by Dale Mayer
"No. The vehicles are gone, too."
He shot her a quick look. "You didn’t hear them?"
"No. And no, I don’t know where Jacob is either."
He pursed his lips as he studied the layout of the place. "He’s probably worried he lost us and went for help."
"I highly doubt it," Tessa muttered. She scrambled to her feet and slipped out from under the boughs. Straightening her back, she couldn’t stop moaning. What a relief to be able to stretch all the way up again. They’d only been under there for half a day, yet her spine felt like it had been compressed into a Slinky.
The afternoon heat still lingered, making pine and spruce the flavor of the day. She sniffed appreciatively. It reminded her of her childhood and the one time they’d gone camping. That was during her mom’s attempts to help her get in touch with her human side. Camping was apparently a common activity for humans.
She could see how the fresh air and open skies might make it appealing, but sleeping on the ground sucked. She glanced down at Wendy. "We should wake her up and get moving."
Her dad nodded. "Yeah, I want to go home and fill up on blood."
Tessa frowned. Yet another difference. She was starving too, but she'd eaten before leaving and had a granola bar stuffed in her pocket. They had smoothies last night and could usually last longer than her, but the amount of energy they expended must have drained them quickly.
"I’m fine. Don’t give me that look. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now. Don’t need my daughter to fuss over me like I’m in my dotage."
Tessa hid her grin. At least he didn’t sound like he’d pass out on her.
Wendy sat up and yawned. "Is it safe to leave now? I could use a shower."
"I think so." Tessa strode toward the house and tested the front door. "It’s locked."
The two had walked up behind her. Serus said, "Good. Let’s head home."
The return journey was faster than she’d expected, and they were home in just under two hours.
The house was full.
Her mother came running. "There you are."
Serus gave her a warm hug. "Time ran out and we had to hide out."
Rhia cast a long look at Tessa’s face, the worry easing from her features. "That’s what we figured. Goran isn’t back yet either."
"Really?" Tessa frowned. The fliers should have made it home in half the time. "That’s not good. They should have been home a long time ago."
"We were just organizing a search party. We haven’t heard from them since dawn."
Serus straightened. "Let’s go. There’s no time to lose."
She nodded. "Tessa, you need to eat and rest. There’s a whole group of people here who are going to be waiting with you."
"That’s nice. They can wait without me."
"Don’t you start," bellowed Serus. "Haven't you had enough excitement for one night?"
"Absolutely. However, as Jared may not get a second night, I’m not going to bail on him because I might be tired. Cody could also need help. For all we know, the fliers found something. Or worse, someone found them. I’ll grab something to go, thank you very much."
Father and daughter glared at each other.
Rhia stepped between them. "No. You’re not going this time. This could be dangerous."
Tessa snorted. "Like it hasn’t been already? Jacob has likely betrayed us. Or did it escape your notice that he didn’t return with us?"
At the shocked look on her mother’s face, Tessa shrugged. "I saw him standing with several men after Dad and Wendy were locked in a basement. I’d left the three of them together while I scouted the outbuildings in the daylight. When I came back after doing a search, Jacob stood outside with two other men. They searched the outbuildings, presumably for me." She glared at her father. "So I’m coming. Don’t talk to me about danger."
Her mother gasped and turned to Serus. "Is she right?"
"I don’t know. I didn’t see Jacob with anyone. All I know is after he went to look for another way out, we never saw him again. Then Tessa showed up and told me about this." Serus held up his hand to forestall both women from speaking. "We can’t assume anything at this point." He patted Rhia’s shoulder. "Maybe the house belongs to friends of his and he headed them off to protect us."
"Did you consider that he might have been captured? That maybe he’s in danger right now?" Rhia spun around to face the gathered crowd. "What am I going to say to his father?"
"I haven’t seen Bret in weeks – if not months. Matter of fact, Marie hasn’t been around much either."
Her parents' gazes locked.
Tessa hated that. They always seemed in sync. Telepathy wasn’t something vampires were known for, but long-time unions tended to develop the skill over the years. Not only was it freaky to those on the outside, but it made her envious. What she wouldn’t give to have someone who knew her so well that speech wasn’t required.
David walked over to them, studied the intent look on his parents' faces, and sighed. "Whenever you’re done? Hello?"
His mom blinked. "Oh, I’m sorry. We’re just discussing some things."
"Yeah, we know. Can we get this show on the road? Cody is in trouble," David snapped.
"How do you know that?" Tessa grabbed his arm. "Did you hear from him?"
"Just got a text in. He's locked inside some weird mausoleum of a house with self-locking doors up in the hills."
Serus's face darkened. "I might know the place. Let's go." He turned to Rhia. "You and David drive. I don’t want all of us arriving from the same direction. Just in case."
"I'm coming. You can’t go alone. Mom and David can drive. And we’ll probably still beat them. What about Seth? Can he come? He’s a great glider."
"He's been called out on an emergency at work. At the time, there was no reason to keep him home. Tessa, honey, you can't jump again. You have to be exhausted!"
