Minion by L. A. Banks

creatures, if you really think about it.”
    This time the entire team just stared at J.L. for a moment, stunned.
    â€œWhat?!”
    â€œHear me out, Rider,” J.L. argued. “Think about it. What makes a vampire so deadly is they have the ability to blend in with humans. They can transform into bats, wolves, mist, smoke, leave no real odor trail, can invade dreams, and feed without detection. Leave the body drained with only two puncture wounds—but most of the time they cover up the kill and make it look like an accident to keep authorities at bay. As an entity, they are extremely effective.”
    â€œSmooth, like I said,” Shabazz muttered. “Most times they’re cool, don’t cause a lot of static. They stay on the down low to keep the public unaware.”
    â€œSexy, too,” Big Mike said in a distant voice. “Can make you wanna slap your momma.”
    â€œI told you, we were not going to get into that discussion,” Rider said with a scowl. “Almost got yourself bitten that time.”
    â€œYeah . . . I did, didn’t I?” Mike chuckled. “Guess I been cooped up too long.”
    â€œPeople, can we stay focused?” Damali walked in a tight circle. “What brought this Amanthra thing up from Hell?”
    â€œThis demon is one that has province over revenge.”
    â€œAll right, Mar, but that’s another difference. Vampires aren’t just bent on revenge. They’re about power and feeding.”
    All eyes were on Marlene as she spoke.
    â€œThere’s a South American legend, and another similar one from ancient Kemet . . . the three creatures’ aspects of the demon are found in those respective regions. Hence why it has to be released using incantations from those cultures.”
    When the group looked like their understanding had glazed over, Marlene pressed on. “Big snakes like anacondas and cobras, and jaguars—a cousin to panthers—are found in South America, and the Kemetians were always partial to the big cats. Spiders, I can only assume, had the South American influence. No matter. Someone conjured up that particular revenge demon, or made it, or whatever, in some dark-arts ritual long ago. We thought we’d dealt with it years ago, and now it appears to be back. That’s what I need to research. So, while you guys are drinking and carousing, I will be in the occult bookstore and scanning the shelves at the Botanica to get answers.”
    â€œBut the eyes,” Damali persisted. “These things had vamp eyes, and from all the police accounts and the stuff in the papers, they said the bodies were drained of blood. That’s vamp action. Plus, a wooden stake wouldn’t do a revenge demon. Would it? That’s a vampire weakness.”
    â€œI know,” Marlene murmured. “That’s what concerns me. It’s almost like a hybrid.”
    â€œYou have
got
to be kidding me!” Rider leaned against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. “Now I
know
I need a drink.”
    â€œThink I’ll skip the ribs and the fine sister and join you, brother,” Big Mike said.
    â€œJazz ain’t calling me like Rider’s bottle of Jack Daniels, right through here,” Shabazz agreed.
    â€œHow about if I just make a package-store run and we open up old Jack right here in the compound, dudes?” J.L. glanced at his monitors. “If Mar is breaking out the dusty black books, I’ll need a shot. Hell, I’ll even stop off and pick up some chips for Damali, too.”
    For a moment, no one said a word. Damali began pacing, as the group remained silent. Revenge?
    â€œOh, God . . .” she finally muttered. “We have to figure out how these things multiply, how to kill them at the source—did you see the jaws on those things? And they’re strong as shit!”
    â€œYeah,” Rider agreed. “Not to mention the smell. Vamp breath