4 Vamp Versus Vamp

by Christin Lovell

  “Mel,” Aunt Claire called. Mel practically appeared out of thin air in the living room. “We’re going to go. Did you want me to drop you off?”

  I frowned. “You don’t have to leave. I’m really not tired.”

  “We know, sweetie, but we have men to meet at home.” Beth leaned in and kissed my cheek, and then Kellan’s.

  “Understandable.”

  “I should go meet Craig and my dad. Gabi wants to do a mani-pedi day, Lex. I’ll call you tomorrow sometime so we can plan it,” Mel said.

  “Sounds good.” I got up off the couch and hugged the women again. “Thanks for everything.”

  “We should be thanking you. You’re making your mom very proud, Lexi.” Aunt Claire squeezed me tight. “I’ll call you later.”

  I saw them out the door. As I turned back, Kellan was waiting there for me. He gave me a come-hither look. I skipped into the dining room where he stood.

  “Why don’t we go take a nice hot shower and then snuggle in our new bed?”

  “You really know how to woo a woman, Mr. Bancroft.”

  “And then some.” He brushed his lips across mine fleetingly before shepherding me to the master bedroom.

  ***

  Kellan and I lounged around the house until around noontime the next day.

  “Mind if I go out with Craig for a while?”

  “Of course not. Go; have fun.”

  “Call me if you need me.” He kissed me before grabbing his wallet, cell, and keys off the dresser.

  “Bye,” I called.

  I listened as the front door shut. He locked it behind him. I rolled over in the bed, stretching languidly. The sun was high in the sky, trying to breach the barrier of the curtains. I knew I should be up doing something; I just didn’t know what. The house was clean. I’d baked and shipped those orders the other night at the party. My GED prep course didn’t start for two weeks. Mel and her dad had a father-daughter day planned today, and Gabi was heading back to Miami for a few days. She, Mel, and I had a spa date in a week, which she promised to be back for.

  I climbed out of bed and headed for the living room. I heard the TV on in Drexel’s room. I didn’t know if he was actually watching it or writing, which I’d discovered he enjoyed last night. It turned out that Aunt Claire’s office supply obsession came in handy.

  I opened the cupboards, staring at the baking ingredients. I’d been standing there for a good five minutes when there was a knock on the door. I glanced at the security cam feed and ambled to the door.

  “Kalel, come in.” I was taken aback by his unexpected visit. I stepped back, allowing him to slip inside. “How is everything?” I cocked my head, trying to read him, but he gave nothing away.

  “Leka, please sit down. I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

  With those words, every ounce of fear in my body came out of hiding. Serum rose in my throat, coating my tongue. My heartbeat quickened. I swallowed hard, unable to focus.

  Silently I closed the door and led him into the living room. I sat on the sofa. Awkwardly, I faced him.

  “Who is it? What happened?” The words fumbled out of my mouth.

  He rested beside me and cupped my hand. “Your grandfather.”

  I felt the numbness spreading. It’s not that we were close, but I did care for the man on some level, wished him no ill will. After all, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. “What happened?”

  “He committed suicide.”

  I sat there for a minute, my mind trying to wade through the shock. “How? I mean… I thought it was impossible for us?” I asked more than mused.

  “Not when you have a seventeenth century-guillotine and can decapitate yourself.” He squeezed my hand.

  I knew my mouth was hanging open. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t know how to react. I knew he wasn’t stable. What man dedicates his life to the cause of war and hatred? But this was unexpected. I was disappointed in him that he wasn’t brave enough to ask for help, and disappointed in myself for walking away from him, from my family at a time when he clearly needed me, needed my influence.

  “There’s more.” Kalel waited until I focused on him again. “He left a note attached to his shirt.”

  “So I guess we don’t turn to dust right away?” He frowned. “Sorry, bad timing. I’m just…boggled.”

