The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (36 page)

They stopped for a drink in the hotel bar when they got back. Jason discreetly tried to find out Augere’s plans for the next day. Augere would say only that he had plans to meet up with “an acquaintance.” They left it at that.

The next morning Jason stretched lazily in bed, rolled over and buried half of his face in his pillow. He felt rested but the bed was so comfortable he wanted to linger a while longer. He dozed for a brief time, and then finally rolled over and pushed himself off of the bed. He opted to go into town for better breakfast options and to be close to the train station into London.

He had decided to do a half day city tour by coach. It would give him a nice overview, and save on some of the walking. Then he would stop at the Victoria and Albert museum and he planned to shop for a while. After a relaxing dinner, he planned to do the Jack the Ripper tour, then hit a pub or two, preferably some haunted ones, to round out the evening.

He ran into Augere in Richmond and Augere asked his plans. Jason filled him in with brief details. Augere stated he had a taxi coming to pick him up at the hotel. He invited Jason to share it with him. Otherwise he risked being late for his scheduled tour, which would pick him up in the West End. Jason agreed and they walked back to the hotel together. Augere had to return to his room to gather some things. Jason opted to sit in the lobby to wait. He chose a plush chair behind a large pillar near the reception area, unseen by the staff at the desk, but from a vantage where he would be able to observe Augere enter the lobby. Jason occupied himself with a left behind newspaper while he waited and he overheard a conversation between two of the hotel staff.

“How was your holiday? Did you have good weather?”

“Oh, yes. A great time to visit Las Vegas. And I actually won some money!”

“You’re joking! Seriously!? That’s fantastic! I’m hoping to get there someday. Catherine and I are always talking about going to places like that.”

“So, anything exciting happening around here while I was gone?”

“Not much. Same old. Oh, they did find another dead deer this morning. A man walking his dog discovered it. He told Robert he thought it still alive at first, until he saw it up close; it hadn’t even started to decompose.”

“Another one? What do you mean?”

“Oh—that’s right. First one happened while you were on holiday. Another one was found about six days ago.”

“Really?…and they just fell over dead, did they?”

“No—no. Something got at them. Their throats were torn—both of them, Robert told us. He saw one of them.”

“Well, there are foxes out there you know.”

“True. But no fox is going to bring down a large deer, in my opinion anyway. They think it could be a stray, a wild dog. There’s concern because both carcasses were found not far from the hotel. They don’t want us to alarm the guests, of course, but we’re told to keep watch and take note of any suspicious animals about, or if anyone reports seeing anything of the kind. It’s a good idea to be extra careful, especially in the car park late at night. You know how dark it can get out there.”

Two dead deer. Within six days. I wonder if I should mention it to Augere?
Jason thought. Well, Augere had stopped here at the same hotel, about six days ago, so maybe he had heard of it already. Six days ago…and then again…maybe last night too. Jason’s train of thought was interrupted as he saw Augere approaching.

They rode in the taxi to the center of town, Augere quiet, gazing out the window. Jason gazing out the window also, but his mind preoccupied with other than the scenery.

Augere’s original plans had changed. He had taken the QE2 to London, and had stopped here, had planned a one night stay at this same hotel in fact, before flying on to Venice. Jason supposed he had some business in London. Or perhaps he had just wanted to break up the trip, rest a bit, before continuing on. Rest…after a five day cruise across the ocean? It didn’t mean anything. Jason pushed unwanted thoughts aside. Had Augere needed to do something…was there something he needed before he continued on to Venice?
It’s none of your business, Jason,
he reminded himself, pushing bizarre conclusions out of his mind.
Stop with the crazy thoughts
.

The sights and sounds of London kept Jason preoccupied throughout the day. Even his obsession with Augere was temporarily forgotten. After his city tour, he opted to enjoy the London Eye and spent time engrossed with the history of the Tower of London. He wished he had allowed more time for shopping, especially in Portobello Road and Notting Hill. He barely took time for a full meal, but he did have a proper English tea at the appointed hour. He found Camden Market overwhelming and decided right then he needed to come back to London and focus exclusively on all things gothic here. He found a great T-shirt, with the perfect image, which read: “May Great Cthulhu Devour Us Quickly,” which he bought for himself.

