Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 1

5. Truth And Lies

TRUTH AND LIES

T he Vampire who had spoken to him grasped Grayson’s biceps with both hands and lifted him off the floor. Grayson let out a yelp of surprise, but the Vampire simply placed Grayson physically behind him, and then used his own body as a shield from anyone who might come through the front doors of the church. Before Grayson had realized that this Vampire was simply moving him to protect him, he had stiffened and a broken pew near him had shifted as his gift activated.

The Black Vampire’s head shot towards the sound. The pew was still firmly on the ground, but Grayson could have swung it like a bat at the Vampires’ heads if he had needed to. But he didn’t need to. They weren’t his enemies. Not yet anyways. The Black Vampire turned back to Grayson and frowned. Somehow he suspected that Grayson was the cause of the pew shifting.

They’re Vampires. They can believe in the paranormal because they are paranormal, Grayson thought.

Unease flitted through him. The female Vampire had seemed awfully interested in him because of his gift. Would these Vampires also be? But he let the pew go from his mental grasp, careful not to let it simply fall with a bang, as his strength was already at a low ebb. He didn’t want to attract the Black Vampire’s attention again either. He needed these creatures on his side. He was in no fit state to fight himself.

Both of these Vampires were huge and moved with the grace of big cats. When he’d first seen them he’d known exactly what they were. He’d wondered how people hadn’t realized that Vampires existed before they revealed their own existence to the world.

Predators through and through. Sleek predators with the facade of civilization to them, but wild somehow, Grayson had thought.

And these two were beautiful, which made their predatoriness that much more dangerous. The Black Vampire had skin as dark and smooth as ebony. That skin covered rippling muscles. He had a broad, emotive face and an intelligent brow, which meant he could put those muscles to good use in a fight. He wasn’t a blunt instrument by any means, but a strategist. That would be needed against the female Vampire.

The bearded Vampire was massive all over. His bare chest, which was exposed almost completely by the leather jacket he wore alone with no shirt underneath, was cut like a diamond. There looked to be no spare fat on him. He had chiseled features and generous lips that his neatly trimmed beard didn’t hide. His eyes were silver, as all Vampire eyes were except for King Daemon and Prince Julian’s, but there was a warmth in them that Grayson had not expected to see. But it was likely a ruse to draw prey in.

Despite the two Vampires clearly being born of different parents, there was something alike in them both. Grayson would have called them brothers. He’d been an only child but he’d always wished he’d had a brother. Someone to look after him and someone for him to look up to. But he’d always been on his own. Not even his parents had been there to help him. He hadn’t expected Vampires to be so close to one another. But these ones were.

Yet even if they were friends to each other–and despite the warmth in those eyes now–the moment the bearded Vampire had pointed out that he was not Gregory Starn, Grayson knew that lying was not an option. With those powerful muscles they could have simply ripped him apart without breaking a sweat.

It had been the right move nevertheless. Any lie he could have come up with wouldn’t have held water for long. Clearly, they knew what Gregory Starn looked like. He and the dead man bore no resemblance whatsoever to one another. He was sure there were other safeguards as well to make certain that only people who belonged in the Ever Dark got in, but a picture of the student was the easiest way to confirm an identity.

Besides, if he’d lied then there would have been too many questions and he was sure that the female Vampire and her cohorts were on his tail. He’d impaled her on the shelf. She was wounded badly, but he knew that she wouldn’t let that stop her. She’d likely killed again so that the blood of some other innocent could heal her wounds completely. The only question was whether would they follow him in here when there were others of their kind present or would they slink away? If it was the latter, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do.

“We need to get him through the gate, Demos,” the bearded Vampire said.

“Well, this evening has just gotten better and better, hasn’t it, Ryder?” The Vampire named Demos asked with a grunt of amusement. “I wonder if we’ll get demerits or something by sending an uninvited human to Nightvallen!”

“Yeah, it’s been a damned blast and they can give us all the demerits they want to. Doesn’t matter if we’re in last place,” the Vampire named Ryder gritted out. His silver eyes focused on Grayson. “We’re sending you to the Ever Dark. Going through the gate is… unpleasant. But you’ll be fine–”

“I’m not going to the Ever Dark!” Grayson nearly shouted.

His plan had been to find some more Vampires to deal with the Sect of Dawn. He’d found them. He needed to go no farther into the Vampire World. He just wanted to be free of them.

Ryder lifted a thick eyebrow in amusement. “Why not? Not that you have a choice about it.”

Grayson’s cheeks heated and he mentally was touching that pew again. But those eyes were kind . He grimaced and let it go as he growled out, “I’m not a wannabe Vampire! I just want you two to take care of the ones coming after me and then I’ll be on my way.”

