Page 31

I followed Nathaniel down to the lobby. More vampires filled the lounge than the night before. I recognized a few familiar faces. Jonathan was there, and so was Patrick. We exchanged polite nods as I entered.

Off to one side, near the stone fireplace, stood a blond-haired vampire wearing a padded hunting jacket, sturdy yet expensive-looking trousers, and polished boots. He was very much an aristocrat, lording over his hunting lodge.

As we drew near, Richard looked up and narrowed his eyes, as if trying to get the measure of me. I had no desire to engage in a power struggle and was more than willing to let this man take charge, so I inclined my head for a moment longer than necessary.

“Richard, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Nathaniel has told me a lot about you.”

“Has he?” Richard said, his voice smooth but edged with a hint of something. “He’s told me a lot about you, as well. It’s nice that you could join us. I hope you find the place to your liking and feel content here.” He smiled widely, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth that might have been seen as a threat.

I inclined my head again, unwilling to engage in his games.

“I appreciate the hospitality,” I said. “I mostly keep to myself. As long as there’s a nearby library, I’m sure I’ll feel right at home.”

Richard’s smile softened into a more genuine welcome. “There is indeed,” he replied. “And if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, there’s one in the town at the base of the mountain, I believe.”

I thanked the man again. With the formalities out of the way, Nathaniel and I left the lobby, leaving Richard to hold court.

Nathaniel gave me a tour of the ground floor. In addition to the lobby and reception areas, the resort boasted a large game room with card tables, a pool table, and an impressively stocked bar. We found the library, filled to the brim with classics and modern titles alike. It had several overstuffed leather sofas and chairs. I was eager to peruse the shelves and while away several hours there.

The main floor also had a spacious dining room with large swinging doors that, I felt certain, led into an industrial-sized kitchen. However, there were no smells of food preparation. As I considered it, I realized I hadn’t seen any humans during our tour.

As we left the dining room through a side exit and stepped onto the wraparound porch, I broached the subject of the humans I could smell nearby.

“I haven’t seen any staff. Tell me about the non-vampires you all brought with you. Are they housed elsewhere?” I asked.

We chose two rough-hewn bentwood chairs overlooking the snowy grounds and sat. Once comfortably settled, Nathaniel replied, “Well, yes. They don’t live in the main building. Some thought it was too risky.” He scrunched up his face and ran a hand through his short, reddish hair. “The humans worked as regular staff at the lodge for a time, but with this many vampires in one place, things were bound to get complicated. Some of the humans complained, and it went downhill from there.” He took a deep breath. “Things aren’t like they used to be, Vincent. We’ve had to make certain choices to survive.”

A knot tightened in my stomach as my friend spoke.

“What happened to them?” I asked. “Did many of them leave?”

“We couldn’t let them leave,” Nathaniel said, sounding confused. “We need a certain number of humans to survive.”

“They’re not here of their own free will?” I asked, waiting for what I knew was coming.

“No, they aren’t. But these are the fortunate ones. The other humans are all sick and dying. The ones we’ve gathered here are quarantined and healthy. We’ve managed to round up and save so many.”

Save. My cold blood ran even colder. “Nathaniel, don’t. Don’t try to justify keeping humans captive.” Revulsion warred with curiosity. This was wrong, but I understood how neatly it solved the food problem for such a large group. “Where are they?”

I didn’t need to ask—the strong scent of humans was coming from one of the large outbuildings—but I wanted Nathaniel to show me. I needed him to show me.

He glanced at me, worry evident on his face. “Come on.”

We stepped onto the powdery snow. Floodlights lit the yard, creating a glowing field between the buildings.

“I would have done it differently,” he said, “but Rich thought it was best to keep them out here, away from the house.”

My unease grew as we approached the stone-and-wood structure. It matched the main building in materials but looked like a barn or storage area rather than proper lodging. A combination padlock secured the front doors. Nathaniel punched in the code and removed the chain. He slid one of the large doors aside, and we stepped inside.

The stench of unwashed bodies and waste hit me like a slap to the face. I coughed, trying to expel the smell from my lungs and the taste from my tongue. Nathaniel found the light switch, and soon I beheld the full horror within.

Fifty humans blinked up at us from half a dozen pens along one wall. They were all chained, filthy, and huddled together in miserable, shivering clusters. I stared at the scene, unable to respond. When they saw us, two vampires, several people cried out and shrank closer together, whimpering unintelligibly.

I turned on my heel and left the fetid confines of the barn.

I stood in the snow, taking deep breaths to clear my lungs and calm my nerves. Nathaniel closed the door behind us and locked it. He came to stand beside me but didn’t look up. I stared at the beautifully lit lodge, filled with comfort and luxury, where over a dozen vampires lounged, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company. We stood there for several minutes.

Nathaniel was the first to speak. “I’m sorry, Vincent. I should have known, given your recent history, that it might be too much for you. If feeding by force upsets you and makes you feel, you know, unbalanced, we can do it another way.”