by Kendra Ashe
He pointed to the alley. “My car is parked back here.”
It wasn’t until we rounded the corner that I saw his car parked behind some large dumpsters. It seemed a little strange he would park back here instead of in front of my apartment building.
A rat scurried across the pavement, missing my feet by mere inches. Shuddering, I glanced around to make sure there weren’t any more of the nasty little rodents hanging around.
“Why did you park back here?”
“I didn’t want anyone to see my car.” His tone was very matter of fact.
Okay then. I suppose that made sense, though it still didn’t tell me why it was important for no one to see his car.
When we reached his car, he opened the door for me. I still couldn’t get over how gentlemanly he could be. I wondered if his mannerism was a part of him that was leftover from his days in the court of Edward III.
It was odd to think he’d actually been around so long.
Mason pulled out of the alley and onto the main street.
“So, what’s the plan?” I asked again.
“I’m going to The Hole. It’s one of Kieran’s nests.”
“Do you think he’s just going to tell you what evil he has planned for me out of the kindness of his heart?” I asked, not liking the way Mason was acting. His usual sarcastic sense of humor was missing and his mood was darker than usual.
“It won’t matter. You’re going into hiding until I figure this out,” he stated, flatly.
Drawing my brows together, I asked, “Seriously? You think that I’m going into hiding until you figure this out? Hanging out somewhere for a few hours while you talk to Kieran is one thing but I have no intention of hiding indefinitely.”
“Kieran wants to make a trade, you for one of my band members.” Mason did not so much as glance in my direction as he spoke.
My mouth dropped open. “He’s taken someone in your band?”
Mason nodded.
“I don’t understand. What does he want with me? I am no one to him.”
“He thinks you know too much, but I don’t believe that’s his true motive. He wants you for some other reason.”
Suddenly, I felt as if I were on some kind of wicked roller coaster that was careening out of control.
Did he want me as a feeder?
The thought was terrifying. Sure, when I thought of Mason biting me, it was a little different. I found the idea a little tantalizing, but not another vampire – a vampire who would likely kill me in the process.
Clearing my throat, I asked, “What could he want from me?”
“I’m not sure, but I intend to find out,” he replied, giving me a sideward glance.
“Seriously, who exactly is this Kieran?” I asked.
I kept hearing that he was an ancient vampire, but I still didn’t really know who he was.
Mason didn’t even acknowledge my question. He was completely absorbed in the task of driving.
Finally, he took his eyes off the road long enough to look at me. “Kieran is as close to the devil as you will ever get.”
“That’s nice to know but it isn’t very informative,” I added when he didn’t go into detail.
Mason’s frown deepened. “Not only is Kieran an old vampire, but he is also very secretive. To say exactly how old he is would be guesswork. There are legends that place him in Sumer over six thousand years ago. They say he is a descendant of the heathen gods of the Sumerians. The very translation of the word Sumer means, land of the civilized lords, but they were dark lords. The ancient vampires ruled Sumer at one time. At least that is the story.”
“If vampires cannot reproduce, how could that be true?” I asked, completely enthralled, but chilled. I couldn’t even imagine a place where vampires ruled.
“There is a lot you don’t know about vampires,” he said with a sardonic smile. “The true vampires - the Immortals or Sires, as they are known to us, are a mystery. We know very little about them.”
Turning my attention to the window, I suddenly realized that we were on the bridge that would take us over the Mississippi River and out of the city.
“It looks like you’re taking me into the swamp,” I commented.
Mason nodded. “Are you worried?”
His dark laughter had returned, and although it was a little unnerving, it was also comforting. There was no way to explain it, but for some reason, I trusted him. After all, if he really wanted to kill me, I’d already be dead.
A few minutes later, Mason slowed the car and pulled onto a dirt road. In the beam of the headlights, I could just make out a small dock at the water’s edge.
“Should I be worried?” I asked.
Glancing in my direction, he grinned. “Maybe you should be.”
Killing the engine, Mason opened the door to get out. “Sorry, but I don’t have a flashlight. We’ll have to make the trip in the dark.”
I followed him out of the car. “I guess it’s a good thing you can see in the dark better than I can.”
Beneath the light of the moon, I could make out the shape of an airboat bobbing on the surface of the black water. A large rope tethered it to the dock so that it wouldn’t drift away with the current.
“It’s time to change our mode of transportation,” he said, pointing to the boat.
Mason wrapped a hand around my arm to help steady me as I stepped into the boat. My weight rocked the boat and I nearly lost my balance, which wouldn’t have been a good thing. Falling into a gator-infested swamp could get ugly fast.
“Why didn’t you just fly us here?” I asked.
Mason chuckled, obviously amused by my question. “We have traveled quite a ways. Not only would it be too much for you to handle, but it would drain my energy, which I will need when I confront Kieran.”
Mason untied the rope and the engine came to life. Slowly, the boat drifted away from the dock.
When we were several yards from the shore, Mason accelerated, but only slightly. We were moving so slowly that we might as well have been drifting. At the rate we were going, it could take us half the night to reach our destination, wherever that was.
