Monochrome Interview

by May Freighter

  Abigail groaned. The world around her spun.

  A group of people came out of the treeline, and the last thing she saw before darkness ate away her vision was strawberry-blonde hair.

  With a groan, Abigail lifted her heavy head. Her stomach protested by making her nauseated. When she managed to push back her discomfort, she scanned the room she was in. Thankfully, the energy saving bulb was on, bathing the interior orange. It was a cramped space with no windows and an old radiator protruding from the far wall. Beyond that, she noted some cleaning supplies and rags.

  “You’re awake?” Glen whispered, making her jump in the chair she was tied to.

  The strong rope around her body was tied too tightly for her to wriggle out. Whoever had them restrained had to be into bondage. She would recognise those complicated rope techniques anywhere after doing an article about the local BDSM communities in Dublin.

  “Where are we?” she whispered back.

  “Possibly a hunter site they use for questioning.”

  “By questioning, do you mean torture?”

  He sighed. “Yes and not the sexy kind.”

  She bit her lip, struggling to loosen her restraints. It did nothing short of making her breathing more strained as the rope squeezed her chest. “Why would they want to question us?”

  “Since we are not dead like those men at the club, I guess they believe we may be useful. If you can, stall for as long as possible. The more they think you know, the higher the chances we will live long enough for someone to notice we’re gone.”

  Her voice shook as she said, “What if we don’t make it out of here?”

  “Let’s think positively for now, okay?”

  Hearing his weak reassurances didn’t help. She was stuck God-knows-where with an incubus and dirty mops. With Alexander unreachable, who knows if he was going to look for her at all? She wasn’t banking on that horse. They needed to think of a way out.

  The door unlocked, and a smirking girl from the airport’s car park shooting—Laura—stood in the doorway.

  “Good morning, Ms Greene.”

  “How do you know my name?” Abigail snapped.

  “We know a lot about you. Your father is sick with liver cancer, and you work hard to pay the hospital bills, which is why you went to a vampire called Alexander for help.”

  “I don’t know what you’re—”

  Laura sighed, cutting her off. “Because of you, two of our hunters are missing. They’re presumed dead, of course. And, if they are, we will exact justice on the ones who killed them. To help yourself, tell me where Alexander’s lair is.”

  Abigail glared at her. “Or what? You’ll torture me?”

  “I want you to understand something,” Laura said, moving to stand in front of Abigail. She caught Abigail’s chin, lifting it upwards. “Alexander killed my parents without remorse or a second thought. I’ve already taken care of the others responsible for their death. He is the only one left on my personal list. So, why is it that you—a good, loving daughter—can’t understand my pain? Wouldn’t you want to destroy those who murdered your father?”

  “You’re crazy. Alexander wouldn’t kill someone without a reason.”

  Laura took out her phone and played back a recording. Another girl’s shaken voice came through a small speaker. “Hey Laura, this is Helena… I—I’ve got something to tell you. Your parents, they—” Helena’s voice cracked as she stifled a sob. “They’re dead…at the apartment. It was—No. We didn’t know it was them until it was too late. I’m sorry. I’m—”

  Ending the playback, Laura eyed Abigail’s reaction. “Alexander was there that night. He was responsible for the death of my parents. Don’t you understand?”

  “I do, but she said nothing about him being there. He could be innocent in all of this.”

  Laura snorted, releasing Abigail’s face from her hold. “You’re more gullible than I thought. He’s a killer like the rest of his kind.”

  “How are you any different?” Glen questioned, turning his head. “You killed those men at the club.”

  “They were mercenaries serving whoever pays more. They have no backbone to stand up and fight against the disease that plagues our world.” Laura circled them, stopping in front of Glen.

  At that angle, it was hard for Abigail to see anything since her head couldn’t turn that way.

  Abigail heard Glen groaning, and Laura added, “You are no vampire. You don’t heal or react to silver like they do. We have also done a mercury test on you which was negative. There are many other possibilities of what you could be. Why not come out and say it straight to my face, monster?”

  Glen chuckled. “I’ve no intention of telling you anything, kid. I thought the one to lead the Tarantula Clan would be someone more experienced in the field.”

  Abigail’s heart raced in her chest as she waited for Laura’s response. Will she hurt Glen? Are we going to die here? Her mind was in disarray from the possibilities.

  A bitter laugh escaped Laura. She returned to stand next to Abigail. “You have one hour, Ms Greene, before things start to get painful. Consider giving Alexander up. It would save you a limb or two.” With a parting wave, the huntress left the room.

  “Are you alright?” Abigail called over her shoulder.

  “Yeah, it’s only a scratch,” he replied in a strained voice.

  She frowned. “It doesn’t sound like a scratch.”

  “I will heal once I feed. I haven’t done that in the past week to keep a low profile.”

  “Do you drink blood to get life energy?”

  “No,” he replied. “I get it when I’m touching people. The more intimate the touch, the better.”

  “Oh…” She swallowed. Since he was the only one here who possessed the strength to break them out, she shifted her chair enough to see the back of his head. “Can you get us out of here if you feed?”

