A Vampire's Thirst

by Bella Roccaforte

  She decided to give it some more time before making her way out of the attic.

  I need to start carrying a flashlight, she thought to herself, wishing she could see more of what’s in the attic. She could have been missing another way out.

  She didn’t want to move around too much; this creaky old building would give her away in a heartbeat and clearly she couldn’t trust Percy.

  At this point, she didn’t know who she could trust.

  She sat leaning against one of the joists and considered her options. Day-walkers were looking for her, couldn’t trust anyone, no phone, no light, no hope.

  Rook surveyed the attic again for anything that could help her but there was nothing.

  “Quite the pickle,” a voice sounded from the dark corner across the attic.

  She tensed completely and scooted backward against the joist.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” the kind voice said. “I hate the vamps. They think they own the whole damn town.”

  “Who are you?” she asked suspiciously.

  “I’m Alfrigg,” he said stepping into a stream of light, revealing deep scars and disfigurement across his face. He was a stout little thing but looked as though he was quite formidable at one point in his life. His pointed ears wiggled and turned toward her.

  Rook tried to control her reaction to his appearance, she held out her hand. “I’m Rook.”

  He took her hand and calm came over her. He chuckled, “No, you’re not, but there’s time to discuss that later. Right now, we need to figure out how we’re going to get you out of here and away from the vamps.”

  “Why should I trust you?” She didn’t have the luxury of politeness in this situation.

  “Because I’m your only option.” He shrugged.

  “Where did you come from?” she asked, considering how very convenient it was that he was there, just hanging out in an attic.

  He thought for a moment. “You would know it as Norway now.”

  “No, I’m not looking for your origin story, why are you here?” Her sarcasm never failed her.

  “Percy, he said,” Alfrigg held one finger up, “and I quote, ‘she’s a smart little cookie, she’ll find the only way out’.”

  “Percy asked you to wait for me up here?” Her conscience twitched about all the horrible things she thought about him.

  “He sure did, now let’s get out of here.” He stood as tall as he could under the low roof of the attic. He pushed upward and a hatch in the roof opened.

  Rook looked at it. “What the hell?”

  Alfrigg glanced down at her. “This is New Orleans, sweetheart. It’s just a good idea to have to have a way to the roof in case of flooding.”

  She shrugged, unable to dispute the logic. “Makes sense.”

  He hiked her up to the roof. “Up you go.”

  They stayed low, crawling across the roof on their bellies. Alfrigg turned to Rook. “The sun’s just about right.”

  “For what?” Her suspicion hadn’t subsided, she’d like to think she was ready for anything, but she knew better.

  “Sun’s high enough that it’s tough for some day-walkers to be out in it.” His eyes twinkled. “We can get to my place.”

  “Where’s that?” She studied him, ready for the lie. It’s obvious he was at one time a force to be reckoned with, but now he was weathered and had seen many battles. He couldn’t quite stand up straight even on the roof. Her mind wandered to what he must have been through in his life.

  “In the Bayou,” he said, releasing the ladder on the fire escape. “It’s not much, but there’s plenty to eat, it’s quiet and safe.”

  Rook scanned the area for any signs of the vampires. She could feel their presence in her bones. It was the same feeling as when you’re being watched.

  Alfrigg climbed down first and held his hand out to her. She studied it, asking herself why he wants to hold hands.

  Alfrigg rolled his eyes. “Just take it.”

  She did for lack of any other options where she may actually survive. For a smaller man, he certainly had large hands, hers disappeared in the palm of his as they walked straight toward the street. “They can still stay in the shadows, is it a good idea for us to walk down the middle of the street?”

  “Don’t let go of my hand and they won’t see you,” he said. “Since they can’t smell you, there’s no worry.”

  “We’re invisible?” she asked, looking around to see if anyone was looking at them.

  “Yes, now hush,” he scolded, ticking his head toward a vamp leaning in a shadowed doorway.

  They passed by him, and Rook held her breath the whole time. She was amazed he didn’t so much as look in their direction.

  Alfrigg lead her through a cemetery, then the streets of the Ninth Ward.

  Rook’s hand was sweaty against Alfrigg’s. “How much further?”

  “It’s another few miles,” he said with irritation in his tone.

  “And we’re going to walk the whole way?” She thought about how she had taken a bayou tour when she first arrived, it wasn’t far, but it wasn’t exactly walking distance.

  “Yes, is there a problem with that?” he said as though her question was a personal affront.

  “I’m just thinking it’s hot as hell out here and well . . .” She trailed off.

  “You think we can just get an Uber to the bayou?” He bristled.

  “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” she said with hope of not continuing to walk this journey.

  Alfrigg chuckled. “Even if I did have a way to get a ride, it’s not a good idea. The vamps have all types of folk on their payroll. We can’t take the chance.”

  “What about Samuel? He’ll be able to help me, and I trust him.” She wished she had a way to contact him.

  “You think The Directive was going to keep you safe?” He quirked his brow, screwing his face up with disbelief. “You are young and naive.”

  “Samuel will protect me,” Rook insisted.

