Authors: Shirlee Lewis
Carlo was behind the counter straightening up when I approached. “Mrs. Mureaux, how can I help you?”
“Is there any way you can secure my room?”
“Indeed. May I ask for how long?”
“I’m not sure yet. I know for at least a week, maybe more.”
“Your room will be waiting for your return, but may I also ask where you are going?”
“To find my husband,” I said with a positive attitude.
Handing Carlo the key to my room, I grabbed my bag and headed to my car. I was off to Parma.
A small gas station/convenience store outside of Parma looked to be a good resting spot, so I stopped to fill my car and grab some snacks. A small framed, gray-haired lady behind the counter watched me as I gathered up my snacks and drinks. Setting them on the counter, she said “You’re the one to look for that man aren’t you?”
Snapping my head up, I looked her in the eyes and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I paid for my items and was leaving the store when she blurted out, “You’re the one to save him.”
Opening the door, I turned back to her and thought I saw a small smile come across her face. Her eyebrow raised and she said, “You, Jessica, will save Tony.”
Now she had my attention. Going back to the counter I asked, “How did you know my name?”
Looking around to make sure we were the only two in the store, she hurried to the door, turned the open s
ign around to closed, and then locked the door. Coming back around the counter, she said, “Put your bag here and please come with me.” She headed toward the back of the store. Pulling back the curtain, she checked to see if I was following her. I was.
In the center of the store, a table with two chairs sat with a fortune teller’s globe. “Please have a seat. I must tell you, I know where Tony is and you must hurry.”
“Wait, let me get this straight. You know my name and my husband’s name, how?”
“A couple was in here with him yesterday evening. He told me your name and described you. He told me to tell you he love you and don’t give up on him.”
“Did he look okay, I mean, he wasn’t hurt or anything?”
“No, he was in good spirits.”
“Do you know the couple he was with and where they could have taken him?”
“Ah, the couple, I do not. A hidden road lies five miles down the road. Take it.”
Getting up from the chair, I started for the door when she said, “You must hurry or it will be too late. I did not tell you anything. You understand?”
“I understand,” I agreed and went to my car forgetting my snacks and drink on the counter.
Watching my mileage counter, I slowed the car exactly at the five mile mark. If a hidden road was here, it was definitely hidden. Stopping the car, I got out and walked both sides o
f the road looking for any sign of a road.
Exactly where I parked my car, there were tire tracks leading past brush. Pushing the brush back with my hand, I saw the road, now concrete, going up the side of the mountain. Going back to my car, I backed up and drove through the brush to the top of the mountain. The road winding up the hill reminded me of a snake. Thick trees lined the road with a small opening about halfway up the mountain. A toll booth, of some sort, sat just before the clearing. Before I reached the booth a bar came down and
I hit the brakes suddenly stopping within inches of hitting it.
Inside the booth, the guard, wearing a black robe, opened a small window and asked, “Who are you here
to see?”
Looking up the road, I saw several black cloaks’ pass across the road and immediately th
ought of Thorment. “I’m here to see Thorment.”
“What is the purpose of your meeting with him?”
“Personnel,” I said without blinking an eye. With my legs shaking and my heart beating like a jungle drum, I held my composure not knowing what was in store for me meeting Thorment, but I had to talk to him and quick. The guard withdrew from the window and the bar started rising to let me pass.
“You’ll find him in the last building up ahead.”
Moving the car at a snail’s pace, the town resembled a medieval village. Looking around the compound, I saw a small child tugging at its mother’s robe whining as they walked to a building. The sign read: Bloody Apparel. Next door stood a tavern with a sign reading, Thirsty-Blood. The rest of the buildings were apartment’s making up the rest of the town. This was defiantly a vampire’s dream town. At the end of the road sat a castle surrounded by a wrought iron fence and gate. Pulling up to the gate, it opened and I drove to the front of the castle. Getting out of the car the double doors opened and a woman stepped out. “Hello, my name is Carmina. Welcome to Mortensin Castle. Please follow me,” she said holding out her hand toward the door. Carmina was strikingly stunning, wearing a very short mini dress in black which hugged every curve of her body. Her ebony hair hung below her shoulder and her eyes a shocking sky blue.
Entering the castle, Carmina took me downstairs to a dark hallway. Torches hung on the wall every few feet dimly lighting the way to another set of double doors. “Wait here,” Carmina announced.
Carmina entered closing the doors behind her.
Soon the double doors opened. Two black cloaks walked me arm in arm in front of a throne. “Wait here,” they stated in unison and then left. The throne room with marble relics from centuries ago laced in gold covered every square inch of the room and a chandelier hung from the ceiling made of cast iron. You could say; I was in a king’s castle from the décor hanging on the wall.
Carmina entered the room from a hidden door to the right of the throne taking her place at the throne followed by a dozen black cloaks and two smaller ones. Circling around me from behind and on both sides giving me the feeling I couldn’t or wouldn’t escape, but I wasn’t here to worry about escaping. I was here on a mission to find Tony and nothing or no one was going to stand in my way or stop me. No matter what the cost, I would be with Tony again.
