DraculaVille - New York - Book One (27 page)

They exited in a dimly lit basement and Carlotta came to greet them. “You can stay here during the daylight. Come with me and I’ll show you where you can rest.”

They followed her up two flights of stairs. She led them down a hall to an opened door on the right. “Here’s a vacant room. Rest well. We will talk when the sun sets. Now I must hurry to my own sanctuary.”

It reminded Talia of a hotel room. A bed dominated the middle of the room, off to one side, a bathroom door stood ajar. A dresser and mirror occupied one wall, and a desk sat against the other.

Drake sighed and threw himself across the bed. Talia yawned and lay beside him. She should try to find a phone and call Felix or Geri, but she was physically and mentally exhausted. She’d faced her own death and witnessed the death of others. Her arms and legs ached and her feet throbbed from running in high heels for the past five days. Her confusing emotions regarding Drake only added to her mental fatigue.

He turned on his side and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close. Sooner or later, they’d have to discuss their situation and decide what to do. She couldn’t live with this roller coaster of feelings.

“Drake?”

“Hmm.” He snuggled closer.

She rested her head on his chest. His coolness soothed her battered body. “Drake, can we talk?”

“Mmm.”

She sighed. He was too far gone in his sleep to discuss anything. Her own eyelids felt weighted with heavy stones. She closed them over her burning eyes and let the oblivion of sleep wrap her in its comforting embrace.

***

“Dad! Your Majesty!” Pip bounded into their room and launched himself onto the bed.

Talia rolled out of Drake’s arms and welcomed Pip with a hug. Must be dusk already. Seemed like she’d closed her eyes a second ago.

Drake grinned and tousled the boy’s hair.

“Are you okay?” Talia studied the boy’s shining face. Joy filled her heart to see the little urchin.

“Yep, I’m fine. But Carlotta made me stay here when she went to kill Maron.” He pouted.

“I’m glad,” Drake said. He threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood. “You saved our lives, Pip. If you hadn’t gone to Carlotta and told her what happened, we’d be dead by now.”

“Wow.” Pip slapped hands to the sides of his face. “Really? I did that?”

“Yes.” Talia gave him another hug and slipped out of bed on the other side. “We’re very proud of you.”

He beamed and crossed his arms. “I suspected I was being real brave. Uncle Felix helped, too. He drove me here. Then Carlotta made him leave. She said this was a matter for vampires.” He puffed out his chest.

Talia shared a smile with Drake.

A knock on the door interrupted.

“Come in,” Drake called.

Carlotta entered appearing refreshed in a frilly white shirt and tight black leather pants, all trace of the bloody fight gone. “I hope you slept well?”

“Yes, thanks.” Talia adjusted her long black dress from the twisting it received while she’d slept.

Carlotta stared at Talia and walked closer, surprise lighting her eyes. “You’re still human.”

“Yes.” Talia glanced askance at Drake, but he looked puzzled.

“Please join me in my parlor. I’d like to talk to you.” She gestured with one hand toward the door, a cold grimness marring her features.

They followed the matron down the hall and up another flight of stairs. This level was apparently one big apartment instead of individual rooms. Carlotta’s “parlor” was an expansive living room with a black leather sectional couch and various leather chairs.

She crossed to a desk and picked up a phone. She spoke into it in a low voice, glancing at Talia. When she completed the call, she went to the panel of plate glass windows covering the far wall and flipped a switch. Metal panels lifted to reveal the sparkling skyline of New York at night.

Talia leaned beside Drake on an arm of the sofa, Pip between them.

Carlotta sank into a chair. “This is my apartment. The rest of the building holds rooms for members of my flock. This entire structure is heavily guarded and secure at all times.”

Talia wondered why the vampire matron needed to tell them this. She didn’t care how great the security was, she wanted to go home, take a bath and sleep for twelve hours.

“Impressive,” Drake said.

“The safety of my flock is my first priority. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course.” He nodded.

A man in a black suit entered carrying a tray he placed on a coffee table between them.

He picked up a covered plate and handed it to Talia along with silverware rolled in a linen napkin. She lifted the lid and breathed in the warm richness of scrambled eggs covered with cheese, bacon and a croissant. Then the server handed large silver goblets to his matron and Drake. Pip got a smaller silver cup.

