Freezing Shadows, Chapter 70 (Patreon)

Chapter 70: Vampire

“Talk about stereotypes.”

I had to laugh at Twilight’s comment, since it was spot on. A vampire setting shop in an abandoned mortuary was a little too on the nose for most people. Of course, that was a nice way to throw most people off the scent, since no one would be stupid enough to believe that a vampire would live in a mortuary.

Berzerker picked up Owen’s bodybag, and I slung Donna over my shoulder, while Sexkitten got the door for us. Our first impression of the inside was a feral ghoul on a chain like a guard dog. The chain was just long enough that we could pass along the far side of the room without getting in range of the ghoul’s claws. A crude, if effective, security system for the unaware. Especially if there was a remote release on the collar, for if people caused problems.

Thankfully, we were really hoping not to have any more problems tonight, so we weren’t going to start anything. Instead, we made our way past the guard dog, and pressed the buzzer on the intercom next to the inner door. Time to speak with a bloodsucker about trying to get paid for work we already did. Almost like working retail.

“Who is it?”

The voice that spoke through the speaker had a European sound to it. More Eastern Europe than Western, but I couldn’t tell more than that. A deep baritone, with an attitude that suggested supreme self-confidence.

“Iceblade and party, on recommendation from Alisha. We have two deliveries for Richter.”

“Ah, yes. The one for repackaging, and the one for dinner. Come on back, and we will discuss things.”

The door buzzed, and let us into what used to be a morgue for the mortuary, when it was in service. Now, well, there were cages on the cement floor, with a drain that could easily clean up any ‘spillage’. Obviously, Richter had redesigned this area to ensure that he didn’t have any trouble disposing of evidence of his problem children, or his meals.

And there was the man himself. European look, brown hair cut in a respectable business cut. I noticed he was wearing a lined coat, a pair of glasses, and there was a rapier at his hip. And when he spoke, I definitely saw the pronounced canines.

“Well, it has been some time since Alisha has used my services. You may call me Richter. I understand that you have acquired a package that you do not have a destination for. Let us address that part, first.”

I nodded to Berzerker, and she set the body bag on the ground. Looking back to Richter, I said, “One Mx. Owen Davis, a researcher for Evol, working on transgenetics. Current project is trying to find a way to use genetic modifications to turn beings of one metatype to another, such as a troll turning into an elf, or a dwarf into a troll. Unfortunately, the individual who contracted this extraction caught a severe case of stupidity as they tried to double-cross us, compounded with a member of her team having an area effect cranial bomb with a poorly secured commlink. They learned that setting off grenades inside heavily armored vehicles greatly reduces one’s life expectancy.”

“Ah, yes,” Richter nodded. “Children these days are so foolish. They think themselves invincible, because they have a gun, and somewhat know how to use it. It is sad that they give the rest of those who lurk in the shadows a bad name.”

He paused, and then said, “So, our Mx. Davis is needing a new home, or perhaps to be sold back to their old home. This is something I can do. Alisha’s vouching for you, and the promise of a meal has opened my door to you, but now we must decide how things will go from here. With an unforeseen rehousing like this one, it will take time for me to properly sound out the interested parties, and see what they may want for the scientist.”

“And yet, you are certain to find them a home, most likely sooner than later, as their expertise is known to more than a few of the megas. And the potential profit of their work, if it comes to fruition, is easily enough to make a megacorporation open their pocketbooks to offer a ‘recruitment bonus’ to the one who sent Mx. Davis their way.”

Richter nodded slowly, and then looked to the naked woman still slung over my shoulder. “And I take it this scrumptious little piece of meat is the meal Alisha promised me?”

I nodded, and set Donna down against the nearest cage. “Another foolish newcomer to the shadows. Thought that being a spellslinger meant that she did not need to pay her debts. The rest of her team has already paid for that mistake, and she is all alone, now.”

The vampire smiled a predatory smile as he looked Donna over. “Mmm. I do so love the taste of a mage. There is a certain richness to the blood that you simply do not get with more mundane types. All that cyberware and bioware changes the taste, and the less said about nanites, the better. No, unaltered beings are the best, and those with magic in the blood are better still. Alisha knows me well. I am glad to see that her stepping away from active work has not dulled her edge.”

Looking up at me, he said, “There are some who would balk at delivering a young woman to a ‘monster’ like me, knowing what I am, and what I plan to do to her.”

“My sword arm is only so long. I cannot strike down everyone and everything that may or may not clash with my sense of righteousness. You’ve never done anything to me or mine, while she’s insulted a friend of mine. Though I do hope you don’t plan on allowing her to get fangy when you’re done with her. I wouldn’t like the idea of her coming back from the grave with a grudge.”

The vampire chuckled at that. “Oh, no. I’m not so careless as that. I will feed on her over time, until there is nothing left of her. But the change after that takes time. During that time, Jakob, who you met in my antechamber, gets his chance to feed, and the poor, feral beast ensures that there is never enough left afterwards for the infection to change.”

