by Mari Mancusi
Oh why, oh why didn’t I bring a knife? Or a gun? Or some kind of other deadly weapon good for more than taking out vampires? And speaking of vampires, why on earth did I let my vampire boyfriend leave me here all alone in the first place? I mean, sure, I’m a kick-ass slayer chick who doesn’t need a man to protect me from harm. But, come on, it’s never a bad thing to have a partner in crime on the scene, in case of trouble, right?
“Jareth?” I hiss hopefully into the darkness, though in my heart I realize there’s a better chance of it being Freddy Krueger, sliding his nail glove against a pipe than my boyfriend. Especially since the sound’s coming from the opposite end of the tunnel. Fear pounds inside me as I rise from my bench, creeping to the edge of the platform, holding my stake in one hand and my flashlight in another. Half of me wonders if I should turn off the light—better hide myself from whatever’s coming around the corner. But the other half is too scared not to at least get a glimpse of what’s probably going to eat me for lunch.
I guide my flashlight along the tracks with a shaky hand, a lump the size of Texas in my throat. Where are you, creature of the subway? And what are you going to do?
After a few moments of searching, I take a step backward, trying to still my trembling body. Probably nothing, I tell myself. Just a rat. Or one of those alligators people flush down the toilet. Scary, but not deadly.
Finally steadying my breath, I turn around to head back to my bench…
…and find myself face to face with a pair of glowing red eyes.
9
I stagger backward, nearly falling off the edge of the subway platform in shock. The flashlight falls from my hand and clatters to the ground, bulb breaking and light extinguishing. Before I’m abandoned to total darkness, I’m treated to a flash-frame image of a nightmare, standing before me: four feet of dark, matted fur, dripping fangs, and razor-sharp claws.
I suddenly no longer give the slightest crap about rats.
“Stay back!” I cry, waving my hands blindly in front of my face, praying my eyes will adjust to the cave darkness. I try to remind myself that I’m a vampire—I’m really tough to kill—but, to be honest, the mantra doesn’t make me feel much better. After all, the creature might not have a wooden stake to drive through my heart, but it’s going to be pretty much impossible to regenerate if I’m chewed up and eaten alive—which, let’s face it, seems the most likely scenario in this case.
The creature snarls and snaps its teeth, its large ruby-red eyes the only clue to its exact whereabouts on the platform—which, currently, is way too close for comfort. Should I make a run for it? How far will I get with no light? After all, if I cracked my ankle or snagged it on a subway track I’ll be worse off than I am now.
So instead I tighten my grip on my stake. Better to stand my ground. Maybe I can at least hold it off until Jareth gets back.
“Good monster,” I whisper through the darkness, side-stepping away from the platform edge. “Just chill out. I’m not here to hurt you.” If only I’d brought a cookie.
Unfortunately it appears that the monster in question fails to have a strong grip on the English language. Or maybe it just doesn’t like the way I smell. Or does like it—’cause let’s be honest, I did eat raw hamburger for breakfast. It lunges at me, knocking me backward with the force of a speeding train. I crumble to the ground, trying to wrestle it off my body as it snaps at my neck. In addition to mangy fur, the creature seems to have a row of sharp quills on its back and I accidentally stab my hand on one of them, cool blood flowing down my arm. Damn it!
The creature freezes, sniffing the air. I use my momentary advantage to flip it over—accidentally dropping my stake in the process. After diving on top of the creature and pinning it down with my thighs, I try to keep it prostrate with one hand as I search the ground for my only weapon. My eyes are now adjusted enough to see the beast’s mouth seeking and finding my bleeding hand, its fangs sinking into my flesh.
Well, what do you know? It’s a blood drinker…
I suck in a breath as the pain shoots through me—hard and unyielding—and it’s all I can do not to rip my arm away. Instead, I force myself to stay still—to let the creature drink, as I search for the stake with my free hand.
Finally, my fingers close around the wood and I make my move. Bringing my arm up in the air, ready to stab the beast through the heart and end this fight—
“Enough!”
