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darth_stitchSee DISCLAIMER in PART I
Sunlight
It was not so.
Some of the Eldar lingered and of the Istari, Radagast the Brown stayed as well. They lingered to heal the land of the hurts left behind by the fallen Enemy and to pass on the knowledge to those who were worthy. They knew that evil would always be a part of Arda That Was Marred and it would always take a new form.
And their fears were well founded when they divined the true intentions of the last Queen of Numenor and the foul and terrible creature that she had become, hidden by the fairness of her face and form. She came very close to achieving her goals, having ensnared the heart of the young High King and believing him well and truly besotted.
But the High King would not be deceived forever and he had learned well the lessons taught him by his kinsmen among the Eldar and from the last remaining wizard in the lands. Although his grief was great, his love for his people was the stronger and so he confronted his enemy, who was once the woman he loved.
In the end, he succeeded in banishing Tar-Miriel from the land, sending her back to her enchanted sleep, sealing her away.
Glorfindel of Rivendell, one of the greatest Elven-lords still living in the lands, spoke these words to the High King:
"She shall sleep for a time, my young King, but know that she will wake again and she will stand to threaten you and your House, even after Gondor and Arnor fade away in men's memories. And so it will always be, until her life ends by your hand."
PART IV
This did not make sense.
Ryan Wakefield was an ordinary, unassuming man in his early 30's with brown hair and blue eyes. He was employed as a clerk in a small but successful shipping company. He wasn't known to even have any vices, other than the occasional beer and was described by most of his officemates and friends as a "nice, quiet guy." He was unmarried. His parents died in a boating accident three years ago and he had no siblings, other than some extended family members like a couple of cousins, uncles and aunts living on the islands.
All in all, he was just a very ordinary, typical citizen, a guy one would pass by on the street and not give a second thought to.
Until he suddenly decided to dress up as a very convincing vampire on Halloween, run afoul of the Five-0 Team and then get himself arrested and die a couple of hours later.
Danny ran a hand over his hair, completely at his wits' end. "I don't get it. What, he just up and went lolo because of his incredibly boring life?"
Steve slanted him a look that managed to be both fond and irritatingly smug all at once. "Seriously, Danny? You finally going native on us?"
Danny shrugged. "What – a guy can't pick up a couple of useful Hawaiian words here and there? I can adapt. It's not unheard of. I'm still saying no to loud aloha shirts and pineapple on pizza, you know."
"Yes, dear, I know."
It was the day after Halloween and of course, considering what happened that night, they were going to have to work this case. Whatever was bothering Steve from the previous night was set aside for this new mystery they were trying to figure out and frankly, Danny knew his partner needed the distraction. Honestly, Danny counted it a miracle that both of them actually managed to get some sleep last night. Steve had been restless and agitated and Danny had to get creative to help Steve settle down.
To be honest, Danny was expecting that Wakefield was some kind of closet pedophile – he'd actually fed Steve some bullshit line about feeding on Grace's blood. He was just lucky Steve had punched him out – Danny would have been perfectly willing to throw the guy off the roof of some building somewhere.
"If you two lovebirds will stop billing and cooing for a moment, I just got the toxicology report back from Max," Chin told them. "Found elements of hyoscine – whatever poison he took, it evidently had nightshade in it, among other things."
Steve groaned. "You've got to be kidding me. First the vampire thing, now the nightshade? How cliché can this get?"
"Okay, science nerd – what's the deal about the nightshade?" Danny asked.
"It's supposed to be the real reason why witches 'fly'," Spooky volunteered. "If you use just a small amount, it causes hallucinations and the impression of floating."
"And too much means you go bye-bye, okay, I get it," Danny continues. "So okay, to backtrack: Mr. Ryan Wakefield, a.k.a. Count Whackula dresses up for Halloween, crashes our party, flirts with Steve and decides that my baby girl looks good enough to eat. Asshole."
"He wouldn't have laid a finger on Gracie, Danny, I promise you that," Steve said fervently.
"I know, babe," Danny said, favoring his goofball of a partner with a soft smile. He continued. "We have him arrested, our brothers in arms in the HPD take him in and on the way to the precinct, he starts acting all funny in the squad car."
"The officers reported that he started screaming and convulsing," Kono said, reading off the report. "So they uncuffed him, thinking that they might have to bring him to the hospital. He managed to knock one of the officers down first, got the other one as well and then, opened up the ring he was wearing and swallowed something from it."
"The poison," Chin added. "And he's DOA at the hospital – it's a suicide but why?"
"Opened the ring?" Steve asked. "The one with the huge ruby on it?"
"Shades of the Borgias," Danny muttered. He did remember seeing that ring – it was just too big and ornate not to miss.
"Ring must have had one of those secret compartment things to conceal stuff like that," Spooky said, absently, rummaging through the box of evidence that was brought to them. She frowned as she laid out the articles of clothing that the victim had worn, one by one, on the large table they had in the middle of the room. "Where is the ring?"
Steve's gaze sharpened. "We have missing evidence?"
Kono grabbed the inventory list. "Everything on this list is here. But no ring was listed being recovered from our vic. He was wearing one – the officers' report described it exactly as you did, Boss."
"It wasn't a piece of costume jewelry either," Steve said thoughtfully. "It was huge and heavy – it was the real thing, I'd swear to it."
"Here," Spooky brandished a receipt. "This was found in the victim's pockets. It's from the Sackville Costume and Antiques Shop. I'd guess that's where he found his vampire get-up. Maybe the ring too."
"Good," Steve praised. "Danny and I will head on over and check that out. Spooky, Kono, go to our vic's apartment, have a look around, see if you can find any clue why he decided to act all crazy and suicide on Halloween. Find that ring too. Chin, take a look into his finances. Maybe there's something there that we're missing. Like Danny said – this guy looks like he's just Joe Normal so let's find out what was going on with him."
Danny waited until they had gotten into the car – Steve was on the driver's side, naturally – before he asked his question.
"You're going to ask me to check into Spooky and that weird Club too, right?"
Steve sighed. "I have Chin already looking into Morrie Bauman and Club Denial. Spooky's another thing altogether. I mean, even if Chin turns up something off about Bauman, Spooky's bound to have her own set of contacts in the underground – hell, we all do."
"I know that. But you let her keep working with Kono."
Steve nodded.
"We did a full background check on her, Steve – she's clean. A little odd, yeah, what with the Goth thing," Danny said. It was true – Danny and Chin had gotten that done before they finally asked her to be a part of the team. "I think it's less about Spooky herself and more about that weird story she was telling before she spaced out on us."
Steve nodded again. "Something about that story she told is bothering me. You know, I read all that stuff about the Middle-earth myths when I was a kid. I loved it – the stuff about the hobbits and the Elves and the Lord of the Rings. Knew everything about it – backwards and forwards – even wanted to minor in the Elven languages too."
"Geek," Danny teased. "Hobbits, really?"
"Like you've got room to talk," Steve's grin looked positively evil as he regarded Danny from head to foot.
"Go ahead, I dare you to say something," Danny growled.
Steve, damn him, actually looked like he was thinking about it. "Well…"
"I have one word for you, Steven: couch."
