by C. L. Quinn
He was quiet for a moment.
“Male or female?”
Eillia closed her eyes and reached into the air. Then put the phone back to her ear.
“Female. Gorgeous, of course. Long blonde hair, almost as tall as you. One of the ones who think we’re better than everyone else. And…I don’t think she’s right.”
Eillia could hear Koen draw a deep breath. “Okay, she’s extremely powerful. More than most of us. Recently we had an incident with her. Park was the only one who could control her. But she got away. Eillia, that woman imprisoned a first blood for three decades. She can block another first blood’s life force from others. So we thought he was dead, too. She tortured him, and felt no remorse. You’re right. She’s completely unbalanced. Don’t go near her.”
Eillia glanced back out at the dining room and saw the woman they spoke of staring back at her. She waved at Eillia.
Rolling back behind the wall to conceal herself, Eillia held the phone closer.
“Not possible. Koen, she’s here for me.”
“Get out of there Eillia. Now.”
“I can’t. There are people here I care about. I can’t let her hurt them. The male vampire with her…his aura is even darker than hers.”
“This is really bad. You have to leave. I don’t know if you have enough power to protect yourself from her. The male. Describe him.”
“They’re sitting now, but I’d say about five eight, short for even a “made” vampire. Slim, too, thinning hair. If I couldn’t feel his energy or aura, I would never have guessed him vampire.”
“Eillia, listen to me. Get the fuck out of there. I think he may be the one who arranged the attack on Bas’s home. He may be the one who killed Hamid. But don’t you even think about revenge right now. You are in danger, baby. You have to go. The humans will be alright. He’s not interested in them.”
That milquetoast vampire? Killed Hamid? Her head hurt and her heart burned. She had to kill the son of a bitch! But Eillia could hear Koen’s panic. It would have to wait. She was nodding as she answered him.
“Alright. I’m coming home.”
“Now, chèrie. Do not delay. Go now!”
“I will. I hope I’ll see you soon, my dear friend.”
“Come to my villa right away.”
“I will. Tell Park I can’t wait to see her and the child.”
“Go!”
Eillia disconnected and gently laid Starla’s phone on the counter. She slipped her coat on and started for the back door when she found she could not move. Her feet were locked in place.
“Oh, dear. Were you leaving? And just when we’ve come so far for you!”
With effort, Eillia forced her head around and could turn it just enough to see the vampires walking toward her. The female came up to her and studied her face.
“My, I love the exotic look. I’ve never see an Asian first blood. Was it your mother?”
Eillia didn’t answer her. Her eyes were on the soon-to-be-dead male vampire who was hanging back. She’d tear him apart with her own hands as soon as she could.
The first blood spoke again. “Um. You are really pissed. I can feel it rolling off you in sheets. You should be. We are here to turn you into a statement for our cause. I’m Tamesine, by the way. And you are…?”
Eillia didn’t answer.
“I asked you what your name was, vampire. You need to give me a little more respect, since I own you now, or we are going to start dining on these luscious humans. One at a time.”
The panic she’d felt when she first saw the vampires come through the door grew. Koen was right. They weren’t interested in the humans. Except as hostages to control Eillia. This was beyond bad. People she cared about were going to die.
“Eillia. My name is Eillia. And I’ll come with you. You can leave them alone.”
Tamesine turned to her companion.
“See, Alvin? I told you. They really like their human pets. She’ll be nice. Now she knows I’ll kill them mercilessly if she isn’t.”
Tamesine flipped her hand up dramatically and Eillia could move. She looked back and forth between the two vampires she knew she would have to kill if she got the chance. Koen was right, too, about how powerful and dangerous this Tamesine was. But she’d realized standing there frozen under Tamesine’s command, she could have pushed through it. Eillia knew Tamesine could not hold her. Not for long, anyway. This Alvin though. It would take her only moments to kill him. Not before they left the diner. Just because she knew she could defeat some of Tamesine’s power didn’t mean a fight between them wouldn’t be vicious and dirty. Eillia wouldn’t engage them here.
