Varick
The catamaran approached a rocky shore I didn't recognise. But I was glad to be wherever we were, even if we had had to leave Jameson behind. It bothered me to part with him again, after only just having been reunited. I wasn't sure how to feel about Ulvic's hold over him, but I knew I couldn't understand the way of wolves as he couldn't fully understand the way of Vs. We weren't the same men we'd grown up together as. And we'd need time to learn how best to live our lives alongside each other going forward.
I'd spent the daylight hours below deck with the rest of the Vampires, wishing I could steal Selena away to myself. But she had much to talk about with her father so I'd left them alone, turning my ear to them only on occasion. It was hard to give her space when we'd had such a brief amount of time outside of the games with one another. But smothering her would only drive her away, so I had to find a way to control my craving for her company.
After discovering a deck of cards, Kodiak had seemed keen to play and I'd soon been encouraged into a game of Gin Rummy with him and Cass.
“I win.” Cass spread her hand of cards on the table, winning for the hundredth time.
“Curse you,” Kodiak muttered. “One more game.”
“You said that last time,” Cass sung, sitting back in her chair. “I'm getting tired of beating your ass.”
“A different game,” Kodiak insisted.
“What is it with you and cards?” I muttered, throwing my cards onto the table. I'd barely been paying attention for the last two rounds and realised I had only three cards of the same suit. Not much competition here...
“Well I've spent the last fifty years playing the V Games and eating people, so a game of Gin Rummy is kind of the dream right now.” Kodiak chucked down his hand, revealing he'd come within one card of winning. I felt a slight pang of pity for him, but was still too distracted to listen when Cass started asking him about how he'd ended up in the games.
“I'm going to...” I trailed off as I headed out the door and Cass started laughing, calling out that I was obsessed. Obsessed was probably a strong word. Probably.
But I'd gone nearly a whole day without Selena and the sunset meant I could finally return to the deck and track her down. I located her at the bow, standing up on a railing as her father pointed toward a craggy coastline ahead. Another island: fantastic. This one was small, almost all of it visible from here, the shape of it like the top of a hammer poking out of the sea. A sharp dip in the middle divided the two peaks.
Selena glanced over her shoulder as I approached, her dark hair streaming out behind her in the wind. Her eyes were wide and hopeful and held everything I had ever wanted inside them.
Yes, obsessed might have been right the word...
“Come look!” she called, pointing to where the moon hung low beneath the clouds, illuminating a building on the island before us.
“What is it?” I held her waist as I arrived.
“The Sanctuary,” Brendan supplied, beaming proudly. “We're twelve miles south of Iceland.”
I gazed ahead, taking in the rolling hills and the forest rising across the peaks. It was emerald green. Between the trees, a wide ring of flat land was just visible and an enormous building stood at the heart of it.
“You're safe here, I give you my word,” Brendan said, resting a hand on my shoulder briefly.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head as he walked away.
“Hiding away from the Helsings is starting to seem like a great idea,” Selena mused as I nuzzled into her, resting my head on her shoulder. She leant down, her lips brushing mine as the wind picked up around us, but the stormy air was nothing in comparison to the hurricane surging inside me.
“I hope you mean that.” I brushed my face against hers, her cheek icy from the prevailing wind.
The light in her eyes dimmed slightly, but she didn't say any more, allowing me to bask in the moment a while longer.
Safe. We were actually safe. Impossible to believe after everything. The world seemed to be opening up and expanding before me. Possibilities that I'd never even fathomed were now available to us. Even the cure...humanity. It might actually be within reach.
I gripped Selena more firmly, committing the moment to memory. In all my life and immortality, I had never felt like this. But there was one thing still keeping us parted. When the moon reigned, I could love her as she deserved to be loved. But unless the sun decided to let me walk in its burning light once more, I would only be able to kiss her half as often as I wished to.
Before we docked, I'd taken more kisses than was appropriate, especially since Kodiak had appeared above deck at some point then awkwardly departed.
“Varick, you know we have all the time in the world now?” Selena laughed, pressing me back.
“Just making up for lost time.” I devoured another kiss, this time travelling all the way to her throat. The blood-lust rose in me for the first time in many hours, and I closed my eyes, trying to swallow the jagged lump in my throat. For all the world, I wanted rid of it. To not need this sacrifice from her. But we both knew, without it, we were done for.
“When we're next alone,” she promised, dropping down from the railing, no judgment at all in her gaze.
I sighed, parting from her, wanting only to be near her when I was most human. Now that I knew what it was like to be in control again, it was the least she deserved to remove myself from her when my resolve dwindled.
Her fingers locked with mine before I could walk away, her shoulders pressed back as she led me toward the stern side where we would soon depart.
