by Garth Ono
"If you kill a Goth, he will instantly become a zombie," she continued. "If you are lucky."
"Why would that make us lucky?"
Kate smiled cruelly at him. His eyes got even bigger, and she noticed everyone was listening raptly.
"If the drac-loving Goth truly is a minion, as you claim, he will instantly turn into a vampire when you kill him. And then he can start biting you. Everyone he bites will become his unholy slave!" she said, making them all jump. "Are you trying to leave the Grace of God and become Minions of Hell?" The mob shifted back away from her, their faces masks of horror. She pulled the other trigger. Boom! "Run!"
The mob turned and ran. Kate shook her head and sighed. "Good thing that worked, or I'd be dead now."
"Thank you," the female Goth said. "But we're not minions of hell."
"I didn't say you were," Kate said. Though, she wasn't so sure. Just being a vampire-bitten minion didn't necessarily make them evil. If they willingly followed someone out to do evil, then they might be minions of hell. "Is Mordred the real Master of the City? Are there others who might challenge his claim?"
She'd actually heard three names of so-called Masters of the City at the police briefing that morning. All were suspects in the zombie infestation, but the police had no actual evidence to prove it. It seemed to Kate everyone just wanted to blame them since vampires could control zombies.
"Sebastian and Indigo are wannabes," the male said.
"I'm Kate," she said. "And you are?"
"I'm Wolfram Pierce, and this is my wife Lilith," he said. "And as those guys said, we follow the one true Master of the City, Mordred Moor."
An idea began to form in the back of Kate's mind. She smiled at the Goth couple.
"Tell me more about Mordred."
Chapter 7
Kate pulled up to huge wrought iron gates. Moor Manor was in Clayton, a wealthy suburb of St. Louis not too far from her hotel. White stone walls stretched out to either side. Several cameras turned toward her as she came to a stop. A dozen big, armed men turned assault weapons at her. They also carried pistols and machetes, so were armed for bear and zombies. She rolled down her window and smiled brightly at the guard approaching.
"Hi, guys. Kate Brokenshire to see Mordred Moor," she said.
"Reason?"
"Business."
Without another word, the guard stepped away and called someone on his cell. The other guards watched her like a hawk, hands on weapons. She wondered how rich Mordred had to be to live like that. Those men were not love-struck Goths. They looked expensive.
"Get out," the guard said upon his return.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You have to leave your vehicle and weapons here," he said. "We'll transport you to and from the main house."
Kate looked past him, through the gates, and spotted a man sitting in a golf cart. He was just as big, mean looking, and well-armed as the others. Apparently Mordred took his security seriously.
"Fine," she said with a sigh.
She got out, went around back to put away her weapons, and then locked up the Defender. The guard shoved her up against the back of the truck and started patting her down. His hands were very bold and inappropriate.
"Hey! I usually get a kiss before a guy touches me there," she said.
He gave her a cold look, grabbed her shoulders, and she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he spun her around, pushed her up against the truck again, and checked her braid for weapons, as well as her back pockets. And for good measure, ran his hand up and down her butt crack a few times.
"Are we engaged now?" Kate asked.
"You're not funny," he said.
"Who said I was joking?" she replied. "If you've finished feeling me up, I'd like to go speak with Mr. Moor."
She was waved toward the gate. It opened just enough for her to pass through sideways. The security guard inside patted the seat next to him. Kate sat and looked through the gate at the other guards. Her molester was staring at her, a smirk on his face.
I knew he enjoyed it.
Kate could only see bits and pieces of the roof from the gate. Her breath caught when they rounded a bend and the full glory of the estate was displayed. It was a French inspired style, with white stone walls and bluish-gray roof. And it was huge.
The entrance's double doors were painted shiny black. Both doors opened as she approached. Two guards with assault rifles and machetes stood to either side. She was surprised when none of the guards escorted her inside.
