25. Kim

Chapter 25

Kim

T he abandoned warehouse looms before me, its broken windows like hollow eyes staring out into the night.

Why is it always an abandoned warehouse? Never a fancy hotel or a nice plush bar in the center of town?

The stench of decay and something sickeningly sweet hangs in the air. Fermented Human Blood. FHB.

I've never tried the stuff, but I've seen what it does to both vampires and humans. At least when the queen was alive, everything was pretty well regulated. Since Lucien killed her, the FHB problem has been getting worse. And I can't help feeling like whoever is trying to take over is using it as a distraction.

I think back to the video feed, trying not to think too much about the image of Luna and Lucien fucking. Instead, I think about the shadows.

She had no idea what she was doing. But it was like she was calling them to her.

If someone else suspects her power, then they'll have been watching her. Which means they will know Lucien watches her, too.

Perhaps they're causing chaos in the city to keep him distracted.

I bite my lower lip. For the first time, maybe ever, I wish Trent was here just so I had someone to talk this shit through with out loud. Lucien's so caught up in having her in the mansion, close to him, he's not really interested in exploring theories. He wants facts. A name.

So, that's what I'm here to find.

I adjust my grip on the stake in my jacket pocket, taking a deep breath. Coming here as a human is beyond risky, but a nest of FHB laced vamps with little control over what they say is my best shot at getting information on the new boss in town.

Slipping through a gap in the chain-link fence, I make my way toward the building. The closer I get, the stronger the smell becomes. It's cloying, almost dizzying. I can't imagine what it does to a vampire's heightened senses.

I flex my fingers on the stake. The dark energy swirling around this place is suffocating. Everything inside me tells me to run. But, as usual, I ignore that instinct and head straight for danger.

Inside, the warehouse is a maze of rusted machinery and crumbling walls. I strain my ears for any sound of movement.

There – a soft moan from the far end of the building.

I creep forward, trying not to make a sound. As I round a corner, I see them. A group of vampires, maybe six or seven, sprawled across dirty mattresses and broken furniture. Their skin is pale, almost translucent, with black veins spider-webbing across their faces. Their eyes, when they flutter open, are completely black.

FHB users. And by the looks of it, they're deep in the throes of addiction.

I scan the group, looking for my target. I need a baby vamp, someone more pliable than the others. They're easy to spot; their energy is different. More erratic, animalistic, unpredictable. Which, though dangerous, is what I need.

A young man, probably a university student, sits up, swaying slightly, his gaze unfocused. Perfect.

Taking a deep breath, I step into view. "Hey," I call out softly. "You okay, man?"

The young vampire's head snaps up, his black eyes fixing on me. For a moment, there's no recognition, no hint of humanity. Then he blinks, and something like awareness flickers in his gaze.

"Who... who are you?" His voice is raspy, barely above a whisper.

I move closer, hands raised to show I'm not a threat. "Name's Kim. I'm looking for someone. Thought you might be able to help."

He laughs, a hollow, brittle sound. "Me? Help? I can't even help myself."

I crouch down beside him, keeping one eye on the other vampires. They seem too far gone to be a threat, but if they smell a human, that might change.

"I'm looking for the new boss in town. The one supplying this stuff." I gesture at the empty vials scattered around.

The vampire tenses, fear flashing across his face. "I don't know anything about that."

"Come on, man," I press, injecting a note of desperation into my voice. "I need some good stuff. My supplier disappeared, and I'm hurting. Just need to know who to talk to."

The vampire's eyes narrow, a flicker of suspicion cutting through his drug-addled haze. "But you're human," he says, his voice a low growl.

I shrug. "Humans can handle FHB too, you know. It's not just for vamps. The high is... something else."

He seems to consider this, his black eyes roving over me. I can see the wheels turning in his hazy brain, weighing the risk of trusting me against the possibility of gaining a new customer for his boss.

"Look," I say, glancing nervously at the other stirring vampires. "Can we talk outside? I'm not comfortable with all these... others around. Don't want them taking a cut of your commission if you're the one to introduce me. You know?"

After a moment's hesitation, he nods and a smile spreads across his face. "Yeah... yeah, okay. We gotta stick together, don't we? Us younger guys." He glances at the other vampires, who are honestly impossible to age. Then sticks out his hand and lets me help him up.

We make our way out of the warehouse, the vampire stumbling slightly. Once outside, I lead him around to a secluded spot behind the building.

"So," he says, rolling up his sleeves. "How much quantity are we talking about. You have others who want in?"

He's still speaking when I pin him against the wall, my stake pressed firmly against his chest.

"What the—" he grumbles, straining against me.

He's strong, but I'm pressing the stake down right above his heart and any moment at all could cause me to puncture his chest.

"Who's the new boss? Who's supplying the FHB?"

"I said I'd get you some. There's no need for?—"

"I don't need product. I need a name."

The vampire frowns at me. Then shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about," he gasps, struggling against my grip.

I press the stake harder, feeling it bite into his flesh. "Wrong answer. Last chance. Who's running things now?"

Terror floods his face. "I can't... they'll kill me if I talk."

"I'll kill you if you don't," I counter.

Something in my voice must convince him because he slumps in defeat. "Fuck," he mutters. Then, "Nix," he whispers. "That's the name I've heard. Nix."

"Nix?"

He nods. "I swear. That's all I know. Just the name."

"Thank you," I say quietly. Then, before he can react, I drive the stake through his heart and his body crumbles to dust. Then I take out my phone and dial Lucien.

"Kim?"

"Does the name Nix mean anything to you?"

There is silence on the end of the phone. All I can hear is Lucien's breathing. When he speaks, his voice sounds different.

"Nix?" he mutters.

Dread solidifies in my stomach. Because, for the first time, Lucien Thornfield sounds scared.