“Okay…one, two three…go,” Robert said softly, and at a speed that Rio could not follow, the three vampires were at the fence, jumping, and for a brief second, standing atop the fence.
Looking down at the six vampires they had come to destroy, Nikka gave a wide smile, and screamed in a loud voice, “Here’s Nikka!”
The three dropped into the compound grounds, Rio following at human speed. He watched the fight carefully, moving toward the gate. Amp and Nikka had pulled their swords and Robert was holding the short handled shotgun at the ready before Wilson’s vampires were even aware they were in a real fight.
The first boy Amp reached made the mistake of reaching for her with bare hands, his fangs down, and showing an angry, determined look on his face. He was going for the smallest adversary, and it was a fatal mistake. Amp struck quickly, the young vampire looking down at the stumps that used to be his hands. Without pausing, Amp sidestepped him, and did a complete one eighty. Her sword glided through the air, not slowing as it sliced through the boys neck, severing the head and creating a fountain of crimson blood.
Nikka held her sword in two hands, but was fighting with her feet, the blows knocking two of the boys off their feet, the girl an expert on balance and counterbalance. Once they were down, Amp violently took one’s head, Nikka the other, Rio admiring the teamwork of the two. Three down, three to go, he thought, hoping Robert would not have to use the shotgun. He was disappointed as two shots rang out simultaneously. He watched as the fourth vampire went down, Robert catching him in the gut, not a kill shot for a vamp, but serious enough to put him out of commission for the fight. Rio aimed his M-4 at the vampire as he lay withering on the ground, and with a three shot burst, ruined the rest of the boy’s day.
Four down, and they were fighting so fast he could barely follow the action. His attention went to a body on the ground to his left. Turning, his M-4 ready to fire, he was looking into the dead eyes of Robert, a closely fired shotgun round had destroyed his friend’s chest, the gaping wound blowing out everything between the Ranger’s belly and his chin. Not permitting himself to think about the fatality, he continued to monitor the front door, waiting for the reinforcements to appear.
The second vampire holding a shotgun had it raised, trying to get a shot at Nikka as she moved on his partner. Rio didn’t think, just fired at the boy, catching him in the throat with all three rounds, his head staying with his body by one strong cord of cartilage.
Amp cut the sixth across his arm, severing it. Grabbing his wound, the boy turned to flee, only to run into Nikka’s blade, his body continuing for four steps as his head remained behind.
Nobody had come out of the house; a red flag immediately going to Rio’s brain.
“Come on, get Robert, and get to the woods, something’s not right here,” he ordered the girls, who for the first time got a clear look at their dead friend.
“Shit,” Nikka screamed, kneeling next to her child, feeling for any life left in him.
“He’s gone, honey. Let’s get him into the woods; I think we’re in a world of trouble here.”
“I think that’s a pretty fair assessment, human,” the quiet voice behind them said, the three turning.
Silas Turkman and the five remaining warriors spread out twenty feet away. Each warrior was armed with a sword, while a few had shotguns strapped to their backs. Silas was wearing black, an imposing figure standing several inches taller than his five comrades.
If the man was expecting a reply from the three, he was disappointed. They stood in front of Robert’s body; each assessing the situation, all three brains working on the same page.
“I sent these six out to protect the gate, to give us some type of warning of an attack. They did their job, but just barely. Beryl said they were the most expendable, so I suppose we have to live with it. I’m shocked they managed to take one of yours. Six for one is not good odds in a battle, is it, human? It would appear the first skirmish goes to you. The bad news is, I’m here now, and the odds have suddenly shifted our way.”
Rio refused to speak, his finger on the trigger of his weapon, waiting for the first move from the enemy. Cut the head off of the snake, and the body dies, he was telling himself. His first blast was going to be directed between the eyes of the tall leader.
“Amp, you were magnificent,” Silas continued. “Better than I ever imagined you would be. Introduce me to your companions, my dear?”
“You have no right to address me,” Amp said in an even voice. “You, who preached honor and integrity, you turn out to be not only a hypocrite, but a murderer, and traitor, and a man without even a tiny shred of honor. You make me want to vomit, traitor. It will be a pleasure to send you to hell, along with Wilson, and these five sorry excuses of fighters.”
