“Ready for what?” I asked as I struggled to my feet.
“For the water. I will open the door--move to the side. I am strong now. Very strong. Thank you, Levi.”
“Uh, you’re welcome?” The door snapped off the hinges and water poured into the room with the power of a breaking damn. “Oh God! I’m going to drown! Where is the exit?”
“I’ll show you, Levi. I will show you. Take my hand. I can swim fast. Hold your breath now. We will go!”
I gasped one last breath of air as she dragged me beneath the surface of the water and suddenly, I was flying through the water. There were no air pockets, only lake water, I could even see fish swimming by looking lost and confused.
I have to breathe!
You are a baby. You can do this…
No, Alice. I need…
My body shook with pain. How long had it been, only thirty seconds? Surely not a minute.
Too much smoking.
Then her lips were on mine and she pumped air into my mouth as I forced carbon monoxide out my nose as she commanded me. It was a trippy experience but it was enough to provide the air I needed. I could see the light at the literal end of the tunnel. Alice shuddered beside me but she did not slow her swimming.
It was light outside. Bright afternoon light. How was she going to get out? She’d burn up if she were left outside. Wouldn’t she?
Won’t this burn you, Alice?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Probably yes.
How am I going to help you?
The van...the one with no windows. Carry me, Levi!
The water vibrated and as I stepped out into the sandy ground I realized the earth was shaking too. Could this be a result of the water being redirected? Alice lay on the ground beside me; her pale white skin smoked slightly, her glittering blue eyes bore into mine. Her wet hair, long and dark clung to her like a giant, black octopus.
“There she is! Stop, Wallace!” Agent Ford screamed at me or Virgil, I wasn’t sure which. Whichever Wallace he meant he was coming for Alice.
“Virgil! Dad! Help me with her! We have to get her to the van!”
Without questioning me, my waterlogged father helped me pick up a squirming Alice and together we shoved her in the nearby van. The vehicle cranked on its own and Naomi was screaming Jackson’s name as she spun around in circles. Her boyfriend was nowhere to be found.
Good, I hoped he died in the desert!
“Naomi! Get in the van! Now!” I shouted at her as I held the door open. Virgil had shoved Alice toward the back of the van and was covering her face with his wet jacket.
Close the door! This hurts!
Alice, where is Lisa?
I will take you! We have to go! Remember your promise, Le-vi. You for her. Promise?
Promise.
I slammed the van door. The van doors locked and I waved at Naomi one last time. She wouldn’t budge. She shook her head and backed away.
“Go, Levi! Just go! She’s made her decision!” Virgil yelled at me as he closed the partition between us. Keeping the curtained partition closed would help protect Alice from the sun’s harmful rays. I hoped it was enough protection. A few others were racing to their vehicles too but apparently, their vans weren’t starting. Alice was still trying to help us. Maybe she would do exactly what she said.
Maybe I finally caught a break.
I spun the van around and headed out across the desert.
Chapter Fourteen--Lisa
The music thumped and resonated through and around me as I hung from the top of the cage and waved to the cheering audience. First I hung by one hand and then another as my lower body twisted and I did the splits with my legs. Who knew that all that cheerleading training would help me stay alive? Who could have predicted that I would have to dance for life? What would Rex and his band have said if I couldn’t dance? I’d been in the Golden Doll, or as some called me, the Girl in the Cage, for one showing only, most likely.
I smiled as I landed on my feet. How could these screaming idiots not see that I was dancing for my life? I smiled and twisted to the music. It had been my idea to add this simple acrobatic routine but nobody complained. In fact, the Black Knights barely spoke to me anymore.
Including Rex.
Not since our brief hookup after Erma’s murder. However, I always found expensive gold colored clothing and jewelry and makeup beside my cage. At least I got food regularly now.
