She stared directly at the still panting and frightened flight attendant. She looked directly into his soul. She focused on his fear, his blood, and glared deeper into his soul. She remembered Visigoth's words. She searched for his hidden darkness. His eyes lost focus as he lost all control in her bright blue orbs.
He had such beautiful eyes, she thought as she continued to focus on him. But, what's under that uniform is what I'd really like to know.
Robotically, he stood. The flight attendant undressed slowly as his eyes never left hers. Lustfully, she watched as he discarded his clothes. When he had completely disrobed, he sat slowly back down. He stared ahead.
"Oh my," she mumbled, "This could be fun. What else is he willing to do?"
The flight attendant began to move again, but he didn't stand. "Ooooo," she moaned. "Yes, I can get used to this." She watched intently.
CHAPTER 24
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
The wet weather continued. Like its coastal neighbors, Halifax received a lot of precipitation during the autumn and winter months. Unlike Seattle or Vancouver on the West Coast, Halifax would receive an even mixture of rain and snow. However, unlike its provincial sister cities and towns, it would see the temperature shift so dramatically in the same day that six inches of snow could be easily washed away by torrential rains. The resulting rapid melting of the snow would cause the streets to flood and sometimes the sewage system to overflow. Today, it was the opposite, the temperature was dropping and the rain was mixing with wet flakes of snow.
The police cruiser's windshield wipers were working valiantly to keep their vision clear. Despite being only a few blocks from their destination, the streets were still congested with police and military roadblocks. Matters had been made worse when it was reported that a terrorist organization had reportedly laid claim to the bombing. It was reported on the Arab website for the Al-Manar television network. However, as the rain continued to change to snow, they had more pressing concerns.
The trip from the museum to the church normally only took about ten minutes, but the police checkpoints delayed their trip by thirty minutes. Larry and David probably could have walked the distance in the same amount of time, but neither man would have enjoyed being soaked to the bone by the wet weather. Also, since they were still wearing their military issue fatigues, getting through several police and military checkpoints would have been cumbersome without the proper identification.
The police cruiser turned off its flashing red and blue lights as it pulled up to the curb next to St. Mary's Basilica. The tired police officer turned to Larry and David who were sitting very uncomfortably in the backseat.
"Last council report, which was only a few hours ago, had him meeting Father McLeary right here," Officer Giddens stated.
"Thank you," Larry said. "You need to get some sleep. You look terrible."
The young man chuckled. "I hate to say it, but I think you two look worse than I feel. Once this all settles down, I will get some rest."
"Are you going back out on patrol?" David asked as he waited for the officer to unlock the door.
He chuckled again. His tired features broke into the first smile that he'd had in days. "Actually," he said as he pressed the button to unlock the doors, "I have been ordered to stay here and wait for you."
"We could be here awhile," Larry said as he opened the door.
The officer held up his iPad. "Good thing that I've got this for entertainment. If any council news comes through while you are inside, I will note it."
"And if it is urgent?" David asked as he opened the door on his side.
"I'll come get you."
Both men nodded. They stepped out into the mix of rain and snow. David reached for the collar of his jacket but realized that he had left it in the van. He folded his arms across his chest to cover his bare hands as he dashed for the front door. When he reached the door, he discovered that the old wooden doors of the basilica were unlocked as if they were expecting someone. He held the door open as Larry, who also had his arms folded across his chest as he ran, dashed into the warmth of the ancient structure. David slipped into the warm church and struggled to pull the heavy door closed as the wind had begun to pick up.
"Damn, it's cold," he complained.
"Shhhhhhhhhhh!" Larry scolded as he pointed into the sanctuary.
David didn't argue. He nodded when he saw an elderly priest kneeling with a younger man who he immediately recognized as their absent vampire hunter. Both men were repeating the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary prayer as a rosary hung from their folded hands. Softly, Larry and David crept up the center aisle of the church until they came to the pew directly behind the praying men. Both men genuflected before the crucifix above the altar, as a sign of respect for their surroundings, before they also knelt in their pew.
David and Larry knelt with their hands folded. They also said a silent prayer. When Father McLeary, who was kneeling next to the aisle, paused in his prayers, Larry softly placed his hand on the priest's shoulder. The priest nodded and stood. He stepped into the aisle and genuflected before the crucifix. Larry and David followed. The priest motioned for them to follow him to an unseen room behind the altar. Chris remained deep in prayer as all three men disappeared from sight.
Once in the small room where the priest waited or rested between sermons, the elder council member turned to his allies.
"I had heard rumors of one of their kind in our midst, but I never believed it until today," he whispered as he faced his visitors.
"He is very unique," Larry said.
