The Deamhan male sipped on his wine in small gulps then he smiled. “I have the pleasure of two women.” His body was average and his square face seemed too big for his body. The body of a female with ratted brown hair sat next to him, slouched in her seat with her shredded mini skirt raised high above her hips, showing her red silky underwear. Small puncture wounds covered her neck, arms, and her stomach.
“Just push her onto the floor,” the Deamhan male suggested to Veronica. The limo driver walked around the back end of the limo. He sat in the front seat and started the engine. The male grabbed Veronica’s hand and brought it up to his mouth, kissing it.
“She’s beautiful.” His mouth slightly opened while he gawked at her.
“She’s under my protection,” Selene replied. Veronica jerked forward as the limo proceeded to move. The Deamhan male moved aside, making enough room for Veronica to sit. She had no choice but to sit next to the corpse.
“She must be a piece of work.” He snickered and dropped Veronica’s hand. “Pity.”
“Silvanus, I wouldn’t have your driver drive all the way out here for just a meal.”
“Meal?” He looked at Veronica. “More like a snack to me.”
Selene smiled briefly. “Don’t make me regret inviting you all the way out to Minneapolis for this.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
The limo drove through the front gates of Blind Bluff Manor and continued down the road.
Silvanus pouted. “Italy was getting boring anyway. It’s not like it used to be. I remember when you could get a good, virgin meal for half the price. You’d think the bigger the human population, the more abundant the food.” He reached under his jacket and pulled out a metallic flask. “But they all have diseases, their blood is just dreaded awful and you can’t just toss them in an alley without finding their murder featured on the ten o’clock news.”
“It’s called adapting.”
“Well, the Deamhan in this city sure aren’t adapting. It’s like a Bacchanalia festival every night here with Kei leading the young Deamhan astray . . . poor bastards.” He smiled. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ll take a Bacchanalia festival any day, but not with that inbred throwing the party.” He unscrewed the lid and took a sip. “And I thought the French were bad. Even the blood is horrid here.” His face shriveled at the taste of the liquid.
Veronica had heard about the ancient Roman festival celebrating the god of wine. Adapted from the Greeks and their festival for Dionysus, the festivals had drunken humans, letting go of their humanity, and losing themselves to chaos and free will. It wasn’t her area of expertise, but from Silvanus’ interest in the subject, he appeared to be fond of them.
She remained quiet, watching the two Deamhan in conversation. Like many Deamhan she encountered in her search, she’d never heard of Silvanus until this night.
He placed the flask back into his jacket. “Why can’t I find one poor soul who doesn’t put crap into his or her own blood stream?”
Veronica continued to look out the tinted windows at the darkened scenery. She wanted the car ride to be as quick as possible. The car turned the corner, and the female body fell over just inches away from her feet.
“Get rid of it,” Selene demanded.
Silvanus chuckled and he picked up the body, clumsily placing it on his lap. “Don’t give me the whole ‘I’m an Ancient and I should follow the Dictum’ routine. It gets old.”
Selene sighed. “Just get rid of it.”
Silvanus looked at the body. Without answering, he opened his door and pushed it onto the street. Veronica heard a huge thump as the body hit the ground and rolled onto the pavement. Silvanus closed the door and resumed his comfortable position.
“There. Happy?”
Selene looked back, watching the dead body roll into the bushes on the side of the road. “This isn’t about being happy, Silvanus, this is about following the rules.”
“The Dictum, yes, I know,” Silvanus said while rolling his eyes. “The Dictum . . . everything is about ‘The Dictum’ to you.” He looked back at Veronica. “Excuse Selene, she’s very adamant about our laws. Just like her sire.” He leaned back in his seat, focusing now on Selene. “So, where is Lucius? From what I heard, he hasn’t been seen since his release.”
Selene didn’t answer.
“You lost him? Already?” Silvanus thought for a moment. “You can’t sense him?”
Veronica quickly looked at Selene.
“No.” Selene ignored Veronica’s gaze.
