Working Class Vegas Vamp is a free urban fantasy serial, usually publishing on Tuesdays. It is unedited and subject to change. If published later, it may differ significantly, and will probably include additional material. Typos and English errors are likely; feel free to leave a comment or write me at am {AT} amscottwrites.com (revised as a standard email address. Pesky bots!) Available for a limited time only!

Haven’t started yet? Chapter 1: https://www.amscottwrites.com/2024/10/29/working-class-vegas-vamp-chapter-1/ ‎

(Note: There is a minor time inconsistency below with a previous chapter that will be fixed in a published version.)

Chapter 18

The next evening, I woke up on an air mattress in the backseat of my ancient Oldsmobile. The blackout structure was all in place; a good sign. Taking shelter at one of my possibly known locations was risky, but I paid a premium for the studio space. The owner believed I was a flight attendant with little time to work on my car art, and when I did, I’d work all night, leaving the door open. Everyone could see there was little in here except the carcass of a rusty automobile body with dented body panels stacked against the walls. I’d sweetened the deal by leaving my welder in the common tool pool unless I was using it. No one asked any questions, and I saw no attempts to enter my space; none of my telltales were broken.

When I showed up, I’d fire up my welder, make a seam or two on an extra fender, grind it apart, and start over. From what I’d seen, doing something over and over wasn’t uncommon in the art world, and quirky behavior was standard. I’d also installed excellent locks and light proof seals for the garage door and the door to the inner common area. But still, staying here was a risk I’d taken only a few times.

I didn’t know if the wolves or KT had found this location. They might be waiting right outside. But I thought it was less risky than the rest, because I’d been extra careful setting up the persona and cryptocurrency-based payment system. I’d used a completely fake name with no ID, so I had some hope.

I climbed out of the light safe cocoon I’d constructed inside the car, letting the air out of the mattress so the whole thing collapsed. After slinging my new, fully stocked go-bag over my shoulders, I unlocked the common area door and peered out. Light shone from a single cracked door, but the common area was empty. I used the facilities, cleaning up the best I could, and stuffed my distinctive hair under a black wrap. Then I climbed the stairs to the roof of the building, surveying the exterior and streets surrounding the former warehouse south of the airport. I didn’t see any black SUVs or any other inhabited vehicles, so I returned to my studio.

Slipping black riding leathers over my clothes, I popped a plain black helmet on my head and armored gloves on my hands. After putting my backpack on again, I yanked the miscellaneous vehicle body panels away from the wall, uncovering my last best hope for a clean escape.

Grasping the handlebars of my ancient Honda motorcycle, I rolled it out the door into the common area. After securing my door and reinstalling the telltales made of hair and a little clear tape, I pushed the machine out the front door. Then I mounted and flipped the switches, hoping it started. I’d kept a battery tender on it, and started it once a year, but motorcycles could be finicky. Despite my concern, it fired immediately. I let it warm up, then kicked it down to half-choke and rode toward the glitzy lights of Las Vegas.

I wasn’t going to do anything foolish, like ride by KT’s tower, the wolves’ den, or my old bar, but I needed information. I’d retrieve the cell phone I’d stashed that first night and call Karski. Dread tightened my back muscles, but after contemplating the questions for too long, I’d determined that Freddie was right. I needed the wolf’s information, and maybe his plan. Help would be better, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Plus, I really wanted to free his niece. No one should desperately long for that evil, old, nasty vampire, let alone a seventeen-year-old girl. If an adult chose to believe the snake oil he was selling, that was on them, but taking away their freedom to choose was horrific.

I should know; I was guilty too.

My only solace was knowing I did it out of necessity, not joy, and released my victims immediately. And while I was thinking about necessity, I needed blood, now. It was still early evening, but I could find a gang-banger easily. The motorcycle made hunting easier; my quick reactions helped me survive the city’s wild traffic.

I headed to West Las Vegas, one of the most dangerous parts of the city, and cruised a few backstreets. It wasn’t long before a group of men tried to pull me off my bike. I bashed a scrawny man in the temple with the back of my fist and pulled him onto the bike in front of me, then sped away, twisting and turning through the dark streets. When he started to struggle, I pulled over and mesmerized him, then fed.

I took a little more than I normally would, grimacing at the bitter traces of drugs and alcohol, probably from the night before. I propped him against the side of a building. Before I left, I crouched in front of him. “Find a better line of work. Something you can be proud of, or I might come back.” I licked my lips, enjoying the way the man’s eyes widened, then hopped on my bike and rode towards southwest Las Vegas.

I retrieved my bag of stuff with the phone, rode a few streets away, and dialed the wolf before I could think too much about it.

“Karski,” he snapped.

I smirked, knowing he’d hear the smile in my voice. “Your ego didn’t kill you after all. Surprising.”

