Chapter 11 Vampire Interference

An excerpt from The Violet Series Book 1: The Water Nymph’s Tale.

Snowstorm and its crew made it all the to Mars. Captain Whitfield called a meeting with the crew’s officers. They were to plan how to answer Clyde Mineur. They also wanted to discuss how best to ask Mr. Winchester to join the crew permanently.

“Captain, Mr. Winchester left this morning right after breakfast.”

“Oh, that’s not surprising. He’s probably looking for Violet Mineur.”

The doctor nodded. “I made sure he left with his allergy list. I just hope he follows it.”

The galley master spoke up, “I did make it clear he could still get his meals from here. He hasn’t vacated his quarters, but he’s wearing his regular clothes.”

Captain Whitfield nodded. “That boy has more options now than he did. Do we all want him to stay on as a crew member?”

All around the table, the officers nodded their assent.

“Good. That’s settled. Now we just have to notify Mr. Winchester. I’ll just leave him a message. He can get it when he gets back to the ship.” He paused. “Now, for the contract with Clyde Mineur. Any opinions on the matter?”

“Let’s take it. It will be more steady income for us all.”

“And we’ll be able to afford to keep Mr. Winchester permanently.”

“Alright, we are in agreement. Then let’s contact Mr. Mineur and accept the contract.”

*********************

Antoni was sitting watching people walk by. Then he saw her. She had light blue skin with red violet eyes and red violet hair. He gasped and his heart pounded. He dropped his jaw as he stared at her.

She noticed him standing in the spaceport. Was there something familiar about him? Had she seen him before? She couldn’t think—

“Violet?”

“Yes?”

“It’s me, Antoni.”

“Oh, hello, Antoni.”

He walked over to her. “I, I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you?”

“I’m fine. And you?”

He sighed. He shook his head. “I could be better. I traveled all the way from Eris, but I’m glad to catch up with you.”

She smiled. “What happened? Why did you leave?”

“Everyone died at my town.”

“What?”

“Yeah, my parents and my friends. I don’t know what happened. I just came back and found everyone in the town dead.”

“That’s terrible.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I just wish I knew what happened to them. I wish I could have done something.”

“You said you weren’t there when it happened.”

“No, I wasn’t. I was off at college and just went home for break.”

“Then it sounds like there was nothing you could have done. You probably would have been killed with them.”

“You’re probably right.” He paused to stare at the floor. “Thanks for listening. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone else.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

He looked up at her and smiled.

A pale looking human flitted into view. “Ahh, what do we have here? A water nymph?”

“Yeah, I’m half water nymph and half human.”

“Oh. I wasn’t aware that water nymphs and humans could mate.” He sneered.

“I’m not the first. I probably won’t be the last.”

“I don’t like water nymphs. They complained about our castle on the preserve. It’s silly, but they were welcome to live with us, if they so choose.”

“Who are you?” asked Violet.

“I am Victor.”

“Well, Victor, judging by your attitude, I’d say it was you who created the problem with the water nymphs. I’ve researched the records. They requested that land so they could stay away from the growing colony. They haven’t done anything to ruin the land. Nor have they committed murder.”

“You think you’re so smart.”

“I know what I see and observe.”

“Do you speak for the other water nymphs? Do you know what they want?”

“No, but my uncle did meet my mother and I can trust what he said about her.”

“Well, we’ll see.” He took a glance at Antoni and at Violet. Without any warning, he grabbed Antoni and ran off. They became a blur and no one could see where they went.

Violet froze in place. The clerk on duty stared at her. Violet walked over to her. “I take it Victor is a vampire.”

The clerk nodded with a gaping mouth.

“Damn!” She looked down to the floor. “Wait a minute. Do you know where the castle on the preserve is from here?”

The clerk closed her mouth. “Oh, it’s just behind us that way. It’s close to the wide river.”

“Oh, there it is.” Violet doubled checked using her little computer attached to her glasses.

“You said the water nymphs requested the land?”

“Yes, my grandfather wrote the petition and it was granted. He knew they weren’t going to build anything on the land. As far as I know they are maintaining the land and the river.”

“I did hear of Tabitha. People claimed she had light blue skin as you do.”

Violet nodded. “Yep. She was also half water nymph. I think her hair and eyes were a different color.”

The clerk nodded. “Sorry if I was rude to you earlier. I just didn’t realize why you looked so different. I know I should be nice. It’s not your fault.”

“It’s alright. I didn’t think you were rude. I thought you were curious and shocked by my appearance. You still did your job.”

The clerk smiled.

“I better go. My friend is in trouble.”

“Good luck. I hope you find him.”

“Thanks.”