GhostRealm

by Vera Sparks

  “I didn’t mean to upset you,” Shane said quietly as he pushed his now empty waffle plate away.

  “It wasn’t you, don’t blame yourself. I try not to think about my parents much, but I do miss them.”

  “I wish my parents would’ve taken you in, they’d hoped you’d ask and they would’ve done so in a heartbeat, they loved you,” Shane smiled.

  “I didn’t want to rely on anyone anymore, no offense. The two people I had relied on were suddenly gone, and it hurt like hell. I didn’t want to go through that again so I decided to take care of myself,” I sighed.

  “Well, you did damn well, you’ve got an epic apartment and you seem to be doing well at work,” he said.

  “Yeah, thanks,” I felt my inner pride rear its head. It was nice to be complimented on how I’d gotten my life together despite the loss of my parents. It could’ve gone so many ways.

  “Ta-da!”

  I chuckled as Rose planted the milkshake before me proudly.

  “Your wish is my command,” she bowed and laughed.

  “You’re such a freak,” Shane grinned as she slid into her seat beside him.

  “Takes one to know one,” she retorted.

  Siblings, how I’d wished I’d grown up with some.

  7

  The stakeout turned out to be a bust. After checking out Shane and Rose’s old house we headed straight over and waited for sunset.

  When it finally came, the burly vampire trudged out of his home and flitted away without a care in the world. Shane went and checked his scent but it wasn’t the right one. Such a let down. We contemplated going around to the other houses, even going so far as driving over to the first place Shane had suggested with the cat but again finding the scent didn’t match. My phone pinged and I checked it to find a message from Danny asking for me to meet him ASAP at a well-known supernatural nightclub in the area, which meant leaving Shane and Rose to carefully sniff out the remaining houses on their own. Assuming all the vamps had walked outside their homes since sunset.

  I told them to be careful and hugged them after they promised not to put themselves in any danger. I then jumped to the nightclub, not caring that I was only in jeans and a blue top. I’d informed Alex who told me there was no rush to come in for work, and now that Danny needed me, I’m sure that was a good excuse.

  The soft hum of the electro dance music greeted me out on the street, and I scowled at the crowd waiting to get inside the building. I stayed invisible as I floated past them all and slipped inside, the music roaring to life as I passed through the door. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the bass thumping all around me at a methodical, deliberate speed. It made me feel more alive as it pulsed through me, and I dodged the various forms wandering through the nightclub as I searched for Danny.

  People danced and moved with the electro music, and the room was lit up with dazzling rays of colored lights that flashed around.

  Drinks were spilt as people laughed and danced, and I tried to weave my way through the crowd. It was difficult, and I ended up having to go through many people due to the crushing nature of this crowd. There was barely any breathing space.

  I allowed myself to become visible as I ducked into the bathroom to get some air and escape the suffocating crowd.

  “Damn,” I muttered. As much as I’d enjoyed the pulsing music, I hated the crowd.

  I shot Danny a text letting him know I was here, and he responded with saying he was at the bar.

  Great, time to battle the crowd again.

  It wasn’t any easier this time around being solid, and so much skin touched mine as I pushed my way through the dancing mob to the bar on the other side. I grimaced as a hand grabbed my ass but I was too jammed between a woman twerking against a man and a group of younger people clustered in a group to even turn around to see who the culprit was.

  Vampires, I suddenly realized. A lot of them were vampires, and the flashing golden eyes speckled throughout the crowd told me there were werewolves here too. It seemed many vampires and werewolves mingled here despite their centuries old dislike of one another. Was the social norm changing so much in the more populated areas like here in Portland?

  Or were they willing to tolerate the other species just to attend this nightclub and other festivities?

  I knew there were set bars and nightclubs that catered to only one of the species, but this intermingling was certainly interesting.

  I gasped as I stumbled out of the crowd near the bar. It seemed the crowd didn’t push all the way here, and a few vamps were standing around casually chatting and drinking. How they heard each other over the deafening music was beyond me, but maybe their hearing made up for it.

