Page 19 of The Bloody Ruin Asylum & Taproom (Sam Quinn #7)

Fourteen

Let the Undead Smack Down Begin!

“So, who are these anti-Guild people, and are they causing real problems or just taking the edge off their boredom by complaining?” I asked.

“There is a contingent of my kind,” Clive began, “that misses feasting on entire villages.”

“Good times,” I deadpanned. “Wasn’t that also when vampire hunting was a valid career choice?”

“Indeed,” he said. “They want the Guild to loosen up their restrictions.”

“It’s not just feeding,” Cadmael said. “They want a place in politics so that laws can be changed and created to benefit us.”

“There aren’t already vampires in politics?” I asked. “That’s surprising.”

Clive led me over to a stone outcropping. “Sit down. Rest your leg. And, no. Do you know of any politicians who only campaign at night? Be a bit suspicious.”

Laughing, I sat. “Good point.”

“We work behind the scenes, influencing those in power,” Cadmael continued.

“Okay,” I said, “but those are usually the ones with the real power. And they don’t have to shake hands at a county fair at midday in June.”

“Which is why they’re still grumbling and not acting,” Clive said.

“They’ve progressed past complaining,” Cadmael informed him.

Glancing at Vlad, he added, “We understand why you had to kill Garyn and her people. The problem is that it’s created a vacuum in our power structure.

For all her faults, Garyn firmly believed we had to remain hidden from the human world.

Given how she kept all her children in line, they agreed with her. ”

“Most of the vampires you handed their final death,” Vlad said, “were Masters. We have positions in the Guild to fill, but more important are all the City Master positions that are vacant. Into that vacuum, there are a flood of vampires who are sick of hiding in the shadows. It’s not just politics.

They want humans to know and fear them.”

Clive and I were silent for a moment and then I blurted out, “Are they undead idiots? Have they seen how humans deal with the things they fear? Jeez, if you want the military in every country around the world working together, just announce that vampires are real and they want to be in charge.”

“I must admit,” Clive said, “that shocks me, much like what we just witnessed in the meeting room shocked me. Is this contingent behind the abduction and murder of humans for entertainment? This isn’t the Dark Ages.

There are eight billion humans on this planet and the vast majority have smart phones that link them with the internet and social media.

In that heightened hysteria over the existence of vampires, how long would it take for a video to be posted of a dark streak across the asylum property with a door opening and slamming before hunters, armed with the latest weapons, break in, kill us during the day, and then blow up the building in case they missed anyone? ”

“There’s going to be an app within an hour of the announcement,” I said, “to share nocturne locations and advice on killing you guys. Video tutorials will turn everyone into weekend vampire hunters. They can’t be that arrogant, that shortsighted.”

“They can and are,” Cadmael replied.

“You guys kill each other for being crazy and possibly breaking the secrecy rule,” I said. “Can’t you do the same for stupidity?”

“Again, can and do,” Vlad said. “The problem with whisper campaigns is knowing whether people are just talking or if they’re actually trying to recruit others.

We need our people to respect and abide by the Guild’s dictates, so we can’t exterminate without reason, not unless we want to drive more to their cause. ”

The vampires considered the problem silently.

I let them. I was more concerned about the attempt on Clive’s life.

“Sorry, but back to the poisoning. Are we thinking one of these disgruntled, I-miss-raping-and-pillaging vamps had his Renfield give Clive the poison? Because if so, I have a candidate to suggest.”

“Vamp, Renfield? Why does she talk like this?” Cadmael asked.

“She’s right here,” I said, “and Vamp-ire. That one’s pretty obvious.”

“And Renfield was that hideous, scurrying human in that book about me,” Vlad said.

“You didn’t come off well in that book, did you?” Clive smirked.

“Don’t make me make your beautiful wife a widow,” Vlad replied. “In answer to your question, though, it’s possible. It’s also possible that one of the candidates competing for the Counselor position decided to take out the strongest opponent.”

I elbowed Clive. “He thinks you’re the best one,” I whispered.