  “He is one of the good ones, but they’ll be watching him. It’s best if you just lay low with me for a bit,” he said, tightening his grip on her hand.

  Apprehension flowed through her thinking she may have trusted the wrong person again. She didn’t know anything about this guy or even what he was. She scolded herself at how stupid she had been. “What are you?”

  “I’m fae,” he answered, lowering his head as an indication he’s not willing to share more than that, but she could see a story in his eyes.

  “You’re a fairy?”

  “No, I’m not a fairy.” His scoffed at the question, “I said, I’m fae, leave it at that.”

  Rook stopped, releasing his hand, “I think I should go my own way.”

  He stopped and turned to her. “If that’s what you’d like to do, I’m not going to make you come with me. Honestly, I think it’s taken you far too long to start questioning my motives.”

  Her body stiffened, preparing herself for the revelation that he wasn’t really wanting to help her.

  “I thought you were smarter than that,” he said, taking a step toward her. “But I can assure you. I’m not working with the vamps and the only thing I want was a just tiny bit of your blood. In exchange, I will keep you safe until the commotion dies down and we can get you out of here.”

  “My blood?”

  “Yes, I can use it in my potions and make some good money.” He nodded. “But I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “How can I be sure?” She tilted her head upward, eyeing him suspiciously.

  “Here, look into my eyes.” He opened his tired eyes wide.

  “Is this a trick?” she asked.

  “No,” he snickered, “Just do as you’re told, child.”

  She cautiously looked into his eyes, staying at arm’s length. A feeling of warmth and comfort came over her. She didn’t see any visions, just had a feeling that touched her soul. She felt safe with him and trusted that he meant her no harm.

  She still had q
uestions even though she felt at ease with him. “But why are you helping me?”

  “Because I have a soft spot for humans.” He pulled his shoulder to his ear and continued walking through the trees. “That and Rooks are very rare.”

  “So everyone seems to want my blood one way or another.” She rolled her eyes.

  “That’s true, but I’ll keep you safe,” he assured her. “It’s in my own best interest, that you can trust me.”

  He walked up to an ancient oak, placing his hand on the tree. A golden glow took over, the tree undulated and moved with tiny flash of light swirling around it. “Welcome to my home.” He motioned for her to enter.

  She cautiously walked through the doorway, full of apprehension and hope, and all she could think to herself was, will she be able to rest and feel safe in this place?

  Chapter 7

  The reinforced glass on the lab door couldn’t take much more of Hunter’s pounding. Camille watched the spidering in the glass nervously. “I need you to calm down. This isn’t like you. I’m getting more blood, it’s coming, just please calm down.”

  Hunter’s fangs protruded from his gums, he was in full-on vampire mode. His throat was parched, and his stomach twisted with pain. “Let me the fuck out of here.”

  “You know I can’t do that until we figure out what’s wrong with you.” Camille held her tears at bay. She had known Hunter for four hundred years and had never seen him lose himself. She turned away and leaned against the door, blowing out a breath.

  The vibration of his pounding resonated through her entire being and the pain in his voice when he spoke twisted her stomach at what he must be going through.

  Hunter stopped his assault on the door and watched the elevator. “Just a little, I’ll only take a little.” He begged to feed from Meghan.

  Meghan hurried off the elevator, carrying a cooler. “Here.” She pushed it toward Camille, eyeing Hunter through the glass.

  Camille noticed Meghan’s nervous reaction. “Thank you. You can go upstairs, if I need you I’ll text. But if you could please ask Owen to come down, I’d appreciate it.”

  Camille turned toward the lab and placed one of the bags of blood in the pass through, closed the lid and pushed the button to send the blood through.

  Hunter opened the lid and sank his teeth straight through the plastic and sucked the bag empty in seconds. “More,” he growled.

  Camille put another bag in the pass through and pressed the intercom button. “Are you feeling any better?”

  “No.” He took the bag and drank it.

  Meghan nodded then hesitated before turning to leave. “What’s wrong with him?”

  Camille pressed her eyes closed with sorrow. “I don’t know.”

  Meghan worried the hem of her lab coat. “You know, until this moment I always wondered if he really was a vampire.” She released a nervous breath. “I mean, you were very upfront with me when I started here, but I’ve never seen him . . .” She trailed off, at a loss for words.

  “Act like a vampire?” Camille finished for her.

  “Yeah. He’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He gave me a shot when no one else would. He’s never been inappropriate, always just . . . kind.”

  Camille pushed out a hard-won smile knowing how right she was. When Hunter found her, she was on the verge of becoming something loathsome. He took her in, trained her, fed her and had been like a brother to her ever since. He helped her maintain her humanity. “We’re going to figure this out.” She turned and looked at his wild eyes. “We’ll get him back.”

  “Do you think that he’s been infected by anything we’ve been working on?” she asked, furrowing her brow in thought. “Maybe he found something that vampires aren’t immune to.”

  The wheels in Camille’s mind turned. “That’s not a bad thought. Although I don’t think we’re working with any active viruses other than vampire blood.”