Demos let out a choked laugh and shared a disbelieving look with Ryder before staring Grayson dead in the eye. “Be on your way, will you? I don’t think so, little one. There are questions that need answering. Ones like how you managed to not get killed and made your way here when a Vampire was after you.”

Alarm spiked in Grayson. He licked suddenly dry lips. What kind of Vampires were these? Were they the Eyros ones that could read minds? Even if they weren’t, he was sure that there would be tons of those in the Ever Dark. They’d know what he could do and then they’d… he didn’t know what they’d do to him. But he was sure it wouldn’t be good. It was never good when his gift was revealed. And that meant he couldn’t explain anything about what had really happened at the shop.

“They were busy killing other people so I ran,” Grayson lied.

They’d already killed everyone but him. He’d just staked their leader and kept the other two out with a jammed door.

“You out ran a Vampire?” Demos chuckled again even as his silver eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You just keep bringing up more and more questions with every word you say, little one.”

“They were busy like I said!” Grayson snapped. “They didn’t come after me right away. I managed to lose them.”

“Out ran them. Lost them. Next you’re going to tell us that you out fought them, too!” Demos laughed.

He actually had . But he understood Demos’ disbelief. Sam had been gone in a second when that female Vampire had determined she wanted a snack. Only his gift and a lot of luck had brought him here unscathed. But again, he couldn’t tell them any of that.

“I’m thinking that there weren’t any other Vampires.” Demos pointed a finger at Grayson’s chest. He advanced with every word. “You just killed Gregory Starn and took his invitation. You figured out a story that would get you into the Ever Dark while pretending to not want to go!”

“What? NO!” Grayson cried, horrified, but seeing how that was a more believable story than him evading three Vampires. He wondered if they’d believe his denial less or more if he told them that these Vampires were part of the Sect of Dawn, a group that supposedly hated their kind. “I didn’t--he came in already stabbed. He was dying. I tried calling an ambulance and the cops, but they didn’t come!”

“And why was that?” Demos’ eyes were slits.

He was now just a foot away from Grayson. Ryder stood there, observing them both, not showing anything he was feeling. Did he think like Demos did? That Grayson was a killer? He met those silver eyes, but he found no comfort there. Ryder might not believe one way or the other.

Grayson had the pew again. Now he might have two more Vampires on his tail!

“I--I don’t know, but I think…” Was he really going to tell them about the Sect of Dawn now? Evidently, he was. In for a penny, in for a pound. “They’re not alone. They’re part of a group called the Sect of Dawn. They intercepted my calls to emergency--what? Why are you laughing again?”

Demos was chuckling, but not mirthfully but with disbelief. “The Sect of Dawn? That is out of a comic book, little one! And you made another mistake. The Sect of Dawn hates --”

“Vampires, yeah, I know!” Grayson shook his head. “I don’t understand it either, but that’s what Gregory said! I’m telling the truth!”

Demos leaned in further. His fangs were clearly visible. “Little one, you’re either a fool or crazy. But we’re not to be messed with. And the people we’re going to take you to? Well, they most definitely aren’t ones you want to be lying to.”

Ryder stepped between then, holding up a hand to Demos. “Enough. The boy is scared out of his wits. Something happened to him.”

“Killing somebody will do that,” Demos growled, unconvinced. “Lawson said that this academy shit would cause the humans to tear each other apart. And it's already starting with this innocent-faced kid.”

“Maybe that innocence isn’t just skin deep. We don’t know. Maybe his story will check out,” Ryder said.

“It better or he won’t have much of a mind left when those Eyros get done with him,” Demos muttered.

Before Grayson could say or do anything in response to that, there was a sound. A roof tile sliding down the sloped roof and falling to the ground. Everyone’s head jerked up towards the ceiling. The roof was still intact or so it seemed. A loose roof tile could have been dislodged due to the rain or age or neglect. It didn’t have to be a booted foot kicking it loose as that person crawled along the roof above their heads. Grayson’s mouth filled with bitter tasting saliva. Were the other Vampires here? That would be both a blessing and a curse.

Story of my life!

“There’s more than one,” Grayson whispered, realizing he needed to tell them how many of their kind they faced.

“How many?” Demos asked as he drew out a knife.

It was a small knife. More like a curved dagger just four inches long.Grayson stared at the knife. What was Demos doing? And why? And did it involve him?

“He needs the blood to write the symbol to reopen the gate to the Ever Dark,” Ryder explained, having seen where his distress was coming from.

“I’m not going there, remember?” Grayson’s eyes snapped with anger.

“Why don’t you want to go?” Ryder asked. “Is it because you killed Gregory? Are you afraid that the Eyros will dig that secret from your mind?”

“No!” Grayson hissed, his eyes darting to the ceiling again.

