by Jon Herrera
Chapter Three
BILLY AND I walked into the lobby of the Consulate. Billy looked around as if he had never seen the place before. Or maybe he just didn’t remember seeing it before.
"Andy, keep an eye on Billy for me.” I said as I walked past Jackie and strolled into Fedor's private office. He was listening to a recording of The Pirates of Penzance and waving his hands in time with the music. His eyes were closed and if I didn't know better, I would say he was smiling. I don't think I've ever seen Fedor happy.
"You should knock before entering a man's sanctum Sanctorum.” Fedor said during a pause in the music. "You might startle him and then who knows what would happen?"
"This is your office, Fedor." I said and sat in one of the massive green leather chairs that faced Fedor’s mountain of a desk. "You have a home. Someone told me they saw you leave once."
Fedor clicked a remote and the music died in mid chorus. He opened his eyes and the brown glow around the edges had the intended effect of scaring the hell out of me. I've never seen Fedor angry either and I'd like to keep it that way.
"I've got Billy.” I said and pointed at the waiting area with my thumb. "So can we talk about Jake now?"
"Does Jake have a new Gauguin for me?” Fedor said and looked at his manicured nails. "I moved that ‘painting’ he sold me into a place of honor in one of my cells. There is every possibility Jake will have a lot of time to study its brush strokes. Well, maybe not that much time."
"I've got fifty grand.” I said between clenched teeth. “I can buy the painting back."
"Did you get the fifty grand from the same place you got the twenty you gave me last night?” Fedor said and narrowed his eyes and twisted his mouth. "That twenty grand disappeared before Jackie could get it deposited, where it would have been the bank's problem and not mine. And for your information it was fifty million I paid for that painting, not fifty thousand."
"Oh.” I said and couldn't quite think of anything clever to say after that. I reached into my pocket where I was carrying a wad of twenties, only now there was nothing.
"So I wouldn't count on helping Jake with any money you got from Billy.” Fedor said and drummed his fingers on his desktop. "In case you didn’t hear me, I don’t want the money. I want a Gauguin."
When I walked into the waiting room to get Billy, he wasn’t there.
"Did you happen to see Billy or Andy?” I said to Jackie who was looking at something on her computer screen that looked a lot like Tetris, only with diamonds and rubies.
"No.” Jackie said without looking up. "Can't you see I'm busy? I'm in the middle of a Tournament here. I've got five bucks on the line."
I went outside and was nearly blinded. There was a green glow coming from the general direction of where I had parked the Dodge. As my eyes adjusted, I could now see the Dodge was glowing green with neon blue pinstripes.
"This is much sweeter.” Billy said, awaiting my approval. Andy stood nearby with an impressed look on his face. “This is a bitchin’ paint job.”
"I thought I asked you to watch Billy for me.” I said to Andy as I shaded my eyes from my car.
"I did watch him.” Andy said and nodded. "And I have to admit I have no idea how he did this, but it only took him a couple of minutes."
"Looks good, right, Dude?” Billy said and made a TaDa motion toward the glowing Dodge.
"Yeah, it looks great.” I said and grabbed Billy by the collar. "If I'd ever wanted a car visible from space, I'd be ecstatic."
"Hey, easy man.” Billy said and put his hands up. "I thought we were friends."
"We'll be friends again when this wears off.” I said and pushed Billy toward the Vampire Consulate entrance.
"Oh, you mean like the money?” Billy said and paused for a moment. "This isn't like that. I'm good with cars."
"Wow.” Raoul said as he rolled up next to me. "It's gonna be a lot easier to follow you now. Not that it was that hard to start with."
"Thanks.” I said and stared at my glowing car. "I'm not even sure I can drive this thing."
"There's a car wash a couple of blocks away.” Andy said and put his hands in his pockets. "I got a few quarters."
"I don’t think that will help.” Raoul said and nodded at the Dodge. "That little vampire said he used magic on your car. You can't wash that stuff off."
