by J. D. Brown
I didn’t think I’d ever get used to riding in limos, but the real shocker was Naamah’s choice of guide. Mr. Wu was human. He sat at one end of the extended leather bench seat with Dad and Tancred to his left. Jesu and I shared the end seat near the passenger doors. Wu had a bowl cut, wore a black suit, and seemed perfectly content sitting in awkward silence. Probably because his accent was so thick, I didn’t even recognize my own name when he spoke it at the airport. He seemed like a nice enough man, with a polite smile and a professional demeanor—but most of all he kept his pulse steady, which of course made me curious. Did Wu know we were vampyres?
“So,” I said, unable to help myself. “How do you know Naamah?”
Three pairs of eyes looked at me like I’d spontaneously grown antlers. I frowned at my travel campions and mouthed a silent, “What?”
Mr. Wu smiled. “Naamah works with my employer.”
I waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, I pulled my lips between my teeth and went back to watching the scenery. If Mr. Wu didn’t know what we were, I couldn’t be the one to tell him.
The limousine pulled into the rounded driveway of a gorgeous high-rise made of some sort of sleek reflective material. Neon blue spotlights directed at the edifice made the entire building glow. A three-tier water fountain dominated the center of the front courtyard. A gold-plated dragon wrapped each tier in a spiral with its serpentine body. The massive head rested atop the tallest tier with the tip of its tail disappearing inside its jagged teeth. I wasn’t sure if the fountain acted as an elaborate version of the R.E.D. ouroboros symbol, or if it was just a coincidence, but it dawned on me that I knew nothing at all about the Asian clans, or their R.E.D. branch. Was that how Naamah knew Mr. Wu? Was his employer the R.E.D.?
The limousine parked in front of the main entrance. Our driver got out and then opened my door. I slid into the Shanghai night air, which was warm and smelled of exhaust. The guys climbed out after me. A bellhop unloaded our luggage from the trunk. Jesu and Dad started to help him, but Mr. Wu made a fuss, and five more Chinese men scrambled to get our bags onto the cart before Jesu or Dad could touch them. Tancred went straight into the hotel. Jesu and my father gave up trying to be useful. They joined me as I entered the double glass doors.
The floor-to-ceiling windows of the dimly lit lobby surprised me. Outside, the entire building seemed made of metal. Solid and opaque. But inside, we could see through the walls, to the street and surrounding buildings, as if looking through glass.
It’s a one-way mirror.
That explained the blue spotlights. In order for the illusion to work, one side of the glass had to be lit while the other side was dark. The vampyre clientele would of course prefer the dimness inside, and the illusion would continue to hold even when the sun rose. It was brilliant.
White linoleum floors led to a crescent-shaped reception desk where Tancred waited for us. “She doesn’t speak German,” he said, gesturing to the woman behind the desk. “Or English.”
Mr. Wu came barreling in with the bellhop pulling our luggage cart behind him. We waited while Mr. Wu handled check-in, and I scanned the lobby. The edge of a martini bar peeked from behind the far-left corner. Shadows moved along the counter, hinting at the busy bartender within. I inhaled deeply, casting my senses out, and confirmed my suspicion. The bartender was also human—just like Mr. Wu, the receptionist, the team of bellhops, and the young couple who shared one of the lobby couches.
Okay, I assumed this hotel was made for vampyres, but so far it seemed like we were the only ones. Maybe I was mistaken, but it wasn’t like Naamah to make reservations at a human hotel.
Dad touched my arm, and I jumped. He followed my previous line of sight to the couple on the couch, and then looked at me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Do we have our rooms?”
“Room,” Jesu corrected. He handed me a keycard. “Naamah booked the executive suite.”
My brow rose. “Sounds fancy. Which floor?”
Tancred answered. “The twenty-third.”
Mr. Wu caught the elevator and led us all the way to the door of the suite, where he ceremoniously unlocked and opened it for us.
“Call me if you need anything,” he said.
“You’re not staying with us?” I asked.
“I stay in room 2201 one level below you.” He handed me a card with his name and phone number printed across the top.
