Crimson Thirst (The Huntress Bane Book 2)

by Derek Shupert

  I shrug. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m not sure, and I can’t divulge everything that I know right now. We simply do not have the time.” I turn to the side and point in the direction of the wastelands. “What I can tell you is that there may be some answers out there. Answers that could aid us in surviving whatever the demons have planned for us. I’ve seen more than my fair share of bloodshed and loss. I do not want to see any more innocent lives lost or taken by those vile creatures. To have the chance to be able to stop it, though, I need your help. You could be the difference between us surviving this, or not.”

  A bit dramatic? Perhaps, but I think the situation calls for it. Striking out on foot would not be a good use of time. Not at all.

  Considering that the vampires have managed to breach the walls and gain access to the city, the door will now be wide open for them to return with much larger numbers. We need to be ready for whatever they throw at us next.

  SIX

  Trevor has remained silent for the better part of five minutes. He’s paced about the cluttered garage mumbling to himself. Killer has stayed faithfully by his side. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. He’s obviously thinking it over, and hasn’t said no, so he must be weighing my words carefully.

  I lean over to Lucian and whisper, “Are we fucked?”

  He shrugs. “Don’t know. Trevor’s a good guy and all. A little on the manic side of things, but that’s to be expected. Some folks never adjusted to this new world order. I’d imagine if he wasn’t willing to help, he would’ve said it immediately. Perhaps it was your charm that caused him to reconsider his stance on the matter?” Lucian gives me a half-smile and nudges my arm with his elbow.

  If telling someone that if they don’t help out, they will either die a painful, horrible death, or be turned into a demon that roams the wastelands drinking blood for the rest of their life is charming.

  “Haha. Funny.” I mock Lucian with a fake laugh. “My charms can take many forms, though most are blunt and brutal.”

  Trevor strolls back over to us. His large hand rubs up and down his fatigued face, then slips around to the back of his neck. I glance down to Killer, who just stares at me with his ears standing on end. I don’t venture a stroke of his coat. I’m not in the mood to get bitten or anything.

  He still seems unsure about me and Lucian. His body is taut. Low growls emit from his snout. He presents his fangs at random times, just to let us know that he’s still on the fence about us.

  “All that you said about the vamps, is that true?” Trevor inquires.

  I bow my head. “From what I know, it is. Anything can happen in the end, but I’m pretty certain something much worse is looming on the horizon, and we don’t have much time.”

  Trevor glances down to Killer. “What do you think, boy?” Killer tilts his head back and stares up at him. His ears fold down, and he groans slightly. “Yeah. Me to.”

  Not sure where we stand. He’s consulting with a dog, so my faith in his decision here is bleak.

  “All right. I’ll help you,” Trevor says.

  To be honest, I had my doubts. From the way he spoke earlier, I figured he was going to stand his ground. Guess my words of dread and utter doom really paid off.

  Lucian places his hand on Trevor’s right shoulder and offers him a grateful smile. “We really do appreciate your help with this. We know you’re putting your neck on the chopping block here.”

  “I am doing that for sure, but the one thing that scares me more than the council is those damn bloodsuckers. I would like nothing more than to know that I am safe from those bastards. Peace of mind can be extremely valuable nowadays,” Trevor says.

  Even though he said yes, I can still sense some apprehension lingering in his raspy voice. “I can promise you that we’ll do whatever we can to try and stop the vampires from completely infiltrating the city. With your help, we’ll be one step closer to hopefully making that more of a reality.”

  Lucian removes his hand from Trevor’s shoulder and takes a step back.

  “I guess that’s all anyone can ask.” Trevor glances to his right at the door that Killer came barreling out of. “Not sure if either of you have a place close by to crash while I work on those bikes, but there’s a loft upstairs that has a few extra beds. I’ve also got some canned food as well. Stew, I think.”

  Lucian glances furtively at me, then over to Trevor. “That’s kind of you to offer. We’d be glad to stay.”

