Death Devours

by J. C. Diem

  “My name is Lucentio,” Luc corrected me archly. “Only you, and apparently now Geordie, use that horrid nickname.” I could tell he didn’t really mind me calling him Luc. Even if he did, I was confident that he’d get used to it, eventually.

  Crushed, Nicholas slumped back against the seat. “So I am just to be a mere lackey again,” he said bitterly.

  “There won’t be any lackeys, either,” I told him. “We’ve been a bit busy to work it all out yet but I don’t see any reason why we can’t form some kind of democracy. If we stick to the rules you’ve all been abiding by for thousands of years, we should be fine.”

  Our rules were pretty simple. The most important was that we weren’t supposed to bring attention to ourselves or to reveal our true nature to humans. We weren’t allowed to kill humans when we fed but had to befuddle their wits instead. We could only have one servant at a time and could only make a servant in the event that our maker died. The final rule was that we weren’t allowed to kill our own kind unless we were defending our own lives.

  I’d recently broken rule number one in the worst kind of way. I’d been careless when feeding from a Russian soldier and had been captured in the act on video. Since almost every human on the planet probably knew about our existence by now, I guessed that the first rule no longer applied. It wasn’t just me who had been spotted, all five of our original team members had been caught fighting the imps on film. Our secret was well and truly out and it couldn’t be put back in.

  Musing about the idea, Nicholas smiled tentatively. “Then I will be a free man? I will no longer have to bow and scrape to anyone?”

  “That’s the plan,” I replied. How often do your plans work out as you intend them to? My subconscious was at it again, pointing out things I didn’t want to hear. The answer to that, of course, was rarely.

  Chapter Five

  Several hours later, we crossed over the border into Kazakhstan and I sent out my senses to locate our Japanese kin. I detected a large group of our kind somewhere to the southeast and passed the news on to Luc. He fished his phone out and I called the others. “Hi, Gregor,” I said when he answered. “Can you tell Igor to let us pass him? I’ve got a bead on Ishida and his people.”

  “Can you estimate how far away they are?” the most urbane of us asked.

  “It’ll take us a few hours to reach them but hopefully we’ll find them before dawn.” I couldn’t judge distances with exact accuracy but had some idea of how long it would take to reach them.

  “I’ll pass the message on.” Even as Gregor spoke, Igor slowed, having overheard my end of the conversation. Luc overtook the black car with a nod of thanks. Geordie waved at me forlornly and I returned the gesture as we glided past.

  Nicholas had lapsed into a moody silence in the back seat. His arms were crossed, holding his jacket closed over his naked torso. He wasn’t happy that we were allying ourselves with the Japanese and was making his opinion about that choice very clear. I hadn’t wanted him to tag along with me after we’d left the cavern of doom and had only reluctantly allowed him to join me. He’d insisted on following me around like a puppy and now he was forced to live with our choices. I wished he’d do so graciously instead of sulking about it like a child.

  Concentrating on the group that I assumed was our allies, I directed Luc towards them as best as I could. It wasn’t an exact science and we had to backtrack several times after heading in the wrong direction. At last, we reached an isolated property with time to spare before the sun was scheduled to rise.

  Luc turned into a dirt driveway and I squinted at the house in the distance. From afar, it looked like a rundown piece of crap. Up close it was even worse. The roof was gone and most of the walls had collapsed. From the remaining charred wood, I deduced that a fire had swept through the dwelling. Stepping foot inside would almost guarantee an injury if we’d still been human.

  The barn was in slightly better condition than the house. Three of the walls were still standing and only half of the roof had fallen in. This was due to wear and the weather rather than from a fire. Luc spied the tail end of a large vehicle parked behind the barn and pointed it out. Before I could examine the vehicle further, dozens of warriors boiled into view.

  Dressed in familiar black leather suits and masks that covered the lower half of their faces, they were armed with samurai swords, axes, throwing knives, crossbows and various other weapons. Luc wisely parked some distance away and turned the headlights off. Igor copied him, coasting to a stop a few feet behind us.

