When they got off in Hell’s Kitchen the streets were bustling and packed with shoving people, so Amelia immediately darted for the first alley with a fire escape. She quickly scampered up it. Standing at the top, she watched the ground and roof for any sign of Gianni’s goons, and waited for Kristoff to join her. Once he was up, he breathed a deep breath of what sounded like relief. “Too many people out in the daylight, I hate it.”
“Then you’re not in the right city.”
Kristoff shot her a strange glance and then started out across the roof. For about half an hour Amelia and Kristoff crossed rooftops and climbed fire escapes as the neighborhood became increasingly seedy and commercial. Finally, they came to a particularly abused warehouse and Kristoff grabbed her and pulled her down behind the suicide wall out of sight.
Kristoff crept to the edge of the roof closest to the building and looked over. Then he gestured for Amelia to join him. “Is this it?” Amelia whispered. Kristoff nodded his head yes, then silently pointed out the sentries around the warehouse.
Kristoff pulled his camera around to his front and started snapping pictures of the entrance that the Italians were guarding most closely, then he moved down the roof to look at the back. Behind the warehouse, guards were milling around with heavy weaponry, smoking foreign cigarettes and talking excitedly. It seemed that the sentries for the Italians were pretty secure in the belief that their building was unbreachable from the casual way they milled around. Kristoff shot a few more pictures and started looking around. Amelia narrowed her eyes. “What are you looking for?”
“A way over to the top of the warehouse. Stay here, watch that the guards don’t see.” And with that he stood, and took a running leap across an unbelievable gap onto the top of the building beyond. He landed silently in a crouch and glanced across to Amelia. Shocked at his feat, Amelia stared wide eyed at him then gave him a thumbs up that he hadn’t been seen. Kristoff seemed to be searching the roof for something, he paused at the door to the roof’s entrance and tested the knob, then examined the air conditioning units. At some point he stopped sand it looked like he was taking pictures of the ground. He motioned Amelia to watch for the sentries again and she nodded.
Once more Kristoff took a running start and darted over the gap, back to her side. “I think we have what we need.”
Amelia regarded him curiously, “If you’re sure.”
Kristoff looked at the sky, the orange light already hinting at sunset. “It wouldn’t matter if we didn't. We need to get out of here.” Amelia glanced up at the ripened sunlight and frowned.
“I think you’re right. Let’s go.”
It took them another half hour to get back to the metro stop, and it was getting harder to see as the afternoon sun was now in their faces. Amelia couldn’t help but keep looking back over her shoulders. Soon the Italian clan would waken, but would they detect that they’d been surveilled? When Kristoff and she reached the fire escape down toward the metro, Amelia froze.
“Is it too late to take the metro? We could be trapped underground when twilight comes.” Kristoff frowned as he took in her concern, then dug around in his coat. Pulling out his cellphone, Kristoff made a call. Without preamble he said into the phone. “I need the Aston Martin picked up at Amelia’s place and brought to me.” He paused. “Hell’s Kitchen… No, it’s none of your business, just send Jonathan… Yes, I have her with me…She’s fine…NO! You don't need to come yourself. How would that look?…You’re an arrogant Мудак, but you know that…Fine…I’ll see you there.” Kristoff stabbed the phone off.
“Who was that?”
“Kolya.”
“Why are you so angry with him?”
“It’s family issues. Nothing to do with you.”
Amelia looked unconvinced, “Where are we meeting him?”
“A few blocks over,” Kristoff replied shortly.
“Don’t take it out on me if you’re pissed at him.”
Kristoff sighed, “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He shrugged deeper into his coat in what appeared to be agitation. “Let’s get going, I think we should stay to the roofs. He should be here in about twenty minutes - with the way he abuses cars. It’s cutting it close - but it’s better than being caught out underground at night.” Then, without any other comment, he just turned and walked off expecting Amelia to follow.