“Well, let’s go. I mean, you are here for me, so take me where you were going to.”
“That’s the problem. We came right to you when we got to town. So we actually don’t have a place yet.”
“Okay. Why don’t we go to my cabin? It’s warm and remote.”
“Splendid!” Tamesine clapped her hands together and grinned. “I knew I would like you right away! Lead on!”
Eillia paused for only a split second to acknowledge that this first blood vampire really was all manner of crazy.
Stepping out the back door, she vampire-raced toward her cabin. At least there, Eillia could make sure there was no human collateral damage. She wouldn’t let them hurt Starla or any of her diners. And if they bested her, well, they would probably be on their way back to wherever the hell they came from.
She arrived at her cabin door seconds before Tamesine, Alvin behind them by a full minute or more. Tamesine threw away her coat as soon as she came inside.
“Dismal. What the hell are you doing in such a dark, creepy place?”
“It suits me.” Eillia turned to her and the winded Alvin who just came through the door.
“Close it, asshole. You’re letting my heat out.”
He was furious, but he slammed the door. “You don’t speak to me that way.”
“Why the hell not? You are nothing. I wouldn’t even let you lick my boots!”
Alvin raced across the small room to grab her for her insolence, and found himself literally beneath her boot, heavy pressure on his throat from her heel.
“Well, look at that. I think I’ve changed my mind. Maybe I will have you lick them before I kill you.”
Alvin tried to twist his head to ask for Tamesine’s aid, but she was too busy laughing at his situation.
“You look so hilarious! Wait, I need to get my phone!”
Tamesine scrambled to her jacket she’d thrown carelessly on the floor. Eillia looked around the room curiously, as if someone should witness this crazy behavior. What? Was she planning to take a picture?
Yes. Yes, she was. Tamesine captured a few shots, then dropped to the floor and laid her head near Alvin’s.
“Could you smile?”
He tried to choke out a scream for Tamesine to help him.
She stood up, snapped another few shots, shrugged, and flipped a hand toward Eillia again, throwing her backward against a wall.
Alvin got up quickly and came at Eillia in rage, but she deflected him as easily as Tamesine had moved her. He fell back into another heap on the floor. When he stood again, he kept his distance. He knew he was outgunned.
But Tamesine was another matter. Eillia stared at her for a moment. This would be a bloody battle. Koen had been afraid she couldn’t hold her own against the new first blood. Eillia didn’t know either, but she knew one thing with certainty. She was going to find out.
Daniel finished his final shot and slapped Joey on the back.
“I’m heading out. You two, be careful. Joey D’s as shit-faced as I’ve ever seen him.”
“Yeah. His mother’s throwing him out. Says she needs more room. He’s really bummed.”
“Women. In this case, it’s probably good. It’s past time, Joey D.” Joey D grunted. “Need to find a nice little lady. You hear me, Joey D?”
Joey D grunted again. And killed a full glass o
f beer in one chug. His companion looked at Daniel.
“Not gonna convince him of anything tonight.”
“I can see that. Okay, just don’t be too pissed at your ma, Joey D. Her life has been pretty tough.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Joey D said with a wave.
“Anyway, you guys take it easy. See you tomorrow night.”
The temperature had moderated a little from last week’s storm. It was only two below tonight. His truck was waiting, warm and cozy, so he slid his large body in, and although he was a couple of sheets to the wind, he was so accustomed to driving half-bombed, there was no concern. Still, he sat there for a moment. He couldn’t figure out his hesitation. He was drunk and exhausted. Home and sleep now! And yet, an image formed of a cabin, rough cut logs, remote, hidden from any street. Someone was there. Someone waiting for him? What the hell? No one was waiting for him.
He started the truck and threw it into gear, rolling out of the small full parking lot that was still snow and ice covered. He wanted to head right, toward his home. But he stopped at the road. An overwhelming drive made him turn left and head away from town toward nowhere. The image of the cabin would not go away. He knew that was where this weird detour was taking him. Somewhere he’d never been before.
