by Mary Abshire
The strong aroma of sautéed meat seeped into my senses when I stepped out of the bathroom. My stomach gurgled in response. Jeremy stood over a cart, fork and knife in hand as he chopped up a big steak.
"That smells so delicious." I halted near the cart and pointed at the plate. "Is this mine?"
"Yep." He handed me the fork.
"Thanks."
I picked up the plate of food, then sat in a recliner. Jeremy removed a cover from another dish. A small puff of steam drifted in the air. He lifted the plate and utensils, then dropped onto the sofa. Silence lingered while we stuffed our faces. When we finished, there wasn't a bite left anywhere.
I returned my empty dish to the car. "I could use some air," I said, rubbing my full belly.
"Let's go for a walk. We have time to kill."
"Sure." I didn't want to sit around watching television, so I gathered my shoes.
Jeremy led the way outside. As we passed by the buildings, I examined the brownish-gray stone. The solid construction and lack of corrosion led me to believe the structures were new instead of over a century old. Time and weather had little impact on them.
Near the front gate, a vampire in a dark cloak watched us. I stared at the person, trying to see if it was a man or a woman. The medium build suggested a man. The vamp never moved an inch when we walked by. I wondered if he was a statue.
We meandered around the beach side of the fort. The sea rolled up in small waves, then receded. Seagulls flew nearby. We held our shoes as we walked and the cool water splashed over our feet. It was peaceful, even while Jeremy talked nonstop. He told me about his parents before they died and his dreams of the future, which of course included me. I laughed plenty.
We took our time, as if it didn't matter, then watched the sun dip below the horizon. Jeremy stood behind me and held me in his arms. The breeze whipped my hair behind me while his energy surrounded me like a cocoon, shielding me. The moment was close to perfection, but I wasn't in love with him—not the same type of love I felt for Drake. Jeremy was my friend and he meant the world to me. I was glad to spend such a peaceful, happy day with him, because odds were likely there wouldn't be many of them.
We headed back to our lodging when the sky became darker. From a distance, I spotted someone standing near the door. As we got closer, I recognized it was Drake. He was wearing dark pants and a long-sleeved sweater. The sight of him brought me instant joy.
Stopping several feet from him, I brushed off my feet before I slid my sandals back on. Jeremy leaned his backside against the wall as he slid on his socks and shoes.
"Did you find any information from Serena?" I asked.
"No, Nassar searched and searched. Someone erased part of her memories," he said in a deep tone that revealed his disappointment.
"Can someone do that? Can they just wipe out a human's mind?" I asked, irritated.
"Sure they can," Jeremy said fast. "Especially the old ones. They can turn your brains into mush if they wanted."
I gave him a sour look before I returned my attention to Drake. "Does she remember anything?"
"She remembers Nassar and the plane ride here. Then there is a gap before the gathering and a clear instruction in her head."
"Someone programmed her like a robot," I said.
Drake gave a nod. "In a manner of speaking."
I shook my head in disgust. "We're back to not knowing which one of the members wants me dead."
"I have a difficult time believing one of the members wants you dead," Drake said.
Well, I’d thought the same thing too at first. The question remained, why send a human to stab me?
"What if someone was hiding something? What if one of them wanted to get back at you?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"They are righteous people—"
Laughter burst from me. "Sorry, when someone offers me eight million for blood and sex, I don't find them to be very moral." Not to mention they wanted to play with me. Yeah, real honorable vampires.
"They were testing you," Drake said. "They are decent people. We have all had moments in our history when we fell short of goodness."
I rolled my eyes.
Jeremy let out an obnoxious laugh. "Goodness? There are good vampires?"
Drake stiffened. He clenched his fists and glowered at Jeremy.
I grabbed Jeremy's arms and nudged him back. "Stop it. Just stop it. This isn't helping."
"I hope you don't believe this pile of crap," Jeremy said.
"We don't know anything concrete. All we have is speculation." I let go of his arms. Until we had proof, no one would support our claims and no one was likely to help us get evidence.
"Right now, you have to be careful. You should be with someone at all times." Drake drew near me with his arm outstretched and his palm up.
I looked at his hand and stepped back. The desire to touch him was strong. Yet, something bothered me. He didn't believe a member of an organization he supported could want me dead. Why couldn't he see the truth? Why couldn't he do more to find out who the perpetrator was who erased Serena's memories and attempted to have me killed?
"We should go to the meeting." Without waiting for a response, I stepped around Jeremy and followed the path leading to the building I had visited briefly the night before. I walked fast, eager to get the night over with so I could move on with my life.
"Jessie, I think you should let Drake lead you inside," Jeremy said as we neared the building.
"I will, when we get there." I stayed focused on the unleveled stone path, trying to avoid twisting my ankle.
When we reached the entrance, I stepped to the side. Jeremy came to a halt next to me. He placed his hand in the small of my back.
Drake stopped in front of me. "Do not fear them. Be honest and everything will be fine."
Honest? I was always honest. As for fear—how could I not have a touch of it in me? My life was on the line. Fortunately, anxiety drowned out most of my fear. I was ready to talk their ears off to get the meeting over with.