  He went quiet for a long moment.

  “Glen?”

  “I’m unsure. I could remove these restraints, but I’ve no idea what awaits us on the other side of that door. It could be a single hunter or a dozen. And, believe me, there is a difference.”

  “What about super speed or hearing heartbeats?” she asked, growing frustrated.

  “All vampire traits. We are stronger, better looking than normal mortals, and live longer because of the life energy we consume. Our demonic ancestry forces us to live like that.”

  She sighed. “So, what? You’re just a buff gym hunk?”

  “You could put it like that, yes.”

  “Brilliant,” she grumbled. In the end, he was the best way she had out of this place. Turning in her seat until the ropes cut into her chest and stomach, she said, “Feed on me.”

  “Abigail, we can’t be sure of what’s out there. I don’t know if I can guarantee our escape.”

  “Isn’t it better we try something before she comes back?” He didn’t respond, so she continued, “Yes, it is, Glen.”

  He bent his neck backwards until their noses were almost brushing. “I would have to kiss you.”

  “Honestly speaking, that would probably be the highlight of this terrible day.”

  Looking deeply into her eyes, she discovered that the hazel colour of his irises turned into rich, golden undertones.

  “Close your eyes,” he whispered, and her body started to relax under his magnetic stare.

  She followed his instruction, feeling his soft lips landing on hers. At first, it was like any other kiss, tender, careful, and full of restraint. As seconds ticked by, her chest started to grow warm as if someone started a fire in it. Her body tingled as if he was running his hands all over her skin. Her breathing hitched. She sucked in breath after breath while she craved more of his ghostly touch, his lips on her body. His kiss was so overpowering, she could feel her orgasm building. So, she adjusted her position in her seat again, eager to fight the flow of pleasure he was pouring into her with a single brush of his lips.

  CHAPTER 25r />
  ALEXANDER

  Alexander could no longer bear the wails that came from Andrew’s cell. He spent a week, locked up in his office, waiting for that young man to break through the descent. No matter how long he waited for Tanya to burst into his office and tell him the good news, that moment never came. He was beginning to lose hope. If Andrew could not beat the thirst a second time, he would need to be put down. And, if Alexander was forced to kill another person he liked and respected, he may as well take his own life also. What is the point of an existence where I have to be the weapon that slaughters those close to me?

  His throat scratched as his thirst awakened. Once again, he had forgotten to maintain his regular feeding schedule. He could not afford to lose his mind, not when so much was at stake.

  He called one of his donors to come to the warehouse as he sat back in his office chair and stared at the high ceiling. When his world slowly came undone, who was he to turn to? His sire was too busy taking care of the Russian Council, his siblings were scattered all across the globe, and he had to remain as a rock to his sole childe who was suffering in silence. It shredded his heart to know that he could do nothing, say nothing that would alleviate her or Andrew’s torment.

  Is it all the bad things I’ve done in my life? The lives I took or the people whose feelings I have hurt? Perhaps this was a way for karma to catch up to him. Bound and trapped in an eternity, he would be forced to see those close to him suffer for his mistakes.

  “Alexander?” Tanya’s soft voice came from the doorway.

  He lifted his head, seeing her red eyes. She had been crying again. “How is he doing?”

  “The same. I think the fact he has not fed in a week is starting to wear him down. At least, he stopped biting his arms and drinking his own blood.”

  Alexander grimaced at the image his mind conjured because of her words. “I could not reach Lucious no matter the number of messages I’ve left the Council or on his number. The informants in London are no longer answering my calls, either. I feel that I should go there and find out what is going on, but I cannot bring myself to leave you and Andrew alone.”

  “What if something happened to the Council?”

  “Then someone else will claim the seats of power. The only thing that soothes my worry is the knowledge that there has been no announcement of death of the Council members. Maybe, in this silence, there is good news.”

  Tanya crossed her arms. “You don’t believe a word you’ve just said.”

  “I was trying to reduce your anxiety.”

  She produced a bitter laugh. “I am worried about Lucious, too. The responsibility he was forced to shoulder after so much loss was immense. I just hope he is doing well.”

  “We both know that is not the case,” Alexander replied. “So, tell me, why are you here? I thought you would want some time away from this place instead of coming to see me.”

  “Alexander,” she began, inching closer to his desk. “I couldn’t stay downstairs anymore, so I checked the location of Abigail’s phone like you’ve asked me to do last week and…”

  “And?” He leant in.

  “I made sure to check this information three times, in case something was wrong with the software. It led to the same conclusion every time. Russian Roulette was the nearest place to the cell tower where her mobile phone last pinged.”

  His brows drew together. “Why would she go there?”

  “I don’t know. Have you gotten any calls from her?”

  He groaned as his hand slapped his forehead. “My phone died, and I forgot to send her the new number. Could you get someone to forward all the messages to my new phone?”

  “Will do.” She bobbed her head, taking her phone out of her pocket.

  “Tanya, locate Glen Wilson as well. Find out if they’re together.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  Alexander got up from his seat once she hurried out of his office. He paced the length of the room. His thoughts were busy piecing the puzzle together. Could something have happened to Abigail while he was busy solving other issues? He stilled as a horrifying thought grasped at the edges of his psyche. What if the hunters found her?

