Vampire Lane (11 page)

Natasha walked along the dirt road toward her destination, the school house. She learned English and learned quickly, and was now working as a teaching apprentice. At the rate the town was growing, they may need a second school house soon. The small building held sixty children that ranged in ages from six to eighteen. She loved her job; it gave her purpose after her mother died. There weren’t many employment opportunities for women in San Francisco—you could be a teacher, a nurse, a prostitute, or you could maybe clean houses. She got lucky to get one of the few good jobs available. It didn’t pay much, but enough for food and a few supplies as needed. Her father never found much gold, a few coins worth here and there. She wanted him to stop and look for a job, but didn’t know if he could. If he stopped looking for riches then her mother’s death was for nothing.

“Hello Ms.Wasko!” a small boy of about eight years old shouted to Natasha. His name was Timothy, and he was one of her favorites. In fact, she loved all the children like her own. Timothy came to school just last year after she started to learn English. He started school a little late, but he was catching up fast.

“Hello, my little warrior, how are you today?”

“Hungry,” he stated. “Have any food?”

“Sorry, my sweet boy, but I do not. Come inside and get warm.”

The boy nodded and followed her inside.

It broke Natasha’s heart to not be able to feed all the children that started the day hungry.

“Good Morning, Mr. Edwards,” Natasha said to the teacher she worked for. “I was wondering if you had a chance to talk with the Mayor about the food program for the children. They can’t learn if they start the day hungry.”

“I agree, but Mayor Godfryd only takes appointments at night. I just don’t know how he became Mayor. Everyone I talked to never even remembers an election.”

“So make the appointment and I will go and meet with him. I will shower him with my charm, and I know he will give us what we need. Who can say no to hungry children?”

“We shall get the day started, yes?”

“Students let’s all put on our thinking caps and settle down. Mike, if you would please hand out the slates.”

Mike, a bigger boy of about fourteen, ran to the back and started handing out the chalk and slates. The school day was beginning.

***

Natasha, Tanek, and Laya sat in the office waiting for the police to come and question them. They sat and did not talk much. Natasha didn’t trust the police, and she was afraid what might happen.

Tanek finally broke the silence. “Please just tell the truth, no matter what. Lies will make the police question you.”

“Why would we lie? What do we have to lie about?”

“I don’t know, but I just wanted to tell you … not even if you think something will make you look guilty.”

The door opened, and a detective entered the room and shut the door behind him. “I am Detective Berry Denison. I am in change of this investigation. The woman who you found Ms. Wasko was a woman named Patrice Garth. She was a local who frequented vampire and paranormal bars. I can’t say I’m surprised; this has been happening a lot lately.

“This has happened before?” Tanek asked.

“It’s been in the news. I’m surprised you don’t know. Deaths from what looks to be a vampire. We have been in contact with the Vampire Council, but so far they haven’t been able to find the monster who’s been doing the killings.”

Natasha listened and she immediately thought about Godfryd, but when she was with him he was never that careless. He would dispose of the body discreetly so they would never be found.

“Do either of you remember seeing her tonight?” the detective asked.

“I saw her chatting up a few different guys in the vampire section,” Laya commented.

“Did she leave with anyone?”

“Not that I remember.”

“What time do you think you last saw her?”

“Well, it was really busy; maybe around 2 or 3:00am.”

“Thank you, Ms. Pierce. Can you remember what any of the men looked like?”

“They were all in the vampire section, so I know they were vampires; young looking, one had a porn stash, kinda gross looking. She did not seem to like that guy. The other had light brown hair and a blood red shirt with black pants.”

“This helps a lot, Ms. Pierce,” the Detective said to Laya. “I will leave my card; you are free to go. I will most likely contact you for follow up questions.”

“Thank you, Detective. When do you think your people will be out of here?” Tanek asked.

“The body has already been moved, so we should be finished in another thirty minutes or so.”

The detective finally left the office, and Laya and Natasha sat together holding hands. They were both scared. If one woman was killed at the bar, they could very well be next.

“Natasha, do you think I could stay the night with you? I live alone, and I’m sorta scared with this whole vampire killer thing.”

“Of course, sweetie. I have plenty of room.”

Chapter 23

Natasha arrived home with Laya. Maureen waited for them on the couch. She looked to be in the process of knitting a pink blanket.

“Oh my god, Natasha, I was so worried. I got the text there was a dead body found in the bathroom. I wanted to rush right over, but was told the police wouldn’t let anyone inside.

“Yeah, it was a sucky day. Laya will be staying with us tonight.”

“Will she be sharing the bed with us? I’m not sure we can fit three.”

“No, she can stay in the extra bedroom.”

“You two sleep together? In the same bed?” Laya asked, shocked.

“Yes, but it’s not what you think. We like being near someone while we sleep. It’s comforting, not sexual,” Natasha explained.

“For the record, if Natasha wanted to take it to a sexual place, I’m all in,” Maureen added.

“Sorry, Maureen, I don’t swing that way. No penis is a deal breaker.” Natasha walked up the stairs, followed by Laya and Maureen. Maureen walked toward Natasha’s bedroom, while Natasha and Laya entered the extra bedroom. “It isn’t much, but should be comfortable. I’m just down the hall if you need me,” Natasha said, showing Laya the bedroom. “It has its own bathroom, too, so that’s a plus.”

“Natasha, I want to talk to you about Maureen.”

Natasha knew after the truth about the sleeping arrangements in the house were revealed, Laya would have something to say about it. She sat on the bed with Laya.

