Blood City hasn't changed much in the time since I'd last been there.
It was still packed enough to make me claustrophobic, I noted with a grimace as I pushed my way through the hordes of people. When one girl bumped into me, I'd had enough and I, none-to-gently, pushed her away from me. Ignoring her gasp of indignation, I continued on my way feeling a bit better inside.
By the time I pushed my way through the crowd to the other side of the room to the stairs that led to Wolfric's office, I was exhausted and sweaty.
Wolfric smiled at me when I burst through the door with a huff, "Ah, it's about time. I was expecting you earlier, Rowena."
I glared at him, "Oh, stuff it." I took a seat, and pulled out my notebook for the second time that night, "So where are the big bad vampies?"
He held up a finger at me, "Before we get to that, I would like to extend an apology to you on account of my behavior last night. I'll admit I was frustrated and I was taking it out on you, my dear. And in my frustration, I might have said a few things that you didn't appreciate. For that, I am sorry."
I blinked at him. I wasn't really expecting to get an apology from "His Arrogance". I twiddled my thumbs, if he could be the bigger man and apologize, then why couldn't I? "Well...it wasn't all your fault. I have a tendency to overreact." Not to mention that being horny and not getting that itch scratched kinda makes a girl cranky. I kept that last part to myself. "So, no apology necessary."
My eyes followed him, as the vampire circled his desk and came to stand over me. I eyed him skeptically when he reached out and snagged my hand. The next thing I knew, I was hauled to my feet. He did it so fast that the world was lurching beneath my feet. Before I could open my mouth to voice my protest, Wolfric yanked my hand up and brushed his lips across my knuckles.
My gut clenched when his pale green eyes burned holes into, but when he added a scrape of teeth against my fingers, it literally, had my toes curling.
Knowing my face was imitating a tomato right about now, I stepped back and tried to regain my composure. "I, ah, think it's time to get down to business, Wolfric. Now, where are my interviewees?"
Wolfric waves me closer. Cautiously I move to stand behind the desk at his side.
On the wall before us rested a rather exquisite painting of an imposing castle in the moonlight.
"Gee wiz, this sure is nice. But I didn't come here to admire artwork, Wolfric," I point out to him, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.
He ignores me and slides the painting to the side, revealing a button. Pressing it, he steps aside as a panel slid away from the wall, unveiling a dark stairwell to where, I assume, those dozen underground rooms he'd mentioned were located.
"Secret passageway, huh? Am I gonna' need a Scooby-Snack, Shaggy?"
The slight twitch of his lips was the only sign that he'd found my comment amusing. Lifting his arm, he offered it to me with that old-world charm that he knew I found both irritating and refreshing, "Shall we?"
I took another wary glance at the stairs in question. It was dark, even with my heightened night vision. I wouldn't want to trip and embarrass myself in front of Wolfric and the vampires I've come to question. How intimidating is an officer questioning you while she lays flat on her back?
Grudgingly, I accept the arm and allow Wolfric to lead me down the "Stairs of Doom".
The silence was deafening, if that makes any sense. Neither of us spoke, which, if you haven't noticed by now, is very rare of me. But, I was too busy concentrating on each and every step in order to keep some image of grace. Though standing beside Wolfric for an extended period of time can make one feel as clumsy as a newborn calf. Why on earth doesn't somebody put some damn lights in this stinkin' place?!
Finally, I had to break the silence, "So, how many people know about your secret underground tunnel?"
There was a small pause in which I thought he wasn't going to answer, "You're the only one, besides my most trusted, who knows of this place."
I was so shocked that I stumbled on the steps and he had to reach out and steady me with both hands. I was the only one who wasn't a member of his crew who he'd shown this to? What did that mean exactly? To my dismay, I could feel the heat rising up my neck, threatening to stain my cheeks. Trying to downplay my reaction to this bit of info, I laughed halfheartedly, "Gee, I bet you say that to all the girls."
