Page 55 of Medium
“Is the van with your tracker on it heading south on 281?”
We all turned to look at Rory, who had propped Manny’s head on his thigh.
Simon held up his phone and tapped a few times. “No, it’s on Interstate 20.” He raised his eyebrows and waited.
“I have three ghosts playing relay to update me on where they’re taking Ellis.” He looked at me. “He’s still alive.”
I felt so dizzy with relief, I had to sit back down on the ground.
Rory said, “They just got on 281 going south. We can stop that van, and hopefully the other one with the tracker will go to where the other captives are.”
“Thanks, Rory.” My voice was raspy with unshed tears. “Please thank the ghosts as well.”
Simon smiled. “That’s excellent information. Those vans have a range of four hundred and fifty or so miles on the highway before they have to stop for gas. They’ve already got about twenty minutes’ head start. If they have a full tank of gas, we have five or six hours to catch up with them.”
He glanced around. Several of the dryads had left their trees to come see what was happening. Simon fiddled with his backpack strap, seeming uncomfortable for the first time since I’d met him. Though I hadn’t actually met him, had I?
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Shane. That’s Manny, who you helped to save. And Rory....”
“Apparently we’ve already met.” Rory’s voice was clipped.
Simon’s eyes lit up. “Gave my message to Cal, did you? I was wondering if he’d figure out it was me. Too bad he couldn’t warn y’all in time.”
“And youfedfrom me?” Rory, I could tell, was trying hard not to explode. I hoped he could keep it together. We needed Simon’s goodwill to help us get Ellis back.
Simon made a regretful face. “Technically you consented, but I admit I may have influenced you.” He spread out his hands. “I need blood with magic in it to survive, and magic carriers or Wonders aren’t easy to find. I didn’t take more than a sip. If you want, I can put your memory back.”
Rory paused. “I’m not sure.”
“No worries. Let me know when you decide.” He glanced around at everyone. Even more dryads had gathered. Simon tugged on his backpack strap again. “But, uh, if I’m going to go after the vampires who have your friend, my energy’s pretty depleted. I’m afraid I need to feed again. Uh?—”
“I’ll do it.” Clementine stepped forward. “You saved us. I’m glad to be able to offer you something as a thank-you.”
“Same here. How much blood do you need, son?” Clementine’s dad asked.
The other dryads murmured amongst themselves, and a few of them moved to stand behind Clementine and Levi, apparently lining up to have their blood sucked. I tried not to think about those other vampires feeding from Ellis.
“I, uh, really?” Simon’s eyes were wide. “Um, I can get by with very little, I promise.”
I scowled, rubbing my chest. “Is that why you’re so skinny? You’re not drinking enough blood?”
He put his hands on his hips. “No one believes in vampires, so no one volunteers of their own free will. I have to put the whammy on people so they don’t remember me, and I don’t enjoy taking blood from those who aren’t completely consenting.” He gestured at Rory. “I only take the bare minimum I need.”
“What about goth clubs and those people who like to pretend to be vampires?” Rory suggested.
Simon shook his head. “Humans.” He gestured at Manny. “His blood didn’t even smell good to me before he was healed. My people are from the Elven dimension. We can only survive on blood with magic in it.”
“Can we bag it for you?” Levi asked.
Simon goggled at him. “What?”
“Well, obviously not tonight.” He waved a hand at the clearing. “No supplies. But we could set up a sort of blood bank for you. Are there any others of your kind who are, um, friendly?”
Simon covered his mouth with both hands, looking like he was tearing up. I heaved myself to my feet, wishing Elliswas here. He was much better at the people part of being a DM.
Before I could do something like give Simon a hug, he blinked rapidly then cleared his throat. “Um, thank you so much. I appreciate the offer more than I can tell you. There aren’t any other vampires on Earth, at least not that I’m aware of. Just me and the other six. The four in the vans and the two who weren’t here today. But as much as I’d like to take you up on your idea, I have to follow where the others go, so I wouldn’t be able to come back here to, uh, partake.”
Levi walked over to Simon and hugged him. Simon’s eyes went so wide they were about to fall out of his head. He gingerly patted him on the back.
