for
more than a hundred years, mainly because the overcast skies provided a comfort
to the sensitive skin of vampires. There was also the fact Wilson had been
running from the vampire establishment, and Alaska was a compromise. He was out
of the way from the mainstream of vampire existence. Wilson was an outcast, as
low on the vampire chain as one could get. He was not recognized as anything
but scum, a parasite. For hundreds of years, Wilson had been creating vampires
as sport, turning people for his personal enjoyment, and when he was finished,
throwing them away to fend for themselves. This practice went against every
edict of vampire diktat.
By locating to a desolate area in Alaska, Wilson had
proved the adage: out of sight, out of mind. He had kept a low profile, at the
same time continuing his unethical practices. But for the past 50 years,
Wilson’s paranoia was well founded. He knew someday an established and powerful
vampire clan would come after him, and his entire resources and focus has been
to build up his defenses. Surrounding himself with the children who were loyal
to him was not enough. Wilson knew he needed an army.
Wilson’s home was situated far off the road, not noticeable
to the sparse traffic. The expansive estate was at the same time tasteful and
extravagant, a far cry from the apartments and cheap motels Danner’s trio was
accustomed to. As they entered the front doors, they were met by Wilson, several
of his overzealous boy toys, and a beautiful woman.
“Welcome to my home,” Wilson said, stepping aside to
allow the trio to enter. They stood in an entryway, the floor gray marble, the
walls velvet tapestry, giving the impression of old world genteelness. “May I introduce
my life companion, Miriam? My dear, this
is Danner Gray, and his two friends…”
“ Anne Marie
and Riley,” Danner finished, not wishing to embarrass anyone, knowing the older
vampire had not caught his friend’s names in the bar.
“We are so glad you have come to stay with us,” the woman
said.
Tall and very pale skinned, Miriam had shoulder length
blonde hair, parted in the middle. Her makeup was perfect, as was her deep
purple dress. She is beautiful, Danner thought, at the same time wondering why
a man like Wilson had a female companion. She’s not vampire, he realized, but
the rest would have to wait for later. The entourage moved into a larger,
beautiful living area, Wilson showing his guests where to sit. He turned and
spoke directly to Danner.
“Might I get anyone a drink?” he asked politely.
The three guests shook their heads, each curious to what
was coming from this unlikable man.
“I have been here in Alaska for many years, Danner, and
we…my clan and I, have built a comfortable life, away from the hectic pace of
the lower 48. Thanks to some extremely talented computer operators, and a brilliant
financial advisor, we do well in Petersburg. We leave the local population
alone. When we hunt we go either farther north in the state, or we travel to
Seattle or Vancouver.”
As he said this, he nodded toward Miriam, who smiled back
at the acknowledgement.
“After all of this time keeping to ourselves, staying out
of vampire affairs and politics, we find ourselves threatened by a clan from the
south. If the rumors and reports from my friends are correct, my little empire
here is ripe for a takeover, which as we all know, leaves nothing for the
loser…including their lives. This is the reason I sent out a telepathic message
to all of my children, and why you find yourself sitting here in my home. I
need your help to sustain what is mine.”
Danner’s face looked as though it were carved in stone.
His dark eyes were the only indication of his anger. Amp and Riley knew he was pissed.
They kept their mouths shut but were alert for trouble.
“Let me get this right, Wilson. Your little empire is
going to get sacked, you’re going to lose your head, along with the rest of
these…whatever