“Amp, how silly. You’re finished here. You killed six boys, that’s a good body count…oh, and the three earlier, who happened to be pretty good fighters. I don’t know how you got the jump on them, but it was good work. I suppose you have the human Miriam. I’ll find her, don’t worry about that. When I do, she’ll wish she had died here tonight with you three. Amp, you were amazing, all three of you were, I admit, but your ride is over. You cannot best me, and you above anyone else should know that. I am the warrior, you three are the losers.”
“I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this battle,” Nikka said. “First, why don’t you tell us why you’re here. I’m curious, and I imagine Amp would like to know how she could have been so wrong about such obvious scum. We learn from our mistakes, and this was a whopper.”
“I owe you nothing, vampire, except a quick trip to hell, which you’ll be receiving soon enough,” he answered venomously, spitting the words out. “Anne Marie does deserve an explanation, although I’m not sure it will be a comfort as I’m taking her head. I’ll give the condensed version, and then we can get along with the conclusion of this little soap opera. First of all, Beryl Wilson is my sire, a secret I have kept hidden for centuries, waiting for the day he would call me home. I’ve lived the life of a warrior, fighting as a mercenary. I’ve had many close calls spanning several centuries, but I picked my battles well, and I always go into a fight with the odds on my side. I went to work for Morgan after convincing him of my exemplary record in war. Working for the L.A. coven was a sweet job. I was paid a fortune for teaching people the art of death. Morgan trusts me, and even, I think, considers me a friend; at the least a confidant. Then you showed up, Anne Marie, and I was forced to teach you how to fight so that you could kill my sire. That wasn’t going to happen, not today, not any day. I thought I could talk you out of it, convince you to stay in California. I never thought you would learn the art of death so well. You are my crowning achievement, Amp. Pity, but I’m going to put you down like a dog.”
“You’re a disgrace to our race, and I spit on you,” Amp said, her voice no longer shaky.
“I’m sorry to hear you say that, Amp. I’ve always liked you. Anyway, it’s time we discussed our business. I deman you lay your weapons down and I will make this painless and honorable,” he said. “The alternative will not be pleasant.”
“Bring it on, dick head!” Amp yelled. “I like our odds. Give us your best shot. Oh, you better call out your suck-buddy daddy, because when I finish with you, I’m going after him. I promise you, Wilson’s death is going to be slow, and painful…and very final.”
Thump!
A large bundle of what appeared to be rags landed on the ground in the middle of the two groups, every eye on the package dropped from above.
It moved, then moaned, then sat up. Beryl Wilson’s legs and hands were secured with several turns of duct tape. He had landed awkwardly, and it was apparent several bones had been broken.
Now that’s a game changer, Rio thought, trying to hide the smile on his face.
Things had suddenly gotten very interesting.
------
“I was beginning to wonder if you were going to ask where our host
was, Amp?” called a voice from above. “I truly wanted to give him the opportunity for a dramatic entrance. Do you think it worked?”
Looking up at the balcony adjacent to the roof of the Wilson house, Amp was greeted with the beaming face of Lord Morgan, leaning against the railing in a cavalier manner. She couldn’t keep the grin off her face, her world suddenly right again.
“Perfect, My Lord,” she answered, bowing deeply. “A truly grand entrance.”
The look on Silas’ face was priceless; the expression one of absolute shock and confusion.
“Lord Morgan, what are you doing here?” Silas finally asked, his voice cracking.
Waving down at Silas, Morgan spoke directly to the traitor as if he were addressing an old friend.
“Silas, old chum. Sorry, but are you feeling left out all of a sudden? What am I doing here? I’m listening to you tell these people what a grand, and breathtaking, and powerfull warrior you are. Don’t think they’re buying it, do you?”
Silas’ answer was interrupted by yet another voice coming out of the darkness.
“Excuse me, Lord Morgan, but have I missed the good part?”
