Blood Lines: Conduit

by Mechele Armstrong

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “Etien cannot engage Bastian until I say so. If he arrives too early, it will ruin my surprises for him. People will pay for that, Evan.”

  “He will not until he gets my call, Evangeline.”

  He and a few others left the room. The humans.

  Only vampires there now. Maybe Copper’s high iron count would make all the vampires go dizzy like it had Bastian. Had to have some hope.

  Evangeline drew out a dagger. Picked up Lucy’s leg. They heard the slice of denim. And the scream. “That’s one. I hope you don’t scream like that each time. I have to keep track, you know. I have a bet.”

  “Perhaps a gag, Mistress?” A female with short black hair looked down at her pink-painted toenails.

  “Good idea, Veronica.”

  They placed a small ball inside Lucy’s mouth and a strap around it. She fought, but they pried her mouth open and stuffed it in.

  Evangeline counted each cut. The vampires gathered where Evangeline stripped the clothes off Lucy. And the floor stained red.

  * * * * *

  Bastian slammed his hand against the wall. “Dammit.”

  “I’m sure the wall is shaking in the face of your anger.” Tad arched a brow. “Now can we please do something constructive?” He picked up a pen. “Tell me everything you know about Evangeline.”

  He recited every fact he knew to date. And cursed himself. He’d been stupid. Never thought that Lucy would ever betray him. Figured her love would keep her from doing anything to hurt him. Hadn’t imagined she’d hurt anyone else. Stupid.

  “Bastian, we could be wrong. Lucy might not have ...”

  “Shut it, Tad. You don’t believe that any more than I do. You don’t think they went to bond, shopping for shoes and getting pedicures together.” Bastian paced the floor. He’d been doing that since Tad got back. “No, Evangeline has them.”

  Tad sighed. “I knew Lucy was pissed. I never thought she’d do anything like this.” He put down the pad and pen. “Not much constructive here. And would you cut that out? You’re making me jumpy.”

  The phone rang. Bastian grabbed it. “Lucy?” He listened for a few seconds. “Thanks.” Hung it up. “Come on, Tad. Lucy was seen a few nights ago, dancing with a longhaired blond. And I bet blondie is the one who was with Dart when he got killed.”

  “Do we know where he is now?” Tad slunk in behind Bastian as they walked to the car.

  “At Duff’s. In the outdoor tables.”

  Duff’s sat on Euclid across from Heffalumps, an adult toy store, in the heart of Central West End. It had sidewalk seating cordoned off by a low, wrought-iron fence.

  Bastian took the side of Duffs next to Kopperman’s Deli. Tad approached from the other, from the direction of Left Bank Books, so the quarry rested in between them on the deserted outside seating.

  Bastian growled. It was the man he’d seen with Dart that night. And in a flash of memory, he knew where he’d seen him before. He’d seen the man at Crimson’s work. At Lucky’s Bar. Seen their heads together a few times. She had a few customers who were vampires. He hadn’t been suspicious.

  The vampire sat, clad in jeans and AC/DC T-shirt, leaning back in his chair, lounging. Resting while Crimson, Lucy, and Copper sat in the hands of a psychopath. Bastian clenched his hands again and again. He would slam those hands upside this man’s head.

  Tad scaled his fence, and Bastian hopped his. The vampire saw Tad with no reaction. His eyes darted to Bastian’s and widened to goggle-eye size.

  The blond got up, started to bolt. Bastian grabbed him, slamming him down onto the ground.

  “Don’t give me an excuse to kill you.”

  “Bastian. We want information. You can dismember later.”

  Bastian pulled him up into a chair. “Where are they? Where’s Copper? Where’s Lucy? Where’s your Mistress?”

  “I ...” His eyes fluttered like butterfly wings. With fear. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Bastian bared a fang. No one was out this time of night. No one would interfere. Copper had been missing too many hours for niceties. “I know how to kill you. You tell me what I want, or I sink my fangs in deep.” He probed the man’s mind, seeking the answers. But out loud would be better. This one wasn’t as new as Dart. He was better at blocking his mind. Things said out loud, he’d know if the man lied.

  “Christ.”

  “He can’t help you now. You can live or die. I don’t care about you. But I will get my information.”