  “There could’ve been a mutation, that would explain.” Meghan motioned toward Hunter who’s pacing the floor inside the lab. “Him being more like a vampire.”

  Camille’s eyes lit with hope. She nodded while working out the possibility. “Okay, this is a good start. I want you to go upstairs and access Hunter’s drive, the password is Odin's Bane, one word.” Camille tapped her finger to her chin. “Look at his entries for the last three days, see if you can find anything out of the ordinary. All the cellular mutations should be there, too. He logs everything.”

  Meghan’s eyes filled with alarm. “Camille?”

  “What is it?” She turned to make sure Hunter was still secure in the lab.

  “If this is viral, that means you could also be affected.” Meghan pressed her lips into a tight line.

  Camille sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re right.”

  Meghan’s gaze fell to the ground. “We can quarantine you in another lab,” she suggested.

  A sad smile stretched across Camille’s lips and she shook her head. “He would never leave me alone and I won’t leave him.”

  “How are we going to get you in there without letting him out?” she asked.

  “I’ll make it happen,” Camille assured her. She turned back to Hunter. “Are you ready for more?”

  His eyes pleaded with her. “Yes. Please, it helped, but I need more. The pain . . .”

  Camille put two more bags in the drawer and pushed the button to transfer them through. She turned back to Meghan. “I want you to go upstairs, when you get there put this elevator on lock-down. I’ll communicate with you via cell phone. No humans can come down here, do you understand?”

  Meghan nodded. “Yes.”

  “We’re going to need more blood.” Camille inhaled a deep breath through her nose. “Also, we need to very quietly quarantine the rest of the vampires in the building. I’ll discuss it with Owen. Go ahead up and send him down.”

  Meghan agreed and turned for the elevator.

  Camille reached for her shoulder. “Meghan?”

  Meghan looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  “I want you and the rest of the humans to go,” Camille said thoughtfully.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Meghan insisted.

  “You are.” Camille nodded once. “You can work on this from home, but if all hell breaks loose and this,” she hitched her thumb back toward Hunter, “happens to all of us, you’re going to be in real trouble.”

  Meghan smiled. “I don’t think either of you would ever hurt me.”

  “He’s not in his right mind and if whatever this is can do that to a man I’ve never seen lose control, think of what it can do to someone with far less control,” Camille warned.

  “I’ll take care of myself.” Meghan turned and went to the elevator. “We’re going to figure this out.”

  Camille watched as the elevator doors closed.

  “Camille,” Hunter said quietly over the intercom.

  Camille turned around and the anguish in Hunter’s eyes cinched her stomach with sorrow. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

  “A lot more like myself.” His eyes gazed downward with shame.

  “You look a lot better.” She pointed to her mouth. “Fangs are back in place.” She smiled.

  “Yeah,” he said, pressing his hand on the glass. “But Meghan’s right. You need to be quarantined, too.”

  Camille nodded slowly. “I know. I’m coming in. But I want you to go to the back clean room and close the door while I come in. I can’t completely trust you right now and I think I can make it in before you could get out if you weren’t bullshitting me about feeling better.”

  “Let’s wait until we see that Meghan’s locked down the elevators.” He lowered his head. “I don’t think I can trust myself right now.”

  Hunter went to the clean room and closed the door behind him. Camille waited for the red flashing light to come on indicating the elevators were locked down before pressing the button to open the door. She walked into the lab without incident. When the lab door was
closed, Hunter came out of the clean room, his eyes were wild with hunger again.

  “I need more.” Hunter took another bag of blood.

  Camille tried not to be disgusted watching him gulp it down. For the first time since she’d known him she could envision the barbarian he was thousands of years ago in the fjord. The animal characteristics taking him over were something she barely recognized in him.

  He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Sorry. I’m just incredibly parched.”

  “Okay, let’s talk about what you were working on before this happened,” Camille said hoping that buckling down and working would keep her mind off the thought of her being infected.

  Hunter steadied himself. “Before we get into that, I want to discuss something with you.”

  He pulled out one of the rolling chairs for her. She took a seat and he sat across from her. “I want you to know I have a contingency plan.”

  “What are you talking about?” The corner of her mouth rose in question.

  “I have a will. You are the sole beneficiary, everything I have goes to you,” he said, pressing his lips into a thin line.

  “That’s really not necessary, it’s not going to come to that,” she said with a sad smile, not completely convinced by her own words.

  “If I can’t control myself . . .” He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and pulled on the leather cord around his neck until a silver key appeared.

  Camille’s eyes widened, and she pushed the chair away from him. “Oh no, you’re not putting that on me.”

  “Camille, if this can’t be cured, I don’t want to be set loose on the world like this.” He brought himself closer to her, putting his hands on her knees. “I’m far too dangerous. You have to kill me.”

  “You can’t ask me to do this,” she insisted, walking away from him.

  “I am asking you,” he said calmly.

  “Let’s focus on figuring it out,” she pleaded, she didn’t want to be the one to have to take his life. She wasn’t sure she could go through with it.