by J. C. Diem
With a strangled cry, I threw myself off the bed and darted into the bathroom. Locking the door, I sank down to the cold tiled floor and sobbed dry tears into my knees.
After what he deemed had been a suitable length of time for me to pull myself together, Luc knocked on the door. “Natalie, are you alright?” His tone was weary and just made me sob harder. He’d had to sacrifice his dignity and his very body to sate my unholy hunger and he was asking if I was alright. No, I wasn’t alright. I had reached the ultimate conclusion that death sucked.
“Go away!” I shouted and resumed sobbing.
“It wasn’t entirely unpleasant,” Luc said unhelpfully. “Apart from when you broke my vertebrae, it was actually quite nice.”
“It wasn’t nice,” I snarled back. “It was h-h-horrible.”
A short silence came from the other side of the door. “I don’t believe it was horrible for you.” Luc’s tone held a touch of amusement.
I was standing before I’d consciously decided to and snatched open the door. Luc backed away from my expression. I must have appeared as dangerously on the edge as I felt. “I’m going to have a shower and we are never going to talk about what happened in this room again, Luc,” I said in a low, ominous tone.
“Lucentio,” he corrected me. “Your hunger will rise again,” he pointed out while staring at my breasts. The bite mark in his shoulder was fading but I could clearly see the imprint of my teeth. Luckily, my fangs hadn’t descended so I hadn’t torn his flesh.
Hiding behind the door, I repeated myself so he’d get the point. “Never. Again.” Slamming the door in his face, I locked it, stood beneath the shower and sobbed some more.
·~·
Chapter Nine
When I finally emerged from the shower, my skin had a faint pinkish tone from the almost totally hot water I’d been soaking in. Normally, I’d have been parboiled to the point of blisters and fainting after a few seconds beneath that kind of temperature. The heat was now as unsatisfying as my tearless sobs were.
Drying off, I wrapped one of the thick, fluffy white hotel towels around myself. My hair was a tangled mess and I finger combed it straight then blow dried it. Only after my hair was back to its normal neatness did I bother to look at my face. I did a double take then and leaned in for a closer examination just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Sometime over the last couple of days, my face had undergone some changes. Just a few subtle alterations had turned me from being ordinary into being actually quite attractive.
My eyes were larger and my cheekbones and jaw were more defined. Now I could see what the stoners had seen; I was more than mildly pretty now. It was about time being undead did something for me. I had my suspicions why this miraculous occurrence had happened but would need to check with Luc to find out for sure.
I cracked the door open to see my companion lounging on the couch in front of the TV. He had thoughtfully sat my backpack next to the bathroom door. Thankful that I wouldn’t have to parade around wearing only a towel, I snatched up the bag and quickly dressed. Feeling less exposed and vulnerable when fully clothed, I stepped out into the main room.
Now that my mind wasn’t clouded by my unnatural need for sex, I could examine the suite in more detail. The room was decorated in shades of cream and brown. Rumpled white sheets and a tan bedspread gave evidence of our naked romp. Beige carpet covered the floor. The furnishings in the tiny living area consisted of a cream couch and matching armchair. They were arranged around a large black coffee table. A huge TV was mounted on the wall. A few reproductions of famous paintings adorned the other walls. It was easily the most luxurious hotel room I’d ever been in and must be costing Luc a fortune.
Luc, now also dressed, sent a glance at me over his shoulder and nodded at the armchair in invitation. A wide picture window to the left of the TV would have given a spectacular view of the Brisbane River far below if the curtains hadn’t been pulled tightly shut. I thought uneasily of how the sun would rise soon and hoped the curtains would be enough to keep the sunlight out. My new circumstances weren’t ideal but I didn’t relish the idea of being barbequed at dawn either.
Rounding the couch, I sank into the deep cream cushions of the armchair. “Why have my face and body changed?” I asked before Luc could bring up the unspeakable event that had occurred so recently on the bed.
Crossing his legs, he examined me critically. “All vampires develop their own abilities to make hunting more effective. Some learn stealth and cunning. Some have enhanced beauty.”
