Blackraven said that he saw the stake go into my heart and he leapt at the warrior. Before my killer could react, Lord Blackraven struck him down with his own sword. Blackraven removed the stake from my body. He had beheaded my killer and his blood had poured over my body. Blackraven said that as Viktor killed the rest of our attackers, he poured the blood from the head into my mouth. He said that I drank but I don't recall doing so.
Somehow, he explains, that by pouring the blood over my body as I was buried, he was able to raise me again. He explained that he had been searching for a way to cheat his own death which is why Viktor, who he had since bequeathed the title of Lord, noted everything that happened to me. I am stronger than before, but my greatest power is passing along the knowledge that using the blood of the attacker can raise a vampire. Alas, Blackraven, the bastard, never told me the ritual that he used to raise me.
Mikhaeli broke from her trance. She closed the book slowly. She sipped her blood wine. It was nearly empty. All of the information that she had just read raced through her mind. She picked up the bottle from the nearly melted bucket of ice and she began to refresh her chalice. Her hand suddenly trembled. The blood wine poured down the side of her glass and over her hand. She put the bottle back in the bucket and she placed the chalice onto the table. She saw the blood dripping over what she thought was her reflection. She glanced at the blood covering her hand. She looked back at the chalice and the image changed.
It smiled at her
CHAPTER 28
SOMEWHERE IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
When the train reached the Russian border, the warriors disembarked. While David had furiously worked to monitor the vampire communication network, the warriors rallied more members to their cause. When the group left the train in the middle of the Russian wilderness, they were a group of eighteen. They were met by twelve warriors who they had served with them in the elite units. They were whisked away to a secret location where they were loaded into five unmarked, oversized, white vans. Moments later, they were traveling across the Russian Federation.
All five vans, which bounced along the rough backwoods terrain, were filled with state of the art communication equipment. They were mobile command centers that the warriors had used on previous missions. Despite the equipment being labeled in the Russian language, they were the same vehicles that Larry and David had used during their time in Canada. David had reprogrammed their equipment to appear in English and he continued his work as the warriors in his van took turns driving. He had linked all five vans together and he had set up a wireless internet meeting program so they could communicate while continuing towards their destination.
David entered a final series of encryption codes and four faces appeared on his screen. Larry, the tall blonde warrior who he learned was named Jackson, the Asian warrior who called himself 'The Difference' and an African-American warrior named Rowlett, all stared at him. Rowlett had been vacationing in Russia when Jackson called him.
"Gentlemen," David said.
"Quit with the formalities, David," Larry scolded, "And get to the point before this road bounces our asses into the trees."
David giggled as Larry nearly flew from his seat. "Jackson, any updates?"
"I have discussed the mission with our local team members. They have said that since you sent out the intelligence information to the vampires, several wealthy land owners have seen an increase in the number of their visitors. In most cases, for every three cars that enter the secured property, only one exits," Jackson replied. "I am uploading that information to your computer now."
Instantly, the information arrived. David tapped several keys and a map of Russia appeared on his screen. He entered several more commands and he smiled. "Nicely done," he said. "There are only three landowners in all of Siberia on this list."
Larry nodded. "That narrows it down," he said.
Rowlett, who had a toothpick in his mouth, raised his hand. "Yes, Rowlett?" David asked.
"I know that three targets are better than twenty, but reinforced vampire nets are not going to be easily cracked," Rowlett said as he gnawed on his toothpick.
"We are aware of that," Larry added.
"Yes, but are you truly aware of our numbers?" Rowlett asked.
"There are thirty warriors," Jackson said.
"And it usually takes three warriors to defeat a vampire," Larry added.
"So you don't think that the queen will have more than ten guards?" Rowlett asked sarcastically.
Jackson shook his head. "We have to rely on our training and surprise."
Rowlett began to speak but David entered several command sequences and Rowlett's video camera stopped transmitting audio. Rowlett could be seen protesting and tapping the camera on top of his monitor. David entered several more command sequences and he sent a message to Rowlett. The muscular warrior read the message and then promptly removed his toothpick and threw it at the camera.
"What does it say?" Jackson asked.
"I told him that I would answer all of his questions if he would just shut up for five minutes," David replied.
"Well, I would like to hear the answers too," Larry said, "As I understand his concerns. We are going in severely outnumbered. If we have to search each location, which could take weeks, our numbers could rapidly dwindle."
"It won't take weeks, but rather hours if not minutes," David replied, "Without costing us a life."
"Go on," Jackson urged.
David began to enter more commands into his keyboard. Rowlett's microphone was activated again and everyone chuckled when they heard him mumbling curses. Rowlett, despite being slightly embarrassed, ignored their giggles. David ignored everyone. When someone would clear their throat to speak, David held up a finger to ask for another minute. Rowlett responded by holding up a different finger to his camera which drew even more chuckles. David ignored them. A minute later, he smiled into the camera.