  “We appreciate the hospitality, and your help,” I say.

  He dismisses our words with a wave of his hand. “Having the company might do me some good. As you’ve probably guessed, I don’t get out much.”

  I offer a warm smile.

  “Do you know, by chance, how long it’ll take to get the motorcycles ready for travel?” I pose.

  Trevor scratches at the stubble on the right side of his face as he squints. “Can’t say exactly, but it shouldn’t take too long. I’ve been tinkering with the damn things here and there, so it shouldn’t have much more work that needs to be done. Like I said, I have a few things that need to be added and checked over before I’d sign off on them. All of the parts are recycled and old, like me, but I’m confident that they’ll get the job done.” Trevor winks at me and smiles.

  I reply in kind.

  I’m glad he has relaxed some. That should help him concentrate, and focus on getting that motorcycle running.

  “Are you sure you don’t need help with anything, Trevor?” Lucian poses. “We can lend a hand in whatever capacity you need.”

  Trevor raps his greasy hand on top of the car’s hood next to us. “Do either of you know anything about engines and combustion. Throttle and brakes?”

  Lucian shakes his head.

  “I know how to drive and a few basic things to make me dangerous if I have to get under the hood,” I say.

  “That it would be.” Trevor looks to the peeled and fading rusted red paint that coats the vehicle’s outer shell. “Keeping these abominations running with what scraps I get is a delicate process. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll manage just fine on my own. If you two can just keep a lookout for any vamps while I’m outside, that’ll be good enough.”

  Lucian nods.

  I doubt there are any left, as it appeared that we got them all earlier, but only time will tell. If it’ll help him work faster, without having to worry about the demons, then I’m willing to go along with it.

  Trevor pats his leg once, which grabs Killer’s attention. Killer tilts his head back and stands up from his haunches.

  “Take them upstairs, boy.”

  Killer turns and heads for the cracked door he emerged from earlier.

  Trevor steps to the right and walks past us. He hums in sync with the music that’s still playing in the background.

  Lucian turns toward me. “Why don’t you get some rest first? I’ll stay down here and keep him company. We’ll switch off a bit later.”

  “You sure? I can stay down here as well, and help keep a lookout.”

  I’m pretty wired now, given what all has transpired over the last couple of hours. Still, the thought of grabbing a couple hours of sleep is tempting. That is, if I can relax long enough. Even when I do sleep, most often it’s restless and doesn’t do me any good.

  Lucian glances over to Trevor once more.

  “I’m sure. Besides, not too many people in Black Fields ever come in and just chat with him. It’s in and out with little to no banter. When I stop by, we generally chat. I think he enjoys it well enough.”

  I place my hand on Lucian’s shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything, ok?”

  “Will do.” He walks away and heads over to Trevor who’s now bobbing his head and humming louder with the rhythmic beat of the music. Although the noise is less than desirable for me, I am glad that it’s getting Trevor into a rhythm to work.

  I head for the open doorway, and make my way up the dark, rickety staircase. Each board creaks and pops under my weight. Kil
ler stares at me through the dimness with his ears erect. His coat blends in with the darkness, only offering a vague silhouette of his rigid frame. At least he isn’t growling or baring his teeth.

  It’s a nice change of pace to not have a creature wanting to rip your throat out. Despite Mathesis’s control over his vast legion of undead minions, the thirst at times can be robust and hard for the demons to control. Although they have been ordered to not harm or feed on me, as if I’d let that happen anyway, the overpowering seduction of one’s succulent lifeforce is, at times, too much for the vampires to resist.

  Killer stands up and bolts from my sight. I can hear his claws rapping against the wood floor. My boots hit the landing, my hand falls to the kukri. A simple habit that is hard to break.

  My body has been trained to remain vigilant, and at the ready when entering dark places. You never know where the demons may end up. Despite them not being able to cross a threshold unless they are invited in, I’d rather play it safe than sorry and allow the creatures to gain an advantage on me.

