by Judith Post
Ulrich nodded. "It won't be easy this time."
While they talked, someone knocked at the kitchen door. Enoch went to answer it and found a soldier standing on the threshold. Tall and rugged, the vampire looked as though he was an experienced fighter. A scar slashed his left cheek—a reminder of a mortal battle when wounds didn't heal. He seemed older than most vamps, bitten when he was past his youth. Enoch guessed he was a soldier in his previous life.
"May I come in?"
No vampire can enter a house without an invitation. Enoch nodded to the vampire at his door. "Are you friend or foe?"
"Caleb sent me. Nula can vouch for me." The words had a lilt to them. Scottish or Irish—Enoch couldn't decide.
"Nula?" Enoch called, nodding to the stranger before him.
She and Ulrich yelled at the same time. "Leam! Welcome!"
Enoch stepped aside and motioned him in. He looked past him to a battalion of vampires waiting in his back yard.
Leam glanced at Nula, a concerned frown creasing his high forehead. "Caleb sent us. The big three are forming an army with the best vampires from each of their camps." He hesitated. "Vixtra will command it."
Nula went rigid. "Vixtra?"
The color drained from Elijah's face. "Are you sure?"
"The three ordered Vixtra to take whoever she needs to finish this battle. Caleb thought you should know, so that you're prepared when you see her."
Nula's green eyes flashed. Her hand went to her shepherd’s crook, almost automatically. "Vixtra's mine. The rest of you can kill anyone you want, but I've waited a long time to meet my maker."
Ulrich grimaced. "Vixtra's never been particular about how she takes her fun. You had a daughter, didn’t you?"
"I didn't get to raise Aida. I didn't get to see my grandchild."
"If you destroy her, you destroy yourself," Leam said. "She created you. If she dies, you and every other vampire she created turns to dust."
Elijah answered. “It’s worth it.”
"If I die, so do you," Nula told Leam.
Ulrich stared. "You bit him? You, who hated being turned into a vampire?"
"It's not like that!" Leam jumped to her defense. "Nula still fought for the Celts, even after she'd been changed. We were going into battle. Our enemy was well-equipped and large of number. I feared we'd lose. I thought that if I had her powers… well, then maybe we could grab victory from sure defeat."
"So you asked her to bite you?" Elijah said.
"I begged. She was against the idea. She hated what she'd become. Neither of us thought about living century after century at that time. People were lucky if they lived to reach forty."
Bart nodded understanding. "It meant life or death for your people. So she did it to save you and the other Celts."
"And I've always been grateful."
"So if she dies…" Bart said.
"Ridding the world of Vixtra would be worth it," Leam answered.
"He can change that." Voronika motioned toward Enoch.
"Impossible." Eva shook her head. "It's the way of vampires."
"Not always." Enoch pointed to Claudia and Voronika. "Vlad created both of them. He's dust. They're not."
Ulrich raised his eyebrows and studied Enoch. "What other tricks can you do, old friend?"
"If you feed off me, when we kill the vampire who created you, you'll still live."
Keb turned to stare. "Caleb will sentence us to death if we drain a person in Three Rivers."
"I'm not a person, not even mortal. Second, you can't drain me. Ever."
All eyes in the room turned on him.
"So you're saying…?" Ulrich stopped to consider the possibilities.
"All of you are as honorable now as you were as mortals." Enoch glanced at Ulrich. "Some of you more so. You deserve to live or die on your own merits, not because of some creator’s. If you feed off me just once, you're free. If your master dies, it won't affect you."
Amado's dark eyes blazed with excitement. "Will it make us like you? So that stakes and weapons can't hurt us?"
"No, you're the undead, not immortal."
Nula straightened her shoulders. "Since I personally intend to kill Vixtra, I'll drink. I don't want that bitch to decide my destiny anymore." She looked at Leam. "But on the off chance that I die trying, you should drink too."
"We'll all drink," Ulrich said. "I want to die in battle. I don't want to turn to dust because Ragnar meets his match."
