Mercy's Danger: Montgomery's Vampires Trilogy (Book #2) (Montgomery's Vampires Series)

by Sloan Archer

  Guess what, asshole? David woke up. In the hospital. Where YOU helped put him.

  How could you? Seriously, what the holy fuck is wrong with you? How could you do this to David and Liz? And me?

  And you went through my things, you stalker? What were you hoping to find, some kind of proof that I’m still in love with you? You’re crazier than I thought if that’s the case.

  I guess I wasn’t clear enough the first ten thousand times, so let me put it in writing for you:

  I WANT YOU OUT OF MY LIFE.

  FOREVER.

  YOU AND I WILL

  NEVER

  EVER

  (TIMES INFINITY)

  BE A COUPLE AGAIN.

  I DO NOT LOVE YOU.

  NOT AT ALL!

  Am I making myself clear?

  If those you’re helping don’t murder you first, I hope the police find whatever rock you’ve crawled under to hide out like a coward. I hope they lock you up and throw away the key. You don’t deserve to be a part of the human race.

  If I ever see you again, it will be too soon.

  —M

  P.S. Go fuck yourself.

  P.P.S. And use hot sauce as lubricant.

  To: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  From: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  Subject: Let’s try this again.

  Mathew,

  Now that I’ve had a few minutes to calm down, I’ve realized that nothing good can be accomplished through losing my temper. I was serious about us never being a couple again, but I feel I should clarify a few other things.

  I don’t know what you’ve learned about Robert’s history, or why you are concerned with him at all since he has absolutely no bearing on your life, but you need to know about the group you’re working for.

  They are dangerous, Mathew. Whatever you think you’re involved in, you don’t know the half of it. Whatever they’re promising you—it’s a lie. When they are finished using you, they will make you disappear.

  You are mistaken if you think that they are after Robert. They don’t care about him, and you shouldn’t either. They are after me, Mathew. They want me dead. They are currently trying to find me so they can kill me.

  Any information you provide could help them find me, which will lead to my death. Is that what you want, to live with my murder on your conscience?

  Please stop helping them. If any part of you still cares about me, you’ll turn your back on all this business.

  Get out while you can.

  —M

  To: m.montgomery@lightmail.com

  From: phimy.b@lightmail.com

  Subject: Urgent! Please read ASAP!

  Darling Mercy,

  I do hope you are well.

  No, this won’t do. Please allow me to start over.

  Given current circumstances, I know that you aren’t well. I also know that I’ve contributed to your recent misfortune. You must be under a great deal of stress, so I will try to make this brief.

  I imagine you’re no longer using this email, so I cross my fingers that my words find you. It’s the only email I have for you, and I can’t make enquiries about any new ones you may have acquired. I’m a bit of a ghost myself these days, since the mysterious fire.

  I meant what I said when we met. You are very special girl. If circumstances had been different, we would have grown to become very close friends. However, by now you’ve certainly uncovered my unpardonable betrayal. For my evil deeds, I can only atone by delivering you two things.

  The first is my sincerest apology. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to have hurt a person as lovely as you, Mercy. I don’t blame you if you hate me. I’d be surprised if you didn’t. You don’t deserve what is happening to you. As is the case with many complicated vampire affairs, humans are rarely viewed as nothing more than collateral damage. In this instance, unfortunately, you are that human.

  Not all vampires feel this way about your kind, and most of us cherish humans. But the VGO do not represent all vampires. They operate according to their own savage rules, causing great harm to those who stand in their way. They’re bastards, Mercy, every single one of them . . .

  Look at me, going off on one of my tangents! And here I am supposed to be making it brief!

  I’ll get to the important stuff now, which you may find more valuable than my heartfelt apology. I’m talking about my second offering, Mercy, which is the truth. I think it may help you along your struggle, even if only a little.

  I’m not sure how much you’re in the know about the matter concerning the VGO and Leopold’s recent pharmaceutical venture. Please excuse me for relaying information you may already know. Again, I will try to be brief.

  By the time the VGO got wind of Leopold’s project, it was too late for them to intervene. Because of this, they had to devise alternate means of stopping him. You have to believe me when I tell you that I had no idea that they were going to go to such great lengths—that they were going to inflict physical harm on others. Nathaniel never would have approved.

  About Nathaniel . . . Nathaniel is—or was (I don’t know how to phrase our current attachment since I am no longer confident he’s alive)—my vampire mate. He is my everything, Mercy, and I love him with my whole heart. In all my years, I’ve never felt this way about anyone, even if Nathaniel and I have conflicting views on many things.

  You see, Mercy, despite my pleading, Nathaniel wished to become human again.

