Page 22 of Incandescence

Maya

I looked around the lobby of the apartment building where I’d been taken against my will.

I brushed a hand down my faded shirt, decidedly drab and ugly compared to the women strutting past in high heels and power suits.

The ground floor didn’t just feature a restaurant—there was a real estate and building society too.

Guess I’d been a bit brainwashed to have noticed when I’d been ushered through the lobby and into the elevator.

I could only imagine how things must have changed in the years Alexander had been kept here. Many of the people who’d once lived and worked here forty-six years ago would now be dead.

I turned to Alexander. I couldn’t even try to conceive how he must be feeling. But his stride didn’t falter as he headed toward the elevator, Newry following right behind.

No one took notice of us as we stepped into the elevator and pressed the button that’d take us to the top floor. It was almost as though we didn’t exist, or, more tellingly, the penthouse suite that was the nest didn’t exist.

The elevator slowed to a smooth stop and its doors slid apart. My pulse beat loudly in my ears, my palms clammy. Alexander stepped out, his spine straight and his jaw tight. “Let’s get this over with.”

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

Alexander didn’t once hesitate, until we got to the door of the vampire’s former chambers. He paused, sucked in a breath, then swung open the door before he stepped into the room.

My nose wrinkled. Already there was a pervasive musty scent, as though the vampire had died half a century before, not less than twenty-four hours ago.

Newry stepped purposefully toward the bookshelves before he slid a huge volume free. The red cover was dulled with age, but the doctor easily read its title. “History of an Alien Species.” He chose another. “The Truth behind the Myth.”

Alexander took down a different volume, his lip curling with distaste as he read its title. “Grooming a Donor.”

I drew one off the shelf. “Finding Your Blood Source (and Keeping It).”

I sank onto the pallet, queasy. “Those books make us sound no better than cattle. They could be a farmer’s manual.”

The doctor was scanning the inside of one of the huge books. “According to this history book, vampires are an alien species who came to Earth for its bountiful food supply.” He looked up. “I’m guessing they’re not talking about our orchards and corn fields.”

My heart twisted in my chest. “So there are more of them?”

“Enough to write these books,” the doctor murmured, before he continued to read for some minutes. He shook his head. “From what I gather, they’re a dying breed. Something about our atmosphere makes them impotent, so they’re unable to procreate.”

At least now I fully understood why the vampire had never tried anything other than to drink from my throat.

It was obvious these blood-sucking aliens weren’t meant to be a part of our world, and I thanked Mother Nature for that mercy at least. It must have been hell for the vampire to want to recall the pleasure of lovemaking.

Alexander pulled free a smaller volume. He scanned through the chapters until he found what he’d been looking for.

“This volume suggests vampires either took their own lives after decades of feeding from humans, or returned to their own planet to take their chances with a dwindling food source.” He looked up.

“It would seem our vampire is now only one of a handful of vampires left on the planet.”

The doctor clucked his tongue at some scientific textbook he was reading through. “A pity those few who are left on this planet are able to communicate telepathically.”

My belly did a slow roll. “So you’re saying, whatever the vampire was thinking, he relayed it to others of his kind who live on Earth?”

“It would seem that way, yes.”

“Shit.” I squeezed my eyes closed. “Then we have no choice but to leave here as soon as possible. Evade any vampire who might decide on retaliation and slay the people who killed one of their own.”

Alexander studied some more text, too intent on learning what he could before we had to leave.

“Drinking enough of the aliens’ blood will make their donors powerful and turn them immortal.

But the immortal human will never take on alien characteristics.

In fact, a small amount of blood keeps the donors addicted and alive, but doesn’t give them more than token strength.

” He looked up. “It doesn’t give donors enough strength to fight back. ”

My body tensed. “Not to mention keeping us starved and in enough pain that we’d be too preoccupied to think of anything else.”

The doctor stroked his chin. “You know, if those aliens have a hive mind, they won’t waste your donor blood. They’ll arrive here not to kill you, but to claim you.” He sighed. “It looks like you two will have to leave either way, and I won’t be having you as guests in my house for much longer.”

“Come with us, then.” I was already attached to the feisty old man.

He shook his head. “No, I’m too ancient for that sort of excitement.”

Alexander looked up from the book he was speed reading, and gave Newry a considered stare. “Then drink some of my blood. I might only have scratched the surface of this book, but I already know that my blood is only slightly diluted of vampire power. It will give you many more years of life.”

Newry smiled at Alexander. “The offer is a kind one, but no. I’ve had enough of this world. I’m ready to leave behind the daughter who doesn’t need me to meet my daughter waiting for me in the afterlife. Until that time, I have more research to do with these books.”

“If the vampires come while you’re here?” I asked, sick at the thought.

He dug into his pocket and held a lighter aloft. “Then I’ll ensure this entire level will be gutted by fire.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Alexander nodded. “We’ll never be able to repay you.”

Newry shook his head and stared hard at Alexander. “I believe you were there for my daughter, whether you’re willing to admit it to yourself or not. It comforts me to realize that much, at least.”

I faced Alexander. He exhaled carefully, then nodded at the doctor and said, “We’ll find a way to keep in touch.

” As he took my hand and we turned to head out of the chamber door, he stilled, focused on the doctor and added, “If you uncover whether two donors who’ve ingested vampire blood can have children, I’d be grateful to know. ”

The doctor nodded, and said brusquely, “I’ll do my best to find out. Just...take care of yourself, and of this wonderful woman you’ve found.” His smile warmed his craggy face. “And never forget that sometimes fate drags us through the worst trials and tribulations to get to the biggest prize.”

I released Alexander’s hand and stepped toward the doctor, hugging him before I whispered, “Say hello to Nancy for me.” I pulled back, ignoring the doctor’s watery eyes to kiss him on his leathery cheek. “Goodbye, Doctor Newry.”

I turned to Alexander. He took a final look around the nest, as though he was trying to exorcise his fears so that he could leave them at the door on the way out.

“Are you ready?” I asked gently. After all this was over, I owed Jasper a big, juicy bone.

If we couldn’t have children, we’d have Jasper, at least.

He turned to me, his eyes losing their vacant look as he focused on me. He inhaled then said huskily, “I’m ready.”

I reclaimed his hand and, as we walked to the elevator and stepped inside, he faced away from the nest and stared at me as if I was the only thing that existed... The only thing that mattered. “I love you,” he said hoarsely.

I smiled. “And I love you too.” I squeezed his hand. “We’re in this together. For always.”

Want more paranormal/science fiction stories by Mel Teshco...?

His Asset

My name is a number, or at least it had always been that way until Adam, my master, brings me to his home and calls me Bella.

He almost makes me feel human—almost—but I’m as much animal as I am person, a travesty to nature according to the vile scientists who created me.

That Adam also makes me feel desired, a woman he wants as his own, sends me into a tailspin I can’t control.

But then, I distrust everyone, especially men.

I plan my escape, making use of my untried wings to get away.

I’m exhausted when I land in a grungy part of a strange city.

When a feral gang of men try to overpower me and have their wicked way, I use my powers to overthrow them, but ultimately it’s a stranger, a street-toughened man named Reuben, who saves me.

I willingly stay with him. He’s known as Chief in the underground fighting world, where he battles against other hardened men for glory and cash prizes. But behind closed doors he shows me his tender side, and he makes me feel again, filling some of the void Adam left in my heart.

Or so I thought.

It isn’t until I’m captured again by Adam that I question everything I’ve resisted. How can I want to be with this brilliant man of science even as I want to be with a man who rules the streets?

Which of them should I trust? Who do I love?

I guess I’m about to find out.