Deceit

By Ash Adler

Morgana was used to an existence of carefree indulgence, with no greater worries than needing to find other vampires to feed on. Her decadent lifestyle took her around the world, leaving only the ashen remains of her victims as evidence of her passing. When a chance encounter left her with a ticket for a private flight to a destination that she’d never heard of, it had seemed like nothing more than an invitation for another stop on her eternal vacation. Little did she realize that she was heading straight into a hotbed for other supernatural beings, caught in a stalemate in their three-way battle for control over the city until her arrival is taken to be an act of war. Faced with all manner of arcane creatures looking for ways of turning the volatile situation to their advantage, Morgana wants nothing more than to escape from their savage machinations, but things get complicated when she gets captured and has to start making deals for her life....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ash Adler
• Release date: May 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463988787

Ash Adler

I was born and raised in the United States before moving to Toronto, Canada. An insatiable hunger for the written word burned in me from an early age and, together with an active imagination and some friendly encouragement, drove me into writing as an escape from the trappings of the mundane world.

Book preview

Deceit

By Ash Adler

Copyright 2017 Ash Adler

Cover by Vila Design

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This ebook is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Dedicated to my southern rose, who was my muse, my sounding board, and my anchor when I needed it most.

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

About Ash Adler

One

A woman walked alone through the commercial districts of a German city’s downtown core. The warm clouds of steam exhausted from the city’s underground hardware wreathed her trim five foot seven body while the full moon’s light reflected off her slightly pale skin. She was garbed in a halter top and a low riding miniskirt, both black to match her shoulder length hair, accentuating her shapely figure. She scanned all around with her dark eyes as she walked, her stiletto boots clicking with purposeful rhythm despite wandering aimlessly in search of something.

Looking down one alley, she spied a group of men huddled together. At a thought, her perception changed, all light disappearing in an instant to leave behind a pitch black canvas with featureless green blobs replacing the people she had seen. All just humans, she thought, disappointed, as she returned to her normal mode of vision and continued her walk. I need a real meal, not just a thirst quencher.

As she turned a corner, one of the business signs caught her attention. Oh, is this the singles’ bar that Jacques had mentioned? Well, random street wandering hasn’t been giving me any results lately, so I guess it’s worth a try. She went over to it, but her entry was blocked by a burly man who towered over her.

Sorry miss, he said, but we only allow people over twenty-five in here, and you look like you might be bit too young.

The woman smiled and brushed aside some of her hair. I assure you I’m old enough, she said, a slight English accent marring her otherwise flawless German.

I’m afraid that’s not good enough for me, the bouncer said. How about showing some ID?

Dammit, she thought, I knew I should’ve kept the purse of that girl from last month. The woman shrugged and said, I don’t have any on me.

Then you don’t get in.

Oh, come on, can’t you find it in your heart to trust me? she asked as she stepped forward.

The bouncer grabbed her right shoulder and pushed her back until his arm was fully extended. No proof, no entry, he said.

The woman was starting to get annoyed now, her determination to get into the bar increasing with each denial. She placed a hand on the bouncer’s wrist and thought about snapping his thumb backwards but kept herself from doing so. Alright, she said, sliding away from him. I guess this is one of those ‘no means no’ cases.

Thank you for being so understanding, eventually, he said.

She walked a bit away, turning into a deserted alleyway once she was sure no one was watching. I guess I should be flattered, she thought. It’s not often someone tells me I look like I’m only a tenth of my real age. After taking a moment to clear her mind, she closed her eyes and concentrated, changing herself slowly into a fine mist over the next sixty seconds. Spreading out and hugging the ground to be almost invisible, she drifted back, past the bouncer and into the bar, returning to her corporeal form inside of a coat closet.

Now that that’s done, it’s time to see if I’ve got any luck tonight. She opened the door and stepped out, coming face-to-face with a young female attendant who had a pair of jackets slung over her arm.

Um, what are you doing in there? the attendant asked with a raised eyebrow.

