Real Vampires and the Viking

by Gerry Bartlett

  My heart was in my throat as I watched them roll around on the concrete, fighting hand to hand. Flo screamed encouragement in Italian and finally couldn’t stand to stay behind her pile of crates. She attacked a shifter who was trying to squeeze the life out of Richard with a metal picture frame. It was just enough distraction for Richard to shoot the man dead.

  My pal didn’t stop, just picked up the shifter’s machine gun and started spraying the doorway with gunfire.

  “Get back behind those crates!” Richard, bleeding from a graze on his face, pulled the gun from her hands and shoved her behind him. Flo hit him on his back but did as he said. She shouted what sounded like curses in Italian until he passed her his handgun, keeping the machine gun for himself. More shifters poured into the warehouse.

  “That’s it, I can’t stay here.” Jerry jumped over the table and rushed into the melee, firing his weapon and dropping one of the new arrivals. He shouted something in Gaelic and Ian turned just as a man was about to jump on the doctor. Between the two of them, they got his gun and knocked him out. Jerry and Ian actually slapped palms. But there was no time for celebrating when more men came through the doors.

  The sound of bullets hitting breastplates was too much for me. I grabbed my board and leaped over the table too. No way was I standing around like a little woman while everyone else was fighting for their lives. Gretchen had taken a position in front of the pile of canvas where we’d stashed the Eliminator, Gunnar by her side. But the Viking moved off, using his sword on one shifter after another. We swung our boards like baseball bats, wild women who were determined to keep everyone away from that weapon. We needed it as part of a plan to get Fredrick where we wanted him.

  It occurred to me that the soldiers must have orders concerning Gretchen because they dodged our blows but kept coming. I knew I was right when one jerked her board out of her hand and started dragging her toward the door. I beat him with my stick but he didn’t even slow down. Gretchen shrieked Gunnar’s name and he turned with a growl.

  His sword was covered with blood as he started slicing through men to get to us.

  “Let her go!” I screamed, determined to help her. Bullets smacked into my breastplate but I didn’t stop, bringing my board down hard on the man who had Gretchen in his arms. It didn’t slow him down even though she was kicking and screaming.

  Then Gunnar was there. He gestured for me to get out of his way and raised his sword.

  “Be careful. You could hurt Gretchen.” I didn’t like the crazed look in his eyes.

  “I know what I am doing.” He gave a Viking yell that made my heart stutter then brought the flat of the sword down on the shifter’s head. I staggered back, pretty sure I was going to be sick at the sound of that skull cracking.

  Gretchen landed on the ground before Gunnar kicked the man’s body aside to take her into his arms. The gunfire was sporadic now and bodies blocked most of the door. Were we winning this battle? But where was Fredrick? Surely he hadn’t planned to miss this chance to get this weapon back. Ah, one last pair of shifters ran inside and Fredrick appeared in the doorway. He stayed behind them of course. He didn’t have an Eliminator, thank God. So he must not have found his spare. Instead he gripped another machine gun.

  “Where is it?” He did what we expected and made a bee-line for the Eliminator that we’d left sitting out in plain sight. We let him go to it. He went so fast he left his shifter bodyguard behind, fighting with Jerry and Ian. This was just what we’d planned. Fredrick ran his hands over the weapon, frowning when he realized the activator was missing. “Gretchen, you bitch! Where the hell is the missing part?”

  Gunnar roared another of his battle cries which gave me chills. Fredrick raised his gun and bullets smacked into the Viking’s makeshift vest, but Gunnar kept going, straight at Gretchen’s husband.

  “You will not ever harm Gretchen again, you piece of skit.” He slapped Fredrick’s gun away with his sword.

  “You’re outnumbered. How do you think to win here?” But when Fredrick looked around, he realized his hired guns were deserting him. Their employer was facing an enraged Viking and had lost his own weapon. This battle was as good as over and it hadn’t gone their way. The survivors helped the wounded take off to save their own skins.

