Vengeance in Blood (Book 2): Tribulations Page 9
A blush crept up on Besseta’s cheeks. “It’s not easy,” she admitted.
Looking over, Tiffany saw Kenneth’s notes. “His handwriting is perfect,” she said then went back to reading a leather bound book.
“Wait till you see his calligraphy,” Besseta said without looking up. “What are you reading?”
Holding up the book, Tiffany responded, “The writings of a monk in northern Greece from 1580.”
“What have you learned so far?” Besseta asked, turning a page.
“Talk about a dull life,” Tiffany said, making Besseta snort a chuckle. “He figured out how to kill a werewolf with mercury.”
Besseta looked up at Tiffany. “Are you going to fight in this war?”
Closing the book, Tiffany put it on the coffee table. “I’ll fight with and for you.”
With a small smile on her face, Besseta gazed at Tiffany, studying her. “You don’t like other vampires.” It was a statement, not a question. “May I ask why?”
Reaching down, Tiffany caressed the sleeping dogs. “Besseta, you are the only one who may ask me anything,” she said. “To answer your question, yes, I don’t like the majority of ed…vampires.”
Looking down at the sleeping dogs as she stroked them, Tiffany sighed. “They could’ve accomplished so much, but the majority just act like gods and enjoy living for the kill. With the exception of you, I only like two others, and I created them.”
“Why did you create others?” Besseta asked.
“They asked after helping me. But like you, I fell in love with a human,” Tiffany told her.
“How many have you tried to create?”
“Nine,” Tiffany responded, looking away.
Shocked, Besseta leaned forward. “Out of nine, you had two change?”
Tiffany shook her head. “No, of the nine, six changed.” Stunned at the news, Besseta fell back against the couch. “Of the six, four died by their own hand later that I know of. The three that didn’t make the change killed themselves before the change was complete,” she said in a low voice.
“How?” Besseta mumbled. “No one I’ve ever talked to has changed more than one or two.”
Tiffany looked up with misty eyes. “I’ve studied and know our race more than any of our kind.”
Seeing Tiffany’s eyes, Besseta reached over and placed her hand on Tiffany’s leg. “You changed one that you loved, didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes,” Tiffany whispered with a slight nod. “He was a teacher from Greece during Alexander’s rule. We loved each other and loved learning,” she said in a low voice. “He stayed with me for almost six hundred years but just got tired of living.”
Besseta’s eyes got wide. “What about you?” she asked.
“I love learning something. I love watching the world change,” Tiffany sighed, wiping her eyes. “I tried to keep him interested, but undoubtedly, love wasn’t enough for him to keep living. I returned home one day to find his body. He drank mercury.”
Getting up, Besseta went to Tiffany’s side and curled up next to her, hugging her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Besseta, that’s what kills most of our kind: boredom of life,” Tiffany said. “Only those that have something to live for continue on. One must be very strong to continue. The average vampire only lives four to six hundred years, then they just kill themselves.”
“What was his name?” Besseta asked.
“Herotho,” Tiffany said, smiling.
“Tiffany, how have so many of yours made the change?”
“For one, I stay with them, helping them through the change.” She smiled. “Most die of thirst because they are alone with nobody to care for them while they change. Those of us that survived the change was because of blind luck with food and water close.”
Besseta thought about that, looking away. “You mean that’s why the change takes so many?”
“That has been my findings,” Tiffany said. “The virus is deadly to many, but I believe with proper care, a quarter would survive the change instead of one in a hundred thousand,” she said and looked over at Besseta. “You remember the one I was changing in Greece when you found me?” she asked, and Besseta nodded. “He would’ve died without me there. His body accepted the virus, but he would’ve died without me caring for him.”
“Why did you choose him?”
“He was a scholar,” Tiffany responded, looking away, “and he was a distant relative of Herotho.”
“Is he still alive?” Besseta asked.
“I don’t know,” Tiffany admitted. “The last I saw of him was before the twisted cross people.”