"This isn't picture day at school," Rowlett scolded, "So quit grinning and tell us what the hell you are doing."
"I hacked into their main communication computer," he said proudly.
"Okay, big surprise, you've been doing that since I've met you," Jackson said.
"Let him finish," Larry urged.
David gave a mock salute to his friend and Larry rolled his eyes. "As I said, I hacked into their main computer. I sent out a request from the queen to all of her vampires headed towards the three locations in Siberia to stop because it was a hoax."
"Well, that might stop them for a minute, but eventually they will continue onward," Rowlett said.
"And I have told them that those same vampires are to head to India because there have been reports of the one of the ancient tomes being located in that country," David said.
Rowlett now rolled his eyes. "She is not going to fall for that!" he exclaimed.
"Exactly," Larry said as he understood his student's logic.
Jackson smirked and nodded. "Nicely done. She won't fall for it at all instead…'
"…she will send out counter orders telling everyone to stand down," Rowlett said.
David nodded. "And when she does, that order will come from her location."
"And when it does," Rowlett added, "You can track its location and we…"
David smiled again. "…will be headed right towards her front door."
"Where a whole bunch of vampires will still be waiting for us," Rowlett added.
Larry cleared his throat. "I think that I understand his logic. If I know my friend as…"
Larry's screen turned completely blue. David wondered what had happened to the lead van until he felt his van swerve to dodge the pothole that the lead van had hit. He began typing and moments later Larry could be seen climbing back into his seat. All three warriors giggled as their friend adjusted his kippah.
"Couldn't we pick better roads?" Larry asked.
"You were saying?" Jackson asked.
"Yes," he said as he dusted himself, "Our queen is wis
e. She will see through the ruse but she is also very egotistical. She won't like being tricked and she will send out her minions to attack the closest group of warriors."
"And we can slip in while they are distracted," Rowlett said as he followed Larry's logic, "But we really need a lot of luck. Three or four teams…"
"Two," David corrected.
"Two?" Jackson asked.
"Yes, only two. The four of us will form the group that finds Chris and the rest, led by The Difference, are the distraction to keep the vampires at bay," David answered.
"We are skilled, but two warriors against…"
"Four," Larry corrected.
Jackson turned completely pale. "Are you kid…"
"No," David answered, "We have fought beside Chris in the past and we are capable in a fight."
"I don't like it," Jackson said.
"You don't have a choice," Larry added. "We, like you, are prepared to do what we must."
"Very well," Jackson said.
"When I have located the queen, I will contact you and we can discuss any further information as it becomes available," David said.
All four men nodded and their screens darkened except for Larry's. He grimly looked at David as he wiped his brow.
"Do you think that this will work?" Larry asked.
"Yes," David responded.
Larry nodded. "Very well. Rest up and keep us informed."
David terminated the link. He stared at his tired reflection in his screen. He rubbed his face with his hands. He pulled them slowly down each cheek before he stopped to rest his hands on his chin. He continued to stare at the haunting image that stared back at him. His eyes were weary. The dark image only enhanced the dark circles under his eyes. Do you really think that it will work? he asked.
"No," the image responded.
He closed his eyes and folded his hands. He rested his head on his clasped hands. His eyes watered as reality hit him.
He prayed.
* * *
SIBERIA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The dark night sky was covered by a thick cloud cover. Lightning flashed and brightened the Siberian sky. The ancient castle which was once home to Lord Viktor stood ominously in the dark forest. The trees had matured for the year and their leaves were sparse. The discarded leaves tumbled across the chilled, late autumn landscape. Her black, stretch limo wound its way through the dark forest path that led to the castle. A heavy rain began to fall and the tumbling leaves stuck the dark windshield. As the castle drew closer, Mikhaeli stared at its sculptures. She remembered her first frightening visit to the ancient structure. As the drawbridge slowly lowered, she smiled. Home sweet home, she thought. I missed this place.
The drawbridge creaked to a stop. Mikhaeli waited for her door to open. Her smile widened as she spied her loyal servant, Vladimir, slowly walking across the drawbridge. His hair did not move despite the wind. She had always admired his presence. He had been more of a father to her than the man who helped bring her into the human world. Vladimir had taught her how to be a powerful vampire. He approached her limo and opened her door. He bowed.
"Empress," he said softly as he held his bow.
She giggled. "I told you to never call me that again or I would put a stake through your heart," she scolded.
"And then who would make your favorite soup?" he asked as he stood.
She smiled. "I missed you, Vlady," she said.
He took her hand and kissed it. "And I you, my dear."