"You know.” Izumi said casually and nodded at me. "We could give you a ride. If you were maybe heading out to see, oh, say, Kilestra?"
I watched Andy as he led Billy back into the Consulate and handed him off to Jackie. Judging from her reaction Andy caused her to lose her tournament. Life can be disappointing sometimes. Izumi and Raoul were watching through the window with me. We all winced as Jackie grabbed Billy by the ear and led him off.
“She should work down in the dungeons.” Raoul said. “A twist like that could make a man talk.”
“What makes you think she doesn’t?” I said. I looked over at Izumi and she looked back at me with her bony face. “Do you know anything about Goddesses?”
“Of course.” Izumi said and nodded. “I am the reincarnation of the Goddess Izanami-no-Mikoto. I know many Gods and Goddesses.”
“What do you know about the Goddess Desiara?” I said and tried to hide my anticipation.
“Ah the Goddess Desiara’s is a sad story.” Izumi said and bowed her head. “And one I would be more than happy to share with you, once we have Kilestra in custody.”
"Thanks." I said. I looked at the car and shook my head. I went back into the Consulate.
I SAT ON the long red couch in the waiting area. An art Deco chandelier was a nice match for the flat metal ceiling tiles. They didn’t match the classic lines of the square columns and marble floors. But then, the building was a bit of a mixture of styles. It still felt like home.
"So, anything new on the Kilestra front?” I said and looked at Andy.
"She hasn’t lopped off any more heads that I’ve heard about.” Andy said and yawned. "I hear Fredric was one of those vamps that the Ancient Carlo Acerbi helped to Sire. Carlo did the heavy lifting of teaching him how to be a good undead."
Carlo Acerbi was a vampire that made his money the old fashioned way. He ran numbers. Of course, now he was a good law abiding citizen. Any rumors that he was the head of a crime syndicate were strictly hearsay.
“He’s been having meetings at that warehouse he calls home.” Jackie said and looked my way. “All the important vampires have been seen coming and going. Well, all except for you. Some people aren’t all that happy having you as Master of Fort Worth, Wil. Frederic wasn’t fond of you and he didn’t make a secret of it. There hasn’t been another meeting since his untimely passing.”
Carlo was settling down and making connections with other powerful vampires. He ran several businesses. Frederic had been one of his top Lieutenants in charge of acquisition and distribution. Exactly what he was acquiring and distributing wasn’t known. But I was willing to bet it wasn’t anything easily found on the open market.
"I met Frederic once or twice.” I said and tried without success to bring a face to mind. “He was odd, even for someone tapped by Carlo. But I wouldn’t have killed him that way.”
"The Consulate’s Military Attaché said it was kind of a messy kill.” Andy said as he tossed aside another magazine with a fish on the cover. "Kilestra doesn't normally leave evidence. Or witnesses."
The Consulate’s Military Attaché was known simply as The Captain. The Vampire Commission recruited him from the Inquisition in the good old days. I always tried to stay on the big man’s good side. When I could find it. I shook my head to clear it of vampires who practiced torture to relax at the end of a long night.
“I’m heading home now.” I said and smiled at Andy and Jackie as I walked out.
HOUSES WITH BASEMENTS aren't common in Fort Worth, but there are a few around. You can always pay to have a house built with one if you happen to be rich. I was lucky enough to find a house that was built by a rich family, bu
t no one wanted it. A couple of murders had taken place there. Amazing how long a property like that can stay on the market. The ghosts were doing their part to keep people away. It was also ranked as one of the ugliest buildings in Fort Worth. The Mansion suited my needs to a tee.
The house is large enough for my parents and grandfather to each have their own rooms. Mother and Father have even been known to use the indoor swimming pool once in a while. They've made friends with some of the new neighbors and they seem happy enough.