  Disembarking from our cars, we gathered in a circle. “You’d better let me meet them alone,” I said into the silence. Luc was reluctant to allow me to endanger myself and Nicholas went as far as shaking his head. “Put your hand up if you’re indestructible.” Naturally, my hand was the only one raised. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Ishida and his people. I just didn’t want an incident to occur that might strain our international relations before they’d even begun.

  Raising my other hand to show I was unarmed, I strode across the grass. I’d left my swords in the car as a show of good faith. I’d dressed in jeans and a jumper but should have donned one of my suits. I would have been instantly recognizable wearing it.

  “Natalie, is that you?” a young male voice asked. Being twelve in mortal years, Ishida was short enough to be hidden behind a wall of guards. Also being young, his voice was easily recognizable. His guards shifted enough to give me a glimpse of his face.

  “It’s me, Emperor Ishida. Have you played any good zombie games lately?”

  Pushing his way through his warriors, Ishida’s normally stoic face broke into a grin. “I have missed your company, Mortis. No one on our island knows how to play computer games.”

  “Neither did I until you taught me,” I pointed out. We clasped forearms rather than hugging outright. As the leader of the Japanese vampire nation, Ishida had an image to uphold. Speaking of image, he wore a modified black leather suit with the same metal plating that my red suit had contained. It protected his chest and back from swords, spears, arrows and many other weapons. It had been padded to add bulk to his wiry frame but it wouldn’t be polite for me to point that out. The addition of a thick metal band around his neck would stop anyone from easily beheading him.

  Kokoro emerged from the protective ring of warriors. She stood out not just because of her pale kimono but also because of her eyes. Unlike every other vampire ever made, her eyes were pure white instead of black. She’d been either gifted or cursed with visions when she’d been turned and had lost her sight at the same time. She could read minds as well, a talent that I personally found to be rather intrusive at times. She glided through the crowd and I stepped forward to meet her. We brushed a kiss on each other’s cheek in greeting. “I am glad you and your friends have arrived safely, Natalie.”

  “This is quite a…place you’ve picked for our meeting.” That was as diplomatic as I could force myself to be about the broken down house and grounds.

  Ishida waved away my scepticism. “I have no intention of sheltering in these ruins,” he assured me. “We have suitable transportation and sleeping quarters.”

  My curiosity was peaked but I had duties to attend to before I could investigate this claim. “Is it ok if my friends join us?” I asked the emperor.

  Ishida cocked an eyebrow at Kokoro. I presumed her short pause was due to scanning my friend’s minds for any signs of treachery. “I see you have added someone new to your ranks,” she said.

  I grimaced at the reminder. Since she couldn’t possibly have actually seen him, she’d either picked up on Nicholas’ thoughts or the thoughts of those around him. “Nicholas defected from the Court and has chosen to join our cause.” I had to say that because, despite the distance between our two groups, the muscle bound vamp could no doubt hear every word I was saying.

  Ishida cast a curious look at my friends. “Gather your people, Mortis. We must parley before dawn.”

  I hid my smile at
his old fashioned terminology. He was far older than anyone on my team, or so I assumed, and we had to respect him just for surviving for so long. At my wave, my team ambled over. Surrounded by around fifty masked male and female Japanese soldiers, our group was badly outnumbered but I wasn’t expecting trouble. The whole purpose of our meeting was to deal with a threat that could prove to be detrimental to us all.

  First, I introduced Emperor Ishida and Kokoro then named everyone on my side. Kokoro gave everyone a polite smile. Ishida inclined his head briefly, giving Geordie a longer look than the others. The two teenagers were only three years apart in mortal years but ten thousand years apart in vampire age. Like most teens, they were automatically curious about each other.

  Ishida bowed to our group formally. “Please follow me.” He gave Kokoro his arm to lead her back around behind the barn. She walked gracefully, holding her kimono a couple of inches off the ground with her free hand.

