Chapter Four
Behind the scarred door in the basement of the house in the Hollywood Hills is a network of rooms. It’s a little like Batman’s lair, but with fewer bats and no technology. It’s actually quite homey, with paintings, black-and-white photos, and tapestries on the walls. And all of the furniture is antique; there’s even a chandelier.
The door opens into a sprawling, grandiose living room with a collection of Chesterfields, chaise lounges, and wingbacks. There’s also a long wooden table that seats twelve. A wall of books that appear to be even older than the ones upstairs, and several cabinets full of curiosities. A wide hallway leads off from the room. That’s where the bedroom is, along with a variety of other locked doors.
Lucas heads through his bedroom and into the attached bathroom upon our return, with me following close behind. We didn’t talk much on the drive back to the house. I think I was in shock. But now I have questions, and lots of them. As much as I resent Lucas, he is my sole teacher when it comes to the undead and this new life of mine.
“Are the heart and the head the main ways to kill vampires?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says, shrugging out of his filthy suit jacket and toeing off his shoes. “Plotting my downfall already?”
“A girl needs her hobbies.”
He snorts. “Hold on to your sense of humor, Skye. It’ll serve you well in the centuries to come. Fire and sunlight can also kill, but you need sustained exposure.”
“I don’t suppose you have any magical rings that enable us to walk around in daylight?”
He stares blankly at me.
“Just asking.”
“A talisman like that might well be possible, but it would take a lot of power to create. I’ve never met a witch who liked me that much, or one who was that powerful.”
“Shocking that they wouldn’t like you.” My head is a mess of thoughts and feelings. It really has been a hell of a night. “You mentioned runes back at that vampire bar.”
“A druid I knew needed some fast cash and agreed to work on this place when it was being built. He etched runes into the stone walls down here to protect and keep. Think of it as casting a spell.”
The bathroom is immaculate black and white, with cool fixtures straight out of the 1920s. In particular, a big, old claw-foot bathtub looks inviting. The shower is suspended over it with a curtain to keep the water from splashing onto the floor.
“There are druids too?” I ask, my brows raised. “The protect part I understand, but what does keep do?”
“This world is bigger than you know. Much more than humans and animals walk the Earth. As for the runes, look around.” He gestures about us. “Notice how these rooms aren’t as stale and dusty as you’d expect after being closed up for seventy years?”
“The ones aboveground are, though.”
“I usually have staff to deal with upstairs. The runes are concentrated down here in my real home.”
“And I was the first person to disturb you in seventy years?”
“You, Skye, either ignore your instincts or have a very strong will,” he says.
Neither sounds like a compliment.
“As far as humans are concerned, the protection tends to discourage the curious and dissuade thieves. The runes will only outright stop another preternatural creature without an invitation. That’s enough questions. Go away now.”
“Just a few more.”
“It’s been a long first night back. Don’t make me decapitate you, too.”
“Pretty please?”
He groans and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “What else?”
“They said you used to rule L.A.? What are you, like the vampire king or something?”
He snorts. “No. There is no vampire king in this country. I never ruled L.A. I was simply the strongest in the city for a time. Perhaps I still am. I don’t know.”
“Have you made vampires before, and if so, where are they now?”
“Not here,” he says. “Though, at least, one of them should be.”
“Can we still eat and drink human food?”
“Why would you want to?”
“Because donuts. Duh. But hang on, you have all of that wine out there.”
“I like the scent.”
“How were you able to kill Archie?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. “For someone so important, he was dispatched pretty easily.”
“Strength comes with age. I am older and, therefore, stronger. The strength of the one who turned you can also play a part.”
Off comes his shirt, and wow, that’s a lot of muscles for one man. The old suit was doing him a serious disservice.
His shoulders and chest have definition for days. It must have been a while since I saw a man half naked, because not staring at him is harder than it should be. Not that he is the least bit aware of me ogling him. Me and my issues aren’t even on his radar.
