Nandru was deep in thought as he made his way down the hotel corridor. It was clear to him that the old African high priestess had the ability to read his mind. That was something he wasn’t accustomed to. He needed to focus his thoughts so that she wouldn’t pick up on the fact that he’d lost Tatyana; or at the very least, misplaced her. If the old woman discovered this, he was certain she wouldn’t help turn Bruce back into a human.
Shen swung the door to his room open before Nandru was able to knock. He cannot be psychic as well, can he? Nandru scowled at the thought. Dealing with one psychic was more than enough trouble. He had no desire to deal with several.
His vampires were given orders to remain inside their dens until further notice. He’d sent out two of his most trusted selectors to collect a few donors to feed his own den and ordered the other dens under him rule to do the same. This meant that more vampires would be added to the dens, since it wasn’t possible to bring a human to a den and then set him free to tell the world that vampires exist. When they are feeding on the streets, vampires ensorcell the human and take only what they need to sustain it. When finished feeding, the vampires smear a drop of his own blood on the bite and the wound heals almost immediately, leaving no telltale sign of the human ever being bitten. When a human is brought to a den for the purpose of feeding many vampires, it is almost impossible not to drain him of the majority of his blood; if not all of it. This means that the human would have to be sent back to him world either dead, or almost dead. When in this condition it is practically impossible to ensorcell them. This isn’t good for vampires who are trying to keep their existence hidden from the human population. Unless there are extenuating reasons why Nandru would reject the human, he is made vampire and the problem is solved.
Nandru had tried to ensorcell a human before bring him back to his den to feed on. It was his hope to feed and send him back without the human being the wiser, but the ensorcell didn’t last long enough. An ensorcell is only suitable for a quick fix after a street feed. The human became alert in the middle of Nandru’s feeding session. It was a panic filled mess, to say the least. The vampire learned his lesson the hard way.
When vampires find it necessary to remain den bound and the importation of humans is required, the selectors collect a few humans who they feel content to make into vampires and nurture afterward. These humans are brought back to the den and surrendered to the vampires for feeding. When all but the last drop of blood is drained from their bodies, a qualified vampire, who has volunteered to become the maker, drains the last of the blood and then replaces it with some of his own. Most of the time the subject responds readily, but there are occasions when extreme measures are needed to force a response. This usually happens if the human is an excessively religious individual and holds such strong beliefs that it enables him to resist the pull of vampire blood; for a while, at least.
Female vampires aren’t allowed to be makers. Their place within the vampire social community is to be a willing and pleasurable sex partner to the men and breeder to the selected few who are given permission by Nandru to procreate. The commander himself and a small group of male vampires who are handpicked by him are the only vampires who are allowed to procreate sexually with their chosen vampiress. They either marry the vampiress or keep her as a mistress. Either station affords special privileges for the vampiress that those who don’t have a male vampire can’t get. All others are allowed the pleasures of each other’s bodies, but not the right to pro-create. This rule was set forth by Nandru centuries ago and worked well in keeping the quality of the lineage at a premium level.
The practice met with little resistance since most vampires didn’t care for the responsibility and commitment that a family required. In fact, there were very few who even cared for the task of being a maker. They found it too confining, as well as demanding. Therefore, there were a select few that made up a maker committee of sorts. These members accepted the responsibility within the den. They were the ones who determined the fate of the individual. Would he be a poor unfortunate donor, or would the donor become a subject to be turned into a vampire? Donors who were taken to the den but not desirable enough to be turned into a vampire were rare.
Not knowing exactly where the hunt would take them, Nandru had ordered the confinement throughout his entire governed territory to last indefinitely. He hoped that Bruce hadn’t exceeded his territorial boundaries because he had no control over vampires outside of his jurisdiction and was certain that they’d kill him on site. It was imperative we find him soon.
“You didn’t see them in the lobby?” Shen’s asked. His question as he stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind him snapped Nandru’s thoughts back to the matter at hand “They are waiting there.”
“I am sorry. I must have been preoccupied,” Nandru offered.