Their trek was in silence, and Amelia couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on between the brothers. She thought back to their visit to Kolya’s and had to admit there had been a growing tension even then. She still hadn’t found out how Kolya had known to send her after Gianni, but she hadn’t really given it much thought recently. Maybe she should have.
When the two finally climbed down from the last building, the sun had set and the air had cooled. Amelia couldn’t help but be jumpy. She glanced around the darkened alley where they were apparently meeting Kolya. He wasn’t there yet. Amelia peered nervously in the growing gloom. “Where is he?”
But no sooner had she asked, there was a squealing noise and the Aston Marten dove into the alley, screeching to a stop just at her legs before it hit her. Behind the wheel Kolya was grinning at his small joke.
Kolya got out and ambled over to Kristoff and she, Kristoff glaring daggers at him. Kolya crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the hood gracefully. “So kids, I heard you needed a ride.” He smiled broadly. Amelia couldn’t help but smile back. Kristoff still looked stoney.
“I’ll drive,” growled Kristoff.
“Actually, it’s been a while since you let me use the Aston, I’m enjoying myself. Just get in.”
“Um,” said Amelia suddenly realizing the car only had two seats. “We can’t all fit.”
“You can sit on his lap.” Kolya replied with a shrug.
“If you drive anything like the way he does, that’s a very bad idea.”
“We could tie him to the roof.”
Kristoff grabbed Amelia’s hand, “Come on, I promise (he shot his brother a pointed look) Kolya will be a gentleman.”
“You take all the fun out of owning a multi million dollar car.” Kolya sighed. Then he rounded the car and got back into the driver’s seat. Kristoff pulled Amelia over to the passenger side and sat down, then pulled her in on top of him. “I can now see why three’s a crowd,” Kolya joked. And then, contrary to Kristoff’s assurances, he squealed back out into traffic and jetted off.
Unsurprisingly, Kolya was just as bad at reckless driving as Kristoff, probably worse, and in response Kristoff held Amelia so tightly she could practically hear him grinding his teeth..
He shot Kolya some sort of warning glance, and muttered “She’s fragile.”
Amelia snorted. “So are all humans at these speeds.” As if something was funny about this, Kolya laughed.
As they wound through the city, Amelia slowly became a little concerned. “This isn’t the way to Kristoff’s apartment.”
Kristoff gave Kolya a sharp glance. “No, it’s not.”
“I decided I wanted to help you two with getting Amelia’s revenge.”
Amelia looked wary but thanked him, “You really don’t have to, I know how you feel about hunting.”
“Yes, brother, why the sudden altruism?” Snapped Kristoff.
“Why, I’m terribly fond of Amelia and what happened to her sister was such a tragedy. So I thought I’d throw a hand in. Besides, I thought it might be fun to watch two hunters plan out a hunt.” Kristoff looked at Kolya as if he were going to say something, but pressed his lips together tightly and glared out the window instead.
Kolya screeched into a parking space behind his antiques shop, and popped out, then waited for Amelia and Kristoff to extricate themselves. Once they had, Kristoff walked to another hand scanner like the ones in his offices, this one set into the brick of the building. He pressed his palm in. The door beside it opened into a lavish elevator, even more decorated than Kristoff’s. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling above, and
gilt wood paneled its sides.
The elevator went up several floors to what Amelia could only assume was the top, and it opened out into a large room where a giant victorian table dominated. “Give me the film,” Kolya said to Kristoff reaching his hand out. “We’ll get it developed quickly, and have the shots enlarged so we can plan better.”
Kristoff carefully removed his camera and pulled out the film, his face said he wanted to cram it down Kolya’s throat more than he wanted to hand it over. Amelia couldn’t figure out why there was so much tension between them. She looked around at the large group of Louis VI chairs circling the table and room, and cleared her throat.
“What’s this room Kolya?”
“It’s where I meet with my employees.”
“How many employees do you need to run an antiques business?”
“More than you can imagine,” Kolya replied with a wink. Then holding up the film he said, “I’ll be right back.”
