“Yes, my friend. It’s harvest season and we are going to rid the earth of all the bad seeds.” Death spun the scythe in one hand, making the blade shine in the candlelight.
“You are so dramatic at times.” Constantine shook his head.
“What do you need me to do?” Sergius asked Death, jumping up from his chair.
“You are not doing anything besides sitting back in that chair,” Constantine growled at him.
“We need an army, and we don’t even know if this superhuman thing is going to work,” Sergius told both Constantine and Death, the words rushing from in. “We might as well try it with me. Last thing we need is to run the experiment in front of the crowd and have it go horribly wrong.”
“Sergius, are you sure?” Death held Sergius by the shoulders. “Whatever happens, there is no turning back.”
“No, but we are all eventually going to die.” Sergius’ voice cracked. “If I don’t make it, I would like to see heaven. The apostles said it is an amazing place, even better than the Elysian Plains.”
“I knew letting you follow the teachings of Paul was a bad idea.” Constantine rolled his eyes.
“I will not force this on anyone. It has to be your free will.” Death scanned Sergius’ face carefully.
“It is my will to do this,” Sergius replied softly.
“I don’t like this,” Constantine added.
“We don’t have a lot of options here,” Death replied, not looking at Constantine. “Take a deep breath Sergius, then close your eyes and clear your mind.”
Sergius followed the orders, closing his eyes while taking a deep breath. Constantine moved to a chair closer to both men. Death placed both his hands on Sergius’ face, covering his ears and temples, then he took a deep breath and slowly breathed out on Sergius.
“Anubis, are you sure?” Constantine whispered.
“I need to concentrate, Constantine, but yes, we must do this,” Death snarled back.
White light covered Sergius from head to toe. Death chanted softly over him. The light changed colors from white to yellow to red as Death spoke to it. “Strength, speed, power, and immortality, this I give you.”
Death let go of Sergius and the light sank into his skin. As the light receded, Sergius’ body vibrated, then he screamed and dropped to the ground, writhing and screaming out in agonizing pain. Constantine jumped next to him but Death stopped him.
“Don’t touch him.” Death kneeled next to Sergius and watched the transformation. “I’m not sure how your powers would mix with his.”
“Powers? He looks like he is being shredded from the inside out.” Constantine stood, ready to pounce on Sergius as he rolled around on the ground.
The screams stopped then, and Sergius rolled into a ball on the ground, covered in sweat. Constantine and Death watched him from a few feet away. Sergius stirred, but he couldn’t lift his head. Death grabbed the scythe and waited for Sergius to move, and Constantine extended his claws, prepared to attack. Sergius turned to face the duo, sweat matting his hair to his face. Slowly he wiped the sweat away, exposing silver irises.
“That’s unexpected,” Constantine told Death.
“Sergius, how do you feel?” Death asked, pointing the scythe at the young man.
“Like I’ve been stomped by a horse.” Sergius’ voice was scratchy and rough. “It hurts to talk.”
“I just dumped a lot of power into you, you are going to need rest.” Death moved closer to Sergius. “Can you stand?”
Sergius nodded and took Death’s hand. Death examined him carefully as he helped him up. Sergius was dizzy but managed to stay standing.
“Wow, now that’s impressive.” Constantine whistled at Sergius.
Death looked down at Sergius’ chest. The young man had developed well-defined muscles, both in his chest and arms. His legs were equally impressive with a physique that would mirror any gladiator.
“He has the muscles alright.” Constantine walked around Sergius, inspecting his legs as well as his back. “Do you feel any different? Like you have a craving for blood?”
“Yes, that is important to know. Are you feeling a need to eat a human?” Death asked Sergius, holding on to his arm.
“I’m really thirsty but I’m sure it isn’t for blood.” Sergius tried to pull away from Death but fell backwards.
“Not the most intimidating move when you land on your butt.” Constantine climbed on Sergius’ lap and looked directly into his eyes. “Why did you agreed to become Death’s apprentice?
“What? Are you serious?” Sergius tried to stand up but Death pushed him back down.
“Answer the question, Sergius.” Death held him in place as Constantine got closer to his face.
Sergius took a deep breath. “I never wanted anyone to die alone like my mother did. I wanted to help the souls find their way home in peace.” Tears ran down Sergius face as he looked down at Constantine, who gently wiped them away with his paws.
“He is still there.” Constantine bounced off Sergius with a smile. “You can put him to bed now.”
“What?” Sergius whined as Death pulled him back up.
“I needed to make sure we hadn’t lost your soul in this transformation.” Constantine smiled wickedly. “You passed.”
“Constantine. Sergius.” Nico rushed in the room screaming at the top of his lungs.
“Boy, what is the matter? Didn’t we leave you at your house?” Constantine reprimanded Nico.
“They took her and they want you at the port tomorrow or they are going to kill her,” Nico rambled, not even taking a breath.
“Slow down Nico, we have no idea what you are talking about.” Constantine moved back on the table to have a better look at Nico.
“The vampires took Marie,” Nico replied, crying.
“Are you sure?” Sergius asked.
“By the Gods, what happened to you?” Nico moved closer to Sergius but Death pushed him away.
“Sergius is the first of Death’s Reapers,” Constantine told Nico. “Please have a seat before you pass out.”
“What’s a Reaper, and can I be one?” Nico stared at Sergius like a thirsty man eyeing at water.
“You have no idea what it is and you want to be one. What is wrong with you boy?” Constantine slapped Nico over the head.
“Sergius is huge.” Nico pointed at his friend. “We could get Marie back and beat those bloodsuckers. I’m in. So what’s a Reaper?”
“Our future Army of super humans,” Death announced. “Now I’m going to put this one to bed before he falls on his face.”
“But we have to find Marie,” Sergius protested.
Death picked him up in his arms like a small child and headed out of the room.
“It sounds like we know exactly where Marie is,” Death told Sergius, who was struggling to keep his head up. “Unless you rest and let the transformation take effect, you will be useless to her and us. Now sleep.”
With that command, Sergius passed out in Death’s arms. “Constantine, I’ll be right back.”
Death walked out of the room with Sergius. Nico’s mouth was still open and Constantine tapped it with his paws.
“Nico, breathe,” Constantine told him.
“Can I be a Reaper?” Nico whispered to Constantine.
“That is up to Death to decided, but tell me everything the message said.” Constantine sat on the table and faced Nico.
“That the vampires had Marie, and if we wanted to see her, we needed to be at the port by dusk tomorrow,” Nico repeated the message a lot slower this time.
“Anything else?” Constantine asked.
“No, but you know it’s a trap. They are planning to kill us.” Nico fidgeted in his chair.
“Sounds like we are going to have a long day ahead of us.”
Death entered the room. “Constantine, we need to scout that location and figure out any potential places we could be attacked. Nico, you need stay here with Sergius.”
“Are you going to make me int
o a Reaper?” Nico asked Death.
“Not until we find out the full extent of his powers,” Death replied. “It doesn’t do us any good to have a muscular Sergius with no extra strength.”
“Finally you are speaking reason here.” Constantine hopped off the table, waving his tail. “We might as well get started, and you have souls to collect as well.”
“Yes, my job is never done,” Death replied.
“Nico, if anyone comes in the house, hide,” Constantine ordered him.
Nico nodded and headed towards Sergius’ room. Constantine waited for him to leave the room before jumping out the window.
“And I’m the dramatic one here,” Death told himself and vanished through the door.
Chapter 9
The stars lined the sky, making the march to the port a less somber occasion. The streets were packed with pedestrians. It appeared the residents knew of the meeting with the vampires and avoided eye contact. Some closed their doors and windows when Constantine and Sergius walked by. Sergius had convinced Nico and Linus to stay behind. With their current human condition, the only thing both of them would achieve was death. Constantine led the way down the main road. As they plotted their route, he explained to Sergius there was no need to hide since the vampires were expecting them.
It didn’t take Constantine and Sergius long to reach the port. There were no ships by the pier the vampires selected. The port was empty, at least of humans. Constantine sniffed the air and his tail stood up straight.
“What is it?” Sergius asked, keeping his features as neutral as possible.
“We have company, at least six of them,” Constantine replied through gritted teeth.
“I can hear them,” Sergius told him.
Constantine snapped his head up and looked at Sergius. “Anything else you can do that you haven’t told me?”
A small smile spread across Sergius’ face. “I can see perfectly clear in the night. I have never seen so many details in my life.”
“Let’s hope this means you won’t be surprised from behind.” Constantine turned to face away from the water as four vampires descended from the sky. “I wondered if they can truly fly or just jump really high.”
“I don’t think it matters because we are still outnumbered.” Sergius turned to face the group who were all wearing hoods that covered their faces.
“We didn’t think you would come, and instead you show up alone? How brave,” a tall vampire with a brown cape and a hood told Sergius as he walked closer to them. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Anthony.”
“Why do we care?” Constantine growled. “Besides, if you are so brave, why don’t you show us your face?”
“All in due time. I figured it would be a shame for you to die today without knowing the name of the person that killed you.” Anthony took a bow and his companions laughed.
“How nice of you. Where is Marie?” Sergius shouted, his eyes scanning the crowd.
“Oh, she is here, but we wanted to give you one last chance.” Anthony pointed at his companions with his elongated nails.
“One last chance for what?” Sergius asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“To join us,” Anthony purred to them. “You will not win this war, so join us and live forever.”
“Unfortunately, we have already pledged our allegiance to one powerful being, and he doesn’t share very well.” Constantine squared his shoulders and showed the vampires his own teeth. “Give us the girl and we can make this a short night.”
“You had your chance. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” Anthony waved behind him and two more vampires dragged a small female between them.
Marie was bound by her wrists and legs. Her head was covered by a piece of cloth and her toga was ripped and filthy. Her body was exposed in different places, making Sergius growl in anger. Constantine held him back as the vampires dragged the poor girl in front of them.
“Marie, is that you? Speak to me?” Sergius asked, his voice quivering.
“Sergius, oh please do as they say,” Marie whimpered.
“Something is not right,” Constantine whispered to Sergius.
“What?” Sergius looked quickly down at him.
“Can’t you smell it? She is not right?” Constantine sniffed the air again.
Sergius stepped back and took a deep breath. He looked around at the vampires again.
“I can’t tell the difference. There are too many of them,” Sergius replied, looking around.
“Take the cover off her head,” Constantine ordered.
“You don’t trust us?” Anthony placed his hand over his heart.
“Not in a thousand years, and I’ve lived that long. Now!” Constantine shouted.
Anthony signaled for one of the guards holding Marie to take the cloth away. Marie looked at the ground with her eyes closed. While her toga was dirty and ripped, her face was clean and almost glistening. Her complexion sparkled in the night and she had a glow about her. Sergius made his way slowly towards Marie.
“No!” Constantine growled. “She’s been turned.”
“What?” Sergius stopped to look at Constantine.
“Aren’t you the smart little cat now?” Marie told Constantine as she raised her face to look at them.
Sergius screamed as he looked at Marie. “Oh God, what are you?”
“I could say the same thing about you, my little Sergius,” Marie told him as she met his eyes.
Marie strolled seductively towards Sergius with her hips moving to their own beat. She ripped the remaining of her top off, exposing her breasts and caressing them gently.
“Don’t you want me, Sergius?” Marie flashed a bewitching grin while she removed the remainder of her clothing.
“You are not Marie, stay way.” Sergius stumbled backwards.
Marie flew on him and pinned him down, her face pressing closer as she tried to kiss him, but Sergius elbowed her aside. He rolled to his feet and Constantine joined him.
“You can see them for what they really are, right?” Constantine asked, extending all his claws.
Sergius swallowed his own saliva before talking. “I don’t know what she is. It’s like a bat and a shark had a baby and created a monster. Her breath is like hot, rotten carcass burning your flesh.”
“That is no way to talk about a lady, Sergius.” Marie laughed at him and joined her fellow vampires.
“Oh God, it’s Marie. She must still be in there.” Sergius moved in her direction but Constantine pulled him back.
“She is gone,” Constantine whispered.
“I can’t see the monster anymore.” Sergius watched as Marie covered herself with a hood similar to her companions.
“Different,” Constantine said.
“What is it?” Sergius asked, looking around as six vampires made a semi-circle around them.
“No time for explanations now, but can you smell them?” Constantine angled himself towards the vampires approaching on the right-hand side.
“Unfortunately yes.” Sergius faced the left side.
“Sergius, why do you always have to be difficult? We could have been together forever,” Marie told him, shaking her head.
“You have made your choice. What a pity,” Anthony announced. “When Death comes to collect your souls, give him a message. His time has passed and we are running this world now.”
Marie wrapped her arms around Anthony and waved at Sergius and Constantine. The six vampires moved all at once and attacked Sergius and Constantine. Constantine was prepared for the attack and hurdled over the assailants. He flipped his body in midair and landed on the back of one of the vampires. Before the vampire could react, Constantine decapitated the man with his claws, and they exploded into a cloud of dust.
Sergius was not having the same luck as Constantine. He was stuck in a hand to hand battle with two vampires who were a lot better at fighting than he was. While Sergius’ new-found speed allowed him to block the vampires’ punches, it didn’
t help him fight back very well. He managed to kick one of the vampires hard enough to crack a wall with his landing. Unfortunately, the blow was not fatal, and the vampires kept coming. Constantine had taken three of the vampires down by the time he made it to Sergius. One of Sergius’ attackers had acquired a knife and was ready to stab Sergius when Death appeared.
“Three against one is not a fair fight,” Death announced as he ripped off the head of the vampire.
Death crossed the cloud of dust that was left from the vampire and threw a scythe at Sergius, who managed to catch it in midair. With two quick swings, Sergius dispatched one of his vampires. Constantine took care of the remaining one, leaving Death to wipe dust off his clothes.
“I understand the concept, dust to dust, but do they need to have that much of it?” Death asked, shaking dust out of his hair.
“The horror! Vampire ashes in your hair,” Constantine mocked.
“I don’t see you cleaning yourself off with your tongue now.” Death pointed at Constantine’s back, which was covered in dust.
“Ick.” Constantine gave himself a brisk shake, trying to knock away as much of the dust as possible. “Fine, you do have a point. This country is nasty enough without adding dead vampires to my list of things to clean. Do you know how long it takes me to get clean? I’m not licking dead corpses off me.”
“Now that we settled our priorities, are you okay?” Death asked Sergius.
“They turned her,” Sergius mumbled.
“That was to be expected, but I’m sorry,” Death told him, patting him on the back.
“Good news, he can smell them,” Constantine reported to Death.
“Can he see them?” Death asked.
“You two know I’m standing right here,” Sergius interrupted, but they ignored him.
“Yes but only when they make eye contact.” Constantine looked at Sergius again.
“About that, why?” Sergius leaned on his scythe.
“The eyes are the windows to the soul, and they don’t have one,” Death clarified. “You see what is left behind, the monster that destroyed the human soul.”
“Well, I would be perfectly fine if I never saw that again,” Sergius announced.
Queens of Wings & Storms Page 47