And yet the further he went down the slippery, rarely traveled, barely cleared road, he was more and more certain that he had been this way. A vision suddenly flashed in front of his eyes. Of her. His angel. Smiling up at him as she lay near a fireplace on her stomach. Naked. She beckoned to him, and he came to her.
Daniel shook his head and fought to control the truck on the heavy ice as he rounded a steep curve in the road. He was confused. What was happening to him? Was he finally breaking after all this time? Maybe. Likely. Still, this intense vision led him on. He hoped like hell he wasn’t driving to his death.
Because lately, he’d felt hope again. Like maybe it was alright for him to begin to live. Like he wasn’t the monster he’d convinced himself he was. He’d made a lot of mistakes. Could there be a way for him to make amends for the damage he’d caused and the people he’d hurt?
When he came to the turnoff that went up a steep incline, a strong sense of déjâ-vu made him slam on the brakes. He had no doubt. It was too familiar. He’d been here before. And he knew there was a cabin waiting up there at the end of this steep trail. He turned off the road.
Might as well get to it.
“So, Tamesine, how did you find me? I’ve blocked my life force, so you shouldn’t have known I was here.”
“Well, that would be true if I were your average first blood. I’m not. My abilities let me mask or unmask anyone’s life force. So, while you were invisible to other first bloods, I found you through dream walking. In sleep, I can reach out into the world and do a lot of things no one else can do. Eillia, I’m much more powerful than you. There’s nothing you can do about it. You’re mine, now.”
Eillia nodded her head as if she agreed to Tamesine’s assessment of how fucked she was. Although she thought she was overestimating her skills. God, Eillia hoped she was overestimating. Anyway, the battle would begin soon. Alvin thought he would be in play, but he wouldn’t. Eillia would kill him before she and Tamesine fought. She was just grateful she had been able to get them out of town before this started.
“Okay, I’m yours. What are you going to do with me?”
“Aw. I want to play with you. It’d be a blast, and we’d have so much fun. But I promised this one here we would use you to finish his war. He’s killing vampires, isn’t that a hoot?”
Eillia smiled widely. “Yeah. That’s a hoot. Starting with me, eh?”
“No, he started last year. He’s just continuing with you. If I thought you’d join us, I would really love that. But I can tell. You wouldn’t. You like the humans. You wouldn’t want to hurt them, even though they are so inferior to us. They’re just toys, Eillia. Just toys!”
“Forgive me if I disagree with you. Their lives matter. They are warm, loving, thoughtful people. Tamesine, how have you lost your humanity? How can you not see the truth before your eyes? I wish you would let me show you.”
Like a small child, she paused, as if the question confused her. Then she tilted her head like a god might as he considered the insignificant beings below him. “Hmm. I don’t know that I’ve ever really thought about it like that. I mean, they’ve always been just meals and fucks. You have an interesting viewpoint. I may pursue it. But. Well, I promised Alvin we would kill you to make his point. I don’t think it would be nice of me to go back on my word. I’m sorry. You understand.”
Eillia smiled carefully. “Of course. You will certainly understand when I defend myself with extreme prejudice.”
“Oh, yes, of course. It’s just. Well. I’ve never lost to anyone.”
“Well, there’s always a first time.”
Tamesine mirrored Eillia’s tight smile.
It was on. Battle lines were drawn.
Suddenly, Tamesine smiled, a big toothy grin.
“But let’s eat first. Eillia, cook for us. It seems like everyone likes your cooking. Okay?”
Crazy bitch. Wow. As bizarre as anything Eillia had ever experienced. But it would give her a chance to observe Tamesine as an opponent, and perhaps strike up some relationship with her that might lessen her resolve to murder one of her own race.
“Okay. Let me surprise you. You guys, amuse yourselves.”
Tamesine grinned.
