“Why are we in another tunnel?” Jamie asked, referencing those under Central Park. “What is it with you and tunnels?”
“This was once used by pirates to shanghai inebriated sailors from the pub above to waiting ships and unknown destinations, the seamen falling victim to their own drunkenness and the principle of seafaring supply and demand. Savannah’s vampires are today’s pirates.”
“And you want to take them on here? Are you crazy? We’ll be caught between them and the river.”
“Sshhh. Won’t be long now. Feel the charge growing? They’re approaching. Five of them.” Nicholas lurked farther into the dark. He turned, faced Jamie, eyes glowing red, and said, “Wait here.”
Jamie watched Nicholas move slowly down the tunnel, the elder gradually shapeshift as he approached the opposite end. Then, a sudden electrical swell followed by voices.
“Who’s down here?” asked an unfamiliar voice. Jamie kept quiet. He shuffled back a little, toward the exit.
“What the hell is that thing doing here?” asked a second.
Suddenly, a growl, a roar, and vampiric hissing filled Jamie’s ears. The screams of the vampires’ human victims were drowned out. The smell of blood grew stronger, permeating the air, as red stream flowed out of the dark, past Jamie’s feet, and into the river.
The ripping flesh, breaking bones, and fountains of blood continued as two vampire heads, fangs exposed, rolled toward the lighted exit.
A human woman, in her early twenties Jamie guessed, looking as if she’d showered in blood and entrails, ran toward Jamie, stopped suddenly by something from behind, holding onto her, keeping the woman from moving forward, the look of excruciating pain painted on her face, then snapped back into the darkness.
Then, past Jamie and out of the tunnel, a vampire bolted, fear on his face like the teen had never seen. Jamie watched the walking dead leap over the water toward a small boat, turn, then jump to shore, his quickened steps clear as he ran away.
Jamie slowly turned around as Nicholas, back to human form, approached, sweeping the blood from around his mouth with his hand like he was wiping extra water away after drinking from a water fountain.
“Who are you?” Jamie asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Another rare smile crept up.
“Gods. Remember? We used to be gods,” Nicholas said, walking past, and back up to the street. Jamie astounded, and slightly scared, followed.
Chapter 11
“They talk about things being rotten in the state of Denmark,” said Ryker, “but my homeland has nothing on Burghausen.” He walked down the great corridor to the Chamber, Annelise’s hand in his.
“It’ll be okay. Go in there, and do what you can. A lot of people are being swayed by Jamie and Nicholas, and now Tsukiko, but many others know the truth. There are some minds, though, you just won’t be able to change no matter what you say. You go in and do the best you can to get the truth out there.”
“She has a lot of pull as a Senator, though. It’ll be difficult to cut through the thick mucus of lies that drips out of her mouth.”
“That’s really gross.” LillyAnna stopped her husband halfway down the hall and turned him to face her. Annelise’s hands ran over her husband’s shoulders and down his arms as she made sure his clothes were neat before he entered the Chamber. “I’ll be in the main courtyard if you need me. Hey, later tonight, we’ll go to Munich and, find and feed on some real low-life’s. It’ll be fun.”
“Promise?”
Her hand reached up behind his neck and, bending him down toward her, kissed his lips. She smiled as he straightened up. He took her hand, kissed it, then she slipped her hand out of his and walked away.
“I’m forever yours,” he said. She turned, gave a wink, and continued outside.
The whisperings and rumblings started spreading through Burghausen almost immediately after Jamie’s phone call. The prevailing fear was that vampires were being targeted by a rogue werewolf. Many thought Landon; others suspected Nicholas.
The meeting called by the Senate to address the issue had already begun by the time Ryker reached the Chamber. Looking not quite his calm, usual self, he approached the center of the floor and gave his proper respects to the Senate members and the Consuls before beginning his defense of Landon and prosecution of Nicholas. This was not an official trial of either werewolf, merely a discussion on further action.
