by Jen Pretty
“Let’s pretend that didn’t happen,” Drew said, increasing my mortification.
My ears popped as the plane approached the tarmac and I looked out the window to see lights dotting a white cityscape. Snow. Great. I had wrongly assumed it would be warm by this time of year.
As the plane bumped down to a landing, Durga stirred again, and I tossed my senses out to search the city for Vincent. Vampires packed the city. I didn't understand why they would want to live here, but there had to be thousands.
No sign of Vincent, but I found Vaughn. He was across the city. I knew he had a house in the city and Vlad said he would let Vaughn know to expect us.
I brought my senses back in and opened my eyes. The guys were gathering their carry on, so I unbuckled and grabbed mine too. Drew handed me a winter coat and hat and we all dressed for the Russian winter.
I cursed as we walked through the accordion tunnel from the plane to the airport. It wasn’t snowy, but it was cold as hell, and I wanted to turn around and go home.
Durga woke up and pressed me forward. I guess we had work to do.
We exited the echoing tunnel into the airport. The terminal was a massive structure of glass and arches. The ceiling was several stories up and gave it the feeling of a vast open space that countered drastically with the press of travellers. We walked past several other gates with lines of people pulling suitcases or carrying small children. A man built like a gladiator stood by the line of doors. He held a sign that said ‘Lark.’
“Hi,” I said, walking through a group of people who had come in the door.
He spotted me and lowered his sign. “Hello, you are Lark? I drive you to Lord Vaughn.” The man had a thick Russian accent.
“All right, sounds good,” I said.
He took my bag, and we followed him out into the snowy street of Moscow. At the curb, a black town car waited, engine running. A man got out, and our giant handed him some money and slid into the driver seat. We all climbed in, and the car pulled out into heavy traffic. Most of the streets were one way and a tight fit between parked cars. The white stone buildings stretched up into the sky and hugged the streets, making me feel claustrophobic. When we pulled onto a highway, the vehicle zipped along fast, going in and out of tunnels and switching lanes to avoid other vehicles. It was a real live video game. Before long, the car left the highway and came back onto some smaller streets. The car swung around corners like it was a police chase. Drew's face was pale, and he gripped the seat as if it could save him. I bet he appreciated my driving now. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Singh fidgeted beside me. I could tell he already wanted to shift back into a lion. He would forget how to be a human if he wasn’t careful.
We passed a rounded building that was several stories high and lit up like a Christmas tree.
“What is that?” I asked.
“Is shop,” The driver said.
“Like a mall?” Drew asked through clenched teeth, still gripping the door.
“Yes,” the man replied, his eyes never leaving the road.
That was a big ass mall. I hoped we would have time to stop in. My hastily packed suitcase didn’t have all the necessities. I tried to remember what I had put in. It would be a surprise. The car took us to a quieter area of the city, the streets got cleaner, and there were ornate trees and beautiful landscaping.
The car stopped in front of a gate that slid open revealing a pillared mansion that curved around a courtyard. It was three stories high and made from smooth brick.
The car pulled up to the imposing building and stopped in front of the door. A Human stepped out onto the snow cleared front steps. Vaughn followed him. His face was serious which made him look so much like Vincent I almost thought it was him for a moment, but when I climbed out of the car, his open smile confirmed it was the happier twin. Not the grumpy one I longed to see.
Singh shifted and sauntered past me, taking the stairs in a single leap and then maneuvered himself around the old vampire to enter the mansion. Rude cat.
Vaughn watched him go past then descended the steps to greet me. He took me in his arms and spun me around. It caught me off guard, but when he pulled back smiling at me, I had to smile too. He was contagious.
“Welcome to my home, Lark. I am glad to have you here.”
“Thanks. Also, thank you for sending a car to pick us up. Moscow is a beautiful city,” I replied. “This is Drew.”
“Nice to meet you.
“You too,” Drew replied.
“Were you chosen by Durga or Lark?” Vaughn asked with a wicked grin.
“He’s on my team. Vincent chose him,” I replied.
