Craving: The Willow Creek Vampires Series

by Stephanie Summers

  “This arrived for you just a minute ago.”

  Remy eyed the scroll with the familiar dark blue ribbon tied around it.

  “Thank you,” he said as he slipped the young vampire 100 pounds he’d fetched from the drawer of the night stand. “Take this one away. I’m done with her.” He pushed the young blonde away from him and into the arms of his assistant, who would undoubtedly have a few drops of her blood and a taste of her flesh as well.

  “Anything else for you, Remy?”

  “That’ll be all. Thank you.”

  He held the scroll in his hand, hesitating to open it. Whatever was contained within, he’d be forced to comply with, and he wasn’t too keen on leaving London. Any correspondence from his maker would require him to leave, and he wanted to put a stake through his own heart just to get out of going to that dreadful town in the U.S. There was nothing to do, and he’d be forced to eat bunnies or deer for fear he would be reprimanded, or worse, by Bastian.

  He reached over and flipped on a dimly lit lamp. The ribbon slid off the scroll easily under his long, pale fingers. He unrolled the paper, taking a deep breath. Not that he needed to breathe, but some trivial things from his mortal life lingered like a bad habit. He’d been undead for over 400 years, but things like breathing and occasionally craving the taste of a specific human food had never gone away.

  Only Bastian would still send a scroll, instead of simply sending him a text or calling him. He scanned the document quickly.

  My Dear Remington,

  It is time for you to take your place by my side. You will come to me by the 22nd. I trust you will make arrangements for travel accordingly. Do not be late.

  Regards,

  Bastian

  “Bollocks,” he said aloud to himself. His worst nightmare was coming true. Not only would he have to go to that God forsaken place, but he would have to stay indefinitely. The pact was the stupidest thing he’d heard in all the years he’d walked the earth. What vampire in their right mind would want to willingly feed from one person for years and years? The hunt for a new donor was part of the thrill of the feed. Stalking unsuspecting prey and pouncing on them gave him a rush that could never be fulfilled from just one lousy human. Of course, the willing ones could be good, too. They weren’t as thrilling, but they made up for it in other ways. Sex while feeding could be almost as good as the hunt, but even sex with the same person for decades sounded dreadfully boring.

  *

  Sabine found herself walking out of town, and toward the future she would make for herself. The closest bus station was over ten miles away, and she was starting to rethink this plan of hers. She wasn’t sure she could even make it that far on foot without stopping along the way. Keeping off the main roads had proved challenging at times, and she was convinced she would be caught at any moment. The town had a strict curfew for minors. Funny how the all-important pact wasn’t as secure as people liked to let on. When you have vampires walking the streets at night, people aren’t as trusting as they are in the daylight.

  It was silly, though, really. Vampires could get you whenever, day or night, if they really wanted you. It wasn’t completely true that sunlight would kill them. The older ones could go out in the daylight, and most of the ones in Willow Creek were probably older than dirt. Everyone acted so open and trusting on the surface, yet things like curfews were put in place, and whispers could be heard throughout the town whenever someone went missing. Disappearances were always blamed on the person simply running away or a rogue vampire attack by an outsider.

  She’d wondered to herself so many times over the years why the people here didn’t leave. Why didn’t her parents just leave? Why cohabitate with a bunch of bloodsuckers that could kill you or coerce you into doing things you would never remember? At least she thought that was one of the things they could do. She wasn’t entirely sure. She’d found out some of the popular lore about vampires wasn’t true, but how many abilities they truly possessed she did not know. Maybe they had hypnotized all of the townspeople so they wouldn’t leave and wouldn’t tell their secrets when they travelled. That would certainly explain why on the rare occasion she traveled with her parents, none of them ever seemed to remember the history the town had with vampires. She even remembered watching a vampire movie once while on vacation and wondering to herself if they really existed. It was only after they returned home that she remembered how silly the thought was when she knew them to be absolutely 100% real.