“As we all know,” he began, “a phone call was received by Senate member Tsukiko from Jamie Murphy. It detailed what many of us already suspected—that Nicholas is alive. Jamie also revealed their location to be Savannah, Georgia and gave everyone here a warning regarding Landon and his alleged crimes. I submit to the Senate and our esteemed Consuls, however, that the threat does not stem from Landon, but rather from Nicholas.”
“I must, respectfully, disagree,” said Tsukiko, a svelte, young Japanese woman with red streaks in her midnight black hair. Truly, she was the most beautiful woman in the Senate. “Nicholas has been a faithful servant to the Consuls and friend to the Senate.
He has been such for decades. Yet, a few months ago, he was abandoned by everyone following his departure from Burghausen.
“I would also like to remind everyone that, regarding those events, we have yet to hear Nicholas’s side regarding the entire situation. We have heard only Landon’s who, as we all know, has always followed his own rules. He was never given license to kill criminals. They are supposed to be brought to legal justice, not Landon’s justice. Perhaps they could have been rehabilitated.
“Now, if we pay attention to the message sent by Jamie, we will find that Landon himself is the one who poses the most danger to us. In fact, I have learned that, just last night, a number of vampires were brutally slaughtered in Savannah.” She paused as a wave of whispers washed over the Chamber. “Thankfully, a vampire was able to escape in order to send word about the carnage. While this would seem to indict Nicholas, who is in Savannah, I will ask my fellow Senators and our esteemed Consuls to consider that Landon is at the root of these vampire killings.”
“That is not possible,” said Ryker. “He’s not even in Savannah at this time. And he has saved countless lives, the lives of children, by following not only the Senate’s code, but his own. We may be a company of vampires and werewolves, but this is reality.
Those criminals were not going to be rehabilitated. Landon saved even more lives by killing them.”
“That may be,” said Tsukiko, “but is it not possible that he works not alone, but in tandem with others? I speak specifically of LillyAnna, the woman who loves him, and his father, Allen, who just recently re-entered his son’s life. As we are all aware, Landon has issues with his father which, when added to the stress of realizing Jamie is his son and that he has two other children, one can see how he may be pushed over the edge.”
“Impossible,” said Ryker, growing ever angrier with the accusations and insinuations being hurled at Landon by a Senator. “However, what we once thought impossible seems to have become possible. I speak specifically of Nicholas and his return from the dead. How is it that he lives? How did he survive?”
“You assume too much my dear Ryker,” said Tsukiko. “How do we know that he was dead to begin with? Perhaps he was alive when Landon brought Jamie back to Burghausen, the same teen who went willingly with Nicholas in the first place. Yes, perhaps Nicholas was left for dead by Landon. However, if in fact Nicholas was dead when Landon departed New York, is it not a miracle that we have all witnessed?”
“Yes,” said Ryker, “everyone here has bore witness to numerous miracles over the centuries, but I don’t think that Nicholas’s rising from the dead is one of them. You read the same report we all did regarding the situation in New York.”
“Yes, I did read the report—the one written by Landon. As I said earlier, we’ve yet to hear Nicholas’s side. Let us also remember that Nicholas is the one that has kept Landon’s children safe, and they are in fact en route to us as we s
peak. Why would Nicholas and Jamie feel the need to protect the children from Landon, go to the lengths they have to keep them from him? Perhaps Landon is an even greater threat to his own bloodline.”
Seamus, sensing the rising tension, raised his hand. “Both of you have offered much support regarding your respective argument. However, it is the decision of the Consuls to take no action at this time, but rather wait for further developments that may aid in the process of making an informed decision regarding these grave matters. We thank you, Ryker, for your attendance today. You are excused.” Leaving the Chamber, the blond, Danish vampire heard the Senate shuffle to their respective exits. Before the heavy, gilded doors closed behind him, Tsukiko rounded the corner and pulled him to a secluded spot in the corridor.
“Ryker, our great Danish vamp, speak with me for a moment.” Her hand ran down his bare arm. “I understand your affection for, and loyalty to, your friend. It’s quite admirable.” She looked over her shoulder at the Chamber guards. “Won’t you escort me to my room, so that we may speak further? In private?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” asked Ryker, Tsukiko’s hand now running over his shoulder as she circled him, a shark circling its meal. “I must respectfully decline, for I am not one of your many admirers.”