"Not here." Voronika's voice was firm. "Take them in the basement. I don't want to watch…or hear."
Enoch nodded. He went downstairs, and one by one, the vampires went down to drink from him.
Chapter 47
Nothing happened for the next few days. Hard on his men, Bart knew. They were pumped for action. He called his generals to the kitchen each night, not to discuss battle plans, but to share each others' company. Everyone was restless. Nervous energy sizzled between them. Nula slammed her hand on the kitchen island. "We're just sitting on our asses like pansies."
Ulrich chuckled "Pansies? Someone woke up on the wrong side of the Land Rover. You've been a fountain of happiness since you learned Vixtra was on her way."
"So where the hell is she?"
"Taking her own sweet time like she always does." Bart kept his tone calm. Nula matched every cliché he’d ever heard about redheads. She had a short fuse and a hot temper. He didn’t want her to blow. "It's to her advantage to make us wait."
Nula watched Claudia and Voronika, busily cooking. "So we're just going to sit here and play house party until she shows up?"
Voronika turned from the stove, her yellow eyes blazing. "Out! Get out of my kitchen!"
Nula’s green eyes sparkled. She was itching for a fight, even if it was among friends. “I don’t take orders from play things.”
Claudia’s jaw dropped. She stared.
Enoch's head snapped up. His hands balled into fists, his shoulders set. His glare settled on Nula.
Bart had never seen Nula frightened before, but she licked her lips now. Words tumbled out. "Just because I don't want to simmer and grill…."
Bart interrupted her before she could make things worse. "Come on. I could use some fresh air."
Enoch visibly worked to calm himself. He rolled his shoulders, unclenched his hands. "I'll go too. It's a little stuffy in here."
Bart threw him a grateful look. He was angry, but didn't want them to go outside alone. "We could go for a walk. What do you say?"
Nula couldn’t resist a last taunt. "I'd rather kill my supper and have it fresh."
Ulrich rolled his eyes. "Then go already! Sink your fangs into something small and furry. Play at being Nula the Barbarian. Just leave us in peace. Some of us still enjoy human pleasures."
Enoch grinned, and Nula stalked to the door, slamming it shut behind her. Bart hurried after her, Enoch close on his heels. She took two steps into the yard, and a vampire leapt from the portico's roof to grab her. She rammed her shepherd's crook upward and impaled it. There was a burst of dust, then more vampires came at them from every direction.
Enoch stepped forward to take aim, but Leam's troops rushed from the basement. The two groups battled hand to hand. Leam's men were well trained and experienced, but no match for Vixtra's stronger, older warriors.
Generals charged from the house. Out of the corner of his eye, Bart saw that Voronika was with them. Damn it. Now Enoch wouldn't be able to concentrate, and they needed him. This time, Voronika was working with Ulrich. Little comfort. Enoch didn't trust anyone to protect her but him. Bart watched as his friend tried to aim his Light at anyone who came near her, but the fighting was close quarters, with soldiers from each side struggling back and forth.
Bart scanned the area for Claudia. She was fighting with a small knot of Leam's troops. Every general had attached themselves to clumps of the younger recruits, trying to defend them. A smart strategy, but hellish for Enoch, Bart knew. His friend could never get a clear shot. Vixtra ha
d planned this attack well.
The fight was quick and dirty. They'd reached a stand-off when a shrill whistle pierced the air and Vixtra's soldiers zoomed up and away.
Ulrich and Nula rushed after them, but Bart called them back. "Vixtra could have men waiting in ambush if we follow their retreat."
He waited with the others to make sure no enemies doubled back, but when nothing happened, they returned to the house. Leam said a few words to his troops in the basement before he joined them.
Bart got straight to the point. "This was a preliminary skirmish, an opening gambit, for Vixtra to test our strategy and strength. The good news is that we didn't lose one general. The worrying news is that Leam's troops, as good as they are, are outmatched. How many did you lose?"
Leam's face pinched with concern. "Fourteen."
"Out of fifty?" Bart shook his head. "Vixtra learned what she wanted to. She knows your men are doomed if they’re caught by themselves. Not their fault. Vampires grow stronger and more dangerous with age. Your troops are young."
Eva watched Leam's shoulders droop and tried to encourage him. "You've trained them well. You've honed their skills, but they're only a century or two old. Vixtra's troops are some of the big three's elite."
"And we need your numbers," Claudia hurried to say. "We can't win without you."
"What we need is a game plan. Having five or so of your men attach to each one of us worked." Bart looked around the group and shook his head. "You know your men's skills better than I do, Leam. Why don't you decide who goes with which general?"
Leam nodded.
"Go to them and tell them they have our gratitude. They're brave men. They fought well." Once Leam left, Bart turned his attention to Voronika. He crossed his fingers and hoped this went well. "Now, about you."
Voronika lifted her chin, ready to argue.
“We’re wasting your talents. You'd be an asset to us if you watched the fighting from the balcony and sent me messages on how to regroup or relocate to our best advantage."
She blinked, not sure how to respond.
He pressed his advantage. "When I'm fighting, I can't see the big picture. On the balcony, you can."
"And that would truly be of help?" She glanced at Enoch, her expression suspicious.
Enoch’s relief was evident. "You could save us from getting blindsided or tricked."
She darted a dirty look at Nula. "All right, then, I’ll try do something useful, other than just cook."
"Like you're any good at that!" Nula's mumble was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Claudia pushed Eva out of the way to stand. She looked as angry as Bart felt. “Didn’t anyone teach you to shut up?”
Nula stared. She opened her mouth to speak, then shut it, turned, and walked away. There was no way she’d ever apologize.
Chapter 48
Enoch walked around the yard the next morning, checking and double checking the security lights, locks, and grids. Pointless, he knew, but it made him feel better. Vixtra wouldn't wait for Caleb to send more reinforcements. She'd attack again as soon as the sun went down, and the battle had been close last night.
He stood back to study the house. Was it ready? It stood strong and sturdy. There was a sprinkler system inside, but would that protect the roof? He checked his hoses. There was no plumbing to the garage, but he'd bought hoses long enough that they'd reach. He wasn't satisfied with the set-up, but it was the best he could do.
He was tromping back and forth when Voronika sent him a mental message. "I can't sleep."
"Do you need something?" he answered back.
"You."
"Voronika…."
"I agreed to stay inside when you fight. I deserve a reward."
He turned to look up at her bedroom window. "You did that for Bart, to help our army."
Her voice came again. "And for you, Enoch. I'll even lock the grids when you leave the house. I've given up my fighting lessons, and I need some other way to relax."
He scowled and started for the house. This was a cheap trick, and she knew it. When he walked into her room, he had to blink to let his eyes adjust to the dim light. She was sitting up in bed, leaning against the pillows with her long, white hair spilling over her shoulders. Her yellow eyes gleamed an invitation. When she looked him up and down, she raised a pale brow. "You're wearing your jeans. I love it when you look all manly."
He yanked his tee shirt over his head and sat on the side of the bed to untie his gym shoes. "Don't I always look manly?"
She scooted close to press her bare breasts against his back and circle his waist with her arms. "Masculine, always. But manly is rough and tumble. I like rough and tumble."
"I thought we'd had the discussion about lust and love…." He didn't get the rest of the words out. She yanked him down on the bed and flattened herself on top of him. "Hey! Give me a sec…"
Her hands were busy with his jeans. She yanked the zipper down.
"Watch it! Be a little care…"
She smashed her lips against his. They wrestled back and forth, with her on top, then him, while Enoch struggled out of his jeans. The minute he was naked, her hand found his penis and began stroking it. Oh, damn, he was going to lose this argument.
He rolled to his side and began to caress her breasts. When he leaned to kiss her from head to toe, her body tensed. Her breaths came in shallow pants. He made it to the inside of her thigh when she spasmed and pushed her pelvis toward him.
"Wait." He moved his lips lower, but she wriggled and entwined her fingers in his hair, jerking him on top of her.
Her voice was husky. "Now."
He spent the rest of their lovemaking trying to keep up with her. When they finished and lay side by side, he took a deep breath. "Maybe when things are calmer…"
She laughed and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. "I've missed you."
"You've missed sex."
She shrugged. "I could have that with anyone, but no one else makes me happy."
He felt his insides relax. Wasn't that, sort of, the definition of love? Or at least, a beginning? With Voronika, right now, maybe that was close enough.
He enjoyed the feel and smell of her until she fell into a deep sleep. Then he lay there another hour, listening to her breathe. He touched the soft strands of her silky hair and studied how her long lashes curled gently. Earth had its moments of bliss. Not like Home, but every bit as deep and meaningful—a gut intensity totally foreign from the spiritual Nirvana he'd known before.
His thoughts wandered until he heard the clock in the living room chime four times. His stomach growled. He'd forgotten to eat. Gently, he slipped out of bed and left the room. He showered quickly and pulled on his jeans and tee shirt—his manly outfit. He laughed at himself as he went downstairs and waited for the others to wake.
Bart and Claudia came into the kitchen before the sun finished setting. The earth was in its twilight. Crickets chirped. Fireflies blinked in the yard and fields.
Enoch went to stand just outside the kitchen door, still under the protection of the portico's roof, and inhaled deeply. The scent of the climbing roses on the side of the house permeated the air. It almost masked a foul odor, but couldn't completely overpower it. Enoch frowned and took another deep breath. He knew that stench. It was the smell of debauchery and evil. Vixtra and her men were near. He sent a signal to Bart just as treetops swayed and rattled. Leaves whipped and branches snapped. Enoch squinted. Shadows darted in and out of the trees like hordes of locusts swarming.
Enoch shot warning blasts skyward. Rogues should know better than to come near. Bart and his generals waded into the treetops. The first cluster of Leam's troops swooped toward the backyard. A dozen rogues rushed them. Voronika yelled, "Shoot. Now!" Enoch raised both hands and annihilated them.
Bart's generals joined knots of Leam's troops to form tight circles. Any rogues foolish enough to follow were destroyed. Enoch shot Light at any rogue he saw, and Bart and Claudia grabbed any within re
ach. A sharp whistle sounded. The rogues turned and fled.
Bart signaled for everyone to gather in the yard. "She lost more soldiers than we did this time. Did we lose any?"
"None." Leam's gaze swept his men. "Whatever she had planned, Enoch interrupted them too soon."
Enoch turned a thumbs up to the balcony. "And Voronika told me when to shoot. Having her up there works."
"I want to walk the grounds," Bart said. "Vixtra has to be staying somewhere. I'd like to see if there are any signs of her comings and goings."
"I'll come with you." Enoch fell into step beside him while the others returned to the house and locked the grids.
They walked for the rest of the night, watching for any signs of movement and listening for voices, but found nothing. Vixtra was flying in from somewhere nearby, but she wasn't anywhere close to the park.
Enoch sighed. "Somebody’s going to slip and break Caleb's rules. There are too many vampires and not enough food."
“They’ll raid farmers’ barns for cattle.” Bart stopped to stare at a carcass of a deer. Its throat was ripped out, and the body was punctured up and down its length with fang marks. Bart watched Enoch's face and said, "These vampires belong to the big three. If they drain a mortal, their masters will kill them, if Caleb doesn’t get to them first. And no one wants Caleb here. The big three are keeping their distance for a reason. They're hoping this whole matter can be settled between Caleb's converts and theirs. No one wants an all out war. At least, not yet."
Enoch nodded. Dead animals were a small price to pay to spare the world from vampire anarchy. Enoch would do whatever he could to supply Bart and his men with what they needed to win. So far, Vixtra had been confident her rogues could defeat the generals, but tonight hadn't gone according to plan. She'd call for more hunters soon. Trying to wrestle rogues while avoiding stakes was no easy feat.