deserves,” the
blonde hissed.
Danner felt the danger in the air, both from Wilson’s boy
as well as from Riley.
“Wilson, I suggest you get this child under control,”
Danner said evenly, his voice low. “We are not looking for a confrontation. We
have traveled several thousand miles to find whatever it is you called me for,
but if you or your minions think for one minute we will kowtow to anyone,
including you…you are sadly mistaken. If you have something to speak to me
about, then I suggest we go somewhere and talk. But if I feel the least bit
threatened, the talk will cease, and we will be on our way. This is the courtesy
I show. Try to understand; respect in my world is earned.”
“I am your sire, Danner Gray, reason enough to respect
me,” the man said in the same low voice.
“Sorry, but robbing me of my humanity, turning me,
abusing me with your perversions.and throwing me on
the street to fend for myself two months into my life…is no foundation for
respect. True story, Wilson, I feel contempt for you, and all vampires that use
their power for personal gratification. I think it’s time for us to go. This
was a mistake.”
Danner stood, followed by Riley, the seven vampires
staring at each other, the rest of the bar patrons unaware they were sitting
ringside for a possible death battle.
In the back of the room, the other table
of vampires were listening to the conversation with their exceptional
hearing. As Danner and Riley stood, Amp pushed back from the table and stood,
ready to throw herself into the fray if anyone moved. She noticed not one of
the other five made any move of support.
“Danner, I apologize for this lack of communication. I
would very much like you and your friend to be my guest, at least for the
night. I guarantee your safety at my home, and we will be able to talk about my
problems. Tomorrow you will be able to rest, again under my guarantee of
safety. Then if it is your desire, you can leave on the next ferry. But I beg
you, hear me out tonight.”
His mind working on all the angles, Danner’s chief
concern was whether he could trust the older vampire. Wilson had given his
guarantee, and in the vampire community, this was a solemn oath. Danner had
never heard of a vampire who had broken a guarantee of safety. In the end, his
curiosity convinced him to go.
“Fine, we accept your hospitality…and your guarantee of
our safety.” Looking at his two friends, he noticed Amp had a tiny smile on her
face, while Riley had his shit-kicker expression. They were both ready for
action, and Danner knew they would welcome a good fight.
“Thank you, Danner. Do you have a vehicle, or will you be
riding with us?”
“We’ll follow you,” Danner answered, waiting for Wilson
to lead the way out the door.
“That’s my cue,” Amp said, smiling at her new friends.
“Hope I see you guys again.”
The vampire Will, who had not spoken yet, looked
seriously at Amp before she walked away. “Don’t turn your back on those
people,” he said softly. “They’re pretty extreme…we stay away from them. Guys
are almost militant or something.”
“Yeah,” Doc continued. “A house full of fags…reminds me
of inbreds . We do everything we can to steer away
from them. Just don’t trust anything they say, little girl.”
“Thanks, guys. We’ll be careful. This should be short and
sweet.”
Once inside their car, Danner turned and faced Riley and
Amp. “Guy is a little radical,” he chuckled.
“That was just weird,” Amp replied. “Those guys are as
strange as anyone I’ve ever seen. Did the little sissy with him think he was
scaring anyone?”
------
Beryl Wilson was more than 400 years old, and the vampire
lord hadn’t survived four centuries without a multitude of plans and counter plans
to control any eventuality. He had lived his vampire life concerned with two
priorities…power and self gratification.
The Wilson clan had been living in the Alaskan region