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“Aye,” he answers, returning the wink. “I’ve never been to an American bar. This should be fun.”
“Well, the Minnow Bucket isn’t usually classified as fun.” We drive ten more miles up the narrow road before she turns into a dimly lit parking lot. In front of us is a building that looks like it’s been through its fair share of hurricanes. An old neon sign flashes on and off, along with the image of a fish being thrown out of a bucket of water. “This is it.”
The moment the van pulls to a stop, I feel the sensation of something otherworldly. Someone or something is here. Micah, Thorne, and I share a look, telling me they feel it too.
“Don’t look like many people are here tonight.” Brittney exits the van.
The sensation grows as we walk through the front door. Micah and Thorne crowd around me protectively. Neither one of them would stand a chance against Kragen if he’s the energy we’re feeling.
“Brittney! What are you doing here on a school night?” an older woman welcomes us.
“Bobby’s got the kids tonight. I’m bringing my new friends to my favorite establishment.”
“Howdy, folks. What can I get you to drink?” she asks.
“Nothing for me,” Thorne answers.
“Water,” Micah adds. I ignore the question, searching every square inch of the room for the source of the energy.
“Sure thing, baby.” She returns minutes later with Micah’s water. “What brings you folks out here? Wedon’t get many out-of-towners in these parts. Most tourists stick to the big cities.”
“We’re looking for a man named Kragen or Kraver?”
“Kraver?” the woman repeats. “I think he’s out of town.” She turns toward a man in the corner. “Jimmy? Is Kraver out of town?”
“Who wants to know,” the man answers. He stands, and every hair on my body stands at attention. He’s a vampire and the source of the energy.
Thorne and Micah sense him and turn at the same time. “We’re doing some genealogy research, and his name kept coming up,” I answer.
A deep laugh fills the small room. “You’ve got the wrong person. Kraver can’t have kids.” He continues to move closer. “I smell him on you.” He glares in my direction. “His blood runs through your veins.”
I need to escape this building, now. “Where is he?” I refuse to back down.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” he continues. “Maybe that will be sooner than you think.”
Thorne steps in front of me. “This will not end well for you. My friend and I will rip you to shreds.”
Jimmy sniffs the air toward Micah. “Lycan dogs don’t scare me.”
“I’m not trying to scare you,” Micah answers. “You’ll be dead before that emotion reaches the surface. Where is Kraver?”
Jimmy smiles, revealing razor-sharp teeth. “It’s agood thing I’m feeling kind tonight.” He backs up, giving us space. “He ain’t here.”
“Tell him we will find him, and when we do, his days are numbered,” Thorne warns.
“Did you steal that from a book or something?”
“Or something.”
Out of nowhere, Brittney steps in the middle of the vampire-lycanthrope pissing match. She’s either brave or stupid. I’m not sure which. “Well, that was fun. Did you find the answers you were looking for?”
“Aye, we did,” Thorne answers.
“That’s right. Run, pretty boy…back to your rich maker. I can smell him all over you,” Jimmy continues.
“My maker is dead, as yours will be, too.” Thorne turns, wrapping an arm through mine and pulling me toward the door. Micah follows closely behind. Each of them offering their protection.
“Bye!” Brittney says behind us. “I’ll see y’all Friday night. Mama’s gettin’ wasted.” The lights on the van flash and the doors slide open. “What was that back there? Were you trying to get yourself killed?” Brittney waits until we’re several miles away before speaking. “Jimmy’s somewhat of a loose cannon. If he does know this friend of yours, I can guarantee they’re up to no good.”
