By the time they reached the outskirts of Little Rock, they were in desperate need of supplies. Not just blood, the girls had informed Michael that clothing and toiletries were also required if they were to assimilate into society without notice.
“There are shops open late. Past dark anyhow. Grab your things and we’ll head out,” Michael answered.
“Yay! It’s about time we did something fun.” Angie rushed to retrieve her shoes and purse.
Liz stood still staring at the worn kitchen door.
Michael moved to her placing a hand on her arm. “What’s wrong?”
“There are people out there.”
One eyebrow rose. “And?”
She shook her head and shrugged.
“You’ll be fine. I’ll help you.”
Still worried, she managed a smile. “Of course. It’s just…”
“Come on you guys. Let’s go.” Angie yelled from the front of the house.
Liz sighed as Michael pulled her into his embrace. The electric current between them still sent sparks up her spine.
“You’ll be fine,” he whispered in her ear.
“Guys! You’re burning darkness here.” Angie’s excited voice called.
“We’re coming. Keep your fangs on.” Michael laughed.
***
Michael drove them to the Rivermarket, a quaint shopping district in the downtown area. As usual, it was densely populated with party goers and drunken bar patrons stumbling back and forth between the numerous pubs lining the streets.
Liz’s eyes darted over the wandering humans. Their heartbeats a constant echo in her head. Licking her lips, she asked, “You sure this is okay?”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. “It will be fine. Don’t worry.”
Maneuvering the girls down the sidewalk and around the corner, they moved into a less populated area. Small shops lined the street. Their lighted signs gave a nostalgic glow. All at once, Liz felt as if she’d been transported back in time. Halfway down the block a teenage girl stood behind a baby stroller gazing into a window. Immediately, Liz felt the wave of emotion rolling off the girl. Sadness. Desperation.
As if feeling Liz’s intrusion into her mind, the girl’s head snapped in their direction. She swiped a tear from her cheek and returned to staring through the window.
“Can I help you?” Liz asked as they drew near. “Is something wrong?”
The girl’s dark hair shimmered under the lights as she shook her head.
“You sure?”
Almost gushing, words poured from her mouth. “It’s just that…well…prom is tomorrow. My dress is in there it’s supposed to be ready. But I have to do the last fitting. I was supposed to be here earlier. My mother volunteered me to babysit and now I’m stuck, and I have to work tomorrow and they won’t be open.”
Michael’s eyebrow rose. “I guess I’m missing something. Can’t you take the baby inside?”
The girl pointed to a sign on the glass door. It read: Due to recent thefts, no large bags, purses, or strollers will be allowed in this establishment. Thank you. Management.
“Just take her in with you. We’ll watch the stroller for you,” Angie volunteered.
The girl’s eyes grew wide. “Oh would you really? That would be wonderful! It’ll only take just a few minutes.”
Liz smiled. “Of course we can. We can’t have you missing prom.”
The young girl bent over the stroller and began to unbuckle the baby. Dressed in pink with tight blond curls sprouting from her head, the infant grunted and issued a loud burp. Sighing, it rolled to its side.
“Why don’t you just leave her there, hun. You’ll move faster without her.” Liz said.
Momentarily unsure, the girl carefully looked them over before shrugging and saying, “Thanks so much! I promise I won’t be long.”
As the shop door closed behind her, Michael hissed, “Have you lost your mind woman?”
“Smile and wave. She’s watching.” Liz answered.
All three smiled brightly and waved at the young girl.
“She looks nervous.” Angie said.
Michael moved to stand between Angie and the stroller. “She should be nervous. Who in their right mind would leave an infant with three strangers?”
“Three hungry strangers,” Angie whispered.
Liz cast a sideways glance at Angie. The pain of the thirst was prevalent on her face. Following Michael’s lead, she inserted herself between Angie and the baby girl.
Glaring at both of them, Angie stepped back two paces before muttering, “Oh good grief. I’m fine. It’s just the smell. That baby smell is always hard on me.”
Without thinking, Liz took a deep breath and was immediately assailed with the sweetest purest aroma she’d ever encountered before. Akin to honeysuckle, yet the scent brought to mind a fine New York strip. Her stomach turned, but her mouth began to water. Hands shaking, she also stepped back. “That’s…it’s--”
“Shit.” Michael repositioned his body to stand between the two girls and the stroller. “Get it under control. Both of you. We don’t need a scene.”
Liz took several deep breaths in hopes of calming the threatening thirst. Realizing too late that the long gulps of air made it worse, she held her breath. Her body tingled with anticipation. A dull burn rose in her throat. Closing her eyes, she willed the darkness to settle. Gradually the thirst subsided as she regained control. Her eyes sought Angie. Standing primly with her hands folded, the girl shrugged. “I told you I’m fine.”
Liz nodded and released her breath.
A loud wail echoed through the nearly silent street as the infant woke.
The three traded glances. “What do we do?” Liz said.
“Don’t look at me. I know nothing of infants.” Michael answered.
Angie’s hands went out in front of her as she took more steps back. “Me either.”
Liz gave out an exasperated sigh and moved toward the stroller. “Holy crap. It’s just a baby.”
