Whispers in the Dark

by Niranjan K

  “Shut up, Aiden.” Jon said. “You've no idea what I'm going through right now. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. If your fledge wants to commit suicide, that's her lookout, but I won't have you suffering because of her hero complex!”

  He stormed off and they stared after him, mouths agape. It was Genevieve who broke the silence. “Is he always-”

  “A jerk?” Ray asked. “Pretty much all the time.”

  “That was actually nice for Jon.” Aiden said, a small smile on his lips.

  “I'm not making excuses, but… he's in an emotionally fragile state right now,” Alistair said. “Just make some allowances, will you?”

  “Oh,” Genevieve said. “What happened?”

  “His fledgeling was killed,” Ray said, sighing. Perhaps they should make allowances for Jon.

  “Well, how do we find a vampire with B positive blood?” Aiden asked.

  “The council,” Ray said. “I’ll send a message to Magnus. He should get back to us. We need to trap him before he leaves Miriwok. I'm not planning to chase him all over the country.”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Something was not quite right with Ray. It was evident, though he was doing a good enough job of hiding it. Alistair wanted to ask him about it, but also didn't want to distract him.

  “So, we need a vampire with a place of his own, or at least a lease in his name.” Ray was talking to Magnus on the phone. “Yes, Magnus, he should have B positive blood. Also, preferably, he should have a house near the suburbs. That's the other pattern in his attack. He's going from the centre of the town to one end and back to the centre and back again to the other end, and then skip town.” A pause, “No, you see, Bahter was too small a town, so it was one end to another and out. Miriwok is larger than Criston, so I'm assuming he'll stick around. Yes, the suburbs near Bahter, within four blocks of Gyren Memorial. That's how he rolls.” Another pause, while Alistair tried not to listen to the other end. “No, he won't go near the sea, and if we miss him now, there are potentially any number of places he could strike next. Also, if any other fledgelings or vampires with B positive are in the city, get them to a safe location immediately and do whatever you need to cover the scent. He shouldn't smell anyone except our bait.”

  “You love him a lot,” Genevieve said, startling him.

  “I do,” he told her, smiling. Young she might be, but she was not foolish, despite her wish to be feral vampire bait.

  “Aiden's done something so I can't leave the house,” she said moodily. “You don't mind me talking to you, do you?”

  “No, not at all,” he said. “Where's Aiden? I haven't seen him all morning.”

  “Your brother went for a walk and Aiden went with him, saying something about keeping an eye on him. I think he thinks Jon will run off looking for the feral vampire himself if someone's not there.”

  It was likely. It was something Alistair himself would have done in his shoes. He looked at the paper she was drumming absently against her knee. It was the photograph of Todd that Magnus had brought. He didn't have to look at it. He had already memorised Todd’s face.

  There was nothing remarkable about him. He was a tall young man, unnaturally thin with a mop of brown hair and large glasses. There was an impish quality about him and mischief in his smile. And now, that young man was out there, feral, unable to control himself and slipping into insanity and killing people.

  He felt a tightening in his chest and something seemed to be lodged in his throat. He coughed to dislodge it and Ray came and sat next to him, snuggling close and shutting his eyes. “Magnus said he will arrange everything, and it had better work because the council will have his head if it doesn't. I tuned out when he started talking about treaty violations.”

  “The treaty was a long time ago, wasn't it?” Genevieve asked. “What prompted it, do you know?” The question was addressed to Ray and he smiled, opening his eyes for a moment and closing them again.

  “My knowledge is as sketchy as yours. History lessons are all I had. But Alistair here should be knowing all the details,” He smiled at Alistair and though the smile was warm, there was still something in his eyes.

  “It was because the earth leaders decided that earth could no longer support humanity as it was. We had to move. And we all felt, both vampires and hunters alike, that we should start with a clean slate in a new place, and hence we hammered out the treaty.” he said.

  He wasn't in the mood to go into details. It was worrying, this shadow that lay over Ray's smiles, this too much nervous energy he was having.

  “That's all?” Genevieve was asking. “I was expecting something more exciting.”