Brendan guided the catamaran through a narrow channel between two black cliffs. Their shadows fell over us, hiding most of the stars and all of the moon from view.
The sound of the waves against the rocks amplified around us, but soon the sound gave way to the wind caressing a thousand leaves. I faced the forest along the shore as we entered a tiny, crescent cove; ash and beech and oak all clustered on the hill like they had gathered to greet us. A single light flashed from the trees; a signal, quickly returned from the light strung high atop our vessel. It gave me hope that this place was guarded. That no other boat could come here without forewarning.
Darrell was standing statuesque before the railing and as we approached the shore, his eyes turned our way, glinting with the light of the moon. “Welcome to The Sanctuary.”
We were soon striding across the sandy beach, Darrell guiding Mercy as our prisoner and Kite at his side. It didn't sit right with me that a Helsing was accompanying us here, but logic told me she was outnumbered and there was no chance of her escape. But had we been right in leaving her alive? Strange as it was, I was happier knowing Selena's conscience was clear. And in all honesty, none of us needed any more blood on our hands than we already had. If the games had taught me anything, it was that killing was sometimes the easy option. The harder thing, and perhaps what divided the cruel from the just, was finding a reason to stay our hands.
Christ, let me be more like her.
Selena was sure in her footing as we headed up the beach, following her father. We met with a series of wooden steps and started climbing. Between the trees, my ear caught sounds of wildlife, but amidst them was something else. Just tiny, nearly imperceptible movements. Vs. Well-fed, able to remain almost entirely silent.
“How many Vampires are here?” I called to Brendan who glanced back over his shoulder. I moved instinctively closer to Selena, though she didn't seem afraid. Her trust in her father was something I had to try and have faith in. My instincts were good. No part of me sensed a trap. But I remained alert all the same.
“There are thirty three in residence here. The Vs protect the island during the night,” Brendan replied.
At the top of the steps, the trees gave way to a large fence. I gazed along the perimeter of steel topped with razor wire.
“Who are you keeping out?” I inquired, cautious. The metal wasn't silver, so Vs weren't the problem here.
“It's just a precaution,” Brendan replied, leading the way to a towering, electric gate. He waved up at a camera atop it and a low buzzing sounded. The gate rattled and clanged as it slid mechanically aside.
As we stepped through it onto a gravel path, I took in the grand, carefully tended grounds around us, stretching toward an ancient manor house. The grey stone was laden with vines, bare now as it was winter, but I imagined it would look beautiful in the spring. Above us, the stars hung in the velvety tapestry of the sky, quietly observing the world.
Cass joined Selena's side, throwing her a hopeful smile. A single word blazed in her expression: Safe.
Brendan picked up his pace, leading us into the grand manor house. The door was reinforced with heavy wooden slats on the inside that could have been drawn across in an emergency. Did Brendan expect IDAHO to turn up here bashing down his door?
The grand entrance hall was modern with honey-wood floors and painted white walls, the staircase before us dividing the house in two as if a mirror hung between us.
The only light inside was offered by bright chandeliers and bulbs set into simple brackets lining the walls. The windows were blacked out entirely by heavy shutters that didn't let even a sliver of moonlight into the building. But I knew it wasn't moonlight Brendan was trying to keep out. It was the sun.
“So this is what? A safe house for Vs?” I asked, furling a brow.
I spotted Mercy taking in the place with disdain - typical of her. She wasn't complaining though – which wasn't typical of her.
“Not just Vampires. All Immortal beings.” Brendan pointed to a corridor to the left. “The west wing houses the Vs. To the right, all other Immortals. Werewolves...Sirens...Shifters.” Brendan shrugged as if this meant nothing, pointing upstairs. “Our human population are kept separate due to their vulnerability to many of the – er- gifts Immortals possess. We all mix of course, but at night the humans are divided in case a V has a lapse of will or-”
I cut him off, the information too much to process at once. “Wait, you have humans here? Why?”
Brendan smiled, his eyes shining with pride. “Some of them are employees. Others are...refugees, I suppose you could call them. Survivors of the games, or escapees from IDAHO.”
“Survivors?” Selena questioned, stepping toward him. “There are others?”
“Yes.” Brendan briefly touched her arm, his gaze moving to the rest of us. “I'm sorry to lay down the law, but there are a couple of conditions upon you all staying here.”
“What kind of conditions?” Thames demanded, stiffening in Kodiak's arms. The girl evidently wasn't going to let her guard down easily in this place. And who could blame her?
Brendan clutched his hands behind his back, addressing us all. “As guests here, you will have access to the entire house and grounds during the day. I may ask the Vampires to sign up to the odd night patrol to ensure our safety here. Outside of patrols, you will each spend nights in your designated wings. You are to remain separate every night, all night.”
Selena gave me a lingering glance that set my temper rising. After all we'd been through, being told to remain apart even for mere hours seemed like a great sacrifice.
Brendan continued, “To ensure peace between the Vampire and human populations is maintained, humans will be required to donate blood weekly to keep the Vs fed. In return they offer their protection-”
“No,” I snapped before he could finish. “Not Selena.” I took her arm, yanking her closer.
“Varick,” she hissed, trying to tug loose of my hold. “It's a fair request.”
My jaw tightened, my unwavering possessiveness of her rolling up inside me.
“I cannot bend rules for even my daughter,” Brendan said apologetically. “This sanctuary can only work so long as the rules are adhered to. They are in place for the good of everyone. And I assure you that they are essential to keeping the harmony here.”
“Of course, and we'll comply,” Selena said through her teeth, her eyes on me.
I worked against the raging storm in my chest, slowly but surely, offering a small nod of acceptance.
Brendan gave me a warm smile before turning to Selena. “And if you're willing, I'd like you to take part in my work toward a cure for Vampirism. Only if you wish to, of course.”
Selena was already nodding. “Yes. Anything to help.”
“Great.” Brendan faced Darrell who was still holding Mercy by the arm. “Miss Helsing will have to be confined for now until I can make time to speak with her. Put her in isolation then show the Vs to the west wing.”
Darrell bowed his head, guiding Mercy away who didn't put up much of a fight, sparing us only a glance through her curtain of golden hair.
“Isolation? As in a prison?” Cass questioned, her tone sharp.
Brendan raised his hands, his expression open. “I was forced to build a holding area after a V attacked one of my staff members.”
Thames muttered her discontent and I could have sworn Kodiak held her closer to his chest. He cleared his throat; though often quiet, he commanded a room when he voiced his thoughts. “And what happened to that V?”
Brendan brushed his hands absently down his trouser legs. “I have no tolerance for such behaviour. He was exiled.”
“You sent a hungry V into the world?” I demanded, my eyes narrowing.
“No...” Brendan glanced at Darrell who folded his thick arms, supplying the answer for him.
“Brendan sent him to the outer perimeter where he'll serve two years outside The Sanctuary, proving his worth to the community by protecting it. Blood is brought to him beyond the fence, but other than that he has no contact with the residents here.”
“A choice he made, I might add,” Brendan said. “He wants to stay here and he'll do what it takes to make up for his mistake.”
“Rules, got it,” Kite said, taking in the grand hall. “Consequences, check. Now where's this blood you mentioned?” Her eyes swung over Brendan's head, pretending to look for it, a smirk on her face.
“Darrell will show you. I'll take the rest of you upstairs.” Brendan smiled, stepping onto the first stair.
“Wait,” Kodiak growled. “Thames can't manage alone.”
Thames grunted her annoyance but said nothing, still hanging in Kodiak's arms.
“I can carry her,” Brendan said, taking her into his arms without hesitation.
I gripped Selena's wrist before she made a move to follow. “Meet me here in an hour.”
“Okay,” she breathed, tiptoeing to kiss my cheek. I clutched her waist, holding her close for several seconds.
“Go,” she laughed, slipping away and following her father upstairs.
I was left in the company of the other Vampires; the only one I trusted entirely was Cass so I stepped smoothly to her side.
“You must be quite glad to be free of the Helsings,” Kodiak addressed Kite.
Her eyes slowly slid to him. “What do you reckon?” she tutted, turning away before he could answer and Kodiak shifted awkwardly.
“I see you haven't changed,” Cass remarked.
Kite shrugged, folding her arms and saying no more.
When Darrell returned, I was glad to be free of the awkward silence, following him into the west wing.
“How long has this sanctuary been here?” Cass questioned as we walked, tilting her head back to gaze up at the high ceiling. If we hadn't all been so sly of foot, I was sure our footsteps would have clicked loudly across the wooden floors and echoed around the cavernous halls.
“Not long,” Darrell replied. “Brendan learned about the house two years ago after he escaped IDAHO. It used to belong to his grandfather, but it was in quite the state of disrepair when he first arrived. We've been doing it up ever since.”
“Did you come from this...IDAHO?” Kodiak asked, falling in to step beside Darrell.
“No, not me. Brendan employed me here as a scientist, back when I was human. That V he mentioned? The one who attacked a member of staff?” He pointed to his own neck. “Well that was how I died. Brendan found me, buried me in the garden and brought me back as a Vampire.” He ran a hand around his muscular neck. “No greater reason to try and find a cure now, is there?”
“This cure you keep mentioning...” Kodiak started. “Is it really possible?” There wasn't hope in his voice as I expected, but fear.