I nodded once. “Then, I’ll say that Mx. Davis is currently enjoying a dose of Slab, so will be compliant for a few more hours, at least. The body bag is so that they cannot call for help with their implanted commlink. Donna, however, is sleeping off some stick-n-shock rounds, so it is likely she’ll be up before too long. We were careful not to damage your meal too much, see.”

“And I do appreciate the restraint,” Richter grinned, showing his fangs. “Now, about Mx. Davis. Because this is an unplanned extraction, I will need to shop for a new home for the scientist. As you said, I do expect to be able to find a new home for them without much issue. However, that still involves expenses on my part, and the corporations know that they do not need to pay as much for a problem child already taken from their old home as they would for one still to be taken. This will need to be taken into account when talking price.”

“Of course, but the expenses on your end are lesser, as well. After all, one such as you must already have trusted individuals in place to supply sustenance for your dinner companions, if you keep them longer than a single night, no? So, it isn’t like much needs to change on your end.”

“Hah. I can see why Alisha sent you my way. Cheek, but enough wit to remain within the bounds of respect. That is something that I can work with, yes.” The vampire stroked his chin in that way people sometimes did when they used to have a beard, even if he was clean-shaven now. An old habit that never quite died, perhaps? Or just an affectation to throw off speculation?

Richter’s Negotiation Test: 14d6 = 5 Hits, 1 Miss

Iceblade’s Negotiation Test: 5 Hits, 2 Miss (0 Net Hits)

“Really, the best that I can do with a situation like this is thirty thousand nucred.”

“Nonsense, you’ll be able to sell xir for at least one hundred, easy. And you didn’t need to do any of the work that would leave someone more exposed, like breaking into the facility where xi worked. You and I both know that there are at least three AAA megas and over a dozen AAs that would love to have xir. Sixty thousand.”

“Thirty-six.”

“Fifty-one.”

“Forty-two, final offer. Otherwise you can take xir back to Evol yourselves.”

“Deal.”

“Excellent,” Richter nodded, and I received a transfer of funds, which I quickly split amongst the group. “I will go make Mx. Davis comfortable in one of the ‘guest rooms’. If you would be so kind as to put my new pet in her cage? I find that a bit of fear sweetens the taste of the blood, especially when it is mixed with pleasure later. Plus, I would hate for her to think she could run off, and end up feeding Jakob early. Oh, but do watch the bars, they’re electrified while the cage is locked.”

I didn’t have a problem with that, so I turned to open the cage door as Richter picked up Owen’s body bag, and casually tossed it over his shoulder. Sexkitten helped by pushing the naked mage into the cage, and made sure to be well clear when I closed the door. The cage door locked automatically, but none of us decided to test whether there was actually current running through the bars.

Not long after Donna was safely secured in her new lodgings, Richter returned. Of course, about the same time, Donna began stirring. Well, she was only lightly knocked out, not drugged, so that made sense. Of course, we hadn’t removed the zip-ties. No sense unwrapping someone else’s gift for them.

“What in the?” Donna groaned, before looking around, taking in the scenery. And then her eyes locked on Richter and his fanged smile. “WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? AAGH!” That last little bit came from her trying to back against the cage, and getting a nice shock for her trouble. Not enough to cause damage, but it did cause her to spasm slightly on the floor of her cage.

“Such disgusting manners,” Richter said, shaking his head. “I see that I will have to educate you properly. Or perhaps I’ll just break you? Decisions, decisions.”

I just chuckled. “Well, you can’t expect a great deal of manners, or sense, from someone who tries to skip out on their own fixer’s bill, no? By the way, Donna, Alisha says you really shouldn’t have tried to avoid paying her. Your hacker and street samurai are dead, your thief is currently the property of a bunraku parlor, and you are this nice gentleman’s new pet. So, be a good bitch and do what your master tells you, hmm?”

Richter’s Spellcasting Test (Donna): 12d6 = 6 Hits, 2 Miss

Donna’s Resistance test: 7d6 = 1 Hit, 2 Miss (5 Net Hits)

Orgasm, Force 6: -5 to all actions (Incapacitated)

Resist Drain (1P): 1 Hit, 1 Miss (No damage)

Donna started to say something, but Richter just shook his head, and cast a spell. The next moment, Donna was moaning, her back arching as she climaxed again, and again, and just kept at it. “No, no. We won’t be having any of that back-talk from you. Naughty bitches need to learn their place.” The vampire looked over at us, and said, “I believe our business is finished. Keep my number, in case you find any other lost children in need of a new home.”

“Of course,” I nodded. “I hope you enjoy your meal. Until next time.” I turned, and motioned for the girls to follow me out. We had been paid, and had no reason to hang around as the vampire taught his newest meal her place.