Carlotta’s tongue ran over her lips as she raised the goblet of blood to her mouth. She studied Talia over the rim. When she finished, she handed the cup to the man and flicked her hand for him to leave. He gave a small bow and backed away, closing the door behind him.

“Now, we must discuss your human,” she said to Drake.

Drake shifted his eyes to Talia and set his empty cup on the table.

“In my haste to escape last night, I didn’t notice that she hadn’t been turned. I was certain Maron would’ve had her killed or turned by the time I arrived.” She tapped her nails on the chair’s arm. “Unfortunately, it’s not permitted for humans to know the location of the flock’s dwelling. It would be a threat to our security. So, we have a problem.”

He shot a glance at Talia. The bite of egg in Talia’s mouth turned to dust, just like a dead vampire.

“This is a rule I’m not willing to break. No ill will intended, but we must keep our location secret.” She gave Talia a slight smile.

Talia placed her half empty plate on the table, fear chilling her bones. Did she escape death at Maron’s hands only to perish by Carlotta’s?

“You cannot leave here as a human.” Her dark eyes glittered.

He stood, fists clenched at his side. “You don’t understand.”

“What am I missing?” Carlotta frowned.

“Talia and I are…
armantor
.” A muscle jumped in his jaw.

Pip’s fingers crept over Talia’s thigh and found her hand. She took them and gently squeezed. She couldn’t bear to look at him. He was afraid for her and it touched her heart.

One of Carlotta’s brows jumped up. “So, that’s why Maron allowed you to live.” She crossed her legs and bit one of her long red nails as she studied Talia. “This is a very unusual situation.”

After several tense seconds, she shot to her feet. She strode to the door, opened it and called, “Bring me the elders.”

She returned to her chair and motioned for Drake to resume his seat. “We will let the elders decide what’s right to do. I’ve never heard of vampire and human
armantors
.”

Drake draped a hand over the boy’s hand resting on hers. She hoped Drake wasn’t going to be put in the position of protecting her. He wouldn’t hesitate, and Carlotta would kill them both.

After a couple minutes, Gosen and another male vampire were ushered into the room. The other elder was younger looking than Gosen but she had learned that meant nothing in the world of vampires. Gosen sent her a smile and inclined his head.

“Elder Julian, Elder Gosen, I have need of your knowledge and judgment.” Carlotta stood and gestured to Drake and Talia. “These two say they are
armantor
. I have never heard of such a thing. I have to decide if she’s allowed to leave as a human or must die the little death. What say you?”

The
little
death. How quaint. Talia bit her lip. Any death was big as far as she was concerned. Stupid vampires.

Gosen glanced at her, an appraising look on his face.

Julian raised his hands palms up. “I’ve never had experience or read of such a thing either, Matron. I’m sorry.”

“Gosen, your knowledge of vampire traditions is legendary. Have you heard of human and vampire
armantors
?” Carlotta turned to the older elder.

Talia’s heart seemed to stop.

He pursed his lips. “Yes, Matron. I have. It is exceedingly rare.” Gosen crossed his arms. “Maron had me test them. They are, indeed,
armantor
.”

“What do I do about the rule that states a human cannot know the location of a flock’s dwelling?” Uncertainty marked Carlotta’s features. She glanced between Talia and Drake, her forefinger resting on her lips.

Gosen glanced between Drake and Talia, then turned to his matron. “She may leave as a human on one condition.”

Talia held her breath.

“Tell me,” Carlotta said.

Drake’s fingers dug into Talia’s. Pip let out a squeak.

“They must vow that she will eventually be turned. This is the righteous promise, a blood oath that cannot be broken. In this sense, she is vampire in spirit until she is made vampire in fact.”

Drake’s gaze sought and held Talia’s. She swallowed a lump in her throat and let out a long breath. She’d vow anything to get out of there. How long could she stay human? Her pulse slowed, but Drake’s grip on her hand didn’t loosen.

He came to his feet and dragged Pip and Talia with him. “Then we may go?”

Carlotta tilted her head and glanced sideways at Gosen. The elder’s expression remained calm and certain. Her creased brow smoothed after a second.

