Once Upon a Vampire by Mari Mancusi
Logan.
He looked down, taking one moment to assess the scene. Then he grabbed the vampire, ripping him off of me. Blood splattered onto the pavement and onto my dress, but I barely noticed as I watched Logan slam the vampire against the wall. The creature snarled at him, revealing his fangs, still dripping with my blood. But Logan held him by the neck, his eyes flashing fire and his own fangs bared.
He turned to me. “Run, Hannah. Get to the limo. Quickly!”
I did my best to nod, to let him know I understood. I couldn’t even speak at this point, it felt like too much effort and I felt too weak to do much more than crawl. My mind was spinning, my head aching, but I forced myself to focus on the task in front of me. To get to the limo. To get away.
At last I managed to rise to my feet, using the wall for support. Behind me I could still hear the two vampires fighting, but I forced myself not to turn around. Instead, I limped toward the exit, focusing on freedom shining from a street lamp—literally the light at the end of a tunnel.
I almost made it. But then something compelled me to turn around. To see how the fight was going. If Logan had beaten the other vampire yet. To my dismay I saw just the opposite. The vampire had Logan on the ground and was slamming his beautiful face in with his fist.
Shit.
I bit my lower lip, my mind racing with fear. If he killed Logan—or even knocked him out—he’d be coming after me next. He’d finish me off for good.
I should run. I should get into the limo before that happened. Speed away.
But then... Logan had saved my life. How could I just turn my back on him. Let him die. That would be selfish. Cruel. Though, on the other hand, what could I possibly do to help? Little old me was not going to even make a dent in Big Vampire Baddie.
Unless…
Suddenly, an idea struck me like a jolt of lightning. The rosary beads! The ones the fan had given me at my last signing. Darla had put them in my purse. They were probably still there. Could they help somehow? They always seemed to work in the movies…
I made the decision before I even realized I was making it. Reaching into my bag, I grabbed the beads in my fist. Then, channeling all my remaining strength I rushed at the two vampires. Logan was still on the ground and the other vampire was trying to slash his neck with his fangs. Thankfully he was so engrossed in doing so he didn’t see me.
“Take that, you asshole!” I cried, pressing the cross against his left cheek.
“ARRRRR!”
The vampire howled, jerking his head. I watched in fascinated horror as his skin seemed to sizzle where the cross had touched it. His flesh burning up. His hands dropped from Logan’s neck and flew to his face.
Which was all the advantage Logan needed. He flipped the man over, grabbing an abandoned piece of rebar in his hand. He raised it up, then let it come down. Staking the vampire through the heart.
The vampire burst into a pile of dust. Like literally exploded before my eyes. Just like in the movies. But in real life.
I screamed, dropping to my knees again. The rosary beads slipped from my hands and fell to the ground.
“Oh my God,” I cried. “Oh my GOD!”
Logan turned to me. His face was ashen and his clothes filthy. “We need to get out of here,” he said, his voice hoarse and scratchy. “His friends won’t be far behind.”
I nodded, unable to speak. Logan stalked over to me, grabbing me and lifting me into his arms, as if I weighed nothing at all. Then, to my shock, he bent his knees, then pushed off the ground, launching us into the air. A moment later we were twenty feet off the ground. Then thirty. Then…
We were flying. Legit vampire flying.
“You know,” I said, as my head started spinning again, darkness swimming before my eyes. I snuggled against his chest, breathing in his rich, deep scent. “If you really wanted to prove the whole vampire thing you might have just led with the fact that you can fly. Just saying…”
I could feel his smile against the top of my head. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time,” he said.
“Next time?” I started to ask. “You think you’re getting a second date?”
I passed out before I could hear his answer.
8
I woke up hours later in an unfamiliar bed. For a moment I couldn’t remember what had happened; my brain felt as if it had been stuffed with cotton. My head hurt, too. A pounding, rhythmic ache. And I felt so weak and exhausted—as if I’d been hit by a truck or something. And then there was the ache at my wrist…
I shot up in bed, my eyes dropping to my arm. To the small cut, framed by large bite marks.
Fang marks.
My heart pounded in my chest as the memories of the night before flooded back to me. It felt like a nightmare, like a dream I was waking from. But the marks on my wrist told me it was all too real.
I looked around the room, wondering where I was. Where Logan had taken me. I remember him taking flight. (Taking FLIGHT!) I remembered resting my head on his chest. Breathing in his rich, dark scent. Listening for his heartbeat before remembering that, as a vampire, he wouldn’t have one. After that I must have passed out.
My first observation was that the room was empty. Logan the vampire was nowhere to be found. My second observation was of the sun, streaming through a large window. It was daylight. The time all good vampires must go to bed.
The room itself was luxurious. The bed ridiculously soft and the sheets and duvet were crisp and clean. And there were understated, elegant furnishings, like what one might find in a model home. Unlike the crimson coated Club Fang this room was done up in light blues and soft grays. About as un-vampire as you could get—if you believed the clichés.
Ugh.
