Under a Ghostly Moon (Jerry Moon Supernatural Thrillers Book 1) (31 page)

"
Mmm!" he replied, returning the kiss and holding her closer, as the wistful melody seemed to become part of their souls, making them feel like they never dared part again.

A
fter what seemed like an eternity frozen in a crystal of time, the number finally drew to a close.  "Wow!" said Moon, wondering what they had just shared.  "Was that magic?"

"
Perhaps it was just our magic for each other," replied Sonia.  "Don't try to analyse it; you'll ruin it."

"
I suppose so," replied Moon reluctantly.  He hated things that he couldn't explain.  "Looks like Ellie's enjoying herself anyway," he commented, nodding over to their table where Avril and Ellie sat chatting with Roger and a tall, rangy Goth with what appeared to be naturally dark hair, as opposed to the hard black dye-jobs a lot of Goths affected.

"
I should say so, that's Rufus, the guitarist from Unquiet Grave, and he looks pretty smitten."

They returned to their table, where Moon and Sonia had to share a chair to make room for the newcomer.  "Rufus, this is Moon," said Avril.  "And, of course, you know Sonia."

Rufus
nodded.  "Hi Moon, I read your article in Venue.  It was really good stuff."

"
Glad you liked it," replied Moon.  "They've given me a regular slot for music related items now.  My next one's due in next month's issue.  It's about the local blues guitar scene."

"
No… really? I'll have to keep an eye out for that one." The enthusiasm of Rufus' reply surprised Moon as the
Grave
's music tended towards the heavier end of the Goth spectrum.  "My dad plays blues guitar around the local circuit,” Rufus continued.  “He’s called Donny MacRoss, perhaps you've heard of him?"

"
Yes, I had a short interview with him a couple of weeks ago.  I like his stuff."

"
Dad taught me all I know about guitar," yelled Rufus over the start of the next number.  "I still try to find time to go to his gigs when I can." Rufus tried to continue but his voice was overwhelmed by a screaming guitar chord.

Uri had hung up his
violin and picked up what looked like a genuine vintage Stratocaster.  His long fingers danced skilfully up and down the fretboard as the band played the intro to a song that Roanne announced was called 'Baroquetta'.  The starting riff sounded like a Bach fugue as Uri's fingers traced an almost mathematical progression up his guitar's neck, mirrored exactly by Roanne's long but dainty digits walking up the strings of her bass.  Charli played counterpoint on her keyboards, her long, blue-black hair flicking wildly as she focussed all of her energy into the music.  Suddenly, she executed a wild turn, dragged her drumsticks from a quiver on her hip with a flourish, and attacked her electronic drum-pad with equal fervour as the song went into the first verse.  Uri and Roanne started singing a West Coast Rock style duet:

"
Your face is an echo from long ago, Your beauty is young but you seem so old…"  Uri sang in his rich, chocolaty baritone, his dancing fingers switching to chord shapes as he concentrated on the words. 

"
…And now I'm here to steal your soul... Sad Baroquetta!"  Roanne's soprano took on an eerie edge as she played the part of a tragic ghost who stalked the centuries, desperate for love but cursed with a terrible hunger, that drove her to consume the soul of every man who tried to love her.  Moon wondered which member of the trio had written the song and whether it could be autobiographical.  The song concluded when Baroquetta finally found a lover so passionate that, instead of her curse consuming him, their love consumed them both, transforming them into a single eternal flame.  Moon was a bit puzzled by this turn of events - but songs didn't necessarily have to make sense, did they?

This
was officially the final song of the set but at the demand of the audience Blood Velvet played another adapted gipsy violin piece for an encore then wound up their act - despite further insistence from their fans that they play on - to make way for the main bands of the evening.  Their set over, the band helped the roadies stash away their instruments then walked out into the audience, stopping to acknowledge greetings and congratulations as they made their way towards Moon and the girls' table.

"
Well, Moon," said Uri.  "Roanne tells me you've been having a few problems."

"
Yes," replied Moon.  "But I'd rather not talk about them here," he nodded, almost imperceptibly, towards Ellie.  "Uri, I'd like you to meet Ellie, she's an old friend of Sonia's."

Uri bowed
and kissed Ellie's hand.  Somehow, with Uri dressed in his eighteenth century stage costume of black satin and white lace, this didn't seem at all out of place.  "
Ya ochen ocharovan
," he said as he placed a kiss in the palm of her hand.  "
Vui, ochen krasaveetza
- You are very beautiful."

E
ven masked by her pale make-up, Moon could see a dark blush riding up Ellie's neck as she looked up, tongue-tied, at the blond giant.  "Oh don't pay him any notice, love" said Roanne irritably.  "He'd like to think that he could charm the birds out of the trees if we'd let him."