At the reminder, Tessa could feel her muscles screaming, especially her upper thighs. "I'm sore, but I'm not injured." She tapped her foot impatiently. "All right already. Let's go."
She raced inside the house for a quick visit to the bathroom. At the last moment, she folded a swatch of toilet paper and stuffed it in her pocket. Better to be prepared and all that. Exiting via the kitchen, she stuffed her pockets full of granola bars and snatched an apple and a banana from the fruit bowl on the counter. The banana she peeled and scarfed down as she walked back outside. The apple she stuffed into another pocket.
"Your father just suggested that we all drive."
Tessa shook her head. "If we drive, Goran might miss us. He can track us much better if we're airborne."
Serus paused in the act of getting into the front seat of the family Land Cruiser. "Damn. She's right, Rhia. We're going to have to jump to make sure we don't miss them."
"Serus, no. She can't go out again. You know she doesn't have the strength or endurance for this..."
Tessa never heard the rest of the complaint. Instead, she took a running jump and landed on top of the fir tree at the back of the property. "Coming, Dad?"
"Serus?" Rhia wailed.
Tessa watched her father land gracefully a few branches below her. "Think you're so smart, do you? Well, I've still got a few tricks to teach you. Let's go." He hopped to the top of a large telephone pole and gracefully ran across the wires to the next pole. Within seconds he'd reached the middle of the next block.
"Well, are you coming or not? You don't want them to beat us, do you?" he called back softly.
"Hell, no." But Tessa still had her work cut out for her as she watched her father glide ahead. Damn it. How did he do that? By the end of the fourth block, she realized she'd forgotten to switch her vampire vision on. With that open and functioning, her ability to judge the distances smoothed out. She landed easier and could take off faster. A giggle escaped. Two nights ago, she'd have sworn that she'd never be pole hopping with dear old dad. Yet here s
he was.
Her giggle turned into laughter as she managed the next three horizontal jumps more smoothly. Now she felt like she was flying.
"Hey, that's not bad. Maybe you just needed to get some practice."
She stopped to catch her breath one pole away from him. "And I needed to switch to vampire vision." Their voices carried easily in the evening air.
"You really have to turn it on and off? Why not just leave it on all the time?"
"Because I can't see in daylight with my vampire vision and human vision gives me a longer viewing distance."
"It's better?" He reared back, obviously shocked at the concept.
"Not better – different." She took a bite of her apple while she thought about that. "The colors are stronger with vampire eyes and I have better peripheral vision with my human sight." She shrugged. "When I open them both at the same time, I see so much more."
"There's your answer then." He floated to the next pole. "Keep them both on all the time."
For the next hour, it took all of Tessa's energy to keep up with her father. He'd picked up the pace as they came to the end of the poles and moved cross country toward the mountains. Treetops to roofs to sheds to high voltage stations. That last one had made her gulp. Still, after watching him barely touch down before floating onward, she decided to not think about it and just followed his lead.
After another ten minutes, she glanced back, surprised to see that not only was the house long gone, but so was the town. They'd covered miles already. The air had chilled, too. Her jumping style had changed as well. Without realizing it, Tessa had started to copy yet another smooth move of her father's. He touched a bough, then slipped off to the next tree, landing without expending the energy needed for a full stop.
She couldn't ignore a sense of pride at his moves – or with her ability to keep up with him. She might not have his skills, gracefulness, or experience, however, she was making up for all three with sheer guts and determination. Her crab walk had developed into something that was similar to her father’s moves but with a style all her own. That had to count for something.
Tessa had to admit that once again she'd misjudged her abilities. Fatigue had made her legs shake and her landings were no longer graceful. More like firewood hitting cement.
"Come on over here. We’ll take a quick break."
She couldn’t hide the relief on her face when she landed beside her dad. "How much further?"
"Not much. The house should be in the next half mile. I just wanted to make sure you understand that things could get dicey, depending on what we find when we get there."
"I didn't choose this, Dad, but once trouble came calling––"
"Don’t think that I don't appreciate the determination and the courage you’ve shown. I just wish the reason was different."
"Me too. Now shouldn't we finish this last half mile?"
He just stared at her and shook his head.
"What? You don't want Mom to beat us, do you?"
"Hell, no. She'd never let me live it down."
Tessa grinned. The competitiveness between her parents had provided many funny moments over the years.
"Then lead on."
He glared at her and took off in a smooth glide.
Alone, she allowed herself a moment of weakness. Just one. Then, digging deep, she followed at a slower pace. They reached their destination a short moment later. She landed on the roof of a huge house that sat in complete darkness, hidden by large trees. Sunlight would have a hard time reaching this place.
What a perfect vampire house. Many of her vampire relatives had similar places on the edge of town, only not as imposing or as large as this one.
"Quite the place." Tessa couldn't help admiring the sheer size of the mansion.
"Yeah. It's been in Moltere's family forever. I can't sense him here at all."
"Did he live alone? Have a family?" Tessa asked.
"He lost his partner over a century ago. To my knowledge, he never did find another one. As for children…there were some. I can't say I remember the details. I suppose I should have kept track. ‘Understand thy enemy’ and all that. We all just tried to forget that he'd even existed."