Once I closed the garage door, the room took on an eerie glow from the Dodge. It was kind of like a giant black light had been left on. My stomach gave a little twist and I made for the utility passage’s darkness.
The basement had been pretty large to start with, so all I had to do was some remodeling. The 1970s were a sad time for architecture and interior design in my opinion. I'd needed to sandblast the whitewashed stonework. I also replaced the dark parquet floors with a light corkwood I liked better. I had a bedroom, a bathroom, and a common room with a couple of sofas and a TV. A sink and a small fridge were in one corner. My crypt, where I spent most of my days, was behind a narrow door.
I have a small photo studio near the existing air conditioning ventilation system. I found it relaxing to take the occasional still life or portrait. The new technologies were so much easier to use than black powder and glass plates. I could keep my skills honed and get a few pieces displayed at The Nightshade Gallery. You never knew what would lead to a few dollars or a new client.
I walked into the open common room and took a moment to look around. The remodeling was done in this room. The walls were bare stone with a couple of 16x20s from my Galveston Series here and there.
My cell phone rang and I saw that it was Father calling.
"Hello, Father." I said and waited for him to tell me what a bad son I was, as was his usual tradition. In life, Father had been an illiterate farm hand whose only goal had been to see his next meal. That he was now a University Professor would have amazed the man he was two hundred years ago.
"Your Grandfather is missing.” He said in a rush. "Again."
"He's a big boy, Father.” I said and rubbed my eyes, still stinging from the glowing Dodge’s effects. "Have you called the usual Strip Clubs and 24 hour Video stores?"
"They haven't seen him.” Father said. "We had a bit of a disagreement and he said he was leaving. But he's never actually left before."
"I'll keep an eye out.” I said and put thoughts of Grandfather to one side. "I have a little magical problem. Could you talk to Ravenhawk?"
"Want her to look at your car?” Father said and chuckled. “Who’d you piss off this time?”
"Hmm, you saw it, eh?” I said and rubbed my forehead.
"Half of North America saw it.” Father said. "I'll ask her to stop by when she gets a chance."
Father disconnected before I could say anything else. He never was big on conversation.
I put the phone away and walked over to my spare bedroom. I opened the door and found Grandfather in bed with the covers pulled up to his chin. After a minute or so, he peeked out of one eye and then closed it again. He followed up with a loud fake snore.
Grandfather looked to be in his sixties, but was closer to his two hundred and sixties. He had the kind of wild hair Clint Eastwood was famous for a couple of years ago. Also like Clint, he was thin and wiry and always looked a little odd when he smiled.
"What happened this time?” I said and sat down on the end of the bed.
"Your parents are nice enough people.” Grandfather said and pushed down the covers to reveal that he was fully dressed. "But I've had all of them I care to take. I've met a few new people. A couple of special ladies have expressed an interest in spending time with me."
"So spend time with them.” I said and tried to keep the image of Grandfather and his special women out of my mind. "You know I need to see you about once a week. And you know bad things would happen to you if you didn't see me."
"I think you’re just making that up.” Grandfather said and squinted at me. "Maybe my health has nothing to do with letting you feed on my blood. Maybe I've just got good genes."
"Oh, I see.” I said and nodded. "So you've met someone else who remembers the Battle of Bunker Hill? You really think you owe your longevity to clean living and daily exercise?"
"No.” Grandfather said with a bit of bitterness. "I guess not."
"It's alright, Grandfather.” I said and looked deep into his eyes. "Everything will be fine."
"Of course, it will.” Grandfather said as his mind drifted under my spell.
I pulled the old man close to me and brought my mouth to his neck. He was still strong, had been strong when I first made him one of my Chosen. I sank my fangs into his jugular vein and let his hot blood fill my mouth with its familiar flavor. I shared a bit of my power with him and made his troubles drift away.
I licked the wounds to heal them and laid him back down onto the bed. I passed my hand over his forehead and felt him relax.
"Have good dreams, Grandfather."