“Thanks for nothing, Flammen.” He snarled.

I huffed. “Neither of you was paying attention to me. The only thing I could do was catch a stray bullet, so I ran away to fight another day. That’s the smart bet.”

“The coward’s bet.”

I shrugged the pain of his accusation away. I’d been right, whether he thought so or not. “Coward, smart, whatever. I’m alive, free of bullet holes and bites. I doubt you can say the same. Sadly, KT will already be healthy.” His legions of human followers would have provided more than enough blood to heal him.

He growled. “Maybe if you’d stuck around to help, I might have won, rather than fighting to a draw.”

“Not likely. But that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Do I care?” He bit off the words.

“I want to help your niece.” Hopefully, he could hear my sincerity, because it was true.

He blew out a long breath. It wasn’t a sigh, or exasperation; I was fairly certain he was attempting to control his anger. Along with some fear. “And what do you want in return?” His voice was calm and even.

“Nothing.” I grimaced. “That’s not quite true. I want a truce. While I attempt to free your niece, I get safety from outside threats and your pack, including a safe place to sleep the day and an adequate number of blood boxes. I make no guarantees that I can free her, but I will try my best.”

“Curse you, Charlene Flammen, for finding the one thing I can’t turn down. And now I’ll owe you.”

“You owe me nothing. No one deserves to have their free will taken.” Even that gangbanger who tried to pull me off his bike deserved free will, even if he probably deserved prison for assault and attempted robbery. “While I’m there, I’d like to keep reading your intelligence summaries, but I’m doing this for your niece, and for me, not for you.” Helping her might even out some of the damage I’d done over the decades.

“I see.” After a long pause, he spoke again. “I can send a car for you.”

“No need. I have transportation. That’s safe too. No taking away or damaging my transportation.” If I didn’t succeed, I couldn’t count on a clean escape. Even if I did succeed, some of his pack members despised vampires. They’d take any opportunity to get rid of me.

“I guarantee your safety and the safety of your possessions while you attempt to release my niece. I also guarantee safe passage in and out, including a full twenty-four hours after you leave. By then, tempers should have cooled. Especially if you’re successful.”

Great. So if I failed, I’d have not only the vampires on my back, but offended pack members. All the more reason to leave Las Vegas forever. “Agreed.”

“Give me thirty minutes before you show up at the gate. What are you driving?”

“Honda motorcycle. Black helmet and leathers.”

“You have a death wish.” He snorted. “Thirty minutes.” The line went dead.

Hopefully he’d be speaking of the motorcycle rather than my actions in general, but there was no telling. He and his pack could certainly be the death of me. I kicked the bike into gear and wove through the quiet streets.

I rolled through the open gate and through the empty community. No one made a move, but I could feel the hostile gazes. I parked between the garage and the house, then walked to the back door.

It opened less than halfway, the woman who’d driven KT’s limo blocking the entrance. She snarled.

I grimaced, knowing she couldn’t see my face behind the mirrored face shield. “Hard to free the girl if I can’t get to her.”

“Take off the helmet. I must confirm your identity.”

I raised the face shield instead. “No thanks. I’d prefer to avoid brain damage when I accidentally fall down the stairs.”

Her body jolted, like she was shocked. “You’ve been promised safety. I will not violate that agreement.”

“I’m sure.” I pushed past her, then turned halfway back. I wasn’t leaving this woman at my back without watching. “Is the girl downstairs?”

“Yes.” The woman returned the favor, slamming her shoulder into me as she passed. I’d expected it, so I turned with her, and she stumbled forward from the unexpected momentum. She continued, leading the way to the stairs I’d used previously, and opening the door. “Down there.”

I nodded. “Thanks.” Keeping my eyes on her, I sidled down the first five stairs, then turned away. If she came after me, I’d hear her, even through the helmet.

At the bottom, Karski waited. His expression and body language were neutral, but I could almost feel his hostility. I deliberately avoided his gaze; I had no reason to make him angrier. He turned on his heel and strode to the open door behind his desk.

A young white girl with long, dark brown hair shifted restlessly on a gurney next to the bed, pulling against the restraints at her wrists, waist and ankles. Karski stood next to her, his lips compressed. “She kept trying to leave, pounding on the door and trying to kick it down, injuring herself. Even sedation isn’t helping much.” He looked at the wall behind the girl, his jaw working.

No wonder he was furious. I hoped I could break Theoden’s enchantment. I walked to the other side of the gurney and looked at the girl. She was too thin, and her skin sallow, with dark circles under her closed eyes. I pulled off my helmet. Moving slowly to not alarm the wolf, I placed my hand on the girl’s cheek, then pushed my will towards her. “Irena Zivia Karski, wake.”