"I will answer their questions the only way I know how, truthfully," I said with confidence. "But just so we're clear, the only ones I trust right now are you and Jeremy."
Drake took a quick glimpse at Jeremy, then opened the door. He led the way down the hall to the spiral staircase. Three sets of feet trampled on the metal steps as we descended to the underground bunker.
A handsome young man with short blond hair and a goatee stood at the base of the staircase. "They are waiting for you." He lifted his arm and pointed toward a door.
We proceed to the room. My heart rate accelerated. If anything happened, I knew Drake would protect me. Jeremy would protect me, too. That knowledge boosted my confidence. I could do this, I told myself.
The door opened right as we reached it. A male servant with a blank expression stood nearby, grasping the knob. Drake walked inside, calm and poised. I followed his lead into the dimly lit room, then stopped a few feet from the door.
The tables were set up as they had been the previous night—two short tables connected to one long one forming a wide U. Men were in the majority in the room with only two women, one of which was Sophia. Two chairs in the center faced the long table.
Dimitry rose and stepped around the back of the tables. He wore a pin-striped dark suit. His arrogant smile made my stomach twist. "Jessie, Jeremy, we have arranged for you to sit in the center. Drake, you may join us at the table."
I inhaled a deep breath, then strolled to the chairs. Jeremy stayed at my side. I claimed the seat on the left and he took the other. We exchanged glances and smiles before turning our full attention to the group.
Drake took an empty spot near the right corner, not that anybody noticed except for me. Dimitry returned to his seat directly facing us.
"Before we begin"—Dimitry unbuttoned his suit jacket—"I would like to extend our apology to Jessie. What happened last night was very unfortunate. I speak for all of us when I say we are glad that you were able t
o survive."
I bit my tongue, holding the laughter wanting to expel from me. What a crock of shit.
Nassar, sitting to the left, now rose. "I too would like to extend an apology. Serena was an acquaintance of mine. I deeply regret the harm she brought upon you."
Now that was a sincere apology. Lips hinting at a smile, I gave him a tilt of my head.
"Has the woman been questioned?" one of the men asked from the table on the right.
"I questioned her myself. Someone cleaned her memory," Nassar said as he appeared to study each member.
"Why would someone here want me dead?" I asked.
Eyes turned on me and I felt as if a big red target was on my forehead.
"Do you have evidence it was someone here?" a man with brown curly hair asked.
"Who else can erase memories?" I replied.
Drake leaned forward. "My advice is we leave the matter open. We need more time to investigate."
"That is a good plan. We should proceed with our meeting," Dimitry said.
As others mumbled their agreement, I let out a sigh of frustration. I wanted to hear what they had to say about the incident, but Drake had shut me down. I didn't understand his motive.
"Before we start bombarding them with questions, why don't we introduce ourselves?" said a man with a Spanish accent. He had short, dark hair and a round face. He too wore a dark suit.
"Good idea, Ramon," the young female in the room said. "We know a great deal about her, but she doesn't even know our names." Her voice hinted at a Scottish accent.
I held my hands in my lap and threaded my fingers together.
Dimitry motioned to the Asian man sitting next to Kuri. "Quon, why don't you begin?"
Nassar sat as Quon stood. Eyes shaped like almonds stared at me. He was taller than Kuri and average in build with short black hair. "My name is Quon. I have been a member of the VETOV for more than seven centuries. My homeland is China and I have walked on this earth over twelve hundred years."
My jaw almost dropped. Twelve hundred years? Holy crap.
He returned to his seat as the man next to him—who I'd already met once before—pushed his chair back and stood. "I am Renaud. I came to the VETOV three centuries ago and I am almost four centuries old."
Nassar stood next. "My name is Abdul Nassar. I was born in Egypt and died there long before Christ. Eight hundred years ago, I created this organization in an effort to stop the senseless killing. I believed we could teach old and new vampires a better way to survive by reminding them to preserve life and humanity. Our members have grown from two to nine, and we employ over a hundred enforcers such as Drake and Kuri. I assure you, we are an honorable organization. We have had our share of challenges over the ages, but I am proud to say we have held true to our goals."
Hands clapped before Nassar made it back in his seat. I glanced around and found everyone in support of his speech. But did everyone really believe his words? Nassar was one of the good guys, without a doubt. And the fact that he had been around since before Christ blew my mind. He had to be incredibly strong and powerful. Thank God he was on my side.
Jeremy nudged my thigh with his knee. He tilted his head as if directing me to look. I followed his lead and saw Drake walking away from the table. Where was he going?
The next vampire rose from her seat.
"Jessie," the woman with the Scottish accent said. She appeared shorter than me and had beautiful wavy brown hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders. "My name is Elissa. I am the youngest one here, having died a little over two centuries ago. I am very proud to be part of this organization and believe wholeheartedly in our goals. We may not be perfect, and we rarely all agree, but we do try to preserve life."
My heart picked up a beat, troubled over her last sentence. Was she trying to give me a warning?
The handsome man with the dark hair and round face stood after Elissa sat. "My name is Ramon. I am almost five centuries old and I have supported the VETOV for over four centuries."
