finishing her transformation. Pacing, I focus my thoughts straight out toward the river like a radar gun. I slowly turn toward the west, toward the French Market… Toulouse, Wilkinson, Jackson Square… Something flickers, but it’s too far off to be her.
She said she’s here on a girls’ weekend. She came here with Elaine. Elaine would want to shop, dine out, and possibly have drinks. I continue my arc, focusing my attention toward the north, Chartres to Bourbon Street…. Nothing.
Where are you? My voice is a furious hiss. You can’t run from me.
The rage in my chest bubbles like a cauldron. You’ve been naughty. You’ve taken a lover. You’ve drunk his blood without killing him.
Jealousy consumes my thoughts. All my vampire emotions focus on reclaiming what belongs to me then punishing her for running away.
Another turn and I’ve made the sweep to Canal, searching all the expensive stores and boutiques on that wide thoroughfare where sprawling palm trees fill the medians.
An infuriated growl roars from my chest. My fingertips graze a leather-bound book, and I throw it with all my strength against the opposite wall.
WHAM! A black dent is left, and the book disintegrates into sheets. It’s only a fleeting satisfaction.
She will suffer for this. She will cry. She will thirst, and I won’t let her drink. Human hunger is a pitiful sight, but a starving vampire is abhorrent. I will relish her screams.
In my mind’s eye, I see a narrow box with heavy black locks all around the edges. It’s long enough to fit a human, but so narrow the one trapped inside is unable to move.
Yes, our predecessors had uniquely clever ways for handling insubordination among our kind. Their devices of torture are like art. My studies have put them all at my fingertips.
I see her locked in the box, flat on her back, unable to move right or left. I see the tomb where I’ll keep her. I hear her screams, hear the slap of her palms against the wood as she begs to be let out. I see her clawing faster and faster, until her nails pop off, until she’s consumed with panic, until she’s broken.
Anticipation of that day hastens my search, moving my sight toward the river, toward Magazine, Tchoupitoulas, South Peters, to…
The skin on my neck crawls. WHAT THE FUCK?
Fury explodes through me—an inferno of wrath, and in that moment my mind splits. I’m in the small hotel room searching, yet I see myself sitting in a chair in a dark warehouse, posture straight like a good little soldier.
How the FUCK did you get in my mind, little soldier?
Cold voice to match cold eyes. A pale face twists into a hideous grin. Still, the precise features are blurred.
Why can’t I see your face? I ask, low and quiet.
Because I won’t let you, little soldier. HOW did you get in MY MIND?!
Rage unfurls in my human chest, but Star’s power holds me in check. Still, I’m able to respond, and it’s almost more threatening because of my control.
It’s Marine, motherfucker. You’d better prepare, because I’m coming for you.
Laughter like the clanging of a metal crate echoes in my head. Where will you go, little soldier? Tell me where I am.
Focusing harder, I try to see through his eyes again. I try to see the room, the notepad on the nightstand, but he’s stronger than me. I don’t have enough of his blood. All I see is myself in the hypnotized state. Now that he’s found me, he won’t let me see anything else.
I have to come out. I have to detach from his mind. Moving my hands, I signal Stuart. The demon’s cackle is in my head as the vision slowly recedes.
“… coming back to me here,” Star’s voice is softly saying. “When I touch your hand, you’ll wake up and no longer be in a hypnotic state, no longer under my power.”
The touch of her cool fingers, and my eyes snap open. Jumping out of the chair, I pace the now-dark warehouse room. My pulse races, and I’m trying to catch my breath. I’m trying to lose the feeling of his reptilian claws on my thoughts, holding my eyes focused on myself sitting in the chair.
Neither Stuart nor Star approaches me. They only watch as I breathe deeply, close my eyes, bring myself down. I need to think. I need to analyze what I’ve learned. I have to find him.
His plans for punishing Melissa enrage me. He will not do that to her. She will