Baited Blood

by Sue Ann Jaffarian

  After Joni left, Madison went back to Samuel’s profile, more out of curiosity. For a vampire who’d been around since the Roman Empire, he’d created surprisingly few vampires. Mostly they were women, but there were several men in the mix. Three names on his list caught her eye—Isabella Claussen, Stacie Neroni, and Joni Langevoort. It looked to Madison like Samuel had built his council from scratch, with his own fangs.

  Next she moved on to Colin. He had under a dozen vampires in his downline, so it was quick and easy to check them out. Madison only recognized one name on the list—Julie Argudo. According to Pauline, Julie had been the cause of the friction between Colin and Stacie. Whenever Julie’s name was mentioned, everyone on the council stiffened and the air took on an awkward chill.

  Madison clicked on Julie’s link. Her profile brought up a very pretty woman in her twenties with short, dark blond hair. Large blue eyes looked at the camera with frank defiance and a hint of familiarity. She read the physical description—tall and slender, an appendectomy scar, and a large birthmark just above her waist on her left side.

  “That’s odd,” Madison said out loud.

  “What’s odd?”

  Madison jumped in her seat. She hadn’t heard Joni return. After catching her breath, she pointed at the screen. “There isn’t a D by Julie Argudo’s name. Isn’t she dead?”

  “Not that I know of.” Joni took her seat again. “Dinner will be ready in about twenty to thirty minutes.”

  Madison stabbed a finger at the computer screen again, this time with emphasis. “I was told by Pauline Speakes that this vampire was dead.”

  For the first time since they’d met, Joni seemed uncomfortable.

  “You knew Julie, didn’t you?” asked Madison.

  Joni nodded. “Yes, I knew her. She used to live in Southern California when I was on the council.”

  “And she was good friends with Colin and Stacie, wasn’t she? It says here Colin even turned her.”

  “The three of them were inseparable.” Joni looked at the photo on the screen, then back at Madison.

  Madison leaned toward Joni. “What’s the big deal with Julie? Why are Colin and Stacie at each other’s throats whenever her name is mentioned?”

  “Julie Argudo isn’t dead, Madison.” Joni’s voice was stiff and harsh like a boar bristle brush. “She was banished, though some thought she should have been executed for what she did. I was one who voted for execution. Both Stacie and Colin campaigned hard for the banishment.”

  “What in the hell did she do?”

  “She betrayed the council.” Joni spit out the words like sour milk. “It was a few years after Samuel and the newly formed council had brought peace to California.”

  “But if Colin and Stacie were both arguing for Julie’s life, why do they hate each other now?”

  “Julie was a bloodline holder and close friend of Stacie’s, who she introduced to Colin. They became lovers, and eventually Colin, at her request, turned her. Soon after she became a vampire, Julie started sowing some wild oats and fell in with a bunch of bad news vampires. Colin and Stacie tried to intervene, but Julie was hard-headed and wouldn’t listen. In time it was discovered that the crew she’d become a part of was plotting to overturn Samuel and the council. They’d even murdered one early council member who’d discovered their plans and tried to warn Samuel. Four vampires were put on trial, including Julie. All were found guilty of murder and conspiracy. Three were executed. Stacie and Colin begged the council to spare Julie, saying that while she was associated with the murderers, she didn’t actually commit the crime. In the end, she was banished rather than put to death. The council didn’t want to appear soft on traitors, so the banishment was done quietly. Most everyone thinks Julie was executed with the others.” Joni paused to take a deep breath.

  “But that doesn’t explain why Colin and Stacie hate each other.”

  “Colin introduced Julie to the gang she hooked up with—not intentionally, but she was with him when he attended one of their parties. Stacie blames him for Julie’s defection and ultimate banishment.”

  “Do you think Colin is to blame?”

  Joni shook her head. “Julie would have found trouble on her own. She loved the dark side of being a vampire.” She looked at the photo on the computer. “There was something in her eyes, a wildness just waiting for the cage door to open. Samuel saw it, too. He wasn’t pleased when Colin turned her, but if Colin hadn’t, Stacie would have, I’m sure. Julie was very persuasive.”

