3 Hit the Road Jack (10 page)

I followed the men down a long,non-descript hall lined with painted portraits of distinguished vampeens. None of them stood out to me, but, then again, I wasn’t exactly caught up on my vampeen history.

Auggy and the other vamp stopped in front of a pair of solid oak double doors with a flag in a stand on either side. One I recognized as Spain’s; the other was merely navy blue with a large white symbol in the center. Auggy caught me with my head cocked sideways studying it.

“It’s the vampeen flag,” he stated.

“What does the symbol mean?”

“It’s the vampeen race’s symbol. It means vampeen when translated in any language.”

“It’ll translate the same in every language?”

“Did I stutter?” I cut my eyes at him; rolling them when he offered me an amused smile.

“But what about the languages that don’t use symbols, like Spanish?”

He pulled the flag straight out for me to study. It was then that I noticed in the right bottom side of the symbol, there was a word. “Oh.”

The vamp said something to Auggy after checking his watch. Auggy released the flag stating, “It’s time Lex. Behave. And do me a favor
,
don’t talk to them as brashly as you do us.”

“I won’t even ask you to explain that.”

“Good,” he grunted, pushing open the double doors. I stepped in behind him and abruptly stopped in awe of the sight before me.

Chapter 9

The room was large; carpeted in the highest grade cream color. A large oval table took up the center of the space. The room was highlighted by a magnificent silver and crystal chandelier. It was unique with translucent green and blue crystal droplets. The real show stopper was the back wall which was curved glass revealing the ocean and its inhabitants beyond it. I was amazed because somehow they had built the place below the city and it ran into the ocean far enough to remain
hidden and
undiscovered by the residents here.

When I finally brought my eyes back down, I
saw
a table full of vampeens all situated in their black leather chairs staring at me. “Uh, h
i
,” I waved awkwardly. I felt myself flush slightly. I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice them at first. What a way to make a great first impression; by ignoring their presence.

Auggy pulled out the chair at the head of the table facing the window and indicated for me to sit. I sat, trying to avoid direct eye contact with anyone.

“
Relax. Everything will be ok babe.”
I smiled knowing it was Kellan talking to me.
He gave me the confidence I needed.

I lifted my head and looked at each person around the table. They were of varying races, yet their age was the same in physical beauty. To know their true age, I had to search their eyes, watch their mannerisms, and possibly the funniest and strangest, look at their choice of pen. They all sat with paper of some sort
in front of them, but some had quill pens, other
s
the ballpoints of today
.
S
everal were using what appeared to be
a tool or an instrument
carved of stone and dipped in ink, but most used a dip pen
;
and one stood out having a basket of berries and a mortar and pestl
e
. I toyed with the idea of asking everyone about their choice of utensil, but opted to remain quiet.

“Well, aren’t you going to ask?” One man broke out near the opposite side of the table. His fiery red hair stood out against his pale skin; his light blue eyes danced with amusement and mischief. Given his lilted accent, I knew he had to be Irish.

“I was trying to be polite,” I smiled.

“Told you she’d be nervous laddies,” he grinned. “Now pay me me owings.” Several grunts and groans later, the man had a large pile of money sitting in front of him.

“I suppose we ought to introduce ourselves to the girl,” a woman stated. She was one of four out of twenty-one; certainly a minority. Her blonde hair and blue eyes could put her in many places, but her accent hinting towards British said either the United Kingdom or South Africa. “To answer your curiosity, I am from Johannesburg, South Africa, and no, I cannot read your thoughts. I specialize in the ancient art of emphatic readings.” I had never heard of it, but regardless understood she was picking up on my emotional roller coaster. She nodded once in confirmation. I tried not to worry, holding back the shiver creeping up my spine. Another woman directly across from her was intensely focused on me and seemed to be reading me in some manner as well.

“Be careful with these women.”

Auggy cut in and took over. “Let’s get to it and stop wasting time. You know me. Sterling, you’re next. Introduce yourself
,
”
he ordered, pointing to the general who’d walked with us.
They went around the table introducing themselves one by one with their names, birth place and true age. The youngest was thirty-seven; the oldest six-hundred eighty-two.

Abruptly the doors swung open and a male walked in, a swag in his step and careless grin plastered on his flawless face. His hair was a disheveled mess of dark brown with hints of auburn. While everyone else was in business attired, he donned dark blue jeans, black Converse shoes, and a red polo shirt
that showcased the slight swell of muscles beneath
with the collar popped up. Perhaps the cockiest
part of his outfit was the aviator glasses still in place blocking his eyes.

I swallowed the emotions welling inside. There was something about this vamp; I felt it. He walked straight up to me and grabbed my left hand. Goose bumps broke out over my entire body; my heart pounded in my chest. He stopped mid-lift at the sight of my ring. I could only imagine how Kellan was reacting to this. The vamp barely shrugged, the only indication that he wasn’t deterred, and proceeded to kiss the back of my hand. I felt his eyes piercing me through the glasses.

“’Ello love.” His smile was breathtaking. I even caught the hitch in my breath. I immediately blushed. No one had affected me like this since Kellan; not even Kai. I swallowed hard, saved from having to speak w
hen
Auggy cut in.

“You’re late… Again!” Auggy barked.

“Why rush when you ‘ave forever mate?” His gaze burned me. At his wink, a small, shy smile, partly of embarrassment, crept from my lips. His in return quickly turned devilish.

“Move your hand now!”
I immediately yanked my hand away as if I’d been electrocuted. He didn’t
falter
though. I already knew I was in trouble. Deep trouble.

