Stevie nodded. “Go ahead. But I can’t make any promises without hearing your story. I have to think of the pack, first. Because the moment we attack the vampires, everything changes. They will hunt us down without mercy.”
I let out a deep breath, nodding. “My name is Sorin Ambrogio, and I’m the world’s first vampire. Dracula was the first man I ever turned, and he worked for me for hundreds of years. Our numbers grew, and I soon faced a dilemma when it became apparent that their appetite for power and bloodshed exceeded even my own. Before that turned ugly, I passed my crown to Dracula and traveled to the Americas with Lucian—who had experienced a similar coup building in his own ranks—and another friend named Nero, a Warlock. We were each the first of our kind and wanted a new life here. We had a few years of peace before Dracula found me and destroyed the Native American tribe who had essentially adopted me. Deganawida’s tribe. I was poisoned and injured, and Deganawida put me into a deep sleep of some kind so that I could heal and return a few weeks later to avenge our tribe. Except he never woke me up. Until yesterday when he gave his life to do so.”
I had carefully chosen not to mention my family—my wife and son. That was personal and had no bearing on the matter at hand. It would only serve to muddy an already complicated story.
He let out a long sigh, shaking his head at the summary of what I’d already told them in bits and pieces. “That’s insane. And completely unverifiable.”
I shrugged. “I’m struggling to believe it myself. I thought I would wake up a few weeks later to go kill Dracula myself. I didn’t expect any of this,” I muttered, gesturing vaguely at the city beyond the walls of the warehouse. “But one thing you can verify is that I killed Mina Harker. Nosh has her fangs. You can’t deny that I’m stronger than the vampire you thought was running the city. Why don’t we just start there?” He nodded his head thoughtfully. “And remember, I intend to go after the Necromancer and Dracula one way or another. You can either help or stand aside. I don’t require your belief, but your alliance couldn’t hurt.”
Stevie sat back down, grumbling unhappily. “I told them you were a crazy son of a bitch and that your goals aligned with ours, but I have no idea how I’m supposed to sell the rest of your story with the Crescent.” He met my eyes, studying me.
“You can start by admitting that you run the Crescent,” I suggested with a shrug.
Every werewolf in the warehouse stiffened.
“Oh, come on,” I said, smirking. “It wasn’t that difficult to figure out.”
He watched me in silence, considering. Finally, he let out a breath, and his werewolves followed suit—an answer in and of itself. “The werewolves are indeed fractured, but perhaps not as much as I led you to believe. It is beneficial to let it be known that we are not unified. That way the vampires don’t attack us in force, assuming we might just take each other out. It is a delicate alliance, but I was voted to head the Crescent. We have five Paws—gangs of werewolves—in New York City. One for each borough. I largely let each Paw govern themselves, but we can unite when necessary.”
“Would me killing the Necromancer convince them to unite?” I asked dryly. “Or do I need to bake them a cake?”
Benjamin burst into a violent cough, turning away to conceal his obvious laughter. He cleared his throat and turned back to us, his orange eyes glistening. “I like cake,” he finally said, smiling.
Stevie shot him a warning look before turning back to me. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. Many will just see you as a vampire. That this whole attack is so you can take control. None of it proves that you are a friend of the wolves. Vampires are cunning and deceitful. We’ve learned never to trust them.”
I nodded. “That’s why I’m here. To pay homage to my old friend, Lucian, and hope that a vampire can once again be friends with a werewolf. I called you, remember. And I didn’t even know what a phone was before yesterday! That’s progress.”
Natalie flashed me a grin, nodding.
Stevie nodded absently. “What we need is a way to hurt them. To destabilize them. But we don’t have the financial capability to harm them, and any attempt would only turn them all against us in one coordinated attack. It’s a numbers game.”
I nodded, having already thought about it. “We need to besiege them. From what I’ve learned, they aren’t killing enough people to justify the number of vampires allegedly in the city. That many vampires would need a constant supply of blood. It would be impossible to ignore that many bodies. And guess who owns the Blood Center of the Empire State?” I asked, remembering Nosh’s comment from the auction.