  He nodded and continued. “The note said, ‘I leave everything to the one that showed me the error of my ways, Alexa Lorrayne Jackson.’ He signed it and pressed his seal to the paper, legalizing it.”

  “When you say ‘everything,’ what exactly are you talking about?” I couldn’t think straight.

  “Three businesses, thirteen homes across the globe, one jet, two yachts, and an entire army of vampeens.”

  I opened and closed my mouth several times in succession as my gaze traveled the room. What was I going to do with all of that? I could barely manage myself, let alone all of the above.

  Even more so, I couldn’t believe he left it all to me. I couldn’t comprehend that he was truly gone. I’d just seen him yesterday. I didn’t know which one stumped me more, his death or the fact that he left me everything. ‘Flabbergasted’ didn’t even begin to explain my current state.

  Kalel sat silently beside me; he was watching as I computed the information. “I, uh, don’t really know what to say or do at the moment.”

  He gently rubbed my thigh. “You have a couple days before everything is transferred over. Your grandfather retained a lawyer, who assured us he’d take care of it.”

  “Why?”

  “In short, he was overpaid. Apparently a transfer receipt of several million accompanied by an overnight letter from your grandfather ensured he would take care of this final detail for him.”

  “Wait, so he…” I swallowed, my mouth feeling dry. “He died yesterday?”

  “No, today. The lawyer alerted the vamp army, who of course contacted the High Authorities.”

  “He planned it.” The words felt like peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth. I should have called, checked in on him somehow.

  “It’s not your fault, Leka. I doubt you could have changed his mind.”

  “But I could have tried. For Christ’s sake, I practically drove him to the edge yesterday. I just wouldn’t stop poking him about something that’d already passed.”

  “You need to stop the self-deprecating. You weren’t sent to save the world, Leka, only to have a strong impact on it. You’re more like Queen Elizabeth than Superwoman.”

  I sucked my lower lip between my teeth. “He could have been a great man.”

  “Some aren’t meant to be.”

  “That’s alarming.”

  “It’s all about balance. It’s only in balance that you find peace.”

  I’d never thought of it like that. “Thanks, Kalel.”

  He retrieved a small clear cylinder with a white powder inside from his pocket. “He also left you this.” I immediately knew it was the molecular tracker extractor.

  “Did you take some for the lab and Auggy?”

  He nodded. “Done.”

  “Thanks again.”

  He nodded. After one last analytical gaze in my direction, he stood and headed for the door. “Call if you need anything.”

  “Okay.”

  “Lock the door behind me.”

  I chuckled lightly at his surly tone. “Yes, Dad.”

  He winked before walking out the door. I knew he was waiting on the other side for me to lock myself in, not that it would stop a vamp.

  As I strolled around the corner to the living room, Drexel was waiting. His hands were shoved into his pants pockets. “You want to talk about it?”

  I bit my lip, trying to hold down the emotions that continued to rise. I shook my head ‘no.’

  “Come here.” He lifted me into his arms and carried me to the sofa.

  I think it was the combination of everything that’d happened in the last couple weeks that threw me over the edge so swiftly, but my g
randfather’s death was a sharp jab. I idly wondered how fate dealt with those who decided to take it into their own hands. And really, what would drive a person to end it all? Everyone suffers; everyone has hurdles and challenges.

  I snuggled into Drex’s chest, hugging him tightly.

  Chapter 34

  I’d traveled several thousand miles across the Atlantic to sit across from an uptight lawyer who seemed to scrutinize my every word.

  The curt lawyer sat across from me behind an expensive mahogany desk with intricate carvings. Everything in his office was large and overstated. It was an intimidation tactic, but I wasn’t sure why he would want to intimidate me when I was technically his client through my grandfather.

  “Why not donate to vamps?” His face was a mask to his emotions, but his tone was harsh.

  I lifted my chin slightly, seeking confidence for my answer. “Because it’s about helping the ones who need it the most.”