“Do you think he’s dead?” Silvanus quizzed.
“No, I would’ve felt his death,” she quickly replied. “He’s alive, out there.”
“You know, my dear, Lucius is the first known Deamhan to have been freed from Limbo”—Silvanus rubbed his hands together in thought— “there is a good reason that Amenirdis decided to let him go and it wasn’t out of the goodness in her shriveled heart.”
Selene positioned herself on her right side and she gazed out at the scenery. “Whatever the price, I’m willing to pay.”
Silvanus rubbed his hands together in glee. “I can’t wait to see what that price is!” He studied Veronica. “So this human is important to Lucius?”
“Yes,” Selene answered. “Very much so.”
Veronica cleared her throat and decided to speak. “Lucius will be there? At the Congregation?”
“I communicated with him but he didn’t reply,” Selene answered. “I don’t know if he’ll show up.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Silvanus smiled. “No one misses out on a Congregation, and from what I’ve heard, Kei knows how to throw them.” Silvanus sighed in exuberance. “Haven’t been to one of those in centuries.”
“I’m only bringing you because Amenirdis failed to tell you about your mother,” Selene said to Veronica. “If what we know is true, then Kei was the last person to see your mother. I will force the information from him.”
“Not before I get a little private time with him.” Silvanus grabbed onto his lapel triumphantly. “I owe that bastard a beating or two.” He placed his hand on Selene’s thigh.“Indeed, Silvanus.”
“And after I rip his head off and devour his blood, you can thank me later by throwing some praise my way.”
Selene tilted her head. “When Kei is nothing but dust and blood, then we can all rejoice.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
The limo arrived in the warehouse district, located in what once was the thriving center of the city. Extraordinary in their day, the tall, now gutted brick buildings had a history filled with competing businesses, factories and living spaces. Buildings like the one used for Kei’s macabre parties, still had their use.
They exited the limo. Veronica stayed close to Selene, following her to the front door guarded by two large male bodyguards dressed in long, black robes with expressionless masks. The masks resembled the legendary Moai; frozen forever but still guarding their sacred space.
When Silvanus reached the door, one of the bodyguards greeted him by name. However, they stood still with no intention of moving aside.
Selene looked to Silvanus, who smirked. “Out of my way,” she demanded. The bodyguards remained in their position.
“Kei gave strict orders barring you from his Congregation ma’am.”
“You heard her,” Silvanus interrupted the bodyguard. “And I suggest you listen to her and step aside.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but we have to follow Kei’s orders.”
Selene easily pushed the bodyguards aside, showing her brute strength. “Tell him I don’t listen to his orders, especially when they come from the mouths of human bodyguards.”
Veronica waited for the bodyguards’ reactions, but they did nothing. Instead they stared as Selene pushed open the front door and proceeded inside.
“After you,” Silvanus said chivalrously to Veronica.
They walked ahead, seeing a flight of stairs leading to a lower level. They reached the bottom platform a
nd two more human bodyguards also wearing masks, stood in front of another door. They didn’t question Selene, nor did they say anything. They voluntarily stepped aside and opened the door allowing them to walk through.
Bright flashing lights blinded them, giving Veronica only seconds to adjust her eyes. The room, filled with Deamhan socializing and loud, thumping music, filled the once gutted out space in the basement of the building. The smell of dampness, clove cigarettes, and cologne filled the air. Bright purple, white and red couches packed with seated Deamhan, dressed extravagantly, lined the peeled and chipped paint walls. Chandeliers and numerous disco balls hung from the ceiling, along with flashing strobe lights. The packed dance floor soon filled with the onset of a new song.
“Wow, this is a change,” Silvanus said to Selene.
“This is his doing,” Selene muttered.
“Oh, live a little, Selene. You can at least pretend to fit in.”
“I don’t want to pretend,” she replied, her voice filled with anger.
