Beyond the Blood Veil: A Vampire Urban Fantasy Novel by Nicholas Woode-Smith

Author:Nicholas Woode-Smith [Woode-Smith, Nicholas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ParaForge
Published: 2025-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

25

“If there’s one thing those dipshits in the Conclave have going for them, it’s that they’ve sabotaged every attempt at building a subway,” Nigel remarked as he led me through the snaking tunnels of this underground society.

I snorted. “I think a subway would help ease congestion. Remember how late you were to school every day?”

Nigel shrugged. “Well, there’s zero congestion now. These are our tunnels. Our safe haven. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He sounded oddly happy being a vampire. Perhaps, it was because it had been twelve years. Would I ever accept being this way?

I caught Fredward’s eye. He was thinking the same thing.

“This way.”

Nigel scaled a metal service ladder. I picked up Fredward with one arm and climbed with a single hand. Bloodless or not, I was still far stronger than I’d ever been as a human.

Nigel helped me out of what I soon discovered was a manhole nestled in an alley surrounded by tall buildings. The sky was still dark, with only the moon peeking through some clouds to provide some illumination.

Nigel sniffed and peered around. I detected some apprehension in his posture as he furtively looked around for threats. But above that, there was a glint of excitement in his eye. He grinned, and I couldn’t help but see my old friend in that monstrous visage.

“It’s nice to get some fresh air for a change.”

“I thought you liked it underground?”

“Yeah. It’s nice not being screamed at all the time by mortals. But a change of scenery is always nice…”

He kicked a piece of gravel, and then looked at me, his eyes suddenly sad.

“You know…you can stay with us, right?”

“I’ve got a life up here, Nigel. Amber…”

“Shouldn’t know about this. Any of this.”

Yeah. Too late for that.

I smiled to disarm him and hugged my friend close.

“I can’t begin to tell you how it feels to know you’re alive. Kinda.”

“I’m sorry, Kal. Sorry that I didn’t tell you.”

“It’s okay.”

I didn’t know if I was lying or not.

I waved Nigel off and then left the alley. I checked my new phone’s map app. Thankfully, Nigel had led me close to the Company Gardens.

“Well, this is an upgrade from my last time perusing the alleys of downtown,” I remarked to Fredward.

No one hassled me on the way back to my car. Perhaps, they didn’t think I was real. Or that I was some sort of evil spirit. All pale and gaunt. A lot of people in this country thought cats were evil, so that just added to the entire image.

Fortunately, my car hadn’t been broken into. On top of finding out my long-lost best friend was not dead, this was looking to be an amazing evening!

My stomach growled as I pulled out of the parking lot and began the drive home. But I didn’t care. I was happy! For the first time in a long time, I felt a weight lifted.

“You’ve got that smile that can light up this whole town,” Fredward commented, definitely quoting Swift. “You starting to warm up to being a vamp?”

I shook my head.

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