Chapter 4 | The Undead
Luca
M y frustration over the disagreement with Amelia becomes second priority after reading the text from Jude. You don’t just send someone a text going, “Hey, my sister is dead, but we’ll catch up later,” thinking that they’ll just leave it there. Of course I’m going to call her. She’s my best friend. I don’t know why she expects anything less from me.
Tapping my foot impatiently, I dial her number, and she sends me to voicemail almost immediately. Reminding myself that getting annoyed is not going to achieve anything, I try to call her again. I’ll call her as many times as I need to until she answers her damn phone. She sends me to voicemail again , and staring at the blank screen, I’m at a loss on what to do when another text chimes.
“I’m sorry L…I don’t know if I can yet. Saying it out loud makes it real.”
Jude’s talking, so I can work with that. My thumbs fly across the screen as I type out my reply.
“Are you still at the wedding? Do you want me to come to you?”
“No, there’s no point. I’ll be back in Chicago soon. I’ll fill you in on everything when I see you.”
When she shuts me out like that, I know that no amount of coaxing on my end will get her to talk before she’s ready to. Staring at the screen until it goes black, my mind races over the news. Lexie’s dead…shit.
I know it’s best to not jump to conclusions before I know all the facts, but in our line of work, death usually means murder. It’s so similar to what happened to Dad, and I don’t know if I’m shocked, worried, or a combination. One thing is for sure; I’m hesitant to tell Mom about it, even if she needs to know.
It’s just like Jude to leave us midway through a scandal and to return that way, too. I remember when she had just come of age according to Druid traditions and completed her first assignment. There were talks of her needing to find her place amongst the family empire. There were even some rumors of how she was more powerful than Lexie and the rightful heir, even if she wasn’t the firstborn.
Instead of taking her place, though, she left. And few people know why. I know it’s because of Sebastian, but that’s something we keep to ourselves. The families are allowed to have fun together, as long as it doesn’t get serious, and they broke that rule. If there is one thing all the families agree on, it’s that power should remain equally divided. Two families uniting doesn’t honor that agreement and could lead to war amongst the empires. While a little bloodshed hurts no one, it would attract the attention of the humans, and that’s something we want to avoid at all costs.
I’m one of the few people Jude kept in contact with after she went to school, and we’ve remained close despite the distance. At school, there were still rules she had to follow, but compared to the heartbreak she faced at home, there, she felt free. Even I could admit how much happier she sounded away from all of this. But now, that’s changed, and it looks like she’s being forced back home.
Sighing, I grab my phone and car keys so I can make my way home and speak to Mom because this is a conversation that’s better had face to face. I can manage the fall out that way. We need to figure out how this will affect the Undead, and I will start work a bit earlier tomorrow to make up for this evening being cut short.
Leaving my office takes me into the center of the club, and even if things are tense right now, I will never get over the joy I feel walking through this place. It’s something about the combination of neon lights, thumping music, and sleek gothic decor that feels like home to me. The chaotic atmosphere might be an overload to the senses for most, but for me, I find it soothing.
Tonight’s theme for the dancers in the club is “sexy luxury” so their props are items like martini glasses, lace outfits, and matching pearls. I stay well out of their way so that my outfit doesn’t get splashed during their routine. Passing the cordoned off VIP section, I feel a small pang of longing because I had hoped to end up there with Amelia this evening.
Waving at a staff member I pass, I paste a smile on my face. I may be worried, but they don’t need to know that. Happy staff means happy clients, and I intend to keep it that way. Exiting the club via the staff entrance, I find my car where I left it parked out back. Sliding into it, I quickly shoot off another text, this time to Amelia. I’m not happy with how we left things, and we can never seem to catch a break.
If this thing with Lexie wasn’t happening, I would track Amelia down so we could finish this once and for all. But as the heir to the Undead Empire, sometimes, the needs of our people outweigh my own. It’s something I’m still learning how to deal with.
With my headlights illuminating the road in front of me, I’m thankful I don’t have a long drive home because we’re the only family that opted out of normal estate living. Instead, we went with a penthouse apartment close to Tao because of our long working hours.
It’s more convenient than driving to an estate outside of town in the early hours of the morning after a sixteen hour shift. My thoughts are interrupted with a call, and answering with my bluetooth connection, I’m hoping it’s Amelia even if she only ever texts. “I’m so glad you called,” I say in place of a greeting.
A confused male voice responds to me, “Really? You were expecting a call from me?” Trying to cover my embarrassment, I wave it off. “Sorry Dom, I was waiting for a call from someone else. What’s up?”
“The twins just let me know we’re out of blood for spells. What are the chances you could help us out with some more? We’ve tested variations of plasma and hemoglobin from other Supernaturals and humans, but yours seems to yield the strongest results.”
Turning on the indicator, I realize he can’t see my face, so I respond. “Sure, Dom, but I’m going to need more than a day. I take it you haven’t heard about Lexie yet?” I’ve known Dom long enough to know when he’s been caught off guard, which doesn’t happen often.
“I’m actually at the airport coming back from Autumn’s wedding. What did I miss?” Sadness tinges my voice for my friends. “Lexie’s dead, Dom. While I don’t know for sure, I assume it's murder, like with what happened to my dad. I’m on my way home to figure it out with my mom, and you should do the same with the twins. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.” Thanking me, we end the call, making plans to meet in a few days when things have settled.