I thought back to my deceased maker and how he’d caught me. “So, what was Silvius’ trick?” He’d lulled me into a false sense of security at first by pretending to be aged and feeble. By the time I realized he wasn’t all he seemed to be, it had been too late. His shadow, tall and scary, should have warned me. As a typical human, I’d brushed it off as a trick of my eye.
“Your maker was over three thousand years old,” Luc explained. “He had gained the ability to cloud human minds from a distance. He could make them see what he wanted them to.”
Momentarily intrigued with the idea of being able to make people think I was a famous movie star, I tried to figure out Luc’s hunting trick. It was a no brainer really. “I guess you only hunt females.” He inclined his head in agreement. “One glance from you is probably enough to have a harem chasing you around.” If I wasn’t mistaken, he smirked just a little as he shrugged modestly.
“With your increased beauty, you will be able to draw hapless men to you like flies after honey.”
Or like flies after dog poo, I thought glumly. They were equally attracted to both. “What rules did Silvius break, anyway?”
Shifting so his arm ran along the back of the sofa, Luc made a graceful gesture with his hand. “He formed a rebel group and organized them into hunting our kind.”
“Why?” Since this was my new life now, I’d at least try to grasp what the hell was going on. If I was the great and much unanticipated Mortis then it was time to start paying attention. Unfortunately, just like back in high school, my mind wanted to wander from a topic that really didn’t interest me. There was a reason I barely passed my exams. I just hadn’t cared enough about the topics to learn from my teachers.
A slight shrug and grimace was his initial reply. Seeing that I wasn’t going to settle for that, he gave in. “I believe he joined the faction that sided with,” Luc hesitated then nodded in my direction, “Mortis.”
“I have a faction?” I asked, slightly disturbed by the idea. How could I have a faction when I’d only found out what I was a short time ago?
“Yes. A certain few believe you will annihilate the vast bulk of vampires, keeping only a small number as your servants. They think you will then create a new army of our kind, elevating your loyal followers to generals. They believe they will rule the world and enslave humans for food.” His lips quirked, not in amusement but with derision for his deluded colleagues.
I pondered the idea for a while then shook my head. “Nah. That sounds like too much hard work to me. I couldn’t be bothered enslaving the whole world. Maybe just New Zealand,” I said as an afterthought. Hey, a person had to eat and the Kiwis were fairly close.
“There is only one course of action that we can take,” Luc said seriously. “We must consult with the Prophet directly.”
“I thought you said he doesn’t speak in any known language.”
Luc ran a hand through his hair in what I took to be baffled frustration, tousling it and sending a flare of fresh hunger through me. I fought it down and smothered it before it could rise. One bout of sex with the unwilling vampire cop was enough, thank you.
“We must try,” he said with strained urgency. “We must also leave here soon.”
It was nice in the hotel room. I hadn’t been this comfortable in days. “How come?” I’d be happy to sleep on the sofa if I had to. As long as the curtains were drawn and a few boards were nailed over the window for good measure.
“
Silvius wasn’t the only one who fled to Australia from me. When the others learn of his demise, they might band together and retaliate.”
“Don’t tell me you’re the only one they sent after these guys?” I let my dismay at the idea show.
“Yes,” Luc nodded. “I was all they could spare.”
“Who are ‘they’, anyway?”
“The Councillors of the Court,” he replied. “They rule the European vampire nation. All decisions are made by them and justice is delivered swiftly.”
“Where does this Court operate from?”
“France.”
“Really?” I pictured a bunch of snobby French vampires and instantly felt uncultured and unworthy. Then I remembered we were off to see the prophet, not the Court and was relieved. I wouldn’t have to pretend I had any form of class in front of a bunch of upper crust types. “Is the Prophet in France, too?”
“No,” Luc gave a short shake of his head. “He is in Romania.”
