Wulf's Redemption (Borne Vampires Book 3)

by W. M. Petzler

  “Alex,” Ulrich snapped at him, forcing him to look upon him, “my men are waiting outside for you. Ready yourself to ride to Magdeburg. Ensure you obey what Captain Von Patterson commands you. If you should disobey, he has orders to make you obey.” Without any further instruction, Ulrich stood from his chair and left the study, slammed the door behind him.

  The thunder of it echoed in his ears, sealing his doom. Alex stared at the empty chair behind the desk. Not to lead but to take orders. “Ulrich exhibits such faith in his younger son, does he not?” he stated sarcastically.

  Aldric’s eyes, identical to his own, were haunted as he slumped in his chair, appearing defeated. “No, Alex, it is far worse than favoritism.”

  “What you mean?”

  “Alex, I’ve heard him speak to Mother of his suspicions.”

  “Suspicions?”

  “He is convinced you are responsible for the children missing.”

  “Me? Why does he think it is I who is kidnapping the children?”

  “Because no child was taken while we patrolled the streets of Magdeburg, is why.”

  It made sense now why he was ordered to leave while Aldric forced to stay. “Then I am to be sacrificed, to bring justice to the good people of Magdeburg. Question is, will I be brought forth as a vampyre or a man?” Shaken by his father’s decision, momentarily paralyzing him. “Whichever he chooses, my fate is sealed.”

  Aldric took his arm in a painful grip. “It will not be so, brother. Our sire can go to hell. I am finished taking his orders. Ulrich would not have lifted his pure vampyre hands to seek the beast taking the children, if he’d not been taken to task by Archbishop Arturo for not assisting the people of Magdeburg sooner. The bastard is trying to save face before his peers.” In earnest, he declared, “Our fate lies within our own hands, Alex. I say we take hold our freedom and leave this place before it is too late for us!”

  Taken aback by his brother’s rare display of fervor, he stared at Aldric. “You mean for us to leave Wulf Manor and abandon our inheritance to the Iron Wolf’s dynasty?”

  “I mean for us to live. We have the intelligence and drive to be our own men, to make our own paths in the world. We could even learn to become Slayers and hunt the Damned, just as we planned to in our youth.”

  Pushing to his feet, Alex stared into the fire, contemplating Aldric’s argument. Slayers. Mata’s tales about the righteous Slayers who fought the Damned, protecting the Borne and mortal alike, had lit a fire in Aldric. He, on the other hand, had learned early to never dream. To hell with Ulrich!

  “Aldric, I must first find the beast before we leave Magdeburg. I cannot in good conscience leave without ending its reign of terror.” Hoping his brother understood, he watched as Aldric reached into his vest pocket and to his surprise, placed a dozen silver bullets in his outstretched hand.

  Staring at them, their bright sheen caught on the golden glow of the fire, he looked up when Aldric said, “Hedrick had these made for us as well.” Aldric reached into the inner pocket of his black frock and withdrew a leather pouch and emptied the contents into his hand. Two silver medallions attached to braided, silver chain necklaces. Aldric handed one to him. Examining the mid-palm sized, circular-shaped pendant, he saw it bore the Wulf coat of arms.

  “Alex, Herrick bade us wear these at all times. The Damned hate what represents God, repels them into showing their true face and set them to flee.”

  “God bless that Gypsy. What else did he say?” They placed the necklaces over their heads, tucking the medallions inside their shirts. The warm metal rested against his skin, giving him a sense of peace in a time of turmoil and confusion.

  “Silver wounds them, beheading kills them. Holy water burns the flesh and disposes their bodies.”

  “Does he or his clan suspect a particular person?”

  “Herrick says the wise women of their clan claim the fiend is neither man nor a wolf. They say it is the Damned.”

  “Are the children dead?” Alex asked, praying the children were held prisoner.

  Aldric’s gaze dropped to the floor and he nodded. “Their bodies will never be found.”

  “Tonight, I will bring justice to the grieving parents! I ride out as soon as I change and can fetch Saber.”

  “You ride out alone?”