“Oh, my dear Dane,” she said, rounding him, her perfect breasts sliding across his back, nipples hardened. “We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, whatever you want.
It can be as boring as you like, maybe that’s what you’re used to, or,” she leaned into his ear, whispering, “we can fuck like animals. Well…one of us can anyway. Why fight?
Wouldn’t it be best if we…came together?”
Ryker noticed Connor sitting down the hall, book in hand. The Once and Future King, Ryker made out. Using his mental powers, the Dane suddenly closed the book.
Surprised, Connor looked up and Ryker’s glacier blue eyes met his. With a quick glance toward the door nearest the teen vampire, Ryker sent Connor on an errand.
“I worry about men who have tasted only one fruit their entire lives—especially when those lives stretch hundreds of years,” Tsukiko continued.
“You’re a real piece of work, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea.”
Seconds later, Connor returned, followed closely by Annelise, who quickly passed him when she saw another woman fawning over her husband. Especially this woman.
“Get your fucking hands off him,” Annelise said, eyes locked onto Tsukiko, like a fighter pilot approaching her target. “You need to heel. You wanna lay your hands on someone, trying laying them on me.”
“Back up, honey,” Tsukiko said, taking a step back. “You don’t want to go here.”
“Oh, no. I think I do.” Annelise thrust her hands out as she reached her destination, bearing down on the werewolf Senator, knocking her back and into a fourteenth century Ming vase, tipping it. Moving with blinding speed, Ryker snatched the artifact out of its freefall and restored it to its rightful place.
“That’s enough, babe,” he said. “It’s time to go.” He grabbed Annelise’s arm, pulling her away from Tsukiko.
“Fine! Besides, I got a call while you were in there I need to tell you about,” Annelise said to her husband. Ryker felt her hand stretch around to his back as she traced the letter ‘B’ on his suit. Suddenly, she turned back toward the Japanese werewolf. “This isn’t over.”
Ryker jerked his wife, and escorted her down the hall toward the exit.
“No,” Ryker heard Tsukiko say as he looked over his shoulder at her, seeing her eyes fade from red to brown. “It isn’t.”
Chapter 12
“I’m starving,” said LillyAnna, waking up in the front passenger seat of the rental car.
“We’ll find something soon,” Allen said, as the car pulled into Savannah just before sunrise. “There’s gotta be something open. Landon, son, we haven’t eaten since we left Louisville.”
“I know. I haven’t thought about much of anything, even food, other than Nicholas and other things. Ryker called earlier and said the children had been released and were on their way to Germany. He also said that Burghausen is starting to split sides.
Still, we need to find Jamie and Nicholas. But you’re right, we need to eat. I’ll pull off at the next place we see.
“About the kids. The twins I mean. They’ve been having some issues at home and school.”
“I remember you mentioning that on the phone with their school. I asked about it, but you didn’t want to talk. What kind of issues?”
“Liam is having accidents, if you know what I mean. Enough that they seem to be on purpose. And Mara is won’t talk at school. The only time she will say anything is when she gets angry if anyone gets near Liam. I’ve tried to talk to them about things, but I’m not getting anywhere.”
“They’re in counseling, right?” asked LillyAnna.
“No.”
“No? Why aren’t they? They were kidnapped, lost their mother, thrust into your life and told you were their father, started at a new school, which in itself can be traumatic, and now they’ve been taken again. Add to that list what’s going to happen when they find out their werewolves after years dealing with the other issues without help. You think Jamie’s got problems. When we get them back, you need to stabilize their lives as much as possible. They need counseling.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take care of that when I get them back home.”
“I’m not so sure they should go back to Louisville, son. I think you and them should stay at Burghausen. Where it’s always safe. Plus, they’ll be in a better environment when the change does happen.”
“I’ll think about it.” Landon noticed a lighted sign coming up on his right.
Pulling into the first restaurant they found, a Waffle House, the three werewolves entered and sat at a table. Filling the air, along with the smell of bacon and syrup, was Gladys Knight and the Pips. All three werewolves looked at each other as Midnight Train to Georgia played. Then they noticed an electrical current in the air.
