The Hunted

by Heather McAlendin

  “Father Von Brugel,” Marie began, “for all of your talents and abilities you are extremely limited in your view of the world. I have dealt with enough in the last year to qualify me as an expert on both human and vampire behavior. I can read your every thought, every desire and I know about each and every sin you have committed against the human God and nature. I may be small in stature compared to the likes of you, but I am quick and intelligent and I had the wherewithal to murder Silver’s first blood, Hannah, where even she had failed. Do you still doubt my ability to be of help to you?”

  Even I shrank back when Marie mentioned Hannah’s murder. Drake blinked and his mouth hung open like a fish gasping for its last breath.

  Drake bent at the waist in a grand display of respect and penance. “Forgive me,” he said. “Trust me when I say I am not mocking you. I am truly sorry. You are correct in that at times I am very quick to judge by appearances. It comes from hundreds of years of programming. I will make more of an effort in the future to listen and observe first. I am impressed that you did not back down from me. It is not what I am used to.”

  A look of satisfaction and acceptance crossed Marie’s face. “Apology accepted, Priest. If you dare follow me, I’ll show you where we can hide.”

  “She is most certainly of Andrew’s bloodline,” I whispered. I had a feeling that I knew where she would lead us but I kept quiet as Marie took the lead and Drake and I followed behind. The dawn would be breaking soon and we had to rest and plan for our confrontation with Set.

  Chapter Twelve

  I smiled knowingly as the tall brick warehouse came into view. This is where Marie had been hiding out from the world the first time I had met her. My assumptions about where she was heading were correct.

  Just as we ascended the rusty metal stairs to the top floor, the sun made her glorious appearance in the sky. I barely caught a glimpse of its brilliance before Marie ushered us into the darkened storage room. I sighed longingly. “Just once to see a complete sunrise, just once.”

  No one seemed to notice my lament as the heavy door shut behind us. The small circular window was still the only access to light in the room. A heavy fabric covered it and blocked out most of the sun. Enough light came into the room to reveal that Marie still used this place from time to time. The bedding was in a roll on the cement floor and her small portable cooler still hummed with electricity.

  “Please tell me you have blood stored in there?” Drake asked as he sat down, cross legged on the floor.

  “Indeed,” Marie replied. “I always keep a supply...just in case.”

  “In case of what?” I asked as I flicked the bedroll open and collapsed on it in a tired heap.

  I looked up to see Marie brushing away bloody tears. A flicker of sadness washed across her face, and then it was gone. “The first couple of months in the compound with Andrew were very difficult.” She stopped short and took a deep breath. “It was hard enough transitioning from human to vampire and Andrew was wonderful, but with the new power and my psychic abilities I could hear everyone’s thoughts. It was overwhelming to the point of painful some days. Then to hear the whispers about me and what I had done to Hannah and the things said about you and Andrew. I came here often to block it all out.”

  I moved to Marie’s side and placed an arm around her shoulder. “Marie, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I have taken so much from you.”

  She turned to look into my eyes and smiled graciously. “You have given me so much more. I have...had family. At least now I know where I came from and I fit in here with the vampires so much more than I ever did at the convent.”

  A loud cough from across the room startled both Marie and I, causing us to turn and see Drake staring back at us.

  He slowly rose from the floor and brushed off his clothes. After reaching down and extracting a blood bag from the fridge, he nodded toward the bedding. “You ladies rest for a few hours and I’ll keep a watch for anything or anyone unusual. I expect you to do the same once you finish your nap. Set could be anywhere and strike at any time. He needs you, Silver, to convince the rest of the Clan to follow him now that Andrew is dead and I am sure he is none too pleased Marie has escaped.”

  Fatigue and hunger suddenly overwhelmed me. “I won’t argue with you Drake,” I said. “Let’s all feed and rest for a bit. We can’t face Set in the shape we are in.”