I stop, milliseconds before driving the stake through. Who said that? I try to search the darkness for the source of the voice.
“Fluffy! Release her. Come!”
To my shock and extreme awe, the bloodsucking beast—Fluffy?!—immediately unlocks its grip on my hand and scurries off into the darkness.
I scramble to my feet, holding my hand to my side, trying to put pressure on the wound. “Who’s there?” I cry. “Show yourself.”
A light flickers and a moment later the glow of a lamp shines through the darkness. I gasp as a tall, dark figure, dressed in a long, black cape steps into view. His skin is as white as snow. His hair as dark as night. His lips are as red as blood. Meaning he’s either some kind of cross-dressing Snow White…
… or a vampire.
“Oh my God,” I cry, relief flooding over me like a tidal wave. “Thank you so much!” I attempt a step forward toward the elderly vampire, but Fluffy—now standing by her master’s side—snarls, bearing her fangs—which, I might add, are still dripping with my blood. I stop, holding up my hands in surrender. “What is that thing?” I ask.
The vampire smiles, revealing a set of gleaming white fangs under the flickering lamplight. “Chupacabra,” he says, reaching down to scratch the creature’s mangy head. Fluffy looks up at him and pants happily.
Chupacabra. I draw in a breath, remembering my studies at Riverdale Academy. Chupacabra are legendary bloodsucking creatures, hailing from Mexico and the southwestern United States. Their name literally means “goat sucker”—with goats and other livestock being their favorite menu items.
So what was this one doing up here in New York City—which, let’s face it, is not exactly the biggest farm community around… And… I glance around nervously… are there more of her kind lurking the darkness?
“Who are you?” the vampire asks, his deep voice echoing through the dark chamber. “And what brings you to the tunnels?”
“Oh! Sorry—my bad! My name is Rayne McDonald,” I say, deciding to keep my distance from Fluffy this time, hoping the guy will ignore my rudeness in not shaking his hand. “I’m a member of the Blood Coven and my boyfriend, Jareth, and I are searching for my sister and her boyfriend, Magnus. They’re supposedly hiding out down here with a group of anti-Consortium vampires.” I pause, then add hopefully, “You don’t happen to know where they are, do you?”
The elder vampire is silent for a moment, considering my words without addressing my question. At last he speaks. “Most vampires I know don’t go around wielding wooden stakes.”
I look down at the weapon I’m still clutching in my hands and I feel my face heat. “Oh that,” I say. “Well, I sort of freelance for Slayer Inc. as well. It’s a long story.” I strain my ears to hear if Jareth might be coming back soon—surely he must have heard all the commotion. But all that greets me is silence. I hope he’s okay….
“So you’re telling me you’re a vampire who works as a vampire slayer,” the elder says, raising a wooly eyebrow.
I shrug. “That and a fairy princess,” I add. “And a cheerleader, too. Though they’ve probably kicked me off the team by now. It’s been a while since I’ve been home.” For some reason the thought makes me a little sad. “In any case, you don’t need to worry. I only take out the bad vampires, not the good ones.”
“I see… And who, may I ask, makes that call?”
I cock my head in question. “Excuse me?”
“What I mean is…” He clears his throat. “Who decides which vampires are good… and which are evil?”
“Oh r
ight.” I scramble. “You know, to be perfectly honest, that’s actually become a bit of a muddy question these days.” Way to go, Rayne. After all, according to someone like Pyrus, these vampires are anti-Consortium—and therefore totally stakeable. “In any case, I’m not looking to stake any vampires right now. I’m on a mission to find my sister, as I told you. Are she and Magnus hiding out with you by any chance?” I cross my fingers for an affirmative.
“Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. But if they were, surely they would not wish to be found.”