“Okay.” I shoved the card into my pocket.
Mr. Wu bowed then retreated to the elevator.
Jesu waited just inside the suite entrance until I joined him and closed the door. Tancred and Dad had already gone inside. The suite was large with a black countertop kitchenette and a moderate-sized living room. A leather couch and flat screen T.V. completed the space. The plush gray carpet and lapis lazuli wallpaper reminded me of Brinnon’s bedroom décor. Thinking of the King and everything that had occurred to lead me here, caused a pit to form in the depths of my stomach. I crossed my arms over my chest and went to the far wall. It was another floor-to-ceiling window, using the same one-way mirror panels as the lobby. A breath-taking view of the city stretched over the dark horizon. Lights of every color illuminated the skyline. Inside, the one-way glass kept the city lights muted to a comfortable level, but outside the glow was far too bright to allow any view of the stars or moon. The sky was a swirling sea of black water.
The guys each claimed a bedroom by toting their suitcases inside. The sound of zippers was followed by the crinkly shifting of items as they unpacked. My suitcase still waited by the door where the bellhop left it. The satchel, however, hung from its strap across my shoulder. I tightened my hands around the soft leather as I continued to gaze at the city, but the skyscrapers blurred as my vision focused on my reflection. I had airplane hair and a sullen look to my eyes. The necklace Jesu had given me poked my sternum, and I pulled it over my shirt.
Jesu’s reflection appeared in the glass, the heat of his firm chest warm against my back. He slid his hand over mine and closed my fist around the woodchip, as though he feared I would take it off.
“Are you all right?” he asked, gazing down at me.
“I was just thinking.”
He lowered his hand and waited for me to continue.
“What’s with all the human staff?” I turned to face him. “I thought the water fountain out front might be the R.E.D. symbol.”
“It is.” Jesu’s gaze went to the view outside, but I didn’t think he was looking at the city. “The rules are a little stricter in the East. They allow us Westerners some slack because we blend in better than the Ch’ing Shih.”
“Ch’ing Shih?”
“The clan whose territory we currently occupy,” said Tancred. He had changed into a slate gray suit, and ran a hand through his hair. “They never come to ground, figuratively speaking.”
My brow dipped. Never? That seemed extreme. “Why not?”
Tancred nodded in Jesu’s direction. “Like he said, the Ch’ing Shih don’t blend in as well as we do, and the humans here are more superstitious. They don’t dismiss the unexplainable as readily as Western culture.”
“That’s why your alchemist was so difficult to find.” Dad stood near the kitchenette. He blinked self-consciously as the three of us faced him. “She stays hidden.”
What could Dad know about Shénshèng? I narrowed my gaze and gave Jesu a sidelong glance. He must have given my father the four-one-one, but Jesu didn’t notice my scolding. Or he pretended not to notice. I couldn’t be sure which.
“By the way,” said Dad. “Anyone mind if I turn on a light?”
All three vampyres answered at once. “Yes.”
Dad sighed.
The microwave in the kitchenette displayed the time, and I got to thinking. “We still have six hours before the sun comes up. If the Ch’ing Shih only socialize at night, then we should take advantage of every minute. So here’s the plan; Tancred, you stay here with Dad. Jesu and I will check out Sh
énshèng’s place of business.”
“I most certainly will not,” said Tancred. “I am here to witness you, not your father. And the Council will hear of any resistance.”
My lips thinned. I was about to give Tancred a piece of my mind when Dad spoke.
“I’m coming too,” he said.
I lifted a hand to my father, palm forward. “No, you’re not. The human stays put while the vampyres go out and try not to get ambushed by a succubus.”
It was the first time I had said such things as vampyre or succubus to my father. Half of me expected him to laugh and ask if I was drunk.
Dad scowled. “I’m as much a vampyre as you are, pumpkin.”
“Oh yeah? Let’s see your fangs. Let’s see you phase or shift or lift the couch over your head with one hand. Go ahead, I’ll wait.”
Color bloomed over my father’s cheeks and his gaze narrowed. “Maybe I can’t do all that, but I can hold my own.”
