by Dylan Keefer
“You want to threaten a guy who is in league with the most powerful vampires on the planet?” Clayton asked.
“I want to threaten the guy who wants to make them even more powerful into giving us that family back. I’m not exactly sure how that’s going to work.”
“Well, Madi said his house is a huge mansion. If that’s the case, we’re probably walking into a trap. He knows that Madi wouldn’t let you go alone, but he’s expecting her not me.”
“So, where are you going to go? You said that you don’t have your full powers as a vampire hunter.”
“But I’ve been trained as one. Before we get there, I’ll have a plan, don’t worry.”
For the next several minutes, they rode in silence. Clayton started to zone out and think about Mei. Her face when he told her about what he was supposed to do hurt him, but the look she gave when he almost pulled out his gun--that one haunted him.
“So, this Vampire Hunter thing—how did you become one?” Larent asked bringing him out of his zoned-out state.
“Uh, it something that you are chosen to do. It’s a birth right passed down to you. Almost like Madi’s Summoner thing, but less--crazy. Really hard to explain.”
Larent drummed on the steering wheel with his thumbs. “So, you just woke up, and it happened?”
“Not exactly.” Clayton turned to stare out of the window.
“You can’t live like this, Clayton.” Jonah and he had taken a walk together around the compound one night that they had secured for the others. “You and I have the same calling, and you are determined not to follow it.”
“We both have the same beliefs and same values,” Clayton said. “I just don’t want to live that life. It drives people crazy. You’ve seen it.”
“It only drives you crazy if you resist it,” Jonah said. “You have a calling to save lives.”
“Yeah, and I have to sacrifice someone that I love in order to do it. That’s the prerequisite for being a hero?”
Jonah shook his head. “You have to love someone for that to happen, brother. You don’t love easily.”
“That’s because it’s easier. You can’t tell me that you don’t regret loving her. You don’t regret having to kill your evil love.”
Jonah looked down and shook his head. “I’ll always regret it,” he said, “but I would regret more never having loved at all.”
“We’re here,” Larent’s voice broke through his thoughts. Clayton nodded and gripped the two vials of Madi’s blood that she had given them. Larent stopped in front of the driveway.
“I’m going to get out here,” Clayton said holding up one of the vials. “Keep this on you, but don’t bring it out unless you need it. I don’t think they want to kill you. You should be okay.”
“So comforting,” Larent grabbed the vial. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m hoping that if they see you alone that they will be distracted enough for me to sneak in somehow and find the family. You’ve just got to keep whoever is up there with Boyle occupied.”
“That sounds like the hard part,” Larent said. Clayton opened the door and stepped out. He turned to look at Larent who shook his head. “Hope this works.”
“Me, too.” The door shut, and Larent watched Clayton disappear into the woods. He started to drive up the road. Okay, Larent. You’re going to be fine. You’re just driving up to possibly meet vampires. You just found out that vampires are real, and not only them but witches, vampire hunters, and whatever else is out there. But you’ve got some magical blood. All is well.
Madi was right. The house was like a mansion. The eerie aspect of it was enhanced thanks to the settling dark of the night. He stopped the car far enough from the house in order to get a good look at everything. There were some lights on in the windows. There was no movement.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You want me to just walk in there,” he whispered to himself. As if to answer his question, the front door opened. Dr. Boyle stepped out onto the large porch and opened his arms as if welcoming him. Larent swore several times before stepping out of the car cautiously.
“I’m so glad that you’ve come,” Boyle called out. “Why don’t you come inside?”
“The family!” Larent yelled. “You can let them come out, and I’ll give them the keys to the car. You promised a trade.”
Boyle laughed. “Yes, I did! And I will let them go once I know you are alone and in the house!”
“Not how this is going to work!” Larent grabbed for the door handle again. A strong wind circled around him, and he almost didn’t bring his hand up in time. The vampire stopped a few feet in front of him; its feet sliding towards him as he tried frantically to back up. Larent’s back was against the car as he held up the vial of blood. “Stay! Stay back! One touch of this, and you’re dead.”
The vampire snarled at him but stayed his distance. Larent called out again, but didn’t take his eyes of the creature.
“Like I said! I want them safe!”
Boyle was quiet for a moment. “Larent! That blood only protects you! I have nothing to lose by killing them. Would you like to see the mother die next?”
Larent heard the screams and struggles of a woman and briefly glanced back to the house. Boyle held her by her hair. She was gagged with her arms tied behind her back.
Dammit! He couldn’t let her die. “Fine!” He called out. Waving the blood at the vampire, he said, “You go first.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Clayton could hear the yelling as he circled around to the back side of the house. So far there was no sign of anyone else watching. He had huffed it through the woods and around the wide building. It would take forever to find the family in the house. His best bet was to convince someone to help him, but to do that. He needed to get inside.