  “That's all, I'm afraid,” he smiled at her.

  Ray's phone beeped. “It's Magnus,” he said. “He has sent us an address. The house of a Vadian Soleh.”

  “I know him,” Alistair said. “We don't get along very well. Jon's fault, really, but Vadian felt I was in on it.”

  “In on what?”

  “A prank Jon played on him, not worth talking about.” Sometimes the extent of his brother's childishness and spite surprised Alistair.

  “Well, no matter. He's our bait and we're going to have to live in his house till we catch Todd. So, pack your things?”

  Alistair wanted to groan. If it wasn't for the danger Ray was going to be in, he would have backed out. Vadian was going to be a nightmare. But there was nothing to be done now.

  “Excuse us,” he said to Genevieve as he followed Ray into their bedroom. It was strange just how quickly he had begun to think of the room as theirs.

  “I just hope all this will end soon.” he said.

  “So do I.” Ray said.

  “What if he's not in the area?” Alistair asked. “This is guesswork at the most.”

  Ray shook his head, and put his finger to his lips, and Alistair moved closer. He took Ray into his arms because it was impossible not to with Ray so close. Ray kissed him, hunger and desperation and a lot of unnamed things in that kiss and Alistair kissed him back with equal fervour, till Ray pulled back slightly and whispered, “Gyren Memorial has been losing bags of artificial blood for a week now. Not much, one bag a day.”

  Before he could reply, Ray's mouth was on his, tongue seeking entry and Alistair kissed him back, his brain whirring with questions. When they broke the kiss, he whispered, “You think Todd is stealing that blood?”

  They were still so close, their bodies pressed together and there was almost no gap between their lips. “I think he has to be feeding somehow and he hasn't killed any humans. I hacked into their security feed earlier today and it is Todd. They had filed a police complaint, but Surrey has made them forget.”

  “He didn't know who it was.” Ray kissed him again. “So, we can get him at the hospital,” Alistair said.

  “That's a last resort. Would you rather try and corner him in a human hospital? How many people's memories can you wipe? It only takes one.”

  It made so much sense. Before Alistair could ask anything more, Ray was kissing him again, and this time, Alistair had no interest in asking anything more.

  “So, when do we leave?” Alistair asked later, as they lay, limbs tangled with each other's. He felt as if nothing could spoil this day for him.

  “Once Jon and Aiden get back.” Ray said. “We can't leave Genevieve alone in the house.”

  “I guess not.” Alistair agreed. “I must warn you that Vadian is likely to be a nightmare.”

  “It's only for a few days at the most.” Ray said. “We just have to make sure Vadian goes to the hospital at least four times a day so that Todd will come after him.”

  “It's going to be risky.” Alistair said.

  “It's going to be all right.” Ray said, and when Ray looked like that, Alistair really couldn't argue.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Vadian turned out to be a tall vampire with drooping shoulders and a melancholy air. He was happy to help, he told Ray, but wished Alistair hadn't come with him.<
br />
  “He and his brother peed on my stock of blood.” he said. “As if it was a joke.”

  “That was Jon, not me.” Alistair said, and Ray could feel his aggravation.

  Getting Vadian to agree to visit the hospital was no chore, as he agreed readily. “I want that creature caught.” he told them, as the three of them ambled to the hospital, the sedate pace set by Vadian to accommodate Ray. It was as if he couldn't believe Ray or any human, hunter or not, could walk at more than a snail's pace. “Magnus speaks highly of you.” He informed Ray. “Which was why I agreed to this at all. Of course, with Alistair around, I know my life will be safe. He may be a prankster, but he is good in a fight.”

  “He is,” Ray agreed though he had no idea. It stood to reason, however.

  Vadian made some disparaging comments about the hospital's appearance. “I hate all this modern architecture,” he said. “There's something quintessentially ugly about them.”

  “They're built for a purpose,” Ray said. “They're utilitarian.”

  “Ugly,” Vadian said, quite unperturbed. “Utilitarian can be beautiful too. But it's like they've gone out of their way to create ugly buildings.”

