Blood Crave
The Night Stalker Crew Series
By: Alina Meuangkhot
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2010 by Alina Meuangkhot
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Prologue
Nothing is what it seems. Sometimes you have to kill to get what you want. Life is precious and short. People kill each other just for the fun of it and we don’t know why. Nerves put to the test, struggles are fought until resolve, hunger for the cravings, and bleed until there is no more to bleed. Sometimes you wonder if the world will ever be the same.
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Chapter One The Beginning
I watched as the clouds slowly darkened the sky, making it even darker. It was going to rain and here I am standing in the middle of some deserted alley, a perfect target for a lightning strike. I can hear the thunder rumbling louder and louder overhead. I walked briskly towards the opening of the alley where it was brighter, not that I need any light to see where I was going. I swiftly made my way down the sidewalk, passing a few people making their way home. They all looked around as they felt me pass them. Moving in lightning speed, I was only a dark speck and a wind to them. I stopped as I saw the store I was looking for. The sign on the window read, All Things Electronic. The bell sounded as I entered the dim store. A few customers eyed me wearily. I walked down aisles after aisles, pretending to look for something to buy. I stopped to look at a surround-sound system. I moved on to check out other things while I wait for the store to slowly empty out. It was half an hour later when I found myself alone with just the store cashier. I walked over to the cash register and a girl in her teens looked up curiously. She stopped what she was doing and turned to look at me. “Can I help you?” she asked tiredly.
“Are you the only one here?” I asked.
She nodded. “What can I help you with?” she asked, looking at me suspiciously.
“Look, tonight is going to be your lucky night,” I said. “There's going to be a robbery here.”
Her eyes widen and she looked around nervously. “What do you want? I can give you anything you want, just let me know what it is, and I’ll hand it over.”
Her mind was spinning wildly. I smiled at her. “It’s not me, but whatever happens, don’t press the panic button. I’m here to help you.”
“How?” she breathed.
“Don’t worry about it.” I moved out of her view quick as a flash. She stared at the spot where I was standing just seconds ago in surprise. I mentally told her to act normal, and she went back to finish what she was doing earlier. Not a minute later, the bell sounded and two masked men enter the store. I smiled to myself as I watch them approach the register. A few words were exchange and out came the gun. The taller of the two pointed the gun steadily at the girl’s head. I threw my mind force at him just before his finger can touch the trigger. I watch as his finger twitch when he tried to make contact with it. I snickered softly and silently came out of my hiding spot. The shorter one now has a knife out and was an inch from cutting the girl, but too bad for him, I was mighty quicker. I swiftly went to him and knocked the knife out of his hand. The two men both look startled. I picked up the knife and pocket it. The taller one was still trying to pull the trigger. “Having a problem there?” I asked. They both turn and head for the door. I was in front of them in a split second. “Don’t go; I’m not done yet.”
“Who are you?” the taller of the two asked.
“I was just about to ask the same thing. Boy, don’t we think alike.”
“Get out of our way, bitch!” said the shorter of the two.
“Now now Mathew, there's no need to be rude here.”
“How—how do you know my name?”
I smiled. “I just know. Take off your mask so I can see that lovely face of yours.”
They both look at one another. I glanced back to where the girl was. She was staring at me in interest. She saw me looking and she looked away. I turned my attention back to the two men. “Take it off or I’ll do it for you,” I said.
The tall one pointed his gun at me and pulled the trigger. It hit me in the chest and yep, I went down. Blood quickly flowed out of my chest and on to the floor. The girl screamed and picked up the phone. With my power, I made her hang it up. The two men made a run for the door. I got up and swiftly grabbed both of them and threw them face down on the floor. Air whooshed out of them and I rip the masks off. My stomach tightens as I smell the blood. They both were bleeding from the nose and mouth. “I was hoping that I wouldn’t get shot tonight, but I did. How unfortunate of me,” I said. I caught the bullet as it came out of me. “Looks like I have myself a trophy.”
They were staring at me curiously. “What are you?” asked Mathew.
“Why do you ask such a question?”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Because you’re not hurt.”
“Oh but I am. Getting shot in the chest or anywhere else rather hurts like a motherfucker.”
“But you’re not screaming in pain.”
I noticed that the taller one was staring at my chest. It was healing very quickly, too quickly. I smiled at him. He averted his eyes. “Fascinating isn’t it?” I asked.
He gulped. “You’re not human.”
“If I’m not human, then what am I?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but you’re not human.”
I ran my tongue around one of my fangs. I turned to check on the girl who was silent now. She was in shock, her lips quivering. “You’re right… I’m not human,” I said. I meant to say it calmly, but it came out as a hiss.
They both squirm uncomfortably. “Then what are you?” asked the taller one.
“Well Travis, I’ll be glad to show you.” Damn it! I thought to myself as I pulled Travis swiftly to me. His head tilted backward with the force of my pull. “Look at me,” I hissed. He shuddered and focused his attention on me. I open my mouth to reveal my fangs, sharp and aching to bite. He screamed and tried to get out of my grasp. Mathew went for the door again, and I saw the girl press a button to lock the door. I circled Travis firmly in my arms and put my mouth to his throat and he scream even louder. “Shut up, you’re hurting my ears,” I said, and I opened the arteries in his neck. Blood, sweet and warm flowed freely into my mouth. I pull and suck at it like it was the last thing on earth. I let go of him and he fell back to the floor hard. I licked my lips and look at Mathew. He was white as a ghost and looked like about to pass out any second. “Give my thanks to Travis for shooting me, won’t you?” I asked as I made my short distance to where he was. He backed away quickly. I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him slowly towards me. He was about to say something, but my fangs already found his throat, and I fed hungrily. I finished feeding and turned back to look at the girl. I slowly went over to where she was standing.