He scampered through the landscape and up the back steps leading to one of two patios. Just as he did, there was a noise behind him. Clayton crouched down. A woman came to a stop just in front of the steps. Her back was to him. She was listening. He could hear her energetic breathing. Vampire. He had a gun with wooden bullets, two wooden daggers, and the blood. The gun would be loud, and he needed the blood. With a quick movement, he took the dagger and flung it at her. She turned just in time for it to lodge in her chest. She fell to the ground, and Clayton sprung forward to grab her. He went to the ground with his body over her. One hand on the dragger and one held the vial near her face. Her eyes grew wide as she started to have labored breathing.
“Where are they? I will make this painful if you don’t tell me. You will die quickly or slowly. I don’t care.”
The vampire looked at the blood. She wanted to gag, but she couldn’t. “Basement,” she said weakly.
Clayton stared at the fear in the vampire’s eyes. She knew she was about to die—really die. How old was she? She didn't look much older than college student, but she would easily rip his head off if he let her go.
“You shouldn't have to go like this,” he whispered, and then twisted the dagger before getting up and walking away. He knew how they died and disintegrated into ash. He didn't want to see it. He was able to force the door to the back of the house open and step inside. The yelling had stopped from the front of the house, and maybe that was a hint that everything did not go as planned. He wasn't sure. He walked into a game and theatre room, and then into a room with several computers. From there, he went to a room that simply had a couple of couches and chairs with the walls aligned with maps and scientific charts. It smelled like cigars, and Clayton assumed it was a smoking room. In the corner of that room was a door. Clayton tiptoed over to it and opened it. Darkness greeted him along with a staircase leading farther into its gloom. The light from his phone only cast a few feet in front of him. Enough for something to attack without warning. He took the steps a few seconds at a time until he reached the bottom where he stopped walking. He swiveled and until he focused on small movement in the darkness. He gripped the dagger.
“Clayton
!” He heard two childlike cries. His phone light caught the two children running to him. It was Ben and Anya.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Larent stared at Boyle as he sat the woman down in a chair in his living room and stood behind it. The other vampire stood off to the side with a death glare on him. Clayton had opened the vial so the he had ample time to throw some on the beast if it decided to chance attacking.
“I see that Madi sent you with a defense. Where is she hiding?”
“She didn't come. You said for me to come alone, and she didn't want to chance it. She doesn't think you'll kill me.”
“Me? I'm just the delivery man. The Dominion want you because of your research. They offered me a lot to bring you to them with your research.”
“Why didn't they just come and get me themselves,” Larent said with a wary eye. “They could have captured me without any problem.”
Boyle shook his head. “You don't need to know that. What I do have to know is where your research is? I don't see anything with you, and I do know that you had it when you visited the think tank earlier.”
Larent smirked. He had personally left it behind at the hotel.
“Wait,” Madi had said while they were getting ready to leave. “Everything is on your computer? Do you have a backup?”
“I have everything backed up on a USB,” Larent had said grabbing his keys. “It's on here.”
Madi held her hand out. “Let me hold onto it. I feel like they're going to want it, and we shouldn't take a chance.”
Now, he was glad that she had suggested it. Boyle nodded. “It doesn't matter. They'll find out where Madi is, and we will kill her and anyone else that she's been working with. You however, are going to be leaving soon.”
Larent saw Clayton out of the corner of his eye. The vampire in the room had his back to the hallway leading from the living room and Boyle didn't have a view. The vampire hunter was moving slowly up towards them. Larent kept his eyes on Boyle.
“You need to let her go. Where are her children? You mentioned kids on the phone to Madi.”
Boyle clucked his tongue. “I'm afraid, I can't afford to let them go,” he said grabbing her face roughly with his hand. “You know who I am, and I can't have you telling anyone.”
His hand went lower to her throat and began to squeeze. “Maybe, the Dominion will appreciate an offering.”
Clayton moved with lightning speed as he grabbed the vampire from behind and smashed the vial of blood on its head. The vampire screamed and yelled, but Larent didn't hear it. He charged Boyle and knocked him over along with the chair that the woman was sitting in. He yelled to her as he fell, “Run!”
He landed hard on the floor but clamored to grab Boyle. The gun had fallen out of his hand and sprawled on the floor. Clayton grabbed for Ruth.
“My kids!” she cried.
“I've got them in the car! Go!”
She took off running, and Clayton turned back to Larent who was wrestling with Boyle. The vial that he had been carrying was on the floor. Clayton grabbed it as Larent yelled. “Go, Clayton! Go!”
Clayton ran after Ruth, and overtook her as they got to the car and jumped in. Clayton locked the doors as mother and kids reunited with tears. Come on, Larent! He looked at the house trying to decide whether to go back in there.
Suddenly, movement in the rear-view mirror caught his eye. Someone was walking up behind them. Wait. Two people. No! A bunch of people.
“Oh no!” Clayton opened the vial of blood and poured some in the hand. He smeared it over his face and wrists. Then he turned to Ruth. “Take some and put it on yourselves and the kids! Now!”
“It's blood! Why...” Clayton forced the vial into her hands.
“Now, Ruth!”