  What light there is just beyond the building lessens the night’s hold on this space. I scan over the periphery of the loft that is open and uncluttered. A few meager beds rest against the far walls in front of me. To my right is a small kitchen area. Homey.

  Killer lays on the floor to my right. Looks like he’s resting on a stack of folded up blankets. I wonder if he’s here to guard me or to make sure I don’t do anything that might hurt his master. He doesn’t have anything to worry about from me.

  I glance toward the kitchen and contemplate a bowl of food, but the beds across the room lure me in with the thought of a restful sleep. I cave in and pass on the food. For now.

  The boards continue to creak and stretch as I move across the loft. The hollow thumping of the soles of my boots playing off the wood draws Killer’s head in my direction. I stop at the bed to my left and sit down. There are no springs to cushion my backside. It feels like a thin layer of fabric has been draped over a slab of concrete. It’s not overly comfortable, but it’s not the worst place that I’ve ever slept before.

  Sitting there, I take a moment to familiarize myself with the layout of the loft. There are large windows positioned in front of me and off to my left. I glance back over my right shoulder and spot a few more that overlook the outside where Trevor stores his vehicles. All in all, the vantage point of being up high will allow a better view of things. That is, if I need it.

  A deep sigh escapes my lips. I lean forward and brace my forearms on both thighs. My hand rubs up and down my face as I try to slow my thoughts from a screaming roar to a subtle whisper. So much has happened that it has me on edge, which is nothing new.

  Killer remains planted on his blankets, his head trained in my direction.

  I sit up straight and kick my legs up on the mattress. I don’t bother removing my coat or boots. Better to stay at a ready state just in case shit goes down. My head rests on the flat pillow. I cross my legs, and slip my right arm under my head.

  Looking up at the cracked sheetrock ceiling, my mind replays recent events, and the revelation of an insurrection within the vampire ranks.

  This new demon has presented a paradox that has me dumbfounded. Why in the world would there be such discourse within their ranks? More so, what happened when he bit that other vampire, and how am I the key to stopping Mathesis and his vampires? I know we are testing my blood as a way to counter their venom, but that hasn’t proven to be a way to stop them.

  Mathesis is a heavy-handed dictator that keeps a tight leash on his brood. They do not make any moves without his knowledge or blessing. It’s all part of his telepathic connective tissue that links him to any who are turned, and that allows him to keep his subjects in line.

  He may have refrained from speaking of this rogue vampire because he isn’t able to control him. Perhaps his reach and influence doesn’t work on this one for whatever reason. It’s an interesting notion. Besides, I haven’t come across a demon yet, other than Mathesis, that I haven’t been able to hold my own against. They’re mostly predictable, and fight in the same manner.

  With this creature, though, I’ll need to remain alert. There is no telling what I’ll be walking into.

  Good or bad, I’ll soon find out if humanity is going to catch a break, or if we’re completely fucked.

  SEVEN

  The smell of death and decay taints the air. I draw a sharp breath, and hold it for as long as I can, trying to refrain from inhaling the god-awful stench.

  The palm of my hand covers my nose and mouth. The pungent odor persists. My fingers squeeze together to keep the scent of blood and rotting meat that is all around me at bay. No matter where I look, my gaze is filled with the ghastly scene of dead bodies.

  Mounds of them everywhere.

  Their smirched rags are slathered in a rich crimson hue. Flies hover above the bodies while ravenous animals tear and pull at the rotting flesh.

  What the fuck is going on?

  Where am I?

  It takes me a moment, but I recognize my surroundings. The worn tents. The aged façade of the brick buildings. The faded blood that has seeped into the concrete. I’m in Black Fields; dead center in the street. But something is off.

  The buildings are in ruins, gaping holes in the structures revealing the long-forgotten remains of the occupants.

  Day is fading to night. The burnt-orange sky dips down over the horizon, allowing darkness to lay claim to this hellish nightmare.