  A half-mile, or so, into her journey, the huge glass of sweet tea she consumed right before sneaking out of her room began to catch up with her. Trying to get a boost of caffeine had backfired. Maybe she could slip into the restroom at the little fast food restaurant at the edge of town and get out without being seen.

  Willow Creek was closely monitored by the vampire lord and no outside chains were ever allowed to set up shop in town, though many had tried over the years. All the restaurants, shops, and convenience stores were locally owned. She longed for a McDonalds, and aimed to run away to a place that had at least two within its borders.

  She approached the side door closest to the restroom, and slipped in. Only two people were seated on that side of the restaurant, and if she was quick, maybe she wouldn’t draw any attention. Though she tried not to linger too long, she took the opportunity to freshen up just a little. Her eyelids had grown heavy, so she splashed a little cold water on her face. The cold liquid on her skin was just what she needed to help wake herself up.

  As she emerged from the restaurant several minutes later, a set of blue flashing lights caught her attention. Shit!

  “Sabine Crowley?” A tall police officer approached her cautiously.

  “No, I’m sorry. My name is Rachael Gifford,” she said casually as she tried to keep walking.

  The cop looked annoyed, and the tone of his voice only reinforced it. “Let me rephrase that. You’re coming with me, Sabine Crowley.”

  The thought of bolting into the woods and out of there to her freedom crossed her mind, but this cop wasn’t one of the usual morbidly obese officers in town. This one looked like he was fresh out of the police academy. He could easily run her down and catch her. She reluctantly went with him to the station where her father, Rob, waited for her.

  Chapter 2

  “I don’t know what kind of shit you were trying to pull, but your mother and sister have been worried to death that you were gone and they’d never see you again.” Sabine’s father’s voice dripped with anger.

  “They might as well get used to it, don’t you think?”

  The two didn’t speak a word to one another. She sensed her father wanted to say more, but, for whatever reason, he’d chosen to ignore her the rest of the way. Her mother said nothing, and Shay was nowhere to be found as Sabine entered the house and ran up to her room.

  A soft knock came at her bedroom door an hour later, just after she’d gotten into bed for the night.

  “Come in.”

  Her mother entered the room and sat down beside her on the bed. “I understand why you left, but where did you think you were going to go?”

  “Anywhere but here.”

  “I understand, Sabine. I really do. This is hard on me and Dad, too. Shay is falling apart, though she tries to act like it doesn’t bother her. My greatest wish for you is that you get to live your dreams and your life how you see fit. It tears me apart to know that your life might not go the way you want it to. Try as I might to see the positives, I keep failing.” Vivian stroked Sabine’s dark, wavy hair.

  “I know it isn’t your fault, Mom. I shouldn’t have put the blame on you guys earlier. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Beanie.” She put her arms around Sabine and squeezed her. “Just know that if there is a way, Dad and I will find it.”

  “I know, Mom.”

  “Promise you won’t run again?”

  She subtly shook her head. “I can’t make a promise I might not be able to keep.”
r />   “Fair enough. Get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

  *

  Willow Creek, May 21, 2010

  “Remington, my boy! So good to see you! It’s been, what? A hundred years or more? My how time flies. I trust you know why I summoned you?”

  “Yes. I presume it has to do with that ridiculous agreement you have with the daft cows who inhabit this,” Remy crinkled his nose as if he’d smelled something putrid, “place.”

  “Agreement with the people of this town? Yes. Ridiculous? No.” Bastian shook his head and smirked.

  “But it’s beyond ridiculous. It’s easier now than ever to find willing donors. So many wish to live out their fantasies of Damon Salvatore and Edward Cullen, and the like. Though, if I’m being honest, I do quite like that Damon. I often wonder who he was based on. Reminds me a little of myself actually.”

  “I know nothing of these characters of whom you speak.”

  “Of course you don’t. You aren’t out in the world like the rest of us. You choose to stay in one place and feed from one human until he or she grows sick and withered. Outside of this town lies a vast world of flavors, some of which are quite willing to play whatever role you wish them to play. We don’t have to hide as much as we once did.”

