“Get away!” It was likely that if he killed it that it would mean even more bad luck. Maybe it would endure for weeks. His mind was getting more erratic by the minute.
The black retriever bolted down the street as his master summoned him. The vampire wiped his face and looked disgusted. Lately, he was a lot more irrational; having to pace so many times before leaving the safety of the forest, hearing voices that he was sure weren’t there. Keith had heard that some vampires went insane for no apparent reason. As a human he had dealt with some depression and eccentricities; he knew it was bad luck to look out the window at the full moon, but that was just common knowledge. Wasn’t it?
“What the hell is this now?” he said as the monarch butterfly that lit on his left shoulder. It had a fair amount of black into it so that was definitely a bad omen. He didn’t dare move lest it do something. What could a butterfly do? Didn’t know for sure but it wouldn’t be anything good. Was he being irrational? No he wasn’t. The butterfly started it. Why couldn’t it mind its own damn business? A branch cracked in the distance and he slowly turned his head toward it. Then it cracked again. The earth shook and it had to be an earthquake.
Keith blurred off into the forest like a rabbit being chased.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
AT FOUR IN THE MOURNING Abbey was awakened by a pounding on her door. She got up and found Arym in her Justin Bieber pajamas staring at the door. It was strange to be frightened of her daughter but there it was. The girl gazed at the peep hole but didn’t dare look through it. She knew there was another vampire just beyond the door but what to do about it? They had been told that some old vampires loved to take advantage of new vampires, knowing how utterly confused they were.
“Is he out there again?” her mother called to her.
“He’s calling me.”
“Don’t you dare go out there!”
“I’m not. He wants me to invite him in but I’m not going to do that either. But you don’t know how bad I want to go out there.”
Abbey knew that if she decided to open that door there was absolutely nothing that she could do about it. Her daughter could probably break her in two if she so desired. Arym’s strength and capabilities far outmatched hers. Vampires weren’t allowed in the building so how’d that one get in? She went to the window and looked out; there was usually a security guard out there. What she saw was disconcerting to say the least. The guard was flat on the ground, probably dead. She grabbed her cell off the coffee table with shaky hands and called Alexander.
Alexander and Tessy arrived in less than five minutes and Abbey was so happy to see him that her heart jumped, her knight in black trench coat. The vampire outside her door had run off as he sensed the red sheriff approaching.
“Are you okay?” asked Alexander.
“We’re okay but this is the second night in a row that a vampire has tried to get at her. He stands outside the door and calls to her. The police won’t even show up when you call them. They pretend they’re coming but they don’t.”
Alexander turned and looked at Arym who was now sitting on the sofa. “Whatever you do don’t invite him in. New vampires have a distinctive scent to them; it’s not far reaching so maybe he was walking by the building when he detected it.”
Abbey smiled at him. “Do you think you could stay here tonight and catch him?”
“Great minds think alike. He’s killed the security guard so we’ll see if he’s dumb enough to return. I really doubt that he’ll ever be back but who can say for sure.” Alexander knew the vampire wouldn’t return but he would stay the night if it would calm her mind. The family had been through so much.
The sheriff wasn’t sure what kind of vampire Arym was going to be. If she had substantial magic developing in her, that vampire may have wanted to grab her in exchange for a spell or two from an unscrupulous wizard. It was uncommon for people that were bitten to turn into wizards, but impossible things were occurring. It seemed that everyone was looking to augment themselves these days. But Alexander wasn’t good at detecting certain kinds of supernatural so it was only a thought, perhaps a weak one at that. However, he was getting unusual vibes from the girl.
“Alexander, would you like some green tea or coffee?”
“Green tea would be fine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE MILITARY STYLE BUILDINGS were seeing some activity. Sharpton stood in front of the group as he adjusted his shoulder length black hair. Beside them the dead animals piled on top of one another continued to burn with black and orange flames. The enchantment was set to burn for over a year without having to add more animals to the fire, with its energy being reabsorbed over and over. He had twenty-one vampires in three rows of seven and they stood at attention. It was an impressive accomplishment to have so many vampires willing to act like soldiers and take orders, but his goal was to get at least a hundred willing to follow any order that he gave them. There was magic involved but they didn’t know it and soon stronger magic. He had promised them a lot, including high ranking positions in the new world after the vampires took over. Sharpton really didn’t know if it was possible to take over the world, nevertheless he was going to have some fun trying. What else was there to do?
Sharpton gave his speech to his minions. “The fact that we will take over the world is inevitable. It will take time and cooperation among us but I am convinced that we will not fail. Even with their guns and tanks they cannot stop us. Our speed and might is simply too much for their weak bodies. This is the first step. The timeframe is unknown, but I will have a mission for you by the end of the day. DO NOT fight amongst yourselves. Any that disobey will be killed. You must be able to see the bigger picture because without it you are useless to me. We have no need of stupid vampires that won’t follow orders. Do not underestimate me. I am surrounded by powerful magic. Do not attempt to leave the area without being led out. You are dismissed for now.”
