Page 15 of The Vampire Always Rises
“Your Beloved has no input on my life,” Merrick said flatly.
“She means well. She worries that you have isolated yourself from contact with others to the point where your focus is too narrow, too uncompromising.”
“You expect me to compromise with murderers and abusers?” Merrick asked, outraged.
“Of course not. But I agree that a more well-rounded life might allow you to serve with a bit more mental ... balance.”
Merrick stopped abruptly and faced his old friend. “Now you call me insane?”
“Not that.” Christian’s expression showed both concern and frustration. “But when is the last time you took a step back to examine your life?”
Merrick snorted disgustedly, and would have continued onward toward the garage had not Christian stopped him by holding his arm.
“We have only your interests at heart, my friend. Since Renata died, you have been a man driven to the point of exhaustion. You cut everyone out of your life, left your friends both old and new. You live in isolation, keep yourself in solitary purgatory, and have no interaction with anyone not connected to the pursuit of the Horsemen. When is the last time you laughed? Took pleasure in a lover’s touch? Found joy in the simple embrace of another human being?”
Merrick waited impatiently for Christian to finish. “None of those things are important. Finding Renata’s killeris. Bringing down the Revelationis. Those are the only two focuses in my life now, and they will continue to be so until I find the answers I seek.”
“I fear for you,” Christian said, shaking his head as they started forward again. “Down that path lies nothing but sorrow.”
“I live with sorrow every day of my life,” Merrick said abruptly. “I do not fear it.”
“What can I do to help you?” Christian asked after a few more moments of silence.
“Nothing other than giving me the use of a car. I have no idea where mine is, and until I can find it, I will need transportation.”
“Of course,” Christian said, leading Merrick from the room. “You will take your pick of the cars. All of them have tinted windows, although I would ask that you not take the Tesla. It is Allegra’s favorite. But what are your plans now?”
“First, I must contact the others.”
“Ciaran left a message for you,” Christian said as they descended, pulling out a small piece of notepaper. “Evidently, he is leaving San Francisco tomorrow for somewhere in Quebec.”
“Yes, he’s following a trail that he said should lead to the main organization that fuels the Revelation. Han is also in the States, in Chicago.”
“And Nico?” Christian asked. The two men exited the castle through a side door, running the few yards to a nearby stone building that served as a garage.
“He was in Singapore, although I believe he said something about going to Russia.” Merrick shook his head. “Nico is never overly willing to share his plans.”
“You are the Four Horsemen,” Christian said, a warning note barely evident in his voice. “You protect Dark Ones and mortals alike. You are a unique force thatmustcommunicate with each other; else you cannot work together as one unit—”
“We do and we are,” Merrick interrupted. He considered the row of six cars, and picked the most innocuous one, a black BMW. He liked to lie low, to be hidden from sight, and the car suited his needs. “It’s just that sometimes the trails we follow don’t give us time to check in with the other three. But you have no need to worry, Christian. Three of us have been doing this job for ten years now. We have each other’s backs.”
“That had better be true; else you might end up on my doorstep beyond our help.”
Merrick smiled a small, grim smile as he took the keys Christian offered, and entered the car. “Don’t worry, I won’t be so careless again. Please offer my thanks to your staff member, and offer her any reparation if it is desired.”
“My staff member?” Christian looked puzzled.
“The one who gave me enough blood to keep me alive until you could attend to me.” Merrick gunned the engine, waving when Christian stepped back. “The redheaded one with the big eyes. For some reason, I thought she was a goddess, but now I realize I was near death and delusional.”
“I’m not sure who—”
“The woman who fed me. And ... well, you know what happens when we feed. I would have you give her my gratitude.”
Christian’s eyebrows rose. “Ah. Yes. Just so. I don’t believe the lady had any complaints about your ... reaction.”
“Good. Let me know if she requires anything. I am in her debt.”
“I will, but she wasn’t a staff—” Christian said, but the rest of the words were lost in the sound of the tires hitting the gravel drive.
