––––––––
When I finally emerged from the shower, my skin had a faint pinkish tone from the almost totally hot water I’d been soaking in. Normally, I’d have been parboiled to the point of blisters and fainting after a few seconds beneath that kind of temperature. The heat was now as unsatisfying as my tearless sobs were.
Drying off, I wrapped one of the thick, fluffy white hotel towels around myself. My hair was a tangled mess and I finger combed it straight then blow dried it. Only after my hair was back to its normal neatness did I bother to look at my face. I did a double take then and leaned in for a closer examination just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Sometime over the last couple of days, my face had undergone some changes. Just a few subtle alterations had turned me from being ordinary into being actually quite attractive.
My eyes were larger and my cheekbones and jaw were more defined. Now I could see what the stoners had seen; I was more than mildly pretty now. It was about time being undead did something for me. I had my suspicions why this miraculous occurrence had happened but would need to check with Luc to find out for sure.
I cracked the door open to see my companion lounging on the couch in front of the TV. He had thoughtfully sat my backpack next to the bathroom door. Thankful that I wouldn’t have to parade around wearing only a towel, I snatched up the bag and quickly dressed. Feeling less exposed and vulnerable when fully clothed, I stepped out into the main room.
Now that my mind wasn’t clouded by my unnatural need for sex, I could examine the suite in more detail. The room was decorated in shades of cream and brown. Rumpled white sheets and a tan bedspread gave evidence of our naked romp. Beige carpet covered the floor. The furnishings in the tiny living area consisted of a cream couch and matching armchair. They were arranged around a large black coffee table. A huge TV was mounted on the wall. A few reproductions of famous paintings adorned the other walls. It was easily the most luxurious hotel room I’d ever been in and must be costing Luc a fortune.
Luc, now also dressed, sent a glance at me over his shoulder and nodded at the armchair in invitation. A wide picture window to the left of the TV would have given a spectacular view of the Brisbane River far below if the curtains hadn’t been pulled tightly shut. I thought uneasily of how the sun would rise soon and hoped the curtains would be enough to keep the sunlight out. My new circumstances weren’t ideal but I didn’t relish the idea of being barbequed at dawn either.
Rounding the couch, I sank into the deep cream cushions of the armchair. “Why have my face and body changed?” I asked before Luc could bring up the unspeakable event that had occurred so recently on the bed.
Crossing his legs, he examined me critically. “All vampires develop their own abilities to make hunting more effective. Some learn stealth and cunning. Some have enhanced beauty.”
I thought back to my deceased maker and how he’d caught me. “So, what was Silvius’ trick?” He’d lulled me into a false sense of security at first by pretending to be aged and feeble. By the time I realized he wasn’t all he seemed to be, it had been too late. His shadow, tall and scary, should have warned me. As a typical human, I’d brushed it off as a trick of my eye.
“Your maker was over three thousand years old,” Luc explained. “He had gained the ability to cloud human minds from a distance. He could make them see what he wanted them to.”
Momentarily intrigued with the idea of being able to make people think I was a famous movie star, I tried to figure out Luc’s hunting trick. It was a no brainer really. “I guess you only hunt females.” He inclined his head in agreement. “One glance from you is probably enough to have a harem chasing you around.” If I wasn’t mistaken, he smirked just a little as he shrugged modestly.
“With your increased beauty, you will be able to draw hapless men to you like flies after honey.”
Or like flies after dog poo, I thought glumly. They were equally attracted to both. “What rules did Silvius break, anyway?”
Shifting so his arm ran along the back of the sofa, Luc made a graceful gesture with his hand. “He formed a rebel group and organized them into hunting our kind.”
“Why?” Since this was my new life now, I’d at least try to grasp what the hell was going on. If I was the great and much unanticipated Mortis then it was time to start paying attention. Unfortunately, just like back in high school, my mind wanted to wander from a topic that really didn’t interest me. There was a reason I barely passed my exams. I just hadn’t cared enough about the topics to learn from my teachers.
A slight shrug and grimace was his initial reply. Seeing that I wasn’t going to settle for that, he gave in. “I believe he joined the faction that sided with,” Luc hesitated then nodded in my direction, “Mortis.”
“I have a faction?” I asked, slightly disturbed by the idea. How could I have a faction when I’d only found out what I was a short time ago?
“Yes. A certain few believe you will annihilate the vast bulk of vampires, keeping only a small number as your servants. They think you will then create a new army of our kind, elevating your loyal followers to generals. They believe they will rule the world and enslave humans for food.” His lips quirked, not in amusement but with derision for his deluded colleagues.
I pondered the idea for a while then shook my head. “Nah. That sounds like too much hard work to me. I couldn’t be bothered enslaving the whole world. Maybe just New Zealand,” I said as an afterthought. Hey, a person had to eat and the Kiwis were fairly close.
“There is only one course of action that we can take,” Luc said seriously. “We must consult with the Prophet directly.”
“I thought you said he doesn’t speak in any known language.”
Luc ran a hand through his hair in what I took to be baffled frustration, tousling it and sending a flare of fresh hunger through me. I fought it down and smothered it before it could rise. One bout of sex with the unwilling vampire cop was enough, thank you.
“We must try,” he said with strained urgency. “We must also leave here soon.”
It was nice in the hotel room. I hadn’t been this comfortable in days. “How come?” I’d be happy to sleep on the sofa if I had to. As long as the curtains were drawn and a few boards were nailed over the window for good measure.
“Silvius wasn’t the only one who fled to Australia from me. When the others learn of his demise, they might band together and retaliate.”
“Don’t tell me you’re the only one they sent after these guys?” I let my dismay at the idea show.
“Yes,” Luc nodded. “I was all they could spare.”
“Who are ‘they’, anyway?”
“The Councillors of the Court,” he replied. “They rule the European vampire nation. All decisions are made by them and justice is delivered swiftly.”
“Where does this Court operate from?”
“France.”
“Really?” I pictured a bunch of snobby French vampires and instantly felt uncultured and unworthy. Then I remembered we were off to see the prophet, not the Court and was relieved. I wouldn’t have to pretend I had any form of class in front of a bunch of upper crust types. “Is the Prophet in France, too?”
“No,” Luc gave a short shake of his head. “He is in Romania.”
I rolled my eyes at the answer. Of course he is. Romania was the home of the original vampire stories, as far as I knew. Rubbing my hands together for warmth, I froze when I felt welts on my left palm. After a long stare at my hand, I showed it to Luc. “I don’t suppose you can explain this?” A perfect impression of the delicately filigreed silver cross was carved into my palm. Every exquisite detail was imprinted on my hand perfectly. I knew I’d been holding it tightly but this was ridiculous.
Awe and fear warred for dominance on the vampire cop’s face. “It is one of the holy marks,” he whispered.
Before he could explain himself further, my eyelids grew heavy. I knew what that meant. “Looks like dawn is com-,” before I could finish the thought, my world went dark.
·~·