"And troubled," the priest said before Larry could continue praising his friend.
David and Larry both nodded. "He is that," David added.
"How is he?" Larry asked softly.
"As I said, he is troubled. He is deeply troubled. I spoke to him at length…"
"About what?" David asked.
The elder smiled. "I cannot say."
"What not?" David demanded as his voice rose.
The priest placed his hand on David's shoulder. "Are you not wise in the ways of the church, my son?"
"Yes, but…"
"They were in the confessional, David," Larry whispered.
"In this case, can't…"
"Not in any case can I make an exception," the priest stated before David could finish his question. "I would however suggest that you ask him yourself. He mentioned his friends and his concern for you when we returned to the sanctuary."
David rolled his eyes and scoffed. "He couldn't have been that concerned since he ran off on us."
Larry sighed. "Must you?"
"Yeah, I must. He knew what we were facing and…"
The priest patted his hand on David's shoulder. "Anger will not help us in these dark times. It will only begat more anger and fear…"
"…and they lead to suffering," David said sarcastically. "I've seen that movie."
The priest was puzzled. "What movie?"
Before David could answer, Larry placed his hand on the priest's arm. "Father, before my impulsive colleague says something else, would you be so kind and provide him with some refreshments? With all of the recent events, we are both rather tired. He could use a little unwinding."
"Of course," the priest stated as he understood what Larry's request was truly asking. "Follow, my son, I believe that there are some snacks in the kitchen below."
"Can't argue with that," David said as he started down the stairs to the basement.
Larry nodded to the priest who smiled. He followed David down the stairs and both men disappeared from sight. Larry sighed. He stepped back into the sanctuary where Chris continued to pray. Tears streaked the confused vampire hunter's face as he clutched the rosary. Larry approached quietly. He placed his hand on Chris' clasped hands. The vampire hunter slowly opened his red eyes.
"You've looked better," Larry said.
"I've felt better," the fatigued vampire hunter replied.
"We were worrie
d about you," Larry said softly.
"I was more worried about you," Chris replied. "David?"
"He's downstairs with the priest getting something to eat."
"The rest?" Chris asked.
"Slide over," Larry requested.
Chris nodded and Larry slid into the pew next to him. Chris blessed himself. His tear stained face stared at the crucifix above the altar. He sighed but he did not look at his friend. Larry placed his left hand on Chris' shoulder. The vampire hunter sighed again.
"I was stupid," Chris said.
"How so?" Larry inquired realizing that his friend needed to vent.
"When you said that Le Doux was in the region, I was consumed with him."
"Well, he is a vampire and you do hunt vampires…"
Chris chuckled. "You don't know the whole story."
"I think that we have time. I'm not going anywhere."
Chris looked at the floor. "When I said that I had been bested in battle by a vampire only three times wasn't entirely true."
"Go on," Larry urged.
"Just prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution, I killed one of the Order of Twelve in France. Her name was Lady Sangre. However, she had sired a very powerful and impulsive vampire who fled France for the colonies. I tracked him to England but I lost track of him. He emerged in the New World and he was encouraging the revolution."
"I believe that I know some of this story. You followed him to the colonies because you feared that the vampires would destroy both sides. You were recruited by the British forces," Larry said.
Chris chuckled. "Nicely done, professor."
"I have my moments," Larry said with a smile.
"Well, I was recruited. I initially refused until a description of the vampire leader was given. It was the vampire now known as Le Doux. I led a group of warriors and our mission was to find him."
"It must have been difficult."
"Tracking Le Doux?"
"No, crossing the Atlantic…"
Chris chuckled again. "When they caught fish or slaughtered livestock, I was given certain liberties with the blood."
"I've often wondered how you traveled during that time."
Chris waved his hand. "Be that as it may, it isn't important. I tracked Le Doux all over North America from the beginning to the end of the war and beyond. Every time that I would get close, he would slip through my fingers. Just when I thought that I had him, he ambushed my unit with the remnants of his vampire army that he had tried to build in the colonies. We defeated his minions, but he disappeared into the night. He vanished."
"And you wanted to follow him?"
"Yes, but I was ordered back to Europe to stop the growing vampire armies. I never saw Le Doux again until this past week."
"But you wanted to kill him for centuries," Larry stated.
Chris smiled softly. "Yes, he was the one that got away. For five hundred years, I've tracked and killed vampires. When I had a chance at him, I lost all focus. And now…"
"You've been bested again by her," Larry finished for him.
The tears returned. "Maybe."
"Maybe?"
Chris turned to his friend. "Yes, maybe. Which is why I came here instead of returning to you."
"Having her slip through your fingers isn't something to be ashamed of, Chris. The council has been trying to get her for centuries."