She was breathing fast. “I was right,” she said shuddering. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me; I just happened to be in the area.” I tried to capture her with my eyes. She was thinking about something else so I had to get her attention. “Focus, look at me,” I said. She snapped back to reality, and I caught her with my gaze. “You will not remember what just happen tonight. You won’t remember seeing me either.” I went over to the bodies and took the gun and pocket it. I carried the bodies out the door and around the back of the store. I dumped it by the dumpster. I went back inside and found the empty shell casing. I picked it up along with the masks and went to drop it in the dumpster. Blood was still on the floor. “Do you have any cleaning products?” I asked.
“Yeah, I have some in the back.” She was still under the influence of my gaze.
“Go get it and clean this up,” I said, pointing at the blood on the floor.
“Okay,” she said, and she disappeared to the back of the store. She came back out with some cleaning products and went to work. I watched as she scrubbed the floor clean.
“Remember, you don’t remember anything that happened here tonight,” I said and headed out the door.
Soaking wet from the rain and sticky from my own blood, I headed towards home. I felt another vampire behind me. I whirled around.
“You reek of gunpowder,” said Trynnadon.
“Thanks for noticing,” I said.
“Fun night?”
“Not really.”
“Mmm, I see.” He came over to me and sniffed me. “Go clean up and then you have to pack.”
“That was my plan.” I left Trynnadon standing where he was. I went inside and straight to the bathroom to wash up. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was covered in blood. My eyes were now black with tinge of red around the pupils. I took out the knife and gun and set it on the side of the sink. I took my time washing up so it was fifteen minutes later when I got out of the shower. I dressed and picked up the knife and the gun from the sink and went to the kitchen. Scarlett was in there with her sister, Jessica.
“Hey Donnica, how’s it going?” asked Jessica, her eyes moving to the weapons in my hands.
“It’s going well, how ‘bout you?”
“I’m good.”
“And how is Scarlett doing?” I asked, my eyes flickering to her.
“I am doing pretty well too,” said Scarlett.
I handed the weapons over to Jessica. “Clean it and then put it in the weapon case when you are done,” I said. She nodded and got up from the table, Scarlett trailing behind her.
“You still smell like gunpowder,” said Trynnadon, entering the kitchen.
“Gee thanks,” I said.
“You’re welcome.”
Trynnadon walked over to Scarlett. She cringed and backed away. “You’re still afraid of me?”
“Every single human in this house is afraid of you, Eric, and all the other vampires,” said Jessica.
“Even me?” I asked.
“Yep, you too Donnica.”
“I like to keep it that way,” said Trynnadon.
“So do I,” said Eric, entering from the living room.
“Sometimes I like it that way,” I said.
“You’re too gentle on your victims,” said Eric, turning to face me. “You need to make them suffer,” he chuckled.
“I do make them suffer, and I surely do enjoy it very… much.”
“Hey, two of your victims are standing right here,” said Jessica.
“Oh right, sorry,” said Eric.
“I wonder what you twos blood taste like,” I said. “Maybe, I’ll catch one of you alone some day.”
Trynnadon and Eric both chuckled. “Yeah me too,” said Trynnadon.
“Me three,” said Eric. “Okay, go pack up, Jes. I’ll put the weapons away.” She nodded and strode out of the kitchen.
“Who’s all going?” I asked.
“You, me, Tryn, Jes, Kallie, and Kara,” said Eric.
I nodded. “Great team, what are we doing anyways?”
“A family needs our help,” said Trynnadon.
“Ah… I see. Is it like the Kegorah’s case?”
“Won’t know ‘til we get there,” said Eric. I nodded and backed out of the kitchen. I headed to my room. I plop myself on my bed and laid there. I drifted into my so call downtime state.
I felt a hard poke on my side. I ignored it like I always do when I don’t want to be bothered. I felt a sharp pain on my neck and instincts took over. My eyes flew opened and at the same time I bolt upright. Someone twisted my arms behind my back before I could do anything. I looked behind me. “Next time don’t ignore us when we’re trying to wake you,” said Trynnadon, smirking. “Or I could bite you again if that’s what you like.”
I snarled at him. “Let me go so I can rip your head off.”
He laughed. “Only if you can catch me.”
I glared at him. “I hate you.”
He smiled. “I know you love me. Now get your ass up, and don’t hit me or you’ll be sorry, missy.” He let go of me and was out the door before I could take a swing at him. Bastard, I said under my breath.
“I heard that,” Trynnadon yelled.
“Oh shut up,” I growled. I heard him snickering in my head. I got up and walk over to the closet, pulling out a black shirt and black pants. I dressed quickly and grabbed my radio and cell phone off the nightstand and shoved it in my pocket. I went to the living room. I whack Trynnadon on the back of the head, hard enough to make him wince. I sat on the couch and stared at him. He glared back at me.
“I’m so gonna get you for that,” he said.
“She got you good,” said Eric, laughing.
“Jessica!” screamed Trynnadon. “Ten minutes until we have to leave!”
“Okay!” Jessica screamed back.
“Are you trying to blow our eardrums out here, Tryn?” asked Eric.
“Yep.” Kara and Kallie both entered the living room, Kallie headed towards the kitchen. I leaned back on the couch and watched both Eric and Trynnadon watching me. “Looks like you’re going to kill someone any second now,” said Trynnadon. “And I hope that someone is not me,” he smile and shook his head.
I sighed. “It is you.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be waiting.”
Kallie finally entered with a tray that has three plates filled with sausages, bacons, and toasts, and three cups of orange juice. She gently set it on the table, and Kara immediately dug in.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Jessica screamed. Kallie and Kara both looked at each of us questioningly. Trynnadon pointed at Eric. They both nodded and went back to eating. A minute later, Jessica finally entered. She sat beside Kara and pulled her plate of food towards her. The living room was silent except for the sound of chewing and drinking. Jessica finally broke the silence. “Do I bring my radio?” she asked.