Irene’s eyes popped open, and she struggled against her bonds, her body twisting and her head tossing. “Theoden!” She wailed his name over and over.

Karski moved to the head of the gurney and held her shoulders down. I cupped her face between my hands. “Irena Zivia Karski, look at me. Now!”

Her gaze snapped to mine. “Theoden, take me to Theoden!”

Now what did I do? She was looking at me, but still wanted him. I couldn’t tell her he was evil; she wouldn’t respond to logic, not in her current state. He’d forced a bond. I’d have to mesmerize her, then let her go, not that I was sure how to do that. I pushed my will towards her, demanding her submission. “Irena Zivia Karski, you will obey me, and only me. I am the only person who matters. Do you understand?”

”No, I want Theoden.” She tried to pull away from my hold, but her voice and movements were weaker.

I repeated my demands, and eventually, she stopped asking for Theo. By that point, my hunger roared. “Irena, you are safe here. You will stay here in this house. You can act normally. You will care for your body properly. Use the bathroom, then eat if you are hungry. Sleep when you are tired. Pay attention to how you feel and tell me or your uncle if you are uncomfortable or need something. You will obey your uncle. Take care of yourself. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I will obey you. I will take care of myself. I will obey Uncle Alek.” She nodded, her gaze on mine.

I broke her stare, and she whimpered. Closing my eyes, I turned away and sat on the bed, hunger driving me to attack the girl and the man. I gripped the comforter. “Let her go. Where are the blood boxes?”

Karski sprinted out of the room, then returned, dropping three boxes on the bed next to me. I grabbed the first, stabbing the opening with my fingernail, and upending it into my mouth. While I gulped the thick, lukewarm fluid, Velcro ripped.

“Irene?” Karski’s voice was the softest I’d ever heard. “Do you need help to get to the bathroom?”

“I can do it, Uncle Alek.” Fabric rustled, then soft footsteps crossed the room.

I grabbed the next box, taking the time to stab the straw into it, but sucking it down fast. The third I drank slower, my hunger fading, but my head throbbing. When I opened my eyes, Alek Karski loomed over me.

“Thank you. She hasn’t said anyone’s name but his since she returned. It’s been horrible.” He nodded and took a step back.

“You’re welcome. I have to rest before I can do anything else.” I flopped back on the bed, the pounding in my head increasing. Despite my hunger being slaked, I still wanted his blood. I closed my eyes.

“Do you need aspirin or something?”

“It won’t help. Take your niece and go. Leave me a couple more boxes, and I’ll figure out how to release her tomorrow.” I put a hand over my stomach. I was full, but longed for more blood—his, specifically, fresh. I gripped the comforter again, and kept my eyes shut. I would not attack the man protecting me. I would not break the truce.

He remained in place, staring at me, while I struggled to remain on the bed. The bathroom door clicked, and he finally moved. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s go to the kitchen and get you some food. Then you’ll take a shower and sleep, okay?”

“Okay, Uncle Alek.” Their footsteps moved away, then the door to the bedroom suite closed and locked.

I opened my eyes and sat up, releasing the comforter. That had been too close for comfort. My head still throbbed, but with the human and wolf gone, I could think. I looked at the stack of blood boxes on the nightstand, but decided I wanted a shower worse.

Taking my go-bag into the bathroom, I withdrew a pair of loose silk pants and a shirt, then stripped out of my riding leathers and clothes. I showered, enjoying the hot water and lightly scented bath products, then dried and dressed. My temples throbbed, but the pain had lessened.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I stopped. Karski sat on the bed, and my hunger raged. I locked my gaze on the stack of blood boxes on the nightstand, even though the thought of drinking another box made me slightly nauseous.

“You don’t want that, do you?” Karski’s voice was certain and compelling.

I swallowed, gripped the door jamb to keep myself in place, and kept my eyes on the boxes. I controlled myself, my needs didn’t control me. “Not really. You should go.”

“You need fresh blood, don’t you.” He thought he knew the answer.

“Need, no. Want, yes. So you should go. Your niece needs you.” My head turned despite myself and could see his pulse throb in his neck. I wanted to bite and drink him dry.

“You’ve done what none of us could do and may be able to do more. I can donate some blood to the cause.” He sat, outwardly relaxed, but his pulse picked up.

I shook my head. “I can’t guarantee my control right now. It’s a bad idea.”

“But you’re in pain, and you can’t perform if you’re in pain.” He held out his arm. “Drink. Tell me how long, and I’ll remove you if I have to.”

“You won’t be able to. Part of drinking from someone is taking their free will.”

“Have you ever tried to drink without mesmerizing them?” He leaned back on one arm, the other still outstretched.

“No. I don’t think it’s a painless process. The mesmerization controls the pain.” My hunger grew and I stepped back towards the bathroom.