  Madison looked at the computer screen for Julie’s address. “It says here she’s in Bulgaria.”

  “Probably hanging out at or near King Leopold’s court. That’s the vampire orgy and entertainment center of the world. A lot of vampires banished from more orderly communities end up there. And good riddance.”

  “King Leopold?” Madison didn’t let on that she’d heard the name before.

  “He’s not a real king. Vampires don’t have that kind of structure. Basically, a powerful vampire can stake out a territory and call himself a king or lord or pretty much any damn thing he or she wants. Leopold is a very old Bacchanalian-style vampire who believes vampires should not be reined in by conventional ethics or morals. He thinks vampires like Samuel, who try to bring order and peace, are fools.”

  Madison folded this new information into what she already knew, mixing it carefully like delicate egg whites. Hyun and Libby had been employed at Leopold’s court. Ann had been a guest there. Madison didn’t know if or how Julie Argudo fit in, but the Leopold connection with the others jarred her senses and put her on alert.

  She studied the photo of Julie Argudo again. There was something disquieting about it, making her wonder if Julie was back and looking for revenge.

  She scanned Julie Argudo’s list of associates. There weren’t many, and all were women. One name on the list grabbed her attention—Olivia Himmel. She switched back to Parker Young’s profile. Under the associates heading was listed Olivia Himmel. Madison clicked on the link. In a flash, she was staring into the face of Notchey’s sister. Somewhere along her journey, Libby had taken Gus Himmel’s last name.

  The brief description on the profile listed Libby as a consort. Prior employers noted were King Leopold and Gus Himmel. Her address was listed simply as Bulgaria.

  Madison pointed out the name connection. “Why would someone hire a family member as a consort?” she asked Joni. “Seems incestuous, or would they have been married?”

  “Consorts sometimes take the last names of their employer, especially if they are breaking off all contact with their families.”

  Madison had wondered if Hyun knew Libby was Notchey’s sister. Now she realized he probably didn’t know. The connection between Julie Argudo and Libby pointed to Julie as being Lady, unless Libby had moved on to another employer after Julie. Also, Parker might have hired her away from Julie to work for Lady. The database gave no indication of when she worked for either of them or if she did currently.

  Madison leaned back away from the computer screen for a moment. She hadn’t realized she’d been hunched over, staring with rapt attention at the screen, until her shoulders began to ache. She rolled her shoulders to loosen them, feeling Joni’s eyes on her every moment, watching and waiting for her to drop a hint or piece of information like a scrap of food tossed to Boo. But Madison didn’t say anything to Joni about her suspicions. If Joni pieced together anything from Madison’s search patterns, fine, but if Madison was going to chat with anyone about this, it was going to be Samuel.

  Madison wanted to take the mouse back in hand and click on Hyun’s name to search for more dots to connect, but with Joni watching her so closely, she decided against it. She wasn’t sure how much to trust Joni and didn’t want any of her search trails leading back to Samuel. Instead, she turned to her hostess.

  “What’s a runner?”

  Joni nearly choked with surprise. “Where in the hell did you hear that term? Certainly not from anyone on the council
.”

  “Why not?” Madison showed Joni a mask of innocence. “It’s just another beater job title, isn’t it?”

  Joni got out of her chair and walked to the end of the small room, her arms crossed in front of her. The question had shocked her, alerting Madison that the simple term had an important meaning. Joni turned, leaned her behind against a small table, and stared at Madison several moments before throwing her hands up in the air.

  “Samuel did say to explain anything you asked about.”

  Boo had wandered over to Madison’s side and begged for attention. Madison petted the animal and waited on Joni.

  TWENTY-THREE

  Leopold’s,” Joni began, “is a lot like Vegas. You know,” Joni tossed Madison a sly grin, “whatever happens at Leopold’s, stays at Leopold’s.”

  The confusion on Madison’s face caused Joni to elaborate.

