Demon in Town (Book 2)

Chapter 12

“He was like frozen sky in October night. Darkest cloud, endless storm raining from his heart. Coldest snow, deepest thrill tearing down his will. October and April.”- The Rasmus & Anette Olzon.

Chapter 12

-Victor-

“Actually, I beg to differ,” Those crimson lips turned up in annoyance. Damn me for watching her lips. “I’m not gonna play dead girl.”

I sighed, loud enough for them to hear me and look up at me.

“If you can’t play the dead girl, there is no chance we’ll get inside and bring your ex-love back safe and sound.” I retorted. Beautiful or not, she was stubborn. “And you’re supposed to act unconscious, not dead.”

My plan was to get into the Lykourgos manor, carrying an unconscious Karen on my shoulder, and witness the proportion of werewolves residing inside it. The plan was simple and non-dangerous if it was executed according to my words. After the assessment would be over, phase two of my plan would begin. That phase had some little action. When I say little, you know what I am stating, right?

“But what if something wrong happens?” Nathan asked. This guy sure had some problems with my plans and mainly me. Of course, he hated me for what I had done to his beloved. But I could see how fast he was moving on from her. I had seen him kissing Karen, so, it proved that I wasn’t the only bad guy here. “Can’t we think of another plan?”

“Look, Nathan. I don’t know what you think but the night isn’t going to remain young forever. The sun is going to come up eventually and turn you into ashes.” He knew I meant every word I said. “Not that I care about your stupid face. I just need to save that guy before those dogs eat him alive. That poor guy is dragged into these situations even when he doesn’t deserve it.”

“Whoa! Since when did you start falling for Jon?” Karen asked sarcastically.

I turned to look at her. Her eyes were soft and held all sorts of worries for her ‘crush’. Even though he had declared Karen his sister, she was keen to give up her feelings towards him. I wondered what guy could be so blind that he didn’t see the way she wanted him.  Well, the night was dedicated to the same blind guy.

From what I had seen at her house, I was sure that she liked Nathan. Karen was definitely blind here. But I wasn’t exactly in love with her.

I’m just saying.

“Sweetheart, call me anything, anything but gay.” I insisted. Then I dropped my gaze from her eyes. “Let’s proceed with our plan before it’s too late.”

“Do you really think they will believe you that you brought me to them for exchange?” Karen asked.

“He knows what he is doing,” Nathan said and my lips curled up. The cold tone in his voice said otherwise. Little brother was learning a lot from me. “I’m sure he is familiar with the werewolves too.”

“What do you mean?” Karen frowned.

“Let’s just go.” I shrugged.

The manor stood tall and all in its dignity. I didn’t know the exact date on which the manor was built but surely it was very long ago when it came into existence. The owner who had brought the manor from the government was killed and buried in the backyard. A tale I believed no more. It was a story that my father told me and as he wasn’t here anymore to guide me, I had to make my own decision to go inside. Until today, I had never stepped inside this building.

“Come on, on my shoulder,” I said to Karen. “Nathan, you need to stay outside. If there is no signal for more than thirty minutes, then you need to come inside. And if Karen shoots a green signal out of the door, it means the inside war has begun and you have to come inside immediately.”

“In both circumstances, I’ve to come inside. Why can’t I come with you?” Nathan raised his brow.

“You know why?” I said with an eye roll. “The werewolves won’t like the prince of vampires in their humble abode. They will kill you as soon as you get inside.”

“He is right.” Finally, Karen agreed with me.

“Victor, you too are a prince,” Nathan said.

With that, he got on my nerves.  I looked at the full moon sky, closed my eyes, and clenched my jaw. I don’t know how we could survive together without ripping each other’s throats. I hated him and he hated me. The only thing I was here for her.

“Thanks for the reminder but we do know who the favorite is.” I snarled at him. “The hunters have high bounties set on you, not me.”

“Wow, this is getting intense between you two.” Karen tapped her feet on the wet ground. “Shall we begin with the foolproof plan?”

“Sure, darling.” I smiled. I was broken from the inside. I just couldn’t let her know.

“What—” She began.

I quickly grabbed her small waist, lifted her up, and threw her over my shoulder. I heard her gasp in surprise. That made me grin. She weighed nothing. I knew this was the worst technique of carrying her and she deserved a much better hero-like person to carry her in a bridal style.  Guess I wasn’t much of a hero.

She started to shake her legs vigorously.

“What the hell, Karen?” I shouted.

“Manhandling me was not included in the plan!” She shouted back.

“I’m not manhandling you,” I replied.

I saw Nathan look at me with the entire disgusted look he could manage to summon on his stupid face. It wasn’t long before he spoke what I read in his mind. His mind was filled with hatred and rage for me. I couldn’t care less.

“Get her down, Victor.” He demanded.

“Seriously? How am I supposed to make them believe that she is really knocked out of her sweet senses if I carry her like a damsel in distress?” I asked. Karen stopped moving her legs for good. “If you want him out, you play the game by my rules. I know what those monsters want.”

“Right,” Nathan glared at me. “A monster would know what the other monster wants.”

 I ignored him. I didn’t want to waste my precious time on this cry-baby.

“Let’s go,” Karen said in a strained voice. “I can’t hang on here for long.”

“Stay right here,” I said to Nathan. He nodded. 

I walked through the dense woods that came in the way of the manor. The manor was similar to Escoffier mansion; surrounded by woods and all. It wasn’t an exact copy but it gave the same vibes.

