Heavy Metal Heartbeat Read online

  His father fell back onto the couch and hung his head. Tears fell down his face as he wept. His heart shattered like glass.

  “Father, I am right here. I am alive. I’m not a fallen solider. You felt my heart beat in my chest and blood surge through my veins. I don’t understand. Why are you crying as if I have died?”

  His father’s dark brown eyes stared back at him.

  “Because you have, Son. This, you here, this is not my son. This is the work of supernatural witches. The tattoo is proof you are dead. It’s just a matter of time before we find out what dead you shall run with.”

  “What dead I shall run with? Father, you’re not making any sense. I feel fine, better than fine. I have no blood lust. I don’t feel the need to shift into anything. I feel solid enough that I can’t walk through walls and, I promise you, I haven’t a lick of knowledge about witchcraft. This, me here…” He put his hand on his chest. “I am still your son.” He turned with pleading eyes to the doctor. “Tell him. I didn’t die. I am me. Tell him! He will believe you.”

  The air sizzled with anticipation. No one spoke, no one moved and the only sound in the room was the doctor swallowing hard. He looked around at his friends, waiting for someone to intercede, but no one budged. Finally, the doctor cleared his throat and spoke.

  “Mr. Zane, I can tell you this. I did not witness your son’s death. He was alive when they brought him in and he was alive when they left with him.”

  “Thank you, Doc, but the tattoo is proof that at some point when your eyes were off my son, he died and someone or something brought him back. Oliver, I hate to do this...” He stumbled over his broken words. “But you are my son...and this is my...duty. Because I love you so, I will give you forty-eight hours to say your goodbyes.”

  Ozzie stood and glared down at his father.

  “No! I won’t let you hurt them because of what they are. They may be the supernatural, but I assure you they’re not what you taught me to hunt. They hunt alongside me to get rid of the ones who care not for humanity. They have all joined me and helped me on hunts to kill the monsters that have preyed upon the innocent. I have never strayed from my duties.”

  For the first time in his life, his father looked at him as if he were something to pity. His chest felt as if knives made of fire and ice plunged into him to the hilt. He stumbled backward, his hand over his heart. His breath wouldn’t pass his lips and tears of anger rimmed his eyes. What used to be his heart lay in pieces somewhere on the floor. He watched his father move from the couch and head for the door.

  “Wait!” Anna ran forward. “Please, Mr. Zane. Don’t go. Stay and let us prove to you that what Ozzie says is true. Things always change and evolve. The supernatural is no different. Yes, you know what we all are, but we are just as your son says we are. We are good people. We all work together and help your son uphold all the things you have taught him. We all love Ozzie, and the blonde over there couldn’t live without him. Ozzie is a great man, and that’s why we all love him.”

  Ozzie had eyes only for his father, who looked around the room weighing his options and debating his decisions. He knew his father was a stubborn man, but he also knew he was a man of intelligence and honor. Squaring his shoulders, he stood tall as he watched his father come to a conclusion.

  “His name is Oliver Markus Zane, and he is of hunter nobility and my son. I will stay...only for a little while, but hear me when I say this.” He hardened his features and his tone. “He is mine and killing him will break my heart, my spirit and my soul, but I will do it if necessary. As for the rest of you, I will kill you, all of you, without a moment’s hesitation.”

  His father walked out the door.

  Chapter 5

  Ozzie stood staring at the closed door.

  I have to fix this.

  The matter settled in his head. He followed after his father. He passed the porch, went out onto the lawn and caught his father by the car.

  I have always loved this car; General Lee Orange. I get my fondness of cars from him, and his 1969 Dodge Charger is his favorite car.

  “Father, wait,” he said, touching his shoulder.

  His father turned and looked at him.

  “I have agreed to stay. I am a man of my word.”

  “I know that.” He pulled his father close and hugged him. Tears rimmed his eyes and the pieces of his heart pulled back together when his father returned the warm-hearted hug. “I love you, Father.”

  He let go and wiped his face.