  “Tanya!” he shouted, storming to the door.

  She burst into the room, her blue eyes honed in on him. “What is it?”

  “Make it your priority to locate Abigail. I think she may be in danger.”

  “What kind of danger?”

  “The hunters are still after her.”

  She bobbed her head. “I won’t waste another second then.”

  ABIGAIL

  Abigail was lightheaded after possibly the best make-out session with Glen she could ever dream of. Every part of her tingled as if she had been to heaven and back. Her limbs felt heavy and her mind sluggishly worked on producing one thought at a time.

  Glen tore off the ropes restraining him and knelt in front of her. Cupping her flushed cheeks, he whispered, “Are you okay?”

  “How?”

  A smile stretched his handsome features, and he began undoing her restraints. “How what?”

  “How can you kiss like that? I don’t think that’s legal.”

  “It is very addicting to mortals, which is why I try to avoid feeding on the same person more than once.”

  Her hands got free. She started untangling from the web of ropes around her middle as he worked on freeing her legs. “I only slightly regret not saying yes to you on that day when Alexander came to our workplace.”

  “Oh?” He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “But?”

  “But he is still sitting in here.” She pointed to her heart. “I just can’t get rid of him. He’s like a squatter. A heart squatter!”

  “I forgot to mention that the effects of my feeding on you may include intoxication,” he said, helping her stand.

  She swayed on the spot, clinging to his blood-stained green jumper. Her eyes grew wider when she noticed a hole in the material right above his liver. “Did that crazy bitch do that?”

  “I’m fine.” He lifted the hem of his jumper to reveal extraordinary, toned abdomen. If God was mortal, and he had abs, she could die happy rubbing her face on his washboard stomach. “Can I touch that?”

  Glen took her hand. “Maybe another time.” He guided her to the wall, next to the door, and pressed her back to it. “Stay quiet no matter what you see.”

  She nodded, covering her mouth with both of her hands in preparation. A faint giggle escaped her. This reminded her of a children’s game of hide and seek.

  “Okay.” He spared her one last glance and banged on the door, shouting, “Let me out of here!”

  After a few seconds, the lock turned and two men rushed in. Glen caught one of their weapons, pointing it downwards as a few rounds shot at the wooden flooring, almost deafening her. He punched one of the hunters in the face. She heard a crunch of cartilage and bone breaking before the man collapsed where he stood.

  The second man he struggled with over the weapon. Glen, eventually, rescued it from the hunter’s grip and caught the man by the head, kissing him.

  Abigail’s jaw nearly touched the creaky floor. As the man’s face shrunk and his hands turned to bone, she wasn’t sure what she found more disturbing, Glen kissing a man out of the blue or the fact that the guy was visibly turning into a prune. Not that she had anything against gay people. It was just an odd thing to do to escape.

  Glen released the body of the hunter when he stopped twitching and grasped Abigail’s hand. “Let’s go. The others were probably alerted.”

  “But, you just…”

  He picked up a pistol, giving it to her then grabbed the second gun for himself. “We can discuss what I did later.”

  Her fingers tightened on the gun. It was heavier than she imagined and felt alien in her grasp. “How do I use this?”

  “The safety is off. Just aim and pull the trigger.”

  They ran down a small corridor towards a dirty window. He peeked out, cursing under his breath. “I was
right. There is quite a number of them.”

  “How many?”

  “Maybe another six or seven. Possibly more.”

  Her blood fled from her extremities, making her hands turn clammy and cold. “I don’t think I can shoot someone.”

  “If you want to get out of here, be prepared for anything. Most of all, be prepared to trust me with your life.”

  “I trusted you so far, didn’t I?”

  He shook his head and gave her hand a squeeze. “Let’s run!”

  The place was like a giant maze of empty rooms and dead-ends. Every time she thought they were getting close to the exit, he would pull her back, pushing her against the brick wall of the compound. Her legs were trembling from the fear of what would happen if they got caught. What if, instead of Dublin, they were on some uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? She should have spent more time watching survival shows where they ate bugs and wiped their bums with leaves.

  “Wait here,” he whispered, bringing her back to her awful reality.

  She caught his sleeve. “What? Why?”

  “I can hear someone in the room up ahead. I need to take care of them before we can move forward.”

  “What if someone comes?”

  He patted her on the head. “Stay here and count to sixty. I will try to get back by then.”

  Without delay, he left her sight, and she internally counted to sixty, seventy, one hundred and twenty. When he didn’t return after three minutes, she stuck her head around the corner. No one was coming. Clutching the gun close to her thigh, Abigail snuck into the room he said he was going to be in. Her words failed her again when she saw three mummified bodies on the ground and Glen sucking the life out of another woman. But, that wasn’t what surprised her the most. His hands had turned into black claws and the whites in his eyes became inky blackness.

  “Glen?” she whispered his name, worried that if she was any louder, someone else would hear her.

  He didn’t react and kept clinging to the woman that rapidly withered away in his arms.