  The man panted, gripping the arms of his chair. “She’ll kill me.”

  “Not if I kill her first. And you know I will kill you now if you don’t tell me what I want to know. Your death at my hands is certain.”

  Tad took a seat. “Maybe you should kill him. And make it messy.” He nodded. “Really messy.”

  “No! OK. OK, I’ll tell you where Evangeline is. But if she doesn’t die, she will kill me. I was supposed to find you. Take you to her. When she called me.”

  “Write down the address.” Tad shoved paper at him. “And directions.”

  “Why take me to her?” Bastian kept close to the shaking vampire.

  He scribbled and ducked his head. His quiet voice stopped Bastian’s heart. “Because she’s going to kill the three women of yours.”

  Bastian roared. “What?” Rip the man’s throat out. The animal leaped, wanting to make the man pay. Its mate was in danger. Copper was in danger. He reached for the man before dropping his arm.

  “Calm it down, fearless leader. My man, if this information is wrong, he’ll do worse than dismember you, worse than kill you. You like the ladies? Hard to impress them with your nuts stuffed down your throat.” Tad tapped the paper with his fingertips.

  “It’s true. The truth. I swear it.”

  Bastian reached over and made the man stand. Rummaged in his pockets and grabbed his cell phone.

  “Don’t kill me.”

  “I told you. I won’t. If this is the truth. If not, I’ll hunt you down wherever you may go.”

  The man swallowed. Bastian shoved a hand in his pocket and pocketed the phone. Tad handed over some twine, and he tied the man to the chairs. He left instructions to some friends in the area he was to be left until morning, then released.

  “But what if the sun comes up with me out here?”

  Bastian stalked off, without answering, heading towards Rothschild’s Antiques.

  “You won’t crispy fry. You’ll be uncomfy. Find some calamine when you get free. Go have a truffle at Bissinger’s.” Tad got up. “Toodles now.”

  He caught up to Bastian a foot from the car. “Nice work, fearless leader. You kept your cool. I know you wanted to kill him.”

  “You have no idea.” Bastian got in on the driver’s side.

  “Oh, I’ve seen that look before. Towards others, of course. Never at me.” Tad sat down in the passenger seat.

  “Of course. Others. What the hell are you doing, Tad?”

  “Coming with you.”

  Bastian turned to look at his young friend. Sometimes, he forgot how young. Tad had seen so much. So jaded. So much like him. “Are you sure? It could be dangerous.”

  “I laugh in the face of danger.” Tad batted lashes at him with a suggestive grin. “OK, I giggle.” He waved a hand. “OK, maybe I scream like a girl.” His face turned serious with a frown. “I have to help out. Lucy may be a pain in the ass, but she’s been a good friend to me.”

  Bastian had never seen Tad anything but flat during a crisis, and never so earnest. Smartass the rest of the time, but bland during anything remotely sticky. He could use the help, but Tad better not get himself hurt. “Thank you.”

  Tad waved a hand. “I can handle my ... What did you say?”

  “I said thank you. For coming with me.”

  “Oh. You’re welcome.”

  Bastian started the car.

  “So vampires can be killed?”

  “Yes.”

&nbs
p; “How? I thought you were immortal.”

  Bastian glanced over at him as he changed lanes. “Why do you ask?”

  “Future reference. In case you piss me off.” Tad grinned at him.

  “Vampires can only be killed by other vampires, Tad. “

  Tad sputtered. “That’s so not fair. I cannot believe that. Who made up that rule?”

  * * * * *

  Copper strained against the chains that held her in place. The trouble kept getting deeper. So not good. Lucy had stopped moving a few minutes ago. The vampires surrounded her, sucking sounds echoed in the living room. Not that she’d liked Lucy, but what a horrible way to die.

  She and Crimson would die that way.

  No. They couldn’t.

  Bastian would save them. Somehow.

  She hated thinking about the clichéd hero on the white charger. But it helped her hang on to her sanity. Somehow this wasn’t the reunion with Crimson she’d envisioned, nor how she expected to spend her time in St. Louis.

  The scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Wafted over the woodsy scent the house had had earlier. Copper gagged on it, trying to swallow. She had never smelled such a pungent odor before.

