When the Lights Went Out #11

Chapter Eleven

Vampire [vahm-pie-er]: A bloodsucker. One member per bloodline transpires to the human realm to procure sustenance for society. Most will keep humans as pets for a consistent blood supply and sexual favors. They reside in Diametric City.

Rochester barreled onward, effectively kidnapping Coyote from his kidnapper. His speed outmatched London by a long shot. The rocking motion almost lulled Coyote to sleep, and the Fictionary threatened to spill from his fingers. The swamp passed by in a blur. The murkiness was quickly replaced by glowing gray lights high above them. He could only assume these were the skyscrapers of Diametric City, the vampire city.

His brain was on fire. This kidnapper was Rochester, the vampire London owed the debt to. Perhaps this is better? As soon as Rochester stopped, Coyote would explain his deal with London. That ought to protect London from his wrath. But then, Rochester had kidnapped him and hadn’t attacked London. So, what’s his endgame?

Eventually, Rochester skidded to a halt. They were in the middle of a city street opposite a toll booth like the one the troll had manned at No Man’s Land. Another troll sat behind the glass. Beyond the booth, a swirling round gateway stood alone.

“Now,” Rochester set Coyote down, “who the blast are you?”

“I understand you’re angry with London for the debt,” Coyote said. “But listen, we were on our way here so that he could exchange me for a hot babe.”

“Is that so, Tramp?” Rochester padded in a slow circle around him, inspecting. “It looks to me like London was hoping to have himself a nice cosset.”

“That’s not true!” Coyote shouted. “He only put the damn thing on to appease the law. To make it look like I’m his cosset. Watch, he’ll come for me. We had a deal. And then he’ll fulfill his debt to you.”

Laughter boomed through Rochester’s lips. “Oh, you think he’ll come, do you? Like he cares? Likely, he’ll hide in the swamp for the rest of eternity, tail between his legs.”

“He will be here.” If London felt the same way for Coyote as he did for London, the vampire wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Especially as he knew better than Coyote how dangerous Rochester was. Coyote just wished he was as sure of that as the words implied.

Rochester took a step back and placed a slender hand on his hip. He regarded Coyote with two dull blue eyes set into an ashen gray face framed by hay-yellow bangs. “Alright, you have two hours. If London fails to show by then, I’ll take you to slaughter and claim the credits.”

Gulping, Coyote nodded. “He’ll be here.” He squared his shoulders, pumping as much confidence as he could muster into the words. Based on how everyone treated London, he wasn’t certain they were true. He hoped they were, hoped he wasn’t the only one who had felt a bond growing between them.

Satisfied, Rochester briefly checked a pocket watch tucked behind his lapel and then stood back, folding his arms across his chest.

The two waited wordlessly.