Of course, plowing through a dark swamp probably wouldn’t be a good idea either. It would be too easy to hit something and end up in the water with all the swamp critters. I didn’t relish the idea of that one bit. I would take facing a vampire any day over a gator or snake. Just the thought made my skin crawl.
Fortunately, it didn’t take as long as I’d imagined. We’d only been on the water for about thirty minutes when Mason cut the engine. We drifted toward an old shack that was built on stilts above the water. The shack had a makeshift dock, as well as a little wooden walkway that led to the shore, but there was nothing in that direction.
When the boat bumped up against the rickety old dock, Mason reached over to secure it with the rope.
Anxiety bubbled up inside me as I eyed the little shack. Even in the dark, I could see that the structure was in a severe state of decay.
“Let’s go,” Mason urged.
I didn’t move. Instead, I stood there eying the dock as I tried to decide if it was sturdy enough to hold my weight, as well as Mason’s.
The sound of night creatures added to the eeriness of the moment. My imagination went wild to the point that I thought I could almost see the predators beneath the water’s surface, just waiting for the dock to give way so they could eat us. There were probably gators, snakes, and who knew what else.
Holding my breath, I stepped onto the dock, fully expecting it to crash into the water below. The wood beneath my feet creaked and groaned, but it held.
Mason stepped up behind me. His weight rocked the dock, causing me to lose my balance. He quickly wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me from falling.
The sudden jolt of fear sent my heart into overdrive. When I looked up at Mason, I saw hunger shining in his eyes. It was that look again, the one that said he wanted me in all ways. His hunger set my pulse racing.
I should have been afraid, but I wasn’t.
Mason’s mouth was hovering so close to mine that I could feel the electricity arcing in the tiny space separating us. When those smoldering blue eyes locked with mine, I was sure my knees would buckle right then and there.
It was the way he was looking at me, as if he was a man starving and only I could quell his hunger. No man had ever looked at me in quite the same way.
True, I was pretty sure that over the years I hadn’t had many encounters with hungry vampires, but it was nice to think that my encounter with Mason was unique. I didn’t like the idea that he might look at every potential victim with the same intensity.
Mason still had his arm around my waist and was pulling me against his hard chest. All I could think about was running my hand over those rugged, bulging muscles.
He brought his free hand up to clutch my hair. Forcing my head back, he lowered his lips to mine. As his tongue danced with mine, shivers of desire raced through my body.
Although his touch was cool, I felt as if I were being consumed by fire. Never before had I craved a man’s touch so intensely.
When the kiss ended and he backed away, I had to fight to catch my breath, while at the same time, I wanted to scream at him not to stop. I wanted him to kiss me. I needed it.
But I didn’t beg him for more. Instead, I looked away. I knew I should be thankful for the fact that he seemed so intent on preserving my life and soul, but I ached every time he pulled back.
“What is this place?” I asked when I could finally speak without my voice trembling.
“An old voodoo woman used to live here.”
“And how did you come by it?” I asked, suspicion gnawing at my insides.
Ignoring my question, Mason motioned to the stairs that led up to the tiny covered porch. “Shall we?”
Sighing, I cautiously placed a foot on the first step. It seemed sturdy enough so I climbed up the remaining stairs. The entire time, Mason stayed close behind me. When I reached the porch, I stepped aside so Mason could enter the shack. I decided that since he was a vampire, it was less risky if he ran into any creatures that might have taken up residence in the old place. After all, it wasn’t as if they could kill him. On the other hand, I’d probably die of a heart attack.
“Did you know the voodoo woman?” I asked.
“I knew Bella’s grandmother,” he said as he was pushing the door open.
I was totally lost until I remembered just how old Mason really was. It was hard to believe he could have known someone from that long ago, but that was reality.
I followed him, but only as far as the moonlight illuminated the interior.
Mason was rummaging around in the dark. A minute later, the room was aglow with soft light. Not only had he managed to find a lantern that still had some fuel in it, but he’d also found some matches that had survived the damp Louisiana air.
At first, I had to shield my eyes from the glare of the light. It wasn’t that the lantern was extremely bright. I’d just been in the dark too long.
When my eyes finally adjusted, I studied the two-room shack. Although it was dusty and some Spanish moss had managed to make its way in through a broken window, it appeared to be reasonably intact.
“So you knew her grandmother? Did you continue to visit the family? Is that how you knew Bella?” I asked, still not entirely satisfied that I wouldn’t encounter the old woman’s corpse tucked away somewhere.
Mason smiled, but I was sure I saw real sadness in that smile. “No. Once you become a vampire, you must be dead to the world.”
“Oh,” I muttered. I wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Bella’s grandmother and I were partners. I helped her and she helped me. I was very close to the family. I have always watched over them, even if they didn’t know it. Old Bella was sharp. I think she could sense when I was around.”
“So the grandmother knew about the vampire thing?”