They walked through the crowd. Veronica made every effort to stay as close to them as possible. They approached a long table, covered in black satin positioned on a black stage. Two chalices sat on the opposite ends of the table, and she saw three huge wooden chairs, decorated with blue, red, and black jewels. One chair, bigger than the rest, caught Veronica’s attention. Kei sat there probably, to bask in his immoral debauchery. But who else was allowed to sit at the table?
Veronica froze in her steps, horrified at what she saw ahead of her.
A grotesque set up of five naked men hung a couple of feet in the air over a huge cauldron. A rope fastened to a large metal hook was wrapped around their wrists. Around the cauldron five more naked female victims with their mouths gagged and their wrists tied, sat on the floor. Veronica covered her mouth in shock and turned away, hearing their muffled cries and moans. A part of her wanted to run, to find help. She forced her body to turn back around.
“Stay calm,” Selene whispered to her.
Her suggestion seemed ill. Veronica couldn’t understand how she could remain calm while staring at something this barbaric. She wanted to help but she couldn’t risk it. She wiped her face, clearing out any hint that was distressing and she placed the victims out of her mind.
A Deamhan woman and man holding hands approached Selene. “What a nice specimen.” The woman’s eyes danced at Veronica’s appearance. “Is she yours for the evening or are you going to share?”
Veronica moved behind Selene in an attempt to hide her from the Deamhan’s prying eyes.
Selene’s eyes fiercely locked onto the two Deamhan. “Choose your next words wisely.”
The couple looked at each other and the male laughed. “Excuse us, then. You could’ve just said no.”
Selene immediately reached out, grabbing the male by his neck. In a quick blur, Silvanus jumped onto the female.
Veronica found their accelerated speed to be confounding and horrid; something she could never get used to. Silvanus had the female by the neck and he pinned her to the floor. She hissed and squirmed, showing sharp Ramanga fangs. Silvanus looked up at Veronica, smiling with his eyes widening in a cold, hungry stare and his fangs protruding in a wrathful angle.
Selene also had the male pinned to the ground. “I am Selene, offspring of Lucius, and an Ancient. You Deamhan show no respect.”
The male retracted his fangs and his eyes widened.
“And I am Silvanus, offspring of Anora and also an Ancient. But I don’t really care about your respect. ” He violently sunk his teeth into the soft tissue of the female’s neck and he closed his eyes as he began to drink, suckling like a baby feeding from its mother’s breast. The woman’s quivering ceased slowly, coming to a final stop as the sucking paralyzed her. After he finished her off, Silvanus licked the excess blood from his lips and motioned for Selene to release the male. Selene released his grip and the male tried to crawl away, but in moments, Silvanus was on top of him and he sank his teeth into his neck. He finished his meal and stood up, wiping a small trail of blood sliding down the corner of his mouth. Their act went unnoticed.
“You aren’t hungry?” Silvanus looked back at Selene.
“No,” she answered calmly.
Veronica felt herself wanting to vomit. Silvanus regained his posture and stared at her. His skin tone slowly turned from pale to a darker shade as the fresh Deamhan blood worked its way through his veins. The two bodies slowly began to dissipate, turning into an outline of brown sand and finally into a pile of dust and blood.
“Did you have to kill them?” Veronica somehow found the nerve and bravery to ask.
Silvanus smiled. “No.”
“His scent was all around them,” a voice behind them stated. They turned around to see Lambert dressed in a bright white dress suit and black silk tie with polished shoes that gleamed under the falsified lights. His appearance rocked Veronica who’d thought she’d seen the last of him when she left Dark Sepulcher a while ago.
“They smelled like Kei.” Lambert looked at Selene. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Selene.”
“Yes, they smelled like him.”
Lambert looked at Veronica. “Veronica, happy that you were able to make it.” He held a chalice in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” Veronica asked, straightening her posture.
“I invited him,” Selene answered. She stepped closer to Lambert. She was taller than him, yet her presence did little to intimidate him.
He smiled, unbothered by her threatening stance. “Yes, Selene and I go way back. Plus I couldn’t miss this for the world.”