  Where was he the last few centuries?

  Ray squashed the thought and nodded along. As annoying as he was, Vadian also proved quite informative, especially about history and regaled him with a story of Gyren memorial as they returned. “Gyren was a vampire, you know.” he said.

  “What?” Ray was surprised. “I thought he was a doctor who died saving patients from a fire.”

  “He was a doctor and he did save people from the fire, but he didn't die. Vampires don't die in fires, you know. He escaped, changed his name and left the country. Came back a decade later, with a different haircut, clean shaven and nobody even recognised him.”

  Vadian chuckled, and Ray smiled, but he was feeling a prickling sensation in the back of his neck, as if someone was watching them. He was thankful for the slow pace, because even though he couldn't turn around, he could keep his attention focussed all around, his eyes scanning every person on the street quickly. He scratched his forearm, using the movement to undo the clasp of his watch. It fell down and he bent down to pick it up, sending a swift glance behind as he straightened. There was a shock of brown hair that disappeared too quickly.

  He apologised to Vadian and put on the watch again, paying no attention to Vadian's lecture. Things were progressing faster than he had anticipated. In a way, it was lucky. But he was not sure if he was ready. What if Todd attacked now? Alistair moved closer to him. One good thing about Vadian's monologue was he didn't pay attention to what was happening around.

  “What is it?” Alistair asked. “You appear tense.”

  “Todd is here,” Ray told him. “Somewhere behind us.”

  “We need to get Vadian home,” Alistair muttered, looking around at the people all around. “If Todd attacks him now...”

  “I've an idea,” Ray muttered, as he clutched his stomach and doubled over, retching.

  “My dear boy,” Vadian asked, all concern. “Are you all right.”

  “Of course, he's not,” Alistair said. “He's sick, I think. Must be the sun. It isn't good for him to spend a lot of time outside.”

  “Oh, then we need to get him home,” Vadian said. “What do we do?”

  “Help me get him to that alley, and we can speed away with him before anyone notices.”

  “Good idea.”

  Vadian took Ray by an arm, supporting him, while Alistair took his other arm and guided him into the alley. Ray kept moaning as if in pain.

  “Do we need to take him to the hospital?” Vadian asked, looking worried and Ray felt a momentary pang of guilt. But this was to save Vadian's life as well.

  “No, he'll be fine once he's indoors.” Alistair said. “I'll bring him, you go on ahead, and we'll be right behind.”

  Vadian sped away, and Alistair held Ray close and sped after him. Ray kept his eyes closed as nausea churned his gut. Travelling at speeds for this much distances obviously didn't agree with him. At this rate he was really going to be sick. Fortunately, it didn't last long. He rushed to the bathroom and heaved into the toilet bowl as soon as they reached.

  “How are you?” Vadian was hovering near him.

  “I'm all right now.” Ray straightened, wiping his lips and accepting the glass of water Alistair brought. “Thank you,” he said with real gratitude.

  “I forgot the speed can make you sick too.” Alistair said apologetically.

  “It's okay,” Ray smiled at him. Jon's words were still in his mind, but he pushed them to the back, focussing on the task at hand.

  “Do you like books?” Vadian asked. “I have quite a large collection of fantasy books. I love them, you know.”

  “I'd love to see them.” Ray said. Fantasy had always been his favourite, after vampires.

  Vadian beckoned them to a room. “This,” he said with obvious pride, “is my library.”

  It was a large room, with floor to ceiling shelves built into the walls and books filled every shelf. The only bookless space was a large French window opening to the garden.

  “Wow!” Ray said as he took a familiar title from the shelf.

  “That's-” Vadian started, when Ray said, nostalgia filling him.

  “Fire's Song. I know. This used to be Shane's favourite.” He touched the cover fondly, thinking of the days when he and his twin would lie in their secret place in the hills, and read books. Alistair was standing near him, and Ray could feel the question burning his soul about to burst from his lips, but instead he gave him a smile and turned to Vadian, “Do you have the sequels as well?”