  Gregor immediately followed them, eager to become acquainted with our new allies. Igor stumped along behind him, far less eager but knowing this was necessary. Geordie was more subdued than normal and remained at my side. Luc kept his emotions hidden, offering me his arm as Ishida had with his seer. I took it with a smile and pretended for just a few moments that I wasn’t just a lowly commoner. Nicholas brought up the rear. He’d donned a shirt that Luc had loaned him and it strained to cover his shoulders. His heavy scowl tempted me to tell him to wait in the car. I decided it would be a better idea to keep an eye on him than to let him wander around on his own.

  Rounding the barn, I ogled the sleek black motorhome that Ishida and his people had acquired from somewhere. I wasn’t sure if they’d paid for it or had bamboozled a human into giving it to them. It didn’t seem polite to ask. A large truck was parked a few feet ahead of the motorhome. It would be a tight squeeze but the Emperor’s guards would be able to hide inside it during daylight hours.

  At a slight nod from their young ruler, the Emperor’s guards took up their posts around the vehicle. Ishida entered first, followed by Kokoro. Gregor graciously allowed me to enter next. Pushing Geordie aside, he was right on my heels. The teen gave him an indignant glare that shifted to Luc when he also rudely pushed past him. Igor shoved Geordie ahead of him and Nicholas brought up the rear again. I had a feeling it was a position he was quickly going to have to get used to. We might not have a Court but it appeared we had our own form of hierarchy.

  As a show of trust, Ishida didn’t allow any of his guards inside the motorhome. Kokoro had most likely rummaged around in my head and knew I had no intention of hurting any of their people. It was thanks to Ishida and his warriors that I’d gained the fighting skills that had allowed me to take down the First and his unnatural offspring. I’d always be grateful to him for making that possible.

  Taking a seat at the roomy circular dining table, Ishida indicated for us to join him. The table was topped with pale pink marble and the curved bench seat was covered in cream leather. Geordie stared around the luxurious motorhome in wide eyed wonder. Although he’d lived in the Court mansion for two hundred years, his quarters had been a tiny cell in the extensive catacombs that had been dug beneath the grounds. The expensively appointed furniture and state-of-the-art kitchen were more opulence than he was used to seeing. For the child king, it was probably a short step up from being bearable. His mountain fortress on a secluded Japanese island was far more spectacular than the motorhome.

  I took the seat to Ishida’s left and Kokoro sat on his right. Luc frowned at Geordie when he tried to slide in next to me. Giving Luc a sheepish smile, the kid took the next seat over. When we were finally settled, Gregor kicked things off. Flicking his hair back from his face in a habitual gesture, the most urbane of us got straight to the point. “There have been no reports of vampire uprisings so far but it is only a matter of time now.”

  Kokoro nodded in agreement. “The First’s ten ‘disciples’ fed very well when they rose three nights ago. They will shortly have dozens of fledgling servants.”

  Damn it, Kokoro has been rummaging around inside my head again! My thought was decidedly cranky. She must have been prying because she was using the name I’d given the interred ancient vampires. The seer’s expression was grave and I was glad I didn’t share her visions. The sight of ten starved vamps feeding on helpless humans wouldn’t have been pretty. The picture of them feeding their flesh hunger would have been even worse. “Even now, their victims are waking to join their ranks,” she continued. “Tonight, the newly risen servants will in turn begin to feed. This will begin a cycle that will endanger the existence of both humans and us.”

  “Do you know where they are?” I asked the prophetess.

  “Your dreams were correct, Mortis, they are in Africa.” I wasn’t comforted that my own version of a vision was accurate. This meant I had some kind of connection with our new adversaries. I’d already had enough of being connected mentally to other monsters to last me for the rest of my unlife.

  Igor put forward a suggestion. “If you know they are in Africa then we shouldn’t waste time waiting for official news to spread before heading there. If the disciples have any intelligence at all, they will target remote villages and attempt to remain undetected for as long as possible.”

  Gregor nodded thoughtfully. “If they are careful it might take days before their attacks become known to the authorities.” Everyone was speaking English so no translation would be required. Since I was the only one who could understand every language on and presumably off the planet, this saved me from repeating everything that was said.