“Yeah, I know, I know,” I reply quickly. This guy is going to be harder to get through than Jareth’s secretary, isn’t he? And I can’t trick him with Race Jameson sightings down here—even if he is a fan, which seems unlikely anyway. “But they need to hear what I’ve got to say. Pyrus, the leader of the Consortium, has discovered where they are and he’s probably sending a team right now to come and find them. If they’re caught, they’ll be tried for treason.” I scowl, thinking of the Consortium speaker. “And if they’re found guilty, they’ll be killed. I can’t let that happen.”
The elder vampire rubs his chin thoughtfully. “A member of Slayer Inc. who claims to fight against the Consortium,” he ponders aloud, more to himself than anything. “Very interesting.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s fascinating.” His slow talking is driving me crazy. I mean, let’s get on with it here—time is running out! “And if we had more time, I’d totally explain all the ways. But we don’t. So please, will you take me to my sister and Magnus before it’s too late?” I dare take another step forward. Fluffy growls, snapping her teeth. The elder vampire holds out a hand.
“And how am I supposed to know this is not some kind of trick?” he asks. “That you are not here on a mission to do exactly what you claim you wish to prevent?”
“Because Sunny is my sister! Family doesn’t do that to one another.”
“Really.” The vampire chuckles softly. “Are you sure about that?”
“I’m sure that I would never harm a hair on my sister’s head!” I vow. “That I would protect her with every bone in my body.”
He rubs his chin again. I have to say, it’s really weird to be looking at such an old vampire. Most every other vampire I’ve come across was turned undead while still in their prime—and, thus, given the gift of eternal youth. This poor guy should at least consider investing in a little Botox or maybe some fillers…
“You certainly do seem like you’re telling the truth,” he says at last. “Or at least a truth you believe. I’m sorry, however, that in this case I cannot be of assistance.”
“What?” I cry, my heart sinking in my chest. “Why not?” Does he really expect me to believe he doesn’t know where my sister is?
“I once made a vow to protect those who entered my coven,” he says. “Promising that only those who speak the ancient password of peace will be allowed entrance. Since you do not seem to know this password, I can only assume you come here uninvited. Therefore it would be a disservice to my people to let you in.” He smiles patronizingly at me. “Now why don’t you come with me and I’ll escort you back up onto the city streets? I’ll help you find a lovely hotel with a hot shower where you can wash the stink off your clothes before returning home and rejoining your cheerleading friends.”
“No!” I cry, furious at his trying to dismiss me like that. “Hell no! I’ll never leave without my sister!” I step forward, ignoring Fluffy’s warning growl. Screw her—I’m not going to let some mythical beast and old guy vampire tell me to go take a bubble bath. Not when Sunny’s life is in danger! I grip my stake tightly in my hands. “Now you tell me where Sunny is or I’ll—”
A voice breaks out from the darkness. “What’s going on here?”
I whirl around, happy beyond belief to see Jareth step out from the shadows. Thank goodness. And just in time, too. After all, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to rightly stake this guy—and what if he decided to call my bluff?
“Jareth!” I cry, rushing over to my boyfriend. “This guy knows where Sunny and Magnus are, but he won’t tell us unless we know some sort of stupid password. Let him know that we’re here to—”
Jareth sidesteps me and heads straight to the elderly vampire, giving him a low bow. “Pax tecum,” he says.
The elder grins. “Now why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
“Say what? What did you say? You knew there was a password?” I demand. “Why didn’t you tell me there was a freaking password?”
Jareth gives me a sympathetic look. “Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t think you’d run into them before me. The vampire underground railroad has always used the same password over the millennia. Pax tecum—Peace be with you. I learned it long ago when I sought protection after Slayer Inc. killed my family. They helped me reinvent myself and rejoin society as a new vampire—to absolve me of my crimes against Slayer Inc.”
I give a low whistle, completely sobered by his words. “Wow. I had no idea.” Poor Jareth. I assumed once he’d escaped from Slayer Inc.’s siege, he was free and clear. But I guess it makes sense. After all, if he’d taken out some of their agents in the big fight, they might end up holding a bit of a grudge.
“The Consortium has been around a long time,” Jareth adds. “But there are many vampires who have been around a lot longer.” He nods his head respectfully in the elder’s direction. The elder gives him a small smile.