The question came from the gate, the voice belonging to a man dressed in evening wear, a black tuxedo, white shirt sans tie, and a glorious red cape blowing in the wind. In his hand he held an elegant, and deadly, sword. In his mouth was a freshly lit Cuban cigar.
“Is this fun, or what?” Morgan laughed deeply from the balcony.
“Beryl, when you throw a party, you really throw a party. Alexander, my old friend, where, might I ask, did you come from?”
Alexander moved to the line and stood next to Nikka; Rio and Amp to their left. “I met these delightful children earlier in the evening. After they left my boat, my mate got tired of my stomping around, and pouting, and told me to get my sword, and go attack a windmill. Here I am…I hope I’m not intruding…and I hope I’m not too late.”
“My Lord, you are always welcome to stand with us,” Nikka answered. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, My Lady,” and he did the little bow thing again, which endeared him to Amp, who thought it was the coolest thing she had ever seen. A fleeting memory of San Francisco and Lord Rinaldo passed through her mind, making her smile at the chivalry of older vampires.
“So, my dear Silas,” Morgan continued. “To answer your question, I’m here to retrieve something that belongs to me.”
“I belong to no man,” Silas answered boldly. He was trying for even a tiny shred of self respect among this disaster of an evening. Where, he wondered, did he lose control?
“Oh, I don’t want you back, Silas. That wouldn’t be looked on with a great deal of delight back in L.A. No, you’ve worn your welcome out. What I want is the honor that you robbed me of. You have dishonored not only me, but my entire coven…every single member of my family. Your treachery and lies must be avenged, so here I am, although it appears to me Amp has things clearly in control, and certainly didn’t need my intervention. I probably should have kept silent and watched her little band of warriors lay waste to you and your brothers…or sisters...or whatever they are. Really Silas, you’ve fallen to a new low. What’s the score? Nine to one…if this was baseball, it would be close to a run rule.”
“Laugh, Morgan, laugh all you want. Then you can stand there and watch while I go through her puny force like a hot blade cutting through butter,” Silas answered, his sword rising slightly. “You will be able to return home, and tell about seeing the warrior Silas destroy those who threatened his family.”
As he talked, Rio prepared his mind for the shot, not yet making an aggressive move, waiting to see how this played out. It was certainly entertaining.
“Hold on, Silas. Let me finish my little spiel, and then you can get on with your fight…although so far it appears to be a rout. If I were an odds maker in Vegas, and was setting the odds for a one on one between you and the lovely Amp, I think it would be dead even...though my money would be on Amp.”
As he said it, he saw the disbelief on Silas’ face, the look changing to anger. He also noticed the five vampires flanking Silas moving nervously, sliding tiny steps away from the warrior. They were ready to run, Morgan realized, could tell by their body language. Not just yet, he thought.
“I’ve watched you fight, I’ve sparred against you, and you’re very good, I must admit. But after watching the absolute devastation Amp and her friends did to your forward force, she’s also very good. If I was gambling, I definitely lean toward her.”
Silas wanted to reply, but Morgan spotted the spark of uncertainty; there one moment, then gone; but he had seen it. Good. He wanted this man’s balls, and he was going to drag it out for as long as he could.
Up to now, Wilson had not said a word. He sat on the ground as his limbs healed, the bones mending, and the lacerations disappearing. He was taped in a manner that even his vampire strength could not break, and it was frustrating to him, would be frustrating to any vampire. Who would have imagined duct tape could hold a vampire helpless. Finally, he felt well enough to contribute.
“Lord Morgan, Lord Alexander, I’m not sure what we are all doing here this evening, but as you both know, this is my home…and neither of you gentlemen have been invited. I think it would be a good idea for you both to leave before my mate Miriam arrives home. This scene is distasteful to me; it would be frightening to her.”
Morgan laughed loud and deep from the balcony.
“Beryl, old boy, you are a bundle of delight. If the human Anrio hadn’t rescued your mate a while ago, at the same time taking down three of your prize warriors, I might add, we would be watching you and your minions take turns raping, and murdering her right at this very moment. That was the plan, was it not, Wilson?”
