Assassins

by R A Browell

  ‘What a waste,’ said Hari, turning away in disgust. ‘When you think of how so few of us there are on this planet. Come on, let’s get out of here!’ He started walking towards the cliff path.

  ‘No wait, Hari. Wait!’ Charlie called. ‘We haven’t finished yet.’ He was still standing over Venetia’s body, holding a mass of long dark hair as her body dropped and a slow stream of dark vampire blood, thick with the strength of many men, started to slowly pump out onto the cooling stone. ‘Decapitate and burn, that’s what Ilia said. Then we walk.’ Charlie placed the decapitated head next to Venetia’s body and strode across the ruined veranda to join James who had already started to gather some of the broken furniture together, throwing it into a growing pile.

  ‘What do you think this means for diplomatic relations with the Kelpasians?’ James asked as Hari joined them in building a crude funeral pyre, piling up pieces of table legs and smashed sofas. ‘What about the Magisterie?’

  Hari shook his head. ‘I have no idea but I think it can only mean trouble.’

  ‘What about her?’ James nodded across towards Mareena who was still fast asleep, snoring like Sleeping Beauty. ‘Lily seemed to think she was less malevolent than the other two. More of an innocent.’

  ‘Innocent,’ exclaimed Charlie, ‘you should have seen her teeth!’

  ‘What do you think?’ James asked Hari.

  ‘I think we give her the benefit of the doubt. The other two had a chance and made their own choice, it’s only right that she be given the same opportunity.’

  ‘So, what do we do?’ asked Charlie as he lifted Aurora’s headless body in his arms and placed it carefully on the makeshift pyre. ‘You’re not suggesting we stay here until she wakes up?’

  ‘We can’t stay,’ said James, lifting Venetia’s body and nodding towards the two decapitated heads. ‘We need to get these burnt and Ilia was very particular when she said we needed to walk once we’d started burning the bodies. I’m guessing that something’s going to happen to these two in the fire. Have you any idea what happens when you burn a vampire, Hari?’

  ‘No,’ Hari replied as he picked up both heads and placed them reverently next to their respective bodies on the pyre, ‘but we need to burn these quickly. We’ll just have to take her with us.’

  ‘What,’ cried Charlie, ‘you can’t be serious?’

  ‘We can’t abduct the last remaining Seleni,’ said James. ‘We’re doing exactly what they did to Lil, and can you imagine what she’ll be like when she wakes up!’ He started striking the matches he’d found next to the open-air fireplace, gently blowing the flame against the torn chiffon and silk.

  ‘We have no option,’ replied Hari. ‘We can’t leave her here alone. We’ll take the yacht back to Serenisa, tell the Magisterie what’s happened and then we get our bikes and go home with her. It’d be unfair to leave her with the Magisterie and anyway, she belongs in our world.’

  ‘Have you finally lost your mind?’ exclaimed Charlie.

  ‘We can’t go back to Serenisa, we’ll be skinned alive. We’ve just slaughtered their State assassins!’ replied James.

  ‘Maybe, but we’ve got to go back and explain what happened. Let them know our side of the story,’ said Hari firmly. ‘Do you want them to think that we’re cold hearted vampire killers, no better than ghevslainners? We explain that we gave the Seleni a chance. On a practical level, they may need have a rethink about their justice system but it was probably ready for a bit of a revamp anyway!’

  ‘A bit of a revamp!’ exclaimed Charlie, ‘That’s okay then!’ he sniffed sarcastically, shaking his head. ‘You do realise that they’re going to send someone after us…To kill us!’ he exploded.

  James remained silent. He looked at his friends, then at the two decapitated bodies with their heads on the pile of debris. The flames were starting to gather strength, consuming the dry wood, licking the swathes of silk as they reached up towards the remains of the two vampires.

  ‘We need to go,’ James said, walking over to Mareena and picking her up carefully in his arms. He started towards the narrow cliff path. ‘Now!’ he yelled as he saw something start to move within the blue flames.

  He looked skywards at the dark, anvil-shaped cloud, rumbling ominously overhead as it got ready to release its explosive charge. The two headless bodies were rising. They were now standing in the flames; caressing their bodiless heads in their arms as their dead lips started to move; their velveteen voices calling out as one.

