Blood Reign

by Harvey W. McCarthy

  "Yes, it was David. The money came from the board," Larry responded.

  "Well isn't that just fucking peachy?"

  "It was a trade off," Chris said as he spoke up. "We all have had our services compensated. Larry wanted to teach so his education was paid for, in full, by the board. I love comic books and they opened this store with you as the owner. As my payment, I get to continue to build my collection as I have done over the years."

  "And what did Myles get out of this?" David asked sarcastically.

  "We are in it. He had told Larry that he always wanted to run a mystical bookstore, so they bought the lot. Did you know that Myles had been saving his money to try to buy this land?" Chris asked.

  "N…No, I didn't," David stammered.

  "Yes, he had a small coin can that he filled up and he would deposit it monthly. It was filling up faster and faster since his student loans were finally paid off."

  "He got his loans paid off? I just had mine paid in full recently too by some grant…"

  David's voice trailed off. It had suddenly hit him. His loans were paid by the council board. A resigned look came across his face. He never realized it until now that the council had compensated him for his services. He had his store and he was free from debt. Unlike many of his peers, he was actually better off than they were financially. However, they weren't chasing vampires.

  "Why didn't you stop us?" David demanded. He needed to know the answer but he didn't want to ask the question.

  "How could I once you learned my secret? You followed me. I was preparing to have you two start your research for me under the guise of wanting to write my own graphic novel. It was a story that you two would have believed," Chris answered.

  David nodded. "Yes, we've both said that you should be writing your own stories instead of just reading someone else's."

  Chris nodded. "But you were both researchers. Unfortunately, researchers look for clues like detectives. You both had started to wonder why I was disappearing every night and came home at such weird hours."

  Again, David nodded. "Yes, we wondered why someone so private had such an active social life."

  "And you followed me. You followed me to the warehouse and you saw exactly what I was doing. I was hunting vampires. They were real. The horror and fantasy stories were not just some mythical tale. They are all very real. Every horror story including Dracula was very real. You walked into what I like to call geek heaven. You could live out your stories in real life. It consumed you like it has those before you. Whether you want to admit it or not, you both wanted to be part of it. Just like Larry did before you when he discovered my secret."

  David chuckled. "It is true. We couldn't believe it. When we saw you in trouble, the heroes that we always wanted to be took over. We dashed in and got our asses kicked."

  "Yes, but that distraction bought me enough time to regroup and we cleared out an entire nest that night. We probably saved hundreds of lives by killing those vampires."

  "I know. I know," David said. "I guess I am just looking for someone to blame when blame really isn't there. I guess I should blame myself because I took him with me when I knew that both of us were injured."

  "Did he resist?" Larry asked.

  "No, he complained a lot about being beat up, but he went willingly. He even said as we raced into the church that we had to hurry before she did something to Father Kinney."

  "And that is the sign of a true warrior," Chris said. "He thought of others before he thought about himself. He died a hero. He died like many of the heroes that we have read about in wars and in fiction. You shouldn't be sad."

  Larry turned to Chris. "And you should heed your own advice."

  David chuckled. "Easier said than done."

  Chris nodded. "I do mourn their deaths but as I said before, it is my other failure that eats at me."

  "Then tell us," David said as he rubbed his eyes, "Maybe clearing the air will help you and then we can get back to stopping that bitch."

  "That is part of the problem," Chris admitted.

  "Yeah, just ask my ribs," David grumbled, "I know that she is a problem."

  "No, the desire to stop her," Chris said softly.

  Larry was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

  "Oh good god," David said, "That is what she meant by enjoying you."

  Larry looked at David and then his head snapped back to Chris. "You didn't?"

  "Yes," Chris said, "And I have to admit that I liked it."

  David chuckled. "Dude, we've seen her. I don't blame you for that!"

  Larry didn't chuckle. His face was grim. "Are you sure that it wasn't a mind control spell?"

  Chris gave Larry a sarcastic look. "You know that won't work on me."

  David was confused. "If she is as powerful as she seems, then why wouldn't it?"

  "Because my faith should have been stronger," Chris said.

  "Whoa wait a minute," David said as he held up his hands in protest, "Aren't we jumping a little too far ahead here. You're changing the context here so quickly I'm going to start taking notes."

  "Sorry, but my faith should have allowed me to resist," he said.

  "You're a man and she's a ten!" David protested. "Hell, even I will admit that I've thought about her a few times during some alone moments."

  Larry chuckled as he turned to face Chris whose facial expression had not changed. Larry stopped chuckling. He knew what Chris was about to say and he had been dreading this moment.

  "I am not a man," Chris said.

  "Huh? Well, you make one fucking ugly woman then!" David joked.