“Very well. The elder has said it, so it must be.” She crossed to stand in front of Talia and Drake. “You must make the vow. Do you both pledge on your honor that you take the blood oath to consummate the sanctity of the vampire turning and become vampire
armantor
in fact?”

“Yes,” Talia said quickly. She feared Drake would refuse. “I vow to accept the turning in the future and become full
armantor
with Drake.”

Drake?” Carlotta looked at him.

His jaw worked. He glanced at Talia. She gave him a small nod of encouragement. Sweat formed on her palms and a trickle ran down her neck. Why did he hesitate?

“Yes, I accept,” he said between stiff lips. “I vow to turn Talia in the future and become full
armantor
with her.”

Talia let out a deep breath. Her shoulders drooped in relief.

Carlotta raised her arms out. “As matron, I consecrate this vow. It is unbreakable. To break it means death.”

“May we go now?” Drake whispered, placing a hand on her back.

The matron dropped her arms and gestured to the door. “You’re free to go. But remember, I’ll be keeping an eye on you, and I’ll not wait forever for this vow to be finished. Any hint that the human has revealed our location and you both die.”

He started for the door, Talia and Pip in tow, and Gosen met them halfway. He extended a hand and shook Drake’s. Then he embraced Talia. She stifled a gasp of surprise.

When he pressed his cheek against hers, he whispered, “The debt is paid.”

She gave him a shaky smile after he released her.

He returned her smile. “Stay well, Talia. We will meet again, I feel certain.”

One of Carlotta’s men led them to the basement where they’d entered the building that morning. The vampire unlocked a heavy metal door and opened it.

“You may leave,” he said motioning them through, face impassive.

She gave Pip a nudge and hurried past. The door banged shut behind them, the click of the lock announced they were once again on their own.

They emerged into darkness on the sidewalk beside what appeared to be a normal apartment building with iron bars over the windows. But now she knew it was the heavily guarded fortress of Carlotta’s flock—a secret that now hung over her with a death sentence.

Talia shivered as cold hit her, and she crossed her arms over her chest. Drake removed his coat and held it so she could slip her arms in the sleeves. Her breath came in puffs of white.

“Let’s get out of here.” She took Drake and Pip’s hands in hers and started down the street, toward a busier intersection a couple blocks away.

“Were they going to kill you, Your Majesty?” Pip said in a small voice.

“Don’t worry about it. Everything’s fine.” She glanced, at his anxious pale face. Damn Carlotta for scaring him. “And, Pip?”

“Yes?”

“Call me Mom, okay?”

A grin spread over his face. “Okay, Mom.” He skipped along, humming a happy tune.

Drake gazed at her over the boy’s head. “We’re free, but this interlude in vampire hell has destroyed the chance of making the Draculaville project succeed. I’m sorry. I know how much it meant to you. Seems like we’ll both be out of jobs.”

She grimaced. Her elation at escaping Carlotta evaporated. Some jerk was going to take her fantastic idea and make a bunch of money. Not to mention that Drake’s bright future as spokesperson was down the drain. Damn it. Why did all this have to happen in the middle of a deadline?

“Tal?”

“I know, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Her feet hurt, her head pounded and she felt like she could eat an elephant. All she wanted was to be back in her apartment, kick off her shoes and eat a huge calorie laden meal. Maybe tomorrow she could face the shambles of her life.

Chapter 31

Talia led the way out of their cab and entered her apartment building lobby.

“Masquerade party.” She waved to Pete, who frowned and stared at them as they made their way to the elevator. After the doors closed, she said, “Whew.”

“You’re not kidding.” Drake leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. “I can’t believe we’re here.”

“It’s good to be home. Right, Dad?” Pip took his hand.

“Yes, it is.” He looked down and winked at him.

At her apartment, Talia stuck her hand in the door’s decorative wreath and extracted a hidden key. She held it up. “For emergencies.”

She opened the door, surprised to see the lights on.

Felix came running from the living room, his eyes round. “Boss, is that you?” He grabbed her around the waist and swung her in a circle.

“Put me down, you lunatic.” She had to laugh at his exuberance. Who knew he cared about her so much? It made her heart lighter.