"I was just going to say something on how much you like your food and how particular you are about it," Steve said innocently.
Danny was not fooled by the innocent look. Not one bit. "Uh-huh."
"Also, there's the thing about you being cute too."
Danny sputtered. "Cute? Cute? Excuse me – puppies and kittens are cute. Babies are cute. Note that all of the above-mentioned are teeny-tiny things and I am not –"
"Stop distracting me, Danno," Steve told him, mischief dancing in those ever-changeable eyes, which were blue-green today. "I had a point to make."
Damn it. Steve's smile and those eyes distracted him sufficiently enough for Steve to lean over and kiss him silly. Danny could taste coffee and a bit of sugar from the bite Steve stole from Danny's breakfast malasadas and Danny really, really wanted for them to be anywhere but in the parking lot, sitting in the Camaro where they could be seen by anyone passing by.
Steve drew back and Danny was expecting that he'd be wearing that smug, goofy expression that always made Danny end up trying to figure out whether it was appropriate to hit him or kiss him again. Naturally, because Steve made it his mission in life to drive Danny to distraction, he had on that sweet, happy look instead.
Danny would take that any day, given how freaked out Steve had been the previous night.
"As I was saying," Steve said leaning back. "I had a point to make."
"So say it already because so help me God, you look at me like that one more time, I won't be held responsible for my actions." Okay, Danny meant to sound grumpy, he really, really did. It just wasn't working right now.
"Those stories always ended with the Ringbearer sailing over the seas and with the new King marrying his Elven bride. I know that the King and Queen did have a son and he grew up to be King after his dad. But the stories always ended there. There wasn't anything else after that. Nothing about the Prince, what he did, what happened during his reign – nothing except his name and that he succeeded his father to the throne."
Danny thought about it. He'd read the Middle-earth myths too as a kid and realized that Steve was right. "I always thought that was how it ended – they lived happily ever after for the rest of their days."
"That was the way it should've ended," Steve agreed. "That was the way I thought it ended. But Spooky told a different story last night. Where did she get that?"
"Yeah," Danny said thoughtfully. They really needed to talk to Spooky and level with her. It was obvious that she knew something although Danny's instincts were telling him that she wasn't a threat to the team. They did need to give her a chance to explain herself though. "Steve. What was the Prince's name again?"
"Eldarion," Steve answered. "That was his name. Eldarion, son of the Elfstone and the Evenstar, Aragorn and Arwen."
She first met him as a little girl of nine years, hiding behind her older sister's skirts. He was beautiful, she remembered thinking but it was the gentle smile and those kind eyes that caught her attention. And his voice, soft and coaxing her out from her hiding place.
"There you are, little one."
She remembers the gentle touch of his hand on her arm, the quick flash of temper in his eyes at seeing the bruises on her skin and once more, that smile.
"It's all right now. No one will hurt you here. There's nothing to fear."
And he had spoken truly.
It was such a change, from Milord's cold voice and scathing tones. Milord - always - never Father, the Numenorean nobleman who sired her and her eldest sister, thinking of them as nothing more than game pieces in his quest for power and position. Milord with his rules and his endless drilling of protocol and proper behavior, how he dictated what were suitable pursuits for ladies of their position and bloodline. She remembers him destroying her toys, because she was no longer an infant in the nursery and she should bend her eyes and hands to the womanly tasks expected of a lady who would one day run a nobleman's household.
She remembers the shouting and the arguments with her sister and the beatings he inflicted on both of them, her sister taking the worst of the blows. It only made him angrier afterwards – her sister should not be damaged so, how would the Crown Prince even look at her if she was marred?
It is not until later that she remembers Milord wanted her older sister to set her sights on the Crown Prince, to marry him and so ensure Milord's position in the court.
She remembers that it was the Prince who had saved them, taken them out of that hell and that they had never looked back since. How many doors were opened to them then? How many paths and possibilities that they could now take? She remembers her sister finding love in the Steward Faramir's son Elboron and how well-suited they were, filling their home with more children and laughter and joy.
Her path lay along a different road, possessed as she was of certain Gifts. She would walk in starlight in the company of the last remaining Eldar of Middle-earth, absorb their knowledge, learn their stories, keeping them all in her memory.
Storyteller. Keeper of the Tales, Singer of Songs, they would call her with their sweet beautiful voices.
She would sing of the Prince and his deeds in the Great Hall, delighting the King and his beautiful Elven Queen.
She would stand witness as the Prince's story would continue to unfold, keep safe the memories and the truths, a loyal and devoted subject not just to the crown but to the man himself.
She would remember, when everyone else would forget, even when the kingdom was gone and all of them were dust.
She would always remember – she would never forget.
Even when the Prince himself did.
PART V
The Sackville Costume & Antiques Shop should have looked harmless. It was one of those odd little places with all these useless knick-knacks, unusual pieces of clothing, books, jewelry – things that would have driven Danny's mom and his sisters wild. Rachel would have spent hours in this place.
It creeped Danny out.
See, he'd seen this movie before. Hell, it was a freaking television series even. This was The Little Shop That Wasn't There Yesterday, the one with the all the cursed antiques, where there was no such thing as a return policy. And of course, forget about using cash or credit card for these places – souls were the currency here, collected by the sinister shopkeeper.
All right, so Danny's imagination was running away with him. After the night he and Steve had, he was entitled to it.
"Admit it," he whispered to Steve, "You're as spooked of this place as I am."
Steve snorted. "I'm not buying anything, are you?"
"Hell, no."
"How may I help you gentlemen?"
And that was how they were introduced to Simon Gaunt. With the hoity-toity English accent, impeccable clothes and clean good looks, he was exactly like the sort of guy any self-respecting girl should be bringing home to their mother.
Danny didn't care – if Grace ever brought home a guy who somehow managed to set off every last one of his alarm bells like this one did, Danny would be breaking out the shotguns. This was different from the people at Club Denial and the irritating thing was, they were the weird-looking ones. Gaunt was as ordinary as Ryan Wakefield a.k.a. Count Whackula – sophisticated, urbane and openly cooperative. He answered each and every one of Danny's questions about Wakefield with aplomb.
Yes, Wakefield did come in and rent out a costume for Halloween. Yes, he did rent out jewelry as well – though only to very special clients.
"And Ryan Wakefield was a special client?" Danny asked, raising a brow.
Gaunt gave one of those fake, embarrassed-sounding coughs. "Well, no… it was his first time here. He was rather sweet, really. He wanted to look a little different from Halloween and so I made some suggestions. I was rather hoping he'd become one of my regulars. You know how it is." He smiled apologetically. "It was a shame, what happened."
"The ring was a bit unique," Danny said, leading him a little bit. He wanted to see if Gaunt would admit to knowing about the ring's unusual features.
Gaunt nodded. "Oh yes. It had a secret compartment where one could conceal a pinch of snuff or… well…" Again, with the little cough of embarrassment. "Something a little more sinister, if you know what I mean? Which was why it made such a suitable accessory for a vampire's costume – was there any reason why you're asking me about that ring, Detective?"
