Chapter 8: Unanswered questions

Oliver pulled up at the Millennium and marched straight over to the bar. Where’s Richard? Demanded Oliver. The bartender pointed to the corner where Richard was sitting with a group of customers sharing a meal and laughing at his own jokes. Oliver signaled at Richard and Richard came over stumbling from intoxication. “Would you like a drink?” Asked Richard, clearly drunk and red as a tomato.

“I need to find Arthur,” said Oliver irritably while taking the drink out of Richard’s hand.

“What’s the rush? You just got here. Don’t be such a bore.”

“Don’t f*ck with me, Richard. The Greek clan came after someone I love tonight, and I want to know why.”

“Wait, what? Why?”

“That's what I'm here to find out. Tell me, where can I find him? Is he somewhere in Albek?”

Richard now understanding the gravity of the situation, pulled himself together. “Okay, don’t worry, he’s not in Albek. He sometimes likes to come out and get a glimpse of the city whenever he gets a chance. And where do you think you can get the best view of the city?”

“Empire state?”

“Bingo.”

“Thank you Richard,” said Oliver as he dashed back out of the bar and jumped into his car, making his way to the Empire state building.

***

When Oliver got to the empire state building, he drove around the back and parked his car outside. He jumped out of the car and looked around him to see if anyone could see him, there was no one. Oliver jumped up the side of the building, climbing and grappling up the ledges like a lion after its prey.

When he got to the top, he found that it was empty and looked around for Arthur, but no one was there. “Arthur,” shouted Oliver. “Arthur, I need your help.” Oliver screamed his name in desperation until he could no more. Maybe I'm too late he thought to himself.

Oliver decided that the best thing to do was to leave and go check on Alice. Oliver made his way back to the ledge and prepared to jump down when he heard the sound of someone whistling behind him. Oliver turned around and saw a man standing with his back to him, looking out at the city. The man wore an all-black suit and a fedora that was slightly tilted to the side. He turned around and looked Oliver straight in the eyes, it was the immortal, Arthur Keric.

“Did you hear me calling you this whole time or did you just get here,” asked Oliver irritably.

“I heard you,” said Arthur while looking at Oliver from the side of his eyes and puffing at his cigarette. “I just wanted to listen to you call out my name, it was nice.”

“You know why I’m here Arthur.”

Oliver walked over and stood next to Arthur. “Do you still smoke?” Asked Arthur while offering Oliver a cigarette. “Yeah,” said Oliver.

Oliver took the cigarette and lit it. The two smoked in silence until Arthur had finished his cigarette, throwing it to the ground and killing it with his foot.

“Someone wants Alice dead Oliver,” said Arthur as he turned to face his friend.

“Why?”

“To hurt you for rejecting them. I’m sure you saw what clan that vampire was from. It wasn’t just a coincidence that it happened to be the Greek vampire clan. Someone from that clan wants to hurt you as much as possible and that someone is now the head of the Greek clan, Ophelia.”

Oliver, trying to gather his thoughts looked out at the city and then back to his friend until finally asking. “How?”

“She killed King Leon and took the throne for herself. She now has the entire might of the Greek vampire army at her disposal, said Arthur. She’s going to come after Alice, Oliver. You need to figure out a plan to keep her safe. What are you going to do?”

Oliver took the last puff of his cigarette before throwing it over the balcony and looking at Arthur, “I’m going to tell her the truth.”

Oliver thanked his friend and made his way to the edge of the building. Before he got to the edge he had a thought and he turned around and called out to Arthur.

“Can I ask you one more thing?”

“Sure,” replied Arthur.

“You’re an information broker. You only sell information to people that have something you want. I have money here in this world and in Albek. I have numerous resources. So why is it that you have never asked me for anything in return?”

“You own nothing of value to me. I just feel sorry for you.”

Oliver laughed at the blunt reply he received and continued to jump down the building and get to his car.

***

When Oliver returned to his penthouse, he found Alice bandaged and the buckets of water next to the bed stained red from the clothes used to clean her wounds.

Oliver sat down on the bed and watched as she slept. He moved her long black hair out of her face and caressed her skin with his finger. Oliver heard the door open behind him and turned to find Trevor, standing in the doorway.

“Thank you for everything you did Trevor,” said Oliver.

“Do not worry sir, said Trevor. She’s going to be okay. She looks worse than she actually is. She’s a tough one.” Oliver laughed, “Yeah, she is.”

***

Oliver sat up straight having not moved an inch the entire night as he watched Alice sleep, trying to deal with the guilt that felt like a virus tearing his insides apart. Oliver knew that Alice had seen him for what he truly was the night before and he felt sick at the thought of Alice ever looking at him with even an ounce of fear in her eyes, the way she looked at the vampire who tried taking her life.

Trevor came over to the bed and checked Alice’s bandages. “Go sleep,” said Trevor. You look exhausted.

“I want to be here when she wakes up,” said Oliver, not moving his eyes from Alice.

“I understand that you want to show her you care Sir, but last night was not easy for you either. You sustained quite a lot of damage as well. Go rest, I will look after her. If she wakes up, I’ll call you immediately.”

“Thank you Trevor,” said Oliver as he headed out of the room and made his way downstairs in order to get some rest.