Gypsy Road

Chapter 9

Madelyn's POV: When the light cleared, we were in L.A. The Strip is just as sleazy yet beautiful as the pictures I've seen. The streets were lit up, hookers in stilettos were working the corners, and the night scene was busy. Tom and I started walking down the sidewalk, passing shops and bars along the way.

"Looks like the Whiskey just let out. Wonder who was playing tonight?" He said. I watched as scantily clad women and men who's minds are stuck in the 1980s stumbled out of the building. The sign over the entrance read "L.A. Guns: SOLD OUT". I know those guys. If I remember correctly, Tracii Guns is a zombie and Ace Von Johnson is a vampire in our world. I'm not sure about the others though.

When I looked back at Tom, he was suddenly in his older form. I was slightly intrigued. He's still an attractive man despite looking older. Impressive.

"I see you staring, and just know this is how I automatically appear in this world." He said, "I have a friend here. You'll stay with him and he'll make sure you're ok."

"A human friend or?" I trailed off.

"Another vampire." Tom explained. "Left our world to live here. Just like I have a band back home I have one here, and he's in it."

We eventually arrived at a pretty modest house considering it's near the Strip. Tom knocked and we waited for the mystery man to answer.

"Tom." He said as he opened the door, "You got here fast. Come in."

"Ozzy's been modifying the portal to be quicker so now it only takes about 30 seconds." Tom explained as we both entered the home. "Maddie this is Billy Mercer by the way."

"Nice to meet you." I meekly said. I'm still nervous about being here, so even though I'm talking to another monster I'm a little clammed up.

"Look, I've gotta head back to help Blackie. Just make sure Maddie is ok here. I'll come back when it's safe there." Tom explained.

"How long do you think this is gonna take?" I asked.

"However long it needs to." He replied. He hugged me before leaving me with Billy.

"You look famished darling." Billy snapped me out of my thoughts. "Here. Drink this." He handed me a cup of what I assume is blood.

"How'd you know—"

"Tom already told me he turned you." Billy cut me off. I hesitantly downed the crimson liquid. It's the first time I've had blood since Tom turned me, but it definitely isn't what I expected. Maybe it's because my senses are changed now, but it tastes sweet. Almost like syrup.

"Thank you." I said, handing him the empty glass.

"Of course." He replied, placing it in the sink. "Make yourself at home."

I felt the need to familiarize myself with this new environment. I walked around the living room, taking in the decor and Knick knacks. What looked like a family picture caught my eye.

"This you?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah. That's my family." Billy replied.

I closely examined the picture, although there wasn't much to take in. Billy was on the left, younger than he looks now. Next to him was who I presume is his wife. Wavy black hair that went to the middle of her back, burgundy lipstick, and she was wearing a gorgeous magenta and gold dress that looked straight out of a medieval movie. In her arms was a small baby wrapped in a white blanket covered in lambs, a tuft of wavy black hair on their head.

"Why don't you sit down and relax?" Billy interrupted my thoughts. I snapped back and sat down at the nearby table. Billy noticed my knee bouncing up and down. "You ok?"

"I just don't understand why Tobias is after me." I said, "He's been in my nightmares for so long. Why is he doing this?"

"The answer's simple." Billy said, "Tobias hates humans. His goal is to eradicate them and allow his kind of vampires to take over."

"But I'm not human anymore." I said, "Tom turned me, he should be leaving me alone."

"He's not after only you anymore darling." Billy replied, "He's after Tom." I was immediately confused.

"What?" I asked.

"Tom was a human." Billy explained, "He was born to a vampire mother and a mortal father. His mother kept her husband and Tom in the human world because he knew that Tobias's kind of vampires hate humans. When Tom's father died, his mother had no choice but to turn him so he could live in the creature realm. Tobias sensed it when he first met Tom, and he's wanted to kill him and whoever he falls in love with ever since. That's why Tom's so protective of his lovers and why everyone in the realm is protective over you."

"Oh my god." Was all I could muster.

"But Tobias wants something different with you, now more than ever." Billy continued, "For some reason he wants to make you his slave or some kind of forced lover. Possibly to keep you as some kind of trophy."

I was curious exactly how much Billy knew. He knew all this info about Tom and his origin, perhaps he knows about mine.

"By any chance, do you know how I ended up in the creature realm?" I bit the bullet and asked him. Billy was silent for a moment, almost refusing to look at me. He definitely knows something.

"I do." He finally said, "But I doubt you'll like it."

"I still wanna know." I replied, "It's been bugging me for years." Billy let out a sigh.

"You have a story similar to Tom's." He began, "Your mother was a human and your father is a vampire. Your mother was killed in a car crash when you were only a few months old. Your father couldn't take the pain it caused and he left the creature realm, giving you up for adoption in the process. I do know that he hand picked Blackie because he knew he could be a great parent and would assure you were safe."

"You seem to know a lot." I said. Billy didn't want to look at me.

"Do you really want the truth Madelyn?" He asked.

"Did you not tell me the truth?" I asked.

"I did." Billy replied, "But there's more to it. I just don't know if you'll be able to handle it."

"Please. I need to know this." I said, "I want to figure out as much as possible about my past. Please Billy, you gotta tell me." He let out another sigh.

"Madelyn," He slowly said, very hesitant to continue, "I'm—I'm your father." I furrowed my brows in confusion. So much has happened today, now I find my real father? I didn't know what to say.

"You—you're my—" I stumbled over my words.

"Madelyn," Billy said, gently grabbing my hand, "I know this is hard to process, it's a lot so fast, but I hope you don't hold a grudge against me for doing this. I figured you'd be safe. I never thought Tobias would come for you." I was still at a loss for words when Tom walked in.

"Billy, you gotta come back with me. We've got a big problem." He said, leaning on the table.

"Tom." I tried to talk but still couldn't, "Billy—he—"

"I don't think this is a good time Tom." Billy said.

"What happened here?" Tom asked, "Anyways, this is urgent. We need you back there so you can watch Maddie. Now."

"Why can't I just keep watching her here like I'm supposed to?" Billy asked.

"Tobias has Blackie." Tom bluntly said. Now my eyes widened...