by Al K. Line
I racked my brain, trying to come up with a way to get inside and then deal with her, but the more I thought about it the more it seemed like a lost cause. I'd had more than my fill of storming vampire strongholds, and the last time it had happened I'd come close to failing, and that was with a team of strong magic users, angry trolls, and an army of the resurrected thanks to Dancer and some of his fellow necromancers.
Even then it had been a crazy tough battle. What chance did the two of us stand?
"Okay, this isn't going to work," I said with a sigh as I turned to Dancer. "Time for plan B."
"And what's plan B?"
"I have absolutely no idea."
Goddamn this woman. How was I going to get her? I had to, no way could I leave without this being finished once and for all.
My temper rose along with my frustration, the heat of the day and the overwhelming feeling of isolation making me lose my mind. With no thought for the consequences, my mind dark and clouded with an utter need for satisfaction, I turned to Dancer and said, "Wait here. Look after them, friend, and don't follow me. This is my fight now."
And with that I rather stupidly crossed the road and just walked right up to the gates.
A Rash Decision
All I knew was that I couldn't turn back, not now. I couldn't lose the momentum or this would never be finished. My eyes were as black as Dancer's greasy head of hair by the time I was at the gates, sparks flashing and hissing off my ink as my body came alive, fit to burst with barely contained energy.
Two heavyset goons stared at me blankly, trying to appear intimidating, but I knew something they didn't—I was as dangerous as a faery if you held back on the Parmesan. I could see they were new to the vampire world, keen and eager for blood. One actually licked his lips and hissed. Juvenile.
"Oh, give it a rest," I sighed, putting my hand to the gate. It melted under the force of the jolt that spasmed down my arm and out my fingertips like Midas in reverse—everything I touched turning to destruction.
They jumped back just in time as I booted the gate open wide, then they came for me. Hardly even pausing, I called the new power that lurked in my freshly painted ink and felt it activate with terrible force, mind directing magic part my own, part stolen from the Empty out the flat of my hands in two saucers of death that materialized as black hate so thick it was almost solid.
It slammed into their heads, wrapping around their faces and muffling their screams as they dropped to the ground, the corruption searing down their throats and tearing through their systems, burning away their hearts, their internal organs, giving them no chance to repair the damage.
Two down, definitely plenty more to go.
I marched forward, blasting as the security came rushing to see what the problem was.
It was me, I was the problem, and I was utterly in the zone. Uncaring, ruthless, pure revenge in magical form.
In other words, stupid.
Yes, it's a flaw, but I can't help it. If I thought too much about half the work I end up doing then I'd be a gibbering wreck, never able to function. But let my instincts take over, get in the Flow State, and I get done what needs to be done. I don't recommend it.
Again and again they came for me, yet the more magic I used the more it grew inside of me. This new magic of a giant, now mine. I felt the power flow in ways it had never done before. The new ink on my legs, and the subtle realignment of tattoos I had thought perfect, allowing more strange forces to surge through my body than I had ever even dreamed possible.
It was extremely potent, and somewhat wild and uncontrollable, which maybe was a good thing as I kept on moving, kept on blasting, and they kept on falling but with seemingly no end of reinforcements to take their place.
Many recovered almost immediately, others were down and dead for good, but I was making excellent progress, a third of the way up to the house now. I slowed my march and stepped onto the grass, clapping my hands together with a loud crack that unleashed a stream of pulsating, meandering death at three figures closing in fast and hard.
The earth erupted in front of them, a massive hole carved from the ground that they fell right into amid the confusion of earth and sod that was torn from the perfectly manicured grass.
As I got close, I saw the magic swirling around them, watched with dispassion as their screams were taken from gaping mouths. An entry point for the power that writhed down deep inside then erupted from between their cracking lips in a thick spray of gore that splatted the dark walls of their grave.
More came, and more died at my hands, the stunning garden with its carp pools and its perfect shrubbery turning from a thing of beauty to a pitted war zone. Maybe there were twenty of them, maybe thirty, I don't know. I was past counting, past caring. A machine of death progressing toward the house, killing anything that got in my way.
They'd all made their choice, decided to go beyond what was merely dark and unlawful. and stepped, fully aware, into a world they knew was about the worst humanity could create. I felt no sympathy, I felt nothing. I was empty.
Past pools small and large, tiny meandering gravel paths and large boulders you could admire for a lifetime, I killed and maimed, making my way to the veranda of the house.
All was quiet, just a few moans of the dying or those unable or unwilling to fight any more. I took a step, the creak of the wood breaking me from my focus. Shaking my head, I climbed up and stood on the deck, shielded from the warmth of the sun, the shade cooling my overheating body.
I was here, at the portal to my future. All I had to do was open the door, walk inside, and my fate awaited me.
You know what I did?
I turned around and I walked right out of the garden and across the street to a shocked Dancer.
"Too easy," I said, the comedown beginning to hit.
"Oh, absolutely. Looked like a breeze," he said sarcastically.
"No way was that right. Something is off, I can tell. Guess it's back to plan B after all."
