I had no desire to extol after a meal. I didn’t see the point. With my hunger quenched, I headed to my room and slammed the door behind me. I lost myself in the thick bed sheets. I pulled them over my head and I dosed off to rest. My victim’s essence still traveled throughout my body, tingling my fingertips. With my eyes closed and seeing nothing but darkness, I found myself asleep and dreaming again, right on cue.
I couldn’t remember a time where I didn’t dream of Oliver, my sire. I welcomed these glimpses into my past, when things were simple. As a new Deamhan, I explored the world with him, testing my limits and loyalty. He was a fine sire and that’s saying much for a Deamhan. It’s rare for a sire to treat their offspring with any respect and often times they either used their offspring for their own evil methods, abandoned them, or killed them all together. He was different and he treated me like I was his son, deserving of respect and protection. It didn’t surprise me on the night of his death, on a dirt road leading away from a small town a few miles from London, that he ordered me to run away while he handled Anastasia and her offspring, Finley.
At first I refused to leave his side, thinking that I could help him. He told me, telepathically, that even if he did hold her off he couldn’t stop her from killing me. I watched them fight, moving in tremendous speeds hitting each other. Oliver used any wooden objects in the environment that he could find to slow her down. He almost had her when he impaled her against a nearby tree but somehow she freed herself. Using a nearby branch, she managed to pin him to the ground where she repeatedly stabbed him for the thrill of it.
Finley stood by and also watched the spectacle. At that time I didn’t know that he was a new Deamhan just like me however, that didn’t matter. What disturbed me the most was how he egged on Anastasia to torture my sire. He wanted to learn and he took notes from her. Oliver didn’t curse Anastasia with his last words. Instead he took that moment to tell me again to run and to not look back. I wasn’t there to witness his death nor was I strong enough to prevent it. Those two sentiments always haunted me.
3
LIKE A RAGDOLL
As with every night since I was made Deamhan, I shot straight up after my deep sleep, trembling in fear with my eyes wide opened. Realizing that night had set in, I crawled out of bed and pulled back the curtains. As a Deamhan our bodies could tell when the sun had settled and the moon rose to its apex.
I heard traffic just outside my window followed by the sound of Biddy and Nicias speaking in the other room. When I opened the door the smell of lilac perfume mixed in with her annoying human scent entered my nostrils. Upon seeing me she smiled briefly while he motioned for me to come and sit with them.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
I took my time replying. “Well.”
“Good because you will need your strength. Don’t forget. Tonight you’re going to Dark Sepulcher.” He reached behind the couch for a dark bag. “And after you finish with Maris, you will head to Blind Bluff Manor and get the tablet piece.” He tossed the bag onto my lap.
The news startled me along with the unknown bag. “Both places...tonight?” I unzipped it, noticing that it was full of weapons. A machete and two smooth stakes grabbed my attention and I pulled them out. “I can’t bring these into the vampire club.” I placed them back in the bag and dropped it to the floor. “And I don’t use weapons. My bare hands will do.”
Again I went against his commandment and I expected him to lash out like he did the previous night. Instead he tossed the bag over his shoulder and it landed on the ground in a hard thud.
“Oh, that’s right. You’re a fisticuffs kind of Deamhan.”
Biddy rubbed his chest. “I’ll get ready.” She walked toward the other room. I was sure he felt my growing irritation toward her and what he wanted me to do. He questioned if I could bring myself to kill Maris.
She returned a few minutes later, dress in a taut red miniskirt, a black shirt, and holding a black purse. “I’m bringing my stun gun, if that’s okay with you?” She pulled her hair into a ponytail and applied so much makeup that in any other circumstances, I would have mistaken her for a whore.
“Perfect.” He responded slyly to her taste in clothing.
“I hope it isn’t too much Nicias.” She twirled around, showing her slim and mystique body to us.
“No, it’s just right.” He clasped his hands together.
I stood up from the couch and without speaking a word, I headed for the door.