He cursed his own sloppiness. If the old woman was observing him without him knowing, it is quite possible that she read his mind before he’d cleared it. He could only hope that wasn’t the case. His distress didn’t go unnoticed by his very observant and not so trusting companion.
“Is everything alright?” Shen asked.
“Absolutely,” he said as he forced a smile and made a sweeping gesture for Shen to precede him down the corridor. “Shall we go?”
Shen didn’t like the idea of having a vampire walking so close behind him, but he held his tongue and took the lead. He made sure to keep his senses alert for any sudden moves by Nandru. When they joined the others, the vampire was relieved to find that Elsa was ignorant of the situation and eager to begin the hunt for Bruce.
Nandru took amusement in the discovery of the fact that the paranormal group had armed themselves with a variety of tools and gadgets. They each sported a backpack containing a compass, several flashlights, a hunting knife, a few wooden tipped arrows, cell phones that doubled as walkie-talkies, bottles of water, and a few other goodies to make their excursion more amiable.
Although she noticed the amused twinkle in his eye, Elsa simply looked at Nandru with an emotionless face as she marched past him. She had no intention of letting this vampire get the better of her and she certainly refused to be the brunt of him amusement.
We’ll see who’s laughing when all is said and done, she scoffed.
Hearing her thoughts, Nandru disguised him chuckle with a cough.
When they were a safe distance outside of the hotel and away from prying ears, Elsa turned to Nandru and asked, “How are we going to do this?”
“Madame?” he said expectantly.
“The hunt,” she continued. “How are we going to do it? Do you fly ahead of us or what?”
Nandru burst out laughing. He hadn’t thought about the fact that there were three of us in our little group as well as the paranormal group. It was impossible for him to transport us all at one time. Her question was a valid one.
“Do you have a vehicle?” he asked.
“Several,” I said.
This was the first Nandru had heard me speak since his arrival. Sorry that my words had brought his attention to me, I shuddered under the vampire’s piercing stare.
“Well then,” Nandru looked directly into my eyes. “Why not drive the vehicles. Since you have several, I am sure there is room for all of us, is there not?”
Seeing what the vampire was trying to do to me sent Elsa into an internal rage that she had extreme difficulty disguising. She yanked my arm and brought me back to my senses before dragging me behind her as she headed for our van.
“Don’t be thinking of using your demon ways on any of us,” she spat. “Try that again and the deal is off. Do you understand?”
“Why madam, what do you mean?” Nandru said coyly.
He could barely contain his amusement. Under different circumstances he was sure that he and this fiery old witch could be friends.
“Humph!” Elsa muttered as she opened the back door to the van and slid in. “You sit up front where I can keep an eye on you,” she ordered. “I’ll be damned if I’m going have some blood sucking mischievous so and so sitting in my blind spot.”
This time Nandru couldn’t contain his amusement. He threw his head back and reeled with laughter. He was so engrossed in his own amusement that he failed to see Shen accept a small vile from Elsa. The vile contained extra potion for Bruce. If something went wrong with her vile it would be our back up. Shen slip it into his backpack before he slid behind the wheel of the van.
Everyone but Nandru fastened our seat belts in preparation for the drive. Shen sat in silence until the vampire pulled from the martial arts master’s thoughts that his lack of fastening his seat belt was why we weren’t pulling away from the curb. He excused his ignorance and buckled up, chuckling at the irony of the gesture.
“We may know you aren’t human, but a cop won’t,” Shen said matter-of-factly as he started the engine of the van.
He marveled at the sensation he felt when the vampire was pulling the information from his mind. It was subtle, but definable. He’d watch for it in the future so that he could empty his mind if need be.
Since Bruce had disappeared into the night from Millie’s house in Buckeye, we decided to have that be our starting point. Ken and the remainder of his closest PARS members were to meet us there.
It was agreed that Nandru’s true identity would be withheld since, if the paranormal group found out, he’d be obliged to make certain that the existence of his den didn’t leak out by turning the group into vampires; if they were lucky.