Stevie nodded. “We already knew they owned the blood banks. They hold blood drives, claiming to deliver the blood overseas to those in need.”
I grunted. “Those in need would be vampires, and I very much doubt they are delivering it to anyone other than the local vampires. If we weaken their blood supply, we weaken all of them. My hope is that it would draw the Necromancer out. The vampires would have to retaliate to maintain their credibility, and to avoid a bloodbath in the streets in a few days when they all begin to grow maddeningly hungry. We could pick them off as they hunt.”
Stevie frowned. “They have multiple locations. I’m not sure that attacking one would do much more than annoy them, and if they get a whiff of werewolf, they will descend upon us like a tidal wave. We would all die. No question.” Several of the werewolves growled angrily, but Stevie rounded on them with a snarl. “Hate it all you want, but it’s a fact. Their numbers are vastly superior to our own.”
They calmed, still furious and territorial, but obviously knowing that he was right.
I glanced at the map thoughtfully. Finally, I cleared my throat and spoke softly. “I took over Europe all by myself, infiltrating the highest echelons of power—kings and queens—to do my bidding. Tell me where the biggest blood bank is, and I will eradicate it. You can keep your paws clean. For now.”
He stared at me incredulously. “We’re talking dozens of vampires and armed human security at each site.”
I smiled. “I can be very sneaky.”
He thought about it, calculating the odds in his head. “You and your Shaman could do some serious damage, but you would still probably die.”
I shook my head. “Just me. I’m suspected of murdering Nosh’s parents. He is now under constant scrutiny and obviously can’t be seen in my presence without the police arresting him.”
“The vampires will instantly blame the werewolves for the attack,” Stevie growled. “We would have to go into hiding while we waited out their reaction.”
I nodded with a smile. “Guess who has an underground home that is connected to miles of tunnels reaching all over the city? You are all welcome to move in. All I ask is that you leave the current residents alone. I’ve…befriended many of them.”
He arched an eyebrow at my last comment. “Befriended…”
I grinned, nodding. “I might have begun sowing my seed for a new family.”
Benjamin coughed again and Natalie blushed.
Stevie ignored them, folding his arms. “You’ve been awake for less than a day, and you’re already building an army?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I will need allies. It would make sense for me to cast my net wide. I wasn’t sure how this conversation would go. I hadn’t expected any direct assistance, but I had hoped for a truce before you met any of my new friends and grew concerned.”
He climbed to his feet. “Stay here.”
I nodded. “Do you have something for me to drink?”
Natalie nodded. “We have a dozen blood bags on hand in our medical storage, but they’re for emergencies.”
“Natalie,” I said confidently, “by tomorrow, you’ll have an entirely full inventory. In exchange for my taking down their blood center, I would hope that you could offer some of my friends a truck to transport their inventory to my underground tunnels. I would have no problem with you stocking up your own supply in the process. Neighbors share with neighbor
s, after all.” She shared a long look with Stevie, having a silent discussion. “Whatever we don’t steal, I will have to destroy so they can’t get their hands on it,” I added.
Stevie finally nodded. “Do it. Then join us for a quick chat, Natalie,” he said, motioning for the rest of the werewolves to join him deeper into the warehouse and out of my hearing.
27
Natalie brought six blood bags at first, rationing me. Rather than picking a fight, I accepted the gift. I drank all six of the blood bags while Stevie spoke with his wolves in an adjacent room. Several wolves stayed in the room with me, guarding me, even though we all knew they didn’t have the power to prevent me from doing whatever I wanted.
I finished off the last bag and let out a sigh. I could feel the blood coursing through my veins, but it wasn’t nearly as refreshing as fresh blood. Like stale bread when you were traveling, it did the job, but it wasn’t remotely enjoyable.
All that mattered was that I could feel my strength slowly returning. Not fast enough for my liking, but the only way to do it rapidly was to get blood drunk and hope I came off my high before I murdered hundreds—because I wouldn’t know friend from enemy in that state. All that would matter was blood. A feral, savage version of my inner monster.