“Yep, you always carry it with you wherever you go,” said Trynnadon.
“Okay.” They finished up there breakfast and Kallie took the tray into the kitchen. She came back out a moment later. Trynnadon, Eric, and I slowly got up and all six of us headed out the door. I took out my sunglasses and slipped it on, Eric and Trynnadon doing the same. Gabriella went over to the driver side as we all filed in.
“You girls got everything?” I asked, looking at Jessica, Kara, and Kallie. They all thought about it for a moment and nodded. “We’re good to go then,” I said to Gabriella. She started up the engine and we were off to LAX Airport. I felt Trynnadon shifted uneasily beside me. I glanced up at him. He looked back at me. He was thirsty, I could tell. He was broadcasting loud and clear. I slowly pulled his sunglasses off and sure enough, I was right. His black eyes bore into me ferociously. He took his sunglasses back from me and slipped it back on. I can feel the energy off of him like shockwaves, pulsing off of me. I looked at Kara, Kallie, and Jessica. They were rubbing their arms and squeezing it, trying to make the tingling sensation go away. Eric was just looking out the window and being very still, as still as a vampire can be. Trynnadon leaned into me, his mouth touching my throat. He slowly inhaled my scent. He stayed there for a minute and reluctantly moved away
“I should’ve fed before leaving,” whispered Trynnadon. He sighed and growled. Jessica, who was the next person closest to him shivered and rub her hand faster up and down her arm. She tensed up when Trynnadon looked at her.
“Bite me,” I said to him.
He turned to look at me, a look of surprise on his face. “Before you were going to kill me and now you’re telling me to bite you, make up your mind.”
“I’m still going to kill you, but you need to feed before you go berserk out on the streets.”“And you?”
I narrow my eyes. “I don’t know. I’ll manage.”
He shook his head. “No.”
I nodded and he turned to look out the window. He unsuccessfully tried to keep his mind off from what he so badly craved. I tried to offer myself again. “Tryn, you need to feed, and I don’t think Kara, Kallie, or Jessica is willing.” He growled which made the three girls squirm uncomfortably. He slowly tore his gaze away from the window. His hands shot out at me, holding me in place. The girls gasp and move as far as the car would allow. Trynnadon had to changed position, because of how tall he was. I literally was in his lap. He lean down and I stretched up to meet his mouth. “This sucks,” I said.
He growled and I felt the sharp stinging pain of his fangs. I couldn’t help it, a small noise escape my throat. I felt the venom slowly enter me. “Don’t do that,” I spit out. He growled and bit me even harder, making the blood flow out quicker. I squeal and jerk slightly, he tighten his grip, stopping me from moving an inch. I felt the starting of my hunger rising. “That’s enough,” I said, pushing at him. He growled for the third time and withdrew his fangs. He quickly swept his tongue over the wound, enough to stop the blood, but not enough to heal. I moved away from him. I could already feel the wound closing. “Are you good for a few?” I asked. He nodded, but didn’t say anything. Jessica was about to roll the window down, but Trynnadon’s hand, quick as lightning, stopped her before she could push the button. She jerked her hand out from under his, flexing her fingers. I could see the terminal coming up ahead. “A little further and to the right,” I told Gabriella. We turned right off of 99th Street into the parking area. Gabriella made a circle around to look for an opening. She finally found a parking spot and we all got out. Kallie, Jessica, and Kara went around to the back of the car and took out there luggage. “Do you really need to pack that much?” I asked them as I got my duffel bag out.
“We don’t know how long we’ll be in Colorado, do we?” asked Jessica.
“Okay, you have a point there, but still.”
“Have fun in Colorado,” said Gabriella.
“Oh believe me, we will,” I said. Good-byes were exchange and we watched as Gabriella drove off.
“Damn rain,” said Kallie as we made our way through the security checkout line. We were scanned and processed and ready to board. We headed to gate C12 to wait. It wasn’t long until our flight arrived, and we were up in the air in fifteen minutes time.
* * * * * *
Chapter Two Fight or Flight
The plane ride went smoothly without any incidence. We all slept through the whole flight, well Jessica, Kara, and Kallie did. The vampires just went to their downtime state. The passengers were probably all staring at us, thinking we’re the oddest group of people on earth. It was several hours later that the plane finally touched down in Colorado Springs Airport. Kara called the car rental place to make sure that everything was ready for us. “Affirmative,” she said as she dialed another number. “I’m getting a cab; don’t want to look suspicious since we just got here.” We all nodded. “Five minutes 'til the cab gets here,” she said and flipped her phone shut.
“So… we’re going to just stand around and wait?” asked Eric.
“I guess so,” said Kara.
“Might as well get out of the crowd at least,” he sighed. She nodded and headed towards the terminal exit while we followed behind. We walked until we came to McClarie Road where the cab supposed to pick us up.
“If the driver is one minute late, I’m going to bite his or her head off,” said Trynnadon.
Eric chuckled. “Not if I get my hands on them first.”
“Hey guys, cool it,” I said. “We’re supposed to act like humans for a while.”
“Humans,” groan Eric.
“If you haven’t notice, theirs three humans standing a short distance from you,” said Jessica.
“Oh yes, I totally forgot,” I said sarcastically. “Would you like me to hold some of that for you?” I asked Kallie since it looked like that she was having trouble holding her bags.
“No, I’m good,” she said. “If I start to fall over before the cab gets here then I might change my mind.”
I laughed. “Suit yourself. Don’t say that no one has offered to help.”
“Oh I won’t.”
“Well, look who’s here,” I said as the cab pulled up to the curb.