“Well, all righty there,” I interject, a renewed sense of hope surging through me. Maybe this will work out after all. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go get Sunny and Magnus.”
10
The elderly vampire—who introduces himself as Drake—unlocks an ancient-looking door at the far end of the platform with a golden key tied around his neck and ushers us into a narrow passageway, leading off into, yes, more darkness. Luckily, he goes first, illuminating the path with his lantern, his trusty Chupacabra, Fluffy, sticking to his side. The creature wags her tail as she scampers along with her master—she’s so freaking cute, it’s hard to believe she tried to eat me ten minutes before.
We walk for what seems like forever, through a twisted maze of passages lined with booby traps, which Drake helpfully points out as we go. I realize there is no way on earth Jareth and I could have discovered this place on our own—never mind survived all the traps. Guess Magnus knew what he was doing when he picked this place over the Four Seasons when choosing his and Sunny’s hideaway. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so worried about Pyrus tracking them down after all.
Still, it can’t hurt to give them a head’s up. And I’ll be thrilled at the chance to see my sister again after so much time apart. I finger the box in my pocket, wrapped in black-and-gold paper. The Christmas present I never got to give her until now.
Suddenly, Drake stops. I look up. The passageway ends abruptly at a large stone wall. Confused, I search the area for some kind of side exit, but see nothing. Are we lost? Did Drake take a wrong turn?
“Here we are,” he says instead. “The entrance to our lair.”
I squint at him, then at the solid rock wall ahead. “Um, entrance? I don’t see no stinking entrance.”
He smiles. “Down here, my little slayer, things are not always as they appear.” He whistles for Fluffy, who runs up to him, tongue lolling from her mouth. He nods at her and claps his hands once. I watch in amazement as Fluffy turns and dives at the wall, without hesitation—bracing myself for a loud crack as her head slams into solid stone. After all, I’d much prefer to be able to say that no animals were harmed in the making of this rescue.
But to my surprise—the creature does not hit her head. Instead, the head in question completely disappears into the rock, followed by her furry body.
“Holy crap!” I cry, reaching out to touch the rock wall with my own hand. Sure enough, my fingers slide easily through the optical illusion. “I want one of these for my bedroom door.”
Drake chuckles, then his expression turns seriou
s. “We have many vampires among us who do not wish to be found under any circumstances,” he tells us. “It is best to be overly protective in all cases.” He gives me a small bow. “After you, my dear.”
Right. I suck in a breath and take a determined step up to the rock. As I move forward, I’m still half sure I’m going to whack my head against solid stone. But instead I slide right on through—enveloping myself in a slick curtain of mist—before reappearing on the other side. A moment later I’m joined by Jareth and Drake.
“That is too cool,” I mutter. “You are so going to have to give me that secret.”
Jareth reaches out and squeezes my hand, giving me a small smile. “We made it,” he whispers.
I look up, taking in my surroundings. My brows furrow as I scan the wide, high-ceilinged, rock-walled cavern around us. I guess I wasn’t sure what to expect here, but I can tell you for sure I didn’t expect to see such heartbreaking poverty. I mean, practically every vampire I’ve ever met is super rich, possessing luxury and amenities beyond compare—or at least a decent middle-class income. This place is like the opposite: a shantytown of cardboard box homes and half-rotted tents. Hammered tin, shattered glass, bones strewn about. The camp centers around a large fire pit, the heavy smoke stinging my eyes. I glance over at Jareth, trying to shoot him a look of dismay without Drake seeing. This is where my sister has been living all this time?
He gives me a grim smile. “Welcome to life for vampires outside the Consortium’s embrace.”
I swallow hard. Wow. When he said the Blood Coven would suffer if they were kicked from the Consortium, I guess I figured they might be stuck with Top Ramen once in a while. Not living in ultimate squalor. No wonder the other vampire masters in the Consortium are so scared to go against Pyrus’s orders. I wouldn’t want this for my people either!