  “And I you, Son. No amount of supernatural business is gonna get in the way of that.”

  “Same here, Father.” He stepped back to make room for his father to get to the car. “Will I see you—”

  Neither of them moved. The fine hairs on Ozzie’s back raised and got his attention. He kept his head low and his eyes scanned the surroundings. A moment later he smelled them.

  Well, damn! Guess I'm dealing with this now.

  “You can come out now. I know you are there, Abrams.”

  He watched as several hunters materialized from the woods beyond. The whole team, his entire crew of ten, descended in his direction. They were spread out like the wings of an eagle fanning the landscape, just as he had taught them.

  “What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you I would call you later?”

  Abrams, his second in command, spoke first.

  “Yes, but you also taught us to stay on top of any situation that might be dangerous, and this, my friend...” He moved his hand in a circular motion indicating the area around the house. “Is always potentially dangerous. I mean, Anna is a vampire.”

  His father, shocked by the news, fell against his car in disbelief. Ozzie watched the horror cross his face.

  “Father, are you OK?”

  “They know?” His father asked.

  “Hell yes, we know. We also know Anna is one of the good guys, as are the rest of them. They have hunted with us before. Their little extra abilities sometimes come in handy.”

  “See, Father? I told you. They...” he pointed back toward the house. “Are not what you think. Well, they are, but they are not what we hunt.”

  “I will take your word for it for now and give them the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Thank you, Father. That is all I ask.”

  A bright light rained down on them, lighting the lawn as Anna opened the door and headed toward them. Jaxson was on her heels.

  “Mr. Zane, Jaxson and I were just about to light a fire in the fire pit in the backyard and we were wondering if you would like to join us. I have plenty to drink and munch on. It is a nice night to sit under the stars and have some friendly conversation.”

  “Hey, Anna. What about us?” Abrams shot back.

  “I don't know. The last time I let you guys stay, you all cried like whiney bitches.”

  “We did no such thing!” A voice from back in crowd protested.

  He moved out of the way as Anna pushed passed him, looking around.

  “Cuervo, is that you?”

  His father raised an eye and looked at him. “Cuervo? Son, isn't that a bit...”

  “I got this one, Ozzie.” Cuervo stepped forward, shook hands with Mr. Zane and proceeded to explain.

  “Have you ever heard the phrase 'I got my ass kicked by a golden pint-sized Mexican and his pet worm?’”

  “No, can't say that I have,” his father replied.

  “Well, what it means is someone who got drunk on Jose Cuervo tequila and ended up with a huge 'God, I feel like I'm dying' hangover. Jose Cuervo is gold in color and most people buy it in pint-size bottles and sometimes, if you buy a fifth, there is a worm at the bottom. Now, you will get trashed just by drinking the tequila, but if you eat the worm...lo patea el culo.”

  “It means 'it kicks your ass'. You looked a bit confused, Father.”

  “Anyway...” Anna continued. “So Cuervo got his name because he and his wife were here one night and he drank an entire fifth of that brand of tequila and at
e the worm, even though we all told him not to, only to have his wife call us the next day and tell us he was curled up in the fetal position, crying and yelling, ‘Someone shoot me now,’ hence the name Cuervo. It is to remind him of his drunken stupidity.”

  “We call his wife Eighteen Hundred,” Paige said as she made her way into the center of the group. Ozzie pulled her close to his side and kissed her cheek. His eyes slid back to his father when he asked a question.

  “Is that what she drinks?”

  Anna took over the explanation once more.

  “Oh Lord, no. She doesn't drink. We call her Eighteen Hundred because her voice is velvety smooth but a bit harsh, and she can and will kick your ass if you get out of line. She is as feisty as they come.”

  His father chimed in with a story of his own.

  “Ya know, I used to hunt with this guy we called Stew, Stew Pidasole. You see, ole Stew wasn't a smart guy or even a nice guy...”

