by Willow Cross
She watched his eyes dart back and forth around the circle, waited for his mask of friendliness to dissolve, and as his body became a blur, called to her brother. Before he could reach her, two snarling wolves and the old man appeared through a mist in front of her. Fire, burning blue and bright, leapt high around campsite. He had nowhere to go.
Backing away, he moved as far as the diameter of the fire rimmed circle would allow. “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for, old man.”
“That’s ‘cause you don’t know who I am.”
“Who are you?”
“None of your business. We’re the ones gonna do the questioning here. Who are you, and what do you want with my pupils?”
The vampire crouched. Crimson lips pulled back revealing long white fangs. “You have no power over me,” he hissed as he eyed the two wolves.
“Maybe not, and maybe so. You keep eying them youngsters. You might be able to take the other one, he’s a bit scrawny. But this big ole boy here? Well, that’s a fight I’d pay money to see. You ain’t got a chance and you knows it.” Without taking his eyes from the snarling vampire, Brogan said over his shoulder, “Now, Sarah.”
Sarah dug her fingers into her knees as she forced her mind into the vampire’s. Pushing hard, she shoved against the barriers he threw up to drive her out. Once through, visions flashed one after the other. He was twenty-three, two hundred years ago. After his turning, he gladly returned to his home and wiped out his entire family, even his younger siblings. So many human faces suffering in attack after attack, and each one he reveled in. Dealings with other vampires, death, destruction, annihilation followed wherever he roamed. Evil incarnate.
She finally touched on more recent memories and thoughts. He first saw her in Toronto, and had been following ever since. His intent had been to capture her and take her to another higher-ranking vampire. A deep underground fortress full of tunnels, a group of people cloaked in black, unadulterated hate for another good-looking dark haired man, and then, unbelievably…her best friend. One of the main reasons she joined Brogan’s cause. Liz.
Recoiling from his mind, Sarah gasped for air. Dizzy from the shock, she tried to gain control before she fainted.
“That’s not possible,” Jason protested.
Over his shoulder, Brogan asked, “Did you find out what we needed to know?”
Still trying to regain composure, she answered, “No. I don't--I think so.”
Brogans voice steadied her. “Sarah, yes or no?”
“No.”
“Then get back in there and find out what's going on.”
Once again, she grasped her knees, and through sheer force of will, reentered the vampire's mind. Latching onto the previous image of Liz, she followed her through a secession of his memories, until his last memory was of a truly terrifying, scraggly haired vampire ordering a large group of vampires to find Liz, and kill her. Releasing her hold on his mind, she covered her face with her hands.
“Done?” Brogan asked.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Jason, kill him.”
Lowering his head, Jason crouched ready to pounce.
The vampire echoed his movements.
Slowly moving forward, Jason had a direct open path.
Moving to the side, the vampire struggled to keep the campfire between them.
Without being told, Pete began to move in the other direction. Both wolves leapt at the same time, bringing the vampire down with a crash. Pete yelped as a dull thud sounded and he flew through the ring of blue fire. Jason, heavier and stronger, maintained an iron grip on the vampire’s neck.
“Kill him!” Brogan yelled. “Rip his head from his body!”
A sickening crunch filled the air as the head was torn from its body. All around them, the blue flames began to extinguish. Sarah ran to where Pete lay, wounded but breathing. “Are you okay? What can I do?”
“I’ll be all right. I think I broke a couple ribs. Just let me lay here for a bit.”
Moving slowly, Sarah positioned herself so that he could rest his head in her lap. Gently running her fingers through his coat, tears slid down her cheeks.
“Well now, that worked out just right. Jason, take care to not swallow any blood. Rinse your mouth out. I’m not sure what vamp blood’ll do to a werewolf.”
Jason tossed the severed head into the fire, before moving to a large bucket of water. Standing over it, his body shimmered and became human. He cupped his hands and began rinsing and spitting. “Ugh! This tastes disgusting. You might have warned me about killing him.”