  “Believe it or not, there are a lot of poor and homeless vamps,” he stated. He glanced down at the contract before peering back up at me expectantly. He reminded me of my grandfather in many ways. I could see why he had retained the man.

  “But they won’t catch a cold sleeping in the rain or pneumonia from the snow and a thin jacket. They also rarely have children to care for, are rarely without a food source, and have the endurance to get anywhere without a car.”

  He eyed me with interest now. “Point made,” he acknowledged. His lips twitched in the corners, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I’ll see to it that suitable recipients are located. We’ll present their profiles to you for a final approval. Upon acceptance, we’ll draw up the papers to sign over the homes to them anonymously. Now, about the vehicles.”

  “I’m sorry, vehicles? This is the first I was made aware of vehicles.” I sat up in the chair. Kellan squeezed my shoulder, his arm firmly behind me, reminding me of his presence and support.

  “Yes. Each property has roughly five vehicles, most of which are valuable classics.”

  I guess that made sense, considering how long my grandfather had been alive. “Did he have any friends?”

  “Mr. Euskadi didn’t believe in friends. Either you were his ally or his enemy, with the expressed focus being his life’s mission.”

  It wasn’t until I was sitting here that I understood just how lonely and desolate a life my grandfather lived. He truly did sacrifice everything for his father, for a man who was as lost in his ignorant cause as he was. He had money, he had power, but he never truly experienced life. It proved that money didn’t automatically equate to happiness.

  I looked to Kellan, seeking his input. “Do what feels right.”

  I turned back to the stout lawyer. “Find war veterans, if possible, vets who were at war the year the cars were made. I want people who will appreciate the cars and take care of them. Preferably some that have been neglected or not given the recognition they ought to have. I want the final say on those as well.”

  “Very well.” He made a few notes on the legal pad before him. “And per Kalel’s relay, you are to maintain ownership of the businesses and vampeen army.”

  “Yes.”

  “You are a strange one, indeed, Ms. Jackson; the opposite of most of my clients. I shall see to it that your requests are attended to, though. I’ll be in contact for the charity options. I just need you to review and sign these papers. Once you sign them, you will be the titled owner of all of Mr. Euskadi’s assets.” He slid the stack of papers towards me.

  I didn’t understand half of the legal jargon, but I pieced together the parts I did comprehend to ensure they were indicating the correct outline of ownership. Kellan leaned in, scanning through the pages with me. He nodded, assuring me they were okay to sign.

  I picked up the pen from the desk. The pen weighed a ton, the finality of my grandfather’s life in its ink. The weight of the world seemed to press on my chest as I scribbled my name along the line. I initialed where the lawyer indicated on a few other pages. I knew what lay ahead. I was accepting the responsibility to manage an army of people stuck in the same mental rut as my grandfather. I lifted my head towards Kellan. His strength and confidence encouraged me. I wasn’t in this alone. I was lucky to have my own army of people supporting me. It’s true what they say: The family you inherited at birth is rarely the family you have at your side on your deathbed.

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  I nodded, standing as Kellan stood with me. I leaned into him, allowing him to lead me out of the office.

  Kalel met us in the hallway. “We’ve managed to rally them all together for you.”

  “Really?”

  “When will you stop underestimating me, Leka?” He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Someday.”

  “Kai’s pulling the car around front. We’ll take you over to the Palacio de Congresos y de la Música now. The High Authorities are containing them, but it’s bordering on a bloodbath, considering half the vamp army is pure vampire,” he said.

  “No pressure.” I chuckled nervously.

  “None at all.” Kalel led us outside.

  “You’ve got this, babe.” Kellan dropped his arm from around me and clutched my hand instead, his fingers threading mine. He gently squeezed my palm.

  “Feel free to jump in.” I’d never given a public speech.

  “You’re the talker, not me. I’m all action.” Kellan wagged his brows suggestively. I laughed. At least I could count on him to break through the tension coiling my limbs. “You’ll do great.”