“Alvie is pissed. He isn’t going to be much amusement at all. Maybe I’ll watch how you do this. You know that first bloods don’t have to do such menial work. So I think it will be much more amusing to watch you.”
She went into the kitchen to cook, followed by the crazy blonde.
Koen had the jet ready to go. His daughter Park was packed, her husband Bas finished throwing small travel packs in the car, and a phone call to Iceland engaged a third first blood vampire to meet them in Alaska. They would need all the help they could get on this short notice.
Eillia’s life force had disappeared shortly after they hung up from their call. He knew it would. Tamesine would have blocked it so no one else could come to her. He could. There was no doubt that his dear friend would need their help. He just hoped they would arrive in time. God help Tamesine if she took away Eillia just as he’d found her again. He would never stop until he ripped her pretty head off her shoulders. The idea of killing a first blood was so repugnant, he almost puked up his last blood meal. But he would do it.
Last year, when Tamesine had resurfaced after missing for centuries, and admitted to torturing a first blood for three decades, a council of first blood vampires had determined she must be contained or permanently stopped if they ever found her again. She was just too insane to be allowed to roam the world. He was surprised, though, that of all the places, she would show up in Alaska after a missing first blood. What was their plan? Why did it involve Eillia? If it included that mouse of a vampire that killed Hamid, it would be bloodshed.
They would need Park. As a powerful first blood, Koen would be able to combine his power with Eillia and David to try to control Tamesine when none of them alone likely could. But Park was more powerful than any of the three. Alone, she could freeze Tamesine. As long as things went better than the last time they battled in Iceland where Park was fatally stabbed by one of Tamesine’s blood- bonded humans. Luckily, fatal wounds were survivable unless it was a beheading or extended direct ultraviolet exposure.
“Come on, guys. Every second is another second closer to disaster.”
Park came around the corner, dressing vampire-fast.
“I know, father. Let’s go.”
Bas followed on her heels and came up too quickly behind her, stopping just before hitting her in the rear, his hands coming up to cup her buttocks. She grinned because he was copping a feel.
“You are such a tease. Right as we’re leaving.”
“Long flight.”
“With my fathe
r on board.”
“Can’t he sit outside on the wing?”
“You are just going to have to wait until we avert this disaster and I get to hug Eillia again.”
Bas nodded and they were gone, aboard the plane and lifting off in within twenty minutes.
Daniel pulled the truck to a stop and killed the engine. Fuck me, he thought. There it is. The little cabin did exist after all. Smoke curling from the chimney. Someone was home. And in spite of the fact that he kept seeing the sexy image of the beautiful Asian woman, he knew it was not possible. So, who was waiting inside? Why the hell had he been so inexplicably drawn here?
Only one way to find out. He pocketed the keys, and got out of the truck.
“You’re awesome! For a first blood that doesn’t have to cook, like, ever, you are really good. Right, Alvin?”
Alvin sat there stiffly, still pissed.
“Why are we waiting?” He said suddenly. “You promised I could feed from her. Can’t we get to that?”
“You need to learn the subtle pleasure of immersing yourself in the experience, Alv.” Tamesine looked at Eillia. “Am I right?”
Eillia nodded. Sure, she’d agree since the subject was whether to let that rodent feed off her.
Alvin left the table in rage.
Tamesine giggled. Eillia realized she did that a lot. Like a six year old. She looked at Tamesine scarfing down her French fried steak in utter abandon.
What a shame. She had no idea mental illness could affect a first blood. They healed quickly from physical injuries. She wondered what could have had happened to Tamesine that her mind wouldn’t process things in a normal mature manner.
Eillia wanted to help her. She knew, though, she might be forced to kill her before she had the chance. If she could just regress her…
A loud sharp knock on the door of the cabin boomed into the silence. What the hell? Who could possibly be here, right now, at her door? It wasn’t anyone supernatural, so it had to be human. Oh, god. Starla didn’t follow her here, did she?