  Evangeline’s head came up. The dagger bloody like her mouth. Copper’s body trembled. She tried to stop it. Wouldn’t give the bitch the pleasure of seeing her afraid. Bastian, please hurry. Her heart pounded in her chest. The chains bit into her hands. She clenched them tightly.

  “Ah, the joys of a good feed.” Evangeline licked her lips. “And Etien was way off the mark. Josie, tell Evan to call him. I want these two bodies warm when Bastian finds them.” The petite vampire hurried out of the room. “Bring the gag. Which of you will I do first?” She tapped her chin. “Decisions.”

  Her feet tapped over by Copper. She tried not to shake nor back down when the woman looked in her eyes. “Bring it on.” Her voice didn’t shake like her body, the carpet gritty under her ass.

  “You are almost as feisty as your sister. Will your blood taste as sweet? Come and gag her.”

  “Hey bitch!” Crimson’s voice rose. She yelled insults ending with, “You’re such a pansy ass, it’s no wonder Marie died and left you.”

  Evangeline’s head snapped around. “What did you say?”

  “I said you’re such a pansy ass, it’s no wonder Marie died and left you here. She couldn’t deal with being in love with such a pussy. And I don’t mean that as a compliment, bitch.”

  “Crimson, shut up,” Copper pleaded. “Don’t do this.” Evangeline’s attention turned completely to her twin.

  “Marie must have been a hell of a woman to catch Bastian’s attention. I bet you didn’t get it. He didn’t concern himself with you. And I bet you ran after she was dead. Left her lying, cold, dead on the ground.”

  Copper blew out a breath. Crimson could sure talk trash. “Hey!”

  “Stop it!” Evangeline stalked over to Crimson. Her bosom shook, her voice sounded like it had rocks in it.

  “Ran away. Such a chicken-shit scaredy cat you are. I don’t know why I ever thought you’d do anything for me. Or was scared of you. You’re nothing.”

  Do anything for her? Copper’s breath caught. Had Crimson made a deal with this woman?

  Evangeline slapped Crimson across the face. The stinging sound echoed and a red mark marred Crim’s face. “Stop it.”

  Crimson didn’t move against the bonds when the slap hit. “Why? Because I speak the truth?”

  “No.” Copper shook the chains. “Come back over here. You and I were going to have some fun. Leave her alone.”

  “Pet, I think your sister has chosen who’s next.” Evangeline’s face drew up into a hard line. “Bring me the gag. Now.”

  The petite vampire dashed back into the room. “Did I miss the first cut?”

  “Josie, did Evan call Etien?”

  “Yes, Mistress. Etien hadn’t picked up yet, but Evan said he would.” Her eyes cast down with a gleam. “Oh good, I didn’t miss it.”

  “Bastian will be contacted soon and be here. I don’t want to have to rush through your sister’s time with the knife. So we must get started.” Crimson’s eyes met Copper’s, and she saw the mouthed, “Take care.” The gag was inserted.

  “No. Get away from her! Stop it.” Copper railed and ranted. She could do nothing but yell. Never had she been so helpless. Her tears beaded up in frustration as the blood flowed down.

  Her voice hoarse from shouting, Copper watched in silence, unable to tear her eyes away. Only a few cuts in ... maybe she could get Evangeline’s attention to her, slow them down. Crimson couldn’t intervene now. “You are a loser, Evangeline. Crimson was right. No wonder Marie left you.”

  “You’ll get yours soon enough, pet. You must wait your turn. I never thought you two would be so eager to come under my ministrations.”

  A thump came from outside the front door.

  “What the hell was that?” Evangeline stopped, knife in hand.

  A body launched through one of the front windows. Glass broke, shattering all over the room. Bastian leaped to his feet. “Hello, Evangeline.”

  Evangeline’s mouth opened wide. “What are you doing here? You’re early.”

  Bastian shrugged a shoulder. “What can I say; I like to crash a party.”

  She smiled at him. A slow, out of touch smile. “Welcome, Bastian. I had hoped to be gone already, but you’re early.” She laughed. “And yet a little late.”

  “Get away from her.” Voice low and menacing, Bastian scanned the room with his eyes, but kept Evangeline in his sights.

