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 19

I woke the next evening feeling energetic and ready for the night. Even remembering I had to release Irena from my grip somehow didn’t faze me; a challenge rather than a dreaded unknown. Maybe my optimism would fade when faced with reality, but I hoped for the best.

I wanted to start now, but since I had a safe place, I meditated instead. When I couldn’t fight my overactive mind, I rolled out of bed and did my yoga routine—twice. One way or another, I would maintain my mind-body balance. I pushed the memory of Karski’s delicious blood away. The possibility of attacking a wolf was too risky and would mean my death.

After I finished, I showered, dressed and sucked down a blood box. I hadn’t been hungry, but better to be satisfied when faced with temptation.

Before I could fret too long, a knock sounded on the bedroom door. I opened the door, revealing Karski and Irene. “Good evening, Char. I hope you’re feeling well?”

I stepped back. “Excellent, actually. How are you? And how are you, Irene?”

Karski waved his hand towards Irena. She grimaced. “I feel…kind of weird. Like I was living in a dream, or more like a nightmare, and now I’m not. But I don’t feel quite normal, either.”

I nodded, glancing at Karski. “Alpha, I hope you have trusted counselors. I think Irene will need therapy for the post-traumatic stress.” I turned to Irene, looking at her chin. “Irene, it will take time to recover. Your mind betrayed you, making you do things you’d never do on your own. I’m so sorry.” Irene’s trauma might keep her from ever feeling normal, but with care, she could recover. Walking to the seating area, I waved my hand at the couch. “Let’s sit down.”

Irene followed me and sat. Karski hovered next to Irene, shifting restlessly. I didn’t know if he was worried about Irene, or concerned I’d attack her. Or maybe it was something else, like an outside threat.

I ignored him and leaned towards her. “Irena, yesterday I told you to obey me and your uncle, because I was trying to break Theoden’s hold on you. When I say the name Klaus Theoden, what do you think of?”

She shuddered. “A monster.”

“He certainly is that. Good, that worked. The problem is, I don’t want you to have to obey me or anyone else. I want you to live a free, normal life, or as normally as you can after such a horrific experience. When I talk to you, what do you feel?”

“She’s still obeying me to the letter, if that’s what you’re asking.” Karski scowled.

I glanced at him and nodded. “Irene, what do you feel?”

She shrugged. “Nothing, really. I don’t really know you.” She shuddered. “But whatever you did let me see that vampire in a different way. When I look back, I don’t understand why I did anything or allowed him to do that to me without a fight. I didn’t want to fight him! All I wanted to do was make him happy, no matter what it took.” Her words were wails; protests to the heavens.

She sounded traumatized and unsure, but not broken. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been where you are and it’s awful. But I got loose, and you can too. If you agree, I’ll mesmerize you again, and tell you that you are free. I don’t know if that will be sufficient. If you can’t stand the thought of being under my spell again, we’ll find another way.” I looked at the ceiling for a moment, needing a break from her scared but still too-trusting expression. “I’ll leave you a reinforcement affirmation. I know you can resist vampires, but you must believe it. I’ll leave you the seeds of that truth.” I looked at her chin, rather than her eyes, trying not to influence her. “Do you agree to be mesmerized? You can say yes or no.”

She looked at Alek, and he nodded once. But every muscle in his body was tight. Despite his clenched fists and hostility, I was attracted to him—and his blood. That dangerous thought made me return to the traumatized child. “Do you agree?”

Irene squeezed her eyes shut, then nodded. “I agree.”

I moved and sat on the coffee table in front of her and then held out my hands. “If you’re sure, give me your hands and look into my eyes.” I carefully kept my tone neutral; I didn’t want to force this moment. Of course, I’d told her to obey me, so she didn’t have a true choice. I hated myself for taking her free will. But better me than Theoden.

Her hands shaking, she reached out and dropped her hands into mine. Then she looked up into my eyes, deliberately meeting my gaze.

I pushed my will towards her. “Irena Zivia Karski, you are your own person. You do not have to obey me, your Uncle Alek or anyone else unless you choose to do so. You have free will to do what is right for you. You are intelligent, wise and compassionate, and will make your own decisions based on your sense of integrity and common sense. You are free of all unwanted ties, compulsions, and connections.” I repeated the concepts of free will and pushing my belief towards her, imagining the girl free and happy, and gradually pulling my will back. When my connection to Irene had thinned to a gossamer whisper, I remembered the prophecy. “Irene, picture this with me. A force shield surrounds you, a sphere of sheer will, shining bright. Can you see it? Glowing and strong, the light shines all around you, keeping others from forcing their will on you, cutting all unwanted exterior ties. It allows only what you want, like love, to penetrate, and only when you want it. Do you see it?”

“I am surrounded by a wall of light, unbroken. I am free. I am me.” Irene raised her chin, smiling triumphantly, but didn’t break my gaze.

