I Hunt by Night

by Edward Kendrick

  True to his word, when we got back to the house Justin had me carry my books into the parlor. I guess I wasn’t all that surprised to find that it was easy—much easier than when I’d lugged them into my apartment a couple of years ago. Taking the rest of my things up to my bedroom, I unpacked, put my personal belongings in the bathroom down the hall, and then went looking for him because I needed a hammer and nails so I could hang my pictures.

  I found him in a room behind the parlor that I hadn’t seen before. It was obviously his office as it contained a large desk with a desktop computer. A printer sat on a stand beside it, and a file cabinet and a bookcase were against the wall on the opposite side of the room.

  He turned from what he was doing to ask, “All unpacked?”

  “Yep. I need a hammer and nails, though.”

  “You’ll find them on the workbench in the basement.” When I looked at him in question, he told me the stairs were in the pantry next to the kitchen. Another room I hadn’t realized existed.

  I went to fetch them and found out the basement also held a washer and dryer, as well as a furnace. There was a door at the far end, which was locked as I found out when I tested the handle. “Secret hiding place?” I said under my breath. When I got back upstairs, I asked him.

  “Yes, and no,” he replied. “To all appearances it’s a storage closet. Behind one of the shelves is a hidden entrance to what indeed is, well, humans call them panic rooms. It’s where we’ll go in case of trouble.”

  “How likely is that?” I asked, hoping never.

  “Rarely. Only once in the past hundred years, and then it was because an enemy of mine sent two of his human minions to murder me in my sleep and then burn down the house. Obviously, they failed.”

  “I suppose that’s a relief of sorts.” When he shot me a dour look, I said, “You know if they hadn’t failed, I wouldn’t be here. Hell, I wouldn’t be a vampire. So yeah, ‘sort of’ works.”

  He laughed. “I can see your point.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Answering emails from friends.”

  “The life of the modern vampire?”

  “Indeed,” he replied. “Much easier than it used to be.”

  I asked, half teasing, “Do you Zoom, too?”

  “Occasionally, when there’s something we need to discuss immediately and face-to-face. I’m not a big fan of it, but when needs must.”

  “Can I…?” I shook my head. “Probably not since the couple of guys I’d want to talk to would probably want to know where I’d vanished to.”

  “Hopefully they’re friends enough that they’d care. You’re correct, however, getting in touch with them isn’t allowed.”

  “Oh, well.”

  I left the office, going back up to my room to hang the pictures. As I did, I wondered if my family would have noticed or cared that I wasn’t around anymore—if they’d still been alive. Probably not. My parents hadn’t approved of my lifestyle, as my father had put it after I came out to them. My brother and I hadn’t been that close as he was three years younger than me. My aunt and uncle? Well, they’re dead, too.

  By the time the pictures were hung, I could feel that morning was approaching. It was what Justin called an early-warning-thing vampires had so they could find shelter before sunrise. “Otherwise, you’d turn into a pile of dust.” Not something I wanted to happen. Roland’s ‘suicide by sun’ was not in the top of my to-do list.

  I went downstairs to tell Justin I was heading to bed. His reply was, “Sleep well,” followed by a grin. Not that I had a choice, but I said I would—and did.

  Chapter 4

  “I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but I’m not certain it would be the truth,” I said early on a Wednesday evening, making a small bow in Justin’s direction.

  Roland was here, too, seated in one of the armchairs facing the fireplace. Obviously he found what I’d said and my action amusing as he let out a guffaw and then picked up his glass of wine, taking a deep drink.

  Justin was less than impressed, scowling momentarily before he fixed a smile on his face. “I could say the same,” he retorted. “On both counts.”

  My year with him was up as of tonight, much to the relief of us both. In the last year we had butted heads often as he’d taught me everything I needed to know.