"Sinister," Danny echoed. "Funny you should say that because that's how he died. From a poison he concealed in that ring."
Gaunt looked shocked. "Good God!"
If he was acting, it was a very good job, Danny would give him that. "I'm afraid so. Would be interesting to know where he got it from."
"Well…surely you don't think he got it here?" Gaunt was outraged. "I did make a point of showing him the secret compartment underneath the ruby. It was quite empty, I assure you. He must've gotten the poison from somewhere else."
Steve had been content to let Danny lead with the questioning. It was usually how they worked and honestly, Danny didn't want him to break out the grenades each time they talked to a person of interest. In fact, Steve had been hanging back, checking out the shop's impressive collection of old books. He'd pulled one out and looked like for all the world that he was engrossed in the book, except that Danny knew perfectly well Steve was listening the entire time.
And then, Steve held out the book he was holding towards them. "Would it be okay if we borrow this?"
"Oh dear," said Gaunt, taking the book and looking at the title. "I'm afraid I really can't let it out of the shop, Detective. It's quite valuable and very rare. I'm afraid I would have to require a warrant if you wish to take it out of the shop. Or you could do your research here, if you wish."
The Book of Lost Tales. Danny frowned as he read the title of the book over Gaunt's shoulder. What was it about the book that Steve found so interesting?
"Okay. Hey, Danny, you got everything?"
Steve was never this agreeable, not towards a suspect. But Danny was going to play along for the moment. "Sure, I'm good."
They took their leave of Gaunt and as always, Danny waited until they got into the car before he started in on Steve.
"I'm going to say this in short, simple words, so you'll understand," Danny growled. "What. The. Fuck?"
And then, he almost regretted being so short with Steve when he saw that his partner had the same, exact haunted expression he was wearing when Danny confronted him in the club's restroom. Danny couldn't help it – he gently placed a hand on the back of Steve's neck in a comforting gesture, fingers gently threading through the still-long curls. "Babe?"
Steve closed his eyes briefly and leaned into the touch before he drew away, looking more determined this time. "I think we better go to Club Denial."
"What was in the book, Steven?" Danny asked. Because it had to be that damn book and Spooky's crazy story that was getting Steve all worked up.
"Trust me, Danny, I don't know what to think or tell you either. Let's just go to Club Denial first, okay?"
What else was Danny supposed to do but let his idiot, goofball of a partner lead the way?
Kono was beginning to really understand how Danny felt with Steve sometimes.
Chin was easy to get along with – he was her cousin and was pretty much her big brother all her life. When it came to the job, he was her mentor and she listened to him. She knew how lucky she was that she ended up in Five-0. She'd known how much flack she was going to get for being Chin's cousin if she'd stayed in HPD like most of her class.
She didn't give a damn. Being a cop was what she wanted to be and Chin was not a dirty cop.
Spooky was a whole different kettle of fish. The other woman was just a few years older than her, old enough to have gained experience and to earn the rank of Detective, even if she looked barely old enough to have graduated from the academy herself. She was where Kono was going to be in a couple of more years or so and their working relationship was a bit unique.
Spooky outranked her; Kono was far longer in Five-0 than she was. Spooky had the skills and certainly the knowledge that she could impart to Kono, much as Danny, Steve and Chin were doing. On the other hand, Spooky wasn't blood family and she was still too new to the team, still feeling her way around. It made things a whole lot easier that Spooky didn't seem to have the judgmental and suspicious attitude the other cops in HPD did. She liked all of them and it was an honest, no-bullshit, genuine thing.
But Spooky had secrets of her own and Kono knew that Halloween had just scratched the surface of them. Kono was the one who usually saw up and personal the why behind Spooky's nickname. There were moments when she'd look at things and especially people and just know even if Kono was prepared to swear up and down that there wasn't a single clue that should've given them away.
And like Chin and Steve, Spooky could be maddeningly close-mouthed about things. Like right now, Spooky was being quiet and withdrawn as Kono drove them over to Ryan Wakefield's apartment.
Kono wasn't having any of that. And she knew she had to get Spooky to talk. She knew that the other members of their team were wondering about Spooky already and she knew the background check that Chin and Danny had run on her showed that she was a clean cop. It was one of the first things they'd looked into before asking her to join Five-0. Kono's own instincts were telling her that Spooky wasn't a threat to them in that sense.
But Spooky was keeping something from them and it had to do with Club Denial too, which, by the way, had also gotten Kono wondering. That place was weird and Kono was born and raised in these islands so weird was part of her everyday life but Club Denial was strange even for her.
"So," Kono said quietly. "You want to tell me what was really going on with you freaking out on Steve last night? And the whole spacing-out thing you did?"
Spooky slanted a look at her. "Would you believe me if I just said I'm just nursing a hopeless crush on the Bossman? And I'll get over it, 'cause I really am happy for him and Danny-Boss?"
Kono snorted. "You, me, every female cop on the islands and a few of the guys that swing that way. Come on, Spooky, you can do better than that."
Spooky swallowed. "It's a bit hard to explain. In fact, I don't even know where to begin."
"Try beginning with 'Uncle Morrie' and Club Denial then."
Spooky snorted. "He's 'connected' in almost the same way Kamekona's 'connected' and you know it. He's got his ear to the ground and God help any mobster or druglord wanting to fuck with him and anybody under his protection. Literally. He's safe, Kono – he was serious when he told us that we've got nothing to fear at Club Denial."
"So if Chin runs a background check on Morris Bauman…"
"He's clean, Kono," Spooky said, with a soft laugh. "So am I, if you're suddenly wondering. I took an oath to defend and protect, Kono – I take my oaths seriously."
"And you're not offended by the questioning," Kono said in amazement. Danny would have ranted at this point. Chin would have clammed up and Steve… well, the Boss would've gone quiet in the same sense that you'd have the proverbial calm before the storm and in this case, the storm would be the kind that has the 100 plus mile per hour winds and rain pouring so hard that one couldn't tell the difference between the rainwater and the massive waves rolling in.
Spooky shrugged. "I'd be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes. I know how fucked-up this thing is." She rubbed a hand over her face, looking, for once, like her actual age, instead of being barely old enough to drive. "I know how fucked-up I am over it."
It was really funny to hear Spooky swear. Kono repressed a smile and moved on. "And the whole deal with the Middle-earth stories?"
"Shit."
"I know my ancient mythologies, Spooky," Kono said relentlessly. "That thing about the Prince and the Queen of Numenor wasn't ever in any book or anything online that I've ever read on the subject."
"It's not," Spooky said quietly. "At least not in any book available to you. Those stories were all lost long ago. There isn't really any story or tale surviving about Prince Eldarion, at least nothing available to the rest of the world."
The way she said it sent a chill down Kono's spine. "So why do you know about it?"
Spooky blew out a breath. "I think I want to talk about this with everyone present. Steve especially, because it concerns him closely."
"Spooky –"
"I promise, Kono," Spooky said earnestly. "I know I haven't really earned the trust of the team yet. I am going to talk about this, with everyone there. Okay?"