♦ ♦ ♦
I found Biddy to be just as unpleasant and obnoxious as the Dorvo vamps in the city. However, since their population steadily increased, I came to a shaky understanding that Maris could’ve went to their club, just like the other Deamhan in the city used to do.
Biddy talked the entire way, informing me how the vampires knew the ins and outs of every Deamhan in their vicinity, especially Lambert, the vampire owner of Dark Sepulcher. He was the head honcho, the supernatural in charge. Vampires came in droves on weekend nights to feed on unsuspecting humans and others. Recently, Lambert refused to allow any murders to happen on his property. The vampires had to feed and erase the altercation from the minds of their victims.
Smart man.
When humans began to fantasies about vampires, they pussyfooted out of their crypts and coffins and basked themselves in the attention. Deamhan couldn’t read their minds and they couldn’t read ours. However, they used their powers to mystify humans and seduce them. It was one thing that we Deamhan didn’t excel at. We only knew lust and wanting. I lusted after my sire, thinking that it was love yet it was only a bond. Maris wanted nothing more but to bond with me before I walked away from her. She raised the question about love and if Deamhan were capable of it. She wanted to believe it to be true, but I had never seen any Deamhan love anyone else besides themselves.
However I wasn’t so sure how these vampires were getting along with the Dorvo vampires. For Deamhan, they were one in the same. Vampires. But don’t ever tell a Dorvo vamp that.
We arrived at Dark Sepulcher an hour before it was scheduled to close for the night. Before entering we encountered two human bouncers at the front door who let us in without hesitation. After Biddy paid the cashier, a young girl who covered her face in white paint and showed her fake vampire teeth to me, we walked through two red curtains, pulling them back to reveal the interior.
I first noticed the white smoke spewing from the fog machines. It slithered along the base, swallowing up the legs of those on the dance floor. The fake fog was so thick, I covered my nose as the smell inundated my sense of smell. Everywhere I looked, I saw only vampires and humans. They settled in booths around small red and black Florentine pattern lamp shades. Some stood by the dance floor watching as their fellow vampires and humans twirled around each other with the music. There wasn’t any space in the club that wasn’t taken by some vampire. I had never seen so many in one space in my long lifetime.
Biddy wrapped her arm around my own and pulled herself close to me. Her behavior made me want to snarl.
“I’m yours now,” she whispered.
Almost immediately all vampire eyes were on us, especially me. They watched my every movement; studying and sizing me up. Some pointed and laughed, as others hissed and whispered that a Deamhan had entered their environment. They didn’t give me any time to admire the rest of the club before I found myself standing face to face with a tall vampire male.
He stood with his mouth agape, showing off his pointed fangs to me. His brown eyes (they didn’t change to a dominant color like Deamhan) dug deep into my own as if he was looking for something; perhaps a reason why I had treaded into their “territory.” Instead of engaging him I stepped aside and he also moved with me. It was clear that he didn’t want me to advance any further. “You and your minion don’t belong here, Deamhan.”
I controlled my agitation. He didn’t look any older or stronger than I was, but that wasn’t as easy to tell as it would be with a Deamhan. If I kil
led him, the other vampires would react to my treachery, putting me down quickly like a rabid dog. Plus I didn’t know how many Dorvo vamps were also watching the confrontation. I took what I learned from my sire long ago. I swallowed my urge, held my composure, and I replied slowly. “I’m not here to fight with you.”
He grabbed my throat and snarled. I felt his cold breath against my face and without a thought I twisted his wrist against his own weight, bringing him to his knees. At that moment I felt air rushing in my direction as many vampires came directly after me. I kicked my attacker square in the chest, sending him sliding back and onto the dance floor. Leaving Biddy where she stood, I jumped on the counter of a nearby bar in Deamhan speed and made my way to the end where I jumped, latching onto the ledge above. I climbed over it and stood face to face with another vampire, startling her.