“Victor, I’m really scared,” Karen whispered.

“You’re the one who gets to play unconscious,” I whispered back. “I’m a vampire who is going to meet his archenemies. They can kill me anytime. I’m practically carrying you towards my death.”

“I hope this plan goes well.” I heard her pray.

That made me smile.

“Victor, are you angry with me?” She asked as we reached halfway.

“For what?”

“You know, for saying those bitter stuff to you.”

“I’m not angry.”

“I know you’re lying.” She said.

“Can we not talk about this right now?” I asked. I didn’t want to discuss this with her. This would only distract me. I couldn’t let my heart soften over a human…witch girl. “We should focus on the rescue mission.”

“Will you talk to me after all of this is over?” Her voice was as sweet as honey. Why was she trying to be good to me? Was the guilt getting to her?

I don’t know why I was unable to read her mind. Every time I tried to penetrate her head to search for answers, some kind of force threw me out. There was some kind of shield protecting her thoughts. It had never happened before. I was able to read her thoughts easily all the time. Most of the time she thought how handsome I was which, to my great dismay, I could never hear coming from her mouth.

After her kiss with Nathan, her mind was closed for intruders like me. They had only kissed. What could trigger a shield?

“Will you, Victor?” She asked again.

“Yep,” I exhaled. “We’ll talk.”

“Promise me?” She asked.

“I promise you.” I knew this was childish but the girl would let it go. “Can you be unconscious now or do I need to hit your head with something solid?”

“Ha-ha funny,” She said. “Are we there yet?”

“Be silent and hang as if you were dead,” I whispered. “We’re close to the manor.”

“Here goes nothing,” She murmured and slung over my shoulder.

I saw two werewolves guarding the entrance.

As I neared the entrance and caught their scent, I realised that they were not werewolves. They were humans. The guards were humans. I could take them down easily. Wait—was the information wrong? Was Jon really here as a hostage?

Crane was never wrong when it came to supernatural news around the world. I hoped this time was not one of those times when odds won.

When the guards saw me, they ran over to me.

“Who are you?” The taller one asked.

“I’m here to see the owner,” I said in a tone that matched politeness somewhere.

“Who is she?” The other guard pointed at Karen.

“It’s a secret,” I winked. “I can’t tell you.”

“I’ll ask Sir Lamar if he is expecting any guests.” The guard said to another.

“Hey, don’t forget to take my name,” I called out as he started walking inside. “Victor Devries.”

“So, you’re a member of the party that’s going in there?” The shorter guard who stood watching the girl over my shoulder asked. “I’ve never seen you before.”

“Umm…Lamar is my close buddy.” I smiled viciously. “I only come on special occasions.”

The guard nodded while the other guy came running out of the house. My grip on Karen tightened a little as I waited for the guard to announce what Lamar had said.

“Sir Lamar wants to see you.” The guard said breathlessly.

My name always worked.

“Thanks,” I said and carried Karen inside.

The door was shut behind us by the guards.

The manor was fully lit from inside. The wallpapers were fresh, the floor was shinny and the people inside the manor were staring at me. More than ten werewolves were sitting and standing in the hall of the manor. Murmurs and whispers broke out in the crowd. I gulped and looked ahead.

Lamar sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.

I knew this guy. We had a history. He was in his early fifties. As werewolves aged slower than humans, I knew Lamar had crossed his century. He was one of the elders in the werewolf community. We weren’t buddies if that’s what you’re thinking.

“Victor Devries, welcome to Lykourgos manor,” Lamar said. “What brings you here?”

“I have the witch you all are looking for.” I let Karen’s body slide down carefully and held her by the waist.

Lamar’s eyes went wide in surprise. He got up from his seat and clapped his hands. The werewolves in the hall became silent.

“Victor, I know you wouldn’t do anything without having your own programmes behind them. What is it that you want in exchange for Karen Michaels?” Lamar smiled. The irises of his eyes were yellow. It was a full moon night and I was risking Karen and my life. “Is the witch dead?”

“No,” I looked at him with revulsion. “She is not dead.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want her dead. What is the use of a powerful dead witch?” Lamar laughed and other werewolves followed. A werewolf girl stared at me intently. Pause—I knew her. I had a small fling with her some years ago. I couldn’t forget those dark eyes, hair, and that high-cheeked face. She was hot. I just couldn’t remember her damn name…

“Who wants her?” I asked. I was referring to Karen if you didn’t notice.

“Who doesn’t?” He laughed again.

“I want you to free the boy who you kidnapped outside her house.” I pressed.

“Pardon me,” Lamar played the dumb card. “The boy?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” I scoffed.

“The boy will only be freed after I make sure that all the tracks are covered. How can I trust you, Victor? You’re the prince of the opposition.” He smiled and his large fangs showed themselves. “How can I know if you haven’t brought an army of vampires to surround this house?”

“Want me to check sir?” A werewolf asked.

“It’s a full moon night, kid. Be careful with your heightened senses.” Lamar said to him. “Go in a pack of five and inspect the area while I talk to my dear friend.”

The boy nodded his head and walked out of the manor with four other boys following him out. Now, I was worried about Nathan. The werewolves could smell him easily. Even though he was far away for the manor, these dogs could smell my track and follow it to reach him.

Nathan, you gotta run before they get you.

A small part of me wanted them to get him.

Was I a bad brother?