It was good enough. Kono pulled up next to Wakefield's apartment complex and parked the car. "So about the missing ring –"
"Yeah, that's going to be a pain in the ass," Spooky said. "We're going to have to talk to the EMTs who were first on the scene after we get done with this house."
Kono raised a brow. "You don't think they took it?"
"Somebody did – we have to start somewhere," said Spooky as she pushed the door of Wakefield's apartment open.
The apartment was neat and well-kept, with simple furniture and not a lot of fussy décor. As ordinary as the victim had been and apparently, he made decent money as a clerk because there's a loft where the bed was located. There wasn't anything really out of place, except for a mug and a couple of plates in the sink and candy in a wooden bowl. If Fate had been kinder to him, Ryan Wakefield would have come home to this, tidied up and gone on with the rest of his life. Kono tried not to think about that too much because it was just plain sad how these things worked out.
"Bet you anything we won't even find a Dracula novel in here," Kono said. The guy had a few video games too – like the guys on their team, he liked the war and racing games. "This doesn't make sense. Steve was saying he was acting exactly like those kids who were way into the vampire-Goth scene… um, no offense, Spooky."
"Hey – I happen to be very sane and reasonable about my fandoms, thank you very much." Spooky waved a finger at her. "And I also know you were checking out the Mick/Josef slash on the Moonlight fan fiction websites."
Kono blushed. The trouble working with a bunch of cops was that it was very, very difficult to keep secrets. However, Kono had ammunition. So despite the blush, Kono countered: "You and your thing for Kirk and Spock slash. Old school much, Spooky?"
Spooky shook her head, looking sheepish. "Okay. Call it even?"
"You got it."
Of course, Kono made a beeline for Wakefield's desk where his laptop was.
"Wow, laptop's not even password protected," Kono whistled. His browsing history and bookmarks weren't that remarkable. There was a couple of sites where it was obvious he was looking for Halloween costumes and one that led to the Sackville Costume & Antiques Shop. Other than that, Kono couldn't find any hint that he was even into the Goth scene, much less obsessed with vampires the way he was acting at the Governor's ball. Of course, he had a few porn sites in there but it was pretty vanilla – nothing even remotely kinky.
It was relatively easy to get into the guy's email and again Kono yielded zip.
"It's that ring," Spooky was muttering as she browsed through the rest of the late Ryan Wakefield's things. "Something about that ring's not sitting right with me."
"What, like it could be cursed or something?"
They both paused when they heard noise coming from upstairs. No need for discussion – both of them drew their guns.
"Five-0! Who's there?" Kono barked.
Someone leaped from the loft bedroom. He knocked Spooky aside and Kono caught the glint of gold and red just as she brought her gun up to shoot.
The bloodshot eyes and the sharp fangs caught her by surprise and made her hesitate just a fraction of a second long enough for him to knock her gun away. Swearing, Kono got a knee up into this guy's stomach. It should have winded him long enough so that she could take him down but the guy – the vampire? – gave her a toothy, fang-filled grin and grabbed her neck, slamming her against the wall.
Vampire. Her mind was still taking in all the details, the pale, pale skin, the uniform of an EMT, the blood-red ruby on his finger.
"Pretty," the vampire rasped. "I like it when they fight."
Kono could feel it when the vampire tried to reach into her mind, trying to wear her resistance down, make her surrender to him. She felt cold all of a sudden, dirty, like he was actually touching her skin through her clothes, although he just had his hands on her throat.
Yield to me, she heard it in her mind and she screamed in defiance, even though nothing could get past her tight throat but a strangled grunt.
She wasn't going down without a fight.
The vampire exposed Kono's throat long enough for the expected bite. But he hissed and drew back when he saw the St. Michael's medal that Danny had given her around her neck. It gave Kono enough of an opening to knee him in the nuts.
The vampire staggered backwards, moaning. Then, a small hand grabbed his hair, throwing his head back enough to expose his throat and there was a flash of bright silver.
The vampire screamed and Kono slumped down to the floor, gasping for breath.
His throat started to smoke and the vampire whirled around, trying to lash out at this new threat. Spooky stood in front of him, long silver knife in hand. The vampire lunged at her and moving faster than Kono thought possible, Spooky ducked low, striking out with the knife. She scored another hit on the vampire and Kono could smell the acrid stench of burning human flesh.
Spooky's eyes were kind of terrifying at this point, gray and feral, teeth bared in a snarl.
"This?" she said, brandishing the blade, "is blessed silver. My partner? Can kick your ass and is under protection too. What's it gonna be, you son of a bitch?"
The vampire looked at Kono and Kono was definitely getting with the program, making sure that her St. Michael's medal was in full view (and really, she was going to kiss Danny for this and risk the wrath of Steve, she was that grateful). Then he slanted a look at Spooky and how fucked up was it that they were facing a vampire right now in broad daylight?
The vampire ran but he made for the kitchen window. Glass went flying and Kono reflexively jumped back. She threw a glance at Spooky, because they had to go after that guy, even if every instinct she had was screaming against it but Spooky was shaking her head.
"Don't bother," the tiny detective said. "He's faster than a normal human and he'll be long gone from here." Gently, she guided Kono outside.
"I'm okay," Kono protested. Other than the bruises that she knew were going to be around her throat, she was physically fine. She still felt soiled though and shivering with the cold that not even the sun could chase away.
Somehow Spooky managed to get the passenger's side of the car open and get Kono to sit inside. Gentle hands touched the side of her head and Kono gasped at the sudden warmth and the distinct sensation of light, chasing the cold, dirty feeling away.
"There now, that's better, isn't it?" Spooky said.
"What did you do to me?" Kono asked. "Not that I don't appreciate it though."
Spooky smiled grimly. "Something I've picked up over the years to deal with the side effects of black magic and possession attempts. You're lucky that you're never without your St. Michael's medal. It was a gift, wasn't it?"
"From Danny, yeah," Kono said. "He gave it to me on my graduation day."
"Then that's the reason why it worked so well for you – it was a gift well-given. Thank God."
"Yeah, I'm going to thank God and Danny later but you need to start talking because either both of us were tripping out on some seriously weird drugs or we just fought off a vampire in broad fucking daylight," Kono growled.
"He wasn't just any kind of vampire," Spooky said. "I think he was possessed."
Kono's phone rang. It was Chin.
"Girls, I found out something interesting about that missing ring," he said.
Author's Notes:
Horror fans might be giggling at some of the references I'm throwing out there. Yes, it's deliberate. Yes, it's a tip of the hat to the classic horror series of the 80s and some Stephen King too.
Well, of COURSE Steve was going to make a hobbit joke! He just had to be sweet about it too. He was kind of due for some payback after the whole Mick St. John thing and getting Danny all twitterpated was a good way to start.
Yes, Kono and Spooky like slash. Every now and then, we have to poke fun at ourselves. (giggles)
So, at this point, it's a lot clearer what Steve's connection is to the LOTR universe. I love messing about with reincarnation stories and the
minute this Bunny took up residence in my brain, I just had to run with it, no matter how loony it was. The fun part is realizing exactly who Danny and Grace were to Steve in his past life. (Muhahahahaha!)
