Vampire Sunrise

The Hard Goodbye

I turned back toward the French Quarter Mansion, slowly moving into my newfound speed, hopefully looking like I was flickering, then gone. I wanted to create some doubt to offset what social media would say about me. If my movements were jerky, I could be digital.

People on the street with me would surely know the truth, and that's what I intended to happen. I wanted to send a clear message telling the vampires of New Orleans that someone was here to help them say the hard goodbye.

I walked down to the vampire bar entrance and found Timothy Turner peeking out from around a corner. He must have stuck around to see what would happen after John got snatched from the bar.

"Tim, you can come out," I said.

"Did you just drag a freaking vampire out into the street and watch him burn?" Timothy asked. He struggled with his words.

"John was the asshole, and yes, I walked him into the light. Let me ask you a question, Tim; what do you know about Anton?"

"He's never been bad to me, and that's saying something; vampires are mean as shit to humans unless they have a use for them."

"Thanks, I'll talk to you later, Tim, I got stuff to do today, but I'll get you my contact info." I gave Timothy a toothy smile, then opened the door to the bar and disappeared inside.

I focused my thoughts and said, "Tranquillum," another demonic word from Lilith's vocabulary. I watched in the bar mirror as my armor and blade transformed and left a flowing full-length red dress with black leather lacing up my back in its place.

It fit me perfectly and looked similar in style to what Lilith wore when she handed over the demonic queendom. Adorning me, floating slightly above my head in the bar mirror, was my tiara.

I told the congregation that everyone but Anton could leave. Anton sat at the bar like a good little vampire. I watched as the crowd cleared in all directions. Some headed into the staff door; others left through the bar entrance; everyone was anxious. As soon as everyone had gone, I said, "Anton, tell me the truth. Did you know about the girls in room A1?"

Anton was still holding the dead vampire's heart from the room where I freed the witches like it was priceless china. "Yes, I did know."

"So, you lied to me in the room?"

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I was scared; I saw you rip out this heart and thought, I'd be next."

"Did you lie to me about anything else, Anton?"

"No."

"Anton, I need someone that can help me understand the vampiric world. Would you be so kind as to offer me your services?"

Anton paused for a moment and said, "Yes, of course, I will help with whatever you need."

I didn't trust Anton, and in the end, I'll probably end up killing him, but for now, I needed information. I also knew that anything he knew, the other vampires would know if Victoria was right about them having the ability to read each other's minds.

"I need you to take me to the tunnels," I said. Anton nodded.

Anton walked ahead of Angel and me through the door, marked private. We took a right this time. Down a short hall behind a locked door stood an old-timey freight elevator with a metal arm locking the lift in place.

Chains were attached to an accordion-style door and crossed the freight elevator's entry. Anton pulled back the door with a crinkling of metal, and we three got in. It only took a few seconds for us to reach the bottom with a thud. The ride was not smooth, but I guessed vampires didn't care about that sort of thing. The tunnels were near lightless and musty-smelling.