Dead Hearts (Book 2): Forsaken Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  The guard stared at his dead friend, visibly frightened. “It has to be poison. You poisoned him, didn’t you? What was on that towel? Did Dr. Leopold slip you something to test on us?”

  Dragon came over, squatted down over the corpse, and felt for a pulse in his neck. Vampires all had beating hearts and pulses, since they were merely infected people, not the undead, but he felt nothing. “He’s dead,” said Dragon. “Maybe there is poison in the coffee pot. Might even be on the rim of your cups.”

  The reason for the guard’s death was obvious. It wasn’t the towel, but Dragon’s blood that had killed him. He knew he'd started to change after being infected with Cadence's blood, but he hadn’t realized his blood was toxic to vampires. He thought of Freeborn. She’d been given a full dose of Cadence’s blood. She had to be cured and waiting for his return. Dragon walked out the door and headed back to the alumni room. The vampire in the bathroom started shouting for help. Guards ran past Dragon and rushed into the bathroom.

  “What’s going on?” asked Salustra. She stood at the door to the dining room.

  “Some guard choked on a paper towel.” Dragon took Salustra by the hand, trying not to act nervous, and placed it around his arm. “Do we have time to catch a movie or would you rather go to the casino? I feel a lot better.”

  Guards were coming down every hall. Dragon pulled Salustra into the dining room, trying to act like nothing happened. The Kaiser and Raven were rising from the table, and Dragon could see the diamond necklace and earrings she wore. Raven looked deliriously happy. Star had been brought in while Dragon had been absent, and she sat with her head resting in the food on her plate, reminding Dragon of a fragile, broken doll

  “Where is Aldarik?” asked Dragon. He was relieved to see Star alive, but furious she’d been drugged again.

  “Aldarik just returned from a mission; he’s in the hallway. Pallaton isn’t back yet.” Salustra pointed at the exit door, anxious to leave. “Shall we go, my dear?”

  “Give me a minute to check on Star.”

  Dragon waited until Salustra went over to admire Raven’s jewelry before hurrying over to Star. Lifting her head out of the plate, he checked for bite marks on her neck and didn’t find any. If he was right, Cadence’s blood carried a new strain of the virus, which had been passed to him. Maybe his blood could infect Star and give her the very same abilities he now possessed? She’d wake up stronger and if Aldarik tried to bite her, he’d drop dead. Making sure no one was watching, Dragon picked up a steak knife and slit his finger. He pulled back her upper lip, didn’t see any fangs, and quickly wiped his bloody finger across her lower lip. Star instinctively licked her lips and let out a sleepy, drug induced sigh.

  Aldarik stormed into the room with a platoon of armed guards, and he didn’t look happy to see Dragon standing near his property. Just as Aldarik reached her side and was trying to sit her back up, Star's eyes opened wide, her pupils dilated. Gravy from her mashed potatoes covered both sides of her face. She weakly pushed Aldarik away and slumped across the table.

  “A guard is dead,” said Aldarik, glaring at Dragon. “How did you kill him, slave? Was it poison? Did Dr. Heston put you up to this or was it Dr. Leopold?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dragon said, in the same nasty tone. He stepped back when Aldarik flashed his fangs. “Nice necklace, Raven. Really matches your heart.”

  The Kaiser and Raven both smiled. Dragon saw Aldarik moving around the table, so he stepped aside. Aldarik stumbled forward and ran into a chair. Snarling, Aldarik threw the chair over the table, turning as it hit the wall, a knife in his hand.

  Taking Salustra by the hand, Dragon turned with her on his arm. She looked terrified. Dragon sensed Aldarik coming up behind them. He spun Salustra around as he would a dance partner, moving so fast that they were out the door in a flash. Guards stood in the hallway. Dragon and Salustra backed into the dining hall.

  “You killed my guard,” said Aldarik. He lifted his pistol and pointed it right at Dragon. “Now I’m going to kill you.”

  The Kaiser’s guests had returned to the dining room and stood behind the table, watching the spectacle. The dinner guests all reeked of fresh blood, mixed with a trace of fine port. Salvatore D’Aquilla, who escorted a gorgeous lady on each arm, took one look at the situation and started to laugh. The vampire lord had his own guards with him; they were all dressed in suits and carried silver handguns. A cruel smile appeared on Aldarik’s face as he pulled the trigger. Dragon pushed Salustra aside, dropping to the ground and the bullet hit a guard behind him. Jumping back up, Dragon kicked the gun out of Aldarik’s grasp, catching it in midair. The Shadowguard reacted more slowly. By the time they raised their guns, Dragon already held the pistol to Aldarik’s head.