Sunlight
Interlude: From the Ashes a Fire Shall Be Woken…
It was not so.
Some of the Eldar lingered and of the Istari, Radagast the Brown stayed as well. They lingered to heal the land of the hurts left behind by the fallen Enemy and to pass on the knowledge to those who were worthy. They knew that evil would always be a part of Arda That Was Marred and it would always take a new form.
And their fears were well founded when they divined the true intentions of the last Queen of Numenor and the foul and terrible creature that she had become, hidden by the fairness of her face and form. She came very close to achieving her goals, having ensnared the heart of the young High King and believing him well and truly besotted.
But the High King would not be deceived forever and he had learned well the lessons taught him by his kinsmen among the Eldar and from the last remaining wizard in the lands. Although his grief was great, his love for his people was the stronger and so he confronted his enemy, who was once the woman he loved.
In the end, he succeeded in banishing Tar-Miriel from the land, sending her back to her enchanted sleep, sealing her away.
Glorfindel of Rivendell, one of the greatest Elven-lords still living in the lands, spoke these words to the High King:
"She shall sleep for a time, my young King, but know that she will wake again and she will stand to threaten you and your House, even after Gondor and Arnor fade away in men's memories. And so it will always be, until her life ends by your hand."
PART IV
This did not make sense.
Ryan Wakefield was an ordinary, unassuming man in his early 30's with brown hair and blue eyes. He was employed as a clerk in a small but successful shipping company. He wasn't known to even have any vices, other than the occasional beer and was described by most of his officemates and friends as a "nice, quiet guy." He was unmarried. His parents died in a boating accident three years ago and he had no siblings, other than some extended family members like a couple of cousins, uncles and aunts living on the islands.
All in all, he was just a very ordinary, typical citizen, a guy one would pass by on the street and not give a second thought to.
Until he suddenly decided to dress up as a very convincing vampire on Halloween, run afoul of the Five-0 Team and then get himself arrested and die a couple of hours later.
Danny ran a hand over his hair, completely at his wits' end. "I don't get it. What, he just up and went lolo because of his incredibly boring life?"
Steve slanted him a look that managed to be both fond and irritatingly smug all at once. "Seriously, Danny? You finally going native on us?"
Danny shrugged. "What – a guy can't pick up a couple of useful Hawaiian words here and there? I can adapt. It's not unheard of. I'm still saying no to loud aloha shirts and pineapple on pizza, you know."
"Yes, dear, I know."
It was the day after Halloween and of course, considering what happened that night, they were going to have to work this case. Whatever was bothering Steve from the previous night was set aside for this new mystery they were trying to figure out and frankly, Danny knew his partner needed the distraction. Honestly, Danny counted it a miracle that both of them actually managed to get some sleep last night. Steve had been restless and agitated and Danny had to get creative to help Steve settle down.
To be honest, Danny was expecting that Wakefield was some kind of closet pedophile – he'd actually fed Steve some bullshit line about feeding on Grace's blood. He was just lucky Steve had punched him out – Danny would have been perfectly willing to throw the guy off the roof of some building somewhere.
"If you two lovebirds will stop billing and cooing for a moment, I just got the toxicology report back from Max," Chin told them. "Found elements of hyoscine – whatever poison he took, it evidently had nightshade in it, among other things."
Steve groaned. "You've got to be kidding me. First the vampire thing, now the nightshade? How cliché can this get?"
"Okay, science nerd – what's the deal about the nightshade?" Danny asked.
"It's supposed to be the real reason why witches 'fly'," Spooky volunteered. "If you use just a small amount, it causes hallucinations and the impression of floating."
"And too much means you go bye-bye, okay, I get it," Danny continues. "So okay, to backtrack: Mr. Ryan Wakefield, a.k.a. Count Whackula dresses up for Halloween, crashes our party, flirts with Steve and decides that my baby girl looks good enough to eat. Asshole."
"He wouldn't have laid a finger on Gracie, Danny, I promise you that," Steve said fervently.
"I know, babe," Danny said, favoring his goofball of a partner with a soft smile. He continued. "We have him arrested, our brothers in arms in the HPD take him in and on the way to the precinct, he starts acting all funny in the squad car."
"The officers reported that he started screaming and convulsing," Kono said, reading off the report. "So they uncuffed him, thinking that they might have to bring him to the hospital. He managed to knock one of the officers down first, got the other one as well and then, opened up the ring he was wearing and swallowed something from it."
"The poison," Chin added. "And he's DOA at the hospital – it's a suicide but why?"
"Opened the ring?" Steve asked. "The one with the huge ruby on it?"
"Shades of the Borgias," Danny muttered. He did remember seeing that ring – it was just too big and ornate not to miss.
"Ring must have had one of those secret compartment things to conceal stuff like that," Spooky said, absently, rummaging through the box of evidence that was brought to them. She frowned as she laid out the articles of clothing that the victim had worn, one by one, on the large table they had in the middle of the room. "Where is the ring?"
Steve's gaze sharpened. "We have missing evidence?"
Kono grabbed the inventory list. "Everything on this list is here. But no ring was listed being recovered from our vic. He was wearing one – the officers' report described it exactly as you did, Boss."
"It wasn't a piece of costume jewelry either," Steve said thoughtfully. "It was huge and heavy – it was the real thing, I'd swear to it."
"Here," Spooky brandished a receipt. "This was found in the victim's pockets. It's from the Sackville Costume and Antiques Shop. I'd guess that's where he found his vampire get-up. Maybe the ring too."
"Good," Steve praised. "Danny and I will head on over and check that out. Spooky, Kono, go to our vic's apartment, have a look around, see if you can find any clue why he decided to act all crazy and suicide on Halloween. Find that ring too. Chin, take a look into his finances. Maybe there's something there that we're missing. Like Danny said – this guy looks like he's just Joe Normal so let's find out what was going on with him."
Danny waited until they had gotten into the car – Steve was on the driver's side, naturally – before he asked his question.
"You're going to ask me to check into Spooky and that weird Club too, right?"
Steve sighed. "I have Chin already looking into Morrie Bauman and Club Denial. Spooky's another thing altogether. I mean, even if Chin turns up something off about Bauman, Spooky's bound to have her own set of contacts in the underground – hell, we all do."
"I know that. But you let her keep working with Kono."
Steve nodded.
"We did a full background check on her, Steve – she's clean. A little odd, yeah, what with the Goth thing," Danny said. It was true – Danny and Chin had gotten that done before they finally asked her to be a part of the team. "I think it's less about Spooky herself and more about that weird story she was telling before she spaced out on us."
Steve nodded again. "Something about that story she told is bothering me. You know, I read all that stuff about the Middle-earth myths when I was a kid. I loved it – the stuff about the hobbits and the Elves and the Lord of the Rings. Knew everything about it – backwards and forwards – even wanted to minor in the Elven languages too."
"Geek," Danny teased. "Hobbits, really?"
"Like you've got room to talk," Steve's grin looked positively evil as he regarded Danny from head to foot.
"Go ahead, I dare you to say something," Danny growled.
Steve, damn him, actually looked like he was thinking about it. "Well…"
"I have one word for you, Steven: couch."