We cramped ourselves into the cab. The driver told us our ride cost and we were off to the Inz Hotel. Fifteen minutes later we pulled into the Inz parking lot. We all paid our two dollars fee and got out. Jessica held the door opened as we all filed in to what looks like the lobby. The interior was gloomy with plush chairs scattered here and there and a TV hanging up on the wall. A sign on one of the doors read, Gift Shop. Eric went up to the counter to pay for our rooms while we waited. Trynnadon was eyeing all the customers hungrily. I put a restraining hand on his arm. He looked down at me and a low growl escape him. He shrugged away from me and stared down at the floor. Eric finally came out of the crowd with a paper and three keycards in his hand. He pointed to the elevator. We followed and waited for the door to open. I had to press the up button several times before the door even open up for us to enter. Once we were in, Eric hit the seventh floor button. A few seconds later, the door opened and a ding sounded. We stepped off the elevator and move aside for a few people to get on. Eric pointed down the hall to our right. We head down that direction and took a left at the corner. Several rooms were on each side of the hall. “Our room numbers are 704, 705, and 706. We need to figure out who’s sharing a room with who,” said Eric.
“I’ll share room with Kallie,” said Jessica.
“Fine with me,” Kallie said, nodding her head.
“Kara and Donnica?” asked Eric.
She cringed at the thought of sharing room with a vampire. I smile at her. “I promise not to bite you while you’re sleeping,” I said.
“Just be thankful that you’re not sharing a room with me or Tryn,” said Eric. She hesitated for a long minute before nodding her head in defeat.
“I’m guessing that Jessica and I have the room 704?” asked Kallie.
Eric handed out the keys and we all went to our rooms to unpack. I slipped the keycard into the slot and a click sounded as I turned the knob. I pushed the door opened and stepped inside, Kara following behind. I let the door slam shut as I scan the room. Two queen-size beds took up the far wall, a nightstand with a clock radio between it. A television set at the foot of the beds. A tiny bar was just to the left of the TV and a huge window dominating one side of the room. “Can you close the curtains?” Kara nodded and strode over and pulled the heavy curtains close, blocking the outside view. She went over to one of the beds and sat down. She removed her backpack and sat it beside her. I went over to the second bed and drop my duffel bag at the foot of the bed. “You can unpack. I’m going out to feed,” I said.
“But it’s still a little bright out,” said Kara.
“I have my sunglasses and it’s going to be dark out pretty soon anyways.”
“Ok, can I get something to eat as well?”
I nodded. “Take Jessica and Kallie with you, if they’re hungry.” She nodded as I made my way out the door. I took the elevator down to the lobby. The receptionist glared at me as I went out the double doors. What was her fucking problem, I muttered to no one in particular. I slipped on my sunglasses and crossed the parking lot. I walk down the sidewalk in search of someone that look and smell appetizing. The sky darkened as I made my way down an alley and out on to another street. Two redheads were a few yards ahead and I track them like a predator straight out of their nightmares. I made my move and sprang on the taller of the two, knocking both of us to the asphalt. Before a scream can escape, I sank my fangs into him, cutting off his squeaks of shock. I drew the warm sweetness of his blood with a hint of whatever he was shooting up a few minutes ago and swallowed. Okay, he didn’t look or smell appetizing, but my hunger overruled me. I swept my tongue over the bite and let him go. I watched as he clumsily got up and stumble away as fast as his weaken state would allow. I got up and scanned for the other kid that ran off. I sniffed the air and caught the scent just a few blocks away from where I was, and I followed it back to that alley where I was not too long ago. I arrived to find him staggering away in the other direction. From the looks of him, someone already fed off of him. Probably Eric or Tryn was out here somewhere. It was now fully dark out, and I took off my sunglasses and stuffed it in my pocket. I waited for a few stragglers to pass. I stepped out of the shadows and made my way back to the hotel. I thank the girl that was holding the door and walk through. Oh good, that moody bitch was not on the night shift, if she was, I might of started something with her. I headed towards the elevator and punched the up button. The door slid open and I entered. I hit the seventh floor and waited. I stepped out to find Tryn and Eric just making the corner. “What’s up?” I asked.
Trynnadon and Eric walked up to where I was standing and nodded. “We’re off to talk to the family,” Eric said. “Back in the elevator you go.” I nodded and we all filed into the small elevator.
“Are they close to here?” I asked.
“Yes, like five minutes away,” said Trynnadon.
“Our Car is out in the parking lot,” said Eric.
“Um, who went and got the car?” I asked.
“Kallie did.”
The door closed and we rode the elevator down to the lobby. The receptionist looked up and Trynnadon had him under in a split second. “You saw no one exiting the elevator just now.” We were outside just as the receptionist, surprise and confuse turn to look at the monitor.
I followed Tryn and Eric to a red car and got in, Trynnadon driving and Eric in the passenger’s seat. “So, who are we meeting?” I asked.
“The McKenzy,” said Trynnadon.
“The whole family?”
“I think will find out when we get there.”
“You’re not much of a help here.”
“I never meant to be helpful.”
“Whatever,” I sighed.
“He’s moody, because he didn’t get enough of that hot girl,” said Eric.
Trynnadon frowned. “What hot girl?”
“The girl you were feeding off of.”
“Oh she is so not hot.”
I laughed. “I guess none of you stole my druggies then?” Trynnadon made a gagging sound. “What? I was in the alley and they were alone so I went for it.”
“No, we didn’t,” said Eric.
“I was gonna go for the second kid, but when I found him, it looked like one of you had him.”
Eric shook his head. “Nope, wasn’t us.”
“How far do they live?” I asked.
“Uh, we’re here,” said Trynnadon. “And you asked me that question when we were in the elevator.”
“Oh!”