Laying her head on Tiffany’s shoulder, Besseta hugged her arm. “How should we fight this group?” she asked.
“There is only one way,” Tiffany said, resting her hand on Besseta’s legs. “They will all have to die, from the top all the way down.”
Letting out a huff, Besseta moaned, “That might take a while.”
Laughing, Tiffany said, “This from the woman who has hunted the scourge of humans for over six hundred years.”
“So studying is what keeps you going?” Besseta asked.
“Oh yes,” Tiffany smiled. “I love learning.”
“Would Kenn—” Besseta started to ask but stopped.
“Would Kenneth what?” Tiffany asked.
Besseta shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, getting up. “His thoughts are fading from my mind, so Kenneth will be awake soon.”
“How does he do that?” Tiffany asked.
“He keeps his thoughts buried,” Besseta said, picking up the notebooks. “He trained himself to do it so he could keep a blank face as a cop.”
“Remarkable,” Tiffany gasped.
“Humph,” Besseta huffed, “it would be easier for me if he didn’t do that. I don’t know what he wants,” she said.
Gently standing up so she wouldn’t wake the dogs, Tiffany giggled softly, “That is the way it’s supposed to be, Besseta. From what I’ve seen, you are having no trouble making him happy.”
Shaking her head, Besseta turned and headed to the kitchen. “Maybe, but I like having an edge,” she said over her shoulder. “I don’t want him leaving because I did something that hurt him.”
“That is what love is, Besseta,” Tiffany said, following. “You are doing fine.”
In the kitchen, Besseta started fixing breakfast, and Tiffany tried to help, but Besseta grabbed her arm and guided her to a chair at the bar. Smiling, Tiffany sat down. “I like cooking for him,” Besseta said, turning around.
“You like cooking,” Tiffany corrected. “You would fix enough food to feed a small village when we were together, yet both of us together could only eat what a child can.”
“He likes watching me cook,” Besseta said, lifting her chin.
“Kenneth likes watching you period,” Tiffany snickered. “I bet he really likes watching you in that.” She pointed at the small shirt hanging open.
Dropping her chin as she blushed, she admitted, “Please don’t be offended, but he really loves it when I just wear the bra, panties, and this shirt.”
Waving her hand across her body, Tiffany admitted, “Besseta, if I were you, I would walk around naked to make him happy.”
“I did that, but he likes this better.” Besseta smiled and went to work. “When I walked around naked, all he wants to do… Well, you can figure it out.”
Laughing, Tiffany watched Besseta work and hummed softly. Besseta had a grin on her face as she moved around the kitchen that let the world know she was happy. Tiffany just watched, glad to be there with Besseta and sharing the joy emanating from her.
Looking down at the notebooks Besseta had put on the bar, Tiffany asked, “Do you think he would mind if I read what you two have learned so far?”
“No, why would he?” Besseta asked. “Would you mind if Kenneth read your work?”
“Of course not,” Tiffany gasped, making Besseta laugh. “What good is knowledge unless
it’s shared?”
Opening the notebooks, Tiffany put one of Besseta’s beside one of Kenneth’s and started reading both. Upstairs, she heard Kenneth yawn and groan as he got out of bed. Looking up at Besseta, Tiffany could see her excitement at hearing Kenneth wake up. Happy for her friend, Tiffany kept reading.
With a sore, stiff body but a very blissful expression, Kenneth slowly walked down the stairs wearing shorts and house shoes. Hearing noise in the kitchen, he took some deep breaths and forced his body to relax and move normally.
When Kenneth walked in the kitchen, Tiffany looked up, and her eyes got wide. Not because Kenneth had a great lean and muscular body but because it was covered in bruises in various stages. His chest, back, upper arms, torso, and upper legs looked like someone had taken a baseball bat to him daily. Thankfully, Besseta was busy and didn’t look over, and Tiffany kept her mind blank.
“Hey, sexy,” Kenneth said, walking up behind Besseta and wrapping his arms around her.