“Consarnit.” Brogan muttered as a black staff shoved deep in the ground began to pulsate with light.
“What?” Jason asked.
“Better get changed back, boy. We got company.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ignoring the uneasiness encompassing them, knives drawn and ready, Shad and Ashley sped through the trees toward the sound of snarling wolves. Whatever they were fighting, it sounded as though they fought for their lives. Shad winced as he heard a loud yelp, and hoped it wasn’t Sarah.
Other than the twigs and brush under their feet, the forest had grown quiet. Reaching out, he touched his sister’s arm motioning for her to slow down and remain quiet. In the distance they saw the faint glow of firelight. Silent and ready to attack, they slipped unseen to the edge of the clearing. Hovered over a five gallon bucket, a naked Jason shimmered and shifted. Sarah, face covered in fear, sat on the ground well away from the fire, with Pete’s head in her lap. Along with an old man they’d never seen before, the three watched the trees as if waiting for something.
“Sarah?” Shad called out.
Sarah jumped, not only at the mention of her name, but from the voice that called to her. “Shad?”
“Ouch!” Pete exclaimed as his head hit the ground.
Sarah glanced down at her wounded friend. “Oh shit! Sorry!” Not bothering to wait for a reply, she raced to the outskirts of the clearing arriving just as he stepped into it. Without any thought to who or what else was out there, she bolted into his arms, wrapping her legs around his body.
Immediately his arms encompassed her and he felt her hot tears shower his face and shoulder. Her body shook as she sobbed in his arms. “It’s okay, I’m here now. You shouldn’t have left me. Did you think I’d let you go off alone?” He whispered, still holding her close against his body.
“I-I…how?” She stuttered.
Jason quickly returned to human form, slid on his boxers, and headed towards them. Ashley flashed around her brother and ran to meet him. Although not nearly as theatrical as Sarah’s greeting, theirs was just as tender. Sliding her arms around his neck she planted a kiss on his chest, then raised her lips to meet his mouth.
His hungry mouth took her breath away. Heart thudding heavy in his chest, his raw voice choked, “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Where else would I be? There’s nothing for me anywhere else.”
Unnoticed, Pete had slipped away and returned fully dressed to stand stoically beside Brogan. “This is just freaking perfect.”
Brogan placed his hand on Pete’s shoulder, giving him an understanding squeeze. “It’s how it was supposed to work out, boy. Fate does what it wants, and hearts have no choice in the matter.”
Even though it pained him to watch, he could not take his eyes from Sarah and Shad. “Did you know they were coming?” He asked softly.
“I had a notion they would. Didn’t know if they’d have the gumption to make it though. Sure didn’t think they’d get here this soon. We all have our part to play in this, son. Each and every one of us.” Taking a few steps forward, the old man’s voice boomed above the quiet reunion. “That’s enough of that. Ya’ll get in here where it's safe. You’re mighty close to them trees, and we don’t know what’s out there runnin around tonight.”
Hand in hand, Sarah and Shad joined the others in the confines of the campfire. Not wanting to let go of her, he offered hi
s hand to the old man. “Shad Garcia, nice to meet you.”
Brogan shook his hand, saying, “I knows who you are. Yer a might early, but I’ve been expecting you.”
Jason’s head snapped in his direction. “What do you mean you’ve been expecting them?”
Eyes twinkling, Brogan answered, “Well, what ya think I had you boys put two tents up for? The three of you been sharing rooms for weeks. Had to have one for the girls and one for the boys. There ain’t gonna be no lollygagging on my watch. No siree. You bunch is gonna behave like the nice young people you are, and that’s all there is to it.”
Amazed, they looked questioningly at each other. Except for Pete. Dejected and solemn, he took a deep breath and attempted to hide his feelings.
***
Shana whimpered and cowered in the corner, waiting for another blow from the angry thing in front of her. He laughed mercilessly at her new demeanor. “Awe, poor thing. And just a few minutes ago you had so much to say. You’re very arrogant, even for a wolf. Really, you just don’t quite cut it. Haven’t you heard the rule? If you are ugly, you must be nice, and it’ll work. If you’re pretty, you can get away with being a bitch. However, an ugly woman cannot get away with it. Someone should have taught you that.” He laughed and took another swipe at her with his leg.
