Page 64 of Lured

“Ludis isn't going to happy with me if I don't do as he asked. I don't know if you can save me from his wrath, even in your suite.”

“Not a problem. Ludis has been a very naughty vampire and has both the Brethren after him and the vampire academy. Hunters and true-bloods working together to end him. I don't think you've got a lot to worry about. He won't see another sunset.”

The vampire turned to look at me as if he couldn't believe what I was saying. “How do you know that?”

“Let's just say I have friends in high places and was asked to keep an eye on him. I'd rather not spoil a good thing I have by being too open about people who like to remain in the shadows. He's gone too far now.”

The vampire nodded, but didn't say anything else. He was very clearly cooperating now and it made me feel a little better about this whole situation. Maybe if I could get him to carry on like this I could get to Anais before she had reached Ludis and make sure she had backup and someone to help soften him up.

Of course, there was a chance she was already dead. Or he was. I'd given her my ring. I had to hope it would be enough, but even injured Ludis was surprisingly strong and fast and I couldn't help but worry more for her, especially as I was now confident that my mission was complete.

I hurried the vampire along to my suite and we went inside. Although I could have scared him further and made him aware that I'd already tortured one of Ludis's minions, I opted to make him feel safe with me instead.

“Okay, sit down, have a drink and tell me all you know of what Ludis wants you to do and where he wants you to go.”

The vampire pulled out his phone and pulled up a message before showing it to me. “He wants me to do this. It's about all I know. Figured he'd have got Butch to do it, but apparently he's missing. Given what you just said, that makes sense now.”

“Yeah, they've already taken Butch out of the equation. He paid with his life.” I didn't see any point in hiding it now, even if I wasn't coming clean that I was the reason why.

I took a photo of his screen and sent it along to my uncle with my regards. The information wasn't fully complete, but it added to the puzzle we were putting together and gave us a time, location and person to meet up with.

If my uncle wanted, he could go himself. Or send me, which I figured would be more likely given how much I had already handled for him.

“Am I going to be in danger for helping Ludis?” the vampire asked as soon as I looked back up at him.

“No. I can make sure that it is known you cooperated. In future I'd be careful which turned you hang out with.”

He nodded, sitting there still, gripping a glass of whiskey and trying not to look out of place. “Are you someone okay to hang out with?”

I chuckled, and shrugged. “I can't say either way. I get asked to keep an eye on a lot of people and go to a lot of places, sometimes it means people hold grudges. Sometimes it means I get myself into a predicament. But I've never got myself into a situation I can't get out of.”

“Good to know.”

“You could do worse, but I'll admit, I take a long time to call anyone a friend and trust them, so don't expect a lot.”

“I can live with that, all things considered.”

There was a simple silence that followed his statement and for a moment I almost wished I did have more people I was friends with or worked with. It had been amazing to have Anais around and here was a vampire who was clearly relaxed and just wanted to fit in somewhere.

He was relaxed and calm enough as well as understanding of the situation enough that he might be the sort of person I could trust. Most importantly, he clearly had no idea that I was true-blood and one of the Brethren.

Good work. Stay on the ship and gather any other information you can. Also, deal with Ludis. I don't want to ever hear of him being a problem again.

I frowned at the insinuation that I wouldn't have thought of that, but considered my answer very carefully. I didn't want to piss my uncle off right now.

Already being taken care of. I'll let you know when he's no longer a worry of any kind.

It was the best I could do in the circumstances. Now that I had appeased my uncle and my only instruction was to make sure Ludis never threatened the Brethren again, I had one final concern. Anais wasn't back yet and that meant she either hadn't found him or they were still fighting.

I needed to go find her.

“All right. I can't let you stay here and I need to carry on with one final task.”

“Ludis?” he asked, getting up and finishing his drink in one go.

“Go to your room and stay there until tomorrow night. You'll be fine by then.” I didn't wait for him to object or answer me before I hurried to the suite door. I opened it, but waited for him to go through it.

Thankfully he didn't object and I was soon on my way to go find Anais and Ludis. I just hoped I got there in time to keep her alive.

---