  “I’ve already won.” Gunnar’s smile was bone chilling. “I thought I wanted a fair fight with you, but it is not to be. You don’t deserve it. Why should I be fair to a man who hurts his woman and turns against his own kind?” And with a mighty swing, he gave another battle cry and took Fredrick’s head. It rolled across the floor and landed in a pool of blood. The matted blond hair framed a surprised look, as if even at the end Fredrick had been sure he would win this fight.

  “Herregud!” Gretchen swayed and I ran to catch her before she fell. “I didn’t think he’d go through with it.”

  “It was the right thing to do.” Jerry nodded when the last of the wounded shifters helped each other up and staggered out of the warehouse. “I see no value in finishing the hired help. This way word will spread fast that Fredrick is gone and can no longer provide weapons to our enemies.” He looked down at his body armor. “This worked. It’s dented all to hell but it worked.” He pulled it off over his head and tossed it aside. “Gloriana, look at you. It’s a miracle you weren’t killed.”

  “No miracle.” I ran to him, dragging off my own armor. “See? My dents are all over my heart.” I tossed the makeshift vest to the ground. “Thank God it never occurred to those shifters to go for a head shot.” I saw Gretchen was still pale and swaying. I helped her shed her armor then sit down on a crate.

  “Fredrick is gone.” Gretchen took a shaky breath. She watched Gunnar clean his blade on a piece of canvas then slide it back into its scabbard. “I . . . I must think.”

  “You are free, min kärlek, I hope that makes you happy.” Gunnar stopped in front of us and reached for Gretchen’s hands. His own were filthy with the blood of the men he’d killed.

  “Happy?” She shook her head. “Would you give me a moment, Gunnar?”

  He glanced at me, clearly puzzled.

  “You just killed her husband. She’d be a cold woman if she danced for joy. They were married for hundreds of years.” I knew Gunnar was only focused on what had just happened and his blood was running hot. Looking around the room and the bodies of men who’d merely done a job, I felt sickened. Okay, so the job they’d hired on for had been to kill us. Couldn’t feel too bad about that. They were mercenaries and had known the risks.

  And then there was Fredrick. The man had deserved to die, but seeing it happen, and the way it had happened . . . It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a head lopped off. But that had been a while back. These days it was rare unless you were caught by a terrorist and I sure didn’t watch those videos. Gunnar had done what he’d have done a thousand years ago. He’d meted out justice, Viking style. He was happy with the outcome. And, to be honest, I was happy with it too. I wanted to kick Fredrick’s head like a soccer ball for what his men had done to Jerry. I’d almost lost my husband to those damned wooden bullets. And making money by selling to vampire hunters? Good riddance to the asshole.

  “Gloriana.” Jerry stood beside me. “Let’s get out of here. Ian and Richard want to take the Eliminator back to Austin. We’ve got a couple of weeks left of our honeymoon here. Or have you lost your taste for Sweden?”

  “I feel like Gretchen now. Can you give me a minute?” My heart was pounding. My heart which must be different from every other vampire’s. Ian wanted to study me. Wanted to study Gunnar too. I glanced at the Viking. He was hovering over Gretchen, trying to figure out what to say or do to make her smile at him. Good luck with that.

  “Here is the activator thing. Don’t give it to Ricardo or Ian yet, Glory.” Flo pressed it into my hand. “I am afraid of that machine and would hate for my man to accidentally put himself into a faint. He might even kill himself with it, you know what I mean?”

  “Yes, it is scary.”
I felt the little piece that looked like an ordinary flash drive and realized it was damp from being in Flo’s cleavage. She’d been sweating during the battle. That made me smile. Tough Italian spitfire. “Pal, I will bring it back with me to Texas. After the honeymoon. Tell the guys that. They can wait for a full test then.”

  “Grazie. I thought I wanted an adventure, but maybe this is too much.” Flo pulled her coat around her and shivered. She had put her boots back on too. “We plan a little vacation another time, to somewhere cold. When you aren’t on your honeymoon. Bene?”

  “Sounds like a plan, Flo.” Jerry pulled me close to his side. “Maybe we can persuade Gretchen and Gunnar to come back with us when we do head to Austin.”

  “I’m sure the doctor would like that.” Flo made a face. “He wants to ‘examine’ him, as he says. Me? I’d like to ask him about the days of the old Vikings. Is interesting, don’t you think?”

