I sat to the left of Lorcan, Penelope sat beside me, and Father sat directly across from me. Madeline held Varak and sat beside Father.
An elegantly dressed manservant came to the table with a bottle of wine. Lorcan smiled at us while the man filled our glasses.
“This wine comes from my vineyards. I do hope you find the taste to your liking,” he said. When all our glasses were filled, he lifted his glass to toast, and being polite, we did the same. “A toast! To possibilities.”
I sipped the wine. It tasted sweet with the hint of a nutty flavor.
Lorcan set down his wine goblet and glanced at me. The skin on his face was tight, drawn in. For those who noticed this first, they’d be disturbed by his appearance, but I doubted anyone that made eye contact with him ever noticed his corpselike appearance. His striking blue eyes were piercing, almost icy white. A person’s gaze was immediately drawn to them, which made them susceptible to his glamour. Fortunately, I didn’t succumb to his charm.
He waved his hand toward the food on the table. “Please, help yourselves.”
A roasted pheasant rested on a large plate with all types of side dishes and breads neatly placed around the bird. Everyone glanced nervously toward me for approval, or perhaps more their concern on whether eating the food was safe. Since I hadn’t perceived any malice from Lorcan yet, I took one of the bird’s legs and a piece of bread, placing them upon my plate.
After I took several bites, the others began putting food onto their plates.
Lorcan leaned toward me. “I trust that your journey through the Black Forest thus far has been a pleasant one?”
“Other than the heavy snow,” I replied.
Lorcan laughed softly. “Ah, I’m afraid I have no control over that. How are you liking your stay at my castle?”
I offered a cordial smile, still concerned about being this close to a vampire and not having a weapon. “It’s been nice so far.”
“I sense your apprehension, Hunter. Relax. You wonder whether this hospitality is genuine or short-lived. I understand. But I assure you, this invitation comes with no strings attached.”
Father frowned. “What exactly has no strings attached?”
Lorcan pursed his lips and forced a smile, glancing toward Father. He was annoyed by my father’s interruption. “I have need of your son’s services, which is a matter he and I need to discuss since he is the Hunter.”
Normally, Father found offense in being considered less a vampire hunter than I, but he didn’t seem to acknowledge the snide insult. “A vampire hiring a Hunter to kill another vampire?”
Lorcan’s jaw tightened.
“Father, please.”
Father shook his head and turned his attention to the food. “My apologies. And my compliments to your cook. Excellent food.”
“Duly noted,” Lorcan said. He turned toward me again.
“Is that what you’re doing? Hiring me to kill another vampire?” I asked.
“It is an offer I’d like for you to consider. As I said, you may refuse to slay this vampire and be on your way in the morning without fear of any repercussions.”
“Why have you chosen me? Certainly other Hunters have passed this way.”
“Indeed they have, Forrest, but none have shown the integrity that you’ve displayed.”
“And how did you learn of me?” I asked, tearing a piece of bread in half and dipping it into the wine sauce.
Lorcan smiled and folded his hands in a prayer-like manner. “We’ve visited, you and I, but on a different plane. I know you’ve sensed my presence.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, and why have you invaded my dreams? How have you done so?”
“I simply wished to learn more about you. Few Hunters have the ability to kill so many masters in such a short amount of time like you have. Of course, you should know that this would capture the attention of other vampires, especially that of other master vampires.”
“Like yourself?”
He feigned a smile. “I’d be a fool if I didn’t keep my best interests at heart, would I not? Learning of your success against three powerful masters stirred me with concern, as it has throughout the entire undead realm. You’ve caused a ripple-effect, which shall not go unnoticed, so I’d rather befriend you than find myself on the wrong side of your stake.”
I suppressed my laughter. He’d always be an enemy to me regardless. I refused to ever entertain the friendship of any vampire. I’d never allow myself to trust one. I had already seen the spite of masters and those had held no compassion toward others, and apparently not for their own kind if Lorcan was truly seeking to hire me to slay another vampire.
I chewed the bread, took a sip of the wine, and swallowed. “Tell me about this vampire you wish to have slain, and better yet, why do you seek his death? Can’t you kill him?”
Lorcan eased to the side his chair, stuck his elbow on the armrest, and rested his chin atop his fist. “Diplomacy has its downsides amongst ruling vampires, Forrest. A master vampire who rips the head off a rival ruling vampire tends to lose favor with the great vampire council. In case you’re unaware of the family that rules over the council, they are the upper echelon, those directly descended from Count Dracula himself.”
“As I have understood,” I replied, “Dracula’s descendants have more to trouble themselves over than minor skirmishes like yours.”
Lorcan’s eyes narrowed. “And how would you know of such things?”
“Even vampires are known to namedrop when they’re faced with death, thinking they’ll strike fear into my heart and cause me to reconsider.”
Lorcan leaned back in his seat and laughed. “So you don’t negotiate?”
I stared into his eyes, unflinching. “With a vampire, never.”
His laughter and smile ceased. He studied me for several moments. “I see. Does that limit you killing this other vampire for me then? As I said, you’re free to decline my offer.”