As she bent over to retrieve the squalling infant, Michaels hand latched on to her arm. “Liz, be careful. Are you sure you have it under control?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. I got this, don’t worry.”
“Shhh. Don’t cry sweetheart. It’s all right.” Liz crooned as she snuggled the small bundle to her chest.
The baby quieted, and within seconds, had closed its eyes.
Chin resting against the cherub’s head, Liz closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth emanating from the precious package. Comfortable now and deep in sleep, the baby’s head lolled to the side exposing her tiny neck. Liz’s eyes unconsciously moved over the area that pulsated with every beat of her heart.
Once again her mouth watered. Desperate eyes sought Michael’s. “Michael, I--”
And then it was too late. Almost of its own accord, her head drew back. Her mouth opened exposing her fangs as a hiss issued forth. Like magic, Liz found herself pinned against the brick wall. Angie’s angry face came into view. Michael stood several feet away holding the baby. “Get her out of here,” Michael said through gritted teeth.
Angie gave him a curt nod, grabbed Liz’s arm in a vice-like grip, and pulled her down the sidewalk into a nearby alley.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to. I didn’t mean to.” Liz stuttered.
“Of course you didn’t. You couldn’t help it. That’s why we have to be certain--”
A drunken mumble interrupted her. Their eyes were instantly drawn to a large cardboard box. Grinning, Angie said, “Stay right there.” Moving with the speed only a vampire could manage; Angie went to the box and returned with a disheveled, filthy man in tow.
Liz’s mouth fell open.
Eyeing her friend to be certain she was listening, Angie said, “Now watch. This is how it’s done. And these are your prey. They don’t taste as good as others, but their minds are easily manipulated.”
Liz shoo
k her head. “No! I don’t want—“
Angie released the vagabond and he dropped to the ground. “You don’t want to what? Eat him? He’s their trash. They threw him away. You were about to eat a darling little infant a few seconds ago, and now all of sudden you have a guilty conscience? You’re not going to kill him. You’re going to feed.”
Once again Liz shook her head. This time she pointedly looked down the alley and away from Angie and the unknown man.
Angie shrugged. “Have it your way.” Grabbing the man by the lapels of his tattered coat, she raised him to a standing position and gazed into his eyes. “Stand. You are no longer drunk.”
The man stood straight and tall. Fear glazed his eyes as he stared at the blond vampire.
“Tut, tut. None of that. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
His eyes cleared and he smiled.
Angie held out her hand and ordered, “Arm.”
He placed his arm in her waiting hand.
Repulsed but unable to look away, Liz watched as her friend bit into his wrist. Her mouth watered as the distinct sound of gulping reached her ears. The still air in the alley filled with the scent of bitter and iron causing her to swallow hard.
Angie raised her head. Red covered her lips and dripped down her chin as she smiled. “You sure? He’s not that bad.”
Before she could stop herself, Liz’s mouth locked onto the gaping wound. Sweet nectar flooded down her throat.
***
The Eldest would not listen to Gregorio’s pleas to build their own vampire army. Unwilling to comply with his master’s orders, he delegated the task to Michael. The process of building the vampire army began.
They had no idea where to start. With so many renegades hiding in plain sight, every friend was a potential foe. Michael and Liz were sitting at the table discussing what to do next, when Angie approached.
“William has an idea.”
Michael looked up. “Angie we covered everything. I don’t see what else the ghost can do besides what he is already doing.”
“Fine, forget it.” She flipped around sending her blond hair fanning behind her.
Liz’s eyebrows knitted together as she jabbed Michael in the side with her index finger. “William has been a blessing. The least we can do is listen.”
Michael shrugged and began to respond, when he noticed the angry glare Liz was giving him. “Fine. Go get her.”
Giving him one final glare, Liz stood up and went after the young girl. She returned to the kitchen with Angie reluctantly in tow.
“Have a seat.”
Angie pulled out a chair and plopped down. Arms folded across her chest, she scathingly said, “What?”
“I might have been a bit too short with you. Tell me William’s idea.”
Sighing, she uncrossed her arms and placed her hands on the edge of the table. “William can see the essence of a being.”
Liz shot a look at Michael. “What does that mean?”
The young girl gaped at Liz as if she was simple-minded. “The essence. Whether they are good or evil.”
“I thought we didn’t have souls?” Liz asked.
Michael blinked and leaned forward, ignoring Liz‘s question. “He can see their hearts?”
“Precisely. Well not so precise as close. He can see their true intentions. Most of them anyhow. Some are harder to read. It depends on how strong they are and how long they’ve been a vampire.” Angie smiled smugly as she leaned back and rested her legs on the table.
Michael’s lips slowly stretched into a smile. “Well, well. This does change things a bit, now doesn’t it?”
With William’s help, Michael devised a new plan.
Knowing that they were already in an area that seemed overly populated with vampires, Michael sent William to find other spirits that were dwelling in the area of the nearest covens. The easiest way to discover the nature of a clan was to find those that had their own ghosts. William could discuss the clan’s motivations with those of his kind, before bothering to evaluate the nest itself. This was a time saver, but it also had flaws. Most times, William would return with very little information. It was difficult for him to find other spirits who wanted to get involved in the affairs of vampires or men. After several days of trying, they caught a lucky break.