“Archie was only turned around 1850. But he was tenacious. Killed his sire early and started building himself a coterie of guards. If he hadn’t gone for size and scariness over actual fighting skills when he made them, they might have been able to defend him from me, and he might still be with us.”
“He was a hundred and seventy?”
“Rose is about eight hundred, and Javier was turned when this country was colonized.”
My eyes are as wide as the moon. “Huh.”
He undoes the button and zipper on his pants and pushes both them and his boxers to the ground. Nudity is obviously not an issue for him. I turn around before I can see it all. Though a fleeting glimpse suggests he’s a man of size. Next, I hear the groaning of pipes and the sound of water falling. My hearing is sensitive enough to make out the soft splashes from his footfalls as he steps into the shower.
“The oldest vampires, ones born BC, haven’t left their castles or caves in millennia. They have minions fetch their food,” he says. “But not many of us manage to survive that long. Some simply lack the will. After a couple of centuries, time starts to lose meaning. Once you’ve seen and done it all, there doesn’t always seem to be a reason to continue. But more practically, it’s hard to remain hidden. We need humans to feed on, but they tend to get upset and hunt us once the bodies start piling up.”
“You said we could feed without killing.”
“We can. I didn’t lie to you. It just takes practice and control. But some prefer to give in to their instincts and bleed victims dry. The rush from killing can be substantial. It’ll be interesting to see what these new rules of theirs entail regarding such matters.”
“Getting involved in vampire politics was not on my list of plans,” I say. “What about drinking animal blood?”
“It’s adequate, but the taste is subpar,” he says. “Are you out of questions yet?”
The water and soap he’s using smell nice. “I’m done for now. Oh. Where’s my phone?”
“I left it with Helena. Did you know people can track you with those things?” he asks, sounding sort of amazed.
“When did you do that?”
“When we first got up to her office. You were busy feeding. She explained that keeping it would be a mistake.”
“But I want to call my mom so she’s not freaking out, wondering where I am. I’ve thought up a story that’s plausible. I’ll tell her work is sending me to a foreign office. Then I’ll fake some pictures of me in France or something. I have it all planned out. I don’t know if I can do this…be like you. But I am not ready to die again yet, either.”
Nothing from him.
“Do you think the security guard had family?”
“Helena will ensure they’re taken care of,” he says.
I rest my head against the doorframe and close my eyes. Just for a moment. My body is weary. My strength and vitality diminished. I still don’t feel hungry, so I don’t think it’s due to lack of blood. However, my mind is mush.
“You’re falling asleep on your feet,” he says. “Go lie down.”
“Guess it must be close to dawn. We sleep all day, right?”
“No,” he says as the water turns off. “The older you get, the less sleep you need. But you’re a newborn and still adapting. Your brain has been dealing with a rush of new information from your heightened senses. It needs time to rest. Go lie down. The bed’s right there.”
“I’m going to go lie down for a minute,” I say, wandering off toward the bedroom.
“What a brilliant idea,” the wet and naked vampire grumbles behind me.
“Father,” singsongs someone in a loud and obnoxious voice.
I am lying on the four-poster bed with Lucas stretched out beside me, reading a book, apparently. It is an oddly domestic scene to wake up to. Guess he was enjoying either the book or the quiet, since he moans, “Give me strength.”
He put a blanket on me at some stage. Nice of him. All I remember is being so tired that I face planted on the bed. It was a lot like how a friend’s toddler operated. Go, go, go, stop.
“Is it sunset?” I ask in a sleepy voice.
Lucas nods. “Yes.”
A tall, young man with lots of blond hair appears in the bedroom doorway and grins. His body is lean and his face all sharp edges. Kind of like a male model. And when he talks, he does so with an English accent. “Hello, old man.”
“Henry. I wondered when you’d make an appearance.”
“Who’s this with you?” He bounces his butt on the end of the bed and studies me with interest. “Goodness, do you have all of the gossips abuzz. Word on the street is I have a new sibling. How exciting.”