I would have to visit Mother and Father later. I felt another presence in my rooms. Sally was here.
"SALLY.” I SAID and gave her a hug. "Good of you to drop by."
Sally has been my human lover long enough for me to be used to her presence. She’s a dark blond with watery blue eyes and she’s the most important human in my life. She’s tall and athletic with long well-muscled legs due to her work as a waitress. She’s in her mid-twenties and will stay that way as long she remains one of my Chosen. I had to court her for a few months before she agreed to the commitment.
"Do you know your garage looks like a scene from Poltergeist?” Sally said as she sat on the overstuffed couch and leaned back onto the firm cushions. "What happened to your car?"
"An old friend decided black wasn't my color.” I said and sat down next to her.
"Clearly he doesn't know you very well." Sally pulled me close and gave me a deep kiss, the kind that still surprises me, but in a good way. I let my hands explore her body and I took a deep breath of her perfume. Chanel No 19. I'm pretty sure she only wears Chanel for me. Sally looked up at the sound of Grandfather shuffling across the floor.
"Gotta take a leak.” He said and openly stared our way. "Don't mind me."
Sally sat up straight on the couch and pushed me away. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows in an unspoken question. What’s he doing here?
"Seems Grandfather had a falling out with my parents.” I said. "So he's crashing here for a few days."
"But they live upstairs.” Sally said and gave me her seriously? face. "I can deal with that, but I'm not sure how I feel about your Granddad bunking in the next room.”
The toilet flushed. A moment later Grandfather opened the door and shuffled back toward the spare bedroom. He bit his lip as he looked our way and then shook his head when he saw we were just sitting on the sofa. He closed the bedroom door loudly behind him.
"We could go to my crypt.” I said. "My door has a lock."
"Yeah, I don't think so.” Sally said. "Seeing your Granddad in his underwear was kind of a deal breaker for me."
"He was wearing underwear?” I said and Sally punched me in the shoulder.
"I guess I have to ask you if you know anything about Kilestra.” Sally said and shifted into her business mode. "My readers want to know these things."
"Your readers?” I said and leaned back. "You write a blog. You’re not exactly a columnist for the New York Times."
This got me another punch.
“So far as I know.” I said and lifted my shoulders. “Kilestra didn’t do it, but all the evidence seems to point to her as the killer.”
“You think she’s being framed for the hit?” Sally said and used her phone to make notes.
“I think she’s playing out of my depth.” I said. “As usual.”
"Ok.” Sally said and sounded serious. "You know I've been approached
by the Bureau of Vampire Affairs? They offered me a job. The Vampire Commission has also shown interest in me."
"Since you’re sleeping with a vampire?” I said and looked into her eyes. She didn't look away and I didn't feel any falsehoods. "Why would the BVA or the VC want the services of a world class barista and blogger?"
"You’re not the only vampire that still likes to drink coffee.” Sally said and nodded. "I've got a few contacts who drop by from time to time. I could be a valuable asset. None of them are saying much about Kilestra and Fredric. I hear Carlo isn't planning on handing Kilestra over to Fedor if he finds her first."
"There's a shocker.” I said and rubbed the back of my neck. "We tend to form strong attachments with those we make and those that made us."
“Any chance we could get someplace for just the two of us?” Sally said and leaned into me. “I know you have your family and I accept that, even if I don’t always understand it. I’d like somewhere we can be together.”
“So you’re happy being with a vampire?” I said and couldn’t help but think of Jackie’s prediction.
“Oh, it’s been interesting.” Sally said and nodded. “My readers think I’m so lucky. I can't believe some of the stories other humans have told me about vampires. They have dozens of lovers and Chosen. And still go out and drink from random strangers. Just the thought of all that blood sharing. I’m so glad you’re different.”
“Me, too.” I said and gave her a small hug. “So. How would you feel about, say, one or two other people? You know, instead of dozens?”