  Honestly, I would’ve thought their hearing would’ve been affected badly by the loud music.

  “Ivy!”

  I relaxed as Danny popped up beside me in a fancy navy suit.

  “Bit dressed up for the nightclub?” I joked, although many of the vamps dressed the same.

  “Not at all,” Danny flashed me a dazzling grin, his pointed canines glinting.

  “What’d you need to see me for?” I asked as he led me towards the bar and away from the bustling crowd.

  “Straight to business I see,” he laughed as he waved the bartender over.

  “I was working on some leads,” I stated, hoping it was enough information for him. We weren’t sure who was listening here.

  “Right,” Danny nodded as he slid onto a stool and ordered a drink.

  I shook my head when he turned to me.

  “Well, it’s related,” Danny stated as the bartender got to work.

  “Okay,” I climbed onto the stool beside him, my interest caught.

  “You know, this nightclub is one of the few places that cater to all species, right? Even humans, although they need to know about the majority of the supernatural world, not just ‘wolves and vamps,” Danny stated. “But you’ve got so many witches here, they actually make up the majority of the crowd. No sprites or half-fae due to the vamps, but there’s a couple of goblins, shifters, a skin walker or two, a group of selkies, probably one or two djinn,” Danny rattled off the creatures as I just glanced around the room in shock.

  “What even are skin walkers, selkies and djinn?” I just gave him a dumbfounded look.

  “Um, well, they’re all different,” Danny scratched his head as he tried to come up with the best way to explain them. He was saved as he spied someone behind me.

  “Ah, the reason I wanted you here; Jeremy is here. He’s been hanging out with this vampire chick a lot last night and tonight. He seems…off. I think he knows more than he’s letting on,” Danny said, just loud enough for me to hear him over the music.

  I glanced over my shoulder to spy the Canadian vampire dancing with a drop-dead gorgeous brunette.

  What had happened to his heartbreak over Alena?

  I turned back to Danny as I chewed my lip.

  “I think someone should keep an eye on him, see if he’s not being completely honest with us,” Danny stated as he sipped his Bloody Mary drink. I recognized the drink thanks to the blue sugar rimmed glass reading Mary.

  “You want me to tail him,” I nodded. It was quite strange seeing Jeremy dancing only days after the death of his fiancée. Especially as a newly made vampire. Had he been acting the first time we saw him?

  “We need to find out what happened to Alena, she didn’t deserve to die,” Danny’s voice was low and menacing as he scowled at his drink.

  “Okay, I’ll see what I can find out,” I said as I pushed off my stool to head for the bathroom.

  “Where are you going?” Danny gave me a quizzical look.

  “It’s easier to spy when you’re not visible,” I smirked as I slipped into the dense crowd.

  I made my way to the bathroom and waited for the two witches, at least, I assumed they were considering their giggly fits and club dresses, to leave. No vampire or ‘wolf would dress like that. But they had an air about them that remind
ed me of Maria.

  I relaxed as the familiar sensation of becoming unseen washed over me and I hurried back out.

  I drifted through the crowd, ignoring the shudders as I passed through people while I sought out Jeremy.

  I found him just as he was leading his dancing partner out into one of the back rooms. Rooms that I wondered what their ulterior purpose was as the pair began to passionately kiss.

  The brunette laughed and twirled as she dragged her hands down his body, and I watched as Jeremy just allowed her to begin unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Stop,” he breathed as he caught her hand abruptly.

  “What?” the woman licked her lips suggestively but Jeremy turned his face away painfully.

  “I just needed to forget,” he growled, unable to look her in the eyes.

  “Forget?” she mused as she rolled her eyes.

  She sighed as she withdrew her elongated fangs and flicked her long hair over her shoulder. Her short silver dress revealed more leg than I would’ve been comfortable with, and the way it dipped down revealing the curves of her breasts left little to the imagination.

  “Thought we were having fun,” she muttered as she sat down on one of the complimentary leather couches. Not something I would’ve done, I doubted they were clean.

