Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
Video games and television had never held less allure. For a couple hours, Zack tried to make use of the massive entertainment system set up in his suite’s living room, but the screen was too bright, the shows too slow, and the games too easy.
Reading was something he occasionally enjoyed but hadn’t made time for since he’d finished Blake’s copy of HT Moss’s latest From the Grave book. He combed through the books on his bookshelf to get a better look at what was there. Surely something would catch his interest.
The Cal voice tried to resurface and tell him what a horrible person he was for thinking about reading anything on the shelves. I’m a fucking vampire, not a human. So nothing you say matters anymore . When no Seamus voice added its opinion, Zack relaxed a little bit more.
But that did mean he was totally, utterly alone for the first time in weeks. Since before his transformation even. Sure, there was still the staff in the building, but they tended to be ghosts. Actually not sure that they’re not ghosts .
They are not ghosts , Seamus said in his head.
Knew you were listening , Zack replied.
At some point, I hope you have a sireling who is just as loud as you are. Then you’ll understand my predicament .
Zack snorted as he continued skimming the books. There were two that were supposedly by the Dracula. One was supposed the “true” account of “what happened in England.” You feel really far away. When are you going to interrupt my chill evening ?
Unfortunately, business is occupying my time. You can blame Roger for this interruption in your lessons. Don’t worry, you have plenty of food. I know you are opposed to gray bands, so I’ve made other arrangements. All you need do is call for Grimsby, and he will assist you , Seamus said.
What even is Grimsby? Zack thought before he stopped himself.
Always curious, Zackery. Perhaps you should spend your evening in the library .
Of course there was a library in the mansion. The place was huge. Zack put the Dracula book back on its shelf. You trust me to roam about the mansion unsupervised?
It’s your home. Do as you like .
Zack tapped his finger along the edge of the shelf and scowled out at the wall. Seamus’s permission had to be some kind of trick, didn’t it? The evil mastermind wasn’t just supposed to let the good guy wander the castle.
However, exploring the mansion sure beat staying in his room waiting for Takashi to come home or for his hunger to get unbearable. He headed for the hallway, poking his head out first just to make two black-clad security guards weren’t waiting to shove him back inside. Seamus’s security for his mansion always seemed to move in twos.
No one was out there. No sounds drifted through the stillness either.
Being home alone had lost its thrill when Zack was sixteen and he’d convinced his parents he could stay at the house while Amber stayed with their grandparents. He’d been able to jack off in peace, which was nice, but that’d gotten old quickly. Well, fairly quickly. He and Cal shared a wall, so Cal being out on a hunt with their parents meant no one was on the other side of the wall to possibly overhear him. And he’d been able to dive into the porn he liked without worrying that someone was going to interrupt him. Great. Now I’m having all the horny thoughts .
As much as Cal had mocked him for his interest in vampire porn, Zack could experiment with bringing his fantasies to life a little bit more. Takashi seemed to share a few of his kinks. If they could find a mortal …
Thinking of owning people? the Cal voice said derisively.
Not owning . Forming a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship , his rational voice provided.
Parasite .
Zack sighed and rolled his eyes at himself. He was in the beginning of a new interesting chapter in his life, and yeah, some shit sucked, but his inner doubt needed to fuck off. Instead of engaging with it further, he focused on the hall he traversed.
Seamus had a lot of art and a fondness for vases full of flowers. The whole mansion had a rosy, floral scent that bothered Zack’s strengthened sense of smell. Flowers had been a rare commodity in his mortal parents’ house. They were an expense when his family spent its spare money on weapons and research. If a new computer hadn’t been useful for keeping up with his duties as a researcher, Zack was pretty sure he’d have to deal with Cal’s old busted machine for another few years.
Zack drifted down the hall to the grand staircase in the foyer. He could go up to the third floor from this staircase, but he chose to go down to the main floor.
The low, growling hunger in his stomach had been with him since he woke. He’d ignored it because he’d thought Seamus would show up. Now that he knew that wasn’t going to happen, he had to figure out when he should eat on his own. Should he wait?
Naw. He glanced around, seeing no one. Supposedly, all he had to do was call for Grimsby, but Seamus hadn’t said if he’d needed to use a phone or something to do so. Of course, Zack hadn’t seen a phone, so that wasn’t likely.
“He is a magical butler,” Zack muttered to himself. Louder, he said, “Grimsby, I’d like your presence, please.”