  Larry became very serious and he stood. "David please sit," he urged.

  David shrugged and sat down. Chris stared directly at him. David suddenly felt a little unnerved. "I get the feeling that you haven't told me something."

  "Yes," Chris answered, "But I am telling you now."

  CHAPTER 10

  GERMANY C1517

  Father Cristof Blutherz prayed. There was much discontent in the land. In recent years, the Catholic Church had become lost. Reformation was looming. Reformers led by Martin Luther protested the sale of indulgences. Instead of sins being forgiven by God, the Pope had offered indulgences for those who stepped forward to help rebuild St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Father Blutherz prayed that his peers would find their way and see fit to end their blasphemy. Only the one true Father could forgive sins. Forgiveness could not be bought.

  KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

  Father Blutherz closed his bible. He pulled his hood back and he walked slowly to the door. The dark-haired man in his early thirties had several stress lines forming around his eyes. Dark days were looming. The forces of evil could be sensed all around. His brown robes were tattered. He did not want to been seen as one of those people who used his faith and prominence in the church to increase his wealth. He had his faith and he wanted all who came to his church to receive the same blessings from God. However, he was also a man of action.

  KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

  Father Blutherz opened the small eyehole slit in the door to his secret sanctuary. His dark eyes spied his visitor. "Pass?"

  "God's love is found in the coffers," his visitor said.

  Father Blutherz unlatched his door. He peered left and right to see if his friend had been followed. Believing that they were free from spying eyes, he motioned for his friend to enter. He took another quick glance at the dark, damp alleyway before closing and locking the door.

  He turned to his rain drenched visitor. "Were you seen?" he asked.

  "No," Martin Luther replied.

  "Were you followed?"

  "No, Cristof, I was not," Martin Luther answered angrily.

  Cristof held up a hand. "I apologize, my friend, but we are in dark times. We shouldn't even trust each other."

  "That isn't very reassuring, Cristof," Martin Luther stated.

  "But it is true," Cristof added. "Please sit and hand me your wet robe."

  "Thank you," Martin L
uther said.

  Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation, was a long-time friend of Cristof Blutherz. He handed his robe to Cristof who hung it on a coat rack. He smiled at his friend. He remembered when he had decided to become a priest. He was happy for his friend. His devotion to God made Martin Luther envious. From the day that he decided to enter into the priesthood, Martin had been his biggest supporter. When he doubted that he could do God's work, Martin assured him that because he worried about it that he would be one of the best priests in all of Germany. Now, he called on his friend to help him in his own hour of need.

  "Are you prepared, Martin?" Cristof asked.

  "When did you suddenly become so serious?" Martin asked playfully.

  "I am focused. The forces of evil have entered our own sanctuary. They do not belong in God's world," Cristof replied.

  "Are you certain that the changes in our religion are not just the evil that is greed?" Martin asked.

  "It is possible, but it doesn't seem right to me. Tetzel has risen through the ranks too quickly. I know the basilica needs the money for repairs but something isn't right. Yes, it reeks of greed. Anyone who is that interested in their filling coffers, like him, isn't interested in the well-being of the people," Cristof answered.

  "Yes, it doesn't feel right. Tetzel being the commissioner of all indulgences sounds like a plot to undermine the entire Catholic Church. People will lose faith when they can see that their forgiveness can be bought and sold like their market goods."

  Cristof nodded. "However, my friend, what you are proposing could be seen as treason by those same people."

  Martin nodded solemnly. "Yes, that is true, but we know the real reason behind it. However, if it leads us out of the abyss that is consuming the church, then I am willing to risk it."

  Cristof nodded. He knew the true reason behind the reformation. Luther believed that vampires had somehow invaded the church. Since the discovery of the undead demons, which walked as humans, existed, the Council of the Light had used the tools of faith as weapons against those evil creatures. Churches were meeting grounds for their warriors and leaders. Vampires could not walk on consecrated ground. However, if this was true, then Tetzel, the vampire, had managed to overcome that weakness and now he walked amongst the council warriors.

  "Do you think that this will draw him into the open?" Cristof asked.

  "You mean my ninety-five theses?" Martin replied.

  "Yes."

  "Yes, I do. In thesis twenty-eight, I am pointing my finger directly at Tetzel," Martin replied.

  "In what way?"

  Martin cleared his throat. He held his temples as he attempted to remember the exact wording of his document. "As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs," he said with a smile.

  Cristof smiled. "I like that."

  Martin chuckled. "I thought that was a good one. He will know that I am pointing my finger directly at him. If he is who we think he is, then he will strike. Are we ready?"

  "My acolytes have been properly trained. If we cannot handle Tetzel on our own, then they will be able to eliminate him. They will not fail."

  "So we are ready then?" Martin asked.

  "Yes."

  Both men smiled.

  * * *

  On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther under the cover of darkness posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Since the next day was All Saint's Day, he knew that his theses would be seen by many people since most people would be attending church services. It was known as the start of the Reformation and what eventually evolved into the Protestant Church. However, his ultimate goal was to lure Johann Tetzel, the commissioner of indulgences for the Catholic Church, into the open. Three days later, a messenger arrived at Martin Luther's door. Hours later, he was knocking on Cristof's door again.

  "Do you believe it is real?" Cristof asked as he read the scroll.

  "We cannot risk doubting its authenticity. If Tetzel wants to meet with us personally to, as he says, discuss our grievances, it only means one thing," Martin said.

  "Yes, he wants to draw us out and eliminate us," Cristof added.

  "I will contact our council warriors and set up an ambush…"

  "No," Cristof stated, "We must go alone."

  "Alone? Cristof, you and I, are not warriors. If he is who we think he is…"

  "…then we will have to be ready. I will have my acolytes watching us. They have been trained as warriors. If he is a real threat, then I will signal them to attack."

  "I don't like it, Cristof."

  "I don't either but we have to do it. We have to find out how they are infiltrating our ranks."

  "Set it up for three days at dusk. If we ask for a midday meeting, it might scare him off. This way we can act as if we know nothing."

  Martin shook his head. "He has to know."

  "I know," Cristof replied.

  * * *

  Three days later, Cristof and Martin waited for Johann Tetzel. They decided to test Tetzel's powers by requesting that they meet in Castle Church. Cristof had sent a message to the priest that presided over Castle Church and told him that he would like to host a special private prayer session for a few close friends. Despite being concerned about the necessity of a private prayer session in another church when Cristof could have used his own church, the priest trusted his longtime colleague. The church was turned over to him for the night and, now, the two men waited.

  As the sun disappeared for the day, they heard footsteps on the church steps. A moment later, the rotund, bald figure of Johann Tetzel stepped through the doors. He wore fine clothes. In his early fifties, his remaining hairs were gray. His round face was not frightening, but he did walk with an air of confidence. He smiled when he saw his fellow members of the church.

  "Good evening," he said. "I am honored to meet with you."

  Father Blutherz put his hands together and bowed slightly. "The honor is ours, Johann. You have the favor of His Eminence."

  "Thank you for coming," Martin said.

  "Now that the pleasantries are out of the way," Tetzel said, "What is the purpose of this meeting?"

  Martin looked at Cristof who nodded. "We have brought you here to protest the new policy on indulgences."

  Tetzel held up a hand. "I am not going to listen to any protests regarding the policy of His Eminence. If you have a problem with his policies, then you must take them up with him."

  Tetzel turned to leave, but Cristof raised his voice. "Johann, someone as important as you must understand the difficulty of arranging a meeting with His Holiness. We brought you here to hear our protests so you can bring them to him on our behalf."

  Tetzel stopped. "And why would I do such a thing?" he inquired.

  "You have a direct forum with him. We do not ask that you agree with what we are proposing, but rather be…"

  "…a messenger boy?" Tetzel asked.

  "That seems so…petty," Martin said as he attempted to humor his elder, "We don't mean to offend you, but…"

  "Well, you have offended me," Tetzel responded angrily. "I am not a messenger."

  He turned to leave again.

  "Or a human," Cristof said.

  Martin shot Cristof a glance, but he held up his hand. Tetzel stopped in his place. He began to laugh. It was an evil laugh. He turned slowly and his vampire face had appeared.

  "It appears that this meeting was not about protests after all," Tetzel said.

  "It appears so," Martin said.

  There was an awkward moment of silence. All three men stared at each other. The vampire smiled. He looked directly at Cristof. The priest shivered. The vampire laughed.

  "I can sense your fear, Father Blutherz," Tetzel said. "It excites me."

  "So how did you do it?" Cristof asked.

  "Infiltrate your ranks?" Tetzel retorted.

  "No, walk through the front door," Martin said.

  Tetz
el laughed. He began to pace slowly. He walked to the basin of holy water and spat in it. "Elimination of fear," he said.

  The two men did not take their eyes off of the vampire. They watched him as he paced. They gripped the stakes that they had hidden in the sleeves of their robes as the vampire continued to pace. They didn't speak. They listened.

  "The effects of religious symbols on a vampire are fears. I believe it started when God cursed us to walk the earth for an eternity. Since we cannot walk with him, the symbols of his faith would cause us to look away. It was a feeling of fright. Similar to what you are feeling right now. You are scared to death but yet you face me. I applaud you."