Page 41 of The Last Vampire
He had already wasted too much time at the school. The only option he had left was to locate other vampires, seek answers to his questions, and eventually one day return to deal with Lorena and her recording.
So he set off through the woods.
When the tree line ended, he arrived at an intersection of roadways where he beheld a new world.
Horseless metal carriages with bright beams blasted through the streets like bullets, and overhead, metal arrows with flashing lights soared across the sky like shooting stars. He inhaled deeply to taste the air, and a host of new smells invaded him, forcing William to close his eyes and shut off his senses just to keep from being overwhelmed.
He took his time inventorying every scent, but aside from some of thefoliage, there was nothingold. He did not sense the presence of any other immortals.
What could it mean?
He watched the lights zoom by until the sky lightened and the traffic thickened. Unsure where else to go, he came back to the school.
If he has been safe here this whole time, then he may as well stay until he has figured out what is going on. And at least his arrangement with Lorena will make feeding easier while he is here. No need to make any more Familiars—or risk drawing the Legion’s attention by leaving behind a trail of bloodless corpses.
He is back at the library, using the same computer Lorena used last night. He has been typing in search terms for hours, with no results.
He is even beginning to doubt himself.
He types inTreaty of Mutually Assured Survival, but nothing comes up. Does that mean the ban on killing humans is no longer in effect?
Maybe the girl is right, and he comes from something like another universe. He knew a human once who used to believe in such things. The man was William’s favorite college professor.
Given how much technology has changed in the past two and a half centuries, it is not impossible for scientists to have uncovered gateways to other worlds or dimensions. Perhaps the Legion has infiltrated the government and is in control from the shadows. What if they found a way to get rid of vampires by sending them to other realities—?
Now he is sounding loopy even to himself.
He feels a flicker of empathy for what Lorena must be going through, and his hand freezes over the lettered keys.Just a fluke,he tells himself.
As much as he hates to admit it, he depends on the girl now. His own sanity seems to be tethered by a hair, and he could use a confidant—a Familiar—more than he would care to admit.
He has been reading history books about all parts of the world, and there is no reference to vampires in any of them. He cannot fathom how the Legion managed to alter the historical record everywhere. He wishes he could talk to his old Harvard instructor and ask what he thinks, but Professor Bayona was mortal.
The man used to be considered scandalous—even blasphemous—for speaking of the possibility of other worlds and realities. Yet William’sfavorite lessons were the ones where conversation strayed from philosophy to science fiction.
Struck by a new idea, William types:Harvard.
Text fills the screen:Founded in 1636 as Harvard College, it was the first institution of higher learning in the British colonies in America. Now known as Harvard University, it is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
William stops reading and types in a new search term:Massachusetts Hall.
The oldest surviving building at Harvard College. Built between 1718 and 1720 in Harvard Yard, it was originally a dormitory containing thirty-two chambers and sixty-four small private studies…
There is a colorful image included that William now knows is called a photograph. The redbrick building looks just as he remembers it, and the fact that this place is still standing makes the vampire feel a shift in his chest.
Huntington is in New Hampshire, so Massachusetts is not far. He makes the decision to visit the Harvard campus as soon as possible.
And it must be with Lorena.
WHEN MORNINGbreaks, William tracks down Director Minaro.
“Oh, hello, Mr. Pride,” she says in her sonorous voice. “Getting an early start? Breakfast is not for an hour—”
Locking eyes with her, he speaks into her mind. “You will arrange for a visit to Harvard,” he compels her. “Today.”
Her dark eyes narrow. “That is far too short notice—”
“Get it done,” he commands out loud.