She heard and felt the impact to her head at the same time. Hard as she tried to keep it in, another yelp escaped her. He was enjoying this way too much. The more pain she showed, the more he seemed to enjoy it. Having learned her lesson earlier, she remained silent and refrained from begging him to stop.
Tall and lean, the vampire had a haggard appearance. Stringy blond hair hung to his shoulders. His hands resembled talons, ending in long yellowed nails sharpened to a point. Thankfully another vampire entered the room, drawing his attention away from her.
“What is it Brennan? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
Bowing before him, Brennan answered, “I apologize for the intrusion, Master. The explosives are in place and we need to evacuate.”
“We have time yet. Just a few more minutes with the dog, and then I’ll be ready.”
“Yes, Master. I will relay the message.” Brennan rose and scurried from the room.
“There you see? You have kept me from an extremely important task. See how useless you are?”
Shana shrank as far back in the corner as it would allow.
Moving to her, he knelt on one knee, and lowered his hand to her head.
She flinched.
“Now, now. Don’t be like that. You can be a good girl,” he said gently petting behind her ears. “See? Doesn’t that feel good? We can be good friends you and I, as long as you obey me. You will obey, won’t you?”
Tongue darting out of her mouth, she licked his hand.
A resounding slap sent her head against the wall. “Disgusting animal. Never do that again.”
A puddle of fluid appeared on the floor underneath her, immediately followed by another kick to her ribs. “You dogs repulse me. Change to human form and clean that up. When you’re ready to discontinue this animalistic behavior, you’ll be treated with less hostility.” Black cloak swirling around his feet, he turned and exited the room.
Human, once again, Shana wiped the tears and blood away from her face, and hurriedly looked for something to clean up the urine. I should have let Sarah kill me, she thought as her broken, sob-wracked body seized in pain.
***
After giving them time to catch up, Brogan spoke to the newcomers. Like their friends, they were awed that other supernatural creatures existed. Even more shocked to discover that not all things considered evil, were. Several wolf packs had already pledged their allegiance to Brogan. Soon he would leave to embark on a mission of the utmost importance. The fate of mankind weighed heavy in the balance of good versus evil.
“We’re at a crux. A paradox if you will. Like you all, your friend Liz has a most important role to play in all of this. Even now she works with the others, not knowing her importance in the scheme of things. Until these other matters are settled, there is not much more I can say on that topic.”
“But, Brogan, how did Liz get mixed up in a vampire war? I mean, it’s Liz for Pete’s sake. She’s as normal as normal gets.” Sarah said.
Poking the fire with a stick, he answered, “Harrumph. What is normal? All of you, at one time, had ordinary lives doing normal things. Then you didn’t. That’s how it works. No matter what we are doing now, rest assured we were meant to do it. It’s fate.”
“So Liz was destined to be a vampire just like we were destined to be here?” Jason asked.
Brogan nodded. “It was all predetermined. You’re living in the same town as her was no accident. Just the same, you were meant to meet up with Pete. Shad and Ashley were already part of the mix. It was just a matter of everyone coming to the right place at the right time.”
“Why can’t you tell me what she’s doing? Is she all alone?” Sarah asked.
Sighing, he answered, “Elizabeth has a daunting destiny, and more power in her body than is fair to give anyone. She is learning, even now, what is expected of her. She’s not alone. She has Michael, and some others. He is helping and protecting her. Soon, I will have to leave and go to them. They face an evil they cannot comprehend. I need to have you kids ready before I go. This next battle I fight might well be my last.”
Sarah massaged her temples as she contemplated his words. “Why can’t I go to her? Why can’t we talk to her?”
A grin spread across his face. “Well consarnit girl! She don’t even know me yet. I still have to introduce myself. But it ain’t time yet.” His eyes drifted to the stars. “Them stars always knows what’s going on. If we pay attention, they’ll tell us what to do.”
