by S. L. Eaves
“It's as if the attack never happened.”
“I wanted to help restore the mansion to its former glory. Besides, this was my home for years. It was upsetting to see what happened here.”
Nodding, I point at the cameras. “Has the security system been put back online?”
“Not yet. If - when - the others return, they can reboot the system. I'm afraid I've fallen behind on technology the past few decades.”
“Guess your knowledge doesn’t extend past bugging apartments.”
He smiles, takes a seat in one of the overstuffed recliners and motions for me to take the one opposite him.
“Isn't this risky, us meeting in person?” I ask, hesitating to join him.
“You expect the others will use you to take me out, right?”
“Isn't that one of the main reasons why you've been avoiding me? I've felt their disdain for you as if it was my own. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between what they want and what I want.”
He nods. “They want me to surrender. They need my blood.”
He says it with such frankness it catches me off guard.
“Oh.” I light a cigarette and take a seat.
“Ironic given they were the ones who exiled me.”
“It sounds like there's a lot more to the story. I have to say, I came here with a lot of questions. A lot.” Fishing a piece of paper out of my back pocket. “So many that I even tried writing them all down on the plane ride here.”
He shakes his head and waves them away.
“I wish we had the time to answer them all and explain everything thoroughly. What I need you to know is that I did not have a hand in what Malik did. I knew he was plotting something and I tried to stay close to him to learn what it was. When he disappeared I thought the Purebloods captured him. I suspected he was conspiring with Striden and that you would discover him with the others in Romania. I did not know the extent of the situation and I'm sorry I didn't intervene before things got out of hand.”
It doesn’t all add up. He was playing both sides. But his actions saved the others…and saved me. If only temporarily. I take a long drag from my cigarette and slide out the pendant from my shirt. It still feels warm against my skin.
“This necklace was a gift from Adrian. A gift I never felt quite right wearing. Somehow it ended up around my neck after the encounter on the roof. How? What happened on the roof?”
“I intervened. To put it simply, I need you for the next part of my plan. And well, I also hoped that by helping with Striden I'd erase some of the distrust.”
“Intervened? The others said they saw me kill Striden. How?”
“The necklace and the pureblood you drank grants me the ability to project...as we call it. While I couldn’t physically be there, I could be present through you. However, only for a very limited time, seconds really. It weakened me substantially. I don't know if I possess the energy for another attempt.”
“At the risk of sounding ungrateful, please don't.” I snuff out the cigarette on the ash tray that still sits where I'd left it last.
He smiles at that. “I’d have turned into a bat, but I don’t think that would have been quite as effective against Striden.”
Malik said the Purebloods no longer controlled him. He was free from their influence. I don’t know how, but he was wearing a different pendant, onyx. His eyes glowed angrily when I ripped it off his neck. Maybe that had something to do with it.
He points to a gap in the bookshelf. “I'm missing a book. You wouldn't happen to know where it went?”
I give him a puzzled look, he responds by casually reaching for the scotch to his right and pouring a couple glasses.
“A book? You want to discuss a missing book right now?”
“At first, it caught me by surprise because why of all books would this one have been removed from the shelf? After all, it was written by Purebloods centuries ago in a language long since forgotten. Maybe the Purebloods took it during their raid. Then it occurred to me that you might have been drawn to it with your newfound linkage to us.”
He’s referring to the book I thought was written in English. Something did indeed draw me to it and I’d thrown it in my bag last time I’d departed the mansion.
I contemplate taking a sip of the scotch. But I don't trust him and after what just unfolded in the states I'm not feeling all that thirsty.
“Made for an interesting read on the plane. It's written like a history book, but references the extermination of every last vampire. Pretty detailed account for speculation.”
“What if I were to tell you it was all true. It already happened. Roughly six hundred years ago. It's not the foretelling of what's to come for the current race of hybrids. It's the history of the first wave of vampires from the 1400s. The last of which has been made famous in fictional accounts, and some billed as nonfiction, hell his name is even taught in schools...Vladamir.”
“Vlad the Impaler? The ruler from the late 1400s? I'm familiar with the folklore...Is he the Vlad Dracula referenced in the text?”
“Yes, he had several names over time. Vlad Dracula means ‘Son of Dracul.’ His actions spawned a revolution. Humans revolted and hunted us down. Came banging down our doors, forced our kind into reclusion for years. After Vlad, we weren't going to attempt to turn humans anymore. Then a new enemy emerged with the lycans and we needed to create a small army, a line of defense to protect us from our predators. And it was decided that a new generation of vampires would be spawned. This time with strict rules to govern their actions...for your protection as much as ours. We swore as soon as things fell apart, as history is destined to repeat itself, we'd take swift and decisive action. That's what my brotherhood is doing right now.”
“That’s such a myopic view of our species. How are we supposed to adapt and evolve over time if you keep erasing the board and starting from scratch?”
“It's less about that and more the humans we choose to turn. Humans are the ones evolving. Speaking in experimental terms, our blood is the constant, humans are the variable.”