“You’ve yet given me a reason for why you view this master as a threat.”
Lorcan smiled evenly. “He has plotted to kill my family members. More specifically, my children.”
I nodded toward the six paintings on the wall. “I suppose these are they?”
Father turned and looked over his shoulder. His cheek was puffed with a hunk of bread. “Nice family.”
Lorcan nodded. “Yes. My children.”
“He has made attempts?”
“Yes.”
“What are his reasons for doing so?”
“Territorial rights,” Lorcan replied.
I frowned.
“By government treaties set by the Vlad’s vampire council, the mountains of the Black Forest were deeded to me. Ambrose, the other master, does not like that I have six children and view them as a greater threat than myself.”
“Why is that?” Father asked with a full mouth.
Lorcan’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t bother looking in my father’s direction. I simply shook my head at Father.
“Why does this Ambrose view them as a threat if the territory has already been deeded to you? And does that imply you rule over the human governments or are you the overseer?” I asked.
“I’m the overseer, but since I have six children, I can place them into prominent positions throughout the Black Forest,” Lorcan replied. “Doing so prevents Ambrose from trying to infiltrate my lands with lesser vampires of his own.”
“And where are your children now?”
Lorcan smiled. “They reside in this old castle with me. Until Ambrose has been … slain, I cannot establish their rightful places in the mountains. I had wanted them to dine with us tonight, but I thought that might be too daunting for all of you.”
I gave a shrug and looked again at their pictures on the wall. Each woman was beautiful. Their eyes held intense confidence, and their smiles curled with tinges of mischief. The three men had stern gazes that could make a brave man cower. Their chiseled facial features displayed the coldness of the
ir hearts. These men could be ruthless once they resided over an area of the Black Forest. They probably already were. Whoever the artist was, he or she had captured the essence of Lorcan’s children.
“Where does Ambrose reside?” I asked.
“Schaffhausen, Switzerland.”
“Is that his assigned territory?”
Lorcan nodded.
“And why is it not satisfactory to him?”
“It should be,” he replied. “Splendid city. A fantastic place, but for whatever reason, he covets being farther north and wishes to settle within my forest.”
“Have you not spoken with him? Offered a meeting to resolve the dispute?”
“We’ve exchanged letters, which is a painfully slow process, but we’ve never met in person.”
“Then how do you know he wishes to have your children slain?”
“There have been attempts on each of them during this past year,” Lorcan said softly. “Usually at banquets and balls with other esteemed rulers.”
“How do you know it is Ambrose?”
Lorcan glanced toward Penelope and smiled. She looked away. “We captured each would-be slayer, compelled them, and they told us who had hired them.”
“Other Hunters?”
Lorcan grinned and glanced toward my father. “No. He’s not that resourceful. Common folks who think they are capable of killing vampires and nearly get themselves killed for attempting it.” He glanced back to me. “I realize it is unorthodox for me to hire a Hunter to kill another vampire, but when it comes to protecting my children and preventing the wrath of the council from raining down upon me for taking the law into my own hands, I cannot find a greater ally than a Hunter.”
Penelope slipped her hand under the table and squeezed my leg. I looked at her and she subtly shook her head.
“You have something you wish to contribute?” Lorcan asked her.
“I’m curious as to what your reward is?”
“Fair enough. One thousand gold marks.”
Father’s fork dropped from his hand and clattered against his plate. His eyes widened, and he coughed to prevent choking on whatever he had been trying to swallow. He pounded his chest with his fist a couple of times. His face reddened and tears moistened his eyes. He gave me a stern look that indicated that I should accept the offer.
“That’s not enough?” Lorcan asked, giving Father an amused smile.
Father tried to clear his throat, but it was too scratchy for him to speak. He waved his hand, shook his head, and sipped the wine but still declined an answer.
Lorcan turned toward me. “Is that not a fair enough offer?”
I held no emotion on my face. I took a sip of wine and set down the goblet. “Might I inform you of my decision in the morning? Before we could even accept, we have to meet the archbishop in Freiburg.”
He offered a courteous smile. “Of course. Again, there’s no threat if you decide not to accept the offer. I will simply have to look for another Hunter.”
“If you wish me to consider your offer, I have one stipulation.”
Lorcan’s brow rose. “And what is that, Hunter?”
“Stop your attempted intrusions into my mind while I sleep,” I said evenly.
He held a smirk for several moments. “Attempted?”
“Any further attempts at all whether I’m awake or sleeping,” I replied, “and I will not entertain your offer, and instead, regard you as a hostile enemy.”
“You have my word,” Lorcan said through gritted teeth.
I stood. “Thank you for extending your hospitality to us.”
He rose as well. “Indeed, Hunter, this conversation has been quite … informative.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When we returned to our room and closed the door, Father shook his head in disbelief. He was panting from exhilaration, not exhaustion. “You need to think about this offer, Forrest?”
“Of course,” I replied. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“One thousand gold marks,” he replied. “That’s more than you and I could earn over the rest of our lifetimes.”
“That’s a huge exaggeration, Father. But we don’t know that he’s telling the truth,” I whispered.
