Chapter 1 #2
Tobias had barely finished his cigarette when two policemen arrived, making the rounds amongst the pub’s patrons, asking for statements, times of arrival, and any information on what they might have seen.
He gave his name and said he’d been there for nearly an hour – Sally wasn’t a good judge of time – then slipped out before they could circle back around for more questions.
The thing about being alive for so long – too long, he reminded himself – was that he knew the back alleys of Oxford like the lines across his palms. Narrow corridors between buildings, cobbled streets, intelligence permeating the air as though the students oozed it out of their pores.
This city was engraved on him. While the world had changed rapidly, there was something about Oxford that had never truly altered. Its history was written into his immortal flesh.
By the time Tobias reached his flat, located in the basement of an old, converted church on Cowley Road, news had begun reporting on the attack. He sat cross-legged on his bed, the only light coming from his TV.
Words flashed over the screen, highlighting the report by the monotone presenter who stood before yellow police tape blocking off the alley he’d been in.
Another attack. Trail of bodies. Victim on life support.
Tobias didn’t take pride in hearing any of it. In fact, it sickened him to his core. There was only one thing that helped curb his reaction, and that was wondering if he was watching the same report.
Was Vladimir Damianos in his comfortable, posh home, watching the same scene unfold?
Did he wonder who was behind the attacks that, to a vampire, must obviously be the work of another?
Tobias hoped that was the case, but he doubted that the arrogant, cold head of the Damianos family had any bit of care for ordinary humans.
His last attack had been almost three months ago, but tonight’s had given fuel to the investigation.
Tobias wanted Vladimir to see. To know that there was another vampire in his territory.
To maybe even catch blame for it among the members of his clan who would prefer to stay hidden in the shadows.
To the humans, this was some freak, random series of attacks, the only evidence linking them being the two neat marks left on the victims’ necks, and the distinct lack of blood.
Conspiracy theorists and online trash sites pushed the narrative that vampires existed, only for the media to shut it down.
But Vladimir would know.
For the first time that night, Tobias’ smile was genuine.
He leaned back on his pillows and closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the reporter drone on about the evening’s excitement.
If there was one thing that made this all worth it for Tobias, it was making Vladimir nervous.
An unknown, uncontrolled vampire running around Oxford.
It would certainly cause a stir within the coven.
His life’s mission – the only thing that gave him purpose – was seeing Vladimir burn with the same fear that had been in the eyes of the humans that Vladimir had forced Tobias to victimise.
And he would, in time. Tonight was the first step.
Tomorrow, if all went as Tobias planned, he would reap the first of his rewards.
It all hinged on whether he got the call offering him the job.
Because that would get him one step closer to the Damianos heir apparent – Alexander, a vampire masquerading as a human professor at Oxford, whom Tobias would charm and use to get an invite to the Damianos clan’s centennial ball, where he’d come face-to-face with Vladimir.
And that would be the last piece of the puzzle he’d have to solve before ending Vladimir for good.
Tobias woke early the next morning to his phone ringing. By the third ring, he was on alert as he scrambled to pick it up.
“Am I speaking with Mr Osian?” The woman on the other line sounded tired and clearly very stressed.
“You are,” Tobias replied, clearing his voice of sleep. “How can I help?”
“I’m sorry to call so early. It’s Mandy from HR, at the Oxford University Employment Sector. We spoke last week about the position as archive librarian at the Bodleian?”
“Yes, I remember.” Tobias tried to keep his voice neutral. “How are you, Mandy?”
“Fine, thank you for asking.”
“Did you have an update on the job?” Tobias rolled over in bed, putting the call on speaker. The woman’s voice trembled, like someone who’d already had three cups of coffee.
“Yes, I’m calling regarding the position you applied for. I understand, when we last spoke, it wasn’t with the best news. But there’s been a… change of circumstance, and we were wondering if you’re still looking for a position?”
“I am,” Tobias said slowly, trying exceptionally hard not to give himself away with how he responded. “But I thought you’d filled it. Has another position popped up?”