by C C Sommerly
All of these things added to the unwelcoming aura of the place. Despite the signs of occupation, the place had an empty air to it. And, even if I hadn’t known this was a vampire den, I’d be dissuaded from venturing here based on the creepy set up.
Muffin stayed attached to my side, literally brushing against my leg with every step we took deeper into the monsters’ lair.
“You’ll be meeting the servants first. They’ve been assembled in the salon. All were instructed to speak freely and candidly with you,” said the servant I’d teased earlier.
I entered the salon to find several dozen staff awaiting me. I nearly groaned aloud. It would take me hours to interview the staff, donors, and the vampire victims. I’m not sure it was possible to wrap this up in a single night. I really didn’t want to spend more time hanging around Xavier and his people.
None of the staff looked happy to see me. They were probably pissed that I was keeping them from the very important duties needed to keep their masters in pampered content. Unwilling witnesses were the worst. They tended to intentionally and unintentional omit important clues because they were in a hurry to get away from you.
So, not only were they unwilling, but they owed me nothing. Their first loyalty was to their master and vampires. Like other strong supernatural creatures, vampires dealt with disloyalty swiftly and harshly. I’d probably get very little from them other than losing time I didn’t have.
I interviewed the butler, steward, the security staff and Head of Security, as well as the Keeper of the Donors, who made sure the donor’s every need was met. Not a single one of them knew of any changes in routine, never saw anyone new around the coven or donors. And, they all claimed that none of the donors were acting any different than normal. This is so frustrating. The only juicy tidbit I got was that one of the security guards was part of the royal family and was getting hands-on security training here.
In between the questioning, the brownies were growing so anxious by their inactivity, that I set them the task of cleaning the salon, while I interviewed staff.
The butler got bored after an hour and finally left me alone to question the rest of the staff. Before I started talking with the maids, one of the brownies approached me.
“Excuse me, Miss,” said a female brownie.
She was one of the older ones and seemed nervous.
“Yes, how can I help you?” I asked.
“Would your name happen to be Marty? I know you were introduced as Miss Martin, but I thought you might be the investigator who goes by ‘Marty’ instead.”
I looked at her more closely. The Butler hadn’t introduced me as “Marty,” so she shouldn’t know my actual name.
“And who is asking?”
“I- I’m Breeda Tisley. You helped my aunt. She works at the Boldens.”
“I did meet her and I’m glad to hear that I actually helped her. I wondered how that turned out.”
“I want to help you because of what you did. Most people don’t notice us and even less people would help one of us.”
Normally, brownies were painfully shy. This one coming up to me was odd. Despite that shyness, brownies are fiercely protective of the houses they kept and the people within. They were one of the most honor-bound and dutiful out of the supernatural races. And, once they bonded with a house, they took care of it until their death.
“I don’t want you getting in trouble, so only tell me what you can safely tell me.”
“Vampires aren’t the evil monsters people think they are. I’ve been here one hundred and fifty years and they treat me good.”
“I didn’t mean to give the impression that I thought poorly of them.”
“If we couldn’t talk to you, then you wouldn’t be here alone with us. The donors are scared. We’re all scared and hoping you can find who is behind this. They didn’t tell the truth.”
“About what?”
“There is something different. A few months ago, the donors started going out more. They joined some church. That was the first and only change, but I thought you should know.”
“Thank you for trusting me with this information.”
She thrust a crumbled bit of paper at me.
“This is the address of their church.”
Xavier strolled into the salon with two brutish vampires flanking him. They stared at me like guards stare at convicts – convinced that I’d commit a crime or act out in aggression at a moment’s notice.
“I’ve gotten permission for you to speak with the victims,” said Xavier.
“Aren’t the guards a bit much? I’m not going to hurt your vampires,” I said.
“They aren’t here for the vampires. They’re here for your protection. How do you think an injured predator acts?”
I immediately saw his point. These vampires would be more dangerous than normal because of their weakness. They’d attack first and ask questions later – assuming there was enough of me left to question.
“Very well. Thing One and Thing Two can join in the fun.”
Xavier shot me a dirty look, but didn’t take my bait. Darn. I’m feeling feisty. He brought me to a heavy wooden door.
A snarl responded to the knock, but it remained shut.
“Come now, Piers, you said we could chat,” said Xavier.
The snarling got louder and there was nothing rational or human in the sound.
“Don’t make this difficult,” said Xavier.
Piers finally opened the door and I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Not a pretty sight,” he said.
“It’s not that. I just didn’t expect you to be so big.”
“You lie well, but not well enough to fool a vampire. Come in or stay out, I don’t care which,” said Piers.
The vampire was huge. He had to lean over to keep his head from brushing the ceiling. His room was dark and only a pair of candles glowed.
“What do you want to know, so I can get back to sleep?”
Vamps didn’t sleep at night. He sat stooped over as if he lacked the energy to sit up all the way. His hair was knotted together, but it didn’t hide the bald patches.