The entry foyer was the most spectacular Kate had ever seen. And she'd visited actual palaces in England and Europe. Despite it being the home of St. Louis' king of Goths, the décor was predominantly white. All she saw was white marble floors and walls, and even a crystal chandelier. The sweeping double staircase had a blood red carpet running up the middle. A table dead center and under the huge chandelier had a black vase full of dark red roses.
There were scores of young, attractive Goths wandering around and lounging. Kate didn't think there was anyone over twenty-five. The women especially dressed sexily, with tight corsets and sky high heels the rule. Not an ugly person in sight.
A tall redhead, who looked more dominatrix than Goth in her shiny black catsuit, approached, her six inch stilettos echoing. The others in the foyer gave Kate smug smiles. She started to worry she might be dreaming. This place was surreal.
"Greetings, Kate Brokenshire," the redhead said, her voice deep and husky. She looked Kate over like she was a present left behind by a puppy. "I am Calista, Stewardrix of Moor Manor."
Oh lord, please. Stewardrix isn't a real word, Kate thought. "You're the chief servant of Mordred Moor?"
"I am. May I get you a refreshment? Wine?" Calista asked. She scrunched up her perfect little nose. "Beer or wine cooler?"
Kate would normally be amused by something like that, but Calista rubbed her the wrong way for some reason. Yet, she had to play nice. She was the one coming with hat in hand to ask for a favor.
"No, but thank you," she said. "One question. Do you know if a Daphne Coleman is a follower of Mordred Moor?"
"Never heard of her," Kate said. She turned and curled a finger in a come with me motion. "Follow me. The Master wishes to see you right away."
"He's heard of me?"
"You saved two of his subjects this morning," she said. "Of course he knows who you are."
They passed between the stairs and turned right. A huge great room opened up before them. Kate was surprised by the grandeur and the number of people in the room. Everyone was dressed in the sexy Goth style. As Calista approached, the crowd parted down the middle. The slayer followed the shiny latex-clad servant.
Mordred Moor sat upon a big, black throne against the back wall. He was easily spotted, because he was upon a raised dais. Six gorgeous Goth girls surrounded him, standing in stoic glory. Mordred was dressed like a nobleman straight out of the 1700s, in a black velvet coat, golden britches and leggings. He wore a hooded cape of darkest blue over it all, with a lacy veil obscuring his features.
"How did Mr. Moor earn his money?" Kate asked.
"Shhh," Calista said.
"You shushed me? Are you going to spank me if I don't shut up?" Calista slanted a dirty look back at her. "I know. I'm not funny."
"I appreciate sassy girls, but you're just annoying," Calista said. "Now hush."
Kate was shocked. She hadn't been put in her place like that since age sixteen, and her mother did the deed. Her mother was good at putting Kate in her place.
The stewardrix stopped before the Master of the City and bowed. Kate bowed, but wasn't sure if it was required. Mordred cocked his head, but said nothing. Instead, the six Goth girls spoke in unison.
"Rise."
"My lord, may I present to you Kate Brokenshire of Tennyson, Illinois," Calista said very formally. "She is the zombie slayer that saved Wolfram and Lilith from the mob this morning. And now she begs an audience."
"Hello, your grace," Kat
e said. "Are you the vampire formerly known as Mordred?"
That got his attention. His Goth girls looked shocked.
Everyone loves a Prince reference, she thought. No one laughed. Calista was staring daggers at her. These people take themselves way too seriously.
"We are not a vampire," the Goth girls said in unison.
Kate's jaw dropped. Were they really using the royal "We"?
"May I ask who the women speaking for your grace are?"
"We are the Master's Ladies-in-Waiting."
Mordred said nothing. Did he have some kind of mental link with them? She knew dracs could control both living and undead minions, but Kate had never heard of anything like that. She looked the women over more closely.
Kate almost blurted out that only women had Ladies-in-Waiting. Mordred definitely was not a woman. He actually looked like a rather handsome example of masculinity, if you could get him out of that Goth outfit. She guessed he was around six foot four, maybe two hundred twenty pounds.
"Ah. Thank you," Kate said, not knowing what else to say. "Interesting."
