Crossroads

JOHN-JOHN'S SHRILL SCREAM MAKES THE MUG SLIP from my hand, but before it crashes to the floor, I'm in his room.

John-John is sitting up in bed, his eyes wide, his body trembling. I gather him into my arms, hug him close, rock him. Frey is beside me then, and I slip away to let him take over. He talks to his son in Navajo, soft crooning, words whose meaning come through even without the benefit of literal translation.

He is consoling his son, telling him he is all right, assuring him his father will never leave him.

Kayani has come into the room, too. He avoids my eyes, but something he picks up in John-John's replies to his father makes him cross to the window. He parts the curtains and looks out.

I join him and whisper, "What is it?"

"John-John says he felt something watching him. A red eye. When he woke, it disappeared."

"A nightmare?"

"Some legends speak of skinwalkers carrying red lights."

"You think George was here? In John-John's bedroom?"

Frey has picked up John-John, blankets wrapped tightly around his little frame. "I'm taking John-John in the kitchen for some warm milk."

We watch until he's out of sight. I'm shaking with outrage. "How could he get in without our seeing him?"

"He may not have." His eyes are troubled. "What John-John saw might be part of a curse."

"But we destroyed the charm, didn't we?"

"One, at least."

"There could have been more?" Each word fans the anger boiling in my blood until I think I will burst into flame. "I need to get to George and his wife. I can make them talk."

"You or vampire?" Kayani's words are sharp.

"Does it matter?" I snap back.

He surprises me by not rising to the bait. To the contrary, his tone softens. "Daniel has great faith in you," he says simply. "Your kind are not known for their humanity, but I have seen nothing of an evil side to your nature. I have watched you with John-John. He would not respond to you if he sensed danger. You may be the best hope we have to rid ourselv>

"Then I will go. Now."

"We need to talk to Daniel first."

"No. He will want to come with me. He is too angry. Do you know about Frey's other form?"

Kayani nods. "Sarah told me. She was afraid John-John might have inherited his father's curse. It terrified her."

"It is not a curse. It is a gift to be managed and contained and can be used for good. Frey has helped me too many times to count." I wave a hand toward John-John's bed. "What people like George and his wife do, skinwalkers and witches who work black magic against innocents, they are a curse."

"And still, you don't want Daniel to go with you?"

"If it was a matter of stopping them from attacking John-John, I would send Frey by himself. He deserves revenge. But if George is also behind the counterfeiters, I am in a better position to extract information in a more-" I hesitate, choosing the word. "Restrained manner."

A smile touches the corners of his mouth. "You must be careful. Of both George and his wife. We can't be sure who is the most powerful." He dips a hand into his pocket. "Do you want to take my car? A police vehicle may catch them off guard."

"No. I can cover ground faster on my own." I head for the window, slide it open. "Stay in here as long as you can. Frey will think we are still talking. Once he knows the truth, it will be hard to convince him not to follow."

I climb out, stretch, call vampire. Kayani is saying something, but we're already off, racing the wind, racing toward evil. His words fade like shadows before the approaching sunrise. Freedom, excitement and anticipation send the flush of bloodlust to warm cold limbs.

Vampire looks forward to this meeting. Vampire will show what it is to be feared.