She took the vial and did what he said. Clayton sat with his hands gripping the wheel as the vampires grew closer. They passed by the car. Their eyes staring at the four of them with disdain as they smelled the blood. Only one got close enough to them for Clayton to see his face clearly. There was a fierce hatred in his eyes. His skinny finger pointed to Clayton.
“I'm gonna get you someday.” And they moved on.
Clayton watched them walking into the house. “Shit!” He cursed as he started the car and spun it around in the driveway.
“What about the other man?” Ruth asked. Clayton shook his head. He just hoped that Larent was more valuable to them alive.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Did you have anything important in there?”
Mei heard Madi’s voice but didn’t respond. She just watched as the police and fire department worked at putting out the last of the flames and keeping the crowds away. There wasn’t anything of great importance there, but it was the fact that they were officially not safe anymore. She hated that this was her life. It was the very life that had driven Charlotte and Milo away. And now—after the phone call with Clayton, she wasn’t sure if he was gone, too.
“I’m glad we took Larent’s research drive with us.” Madi put a hand on her shoulder. “I have an idea. There is someone who we can stay with that will help us.”
Mei nodded slowly and allowed Madi to take her hand. It was steady and calming. Mei wasn’t sure how the girl was feeling on the inside, but on the outside, she appeared confident and sure that everything was going to be okay. As they walked through the streets, she never let go of Mei’s hand. It was like she was the mother, and Mei was the child afraid to let go. In truth, she was. She had been afraid to let go in the way Madi had. Madi had one singular focus, and she wasn’t going to let anything stop her. Mei thought that she had that drive, too, but ever since Milo was hurt, then Charlotte became a vampire, and then Philip died—she realized that this mission of hers was costing people a lot. Lives were at stake.
“Hey!” Madi’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She had stopped and shifted the two boxes she was carrying in her arms. Snapping her fingers, Madi pushed her hair away from her face. “Don’t do that.”
Mei frowned. “Do what?”
“That,” Madi said. “I’ve been there. You’re second guessing your mission and how important it is. You have to believe that what you’re doing serves a purpose. You have to, okay?”
Mei nodded. Madi’s eyes had a certain fire in them, and she thought it was just when the girl was passionate, but it seemed to be there all the time.
“Thank you,” Mei said. Madi took a deep breath.
“Okay, so, the person who is going to help us doesn’t exactly know they’re helping us yet,” Madi said with a tiny bit of concern in her voice. Mei raised an eyebrow. Madi squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. He will still do it.”
They walked across a lonely street to a set of apartment buildings. Madi hit a button on a panel in the doorway and waited. A man’s voice sounded from the small speaker box beside it.
“Hello?”
Madi leaned in. “Eric, it’s me, Madison.” Mei noticed that there was a slight pause and possibly a groan mixed in there. Madi frowned. “Madison. Madi.”
“I know. I know. It’s late.”
“And I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t an emergency.”
There was another pause. Finally, there was a buzzing sound and a click. Madi grabbed the door handle, and the two of them walked up a few flights of stairs before coming to a door. 4C. Mei watched as Madi combed through her hair with her fingers and ran her hands down her clothes.
“This man,” Mei questioned with her voice. Madi glanced at her and saw the look on Mei’s face. “No. Don’t say anything.”
She knocked and within a split second, the door opened. The concerned look on his face was rivaled by the exhaustion from having just woken up.
“Are you okay?” He asked looking her over.
“Alive, but on the run,” she pointed to the woman next to her. “This is Mei. She’s a Dominion vampire who lost her memory and is working to help me take down the Dominion while I help her figure out who she is. Can we crash here for the night?”
“I’m sorry,” she said horrified.
“It’s okay,” Eric changed his expression immediately. “There is a bathroom down the hallway, and—um—my niece has to stay with me from time to time. She’s left some clothes here, and she is tall for a thirteen-year old. You might be able to find something in the guest room closet.”
“Thank you, Eric,” Mei said graciously. She walked down the hallway to the guest room. It was small but had a bed, a dresser, and a Bible. She picked up the black leather-bound book and held it in her hands. She hadn’t seen one since she had been out of the crypt. Truthfully, she couldn’t remember what was in it, or the God that it talked about. She opened the cover and on the inside was inscribed ‘to God’s chosen and anointed. May you continue to challenge the status quo of religion and the world.’
She closed the book and put it back on the dresser. So, Eric was a priest or something of the like. She was confused on the relationship that he had with Madi, but she was beginning to understand that while Madi didn’t hold anyone close to her, people were drawn to her nonetheless.
Mei opened the closet door and found a dress that looked very close to her size. She took it into the bathroom; noting that she heard Madi recounting everything to Eric as if he were well-versed in the supernatural. Of course, as a priest, he probably was. She would have to talk to him about her own situation.
The shower felt wonderful, and when she left the bathroom in the dress, the lights were out in the apartment except for the one in the guest room. Madi sat on the edge of the bed with her phone to her ear. Everything in Mei’s body tensed as she heard the voice on the other end of the line. “She’s here,” Madi said eyeing Mei. Mei rushed to the bed and grabbed the phone.