Grinning, Clive fished his buzzing phone from his pocket and checked the screen. “Gentlemen, it seems I’m being paged.” He looked between Vlad and Cadmael. “Thank you for sharing this information with us. I will listen more carefully and prod where I can. If I learn anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Wait,” Vlad said to me. “You didn’t say. Who do you think poisoned your mate?”

I glanced at Clive, who didn’t seem concerned with my sharing info.

“Thomas. The first night we arrived, he went straight for Clive with murder in his eyes. When Sebastian appeared, Thomas disappeared. I saw him again tonight. I pulled a woman from his grip, and he looked as though his mind was racing with all the different ways he wanted to hurt me.”

“Interesting,” Cadmael said. “Thomas was the one who approached me, concerned about rumblings he’s been hearing.”

“What happened tonight, that had to be okayed high up, right?” I asked “I mean, this is apparently a pattern, as Sebastian talked about protocols. How long have they been telling all the rest of the vamps that secrecy is paramount and then stealing humans for snacks whenever they feel like it?”

Vlad and Cadmael shared a look. Vlad said, “Neither of us come here often. He came for Clive and I came to see you.” He shook his head. “I have no idea when this became a practice. I will say, though, that Sebastian is not acting like himself.”

Cadmael nodded. “We should have changed Guild Masters by now. When I asked about it, others seemed to want Sebastian to stay. As I didn’t want the job, I let it go. Clearly, I shouldn’t have. There’s something going on here beyond reenacting gatherings from the Middle Ages.”

Maybe it was because memories of Garyn were still fresh in my head, but I asked, “Is there anyone here—besides maybe Cadmael—who has the ability to possess, for want of a better word, another vampire?”

The men were quiet, thinking.

“You all say Sebastian has changed. Do they want him in charge because someone is controlling him and therefore getting what they want while staying in the shadows?”

The silence felt heavy.

“My head hurts,” I said. “I feel like we’re in Clue. It was Professor Bitey, in the lounge, with the poisoned cup. And possibly the Jedi mind tricks.”

“Again,” Cadmael grumbled, “what is she talking about?”

Grinning, Clive pulled me toward the door, ignoring Cadmael.

“Isn’t it super suspicious if we all walk out of this tunnel together?” I asked.

“Do you know how I can move so fast you can’t see me?” Clive asked.

“Sure.”

“They can too,” he said.

Clive opened the huge, screeching metal door. We walked out, closed it, and continued down the hall.

Did they get out? I asked.

If they didn’t, it’s their own fault. Will you be okay if I meet Sebastian?

Sure. Go play with your friends. I’m going to try to sleep.

We stopped at the turn leading to our bedroom.

Sweet dreams, darling. He kissed me and all thought dribbled out my ears. There was only Clive. When we finally broke apart, his eyes were vamp black and he was walking me backward to our room. He can wait.

“No, no. You have a meeting.” If the Guild is still standing when we’re done here, I want you to be a part of it. They need you. Besides, I’ve already caused enough of a scandal tonight.

He paused, his eyes lightening to their usual stormy gray. You’re right. We’ve probably pushed it enough for one night. Fine. Sleep well, love. He gave me one more kiss and then headed back toward reception while I went to our room.

After I closed and locked the door, I put my bag on the coffee table. “Listen up,” I whispered to the ghosts I knew were lurking. “I need sleep, so you guys need to leave me alone. Megy! Okay?”

I received no response, which I took as hopeful. I went to bathroom, took down my hair, brushed my teeth, and considered whether pajamas were a good idea. I had to get changed regardless, so I decided to chance it.

Bed or couch? Why did the bed make me feel more vulnerable? I turned on the fire, turned off the lights, and lay down on the couch. Clive had said it was okay to listen in on his meeting, so that’s what I decided to do.

Closing my eyes, I searched my mind for the cold green blips that meant vampires. They were harder to see than normal. The haze of ghosts obscured them. Megy! The blips came into focus and I searched for Clive. Finding him, I squeezed into his blip.

Hello again, love. You chose a good time to visit. They’re testing our fighting skills.

Looking out through his eyes, I saw a training room with mat floors. The other two men, Oliver and Frank, were only wearing trousers. Do me a favor and look down. He did and I saw that he too was barefoot and shirtless. Nice!

Don’t make me laugh, please. They’ll think me quite mad.