"I was just going to say something on how much you like your food and how particular you are about it," Steve said innocently.
Danny was not fooled by the innocent look. Not one bit. "Uh-huh."
"Also, there's the thing about you being cute too."
Danny sputtered. "Cute? Cute? Excuse me – puppies and kittens are cute. Babies are cute. Note that all of the above-mentioned are teeny-tiny things and I am not –"
"Stop distracting me, Danno," Steve told him, mischief dancing in those ever-changeable eyes, which were blue-green today. "I had a point to make."
Damn it. Steve's smile and those eyes distracted him sufficiently enough for Steve to lean over and kiss him silly. Danny could taste coffee and a bit of sugar from the bite Steve stole from Danny's breakfast malasadas and Danny really, really wanted for them to be anywhere but in the parking lot, sitting in the Camaro where they could be seen by anyone passing by.
Steve drew back and Danny was expecting that he'd be wearing that smug, goofy expression that always made Danny end up trying to figure out whether it was appropriate to hit him or kiss him again. Naturally, because Steve made it his mission in life to drive Danny to distraction, he had on that sweet, happy look instead.
Danny would take that any day, given how freaked out Steve had been the previous night.
"As I was saying," Steve said leaning back. "I had a point to make."
"So say it already because so help me God, you look at me like that one more time, I won't be held responsible for my actions." Okay, Danny meant to sound grumpy, he really, really did. It just wasn't working right now.
"Those stories always ended with the Ringbearer sailing over the seas and with the new King marrying his Elven bride. I know that the King and Queen did have a son and he grew up to be King after his dad. But the stories always ended there. There wasn't anything else after that. Nothing about the Prince, what he did, what happened during his reign – nothing except his name and that he succeeded his father to the throne."
Danny thought about it. He'd read the Middle-earth myths too as a kid and realized that Steve was right. "I always thought that was how it ended – they lived happily ever after for the rest of their days."
"That was the way it should've ended," Steve agreed. "That was the way I thought it ended. But Spooky told a different story last night. Where did she get that?"
"Yeah," Danny said thoughtfully. They really needed to talk to Spooky and level with her. It was obvious that she knew something although Danny's instincts were telling him that she wasn't a threat to the team. They did need to give her a chance to explain herself though. "Steve. What was the Prince's name again?"
"Eldarion," Steve answered. "That was his name. Eldarion, son of the Elfstone and the Evenstar, Aragorn and Arwen."
Interlude: A Memory
She first met him as a little girl of nine years, hiding behind her older sister's skirts. He was beautiful, she remembered thinking but it was the gentle smile and those kind eyes that caught her attention. And his voice, soft and coaxing her out from her hiding place.
"There you are, little one."
She remembers the gentle touch of his hand on her arm, the quick flash of temper in his eyes at seeing the bruises on her skin and once more, that smile.
"It's all right now. No one will hurt you here. There's nothing to fear."
And he had spoken truly.
It was such a change, from Milord's cold voice and scathing tones. Milord - always - never Father, the Numenorean nobleman who sired her and her eldest sister, thinking of them as nothing more than game pieces in his quest for power and position. Milord with his rules and his endless drilling of protocol and proper behavior, how he dictated what were suitable pursuits for ladies of their position and bloodline. She remembers him destroying her toys, because she was no longer an infant in the nursery and she should bend her eyes and hands to the womanly tasks expected of a lady who would one day run a nobleman's household.
She remembers the shouting and the arguments with her sister and the beatings he inflicted on both of them, her sister taking the worst of the blows. It only made him angrier afterwards – her sister should not be damaged so, how would the Crown Prince even look at her if she was marred?
It is not until later that she remembers Milord wanted her older sister to set her sights on the Crown Prince, to marry him and so ensure Milord's position in the court.
She remembers that it was the Prince who had saved them, taken them out of that hell and that they had never looked back since. How many doors were opened to them then? How many paths and possibilities that they could now take? She remembers her sister finding love in the Steward Faramir's son Elboron and how well-suited they were, filling their home with more children and laughter and joy.
Her path lay along a different road, possessed as she was of certain Gifts. She would walk in starlight in the company of the last remaining Eldar of Middle-earth, absorb their knowledge, learn their stories, keeping them all in her memory.
Storyteller. Keeper of the Tales, Singer of Songs, they would call her with their sweet beautiful voices.
She would sing of the Prince and his deeds in the Great Hall, delighting the King and his beautiful Elven Queen.
She would stand witness as the Prince's story would continue to unfold, keep safe the memories and the truths, a loyal and devoted subject not just to the crown but to the man himself.
She would remember, when everyone else would forget, even when the kingdom was gone and all of them were dust.
She would always remember – she would never forget.
Even when the Prince himself did.
PART V
The Sackville Costume & Antiques Shop should have looked harmless. It was one of those odd little places with all these useless knick-knacks, unusual pieces of clothing, books, jewelry – things that would have driven Danny's mom and his sisters wild. Rachel would have spent hours in this place.
It creeped Danny out.
See, he'd seen this movie before. Hell, it was a freaking television series even. This was The Little Shop That Wasn't There Yesterday, the one with the all the cursed antiques, where there was no such thing as a return policy. And of course, forget about using cash or credit card for these places – souls were the currency here, collected by the sinister shopkeeper.
All right, so Danny's imagination was running away with him. After the night he and Steve had, he was entitled to it.
"Admit it," he whispered to Steve, "You're as spooked of this place as I am."
Steve snorted. "I'm not buying anything, are you?"
"Hell, no."
"How may I help you gentlemen?"
And that was how they were introduced to Simon Gaunt. With the hoity-toity English accent, impeccable clothes and clean good looks, he was exactly like the sort of guy any self-respecting girl should be bringing home to their mother.
Danny didn't care – if Grace ever brought home a guy who somehow managed to set off every last one of his alarm bells like this one did, Danny would be breaking out the shotguns. This was different from the people at Club Denial and the irritating thing was, they were the weird-looking ones. Gaunt was as ordinary as Ryan Wakefield a.k.a. Count Whackula – sophisticated, urbane and openly cooperative. He answered each and every one of Danny's questions about Wakefield with aplomb.
Yes, Wakefield did come in and rent out a costume for Halloween. Yes, he did rent out jewelry as well – though only to very special clients.
"And Ryan Wakefield was a special client?" Danny asked, raising a brow.
Gaunt gave one of those fake, embarrassed-sounding coughs. "Well, no… it was his first time here. He was rather sweet, really. He wanted to look a little different from Halloween and so I made some suggestions. I was rather hoping he'd become one of my regulars. You know how it is." He smiled apologetically. "It was a shame, what happened."
"The ring was a bit unique," Danny said, leading him a little bit. He wanted to see if Gaunt would admit to knowing about the ring's unusual features.
Gaunt nodded. "Oh yes. It had a secret compartment where one could conceal a pinch of snuff or… well…" Again, with the little cough of embarrassment. "Something a little more sinister, if you know what I mean? Which was why it made such a suitable accessory for a vampire's costume – was there any reason why you're asking me about that ring, Detective?"
