Page 15 of Prey

“No, I have to go home. I think I’m getting the flu.”

“Oh, damn. You look really pale. Do you need someone to drive you home?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t live far.”

“Alright, then. Be careful. I’ll let Abby know to get the phones.”

My purse was already in my hands and I nodded, pulling the post-it note with the address and name free. “Thank you. Hopefully I’ll feel well enough to come in tomorrow.”

If I wasn’t dead. I couldn’t think of that now. I broke around the counter, fumbling for my keys as I spouted a few goodbyes to the guys standing by the door. The moment I got in my car, I looked down at the address. West Oak. I had no idea where that was. Austin was big. Hell, it could be anywhere.

I pulled out my phone, mapping the address, all the while trying to stop the constant shaking. Marko’s location was a good fifteen minutes away. Where I lived and worked close to downtown, he was more toward the outskirts. I frowned as I tried to memorize the turn offs. It wasn’t too complicated and didn’t look to be too far off of the freeway.

The car’s engine came to life at the turn of my hand and nausea swept through while I made my way out of the parking lot. Music filled the interior lightly and I reached forward, turning it off, not able to stand the smallest interruption. The traffic stayed at a steady pace and with every mile I got closer, the worse I felt.

Fever seemed to settle over me and I seriously wondered whether I really was starting to catch this flu Jared had mentioned. Or…was it Marko? Shit.

My hand shot to my mouth and I tried to stop from being sick. The wave came out of nowhere and I tried my best to keep my focus on merging to the exit. Swallowing, I managed to keep it at bay, but I knew if I didn’t stop soon, I’d be in trouble.

“Please, please.” The word mumbled from my mouth as more saliva had me in tears. I hated being sick and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I turned, making sure I was clear as I pushed the car faster toward the intersection. The light was green and I turned left, going under the overpass. West Oak was the third street down and terror mix with dread as I scanned the addresses on the expensive bricked-in mailboxes resting in the front. As luck would have it, the two-story mansion was the third one down and I pulled in, watching as a black iron gate rolled back at my arrival.

Faster, my heart pulsed while I came to a stop in front of the large French doors. My hands were trembling so badly by the time I grabbed my purse that I fought to get the strap to sit on my shoulder.

Would this place be the death of me? Was this why he wanted me to come? He could hide the evidence here. I might never make it back out of those elaborately carved doors.

The closer I got, the more detail came into view. I forced myself to remember the words I needed to say while my feet became heavier. Warnings to run screamed in my brain and I silenced a sob at what I was doing. Having no choice was the worst feeling in the world and it crippled me internally.

My hand rose, knocking three times in quick succession. I stepped back, glancing behind me. I wanted to flee so badly. Why couldn’t I?

A creak had me jumping and spinning forward. An older man in a uniformed suit stood, staring at me blankly. More nausea came and I licked my lips, searching for what I was supposed to say. “Kline sent…me. I’m here to see Marko.” The words stuttered out and I reached over, holding onto my purse like a life vest.

“Come in.” The door opened wider and walking past the threshold was like walking into a brick wall. A sound escaped my lips as the man’s hand grasped the underside of my arm, gently leading me forward.

“The first time is always the hardest,” he said quietly. “Marko will be in his room.” He led me into a large kitchen and opened a stainless steel metal door. The thickness as he pulled back had my eyes widening. Holy shit. What was he hiding down there? Or…who?

I stared into pitch black, shaking my head. “Where will he be?”

The man’s eyes lowered. “Feel for him. You’ll find your way.”

Feel? For what? All I was experiencing was the dreaded flu. I kept quiet as I stepped down to the first step. A rail rested to the side and I held onto it as I walked down three more. Air brushed my hair forward and I nearly screamed as the door secured loudly behind me. Darkness was all I suddenly knew and I flickered my gaze around, seeing nothing. Anxiety had me wanting to lower so I could curl into myself. I didn’t want to continue. Something was down there. Something very bad. But I couldn’t leave. My feet wouldn’t allow me to. Even now, they continued at a slow pace, betraying what my instincts kept trying to warn me about.

Light appeared the further down I went and sounds began to make their way to me. Talking. Shuffling of some kind.

My hand pushed to my stomach as the need to heave began again. I paused, inhaling deeply, trying anything to make it pass. The stench of mold mixed with the smell of cooking meat and it didn’t help. Confused, I stepped down even more. The stairs had seemed to go multiple levels and my weak legs were feeling every one of them.

The bottom of the steps were lit up and I placed my foot down onto them, ducking my head to see through the opening. My lips separated and I gasped, moving down even more, not believing my eyes.

A mass of people scurried in and out of doors, some with bags in their hands, others holding what looked to be fast food. Amazed, I eased past the entrance, too shocked to take in much else. It was baffling. A fucking underground city. And I was almost positive I was looking at humans. Some were in suits and some were average, everyday people. Women laughed, talking with one another as if they’d known each other forever. Shit….maybe they did.

My head shook and I walked in deeper, stopping as I spotted large tables a good distance away. They sat empty, but there was energy around a smaller one at the end that I didn’t like. It scared me, just as much as the dark tunnels that broke off in all directions.

One man between two of the shops pushed from the wall and I saw his lip pull back threateningly as I weaved through. It was enough to startle me in a place that almost appeared so normal. I walked faster, trying not to be too obvious as my pulse raced and my body vibrated in warning. I knew with my reaction, he had to be a vampire.

Feel for him.

God dammit. I felt lost, scared, and sick. Nothing else.

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