Anna, Phara, and Theodore stepped out into the city of Chicago, the stars twinkling above them. Anna's constant checking of her cell phone caught Phara's attention, and she couldn't help but notice the nervous expression on Anna's face. Concerned, Phara asked, “Are you okay?”
Anna sighed deeply, her eyes focused on the screen of her phone. “I haven't seen my sister in over 10 years, and when we parted ways, it wasn't under good circumstances,” she confessed. The weight of their history hung heavy in the air.
Theodore lightly nudged Anna's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. “She's your sister, Anna. I'm sure all of that is in the past now,” he said, his voice filled with hope.
Anna mustered a weak smile. “Sure, I guess,” she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Phara, trying to distract from the tension, changed the subject. “I thought you said the car was on its way?” she asked, looking around for any sign of their transportation.
Anna glanced at her phone once again, her brows furrowing. “I'm sure he'll be here any minute,” she assured them, though doubt lingered in her voice.
After a few more minutes of waiting, a sleek black limousine pulled up in front of them. As the driver stepped out, Anna waved her hand dismissively. “We can manage to get into the car by ourselves,” she said, refusing his offer.
Phara couldn't help but chide Anna, “Don't be rude, Anna.”
Anna sighed, feeling grateful for her friends but not wanting to burden them further. “We appreciate the offer, but we're good,” she said firmly.
With that, Anna, Phara, and Theodore climbed into the luxurious limousine. The driver rolled down the divider window and glanced back at them as he smoothly drove through the city.
‘Anastasia is very eager to see you again, Anna,” the driver said, breaking the silence.
Phara's curiosity got the best of her. “Do you know him?” she asked Anna.
Anna nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Yes, his name is Ralph.”
Ralph, the driver, offered them an invitation. “If you'd like, you're more than welcome to stay at the coven,” he suggested.
Theodore's eyes widened with excitement. “That would be cool!” he exclaimed.
Anna glanced at Phara, her eyes questioning. Phara, understanding the unspoken concern, reassured her. “There is no need to go through all that trouble, Ralph. We are comfortable at the hotel,” she declined politely.
Finally, after a few more minutes, the limousine came to a stop in front of a tall, black building in the heart of the city. The doorman opened the car door, and Anna, Phara, and Theodore stepped out. They followed the doorman into the building, where a group of vampires were waiting for an elevator.
Just as they entered the elevator, a man named Blake stepped out and greeted them warmly. “Hello, I'm Anastasia's assistant. If you follow me, I will take you to her,” he offered, leading the way.
The elevator doors closed, and the group ascended to a higher floor. When the doors opened, they were greeted by a bustling lounge area filled with vampires. As they made their way through the crowd, a vampire stepped in front of Theodore, blocking his path.
Polite yet firm, Theodore addressed the vampire. “Excuse me, we are here to attend a meeting with Anastasia,” he said, trying to dismiss the vampire's unwelcome advances.
Intrigued by Theodore's werewolf nature, the vampire leaned in, smirking. “You must be the werewolf I've heard about. I've always wanted to spend the night with a werewolf,” he murmured, reaching out to touch Theodore.
Anna swiftly stepped in, pushing the vampire away. “He's not interested,” she said, her protective instincts kicking in.
Taking hold of Theodore's hand, Anna walked alongside Phara, determined to reach Anastasia's office. Blake opened the office door, revealing Anastasia seated at her desk, with her wife Delilah perched on the edge. Delilah quickly stood up and rushed over to Anna, enveloping her in a tight hug. Anna, feeling overwhelmed, quickly released herself from Delilah's embrace.
Curiosity and a touch of suspiciousness filled Anna's voice as she asked, “Who is this woman, Anastasia?”
Anastasia walked over to her sister, pointing at Delilah. “This is my wife of five years,” she announced proudly.
Phara, introducing themselves, said, “We are Anna's partners, Phara and Theodore.”
Anastasia walked over to each of them, offering warm hugs. “I know very well who you both are. Even though I haven't seen my sister and she avoids my phone calls, I still have my ways of keeping track of her,” she confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of longing and resentment.
Anna, eager to get down to business, urged Anastasia, “Enough with the small talk. Why did you call us here, Anastasia?”
Anastasia led Anna, Phara, and Theodore over to her desk, a dimly lit corner of the room filled with stacks of books and scrolls. The air was heavy with anticipation as she pointed to the photos of vampires from her coven, their mesmerizing eyes glimmering with ancient secrets.
With a furrowed brow and a determined look, Anastasia declared, “Someone has been taking vampires from our coven. One of the escaped vampires claims there is a doctor conducting experiments on them.”
Anna, always the pragmatic one, raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why didn't you call the authorities or file a missing person report? Surely they could help.”