Thankfully, that internal demon hadn’t reared its head since I’d awoken from my slumber.
I didn’t dare risk letting that side of me out, so these slow, gradual meals were all I could hazard. I wondered if that would be enough for me to take down this Necromancer, let alone Dracula. Judging by how close my strength had been to Mina Harker’s, I wasn’t feeling too optimistic.
Stevie finally walked back into the room, his wolves behind him. He approached and stopped about five paces away, staring at me. “You’re asking me to make a decision that could put my entire pack at risk, and I have no way to verify your story, or anything else you’ve told me. The only thing I can do is trust your actions.”
I nodded. “Understood.”
“If it was just me, I would be willing to take that chance. But my wolves need more. I could give them a command to follow my orders, and they would obey. But it would put tension in the pack—tension that could very well end poorly for everyone. On top of that, I would be commanding them to move underground. To go into hiding. Wolves don’t like hiding or submitting in any form or fashion.”
“You phrase that as if I am demanding it, when all I did was offer your pack refuge.”
Stevie gave me a tired shrug. “It could be seen both ways. As I’ve told you, we’ve been betrayed in the past. And although your goals indirectly benefit us, you haven’t done anything specifically for the wolves—to show them you value them.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not here to parcel out gifts to children,” I growled. “I refuse to buy your trust, because that is what you’re really asking me to do, no matter how you phrase it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Be careful, Sorin. Be very careful with your words.”
I took a calming breath, closing my eyes for a moment. Then I opened them and walked up to the table with the map. I glanced down at it, memorizing the intersection of a circled location with a star drawn beside it. I tapped it, looking over at Stevie again. “I’m hitting this blood bank tonight, Stevie, with or without you. However you choose to proceed is up to you. Just know that there are consequences to cowardice as well as bravery. If you choose to stand on the sidelines now, then my trust in you will diminish. Perhaps when you need help, I will choose to stand on the sidelines. To wait for you to give me a gift,” I sneered.
“Are you threatening me?” he asked in a very cold tone.
“Not in the slightest. But I refuse to enable your delusion. Standing by my side will have consequences. Hanging me out to dry will have consequences. Attempting to believe otherwise will have consequences. All these decisions could put your pack in danger. There will be a new master vampire of New York City soon. I believe wolves and vampires can work together, but there is no room for cowards in the days to come. We’re approaching the dawn of a new world. Don’t get stuck watching the sunset.”
Many of the wolves’ anger had shifted to concern upon hearing my words.
I dusted off my hands and stood. “Be ready with those trucks. Or don’t. I’m not asking you to fight. I hope you consider the fact that I just killed one of the top vampires in the city and that I’m about to kill another. Dracula will have a strong opinion about that. Then remember that I came to you for an alliance. I know I will never forget this meeting. Whether it will be a fond or bitter memory…that decision is up to you.”
Then I was walking past him without a backwards glance.
I paused as I neared the door. Benjamin was guarding it, studying me thoughtfully. I turned back to Stevie. “Thank you for the blood. I’ll repay you as I promised, no matter what you decide.”
He nodded stiffly. “Get out of his way, Ben,” Stevie growled in a cold tone.
Benjamin stepped to the side, lowering his eyes. There was no animosity in his posture. Perhaps there was concern, but that wasn’t my problem.
I opened the door and came face-to-face with a familiar woman. I smiled in surprise, but also confusion. Then she dove at me, driving a wooden stake towards my chest as her lips curled back into a snarl.
The werewolves all shouted out in alarm, accompanying her scream.
28
I rolled back, managing to deflect the stake by letting it slice into my forearm. I hissed and my claws snapped out as I regained my feet, facing Victoria Helsing who was crouching warily.
“Stand down!” Stevie roared, and Benjamin leapt between us, his own arms furry and clawed since he had partially shifted. Stevie rounded on Victoria, storming over to us. “Sorin has Guestright! How dare you attack a guest!”
