Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Part 38 Last Secret

Chapter 37: Last Secret

           

            That night I snuggled up with Brett in my coffin. The orb vibrated, interrupting our sublime moment together.

            “I’ll be right back,” I whispered.

            I went to the corner of my room and put the orb to my ear.

            “Janice, you have done an incredible job so far in discovering two major secrets, the blue planet and the unique human blood. Now you must figure out the third secret. I’ve been listening to your conversation with Mr. FreeCut and know that Senator BloodHunt is coming over tomorrow. You need to ask him about a portal. If you haven’t figured it out already, he knows a lot more than he’s telling you.  Find out all you need to know. And don’t let him lie to you. Watch your back, Janice. Keep your weapons on you at all times, and be aware that an attack can come at any moment. Good luck.”

            I wanted to scream back at whoever the hell was communicating with me, but that wasn't possible. I was beyond fed up.

            The next day I was ready to grill Senator BloodHunt.  I watched him arrive in his souped-up SUV. I was not gonna hold anything back.

            I told him hello and decided to play nice while we feasted on Mr. FreeCut’s bloody grub. I sensed he was aware I was about to release my fury on him.

            After a little more friendly chatter, Mr. FreeCut led me in. “Janice wants to talk to you for a few degrees,” he said.

            I gawked at the squeaky clean vampire. He might be dressed in a burgundy suit and sporting a tie, but that professional appearance didn't fool me. I got straight to the point.

            “Why did you lie?” I shouted. The senator flinched guiltily.

            Sensing trouble, a loyal Ernie released an ear-splitting scream and rushed out from under the table. He lunged at the senator, who though trembling with fright, managed to stay unharmed until Mr. FreeCut calmed Ernie down. Too bad he didn’t get pricked by the horn, I thought.

            My temper was now up. After berating him about his drawing of the TriFang emblem, I lectured him on all the crap I’d seen lately. The elaborate parties. The drug-induced blood. The kidnapping. And the dead bodies in the underground tunnel.

            The senator was contrite. “I’m deeply sorry for lying to you,” he said. Yes, I have known about TriFang for quite some time. But I can assure you that the reason I concealed this was for your own protection. I had no idea that someone was leaking information to you. What you know is staggering, especially concerning the blood. Who exactly is this secret messenger? Have you talked to him in person?”

            I calmed down a little. I didn’t really see any malice in his eyes. I bought his story. But I didn’t stop throwing the punches.

            “He talks to me,” I replied brusquely. “And last time he mentioned a portal that you know something about. Where is it?”

            “I have never heard of a portal.”

            I kept the pressure up. “You lied to me once. Are you lying again?”

            “Certainly not,” he replied.

            Mr. FreeCut stepped in between us. “Janice, I think you better calm down. You should trust in his word.”

            Brett sat still as a stone, paying close attention to the heated conversation.

            “I know about the blood you speak of,” the senator acknowledged. “It has powerful effects on a vampire’s body. Those who drink it regularly become younger and therefore immortal, providing of course they don’t die from loss of blood. It also gives the drinker much more energy than normal vampire blood, and much more pleasure.”

            Oh. No wonder I thought Rob looked younger at the underground party. He was younger.

            “What’s wrong, Janice?” Mr. FreeCut asked.

            I snapped out of my trance. “The blood comes from humans,” I said. “Do you know who or what humans are?”

            The senator shook his head. “I have no idea.”

            I wanted to believe him, but I couldn't bring myself to. “And are you absolutely certain about the portal?” I pressed. “Because if you’re lying, I’m going to find out from my secret messenger eventually.”

            Before Mr. FreeCut had a chance to correct me, there was a knock at the door. I peered through the peep hole and caught my breath. Five threatening vampires wielding machete blades were bunched by the door, all of them with the haunting emblem of TriFang engraved on their foreheads. I recognized a few of the dicks who'd butchered Brett back at the park.

            Shaking, I turned around. “Get the weapons,” I whispered. “TriFang is here!”