Within a minute, the tall, skin-and-bones fey was walking down the hall toward Zack. Grimsby had his hands clasped behind his back. His black hair was grayer, and it was waving counter to his movement. He grinned broadly at Zack, his smile wider than a mortal could’ve pulled off, and dipped his head when he came close. “Young master, I appreciate your politeness in summoning me. What might I assist you with?”
Zack straightened. He wasn’t better than Grimsby, but getting called master was sort of … cool. The way Grimsby acted was slightly deferential, which wasn’t a surprise, but there was an element of respect to his voice, too.
People in Zack’s life respected him—okay, Cal definitely hadn’t—but plenty had. Blake, Kit, Roger, Takashi, Josefina, and Nell all did. But except for that time he dominated Takashi in the bedroom, no one had shown him respect like this. Like he was someone with some power. And this was oddly nice.
“Seamus mentioned that he made arrangements for my feeding tonight and that you could help me,” Zack said primly. “I’m thirsty and would appreciate something to drink.”
Grimsby nodded once. “If you’ll follow me, young master, I would be happy to show you to your selection.”
“Excellent.”
Grimsby headed down the hallway from the direction he’d come, and Zack followed. They made their way through the massive first floor to a room not far from where Seamus had had his annual summit with the GLC’s leadership. With a sweeping bow, Grimsby opened the door.
Inside the room were several wooden posts, each with metal loops fastened onto them. Additional loops were secured on the walls. It was a bare, ancient-timesy, prison-like room.
Three men were bound at different places in the room. They had gags in their mouths. When they spied Zack and Grimsby, their heart rates raced. The cacophony of their beating hearts thundered through Zack. Those thuds were life. Were blood pumping through veins. Were filled with the fear of those who didn’t want to die.
But they were kidnapped mortals. They didn’t deserve death.
A freezing cold spread through Zack, its touch so frozen it scorched him. He needed warmth. The mortals had it.
Just enough. I don’t have to kill . Zack moved toward one man. His legs trudged forward like he was caught in deep water, but when he pushed forward through the pressure, he moved with lightning speed. Suddenly, he was on top of the man, and he didn’t know what to do.
No, he did. But he didn’t want to think that he did.
Every time he’d fed before this, Seamus had been there to guide him through it. To practically shove him into doing what his body needed. But Seamus wasn’t around.
The aching cold wouldn’t end on its own. Zack took hold of the man’s chin and forced his head to the side. A pulse jumped, extending the flesh. That wasn’t where he was supposed to bite, not if he wanted the feed to last. I can stop myself. I can. All I need is a little blood, and I’ll be fine .
Zack sank his fangs into the man’s neck. Hot blood poured into his mouth. He swallowed, and the cold thawed. The strength in his limbs was greater. Mouthful after mouthful brought more and more of the warmth into him. He moaned and pressed up against the man, pinning him against the post and drinking deeply. No drop would be wasted. Nothing would slip past his lips. He would take it all.
I’m killing him . But how could he stop when the cold was still there, scratching in his throat?
The blood gained a sharp, pungent flavor. With a gasp, Zack stepped away.
There were only two heartbeats in the room.
He hadn’t meant to, hadn’t been forced to, and yet he’d been too hungry to stop himself. He backed away and ran into one of the walls. A metal hoop dug into his shoulder, and he put a hand on the wall to push away from it. Something invisible but slimy touched his hand, and a jolt made his throat clench. The walls of the room were soaked in fear. And I’ve added to it .
“Young master?” Grimsby called.
Getting called that didn’t sound so fun anymore.
Doesn’t it? his rational voice replied. If you want to lead a coven, you’ll have to be used to a little death. Get a hold on yourself. You can do this .
Zack ran his hand through his hair and took a breath to steady himself. He was still thirsty but not like he’d been before he fed. The last few nights, he’d been able to go most of the night before killing again. Maybe he could get through this one with just the one death. That meant leaving two living men in the room, but he had no idea if they were good men. Did it matter? They knew about vampires, had seen him kill. The practical thing would be to ensure they died anyway.
But he didn’t have to solve it now. Didn’t have to come up with the answer.
“I’m all right, Grimsby,” Zack said, surprising himself with how smooth his voice was. He almost sounded like an immortal badass in his own ears. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his mouth as he left the room. Only a little blood came away on it. He was getting neater.
Getting out of the room helped steady him. He could let what he’d done haunt him later. Instead of wallowing, he’d find a way to be productive. He had to make his time count. “I heard there was a library in this huge-ass mansion. I hope this is not a rude question. Does it fall within your duties to show me where it is?”
“We actually have four libraries in the building, but I believe I know the one that would please you best, young master,” Grimsby replied. “If you’ll follow me?”
“Lead the way.”