  ‘Charlie. James. You cannot escape justice. Sanguin murderers. Killers of your own kind. We demand you pay the price for spilling sanguin blood. You think you can escape justice but we will be with you. We will find you. We will track you down - unless you take our bodies from the flames. Charlie. James. Take our bodies from the fire, have mercy and we will return the kindness. Do not leave your kin here to burn. Do not leave us to become ash. Remember us. The fire burns so hot. So painfully hot. Oh please, we beg you, take us from the burning flames.’

  ‘NOW!’ shouted James, breaking into a run as the voices started to change.

  The flames were growing, engulfing the decapitated upright bodies as the tone and timbre changed so that it wasn’t the Seleni who were calling out to them anymore.

  ‘Charlie, my darling. Come save me from the fire. Don’t leave me here. Don’t abandon me like he did.’

  ‘Mum?’ said Charlie, turning around. ‘It’s my mum, I need to go back for her.’

  ‘Why isn’t the wax working?’ shouted Hari.

  ‘It only works against the high-pitched singing, that’s why we could talk,’ explained James, trying to ignore the voice of his own mother which was now screaming for him to snatch her from the searing flames. ‘Charlie, don’t listen to them, it’s not her; they’re playing with your head. Hari, make sure he’s with us. You know how protective he feels towards his mum.’

  James was through the iron gates, with Mareena in his arms, running down the narrow pathway towards the boardwalk. He tried to block the sound of his own mother’s screams of pain and pleas for rescue and listened instead to the rumbles of the overhead thunder as it roared above his head. He could see the churning ocean and the yacht, crashing against the jetty. Hari was close behind, dragging Charlie away from the bonfire.

  ‘See that,’ James yelled. ‘There’s a storm gathering. Head for the yacht, we can outrun it if we hurry.’

  The others looked up at the sky. The storm was bigger than any of them could imagine and at that moment they knew in their hearts that they were now inexplicably caught up in something equally gigantic, with little chance of escape.

  Back to Humanity

  They were back on Healer’s Row, in Twizell’s kitchen drinking tea and tucking into a large freshly baked fruit cake.

  ‘Thanks, Twizell, if you ever want to visit, the Pemberton gateway is in the cellars. Once you’re through, just head up the stairs.’ Hari was smiling as he shook the old Kelph’s hand.

  ‘Now just remember. She’ll be out for another few hours, plenty of time for you to get home and get her settled, but as for her temper and a redhead at that!’ Twizell shook his head slowly and then took a deep breath as he looked anxiously at the beautiful girl who was fast asleep in one of the fireside chairs. ‘Personally, I think you need your head examining for bringing her back with you. Have you any idea how you’re going to control her?’ Charlie and James glanced at each other and grinned.

  Twizell frowned.

  ‘It’s no laughing matter,’ he said disapprovingly, wagging his long finger at them. ‘The Magisterie might have accepted what you told them, but in the name of Nairayna, I have no idea how you managed to convince them of your plans. To dispatch two of the Seleni and take the third home with you. Well I never,’ he muttered. ‘It’ll get out. It’s bound to, these things always do. It’s only a matter of time before the less savoury members of society start to roam and crime in Kelpasia starts to soar. And do you really think that just because you
managed to kill two of them, that you’ll be able to tame an experienced killer like this one?’ Twizell’s face softened. ‘I know she’s very beautiful, but you can’t keep her like some kind of pet,’ he said gazing down at her as he spoke. ‘She feeds on blood. Human blood. You know that?’ he sighed. ‘I suppose the Magisterie will have to look elsewhere; come up with some new way of keeping the dark side in check. The Seleni were beautiful but never what most Kelpasians wanted,’ he muttered, once again drawn to the sleeping girl. Even though she was fast asleep, Mareena’s magnetism was still managing to exert itself, and the old bonesetter was becoming increasingly distracted by her bewitching face.

  ‘Twizell… Twizell,’ repeated Hari as the old Kelph finally managed to pull his eyes away from Mareena, ‘she’s charming you, even in her sleep! Listen, we’ll be fine, remember we managed three of them and we’ve already agreed that if the gatekeepers let her through, then we trust their judgement and we’ll sort it out over at the other side, so stop looking so worried. We couldn’t leave her there, the Magisterie didn’t want her here. I think they looked half relieved when we told them the other two were dead. She has no place here anymore Twizell. We owe her the chance of a proper home. We’ll be fine, really we will.’

  ‘You only managed her because of what I gave you,’ the old Kelph warned, gazing once again at the flame haired beauty.

  ‘Perhaps,’ said Hari hiding a smile. He reached forward to embrace the bonesetter, accidentally pushing his hand into the hollow in Twizell’s back. Twizell chuckled as he saw the confused look on Hari’s face.

  ‘It’s alright,’ he said smiling at Hari’s embarrassment, ‘and I appreciate your honesty, some people don’t like to touch us because of it.’ The old man reached out his arms and took hold of Hari, patting his back affectionately. ‘Maybe I will take a trip over to your side sometime,’ he smiled. ‘Take time to look up some old friends. It’s funny, I never thought I’d live to see the day,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘but for now you need to hurry. Come, you mustn’t delay in getting her out of here, you’ve promised the Magisterie and it’s not safe for anybody if she wakes and finds herself here. Once you’re back in your own world, she’s your problem.

  Here,’ he said, handing Hari a small ornamented glass jar, ‘take some more vandelrot ointment – just be careful, it’s as rare as hen’s teeth. They’re difficult plants to cultivate and it takes years to bleed them gently without killing them. Hobnob has already taken your machines out into the Row. He’s quite taken with them. Had them in bits. You’ll find they’re extremely well-polished.’

  ‘Bits?’ repeated Hari looking at James and Charlie.

  At the mention of his name the little domovoy entered the back kitchen from a small side door beside the huge fireplace. He was dressed in an exact replica of James’ tight leather trousers and biker’s jacket.

  ‘You called for me?’ asked the little man, bowing low.

  ‘Ah yes, Hobnob, I was just telling the boys what a wonderful job you’d done in taking care of the machines!’

  The domovoy smiled radiantly.

  ‘Hobnob is pleased to have been of service. Although, if I may, one small suggestion?’ He paused. ‘You should take a little more care in future. It took quite a time to straighten out the large dent and if I can suggest a slightly different fuel mix – a minor refinement, I think you’ll find the speed somewhat enhanced.’ He bowed low but the little man was grinning as he looked up and winked at James.

  ‘You fixed my bike?’ he said, slapping Hobnob on the back before bolting down the corridor and through the shop to the door to see his bike, as good as new, gleaming even in the dimly-lit alleyway. He turned the key in the ignition, kick-started the engine and listened.

  ‘Hobnob you’re a genius!’ he shouted back to the little group in the kitchen as the engine purred like never before. ‘Thanks, mate. I thought I was going to have to spend hours and what with my exams. Listen, if you ever want to come with Twizell and spend some time with us – I’ll take you to my dad’s workshop and turn you into a real mechanic!’ he called back to the thrilled domovoy over the musical jangling of the skelebell.

  Charlie waited until James was on his bike, revving up the engine, checked and ready to go before he handed Mareena to his friend. She muttered to herself and then wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled into his chest.

  ‘Suits you!’ teased Charlie. He was grinning. ‘But seriously are you going to be okay with her and the bike?’ he asked as James cradled Sleeping Beauty in his broad arms.

  ‘I’m fine. It makes sense for me to take her, I’ve got the widest shoulders and the fastest bike,’ he said, smiling at Hobnob. ‘I just hope the vandelrot holds till we get back; her teeth are about three inches from my jugular! You sure this stuff’s going to work, because it’s not going to be the most comfortable ride and she’s going to be one pretty annoyed girl when she wakes up!’ he added with a nervous grin.

  ‘Thanks again Twizell,’ Hari called as he flung his long leg over his bike and kick-started the engine. ‘You know where we are. Don’t be a stranger.’

  ‘The vandelrot should hold,’ replied Twizell. ‘You know where the gateway is?’ he asked, looking at each of them in turn.

  ‘In the palace,’ replied Charlie. ‘We’ve already been given clearance. Take care, Old Man, and Hobnob thanks again for the bikes. You’re both geniuses!’ He released the brake and followed the other two motorbikes as they roared up the little side street away from Healer’s Row and Twizell’s unusual shop front.

  ‘Old Man…?’ muttered Twizell, chuckling to himself and rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he watched Hobnob run to the top of Healer’s Row and stand, waving the boys goodbye.

  James glanced down at Mareena’s angelic face and wondered if Hari had made the right decision and then his mind turned to Lily. The last time they’d seen her she’d been floating in mid-air, suspended by the featherstone pendant. He wondered if she’d got back home and what, in the name of the four worlds, she would make of this, the latest clingy addition to their growing sanguin family.

  They stood in front of the solid wall.

  ‘You absolutely sure you can manage the bike, the gate and our Disney princess at the same time?’ asked Hari for the fourth time as they lined the bikes up facing the patterned rock face. The engines were revving, the clutches at the ready.

  ‘You don’t need to keep asking me!’ replied James defensively. ‘Does anybody have any idea what happens if I fall off half way through?’

  ‘No idea mate, perhaps you’ll lose your legs and we’ll get to take your head and shoulders back to your mum!’ chuckled Charlie. ‘Or maybe you’ll get spliced with Mareena like in that movie with the bloke and the fly!’

  ‘Nice! Could you be any more positive?’ groaned James. ‘You realise we’ve got exams starting on Monday. In fact, I don’t even know where we are in terms of time. Have we got any idea how long we’ve been here?’

  The other two shrugged their shoulders. It’d been difficult keeping a track on time with all the travel they’d done and anyway, time was different here. The length of days seemed somehow longer than back home.

  ‘We might have missed them already,’ James sighed, ‘and then legs or no legs, my mum’s going to go absolutely bonkers. I tell you if I’ve missed my exams my life won’t be worth living!’

  Charlie shook his head.

  ‘There’s no way we’ve been away more than a week and anyway I don’t know what you’re worried about, you’re a grade A student, you’ll fly through, you always do! Stop moaning,’ he said and ruffled his friend’s hair.

  ‘Careful, I need to see where I’m going. Now, can you make sure it’s Pemberton that’s on your mind and not some place like? Oh, let me think… Abbie Parkin’s house!’ teased James.

  ‘You might laugh,’ replied Charlie, ‘but I said I’d call her and I haven’t, so I might not even have a girlfriend when we get back. You’re sorted though!’ he sni
ggered, as he glanced down at Mareena.

  ‘Very funny,’ James retorted. ‘Like I’d really want a girlfriend who wanted to rip my head off and drink every drop of blood in my body! Anyway, she’s not my type,’ he added firmly, ‘and if I had to decapitate and burn her body, she’d start messing with my head!’ He looked down at Mareena’s beautiful face.

  ‘Come on, let’s just get her back and see what Shasa has to say. We might find that your mum’s not the only one on the war path,’ said Charlie. ‘I suppose at least now we know what an angry, ancient sanguin looks like!’

  ‘Like I didn’t know that already,’ sighed Hari, thinking of his grandmother. ‘Anyway, best to get it over with. To humanity, mad mothers and beyond!’ he shouted, reaching out to touch the stone markings as he engaged the clutch and disappeared in a flood of red light and bright sparks, followed close behind by his two friends and their very own, real-life Sleeping Beauty.

  Seconds later Hari pulled on the brakes to avoid crashing into the wall at the far end of the vault, swerving out of the way as James followed close behind and then Charlie. The noise of the engines echoed around the dark cellar, along with the smell of damp and engine fumes.

  ‘Take her!’ shouted James as Hari quickly took hold of Mareena. Her head lolled to one side as she muttered to herself, then flung her arms around Hari’s neck and snuggled into his smooth firm chest.

  James stretched his arms, shaking them to relieve the cramp. ‘You know,’ he said as the pain subsided, ‘Hobnob’s done a fantastic job on my bike. Look, you can’t see where it was crushed at all.’ He bent down to examine where the bike had been damaged and stroked the repairs and polished paintwork.

  ‘Listen to you, a beautiful girl in your arms and you prefer a bit of cold hard metal!’ teased Charlie.