  “Get in.” Kalel pointed towards the waiting vehicle parked along the narrow, cluttered street of downtown Basque Country, Spain.

  ***

  I stepped up to the podium and looked out over the coliseum; I bit my cheeks to keep my jaw from dropping. Nearly two thousand vampeens glared up at me. Serum rose up in the back of my throat as my heart pounded in my chest. I blew out a breath, knowing I had to face them at some point. Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi’s famous words rang in my head.

  I took a deep breath. “I don’t expect respect. I know it must be earned. I also know that it’s wrong to expect you to change overnight. That’s not what I’m asking.”

  “Just make your fucking point or get off,” someone yelled.

  Guards made their way towards the offending vamp, lifting him out of his seat and alerting me of his identity.

  “Put him down.” I spoke with authority, projecting my voice. Whispers slurred together across the room. I waited until the army vamps returned the vampeen to his seat unscathed. Unfortunately, this vamp had proved that I was going to have to be tough on them. “Listen up and listen well, because I’m only going to say this once.” The audience silenced their chatter.

  “My grandfather, Cesar Euskadi, was a man on a mission of hate and revenge. He brought you all together to do his bidding, to further his narrow-minded cause. You were his minions, whether you like the term or not.

  “That’s not to say he wasn’t an honorable vampeen. He fought hard for what he believed in. He took a stand where others wouldn’t have. He was tough on you, but tougher on himself. Knowing that, I would never want all of his hard work and dedication to go to waste. Rather, I am suggesting that we re-route things.

  “I don’t expect you to wake up tomorrow loving vampires. I don’t even expect you to respect them, though I hope that one day you will grow to respect the ones who earn it. What I expect is for all acts of violence outside of self-defense to cease. This is no longer an offensive attack on our fellow kind. Any vampeen caught in the act will be punished by the vamp army under the High Authorities. I’m sure you’re all familiar with their judicial management and understand where you would end up.

  “I also understand that for many of you, there was an underlying hope of branching out into mainstream civilization. I’m here to tell you that it’s not going to happen. It is for the good of all of us to keep our existence under wraps. If y
ou want to discuss my reasons on a personal basis, feel free to make an appointment. I’ll gladly duke it out with you — verbally, of course. Anyone caught or suspected of creating a revolution to this effect will be tried and punished under the High Authorities’ judicial system.

  “Now I know for most of you, this was your paying job; for a few, your lifelong career. I’m not taking that away from you. Your pay will not be tampered with even by a penny. I’m not going to be slowly picking through the pot and removing what I don’t like, either. I trust my grandfather’s judgment. I know he wouldn’t have retained you if you weren’t worth retaining. That doesn’t mean that I won’t fire your butt in a heartbeat. It means that if you continue to do what your title entails under the new outline, then you won’t lose anything, which I think is fair.

  “So what exactly are we moving towards? A model of management. Your new tasks will be aligned with the vamp army and the Bladangs. We’re all seeking balance here. I’m not asking you to work with vampires. I’m not asking you to vanquish your hatred towards them or be stoned. I’m asking you to help me implement a truce. Keep your fellow vampeen in line. If you see a vampire walking on the other side of the street, rather than take him down, allow him to continue on unharmed. Curse him for filth if you’d like, that’s only a reflection of the darkness within yourself, but never allow that darkness to take over again.

  “I’m going to open up the floor to questions. I’ll provide as much information as I have at this moment.” I looked out over the crowd, surprised when no one spoke immediately.

  The male vampeen who’d had the outburst earlier was the first to inquire. “Will we be assigned territories like before?”

  “No.”

  “Why?” he pressed. Several vamps around him murmured to each other, their eyes scrutinizing me.

  I supposed it was a valid question. “You’re no longer a soldier at war, confined to one region of the world. Given that, I’m not going to fence you off. For some of you, not lashing out at vampires will be a true test of your will, something that a few may even not be able to handle. I am offering you a penance in that you can retreat to the most desolate of locations until you regain control of yourself.”