  The music was just a background thump in this closed off room but I focused on Jeremy and his stiff shoulders.

  “I can’t,” he muttered. “You’re not her.”

  “Who?” the vamp abruptly stood up, her eyes flashing angrily.

  “It doesn’t matter, just leave,” he shook his head, and I clenched my jaw at the obvious self-hate and loathing evident in his features.

  “Whatever, you’re just a waste of time,” she spat as she marched past him.

  She flung the door open and slammed it shut, and Jeremy didn’t even bat an eye as I jumped at the sheer force. I was surprised it didn’t splinter.

  Jeremy sat down on the couch and hung his head in his hands as he sobbed.

  I wanted to comfort him, to help ease his pain. He’d been trying to forget, to pretend Alena was still alive. But replacing her with some random brunette was just disrespectful to her memory. But I could understand why he’d done it.

  “Fuck!” Jeremy shouted as he punched the couch. The leather cushion burst open with ease and the stuffing spewed forth. I shuddered and stepped back, feeling sorry for the young vampire.

  I watched as he stared hard across the room, and something dawned on him. He stood up and straightened his clothing, making sure to do up his buttons and smooth his hair before heading for the door.

  Curiosity won out, and I followed him, grateful that he chose not to flit around like a lot of vamps. Instead, he exited the club and found his car in a nearby parking garage. I slipped in to sit in the passenger seat as he started the engine.

  He hesitated as he touched the dangling Canadian leaf ornament from his rearview mirror. My heart broke as I remembered Alena showing it to me. She’d ordered it from a small shop in his hometown of Jasper to give to him with a promise to go back there with him. He’d taken her there the following week after she gave it to him. Seeing the way he looked at it with such pain and heartbreak killed me.

  “I miss you,” he choked as he squeezed his eyes shut. He fought back his sadness as he clenched his steering wheel and took a few deep breaths.

  We headed off, and I felt rather uncomfortable being an unseen passenger to someone I considered a friend. But maybe there was more, something he knew.

  I scowled as I recognized the familiar area. The warehouse. Right. Philip was Jeremy’s sire. Of course he’d turn to him now. Sire’s and their prodigy’s had a bond like no other.

  I waited for him to park and then followed him through the darkened parking lot to the warehouse entrance. I looked away as the bouncer and he did their vampire fang-baring test before drifting inside after him.

  I couldn’t wait until I never had to step foot in this place again. The stench of alcohol and sweaty ‘wolves filled the air, and the dark vibe fought to seep into me. I shook it off as Jeremy made a beeline through the crowd to the far end. All the way to the basement entrance.

  Ugh. Just the place I wanted to go.

  The bouncer guarding the door stepped aside without a word and unlocked the doorway for Jeremy.

  We headed downstairs, and the stench of blood hit my nostrils and I gagged.

  I fought the urge to look into the first room we passed, but I could see the drench of red out of the corner of my eye.

  Something had happened down here. Something bloody.

  Jeremy walked straight past it, but I noticed the tensing in his body as he refused to look into the room as well.

  We headed straight for Philip’s office, and I began to wonder if I’d be having a better time with Rose and Shane as they checked out the houses.

  The door was opened before Jeremy even reached it, and I grimaced at the sight of Philip behind his desk.

  “Leave,” Philip instructed his men as Jeremy walked in.

  I was surprised at how quick they all hurried out. I guess he wasn’t the person to piss off, not with the power he exuded. Alex had said he was an older vampire, more powerful. Why’d he turn Jeremy anyway? What did Jeremy mean to him? Why would he sacrifice one of his prodigy attempts on him? He could only make two prodigies, so why’d he turn Jeremy?

  “Ah, my prodigy has returned,” Philip clasped his hands together as he gave Jeremy a rather smug smile. Arrogant prick.

  “Philip,” Jeremy gave him a curt nod.