“Liar!” he cried from the ground, where he had fallen trying to stand up on his bound feet. “Miriam is my love…my life. Where are you getting these lies from? Rape and murder? You people are here to steal what I’ve worked so hard for. I knew you would come someday…I knew it. You’re jealous, so jealous. Just leave; I banish you from my property.”
“You lie, you piece of shit!” came the cry from the front gate, eyes turning to see Miriam, dressed in the same black outfit as the others, walk onto the grounds, past Nikka and her group, and right up to the collapsed figure of Wilson.
“You lie, Wilson, you sick fuck.”
And she kicked him right in the side of his head, the tennis shoe not doing a lot of damage to the vampire, but the significance of the act not lost on anyone.
“This just keeps getting better and better,” Morgan laughed from up high.
“This man planned my execution for tonight,” Miriam said loudly. “They were going to tear my body apart in some insane ceremony him and that sick bastard created.”
She calmly pointed to Silas. “Then they would make all their little queer boys drink my blood. It was a pump up the team thing, a motivational slurp-fest.”
Silas yelled, the sound overpowering Miriam’s voice. “I never would have been a part of something like that,” he cried. “I have a warrior’s heart, and we do not kill arbitrarily. You are lying, human.”
“Shut your face, you fucking rapist!” she screamed at Silas. “You spent hours yesterday raping me in every way possible, then put a dog leash on me and tossed me outside, naked in the cold, to wait for my execution. Don’t you ever call me a liar, vampire. Oh, by the way…you aren’t anything special in the sex department. A bit on the tiny side…just saying.”
“Would anyone believe this?” Morgan called down to Alexander, both men laughing at Silas. It was obvious they were enjoying the evening immensely. “I wish I had brought a video crew.”
“I must buy Becca a gift for pushing me out the door tonight,” Alexander replied, chuckling. “If I had missed this, I would have been so disappointed.”
“My dear Miriam,” Morgan spoke, trying to calm the human down. “If you will permit me to continue, I was just having a conver
sation with my dear friend Silas about the odds on this upcoming battle.”
She gave one more kick to Wilson’s head, then moved over to stand next to Amp, who reached out and squeezed her hand.
“He’s a friend of yours?” Miriam whispered to Amp, talking about Silas.
“I know, I don’t get around much,” Amp answered, making the human smile.
“That’s okay, I was with the pile of shit on the ground. We need to get lifes.”
“We found them,” Amp whispered. “Now we gotta hold onto them.”
Morgan continued, starting to sound like the master of ceremony.
“So Silas, my odds are even so far. I have no idea how trained or prepared your five warriors are next to you, but I sense a bit of jitters taking hold. Will they stand with you?”
“That’s an absurd question,” Silas answered, offended, looking first right, then left, his look stopping the movement among the boys. “These are Beryl’s finest, his best and bravest. I handpicked them to destroy this band of misfits. They are my brothers. Of course they will stand and fight with me.”
“Good, that’s good, Silas. I was just wondering. You asked Amp to introduce her friends, but she left that to me. Let’s start with the human soldier. His name is Anrio Peron. It was he who rescued Miriam from your sick plan. A human, who stood up to three vampire warriors, and walked away without so much as a scratch. Speaks volumes about your side, don’t you think, Silas?”
The man was silent, his eyes glaring at the human standing alongside the vampires across from him. Rio met his glare without blinking.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, Silas. This is also the man that has been surveying the compound for a week, without you ever getting a whiff of him. I won’t give away his secret, but he bested you, warrior. Over and over, day in and day out.”
Where is he getting his information, Rio wondered? He’s pretty damn well informed. I’m glad he’s on our side.
“One more thing, Silas. Mr. Peron is one of the finest snipers that the U.S. Army Rangers ever had. His record of kills is nothing short of extraordinary. Right at this very moment, he’s holding an M-4 assault rifle, with every intention, I’m sure, of putting several holes in your head at your first move. And I don’t think there’s a damn thing you can do to stop him. Just giving you a heads up, old boy.”
Kill Wilson (Petersburg Vampires) Page 21