What was I doing in there? the woman repeated, trying to stall while she thought up an excuse. Well, I thought I’d left some important papers in my jacket, and I didn’t want to bother the staff with it, so I came to check for myself when the door just closed behind me.

Oh my god, I’m so sorry, the attendant said. Someone must’ve noticed the open door and closed it without thinking that there might be someone inside. Are you alright?

Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for your concern, though.

Would you like a free drink or something?

No thanks, the woman said. It’s really my own fault for going in there by myself, so we can just call it even since nobody got hurt.

Okay, the waitress replied. Well, I hope the rest of your time here is more enjoyable than that.

As she went to an empty table, the woman let out a sigh of relief over running into someone gullible enough to believe her lie. Maybe I should’ve taken the drink instead of being so rushed to get rid of her, she thought, laughing softly at herself. A rough survey of the place showed about fifty other people were there. A shift of vision reduced all of them to green forms, except for one that turned blue. Perfect, she thought. A turned one is just what I was in the mood for.

Her sight was suddenly overtaken by a green blob. A gift from the table over there, said the cocktail waitress as the woman’s vision returned to the standard spectrum. She looked in the direction that the waitress indicated and saw a trio of thirty-something men waving at her. Taking the drink, she toasted towards the generous men before taking a sip.

After taking a second, larger gulp of the cocktail, she set down the glass and scanned the room to find the turned vampire again. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with short brown hair and a goatee, wearing a grey business suit over a white shirt. Much to her delight, he did not seem to have any company. That should make things easier, she thought as she walked over to join him, leaving the cocktail behind.

Hi, she said, putting on a charming smile. Are you with anyone?

It looks like I am now, he replied. He rose from his seat and extended his hand. I’m Gustav.

Morgana, she said as she shook his hand. But everyone just calls me Morgan.

Well, have a seat, Morgan, he said, pulling out a chair for her.

Oh, such a gentleman, she said as she sat down. Are you also going to buy me a drink?

What would you like?

Take a guess, Morgan said.

Gustav looked up and down her body a couple of times as she crossed her legs and gazed back at him. How about just a little red wine to start things off? he asked.

Sounds wonderful, she replied. She watched him go to the bar, taking a moment to make sure he was the right person before settling in to appreciate the view. This looks like it’s going to be enjoyable, she thought. A nice change from that fat woman I found a few days ago. She shot him a smile as he headed back, a half-filled glass in each hand.

Here you go, he said, sitting down straight across from her after giving her one of the glasses. To possibilities.

To possibilities, she repeated, clinking glasses with him before taking a sip. Speaking of which, how is it possible that a dashingly handsome young man is sitting alone in a bar on a Saturday night?

Was sitting alone, Gustav corrected lightly. I’m only in town on a brief business trip, actually. Normally, I’d be busy crunching some numbers right around now, but I just needed to take a break.

Oh, are you an accountant or something? Morgan asked.

Something like that, he replied. And what about you?

I finished getting through a bit of a messy relationship recently, she said, and I was hoping that an innocent night out could help lift my spirits.

Are you saying you’re looking for a little one night stand? Gustav asked.

A lady never says such things, she replied, even if they may be true.

They continued having a pleasant conversation, slipping in more flirtatious innuendoes and continuing to have more drinks as time passed. Starting to feel tipsy from consuming a bit more than she should have, Morgan found herself having to forcefully refuse his offers of just one more. Don’t take it personally, she said, but if I keep on drinking like this, who knows what I might try to do to you.

You don’t look that dangerous, Gustav said. How much damage could you really cause?

You should ask some of my past dates, she said facetiously. But really, I don’t know how safely I could get home if I keep this up, especially being alone at this hour.

If that’s all that’s troubling you, why don’t we go to my hotel room? he asked. It’s not far from here, and I’ll make sure you get there safe and sound.

And are you thinking of then trying to take advantage of me?

A gentleman never says such things, he said.

Well, you don’t look all that dangerous yourself, Morgan replied, so I guess I have no reason not to take your offer.