  Ishida glanced at his seer for her opinion on how we should proceed. He might be the ruler of his small nation but he knew Kokoro’s worth. She nodded to back up Igor’s idea. “I suggest we make haste and fly there immediately. The longer we wait, the more of our kind will need to be dispatched.”

  For a stunned moment I thought she meant she and her people could actually fly then I realized she was talking about using a plane. Her lips quirked slightly in amusement as she caught my thought. Thankfully, she kept my embarrassing mistake to herself.

  “I don’t suppose there is an airfield with a plane large enough to carry us all anywhere nearby,” Geordie said with a profound lack of hope.

  “Actually,” Ishida replied, “we will find what we need only one hour from this location.”

  I had a sneaking suspicion at how they’d travelled from Japan to Kazakhstan. “You didn’t steal a plane, did you?”

  Inclining his head haughtily, Ishida confirmed my hunch. “Kokoro foresaw our need and arranged for our transportation. The plane is waiting to take us wherever we need to go.”

  Gregor smiled at the teen. “Excellently done, Emperor Ishida.” He was clearly the most diplomatic of our group and I was glad we had someone with his skills amongst us.

  If dawn hadn’t been lurking just over the horizon, I would have suggested we head for the airfield straight away. Like Kokoro has said, the longer it took us to locate the rogue vamps, the more of them we’d eventually have to put down. I didn’t relish the idea of another lengthy fight against thousands of monsters. Then you’re doomed to disappointment, my subconscious warned me. I gave it a mental grimace.

  “We should find somewhere safe to spend the day,” Luc said.

  “Good idea,” I agreed. That would probably mean digging a tunnel because I hadn’t seen anywhere suitable where we would be able to avoid the sun.

  Kokoro had a solution for our predicament. “Our soldiers located a cellar beneath the farmhouse. It should be safe, if you would care to use it.”

  “Thank you, that should suffice,” Gregor said with a bow.

  “You may use the second spare bedroom of my trailer if you wish, Natalie,” Ishida offered gallantly.

  “It would be our pleasure,” Luc said smoothly. I admired his ability to let the teen know that I wouldn’t be sleeping alone without treading on anyone’s toes. Ishida inclined his head in agreement. Geord
ie and Nicholas scowled their displeasure and opened their mouths to voice a protest. Before they could, Igor reached out and dealt them both a blow to the backs of their heads.

  Before the pair could retaliate and embarrass themselves, or me, further, I put an end to their antics. “Luc and I will be happy to use the spare room. Geordie and Nicholas, grow up and behave yourselves. We all have to at least try to pretend to get along until this is all over. What you do after that is your problem.”

  Abashed, they followed Gregor and Igor from the motorhome. “Sorry about that,” I apologized to Ishida and Kokoro.

  Ishida waved the apology away. “I have heard that the Europeans are less than respectful to their rulers. Their behaviour comes as no great surprise.”

  I opened my mouth to tell him I wasn’t anyone’s ruler but Kokoro subtly shook her head. “Does this mobile palace have a bathroom? I’d like to wash up if I can,” I said instead.

  “I will show you where it is,” the seer replied and stood. She navigated her way to the middle of the motorhome almost as if she were sighted.

  Turning on the tap, I hoped it would muffle the question I was about to ask. “Why do you want me to pretend to be in charge of our group?” I kept my voice so low that it was practically soundless.

  “Why do you feel as if you will be pretending?” she shot back at me just as quietly.

  “Because I’m just…me. I’m not exactly ruler material.” Anyone who knew me even slightly could figure that out.

  Her white eyes seemed to look right through me. “Who are you, Natalie?”

  I saw where she was going and wished I could still heave a heavy sigh. That sort of thing took practice when you could no longer breathe and it didn’t come easily to me. “I’m Mortis,” was my unhappy reply.

  “For that reason alone, you are now the leader of your people.” With that less than comforting statement, Kokoro glided away and left me alone to get cleaned up.