  The crowd roared with laughter. Ozzie sat back and listened to his father tell stories and soon, without realizing it, as time went on, everyone was seated and gathered in a circle in the yard. Caught up in the fish-tales he’d grown up hearing, no one paid attention when Jaxson handed them a chair, including his father, who was now engrossed in yet another tale. A huge smile was upon his face.

  Paige sat snuggled in Ozzie’s lap, nuzzling his neck, awakening his inner animal. He shifted in his chair. Delicately he trailed his fingertip down her arm, needing to touch her. He turned his eyes to her when she whispered to him.

  “I really hope this works with your father. I have always liked him.” The light from the moon seemed to add depth to her blue eyes and a shimmer to her hair.

  God she is beautiful.

  “I am sure it will all work out. He is a stubborn man, but he is also a smart one. He's the wisest man I know.”

  “Son, did you just call me a wise ass?”

  He was glad for the lack of light, he surely wouldn't live down the red on his cheeks from being caught not listening to his father’s story. The entire crowd quieted, awaiting his answer. Sliding a nervous hand through his hair, he took a deep breath.

  “No, Sir. I said you were the wisest man I know.”

  “That's a good lad. Although, I was about to ask if you had been talking with your mother, that's what she calls me.”

  There was another round of laughter from the circle. After a moment, he patted Paige's arm and motioned her up, as he stood when his father did.

  “Lad, I have had a good time talking with your friends.”

  “Does that mean you will be back tomorrow, then?”

  He returned his father’s hug and the embrace felt like home; warm, familiar and safe. He hadn't realized how much he missed his family. His father patted him on the back before answering.

  “Yes, Son. I will be back tomorrow.” They chatted as they headed for his father's car.

  “Thank you, Father, for staying and talking with everyone. It meant a lot to them. It meant a lot to me.”

  “It was nice, Son. I have had a good time, and that Paige is more beautiful than you described.”

  “I am so glad that you like her. If you don't kill us all, she will be your daughter-in-law.”

  “What? When did that happen?”

  “Today. I made it official and asked her earlier today. She said yes.”

  He loved to see his father smile almost as much as he loved to see his mother and Paige smile.

  “Aye, lad, I am happy for you. I am sure things will work out. I am feeling better about the situation, but I will not save you from your mother. You have until tomorrow afternoon to tell her about the engagement. I can't save you from her.”

  Laughing, he said, “Fair enough.” He hugged his father one last time and opened the car door. He stood as the man climbed into the car, slamming the door shut behind him. Ozzie tapped the hood of the car, and then he saluted his father.

  “I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  With his hands in his pockets, he watched as the tail lights faded in the distance. He became lost in thought. Once the blurred haze of red was gone, he turned to his friends and yelled.

  “Hey, what time is it?”

  “Why? You have a date?” Abrams asked.

  “No, but I have another problem that needs to be addressed right away if it’s not too late time wise.”

  Paige was right by his side, her sweet words in his ear.

  “Ozzie, what's wrong?”

  She wore a worried look on her face. He pulled her into his arms, kissed her head and answered her.

  “It's nothing like that. I just need to call my mother.”

  His buddies erupted in loud sarcastic laughter.

  “Oh, Ozzie Wozzie gotta call his mommy? Do you need her to powder your bottom?”

  The laughter got louder and he smiled with them at the joke.

  “No, I need to tell her I'm getting married. If she has to find out from my father, I am a dead man.”

  The laughter ceased.

  “Dude, wait. Married?” Cuervo asked.

  His friends walked over one by one and slapped him on the back in congratulations and as they passed Paige, they hugged her.

  “We need to celebrate,” Jaxson suggested.

  “I have beer and whiskey,” Anna offered. “I didn't bring it out earlier because I was afraid of how your father would react. We are already on his 'maybe I need to hunt them' list”

  “It's probably a good thing you kept them put up.”

  “Oh, would he have been offended?” Paige asked.

  “No, were you not paying attention? We are Irish! Alcohol is like water to us. It's in our blood. Good lord, they have a whole holiday dedicated to it.” Smiling, he shrugged. “He would have challenged you to a drinking match and drank all of you under the table like the lightweights you are compared to him.”

