by RL Edinger
“I know,” Andrew swallowed hard this time.
“Talia even told me that she still had all the stuff,” Nick continued. “You know, the outfit, body armor, weapons and s— like that.”
“I see,” Andrew said, in shock. He realized that it was Talia that attacked him while at the Higgins home that night, and not the others.
“So what do we do now?” Nick asked, as he extinguished his cigarette.
“I want you to take me to the house on Lake Avenue,” Andrew finally answered.
“It’s been a year since.” Nick was visibly shaking.
“Take me there.” Andrew insisted.
The two men finished their drinks and they left.
The abandoned two-story mansion with white columns had been boarded up poorly on the first floor. There were uncovered broken windows on the second floor. The black iron fence was standing tall, but was spattered with patches of rust.
Nick parked the car. They both got out. Andrew glanced up and down the street. It appeared that they were alone, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them.
Nick led the way up the steps and to the front door. He stopped to look at Andrew, whom nodded that they proceed. Nick opened the screen door and gave the main door a shove with his shoulder. The simple lock on the door easily gave way. The two men stepped inside.
It appeared that some squatters had been living in the house for quite some time. Andrew surmised that they left in a hurry as they left blankets and personal items behind. Andrew surveyed the room with his eyes. Paint was peeling off the walls and cracks spread out across the ceiling.
“What did you find then?” Andrew looked at Nick.
“Things seemed pretty normal on the outside when we got here,” Nick began. He nervously scanned the room. Andrew thought it was as if some ghost from the past was still haunting Nick.
“What did Talia do?”
“She freaked out, man and took off on me,” Nick answered. “We immediately called for back-up and got out the house.”
“What was it?” Andrew pressed further.
“There were dead bodies everywhere.” Nick pointed at the floor. He looked at Andrew with tear-filled eyes. “There were more in the basement.”
“Take me there,” Andrew asked.
“No way man,” Nick stood frozen.
“Then I’ll go,” Andrew left as Nick stayed behind.
Andrew walked down a short hallway before finally coming to the door that led to the basement. He flipped on the flashlight, grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. A wall of foul air hit Andrew making him gag for a few minutes. Andrew took out a handkerchief from his pants pocket and covered his nose and mouth. He immediately started to descend into the abyss.
Nick dried his eyes.
“Get a grip man,” he scolded himself. “You’re a f— cop for God sake.”
Nick took his flashlight and shone it around the room. He was about to turn when he felt a blow to the back of the head.
Andrew cautiously made his way across the dark basement area. He shone his light down on the floor. There were still blood stains on the concrete. Andrew scanned the wall with the light and suddenly froze. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and an icy chill washed over him. In the light he saw the words ‘Tod zu den unheiligen’ Death to the unholy, scrawled in blood on the wall. Everyone in the house had been victims of the Knights of VanHelsing. Andrew hurried back up stairs.
When he got to the living room, Nick was lying on the floor unconscious. Andrew whirled around just in time to block the blow meant for his head. He followed with a fore fist punch to the hooded figure’s chest, but it had no affect. Instead they struck Andrew squarely on the jaw which sent him reeling backwards, crashing into the wall.
“You’re not Night Blade,” Andrew stood wiping the blood from his mouth. His punch had no affect because the body armor they wore. “Who are you?”
“I’m Trinity Blade,” he said. “And I’m a Knight of VanHelsing.”
“How many are there of you here?” Andrew asked.
“You mean in Chicago,” Trinity Blade answered.
“Yeah,” Andrew spat out blood.
“There are only three of us, no more,” Trinity Blade explained. “No less.”
“So where are the others?” Andrew asked.
“Even if I tell you, it won’t do you any good,” he voiced a smirk.
“Just tell me.” Andrew shrugged his shoulders.
“They’re out hunting.” Trinity Blade was proud.
“Where?” Andrew continued.
“Jackson Park,” Trinity Blade replied.
“Thanks,” Andrew smirked this time.
“Why are you smiling?” Trinity Blade started to say. Nick smashed him across the back of the head and Trinity Blade slumped to the floor.
