Samantha Dortmund stepped cautiously into the dark and creepy antique store, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. The creaking floorboards echoed in the silence as she scanned the room, filled with old and dusty relics. The air was heavy with the scent of ancient history, and cobwebs draped themselves over the forgotten treasures. This was all her fault, a price to pay for her foolishness since she decided not to go to the ball. Her parents would be furious when they found out. She didn't know if her fake lead idea would work, but she knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth started unravelling and she didn't want to be there when it did.
Sam's eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of movement. "Denise?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly. "Denise, are you here?"
After what seemed like an eternity, a tall, dark woman emerged from the shadows. Denise, the shopkeeper, had an aura of mystery about her. She had long dreadlocked hair and it framed her face perfectly, and a striking snake tattoo wound its way up her arm. Her eyes sent shivers down Sam's spine.
"You're the one who called right?" Denise's voice was smooth, she looked relaxed and there was a small smile on her face, a sharp contrast to Sam who's anxiety couldn't keep her in one place.
"Yes. I was... you're Denise?!"
"In the flesh."
Denise murmured as she studied Samantha.
"So... you sounded in a bit of a bind... why are you here?!"
"I'm looking for someone. Someone that has been said to be able to make people disappear for a while... and you're my only lead to that person."
"Who are you running from?"
Denise fired.
"How do you know that I'm running?"
"Oh I can see it... it's hard to miss."
The woman's eyes raked all over her again, then she looked away and turned to a pretty vase.
Samantha finally caved in and told her.
"Lord Damon.."
Denise's ears seemed to perk up at that.
"What did you do to annoy the Vampire Lord?"
"A grievous offence. Can you help me or not?"
Denise shrugged.
"We'll have to discuss the terms of payment first."
Samantha dumped a wad of cash on the table.
"Will that do?"
She asked and Denise started laughing maniacally. Samantha raised her brow in confusion, wondering what was so funny. She had just offered her all the money she could lay her hands on, which was more money than the average person had seen at once in their entire life.
"This contact you're looking for... does not accept payment in cash. Or any other monetary form."
Ohhh
So that was how it was?
She had heard of stories, stories of supernaturals who chose to trade in other things rather than money, things they considered a more worthy exchange. Some people traded possessions, body parts or the years off their life.
"Then what is the payment then? Anything you ask for I will give it... I just really need to talk to your contact, I was told you could help me."
Denise smiled coyly, her hand reached out for the bag of money.
"While my contact does not take monetary compensation, I will take this token in exchange for connecting you to him."
Samantha let her take the money, she would give anything, just as long as she could find him and he would be able to make her disappear for a while. She needed to be untraceable, especially to Damon's cadre and the vampire Lord himself.
Denise slipped the money under a table then picked out a pen and scribbled on a piece of paper.
"Call him, at exactly one hour after midnight, he'll be expecting you, he'll state what he wants and the moment your agreement is made, he'll do as he is supposed to. I'll let him know about you in advance."
Samantha looked at the paper and hurriedly stuffed it in her pocket.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
Denise looked around, suddenly becoming cautious of her surrounding.
"Leave now... I don't want anyone seeing that you were here..."
She murmured as she practically shooed her out of the shop.
Samantha left with renewed hope, she just needed to lie low for a few more months, till the whole bride situation blew over, she was sure they would find some way around the problem and even if they tried to link it to her they would never find her.
However, as she walked briskly through the dimly lit alleyways, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being followed. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, an unsettling presence lingered in the shadows.
A sense of unease washed over her, sending a chill down her spine. She quickened her pace, determined to reach safety as soon as possible. The shadowy figure remained hidden, discreetly following her every move, its intentions shrouded in darkness.
Unaware of the looming danger, Sam hurried through the night, her fate as uncertain.
..............
The early morning sun filtered through the lace curtains of Samantha Dortmund's opulent bedroom, casting a soft glow on the furniture and trinkets adorning the room. Olga, the, made her way up the grand staircase, holding a silver breakfast tray in her trembling hands. She had not heard Samantha come in last night, neither had she heard her request for breakfast, but she was worried about her. Ever since the whole bride situation, the poor girl had been jittery and scared. A funny joke had now turned out to be a serious situation.
It would even be worse if her parents ever found out, fortunately the Dortmunds seemed perfectly unaware of everything that was going on in Staunton at the moment and Samantha was more than happy to keep that away from her family.
Olga had faithfully served the Dortmund family for decades, taking care of their needs with unwavering dedication, she knew what their kind was and she was not afraid, she considered it an honour to serve the Dortmunds. She had even considered Samantha as her own child.
As Olga reached the landing, her heart sank at the sight that greeted her. The door to Samantha's bedroom was slightly ajar, and a trail of crimson footprints marred the pristine carpet. Panic gripped Olga's frail form as she pushed the door open, revealing a gruesome scene.
Blood splattered the walls, the bed, and the floor, painting a macabre picture of violence. A scream welled up in Olga's throat, but her shock was so profound that it paralyzed her momentarily. She staggered backward, losing her balance, and with a horrifying crack, her neck snapped as she collided with the hard surface.
.............
Just outside the gate of the Dortmund mansion, Levi, a proud member of Damon's cadre stood with growing unease. He had rang the doorbell countless times, nobody was home, he had tried Samantha's number a lot of times, but she had also not picked up the call. He was about to leave when the wind blew to him and he perceived the unmistakable stench of blood. Not just any blood, vampire blood.
From then on he had been gripped with fear, did something happen to Samantha? He swiftly called for backup, but he still had to find a way in.
Fueled by a mix of concern and dread, Levi approached the imposing wrought-iron gate. His professional demeanor melted away as fear gnawed at his insides, leaving behind a man desperate enough to ensure Samantha's safety. With a simple shove, he broke the lock and hurriedly made his way to the front door.
Inside the mansion, the air was heavy with an eerie silence and the brutal stench of blood. Levi's footsteps echoed through the marble-floored foyer as he cautiously moved deeper into the house. The sight that met his eyes surprised him.
There, lying lifeless on the tiles, was an old woman's body. A tray of splattered food next to her, with the contents spilled. He knelt quickly and touched her neck, there was a pulse, but it was very faint. But the blood, it didn't come from her, he thought as he looked around, searching for a second body.
A quick search told him that there was no second body, just the old woman and he had to act fast if he meant to save her life, her injuries were internal, but a little of his vampire blood would at least keep her body warm till he was able to take her to the hospital.
As he slashed his wrist, he opened the woman's mouth and allowed his blood flow freely into her throat. Where was Samantha Dortmund?!
He thought in surprise.
Finally, his phone rang and he picked it up.
Levi signed, to say that he was stressed out was an understatement.
"We have a huge problem."
He said as he looked at the bloody room once again.