Shad’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t mean to be an ass, but your accent kind of comes and goes as it pleases. One minute, you’re a cantankerous old coot, and the next--well you’re not.”
Brogan nodded. “Things aren’t always what they appear to be son. I have my reasons.” Then winking, he went on, “Could be there’s more than meets the eye ‘round here. Iffin yer quick and pay attention, ya’ll might come out ahead in this here ‘quation.”
Uncertain, the group traded glances.
Brogan looked at Pete. “Remember what you asked about me last night, boy? What you said about bad asses?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Just like earlier with the vamp, sometimes it's best to let those against you get real comfortable like, before they knows what they’s up agin.”
Jason and Shad locked eyes. “He’s right,” Shad agreed.
“Yep.”
Exhaling, Sarah interjected, “Okay, what are we supposed to do, exactly? Does Liz need saving?”
Croaking out a laugh, he answered, “Oh boy does she ever, but not by you. You kids have other fish to fry. They’s a heap of packs out there what need contacting. Those that are worth a darn anyhow. It’ll be up to you to get them on board. When the war finally breaks out, your Liz’ll need all the help we can muster.”
Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees, Jason asked, “Where do we start?”
“Well here’s as good a place as any. Daniel’s pack has already started in the states. Could be the time’ll come he needs some help, but for now, you can start here. Let me tell you what I have in mind…”
***
Sarah woke to the smell of Brogan’s bitter coffee. Turning on her side, she noticed Ashley was already up and gone. Heart beating thunderously, she quickly dressed and headed outside. Shad was here! She’d been adamant about the Garcia’s not being involved in this, but now that they were here, relief filled her.
“Morning!” Ashley said as Sarah stepped from the tent.
Grinning, Sarah answered, “Morning! Where’s the boys?”
“I don’t know. No one was around when I got up. I thought I’d try to doctor up this horrible excuse for java and see if it could become palatable. Want some?�
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Sarah’s mouth pulled to the side in a half grin as she looked around. “Have you tasted it yet? Did your doctoring work?”
“I thought I’d let you be my first victim.”
Taking the offered cup, she sniffed. Nose wrinkling in disgust, she glanced at Ash. “It doesn’t smell any different.”
“Just try it. There’s probably half a pound of sugar in there.”
Gingerly taking a sip, she sighed in relief. “Oh this is so much better. Thanks!” Moving to the green camp chair closest to Ashley, she took a seat. “So no note, nothing? How weird.”
Eyes focused on the trees surrounding them, she answered, “I don’t understand why they wouldn’t tell us where they were going. That’s not like Shad.”
“Or Jason.”
Ashley moved to refill her cup. “You don’t think something could be wrong do you?”
“No. A wizard, two werewolves, and an Indian hunter? You’d have to be daft to mess with that combo.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I wish I knew where they were though.”
Sarah watched a pained look come over Ashley’s face. She’d given up everything to be here. Shad and Jason were all she had in the world now. Although she’d never had a family to lose, she could imagine how hard it was for the girl. “I don’t think I’ve thanked you yet, Ash.”
“Thanked me?”
“For being here. You know, for coming. I know you gave up a lot to do that.”
Ashley shrugged. “Yes and no. We had a close family. Had being the operative word in that sentence. The thing is this--we’ve spent out whole lives following orders. Doing what we were told, because it was expected. Once we really got to know you two, well, that changed everything. I know how Jason feels now. I’ve spent a ton of time wondering how many I killed that didn’t deserve to die.”
Filled with compassion for her friend, Sarah answered, “I’m sure they’re not all like us. The one’s like Shana needed to die.”
Grief stricken and remorseful, Ashley glanced at her feet before responding. “Some of them were babies, Sarah. Babies, children, old people, young people, hundreds. It never used to bother me. They were aberrations, unnatural, unholy even. Now I can’t help but see their faces like a constant stream in my mind.”