Tryn and Eric snickered. “Looks like somebody is not in their right mind here,” said Trynnadon. “She’s off the case.”
“No I am not.” He chuckled and opened the door. Eric and I did the same. We walked up to the door and I knocked loudly. I heard movements and I took a step back. The door slowly opened and a young boy stood in the doorway. He looked to be around ten years old. He looked at all of us nervously. Stepping back, he opened the door wider and nodded. I slowly went in, Eric and Trynnadon following behind. I smiled at the boy. He smiled back at me shyly and led us to the living room. He pointed to the couch and I went over to sit while Trynnadon and Eric went to stand against the wall. We all stared at the boy, waiting for him to say something. I was about to ask something when his hands started to move. Holy shit, this kid is deaf, I thought to myself. Then I looked at Eric who looked confused and Tryn who was signing back to the boy. I cleared my throat. “Uh, want to tell us what he is saying?”
“He is telling us that his mom is in the shower and would be out in a few minutes,” said Trynnadon.
“And you told him…”
“I told him no problem, and now he’s asking us if we would like anything to eat or drink.” I looked at the boy and shook my head, Eric just look… intrigued?
“When did you learn ASL?” Eric asked.
“Years ago,” Trynnadon answered. “I thought it would come in handy sooner or later.”
“Well, what do you know? Here you are using something you finally learned, what a surprise,” I said.
“I don’t see you using something to your advantage,” said Trynnadon, moving away from the wall and walking towards the boy.
“Tryn, don’t even think about it.”
“Think about what?”
“Move away from him, I know what you’re thinking about.”
“I wasn’t going to touch him.”
“Sure you weren’t,” said Eric. “C’mon, a vampire walking towards a human without telling them is a bad sign.”
Trynnadon stop just a few feet from the boy. “Honestly, I wasn’t going to hurt him.” The boy looked up at Trynnadon with a hint of fear. He backed up to the couch and sat himself down, folding his arms tightly around himself.
“The mother is coming out, move away before she goes berserk and decide to stake us with a poker stick,” I said, looking towards the fireplace.
Trynnadon smiled and in a flash was back against the wall with Eric. “That wouldn’t do us or this family any good,” he said. “If that ever happened I would be out of commission for a day, and I’m not going to sit still while my heart is healing unless you somehow convince Jenkins to build a blood bank.”
I laughed. “Unnecessary, you just stand there and behave yourself for a few minutes.”
Trynnadon scoffed. “Donnica giving orders? Wow!” He sighed. “Yes Donnica, I’ll behave myself.” We all looked towards the hallway as the bathroom door opened. The mother stepped out wearing a bathrobe and she looked around. Spotting us, she gave a small sound of shock. Couldn’t blame her, I probably would also be shocked out of my wits to find three huge scary looking people in the living room. She composed herself and nodded to us and put up a finger and hurried into the bedroom and closed the door. The boy started signing and Trynnadon fixed his gaze on him. He nodded and the boy relaxed a bit. “He was just making sure that none of us are going to hurt them,” said Trynnadon. “I promised him that we wouldn’t.”
Eric and I nodded. “Is the mother deaf too?” I asked.
“Um…” Trynnadon looked at the boy and started to sign. The boy shook his head. “There’s your answer, she’s not deaf.”
“Okay. What’s her name?”
“Gee, I thought you’d never ask. Julia is her name.”
I nodded as the bedroom door opened. Julia slowly made her way to the living room, a nervous expression played across her face. She went over to sit beside her son. She put a hand on his shoulder and finally looked up at us. “My daughter, Peyton has been missing for days,” she said. She took a deep sigh and let it out slowly. “Last I saw her, was on her birthday. I went to wake her up the next morning; she wasn’t in her bed like she was supposed to be. My son Christian and I looked all over the neighborhood but no sign of her anywhere.” She laughed nervously. “I’m sorry… I should've introduced myself. I didn’t mean to jump right into… Please forgive me. I’m Julia and this is Christian, my son. He’s… deaf… I forgot to mention it when I called.” She smiled down at the boy sitting beside her.
“It’s no problem, Ms. McKenzy,” I assured her. “I understand.”
“Please, call me Julie.”
“I’m Donnica. It’s nice to meet you. This is Eric and Trynnadon. They’ll be helping out as well.” She gave Eric and Trynnadon a nervous smile. I got up and went over to her. She shuddered. “I won’t hurt you. It’s alright. I’m the nicest out of the group.” I smiled at her.
“I’m sorry. I’m not use to having vampires in my house. Surely you can understand that.”
“I do understand. You’re not the first to say that.” She nodded. “I just have a couple of questions about Peyton.”
“She’s a good girl, never causes any trouble.”
“I’m sure she is, but that wasn’t one of my questions.” I laughed. “I want to know how old she is.”
She laughed nervously. “She just turned twelve.”
“Does she have many friends?”
“Yes, mostly from her school.”
“Does she invite them over from time to time?”
She nodded. “She usually invites the same group of friends over.”
“How many friends does she have in her inner circle?”
“Three.”
“I see…”
“I have a question,” said Trynnadon. “Have you seen anything suspicious leading up to her disappearance?”
“No. I didn’t see anything.”
“Do you have a picture of her?” I asked.
She nodded and got up. She walked over to the coffee table and picked up a picture. She flipped it over and handed it to me. “This is the most recent photo I have of her.”
I nodded. I put the picture in my pocket and took out a mini notepad and a pen. “I’m going to give you our cell numbers.” I wrote the numbers down and tore off the paper. I handed it to her and she slowly took it. “I want you to call any of us if you can remember anything else.”
She nodded. “I will call if I find anything unusual or remember anything.”
“We’ll meet again, Ms. McKenzy.” Trynnadon and Eric moved away from the wall and slowly made their way to the door. “In the meantime, you have yourself a good night.”