  “You cannot come with me. You are not allowed to venture off Wulf property, remember?”

  “I don’t care about Ulrich’s orders, I’m coming with you!”

  “I appreciate your loyalty, but I need you to act out a distraction so I can leave the manor undetected.”

  “Fine, I will do as you ask. Once you are gone, then I will leave and meet you in town. Ulrich will not keep me here. My allegiance is to you, not him,” Aldric declared as he rose to his feet.

  Seeing his brother would not be swayed, he left off trying to dissuade him. “Will you shift?”

  “Aye, I will into a white owl, to blend in with the storm.”

  “Watch your back, Aldric. Ulrich isn’t stupid and if pushed beyond his patience, he will unleash his fury on you.”

  Uncertainty made Aldric hesitate. Love made him defiant. “If he tries to stop me, I’ll….”

  “No, brother, you won’t need to raise arms against our kin. If you are found out, stay here at Wulf Manor. I will be back, I swear it.” He pulled his brother to him and held him tight, feeling Aldric’s arms clasp around him.

  Releasing him, Alex left the study and went to his bedchamber. Dressing in the heavy leather breeches and wool shirt he had acquired for patrols, Alex donned thick socks and his Hessian boots. Shrugging on his heavy coat and donned a dark woolen cap top his head, he cinched his sword at his side and slipped a dagger in his right boot. He took his pistol and loaded it with the silver bullets Aldric had given him. Putting the rest in his breast pocket, he holstered his gun at his right hip. Cautious, he opened the balcony doors and peered out.

  Below was clear of soldiers. He leapt over the balustrade and landed on the ground. Bonfires encircling the manor’s grounds made it easy to hide in the shadows of the house. Snow began to fall. Reaching the corner of the house, he leaned into the wall as a pair of soldiers walked past him. They brandished blazing torches and carried Jägerbusche rifles. After they passed by, he pushed away and ran, speeding faster than the eye could follow to the barn. Inside, he skidded to halt stopped, surprised to find Herrick leading Saber, already saddled, out of his stall.

  “Herrick—” The Gypsy held his hand out to silence him.

  “Master,” he whispered, “let’s leave here before you question me.”

  He whispered back, “You ride with me?”

  “Aye, Master.” Herrick handed him Saber’s reins and went to another stall and led out Aldric’s grey gelding. “We need to hurry.” They swung up on their horses and rode out the back doors. The heavy snow fall muffled their mounts’ footsteps. An explosion spooked the horses.

  “What was that?” Alex asked the grinning Gypsy.

  “Stich planted several barrels of gunpowder a few feet from the main gate and several more close to the wall. Von Patterson shall be preoccupied for some time.” Another explosion shook the ground. “Come, my lord, we take the deer path to the west side of the manor, where we may pass the broken wall and circle around to the main road. My cousin will keep the guards busy while we slip away.”

  “How did you know I planned to avoid my father’s hired soldiers?”

  “When Aldric asked me how to hunt the Damned, I knew you would not submit to your father’s will and seek to kill the beast yourself.” He drew his pistol. “My lord, the old ones say another child will be taken before the night is over. They told me to tell you to use your wit against a beast who thinks like a man, except is no longer one.”

  “Let us make haste then.” Urging his horse into a canter, he drew his pistol, alert for man and vampyre.

  Fair distance the manor, he asked, “Herrick, do you know about my father’s plans for me?”


  “Your father interrogated me while I was incarcerated on whether you attempted to turn a mortal into a vampyre.”

  “What? Why would he think I’d attempt such an evil deed to a mortal?”

  “I have never broken our laws, especially the First!”

  “Not even for love?” Herrick gave him a sidelong look.

  “No human has survived the Change intact. They lose their souls instantly and become Damned. I would never endanger the one I loved and currently, I do not love a human!”

  Satisfied, he said, “I knew you’d not be foolish. However, it does not matter that you are innocent. Ulrich is convinced otherwise and plans to have you judged, if you survive the night.”