Victoria instantly straightened, sheathing her stake and holding her palms out towards me. She looked surprised to see me. That made two of us. “I’m sorry,” she said, sounding genuine. “I…didn’t see that it was you. It’s fucking dark in here and I smelled vampire! Do you guys have any idea how many people are looking for this man?” she said loudly, craning her neck to address Stevie. “I sensed vampire in a place where no vampire would ever be stupid enough to go. I thought you might have been attacked.” She glanced back at me. “Hey, Sorin.”
I released my claws with a grunt. “Good Evening, Miss Helsing,” I said, noticing how dark it had become outside. I eyed her drastically different clothes with distant, inappropriate interest. She wore tight leather pants and a jacket. She looked positively stunning. The way the leather accentuated her curves was almost enough to be considered a weapon in its own right.
Even when compared to the veritable armory of blades, stakes, and guns hanging from her belt and shoulder straps.
“I liked you better in a suit. You look like a biker,” she said, smirking at my outfit.
I frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”
She cocked her head, her lips quivering in amusement. Then she noticed that I was utterly serious. “Um…”
Stevie sighed loudly. “Both of you get your asses over here. I think I have an idea. A compromise.”
“There will be no compromise, Stevie,” I growled. “I believe I made myself perfectly clear. Either write your name on the pages of history or watch your world burn and pass you by.”
Victoria arched an eyebrow. “Well. That’s ominous. What did I miss?” she asked cautiously.
Benjamin leaned closer, speaking loud enough for us all to hear. “Sorin is the world’s first vampire. Dracula was his bitch until Sorin took a vacation to America and let Dracula take over his empire.”
Victoria’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
Natalie picked up the story next. “Dracula hunted Sorin down, poisoned him, and a Shaman put Sorin to sleep to save him from death. Supposed to wake up a few weeks later to kill Dracula, but someone hit the snooze button and five hundred years went by.”
“Th-th
at’s ridiculous—”
And then Stevie piped in, displaying the tight-knit nature of werewolves working together as a pack. “The same Shaman who first put Sorin to sleep sacrificed his life to wake Sorin up yesterday, because his journal was stolen and they needed his help to get it back.”
Victoria stared at me, trying to process it all. “They left you asleep for hundreds of years and only woke you up when they needed you again?” she asked softly. “That’s fucked up.”
I nodded stiffly. “There are a few more details that I’d rather not share until I get a better understanding of them myself. But yes. I tried to get the journal back. Mina Harker got in my way, so I killed her, but not before she passed on the journal to her boss, the Necromancer. I came to ask Stevie if he wanted in on my revenge plot, but it seems werewolves today are not the same as those I used to know. So, I was just leaving—”
“You were just getting your ass back over here, mothersucker,” Stevie growled, cutting me off.
Feeling his steadily increasing pulse, I bit back a smile. Benjamin shot me a discreet thumbs up. I sensed a brief flicker of hope inside Stevie. Why had Victoria Helsing’s arrival changed anything? I sighed and extended my elbow to Victoria. “My Lady? Unless you intend to poke me with your stake again…”
“So smooth,” Benjamin murmured. Natalie elbowed him sharply, but she flashed me an approving smile as she did it.
Victoria blushed, shaking her head. “No. Sorry. Just a reflex. Thank you for not counterattacking me. I could tell you held back on purpose,” she said, slipping her hand into the crook of my elbow.
I nodded. “The sudden spike in your heart rate told me it was an instinctive reaction. I waited to see what you would do when your rational mind kicked back in. But you stabbed me fair and square, vampire hunter,” I said honestly, not wanting to injure her pride. “You’re very fast.”
I sensed her studying me sidelong. “You did all that while rolling away and bouncing to your feet like a freaking ninja?” she asked, sounding impressed. I nodded, internally dismissing the question about whatever a ninja was, as I led her back towards Stevie. He was staring down at the table with the map, and his excitement was growing, even though his outward demeanor remained calm. I had to keep my mind focused as I walked beside Victoria, squashing down the sudden desire to kiss her neck. I shuddered at the thought, wondering where it had come from. It wasn’t lust but something much different. It was her scent waking up something inside me, something I couldn’t quite explain.
Devil's Dream Page 17