"
I think he probably could," replied Ellie, raising her hand to her neckline.  "Somehow, 'Hi, Uri,' doesn't seem to cut the mustard after that introduction."

"
When it comes from one as charming as you it is eloquence itself," replied Uri.  "Hi yourself, Ellie."

"
Oh, leave it off!" complained Roanne.  "Honestly, he's always like this after a gig.  Too much adoration from the fans and it makes him think he's the bee's knees! Isn't that right, Charli?"

"
Indeed," replied the quietest member of the trio.  "He can be quite exasperating."

"
Boszhe moi!
" Uri caressed his forehead in mock despair and fixed Moon with a twinkling eye.  "Celtic women! Have nothing to do with them, my friend.  Once you let them into your life you get no respect; no respect at all!"

Uri seemed more Russian than usual and Moon wondered if all the energy he had absorbed during the performance
may have left him a little drunk.  In fact all three vampires seemed to be very exuberant, even Charli who was now chatting away with Roanne and the girls.  "I'm sure there are compensations, Uri," he replied, casting a meaningful glance at Roanne's near perfect bottom.

Uri smiled mysteriously
.  "Oh, yes, there are." He checked that the others were deep in conversation then asked, "What's this about one of Rurik's followers trying to kill you?"

"
Someone who was a dead ringer for our description for the ring leader of the bunch behind the abductions tried to run me down in his four-by-four this afternoon.  I guess Rurik must know we're onto them.  We wouldn't have come out but Sonia and Ellie had made previous plans and we thought we'd better make it look like 'business as usual'."

Uri shook his head
.  "Oh, Moon! I hadn't expected things to escalate this far or I wouldn't have insisted that you get involved."

"
It's not your fault, Uri; there are a number of other supernatural parties who have been just as insistent, if not more so.  I suppose it's just a job I was meant to do." He grimaced.  "Anyway, we finally have a clue to where Rurik's hiding out."

"
We have?"

"
Yes, one of those 'other parties' I mentioned told me that If I wanted to find Rurik I should look for a 'blighted place'.  Now, strangely enough, there was an item on the local news tonight about a strange disease that's been attacking the vegetation on a section of the Downs up between Ladies Mile and the Circular Road.  Have you any idea if there are any underground workings in that area?"

"
Of course I do! The Severn Beach Line of the Severn Valley Railway runs right under that part of the Downs.  I remember them digging the tunnel for it in the eighteen eighties." The vampire stroked his chin.  "What else is under there, I wonder? Because of this city's past connections with smuggling there are many secret, hidden away places in Bristol.”  Uri raised his bright blue eyes to regard Moon.  “You know, the Ministry of Defence moved into several of those during the Second World War and, no doubt, made their own modifications and extensions.  There could be a substantial complex down there for all we know."

"
Yes, well I think that's worth investigating," Moon looked over at the girls, "but not tonight.  Tonight we want to show Ellie a good time.  Have you any suggestions?"

Uri nodded enthusiastically
.  "I know just the place."

The night outside seemed strangely quiet after the noise of the band when they left the smoky humidity of the pub for the slightly cooler environment of the mid-June evening.  Roger and Rufus were playing later in the evening so they couldn't come along with the rest of them.  Rufus had almost begged Ellie to stay and hear their set but this had only succeeded in making Ellie wary that he might be too keen on her.  The streets were virtually unpopulated, because most of those who were out for their Saturday night fun were already in the bar or club of their choice, although their small party of Goths did receive a few cat calls from a group of ageing skateboard punks, who were practising their manoeuvres on the footpaths crossing College Green.  It was a fifteen minute walk from the
Rest
to the bottom of Park Street, where Uri led them down a side alley to an arched doorway with a small neon sign over it, which read: 'Encrypted'.  "This is the place," he said," opening the door, "We won't have any trouble getting in here dressed in our Goth gear; the manager's a Goth himself."

They walked into a small entrance hall that resembled the chapel of an old-fashioned funeral parlour mated with a 1930's theatre foyer.  It was all purple plush velvet and silver cherubs.  On closer examination, Moon realised that the latter had bats' wings and tiny fangs protruding from under their chubby baby lips.  The girl in the ticket booth, who was dressed like a Hammer Horror version of Alice in Wonderland, broke into a wide grin when she saw Uri.  "Hello my luvver!" she cried in what Moon hoped was an exaggerated Bristol accent.  "How's my favourite vamp then?"

"
All ze better for zeeink you, my tasty leettle morsel," replied Uri, producing a very bad Bela Lugosi impersonation from behind his raised arm.  The pair leant over the desk and kissed passionately.

Sonia nudged Roanne between the ribs, eliciting a surprised flash of fangs
.  "I guess they know each other then?"

