Page 62 of Lured

I had splotches of blood to follow along the flooring and it went down the hallway toward more of the suites, but the dots were getting further and further between as if he was beginning to heal. While I knew that some turned could do all sorts of funky stuff thanks to whoever had sired them, I didn't think Ludis had been created by anyone particularly powerful.

For a few seconds, I considered putting the ring Leo had given me on and taking the benefit to my strength and speed, but I knew it wouldn't last. I would have to do it as I found Ludis.

Continuing on, I followed the trail around the boat, up to a suite door. I paused outside it, wondering if I could pick the lock in some way or get into the room, hoping he would be inside, but I feared that I would then be on his turf, or some of his enthralled would be inside and I wouldn't just be up against a vampire.

Looking around, I noticed that there were more blood splotches on the floor that came back out of the suite again and carried on. They looked fresher, and even possibly wet. I had to hope that this was a good sign and I could catch up to him, but I didn't know where he was going anymore.

I could only walk on and hope that Leo was having good luck as well. If he found his vampire soon enough, he might be able to come and find me. Somehow he had tracked me multiple times as well and I didn't doubt that he could follow my scent. It should give him an advantage.

Of course, if Ludis stopped his bleeding, I would not be so successful. I had gained the suite number Ludis was likely to be staying in, however. At worst, if my trail went dead, I would come back to his suite and see if his luggage and belongings were still there. Somehow I would get into his room and wait for him there.

While I continued to follow the trail, cautious, but consistent, I considered how I would get the key and it dawned on me that all his enthralled would have key cards, just as I had one for Leo. All I would need to do would be to return to the lounge and take it from one of them.

Most of them would be so high and hooked on whatever strange orgy was happening that I doubt they would even notice me going inside to take anything.

Not that I necessarily needed to do that. If I could find Ludis another way, it wouldn't matter. But I still had to find him before he fully healed as well, or I wasn't sure I could defeat him.

I made a mental check of the weapons on me as I carried on down the hallway. Eventually I reached one of the stairwells in the ship and the trail went into the open area between stairs and elevators. Although I didn't want to have to go up or down lots of stairs, I didn't want the blood splatters to lead to an elevator. If they did there was a good chance I wouldn't be able to find the trail afterwards.

Thankfully, the trail went over to the nearest set of stairs and downward, not up. I wasn't sure where Ludis would be going, but I knew we were on one of the highest levels of the ship and that there was a lot down there.

Trying not to think about it and moving as quietly as I possibly could, I followed the splatters down to about half way down the ship. Once down on that level, they went off again, heading toward the front once more.

Although I had explored the ship a little, I didn't know if there were suits at the front on every single level or if there were other types of rooms down here, but I was still on the trail.

It also occurred to me that I might not be following Ludis anymore but I would have no way of knowing. These blood splatters could be from someone he had fed on. He might be back in the suite and I might be chasing a red herring.

Of course, I didn't expect Ludis to have the self control not to devour anyone who wasn't one of his enthralled and if someone was coming down here, they weren't enthralled.

I had no choice but to carry on and hope that I would get to Ludis soon. As I walked, I continued to keep quiet, not wanting to draw any attention or alert my quarry that I was following, but I knew vampires could hear better than humans. There was a good chance Ludis would hear me coming in this sort of situation.

Eventually the blood splatters stopped at a large almost bulkhead-like door. I paused, not sure what lay beyond and aware that this was the sort of place I might lead someone else to turn an ambush on its head. I was going to have to be very careful if I went through this door.

Once again I checked the weapons about my body and I chose to draw one of the blades I'd tucked into my boot. I held it down the side of my arm and kept it near my side, not wanting it to be obvious to anyone that I had it.

Still, I hesitated and considered the ring. It was in my pocket, but I couldn't hold it ready to put on and have the blade in my hand ready to attack. Did I put it on now and hope that I was about to fight, or hold off and hope that I had time later?

There was no way to know which was the right course, but I couldn't bring myself to put it on. I couldn't make myself more tired and use the ring unless I had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, I made my mind up. It was time to find out what Ludis was up to and what he was doing out here.

Chapter 27

Leandro

Although I walked away from Anais, it took all my restraint to do so. I knew I was developing feelings for her and I wanted to help her with Ludis, but I needed to complete my own mission.

She had given me another chance to find out what was happening here and make sure that Ludis and his minions didn't succeed. Of course, I still didn't know exactly what they were after.

My friend hadn't responded to me either and I was beginning to suspect that he wouldn't. By hoping I could trust him, I had possibly made the situation worse. He might even have been part of the plan. He lived in this area and he was more of an expert. Ludis might have already bought his loyalty.

Still, I had to continue and hope to get answers as well. I could smell the vampire that Anais had described and had been following the scent since we had left the lounge. The vampire had followed a very particular path and I knew they were trying to make their way off the ship. They'd made their way toward the suites, but veered off to one of the less expensive rooms.

I stood in front of it for only a few seconds before I broke the handle off. It took some strength to do so and I knew that it would show up on the camera in the corridor. This was going to be a bit of a mess for my uncle to clean up no matter what.

As we had delved deeper into this entire situation we had caused more chaos, but I knew this was better than my uncle dying and yet another mafia don being replaced by a turned. My Brethren needed this.

Pushing into the room, I got out of sight and tried to figure out if the vampire was still here. The room had been ransacked, what looked like clothes gathered in haste and taken away. There was chaos here too, but none of it was unsurprising. It was mostly cigarette packets and empty bags with powder residue in them.

---