Vaughn didn’t look convinced but let it go. It reminded me of the time Vincent had been yelling at Drew, and I bit his head off. I wasn’t sure if it was my voice or Durga’s when I told Vincent Drew was “mine.”
“Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay though I know you are not here to be a tourist.”
“Thanks, no, but I would like to stay for a little while once I find your brother. Or brothers,” I said with a shiver. The cold was permeating my coat. It was almost April; shouldn’t it be warmer here? Maybe it was winter all year round. I shivered again.
Vaughn noticed and hustled us into the house where a crackling fire in the large foyer welcomed us. The man who drove us through the city brought our bags in behind us, and the human closed the door, sealing out the frigid cold.
Two vampires I recognized stood in the foyer. They had come with Vaughn on his trip to the US. They were all muscles and scowls until Durga perked up and looked at them from my eyes. She did a flip inside me like she was excited to see them. I bet they would lead to chasing and slaughtering vampires. All Durga's favourite things.
The Russian vampires’ postures straightened, as their glowing eyes met my red ones, standing at attention — men ready to serve their new commander. Durga was nearly purring.
I noticed they each had the handle of a short sword sticking up over their shoulder. Durga liked men with weapons too.
“Now, Durga, let's get Lark, and your friends settled before you fall back into your old games,” Vaughn chuckled.
Durga relented and let my eyes bleed back to normal.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“Come and sit down and I’ll tell you a story,” Vaughn said before turning down a hall papered in antique velvet wallpaper. The hardwood floors tapped under our feet as we shuffled further into the mansion. There were arches above every door along the hall, and when Vaughn opened one, it led to a beautiful sitting room with 15-foot ceilings and full-length windows that overlooked a garden.
The two vampires from the foyer had followed too and were standing flanking the door like personal security guards.
“Do you need security in the house?” I asked.
Vaughn chuckled. “They saw Durga in your eyes. They won't soon relax. She was with us once as you know. Durga chose these two herself. They were the best soldiers of the time, Gladiators. They have been working for me since she left us.”
I absorbed that information. This man knew way more about Durga than what was in the book.
“Why don’t I know this stuff?” I asked.
“Durga warned me not to tell her future incarnations about it. The fact she is still in remission tells me she doesn’t mind if I tell you everything.”
My eyes flashed red again.
“Ok, maybe not everything.” Vaughn laughed sitting down in an armchair.
My vision cleared, and I took a seat with Drew on a plush sofa. At least Vaughn had comfortable furniture in his office, unlike Vincent and his hard couch.
I had a feeling that Vaughn and Durga had more than a passing relationship. Her reaction confirmed it and made me uncomfortable. It was as if Vaughn knew personal things about me even though it wasn't me he knew. Durga was becoming more and more a part of me, like a past I had forgotten. I fidgeted under Vaughn’s gaze.
“So, you haven’t heard from Vincent
either?” Drew asked, drawing Vaughn's attention. I knew I liked Drew for a reason.
Vaughn sighed. “No, I haven’t heard about him being anywhere else though. He fell off the map not long after he arrived here. If he were in the tunnels, I would have heard.
“The tunnels?” I asked.
“Most of the vampires live in the abandoned tunnels beneath the city. It's a large system of old, defunct mines, sewers and tunnels dug by vampires centuries ago connecting them all to an underground world that is purely of vampire design. Many things go on down there. Long ago it was overrun with fallen and rogue vampires who used the system to evade Durga's wrath. My teams patrol it now to keep it free of unwelcome types, but I will warn you, it’s not a nice place. I allow more rope than Vincent did in his city. Of course, I remove those who kill humans, but many vampires relish a more… alternative lifestyle.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Alternative?”
He smiled. “Nothing I am interested in, but to each their own.”
I didn’t need to hear more about that. I would find Vincent and not have to spend any time in dark tunnels.
“So, do you have any suggestions on where we should look for Vincent?” Drew asked.
I mentally begged he wouldn't say the tunnels.
“The tunnels,” he replied, picking lint off his pant leg.