The two of them left the bar and got into Gustav’s nearby Fiat for a short drive to the hotel he was staying at. Wow, this place is nice, Morgan said upon entering the room. It must be pretty expensive to stay here.

Probably, he said, but my visit is fully covered by my company, so I’m not too concerned about it. He sat down at a table near the minibar, motioning for Morgan to come next to him as he opened some drinks.

How much longer are you staying for?

As chance would have it, I’m leaving tomorrow night, Gustav replied.

Oh, that’s too bad, she said, before nearly retching after taking a gulp of her drink. What the hell is this? Morgan asked between coughs.

Gustav grabbed her wrist to lift the little bottle up to his face and read the label. Apparently, it’s licorice vodka.

I guess that explains it. Regaining her composure, she put the vodka down and picked out a different bottle for herself. It turned out to be a sharp brandy, which suited her as well as anything else. So, where is it that you’re running off to tomorrow?

Just some town in the U.S. that I doubt you’ve heard of, Gustav said. He stood up and started to stroll around the room, taking a meandering path to end up between Morgan and the door. I really have been enjoying our time together, though. It’s too bad that I won’t be seeing you again.

What do you mean? she asked. We can get together on your next trip here.

Not exactly, Gustav said. You see, you’re not going to be around on my next trip.

And why’s that?

Because I’m a vampire, and I’m going to kill you tonight.

Morgan sprayed a mouthful of brandy as she burst into laughter at his statement. Well, that’s a relief, she said. For a second there, I thought you were being serious.

I am being serious, he replied.

Morgan got out of her seat and walked towards him, stopping about four feet away. Well then, mister vampire, aren’t you going to bite me?

Gustav lunged at her, fangs bared and aimed for her neck. Morgan snapped up her arm, catching his throat with her elbow to stop his charge. A sudden knee lift to his abdomen knocked Gustav breathless, and Morgan sent him tumbling to the ground with a spinning heel kick.

As he looked up at her in disbelief, she smiled, revealing her own fangs. Not to ruin the mood with a lecture, but you made a little mistake, she said. You see, I’m a vampire. You, on the other hand, are just some second-rate trash that someone must’ve felt sorry for feeding on before turning you into a reject halfling.

Well, this is an interesting turn of events, Gustav said as he rose to his feet and dusted himself off. I’ve never tasted a natural vampire before.

Oh, believe me, it’s the best, Morgan said. It’s almost too bad that you’ll never get to find that out for yourself.

Let’s see about that. Gustav came at her with a high punch. Morgan ducked under it, but that dropped her right into the path of a knee strike to her face. Not realizing her mistake in time to avoid it, Morgan took the hit and retaliated with a pair of body blows, causing Gustav to bring his arms down protectively as he tried to back up. In response, Morgan whipped up her right leg, connecting under his jaw with the toe of her boot to send him staggering back to the wall.

She dashed after him to continue her offense but was caught off guard as Gustav pulled out a knife and stabbed it into her gut, penetrating just below her navel. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders to hold Morgan in place as he tried to thrash the knife about inside of her abdomen. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she grabbed his forearm and forced the blade out, turning it away from her as the two of them struggled with each other to gain an advantage. They jockeyed back and forth around the room until a stomp on his foot finally distracted Gustav enough for Morgan to break him from away. She collapsed to one knee upon getting some separation, clutching her carved midsection.

Not so haughty now, are you? Gustav taunted as he walked towards her.

Morgan rose shakily to feet. I’m sorry, she said, but all of that drinking must’ve given me some indigestion. What did you say just now?

Gustav came at her aggressively, hissing as he swung the knife at her head. Morgan twisted out of the way, ignoring the sharp pains that the maneuver sent through her core as she grabbed his extended arm. Turning over with his momentum, she locked the limb against her chest and pressed on it with all her strength, forcing Gustav to bend over awkwardly to avoid having his elbow hyperextended. He punched at her leg with his left hand, but the blows had negligible effects as she twisted his trapped arm. His wrist broke and the knife fell to the floor, but Morgan paid little heed to that as she continued applying pressure, taking him down to the ground.

The moment of grappling gave her body the time it needed to begin healing, reducing the pain in her abdomen enough for her to find her voice again. Did you really think that a little stomach stabbing would stop me? she asked. And how am I supposed to explain these bloodstains to the dry cleaner?

To her complete surprise, Gustav twisted his body violently away from her, ripping his right arm off at the shoulder. Before she could react, he landed a pair of back elbow strikes to her temple. Though Morgan would have normally been quick to shake off such blows, the first caused her head to smash against the hard floor, and the second caught her just as her skull was bouncing back up, driving it into the floor again forcefully enough to stun her momentarily.

Gustav rose to his feet as she started to recover, stomping wildly on her head and torso while stanching the blood flow from his torn shoulder with his left hand. At least you’d only need to see a dry cleaner, he said as he stormed over to the table they had been drinking at and grabbed one of the wooden chairs. I’m going to need a tailor too.

Morgan looked up in time to see him standing over her, raising the chair above his head. She pulled his disembodied arm out from under her and used it to shield herself as he swung the chair down. Wood and bone alike splintered from the impact, but the improvised shield fulfilled its role of sparing her from the brunt of his attack. Before he could cause her any more harm, Morgan whipped her legs against the back of Gustav’s knee, causing him to fall on his backside as she twisted around acrobatically and sprang up to her feet.

She paused to pull a long splinter out of her face and brush off some wood bits, giving Gustav enough time to get up. He tried to catch her with a leaping kick, but she sidestepped the attack easily and countered with a palm thrust to his face. Before he was knocked away, Morgan slid her hand around to the back of his head, grabbing a handful of hair and yanking him down into a knee strike that broke his nose. Twisting his head to the side, Morgan placed Gustav’s neck in the crook of her knee and drove him down, crushing his neck between her thigh and calf.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever been hurt like this before, so in case you haven’t, let me put your mind at ease, she said in response to his gurgles while grabbing his intact arm and bending it over in front of her. If I walked out of here and left you alone, you’d probably be all better in about an hour or so, with a whole new arm and everything. Sadly, you’re not going to get the chance.

She pushed back his sleeve and sank her fangs into his wrist. His struggling subsided quickly as she drained his blood, regenerating her remaining wounds almost instantly and satisfying her hunger before his dried corpse turned to ash and crumbled.

Well, that’s a bummer, Morgan said, slipping into her native English as she looked over herself. I really liked this skirt, and I bet the back of my top’s covered in blood, too. Damn bastard just had to go and tear his arm off, didn’t he? She let out a loud sigh. Oh well, I’d better hurry up and loot this place before someone decides to check on it after the ruckus we raised.

She went through his wallet first, taking his cash and credit cards, before searching for any jewelry and other items that would be worth taking to a pawn shop. As she went through his luggage, she came across an airplane ticket. One way to Melville, Indiana, huh? Morgan thought. Well, he was right that I’ve never heard of it. Then again, it’s been at least half a century since I was last in the States. It might be fun to go back there for a while. In fact, considering there’s going to be an empty first-class seat otherwise, it’d be a waste not to go. She opened the window and took a deep breath of fresh air. Well, then it’s settled. Aside from how I’m supposed to get on a plane with a ticket in the name of Gustav Leiberman, she thought with a slight laugh. But I guess I’ll find a way to manage. After some concentration, Morgan morphed into a dozen large bats and flew off into the night sky.

Two

Morgan walked through the airport with a confident expression on her face, despite the uncertainties she was feeling about her plan. She had abandoned any hopes of saving her outfit from the previous night, but an early morning shopping spree to fill her new suitcase had alleviated some of her disappointment, leaving her wearing a navy blue button-up vest, tight dark blue jeans, and black pumps along with a faux leather purse hanging from her shoulder, an elegant gold watch on her right wrist, and a small wheeled suitcase that she was pulling along. After having to wait for far too long for somebody to show up at the counter of the chartered flight company, she stepped up to have her ticket checked.

Here you go, Morgan said to the lady on the other side of the counter, handing Gustav's ticket over casually.

She looked between Morgan and the ticket a few times. Um, are you Gustav Leiberman? she asked.

What? Morgan asked, acting surprised.

This ticket is for a Gustav Leiberman.

Oh, that, Morgan said with a forced laugh. Yes, the ticket was bought for my colleague Gustav, but something came up at the last minute and he couldn't make this flight, so he gave it to me instead. Here's a note that he wrote, in case it was going to be a problem. Morgan handed over a typed message explaining the situation, ending in a forged signature. We would’ve both been over there by the end of next month anyway, so he thought it wouldn’t be a problem for me to take his ticket now instead of canceling it and then hoping to get another one in time.

Well, this really isn't something I'm trained to deal with, the woman said. Can you hold on for a moment?

No problem, Morgan replied with a smile. The woman went over to one of her older coworkers and spoke with him for a few minutes before returning to Morgan.

Well, I can kind of understand your situation, but we’re really not supposed to let on a person with someone else's ticket. Sorry, company policy.

Come on, please, Morgan pleaded. I’m not a terrorist or anything. If you want, you can go through my luggage right here. I swear that I’m only carrying clothing and the like.

It’s not just that, miss, the woman said. Should something—

What if I return that ticket and buy a new one for myself right now? Morgan asked, interrupting the woman.

Like I was trying to say, there's also the matter of what it’d mean for us if you stole that ticket and we still let you on.

But what about the note?

I’m not sure if that's enough by itself, the woman said.

Morgan rested her forearms on the counter, then raised her fingers to show a couple of five hundred euro notes that were hidden in her hand. Are you sure that it isn’t enough? she asked.

Glancing around to make sure that nobody was paying attention to them, the woman pocketed the bribe. Well, I suppose I could make an exception in this case.

With a quaint smile, Morgan made her way through the entryway and towards the departure gate. To her surprise, rather than going through the general security checkpoint, she was directed towards an outlying building with its own security personnel searching each of the dozen-or-so would-be passengers individually before allowing them onto a G550. Perhaps this wasn’t such a great idea, but I guess there’s no choice but to stick to my story and try to blend in for now, she thought, being too far in to just turn back. She followed along with the others until she had placed her suitcase onto the flight attendant’s luggage cart and sat in her seat.

A few of the other passengers shot glances her way, but none of them seemed to sustain their attention on her. They seemed to be mostly businessmen, with the topics of their conversations ranging from the stock markets to who owned the better sports car to what their first trip to North America would be like. Morgan tried to just sink into her chair and stay out of their chitchat, fully content with not having anyone pry into why she was on the flight. There were still a handful of empty seats when she got on, with the one next to her being among them, but any hopes of it remaining that way were dashed when someone came along to fill it.

He was a fairly tall man, pushing six and a half feet in height, with the broad shoulders and chiseled features of a magnificent stone sculpture. His neatly groomed hair was smoky grey in color, along with the slight beard outlining his mouth, standing out in contrast to his milk chocolate skin and black suit. His dark hazel eyes gazed into Morgan’s as he stepped next to her and stayed locked with hers while he sat. Who are you? he asked in choppy, heavily-accented words, the suspicious tone of his deep voice reverberating through Morgan. And where’s Gustav?

She swallowed her uncertainties silently and put on a warm smile. Oh, he ran into some trouble yesterday and told me to come in his place. Don’t worry, though, as he did promise to come along at the first chance he can find. I’m Morgan, by the way.

Morgan? he asked, raising an eyebrow. Any chance you speak English?

Yes, she replied in her native tongue.

Oh, thank God, he said, now speaking English comfortably. It’s always nice to find someone I can actually understand on these damned overseas trips. Before we get too chummy, though, how about explaining who you are and what you’re doing here?