“Why are you asking if you already know who she is?” Lucas sits up and sets his book aside. He’s wearing a pair of pajama pants and not much else. Not staring at his chest is a big ask.
“Because it annoys you.”
Lucas grunts.
“I’m Henry.” He offers me his hand to shake. “What’s your name?”
“Skye. Hi.”
“A blonde with green eyes. How interesting. I thought you swore off making any more of us,” says Henry. “In fact, I distinctly remember you doing so.”
“Has the house been seen to?” asks Lucas, ignoring the question.
“Yes.” Henry uses his hold on my hand to pull me out of bed. “Now then, little sister. Let’s get you cleaned up. We do have a family reputation to maintain, after all.”
“She needs to eat first.” Lucas leaves the room and returns with a blood bag in each hand. “The fridge has been stocked. Here. Hold it carefully. You don’t want to break it.”
“Thank you.” I put the tube between my lips and start sipping.
“You’re one of those, are you?” asks Henry. “I admit, blood bags are practical, but hardly a substitute for the real thing.”
Lucas raises his dark brows. “I tried to tell her, but she’s happy, so…”
“It really is grand to see you.” Henry opens his arms. “How about a hug?”
“Don’t make me kill you,” says Lucas.
“Father’s love language is death threats,” whispers Henry. “Try not to take it personally. Very difficult childhood. Not even Freud could sort him out; though, he certainly tried for a good many years.”
“Are there any other siblings?” I ask.
Lucas frowns. It must be his fallback setting. “None that we need to discuss right now.”
“Father spent his first few hundred years as a spy and a thug. It makes him slow to trust,” says Henry. He turns back to Lucas. “I had almost forgotten how repressed you are. You know us men are more in touch with our feelings now. We actually talk about things. Occasionally, we even cry. You should try it sometime.”
Despite the pout on Henry’s face, the word that appears in my mind is joy . He is beyond delighted at this reunion with his sire. And that these words are still coming to me consistently is interesting. I need all the help I can get in navigating this new world.
We adjourn to the living room, where Henry flops down onto a blue velvet couch. After putting an Ella Fitzgerald album on the antique phonograph, Lucas sits gracefully in a black wingback. The largest chair in the room. It kind of looks like a throne, which makes sense. I curl up in the corner of a black leather sofa. And yay me for not breaking anything yet tonight. All of the furniture seems sturdy. To guard against vampires who don’t know their own strength, perhaps?
“I wasn’t supposed to wake you for another almost thirty years,” says Henry, curling a blond lock around a finger. “What happened?”
Lucas nods to me. “She happened.”
“It was an accident,” I say, setting aside my breakfast for the moment. “My boss forgot to tell me to stick to the aboveground levels and to only be here during daylight hours.”
Henry sobers. “That must have been terrifying for you. Facing a starving vampire on your own. You’re lucky it was Father, who has enough control to stop himself and generally doesn’t drink to kill. Otherwise, you’d be dead as a dodo.”
I wisely keep my mouth shut.
“No wonder you turned her,” continues Henry. “You must have felt like absolute shit with that eternally tortured soul of yours.”
Lucas frowns. “We’re vampires, drinking people’s blood is what we do.”
“Well, yes, but there’s no need to be rude about it. And, old man, even you have to admit that attacking someone like that and draining them is…ugh. Déclassé. You must have terrified her, all desiccated and dried up like you would have been.”
“She’s one woman,” says Lucas. “You were in a frenzy for half of 1943 on the frontlines. You killed thousands.”
“They were Nazis. They had it coming.”
Lucas shakes his head. “Enough. I’m not having this damn conversation with you.”
“Since you have Henry here to help you adapt to this new age, do you still need me, or am I free to go?” I ask, sounding far braver than I feel.
Lucas’s gaze turns hard. “And where exactly would you go?”
“Sweetie,” says Henry. “Trust me when I tell you, you don’t want to be alone out there on your own. Not right now. In a couple of days they’ll probably be relaxing the rules, and no one is quite sure what’s going to happen. It’s been like living in a dictatorship, being here for the last thirty years. Having to watch over your shoulder for the board’s bogeymen all the time. But is tyranny truly any better than anarchy? I suspect we’re about to find out.”