Instead of attacking she held out her hand to the crowd below. The confrontation ended quickly. My eyes moved to them below and quickly back to her. I saw Biddy, now too afraid to move, surrounded by vampires. To have that much control over an unruly crowd meant only one thing to me. She was an important figure in their community.
Her brown eyes moved up and down, scanning me. When done, she placed her hands on her petite hips and leaned her body slightly to my right. “I’ve never seen you before,” she said with a smile on her face.
Remaining calm and still, I watched her circle around me. She rubbed her hands over my back and to my arms, before returning back to her stance. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
“You’re not the owner,” I said to her. “He’s a male vampire, is he not?”
She nodded. “I’m the co-owner of this lovely establishment.”
I titled my head to the side. She was attractive...for a vampire. “What is your name?”
“I’ll be asking the questions.”
“I’m Ayden.”
“Well Ayden. Why would you come here? Are you looking to die?”
“Like I told the other vampire, I’m not here to fight. I’m here to talk to Lambert, but I guess you’ll do.”
She glared at Biddy below us. “Is that your whore?”
I followed her gaze, knowing that whatever I replied would signal her fate. The fact that she still remained Nicias’ minion had no sway over my answer. “Unfortunately.”
“Is she free for the taking?” The vampire signaled with her hand and instantly the crowd surrounding Biddy departed. “How about an exchange. The information you need for her?”
“Done.”
“You took no time in replying.” Immediately she changed her poise. “I thought you would at least fight for her.” Now with a stern look on her face, she jabbed her finger into my chest. “I would if she was mine.” She gripped my chin and pulled my face close to her own. “You Deamhan always ruin all the fun.”
“She’s yours, now to do with whatever you like.” I jerked my head back from her. “If you answer my questions.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why do Deamhan think that they come here and demand things?” She looked over her shoulder at another human, sprawled out on a couch with her legs expanded. Her eyelids remained half opened and bite marks covered her neck and her upper legs. She approached her and after placing her hand underneath her chin, this vampire gazed into her victim’s eyes.
“You had a great time. You remember drinking and getting so drunk that the bouncers kicked you out of the club. You fell outside and cut your wrist on a broken bottle.” She thumbed toward the exit. “Get out of here.” The woman lazily lifted herself up and stumbled toward the door.
How easy it was for them to place these thoughts inside the heads of humans.
“You’re a sorry bunch. So full of demands, thinking that we vampires should just bend over backwards and cater to them.” She turned back to me.
“I gave you my minion.” I ignored her and proceeded with my questions. “And I’ve told you my name. Now, what is yours?”
“You don’t need to know my name. All you need to know is that your kind aren’t welcomed here. Not anymore.”
“I’ve came here because I need information on a Deamhan by the name of Maris.”
She folded her arms across her chest.
“I heard she comes here often.” The conversation wasn’t going anywhere, partially due to her stubbornness. As the music continued from the speakers in the club, the vampires below continued to watch our engagement and one of them grabbed Biddy by the arm, pulling her toward the stairs.
“If you answer me, I will leave and you can go back to having your fun,” I said to her.
“There wouldn’t be any tension if you didn’t come here in the first place.”
I heard the door unlock and open behind me. Quickly looking over my shoulder, thinking that some vampires had made it to the top floor, my eyes had transformed from green to black in preparation for their attack. Instead I was met with a male vampire wearing a black frock coat and dark blue jeans, holding onto Biddy. His dyed dark black hair collated against his pale ivory looking skin. By looking at him, I knew that he was Lambert.
“Alexis, this isn’t any way to treat an out of town guest and his minion.” He gently closed the door behind him and pushed Biddy to the forefront. “Especially a Deamhan and a Metusba at that.”
I never understood how some vampires could distinguish one type of Deamhan from another just by sight. He made it look so easily. Even I had a hard time, depending on the Deamhan.
“He isn’t my guest.” Alexis walked over to the couch and she sat. “Human, come here.” With one finger she made Biddy approach her. “Sit.” Biddy lowered herself slowly next to her. “What’s your name darling?”