  What had he done for his father to think he’d broken the Borne Laws? The worst of his sins was sleeping with a married woman, and he’d broken it off with Lisle weeks ago. Like an anvil between his eyes, he remembered the cause of Herrick’s arrest.

  “Herrick, has Lisle Breber visited by my father?”

  “My wife told me that Mrs. Breber visited your father while you and Aldric were in town last night. She listened in. Mrs. Breber told Ulrich that you planned to turn her, to keep her with you forever. She said she feared for her life and her soul. The old bastard promised her she’d have nothing to worry about, that he would personally take care of you.”

  A bitter laugh escaped him. “My own father prepares to denounce me as a vampyre before the townspeople, right?”

  “If the killer is not found and brought to justice, you are set to face the charges of taking the children and slaughtered them in your hunger for innocent blood. You will be branded the Wolf of Magdeburg.”

  “Once we kill it, Aldric and I are leaving Wulf Manor. We’ll not stay under the rule of that self-righteous prick who sired us any further.”

  “I agree, Master. You need to part ways with General Wulf. He’s not been right in the head lately.”

  “Right in the head? The man’s never been sane.” Alex glanced upward as a snowy white owl flew past them. The beautiful bird dipped its right wing, signaling it was Aldric.

  Brave Aldric. He’d honestly not thought his brother would actually defy their father’s command. Aldric had, and he was relieved his brother had come to join them. They traveled another mile and encountered a large group of riders.

  “What goes here, Herrick?” he asked, wary of a trap.

  Grinning from ear to ear, Herrick explained, “We broke our vow to serve your father, not you and Aldric. My family is determined to honor our word to the Wulf family and we will hunt the beast alongside you.”

  The gypsies met him and Herrick. He said to them, “Gentlemen, you are the only family left to us. Nevertheless, I must ask you to reconsider riding with me. In my defiance, I have made a terrible enemy of the Iron Wolf, and those who assist me will be considered his enemy as well.”

  One of the older men replied, “We know you are innocent, Master. The creature hunting the children is beyond evil. You, my lord, are the best of mortal and immortal alike. We will aid you in ridding the monster and free Magdeburg from its bloodied clutches. This, we swear.” The others nodded their agreement.

  “Your faith in me takes the sting from my father’s betrayal.” Scanning the dark sky, wet flakes coated his upturned face. “What we hunt is one of the Damned. Are you prepared to face evil?”

  “We are,” they said together.

  “Let us send him to a well-earned death!” They followed him and Herrick as they urged their horses into a canter. Proud of them and their determination to aid the people of Magdeburg, despite having been earlier accused of the foul deed, gave proof they were good people.

  The snow fell faster, covering their tracks. Cold and wet by the time they reached the outskirts of the city, he refused to be let the weather deter his determination to find the Wolf of Magdeburg! The belfry clock tower, in town square, struck eleven times, the metallic echoes shattering the eerie quiet. Closer they rode to town, the oily smoke issued the tar burning in the fire pits caused his eyes to burn and water.

  A familiar foreboding swept over Alex as they neared the long, stone bridge. Easing their horses down to a walk, he stroked Saber’s neck as the stallion snorted nervously. Constructed to allow only two wagons to pass with barely room to spare, they rode in pairs. Dark shadows chased the icy edges of the river and forest. The crunch of crystalized snow underneath their horses’ hooves echoed across the frozen expanse. Arriving at the other end of the bridge, two men with torches stepped forward as three others aimed their rifles at them, looking frightened.

  “Halt! Who goes there?” the one with the stovetop hat demanded, his voice quaking.

  “I am Alexander Wulf. I and my men desire to give what aid we can.”

  Relief swept over the tense men. The apparent leader inquired with a quizzical expression, “My lord, forgive me for presenting such a pointed question when we need all the arms we can muster, but I must know the reason. Why would the gypsies assist us? We doubted their innocence in the kidnapping of our children.”

  Alex looked to Herrick, who answered, “We understand the grief of losing a child. You and the parents of the stolen children were only acting upon any means to stop others from suffering the same fate. We do not hold it against you and offer our will and rifles, to find the beast and slay it before another child is taken.”