“I’ll try. You all have a good night as well.”I smiled. “We will. The night is not over for us, not in a long shot.”
I turned and walk to the door, Julia leading the way. She opened the door and the cold night air blew through the doorway. Trynnadon, Eric and I stepped out. Julia waved to us as we made our way to the car. I breathed in the cold air and caught the scent of… uh… another vampire? No way in hell could that be. I opened the door and got in the back. Trynnadon and Eric both turned to look at me. “What?” Eric asked. “You look taken aback about something.”
“Start driving and I’ll tell you,” I said. They both turned around and Trynnadon started up the car. We backed out and on to the street.
Trynnadon coughed. “So, are you going to tell us?” he asked.
“Roll down your window and take a nice whiff of the air,” I said.
Trynnadon and Eric both rolled down their windows and did as I said. They both winced. They put the windows back up and Trynnadon cursed loudly. “Mother. Fucker,” he hissed.
“Recognize it?” I asked.
“No,” said Trynnadon and Eric in unison.
“Looks like we have to stalk the streets then.”
“Yeah, let’s take the car back first,” said Eric.
It was silent in the car after that. I leaned back and closed my eyes and thought about… nothing. I heard the doors opening and my eyes flew opened. Trynnadon and Eric were looking at me. Feeling annoyed, I open the door and got out. “Going our separate ways?” I asked.
They both nodded. “Turn your radio down all the way,” said Trynnadon. “We’ll buzz each other if we come across anything.” I nodded and headed the other way. The way that would take me deep into the night to look for… I have no idea, but the only way to find out is to come face to face with this unknown vampire.
* * * * * *
Chapter Three Defenseless
I made my way down a side road, picking up nothing unusual. What the hell, I could no longer pick up the scent. I made my way towards a large group of people hanging out by what looks like a drug house. The smell of heroin, cocaine and other drugs assaulted my nose. “Well, well, look who’s here.” I snapped my head up and looked around. I felt a cold wind behind me and attempted to turn around with no luck. Cold hands clamp down on me and twisted my arms behind me. I struggled to get free, but I couldn’t.
“Let me go!” I hissed.
“I didn’t think I would find someone like me, but you’re so… interesting.” A deep whispery voice said behind me, and it sent chills down my spine.
I used all my strength and twisted out of his steel hold. I turned to see who was behind me. Before I can make out who it was, he pulled me into him, and everything faded to black. A second later, the darkness lifted. Confused as I was, I pulled away from him and looked around. “Where the fuck am I?” I asked.
“You’re just a few blocks away from where you were.”
“The hell do you mean?”
A low growl escaped him. “What I mean is that I took you somewhere more secluded, away from those druggies and their whores.”
“Why?”
“Because I like to get to know you better, and we’re out of earshot’s of anybody that’s listening.”
I turned to make a quick escape, but he was already blocking my way. I cursed under my breath. This vampire was a lot faster and more powerful than I was, and I have no way of running from his grasps. He stroked my cheek and leaned into me and inhaled my scent. “Donnica, did you really think that you can vanish out of my sight so quickly?”
“Who are you?”
“I thought you would be using your telepathy by now.”
“I can’t.”
He smiled at me. “Hmm.”
“You’re doing this to me, aren’t you!?”
“Do what?” he whispered. I was terrified of him, not knowing what else he can do to me. I try to mentally ask for help but I couldn’t. “Don’t call for help. This is only between you and me.”
“Who are you?” I asked for a second time.
“Tristan.”
“Tristan… You don’t sound familiar to me.”
“We never met before. I was observing you, quite the scene there, back in Los Angeles.”
“What? You were there?”
He smiled. “I was just curious.”
Pain shot through me and I fell to my knees, panting. Clutching my pounding head, I looked up at him. His expression was unreadable, and the pain was getting worse. “Stop!” I managed to spit out. He smiled and the pains slowly dissipate. I slump forward, gasping for air. “You fucking bastard,” I said between each breath.
“I was just testing you. Wanted to see how much you can handle, no need to be hasty.”
“Stop blocking my links, damn it!”
“Did you forget that you have a radio?”
“Fuck you! Just fuck. You!”
I slowly sat up and pulled my radio from my pocket. I watch Tristan’s every move as I radio for Tryn or Eric. A shockwave of uneasy energy ran through me as I was about to hit the call button. It blanketed me and I was frozen in fear. My breathing sped up as he slowly came closer to me. He plop his ass down on the cold ground and stared at me for what felt like a long time. He licked his lower lip, and I could hear a low growl issuing from him. He turned his head to look behind him. “Looks like you didn’t need that radio after all,” he whispered. “They’re here.” Tristan stood up, pulling me up with him. I was swiftly pulled into his embrace. I can hear Eric and Trynnadon nearby.
“Who are you?” growled Trynnadon.
“I might ask the same,” said Tristan.
“Let go of her.”
“Not until I get a taste of her.” I pushed against him with no avail. He chuckled. “She’s getting a little antsy here.”
“Let her go,” Trynnadon said for the second time.
He let me go and took a step away. “Satisfied?”
Trynnadon nodded. “May I ask who you are?”
“I’m Tristan,” he growled. “And you must be Trynnadon.” He looked at Eric. “And you must be Eric?”
“Yes,” said Eric.
Tristan chuckled. “I was observing you guys.” Shock crossed both of their faces for a split second before they both composed themselves. Tristan snickered.
“How long were you observing us?” Eric asked.
“For quite a while I have to say.”
“And you followed us here?”
He smiled. “Yes, I did.”
“What do you want?” asked Trynnadon.
“Nothing apart from me joining the McKenzy’s case. I was planning to stop by the hotel, but I happen to run into this… girl.”
“Um… that’s fine by us, but why did you have to kidnap Donnica?”