  “What kind of collector would I be if I didn't?” Vadian asked as Ray blinked to clear his eyes.

  The next moment, someone came crashing in through the window and dived at Vadian. Ray interposed his body between the attacker and Vadian even as Alistair lunged for the creature. Todd knocked Alistair down and made for Vadian again. Ray grabbed his gun and fired two shots, thankful he carried it even indoors. The wooden bullets laced with rose should at least have slowed him down, but it didn't. Alistair leapt at his legs, tackling him to the ground, and he kicked at him.

  “Don't kill him!” Ray shouted as he took out the crossbow whose arrows were dipped in a solution which contained the same sleeping drug that he had given Jon.

  The crossbow was knocked aside and Todd caught him by the neck, lifted him into the air, squeezing so hard Ray could see stars. He tried to fight, but the grip was too strong.

  I wanted to save you!

  There was no trace of humanity in the eyes that stared at him. They were full of pain and madness.

  I never got to ask Alistair about Shane.

  His world went black.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Alistair had no clear recollection of what happened after he had seen Ray in Todd's grip, struggling as his life was slowly but surely squeezed out of him. It was as if some primal instinct had taken hold of him. He grabbed the crossbow and fired five arrows in rapid succession into Todd's back. Todd dropped Ray and turned to him, but stopped as if he was groggy. Vadian was crouched on the floor, trying not to throw up. Alistair grabbed him by the hand, caught Ray around the waist and sped them both into the living room where Ray's weapons were.

  “Stay here,” he said as he took Ray's stake. The ash wood was heavy in his arms and he would have dropped it in any other situation, but he had to protect Ray. There was a crash from the other room and he stepped into it to find Todd passed out on the floor, having knocked over Vadian's reading table and lamp.

  He dropped the stake, and sank on to his haunches.

  “Call Magnus, Vadian.” he said, turning his head. “Tell him we have Todd.”

  Vadian nodded, his eyes fearful as he took his phone and dialled the number. He still looked green. Alistair rose and closed the door to the library and went back to the living room, and knelt by Ray, taking him in his arm
s, feeling far too relieved by the heartbeat and the warmth.

  “Oh Ray.” he whispered, burying his face in his hair and sighing. “You're okay.”

  Ray coughed, and whispered, “Alistair?”

  “I'm here.”

  Ray chuckled, his voice raspy. “Did I turn into a damsel in distress?”

  Alistair laughed, more relieved than he could say. “No, it wasn't like that.”

  “Thank you.” Ray murmured as he sat up, still in Alistair's arms.

  He coughed as he rose, and started rummaging in his supplies, finally taking out a bottle. He took a syringe and filled it with the clear liquid.

  “Is that-” Alistair stared at the thing, both revolted and fascinated.

  “The cure my father developed for me.” Ray said. “The final dose.”

  “Do you know how to make it?”

  “I have his notes.” Ray said. “Which he left to me for some reason.”

  Ray was pleased with it. Alistair could tell.

  “Can you get that creature out of my house?” Vadian asked, talking with some difficulty. “It makes me ill.”

  “Give us a few minutes.” Ray said. “Go outside and wait, Vadian. It'll be better the farther you're from him.”

  Alistair accompanied Ray to the room where Ray knelt down by Todd and plunged the needle straight into his chest.

  “That's got to hurt.” Alistair said, wincing.

  “It's nothing to what comes after,” Ray said. “Help me with him. We need to put him somewhere he won't hurt himself.”

  “Vadian isn't going to like this.”

  Alistair picked up Todd, who weighed hardly anything at all. He was still as thin as he was in his picture, and without his glasses, he could even be called good looking. Ray led the way as he took him to the guest bedroom which they had been given the previous day. He laid him gently on the bed while Ray started cutting a sheet into strips. “We have to tie his arms and legs, but not too tightly, just enough so he won't hurt himself.”

  Todd was stirring and Alistair used his speed to tie him up. Todd opened his eyes and let out a scream of such terror and pain, it made Alistair's blood run cold. He started thrashing about, screaming all the while.