"Look, Spark, we've come this far. Sure, it's bound to be something horrible and freaky, but I honestly do believe it's now or never. Come on, let's finish this."
I searched his face; he was sure. He would be by my side. I nodded and we went to face a very uncertain, possibly very short, future.
Ugh
"Oh, for fuck's sake." Dancer and I stood just inside the door to the large house, astonished.
The entire building lay exposed before us. No interior walls, all removed, the building carefully and sympathetically renovated with new beams to support the structure and the roof. It was nothing but a large expanse of black floorboards. Stark and as empty as a village after Godzilla rampaged.
Okay, almost empty. Squared in the center of the room was a massive steel box, easily forty feet to a side, maybe twelve feet high, with a single door like you see in the movies for bank vaults. I just knew it would be as secure, maybe more so.
"This woman is driving me nuts. What self-respecting vampire sleeps in a damn vault?"
"A very clever one, I would imagine," commented Dancer dryly. "Makes perfect sense. Don't know why they don't all do it."
"Neither do I," came a tired voice from hidden speakers somewhere high up in the rafters. "Welcome to my resting place, gentlemen. Do excuse me if I don't come out to say hello, I'm rather sleepy at the moment." Kimiko sounded like she was dozing off as she spoke, voice quiet, rasping as though she found it hard to talk, even to breathe. Even as I thought it, I heard the sound of deep, regular breathing. She was, she was back asleep.
"Goddamn!"
"What now?"
"Now? We wait." I sat down on the floor, crossed my legs, and let the pain overwhelm me as magic clawed its way back to the Empty. God, how I hated this woman.
The comedown hit, but I knew it would be different. I felt a tidal wave building, ready to take me down with it, crashing into agony, but it never happened. It washed right over me, leaving me exactly as I was before. Still cross-legged, still infur
iated, still an addict.
With no price to pay for what I did, how could I ever hope to stop my thievery? Dancer looked down at me and nodded—he knew.
"We could blow it up," he offered.
"If we tried, if we even had the wherewithal to do it, you can bet it would destroy the house and leave her snug in her oversized coffin. It probably wouldn't even wake her up."
"Hmm, you're probably right. Reckon she's got her books in there with her?" mused Dancer. I just gave him a look. "Of course, silly question." He joined me on the floor and we sat, in silence, then heard the click as she must have woken and turned off the speaker system.
Argh, this bloody woman. She was too damn clever by half and too aware of her own weakness. Most vampires rely solely on the protection of their own kind while they rest, but she knew that was dangerous, so had taken great pains to ensure her safety while she amassed her power for the dark hours.
As we sat there, I considered whether my magic could break through the stronghold, but knew it was a lost cause. Studying the room within a room with magic-tinted vision it was clear her books were not merely to decorate her walls. There was a strong barrier in place all around the steel box, and she was smart enough to make sure that underground was just as protected as above.
Smart, sexy, strong. The only thing that went against her was that she was a cold-hearted murderer.
Shady Deals
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I found out what our friend in the box did to anger Oskari, the new vamp Head."
"And who gave you that information?" I asked, knowing the answer.
"Aha," Dancer tapped his nose, "just someone who I can rely on."
"Okay, what did she do?"
"Oskari was here in Japan on business, right before he got given the new post as Head back home, and apparently Kimiko did him out of several million. Pulled a fast one on him. He was furious. Before he had chance to try to get it back, he had to leave to take up his new spot."
"So he told me instead and hoped I'd deal with her. Makes sense."
"Makes perfect sense. Or, he told you, thinking you wouldn't stand much of a chance, and that it would be better for him if you failed."
"Gee, thanks for that. Kick a guy when he's down, why don't you?"
"Sorry, but you know how it is in our world. Actually, it's a good move on Oskari's part. If you win, then she's been dealt with and he's done you a favor. If you lose, then you're out of the picture and his life is that much easier. Plus, he can take the credit for it, which makes him look good to the vampires he's now in charge of. Win, win."
"For him," I replied glumly.
Dancer kept quiet and silence settled over us like a shroud, the air practically humming with vampire vibrations, that ethereal coldness and disdain for our puny lives that the old ones wear like a badge of honor. I knew we were little to her, less than nothing, and as she slept soundly she would do so with utter confidence that she could deal with us if the need arose.
My main concern at that moment was the bloody aftermath outside the house. Could we stay here? Would more come? What about the police? Then I understood something—there would be no police. She owned the city, which would mean she owned enough people to ensure her home was left well and truly alone. Maybe more of her own people would come, but somehow I doubted it. Her retinue was modest in comparison to some, most of her people spread through the city and beyond, carrying out her orders, doing business at her bequest.
After an hour of heavy silence I had to go look for myself. We could have hundreds of angry vampires at the door at any moment, and we may be strong, but there are always limits.
With my legs numb from sitting in the same position for so long, I shook them out and let the circulation return to normal, then stood and stretched. Wow, my muscles were tight. Bunched up like knots a fisherman would be proud of. "Just going to check around," I said, Dancer nodding in return. He was a true friend, waiting with me like this when it could very well mean his death. It counted for a lot, that trust, that friendship.