  Overcome with emotion, the man took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes before he extended his hand out to Herrick. “Sir, we are grateful to have additional men to patrol and protect the children. We sorely need it.”

  Worried, Alex asked, “Has something else happened tonight?”

  “No, we are simply pushed beyond our limit and suffer exhaustion. Some envision strange apparitions in the snow falling; others are convinced spirits stalk the night. We are slowly losing our sanity to the terror mocking our efforts to protect our families.”

  Alex signaled to four of his men. “Stay here with these good men and protect the bridge.” To the man, he said, “I seek out Breber and I shall convey your worries and obtain, if we can, you relief.”

  “Much appreciated, my lord.” He and his men stepped aside. Alex tapped his heels to Saber’s sides and rode past them.

  To bar the wolves from entering the town by way the Elba, a barrier fence, six feet in height, had been erected. Pyres burned, sending flames high into the sky, holding back the night. The streets were empty of traffic, the town folk ordered to stay within the safe confine of their homes. Two blocks and they met another armed group, led by Breber’s second in command, a man by the name of Lothe.

  Lothe hailed him with a relieved grin. “My lord, we are exceedingly glad you and your men….” he stopped, realizing those accompanying him were not the hired mercenaries Ulrich Wulf promised to send.

  “Sir, my men are loyal, more so for they are not bought and paid for like my father’s are. We are here to help you. Do you reject our offer?” Alex arched an eyebrow expectedly at Lothe, who looked to his men as they nervously gazed upon the gypsies.

  Squaring his broad shoulders, Lothe replied, “We are grateful you harbor no ill will toward us and we welcome your arms to protect our children.”

  “If I may suggest, you should mix my men with yours and set them to patrol together, thus avoiding misunderstandings when other patrols happen upon them.”

  “Sound plan, my lord. We shall implement your suggestion immediately.” Lothe divided his men, pairing them with the gypsies, who handled the situation quite well, showing sympathy to the weary men.

  Herrick said to his family, “Lads, may God see to your protection. I will ride with Master Alex.”

  Lothe asked, clearly puzzled, “You are Alexander Wulf?”

  “Yes. Why?” he asked, frowning at the way Lothe’s men nervously huddled closer together.

  “We heard rumors your possible connection to the wolf accused of taking the children.”

  “Let me guess, Lisle Breber has been busy running her
mouth. Am I correct?”

  Sheepish, the man replied, “Yes, my lord. The magistrate’s wife possesses a waspish tongue, especially in her need to express her displeasure.”

  “I’ve met her on occasion and I heartily agree with your description of her. Mrs. Breber holds a biased opinion of me since I rejected her offer for … companionship. She has striven to cast me out to be the villain and make me pay for rejecting her advances.”

  “Ah, I understand, my lord. I, too, have had the displeasure of being in position to rebuke her advances. We will keep our conversation private for I respect John and would not wish to cause him additional stress than he already endures.”

  “Agreed. Speaking of stress, I must seek Breber to converse with him about the men standing watch the bridge. They are in sore need of rest. Where is the Magistrate patrolling?”

  “You should find him at town square. He has given to walking by himself these long nights.”

  “It is dangerous to be out alone, why does he risk his life?”

  Lothe shrugged helplessly. “John is obsessed with the notion these kidnappings are leveled at him on a personal level. His inability to stop the rogue wolf has led him to swear he will drive his sword in the beast’s accursed heart or die trying.”

  Surprised by this, Alex asked, “He believes the kidnappings are directed at him? Why does he think this? Is there evidence leading to his assumption?”

  “You will have to inquire when you meet with him.”

  “I plan to.” Alex said to those around him, “Be vigilant, friends. The beast knows its time on the earth is short. It will be dangerous, if you should encounter it. God be with you.” Alex rode off, Herrick following close behind him.

  Pondering what Lothe said, he wondered if there was a connection between the abducted children and why Breber thought the kidnapping directed at him. As he and Herrick entered the section of town where the richest resided, revelation struck as he viewed the mansions, built side by side, down the lane.

  “Herrick, were the children taken belong to prominent families?”