“Ema,” Jesu whispered. “He should come.”
“Excuse me?” I whirled around to face Jesu. “Maybe you should stay here with him, since you guys are such pals.”
“I’m going,” Dad argued. “Even if I have to jump out the window. Sorry, sweetie, but you can’t make me wait here.”
“I agree,” said Tancred. “Let him come. You’re going to need all the help you can get. Unless you’re working for your Great Aunt Lilith. Then by all means tie up the Hunter and leave him here.”
“No one asked you,” I snapped. “You’re only here to witness, remember?” I scanned my father briefly. Hunter? What did that mean? Tancred had read my mind about one thing though...
I went to the room Jesu had dumped his things in and opened the duffle bag. Sure enough, a plethora of weapons and gear greeted me. I found some rope and hefted it over my shoulder before returning to the living room. Dad took one look and his gaze flew wide.
“Ema, honey, you can’t be serious.”
But I was as serious as an eighty-year-old nun.
I grabbed my father’s arm and pulled him into the bathroom. He didn’t resist. Neither of us said anything while I tied his wrists behind his back and then tethered him to the toilet pipes. At least he wouldn’t be at a total loss if he had to pee while we were gone. I caught his eyes as I came around front, and the disappointment in their brown depths was palpable. I lowered my gaze and bit my lip.
No. He’s not allowed to make me feel guilty.
That was something only functional parents could do. He might have been my father, but he hadn’t been a parent since I was ten.
“We’ll be back soon,” I muttered.
Dad didn’t reply. He pressed his lips together in a thin line and watched as I went back to Jesu and Tancred in the living room. I looked at Jesu and narrowed my gaze. A muscle feathered along his jaw. I knew he wasn’t happy about leaving Dad behind, but too bad. Despite my resentment, I really didn’t want to see Dad get hurt.
As though he heard my thoughts—or read them on my face—Jesu’s expression softened. He glanced to the side and seemed to think better of his temper. “I will call Mr. Wu.”
I nodded and then handed him the card with Mr. Wu’s phone number.
VALAFAR
Shénshèng stood with her back against the wall, palms pressed flat at her sides. Her eyes—pink as a lab rat—betrayed her fear as she watched us from the corner of her vision.
Thanks to Jalmari’s co-operation, and Naamah’s negligence to log out of his computer before leaving his room, I was able to get everything I needed. The elusive and legendary Shénshèng was now a biochemist who spent her nights deep in a hospital basement conducting experiments, if the lab equipment stationed around the room was any indication.
“Why have you come?” she asked, her voice meek.
Mum lifted her chin and let her gaze roam over every inch of the Ch’ing Shih vampyre. Not counting Apollyon, Shénshèng and Lilith were the last two remaining alchemists on Earth, but there was no competition between them. Shénshèng was a master of her craft, but Lilith had an advantage. After all, a sleeping vampyre can’t cast spells.
“Good to see ya too, Shénshèng. How long has it been? More than a century, I gather.”
Shénshèng didn’t answer. She knew Lilith too well to fall for the bait.
Mum smirked. “There’s a young woman comin’ to see ya. Her name is Ema.” Recognition flickered in the vampyre’s gaze, and Lilith grinned. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that ya already know. An’ what ya’ve probably figured out now is that I don’t want ya to help her or her companions.” Mum paused a moment then turned toward one of the lab tables. She gazed with fake nonchalance at a row of glass beakers. She picked one up and pretended to examine it.
Shénshèng swallowed hard. “You do not need to threaten. I have no interest in Ema. She is a stranger to me. I will do as you wish and send her away.”
“Oh I know ya will, dear. Because I’ll be back if ya don’t. But, just in case...” Mum chucked the beaker at the linoleum floor. Shénshèng squeezed her eyes shut as the beaker shattered, but Mother was ready with a second and third beaker. The two women waited each other out. Eventually Shénshèng blinked, and Lilith smashed the two glasses. Shards scattered over our shoes, some of them flying as far as the opposite wall, where they disappeared under filing cabinets and closet doors.