Turning off the stove, Besseta turned around and reached up. She pulled Kenneth’s face down. “Sleep good, baby?” she asked, kissing him.
“Sorry I passed out,” he whispered, putting his forehead on hers.
Leaning her head back, Besseta brushed the tip of her nose across his. “Don’t be sorry,” she said in a normal voice, and Kenneth visibly cringed at the volume. With a grin, Besseta kissed him. “Baby, don’t forget she’s a vampire. Whispering doesn’t mean anything,” she told him as she released the kiss.
Sheepishly, Kenneth looked over at Tiffany and found her staring at them, smiling. “Hope we didn’t disturb you,” he grinned.
“Hardly,” she smiled. “Kenneth, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been reading your notes,” she said, looking down.
Kenneth looked back at Besseta. “Am I supposed to mind?” he whispered.
Besseta smiled and whispered back, “No, baby.” Tiffany chuckled.
“I can still hear you,” Tiffany said as Kenneth let Besseta go. “You have identified the command group of the Manu Fortis along with many of their installations. How are you planning on getting at them?”
Kenneth poured a cup of coffee and stared at Besseta, who was standing at the bar and fixing him a plate. Shaking his head, Kenneth looked over at Tiffany. “I think we should give the League some targets and see if they can hit them,” he said, turning back to Besseta to ogle her body.
Not able to help it, Tiffany covered her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh. “You don’t think they will?” she finally got out without laughing.
“It’s more to test their resolve,” he replied, not looking away from Besseta.
The dogs came trotting in, giving Tiffany an excuse to get up and take her eyes off the two. Pouring the food in the bowl, Tiffany was happy the dogs went to the correct bowls. “For someone who hasn’t met the League, you seem to know them well,” she stated as she bent to pet the dogs.
“What, a spineless political body that wants others to do the work?” Kenneth asked.
“I see your point,” Tiffany laughed. “You don’t think vampires will be different?”
“We’ll see, but from what I’ve seen and read, throughout history, those with power rarely fight, preferring to send others to do it for them,” Kenneth said, going to the bar as Besseta put his plate down. “Can one of you feed off Ted today before I start questioning him and not kill him?” he asked, picking up his fork.
“Why?” Besseta asked as she climbed up on the bar and sat beside him.
“Let him know information is the only thing keeping him alive,” Kenneth answered.
Tiffany looked up. “Seems callous for one human to ask that for another,” she said.
Looking over his shoulder, he informed her, “You haven’t read what he’s told me then. That agent is a cold-blooded killer.”
Besseta looked over at Tiffany. “You are better about keeping them alive when you feed. I just drain and kill them,” she said casually.
“So you can do it?” Kenneth asked as he continued eating.
Before Tiffany could answer, Besseta did. “Yes, Tiffany was the first I met that didn’t kill the ones she fed off of.”
“I didn’t say I would,” Tiffany said, petting the dogs. “This is to scare the man, not to let me feed.”
Shaking her head, Besseta said, “Tiffany, the man is going to die, and you need to feed. What is the problem?” she asked as Kenneth reached over and flipped the pages in one of his notebooks.
“Besseta, I know what needs to be done, but it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it,” Tiffany said, looking up as Kenneth handed the notebook to Besseta.
“Show her that,” Kenneth said and started eating.
Taking the notebook, Besseta read the page, and her face became red. She jumped off the bar, and Kenneth turned, wrapping his arms around her. “Kenneth, let me go,” she said in an icy voice.
“Show her,” Kenneth said.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Besseta asked, not looking up at him but down at his arms wrapped around her. She started studying how to get out of the hold without hurting him.
Burning with curiosity, Tiffany stood and walked over, taking the notebook. “It’s an empty threat he said trying to get me to fear him,” Kenneth said, wrapping his arms all the way around her and pressing his body next to hers.
“Those are our babies—” Besseta started when an explosion knocked them both down.