They all headed into the first building where a bar was set up with pool tables and card games. They weren’t allowed to play for money but Sharpton figured that they had to have something to do to guide the passage of time. Granger was a tall lanky fellow with a pronounced forehead and a pale face. Even at this early stage he realized that he had made a mistake; he already wanted to kill at least three of the vampires around him. Granger was not one for taking orders so why the hell did he get himself into this ridiculous situation? He knew if he stayed he was bones. If he tried to flee perhaps the end result would be the same, but maybe not. If he escaped perhaps they would all flee but he didn’t care.
“I have to get out of here.” Granger got looks from two big vampires setting up a game of pool. His options were limited. He could run or he could stay and be bones. The boss wouldn’t stand for him fighting with other vampires but that was inevitable is he remained. He figured that Sharpton was full of it; he might have lots of status but he guessed that ultimately he was going to get them all killed, and for all he knew that was his plan. He believed that Sharpton was only out for himself. If he truly had a big picture then he imagined that it was him that was privy to it. If he truly was some sort of mafia vampire, then why didn’t he get his underlings to do the job?
Granger went through the door instead of opening it. Several vampires went out to see what he was up to as others watched from the door. The vampire paused as he considered briefly whether to turn back or not. But then he went for it, all or nothing. He blurred toward the woods but almost as soon as he entered the forest he burst into flames. Granger was pitiful as he danced around on fire as it consumed his flesh. His body tried hard to regenerate but the flames were faster. Granger was dying a slow horrible death. Several vampires laughed at him, others simply shook their heads. His skin and insides burned away and for about almost two minutes the skeleton continued to dance, and then finally fell. Two minutes is an eternity when you’re on fire.
Sharpton entered his office, closing the door behind him and sat in his oversized blac
k leather swivel chair. He stared at a map of New York on the pine wood wall. Sharpton was waiting for Oblivion, his second in command. Oblivion had intended to kill and drain Lauren but it hadn’t turned out as he had planned. He had always feigned being a white wizard but the sheriffs never got onto him and he intended to keep it that way. Because everyone was augmenting he felt it necessary do to so as well, but he also knew that it could be dangerous.
Oblivion was tall and skinny looking as though he hadn’t eaten in weeks. He had been poisoned before being turned over two hundred years ago, and because he had almost starved to death, his chicken arms and bony legs weren’t pleasant to look at. He was one of the few high level wizards and not one to trifle with. Anyone that was fooled by his sickly appearance would be at a disadvantage. He wore khaki pants and a white sweater, and a long sword that somehow managed not to touch the ground. Oblivion had the most captivating blue eyes, perhaps his one good feature. He let himself fall into the chair opposite Sharpton.
“Sharpton I must say that things are progressing. We just lost Granger as he tried to flee, great entertainment value though. One or two at a time is certain death, but all together and they would only receive minor burns that would heal rather quickly.”
Sharpton started his desk clacker balls swinging. “Yes, Granger looked uncomfortable right from the start. He’s extremely uncomfortable now. The way his skeleton danced around was quite amusing.”
“You told him.”
“I did. Have you selected a location that contains not many red sheriffs so that we can inflict the most casualties? It needs to be a moderately big statement.”
“Within the hour.” Oblivion adjusted his position in his chair. “Not going to be easy to get a hundred vampires to follow your orders.”
“No, in fact it might be impossible. The twenty that we now have do not mesh. My words of wisdom won’t last long. Oblivion, how goes the spell? We need that spell like I need blood.”
Oblivion’s shrug was not inspiring fate in his ability. “Using an enchantment on a single vampire is one thing, but on twenty is quite something else as magic from one feeds off the others. See everyone is made from a different chemical soup. I told you from the beginning that it might be impossible. I’m working hard on it with not much progress.”
Sharpton considered dishing out a threat, but with such a powerful wizard he decided otherwise. “Keep at it. If we could create a hundred zombie vampires that would definitely be a step in the right direction. But really you need to get your ass in high gear.”
“Yes, well, they would be zombie-like.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
DRACULA SAT ON HIS SOFA with Allison in his lap. He was wearing a gray monogramed robe and she had on plaid red pajamas bottoms with a red top. She snuggled into him enjoying his strength. Allison worried about Jenny’s safety and what predicament she might currently find herself in. Distraction was almost impossible but she was trying. The girl was certainly capable of handling herself but she wasn’t indestructible. It was an awful feeling not having her in the house. Would she be changed when she returned? Experiences had a way of doing that, for good or bad. But strength was often acquired from struggle. Would she be transformed and wanting to go out there and battle even more of the bad vampires? What knowledge would she bring back with her?
Allison could see that Dracula was becoming pensive and going into himself; he had that distant look in his eyes. It had been a wonderful morning with lots of time in bed. Moon Diamond was asleep on the opposite end of the sofa, dreaming of mice and men from past battles, simultaneous dreams were going on in there. The cat’s right paw was clenched as Zacharia held his sword tightly in his battle dream.