  “Silver.” Marie said my name weakly. “I can feel him. I have since he made his presence known. Somehow, I can block him and although I can’t get directly into his head, I know when he is close. So far I don’t feel him anywhere near us...not yet.”

  Drake moved in close and held her shoulders so tight that I could see Marie wince in pain. His face was a mask of rage and frustration. “Why the hell did you not reveal this to us before now? I could rip your throat out right now you impertinent, young fledgling...”

  With lightening speed, I was at Marie’s side. It was enough to startle Drake away from her and I stepped between them, fangs drawn.

  “Don’t you ever touch her again!” I spat. “How is it with all your great abilities to get into my mind that you didn’t read Set better? You brought him here Drake or at the very least facilitated it through Yaqui. Think twice before you decide to cross the line again or you will deal with me. I will be the only Vampire standing.”

  I felt Marie place a small hand on my arm, pulling me aside. “We are all on edge right now. Please let’s rest and gain some clarity.”

  Drake watched in silence as I followed Marie to the bedding and lay next to her. She curled into the small of my back and we both fell into a restless sleep while Drake watched over us. He reminded me of an avenging angel. Despite all his faults and brutish nature, I trusted him to protect us.

  I awoke a few hours later to find Drake pacing back and forth like a caged lion at the zoo. His brow was creased and his face muscles were tense. I didn’t need psychic abilities to know something was bothering him.

  Making sure I did not wake Marie, I rolled away from her and onto the floor. I stood up slowly and approached Drake very cautiously in case he was in one of his moods.

  Drake stopped pacing and grimaced. “I don’t understand it,” he said. “The little one was right; you were right. I can’t feel or hear Set anymore. I’ve lost my edge against him. It was the only thing that kept him from taking Yaqui from me. What is happening? The silence in my mind is disturbing.”

  I reached forward and touched his arm, he didn’t shrink back as I had expected. Instead, he drew my hand to his chest and held it fast.

  “Drake, I...” My voice trailed off as Marie interrupted us with a loud cry. I drew back and rushed to her side as she bolted upright from her sleep.

  “Horrible torture. Such an evil creature.” Marie mumbled almost incoherently. Her eyes rolled upward as if she was having a seizure.

  “Marie!” I shouted as I shook her. “Marie, wake up now. Drake. She’s not waking up.”

  Panic surged through me as I shook her harder, hoping it would jar her awake. Drake gently took her from me, placed a hand on her forehead, and closed his eyes. He drew deep even breaths and mumbled quietly. Finally, he lay her back on the bedding where she trembled and then slowly opened her eyes.

  “Thank you,” she said weakly. “I feel so cold and hungry.”

  “What did you do?” I asked Drake as I briskly rubbed Marie’s arms and back, trying to warm her. I watched as Drake moved slowly across the room and brought back a blood bag for Marie to feed on. “Well?” I asked again.

  Drake shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard to explain and I am not even sure I can, at least not very well. When I bonded with Yaqui, it enhanced everything. Somehow, I can reach out and assist someone when they need it. I can take the pain away, so to speak. Maybe because I can physically handle it, I just don’t know. Set had control of Marie for a brief moment. She is strong mentally but I think losing Andrew has had an effect, a crack in her mental abilities that Set was able to mo
mentarily abuse. I will keep my attention on her for any further changes that you may not be able to notice.”

  “Thank you.” It was a weak statement but all I could think of. Marie was my last connection to my lost love and it would destroy me if Set took her as well.

  “I’ll be fine now, Silver, trust me. Drake has strengthened me and the feed has helped. You need to drink too. I didn’t know Set could be...is such an evil abomination. He has many fooled many into thinking he is the only way the vampires can survive. His greed and lust for power will destroy us all. There is nothing more dangerous than a crazed Ancient vampire.”

  Drake had yet to rest so I forced him to lie down while Marie and I cleaned ourselves up as best we could with limited supplies. I managed to drain two bags of blood before I abated my thirst. My heart sank at the thought of Set forcing my beloved Clan to follow him or be tortured.

  I had to go back and face him. Somehow, I needed to contact the remaining Ancients and ask for their help.

  “Akita!” I said aloud. “Why didn’t I think of this before?”

  “Ancient Queen Akita was the one who made you her first blood? She made you Queen?” Marie asked.

  I nodded in acknowledgment. Queen Akita had gone to rest as many Ancients do once they give up their reign. She made me who and what I was. She believed in me and loved me more than any other I had ever known. I had not recently sought her out but with Marie’s help, perhaps she would hear me. We had to try.

  “Are you up for a challenge Marie?” I asked.

  The young fledgling rubbed her arms and slowly walked toward me with her arms outstretched. “Take my hands, Silver. I know what you want to do. Let’s try.”

  We stood together, joined hand to hand almost as lovers but with much more purpose. I closed my eyes as I sought out to join the mind of the Ancient Queen Akita. Marie’s breathing changed from smooth to rapid and shallow as she concentrated on the task at hand. Very slowly, an image began to form. It was seemingly only a shadow within a fine mist but I could feel that both Marie and I were touching the same consciousness.

  I felt a more solid presence emerging in my mind. It was beloved Queen Akita and the scent of her enveloped me like an embrace. The Ancient Queen’s voice was thin sounding, almost frail.

  I am here my love. I know what it is you seek but I am uncertain as to whether I can help you. Set is very powerful and very old. His mind is not whole and he has no moral code. Even for a vampire he is particularly brutal. I know you are empty with Andrew gone and the Clan is losing itself. You are right to return to your people. Trust your instincts and use Set’s weakness against him. You have more support within the Clan than you realize, my love. I am tired and must continue my rest. You are never far from my heart. Trust yourself and those with you now. I love you now and always.

  With that, she was gone. Marie and I stood close and were clenching onto one another’s hands. My heart and mind were empty and a desperate loneliness overtook me.

  “Don’t be sad, Silver,” Marie said softy as she reached up with one tiny hand and stroked my cheek. “I don’t think I have ever felt such love between women before; such a bond.”

  “Love is love no matter whose heart it fills, Marie. Now what do I do?”

  Marie looked thoughtfully at me and smiled. A brilliant smile that gave me a glimmer of hope in the darkness of all my doubts. “Do what she asked of you. You were Queen for hundreds of years for a reason, Silver. Take back your power and own it. It will be the last thing that Set will ever expect.”

  “She is right you know.” Drake interrupted in a sleepy voice. “He will send scouts out to search for us, not expecting us to return to him. Marie and I can shield your mind, Silver. We can help you do this. I feel partially responsible so I want to help, if you will accept my help that is.”

  A sudden sense of calm and purpose washed over me. I knew what I needed to do and if I had to die to put all these wrongs right, then so be it.

  “Alright then,” I said brightly. “Let’s do this and of course I accept your help, Drake. We all need each other’s talents right now. I did not reign over the Vampire Clans for well over two hundred years for nothing. I did learn a thing or two in that time and I did personally design that compound.”

  Drake jumped to his feet and rushed to my side, lifting me off my feet in a strong embrace. He placed me back on the floor softly, smiled at me, and then turned to Marie. “Shall we do this? We have to get our Queen back to her rightful place and rid the world of the pestilence Set has placed upon it. He must not survive. I will be glad once I can toss his bones into the flames of hell and scatter his ashes to the wind!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  I should have realized the travel back was easy, too easy in fact. The three of us came upon the compound like bandits in the night. The entire trip was uneventful and we specifically went above ground to face whomever Set sent to try and block our way.

  Neither Drake nor Marie gave any indication as to what hid in the dense trees ahead of us. Perhaps because they were so focused on Set himself that they failed to detect a band of his minions hiding in the dark for us.

  In a blink of an eye, a dozen fledgling vampires strode toward us, coming out of every corner and shadow with dazzling speed.

