Ghost Light

Chapter 14

I sighed and pressed the doorbell. It was beginning to look less and less like vampires were involved in the kidnappings, but I hadn’t ruled them out. I could get the measure of them inside their lair. But most of all, I was here to follow up on the priest’s theory. If The Piper was using some demon instrument that raised the dead, then the vamps, experts on animating the dead, may have some insights.

I tapped my foot and pressed the doorbell, again. I lifted my gloved hand to knock and nearly fell as the heavy door swung inward.

I’d been expecting Stinky, the vamp boss’s rotting ghoul servant, but instead the door was held open by a tall vampire in a tailored suit. The vampire was bent slightly at the waist, arm outstretched. I didn’t like having strange vamps at my back, but it would be rude to insist he walk ahead of us. I angled my body to keep one eye on the bowing vamp as I stepped inside. The vampire straightened as we walked past, but froze when he raised his eyes to mine.

It was the vamp from the waterfront, the one I pissed off the night of the each uisge attack. I hadn’t made myself a friend in that brief meeting. The vampire had come to tell me that the council of dusty leeches was mad at me for making a bargain with The Green Lady without consulting them during the course of the battle.

He had tried to stop me, giving the message that he, “was sent to voice the displeasure of the council.” Big whoop, I couldn’t have cared less. The vamp had shown up while deadly water fae were attacking the harbor. I had more pressing things to worry about than a disgruntled vamp; I had a friend to find and a city to save.

It’s unwise to offend a vampire, but in my defense, I didn’t think I’d survive the night. I said something insulting and rushed past, leaving him to stand there like a fool. The vamp never had a chance to deliver the full message from the council. That probably hadn’t endeared him to his masters.

The vamp took a step toward me and hissed. He hadn’t forgotten my rudeness. The angry vampire fought to hold his pretty boy glamour, but I could have seen through his magic even if he wasn’t upset. His true form—a dried, corpsified husk with fangs—frowned and flexed his claws.

Oh yeah, I’d accomplished what I did best. I’d created an enemy.

I took a deep breath and calmed my racing heartbeat. The vamp was already licking his parchment-like lips, hunger awakened by his fury. It wouldn’t help matters if I rang the dinner bell. Letting my heart race was like holding up a flashing sign saying, “eat me.”

The vampire was sizing me up for dinner, but I didn’t run away. I slowed my pulse with another deep breath and stepped forward, into his personal space. That was the first rule of dealing with vamps; never show fear.

“I never did catch your name,” I said.

“Gerald,” he said.

He spat the name through lengthening fangs and I nodded, sizing him up.

“So, Gerald, you’re really coming up in the world,” I said. A wry smile tugged at my lips. “Who’d you piss off to get knocked down from courier to doorman?”

Okay, I shouldn’t toy with someone who could snap me like kindling with his bare hands, but I liked busting this guy’s chops. Watching the vamp squirm helped me forget my own problems.

Gerald stood vamp still. The problem with vampires was that the combination of their failed humanity and immortal un-death made them emotionally reactive, but on a totally different timeframe from humans. Vamps like Gerald tended to fluster easily and ruminate for days on how to respond. By the time he decided on a witty comeback, I’d be long gone.

Playing with Gerald was fun, but I was in a hurry. We needed to question the vampire master of the city and save the children before the church grim’s premonition came true.

I turned and walked down the sloping tunnel cut deep into the bedrock of Joysen Hill. It felt like the narrow, rib-vault hallway was swallowing us whole. I tried not to stare at the ceiling and the tons of Harborsmouth real estate over our heads.

Ceff lengthened his stride, coming up beside me. He flashed a smile and shook his head.

“You have a strange way of asking favors,” he said.

I smiled and flipped my hair.

“It’s a gift,” I said.

Ceff chuckled and I warmed all over.

A blur flashed past and Gerald appeared in the hall below us, ruining the mood. The vampire cleared his throat, a dry hacking sound like a zombified cat coughing up a fur ball, and waved us forward with the flick of his wrist.

“This way,” he said.

Ceff started down the tunnel and I followed. He was wearing his favorite pair of jeans that hugged his butt perfectly. I let him walk ahead of me, no longer concerned about the bone crushing stone overhead or the pissed off vamp below.

Ogling a guy’s butt? Trust me. It was better than speculating about the dark red stains on the walls. My skin flushed, tension melting away. I could get used to working cases with Ceff.

I nearly stumbled into Ceff when we came to an abrupt stop. We were at the doors to the vampire assembly room. Gerald stood stiffly before us, waiting for our request.

“Ivy Granger and Ceffyl Dŵr to see the master of the city,” I said.

Gerald smirked and gestured to a small alcove which contained the world’s most uncomfortable chair. There was no way I was sitting on that contraption again.

“I’ll stand, thanks,” I said. “We’re in a hurry.”

Gerald approached the door, but didn’t go inside to announce our arrival. Instead he stood perfectly still, his entire body going rigid, head tilted at an uncomfortable angle. A slight breeze from the wards on the council chamber doors lifted tufts of dry hair that lay in patches on his head, but the vamp didn’t twitch.

Oh, right, telepathy. Apparently the vampire servant didn’t need to go inside to communicate our request for an audience. I discovered on my last visit that the master of the city and members of the vampire council had the ability to speak to one another telepathically. I hadn’t been sure if young vamps had the skill, but Gerald had the entranced look the old vamps had exhibited when using their minds to converse.

I bit my lip, hoping the master of the city was in his chambers and willing to see me again. The Boss, and his vampire cronies, had ended our last meeting with veiled threats. I reached inside my jacket, gripped the lighter in my pocket, and checked the stakes at my back.

I hoped I wouldn’t need my weapons, but I came prepared. Just in case.