  “Nonsense. Why would I give up not having to hide at all and being in control of Willow Creek and its secrets for a life of seclusion where I must make others forget? I, as well as my fellow vampire companions, am free to come and go as I please, and all I have to do is keep the others out. Quite easy for someone as old as I am.”

  Remy turned, and subtly rolled his eyes. He was never one to stifle his thoughts and opinions, but there was still a part of him that feared Bastian and what he could do to him if he angered him too much. His maker had mellowed tremendously throughout the years, but he knew what Bastian was capable of, and it wasn’t a side he ever wanted to see again. “We will have to agree to disagree on this one, My Lord.”

  “I am afraid not, Remy. There is no room for disagreement. It is your time now to take your place beside me. I have given you close to two centuries to do as you please. It is time.”

  If he were capable of throwing up, now would’ve been the time. His gut twisted into knots at the thought of staying in Willow Creek for the next several decades, at the very least. “No. I will not. I would rather rot than be monogamous…Unless, of course, you’re willing to grant me a few liberties.”

  “Such as?”

  “I can feed from whomever I like, I’ll even go out of town if need be, and I want my freedom to travel when I want. As long as I spend most of my time here with you, I don’t see why that’s not a fair trade.”

  “No. Your blood mate has already been chosen. When she is procured, she will belong to you. You will be responsible for her wellbeing, and, in return, she will provide you with the sustenance you require while you are on duty protecting the citizens of this great town. You have a little more time to get used to the idea, but you will stay here with me in the meantime. I need you to familiarize yourself with the rules and what I expect of you. I have big plans in store for you.”

  “Why must you torture me so?”

  “Torture? HA.” Bastian’s hand slapped the arm of the chair loudly as his voice bounced off the walls. Remy flinched as a familiar look in Bastian’s eyes took over. “You think serving at my side is torture? Learning everything I know?” His voice grew louder with every question. “Am I not the one who gave you immortality? Am I not the one that took you from the filth you called a life, and gave you the world?”

  “Forgive me, My Lord.” Remy went to one knee and dropped his head. “I did not intend to offend you. I let my tongue get the better of me. My apologies.”

  “Gretchen will show you to your quarters. Get settled, and return to me before morning.”

  *

  May 22, 2010

  The couple of days leading up to Sabine’s 18th birthday had been mostly uneventful. She’d tried to live as normal an existence as possible: hanging out with her friends, listening to angst-filled music by musicians that just seemed to “get” her, and working on her latest art project. She’d continued to work on schoolwork, hoping to get some good grades this term, though she wasn’t sure there was much point. Graduation wasn’t very far away, and she was happy it would be done and over with soon. A small spark of hope remained mostly buried deep down in her gut.

  The morning of her birthday, she was relieved to wake up to no news. She’d heard, mostly from her two best friends, the dreaded scroll would arrive during the dark early hours on the morning of the chosen one’s 18th birthday. She began to relax even more by late afternoon, and was even looking forward to spending the night with her two best friends, Delia and Lana. They had nothing too exciting planned, but were looking forward to a horror movie marathon, popcorn, and plenty of boy talk.

  As she did almost daily when the weather was nice, she found herself sketching under the weeping willow. The wind swayed the hanging branches gently, and the grass rustled all around her. Dogs barked in the distance, and children in the neighborhood yelled and laughed as they played. The sun was bright, and warmed her skin. It was a beautiful spring day.

  As she sat under the tree, planning her future, a fancy, black Lincoln pulled up in front of the house. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat. No, no, no, no, no, please, no.

  A tall, strikingly beautiful woman with flowing blonde hair emerged from the back seat, her gaze instantly focused on Sabine. A split second later, the stranger stood directly in front of Sabine. The woman said nothing as she looked down at Sabine with cold eyes. A scroll with a dark blue ribbon binding it teetered on the stranger’s fingers. Sabine hesitated before reaching out to take the scroll. Just as quickly as the woman had arrived, she was gone.

  Sabine struggled to get air to her lungs, gasping heavily to force oxygen into her body. She collapsed onto her back, and stared straight up into the tree branches. Her world had ended, and it might as well have been her life.