“Take that you a—,” Nick cursed.
“You call in the troops,” Andrew bolted towards the door, “I’m going hunting.”
“Wait!” Nick called out, but it was too late. Andrew was already gone.
Nick knelt down and placed a pair of handcuffs on Trinity Blade. “We finally got you mother—,” Nick said as he leaned closer to the unconscious man’s masked head.
The cab pulled into the parking lot of Jackson Park, just off of East Hayes Drive. The lone occupant paid the cabbie and thanked him. As soon as the cab took off, Andrew headed towards Wooded Island.
A small crowd was gathered in a picnic area a few yards from the west lagoon. A few were standing and talking; others were seated on the picnic tables. Shortly, three young girls joined the crowd. One by one, each girl extended their uncovered arms, which bore scars from before. One of the crowd, a tall, and lanky youth drew a knife and made a fresh cut. One by one the others gathered for the feast and drank of the warm blood. The blood dolls arched their heads back almost as if in ecstasy.
Suddenly, a scream from the group raised the alarm. Everyone else turned to see two hooded figures rushing towards them. “Run!” the lanky youth bellowed out his warning. The three girls took off screaming, as the rest bolted to get away. The boy turned to face the hooded figures, and brandished his knife. One of the hooded figures drew a sword and jumped in the air with a somersault, landing behind the youth. With one swift thrust of the blade, the boy crumbled to the snowy ground in a puddle of his own blood.
“After them!” Alpha Blade shouted, before heading after three teenagers running towards the west lagoon.
“I am,” Omega Blade shot back, and took off after the rest heading east.
Three girls were huddled together beneath a large evergreen tree. The branches were low to the ground and offered protection, or so they thought. One of them turned around to see Alpha Blade sprinting towards them. The girls left the safety of the tree and made a dash towards the path. For some unexplained reason, they suddenly stopped and turned around. Alpha Blade was sprawled face down on the ground. A dark haired stranger they had never seen before was standing over Alpha Blade. He had tossed the swords a safe distance away. The girls walked up to the man. He smiled at them.
“My name is Andrew,” Andrew calmly said to the girls. “You’re no longer in danger. You can go home now.”
“Thank you,” the girls said, and took off running.
When the rest of the group got to the west lagoon, there were areas open of water. They had no where to go and were trapped. Each one turned around to see Omega Blade standing a few feet away.
“Stop hunting us!” the pretty brunette screamed.
“We haven’t done anything wrong!” a boy with curly golden blonde hair added.
“Leave us alone!” a slender red haired girl’s voice joined them.
“Ihr seid die unheilige, die Söhne u Töchter Draculas,” Omega Blade recited his matra, calling them sons and daughters of Dracula. He drew his swords. “Sie haben gegen Gott und Menschen gesündigt.” He accused them of sins against our God and man.
“You’re insan
e,” the red head said. She shouted, “Speak in English!”
“Es ist zeit zu sterben!” Omega Blade raised his swords and said it was time to die.
“Hände weg von den kindern,” a voice came from the dark.
Omega Blade spun around to see a dark haired stranger. Each of the teenagers watched as he strode towards all of them.
“Mit mir sie kämpfen, nicht mit den Kindern,” Andrew announced that Omega blade leave the teenagers alone and the fight was with Andrew. He continued the sins against God and humanity was with Omega Blade, “Die Sünden gegen den Gott und Menschheit sind deine, nicht der anderen.”
“The sins are theirs,” Omega Blade quoted back. “I have no quarrels with you…”
“Knight, Andrew Knight,” Andrew bowed respectively.
“My fight is with them,” Omega Blade gestured towards the teenagers.
“You kill innocent, unarmed men, women and children,” Andrew stepped closer. “You have a choice, either surrender now, or face the consequences.”
“My brothers will be here soon,” Omega proudly announced.
“I don’t think so,” Andrew said as he produced the swords he had taken, and that were hidden behind his back.
“You die!” Omega Blade screeched and rushed towards Andrew.
Andrew jumped in the air. He landed and smashed into Omega Blade with a spin kick. Omega Blade stumbled a bit. He recovered and swung his swords at Andrew, who blocked the attack. The teenagers watched as the two men parlayed and thrusted their blades of steely death, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, in one finishing move, Andrew did a backwards flip over Omega Blade’s head, landing behind him. Andrew knew that Omega Blade was wearing body armor, so he slashed the back of the man’s legs. Omega Blade screamed out in pain and stumbled to the ground and let go of his swords. He rolled around in agony as blood stained the snow. Andrew tossed the swords aside and drew his Beretta. He walked over and with his foot, rolled Omega Blade on his back. Andrew pointed his Beretta at Omega Blade.
“You can’t kill me like this,” Omega Blade shouted at Andrew. “I have my rights!”
“It ends now,” Andrew said calmly and pulled the trigger. The sound of the shot broke the stillness.
Jackson Park was swarming with police by now. They had discovered the body of the lanky boy by the picnic area. About fifty yards from there, Nick found a hooded figure lying unconscious on the ground. They woke him and placed the man in custody. As they were about to leave, Nick heard a gun shot. He ran down the path towards the west lagoon. Several officers followed him.
When Nick came to a clearing by the lagoon, he saw Andrew standing over a hooded figure lying on the ground. There were two girls and a guy huddled together crying. Nick drew his gun and ran up.
“Put the f— gun down,” Nick cursed at Andrew. “Step away!”
Andrew put his gun down and stepped back.
“Yeah, he stopped that man from killing us,” the curly blonde haired boy added.
“Thank you, Mister Knight,” The red haired girl smiled at Andrew. She walked over and hugged him tightly. Andrew slipped his arms around her and told her that everything would okay now.
Nick kneeled down and exaimed the man. He was relieved that Andrew hadn’t shot him. Nick rolled the man over and put handcuffs on him. He hoped that the arrest of these three so called ‘Knights’ would finally put all of this to an end.
Nick walked up to Andrew and offered him a cigarette. Andrew graciously accepted. He really needed one after his fight.
Neither one said a word, and just stood their and smoked their cigarettes. It would be dawn soon and with it the promise of a new day. Andrew hoped it would be a good one. So did Nick.
Chapter 10
The bright sun rose from the eastern sky dressed in hues of red, orange and yellow. Its light and warmth filtered into the room. Andrew woke, stretching every aching bone in his body. He got out of bed and strode into the bathroom. Andrew stopped to look; his upper torso was covered with bruises. He continued on and got in the shower. The soothing waters felt good. Andrew thought about his upcoming meeting today with author, Kara Sadler. He had done some further research on her last night. Andrew also had read her book Vampire Chronicles. She had gone into seclusion once her book was published, and that was one year ago. Andrew also found out that Kara lived in German castle that was transported stone by stone to somewhere in the outskirts of Woodstock. He further read that the castle was impenetrable and had the most up-to-date security systems in place. The question foremost on Andrew’s mind was, why did she need it? What was she afraid of?
Andrew finished his shower and grabbed a towel after turning the water off. He left and went back into the room. Andrew let the towel slip to the floor and strode to the closet. He picked out his favorite navy blue suit and laid it on the bed. Andrew opened the package of a brand new, white, dress shirt. Once dressed, Andrew put on a pair of black dress shoes. The room phone rang. Andrew picked it up and asked who it was. They told him that there was a car waiting for him in front of the hotel. Andrew thanked the desk clerk and hung up the phone. Once he was off the phone, Andrew left to go and meet his ride.
When Andrew exited the hotel, there was a black limo with tinted windows waiting for him. As Andrew approached the car, the rear door opened unassisted. As soon as he was seated, the door closed. The driver of the limo took off effortlessly into the early morning traffic.
The interior of the limo was decorated with black leather and silver fixtures. There was a bottle of champagne chilling and a single glass. There was a note attached to the bottle. Andrew removed the note and read ‘With my compliments, Kara’. Andrew tossed the note aside and opened the bottle. He poured himself a glass. Andrew knew it was early, but why should he waste a perfectly good bottle of champagne. Besides, he did not want to disappoint his hostess. Andrew downed the glass of champagne. Suddenly, he felt ill and things began to look blurry. He tossed aside the glass. It was laced with some kind of drug. Before Andrew could call out, he passed out cold.
Things still were a bit blurry when Andrew opened his eyes. He closed them again, trying to focus and to shake off the affects of the drug. When Andrew opened his eyes again, the room was much clearer now.
The room looked like something directly out of Camelot. Intricate tapestries were draped on each of the four walls, the furniture dark and heavy. A fire was roaring in the large stone hearth. And there amongst it all was Kara Sadler, seated in a high back leather and wood chair. She did not look the same as the photo on the book jacket. Gone was the golden hair and bright blue eyes; instead her eyes were dark brown and hair the color of night with streaks of red. Andrew further remembered Kara had worn a more conservative taupe skirt with white blouse and matching jacket in that photo. All of that had given way to a wardrobe of black.
Kara smiled at Andrew through sumptuous blood red colored lips, and twirled her hair with a slender finger and nail polish of the same color. A white blouse seductively opened revealed Kara’s ample bosom. A black leather vest was loosely tied; knee high leather boots and pants completed the look. Andrew knew he was in trouble.
“How are you?” Kara’s voice sang to him.
“I’m fine,” Andrew replied, sharply. “What was in the champagne?”
“I had to keep the location of my home a secret,” Kara touched her bottom lip.
“Why?” Andrew asked curiously.
“Since my book came out, well as you might imagine there are people who are quite upset with me,” Kara gestured with her hands. “I’ve made some powerful enemies.”
“It that the reason for all of the security?” Andrew asked the obvious.
“Yes,” Kara gazed at Andrew intently.
“In your book you talked about several things.” Andrew changed the subject. “One of them was about the Ravenclaw coven, specifically the Higgins. The other was the Knights of VanHelsing.” Andrew went further. “Isn’t it a strange coincidence that the Higgin
s family was murdered and that the Knights of VanHelsing are after you?”
“What makes you say that?” Kara scoffed with the wave of her slender hand.
“In your book you talked about the centuries old feud between those practicing vampirism and the Knights of VanHelsing,” Andrew explained. He looked at her intensely, “You interviewed the Higgins family along with the others from the clan. You even interviewed Ravenclaw himself. In the book you describe him as a ‘brooding monster ready to feed his blood lust at any moment’, is that not true?”
“It is true,” Kara answered coolly. “I even took part of a blood ritual. It was the only way I could truly understand why they do it.”
“You also interviewed one of the Knights of VanHelsing, right?” Andrew continued.
“Yes,” Kara voice turned somber, almost to a whisper. Andrew wondered if it were out of respect or out of fear. “I interviewed the one called Moon Blade. She explained to me, the history of the Knights of VanHelsing. The order had its origins in the Ore Mountains of Germany. There is a secluded castle nestled high in the mountains called Gothica. All of the Knights trained there and then assigned specific areas in a country.”
“And there are only three, no more, or less,” Andrew added.
“How do you know that?” Kara was shocked.
“I fought two of them in a Chicago park last night,” Andrew answered. “One of them recited the mantra for to me.”
“And you survived?” Kara was still shocked.
“I survived.” Andrew forced a grin.
Kara stood up. She glided towards him as if skating on ice. Kara stretched out her hand towards Andrew. “Please come with me.” Kara said. Andrew took her hand and stood up from the chair. Kara’s hand felt warm, almost hot. She smiled, and revealed teeth white as snow. Andrew saw her fangs.
Kara led Andrew out of the great room and into an open air foyer. From there, they took one of the two stair cases which led to the upper rooms. All the while they walked; Kara kept a firm, but gentle hold of Andrew’s hand. Soon she stopped them in front of a heavy-looking wooden door. Kara turned the ornate door knob and pushed the door open. The large bedroom was decorated similarly to the rest of the furnishings in the castle.