  “I think we just saw a demonstration of those old days.” I shuddered. “He took Fredrick’s head like it was nothing.”

  “It needed to be done, Glory.” Flo barely spared the carnage a glance. “I’m glad he is dead and with no chance to come back to hurt his wife or us. The Viking is a hero.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “But notice, amica, how much he looks like our medico. I think Ian suspects the Viking did a little fare l’amore--you know what I mean?--when he was in the Highlands.”

  Jerry just grunted. “I stay out of the MacDonalds’ business but it’s something to consider. Let’s not mention it to Ian or Gunnar now. But later, maybe I’ll see what I can find out.” He winked at Flo. “If you are right it would certainly be an interesting coincidence.”

  “Pah, I call it fate.” Flo kept studying the two men. “I will put Ricardo on it. The Viking could use some family. Capiscimi?”

  “I wouldn’t wish that family on my worst enemy.” Jerry laughed suddenly. “Oh, wait, MacDonald is my worst enemy. Poor Gunnar if it’s true. You’d better leave it alone, Florence.”

  But I knew Flo wouldn’t. She had an idea and she wasn’t going to let it go until she knew the truth.

  “You need to put that old feud aside, Jer. Ian saved your life. I’m convinced of it.” I pinched his side. “But let’s forget it for now and concentrate on our honeymoon. I want to get back to our suite. Flo, you guys should spend one more night, enjoy the hotel. We had a great time in the disco. There’s dancing.”

  “Ah, now you’re talking. We can leave tomorrow night then.” Flo headed over to Richard.

  “Honeymoon and Christmas tomorrow. Did you buy me a present?” Jerry leaned down to kiss me.

  “Yes, I actually did. And it isn’t the usual, me in nothing but a bow.” I laughed and kissed him back.

  “Gunnar and I need a place to stay. I wonder if there’s room in the Ice Palace for us.” Gretchen had obviously calmed down. “Can you call them for me, Jeremiah?”

  “Certainly. Will do it now. Why don’t we all go outside for this?” He steered us around Fredrick’s body. “You need to figure out how to clear the men from your home, Gretchen. Then you can go back there.”

  “I doubt I’ll ever want to live in that castle again. Not with those memories. And I certainly can’t trust anyone connected with Fredrick.” Gretchen took a deep breath of fresh air once we were outside. “Even the vice president of his company was his lover. You see my problem?”

  “Then get in touch with your family. They can advise you. Get a lawyer you trust to untangle the mess. You will need access to your accounts. I know you were wealthy. You can’t let all of that go.” Jerry was serious then turned his back to make the call.

  “We want nothing from that jäkel.” Gunnar kept his arm around Gretchen.

  “I have my own funds, Gunnar. This is not Viking times. I am entitled to my wealth and I intend to have it.” Gretchen looked confident and stared Gunnar down.

  “Women are different now. Difficult.” Gunnar shrugged, like it was a mystery to him.

  “Get used to it, Viking.” Jerry clapped him on the back. “I have and I like it.” He grinned at me. “We’re all set. A suite for you two. Unless you want Gunnar to have a separate room, Gretchen. I forgot to ask.”

  “Really? You want me to stay away from you?” Gunnar managed to look dejected yet hopeful.

  “Oh, stop it. You know you are staying with me.” Gretchen slapped his arm. “It is fine, Jeremiah. Thank you.”

  “Did I hear it right? We are all at the Ice Palace tonight?” Flo hurried up to us. “Gretchen, we must take you shopping in the boutique. Since you don’t want to go home to pack.”

  Gretchen still looked a little dazed but decided to go along with it. Before we had time to think twice, Flo had herded us all to the car. I noticed Richard and Ian had tossed the guns they’d taken from the shifters into the trunk along with the Eliminator. They put in extra wooden bullets too that they must have taken out of the dead shifters pockets. I didn’t want to think about them searching Fredrick’s pockets. But then I saw Ian hand Gretchen a stack of credit cards.

  “You should have these. Glory said you tossed yours overboard when you were being chased earlier.” At least he’d taken them out of Fredrick’s leather wallet.