  “Tell your men to lower their weapons or you’re dead,” said Dragon.

  Aldarik looked nervous. “You’re bluffing. You don’t have the guts.”

  Dragon pulled the trigger and shot off Aldarik’s ear. It fell onto Star’s plate. Finally showing signs of life, the leader of China Six grabbed a knife and cut the ear in half. Aldarik screamed and held his hand to his ear, blood gushing between his fingers. Dragon kept the gun pointed at Aldarik’s head, considering whether he should shoot off the other ear or retreat with his guardian, before things really got out of hand. The Kaiser started to clap. Raven let out a girlish laugh and applauded. The rest of the guests followed suit.

  “Bravo,” said D’Aquilla. “Give them swords and let’s have a duel. What do you say, Kaiser?”

  “A moment please, D’Aquilla,” said the Kaiser. “Lieutenant Aldarik, are you actually fighting over a human? If I didn’t know better, I’d think Star’s arranged for your death. I warned you that she was dangerous.”

  “My lord, it’s a misunderstanding,” said Salustra. “Lord D’Aquilla, I’m sure a duel would be in bad taste. We were going to the casino. Care to join us?”

  “Perhaps later, my dear," said D'Aquilla. “While you are as lovely as always, I want to watch the Kaiser’s champion fight Master Dragon.”

  Raven leaned toward the Kaiser and took his hand. “What shall we do with these two warriors, my darling? I want to see more blood. I want them to fight.”

  “If you want a show, then you shall have one,” said the Kaiser. “Let’s all move into the banquet hall. The fighters may choose their own swords.”

  The guests all filed out of the dining hall and headed down the hallway to the larger banquet hall. Upon the Kaiser’s orders, the guards moved the tables aside, clearing a large space in the middle of the room beneath a crystal chandelier. Chairs were pulled to the sides of the room and everyone took their seats with the Kaiser and Raven in the center. A guard brought in Star and sat her on the floor in front of Raven. Aldarik and Dragon both glanced at Star, causing the Kaiser to laugh.

  “Place your bets, gentlemen,” called out Raven. “The winner fights Aries.”

  “A fine suggestion,” said Mr. Rafferty. The robust L.A. vampire lord sat beside D’Aquilla. “I’ll take Aldarik. And you, Salvatore? Will you bet on Dragon? The odds are not in his favor. What human could beat a vampire?”

  “I’ll take the human,” D’Aquilla called out. He seated his mistresses and came over to be closer to Salustra. They sat together on the front row, clearly old friends by the way they flirted.

  Aldarik jerked off his coat, throwing it on the ground. With a bow to the Kaiser, he walked over to a rack of swords on the far wall. He chose a Prussian saber with a Damascus blade and a lion's head pommel studded with ruby eyes. More swords covered the wall from all nations and ages. Aldarik used his right hand and swung the blade over his head, made three quick steps forward and lunged. He was obviously familiar with the blade and dueling. The female vampires applauded, flashing their fangs when Aldarik glanced in their direction.

  Under the scrutiny of the vampires, Dragon walked over to the wall of weapons, taking his time, noting some were museum pieces, while others w
ere replicas. One Japanese sword caught his attention, a nodachi, with a five foot long blade. Two hands were required to grip the elaborate carved ivory hilt. He removed the nodachi from the rack and swung the blade over his head. It was cumbersome, but he was confident in his fighting skill. Holding it at his side, he walked to the middle of the room.

  “That is a fine-looking weapon,” called out D’Aquilla. He grinned as a woman in the row behind whispered in his ear. “This young lady wants to know why you have selected such a large blade, Master Dragon.”

  Dragon turned toward the crowd. “This is ‘The Bleeder’. It was used in battle by a famous 16th century samurai, and it was often referred to as a ‘horse-killing sword.’ Only the strongest warrior could use it in the field.”

  Had his father been present, he would have considered Dragon foolish for picking an impossible sword to use on foot, but ‘The Bleeder’ once belonged to Miyamoto Musashi, his mother’s favorite historical figure. He recognized the blade the moment he saw it, remembering it from a book he’d read long ago, and he knew it was the sword he wanted to use. Dragon bowed to the Kaiser and then to the audience before facing his opponent. For a moment, Dragon thought he saw several golden, shimmering forms in the audience. Aldarik narrowed his eyes and raised his saber, drawing Dragon’s attention.

