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 21

Thirty minutes later, I rode in the backseat of a large SUV. Karski drove. A coyote in human form sat next to him, carrying a small semi-automatic rifle. A wolf sat next to me, and two more panted behind me. Our vehicle was in the middle of a long line of dark-colored SUVs. I knew Karski had sent a couple of motorcycles ahead to scout the area, and more pack members were setting up sniper positions. The badgers and gargoyles had taken Karski’s communication devices, but hadn’t promised to stick to his plan.

That was fine by me. Unpredictability might save the day, or me, maybe. But I wouldn’t count on anyone but myself. If Theoden had given his people kill orders, I’d be dead. If he didn’t, then he’d try to take me over. The best thing I could do was shore up my defenses. Knowing I’d need the energy, I’d taken blood from two more of the badgers, leaving Freddie’s contribution for after the confrontation. My body almost hummed with power.

But Theoden would do the same, or worse. I meditated, imaging a shield surrounding me, powered by my adamant will. I would triumph and save all of us. When we made a sharp turn, I opened my eyes, knowing I was ready. The bullet resistant vest, a helmet, and tactical clothing didn’t hurt, either, although none of it would save me from a high-powered rifle round.

“We’re almost there,” Karski said. “We’ve cleared a path so we can drive straight to the meeting point where we’ll drop you. Our perimeter is solid, but the vampires have one too. We haven’t confronted any of them, but they’re all under surveillance.”

Theoden would do the same. “And yours are in the same boat?”

Karski nodded. “Yes. My people are being watched, mostly through high-powered rifle scopes and armed drones. We’re targeting Theoden’s people with the same, plus pack in animal form.”

Great; we had mutually assured destruction again, just on a larger scale. “And if it looks like I’ve given into Theoden?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “You won’t.”

I smiled, but I knew it looked grim. “I won’t. But I might do something that looks like I have, so don’t let your people kill me.” Sometimes, the best way to success was from the inside.

“Char, you’re not going to fall under his spell. I know that. But as much as I want to protect you for my pack’s sake, you are not pack. I won’t start a war for you if you lose.”

No one sane would, nor did I want that, even if the betrayed child inside of me wailed in protest. I knew the voice of my emotional trauma. I was an adult, and capable of reason, rather than reaction. “Good. Don’t.”

“I will, however, defend my pack against all outsiders, including you, if necessary.”

“Understood.” And I did. I wasn’t his responsibility. I’d made that clear; he was making sure I understood all the ramifications. Getting Theoden to understand would be harder. Despite his centuries of life, KT was a privileged toddler used to getting his way and throwing tantrums when he didn’t. But he had plenty of power, money and people to throw. I hoped we could have a simple conversation, but I wasn’t betting on it.

At the very least, I’d have to fight off mental control attempts from the very start. I had a few advantages—very few. Theoden was used to success. He hadn’t had to fight on his own for a very long time. Which made me wonder what traps he’d already planned and who he’d involved. Probably the representative of the religion spawned by the prophecy, and his highest lieutenants. There might be a way for those people to join Theoden’s mental efforts against me, and then they’d get close enough to overwhelm me with numbers.

So I had to strike hard and fast. Karski pulled to a stop in the middle of a huge barren area, the ground covered with odd markings from the fireworks testing. I waited for the dust to settle, then opened the door.

Karski turned, his eyes glowing amber. “We’re all pulling for you, Char. Go get him.”

“Thanks.” As the vehicle pulled away, I didn’t look back. I was on my own; I’d refused to wear a microphone or earpiece. Theoden would overhear anything they said, and I didn’t need the wolf overreacting to Theoden’s words. KT would do his best to get a rise out of me.

Within seconds, another vehicle appeared—a limousine, of course. Theoden was undoubtedly sipping blood wine, ready for a quick escape with the prize.

I reinforced my mental shield, but left a small “window” to push my thoughts through. As the long, black car stopped twenty feet from me, I could feel Theoden, the driver, and three others in the car. The driver got out and opened the back door.

I projected disdain through my shield. “Alone, Theoden. That was the deal. You agreed.”

Theoden gracefully exited the vehicle. “That will be all until I call.” The driver got back in and drove away.

Theoden wore a perfectly fitted black suit with a blood red tie, and his mind pummeled mine. His hair had grown and flopped in the wind, his face was dark with taken blood, and his fangs extended halfway down his chin. He held out his hand. “Come, Charlene Flammen. Now!”

I thrust his pitiful attempts to control me away. I lowered my tone and volume, shoving the thoughts of pleasure and favor to him, while keeping my revulsion hidden. “Come to me, Theoden Klaus. Come here.” I lifted the corners of my mouth in a seductive expression.

He took one step forward and clenched his hand. “No. You will come to me!”

Using my hard-won bartender to-the-ugly-skills, I smiled and shook my head slowly, while employing every bit of mesmerization I’d learned. “You want to come. Join me, Klaus Theoden.”

His body shaking, he thrust both arms skyward. “Now!”

Rifles boomed, making me jump and fumble my connection to Theoden. I set my feet and reinforced my desire. I couldn’t outrun a bullet, but I would not be moved. Theoden would come to heel.