“Yes, of course. We have come very close to success already.” Darrell beamed, but Kodiak hunched his shoulders, looking more troubled than before.
“And are we to take this cure, as your guinea pigs?” Kodiak asked. There was something unshakable about his demeanour, his tone never rising in anger, but the threat in his voice was clear.
Darrell narrowed his eyes at him. “Of course not. Why? You don't want to be human again, my friend?”
Kodiak shrugged in answer, turning away, but I suspected there was more that he wasn't saying.
Darrell picked up his pace, guiding us up a stone staircase and along a wide corridor of pale white tiles. Large windows lined the walls, but all were blacked out, the glaring spotlights above us illuminating our way instead.
The corridor widened until it met with a large common room. It was full of bookcases, as well as a mish-mash of armchairs and sofas from deep burgundy divans to love seats and chaise lounges. A single, high-arched window was blacked out at the centre of the back wall, but a light shone through it, bright enough to almost be mistaken as the sun, casting the room in an amber glow.
An ancient fireplace sat on one side of the room, its mantel laden with books, DVDs, CDs, and all kinds of entertainments. It reminded me of a library I'd visited once in Manchester – Jameson had thought it would be a good place to steal from. But he'd ended up getting lost in Gulliver's Travels for half an afternoon whilst I pocketed small, fairly worthless trinkets. Not our finest moment. But I never forgot how Jameson's face had lit up when he'd recited a quote to me, “Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.” Guess he'd gotten that wish in the end.
A ladder at the back of the room led up to a balcony, framed by heavy, maroon curtains. More bookshelves peeped from the shadows and the flashing colours of a television spread across the ceiling.
The most surprising thing of all was the Vampires. Nearly twenty of them all sat around in chairs, reading books, sipping on small bottles of blood, chatting together as if this was the most normal thing in the world. Even in the few years I'd lived a free life as a Vampire I'd never experienced such ease. These Vs looked...at peace. Happy even.
“There are private rooms through there,” Darrell pointed to a door tucked in one corner of the room. “But most of the Vs tend to prefer the balcony for some quiet time.” He nodded to the ladder. “There aren't enough private rooms for everyone, but sleep isn't exactly relevant for us as you know.”
Kodiak thanked him quietly, drifting further into the room and picking up a small bottle of blood that had been left on a table. When he glanced back at Darrell, he nodded his encouragement before he drank it.
I took a step back, the metallic scent of the blood calling to me.
I'll drink from no one but Selena.
“It's best you feed,” Darrell said to me quietly as Kite and Cass joined Kodiak by the table, each taking a bottle.
“I'm fine,” I said curtly.
Darrell caught my arm as I stepped forward. “Forgive me,” he murmured. “But Brendan's daughter has such precious blood. It's best you feed as all the other Vs do and not in such a...primitive way.”
A ripple of heat ran down my spine, my hands curling into fists.
“I don't mean to offend you,” Darrell said softly, his hand on my arm suddenly irking me. “But it is only right that you adhere to the rules that all the Vampires do. Drinking from a human's neck is prohibited here.”
I turned away, torn and angry. Perhaps Selena would prefer that anyway. I shouldn't have been thinking so selfishly. But still...
“It takes a while to adjust to this life, but it's for the benefit of everyone.” Darrell patted my arm, evidently trying to keep the peace. “The girl clearly cares for you and I'm sure she allows you to feed from her because of that. But do you truly believe she enjoys it? That she would choose to allow any other Vampire to suck at her neck like that?”
I stiffened, a blaze of shame rolling through me, thinking of Selena in the V Games. Of what she'd endured at the hands of other Vs. At the hands of me.
“Of course not,” I muttered, hurrying away, but still bypassing the blood on the table.
I made my way to the back of the room, randomly plucking a book from a crooked shelf on the wall and dropping into an armchair. I read the first line a hundred times, my mind firmly elsewhere. On Selena. And the guilt at my refusing to drink other blood. I should have done it for her sake. To be strong without taking from her. I had the choice now. So why wasn't I doing it already?
My gaze dropped to a couple of bottles of blood that had been placed on a side table, squeezed between my chair and another. I sighed, picking one up and rolling it across my palm. But even as the thirst gripped my throat, I didn't drink it.
I let my eyes fall to the page again, but the words seemed like an unbreakable code no matter how hard I tried to make myself read them.
“Varick Cartwright...I heard you were here.”
My head snapped up at the feminine voice and I was sure my heart was about to stop.
“Impossible,” I breathed, standing, the book falling at my feet as I gazed at the familiar Vampire before me.
“Not quite.” Nirena smiled, her long lashes batting as she moved forward, slipping her arms around my stiff shoulders. The Vampire who had turned me, all those moons ago. “It's so good to see you again.”