What would anyone have to gain from murdering Lexie…Upsetting the balance between the families? Surely that’s not enough of a motive? Especially since us kids have always gotten on better than our parents. But now that’s all gone to shit because Eric Rhodes is going to want answers for someone coming after his heir, and he does not take threats lightly. He also has the resources to make that happen. Has anyone thought about what would happen if the humans found out about us if Eric gets his way with revenge? I can imagine it’s going to be violent.
Shit…
My dad used to tell me bedtime stories of the horrible things that happened when the humans found out about us. While it was scary to hear, it served its purpose and taught me to keep my true nature a closely guarded secret from those who didn’t know.
The Salem and Bamberg Witch Trials, the crusades, the conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics were all a result of humans finding out about us. Now, we know better, so we keep to ourselves instead. Imagine if they found out about us now with the tech in the world? We could be wiped out. Humans always fear what they don’t understand.
Pulling up to our building block, I park underground and call the elevator to take me up to the top floor. It’s surprising to most that I still live at home. I could afford to move out; I just don’t see the point. It will be mine one day anyway, and we have the space.
Walking into our penthouse, the Chicago skyline greets me through the wall of glass, separating the living area from the high-rise balcony. Yellow and red lights twinkle from black buildings against a twilight sky. There is a function to darken the wall of glass to give us privacy, but tonight it seems we’re going without that. It’s not like anyone can see us from up here, anyway. Each family has a myth about them, and a part of ours says that we can’t stand to be in the sunlight. It’s one reason I love living here. If anyone were to hunt for us, this would be the last place they would look.
Calling out for my mom, I head straight for the fridge. Even though Amelia tried to help me, I still forgot to eat, just like she predicted I would. Mentally, I chastise myself because I know better. It’s absolutely crucial for the Undead to keep a healthy diet of human blood at all times. Grabbing a bottle out of the fridge, my fangs snap out in excitement, more confirmation I need to eat, and I down a bottle of blood.
Turning, I find Mom standing behind me. She was completely silent in her approach, and I try to not let her see how much that unnerves me. She’s smaller in stature than me, if that was even possible, with the same olive complexion. Except, where I’m dressed, she’s still in her sweats, and it looks like she hasn’t showered in three days. Smells like it too.
Pressing my lips together, I try to remain calm, because I know how delicate she’s become, yet I can’t help but feel a bit frustrated with having to become the parent in this scenario. Mom glares at me, a glimmer of the leader she once was with her voice harsh. “Why did I just get a resignation from Amelia? She was our top earning waitress. Did you have something to do with this?”
Startled by the news, I grab another bottle of blood from the fridge and hand it to her. I don’t even bother asking her if she’s hungry, or when she last ate, and when she downs the bottle’s contents, I know I was right. Turning to grab myself one of the pre-made sandwiches we keep on hand, I try to change the subject, but she beats me to it .
“Also, Ryder called. He’s got some great candidates at the Human Faction for you to inspect if you’ve given the marriage any further thought?” Placing my hand on my hip with my sandwich in the other hand, I try not to let my irritation take over. “Mom, seriously, we have other more important things to worry about. Lexie’s dead.”
Mom’s body automatically tenses, and she drops her bottle of empty blood. The plastic clangs against the tiles amongst the silence of my statement, and her eyes go wide. Belatedly, I realized I could have handled this with way more finesse, and I prepare myself for the potential fallout.
Bracing myself, I expect some type of outburst from Mom, but she says nothing. Instead, she turns and goes to the sofa and grabs the remote and puts on some trash TV show as she plops on the couch. Counting to ten in my head, I remind myself that losing my temper won’t help me. I bend down and grab the bottle of empty blood and put it in the sink while I wipe away the blood marks it left behind. Walking towards the couch where Mom is, I spare a moment for Dad’s shrine. It’s a beautiful onyx carving with candles, his image, and a few precious stones and flowers when we have the time to switch out the dead ones.
Dad wasn’t Undead like we are, so technically he didn’t need the shrine. But he honored our ways as if he was one, so it feels disrespectful to his memory to not give him this. Sometimes, I imagine what he would do in moments like this, and I know he would choose compassion. He would say, “Luca, my sweetheart, be kind to your mother. She’s still sad and misses me.”
Or maybe he would say something like, “This reminds her too much of how she found me when I was murdered. Be gentle with how you approach this topic. ”
One of the Undead thought it would be a way to weaken our family, so they targeted Dad. While we dealt out our form of justice, Mom still hasn’t been able to move on. Who would have thought that a little old human would tame the fierce Gabriela De Greer and end up breaking her when he left way before his time? Digging deep, I walk over to my mom and grab the remote from her, putting the TV on mute.
“Mom, I need you to take this seriously. The Undead can’t get caught in the crossfire of Eric’s revenge schemes. We need a plan.” She stares at the quiet TV and says nothing, so I try my plea from another angle.
“Please Mom. I haven’t forgotten about our deal. I will further our line and expand our family when the time comes, but I need your help. Jude always told me Lexie was Eric’s favorite child, and the Druids don’t take well to being made to look weak. There is going to be violence, and even if I’m Jude’s best friend, it won’t mean I get special treatment.”
Mom looks at me, searching for something in my face before she responds. I don’t know why, but her eyes seem clearer than they have been in a while as does her voice when she speaks.
“How long has it been since it happened?”
It’s an odd question, but she’s speaking and working with me, so I’ll take it. I let her know I’m not sure, but I got the idea it was recent from Jude’s text. Mom goes silent again before she responds. “What do you need me to do? I’m sorry Luca, I haven’t been present for you since your father…I am going to try harder, I promise.”