Hitting the floor hard, Kenneth never let Besseta go, holding her tight against him. He looked over at the dogs to see them looking around, wanting to know what happened. Then he heard a faint scream below him. “Hope she doesn’t kill him,” Kenneth mumbled. “You okay, baby?” he asked.
Besseta looked around as the notebook hit the floor beside them. “Never seen anyone move that fast in daylight,” she said and looked up at Kenneth looking down at her. “I’m tough, remember?”
“I know, but you’re still my baby,” he said, kissing the top of her head and letting her go.
Standing, Besseta bent down, picked Kenneth up, and put him on his feet. “Why did you do that?” she asked.
“Wanted to know if we could count on her,” he said, climbing back in his chair.
“She would’ve done it,” Besseta said, climbing back up beside him. She watched him eat and looked at his bruises. “We need to take a break before you get hurt,” she said.
Glancing at her as he ate, he informed her, “Ah, no we don’t.”
“Baby, even Tiffany was shocked looking at the bruises,” Besseta said as she reached over to caress the side of his face.
“I wear these with honor,” Kenneth snorted and heard another faint scream below them. “Didn’t think you could make a man scream that loud,” he admitted.
Sighing, Besseta mumbled, “I’ll try to be more careful.”
He grinned. “Try it, and I won’t wash your back for a week.”
Leaning over, Besseta kissed his shoulder and laid her head on it. “I love you,” she told him.
“Love you too, baby,” he said, finishing his plate. He grabbed the notebooks and picked up Besseta, heading to the living room. “Bonnie, Clyde, come,” he said, walking out of the kitchen.
Sitting down on the couch with Besseta on his lap, Kenneth opened the notebooks and pulled out a pen as the dogs jumped up. Besseta read along with him as Kenneth made notes. It was ten minutes later when the front door opened and Tiffany walked in with a regal strut. “How did you open the door the first time and close it without shattering the whole door?” Kenneth asked, not looking up.
“With my mind,” Tiffany said, sitting down on the other end of the couch.
“Is he still alive?” Besseta grinned.
“Oh yes,” Tiffany nodded. “I nailed him to the wall.”
Kenneth looked up. “What did you use that could drive into granite blocks?”
“Railroad spikes I found down there,” she said, reaching over and petting the dogs.
“Oh yes. He admitted to it and said he killed a family’s dog once after he tied them up to get them to talk. He made the little girl cry as he stabbed the dog, then he stabbed the little girl after the dad talked,” she said.
“Baby, get your computer, and see what you can find out about the League, and tell Maliki you need to talk,” Kenneth said, making notes.
Before the last word was out of his mouth, Kenneth saw Besseta sit down with her laptop. “Just what am I looking for?” she asked.
Knowing Besseta had just run downstairs and returned, Kenneth still couldn’t help but be amazed. “Satellite images of those places we have found out about for starters, and you need to empty those accounts you transferred from our friendly hit man.”
Picking up her book, Tiffany sat back, and Bonnie jumped over to her. “What about me, Kenneth?” Tiffany asked.
“Would you mind if I ask you some more questions about yours and Besseta’s world?” he asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s the same world you live in.”
Grabbing a pen, Kenneth turned to a new page. “Maybe but never in my wildest dreams would I have figured vampires, werewolves, and incubi walk the Earth,” he admitted.
“That is the problems with humans,” she said, closing her book. “They see something and try to explain it away and not try to understand it.”
“Not going to argue that,” he said. “I know you haven’t talked with werewolves, but have you studied them?”
“Extensively,” Tiffany replied.
“What do they look like?” he asked, holding his pen over the paper. Tiffany opened the leather bound book in her lap and flipped through the pages.
“Till they change, they look like humans,” she said, handing the open book to him. “This is a fairly accurate drawing of them after the change.”
Taking the book, Kenneth set his pen down. The first thing to catch his eye wasn’t the drawing; it was the book. It seemed ancient from the look and touch. Then his eyes fell on the drawing. It truly looked like a man wolf with the knees bending backwards. It had very little hair, and the snout seemed too large for the face.