The Ladies-in-Waiting all had a very specific look. They were pale, with dark brown or black hair, blue eyes, and shapely. One might even go so far as saying they were busty. One and all of their boobs looked like they were going to pop out of their black leather corsets. They also wore black velvet cloaks with the hoods pulled up, so that their faces were in shadow. Their lips and nails were very dark red.
Interesting, but mostly creepy, she thought.
The Ladies all took one step forward. Same foot. At exactly the same time. Kate instinctively stepped back. Faint little smiles tugged at their blood red lips.
"Isn't it kind of required for the Master of the City to be a drac?"
Mordred and the Ladies all shook their heads in perfect sync. Kate wondered if they were trying to freak her out.
"No," they said. "Though We love Our vampiric brethren, We rule out of love, not compulsion."
That was a scary thought. If Mordred was a drac, and had bitten every single one of his followers, that meant dozens, if not hundreds of Goths would one day be vampires themselves. All vampire bitten minions became vampires when they died. That thought made her heart hammer.
"Wow. Well, I came here to ask a favor and offer a way to help you with your public relations problem with the rest of the city," Kate said. "For it to work, you'd have to be a vampire."
"The citizens of this city hate and attack Us because they believe We are a vamp," the Ladies-in-Waiting said. "Claiming to be a vamp would be confirmation for those who believe We are Calling the zombies to attack them. We did not create this infestation, and We hate it more than anyone. Look elsewhere, slayer, for your vampire."
Kate didn't think that was a solid denial. It was more of a we don't want to admit being undead, because it'll cause us more trouble.
"You've been dismissed," Calista said, with some satisfaction.
"Fine. I'll go find a willing vampire," Kate said. She turned to leave. "He will be the hero St. Louis needs."
"Hero?" Mordred himself asked.
She slanted a look over her shoulder. Their eyes locked for an intense second. Vampiric powers? Or just paranoia on her part?
"Yes. I seek a vampire to Call all of the zombies within the city to one location of our choosing," Kate said. "Once they are gathered, then the police and slayers can… Neutralize them. The vampire who saves the city from the zombie infestation will be a hero."
The Ladies turned and huddled with Mordred for a long moment. Kate turned back to them. Maybe she'd done it. Calista watched raptly, as did everyone in Mordred's Gothic Court.
The Ladies hurried back to their previous positions. Mordred rose and moved to the edge of the dais. He held out his hand, palm down. Kate understood he wanted her to kiss it, but why? Was that significant in their subculture? Would that commit her to something?
Kate moved up hesitantly, gently took his hand in hers, and noticed the icy coldness of his flesh. She brushed her lips across his knuckles. That pleased him, and he stepped back.
Chapter 8
"Are you sure she's in Clayton?" Brody asked for the hundredth time. "Most of the slayers are up north this morning dealing with the new zombies."
Brody was a tall, dark, and mean looking former smuggler. His partner in crime was Carl, just as big and mean looking. Brody was the man that killed Daphne. Since she was the minion of a dead vampire, she turned into a vampire upon her murder. Then she bit them and made them her obedient minions. Neither one of them was happy about it, but they obeyed and that's all that counted.
"The app doesn't lie," Daphne said. "And is Clayton another town? We're not in St. Louis?"
"Never mind," he replied.
They were in a dark blue SUV of some type, and very luxurious with leather seats and all of the bells and whistles. Daphne was not good with cars. She could tell the difference between a car, a pickup, and a SUV. Don't ask make and model. Simon provided it. It was one of his minion's personal vehicle.
Daphne rode in the back seat where it was a little darker, with nose in her phone. Sunlight really hurt her eyes. It was the worst part about being a vampire. For some reason sunlight didn't bother zombies, just vampires.
Her app provided a map and location of her friend's phone. It was guiding them straight to Kate. Brody was driving and Carl riding shotgun. They were well-armed and she worried they hated Kate too much to actually capture her. Neither man was shy about wanting to, what Brody called, "put some major hurt on her."
"Turn right," she said.