  He’d gotten his money’s worth out of me as a companion. I took care of the house—okay, we shared that but I did a lot of grunt work, cleaning, and dusting; what my father had called ‘women’s work’. At least I didn’t have to cook as we didn’t eat food. When that wasn’t happening, or he wasn’t showing me the ropes of vampire life, we’d read, talk, watch movies, or go for long walks. I preferred avoiding the bayou and he acceded to my wishes, but there were plenty of other areas to cover that didn’t include swamps and dangerous wildlife. We ranged far and wide once I got the hang of flying—even if I had to make stops more often than I’m sure he wished in order to regain my strength.

  At one point I convinced him to get rid of the God-awful wallpaper in the dining room. That took us a week, stripping it off and then painting. When we finished, he agreed the room looked much nicer, but also put his foot down on redecorating the parlor and his office.

  In the final two months of my stay, he took me into the city where he watched from a distance as I put my lessons to use. I knew he was afraid I’d be too violent in my feeding. I was smarter than that, reigning in my desire to attack hard and fast and then move on.

  I discovered on our first visit that I passionately detested humans, which sort of surprised me. Jealousy, perhaps? Or not. I wasn’t certain one way or the other.

  To me they were like vermin infesting the city, especially the tourists. While I wasn’t allowed to hunt close to the Quarter, as that’s where I’d worked and knew people, I did observe from rooftops. From the time we arrived, an hour or so after sundown, into the wee small hours of the morning, the streets were crawling with them. Drunken men and women, reeling from bar to club to bar, leaving trash and occasionally vomit and piss in their wakes. A few times I saw someone I used to know and I’d have a momentary regret that I couldn’t say “Hey, how you doing? What’s new?” That feeling passed as quickly as it came. They were mere humans, like all the rest, not worth the time of day.

  Justin picked up on all of that and from his expression, and his words, I knew it bothered him. But then, he had no real problems with humans. As he told me more than once, “They serve a purpose. They keep us alive.”

  He was right, of course. It didn’t change my view of them, however.

  Now, Roland asked me, “Where are you headed?”

  I didn’t answer honestly, because I didn’t want Justin to know where I was going. He’d said that he didn’t keep in touch with his Children. I didn’t want to be the exception to his rule if I could help it. “North, I think. Maybe Chicago or Cleveland. You know I can’t stay here. Not that I’d want to. I’m done with this city. It’s my past and I’m well rid of it.”

  “And of me,” Justin said dryly.

  “I have no argument with you,” I replied. “You taught me well and explained how to handle my latent abilities when they come out. I can’t see any need for them but who knows, right?” By that I meant that he had detected the fact I’d have both the fire and the killing gifts—in time. I’d inherited them I suppose you could call it because he was my Sire. He had them, passed down from his Sire, who had been an Old and powerful vampire. The best analogy I can think of, picked up from one of his many books I’d read, is how humans inherit eye color, or tongue rolling, or what the book called ‘free earlobes’.

  Justin lifted an eyebrow. “You know very well you might get into a position where you’ll be quite happy you have them if—” he looked hard at me, “—you don’t keep you anger under control.”

  “Lucas? Angry?” Roland grinned. “Why, he’s the calmest vampire I’ve met in a good long while. I jest.” He’d visited often enough that he’d seen me when I
got frustrated while Justin trained me. I’ll be the first to admit I flew off the handle more than once. “How are you getting to…wherever you end up?” he asked.

  “Flying.” I smirked when Roland looked at me in disbelief. “On a plane. I’m nowhere near good enough to do it the vampire way.”

  If he had been one of my acquaintances from before my turning, he’d probably have said, “No shit.” As it was, he nodded, replying, “I’m delighted you realize your limitations. It would be a shame to lose you before you’ve had a chance to test your wings.”

  “A pun, Roland,” Justin said with a brief smile.

  “I hadn’t meant it to be, but I suppose you’re right.”

