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My plans to get out of here have now gone down the shitter. Why? Because some asshole from the vigore council wants to see me. I hate these pointless meetings. It’s always the same. I get a call and have to drop everything to serve the walking dead. I miss the good old days of working a nine-to-five job, having a few beers with the guys after we clocked-off, then going back to my lush apartment for a game of poker. The simple life, where you live your boring little existence, then die. It sounds dull, but until you become one of them, on their beck and call because blood is the key to everything, that’s when you truly understand the real meaning of that shitty human life.
My flight back to Paris is in two hours, and there is no chance I’ll make it now. After Liz’s engagement party, I fucked Sara, because that seems to be a given whenever we meet. I dropped by my dads, of course just to stalk him, and make sure he’s okay. Spent some time in the bars I once half-lived in. Then I was going to make the journey on my lonesome back to my villa in France, and attempt to get that supposed-to-be happy night, out of my head.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I went. But seeing Liz again was like a knife to the heart. I’ve fucking missed her, but the moment I saw them dancing together, I was on the verge of blowing up and ruining her night. But I had to play nice. She’s made her choice, and I don’t blame her. I wasn’t really pleasant about the whole ‘take me back’ thing.
I now know she was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I fucked it up. I messed up because my human dick was always on the lookout for easy pussy. No stress, just a good old wham-bam-thank-you-mam, then bon voyage. That’s why I went to the stupid party. The only way I’ll ever be able to be with her, is as a friend. She’s far too special for me. She’s too special for anyone. So I was going to fly home, and do exactly what she’s always thought of me. Bed every girl I can get my hands on, until my feelings for her disappear.
I’ve been a relatively good boy over the months, even turned a few potential good lays down. I’ve been waiting for the call or message, to tell me that she needs my help. That she’s leaving Adrien, because she can’t cope with the whole vamp side of things. But she really does love him, and who am I to stand in the way of true love.
I flick off the windscreen wipers, and pull up into a dark alley next to an old snooker hall. Every time Leanna wants to see me, it’s always in some creepy damp derelict building like this, whether it be in France, or here. The kind of place you wouldn’t go nowhere near in your right mind, well, human mind anyway.
It’s all quiet. No lights. Not a sound. I’m picking up no human or vamp thoughts. I mumble to myself, pushing the vandalised door so it swings open into a dingy stairwell. I run my hand over the damp banister rail, reaching half-way, then stop, speculating whether these corroded stairs are going to take my weight.
Fantastic, just to top off this shit night, I’ve just ran my hand over a pile of fresh bird shit. That’s it, I’m not playing this game of hide and seek any longer.
“Leanna, I’m not going to say this again,” I yell into the darkness, while wiping my crap covered hand onto my jacket. “I’m not in the mood, so if you don’t show your face, I’m off.”
“Jackass.” That’s Gerrard, he likes that nickname for me. “We’re up here.”
I grumble, opening the door at the top of the stairs.
Leanna and Gerrard sit on an old covered snooker table at the back of the room, under a dull spotlight. I make my way around the mould and dust coated tables, hoping they make this quick, then I can get the hell out of here. The last time we had one of these ridiculous hush-hush meetings, was for me to give information on a new blood. I was ordered to look out for the little jerk, to make sure he didn’t stray. That meeting was on a rusty boat, anchored on the canal.
“Nice rendezvous venue,” I say as I approach. “Your taste hasn’t changed I see.”
“You’re late,” Gerrard states in his usual big-man tone, looking like a Nickelback reject.
I smirk, pissed-off. “I’m just about done with this city. I have better things to do, than meet you two in a shit-hole like this.”
“Gerrard, pipe down,” Leanna warns. “We need him.”
“What do you want?” I lean over the snooker table. “I’ve missed my flight for this.”
Leanna does her slut walk, wiggling her ass in her tight-fitted jeans as she fingers the table. I’ve seen it before, and if she thinks I find her attractive, she’s mistaken. I can tell she wants something off me. Her tits are pressing against my bicep, and she thinks she’s irresistible. I guess the one positive thing about being vigore, is that we can’t read the thoughts of another, unless on deaths door. So right now, she can’t hear me calling her a scruffy whore.
“Leanna... back off.” I slope away from her.
Gerrard bends over, staring right at me. “You have work to do.”
“Yeah, I do.” I clench my teeth. “Back in France, far away from you lot.”
“Don’t be like that,” Leanna says. “Like it or not, you’re one of us now. Family. And when family need assistance, you damn well give it.”
“Piss-off,” I snap. “I had a family... a family I no longer see because I’m fuckin dead.”
“We’re your new family,” Gerrard says, eyeballing me. “You work for us. We pay you handsomely. So shut your mouth, and listen up.”
I want to rip that long hair off his head, but I know I can’t. I’m stuck with these idiots for eternity.
“You know it won’t be long before France is hit by Adrien’s corruption,” Leanna says. “Something is going on with Selene and him, and it’s driving this place into the ground. I have new bloods that need feeding, barely any blood to give them, and another price hike will have them out on the streets, baying for it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I shrug my shoulders, trying not to give a crap.
“Blood prices have been on a rollercoaster since Selene showed up with the new executive. Then the new executive does a runner with the supplies, and all of a sudden Knight is out of the picture, married to a human.”
“WHAT.” They’re not married. Yet anyhow.
“Oh, you haven’t heard. Adrien whisked her off to Scotland, so they could wed secretly,” Gerrard takes pleasure in telling me.
“Bastard!”
I feel like I’m awakening all over again. My blood runs cold and hot. I keel over with my hands on my thighs. How could Liz do this to me; to her own family? Fuck, she really has pushed me out of her life. Knight has completely brainwashed her into abandoning everything, so he can have her all to himself.