"Until now." Tessa walked across the large roof looking for vehicles or any sign of occupants. "I'm not sure anyone is here at all. Could Cody be anywhere else?"
"Possibly." Serus walked to the other end and stared off in the distance. "Those headlights should be your mother’s."
"S we did beat them."
"Of course." The two exchanged smirks. Triumphant partners.
Tessa's smirk dropped away. There'd been no triumphs for Jared yet. Or Cody. And Cody was here because he had helped her, believed in her when no one else did. She walked to the edge of the roof and looked down. "So now what? Go in through the front door?"
"How else?"
Tessa pointed. "Through the decks, maybe. An element of surprise, just in case."
He joined her at the edge, glanced at the deck she'd pointed out, and nodded in surprise. "Not bad."
They landed softly and tried the glass knobs on the French doors. Both opened easily.
"Guess no one’s worried about intruders, huh?" Tessa peered inside.
"They’re open because who is there for Moltere to be concerned about? He’s the one that used to cause all the trouble."
Serus had walked through what appeared to be an office and out into the main upstairs hallway while he spoke. Tessa followed, awestruck by the grandest house she’d ever been in. "Wow," she whispered at the size of the oil paintings covering the large walls. The ceilings were vaulted and covered with fancy scrolls.
The upper hallway was edged by a beautiful railing. When she looked over it, she could see all the way down. Magnificent, yet a little cold. The house was so vast it should have been filled with kids and staff. Laughter and conversation should echo throughout – instead, it felt empty. Unloved.
Her father walked through the upstairs hallway and opened four doors, checking for signs of life in each room. Nothing. She waited for him to join her. "Down a level?"
"Yes. I’d like to be on the main floor before the rest of the family gets here."
"Right."
They moved like clockwork, going from floor to floor, checking every room. Nothing. At the main floor there was a huge entranceway. Footprints in the dust shone in the moonlight. Tessa pointed them out. "Cody's energy is on those. So they are here somewhere."
"Let’s go." Leading the way into the kitchen, they checked every door and room they passed. Nothing. In the kitchen, there were many confusing footprints. Tessa pointed to one door on the side. "That probably leads to the basement."
"And the last place we have to check."
Tessa moved toward the door. "I don’t think we should both go down. Remember last time?" She turned the knob. "It’s locked."
"That’s likely where they’ll be then."
She tested the knob. "We need to open this. But quietly, in case anyone is here." She turned to face him. "Can I have your credit card? I want to try and use it to unlock the door."
"What? Why?"
The look he shot her would have been priceless under different circumstances. Most vampires had picked up the human monetary system as it was simple and effective. Now that so many vampires had turned to business, it was also convenient. He pulled out his wallet and handed her his gold Visa. She sighed, turning it over in her hand. Too bad they weren’t shopping. She could do some serious damage to this card.
She’d never tried this trick herself, but had overheard David telling Cody how to do it.
Bright lights swept through the living room and hallway.
Tessa froze.
"That’ll be your mom. I’ll go get her. When this is all over, we’re going to have a talk about you and locks, young lady."
"No problem. As long as David is part of the conversation."
Tessa bent ov
er the lock. What had he said? Something about slipping the card between the door and wall, turning the handle ever so slightly and…snick. The door opened.
"Wow, double wow and triple wow," she whispered. Pocketing the precious card, she pulled the door open and flicked the light switch. She stared down at the incredibly long narrow staircase. She could hear her parents talking as they approached.
"Where’s Tessa?" her mom demanded.
"She’s trying to pick the lock on the basement door."
"She’s what?" Tessa cringed at the outrage in her mother’s voice. "How could she possible know how to do such a thing?"
"Oh, we’ll find out; don’t you worry."
"Like I'm going to wait for that," Tessa muttered. As her parents rounded the corner, Tessa stormed down the stairs. The stairs that went on forever.
"Hey, wait up." David raced down behind her. "What’s the rush?"
She didn’t bother turning around. "Them. Always thinking I’m a baby."
"Huh. I think you blew that out of the water a day ago when you insisted on going after your friend."
"What?" Tessa paused at a landing and waited for him to catch up with her. She couldn’t see anything below her but more steps. "They always act like I don’t know anything."
"I’m sure most parents think that their kids don’t know how to pick a lock." He paused to catch his breath. "By the way, how did you learn to do that?"
She smirked. "I overheard you and Cody talking about it." She raced down the stairs. "These steps need to end soon. We have to be hundreds of feet underground by now." She finally came to the last step. "Any news from Cody?"
"No. I haven’t heard back from any texts I sent. Either he can’t or… he can’t."
"If he’s here, we’ll find him. And if he's not here, we'll still find him…just somewhere else."
David jumped the last couple of steps to land beside her. "This place looks empty."
"Empty doesn’t mean empty anymore." She quickly filled him in on the floor from the other house that had dropped away and the stone wall that had lifted and let the water rush in. "I’m certainly learning that vampires are a devious lot."