Vampires sprinted across the open ground almost faster than the eye could see, but the fusillade of rifle rounds kept them away from the two of us. The sand in front of each vampire fountained under the impact of automatic fire, forcing them back in a twisting, turning dance.

My attention remained on Klaus. “I name you oath-breaker, Theoden Klaus.” The old-fashioned words rose unbidden. My arms rose, my hands stretching towards Theo. “Who are you to bind the Unbound Queen?” I hissed, my fangs dropping. “My book, now.” I shoved my will at him. I didn’t know where the words were coming from, but I couldn’t spare the time to worry about it. Especially when it was working.

Theoden reached into his jacket, withdrew a slim, black rectangle, and tossed it at my feet. Then he appeared in front of me, clamping his hand around my neck.

I grabbed his wrist, keeping his burned hand close. The gargoyle glamor had worked—Theo hadn’t noticed the silver-clad leather neck guard I wore. “You are mine.” I put my other hand on his cheek and stared into his eyes, forcing him to submit.

“No!” He jerked away, then stooped.

I jabbed my knee into his chin, knocking him away from the book of prophecy, sending him sprawling on the sand. I scooped the book up and held it to my chest. “Mine.”

Theoden ran, his vampires following. He almost flew, reaching his limo and diving inside, leaving his people to run behind. The car sped away, dust rising in its wake, scraping through a hole cut in the fence. His vampires followed, climbing into a fleet of SUVs.

Two bodies sprawled headless on the plain, black blood oozing from shattered spines. My people, their second life wasted by that selfish man. I stared at the true dead, mourning.

A black SUV rolled towards me, slowing and stopping a few steps away. Karski lowered the window. “Char, are you okay?”

Char. Char was my name. I shivered, shoving back the presence that put words in my mouth and forced my body to act. “I’m not sure.”

“Is that the prophecy?” He nodded at the greasy leather notebook in my hands. “Are you getting in or standing there?”

The sun would rise before I could return to a safe spot. Going with Karski was wise. “I’m coming.” I walked to the door behind him.

He frowned. “Get in the passenger seat.”

I walked around the SUV and climbed inside, then put the book on my lap. Keeping one hand on the leather, I buckled in. “Go.”

Karski’s head jolted, and he leaned away from me. “Are you okay, Char?”

“Yes. Go. We must find safety before the sun rises.” I felt disconnected from my body, and a sense of mortal danger lingered.

He put the vehicle in drive and followed the path the fleeing vampires took. “Before you ask, the two vampires who died are known for preying on children. They’ve been marked for death by the supernatural community, excluding the vampires, of course. Neither has been seen for years.”

“A year is blink in the life of a vampire.” I stared at Karski, hunger rising. “Hold out your arm.”

Karski’s arm rose, then his hand clamped around the steering wheel. Yanking the wheel, he pulled off the road, slamming us against the seatbelts. “You aren’t Char.” He unbuckled, turned towards me and snarled, his head morphing to the wolf’s.

I hissed at him, my fangs dropping, then I retracted them so fast it hurt. The pain shocked me, and I dropped the book on the floor. “Whoa. Sorry.” I reinforced my personal shield and nudged the booklet away with my booted toe. “I don’t think I should touch that.” Anger and need pummeled my mind.

Karski got out of the SUV and ran to the back, raising the tailgate. He came around to my door and opened it. “May I?” His hand was covered in a thick leather glove.

I nodded, frantically. “Yes, please. But don’t throw it away. I’m pretty sure we’ll need it.”

He pinched a corner of the slim volume between his forefinger and thumb, the book falling open. He growled and ran to the back of the SUV. I followed, watching him toss the book into a metal container. “Hopefully, the ammo can will shield you from the effects until we can get back to the house.” He closed the can and slammed the tailgate shut. “But I don’t want anyone else carrying it. Too risky.”

Anger burned through me. I gritted my teeth and backed away, hardening my mind against the book. “Yeah. It’s not happy now.” I returned to the front seat, forcing my dragging feet forward.

Karski hooked his arm into mine. “Come along, Char, just a few more steps.” We reached the seat. He shoved me in, then closed the door.

Concentrating on my shield, I fastened my belt and rolled my shoulders, then paid attention to my breathing, grounding myself. This was my body, flaws and all. My mind, my heart, my soul. I was me.

Karski got in, belted, and pulled out. He clicked a button on the steering wheel. “Call Virginia.”

“Calling Virginia. Please standby,” the pleasant female voice said.

“Yeah, boss?” A woman’s voice; Theo’s limo driver.

“I need a containment vessel. Lead-lined preferably. Big enough for that book I was holding. Can you get one?”

“We don’t have one, but I’m sure we can come up with something. I’ll get on that when we get back. Are you okay? Need someone else to drive?”

“I’m fine. Not a problem now.” He clicked the button and disconnected the call. “Are you doing any better, Char?”

“Yeah.” I felt in control again, but the anger simmered and pushed at my shield. I shoved it away. “That thing is gonna be a problem.”

“Yes, it is.” He glanced at me. “Not only did that thing try to burn me, but I couldn’t read a word of it.”

My gut sank. I hadn’t even tried—yet.

***To be continued***

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

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs