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 23

Sunburned book! I turned away from Mattias and strengthened my mental shields again. “Sorry. Occupational hazard, I guess.” I wasn’t positive I could block the prophecy completely.

Mattias, who’d grown taller and wider at my hiss, returned to his normal size. “Understood. I recommend you wear gloves, and spend as little time touching it as necessary. Does it seem sentient?”

I shrugged. “It’s certainly blasting me with anger. It keeps trying to take me over, control me, make me into a puppet. But I will not let that happen.” I would not be owned. Especially by an object.

“In that case, I recommend that you treat it as a living being, and explain your boundaries in simple terms. Think in pictures while you speak, if you have that ability. The prophecy chose you as the Unbound Queen for a reason, so it should not be shocked that it can’t control you. But you could accept guidance, with the understanding that attempts at binding will be met with fire.” One corner of his mouth rose in a half-smirk.

I glanced at the bedroom door behind me. “I told it I’d drown it if it kept trying to take me over, but fire might be more effective.” I turned to Karski. “Got a flamethrower?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. But you can’t use it inside.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost sunrise. If you could secure that…thing in the can, I’d appreciate it. I’ll keep my pack out of the basement today and we’ll find a better place for your rest.”

“I can provide that,” Mattias said. “The Council’s chambers are deep below the earth, and we have human quarters in the complex. You are not a physical threat to us and we will protect you, both night and day. We also have magical experts who can help you. Do you agree?”

I trusted Mattias, but there was always a catch. “What will it cost me?”

Mattias nodded. “First, mutual defense. Second, you must be open with the Council. They want to know the extent of your abilities, and they expect you to keep the vampire community under control, if that is possible. If you attempt to take over the entire world, bring all the vampire leaders together, reveal the supernatural community to humans or any other similar action, you will truly die.”

I snorted. “I don’t want to do any of that. I don’t really want to develop additional abilities, or work with the prophecy, but I’m guessing that if I don’t, I’m as good as dead anyway. I accept your offer, but unless you’ve got a magic carpet, I’m not going anywhere right now.” I didn’t want to be a queen, but I’d do a lot to keep humanity safe. They had enough problems without being treated like cattle. Or worse.

Mattias nodded. “Agreed. I will guard your day, Charlene Flammen.” He turned slightly towards Karski. “I will keep your pack away, Alpha, if the prophecy calls them.” He swung back to face me. “And if the prophecy makes you day-walk, I will prevent you from going anywhere.”

“Are you kidding me?” That wasn’t terrifying at all.

His head swung ponderously from side to side. “No. If you can help other vampires day-walk, why couldn’t you do it yourself? Whether your mind would be awake is unknown. That’s why I’m staying.”

“Thank you.” I had no desire to go wandering around at the whim of the prophecy. Especially if I wasn’t conscious. I could end up doing something truly awful, like draining someone. Thinking about that made me realize I was hungry. I backed away towards the bedroom door. “I appreciate your help. I’m going to drink a blood box and sleep.”

“I’ll make sure you have a fresh supply, Char.” Karski left, closing and locking the door behind him before I could thank him.

Mattias leaned against Karski’s desk. It creaked, but held. “Good day, Char. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”

I nodded. Certainly, I felt safer with Mattias outside, and I believed he’d keep everyone else in the compound safe, too. “See you then.” I secured the door, then trotted to the bathroom, snagging a blood box on the way. After sucking down the thick, cool liquid while resisting the prophecy’s demand for hot, living blood, I sat on the tub and opened the ammo can.

The pressure on my shields didn’t increase noticeably, so the metal can was probably useless. But as promised, I’d keep the book in there. “Look, book.” I felt silly talking to an object, but Mattias had always given me good advice. “Stop trying to take me over. I’m the Unbound Queen and you are not.” The prophecy stopped battering me, so I guessed it was paying attention. “I will work with you to fulfill the goals I decide are reasonable, but first, I need to read them and agree. I don’t think you understand the world today. Your worshippers have created a false sense of security. I cannot create an empire built to subdue all humans, because that will get me, and all the other vampires, true dead. Fast.”

Fury at lesser creatures spewed from the volume, so I sighed. “I’ll talk when you’re done, or I fall asleep.” I slid to the floor, putting my back against the wall next to the tub, just in case my timing was off. I concentrated on my breathing. Gradually, the book calmed. I guessed it was ready to listen. “There are over eight billion humans in the world. They have weapons of mass destruction.” I pictured scenes from US rallies and religious pilgrimages around the world. Then I thought about a picture of the aftermath of the atomic bombs that fell on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. “Those bombs are weak in comparison to what we have now.” I pictured horrible scenes from the latest wars in the middle east. “World militaries can easily destroy us. Or a single suicide bomber. If you force my actions, you will get me killed and you’ll be destroyed by fire. Is that really what you want?” I thought about Theoden’s life experience. “The last vampire who carried you was too optimistic. He doesn’t understand the power of infuriated humanity, because he’s been insulated by wealth.”

I climbed to my feet and removed the uncomfortable body armor, then the clothing, and put on sweatpants and a t-shirt. “The masses can overcome us if we aren’t subtle. But we can create a solution that works for the vampires, the other supernaturals, and the humans. You think about that while I rest.” I closed the can lid, retreated to the bedroom and climbed into bed.

Blanking my mind, I returned to my breathing and waited for the sunrise. The time came and went, but I remained awake. I continued meditating, acknowledging my shock and letting it go. Gradually, I became sleepy, then I faded into darkness.

*

I woke with nightfall, still in bed. From the pressure on my bladder, if I’d gotten up during the day, I hadn’t done anything logical. Rising, I entered the bathroom, took care of business and got in the shower. “Good morning, prophecy. Thank you for letting me rest. Did you contemplate my thoughts?”

Images flooded my mind. Mobs, wars, political rallies, lynchings, the Holocaust, and then, the lights of Vegas from Theoden’s penthouse. The feeling of hot blood in my mouth, the joy of feeding. Puzzlement over sharing resources rather than ruling. Image after image from my memories, along with those from earlier times; probably from Theoden and his vampires.

When I shook off the book’s visions, water cascaded over me. I’d curled into a ball on the tile floor. Concentrating on each step, I got up and finished my shower, and didn’t say a word or think about anything else until I was dressed and my bag packed. I strapped the body armor and helmet to the outside of my backpack. “Okay. Obviously, you learned some things. I’m guessing you got all that by rummaging around in my brain and your worshipper’s brains.”

A picture of my ex-husband came to me, along with anger and a need to drain the man. I laughed. “He’s long dead. When he got the flu and couldn’t get out of bed, his second wife took the telephone and ran. I sent her some money and she lives quietly in a town far away.” They didn’t have trauma counseling for partner abuse survivors back then, but much like me, she’d decided that man wouldn’t take anything more from her. She’d become a school librarian and volunteered at the local women’s shelter. I wished I could do the same, but that wasn’t the life I’d created.

Or been drafted into. “I’m taking you with me to the Gargoyles Council.” Wariness came from the book. “They won’t take you from me, and they will help me find a way to lead the vampires into a better balance with humans. I want to work with you, not against you. We can create a better world, and eventually, we can find a way to openly exist among humans, because we won’t stay hidden much longer.”

A double helix and a feeling of confusion came to me. “Yes. Genetic testing isn’t good enough yet, but it will be soon. If we emerge as predators, we will be destroyed.” The book sent a picture of wolf skins hanging from a long line. “Exactly. There are too many humans to fight off. If we convince a few key leaders that working with us is smart, then we can live in harmony.” Anticipating anger, I strengthened my mental shield slightly. “I will probably have to destroy some vampires.”

Anger flashed, but was quickly followed by a feeling of righteousness. “It’s my duty to control my people?” The righteousness strengthened. That wasn’t exactly the result I was hoping for, but I’d take progress. Hard to overcome thousands of years of arrogant worship in a single day. “Okay, then.” I picked up the can and carried it and my bag to the door, opening it to reveal Mattias and Karski. “Good evening. I have come to an understanding with the prophecy—for now. Mattias, if you can guarantee they won’t try to take the prophecy from me or kill me, I’ll take the Council’s offer of shelter and training.”

Mattias nodded. “Excellent. The Council doesn’t want to kill you or take the prophecy, but they will defend themselves, their home and the Pool of Life. Understood and agreed?”

I returned his solemn nod. “Understood and agreed.” I focused on Karski’s chin. “Thank you for your help and hospitality. I appreciate it.”

“You are welcome. Work fast, Char. Theoden is sending a lot of messages, both electronic and hard copy. We don’t know what’s in them, though.” He moved to the side, clearing the doorway.

I crossed his office, chuckling. “Did you check with the badgers?”

A low growl rumbled behind me. Mattias said, “A useful suggestion, Char. I’ll do that on the drive.”

Before I opened the office door, I turned. “I’m taking my motorcycle.”

Mattias nodded. “I anticipated that. We’ll escort you. We’ll make a lot of twists and turns through town, and we may send you alone through a few alleys, because we don’t want to be followed.”

Karski’s head tilted and he frowned at Mattias. “There are only so many ways out of town.”

“Ah, but that’s where magic comes in.” The corners of his mouth rose. “I hope you didn’t waste resources putting trackers on Char’s bike.”

Karski’s lip curled. “Of course we did.” His expression cleared and he gestured at the door. “I’d appreciate it if you kept me in the loop.”

I had no reason not to. “If you do the same.” I returned to the bedroom and put on my riding clothes, then sped up the stairs and outside, joining Mattias and Karski. My bike remained near the garage where I’d parked it. Four massive white pickups idled in the driveway beyond.

A mirrored window rolled down on the nearest truck and an arm held out a headset. Mattias took it and handed it to me, so I slid it into place, then put my helmet on. The pressure was a little uncomfortable and would get worse over time, but I’d deal with it for the security.

“Grease Spot, Stone One, comms check.” Mattias tapped his ear.

I snort-laughed. I guess they didn’t think much of my mode of transportation. “Stone One, Grease Spot hears you loud and clear.” I strapped the ammo can on the back of my motorcycle.