“What is your name and what business do you seek from Thorment?” Carmina asked.
“My name is Jessica Mureaux. I’ve come to report my husband missing, Tony Mureaux.
“How can Thorment help you?”
“I’m not sure, but if I could talk to him, please.”
“That’s impossible. A missing person requires the police, not Thorment.”
“I have already spoken to the police, but a stranger told me to come here to look for him.”
“We do not commute outside of town, nor do we encourage it. Meetings are held in secret and only a vampire would know if and when a meeting is about to take place. You, young lady, are outside your realm. Now, go
and do not bother us with a police matter.” Carmina commanded.
“I’m begging for Thorment’s help.”
Carmina stood. “Guards escort her out and make sure she leaves.”
The guards surrounded me when a thunderous voice spoke from behind the cloaks. “Carmina don’t be so hasty.”
“Thorment, we don’t allow outsiders. She could be a danger to us and the clan.”
“Guards, hold up,” Thorment boomed.
The smaller guards took my hand and walked back with me to the throne.
“Thorment, she’s asking for help which doesn’t pertain to us,” Carmina said.
“I’ll make that call, Carmina dear,” Thorment said and a door opened.
Thorment walked out into the throne room and I thought I was looking at the devil himself. Standing seven feet tall with bulging muscles on both arms and legs, two horns stuck out from his forehead and his eyes and lips were red as ruby’s. If I wasn’t afraid before, I was now.
What have I gotten myself into
, I thought.
Thorment walked to the throne taking a seat tapping his long fingers against his chin. “My dear child,” he spoke softly. “We don’t allow outsiders, but since you are here what can I do for you?”
“I need your help in locating my husband. This lady down the road told me he was here and to come.”
“Carmina, call the brood and their mates for a meeting.”
Carmina looked at Thorment for a brief moment, and then took off.
After Carmina left, Thorment spoke in a quiet even tone. “Now,” Thorment paused. “What is your name?”
“Jessica Mureaux.”
“Jessica,” he paused. “I remember a Jessica, so sweet, young and such a waste. My first love as I recall.” Thorment suddenly came back from his memories to ask, “How did you know about us?”
“My father-in-law and husband were in attendance back in March for a mandatory meeting for dhampirs. My husband, Tony Mureaux, wanted me to see Italy for our honeymoon and now he is gone.”
“I remembered your name and thought I could start by talking to you to see if you would help me find him when the lady down the road told me he was here.”
“Nosy old witch thinks she knows about us when she doesn’t know anything,” Thorment mumbled under his breath. In a calmer voice Thorment asked, “It wouldn’t happen to be the old lady from the Middle of Nowhere Store would it?”
“I didn’t pay attention to the name. I stopped because I was hungry and my car needed gas.”
The double doors opened with Carmina in the lead of seven black cloaks.
They stopped behind the guards. Carmina came around to the throne and the cloaks surrounding me parted to each side making way for the brood to join them. They removed their hoods, standing at attention when Thorment bleared in a thunderous growl causing me to jump, “Where is Freda?”
No one spoke.
“Leviathan, front and center,” rumbled deep from within Thorment’s chest.
Leviathan walked up to stand beside me and said, “Yes
, master.”
“Freda is your mate. Do you know why she’s not here?”
“No, master. I haven’t seen Freda for a month now. Fredrick told me last night he saw her, but only for a brief moment.”
“Why was I not informed about this?”
“I didn’t want to bother you with my troubles, master.”
“Everyone to the meeting room now, except for you,” Thorment pointed at Leviathan and me.”
The guards walked to a door to the left of Thorment’s throne.
“Carmina, call the town for a meeting.”
When Carmina left, Thorment got up and stood in front of Leviathan. Picking Leviathan up by his throat, he asked him, “Where is Freda?” and then put Leviathan down.
“Master, I do not know. She did not tell me where she was going. During the night she disappeared and I haven’t seen her since. Fredrick came to me last night with news about her arrival. I went to talk to her and she was gone.”
“Go to the meeting room and wait for me.”
“Yes, master.” Leviathan bowed and left the room.
“Jessica, it seems we both have a problem with disappearances. Let us move to the meeting room. Follow me.”
Following Thorment to the meeting room, my stomach sank into my knees. The oddest feeling came over me having to do with Freda and Tony. Surely it wasn’t here at the hotel with Carl, but my gut told me it was.
Chapter Thirteen
Thorment walked in first and I followed behind him. The meeting room was nothing like the throne room with a massive round table running its length, reminding me of a knight’s room with a round table but brightly lit with modern lightning. Carmina stood and announced, “Your master has arrived. The meeting will now begin.” Everyone stood and bowed as Thorment took his seat at the head of the table. I leaned against the wall watching the proceeding.
“It has come to my attention a member of our clan has gone astray. Leviathan
, come forward,” Thorment ordered.
Leviathan stood, walked to the center of the room, and bowed facing Thorment.