The words came to me without thought. “I release you from all bonds of obedience. You are unbound.” Keeping her gaze, I imagined the shield surrounding her closing, cutting the connection between us. An arrow pierced my heart, and I clamped my hand over my chest, groaning. Then I slammed my mouth shut, holding the pain inside. I wouldn’t create additional trauma.

Irene collapsed on the sofa, fainting like a girl in a horror film. Which, in many ways, she was. Karski snarled and shoved me off the coffee table, away from his niece. He cradled the girl in his arms.

I scrambled to my feet and backed towards the bedroom door, ready to run. If she’d done more than faint, I was forever dead. But my problems would be over, at least on the earthly plain, and I’d have the satisfaction of knowing Irene was free—I could hear her heart beating.

Karski checked her pulse. “Alive.” He arranged her on the couch, his movements slow and deliberate.

His tenuous control obvious, I retreated to the bedroom, leaving the door barely cracked. Then I grabbed a blood box, sucking it down slowly. I’d give the wolf time to settle. I wasn’t as hungry as last night, but I definitely needed the nourishment. The door to Karski’s office opened, a man and a woman talked to Karski, then the outer door shut. As I finished a second box, a knock sounded on the bedroom door. “Char, you okay?”

“I’m fine. Irene’s okay?” I couldn’t hear her heart anymore.

The man poked his head inside, his eyes glowing like the wolf’s. “She seems to be sleeping. Are you okay?” He grimaced. “I can’t—”

I held up my hand. “I’m not asking. Today was much easier.” No headache, no raging hunger; I was fine with a box. Or three.

“I’ll be back later. I’d recommend you stay here.” He backed out, and the door shut.

I wasn’t stupid enough to stroll through his pack home without his escort, making myself a target. I took his tablet off the nightstand and returned to reading about Theoden.

But only a few minutes later, the bedroom door opened and Karski entered, a smirk on his face. He stabbed his phone.

A man roared, “He’s dead to the world! Not responding at all!”

The corners of Karski’s mouth turned up. “And he said Char’s name before he dropped?”

“Yes. What did she do?”

I grinned. “I cut off his connection to the Alpha’s niece. Little boys who steal underaged girls get smacked. I’ll do it to you too.” I put a snarl into the last line.

“You did this? You’re a dead woman.”

I recognized the man’s voice. Reeve was Theo’s primary bully-boy. I huffed. “Have been for decades.” I smirked, seeing a way to solve several problems all at once. “Rather than yelling at me, why don’t you take advantage of the opportunity I’ve given you, Reeve?”

Karski grinned. “Yes, why don’t you, Reeve? Then I’ll throw you a party. A hanging party.” He growled the last part.

Reeve swore, and the line clicked off.

“Too bad. I was hoping to hear a sword.” Karski shook his head.

“Me too, but I’d bet Reeve isn’t alone. Now they’re arguing over who’s in charge, and Theo will wake soon.”

“When will Theo wake, Char?” Karski met my gaze.

“Now. And he’s furious.” The foreign emotion cut off. “That’s interesting. We must be connected.”

“He turned you, so it makes sense.” He quirked a brow. “Can you still feel him?”

I shook my head. “No. I only got a flash. I’d guess he’s got very strong mental shields.”

“Do you? Or can he feel your emotions?”

I sucked in a breath. “I don’t know. If I’m the ‘Queen Unbound,’ then no. But like you said, he turned me, so it’s likely.” I held up my hand. “Give me a few moments.” Ignoring his looming presence, I cleared my mind. I imagined the same sphere of light imagery I gave Irene, surrounding me and closed it tight. I could almost feel the severing of my connection with Theoden. The question was, how did that affect him and could I hold it? I had no way to know.

Karski’s phone buzzed then shut off before he could accept the call. One corner of his mouth lifted. “What do you bet that Theoden passed out again?”

“No bet.” I smiled. “I just cut him off. But I don’t know if I can keep him out.”

He nodded. “I wonder. If Theoden gets killed, will your bond pass to his successor? Or is it a bond at all, Unbound Queen?”

“I don’t know. But I do know that I desperately want a copy of that prophecy.” I didn’t believe in predictions of the future, but that document might tell me a lot about my abilities. Because I was fairly certain I had many I hadn’t discovered, yet.

“Then let’s find a way inside.” Karski pointed at me. “And a way for you to take over, for good. Because that’s the only way this ends well for you.” His brows lifted. “And me.”

“Pack not happy with you?” I bet they weren’t. With one of his humans taken hostage, he’d been forced to submit to Theo, and that made him weak.”

“No, they’re not. But it’s more than that. I have a long history with Theoden’s vampires. While Theoden and I have, until he took my niece, kept a careful truce, the same can’t be said about his people.” He scowled. “We’ve had trouble with all of them. Theoden always had excuses and paid for damages, but that doesn’t revive the people I lost.”