Blake, a seasoned member of the coven, interjected with a voice filled with authority, “This is a coven issue, Anna. The outside world may not understand the complexities of our existence. We must handle this internally.”
Anastasia nodded in agreement, her voice filled with a mix of apprehension and determination. “Exactly, Blake. We cannot risk exposing our kind to the scrutiny and danger of the human world. We must solve this mystery ourselves.”
As the group huddled around the desk, Anastasia carefully laid out the names and images of the missing vampires. The room was filled with an air of tension and anticipation as they all focused on the task at hand. Anna's eyes scanned the photos with a mixture of concern and determination, her gaze lingering on each face as if searching for any hidden clues.
Beside her, Phara closed her eyes, allowing her powers to guide her. With a gentle touch to one of the photos, she could feel the energy of the vampire it represented. A wave of sadness washed over her as she realized that one of them had already met their demise. It was a somber reminder of the danger they all faced in their line of work.
Meanwhile, Theodore diligently worked on the computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he sifted through logs and databases. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning for any relevant information that could aid their search. Each keystroke brought them closer to unraveling the mystery of the missing vampires, and he was determined to leave no stone unturned.
***
In the waiting room of Dr. Specker's office building, a group of individuals nervously occupied their chairs, their eyes darting between the two doors. An air of anticipation hung heavy in the room as they waited for something unknown. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a woman entered with an air of authority. Her presence commanded attention, and the room hushed in anticipation. The woman smiled politely and greeted the group, her voice echoing through the silence.
“Good evening, thank you all for coming,” she began, her voice clear and confident. The room buzzed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
A man seated towards the back spoke up, his voice laced with skepticism, “Are you really paying in cash?”
The woman nodded, her eyes meeting his, “Yes, we are. But I must warn you, there may be side effects to the tests we will conduct. Therefore, all volunteers are required to sign a waiver. In return, you will be compensated with $500 per day. Once you sign the waiver, you will not be allowed to leave or contact anyone until the tests are complete.”
A woman from the front row raised her hand, her voice tinged with concern, “How long will we be kept here?”
The woman's face softened slightly, her gaze thoughtful, “It's too early to determine at this time. We will assess the situation as we progress. Rest assured, your well-being is our priority.”
Silence descended upon the room as the group processed the information. The woman's words hung in the air, mingling with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. A few nurses entered, distributing waivers to everyone except the man and woman who had asked the initial questions.
Confusion laced the woman's voice as she spoke up, “How come we didn't get a waiver?”
The woman standing before them sighed, her eyes flickering with a hint of regret, “It looks like we ran out of waivers. You both are dismissed. Wait here, and someone will escort you out of the building. The rest of you, please sign the waivers and follow me.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As the group obediently filed out of the room, leaving the woman and the man behind, time seemed to stretch. Minutes passed before two men silently entered, their intentions concealed within their actions. Within moments, syringes appeared from their coats, piercing the flesh of the man and woman, extinguishing their lives in an instant.
The woman reentered the room, her eyes surveying the lifeless bodies with a cold detachment. Her voice resonated with an unsettling calmness, “Toss them in the river. People will assume they overdosed.”
More individuals entered, their purpose clear as they carried away the bodies. A nurse approached the woman, breaking the eerie silence.
The woman's eyes narrowed, a glimmer of frustration visible, “Wait a few minutes and bring in the next group.”
The nurse nodded, obediently acknowledging her command, “Yes, Miss.”
As the woman's cell phone rang, she answered it and swiftly moved away from the room, seeking a secluded hallway. Her voice carried a mixture of urgency and annoyance, “What do you mean she recruited outside help? You were paid a substantial amount to ensure she wouldn't discover it! I understand that 'dumb and dumber' kept taking Vampires from the coven, claiming it to be difficult to identify ones that were not part of the coven. You need to rectify this situation and make them leave the city. Our work is nearly complete; we cannot afford any interference from the coven now.”
The woman's voice trailed off as she continued her conversation, her words echoing through the corridor. The waiting room, once filled with hopeful volunteers, now stood as a silent witness to the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of Dr. Specker's office building. And as the next group prepared to enter, unaware of the dangers that awaited them, the woman greets them all with a smile.
The Nurses briskly guided the group of volunteers down the sterile hallway towards the gleaming elevator. Their footsteps echoed against the cold tiles, adding an eerie sense of anticipation to the air. Nervous whispers hummed through the group, but before anyone could voice their questions, the nurse at the front sternly interrupted.
“Do not ask the doctor any questions,” her voice carried authority. “We will take you to your rooms, a nurse will come and get you when the doctor is ready for you. Do not talk with each other about the tests being done on you. If anyone violates the rules, you will be expelled from the program and not get paid.”