"Sinister," Danny echoed. "Funny you should say that because that's how he died. From a poison he concealed in that ring."
Gaunt looked shocked. "Good God!"
If he was acting, it was a very good job, Danny would give him that. "I'm afraid so. Would be interesting to know where he got it from."
"Well…surely you don't think he got it here?" Gaunt was outraged. "I did make a point of showing him the secret compartment underneath the ruby. It was quite empty, I assure you. He must've gotten the poison from somewhere else."
Steve had been content to let Danny lead with the questioning. It was usually how they worked and honestly, Danny didn't want him to break out the grenades each time they talked to a person of interest. In fact, Steve had been hanging back, checking out the shop's impressive collection of old books. He'd pulled one out and looked like for all the world that he was engrossed in the book, except that Danny knew perfectly well Steve was listening the entire time.
And then, Steve held out the book he was holding towards them. "Would it be okay if we borrow this?"
"Oh dear," said Gaunt, taking the book and looking at the title. "I'm afraid I really can't let it out of the shop, Detective. It's quite valuable and very rare. I'm afraid I would have to require a warrant if you wish to take it out of the shop. Or you could do your research here, if you wish."
The Book of Lost Tales. Danny frowned as he read the title of the book over Gaunt's shoulder. What was it about the book that Steve found so interesting?
"Okay. Hey, Danny, you got everything?"
Steve was never this agreeable, not towards a suspect. But Danny was going to play along for the moment. "Sure, I'm good."
They took their leave of Gaunt and as always, Danny waited until they got into the car before he started in on Steve.
"I'm going to say this in short, simple words, so you'll understand," Danny growled. "What. The. Fuck?"
And then, he almost regretted being so short with Steve when he saw that his partner had the same, exact haunted expression he was wearing when Danny confronted him in the club's restroom. Danny couldn't help it – he gently placed a hand on the back of Steve's neck in a comforting gesture, fingers gently threading through the still-long curls. "Babe?"
Steve closed his eyes briefly and leaned into the touch before he drew away, looking more determined this time. "I think we better go to Club Denial."
"What was in the book, Steven?" Danny asked. Because it had to be that damn book and Spooky's crazy story that was getting Steve all worked up.
"Trust me, Danny, I don't know what to think or tell you either. Let's just go to Club Denial first, okay?"
What else was Danny supposed to do but let his idiot, goofball of a partner lead the way?
Kono was beginning to really understand how Danny felt with Steve sometimes.
Chin was easy to get along with – he was her cousin and was pretty much her big brother all her life. When it came to the job, he was her mentor and she listened to him. She knew how lucky she was that she ended up in Five-0. She'd known how much flack she was going to get for being Chin's cousin if she'd stayed in HPD like most of her class.
She didn't give a damn. Being a cop was what she wanted to be and Chin was not a dirty cop.
Spooky was a whole different kettle of fish. The other woman was just a few years older than her, old enough to have gained experience and to earn the rank of Detective, even if she looked barely old enough to have graduated from the academy herself. She was where Kono was going to be in a couple of more years or so and their working relationship was a bit unique.
Spooky outranked her; Kono was far longer in Five-0 than she was. Spooky had the skills and certainly the knowledge that she could impart to Kono, much as Danny, Steve and Chin were doing. On the other hand, Spooky wasn't blood family and she was still too new to the team, still feeling her way around. It made things a whole lot easier that Spooky didn't seem to have the judgmental and suspicious attitude the other cops in HPD did. She liked all of them and it was an honest, no-bullshit, genuine thing.
But Spooky had secrets of her own and Kono knew that Halloween had just scratched the surface of them. Kono was the one who usually saw up and personal the why behind Spooky's nickname. There were moments when she'd look at things and especially people and just know even if Kono was prepared to swear up and down that there wasn't a single clue that should've given them away.
And like Chin and Steve, Spooky could be maddeningly close-mouthed about things. Like right now, Spooky was being quiet and withdrawn as Kono drove them over to Ryan Wakefield's apartment.
Kono wasn't having any of that. And she knew she had to get Spooky to talk. She knew that the other members of their team were wondering about Spooky already and she knew the background check that Chin and Danny had run on her showed that she was a clean cop. It was one of the first things they'd looked into before asking her to join Five-0. Kono's own instincts were telling her that Spooky wasn't a threat to them in that sense.
But Spooky was keeping something from them and it had to do with Club Denial too, which, by the way, had also gotten Kono wondering. That place was weird and Kono was born and raised in these islands so weird was part of her everyday life but Club Denial was strange even for her.
"So," Kono said quietly. "You want to tell me what was really going on with you freaking out on Steve last night? And the whole spacing-out thing you did?"
Spooky slanted a look at her. "Would you believe me if I just said I'm just nursing a hopeless crush on the Bossman? And I'll get over it, 'cause I really am happy for him and Danny-Boss?"
Kono snorted. "You, me, every female cop on the islands and a few of the guys that swing that way. Come on, Spooky, you can do better than that."
Spooky swallowed. "It's a bit hard to explain. In fact, I don't even know where to begin."
"Try beginning with 'Uncle Morrie' and Club Denial then."
Spooky snorted. "He's 'connected' in almost the same way Kamekona's 'connected' and you know it. He's got his ear to the ground and God help any mobster or druglord wanting to fuck with him and anybody under his protection. Literally. He's safe, Kono – he was serious when he told us that we've got nothing to fear at Club Denial."
"So if Chin runs a background check on Morris Bauman…"
"He's clean, Kono," Spooky said, with a soft laugh. "So am I, if you're suddenly wondering. I took an oath to defend and protect, Kono – I take my oaths seriously."
"And you're not offended by the questioning," Kono said in amazement. Danny would have ranted at this point. Chin would have clammed up and Steve… well, the Boss would've gone quiet in the same sense that you'd have the proverbial calm before the storm and in this case, the storm would be the kind that has the 100 plus mile per hour winds and rain pouring so hard that one couldn't tell the difference between the rainwater and the massive waves rolling in.
Spooky shrugged. "I'd be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes. I know how fucked-up this thing is." She rubbed a hand over her face, looking, for once, like her actual age, instead of being barely old enough to drive. "I know how fucked-up I am over it."
It was really funny to hear Spooky swear. Kono repressed a smile and moved on. "And the whole deal with the Middle-earth stories?"
"Shit."
"I know my ancient mythologies, Spooky," Kono said relentlessly. "That thing about the Prince and the Queen of Numenor wasn't ever in any book or anything online that I've ever read on the subject."
"It's not," Spooky said quietly. "At least not in any book available to you. Those stories were all lost long ago. There isn't really any story or tale surviving about Prince Eldarion, at least nothing available to the rest of the world."
The way she said it sent a chill down Kono's spine. "So why do you know about it?"
Spooky blew out a breath. "I think I want to talk about this with everyone present. Steve especially, because it concerns him closely."
"Spooky –"
"I promise, Kono," Spooky said earnestly. "I know I haven't really earned the trust of the team yet. I am going to talk about this, with everyone there. Okay?"