I’d bet that Karski didn’t make excuses for his people. “Par for the course. Theoden’s big on authority and privilege, but not the associated responsibility. But we’ve had this discussion. Time to talk to the badgers.”

“Why?” His revulsion was crystal clear. “Undisciplined, unorganized, mean, nasty—”

I’d had enough. “Quit with the prejudice. One, they’ve gotten into Theo’s tower. Two, you’re wrong. They may not be planners, but they are organized and, more importantly, they’re determined.” I smiled at him. “Did you know they can turn without a moon?”

He growled. “Of course. Badgers don’t follow the rules.”

I couldn’t hold back a smirk. “Poor baby. Can’t deal with the rebels, huh? Well, those rebels will save our asses, because it’s their disregard for the rules that will let us win.” I held up a finger. “You were a soldier. Planning is important, but plans never survive first contact with the enemy, right? So how do you win?”

“Adapt, improvise, overcome. If you can’t get over it, go under or around.” He snorted. “Okay, you’re right. Badgers are great at that.” He couldn’t be more grumpy about that admission. “This won’t help me with my pack.”

“Not my problem.” For once. “But a successful raid will help, correct?”

“Only if heads roll. Because taking my niece was a declaration of war and using her to make me a herd dog only added to it.” He glowered.

I nodded. “Understandable.” I huffed a laugh. “Well, let’s get some, then. Because evidently, that’s the only way I survive, too.” I wished Reeve had taken his opportunity at command, because the mere thought of killing Theoden made me nauseous and elated. It was rather like the immortals in the movie Highlander. Sure, I’d kill my rival, but it was going to hurt. I suspected it would hurt more than my morals—everything associated with vampirism seemed painful. I’d rather make him submit to my will, but that seemed impossible.

Every action had a reaction, and every decision brought consequences. That was life. I’d rather face the consequences on Earth than carry it over to my next life—if there was one for vampires. I picked up my phone.

“That won’t work down here.” Karski handed me his phone. “WiFi calling.”

I nodded my thanks and dialed Freddie’s number. “Hey, it’s Char. Got a few?”

“For you, always. Where and when?”

“I know you won’t like it, but can you come to the wolves? We’ll meet at the clubhouse.” I lifted my brows at Karski. His lip lifted, but he nodded.

“No problem. We’ve been expecting your call, and we’re bringing friends. In an hour or so?”

“That’s great. Thanks.” The line clicked off. I forced a smile. “In an hour. The badgers are bringing friends, so make sure your people don’t attack on sight, please.”

A rumble underlaid his words. “Worry about your problems. My people are under control.”

“I hope so.” I grabbed a notepad and a pen. I felt horrible about my plans, but it was the only way ahead. “Our goals are to capture a copy or the original of the prophecy and to control Theoden. Is that correct?”

Karski jolted, then he smiled. “Yes, that’s goal two and three. Goal one is putting you in command, and that means our operational priority is neutralizing Theoden. If you can’t get him to submit, he’s got to die. Agreed?”

I nodded, despite my misgivings. “I don’t see another way ahead. He’s too set in his ways, too stuck in the past, too driven by his ego not logic, and too dependent on allowing his people to prey on others to stay in charge. He’s got to go.” I couldn’t see how I could possibly take over, but I’d have to, at least for the short term. Even if I knew it would be a disaster. But fewer innocents would die.

“He’s not just allowing his people to prey on others. He’s doing it too. But he’s good at making the evidence disappear, and convincing those around him that he’s the good guy. All that money makes a big difference. Especially when he uses his money to make life better for the majority. Those people forget about the minorities, the poor and the downtrodden.”

I grimaced. “The golden rule: those with the gold, rule. I may be a predator, but I’d like to see the real golden rule revived.”

Karski smiled. “I think we’d all like to see that.” He grimaced. “But getting there will be painful for everyone. You’re going to make mistakes. Your people, my people, and humans will suffer along the way. The difference is, you’re not playing people against each other to make more money to spend on stupid stuff.”

I snorted. “Oh, I’ll make a ton of mistakes, there’s no doubt about that. And everyone will point fingers at me. We’ll have to keep the human cops off my back, too.”

“You can leave that to me. I’ve got dirt on the District Attorney, and I have an excellent relationship with the local police chief. And a lot of the national office representatives, like the FBI and DEA. The people who support Theoden are getting paid off, or he’s financing their elections. A lot of them will support you once the money’s gone.”

Karski seemed overly optimistic. “I hope so, because I’m not playing that game. Call me naive, but I believe in free elections that aren’t unduly influenced by the rich just trying to get richer for no reason. And local politics should remain local.”

“It’s a great ideal.” He shook his head. “Suck down another box and let’s get going. We’ve got too many things to do and not enough time to do them in.”

***To be continued***

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

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs