Eleventh Grade Burns(61)

Vlad swallowed hard, feeling very much like he was in trouble, but not knowing why. “I did. Good, though. I’m starved.”

Otis emptied his glass and sat it on the bar. “He’s asked us to join him in hunting humans for sport.”

At Vlad’s gawk, he said, “You don’t have to take part, but I’m not about to leave you alone in a hotel room in New York City.”





24





THE HUNT


OTIS WHISPERED, as if he didn’t want the other vampires to hear, which struck Vlad as enormously stupid, what with them having telepathy and all, but hey ... whatever floated Otis’s boat. They had just exited the subway and were now walking along the sidewalk, making their way north, toward Times Square and beyond it, Central Park. “Are you ready for this, Vladimir? The hunt is exhilarating, but not something I’m sure you’d agree with.”

Actually, Vlad found himself more intrigued by the idea than he’d ever admit. “I don’t want to be rude or anything. It’ll be okay.”

“After your reaction to the very idea of hunting in Siberia a few years ago, I thought the notion might sicken you.” Otis cocked an eyebrow at him, as if defying him to deny it, or perhaps coaxing him to admit he was curious. “But if you’re all right with it ...”

Vlad chewed his bottom lip thoughtfully. “How is it done? I mean ... we won’t hurt anyone, will we?”

“We?” Otis slowed his steps, as if in disbelief. “You plan to hunt?”

“No. I just ... no.” He swallowed hard, resolving that he wouldn’t be partaking in any fresh human blood tonight. Not even a drop. No matter how much it appealed to him.

Licking his lips, as if parched by the subject, Otis said, “Every vampire hunts differently. I always aim for the sick or homeless, those who don’t have a chance of surviving much longer anyway. Enrico prefers tourists.”

“But don’t they have families to go home to?”

“Think of it this way, Vlad. Do the chickens and cows that humans devour have families who will miss them? Perhaps. But whether or not they do is of no consequence on the hunt.”

Vlad furrowed his brow, more than a little disturbed. “You can’t kill them, Otis. You just can’t.”

After a thoughtful pause, Otis called up to Enrico. “Let’s try to let them live tonight.”

Enrico’s laughter drifted back to them. “Let them live? That would be a cruel fate.”

Vlad shot a glance at Otis. “What does he mean by that?”

“He means that killing them would be fast. Letting them live will require a satisfying chase. And I can’t guarantee that the thirst won’t cloud our reasoning a bit. We may kill them anyway.” Otis paused midstep, as if he were having second thoughts about bringing Vlad along. “Are you sure you’re up to this? You look a little green. Maybe I should take you back to the hotel.”

Vlad shrugged. He didn’t want Otis to miss out on the fun. Even if he was having a hard time with the idea of attacking innocent people. “It would be easier if I knew they were willing victims.”

“Victims are never willing, Vlad. That’s why they’re called victims and not volunteers.” Otis sighed. “You don’t have to participate. Neither do I if it makes the evening more ... palatable for you.”

Enrico’s voice found them again with a tone of celebration. “Ah ... as usual, our hunting ground is full. Herd your choices to the park, gentlemen, and let the games begin.”

Times Square was far cooler than any of the times he’d seen it on TV. Bright lights were everywhere. The smells of food filled the air. And the people ... so many people.

Otis spoke in a hurried tone, as if he’d all but forgotten his suggestion that maybe they should sit this hunt out. “The key to a good hunt is to choose a human who fits your mood. If you’re looking for a struggle, if you truly want a fight that will fulfill your animalistic urges, choose a strong human, preferably a runner. If you want a fast meal, the elderly are a good choice.”

Vlad flinched. “The elderly?”

“You’re feeling conflicted. That’s normal.” Then Otis hurried ahead into the crowd.

Vlad shook his head and followed, albeit reluctantly. “Nothing about this is normal, Otis.”

When he caught up with his uncle, Otis started rambling, and Vlad could tell the scent of blood had him now. Otis looked captivated by the crowd. “Let me put it into perspective for you. Being raised among humans, you have adapted many of their so-called morals. You’ve been raised to believe that you shouldn’t bring harm on humankind, that humans are not food, that you should do everything in your power to protect your fellow man. I was raised that way too, and for twenty years after I turned, I struggled with guilt at the things I was doing. The urges inside me were too powerful to ignore, but eventually, I realized that I was only hurting myself by ignoring them. I was no longer human, so I needed to learn a new way of living, a new way of looking at the world. You, Vladimir, may be half human, but every bit of you that I have seen is a vampire. And this is the vampire way.”