The Forgotten: A Vampire Story

by Clary, Michael

  "She knows what she's doing," Betty said.

  "This is too personal," I argued.

  "She's killed two vampires," Betty said."And that's not counting Lorcan. She's tracked down and killed two master vampires. Name me anyone else that can claim something like that."

  "That's impressive," I said, "but neither of those master vampires had anything to do with her family's death."

  "She's been in three full-on battles," Betty said. "I won't even tell you how many newborn vampires she's killed."

  In the distance, we saw a motorcycle appear on the long stretch of road. It was too far away, but I was pretty sure the rider would be Selma.

  "These vampires are different," I said. "I don't think they should be messed with. I've spent the last ten years advising vampire hunters to stay away from them. Selma is going to stir up a hornets' nest."

  "That's exactly right," Betty said with a smile. "She's going to make trouble. All of Southern California is about to become a battleground. Derry and his brothers should never have come back here."

  The motorcycle came to a stop about ten feet away from my car. Selma was clad in denim and leather, but as soon as she killed the engine she removed her helmet. I could still see the teenager, but Selma now had a striking edge to her beauty that spoke of pain and triumph. The scars on her arm stood out starkly against the smoothness of her skin, and her blonde hair was still long and yellow as she impatiently pushed a loose strand behind an ear.

  "Hi Selma," I said after climbing out of the car to greet her.

  She focused her gaze on me, and cracked a sideways smile.

  "You've lost a bit of weight," Selma teased.

  "Most of that happened after I heard you were coming," I said.

  "I made you lose your appetite?" Selma asked. "Is that what you're trying to tell me?"

  "I'm wondering what your plans are," I said with a slight tone to indicate the seriousness of the matter at hand.

  "I've come here to kill vampires," Selma said without hesitation, and just a bit of a challenge.

  "I have concerns," I said.

  "I know you do," Selma said. "Betty told me."

  I looked at Betty, and Betty shrugged. Selma then approached me until she was uncomfortably close, and I had no choice other than to stare into her very blue eyes.

  "I need you," Selma said. "Things are going to get scary. No, that's not accurate. Things are going to become very scary, but I need you. If you want to run, I'll totally understand, but I'd like you to stay and help me. You have connections down here, and you've been the one tracking the situation."

  "I wouldn't even know where to look," I said. "I don't get close. I keep as much distance as possible."

  "I don't need you to help me track him," Selma said with a grin. "Derry will come looking for me, and when he finds me…Well, that’s when the party truly starts."

  "Why will he come looking for you?" I asked.

  Selma only smiled, and pulled off her backpack. Inside, were a handful of used syringes.

  "Blood?" I asked.

  "My blood," Selma answered. "I've been leaving droplets all over the city, so believe me when I say that Derry will come looking for me."

  "Are you kidding me?" I asked. "That means we've lost the element of surprise."

  "I don't need it," Selma said. "What I need is to drag him out of the shadows. If Derry knows I'm within reach, nothing will stop him from coming for me."

  My heart began racing a million miles an hour. There was no longer a reason to argue. The die had already been cast. The brothers were coming. The vampires were coming.

  A very real part of me wanted to run. A very real part of me understood the approaching horror, and wanted no part of it. Derry and his brothers didn't behave like normal vampires. They didn't follow the rules. All I could see when I closed my eyes were flashing claws, and sharp teeth.

  "Are you with me?" Selma asked.

  "Yes," I answered. "I'm with you."

  About the Author

  Michael Clary was raised in El Paso, Texas. He is the author of The Guardian Interviews and The Camelot Wars.

  He is an occasional practitioner of Mixed Martial Arts, and collects bladed weapons of various types. Before he wrote novels, he wrote and directed Independent films.

  Currently, Michael is living in Temescal Valley California with his wife, family and three Pitt Bulls. He can be reached at www.michaelclaryauthor.com