I rolled my eyes at the answer. Of course he is. Romania was the home of the original vampire stories, as far as I knew. Rubbing my hands together for warmth, I froze when I felt welts on my left palm. After a long stare at my hand, I showed it to Luc. “I don’t suppose you can explain this?” A perfect impression of the delicately filigreed silver cross was carved into my palm. Every exquisite detail was imprinted on my hand perfectly. I knew I’d been holding it tightly but this was ridiculous.
Awe and fear warred for dominance on the vampire cop’s face. “It is one of the holy marks,” he whispered.
Before he could explain himself further, my eyelids grew heavy. I knew what that meant. “Looks like dawn is com-,” before I could finish the thought, my world went dark.
·~·
Chapter Ten
“-ing,” I said groggily and sat up. I was in the hotel bed and I was stark naked. The curtains were still drawn against any lingering rays of sun but the room was only in semi-darkness, thanks to my enhanced eyesight.
Turning my head slowly to the left, I found Luc in bed beside me. The sheets were pooled around his waist, leaving his nicely muscled stomach and chest exposed.
“I thought it would be more expedient if we were both naked when you woke,” he explained. One eyebrow rose and he gave me a slow smile that made something deep inside me quiver.
Rolling off the bed, I grabbed a pillow and used it to cover my nakedness. “No. Uh, uh. No way. We’re not doing that again, Luc.” I didn’t care what was quivering inside me, I wasn’t doing the horizontal mambo with him again. Retreating from the bed, I searched for my clothes and found them folded neatly on the back of the sofa.
Standing, Luc displayed his readiness to go ahead with the arduous job of sating my flesh hunger again. “My name is Lucentio and I wish you would remember that.” He clearly had no idea how lazy Australians were. We always shortened names. Naturally I wasn’t going to use a cumbersome name like Lucentio. “Why delay the inevitable?” Luc continued. He seemed more willing to have sex with me today but I still wasn’t going to put either of us through it again.
“Forget it, Luc.” I said his nickname with emphasis as I snatched up my clothes and hustled toward the bathroom. He followed me, naked and ready. “Go find someone else to sate your hunger on. I’m off limits.” And so was he. Slamming the door, I leaned back against it, sensing him standing right on the other side.
“I do not have the insatiable craving for flesh I once did,” he said softly. “I am able to control myself. You however,” he lectured primly, “are newly born. We shall see how well you can control your flesh hunger.” There was that vampire smugness again. They all must have it to some degree. Those who had been around long enough to gain control of their hungers anyway.
“We shall see how well you can control your flesh hunger,” I mimicked in a childishly high tone. I hated being lectured, which was one of the reasons I didn’t bother with University. The other was that my grades hadn’t been up to par.
Apparently, Luc was correct and I couldn’t control my new hunger all that well. I was burning up from the inside without feeling any actual heat. Stumbling into the shower, I took care of matters myself. Self-gratification wasn’t anywhere near as good as the real thing but it seemed to do the trick. The hunger abated and I was able to think again. I have to get a grip on this thing. It was a pity I had no idea how to go about doing that.
Luc’s eyes widened when I emerged, clean and fresh and didn’t leap on him to tear his clothes off and salivate over his body. “So,” I said as I took a seat on the armchair again, “what’s the plan?”
“We will have to make the journey to Romania in several stages. First, we will fly to Singapore, which will take about eight hours. Then we will fly to France the next night, which will take fourteen hours or so. Then it is just a short, six and a half hour flight to Romania.”
“That’s a lot of time up in the air.” He was talking about a total of over twenty-eight hours just in flight time and not including hiding from the sun during the day. Faced with the sudden prospect of leaving the country of my birth, death and strange re-birth, I felt panicked. “There is one small problem, I don’t have a passport,” I said with some relief. Maybe this would put the trip off for a few days.
“You won’t need one,” Luc responded with quiet confidence. “We should hurry, our flight leaves in two hours.” Doubtful but left with no other option, I followed him from the room.
Standing at the airport half an hour later, I fidgeted with my backpack uneasily. The heavy iron and silver cross was wedged firmly inside, hidden from view but handy if I needed it. Standing at my side, Luc put a calming hand on my shoulder. An instant picture of my legs wrapped around his waist filled my mind.