  Her mother rushed out the door and fell to Sabine’s side. She wrapped her arms around her daughter and screamed. The realization of what had happened thrust into her gut like a hot knife cutting through butter. Her firstborn child would be ripped away from her, and she was helpless to stop it.

  Vivian’s scream crashed into the kitchen where Rob was loading the dishwasher. A glass dropped to the floor and shattered as he rushed to find her. He frantically searched the yard, trying to locate where she was. Moments later, he found his wife and daughter in a heap under the tree.

  He dropped to his knees and scooped Sabine into his arms. She sobbed into his chest as his heart shattered into a million pieces. His little girl would be gone, and he’d never get to learn of all the accomplishments she should have made in her life…graduating high school and going off to college, the first real grown-up job, marriage, and children. Even if they were permitted visitation, she would no longer grow as a person. She’d never live beyond the walls of Willow Creek Manor.

  After what seemed like hours, but, in reality was only minutes, Sabine calmed down enough to open the scroll. She squinted through teary eyes to make out the dreaded words written on the paper. The penmanship was like nothing she’d ever seen. The letters swirled and flowed across the page like a beautiful work of art.

  Miss Crowley,

  As you know, an arrangement was made long ago that has kept Willow Creek and its citizens safe from evil, otherworldly creatures who have wanted nothing more than to harm the residents of this wonderful town for the last 200 years. Every 10 years, a lucky youth, soon to reach adulthood, is chosen to fulfill the obligations of this arrangement. You, sweet child, have been chosen from a select group of your peers.

  You will meet with me tomorrow evening at 8:00. Food and drink will be provided for you and your family while we get to know one another. Though I know a good bit about you already, I look forward to officially meeting you, Miss Crowley.
>
  Regards,

  Bastian Florien of Willow Creek Manor

  Sabine stood, and looked around at her house, her yard, her tree, and the neighborhood that surrounded her. Birds chirped. Bees buzzed. A small child’s laughter echoed in the distance. A dog from next door barked. The wind caused the branches of her beloved tree to sway and the grass to rustle. The world around her hadn’t changed a bit in the last few minutes, but her world was over. “I need to go lie down.”

  Chapter 3

  Remy awoke just as the sun melted into the horizon. A pang of hunger hit him, and he knew he would have to feed soon before the blood lust set in. The longer a vampire delayed feeding, the more intense and hard to control the desire became. The thought of hunting down some woodland creature was not appealing at all, but it would have to do. Draining a deer or a few rabbits was the only option. Bastian wouldn’t agree to let him leave so soon to feed; not when he’d just arrived and made it known he’d rather be anywhere else in the world.

  The hunt would have to wait for now. He had to meet with Bastian before he went out for the night. He’d agreed to meet with him earlier, before the sun came up, but when Remy went to him, Bastian was nowhere to be found. He decided to sleep instead of waiting around for Bastian all day. He didn’t mind being awake during the day or going out in the sun, but he was more nocturnal by nature.

  He sat up and stretched in the huge bed adorned with burgundy satin sheets and a plush comforter that reminded him of the color of blood. The accommodations provided were more than suitable. There was a large bedroom, with oversized furniture and a closet the size of a small bedroom. Vampires could amass quite the collection of possessions, and he’d have to send for his things soon if he couldn’t find a way out of this mess. Naked, he got out of bed and waltzed across the room. Clothes were optional in bed as far as he was concerned, whether he was alone or not.

  Adjacent to the bedroom was a sitting area and a bathroom. As he entered the bathroom to take a shower, he noticed a toilet sat off to the side. An oddity for sure. He had no use for one and couldn’t fathom why Bastian would even include such a thing in the rooms meant for vampires. Surely there were separate rooms meant for human guests elsewhere. The enormous bathtub - now that was different. All he’d need was a warm-blooded woman or two to help him fill it. He stepped into the shower, and turned the water on, not caring that the water would be cold for a minute or so before warming up. His flesh was cold most of the time, anyway, so it didn’t really bother him.