Shénshèng dragged her fingernails against the plaster wall as she sucked in a breath; an admirable yet pitiful attempt to fight the blight of her race. Mother’s sly grin creased the edges of her cold gaze as Shénshèng succumbed. The vampyre sank to her knees and frantically picked up the broken glass, one tiny grain at a time, while mumbling to herself in Mandarin.
“Break it all,” Lilith commanded. “Then wait for Ema to arrive. Keep a’ eye on her. Let me know when they head back to the hotel.”
“Where are you going?” I murmured while watching the Ch’ing Shih stuff pieces of glass into her coat pockets. She nicked herself, but was in such a daze she didn’t seem to notice the red stains smudging her white coat.
Lilith cocked an eyebrow. “To see what we’re up against.”
She walked toward the door, but phased out of sight long before reaching the exit. I waited a beat, feeling numb to Shénshèng’s suffering. I couldn’t allow myself to feel anything else, lest I lose control of my own rage. Getting emotional would only end in both our suffering. Better her than me.
I walked slowly toward one of the many lab tables covered in expensive equipment. I grabbed the table legs, dragged the entire thing and all its accoutrements into Shénshèng’s line of sight, and then violently swung the table into the wall
.
CHAPTER 16
After a brief debate concerning weapons and metal detectors, Jesu settled for two daggers and a collection of shuriken that he hid in the pockets of a leather jacket. I pressed my palm against the front pocket of my jeans, feeling the small bump of Apollyon’s philosopher’s stone. Leena’s spell book weighed against my opposite side, the strap of the satchel cutting into my shoulder. Even Tancred brought a knife hidden in his coat sleeve. We met Mr. Wu outside the hotel entrance, where the limo waited. Jesu handed him a piece of paper.
“We are looking for a woman at this address,” Jesu explained.
Mr. Wu nodded and then opened the passenger door. It was late, past midnight. Most places of business would be closed at this hour, but Mr. Wu didn’t bother to point that out. He simply climbed into the vehicle after us, and then passed the information to our driver. The driver—also human—downed some kind of sugary drink in a can, and then we were off.
The pedestrians still strolling the city streets at this hour were either club-goers or working women trying to lure men into brothels. I didn’t need to be able to read Chinese to figure that out. But with fewer crowds, it was easier to admire the Art Deco architecture of the skyrises. Most of the buildings were modern with a Western capitalist feel, but every once in a while, a flourish of the E
ast bloomed from the alleys and backstreets. The signature triangular roofs with their upturned corners spoke of temples and places of import. Paper lanterns hung from shop banners while bamboo plants in blue vases sat on dark window sills. Touches of gold and burnt red blurred by as the limo quickly passed them.
We pulled into the parking garage of a large multileveled building. The driver took us right to the glass automatic sliding doors before he stalled the engine. He came around to open the passenger door, but I was out before he could reach the handle.
“Looks like a shopping mall,” said Jesu.
“No, look.” I pointed to a row of wheel chairs waiting just inside the glass doors. “It’s a hospital. Maybe she’s a nurse?”
We entered the building to find a lobby made of beige tiled floors and bleach-white walls. A few potted ferns and comfortable chairs completed the ambience, but it was the overbearing scent of antiseptics that confirmed this building was indeed a place of medicine.
Mr. Wu approached the reception desk, but there was no one around.
“Human hospital,” Tancred murmured to himself.
Jesu met my gaze. I could guess his thoughts. He probably worried about me sniffing out any blood, but right now my nostrils only burned with the scent of Clorox. I shrugged my shoulders to let him know I was fine. His gaze went around the lobby, and his heavy boots moved carefully across the tile as he approached one of the many surrounding corridors.
“We should find someone,” he suggested.
“This place is huge,” said Tancred.
“Find a bathroom,” I said. “Hospital bathrooms always have a button to call a nurse in case the patient needs help.” I chose a hallway at random and started walking. I didn’t find a restroom, but I did eventually come across two women in blue scrubs.
“Hey,” I said to get their attention.