Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
As if Avram didn't have enough to worry about, now Andrei has seen things he shouldn't have. At least not for his and Nico's safety. Will he tell? Only time will tell. And what is Dracula up to now? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Dracula #36(8.2)
“All I
ask,” Avram began again, but Andrei quickly interrupted.
“I know
what you are asking. And out of respect for Father Gunther, I won’t say a word.
And for you. But not for him.” He spat
in Dracula’s direction, although it was a meaningless gesture as the vampire
was nowhere in sight, resting below deck. Despite his brave words, though, Andrei
spoke softly, as if fearful of being overheard.
That would
have to do, Avram decided. He was fairly certain, though, that Andrei would
manage to communicate at least some of his apprehensions and beliefs regarding
his passengers to his cousin. For that, he couldn’t blame him. He would just have to deal with any potential
problem as they arose, and hope that Nico did nothing else he should not. At
least not within sight of the man who was providing their next form of
transportation.
*
The sun
was just beginning its fiery descent into the horizon before them when Andrei
poled the boat to a stop and set the anchor. Avram saw no sign of the man they
were to meet, but he also wasn’t sure precisely what the smugglers’ arrangement
was.
“We are
early,” Andrei announced to Avram. “He will arrive in the morning. In the
meantime, I’m going to visit with my family. You are welcome to join
me.”
Although
he didn’t say them, the words but not him hung palpably in the air.
“Thank
you, but I shall stay here. We’ll be fine,” Avram assured him, although he knew
Andrei didn’t really care if Nico was fine or not. He couldn’t really blame the
smuggler—the vampire’s manners were not always the best, and it was useless to
argue with him about them. Although he could be most charming when he chose to
be, or when it was required. And he would need to use all that charm where they
were going.
“As you
wish. Take care, Avram.” With a quick nod, Andrei disappeared over the side of
the boat and slipped away into the encroaching night.
Mere
moments after the smuggler was out of sight, Nico casually emerged onto the
deck. Not very subtle, was he? “Good
evening, Nico.”
“Avram.” The
vampire nodded as he gave a cursory glance about the deck, as if to ascertain
what he already knew.
“He won’t
be back until morning,” Avram volunteered. “His cousin won’t be here until then
either, so Andrei is staying the night with his family. I assume they live
nearby.”
“Better
for me then.”
Avram
narrowed his eyes at his employer. What was he up to now? And how would his
actions get them into any further trouble than they were already in? But
Dracula’s expression revealed nothing.
Avram
hesitated for a moment. He rose from where he’d been sitting, the groan from
his aching bones testifying to the fact that he hadn’t moved in a while, and
cautiously approached the vampire. “Better for you what?”
“Perhaps
better for me you should not know.”
Avram
swore he could see a smirk on those well-formed lips. He rolled his eyes and
shook his head in disdain. “That has never been and never will be in our best
interest, Nico. I would rather you tell me now and save me the trouble of
cleaning up some mess after the fact.”
When Nico
flinched, Avram wondered if perhaps he had gone too far.
No, he
didn’t really think so.
to be continued
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