  “Leopold’s estate in Bulgaria is really a sort of vacation resort for vampires. He provides any kind of amusement a vampire could want, free from the prying eyes and laws of humans. Anything from sexual adventures to feeding orgies to the actual hunting and torture of mortals.”

  Madison stopped petting Boo and sat at attention. “You mean beaters are hunted and killed?”

  “Just like big game in Africa, although most vampires these days are pretty mundane in their appetites. Most go for the non-stop, no-holds-barred sex and gaming.”

  “So gambling, too?”

  “Yes, but not like in Vegas. At Leopold’s there is a very popular sport called running. A vampire picks a human, called a runner, and pits himself against him out in the wild on Leopold’s estate. Other vampires bet on the outcome. The vampire hunts the runner against the clock. No weapons for either, just brain and brawn. If the vampire catches him in the allotted time, he wins a substantial purse and can do anything he wishes to the runner, just short of killing him, although some runners have been killed in the process. If the runner wins, either by outlasting the clock or by dominating the vampire, he wins the purse. The most successful runners become quite famous, like an NFL or NBA player here in the States, and are given celebrity status and other perks such as luxury living quarters, additional financing, even access to Leopold’s pool of consorts. When a runner reaches that level, vampires from all over the world flock to Leopold’s to challenge him, and Leopold becomes all that much richer. So do the star runners.”

  Madison pictured Hyun running for his life, trying to outwit a bloodthirsty vampire who thought of it as sport. “Hardly seems fair,” she said. “Vampires have enhanced powers and senses that a mortal doesn’t have.”

  “Runners aren’t run-of-the-mill people, Madison. Mostly they are well trained in survival, with professional backgrounds in military special forces. Many have been mercenaries. They are thrill seekers, and this is the ultimate thrill.”

  “Any women runners?”

  “I’ve heard of a few, but generally it’s men against men.”

  So, thought Madison, Hyun had been a runner. Probably an excellent one who had gained the right to Leopold’s V-girls and to Libby.

  Joni pushed off from the table and stood. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving, and I’m sure you are, too. The stew should be ready in a few minutes.”

  “I’ll be with you in a minute, Joni. I need to check in with Samuel.”

  Joni hesitated, obviously wanting to hear the conversation. She stared at Madison, pitting her will against Madison’s in a bid to force an invitation to join in on the call. When the intimidation didn’t work, Joni chuckled and started for the door. “No wonder the council’s in love with you.”

  Boo followed his mistress out of the room.

  The text to Samuel read simply found both lady and libby. Before she sent it, she added maybe.

  A few seconds later, her phone rang. “That was quite a bombshell,” Samuel announced. “Why didn’t you call?”

  “I didn’t know if Joni had that super hearing or not, and I wasn’t sure you wanted this information broadcast.”

  “Joni’s hearing is not intensified. She has speed, and I believe that’s it. Even so, you’re correct: I don’t want this information out. Not just yet. Are you in the computer room at her house?”

  “Yes.”

  “If the door is closed, it’s nearly soundproof.”

  Madison got up and closed the door. “Okay, the door is shut.”

  “How are you learning all this, from the database?”

  “No, from what I do best: eavesdropping. The database is just providing confirmation. I know where Lady is holed up. Libby is one of the consorts hired to keep Lady’s male vampires happy.”

  “Are you sure it’s Mike Notchey’s sister?”

  “Pretty sure. At least she matched the information in the database. I haven’t told Notchey anything yet.”

  “Good thinking. What about Lady? Have you learned why she’s doing this?”

  “Not exactly, but I have my suspicions. I also think I have her identity. And Samuel, if it’s true, you’re not going to like it.”

  “I already don’t like it.” When Madison hesitated, Samuel added, “I’m waiting.” His voice was low, almost a growl.

  “It may be Julie Argudo.” Madison gave him the name with no frills—just laid it out there for him to decide how he was going to react.

  “Can’t be.”

  “I’m afraid it is, or at least could be.”

  “Did Colin tell you about Julie?”

  “No, I’d heard her name at council meetings. When her name came up in the database, I asked Joni. You told her to tell me anything I asked.”