Fuck.
CHAPTER THREE
“All right, so tell me more about Durga and the muscle by the door,” I said trying to keep the thought of dark, damp tunnels out of my mind.
Vaughn smiled and looked over at them. “The one on the right is Vilen.” The man nodded once, his eyes holding mine. “And the other is Ninel.” The second man nodded as well but kept his eyes on the floor. Durga flashed a vision of Ninel as a human slumped before us, bloody and broken. His arm was almost severed at the shoulder, and half his face was a pulpy mess. His lungs pulled great gulps of air but only one eye shone up at us, the other was just an empty hole. Our hand reached out and laid upon his head. It wasn’t my hand, but I knew it was Durga. We healed Ninel as we had done with Singh in the bar after the battle with Frankie’s father.
“You look well,” she spoke, using my voice and Ninel fell to a knee. He bowed his head down. “Rise warrior. We will battle together soon. Blood will run like rivers.” Durga snapped back into her quiet place inside me as Ninel rose and lifted his eyes to meet me. They hadn’t acted like this when Durga was only a stirring inside me. We were different now. She and I were one.
“She comes and goes as she pleases?” Vaughn asked.
“Yes, but we work together. She doesn’t push me out of the way as much anymore,” I said.
“That is so interesting. When she was here last, over two centuries ago, she used to block out Elianna. The girl never knew what happened unless I told her. Durga frowned upon it though. I think she tried to save the girl from the horrors of the battles.”
“She did that for a while. It didn’t work for either of us though.”
He nodded, considering the information.
“Well, should I show you to your room? I’m sure you are eager to get out and look for Vincent.” He smiled and stood, then walked past the two Muscle-bound men by the door. Drew and I followed along behind him, but as soon as I was through the door, the two men turned and followed me, leaving Drew to tag along behind them.
I looked back and caught glimpses of Drew as he marched behind. It seemed they established the pecking order. Drew looked happy to follow, so I left it alone. Durga purred in pleasure at the wall of muscle at my back. Vilen held my eye and lifted one side of his mouth in a smile. Cocky. Durga liked that and batted her red eyes at him. I turned back to watch where I was going. I would not fall and embarrass myself because Durga wanted to make dough eyes at the giant man.
Vaughn led us upstairs and to a room with a snoring lion on the bed. Vilen set my bag down on the chair in the corner and then stepped back to flank the door.
I cleared my throat, startling the lion, but he grumbled and rolled onto his back. Great.
I turned to face Vaughn. “Thank you for letting us stay here. I think I’ll get changed and then we will head out to get looking. I haven’t been able to sense Vincent, but I’ll try again before I go.”
Vaughn nodded and handed me a cell phone and a credit card.
“I have a credit card,” I explained.
I would disappoint Vincent if I didn’t make sure you had everything you needed. Sometimes American cards do not work in stores. This one will be better for Russia.”
“Ok, thanks,” I took the items. I needed the phone. Mine quit somewhere over the north pole. I guess I didn't have international roaming set up.
“I have put my number in the address book along with Vilen and Ninel’s, though I doubt they will be far enough you will need to call for them on the phone.”
With that somewhat ominous statement, Vaughn left, closing the door behind him and sealing me in with a sleeping lion, a weird surfer dude and two slabs of Russian muscle.
The room was plain, other than the fact it contained our odd team of vampire hunters. White walls and beige bedding dotted with white cat hair.
I grabbed my bag and went to the washroom to have a quick shower and change into clean clothes I hadn’t been rolling around on the ground in an airplane wearing.
I shut the door behind me and heard the Russians move to stand in front. The Tv flicked on, and the sound of someone speaking Russian slid under the door as I rooted through my bag. I had a sweater and a pair of shorts: six pairs of socks, no clean underwear and one running shoe. Fuck my life. Good thing I had a credit card.
I took a shower and washed my hair, then combed the tangles out with a brush I found in the drawer beside the sink. When I reemerged, cleaner and less funky, Drew scooted past the giants into the bathroom too, carrying his bag. Vilen and Ninel moved back to the main door. I wondered if all they did was guard doors.
