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The dark room immediately comes into focus. The décor reminds me of the quintessential vampire movies from the ‘60s. Dark wood, meeting dark burgundy carpet, and black velvet seating line the walls of theestablishment. “This screams vampire,” I say, holding in the laugh that wants to escape.
“Yeah, Erick’s a little extra,” Amelia says, shoving Edon forward on the thick carpet. She moves to a booth hidden behind a dark curtain. Without asking, she shoves the curtain back, revealing a man dressed in all black. The vampire energy rolls off of him as he stands, ready to reprimand whoever disturbed him.
“Ah, Amelia, my dear.” He smiles when he sees her face. “You’re looking lovely this fine day.” The man wraps long arms around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing her on each cheek. “What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
“These are the people from Charleston I was telling you about.” She motions toward me. “Erick Chapman, may I present Elsbeth Abernathy and Captain Hawthorne Rex?”
Erick reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Elsbeth. What a charming name,” he says with a kiss, lingering longer than he should. He drops my hand gently before clicking his heels together. “Captain.” He nods, holding his hand toward Thorne. “It is a pleasure to meet you both. Amelia has spoken highly of both of you.”
Erick’s words are precise and clear, speaking what’s been called the Queen’s English. “Thank you,” I answer awkwardly.
“Mind if we join you?” Amelia asks, shoving the stroller further toward his booth.
“How rude of me,” he answers, moving out of the way. “Please.” He motions to the empty seat across from him.
“Elsie and Thorne are looking for Kragen,” Amelia announces, as we slide into the empty seat.
Erick leans back at the mention of his name. “For what purpose?” he asks.
“To kill him,” I answer simply.
Erick smiles. “I like a woman who’s not afraid to speak her mind.” He sniffs the air. “Why are you trying to kill your maker? I smell him in your blood.” He turns toward Thorne, sniffing deeply. “And you carry the blood of my friend, Viktor.”
“Aye,” Thorne smiles. “He was my maker.”
Amelia and Erick share a look, making me curious about the rest of the story. “I’m curious. What would make you want to kill your maker?” Erick asks, looking straight at me.
I look down, not sure what to say. Because he’s an asshole, doesn’t feel adequate. “Kragen is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of humans over the centuries. He’s an evil, cruel man with nothing but hatred in his heart.”
Erick nods. “I’ve known many a vampire over the years that fits into that criterion, but why you?” He slides forward in his seat. His dark eyes pierce into mine.
“Because of what he did to me,” I whisper.
“Ah, there we go,” Erick answers. “Your eyes are full of pain, and I smell the anger that consumes you.”
“It’s not just about me,” I retort.
“It seems it is,” Erick argues.
His words strike a chord. Is it all about me? Have I made this chase with Kragen the ending to a personal vendetta? I move to slide out of the seat. “I apologize for wasting your time.”
“Elsie?” Thorne questions.
“Let her go,” Erick’s words echo through my mind as I exit the dark room back onto the street full of wobbling humans.
“You got some titties you want to show?” an older man with greasy white hair asks, stepping in front of me.
“How much money do you have?” I tease.
The man laughs and hands me half of a torn dollar bill. “It’s all I’ve got left.”
I take the torn bill and look him in the eyes. His pupils dilate instantly. “Go home. It’s not safe out here. There are creatures that will drink your blood and leave you empty.”
The man’s eyes come back into focus, and he stares at me blankly. “There are creatures out here. I’ve got to go home. Are you all right, Miss?”
“Go home,” I repeat. The man turns, running down the street toward what I hope is a taxi. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the sun glimmering offsomething shiny. It hits me in the eye once more before disappearing from view. What was that?
Moving toward the glimmer, I’m not sure what I expect to find. I reach the spot and meet with a smell I would recognize anywhere…Kragen. The deep smell of sulfur fills my nose.