“Bridget, but you can call me Biddy.”
“Well Biddy, I’m Alexis.” She rubbed her finger through Biddy’s hair. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t bite you...yet.” She sniffed the side of her neck and smiled. “At least she smells good.”
Biddy swallowed hard. “I belong to-”
I knew she was going to say Nicias’ name so I halted her. “You belong to her now.”
Lambert approached me and held out his hand. “I’m Lambert.”
I didn’t shake his hand.
“I overheard that you wanted information about Maris?”
“I’ve been told that she’s been seen here.”
“Well, you’ve been told wrong.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“Why ask me?” Lambert bit his lower lip in thought. “You were the Deamhan who brought her to the city.”
His revelation didn’t startle me. I already knew that he had the knowledge of everything which occurred, Deamhan and vampire related.
He placed his hands on the railing and glanced at the dance floor below us. “The vampires here may not have heard of you but I have. I know a lot about you.”
He wasn’t going to help me. I started to feel that, in fact, he loathed me just as much as the Deamhan at Blind Bluff Manor did. “So then you should know why it is important that I find her,” I said.
“Yes, yes, yes. This is about the Dark Curse and the Pure One who was released from Limbo,” he said. “Deamhan fear that they will be released, and they also believe that we vampires will help to make sure that becomes reality. However, we don’t want them out, and about as much as you do don’t.” He walked up to me. “I’m not a Dorvo vampire.”
“I never said you were.”
“No, but I can see it in your eyes. You think we’re all the same.”
“You are. You’re all vampires.”
“Instead of questioning me, you should be asking yourself why Lucius, one of your own, wanted to release them in the first place, and why he and Selene sacrificed themselves in order to do so.” He stepped closer, now standing only inches from me.
All of his questions had crossed my mind before and I didn’t have an answer for them. Feeling belittled by his presence, I replied slowly. “I never knew Lucius, so I don’t know.”
&
nbsp; “Perhaps you should find out before coming here and demanding information from me.”
I stood up to face him. “This was a waste of my time. You know nothing.” I moved aside and headed for the front door. Before I opened it, I looked back, deciding if I needed to take Biddy with me or not.
“I know more than you realize.”
“You think you do but you don’t!” I snapped at him.
“I do. Like I said before, I know a lot about you. Like how Anastasia killed your sire and your loyalty to Kyra, among other things. What I do know is that no Deamhan in this city trusts Kyra like you still do. There’s a lot more going on than you know, my boy.”
“I’m not your boy. And you’re lying. That’s what you vampires do.”
“And Deamhan don’t?” He chuckled slightly. “I would be careful. You don’t have any friends here.”
“I don’t need friends. I’d be stupid to think that any of you could become my friend.”
“Is that what you learned from Kyra and all the other ridiculous, outdated Ancient Deamhan? You’re so clearly mistaken. She has her reigns so tightly on you, that you can’t see the truth. You know, you’re more of a minion than Bridget is.”
Taking his statement as a threat, I rushed back to him in Deamhan speed, but his movements proved to be quicker than my own. I didn’t see his hand come at me, gripping my forehead, lifting me into the air, and slamming me onto the floor. With one foot he kept me pinned to the ground, and he did it all with a grimacing smile on his face.
“Kyra is a fabulist cunt, who relies on unintelligent Deamhan like yourself to do her dirty work. I don’t fear her. None of us fear her here.” He raised his voice.
I squirmed underneath his foot, trying to free myself.
“You think you can just come to my club, and demand that I tell you what you need to know because of her?” He grabbed my throat and lifted me up, over the railing. “Your kind have caused nothing but destruction in this city. Not only did their behavior place themselves in jeopardy, but my business as well. And I am a strict businessman. Do not come here, ever again. If I see you, or even smell you, I will end you.”
Deamhan Chronicles, Books 1-5: Deamhan, Kei. Family Matters, Dark Curse, Maris. The Brotherhood Files, Ayden. Deamhan Minion Page 76