Page 12 of The Vampire and the Barista

“Hey, Gio,” Ivan heard Mathis say.

“Mathis, it’s Seth. I have you in a three-way with Ivan.”

“Kinky, but I’m happy with my mate, thanks,” Mathis replied with a laugh.

Seth snorted. “Glad to hear it. But we require urgent help that we hope Gabe can provide.”

Mathis’ tone became serious. “What’s up? I’m putting you on speaker.”

“Ivan and his mate are on a rescue mission to save Jamie’s siblings, but things have just taken a dangerous turn, and we need to rescue them quicker than the nearly three hours they have left in their journey,” Seth told him.

“I can help,” Gabriel said. “Tell me where we need to be.”

“If I park up, can you come to us and then Jamie can tell you where to go? His brother is currently unconscious, and his sister has a possible broken arm, courtesy of their parents.”

“There is a carpark just coming up on your right,” Seth told him.

“Got it,” Ivan replied, turning into it and parking quickly. Luck was on their side as the carpark was empty. “Okay, Gabe, we’re ready. Thanks, Seth, Gio, chat later.” Ivan disconnected the call. “Let’s wait outside.”

By the time they both got out of the car, a portal opened and Gabriel and Mathis walked out, David, Bert, Cairo and Troy with them. The portal closing behind Troy.

“It’s a shiny door,” Jamie said, looking a bit shocked. It looks like a shiny doorway, minus the actual door.

“It’s a portal and a quick way to travel. I’m Gabe, this is my mate Mathis, and my friends, David, Bert, Cairo and Troy. We can do official introductions later.”

“I’m Jamie, thank you for helping me. My sister doesn’t know if Karl is alive or dead,” he choked back his tears. His brother couldn’t be dead; he had no idea what he would do if Karl was.

Gabe pulled him into a hug. “Then let’s not waste another moment. Think of where they are.”

Jamie hugged him back, then, pulling back, he thought of his parents’ lounge.

Gabe swirled his hand, and another portal opened.

Jamie saw his parents’ lounge through the shiny doorway.

“Let’s go,” Bert said, leading the way.

Bert walked out of the portal first and saw a man sitting on a sofa, drinking beer from a can and watching the television. Judging by how many cans were on the floor, that wasn’t his first. A woman was slumped in a chair, a bottle close by and a broom in her hand. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the room, body odour and stale alcohol. Bert moved out of the way as the others walked through.

The man stumbled to his feet. “What the hell!” he exclaimed, swaying slightly. He was a large man, both in height and width, his shirt straining over his stomach.

Jamie stomped forward. “Where are they?”

His father sneered. “Pathetic fairy, not man enough to come on your own?”

Ivan stepped forward. “He’s more than man enough to come alone, but why should he when his friends can help?”

“Like this pathetic idiot has friends,” he sneered again.

“I’m going to find Karl and Kitty,” Jamie said, ignoring his father and quickly turning away towards the lounge door.

His father moved forward, but Troy stepped in front of him.

Ivan left them to it and rushed out with Jamie, Gabe and Mathis following.

They didn’t have to go far before Jamie saw them on the floor by the dining room. He ignored the bland oatmeal-painted walls and the hideous seventies-patterned carpet and focused on his brother and sister. Kitty was kneeling next to a still unconscious Karl, her arm in a sling.

“Kitty, Karl!” Jamie rushed to their side.