Roanne gave the ticket girl an icy look
.  "Oh yes, they know each other.  Lizzie's one of Uri's 'blood donors'.  He's even suggested we invite her into the 'family'.  He says he ‘enjoys her vitality’ but she's had a double veto from Charli and me.  Both of us find her extremely tiresome, to put it politely.  The prospect of spending eternity with all that fucking chirpiness is, quite frankly, our idea of Hell."

Not for the first time, Moon found himself wondering about the
true nature of the relationship between his three vampire friends.  "I know what you're thinking, Moon," said Charli, who was suddenly standing very close to him.  "Yes, we are lovers, all three of us." She caressed Roanne with a long, sultry glance which could have set the air on fire.  "But we aren't selfish, you know, in five hundred years you learn to share.  You and Sonia might want to consider that some day."

Moon cleared his throat, which had suddenly become very dry
.  "Yes, we'll think about it," he managed squeakily.

"
Not this side of hell we won't!"
vibed Sonia emphatically. 
"They may be the good guys but they're still bloody predators one way or another."

"
I was just being polite,"
Moon vibed back.

"
Oh yeah? Then why have you gone three shades pinker? I know you men..."

"
Forgive me for butting in on this charming little lovers' téte-â -téte."
Charli's voice rang clearly in their heads. 
"But we vampires also know the language of ghosts, as do many other 'predators' that might not be so friendly.  It is not a closed channel, so to speak."
Both female vampires were regarding them with arched eyebrows.

Now was Sonia
's turn to blush. 
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you could hear us."

"
Nonsense,"
replied Roanne, her hidden laughter tinkling through their spirits like breaking icicles. 
"It's good that you're

wary of us
.  We really are predators, no matter how hard we fight to retain our humanity.  That kind of wariness could save your lives.  It's a good instinct."
Roanne gave Sonia a teasing look. 
"The offer still stands though."

Sonia
's blush darkened from pink to red. 
"Erm... We'll let you know."

"
Are you okay, Sonia? You look a bit flushed." Ellie's face was a picture of puzzlement as she looked from her friend to the two female vampires and back again; she must have sensed their unspoken exchange but was uncertain what she had experienced.  Moon was surprised that the couple who had just entered behind them couldn't feel the sexual tension being generated by Charli and Roanne.  It was almost tangible.

"
Yeah, fine," replied Sonia with a wary glance at Roanne, "it's just a bit warm in here, that's all."

"
Children! Play nicely!"
Uri's warning vibe was a thunder of authority. 
"I apologise, Moon... Sonia, it's the rush after the gig.  It makes us a little giddy so our vampire natures are harder to control."

"
I'll make a note of that for the future,"
Moon replied dryly.

Ellie, who had missed all this, was still fussing over her
friend.  "Are you sure you're okay? You weren't too well earlier, were you? We can go home if you want, I don't mind."

"
I'm all right!" said Sonia emphatically.  Then she whispered, "It's just the time of the month that's all.  I always get a bit flaky around the start, remember?"

"
Oh? Yes, I remember," Ellie nodded.  "Well, let me know if it gets too bad and we can go if you want to." Sonia had referred to an old problem that Moon was finding himself having to adjust to.  Sonia's anaemic look sometimes wasn't entirely attributable to make-up.

They entered the main part of the club via a small bar and picked up some drinks on the way.  The place was hot, with that moist, human heat that emanates from people crowded in an enclosed space, and it smelt of perspiration, stale alcohol and mildew.  It was impossible to have a cellar this close to the river without some damp breaking through.  The dance floor was packed with couples, mostly Goths, but quite a few were more conventionally dressed and Moon was surprised to see that one or two others wore fetish gear.  "There is a private section for those who want to play adult games," Uri spoke softly in his ear.  "You would be surprised to know how popular it is."

"
Really?" replied Moon, jumping at the potential subject for a new article.  "Do you know anyone who might agree to an interview?"

"
Oh, I think that might not be hard to arrange," replied Uri with a twinkle in his eyes.

Roanne gave a snort
.  "He's pulling your leg, Moon.  We own the place."

"
You do?" asked Sonia.  The vampires seemed very talkative tonight.  Moon thought that this was probably another side effect of their recent overdose of life-force.

"
Oh yes." Roanne shot a surreptitious glance at Avril and Ellie.  "It's been in the 'family' for years.  It started life as a coffee house in the seventeenth century."

"
So your 'family' has always tiptoed on the edge of propriety then?" observed Moon with a slight smirk.

"
Oh… we've never seen the point of stupid rules," explained Uri.  "But we've always tried to stay on the right side of the law."

Uri bought the first round of drinks and they found a table on a raised wooden dais that was set back from the dance floor.  "Do you own any other businesses in the city?" Moon asked Uri confidentially, hoping to gain further insight into his friend's lifestyle while he was in a candid mood.

Uri lowered his voice
.  "A few, yes.  The girls and I have been living in Bristol for centuries; it's amazing how you collect things if you hang around long enough."

"
Like property?" asked Moon ingenuously.

Uri laughed
.  "Yes, like property."  Moon privately revised his estimate of the vampires' material wealth.  He had assumed they were merely well off but he was beginning to suspect they were multi-millionaires.

A
tall, handsome, dark-haired thirty-something man, wearing a slightly outdated dark blue business suit over an open collared white shirt, walked with self-assurance up to their table.  In the part yell, part pantomime language of an experienced night-clubber, he asked Ellie if she wanted to dance.  Moon saw the flash of 'chemistry' that passed between them as she nodded her enthusiastic reply. 
Looks like someone's in for a lucky night
, Moon commented to himself, as the tempting stocking gap at the top of those long legs passed within inches of his face.

Sonia nudged him
.  "Fancy a dance yourself, you old letch?"

"
Less of the old!" he grumbled as she dragged him out onto the dance floor.

Uri took their lead, gliding gracefully onto the
floor with Roanne and Charli on either side of him.  They flowed into a sinuous dance that was, strangely, powerfully erotic, even though it contained nothing which could be identified as overtly sexual.  "I'm down here!" yelled Sonia irritably, dragging his attention away from the gyrating vampires.

"
Sorry," replied Moon.  "I was just wondering how they do that."

Sonia glanced over to where a growing space was forming around their friends as other dancers stopped to watch in appreciation
.  "Oh, just more vampire crap," she commented sarcastically, "if we ignore them they might stop."

"
They don't seem too bothered whether people are watching or not."

"
Don't you believe it! They're as drunk as skunks on all that energy they sucked up earlier and they're going for dessert.  Only, I’d hazard a guess that it's sexual energy they're lapping up this time."

Moon concentrated and found he could just make out pale
violet wisps of energy floating towards the vampires.  "You're right, I can see it.  I wonder if that's one of the reasons they run this place the way they do..."

"
Yes, and just guess what Charli and Roanne would be up to if we took them up on their, oh so tempting, offer of a ‘fivesome’.  They don't do anything that's not to their advantage."

Moon considered this for an instant
.  Charli and Roanne's earlier antics must have touched a raw nerve for Sonia to be quite so scathing about their friends.  "So? That just proves that they're more human than we'd like to think they are." He turned from half watching the vampires to gaze into her dark, cinnamon-brown eyes.  "They've done their best to achieve a lifestyle that avoids the destructive drives in their nature.  I don't think it's fair to judge them on how they..."

Moon
's voice dwindled as he saw Ellie stepping off the dance floor with her handsome stranger, bag in hand as if she intended to leave.  "Looks like Ellie's not coming home tonight," he commented, nodding in their direction.

As Sonia turned to look, they both caught the crimson flash of twin rubies through the open neck of Ellie
's companion's shirt.  "Jerry!" cried Sonia in alarm.  "He's one of them."

Sonia
's face was a mask of shock as Moon turned to her.  "We have to stop them," he shouted against the backbeat of the heavy trance number that the DJ had just chosen.  "You go and get the guys and I'll do my best to catch them before they leave."

Moon rushed through the entrance doors just in time to see a taxi pull away from the kerb with Ellie and her abductor in the back seat.  He yelled and ran a short way up the hill after them but there was nothing he could do.

Sonia,
Avril and the vampires appeared at the club entrance.  Uri and the girls all had the strange, pumped up, feral look that Moon had learnt meant they were gearing up for a fight.  Their long hair whipped around their faces as if they were standing in their own private whirlwind and the psychic energy pouring from them hit him solidly, like a storm-force blast.  "They've taken a taxi!" Moon yelled.  "But I think I know where they're headed!"

A brief explanation followed
and then they all slipped quickly into the nearest deserted side street.  "You don't have to do this." Sonia looked anxiously at Avril.  "Jerry and I know what to expect and we've got a few tricks up our sleeves if we're attacked.  You don't have any."

"
Sonia, I've been doing kick boxing for ten years and made the regional finals three years running," said Avril sarcastically.  "You're going up against humans as well as the ghoulies and ghosties tonight so you might need a bit of extra muscle.  Anyway, I wouldn't miss this for the world, so you'd better not try to stop me."

While this exchange was taking place Moon was
using his mobile phone to contact the police.  He tried the emergency line first but was told nothing could be done on the vague suspicion that someone of adult age might be in danger from their evening pick-up.  In desperation he dialled Whatley's mobile number.  The inspector answered groggily just before Moon expected to be diverted to voicemail.  "Moon, do you know what time it is? This had better be important!" Moon could hear Mrs Whatley snoring robustly in the background.  At least he hoped it was Mrs Whatley, for all he knew the inspector could be having an affair with a sumo wrestler - it would account for the frightening volume of the staccato rumble issuing from the handset.