Page 9 of Vampire Lee

“For the time being.”

Lee nodded, waved as someone called for Vampire Lee, and studied the bear for an extra second. “What’s your name?”

“Aaron.”

Somehow Lee doubted it, but it was something at least.

“And you’re Vampire Lee.”

Lee grinned despite not wanting to. “Lee is fine. It’s only the wankers around here who call me Vampire Lee.” He twirled a finger around the bar before moving to one of the idiots who looked a millisecond away from calling out for Vampire Lee.

* * * *

Dillon woke to a scream ricocheting through the room. The long-sleeved T-shirt and pajama bottoms were clinging to his sweaty skin, and he pulled in one hasty breath after the other.

The ceiling lamp was on. He always left it on, so he’d be able to see the room the moment he woke. Two large windows faced the backyard of the property and the small, forested area. He rolled out of bed and stumbled over to rest his forehead against the glass. He was on the third floor, not underground. The lawn below was where Devin wanted them to have the garden beds. The wall surrounding the property should be tall enough to keep monsters out, but Dillon didn’t trust it. The future kitchen garden bathed in sunlight most of the day. Had to mean it was the south side of the house, right?

Dillon suspected his brain had stopped working while he’d been in the underground mansion. Things he’d known, things anyone with common sense and basic education knew without having to think, eluded him.

He might not have been a genius before, but now he felt stupid. As if his brain had lost the ability to put simple things together.

His windows faced south, but he had to think about it for it to make sense. Broken. His mind was broken.

No monsters were visible in the yard. One of the patio lamps cast a faint glow on the grass, and Dillon wondered if someone was out there. He wouldn’t go check, but why else would the light be on? He frowned. Was Devin out there? No one else would turn on a light. Monsters saw well in the dark.

Glancing at the clock, his frown deepened. It was twelve minutes past three in the morning. No one should be up now. He looked out the window again. The lamp was on. Fear clawed at him, not fear for himself this time, but fear for Devin. He wasn’t out there alone. Mars wouldn’t let him. Unless he’d managed to sneak out without waking Mars. Vampires slept.

What if Devin was out there and someone came by? The vampire who’d been to the house. He had seen them, knew both he and Devin were here.

His breathing sped up. He was distantly aware of not thinking rationally, but the patio lamp was on. He didn’t make it up, and there was only one person who’d switch it on.

A vampire who wasn’t Mars knew they were here. He’d seen them both, would know he could get to them, could grab them when the others weren’t looking.

Murrie seldom allowed anyone into the house. He’d had a few people come over for interviews, but then he’d informed Devin and Dillon beforehand, so they could make themselves scarce.

Devin had more knowledge about what was going on than he did since he worked as an assistant for them. Dillon winced. He should do something too.

Everyone told him he didn’t have to, and Devin hadn’t done anything but live in the house for three years before he’d taken on kitchen duty.

Dillon had only been there for seven months.

If they’d given Devin three years, he could hide in his room a bit longer. If only Murrie had agreed to give him a kitchenette.

A shadow moved over the grass and Dillon’s heart jumped to his throat, thrumming so fast he feared it’d break.

He had to make sure Devin wasn’t alone on the patio.

Grabbing his phone, he turned on the flashlight before scrolling until Mars’s number showed on the screen. He’d never called Mars before. He hadn’t called anyone in the house. Below Mars was Murrie’s number. He’d preferred to call Murrie, but…

As silently as he could, despite being the only one on this floor, he opened the door and tiptoed out into the corridor. Walking down the stairs, he moved faster than he normally did. Everyone should be asleep. He shouldn’t meet anyone.

He passed the second storey and hurried down the last flight. As his bare feet touched the hallway floor, he swallowed around the lump in his throat. He walked through the dark kitchen and stilled when the patio door came into view. It was closed. Spring might be here, but the nights were still chilly, so it made sense to close the door.

He walked closer, holding his breath as he did. There, on one of the wicker chairs, was Devin. A blanket wrapped around him, and a cup cradled in his hands.

He should call Mars. His thumb trembled as he held it over the screen. It wasn’t safe for Devin to be out there. Anyone could steal him. But what if Mars was angry at being woken up? Maybe he’d run down here all snarly and fangy, and Devin would be angry with him for ruining the calm.

He could text, but was it any better than calling? Maybe he wouldn’t wake. Was it better if he did or not? He hadn’t talked to Mars, not since the day after the rescue, when Mars promised he wouldn’t use mind control on him ever again. This time around, he’d get to keep his memories, so he’d know what was out there.

---