  As you are aware, Leopold and I are—were—old friends. Leopold wasn’t broadcasting what he was doing at his lab, but he and I have mutual acquaintances and news travels fast on the vampire circuit. I contacted Leopold on behalf of Nathaniel, and then Leopold invited Nathaniel to his lab. After Nathaniel was given the serum, a discovery was made: he was immune to its effects. According to Leopold such a reaction was rare, and Nathaniel was the only vampire his scientists had encountered who’d had that reaction.

  Nathaniel and Leopold made a deal: if Nathaniel allowed doctors to continue running tests on him, Leopold would create a special serum that Nathaniel wouldn’t be immune to.

  Maybe you can see where this is going, maybe not.

  Nathaniel and I were in my bed when the VGO forced their way into my home. They kidnapped Nathaniel with the intention of using his immunity to create an antidote to Leopold’s serum. But it didn’t stop there; the VGO threatened to torture Nathaniel if I didn’t assist them. When I refused, they began mutilating Nathaniel beyond recognition. They’d hurt him, let him heal, and then do it all over again. And again. They’d send me photos of their handiwork.

  If my love for Nathaniel did not run so deep, I may have still refused the VGO’s demands. The VGO, aware of my association with Leopold, forced me to make contact with him and urge him to hire Edgar. The VGO murdered Leopold’s prior butler—Edgar’s predecessor—for the sole purpose of ensuring Leopold would need to hire a new employee. I’m telling you, Mercy, there really is no distance the VGO will not travel to get their way.

  The VGO knew that, as a butler, Edgar would be underestimated, ignored as part of the background. He’d have access to all sorts of classified information.

  My duplicity does not end at Edgar, I’m afraid, and this is the main reason I’m contacting you. I need to warn you. Nathaniel may suffer because of this email, but I do not believe he would want me to continue letting innocent people die for the sake of saving himself. For all I know, he is already gone. The VGO have ceased all contact with me. Rather, I have ceased all contact with them since my unfortunate death in the fire. I’m hoping the VGO will lose their motivation to torture Nathaniel now that they no longer have me to do their bidding.

  You were right to be leery about the revival of Smokescreen. You have probably been operating under the assumption that you’ll be safe from vampires during the day.

  This is no longer the case. The VGO blackmailed me into reengineering the collection to enable vampires to walk around during the day. That’s right: THE VGO CAN TRACK YOU I
N DAYLIGHT!!!!!!

  I constructed the new Smokescreen outfits using UV-blocking fabric. The hats are made with the same materials NASA use for spacesuits, and they fully cover the face and neck. These materials were very, very difficult to find and extremely high-priced, but the VGO spared no expense. Using the new Smokescreen outfits, vampires can go into sunlight for short increments: ten, fifteen minutes max. But you know exactly how much damage a vampire can do in such a short time. It’s how the VGO were able to catch Leopold off-guard and break into his lab during the day.

  These day-walkers shouldn’t be too difficult to identify—you’ve seen how curious the Smokescreen collection is. Hopefully you’ve chosen to hide out in a place where vampires in full-face coverings will not go unnoticed, which should be anywhere but New York City!

  I figured that I should warn you. I know it doesn’t make up for the pain I’ve caused.

  I’m so sorry.

  Please be well.

  Seraphim

  X

  To: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  From: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  Subject: I didn’t know!

  Mercy,

  I never wanted to hurt you! Or David! I swear I didn’t know.

  I love you SO MUCH! Why can’t you see that? Why can’t you see that we are meant to be together?

  I never would have helped them if I’d known they were after you. They told me they were after Robert. I swear on my life, they told me they were after Robert!

  I love you so much.

  I will continue loving you.

  Forever.

  Please come back to me, my love.

  —Mathew

  To: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  From: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  Subject: Re: I didn’t know

  Mathew,

  I promised myself that I wouldn’t let you get to me, yet here I am, once again, shaking in front of a computer, so goddamned angry that I can hardly see straight.

  You make me sick. I feel like throwing up all over myself whenever I think of you, which, fortunately for me, is only when I have to deal with your dumb ass. Otherwise, I don’t ever think of you. Not at all. No, wait, that’s not true. Sometimes you do cross my mind when I think of the bullet I dodged by breaking up with you. You did me the biggest favor imaginable by cheating on me. Had you not—full body shudder—there’s a chance I’d still be with you, a notion that also makes me want to vomit. Even with all those out there currently trying to kill me, the idea of spending my life with you is the worst possible outcome I can imagine.

  Let me see if I’m understanding you: Because you were under the impression that they were going after Robert, you thought your actions were justifiable. Have a think about what you’re saying: You broke into a man’s house with the intent of committing murder. You were going to kill my boyfriend out of jealousy. How can you even attempt to validate that?

  You know what? There is no reasoning with crazy, and that’s what you are: completely, utterly, totally batshit crazy.

  Stop, Mathew. Just stop.