  I twist on my heels, spinning about in circles for Lucian or any living soul that may be nearby. There are none.

  Panic engulfs me.

  My chest tightens.

  My breathing escalates as the realization that the city has fallen to the demons, and that I have failed, sinks in.

  This can’t be real.

  Regardless of how it feels, this can’t be fucking real. I have not failed. These people are not dead. This is just another fucked up dream. Another in a long line of contorted nightmares that I can’t seem to escape from.

  Oh shit.

  That’s when the light flickers above my head, and I realize what is happening. I am dreaming, but it is not of my doing. There is another presence here that is fanning the flames of my tortured mind.

  Mathesis.

  I twist back around, and spot him in the middle of the street. He stands there with that smug, brash smile painted across his smooth and blemish-free, pale face. He has a teenage girl held in submission before him. Blonde hair and lifeless, dark, icy blue eyes stare at me. No tears are shed. No fearful panic washes over her face. Just a stone-cold look that burns right through me.

  His fingers wrap around her throat. The sharp nails gently scratch along her flawless porcelain flesh. “Hello, my sweet Amanda. Too bad this is the only place I get to see you now.”

  My hand slips away from my mouth and falls to my side. Fingers wrap around the kukri, and pull it free from its sheath.

  Mathesis shakes his head. “Silly girl. You never learn, do you? This is nothing more than a dream. Your dream to be exact. You can’t hurt me here, despite the endless amount of attempts you may make.”

  My teeth gnash, my jaw locks tight as if it’s been bound together with steel wire. “You’re lucky this isn’t real, or I’d fuck you up.”

  He chuckles. I always seem to have that effect on him. He’s so sure of himself, and has so little faith in what I can and can’t do to him. Then again, this is a dream. He can be an overconfident dick without any sort of consequences.

  “Now, would we want to endanger this perfectly sweet and oh so delectable morsel right here?” He lifts her up off the ground with minimal effort. Her legs dangle in the air as she just stares at me with those dead eyes. Mathesis tilts her head to the side, presenting her neck. He offers me a wicked grin before sliding his tongue up her neck. She doesn’t move or squirm from the contact. “Definitely sweet, but not as delicious as your flesh, my angel.”

  I know what he
’s doing. He’s trying to get a rise out of me. He’s good at that. He doesn’t really have to do anything specific for that to happen. Just the mere thought of him is enough to make my blood boil.

  His thumb flicks across her neck and draws a thin line of blood that races down her flesh. Still, she remains motionless. The end of his tongue laps at the red gold flowing from the punctured skin. He doesn’t bite her, though. He’s just fucking with me now.

  “What do you want, Mathesis?” I demand with a hoarse growl. “I’m in no mood to play any of your games.”

  He stops and pulls away from the girl.

  “Perhaps that’s part of the problem. You’re never in the mood to play now.” He glances about the piles of dead, drained bodies that surround us. “Looks as though you’re in no mood to protect these sheep either.”

  He discards the girl’s body with a grin on his face. Her limp bulk lands on the deceased and tumbles down to the red-stained concrete below. His tongue slides along the rim of his lips, licking the blood free from them.

  “This isn’t real. Just some fucked up nightmare that you’ve conjured inside my head,” I growl.

  I blink and he’s gone.

  An unsettling sensation crawls over my skin. The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I train my ears and listen. I can hear his breathing escalating as he approaches me from behind. He’s so close now that the kukri begs me to feed it blood. His blood.

  I spin around and slash at a downward angle. The blade meets nothing more than empty air. Disappointing.

  “Dear girl, you never seem to surprise me.” His voice floats in the air, but I do not see his physical form. “Full of tricks and a vigorous ambition that I wish most of my horde possessed. Still, despite their basic intelligence, they make up for it with sheer determination to carry out my bidding at any cost. Even at the expense of their own lives.”

  Mathesis materializes on the stairs to my left that lead up into one of the apartment dwellings. His red eyes become more visible as the fading light grows dimmer.