The Blood Contract

Chapter 2

"Miss Austen," Elizabeth bowed low as she returned to her house.

"Please, Elizabeth, how many times have I asked you to call me by my name?" Gem asked, exasperated.

Elizabeth was one of the few people she actually trusted. Like her, Elizabeth was no ordinary folk. She was the product of a goblin father and a vampire mother.  Elizabeth's father had simple vanished while her mother was slayed by a vampire hunter. Descendants of goblin ancestry who survived were far and few because goblins had a morbid tendency to eat their children. 

Vampires did not usually consort with goblins either because they considered the latter filthy creatures. Furthermore, most of these  descendants were ugly because of their goblin blood. Because of her mixed heritage, Elizabeth didn't look all that bad but she had a green mark on the side of her face, constantly reminding her of her tainted past.

Gem had chanced upon her when she had put up an ad to advertise for a helper. Recognising Elizabeth for what she was and observing her blatant honesty and attitude, Gem decided to hire her. Elizabeth's presence was reassuring.

Often, Gem found herself at a disadvantage without any defensive weapons when certain male vampires wanted to make amorous advances towards her. Somehow, Elizabeth could sense these moments and she always barged in to give these damned vampires a healthy dosh of holy water.  

"Miss Austen, there's a pale gentleman waiting for you in the study room," Elizabeth says softly.

Gem paused. This was unusual. Her clients usually booked an appointment in advance. This must be a new client. "A pale gentleman" was one of their secret codes for a male vampire visitor. Other ones included "A hairy gentleman" which indicated a werewolf client and "A green man" pointed to the rare goblin who turned up. 

"I will see to this visitor immediately. Bring in some tea, please," Gem said. It was a myth that vampires have no need to consume food or drinks other than blood. Many of them appreciated good English tea and Gem aimed to provide the best service there was.

Gem did not bother putting away her cloak. It added to her mysterious aura and that sometimes helped. She walked into the study room and stopped.

The vampire was reading one of her diaries. Her secret diary. The one which she poured all her secrets and thoughts into.

"Excuse me?" She raised her voice. "Has it ever occurred to you that it's rude to rummage through others' private property?"

The undead being looked up in surprise. Gem took a step back. Most vampires were obviously good-looking but this one was ridiculously handsome. His plump lips contrasted with his sharp blue eyes and floppy brown hair.

"I'm very sorry," he apologized with a slight American accent. "I was consumed with boredom and as you probably know by now, the undead likes to be amused."

Gem stalked past him and sat behind the ivory-bronzed table. She tucked the secret diary into the drawer and opened her work journal. First things first.

"Who recommended you?" she asked briskly.

"Why, this is most certainly business-like of you," the male vampire commented. He sat down on the brown chair gracefully. Gem observed. He wasn't a young, inexperienced vampire. This one excuded knowledge and power. She had better be careful of him.

"One of my good friends, Lokie Arton, informed me of your good name," he continued.

Lokie Arton? Gem looked up in surprise. Of course she knew Lokie. He was one of the few clients who left a deep impression on her. Naturally suspicious and paranoid, the male vampire who was a rebel leader back in America's revolutionary days didn't have many friends.

She was quite shocked to find that he actually had acquaintences. Lokie seemed like the type to live in seclusion all his life which could not be further from the truth.

"Shocked, aren't you?" the vampire chuckled. "Given Lokie's nature, no one could possibly be friends with him but we go a long way back. He was the one who turned me and gave me a new life after I almost died during the second world war."

He doesn't seem to be discreet about his background and information. Perhaps he knows that there isn't a need to hide anything from me. I will find out anyway.

"Interesting," she said curtly and opened another black book. "Your name please?"

"Luke Garon at your service," he said charmingly.

"Previous supplier of blood?"

"Monet," he replied smoothly.

Gem jerked her head up in surprise. She narrowed her eyes. So this vampire had previously obtained blood from her main rival.

The Monets were a family who was also a blood supplier who acted as a liason between the undead and humans. It was a family business while Gem's was a one-woman show. She hated that family to the core. They had been resorting to numerous underhanded methods to steal her business.

Could this Luke Garon be a spy?

As if reading her thoughts, Luke Garon smiled. "I left them because of certain ethical reasons," he said.

"Ethical reasons?" Gem raised her eyebrows. "Ethics" was a foreign word to her. Many people condemned her for engaging in a "blood-sucking" business but to her, this was just another way of living.

"I found out that they killed humans to obtain their blood." Luke Garon shrugged. "They went against their word."

Gem laughed. It was funny that a vampire had a conscience. Most vampires resorted to obtaining blood from a supplier because it was fuss-free and attracted little attention. Not because they didn't want to kill humans.

"How do you know I don't do the same thing?" she challenged.

Luke Garon's blue eyes twinkled. "You're not the only one who checks up on people's background," he mused. "I've heard good things about you. You do have a decent reputation in the undead world."

"I'm flattered," she said wryly. "But please do not think the best of me. I've done some pretty shocking things in my lifetime."

"Have you killed anyone?" he asked interestedly.

"That's none of your business, Mr Garon," Gem answered coolly. "Now, I will call you when I've contacted a suitable blood supplier. May I have your address?"

Luke Garon handed her a freshly laminated card. The moment she read it, her eyes widened. He lived in the wealthiest district in the state but that wasn't the one thing that shocked her.

"You own Talmart?" Gem asked skeptically. Talmart was the largest supermarket chain in the country and it was shocking to know that the man at the helm was an undead and sitting right in front of her.

"Indeed." Luke Garon got up and he held out his hand. "I look forward to meeting you again."

The moment Gem's hand came into contact with his, she felt a fizzle of electricity and she jerked her hand back. Luke Garon gave no indication as to whether he felt the same thing.

He tipped his hat towards her and Gem sank back down in her seat.

This was a puzzling man indeed.