Tristan snorted. “Kidnap, please, you have to be out of your mind. I merely wanted to bite her.”
I backed away a few more steps from him. “Why do you want to bite me, Tristan? I’m like you.”
He smiled. “Because, for one, you smell appetizing, and two, I want to.” I looked at Trynnadon and Eric who were standing very still, too still for my liking. Tristan snickered. “I don’t think they’ll mind.” Before I could even turn to run, Tristan had me in a tight embrace again. I growled at him. Everything faded to black once again. I struggle and struggle to get free with no use. I tilt my head back and tried to see where I was, and by god was that a big mistake on my part. Tristan sank his fangs into me and pain rippled through my body like fire. I screamed, but no sound escape my throat. My back arched and my muscles bunched together. The pain grew worse as he drank and drank from me. White light appeared and I knew I was falling into the abyss when darkness closed around me.
I woke up to a stabbing searing pain. I tried to get up, but I noticed I was strapped down to something cold and hard. I opened my eyes and closed it again. The pain was just too unbearable to withstand. Even though I was silently burning up inside, I noticed I wasn’t alone. A cool hand gently brushed my sweaty strand of hair from my cheek. “Is she awake?” asked Eric.
“Yes, she is,” answered Trynnadon.
“Why isn’t she screaming in pain?”
“Tristan is still silencing her.”
“Hmm, where is he anyways?”
“Right. Here,” said Tristan.
Eric and Trynnadon growled. “What did you do to her?” asked Eric.
“She’s not going to die, if that’s what you’re wondering,” growled Tristan. “And plus, the pain will subside soon enough.”
“How soon?” growled Trynnadon.
“Don’t know.”
“What the fuck you mean you don’t know?”
“How about you try and suck it out of her?” Tristan growled.
“Because what you injected in her is not venom.”
Tristan snarled. I felt him coming closer. The pain was going away as I listened to the three vampires argued. Tristan muttered under his breath. His cold hand touched my hand and the pain suddenly disappeared altogether, but something else took its place. My hunger rose inside me with vengeance. My fangs shot out and venom filled my mouth, I was now paralyzed, due to Tristan’s many abilities. How many god damn abilities does this fucker have? I wasn’t about to find out, because I sure as hell didn’t want to know. “Open your eyes, Donnica,” Tristan said, still growling. I slowly opened my eyes to find all three staring at me with guarded expressions. Tristan put his wrist to my mouth, and I stare at him confuse. “Drink.” I obeyed and bit down hard and he grunted. I pulled at his wrist at lapped at it like a baby. He chuckled in amusement. “Aren’t we all a happy camper, just fucking wonderful.” I pulled away and he pressed his wrist to my mouth so I kept on drinking. “You need more. I pretty much fucked up your bloodstream.” A minute later, which felt like eternity, Tristan pulled his wrist away. He licked closed the two punctured wounds that I made.
“How do you feel?” Trynnadon asked.
“Um… I feel like I could sleep for a century,” I said.
He snickered. “I would probably feel the same.”
“Oh would you? I find that hard to believe.” I turn my head to look at Tristan. “What the hell were you doing at the drug house?”
He laughed. “I was watching you looking for me.”
I hissed. “I. Hate. You. So fucking! Much!”
“You’ll get over it.”
I growled. “Where are we anyways?”
“In the middle of nowhere.”
“I wasn’t asking you for your information.”
Trynnadon and Eric chuckled. “Just a few more blocks away from where we were,” said Eric.
I look down at what was under me. It was a long metal table, long enough to strap one person on it. It looked like an operating table. “Mind taking this off of me?” I looked at the metal thing that was strapping me down. If you attempt to break free of this thing, one hundred thousand volts of electricity would course through your body, and the humans can kiss this table good-bye. “So, are you going to let me up or not?” I looked at all of them pleadingly.
Tristan walked over, and he loomed over me. “Feeding time is over.”
I nodded. “Just let me up, I’m fine.” He release the three straps and it clank against the holder as he dropped it. I sat up and looked around. We were surrounded by trees. Well, not really, but there was a lot of trees to be seen.
“Shall we get going?” Trynnadon asked. I nodded and got up. Eric folded up the table and in a few minutes, we were all running. The cold air whipped at our faces as we flew by. We didn’t slow down until we were a block from the hotel.
“Did we break the time limit?” I asked.
They all laughed. “Does three minutes and forty-one seconds mean anything?” Tristan asked. “That is ten minutes by car.”
“I guess.”
“Tristan, you need a room?” Trynnadon asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
Eric opened the door to the lobby and we all entered. We walked up to the receptionist desk where a young woman was clicking away at the computer. She looked up when Trynnadon tapped on the desk. “Oh sorry, do you need something?”
“Yes,” said Tristan. “I need a room, room 707?”
“Sure, let me see if that room is available.”
“Take your time.” Tristan turned to Trynnadon and whispered, “Make sure nobody is watching.” Trynnadon nodded and focused his eyes on the people that were left in the lobby.
“Sir, that room is opened. Do you need anything?”
“No, just the keycard would be all.”
“Okay, the room cost is…” Her voice trailed off as Tristan lock eyes with her.
“I need the keycard to room 707, please.”
“But you have to…”
“Give me. The keycard. Now.” She reached under the counter and pulled a key card from somewhere. She handed it to Tristan, and he took it from her. He released her from his gaze and a look of surprise was on her face. “Thank you.”
“Uh, you’re welcome. You have a nice night, sir.”
“Same to you.” We turned and headed for the elevator. I hit the up button. The door opened and in we stepped inside. A few people were already on.
“What floor?” the closest to the panel asked.
“Seven,” I said.
He pressed the seventh floor button and the elevator door closed. “They need to fix this before we get stuck in here one day,” he said.