The women had changed out of their dresses and were wearing tank tops and yoga pants.

Do you fight each other? Because that seems like a really good way to get rid of the competition.

No. Points are taken off for killing our opponents. We’ll be fighting a few of my kind who are known for their superior skills.

Is it a free-for-all, or do you get to watch and assess the others?

One at a time, so we, along with Guild members, can judge. He glanced around the room. Sebastian stood by a far door. Cadmael, Vlad, two men, and a woman waited along the opposite wall, not talking to each other or the applicants.

Who are the others?

The woman is Chaaya. She’s one of the Asian Counselors. The smaller man with the long dark hair is Dakila, also an Asian Counselor. The last one, the tall one with sandy-colored hair, is Henry. He’s the other Australian Counselor, along with Thomas. Those three, Vlad, and Cadmael are the judges.

But no pressure, I said. And what’s with the timing of this? They poison you and then make you fight? This is all a plot.

I’ll be fine. I’m quite extraordinary, remember?

I snorted as Sebastian opened the door beside him. A Black vampire, dressed only in dark trousers, walked in. He surveyed the five applicants and then nodded at Clive.

Noab was an Ethiopian warrior in life. He’s an excellent strategist and rarely ever loses a fight.

Does he choose who he wants to fight?

No. I’m sure that’s Sebastian’s decision. Noab and I have fought on the same side in many a battle over the years. If the choice is left to him, he won’t go against me.

“Oliver?” Sebastian said. “This is Noab. He is your opponent today. Please step onto the mat.”

Oliver did, as did Noab. Everyone else moved against walls, away from the fight.

“Begin,” Sebastian said.

Noab moved so fast, I couldn’t track him. Suddenly he was in the center of the mat and Oliver was crumpled at the base of the far wall. To his credit, Oliver stood, shaking it off, and then moved back into position.

When Noab lashed out, Oliver blocked and delivered a rib punch. Unfortunately, that triumph was short-lived. He was flipped and went facedown on the mat with Noab on his back, his hands around Oliver’s neck.

“Stop,” Sebastian said.

Noab stood and held out his hand to Oliver, who took it, shaking out his sore arm.

“That was embarrassingly fast,” Oliver said. “Thank you for not taking my head.”

Noab nodded and then moved to the wall where the judges were standing.

Frank had a smirk on his face. It was brief, but I saw it.

Sebastian opened the door again and this time a tiny Asian woman walked out.

Oh, no, Clive said. I don’t envy whoever is going up against Wei. She’s deadly and vicious with it. She’s not going to want to pull her punches.

I found myself chanting, not Clive not Clive, over and over in my head.

Don’t worry, darling. We’ve never been allies, but I know how she fights.

“Delores, you will be sparring with Wei. Please come to the center of the mat,” Sebastian said.

Like the other women, Wei wore a black tank top and yoga pants. She wore her hair in a very short pixie cut, insuring no one could get a grip on it. Her eyes were a magnetic amber brown, and her lips were hitched up in a sneer.

Delores glared at Wei and moved forward.

I like this pairing. They’re both dirty fighters. Nothing is off-limits to either of them.

Delores charged before Wei moved, but that was clearly Wei’s plan.

She stepped into Delores at the last moment, slamming an arm into Delores’ stomach, using her momentum to spin out of Delores’ reach.

Doubled over, Delores shot out a well-placed fist, breaking Wei’s knee.

Wei went down, tumbling toward Delores and pinning her with her good knee.

She grabbed Delores’ right arm and with a grunt, ripped it off Delores’ body.

“Now, now,” Sebastian said, rushing forward. “That’s enough.” He leaned over Delores as she stared at her right arm, the one she’d just picked up off the mat.

“You bitch!” she screamed. “Do you know how long it takes to regrow an arm?”

“Oh, no.” Wei made a mocking sad face, slowing getting to her feet, all her weight on her right side. “You broke my knee. You’re lucky I let you live.” She limped to the side wall to stand beside Noab.

Ava looks green.

I noticed, Clive said. I believe it’s safe to say that hand-to-hand combat is not her forte.

Ava had reared so far back from the mat, she looked as though she was trying to break through the wall to get out of the room.