  “In my spare time, I’ve collected the most famous swords in the world and brought them here,” said the Kaiser. “It’s a hobby of mine.” He squeezed Raven’s hand. “Go ahead, my dear.”

  “To the death,” Raven shouted. “Fight!”

  Every nerve tingling, Dragon remained in place, knees bent, his sword held to the side. Aldarik circled like a tiger, holding the Prussian cavalry sword in his right hand, then he switched it to his left. The vampires started chanting, “blood, blood, blood,” over and over. Swinging the saber over his head, Aldarik gave a shout and attacked. Dragon deflected repeated blows as they fell upon him. When he found the opportunity, he took several steps back and swung the sword in a wide circle. Aldarik jumped out of the way and ducked as the long sword swept over his head. The crowd applauded. Aldarik lifted his saber and took several fancy steps toward Dragon and then lunged. Dragon stepped back and swung the big sword, slicing Aldarik’s shirt from shoulder to shoulder.

  “You’ll pay for that,” shouted Aldarik.

  Dragon prepared to take another swipe. Aldarik held the saber before him and charged. Dragon brought his sword upwards to knock the saber aside. The blow knocked Aldarik’s sword arm to the side, leaving his body unprotected. The tip of Dragon’s blade caught Aldarik’s right shoulder and removed a hunk of flesh. Stumbling back, Aldarik switched hands and attacked with his left, chopping and hacking like a butcher. Dragon backed up, step by step. As the saber came down, Dragon turned to the side and swept upwards with the long blade, removing Aldarik’s other ear and half of his face. Aldarik tumbled backwards, blood spraying the room. He fell to his knees, and the saber clattered to the ground.

  The crowd remained silent as Dragon walked over to Aldarik. His opponent stared up at him in shock and pain. Dragon pulled the sword back then thrust it through Aldarik’s heart and out his back. Releasing the hilt, Dragon turned to face the Kaiser as Aldarik fell to the side. The crowd started to applaud, and Raven stood up and came over to Dragon.

  “Master Dragon will fight Aries of Athens tomorrow night.” Raven gave Dragon a hard look. “I’m sorry it has to be this way. Good luck tomorrow, Dragon. You’re going to need it.” She returned to her seat and placed her hand on Star’s head. “I claim Star as my property.”

  Dragon stared at the crowd as they started to depart. The golden figures seated among them flickered then faded. On the back wall he spotted a black shadow belonging to something monstrously large and winged. No one else seemed to notice it. The Kaiser, D’Aquilla, and Mr. Rafferty approached him.

  “Something is different about you, Master Dragon,” said the Kaiser. “I don’t know how you defeated Aldarik, but I’m going to find out.”

  “Fine entertainment, Kaiser. I look forward to tomorrow night,” said Mr. Rafferty. He gave Dragon a nervous little nod and hurried out.

  Salvatore D’Aquilla gave Dragon a thoughtful look. “It would take a super human to defeat Aries, but then, perhaps that is what you are. No ordinary human could ever defeat a vampire.”

  The Kaiser took Raven by the arm and guided her out of the room along with her new slave. Forty guards and Salustra remained in the banquet hall. Dragon walked over to the body of Aldarik and pulled the nodachi out of his body. Wiping the blood on the sleeve of his tux, he carried the ancient sword over to the rack and placed it on the wall. Salustra met Dragon at the door.

  “Thank you for killing that monster,” said Salustra. “A few months ago, I tried to escape Denver with my offspring, the Dark Angels...though in truth, it was my favorite, Rose, who united them and gave them a purpose. I never understood this overwhelming desire to help humans, until I met you. Aldarik killed most of them before he caught me, but Rose, Tandor, Picasso, and the others got away, thanks to Pallaton. Of course, Pallaton isn’t one of mine; he’s just an old lover who owed me a favor. I suppose the Kaiser thought I was more useful alive than dead. I know it’s hard for you to trust our kind, but I am a prisoner, just like you.”

  Dragon didn’t know what to say. He’d suspected Salustra had made most of the Dark Angels. There was no guile or pretense about her. Dragon believed she was telling the truth. As they walked out of the banquet hall, the hairs on the back of his neck stood. Something dark and evil was following. He again spotted the dark shadow, moving across the wall.