She stepped out of the limo. The rain continued to fall. It was cold. Vladimir ignored the water as it splashed onto his dark, butler attire. Mikhaeli reveled in the chilling sensation of each drop. It sent shivers down her spine. She shuttered and smiled.
"Shall we head inside, my dear?" her elder mentor asked.
"No, I am waiting on someone," she admitted.
"Very well, shall I get an umbrella?"
"That is not necessary. You know that I like the dark weather," she said. "It is a reminder of when we can walk during the day."
Vladimir nodded. "Of course, my dear, but I still prefer the darkness."
She smiled. "Vlady, if you need to go inside…"
He dismissively waved his hand. "And you know that is not necessary. You have made me curious."
She looked at him and smiled. "Why?"
"I want to know who is keeping you waiting without you ripping my head from my shoulders because they haven't arrived yet," he said honestly.
She giggled. "Maybe I am in a good mood," she said.
It was his turn to chuckle. "Actually, my dear, I prefer the other mood. It lets me know that you are focused."
"Hrumph," she squeaked angrily and folded her arms across her chest.
"Now that's my girl," he said.
She kept from giggling. She was in a surprisingly good mood. As the lone white, with dark tinted windows, van appeared on the winding forest road that led to her true home, her good mood increased. Vladimir had assumed that the van that had just appeared was late. However, to keep the prying eyes of the council at bay, she had ordered her minions to arrive fifteen minutes later than her. She was pleased to see that her minions had perfectly completed their mission. Maybe there is something to this asking them nicely as Lady Sangre suggested, she thought.
As the van approached, her limo pulled away and headed into the large garage that she had built onto the back of her castle. The van stopped directly in front of her. It idled as her minions leapt from the front and the back of the van. She smiled at them but they continued with their task. They opened the side door. Two minions tossed Chris into the mud that had formed from the increasing rain. His partially naked, but shackled body, landed in a puddle and his body was splattered with spots of mud. He groaned. However, for her minions, it was the scream from their queen that had drawn their attention. The mud had splashed onto her new leather outfit.
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" she screamed.
Her minions did not hesitate. They leapt back into the van and it roared away. She seethed with anger. She looked at the mud as most of it was slowly rinsed off by the rain. She looked down at Chris who struggled to his knees. He was tired and battered. She shook away her anger and she leaned over. She picked up his chin in her hand. His eyes were tired. He looked at her wearily. She smiled and kissed him softly.
"Honey, we're home," she said.
"Interesting," Vladimir noted.
"Clean him up and take him to the dungeon below," she ordered. "Inform the staff that we have much to discuss."
"At once, my dear," Vladimir said as he hoisted Chris to his feet.
Mikhaeli blew him a kiss as he staggered away. She watched the old, but powerful vampire pick Chris up with ease each time that he fell. Before long, they had disappeared into the darkness of castle. She noticed a break in the clouds forming as she strolled across the drawbridge. Dawn was approaching. She looked at the bile colored water and she smirked. She couldn't believe that she had feared those waters. She glanced at her soiled outfit and she decided that it was good that the sun was appearing; she decided that she needed to a moment in her bathtub. As the sun appeared in the lone break in the extremely dark clouds, she disappeared into the castle as the drawbridge rose.
An hour later, after relaxing in her bathtub which was filled with lavender scented water, she strutted through the hallways of her castle. Her minions ducked into various rooms. She smirked. While she was trying to appreciate their loyalty, she still appreciated their fear. However, the negative thoughts rapidly vanished as her strut slowed to a more leisurely pace. She had started to admire the décor. She hadn't seen her true home in many years. She had left the day-today affairs of her headquarters to Vladimir while she traveled from country to country in search of the tomes. She had forgotten how much she loved this place.
Unlike her modern homes, she hadn't updated her castle. It had retained its eighteenth century furnishings. The tables, chairs, and decorative pieces would fetch a fortune at
any auction. Vladimir had taken meticulous care of each piece. She stopped at the archway which led to the dining hall where she had enjoyed her very first taste of human flesh. It had remained unchanged since her very first time in the castle. She had enjoyed several meals since that fateful day, some of them screamed so wonderfully, and yet, Vladimir meticulously maintained the table so that there wasn't even a scratch. She sighed and continued onward.
She entered the hallway which led to the dungeons below her castle. Despite having business with which to attend in the cells below, her pace did not quicken. The walls were lined with tapestries. This was her trophy room. Some vampires collected body parts from their victims but she had a higher sense of class. Also, her victims, traditionally, had been landowners during her formative vampire years. She collected priceless works of art from tapestries, Ming vases to gold statues. French, Chinese, and Russian tapestries lined the walls like the championship banners that hung from the rafters in sports arenas. She traced the lid of one of her Ming vases and smiled.
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