“I agree with you on that,” said Tristan.
“I’m Blake.”
“Tristan.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Tristan. If you don’t mind me asking are you guys on some kind of job?”
“Are we that obvious?” Trynnadon asked.
“Well… you guys are wearing the same color clothes and I always think of business stuff when I see more than one people wearing the same thing.”
I laughed. “I guessed you can say we’re on a mission,” I said. “What are you doing renting a hotel?”
“I’m on a search team.” The door opened and we all stepped out. “We’re uh… searching for my son.”
“What?” Eric, Trynnadon and Tristan turned back and walked over to where I was. “Your son?”
“Yes, my son, Ethan. He’s been missing for a week.”
Tristan hissed. “God damn it.”
Blake scanned down the halls for signs of people around. “I know what you are,” he whispered.
“Oh really?” Trynnadon asked.
He nodded. “Vampires,” he whispered.
He chuckled. “Let’s go to my room so we can talk about it some more,” Blake nodded and we all followed Tryn to his room. He unlocked the door and we entered. Trynnadon walked over to the window and looked out.
“So the last time you saw Ethan was a week ago?” Eric asked.
Blake nodded. “He’s my only child.”
Trynnadon turned away from the window and fix his gaze on Blake. “Funny, how we meet in a shithole elevator.”
“Uh, I’m uh… sorry. I wasn’t spying on you guys. I swear.”
“Really…” He walked over to Blake. “I find that hard to believe, my friend.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“Look at me.” Blake looked up and met Trynnadon’s gaze, and he was under in a second. “Is everything you’re telling me the whole truth, nothing but the truth?”
“Yes,” he breathed.
Trynnadon released him and backed away. “Very well, Blake. Do you have a picture of him?”
“Yes, yes I do.”
Blake pulled out his wallet and took out a small picture and gave it to him. Trynnadon looked at me and threw the picture at me. I caught it and put it in my pocket. “Go look, I’ll question him.”
I nodded. “Tristan? Want to tag along?”
He smiled. “I’d love to.”
Tristan and I headed out of Trynnadon’s room and headed for the elevator for the umpteenth time. “I swear the elevator will be broken by tomorrow if we keep abusing it,” I said.
“It’s already half broken.”
“Hey, what will you do if we all of a sudden plummeted down this damn elevator shaft?”
“I can levitate.”
“Oh yeah, so I’m the only one with no special powers, I see…”
“Poor you… A baby vampire… Go figure.”
“Shut up Tristan. I swear I’ll rip your head off. I haven’t forgotten what you’ve done to me you pathetic fuck.”
“You and your language. You might need a good mouth washing one of these days.” I kicked him in the shin. He smiled and just looked… well… very, very thirsty, now that I got a good look at him. The door opened and Tristan and I stepped out and were greeted by a large crowd. Tristan hissed and cursed, and cursed some more. I looked around the lobby and over the heads of the crowd. From here I could see… holy… fucking… shit! My fangs shot out automatically. There was blood and a hell of a good amount, a pool more like it. I looked over at Tristan. He was going to break, if I didn’t do anything about it. I got behind him and put his hands behind his back and applied all my strength on it. It was with a little struggle since I was controlling the urge myself. I heard the sirens of many police cars arriving. With all my energy, I pushed Tristan into a dark corner of the lobby. We watched as the cops burst through the doors. The crowd parted ways for them to get through. I hissed at the sight of blood while at the same time trying to keep Tristan from advancing on the crowd. “We have to get out of here,” Tristan said with tremendous effort. He turned around to face me. He pulled me into him swiftly and everything faded into darkness. A second later, cold air whipped against me. I pull away from Tristan and automatically took several steps away from him. I so did not want his fangs anywhere near me ever again. I inhaled the fresh air and it relieved the hunger a bit. “I can’t fucking think,” Tristan hissed. “Give me the damn picture.” I took the picture out and handed it to him. Tristan looked at the boy and staggered. I looked at him completely confused. He took in a sharp breath and let it out. He looked at the picture again.
“Tristan?” I said cautiously.
He took a deep breath. “I know where he is,” he whispered.
“What! Tristan, what do you mean?”
He looked at me, annoyed. “I can see where he’s located, and if we don’t go right now, he will die.”
“How are we going?” I asked nervously.
“Come here.” I slowly walked towards him. Tristan, wasting no time pulled me to him and once again, everything faded to black. He backed away from me and scanned the area. We were in front of a house, a nice looking one too. “Fuck me,” he hissed.
I heard the lock slide out of place and like a monster straight out of a nightmare, the door flew open and Tristan was on the first person he laid his eyes on. I ran after him and tackled the second to the ground. I heard the door slammed shut. Another person came out of the hallway and bullets were flying. I rolled off the one I tackled and got to my feet. I got hit a few times and it hurt like a fucker. I looked to my right and Tristan was beside me. We stood our grounds until the gun ran out of bullets or decided to jam. Neither of which would happened. Once he saw me and Tristan still standing and covered in blood, he stopped and just stared. “Good evening, boys…” I said. “Aren’t we all having a marvelous night?”
A woman came out and Tristan was on her in a flash. Her scream broke through the stunned silence as Tristan quenched his lust on the whore. He stopped feeding and looked up, meeting the stares of the guys in the room. “Very, very, very good… I finally have all of your attention.”
I swiftly grabbed the nearest guy and pushed him to the ground. I was on him before he could even get his ass off the floor. “If you don’t cooperate,” I said. “I’ll let him finish her off.” I looked towards Tristan. “She looks mighty tasty. Isn’t she, Tristan?” He growled appreciatively. “Now that you discovered that you can’t kill us so easily with that gun of yours, why don’t you tell us where the boy is? Then we’ll be on our way.”
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(Pages 1-34 show above.)