  “Shit!” I exclaimed, barely having time to jump out of the way of clenched hands and gnashing fangs. Drake exploded like a vampire possessed. He knocked more than one fledgling to the ground with a swift punch to the back of the head. Any that dared get closer to him, he rewarded by tearing open their throats and ripping out their hearts with a flick of his blade.

  I drew back my dagger and drove it deep and sure into the chests of several young vampires. The ones that remained were like demons possessed, never retreating. One got close enough to hiss, “Bitch” into my ear as he tried to clamp his fangs into my neck. Marie jumped onto his back and ripped his jugular vein clean from his throat with one hand.

  A particularly large vampire male came charging at Drake, lunging high into the air above him with hopes to land on and overpower him long enough to rip the lifeblood from him. Drake had other plans as his blade swung through the air, removing the vampire’s head clean from his neck before his feet hit the ground.

  Finally, every one of the fledglings lay broken and bleeding in a heap in the ground. None remained alive and to make certain of that fact, we cut the remaining heads of each one cleanly off their bodies.

  “Was that it?” I panted. “Set could not have assumed these alone would kill us?”

  “If he did, he is certainly insane,” Marie replied as she tried in vain to wipe the blood from her hands and face with a corner of her torn, stained, white dress.

  “Silver, think about it,” Drake said firmly. “This was just a distraction. Something is going on in the compound and we need to hurry to get to the root of it. These are dead. We can burn them later.”

  We had wasted precious minutes fighting these unfortunate souls while Set was taking control of the Clans. I had to gather up the warrior maiden within and face this monster before any more vampire or human blood spilled.

  Cautiously, we approached the compound, emerging from the darkness like dark angels ready for the fight. As I walked inside, I strained to hear any sound or movement.

  Silence.

  “Courtyard,” I whispered. “I think they may be in the courtyard.”

  Drake raised one eyebrow and looked at me. “How do you know?”

  “I don’t, not for sure,” I relied quietly. “It’s just a feeling I have. My gut is burning with it.”

  My warrior has returned. It was simple statement meant only for me and I smiled as Queen Akita’s voice rang in my ear. Your confidence is restored my love.

  Marie rushed to the back exit, ready for a fight.

  “Wait,” I said. “We have the element of surprise. If I am to reclaim my throne, I must do it as a Queen would. I want to end this as quickly as you do Marie. Vengeance will be mine, but on
my terms and not Set’s.”

  I led both Drake and Marie to what was formally my bedchamber. Everything was just as I left it. I opened the large closet to see all my gowns and ceremonial dresses hanging as I had left them.

  I had always hated relying on appearances but tonight I needed to appear as strong and in control as I had ever been.

  I told Marie to take her pick of clean clothing. Drake seemed content to just wash his hands and face. Any blood apparent on his dark clothing had long since dried and was not readily visible. As for myself, I washed quickly and dressed in red leather from head to toe. From bustier to boots, I was clad in blood red. With my silver hair in a smooth braid down my back, I was as regal and as ominous looking as I was going to get. I could only hope my heart would be as confident as I looked on the outside.

  “Wow, look at you! Welcome back, Queen Silver.” Drake whistled and grinned broadly.

  “Dressed to impress,” Marie said. “You will be hard to miss.”

  “That’s the intention, Marie. Whoever remains loyal to the Clans has to know I am back and ready to take control from Set. I can’t allow this monster to do anymore damage. The only option is to kill him. Besides that, I need to ensure that Andrew’s death was not for naught.”

  A small smile resurfaced on my lips as I thought of how valiantly Andrew had died. I missed him and would not let him down.

  I turned and looked at both Marie and Drake. “You have both been through a lot,” I said quietly. “I don’t expect either of you to go any further. This is my fight now.”

  “Like hell,” Drake replied emphatically. “We are all part of the Clans now and it is our duty to stand by our Queen. I have a lot to do penance for. I know Marie feels the same. We will fight by your side tonight and as long as we draw breath.”