Carlos remained quiet, watching Nuit watch him. He wondered what ruse Nuit had used? Wondered if Nuit never told the Amanthra rogues how deadly a daywalker infant bite would be, or how short a vampire gestation of this kind would be?
That made sense, since there was no archive of history about this in the demon realms - only a council throne member would have such knowledge. They'd probably assumed they had more time or had been promised to be made ultimately into vampires - something Nuit would surely renege on. Carlos almost laughed. He'd have to figure out a way to make contact for a discussion - so he could move slowly without attack. A messenger might be the answer, and a messenger had brought him the maps.
"Nuit, I'm tired," Carlos finally said to break the deadlock. "I'm not thinking clearly and I need to feed, so, if you'll excuse me..."
"I brought dinner." Nuit laughed. "After what you just went through, the loyalty you just demonstrated - you think I wouldn't honor you? I do have manners, and a hell of a lot of respect for you now. I am a Southern gentleman of high breeding, after all. There are just some things that are done a certain way, with protocol. Period."
To Carlos's horror, upon Nuit's signal he watched a young girl come down the steps of the lair escorted by his best friend, Juan, his brother, Alejandro, his cousin, Julio, and his homeboy, Miguel. Sadness impaled him as he watched his family. They were in too deep, just like him. He'd never wanted it this way, and he knew there was only one way to release them from the bondage... the Vampire Council had sanctioned the hit. They'd just never know the real reason why.
"Yo, hombre!" Julio shouted across the expanse.
"Yo!" His other two friends yelled in unison.
"Stranger, que pasa! Man, why didn't you tell us? This is da bomb! You livin' large. We been eating and partying all night!" Alejandro said laughing, going to Carlos for the first embrace, the young girl in tow.
When Alejandro hugged Carlos, he caught a whiff of Damali and his eyes slid closed in ecstasy. Nuit laughed. His brother held him back at arm's length and gazed at him with amazement.
"Oh, shit!" Alejandro whispered in awe. He held out his fist and gave Carlos a pound. "Daaaayum! See, I told you Carlos was always the one. He got da product of life! You descended, bro, moving serious weight, now. Doing good for yourself, as always. Damn."
Carlos kept his gaze steady on the young girl. She was high. Couldn't have been more than fourteen. She was in a den - a freakin' lair with a hungry pack, and had no idea and no way out.
"Look. She's too young. My brother can tell you, I never did them that young. Send her back to her mother. Now."
Nuit simply chuckled. "That's because you've never tried a young one before. Tastes like veal - still tender, succulent, no gristle or tough skin. Smell her, Rivera. The fattened calf, for everything you've brought to the family. I know it will never compare to the offering you just had to walk away from, but, on me. Please. Por favor," Nuit crooned seductively, "unless you want an infant?" He smiled. "Perhaps next time?"
"Send her back to her mother, man," Carlos said as his brother smiled, fully fanged.
"Who do you think gave her to Nuit for us?" Alejandro chuckled.
"Her mother pushed her into my limousine, said make her a star... didn't care as long as she got paid." Nuit shrugged. "You know how many parents come to me of their own free will and just hand over fresh kill for a few dollars?"
"I'll do her," Alejandro said anxiously, retracting his fangs before the girl saw them. "Carlos was always a picky eater," he added, joking and glimpsing the girl from a side-glance.
The young girl giggled and swayed, totally blitzed. "All a'y'all is fine. Damn. The money don't hurt neither. You can take turns. I can hang. My momma don't care, as long as I break her off a li'l something something when I get made into a star - so, shit, why should I care? Don't nobody care about me, but me."
Carlos looked into the child's eyes and saw Damali. Heard the same words - Don't nobody care about me, but me. And he remembered shaking his head then, and telling her that wasn't true. He did. He swore he'd protect her... wouldn't let harm come her way... remembered how she'd turned her chin up to him, trying to be brave and not cry, when she'd realized she was homeless, on the run, with nowhere to go - street wolves and danger had been all around her, and his baby had thought she could hang... he didn't violate her, she was just an innocent scared kid, and he'd put her under his gun, and protection, till Marlene and the guardians stole her away.
"Do you pray?" Carlos asked the child, hoping she did, so maybe when she died tonight her soul could rest in peace.
"You playin', right?" The child laughed. "Pulleeease. I ain't no church girl."
Carlos closed his eyes.
"She ain't tainted, hombre. Won't leave no aftertaste." Alejandro glanced at Nuit. "My brother is used to da butter. Don't consume anything but the best. Never did, dats why he's da man."
"I know." Nuit sighed. "Once you acquire a taste for the best - "
"Send her home - or somewhere else, but - "
"See, he's a punk," the child said boldly, motioning to Carlos and sauntering over to Nuit, who just smiled.
"No, cheri. You just aren't woman enough for him. Pity." Nuit shook his head. "Delightful, isn't she? Has attitude. May even put up a small struggle. She will be afraid, I promise you... That helps, owl? The adrenaline kick off of this one might help you come down, Rivera. Consider it."
"My name ain't no Sherri, and your boy is too a punk," she taunted, rolling her eyes at Carlos, outraged that he didn't want her.
"He's got Neteru in his nose, bitch," Alejandro corrected. "He don't want you after that."
The girl laughed and leaned on Nuit, stroking his chest. "I'll try Neteru. How you do it - what's it like? Ecstasy?"