Amelia glanced over to see how Kristoff was doing, and he was clearly angry. “What’s going on here?” Amelia asked carefully. And Kristoff’s eyes shifted away suspiciously.
“Kolya is butting into things where he’s not wanted.”
“But isn’t more help better?”
Kristoff looked murderous, “Sometimes not.”
“Kolya must have a lot of employees if he’s meeting them in a room this big.”
“This room is only for his…executives. He has many employees doing other things around the world. Our antiques business is global.”
Amelia wandered around the room running her fingertips over the shined patina of lovely antique furniture, “You all must make quite a bit then.”
“We started wealthy as well. Kolya manages the family fortune along with the company.”
Amelia looked thoughtful for a moment. “Your family is obviously still important in Europe.”
“You could say that.” But he was rescued from further explanation by Kolya’s return.
In a whirlwind, Kolya breezed back in with a pile of large photos and spread them out on the table. Amelia and Kristoff drew closer to look. Kolya examined each of them thoughtfully, then tapped the two of the sentries vaguely. “Not so well guarded after all,” he mused. Kristoff was grimly silent. Kolya then moved to the ones Amelia hadn’t seen yet of the top of the warehouse. “You’re going in through the roof door?”
“No,” Kristoff bit out.
“Oh… Clever.” Kolya smiled and gestured to another picture that seemed to be of a hatch on the top of the roof. “You think you’ll use the machine room.” Kristoff remained quiet, but Amelia looked over at him.
“Is that where we’ll go in?”
Kristoff glanced to her and his face softened. “Yes, the roof access door would be guarded from the inside. Few would consider using the small hatch to the machine room.” He pointed to the air conditioning units. “Below these two will be the main power source and a door onto the top catwalks. We’ll go through there and work our way down.”
“How do you know we’ll need to be going down?”
Kristoff’s face was blank, “Vampires like to be as far from where they could be caught by the light as possible… At least most of them,” he added, giving Kolya a mysterious look.
Kolya gave a cheshire grin. “You must expect that the catwalks will be guarded and being on catwalks means being out in the open…”
“It’s my plan to take out the human guards that will be near the top first. If we go in in the afternoon, we’ll still be at an advantage with the vampires asleep.”
Kolya looked considering. “That’s not a bad idea. But you are counting on the vampires’ resting place being reachable. It’s possible it won’t be reachable until right at twilight. You know they’ll have a vault in place. If you don’t plan for it, you’ll just be hanging around in there, after shooting the guards, and waiting. You’ll give the Italians the chance to prepare before they leave the vault when they hear the battle. Instead you should go at the cusp of sundown, take out the guards quickly and silently and be waiting right at the moment the vault unlocks. Take them by surprise in their early waking state.”
Amelia looked at Kolya with respect, for someone who hated hunting, he seemed to know a lot about strategy.
“That may be the best way,” Kristoff replied grudgingly.
Kolya rubbed his hands together. “You’ll need guns.”
Kristoff glared,”I don’t use guns, hunters don’t use guns.”
Looking at Kristoff like he was stupid Kolya replied, “Getting into close combat with people carrying guns is unwise - especially for Amelia.”
Amelia once more wondered why the brothers thought she was a particularly fragile, but let it pass. Kristoff paused, and relented. “I’ll take a silenced sniper rifle. That should take care of the humans. The vampires won’t use guns, they’re too old fashioned.”
“Their problem, not ours.”
Kristoff gave him a look at the word ours. “You’re not coming,” he said as both statement and question.
“Of course not,” said Kolya innocently. Once more, Amelia had the sense that another conversation than the one apparent was occurring, and she looked between the brothers. Then Kolya swept up the photos and decisively stacked them with a stiff click on the tabletop. “I think you will both be just fine, this looks cut and dry.” What would Kolya know of something like this? Much less declaring it easy.
Kristoff exhaled pointedly through his nose. “I suppose it will be, we won’t need any help with this being so easy.” He said looking directly at Kolya.