"Yes, but I had the best chance of all. Le Doux was with her. Instead of not focusing on him and putting all of my attention on her, I did the complete opposite. I wanted revenge."
"You are human," Larry said.
Chris glared at him. "Larry…"
"Chris, we've been down this road too many times. Yes, you are not exactly human, but you're not exactly one of them either. You have human frailties like any other man."
"That's the problem. I shouldn't."
"Are we thinking that we are suddenly better than everyone else?" Larry questioned.
"No…" Chris' voice trailed off.
"Then what is it?"
"You know what I was."
"Yes, you were a priest before being turned, but that was nearly five centuries ago."
"But it doesn't mean that I should turn my back on my calling."
"I believe trying to rid the world of evil is part of your calling," Larry said.
"It…It's not that," Chris said solemnly.
"Chris, I know that something is bothering you," Larry said as he patted Chris on the thigh. "Unless you get it out, it will never be resolved and it will consume you."
"Remember when I said maybe just a minute ago?"
Larry smiled. "Yes and I've been waiting for an answer."
"I…I…I don't know if I really want to kill the queen."
"I suspect that it has to do with when you were her captive. We've been down this road before. I know what hap…"
"No you don't."
"Okay tell me what happened."
"I enjoyed it, Larry," he said as tears leaked from his eyes. "I was freed from my bonds. Instead of trying to kill her, I passionately embraced her. It was unlike any feeling that I'd ever experienced."
"I've seen her. As I've said, you're human."
"But my calling?"
Larry patted his leg again. "Chris, we've had that conversation too. You know where I stand on the Catholic Church's stance on marriage. You are a man with male needs. Asking you to suppress them when your colleagues in other religions are free to mate, in my opinion, is wrong. However…"
"I don't think that you believe that it should apply to vampires who kill our friends."
"That is true but…"
Chris looked directly at Larry. "But, I don't know when the time comes that I can get the job done and that scares me."
Larry looked at his friend and said nothing. He squeezed his hand on his thigh and smiled. "Let's pray."
Both men dropped to their knees and prayed. Chris resumed his prayers for guidance and forgiveness. Larry prayed that he would find the magic words to heal this friend's confused soul. However, he didn't want Chris to see his true fear: His fear that they had already lost the war. He closed his eyes and prayed again.
From behind the altar curtain, David, who had returned up the stairs to bring Larry something to drink, seethed. He had heard their entire conversation. He glared at the praying vampire hunter. He stomped away.
* * *
LONDON, ENGLAND
The next day…
Mikhaeli watched the rain as it rolled down the rear window of her taxi. Like her recent trip to Nova Scotia, the weather was cold and wet. She loved the dark, wet weather. She didn't have to make any special allowances to protect herself from the sunshine. While she sometimes fantasized about being swept away by the man of her dreams to a secluded tropical island like in the movies, she knew that it would never be possible due to the sun. The romantic side of her, which she would deny to anyone who dared to ask, dreamt of special moments, but she still preferred storms. They were powerful and exciting but they also hid the sun. Hiding the sun allowed her to walk amongst the humans like she did prior to her fateful meeting with Lord Viktor.
She had ordered her pilot to land at London City Airport instead of London Heathrow Airport. London City Airport, the only airport actually within the city limits, served business travelers. Located close to London's financial district, it was perfect for traveling to and from the United Kingdom unnoticed. While the council would send their warriors to London Heathrow Airport, the country's busiest international airport, in hopes of apprehending her, she would fly in and out of the country via London City Airport. With London's vast underground rail service and the Channel Tunnel, nicknamed 'The Chunnel,' vampire movement was effective and efficient.
As the rain continued, she smiled. She remembered back to the early nineteenth century when Albert Mathieu, a French mining engineer first proposed a tunnel under the English Channel to connect the two countries. As centuries passed, the idea of a tunnel under the English
Channel would always remain as a topic of discussion. Eventually, in the 1980s, a joint venture was formed between French and English companies and by 1987; the Channel Tunnel Act was passed into English law. She smiled again at the memory. The companies behind the push for construction of the Channel Tunnel were both owned by her vast vampire empire.
Since she had heard about the idea of the tunnel in the late twentieth century, she had been fascinated with the concept of traveling across the channel without the risk of the sun's harmful rays. She began to privately fund each proposal and she kept trying until her front organizations were successful. These organizations had raised the money through private sources and 'The Chunnel' was completed in 1994. Vampires now could move during the day going from 'The Chunnel' to underground railway services without the risk of the being exposed to the sun. Their criminal organizations, especially drugs, moved more freely and the initial profits from their investment increased twentyfold within five years.
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