  “Not likely.” The knife plunged into Crimson’s midsection. Crim groaned, going limp.

  “No!” Copper struggled against the chains again. “No!” She repeated it over and over like she could reverse time and make it not happen.

  Bastian attacked the vampire that shot in front of Evangeline. Tad slipped in through the broken window. He saw Lucy and gave a loud cry, full of anguish. Copper drew back from it, retreating into her mind from the whole damn situation.

  The two fought the vampires along with a few others Copper recognized, including Barb and Jake, who slipped in the window behind Tad. But Evangeline traipsed through the kitchen door, fronted by Gerald, the mountain who had first caught Lucy on the porch.

  Tad and the others fought fiercely. They did take down the humans, who had filtered back into the room when the window crashed.

  Copper watched them fight but most of her attention drifted between Bastian and her sister. Bastian got closer to her, but vampires kept engaging him. She snuck peeks at her sister through the thinning mass of people. So still. Too still. “Get these bonds off of me.”

  As the last two vampires broke into a run, Bastian knelt at her side. “Copper, are you hurt?” He pulled the chains up, pulling her up with them.

  Copper’s mouth opened, dropping down to her chin. He’d come to her first. Had a clear path to Crimson, but he’d rushed to her side. And knew who she was. “You can tell us apart. Or did you guess?”

  Bastian made a rough sound, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I can tell you apart. I told you that. Thank gods, you aren’t hurt.”

  Tad used a paperclip to pick the lock.

  “Do I dare ask how you know how to do that?”

  “Only if you want the answer.” Tad’s voice sounded tired. He walked to Lucy’s body. Picked her up and cradled her in his arms. He’d loved her. Blood related or not, they’d been family. “Sleep now, little one.” He closed her eyes.

  Copper let the chains fall. Family. Her only remaining family lay curled up. Barb and Jake had knelt down by her.

  She walked over on shaky legs, Bastian holding her arm. “Is she alright? Is she ... d-d-dead?”

  “A faint pulse. But it’s erratic.” Jake’s voice sounded grim.

  “Call 911!” Copper pushed back her sobs. “Shit. There’s so much blood.”

  Another man Copper didn’t know plowed through the door back into the living
room from the kitchen. “Evangeline’s gone. A motorcycle. They hid one or we missed it slashing tires.”

  “She’s bleeding like a moth--” Barb stopped, looking at Copper.

  “Call for help.” She pushed hair back from her sister’s face. No, this couldn’t be happening. Not now.

  “Out here, they won’t get to her in time.” Jake swallowed. “She’s bleeding too badly and from too many places.”

  Copper yanked off her T-shirt. “Help me. Help me put pressure on the wounds.”

  “Copper.” Bastian stroked her shoulder. “It’s too late. Too much has been lost and you ... can’t stop it. You don’t have the means.”

  She pressed the material against one gaping wound in Crimson’s stomach. “No. It’s not. Please. Help me. She can’t die.” She pressed, her shirt already getting soaked. “No.” Her voice broke off and tears spilled. “No!”

  Crimson’s breathing rattled. Dying. She was dying.

  “You!” Copper turned to Bastian. The perfect solution. “Make her a vampire.”

  “What?” Bastian’s face pinched in shock.

  “Make her a vampire. Now.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Bastian ran a hand through his hair, looking at the dying girl before him. What she asked ... impossible. Or was it? “Copper ...”

  “Now! Do it. She’s dying.” Her tear-filled eyes harpooned him. He hadn’t made it in time. Too late again.

  He’d been too late to save his friends, his fellow prostitutes, when the invasions had happened in Italy. They’d died at the hands of the French, trying to take over his country. He’d been too late so many times through the centuries.

  Evangeline had run. His focus had been getting to Copper. Nothing else. He’d fought to get to her side.

  He could catch Evangeline if he left now. But Crimson would die. He had no time to think if she could handle the power. Only time to act.

  Crimson’s breath gurgled. He bent down and pulled her into his lap. Sank fangs in deep to take the last of the remaining blood from her body. The heart, barely beating when he started, stopped.

  He opened a vein in his wrist with his fang, opened her mouth, let his blood flow into her.