“Who do you think it is?” asked LillyAnna as all three surveyed the restaurant.
“Don’t know,” said Allen. “Could be anyone.”
A pretty waitress approached, pulling a pen and small notebook out of her apron.
“Get ya’ll something?” she asked, in a deep Southern drawl.
“Yes, I’d like 3 poached eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and orange juice,” said LillyAnna.
“Yes, ma’am,” began Allen, “I’d like the T-bone and eggs, with Texas biscuits, no jelly, and tomatoes.”
“How’d you want those eggs cooked, darlin’?”
“Scrambled. And some coffee, black. And, if you don’t mind, I’d like to throw a chili cheese omelet in there.”
“No problem, honey. ‘Bout you, sugar?” she asked Landon.
“I’m gonna walk around and find a seat somewhere else.” He noticed the waitress give him, then the others, a curious look. “It’s okay. Just got a lot on my mind.”
“Suit yourself, honey.” The waitress gathered the menus and headed to the kitchen.
“I do love Savannah,” Allen said.
Landon excused himself again and, slipping around the tables in the eatery, settled at the counter. A sudden electrical charge ran through his body as the man working the counter approached.
“What can I get you, buddy?”
“Bacon. Lots of it. And Coke. You’re a vampire,” he said, matter of factly, squinting his eyes like he was saying gotcha.
The Waffle House employee looked around, surveying all the patrons’ faces.
“Yes, I am. I’d like to keep it quiet, though. You must be a werewolf.” Landon nodded. He read the man’s name tag—Frank.
“Bacon, huh? Nothing else?”
Landon shook his head.
“Alright.” He sent the order back to the kitchen. “You look like a man with a lot on his mind,” he said, turning back around to Landon.
Another nod of Landon’s head.
“This isn’t exactly the kind of establishment where you talk about your problems, you know what I mean?” said Landon. “I don’t see any liquor bottles around.”
“You have to have liquor to talk about your problems. If that’s how it is, I’d say liquor is your problem.”
“No. I have no problem at all with drinking it.” Landon smiled, impressed with his own wit, as Frank set a Coke in front of his customer.
The kitchen bell rang and Frank grabbed a plate with an excessive mound of bacon. “I’ve never seen any creature on God’s green Earth eat as much meat as you werewolves do. So, you gonna tell me what’s up?” Landon looked at Frank, munched on some bacon, and said, “What the hell.” He spent the next thirty minutes recounting everything related to his father, LillyAnna, and his children. The psedo-bartender listened intently, never taking his eyes off the werewolf.
“Buddy, you gotta let that shit go,” Frank said when Landon had finished. “I mean, anyone carrying all that baggage needs to let it go anyway, but you especially.
Normal people hold on to that shit for years, but you, you’re going to live decades beyond them. And you want to have that garbage on your back all that time? That them sitting over there, looking here?” he asked, nodding toward Allen and LillyAnna.
“Yeah.”
“Man, she’s something else. Real pretty, that one. And, not everyone gets a second chance with their dad. There’s a lot of people in this world that would love to have the opportunity you do, but their fathers are long gone. Believe me, I know.” Landon watched his dad get up from table, coughing into his fist, and walk out the door toward the rear of the restaurant. Landon motioned with his eyes for LillyAnna to follow.
“You’re a vampire,” Landon said, turning back around, trying to change the subject. “Why do you work here?”
“Don’t much care for my kind,” said Frank. “Turned not by choice, but it is what it is. Mortals are more interesting. I like the kind of people that come in here during the night shift. Where else am I gonna counsel a werewolf while serving him copious amounts of bacon? Hey, wait a minute. You’re not the fella that killed those vampires the other night up on River Street, are you? Under the Pirates’ House? I may not care for my kind, but I don’t believe in sheer slaughtering, either.” Landon looked up from stirring the crisp bacon around on his plate. “No.” A sudden ringing came from Landon’s pocket, as he saw his dad and LillyAnna walk back in and return to their table. Ryker was on the other end of the phone.
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