My footsteps echoed loudly in the empty space, the only sound apart from a quiet buzzing outside, the cicadas getting louder as the day warmed.
I opened the door. Nope, not cicadas. It was the sound of a few hundred vampires grinding their teeth as they waited impatiently for an order. They fanned out in a wide arc all around the front of the property. Amassed on the drive and the grass, all staring with cold hatred at the house, and now at yours truly.
I shut the door, walked back slowly to Dancer, and said, "We may have a slight problem."
"I know, I can sense them. Quite a lot, aren't there?"
"You could say that, yeah. Why didn't you say anything?"
He shrugged. "What would be the point? It's not like we can do anything about it. Oh, actually... Yes, we could summon a demon," he said, looking hopeful. "Nope, stupid idea. It would just eat us along with them. Anyone owe you any favors out here?"
"Afraid not. I hardly know a soul apart from Mitsu."
"She's such a nice lady. I took a shine to her, got myself rather flustered in her presence."
"Oh, really? I didn't notice."
"Are you being sarcastic? You are! Anyway, she is lovely."
I sat back down, but kept my legs uncrossed. "She is, very lovely. Which is why we can't involve her."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Dancer looked hurt I could even suggest he was thinking of asking her to help.
"Don't suppose you have any secret hidden magical powers I don't know about?" I asked, doubtful.
"Not really, no. Necromancy has always been the focus. I was born to raise the dead."
"Shame."
"Hey, think maybe Intus could help? The little rascal must know loads of demons. Maybe some owe her a favor and would attack the vampires but not us?"
"Seriously? I hardly think a three inch demon is going to be much use, and she sticks to imps exclusively. Something about them having to live in their own realms."
"Shame. But you're right, she is a little undersized for this kind of work."
"Oi, I heard that. Don't you go casting aspersions on my size. That's... er... that's bad... Blimey, I must be having an off day. Hello, Mr. Dancer. Hello, Spark."
"Hey, Intus. How you doing?" I wafted away her noxious fumes. "Thanks for calling me the taxi the other day, it was just what I needed."
"My pleasure," she replied, beaming.
"Hi, Intus. Sorry about what I said, I didn't mean it to come out that way."
"That's okay, I know you humans are a little simple at times."
"Intus, that's rude!" I couldn't help but smile at the shocked expression on her face. For a creature that took offense at just about everything you said, she never saw it that way when she insulted us.
"It's not rude if it's the truth." Intus jumped down from my shoulder, allowing me to wiggle my ear to try to get rid of the ringing, to no avail. "So, vampire in a box eh, that old classic?"
"You've seen it before?" I asked.
"Of course, loads of times. All the really clever ones have proper protection when they sleep. Not guards, as you humans, or ex-humans can be killed, but magically fortified three feet, human feet, thick steel, now that is smart."
"Tell us about it. But the hundreds of vampires outside don't help, either."
"Look, I'm busy, I only came because you so desperately needed me, but you're so dense at times." Intus stood, hands on hips, staring us down, although she was very much staring up at us.
Dancer and I exchanged glances, neither of us having a clue what she was talking about. The silence stretched out, Intus' ears twitched then flattened to her bald head in disappointment. "Seriously? I have to spell it out for you?"
"Yes, please," said Dancer.
Intus looked to me and I said, "Afraid so."
"They can't come in," she said, then looked around, scared. "I can't say anything else, you know the rules about interfering. This could get me into trouble already, but it's different
here in Japan. You know how formal things are, how everyone is polite no matter what, and that they stick to the rules."
"Ah, she's right," said Dancer.
"You watch your step, mister. Don't you go labeling me with your ridiculous stereotypes. It's Intus. I'm a person, not some 'she' that doesn't have a name."
"But you are a she, I know you..." Dancer trailed off as he saw me shake my head. It was an argument you couldn't win, shouldn't even try to. "Sorry, Intus."
"That's better. Now, as I was saying, don't worry about them. Not until you go outside, anyway." With a nod of the head she was gone.
"Think she's right?" I asked.
"I guess so. After all, they haven't tried to come in yet, have they? Maybe Kimiko has never given an invitation as it would mean offering a general invite to the local vampire population, and one thing she is not, is trusting. And certainly not without enemies."
"Guess that makes sense. But back home it's not like it's impossible for a vampire to enter uninvited, it just means they are basically stepping over the line and asking for a fight. Ah, but this—"
"But this is Japan, and things are different here," Dancer said, finishing my sentence. "Guess it's more of a real rule that maybe has consequences for the transgressor, so ingrained into their way of doing things that something bad would actually happen."
"Well, that's something, I suppose." It was better than them all storming in, that was for sure.
Chhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk.
The loudspeaker system crackled into life, making us both jump.
"You are both entirely correct. Congratulations. This house is protected against other vampires entering uninvited, for my own safety, and for privacy. Maybe an oversight on my part, but not to worry," said Kimiko, voice sounding more alert than it had earlier. Guess her dozing was agreeing with her.
Kimiko spoke in Japanese—I couldn't understand a word. But all too soon it became more than apparent what was happening when a litany of names began to be called like she was taking the roster before the human biting class began.