Page 1 of Vampire Visions

Prologue

Novak

5 years ago

The night brought me more solace than the day. The eerie silence, the piercing darkness, it made me feel warm and at home. Twilight was the beginning of my peace. That feeling reached its pinnacle at the witching hour. Baton Rouge had wound down, her occupants tucked safely in bed, and I could finally be alone with my thoughts.

The light brought with it a certain loneliness that I couldn’t control. It cut me deep, digging its fingers into my wounded soul. I spent my days trying to avoid the responsibilities that had fallen in my lap, unwelcomed by me. Daylight dragged in monotony by the bundles. Tomorrow would be no different than next week. Today was worse because it was already happening.

I trudged toward the Coven Master’s office feeling depressed and ready to be bored out of my mind. Taking notes in another meeting with the fae was exactly how I wanted to spend my day. Hint the thick sarcasm there? The pompous bastards were so full of themselves, constantly interrupting Nathaniel just to hear their own voices echo off the walls of his office. They never had anything important to say, nor any solutions to the tension between our species.

I stopped at the halfway open door to observe the conversation before entering. Nate sat behind a grand mahogany desk littered with paperwork and picture frames. He had his elbows propped up, with his chin rested casually on his neatly folded hands, as he listened to a dark-haired male speak. He nodded his head a few times before shaking it slowly. I knocked gently on the heavy wooden door, awaiting permission to enter. He knew I was standing there, but manners were a necessary evil when in the presence of the High Coven Master of Vampyre.

“Ahh, Novak. Please come in.” He smiled keenly at me and motioned for me to step over the threshold. “I wanted you to meet our visitor from the Winter Kingdom.”

“Of course, sir.” I tried to pep up and act welcoming. “I hope you’ve been enjoying your time in Louisiana, Mr…” I extended my hand to greet the fae, but he didn’t accept. He eyed my hand like it was covered in filth, then turned his nose up.

“My name isn’t of importance,” he sneered. “I’m here on a job, and your Coven Master tells me that you know everyone.”

“Yes, Novak, please sit down, and let me explain what Mr. Colera needs from us.” Nathaniel King’s ability to remain calm and collected while also being a dick was inspiring on so many levels.

I felt Nate’s presence bump against mine as his words slid into my mind. “Do not give him anything that he asks for. Send him on a wild goose chase. Be creative or lewd, I don’t care. We have to get him out of here before he finds out that we’re harboring his fugitive.”

“What can I help you with, sir?” My excitement flowed easily with the thoughts of ensuing chaos. Wild goose chase, Nate said? Ha. No problem.

“Mr. Colera is a bounty hunter. He’s looking for a fae wanted for treason, and he believes that male is here in Baton Rouge.” He pointed his left index finger at the top of his desk. I knew he was pointing at something other than his desk, though. His fingertip was floating directly over a hidden recorder secured to the underneath of his desktop. It was his way of telling me that he was recording this meeting, and he’d be on his best behavior, but he needed me to put on a show.

“Exactly. I need someone to act as a guide between the vampires and myself. I would like to check into some places where my bounty has been spotted and ask around for any witnesses. I need to return to the Fae Realm with him in a fortnight.” Mr. Colera adjusted his tie and relaxed into his seat in front of Nate’s desk.

“And that someone is me?” I questioned him with a smile and raised eyebrows. When he started to answer I cut the bastard off. “How long is a fortnight? Like, a month?” Who the fuck talks like that anymore?

“Two weeks, and-”

“Ohh, that’s not long at all. I know a few fae around here. We could start with them.” The offer was halfway genuine. I did know a few fae, but I wouldn’t take him to see any winters, just summers. That I knew who he was looking for only served to piss me off and fuel my need to mislead him. That is why Nate had called me into the meeting.

“That won’t be necessary. He wouldn’t be hanging around with other-”

I spoke over him. “I mean, one of them is a prostitute. But, I hear she gives great blow jobs. The other night she was telling me about a new customer of hers, and I think she mentioned that he was fae. I didn’t recognize him by her description, though. Could be your guy.” I nodded my head obnoxiously, waiting for him to talk so I could cut him off again.

“I highly doubt-”

“You’re probably right,” I agreed. “She said that guy was just passing through. He asked her to join him in Brazil. Left her a plane ticket and everything.” I shrugged my shoulders and gave him an indifferent look. I knew he’d take the bait. He just needed a minute to think about it.

“Are you serious?” He leaned forward and dropped his elbows onto his knees to scrutinize me better.

“Do I look like the type of vampire that would lie to you?” I slapped my hand over my heart and put on my best pout.

“Well, yes, but-“

“No. Man, I’m telling you… Look, she even said I had to stop coming to see her. She had a bag packed on Monday when I was there. I saw the plane ticket with my own eyes.” I pointed to my eyes while making them as wide as possible. “She flew into Rio to be with your guy,” I assured him with a smug smirk.

“That’s preposterous.” He shook his head as his voice rose. “He wouldn’t-”

“Have you ever had a blow job that pulls your brain from one head to the other?” I quirked one pierced brow at Mr. Colera, daring him to say he had. “I didn’t think so. I don’t know a single male that wouldn’t want to keep her all to himself, including me,” I admitted with a tiny smile pulling at the corners of my lips. I clamped my traitorous mouth shut before I laughed out loud at him. Nate continued to sit silently at his desk, content to observe my live theater performance.

“What does she have to do with my bounty!?” Mr. Colera shouted at me as he stood and threw his hands in the air.

“Everything.” I yelled back before dropping my voice. “She’ll lead you straight to him. If you can find her, then you’ll find him.”