The Vampire's Second Chance novel Chapter 3

Sebastian

The worn-out Jeep had seen its better days. The few times I filled up with gas, I had to put oil in it as well. I was surprised it was still running after the hundreds of miles that were already put on the jeep before I received it. The transmission was failing and my lack of knowledge of vehicles in this realm made me cringe to try and fix it if I landed on the side of the road.

If all else fails, I’ll just walk.

I had continued north, going with my gut as I traveled across the country. The further north I went, the daylight fleeted far quicker than in the south, which was for the best. The sun was different here than in Bergarian, much harsher on a vampire’s skin. I hope that it did matter much, I was old and used to the many hours in the light sources of home.

I wasn’t some noble back in the realm of Bergarian, I was nothing but a commoner. I worked hard as a merchant, buying produce from those that farmed the land, small trinkets from humble witches and warlocks. My wagon was filled with nothing but random rare oddities from all over. Building a name for myself all over the land for my fairness, rare oddities and even greater tails of better times. I often spent nights in front of high alphas, elders, and the like of various species.

Not anymore though, now I was really nothing.

What was I even doing? Going out to find my mate and offer her nothing? I had made my coin; I was rather well off at home but my gold wasn’t here with me now. How would I convince my second chance that I would take care and provide for her with nothing but my beating heart that will spring to life at the sight of her?

Hold that thought.

Darkness fell around me as the Jeep rattled over another pothole. How could I even think I had a second chance? Second chances were rare, I didn’t even know of any vampire to have one. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, gritting my teeth until the tip of my fang pierced my lip.

Because she said I would, the whisper of my subconscious still gripped to that hope.

The map that laid in the Jeep after I left Princess Clara’s mating ceremony had already had areas circled where to go. All these red circles were close to nearby towns and slightly off the grid. This was where a coven must lay. Clara really thought of everything, she had that much hope for me in my own search.

Letting my fanged smile rise slightly, I turned off to a graveled road. The grated road wasn’t used often; the potholes were sure to tell me that. The smell of pine, spruce, and sap hit me like a battering ram making me sneeze.

So much damn pollen.

The branches hit the Jeep, not worried in the slightest that I scratched the hunk of metal, I pulled up to the back of the coven territory. This region was certainly different than the other covens that I had already visited.

This was an abnormally bright area for territory with nothing but vampires. The sun shined clear overhead as the large white plantation house with black shutters came to view at the top of the hill. It still had rod-iron fences, some of the classic gothic styles that most vampires appreciated, but the bright yellow, pink and white roses that littered the property came in as a shock. Flowers were usually deep red around my homeland, but nothing as bright as these.

Houses were lined up in perfect little rows of the classic 1950s earth decade had me raising my brow. Continuing to drive past, kids sprang from houses, running into the backyards. The fountains that lay in the front yard, the patios filled with vampires, humans, and pets. They all mingled with each other, without a care in the world.

It was surprising, pleasantly surprising to see humans mingle with our kind. But damn if I wasn’t confused as hell about it.

As soon as I drove up to the white gravel round-about driveway I pushed the Jeep into park. The cranking, pushing of the gears forward to keep it steady squealed and I shut the Jeep off as quickly as I could. This would have to be my last stop with this junker, don’t think I’d make another few miles out in this thing.

Leaning over the wheel, I stared up at the out-of-place plantation-style home. Pretty sure homes like these belonged in the southern part of America. Reaching over to the side of the door, my fingers wrapped around the handle until a head popped up into view. “Hello!”

“FUCKING ZUES!” Slapping my chest where my unbeating heart lay, I took heavy breaths in.

“Damn, you’re jumpy.” The male’s head cocked to the side. He was sporting short blonde hair, a slim build, and an overly eager grin on his face. His eyes blazing red from feeding recently on human blood.

“What do you expect?” A breath left me as I finally step foot out. The crunching gravel echoed through the unsettled silence as we both studied each other.

“Do you have an appointment?” He crossed his arms. Looking around me, seeing other vampires watching our interaction as they went along with their business had me shifting uncomfortably.

“No, should I?” I asked.

“No,” he shrugged his shoulders, still staring.

What the hell?