“Oh.” Sally said and moved to the other sofa so she could look me in the eye. “I was expecting this someday. Maybe not so soon. Who do you have in mind?”
“I think you know Jackie.” I said and scratched my ear.
“No.” Sally said and shook her head. “The only Jackie I know...”
Sally looked at me and raised her eyebrows. I nodded an embarrassed affirmative.
“Jackie the fifty year old, slightly overweight Consulate Receptionist?” Sally said and sat back. “Isn’t she married? Or is she involved with Fedor?”
“She’s divorced.” I said and frowned as I nodded. “Because of her involvement with Fedor. I think she’s closer to forty-seven than fifty.”
“You want to sleep around with your Boss’s forty-seven year old girlfriend?” Sally said and nodded. “That sounds more like what my Readers told me to expect. You said two?”
“An Elf.” I said in an uncertain tone. “Just an Elf.”
“An Elf?” Sally said and nodded. “A super model thin and forever 16 year old Elf?”
“I always thought they looked more like 14 year olds.” I said and shut up when Sally glared at me.
"Well.” Sally said and stood up. She leaned over and gave me a friendly kiss. "You’ve given me a lot to think about. I need to do some research."
"I love you.” I said and watched as she left by the stairs that led to the rest of the house.
"I'm not a kid anymore.” Grandfather said and poked his head out of the bedroom. "But I wouldn't let a sweet young thing like that walk out on me."
"She's not walking out on me.” I said and looked at Grandfather, but he’d already closed the door. Maybe I could find somewhere nearby for Grandfather to live. Close enough for easy access, but far enough away that he won’t bother any of us.
I went to my coffin and lay in the darkness. Visions of Sally and Desiara and Jackie ran through my mind. Other things filled my thoughts as well. Like a dead nightclub owner and Billy’s sudden magical abilities. And the end of the world.
My mind wandered back to the Goddess. I saw Desiara’s glowing green eyes. An ache in my chest over how sad she looked in the painting left me wondering why I cared. My mouth was dry and my dick was hard just thinking about her. And we hadn’t even met yet, not really. I forced myself to breathe and counted my breaths in meditation. In time, the sun rose and I was dead once more.
I TOOK THAT night’s first breath. Loud music drifted in from the common room. It was generic music with a lot of electronics, the kind of beats they use in audio loops. Since it was Grandfather, it was likely some kind of porn. To my surprise, it was a workout video.
"Hey, Sonny.” Grandfather said as I walked into the common room, where he had rearranged all the furniture so he had a clear space to lay down a large workout mat in front of the flat screen. He was wearing a workout suit from the 1980s by the look of it and had a white headband with red and blue stripes covering his forehead. He wasn't working out though. He was sitting on the sofa watching the people on the screen run in place.
"I think you're supposed to follow along in order for the workout to have any effect.” I said and took a seat next to Grandfather. "Is that Jane Fonda?"
"I ordered one of those workout DVDs with a lot of random letters and numbers in the title.” Grandfather said and pointed at the TV. "But it won't be here for two to six weeks. So I thought I could watch Jane in the meantime. It was just sitting on the shelf in the Library. I think they forgot they even had it."
"You’re not in bad shape.” I said and reached over to squeeze his thin bicep. "For a man of 280."
"I'm 276.” Grandfather corrected me. "And I don't look a day over 60."
"So why are you watching a workout video?"
"Old people are a lot more active than they used to be.” Grandfather said and shook his head. "In my day most people were dead by the time they were 60, now people are just getting started. I've been spending some time at the Senior Center and I feel out of place. All the chicks want more active types, and I've always been more of a thinking man."
"Chicks?” I said. "I should have known it would have something to do with women."
"Ok, break's over.” Grandfather said and got up and started to move with the music. Well, almost with the music.
I took a shower and when I turned the water off, I couldn't hear the music anymore. When I stepped out of the bathroom, Kilestra was sitting on the sofa’s edge.