He didn't respond.
Gulping down my discomfort, I resigned myself to the silence. How far did this thing go down anyways? Just as the words crossed my mind, I saw a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I barely held back my sigh of relief.
Stepping into the bright room, had my eyes blinking rapidly in adjustment. Once I had stopped seeing spots, I found myself in a nice little living room/den area. There was a giant flat-screen TV resting on a mantel of a fireplace with a roaring fire greedily devouring logs. A comfy-looking black sofa and a matching love-seat that matched the slate gray paint of the walls were placed in front of the marvelous TV in such a way that would be perfect for monster movie marathons with popcorn. Against one wall rested a bar with an impressive array of booze that could probably make an alcoholic weep, while the other part of the room boasted an antique pool table.
It seemed like Wolfric's henchmen lived large, and I've only seen one room. "How is there an actual fireplace underground? Were does all the smoke go?"
He chuckled. Of all the questions I could've asked, I had to ask that one. "There is a chimney of sorts that runs all the way to the top of the club."
"That's a long chimney," I noted. I eyed my surroundings one more time, taking everything in, "Where is everyone?" I tried to slide my arm out from his grasp, but it appeared to be made of steel.
"Out, I assume. We are creatures of the night, as you are very much aware of. The daylight hours are for resting and the night is for living."
I was still trying to release myself from his bear-trap of an arm, "Are you saying that your vampires are out partying?"
Wolfric's lips turned up in amusement, "Monsters wish to have fun too, Rowena. Though, I imagine most of them are out feeding."
The very word "feeding" had my gums aching and my stomach clenching. I may be only one-quarter vampire, but even I have to drink blood every now and then, though not as often as regular vampires do. And Wolfric's innocent comment reminded me that it has been awhile since I've drunk blood. Usually, I would get together with Hank and we'd do a little horizontal tango and I'd satisfy two kinds of lust. If not him, then I would go out with some friends and find me a hot date who wouldn't mind me nibbling on their neck.
My eyes wandered up to Wolfric's neck, and I couldn't keep my eyes from fastening on the artery slightly pumping against flesh. I could almost hear the blood flowing thickly through his veins, waiting for a nick in the skin to be made so that it could seep out to stain the skin.
What would it be like to pierce his skin with my fangs? How would it feel to ingest his blood, to feel his lifeblood sustaining me and making me strong? What noises would Wolfric make when his jugular was pierced? If I just wrapped my legs around him and impaled myself on his...WHAT?!
HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE!
I hate my libido.
"Rowena?"
Snapping out of my red haze, I glanced down to find myself awfully close to Wolfric. Like AWFULLY close! I had sidled right on up to his side and practically super-glued myself to his hip with my hand gripping his arm like a vise-grip. Embarrassingly enough, without realizing it, I also had raised myself up on my tip-toes as I strained towards the neck I was fantasizing about.
Wolfic was grinning from ear to ear as he studied the position I had gotten myself into.
I jumped away from him like I'd discovered he had the plague. I threw my hands up and scrambled to explain, "I wasn't-I didn't-I was just-!"
"My what a lively house guest you've brought us, Master," came an annoyingly seductive voice from the other end of the room.
My stomach dropped with dread at the thought of someone witnessing my embarrassing reaction to Wolfric and my urges. Especially anyone who can manage to sound amused, annoyed, and sexy at the same time.
Undeterred, Wolfric chuckled and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, ignoring the way I tensed up, "Now, now Valerie. No need to be snippy, Rowena has a perfectly good reason for being here. Isn't that right, Rowena?"
I managed to stiffly nod my head, wishing I could melt into the floor as I was faced with a woman who reminded my of Jessica Rabbit and a man who seemed as dark and villainous as his black eyes.
Great. Just great. I'd managed to make a fool of myself in front of the two people I have come to interview. How intimidating was that?
You're off to a roaring good start, R.J., I thought to myself with a resigned sigh.