“I would never interfere with a hunt. You know that.”
“Keep it that way,” threatened Kristoff. “Come on Amelia,” he said turning to take her hand. “We’ll need rest if this is to happen tomorrow.” Amelia looked between the brothers one more time, and Kolya winked.
“Sleep well, and good luck,” he said to Amelia. “Glad I could help avenge Mona.”
“Help.” Scoffed Kristoff shooting him a suspicious look. “I’m taking the Aston home, I’ll send over the Karrman Ghia when I get there.”
“Works for me.”
And with that Kristoff swept Amelia from the room and back into the elevator.
Chapter 29
As soon as Amelia and Kristoff got home, Amelia pounced on him and kissed him deeply. “Thank you so much for your help.” She said happily. Kristoff drew Amelia tightly against him and held on. “Maybe we should go celebrate our pre-victory.” Amelia said to him suggestively. But Kristoff just held her tighter and put his cheek on top of her hair. This night could be the last night she felt this way about him.
Amelia furrowed her brow and drew close, hugging him tightly back. “What is it?” “I don’t want to lose you,” Kristoff choked out.
Amelia laughed “Don’t worry silly, I’m not going anywhere. I’m good at defending myself now.” Her assurance didn’t calm him. Kristoff stood with his head on her hair inhaling the scent of leather and jasmine and faded cigarettes for what seemed like hours.
“I love you, Amelia.” Kristoff whispered into her hair.
“Well,” Amelia replied warily. “I’m quite fond of you as well.”
Kristoff couldn’t bring himself to reply or he might have spilt the entire situation out begging her forgiveness for the deception and praying she’d accept him. But he kept silent. There was always the possibility that, after all this time, she’d still reject him. Then go after the Italians in a fit alone and get killed. His confession would have to smolder on his tongue a day longer.
“Come upstairs,” Amelia entreated, trying to pull away from his embrace, tugging him toward the stairs.
Kristoff barely loosened his grip. “I just want to hold you tonight, nothing else.”
“Hey, hey, I’m not going anywhere. We’ll beat this thing tomorrow and it will all be good. Don’t worry, I won’t get killed.” Amelia was obviously becoming spooked by his behavior.
Kristoff c
ollected himself. “I know. I won’t let you.”
Amelia furrowed her brow, then tugged on him again. “It’s ok. We’ll just cuddle. Come to bed.” Kristoff nodded against her hair and let her pull him to the staircase, then took a moment to memorize her that way. Eagerly pulling him to passion and comfort in his own home, eyes bright with what could one day be love if allowed to grow. Later, she might want to scrub his memory and this place away with a brillo pad. But right now…right now, she was blissfuly unaware and smiling at him invitingly. He would etch this moment in his flesh and neurons, hold it burned in his mind until he died.
Because in his heart, Kristoff knew that tomorrow the charade would come to an end and he doubted it would end well.
*
The next day, Amelia was full of nervous energy so she spent the nervous hours in the dojo, practicing. Kristoff seemed morose, but went about sharpening knives and overseeing her training. Around 3pm the doorman came to the apartment with what looked like an oddly shaped golf bag.
“From your brother, sir.” He said, handing it to Kristoff.
“Thank you.”
Amelia, who had been brought over by the sound of voices, came out and gestured to the bag. “What’s that?”
Kristoff didn’t answer but carried the thing back into the guest room where he set it on the bed and unzipped it.
Methodically, Kristoff started setting out black matte parts, and Amelia looked on in curiosity, until it occurred to her what it was. “What was your brother doing with a silencer, high end scope and sniper rifle?”
“You’d be surprised,” Kristoff muttered darkly. He put the thing together, checked it over and pulled it back apart, seeming satisfied with its condition. Then he turned to Amelia. “Go ahead and get ready we have about an hour and a half until we need to be breaking into Gianni’s.”
A Guide to Vampire Hunting: ...and other failures (Alchemy Inc. Book 1) Page 20