  “That I did.” He took a deep breath. “Well, it was just a matter of time before you did learn about her.” He paused. Madison kept still, knowing his silence usually meant he was formulating a plan.

  “Let’s not discuss this now. I’ll be in the car when Hyun picks you up tomorrow.

  “No,” she said, a bit too quickly. She slowed her mouth down. “I’ve asked Notchey to pick me up. I also had him take me to the airport. I wanted to clear the air between us.”

  “I figured as much when Hyun told me you’d cancelled with him. However, this time, you cancel Mike, and we’ll pick you up.”

  “That’s not the best idea.”

  Another long pause. “Is there some reason you do not want Hyun with us?”

  “Yes, but I’ll tell you when I see you.”

  Another pause on Samuel’s end. This time Madison jumped into the middle of it. “And don’t go imagining the worst,” she told him. “Wait until we talk.”

  Madison thought about Hyun’s plans to meet Libby the next day to make sure she was well. “In fact, give him the afternoon off tomorrow.”

  “A day off isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

  “I’m sure it’s not, Samuel, but please trust me on this.”

  Another growl, then, “All right, you win. But I’m still picking you up at the airport, so call off Mike. Text me when you board your plane so I’ll know it’s on time.”

  When Madison left the computer room about twenty minutes later, she found Joni setting the large pine dining room table in the great room for supper. Places were set for three at the table. At two of the place settings, large white bowls rested on woven place mats. At the third was a large thick, blue-green glass.

  “You having company?” Madison asked.

  “Yes, I called Chuck and asked him to come by. He loves rabbit stew.” Joni hesitated, two soup spoons in her hand. “Something tells me,” she added, placing a spoon by one bowl, “you found what you’re looking for in the database.”

  “Connections, Joni, and possibilities, that’s all. I still want to do some more searching after dinner. That database may not be complete, but it’s a lot of help.”

  “Chuck will be taking you to the airport tomorrow morning, so he might as well spend the night.” Joni finished setting the table. “And since you now know how to use the database, you won’t need my help, so I int
end to amuse myself while you work.” She winked at Madison. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Not at all, but, um, didn’t you already feed off of Chuck today?”

  For a moment, Joni looked bewildered, then understanding brightened her face. “You mean that young stud you met earlier?” Joni laughed. “That wasn’t Chuck. That was Brian. He lives at the end of the dirt road just past my driveway. He’s a former New York stockbroker who now farms pot. Good stuff, too, I’m told. At least it gives his blood a certain delicious earthiness. He’s the one who brought me the rabbit for your dinner and the rabbit blood for mine.”

  Joni adjusted a napkin before turning to Madison with a sly smile and a wink. “Chuck’s my boyfriend, but Brian’s my V-boy. If you’re interested, I’m sure Brian would be happy to attend to you when you’re through playing with the computer. He takes care of my female guests whenever I ask, both vampire and mortal. You can think of him as dessert.”

  Madison tried not to appear provincial, as if proposals like that were commonplace in her life. “Ah, no, I’m good—but thanks for the offer.”

  TWENTY-FOUR

  The parking lot of the motel on Agoura contained only three cars when Madison pulled into the lot in the nondescript rental car. In the back seat were Doug and Dodie Dedham. In the front was Samuel. It was two hours before Hyun was supposed to meet Libby.

  She backed the car into a spot by the targeted room, then walked to the motel office while the others waited, each with a hat on to shield them as much as possible from the midday sun.

  “Hi,” she said to the pudgy, middle-aged woman at the front desk. “I’d like a room.”

  “Just for yourself?” The woman pushed a stray lock of graying hair out of her eyes and put on the eyeglasses hanging around her neck by a beaded chain.

  “No, there are four of us. My husband and I and my grandparents.”

  “Two rooms or one?”

  “Depends on whether room 107 has two beds or one.” Madison leaned forward and lowered her voice. “My grandmother is very superstitious and insists on room 107 whenever we stop somewhere.” She rolled her eyes to emphasize the nuttiness of the request.