  “Oh, yes. Thank you.” Gretchen sighed. “I feel strange. Like this can’t be true and yet I am finally free. Am I a bad person to be just a little bit glad he is dead?”

  “No, Gretchen. You are perfectly normal. We are all glad he’s dead. Sorry, but that’s the truth.” I looked around and everyone nodded. “The man who died tonight wasn’t the same man you married centuries ago, you said that yourself.”

  “Yes, that is true. That man died a long time ago. This Fredrick was a stranger.” Gretchen stood next to Gunnar but moved away this time when he tried to put his arm around her.

  “Then it wouldn’t be wrong to buy something pretty for yourself.” Flo was all for it. “I would like to see you in green. What do you think, Glory?”

  “Oh, yes. Definitely green.” I glanced at Gunnar. “Hey, Viking, how do you feel about shopping? Want to come along with us?”

  We all laughed at his look of horror. Yep, our bad ass Viking had seemed less scared when facing a hoard of armed shape-shifters than at the prospect of shopping with a group of women.

  “Oh, one more thing, Gunnar. You have to leave your sword in the car.” Jerry gave him an elbow in the ribs.

  “What? You would have me go shopping unarmed?” Gunnar reached behind him and gripped the sword handle. “Now you are being unreasonable.”

  “No, unreasonable is trying to sneak into a hotel with a sword strapped to your back.” Flo shook her finger at him.

  Gunnar looked at Jerry. “Are you going to do this shopping?”

  “No thank you.” Jerry shook his head. “You couldn’t pay me to do it.”

  “Then I will not either.” He puffed out his chest. “I think it must be women’s work.”

  Gretchen shook her head. “He’s missed a thousand years of advances for women. I can see this relationship will be a lot of work if it is to last.”

  I took pity on him. “That’s all right, Gunnar. We were teasing you. Stay with the men. Watch some more soccer on the TV.” Jerry and Richard grinned at each other, like they were going to push him to go with us again. “Don’t say another word.”

  “No, we’ll keep him. He obviously needs pointers on how to handle women in this century.” Jerry laughed. “Don’t glare at me, Gloriana. Did I or did I not, just convince you to marry me?”

  “Yes, you did. So I’d suggest you remember that you have eternity to look forward to with either a happy wife or a nagging one.” I smiled, pretty sure I’d ended that conversation. “I think we need to get in the car now. Gretchen isn’t looking so good.”

  “Thank you, Glory. I am feeling … shaky.” She didn’t have to say why. It was still hitting her that she had seen her husband murdered right in front of her.

  When we all jockeyed for position in the ca
r it became obvious that Gretchen was going to end up on Gunnar’s lap. To say it was awkward was an understatement. She got in with all the enthusiasm of a death row inmate on his way to lethal injection.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Gretchen,” Jerry looked serious and I realized we had all tried to lighten the mood for his cousin but it wasn’t really working. Richard hadn’t started the car yet so I figured we had some unfinished business to discuss before we left here.

  We’d all crammed into the rental car. The three men from Austin were in the front seat and the rest of us rode in the back. Gretchen had ended up on Gunnar’s lap but she wouldn’t lean against him, her spine stiff. Who could blame her after what she’d just seen him do to her unlamented husband? Well, unlamented by the rest of us anyway. She’d started sniffling quietly.

  “What is it, Jeremiah?” She looked up at him, her eyes red.

  “We need a clean-up crew at this warehouse.” Jerry nodded toward it. “I took a picture of Fredrick’s body so it can be safely removed.”

  “A picture? Why?” I’d seen him do it, wondering about it at the time.

  “She will need proof, Gloriana, that the bastard is dead. There will be questions about who should take over the company, all his holdings. And then there’s his family…” Jerry looked a question at his cousin.

  “I will call Stefan. He will handle everything.” She pulled a generic looking phone out of her coat pocket and began to punch in numbers. “Let me out of the car.”

  We all heard the locks click and Richard jumped out to open the door for her. She stepped into the cold night air and started speaking to someone in rapid Swedish.

  “Who’s Stefan, Jer?” I wondered if he was from her family or Fredrick’s.

  “He’s her brother.” Jerry got out of his side of the car. “I want to hear how this goes.”