William returned telling Michael that the particular nest of vampires he’d infiltrated, had their own ghosts.
“You’re positive these other spirits can be trusted?” Michael asked.
“Ain’t no doubt, Mike. This man lost his wife and two kids from the pox. They been with him ever since. Seems like an awfully good woman to me. Doubt she’d stick around with the young’uns for a man what ain’t worth it.”
“Don’t take this wrong, but there have been several women who stayed with monstrous men.” Michael walked to the kitchen sink, turned the water on and watched it run.
“Look here. I heard them talking. You know how people will talk when they think nary a soul’s listening. They don’t take with this business with the Council. They don’t take to it at all. If I were a bettin’ man, I’d put money on this gamble.” William shuffled his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Michael filled a jug with water and sat it on the side of the sink. Liz had insisted on buying houseplants to keep with them. Every time they moved, the plants would go as well. Somehow, it had been his job to keep them watered. He smiled as he realized that he actually enjoyed the chore. For some reason, he found the menial task relaxing. “That was probably her plan all along,” he thought.
“You needed something to calm you down.” Her voice intruded into his mind. A few seconds later, she entered the kitchen from the basement. “So what are we going to do? This is a heck of a time to start doubting William’s abilities.”
“I’m not doubting, just trying to take every aspect into consideration.” Michael sighed as he pulled a chair out and sat at the table. He looked from one to the other and asked, “You both think we should make contact?”
William nodded. “It’s time. We ain’t getting any further with this if we don’t start somewhere.”
“I agree, dear. You said yourself that there are risks in war. He who does nothing needs not worry about arriving at a destination.”
Michael’s eyebrows drew up in curiosity. “Confucius?”
“Lizucius. Like it?”
“It’s agreed then. I will go tomorrow night.”
***
For someone with Michael’s unique skills, it was easy to find the hidden coven of vampires. He followed all of the customary procedures when approaching a nest uninvited. At the outskirts of their territory, he waited patiently to be noticed by someone on the inside. It didn’t take long for the nest to sense his presence. A dark-haired vampire approached him.
“What is your business here? You are trespassing.”
“I seek counsel with your leader.”
“Name?”
“As I said, I seek counsel with your leader and only with him. My name and business is for his ears alone.” Michael leaned against a tree with his arms folded across his chest.
The sentry closed his eyes and the vacant look of telepathy came over his face. Within a few seconds, he smiled and took a stance similar to Michael’s against another tree. “They will be here soon.”
“Thank you.”
As he waited for the leader of the clan to approach, Michael realized that William’s idea of small was not the same as his. By the time the leader joined him outside the dilapidated house his coven called home, thirty-one vampires surrounded him. Michael hoped William was correct in his assumption that these vampires would be friendly to his cause, because if he was wrong, there were too many of them for even someone of Michael’s strength and abilities to over power.
Four vampires stepped aside, creating a gap, and a massive vampire stepped inside the circle. As the leader of the clan approached, both he and Michael evaluated each other. The clan leader w
as as tall as Gregorio with light brown hair tied at the nape of his neck. Unlike his father, who’d spent too many years involved in Council business, and too few, in hard physical labor, this man was abundantly muscled. Raw power oozed from him. With each movement, muscles rippled and strained against his clothing. A two inch, jagged scar below his right eye twitched as his jaw tightened. He seemed a fearsome man, however, the mirth glittering in his sea green eyes gave indication of a personality not quite matching the outward appearance. He crossed his colossal arms in front of his chest and stared at Michael.
The edge of Michael’s lips pulled into a slight smile. He knew William was right about this vampire at least. He liked him.
Customs dictated that Michael should first introduce himself to the leader and then state his reason for being there. Michael couldn’t do both. He didn’t know how many of the others there would be against him.
Michael gave a short bow. “Thank you for meeting me. I have traveled a great distance for this encounter.”
The massive man watched him warily. “What brings you to my doorstep, traveler?”
Michael peered at the group surrounding them. “I come seeking counsel and aid. That which I must ask you, and the information I have to give, would best be done in private.”
“We know who you are. There are many searching for you. You bring danger to us all just by being on our lands.”
No one spoke. Not one of them uttered a sound. This behemoth of a man commanded complete control over his clan. If Michael could sway him to join them, he would be the perfect leader of the Council’s army. Michael shrugged in resignation and said apologetically, “I beg forgiveness. This situation could not be helped.”
The leader walked to him, clapped him on the shoulder with a smile, and said, “Then forgiveness you shall receive. Welcome to my lands, Michael. It is good to see that even though things have changed for the worse, civility has not been lost.”
Michael thanked him and followed him inside.
“Our home is humble, but it suits our purpose. My name is Jonathon, but I prefer Big Jon.” The man said as he held the front door open for Michael.
Michael’s eyebrows went up inquisitively. It was unusual for vampires to take on nicknames. That was ever so human.
Big Jon smiled and chuckled as he slapped Michael on the back. “I know. It has been many years since I was mortal. Even so, I cannot rid myself of those last vestiges of humanity.”