“Y’know you don’t need the lights on, right?”
Force of habit, I guess. Plus, I had spent enough time trapped in the dark. It wasn’t a place I wanted to live in.
Warm light flooded the hallway, and my focus stopped on the closed door of the first room. A smudge of blood marked the brass doorknob.
“Be ready this time.” The Teen stood by the door.
Duh.
Steeling my shoulders, I pushed the door open wide. The light flooded the room, highlighting the young lad sat on the floor in the left corner, legs pulled to his chest and arms circling his knees. He was wedged between the wall and a waist-high cabinet.
I moved into the room. A large bay window sat to the left, thick, long black satin curtains hanging at either side. A large black faux corner sofa took up the centre of the room, facing the flat screen television situated above the fireplace. Like most rooms in the triple living space that was the Nest, the walls were white and dotted with artwork. Apart from another cabinet which sat symmetrical to the first, and a long hallway table flat against the wall behind the sofa, the room was fairly empty for its size.
“Have you come to kill me?”
The words were said softly, and it took me a moment to realize they had come from the balled-up creature in the corner.
“What?”
He lifted his head. Startling bright brown eyes looked up at me with confusion. Fear marred his smooth pale skin, and despite the fact that dry blood stained his chin, he looked like a freaking Disney character. His black hair was a tangled mess that stopped at his shoulders.
“Have you come to kill me?” he repeated.
God, he was only a lad. This couldn’t be the creature from the basement.
“Looks can be deceiving,” The Teen sang beside me, her arms crossed as she gave the baby-faced Vamp the dead eye.
“No.”
Another thud sounded.
“What’s that?” The young Vampire looked around the room, hugging his legs closer.
“Nothing you need t’worry about.” I moved over to the bay window. “What’s your name?”
“Mark.” He eyed me suspiciously. His nostrils flared. “You’re a Vampire?”
“Yeah.” I leant against the windowsill.
“I’ve never seen you before.”
“I’m … new.”
“You smell funny.”
“I’m very new.”
“Well, you’re too late to officially join our Colony.” His focus became lost as he stared off into space. He suddenly looked exhausted. “They’ve been slaughtered.”
“I know.”
Those tired eyes found me once more. “How do you know?”
“Because I killed Michael.”
He snorted, relaxing his hold on his knees. “Werewolves killed Michael.”
“No, Werewolves tortured Michael.” I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to look relaxed. I was foolishly telling a Vampire who had already attacked me that I had killed his Leader. Probably not the best idea in the world.
“That’s if he is the Vampire who attacked you. You didn’t get a good look at him.”
“I killed Michael.”
He stared at me for a long time. There was something very off putting about the way he studied me.
“Like he’s stripping you with his eyes, but skin and all.”
Not helpful, Elle. I bit my tongue and held his gaze.
“Why were you with the Werewolves?”
“To make a deal.”
“We don’t make deals with Werewolves.”
And boy, didn’t I know it.
“Maybe Michael didn’t, but I do, and it was just the one.”
“What kind of deal?”
I would get to that, but I also didn’t want to have to explain the vast details on a one-to-one basis. Especially if any of the remaining Leeches wanted to challenge me for Leadership.
“Is there anyone else here?” I glanced at the closed double door at the other side of the room, aware of the fact that I hadn’t checked it or the other two levels above us.
“Only a few. There’s not many of us left now.” Anger tinged the end of his words.
Understandable. No creature in their right mind would be happy about having their kind hunted and killed, but the way the young Vampire said those words almost sounded like the Pack had actually wiped them all out. The Pack sure would be pleased with themselves.
“You didn’t answer my question.” His tone changed, a lick of irritation coating his words. “What type of deal?”
My gaze met his again, and he suddenly looked older, less fearful. More …
“Like a predator?”
A flash of red eyes filled my mind, and an unsettling chill crept up my spine. I’d spent enough alone time with my new friend. I pushed myself off the windowsill.
“I’m rounding everyone up to discuss the new arrangements. So, if you could come downstairs?”
His features suddenly softened, and he rested his chin against his knees. “How do you know you can trust the Wolves after what they’ve done?”
The action seemed odd. Almost forced.
“Instincts.” I stopped in front of him and held my hand out. “Why don’t you come downstairs, and I will tell you and the others all about it.”
He slid his hand into mine without hesitation. His slender fingers wrapped around my wrist, clasping firmly. “You haven not told me your name.”
I pulled him to his feet. He stood at the same height as me. His frame and build were almost identical to mine, but as we stood eye to eye, I could see by his posture that he knew how to hold himself.
Prizing my hand from his, I took a step back and forced a smile. “Nathan. I’m the new Colony Leader.”
***
“You expect us to believe you killed Michael when we know for a fact the Pack took him and have been slaughtering our kind across the country?” The burly, blond Vampire sneered.
“I just told you I did.”