"There it is," Carl said, sounding excited. "That's her Land Rover."
She scooted to the middle of the back seat to see out the windshield. First thing, she pulled her very dark sunglasses down. Daphne spotted Kate's dark green SUV parked in front of a gated driveway. Big, scary guards stood around with Army rifles. No one was inside the SUV and Kate was nowhere to be seen.
"Moor Manor," Brody said. "Looks like Miss Kate is sleeping with the enemy."
Daphne scowled. Why would Kate visit a strange vampire? Was she in league with the Master of the City? Was Mordred hiring her to hunt down her and Simon? It couldn't be good.
Brody drove by without slowing. The gate guards watched them suspiciously. They continued down the street until out of sight of the gate, before pulling over.
"What now, boss?" Brody asked.
She kind of liked it how they both called her boss. The young drac checked her app again. It showed Kate up in the main house. She wondered what it would be like to serve such a filthy rich vampire. Simon was a barely getting by kind of vamp. But he was ambitious, and still lived in a very big house. It was one of many abandoned McMansions. There was no shortage of free housing in St. Louis.
"How many times do you think we can drive past those guards before they become suspicious?" she asked. The dot that represented Kate moved. It was suddenly halfway between Mordred's mansion and the front gate. "She's leaving. Turn around."
Brody obeyed, and they were quickly heading back to the gate. They drove past just as Kate opened the driver's door. Daphne didn't see any weapons on her. Brody continued by and then stopped and waited at the intersection. A few seconds later another car came up behind them, with Kate behind that car.
"Do we try and grab her now?" Carl asked.
"No," Brody said. "Too far back. She'll see us coming and have time to get a weapon."
So they continued across the intersection, but then Kate turned toward I-64.
"Where's she going?" Carl asked. "Turn around."
Daphne expected her to turn right on I-64 and head for the perimeter. Most of the zombies were near the edge of the city. Since Simon opened a few more breaches the previous night up north, she believed Kate was going to head that way. Instead, Kate turned left and headed east on I-64. They followed her to the slayer hotel on Jefferson.
"There are police everywhere," Brody said as he pulled into the parking lot nex
t door. They could see Kate drive all the way to the back corner to a big truck and a lot of police. She scowled at her old friend, thinking how pissed Simon would be if she failed. Brody slanted an annoyed look at her, "Now what, boss?"
They watched her open the back of her Land Rover and pull out black plastic bag after bag. How many zombies did she kill in a day? Daphne was impressed. She knew Kate was a badass, but wow.
She sent Simon a message that they found Kate, but were waiting for her to give them an opening to catch her. He immediately called back.
"Why does he always want to talk instead of text?" Daphne grumbled. "He's worse than Kate about crap like that." And then she answered, "Hey, baby."
"Don't hey baby me. Why aren't you grabbing her?"
"She's inside the slayers' hotel gated parking lot, turning in heads to four cops," she snapped. "It's early, so I'm sure she'll go back out. Don't worry. I will give you Kate today."
He didn't answer right off. Daphne heard giggling in the background, and then the creak of a bed. She rolled her eyes. So aggravating. She gave him everything he could want in bed, yet he still had to bang all of his pretty little blood cows.
"She's leaving," Carl said.
Brody headed for the street, too. Daphne perked up, feeling energized. She spotted Kate's vehicle stopping at the gate while it slowly opened.
"Gotta go, baby," she said to Simon. "I'll call you as soon as we have her."
Kate quickly got back up on I-64 and headed west. They followed, but far enough back she wouldn't notice. The slayer went up to the I-170 Inner Belt Expressway and headed toward the northern part of the city.
They followed her all the way up to Earth City beside the Missouri River. There was a huge horde of zombies across the river in St. Charles. That was Simon's favorite place to Call over zombies. The undead only needed a little nudge to make them swim across the river. Kate barely turned off I-70 before a trio of zombies crossed the road in front of her.
"She's stopping," Carl said. They slowed down and watched as she finished arming up and then ran off after the zombies. "She won't be expecting us when she comes back."