Vampire Lane (14 page)

Godfryd didn’t say anything as he pondered her words. “I can give you a few days,” he finally said, “to tell everyone you are leaving. Convince them you want to leave, and if anyone comes looking for you, I will kill them.”

“I understand. That’s all I need,” she replied. Natasha was relieved when he seemed to believe her. She just needed to get him out of the house so she could call Tanek and figure out what to do next.

Godfryd came closer to Natasha and kissed her on the cheek. It was much more sensual than she remembered his kisses ever being. “This time things between us will be much
closer
,” Godfryd said, drawing the last word lasciviously.

Natasha shivered at the thought. She never wanted to go there with him again. Once was enough.

***

Natasha sat and waited once again for Mayor Godfryd for a third night in a row. Every time she thought he would say yes, and then he would need extra time to think again. She wondered if he was just stringing her along, and maybe he just enjoyed her company. If that was the case, she would have to put an end to it immediately. She wasn’t on the market for marriage not yet anyhow.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Natasha. I was thinking we could take a walk. I’ve been cooped up inside all day. I need a breather.”

Natasha thought it was strange to want to talk a walk in the dark and cold, but she went along with it, anyway. “Sure, that would be lovely.”

Godfryd took her arm and led her outside. She was nervous. She never had any male suitors, so she didn’t know what would be proper. In Russia, all marriages were arranged; never would a single woman be left alone with a man. With things the way they were, she decided she would have to act like a single woman without any parent—since her father didn’t have much to do with her anymore, she was basically supporting herself.

“Mayor Godfryd, I hope this walk means you have decided to fund the food program. It would mean so much to the children.”

“I have been thinking, and I cannot fund your program with the city’s money.”

Natasha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After all the waiting and late night meetings, he was going to turn her down. She stopped and let go of his arm. She felt so angry and betrayed. “Why?! Why would you not want to help the children?”

“Please let me finish, Natasha. I can’t use city money, but I am willing to donate some of my own money. It won’t be much, but enough for breakfast for a few months.”

Natasha was overcome with joy. She hugged the mayor and jumped up and down. She was so excited, and she couldn’t wait to tell Mr. Smith the next morning. Natasha was distracted and didn’t notice Godfryd was suddenly taking her into his arms and then he started kissing her. Like really kissing her. She wasn’t ready for this, it wasn’t proper. Natasha pushed him away and backed off.

“I’m sorry, Mayor, but I can’t. I’m too young to think about such things.”

“Natasha, we both know if you were still in Russia, you would be married now. I am a lonely man, and I would like to court you.”

Natasha wanted to say no, but she just nodded her head in agreement. “Once the food program is established, we can start the courting process.

“So you are placing conditions on the courting process?”

“I guess, if you want to look at it that way, yes I am.”

Chapter 29

Natasha shut the door and was still shaking. It was close, too close. Godfryd could have easily taken her. She knew she should call Tanek, but what if he overreacted and wouldn’t let her out of his sight? That was the last thing she wanted. She would wait until tomorrow and give herself time to figure out how to tell him.

Natasha ran around the house and locked and bolted every door, window, and any other way a person could get inside. She knew it wouldn’t keep out a vampire, but it made her feel more secure.

It was getting close to dawn, and she knew Tanek would be coming over. She would have to call and tell him not to come. She just couldn’t pretend everything was fine when it wasn’t. She picked up her phone and called the bar.

“Hey Maureen, it’s me, Natasha. Is Tanek around?”

“Oh yeah, he’s in his office. I will transfer you.”

Natasha listened as the phone was transferred and rang again. “Hello?” a gruff masculine voice answered.

“Tanek, it’s me, Natasha.”

“My lovely fiancée, I still plan on coming over soon.”

“That is why I was calling. I wanted to cancel tonight. I’m just feeling tired and wanted to sleep alone tonight.”

“Natasha, is something wrong?”

“No, I’m fine, just wanted a night alone that’s all.”

“If you’re sure that’s all, l I will give you the space you need. I have to say, I was looking forward to tonight.”

“We have eternity. Let’s not burn each other out so soon. Anticipation makes things so much hotter.”

“Yes, my love, quite true. Have a lovely night.”

Natasha heard the phone click and then breathed a deep, relieved sigh. She would have the night to figure out what her next move would be. She ran upstairs and put on her nightgown and crawled into bed. She thought about asking Maureen to join her when she got home, but decided against it. Maureen would never get used to the idea of sleeping alone if Natasha invited her in bed every time she got a little scared. She closed her eyes and soon she found restless sleep.

***

Natasha opened her eyes, and it was dark out again. She yawned. She slept, but still felt tired, like no matter how much she slept, she would never get enough. She heard footsteps downstairs and figured Maureen must be up. She threw on her robe and went downstairs to find not only Maureen, but Laya and Tanek also in the kitchen.

Maureen saw Natasha and ran over to hug her. “I found the ticket on my bed last night. I can’t believe you planned this already,” Maureen said, holding up the Ghost Tour tickets.

With everything that happened last night, she had completely forgot about the special activity she planned. She knew by how excited Maureen was there would be no canceling it.

“Oh Tanek, I forgot to ask for a few hours off tonight. Will that be a problem?

“Not at all. I moved a few employees from my other businesses to cover the shortage. What time will you be back from ghost hunting?”

“Should be back by 1:00 am, but I make no promises.”

Tanek stood from the table and put his arms around her, and gave her a sensual but short kiss. “Have a good time; you both deserve it.”

“You will have so much fun,” Laya added. “I took my cousin from Atlanta last year, and we had a blast.”

Natasha thought it wouldn’t be so bad. It would give her extra time to think about how to tell Tanek. “Well, if we’re going to make it there on time, I should start to get ready.

***

Natasha and Maureen dressed comfortably in yoga pants and t-shirts with hoodies. It was a cool night, but not too cold as to make it unpleasant. Tanek dropped them off at the location where the tour would start at some voodoo shop on Royal Street. Natasha showed her tickets and waited for the tour to start. There was a good mix of young, old, and families waiting with her.

“I think we will see a ghost. Oh wait, zombies, do you think we will see Zombies? What do you think?” Maureen asked excitedly.

It was hard to stay worried when Maureen was so excited and happy. She did love her, which was something she never thought she would feel for a human. “Well, as a vampire, I won’t rule it out.”

Maureen laughed, and got her phone out and pulled up her camera app so it would be ready. “Oh, it’s starting.”

The tour guide came out, dressed elaborately in a top hat and an old looking red velvet coat for effect. The guide told history facts as they walked. It was very interesting, and if nothing else, it was nice to learn the history of the place she now called home. They walked for a few more minutes until they reached an ancient mansion. The guide told them about the history of the old home, along with some ghost sightings. Maureen starting snapping pictures right away, and she was so excited that Natasha was relieved she didn’t try to cancel.

A few more haunted locations later, the tour was over, and they were led to the starting point and it was over.

“So it’s over, but I still have one more thing planned,” Natasha said to Maureen as she took her arm and starting running down the street toward an area with several shops and bars.

“Where are we going, Tasha?” Maureen laughed, running after Natasha.

Natasha took Maureen inside a bar with loud music pouring out. It was just a regular bar, not one that catered to paranormals. The sign read
Moe’s Bar of Insanity.
She thought the name was a little crazy, but didn’t think much of it. As soon as they entered the bar, Maureen ran over near the band and started dancing. Maureen was beautiful and immediately caught the attention of a few men. Natasha walked over to the bar while Maureen was busy dancing. There were some seats at the bar, and she decided to sit and have her drink there.

“Excuse me, bartender!” Natasha tried shouting above the loud music.

The bartender, a cute young guy, finally noticed and rushed over to her. “Hey there, sexy eyes, what can I get you to drink?”

Natasha almost snorted with laughter. “Tell me, do you have drinks for vampires?” She smiled and flashed him some fang. He quickly backed off and came back with a drink laced with blood. Natasha didn’t normally flash fang, but she was feeling playful, and she gave him another fangy smile. She took a sip. It wasn’t bad, just a house wine with a blood shot. She drank some more of her drink and looked over at Maureen, but didn’t see her. She stood up and looked around, but she still couldn’t see her. Natasha left the rest of the drink and raced over to the dance floor. She pushed everyone out of the way as she searched for Maureen. She found the guys Maureen was dancing with and grabbed them by the collar. “Where is she, where is Maureen?”

“Lady, I have no idea who that is.”

“The brunette you were dancing with, curvy and short.”

“She left with some guy,” one of the men squawked out in fear.

Natasha gripped them both tighter and lifted them off the ground. Her fangs were out and she hissed at them menacingly. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m a vampire, and Maureen, aka the brunette, is my human best friend, so you better remember some details and fast.”

“She didn’t seem to really want to go with him; he used some mind control on her.”

“Oh, he was mumbling something about Godfryd,” the other said.

That was all Natasha had to hear. She dropped them both and stormed out. She was going to find her best friend.

***

Natasha laughed and blew out her candles on her cake. She couldn’t believe Godfryd found so many candles; twenty-three seemed like so many. He clapped for her as she made her wish like he said she was supposed to do. It made her sad her father refused to come. He was at the bar drinking again, like every other night. He wouldn’t even let her bring him meals anymore. She sometimes would leave him food in his tent, though. She worried about him, and she had no idea if he even ate the food.

“It’s hard to believe you are twenty-three already, Natasha,” Godfryd said as he kissed her on the cheek.

“I feel like an old maid.” She laughed.

“I told you I am in no hurry, but I need to talk with you about something.”

Natasha sat back in her seat. She wondered what it could be. She was being courted by Godfryd, but honestly, never had any real romantic feelings for him. It was more about companionship for her. She liked having someone to talk to, take walks, and have dinner with. She knew eventually it would come time when she would have to get married, and maybe marrying someone she saw as a friend wouldn’t be so bad.

“I am leaving San Francisco. I have been here many years and I am ready to move on, and I would like you to come with me.”

Natasha listened, but did not know what to say. She did not want to leave; she had a life there—a job, a home. She could not just pick up and leave.

“I don’t know. My work is here. I love my job, and working with children makes my heart happy.”

“I am not leaving for another week. Think about it. If you come with me, you would live with me and never have to work.”

Natasha knew the deal, you get married then you stay home and do your duty as a wife and mother. She just didn’t want that. Well, yes, she wanted children, but why must that be her entire existence? Why couldn’t she be a teacher, too?

“I like working; I don’t want to give that up.”

“I am heading south, but staying in California. I don't like how crowded the city has become. I like a simpler life with less people. Maybe a house on a farm, or near the ocean.”

Natasha actually liked the idea of a cute house near the water where she could listen to the waves from the ocean. “You are tempting me very much. I will have my answer tomorrow.”