“Sit your ass down John and stop flirting with the guest. And in case you are truly blind, she’s taken!” Auggy yelled, exasperation in his tone. I turned my head to study the military vamp who headed the vamp army. By the fire in his eyes, I could tell John annoyed him for sure, but also, for the first time, I realized that Auggy really did like Kellan; particularly the idea of me and Kellan together. I smiled inwardly at the discovery.

John forced
Chen
, the female vamp from Taiwan, over so he could squeeze his chair in beside me.
I scooted my chair away, wanting distance, needing the breathing room to avoid starting a fire.

Throughout the grill session, I avoided answering as many questions as possible. There was no shortage of revisions in an attempt to uncover information. As much as I was trying to break away from John, he came to my defense and blocked the pry of Bogdan, a five-hundred year old Russian, who gave me bad vibes; so I was grateful for him in that sense.

Two and a half hours later, Auggy rescued me from the interrogation.

“Alright, clearly Lexi has rehearsed her lines and isn’t going to budge. Let’s break.”

Relief washed over me, though it was quickly replaced with uncertainty. Despite our interaction, I didn’t make a single impression on anyone. No one warmed up to me, aside from John, throughou
t the meeting. It’s not that I was
cocky, but I wasn’t used to that.

“You did good,” John stated.

I narrowed my eyes. “What happened to your Australian accent?”

He smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” This time he sounded exactly like Matteo.

Auggy came up behind me. “This crazy is the only vamp with multiple personalities.”

“Not really, but I’ve gotta keep you on your toes old man,” John countered. At least he sounded American this time.

“Where are you from?”

He leaned in close, my body all too aware of his position at my pulse point. I felt his breath skimming over my skin; his heart beating steadily over my breast. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” he whispered, soft and sultry. My heart barely beating as it was stopped.

I hadn’t realized I’d stopped breathing too until Imara, the woman who sat across from the empathy
queen
, cautioned me to
breathe
.
Oh God. I’m in big trouble. Huge trouble. God why do you continue to tempt me?

“Go,” Imara ordered. At once John left.

“Do not allow your body to confuse your heart,” she stated, her Indian accent seemed to emphasize the meaning more. Her gold sari
appear
ed to play off a bright aura I couldn’t quite see, but felt. I could trust her. Somehow I knew she was trust-worthy. “You are confused. Why?” she asked, leading me away from the groups conversing around us.

“I’ll catch up with you in a bit,” Auggy said, heading towards Ibrahem, the oldest vamp in the room.

“I can-“

“Stop.” She put a hand up; my eyes were drawn to the intricate ink cascading across her palm. She closed her eyes for a minute. I nearly screamed when she opened them, covering my mouth to contain it. Her pupils were dilated
and her irises were lost in a field of white.

“You have lost much, but will lose much more if you continue down this
reckless
path. You are impulsive like a vampire, yet led by your emotions like a human. Very little balance exists in you, unless he is around. You need him; more than you acknowledge. And when he is gone, you will know the truth of my words.”

“Define gone.”

“You cannot keep what you shun.”

“Do I?”

“You claim love, but your eyes wonder.”

I swallowed the lump of guilt. She was right. I folded my arms around myself, wishing I could hide in a box. I was ashamed, especially after the way I reacted to John. Kellan didn’t deserve this. I looked down at my ring, the brilliant green making me think of his emerald eyes, clear and beautiful, staring into me, beyond my surface and into my soul. It wasn’t fa
i
r for him to be tied to me when my eyes betrayed him. I knew I had some serious thinking to do.

“You love him, but your immaturity distracts you.” She closed her eyes again. Cocking her head to the side, she frowned. I began to fidget anxiously. I was in some way, waiting for the destruction of my future to be revealed. “
Be s
till
,
girl.” She held out a hand, remaining focused on her powers. “You are complex, more than your surface.” She paused again, her brows furrowed, as if she was trying to solve a complicated equation beyond her mental capacity.

Suddenly, her features untwisted and understanding calmed her. “It is fear that burdens you. Your eye wanders for someone else, not to love now, but to love later, after he is gone. You fear being alone.” She opened her eyes. “You have much to learn and far more to see, yet are blind to what is in front of your already. You analyze, yet you see nothing under the microscope.”

“You’re not talking about my eyes are you?”

“I am speaking of your eyes, but include your spiritual eyes. Your gift holds more power than you accept. Don’t fight the blessings of the gods; they can easily withdraw their gift, your gift.” I nodded once, unsure of how to respond. “We shall meet again Lexi. Until then,” she bowed her head slightly before leaving me stunned and confused with a world of pressure on my shoulders. It was my nature to analyze every word she’d spoken, yet for some reason I didn’t. I allowed them to sink in; allowed her voice to surround me knowing that I would uncover their truth later.

“Mi amore,” John
swept
in, taking my hand again. Traitor that my body was, it tingled under his touch. He lifted my palm towards his lips.

“Stop right there,” I cut in, proud of the strength behind my voice. He froze, his eyes looking
down at me through his shades, waiting for some sign of approval to continue. Cocky vamp that he was, he was convinced I would cave. I sighed, and he dove right in, capturing my palm to his lips in several spots. When his tongue swept out over the veins at my wrist, heat pooled, but reality smacked me in the face at the same time. I withdrew my hand from his grip.

“Oh, you hurt my soul,” his French accent poured out, as he dramatically placed his hands over his heart.

“You’re trouble.”

“But you like trouble Lexi. You chase trouble,” he smiled deviously
, knowingly
. I swallowed the serum that rose in my throat at the reminder of my mission.