“Who else knows this?”
“Outside of the remaining Purebloods? Just you I would imagine.”
“So, dare I ask, now what? You and I both know I'm not here to see that history repeats itself.”
“Good because that makes two of us.”
“You said you needed my help...”
“You're catching on.”
I know what he wants now.
“But how do we eliminate them? And if they are using me as a vessel how would they not see this coming?”
“I'm blocking them out. We're communicating telepathically right now. You're seeing us talking because it's what you want to see. It's completely natural. This method is easy to do in close quarters and they can't enter your mind if I'm already in it. And before you protest, I'm not controlling you, I'm just talking to you.”
“Okay...”
“I have a plan. We go back to their temple in Romania. I will turn myself in. I'm old and weak and they know I'm not long for this world, so it won't be a hard sell.
“Then we attack them with weapons I've made from white oak. It's one of the only types of wood that affects them. As you've experienced, their kind is not vulnerable to a stake through the heart. Not unless it's done with very specific type of wood. The petrified white oak I procured will paralyze them. Once paralyzed we take them outside and let sunlight do the rest. It won't be that easy but together if we combine forces we have a chance to defeat them.”
I know what he means by combining forces and I don't like it. But if he's right then it'll free us all from the Purebloods. A chance is all I need.
“Well then, let's go. We're burning moonlight.”
Chapter 34
The helicopter fights against strong winds as it lowers us to the mountain side. Gusts whip past me as I jump down to a patch of dirt surface between boulders. I'm wearing the daylight suit minus the hood. It needs repairs after the ho
spital and won't hold up against sunlight in its current state, but the extra layer of protection it affords me is better than nothing.
Vega requires the rope ladder to assist in his decent. He declines my hand when offered. His frail state is exacerbated by the inclement weather as he staggers over the rocks. I let him lead the way, watching every step with cautious eyes. Half expecting them to intercept us before we make it inside.
When they don't, I'm even more surprised to see the entrance open. It's the same place we'd exited from last time. To Vega's credit, he doesn't hesitate. In fact his posture becomes more assured the farther in we go. I'm the one who is weary, constantly looking over my shoulder and checking every surface for a trap.
The marble shrine gleams under the frosted sconces that line the ritualistic room. Vega walks into the center. I wait on the platform by the entryway for a moment before joining him.
“Now what?” I ask in a hushed whisper.
“We wait.” Vega stands motionless.
The lights flicker. Followed by the sound of stone gliding across stone as a portion of the wall gives way to a hidden entrance.
The three Purebloods enter. They're wearing cloaks similar to Vega's. Their demonic eyes glow from under them. When they move, the eye barely registers the motion. Even the slightest gesture is a blur.
How are we ever going to take them out?
They spread out in an arch around us. I'm waiting for a cue from Vega. We pull this off or we're not walking out of here.
“Vega. We're pleased to see you've made the right decision. For your crimes against your own you will atone with your blood.”
When they talk their lips give off only the slightest inflection to indicate speech. I regard their somber expressions with weary eyes as I look over to Vega for a reaction and get nothing.
“The time has come. I realize that now. But I refute any accusation of crimes against my own. I'm here of my own volition to clear my name.”
“You conspired with vampires to defy our rules on numerous occasions. Most recently with Malik to spread vampirism across humanity against our wishes.”
“Malik acted alone,” I interject.
“Silence.”
I can't tell which one barks the order, but it echoes across the chamber.
Vega gives me an admonishing stare. I shrug. It achieves the desired result. They turn their attention to me.
“Clairvoyant. What did your brother show you?”
I never thought of Malik as my brother. Never will.
“He saw me turning my back on the vampires and helping you destroy every last one.”
To say it out loud gives the words more weight. I've seen a future where I turn on my clan. It fills me with shame and failure. And it's why there's only one way I'm leaving Romania. I refuse to choose between Malik's vision for the world and the Pureblood's. I've never been keen on fate and it has never been keen on me.
“Good.”
They are clearly satisfied with that response. It's true. And they'd know if I was lying.
“I came here with Vega asking to change his prophecy to one where you show mercy to those who've been loyal and let the remaining vampires survive and continue to serve under you. Let us back in your good graces. Let us restore order.”
They regard one another. Finally the one in the center, the one who I'd interacted with previously speaks.
“You've done as we asked. But it is far from over and it's premature to ask to be rewarded. We owe you nothing.”
I start to protest, think better of it. My eyes still trained on Vega.
“First things first. Vega kneel before us.”
Vega nods and steps forward. As he bends slowly to one knee he undoes the knotted rope around his robe. That's the signal I've been waiting for.
I begin to kneel as well, it plays to their egos. We need their guards to be down.
In one swift synchronized movement he releases a handful of tiny grenades from the belt under his robe. They're miniature flash grenades, similar to the ones Striden used on me. They'd worked on me after consuming their blood so I'm hoping they'll at least momentarily disorient them.
But I'm not counting on it.