Silvanus held out his hand to Lambert. “We haven’t formally been introduced, vampire.”
“And tonight is no different.” Lambert turned around and slyly walked away.
Silvanus stared at his hand. “Vampires can be so supercilious.”
“Yes we can.” Lambert looked over his shoulder. “However, we can also be helpful.” He walked onto the stage and stood in front of the long table.
They followed him cautiously and Silvanus walked around the table, examining one of the two chalices on it. He slowly seated himself in a chair and peered into the chalice, smiling. “Very comfy,” he said, squirming around in the chair. He looked out to the dance floor. “This is a nice view.”
“But this is a better view.” Lambert pointed to the cauldron spectacle Veronica saw earlier.
Silvanus looked at the human victims. “I have to agree with you. That is a better view.” He picked up his chalice in rejoice and placed it back on the table.
Veronica turned around, staring at the crowds of Deamhan enjoying their environment. She sensed Selene’s agitation. She didn’t care for anything mildly associated with Kei. To Selene, this wasn’t what the Deamhan were about. The modern, out in the open, careless environment wasn’t what the older Deamhan like Lucius, Silvanus, and Selene wanted.
“I didn’t invite you here to gloat about the best views, Lambert.” Selene placed her hands on her hips.
“Yes, yes.” Lambert waved her worries away with a flick of his wrist. “My vampires are outside, waiting on my command. All you have to do is tell me when.”
The music died down and the crowd began to hush.
“Come with me.” Selene gripped Veronica by her arm and she led her off the stage and to the side with Silvanus following behind them. It grew quiet in the large room. The human victims silenced their cries. Suddenly a door creaked open from the far back of the room and footsteps approached the crowd in an eerie silence.
Throughout the crowd the name “Kei” floated in the air like an arcane name. Veronica looked back at Selene, who remained stern and unmoved by the crowd’s actions.
Veronica unfolded her arms and began to rub her fingers into her sweaty palms. A weird image of what Kei looked like flashed in her mind. He had to be tall, broody, and unafraid. He had to have a stare that could gaze through her soul. She heard the faint footsteps coming from behind t
he stage, and she turned to look at the Deamhan who last saw her mother alive.
A man of average stature casually walked toward the table. He wasn’t lavishly dressed like many of his attendees. Instead he wore a black leather jacket with blue jeans and a faded white shirt. His greasy, brown hair was slicked back; his jaw round, and his sunken eyes accentuated his prominent brow. He held a half-smoked cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other.
His appearance caught everyone by surprise, even Selene, who remained still yet alert. To Veronica, Kei didn’t represent the image of someone who could take down Lucius. He looked assimilated into human culture and society; like an anti-Deamhan representation. Kei inhaled his cigarette and took a sip from his beer. He gulped the last of it and crunched the can, tossing it over his shoulder. The clinking noise of it hitting the floor acted like the bell, beginning round one in what was to be the fight for control of the city.
Kei raised his hands and everyone in the room went quiet. His display of control was unfathomable.
“Welcome,” he said in a loud, commanding voice. The crowd repeated their welcome back to him. He glanced at everyone in the room before he climbed the stairs onto the stage. He slowly walked over to the jeweled chair and he sat, kicking his feet onto the table. He inhaled and flicked the ash of his cigarette onto the floor.
“I have to find better bodyguards.” His steel cold eyes turned to Selene and Silvanus. “And you brought that?” He pointed at Veronica. Veronica felt the piercing glare of the crowd and she slightly turned her head to look behind her, nervous that at any moment a Deamhan would rush from the crowd to attack her.
“It’s been decades, Kei,” Selene said.
“Not long enough,” he replied back. “Why are you here anyway? I don’t remember inviting you.”
The eerie silence of the crowd became more uncomfortable by the minute. Veronica gulped and closed her eyes. She felt the tingling sensation start in her head and she immediately reopened her mind. He tried to read her. This time she had no intention of hiding her thoughts from anyone.
Deamhan Page 27