“The order don’t let executives go, unless getting something in return. You are going to find out what, and report back to us,” Gerrard demands, like I haven’t got a choice in it. “We want you to be our little spy. We want to know where Adrien is. Who he is with. And what he’s doing.”
I knew something dodgy was going on here. A few vamps I’ve met over the months have gone missing, and some look like they haven’t fed in days. I had my suspicions the place was going to shit, but what am I supposed to do about it?
“You know Adrien and his new piece of pussy well, don’t you? Rumour has it you have had several run-ins with him over the little slut,” Gerrard says with a smirk on his face.
In anger, I flit to him, and wrap my hand around his neck. No one calls Liz easy. Dick. I shouldn’t care after what I’ve just learnt, but I do. I always will.
“Boys, boys, boys.” Leanna pushes her body between us. “Now, you need to calm it down, Nathan.” She squeezes my cheeks until I shake her off. “We are the ones in charge here, making sure the vigore are protected. And if the sang are doing this to start a war, we need to know every detail you can get your hands on, no matter how small. The new executive has vanished, leaving us with only fifty percent of this quarter’s blood. And Selene is still in the picture. Adrien’s coven have been spotted with a well-known witch. Witches don’t appear anywhere near vampires, unless there is trouble on the cards.”
“Witches, you seriously want me to believe this bullshit?” It’s unusual to want to laugh at her witch referral, as well as feel the need to punch the pair of them in the face.
I look at Leanna, thinking for a few seconds. Do I trust these freaks; offer my services and be some spy for them? I’ve always wanted the dirt on Adrien. I know he has a dark side. But then there is Liz. She’s so happy with him. If I do this, find out Adrien’s dirty secrets, it could break her heart, and she’ll never trust me again.
“You and, what’s her face?” Leanna flicks her fingers.
“Liz,” I snap.
“You had a thing didn’t you?” she asks as I catch Gerrard sniggering.
“What’s so funny?” My fingers form a fist.
Leanna whips her head around to Gerrard. “Gerrard, don’t push me,” she warns, then looks back to me. “All I’m saying is, you wouldn’t want her getting hurt in the crossfire now, would you?”
I get as close as I can to her, without physical contact. “Is that a threat?”
“Of course it isn’t,” she yaps. “You idiot, I can click my fingers and you’ll be in bits at the bottom of the river.” She’s squeezing my cheeks again, this time harder and more threatening.
“Leanna.” Gerrard slides off the snooker table. “I’d like to kill this arrogant shit too, but he’s our only way in.”
She pushes my face back, and takes a step away from me in a strop. “It will happen, your sweet Liz will get hurt. And Adrien will be the one to do it to her. Do you want that?”
I lean over the snooker table with my hands pressed against the corner pocket. I’ve been looking for a reason to have it out with Adrien for months. I’ve learnt a lot about vampires, and since awakening, there has been a question that has poisoned my mind. Why Liz? He could have fucked any girl he wanted, but chose her. A human girl to marry. It’s not normal or accepted in this world. Love doesn’t count for jack-shit as an executive vampire. They can’t love when duty comes first.
“And you haven’t done any digging yourself?” I ask.
Leanna puckers her lips at me, then huffs. “Yes, I called a full council meeting but it was called off. I had a message from the great Selene. She warned me away from Adrien, or unaffordable blood prices would be set permanently. Bitch.”
“I thought he was retiring, giving the executive role up?” I frown, unsure what to believe anymore.
“Have you asked yourself why?” She moves to the end of the table. “He’s been given the right to marry a warm blood. He’s been given the freedom to leave, and live as he chooses. Why would Selene agree to let her prince go?” she snarls, pacing. “No one gets privileges like that for nothing in return. And now, he’s gone into hiding with his little minions guarding his fortress.”
God, she’s right. He’s been making deals, and Liz knows absolutely nothing about it. I know myself that you can’t escape what you are. Once you’re given a role as a vampire, it is set in stone. I’m vigore. I’m tied to the council. Knight is a demi, an executive sang, ordained to serve the order, and given the ultimate control over all vampires.
“I bet your pretty little friend is not aware of what he once was,” Gerrard adds.
I scowl. “And what is that?”
“He’s the wealthiest executive there has ever been. He has contacts everywhere, and properties in every city. He’s feared for a reason,” Gerrard says.
“You sound jealous Gerrard.” I nearly laugh out loud. “You scared of Knight?”
“Am I hell, but many are,” he replies. “And he knows it.”
“Let’s just say, his past is jaded,” Leanna adds. “He may have only a handful of human deaths under his belt, but the vampire blood on his hands goes into the hundreds, maybe even the thousands.”
I let out a sceptical breath, unable to absorb what I’m being told. Liz has no idea who she’s married to, and I’m more than worried for her.
“Nathan, Adrien Knight was the top paid assassin for the Sange Pentru,” Leanna pauses, watching my face anger. “If he has a blade in his hand, and a cause to fight for, you stay the hell away from him.”
I can’t believe it. I don’t fear him, and I never have. All he is to me is some arrogant asshole, who thinks he’s better than all.
“You’re kidding?” I laugh but quickly stop, watching Leanna nod an honest no. “Fine... I’ll do it,” I utter. “But if you decide to take Adrien out, you promise me Liz doesn’t get hurt.”
“We’re not interested in her,” Leanna replies.
“I’ll do your dirty work.” I begin to walk to the stairwell, a rage flowing through my cold blood. “But if one hair on Liz’s head is touched by any one of you, I’ll hunt you down myself.”
“Call me,” Leanna yells as I go through the door. “I’ll be waiting, Nathan.”