It was good enough. Kono pulled up next to Wakefield's apartment complex and parked the car. "So about the missing ring –"
"Yeah, that's going to be a pain in the ass," Spooky said. "We're going to have to talk to the EMTs who were first on the scene after we get done with this house."
Kono raised a brow. "You don't think they took it?"
"Somebody did – we have to start somewhere," said Spooky as she pushed the door of Wakefield's apartment open.
The apartment was neat and well-kept, with simple furniture and not a lot of fussy décor. As ordinary as the victim had been and apparently, he made decent money as a clerk because there's a loft where the bed was located. There wasn't anything really out of place, except for a mug and a couple of plates in the sink and candy in a wooden bowl. If Fate had been kinder to him, Ryan Wakefield would have come home to this, tidied up and gone on with the rest of his life. Kono tried not to think about that too much because it was just plain sad how these things worked out.
"Bet you anything we won't even find a Dracula novel in here," Kono said. The guy had a few video games too – like the guys on their team, he liked the war and racing games. "This doesn't make sense. Steve was saying he was acting exactly like those kids who were way into the vampire-Goth scene… um, no offense, Spooky."
"Hey – I happen to be very sane and reasonable about my fandoms, thank you very much." Spooky waved a finger at her. "And I also know you were checking out the Mick/Josef slash on the Moonlight fan fiction websites."
Kono blushed. The trouble working with a bunch of cops was that it was very, very difficult to keep secrets. However, Kono had ammunition. So despite the blush, Kono countered: "You and your thing for Kirk and Spock slash. Old school much, Spooky?"
Spooky shook her head, looking sheepish. "Okay. Call it even?"
"You got it."
Of course, Kono made a beeline for Wakefield's desk where his laptop was.
"Wow, laptop's not even password protected," Kono whistled. His browsing history and bookmarks weren't that remarkable. There was a couple of sites where it was obvious he was looking for Halloween costumes and one that led to the Sackville Costume & Antiques Shop. Other than that, Kono couldn't find any hint that he was even into the Goth scene, much less obsessed with vampires the way he was acting at the Governor's ball. Of course, he had a few porn sites in there but it was pretty vanilla – nothing even remotely kinky.
It was relatively easy to get into the guy's email and again Kono yielded zip.
"It's that ring," Spooky was muttering as she browsed through the rest of the late Ryan Wakefield's things. "Something about that ring's not sitting right with me."
"What, like it could be cursed or something?"
They both paused when they heard noise coming from upstairs. No need for discussion – both of them drew their guns.
"Five-0! Who's there?" Kono barked.
Someone leaped from the loft bedroom. He knocked Spooky aside and Kono caught the glint of gold and red just as she brought her gun up to shoot.
The bloodshot eyes and the sharp fangs caught her by surprise and made her hesitate just a fraction of a second long enough for him to knock her gun away. Swearing, Kono got a knee up into this guy's stomach. It should have winded him long enough so that she could take him down but the guy – the vampire? – gave her a toothy, fang-filled grin and grabbed her neck, slamming her against the wall.
Vampire. Her mind was still taking in all the details, the pale, pale skin, the uniform of an EMT, the blood-red ruby on his finger.
"Pretty," the vampire rasped. "I like it when they fight."
Kono could feel it when the vampire tried to reach into her mind, trying to wear her resistance down, make her surrender to him. She felt cold all of a sudden, dirty, like he was actually touching her skin through her clothes, although he just had his hands on her throat.
Yield to me, she heard it in her mind and she screamed in defiance, even though nothing could get past her tight throat but a strangled grunt.
She wasn't going down without a fight.
The vampire exposed Kono's throat long enough for the expected bite. But he hissed and drew back when he saw the St. Michael's medal that Danny had given her around her neck. It gave Kono enough of an opening to knee him in the nuts.
The vampire staggered backwards, moaning. Then, a small hand grabbed his hair, throwing his head back enough to expose his throat and there was a flash of bright silver.
The vampire screamed and Kono slumped down to the floor, gasping for breath.
His throat started to smoke and the vampire whirled around, trying to lash out at this new threat. Spooky stood in front of him, long silver knife in hand. The vampire lunged at her and moving faster than Kono thought possible, Spooky ducked low, striking out with the knife. She scored another hit on the vampire and Kono could smell the acrid stench of burning human flesh.
Spooky's eyes were kind of terrifying at this point, gray and feral, teeth bared in a snarl.
"This?" she said, brandishing the blade, "is blessed silver. My partner? Can kick your ass and is under protection too. What's it gonna be, you son of a bitch?"
The vampire looked at Kono and Kono was definitely getting with the program, making sure that her St. Michael's medal was in full view (and really, she was going to kiss Danny for this and risk the wrath of Steve, she was that grateful). Then he slanted a look at Spooky and how fucked up was it that they were facing a vampire right now in broad daylight?
The vampire ran but he made for the kitchen window. Glass went flying and Kono reflexively jumped back. She threw a glance at Spooky, because they had to go after that guy, even if every instinct she had was screaming against it but Spooky was shaking her head.
"Don't bother," the tiny detective said. "He's faster than a normal human and he'll be long gone from here." Gently, she guided Kono outside.
"I'm okay," Kono protested. Other than the bruises that she knew were going to be around her throat, she was physically fine. She still felt soiled though and shivering with the cold that not even the sun could chase away.
Somehow Spooky managed to get the passenger's side of the car open and get Kono to sit inside. Gentle hands touched the side of her head and Kono gasped at the sudden warmth and the distinct sensation of light, chasing the cold, dirty feeling away.
"There now, that's better, isn't it?" Spooky said.
"What did you do to me?" Kono asked. "Not that I don't appreciate it though."
Spooky smiled grimly. "Something I've picked up over the years to deal with the side effects of black magic and possession attempts. You're lucky that you're never without your St. Michael's medal. It was a gift, wasn't it?"
"From Danny, yeah," Kono said. "He gave it to me on my graduation day."
"Then that's the reason why it worked so well for you – it was a gift well-given. Thank God."
"Yeah, I'm going to thank God and Danny later but you need to start talking because either both of us were tripping out on some seriously weird drugs or we just fought off a vampire in broad fucking daylight," Kono growled.
"He wasn't just any kind of vampire," Spooky said. "I think he was possessed."
Kono's phone rang. It was Chin.
"Girls, I found out something interesting about that missing ring," he said.
-tbc-
Author's Notes:
Horror fans might be giggling at some of the references I'm throwing out there. Yes, it's deliberate. Yes, it's a tip of the hat to the classic horror series of the 80s and some Stephen King too.
Well, of COURSE Steve was going to make a hobbit joke! He just had to be sweet about it too. He was kind of due for some payback after the whole Mick St. John thing and getting Danny all twitterpated was a good way to start.
Yes, Kono and Spooky like slash. Every now and then, we have to poke fun at ourselves. (giggles)
So, at this point, it's a lot clearer what Steve's connection is to the LOTR universe. I love messing about with reincarnation stories and the
minute this Bunny took up residence in my brain, I just had to run with it, no matter how loony it was. The fun part is realizing exactly who Danny and Grace were to Steve in his past life. (Muhahahahaha!)