Durga took that moment to show me what they could do.
The two Russians were swinging swords and decapitating advancing hordes of vampires. Their muscles bulged and rippled as their weapons sliced through the air with a whistle. Each back swing sprayed blood through the air, and their grunts filled the air as the chopped down dozens and dozens of ravenous fallen vampires.
Durga dropped me out of the vision so fast, I almost collapsed. Well, note to self, don’t piss off the Russian vampires. They were warriors all right.
I collapsed on the bed next to Singh. I was sure Durga was leaving me the hangover as a lesson in the consequences of drinking. She was a bitch sometimes. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead.
There was no warning before a sandpaper tongue slid up the side of my face, scratching and drooling all over me.
“Gross, Singh. What is wrong with you?”
He huffed a few times like a lion version of a laugh. As Drew exited the bathroom, hair still dripping and in clean clothes, Singh rolled up and hopped down off the bed, before stretching like a cat and then sauntering into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
“MNE NE NRAVITSYA LEV,” Vilen said.
“What’s that?” I asked from the bed, looking up at the Russian.
“I am not sure I like this lion,” he said.
“You and me both,” I said laughing.
“Don’t provoke him,” Drew warned.
There was a roar from the bathroom.
“Well then stop being such a dink, Singh,” I yelled in reply. You would think he would have thicker skin, being a lion and all, but he was sensitive, often stomping off in a huff if I poked fun at him.
I sat up in the middle of the bed and tried to use my sense to find Vincent again. Searching the city I found a lot of vampires again, but even as I tried to focus in on Vincent, I couldn't sense him at all.
He came back out a few minutes later in human form and dressed in clean clothes. He gave me a scathing glare and then pulled on his boots. I got up and tracked down my winter c
lothes I had tossed on the couch that ran along one wall, then we all marched down to the main foyer where the house human was waiting.
He reminded me of Drake, Vincent’s house manager, killed by the rogues. Maybe anyone who gave their lives to serve vampires had to be a certain type of person.
“BLAGODARYU VAS,” Vilen said as the human handed him a set of keys. Vilen then opened the door and held it for me. I walked through, but a scuffle behind me made me turn back. Singh had shifted and had Vilen by the throat. When Vilen went limp, Singh walked over the Russian man and out the door to sidle up. He rubbed his furry head on my stomach and purred.
“You could have used your words,” I said, petting the bad cat anyway. Vilen stood up and dusted off his pants, then nodded once to the lion and we were all a happy family again. Vilen's neck was whole and unmaimed. Having seen what Singh could do, his restraint impressed me. The big cat licked my hand and rubbed one more time across my stomach. Pecking order established now, we all crammed into a Hummer parked in the driveway as the gate to Vaughn's mansion slid open.
“Where would you like to start?” Vilen asked from behind the wheel.
“I need to get clothes. Let's start there. If we have to go into the sewer, I will need waterproof boots too.” I looked down at Drew’s boots. He would need some too. I couldn’t believe we were going down in the sewers like the freaking ninja turtles.
The hummer sailed through the city, past some incredible architecture and pulled into a parking space in front of a glass building. We all piled out, and Vilen pointed to what looked like a blocked off-road. People moved in and out between the posts that blocked out traffic.
“Mall in Red Square,” Vilen declared with a look like he had single-handedly saved the day.
“Thanks,” I said, moving past him across the street and down a narrow alley beside what turned out to be the state museum into a long wide courtyard. Hundreds of people walked around here — tourists with cameras and cell phones taking photos of the buildings and scenery. The building that Vilen pointed to was a castle. It would still hold out to an army attack. The stone walls looked ancient. I glanced towards the end of the Red Square and saw the stunning Saint Basil Cathedral. It looked like it belonged in a theme park — colourful turrets and spires, topped with gumdrops in green and red and gold stripes and patterns. I had never seen anything so beautiful and filled with history. I hoped we would have time to tour the buildings in the Red Square before I left.