He visited several pubs, but began to feel it would be more enjoyable if he had someone to share the experience. He had time for a relaxing meal of bangers and mash before his Jack the Ripper tour, and found the tour quite interesting even though many of the original locations were no longer to be found. He decided to splurge on a taxi back to the hotel due to the lateness of the hour.

He had a full day planned tomorrow. Definitely the Tate Modern this time; he would get to the British Museum in the morning and then he wanted to visit Highgate Cemetery. Later in the evening he had a ghost tour scheduled that included a cruise on the Thames; he thought it an odd combination too but he was really looking forward to it.

He showered once he got to his room. He made himself tea, and was savoring it with some treats he had picked up along the way. He started to get his things ready for the morning. Charging the batteries in his cameras; changing out the SD cards for new ones. He charged extra batteries to bring also. Sometimes paranormal activity tended to drain batteries; he wanted to be ready. He hoped to have some worthy ghostly experiences before he left London. He checked the battery in his digital voice recorder and made sure he had a new one just in case. He turned on the Oracle to make sure the device was working and the battery was good as he continued to get his clothes and items ready for the morning. He also started to repack stuff he wouldn’t be needing for the remainder of the trip. Less to pack later, he reasoned. As the Oracle rested on his bed, it began randomly speaking in its eerie electronic voice:

“…blue…camera……thirteen…” the Oracle spoke. The random words were left to the investigator to interpret the significance, if any, depending on the situation and the location.

“…ocean…energy…blue…sixteen,” the Oracle continued, as Jason listened absently, continuing with tasks he wanted to finish. “…energy…return…(long pause)…home…sixteen… (unintelligible)…” Jason went into the bathroom and returned with unneeded toiletries he wanted to pack. As he emerged from the bathroom he half listened to the Oracle. It seemed to be working okay but best to bring an extra battery along just in case—

“…blood…moon…dark…rosegate…energy…rosegate…sixteen…blood…sixteen”

The words caught his attention and he looked up at the device. He was sure he heard it say words it was not programmed to say. He grabbed a pen and paper and jotted down what he thought he had heard. Then he continued with his tasks.

“…blood…energy…(unintelligible)…(long pause)…moon…male…sixteen…” Jason paused in his tasks again to write down all he heard. It was always interesting when the device repeated the same words often.

“…rosegate…(unintelligible)…energy…ocean…moon…dark…(unintelligible)… return…sixteen…sixteen…blue…lane… home…blood…rosegate…return…vampire…”

Jason stopped now and stared at the device. He wanted to laugh suddenly, inexplicably. He wrote down the words he thought he had heard. It had to have been a mistake. He had to have heard it wrong.

The device was silent for several moments. Long pauses were not unusual. Jason waited, patiently listening.

“…lane…sixteen…(unintelligible)…rosegate…energy…blood…return…lane…sixteen…sixteen… vampire…”

Jason reached over and turned off the device. A sudden chill passed over him.

He dressed and went down to the bar, hoping it was still open. Just one other patron was there. A guy around Jason’s age was tending bar. He greeted Jason with a pleasant smile.

“Have you ever felt,” Jason said to him, “as if the universe was conspiring to nudge you into accepting something…that your mind knows cannot be real?”

The bartender’s smile faded slowly. “No. Not that I can recall, sir.”

Jason nodded. “Hmmmm. Well, can you suggest a beverage that might be suitable for just such an occasion?”

The bartender seemed to be giving this serious consideration. “It is entirely your call, of course, but I should think a cocktail or martini is not going to cover this. I would go with a straight shot.”

“I’m thinking the same thing.” Jason nodded. “Not Scotch—too celebratory. Gin? No, maybe too pedestrian. Not vodka either; I need something different. Do you have any Southern Comfort?”

The bartender did a search among several cabinets with much clinking and rattling going on and triumphantly held up one dusty bottle for Jason to see. “I’m pleased to say, sir, yes, we do.”

“Better make it a double. And can I have a Coke with lime on the side?”

Jason sipped at his drink. It burned a little going down, but in a good way. He sipped at the icy Coke and squeezed the lime wedge into the glass. He stared into space, pushing any thought out of his mind not directly connected to the sensation of the alcohol.

“May I join you?”

He had come out of nowhere. So quietly, so softly spoken that if Jason had not seen his reflection in the mirror behind the bar, he still might not have realized he was standing there.

His reflection. Augere.

Jason quickly turned to look at him. To really, really look at him. With a much more determined purpose than ever.

His pallor. Not just pale. Nearly translucent. Had he not really noticed that distinction, in all this time? The unnatural smoothness of his skin. And those eyes, ever changing. Who had eyes like that? Who owned half a dozen pairs of various colored contacts, that changed from various shades of grey, blue, and violet? And why? He rarely smiled, and even then, just barely. Was that because…people would see…did he really have…
but then, how could I not have noticed, if he did?
He was pretty sure Augere did not travel with a coffin; THAT would certainly have drawn attention.
Then again, I don’t know about his sleeping arrangements back at his inner sanctum. But I am pretty sure he has not asked for a coffin suite in any of the hotels so far
. In fact he had glimpsed the insides of Augere’s rooms as they traveled.
Just like mine. Normal
.

Jason’s thoughts quickly returned to the present moment. He had been asked a question. An answer was expected. He had already rudely paused too long. Was he allowed to say no? Because for once the person standing before him was the last…person…he felt comfortable seeing just now. He nodded slowly, and managed a weak smile. “Of course.”
You total wimp, Jason. But how could I refuse?

Augere moved to stand beside him. The bartender approached and Augere dismissed him with a wave of his hand and without a glance. The bartender shot Jason an inquiring look, once he was able to take his eyes off Augere. Before Jason could catch his eye, the bartender had moved away to the end of the bar and did not look at them again.

“How was your day?” Augere asked, in a flat tone that suggested he really was not interested in the answer.

“Very, very good.” Jason tried to keep his voice normal. “London is absolutely fabulous.” He meant it, even if his tone and shaky voice suggested otherwise.

“And your plans for tomorrow?” Augere looked at him intently now.

“British Museum. Westminster Abbey. Highgate Cemetery. Ghost tour and Thames River cruise in the evening. After dinner.” Jason recited the itinerary with enthusiasm though his voice sounded tense.

“So many things to do. May I accompany you?”

Jason looked at him.
Why now?
He could not help but wonder. There was a time, just recently in fact, when he would have jumped at that. Just the thought of being able to spend time with him, and at his own suggestion. But over this past week, so many strange things…so many bizarre ideas had taken hold of him…his mind wasn’t right…he felt so tired and weary just now. And too far from home. Maybe far from sanity too.
Could I be losing my mind?

Jason gazed intently into Augere’s eyes.
Is it true? Were you one thing…and now you are another? But how could it possibly be? How could such a thing be true?

“Of course, you can. Are you sure you want to?” he heard himself say.

Augere nodded once. “You will want to start early, will you not?”

Jason nodded.
It isn’t true. That’s it. It’s not to be believed
. And of course he wanted to spend the day with him. He enjoyed his company. That was what mattered. Everything was fine. It was all going to be fine.

He stared openly at Augere.

“Are you well?” Augere asked suddenly, peering intently at his face.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Are you quite sure?” Augere’s voice was kind and solicitous; his expression appeared worried.

“Yes, yes, just tired. Really I’m fine.” The words were spoken too quickly. Jason thought he sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince Augere. He looked away too quickly too.

“You need sleep now,” Augere said softly.

Jason nodded, and then downed the rest of the contents of both glasses. Then he turned to say goodnight to Augere, but he was already gone. Gone, completely out of sight.

Jason returned to his room. He had made up his mind about the troubling thoughts. None of it was true. And that was the end of it. Such thoughts could bring on madness, and he knew he was not headed in that direction. No matter what, he decided, it simply could not be true. There was just no way.

He fell into a deep and dreamless slumber.