  I was far from rich—in fact I was definitely poor because there was no way I could get my hands on what little money I’d managed to save from my former bartending job, and the balance on my credit card was now almost nonexistent after booking my flight and a place to stay the first night. At least when I’d had a job I’d set it up that the card would be paid off by automatic withdrawals from my meager savings account, so using it was still possible…for now.

  Being almost destitute had changed earlier this evening when Justin presented me with a parting gift—fifteen thousand dollars in cash. “A mere pittance compared to what I’m worth,” he told me, explaining about wise investments over the past two-hundred years. He suggested I do the same, or at the very least bank the money when I arrived at my final destination.

  Roland had added to my funds, handing me an envelope containing five thousand dollars. I thanked him, rather more profusely than I had Justin. After all, it was truly a gift while what Justin had given me was more a sop to his conscience, whether he’d admit it or not.

  “One last toast,” Roland said, opening the second bottle of wine he’d brought with him to refill our glasses. “To your new life, Lucas. May it be all that you hope for.”

  We clicked rims, and then settled in to finish the bottle. I’d learned to like wine, which I hadn’t in the early days of my life as a vampire. This one was an excellent vintage, and though it couldn’t get me drunk, I enjoyed it for what it was.

  As he prepared to leave, Roland gave me one final bit of advice. “Trust no one, vampire or human, until you know everything about them. Even then, be careful. You’re continued existence depends on it.”

  “Believe me, I know,” I replied.

  When he was gone, I went to get my bags and downed two bags of blood, since I probably wouldn’t be able to feed again until the following night. Then Justin drove me to the airport.

  “I’m going to miss you,” he said as he pulled up in front of the drop-off point for one of the airlines.

  I was tempted to laugh, or tell him I wasn’t going to miss him in the least. I didn’t. After all he was my Sire and I owed him the respect that came with it. “I’ll miss you, too,” I replied. At that moment, I realized I meant it. Despite the fact he’d made me what I am, and the rough times we’d gone through while he taught me what I needed to know, we had become friends of a sort. “I’ll keep in touch, if you want.”

  “An email every once in a while would be appreciated,” he replied.

  “You’ve got it,” I told him as I got out. “Take care, and next time you want a companion, be a little more honest than you were with me when you—” I chuckled, “—recruit him.”

  He smiled. “I shall consider it. Now, off with you.”

  I got my bags from the trunk, walked to the entry, then turned for one last look. He gave a small wave, which I returned, before he drove away.

  * * * *

  My flight arrived in Denver less than an hour before sunrise Thursday morning. I’d made a reservation at the airport hotel without letting Justin know where I was really headed, other than somewhere well away from New Orleans, which was I’d told him and Roland a few hours earlier. Could they have read my mind to find out? Doubtful, as I’d learned to block my thoughts from them when necessary.

  Strolling into the hotel lobby, I stopped at the front desk long enough to check in and prove I was the person whose name was on the card. Minutes later I was safely in my room, the security bar latched, and a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door handle. I closed the thick drapes, undressed, and got into bed moments before I fell into my enforced sleep.

  I awoke automatically as soon as the sun had set. My first order of business was to feed. That required I leave the hotel, of course. I knew from the bit of research I’d done that there were several large parking garages at the airport. Even though they were well-lit according to a couple of photos I’d found, I noticed that there were areas in the corners that were less so. It would only take a moment to enthrall a driver as he stepped out of his car, take him to one of them and feed, after which I’d wipe his memory, and send him on his way none the wiser.

  It worked perfectly and with my hunger sated I returned to the hotel. I was happy to be inside again. It hadn’t occurred to me until I’d left to go to the parking garage that Denver in early March was a hell of a lot colder than New Orleans. Not uncomfortably so, given that I was a vampire, but I missed the warmth I’d been used to.

  Going to the business center, I used one of their computers to search for a temporary place to stay until I’d explored all the options for settling down on a permanent basis.