“I want to know what is really going on with you two. You seem especially close, like too close.”

“We met when I first moved into town. I had no friends and I wanted to help her get a fresh start away from being a blood whore.”

“Okay, but why doesn’t she sleep in her own bed?”

“We both just like it better in the same bed.”

“What about when Tanek stays over? I know you two slept together.”

“She sleeps in the other room when we are together; she knows the boundaries. And Tanek knows we sleep in the same bed. He gave her the job at
Bite Me
to help her out.”

“So she’s planning on moving out soon then?”

“No, I like her here. She cooks and helps out around the house … oh, and she feeds me blood.”

“Natasha! You just said you wanted her to get away from being a blood whore. How is that any different?”

“She wanted to. I’m fine with drinking bagged or synthetic, but she insisted, and it does taste better. I only take a little and supplement with the other stuff.”

“If you really care for her, you need to tell her no more blood donations, not even to you.”

We both looked up and saw Maureen standing there. “Are you talking about me?”

“Come in, Maureen,” Laya said to her. Maureen sat on the bed, and she looked a little scared.

“Don’t be frightened, sweetie. Laya doesn’t think you should be feeding me anymore, and that you should sleep in your own bed.”

“No, Natasha! Don’t let her do this. We are fine just the way things are.”

“I think Laya may be right. We are both kinda broken. We need to be more independent. We should sleep in separate rooms, and I will switch to bagged blood.”

“Are you asking me to leave?” Maureen asked.

“No! Not at all. I love you here and want you to continue living here as my roommate. Nothing else changes. I love all the meals you cook me and the help around the house. I’m a lousy housekeeper, so I need all the help I can get. Someday you may want to leave when you meet someone.”

“Never, men are pigs,” Maureen said.

Natasha and Laya laughed. “I like you, Maureen,” Laya said, giving her a small hug.

“Okay, well, I guess we can go have a meal together and then we sleep alone, all of us separately.”

***

The next evening, Natasha woke up with Tanek standing over her. He surprised her and she almost tore out his throat.

“What the hell, Tanek?! You scared the shit out of me.”

“Maureen and Laya left to go get everything ready for the shower. I'm going with you to pick up the cake, and meeting them there.”

“I know that was the plan, but why are you here? I don’t need your help.”

“I know, but I wanted to help you. And I thought I could help you dress.”

“I appreciate the help, but I don’t think that is a good idea.”

Tanek turned around and held up a dress. Natasha looked at the beautiful, red silk dress. It was something she would never buy herself.

“Tanek, you can’t buy me things like this.”

“Why not?”

Is he an idiot? I want a commitment, not trinkets and clothes.

“Because I could never accept anything from you unless we were involved, and I won’t be involved with you unless you can meet my terms.”

“Are you issuing me an ultimatum?”

“No, I am just telling you what I need for me to continue with you. If that’s not something you can give me, I think we should just part ways and stay friends. It will be hard, but it’s something I am prepared to do.”

Tanek approached her and took her face in his hands. She could smell his cologne, so dark and spicy. She wanted nothing more than to crawl on his lap and have crazy monkey sex with him, but she wouldn’t, not until they had this settled.

“Natasha Wasko, I love you. I have loved you since I laid eyes on you dancing in my bar. I am a fool for avoiding the love I have for you. I am a fool for not claiming you immediately. I wish for us to be mated as eternal mates, forever to be bonded as vampires.”

Natasha listened and was frozen. He then pulled out a fucking huge diamond ring out of his pocket. Natasha loved it, and she knew this was forever. She loved him and they would be married.

***

Natasha and Tanek arrived at the baby shower with the cake made up of dozens of cupcakes. She wore her fucking awesome diamond engagement ring. As soon as they entered together, Natasha put the cake on a nearby table and was attacked by her friends, who saw the ring as soon as she entered the room.

“Natasha, are you trying to upstage me at my own baby shower?” Gretchen gushed, hugging her the best she could with her huge baby belly in the way. Laya and Maureen jumped up and down and hugged her and squealed with delight. Natasha was so happy to have such great friends. She looked over at Tanek. He was shaking hands with some men that were probably his friends. Natasha just realized she had never met not even one of Tanek’s friends. She ran over using her vampire speed and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

“I love you,” Natasha whispered in his ear.

“I love you, too,” he replied.

The man next to Tanek made a gagging sound. “Alright already, you two make me sick. “Payback is a bitch, isn’t it, Adrian?”

Natasha looked at the man. He was tall and muscular with brown, spiky hair. “Adrian, Gretchen’s Adrian?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Natasha jumped off Tanek and hugged him. Natasha could hear Tanek grumbling, but she paid no attention to his jealously. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. All the wonderful things Gretchen has told me, I feel like I already know you.”

“Well, I see Tanek finally moved on from my Gretchen. I am so happy for you both.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait for the baby to get here.”

“I am beyond excited. It’s been so long since I held a baby.” Adrian smiled and looked at Tanek. “Better give your woman a baby soon.”

“Very funny, fairy boy. You know vampires can’t have children.”

“I learned long ago when it comes to paranormals, never say never.”

Gretchen stopped at the table and looked at her cake. Laya saw her and gave her a hug. “A cupcake. Mmmmmm, sweet yummy cupcakes. Are you hungry yet? Frosting... Mmmmmm.”

Gretchen gave Laya a look of death. “You are evil, you know. I’m hungry, and you know I can’t have any until after gifts. Laya laughed and hugged Gretchen again. “You know I love you, prego.”