Mason nodded. “But only her and only because it was necessary. Ellie could brew concoctions that would take the edge off the hunger. She was good to me, so I promised I would do my best to look after her family when she was gone,” he explained.
I had to suppress a smile. That Mason held onto enough of his humanity to watch over the family of an old friend was heartwarming.
“So what happened to Bella?” I asked.
“She died a few years back. Now, the only family left is her niece and nephew. They both live near here.”
“What if they find out that I’m squatting in their aunt’s old house?” I asked, suddenly realizing that the shack might actually belong to someone.
Mason shook his head. “They don’t come here anymore. At first, her nephew came here to grieve, but he hasn’t been around for a long time. Besides, I’ll be back for you soon.”
“How is it that you know so much about this nephew’s routine?” I was curious.
“This is where I come when I want to escape. I’m very tuned into the creatures of the swamp. If there were humans hanging around here, I would sense it in the animals,” he informed me.
“No kidding?”
Mason continued to stun me with the strange beauty of his world.
“Did you have anyone special in your life, before …?” My voice trailed off. I wasn’t sure how exactly to phrase the question, tactfully.
“You mean before I was turned into a vampire?” he laughed.
I nodded. “It still sounds so insane to say it out loud.”
Suddenly, he was standing so near me that my pulse started racing again. I could sense that he wanted to reach out and touch me but was holding back.
“I have to go,” he said without answering my question. “Kieran is waiting for me, but if I am too long, he will send others to search for me, and you,” he added.
“What do I do for food and water while you’re gone?” I asked.
“There is bottled water in the bedroom, but I have to confess, the food part didn’t cross my mind. Don’t worry. I will be back for you soon.” Mason leaned down and kissed my forehead.
I wanted so bad to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his mouth, but I wasn’t going to throw myself at him.
Mason disappeared into the night and I was left alone.
Chapter Four
Mason
The Hole was one of the hottest nightclubs in the city, but it was my opinion that its popularity was unwarranted. Gaining a reputation as a popular nightspot isn’t difficult when you have an army of vampires traversing the city, compelling people to come in for a drink.
Kieran had converted the old warehouse into something that even I could be impressed with. If that old vampire had turned more of his efforts to business instead of blood, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d be massively successful.
Kieran knew the human heart better than most humans. He was a good manipulator but he had a nasty temper. His wrath was what I was hoping to avoid.
This area of New Orleans was sparsely populated and littered with abandoned warehouses. It was the perfect location for Kieran to house his vamps, though it wasn’t the only nest he had in the city. The old vampire’s followers had infested New Orleans and things weren’t getting any better.
They used the nightclub to lure their victims. If one were to make the mistake of getting too close to one of Kieran’s vampires, death was a certainty, and if you were lucky, that death would come quickly. The unlucky ones were sentenced to become feeders and their deaths would be slow and hellish.
I was certain this was the fate Kieran had in mind for Claire.
I sensed that Claire had already known too much misery in her life. There was no way I could let her experience that kind of suffering?
From where I stood, the Hole appeared to be deserted, but I knew better. It was well past midnight. Soon, Kieran’s brood would scatter to hunt. The nest couldn’t sate their hunger with just the Hole’s victims alone. Taking too many of them would draw unwanted att
ention.
It would not be long before they left their nest to prey on the city of New Orleans. With their numbers thinned, I would at least have a fighting chance, especially if Kieran decided to turn on me.
I remained in the shadows as I watched the building. It wasn’t long before they began to emerge, disappearing into the night, one - two - three at a time. A few would remain, but at least I would have a better chance.
At last they were gone. I started across the road toward the gray concrete building that was the rage of the underground culture. The Hole was where all the Goths wanted to hang out, even more so than The Underground.
I still had no idea what Kieran wanted with Claire or how I would protect her, but what I did know is that I would die trying.
When I stepped through the entrance, I wasn’t too surprised to see the carnage. Those vampires who’d stayed behind were feeding on the unfortunate souls who had made the ill-fated decision to stay at the Hole and party.
Near the bar, a woman lay sprawled on the floor, terror still visible in her unblinking eyes. Her death had been a surprise - a horror she hadn’t expected to find when she’d decided to go out and party with her friends.
A young vampire lifted his head from where he’d been feeding at the throat of another victim. His eyes were literally glowing with his lust for blood.
My step faltered. I hadn’t fed yet, and the scent of blood was intoxicating. Keeping my hunger at bay was a constant battle, but I had no choice. There would be time enough to feed after I’d dealt with Kieran.
Stepping over one of the many corpses that littered the room, I made my way to the back where I knew I’d find Kieran.
The red doors that led to Kieran’s quarters were shut, as I’d known they would be. Kieran had always preferred isolation. As far as he was concerned, humans and regular vampires were beneath him.
As tempting as it was to rush inside and demand he tell me what he wanted with Claire, it would be a foolish move. Kieran commanded respect. It was best to play along, at least for now.
After knocking on the door, I waited for a response.
“You may enter,” a deep, raspy voice called from behind the door.