Yes, this swinging choreography gave my legs a break. Dancing for forty-five minutes straight took a lot out of me, especially now that I was feeling so weak. I needed to rest but I couldn’t sleep, even when I was exhausted. I wanted more than anything to dig a hole in the ground and cover myself up. Or at the very least, sit on the floor and cry until I died but my survival instincts kept my feet and body moving.
It's almost over. Almost over, Lisa. You can do this.
The dead reporter’s notes revealed that the concert tour was coming to an end. Only two more shows until the Black Knights were scheduled to end the tour and began working on their new album, Elegant Death.
Maybe Rex would release me? Maybe this would come to an end?
It was a pleasant fiction I told myself to inspire hope.
Rose petals fell from the ceiling of the auditorium and incense spewed out of the smoldering burners. It was an exotic scene. A sea of screaming faces demanded the drama from their rock idol. Rex strutted around bare chested. I knew him well enough to know that he spotted a girl in the audience; she looked very much like me only her hair was a bit longer and she might even be younger than me. As he swung around his mic pole he grinned at me. I smiled back and swung my hips to the side as if I knew nothing.
Being in the midst of the Frenzied without a protector would be a sure path to death. I quietly noted earlier that many of the Queen's friends had left the tour. The only ones that remained on a consistent basis were Rex’s band and of course, the Creep who was going to keep his eye on Rex--and me no matter what. There's been no more arguments between the two, no more fights but it was coming.
As sure as my name was Lisa Dance.
I glanced again in Rex's direction but he resumed ignoring me. Usually, I was out of the cage by the third or fourth song but now here we were, eight songs in and I was still stuck in the box. Just when I contemplated throwing myself into the crowd. Maybe someone would catch me. Maybe.
Something had happened. Something that didn't bode well for me. Had I thought the wrong thing? I couldn’t recite the Gettysburg Address every minute of the day. I smiled and wiggled my hips as the music pulsated through my body. Sparkling lights struck my eyes but not from the outside, these weren’t laser lights. These lights were on the inside of my eyes.
God, what is wrong with me? Oh, this wasn't good. Was I going to faint?
I staggered back in my high heels and I held onto the back of the bars. I kept a smile slapped on my face and moved my waist slowly.
The music shifted, the rhythm slowed and the vocals ceased as the lone guitarist begin plucking his unearthly tune. This one had been a favorite of mine from the Elegant Black album. It didn't get much airplay but it was seductive and expressive. Two of the things I used to love about the Black Knights’ music. Little did I know these guys had sold their souls to become eternally young.
Someone screamed on the side stage. Someone had fallen! No! There was a fight! One of the production crew was flying through the air! Who would be fighting? The audience could not hear or see the action but I had a perfect view of it all. I slowed my movements but kept rhythm as I watched for danger.
Queen Alice had returned!
And she was not happy with us; her head was tilted down, her long hair was parted in the middle. It fluttered behind her like ripples on a dark ocean. Her vampire blue eyes were fixed on Rex but they glittered with something more. Homicidal rage. Oh no! She knows about me! She’ll kill me for sure! She bared her teeth as she stormed on to the stage; her teeth were white and fierce. Rex obviously
sensed her before he saw her. He swung his tall frame around and gripped the microphone stand like it was a weapon, the scarf dangled from it awkwardly as he watched his maker come for him.
But then she was there right beside him.
And as quick as a flash her hand went up to his face. To anyone in the audience it probably would've appeared that she slapped him, so fast was her movement but actually, she scratched him. Her long nails gouged into the side of his lovely face and blood streamed down. Bryce stopped playing his guitar and the crashing drums faded away.
Everyone on the stage and in the audience went silent. Something was happening. But what? I could hear them whispering curiously. Was this a part of their act? This wouldn’t be the first time a rock band used blood and gore in an act. And then on the outer wings, I saw more movement.
Vampires were leaving! Like sharks sensing the threat; they must realize that there was blood in the water and the mother shark was going to feed on anything that passed in front of her.
Where is the Creep? He’s the one who deserves her anger!
