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She didn't deny it, just stood at the window, staring out.
"Why, Nikki?"
For a moment, he didn't think she would answer.
"Because I let him die.” Her voice was so soft it was a more a whisper through his thoughts than anything he could actually hear. “Because I vowed never to let it happen again."
"There was nothing you could do to save Monica. She chose her fate long before you came onto the scene."
Nikki glanced at him. “You're wrong, Michael. I could have stopped this." The certainty in her voice made him frown. “Monica performed the ceremony over a week ago. From that point on, her fate was ordained. It was just a matter of when."
"And it was the when I could have changed.” She hesitated, then turned to face him. “Everyone has some good in them. Sometimes all it takes is one person's belief to change the tide." He had an odd feeling she was talking more about herself than Monica. He wondered who had turned her tide. Jake?
She lifted her chin slightly. “None of this alters the fact I will not be left behind tomorrow." He scowled. Her tenacity annoyed the hell out of him, yet he couldn't help admiring her for it, either.
“You're a stubborn wench."
"I never claimed to be perfect, Michael. And nothing you can do or say will stop me from going with you."
"I can tie you up and lock you away,” he muttered.
"And I can use telekinesis to escape, then come after you." He ran a hand through his hair. “I'm only trying to keep you safe, Nikki.” Taking a sip of coffee, he watched her over the rim of the cup. If he couldn't stop her, he'd just have to find a way to keep her out of harm's way. And that wasn't going to be any easier than trying to talk her out of accompanying them. She shrugged and gave him a rueful smile. “I know. But I've been looking after myself for a long time now. I have to finish what I start."
In that, they were very much alike. He glanced at the front door, aware of Jake's approach. The door opened, and Jake peered around at them.
"It appears safe to enter,” he commented, doing so. “But it's hard to judge a winner here. The black looks are almost identical."
"Quit clowning around,” Nikki growled. “I'm going."
"Ah.” Jake glanced at Michael sympathetically. “She can be really difficult when it comes to doing something she doesn't want to do."
Michael smiled grimly. “I noticed."
"So, we stick to the daylight raid plan?” Jake moved over to his chair and sat down. Michael took another sip of coffee then nodded. “It's still the safest time to try to find Monica." Jake nodded and leaned forward, fishing through the mess in his desk. “Anyone for blackjack?” he said, producing a pack of cards.
"Just as long as you're prepared to lose your money, friend,” Michael replied with a light smile. Playing cards had to be better than sitting alone with his thoughts. He could do that anytime.>"So what do you plan to do?” Jake asked into the silence.
"I plan to kill Jasper before he can kill again."
"Not exactly legal."
"With Jasper, we have no other choice. And you know it,” Michael said quietly. “You had a taste of what he will be like last night in Monica."
"Then she is a vampire."
There was no disbelief in Jake's quiet statement. Only an edge of fear she could well understand.
"Yes,” Michael answered. “As Jasper is."
"Shit,” Jake muttered and took a gulp coffee. “So how do we kill a vampire? Chase it with a stake and cover it in crosses and garlic?"
Michael smiled, though no humor touched his eyes. “The cross works as a deterrent for vampires only because, historically speaking, they have always been made of the purest silver. The metal can burn vampires that touch it, particularly the newly turned. As for garlic, I suspect it is only a deterrent for those with weak stomachs."
"So what's the proper method of killing vampires?” Jake asked. “And how do you know so much about them?"
"As I've already told Nikki, a stake through the heart and decapitation are the best bet. Exposure to the noonday sun works, too. Either way, you must first find their daytime resting place."
"Why the noonday sun? I thought exposure to any amount of sun would kill?” she said in surprise.