Dimitry rose, tugging the cuffs of his suit. "As you know, my name is Dimitry. My age is not important. What matters are the goals of this organization and maintaining our own race. We have done a good job thus far, and as Nassar pointed out, we have challenges. But I'm sure we can work them out."
The demon in me wanted to run up and slap him. If I could have gotten away with it, I would've.
The young man with curly brown hair and a youthful look stood next. "I am Constantine. I have been here since before Christ also, though not as long as Nassar. We have been comrades for many, many centuries, and I will continue to support him."
As he sat, I scanned the room for Drake. He had been missing for several minutes. Where could he have gone?
The man sitting next to Sophia rose. He too looked young and had a model's face with high cheekbones. "My name is Anton. I am almost four centuries old. I came to the VETOV shortly after my rebirth. While I don't support some of the actions taken by my fellow members"—his gaze stayed fixed on Dimitry—"I fully support the goals of our organization."
Dimitry frowned at Anton. I wondered what their little dispute was concerning.
Anton returned to his seat at the same time Sophia stood, showing off an all-too-happy smile. "As you know, my name is Sophia." She paused, pressed her lips shut, then slowly turned her attention to the door.
The room fell silent and everyone looked in the same direction as Sophia. It was as if they could sense or hear something.
Jeremy and I twisted in our seats. The servant standing near the open door stared ahead like a statue. I wondered if one of the VETOV had invaded his mind.
"The meeting is in here?" A man's voice drifted in from the hall. The voice sounded familiar—a bit scratchy, deep, and very much like George Clooney.
My heart jumped with excitement, thinking of only one man that fit that description. But it couldn't be him. He was in Pittsburgh.
I narrowed my gaze at the open door and anxiously waited to see who would walk through. Drake strode in, followed by Sean. He wore jeans and a cream-colored blazer over a polo shirt, his typical fashion. Our eyes met and I leaped to my feet. My warlock guardian had come to help me.
Chapter Seventeen
I squeezed Sean tight and rested my head on his shoulder. His long white hair brushed over my arms. He had a light musky scent mixed with a cedar aroma that reminded me of my youth when I lived in his house. Tingly energy seeped into me and spread like bugs crawling under my skin. The somewhat irritating sensation itched and tickled, but I didn't care. My longtime friend and guardian was here with me and that was all that mattered.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, releasing my hold of him.
A warm smile faced me with the all too familiar fatherly eyes. "I defend people for a living. I would never miss a chance to defend you."
Relief filled me and eased my troubled soul. A lawyer in front of bloodsucking vampires—he could definitely help me.
I looked to Drake, standing at Sean's side. He had to know Sean's plan. Why else would he have left the meeting? "You knew, didn't you?"
Drake's lips hinted at a smile. Yeah, he knew.
"Why don't we have a seat." Sean gestured with his arm extended. "I'm sure the members would like to get the meeting started."
We headed toward my empty chair. Members watched with a curious fascination while others whispered. Jeremy rose and offered his hand.
Sean eagerly accepted Jeremy's greeting. "You must be Jeremy."
"Yes, I am."
"It is nice to finally put faces with names."
A male servant brought a chair and set it next to mine.
"Thank you, sir," Sean said to the young man before he walked away.
I addressed the members. "I apologize for the interruption." The whispers slowly silenced.
"Jessie, would this be the person who took care of you after your mother's death?" Dimitry asked. He pushed his chair from the table and crossed his legs.
> Before I could answer, Sean spoke. "My name is Sean McClelland. It is true, I took care of Jessie until she reached adulthood, but we are by no means related. I came here as a friend and her attorney."
Dimitry clasped his hands over his leg. "I'm not sure what you have been told, Mr. McClelland. Jessie has not been condemned of any wrongdoing. This is not a trial. Therefore, your legal services are not needed."
Hah! I almost laughed. Not a trial? What a load of horse shit.
"This is an informal meeting," Ramon said. "Nothing more."
I frowned in disagreement. Could I walk out then and leave the fort? No, of course not. They'd stop me in a heartbeat.
"Mr. McClelland has known Jessie much longer than anyone here. If he wants to stay, I think we should let him. Maybe he can answer a few questions about her youth," Anton said.
Dimitry looked at his peers as they voiced their agreement, then he turned his attention to me. He had a sly expression.
"Is there anyone who is not in agreement with Mr. McClelland staying?" Nassar asked.
Silence filled the room. Sean and I glanced at each other and smiled.
"Then he stays. We should continue with our meeting," Nassar said.
"Thank you," Sean replied. "I would be happy to answer any of your questions."
Jeremy, Sean, and I took our seats at the same time. I gazed at Drake and the corner of my lips curled into a loving smile. I was more than thankful that he'd helped Sean arrive safely. I'd have to show him my appreciation later.
"Jessie, is it true you began catching souls when you were in college?" Ramon asked.
My leg brushed over the other as I crossed them. "Yes, I was nineteen when I first discovered my ability."
"How many souls you have sent to Hell?" Quon asked.
"Well…" I inhaled a deep breath as I thought about the question. I estimated an average of ten souls per year. In six years' time, that put the total around sixty, more or less. "Around seventy, I suppose."