Was the chandelier up there shaking slightly as someone walked across the roof? Why weren’t these Vampires checking it out?

“What’s your name?” Ryder asked.

“Is it really the time for that?!” Grayson growled.

He definitely thought he heard a boot scraping on top of them. Was it the female Vampire? Was she up there just dreaming about sinking her teeth into his throat?

“Tell me your name or I’ll just call you ‘little one.’” Ryder’s lips twisted into a smile.

“Little--I’m not as big as you two, but I’m… it’s Grayson, okay? Happy now?” Grayson answered and immediately regretted it. Ryder had baited him into answering. But to be called “little one” like he was some kind of pet or something! It was not sweet or endearing or anything like that to hear “little one” coming out of Ryder’s mouth. “So, are you the good cop while he’s the bad cop?”

Ryder lifted that eyebrow again. “Sometimes we switch.”

“He’s got the sunnier disposition! Good cop suits him better,” Demos snorted.

His eyes though weren’t on Grayson or Ryder. They were unfocused as if he weren’t seeing anything at all. Or maybe he was seeing beyond the church’s walls.

“Listen, Grayson, you are going to the Ever Dark.” Ryder’s silver eyes stared into his. “So long as your story checks out, I’m certain they will let you go.”

“But if it doesn’t … let me tell you that even other Vampires don’t like Eyros for a reason,” Demos chuckled darkly.

“I’m not lying!” Grayson hissed.

He wasn’t lying about killing Gregory or Charlie or even who had done it. But if the Eyros really could read minds so well then they’d know about Grayson’s gift. Once he went to the Ever Dark, he doubted he would ever return once they discovered that. Maybe they’d want to drink his blood to see if it transferred the gift to them. Maybe they’d want to take him apart. Would this Vampire with the kind eyes care about either of those possibilities?

Grayson felt the world dim a bit around him. Fear had him in her cold grip. He tried to force it down. He’d been calm at the store. But now, he felt like he was running on the fumes of his self-control. It was all too much. Gregory dead. Sam dead. He’d impaled a woman. And now his whole pitiful life might be over. He must have swayed, because Ryder had a hold of him.

“Whoah, there. It’s okay. You’re okay. Demos and I won’t let anything happen to you,” Ryder promised and his silver eyes burned with truth.

“You don’t understand,” Grayson said weakly.

“What don’t I understand?” Ryder’s deep voice was soft. Appealing.

“Don’t you go falling for a pretty face, Ryder!” Demos warned.

“Demos,” Ryder warned.

But Demos’ words were like cold water thrown over his head. Grayson shook himself. He couldn’t give way! He couldn’t confess anything to this Vampire! He had to take care of himself. Like he always did. There was no one and nothing that would do it better.

“I don’t want to go there! I don’t like Vampires! So I don’t want to go to a world filled with--with you !” Grayson snarled. Why can’t you just get that through your head?”

Ryder’s right eyebrow rose as Grayson then pulled away from him. Grayson firmed his legs beneath him. He had to stand on his own goddamned two feet! But he noted that Ryder wasn’t that offended by what he had said because the Vampire kept watching him to see if he fell. A wail wanted to exit Grayson’s throat. Being weak in front of these predators was so dangerous and he was failing.

“You don’t like us? You’re in a very small minority. The powers that be likely won’t let you stay in the Ever Dark, Grayson, if you’re telling the truth,” Demos stated flatly. “Everyone there is important or is there for a very special reason. You? Doubt you fit either category. So don’t worry, you’ll be coming back here soon enough no matter what you want if you’re being honest.”

“People want power. People don’t want to be prey. Humans have been the rulers of this world for a long time. Suddenly, they find out they’re not. They don’t like you. They simply want to keep being on top.” Grayson glared at Demos, just daring him to say otherwise.

“You’re not lying about that,” Demos admitted and actually smiled genuinely.

Demos’ eyes were focused again. There had been no sounds from the roof in some time. Maybe it was just a false alarm. Or maybe those Vampires were simply keeping out of sight. That didn’t help Grayson’s case. This meant that they would definitely be taking him to the Ever Dark and the Eyros to find out the truth. But even if he could escape these two--and he doubted that--wouldn’t that just leave him exposed to the Sect of Dawn?

What if the female Vampire already called her comrades and told them about me? That means that even if she’s taken care of, others could come after me, Grayson realized with a sickening lurch. But then he thought of her personality. No, she wouldn’t want to admit her failure. She would do everything she could to catch me on her own.

He hoped that wasn’t just his hopes speaking though.

“I think we should go.” Ryder made one more glance at the roof even though there had been no sounds.

“Agreed,” Demos said.

“No, no, please. Let’s stay here a bit more. They’ll come and you’ll see I’m telling the truth!” Grayson begged Ryder.