“I’d like to discuss the events that led to you getting sick.”
“Nothing. I drank from Maribelle and detected a taint of something that didn’t taste normal. I ignored it. She’s a lusty wench and was more concerned with satisfying her itch and I indulged her. I drank more than normal. And fell into a sleep.”
“When Maribelle couldn’t rouse him, she came to me,” said Xavier.
“And you see what the result of that is.”
“Did you try to drink from her, Xavier?”
“We didn’t make that connection. It seems obvious now, but what Piers describes isn’t anything alarming. She could have drunk a lot of wine or partook of drugs – either of which would affect the way she tasted,” said Xavier.
“So, no one other than Piers drank from her? Would you be willing to try?”
“Bring Maribelle,” barked Xavier.
The guard brough a short, but willowy red head.
“Drink, Vicks,” ordered Xavier.
The vampire leaned into the woman’s neck and grimaced.
“Not the neck,” said Piers. “Only I drink from her neck. Use the wrist.”
The guard gently brought the woman’s arm to his mouth. He lurched backwards, spitting out the blood and wiping his face. Maribelle burst into tears.
“I’m still damaged,” she wailed.
“Return her,” said Xavier.
“I guess that clears things up. It is something with her. Are you done, Marty?”
“I’d thought to ask more questions.”
“Piers needs to rest. Send me a list of your questions. I’ll get the answers for you.”
It wasn’t an ideal solution, but it would have to do. Xavier wasn’t going to bend on this.
From here, the night continued to be useless. I conducted the donor interviews, which went as well as I expected. None of th
e donors were older than their late twenties. And most of them were stunningly good looking, like Maribelle. Guess vamps didn’t care for ugly food. The donors lived very boring, but privileged lives according to what I was told. They were treated like pampered pets and enjoyed every bit of it. You couldn’t pay me enough to be a vamp’s chew toy.
Yes, the donors seemed content, if not happy, they were also very docile. Something about the bond between them and the vampires dampened their natural fear response and almost made them mindless.
Each one praised the vampires for the care and generosity. The donors rarely left the house and when they did, it was usually in groups and with guards. There wasn’t a single activity that was out of the ordinary or even remotely risky or dangerous. They went shopping and occasionally to their places of religious practice. Heck if I knew how they were getting contaminated.
I tried to get more information about their religious practices, but they were tip-lipped about that. I’d need to ask Xavier about this.
By the time I left Xavier’s coven, I had a throbbing headache and a grumbling tummy. I’d learned nothing and only had more answers than before. I wanted to punch something. I really didn’t want to go back to Sterling to tell him about the evening’s failure, but where else did I have to go?
“Hello daughter.”
I shrieked, but managed to instinctually pull out my sword.
“Oh my, are we to fight? I doubt you’d be a match for me. Your skills have atrophied without my tutelage.”
“What do you want?”
“Why isn’t that clear? I want my daughter back.”
“I want nothing to do with you, not now and not ever. I wish you’d died.”
“Tsk, tsk. At least, you haven’t lost your edge. I’d despaired that your abilities had dulled being out here with the peons.”
“You always were an elitist snob on top of being abusive. If you come for me, I’ll kill you.”
“How delightful. My savage, little one.”
“I’m not kidding. I have every intention of making sure you die and stay dead.”
“I didn’t think you were joking. I have no doubt that you’d try your best to kill me. We both know that I’m the stronger of us – physically and magically.”
I gripped my sword, preparing to launch an offensive at my father, when Muffin attacked. My father and I were equally startled. The devil dog latched onto my father’s arm and wrenched his head back and forth. He tore the skin and muscle and spewing my father’s blood everywhere. My stomach rolled. Seeing the wildness and destruction he was enacting against my father was a grim reminder of what Muffin was capable of.
My father clubbed Muffin with the flat of his sword. Luckily, he couldn’t get a good angle to stab Muffin. I wasn’t about to let him get the opportunity to take out my animal. I put a hand out to unleash my magic when a searing volley of flames hit my father. He swore, but continued doing his best to smash Muffin’s brains out. I lowered my hand and I searched out the source of the magic. There in the shadows was Miles.
Miles sent out another round of fire attacks. One of the magic flames hit Muffin, making him yelp and polluting the air with the smell of burnt hair. So much for him being safe from the flames. I threw my magic into the battle and my father smirked before disappearing into the shadows.
“What do you think you are doing?” shouted Miles.
“Having a friendly chat. What do you think I was doing?”
“I think you have a lot of secrets, dangerous secrets. Care to tell me who that was and why you were attacking him with magic?”
“Well, he’s not a friend, I’ll tell you that much.”
“Obviously. So, who was he?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“I can make you.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
We stood there staring, neither of us willing to be the first on to look away. Muffin’s whine finally broke our stare off.
“Unless I’m under arrest, you can’t detain me.”
“That’s not entirely true. And, you’re welcome for bailing out you and that mutt.”