The volunteers exchanged apprehensive glances, searching for answers in each other's eyes. They had come here seeking a chance to better their lives, their circumstances. Most of them were homeless or facing desperate situations, lured by the promise of a generous payment of $500 per day in cash. It was an opportunity they couldn't afford to pass up. As the hours ticked by, the volunteers were left alone with their thoughts in the sterile solitude of their confined spaces. The air felt heavy with tension and unanswered questions. The walls seemed to close in, mirroring the suffocating grip of their circumstances.
A few floors up, Dr. Specker's medical lab hummed with anticipation. The sterile white walls were lined with shelves of glassware, each vessel holding the potential for scientific breakthroughs. The air was heavy with the scent of chemicals, mingling with a faint metallic tinge. Dr. Specker, a man consumed by his research, stood at his workbench, his eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
As if on cue, the door swung open, and a nurse entered the lab, her footsteps echoing through the otherwise silent room. She approached Dr. Specker, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.
“Dr. Specker, we have a batch of volunteers,” she announced, her eyes flickering with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.
A smile danced across Dr. Specker's face, as he turned his attention to the glass chemistry set before him, a masterpiece of intricate apparatus. With delicate precision, he adjusted a glass knob, setting the gears of his experiment into motion. As if guided by an invisible hand, he carefully applied drops of vampire blood into an open valve, watching as the crimson liquid mingled with the other chemicals.
The room filled with a soft hiss as Dr. Specker turned on the heat, causing the mixture to bubble and swirl. The tubes of the chemistry set acted as conduits, carrying the alchemical fusion from one end to the other. Dr. Specker's eyes gleamed with a mixture of fascination and anticipation as he observed the transformation taking place within the glassware.
After a brief moment, he switched off the heat, allowing the concoction to cool. The room grew still, as if holding its breath in anticipation. Dr. Specker's gaze remained fixated on the chemistry set, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he reached out and turned a knob, catching the precious elixir into a tube.
As he held the tube up to the light, a kaleidoscope of colors danced within the liquid. A sense of accomplishment washed over Dr. Specker, mingling with a hint of trepidation. The culmination of his efforts, the result of years of research and experimentation, now rested within the confines of that small glass tube.
“We are ready,” Dr. Specker whispered, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. “Bring in the first subject.”
The nurse nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. As she walked down the corridor, her footsteps echoing in the silence, she couldn't help but wonder who what volunteer should go first.
***
Still in Anastasia's office, the four of them - Anastasia, Anna, Phara, and Theodore - continued to sift through the evidence of the missing vampires. Phara, with her supernatural abilities, held each photo of the vampires, one by one, hoping to catch a glimpse of their presence. But disappointment washed over her as she found no readings indicating their survival.
Anastasia's eyes were fixed on Phara as she held the photo of the blonde-haired vampire. Curiosity consumed her, and she couldn't help but ask, “What do you sense about Eliza?”
Phara kept her hands over the photo of Eliza, her brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, she responded, “She is alive, but I cannot sense or discern her location.”
Anna, a bit surprised, interjected, “I thought Eliza had left the coven.”
Anastasia nodded, acknowledging Anna's statement. “Indeed, she no longer belongs to our coven. However, I still feel a sense of responsibility towards her.”
Curiosity piqued, Theodore spoke up, “Who exactly is Eliza?”
Anna's eyes softened as she reminisced, “She used to be my favorite sister-in-law. Of all the vampires, she was the one I truly cared for.”
Anastasia chimed in, offering a glimmer of hope, “Give it time, Anna. I'm sure you will grow to warm up to Delilah as well.”
Anna's skepticism was evident as she replied, “I highly doubt that. Have you checked if any other vampires outside our coven have gone missing?”
Anastasia's gaze drifted down to the photos of the missing vampires. After a brief pause, she replied, “My responsibility lies with the members of my coven. While it may be worth investigating a citywide pattern, it is not my primary concern.”
Feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment, Anna couldn't help but voice her annoyance, “As always, it's all about the coven.”
Anastasia's eyes hardened as she glared at Anna. “And as always, you want to do things your way. I hired you to solve this case, but it will be done my way.”
Anna, exasperated, suggested, “That's not how you hire a private investigator. Maybe you should find someone else.”
Phara, sensing the tension rising, stepped between Anna and Anastasia. She reasoned, “We have been working on this tirelessly. Let's take a break and go back to our hotel to rest.”
Anna, still frustrated, persisted, “No, I am thinking clearly. I don't want to be a part of this case if Anastasia is going to nitpick every step of the way.”
Anastasia, her disappointment evident, uttered softly, “I knew you wouldn't help me.”