“Forrest’s right,” Penelope said. “We don’t know.”
I stood as close to them as possible. Speaking in whispers didn’t guarantee the vampires couldn’t hear us. Their magnified hearing was capable of eavesdropping for quite some distance. Besides that, most castles had hidden passageways, and as old as this one was, it was possible for someone to be listening on the other side of our walls where we couldn’t see or detect them.
“We have another issue to consider,” I whispered.
“What?” Father asked in a hushed tone.
“We’re not dealing with just one vampire. There are seven. We are outnumbered. Even with our best weapons, should they turn on us, we’re dead.”
Father frowned. “You suspect he might do that? Don’t you think his offer is legitimate?”
I shrugged. “He doesn’t seem to be lying. I believe he genuinely wants Ambrose slain, but we cannot ignore the possibility of being attacked or killed by them.”
“For the amount of money he’s offering—”
“Look, Father, even if we are successful slaying Ambrose, who’s to say Lorcan won’t kill us when we return to collect his reward?”
Thomas sat on the edge of a cot and cleared his throat. His complexion was pasty pale. “Whatever you decide, Forrest, my journey ends when we reach Freiburg and you hand the child over to the Archdiocese, provided no additional plague demons arise and kill me.”
I nodded. “I have no issue with that. Your obligation ends there.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“No need to be. We appreciate your services thus far.”
“Albert never gave me any other choice.”
I smiled. “Everyone has a choice. Action or inaction. You chose to act in order to survive, and we’ve chosen to protect you.”
He offered a humble smile. “We’ve not reached Freiburg yet.”
“Penelope and I will do all we can to ensure that we do.”
She smiled at Thomas. “We will.”
Frustrated, Father paced the floor. “Do you realize how much that money could help us? How long it would last?”
I’d never known my father to be greedy, but he wanted that money more than his next breath. We had always had a modest lifestyle. Things were lean at times, but no different than it had been for most other families in Romania. Poverty was rampant. People fought for survival, sometimes going a few days without eating a meal. One thousand gold marks was an extremely large amount of money for us. I understood that, but it put a strange glint in his eyes, worse than when he had fought his cravings against consuming strong drinks.
“The money issue is secondhand, Father. Everything else needs to be weighted.”
“Son—”
“You and Jacques were the ones who hammered it into my head about not making hasty decisions, remember?”
He nodded.
“You were both right. If we go after Ambrose strictly because of greed, we’re dead. A dead man cannot spend a thousand gold marks or even one. Money does a corpse no good at all,” I said.
“Unless you’re Lorcan,” Penelope said with a wide grin.
“You know what my point is,” I replied.
She nodded. “I know. Just trying to lessen the tension.”
“Money should never be the main objective. Slaying the vampire and learning as much about him or her is what needs to be first on our minds. We need to calculate the risks and ensure we know where his lair is.”
Father sat in a cushioned chair with a slight grin. “You’re talking like you want to slay him?”
I sighed. “It’s my obligation as a Hunter to rid the world of all vampires.”
Penelope eased close and whispered, “Even Lorcan and his children?”
I nodded. “It’
s late. Everyone needs to get some sleep. I’ll stand watch until morning.”
“You need your sleep, too,” she said.
“I’ll sleep in the coach when we depart tomorrow morning. Someone needs to remain awake throughout the night.”
I retrieved my Hunter box from near the door and set it on a reading table. I lay several sharp stakes beside the box for easy access. I placed several bottles of garlic juice on another table. I had two bottles of holy water left, which wasn’t a lot when I faced the possibility of fighting seven vampires. Once we reached Freiburg, I needed to restock.
***
Morning came without incident or confrontation. I never detected one sound in the outer hallways or behind any of our walls. While I had sat and waited, expecting the worst from Lorcan, my mind entertained the idea of what Penelope had suggested. Were all vampires pure evil? Was it unfair and unjust for me to place them all into the same category?
Hunters weren’t given any guidelines. There wasn’t a manual filled with commandments, at least none I had found. We had Hunter’s instinct and intuition, but nowhere was it explicitly written that vampires were necessarily evil. Of course my first confrontation with Baron Randolph had left me with the impression that all vampires were self-serving, vain, and merciless. Then the next few reinforced those attributes. This prejudiced me to believe no vampire was capable of compassion or mercy.
Even one night’s thoughts concerning the true nature of vampires didn’t dissuade my self-proclaimed credo. They were vile creatures of darkness, soulless, and doomed for eternity. Perhaps they despised mortals because those of us who believed in an afterlife held to the hope they’d never have again. Who truly understood what fractured in their minds after they turned into vampires? The transformation affected their entire beings. Over time, most people’s minds deteriorated somewhat, and as I had noted with Philip, who was a Hunter and not a vampire, there was an actual threat to mankind whenever a mentally deranged person became a vampire. Although it was merely speculation on my part, I believed Philip had absorbed the mental inclinations of one of these lunatics. He no longer possessed rationality. But when it came to Varak, neither had I.
Forrest Wollinsky: Predestined Crossroads (Forrest Wollinsky: Vampire Hunter Book 3) Page 16