  “Damn, dude. That could have been one helluva story, though!” Cuervo pointed out.

  Laughter roared again. He laughed with his friends and noticed Abrams passing out beer from a cooler he had hidden in the shadows behind Ozzie's car.

  “We need to celebrate. Let's toast the happy couple.”

  Everyone raised their beers and clinked their opened bottles.

  “To Ozzie and Paige!” They said in unison.

  Chapter 6

  Ozzie sat with Paige draped over his lap and looked around at everyone. Anna , Jaxson and Sebastian had returned to the kitchen table, facing the living room. The doctor, who sat in the lounge chair, had come back to apologize for his rash actions.

  His father, taking center stage in the living room, was in the middle of proving he ‘just knew’ what each and every one of them were. The gray in his hair outshined the blazing red as the light from the windows played across his head. He had broad shoulders attached to strong arms. A small pot belly bounced with every laugh. The strong Zane legs carried him from one spot to another. Ozzie always loved to see his father in action.

  With a wide smile upon his face, he watched the man who raised him to be who he was point at each face in the room and explain their supernatural talents.

  “You, Sebastian, I know from the old country. I chased you many times through woods and over hills. I know you are a vampire and you prey on the young and beautiful. I have heard tell that you, unlike the originals, don’t feed on blood, but on lust and sex.”

  “You are correct. Lust and sex are what I technically feed on, but it can’t be just anyone. Like everyone else, I have a preference. I can only feed on someone whom I’ve had sex with that I lusted for. Not just ‘wow she’s pretty,’ but lusted in a coveted kind of way.”

  He seems to be enjoying himself at least. Now it’s Jaxson’s turn. This should be interesting.

  “You, Sir, are a shifter, an original shifter, one that can take the shape of anything, but…” He took a deep breath. “From the smell of you, I’d wager you prefer cat. Let’s see…Bengal tiger?�
�

  “Yes, that is correct. My journey is quite different than anyone here. It’s a tale I shall save for another day.”

  “Fair enough. Next?”

  Paige squealed and jumped when his father pointed to her. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

  “It’s alright, Paige. My father is not going to hurt you. This is his favorite game to play. He prides himself on knowing what he’s up against. Just play along. Besides, he’s almost always right.”

  She burrowed farther into his lap. He stroked her shoulder as he waited for his father to continue.

  “My dear Paige, you are so pretty in person, I bet you are just as beautiful when you transform into a big albino tiger.”

  Her tiny frame jostled in his lap as her head popped up, surprised by the accurate guess.

  “How do you know these things? I mean, how can you tell I turn into a white cat?”

  “Talent and experience, my dear, and of course...other things.”

  This I can’t wait to see. Anna is the wildcard. Even I had never heard of her kind of vampire. Special breed, indeed.

  His father slowly turned in Anna’s direction and his smile grew wide and wicked.

  “Anna, you are a bit tricky. I can’t quite put my finger on you. Part of you gives off human, but part of you reeks of Sebastian. Tell me, did he change you?”

  “Yes, he did. It was a while back.” Anna mimicked his wicked smile. “So, old man, can you guess what I feed off of?”

  “Dad, I will warn you, Anna is very unique. We are still figuring her out. She truly is a one of a kind.”

  “Are you saying, Son, that she is the only vampire of her kind? A different breed of vampire?”

  “That is exactly what I am saying. She is nothing you have ever come across before.”

  “Son, would you be willing to put money on it? You know how I love a good bet, especially if it’s one I’ll win.”

  “I’ll put up whatever you want to wager, but you won’t guess what she feeds on.”

  “Fair enough. I wager my mint condition 1969 Dodge Charger against your 2012 Dodge Challenger.”

  He sat up, almost dropping Paige in the floor. Gripping her waist and shoulders, he saved her from the embarrassment of being tossed off the couch. He looked down at her and whispered, “Are you alright? I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize how fast I moved.”