  It took a while but eventually I found a motel not too far from downtown that would provide the anonymity I required while barely making a dent in the money I’d received from Justin and Roland. With that settled and the address memorized, I returned to my room. I hadn’t unpacked more than the basics so getting ready to leave, after calling for a cab, took no time at all. I’d put a hundred dollars in my wallet. The rest was safely stashed in a money belt I’d bought at the airport in New Orleans while I’d waited for my flight to be called. I wasn’t really too worried about someone trying to rob me. I had no plans for walking down deserted alleys, and even if I did and someone tried to mug me, they would become my next meal—and only that if they were lucky. Killing them would be an option, too, as long as I sealed the bite wounds first. Even though humans in general didn’t believe vampires existed, as Justin had pointed out more than once, it would be foolhardy to give anyone the idea we might.

  I checked to be certain I hadn’t left anything behind, picked up my bags, put on my jacket which thankfully I’d brought with me, and went down to the lobby to check out and wait for my cab.

  * * * *

  The motel I’d chosen was nothing special, which didn’t bother me. I didn’t plan on being there long. Its main draw had been the fact I could pay with cash as long as I had ID to prove who I was.

  The first order of business, once I settled in, was going shopping for a laptop. All right, shopping is a bit of a misnomer. It was well after closing time for any stores that sold them, but that didn’t present a problem. I left the motel around midnight and walked to a big box electronics store about two miles away that we’d passed on the taxi ride to the motel. Getting inside was easy, of course—I merely misted under one of the doors. I re-formed once I was out of view of the front windows, headed to the computer section, and spent a good twenty minutes comparing what was offered before choosing the best laptop for my needs. There were several stored under the demo model, so I picked up a box and made my way to the store’s rear entrance. Obviously I couldn’t mist the box out, so I went in search of the keys to unlock the door, eventually finding them in the manager’s office. As soon as I opened the door the security alarm blared. I didn’t really give a damn. With my prize in hand, I went invisible, which included the laptop, and took flight, maintaining my invisibility until I was in a dark corner of the parking lot behind the motel. From there, I returned to my room and set up the laptop. Once I’d linked to the motel’s wireless service, I went online.

  It was almost sunrise when I signed out. I now knew a great deal more about Denver and the surrounding area than I had when I’d arrived. Tomorrow night, I’d explore in pers
on. I wouldn’t decide where to rent an apartment, or perhaps a house, until I knew every part of the city. As realtors will tell you, or so I’ve heard, ‘Location, location, location’. I needed the perfect spot to set up my new life. All I had to do is decide whether it would be in the city—if I thought I could abide the urban lifestyle with all its humans—or in the mountains to the west.

  * * * *

  I spent every night for the next week strolling through various parts of Denver—from the wealthy areas to those holding the poor and downtrodden. There was no dearth of humans, even well after midnight, making the temptation to do something to thin the herd overwhelming at times. It took all my willpower to resist. I’d have more than enough time once I became a permanent resident somewhere in the area. I did feed. I had no choice. But I did it the ‘proper’ way as it were, sealing the bite marks and wiping memories when I’d finished.

  Having seen what I needed to within the city, and not being at all impressed—in fact the mass of humanity made me grit my teeth in anger—I moved farther afield, going into the mountains. Not before I made a major purchase, however—a motorcycle. I knew a little about them thanks to a guy I’d been going with a year or so before I met Justin. He was nothing to write home about and in the end I’d dumped him, but in the interim he’d taught me how to ride and what it took to maintain a bike. I knew I needed one because I wasn’t nearly old enough to fly long distances. That wouldn’t happen until I was at least one hundred, according to Justin.

  I got online, perused what was for sale on Craigslist, and went to take a look at the ones that were within my price range. I ended up with a 2008 Harley Sportster. The guy said it was a decent ride in the mountains, and a damned good one on the street, to use his words. He let me…okay I compelled him to allow me to take it for a drive, decided I liked it, and got it for half what he was asking. Have to love being able to control a human when necessary. He had all the papers for it and signed them over to me on the spot. He even let me keep the license plates, with the proper persuasion.