Well, like I said, I’m Morgan. Well, actually Morgana, but I just go by Morgan. Anyway, I’m a friend of Gustav’s.

I don’t recall him ever mentioning you.

We’ve only known each other briefly, Morgan said, though our relationship has been very…dynamic, to put it lightly.

I see. But that still doesn’t explain why you’re here instead of him.

Right, that. Well, we were enjoying a nice night out last night, but as we were headed back to his hotel room, we ran into some rough looking guys. I’d never seen them before, but they seemed to have a bone to pick with Gustav. Anyway, long story short, Gustav gave me the key to his room and told me to use the ticket in his place, and that he’d be coming to Melville once this sudden business was taken care of.

The man grinned after hearing Morgan’s story. I always told him that he shouldn’t be acting so carelessly, he said. Oh well, he did finish what I needed him to do anyway, so I suppose a slight delay in his arrival won’t mean much. What did you say your name was, again?

Morgan, she repeated.

I’m Vick, he said, extending his hand.

Morgan shook it, noticing some calluses that did not seem to fit with someone who was a white-collar worker. She shifted to her alternate perception just long enough to see him as a pure white mass. A natural vampire, she thought. Now this is an unexpected twist of fate alright. But at least I didn’t notice any halflings here. She cocked her head and asked, So what exactly is this flight for? Gustav never did tell me much about his work.

He and I both work for a consortium based in Melville, Vick said. We were here to meet with some potential foreign investors and then to take them back to Melville so that they can check things out firsthand.

Oh really? So, you two are something like partners, then?

I’d say it’s more like I’m his manager, Vick replied.

And exactly what line of work are you in? Morgan asked. Sorry for the twenty questions, but Gustav was so secretive about his life that I’m just dying to learn more.

Oh, we do all sorts of stuff, really, he answered with a laugh. But why don’t you tell me more about yourself first? After all, you’re the one popping up on a private flight.

I’m sure you’ve heard my story a ton of times. My parents died when I was young, I’ve wandered around doing odds and ends for money, just drifting along with no real plans, had a few flings that ended fairly messily, et cetera, et cetera.

A voice buzzing over the plane’s speakers cut their conversation short. Hello, this is your captain speaking. We’re just going through the final steps before takeoff, so I’ll ask all of you to please take your seats and pay attention as our lovely flight attendants go through the safety procedures.

Well, I guess that means it’s time for me to take a nap, Vick said. Do be a good girl and wake me up when we’re landing, okay?

Alright, Morgan said. She watched Vick lean his seat back and close his eyes, seeming to fall asleep immediately. Gustav’s manager, huh? she thought. I guess that makes you the loser who made him. Regardless, you’re still a nice find for me. I wonder if I can get you to show me around town before I get hungry.

As he laid there, Vick’s mind was going over the recent events too. So, Gustav ran into some trouble, you say? I’ll bet that trouble’s sitting right next to me, too. I wonder if this is that new female hitman that I’d heard Brad had hired. Though, it’s a bit of a stretch for her to have been sent all the way out here after me and Gustav. Either way, I’m sure giving your head to the Queen wouldn’t be a bad way to go. Well, I’d better get some sleep for now, or the jet lag’s going to be a real bitch.

Vick slept for the duration of the flight, still as a corpse, and as she had agreed to do, Morgan woke him as they arrived in Melville. The airport there was a small, private one, built to be used exclusively with small aircrafts. Morgan followed Vick as he led the rest of the passengers to the luggage pick-up area, grabbing a large suitcase for himself before going out to the parking lot. The other passengers started to board a reserved bus, but Vick stopped Morgan from doing likewise. You’re not one of the people thinking of sinking money into our company, he said with a wink. Besides, since you’re a personal friend of Gustav’s, I’ll give you a personal tour myself.

How nice of you, she said. Though, since I am an unexpected guest, I just might have to do a favor for you in return.

A tempting little vixen, aren’t you? he replied.

That’s not for me to say, she responded coyly.

Oh, but where are my manners? Allow me, he said, opening the passenger