I groaned, rubbing my head with my hands. So I guess I had to really go with this now. The realization that this whole vampire thing was the real deal. After all, how could I argue otherwise? I’d seen a man’s face burn after being marked by a crucifix. I watched him being staked through the heart and poofed into dust. And then there was the flying thing. That was a tough one to explain without first accepting the paranormal nature of the flyer in question.
I shook my head, trying to still my rapid heartbeat. The last thing I needed right now was to panic. I had to figure out where I was and how I would get home. How I could return to normal life and leave all this crazy behind.
I swung my feet over the side of the bed and slipped to the floor. My toes sank into the plush carpet and for a moment I just stood there, trying to steady myself. I could definitely tell I’d lost quite a bit of blood the night before.
It was then that I noticed I wasn’t wearing my old clothes. The itchy, uncomfortable long-sleeve dress I had donned the night before was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I was wearing a soft gray t-shirt that was so large it fell to my knees and a pair of plaid pajama pants. I looked around the room again, trying to locate any of my belongings, but saw nothing I recognized. Awesome.
I headed to the door, figuring maybe he’d left my stuff outside. Maybe my dress had blood on it and he threw it in the wash. It should have been dry-cleaned, of course, but I wasn’t about to quibble over dress laundering right now. Not when Logan had literally saved my life.
I at least needed to find my phone. To call Darla and let her know I was okay. After that, I could figure out the rest.
My hand wrapped around the doorknob. I tried to turn it. But it held fast. It was then that I noticed the keyhole just below.
Oh no.
Panic seized me with icy fingers. I ran to the room’s window, trying to yank it open. But it seemed to be painted shut. I looked around the room, desperate to find something that would allow me to break the glass—like you always see people in movies do when they’re trapped. But then I noticed the iron bars just outside the window. Even if I did manage to break glass, I wasn’t going anywhere.
I was trapped.
In the house of a real life vampire.
I sank down to the carpet, tea
I felt the blood pulse in my arm, desperate to be unleashed. I looked around the room again, for something I could use as a blade. I needed relief—even just a moment’s relief from the panic spiraling through me. Scrambling to my feet, I searched the room. Emptying drawers, looking under the bed. Hoping for something—anything—that might work in a pinch.
It was then that I found the note.
* * *
Dearest Hannah,
* * *
I beg your forgiveness for the night before. I never meant for any of this to happen. I only wanted to introduce you to my world. And yet instead it appears I have brought you into a nightmare.
* * *
I know you’re probably frightened, but rest assured that you are safe in this house. I am so sorry to have had to lock you in your room, but I promise you it’s for your own protection. I will be there to release you the second the sun sets tonight. That is a promise.
* * *
In the meantime, there are snacks in the mini fridge in the closet and some drinks. And I’ve left you a laptop in case you would like to use the time to write. I know you said you were under deadline and I don’t want to be the cause of you getting further behind.
* * *
Yours,
Logan
* * *
I crumpled the note in my hand and threw it across the room, anxiety and nausea welling up inside of me. At least I knew he wasn’t planning on saving me for a midnight snack, I supposed. But the thought didn’t make me feel all that much better. I was still stuck here. Still trapped. Still under the grip of a deadly creature of the night.
For a while I just sat there, staring at the wall, wondering what I should do. But eventually the overwhelming fear settled to a dull ache and I found myself less frightened and more bored. Also hungry. I scrambled to my feet and headed over to the closet to investigate the minibar situation. As promised it was filled with various snacks and sodas. I popped open a Diet Coke and took a sip. Then I grabbed a can of Pringles and sat down in front of the laptop.
I turned it on, at first holding out hope it might have some sort of Wi-Fi. But, of course, it was password protected. I tried a few half-hearted attempts at guessing the password, but eventually just signed into Microsoft Word. Judging from the position of the sun in the sky I had many hours to wait in this room. And writing was the only thing that would help pass the time.
“Okay Jonathan,” I whispered to the blank page. “Let’s do this.”
9
At first I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to write. Trapped in this strange place, my life likely literally in danger. But somehow, to my surprise, I was able to dive right in. Lose myself in the story. In fact, I wrote all afternoon and when I finally heard the knock at the door, I looked up, shocked to realize hours had passed since I sat down. The window outside was pitch black.
Night had fallen.
The knock came again. “Um, come in?” I stammered, not sure what to say. My pulse skittered at my wrist as my nerves amped up with a vengeance.
I heard a clicking sound, a key being inserted into a lock. Then the door squeaked open and Logan stepped into the room.
I drew in a breath. Logan. The vampire who had kidnapped me. Who’d kept me locked up all day. And yet looking at him now, I felt such a rush of relief. Which was crazy, right? I mean, I should be furious with the guy—and I was! I really was. But at the same time I couldn’t help this weird feeling of gratitude. He had saved my life last night. Though, to be fair, he was the one who had put it in danger to begin with.
Also, he was carrying a plate with a piece of yummy smelling pizza on it. He set it down on the desk. “I thought you might be hungry,” he said.
I looked down at the gooey cheese, sorely tempted to shove the entire thing in my mouth. Despite the snacks I was starving for real food. But in the end I managed to restrain myself. Taking the pizza would be telling Logan everything was okay. And this was definitely not okay.
“You need to let me go,” I said, rising to my feet. “Now.”
I started to the door, not waiting for his answer. But he was too quick, moving at a speed I could barely catalog with my eyes. Like one instant he was at the desk. The next he stood in front of the door, blocking my path.
Vampires, man.
“I’m sorry,” he said, to his credit looking quite contrite. “But that’s impossible.”
Anger, mixed with a healthy dose of fear, rose inside me. “You can’t just keep me here!” I protested.
“I have no choice,” he replied. “They’re out looking for us. If they find us they will take us in—or worse.”
I raked a frustrated hand through my curls, trying to keep my composure. I had no idea, of course, what he was talking about and half of me wanted to demand answers. The other half didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Didn’t want to play into all his games. I just wanted to go home. To my old life. My small, cozy apartment. My poor hungry cat.
“Look, I believe you, okay?” I said, deciding to try a different tact. “You win the bet. Vampires exist. I’m utterly convinced. And they’re nothing like the creatures in my book.” I paused, looking up to meet his eyes with my own. “So can I go now?”
He groaned. “Hannah, I’m so sorry,” he said. “I never meant for you to get hurt. I just thought it would be fun to show you my world. To freak you out a little and maybe give you a little fodder for your next book. I never thought…” he shook his head mournfully.
“Never thought what?”
He turned back to me, his eyes dark and serious. “How much do you remember about last night?” he asked. “About what happened after you ran outside the club.”
I shrugged uneasily. “I ended up in an alley. And this vampire attacked me out of nowhere.”
Not exactly out of nowhere, my mind niggled. You cut yourself. He was attracted to your blood.
But no way was I mentioning that pesky little detail to Logan.
Logan paced the room, his steps eating up the distance between walls. I looked longingly at the door, now unguarded. Should I try to make a run for it? But no, he’d catch up to me in a heartbeat.
“It’s so strange,” he muttered. “Why would he bite you?”
“Duh. Cause he’s a vampire.”
He shook his head. “Contrary to popular belief most vampires don’t just attack random people. Remember what I told you at the club? We have licensed blood donors who are well paid for their services.”
I nodded, remembering. “Maybe he was out of cash and forgot his ATM card?”
Or maybe some stupid girl went and opened up a vein for him.
Yes, I was the ultimate idiot, wasn’t I? Cutting myself outside a vampire bar, of all places. Though, to be fair, I hadn’t yet realized that vampires were a real thing.
“Anyway, he’s dead now,” I reminded Logan. “So what’s the big deal?”
Logan turned to me, his eyes flashing fire. “What’s the big deal?” he repeated. “Are you kidding me? A vampire is dead. By my own hand.”
“Oh. Right.” I pursed my lips. “I suppose you have laws about murder, too, huh?” That hadn’t actually crossed my mind.
“Very strict laws,” he said. “And when his coven finds out what we did, they will be out for blood. And if they find us, they will have every right to kill us in revenge.”
I sank down onto the bed, staring at my hands. “Oh,” was all I could manage to say. But inside my mind was racing with terror. One vampire had been bad enough. Now we were essentially on the run from an entire coven of them? Would I ever get back to my real life?
“This is a disaster,” Logan moaned. “A total disaster.”
“But couldn’t we just tell them it was self-defense?” I suggested. “I mean I was minding my own business. And he shows up and start
Logan nodded absently, still looking distressed. He ran a hand through his tousled hair and I tried and failed not to notice how the black strands fell through his long fingers. Suddenly I was back at the club, my body pressed up against his, his mouth moving against my own. Why, oh why had I gone and run away? Sure, I’d been freaked out about the whole making out with a vamp thing. But that was way less bothersome than being a fugitive, on the run from pissed off paranormal creatures of the night.
Logan groaned, dropping down into a nearby chair. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Trust me--I never meant to drag you into any of this. But now you’re a part of it, whether you like it or not. By now they’ll have reviewed the video footage from the cameras outside the club. Maybe even sent it to Slayer Inc.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Slayer what?”
“Slayer Inc.,” Logan repeated. “Basically a police force for the otherworldly creatures on this Earth. The Consortium made a deal with them a long time ago, to help us live peacefully amongst humans and other paranormal creatures. If a crime is committed—like a murder, for example—they’ll get a commission to track the perpetrator down and take him out.”
I made a face. So now I had to worry about a vampire coven and a group of Buffy wannabes? This was sounding more and more like a plot from one of my books. And not one I wanted to live in real life.
Anger rose inside of me, a desperate attempt to squash my fear. “So now what?” I demanded. “I’m supposed to just stay here, at your house, forever then?”
“No.” He shook his head. “It won’t be forever. Just until I can arrange a meeting with the Consortium House Speaker, Magnus. We’ll go to him and we’ll explain what happened. He’s said to be very fair. He’s also the former Master of the Blood Coven so we have that at least.”