Anna took a step closer, her voice filled with frustration, “We have been trying to help you for hours, but it's never enough for you.”
Phara, with her calming presence, persuaded Anna not to make any rash decisions. Eventually, Anna, Theodore, and Phara left Anastasia's coven.
As Anastasia sat at her desk, her anger towards Anna still simmered within her. She couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that perhaps her sister was right - they should be searching for all the missing vampires, not just the one within their coven. Lost in her thoughts, Anastasia contemplated her actions and wondered if she had been too quick to dismiss Anna's concerns.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the vampire abode, Delilah made her way down a hallway. Blake, dutiful as ever, accompanied Nicole towards the elevator. But as they reached the human apartment floor, Blake halted Delilah's progress.
“Delilah, only assistants to the coven's head vampires are allowed on this floor,” Blake stated firmly.
Delilah, her jealousy towards Nicole’s beauty, took a step closer, feigning innocence. “I just got lost,” she claimed, her voice laced with a hint of malice.
Nicole, ever observant, couldn't help but retort, “Just like the night before, when you conveniently stumbled upon Kim's door three rooms down from mine.”
The comment struck a nerve inside Delilah, and in a fit of rage, she lunged towards Nicole. Her hand closed around Nicole's throat, pinning her against the cold, stone wall. Blake, desperate to intervene, tried to pull Delilah away, but her strength overwhelmed him. Delilah pushed him to the floor, her eyes blazing with a dangerous fire.
“You're lucky you're my wife's dinner, or I would kill you right here,” Delilah spat out, her grip tightening on Nicole's throat.
Blake, now standing behind Delilah, mustered all his courage. “Let her go, Delilah,” he commanded, his voice filled with a mix of fear and determination.
Reluctantly, Delilah released Nicole, shoving her towards Blake. She took a step back, her gaze fixed on them with a malicious grin. “I hope you both have a lovely night,” she taunted, before disappearing into the elevator.
As the doors closed, Blake turned to Nicole, his eyes filled with concern. “I've never seen Delilah like that before,” he murmured, his voice trembling slightly.
Nicole, still shaken from the encounter, nodded in agreement. “She's always been hostile towards us hired humans. Anastasia deserves a better wife,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and sadness.
Blake sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. “Let's keep this between us, Nicole. We don't need to burden Anastasia with this on top of everything else,” he replied, his gaze fixed on the elevator doors.
Together, Blake and Nicole stepped into the next available elevator, their minds heavy with a sense of unease. As the elevator ascended towards Anastasia's office, Blake deftly opened the door, allowing Nicole to step inside. The door closed behind them with a soft thud, sealing them in a world of anticipation.
Nicole stood a few feet away from Anastasia, her eyes filled with concern. “What is troubling you?” she asked, her voice gentle yet insistent.
Anastasia, in an attempt to hide her inner turmoil, flashed a fake smile at Nicole before rising from her seat. She moved towards Nicole, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. “My sister left just moments ago,” Anastasia began, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. “And I believe she may have been right about something.”
Nicole's brow furrowed, curiosity piqued. “What is it that troubles you so deeply? Surely, admitting she was right wouldn't be such a terrible thing?”
Anastasia, her fingers tracing a delicate path along Nicole's neck, hesitated for a moment. She knew the truth would require her to swallow her pride, to acknowledge her sister's wisdom. But the admission seemed to hang heavy in the air, like an unspoken secret begging to be set free. “To admit she was right,” Anastasia finally said, her voice barely above a whisper, “would mean accepting my own fallibility, my mother would’ve never approve of such action.”
With a mixture of fear and desire swirling within her, Anastasia leaned in and pressed her lips against Nicole's neck. Nicole, surrendering to the intoxicating sensation, allowed her fingers to graze Anastasia's waist, desperate to maintain her balance within the tumultuous embrace. As Anastasia finished, Nicole swiftly disentangled herself, the sudden absence leaving her breathless and wanting.
Anastasia, her touch now gentle and soothing, reached out to caress Nicole's arm. “I am feeling overwhelmed,” she confessed softly, her eyes searching for solace in Nicole's gaze. “My wife, Delilah, is consumed by her own obligations, leaving me adrift and in need. Would you be willing to assist me in this moment of vulnerability?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Nicole's lips, a flicker of understanding lighting up her eyes. “Of course,” she replied, her voice laced with both compassion and desire. “What do you require?”
Without a word, Anastasia pulled Nicole into a searing kiss, their lips locking in a union fueled by both desperation and longing. In that moment, the weight of their individual burdens seemed to dissipate, replaced by the intoxicating energy of shared desire. And as they continued, Anastasia laid Nicole on her desk, they discovered a fleeting respite from the troubles that had plagued their minds.