Shaking it off, I noticed that we stood in a small space of our own in the line. People either sent nervous glances at us or stared in outright fascination. Luc ignored them all with studied indifference. We’d arrived at what seemed to be peak hour. Roughly two hundred people were packed within the guide rails. Those not in our sphere of influence wore expressions of annoyance or were dull-eyed from the tedium of shuffling forward every minute or so. I tried not to focus on how tasty they all smelled. The pressure on my shoulder increased when I swayed towards a man standing in line ahead of us.
“You should have fed before we left,” my companion scolded me quietly.
“I wasn’t hungry then,” I gritted back. That was then and this was now. Blood hunger raised its head, took a sniff and decided it wanted a snack.
“Not here,” Luc warned and gave me a slight shake.
It was enough to snap me out of my daydream of pulling the overweight, balding man in front of me backwards and taking a bite out of him. The space around us had miraculously increased. There was now a five foot wide circle surrounding us. No one seemed to notice and I figured it was vampire mojo at play. Luc’s or mine, I couldn’t tell.
Finally, it was our turn at the check-in desk. “I am Lucentio Black and this is Natalie Pierce,” Luc said. I slanted him a look at the surname he’d given. It didn’t sound very French to me. His accent didn’t sound particularly French either. I was pretty sure he was Italian but didn’t want to embarrass myself by asking. “I believe you should have records of the seats I purchased via the telephone.”
Snorting a laugh at how archaic he sounded, I pretended I had a tickle in my throat and forced out an unconvincing cough.
“Identification?” the bored man behind the counter asked. Luc handed over two passports. I was torn between anxiety and curiosity. One of the passports was supposed to be mine. Opening the first passport, the clerk took a long look at Luc and verified he was the man in the photo. Opening the second passport, he frowned at the blank page and looked at me. Our eyes met and he was caught in my snare. A dreamy smile appeared on his face and stayed in place.
“So pretty,” he crooned.
“Tell him to give us our boarding passes,” Luc murmured. I dutifully followed direction
s and took the proffered items.
Receiving a few stares at our lack of baggage to be checked, we followed the steady stream of people to the x-ray machines and did the usual stripping off of our shoes and placing metal objects into plastic trays. My cross received a puzzled frown but it was passed through as being acceptable.
In a daze of hunger, I allowed Luc to propel me towards our gate. I caught the eyes of several men during the journey but my tall, dark guardian broke the contact each time. I sensed my prey would follow me blindly even to their deaths if he hadn’t. Keeping my attention on the floor, I thought of the long flight ahead and how very hungry I was going to be by the time we landed.
Miserable at the idea of the pit growing in my stomach again, I didn’t take much notice of where I was being led. This probably didn’t bode well for my future survival but I was too hungry to care. Luc pushed open a door and I wrinkled my nose at the sudden stench of stale urine and fresh faeces. Spotting a line of urinals bolted to the wall, I opened my mouth to protest about being dragged into the men’s room. Luc put a finger over my lips and indicated he heard someone coming.
Shuffling both of us to the side, Luc waited for the door to open and grabbed the man who entered. Putting a hand over the unfortunate victim’s mouth, he dragged him into the cubicle at the far end of the row. Luc sent me an impatient look over his shoulder. “Hurry, our flight leaves soon.”
Sidling into the cubicle, I pulled the door shut then turned the flimsy lock. The vampire cop easily held the man quiet with a hand over his mouth and the other around his throat. We stood in a tight circle with our bodies pressed up against each other. How was a girl supposed to get into the mood to eat in a situation like this? You don’t have to be in the mood to eat, numb nuts. No, I just had to be hungry. And hungry I was.
In his fifties, red faced, sweating and blubbering in terror, my snack wasn’t very appealing despite my increasing appetite. Shaking my head, I tried to back away but had nowhere to go. “I can’t, Luc. Sorry, but he’s just too pitiful.”