Nandru wondered if Elsa or Shen had considered this fact when they agreed to partner up with him. He doubted it. He’d already determined that Elsa would make be a great asset to his den and had even thought of the position he’d award her. After watching Shen’s cat-like movements and picking up bits and pieces of what his encounters with fighting for Wadim and Stevenson were like, he was seriously considering employing him as an instructor in his own den once he was turned vampire. So, even though the humans hadn’t thought far enough ahead to wonder what fate awaited them once this was all over, he’d worked it all out and was certain they’d be pleased in with his decision; if not right away, then shortly after they’d been turned.
****
Shen wondered what Nandru thought he’d do with them when this was all over. Sure, he intended to turn Bruce and me over to Dracula, but what about Elsa and him? Either the vampire thought them too blind and foolish to be able to read between the lines of his comments and recognize that he fully intended to kill them or he just didn’t care if they realized it or not. He also wondered if Nandru had thought about the fact that he and I just might kill him instead. Well, me at least.
****
Nandru shifted his body so that he could see the passengers in the back seat.
“Did you bring the potion with you?” he asked.
“Right here,” Elsa said as she patted her back pack and smiled.
“Wonderful,” he said.
Nandru grinned while doing his best to keep his mind blank so that this woman couldn’t read the fact the he intended to turn her vampire when the time was right and force the potion down Bruce’s throat himself. This way he’d be sure to have her with him instead of against him should he need her assistance in subduing Bruce and me.
Ken was waiting at the end of the drive when we finally arrived at Millie’s remote Buckeye address. Nandru, who rarely traveled in the confines of a motor vehicle, was the first to leap out of the van.
“Good evening Mr. Dalca,” Ken said as he extended his hand to Nandru.
“Good evening Mr. Millsap,” Nandru said as he stepped back. He wanted to avoid shaking anyone’s hands and allowing them to feel how cool his body was. Under the best of circumstances, it wasn’t a good idea, but amongst a group of paranormal investigators, it could prove to be disastrous. “Please forgive me for not shaking your hand. I am afraid I may be coming down with a cold. I have been sneezing a lot. I am very conscientious about germs. I am sure you understand.”
“Why yes... of course, of course. No problem,” he replied as he pulled his hand back slowly and wiped it absent mindedly on his chest.
“Please call me Nandru,” the vampire added.
“Nandru, yes. Thank you, and please call me Ken,” he said.
You are so tasty. I’d prefer to simply call you snack. It is just a pity you cannot be fed from again for a while, if ever. I could stand a light snack right about now. Nandru thought as he nodded his agreement and walked casually around to van to allow himself a clearer view of the mountains. He was sure that Bruce was up there somewhere, but where?
I interceded Ken’s awkwardness by grabbing his hand in both of mine and shaking it vigorously.
“Good to see you again, Ken,” I said enthusiastically.
Ken smiled thankfully and slapped me on the shoulder.
“We’re all ready,” he said. “Shall we get started?”
He signaled his small, and very select group of investigators to gather together. Picking up their gear, they made their way to where he was standing and obediently awaited their orders.
“Now, it is dark out there,” Ken said. “Does everyone have a flashlight with a fresh battery?”
Nandru rolled him eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Humans... ha!
When they had all nodded, Ken continued, “How about your shoes?”
Without realize it, I was beginning to agree with Nandru. What kind of a paranormal investigation group was this, anyway? I moved away and cleared him throat.
“Ken, can he speak with you for a moment?” I said softly.
He excused himself and huddled next to me in preparation for our talk.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You’re talking to them like they’re in kindergarten. Are they fit to join this hunt?” I asked. “After all, it could prove to be rough and quite dangerous. I mean... you’re checking they’re shoes for crying out loud.”
“I understand your concern,” Ken whispered, “but I assure you they are more than qualified. What you are witnessing now is protocol. You have to remember that we are an organization and in order to avoid lawsuits and things of that nature, we must - at every investigation - run down the list of attire and gear. This way, if anyone gets injured or lost they can’t state that I didn’t make them aware that they needed a certain supply. I should have done this before you arrived, but some came with you and the rest only just arrived as you were pulling up and everyone needs to be present.”
Ken’s explanation eased my concerns and I sighed in relief.
“Then, go do protocol,” I said as I laughed jovially while patting Ken on the back, “but, please be quick.”
“You got it,” he said as he returned to his group.