The seven Vampires we had found hiding out in the Nest burst into another fit of laughter. We had brought them all to the living room in the middle house to break the news but hadn’t quite made it past the part of Michael being dust and me taking over.
They stood haphazardly around the large room, glaring at me and Elle who had taken position with our backs to the open reception room. The room was void of furniture, which made the whole situation feel more vulnerable, but at least we could see them all clearly and could watch for any tell-tale signs of them getting ready to attack.
“It seems somewhat far-fetched.” The female who stood by his side quirked an eyebrow at me.
I threw my manila folder on the mahogany floorboards.
“I have no idea what your Leaders told you or what they kept secret, but Vampires have been experimenting on humans and Infecteds.” I pointed to my folder. “They have kidnapped Werewolves and burnt down the Pack Keep. That is the reason the Wolves have been out killing y’all.”
“And why didn’t they kill you?” a Hispanic-looking male asked.
“Because I’m not like you.”
That remarked earned me another round of grumbles and sneers. My God, it was like talking to a room full of teenagers.
“Look, the bottom line is, I’m pissed off that this happened t’me, and I am damn well going t’make sure this stops.”
“Pussy,” the blond spat.
“Kick him in his face, Than. You don’t have to take this shite.” The Teen stopped in front of the Blond Vamp and attempted to punch him in the stomach, her phantom fingers passing through him.
I also don’t want everything to be about violence.
“Laugh it up all you want. You may have been given the option to become an immortal blood sucker, but I wasn’t.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Now, your Masters and Mistress—”
“My Mistress is right next to me,” the blond commented.
The dark-skinned beauty glared at me, her eyes an un
usual mix of hazel and green. “And my Mistress is in America.”
“So, the Vampires that sired you are not part of the UK Colony?” Elle looked at them all separately before glancing at me. “That makes sense why they’re all still here.”
“Some of us have lost Bloodlings.” A brunette hissed.
“And I’m sure that hurts, but as of yesterday, this Colony and the Pack are now in an agreement to stay clear of each other,” Elle explained.
The female snorted. “You expect them to honour such an arrangement.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“This is a joke.” The blond shook his head.
“You have a choice. You are free t’leave this Colony and go on your merry way, but I would highly advise you get out of the country because as soon as you leave this Nest, you are fair game for the Werewolves and Slayers of this world.”
“So, you send us to our death?” the Hispanic male asked.
“No, your decision to refuse this new change will lead to your demise,” I said with a smile. “If you stay here, you will be fed—”
“Blood bags are like piss. Nothing beats drinking from the source,” the blond spat.
“Be that as it may, we no longer feed off humans, and if you are caught, you will be made an example of.” I shrugged. “The choice is yours. All I can promise is you’ll never be left in the dark, and you won’t go thirsty.”
“You sound like a school teacher.” The Teen stopped beside me.
“I wish to stay.” Mark spoke up for the first time. He had remained at the back of the room, huddled in the corner and out of everyone’s way. “My Master abandoned me long ago, and I came here from Spain. I have no one.”
“I don’t trust him,” the Teen mumbled.
“Glad to have you.”
The six leeches sneered at him, causing the youngster to curl back into the corner.
“We will give you all a minute t’mull it over,” Elle said, before pulling me into the reception room. The doors remained open so we could keep our eyes on what remained of the UK Colony. She lowered her voice. “You might want t’tone down the chipper attitude. This isn’t a fraternity.”
“How d’you think it’s going?”
“As expected, I’m half waiting for Blond and Burly to challenge you. Half of them may not feel up to it if they’ve all had their Bloodlings slaughtered like the brunette said.”
Honestly, I was hoping that they would all feel exhausted and defeated and would just accept the situation.
“Keep dreaming.” The Teen snorted.
But naturally, I knew I wouldn’t end up being so lucky. Still, a guy could hope, right?
“So, does it really affect them? Having the Vampires they sired disconnected from them?”
Elle folded her arms across her chest and stared at the small group. “Depending on how old their blood link is, yeah, it weakens them, but not for forever.”
“And that link is formed—?”
“By being baptized with your Maker’s blood.”
I pulled out a chair from the small dining table and took a seat. “I don’t know if I drank a Vampire’s blood. I mean, I remember a lot of blood bags and injections, but I’m almost ninety percent sure it was always living blood. So, if I didn’t drink a Vampire’s blood, does that mean I don’t have a Master or Mistress?” I slouched in the chair. “And if that’s the case, what does it mean?”
“If a Master is killed, then their Bloodlings dies.” She glanced at me. “So hopefully, it means your immortality isn’t tied to anyone else.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Considering what’s currently going on, yeah. I guess despite everything, the way you’ve been created has a small silver lining, after all.”
“So, you will only die if someone kills you. Not if the Vampire who made you dies, because you don’t have a sire?” The Teen, who now sat across from me, looked as confused as I felt.
“I guess that’s a small relief.”
I would never puff out of existence because of someone else. At least I knew that I had control over the circumstances and situations that could cause my immortality to be cut short. It was a small win, but a win nevertheless.