I flipped him off and headed home.
The sound of footsteps behind me told me that Miles wasn’t leaving me alone. While, all of us staying at Lochlan’s wasn’t a secret, I wasn’t too keen on the enforcer knowing where I lived.
“You don’t need to escort me home. I know the way.”
“I’m sure you do. But, you’ll get an escort whether you want one or not.”
I purposely walked fast until I reached Betty. I hopped in and took off, leaving the enforcer swearing on the sidewalk. Try to follow me now.
By the time I walked into the house, I was worn out and a bundle of mixed emotions.
“You reek of magic, not just yours, but others,” said Sterling from the living room. “And you smell like –”
“Not right now. Didn’t Lochlan fill you in on today?” I asked.
“He did, but I’d like to hear from you.”
“It can wait until the morning. I just can’t right now.”
“Marty?”
I stopped mid-step and turned around.
“What?”
“We can help.”
“I know.”
In my room, I flung my clothes onto the floor and sunk wearily onto the bed. Muffin circled around my legs, which were dangling off the bed. I felt like a coiled spring, wired tightly and just waiting to spring free of its confinement. My gaze fell on the bag of herbs sitting on the dresser.
I jumped up, startling Muffin and earning a warning growl. Nasty beast. God, why am I being such a heartless bitch? I stopped and plopped down next to Muffin. I looked him over for injuries, but saw no wounds or other signs of damage. Although, he’d probably get an upset stomach from consuming my father’s rotten blood.
I placed the herbs on a dish and lit them. The smoke slowly rose up and floated through the air, leaving a blessed calm as I breathed it in. I drifted on the calming waves the smoke created, feeling every bit of tension, stress, and unease leave me.
I could get used to this, I thought before drifting off to sleep.
22
The next morning I woke up with a throbbing head and a mouth full of cotton. Why do I feel so crappy? The late night interviewing people at the vampire mansion must have worn me out more than I thought.
I quickly got ready for the day and another “beat down Marty” training session with Miles. At least the training session would spare me from chatting with the others about my visit with the vampires. I wanted to figure out the religious angle first rather than go to Sterling and tell him I had another case that I wasn’t making adequate progress on.
The remnants of the last night’s incense in the dish was just barely noticeable. If there was time, I’d have burnt more of it just to take the edge off.
I snuck out before anyone could delay me. Muffin whined at being left behind, but I still wasn’t comfortable bringing him. Can I get out of training? I didn’t want to face Miles. There was no way Miles wouldn’t press me for more details about the fight with my father.
Going to the Enforcers Training Academy was similar to the level of fun you’d get from having your fingernails pulled out with pliers. I portaled into the training location and no sooner than I stepped through, I slammed into a man’s chest. It was Miles, who barely budged from me hitting him. He was stronger than I gave him credit for. And, he looked pissed. Oopsies. Actually, I didn’t care if he was mad.
“Did you miss me, Miles?”
“Come with me.”
“Ah, you say the sweetest things.”
He didn’t even look back to see if I followed. Instead of heading to the training arena, Miles, brought me to a room in the inner building. This part of the academy was an inner block that was ringed by an outer wall. This was also the part of the academy where I was held before when I needed the healer.
The room was a well-used office and unexpecte
dly quaint – not what I expected from the grumpy enforcer. Papers were stacked in neat, little piles on the dark wood desk. A book shelf was filled with books, many of which looked to be well-used and dust free. Only a book lover took such care of his books. A small table rested in between two brown leather chairs. Torches flickered in the holders, lending a soft light to the room.
“Couldn’t wait to get me alone? And here I thought I wasn’t your type?”
“How hasn’t someone killed you because of your mouth?”
“My charm offsets it.”
“Sure it does.”
Actually, being nervous made me mouthier than normal. It was my built-in defense mechanism and helped keep people at a distance. To most people, I was a cold-hearted bitch and I planned on keeping up that impression.
He watched me checking out the room and just to poke him more, I added, “You can read. Imagine that.”
His face reddened and he opened his mouth to respond, but stopped. The man had great restraint, which I found very respectable. He’d have made a great PI. He could take the crap that clients dealt out and still get the job done.
“We are at an impasse. You were in a fight, a magical fight last night with some sort of supernatural creature that I’m unfamiliar with. It’s rare and nearly impossible to come across a supernatural creature that I don’t recognize. In my career, I’ve dealt with every supernatural that exists.”
“Guess you learn something every day. You should be thanking me for broadening your horizons.”
“And, who exactly was that new person? And what was he?”
“I agreed to train with you, not that I had a choice, but I didn’t agree to an interrogation. As I told you last night, I don’t owe you answers.”
“Marty,” he growled. “You can only put me off so long. If I have to, I’ll take this up to the Guild Master. Not only are you meeting with potentially dangerous miscreants, but you were using the magic you aren’t supposed to be using in public.”
He stared at me and I calmly met his gaze even though my heart was galloping in my chest.