The need to roll over and sleep for several more hours was strong. The sun was still up. But then panic crawled up my throat.Hewould come back, and who knew how long I would have then?
I needed to find a way out of here. Groggily getting to my feet, I was weak as a kitten, but at least I was clean and safe, for now.
Warming up another blood bag in a mug— black, of course—I tossed it back, barely allowing myself to enjoy the texture and flavor.
My innate appreciation for my meal made me wonder if maybe I’d been a chef or a food critic in my former life. I stole apples and bread in the first week of my vampirism to see if I could still eat like a normal person. My senses were heightened. The flavors of an apple transported me to the taste of the very farm where it had grown. Unfortunately, when my need for blood arose, food did nothing to abate the thirst.
The blood helped wake me up some, so I drank two more bags’ worth until I was practically bursting. My body sang, buzzing with energy. Maybe I would try to surf down the pyramid after all.
One way or another, it was definitely time to go. But not before I got paid. Rounding back to the library, a heavy executive’s desk sat off to one side. I rummaged through several drawers before I found a stack of cash under some paperclips and a stapler. Counting off three crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, I pocketed them with satisfaction. I thought of leaving a note thanking them for the hospitality, but seeing as they put me up only to use me as bait and kill me later, I figured I could forego the pleasantries.
I stared at the elevator with a critical eye. What if it magically opened now? I pressed the button to call it up and open the doors.
Nothing.Blood bags.
I spotted the pinhole at the top right of the door where a magnetic elevator key fit. Bingo.
It took an hour, but I discovered it in a utility drawer off the kitchen. Sticking it in the hole and turning it, the doors released, and I could push them open. Looking down into the dark shaft, I wondered if I shouldn’t come up with a less dangerous plan than sliding down thirty stories. I gulped.
If I stayed, I died. If I fell, my vampire abilities would kick in and heal me, right? I sucked another cold blood bag clean, though my stomach had distended from so much. I’d need all the healing powers I could get.
Reaching out, I grabbed the thick cable, then wrapped my body around the twisted steel. Pausing there until I was sure I could easily hold my weight, I then inched my way down the cord.
As I slid down a little at a time into the engulfing blackness, my vision turned red. I could see in the dark. Gaining confidence in my ability to hold my weight, I realized it was going to take forever to hit the bottom at this rate. Feeling bolder, I relaxed my grip and slid down ten feet. Not too bad.
I eased my grip again, sliding down. Stopping once more, a smile spread across my face. The feeling of power, ability, and knowing I couldn’t die emboldened me.
I decided to have a little fun. Releasing my legs from the pole, I dropped, speeding down the steel, air whooshing by as my hair flew up. Unable to help myself, I let out a yeehaw as I rode the line all the way down. As soon as I caught sight of the top of the elevator car, I tightened my grip ever so slightly, gradually slowing myself until I soundlessly landed on the roof of the car.
Looking at my hands, some skin had scraped off, but it knitted back together before my eyes. The feeling was incredible. I truly could do so much more than I’d given myself credit for.
I found the latch on the top door and slowly opened it to make sure no one was inside. Seeing it was empty, I jumped down and into the car, as silent as a cat. The elevator doors were open, but it wasn’t at the lobby level. Peeking out, there were ancient-looking sandstone walls lit by torches.
Holy crap, did Death have a medieval castle built underneath the hotel or something?
Voices echoed, and I stepped out to hear better. There were massive pillars everywhere, so I took care to remain hidden as I crept forward.
A woman was sobbing. “You don’t understand.” She was middle-aged and wore a sweatshirt and jeans.
Grim sat back in a stone-cut throne, with a bored, contemptuous expression on his handsome face. “No, I never do, do I?”
“I’ll do anything, just please don’t do this.”
Gold sparked in his eyes as he leaned forward, fingers grasping on the arms of his chair. “You’ll do anything?”
Holding out her hands in prayer, she cried out, “Yes, yes, anything.”
My stomach clenched as I waited to see what would happen. The desperation in her plea tore at my undead heart.
Something wet touched my hand, and I jumped. Looking down, I found the same black, dog-like creature that had been in the hospital. A low growl rumbled in its throat. Before I could think of what I was doing, I reached down and scratched its head. The growling stopped. Then, after a minute of heavy petting, the canine leaned into my touch.
Great, my crazy dog fantasies followed me here. Thankfully, I didn’t draw any attention as I continued to scratch poochie behind the ears. There was no way a dog could have been roaming around the hospital on its own, and it was less likely I’d see the same mutt down here. I must have lost a chunk of my mind when I’d been turned…if I had it to begin with.
In a moment Grim was inches from the woman, cradling her chin with his knuckles. The tension stretched out as he let her continue to sob. I wanted to jump out and tell him to leave her alone, but I forced myself to stay hidden.
Grim then leaned forward to whisper something in her ear. I drew back as he stared past her, afraid he would catch sight of me behind the pillar.
Then Grim stood, and a heavy stone door to his right opened with a loud creak. He waved his hand and her body jerked through the air, flying into the darkness with a terrified shriek that rang in my ears. Another sound emanated from the blackness, a growl. So deep, loud, and guttural; it wasn’t like any animal I had ever heard before. I held fast to the pillar to keep from shaking. The woman’s screams echoed as if she were being torn apart. Her cries cut off when the door shut again.