  I am not “your love.” I am not your friend. I am not your enemy. I am not somebody who owes you a favor. I am not the bearer of your children. I am not somebody you share a home with. I am not your answer. I am not your purpose for living . . . I am absolutely NOTHING to you. I am a stranger to you now, somebody who should not matter to you in the slightest, just like any other stranger you pass on the street.

  So there is absolutely no need for you to continue contacting me.

  Stay out of my life. Forget that you ever knew me.

  I don’t want to hear from you again, you lunatic.

  MOVE ON!

  To: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  From: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  Subject: Death to vampires!

  That dead asshole has poisoned you against me!

  That’s right! I know what Robert is:

  A

  DEAD

  FUCKING

  VAMPIRE!

  I make YOU sick? That’s a laugh. You’re the one fucking a dead man, so you should probably not be so judgmental, sweetheart. Maybe if I were dead you’d want to start fucking me, too, though I don’t have millions of dollars like he does. Is that what it takes to get in your skirt these days—money? Who cares if it’s a dead dick, as long as it’s a dead dick with money?

  Now I’m the one who wants to throw up.

  YOU need to think about what YOU’RE saying, not me. How could I be committing murder if he’s already dead? He’s a walking corpse, Mercy! And you’re with him! Disgusting!

  I made a mistake when I cheated on you. I’m not perfect. But I’ve tried and tried and tried to make it up to you. But you wouldn’t let me.

  So fuck you for not appreciating me!

  At least I’m alive!

  I found that asshole’s fangs in his house. (They MUST be his, unless they’re somebody else’s—wouldn’t surprise me with that freak.) I’m going to think of you as I piss all over them, and then I’m going to burn them and flush the ashes down the toilet because that’s where they belong—in the fucking sewer. No, I’ll make them into a necklace to remind me of what a dirty skank whore my ex-girlfriend is.

  I hope that vampire prick is reading this email behind your shoulder. That’s right, asshole! I HATE YOU SO MUCH! I hope the VGO find you. I hope they find you and stab you right in your cold dead heart. And if they can’t find you, I hope you have an accident! I hope you wrap your flashy car around a tree, you dead ASSHOLE! I hope millions get to witness your suffering and humiliation.

  Fuck you both!!!!!!!!!!

  To: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  From: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  Subject: I’m sorry.

  Baby, I’m so sorry.

  I didn’t mean those things I wrote about you.

  I’m upset, is all. Why can’t you see how much better I am for you than he is?

  You’re just going though a rough time right now. You’ll come to your senses eventually and see that I’m the one for you. And when you do, I’ll be here waiting.

  I love you.

  So much.

  —Mathew

  To: pinkunicorn@lightmail.com

  From: LS@sorinenterprise.com

  Subject: Done.

  I’ve found somebody.

  Without getting into too much detail, M will like my choice.

  M will know who he is if you tell her that they once went to Crimson together. He will be in contact soon with travel details.

  I’m so sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.

  I’m still working on finding you a cure.

  —L

  To: pizzalover@lightmail.com

  From: mightymatty@izotmail.com

  Subject: Why aren’t you responding?

  You can ignore me all you want, but love will find a way to bring us together again.

  It always does.

  17

  Jerome Bellamy—Jerry to his friends—and I had met through Dignitary a short time ago, but the impression he’d left on me had been long withstanding.

  On the evening I spent decoying for Jerry, we’d gone to his art show—a grim but breathtaking display of paintings that depicted his human life as a slave—and then on to a ritzy underground vampire bar called Crimson. Our beautiful night together had gone south, however, when Jerry dropped me off at home. It was on that evening that Liz had been murdered in our apartment.

  Jerry, being a standup guy, stayed with me as I coped with my grief and through the ordeal of answering police questions. A civil rights attorney by trade, he’d even offered to represent me in court. I was never considered a suspect, however, so he hadn’t needed to. (There was also the fact that Liz had returned home as a vampire, and then her paperwork got “misplaced” at the morgue. It all worked out in the end.)

  Jerry was now doing me a solid once again. He was going to be my vampire daddy, and I was going to be his human mom, in a way. When all
was said and done, I was going to be the one left vampire and Jerry human. It was a strange thing to wrap the mind around, us flip-flopping our mortalities.

  I was taken aback when I’d heard that Jerry had been the one who’d volunteered to change me. During our night together, he’d spent a great deal of the evening telling me how much he relished being vampire.

  Jerry arrived in Bali late at night. Since he was flying all the way to Southeast Asia from San Francisco, it was unavoidable that a portion of his travel occurred during the day. After a few bribes were paid, he was able to travel undisturbed (though cramped) in a lightproof coffin disguised as a hard-shell surfboard case. He was travelling to one of the world’s most celebrated surfer destinations, so nobody batted an eye.