I don't know where those thoughts came from but then they were gone.
I was suddenly distracted by an additional guest in the wings. Levi! My Levi! And Virgil was with him. Is this real?
Next thing, I knew Rex wrestled with Alice--he managed to slap her but she did not fall to the ground or cry, not as I would have done. Suddenly music began playing. Oh right. The band usually played the finale with a premade track; their live music was just the whipped cream on top. It was surreal hearing the vocals singing Bloody Love as an actual fight occurred on stage. Suddenly the crowd roared their approval.
The band looked at one another unsure what to do. Rex struck Alice with the mic stand and she gripped it and threw it off stage. She wasn’t going to stop until he was dead, and she didn’t care if the whole world saw her do it apparently.
Why? Why this rage for Rex?
Some of the audience crowded away from the stage; others were pushing forward. It was a nightmare--someone was going to get hurt. I screamed for Levi as he raced towards me. He gripped the cage and shook it but it wouldn’t come open! He was real and not an illusion of some sort!
“Where are the keys?” He demanded as the crowd roared behind him. Despite the volume of the noise, I could hear Alice's voice low and rumbly.
I know your thoughts, Rex Teaser. You thought you would betray me. You told them about me. You are no king. No king.
Levi paused as if he heard it too. His brow was sweaty and his brown eyes told me the truth about our situation. It was about to go down. We needed to get away. Where was the key?
Oh God! I left it behind!
“It’s here, it has to be here!” I patted my pockets to be sure. No, I remember putting it in my pocket. It must have fallen out. I searched the floor of the cage.
“Lisa! Hurry!”
“I’m trying!” I shouted back. In the few seconds that I took my attention off the stage, Alice had managed to pin Rex to the ground with her tiny foot.
“Cheater, Unfaithful!”
He rolled away and clambered onto his feet. The music became louder. The thumping was louder. Rex circled Alice. He was between her and the audience as if he were their protector. What was happening here? I knelt at the door of the cage and cried. I couldn’t find the key, it was gone. Lost. There was no getting out. Levi held my hands and cried with me.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. I’m not going to leave you.” Virgil joined us; he studied the trap and couldn’t find a weak spot and there was no budging the door. Usually, the door was left unlocked for Rex. It occurred to me now that he never intended to let me out of the cage tonight.
“You have failed to please me. You are queen no more.” Rex announced with a look of disdain on his face. His upper lip curled with disgust. “You have broken your promise I'm afraid we are through. I have everything I need right here, both Queen and Sustainer," he laughed with a glance in my direction. It was then that he saw Levi. His handsome face twisted into a devilish picture of rage, much like Alice’s. His eyes glittered blue, his white teeth became elongated. And despite all this, the crowd went nuts. They had no idea that this wasn’t a play. This was no rock drama. This was a struggle for life and death.
My life, my death.
With a scream of anger, Alice charged at Rex but he was too fast for her. With a satisfying grin, Rex fell back off the stage into the eager hands of the enamored audience and disappeared into the crowd. His eager fans carried him away from Alice and the rest of his band followed suit.
Alice roared like a lion but she did not follow him. To do so would be suicide! Rex Teaser’s fans would have stomped her to death to protect him. Levi shook the cage hoping again that it would break open but it wouldn't budge without the key. He bowed his head slightly and then Alice waved her hand behind her back. The lock snapped and fell to the ground.
Sobbing for all my worth, Levi led me out and I kicked off my painful shoes. He picked me up and carried me off stage. I wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms forever. To cry my heart out and confess all but there was no time for that.
He put me back on my feet after he kissed me.
It was time to run
Chapter Fifteen--Levi
The three of us gathered outside the van. I carried Lisa through the parking lot like my pants were on fire but nobody chased us. Everyone was too busy covering their asses. Vampires were fleeing from the tempestuous vampire queen while my fellow mortals were busy running for their lives. There were broken bottles everywhere and the cops were on the way. I could hear the sirens in the distance.
