Vampire Emeritus (Part #3) ✔

Chapter 15: Death of One

Whatever illusions of control I've harboured up until that moment dispersed right in front of me as I took in my best friend dragged across the stony steps and kicked on the ground in front of Vilmus.

Sheila's ashy face was covered with dry tears, her eyes were bloodshot and scared, and her lips trembled as she tried to pull herself up. Vilmus grabbed her by her neck and lifted her.

My body rebelled against staying still, but my mind made me stop in tracks. Panic surged through me; visceral and tangible.

I looked at William. His face completely distorted; the gentleman I've seen before disappeared like he had never even existed. One wrong move and William would risk everything to save her.

"Let her go, Vilmus." Ian's voice dropped to a growl. "She has nothing to do with it."

"Let it be a lesson for her then." Vilmus glanced at the girl whimpering in his arms. "If you live with vampires, you will get bitten eventually."

Thomas and I exchanged a glance. Anger tightened his lips, but he knew better than to lunge straight ahead. We needed to coordinate our movements if we planned on acting.

"This is hardly a peaceful, calm conversation." Ian murmured, his eyes firmly set on the cult leader. "Let her go and we'll talk like gentlemen."

Vilmus looked at Sheila, as if pondering his next movement, and brushed her hair off her tear-covered face. Sheila cried out. I could hear her human heart rapidly beating against her chest.

"But this is my only leverage." Vilmus said, then sighed. "The poor thing is so frightened. Perhaps you should make her some lemonade."

I looked at Ian, begging him to communicate his plan with his eyes, but he wouldn't look at me. His gaze was firmly locked on Vilmus; the veins in his neck bulged and his arm muscles tensed around the shotgun.

"Ah," Vilmus sighed once no one said anything, "The 21st century people lost all their manners. How many times must I beg for some lemonade?"

"Goddammit." I cursed. "Tina, go make him a lemonade."

The Barbie said nothing for once and scurried into the house.

"Now, let's talk." Vilmus patted Sheila's head and pushed her to her knees again. "Ian has betrayed me, again. Which, if I were frank, I should have expected."

Ian's smile held no humour, only anger, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."

"Exactly." Vilmus chuckled. "But I am a merciful man and I've never considered bling vengeance a viable option, so I'm willing to negotiate."

I turned around to look at my friends, hoping anyone could tell me what the fuck we should do. No one but Thomas even looked at me, and he looked just as distraught and clueless as me.

"Talk." Ian demanded. "And make it quick."

"I am willing to let Ian go." Vilmus said.

For the slightest moment, I felt the twinge of relief. Would he truly let him go? Would he forget everything Ian's done to him?

In the next moment, I realised that was nothing but wishful thinking.

"Why?" Ian asked. "Have you finally realised it's actually better to have loyal followers?"

"Ah, I live, I learn." Vilmus laughed. "You are indeed right. I do not wish to have someone disloyal in my ranks. It has affected the others poorly."

"At least I did something right." Ian murmured.

"Instead." Vilmus ignored him. "I offer two choices to all of you."

Tina exited the house, carrying lemonade. For a moment, I wondered if she poisoned it. We had both dead blood and salvia divinorum in the basement, but the invisible dose in the lemonade wouldn't be enough to incapacitate Vilmus, it would only anger him more.