“Speaking of puffing out of existence, it looks like Blond and Burly might want t’be the one t’make it happen.”
I stood as the six Vampires crowded into the centre of the room. Mark remained huddled in the corner, quietly watching.
“Made a decision?” Elle asked the group.
“Shut it, whore,” the blond snapped.
My spine went rigid at the insult. Hands balled into fists, I closed the distance between me and the group.
“Watch your mouth.” I stopped a breath away from the vile male. “No one speaks to her that way.”
A lewd grin curled his lips, and I watched as black began to creep into his grey eyes.
“I can handle myself, Than,” She reminded me. “Besides, a Leech’s insults aren’t worth shite.”
“We aren’t taking no orders from an experiment and his whore.” The Hispanic male sneered.
“And they clearly don’t know any other insult.” Elle barked a laugh.
“Fair enough. You know where the door is,” I stated, not taking my gaze from the blond whose skin had started to ripple across his cheeks.
I wasn’t sure if it was my intense staring playing tricks on me, but watching his skin roll like waves was just … I’d have probably gagged if I were still alive.
“We aren’t leaving our home.” His Mistress stood to his right. I glanced at her and watched the bright colours of her iris bleed black. “You don’t belong here.”
“And you certainly aren’t the new Leader of this Colony,” the Hispanic male said, standing to the blond’s left.
My focus moved to him, and I watched his rich caramel flesh roll. Clearly, this is what Elle had meant by transforming. Funny, I didn’t remember her mentioning Vampires’ skin moving across their bones of its own free will.
“Says who?”
“Says us,” the blond hissed.
“Shame.” I took a couple steps back and rolled the sleeves of my light blue shirt up. “I didn’t want it t’have to come t’this.”
“Told you so.”
“Not the time for that, Elle.”
Their bodies grew tense. I watched as hair began to slither from their heads, the luscious locks falling in masses, strands disintegrating as they headed to the floor but never made it. The skin of their faces continued to ripple, bones crunching as their jaws disconnected.
“One at a time.” Elle stopped at my side, pulling the sword from the sheath on her back. “You want t’fight him for leadership, then you will challenge him one at a time.”
“You ready for this, Head Boy?” The Teen stopped on the other side of me.
As ready as I will ever be.
“Just remember, you’re one of them despite what they say.”
Not sure that’s reassuring.
“Remember the forest. Remember how you snapped Michael’s neck. I just mean you’re strong and fast even if you don’t know how you are.”
I hope you’re right.
I stepped forward. “If I beat you all one on one, then you will accept me as the new Colony Leader.”
“If you can’t accept that, then you walk,” Elle finished. “Anyone butts in with a challenge or tries anything funny then this—” She swivelled her wrist. The light bounced of the silver blade. “—will be the last thing you see.”
Without warning, the blond charged forward. Elle jumped out of the way and stayed with the group. The blond swung at me over and over. His nails had formed into long, thick talons. I kept jumping back, and without tripping over my own feet. A miracle even for me, but all I could concentrate on was getting away from his gaping mouth and giant viper fangs.
Definitely not like the Master from Salem’s Lot.
My heel caught the leg of the chair I’d been sitting on, and I fell backward.
“Focus!” the Teen shouted.
The blond lunged. My right foot landed right in his junk. A wet gurgle vibrated in his throat, the impact causing him to stumble back. It was enough time for me to roll to my feet.
“Punch him,” the Teen shouted.
Where?
He technically didn’t have cheeks anymore, which were the usual target areas as well as the eyes, but it was pretty hard to hit anything above the cavern that was his mouth.
His snake-like tongue whipped around between his wet fangs.
“Fuck, you are one ugly—”
He charged.
I threw the door beside me wide open. He ran right into the panel, causing the wood to crack straight down the centre. I dashed into the hallway and legged it into the kitchen. The surfaces were clear, no electricals or ornaments. I yanked open cupboards and drawers to find them all empty.
“What are you looking for?” the Teen asked.
“A knife,” I growled, moving around the island as the blond stormed into the kitchen.
“They don’t eat, eejit. So why would they have utensils?”
“I don’t know.” I grabbed one of the stools at the end of the breakfast counter.
The Vampire ran at me. I swung the stool which broke on impact with his shoulder. Wood splintered, and the padded, grey top fell with a crack to the marble floor.
The four legs remained in my tight grip as I stumbled backward toward the kitchen door.
“Stakes.”
“What?”
“You have four stakes in your hand. Use them.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere!”
I backed out into the hallway of the middle house and swung the legs at the wall. The two bottom legs dropped to the floor.
“His gut!”
The Vampire moved through the door, the Teen squeezing out behind him.
“Drop and ram them in his gut.”
I glanced at the two stakes in my hand, still attached by a centre support. The ends were splintered, not exactly solid points, and the Vampire looked like he was made of muscle.
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