  “You see it, don’t you?” asked Salustra, holding onto Dragon’s arm.

  He nodded. “I see it. But what is it?”

  Arriving at her bedroom, the doors were opened by the guards. Salustra flipped on the lights, gazing around the room, expecting to see the shadowy creature. When Dragon shut the door, she came over to him, a look of terror on her face.

  “I don’t know what it is,” said Salustra, “but I often see it moving through the halls, even when its master is not around.” She pressed a hand over her heart. “The Kaiser isn’t like the rest of us, nor is he a Maker, as he claims to be. He can change his appearance to match the voices he uses, and while I don’t know his real name, I have seen his true form. Believe me, Dragon, when I say that the Kaiser is a demon.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Pushing the manhole cover aside, Blaze came up into the ladies’ bathroom. A flurry of female vampires wearing high heels, short skirts, and fur wraps stood in front of a row of mirrors. All were applying fresh lipstick and trading quick ‘love bites’ with each other. Fangs sank into softer areas when legs were placed up on the sink. Blood was sucked like it was a drug. It was 7:50 p.m. according to a large clock on the wall. Her trench coat was wrinkled and covered with muck after spending an entire night and day in the sewer.

  “This is a drug bust,” said Blaze, looking at a tall blonde. The vampire was spraying perfume on her neck. “Pallaton said a few of you were using crack. I don’t think that’s allowed, is it?”

  Apparently drugs were not allowed, for the very mention of an illegal substance caused quite a stir among the sexy girls crowded around the mirror. Whisper came up after Blaze. He used one finger to slide the cover back over the manhole and joined Blaze in front of the mirror. The femme fatales hurried out of the bathroom. Two more girls came bolting out of a stall, rearranging their clothes. One tossed Whisper a pack of cigarettes that he caught effortlessly. Apparently cigarettes were still used as currency.

  Blaze felt different since she’d seen Dragon. So did Whisper. The only explanation for their sudden strength and speed was Dragon, since they’d both handled his blood. Whisper was now a speed freak and Blaze could jump higher than any vampire. Unable to contain her impulses, she walked over to Whisper, grabbed his hair, and pulled his head toward her in order to kiss him. The mingled scents
of perfume, vanilla, and the noxious odor of fresh blood still hung in the air. After they kissed, he opened the door and peered out.

  “This is perfect,” said Whisper. “It’s like a carnival out there. It shouldn’t be too difficult to mix in with the vamps.”

  Blaze joined him at the door. A large group of young vampires were walking by. All wore Halloween costumes. Dracula and Frankenstein went by sharing a bottle of blood, followed by flamboyantly dressed vampires in Madre Gras apparel. It might as well have been humans partying on the streets of New Orleans. Welcome to the new world, thought Blaze.

  “Come on, babe,” said Whisper. “Let’s mingle.”

  Whisper shed his coat, slipping his sniper’s rifle back over his shoulder, and stepped out into the crowd. He grabbed a feathered boa off a young girl’s shoulders and put it around his neck. Another partygoer smeared rouge all over Whisper’s face, and gave him a large green Leprechaun hat to wear. Blaze kept close behind Whisper. Hands grabbed her from behind, sensual not violent, removing her coat. An embroidered vest was slipped over her shoulders and a black, lace shawl was thrown over her head by a girl dressed like a gypsy. Still, they moved along with the crowd. Blaze felt someone else come up behind her. A firm hand pressed to the back of her neck in a familiar touch. She didn’t turn around, but she knew the vampire holding onto her was Pallaton.

  Every alarm inside of her brain rang. Blaze stayed right behind Whisper, trying but failing to reach his hand. The stranger’s hand stayed on her neck. As Blaze and Whisper walked into the stadium, she spotted an engraved plaque that read, ‘We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does.’ Was that ironic, or what? Walking through a large tunnel, she entered the stadium, where a festival was in full swing. Balloons were falling from the air, dropped by vampires on hang-gliders. A rock band was on a stage in the middle of the arena. It didn’t seem possible, but Blaze was certain it was The Rolling Stones and a vampire Mick Jagger was singing. He made one sexy vampire. The Shadowguard, wearing flower necklaces, were unmistakably posted at every exit. Search lights streaked across the crowd and came back to the band.