Where have the cops been all night? Usually, the police were camped out at rock concerts hoping to bust weed smokers and underage drinkers. Where was Loomis? I guess he'd given up on getting the truth about Coleman’s murder.
But the cops weren’t here yet. From the sound of it, they were on the other side of the auditorium. They would make their way over here to this side of the parking lot soon. Time wasn’t on our side. A lone figure was coming our way. Tiny, frail even by human reckoning but that was not accurate. She just took down the auditorium and shut down a sold-out concert.
Her she comes! Alice was coming!
Her black dress whipped around her, as did her hair, is if she brought a storm with her. A small storm that would sweep over everything in its path. I saw her over approaching just to the left of Lisa. By her expression, her anger had abated but she was as determined-looking as ever. Virgil saw her too; he was making his way to the van.
Le-vi…where are you going?
Nowhere. I am not going anywhere, Alice.
“Lisa, I have to tell you something. “Alice appeared an elegant, moving statue except for her hair. Queen Alice wasn't going to let me off the hook and the deal was a deal. If she wanted to kill Lisa she had every reason to, in her vampire mind.
No. I will not kill Lisa.
Rex's plan became clear; he wanted to replace Alice with Lisa. I don't know why he thought he would get away with that but his plan has been disrupted by the return of the vampire queen herself. The crafty rocker had indeed been in contact with the Agency, that’s how they knew where to find her. He sold her out and wanted her to die. He wanted to be the true king. Ballsy move.
“I have to tell you something too, Levi. Please, let me go first. If I don’t say it right at this moment I won’t have the courage. Ever,” Lisa held my hands and gazed into my eyes. I loved getting lost in her eyes; she had always been everything I ever wanted. The most beautiful woman I had ever seen or known. More beautiful than even Queen Alice. I loved her more than I loved any other soul on this planet.
“This is kind of important, Lisa,” I said as I held her hand. It was probably a good thing I hadn’t given her that ring. Alice wasn’t wasting any time claiming her prize. She watched me intently as I hesitated in my task. I could make a break for it. I could probably outrun her but only for a short amount of time. She
would never give up on finding me or my girlfriend. What about Rex and the Creep? We needed to be allies, I believed.
“Levi, I love you. I only ever wanted to be with you. Um…I didn’t plan for this to happen but…”
“Me either. I didn’t plan on this either. I love you, Lisa.” She avoided my eyes even as hers were full of tears. She was shivering in her gold shorts and halter top but I had nothing to offer her for warmth.
“Levi, please. Don’t love me. I don’t deserve it. I really don’t.” Lisa began to sob and I held her tight. She smelled like cigarette smoke and incense but she was alive and that was all that mattered to me. I couldn’t imagine what she had endured.
“I have to go, Lisa. Listen, I made Alice a promise. A trade. A life for a life.”
She pulled away from me and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “What? What kind of trade?”
Virgil somehow managed to get the van cranked up—did he hotwire it? Imagine Virgil having secret ninja skills. But then again he was a noteworthy criminal. Way to go, Virgil. Alice was only fifty feet away from me.
No time. They are coming.
“You for me. That’s the trade. I want you to be free, Lisa. It’s been hard getting here but I don’t regret it,” I confessed the truth hoping Virgil wouldn’t hear me. No, he didn’t hear me. He was too busy honking the horn at us. Vehicles were pulling around the corner of the auditorium. Not cop cars but white vans, like the stolen one Virgil was sitting in. From the Agency? But what agency? I never got that information.
“Hell no, Levi! Hell no!” Lisa screamed at me but Alice was behind her. She saw me look behind her and she pivoted around to see her but turned back to me. “No!” she beat her fists on my chest and sobbed. “You can’t leave me. The baby is coming and I don’t know how…I don’t what to do…please, Levi!” Alice stood behind Lisa but she spoke not a word and my mind was silent.
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