Ryder’s expression twisted. He clearly saw Grayson’s fear and it affected him in a way that Grayson didn’t think a predator would experience. It was empathy. Sadness for him. But Ryder was not changing his mind.

“We can do that more safely for you in the Ever Dark,” Ryder said.

Demos then strode to the back wall of the church, behind where the altar should have been. Though Grayson was not at all religious, he wondered that the Vampires would use a church as one of their gates, a gate that required the person to write a symbol in blood , it seemed, on the wall. They both watched as Demos then cut his finger and used the blood to write a symbol. The symbol shimmered for a few moments and then went dark.

“What the Hell?” Demos growled.

He wrote the symbol again. This time it didn’t even shimmer. Demos spun around to face them. His expression was a mixture of annoyance and alarm.

“Something is wrong here!” Demos cried. “Am I writing the symbol wrong?”

But Ryder shook his head. “It’s perfect. It should work.”

“What’s that?” Grayson pointed towards a brick towards the bottom of the wall that flickered with a strange green light.

Ryder went over to it and hunkered down. He touched the brick briefly and jerked his hand away as if it was hot. He got out a phone and took a picture of it before rising to his feet.

“We need to get to another gate,” Ryder said with a grim determination on his face. “What this is, it’s messed up the gate..”

Messed up the gate? Grayson thought. The Sect had Gregory’s letter. They knew where this gate was. They did something to it so that… what? To stop him from going? Delay him somehow?

A cold chill went through him. They did need to get out of there.

“The nearest gate for Nightvallen is thirty miles away,” Demos said with a grimace. “I’ll get us a ride. I know a general House number in this city but--”

“No,” Ryder said with a shake of his head.

“Why not?” Demos’ eyebrows rose.

“Because if Grayson is telling the truth then any Vampire we call may be in on this,” Grayson told him. “We boost a car. We get out of here as fast and quiet as we can. We talk to no one until we get him to the Ever Dark.”

Grayson again wanted to argue he didn’t want or need to go there but that would fall on deaf ears. Besides, he now had thirty miles to get away somehow. To get every Vampire out of his life.

“How many Vampires are there?” Ryder asked him again as he looped an arm around Grayson’s waist.

It would have looked like a friendly hold, but Grayson guessed it was to keep him from running.

“Three. One woman and two men, I think. I got a really good look at the woman, but not them,” Grayson explained. “She’s… really quick. Oh, and I think she’s one of those Ashyr Vampires. That or Horys.” At his words, Demos and Ryder shared another of those looks. “Everybody knows your guys’ powers! They’re not secret!”

“Okay. Fair enough. But why exactly do you think that she was one of those Bloodlines? What did she do?” Ryder asked. His voice was remarkably calm though it was clear he was on alert.

He’s a warrior of some sort. Maybe he was before he was turned. He’s done this before, Grayson thought.

“She threw a door at me… I mean, she threw the door of the store inside…” Grayson grimaced.

Ryder’s expression was neutral. Unlike Demos, who clearly knew Grayson was omitting things, he couldn’t read Ryder at all. It was far more unnerving.

“I don’t know if she used her mind to throw it in or maybe with a gust of wind,” Grayson finished with a shrug. “She didn’t do anything else… I mean… she…”

He again saw her mouth red with Sam’s blood in his mind and trembled. Ryder’s hands moved from his waist to Grayson’s shoulders, steadying him. He normally didn’t like being touched by someone he didn’t know. Hell, even people he did know. But this touch was surprisingly good . Yet he still stiffened and Ryder dropped his hands.

“She killed my friend, too. Like he was nothing,” Grayson got out, his voice tight.

“I’m sorry,” Ryder said simply.

“You sound like you mean it.” The words left Grayson’s mouth before he could stop them.

Ryder lifted an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“You’re a Vampire,” Grayson said as if that should answer everything.

“No time to school him about how Vampires work, Ryder. We have more issues,” Demos said. “I say we haul ass out the back way.”

“Sounds good,” Ryder said.

Again, that arm was around him, steering him to the back of the church and down a hallway that smelled of dry rot and rat droppings. Grayson thought this was the type of place where the homeless and junkies would hang out. He would have stayed here back in the day, but it was remarkably free of people. Only Vampires could keep the desperate away from this place. They neared the back door at the end of the hall when Demos froze. Ryder did the same and was, once more, shoving Grayson protectively behind him.

Before Demos or Ryder explained the sudden stop, the female Vampire’s voice rose up from outside, “I think we’ve been discovered!” Her voice was filled with laughter as if this were going to be fun . “You’d best just bring the boy out to me. He’s been very naughty.” Her voice dipped as she added, “Don’t let me ask twice.”