They Rise at Dusk (Book #1) ✔️

Chapter 16: Cog in the Machine

It seemed that I've made a habit out of looking like a crack whore, but I absolutely had no time to go back home and change, so I counted the change I had in my wallet and searched for the closest thrift shop on my way.

Not like I'd find anything appropriate to wear at home anyway.

Ignoring the saleswoman's widened eyes and open mouth upon seeing me in a sleeveless dress, I shopped for clothes. For exactly five dollars, I bought grey trousers a bit too big for me, a matching jacket, and a white long-sleeved shirt. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and hoped I looked decent enough to go talk to Sergeant Joe Bender.

The drive there took forever, especially because it was a Tuesday, and I was so terribly exhausted. At this pace, I'd sooner collapse than fall asleep like a normal person, though.

By the time I found Serge's house, it was almost 9AM, and the day was clear and sunny. Nausea tore at my stomach as sunshine blinded me. Gosh, I couldn't be awake at this hour.

Serge's house was tiny and shabby, something you wouldn't expect from someone working for the military. The front yard was an overgrown mess, with bushes that haven't been trimmed in ages peeking above the fence and sticking out towards the street. The lawn hasn't been mown, and no one took care of the plants climbing up the pale grey facade. Shutters were down. Something seemed fishy immediately.

I braced myself for a dead body waiting inside. It wouldn't be uncommon, especially if wrong people found out about Jax's outburst and decided good ole Serge was too much of a liability.

I knocked on the door and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Right as I decided to let myself in, someone shouted from the inside.

"Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying!"

The voice was shrill and slightly unhinged.

"I'm not selling anything." I answered immediately. "My name is Sonya Solvoyova. I'm here to talk."

Sonya Solovyova was a person Elena and I made up ages ago. She was a member of the Russian vampire clan, the largest vampire clan in existence. Sonya's father had too many children to count, and most vampires had no idea she didn't exist. They just assumed she was one of the children. I've gotten into some pretty elite parties using her name.

I decided to go with a vampire alter ego, just in case.

"What the hell is a Solvoyov doing on my doorstep?" The door opened slightly, and one dark eye with a grey bushy eyebrow above it peeked through.

"My father sent me." I answered, plastering a sweet smile on my face. "He needs your commentary on a delicate matter."

"You're a foolish girl." The eyebrow dropped lower, hinting at a frown.

The Russian clan was on of the most powerful vampire clans in existence and Viktor Solvoyov was somewhat of a Renaissance vampire – he had his fingers in every pie that existed, including but not limited to possible human trafficking.

I put my hand on my hip, "My father is displeased with you, Sergeant, and he wants to know what went wrong."

It was a long shot, but all of my shots were long.

Sergeant Joe Bender watched me keenly with his one eye for a few moments, and I tried to appear as casual as possible, even slightly annoyed at his reluctance. Eventually, he cursed a bit and let me in his house.

The place was a complete mess – cans and bottles scattered all over the dirty floors, a table in the middle of the room full of papers, and dirty clothes flung over the long brown sofa. With all the shutters down, only light came from a measly table lamp that flickered every few seconds. There was a laptop next to the lamp, arguably the only modern thing in the living room. Pale floral tapestry covered all walls except for the wall opposite of the sofa. Papers were glued all over that one.