noises surround the place as many people move about bustling through the station. Oni walked into the station and head to the coffee machine. He poured himself some coffee. He drank a little of it as he watched the scene unfold. He sighed and listened to many of the people move about. Oni’s ears perk up and he moved quick to a man about to pull out a gun. He frowned and punched he man dead in the chest. The gun fell out of his pocket and other officers pulled their guns on the man.

Oni stepped back and went back to his coffee. A man curly brown hair, light caramel complexion, stood six-two looking at the scene. He strolled over to Oni and slapped his back.

Oni, you should join the force. You’re only ever here during the day, the man suggested.

Oni continued to sip his coffee, I don’t work nights. I work during the day. At nights, I work other side jobs, Jackson and you know that.

Jackson scowled at his friend and chuckled, you’re the best we got on the force. I don’t know you have these psychic abilities.

Oni shrugged, Jackson, I just feel it could be useful for helping what things come your way.

Jackson nodded and pushed a file into Oni’s hands. Jackson looked around and saw the chaos happening around the police station.

Look Oni, this came in a few days ago. There have been these killings surrounding all over the surrounding areas, Jackson said looking around nervously.

Oni studied the disrupting images of men being brutalized and manned with large gashes cut out of them. He flipped through the folder and sensed nothing. Oni touched he images with his hands and glanced at everyone in the prescient. He shook his head at Jackson.

I don’t have any read right now, but this isn’t normal patterns. This looks more tribal, ritualistic or animal-like, Oni said without missing a beat.

Jackson took the file from Oni, I wish you didn’t tell me that.

I’m sorry Jackson, but this isn’t normal, Oni faltered.

I’m going to have homicide down my back with this. I don’t know how to place these if you tell this is not normal, Jackson said distastefully.

Oni glanced in a different direction and sighed. He didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but his friend’s current case was bigger than he intended.

Oni, meet me later at the diner for lunch. Maybe we can go more over this case, I got, Jackson said softly.

Oni nodded then left. As he sauntered back out of the police station. He stuck his hands into his pockets glancing around at the inner-city neighborhood. Many children, teenager and adults strolled passed him. Oni waved to some of them and they waved back. He walked across the street to the park and sat down. The morning sun peeked high in the sky. Clouds of smog filtered the air as he breathed in deep catching some of the smog. Oni looked up to see a woman with long black hair, a light tanned complexion, gray green eyes, small breasts, a heart shaped face, average height wearing a white blouse and black skirt. She glanced at him and smirked. A bus rolled by. Oni looked back to the bus and saw the woman gone.

****

Many people came in and out of the white walled room filled diner with bustling customers. Teenagers, elderly folk, children and families ate together. Singles, couples and out of towners talked amongst each other as the orders of their food were brought to the tables. Old pictures of Chicago elite from different eras were framed on the brick and Mordor style place. Jackson swirled the spoon in his coffee. He glanced down at the files and shook his head trying to understand what was missing pieces. Oni had told him this was ritualistic but these were happening in his city. Jackson needed to solve this case before it caused to much attention. He sipped his cup of coffee and turned to the chaos of the diner.

The door swung open and Oni turned to look around to see Jackson hidden in one of the booths. Oni strolled over to his friend and sat down. Jackson passed the files over to Oni.

Oni, I need to solve this soon before this turns into a cold case. I know you helped solved many of my other cases based on your talents. Some of the others turned into a cold case, Jackson said staring at Oni.

Oni looked over the files and sighed, I’ll help you, Jackson. You’re my best friend.

Jackson smirked, I’ve only been on the force for three years and as a homicide detective, I get weird shit across my desk but this is new.

Oni continued to look over the