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/ ‎

Chapter 22

We pulled into Karski’s garage and I retrieved the ammo can, pinching the handle between my thumb and forefinger and holding it at arm’s length. Being controlled by an ancient prophecy or deity spawned by the belief of nasty vampires creeped me out. But I couldn’t forget that the prophecy book had helped me win against Theo. Honestly, help was too weak a word, though. Rather, it used me like a puppet. The effort and willpower was mine, but the targeted refinement of that willpower was beyond me.

Whatever this thing was, it could manipulate my thoughts and feelings. I’d have to guard against it and fight it, or find a way to work with it. Or burn it.

Anger flooded me again, and I dropped the ammo can. It smacked against the floor, leaving a shattered tile. “Sorry, I’ll pay for the damages.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Karski huffed. “Wolf claws chew up tile. We replace them regularly.”

I regarded the can, swallowing my revulsion. That…thing enabled me to fight off Theoden. I couldn’t afford to turn down an advantage. But it had to provide more than it took. Revulsion warring against need, I retrieved the ammo can, still holding it at arm’s length, and trotted down the stairs.

Karski let me into his sanctuary and strode to the bedroom beyond. “I hope my people can find a containment vessel quickly. Until then, we need to keep it as far from my pack as possible. I’ll find shelter for you somewhere else.” He opened the door, holding it open for me.

“I understand.” After I entered, I turned back to face Karski. “There’s no telling if lead will work. It might take silver or gold, or maybe nothing will work.”

“That’s a good point.” Karski’s mouth twisted. “I’ll find some silver and gold foil. We can use multiple layers.” He pushed the door, then caught it before it closed. He stared at my chin. “And Char? I don’t want to, but if I come down here tomorrow and you’re that…thing again, I’ll kill you true dead myself.” His eyes flashed gold, then the door slammed shut.

Fury battered me, but I really couldn’t blame Karski. That thing wanted me to drain him dry as we drove, which could have killed both of us. I carried the ammo can to the bathroom and put it in the tub, right under the faucet. Then I popped the can open and thinned my mental shield. “Here’s the deal, book. I’m happy to work with you, but if you attempt to take me over, I’ll drown you. I’d bet your ink isn’t waterproof. I am the Unbound Queen, and I will not be bound by you. Understood?”

Hatred battered me, but I kept my hand on the faucet handle, ready to slam my shields closed while I studied the little black book. The slim volume was about four inches wide and six inches tall; the cover shimmered like an oil slick on swampy water. No writing marred the slightly pebbled surface. I wanted to read it, but I wasn’t touching it until we came to an understanding or I had protective gear. Since it burned Karski through a heavy leather glove, I wasn’t sure anything could shield me from the effects.

A knock thudded on the bedroom door. I closed the can, compartmentalized the book’s anger, and renewed my shields. Crossing to the door, I peered at the sensor. Mattias, Fantastique’s gargoyle security chief, stood there with Karski. I opened it to let them in. “The sun rises soon.”

“I know.” Mattias entered, Karski closing the door and standing with his back to it. “Where is it?”

“You can’t have it.” The book was mine!

Mattias held up his hands, palm out. “I don’t want it. Trust me, I don’t even want to talk about it. But I’m the one who’s here, so I have to.” He folded his arms across his massive chest. “And unless you want to go full Golumn ‘my precious,’” he hissed the quote, “I suggest you listen.”

I strengthen my shields again. “Sorry. I’m trying to keep it out of my head, but it’s tenacious.”

“Powerful immortals revered that book for thousands of years.” Mattias spread his hands wide. “We don’t think they intended to create a deity, but we believe they did.”

“Who’s we?” I had no trouble believing his words, but his motivations were unclear. “And why do you want to help?”

“We are the Gargoyle Guardians.” He smirked. “Yes, I’m aware of how the alliteration sounds.” Returning to his normal blank expression, he continued. “The Gargoyle Guardians protect the magic allowing the supernatural community to stay hidden. We call it the ‘Pool of Life.’ As technology improves, it’s become almost impossible. The supernatural community must change their ways if they wish to remain a secret. The Council has created guidelines, but we know most of the community won’t follow them. They’re too arrogant, too ignorant of scientific and technological advances.”

“I tried to warn Theoden that he was playing with fire, but he wouldn’t listen.” I couldn’t see his bully boys giving up their petty amusements.

Mattias grimaced. “Believe it or not, he’s made some progress with his people. Vampires like Trinity were kept close. But Theoden feels threatened, and I’m not sure he’s wrong.”

“What is the threat?” Karski snapped the question before I could.

Mattias turned to face Karski. “Vampire rulers have remained in their territories for centuries, both through agreement and magical limitations. We’re not entirely sure how, but they seem to be tethered to the area they were turned in. With enough power, that tie can be broken. The threat to Theoden’s creator was so immense that he escaped, but even though he was ancient and immensely powerful, his efforts broke him. He never recovered, and Theoden had to kill him.” Mattias focused on me. “Vampire leaders around the world have been waiting for the Unbound Queen. They believe the Unbound will free them from all constraints, including their place ties. If she does, the vampires will war for dominance. Theoden is relatively young. He inherited the prophecy, but he doesn’t have the power to hang on to his territory if the older vamps attack. Vegas is valuable.”