As the grenades discharge, I pull a pair of tasers from the holsters inside my boots and fire at the two Purebloods closest to me. Flashes of white light emanate from every direction. Vega pounces on the one to our far right. The first of the stakes hidden in his cloak emerges as he impales the startled Pureblood.
Through the shimmer of motion and blinding flashes, I manage to make out the outlines of the two I tried to tase. One of them appears briefly stunned, dropping to his knees. I charge the demon. He produces a blade and it pierces my side, skewering the carbon fiber suit and slicing into my torso. He stands and lifts me off the ground with it as the other grabs me from behind, his arm around my neck.
Something powerful courses through me like an electric charge. And it's not coming from a taser. I watch the knife fillet me and my neck snap back as if I'm outside my body looking in. Vega tases the knife-wielding Pureblood from behind. He drops and Vega has the white oak stake in his chest before he completely hits the ground.
I pull the knife out and stick it in the shoulder of the Pureblood trying to rip my head off. He doesn't loosen his grip so I wrench forward, doubling over, tossing him over my head and into Vega.
Vega doesn't stake him as expected, instead they both hit the floor.
Shit.
I jump on the Pureblood's back and slip a razor wire around his throat, jerking back sharply as I pull him off Vega.
The wire slides up, his head does not.
“This is for Jiro.”
Dust explodes around us.
“That's how you take someone's head off,” I hear myself saying to him; I feel the adrenaline-esque rush leave my body when Vega releases me.
The sensation makes me temporarily light headed and I join him on the floor. I'm bleeding pretty badly from the wound and I clutch my stomach.
After a moment, I sit up flexing my hand, checking that I'm back in control.
The pendant burns against my skin.
Vega has not risen. I go to his side.
“Vega, wake up. It worked.”
He groans, holds his head.
“I blacked out towards the end,” he proclaims, his voice hoarse and shaky. “Well done. My condition has deteriorated more than I realized. I wasn't able to add much in the way of power.”
“I felt it this time, but I maintained control of my faculties. Maybe last time I was delirious from the pain.”
“Last time you didn't know enough to fight it. This time we wrestled a bit over who was in the driver's seat.”
“Yeah, it was more instinct than intention.”
We'd combined forces much like what happened on the roof. Except this time I was the healthier one and I'd maintained control and harnessed his strength to overpower the Purebloods. Even at his advanced age, he's much stronger than he appears. At least he was, this last act has left him barely able to stand.
Climbing to my feet, I help him stand up. He leans on a pillar for support.
The wound in my stomach is beginning to heal.
We stand over the bodies of the two remaining Purebloods. Their eyes are closed, arms at their sides, opal skin more reflective than radiant, emitting a ghastly blue hue.
To look at them now it's hard to fathom how these creatures held so much influence on us. And for centuries, at that.
“That wire was swift thinking, guess the events overseas had you well prepared.”
Vega picks it up from the dust of what was the third Pureblood.
I think about the fight with the hunters. The night everything changed. The night a single vision reignited the downward spiral that was my existence.
“You sure there were only three left? There aren't more waiting in the wings to see how this plays out?”
He shakes his head and I see the hint of a smile.
&
nbsp; “Right here. This is the last of them.”
“Now what? We take them outside? Wait for sunrise?”
“We could. Or we can bring them to the room with the glass coffins where they held the others and use the UV lights. Use their own devices against them. Seems a fitting end.”
How did he know they held them captive in glass coffins?
I often think back to when we met up at my warehouse. He'd stated he was trying to show a united front with the other Purebloods; that despite being cast out he was still on their side. His words itch at the corner of my mind. There are some truths I will never know.
He leans over them and checks that the stakes are secure in their hearts.
“First, I need you to help me drain them.”
“Drain them?”
“Their blood is valuable. I need it to regenerate; to regain my strength. It's what they wanted from me. And it's why I wanted to put all three of them in this state. But we did what we had to and I still consider this a massive victory.” Vega grins at me over his shoulder. It’s meant to reassure me, but instead it sends a chill up my spine.
Distractedly muttering to himself, he wanders out of the room. He returns moments later with a couple of large crystal decanters fitted with tubes.
“They were prepared to take mine so these were sitting out. Likely yours, too. Unless they had more use for you,” he adds as he attaches IV tubes. “I wouldn't be surprised if they were planning to send you after the others. They loved having vampires do their bidding, they loved exerting their control over your kind. It would be just like them to use you to kill your clan.”
“Malik warned me about that,” I corroborate.
“Mind helping me lift them onto the marble slabs?”
Vega points to the elevated landing that separates the entryway from the rest of the room.
“Along the ledge will be perfect. Just make sure the stakes don't budge.”
He disappears without waiting for a response.
I think about the strength I gained from drinking just a small amount of pureblood. The rush I felt was nothing short of a hit of smack to a heroin addict. It's scary to think of one creature, vampire or otherwise, possessing a large amount of their blood. I weigh the extent of my subservience to him. What will happen when he no longer needs me? When he's not one foot in the grave?