Before I could mount, Mattias held out his hand. “I can take your backpack. Leave your microphone enabled, and stay behind Stone Two until directed otherwise.”

It hadn’t dawned on me to turn the mic off. “Of course.” About to throw my leg over the bike, I looked at the ammo can and the relatively flimsy net holding it in place. If I had to make tight turns, the whole thing could go flying. I removed the contraption, and tucked the prophecy into the inside pocket of my jacket. Keeping the seemingly sentient book that close wasn’t comfortable, but the thought of losing it was worse.

“Thanks for waiting.” I jumped on the bike, started it with a roar and waited for it to warm up. After putting the bike in half-choke, I rolled into place behind the second pickup. “Grease Spot is ready.” Without another word, we drove away, idling through the gated community, then speeding up on the streets beyond. Winding through residential areas, the convoy travelled gradually east and south and into industrial areas. I closed the choke, and followed Mattias’s directions, occasionally riding alone through narrow passages, then reconnecting with the convoy.

When the city became empty desert, we pulled off the highway and stopped behind a berm. Mattias got out of the lead pickup and motioned with his hand across his neck for me to turn the bike off. After I did, two more large men—I assumed they were gargoyles, too—got out of the second pickup and joined Mattias in front of my bike.

Mattias crooked his fingers in a beckoning motion. “Char, if you’ll join me, we’ll load your motorcycle, then continue after we obscure our vehicles.” He cracked a small smile. “And kill the trackers on your machine.”

I put the kickstand down and dismounted. “Understood and agreed. Thanks for understanding.” I wouldn’t allow myself to be stranded.

While the two men picked up my bike and secured it in the back of the second pickup–without needing a ramp–Mattias led me to the first pickup and opened the back door for me. After he got into the passenger’s seat, he spoke over his shoulder. “We understand the need for an emergency escape. Rock can be broken.”

“Or worn away.” The driver’s words had the tone of a rote reply.

Mattias nodded. “If you could shield yourself, that would help.”

I didn’t hold back my huff of uncertainty. “I’m not trained in any of this, but I’ll do my best.” I pictured myself surrounded by a shield of light like the one I’d used to cut the badgers free. The prophecy shoved into my brain, and I pushed back, hissing. The book grew hot in my pocket, and I unzipped my jacket and yanked it out. “Listen here, book. Quit trying to take over. You want to tell me something, show me.”

Anger flooded me, but I didn’t let it wash me away. I held firm, picturing myself with my hand in a stop position. Eventually, the anger faded, and acceptance took over. A picture of a bulbous structure came to me, like a round water tank on a tall stem. Power flowed up and down the stem, while the tank formed into a structure that looked like a geodesic dome combined with a toy Hoberman sphere. Each panel thinned or solidified as needed, independent of the structure’s size. “I understand, thank you.”

Using the prophecy’s instructions, I implemented the suggested shield, then lessened the power flow from the stem to a trickle. My shield glowed rather than burned, and the connection let me draw power from outside, rather than draining me.

“We can work with that.” Mattias turned to face forward, and low rumbles emitted from him like rocks grinding against each other. Which made sense, since gargoyles were supposedly living rock.

I doubted anyone else could speak their language; it might not even be possible for humans to understand it. Was their natural form a crouching, winged animal form like those on cathedrals, or something else entirely?

Eventually, the rumbling stopped. Looking out the window, I didn’t see anything different, but perhaps their magic wouldn’t be visible to me. The driver put the truck in gear, and we got back on the highway.

Mattias turned in his seat again, handing me a scarf. “Please put that around your eyes.”

I took the cloth from him. “Sure, I get it.” Hiding their location would help keep them safe. After I wrapped the scarf around my head, I relaxed against the seatback and meditated. If I didn’t, anxiety would make me jittery.

After hearing nothing but the diesel engine and tires humming on asphalt, we turned and the ride became rougher. We bounced along, slowing and speeding as the road conditions allowed, then finally stopped, the rumble of the motor ceasing.

“You can take the blindfold off now,” Mattias said. Truck door latches clicked and dry, dust air flowed. I removed the scarf and grabbed my helmet. My door opened, Mattias holding it and my backpack. “You can leave your helmet with the motorcycle. It will be safe here.” He pointed behind me. The same two large men lifted my motorcycle from the back of their pickup, then rolled it to the side of the parking lot.

I followed. The convoy’s pickup trucks were parked in a row behind a fleet of large vehicles, inside a gigantic rock cavern. Bright lights above illuminated the orange and beige walls and ceiling, and the slightly sandy floor I trod. Immense doors, like those on an airplane hanger, blocked the cavern’s exit. Human-sized doors on both ends of the cavern’s opening allowed foot traffic.

Or, in my case, a motorcycle. I hung my helmet on my handlebars and returned to Mattias. The rest of the convoy’s inhabitants were already moving to a smaller tunnel beyond the parked vehicles.

Mattias nodded once. “Welcome to Council Shield, Charlene Flammen. We offer sanctuary, but only if you swear to harm none within and assist with mutual defense.” His heavy brows rose slightly. “Do you so swear?”

***To be continued***

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

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs