“You have a keen understanding of military operations, Julius,” Byron remarked. “You’ve done this kind of thing often?”
Julius bit back a smile as he moved back to study the map. “I was a lieutenant in the army of King George the 2nd and fought in the Seven years War against France in the 1750s. I cut my teeth against the Scottish in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745,” he said casually to Byron. Then he looked up and speared the older-looking man with his deep blue gaze. “The technology may have changed in that time, but the tactics remain very similar.”
He’d spoken mildly, but he could see the effect his statement had on the man. Byron was used to being the most mature person in the organisation he’d helped to found, being almost venerated for his wisdom and experience, and he’d just had to think about the fact that Julius was more than four times as old as he was, had actually experienced the history that had been written about by hundreds of noted historians.
Byron collected himself, closing his slightly gaping mouth and wiping the astounded look off his face. “One of these days you and I need to have a long conversation,” he said to Julius finally, muted awe in his voice.
Alexander rolled his eyes and started making small marks on the large aerial photo of the area someone had laid on the table.
“You’re not gonna believe this,” Kyle said, his voice slightly tinny over the speakerphone.
“Just spit it out, Kyle,” Byron said with an unusual hint of annoyance in his tone.
“They’re holed up in an old wine estate,” Kyle informed them. “The story from the locals is that the original owner died a few years back without an heir, while the lawyers have been trying to track down any living family the place has been left to go to ruin. No one had any idea that it was being occupied again.” The listeners could hear a car engine in the background. “There is a strong ‘go-away’ ward placed all along the boundary fences of the vineyard, so that would explain why none of the locals noticed anything odd. Athena said she’s not going to bring down the wards now, as it would probably alert the Maleficus. Between her and Neil they were able to worm though the protective ward and pinpoint Gabi’s location without disturbing it. She’ll be able to bring it down when we’re ready to strike.”
“Alright, well done,” Byron said. “Have you finished driving the area?”
“Yes,” came Kyle’s reply, “Doug and I have run most of the boundary, the place is surrounded by the old, overgrown vineyards. It’ll give us a lot of cover going in, but it’ll be easy to lose them if they make a run for it. We’re on our way back now for a full debriefing. See you in half an hour.”
***************
Danté and Mariska had given up their torture sometime after midday; apparently they did have other things to do besides play with Gabi. She’d stopped healing at some point and Danté seemed to have grown bored with his sport. Gabi had enjoyed her sojourn with the ducks; she wondered if her message had been received.
***************
The logistics of involving the Vampires in the attack made timing very tricky. Everyone agreed that the Vampire contingent was essential, especially as there was an unknown number of Vampires in the ruined manor house, but the best time to attack would’ve been while the sun was still up. Julius knew most of his guard would be awake well before sunset, but they couldn’t withstand the light outside until the last few minutes before full sunset. They countered the problem by calling in two military helicopters that Byron had access to. By using blackout on the windows, they could get twenty Vampire guards to the vineyard at sunset, and the first wave of the assault would commence the moment his guard could leave the helicopters.
Athena knew Gabi was being held underground in almost the centre of the manor house, but the team hadn’t been able to lay their hands on a copy of the blueprint for the house on such short notice. The advance team, who was responsible for ensuring Gabi’s safe release, would be going in blind to the layout of the house. Kill teams and sweep teams were in place and ready, Medics and Banishers were in position away from the main points of assault.
As the dying light of the sun turned to burnt amber, a precision, military-style assault descended on the ruined vineyard. Four ranks surged into motion from different directions. Doug and Lance each led a large contingent of Werewolves, coming in from the east and the west, the majority of them in their Wolf form, but a few had managed to keep their human shape and were armed with flame-throwers. The Wolves were shaggy-coated and massive; their flanks reaching Doug and Lance’s shoulders, saliva dripped from their mouths and their strangely human eyes gleamed, intent and battle-ready. Two black-clothed Magi brought up the rear of each group, like dark, silent ghosts. A smaller group moved in from the north, covering the rear of the buildings. The two rookies led this team, backed up by some experienced SMV Werewolves, Shape-shifters and Magi; their main goal to catch and eliminate anything trying to flee into the overgrown vines. Just as the sun touched the edge of the horizon a deep thrumming filled the air and the fourth team poured from helicopters in a silent black torrent; leaping out as the helicopters hovered twenty meters from the ground, fifteen Vampires in dark clothes, lead by Liam and Nathan, landed lightly in the dust, drew their weapons and surged towards the front of the main building to meet the Demons, Ghouls and Vampires pouring out of every door and window.
A fifth team followed in the wake of the main attack. Julius, Alexander, Kyle and Athena had only one purpose — find and free Gabi. They hung back as the opposing sides met in a clamour of shouts, howls and unearthly shrieks. Within moments, the attacking forces set to achieving their first objective, drawing the fighting away from the main building and out into the open, dusty, unkempt gardens, allowing the small rescue team to slip inside unnoticed. Once inside, they ducked into a small side room which was empty except for some dust covered furniture and a few paintings and the men kept watch as Athena concentrated on pinpointing Gabi’s location. She came out of her trance in a few moments and pointed north east.
“That way,” Athena whispered and they left the room on swift, silent feet, making their way towards the rear of the house. They followed Athena though the kitchens into some storage rooms and came to a blank wall. There was no door or window nearby, Athena looked confused and frustrated.
“She must not be in this building, but she’s really close, almost under our feet. It’s not an exact science,” she hissed at Julius’s angry glare.
As they spun to retrace their steps, looking for a way outside, a pair of unknown Vampires materialized from the gloom. One of them gave a startled shout but before they could run or attack they were frozen in place by the force of Julius’s will. At a glance from Julius, Alexander and Kyle moved to take up watch positions.
“Where is the woman?” Julius growled at the two captive Vampires. He watched dispassionately as the two buckled under the weight of his power, agony contorting their features.
“Cellar,” they both gasped immediately.
“How do we get there?” he demanded.
“Door is inside….. ne.. next building,” one of them gasped.
Julius didn’t bother putting his next question into words, he simply exerted more pressure.
“Behind you, behind you,” the other one shrieked. “There is a secret passageway, open the cupboard.”
Julius eased the lash of his power and the two slumped forward on the ground as Kyle hurried to open what appeared to be a door to large built-in cupboard. When he opened it, the musty smell of old wine and oak barrels seeped out. Julius turned back to the other Vampires, already recovering from their ordeal and dragging themselves to their knees. “Who is your Sire?” he asked in a deadly voice.
There was a short pause and then defiance filled the eyes of one. “Danté. The King of Demons,” he spat at Julius. “No one can overcome him. HE is our Sire.”
At his words, the other Vampire also straightened his spine and his face took on a sneering insolence. The sneer was still on his fa
ce when Alexander’s sword severed his head from his shoulders.
A moment later, they could hear human voices coming from the far side of the kitchen, the SMV contingent was cleaning up from the rear, so the men sent Athena to join the newcomers before making their way through the dank, underground passageway to the wine cellar. The far side of the passage tilted upward again as though it came out at ground level. They slowed at the other end, preparing themselves for whatever was waiting for them on the other side of the door. As they burst through the door, a group of five stood guard around a large trapdoor cut into the wooden floorboards. The Vampire and four Demons spun as one at the sound of their arrival and immediately launched into an attack. Julius heard a ripping noise to his right and spared a glance to see Kyle explode into Wolf form, his clothing falling in torn strips around him. It was the first time Julius had seen him in this form, and at any other time he would’ve taken a moment to drink in the sight of the magnificent Wolf. Kyle gave a toothy grin and launched himself at the foremost Demon, while Alexander engaged the Vampire. He threw a look at Julius as he spun to block a blow from one of the Demons.
“Go. Find her,” he shouted and chopped the arm off the Demon before spinning back to his Vampire opponent.
Julius didn’t hesitate, he dodged the fight and sped straight for the trap door, throwing it open and jumping down into the dark, landing soundlessly on the hard-packed earth floor. A door stood closed at the end of a short, narrow corridor.
Chapter 24
Julius sped towards the door, his boot covered feet barely touching the ground. He could feel Danté’s and Gabi’s presence in the room beyond the door. He wasn’t sure how many non-Vampires were in the room with them, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t bother to check if the door was locked or not, he simply threw his power and his weight at it and it shattered into a confetti of wooden splinters. He plunged into the room, prepared for anything — except the scene that faced him.
It took him a half second to scan the entire room and realise that there was no one else in large, dank room except the two people on the floor near the far wall. A lighter and candles lay on a table, amid a collection of knives, wooden stakes and pieces of silver chain. There was blood on most of the knives, and it wasn’t Danté’s. Julius forced himself to drag his gaze from the contents of the table to the target of his rage; the Vampire now hunched over the much too still form of the woman he would do anything to protect. He knew before a second had fully passed what Danté was doing crouched over Gabi’s motionless body. He was doing the one thing that would hurt Julius the most. He was taking Gabi’s blood, draining her, so that he could turn her. Change her into a Vampire. Danté’s Vampire. If Danté managed to get any of his own blood into her at the right moment, Gabi would become a Vampire and would be inescapably tied to Danté; by Vampire law she’d be his to do with as he pleased.
Julius saw the same thoughts fly across Danté’s face as he swept across the room towards them, Danté had counted on having more time, but he would try it now if he was forced to. His mouth ripped from Gabi’s neck to his own wrist.
“NO!” Julius roared, flying at Danté. His rage afforded him speed and strength like he’d never experienced before. Before Danté could withdraw his fangs from his own vein, Julius was on him. Julius didn’t even bother trying to hold the deranged Vampire with his power; it was too much of a risk with Gabi lying so close and Danté’s blood already welling from the puncture wounds in his arm. He simply launched himself at Danté with the power of a speeding train. The other Vampire flew backward through the air to hit the bare brick wall several feet away. The force of his impact cracked the wall and shook the room, bringing a cloud of dust and debris raining down on them all. Danté leapt up from the floor, flicking his long, dark blonde hair out of his eyes and dusting off his clothes. For a moment, the two Vampires simply stared at each other, their memories peeling back the years, remembering the last time they’d laid eyes on each other.
“Julius.” Danté’s voice was calm and genteel, but still held the usual tinge of arrogance. “It’s been too long.”
As Julius stalked towards the other Vampire, placing himself between Danté and Gabi’s still form, he found himself looking into the face of someone he had once loved unconditionally; someone he’d respected and adored.
“Yes, it has Danny,” Julius said, only barely conscious of using the old nickname. The other Vampire let out a peal of manic laughter.
“Sorry, Julius. In case you hadn’t noticed, Danny doesn’t live here anymore. There is only Danté, Demon Master and soon-to-be Master of the City,” Danté declared, wiping at a smear of blood at the corner of his mouth and sneaking a hungry look at Gabi around Julius’s shoulder.
“You’re not getting anywhere near her again,” Julius said in low warning. “This is going to end here and now!” His words didn’t seem to register on Danté, and he continued as though Julius hadn’t spoken.
“I must say, I can see why you’ve kept her around. She tastes awfully good, even if she was a bit too spirited for my liking. I think I’ve solved that problem though,” his voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “pity you won’t get to enjoy the new, broken-in Angeli Morte.”
Julius’s chest tightened and dread washed through him in a cold wave. He cast around for some kind of distraction to give him an opening in Danté defences as the other Vampire continued.
“But there is only room for one of us in this world.” Danté’s voice trailed off as his eyes suddenly turned devious, and he took a step towards Julius. “Unless, brother mine, you are willing to join with me.” A new plan seemed to be blossoming in his mind. “Come, Julius, give me your blood oath. Stand beside me instead of against me. Demon Master and Vampire Master - we’ll be unstoppable. Even the precious Princeps will be running for cover. The world will be ours to do with as we please.” His eyes were alight with excitement and fervour.
As Julius stared into Danté’s demented, grey eyes, he knew he was finally doing the right thing, and it gave him a small measure of peace. Danté had given him an opening, and he took it. His eyes softened, his body relaxed, and his eyes closed in apparent submission. “Brother,” he whispered, almost stumbling towards the other Vampire, reaching out his arms as though to welcome him.
Danté froze for an instant, his expression suspicious, and then he smiled beatifically. He moved towards Julius, reaching out to him in welcome as well.
Julius moved willingly into that embrace. “Danny,” Julius whispered again, “I love you.” And then he plunged Nex into Danté’s back, straight into his brother’s heart, twisting the blade viciously to make the death quick and final. He watched the shock flash across Danté’s face as he held his brother’s body against his own for a moment. Then the shock left Danté’s face, and in the last moment of life, his brother’s human eyes stared into his, and they looked …… grateful, then the light was gone.
Julius took a deep breath. “Goodbye, baby brother,” he said, still whispering, and he let his brother’s body drop to the floor.
He didn’t watch as the body began to whither and shrivel but rushed back to where Gabi lay utterly still on the floor in a spreading pool of her own blood. He desperately moved her head to get a better look at the bite wound on her neck. The blood was still pulsing out of the open carotid artery. A movement in the doorway brought Julius back to his feet in a swift motion, immediately on the defensive. Kyle and Alexander surged into the room and stopped dead at the sight in front of them. Kyle had switched back to human form and was wearing Alexander’s overcoat.
“Danté?” Alexander asked urgently, eyes darting around the room.
Julius indicated with a toss of his head the pile of decaying skin and bones lying a few feet away.
“Gabi!” Kyle cried, horrified as he took in the sight of her. Besides the blood pooling around her shoulder, she had obviously been beaten, stabbed, cut and burned. One side of her face was a black and red swollen mess, her eye
swollen shut, blood trickling from her mouth and nose.
Julius looked down at her, and then at the blood covering his hands, her blood, her body lying crumpled in a heap at his feet, his head swam as he realised that this was his vision come to life. This was what he had seen would happen so many days, was it only days - it felt like months - before.
“No. No! No! NO!” His voice rose with each denial, until the last was a kind of roared keening.
“Stop that,” Kyle yelled at him. “She’s still alive, can’t you feel her heartbeat? Listen Julius, she’s still got a chance. We must stop the bleeding.”
“Julius,” Alexander’s voice cut into his moment of insanity, sharp and reproachful. “Kyle’s right. She’s still alive. Either help us or get out the way.”
Julius felt a semblance of sanity return, felt the red tinge to his sight fade a little, and realised he was crouched over her in a protective stance, daring anyone to try and get near her. He blinked and mentally shook himself, trying to calm his inner sense of utter hopelessness.
“Get the medics. Now,” he growled at Kyle.
Then he kneeled in the blood close to her head. He leaned down to brush away her blood matted hair and fastened his mouth to the terrible wound. He sensed more than saw Alexander keep Kyle back when Kyle saw what he was doing; reassuring him that Julius was only stopping the flow of blood, not feeding. He heard Kyle speak quickly and urgently into the phone telling the medics where to find them. He kept pressure on the wound with his tongue, not even tasting her blood in his mouth as he did it. He worked his mouth making himself produce more saliva, forcing it into the rip in her artery with his tongue. Once he felt the pulsing slow and could sense the wound coming together, starting to close, he unfastened his mouth from the area. He continued to lick over the wound again and again, cleaning the blood away from her torn skin and flesh, and beginning to seal the outer wound. He prayed to whatever God was listening that he’d done enough to stop the flow of blood from the artery.
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