The Master knew that the time had come because of all the evil vampires; he wanted to force all those thoughts out and simply enjoy Allison but he couldn’t. Ideas were encroaching like soldiers approaching a battle. It was time to take a more active role in the carnage that was to come.
“I know you have to do something about all this immoral shit that’s going on. You should have done something years ago. How many innocent people would be alive today had you stepped up?”
Dracula knew she was right as he stared into those gorgeous green eyes. “The past cannot be undone; the future cannot be unsung. It needs heroes to pull it into the light. Someone told me that though I don’t remember who.”
“What are you going to do?”
Dracula smelled her neck and took in her natural aroma, and it was so satisfying. He messaged the back of her neck and it felt wonderful. “Allison, I know what I have to do but I don’t like it.”
“What do you mean? What do you have to do?”
“To begin with I have to create more red sheriffs. It sounds simple but it isn’t. Each individual vampire has to be scrutinized. They have to have a good heart. Hearts of fire that can’t be extinguished. They cannot be evil with a spell that conceals their true self. It happened several times in the past. I placed red sheriffs on the streets only to be told that they were evil son-of-a-bitches that had been masked; I had to track them down and kill them. It took me almost a year to find one of them, the carnage he had caused. It was my fault. The world is not so small when you’re searching for someone.”
Allison kissed him long and lovingly. “You know what; I’ll bet that Jenny could help you with that. Why don’t you call her back? I’ll bet she can tell a good vampire from a bad one.”
Dracula briefly considered. “No, she’s in a necessary faze of her development. She’ll return in due time.”
“What if something happens to her?”
“Allison, I know you don’t want to hear this but Jenny is a big part of the solution. Should she perish I fear that all would be lost. She needs to progress rapidly.”
Moon Diamond stretched as he awoke. It scratched its ear briefly and then shook its head. The cat wanted to dig into the sofa with its nails but Zacharia discouraged it; he didn’t feel like being tossed across the room by the Master. He sat up, stared and listened. For a moment he forgot that he was trapped inside the feline. Again the cat scratched its ear.
“Zacharia, I think that cat needs a bath. I’ll run the water later and you can jump in the tub.”
Zacharia didn’t like the thought of having to fight with the cat to get in the tub, but it did indeed need a bath. He could feel the itch in its left ear. He guessed that it was going to be a horrible experience, or it might be fun.
“How long will it take to create more red sheriffs and get them out there?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll have to track down the right people. It could take a while.”
“I want to be a red sheriff!” screamed Zacharia from inside the cat.
Dracula turned to the cat and laughed. “Zacharia, you a red sheriff? You’re a cat. Where would we stick the badge? What do you think Allison?”
“Don’t ask me about such things. The more red sheriffs you create the less Jenny will have to fight.”
“I suppose we could get you a collar and stick it on that. Would you be willing to wear a collar?”
The Siamese nodded several times. “If that dog can be a sheriff then so can I.” He placed those words into Dracula’s mind with emphasis. The thought of being a sheriff would perhaps bring some meaning to his life, and if he perished from it then so be it. If only he could wield a sword. The paws of a cat were limited in what they could accomplish. How would he arrest someone? Not much of that going on these days, it was mostly killing the evil vampires that needed to be killed. How would he call for backup? Still, with the extra energy that Dracula would place in him, he would become a supercharged cat. The cat showed him a dead wet mouse covered in dew; he told it to give him a break from all the freaking mice. Then it showed him a crumpled up piece of paper that was in the corner that he wanted to play with and he told Moon Diamond that they would do it later.
“Oh, you mean Tessy? The vampire German shepherd is an exceptional animal. She’s a beauti
ful dog. When the ceremony takes place, Zacharia, my friend, you shall be the first cat to become a red sheriff, and hopefully the last one. This world is getting too weird.”
The cat took after the ball of paper and pounced on it. Moon Diamond threw it in the air and jumped up several feet performing an acrobatic aerial leap to bat it. It raced through the house pursuing and hitting the improvised toy. A glass in the kitchen was smashed on the floor as the cat raced out of there. Zacharia stood in the mind of the cat with his arms crossed waiting for the cat to play itself out.
Dracula laughed. “Poor Zacharia.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
ANNIE WAS WAITING FOR THE BUS on 8th Avenue; she had sensed something untoward in the gentleman with the expensive looking briefcase and pinstripe grey suit; he also wore a white shirt but no tie. This being a vampire thing was new to her and she was enjoying it. It was going to take a while to get accustomed to, but it was a huge step up from her prior condition. No more pain and no more struggling for breath. Every single day she had felt as if she was drowning, every morning she felt cheated when her eyes opened to start another day. It was as if the sun had finally come up and she could enjoy life’s beauty once again. When her heart beat for the first time as a vampire it frightened her. She thought that a vampire had no heartbeat whatsoever, but discovered that it did beat occasionally. She had Googled it.
Dracula: Hearts of Fire (Dracula Heart's) Page 11