“Let’s soak for a bit and then sleep. I think we both need that. We can talk about this more in the morning.” I glance at the fancy clock ticking softy in the quiet room. It’s already past three in the morning. “Or well, in a couple of hours.”
Niko’s surrender comes with a sigh. He pushes himself off the couch, lets me strip him, and follows me to the bathroom, which already smells like the jasmine bath salts I poured into the tub.
Once we’ve wrinkled up from the water, he pat-dries my head with a fluffy towel. The bed welcomes me in its soft embrace, and when Niko lies down next to me and I snuggle up to him, no vampires or parasite brains or zombies or whatever can scare me anymore.
Sleep does wonders. Not just for my mind, but for my body, too. As I open my eyes to the morning sun filtering in through the curtains, I feel rested for the first time in so long. I’m not on the run today, I don’t have to worry about getting jumped or exploded.
I get up and go through my morning routine. A fresh set of new clothes from the closet makes me feel almost normal, like I am about to head out and meet with people before class starts. Niko sleeps through all that, his pretty face peaceful and relaxed.
Contemplating whether to let him lie in for a bit more, I sit on the small round ottoman in front of the mirror and look at myself.
Vampires are real. Wow. I still can hardly believe that. And the Crimson Crew is a vampire clan posing as a gang. That’s kind of cool. It also explains what I foundwhen I was researching Niko and his past, because it made little sense how an organization with stagnating numbers held so much power and influence. Now it all fits together—the Crew simply has an unfair advantage over us mere humans.
And on the night of the party, I’m now convinced more than ever that I was meant to become their food.
The bloodstained ruby, which I diligently tucked inside my right pocket, pulls my focus. It sits heavy there, reminding me without a doubt that last night really did happen. Not only are vampires real—and if they are, who knows what else is?—but I am also the one who can pick their next king. Or, well, help their rightful king claim the throne that was stolen from him.
If Isidoro is telling the truth, that is.
A soft knock on the door has me crossing the room in a few determined steps. I turn the key and check who’s on the other side.
Speak of the devil.
“Good morning, Thomas.” Isidoro smiles, his incisors on full display. I guess now that we know what he truly is, he doesn’t have to hide them anymore. “Would you be interested in joining me for breakfast?”
I glance over my shoulder at Niko. Should I wake him up? But it really feels like I should let him sleep some more. The only problem is that he’d lose his shit if I’m not here when he eventually wakes up.
“Ah, debating whether to wake your protective fiancé, are we?” Isidoro laces his hands behind his back. “May I suggest you leave a note? We’ll be in the garden, under the pergola.”
That is a good idea. I angle my body back toward the room, trying to identify where paper and a pen might behiding. Isidoro snaps his fingers and one of his vampire servants from last night appears out of thin air with the supplies I need.
My heart launches into my throat, the sudden materialization of the guy way too crazy for my morning brain.
“Here. Please use this.” Isidoro hands me the fountain pen and gilded paper.
“You guys gotta stop doing this.” I wave my arms around. “It scares the shit out of me.”
I scribble a quick note, then place it on the nightstand next to the bed. I even sign it.
Isidoro indicates the hall with his hand, prompting me to follow. “My apologies. This is simply the most efficient way of moving around.”
He’s not wrong, I suppose. Objectively. If I could teleport around, I’d do it, too.
The sun is warm and welcoming outside, as are the gurgling of the nearby fountain, the song of a bird somewhere up in the canopy. Flowers are blooming in bright colors along the stone pathway which takes us to the pergola, where coffee, pancakes and fruit are already served.
“How come I didn’t see the Crew teleport around like you?” The question bursts out of me as I recall all my encounters with the bloodthirsty vampire gang. And now that I think about it, it’s strange that they didn’t when they could’ve captured us so easily if only they showed off their vampire super speed.
“Ah. You see, speed is a trait only my bloodline possesses. The Crew are known for their strength.”
“They are stronger than you?” I seek to confirm, eyeing the pancakes.
“Yes. In a fair one-on-one, my clansmen and I stand no chance even with our persuasion tricks.”
I give him a hard look. “Persuasion? That’s what you were doing last night, wasn’t it? To the chained vampire and then to me and Niko as well.”
“I apologize for that. I thought if I helped you calm down, you’d listen to me, but, well, I suppose it is true that only the old clans of Europe are masters of that art.” He bows his head, sounding truly remorseful. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
Interesting. It sounds like there are many different vampire clans, and each has its own gimmick. “There are others like your clan and the Crew…”