He huffed. “I can handle a little pain.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll set an alarm. How long?”

I swallowed. “Two minutes.”

“That’s it? It takes about ten minutes to give blood.”

He must have looked it up. There was no way a were would take the chance of donating to a human blood bank, and he wouldn’t sell to the blood box companies. “Vampires actively suck, and the hole is larger. Which means it’s more painful.”

“I’ve been shot, more than once. It can’t be worse than that.” His mouth twisted in a wry smile.

I shrugged. “No idea. I’ve been shot, but I don’t remember my initial donation and turning.” More like I actively avoided remembering; all I had was a memory of pain and terror that lasted forever, then morphed into my entire body burning. I’m fairly certain I passed out at that point, but even thinking about it that much made me shudder.

He sat upright, scowling. “Who shot you?”

I waved his concern away. “Got caught in a mob battle. The people involved are long dead.” I snorted. “Theo had been dead for a long time even then.”

His scowl changed into interest. “That’s why you turned?”

“Yeah. I was lying on the sidewalk, bleeding out, and he asked if I wanted to live.” I shrugged. “Of course I said yes. He didn’t say anything else, and I don’t remember the rest.”

“You don’t want to remember the rest.” His brows lifted. “Can’t blame you there. I feel the same.” He shook his head. “But that’s not important.” He lifted his arm higher. “You’re in pain, and I can fix it. Take what you need.” He emphasized the last word.

“And if I take more?” Because my control was thread thin.

His mouth twisted. “I won’t let you. If necessary, I can knock you out with my other hand. I’d rather not, because you don’t need additional trauma.” He smiled ever so slightly. “But I’m not worried. You have excellent self-control.”

I grimaced, then swallowed, because my mouth watered with his offer. “I hope so.”

He tapped at his phone, then set it down on his right side and held his left arm out. “Let’s get this done.”

I sat next to him on the bed, and cradled his arm in my hands. Then I let my fangs drop and licked his inner elbow.

He sucked in a breath. “Oof, that packs a punch.”

I huffed. “Good or bad?”

“A little of both. Keep going.” He licked his lips. “Please ignore any bodily reaction. I, too, have iron self-control.”

I knew my saliva was an anesthetic and helped heal wounds. I hadn’t been positive it had other effects, but it made sense. “I understand.” I found his vein with my tongue, then adjusted and struck.

He took in another deep breath and his muscles tensed, then he relaxed.

I withdrew a little and sucked. Hot, rich, earthy blood flowed over my tongue, and within seconds, my head stopped throbbing. I sucked harder, ignoring the wolf’s reactions. When a chime dinged, I started. I’d been lost in the lovely flavor of iron and salt. Despite my instinct and intense desire to continue, I withdrew my fangs completely and licked the wounds to close them.

Before the holes closed, he pulled from my grip. “I’ve got it from here.” He pulled tissues from a container on the nightstand and clamped them on his arm. Then he strode to the bathroom and kicked the door shut.

I let myself flop back on the bed. Alek Karski’s blood was the best I’d ever tasted, and it seemed to be supercharged with everything I needed most. I felt renewed, energized even. If they all tasted that good, it was amazing vampires hadn’t wiped werewolves out. In the wild, packs meant mutual survival; in supernaturals, that must be even more important.

After a long time, the Alpha emerged from the bathroom—in wolf form, and I couldn’t help staring. When I’d seen him before, conditions didn’t encourage gawking, and he’d mostly been lying down. Perhaps purposefully, so I underestimated the threat he posed.

First, he was huge. Wolves were big, but the Alpha was at least fifty percent taller and larger than the wolves I’d seen at the zoo or on TV. His fur was black and thick, with a longer ruff, and his eyes glowed amber. Lean muscles rippled over a heavy frame, conveying an impression of strength, speed and endurance. A majestic combination that I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of. “Wow. You’re gorgeous.”

He tossed his head and let his jaw drop, displaying huge, white teeth. If that was a smile, it was terrifying. He crossed to the door and stood on his back paws, looking at the sensor. The locks released. He pushed the door open, dropped to all four feet, then turned and tapped the floor with a paw.

“Are you seriously telling me to stay like a good dog?” I chuckled. His blood had energized me enough to continue working with his niece, but maybe it was better if I didn’t push my luck.

He nodded, then backed away. The door closed and locked.

“Okay then. Guess I’ll stay here.” I picked up the tablet on the nightstand and let it see my face. Theoden’s file appeared, right where I’d stopped reading. Interesting; it seemed Karski had expected me to return.

Both of these men had been playing politics far longer than I had. If I wasn’t careful, they’d play me, too.

***To be continued***

Working Class Vegas Vamp Copyright © 2024 by AM Scott. All Rights Reserved.

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs