The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (90 page)

Jason took out his cell phone as he walked. There had been spotty response where they had stood, and it was scarcely better now, fading in and out. He wanted to call Genier to see if someone could come and get them. But where in the world were they? How could he explain? Would they know this place, if Jason described the circumstances? He had thought of calling 911 emergency—they might be able to locate the two of them. But that could invite inquiry as to what they were doing there in the middle of the night, and just what was wrong with his companion? No. They were totally on their own. And now there was no phone signal at all.

Jason walked, praying it was the right direction. It was practically a rural area, with no landmarks, no signs. They made their way slowly for several blocks and still there were no clear street signs to tell him where they were. Jason kept them going, Augere putting up no resistance and mutely walking on his own now, without Jason’s guidance.

They had to have gone the equivalent of ten blocks or more, and Jason despaired they were going the wrong way. Finally, lights appeared at a distance, too many to be just the occasional streetlight they had seen.

As they got closer, Jason saw a convenience store, and it was open. Never had he been so glad so see such a sight.

They were still two blocks away when Jason saw a man exit the store with a bag and move toward a car—and he couldn’t believe his eyes—it was a taxi! The man was moving toward the driver’s side.

Jason broke into a run. “Hey! Wait, please!” he yelled as loud as he could.

The man paused and looked up, startled. Unbelievably, it was the same driver who had brought them. He gave them a wary look, then a look of disbelief as he recognized them and then waved them off, as he began to open the car door just as Jason reached him.

“No! Please, wait! Can you take us back now?” Jason had already been exhausted prior to this and was now badly shaken from the ordeal. He was sure he looked a sight. But this stranger seemed his only hope.

“Can’t. I’m off duty.” The man shook his head without looking at them as he opened the taxi door.

“Please—we are stranded out here. Can’t you take us back—or at least call someone to come for us? Maybe just drop us off near other cabs. I will make sure it is worth—”

“Is he all right?” the man asked with a surly expression as he paused then and looked them both over. Augere seemed to be himself, at least physically for the most part, but stood silent with a somewhat vacant stare. “I’m not messing with no drug dealers and no users, nope, not tonight.”

“No, it’s nothing like that, I swear,” Jason said with weary sincerity.
Is this night ever going to end?

The man seemed to be looking them both over with a critical eye.

“Get in,” the cab driver said abruptly and grudgingly.

Silence filled the cab except for Christmas music playing softly on the radio, as they rode along. Jason was shocked when the man took them all the way back to their hotel, the sight of which brought immeasurable, nearly tearful, relief to him. It seemed nothing short of a miracle.

They got out of the cab and Jason removed a couple of large bills from his wallet. The cab driver refused to accept the fare and large tip. The meter was off. “Happy New Year,” he said to them with a cheerless expression. Jason insisted he accept a generous tip, and the man did so reluctantly, and then Jason extended well wishes to him—“Bernard, is it?” he had read on the sign in the cab—and thanked him again profusely. Several minutes later Jason watched as Augere entered his own room, and then Jason entered his. It was nearly 6 a.m.. He fell onto his bed still clothed and was asleep within minutes.

Jason slept past noon, and still had not nearly enough sleep. A brunch was being served today, he recalled, as he lay in bed, awake now. Had they missed it?

He was concerned about Augere and that forced him to get up. He showered, hastily got dressed and went to find him. A knock on his door produced no response. Was he asleep? He should have been. He began to wonder about the vampire’s sleep habits…

Jason found him sitting outside at one of the small wrought iron tables in the courtyard, smartly dressed and looking as well, as refreshed and rested as if nothing could possibly have disturbed him. And James Genier was with him.

“…after we already had this discussion, and you told me you would not do something like this again.”

Jason caught the tense words spoken by James as he approached them.
Is this about last night?

“…and do you know we had to sneak workmen into your hotel room—over Christmas mind you—do you have any idea how much that cost? Not to mention the cost of the actual repairs…”

No. It was a different situation entirely. Augere seemed to be taking the scolding in silence while wearing a less than contrite expression.

“So what do you have to say for yourself?” James concluded.

Augere shrugged one shoulder and acquired an innocent expression as he replied, “Vampire.”

“Hmmm.” James frowned deeply.

James looked up and his dour expression turned into a friendly smile as he greeted Jason. Augere gave him a nod, which Jason returned.

“Sorry. I’m running late.”

“There’s really no set time. It’s brunch in New Orleans.” James laughed, his good humor returned. “There will always be good food somewhere.”

A car took them to yet another well-known restaurant in the French Quarter. Jason loved getting to try all of these different places. But he wondered why it was always public places, never anyone’s home. And never at their office. There seemed something a little strange about that. Not that he was complaining. They could meet at a different place to eat every day and not run out of great restaurants or fabulous food to enjoy.

Jason stole a rare private moment with James as they waited in the buffet line, while Allen sat at their table with Augere.

“Did he tell you anything? About last night?” Jason asked him.

James gave him a concerned look. “Only in the vaguest terms. What did happen?”

Jason had to speak softly, careful whose ears might be listening. He wasn’t sure how much to say. Of course, the Geniers had to know the whole story already. He managed to express that though it was a frightening experience, he had finally learned what he had wanted to know about Augere’s history. In fact he was sure he had been taken to the exact place where the actual events had occurred so long ago. It was obvious to him Augere had not been himself last night, and as fascinating as the story was, Augere’s actions had caused him a great deal of concern for his own personal safety. He still felt surprised they had gotten back without serious incident. As bad as it had been though, he was still glad to learn what had happened to Augere, finally.

James nodded. “Every now and then, though not in a long while, he has done this. I’m sorry it was such a tense and frightening situation; from what I do recall of it that is definitely not in a good area. He would have been able to keep you from any harm, regardless. But it would have been okay to call me too.”

Jason explained he didn’t know what their exact location was to provide details to anyone, even if there had been a phone signal. And he had not had any idea where they were going beforehand.

“I just had to focus on getting us away from there.” James looked appropriately concerned as he nodded.

“Did anything—unusual happen? Beforehand? How did it happen that the two of you went there?”

“Well, he wanted to talk. And I asked him about the circumstances…about how all of this had come about. How and when he had changed.”

“That was it? He just decided then?” James seemed surprised. “Can you think of something, anything that might have distressed him, before then…?”

Jason paused to consider this as he heaped jambalaya onto a plate. “Nothing really…” He paused. “Except…well there was a fortune teller we stopped at—she was acting kind of…strange…almost trancelike at one point; it almost seemed kind of genuine—and then she just wanted us to go away—”

James looked alarmed. “Where was this, exactly? Do you remember any details, what she looked like?”

It was Jason’s turn to be concerned. He provided as much detail as he could. James frowned. “That might have been what set him off.” He shook his head. “He has strong reactions to situations like that sometimes. It is best for him if he avoids contacts like those.” James and Jason took their plates to the table and then James asked to speak to Allen in private. The two brothers left the dining area briefly.

A waiter brought wine to their table and served them.

A young girl, in her twenties, Jason guessed, attired all in black and wearing gothic-inspired jewelry, stopped at their table and smiled and flirted briefly with Augere, who seemed very comfortable with her. She handed Jason a fork and a plate that held a huge piece of cake. The white frosting and moist looking fruit texture already told him he was going to enjoy this.

“It’s Hummingbird Cake,” she explained, “you have to try it.” Jason thanked her and then savored a bite of the heavenly cake as he took note of her features while Augere gave her a small smile and chatted with her. She vaguely reminded him of his sister, with her petite frame and dark hair in a style similar to Carrie’s. She gave Jason a shy smile as she left, leaving him wondering who she was.

James returned. Jason had more that he could say to James about last night’s incident, but it seemed it would have to wait until he could speak to him privately again.

“You’re looking rather tired, Jason; I know you had a long night.” James took a long glance at Augere, as the four of them stood outside the restaurant getting ready to part at the end of their delicious brunch. “I hope we haven’t made you so haggard with all of our partying.”

“Not at all.” Jason laughed and shook his head. “I have really enjoyed spending the holiday with all of you. I am really so glad to have had this experience. All of your family have been so kind and thoughtful to me.”

James gave him a warm smile and then embraced him. “You are part of our extended family now.” Allen nodded with a smile and then embraced him also.

The Geniers had arranged tickets to a theatre performance that evening; Jason and Augere planned to attend. A party at a bar on Bourbon Street was being held that afternoon. Jason and Augere attended and Jason was surprised to see both James and Allen on the stage playing their own instruments as they sat in with the members of a local Cajun band. It was a fun afternoon, very laid back and casual, and Jason especially enjoyed the music. The Geniers managed to endlessly surprise him.

They kept their own quiet company the rest of that afternoon, spending time walking in the French Quarter.

The play that evening—Wicked—was wonderfully good and steak dinners followed at a restaurant afterward. Augere remained apart from the rest of them, but still close by. No mention was made by anyone of the events of the night before. Jason barely had time to sort out his thoughts and feelings about all of the past few days’ events.

That night a still exhausted Jason got his first full night’s sleep in several days. A car came to take them to the airport late the following morning and James rode with them, lingering in the departure area as they said their goodbyes.

Augere stood facing James and smoothed the lapel of his jacket while looking into his eyes. “View my latest artwork…” He rested his hand for several moments on James’ chest and then looked at Jason with that steady gaze and his usual inscrutable expression.

“All of the terrible things done…show up here,” he said, as he returned his gaze to James’ face, his hand still resting on James’ chest. “They appear on this canvas and alter it, while I remain as always, unchanged. Mea culpa.”

Jason thought he was making a joke, but the tone of Augere’s voice was deeply sad and his expression too serious.

“Laurent—stop,” James said gently. Then he hugged him tightly and was warmly embraced in return. “I still wish you could stay longer and—”

“You will see me soon enough,” Augere interrupted him.

James gave Jason a lengthy embrace and then it was time for them to go. They boarded their plane for the return to Boston.

END OF BOOK ONE

AUGERE’S STORY CONTINUES IN SEVERAL MORE VOLUMES