“We can discuss it later,” says Lucas. “Henry, why are there rips in your clothes? Did you run out of money?”
Henry gasps. “Excuse you. These jeans are designer. I invested in Apple in the late seventies and made millions.”
“You invested in fruit?” asks Lucas.
“Computers, Father. Apple computers. Please try to keep up!”
I sip my blood and stay silent.
“So, spill the tea. What was all of that decapitating about last night?” asks Henry, crossing his legs and getting comfortable. “I’ve been living quietly in this city for decades, and now all of a sudden I’m back in the limelight because of you.”
“I highly doubt that.” He smooths his palm over the arm of the chair. “A show of strength was required.”
Henry nods. “Archie has been salty about your GOAT status for years.”
“Am I supposed to understand a word of what you just said?”
“GOAT means greatest of all time,” I explain. “He’s paying you a compliment.”
Lucas looks toward heaven. Though, I doubt any of us are welcome there.
“This is so much fun,” says Henry. “You should have made a Skye years ago. Not only is she decorative, but she keeps the peace. Having a sister like her is fantastic.”
“I’m so glad you approve.”
“What shall we do together first?” asks Henry. “Oh, I know, have you ever been to Paris?”
I set the empty blood bag aside. “I’ve never even been out of the country.”
“Well, you’re rich and immortal now. It’s time to start thinking big,” says Henry. “Where do you want to go first?”
“I’m rich?”
“Oh, yeah.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Not even taking into consideration all of the money Shirley made. That woman was a genius when it came to finances. Be it the stock market or properties…she ruled them all. But what do you think Father has in all of those wooden chests out there?”
“Bodies?”
“No. Though, that would be hilariously macabre.” Henry laughs. “Father is almost as old as the hills and has plenty of wealth to share.”
“Do I now?” asks Lucas.
“You’ve been hoarding gold long since before the first crusade.”
“You’re that old?” I ask with wonder.
“Older. But it’s a sensitive subject. He doesn’t like to talk about his age.”
“Wealth is easy when you live for centuries on end,” says Lucas. “You hold on to knickknacks or books or weapons for nostalgia. And before you know it, they’re considered priceless relics. Human lives are so short, they’re willing to pay anything to connect with their past.”
“True enough.” Henry carries on, “So, Skye, you’ll probably want to hang around town until after your funeral. It’s good to get your mortal life out of the way. Put it all behind you and make a clean start. We could take the private jet next weekend and head over to Europe for a while. It’ll be great.”
“Wait,” I say. “What?”
“Since when do I own a private jet?” asks Lucas, talking over the top of me.
“You don’t, old man. But I do. These are the sort of advancements you miss out on when you decide to snooze for a century. And I know you had your reasons. But still…very dramatic of you, wouldn’t you say?”
“Skye’s not going anywhere.”
“How possessive,” says Henry in a teasing tone of voice. “It’s not like you to be so territorial.”
“She hasn’t even adjusted to the change yet, you idiot. There’s no way I am letting her go flying around the world with you.”
My stomach, meanwhile, has sunk through the floor. “My funeral?”
“You hadn’t heard?” asks Henry, doing the preternaturally still thing. His gaze jumps to Lucas then back to me. “There was a fire in your apartment last night. A body was found. You’re officially dead, sweetie. Congratulations.”
“What?” My mouth hangs open. “Did you know about this?”
“I knew Helena was going to do something,” says Lucas. “Your vehicle has been taken as well. They would have been careful to make sure no one else was hurt in the fire and the body would have already been deceased. It’s for the best.”
“But my mom…” I don’t know how I feel about this. Numb, mostly. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. “I’m really dead. That life is over.”
“Yes,” says Henry, in a somber tone of voice. Though, it doesn’t last long. “You know what that means? It’s time for your wake!”