  “What brings you here?” Philip’s gravelly voice irked me like usual. His blond almost white hair was short as always, and he was clean-shaven like most vamps. Those green eyes looked rather gleeful, and it made me want to sock him in the face.

  “My girlfriend died,” Jeremy murmured.

  “The human?” Philip didn’t even bat an eye, triggering alarm bells in my head.

  “Yes,” Jeremy grumbled as he shifted uncomfortably.

  “I told you it wasn’t wise to be a with a human. That parading around with her would get you into trouble,” Philip leaned forward, planting his hands on his desk to stare hard at Jeremy.

  “She’s dead!” Jeremy snapped, but Philip only raised an eyebrow at Jeremy’s emotional outburst.

  “She was mortal. Mortals die easy,” he stated, his tone hard and level.

  “You always hated her,” Jeremy growled as he clutched the back of the chair before the desk.

  “I never hated her, specifically. I hated the fact that you chose a mortal over your duties here as my prodigy. I made you a vampire as soon as I found out I had an heir. A long-lost relative who was out there struggling in this world. You remember where you came from, correct? You were homeless after your parents died, begging to survive on the streets. You would’ve frozen to death if I hadn’t found you and offered you a better chance at life,” Philip stood tall as he looked down on his prodigy.

  “I never asked for you to turn me. You promised me power and a life worth living. You never told me the cost,” Jeremy spat.

  “What cost? Immortality? The thirst for blood? These things are what make you great, they make you powerful and strong,” Philip’s voice boomed, and I shuddered. Someone was certainly a proud, old vampire.

  Jeremy didn’t say a word as he averted his eyes, his jaw set as he gripped the chair with white knuckles.

  Philip sighed as he sat down in his chair and drummed his fingers on the desk.

  “I’m sorry, Jeremy. I don’t know what it’s like to love much anymore, but you did love her. I’m sorry you lost her. I’m old, and with each century you forget more of what it was like to be human,” Philip drawled.

  “She was drained,” Jeremy murmured.

  Philip frowned, but I saw the glimmer in his eye before it disappeared. He already knew that.

  But how?

  “I’m so sorry, we’ll help in whatever way we can to find who did this and make
them pay. I know the bar reminds you of her; you took her there often. I’ve been told you’re taking a break from running it for a while. If you want to keep your mind busy, I’ve always got work here that I could have some help with,” Philip offered.

  Jeremy hesitated as his face turned to surprise.

  “You want me to work here again? Even after turning my back on all this?” he said in disbelief.

  “You’re my prodigy. I know you disagree with some of my work here, but with your help, we can work on changing it, making it something bigger and better. I know you’d like that,” Philip leaned forward, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

  “A lot could be done to the business,” Jeremy agreed. “But Alena wouldn’t have wanted me to.”

  Philip’s face twisted to an ugly scowl as he shot to his feet.

  “Her opinion should never have mattered! You would’ve outlived her by centuries if not longer. And if you’d thought you could turn her one day, then you’re stupid. You can only sire two prodigies in your lifetime, why waste it on a woman when you could have hundreds!” Philip’s harsh voice shot through the room, but Jeremy stood firm.

  “I would never have turned her. It was her humanity, her mortality, that I fell in love with,” Jeremy snapped, and I flinched as the chair creaked under his fury. It would break if he wasn’t careful and let his emotions get the better of him.

  “Everyone was right, you missed being human, so you chose to be with her, hoping her humanity would save you. That you could feel more human through her,” Philip gave him a dark, twisted smile. A smug, knowing look.

  “No!” Jeremy tore the chair apart as he hurled one piece at Philip, who just knocked it aside.

  “I never should’ve turned you. I wasted a prodigy in you. I thought you’d be more like your father, now he was a great businessman,” Philip hurled the painful words at him.

  “My father was a murderer and a drug dealer. But he was nowhere near as bad as you,” Jeremy snapped.

  “Get out,” Philip instructed as he straightened himself.

  Jeremy hesitated, wanting to defy his sire, but the bond won over as he cursed under his breath and turned away.