Theoden’s efforts to control me now made sense. “So if he controls me, then I keep him safe.” I didn’t hold back my eye roll. “Ridiculous man. If he’d told me, I would have told him I have no interest in freeing the vampires to war on each other. The carnage would kill too many innocents.”

“It would also irrevocably reveal supernaturals to the world.” Karski frowned. “But Theoden, for all his business sense, is still a product of his times. One, he can’t handle the thought of a woman in charge. Two, humans are food. And three, he believes altruism is weak.”

Mattias nodded. “That’s only part of it. One of the reasons Theoden hasn’t forced you to take the crown, Char, is because he didn’t want to bring attention to you. When you were turned, the Council felt the impact in the Pool of Life. They didn’t know what the shock was, only that it occurred, and in the Vegas area. It took years of research to figure out what caused that reverberation, and the possible repercussions. Once they discovered you’d been turned free because of an ancient prophecy, they set watchers on you.”

He nodded at my unspoken question about his employment at Fantastique. “In addition, the oldest vampires felt your turning. They were furious, because they were all positive Theoden didn’t have the experience or age to know who the right person was to fulfill the prophecy.”

I snorted. “I’m pretty sure they were right.” Why anyone would pick me was a mystery. Uneducated, poor, and middle-aged—none of that screamed royalty or chosen one.

Mattias shook his head. “They were wrong. The prophecy picked you. The Council summoned Theoden to an audience here in Vegas. No one can withstand the power of the gathered council, and they dragged the story of your turning out of Theoden. After Theoden killed his creator, the prophecy told him about you through dreams. It didn’t know what you looked like, but it knew the measure of your soul. After you were born, the dreams became more specific. Then you moved here, and the prophecy felt your proximity. Theoden’s vampires searched for you, and they found a woman they couldn’t mesmerize. Nor could Theoden, no matter how hard he tried. He finally brought the book with him when he was trying to take you over at the bar. When it didn’t work, the book told him it wanted you. He suspects the book created the mob confrontation that killed you.”

“Are you kidding me?” I glared at the book right through the walls. “Now I really hate that thing. If Theoden had told me what I’d be doing to survive, I’d have told him to let me die.” At least I thought I would. In that moment’s cold, I might have begged for my life, regardless.

Mattias’s head tilted. “He did not fully inform you? What did he say?”

“No.” I didn’t like remembering that time, but some things were permanently etched in my mind. “I was lying in a pool of my own blood. Dying. He asked me if I wanted to live. I said yes. He said, ‘if I keep you alive it will hurt. It will create the worst pain you’ve ever endured. But you will have a life. Do you agree?’ And I said yes.” I remembered drinking his blood, then fire running through my entire body. The rest I tried to block out.

“That is not true consent.” His head shook ponderously.

I shrugged off his concerns and the memories. “Doesn’t really matter. I’m here, I’ve been living with the least amount of negative impact I can, and I’m apparently the Unbound Queen.” I couldn’t hold back a grimace at the ridiculous statement.

“It is indeed a rock already thrown.” Mattias sighed. “However, Theoden did not tell the Council about this, which makes me suspect he lied by omission more than once. That is the nature of vampires.”

Karski huffed. “That’s the nature of most supernaturals. Don’t share.”

“Despite the need for secrecy, I can tell you a little more, Char.” Mattias met my gaze. “One, the oldest vampires believe the Unbound Queen can also free them from other constraints, such as burning in the sun and the need for blood. Two, Theoden and other vampires can read part of the prophecy, but not all of it. Theoden told the Council what he knew.”

When Karski made a scoffing sound, Mattias held up his hand. “Or claimed to know; he certainly held information back. Three, if you are killed, the prophecy will search for the next Unbound Queen. Many vampires are unhappy with Theoden’s choice, but they don’t want to wait for centuries for the next chosen one to appear. We believe that’s why Theoden pushed you—more than one vampire threatened to have you assassinated unless you manifested as the Unbound Queen. Tonight, the vampires recorded your confrontation with Theoden from multiple locations. He wore a camera, too. We don’t know if that demonstration will placate them or not.” He grimaced.

Just what I needed. A price on my head that I couldn’t pay, and even if I could, I wouldn’t. I wasn’t freeing a bunch of ancient vampires to war on each other, even if they no longer needed blood.

“Char, the Gargoyle Guardians Council wants to know if you’ve read the prophecy.” Mattias pointed at the bathroom. “Whether you have or not, they require your attendance. Immediately.” He crossed his arms, blocking the door quite effectively.

My life was so weird. Only I’d get stuck between a rock, a wolf and an angry magical book. “I haven’t read it yet. Last time I picked it up, it almost took me over. I’ve devised a way to hold it off for now, but I really don’t want to touch that thing.” I shuddered.

Mattias shook his head. “You have to. The Council will compel you if necessary.”

My fangs dropped, and I hissed. “I am the Unbound Queen! I do not answer to them.”

***To be continued***

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

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs