Page 4 of Salvation
Again, Lilith shrugged, as if it meant nothing to her. “I didn’t count, but a few vampires and humans are living there.”
“Oh, my fucking god! I can’t believe you––” She paused when she again sensed the vampires, but this time they moved quickly. And what the hell was that racket? She turned to Lilith. “I’m following them and getting some distance from you.”
“But––”
Aurora cut her off. “I just need some time.” She was super pissed at her friend right now, but she still owed Lilith her life. Before the demon could protest, she took off at a run in the direction the two vampires went. Her mouth suddenly went dry as the aroma of rosemary and mint filled the air. Her fangs descended, and a warm liquid sensation pooled in her lower belly. She wanted more than just a taste; her nipples hardened, and her sex pulsated intensely, as if it had been days since she'd experienced pleasure.
Damn this vampire business. She couldn't afford to simply walk up and introduce herself. She had zero knowledge of vampire etiquette, if there even was such a thing. The smart thing would be to scout out their place. If there were really humans, then she should have no problem scenting them and the thought of a little blood delighted her. She just needed to take care and stay far enough away that the other vampires didn’t sense her until she had a grip on the situation. Lilith had warned her that vampires tended to be territorial, so if the ones she followed were keeping a nest of humans for food, they were not likely to want to share.
As she approached the hotel, her steps faltered, and she slowed her pace. Across the street was a library she had visited many times in the past when life felt heavy, and it seemed like the world outside hadn’t changed. She remembered curling up in a scarlet chair nestled in the corner, flipping through book after book, trying to ignore the feeling of loneliness. She had not been to the library in several weeks, so the vampires must have moved in during that time, as Lilith had stated. Sliding into the building, she detected a lone human on the ground floor. Well, wasn’t this her lucky night? Using her stealth and speed, she located the human who happened to be a young female sitting in a chair, reading by the light of a lantern. If she had to guess, she would peg the girl to be in her mid-twenties. Easy enough for Aurora to control her mind and maybe gather intel on the vampires.
She slipped next to her intended prey and touched her on the arm. The girl looked up at her but didn’t seem startled as she worked her vampire magic.
“What’s your name?”
“Luna.”
She raked her gaze down Luna’s body and noticed the small bump. She also realized she felt a second presence, but this one wasn’t fully developed. “You are with child?”
“Yes.” The girl placed a hand on her bump.
“How delightful. So much for a snack.” She would not take blood from this one. Luna needed all of it if she was going to carry this child to term. What an awful time to procreate. “Can you tell me about the vampires across the street?”
“What do you want to know?”
“How many?”
“I think about seventy-five vampires.”
Aurora took a step back. “Jesus.” She had not expected that kind of number.
“And how many humans?”
“A hundred women and a little over two-hundred men. Human men, that is.”
“Holy fuck. Why are you here? Are you being kept by the vampires?”
The girl frowned. “Being kept? No. We are a community trying to reach the others.”
“Survivors?”
She nodded. “Yes, the other primordial vampires, Decker and Ryder, have made a home in Kentucky. They are building a new world there and we are trying to make our way, but it’s not been easy.”
Aurora tried to absorb all the information. There were others? “What do you mean by primordial?”
“There are four men who were the first to be turned. They have been tasked with helping humanity survive.” She rubbed her belly. “I’m the first to get pregnant by a vampire.”
This girl was a fucking jackpot of information. There were so many questions she wanted to ask but dared not stay too long for fear of getting caught. “Do you have one of the primordial vampires leading you?”
“Yes. Wolfe.”
“I see. Do you suppose this Wolfe would welcome me?”
Luna tipped her head. “Why wouldn’t he? There are so few women compared to the number of men we have.”
That reminder gave Aurora pause, and she wondered exactly how the women were treated, considering the ratio.
“Women are safe if you’re concerned about that. No means no, but we are required to feed the vampires. All the humans are, and we hope that eventually relationships will be formed, and children born.”
